August 29 — Matt & Jenn Irvine

On the Ministry Front:

Pray that the good news of Jesus would run in the lives of those who heard it and experienced it during our summer outreaches including our LEAP (London Evangelism and Prayer) Week outreach in early July (about 75 short-term visitors from USA were there to help us) and our kids club week at the end of July. A number of local people heard the gospel for the first time ever and had some contact with our church for the first time ever.

Pray for a ladies’ outreach being planned for September which includes some testimonies related to cancer survivors who know and love Jesus and their desire to share about their journey.

Pray for some elder/leadership training we plan to resume in September

Pray for encouragement and vision for the committed core of the church plant after some long-term local leadership retired earlier in the year and as we ask the Lord to provide for the next steps.

Pray for the beginning of fall ministry programs including our weekly youth clubs and mums and tots ministry and ladies' and men's bible studies.

On the Personal Front

Praise God for a good time of mini-home assignment during the last four weeks in the USA as we've had good connections with supporting churches and friends and family, including Jenn's mom who is now in a memory care unit in Tennessee near one of her brothers.

Praise God that a cash offer was made and accepted on Jenn's mother's (and late father's) house in upstate NY. Pray that this would close smoothly by late August/early September. 

Pray for our kids this autumn:

• Malachi (19) is starting his second year of a Maths/Philosophy degree at  the University of Edinburgh and is helping with leadership in the student "Christian Union" ministry moving into an apartment with three friends and will be cooking his own meals. Pray for continued growth and learning & longer term direction for his further Calling.

• Arielle (17) is starting her senior year of High School and has to apply to Universities by the end of September. Pray for guidance.

• Luke (13) is starting eight grade. Pray for encouragement and inspiration at school.

Pray for Jenn and I to walk closely with the Lord Jesus this Autumn and to continue to grow and mature in every area of our lives that He would want to grow us.

Thanks!

Matt

August 22 — Max & Samantha Herbert

Best Week of Your Life! 

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation; the old has gone and the new has come..." 2 Corinthians 5:17

Throughout the school year during the announcements at each club as we are sharing the details of our camp trip I always end with the same line - "I promise this will be the best week of your life or I will give you your money back."  Week after week for over 20 years I have shared this line with the students in the room and we have never had anyone ask for their money back! Maybe they are so tired by the time they get off the bus they forget my promise but I think there is more to it.  

I know that every student who steps foot on camp property is going to have a great time tubing, zip lining, hanging at the pool, conquering the ropes course, eating great food, and sharing lots of laughs.  Those are all great things but they are not the catalyst for the promise.  I promise the best week because I know that at camp our students (and leaders) are going to be in a place where they are loved, hear the Gospel message, and have an encounter with Christ.  For some, I know that this will be a week where their lives will be changed forever, Christ will grab their hearts and they will truly become a new creation!  

I asked one of our students, Lauren, if she would share a little bit about her journey and how this camp week changed her life: 

"Going into my first year of camp I didn't really know God or wholeheartedly think I could give my heart to Him. But this year at Lake Champion changed my whole perspective. A few months before graduating high school I was struggling with addiction. I was vaping, smoking weed up to 4x a day, and drinking every weekend. The day before camp my parents found out about everything and I feared what my life would look like going home after camp. 

 I have never felt so vulnerable as I cried every night at camp. The withdrawal I felt at camp only made my emotions that much stronger, but as I shared with my leaders and friends I felt the weight slowly lifting.  With every cry, every hug, and every conversation I knew I wanted to quit for good. I dedicated my life to Christ this year, walking up to the stage to give my life to Him had me so emotional, I knew it was the best decision.  Walking back to my seat balling my eyes out, getting hugs from friends and strangers, people who don't even know my story.  I felt seen and I felt heard.  My family has been super supportive and has helped me quit.  I am going on 3 weeks sober and I'm just getting started.  Without YL I would be going down the wrong path, slowly losing myself."

 It has been such a gift to be able to see God at work in Lauren's life, I am so grateful that God would invite us into this miracle!  We are so excited to walk alongside Lauren as she begins this walk. 

As summer winds down and as we approach another school year I hope you are encouraged.  We look back over the summer with gratitude as our faith is deepened by seeing God at work and we look forward to the school year with anticipation as we get to share His love and His story with our friends.  

