Share the Love

Have you seen our new "Share the Love" catalog?  Many copious hours of love and effort went into creating a great catalog with an even greater purpose.  A GIANT Thank You goes to Jill Adams and Jerica Kuncl for their vision and work on this catalog!

click to be taken to catalog

Christ For the City International:

• 16 countries
• 70+ ministries
• 350+ mission workers
• Endless needs and endless ways to meet these needs

We've created a catalog featuring 8 of the countries we work in and some of the urgent needs they have.  We've made it extremely simple for YOU to make a difference in a tangible way.

Meet Guatemala, one of the countries featured in this catalog.  Home to over 14 million people, 60% of those subsisting in the capital city of Guatemala City are living in poverty.  Christ For the City's Guatemala Base has feeding programs, children's ministries through churches and schools, and a medical clinic.  And they need YOUR help.  Through the "Share the Love" catalog, we give you the opportunity to feed hungry children, purchase medical supplies for our clinic, and even buy a maternity package to help mothers in need.

Can you help Guatemala out or one of the other countries highlighted in this catalog?  Click the following link to be taken to the catalog:

Share the Love Catalog

Pass this on to your friends.  Share this on your Facebook page and email lists.  Please help us spread the word about how YOU can share the love of Jesus Christ through meeting concrete, authentic needs.

Give away your life; you'll find life given back, but not merely given back--given back with bonus and blessing.  Giving, not getting, is the way.  Generosity begets generosity.

- Luke 6:38 (The Message) 

God's Word Transforms a Prisoner!

From Mickey McKinney, CFCI Missionary in San Jose, Costa Rica

Mickey and his wife, Marielos, visit a prison weekly where they offer counseling and Bible study. Mickey shared this experience with CFCI staff on Tuesday, December 4, 2012. 

God's Word is so powerful!

Jorge, part of our prison discipleship group, heard a portion of it and it changed his life. He spoke with Marielos asking for counsel during our last visit and shared with her his story.  It turns out that he and his wife both have done some rather bad crimes.  While his wife was in jail, Jorge had quite a few affairs with other women when he was still on the outside of prison.

His wife found out about one of the affairs and at about the same time Jorge was arrested and his wife was released - the succession of events were still confused in his mind. Jorge's wife, wanting to take revenge on him, started calling the dormitory where Jorge is locked up. (In this particular prison there is a public phone in each dormitory of every cell block.) She didn't call to speak with Jorge but with another inmate she met while making a visit to Jorge.  She was trying to make him jealous, and it worked.

Jorge got so mad that he decided that he was going to kill the other guy, and worked several days fabricating a knife awaiting the right moment to attack.  Then one evening just a few hours before he was going to commit the crime, Jorge came to our prison discipleship group just to see if God could help him. It turns out that on that particular evening I was teaching from Matthew 5:21-25 from the Sermon on the Mount.

From that lesson and portion of God's Word, Jorge realized he needed Jesus, he needed God's forgiveness and he had to not only forgive but also ask for forgiveness.  So, he first prayed for God to enter his heart, then he went to the guy he had planned on killing and told him his story and what his former intentions were.  This obviously left the other guy perplexed and in awe of the change of heart God gave Jorge.  Then Jorge called his wife, they spoke, and also forgave one another.  Now Jorge is faithful to the Lord and continues to come to listen to His Word and is establishing his own personal relationship with the Savior.

Praise God!

Introducing...our new donation page on www.cfci.org! You'll love it! We added the new page this week. It's completely in sync with our website so it's much easier for you (and us!) to use. Go to the website, click on the donate tab, then follow the directions. Simple, simple, simple! You'll scroll down to find the category you're looking for, then scroll through a list in the category to find the missionary or project you're looking for.

Since we're on the subject of donations...please take some time during this holiday season to browse through our website. See the ministries we have going in 16 countries. Learn more about our missionaries. Check out the short-term and long-term mission opportunities. Then, please share some of your blessings with the people we serve around the world. Each year, we touch over 100,000 people with the love and message of Jesus Christ...giving hope to so many people who don't have any. Partner with us in this GREAT COMMISSION!

--Marcia Galloway and Ellen Peterson, CFCI Finance Department

Skunk in a Bottle

By Mirna Sotomayor

Not too long ago, arriving at Camp Kikomar (Caribbean coast of Mexico), we saw quite a commotion.  A little skunk had his head stuck in a glass jar.  It was unclear how long the poor animal had been stuck there, but what was clear is that he was Exhausted.  Terrified by all the people around and the dogs trying to kill him, it was a miracle he could still breathe.

"We need to break the bottle with stones", someone said, fortunately there were no stones available.  “Someone could pull on the bottle while another grabs the skunk.” supposed another.  But the threat of nearly inch-long claws and the sprinkling of the famous urine were very persuasive factors for not trying.  Suffice it to say that all these "helpful suggestions" were being offered at a safe distance.  No one wanted to run the risk of being too involved.

It occurred to me what we needed was to throw a heavy rag or plastic over the animal to protect us from his "scented" defenses and the claws.  With a long pole maybe we could get him out from under the leaves where he was and perhaps twist the bottle off.  The stick did not work, because in our eagerness to help and his fear of being attacked, it was clear this would end up breaking his neck.

So I tried to throw a shower curtain over him where he was, but it was useless, the animal escaped putting his rear guard in attack position.  Suddenly one of those present said, “What if I hit the bottle with the back of the machete?”  It was a risk, but it was better than to let him die with his head in the bottle. Waiting for the right moment I gave the order.  “Hit it now!”  A thud broke the bottle cleanly and the little skunk fell like a dead animal on its right side.  It took about 10 seconds before he started moving, obviously dazed but relieved. We gave him space to move, dizzy, he was stumbling, falling, rising, and staggering as he walked back down the path into the jungle.  

