HARVEST FESTIVALS “Jesus said to them, My food is to do the will of Him who sent me and to accomplish His work. Do you not say, “There are yet four months, then comes the harvest”? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest.” (John 4:34-35). Sandee and I join together with all of you and our churches in this time of celebrating “Harvest Festivals”. It is a season for us to be the light in a world that has been darkened by current events. But GOD, He is showing us through the WORD that the harvest is ripe when our eyes are fixed on the ONE who has sent us! “Life without God is like an unsharpened pencil…..it HAS NO POINT”. Billy Graham. We began celebrating “our harvest season” with our trip home to San Diego in September. What a great delight to see our family and so many of you – to hug you, pray with you, play and do ministry together … now that’s celebrating a new season! It was a very busy 3 weeks, but we came home renewed and ready to begin the next steps of HIS WORK….HIS HARVEST. Tijuana, Baja MexicoLa Mesa Penitentiary:
While we were in San Diego in late August I had the honor to return to the church we planted inside La Mesa Prison, Iglesia Cristiana Americana (1994) (American Christian Church. MOTE began this good work nearly 20 years ago and there has been a “Harvest” of souls delivered out of literal darkness. Jim Marian, Minister of Students | High School Ministry, at Rancho Bernardo Community Presbyterian Church took a Mission Team of 40 high school students to the Dominican Republic. While they were there he met up with Dr. Dave Walden and the discussion of taking the team into La Victoria Prison began to emerge. Jim talks frankly about his very real concerns and how the Holy Spirited guided his next steps. You will enjoy hearing how God worked in this very distant and foreign environment. by Dr. David Walden How do you change a community? Communities everywhere on earth have many of the problems of the Western world. But in nations where extreme poverty is growing it touches every level of community life. In addition to being poverty stricken the values of the community that have served the west so well are being eroded. In developing nations rampant alcoholism, prostitution, sexual immorality and the need for health care and education are greater problems than at any time in history. Even God's church has become complacent and seems to be off course in solving community problems. Without bold visionary leaders to guide and lead communities into the 21st century the prospects are certainly going to be worse than they are today (Hard to imagine!). Our purpose is to sponsor, empower and equip leaders in "Becoming" courageous and visionary in their roles as leaders. Our purpose is very clear. To edify, equip and strengthen these leaders in their faith and good works in the midst of the poverty stricken communities where God has placed them. They will "Become" whom God has called them to be, "Transformation Agents" of the Most High God. They are going to learn and apply with yours and our help what transformation in action is all about! The Triune God is the perfect relationship and MOTE, UNEV, BETHEL are striving toward following His example. We all have different roles but one purpose. We all have different positions but one objective and that is to exalt Jesus Christ as Lord and King over all as all authority is given to Him. (Matthew 28:18) We invite you to join this relationship, first with the Savior and as the Holy Spirit leads, we hope you are open to learn and act with us in this Scholarship opportunity. MOTE, UNEV and BETHEL, each with proven visionary attributes, unique in our personal giftedness are prepared to act with you in confident assurance. We know that our Lord is moving in and through us to accomplish this great mission. We invite those who are committed to this vision to "Become" a partner with us. God is speaking to you who believe and do not doubt. Our purpose is to change community. God has given us all we need to accomplish this very lofty goal. But God! Are you listening to that soft voice in your inner being. God is the same yesterday, today and forever. He is immutable and is in control of all things. This is the time of Isaiah! He responded, "Here am I! Send me." and God said "Go" Now is the time for you to act. It is a time for action. You can participate in this visionary project today. I personally hope you will and I want you to know how grateful I am that you have gone this far so please go a little farther and God bless you. Go now - Go on - you can do this. For more information click here. Well here we are a couple of days after celebrating 4th of July for our beloved America! So as you at home enjoyed festivities with friends and family, Sandee and I were reminded here in another country how precious our America is to us. So we pray your day was special and blessed. PUERTO RICO It has been a productive and God honoring time for the MOTE ministries. The team leaders in Dominican Republic and our new leaders in Panama are busy carrying out their assignments. The investment of our time and resources since the start of 2013 are freeing us up to take care of some personal issues. We are preparing, as we did in the Dominican Republic, for hurricane season. The forecasters are saying for this season, “be prepared – be alert A BIG SEASON AHEAD!” Through our Puerto Rico MOTE leadership conferences in 2011 and 2012, we made some wonderful relationships. Our new friends are helping us settle into our mission house and assisting us in preparing our roof the “Puerto Rican Way”. Sandee and I were up on our roof via our “ingenious ladder”, cutting back trees, patching cracks, filling holes in the roof as we began to lay down the “gooyee” sealant. Chap’s not always preaching and teaching – Sandee is not always in front of the computer – we are mixing it up “ON THE ROOF”!! How we thank YOU Jesus for our brothers and sisters in Christ all around this world. SAN DIEGO Afterschool Homework Club: In early June, I went back to San Diego for two (2) important events. The first was to officially sign the 2013 -2014 -- P. U. S. D ASES contract. This is MOTE’s Faith Based Christ Honoring “After School Homework Club” within California’s Public School System … But GOD! The Poway Unified School District, Student Services Director, Dr Elaine CoFrancesco said, “MOTE’s program sets a standard of excellence in character based programs that our other programs look to the Home Work Club as the base model.” Praise be to God for the wonderful guidance of Itziar Haumschilt, MOTE’s faithful leader and key role model for this Christ-Centered Children’s program. MOTE is now going into its 14th year in the public school district. Bethel University - Seminary: The