We are grateful to be in this with you, thank you for all that you do to keep this ministry going!  

For Christ and kids,
Max and Sam

August 8 — Souls Winning Ministries

Quite a few challenges have developed in Haiti. You can read the full update from Reformation Hope here. Here are some ways we can be in prayer for Souls Winning Ministries and their work: 

• Osseille Joseph sends his thanks for the help we have given. His family is safe, though they have lost their home to gangs. There is an application to USCIS to bring him and his family to the US, but there has been no action on it yet. Here is an excerpt of a letter he shared in the Reformation Hope newsletter:

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Warmest greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We thank you for the way that you support us and our family ever since my time in jail and right up to this day. Because of the unsecure conditions in my area, we can’t stay in our house, so now we are staying outside of the city. Even while our situation is complicated, we continue to preach the salvation of God to people who haven’t gone to the theological seminary. Please keep praying for our next trip in August, we will have the opportunity to teach some leaders and also to baptize some people who have confessed saving faith at that time. Our vision is to open another Bible college for that community, Please help with your prayers that God’s will might be for that dream to come true. Our family is grateful to be at a new apartment by the grace of God. We hope in the future that Haiti will have peace and that we will be able to safely return to our home. Our family and I will never forget all that you have done to support us in this very terrible situation.

Sincerely, Your Brother in Christ,
Rev. Osseille Joseph

• The Presbyterian Seminary in Jacmel on the southern coast of Haiti is doing well. Students come from around the area for a week of teaching every 4-6 weeks. Their next session, from August 14-18, will cover biblical ethics. 

• There is a flu epidemic raging, that hit the kids of the orphanage pretty hard. While many of the children have had mild cases, there have been a few severe cases. Key symptoms are fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. Thankfully, the Reformed Medical Clinic has been able to treat the New Joy House Children and monitor their recoveries.

• The gang situation is ongoing. Kidnappings for ransom have become more prominent. Recently, an American nurse and her child were kidnapped while doing humanitarian work in Port-au-Prince. The State Department raised its travel advisory to Level 4, Do Not Travel, and is bringing home all but the most essential personnel from the US Embassy. 

• There are a number of projects that need financial support — sponsoring a child in the orphanage, purchasing supplies for a seminary student, supporting the health center, etc. If you are inclined, check out the Reformation Hope page at reformationhope.org/donate or contact Rich Kennedy.

August 1 — Jody Collinge

Praise and Prayers

"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." (Genesis 1:1)

I recently returned from the base of the Christian Health Service Corps near Dallas, where they had an orientation of new medial missionaries. I taught CHE and helped with the children's program. We had an excellent group. Praise God for the medical missionaries going out to serve, many in hard places. Please pray for the mission teams that are in transition, often after going through hardships. Pray for CHSC, for new staff for their expanding ministry. Read more about CHSC's excellent ministry at https://www.healthservicecorps.org/

Our CHE ministries are also expanding. Pray for the completion of a new CHE app and the opening of new online training programs. We are also working on updating and improving our library of training materials.

Pray also for two close friends who are going through significant health issues. Pray for God's healing and for his peace during this time of uncertainty and change.

Our online Bible study with children and youth has nearly finished Esther! (Yes, she did rescue her people.) During the fall, we hope to study God's Amazing Creation by Kay Arthur and Janna Arndt. Let me know if you know anyone (ages 9-16) who would like to join us.

More children are coming to our children's ministry in Convergencia! Please continue to pray for speech therapy for Isaías, who had a cleft palate repair. In Nuevo Amanecer, we hold a discipleship ministry with mothers and grandmothers alongside the children's program.

Jo Kijabe reports from Kenya, "The ladies received fruit trees with joy and gladness. They sang songs of praise to God, we took the time to learn about bearing good fruits that will last and becoming a blessing to others by sharing the light of Jesus." Thanks to all who gave or prayed for this.

The cabin is progressing. Much of the exterior work is done. Pray for wisdom in all the decisions for the interior. (I was in culture shock, looking at all the options for lighting fixtures in Texas!)

Many thanks for your prayers, encouragement, and support! Let me know how I can be praying for you.