Everyone thanked God and was glad that the skunk had not suffocated, and we hadn't seriously hurt the animal nor did we have to end his life.  

How many times, I thought, are we like that skunk; we get ourselves into situations that “suffocate” us.  We get so "bottled up" that we almost kill ourselves.  Even though God wants to help and sends us people, suggestions, ideas, but instead of cooperating with Him and with those that love us, we get defensive and do not see the danger until God himself intervenes and gives us an accurate blow to free us from our prison.  It may not be a gentle blow, but one that is precise, accurate, experienced and safe.  Of course it will hurt, and sometimes we will think that we will almost "die".  We will walk around half dizzy and without a very clear direction for a while, but in the end, with God's help and care, will find the way home.  Yes, the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword and God, in His infinite love and mercy, always comes to rescue us even though we continually get "bottled up" like little skunks.

From our fabulous missionaries, Mickey & Marielos McKinney, in Costa Rica. Their ministry areas in CR include nursing homes, home Bible studies, and prisons. They have a weekly Bible study in the prison. Here's a great account of a recent visit there.

When I had finished the lesson and as I was walking toward Marielos (who was counseling a guy who renewed his relationship with Jesus that day), I saw a young man who looked as if he should belong in juvenile jail.  His name is Marco, and he was just standing there staring down at his Bible where he had a picture of two small baby girls.

I asked him about them, and he explained that the girls were his children.  So I asked how old he and the children were (thinking that he was barely 18), and it turns out that Marco is 24 and the girls are 3 and 1.  Marco said that he had prayed to receive Jesus before being arrested and that he was in church and because of his young marriage and two small girls, he had turned to God for direction and received forgiveness, peace, and salvation. 

He was indeed following God, yet his past had caught up with him.  Marco said, "I really deserve to be here for all the things I'd done before I met my wife and started a family.  I just didn't think God would allow this to happen to me since everything was going so well for me out there ever since I gave my life to Jesus.  However, I do deserve this and for five years I'll serve my time, I just don't want my children to be disappointed in me while I miss out on so much of their lives." 

What could I tell Marco?  I just simply told him to keep Jesus first in his life and maintain a good attitude, trust in Jesus and continue to stay in contact with his family as much as possible.  Maybe the courts will have mercy on him and reduce his sentence time. 

Most of the guys we see in the Bible study group arrive to jail blaming God for their capture, then we have to counsel them until they realize that their own actions got them thrown into prison.  However, Marco already knew that his past actions is what got him in prison.  He was just a bit discouraged that God would allow his past to catch up to him.

Please pray for him that this discouragement in him will not grow, rather that he would be a living example for the other men of God's grace and transforming power.

As For You...

When Solomon had finished the temple of the LORD and the royal palace, and had succeeded in carrying out all he had in mind to do in the temple of the LORD and in his own palace, the LORD appeared to him at night and said:

"I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a temple for sacrifices.

"When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, if my people who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.  Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.  I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that my Name may be there forever.  My eyes and my heart will always be there. 

"As for you, if you walk before me as David your father did, and do all I command, and observe my decrees and laws, I will establish your royal throne, as I covenanted with David your father when I said, 'You shall never fail to have a man to rule over Israel.'

"But if you turn away and forsake the decrees and commands I have given you and go off to serve other gods and worship them, then I will uproot Israel from my land, which I have given them, and will reject this temple I have consecrated for my Name.  I will make it a byword and an object of ridicule among all peoples.  And though this temple is now so imposing, all who pass by will be appalled and say, 'Why has the LORD done such a thing to this land and to this temple.'  People will answer, 'Because they have forsaken the LORD, the God of their fathers, who brought them out of Egypt, and have embraced other gods, worshiping and serving them--that is why he brought all this disaster on them.'" 

- 2 Chronicles 7: 11-22 

What a week! CFCI held it's semi-annual International Board of Commissioners meeting in Omaha on Monday and Tuesday - Oct. 29-30. Board members started arrive over the previous weekend so we had lots of airport runs and fun entertaining to start off the week.

We were expecting three of our base directors to join us in Omaha for the meeting. Unfortunately, two of them had problems getting VISAs, so were not able to participate. We did, however, welcome the Arruda family and their missionary friend, Brad Miller, to our time together. The Arrudas (Paulo, his wife Eloina, and their son, Paulo) are our base directors in Manaus, Brazil. It was great to have them with us for five days! They made special presentation about their specific Manaus ministries (which are completely awesome) to the Board. They shared with us that they are making plans to build a second ministry building in another area of Manaus. Praise God!

We also welcomed two new Board members - Tudor Williams and John Wilton. While the Board of Commissioners had much business to conduct, we also managed to have some fun and show off Omaha. The group spent one afternoon with Brenda Banks at her ministry called the Cross Training Center. The CTC's goal is to provide life skills, vocational training and job experience for disadvantaged and undereducated men and women. Thank you, Brenda!

Also joining us for the meetings were our Midwest base directors: Jay Dahlhauser and Renato Jiminez from Storm Lake, Iowa; Steve Clinkscales from Des Moines, Iowa; Mark and Karen Pomeroy and Melanie Dehning from Lincoln, Nebraska; and Sheryl Gehrls from Omaha. The U.S. base directors made presentations to the Board about their base activities and goals.

Yes, we are all a little tired now...but we're also re-energized for what God has in store for us in the next six months!

