The Southwestern Ohio District will be gathering together in a few weeks for the Nazarene Youth International (NYI) Convention, Tuesday, July 13, 2010; Nazarene Missions International (NMI) Convention Wednesday, July 14 and Thursday, July 15; District Assembly Convention beginning Thursday, July 15 -July 16.  The Convention will take place at Cincinnati Springdale Church of the Nazarene, 11177 Springfield Pike, Cincinnati, Ohio.
Presiding General Superintendent will be Dr. Jesse Middendorf. For a brief bio of Dr. Middendorf click here.
For a copy of the District Assembly Poster click here.

For a detailed line up of events please see below:
NYI Convention will begin at 6:30-9:00 PM, Tuesday, July 13, at the Springdale Church of the Nazarene. Leading in worship will be New Covenant from Mount Vernon Nazarene University. Guest Speaker will be Jerry Gardner from Xenia Church of the Nazarene and former Regional NYI President and Big Picture Trainer. Bring your Youth Leaders and Student Leaders for the 2 hour Youth Ministry Training. We will be discussing NYC 2011. Refreshments following in the Teen Activity Center.

NMI Convention will begin at 7:00 PM on Wednesday, July 14 and again on Thursday, July 15, at 8:30 AM for the business portion. This year we welcome missionary Jay Sunberg, featured speaker serving in Bulgaria. They have ministered in Sofia for seven years. Since that time, growth in member ship has gone from 27 to 320 and growth in churches from two to 18. We are looking forward to hearing what God is doing in Bulgaria!

Ordination Service will be Friday, July 16, 7:00 PM. This year we have a large group of ministers who have applied for ordination, this will be quite a celebration for many! We look forward to this sacred ceremony. We encourage the district family, each local church member, neighbors, family and friends to attend and support these individuals at this very special time in their lives. 

You may ask what is a  “Service of Ordination”?
The service of Ordination is a rite for the dedication and commissioning of ministers. The essential ceremony consists of the laying of hands of the ordaining minister upon the head of the one being ordained, with prayer, asking of God to grant the grace required for the carrying out of the ministry. The service also usually includes a public examination of the candidate and a sermon or charge concerning the responsibilities of the ministry. As you can see, this is a celebratory time for all!
 

Bring your Children ages 5-12!

Wednesday, June 15, 2010
Higher Ground Conference and Retreat Center
7:30 PM in the Barn

2010 Global Children’s Missions Offering (VBS)

Millions of kids throughout the world find themselves surviving or living on the streets.  Many of them struggle each day for the basic needs of life–food, clothing and shelter.  Through the Kids Reaching Kids 2009-2010 Mission Offering, The Hope Project, your kids will have the opportunity to show these children on the streets that they are not forgotten by God.

As children give their nickels, dimes, quarters, and dollars for The Hope Project, children on the streets will have many of these basic holistic needs of life met. In addition, many of them for the first time will also hear and learn how Jesus Christ can make a difference in their lives.  They will experience the depths of Jesus’ love.

The Hope Project will provide funds for street children in each of the seven world regions of the Church of the Nazarene.  This includes Africa, Asia Pacific, Caribbean, Eurasia, Mexico and Central America, North America, and South America. 

Working with the regional coordinators for Connecting a New Generation, The Hope Project will help to fund holistic efforts for children around the globe.  In addition, the funds will help these regional coordinators train and equip new workers to reach these children on the streets.

“But the needy will not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the afflicted ever perish (Psalm 9:18, NIV).

Children on the streets will know they have not been forgotten, they will feel the hope that comes from Jesus Christ, and they will have access to the basic needs of live.  To get promotional posters and videos go to www.nazarenemedialibrary.org and search for “Hope Project.”

District Children’s Missons Project (VBS)
Medical Clinics and Equipment for Haiti – Send to SWO District Treasurer

51st Southwestern Ohio District NMI Convention
July 14-15
Springdale Church of the Nazarene

Memorial Roll

Please email your pictures for our memorial roll presentation to bryanl@cinci.rr.com. These can often be obtained from the funeral home’s website. Mail pictures to be scanned to Lisa Bryan, 2278 Hale Rd., Wilmington, Ohio 45177.

