Christ Fellowship Missions

the way God moves...

Wow! This has been an awesome week! We continued a work that we began last year at the Good Samaritan Church we extended the floor. We were able to do VBS with 100 children and to show the Jesus film at night to many children and adults in that same community. Today, we completed the new work we began in Plan 3000. This community was a sister church for another work we began last year. God is multiplying the body of believers here and Bolivia. And We have had the priviledge to be apart of the work.

Once again I am amazed how God works. For MaryAnn Draghi, Eudaldo Cuello, and Janelle Sanchez this was their first time serving in missions in Bolivia. To be here in Bolivia spreading the Gospel and allowing the Holy Spirit to control is again another testament. If we just allow ourselves to be available to do God’s Will then he will do the rest. I tell you they were on fire for the Lord. Their love for the Lord and for lost people was evident. It’s amazing how the Lord works and how he works through us making his appeal as we are His ambassadors.

-vannick smith

dealing with the issues

Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls, children of all ages... oh wait wrong blog!

Just kidding. Hey! I wanted to talk a little about day 2 from my P.O.V. (my last post actually was about saturday but i hit the post button around 1215am so, sorry for the mix up. it WILL happen again) monday we did alot of door to door witnessing in the neighborhood surrounding a church we're aiding in construction. we split our team up in two's and partnered with two bolivians per group.

it was good. we saw alot of people very curious about Christ and what it meant to have a relationship with God. I had a chance to talk to two guy on the side of the road we were walking down. I'll be honest, i was a little intimidated but why not access that spirit of power i've got right? right! Turns out they were both drunk and reeked of alcohol. weird, i actually wanted to talk to them more than some other people who we met at their doorsteps. good experience. one guy didn't really pay attention but the other really wanted to understand me. He asked alot of questions and made comments that pointed to an actual concern about his future. He didn't choose Christ that day, but i know his life was impacted.

One of the things that i'm noticing though in people (both in our city and in Santa cruz) is that yes, they want Christ as Lord and they ask Him to come into their life but, the valid life-transformation isn't occurring. I think, personally, that that is an issue we need to address when we witness. Sometimes we meet a person who says: yes, i prayed to receive Christ a month go, a year ago or an even longer time ago but, when you ask them "now how is your life different than before?" they don't really have much to say in support of the decision. We spoke to a lady and her whole family sunday night. Funny thing... right as we walk up to the house, they bring out a statue of a saint and light candles all around it. So we talk to her and she says: yes i need Jesus, I want to receive Christ. So one of the Bolivians pray with her, she repeats, she's saved.

really?

is that it. but here's where i felt i missed it. she said she wants to do anything to stop being apart from God. but she never outed that candle or put that old statue away. as we walked away i thought to myself: why do you still need that dusty old doll? what's she gonna do for you?" How are you gonna offer your WHOLE life to Christ but still pray to this -idol- to answer a few prayers every once in a while. God should be our everything. My challenge is to always challenge those i witness to; to truly give up the old ways.

dealing with the issues of man the sinner
-Berch

Transformation

Tuesday, July 15, 2007

I can't believe that this is the fourth year that I have been here in Bolivia. Each year, God continues to reveal Himself in a new and amazing way. Today we completed the floor of the church we planted last year. The name of the church is the Good Samaritan Church. What a fitting name as we are serving the community where the church is located. This afternoon during our VBS time we were able to share a skit that originated in the Way Station. A little bit of CF Kids in Santa Cruz! The children were entertained and encouraged to be obedient just as Noah was obedient. On another note, God strategically selected our team to come to Bolivia this year. It is awesome to see how God is using all of our spiritual gifts and talents to serve here in Bolivia. I love the way we truly represnt the body of Christ with all parts contributing to the work that God has called us to do here in Bolivia.

Thank you CF family for your prayers. I am certain that your prayers are giving us the stamina, energy, insight, and power to do what we are doing. Thank you CF for your heart for missions! Thank you CF family for your vision to win the world for Christ that none should perish! Thank you for everyone of you that supported us individually. God is going to honor your faithfulness and generosity.

God is at work, lives are being transformed, new leaders are being raised up. While each of us are serving, our lives are being transformed. Each morning we start our days with a team devotional and time of worship. Those moments are precious as we prepare our hearts to go out and win the lost for Christ. Transformation is happening in each of us. I look forward to tomorrow. Another day to be the hands and feet of Jesus! Dios te bendiga!

