Wednesday, January 27, 2010

DR4Christ Emergency Response eNews January 27, 2010

God's Blessings, Photos, and Planning Will you pray for the churches and Christians in Haiti who so valiantly march on in the face of the unthinkable? Jean Dial and I at Eglise Baptiste Solidarite in Port-au-Principe Sunday Morning January 24, 2010 Testimony after Testimony - All testified that at the moment of the earthquake they asked there Lord Jesus Christ to save them. Jean Dial translated from French to Spanish. Most definitely the most moving testimonies of God's power, grace & mercy I have ever heard.
Over 100 in services (they normally run 300-400), I preached on Making the Impossible, Possible with God - Acts 12:1-19, Jer 32:17,277 came forward for Salvation
Tent cities are springing up all over the city.
Luis Manuel Regalado and Pastor Jean Dial giving medicine to the Dash clinic on Delmas #48 Standing in line after line, filling out application after application from the World Food Program, OSHA & various other organizations for Internally Displaced Persons (IDP's). According to the UN the process takes 3 to 4 days before we can see any food, hygiene kits, plastic sheeting, jerry cans ect. Wes and I know that there will be other Baptist works affected but we can only support (with God's help) 3000 IDP's . So at this time we are not looking for more churches. Initial evaluations of the churches we have had contact with over the last two weeks will begin today and needs to be completed by the end of the week so support personnel can be informed, organized and mobilized to meet the specific needs of these churches while at the same time gathering supplies from MFI & Missionary Aviation Fellowship. Sadly the Agape Plane went down a couple of days ago in Jacmel. Humbly, in my opinion an operation this size will take massive amounts of prayer, the guidance of the Holy Spirit, many months (if not years), outstanding coordination, great planning & blessed funding. Wesley identified the need for a warehouse from day 1 which is very important due to security purposes. We don't want the churches to become distribution points due to the chance of looting and death. IDP camps (10,000 in size) are currently being set up by the UN and they will become future distribution points for food, water, shelter ect. NPO's like ourselves are being encouraged to participate. While this may ensure food and shelter it would require around the clock management and lots of time and man power. I believe at this time the man power would be best served focusing on the support of national church and leadership reconstruction so the main thing (the preaching of God's Word - Acts 8:4) can continue. Many many people still have not been recovered. My men from our church in the Dominican Republic while waiting on me to finish an errand here will go and find out a particular story of different site locations around where we are moving in and out of. Often they tell me the number of people the locals believe lie under a particular house or business. We have seen ladies with just hammers pounding large slabs so as to remove their children. It is an impossible task and I've told our men to comfort those we can but to keep moving forward and focus on the churches we are supporting. There are so many pictures of destruction, I'm not sure of the value of showing them all. Missionary Leny Funtecha and I sat down for several hours last night and discussed what information needed to be included on our Initial evaluations of church/minstry locations. This is what we came up with and I will begin collecting the information on particular church & ministry locations today while balancing relief efforts. These evaluations will be available on our blog at www.dr4christ.blogspot.com and will include the following information: Name of Evaluators: Name of Church/Ministry: Name of Pastor: Name of Missionary (If Applicable): Location in Creol: GPS Coordinates: Pre Earth Quake Attendance: Post Earth Quake Attendance: Number of Full Time Workers (including children): Number of Full Time Workers (including children) living on site pre earthquake: Structure Report of Full Time Workers Homes not living on site pre earthquake: Number of Part Time Workers (including children): Number of Part Time Workers (including children) living on site pre earthquake: Deaths: (Percentage Estimate of Pre Earth Quake Attendance) Injured: (Percentage Estimate of Pre Earth Quake Attendance) Need Food: (Percentage Estimate of Pre Earth Quake Attendance) Need Shelter: (Percentage Estimate of Pre Earth Quake Attendance) Current Status of Church/Ministry: Structure Report broken down into 4 categories A. Needs Slight Repair B. Needs Repair C. Needs Major Repair D. Destroyed/Condemned Pictures of Current front so outside teams can easily locate site & damages incurred

Sunday, January 24, 2010

"Bucketfuls of Hope" are Being Delivered.

