26 Mar Billy Simbo to Leave April 26

Gary Dilley, Director of Global Ministries, writes:

“Global Ministries set April 26 as the target date for Billy Simbo to leave for Sierra Leone and begin his role as the highest leader of our churches there. Billy is going as a United Brethren missionary and will serve for three years. He will work with 55 churches, many schools, the Mattru Hospital, and new church planting ventures.

“Billy will likely leave first. Mamei will finish dealing with some medical issues, and then will join her husband.

“We are at a critical time in Sierra Leone’s history, and believe, by faith, that God will raise up sufficient financial partners for their departure at that time. Their outgoing expenses have been funded, and they have partners for almost 50% of their monthly support. One-time gifts toward their monthly support are very helpful, as well.”

23 Mar Death of a UB Haitian Ministerial Student

Delmon was a sharp young man from one of our United Brethren churches in Haiti. For four years, he prayed for the chance to study for the ministry. He finally got that chance, and was able to enter Jamaica Bible College.

On March 22, Delmon underwent surgery for an aortic aneurysm, and the need to replace his aortic heart valve. Owen Gordon, President of Jamaica Bible College, informed us this morning that Delmon was unable to overcome the complications. He died last night.

Gary Dilley, Director of Global Ministries, writes, “I grieve the loss of sharp young guy preparing for leadership in the Haiti UB work, a person who very much loved Jesus.”

08 Mar Benulda Saenz Available to Speak

One of the leaders of Honduras Conference, Pastor Benulda Saenz, is currently in the United States, and she would be interested in sharing with or speaking at Pennsylvania area churches between March 19 and April 2. If you would like to know more, please contact Gary Dilley at Global Ministries.

08 Mar Billy Simbo – April 26 Target for Sierra Leone

Gary Dilley, Director of Global Ministries, write, “We have set a target date of April 26th for Billy Simbo to leave for Sierra Leone and begin his leadership role with that conference. Billy will likely leave first. His wife, Mamei, will finish dealing with some medical issues, and then will join her husband.

“We are at a critical time in Sierra Leone’s history, and believe, by faith, that God will raise up sufficient financial partners for their departure at that time. Please pray for God’s favor upon them. If you’d like to partner with the Simbo’s, please contact Global Ministries.

12 Jan Macau: Updates from Jen Blandin

Jennifer Blandin, UB missionary in Macau, sent these news updates on January 7.

• Christmas time is a wonderful time and opportunity to share about who Jesus is and have discussions concerning God. We are often busy making cookies, addressing cards, and wrapping gifts to give to people. It’s a great way to build relationships and let people know we care about them. It can open the door to more meaningful discussions later. This Christmas was no different. Parties were held, gifts were wrapped, and cookie plates were made. It was a lot of fun! But there were also a few other “new” things that happened this year. Living Stone Church held it’s first Christmas Eve service, which was followed by a church potluck. The church also participated with two other Taipa churches to go caroling around Taipa Island. These events were both neat ways to spread cheer and Jesus’ message around the community.
• During Christmas my friend Ms. Cheong and her two children came back to Macau for a visit. I’ve mentioned before that they now live in England. Ms. Cheong’s daughter is in college and her son is in high school. It was fun to have time with them and catch up on how life has been going. God’s two-part gift to me this year was to see Ms. Cheong and her kids come together to the Christmas Eve service. Always in the past, Ms. Cheong has come alone to church services! The second part of the gift was to hear Ms. Cheong say she believes in Jesus! While she is still not sure of all the nitty-gritty stuff of walking with Jesus, her acknowledging her belief and desire to build a relationship with him was wonderful! I can’t explain the deep joy I felt this Christmas, but it was special.
• During January the English Language Program will try a few new things. In addition to our regular classes, we will offer a few other meeting times: Tuesday and Thursday afternoons and a Saturday class. This will be only a temporary trial, just to see if it helps meet some needs of the community and help us gauge what some other potential class times could be.
• Living Stone Church will offer its first membership class toward the middle of January. It is hard to believe that the church is still less than a year old and there are people open to a deeper commitment to the church. It has been fun to see how God continues to move and work in and through the church!
• Our secretary, Sally, will leave us at the end of January. She has found a job in the medical field and feels now is the time to take that step. Pray that a new secretary would be found soon for us.