Cheryl K.

hugs and handshakes

Hey family! Today was our first full day here in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. We arrived in the early hours due to delays back in Miami, but praise God we made it safe and in one piece. We were so excited to finally make it here and Ron Burgin and a few others were ready and waiting for us.

Today's task was to get ourselves logistically squared away. We needed to go through the final parts of our setup process, our sound system was left in miami,(we later got it back today) and we also had to meet the entire national team were partnering with. This evening we had a chance to worship, fellowship, pray and joke around together.

Tomorrow, we begin evangelizing in a neighborhood that surrounds a church we're going to. The whole team is in high spirits for what the week holds and for how will work through us. Thanks so much for your continual support and prayer. We'll be checking in later!

-Berch

Update and Prayer Requests

Here is an excerpt from an email received from Lena, one of our Ukrainian coordinators of the camps.

"Some words about the camps. Everything is going well. In Mena there were 110 children, at school # 5 there were 94, now in the church there are more than 180 children. It is more than we expected but we are very excited.

On Saturday we are planning to go to the orphanage and give them clothes and shoes.

We have a prayer request. Natasha... has a relative. This woman is dying of cancer. She has 2 weeks to live. She is 35. She is not a christian. Please, pray for her to accept Jesus.

God bless you."

Please partner with us to pray for the camps, the orphans, and especially Natasha's relative. Thank you for your support.

Ukraine Update 7/9/08

Week 1 of camp in Mena and at the school in Nizhen went great. By the end of the week, the camp in Mena had over 100 kids, and the camp at the school had about 90. Here is an excerpt from one update received about the Mena mission opportunity: "The camp this week went really well, so I think. There was this girl about 11 or 12 who came every day in the same clothes. I felt compelled to buy her some. We went to the store and decided to buy her shoes and groceries. Her mother had mental problems and severe paranoia because she lost her son in a terrible kitchen accident 10 years ago. She thinks every one is trying to kill her and her children. The house was the worst house in the village. The girl's father was a severe alchoholic. It broke my heart so badly. Igor had been trying to witness to the mother and it had been difficult because of her paranoia issues. When we came bearing gifts, it opened a door, and they talked for over an hour. I know God was there. I just stood there praying and it was one of those "God moments". . . . took my breath away." God really answers prayers!

This week, the team is conducting a camp in our partner church (Nizhen Prayer House) in Nizhen. On Monday, we received this update:
"Camp has started!!!! Prayers Answered!! 180 students!!! 35 counselors!!!"

Please continue to pray for the team of CF and NPH counselors who are working in the field reaching out in a tangible way with God's love.

Ukraine Update 7/2/08

The Ukraine mission team left a week ago on June 25th and arrived safely on June 26th. Thank you for your prayers for safe and smooth travel! After one night in Kiev, they moved on to Nizhen and settled in.

On Monday, the team split into two groups. Half are in Nizhen, working with half of the youth from our partner church (Nizhen Prayer House) and in partnership with one of the other baptist churches in town, to conduct a camp in a school. This camp is an outreach for the other church, who is trying to reach out and build a children and youth program in their area of town. The other half of the team is with the other half of the youth from Nizhen Prayer House in Mena, a village a few hours away. There is a small church in Mena that has a real heart for reaching their city, especially from the younger generation up. We worked with this church last year to conduct a day camp for the children of Mena. After the day camp, the church immediately started a Sunday School program for these kids. The first Sunday they had 50 kids in Sunday School! They have been following up with the kids regularly all year long. Now our team (CF and NPH combined) has returned to conduct another camp.

Both camps (one in Nizhen and one in Mena) started yesterday and run through Saturday. The camp in Nizhen has over 75 kids this week. The camp in Mena has 95 kids. Both groups are having a great time with the kids and everything is running very smoothly so far.

Please pray for open hearts of the kids who will be hearing of God's love this week. Please pray for energy and enthusiasm for all of the counselors. Please pray for relationships with city officials of Nizhen and Mena who approve and inspect the camps. Also, Sveta's two young children (both under age 3) have had fever for several days now. Sveta is our cook and our contact with the Mena church. Please pray for healing for both children. Thank you so much for your support!!!