Saturday Pressure has been high but that's ok, "this too shall pass". We've been pretty busy building "Bucketfuls of Hope" with our Church. We finished 100 and are beginning on the next 100. The challange was sending them to Haiti and getting them into the right hands. Security there has been a major issue. Also, there is no gasoline to deliver them to the Churches. A fellow missionary, Wes Lane, who speaks criole, went in to secure transportation, make contact, find a warehouse and security. He finally contacted Tom, so Tom with a team of 4 men, in two trucks, left last night - Friday. He called me Sat. morning to let me know they were crossing the border. He said they were tired but had a plan. They were carrying the 5 gal. buckets, lots of fuel, construction tools and lots of medical supplies. They went very well prepared material wise but most of all because they are covered with everyones prayers. His plan is to be back by Saturday 30th. I'll be solo for about a week, and although I'll get alot done I'd rather be next to him and already miss him, but I'm happy that were able to serve the Lord and be used by Him. Sunday I just talked to Tom on the phone. They are camped out in front of the church,Legliz Baptiste Solidarite on a patio/court. Tom will be preaching this morning there on "Making the Impossible Possible". He said the pastor and his wife are safe. Several in the congregation were hurt but none fatally. The Church building is destroyed as well as the pastors home. The food and medical supplies came at a much needed time. Tom can be reached at 1-809-434-6571. Keep praying. Regina franklin

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

DR4Christ Emergency Response eNews January 19, 2010

Bucketsfull of Hope
GREAT NEWS!! Agape is offering free flights into Haiti!! We already meet all the Prep criteria (closed containers, weight, ect.) and the trucks will be loaded by morning. We can now officially announce: "Let your Bucket Runneth Over" - For $50 you can Buy a Bucketfull of Hope for Haiti - Today! See exact contents list below of current stock. We have more than a plane load ready but need to pray that Wesley and Melina will be able to secure a staging area as soon as possible. We have loaded up with an additional $1000 worth of medical supply's, finished the sticker I.D's, prepared survival gear, began printing hundreds of color tracts in Creol and found a small used cargo truck that has a duel fuel system which could supply fuel for the staging area ($1700). We also translated a "Contents List" into three languages and are putting it on the back of the encouragement letter. While all this was going on, several men in the church tried to fit a 1 14 oz bag of Noodles in the buckets (I didn't have much hope) but guess what?? They did it. I'm beginning to believe in the miraculously expanding bucket theory. Smile. God is good, He is blessing and although we have not slept much we are delighted to see young Christian's serve and grow by doing.
Hospitals in Neiba, Barahona, Jimani, Azua, Santiago and Santo Domingo here in the Dominican Republic are treating thousands of cases of Haitians injured in Tuesday's 7.0 earthquake. Thousands of Dominicans and foreigners have been donating blood to the Dominican Red Cross, including hundreds of soldiers. The Dominican Red Cross has also announced that the International Red Cross would convene in Santo Domingo and coordinate its relief program from the D.R. One of the big problems at the hospitals is a large number of people who have been discharged from the hospital do not leave because they apparently have no where to go.
For those who have inquired as to the fastest way to send funds for Haiti, we have spoken to the missions office and there is no problem in sending it directly to the Dominican Republic in to our non-profit Association's account: La Familia Avance: Las Iglesias Biblicas Bautistas Inc. If you need the wire transfer information please contact us at Tom@DR4Christ.com
God is good and we are rejoicing that 7 more have been found however we have to add three to the list. All are family members of those in our church in Tamboril and our mission in Don Pedro. We are encouraging everyone to pray, trust in the Lord and His word. God has not called us into a life of comfort rather to be more and more like Christ. Will you join us in prayer for:
Filemond Fleurier (Garry's Brother)
Zephirin Fleurier (Garry's Brother) *Semi Deshomme Believed to be in a high danger zone in the Village of Solidarite Ruelle Renarrd #32 Andresonne Pierre Edgard Charles Esner Joachim Felais Destima Marie Carme Joachim Menorte Rene Destin Volant Philibert Saint Louis Robert Benjamin Ysetta Noncent Claudie Saint Louis David Ulysse Lourdine Majorie Marie-Rose Saintinor Philonise Mirtha
New Additions Deriston Jean-Louis Hdme Esner Joachem Leroy Osman