With love,

Jody

July 11 — Jenn & Matt Irvine

Praise and Prayer for the Irvines

On the ministry front:

• As I write, we are midway through our summer leap outreach week. We have about 80 visitors from the USA from various churches and also RUF interns and summer Serge interns and it has been so encouraging to reflect on Prayer and Evangelism and Mission and God's Purposes for us and His Church. We are having many opportunities to share the good news through various street outreaches near our local church plant and three others in other parts of London. Pray for those who are hearing the gospel - some/many for the first time - that they would come to know and embrace the Good News of Jesus. Pray for the many young adults from their mid-twenties to mid-teens to continue to grow in their faith and that the Lord would help them be good stewards of the experiences they are having here serving with us.

• Pray for several local friends who are going through difficult situations - that they would know the love and healing care of Jesus.

• Pray for our upcoming Kids Club Week, which runs July 23-26. Pray that many would sign up and experience the Love of Jesus that week.

• Pray for ongoing encouragement for the church plant in this time of relative transition.

• Pray for preparation for our brief time of Home Assignment in the States from July 27 - August 24. We are looking forward to being with you all at Grace on the evening of Thursday, August 3!

On the family front:

• Continue to pray for the sale of Jenn’s mother's house (in Phelps, NY). The funding for her mother's memory unity care will last through December only unless the house sells.  Pray that Jesus would bring a buyer soon.

• Pray for good rest and renewal for each member of our family. Continue to pray especially for Jenn as she grieves the loss of her dad (and mom in many ways). 

July 6 — Jacob & Lisa Pursley

Earlier this month, Lisa Pursley visited our Kingdom Prayer gathering to provide an update on her family’s ministry in Armenia, a country situated between Turkey and Iran. Here are some updates on their ministry:

• They have been able to help mobilize and send 16 full-time missionaries out to neighboring Muslim countries. 

•  They helped form a 4-year bible college in the area which is doing well.  There is a serious need for Biblical/reformed teaching as well as reformed material in the appropriate language since most of the “Christian” material in Armenia stems from prosperity gospel movements. The protestant presence in the area has also been increasingly influenced by the New Apostolic Reformation which has been a growing concern for Jacob in recent years due to its doctrinal issues.

•  They helped form an elder-led, reformed, Biblical church in the area (International Bible Church of Armenia). We can be praying that God would grant the church a new full-time pastor and more elders due to some moves. 

• Jacob has had multiple speaking opportunities over the past year and as a result of an interview, someone was moved to donate a number of Farsi Bibles just in time for them to be used in street ministry during a key holiday!

• We can pray for their children – that they would grow spiritually strong and that their faith would mature.

• They have a ministry near the border of Iran. They have requested prayer for renovations on a second guest house in that area.

• Their “love camp” ministry for kids with special needs is continuing to thrive.

• They have welcomed three new Americans who have come to help on a 1-year commitment. They would like prayer for more workers, and the door for effective ministry seems to be wide open.

June 27 — Max & Samantha Herbert

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God - this is your true and proper worship." Romans 12:1

What an amazing school season we have had together, and there is no better way to celebrate than with our annual shaving cream kickball game (pretty light on the kickball part haha). 

What a gift it was to be together every Monday night sharing the love of Christ in word and in deed with our friends.  We are grateful for our host families who welcomed us in and helped build a sense of belonging (Repass, Snitchler, Seaburg, Johnson, & Capria families thank you so much!). 

We are so blessed to be able to work with our volunteers who share their gifts with our students.  Our volunteers gave their Monday nights as well as Thursday and Saturday mornings, time outside of our meetings with teens, musicals, sporting events, camp weeks, and weekends while juggling a mix of full-time jobs, college schedules, and deadlines, parenting, getting married and so much more!  These people are my heroes and I am reminded of the passage in Romans 12, they indeed offer their lives to share the Gospel.  

Thank you for being a vital part of this mission.  We couldn't do it without you and though you may not personally know the teens you see in the pictures you are very much a part of their stories.  

Please continue to lift us up in prayer as we begin a new season. Our summer season will include some regular get-togethers to connect personally and also share the Word at evening Campaigners. Our leadership team will continue to meet with kids in smaller groups for coffee, ice cream, disc golf, etc.. as the summer allows for more flexibility.  We have a camp trip on July 20th - 25 to Lake Champion as well as a local camp experience with Roc East YL and Geneseo YL on July 9 and 10.  Would you pray that our time with kids in all of these events would provide us with opportunities to go deeper in friendship and provide a clear picture of God's love?  