 Mass Choir

Our music Director Deb Crabtree (West Chester Church) is planning a mass choir number for our Wednesday evening service. Please be watching for information on the District’s Team Update newsletter or contact her at crabtree.dj@wccn.cc

 Theme Presentation

For our theme presentation on Wednesday night, we will be featuring the outreach ministries of the local churches. We need your pictures and videos to make this happen! Video TAPES: VHS, Mini-DV, DVC-PRO (Sorry, no Hi-8 or 8mm. I have no way of playing them back) Any tapes that are sent can be returned. If someone has a DVD of a video, there is a good chance that we can use that as well. I know some cameras record onto DVDs. IF that is the case, the DVD would need to be finalized before it is sent or it won’t be playable on my machines. Video FILES: Quicktime (.mov, .mp4) Windows Media (.wmv), MPEG-1, MPEG-2.  All files should be no smaller than 640×480. Preferred size is 720×480 or 720×486. If someone has a file format other than those listed, there is still a chance I can convert it and use it. They can contact me via e-mail or call my cell: (937)903-6910 with any questions. Still pictures: Just about any format can be used but the most typical are: .jpg, .tiff, .bmp, .png. I would prefer not to have actual photos sent so that we don’t run the risk of losing them. These can all be sent to the church office: West Carrollton Church of the Nazarene, 550 S. Elm St., West Carrollton, OH 45449  Attention:  Rob McNally or they can be e-mailed to Rob McNally’s  home e-mail address: rmcnally@woh.rr.com

NMI Luncheon

Once again we will have a luncheon catered by Funky’s.  Tickets will be available as soon as we get a final cost from the caterer and the luncheon planner!! Reserve your tickets online by July 2 at www.swonaz.org click on “Events” and then “Register”.

Jay Sunberg Featured Speaker

This year we welcome Jay and Teanna Sunberg serving in Bulgaria. They have ministered in Sofia for seven years. Since that time, growth in member ship has gone from 27 to 320 and growth in churches from two to 18. We are looking forward to hearing what God is doing in Bulgaria!

 LINKS

Please remember to bring $30 for our LINKS missionaries to the convention. We will have a March to receive the offering during the business session on Thursday.

 Centerpieces

Once again we look forward to centerpieces made by our SWO kids. The theme this year is “Making Christlike Disciples in Your Jerusalem.” Please put the centerpieces in the Activity Center where we will be having the luncheon. If the children want them back, they need to be removed immediately following the luncheon.

Target Dayton

Always a highlight of the convention, Target Dayton Choir will be singing. We will be collecting non-perishables for them. Please see list below. 

24 pack Coke Products
Self rising flour
Vegetable oil
Baking powder
Sugar
Brown sugar
Bottles of hot sauce
Catsup
Mustard
Salt
Vanilla
Cooking spray (like PAM)
Quick grits – canister size
Napkins
Paper towels
Coffee – French roast
Reading glasses (any prescription) 
PLEASE BRING TO CONVENTION!

Changes are coming!

We in the missions business know the importance of flexibility, so limber up, my friends! Here is the first: we are going paper-light. Because of the decrease in the number of churches paying their district dues to NMI, we can no longer justify the cost of printing and mailing. Most of our communication with you is going to be electronic. So, in order to receive your delegate packages, you will need to provide us with one email address per church when you register. You will have the option to get paper copies at cost.

At this particular time, I am hoping you would partner with us to identify our 50 prayer partners for this project. I firmly believe that God will have no trouble in raising up the resources we need if we acknowledge our trust in His provision primarily through prayer. We would love to have a point of prayer contact from each of our churches on the Southwestern Ohio District. It might be an NYI president, an NMI leader, a parent or grandparent of a college student,  etc.  It should be someone who shares a passion for reaching this emerging generation of young adults and college students…and someone who will pray daily for our ministry and this particular “3 x 50 Project” from May 15 thru July 4, 2010.

