May Newsletter--ABC News: Ministry Style

I am currently at 52% of my regular support.

Picture 1: During the CEF conference, I was able to rest from raising support and enjoy a few hours in the Cayman Islands and Jamaica.

Picture 2: The regional conference provided an opportunity to meet CEF workers from several countries.

My main work continues to be raising financial support for my ministry, both in Kansas and Indiana. I also attended CEF®’s regional conference the first week of May. CEF was blessed with an excellent deal through a Christian group that allowed us to have the conference on a Caribbean cruise. Here are some ABC’s about what I’ve done since February.

I have:

· Applied for Little Rock ‘09 (CEF workers from across the U.S. will gather in Little Rock, AR for two weeks this summer in an effort to greatly increase outreach to children in this city. We will teach several 5-Day Clubs (similar to Vacation Bible School) and train teachers from partnering churches to continue children’s ministry through the rest of the year.)

· Behaved like a pre-schooler (Conference work-shops covered topics from pre-school-friendly Gospel presentations to training new leaders.)

· Called churches regarding possible support

· Directed the drama of Peter escaping prison (During one church presentation, I directed children to act out this story that illustrates the importance of praying for other believers.)

· Eaten escargot (The cruise included meals, with the option to try the unusual and fancy. At least it tasted better than it looked.)

· Folded 300 letters

· Given ministry presentations at churches

· Hosted an African party (My Hoosier housemates and I hosted a house meeting to present my ministry to a group of mostly college-aged individuals. And they all thought my African food was more edible than escargot!)

· Implemented a new strategy for raising my remaining support (Now that I’ve talked to 600 people/families and 500 churches, I decided to send letters to people I talked to over half a year ago who never responded, asking them to reconsider partnering in the ministry.)

· Jet skied (We had some free time in Jamaica.)

· Kept records of ministry data (Sometimes I feel like I need a secretary.)

· Labeled and stamped 300 envelopes

· Mailed ministry information to churches and individuals

· Negotiated (We bartered for crafts at a Jamaican market.)

· Prayed for my prayer supporters

· Quizzed myself over French vocabulary

· Regularly reported activities and ministry progress to CEF headquarters

· Stuffed and sealed 300 letters

· Turned an inappropriate comment into time for testimony (As my conference roommate and I were leaving the Jamaican market, vendors kept pushing us to buy more. I told them, “I have no more money,” and a man standing nearby (jokingly?) said, “I’ll give you money.” We ended up talking to him about how God is in control, even amidst pain. It was certainly the most interesting way I’ve ever started a conversation about God.)

· Visited Hell (This small town in Grand Cayman Island is known for rock formations that look like they belong in Hell. It was a good reminder of how important it is to tell children about the Way to Heaven.)

· Worshipped with CEF workers from Russia, Guyana, the Bahamas, and many more places

· Zipped down a water slide at Margaritaville (Yes, that was all we did there.)

Praise God That:
· I have achieved 100% of my prayer support goal and over half of my financial support.
· I was able to attend the CEF regional conference.

Please Pray That:
· I will raise 80% of my financial support by August in order to reach my goal of beginning the Children’s Ministries Institute this fall.
· Many CEF workers and Little Rock churches will be able to participate in Little Rock ‘09 and establish continuing children’s ministry that will reach many children.