Seeing God Touch Lives

The Mexico Orphanage team of 14 people flew today to Monterrey, Mexico to serve with Back2Back Ministries. A team member writes:

Back2Back Ministries serves abandoned and neglected children in 12 separate orphanages by connecting short term mission teams from the United States with children’s homes in the Monterrey area. We hope to meet some of the children’s physical and spiritual needs, as well as be available to work as needed on any building, painting or cementing projects.

Pray for safety, good health and that we would be available for every need presented. Pray also that we would be an encouragement to the children, as well as the Back2Back staff, in each orphanage we visit. The staff works tirelessly to provide a safe and loving environment for these children.

Pray that our team comes home with a deeper appreciation of God’s amazing love and His special care for all His children. Our hope is to see God’s hands touch lives as we are obedient to His direction.

Team Safely in Monterrey

Dave Kvindlog wrote: "The team arrived safely and on time in Monterrey. No luggage was lost either! No issues with customs. The Back2Back bus picked us up and we arrived at their facilities around 5pm. We're now oriented and ready to begin ministry tomorrow! Thank you all for your prayers. Pics will be posted soon."

Join the NCBC Mexico Orphanage Missions Trip 2010 group on Facebook for pictures as well as updates.

Serving Up Love

Thanksgiving in Mexico! Instead of serving up a platter of turkey, our Mexico Orphanage team will be serving up love with Back2Back Mexico, a mission that serves ten orphanages in Monterrey. The team will depart this Saturday, November 20, from the Eastern Iowa Airport, and return the following Friday, November 26.

Theresa Appleby, and daughter Christine, first served with Back2Back last year. They returned with a desire to lead a team from New Covenant. This year's team members are: Theresa Appleby, Christine Appleby, Rachel Prochaska, Ashley Goos, Tim Holderman, Jim and Angie Nowak, Sam Nowak, Katie Nowak, Dave and Beth Kvindlog, Elise Kvindlog, and T.J. Kvindlog and Chris Loewen. The team will spend Thanksgiving week playing with children, rocking babies, painting, doing construction, and helping in various ways.

“It was wonderful to see how the children responded to our affection last year despite the language barrier,” said Theresa. "I loved sharing in the process of helping those who labor there.”

Pray for the team as they care in the name of Christ down in Mexico.

Church-to-Church Partnership

Earlier this year, New Covenant began a "church-to-church" (C2C) partnership through Compassion International with a church in India. One of the key reasons we enthusiastically jumped at the chance to enter into this partnership is because we are partnering with a local church to empower them to do prayer care, and share in their community.

Here is a great blog article that explains more of how this works: How Does Our Partnership With Local Churches Really Work?

U of I Internationals

Eric & Melissa McDonald serve with the Navigators. They work with international students, including many from China, at the University of Iowa.

Over the summer many of the international students took the break from classes as an opportunity to travel back to China. But for those who stayed around, fewer classes allowed for more in-depth discipleship. Eric had the opportunity to meet regularly with two men. Both are followers of Christ and were looking for ways to grow stronger in their faith.

Eric also began facilitating a group of men who met every two weeks to read and discuss more in-depth theological books.

This fall 350 new Chinese students arrived on campus. We are excited to meet them as we also welcome back students from last year! We're also co-leading a study for new believers going through the Alpha material. This meets on Sunday nights for 13 weeks. We're hoping to extend this study through the winter and are picking curriculum right now.

When I am Weak...

“Greatness is what you do with your weakness.” Do you admit weakness? Do you deal with your weakness? Do you ask for help? Ironically, it takes greatness to do those things.

Read an inspiring story that our Global Kingdom Partner, Bob Mackey, posted on his blog by going here.

Learning the Best Ministry Tool

Tracy and Karna Steel serve in the Czech Republic with Youth for Christ:

We are so excited about our new ministry plan. We will focus primarily on developing relationships with teens from in and around our town and connecting them to our church. The connecting will be done through teaching in the English classes and helping in the physical education program at the local high school.

