Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
The National Association of Evangelicals is asking member churches to observe July 18, 2010, as a National Day of Prayer for the Gulf by setting aside time in their weekend services to pray for the people of the Gulf and the impact of the oil spill.
Our Louisiana summer camp recently posted this six-minute video on YouTube: Teen Camp 2010
Mexico
From Lee Berger:
2010 was the fifth summer for our Crossing Borders mission camp to reach out across the Mexican border with the good news of Jesus Christ. Rather than show up and try to act as an independent program, we assist and supplement the work of a wide variety of local ministries—partnering with Jesus in Mexico.
During the weeklong camp, we participated in a variety of ministry opportunities. The purpose of Crossing Borders is to serve as a “sampler mission camp.” We lead attendees to try out a wide variety of mission-based events to catch the vision of where and how God is already at work and to see where and how they can join in, whether in another country or in their own home town.
This year we helped distribute cases of food supplies to about 50 pastors and ministry leaders to take back to their people. We delivered a hot meal and packages filled with socks, soap, toothpaste and other necessities to 60 scattered homeless people living on the streets (and we prayed individually with many of them). For about 150 children in impoverished neighborhoods, we conducted three Vacation Bible School sessions, including Bible lessons, games, crafts, fun songs and snacks. We visited group children’s homes, taking time to personally play with, feed and care for children growing up without their natural parents or families. We assisted with work service projects, toured a Bible school, and participated in outdoor evangelical dramas and other events.
In all our activities, our goal was to be intentional at communicating how God as Father, Son and Spirit is intimately and lovingly connected to the lives of every person we met. Too often the gospel message comes across as a demanding, judgmental, guilt-producing religion of an angry God. In contrast, we wanted people to know that God loves each of them, he’s forgiven them, he accepts them, and he’s included them in his eternal plan.
Our 15 missionaries-in-training from five states experienced the joy of making an important positive difference in the lives of many new friends in Mexico. Our minds and hearts were opened in new ways, and our lives were radically transformed in the process. Isn’t God amazing? When you make the effort to serve others, you end up reaping wonderful benefits for yourself.
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Crossing Borders is open to anyone ages 15 to 99. Come on your own, bring a friend, or attend with family members. To find out more about next summer’s camp and our winter shoebox ministry, go to www.cbmission.org or call 903-746-4463.
Photos by Janet Morrison, Pam Morgan and Lee Berger
Correction: The July 7 Weekly Update should have reported that Pastor Eric Warren will be replacing Pastor Doug Smith (not Pastor Eric Wilding, as the Update stated) when Doug retires later this year.
Prayer request and update:
Please pray that the international conference in Orlando will be a time of renewal for GCI and all who attend and that God’s desires for this event will be fulfilled. Some of the attendees have already started their travels and we pray that their travels will be blessed and that they will all arrive safely. May God use this time to refresh and renew us in our participation in his mission.
From Rod Matthews:
Derek Jiru, pastor of our congregation in Qiloe, Ranongga, in the Western Province of the Solomon Islands, informed us that George Nake, son of Qiloe village and paramount chief and member, Timothy Nake, has been diagnosed with leukemia. On Ranongga there are no medical facilities, electricity supply or roads. Medical care is only available at the hospital on the neighboring island of Gizo, which is a two-hour trip away across the strait by small boat with an outboard motor. The doctors have told George that there is little they can do for him in the way of treatment. We understand that he is having trouble speaking due to the inflammation around his throat and neck. His prognosis for the future is uncertain.
George and his wife Amellin have six young children. George is a member of our Qiloe church board and has been church treasurer for some years – serving in a most careful, responsible and diligent way. He is in his early 40’s. Solomon’s pastoral coordinator, Doug Lewis said that “they are a most engaging couple. George has always been very fun-loving but most serious about his calling. Amellin is a very sweet lady and devoted mum and servant. It was always a great delight and a privilege to share time with them.”
Your prayers for George, Amellin and their children, his parents and all the church community in Qiloe would be appreciated by them.
Henry Kuper
National Coordinator for the Solomon Islands, Henry Kuper, is currently back in hospital in Honiara for the removal of a kidney stone. Henry was in hospital some weeks ago suffering from an infection of the pancreas and of the liver, complicated by diabetes which is now under control. Henry and his wife live in the far southeast of the country on the island of Santa Ana, and medical treatment of this nature necessitates a long journey by boat and/or plane to reach the hospital in the national capital.
Al Barr
Al Barr sends his special thanks to everyone for their prayers on his behalf. His chemotherapy has begun, and so far he is tolerating it well. He is also pleased that his doctor said he could travel to Orlando for the conference.
Remember that prayer is the battleground where we fight the good fight of faith. Let’s encourage everyone to join together in prayer, for we belong to Christ, and by the Spirit it is in Christ that we pray. Prayer and other spiritual activities help keep our hearts in tune with God and remind us of who we are in Christ. He is our all in all, and in him we are eternally beloved of the Father and blessed to share his good news with others.
Love from my family to yours,
Joseph Tkach
