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Bishop Phil Whipple learned on the way back to America from Honduras that an uncle in Rockford, Ill., had died. He made arrangements to fly out of Indianapolis Friday evening for the funeral, and return Saturday evening.
General Conference delegates lay hands in prayer on Oliam Richard, Superintendent of Haiti.
The day opened with sadness, which was actually a carry-over from Tuesday: the terrible earthquake in Haiti. Oliam Richard, our Haitian superintendent, was terribly concerned, especially since his wife, Esther, had flown into Haiti the day before the earthquake.
Oliam spent the night glued to CNN and seeking information on the internet. This morning, he felt he must try to get back to Haiti, and we can understand that.
Denis Casco, bishop of Mexico, took him to the La Ceiba airport to check on connections. There were none. They could get him to Tegucigalpa, Honduras, but couldn’t make any promises beyond that.
So, Denis urged Oliam to stay in La Ceiba, where he had accomodations, and Oliam agreed. However, he skipped the General Conference meeting today, staying at the hotel and no doubt gleaning whatever news he could of Haiti. He tried various ways to get through, but in vain.
During tonight’s closing service at the Bethel II church in La Ceiba, the congregation (and it was packed) took up an offering for Haiti. Rev. Richard didn’t attend the evening service. However, back at the hotel, all the General Conference delegates gathered around him, and the money was presented to him by Marilyn Reeck. Then the delegates laid hands on him, and several prayed aloud for him.
We’ll just need to pray that during the next few days, amidst the exstreme chaos, Oliam will be able to reach not only Haiti, but his wife Esther.
Bishop Winston Smith of Jamaica gives the morning devotions.
Billy Simbo (with the Sierra Leonean flag) reported on the work in Sierra Leone.
Steve Dennie (with translator Orville Brown) leading a seminar on "Communications in the Age of the Internet."
L-r: Ajiax Wo (Hong Kong Superintendent), Jeff Dice (UB missionary), Karis Vong (Hong Kong delegate).
David Raudales (on keyboard) and Orville Brown led singing during the Tuesday night service.l
Bishop Phil Whipple preaching Tuesday night.
The highlight of Tuesday was most definitely accepting Guatemala as a new United Brethren national conference. But a lot more happened.
Bishop Winston Smith (Jamaica) began the day with devotions.
Three national conferences still had to report on their countries.
After lunch came two workshops.
Other highlights of the day:
The General Conference delegates pray over Francisco Najera (left) and Rolando Valenzuela of Guatemala Conference.
L-r: Translator Orville Brown, Supt. Juan Pavon Pavon of Nicaragua, Brian Magnus, Donna Hollopeter.
Francisco Najera talking about the work in Guatemala.
On Tuesday afternoon of General Conference, January 12, the 13 United Brethren churches of Guatemala were officially accepted as the 10th national conference of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ International. The recommendation was signed by the various national conference leaders attending.
Up to this point, Guatemala has been a mission district of Nicaragua Conference. Juan Pavon Pavon, superintendent of Nicaragua, gave the background.
A leader from his church in Masaya, Nicaragua, was on his way to Mexico, but had to stay in Guatemala for a couple days. He met a family that was interested in starting a church, and they inquired about the United Brethren. One thing led to another, and Juan Pavon received an invitation to come visit Guatemala.
Juan spoke to them about United Brethren doctrine and the way we work, and they liked what they heard. Things took off from there. A church started in that neighborhood, and now there are many branches in that neighborhood. They also worked to secure the proper legal documentation, and to organize a board of directors according to Guatemalan law.
Juan then asked Superintendent Francisco Najera to share more about the work in Guatemala.
Francisco was there from the beginning. “When the work was starting and I arrived at the location, I reconciled to God at that church.” He said some new churches started when members relocated, others through friendships they developed with other Christians who have now joined them and accepted the United Brethren vision.
“In Guatemala, it is not very hard to establish a church,” he said. “I live in an area with 50,000 people. There are no churches with 1000 members. That tells me a great outreach can be done. There are many churches, but more people to reach.”
He also gave this information:
The recommendation from the examining committee stated:
Having reviewed the governing documents and interviewed representatives of the General Conference, we do hereby recommend their acceptance as a national conference of the United Brethren in Christ.
Together with this recommendation, we would also recommend that we continue working with this new conference to provide opportunities for continuing education for its pastors and leaders, particularly in regard to United Brethren theology and doctrine.
Bishop Billy Simbo of Sierra Leone said, “I move that we accept the recommendation.” It was approved unanimously.
Bishop Brian Magnus of Canada then directed everyone to gather around the two Guatemalan delegates, Francisco Najera and Rolando Valenzuela. They laid hands on them in prayer as Rev. Jose Ramirez of Honduras prayed.
Five years ago, there were 7 national conferences. We added 2 in 2005. And now there are 10.
Bishop Phil Whipple is preaching at tonight’s General Conference service in La Ceiba, Honduras. The service will be held at one of the local churches. He’s been having some stomach problems, so you might say a prayer that he’ll be just fine tonight.
The elder team at Elem3nt Church, Blissfield, Michigan, announced yesterday that Gayle Ruble, Jr. will be taking the helm as senior leader after serving as interim Teaching Pastor since September 3, 2009 when Dave Riddle stepped down. Prior to that, Gayle had served at the church as its Adrian, Michigan campus pastor and Group Life Pastor. He and his wife, Leslie, live in Adrian.