The weekly open gym nights, together with game-nights, movie-nights, and Club nights, are all places where we connect Czech kids with youth and youth leaders of our church. I say we because my own kids, as native speakers, are as valuable for improving English conversation skills as I am. They join me in many activities and are a key part of this ministry.

We're learning that the best ministry tool is building relationships with people and allowing the Lord to do His work as He sees fit.

On Our Doorstep

Our Global Kingdom Partners, Martin and Judy Kolczyk, work as student mobilizers with SEND International and live in Marengo, IA. Here is part of an update this week from Martin:

Looking back on our visits to other countries and some of the difficulties we faced with language, transportation, customs, etc., we are well aware of how hard it is for international students to be here, in Iowa, without family. So we are starting up a ministry that we did in the past with Friends of Internationals. We want to provide a “family” for each international student while they are here. We want reach out to the over 600 international students from over 80 different countries on the Kirkwood campus.

We also are looking for people willing to adopt a student. Over 80% of foreign students are never invited into an American home or to visit a church. The mission field has come to our doorstep.These students are hungry, both spiritually and physically and are looking for people that care.

Please pray for us as we venture into this new ministry area.

Read more about Martin & Judy's ministry on their blog, On the Road Again.

Agriculture, Africa Style

Gary and Barb Bennett, serve with WorldVenture in Rwanda:

We are already into the swing of things here in Rwanda. Gary finished planting the agricultural gardens and has started on a Tilapia fish pond project. Barb teaches music at the girls’ school. The girls are making all kinds of new friends at their school.

Every day funny things happen to remind us we aren’t in the States anymore. You know you’re in Africa when you try to download something from the Internet and you read the message, “2,773 hours remaining!”

We are currently working on precision agriculture, Africa-style. We try to maximize every seed’s potential to produce as much food as possible from a given area. The specifics of this method, Farming God’s Way, were developed in southern Africa. Significant increases in crop yields have been reported. We are hoping it will make a difference for food producers here in Rwanda.

Mackey Van Totaled

I was relieved to hear that even though the Mackey's van was totaled in an accident, Laura (who was driving) escaped without injury.

read more...

Poverty in Perspective

I am amazed at how our church stepped up and sponsored over 155 children with Compassion. What a great demonstration of the global care.

I realize there are plenty in need here in our own backyard. But this article puts the difference into perspective:

Here at home, poverty is a single mom in Detroit trying to keep food on the table. In Africa, poverty is a 14-year-old orphaned head-of-household trying to find fresh water for himself and his siblings. The challenge isn't to choose one over the other. The task is to view two harsh realities through a common lens of compassion and assistance.

read more...

Breaking the Cycle of Poverty

Want to make a real difference in advancing God’s Kingdom to overcome poverty? Consider becoming involved with a global care opportunity by supporting a Compassion Leadership Development Program (LDP) Student. This program gives specially selected Compassion sponsored children the opportunity to attend a university and be participants rather than bystanders. Their education includes a full college curriculum, courses in Christian leadership training, and Compassion-taught seminars, workshops and retreats on the development of Christian character and leadership potential.

“LDP sponsors and donors are special instruments that the Lord uses to raise up godly leaders who will eventually break the cycle of poverty,” says Michelle, a LDP student. “You are unveiling the darkness that the enemy has placed over us by giving us dreams, hope and a future!”

Through the Leadership Development Program, hundreds of students like Michelle are energized, mentored and strengthened in their faith each year as they prepare for lives of leadership in their churches and communities. Drop by the Compassion table in the lobby this Sunday or go to their website to find out more.

Thank You!

Over the last month, Pastor Bob has led us on a journey as we considered God's Kingdom disrupted, restored, and advanced. He reminded us that one of the signs that the Kingdom of God is near is that the poor are given good news. As the Kingdom of God intersects the physical world, lives are changed and people are set free.

This last Sunday we threw out a challenge: We asked all of you at New Covenant to consider sponsoring one of 76 Compassion children at our India C2C partner church. In case we were able to find sponsors for all 76, we also had 120 packets for children at two nearby church development centers.

