We celebrate our first known profession of faith. Cristy (boy) came to us looking for Jesus. The preach for the week had the honor of introducing him to our Savior. Please pray for him. He lives a rugged life.
Also, pray for Pastor Ruben and the kids from his village. These kids showed up with only the clothes on their backs. Most have no parents, no money and no hope- none know Jesus (except Cristy now)
Pray for the team as they wrap things up over the next 36 hours and head home!
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Peru August Team Update #1
We are in Canta safely and will soon unload our bags and get settled. It has been a blessed trip already. We met up with three adults from "Parkway Wesleyan" from ROANOKE, Virginia while sitting in the Houston airport. One of them had noticed "Parkway" on our luggage tags and struck up a conversation. They were headed to Lima to do mission work in a church that has been started on the outskirts of the city. As we chatted, we realized that we are both doing almost identical VBS ministries! Travel has been very good so far!! Please pray for good health for all our team members, regardless of altitude and altered diet, so that we can effectively minister in Lachaqui and Carhua. We will continue to check in periodically.
Friday, August 5, 2011
FUSION & Peru
George Chumley successfully made it to Kansas City, Missouri to begin his training with Fusion and our Peru team left today for Peru. Both had early am flights! Pray for Candi Sheppard, Josh Sheppard, and Elaina Kuper in Peru this week and pray for George as the Fusion program begins tomorrow for him. Fusion is a one year missions commitment. Follow his blog Jorgesfusionproject.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Africa June 24, 2011
The team is doing well and things are running smoothly. The VBS and soccer camp is over and they will be doing a True Love Waits conference tomorrow. God is using the team in a huge way and they have had great opportunities to share the gospel.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Romania June 23, 2011
Hey friends and family.
God has been so good to us this week. It has been very busy. We have not had time for many updates as our days have started early and ended late.
Our SBC missionaries Bob and Gayle Hill have many Roma ministry sites and it has been exciting and rewarding to work alongside Roma & Romanian believers and translators and see how God unites brothers and sisters in Christ through our common bond of Him to accomplish His purposes.
This week we've had 5 teams (2 construction ministry teams and 3 people ministry teams) pouring concrete pads and walkways for two Roma churches, putting up a fence, doing home visits & evangelism, children's programs, student programs, and relationship building. Hundreds have heard the gospel and had their physical and spiritual needs addressed. Our prayer is God would continue to break the bondage of works based theology and they would understand and receive the grace and forgiveness of Jesus. Many believe if they drink and smoke they cannot be a "repenter" and feel they must clean themselves before they come to faith. The orthodox and evangelical churches are teaching this works based soteriology and our missionaries are doing everything they can to gently teach the Truth and turn the tide.
Pray for the servant acts of love and teaching of God's Word and stories to push back the darkness with the Roma.
Praise God for those who have come to Christ.
Pray that more would come and work with this rejected and despised people group.
Pray that might be you.
Praising God for His mighty hand and work.
Your 2011 IWC Braila, Romania team
God has been so good to us this week. It has been very busy. We have not had time for many updates as our days have started early and ended late.
Our SBC missionaries Bob and Gayle Hill have many Roma ministry sites and it has been exciting and rewarding to work alongside Roma & Romanian believers and translators and see how God unites brothers and sisters in Christ through our common bond of Him to accomplish His purposes.
This week we've had 5 teams (2 construction ministry teams and 3 people ministry teams) pouring concrete pads and walkways for two Roma churches, putting up a fence, doing home visits & evangelism, children's programs, student programs, and relationship building. Hundreds have heard the gospel and had their physical and spiritual needs addressed. Our prayer is God would continue to break the bondage of works based theology and they would understand and receive the grace and forgiveness of Jesus. Many believe if they drink and smoke they cannot be a "repenter" and feel they must clean themselves before they come to faith. The orthodox and evangelical churches are teaching this works based soteriology and our missionaries are doing everything they can to gently teach the Truth and turn the tide.
Pray for the servant acts of love and teaching of God's Word and stories to push back the darkness with the Roma.
Praise God for those who have come to Christ.
Pray that more would come and work with this rejected and despised people group.
Pray that might be you.
Praising God for His mighty hand and work.
Your 2011 IWC Braila, Romania team
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Africa June 20 2:42pm
This is to let you know that the Parkway team arrived safely. Everyone is well though a bit tired. They have had their field orientation, eaten supper, and are preparing for their first day of ministry. They will be meeting their interpreters early in the morning, then headed to 2 villages for the soccer clinic, VBS, and women's Bible study to share the love of Christ with Basotho. Thank you for praying. We'll keep you posted!
Monday, June 20, 2011
Romania 2011- Monday 6:00 PM
Greetings Parkway Family! Just wanted to check in from Romania! Our team here is doing great! Today was our first day of ministry in our villages. We will continue going to the villages until Thursday. Please continue to pray for us as we continue sharing the gospel and meeting the needs of the Roma people.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Lesotho 2011 - Sunday 5:30 PM
we have made it to South Africa....in the airport eating dinner and heading to the guest house...
Lesotho 2011 - Saturday 3:00 PM
we are through security and are all checked in...waiting patiently at the gate....
Romania 2011- Sunday 6:00 PM
it is after midnight here in Romania right now...going to bed to get some rest after at great day of worship and ministry! Pray for us tomorrow as we have our first day of ministry in the Roma villages!
Romania 2011-Sunday 8:00 AM
in our ministry teams planning for the ministry that we are doing in the Roma villages this week! Had some great worship with our Roma brothers and sisters this morning...To God be the Glory!
Romania 2011- Sunday 2:00 AM
Up meeting the other teams and getting ready to chow on eggs, bologna, ham, and some fresh bread! going to worship later this morning then doing some ministry training/planning for the rest of the day! Everyone from the Parkway team is doing great and is well rested!
