Family, Friends & Supporters,
Have you seen the Nationwide Insurance television commercial that says: "Life comes at you fast!" Well, it is true! On February 1st, I had to go to the emergency room in severe pain and the next day I had another surgery, made necessary by a lone artery that began bleeding in the region where I had surgery on December 30th. The artery had to be cauterized. The next day I went home.
So, my recuperation from surgery has continued with what I hope will prove to be only a minor setback. I appreciate your prayers and any help** that you can provide with the mounting medical expenses.
Exciting things are happening in Rio! At the end of 2008, I received a very encouraging report from a lay evangelist who is the leader of EE training at his local church. He also is an EE volunteer representative in the large, beautiful city of Rio de Janeiro. Below is the English translation of that report. Rejoice with us as you read of how the EE ministry is resulting in New testament multiplication in his local church and beyond.
Another year is coming to an end, and the Lord gave us so many victories! I am sure that, if you look back retrospectively at your life in 2008, you will remember tremendous blessings from God, right? However, it is possible that your year was not as good as you expected: intense battles, unexpected losses, unpleasant surprises... But, if you are reading this email now, it is because the Lord has supported you up to this point. I am certain that, if this was a year of testing in your life, it is because God wants to give you greater responsibilities. In order to present ourselves to God as workers approved, we have to experience testing! There is no other way! At the end of this year, even if you don't feel like you have many reasons to be happy, celebrate God for the harvest that will come because if you go out weeping, carrying your bag of seed, you will come home singing, carrying your bundles of grain! (see Psalm 126:6)
For those of us in EVANGELISM EXPLOSION at New Life Christian Church in Vista Alegre (Rio de Janeiro), reasons to celebrate are not in short supply! Just this year in our local church training:
• We trained 32 members of our church to share the Gospel, contributing to their spiritual and personal growth.
• We held 2 EE leadership training clinics, one for child evangelism/children's leaders and the other for adult evangelism/pastors, as well as 2 informational seminars about EE.
As a result of these opportunities, we had the privilege of cooperating in the spiritual growth of approximately 50 pastors and leaders from 22 churches and 10 evangelical denominations. It was truly a “festa” (celebrative party) for the kingdom of God!
• However, the most important aspect of all of these activities is that adding up the results of all of on-the-job training visits of 2008, about 380 people were evangelized! In other words, 380 people heard the message of the cross shared in a respectful, but at the same time, a confronting way, leading them to make a decision to repent of their sins and receive Christ as their only sufficient Lord and Savior.
• It is important, too, to emphasize that of these 380 people that heard the message of the cross in a logical and comprehensive way, less than 10% demonstrated a negative attitude! And we can affirm that without a doubt hundreds of people this year will celebrate Christmas with a different perspective because Christians who were trained and equipped obeyed the Great Commission and did their part in the salvation of the lost!
To everyone who now reads this email, and especially those who participated in our training, those of us in EE at New Life Christian Church of Vista Alegre (Rio de Janeiro) desire for you that the year 2009 is full of the Lord’s blessings! Take advantage of this time of the year to share with your friends and relatives the only present that can transform their lives, the PRESENT OF ETERNAL LIFE! And, those of you who were trained to be a trainer of soul winners don’t allow the battles and difficulties of this life make you give up in moving forward in the purposes of God in your life. Train the believers in your local church and do your part so that next year and in subsequent years we can celebrate not just hundreds, but thousands and thousands of lost people reached by the message of the cross!
Together for a Changed World,
Evangelist João Luís Amaral
ICNV – Vista Alegre
Now, that is encouraging! Thank you for being a part of this multiplying ministry through your prayers and financial support!!
Blessings,
Robert & Mary Jo
EE-Brazil
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
The German and I
I met Roland, my new German friend, when I came up here this Summer before moving to Fort McMurray with a mission team from Sevier Heights Baptist Church in Knoxville.
Roland has come to the last three Tuesday night Bible Studies and has tons of questions about God, the Bible, Christ followers, eternity, evil, and purpose. We hang out regularly and he says that he is glad that he met me and asks each week if he can come back to Bible study the following week.
Roland has been in Canada for 20 years and speaks and reads English fluently, however he was so excited to read the Bible in his heart language.
