4 Cruces: What up...

  Well, it's been a long time since I last posted. Living out in the jungle is great but it makes it more difficult to do things like get online and blog. Things are going well overall. The house is moving along and is pretty much on schedule. The workers are finishing the first layer of stucco on the walls this week and supposedly, will be starting the roof next Monday. This is great since we are just starting to enter rainy season (it has been raining all day).

We are really excited to get into the new house but there's still a way to go yet. We are still in need of a permanent solution to our water problem. Right now, the only real option is to have a drilling truck come out and drill a deep, perforated well. That is a tall order out here. We'll see what happens.

House church this past Sunday was great. We had some visitors... Pablo was back from Spain and brought his parents with him. They had never experienced anything like this before and seemed to really enjoy it. I saw him the next day and he said that they hadn't stopped talking about it. Please pray for Pablo. He came here last year to buy land and fulfill a dream of starting a surf camp. As things go here...it took more money and time than he had planned and after 9 months of trying, he gave up and went home. He had been coming to our house church for several months before he returned and really experienced a change in is perception of God and his knowledge of the bible. It is awesome to hear him say (after experiencing so much difficulty and frustration) that he believes that God had him here for a reason and now when he returns to Spain, he wants to build into people rather than a project. A real life changing experience for him.

Anyway, Sunday evening we started Romans. We watched the moving "Gladiator" the week before to really get a feel for Rome and the time period before getting into the scripture. The movie really provides a great backdrop to discuss the spread of 1st century Christianity. Everyone seemed to enjoy the message and we had some good discussion afterward. Studying Romans for the first time over 12 years ago at Calvary Chapel Tucson really changed my life and I am so looking forward to sharing that with everyone in our house church. Please pray that lives will be changed and that everyone will be so excited about their faith that they will share it with their friends and families. What a privilege to be here doing this.

4 Cruces: What up...

Cruce Missionary Page

Gospel For Africa » What is your world coming to?

For those of us who are abiding in Jesus Christ, our world is coming closer and closer to perfection. (1 Thess 4:15-17)  But for those who reject Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, their world is coming closer and closer to destruction. (1 Thess 5:1-10)

It is difficult for us, here in Cote d’Ivoire, to keep up with the Presidential election in the USA and the economic crisis around the world. It seems that we have been far removed from all of these things. When I read news about what is happening the reality of it seems distant, like a story about some far away place that may not even exist. We have only been in Africa for a little over one year, how could so much happen so fast here and around the world? As the time of the return of Jesus for His Church approaches the Bible tells us we will see even more rapid changes in the world and the world system...

Read the rest of the article here

Gospel For Africa » What is your world coming to?

The Jone's Missionary page

Robin & Tracy Shelley: Our weakness used by God for His glory

I (Robin) have recently returned to Ica after a short break to take care of Tracy and Nala. God is good and faithful and the Bible study is slowly growing.

Two weeks ago there was a new guy named Eric. After the study I had the opportunity to share the gospel with him and he was very receptive. He told me that he was going to come again. I am a skeptic and thought, sure. Well not only did he return but he invited two friends from school. One was from a Christian family and the other (Edwin) had never really attended church except when he was a small child he went to mass on holidays.

The Lord opened the door of ministry and I shared the full gospel with him and he truly seemed broken, pray for the Lord to continue this work in these two young men.

After the study like always I was feeling really good, but it was time to go to the bus station and begin the long journey back to Lima. While I was standing in line waiting to buy my bus ticket the guy behind me cut the line and jumped in front of the lady in front of me. She begin to say something in a small quiet voice.

Well this happens to be something that makes me crazy, and I begin to talk to the gentlemen firmly and of course he begin to argue with me and tell me that we weren't going quick enough so he took our turns. After he returned to the line and I purchased my ticket. The Lord immediately convicted me of the way I had spoken to this gentlemen and I waited until he finished buying his ticket and I apologized to him. I told him that it was inappropriate for me to treat him that way and said that at times my mouth causes me to sin. He said yeah whatever (in Spanish of course) that happens all the time here it is no big deal.

