Missions-Minded
Acts 1:8: Recently, several Life groups participated in a cross-cultural
experience and came away with some incredible testimonies about learning
to love and be loved by those from different cultures.
Linda Lillard's group visited a local Thai restaurant and this is what she
shared about their experience: "The owner/waiter told us that in Thailand,
they do not eat steamed rice, but sticky rice. He was really into answering
our questions and sharing with us. During our meal, he brought over a small
bamboo container that they cook the sticky rice in and then he handed it to
me to keep as a gift! It really touched us all."
At some point, someone asked the waiter/owner his name - "Dui" (Dewey).
Now we could call him by name. When we were almost done with our meal,
he came over with more of the small sticky rice cookers and gave them out
to EVERYONE!!! We were SO surprised and blessed that he was giving
us gifts, which also included peppermint sticks. We were like children in a
candy store - It was pure joy!"
It is a great pleasure for the Mission team to hear about such an amazing,
God-given opportunity!
One of our own hears the call and now is back!
The University of Oregon recently accepted a proposal from Keri Bellotti
designating The Navigators, an International Christian organization serving
107 countries, as her senior practicum site.
Their staff in Kazakhstan has requested a team from the Pacific Northwest to
assist in cultivating an international ministry partnership. As part of her eight
month internship, Keri has been accepted to serve on a 30 day, short-term
mission trip there beginning June 25th.
Keri is requesting both prayer and financial support for her journey to
Kazakhstan next month. Please pray for God's will to unfold during this
mission and to prepare the hearts of those on her team, and of the people
in Kazakhstan, to receive all God has in store for them. Pray also for peace,
journey mercies, and sustained strength and health for the entire team
throughout their assignment.
If you are interested in supporting Keri financially, please contact Missions
Director, Diane O'Connor at: 541-912-4645. You can also follow
Keri's journey on her blog at:
http://hispeaceathispace.blogspot.com
and read her poem by clicking on 'Me?':
The Dick Family: Foursquare Missionaries in Training
We are pleased to announce that God has revealed a specific direction for
James and Deanna Dick. Their family is currently working on a ministry deployment
strategy with a tentatively planned field-launch date to TANZANIA
in mid-2011!
The Dick family will be partnering with a small Foursquare effort that has already
been established within the country to reach the approximate 97-99%
Muslim population.
In this season, please continue to lift this dear family up in prayer, specifically
for protection and guidance, and claim Proverbs 16:9 for them: "In his heart
a man plans his course, but the Lord orders his steps."
The Salmond Family: Dominican Republic
Jake, Kyla, and Judah are all doing well in the DR! The Vida Joven Training Camp,
where Jake has been working, proved to be a huge success! Here is more about the
impact that was made:
"It is the National Leader training camp. Normally the place can hold only 120 people,
but they crammed 170 kids, leaders and staff in from all over the island, including
Haiti, wherever they could fit them. The camp was so big because leaders are doing
such a fantastic job reaching kids and discipling them to reach their friends as well."
Praise God for the work He is doing amongst these people! Also, please be praying for
Jake and Kyla as they enter a period of rest. Pray that God would refresh them and restore
them completely, continue to keep them healthy and able to participate as the Lord leads them, and specifically,
for Jake as he begins to plan for the summer.
Uganda: Pastor Patrick (Christ Vision Ministries)
Christ Vision Ministries Newsletter March - April 2010
On Easter Monday, Christ Vision Ministries held a "Parental Care Easter Dinner" where orphans and Widows ate,
drank, celebrated and rejoiced in the true love of Christ demonstrated by the Church and Jubilee, who contributed
$100 towards the success of this Banquet. There were also many widows who celebrated and praised God for remembering
them when they were grieved in their unfortunate situations, barely able to provide beef or soda for their
orphans.
Recently, Pastor Patrick wrote:
"I would like also to express our thanks to our beloved Pastor and his wife Eric
and Suzanne Green, the Eldership and the entire family of Jubilee World Outreach
for supporting my family on a monthly basis and for sponsoring our Children
of Vision and Hope Foundation's orphan care."
Please pray for continued guidance for this ministry and for all who labor for the
Kingdom in Uganda. Also, uphold Pastor Patrick’s family, as his wife has given
birth this month!
Seth Medina: Los Angeles (DreamCenter)
Following is an excerpt from Seth's most recent blog: "In this past month we had
a few new kids enter our program. One of these boys was a self-proclaimed atheist.
After talking with him, it broke my heart to hear that our youth and culture
is so confused and lost, not recognizing that it's not just our actions that have
consequences, but also our ideas. I did my best to share the Gospel with him,
only to have him decide to leave our program and go back home to New Jersey. I
am learning more each day to be humble and to try my best to listen to those who
have come before me, which will help me see that if things seem to be messed up,
I could be in the wrong."
Pray continue to pray that God would keep him and refresh him, even in the
stretching seasons of his life. Pray for grace and mercy to fall fresh upon him and for renewed strength to love with
the heart of Jesus, those that God has placed in his circle of influence. If you would like to hear more about what Seth
is doing at the Dream Center, you can follow his blog at:
http://sethcmedina.blogspot.com
