Haiti Report

Last month Terry traveled to Haiti to reunite with pastors and leaders we support. It was also to see what the Lord would have Mantle Ministries do there at this time. From the mountains, the country looks beautiful, but up close is the devastating poverty and brokenness of the people.
Some things have changed and some have not. The earthquake caused a great deal of devastation in an already impoverished country.

Below is the devastation of the parliament building.
Relief organizations from around the world brought many tents and much more. Below is a tent city. This was built in a park and for many may be a nicer home than they ever experienced.
Truck loads of clothes were delivered to the churches and neighborhoods. Below is brother Benny from Alpha Ministries in India, very familiar with developing countries, serving the Haitian people.
A trip to the port brought many more donations. Below is brother John who was delighted to serve the Haitians once again.
With the donations of the generous people we bought rice and oil to deliver to the hungry in the churches and neighborhoods. We are so grateful for those who in difficult times, reached out to be a blessing to those more unfortunate than they are.

Passing out the food and clothing is always a challenge in Haiti.
Below is the church in Artis. An earlier hurricane blew most of the church's roof away and the back wall was detached from the foundation. So they have rebuilt it wider and added a second story. But what has not changed, is that the people still walk hours to attend church in the best outfit they own with a hunger to know Jesus.
Inside the church.
Twenty years ago, we went every summer to deliver a VBS up in the mountains. It was so exciting to meet some of the now adults, remember coming to our VBS as children and now members of the church. Seeing fruit years later is a wonderful experience.

As Jesus said in Mk. 14.7 "..you always have the poor with you and whenever you can, do good to them..."

HAITI - EAST MEETS WEST

This little country, almost hidden in the vast ocean, is not hidden from the heart of God



Next Week Terry will be traveling to Haiti and reuniting with this country and the ministers we have worked with in the past. John Puleo, who has experience with work teams will we joining him. John has helped build churches and schools in this nation in the past. Terry has ministered and helped start churches. Joining them on this trip is our dear friend Benny Mathews, who has an established ministry in India.

It is very exciting to help the East meet the West and see what the future holds.


Please keep these men in your prayers. They will be leaving Wednesday, April 21 and returning a week later. We are excited to see what the future holds.

DOUBLE PORTION

"...in your land you shall possess a double portion; yours shall be everlasting joy." Isa. 61:7


On March 22, 2010 we received more of our heritage from the Lord. (Ps. 127:3) Tommy and Keri gave us two more beautiful grandchildren. The twins have finally arrived - Jonathan Edward 7lbs 1oz - 20 inches (on the right) and David Thomas 6lbs 12oz - -181/2 inches. (on the left) Thank you Lord for our beautiful healthy baby boys. Our heart has enlarged once again

Ps 34:3 O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together!

HAITI- THEN AND NOW

Twenty years ago, Terry and I cut our teeth in missions in the impoverished country of Haiti. We would take a ministry team down there almost every summer. For years our home church has sponsored missionaries and children in this country. Due to the latest earth quake disaster, Terry felt impressed to take a trip in April to assess the situation and see what the Lord would have Mantle Ministries due in the near future, whether it is work teams, ministry teams or both. Below is a picture of the VBS where children would walk for hours to attend. They would wait for us to come and teach them about Jesus.


We would travel up in the mountains and all around the remote villages. In this village we did an evangelistic service where many gave their lives to God. That ministry team also left the fiances to establish a church.
We adopted these children in our hearts and it was always difficult to leave them. The children in these pictures are now adults.


The children are walking to the area where we held the village VBS. They would scream with delight as we drove into their area. These pictures from 20 years ago bring back such heartfelt memories.

We would like to thank all of you who made donations to Haiti. Terry will personally bring down the finances ear marked for Haiti to insure that it gets used by those in the most need . Haiti will always be dear to our hearts.

DETAILED REPORT OF INDIA-2010

On Feb 1st, Terry was invited to minister in India only two days after our youngest daughter's wedding. Upon arriving and despite jet lag and time difference of 10&1/2 hours he was driven to a city crusade. The succeeding days he was taken out into a very remote village in the area of Vyara in the state of Maharasdra. As you can see from the picture, this large tent is set up in such a remote area. The tent seems to be in the middle of no where.
But this is where Alpha Ministries held their Alpha Impact 2010 Pastors and Leadership Conference. They had police and what is the Indian equivalent of our F.B.I. checking things out. But with God's favor they did not interrupt the meetings.


Where do they all come from? Over 1000 pastors and leaders were registered. Many had walked for miles to attend. They would sit on the floor for hours absorbing all the teachings and spend the night on mats. They have an amazing hunger to seek God and learn. Below is the women's side of the tent.

Below is a view of the men's side from the back of the tent.


At the conclusion of the Pastors and Leadership Conference, Terry had the unique experience to preach on a roof top meeting back in the inner-city. This was a church meeting, but the spotlight and amplification of Terry's voice drew the attention of the Hindu neighbors giving them the opportunity to hear the gospel.


Another first time opportunity was the visit to the Kripa Foundation. It is a secular center for alcoholics, drug addicts and AIDS victims. Also present were some children diagnosed with the HIV virus. A member of Alpha Church is the director and invited Terry to come and share his testimony and the gospel of Jesus Christ.



Here are some pictures Terry took while walking through the streets of India. You can see a local sidewalk barber and dentist. You never know what you will find on these streets.




Toward the end of the week, there was the invitation to preach at the Alpha Church. It was very exciting to reunite with friends of many years. This church was the original church which parents thousands of churches all over India and internationally. Once again, a huge thank you to all of you who made this trip possible. We can rejoice together for all the lives God touched. It is exciting to be a part of what God is doing around the world.