Sunday, January 17, 2010

More from Haiti

This just in from Wesley and Melina Lane We hooked up with some very good people from the Canadian- Haitian chamber of commerce and that has been a big help with connections, very important in getting things done. I have attached some photos. The pictures show the destruction, the despair. People waiting in line behind a water truck to fill some jugs. People camping in the street, some still waiting for medical care. We used our whole supply of meds the first day. Melina helped deliver a baby or two. Dentists and Veterinarians are treating people. Everyone is a doctor now if they have a good education. We got some more meds from a closed company here and some from the UN base. We checked the structural integrity of two large buildings that the people are afraid to use as clinics. The first one passed, second one was unsafe. Everyone with a decent education is an engineer too. Right now it is really hard to get fuel, bread or meat. Other foods are available though. The electric is off and won't be back on any time soon. One photo is when I was scarfing some diesel fuel, which I have yet paid for, but still got it in hand for use. An angry mob killed a man right in front of us, saying he was a thief. Thousands of prisoners have escaped into the streets because the biggest prison in the country fell down. We couldn't stop them as there were simply too many of them and we only had limited ammo. Plus, if you have to choose sides right now, I can't really be protecting the thieves. There were three cops with shotguns directing traffic three blocks away and they ignored it. We have an offer of more meds from a warehouse, but we have to organise more aggressive security before we can go there and open the warehouse or it will be looted. We will get some more armed men for security and go get them. I have found a warehouse for us to use as a base and will go there tomorrow to get it ready. Nearly every business is closed. We hope some will begin to open Moday, including the banks. I haven't got a cell phone yet because they are closed. I went to the owner of the AVIS franchise's house yesterday and he said maybe we can get a different vehicle Monday. Our priority is to start moving relief supplies to the warehouse for quick distribution to those who need it while we quickly rebuild some churches and then we can use the church buildings as distribution points. Thats all for now. Continue to pray. Many churches are destroyed, many christians are dead, in need, homeless or have lost family. We are safe, so don't worry about us. We will update this as we can. Thank you for the prayers. Wesley and Melina Lane

Update on Bucketfulls of Hope

First Night Crew Takes Over After PurchasesTranslators Jump into ActionCleaning and Sanitizing Crew Has Big JobHandles InstalledInstructions in Creol wrapped with Each Individual MedicineThe Line - Final AssemblyTrash Man
We were up late last night again organizing the filling over 100 BucketFulls of Hope. They are all now filled (Over 300+ man hours - should be less on the next batch), we still lack the stenciling or stickers ect. that will facilitate there transport - that should be completed shortly. We changed the contents by eliminating the pasta and peas (I'm not a fan of peas) and adding 5 more cans of sardines and 4 more cans of sausages. This decision was made because we have reports of people not being able to cook food. We did not want to eliminate the rice and beans because it is the "everyday staple" used in Haiti. In addition the 4 oz Bottle of Water Purifying Drops was eliminated due to the fact we can not find enough. A smaller flashlight with batteries and a larger roll of duct tape was included to take its place. We shaved over $1000 (close to 20%) off the first 100 with volume discounts and now know they will come to less than $50. Hallelujah!! However I'm going to hold to the $60 price for shipping purposes and want to include water in our first shipment. I have no idea how much it is going to cost to move 2500 lbs or so into Haiti until we do it. Wes and I agreed before they left that we would hold until safe transportation and a secure staging area was established. They are busy doing that and we are ready to roll. The biggest problem now looks like fuel. That to me seems like the biggest prayer need after Wesley and Melina's safety. Got to go preach and lead the troops, Tom P.S. Seven more people were found as of this morning. YOUR PRAYERS ARE WORKING!!

