SPECIAL PRAYER NEED • FEBRUARY 20-26
 
Dear Friends,
 
We ask that you remember to pray for Mathetes Youth Ministry this week:  specifically for Randy Boltinghouse as he is speaking at the National High School and colleges in Digos City, Philippines.  Pray also for the students who will hear the Christian based lectures on Creationism (High Schools) or Sex and Purity (colleges and universities).
 
This annual lectureship that Mathetes offers to the High Schools and Universities in Digos City is an opportunity for us to make contact with students and faculty with the gospel of Christ. 

Please pray with us this week:
 • That many students and faculty will visit the Youth Center to talk further with Randy this week or to learn more about these topics
• For the Youth Center staff to be prepared to answer questions, welcome the visitors and establish a relationship that can continue to be built on after this week
• Strength, energy and health for Randy as he maintains a very busy schedule; speaking multiple times daily in crowded classrooms that have no air conditioning and little air flow.
• Open hearts and minds as many hear for the first time that God created the heavens and the earth (the Bible is accurate)…and that God has a plan for sex in their lives, what that plan is and of their individual value to the heavenly Father.
• Randy’s wife, Sarah, and his church while he is gone (that things run smoothly)
• That God is glorified during this week of lectureship.
 
Thank you for your participation with us this week.
 
In Christ who is our Peace,
Rodger and Dixie Shewmaker

_Dear Family and Friends,

Thank you for the support and encouragement you offered us during the Christmas season as we struggled through Gabriel having seizures. His seizures have reduced from approximately 3 per day to now only a few in the last month. We are very thankful.   

We are entering a season of great transitions. Through such seasons it is best to remember the faithfulness of God. This month we ask your prayers in the following matters:

1. On Thursday, 9 February we turned in all the documents we understand are needed for Rwanda’s Child Commission to declare Mugisha Gabriel adoptable. We ask that this process will be will be rapidly completed and Gabriel will be matched with a family who can nurture him to thrive.

2. Last year, Dave begged God for Sophia to be admitted to Wheaton College. After her admission we did not know how we would pay the tuition. Friends in Rwanda and the United States arose to the challenge and her first semester was paid. As she left Rwanda from her Christmas holidays we still did not know how her second semester of tuition would be paid. A few weeks ago, Sophia was given a grant that has paid all except a few hundred dollars of her spring tuition. We are very thankful.

3. Our family will be returning to the United States in June sensing God has called us to mature ROC as a missionary sending organization. Please pray for this transition. Our hearts are much like how we perceive Paul must have felt as he left a local church to move to a new location. We are pouring our lives into people while entrusting their future to the Lord. This season requires for us to give up our sense of home and community to answer a new call. May God be glorified in this transition.

Thank you for your prayers, support, and encouragement that empower our family and ministry.

Imana ikurinde (May God Stay with All of You),
Dave and Jana

P.S.  To read more stories of our transition see our recent blogs at http://jenkinsinrwanda.blogspot.com/2012/02/gestures-of-affection.html and http://jenkinsinrwanda.blogspot.com/2012/01/farewells-of-hope.html

_Dear Family and Friends,
 
Double trouble or maybe better said two for the price for of one.  January 6, 2012, Casa de Niños received twin brothers:  10 year old, Jose and Pablo.  Not identical twins, but their words, their actions and behavior are always in unison.  Their father died and their mother is in a mental hospital.
 
January 26, 2012, Casa de Niños received another two brothers:  7 year old, Cristian and 10 year old, Marco.  Unfortunately they lost their father also and their mother is a prostitute.  Not a good home situation!  
 
Both sets of brothers have many challenges ahead of them, but with time and much love they will grow physically and spiritually.
 
IT IS NOW OFFICIAL:  Angela (20) has her driver's license.  Once I crossed the street hand in hand with Angela while taking her to kindergarten.  The first time I let her drive the car alone I said, "Be careful crossing the street!"  Today she is studying Psychology at the University of San Luis Potosi and working at a clinic helping young people overcome their problems.  
 
