Friends of Global Missions

January 29th:
Juan Romero came and shared with us his vision to use his skills for the glory of the Lord. Juan  recently volunteered as an intern in Costa Rica for four months with Engineering Ministries International (EMI).  Juan desires to gain more skills as a Civil Engineer and return to the mission field.
"EMI is a non-profit Christian development organization made up of architects, engineers and design professionals who donate their skills to help children and families around the world step out of poverty and into a world of hope." http://www.emiusa.org/

February 5th:
Perspective Video – Please join us for the Cultural Component, part 2.  "Obedience" is usually associated with missions. How could it be that love, beauty, delight – and romance! – are also important for the Great Commission enterprise?  Come and discuss this and more from our next cultural component.

January 22nd:
It was a blessing to have so many come to hear from David and Katka Bordner. They are passionate about reaching the youth of Slovenia for the Lord. David shared with us about the network of youth ministries they are planting all over the country. These groups are reaching youth and their families; one has even grown into a church! They minister through English camps, music, and youth groups. Serving others is a part of their DNA. We are excited to see how the Lord will work through the Bordners and their partners in the future. Please join us in praying for them. They experience much resistance from the older generations.

January 29th:
We are looking forward to hearing from Juan Romero. He was born in Bogota, Colombia and moved to Bothell when he was 12-year-old. Juan is a Civil Engineer who recently went to Costa Rica with Engineering Ministries International (EMI). He has returned to gain more experience and explore the possibility of returning on short-term trips or as a full-time staff. Come hear about his trip and how he is preparing for future ministry.

January 8th:
We watched the next Perspective video in the series, " Cultural Component." God the Father is gathering His people from every tribe and nation to present to His Son, as a bride. We looked at three types of worldviews:  Animism, Secularism, and Theism. To be a part of God’s plan to gather His people, we must understand how others see the world in order to reach them with the gospel. We also discussed how worldviews develop and are spread. Finally, we looked at the question of why people are poor. When we return to a right relationship with God, man, self, and our environment, we see poverty being reduced- if not eliminated. We watched a video on Uganda’s drastic change into a Christian nation. It all began with six people praying and inviting God into their country. Will we invite God into our nation, city, and family to eliminate the poverty in our hearts and our communities?

January 15th:
We are looking forward to hearing from Cliff Moon who will be sharing with us about his recent trip to Central Asia. He and his team were invited to participate in the celebration of their 20th year of independence. Representatives from many countries were there for this event. Cliff will also share about his time in Turkey. All are welcome!

As I get Christmas greetings through the mail, I realize that some of them are from people that don’t believe in God and reject the reality that Jesus is Emanuel  “God with us”. It has always amazed me that this season brings with it such “warm” feelings of peace and good news to Man (Where have I heard that before? ….Luke 2:14? )

As I was praying this morning for North Korea and for peace in that region, I thought of another beautiful reality of the season: There is a “cease fire” in every international conflict on Christmas Day. Interesting isn’t it?

It is no surprise that Peace came from Heaven and Good News was born that day over 2000 years ago. In 2011 that birth still affects and changes lives today.

God is the same yesterday, today and forever and the reflection of His love shines in people around the world.

I am praying for our God’s workers  in many different countries. I am so honored to be their FPP (friend , partner and pastor)

I am proud of each one of you here at NSB: The Adventure in Missions Class, leaders of Focus areas, Short Term Mission teachers and leaders, our Mission Board, Sponsor A Student team, Volunteers….so many of you with love and compassion for the Nations. I know that with your work , each day your are bringing …..PEACE ON EARTH AND GOOD WILL TO ALL.

Have a great Christmas filled with God’s love and wonderful grace.

Your pastor,

Hilario

December 11, 2011
Jeff and Terri Clark shared about their recent trip to Haiti. They have started a school in Haiti. If you are interested in donating to the school Jehovah Nissi it can be done through www.AFFHope.org. Just click the link for the Haiti school. They are looking to take teams there towards the end of January and in late spring. If you’re interested in joining them, you can contact them at clarksnw@hotmail.com.

December 18, 2011
We are looking forward to our Christmas Brunch at 11:00 room 210. It’s the perfect day to check out the class! All are welcome.

December 4
We watched the next Operation Worldview (Perspectives) video in the series, "Historical Component." The Kingdom has continued to strike back against Satan during the 2000 years since Christ’s coming. When the Christians in Rome did not go out on mission, God sent the Barbarians, Celts, and the Vikings to conquer Rome where they were then introduced to Christianity. Our role as Christians is to reach out to the world; when we don’t, the Lord brings the world to us. We’re looking forward to watching the next video on January 8th.

December 11
We are looking forward to hearing from Jeff and Terri Clark. They recently took a trip to Haiti and have some amazing stories to share. They will give us an update on the school that has been started in the slum of Cite Soleil.

Jeff and Terry Clark recently visited Haiti. Here is their story. . .

The Jehovah Nissi (The Lord is my Banner) School has begun for 50 children in Haiti who had no prior opportunity for an education. The name comes from the story in Exodus 17:8-16.

The community of Cite Soleil has long been

considered the worst slum in the Western Hemisphere; the reputation of gang violence makes it a “NO GO” zone for most relief organizations.

We have had the pleasure of being led by a young man named Windy who grew up in Cite Soleil. His dream was always to have a school as a way out of the slum. Tonight though, he still sleeps there in his mother’s home while he is awaiting his biopsy results.

This is the fifth Northshore trip in slightly over a year and God has been faithful to light each step of the path ahead of us. We have built strong relationships, embraced the culture, and cried in the face of unbelievable trials brought on a community by the January 12, 2010 earthquake. This trip I personally felt called to Luke 10:3, “Go, behold, I send you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.”