Your response was incredible. After the first service, we already had over 20 packets gone. By the last service, you sponsored 95 kids, including 73 of our partner church children (and the other three are claimed -- just need the forms to be completed). Your generosity is overwhelming. As a church, in one Sunday alone, we have committed to giving $43,320 a year to release children from poverty in Jesus' name. And we are not done yet.

This coming Sunday, we have 100 more Compassion children available to be sponsored. We also will be sharing two other ways you can get involved. So come on Sunday and learn how you can be a part of the Kingdom Unleashed!

Why We Are Offering Compassion Children to Sponsor in India

In the last few weeks, I have been asked a great question: Why sponsor a child from our Partner Church Compassion project in India? Why not suggest people go to the Compassion website and choose a child?

Of course, there are many needy children at Compassion projects in other parts of the world. And I would celebrate each and every one that is sponsored. I have been told by Compassion workers in India that our region is one of the poorest areas Compassion works anywhere in the world. But the most important reason is not the size of the need -- it is the relationship we are building with our partner church in India. They have added new children to their program, and we are being offered the first chance to sponsor as many as 76 of these children. What a wonderful and tangible way to show global care -- to reach out and link arms with our partner church to release a child from poverty in Jesus' name.

Regardless of whether you sponsor a child or not, please join me in praying that we can find a sponsor for each and every child at our partner site. In fact, if we do, we have another 100 packets of children who are equally needy in nearby Compassion projects. My prayer is that we sponsor at least 100 Compassion children in the coming weeks.

Here is a heart wrenching article about the female infanticide that still happens in India: http://blog.compassion.com/infanticide-in-india/.

A Message of Grace

Bob and Laura Mackey family serve with World Team in PA:

Laura and I spent about 10 days in Ecuador at the end of August. I spoke at a field conference with SIM workers. The theme was Jonah: a messenger of grace who needed the message of grace. Jonah was a missionary failure who made his own agenda bigger than God’s. And yet God was very gracious with Jonah, just as He was gracious through Jonah to the Ninevites. It seems like any honest missionary can see some of Jonah in themselves. I emphasized Jesus as the true and better Jonah, our tendency toward idolatry, and our need to practice repentance.

It seemed like the talks went well. I know that people at least were thinking deeply about heart issues.

After the conference was over, Laura and I hung out in Quito celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary. Highlights were bicycling around the “Carolina Park” and visiting the equator. We had a great time!

Check out their blog at: mackeyministry.blogspot.com

Euroventure with Amy Mich

An update from Amy Mich about a youth camp called Euroventure in Grindelwald, Switzerland. She serves with YoungLife in France.

Imagine being 60-70 feet in the air, crossing a series of rope obstacles. You are in a harness, but it’s up to you to move forward and make sure you are securely clipped onto the cable. Don’t look down! If you looked down, you would realize how vulnerable you are. At camp, the students had the opportunity to experience the adventure of a ropes course. Many were scared, but by the end of the course they were having fun and feeling quite proud of their accomplishment.

As a leader, nothing beats seeing kid’s smiling faces after overcoming such a big and challenging obstacle. Stepping out of their comfort zone in the form of a ropes course helped break down barriers and provided a platform for sharing and understanding the gospel. It was a risk the kids took, much like it’s a risk to trust in Christ and be a bold witness in His name.

Pray for Safety for the Van Zoest Family

Please pray for protection us and our Nicaragua Christian Academy family. Our new 5th grade teacher, Jed, reported a couple of weeks ago that his family's guard was in a shoot-out with some men who were trying to steal his motorcycle. This resulted in the guard chasing them away. Jed has noticed several men watching their home which has been very unsettling for him and his family. Two nights ago, Jed was driving at night and came upon a group of men who were burning tires and shaking cars. The men were armed with guns and machetes. They shook Jed's car but Jed pulled forward and kept looking forward and eventually the men went on to another car. People were throwing money out their windows in effort to placate the men. Dan and Rebekah ran into the traffic jam on their way home. However, Dan turned around and found a different way home - not realizing what was really going on. We praise God for Jed and Dan and Rebekah's safety.