Please consider who might be your prayer partner for this effort and pass their name and contact information along to me.  We need to connect with people in your church or community to build a solid foundation of prayer support as we trust God for these 50 days of miraculous provision. Again, I want to thank you for your partnership in this ministry of reaching college students at the University of Cincinnati!

If you have not viewed Chris Bean’s March Newsletter…  click here  for more information.

Join us in celebrating 30 wonderful fun-filled years at the Southwestern Ohio District Higher Ground Conference and Retreat Center.
Evangelists: Norman Moore, Dr. Harold B. Graves Sr., Dr. Carlton D. Hansen and Rev. Gary Jones
Music: SWO Churches
Soloist: Amie Weethee
Bible Study: Troy Martin
Collingsworth Family will be singing on Sunday, June 20, 4:30 PM

“Prime Timers Luncheon” on Thursday, June 17, in Ferguson Dining Hall following a 10:30 a.m. morning service in the Graves Life Center. Cost is $6.50 for a nice dinner-sized lunch.

Higher Ground Conference and Retreat Center 3820 Logan Creek Lane, West Harrison, IN 47060

For a copy of the Camp Meeting Poster click here.
For a copy of the Camp Meeting Schedule click here.

 Churches of the district will soon be electing officers for the new district assembly church year. Nominating committees are faced with the task of determining qualified candidates, and they are quite reluctant to judge other church members in spiritual and financial matters. Perhaps it would be best to allow candidates to judge their own qualifications in harmony with MANUAL provisions:

 F.   Church Officers. 39. We direct our local churches to elect as church officers only persons who profess the experience of entire sanctification and whose lives bear public witness to the grace of God that calls us to a holy life; who are in harmony with the doctrines, polity, and practices of the Church of the Nazarene; and who support the local church faithfully in attendance and with tithes and offerings. (113.9-113.10, 127, 145, 146).

 The nominating committee could distribute a form to each prospective nominee, giving each individual opportunity for either being considered or gracefully declining. The following suggested form would include, but not exceed, the legal specifications of the MANUAL:                                                                                                                                

 I hereby declare that:

      a.   I profess the experience of entire sanctification,

      b.   My life bears public witness to the grace of God that calls me to a holy life,

      c.   I am in harmony with the doctrines of the Church of the Nazarene,

      d.   I am in harmony with the polity of the Church of the Nazarene,

      e.   I am in harmony with the practices of the Church of the Nazarene,

      f.    I do, and will continue to support this local church faithfully in attendance,

      g.   I do, and will continue to support this local church faithfully with tithes and offerings.

June 21-26 King’s Domain

All registrations are due by June 14. Camper and Sponsor forms should be mailed to the district office 7943 Tylersville Road, West Chester, OH 45069 c/o Candice Corwin.

Cost $175 for campers
Cost $150 for counselors
Camper registration forms due by June 14
Counselor applications due by May 28.
Housing counselors needed: 34 (14 in guys cabins, 14 in girls cabins, 6 in the dorm)
Worship leaders: Rob and Tyler Walls
Payment information: All individuals are required to make payment to their local church and the church will write NYI one check. Checks are to be made payable to SWO NYI and accompany registration forms.
Any questions can be directed to Candice Corwin at princesscandicepooh@yahoo.com
Housing is on a first come-first served basis. For registration and or counselor forms visit

Monthly Report

District Assembly will be held at Cincinnati Springdale Church of the Nazarene
11177 Springfield Pike, Cincinnati, OH.
July 13-16, 2010
Dr. Jesse Middendorf, General Superintendent will be presiding

 Guest Speaker: Friday afternoon will be Rick Rusaw, Senior Pastor of the LifeBridge Christian Church. Rick Rusaw has been senior minister at LifeBridge Christian Church, Longmont, Colorado, for 15 years while church attendance has grown from 700 to about 3,300. As an “externally focused church,” LifeBridge has become connected to the culture of its community by providing volunteer services for a wide variety of agencies. Rick’s new book, Living a Life on Loan (coauthored with Eric Swanson), chronicles the journey a Christian can experience in such service. 

District Assembly Poster is available by clicking here.