Love Thy Neighbor and Thy City

Jesus sent his twelve harvest hands out with this charge: "Don't begin by traveling to some far-off place to convert unbelievers.  And don't try to be dramatic by tackling some public enemy.  Go to the lost, confused people right here in the neighborhood.  Tell them that the kingdom is here.  Bring health to the sick.  Raise the dead.  Touch the untouchables.  Kick out the demons.  You have been treated generously, so live generously." - Matt. 10:5-8 (The Message)

Here at Christ For the City, our vision is that there would be "No place without a witness, no church without a vision, and no person without hope."  And we believe that this starts with cities, hence the name of our organization.  An article came in my inbox today, written by Tim Keller.  It's titled  "A Vision to Reach the City."  Keller mentions in the article that "Per capita, the cities are really underchurched and they're getting more underchurched all the time."  He says, "Churches, denominations and mission organizations must do more to try to reach the growing urban population around the world."  Cities are growing at a faster rate for the first time in over a century.  And not just in the United States, but globally.  You can read the rest of the article here: http://www.outreachmagazine.com/people/4932-tim-keller-a-vision-to-reach-the-city.html?p=1.

The Greater Omaha Economic Development Partnership says that, as of May 2011, Omaha, Nebraska has a population of 408,958.  A year-and-a-half later, that number has increased by almost 20,000.  This does not include the surrounding Greater Omaha Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) and the more than 1.2 million people that live within an easy sixty minute drive of Omaha.  Where do you live?  I would encourage you to do some research on the demographics in your area--a quick internet search would put this information at your fingertips.  

The Pew Forum on Religious and Public Life released a report earlier this month.  The name of this report is called "'Nones' on the Rise: One-in-Five Adults Have No Religious Affiliation."  On one hand, the title alone is enough to shock us.  On the other hand, though, why should we be surprised?  When we look at what is running rampant through our society--pornography, alcohol and drug addiction, idol worship, homosexuality, broken homes, violence, a me-centered philosophy--it's easy to agree that one-in-five adults have no religious affiliation.

Here's what the Pew Forum says:

The number of Americans who do not identify with any religion continues to grow at a rapid pace. One-fifth of the U.S. public – and a third of adults under 30 – are religiously unaffiliated today, the highest percentages ever in Pew Research Center polling.  In the last five years alone, the unaffiliated have increased from just over 15% to just under 20% of all U.S. adults. Their ranks now include more than 13 million self-described atheists and agnostics (nearly 6% of the U.S. public), as well as nearly 33 million people who say they have no particular religious affiliation (14%).

If you care to thumb through the report, here's the link: http://www.pewforum.org/uploadedFiles/Topics/Religious_Affiliation/Unaffiliated/NonesOnTheRise-full.pdf.

Why do I mention these scores of people?  And why do I acknowledge the apathetic?  I talk about them, because Jesus talked about them.  Not only did Jesus talk about them, he addressed their sin.  He loved on them.  He showed them an inordinate amount of grace and mercy.  He wasn't afraid to hang out with them in public (Matt. 9, Luke 19).  Jesus did it right and I think we have a thing or two or much to learn from Him on how to love thy neighbor and thy city.

Jesus' attitude and actions are a challenge for me.  Far too often, I find myself living my easy Christian life.  On Sunday morning, I go to church with Christians.  On Tuesday and Thursday nights, I again hang out with Christians through my Bible Studies.  Monday-Friday, I work in an office with some pretty amazing Christians.  And somewhere along the line, I've forgotten about the unchurched, the apathetic, and the unreached.  It's time that I pull out my Bible and refresh myself on the principles and teachings therein.

"Stand up for me against world opinion and I'll stand up for you before my Father in heaven.  If you turn tail and run, do you think I'll cover for you?  Don't think I've come to make life cozy....  This a large work I've called you into, but don't be overwhelmed by it.  It's best to start small.  Give a cool cup of water to someone who is thirsty, for instance.  The smallest act of giving or receiving makes you a true apprentice.  You won't lose out on a thing." - Matt. 10:32-34, 42

Be blessed,

Julie

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From Marcia and Ellen (CFCI's finance folks) -

This morning, our office of 12 had a workshop on our StrengthsFinder talent themes. StrengthsFinder was developed by Gallup and is a way to determine your talents and strengths and learn how to best utilize them in your life, workplace, home, etc. You can buy the book and do this yourself!

In today's workshop, we talked about our individual talent themes and how they effect how we work and how our team functions. Our workshop leader, Sheryl Gehrls, asked us to think about our top 5 talent themes and discuss which of the five we thought was the most prominent in our work at CFCI.

This was so interesting! We learned that we are a great Finance team. Between the two of us, we have a good mix for getting things done. We both have "responsibility" in our top five which drives us to get things done in a timely manner. (Sometimes this causes us to work late!) We have a good mix of "relating" and "executing" talents. Both of us also have "belief." This means that our core Christian values are enduring and keep us energized about our work for CFCI.

While we knew that we made a good working team, it was great to look deeper into why and how we can use each of our strengths to further God's Kingdom through CFCI!

The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.  Alan Watts 

When I read these words I thought, for some they may be "fighting words" as change can be very difficult, but in our society today change is all around us and seemingly happening at an ever increasing rate.  With the pressure to conform (change) to a more and more cultural humanistic paradigm, now more than ever before, I think we need  to have some universal absolutes to anchor us.  The Bible, of course, for the Christ follower provides this anchor if one knows and follows its principles.  Change can be a good thing, a very good thing, but it can be very negative as well, and yes, I would even say an evil thing at times.  We can all think of some very evil changes that have happened historically in the world, and no doubt have even seen them in our own lives.  The enemy of our souls wants nothing more than to destroy us by whatever means possible; through subtle means as well as more overt attempts, but our protection and hope are in the Lord.  He is our strength, and our guide.  Without some absolutes (things that don't change) and some universal standards to gauge things by, we could easily be put adrift in the current climate we find ourselves.  We could begin to believe what is so prevalent and "normal" around us, is right or even acceptable.  Unless a person is grounded in Biblical truth the Spirit of God cannot use these truths to provide us with guidance and direction when faced with unhealthy change.  If we simply "plunge in...and join the dance" and are not careful as to what beat we are following, we will end up dancing with a partner we hadn't bargained for.  