Global Care in Action

Our vision for Global Outreach at New Covenant is for every person to be actively involved in global prayer, care, and share. With that in mind, we are excited to announce we will be offering an opportunity for global care through a Compassion Sunday on September 19.

Compassion International exists to release children from poverty in Jesus' name. All of their work and ministry is through a local church. Last March, Pastor Bob and I had the opportunity to travel to India to establish a partnership with a church that hosts and runs a Compassion child development center. We saw firsthand the work that is being done and the great need for even more to be done.

On Sunday, September 19, we will make available child sponsorship packets for children ministered to through our partner church. If all of those are taken, we will also have additional packets for children at other child development centers in the region. Our goal is to transform the lives of over 100 children in East India. I hope you will prayerfully consider joining us in this global care opportunity.

30-Days of Prayer

This year Ramadan is August 11 to September 09. Will you join with Christians around the globe praying for the Muslim World?

Find out more at 30-Days of Prayer for the Muslim World. This site has articles, as well as daily prayer requests that you can download or subscribe to by email.

You can also go to 30DaysFire.net for a full multimedia experience or become a fan of 30-Days International on Facebook.

New Covenant will sponsor a special time of prayer late in August. More details coming soon.

Zimbabwe Team in Chicago - Aug 9

Just received word that the Zimbabwe Team has made it to Chicago. Their United flight to Cedar Rapids is listed as arriving at 6:15 PM in Cedar Rapids. Will update this post if anything changes.

Zimbabwe Team Headed Home - Aug 8

Good news! I have received word that the Zimbabwe team made the first leg of the trip to Kenya successfull, and are now headed to Europe. They will be coming through Chicago and are scheduled to arrive on a United flight at 6:15 PM Cedar rapids Time on Monday, August 9. Will post any other updates I receive between now and then.

Zimbabwe Team Ministry Week Update - Aug 7

We are still on the road to Harare. Thought I would take a moment to provide some updates for the week.

On Tuesday, we participated in a community boys soccer and girls netball (cross between ultimate Frisbee and basketball) tourney for the 18 schools in the area. This is sponsored by the MCDT (think FCA-like activity). A the end of the final soccer game that ended in a penalty shootout, we presented the donated AYSO jerseys and balls as prizes. Afterwards, Lance and the local ministry team shared the gospel with the approximately 800 kids and adults.

Don for the Zim Team

P.S. Pray for the revival service tonight.

You can go to this post for their schedule.

New Kingdom Partner: Robin's Song

Robin’s Song is a new Kingdom Partner of New Covenant. The purpose of this ministry is to equip and train local people to provide safe, clean drinking water for their communities in the name of Christ. Brian Perry wrote this in a recent update:

I am planning to depart August 11 for Africa. I will spend the first week in Blantyre, Malawi where we will make plans for building another group to drill more wells. Remember that every well we put in provides clean drinking water to a thousand people. We are dedicated to helping people support themselves with an income from drilling the deep wells. We want to show God’s love to the people we serve so that they may know Him as their Savior. I’m excited to have my youngest son, Blake, join me in Mozambique September 4-10.

In October, I will be traveling with my older son, Christopher. He belongs to the Christian Medical and Dental Association, who has been leading teams of doctors and surgery nurses into Mexico. Please pray for financial support for start up costs of working in new areas of Africa, as well as travel safety.

Go to www.robins-song.org to learn more.

Martin Kokczyk Blog

Wondering what our Kingdom Partners, Martin & Judy Kolczyk, are up to? Check out their blog and find out!

Bennett's Headed back to Africa

Our Kingdom Partners, Gary & Barb Bennett, leave soon for Rwanda.

