Global Mission: Value, Haiti

In November of 2007 we identified a church in the hill side community of Value, Haiti.  As I got to know Pastor Emmanuel and his church, I was excited at how they where reaching thier community for Christ, and like us, they didn’t have a building.  However, that didn’t keep them from meeting or making an impact for Christ.  I walked away challenged, and changed forever at what I saw and experienced those few days in Haiti. 

Upon our return home, I knew we as a church wanted to be involved.  After much prayer and discussion with our staff, we wanted to help be a resource for Value Baptist Church, by helping them build their facility so that they could further their impact in their community for Christ.

When I returned to Value,  in March of 2008 I was excited to hear and see first hand how God was furthering the impact of Value Baptist Church.  In the first few months the church has already grown to 300 people, and more than 20 people had given their lives to Christ!  Awesome!

In late 2008, 7 different hurricanes hit Haiti.  It was during this time that the church building, became a refuge for many families in the church, and community. 

March of 2009 I returned with a medical team to help assess and treat miner medical needs within the church and community.  After 5 hours of helping with medical needs, the people in the church wanted to thank us for coming and held a special service for us.  I was amazed again at the impact this church was having for the name of Christ.  Many people waited 4 hours before we arrived, then another 5 hours to be seen, then wanted to stay and hear the gospel presented in a clear and powerful way. 

I’m so thankful that we as a church get to partner with what God is doing in Haiti, and I’m even more excited about the days ahead!

-Daniel Conner, Pastor of Compassion Ministries

Survey Says!

The Johnson Home Team had a wonderful ministry opportunity to help with the Phoenix Rescue Mission within the past month.

One of the unique ways that they came up with to help them see what an impact in their own lives  this ministry had on them was in taking a survey of what their initial thoughts and impressions were before serving  and after serving.

Their surveys and statements speak for themselves.  They are as follows:

BEFORE:

What are your initial thoughts of serving at the Phoenix Rescue Mission?

Boring, doing it because my mom said I had to, not wanting to but will, things will be good, good experience.

AFTER:

Did you enjoy the experience? Describe your experience and what you did at the Mission.  List one thing God has taught you.

Michaela, age 12

Yes, I enjoyed the experience.

My favorite aunt and I served desert and it was a very good experience for me.

It was great to be there, but sad to see people my age without food.

God has taught me that there are people out there that we need to care for!

Xandria, age 10

Yes.

I passed out bread and wrapped forks.

I had a good experience.

I am more grateful and it taught me a lot.

Diana, age unknown

Yes.

Served dessert and watched people take a dessert.  Replenished cake and cupcakes.

I talked with my niece, Mission Staff and Team members. I saw people who looked like your average person on the street, a few families and little children.

Even though times are tough for my family, I am so thankful for everything the Lord has blessed me with and I should be giving more of my time.

Lucas, age 16

Heck Yeah!!!

Served in hot food first servings.

It was fun and I felt good.

That there are a lot of people out there that need help and there is so much I can do to help.

Xavier, age 9

Yes.

Passed out fruit.

It was good.

To be nice to everyone. You don’t know when you will need someone’s help.

Josiah, age 7

Yes, I liked it.

I folded forks and handed them out.

Jasmine, age unknown

Very much I enjoyed the experience.

Served food.

It was great helping people.  Everything went really well.

What God has taught me, I’m not sure yet.  I have done this many times before.  It was fantastic to do this with my family.  It made me very proud of my children.

Victory, age 13

Yes.

Filled people’s cups with drinks

I thought it was great to help others.

To be grateful for what God has gave me in life.

Staci, age unknown

Yes.

I served salad to people.

Great & good experience.  I can’t wait to do it again.

I am very blessed to have what I have, grateful there is a Rescue Mission helping others.  It gave me more appreciation.

Laura, age unknown

Always, I love to serve others.

I served hot food and helped set up and clear down.

I loved working with my small group, we learned to lean on one another and we really saw how well we work together as a team when God is leading us.

God has taught me all things are possible through Him.  When we come together for Him, nothing can stop us.  We were strong and united in the name of God.  He is amazing!

Straut Home Team

How excellent the Straut’s Home Team was able to pull off a wonderful service for an elderly resident after receiving a quick notice and need from the City of Goodyear.

Recently, the elderly resident’s wall was tagged.  Unfortunately, the individual’s home resides in an area that is not covered by an HOA.  Therefore, the responsibility of painting over the tagging fell on her shoulders or she would be subject to a violation from the city.

The City of Goodyear reached out for help.  They provided the paint and brushes and the Straut Home Team provided the time, effort, & willingness to serve!   What a wonderful partnership with the City of Goodyear in getting this task accomplished for this individual!

Getting Artsy for Christ!

God has blessed some individuals with amazing artistic ability.   One those individuals blessed with artistic ability is Karen Milhous who attends Palm Valley Church. Not only is she gifted as an artist but she has a passion for sharing her love for Christ through her desire to teach others how to paint.

Previously, Karen owned and operated an art materials store and taught classes in CA for 20 plus years and in the past, Karen has had the opportunity to volunteer and teach inner city woman.  Not only, has she  felt the desire to share her talents to help others learn to paint and give them to do for fun, but more importantly something that will build confidence in their own talents and abilities with the possibility of becoming income producing for them.