11 years ago this week...

Eleven years ago this week, I joined Christ For the City International as a consultant. I'm still here - now as a "regular" part-time employee. I'm amazed at what God has done through CFCI during the past 11 years.         Jill Adams, CFCI communication director

CFCI has:

• grown from a handful of staff members to a dozen
• doubled the number of countries we're in from 8 to 16
• more than doubled the number of short-term teams we send out each year from 18 to 42
• increased the number of short-term individuals serving in a year from 8 to 70
• started the Urban Plunge which now has had 245 churches and 4,500 individuals plunging into inner-city ministry
• celebrated its 15 year anniversary
• embraced the internet as a communication and recruitment tool (website, blog, facebook, etc.)
• hosted five comedy shows to benefit CFCI ministries
• experienced two major computer crashes and survived
• enjoyed nine interns who worked for the love of Christ...not for the money
• celebrated numerous birthdays, anniversaries, and new babies
• grieved the retirement of Leah Huffman from full-time ministry
• and much, much more.

I wonder what the next 11 years will bring for CFCI? Want to be a part of it? Visit us at www.cfci.org!

Encourage One Another...

How have you been lately?  Could you use a word of encouragement?  Would that brighten your day, lift that little cloud that hangs over you?  At some time, we are all in need of something to cheer us up.  Here at our office, we have some little notes that we send to each other.  It often goes a little like this:

• "I love your smile!"
• "You have really been an encouragement to me lately."
• "Your hair looks really nice that way."

The other day, I received a scripture verse.  You get the idea.  Sssooo, my question to you is, have you sent a note lately to a co-worker, friend, or neighbor--something that will bless them?  It takes only a minute and can be a life-changer.

Blessings and Shalom,

Sandra Hammes

CFCI Fall Impact!

Go. Give. Change.

Open publication - Free publishing - More christ

From Pam Tullman, CFCI short-term missionary in Peru

Pam is in Peru serving for eight months. 

In Cañete this past Saturday, I was noticing how much the kids have grown in the past few months. I see them just about every week, but on Saturday I was amazed at how much they are growing.

The road to the area the kids live was basically a giant hole in the ground due to construction they are doing, which meant we could not get the chairs to where we meet with the kids since the moto taxis could not drive on this road. It is not ideal to sit on a dirt road with a group of kids, trying to do arts and crafts so LLilda and I put on our thinking caps. We decided we would take the kids to a small plaza close by and play games, sing songs, do a small lesson, and take lots of photos (most of the kids love having their pictures taken)…a change in scenery from time to time is always good. Lilda did an awesome job at coming up with games and creating a lesson on the spot, which actually turned into a little drama acted out by the kids!

As difficult as the kids can be at times, they do something to my heart. They bring me joy. I love just sitting back and watching them play. I love seeing them smile and laugh whole heartedly. I love the little things. Like when Patty wants to play the trust game with me over and over again (She closes her eyes and falls back until I catch her); or when Brittani wraps her arms around me and wont let go. Like when Pricilla is carrying her baby brother Fabian and comes up to me and tells Fabian, ¨Besito besito besito¨ and he gives me a little kiss on the cheek. I love when Juan Diego flashes his beautiful little smile even though it is full of mischief, etc. etc etc. This list could go on forever. These kids have really made an impact on me. So many times I go places with the intention to be a blessing to the people…but I feel like the opposite happens. I go places and I don’t know if they realize what a huge blessing they are to me.

Prison ministry has been going really well. Two weeks ago I had the opportunity to pray with a woman from Germany to accept Christ in her heart! I look forward to going to the prison each week and seeing the women. Last week Kim was unable to go, so I went by myself for the first time. It was a new experience for me, but I am thankful for the time I had to share with the women a little more about who I am and how I ended up in Peru. I felt like it was a special time to be able to be stretched by the Lord, step way out of my comfort, and grow trust between us.

The highlight of my visit to the prison last week was seeing one of the ladies laugh to the point of tears. She literally had to get up and walk away from the group she was laughing so hard! You may be thinking, what’s so special about someone laughing so hard? It was really special to see that, because she is not a lady who typically laughs. When you are in prison in a foreign country, to see a full heartfelt laughter is something really special, it doesn’t happen very often there. Her laughter became contagious and we were all laughing! It’s the little things that mean a lot.

How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?  and how shall they preach, except they be sent? even as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that bring glad tidings of good things!  Romans 10:14, 15 (ASV)

Then he told them, "As you go into all the world, proclaim the gospel to everyone.”  Mark 16:15 (ISV)

From every Tribe and Tongue and Nation

We recently received our first application from a man from the Ivory Coast, Africa (Côte d’Ivoire) who feels God is calling him and his family (wife and 2 children) to long-term missionary service somewhere in Latin America.  What an exciting time we live in for missions.  The Lord is raising up men and women from around the globe to go to foreign lands to minister to people that quite possibly they uniquely can reach.  May those He has called to stay and support those going remain faithful, not lose the vision nor fall short in fulfilling our part of global missions proclaiming the good news.

Stats from Ivory Coast

Area: 322,460 sq. km. (a little bigger than Montana)

Population: 20,617,068 (in 2009) (larger than New York State)

Main Language: French

Tribal languages spoken:  Baoulé, Dioula, Dan, Anyin and Cebaara Senufo.

