We just wanted to give a big shout out to Coshocton Christian Tabernacle and having us in for their Annual Missions Conference this past weekend. Safe to say we had a blast. It was three meetings of sharing alongside with Voice of the Martyrs and their awesome work that they do. We just felt so blessed to be a part of the festivities. A big THANK YOU goes out to Tim and Angie Eberhard and their family for not only inviting us but for hosting us in their homes and letting us destroy the place. You guys are awesome!!!
Thank you Coshocton Christian Tabernacle!!!
Categories: Home Assignment, Ministry, Travel, Updates
Tags: Churches, Home Assignment, Ministry, Travel, Trips, Updates
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Ecuador in a Flash
As you have read, I (Joel) made a quick trip to Ecuador last week. It went by in a flash but was very rewarding. Scott Hallam, my friend who will be serving on our Board of Directors of the Non-Profit Organization, went with me and we together met with IPEE and FACE leadership to make plans for the homes and clinics. In addition, another good friend of mine Jeremy Bustos and a new friend Dennis Michaelis went along to take pictures and videos that will be used to promote these ministries. We were only in country for three and a half days but we got everything accomplished that we set out to do.
The really cool thing is that I got to see for myself the clinic that has already been finished in Cayambe. The Covenant Church in Cayambe, Iglesia Emanuel, and its pastor, Jose Tuqueres, have committed to building the clinic on their own merit. THEY HAD ALREADY MADE THESE PLANS BEFORE THEY MET US!!! They had just sensed the Lord leading them to minister to the surrounding area through medicine. They figured that “if we build it, they would come” in terms of the doctor to staff the clinic. They had no idea who would actually come… only God knew that He had Kim and her medical expertise in mind for partnering with this church. We are really excited about this development and are happy to share some pictures with you!!!
Outside shot of the clinic
Waiting area outside the clinic
Main Exam Room
Dental Exam Room
Pastor Jose with his church in the background
A BIG THANK YOU!!!
We need to send out a big THANK YOU to Church of the Good Shepherd Covenant Church in Crest Hill, IL. We had a wonderful time meeting them and spending time (and a meal!) with them this past Sunday. We also want to thank them greatly for their support of our ministry.
Special thanks goes to Pastor Richard Johnson and Missions Chair Kristin Baly for arranging all of the details. An MVP Award goes to Brad and Sabrina Price as they did such an awesome job providing a comfortable place for us to stay and wonderful meals to eat! Simeon loved playing with all four of your kids! We also need to thank Pastor Dave Green and everyone else at Church of the Good Shepherd for all they did to instantly make us feel at home and welcome.
Finally, we also need to thank Larry and Connie Wall for hosting us in their home on Saturday for a nice meal and a great conversation about future possibilities.
Categories: Home Assignment, Ministry, Reflections, Travel, Updates
Tags: Churches, Evangelical Covenant Church, Home Assignment, Ministry, Reflections, Travel, Trips, Updates
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Updated Ministry Calendar
- April 27, 28: Coshocton Christian Tabernacle, Coshocton, OH
- May 1: St. John’s Church, Millersburg, OH
- May 5: Hilltop Community Church, Mansfield, OH
- May 12: Riverside Covenant Church, West Lafayette, IN
- May 19: First Covenant Church, Willmar, MN & Winthrop Covenant Church, Winthrop, MN
- May 26: Dawson Covenant Church, Dawson, MN
- June 26-30: Evangelical Covenant Church Annual Meeting for Commissioning and Ordination, Detroit, MI
Categories: Ministry, Prayer Requests, Travel, Updates
Tags: Churches, Evangelical Covenant Church, Ministry, Prayer Requests, Travel, Trips, Updates
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Off to Ecuador
Joel is flying to Ecuador tomorrow morning to have meetings and begin process of creating materials that we will be utilizing to promote our non-profit organization. Please pray for him and the gentlemen traveling with him Jeremy Bustos, Scott Hallam and Dennis Michaelis as they travel, have meetings and create videos and photos. They fly out tomorrow morning, Monday, April 14th and will return Friday night, April 19th.
Categories: Ministry, Travel
Tags: Ecuador Info, Evangelical Covenant Church, IPEE, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Travel, Trips, Updates
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Sharing our story at Trinity UMC
We will be sharing our story and ministry in Ecuador at Trinity United Methodist Church (303 North Walnut Street) in Hartford City, IN on Sunday. Their service starts at 10:15 a.m. Here’s the website for the church: http://trinityumchc.com/
If you are in the area and would like to come out, we would love to see you. You prayers are appreciated for our time of sharing this Sunday.
