World Renewal International
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Heaven is Rejoicing!
I got a email today from Pastor Luc (pictured with Gary last November) in Haiti. He spent time in the mountains and God blessed his hard work. He walked for three hours and was very tired. People loaned him a horse so he could complete his ministry journey. He said the area had little water and no school or church. He said people were very hungry for the message of Christ. Over 30 people gathered for Sunday morning service as Moulin Church was planted! Over 20 people received Christ as their Savior. Praise the Lord! This why we do what we do. He said to get a gallon of water he had to walk two hours. I am not sure what that meant but I think it meant there was no 7-Eleven Convenience store near by. Pray for Pastor Luc and this new church.
Please remember we started Christ Compassion Orphanage in Haiti this year. Why? We are not in the orphanage business. However, one of our ministry teams went to an area where the poverty was so bad that people were selling children and the streets were overrun with homeless children. Pastor Luc did not know what else to do. We did not know what else to do. The Bible is clear on orphans isn't it? We have 20 children. The rent is paid for a year on the house. However, we need funds for food, clothes, education and medical treatment. Jesus is Lord. Jesus is our best friend.
Thanks for stopping by.
Labels: Picture World Renewal Anniversary Banquet 11/12/07 Turtle Pond Photography
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Before Me, Behind Me and With Me.
Most of the time when we look at the 139th Psalm (TLNT) we are looking at the passage that points out the sacredness of life and conception. "You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb. ... I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day passed." I like those words don't you?
King David was seemingly overwhelmed with the fact that God knows us, thinks of us, "how precious are your thoughts about me, they are innumerable!" (17) and has such a wonderful plan for our lives. He states earlier that "you chart the path ahead of me."(3) You know, I'm kind of overwhelmed about that myself!
Verse 5 makes me think of my friend Tele Moraes(Pictured at WRI's 20th Anniversary Celebration with Gary), President of World Renewal-Brazil. "You both proceed and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head." I have often said "God goes before Tele preparing the way, God goes behind Tele covering and protecting him and walks with him anointing Tele with His Presence empowering Tele to do God's miraculous work on earth." I have said, "Tele is the Apostle Paul of northeastern Brazil." I guess there must be a little of "David the Psalmist" there too. It is wonderful to know and work with Godly people like Tele. It amazes and encourages me and builds my faith to see God work in their lives.
However, the truth is my friend, God feels the same about you as he does about Tele and King David. He has no less thoughts about you. Remember? God is no "respecter of persons"? "Every moment of your life was laid out before a single day had passed." How precious are His thoughts about you. "They are innumerable. I can't even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand."(18)
My friend Dr. Dennis Kinlaw once said, "If there could be any disappointment in heaven it would be if God sat down with us and showed us the blueprints for the plan He had for our lives and where we deviated from His plan." Lord help me to see and hear your path and plan!
If God invented music, and he did, then he invented the song. The psalmist said that He sings. What does God sing about? I think he sings about His kids. We sing "O how I love Jesus! O How I love Jesus!" But what does He sing about? What are His songs about?
The wind softly blew today when I was walking to the car here in rural Indiana. I love to listen to the sounds of the country. Sometimes I think I can hear Him. In fact, I think I heard Him singing today. I am sure I heard Him. Guess what He was singing about? I am sure He was singing of His love for you. You must really be special. O Yeah, He already said that all the way through Psalm 139 didn't He?
Thanks for stopping by.
King David was seemingly overwhelmed with the fact that God knows us, thinks of us, "how precious are your thoughts about me, they are innumerable!" (17) and has such a wonderful plan for our lives. He states earlier that "you chart the path ahead of me."(3) You know, I'm kind of overwhelmed about that myself!
Verse 5 makes me think of my friend Tele Moraes(Pictured at WRI's 20th Anniversary Celebration with Gary), President of World Renewal-Brazil. "You both proceed and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head." I have often said "God goes before Tele preparing the way, God goes behind Tele covering and protecting him and walks with him anointing Tele with His Presence empowering Tele to do God's miraculous work on earth." I have said, "Tele is the Apostle Paul of northeastern Brazil." I guess there must be a little of "David the Psalmist" there too. It is wonderful to know and work with Godly people like Tele. It amazes and encourages me and builds my faith to see God work in their lives.