We have contracted with Drury Inn & Suites, Cincinnati North 2265 East Sharon Road, Cincinnati, OH 45241 (513) 771-5601 to book your room as soon as possible; the Nazarene block rate will be $90.00. We have blocked 35 rooms that are available for you. The cut off date for booking is Monday, June 14, 2010.
Special amenities at no extra cost to you are:
Hot Breakfast (eggs, sausage, biscuits, gravy, Belgian waffles and more)
Free Long Distance
Evening beverages and sancks served daily from 5:30-7:00 PM
High-Speed Internet

Brian Richardson (West Carrollton) is the SWO District Camp Director for Children’s Camp.

Click here for a hard copy of the Camper Registration form. We are experiencing some difficulty with the online registration, hopefully we will have it available for you by next week. 

Click here for a Camp Counselor Application

A COPY of all registrations  should be mailed directly to Pastor Brian Richardson at 550 S. Elm Street, West Carrollton, OH 45449.

Monthly Report

PRAYER REQUEST – UPDATED 05/26/2010 

 Mark Atherton who underwent shoulder surgery on Monday, May 24.

CCO Ministry at the University of Cincinnati

 
Chris Bean Ministry
To support this ministry make checks payable to CCO; note Chris Bean’s name on the memo line.
• Or give online: www.ccojubilee.org/donate 
Your contribution is tax deductible. To contact me by phone:  513-310-9516  
…or by email   coffeebean71@hotmail.com 
Visit my personal website for updates, links, blog, stories, etc www.chrisbean.info

All Alabaster funds given this year above the total amount Nazarenes gave for Alabaster last year will be allocated to restore and construct new Haitian Nazarene properties. NCM informed NMI that Haitian’s most pressing needs are for items such as toiletries, shoes, medical supplies, food, equipment, and shelter. Churches can purchase these items online as follows:

1. Login to http://astore.amazon.com/olivknolparec-20
2. When asked for the “Ship To” address, send to the following address: Nazarene Compassionate Ministries Church of the Nazarene—Haiti Earthquake Relief Obed Santiesteban
310 E. 5^th St., Hialeah, FL 33010 
3. Please do not send Crisis Care Kits to this address. Send CCK to Pennsylvania.

We pray that multiplied thousands of people in Haiti will come to Christ as a direct result of Christian care and witness during coming years of recovery and rehabilitation. NMI has an amazing opportunity to respond in praying, discipling, giving, and educating.

Easter Offering

Easter Offering resources for promoting the World Evangelism Fund—and specifically for the Easter Offering—have been designed for local churches by Stewardship Ministries and Nazarene Missions International. They are posted on the Nazarene Media Library (www.nazarenemedialibrary.org) and are available for free download.
 
Use these coordinated resources to promote the Easter Offering in your Church of the Nazarene:

• Three video segments—Go to Media Library and search using the keywords—”Fili Chambo,” “Liliana Radi,” and “Dwight Rich.”
• Bulletin inserts
• World Evangelism Fund flyer
• World Evangelism Fund PowerPoint
• Stewardship Ministries

Chile News via NCM.org

The church in Hualpén withstood the earthquake without major damage. The members of the church are well except for minor damage to their homes. We do not have news from the rest of the pastors. The electric service has not yet been reestablished in Concepcion, Talcahuano, and other southern cities and there is either no or very bad phone service.

We know that Pastor Juan Badilla reported that they were okay. Pastor Alfredo Veloso was in Romeral with his brother and is well, but we know nothing of his wife Francisca. At this time we know nothing of the rest of the pastors of Concepción, Viña and Valparaiso. Even though we have been insistently trying to communicate with them, it has not been possible.

The television shows that the main need is water. Water service has been suspended because of ruptures in the distribution networks. People are getting water by tanker trucks, but not enough. People are also without food which is causing a scene of desperation and looting of supermarkets in the city.

We are praying that the response of the government and private organizations will increase in quantity and efficiency to prevent further collateral damage and chaos that many are using to steal and pillage.

