HAITI- SUMMER MISSIONS

In June we returned to our beloved friends in Haiti.  We ministered to the children in five churches.  Pastor Lamartine hosted his yearly conference, and we were able  to finance  the transportation for the pastors and their congregation from other churches to attend. Our team also fed them and ministered to them and the surrounding poor community. Although the language barrier was difficult at times, the fellowship we experienced following was greatly valued.

  This first video is the children following me out of the church after the children's ministry program.

This video is the worship in one of the churches we ministered.

We were part of our first water baptism in Haiti this summer. What a special time with them.

                                           

Here is a small glimpse of Danielle, the kid magnet on this trip. 

After years of ministry in Haiti, the Haitians will always hold a special place in our hearts.

MACOMB CORRECTIONAL FACILITY

Mantle Ministries has been involved in prison ministry at the maximum security prison for men for several years.  The Macomb Correctional Facility houses about 1400 prisoners.  Terry will be ministering there this Sunday which gave me the desire to develop a post about this significant but often forgotten home missions.

In the five years that Chaplain Sheerer (pictured above)  has been working there, the church in the prison has grown.     Level 4 (maximum security) had less than 10 men attending on Sundays and now there are over 50 that attend on a regular basis.  Level 2 went from 30 prisoners to about 130 attending every Sunday.  Level 1 barely existed and now has a regular attendance of around 15-20. Terry has been preaching at the facility monthly and looks forward to his time ministering to these men. I also enjoy ministering in the men's prison and visit when I am available.   There are men growing and serving God in a passionate way and have shown faithfulness, character and passion for Jesus. God has placed on chaplain's heart to develop these men as leaders.  There is a special anointing when ministering in this setting. Prison ministry is mentioned by Jesus and specifically emphasized in His Word.  Please keep this ministry, chaplain and these men in prayer.  There are  a couple hundred men actively trying to evangelize the prison population, not an easy task.  But Christ truly is the hope for their future and the healer of their pain.  

TRAINING - PASSAIC, NEW JERSEY

We have just returned from a trip to Primera Iglisia Metodista Libre church, located in Passaic, New Jersey.  We went there to train a group of college young adults to work as volunteers for our CFL Kids' Camp this summer.  

Here is a picture of these wonderful, dedicated, passionate, delightful young adults.  Many go to school full time, work a job, volunteer in the church, and help support their families.  The maturity of this group was evident from the start.  They showed up early to help set up, stayed late to help clean up, took copious notes, asked impressive questions and brought us coffee and lunch. We are so excited to have this group join our team this summer.

Pat teaching at one of the training sessions.

An extra blessing for us was to be there for Good Friday church service.  Below is the Pastor Hector Fernandez and spiritual father of our son in law, Tommy Sheerer.  Such a precious man of God.  All of the young adults we interviewed for our camp, absolutely love and respect this man.

Now we have to wait until July to reunite with our new friends and family in New Jersey.

GUATEMALA

In January we were invited to Guatemala to help with some ministry and  to work along side Pastor Carl and Trish where they had been laboring for the past year. There was a time of ministering to a graduation class that completed a course taught by Pastor Carl.  We were also involved in a teacher training class for those involved in children's ministry, with times of working along side of them as we ministered to the children. The trip also involved Sunday morning and evening church services including children's programs. Below is a picture of the ministry team.

We ministered to the children at three different churches.  Below is a skit where they were challenged to follow Jesus.

Pat made many new friends on this trip

Below shows how much they enjoyed and engaged in the ministry.  At least one of the churches had not seen ministry for children performed in quite this way.  It was enjoyment for all of us to be a part of.

One of the village churches.

The children came packed in vans and hanging out on the outside, yelling shouts of joy as they arrived.

A Sunday Service with adults and children.

Guatemala is a beautiful country full of active volcanoes and mountains.  To work alongside our Senior Pastor Bob and long time friends, Pastors Carl and Trish was a blessing.

IRELAND - 2012

Last November we went to Life Church in Ireland for a family conference.  While Terry ministered to the adults the children had a guest speaker from our church, Mr. Marv.  The children loved  being involved in the bible skits.

We also spent time with those interested in teaching children at their new church plant, and had a time of teacher training, questions and prayer for this new ministry.

Terry and I were also invited to minister in  another town at a meeting to young adults.  They transformed a theater on main street into a modern church. It was a great trip and we truly always enjoyed our time with our friends in Ireland.