However, the truth is my friend, God feels the same about you as he does about Tele and King David. He has no less thoughts about you. Remember? God is no "respecter of persons"? "Every moment of your life was laid out before a single day had passed." How precious are His thoughts about you. "They are innumerable. I can't even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand."(18)
My friend Dr. Dennis Kinlaw once said, "If there could be any disappointment in heaven it would be if God sat down with us and showed us the blueprints for the plan He had for our lives and where we deviated from His plan." Lord help me to see and hear your path and plan!
If God invented music, and he did, then he invented the song. The psalmist said that He sings. What does God sing about? I think he sings about His kids. We sing "O how I love Jesus! O How I love Jesus!" But what does He sing about? What are His songs about?
The wind softly blew today when I was walking to the car here in rural Indiana. I love to listen to the sounds of the country. Sometimes I think I can hear Him. In fact, I think I heard Him singing today. I am sure I heard Him. Guess what He was singing about? I am sure He was singing of His love for you. You must really be special. O Yeah, He already said that all the way through Psalm 139 didn't He?
Thanks for stopping by.
Monday, February 26, 2007
Search Me and Know My Heart
(Above left-Jim Flood WRI Representative for Mexico, left center- Max Wright with WR-Haiti President Luc Joesph on the Welcome Home raido broadcast is Haiti's Representative. Left-Carol Wright and WR-Brazil Representive send of a team to Brazil last summer.) 
"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life." Psalm 139:24
As 2007 gets underway, it seems good to pray this prayer. "Point out anything in me that offends you." Wow! I am not sure what He is thinking but I have a lot of things that offend me about me. I guess the point is are "we" meaning God and myself, are we working on them to his liking? I can't speak for you friend, but for me, I am taking this time to seek Him and am trying to hear Him.
DID YOU KNOW? We do our best to prepare those who travel to the mission field by having orientation. My wife Carol does much of this training along with the World Renewal Representatives of each country. A World Renewal Representative is a volunteer who goes between the national leaders of a country and our office. Most travel at least twice a year to their country. They give sacrificially of their time and resources to serve the people, leaders and ministry of that country and those here in the USA.
Friday, February 23, 2007
My Prayer of Thanks
Lord Jesus, I am thanking you for those who have helped me do what we have done for the last 20 years. I am grateful for their sacrifice, love, friendship and trust. World Renewal is 20 years, 2 months old. I have had the privilege to see the harvest. I have been able to put my arms around the ones that were weeping because of their convicted broken heart. I have heard their voices as they prayed through to victory. I have looked into the tear stained faces of changed lives, heard the laughter of salvation's joy. I have been the one sent. However, those who have sent me, sent their hard earned donations, prayed everyday, read our mailings so that they could pray with understanding, what do I say? Lord they just got to see pictures and hear stories.
Then there are those like Doug Newnum (18 Years) and Renewal (Gary Jones, Steve Lindley, Mike Cruse, Mark Montfort, Alan Lynch, Steve Tingley, Dan Downer and others) who have stood by my side on stages and ministered to exhaustion only to get into vans and travel through the night to be at work the next day. The wives and kids who did without them or went with us. Lord bless these folks! Frank and Janet Penna and his story songs. Andy and Lora Kyger, Wes and Michelle Davis, Hal and Kathy Phillips, Hubert and Tonya Nolen, Larry and Susie.
Then there are those like Doug Newnum (18 Years) and Renewal (Gary Jones, Steve Lindley, Mike Cruse, Mark Montfort, Alan Lynch, Steve Tingley, Dan Downer and others) who have stood by my side on stages and ministered to exhaustion only to get into vans and travel through the night to be at work the next day. The wives and kids who did without them or went with us. Lord bless these folks! Frank and Janet Penna and his story songs. Andy and Lora Kyger, Wes and Michelle Davis, Hal and Kathy Phillips, Hubert and Tonya Nolen, Larry and Susie.
All those who provided lodging, meals and comfort. Those who have filled our van with gas or fixed them when they broke. All our volunteers who have stuffed mailings, made phone calls, cleaned or worked in our offices. Precious Peggy and saintly Edna, Carolyn Medaugh, Marian, John M. Amy and Steve Turner, Max Wright, Jim Flood, Tele, Luc, David and Ramiro and their wives and all they do. Julie and Kevin. Stacy and Juan. Thanks for blessing Ned and Belinda.
