Koinonia Peru Update

Hello Everyone,

Sorry for the delay in getting this update out. We’ve been having some problems with out internet the last few days. Here goes!

Many have asked how Jaime and Kristel are doing after their accident. Kristel is doing fine and is back at full speed but with a few bruises here and there. Jaime is still experiencing some pain in his throat and his leg. He has gone back to the doctors and they told him that there is nothing seriously wrong. He just needs a month or so to heal. Thanks for your prayers for the two of them.

Ken and Mary Taylor are still here. They’ve come to help us out and will be here another week or so. Mary is helping Betty with home schooling so that Betty can get caught up on church accounting, fall cleaning, minister to some of the ladies and just get a little break. Our children love to study with Mary. If anyone else would like to come down for a week or more and help us out in this way, you’re more than welcome. Ken has been busy building tables and chairs for the Sunday school in Santa Rosa. He made a few extras that we’re going to bring to Cañete next week so that will be nice. Ken works so hard and is tired at the end of the day but he always has a good attitude.

Update and Uplift – Rozeks Family – Cambridge, UK

Greetings to all from Cambridge!

We praise the Lord for the supply of the Spirit and the prayers that have allowed us to move forward in this new season of our lives. It is amazing to consider all that has been happening since we have moved ahead with the church plant. It is hard to put in words the various array of spiritual attacks and blessings, physical challenges and details, and the mental and emotional adjustments and attitudes that we have gone through. However, we are absolutely committed to yielding our all TO Him and giving our all FOR Him that Jesus might be fully magnified in and through our lives.

Overall, there has been a good spirit, a strong unity, a willingness to serve and a load of issues that have been springing forth in the lives of those in our fellowship. Recently, the worship leader that we had in our youth group from Old Bridge, Jon Mac, has not been able to come into the country after a series of visa denials and closed doors for him to help serve alongside us. We are still waiting on the Lord for how He will meet this need that we have for our fellowship.

The Lord has been showing me just how deep the wounds and pains are in the hearts of the people here. I believe one of the keys to seeing the breakthrough in the lives of others is to know how the Lord has brought breakthrough in our own lives. The Apostle Paul once said…

2Cor. 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

Jesus confirmed the effectiveness of this principle when He first sent out His disciples telling them, “Freely you have received, freely give” (Matt. 10:8). Please pray specifically that we might receive freely and be filled fully that we may be faithful to live out, give out and “diffuse the fragrance of His knowledge in every place” (2 Cor. 2:14). Please pray for our rest and strength both physically and spiritually!

In His completing and satisfying love,

Joey, Tiffany, Madelyn, Josiah and Jordan

Prayer Requests – Far Reaching Ministries

“Thus says the Lord to you, ‘Do not be afraid or dismayed because of this great multitude,for the battle is not yours, but God’s.’” ~ II Chronicles 20:15b

Sudan:

- Please pray for Christine, a teenage girl who is suffering from a severe case of typhoid. Pray God would heal her, encourage her and give her family hope.
- There has been a series of poisonings in the secondary school in Nimule. Five students are dead. It appears the returnees from Uganda are behind this, but it’s unclear why. Pray for Pastor Ben Ingii who will be talking with the students and parents all week.
- Pray for the Love Covers outreach in July; for the teachers of the VBS to be anointed with ideas as they plan. Pray every lesson will draw the children to Jesus. Ask God to prepare each heart now for the message that will be shared.
- Please pray for street children in the Sudan.
- Please pray for the orphans and widows in the Sudan; for their care and provision.

Upcoming Short Term Missions Opportunity – Costa Rica

We are in the initial stages of planning a short missions trip to Quepos, Costa Rica. Hopefully, this will be during the first part of June. Keep watching for more info. We are excited about coming alongside of Kim Stilwell in ministry to the people of Quepos. Pray about going with us!!!

Update from Kim Stilwell – Quepos, Costa Rica

“Asociación Esfuerzos Humanitarios de Quepos”

Goal: Serve and glorify our God, serve the greater community of Quepos/Manuel Antonio and serve the indigent community here in this immediate area.
Purpose: is to restore, to the extent possible, persons among this homeless population to their fruitful places in society – to begin again to be productive and healthy members of their families and their communities.
History of Project: June 2006 – a group of churches started to help with a second feeding, adding to the once-a-week feeding already sponsored by the Catholic Church.