Well I had to wait almost an hour for the next available bus and when I got on my seat was right next to his. We begin to talk and I told him why I was in Peru and he didn't understand. I begin to explain to him God's plan for my life to share His word, and the man begin to ask me questions about God and how God could let children starve in Africa. I explained the scriptures to him and told him of God's sovereignty and man's fallen nature and that we live in a fallen corrupt world.

He ranted on, saying Jesus my God and then something happened, the Spirit of the Lord took over and begin putting scripture verses in my heart to share with him. As I begin to share I could tell his attitude was changing. We talked about Christ for nearly and hour and he asked me for my phone number and information so that we might be able to get together again someday and talk, because he had never heard the gospel and the scripture presented that way before.

I started talking with a proud and arrogant man and ended talking to a broken man who was evaluating himself against what I had shared with him. Praise be to our Lord Jesus Christ for His faithfulness in spite of my big mouth. Pray that Christ may continue to use our weaknesses for His glory.

Robin & Tracy Shelley: Our weakness used by God for His glory

The Shelley's missionary page

Brigada Today

I was glad to see that our little advertisement hit Brigada Today's Blog.

Thanks, Doug.

1) Get Fit: Get Field-Intensive Training

Now you can get Field-environment Intensive Training (FIT) for entering the foreign mission field. This 21-day intensive cross-cultural ministry training school is designed to equip missionaries and their families for success in the following areas:

* Relational skills
* Leadership skills
* Administrative skills
* Personal Health
* Practical Ministry skills
* Cross-cultural skills
* Family relationships
* Church relationships

Experienced, field-tested missionaries will give instruction. The course will be offered in Spring, 2009, and is held at the Calvary Training Center in the cross-cultural, developing nation environment of Tijuana, Mexico. Phone +1(505) 248-9849 or Fax +1(505) 293-5197 or visit http://shepsstaff.org/

or email ssmfi@shepsstaff.org.

 

 

Tags: conference, training

 

Brigada Today

Calvary International Fellowship: Lausanne World Pulse Article

Shepherd's Staff Missionary Ed Compean had this on his blog:

Lausanne World Pulse Article

Here is the start and a link to an article I had the honor of collaborating on with Paul Hoekstra of Taking Bibles International. We personally and Calvary International Fellowship as a church believe deeply in the mission of Talking Bibles.

A Talking Bible for Those Who Need to Hear

By Paul Hoekstra and Ed Compean

To hand the new non-reading Christian a book on the basics of the faith and send him or her home to study is not only ineffective, it is inappropriate. For example, imagine how frustrating it would be to have possession of an office or home safe, with complete and adequate resources locked inside, yet not be in possession of the combination necessary to unlock the door. So it is for the non-reading Christian who desires to grow in his or her faith.  CONTINUE READING...

Calvary International Fellowship: Lausanne World Pulse Article

Robin & Tracy Shelley: Work Begins on a Café

These are a few picture of the back room in the church. Now we are converting it into a café. We are building walls to cover up the garage doors and reduce the noise from the street and we are covering this brick wall to paint a mural. Pray for the Lord's provision. We are using all the profit from the café to send more Peruvian missionaries. More pics to come are we make progress.

 

Robin & Tracy Shelley: Work Begins on a Café

Shelley's missionary page

Robin & Tracy Shelley: Kilaine turns 7 (Kilaine cumplió 7 años)

Kilaine turns 7! We got a cake and celebrated just with our family. Kilaine is growing so fast, she is now bilingual and she loves to read books (especially in Spanish). We are so proud of her and how well she has adapted to Peru, to Kilaine this is her home, her country. Praise the Lord Jesus Christ for Kilaine!

Robin & Tracy Shelley: Kilaine turns 7 (Kilaine cumplió 7 años)

Shelley's missionary page

Robin & Tracy Shelley: And she grows

I don't know if you all saw this post from the Shelley's. Their ministry is growing in more ways than you know...