Pastor Terry Knighten,Cliff and Jo, Frank and Betsy, Doug and Betty bless them Lord! Dr. John and Carol, Jim and Carol meet the needs of your servants. Thanks for Debbie and Jennifer now at your side. Tom and Kay. Paul and Penny, Doug and Lois, Wayne and his Brazilian Roberta and Pastor Adrian. Howard Harmon and Maurice Roberts who asked me to do this work. Bless them all this day.
I think of the people of Kansas who helped us form World Renewal. Bob and Marilynn Ham, Joe and Sheryl Schoonover, Ron and Lois Kendall, Elmer and Lora Davis, Roger and Leslie, Elaine Worden, the Wheelers and Walkemeyers. Joy and Clint. Norman and Janice. Derby Friends-Galen, Coach Dale and Delores, Roger and Jan, Pastor Eldon Cox. My prayer partner from my teens to this day Pastor Jack and wife Rowena Holliday.
Those in Damascus, Ohio who helped us make those first trips to other countries. Pastor Larry Kinser. People behind the scenes doing your work like the Steve and Gary Steers and Dean Cobbs. The people of Van Wert, Ohio who believed in us.
The folks who helped us with our kids such as Lona, Milton and Winona, Pete and Merl, and Pastor Paul Romoser. The people of Rush Creek. Some even helped us build the house I'm living in like Dan and Sharon, my brothers Mark and Richard and their wives, Kathy and Robin, my in-laws David and June, Dwight and Phyl, Doug and Teresa and so many more. My parents and grandparents who raised me and knew I was to do this and prepared me.
Finally, my wife who said, "Your people shall be my people, where you go, I will go, your God my God." She has given me the one life she had. She has cried with me, laughed with me and rejoiced and morned. She has encouraged me when I was down, stayed with me when I failed or sinned. God bless my children who grew up in the back of vans and living in trailers behind those vans. They ministered beside me too! My son-in-law Adam. Help me with the expressions of thanks Lord!
What can I say in the way of gratitude? Thanks? Doesn't quite cut it! Like everything else, I can't even say adequate thanks without relying on you Lord of the Heavens to reward and enrich. To you God be the Glory and Honor!! Bless them Lord!! Bless them all!
I think of the people of Kansas who helped us form World Renewal. Bob and Marilynn Ham, Joe and Sheryl Schoonover, Ron and Lois Kendall, Elmer and Lora Davis, Roger and Leslie, Elaine Worden, the Wheelers and Walkemeyers. Joy and Clint. Norman and Janice. Derby Friends-Galen, Coach Dale and Delores, Roger and Jan, Pastor Eldon Cox. My prayer partner from my teens to this day Pastor Jack and wife Rowena Holliday.
Those in Damascus, Ohio who helped us make those first trips to other countries. Pastor Larry Kinser. People behind the scenes doing your work like the Steve and Gary Steers and Dean Cobbs. The people of Van Wert, Ohio who believed in us.
The folks who helped us with our kids such as Lona, Milton and Winona, Pete and Merl, and Pastor Paul Romoser. The people of Rush Creek. Some even helped us build the house I'm living in like Dan and Sharon, my brothers Mark and Richard and their wives, Kathy and Robin, my in-laws David and June, Dwight and Phyl, Doug and Teresa and so many more. My parents and grandparents who raised me and knew I was to do this and prepared me.
Finally, my wife who said, "Your people shall be my people, where you go, I will go, your God my God." She has given me the one life she had. She has cried with me, laughed with me and rejoiced and morned. She has encouraged me when I was down, stayed with me when I failed or sinned. God bless my children who grew up in the back of vans and living in trailers behind those vans. They ministered beside me too! My son-in-law Adam. Help me with the expressions of thanks Lord!
What can I say in the way of gratitude? Thanks? Doesn't quite cut it! Like everything else, I can't even say adequate thanks without relying on you Lord of the Heavens to reward and enrich. To you God be the Glory and Honor!! Bless them Lord!! Bless them all!
Thanks for stopping by and praising the Lord with me.
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Jammin' for Jesus
My friend Frank Penna (pictured) called today. He is someone many of you ought to meet. He is the Director of Worship Teams for World Renewal Intl. He helps churches and their worship teams in the area of training and development. He would be glad to come to your church and help your worship team and leaders, especially if you are a small church.