Please pray for Roland to come to Christ soon.
-Clay Hilton
Roland has come to the last three Tuesday night Bible Studies and has tons of questions about God, the Bible, Christ followers, eternity, evil, and purpose. We hang out regularly and he says that he is glad that he met me and asks each week if he can come back to Bible study the following week.
Roland has been in Canada for 20 years and speaks and reads English fluently, however he was so excited to read the Bible in his heart language.
Please pray for Roland to come to Christ soon.
-Clay Hilton
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Guitarist friend very excited to have new fan
I met Mike when I was volunteering for my daughters' school over Christmas break. I went down to the mall here for Christmas and wrapped Christmas gifts for school donations.
Mike hates to wrap gifts, so he was happy to have me wrap his gifts.
He had 22 gifts for me to wrap, so I spent a good 45 minutes wrapping them. During that 45 minutes a few days before Christmas, I was able to share Christ with Mike. Mike said that he would think about what I said and get back in touch with me in 2009.
He did last week. Mike emailed me and invited me to hear him play at a local Newfoundlander's pub.
Mike and I talked a good bit during the breaks during his 4 hour classic rock and Newfie rock set.
He emailed the next day to thank me for coming. Please pray that Mike and I will continue to connect and that he would respond to Christ.
-Clay Hilton
Mike hates to wrap gifts, so he was happy to have me wrap his gifts.
He had 22 gifts for me to wrap, so I spent a good 45 minutes wrapping them. During that 45 minutes a few days before Christmas, I was able to share Christ with Mike. Mike said that he would think about what I said and get back in touch with me in 2009.
He did last week. Mike emailed me and invited me to hear him play at a local Newfoundlander's pub.
Mike and I talked a good bit during the breaks during his 4 hour classic rock and Newfie rock set.
He emailed the next day to thank me for coming. Please pray that Mike and I will continue to connect and that he would respond to Christ.
-Clay Hilton
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Diaper run at -20 Degress
Cinnamon was working all night and had our car. I was at home with all four kids for the night while Cinnamon was working 7PM to 7AM. Baby Clay had a stinky, and I was out of diapers.
It was then that I realized that we would have to make the 1 mile trek to Sobey's Grocery in
-20F on foot.
I put baby Clay in his carrier and put Anna on my shoulders. Had Grace and Ivy start walking and we went on our way to fetch the diapers.
They did not enjoy the cold. Grace is old enough now to realize that Daddy is an idiot sometimes. She, however, was sweet and didn't say what she felt.
We made it to the Sobey's and the kids were freezing. We bought the diapers and a snack and I decided to call a cab for our return trip. Grace smiled.
Ali was the cab driver. I had seen Ali before but could not remember where. Ali takes us home and I tell him about why we are in Fort Mac.
He is friendly, but quiet as I talk. He then sees where we live and perks up. He said, "You live here?" "Your the man who lives here?" "I know you, you helped me. I was cold on my first morning here, and you helped me. You scraped my windows when I didn't have a scrapper."
It was then that I realized that I had scraped this man's windows one day as I left my house walking to the bus stop. I stopped and scraped his windows with my newly bought scraper and then walked off. Ali said "We know you. We don't know your name. But we know where you live and we have heard how nice you are. We like you." By we, Ali was referring to the large population of African Muslim cab drivers in Fort McMurray.
Please pray that I would continue to shine the light of Christ in small, impactful, ways. Please pray that Ali and his friends would experience freedom and hope in Yahweh and that the Father would send workers for the African Muslim cab driver field.
It was then that I realized that we would have to make the 1 mile trek to Sobey's Grocery in
-20F on foot.
I put baby Clay in his carrier and put Anna on my shoulders. Had Grace and Ivy start walking and we went on our way to fetch the diapers.
They did not enjoy the cold. Grace is old enough now to realize that Daddy is an idiot sometimes. She, however, was sweet and didn't say what she felt.
We made it to the Sobey's and the kids were freezing. We bought the diapers and a snack and I decided to call a cab for our return trip. Grace smiled.
Ali was the cab driver. I had seen Ali before but could not remember where. Ali takes us home and I tell him about why we are in Fort Mac.