Romania 2011- Friday 9:00 PM
Going to board the plane in the next hour and a half. Taking off around 11.
Romania 2011- Friday 6:00 PM
sooooo we made it to Newark, NJ...our flight from here to Frankfurt, Germany is delayed due to weather...the earliest we are leaving Newark is 9pm...going to be a long night! the team is doing well and having a blast! continue to pray as we wait and converse with folks around us!
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Philippines 2011 Update #3
We have just arrived at the IMB house in Manila and after dinner and a short night will be heading to the airport for our trip home at 3:00 am tomorrow (3:00 pm Tuesday in US). All are well. We had a great day of ministry in Maria Aurora yesterday; we praise the Lord for His hand in the work and partnerships we enjoyed on the Project as over 500 decisions were made for Christ. We will all have much to share when we arrive home.
Philippines 2011 Update #2
We arrived back in Maria Aurora about 8:30 PM last night after a long but rewarding trip North to Dilasag and Casiguran. Our team was tired but encouraged by what the Lord has done and provided. Some highlights are listed below:
We have had devine appointments! The charter bus could not make it all the way to Diliasag due to the rough terrain. After de-busing on three occassions so avoid or minimize the drag on the bus as it negotiated low dips in the rock and dirt Sierra Madre mountain roads, made worse by rains the night before, we finally had to stop and have a more durable bus to pick us up. Our 6 hour bus trip north ended up taking 12 hours. It was however the Lord's plan as we had opportunities to share with local Filipinos where we stopped near Casiguran; five prayed to receive Christ and others were invited to our Sports Camps and Medical Missions to take place later in Casiguran.
Our return to Casiguran was planned to be by another durable charter bus but ended up being on public buses. Again, it provided opportuntities to share Jesus with other local Filipinos, two young men professing to be 7th Day Adventists in particular. But because of the loud bus noise, the gospel ended up being shared to many on the bus. We were planting seeds for the Lord!
We had more than 100 children and youth attend each of our Sports Camps in Dilisag and Casiguran, and many more than that attend the medical and dental clinics. Our ParKway, CLF and Aurora Southern Baptist Church teams and have clearly demonstrated the body of Christ working together to share the love of Christ with others. Though hot and tired, and "our plans" frequently changing, no one is complaining but stepping up to embrace the opportunities.
We also held two worship rallies that were not as well attended as hoped but God's word were shared by our Teams and new believers have come to the Lord.
Through all our ministry efforts, more than 400 have prayed to receive the Lord! The pastors here will be following up with each to affirm their decision and disciple them.
We just completed morning worship here today. Brother Tony Sendaydiego preached and encouraged all not to miss the Lord's invitation to heaven.
Please pray for us as we have another Sports Camp, Medical and Dental Clinic and Worship Rally tomorrow in Maria Aurora, that the Team will get some much needed rest today to be refreshed for tomorrow, and that we will have safe travel back to Manila early Tuesday morning.
We have had devine appointments! The charter bus could not make it all the way to Diliasag due to the rough terrain. After de-busing on three occassions so avoid or minimize the drag on the bus as it negotiated low dips in the rock and dirt Sierra Madre mountain roads, made worse by rains the night before, we finally had to stop and have a more durable bus to pick us up. Our 6 hour bus trip north ended up taking 12 hours. It was however the Lord's plan as we had opportunities to share with local Filipinos where we stopped near Casiguran; five prayed to receive Christ and others were invited to our Sports Camps and Medical Missions to take place later in Casiguran.
Our return to Casiguran was planned to be by another durable charter bus but ended up being on public buses. Again, it provided opportuntities to share Jesus with other local Filipinos, two young men professing to be 7th Day Adventists in particular. But because of the loud bus noise, the gospel ended up being shared to many on the bus. We were planting seeds for the Lord!
We had more than 100 children and youth attend each of our Sports Camps in Dilisag and Casiguran, and many more than that attend the medical and dental clinics. Our ParKway, CLF and Aurora Southern Baptist Church teams and have clearly demonstrated the body of Christ working together to share the love of Christ with others. Though hot and tired, and "our plans" frequently changing, no one is complaining but stepping up to embrace the opportunities.
We also held two worship rallies that were not as well attended as hoped but God's word were shared by our Teams and new believers have come to the Lord.
Through all our ministry efforts, more than 400 have prayed to receive the Lord! The pastors here will be following up with each to affirm their decision and disciple them.
We just completed morning worship here today. Brother Tony Sendaydiego preached and encouraged all not to miss the Lord's invitation to heaven.
Please pray for us as we have another Sports Camp, Medical and Dental Clinic and Worship Rally tomorrow in Maria Aurora, that the Team will get some much needed rest today to be refreshed for tomorrow, and that we will have safe travel back to Manila early Tuesday morning.
Philippines 2011 Update #1
The team arrived safely in Maria Aurora, Aurora, our home base for our project just under 36 hours after we met at church to begin our mission. The flights were all on time and relatively smooth and the bus trip was good. Everyone is tired, as expected, but in great spirit. After a bountiful breakfast provided by our partners in Aurora, several of the team went for a walk to the downtown area of Maria Aurora and then crashed for a short nap. We will be meeting with all our Aurora Southern Baptist Church and Christian Light Foundation volunteers this afternoon for introductions, orientation and last minute planning for our project. We plan to depart for Dilisag tomorrow morning at 3:00 am and will be doing our first worship rally there tomorrow night.
The Lord has already had his hand on our project and answered prayers for allowing Elijah Chumley and Alyssa Wheeler to overcome last minute illnesses and join the trip and in providing safe travel. Tony and Fely had opportunities to witness to a seaman while on layover in Seoul and to workers at their hotel (they came a few days earlier than the rest of the team). Others shared about our Project as we traveled with our red team shirts on the planes and in the airports.