Dear Friends,

Thanks to God’s faithfulness we are all set to leave for Rwanda on Wednesday morning, August 4th. We still need a little more support, but through your generosity, God has provided what we need to be able to return to the field. We are so thankful for all your gifts and help. We leave from Minneapolis, stop in New York and then fly to Brussels Belgium. After a short layover in Brussels we fly directly to Kigali Rwanda where we arrive Thursday evening.

This morning we experienced a wonderful worship service at our home church, First Baptist, Windom. At the close of the service people gathered around and had a prayer time for us, which was very moving. Fortunately someone found us a box of Kleenex. We explained to the girls afterwards, if we didn’t love people so much and if they didn’t love us so much, saying good bye wouldn’t nearly as hard.

We would appreciate your prayers for us as we say more goodbyes, especially to family members. It is so hard to say good bye to those we love so much and have had so many wonderful times with during this year here. Pray also that all of our luggage will make it with us to Rwanda. The girls start their new school year on Aug 17th, so pray for a quick adjustment and a special time of reuniting with friends back on the field. Finally pray that God would show us where He would have us put our main focus as we get back into ministry in Rwanda. There are so many things we could be involved in, so pray we would put our efforts into what will be most helpful to the Rwandan church.

As always thanks so much for all your prayers, love and support,

Gary, Barb, Melissa and Megan Bennett

Zimbabwe Team Sat & Sun Update - Aug 2

Sat 31 July

After a long ride from the Harare to the Mushayamunda Village we had a short night's rest before the widows conference. We shared the blessing from New Covenant the name of Jesus Christ in the form of testimonies, teachings, prayer and gifts of clothing. There were approximately 250 widows some of who had walked 20 miles. We can't wait to share the pictures and video of the widows displaying the true joy of the Lord in the midst of their suffering. Saturday night we had a mini revival at the homestead. Brother Dave Estrem shared as well as Patti Ashbacher with a testimony. Thank you for sending us.

Don for the Zim team


Sunday 1 Aug

Sunday morning we enjoyed fellowship, singing, dancing, prayer and time in God's word together. Your bothers and sisters in Christ in Zimbabwe send you greetings at New Covenant. Don shared the message with testimony from sister Dixie. We also provided fluoride treatment and basic medical care for the widows on Saturday and continued into Sunday. Heavy program to start Monday...

Don for the Zim team

Zimbabwe Team Luggage Made It!

Received this additional update from Dennis. He is from Zimbabwe and is the reason we are doing this trip. Here is his update:

I spoke to team this morning. They safely arrived in Zimbabwe. They were in Harare at my sister's house refreshing and repacking and getting ready for the 7 hour trip to the village. The bus needed some repairs so they were expecting it in about 2 hours. Everybody is in good spirits and excited about what lies ahead. WE GOT ALL THE BAGS THROUGH WITH NO LOSSES. This is the first team that went through without loss of bags en route, Praise God!

Dennis

Zimbabwe Team is in Zimbabwe - Jul 29

Here are some text messages sent by a team member at 11 PM (Iowa time) Thursday night:

Safely in Nairobi, Kenya, waiting for the last flight let to Harare. Still lacking sleep but the full day walking around London during our layover has helped flip our "body clocks."

Our team is working very well together, and ready to be used by the Lord as He so chooses.

Thanks for praying for us!

Don for the Team Zim

And then this text came in this morning:

Just landed safely in Harare, Zimbabwe.

The team will only have limited internet access in Zimbabwe, so it may be a while until we hear from them again.

Zimbabwe Team -- in London! Jul 29

Here is an update from the team. They have an 8 hour layover in London so are doing a little sight seeing while they wait.

Sleepy, but doing great. Working on storing our carry-on bags and then spend a few hours in the city before our flight to Nairobi, Kenya.

Don for team Zim

Zimbabwe Update from Chicago - Jul 28

Praise God! All of the bags made it on the first leg to Chicago. For those who are in the aviation industry imagine an EMB-145 on a summer day with our literal ton of bags, heavy carry-ons, and a full flight. I (Don) would have never imagined it, but apparently they all made it. We were asked to bring more bags on the plane since the cargo hold was full. As we understand it only one bag was left behind (not ours). Pray that gentleman gets his bag very soon.

