Living the Goods News

I have been invited to assist a missions agency with planning new ways to evangelize and reach out to the lost. I have a burden for the lost and I love being creative and brainstorming with others, so this seems to be right up my alley. However, knowing I can not and should not rely on my own efforts, I have been spending much time in thought and prayer focusing on this subject matter. Here's where my thoughts and prayers have taken me thus far:

While words and intentionally developed evangelistic activities can do much to communicate the Good News of Jesus Christ, I believe it is the life that has been transformed that ultimately convinces others of the power of the Gospel. People need to see the power of God's salvation plan, not just hear about it!

I am blessed to be surrounded by many brothers & sisters in Christ whose focus is on the lost and whose lives are a powerful witness. They are intentional about always being prepared to give a reason for the hope that is in them. (1 Peter 3:15) You do not need to have a seminary education, a theology degree, the power of persuasive speech or even the ability to recite the four spiritual laws or the Roman Road; you just need to live out what God has done and is doing in your life and joyfully share your story with others. It's the best evangelistic tool I know!

Loving One Another

Last night was our final night for our spring semester of ESL (English-as-a-Second Language) classes. What a joy it is to be used by God to help improve the lives of refugees, immigrants and international students. As we teach English we reach out with the love of Christ to those who are often marginalized or isolated in our society. When we are faithful in loving one another, God accomplishes great things through our obedience.

Several of our students obtained jobs and others received job promotions due to their increased English proficiency and the dedicated efforts of our ESL teachers. The children entered the building each week with joyful enthusiasm, barely containing themselves from running down the hall to enjoy their time with our fun-loving childcare volunteers. Our "ESL Angels" brought in healthy snacks, which nourished our students and their families both body & soul.

One student took time to write a thank you letter stating, "In this school, I found a group of friendly and generous people." Another student commented on how different this "school" was from other places she had gone to study English. Love and kindness are what this student said she sensed when she was here among us.

Smiles, hugs and expressions of gratitude filled the air as we parted ways for the summer months. What a difference love makes and what an impact we have when we simply and sincerely love one another!

So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples. John 13: 34-35

The Aftermath of Easter

Words are fun! I love to research their origins and history. Take for example the word "aftermath." Today's most common use of this noun is to refer to something that results or follows from an event, especially one of a disastrous or unfortunate nature. (the aftermath of war; the aftermath of the flood.) However, in the early 1500's, "mǣth" was an Old English word that meant "a mowing." Originally, "aftermath" referred to the second crop of grass grown following the harvesting of the first crop of grass in the same season.

We just celebrated the most significant event in the church calendar - the resurrection of our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ. Easter services were wonderful! The church was full to the brim; with people, with praise, with the Spirit's presence, with the sound of breaking chains, with new growth. There were many cards submitted with our responses to what chains were binding us as we entered the service and what a difference it made to be set free from those chains. Praise be to God!

I encourage you to make time daily to consider the "aftermath." Will you choose continued growth and additional harvest in your spiritual life, or will you inadvertently pick up the same chains that you so joyfully threw off this past weekend?

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. 1 Peter 5:7-9

Well done!

We've been talking a lot lately about the early church; about community, about loving one another, about reaching out in love and about our Great Big God who first loved us. Since giving the year end Faith Promise report this past weekend I've been blessed with hearing more personal testimonies and stories of what God has done in your lives or the ways in which God is speaking to your hearts regarding your time, talents and treasures. If the past 48 hours is any indication of what God is doing in our midst, it's going to be another exciting year!

Thank you for sharing your stories with me, thank you for stepping forward to volunteer your time in missions, thank you for your faithful financial support of Faith Promise, thank you for shining His light and telling His story in words AND in deeds. Well done, good and faithful servants!

God's multiplication principle

I'm a processor; the type of person who instinctively takes time to reflect, consider, evaluate or "process" experiences in order to learn from them and preserve them in my memory bank. It's been two weeks since our return from Peru. I have printed my pictures, written thank you notes, given a presentation to the congregation, worked on the trip report for the website, exchanged multiple emails with those I served alongside, shared many stories with family and friends and through it all I have taken time to let the experience sink in.

