remembering Gene

Gene was a man soon to be 49 who passed away in his sleep last Wednesday night. His funeral was yesterday.

Six months ago, Gene walked into Harvest Vineyard to do community service, and last week he walked out of this life having known the love of Jesus and the love of friends.

If you have a minute, check out a beautiful story of the Gospel being lived out at a friend's blog, www.lovesmuch.blogspot.com. Shelly's post about Gene's story is entitled "Just Gene".

I didn't know Gene well, but I did come to see him at Harvest quite regularly this fall, and I could detect his movement from a community service worker to a Harvest family member.
Oh, the hope and glory of Heaven, Gene! I'll see you again someday, and in the meantime, know that you not only kept the windows at Harvest clear and clean, but your story has helped make clear and clean the windows of the Kingdom as well.

imagine thousands equipped and released...

I opened the yellow pages and counted the number of churches in Waterloo/Cedar Falls. Roughly 156 churches, plus or minus a few. If collectively, the churches averaged 150 people each, that would be 23,400 Christian brothers and sisters. That's a lot of potential for God and for good! Some good questions for the churches of the Cedar Valley:

What are the spiritual and societal impacts we are having on our community?
Are we building bridges into our community?
Are we going to those on the margins?
Are we bringing God's truth and grace, His light and beauty into the city?
If our churches closed down, would anyone outside of our churches notice?

A vision for all 156 churches can be summed up with this vision statement that belongs to Cincinnati's Vineyard Community Church:

"Imagine a ragtag collection of surrendered and transformed people who love God and others. They are mesmerized by the idea that this is not about them, but all about Jesus. They are transfixed by His story and His heart for the city.

They are seedthrowers and firestarters, hope peddlers and grace-givers, risk-takers and dreamers, young and old. They link arms with anyone who tells the story of Jesus. They empower the poor, strengthen the weak, embrace the outcast, seek the lost. They serve together, play together, worship together, live life together. Their city will change because God sent them. They are us."

update from Kristie in Haiti

Dear friends,

"Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Phil. 2: 9-11

In all of Haiti's history, there has always been Carnival. Haiti is known for its Mardi Gras celebration that last days, costs the government lots of money, and harms many people. The news will glorify the festival, saying that it is a cultural celebration. But, they don't understand the devastation that Carnival leaves in its wake. Carnival is a voudoo service--it is worshipping Satan. In the act of worship, practitioners will spend their last dime, harm themselves, or willingly let possession take place. There are always people that die and many others are injured. But, the news will only show the dancing and singing and partying. People come from all over the world to celebrate Carnival in Haiti. Carnival was to be this week.

But, for the first time, Haiti's government has cancelled Carnival. Instead, the president has called for 3 days of national prayer. That is a miracle, my friends. That is what we have been praying for since coming to serve in Haiti. What an opportunity this will be to stand up for the name of Jesus. The nation of Haiti will be spending Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in fasting and prayer. For our community, we will be uniting the local churches to pray and fast together. The community chose to use our worship center as its meeting place. They chose our facility without us knowing about the decision. We are so glad that we are able to provide the setting for the services. Pray that JeanJean and the other leaders will be able to guide people to Christ for their comfort. Our prayer has always been that God would fill up the worship center with people who are looking for Him. The community is encouraging those who go to church and those that don't to join together to pray. We hope that many new people will be exposed to the gospel and that people's faith will be strengthened. May the whole nation be as the jailer in Acts 16:30 that experienced the earthquake in the prison and called out to Paul, "...what must I do to be saved?" I have been convicted that God can use a major disaster to become a major turning point for Haiti. Please consider praying and fasting yourselves on these days. Haiti is still desperately in need of your prayers.

