05 Jan Mexican Churches with a Vision to Grow

Denis Casco, center, looks over blueprints for the Zacapu church in Mexico.

In all the years I’ve visited mission fields and seen new churches being built, I had never seen a set of engineered blueprints for a church building–that is, until I visited Mexico in early December 2009.

Rev. Denis Casco, Bishop of the Mexico National Conference, and I visited with the Zacapu Church in the state of Michocan. There we were shown the site where the congregation is building a church that will seat 300.

The congregation currently meets in warehouse area in the local municipal market, but they purchased a piece of property for $17,000 and have been paying as they go to construct the building.

Many of our 44 churches in Mexico have set their sights high and have been using their own funds to build churches that are proportional to the vision God has given them.

04 Jan Update on Julie Hendricks

Troy Hendricks, UB endorsed missionary in Spain, gave this update on Facebook about his wife Julie and the broken knee she suffered in mid-December: “Just back from Julie’s follow-up appointment with the surgeon, and he removed the stitches and strips that were holding the incision. He said the knee looks good. Now comes the really tough part of physical therapy. He told Julie to begin today and only wear the brace when she leaves the house. Long painful road ahead, but HE has brought us thus far and will carry us onward!”

04 Jan Melissa Kline: Christmas in Macau

Melissa Kline, UB staff in Macau
On December 20, Living Stone Church celebrated Christmas by throwing a “birthday party.” For David and me, it was an incredibly special Sunday.

• An English Language Program student from 8 years ago came with her family, and her son sang in the kids choir.
• A PV student from 4 years ago came and brought his brother and cousin.
• Three ladies from the women’s Bible study that has been meeting for 9+ years came along with a couple of their children.

Seeing all of these people in one room at LSC was the most amazing feeling. God does have us here for a reason!

29 Dec Use Direct Deposit to Support Missions

Now, you can use Direct Deposit to support the work of Global Ministries. Donations, including monthly support for individuals, can be transferred automatically from your bank account.

No checks to write. No stamps to find, or envelopes to address. You don’t even need to remember that your support is due. It all happens automatically. And it’s very secure.

A few advantages:

• Convenient. Transfers occur automatically. You don’t need to write checks, find the address, locate the previous receipt, fill out the envelope, pay for stamps, etc.
• Timely. Your gift is transferred at the same time every month. You don’t need to remember to make the gift.
• Secure. Electronic fund transfers are among the most reliable, accurate, and secure methods of payment. There are no checks or receipts to be lost, stolen, or delayed in the mail. Every check you write contains written information about your bank account. That’s not an issue with electronic transfers.
• Good stewardship. Global Ministries doesn’t need to spend time opening envelopes and processing gifts.

Learn more and sign up from the Global Ministries site.

28 Dec Church Planter, Artisan, and No Power Tools

Pastor Anacleto is both a church planter and artisan. When he is not leading his congregation in Queretaro, Mexico, he is supporting himself and his family by building rustic furniture.

I work a little with wood, but have a ton of power tools that make me look pretty good. Pastor Anacleto does all of his work by hand, including the carving you see in this photo. He has no power tools.

All our pastors in Mexico are bi-vocational and nearly all consider themselves first and foremost church planters. As one pastor asked me, “Aren’t all pastors church planters?”

22 Dec Ruth Ann Price Slowing Down, Sort Of

Ruth Ann Price reports that in December, she began a reduced assignment with Wycliffe Bible Translators.

• She won’t make extended overseas trips anymore. The longest will be 4-6 weeks (which certainly sounds “extended” to most of us). On December 26, she will travel to Asia for four weeks.
• She’ll spend more time at her home in Huntington, Ind..
• She will invest both semesters of the year (rather than just one semester) in her role as Missionary-in-Residence at Huntington University, teaching and mentoring young people who feel called to Christian service.

Ruth Ann is an endorsed UB missionary who has spent nearly her entire adult career with Wycliffe. She is also a member of the Global Ministries Leadership Team.

Ruth Ann says, “I do not plan to retire now (I’m having too much fun doing what I do), but I will continue part-time as long as God gives me good health, to contribute to the caue of Bible translation and sharing Christ globally.”

21 Dec Tribal Churches Continue to Grow

At one of our church plants.

While visiting in India recently, I had the opportunity to visit a number of churches in a tribal region. Each group we visited had been waiting patiently for our arrival.

As we approached the first tiny building, I wondered just how many people might be inside. My first clue came when I encountered a huge pile of sandals outside the door.

Seems East Indians are not nearly as concerned about personal space as we are in the West. The building was full to overflowing with people sitting on rice bags on the floor. There are currently thirteen such churches, and we have opportunity to plant more in the near future.

19 Dec The Hendricks Family–All of Them–Heading to US

When we last reported on the Hendricks family, two days ago, they were still deciding whether Julie, with her broken knee, should make the trip back to the States with the rest of the family. Well, they decided to go that route, and things are working out, thanks to a friend whose daughter works for Delta. Troy, on Facebook Saturday morning, left this note:

Julie has a business class seat and we are in the first row of coach right behind her. This morning went so smoothly. It is evident that many people are praying for us and interceding on our behalf. Julie is doing so well, it is truly, truly a God thing.

17 Dec Missionary Julie Hendricks Breaks Knee

Julie Hendricks, UB endorsed missionary in Spain, tripped in their home and broke a bone in her knee. She underwent surgery on Monday, December 14, and everything went well. She was released from the hospital on December 16.

The family had been planning to travel to the United States this Saturday, December 19. They are still trying to decide what to do. Julie writes, “Troy and the kids will go either way, as they really need to be with Troy’s mom. Even though it certainly won’t be comfortable, we are leaning toward my going.”

She leaves these prayer requests:

• For the pain to continue to be manageable.
• For the flights to be the most comfortable possible, with a way for me to have my leg propped up, and for understanding people around us.
• That our time with Troy’s mom, Sharon, would be an encouragement to her in every way: physically, emotionally and spiritually.
• For healing of my knee.

14 Dec Christmas with Our Burmese Friends

Our Burmese family prepares to serve us a meal. Bob and Kathy Bruce are seated on the right.

Over the past few months, Charlene and I have been part of a “Circle of Friends” helping a refugee Burmese family in Fort Wayne, Ind. This family came to the US after 18 years in a Thai camp. Fort Wayne has about 5000 immigrants from Burma, the largest Burmese refugee population in the United States. The majority of them are Muslims who carry with them many of their own traditions and customs.

However, this family is not completely united. The husband and father of six passed away just a year before they gained the opportunity to start their lives over again in a new homeland. The cause of death remains a mystery, but it seems he may have died from a brain hemorrhage. The eldest son, who would logically fulfill the role of primary wage earner, is stuck in Malaysia due to a bureaucratic oversight.

This past week our circle, which includes Bob and Kathy Bruce of Emmanuel Community Church in Fort Wayne, took a number of Burmese families out to see Christmas lights around the city. We borrowed a bus from Emmanuel and filled it with children and their parents. They were fascinated by the Christmas lights around town.

Later, the family we help support provided a delicious Burmese meal in their home. They seemed thrilled to do something in return for the help they’ve received, and we were pleased to see our friendship move one step deeper.