Average rainfall in July: 24” (that’s 2 feet of rain in a month)

From Pam Tullman, CFCI short-term missionary to Peru 

(CFCI short-term missionaries are individuals who choose to serve at one of our city bases for a period of one month to one year. Interested? Contact Penny at penny@cfci.org.)

My 2 weeks in Tablada (Villa Maria) are finished, and my week in Iquitos is finished as well. I think I Could write a whole book on my experiences from the past 3 weeks but instead of writing a book, I will just highlight a few areas that stand out to me.

28 teen-age girls
I had the opportunity to share in a cell group of teen age girls. 28 girls came. I shared about fears and trusting God through all the ups and downs of life. In a group of 28, there were 74 fears that hold us back from trusting God. We had a time of prayer to give God these fears that weaken us. It was a great start to the week.

Manos (hands)
On Saturday I worked with about 40 kids, ages 9-12. I showed a short video, and shared on the topic of dreams, and trusting God with our lives. I did a symbolic activity with the kids. Jaime, a new friend from the church, made a big tree. I had each kid put their hand (with paint) on the tree like leaves as a way to give God their lives. They all made the decision to hand over their dreams and futures to the Lord, trusting that no matter what they go through in life, God’s plan is best. Sometimes life will be hard and we won’t understand why things are happening the way they are, but we have to truly know and believe with all of our heart that the Lord is in control, and is worthy to be trusted. It was beautiful to see 40 kids placing their lives and futures in God’s hands.

Open the eyes of my heart Lord
Each morning from 9:30-11:00 I taught an English class. I had about 7 consecutive students…I taught them the song open the eyes of my heart and they had the opportunity to sing it in front of the church. I felt like a proud mother! It was so awesome to see them practice, and work hard to learn. Some of the students had never used English before. Two of the students in the English class gave their lives to Christ that week.

There are so many more stories, so many ways God worked, and so many ways I was stretched beyond my own ability. I felt like the Lord used me in many different ways. I overcame some fears I had. And overall, I was blessed beyond words by the Lord and my new friends in Tablada.

On to Iquitos…

I was so awesome to visit the place that had made such an impact on my heart in the past. I arrived in Iquitos and got to spend time with my dear friend Sandi, and was able to spend her birthday with her and some old friends!

The purpose of my trip to Iquitos was to serve in a week of evangelism with a team from Texas. The team was awesome! Each day we split into groups and worked with different churches. The mornings were usually spent evangelizing out in the communities and inviting the people to the programs/services. Most afternoons were spent doing children’s programs, and the evening in a church service. By the end of 1 week, there were about 740 souls won for Christ! God worked powerfully this week!

Nelly.
Nelly is 23 years old. She is thin as a rail. About one year ago she had some sort of fungus in her throat which made her very ill. She lays in a hammock in a little hut, with constant smoke from the fire in the kitchen filling the home, extreme heat, in much discomfort and can barely eat. She cannot speak, and continually groans and whimpers in pain. Her family can not afford to provide her with the healthcare she needs. I met Nelly while visiting a home. We began to talk to the family about Jesus, and the mom asked if we could pray for her daughter. I have never seen anyone as thin as Nelly. Myself and 2 other people from the team prayed for Nelly. I sat by her side and held her hand, encouraging her to stay strong and to trust God in this difficult time. Upon leaving her house, it took everything in me to fight back the tears. Her and her family is suffering incredibly, and cannot afford to take care of her. Imagine what that feels like for her mother, to watch her daughter suffer and not be able to do anything about it. I think of Jesus on the cross. Imagine what it felt like for God to watch Jesus be crucified on the cross; the pain in watching someone so dear suffer. There are so many times in life that I feel so powerless, so helpless. My heart breaks, and there is very little I can do. I don’t understand this aspect of life… but I trust God and know that sometimes we can’t understand his ways at the moment, but he is faithful and can be trusted. Nelly is on my heart. Please join me in praying for her and her family.

The past 3 weeks have deeply impacted my heart. The Lord continues to blow my mind! There are no limits we can put on God.

Pray for the 740 souls won for Christ. Pray that they would plug into a church and that their faith would grow. That each person would have a personal encounter with God and take their decision serious; that they would grow and learn as they walk on this new path. 

A Spirit of Generosity

If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother.  Rather, be openhanded and freely lend him whatever he needs.  Be careful not to harbor this wicked thought: "The seventh year, the year for canceling debts, is near," so that you do not show ill will toward your needy brother and give him nothing.  He may them appeal to the LORD against you, and you will be found guilty of sin.  Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.  There will always be poor people in the land.  Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land. 

- Deut. 15:7-11 

Living in consumerism America, it can be so easy to get caught up in the things of this world.  Everyday, we are attacked with messages from the media that encourage us to spend more and focus more on ourselves.  We feed our addictions, holding on to what's "rightfully ours" with a clenched fist.  All the while, we seem to forget that what's "rightfully ours," is not even ours to begin with.  "For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it" (1 Tim. 6:7).  Jesus Christ is the Father of all good things.  It is Jesus that gives us any good that we experience on this earth.  And it is Jesus that chooses to bless us, under a certain stipulation: we are to be a generous people.

An article recently came through my inbox titled "Generosity is the New Evangelism."  Written by Chris Willard and Jim Sheppard, the article talks about creating a culture of giving in your church.  I believe that what they said transcends the church.  Here's a snippet:

The truth is that God doesn't need our money, but He knows that our orientation toward money reflects our obedience to the Lordship of Christ and how well we grasp that he is the source of all we have.  As followers of Christ, our goal in life is not gaining power, possession, or prestige for ourselves.  We exist, along with the entire body of Christ, to fulfill the Great Commission until Christ's return.  Generosity offers one of the most powerful ways for us to leverage the blessings of God for the advancement of the Kingdom.  Best of all, when the church acts with generosity to serve others, it is a clear picture of Christ, who generously gave his life and all He had on the cross that we might find life forever. 