We also have one of our major fundraisers this summer.  Our annual Golf Tournament is July 24 at Ridgemont Country Club.  Would you pray that this event would bring glory to God as we share what He is doing in our area and that it would be a good way to sustain the ministry financially? 

We are so blessed to be able to be a part of this ministry, thank you for partnering with us! 

For Christ and kids, 

Max and Samantha

June 20 — Matt & Jenn Irvine

Praise and Prayer for the Irvines

On the Ministry Front:

Easter church gatherings and outreach went well. Recently we had a well-attended "Family Game Night" evening at the church which allowed for good interaction with visitors. We've also continued to have weekly Friday Afternoon street outreach and talked to a number of people as we hand out free chai. We've also been enjoying good discussions at bible studies.

In the next few months, we are looking forward to having 2 college students from the states join us as summer interns in June and July. Pray for the Lord to use them while they are here. Pray for preparations for summer leap week outreach the first week of July and for a kids' club outreach the last week of July.

In all of this pray for the Lord to open people's eyes to the good news of Jesus.

Please also be praying for summer leadership training in the church we are hoping to start in June.

On the Family Front:

Thank you for praying for Jenn's family in the wake of her father's death. The funeral gathering went very well just before Palm Sunday and it was so good to give thanks together with many family members for the life of her father.

Thank you for praying for direction for care for Jenn's mum who has Alzheimer’s. The Lord opened a door rather suddenly for her mom to move into a memory care wing of a nice care facility near Knoxville, TN near to where one of her brothers lives.

Please pray for the sale of her mother's house (in Phelps, NY) to happen by August so that money can be released to help pay for her mother's care.  Please also continue to pray for the family as they figure out to be a part of her mother's life in this new normal - her one brother/fam nearby and Jenn and her other brother from a much longer distance.

Thank you for praying for our children as they progress through various school and university levels. Pray for our middle daughter  Arielle as she has to make decisions about where to apply for uni by October. Our oldest is back from university for the summer next week. Our youngest just celebrated turning 13!

Pray that we would know the joy and encouragement of fellowshipping with Jesus and that we would be filled with and renewed by His love on a daily basis.

Thanks!

Matt

June 13 — Jody Collinge

Travels: (Dios mediante--Lord willing)

June 3 to 10, to Guatemala, for the CHE Residency

Prayers and Praise

1. Praise God for our Reynosa trip (on the Tex-Mex border) to give training in community health evangelism (CHE) and Children's CHE. Thank God for the strong united group of pastors and churches who organized the training, with 35 people from about 20 churches. Thank God for their enthusiastic response to the training. Pray that CHE will be a tool that helps to bring Christ's transformation to their communities, schools, and to the immigrant community. Jacob Sotelo and I hope to return to continue the training.

2. Please be praying for the border cities and for other cities in the U.S. who are struggling to deal compassionately with the flood of immigrants. Many come from desperate situations and have risked all to come to the U.S. Pray that we may show the love of Christ to them.

3. I started my ministry in Reynosa about 30 years ago. On this visit, I was thrilled by the unity of many pastors and churches. But the drug cartels now have an overpowering influence in many areas. Thank God for his protection, and pray that the cartel leaders and members may come to know Christ's love.

4. In June, I hope to go to Guatemala to give Children's CHE training as part of their Residencia. This is advanced training for CHE leaders from Latin America, led by Hugo Gomez. Thank God that Miriam Gomez, his wife, is doing better.

5. What is Haman scheming to do? The girls are enjoying our online inductive Bible study of Esther.

6. I help with a children's ministry in Nuevo Amanecer. Now several of their mothers and grandmothers are gathering together for Bible training and discipleship.

7. Please pray for God's direction for our Convergencia ministry, up in the hills about Zihuatanejo. Daniel is a young Bible whiz. His younger brother, Isaías, is also smart but he has not been able to go to school because of a speech defect. Pray for God's wisdom in this.

8. I was at CHSC for a board meeting. And the good news is that the logs arrived and they have started construction on the cabin! Pray that we can use the cabin to serve God.

9. Trivia notes:

Zihuatanejo has been hot and sticky. So right after breakfast, before the sun is high and the water gets hot, I enjoy swimming.

I have been learning digital painting with courses from Schoolism and Proko. But no masterpieces yet!