He also puts together Worship & Arts Conferences in other countries. We had our first conference in Brazil last December. WRI's philosophy is to include nationals as part of the training, we all help each other. We take really good American musicians who are part of worship teams and mix them with the teams from the national country. There is a whole lot of "jammin" going on at these events. It is fun and it is great to worship with those from other nations. We also had the "Arts" side. Frank's sister lead ladies in a sewing class and they ended up making some cool purses. They decided the purses were good enough to be sold. That would help their families for sure. Frank is looking for those who will go with him to Mexico, Haiti and Brazil in 2007. Do you know someone? Are you that someone? Call us at 800-248-6512 and we will get you in touch with Frank.
Frank also travels with me part of the time and leads worship before I preach. When he is on my radio show The Welcome Home Broadcast he always introduces my audience and myself to music that is interesting and from very eclectic tastes.
DID YOU KNOW? Liberia in western Africa is an English speaking nations founded by former slaves from the USA who returned to their native continent. Their flag is red, white and blue. Wes Davis (Feb. 12 Blog) returned Monday from Liberia after his mission team of eye doctors saw over 850 people for optical treatment. Wes also spoke at the pastors conference. All nine of his team returned to Riverton, KS. safely and without any major problems. Thanks for praying for them and for stopping by.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Old Friends
I got an interesting phone call today from an old friend. We went to college at Asbury together. I had not talked to him in many decades. We had lost touch almost from the time we left college. It was great to hear his voice and more important, his testimony of God's love and faithfulness in his life. He described some awful moments in his life since I had seen him. This was followed by the discription of stubbornness of his parents and God to not give up on him.
I have really been blown away all day by the conversation. We had traveled in a ministry team called "God's Squad." (Pictured for your amusement, I am back and center.) Yes, it was the early 1970's. God had called all four of us to preach and had gifted us to do it. God used us in church after church to draw people to himself. It was so much fun. We did not know very much, but we had been through the Asbury Revival of 1970. We would share our witness of being there and often revival would follow our witness. It was amazing and wonderful. I am reminded that "God's power shows up best in our weakness." 2 Cor. 12:9 He did show up and it was often in our weaknesses, which from my view we often put on display.
All of us have been pastors. Only one is out of the vocational ministry right now. I know from talking to the others we have had times when we were out of God's will in our lives, but we have never been out of His care. Thanks for the reminder today Lord!
DID YOU KNOW? A Harvard study showed that after the age of 65 only one in 700,000 Christians made the decision to give their life to Christ? I can think of so many who did not follow that statistics in our years of ministry. May Jesus Christ be praised. Thanks for stopping by.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
FAT TUESDAY
They call it "Fat Tuesday." For some of us every Tuesday is "fat." I have decided that during this Season of Lent I am going to try to allow Jesus to teach me more about prayer. I want to find ways to encourage His people to make sure His is a "House of Prayer." The greatest moments in life are when you have prayed dearly for something, yet is seems far from reality, then it comes to pass in a way that one really knows God did it!! It does build Faith and seems to give us momentum to take a bigger hill next time. This is a tough time of the year for us on the financial front. I think of Carol's words of both honest confession and encouragement, "Well, we used to trust Him for just $100 at a time, now we must trust Him for thousands. I guess we have grown!" Blessed be the name of the Lord Jesus! Our need for His assistance keeps us talking to Him both in praise for answered prayer, need for answered prayer and then seems to turn into a daily companionship when things are right.
DID YOU KNOW? The Gypsies are one of the most persecuted and abused minority groups in the world as far as I am concerned. In Romania they are not issued birth certificates when they are born nor death certificates when they die. They make up 9% of the population of Romania, 8% Hungary. Many live in isolated villages like the one containing the church service pictured in today's blog. Operation World states, "They are despised and neglected." We have several Evangelical Friends Churches among the gypsies. They worship with great enthusiasm. Thanks for stopping by.
Monday, February 19, 2007
House of Prayer
I grew up in little country churches that called midweek service "Prayer Meeting." I always thought that strange since there was no more prayer in those services than at any other time. It was mostly Bible study. We seem to talk about prayer as being so important but seem to do very little of it. Any preacher, teacher or witness that wants to make an audience feel guilty just needs to point out the fact we probably don't pray enough. None of us feel we pray enough and we know that much of our praying is so self-centered and self-absorbed.