second important event for me as an Adj. Professor/Faculty Associate in the Global Contextual Department of Bethel was to be able to participate in this year’s graduation. I was privileged to be a mentor for one of the graduates, David DeMers, who received his M.Th degree. David has joined MOTE on several occasions in Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico assisting in the MOTE leadership conferences. He is a gifted teacher and we are hoping he will answer the call to become a full time missionary with MOTE in the Dominican Republic. David will be with the Bethel team coming July 22 – 28 for the 3 day MOTE – BETHEL-UNEV leadership conference in D R. PANAMA The 5th nation in MOTE Ministry has taken root (USA, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico,) and # 5 Panama. The MOTE team leader for prison ministries in the Dominican Republic, Pastor Lideo Puente, assisted me in developing the leaders in Panama. MOTE sent Pastor Lidio in 2012 at the invitation from the Panama Evangelical Christian Assoc., to learn about the MOTE Christ Centered Prison Reform Programs. The two trips prepared the way for me to arrive in May and June 2013 to launch Panama. The four trips included the recent June 10 conference, several workshops, prison visits and evaluations, meetings with prison administrators, government leaders and prison ministry chaplains. Panama prison programs have minimal organized ministry or Christian training for leaders outside or inside the prison walls. The Lord’s timing is perfect! MOTE’s four component reform program fits their need and is now implementing the “D R Model” that is documented and ready to put into action. The June 10th conference in Panama City was the largest gathering of church, community and government leaders (105 key leaders) for any prison related event. The two years in planning, traveling and surveying was confirmed with the attendance and approval of all the collaborative leaders. They are in unity to implement the MOTE Prison Model. The perseverance and consistency of the MOTE leadership in the Dominican Republic as well as the documented data of qualitative and quantitative research added credibility to MOTE’s programs. It is with CONFIDENT ASSURANCE that we are moving forward with Panama. It has been a busy June with a lot of travel. And, it was having this CONFIDENT ASSURANCE that we knew that we knew your prayers were ahead – above – below and behind us which strengthened us as we moved with the authority of God. Sandee and I made this commitment and sacrifice to see that HIS WORK would be carried out as HE orchestrated it all for us to be “do’ers of the word not merely hearers..” (James 1:22) We see the fruit of all us – prayer partners – donors – volunteers and leaders - all of us working together in the labor of love under HIS mighty guidance! “Commit your way to the Lord……..” and HE WILL DIRECT AND DID DIRECT OUR PATH…FOR HIS GLORY IN ALL THAT WAS ACCOMPLISHED! WE ARE praying for a double blessing upon you for caring and sharing your prayers and resources with us! You are participating in KINGDOM BUILDING as a member of the MOTE TEAM. NOW THIS IS CONFIDENT ASSURANCE!
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” (Philippians 2:30 NIV) As I have said and I do my best to put this verse into practice. It is the key to MOTE’s “O.F.” PRINCIPLE ….OTHERS FOCUSED! It is that place in our spirit, head and heart where God can use us to get outside of our COMFORT ZONE! We really desire to see others more important than ourselves. It is seen not just spoken! Sandee and I remind ourselves daily to have this O F attitude as this new year has become extremely busy. My Sandee has had to make many sacrifices as my partner and best friend. She stays home to hold down the operation and keeps stable and balanced while I begin to travel between Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic and Panama. Thank God they are all fairly close to each other keeping our MOTE budget in line. Sacrifices. Yes! But God, who paid it all for us. YES LORD – YES! God the Holy Spirit enables us to “… keep a clear mind and to endure the hardships, do the work of an evangelist …” (2Tim 4:5) and to appoint and develop the leaders to oversee the good ministries that have “taken root and producin’ fruit”. (Sandee wanted to take my riddle out – I won:>) . In all of this we thank God for each of you. Your continued prayers and the Word of God energizes us through each and every day! PUERTO RICO - CHAPLAIN TRAINING: It was with a happy heart that I was invited to speak at the chaplain training here in Puerto Rico, in the community of Isabela. I was given the opportunity to share my years of practical experience with new and seasoned chaplains, to encourage them and pray for them. It was such a blessing for me. DOMINICAN REPUBLIC - UNEV (Christian University in Dom. Rep.) – Bethel Seminary San Diego -- MOTE As most of you know, one of the main reasons why Sandee and I were able to relocate to safer and more strategically located island of Puerto Rico was the result of 6 years of training responsible local leaders to manage the ministries established by MOTE. Today, we confidently have that leader in the D.R., Pastor Felipe Mendoza. Felipe works closely with Sandee and I with the help of Pastor Lidio Puente, prison ministry coordinator and Johnny Roberts, MOTE’s licensed missions teacher. (FOR COMPLETE REPORT SEE ATTACHMENT) PANAMA - It was with great excitement and anticipation as I made my first trip to Panama City last week. Pastor Lideo has gone before me to set up the MOTE prison reform program that was initiated in La Victoria. We were able to initiate the plans, meet with government officials, and go into the La Joya prison. I was able to hold MOTE’s first workshop. (FOR COMPLETE REPORT SEE ATTACHMENT) So the month of May has been for Sandee and me a learning curve. How to set up a new home, travel, communicate with staff and leaders of different countries, and TRY TO take some personal time!! We really need your prayers for balance, peace and harmony in all things! Personally, I was also given good news this week that my new neurosurgeon will try epidural shots on my back and then the last option will be surgery!!! Thank you Lord!! And we are reminded that none of this could ever be done without our prayers and following the Lord’s guidance. And yes it is a sacrifice once again to be living in another country and all that it entails BUT GOD IS ALWAYS ABLE WHEN WE ARE NOT. “So we fix our eyes NOT on what is seen but what is UNSEEN. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2Cor. 4:17-my emphasis)
|
AuthorThese pages are set aside for the Mission Activities of the members of RB Crosstalk and Crosswalk. Archives
May 2014
Categories
All
|