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Urgent Prayer Need

This just in from Wesley and Melina This will be short as we are on a shared connection. We are here in safe housing. We have transport, but are scrambling for fuel. No gas stations open. People are siphoning for generators and car. No Electric. Almost no water. Food supplies in city stretched, but plenty in the provinces. Can't find bread. Very few or no international lines. Most stores closed. Found a warehouse, but contract not finalized. Right now, fuel is a priority. We can't move around without it. Also, with stores closed, don't know when I will grab a phone, but that is on priority list. Unbelievable death, destruction and stench. Lots of confusion, sadness and despair. We will send more info when we can. Wes & Mel

Updated Prayer List For Those Missing

God is so good!! We know you are praying. As of this morning 11 have been found alive including Baptist Pastor Jean Dadou (Marta's Brother) in Carre Four who we believe can be used to locate quite a few more on the list. We have a lot more work to do in prayer. I plead with you once more to pray for the 28 who remain, that they will be found and reunited with there families if it be the Lord's will. All are family members of those in our church and mission here in the Dominican Republic. We know of a sister in the mission in Don Pedro who became sick from watching what is best described as "round the clock carnage coverage", we asked her to turn it off and dedicate everything she had to prayer for her family - the next day all her family members were found. God doesn't need you to watch television to make this real to you, He needs you to pray. Vitane Jean (Pastor Jean Dial's Sister) Rosemanie Jean (Pastor Jean Dials Sister) Rousseau Destine (Pastor Jean Dials Brother-n-law) Filemond Fleurier (Garry's Brother) Zephirin Fleurier (Garry's Brother) *Semi Deshomme Believed to be in a high danger zone in the Village of Solidarite Ruelle Renarrd #32 Elicia Louis Andresonne Pierre Edgard Charles Esner Joachim Felais Destima Marie Carme Joachim Menorte Rene Destin Volant Philibert Saint Louis Robert Benjamin Shirley Agena Sheila Agena Ysetta Noncent Benique Louis Claudie Saint Louis David Ulysse Lourdine Majorie Marie-Rose Saintinor Philonise Mirtha