Many Haitians suggested not visiting the school due to the area. Terry asked Windy, “Should I be afraid about visiting the school?” Windy answered her, “Don’t let fear rob you of the opportunity of what God can do through you.” I had visited last spring, but taking my wife raised the stakes quite a bit.

On our first visit this trip to Cite Soleil, we had a car accident where both front wheels went about a foot down over a concrete drainage barrier. As the car thumped down on the frame and came to a stop, I thought, “Uh oh, we are in real trouble.” A group quickly gathered around. Then, without a question or any discussion, they attempted to lift the front end up and out of the concrete ditch. Several attempts and some broken Creole later, the group miraculously lifted the car up and back onto the road. I can’t explain how happy I was that we not only were out of the ditch but the car ran fine. “Mesi Anpil (Thank you), Mesi Anpil!” I shouted to the young men who helped us; these men who bring fear to most visitors of Cite Soleil. I have to say, Cite Soleil has the nicest people in the world; for the past 20 years the press and UN have got it all wrong. They have missed the opportunity.

We visited Cite Soleil and the school two additional times this trip and each was warm, friendly, and inspiring. We have a video we hope you take time to watch. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-iZghzpW4s&feature=feedu.

We pray the Northshore community will embrace this school. Though run on a shoe string, it has great teachers and inspirational leadership. Windy gives a speech in the video that all school children and communities throughout the world should hear.  

We ask you pray for the teachers; they literally risk their lives daily to serve this school and the children. Pray also for Windy who is very ill.

Bondye Beni Ou (God Bless You),

Jeff and Terry Clark

November 20, 2011
It was exciting to see and hear how the Lord is working in India. Northshore’s team to India ministered to people in the leprosy colonies, celebrated with the new believers from the Banchara tribe and prayed for them and the budding ministry in this tribe.The people of India were blessed with the choir team’s beautiful songs and their loving hearts.

November 27, 2011
We are looking forward to hearing Jon Sween and Don Kiehl this week. They will be sharing about their recent trip to teach in India. They will also give us an update on the School of Entrepreneurial Leadership (SOEL). Jon will teach on how "God delights in blessing fragile things for kingdom purposes."

I find myself on airplanes often. Many long and tedious hours are passed there, most of the time thinking about the people that are coming with me on a trip, the potential impact in their lives, and how our international partners will respond to the team and their activities. The word “transformational” runs through my mind and I wonder how God will show Himself to the people I am taking and to the people I am visiting.

The same things were running through my head on October 12 as I took, for the first time, a team of 11 members to Indore, India; a choir group that would represent our congregation for 12 days.

The challenge of logistics was huge, the uncertainty of many of our activities hung over my head, and the reality of the weather and schedule ahead of us was scary. But in my mind as well was the promise from God, “I never will leave you or forsake you.” And He never did. His presence was with us all the way and His love, giving us strength each step of the way. We serve an amazing God and the brothers and sisters in Indore, as a reflection of God, are amazing too.

It is hard to describe India if you have not experienced the country before. Someone once described it as “an overload of your senses- of colors, smells, sounds, and people “  and it is true. But it is harder for me to articulate the feeling of peace and satisfaction I experience in the presence of my brothers and sisters in YWAM- Indore.

They are well-organized with a gifting of service and hospitality and a heart for the lost and the least. Their love and dedication to ministry made this trip a highlight of my life.

To take a choir team to India was a challenge, but a challenge that paid its dividends in love, worship, and the opportunity for “new things.” Traveling with 11 people to India was a first for us and for them. Going to the remote areas of the Banchara tribe was a first-time experience as well. Seeing the flourishing of new churches in very closed people groups was exciting and meeting again with our church planters- extraordinary.

To briefly report:

- People are coming to the saving knowledge of Jesus.

- Children’s lives are transformed and they have a new hope engraved on their hearts that they will not need to return to the “old ways” of prostitution for a living.

- The Gospel is being preached in the leprosy colony and I thought of the love of Christ as the people of Northshore touched the damaged bodies of these people affected with the disease.

- Friendships are formed with people from closed communities.

- Transformational development and well-being projects are implanted in many places.

So my report to you is one of excitement and an invitation. Come with us to India and experience God in a different way. Receive the hospitality and love of the people of India and discover the extravagance of this vast land.

View pictures of our trip.

One negative note:

The elephant ride was very scary. If you have questions about if we had any fun, just ask one of the team members and listen to their hearts and stories on Sunday, November 20 at 11:00 AM in the AIM Class.

Hilario Pardo
Global Missions Pastor

November 13, 2011
We had the privilege of praying over T & M B. as they return to India with a new addition to the family and new ministry opportunities. We also prayed for Chris and Phil Harvey as they left for Uganda to visit family, pray, minister, and bless Maggie and the people she ministers to.

We we were blessed to hear from the team who went to Cambodia this year. They shared a heartfelt message of the Lord’s redemption for the women, children, and men of Thailand and Cambodia. There is a huge contrast between the darkness and God’s great light shining into Thailand and Cambodia. It was a privilege and blessing to be a part of bringing the Lord’s light into such darkness. The team came alongside a ministry in Thailand that rescues women and girls from the bars, providing them housing, hope, training, and a future. We learned that Safe Haven is growing with recent additions of a new library and Pastor Training Center. We learned about the Hope Transformation Center and how that ministry will bring hope to Cambodia through skill training, housing for at-risk women, and a new church. May the Lord continue to bless CHO and the people of Cambodia.

November 20, 2011
We are looking forward to hearing an update from the Choir team that recently returned from India. We are excited to hear about those newly brought into the family, the great work the Lord is doing, and what we have to look forward to in the future.