Please continue to pray for safety as we travel north tomorrow and that we will bold in sharing Jesus in our worhip rallies, sports camps and medical and dental clinics in the coming days. May the Lord be glorified in all we do!
The Lord has already had his hand on our project and answered prayers for allowing Elijah Chumley and Alyssa Wheeler to overcome last minute illnesses and join the trip and in providing safe travel. Tony and Fely had opportunities to witness to a seaman while on layover in Seoul and to workers at their hotel (they came a few days earlier than the rest of the team). Others shared about our Project as we traveled with our red team shirts on the planes and in the airports.
Please continue to pray for safety as we travel north tomorrow and that we will bold in sharing Jesus in our worhip rallies, sports camps and medical and dental clinics in the coming days. May the Lord be glorified in all we do!
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
God is working mightily in Romania!
How shall I begin...My God is mighty to save, my friends, mighty to save!
My journey began on March 3rd, I had no idea what His plan was for me this time. Of course I was certain that whatever the plan, it is sure to be nothing less than phenomenal. He NEVER ceases to amaze me in ALL that He does. Words can't begin to describe the joy that fills my heart and soul when I return to my Roma families. I feel like I am right at home with family I didn't even know existed. My saviour lavishes me with unending love and joy when I am with my gypsies!
On the very first day of our project we headed straight into our mission, which was to encourage our Roma pastor in Sarata and fuel the fire that God went before us to light. While it was really cool to rekindle past relationships with "my people" it was exciting to make new ones too. I remember, during our home visits, sitting with a beautiful lady in her home,who resembled my grandmother "Meems". I had to sit and stare awkwardly at her and blink a few times before it registered that Meems is already in Heaven. Anyway, Berta (my grandmother look-alike), a believer but unsaved was on her stoop moving rocks and rubble around for what seemed like no apparent reason, stopped to wave and say Hi. I anxiously awaited this particular day to see Berta as God had burdened my heart for her. Pastor Paul (Sprout Springs Baptist) presented the gospel to her and she teared up as she gratefully accepted Jesus as her personal Saviour. As I listened intently to her say the sinner's prayer I found it VERY difficult to contain my excitement so I did my best to control myself until after we prayed, her in her native tongue, I in mine...I remember being so overcome with a plethera of emotions that all I could do was jump up and down and shout in the street where we were standing. Yes, the others in the village looked at me as if I had lost my mind (they do that when I am around anyway! LOL) Someone (a gypsy) said "Oh, it's just those crazy American's!" Crazy for Jesus I thought to myself!
That same evening one of my translators (Mihai aka Cheetah) handed his cellphone to me to talk to his girlfriend Manu, a girlfriend I became close with during the August True Love Waits camp. She was so excited to hear I was there and very upset that she wouldn't be able to see me. I didn't realize the impression I left on her back in August until she all but begged for me to come see her. I couldn't promise her anything which just tore me all up inside. Again, a burden was placed on my heart. I spoke with Daniel (our missionary) about getting to her...the chances didn't look good. You see, our team was in Bistrita, Manu lives in Turda, the two villages are three hours from each other. I cried out to Jesus to make something happen, make a way for me to meet with Manu. "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." Rom 8:28 As you all know...God answers prayer! Amen? Amen! I prayed the same prayer for 3 consecutive days. My prayer was answered when Reuben, a Romanian pastor and brother of Alex (my first friend made in Romania) offered to drive me and my roommate Pat to see her. I was overwhelmed with excitement again, I remember asking God what verse from Your Word shall I share with her? What if I say the wrong thing? What if she says this? How will I respond to her? By this time I had worked myself up into a frenzy and couldn't even think straight (Not new, I know!) I could hardly sleep that night. On our journey to meet with Manu Pat and I went over what we needed to share and prayed for the right words to come from our lips. As we sat and conversed as best we could with our limited knowledge of the gypsy language and Manu with her limited knowledge of english, I asked her what would she do if she were drowning and I threw her a rope. Would you grab that rope or would you wave me away and say, "No, no, I'll wait for a different way out". She responded with, "The rope". I asked her how she would respond if I gave her a gift, would you offer to pay me for this gift or would you gratefully accept it? She responded with "I would accept the gift". I explained to her that Jesus is that "rope" and that "gift" , a gift from God. I asked if she wanted to accept God's gift to her, she responded with " Well, yes!" Now I am REALLY blown away because the gospel had been presented to her numerous times and that day at that time she decided to say yes to God! I was so thrilled at how easy this was at the same time thinking why had I made it so difficult. God had obviously gone before me and had prepared her heart. All praise to Him!! He is good! And Bruce, the yellow ribbon was given as a bookmark for Manu's Bible with the date of her decision. (I'm glad I had it with me because this was a special day!)
By the fourth day of our project all 7 team members had been so spoiled (blessed) by God's amazing work that there couldn't possibly be anything that He could do to top what He had already done in the beginning of the week. Well, He did top these things. He grew His Kingdom by 16. Arcalia, a small village we served with in March of 2010 is on fire for the Lord. His presence was all up on that frigid little 10x10 room house. That place was PACKED. Triple the people from the year prior and still growing. He continues to draw more to Himself! "Praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved." Acts 2:47
I am no more special than any other believer and often think "How could God possibly use a person like me, I am not a theologan, I don't say eloquent prayers, and I'm a little on the quirky side!" I have never been used to reap the harvest and was settled to just be the sower, the tiller or the waterer. I praise Him for how He uses me to further His Kingdom!!
I can't wait to see what He has planned for our August discipleship camp!!