Jan./Feb./Mar./Apr. 2008

The house we are renting is better looking than ever. The road leading to Manuel Antonio continues to be cleaned by the men in “Casa De Amor” as well as the beaches of Quepos and Manuel Antonio. There are now two more counselors (Jared and John) from the states here to assist in counseling. We are helping with the restoration of Quepos beach located at Maracas and helping with the work of the Earth Day clean up. We are looking more meaningful work programs. They are learning English to help. Some of the men who have left the program are now living with family or friends and being productive in their local communities. A property has been offered to the Association for free to start building a new facility. A plan is being formed to buy property as well as build on the new property. Two groups from the states are offering to help assist Quepos with the work.
Please feel free to call and ask questions or ask for the monthly updates on the progress. We welcome and value your opinion and help. We need you! We need your hands, your commitment to this community, and your resources.
This project cannot happen without you. Hopefully this information will help you make a decision on how to be involved and how to stay involved financially or withmaterials or with your own hands. Please feel free to call us and we can show you the house and work.
If you would like more information, please call Kim Stilwell at 506-777-0249 cel 383-7393 or Miguel Rojas at 506-777-0000. Or you may contact Kim atkbhb@racsa.co.cr.

Thank you Joyously for helping,

Kim Stilwell – President

If you wish to support this work financially, send a check to Servant Senders, c/o Horizon Central, 1001 E. Palmer Street,Indianapolis, IN 46203. Please put “Costa Rica” in the memo line. Horizon Central’s phone# is 317-917-0450. (Horizon Central is our home church and does not receive any funds for their service to us. They will send a receipt to you asap.)

Montana Guests & Service Abroad… Potters Field Ministries

GREG LAURIE VISITS RANCH!

As the sun peeks through the snow clouds bringing in another incredible Montana spring, we’ve had some welcomed guests “peek” in as well.

Pastor Greg Laurie from Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, CA., stopped by for an amazing time of sharing and questions and answers with our students and staff of term one of ‘08. By far, this was one of one the most profound times of ministry as we sat and dialogued with this evangelist who has been used mightily by God.

The students sat transfixed and were riveted by the transparency of his testimony of how God’s healing power helped him to overcome a rough childhood. He is still in awe of how God takes broken lives and transforms them to be used by the Master Potter. Pastor Greg has been used beyond his wildest dreams, internationally with his Harvest Crusade ministry and was used indelibly in Northwestern Montana to change young students’ lives forever.

Interested in hearing some of Pastor Greg’s ministry insights? Log onto our website and download the MP3 file – or better yet, take five months personally to study under some incredible men of God.

Apply for our July class today!

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST – Far Reaching Ministries

A new Cabinet has been appointed in Kenya; the opposition began rioting this morning at 3 a.m. Several have been killed. Please pray for a peaceful resolution, for the Zavala’s, Ceaser’s and the rest of the ministry team at CC Nairobi; for protection and safety of the people; and for wisdom and direction regarding the US team from CC High Desert (schedule to minister in Nairobi for the first two weeks in May).

Thank you so much for standing with us!

Update and Prayer Requests from the Camerons – Intervarsity

Hello Friends,

This semester, we began a prayer meeting at the Health and Wellness Center at FIU with faculty and staff. There we pray for the university and other personal prayer needs. Please pray for this meeting, which meets also for the purpose of developing a richer prayer life.

The following, are our own requests to the group (all group members email prayer requests to one another). We thought to get you in our prayer loop for next week.

1. InterVarsity’s Graduate and Faculty Ministries Area Director’s Meetings in our home, April 15-18. Next week, Tuesday through Friday, we are hosting a regional retreat for the South-central InterVarsity (GFM) area directors and team leaders. Pray for guidance from the Lord and the presence of the Spirit as we prayerfully seek too plan the next school year in our region. Pray for safe travel for all.
2. InterVarsity Staff South Florida Team (undergraduate ministry) Prayer Retreat in our home, April 18-19. This will take place right after the retreat with the GFM directors. Pray for refreshment for the team as we meet the Lord for prayer and fellowship.
3. Preparation for the events here. We had various pressing family needs just before and after the trip to Nicaragua and we are somewhat behind in organizing for these events.

Thank you for praying

–Gary and Marlene

Koinonia Peru Update – Brian Vander Kodde

Hi Everyone,

I hope that you´re all doing well. Several of you have been sending in prayer requests and we´re so happy to be a part of what God is doing in your lives as we pray for you. Keep the requests coming and we´ll keep praying.

Here´s a short update regarding what´s been going on in the Koinonia Ministries here in Peru. This way you´ll know how to pray for us and rejoice with us as well.

Prayer Requests – Far Reaching Ministries

Sudan:

- Pray for Hellen as she goes to the doctor in Nairobi. Pray she will have favor with the doctors and find relief from her constant pain.
- Prayer for Lucy Nakongo; her child is sick.
- Pray for overall health for the women of Rabuna Fi, many have been sick.
- Pray for Gifti’s daughter, Abigail, she has had a bad ear infection for a month. She is in Gulu for treatment right now.
- Prayer for the containers scheduled to arrive from China and the USA.
- Please pray for Lina’s daughter who has typhoid fever.
- Pray for the Love Covers outreach July 23rd-25th.