He is friendly, but quiet as I talk. He then sees where we live and perks up. He said, "You live here?" "Your the man who lives here?" "I know you, you helped me. I was cold on my first morning here, and you helped me. You scraped my windows when I didn't have a scrapper."
It was then that I realized that I had scraped this man's windows one day as I left my house walking to the bus stop. I stopped and scraped his windows with my newly bought scraper and then walked off. Ali said "We know you. We don't know your name. But we know where you live and we have heard how nice you are. We like you." By we, Ali was referring to the large population of African Muslim cab drivers in Fort McMurray.
Please pray that I would continue to shine the light of Christ in small, impactful, ways. Please pray that Ali and his friends would experience freedom and hope in Yahweh and that the Father would send workers for the African Muslim cab driver field.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Supper Time
19 People over for supper, stay 6 hours, connect with us and each other.
Laughs all around, food for an army, connecting with each other, talking about kids, life, love, God, and making plans to meet again.
A month or so ago we had a family with three kids over that I met on the mymcmurray.com website. Brad and Katy came over again last Saturday and really connected with everyone else.
The Kavanaugh's, who we had come over last week individually, came over as well. They had a good time and really enjoyed talking with everyone else.
Nick, the former youth minister (who has been ministering with us for a few months), came over with his cousin and really did a good job of connecting with everyone.
The Frazier's, a couple that have been ministering with us for a few months, also came over and helped connect people.
All 6 of our family, and the 19 other people from 4 other families connected really well. They stayed about 6 hours and left saying things like "Wow, it is so good to have friends again, we haven't made any friends in Fort Mac until now." Cinnamon and I and the kids had connected with everyone individually, but this was the first time that everyone else got to connect with each other.
Please pray that these people will continue to form up relationships with each other as we share Christ's gift of eternal life and abundant living with them.
Laughs all around, food for an army, connecting with each other, talking about kids, life, love, God, and making plans to meet again.
A month or so ago we had a family with three kids over that I met on the mymcmurray.com website. Brad and Katy came over again last Saturday and really connected with everyone else.
The Kavanaugh's, who we had come over last week individually, came over as well. They had a good time and really enjoyed talking with everyone else.
Nick, the former youth minister (who has been ministering with us for a few months), came over with his cousin and really did a good job of connecting with everyone.
The Frazier's, a couple that have been ministering with us for a few months, also came over and helped connect people.
All 6 of our family, and the 19 other people from 4 other families connected really well. They stayed about 6 hours and left saying things like "Wow, it is so good to have friends again, we haven't made any friends in Fort Mac until now." Cinnamon and I and the kids had connected with everyone individually, but this was the first time that everyone else got to connect with each other.
Please pray that these people will continue to form up relationships with each other as we share Christ's gift of eternal life and abundant living with them.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Small Things, Big Difference
The warmth of a Christmas café ministers to the Chairman of the bank, encourages him
as he shares about Christ with our guests.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~
I was recently asked for more detail about what I do and as I was writing the response, I thought it would be a good thing to share with you as well.
As Executive Assistant for Krysha it comes to me to help take care of a lot of the behind the scene details of the ministry. My job description likens my ministry to that of Barnabas, whose ministry "more often than not was to encourage those who were around him. He did not draw attention to himself. But it is quite possible that if Barnabas was not around the ministries of such great men of faith as Apostle Paul or Gospel writer Mark would not be the same." Many of the things I do in ministry may appear like very simple tasks, but without someone doing the multitude of small, simple tasks- the ministry would not be as effective.
For example, we recently held a Christmas Cafe. Eighty people came to hear and celebrate the true meaning of Christmas- the good news that entered this world with the birth of Jesus Christ!
For many, this was the first time they celebrated Christmas or even considered for a moment the significance of it. We worked for close to a month in preparing for this Café. I worked to secure the space for the café, worked with our volunteer leaders to make sure we were getting invitations out, and made sure that all the little details were ready by the time the Cafe came around. Our leadership team works together to plan any event we have, as well as to divide up responsibilities among the all the leaders, but as it is my job to "oversee the operations and communications of the movement," I work to continually fill in the cracks and keep the ball rolling.