My journey began on March 3rd, I had no idea what His plan was for me this time. Of course I was certain that whatever the plan, it is sure to be nothing less than phenomenal. He NEVER ceases to amaze me in ALL that He does. Words can't begin to describe the joy that fills my heart and soul when I return to my Roma families. I feel like I am right at home with family I didn't even know existed. My saviour lavishes me with unending love and joy when I am with my gypsies!
On the very first day of our project we headed straight into our mission, which was to encourage our Roma pastor in Sarata and fuel the fire that God went before us to light. While it was really cool to rekindle past relationships with "my people" it was exciting to make new ones too. I remember, during our home visits, sitting with a beautiful lady in her home,who resembled my grandmother "Meems". I had to sit and stare awkwardly at her and blink a few times before it registered that Meems is already in Heaven. Anyway, Berta (my grandmother look-alike), a believer but unsaved was on her stoop moving rocks and rubble around for what seemed like no apparent reason, stopped to wave and say Hi. I anxiously awaited this particular day to see Berta as God had burdened my heart for her. Pastor Paul (Sprout Springs Baptist) presented the gospel to her and she teared up as she gratefully accepted Jesus as her personal Saviour. As I listened intently to her say the sinner's prayer I found it VERY difficult to contain my excitement so I did my best to control myself until after we prayed, her in her native tongue, I in mine...I remember being so overcome with a plethera of emotions that all I could do was jump up and down and shout in the street where we were standing. Yes, the others in the village looked at me as if I had lost my mind (they do that when I am around anyway! LOL) Someone (a gypsy) said "Oh, it's just those crazy American's!" Crazy for Jesus I thought to myself!
That same evening one of my translators (Mihai aka Cheetah) handed his cellphone to me to talk to his girlfriend Manu, a girlfriend I became close with during the August True Love Waits camp. She was so excited to hear I was there and very upset that she wouldn't be able to see me. I didn't realize the impression I left on her back in August until she all but begged for me to come see her. I couldn't promise her anything which just tore me all up inside. Again, a burden was placed on my heart. I spoke with Daniel (our missionary) about getting to her...the chances didn't look good. You see, our team was in Bistrita, Manu lives in Turda, the two villages are three hours from each other. I cried out to Jesus to make something happen, make a way for me to meet with Manu. "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." Rom 8:28 As you all know...God answers prayer! Amen? Amen! I prayed the same prayer for 3 consecutive days. My prayer was answered when Reuben, a Romanian pastor and brother of Alex (my first friend made in Romania) offered to drive me and my roommate Pat to see her. I was overwhelmed with excitement again, I remember asking God what verse from Your Word shall I share with her? What if I say the wrong thing? What if she says this? How will I respond to her? By this time I had worked myself up into a frenzy and couldn't even think straight (Not new, I know!) I could hardly sleep that night. On our journey to meet with Manu Pat and I went over what we needed to share and prayed for the right words to come from our lips. As we sat and conversed as best we could with our limited knowledge of the gypsy language and Manu with her limited knowledge of english, I asked her what would she do if she were drowning and I threw her a rope. Would you grab that rope or would you wave me away and say, "No, no, I'll wait for a different way out". She responded with, "The rope". I asked her how she would respond if I gave her a gift, would you offer to pay me for this gift or would you gratefully accept it? She responded with "I would accept the gift". I explained to her that Jesus is that "rope" and that "gift" , a gift from God. I asked if she wanted to accept God's gift to her, she responded with " Well, yes!" Now I am REALLY blown away because the gospel had been presented to her numerous times and that day at that time she decided to say yes to God! I was so thrilled at how easy this was at the same time thinking why had I made it so difficult. God had obviously gone before me and had prepared her heart. All praise to Him!! He is good! And Bruce, the yellow ribbon was given as a bookmark for Manu's Bible with the date of her decision. (I'm glad I had it with me because this was a special day!)
By the fourth day of our project all 7 team members had been so spoiled (blessed) by God's amazing work that there couldn't possibly be anything that He could do to top what He had already done in the beginning of the week. Well, He did top these things. He grew His Kingdom by 16. Arcalia, a small village we served with in March of 2010 is on fire for the Lord. His presence was all up on that frigid little 10x10 room house. That place was PACKED. Triple the people from the year prior and still growing. He continues to draw more to Himself! "Praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved." Acts 2:47
I am no more special than any other believer and often think "How could God possibly use a person like me, I am not a theologan, I don't say eloquent prayers, and I'm a little on the quirky side!" I have never been used to reap the harvest and was settled to just be the sower, the tiller or the waterer. I praise Him for how He uses me to further His Kingdom!!
I can't wait to see what He has planned for our August discipleship camp!!
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Peru Team Update #2
Okay - we're now in Canta. It has been wonderful and FREEZING! We got up Sunday morning and went to Wong's for groceries. Then we headed up the mountain to Lachaqui. That trip took about 6 hours. We had safe travels, other than a minor delay for a landslide that blocked a large part of the road. We stopped in Canta for lunch. The hostel in Lachaqui was certainly a different experience. More on that later. Even though the rainy season is supposed to be over, it poured that evening and most of Monday. We spent Monday and Tuesday in the schools in Lachaqui. The director, Dulia, gave us full access and is very excited that we are returning. We sang songs, played games, taught Bible stories, and loved on the children. We were also allowed to pass out a New Testament (with Psalms/Proverbs) to EVERY secondary student, along with a lesson on the Romans road! We gave out many pairs of reading glasses to the adults, as well as New Testaments, and sunglasses to the children. We met with the village nurse and president (each village has its own) and discussed community needs, who we were, and future visits. Everyone is very welcoming at this point. This morning, (Wed.), we headed down the mountain to Carhua. The school director remembered the Renshaws and Liesa Holeman, and welcomed us in immediately. We were again able to sing, play games, do Bible stories, and love on the kids. We passed out New Testaments to every child in both the primary and secondary schools, and the director gave them an assignment from Matthew to be completed by Monday. He is also excited about a return visit and is willing to let us use the school for any activities we may plan. We gave away more glasses, spoke with some of the ladies that had attended Bible studies in July with another IWC trip, and headed down the mountain to Canta. The schools are closed tomorrow for Holy Week holiday, so we are planning to head over to see the waterfall, then stop by Huacos to see the progress that has been made on the church there, and possibly see Pastor Jaime. Tonight we are having dinner with Pastor Miguel, who works with the Canta church, Pariamarca, and possibly Obrajillo. This has been a wonderful vision trip - we have had the opportunity to meet community leaders and persons of peace in both villages. We have heard the needs of the community and are bringing back ideas for what we can do in the future. God has blessed us at every turn! Keep praying!