We are headed to the next gate for our London departure.
Blessings,

Don for team Zim

Zimbabwe Team Departure

Here are a few pictures from the Zimbabwe team's departure today.

Zimbabwe Team Schedule - Jul 28 to Aug 9

Here is a summary of what the Zimbabwe Team will be doing:

Wed - Jul 28 - Meet at Cedar Rapids Airport to depart for Zimbabwe (prayer with team just before Noon)

Fri - Jul 30 - Arrive in Zimbabwe around Noon local time

Sat - Jul 31 - Widows Conference

Sun - Aug 1 - Church - Widows Conference

Mon - Aug 2 - VBS - Revival

Tue - Aug 3 - VBS - Well Dedication - Revival

Wed - Aug 4 - VBS - Leadership Seminar - Revival

Thu - Aug 5 - VBS - Revival

Fri - Aug 6 - VBS - Revival

Sat - Aug 7 - Travel to Harrare - Evening Revival - Debrief

Sun - Aug 8 - Begin flights back to States at 1:15 PM local time

Mon - Aug 9 - Arrive back in Cedar Rapids - scheduled arrival 6:15 PM

They will also be painting blackboards, looking at power and water issues and possibly helping with gardening; and all 7 days have some sort of clinic available with limited hours.

Zimbabwe Ministry Team Update - July 26

Dear Friends and Supporters,

Well this afternoon we had our team packing session. We packed 32 suitcases which will go in checked luggage during this session. The other 8 are already packed and had just a little room left in them. All in all we have 40 suitcases (approximately 50 lbs each) of soccer balls and uniforms, pens and pencils, medicine, food and clothing or 1 literal ton of stuff we are taking to Zimbabwe. It was amazing seeing all this stuff, which was donated in one form or another, fitting into the suitcases we have. My wife Amy said, it was sort of like the feeding of the 5000 in reverse. I have included some pictures of packing.
I was thinking about all that stuff as I went for a bike ride this evening and I happened to be riding by the new facility. I got a tour earlier this week. It’s a big place - over 100,000 sq. ft. I think I often limit God by how big my perception of Him is. Until I get something measurable I usually don’t even recognize how big it is and God is immeasurable - in others words - big.

The final song at church this morning was “We are the Body of Christ” which was a really cool send off for the team as our theme for the trip is, One Body, One Spirit and One God Eph. 4:4-6. Thanks for you prayers and support.


Doug Forret - Team Leader

Pray, Care, and Share to the Muslim World

It is unfortunate that many live in fear of Muslims. God has not called us to fear, but to live a lifestyle of pray, care, and share. This story I just found is an example of the way we should live:

During a previous Ramadan God permitted a goat in a rural area to be involved in introducing a Muslim couple to the Gospel. The goat arrived at the home of a Christian woman and refused to leave despite repeated and determined efforts to chase it away. After several days the Christian lady decided to look for the family who had lost their goat. While visiting various neighbors she eventually found the goat's Muslim owner. The Muslim woman readily expressed her thanks that the goat had been returned and invited the Christian lady for a meal. A friendship sprang up between the two women and their families. It was in this way that this entire Muslim family received the Gospel (husband, wife and two children).

God often uses the weak things of this world to demonstrate His sovereign power! And, the Christian lady had been praying during Ramadan using the prayer guide called “30-Days of Prayer for the Muslim World.” We believe it is no coincidence that while in prayer for Muslims the Christian women was used so powerfully by God.

This year Ramadan is from August 11 to September 9. It is a time of year – a month – when Muslims fast for 30-days. Coinciding with Ramadan, Christians are also praying. Won’t you join? Who knows whether a goat might not just make it to your home?

To find out how you can pray, participate and proclaim the Good News of Christ Jesus, pick up a copy of 30-Days of Prayer for the Muslim World at the Kingdom Partners table in the church lobby, or go to the 30-Days website or the multimedia version at www.30daysfire.net.