I would encourage you to read the rest of the article, which can be found here.  If the book this article is based from interests you, head over here.  Fall is the perfect season to start planning ahead for next year's mission trip.  If it's been awhile since your group has participated with Christ For the City, let me remind you of some of our offerings.

Urban Plunge: Urban Plunge trips happen year-round in Omaha and Lincoln, NE, Sioux Falls, SD, Des Moines, IA, Kansas City, MO, and Dallas, TX.  We offer customized trips from one-day to week long.  While Urban Plunge is for youth and adults of all ages, it is a great introduction to missions for the younger generation.  We still have openings for this fall and winter, so contact julie@cfci.org for more information.

Mission Teams:  CFCI offers 7-10 day mission trips that are perfect for your church or group.  We'd love to have you serve in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Columbia,  or Peru.  What grabs your attention?  Contact shawn@cfci.org to get details.

Short-term Missionary:  Perhaps, you are an individual with a call to serve.  We can meet your needs, too!  Go to Argentina, Bolivia, Columbia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru, Mali, Spain, or the U.S.  We coordinate trips for one-month to a year.  To discuss your options for ministering, contact dick@cfci.org.

Be blessed,

Julie      

The Summit

For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end.  - Hebrews 3:14

See not the small trials and vexations of each hour of the day.  See the one purpose and plan to which all are leading.  If in climbing a mountain you keep your eyes on each stony or difficult place as you ascend, seeing only that, how weary and profitless your climb!  But if you think of each step as leading to the summit of achievement, from which glories and beauties will open out before you, them your climb will be so different.

_______________

Consider:

Am I focused on the small pitfalls and inconveniences along the way, or on the destination to which God is leading me?

Pray: 

God, guide my way, keeping my eyes on Your path, my mind focused on Your plan and the purpose You have made for me.




__
taken from "God Calling," written by Two Listeners and edited by A.J. Russell

Comedy Show

This photo was taken of Ellen, Jerica, Michael Jr., Emily and Rachel at our comedy night benefit that we hosted last Friday evening. The comedy show featured family friendly and nationally known comedian Michael Jr. There were 450 people who heard Michael Jr. tell jokes and learn more about what CFCI does in Omaha, in the United States and around the world.

He is coming, time to get ready

President Obama came to my home town of Council Bluffs, IA, today to give a speech in Bayliss Park. This is a park that sits in the center of downtown and is across the street from my church. For days we have had security people running around and the city prepping for his coming. Sunday morning between services, we stood at the front doors watching all of the commotion. There were electricians running cables, guys building fences, others unloading trucks and setting up tents. Then came the school buses to act as street barricades, some were parked on our sidewalk and in front of our building, (needless to say this cut down on the number of visitors we had). The Secret Service command post was located in our church. They started setting up their equipment at 5:00 AM this morning, which required the pastor to get up and be there for them. All of this for a twenty minute stump speech. Then came the break-it-all-down and try to get-back-to- normal phase. At the Sunday service, I made the comparison between all of the work that was required for the President’s arrival to that of Jesus Christ’s soon return. The workers outside knew the schedule and when he would arrive – we on the other hand know Jesus is coming, we just don’t have the time & date. The workers were clearly focused on the task at hand – I think we easily get distracted. They knew the whole world could be watching the fruits of their labor – yet many of us go unnoticed in our own towns. For many of them, after the event they will go back to their day jobs – but for us, this is our day & night job. Each one of us has been called to prepare the way for His return. We are to go out and make disciples, preach the Good News, teach what He taught, love as He loved, pull down barriers and become one. Our efforts are not to be just a series of 20 minute speeches, but it is to become a lifestyle for a lifetime. What are you doing to prepare for His arrival? Are you making a difference in anybody’s life? What can we do to help you do more? Remember, He is coming, time to get ready. Blessings, Randy Fontaine

Why Go to All This Trouble

Why go to all this trouble?

"Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength". Deuteronomy 6:5 We certainly have the capacity to obey Deuteronomy 6:5, the first of the ten commandments. But those who have yet to be regenerated by putting their faith in Christ Jesus have a difficult, if not impossible, time walking out this first commandment. For Romans 8:5 clearly tells us: "Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires." In other words apart from Christ we live to please ourselves."But we who are in Christ desire to do that which is pleasing to the Lord. Christ For the City International was first formed and commissioned based on this commandment, "Love the Lord your God with all your Heart, Soul and Strength." It is out of our love for the Lord that we work, serve and give to others. Our missionaries, both long and short-term are sent into all the world so that others may have an opportunity to know and experience God's great love and provision for sin for their lives. We go for no other reason. We being submitted to God through the cleansing of Christ's sacrifice choose to serve the Lord. For when we fullfil this commandment, Luke 10:27, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; that is when we we desire go on to,‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” "The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace." It is no longer us that lives but Christ who lives in us. And so as we "shod our feet with the gospel of peace" we walk, whether it be across the street or across the world, offering this Gospel of peace which brings salvation. That is why we "go to all this trouble". We desire for all people to have opportunity to be reconciled with Christ. "And He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation." Mark 16:15

Adventures in El Salvador!

Being a short-term missionary with CFCI is an adventure! But it's also an opportunity to immerse yourself in Christ and engage in daily activities that allow you to manifest His love for the nations. STI Marissa Hintz shares her El Salvador mission experience.
Marissa in El Salvador
If you'd like to learn more about how to become a short-term missionary in Latin America for at least a month, please contact penny@cfci.org or sheila@cfci.org.

