July Update 2010
Dear Friends,
We are experiencing a lot of difficulty on the Gulf Coast. Oil is affecting everything. The news reports that this could be a record year for hurricanes. Jobs are scarce. People are fearful and discouraged. I find these are times we must put our trust in the Lord. The Bible says for us not to fear. Give it no place. Fear paralyzes and keeps us from going forward. I know there are many difficulties, but God will help us through these times. He Never Fails! Once we allow fear to get into our lives, it never wants to let go. God has given us Power, Love and a Sound Mind. I encourage you today to not fear, but have faith in God.
I just returned from Costa Rica after traveling with my pastor, Charles Simpson. His daughter and son in law live in San Jose, Costa Rica and serve in the mission, Hidden Treasures. Hidden Treasures is a “Family for children without Family”. Enrique and Charlyn have adopted seven children besides having two of their own. Their desire is to have a place where there are at least five homes with house parents who sustain a family of five to ten children. The initial need is to build a central home where they would live and then use this home as a center for the other families and children.
Enrique and Charlyn have desired this for a number of years, but have fought battles on every side. The government has given them great difficulties in obtaining the necessary permits. They have struggled with building codes, architects, and basically the issues of living in a foreign country. They have finally jumped through all those hoops and are ready to build. Bro. Charles has asked me to help him and them to move this project to completion.
I would like to put together a number of teams in the next 12 months that would travel and help in construction. The teams would stay in San Jose for one week and help with anything that is needed. We hope that there would be at least a couple of skilled personnel on each team. They would stay in San Jose, have a fifteen passenger van and plan to work as much as possible. We would like to keep each team at about 10 people. The cost should be about $1300 to $1500, depending on the air fare. That would include air fare, lodging, van, food, insurance and exit fee. We would also hope that each team would send at least $5000 to help in buying materials for the house. As soon as the first house is completed, we hope to begin on the first cottage.
There is also a need for plumbers, electricians, painters and just about anybody with a specific skill. These individuals could possible go by themselves or with just two or three to do the skilled labor needed.
I hope to have as many teams as possible go down starting toward the end of September. Please let me know if you are interested. I will be glad to discuss any details you might need to know.
I leave for Guatemala on Monday. I will be gone for two weeks with two different teams going to share Jesus and help make a difference for that country. The second team will be father and sons. We hope to help these young men understand what it means to be a Godly man. There are many difficulties in Guatemala at this moment and I pray we will be able to touch lives with the power of the Holy Spirit.
My upcoming schedule:
August 8: Faith Covenant Church, Daphne, AL
August 15: Abundant Life Church, Mt. Juliet, TN
August 22: Eastside Assembly of God, Panama City, FL
August 26-29: Filadelphia Church, Morelia, MX
September 18-19: Bridge of Hope Fellowship, Hopkinsville, KY
September 23-Oct. 3: Kitale and Nahyruru, Kenya. Dedication of new building, pastors and business seminars.
Thanks to those who are helping us in these endeavors. The doors are open and God is moving. I trust God to help us to accomplish all He has set before us.
Reaching Nations, Changing Lives,
Ronald