There was a time that God only used me to plant seeds and, at times, water them and have the rare opportunity to see them grow. I accepted that role and resolved to be faithful to that calling, but these past few years I have had the privilege of being used in the harvest. When I reflect upon the abundance of the harvest in Peru I am deeply humbled and awe-stuck by the power of the Holy Spirit. There is nothing more uplifting and energizing than being a worker in the harvest fields!

What phase of planting, watering, growing or harvesting does God have you working in right now? If you've not yet seen the harvest I encourage you to read and reflect on the Parable of the Talents (Mt 25:14-28) and cling to the promises of God that when we are faithful in the small things we WILL one day "share in our master's happiness" by multiplying the kingdom.

A journey´s end brings new beginnings

There is a song we used to sing as children that goes, "Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other gold." This was our first Work & Witness trip with Extreme Nazarene, which had us joining other Nazarenes from around the country, meeting one another for the very first time in Peru - at 1 am in the morning after a long travel day I might add. We then proceeded to room with people we had never met before and labor alongside one another for 10 days in high heat and humidity while in an unfamiliar culture. While it sounds like the makings of relationship disasters, just the opposite was true. As half the group left for Cusco yesterday morning there were hugs all around and a smattering of tears. Tonight, those of us still in Iquitos went out to dinner together and the bond of our new-found friendships was abundantly clear. We have requested one another´s email addresses from Extreme and new Facebook friends are already online. When Christ is our everything, loving one another flows naturally from that relationship. Serving alongside one another on a mission project simply adds to that bond. There is something very special that occurs when we step out in faith to answer the call to serve in unfamiliar territory; blessings abound, new spiritual insights are gained, our reliance on the Lord is made more clear, and friendships that will last an eternity are forged. Is God calling YOU to take a step of faith and serve in one of our mission projects this year? It could be in our Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria or Ends of the Earth. Thanks for taking this journey with us - hope you can join us in person next time!

Already seeing the harvest!

Over the 10 days many relationships have been made. That was the intention of the ministry project here in Iquitos. However, this impact was not limited to the villages where we did medical clinics and Jesus Film showings. Brother George was unable physically to go or stay at each site for the length of the day as the heat and humidity have been oppressive. After resting up each day he was out on the town making relationships
wherever he went. There are always street kids selling their wares and eventually they target hostels where large groups of Americanos are staying. They come to know our schedule and are at the front door as we come and go. Many of us in the group have taken Juan & Antonio under our wings and we paid the boat driver to bring them to our Jesus Film showing Saturday night at Gabriela Nuñez. Well, last night at our worship service we had 5 new souls come along with us - Juan, Antonio, another friend of theirs, Liz & Laidy. Laidy owns a t-shirt shop where George went shopping and Liz is her adult daughter. They were all introduced and welcomed by the pastor of the church and we are confident that follow up will occurr. We have been humbled and privileged to already be seeing the fruits to our labors. The best is yet to come!!!

Soli Deo Gloria!

Our final medical clinic and Jesus Film showing was in Gabriela Nuñez, a village located a 30 minute boat ride down the Itaya and up the Amazon river. The newly completed church building served as our clinic for the day. Addie & Larry Garmon´s W&W Team had completed the structure just one week earlier. In fact, Addie led a worship song & Dr Garmon gave the sermon last Sunday night at the church where we worship here in Iquitos - the same church that planted the church in Gabriela Nuñez. Yes, church planting is what this project has been all about. We treated 1283 patients in the course of 7 clinics and had nearly 300 decisions for Christ during three Jesus Film showings. These are the people that our long-term missionaries will be contacting in the weeks to come and beginning their work of strengthening and building the Kingdom in areas where the Good News of Jesus Christ, the living water, will make a profound difference.

