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

Jan. 10 — International Friendships, Inc.

International Friendships, Inc. (IFI) reaches out to international students on college campuses by providing them with hospitality – transportation to and from the airport, trips to the grocery store, or an introduction to local stores to help them find the items they need. IFI also provides opportunities for Bible study as a means to introduce them to Jesus. IFI students who become Christians can then return to their countries (many of which are closed to the Gospel) to share the Good News there.

Each month Christine Maali Amiri (c.maaliamiri@ifiusa.org) provides updates on campus ministry with wonderful stories about her interactions with individual students. You can also contact Christine if you would like to receive her monthly newsletters or join her support team. You can learn more about participating in Bible discussions or becoming an English Conversation Partner with an international student on the RIT IFI website (https://rit.ifiusa.org/).

Last month, I had lunch with a new member of the RIT IFI team. Mason Pell grew up on a farm near Cornell and studied media production at SUNY Brockport. Following his conversion at a local church near the university, he went to seminary in Philadelphia with a focus on international missions. Following a short-term missions position in Russia, he returned to the Rochester area to serve with IFI on the RIT campus. You can reach Mason by email at m.pell@ifiusa.org if you would like to learn more about him.

Please pray for…

the IFI team to meet more international students

IFI English Conversation Clubs and Bible Discussion groups

For salvation for Claudia (not her real name)

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. You can also learn more from the RIT IFI website (https://rit.ifiusa.org/) and their main website (https://www.ifiusa.org/). 

Jan. 5 — CompassCare

CompassCare now has three fully functioning offices in Rochester, Buffalo and Albany. During a typical week, around 30 women visit one of the three offices, to talk with the nurses. During a visit they will have a pregnancy test and may also have and ultrasound. CompassCare also offers STD testing.

One of the main efforts at CompassCare this year is the ongoing development of an online, nationwide platform called TeleCare . If you would like to learn more about the plan to reach every woman in America with a pro-life telemedicine platform called TeleCare, go to CompassCareCommunity.com.

If you are interested in experiencing firsthand how women are served at CompassCare, sign up for a Vision Tour by emailing rochesterevents@compasscare.info.

Here is a summary of CompassCare results for 2022.

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.

Dec. 20, 2022 — The Irvines

Dear Friends & Family, 

We are truly thankful for your ongoing prayer support and financial partnership in the gospel! We are praying for you that the Lord would meet with you and with us as we prepare to celebrate His birth.

We recently had a Christmas Outreach with a Children's Nativity Play, a 'Christingle' Gospel Presentation, and then a veg curry meal. Pray for the Lord to work in the hearts of those who were there.

Please pray along these lines from 2 Cor 2:9b-11 which jumped out at us a few days ago: "But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us again. On Him we have set our hope that He will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many."

Pray also along the lines of Isaiah 51:3 which also jumped out at us recently: “The Lord will surely comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; He will make her deserts like Eden, her wastelands like the garden of the Lord. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the sound of singing.”

Please join us in thanking God for some great opportunities in recent weeks - fruitful street outreach, a ladies’ craft night, a Thanksgiving outreach meal, lots of little gospel conversations.

We are thankful for our teammates that we have the privilege of serving alongside. Our team has been experiencing lots of sickness, so please pray for healing and refreshment.

Please keep praying for the church plant for 1) the Lord to raise up younger leaders to replace the original core group who has started to retire and 2) for people to come to Christ through the many ongoing outreach opportunities. These are always ongoing prayer requests!

FAMILY/PERSONAL CORNER:

**Malachi came back from university for Christmas break a few days ago and so nice to have the five of us under one roof for a few weeks. Please join us in praying for some good family times of encouragement while he is back.

We are asking for the Spirit to refresh us and give us energy and his presence even amidst a lot of things on the "to do" list over the next days. We need grace and encouragement in the midst of all of this. Pray that we would have times to stop and just simply enjoy His presence.

Please be praying for Jenn's Mum as she experiences some ongoing health issues and for her Dad as he is on the front line of care. Pray for the Lord's provision in various ways both short term and longer term.

With love in Jesus,

Matt for the Irvines
(from the 17 December 2022 update, edited by Joan Beinetti)

Nov. 29, 2022 — Jody Collinge

Thank God for the wonderful trip to Israel! I went with a Bible study tour group (Hope and Help, and Beloved Truth) and we spent 4 day traveling around northern Israel, mostly near the Sea of Galilee, one day traveling down the Jordan River to Jerusalem and four days wandering around Jerusalem. Here are some of the highlights:

• Safe travels to and from Israel (Thanks for your prayers!

• Wonderful friendships! I had met several of these friends in online Bible studies, but now we were together in person.

• Great hotels with abundant food. (We hiked and climbed several hours a day, so we burned some of it off.)

• A boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, complete with Israeli dancing and a demonstration of first-century fishing

• A visit to Capernaum including the probable sites of the synagogue and Peter's home.

• A visit to Jericho, with a ride on a donkey!

• Visiting Qumran, the site of the Dead Sea Scrolls

• Riding the cable car to see Masada

• Getting baptized in the Jordan River--that was a highlight!

• A night by the Dead Sea (we floated but didn't really swim)

• Listening to a triumphant song while entering Jerusalem

• Praying at the Western Wall

• Seeing the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock

• Wandering around the Old City and seeing the amazing architecture

• Mourning at Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Museum

• Wandering from Mount of Olives down the Palm Sunday Road to the Garden of Gethsemane to the Via Dolorosa and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

• But what I liked best was the peaceful Garden Tomb, where we had a Communion service.

• Praise God for this wonderful trip--great friends, great sites, tracing the footsteps of Christ.

• En route back, I slept in one of the tiny cubicles at the Mexico City airport. When I woke up, I thought I was in the Garden Tomb!

Now, try to match the descriptions with the photos below.

Thank God for an excellent, unforgettable trip to Israel, walking in the footsteps of Christ. And thank God for a safe trip home again--after more than six weeks of travel, it is great to sleep in my own bed. Thanks for your prayers and encouragement and support. Let me know how I can be praying for you.

Let me close with the shortest Psalm, Psalm 117:

1 Praise the LORD, all nations;
Laud Him, all peoples!
2 For His lovingkindness is great toward us,
And the truth of the LORD is everlasting.
Praise the LORD!

Happy Thanksgiving! We have a lot to be thankful for.
With love in Christ,
Jody

Nov. 21, 2022 — International Friendships, Inc. (IFI)

The team from International Friendships, Inc. (IFI) shares the love of Christ with international students who come to US college campuses by offering them hospitality, in the hopes of introducing them to Jesus.  If you would like to help IFI to offer rides and other practical services to these students, please contact Christine Maali Amiri at c.maaliamiri@ifiusa.org. You can also contact Christine if you would like to receive her monthly newsletters or join her support team.

Please pray for…

• the IFI team to meet more international students

• IFI English Conversation Clubs and Bible Discussion groups

• For salvation for Claudia (not her real name)

• 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. You can also learn more from their website (https://www.ifiusa.org/).