11 Jan Billy and Mamei Simbo Prepare for Sierra Leone

Billy and Mamei Simbo continue to prepare for service in Sierra Leone, West Africa, where Billy will lead the conference through the transition needed to minister in an increasingly Islamic land. The Simbos are grateful for the many gifts that have come toward their one-time ministry expenses for getting on the field (vehicle, shipping, office, etc.).

Their greatest need right now is for churches, Sunday school classes, and families who will invest in their ongoing support over the next three years. They currently have partners for 16% of their monthly support. If a church or family makes a one-time gift toward their monthly support, that is still very helpful.

11 Jan Three Trips Sponsored by Global Ministries

Honduras: March 16-24. Preparations are underway for the next Global Ministries-sponsored medical mission trip. A team will conduct daily clinics in five villages outside of Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Currently there are 16 people on the team, with openings for an additional four people. Needed are nurses, LPNs, EMTs, Nurse Practitioners, doctors, Physician’s Assistants, and support personnel.

Final date for becoming a part of the team is January 15. Cost for the trip is $1200 per person. That includes everything but meals in airports and money for souvenirs. If you are interested in this trip, please contact Donna Hollopeter in the Global Ministries office: 1-888-622-3019 ext. 206.

Philippines: March 14-24, 2007. Global Ministries is working with Pastor Mike Brown on a trip to the Philippines in March. The cost is $1300 per person. This includes everything but food in airports and souvenirs. The group will assist in evangelistic services about eight hours outside of Manila in a spiritually needy part of Luzon. They will work with our conference leader, Pastor Prudencio Lim. If you are interested in this trip, please contact Donna Hollopeter in the Global Ministries office: 1-888-622-3019.

Impact Poland: June 22 – July 5, 2007. Global Ministries is sponsoring a trip to Kutno, Poland, from June 22 – July 5. This trip is for high school students and adult advisers, and is designed to help develop student leaders from our US churches as they minister at an English Language Day Camp with Polish teens. Jody Sarno, a member of King Street UB church (Chambersburg, Pa.) and a youth adviser, is the team leader.

The cost is $1700 per person. This cost includes everything but food in airports and souvenirs. At the end of the trip, the team will travel to Krakow, Poland, for a couple days of sightseeing before returning home. Cost for this side trip is included in the price.

If you are interested in this trip, please contact either Donna Hollopeter in the Global Ministries office (1-888-622-3019, ext. 206) or Jody Sarno by email. There are a number of openings still available for this trip.

11 Jan Haiti Update – New Church Underway

A major initiative this year in our Haitian work has been to establish an urban church in the growing capital city of Port Au Prince. A group from our Canadian UB churches joined Pastor Oliam Richard and other Haitian pastors and lay leaders in an evangelistic crusade. During three nights, 73 people came to Christ.

A follow-up meeting was held the next day for persons who made a profession of faith in Christ. They all came back…plus five more people. A second follow-up meeting was held four days later. A total of 83 came for this meeting.

The first service of this new congregation was held Sunday, December 10, at 6:00 a.m. Over 125 attended. We praise God for this new church in the heart of the city.

13 Nov Bethel Band – Best in Central America

The Bethel Band performing in the Central America Marching Band competition.

The Bethel School Marching Band took first place as Overall Best Band in the recent Central America Marching Band Competition. Bands from seven countries participated. David Raudales and his father, Honduran Superintendent Francisco Raudales, are the band directors.

The Bethel School is an educational extension of Honduras Conference, with several thousand students in La Ceiba, Honduras. Maira Raudales, Francisco’s wife, is principal of the high school.