 DO YOU BELIEVE?
Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God? Yes, I believe! That proclamation of faith came from the heart, soul, mind and lips of a 12 year old boy on December 24, 2000. Let's go back a few years before those words were said on that special Christmas Eve service. God loved, guided and especially protected that small boy who once slept under a bridge. His blanket on cold winter nights was the warmth that came from slepping with a stray dog. His food each day came to him by begging. There were no nights spent in a warm bed or sitting at a table 3 times a day. For over 4 years (age 6-10) he simply did what it took to survive. Then one day a miracle happened in his life. He was guided to our home and hearts. In less than 2 years he learned the need of forgiveness and receiving Jesus as his Lord and Savior. At age 16 he began to preach. One Sunday a member of our church said, "He has me sitting on the edge of my seat, he makes God so real". That young boy who came into our lives will be 30 years old in May of this year. One more exciting event will happen to this courageous young man in May. His dream is about to beome a reality, he will graduate from Bible College. His sole desire is to serve God, who rescued his life. We want to invite you to witness this young man's graduation on May 11, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. at Colegio Biblico, Piedras Negras, Mexico. Jose Aucencio Manuel Gonzalez, born on May 29, 1988, came into our lives on February 2, 1999. He was baptized on December 24, 2000 and will soon graduate from Bible College. There is so much more behind this young man's story. It is truly God working in miraculous ways of love, protection and guidance. For the first time in nearly 20 years, Jose will once more be on his own after graduation. At age 6, when he left home, he lost everything: family, home and security. He calls us Mom and Dad, a title we are honored to wear. We have gotten him through each stage of life since he came into our lives. Every time we hear him preach or sing we think of "our little boy who once slept under a bridge". Nothing in his life has come easy, but with perseverance and a God focused mind, he has overcome a multitude of obstacles. Coming with his graduation from Bible College are extra expenses. College ring, cap and gown, ceremony expenses and more. If you would like to share with Jose, we ask that you pray first for this special man of God and share from your heart as Jose enters into the ministry. During the next few months we will share about his plans and goals for ministry. This young man is serious about sharing God's love with others. God has done so much in Jose's life since that most important question was asked of him. Do you believe? Pray and Share a Blessing! David and Sheri DeBolt  The Open Door food pantry needs volunteers this winter to keep the Mobile Pantry up and running! There is a special Mobile Pantry Information Session/Orientation on Wednesday, January 24 at 4:00pm at the Mobile Pantry Support Center in Apple Valley at 14757 Energy Way, Apple Valley.
CLICK HERE to sign up for the Orientation Session. Questions? Want more details? Click here to contact Tim Koerner.  BABY BOTTLES FOR LIFE THROUGH FEBRUARY 11
Help support the work of Amnion Crisis Pregnancy Center in Burnsville in providing alternatives to abortion and witnessing to the Good News of Christ to women and men in unplanned pregnancy situations. Pick up a bottle or two in the church atrium and returned your filled bottle to the church by February 11. AMNION CRISIS PREGNANCY CENTER OPEN HOUSE LUNCH Sunday, January 21, 11am-2pm at AMNION: 13775 Nicollet Ave. S., Burnsville, MN 55337. Tour the Center and learn more about the services Amnion provides in our community. VALLEY WORLD OUTREACH SUNDAY IS SCHEDULED FOR APRIL 8 Arrangements are being made for this special emphasis Sunday showcasing our church's GLOBAL MISSIONS and GLOCAL MISSIONS. FEED MY STARVING CHILDREN MEAL PACKS - APRIL 4 On Wednesday, April 4, our church will be doing two shifts (6:00-7:30pm & 8:00-9:30pm) for packing meals at Feed My Starving Children in Eagan. Click Here for More Info  CLICK ON THE ICON BELOW TO VIEW THE HOPEKIDS WINTER NEWSLETTER 
 Greetings, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Attached is our December Newsletter. We are all doing well. We are really hoping for a big snow fall. I know most Minnesotans don't. Praise the Lord he called us to Alaska and some place warm! 😊 Many well wishes to you and your family! We pray that the ending of this year as well as the beginning of the next will be happy, full of joy and time to seek the Lord and His kingdom first! Blessings, The Hard Family CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW FOR OUR DECEMBER NEWSLETTER
 MISSIONARY JOURNEY
Five men crossed the border into Mexico not knowing even one word of Spanish. What an adventure that was back in the summer of 1987. We came to serve, but lIke most missionary journeys we were the ones changed forever. Another group of 5 men crossed into an area stricken by the earthquake on September 19, 2017, in Metepec, Puebla, Mexico. This trip was not an adventure, but an opportunity to reach out to those who lost their homes, their possesions and now living in tents and tin roof one room homes. When the earthquake struck it only took seconds to change the lives of so many forever in this small Mexican village. November 27 to December 1, 2017, I had the opportunity to visit and work with 4 other men in an area severly devestated by the earthquake. One mother, who just a few years ago lost her oldest son and lost her husband, just months before the earthquake. Now her only son (Jesus) and her are digging through the debris that at one time was their home and business (beauty salon). Jesus is in his last year at the University and continues to study because his mother said, "I will not let this stop my son's dream of an education." God directed us to this family and many others as we were able to provide the necessary applicances and bedding to bring their lives back to some what of a normal existence. With most of the homes built with block or brick walls and cement ceilings, the weight of most structures were cracked or destroyed as well as all their earthly belongings inside. As we reached out to so many in need their response brought tears to my eyes and my heart ached for so many in need. They expressed their gratitude and faith in God. We were able to pray for each person and family we helped. Like most missionary journeys we go to serve, to give, to work from dawn to dusk and to be a blessing to those that God puts in our path. Once again we were humbled by the meger means that so many are struggling with to survive. One little girl shares her now roof-less home with the family pig. Her tent home is next to the pig's stall and next to that is the family's bathroom. Across the street is their furniture covered in plastic that holds their clothes and school books for the children. We were able to bless this family with 6 new beds, refrigerator and stove. In the middle of the storm (earthquake) you could find family after family expressing their faith and trust in God. I was on that missionary journey over 30 years ago, my journey continues each day as we reach out to those that need the hope, the anchor and promise that God is with them all the time. Serving with you as you pray for us and provide the means that help us on our missionary journey. Thank you for allowing your missionary take a missionary journey to the heart of the earthquake. God bless. David DeBolt PHOTOS CAN BE FOUND OF THIS TRIP TO THE HEART OF THE EARTHQUAKE ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE: EMANUEL MEXICO MISSION.  Dear Christian Friends,
Thank you for your support of the work of Niños de Mexico in 2017. Your support made a difference in the lives of many people this year:
Sincerely, Steve Ross Executive Director  Dear Friends of HopeKids,
One of the many things I love about HopeKids is walking with a family through the entire journey, no matter where that journey takes them. For some, it’s a celebration of remission and end of treatment. For others, it means saying their last goodbyes to their child. For the Jackson family, their son, Daniel, passed away on April 1, 2016. Daniel’s mom, Jaci, shares: “I just wanted to take a minute and say ‘thank you.’ Daniel's birthday is Saturday and it has been such a huge blessing to have super fun things to look forward to on our calendar this week. We love hockey and basketball games. While neither of these take away the pain of missing Daniel, having them to look forward to has provided fun memories and moments with my other four children. Thank you. We are so very grateful. I feel like these words fall flat in expressing our gratitude, but we are so thankful.” Thank you for each hour that you give of your time, dollar that you donate, and resource that you pour into families - like Daniel’s. Your support matters because hope is a powerful medicine even in the darkest hours. With Hope, Brian Anderson, Executive Director HopeKids Minnesota |
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