Colombia continued

When Ken Yinger and I returned from Colombia, we brought back information for 22 potential projects to consider.  We identified three projects that are a priority for Colombia and after the banquet in British Colombia last week, we now have funds to finance all three (God is so good!).

We have three mission trip opportunities to share with you. 

**We have the partners in Colombia ready to work with our teams.
** We have the funds raised for the projects.
** We have the Canadian team leaders lined up to go to Colombia. 

The only missing piece of this puzzle is YOU!  Are you interested in going?  Will you commit to going?  Here's info on the projects:

Colombia Trip #1 Opportunity

1. Olaya Church  Project:  WORK TEAM

Men, we need you!

Roll up your sleeves and help to construct a church in the Olaya section of Medellin, Colombia

When: December 4th - December 14th, 2010


Tax Receiptable Cost: Approx. $2,000.00 (price will vary depending on province of departure)

Contact:  Charlotte Kroes: ckroes@mfmcanada.ca  1-888-417-5256

The Olaya Project will construct a Christian church located in the Olaya sector of Medellin, Colombia. The name of the church is Aposento Alto which means “The Upper Room”. It is a fitting name for a congregation in a growing suburb high up the mountains of Medellin.


The church is trying to share the Gospel with newcomers who have been displaced from other parts of the country. Reaching these people with the Gospel is of utmost importance.

Are you willing to invest 10 days of your life to go, give and do as God leads? We need 12 men, ready to roll up their sleeves and get to work.

(First come, first go basis. Space is limited.)

Check the next two blog postings for the other two trip opportunities!

Colombia Trip #2 Opportunity

Colombia Biblical Seminary

WORK TEAM

When: January 12—26, 2011

Tax Receiptable Cost: $2,000.00 Approx. (price will vary depending on province of departure)

Charlotte Kroes: ckroes@mfmcanada.ca  1-888-417-5256

Roll up your sleeves and help us refurbish the Colombia Biblical Seminary for God’s glory!

 
The Colombia Biblical Seminary is a training ground for more than 200 students from many denominational backgrounds. The seminary is more than 60 years old and many of the buildings are in need of repair. Available funds have been spent on teaching students, however, they need a good place to study and minister.


Many seminary students are serving in churches and in front-line ministries that take the Gospel to areas not yet reached for Christ.

Will you invest 2 weeks of your life to go, give and do as God leads? We need 12 people who will roll up their sleeves and get to work.

(First come, first go basis. Space is limited.)

Colombia Trip #3 Opportunity

ACCA Prison Fellowship

WORK TEAM

Roll up your sleeves and let’s get to work, investing in the lives of the people of Colombia.

When: March 21 - April 1st 2011

Tax Receiptable Cost: Approx. $1,700.00

(price will vary depending on province of departure)

Contact:  Charlotte Kroes: ckroes@mfmcanada.ca  1- 888-417-5256 

The ACCA (Prison Fellowship of Antioquia) is a ministry that changes lives. This group ministers to men and women who are living in Colombia’s grossly overcrowded prisons. More that 40 ex-prisoners are now pastors on the outside. Additionally, ACCA ministers to family members of inmates. Perhaps the most amazing ministry is with the widows and orphans of the sixty pastors who have been assassinated by the drug cartels.


Are you willing to invest 12 days of your life to go, give and do as God leads? We need 12 men, ready to roll up their sleeves and get to work. Please help us help ACCA expand their ministry.

(First come, first go basis. Space is limited.)



In Vancouver, October 20th to October 25th

Twice a year, One Mission Society, Canada (OMS)/Men for Missions have board meetings and this year, I am privileged to be participating in the board meetings in Vancouver, B.C.   Our meetings start early in the morning October 21st and end October 23rd.  There is much to be thankful for and there are a lot of requests for help from many mission fields.  Please pray during the time of the meetings.   There are many decisions to make.

On October 22nd, there is a banquet planned.  If you live in or are visiting the Vancouver area on Friday, please plan to come.  Even though the October 14th deadline for reserving a ticket has passed, there is still room to come.  To reserve a ticket, call Kim at 1-800-784-7077.

Art.

Meet Gerardo "Papa" Pino, Colombia

Back in August, I promised to write more about my experiences in Colombia.

Meet Gerardo "Papa" Pino

From left to right:Art, "Papa" Pino and Jeannine Brabon

There is quite a story about Papa Pino written in a book called "The Lord of Bellavista".  Bellavista Prison in Medellin was one of the most violent and bloodiest prisons in Colombia.  (You may have read the article about Jeannine Brabon in my August 18th blog posting).