I am thinking about his disciples when they said, "Teach us to pray." He answered with what we call the "Lord's Prayer." Isn't it interesting that they did not ask, "teach us to preach, teach, heal" or some other great ministry? If I "look to Jesus", I think it means I talk to him a great deal.
All four Gospels contain the "clearing the temple" event. Must be important. He called the temple his "House of Prayer." A lot of things happen when we worship, but He said it should be a "House of Prayer." I know this, the greatest miracles are the changed lives of sinners to devout Christ followers. It does not happen because of slick presentation but because someone is introduced to a living presence of Christ. It seems to me if we make it a House of Prayer we are talking to the Christ so that when people walk through the doors they encounter the One we have been talking to in that place. Lives are changed for eternity and we are his trophies for all to see, He changes sinners to devout Christ followers through prayer.
My dad almost always prayed out loud. It seemed the older he got the more he prayed, and it was mostly out loud. It got confusing to ride with him in the car at the end. I didn't always know if he was talking to me or the Lord. Those seemed to be his most fruitful years as well. It seemed he lead someone to Christ every week. Teach us to pray. It should be called a "House of Prayer." Thanks for stopping by.
DID YOU KNOW? World Renewal has been involved in the planting of over 114 churches since 1993. May they all be called a "House of Prayer."
(Picture above is of the first gathering of pastors and leaders to Eastern Europe Evangelical Friends Church Yearly Meeting conference. About 55-60 churches in Hungary, Romania and Albania we are told.)
To see past blog pictures and Gary's daily writings click on month at left under "Current."
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Look to Jesus
It has been an interesting week, hard to get much accomplished with missed days. It is snowing outside again and it is beautiful out here in the country.
I don't know who will read this today if anyone. However, whatever your circumstances God is in the middle of it whether we have been faithful or distant. I have learned he involves himself in the lives of his children, even if they are his lost children who may not even have recognized him as their father. He is there drawing us to him, trying to get our attention, trying to have a conversation.
Isn't it great that he is wireless and can be reached anytime any where? He is right in the middle of it all. He is Lord. He "never slumbers or sleeps." He never gives you that look of "I'm not really listening to you." Even when we are giving that look to him. Hebrews 12 RSV says, "and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us. Looking to Jesus." I think I will look to Jesus today, too scary to look anywhere else." Thanks for stopping by.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Funny How the Wind Blows
It was nice to join rest of the world that was not snowed in today. It took quite a bit of snow plowing to get the World Renewal offices ready for our staff to return tomorrow. I am thankful for neighbors and brothers in Christ who have those tractors with scoops to dig us out. Thanks!
Tonight was my radio show the Welcome Home Broadcast on 88.1 WJCF the Jesus First Network. Pastor Jack Holliday, my long time friend (seen in picture above) and prayer partner is the co-host of the two hour show that plays from 5-7pm on Thursday nights then again on Saturday mornings from 9-11AM. The show plays in central Indiana, south western Indiana and south eastern Illinois.
Tonight was my radio show the Welcome Home Broadcast on 88.1 WJCF the Jesus First Network. Pastor Jack Holliday, my long time friend (seen in picture above) and prayer partner is the co-host of the two hour show that plays from 5-7pm on Thursday nights then again on Saturday mornings from 9-11AM. The show plays in central Indiana, south western Indiana and south eastern Illinois.
Jack and I have fun. Pastor Jack and I used to get together and pray when I was a teenager at the Friends Youth events. He was our school janitor when I was in high school and he secured a place for many of us to have devotions and prayer together each day before school. Later, Jack and his family left for Haviland, Kansas because he felt called to ministry. When he completed his undergraduate degree the school asked him to stay on as staff. When he completed his masters degree he became a part of the faculty. By that time I was his pastor and we had returned to being prayer partners. Jack took his first pastorate at the age of 50. God blessed and the church soon was full of spiritual newborn. Now, at age 70, he is the pastor of Anderson Friends Church and co-host of the Welcome Home Broadcast and my prayer partner again. Funny how the wind blows.