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Peru Team Update #1
Peru Team arrived in Lima and then safely up the mountain to Canta and beyond to Lachaqui. Please, be in prayer for Candi, Kevin, and Brian!
Tim Deans Update #2 from Aurora, Philippines
Tim Deans called last night to share that 400 people have given their hearts to Jesus after a week of medical mission points. Praise the Lord!
Tim Deans Update #1 from Aurora, Philippines
The fist week I was in the Philippines, we camped out a the beach of Belaie while we taught a true love waits camp! That was so great we had so many people choose to stay pure until they are married. It rained every night so we got wet every night that was so fun! Another person on the NC team and I were sick now but with Gods grace we got better! On Wednesday the medical team from NC came to start the medical missions which includes vision and dental. Thursday we started the medical mission in Balair where we did vision and we had 150 people show up and registered. That doesnt seem like allot but it is hahahaha. While the people were waiting to be seen we had people sharing the gospel with them. By the end of the day we found out that out of 150 people 100 acepted Jesus as there Lord and savior! Can I get an AMEN!!!! God is so good all the time and all the time God is so good! Today we are going to another location for medical mission and we have 5 places to go so please keep all of us in your prayers! Next Tuesday the team from Parkway arrives and I can't wait!
Tim Deans
Tim Deans
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Romania Team Update #8 March 2011
Romania Team made it home safe and sound late Friday night in Richmond. They are looking forward to worshipping with their church family tomorrow and telling them how the Lord has moved! Don't miss worship at Parkway tomorrow as we celebrate 9 years of ministry.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Romania Team Update #7 March 2011
We are all tired but it is a good tired. We are excited to return home and see our loved ones and share what God has done. We saw another woman yesterday come to Christ when Jane and Pat had traveled a few hours to see a lady who had just lost her father. This lady, after speaking with Pat and Jane, surrendered her life to Christ. AMEN!!!!
We have much to share with our families, church, and all who have been praying for us. Please pray for our trip home that we would be safe and look for opportunities to share Christ with others.
God Bless
Steve
We have much to share with our families, church, and all who have been praying for us. Please pray for our trip home that we would be safe and look for opportunities to share Christ with others.
God Bless
Steve
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Romania Team Update #6 March 2011
Another awesome day for the Lord. Team 1, Pat, Jane and Reuben the Pastor/Translator went on a journey to speak with a young lady named Manu, who had recently lost her father. She specifically had asked for Jane to talk with her. When she made the request, we had no means of getting Jane to her. So we prayed, and prayed and God provided a way. Pat spoke with the young lady about a recent loss in her family and soon after Jane led Manu to the Lord. Again we saw God work in only ways HE could do. Praise God
Team 2, went to the village of Camarasu and ministered to nearly 100 children. Tomorrow the whole team goes to the village Sarata. This is Pastor Victor's Church.
Thanks for your prayers and please continue to pray.
Romania Team Update #5 March 2011
We started our day with home visits and PRAISE GOD we had 4 people accept Christ in their home. Then this afternoon Daniel, Steve and Paul went to a ladies home for a visit she accepted Christ also.
After a 2 hour children's program with 45-50 children at the program, we were all ANXIOUSLY anticipating what God was going to do during the evening service. Following the message during the invitation there were 10 people that accepted Christ.
So if you are good at your math you will see that the Kingdom of Heaven was expanded by 15 Roma's in one day. The team is EXCITED this evening and sleep will not come easily even though we are exhausted. Our minds are busy rejoicing. Tomorrow the team will split up. Some will be making a personal home visit to a young women whose father passed away unexpectedly. And has asked to see Jane. She has not accepted Christ as her savior even though she has heard the gospel many times. Please pray that we will be able to encourage her during her time of grief but also that God will soften her heart to the Gospel. The rest of the team will be visiting Daniels village where he works and lives and will be presenting a children's program.
Everyone is sleeping well and God has blessed the team with good health.
Thank You for your prayers. See attached pics of some of the Roma who accepted Christ today.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Romania Team Update #4 March 2011
We had a full day of ministry and saw the Lord at work. This morning we were in the village of Arcalia. We visited homes and prayed/sang with the Roma families. In one home we encountered some Jehovah Witnesses who were also visiting the village. We ended up in a debate with them and they sone left. In the afternoon we had a VBS style ministry with the children. The joy on their faces said it all. This evening Paul and Pastor Brian preached and we all worshiped Roma style. It was amazing to see the holy spirit work. We were all touched and the Roma people were encouraged. One of the things we have noticed is the work our mission teams have done over the past 4 years. Some of the young people that have been led to Christ are now preaching and serving. Praise God. His work does not return void.
You cant help but be broken seeing all the needs here. Both physical and spiritual. I have attached some pics and hope they come through. Please keep praying.
God Bless.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Romania Team Update #3 March 2011
t is 9:00 PM. We just finished some prayer walking where some of our ministry will happen. At the end we stopped in a dessert shop and had a surprise birthday cake for Pat Eddy. While we were there two gypsy children tried to come in from the street with us. The store mgr threw them out. We asked for them to join us and we shared our cake with them. This incident was a quick reminder of why we are here. To show the Roma people that Christ loves them.