Friday, January 15, 2010

DR4Christ Emergency Response eNews for January 15, 2010

We want to take a minute and update the information we sent yesterday and give you as much detail as possible as to the plans unfolding here in the Dominican Republic and in Haiti.
BucketFull of Love
(Jean Dial, Regina, Garry & Luis Manuel)
As many of you have probably already heard, on Tuesday, January 12, 2010 a massive Earthquake occurred in Haiti. Their capital, Port-au-Prince has been destroyed with hospitals, homes and major buildings collapsing. Many have no where to go and nothing to survive with. We are just a few hundred miles from the disaster here in the Dominican Republic and although our church in Tamboril is in its infancy, along with our Haitian mission in Don Pedro we have decided to begin assembling "BucketsFull of Hope" today by simply filling them with a list of everyday items that can be purchased here and used to fill immediate needs. Obviously these buckets will do more than just take care of physical needs, we also want to let these families know they have not been forgotten and will be placing special tracts in Creol inside so they can discover the eternal hope of Jesus' love. The "BucketsFull of Hope" will be well marked with our Non-Profit Associations (Familia Avance: Las Iglesias Biblicas Bautistas) logo in Spanish and its Creol address destination on the outside so as to facilitate its transport. The "BucketFull of Hope" will supply a family of four for at least three days with items readily available for purchase here in the Dominican Republic. We plan to have over 100 ready by the end of the week (Taking a step of faith) and are working on automating the process with nationals in our church so that future "BucketsFull of Hope" can be purchased, filled and sent without our presence. As soon as a Warehouse is rented by Wesley Lane in the lower Delma region of Port-au-Prince (3 miles from the Airport) Pastor Jean Dial, Regina and I will make the initial trip in with the cargo from Santo Domingo crossing through Anse-a-Pitre "Pedemales" in trucks with Haitian plates.
Supply & Cost Outline
After planning, strategizing with Dominicans, Haitians and other relief organizations online and measuring what we could physically fit in a 5 Gallon "BucketFull of Hope" we can now announce that the following items will be purchased in large quantities tomorrow for less than $60. We pray that a lot will find there way to Brother's and Sisters in Christ affected by the earthquake.
5 Gallon BucketFull of Hope Contents and its initial purchase price in the closest store. (No quantity discount has been applied yet)
*Special Letter of Encouragement & Tract in Creol - $.00
1. 10 100mg Anti-inflammatory pills - $2.80
2. Tube of Antibiotic Cream - $3.25
3. 10 500mg Tylenol pills - $1.40
4. 2x5 Ace Bandage - $1.11
5. 10 Band-Aids - $.56
6. Gauze - $.83
7. Hand Sanitizer - $1.53
8. 4 oz Bottle of Water Purifying Drops - $2.75
9. 80 Wet wipes - $2.22
10. 14 oz Bag of Pasta - $.50
11. 1lb 2oz Crunchy Peanut Butter - $3.07
12. 4 oz can of Sardines - $.89
13. 14 oz can of Powdered Milk - $4.11
14. 2.5 oz can of sausages - $.47
15. 5 lb bag of Rice - $2.78
16. 2 lb bag of Black Beans - $1.86
17. 14 oz bag of Green Peas - $.92
18. 15 oz can of Sweet Corn - $.78
19. 1 Small Bottle of Cooking Oil - $.94
20. 18 oz Salt - $.79
21. 6 Cubes of Seasoning - $2.39
22. 30 oz Tupperware Bowl - $1.90
23. 1 Hand Towel - $1.17
24. 300 Grams of Antibacterial Soap - $1.07
25. 2 Rolls of Toilet Paper - $.82
26. 200 Grams of Laundry Soap - $.63
27. Oral B Toothbrush - $2.92
28. Closeup Toothpaste - $1.39
29. Flashlight with Batteries - $5.22
30. 15 24 x 30 Bags of Trash Bags - $1
31. 1 Spoon - $.47
32. 1 Roll of Duct Tape - $3.59
33. 1 5gal bucket & List of Contents - $3.50
Total $59.63
Cash Donation Information
Any donations that are processed into our account in the missions office - www.bbfimissions.com marked "Haitian Relief" will be used for this project and to meet the needs of the churches that BBFI Missionary Wesley Lane - www.bbfi-northamerica.org/Lane - has established and can contact in the Port-au-Prince area.
Trips Into Haiti
Spoke again yesterday with Wesley Lane and the best plan at this time is for Wes and Melina to try and cross the border via bus from Santo Domingo / Anse-a-Pitre "Pedemales" to Port-au-Prince, make contact with the national pastors and churches they have there and and locate key missionaries and relief organizations on the ground to access the situation. Once a staging area (Warehouse) can be located and secured in the Delma region of Port-au-Prince (3 miles from the Airport) Wesley will return and we will all go in with equipment and supplies that are needed and can be found here in the Dominican Republic. We need to pray that they will get through, make contact and return safely and as quickly as possible. We will coordinate our efforts with Filipino missionary Lenny Funtecha who has a feeding center ministry for children with Manna Worldwide - www.mannaworldwide.com In addition we are aware of the need to rebuild several churches that have been destroyed so that these locations can be used for more relief. We are going to need tools and we are going to need to bring in materials ect. from the Dominican Republic therefore Pastor Jean Dial, Garry and I will begin establishing contact today with as many Haitian drivers as possible.
Material Donation Information
Many of you know that we work with Agape Missionary Flights and Missionary Flights International. It is our understanding that both will be staging relief efforts from Florida directly to Haiti making multiple flights every week. With the amount of missionaries they serve it might take a little longer for things to get to us but we already know that this is going to be a Marathon rather than a Sprint. It may be necessary to rent a plane for some initial stateside equipment and supply needs until Agape and MFI can catch up to us but anything you physically have and are led to give can be sent to our respective accounts:
BBFI Missionary Tom and Regina Franklin
Agape Missionary Flights - SGO 18867
100 Airport Ave.
Venice, Florida 34285
BBFI Missionary Wesley and Melina Lane
MFI - Unit 3031 - BBFDR
3170 Airmans Drive
Fort Pierce, Florida 34946