This afternoon we will have a celebration banquet with the entire team, including the 40/40´s - the long term missionaries who will be doing the church plants. There is indeed much to celebrate. Our God is an awesome God and the anticipation of things to come fills me to overflowing with excitement and joy! While we will begin heading our separate ways tomorrow (some to Cusco, some to the jungle, some back to their studies on church planting), we are one in Christ and that is a very special and empowering thought, my friends. You have been with us as well and we thank you for your partnership along this very special journey.

To God alone be the glory!

Extreme Nazarenes

Check out the pictures and short stories being posted on Extreme Nazarene´s website on a daily basis. Our own George McHendry was asked to write an article for days 3 & 4 of our clinics. I couldn´t download any of the photos on this computer, but perhaps you´ll even see someone you know.

http://www.extremenazarene.org/ShortTermDetail.aspx?ID=5

The Privilege of Prayer

We have now completed 4 days of medical clinics and impact events. We have seen730 patients - more than the number anticipated for the full 7 days of clinics! We have had to buy additional medical supplies twice now. Last night at our worship and prayer service we had the name, age and medical condition of each and every one of these patients. I felt extremely humbled to be praying over these souls. More importantly, we have had 247 decisions for Christ. God is truly present in this place and because of your prayers mighty things are happening. Please continue to pray for both physical and spiritual healings. Onward for Christ!

Living water

Today's medical clinic was apparently in the poorest community that we will be visiting. That's NOT to say that there is no poverty in the other communities, but today's poverty was palpable. Our clinic was set up outside in the dirt next to the soccer field. By soccer field I mean an open dirt area (mud when it rains) and small wooden poles set in the ground at either end to designate the goals. The medical conditions we saw were more severe than the previous two days of clinics, though most complaints were ultimately related to the severe lack of clean drinking water (parasites, dehydration, headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, lack of energy, various infections, etc). People waited in line in the oppressive heat of the day for hours to be one of the lucky ones to see a doctor and receive free medical advice and medication. Even if all they walked away with were vitamins for an undernourished child they were grateful. I can not help but think about the many things we take for granted each and every day in America - clean drinking water among them. Jesus, our "living water," assures us that those who know Him will "thirst no more." Are we taking our "living water" for granted or are we living life with a grateful heart, acknowledging with each and every breath we take that HE is the source of every good thing? From the Amazon, with a deeply grateful heart, Pastor Janette

Medical Missions Rock!

This is my first medical mission and I can´t begin to tell you how awesome it is. So, I´m turning today´s blog over to our nurse, Mandy Willmann, so you can have a nurse´s perspective on the difference we´re making:

Hello Westminster Church! Today is the second day of medical clinics and they have been two very long days. We start about 7:30 am and today we are back to the hotel at 5. The clinics have been going much better than we had anticipated. We expected our turnout to be about 50 for the first day and that day we saw 174 patients by last count. Today we topped that and saw 230 patients! Most of our patients are well, with very common parasitic gastrointestinal problems and complications from dehydration. (like headache and dizziness) This is a very hot region and their access to CLEAN water is limited so they tend not to drink enough. As you may expect, they need a lot of education regarding general health and hygeine. We give out a lot of vitamins and ibuprofen. We have limited abilities to diagnose infections but since we can narrow it down for the most part, we do have some antibiotics we can give out if they need it. While the patients are being seen, the long term missionaries are reaching out to the people waiting in the lines by showing them the meaning of the salvation bracelets. The children are all eager to hear the story and have a bracelet. After they give the bracelet they pray with the patients and invite them to the Jesus film they put on some nights. The other night at the showing of the film, they had 200 people come and had 56 children and 17 adults commit their lives to Christ. The children are also entertained by the group with games, crafts and sports. Thanks so much for your prayers and support while we are here. It´s making a difference, we know, we are all still healthy!

Tamshiyacu here we come!