The Radi’s On the Road in Southwestern Ohio

Official Bio - Carlos and Robin Radi are global missionaries for the Church of the Nazarene, serving in Argentina.  

Carlos attended the Nazarene Seminary in Argentina for three years.  He received the contractor’s degree at Colegio Republica de Paraguay in Argentina.  Robin received a B.A. from Southern Nazarene University in elementary education with a minor in Spanish.  

Prior to their appointment, Carlos served 11 years in evangelism and construction in Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, Uraguay, and Brazil.  Robin served on the Young Life staff and as a volunteer in New Zealand. She also taught missionary kids in Argentina.  Carlos and Robin both served as hurricane relief Work and Witness coordinators in the Dominican Republic. Upon completing the reconstruction, they served in Guatemala as missions coordinators for the Mexico and Central American Region.

The Radis now serve in at the Regional Office for the South American Region in Argentina. Carlos is the Regional Coordinator for Evangelism and Jesus Film Ministries, as well as the Regional Candidate Coordinator.  Robin is the Regional Sunday School Coordinator.

Unofficial Word

This is a dynamic couple. You will experience listening through a translator as Robin translates for her husband. This is a not-to-be-missed opportunity to hear from a non-North American missionary who comes to us from a part of the world where God is doing great and mighty things!

Schedule

Sunday, April 18 AM – Carthage Church (English) Fairpark and 65th St., Cincinnati, OH  513-242-2720
Sunday, April 18 PM – Harrison Church  249 Sunset Ave. Harrison, OH  513-367-9727
Monday, April 19 7 PM – Amelia Church (SE) 1295 W. Ohio Pike, Amelia, OH  513-753-9446
Tuesday, April 20 7 PM – Hillsboro Church (NE) 8230 U.S. 50 East, Hillsboro, OH 937-393-3545
Wednesday, April 21 7 PM – Living Hope (NW) 1150 West Spring Valley Road, Springboro 937-433-2733
Saturday, April 24 6PM – Bethesda Iglesia Fairpark and 65th St., Cincinnati, OH 513-242-2720
Sunday, April 25 NYI Praise Rally 6PM – Location TBD 

Chris Bean at UC

Chris Bean is our district “missionary” to the University of Cincinnati campus. The SWO District along with the CCO (a campus ministry organization) have assigned Chris to this exciting ministry of reaching and discipling college students on our district.

For more information about Chris’ ministry including ways to financially support this ministry, visit www.chrisbean.info.

Good news regarding the upcoming District Prime Time Retreat!  The registration deadline has been extended; must be postmarked no later than Wednesday, April 28 (only a couple weeks away).  This is a firm deadline.  The retreat is less than 4 weeks away!  Please help us spread the word in your church and to all your Prime Timers, May 10-11-12 at Higher Ground.

 If you need a registration form or have questions, email Bob & Carolyn Vogelmann at BVogelmann@woh.rr.com or phone them at 937.280.3426 or simply click on the registration below.

Higher Ground Conference & Retreat Center
3820 Logan Creek Ln., W. Harrison, IN 47060 (812-637-3777)
Click here for reservation form

COME AND PARTY WITH US!
2 nights’ lodging
5 full meals
4 worship times
New! Golf scramble, craft class, small group Bible study, food demo & more
New! Fun auction (Bring cash)
New! Give aways and more
New! Dinner & Evening Worship Package

FULL RETREAT

$100 each person if sharing a room
$120 for only one person to a room
registration 2-5p in lower lodge. Dinner 5:30P

NEW!  DINNER &  EVENING WORSHIP COMBO PACKAGE

(Open to anyone unable to attend the full retreat) 
Cost: Only $12 per person each meal.
(includes modest honorarium.)
Check in time: 5:00 pm in the dining room (meal at 5:30p & evening service at 7:00p)
Full details on required registration sheet.

Make all checks payable to: Higher Ground Conference & Retreat Center. 
All reservations must be postmarked by: April 10 (Sat.) You will receive acknowledgement of registration.