Life on the Home Front

I have been spending time with my newest grandchild, a granddaughter named Ashley Morgan.  Ashley was born the day before my birthday; I guess she wanted her own special day!  She joins three older siblings, so I have been spending extra time with them, as well.  Jacob is almost 11, Elise is a bouncy 6 year old, and Zach, who is 5, is smart beyond his age.  Trying to find fun things to do inside during this heat has been a challenge.  It's been a challenge to the pocketbook, also.  :)  Proverbs 17:6 says that "Grandchildren are the crown of old women."  That is truly how I feel--how I am blessed!  I now have 7 wonderful grandchildren.

Sandra Hammes

"We Are the Light" - Summer Sizzle 2012

This past week the three CFCI Summer Interns went to Storm Lake, Iowa, one of CFCI’s bases.  Storm Lake is a town of close to 11,000 people with 30 different languages spoken!

The interns went to Storm Lake to help out with a week long summer camp called Summer Sizzle. Summer Sizzle is a Christian day camp for girls entering 5th through 8th grades. During the week the girls were able to learn about God and themselves while participating in numerous activities such as Zumba, painting pottery, baking brownies in a mug, making a glow bracelet and small group time.

Below are some of our favorite memories from the week.

One of my favorite parts of Summer Sizzle was praise and worship, which occurred in the morning when the campers arrived and in the afternoon right before the campers left for the day. It was an awesome experience witnessing 90+ girls worshiping our Lord through song and dance.

--Rachel Beach

As the campers worked their way through The Beatititudes (Matthew 5:3-10) during their time at Summer Sizzle, it was Day 2 that had a personal impact on me.  At our debriefing on Monday night the camp directors asked for a group to make the actions and skit for the next day’s verse.  Without consulting the team I raised my hand and took on the responsibility, dragging the entire Yellow Team with me on this venture.  Jerica, Rachel, and Naomi accepted the choice I had made for all of us soon enough and we started our planning.

Our skit depicted Jerica, a young girl who constantly compared herself to those around her (Emily and Naomi).  Jerica would hold up signs saying, “I’m not as… as her.”  The blank was filled with popular, athletic, smart, and talented, but we all know that the enemy runs with our imagination when it comes to comparisons and there are a million other ways to fill in that blank.  As she lifted them, Jerica would hold them high above her head as Jesus (Rachel) ripped the signs in half and at the end had a sign on His own.  

Dear child of God,

I love you just as you are.

Love, Jesus

Matthew 5:5 (The Message) “You’re blessed when you are content with just who you are-- no more, no less.  That’s the moment you find yourself proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.”

What a powerful verse for young women to hear as they endure their middle school years.  What a powerful verse for me to hear as a single, 22 year-old, recent college graduate. What a powerful experience to be able to portray this verse, teach it to the young women of Storm Lake, and reflect on whether I am living and feeling content in just who I am— no more, no less.

--Emily Koopmann

Last week, the other two interns and myself were given the opportunity to accompany our sister CFCI base in Storm Lake, IA during their Summer Sizzle camp for girls.  

Upon arrival, we were under the impression that we were going to be just observing the camp activities, taking some videos, getting interviews and generally filling in gaps wherever help was needed.  What was so cool for me, on a personal level, was that God clearly had bigger plans than that.  

On the first day, we were told that they were short on camp counselors;  Emily and I were able to step up and step into a more personal, interactive role as counselors for a group of eight young fifth grade girls.  I had no idea at that point that these girls would impact me the way that they did in just five short days.  

Each girl was so very different from the other, yet so vibrant in their own way.  We found, as group counselors, that it was definitely a challenge to connect Spiritually, at least on a deeper level, with a group of 10 year-old girls.  But, as I reflect back, I realize that God had put the other counselors and myself in their life for a simpler reason: to let the love of Christ pour out of us into them.    

What started as a quiet and somewhat awkward group on the first day quickly transformed into a group full of laughter and spunk.  Each day, I could noticeably see the layers of discomfort and shyness fade away from each of these girls, and that is when the animation, story-telling and just life in general started to pour out of them.  It was, understatedly, an awesome transformation to witness and be a part of.

What’s funny is my title was “counselor,” yet I found myself in the company of eight young teachers so many times throughout the week.  These girls taught me a lot about myself and were perfect little guides on where I am on my walk with Christ.

God is doing so many amazing things in Storm Lake, through CFCI and The Bridge, and I feel so grateful to be involved in such a life-changing organization.    

--Jerica Kuncl

Marcia in El Salvador

Ellen 

Marcia and Ellen in the Finance department wanted to blog today, but they're really busy. So...I said I would do it for them. Little do they know that I am blogging about them!

Do you know that Marcia (our Finance manager) is a pastor's wife? Yep - Twin Cities Christian Church in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Her husband, Pastor Mike, is an awesome preacher. I went to a funeral he officiated and his message was amazing...I mean amazing.

Anyway, Marcia is also CFCI's official soup maker. Whenever we have potluck day, we can count on a delicious soup from her. She also sews (made the dresses for her daughter's wedding), bakes cakes, and crafts our Christmas gifts each year.

Call her sometime - 402 592 8332 - and tell her what a great job she is doing!

As for Ellen - our Finance assistant - she is a vibrant young woman with lots of energy. I think her faith comes into the room before she does! She is also the finance person for her church - Calvary Chapel in Omaha. She leads Bible studies and small groups. Ellen played soccer in college so beware of her kick!

In addition to her energy, she has brought us a lot of technical knowledge. She caught right on to our new financial software system and has been instrumental in getting us to online receipting. She also keeps us laughing. Call Ellen sometime (same number as above) and make HER laugh!