Are you making plans to travel to Mexico on a missions trip in the future?  The following news information was released on January 23, 2012.  "One person died in drug related violence every half hour in Mexico during 2011."  That is an average of "48 executions per day", which means over 17,500 executions during 2011 including a U.S. Immigration officer in San Luis Potosi.  It went on to say that "25 % of the most dangerous cities in the world are in Mexico".  "Ciudad Juarez is #1 before Kandahar, Afghanistan".  One of our boys (Rito) grew up in Ciudad Juarez and said everyone lives in constant fear.  He is a runaway from Ciudad Juarez.  The authorities, December 1, 2011, caught him in San Luis Potsi and sent him to us until a living relative can be found.  He has neither a mother or a father.
 
I am not discouraging missions teams from visiting, but laying out the facts and risks.  Someone asked me last year, "If you had a teen would you send them to Mexico on a missions trip?"  "Honestly, NO" I said.  When you can smell marijuana inside your home because the gang kids outside the home are sitting on your doorstep, smoking marijuana, you know drugs are too close to you.  Stating facts, not discouraging mission teams!
 
From December 27, 2011 - January 3, 2012, we enjoyed a visit from Casa de Niños supporters, Larry and Joan Manning and their granddaughter, Bekah Rose.  They worked hard, enjoyed the children, traveled to the Adobe Church, and much more.  Were they in any danger?  No, but, like the saying of Fox News: "We report, you decide".
 
From twins and brothers, to drivers license, to missions travel was the content of this letter.  Please pray for the spiritual growth of each Casa de Niños child.  Pray for the safety of Angela as she becomes one more driver on the crazy streets of Mexico and please pray for the safety of all missionaries and mission teams that work throughout Mexico to spread the Good News that Jesus saves!
 
In closing, the cleaning lady, which many of you know, "Señora Vicky" has retired officially after January 31, 2012.  She faithfully worked for 15 years at Casa de Niños.  She loved her work here and especially loved the children.  She will be greatly missed.  If you would like to send her a note or a gift for her many years of service, please send it to our forwarding agents.
 
Casa de Niños
Larry DeBolt
2950 E -350 N
Bluffton, IN 46714
 
Working as your missionaries to Casa de Niños,
David and Sheri DeBolt

_Dear Pastor & Friends at Valley-

Please accept our most sincere thanks for your overwhelming response to our Stamps for China effort!  I understand that there is ONE BIG BOX of stamps soon to be heading our way.  We have such a burden for these high school students.  The communist government prohibits us from openly and directly sharing the Gospel with them, but we are, at this point, "building bridges" through our English classes and their love of all things American.  Each stamp will be a piece of America for them to have in their hands.  They know that we come to their city to teach the Bible in the one church there.  Our hope is that some might, on their own, decide to come and see what the Bible is all about.  Your stamps may very well play a part in that.  Thank you for being a part of God's great work in China!

Love & thanks,
Carolyn & Paul Warnken

_MATHETES PHILIPPINE YOUTH MINISTRY • DIGOS CITY
Rodger and Dixie Shewmaker
January 25, 2012

Dear Friends,

Once again we (Rodger and Dixie) are on different sides of the ocean, only this time Rodger is in the Philippines and Dixie is in Illinois.  In the spring Dixie will have a knee replacement and will remain in the states until released by the doctor.  (Rodger will come home in June to help with her rehab.)

Rodger returned to the Philippines two weeks ago to work with the Youth Center team and our intern from Minnesota, Connor.  In addition to the daily operation of the Youth Center the team is heavily involved in planning several upcoming events.