Tonight our theme was "the Cross" and so we talked, preached and played songs about the cross of Christ. It struck me as we were doing the show how we Christians struggle to communicate the message of the cross. We preach, teach, write poems and books, compose and sing songs all trying to get the message across. Often this is done under considerable effort and labor. It can be frustrating because we never seem to get it just right. It could always be more clear, more accurate or descriptive rhetoric. Yet we try so hard and fall so short! Nevertheless, at the same time it is a joy to try. The old hymn, "I love to tell the story" says it well. Funny how the wind of the Spirit blows, huh?
Did you know? The leaders of World Renewal have a goal of planting 200 churches in Brazil by 2020? We have planted 14 so we have 13 years to get the other 186. It is about multiplication and we see it happening. Why church planting? Studies show it is the best method to win people to Christ. I believe the nicest, kindest thing you can do in any community is to raise up a "Great Commission" type church. Thanks for stopping by today.
Did you know? The leaders of World Renewal have a goal of planting 200 churches in Brazil by 2020? We have planted 14 so we have 13 years to get the other 186. It is about multiplication and we see it happening. Why church planting? Studies show it is the best method to win people to Christ. I believe the nicest, kindest thing you can do in any community is to raise up a "Great Commission" type church. Thanks for stopping by today.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Christmas in Summer
One of the blessings of 2006 was our new ministry of Birthday Parties for Jesus. The goal is to provide an opportunity for our churches in Mexico, Brazil and Haiti to host a Christmas party for poor and unchurched children. The first party had been held in December of 2005 in Brazil. It worked so well I thought we should try this in every country we can. It was a bit ambitious to try in three countries in 2006. Americans filled shopping bags full of things children need, not just toys, but tooth brushes and soap, etc. The Americans sure did a great job. I attended parties in Brazil and Mexico. It was not safe to travel in Haiti so we only have pictures.
The parties include a meal, games and presentation of the Gospel as well as the gift bags. Christmas Couriers carried the gift bags into the countries in their suitcases.
Mexico City held their Birthday Party for Jesus on January 6. This is the traditional date of the wise men's visit to the Christ Child. This year it fell on Saturday. On Friday night in the world's largest city it seemed no one was sleeping. Parents were out buying gifts for the children. The children seemed to excited to sleep. At 11pm on Friday night I found myself helping our Pastor David Martinez load bicycles into the car, he and his wife Carla bought them for all three girls. None of the children opened presents at Christmas, only on January 6. The children wrote "wish lists" to the Wise Men not Santa.
The next day at our two parties, all were unchurched, most were poor, their parents stayed for all the festivities. The gifts at one party were handed out by the "wise men." It was really three church ladies dressed as wise men for the drama presented. At one of the congregations, two young mothers were introduced to the Lord Jesus after my Sunday morning message.
We hope to hold more parties in 2007. The general budget of our mission paid for most of the expenses for the ministry in 2006. We do need corporate and individual sponsors to make it happen in 2007. We will need churches who will fill the bags by having Christmas on their minds in the summer. We need Christmas Couriers who will go with me to the parties and carry in the gift bags. I hope it will be you and your church.
Did You Know? World Renewal-Brazil started an English Christian School in Carpina, Brazil in 2006. The seminary facility is used for the school during the day and it becomes the Bible College at night. This has given us the opportunity to reach the upper middle class of this 100,000+ city. A new church was started in the Seminary with many of the parents who have children in the school. It is a great example of using what God has given us. We need teachers for the school, even for just a 3-month term. Pray about it!
The parties include a meal, games and presentation of the Gospel as well as the gift bags. Christmas Couriers carried the gift bags into the countries in their suitcases.
Mexico City held their Birthday Party for Jesus on January 6. This is the traditional date of the wise men's visit to the Christ Child. This year it fell on Saturday. On Friday night in the world's largest city it seemed no one was sleeping. Parents were out buying gifts for the children. The children seemed to excited to sleep. At 11pm on Friday night I found myself helping our Pastor David Martinez load bicycles into the car, he and his wife Carla bought them for all three girls. None of the children opened presents at Christmas, only on January 6. The children wrote "wish lists" to the Wise Men not Santa.
The next day at our two parties, all were unchurched, most were poor, their parents stayed for all the festivities. The gifts at one party were handed out by the "wise men." It was really three church ladies dressed as wise men for the drama presented. At one of the congregations, two young mothers were introduced to the Lord Jesus after my Sunday morning message.