Psalm 127:3-5
Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward.

Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one's youth.

How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them;

Robin & Tracy Shelley: And she grows

Worse Than Ever | Christianity Today

  When I was in Seattle a couple of weeks ago, I hung out with Troy from Gospel for Asia (GFA). While we were together, news came to him from his office in Dallas about attacks against Christians in regions where GFA is active. We prayed together for peace to fill the void left by false religions and empty political solutions.

Like many people in the eastern India state of Orissa, Nikhil Kumar Kanodia knew an attack on Christians was imminent. But unlike others, Kanodia was a police superintendent. When he declared that Hindu attacks on Christians in his district of Kandhamal would be prosecuted, he was immediately transferred. Soon afterward, Kandhamal became the epicenter of massive anti-Christian violence. Nationalist Hindus have killed, raped, and otherwise assaulted Christians, burned Christian schools, churches, and houses, and left tens of thousands homeless.

read full article here: Worse Than Ever | Christianity Today

Koinonia Peru Update

Hi Everyone,

I hope that you’re all doing well. This has been a busy week and here’s a summary of what’s been happening. Thanks again for your prayers and for being such a blessing for us in so many ways.

Maintenance

About a month ago, we had a lot of rain which in Lima is not at all common. As a result, we have a lot of paint that’s pealing. I spent a little more than 7 hours this week prepping walls for painting. Yes, doing jobs like that is part of missionary service too. By the way, if you’ve got some vacation time coming and would like to come down to paint or help with other maintenance projects here in the building, please contact me. We’ve got plenty of work to do!

Moving Forward

For several years now, I’ve been praying for a way to help Peruvian’s that want to minister with Koinonia and need financial help. With a few exceptions, I haven’t wanted to ask people in others countries to support the Peruvian workers. The reason is that I believe it’s better in the long run for the Peruvian church to be as independent as possible in regards to finances. This week, we took steps toward that reality. I’m so excited. Here’s why…

Oninxha, Angie and I went to sign legal documents to form a business. We’re planning to sell various products to help raise support for our Peruvian missionaries. The company is named “Hasta Los Confines”. In English, that phrase means “to the uttermost”. It’s taken from Jesus’ command to preach the gospel to the uttermost parts of the earth. In addition, we’re also hoping to export our products around the world.

Initially, we’ll be selling t-shirts with a message. Our clothing name brand here in Peru will be called “Outtasight-2 Cor. 4:18”. That verse says, “we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” I’ll be showing the first three designs to people in the States when I travel there next week. In the future, we hope to sell men and women’s apparel, purses and other items. We’ll keep you up-to-date.

For God so loved the world

This week, God gave me several opportunities to share the gospel. One being yesterday, while I was traveling on the bus to Ica. A woman sat next to me and it was great to see how God has already been working in her heart. Another was with two university students, a guy and a girl, who came to church. At least the girl is really seeking. She’s really hurting too. Her name is Tania.

Your Opportunity to Minister in Peru through Prayer

Koinonia Surco will be working with a medical mission’s team from the States on Thursday and Friday. They will be doing a medical clinic in Santa Rosa . We are expecting several hundred people to be treated and ministered to in those two days. Pray for the Holy Spirit to minister and for good organization for the whole event.
I will be traveling to the States with the entire family on Monday evening. I’ll be sharing in several churches, meeting with individuals and attending a conference.
I would appreciate your prayers for wisdom, creativity and divine contacts for Outtasight-2 Cor. 4:18 and the whole team that is working with “Hasta Los Confines”.
Pray for salvation for Tania, Miguel Angel and Miguel Angel. (No, that’s not a mistake. There are actually two young men named Miguel Angel that we’ve been witnessing to.

God bless you all.

Making disciples in Peru ,

Brian Vander Kodde

Use every piece of God's armor to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle you will still be standing firm (Ephesians 6:13): Koinonia Peru Update

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