Feb. 19-26, Randy Boltinghouse of Champaign, IL will be conducting lectureships in the local high schools and colleges. Randy will speak to selected classes in the high schools on Creationism and on sexual purity to sections of students in the colleges.  Please pray for a good reception from the administration for Randy to speak and for open hearts on the part of those who will hear the lectures.  Randy will also preach at our local church on Sundays as well as lead special classes at the Youth Center.

Team Leader, Andy, is busy preparing for our teen camps this summer (April-May.)  This is the first year that Dixie has not prepared the camp lessons, please pray for Andy and the others as they develop lessons for Discipleship Groups, and the Expression Groups where campers learn skills they can use in ministry at their home churches.  Food, games, activities, competitions are among other areas that are being worked on.

Mission Trips:  This summer we will have two mission trips. Team member, Cherry, is preparing one to go to a church in the mountains where we will lead a Vacation Bible School for 75-100 children for one week.  Pray for Cherry as she finishes up the details on her plans.  This is her first time to develop the entire program and the plans she submitted last week are excellent!

Connor is working towards leading a second mission trip this summer to the area where so many were killed recently by the flash floods.  He is in the process of identifying a specific work project for the Youth Center to tackle.  This is Connor’s first time to plan a Mission trip, pray for him as he works through all the logistics and sets this up.

At the Youth Center several youth desire to accept Christ and are in the process of praying for permission from their families to follow through.  Pray for:  Stephen, Roland, Sweet Jell, Vergelyn, Grace, Heidi, and Emelyn.  Pray for them to remain faithful in following Christ before their families.

Sweet Jell recently told Team Member, Alma; “Last Christmas vacation was unforgettable.  I had a great time together with my friends, classmates and family, but one thing I cannot forget is that during our family reunion I was requested to render a prayer before the meal.  My parents and relatives were amazed by the way I prayed and my parents commented that going to the Youth Center is not useless.  They have found a new improvement or big difference in me, especially in the way I respond to the rules of our house.  There are big new changes in me that are very visible to my family.”  

This story is typical of the kids at the Youth Center, as Christ changes them from the inside out.  Please pray for Sweet Jell and the other youth and their families.   We have a Muslim youth coming to the Youth Center who is hesitant to join a Bible study.  Pray for our workers to have wisdom as they deal with this youth.

Thank you for your encouragement, prayers and support for what God is doing in Digos City.  Drop us a line, we’d love to hear from you.

Closed in abounding joy that comes from our Lord!
Rodger and Dixie Shewmaker

_World Vision Update - Sri Lanka

 I am Deepthi Silva, manager, writing from Horowpothana ADP, which is located in the district of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. I am grateful and deeply honored to say thank you for what you have been to your sponsored child and to our communities through out your sponsorship. Especially "Thank you" for standing with us during last year at the time of our difficulty, (flash flood situation). Because, World Vision's presence in the area was deeply felt and touched more than ever by the children, communities and all other stake holders as well during the year since it beyond doubt proved "A friend in need is a friend indeed." This presence was made possible by God's love channeled through your compassionate love and sharing. So praise and glory is to God and our thankfulness to you.
 
Last year two significant things happened within our programme; first is the blessing we got to stay among the community which opened the doors of change and transformation to ourselves and the second was the disastrous flood our community experienced after 50 years. The torrential rains which prolonged for weeks created huge floods and brought disaster to thousands of livestock, thousands acres of paddy field, houses of the poorest collapsed and many became homeless. Being among the Horowpothana community we could be faithful to our core value, 'We are responsive' and immediately coordinated with relevant authorities and fed the hungry, provided shelter to the homeless, looked after the sick and consoled the grieving. And it was not the end, long term, sustaining interventions were integrated to our existing program; seed paddy was provided resulting bumper harvest in next season, agriculture roads were renovated, irrigation canals and anicuts were constructed, cows were provided and we supported to construct and renovate houses destroyed by floods etc. In short, hope was kept alive.