Recently, she had the opportunity along with Nancy Allen and Juli Hedstrom to hold a class for the women at Homeward Bound which is a divison of the Phoenix Rescue Mission.

Each of the women were given a large plate, paints, brushes and & other supplies with the generous support of several in Karen’s home team and Jerry’s Artarama who donated materials.

Beautiful work ladies!

Combes’s Hometeam Reunion

One of the many wonderful benefits of  being involved in a home team is developing friendships that persevere over time and distance.  It is one of the many precious blessings of meeting together consistently and studying God’s word together.

One of the friendships the Combes’s home team has had the opportunity to develop is with their former fearless leaders, Jonathan, Laurie Shaw & Laurie’s mother, Rosemary.  

The Shaw’s were called to move back East to South Carolina approximately 3 1/2 years ago and have kept in touch with several of the existing home team members throughout those years. 

One of the blessings that occurred with their move was that another couple within the existing home team, Mark and Stephanie Swindall, were in involved in adoption which occurred in the state of Florida a little over a year ago.  Jonathan and Laurie drove to Florida to be with the Swindall’s and held their precious newborn daughter for several “hours” from what I was told!  Love one another comes to mind doesn’t it?

Recently, the Shaw’s were in town.  The home team had a wonderful time having an amazing dinner which Debbie Stone and several others prepared for them and enjoyed sharing all that God has been doing in their lives. 

Tea Anyone?

Some amazing women from Palm Valley Church came up with a creative way to share God’s loving touch to women who have  faced the challenges of extremely difficult life circumstances .  These women are part of a ministry through the Phoenix Rescue Mission called Homeward Bound.  For more information regarding the Homeward Bound program go to www.hmphx.org.

Karen Milhous and Nancy Allen were gracious hostesses at the tea they held  for these women.  Wonderful sandwiches and sweets were lovingly prepared and presented in beautiful style for them to enjoy.  More important than the food, the women had a tremendous time relaxing and enjoying getting to know one another by a great time of chatting together.

The Palm Valley women are furthering their ministry for these ladies by starting a painting class for them with the goal of meeting with them twice a month.   One of the verses they are praying for this ministry is II Thessalonians 1:11 – May You, GOD, count me worthy of Your calling; by Your power may You fulfill every good purpose of my heart and every act prompted by my faith.  All this so the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified!

Witt Women’s Retreat

 

 It’s beneficial to not only reach out into the community to share and encourage others but it is also beneficial to do that within one’s own Home Team.

Eleven women of Doug and Julie Witt’s hometeam had the rare opportunity to take a weekend “away” together.  Well, maybe Scottsdale isn’t quite a distance to consider it ”away” but it was an uplifting and encouraging time to spend together nevertheless.  The Skyway Resort was a perfect oasis in the desert to spend time sharing with each other, encouraging one another and spending time praising God for what He has been accomplishing in each of their lives.

Rescue Mission Lunch Program

The Home Team of Aaron and Christen Campbell  enjoyed the opportunity to be involved in the Phoenix Rescue Mission Sack Lunch Program.

Filling a large quantity of brown lunch bags with the tasty treats of Peanut butter & jelly sandwiches, applesauce, M&M cookies, granola bars, cheese crackers & juice boxes was challenging but extremely rewarding. 

 The “Brown Bag” lunch program is coordinated by Marlena Padron who is the volunteer coordinator at the Phoenix Rescue Mission.  If you are interested in particiating in the program, please contact her directly at 602-346-3339 or by e-mail at mpadron@phoenixrescuemission.org 

Thank you to all the following volunteers keep up the great work sharing love to the underprivileged!

Aaron & Christen Campbell
Jason & Nikki Palmer
Kerry & Tracy Hodges
James & Amber Mueller
Ian & Beth Hoskins

Backpack Drive

The PVC Compassion Kids Ministry has done a beautiful job in coordinating the backpack drive that will help West Valley’s foster children.  Aleksandra Niemyska from CPS has been a wonderful contact person and we are grateful to her for being willing to help us with the information we needed.

This is one of many action campaigns the Compassion Kids ministry at PVC will have to help to meet the practical needs of children who have suffered abuse/neglect in the West Valley. 

The back packs collected will go directly to the children from Goodyear to Tonopah and the surrounding areas.  So, far we are short of our goal of 550 backpbacks but we will be extending the drive to ensure the most success. 

Thank you for those involved in coordinating and volunteering at the drop off tables – Mark and Julie Gumm, Dustin and Jennifer Sloniger, Shawn & Molly Alexander, Wes and Brooke Spurling, Nancy Allen, Jackie Straut, Dawn and Elizabeth Mayfield, Skip and Doris Mancini.  

A  big THANK YOU to all of our volunteers who have purchased and dropped off the backpacks for the drive!

 

Blanket Bonanza for the Homeless in Phoenix

Not only were blankets given to the homeless in Phoenix but also, Bibles and lunches.  We trust that the homeless felt the love of God surround them on those cold winter nights in Phoenix knowing that He hasn’t forgotten them.  Oh, that we would remember to reach out more to the community of those who are hurting!

Psalm 74:21 Oh, do not let the oppressed return ashamed! Let the poor and needy praise Your name.

Psalm 82:3 Defend the poor and fatherless; Do justice to the afflicted and needy.

Gal 2:10 They desired only that we should remember the poor, the very thing which I also was eager to do.

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