We are turning in with great expectations of what God has planned for us tomorrow and much needed sleep. I will try to send some photos tomorrow.
We are turning in with great expectations of what God has planned for us tomorrow and much needed sleep. I will try to send some photos tomorrow.
Romania Team Update #2 March 2011
Our team has just arrived in Romania. We met the Gypsy Pastor, Pastor Victor and the Missionary, Daniel Bird. We has our first Romanian meal and before we ate, the roma people and our team sang How Great Thou Art. Was a holy moment. We are meeting now to discuss our plans for ministry tomorrow and trying to stay awake after being up for nearly 30 hours. Will write more soon.
Romania Team Update March 2011
Good Morning to you all!
Just a quick note to let you all know that we have arrived in Cluj (645 am your time---245 pm our time). We will grab a bite to eat and then drive two hours to our homebase.
All are well and excited to be here.
Keep praying for the work God would have for us these next few days!
We will try to update again today.
Steve and the Romania Team
Just a quick note to let you all know that we have arrived in Cluj (645 am your time---245 pm our time). We will grab a bite to eat and then drive two hours to our homebase.
All are well and excited to be here.
Keep praying for the work God would have for us these next few days!
We will try to update again today.
Steve and the Romania Team
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Bangladesh Reflection from Steve Eddy
Hope - it is a concept that we often cling to with little understanding of its source. Yet as we spent time imbedded in a subsistence oriented culture we found those who have hope because of the message of truth.
On previous projects our teams had been exposed to nationals who were somewhat reluctant to be actively sharing their faith. This reluctance can be a result of persecution from other established religions or from a cultural mind set that often views a persons religion as what they were born into and converting to a different religion brings dishonor to their family, especially their father.
During this recent project we were able to meet, work, and pray with men like Khokhon, Master, and Joe. who live in more remote areas of the country of Bangladesh. All three of these men come from a Muslim background but have found the truth of salvation in Christ. They all share a passion and zeal for sharing this message with those that they live with and meet on a regular basis. It was humbling to serve alongside these men and to be used of God to provide them some encouragement.
These men have a lasting hope that is found in the truth of the gospel and this is the message that they desire to share with others. This is the message that we endeavor to share as we look to strengthen our partnership in this country.
On previous projects our teams had been exposed to nationals who were somewhat reluctant to be actively sharing their faith. This reluctance can be a result of persecution from other established religions or from a cultural mind set that often views a persons religion as what they were born into and converting to a different religion brings dishonor to their family, especially their father.
During this recent project we were able to meet, work, and pray with men like Khokhon, Master, and Joe. who live in more remote areas of the country of Bangladesh. All three of these men come from a Muslim background but have found the truth of salvation in Christ. They all share a passion and zeal for sharing this message with those that they live with and meet on a regular basis. It was humbling to serve alongside these men and to be used of God to provide them some encouragement.
These men have a lasting hope that is found in the truth of the gospel and this is the message that they desire to share with others. This is the message that we endeavor to share as we look to strengthen our partnership in this country.
Bangladesh Reflection from Ben Cornatzer
The day did not go exactly as planned. The drive from Dhaka to Noakhali took most of the day. We arrived after dark. But still—the gospel was being proclaimed in a Hindu village. As the people of the village watched the Jesus film at our roadside theater, I noticed a small oil lamp burning inside the nearby house. it was the only light in the room.
As I looked at the little lamp sitting on the table singlehandedly lighting the room in that house these words from John, chapter 1, came to mind: "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."
I thought about the handful of Christians living in the area standing firm in their faith. I thought about how the Word of God was being visually presented in the language of the people as the light from the projector pierced the darkness. And I thought about how God goes to great lengths to save even just one lost person. He had sent a team of American believers to join with their Bengali brothers to share Christ with the Hindus in this village.
As Derek shared the gospel after the film, our team was scattered throughtout the crowd praying. God was with us. We knew it. We felt His presence. That night the light shone in the darkness, and by faith we know that the darkness will not overcome it.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Video from Parkway South Asia Project 2011
Click Here for a video from the Parkway South Asia Project. From the first 5 days of ministry. More posts to follow.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Bangladesh Mission Update 6
Hey everyone!
The Bangladesh team has made it safely back to their homes. Thank you all so much for your prayers - they are greatly appreciated!
The Bangladesh team has made it safely back to their homes. Thank you all so much for your prayers - they are greatly appreciated!
Bangladesh Mission Update 5
The Bangladesh Team has landed back in America at the JFK airport. They are not completely home yet, but praise God for bringing them back to the United States safe and sound. They will be back in Richmond this evening. Continue to pray for them and their families, and check this blog out in the future for further updates and stories from the team!
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Bangladesh Mission Update 4
Hello prayer partners and families!!
I just had the opportunity to speak with Derek, and he wanted me to relay to you all that he and the others have arrived safely in Barisal. The launch ride went well, and they will be boarding a ferry very soon to cross to the other side of the river. (about a 20 minute ride). They then will take a bus for approx an hour to actually reach the village where they will set up the medical clinic. God has and is continually blessing them with safe travel. Praise the Lord!! Hopefully we will be hearing from them again in the next two days, while they are in Barisal.
Thank you all for the continued prayers for the four of them and for their families. I know I can personally feel the prayers you all have given in me and my family's behalf. We all are looking forward to a very sweet reunion on Wednesday. To God be the glory!