Juanita Chavez (standing, left), superintendent of Honduras Conference, speaks to everyone before the breakfast meal.
Francisco Raudales (far right) with Jeff Dice, UB nontraditional missionary currently studying Spanish in Costa Rica. The rest of the men at the table are from several different Central American countries.
L-r: Winston Smith (Jamaica), Brian Magnus (Canada), Phil Whipple (USA), Oliam Richard (Haiti).
On Sunday morning, the General Conference delegates and guests ate breakfast at a beautiful retreat center in the hills surrounded by lush tropical vegetation. Just stunning. A buffet breakfast–fruit, pancakes, eggs, sausage, ham–was prepared for us.
After eating, we moved to another building for a service. All of the attending delegates and guests were introduced. The delegates from Mexico hadn’t yet arrived, and Ajiax Wo, from Hong Kong, was still stuck in New York City. But most everyone else was there.
Then we heard a message from a Central American who had been giving the keynote addresses during the Honduras National Conference. Although he spoke good English, endorsed missionary Roger Reeck translated for him. It was a superb message, taken from Colossians 4.
Donna Hollopeter spent a good share of Thursday trying to obtain travel visas for Theresa Musa (from Sierra Leone) and Aaron Lim (Philippines) for the General Conference meeting in Honduras January 10-14.
Very disappointing news today: the US Consulate in Manila, Philippines, denied a transit visa for Aaron Lim, son of Superintendent Prudencio Lim. He had his visa for Honduras, and just needed a visa to pass through an American airport on his way to Honduras.
Global Ministries made heroic attempts to procure this visa. They met all of the requirements, jumping through every hoop, plus all the hoops that kept being added. Yesterday, a letter from a US Congressman was sitting on the desk of the consulate officer in Manila when Aaron came for his interview. The officer’s reason for denying the visa: the letter didn’t include the cost of the hotel in Honduras. Huh?
The denial applied only to Aaron. His father, Prudencio Lim, had all the necessary documentation, having traveled before (he came to the US in 2005 for General Conference). Nevertheless, neither of them will attend General Conference, which is a big disappointment to them and to the General Conference.
Meanwhile, the Honduran consulate in New York City said Theresa Musa’s information was in order. The officer said he would grant the visa…if Theresa was sitting there in his office. He needed to see her personally. Unfortunately, Theresa was in Huntington, Ind., in Donna’s office.
So Thursday night, Theresa flew to New York City and stayed with friends there. This morning, she will meet with the Honduran consulate officer who promised that if he could see her in person, he would grant the visa. Then she’ll fly back to Indiana in the evening. The flight to Honduras begins at 6:30 Saturday morning.
Let’s hope and pray that Theresa returns to Indiana with a visa in hand.
UPDATE (10:55 am, Friday): Theresa got her stamped visa! Praise the Lord for that!
L-r: Alan Simbo, Theresa Musa, and Billy Simbo. They arrived in Huntington today to begin the journey to Honduras for General Conference. On Saturday morning, they’ll travel with the United States contingent. Billy is Bishop of Sierra Leone Conference, Theresa is the other delegate, and Alan, Billy’s son, is tagging along as an observer.
Donna Hollopeter is working on getting a visa to Honduras for Theresa. Likewise for Prudencio Lim and son Aaron, from the Philippines. Phone calls are being made to Congressmen and government agencies. A little prayer couldn’t hurt.
Honduras Conference started Wednesday, January 6, in La Ceiba, Honduras. This will be the first conference presided over by Rev. Juanita Chavez, who was elected superintendent of Honduras Conference in January 2009.
The conference will conclude on Sunday morning at the Bethel UB church in La Ceiba. Then, a service on Sunday night will kick-off the international General Conference.
Each national conferences can send two voting delegates–the highest leader in the conference, plus one other person. Here is our list, albeit incomplete, of delegates.
Canada
Rev. Brian Magnus, bishop of the United Brethren Church in Canada
Paul Plato, layperson and Missions Team Leader
Guatemala (applying as a new national conference)
Rev. Francisco Najera Ventura, superintendent
Rev. Rolando Valenzuela, pastor
Honduras
Rev. Juanita Chavez, superintendent
One other delegate
Hong Kong
Rev. Ajiax Wo, superintendent
Karis Wong, pastor of Living Water church in Macau
Jamaica
Rev. Winston Smith, bishop
Rev. Isaac Nugent, pastor
Mexico
Rev. Denis Casco, bishop
One other delegate
Nicaragua
Rev. Juan Pavon Pavon, superintendent
Rev. Henry Osorio, pastor
Philippines
Rev. Prudencio Lim, superintendent
Mr. Aaron Lim, layperson (son of Prudencio Lim)
Sierra Leone
Rev. Billy K. Simbo, bishop
Mrs. Theresa Musa, layperson
United States
Rev. Phil Whipple, bishop
Rev. Jeff Bleijerveld, Global Ministries director
Several invited guests (without vote) will also attend.
Brian Magnus, as chairman of the International Executive Committee, will preside over the General Conference meetings.