Categories: Home Assignment, Ministry, Prayer Requests, Travel, Updates
Tags: Home Assignment, Ministry, Prayer Requests, Travel, Trips, Updates
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Updated Ministry Calendar
- April 14: Trinity United Methodist Church, Hartford City, IN
- April 15 – 19: Joel on trip to Ecuador
- April 21: Church of the Good Shepherd, Crest Hill, IL
- April 27, 28: Coshocton Christian Tabernacle, Coshocton, OH
- May 5: Hilltop Community Church, Mansfield, OH
- May 12: Riverside Covenant Church, West Lafayette, IN
- May 19: First Covenant Church, Willmar, MN & Winthrop Covenant Church, Winthrop, MN
- May 26: Dawson Covenant Church, Dawson, MN
- June 26-30: Evangelical Covenant Church Annual Meeting for Commissioning and Ordination, Detroit, MI
Categories: Home Assignment, Ministry, Travel, Updates
Tags: Churches, Evangelical Covenant Church, Ministry, Travel, Trips, Updates
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Preaching at Trinity UMC
For any of you in the area of Marion, IN, Joel will be preaching at Trinity United Methodist Church (303 North Walnut Street) in Hartford City on Sunday. Their service starts at 10:15 a.m. Here’s the website for the church: http://trinityumchc.com/
If you are in the area and would like to come out, we would love to see you. If you can’t make it this Sunday, we will be back again next Sunday and this time we will be presenting our story and mission.
You prayers are appreciated for this Sunday’s message.
Categories: Home Assignment, Ministry, Prayer Requests, Travel, Updates
Tags: Home Assignment, Ministry, Prayer, Prayer Requests, Travel, Trips, Updates
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An example to follow
On Maunday Thursday of this year, the newly elected pope broke out of the tradition of popes before him to wash the feet, not of fellow priests, but of 12 young offenders from a detention center. This has been fairly controversial in the Catholic Church, but as soon as I heard this, I was so impressed! Finally, someone in the spotlight who ‘gets it’. Those whose feet were washed were not priests, they weren’t considered holy by religious standards, however, the disciples at that time probably weren’t either. A tax collector, a doubter, and even a betrayer. Yes, Jesus even washed Judas’ feet. The pope washed the feet of 2 girls, 2 Muslims and all those who he washed were from different nationalities. The pope said during a speech that day, ““We need to go out, then, in order to experience our own anointing (as priests)… to the outskirts where there is suffering, bloodshed, blindness that longs for sight”. Sound familiar? Sounds kind of like what Christ tells us to do huh?! So, why aren’t we?
In this time, sandals were primarily the only shoes people wore and imagine walking in dirt with sandals how dirty your feet would be. This act of footwashing was usually set aside only for the servant of the house, not for the guest of honor and certianly NOT for Jesus. He flew in the face of tradition, taking on the heart and act of a servant to be an example to his disciples and to us that THIS is the heart we should have-one of service and humility.
In John 13 it reads…
Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet
It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”8 “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”
Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”9 “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”
10 Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.
12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
I find it interesting also that in the same chapter, Jesus talks about a NEW COMMAND. This new command?
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
I would much rather be known as a Chrisitian because of my love for others instead of other reasons. How about you?
As Christians, as sinners, were we not once as dirty as feet in sandals walking in the dirt. We are no better than the tax collector, betrayer or delinquent. We should be living as those who have been washed by the blood of Jesus! AMEN?
So, instead of being frustrated or angry or indifferent to ‘traditions’ being broken, lets embrace it! He himself says he has set an example and we SHOULD do as He has done.
Happy Easter-Goshen Style
Happy Easter from Goshen, IN. We celebrated together with the Delp’s (Joel’s parents) on Saturday and Sunday by coloring eggs, church, Simeon’s first annual Easter egg scavenger hunt, yummy food, and time together celebrating Christ’s resurrection. We had a great time and it was nice being together. Simeon caught on very quickly to the Easter egg scavenger hunt and had a great time with daddy and all of us watching him hunt the eggs and find his ‘presents’.We do miss our Ecuador family as well and wish we could be celebrating with them as well. We know God has given us this time together with family in the States and we cherish it so much. Enjoy picutres from our Easter festivities…
1st clue for the Easter egg scavenger hunt
Headed to the 2nd clue
Finding a well-hidden egg
I think Simeon likes the egg hunt
A family affair (3 generations)
Say ‘cheese’
Coloring eggs together
Fun times
Family times
The Santiago Partnership