Archive for June, 2021

Extend Your Hands to Bless Those in Need

Posted: June 28, 2021 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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God is at Work Bringing Aid to Those in Need
Dave with Pastor *Daniel

I love to receive testimonies from our familia on the Big Island. Every month Dawn and I are sending aid to help the pastors, their families, the people in their church and those in their community. It’s always wonderful to hear the stories of how the Lord is working through the help that we give to them.

It saddens us to hear how they are suffering, but we are thankful that the Lord is at work and bringing hope and life to the people.

Pastoral Daniel’s Testimony
Pastor Daniel ministering to Our Familia on the Big Island!

One of the pastors that we work with, Pastor *Daniel shared the following testimony with us.

He said, “We were able to bless several brothers with the funds that you sent, how good it is to be part of this help and to be a channel so that other brothers are also blessed and helped. Glory to God in the highest and good will towards all men! We are grateful Brother, Glory to the Lord Jesus!”

“I was able to help a brother, his words shocked me, because his child and his wife were admitted to the hospital for 2 days and he had no more than $10 pesos in his pocket (the equivalent of about .20 US cents). What a joy because when I met him on the street and I greeted him and asked him about his family and he told me about the condition that they were in and I was able to bless him with part of the aid that you sent me. When I gave him the donation his face changed, his spirits were lifted and he had no way to thank me and I told him, ‘thank the Lord who was the one who made this blessing come to you, I am only an instrument.’ When I saw how it affected him it touched my heart and I wanted to share it with you, because once again I see that our Father really takes care of His children. Thank you Pastor, this happened because the Lord has filled your hearts with love for us.”

Pastor *Daniel (name changed for security)
Seeking to Encourage The Flock
Pastor Daniel praying for those in his flock!

Pastor Daniel went on to tell me how difficult it has been for the people, because in many of the places they are ministering they are locked down. They cannot leave their homes after 3 in the afternoon. They haven’t been able to meet as a church for 5 months. He seeks to encourage his flock by visiting them in the morning, and meeting in small groups in their houses. They have to be very careful when they meet. Pastor Daniel asked me to pray for their protection, and that the Lord will send workers to help him to continue to share the good news of the gospel.

Extend Your Hands to Help Today
Pastor Daniel giving food to the hungry

Sadly, the crisis is ongoing and it has only gotten worse as time has gone on. Not only is there a lack of food and basic goods, but the prices are skyrocketing and they are having to stand in long lines for hours at a time to get the little food that is available.

Join us in prayer for our familia, and consider a generous gift today to bring aid to these dear families. You can play a part in lifting the spirit of the people in need. God is at work. We are thankful that we can be an instrument to bless others, and we’d love for you to join us in this effort of offering food to the hungry, and drink to the thirsty.

Click to Donate…

In His Grip, Dave

BeyondBordersLife.org

Extend Your Hands to Help Our Familia!

Posted: June 14, 2021 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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Our Familia in Living in Crisis
Some of our familia on the Big Island

I’ve been wanting to write about the ongoing crisis that our familia has been going through on the Big Island for sometime. I know that many are concerned about what is going on, and that many are praying.

The sad news is that the situation has only grown worse. Even though much of the world is starting to open up, there are still reported cases of Covid on the Big Island. The churches in most areas are not allowed to meet, which has been extremely difficult, because all of the scarcity of basic needs and of food is causing much duress.

Since January of this year, prices have gone up for food and basic goods between 250 and 300 percent and it is projected to go as high as 500% this year.

Pastor Ronaldo’s Report on the Current Status on the Big Island
Ronaldo with some of the people that he is ministering to that we’ve been able to bless with food

One of the pastors, *Ronaldo that we are in contact with, had the following to say about the current status on the Big Island:

“We feel very burdened by the economic, social, and political situation. Honestly, the country is a mess. Hyperinflation is killing us, the cost of living has skyrocketed and there are no food supplies. To buy anything, you have to stand in long lines throughout the day (5 to 8 hours), just to buy a liter of oil [costing] 10% of my salary. The country is bankrupt, it is very sad, and we are very much affected.

This hyperinflation is hard for everyone. The finances of the church have greatly decreased and can barely cover 50% of my salary, which is 25 USD per month. That is only enough to buy a packet of coffee, a few bottles of [cooking] oil, and a packet of detergent.

It is possible now for pastors to work bi-vocationally, but the problem is that there are no jobs.”

It saddens us to see all that our familia is suffering through!

God is on the Move Despite the Suffering!
One of the young church planters that we’ve been able to help

I don’t want to be overly negative about what our dear friends are experiencing. Despite these trials, there is good news as well.

The church is growing and God is on the move!

One of our church planters reported that since January they’ve shared the gospel with more than 800 people and 60 have come to Christ. Another pastor told me that they have a goal of planting 10 new churches starting this year.

It’s unbelievable to witness the resilience and commitment that these pastors have shown under some of most difficult of circumstances. God is faithful to build His church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it, as the church continues to march forward.

Dawn and I are sending aid monthly to help the pastors, their families and the families in their churches to be able to survive. Your gifts, your generous donations make it possible for us to continue sending them aid.

Pastor Lucas and Maria’s Appeal
Our Familia in Need on the Big Island

Pastor *Lucas and his wife, *Maria recently wrote to thank us for what we’ve done and to encourage you to continue to give to their needs and to pray for them.

“David and Dawn know about our struggles and sufferings as pastors and as parents due to the great lack in the economy. They have seen our tears when not only our own children go to bed without eating food during day, but there are many children in many families who also suffer. Men, women and elderly come to our our church not only in search of God but also for a morsel of food. Many of the children come to Sunday School without even being able to drink a glass of milk, because they don’t have any at home.

We give thanks for all that David & Dawn have done for the work of the Gospel on this Island, in our city, its people, our ministries, and my family. We give thanks for all who have given us a piece of heaven on earth through your gifts. Thank you for giving bread to those who hunger and water for those who thirst. We humbly ask you in the love of Christ that you will extend your prayers, your support, and your helping hands to us!”

Extend Your Hands to Help Our Familia

Click on the button below to send a donation to today and help a family in need!

Click to Donate…

In His Grip, Dave

BeyondBordersLife.org

*not their real names for security reasons