Extension of God's Hand

New Covenant is sending a team of 20 individuals July 28 to August 9 to Zimbabwe to provide some relief to widows and orphans and to find ways to come alongside the Mushayamunda Villages for long term development. The team will serve church plants in village schools in rural Zimbabwe through mercy missions, construction and food projects, and VBS/revival activities with hundreds of village children.

Dennis Matangira, who is from Zimbabwe, said, “The team will be an extension of God’s hand to the needy, both spiritually (VBS/preaching) and physically (a clean water well will be commissioned), and eyes will be opened to a clear vision of God's love and Glory."

Please pray for these team members as they serve in Africa: Patti Ashbacher, Dave & Dixie Estrem, Doug Forret, Lance Greco and Gabe Greco, Paul Langholz and Sarah Langholz, Girlie Matangira and Farai Matangira, Miles Maurice, Don Purdy and Jessica Purdy, Pam Skelton, Becky Watts and Holly Rohrssen, Nick & Kristie and Connor and Hannah Zuber.

Click here to find out more about the Mushayamunda Christian Development Foundation that was started by members of Dennis' family.

Czech English Camp Update - June 22

After three days of camp all is going well. There are many returning students and a few new students. I feel this is an opportunity for God to pull together the strands that have been woven and bring to fruition seeds that have been sown in returning students' lives over the past few years. One student, a successful businessman who prior to his first camp had never held a Bible in his hand and had seen no need for God in the past has had some serious health problems which have helped him realize that he can take nothing with him. He told Bronek he is not here for the English; he is here seeking God. Even those who see no need at the time now know he is there when trouble makes their need apparent.

Our daily Bible studies are going well as are the workshops. We are as always inadequate for the task at hand which drives our dependence on the Lord deeper and from there greater confidence in what he will be doing. Additional prayer requests would be for the team to stay focused, for student hearts to be open, for the Spirit to reveal the love and Lordship of Jesus and for God to be glorified throughout. "May the Lamb who was slain receive the reward of His suffering."

Paul

Czech Team Update - June 21

The team arrived in Malenovice, Czech Republic, Friday afternoon [June 18] and everyone is well. We are experiencing a little jet-lag of course but settled in and ready for final preparations Saturday and student arrival on Sunday.

The team is very upbeat and while aware of the challenge of the week ahead, is confident in the grace of our Lord to see us through and to give the time eternal significance in the lives of many students. We were blessed that Bronek Lipus [the International Messenger national missionary] could meet us at the airport and travel to Malenovice with us. Both he and Larissa are on the mend as the doctors seem now to understand what is going on and can prescribe appropriate treatments.

The team is stretched thin this year as you know, and we would appreciate prayer for strength, endurance, and effectiveness. God is able to do more than we can ask or think and we pray that he will. We simply want to glorify Him and be poured out as a living sacrifice.

God bless,

Paul Rustebakke

Uganda Vision Trip Report - June 21

Our Uganda Vision Team, consisting of Randy McCright, Ron Rohrssen, Mick Schultz, and James Wartian, safely returned last Thursday afternoon. While tired, we had a very productive trip. Not only were we able to spend many hours with Mama Bishop (Florence Kyomya) asking questions and observing the need, we also had opportunities to do ministry. Here are a few highlights from our trip.

Hesed International

One of my (James) favorite things to do is to visit our Kingdom Partners on the field. It seems so selfish, I end up doing other types of trips! But there is nothing like being able to see our supported missionary at work and to spend time with them caring for them.

I am happy to report that our money supporting Hesed International is money well spent. The work they do is amazing and quite diverse. Their goal is to be a catalyst for renewal within the church in Uganda, especially the Anglican Church.