Melissa
I just had the opportunity to speak with Derek, and he wanted me to relay to you all that he and the others have arrived safely in Barisal. The launch ride went well, and they will be boarding a ferry very soon to cross to the other side of the river. (about a 20 minute ride). They then will take a bus for approx an hour to actually reach the village where they will set up the medical clinic. God has and is continually blessing them with safe travel. Praise the Lord!! Hopefully we will be hearing from them again in the next two days, while they are in Barisal.
Thank you all for the continued prayers for the four of them and for their families. I know I can personally feel the prayers you all have given in me and my family's behalf. We all are looking forward to a very sweet reunion on Wednesday. To God be the glory!
Melissa
Bangladesh Mission Update 3
Update 3
Good morning to you brothers and sisters in VA and beyond. Wanted to let you know we arrived back from Noakhali late yesterday, and are preparing to leave by launch (big boat traveling overnight) in a couple of hours to Barisal for a 2 day medical clinic. We will most likely be unable to send any correspondance over the internet during that time. We'll be flying back via a float plane on Tuesday, a few hours before our flight back home, so it is likely that this will be our last email.
Here's a report on what happened in Noakhali.
We arrived late in the day on Thursday and after much prayer and creative directions we found the village we were showing the J-Film in (more appropriate to say - the pastor found us). We set up with headlamps alongside our company worker. About 200 Hindu's showed up to view the film. (I don't know that they know the word for "hundreds"...if you were to do the conversion of $200 American to Taka - it would be 1,400 taka...maybe that's what the local meant by thousands would show up - but it doesn't matter the number...the message was heard by many who had never heard the message before).
Afterwards people were given the opportunity to receive the gospel and some did. God be praised. The translater "Matthew" was amazing. Please, be praying for the Pastor of this small and now growing church in Noakhali. He faces much opposition. During the last Hindu festival, the Hindu leaders set up a small Hindu temple right beside his house, where he would have to walk through it to get to and from home. This pastor loves his community and his people, but he is one of less than 20 believers compared to 2.6 Million Hindus. These new believers are in need of discipling and for people to come and teach them the Word. Won't you pray about coming to Noakhali to teach them the truth.
The blessing of being there was more than seeing people come into the family of God, it was seeing the look on the Pastor's face and another believer's face and their encouragement to meet believers who were willing to come. They were so encouraged.
Be praying for the next two days of medical missions. Thanks guys. Ben, Steve, Daniel and Derek appreciate your payers.
Also, please continue to encourage people to give to the Global Missions offering so that we can support our workers in the field and also the projects that Parkway is partnering with the field to do.
Bless you all.
Derek & Team
Good morning to you brothers and sisters in VA and beyond. Wanted to let you know we arrived back from Noakhali late yesterday, and are preparing to leave by launch (big boat traveling overnight) in a couple of hours to Barisal for a 2 day medical clinic. We will most likely be unable to send any correspondance over the internet during that time. We'll be flying back via a float plane on Tuesday, a few hours before our flight back home, so it is likely that this will be our last email.
Here's a report on what happened in Noakhali.
We arrived late in the day on Thursday and after much prayer and creative directions we found the village we were showing the J-Film in (more appropriate to say - the pastor found us). We set up with headlamps alongside our company worker. About 200 Hindu's showed up to view the film. (I don't know that they know the word for "hundreds"...if you were to do the conversion of $200 American to Taka - it would be 1,400 taka...maybe that's what the local meant by thousands would show up - but it doesn't matter the number...the message was heard by many who had never heard the message before).
Afterwards people were given the opportunity to receive the gospel and some did. God be praised. The translater "Matthew" was amazing. Please, be praying for the Pastor of this small and now growing church in Noakhali. He faces much opposition. During the last Hindu festival, the Hindu leaders set up a small Hindu temple right beside his house, where he would have to walk through it to get to and from home. This pastor loves his community and his people, but he is one of less than 20 believers compared to 2.6 Million Hindus. These new believers are in need of discipling and for people to come and teach them the Word. Won't you pray about coming to Noakhali to teach them the truth.
The blessing of being there was more than seeing people come into the family of God, it was seeing the look on the Pastor's face and another believer's face and their encouragement to meet believers who were willing to come. They were so encouraged.
Be praying for the next two days of medical missions. Thanks guys. Ben, Steve, Daniel and Derek appreciate your payers.
Also, please continue to encourage people to give to the Global Missions offering so that we can support our workers in the field and also the projects that Parkway is partnering with the field to do.
Bless you all.
Derek & Team
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Bangladesh Mission Update 2
Update 2
Just a quick update today.
We're heading out right now to Noakhali.
Please, be praying for the 5-6 hour ride, and the showing of the Jesus film tonight to potentially thousands of Hindu's. (Should be around 6/8am Thursday morning your time - will be Thursday night for us).
Then, we head back to Dhaka on Friday morning (which will be late Thursday night for you all).
Thanks so much, and bless you all. Can't wait to be with you all again and share what the Lord is doing.
Derek and team.
Just a quick update today.
We're heading out right now to Noakhali.
Please, be praying for the 5-6 hour ride, and the showing of the Jesus film tonight to potentially thousands of Hindu's. (Should be around 6/8am Thursday morning your time - will be Thursday night for us).
Then, we head back to Dhaka on Friday morning (which will be late Thursday night for you all).
Thanks so much, and bless you all. Can't wait to be with you all again and share what the Lord is doing.
Derek and team.
Bangladesh Mission Update 1
Greetings Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
We arrived safely in Dhaka yesterday/Tuesday morning around 10:30am (about 11:30pm your time Monday). Got out of the airport around noon (all luggage/supplies made it...yay), met two field workers, exchanged money, bought a local sim card, had lunch at the guesthouse in Dhaka that our friends help manage, did orientation to the Bengali people and went to a local University area here that has many young college students milling around. When we got to the area near a couple of Universities, we started engaging people in conversation (many spoke a little English, but understood most of what you said).