We hope to hold more parties in 2007. The general budget of our mission paid for most of the expenses for the ministry in 2006. We do need corporate and individual sponsors to make it happen in 2007. We will need churches who will fill the bags by having Christmas on their minds in the summer. We need Christmas Couriers who will go with me to the parties and carry in the gift bags. I hope it will be you and your church.
Did You Know? World Renewal-Brazil started an English Christian School in Carpina, Brazil in 2006. The seminary facility is used for the school during the day and it becomes the Bible College at night. This has given us the opportunity to reach the upper middle class of this 100,000+ city. A new church was started in the Seminary with many of the parents who have children in the school. It is a great example of using what God has given us. We need teachers for the school, even for just a 3-month term. Pray about it!
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Good News
I hope you are someplace dry and warm. Here in Indiana we are pretty much snowed in because we are out here in the country. The neighbor came with his tractor and scoop and cleaned the drive but it has been covered again. It filled in after just two hours. However, we like the snow. It is one of God's beautiful creations.
We had good news this week. Pastor Luc Joesph, World Renewal President of Haiti called really excited. His wife was given the same visa to visit the USA that he was given. It is for five years of visits! This is a bit unusual as our government is concerned that people from Haiti might come to visit and then stay. It means they trust the Joesph family and us as we made the request for their visits. Pastor Luc is a very wonderful man, we need him to share with our friends here about his church planting. We have 7 churches and an eighth being planted. We have five church schools and the new Christ's Compassion Orphanage. His wife has some medical problems. We hope to be able to get her some treatment. She is quite an evangelist herself. She has never been to the USA or off the island. Would you like for them to visit your church, bible study or small group? They will visit in April. (Picture Pastor Luc, daughter Rose Luci and wife Rossenna. Click on picture for close up view.)
Did you know? We are starting to train for our short-term missions for summer. We really need some help for VBS teams to Mexico City. Mexico City is the largest city in the world and over 60% of its population is under 20 years of age.
Thanks for stopping by.
We had good news this week. Pastor Luc Joesph, World Renewal President of Haiti called really excited. His wife was given the same visa to visit the USA that he was given. It is for five years of visits! This is a bit unusual as our government is concerned that people from Haiti might come to visit and then stay. It means they trust the Joesph family and us as we made the request for their visits. Pastor Luc is a very wonderful man, we need him to share with our friends here about his church planting. We have 7 churches and an eighth being planted. We have five church schools and the new Christ's Compassion Orphanage. His wife has some medical problems. We hope to be able to get her some treatment. She is quite an evangelist herself. She has never been to the USA or off the island. Would you like for them to visit your church, bible study or small group? They will visit in April. (Picture Pastor Luc, daughter Rose Luci and wife Rossenna. Click on picture for close up view.)
Did you know? We are starting to train for our short-term missions for summer. We really need some help for VBS teams to Mexico City. Mexico City is the largest city in the world and over 60% of its population is under 20 years of age.
Thanks for stopping by.
Monday, February 12, 2007
World Renewal International Blog
Welcome to the World Renewal Intl Blog! This is our first entry. We have several other blogging sites for various ministries of World Renewal, but this is my first blog and it will cover all of World Renewal's ministries. I will try to keep the news of our ministry current in order to be a better partner for those who desire to pray and support our ministry. A daily entry will be a challenge for me.
World Renewal is starting our twenty-first year and it is exciting what God is doing. West Africa is a point of concentration this week. Pastor Wes Davis, Riverton, Kansas, (pictured in today's blog) is teaching at a pastor's conference this week in Monrovia, Liberia. 400+ leaders will attend. He took eight men with him from his church, Riverton Friends and they are holding a medical eye clinic, three doctors are in the group. Wes is World Renewal's Directer of Education Development. Liberia is not a stable country yet. Please pray for these men. Wes has a great gift of teaching. He will be teaching in Mexico in March along with my brother Mark. We are developing the World Renewal International Ministry Institute for which Wes will be the Director.
Did you Know? 80% of the population of Haiti live on less than $2 US a day. It is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Did you know World Renewal started Christ Compassion Orphange in Haiti in 2006 with 20 homeless children from the street?
I hope you will join us daily or whenever you can find the time to stop in. Thanks for stopping by today.