Thanks for your prayers, support, and encouragement. Let me know how I can be praying for you.

Abrazos,
Jody

June 6 — International Friends Incorporated (IFI)

International Friendships, Inc. (IFI) reaches out to international students on the RIT campus by providing them with hospitality and opportunities to participate in Bible discussions, dinners with American families, and English conversation partners. IFI students who are already Christians receive encouragement and discipleship to become more impactful Christians when they return to their homes. Those who become Christians can then return to their countries (many of which are closed to the Gospel) to share the Good News there.

I have included some stories that Christine Maali Amiri shared in a recent newsletter to help you understand more about the ministry of IFI to international students at RIT.

A few days after Easter, I picked up Naomi* (India) from RIT and drove us to a local coffee shop. During our conversation, I asked her what she knew about Easter and about Jesus rising from the grave. We had a fruitful conversation about Jesus' victory over sin and death and what it means to be a "good person." Pray with me that Naomi would see and understand that all goodness, truth, and righteousness are found in Jesus Christ alone.

A few weeks later we celebrated Eid al-Fitr (celebration marking the end of Ramadan) with Keren* (Pakistan), her husband, and infant daughter. We sampled from seven delicious dishes! As I looked around at the small gathering I thanked God. Every single guest that this young Muslim family invited were Christian! At the end, Keren and her husband thanked us. "We were feeling lonely. Thank you so much for coming and celebrating with us."

Many international students experience loneliness, especially around holidays they normally celebrate back home surrounded by family. I am thankful for these opportunities to befriend and show the love of Christ to these students.

Please pray for…

• the IFI team to meet more international students

• that the IFI team will experience a summer of renewing and refreshing

• salvation for international students who connect with IFI

• Official recognition of IFI on the RIT campus

Please talk with Dave Beinitti (dbeinetti@gmail.com) or Paul Craig (paul.craig@rit.edu) to learn more about IFI at RIT. During the summer, there are still ministry needs for many IFI students, who must stay in the United States to avoid Visa issues they might encounter if they return to their home countries. Please contact Dave or Paul if you would like to help with driving students around in practical daily ways. You can also learn more from the RIT IFI website and their main website.

May 30 — CompassCare

This year the CompassCare Walk for Life was scheduled to operate as many smaller local walks throughout the Rochester, Buffalo and Albany regions. The walks began with an online rally, which you can still view at this link:  https://secure.qgiv.com/event/2023walkforlifeweekend/page/rally-countdown.

The team from Grace Church PCA joined the team at Browncroft Community Church to walk around their campus and their neighborhood. We were also joined by another local group called Irenaeus Ministries. There were about 25 of us in total. Local walks are continuing through the month of June. I am delighted to report that the team from Grace Church PCA raised 104% of our goal, which was up 10% from last year. Overall, CompassCare is at 93% of our goal for this year and counting.

Please continue to pray for the ministries of CompassCare:

* For effective ministry to women considering abortion in Rochester, Buffalo and Albany

* For Tel-a-care ministries to reach women considering abortion throughout New York State

* For ongoing efforts to establish CompassCare near a major abortion hub in Brooklyn, New York City

* For protection for the leaders and facilities of CompassCare

* For organizations around the country who are adopting the CompassCare model based on CEO James Harden’s new book, Ethical Theory and Pertinent Standards in Women’s Reproductive Health: The Foundational CRHSS Medical Ethics Manual. 

May 23 — Souls Winning Ministries

The Bible College in Jacmel 

The best news out of Haiti is that the Bible College in Jacmel is strong and thriving! They recently finished week-long trainings on the book of Hebrews, and another on the Prophets. There are 25 students from south central Haiti attending, braving bandits along the way. The gangs are not nearly so bad around Jacmel. 

Pastor’s Maxito Raphaël and David Bruno continue training at the Reformed Bible Academy in Jacmel. 

Pray that the Reformed Bible Academy in Jacmel will continue to thrive, that the original Academy location in Marin will be able to restart once the security situation allows, and that a new location in Mirebalais could be built up. 

Osseille and his family are still safe. He is grieving because his cousin was murdered by the same gangs that have taken his family’s house, and 5 people in the church he was meeting with in Cabaret were killed by gangs. The people of the town were so angry, and the police outgunned and outnumbered,  that ~ 1,000 of them ran the gang out of town, temporarily. Pray that the anger of the populace toward the gangs does not rage out of control. Pray that a solution to the absence of an effective government and police security forces is found. 