My office is next to the Finance office so I hear everything...which isn't much, let me tell you. They are very quiet - nose-to-the-grindstone workers. And they are always very busy. We appreciate them very much.

We love you, Marcia and Ellen!!!!

Everlasting Liberty

"Christ accepted you, so you should accept each other, 

which will bring glory to God." - Romans 15:7 (NCV)

Jesus read, "The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD." - Luke 4:18-19 (NKJV)

Jesus was back in his hometown of Nazareth, after recently being baptized by John the Baptist.  It was Saturday, the Sabbath, so Jesus went to the synagogue, as was the Jewish custom.  There men read from the Scriptures and commented on what they'd read.  Jesus was handed the scroll of the Old Testament prophet Isaiah, and he chose to read the words from Isaiah 61:1 to the crowd.  Afterward he said, "Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."  Thus was the beginning of Jesus' public outreach to the people of Israel and to the world.

About seven hundred years before Jesus was born, the prophet Isaiah recorded the future Messiah's purpose statement. Messiah means "Anointed One," or someone God has set apart for a very special purpose.  Jesus' special purpose was to extend God's freedom to those who were in captivity.  In Isaiah's time, the prophet's words comforted those who had experience literal captivity.  They had been exiled for their home and force to live under the harsh rule of the Babylonians.

In Jesus' time, Jesus did set some people free from the bondage of physical and mental ailments.  However, the liberty Jesus was destined to deliver goes much deeper than that.  He fulfilled Isaiah's words by providing freedom from spiritual blindness and the power of sin and death.  The freedom Jesus offers is permanent.  Once he breaks the invisible chains that are holding you back, you have the freedom to become who God created you to be.

Think back over your life, calling to mind what spiritual, physical, or emotional chains God has freed you from.  Thank him for the liberty he's given you in each of those areas.

____________________

* This excerpt was taken from "100 Favorite Bible verses," published by W. Publishing Group (a division of Thomas Nelson, Inc.)

Getting Out and Living the Gospel...

Isaiah 25:3-5

"Therefore strong peoples will honor you; cities of ruthless nations will revere you.  

You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in their distress, a 

shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat."

When I first heard from the forty something year old School Psychologist from Indiana who had a wife and four young children in the home I must admit I had my doubts about his eventual placement on the mission field. After all why would he want to use up his summer vacation serving out in the hot hazy humid faraway land of El Salvador? Psychologist John Pence indicated on his application that he desired to:

 "get out and live the gospel by meeting physical as well as spiritual needs of those less fortunate than myself".  

Well, I thought, we DO offer opportunities such as he described with each and every one of our CFCI mission bases.  But to leave his wife and children back home while he went to serve other children and families in a foreign land?  It kinda didn't make sense to me.  But then as I communicated with John's wife Renee I heard her speak of her strong support of his going.  Renee stated time and time again how excited she was for her husband to experience the blessing of "giving of himself" to the glory of God in this way.  Ok.  On we proceeded with John's application.  John requested to serve for five weeks in our El Salvador base.  He indicated that though he would be willing to serve "where ever needed" he would most like to help with home construction if at all possible.

John was placed with our mission base in El Salvador where he is currently sliding into the homestretch of his summer mission service.  I had the inclination to check up on John and his wife Renee only to experience one of the greatest blessings I could have received.  Renee replied back to me with attached letters John had been writing to all of his financial supporters back home.  Renee described that though John is a man of few words he had been able to articulate in such an effective manner as to have brought many of his backers to tears. I read several of John's "updates" and succumbed to the same tearful conclusions.  God isn't looking for servants with ideal "season's of life" or a perfected "set of skills".  He's just looking for a willing heart that says, "Lord, hear am I...send me."  John just plainly wrote me and said, "Here am I...can you send me?"

Here is an excerpt from one of John's "updates":

     "I observed an English class sponsored by Christ for the Cities in the morning and a soccer clinic in the afternoon.  I began my own Mission work promptly the next day.  I've spent the week helping to build a home for a local family.  I've been working with a crew of five men from the church.  Despite them knowing almost no English and my knowing almost no Spanish, we have managed to erupt in gut-busting laughter at least on an hourly basis.  I've discovered a common bond between men on a construction site that seems to transcend both space and culture.  Their work ethic and ingenuity amazes me.  There's none of the time-saving tools that I'm accustomed to working with...just yesterday we were trying to level something and used a tube filled with water to do the job.  We don't even have a wheelbarrow, when pouring concrete for the floor yesterday, we mixed it all by hand and shoveled it on the road and carted it into the building with 10 gallon buckets.  We are working in a shanty town called  Soyapango.  Coming from a land of plenty like the U.S. it would be hard to truly comprehend the suffering and need that exists in places like these all over the world if one didn't actually live it or experience it first-hand.  

To be part of an effort to help just one family have a little bit of security and comfort is a heart warming experience that I think everyone should have.  I would like to thank you all from the very bottom of my soul for providing me the opportunity to actually live the Gospel."

 "get out and live the gospel by meeting physical as well as spiritual needs of those less fortunate than myself".   Mission accomplished John Pence.  Thank you for offering your time, talent and treasure so that one family may experience the loving outstretched arms of Jesus in a real and tangible way.

John shared in other pages how he was able to help in clothing those who have no clothes by participating in a t-shirt giveaway to any man that did not own a shirt.  He also shared how he had served food to some of the hungry children in the village.  What an honor and a privilege it is to know that back here in my little office sending and receiving emails all day that I too participate in "living the gospel" as we join forces to meet needs of the poor and hungry.  Here is a photo of John (on the left) along with several of our other short-term missionaries serving in with the El Salvador base missionaries.  Thank you John for all you have given.

Penny Slosson

Short-term Individual Missions Coordinator