Papa Pino was imprisoned 18 times for armed robbery.  In March, 1988, his life was transformed by God once and for all......look at his smiling face.  His weapon has been his precious Bible for 22 years and counting!

I highly recommend all of you read the book "The Lord of Bellavista".  Papa Pino's conversion experience is in this book and many other incredible stories.  We have copies available here at our office.  If you'd like to read this book, please let me know (donation contribution - $10.00) and we will send one to you.

Check out this short video clip - Untold Stories of Colombia:  http://www.tangle.com/view_video?viewkey=7005af52bc9e778a058b

Art. 
     

A Saturday Spent with Friends at a Wedding

Art and daughter, Raquel (sitting down) and Amanda's colleagues at wedding reception

On Saturday, September 18th, I had the privilege to join in the celebration of Amanda and Jimmy's wedding.  Amanda and her colleagues from St. Peter's Residence at Chedoke, Hamilton helped our family through a number of difficult years.  The staff at St. Peter's cared for and loved on my father until he passed away in 2009 after enduring years of Alzheimer's disease. 

When Amanda asked me to officiate at their wedding, I felt honoured and moved.   I explained to her that I was ordained mainly to minister in jails and that I seldom do marriages.  Being part of this special day, with such special people is a day I'll always remember.  The staff at St. Peter's have become like family.  My daughter Raquel joined the celebration and remembers the care give to her Papa.  Blessings to you all at St. Peter's.

More Aquaponic Pictures from Malawi, Africa

We've just received a couple more fish farm pictures to share with you:

Fresh lettuce!

My Wife

Well, it's time for another blog......I want to share with you something, rather "someone" who is very dear to my heart. 

Isn't she beautiful?  Please allow me to brag on just a little.  Elaine is beautiful inside and out.  Our children, Artie, Max and Raquel and myself are who we are because of her.  Oh, I know you have heard that before, but it is so true.  Well, that's it.  A short blog.  I wanted you all to know how much I love her!

Fish Farm, Malawi, Africa

OMS Canada has a ministry partner in Malawi, Africa - Iris Ministries.  Hunger is a huge problem in Malawi and Iris is involved in providing food for relief.  In 2008, after much prayer, planning and fundraising in Canada for a fish farm and hydroponic vegetable growing operation, these plans began to take shape.  One of the main things that needed to happen was to find a trustworthy Malawian to train and then lead this programme.  In a society where there is plenty of lying, theft, adultery and laziness, it was a breath of fresh air to find someone whose heart is pure and from this, springs forth a lifestyle which honours our Lord.

Meet Kelvin Sitati and his little family:

Kelvin's world up to then had been a mud house with a grass roof, walking barefoot on dusty paths, subsistently farming to provide enough maize to feed his wife and child, drawing water from a village well, living without electricity.  Kelvin may be poor physically, but he is rich in his relationship with the Lord and with his family.  They are happy, filled with joy, content and satisfied with life.  They have each other and they exhibit faith in their Faithful God.

In March, 2009, Kelvin went from this life to spending three months at an aquaculture research and training centre in Florida.  Morning Star Fishermen is a non-profit organization whose mission is to help fight world hunger, especially in underdeveloped regions.  Imagine all the "firsts" for Kelvin on this trip.

A container with all construction supplies for the fish farm was loaded in early summer to arrive in early fall, 2009:

I had the privilege of going to Malawi in the fall, 2009 with the intent of helping construct the fish farm.  I did help with that but also, due to some unfortunate circumstances, David Morrision, Iris's Canadian missionary had to come back to Canada for a period of time.   This trip to Malawi ended up being a significant life changing trip for me.  To help David out, I ended up preaching and teaching far more than I expected on this trip.  I slept out in the open air and preached in the middle of nowhere in Malawi.  It touched my heart more than I could ever describe in words.

Here's a few pictures:

Open Air Preaching

Mode of transportation

My sleeping quarters

Here's some pictures of the fish farm:

Under construction

Tanks for Fish

Beginnings of Vegetables

Tilapia Fish !  Kelvin is Happy

Congratulations Gord Pauls! You did it!

Gord Pauls completed all three triple ironmans over the weekend! Congratulations Gord! Check out this video that was shown on 100 Huntley Street  on Monday this week:

http://100huntley.com/video.php?id=qfngx5wmsNg
 
This video was filmed prior to the event.  More pictures and video to come.....   
 
Art