Very quickly a crowd gathered, and we had 75-100 people gathered around us, listening to our conversations. At one point, asking about our education, when it was discovered Derek was a music major they asked him to sing. He sang a couple of songs, the 2nd being Amazing Grace. One man, Raju said he had never heard Amazing Grace before and said it was his favorite song of those sung, but it sounded hard to sing.
This prompted a conversation about Grace, and what that was. At the same time, Ben was engaged in conversation about love, Daniel was talking about Christianity (about how Americans are not born Christian) with another man, and Steve sharing his background, each with a crowd of 10-20/30 people around each person. All were Muslim young men.
All of this happened in about an hour, and honestly we were leaving the guest house in order not to fall asleep, so we could sleep well that night. When we arrived, most of us had passed out in the van (in the 20 minute ride to the University), and were very groggy going out to talk. But amazingly, as conversations happened, the Lord gave us each much energy to carry on our conversations. To the point that none of us were tired (even though we had been awake for close to 48 hours by this point - Saturday night your time was the last time we had slept in beds and it was now around 5am your time on Tuesday morning). God gives you grace for the time you need it - because we came back to the guest house for dinner and passed out not too long after that.
TODAY AND PRAYER
We are headed out for our first full day of ministry. We are going to Dhaka University (different place from yesterday) and will be engaging college students. Zach is the strategist here working with collegiate students.
* Later this week (Thursday night - Thursday morning your time 7/8am) we will be showing the Jesus Film in the Noakhali region. We've been told by a local there that there could be thousands of Hindu who show up to watch the film. Be in prayer for this time. Just to give you some perspective of how many people are in this region, here are some numbers for you. Noakhali region has 2.6 Million People (343 Christians - most nominal Catholics). The geographical size is smaller than Chesterfield county in Virginia. So, to break it down for you, there are less than 30 Evangelical believers in this region which has 2.6 Million people (mostly Hindu). That is .00000115%. MUCH less than 1 percent believers.
Please pray that the Lord would go before us. (He already has, but that story is too long to tell, maybe we'll shoot a video and tell that and send it).
Pray for clear communication.
Pray for open hearts.
Pray for our families. We'll probably not be able to skype. They are working on the internet (under the sea) fiber-optic line from Bang. to Thailand. We are able to send email, and that's about it. Praise God for that!
So, we probably won't be uploading video, it would take 20 hours just to upload 1 video less than 5 minutes long.
Pray for the workers here to be encouraged while we are here.
Pray for vision to know how to plan future projects here.
Thanks & bless you all!
Your Parkway South Asia Bangladesh Vision Team
Ben Cornatzer, Daniel Dejarnette, Steve Eddy, and Derek Futrell.
We arrived safely in Dhaka yesterday/Tuesday morning around 10:30am (about 11:30pm your time Monday). Got out of the airport around noon (all luggage/supplies made it...yay), met two field workers, exchanged money, bought a local sim card, had lunch at the guesthouse in Dhaka that our friends help manage, did orientation to the Bengali people and went to a local University area here that has many young college students milling around. When we got to the area near a couple of Universities, we started engaging people in conversation (many spoke a little English, but understood most of what you said).
Very quickly a crowd gathered, and we had 75-100 people gathered around us, listening to our conversations. At one point, asking about our education, when it was discovered Derek was a music major they asked him to sing. He sang a couple of songs, the 2nd being Amazing Grace. One man, Raju said he had never heard Amazing Grace before and said it was his favorite song of those sung, but it sounded hard to sing.
This prompted a conversation about Grace, and what that was. At the same time, Ben was engaged in conversation about love, Daniel was talking about Christianity (about how Americans are not born Christian) with another man, and Steve sharing his background, each with a crowd of 10-20/30 people around each person. All were Muslim young men.
All of this happened in about an hour, and honestly we were leaving the guest house in order not to fall asleep, so we could sleep well that night. When we arrived, most of us had passed out in the van (in the 20 minute ride to the University), and were very groggy going out to talk. But amazingly, as conversations happened, the Lord gave us each much energy to carry on our conversations. To the point that none of us were tired (even though we had been awake for close to 48 hours by this point - Saturday night your time was the last time we had slept in beds and it was now around 5am your time on Tuesday morning). God gives you grace for the time you need it - because we came back to the guest house for dinner and passed out not too long after that.
TODAY AND PRAYER
We are headed out for our first full day of ministry. We are going to Dhaka University (different place from yesterday) and will be engaging college students. Zach is the strategist here working with collegiate students.
* Later this week (Thursday night - Thursday morning your time 7/8am) we will be showing the Jesus Film in the Noakhali region. We've been told by a local there that there could be thousands of Hindu who show up to watch the film. Be in prayer for this time. Just to give you some perspective of how many people are in this region, here are some numbers for you. Noakhali region has 2.6 Million People (343 Christians - most nominal Catholics). The geographical size is smaller than Chesterfield county in Virginia. So, to break it down for you, there are less than 30 Evangelical believers in this region which has 2.6 Million people (mostly Hindu). That is .00000115%. MUCH less than 1 percent believers.
Please pray that the Lord would go before us. (He already has, but that story is too long to tell, maybe we'll shoot a video and tell that and send it).
Pray for clear communication.
Pray for open hearts.
Pray for our families. We'll probably not be able to skype. They are working on the internet (under the sea) fiber-optic line from Bang. to Thailand. We are able to send email, and that's about it. Praise God for that!
So, we probably won't be uploading video, it would take 20 hours just to upload 1 video less than 5 minutes long.
Pray for the workers here to be encouraged while we are here.
Pray for vision to know how to plan future projects here.
Thanks & bless you all!
Your Parkway South Asia Bangladesh Vision Team
Ben Cornatzer, Daniel Dejarnette, Steve Eddy, and Derek Futrell.