At the Christmas Cafe, we were to have three people from the ministry to share about Christmas and Christ, one of them was Sergei Alekseivich Brovkin. Sergei Alekseivich is Chairman of the Board of Mercedes Benz Bank in Russia and DeputyChairman of Gelnic-M Investment Company and is actively involved in one of our small group Bible studies. Needless to say amidst the economic crisis, this is a man who spent a lot of time in his office these last few months. He juggles many responsibilities and it amazes me that despite it all this, he still finds the time to come to one of our small group Bible Studies.
That particular night though after getting stuck in traffic and then getting lost trying to find the Christian Center in the cold, he arrived for the Cafe a bit late and worn out. Despite having such a hard day and time getting there, he told us that once he arrived - his mood immediately lifted as he found himself surrounded by the warm glow of Christmas lights, the enveloping sound of Christmas worship and the open embrace of fellowship. When we thanked him for taking the time to come and share he kept saying: “You have no idea how much you ministered to me that night.” There is a myriad of details that had to be taken care of in order for Sergei Alekseivich to be ministered to and then in turn minister to others as he spoke to the group. It was my joy to ensure that all of those details behind the scenes are taken care of to help make this happen.
Among the large group in attendance was Vanya. Vanya is a young man who does not know Christ, but who attends one of our small group Bible studies regularly. He is studying to be an architect and like many students in Russia already finds himself working in the market place, earning invaluable experience in his profession that will ensure him getting a better job once he graduates in a year. I was excited to not only see Vanya there, but to see he had invited a friend from the university! It was a great opportunity for this young man and his friend to hear the Gospel! Vanya's friend really enjoyed the evening and I am praying that she will begin coming to small group with Vanya to learn more about Christ.
The Krysha ministry consists of two full-time staff who work to challenge and equip volunteers in our ministry to share the Gospel with everyone in their sphere of influence. For Sergei Alekseivich, that would directly include 300 people working in Russia's top banking and investment circles and indirectly heads of major businesses and government leaders- people I would never have the opportunity to develop a relationship and share the Gospel with. For Vanya, his sphere of influence reaches into his university classrooms and social circle of friends- and even with Vanya not knowing Christ himself, he has already shown how he can share the positive influence of Christ by bringing his friend to the Christmas Cafe. So while renting venues for our ministry events, working with our volunteer leaders, baking and decorating 12 dozen Christmas cookies, and making sure all the coffee pots are full and the tea kettles hot may not sound like the most exciting aspect of ministry to many- it is an essential part and one for which God has gifted me wonderfully! Even more importantly, without those little details our events like the Christmas Café would not have the same depth and warmth that breaks the barriers for many who hear the Gospel for the first time.
I hope this gives you a small glimpse of what it is I do. Please feel free to ask me any questions.
Serving Christ,
Angela
as he shares about Christ with our guests.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~
I was recently asked for more detail about what I do and as I was writing the response, I thought it would be a good thing to share with you as well.
As Executive Assistant for Krysha it comes to me to help take care of a lot of the behind the scene details of the ministry. My job description likens my ministry to that of Barnabas, whose ministry "more often than not was to encourage those who were around him. He did not draw attention to himself. But it is quite possible that if Barnabas was not around the ministries of such great men of faith as Apostle Paul or Gospel writer Mark would not be the same." Many of the things I do in ministry may appear like very simple tasks, but without someone doing the multitude of small, simple tasks- the ministry would not be as effective.
For example, we recently held a Christmas Cafe. Eighty people came to hear and celebrate the true meaning of Christmas- the good news that entered this world with the birth of Jesus Christ!
For many, this was the first time they celebrated Christmas or even considered for a moment the significance of it. We worked for close to a month in preparing for this Café. I worked to secure the space for the café, worked with our volunteer leaders to make sure we were getting invitations out, and made sure that all the little details were ready by the time the Cafe came around. Our leadership team works together to plan any event we have, as well as to divide up responsibilities among the all the leaders, but as it is my job to "oversee the operations and communications of the movement," I work to continually fill in the cracks and keep the ball rolling.