A Humanitarian Parole application was put in to bring Osseille and his family to Rochester, and after 3 months it is still pending. Osseille asks for prayers that it to be processed quickly and that he and his family stay safe in the meantime. 

The kids of the orphanage remain safe. We have helped them do a sewing class on the weekends that they love. They have Bible lessons on Saturday as well. Pray for the leadership of Jacky Philidor and Ancelotti Pierre Louis there, and the children will stay safe and growing in all dimensions.

Wisnel’s daughter Christelle, heading off to school.

Wisnel has been a faithful servant of the work of SWM. Gangs took his house and business and he had to flee to a town an hour’s drive north. He asked for prayer for his daughters, Christina and Christelle, who are struggling, and who need school supplies. 

Pray for a solution to the overall situation of Haiti, where there is no effective government, and gangs run rampant, that some government or group of governments or United Nations can restore order and security, allow for elections, and formation of an effective government for the longer term. 

May 16 — Max & Samantha Herbert

"for the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost"
Luke 19:10

Hello Grace Family!

I love this picture from our Fall weekend trip to Saranac. One of our volunteer leaders, Justin, is at the forefront of the pic leading our ragtag bunch through the wilderness, haha. We have had a great semester full of Monday night clubs, games, and musicals (Mary Poppins!). It has been such a blessing to be able to walk alongside our friends and point them towards Christ who is the Way! Thank you for all of the encouragement and support, we are so grateful for your partnership in this mission.

Here is what is happening in the next few months that we would ask that you would join us in prayer:

1. We are losing our college leaders this week as their semester is coming to a close. Please pray for those leaders as they head back home as well as the remaining leaders who will continue our ministry through the summer.

2. Graduation for Luke is June 24, please pray for us as we celebrate this season for him! Thank you for lifting our children up in prayer, we are so grateful.

3. Our High School camp trip is July 20 - 25 to Lake Champion. We have just about filled our available spots, we have a few remaining. Please pray that the trip would be a life-changing experience for those attending as they hear the Gospel.

4. Our Golf Tournament is July 24 at Ridgemont Country Club. Please pray that this tournament would be a blessing to those who attend, that God would be glorified, and that the funds raised from this event would be used by God to further His Kingdom.

5. Our Jr High Camp trip is August 6 - 10 to Saranac Village. Please pray for the kids to have a life-changing experience as they hear the Gospel message.

For Christ and kids,

Max and Samantha Herbert

April 25 — Jody Collinge

Travels: (Dios mediante--Lord willing)

• March 19 to 23: To Orlando, Florida for Child Safety training.

• April 2023: To the Christian Health Service Corps base in Texas for a board meeting.

• May 2023: To Reynosa, Mexico for Children's CHE training.

• June 2023: To Guatemala for a CHE Internship (or Residencia)

Prayers and Praise

1. The training with the CHE Internship in Ghana was challenging but it went well. One day I arose before 2 am (due to the time zone difference) to teach for six hours. And most of the participants spoke French, so I was working online, to Africa, in the very early morning, with a small screen, working through translators! Thank God for the technology and for carrying us through it.

2. This Sunday I leave for training with the Child Safety & Protection Network. Their purpose is "Empowering organizations around the world to have an effective, wholistic child safety programme". Even missionary kids are at risk. I am being trained to respond to reports of child safety problems.

3. The board meeting with the Christian Health Service Corps was postponed until late April. CHSC is a great ministry, training and sending out medical missionaries to mission hospitals and communities around the world. Many also do community health evangelism, bringing Christ's transformation to villages. As CHSC explains, "CHSC doctors and health professionals are often the only access to care for families in poor communities." While I am in Texas, I hope to also check on the progress on the cabin.

4. You may remember that I started working as a medical missionary in Reynosa, México, across the border from McAllen, TX, more than twenty years ago. Now they have invited me back again to work with a group of pastors and church leaders who would like to be trained in Children's CHE, or community health evangelism with children. Pray that this training will be effective in mobilizing them to begin CHE in their own communities. Pray also for safety in travel.

5. Side note: I think there has been an increase in drug activity in Zihuatanejo, but I live in a quiet neighborhood and feel safe here. Thanks for your prayers.

