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.  

SOUTH AFRICA

Twenty volunteers traveled with Mantle Ministries to South Africa to work with Key of Hope.  We took 50 children to camp from squatter villages.  The purpose was to deepen their relationship with Jesus, devotions, fun activities and crafts, games, birthday party, nighttime ministry, worshiping for hours around a campfire, times for loving and encouraging one on one, knowing they are loved and have a purpose for their lives. 

Pastor Dan recently sent us an email and stated:

"We continue to see lasting changes in the kids who went to camp.  What a difference it has made in them, and consequently in our ability to mentor and disciple them.  For many of them, it seem like we hit the fast forward button on the discipleship process, and jumped forward a year in one week. God is amazing.  Thank you so much for obedience and for the sacrifices made for these kids."

They were encouraged to be brave 

and take some challenges.

The morning devotions were precious and times where they shared their lives with us.

Coming back from the challenge courses in the woods.

The team members connected and loved these kids all week long.  It was special for all.

True Champions

The princess party.  A child of the King is truly a princess. A precious moment when the girls shared what was in their hearts.

What is camp without puppets.  The kids laughed with great joy each night 

when the puppets appeared.

The greatest part of this trip was the one on one we had with so many of the kids.  Here is Pastor Bob encouraging one of the boys that did not come to camp but came to Sat. Kidz Club.

We returned to Durbin and our team ministered at  the Saturday Kidz Club, thus getting a chance to meet the other hundreds of kids this ministry works with weekly.

We are already preparing for next years trip.  God is so amazing.  Many of our team members where challenged in their personal life and still processing all that the Lord did on this trip.  Thank you Lord Jesus for this wonderful opportunity.

Meet Eliana Grace

Two days after returning from our trip to Romania, our blessed little Eliana Grace was born to our youngest daughter and her husband,  Lance and Jeni Cupp.  

She was born on August 17th at 4:05am.  Weighing in at 8 pounds, 7 ounces, with a height of 20 inches, she came into the world just perfect as can be.

 We never cease to be amazed at the perfect work of our Lord in His creation.  

She is our 9th grandchild and the Lord has once again enlarged our hearts.

Welcome to the family precious Eliana. 

 Isa. 40:11 "He shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom,and will gently lead those that have their young.

SUMMER MISSIONS - 2012

Where have the Carlson's been this summer. 

 In June we took a team of 15 to impoverished country of Haiti.  One team member said "I thought we were going to visit the poor, I had no idea the whole country was poor. 

 Below  is pictured one of the altar calls in one of four churches we ministered at this summer.  The forth church in Mirebalis had never had a VBS before.  The excitement and welcome was overwhelming.  The kids chased the bus right out of the village.  We promised to return.

We did some home visits.  This is our team praying for an old sick woman who was so grateful we came and personally visited her. 

Some of the wonderful times of fellowship with the youth in travel to our next destination. 

Our mission house was connected to an orphanage.  Many of the team members spent as much time as they could loving on these children.

 Ministering the VBS was so rewarding. The team of youth and youth workers poured their hearts into the lives of these children.

The Pastor loved our message of the two kingdoms, the kingdom of God and the kingdom of this world.

 IN JULY, we did two weeks of Champions for Life Kids' Camp.  It was our 10th anniversary since the inception of this camp.  We saw God minister to the hearts of these abused children once again.  Thank you Lord for the faithfulness to the orphans and the poor, as you have promised.

 In just a few hours we will be leaving for Romania.  We will be there for 12 days.  We have been asked to bring a VBS program for two locations this year.  We are so excited to once again work with these passionate young adults wanting to get the next generation knowing, loving and serving God.  Terry will also minister at the Sunday services and at a camp out with the men.  Pat will be attending a ladies fellowship to encourage the women of the church.  And of course there will be many times of one on one with their leadership.

Please keep us in your prayers.  It has been a very busy summer.  Sometimes we are only home for two weeks to unpack, do laundry, catch up on church responsibilities, visit our 8 grandchildren (soon to be 9) and then off to the mission field once again.