At the Christmas Cafe, we were to have three people from the ministry to share about Christmas and Christ, one of them was Sergei Alekseivich Brovkin. Sergei Alekseivich is Chairman of the Board of Mercedes Benz Bank in Russia and DeputyChairman of Gelnic-M Investment Company and is actively involved in one of our small group Bible studies. Needless to say amidst the economic crisis, this is a man who spent a lot of time in his office these last few months. He juggles many responsibilities and it amazes me that despite it all this, he still finds the time to come to one of our small group Bible Studies.
That particular night though after getting stuck in traffic and then getting lost trying to find the Christian Center in the cold, he arrived for the Cafe a bit late and worn out. Despite having such a hard day and time getting there, he told us that once he arrived - his mood immediately lifted as he found himself surrounded by the warm glow of Christmas lights, the enveloping sound of Christmas worship and the open embrace of fellowship. When we thanked him for taking the time to come and share he kept saying: “You have no idea how much you ministered to me that night.” There is a myriad of details that had to be taken care of in order for Sergei Alekseivich to be ministered to and then in turn minister to others as he spoke to the group. It was my joy to ensure that all of those details behind the scenes are taken care of to help make this happen.
Among the large group in attendance was Vanya. Vanya is a young man who does not know Christ, but who attends one of our small group Bible studies regularly. He is studying to be an architect and like many students in Russia already finds himself working in the market place, earning invaluable experience in his profession that will ensure him getting a better job once he graduates in a year. I was excited to not only see Vanya there, but to see he had invited a friend from the university! It was a great opportunity for this young man and his friend to hear the Gospel! Vanya's friend really enjoyed the evening and I am praying that she will begin coming to small group with Vanya to learn more about Christ.
The Krysha ministry consists of two full-time staff who work to challenge and equip volunteers in our ministry to share the Gospel with everyone in their sphere of influence. For Sergei Alekseivich, that would directly include 300 people working in Russia's top banking and investment circles and indirectly heads of major businesses and government leaders- people I would never have the opportunity to develop a relationship and share the Gospel with. For Vanya, his sphere of influence reaches into his university classrooms and social circle of friends- and even with Vanya not knowing Christ himself, he has already shown how he can share the positive influence of Christ by bringing his friend to the Christmas Cafe. So while renting venues for our ministry events, working with our volunteer leaders, baking and decorating 12 dozen Christmas cookies, and making sure all the coffee pots are full and the tea kettles hot may not sound like the most exciting aspect of ministry to many- it is an essential part and one for which God has gifted me wonderfully! Even more importantly, without those little details our events like the Christmas Café would not have the same depth and warmth that breaks the barriers for many who hear the Gospel for the first time.
I hope this gives you a small glimpse of what it is I do. Please feel free to ask me any questions.
Serving Christ,
Angela
Monday, January 12, 2009
Froze our buns off, pray for God's guidance!
We just got through with a bad idea for the winter up here: giving away free hot dogs in -35F weather.
The buns actually froze before I could give them to people. Believe it or not people do not want to stop and eat a frozen hot dog served up by a big bald headed Texan with two of his elementary aged girls yelling "Daddy. I'm cold. Dadddddy I'm sooo cooold. I'm uh..uh..uh (sounds of weeping) cooold." So we are back to the drawing board on ideas to connect with new people during the winter months. Please pray for God's guidance. The Spirit truly wants to see many come to Him. Please pray that we would discern His strategy for reaching this fast growing city.
Prayer List
We have connected with so many people these last five months. Please pray that the Holy Spirit would draw these ones we have connected with and that they will bow their heart to our Saviour soon.
The buns actually froze before I could give them to people. Believe it or not people do not want to stop and eat a frozen hot dog served up by a big bald headed Texan with two of his elementary aged girls yelling "Daddy. I'm cold. Dadddddy I'm sooo cooold. I'm uh..uh..uh (sounds of weeping) cooold." So we are back to the drawing board on ideas to connect with new people during the winter months. Please pray for God's guidance. The Spirit truly wants to see many come to Him. Please pray that we would discern His strategy for reaching this fast growing city.
Prayer List
We have connected with so many people these last five months. Please pray that the Holy Spirit would draw these ones we have connected with and that they will bow their heart to our Saviour soon.
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