6. In June, I have again been invited to Guatemala to give Children's CHE training at their Residencia, or CHE Internship, A CHE Internship serves to give more training to leaders who have already received basic training in community health evangelism.

7. Praise note. We are in the process of publishing an updated CHE USB, containing all our training materials--more than 15,000 files. Thanks to all the people who worked on this. If you have taken CHE training and would like a copy, please contact me.

8. Our Zihuatanejo ministries are going well. Continue to pray for new leadership for Talita Cumi, our small orphanage, and for a new pastor to come alongside Ron.

9. Continue to pray for relief from the drought in Africa. Pray for the families without enough food, who are waiting for the next harvest.

Thank God for his protection! And thanks for your prayers and encouragement. Let me know how I can be praying for you.

With love in Christ,
Jody

April 4 — The Irvines

We are so grateful for each and every prayer you've prayed for us and Jenn's entire family concerning the sudden passing of her dad, Bob Hussar, on March 4 in Phelps, New York.

Jenn got a flight to Rochester early on March 5 and has been acting as the primary caregiver for her mom.  She says your prayers have been what's sustaining her.  It's been really, really tough but God has been a very present help.  With her mom's illness of Alzheimer's, Jenn's mum doesn't know who she is and so Jenn is playing the role of her mom's childhood friend. It's a lot of loss to grieve.

All the family appreciates your continued prayers as we gather this week and also as plans are being finalised for the transition of her mother to her "next step" for care. Please pray for God's provision for her.

We'd also appreciate prayer for Malachi and Arielle and Luke during this time. They are grieving the loss of their much-loved "Tato.” Please also be praying for their studies as especially Arielle has major exams in early May that determine the nature of her university applications this fall. Malachi also will be finishing up his first uni end-of-year exams/papers and trying to figure out what to do this summer. 

Pray for the outcome of the Easter Outreaches at the church plant. Pray for our team and the church as they gather to celebrate, that they would be encouraged and renewed and that the good news would spill out to some visitors and friends who don't yet know the Lord.   

Jenn and I were asked to sit down and record a conversation about "What have you been learning about prayer in the context of your ministry?"  for a new Serge Podcast series titled "Grace at the Fray". (We are "episode 3".)

Listen here

Watch here

In this interview, we discuss things that we've been absorbing from others for years and years and that have been an encouragement to us.  We aren't "prayer experts" or even "prayer warriors" and are still very much in the process of learning to depend on Jesus in prayer.

Hopefully, this interview will be an encouragement to you even as we continued to be challenged and encouraged by the very things we were discussing.

If you do manage to listen and feel it could be an encouragement to others, please feel free to forward the podcast link.

With love in Him,
Matt (and Jenn) 
edited and submitted by Joan Beinetti

Feb. 28 — CompassCare

CompassCare is dedicated to giving women the courage to have their babies, especially when they are facing pressure from those close to them. During a visit, a woman will talk with a nurse and has the opportunity to have an ultrasound and STD testing. During that visit, the nurse always asks for the opportunity to pray and share the Gospel with the patient. These are high stakes conversations and here are this year’s results as of October 27, 2022.

If you would like a tour of CompassCare, please talk with Paul Craig.

 Please continue to pray for CompassCare and pro-life groups everywhere.

• Pray that many women in crisis will find the CompassCare offices in Rochester, Buffalo and Albany and through Telecare and receive the care that they need.

• Pray for God's protection on all pro-life centers from attacks.

• Pray for grace, humility and truth as individuals, groups and a church in our ongoing conversations about abortion in all settings.

• Keep praying for plans to expand CompassCare into Brooklyn, NY.

• Pray that God will raise up Christians in New York, and across America to pray for the unborn every day.

CompassCare is a Christ-centered organization, committed to "Erasing the need for abortion by transforming a woman's fear into confidence.” You can also follow them at CompassCare Community on Facebook or ErasingTheNeed.com/RebuildBigger. Please contact Paul Craig by email pac8612@gmail.comor text (585.305.5557) to learn more about getting involved with the Walk for Life, and the PrayerNet ministry of CompassCare.

Feb. 21 — Souls Winning Ministries

We received a newsletter update from Reformation Hope regarding Souls Winning Ministries (SWM) in Haiti. The danger in Haiti is especially high right now.