This post is being written by our brother, George McHendry:

I have to admit that I was having trouble pronouncing the word Tamshiyacu before today. After spending a few hours with the beautiful people that call Tamshiyacu their home, I am confident that the name will be engrained in my brain forever. You might wonder why. Well, thanks to the folks at Extreme Nazarene, we at WCON have adopted this village of 3,000 people and are helping them hear the Good News by helping plant a new Nazarene church in the near future. Originally the boat trip up the Amazon River in the Rain Forest was just for the four of us at WCON. When word got out that we had gotten a boat to make the 24 mile trip, many others said they wanted to go as well. In all, 19 of our 22 took the one hour trip upstream on the Amazon. As we took our tour of the city, Pastor Janette stopped in at the Ecumenical service for an infusion of the Holy Spirit! To my friends who are wondering how the trip is going, my thanks for your prayers. Yes, it is hot and humid. But God is watching over us as we bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to the folks here in Peru. I believe I captured some wonderful images of WCON´s future sister church in Tamshiyacu. God bless you all. See you in a couple of weeks!

On the ground in Iquitos!

I´m writing this from an internet cafe on the Plaza de Armas in Iquitos (the main square in downtown.) We had quite a wild start yesterday. Mandy was severly ill upon our departure from Denver. We got an urgent prayer request to the prayer chain and by the time we arrived in Atlanta she was herself again. Thank you for your prayers!! We arrived in Lima on schedule, but had ïssues in customs, including the confiscation of my passport and some rather tense moments - all due to two donated cell phones in Mandy´s suitcase. Another couple bringing in a generator to show the Jesus Film were also held up. But, as always, we went to God in prayer and not only got my passport & cell phones back, but the generator as well. Can you just imagine what the Lord has planned?! Following an uneventful flight to Iquitos (thank the Lord!) we spent time as a team, went through a lengthy orientation, unpacked and organized our medical supplies and are ready to hit the ground running with our first medical and outreach event tomorrow. The long term missionaries spent the day getting the word out to people in the surrounding community about tomorrow´s clinic. It was so inspiring to see all the supplies that were donated and we thank God for each and every person who is here with us through your prayers and outpouring of generosity and love. Please pray for the hearts of the people we will reach tomorrow and for continued protection against the enemy´s schemes. Hasta luego, hermanos.

And so it begins!

When we're about our Father's business, it's pretty much guaranteed that Satan will attack. It's become so very predictable that now I can simply sit back and smile, knowing God is ready to do something amazing. Every time we prepare to head out to the mission field "things happen" to various members of the team. I left the office 3 hours later than planned, due to a miriad of curve balls thrown my way. It took almost an hour for me to check in online, due to multiple technical difficulties. I caught my little finger in the door handle of the car when unloading my final items to be packed. Looking forward to visiting with the rest of the team tomorrow at the airport to see what their final preparation day was like. I say "bring it on," because most assuredly GOD IS IN CONTROL!

Packed up & Prayed over

The team met yesterday afternoon to pack our "e-bags." That's what Extreme Nazarene Peru calls the second suitcase each participant is asked to bring, packed with needed supplies for the medical clinics and evangelistic outreach events we will be doing in the villages surrounding Iquitos. Miraculously, it all fit in to our four suitcases, each one weighing in well under the 50 pound limit! The team was "commissioned" by Pastor Brian and Pastor Loyd in our three weekend services during which time many in our church family came to the altar to lay hands on us and pray. There is a sense of excitement and comraderie that continues to build among us. We feel your love and ongoing prayer support and are joyfully expectant of all that is yet to come!

Preparing for Peru

I just took my first malaria pill, which means we'll be in Peru one week from today! My son, Josh, was in the office today helping to organize the mound of medical supplies we'll be taking with us. You may be one of the people who donated empty medicine bottles or cell phones. You may have been lifting the team up in prayer for weeks or even months. You may have made it possible, financially, for certain members of the team to go, or for our church to have adopted the community of Tamshiyacu as our first official church plant outside of Colorado. Yes, each and every one of you will be there with us, in one way or another, and we thank you in advance for your partnership. Enjoy the journey with us . . . as God leads the way!