Mail registration with check to:
Rev. Bob Vogelmann * 451 Poplar Grove Dr. * Vandalia, OH 45377
Email: BVogelmann@woh.rr.com
Or Vandalia Nazarene Church (937)890-1841

We have decided to do something a little different for the annual Ministers’ & Spouses’ Communion Service this year. We will be meeting at Higher Ground Conference and Retreat Center; to come together to share the sacraments and dinner.

The service will begin with dinner at 6:30 PM Tuesday with the Worship service following at 7:30 PM. It is our intent is to create an atmosphere that will allow you time to connect and commune with God. A reservation form has been mailed to you. Please note that we must receive your registration with your deposit by February 12, 2010.

The meal consists of four choices of pastas, salad, bread, dessert and drinks for $10.00 per person.

In closing, please be in prayer that this will be a time of remembering Christ and all that He has done for us in his life, death and resurrection as well as a time to examine ourselves as we participate in the body of Christ.

Click here to download the registration form

Monthly Report

There is a great hymn of the church which includes the chorus, “Are you ready? Are you ready for the judgment day?” That’s a great question to ask ourselves and it is the driving force behind what we do as a mission society. We do our work from week to week in the context that there is a “great day coming by and by; when the saints and sinners will be parted right and left.” It is important to be ready for the judgment day.

But here is a secret that I have learned along the way… when God calls us to a task, we rarely are ready! When God called Gideon to save Israel, Gideon protested because he was the least man in the least clan in Israel (Judges 6:15). Ever feel that way? But listen carefully to God’s call, “Go in the strength you have…Am I not sending you…I will be with you” (Judges 6:14,16).

When God calls you, just go in the strength that you do have, and don’t focus on the strength that you don’t have! Remember who it is that is sending you; He is not sending you alone! He will be with you . Remember Paul who affirmed that it was when he was weak that he was strong!

Have you ever backed away from something God was calling you to because you felt that you were not ready? Unlike the judgment day, you don’t have to be! God wants to work through you and display His strength through you. So be bold to say ‘yes’ trusting that He will go with you!

 Missionaries Available for Faith Promise May 1-July 31, 2010

David and Rhoda Restrick are global missionaries with the Church of the Nazarene assigned to the country of Mozambique.   They have served in Mozambique since 1992.   David serves as academic dean and professor at Seminário Nazareno em Moçambique located in the capital city, Maputo.  Rhoda has a number of rolls ministering to the faculty and students of the school including being the school nurse.  

David is a 1973 graduate of Eastern Nazarene College. As a Peace Corps Volunteer, he taught math and science at Nazarene High School in Manzini, Swaziland from 1975 to 1978.  Upon completion of his Peace Corps service, he continued his studies at Nazarene Theological Seminary where he earned his M.Div. degree.  He has done further graduate work at Boston University School of Theology, earning an STM in 1990 and completing his Th.D. in church history and missiology in 2001.

Rhoda received her registered nurse’s credentials at the United Sheffield Hospitals School of Nursing, Sheffield, England, in 1970.  She received her midwifery certification in 1971.  From 1973 to 1978 she served as nurse and midwife at the Raleigh Fitkin Memorial Hospital in Manzini, Swaziland. 

Prior to being assigned to Mozambique, the Restricks served one term at the Lula Schmelzenbach Memorial Nazarene Theological College near Acornhoek in the Northern Province of South Africa.  David served as professor and academic dean of the college.  Rhoda served as part time teacher, college nurse and bookkeeper.  In addition, they were involved in relief work among refugees from the civil war in Mozambique. 

Prior to their missionary appointment, the Restricks pastored the Church of the Nazarene in Weston-super-Mare, England, for three years.  David was ordained on the British Isles South District in 1985.  The Restricks have three children; Beth, Mary, and David.

Contact Wayne LaForce: wlaforce@nazarene.org to schedule.
 

Mark Your Calendars…The Radi’s are coming!

You really do not want to miss getting to meet Carlos and Robin Radi global missionaries for the Church of the Nazarene in Argentina. They will be on our district this Spring!