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Prayer List For Those Missing

One of the many things we have done today is put together a prayer list of those who are in Haiti and are family members of those in our church and mission here in the Dominican Republic. We rejoice with those who have found there loved ones and we are praying for those who have yet to be found. I plead with you to lift these names to the Lord tonight in your prayers and let us depend on our Heavenly Father who has everything 100% under control. Most of you know Pastor Jean Dial in photographs over the last year. Garry is to his right. Vitane Jean (Pastor Jean Dial's Sister) Rosemanie Jean (Pastor Jean Dials Sister) Rousseau Destine (Pastor Jean Dials Brother-n-law) Mozard Saint Felix (Pastor Jean Dials Cousin) Yougens Jean (Pastor Jean Dials Cousin) Filemond Fleurier (Garry's Brother) Zephirin Fleurier (Garry's Brother) Jean Dadou Jean-Simon Marta's Brother (Marta is Pastor Jean Dials Fiance) who is a Baptist Pastor in Carre Four - Feuille Port a Principe - He pastors the Eglise Baptiste Step and can help us locate quite a few people on this list Gertrude Jean-Simon (Marta's Sister) Elsnso Jean- Simon (Marta's Brother) *Semi Deshomme Believed to be in a high danger zone in the Village of Solidarite Ruelle Renarrd #32 Elicia Louis Andresonne Pierre Edgard Charles Esner Joachim Felais Destima Lissa Joachim Marie Carme Joachim Menorte Rene Destin Volant Philibert Saint Louis Robert Benjamin Shirley Agena Sheila Agena Ysetta Noncent Arnold Pierre Benique Louis Claudiane Orius Claudie Saint Louis David Ulysse Derinel Aimable Desarmes Gagne Lourdine Vaudrin Majorie Marie-Rose Saintinor Philonise Mirtha

DR4Christ Emergency Response eNews January 14, 2009

Dear Pastor, Church, Friends and Family
Churches Response
As many of you have probably already heard, on Tuesday, January 12, 2010 a massive Earthquake occurred in Haiti. Their capital, Port-au-Prince has been destroyed with hospitals, homes and major buildings collapsing. Many have no where to go and nothing to survive with. We are just a few hundred miles from the disaster here in the Dominican Republic and although our church in Tamboril is in its infancy, along with our Haitian mission in Don Pedro we have decided to begin assembling survival buckets today by simply filling them with a list of everyday items that can be purchased here and used to fill immediate needs - food, soap, medicine, duct tape, and other emergency relief items. Obviously these buckets will do more than just take care of physical needs, we also want to let these families know they have not been forgotten and will be placing special tracts in Creol inside so they can discover the eternal hope of Jesus' love. Any donations that are processed into our account in the missions office - www.bbfimissions.com marked "Haitian Relief" will be used for this project and to meet the needs of the churches that BBFI Missionary Wesley Lane - www.bbfi-northamerica.org/Lane - has established and can contact in the Port-au-Prince area.
Missionary Plan
Yesterday we spoke to Wesley Lane extensively and the best plan at this time is for Wes and Melina to try and cross the border via bus, make contact with the national pastors and churches they have there and and locate key missionaries and relief organizations on the ground to access the situation. Once a staging area can be located and secured Wesley will return and we will all go in with equipment and supplies that are needed and can be found here in the Dominican Republic. We need to pray that they will get through, make contact and return safely and as quickly as possible. Many of you know that we work with Agape Missionary Flights and Missionary Flights International. It is our understanding that both will be staging relief efforts from Florida directly to Haiti making multiple flights every week. With the amount of missionaries they serve it might take a little longer for things to get to us but we already know that this is going to be a Marathon rather than a Sprint. Anything you physically have and are led to give can be sent to our respective accounts:
BBFI Missionary Tom and Regina Franklin
Agape Missionary Flights - SGO 18867
100 Airport Ave.
Venice, FLorida 34285
BBFI Missionary Wesley and Melina Lane MFI - Unit 3031 - BBFDR 3170 Airmans Drive Fort Pierce, Florida 34946
Lord Bless and Please Pray,
Tom and Regina Franklin
P.S. Our church in Tamboril and mission in Don Pedro will be releasing a detail prayer list shortly via Blog (www.dr4christ.blogspot.com) and Facebook (Tom Franklin) of the names of friends and family members that still have not been located in Haiti.