Please join us for Kingdom Prayer this Sunday evening at 6:30 PM. Our primary focus will be praying for Pastor Osseille and Souls Winning Ministries.

• In particular, pray for protection for Pastor Osseille and his family as there have been threats made against him.

• Pray that the Lord would open up the way for him and his family to come to the US on the new Humanitarian Parole program.

• Pray that they are able to procure passports for his children, Sarah and Samuel.

• Pray that the obstacles be overcome to allow for the container for the orphanage to be finally released and safely transported.

• Pray for the Bible College in Jacmel, where Pastors Maxito and Bruno are teaching 25 students who are hungry for a deeper knowledge of the Bible for their various ministries in the south of Haiti.

Feb. 7 — Souls Winning Ministries

Haiti Souls Winning Ministries Update 

Pastor Osseille was finally released from prison after 8 months and 9 days.
His home was taken over by a gang. Pray for God to show His direction for his next steps. It is possible he can be of more use to the ministry from the US. 

The children of the orphanage have remained safe and have been able to return to school. Ancelotti is starting sewing classes. Jacky has started a Saturday morning Bible Teaching, and English teaching. 

The Jacmel Seminary is still continuing despite the turmoil in Haïti.  They have been meeting for a week of studies every 4-6 weeks. Our special offering helped them add another session in January, with a focus on “Christology”, the person, nature, and work of Jesus the Christ, the Son of God, Redeemer, etc. 

Continue to pray for leading for Pastor Osseille's future; the safety and thriving of the kids of the orphanage; the work of the school; the work of the Seminary in Jacmel, and that order can be restored in Haiti. 

Jan. 31 — Max & Samantha Herbert

Dear Grace Church Family,

We had a great discussion recently with our Gen Co and Roc West campaigners around the washing of the disciples’ feet. Since this was our first official gathering since Christmas we started with small group sharing answering the question, "is there something you are either looking forward to or is looming in the near future?".  We focused on our emotional state as we approach a big game, a test, a presentation or performance, etc.  In general, our focus is on ourselves and getting through what lies ahead hoping for the best outcome.  

We then looked into John 13 and the attitude of Christ as He enters the last supper knowing that His "hour had come." Christ looks to His disciples with love, a genuine love that compels Him to take action. He demonstrates His love for the disciples by taking on the role of a servant and washing their feet. Not just His favorite disciples and not the disciples who had "earned" it or who "got it." No, compelled by love, Christ washes the feet of all of the disciples including Judas who would betray Him.  What a picture of love and grace, as Christ approaches the cross, compelled by love, He is thinking of us. 

Our goal this semester as a campaigner group is to take steps toward the example we see in Christ.  That we would look at those we encounter with love, and that we would take action to point others toward Christ. 

Thanks for all that you do to partner with us, we are so grateful for your support!

We are starting up our second semester YL club meeting on Feb 6, we will continue to meet every Monday night from 7:30 - 9:00.  We would appreciate your prayers!

For Christ and kids,
Max and Sam Herbert

Jan. 16 — Jody Collinge

Thank God for all He has done this past year!
Match the descriptions with the photos below.

• Children's ministries in Zihuatanejo and online Bible studies with youth

• Working with the Global CHE Network with community health evangelism ministries. Pray for change in a million villages.

• A visit to Guatemala to help with their CHE training in residence

• Visits to the Christian Health Service Corps in Texas and a CHE planning retreat in Arizona

• Visiting friends, family, and several churches in upstate NewYork at a beautiful time of year.

• Our time in Israel: time on the Sea of Galilee, being baptized in the Jordan River, riding a camel near Jericho, and enjoying our time in Jerusalme.

Thank God for his protection and his presence in all of this.

A special note of thanks for our church family…

I always enjoy my visits with you! And thanks to Rich and Mary for great hospitality and the tour of fall foliage.

Many thanks for your prayers, support, and ongoing friendship during this year. I thank God for all He is doing. Our CHE ministries around the world are growing--pray that the network of CHE ministries can reach a million villages in unreached areas. Thank God for our children's ministries in Zihuatanejo, in the U.S., and in Africa. (Pray for the famine in Kenya.) And thank God for my trip to Israel in November, where I rode on a camel, and was baptized in the Jordan River.

May you have a joyful New Year. ¡Próspero Año Nuevo!

With much love, 

Jody