Sunday April 18
AM Carthage
PM Harrison

Monday April 19
SE Zone at Amelia

Tuesday April 20
NE Zone at Hillsboro

Wednesday April 21
NW Zone Fairborn Wrightview

Saturday April 24
Hispanic Church at Carthage

Sunday Night April 25
At the NYI Praise Rally!

It’s not too early to start planning for the 2010 NMI Dsitrict Convention July 14 and 15.

Mark your calendars now and consider putting in for a day off work. We will enjoy hosting Jay and Teanna Sunberg ministering in Bulgaria!

Did you know?

The Clifton Church of the Nazarene is venturing out to team up with a para-church ministry. They will be reaching out to University of Cincinnati students of  Asian and Indian descent. Please pray for Rev. Fischer and Ranjara and Pramod Aghamkar as they step out to minister in this area.

New Terminology

The shift from an outdated, expense-based formula to a global percentage for funding our global mission involves a change in mindset for many affiliated with the Church of the Nazarene.

In order to ease this shift, we are providing the terms we’re using to describe the Funding the Mission plan in our resources, our Web sites, and our reports. We will encourage missional faithfulness and passion by the terms we choose and use.  

Changes are coming…

I included in this newsletter some of the changes that are being initiated by the Global Headquarters. This will trickle down to changes on the district and local level over the next months and years. I will be attending a meeting in January for District Presidents from across the globe and will be communicating the information I receive over the next few months. We will all have to work together to negotiate these changes!  ~Cynthia

To our LINKS and Church friends!

Immanuel, God with us!!!  What an incredible fact!!  We rejoice with each of you that together, we DO CELEBRATE  GOD WITH US!

GOD WITH US………Through His abundant grace, each and every day
GOD WITH US………Through His peace and hope
GOD WITH US………In His refining power
GOD WITH US………In His sustaining strength
We celebrate each and every day!  May each of you be encouraged and truly bask in His presence with you wherever this finds you and in whatever situation you find yourself in.  Rest in the glorious truth that He is with you. 
We thank the Lord for many answers to prayer in our lives this month.  John has been ’steady at it’ in the print shop getting all the Sunday school, equip, and theological education material ready for 2010.  The Lord sustained and protected myself and a dear family friend as we traveled up to Northern Ghana.  How does one describe riding on the back of a motor bike in the dark, ascending an escarpment with no lights….with potholes galore and patches of sand…with no lights working?  How does one describe bathing a D.S. who is burning up with fever and extremely weak?   The Lord’s presence was there with all in all. 

While up in Northern Ghana, I had the joy of teaching over 150 girls about HIV/AIDs as well as training children’s ministry workers.   Oh, the needs are many.  Please pray for the pastors who are working hard to make a difference in the lives of children and youth. In November, John and I were able to spend our 3 weeks of holiday time in Alberta, Canada visiting with family and friends.  It was a blessing and we were grateful for this rest. We thank the Lord for Alanna’s growing time while attending a 6 week intensive course at Capenwray in New Zealand.  She is now in Papua New Guinea for the next 3 months and has been helping teach the missionary kids at the school.   We thank the Lord for having Mitchell home with us over the Christmas school break.  He had a great first semester in his Sr. year at boarding school in Dakar, Senegal. John survived turning 50 on the 20th.  I’m behind him all the way!  A good dose of Canadian Maple syrup and Ghanaian chocolate will keep his going for another 50!   Mitch turns 18 on the 26th.  Where does the time go?? We thank the Lord for our family friend, Bethany Herbert, who is spending 1 month with us.  She is our first guest from our home church and we are truly blessed!  She’s a great trooper!  

“Lord, we are so thankful for the many brothers and sisters in Christ that you have blessed us with.  Minister to them and through them.  Bless them and enable them to continue to ‘press on.’  Help each of us to live with the keen awareness of your presence with us in all and through all.  We love you Lord and give you all the praise.  Amen! ”

 ”…….may your love abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you maybe able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteous that comes through Jesus Christ–to the glory and praise of God. “  Philippians 1:9-11

Go with Christ in 2010! 

Yours in Christ, John, Laurie, Alanna (PNG) and Mitchell (Ghana/Senegal)