Never Smile At A Crocodile

Wesley offers his hand in friendship to a local resident.
We recently took a safari up Jamaica's longest river, the Black River. So named because of the darkness of the river bed that has been lined with thick layers of decomposing vegetation.
Our family was greeted by more than a few "friendly Jamaican" crocs on our ride. The tour guide coaxed them with chicken parts and a whistle call that mimiced a local bird. Margaret, the crocodile shown here, was found sunning herself on the bank; her mouth wide open not to catch prey but to cool herself as crocs don't have sweat glands. Although we were invited to swim with the crocodiles (seriously) no one was feeling quite that adventurous that day.

The Great Wall

We have an urgent need here at New Vision City of Refuge; to finish building a retaining wall before the rainy season begins in September. As you can see, heavy rains this past Spring caused landslides between the new dorm and the building that we reside in. We estimate that it will cost about $7000 to finish constructing this wall. That means we need 7 churches/individuduals to partner with us at $1000 each or 14 churches/individuals to partner with us at $500 each or 28 churches/ individuals to partner with us at $250 or 56 churches/ individuals to partner with us at $125.
Please send all offerings to Assemblies of God World Missions 1445 Boonville Ave Springfield, MO 65802. In the memo line put Project #8768-Retaining Wall.
Please prayerfully consider what you or your church can do. Thanks to everyone who have participated already. We appreciate your support.

Illuminated by the Lighthouse

"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
A wonderful group of people from Lighthouse Assembly in Richmond, Indiana brightened our home with their presence this past week. The work team, led by Angie McCormick and Brenda Tudor and the ministry team, led by Keilah and Josh Holdeman were a force to be reckoned with as they worked and played hard to get so much accomplished. Bookshelves were built, the library was organized, equipment was repaired, the medical clinic was cleaned, our water heater was installed (yeah), rocks were moved, dirt was shoveled, and so on and so on. Everyday the kids enjoyed Vacation Bible School with games, videos and crafts to keep them occupied and challenged. Thank you Lighthouse Assembly for an illuminating week!

Simply Sachse

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.

The Century Mark

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/.

Experiencing Life

"And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them." Mark 10:16
New life was breathed into New Vision this past week as a team from Community Life Center in Port Charlotte, Florida came to minister at our children's home. Led by student ministries pastor, Sam Lopez and children's pastor, Kiley Callaway, the team ministered in a variety of ways. Our medical clinic is now brightly painted and the rest of the girls' dorm received a fresh coat of paint. Throughout the week Pastor Sam and Pastor Kiley led the children to the Lord through exciting worship, meaningful prayer, and heartfelt preaching of the Word. Desiring to set an example to the children in the way of Christ the team served a wonderful meal at week's end and finished off with a special communion service.
Thank you, Pastor Mark Coffey, for sending such a wonderfully gifted team to New Vision City of Refuge Children's Home.

Mushy Marshmallow Madness

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).

Double Bubble Trouble

Pastor Sam Lopez, student ministries pastor of Third Degree Uth at Community Life Center in Port Charlotte, Florida, oversees brother and sister duo, Delius and Stephanie, who are bursting at the seams with fun!
Visit Pastor Sam's website at www.3duth.com.

The Curacao Connection

"I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me." Matthew 25:36
Recently a medical team led by Dr Mike Collins (pictured left, standing) and Dr Rich Montgomery ministered at the New Vision City of Refuge Clinic. Usually Dr Mike brings a medical student with him but this time he was unable to do so. God though, was prepared to fill in the gap in an unusual way. It just so happened that that very week we were hosting two other work teams, one led by missionary to Curacao, Rich Smallie, who brought a second year medical student with him. Jeffrey (pictured sitting) is studying in Curacao but is orignally from Cameroon. The team was able to minister to over 200 people in the community and even did a few housecalls. Jeffrey had no idea, and neither did we, that this opportunity would be available to him. Dr Mike and Dr Rich graciously shared their knowledge and expertise and Jeffrey benefited greatly from the experience.

On A Hill Too Far Away

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross, The emblem of suff'ring and shame; And I love that old cross where the dearest and best For a world of lost sinners was slain. -George Bernard
Two thousand years ago on a hill called Calvary our Savior willingly died on a rough wooden cross. In his book, On a Hill Too Far Away, John Fischer presents the cross of Christ in all its trueness and begs the question, is the cross obsolete; is it simply a decoration on the wall of our churches or an ornament around our necks, or is it more?
John Fischer writes of a particular cross in Old Greenwich, Connecticut. It is 10 feet tall, made of rough, untreated wood and it is bolted to the floor inside the sanctuary right in front of the platform. This cross is no mere decoration, it is an obstruction. The pastor can't preach without acknowledging the cross and the congregation can't gather at the altar without accommodating the cross. It's big, it's ugly, it's rough and it's in the way.
But maybe that's the way it should be.
Have you ever heard someone complain about the cross they bear? Usually they are talking about a person; an obnoxious boss or an uncooperative spouse. After complaining a little about how awful their lives are, they roll their eyes, let out a sigh and exclaim, "I guess that is the cross I have to bear."
No, it isn't.
Christ didn't call us to pick up a person and follow him, he commanded us to pick up our cross and follow him. The cross is not a problem I bear, it is the place where I die. "Simply put," John Fischer says, "the cross does for us what it did for Christ. It kills us."
And if you haven't noticed, dying does not appear to be fun. In fact, it looks like it hurts. Especially if we are talking about death on a cross. And that is exactly what we are talking about.
"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by the faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me" (Galatians 2:20). We must bow at the old rugged cross to find life, we must cling to the old rugged cross to nourish our life, and we must pick up our own rugged cross to make our life's journey with Christ.