On Saturday we were privileged to see their HOT ministry team (Hesed Outreach Team) in action. We visited Valley Hill Day and Boarding School for a presentation to hundreds of primary and secondary school students. We were a little late getting there, but the program still went over two hours. It included introductions of the American team (us!), a testimony from Randy McCright, worship songs, performances by the school children, and special numbers by HOT. It also included a message by our own Pastor Mick. At the invitation, we had many children and even some teachers indicate a decision to put their trust in Christ. HOT took care of the follow-up with those who made a decision.

In addition to evangelism through HOT, Hesed offers ways for women to find work, pastors and lay leaders to be theologically trained, and a place for orphaned or abandoned children. They just opened a guest house where future teams can stay while ministering in Uganda, and are in the process of building apartments for short and long term workers. They also have a vision of building dormitories at the Hesed office to give African pastors and lay leaders who attend trainings an affordable place to stay.

Throughout our stay we worked side by side with Florence Kyomya or “Mama Bishop” as the Ugandans affectionately call her in their more formal way. She gave us much needed advice, explained what was happening, listened to our thoughts and suggestions, and loved on the children and adults at each of our visits. Mama Bishop’s grasp of the people and of the needs was inspiring. Yet she was always open to new ideas and suggestions from our team. She is a picture of quiet grace in action.

We also spent time with Timothy Kyomya, son of Michael and Florence, and his wife, Sallie May. Timothy is taking on the leadership of Hesed, taking over for his parents, and is doing a great job. Our visit ended with breakfast with Bishop Michael Kyomya. We enjoyed catching up with him and talking about our visit, old friends at New Covenant, and what he plans to do when he retires in five years as Bishop.

For more information about Hesed International, visit their website at www.hesedinternational.org .

Ministry Options

One crucial thing we learned through this Vision Trip was to distinguish between two different ways to help with ministry to children. One option is to focus on their schools. Unlike America, Uganda does not have a well-developed school system. The government relies on private and religious schools to provide an education to the children. This joint venture between the church and the government creates its own set of tensions and challenges.

Much of our visit was spent at four different Anglican day and boarding schools. There is a very high ratio of kids to teachers – in many cases apparently as high as 100 students for each teacher, even in the lower grades. Parents who can afford to do so send their kids to boarding school simply so that the child can have more time with a teacher and hopefully pass their classes.

The schools we visited are under the authority of the Anglican Church in Uganda. However, many of the teachers and administrators are not believers, so most are not really “Christian” schools. They are simply schools run by a church denomination. Ministry in this setting would be very different than anything we are used to here in the States.

The other option is to focus on what we would consider a Sunday School program on Sunday morning. With rare exception, the Anglican churches in Uganda do not offer much in terms of Sunday School. They might have a service for children shortly before the main worship service, but not something that really focuses on training them in biblical issues.

After talking with Hesed, we left with a joint decision to focus first on the Sunday morning needs. While there is overlap because many of the boarding school children also attend church at the parish on Sunday, the greater need right now is with the church. This decision also allows us to focus first on an area where we have more experience. Of course, we hold all of this with an open hand and trust God to direct our steps. But as of right now, that is the direction where we will put our initial efforts.

Next Steps & Prayer Requests

Our first step will be for the Uganda Vision Team to meet and come up with a recommended plan to present to the Missions Committee and other church leaders. As noted above, we intend to focus our efforts on helping with Sunday School, but we need to talk through what this will look like.

Once we come up with a plan in the next few weeks, we will then know what the next team and trip will look like. Now that we have seen the need and have a clearer idea of what we want to do, our original idea of a January team may change dramatically. It is too soon to say whether we need 3 or 15 individuals for the team, and what skills and experiences would be required to be on the team. Once we know, we will put information in the bulletin to keep you informed.

Here are a few requests to remember in the coming weeks:

• Pray for wisdom to know how to provide training in Sunday School to the church in Uganda.
• Pray for wisdom as to what a training team might look like and who should be on that team.
• Pray for wisdom for Hesed as they determine the best leaders to attend a training opportunity.
• Pray for follow-up of those who made decisions during our recent visit.
• Pray for Bishop Michael, Mamma Bishop (Florence), and Timothy as they lead Hesed.