Dear sponsor this was made possible with your sacrifices and again and again our community was reminded if not for the funding received from World Vision United States these things would have been impossible. Reflecting on the year we see how these all brought peace, zeal and commitment to the mission was ignited by the things 'that breaks the heart of God', the great word of our founder. The transformation that is being happening individually and as a team is amazing. We have nothing but to praise and thank God. We experienced how human dignity is being restored among and within the poorest of the poor and marginalized of the community by our interventions. One such livestock farmer has said "I feel human," so your continuous support do encourage our walk and work among the poor--supporting them to restore their lost dignity as our Master and Lord Jesus did in the land of the Palestine.
 
Dear Sponsor what we have to offer you, "Truly I say to you as you did it to one of least of these my brethren, you did it to me" Matthew 25:40
 
Thanking you, Your's faithfully,
Deepthi Silva

_Good in the 'Hood:
 January 8, 2012
Thank you so much for generously supporting our organization in 2011 as we continue with our mission to "Simply Make A Difference In One Life, One Family And One Community At A Time".

2011 was very successful for us as we worked to fulfill our 3 primary objectives:
    - To mobilize resources
    - To mobilize volunteers
    - To establish effective partnerships that benefit the urban community

With this in mind, your contributions enabled us to partner together with Union Gospel Mission and Cedarcrest Church in order to mobilize more than 300,000 lbs of groceries for families in need and to provide volunteer opportunities for more than 2500 people. In addition, we provided youth mentoring programs, case management referrals, chaplaincy care and free dental services to more than 350 families. Finally, our Backpacks for homeless youth, community BBQ's and Holiday Help programs enabled us to serve multiple families and the urban community at large with a practical expression of genuine care and compassion.
 
Thank you for helping us to make a difference in the lives of so many hurting people and families.

_Dear Casa de Niños family and friends,
 
During 2011, a total of 21 children were taken care of on a full time basis and 3 others were helped outside of the home with their education.
 
Casa de Niños came under a major renovation during 2011.  A security fence and security cameras were installed.  A new sidewalk in front of the home and church was poured and the entire exterior of the home was painted.  The biggest and best part of 2011 was the construction of a bridge to connect the back home with he main house.  The home looks like new and is much safer and secure for the children.
 
Casa de Niños continues to help meet the needs of the Adobe Church of Christ, the Ontañon Church of Christ, Bible College, Bible College students, the neighborhood surrounding Casa de Niños (Barrio San Miguelito) and other outreach needs as they occur.
 
We meet all the Higher Education needs for our University students.  The need continues as Jose, Efrain, Luis, Angela and Valencio continue to study.  Valencio was not able to graduate in 2011 as planned, but will in 2012.  Efrain, Luis and Angela will graduate in 2013.
 
As we close another chapter (2011) of Casa de Niños we reflect on all the blessings the children received and the spiritual growth that many of them made.  That's our motivation!
 
The DeBolts completed 20 years of serving as your missionaries to Casa de Niños this past year.  Next year (2012) Casa de Niños will celebrate 40 years and the Ontañon Church of Christ will celebrate 20 years.  Project 40 / 20 / 2012 will begin January 1, with the goal to replace the van and car and build a much needed second floor at the church.
 
We pray that 2012 will be filled with many blessings for you and all your family.
 
God bless you for your support, prayers and special gifts.
 David and Sheri DeBolt

_Your Next Opportunity to Serve
Wednesday, January 18, 12:00noon

I have a driving opportunity on Wednesday, January 18 at noon.  Shee Kpaw and her one year old son need a ride to the WIC office at 1075 Arcade Street in St. Paul.   The appointment should take about two hours.
 
If you have questions or are interested in driving the family this week please call me or look for me at church tomorrow. 
 
Last week Christian McNellis drove our family to an appointment and afterwards he sent me an email describing his experience.  He did such a great job capturing the essence of the experience that I asked his permission to share it with you. It's posted on our community action projects website page. CLICK HERE to read it.
 
Questions? Send an email to Julie Ginader.