Pastor Jimmy Johnston brought a great bunch of kids from Kentucky recently on an Ambassadors in Missions (AIM) team. Worship, sports clinics, games, and devotions were the order of the day. Our kids found the joy of the Lord in everything that they did. Local high schools also benefited from their ministry during morning devotions and wanted them to return.
A wonderful team from Victory Christian Center, Terre Haute, Indiana visited New Vision City of Refuge this past week. Pastor Dana Coverstone and his youth pastor Shawn Riggs are shown here refereeing Bible Quiz. The Buzz Box was a gift from the church and a big hit with the kids.
A wonderful team from King of Kings Lutheran Church in Omaha, Nebraska visited with us this past week. Team leader Kevin Holdorf had a vision to build a chicken coop on our property and has been woking diligently these last couple of years to pursue this project. This generous team also had opportunity to do devotions and crafts with all the children, treat the staff to a spa day and visit our church and Bible College.
Recently two churches from the Sunshine State came and ministered at New Vision City of Refuge. Page Pond and Bagdad Assembly of God along with their respective pastors, Bo Senterfitt and Rickey Tedder brought a wonderful group of people to Jamaica. They worked hard on the new boys dorm by laying tile, installing and varnishing doors and painting. The ladies also cleaned windows, sorted out the clothes in the storeroom and did crafts with the children. Each night we enjoyed singing and devotions together in the cool night air. Thanks so much Page Pond and Bagdad Assembly for shining down on New Vision City of Refuge Children's Home.
Trinity Episcopal Church from Belleville, Michigan recently sent a hardworking, fun-loving team to work and minister at New Vision City of Refuge Children's Home. Led by Shawn Small and Eric Neubauer of Wonder Voyage Missions, this group had the envious job of hauling rock and digging dirt to help build our septic system! They also took all our kids on a picnic to Gouri Cave and went spelunking with the teens. A visit to the town of Christiana and game night filled out our week together.
Recently a team from Calvary Assembly in Irwin, Pennsylvania (right outside of Pittsburgh) visited us at New Vision City of Refuge Children's Home. Pastor Todd and Sharon Neveu (classmates with us at Southeastern University of the Assemblies of God) led this wonderful group in work and ministry. They scraped, painted, cleaned, organized, did crafts and hosted a staff appreciation party. The staff was delighted with the hand crafted angel pins that the children made, the personalized gift bags, and all the generous items they received. The children especially enjoyed the bonfire and s'mores. Thank you Pastor Todd, Sharon, Nicoletta, Keziah, Courtney, Heather, Wendy and Phillip for your generous spirit and your kindness towards everyone at New Vision City of Refuge Children's Home.
Recently, we had a wonderful team from Victory Christian Center in Terre Haute, Indiana visit us at New Vision City of Refuge Children's Home. Led by Pastor Dana and Jennifer Coverstone, this team ministered to our family, the 24 resident children and our staff throughout their stay. Working hard every day they installed doors and windows in our new boys’ dorm, motion detector lights outside our apartment and organized our clothing storage closet, as well as many other practical tasks. 
When you enter a town and you are welcomed, eat what is set before you. Heal the sick who are there and tell them, "The Kingdom of God is near." Luke 10:8, 9
Stephanie and Krishana showcase their gifts at the ever popular talent show. 
Thank you. Pastor Gary Ellison and his wife Christy from Sachse Assembly of God in Texas joined us recently to present two new Toshiba laptops to the students at New Vision City of Refuge. Their young adult group worked hard and sacrificed all year to be able to purchase these computers. All our kids from kindergarten through high school will be able to benefit from their generous gift. Thank you Pastor Gary and Sachse Assembly of God for reaching out once again to the orphans of Jamaica.
New Vision City of Refuge Children's Home was blessed recently by the ministry of Tom and Anne Davis. This couple, from Grace Assembly of God in New Whiteland, Indiana, provided free eye exams and glasses to those in need. Over 165 people were served including our children and staff, residents of the surrounding communities and the students and staff at the local Assembly of God Bible College. Thank you Pastor Wayne Murray for sending such a fine couple and partnering with us in ministry. If you would like to know more about Grace Assembly please visit their website at http://www.grace-assembly.org/index.php
Our home church, Fort Wayne First Assembly, blessed us recently with an all ladies team led by Chris Cormany and Nancy Williams. This wonderful group of women hosted some special projects and events for us at New Vision City of Refuge. As you can see in this photo, Sophia enjoyed the pleasant and relaxing Spa Day where we were pampered and treated to a special lunch and other goodies. A beautiful girls' tea was also enjoyed by all the girls at New Vision in which they received, among other things, their very own tea cup; as precious and as fragile as they. The Bible College students and staff were blessed by their chapel presentation and my three children were in for a special surprise as this ladies team did a wonderful make-over of their rooms. Thank you Fort Wayne First Assembly, we love you!
New Vision City of Refuge student volunteer, Amanda Hacker and our daughter Olivia hang out together with Merlene.
Pastor Kelvin Johnston and his team from Light House Assembly in Richmond, Indiana dug right in and got to work recently at New Vision City of Refuge. Tile was laid, windows frames were constructed and a whole lot of dirt was moved during the week they were here. The children enjoyed a birthday party hosted by the team and movie night which featured tons of popcorn was also a big hit.
"Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun." Psalm 37:5-6
New Vision City of Refuge welcomed Pastor Gary Ellison and his young adult team from Sachse Assembly this past week. With hearts as big as the Lone Star State they hailed from, this group of young men and women ministered in a variety of ways. Testimonies were shared, skits were performed, children's church was presented and candy abounded all during their stay. A relay race, which challenged even the most multi-talented of our children, will not soon be forgotten. On the pratical side, a much needed wardrobe was also constructed to place in the boys' dorm. Thank you Sachse Assembly for a wonderful week.
Transforming students into passionate believers who live their purpose by the power of God -Evolv: Student Ministries Mission Statement Pastor Dave Novak and 9 students from Evolv: Ministries @ Century Assembly in Lodi, California came and left their mark this past week at New Vision City of Refuge. The days were spent sprucing up New Vision and playing with the kids and the nights were filled with worship and testimonies. What a loving and fantastic group of students. Our hearts were touched by their eagerness to serve and their desire to be a Christlike example to all of us. You can visit Pastor Dave's website at http://www.evolvsm.com/.
"And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them." Mark 10:16
Pastor Kiley Callaway, children's pastor at Community Life Center in Port Charlotte, Florida encourages Lorna and Sheldon to do their best imitation of a hefty hare (otherwise known as the chubby bunny contest).