Friday, January 08, 2010

January 8th, 2010 Interactive Missionary Letter

Belive or not
When we started our church in Tamboril, Milagro (Miracle in English) lived directly above the church in an apartment and attended the first few months faithfully and made a profession of faith. We visited Milagro and her husband Benny a few times but never really got to know them very well because they soon moved to New York. Our church was sad to see Milagro go but we knew God had a plan and several of our members who lived close by asked to put Benny on the prayer list for salvation. When they left for New York, Milagro found out that
Benny had been listening to the messages from upstairs and so she began reading the Bible to Benny. When Benny and Milagro returned 9 months later to the Dominican Republic to visit there daughter (above), Benny told Milagro (who was a bit shocked) that he wanted to go church in Tamboril. And BeLiEvE It or NoT - that Sunday morning, after Sunday morning services I had the privilege of leading Benny to the Lord. God does not always give us all the details of those whocome in and out of our lives but it is humbling and special when He does. At 87 Benny is theoldest person I have ever seen reborn. God is All-Powerful. All-Knowing, King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Rayitos de Luz
After a lot of prayer we started another Children’s Club called Rayitos de Luz (Little Rays of Sunshine) in our newest mission in Don Pedro. Marta (Pastor Jeandial’s FiancĂ©e) and Garry are helping us with Creole and we are helping them with Spanish (Smile). Our thanks go out to Arden Road once again for making this possible. We started before Christmas and have already run into a few obstacles that we are going to have to overcome and need everyone’s prayers. We are planning a teaching clinic in Creole in January to teach the importance of visuals / flash cards so the truth of the scripture can be clearly and effectively communicated. We know we have some challenges in regards to location but that is in the Lord’s hands who we know will take care of this in His timing.
We want to thank Lynn Brown from Playhouse daycare in Amarillo for sending toys, shoes and clothes for the children in Club Samuel through Agape Missionary Flights. We are also grateful for the children of Liberty Baptist Church in Saint Petersburg for providing a stove for Club Samuel. Violeta (pictured above) likes it a lot and has been using it up a storm. More thanks goes out to Liberty for giving the boys of Hogar Crea all
kinds of baseball equipment for use in a local baseball program. Four of these young men received Christ as their Savior last Sunday night during services. And last but not least, thanks to everyone this year who gave sacrificially and with great love. We are humbled and pray the Lord blesses you and together co-laboring for the Lord we pray that we will be able to do even more for Him in 2010.
Regina\'s Corner
A few months ago we started meeting with our teens on Saturday nights. Before Bible study, we play games such as volleyball and basketball with creative twists. During Christmas time, the youth of the Church were in charge of decorating. The boys hung the lights outside while the girls crafted balls and decorated the Christmas tree. To top off the holiday season, the teens sang Christmas songs, such as “Angels We Have Heard On High” for our Christmas candlelight service. Getting the teens involved in the Christmas program has been very worthwhile and something we plan on repeating.