We have been sending money and supplies to the churches of Pastor TessiChrist, Smith, and Raynold in Port-au-Prince. They are so grateful for all the help that has been given to their congregations. We will be sending another load of charcoal on Sunday as that is still a big need. The pastors do ask for people to pray for the sicknesses that are spreading. Many, many people suffer from GI problems such as diarrhea due to the lack of good water. People suffer respiratory problems as well from the stench and dust that still hovers in Port. Also, the flies and rats are becoming major problems, as well. The government is not allowing construction to begin since the clean-up is far from over and codes and regulations need to be instigated.

Many of you have told us how you are praying for our full house. We appreciate that so much. One of the little girls at our house turned 4 today and had her first birthday party. Many people here don't keep track of birthdays as it is difficult to get presents and to celebrate. But, Tana and Kerri and their friends made a cake, decorated the house, and wrapped up some presents for Judiana. I don't know if she'll settle down to sleep after all the excitement! I can't say enough how blessed we are to have such good people with us. We have sent several of 'our people' to Port so that they can salvage what they can from the rubble of their houses. Many refugees in our area are seriously considering building here. UCI may have a lot of opportunities to help with construction in the near future.

JeanJean, along with the Haitian board, have been praying diligently about how to transition from relief to development. They have several ideas on how to help find work for those who have been displaced. They have been considering training people in agriculture and microfinance along with training on the Bible. Please pray for these decisions. We want to be good stewards of the relief money that you have so graciously given.

The pastors from other communities that received relief monies from UCI last week returned with their reports. I haven't added up all the families that benefitted but I know that it touched hundreds of people in far-off communities that are often forgotten.

I don't want to make this update too long but I need to let you know that UCI's on-going ministries are doing well. Without our board, we would not have been able to do both the regular ministries and relief. We are so grateful for the men of the board. We have been able to start 2 new nutrition centers which brings the total to seven places where kids are nourished physically and spiritually. I have a couple of pictures to share.

I told you in a previous update that our youth group went and prayed with the families who lost sons in the quake. They brought an offering as well. From seeing how blessed the people were, the youth group has decided to try to raise money by selling coffee. They have made 30 lbs. already. They hope to use this money to bless others who are unable to help themselves. The group also spent all day Saturday helping a family that lost a son in the quake to rebuild their house. We are also up to 54 houses that have received cement floors. Saul, our agricultural specialist, is planning on training 10-20 men/refugees on how to raise crops to make a good profit.

There are so many other things to report but we'll leave you there. God bless you!

JeanJean, Kristie, Tana and Kerri Mompremier

I encourage you to consider fasting and praying one, two, or all three days along with our Haitian brothers and sisters. -Laura

carts and miracles in Cambodia

In all honestly and humility we here in Battambang are constantly trusting God for money (which is a good place to be), most of our Cambodian staff don't have what they need to live month to month.

I have seen lots of creative talent in many of our staff, being someone who loves art, design, and cool looking things, I've begun to dream up some fund-raising ideas. It involves getting all our artists to create art, design tshirts, take pictures, make bags, book marks, cards...pretty much whatever God has given them a gift to design and we are going to have store. Our buyers mostly being the tourist that have been streaming in to Battambang thanks to brand new roads from Poipet and Siem Reap! No longer do you have to be hard core to get to Battambang, you can take a smooth ride all the way here in 2 hours, it used to take 5 hours and you got sea sick on all the bumps...anyway...

But to rent a store is expensive, so I had a thought one day of having a cart, that's right a push cart for a store. Here in Cambodia people have carts all over the place, you don't have to pay rent on a cart, you don't have to stay in one place, you don't have to have pay for electricity, the suns got us covered.

So I've been going forward with this cart idea, asking God, really is this your idea God, cuz if it's just mine, it's not going to work...please let it be yours, but I felt like I needed to keep going forward checking prices on carts. I went just yesterday and most carts are about 100 dollars. So I thought okay, that's a little pricey, but we could get 100 bucks somehow!

After checking the prices I drove back to our base to have lunch (yum rice) I sat down next to my friend Alissa, she asked me a normal question, "molly what did you do today." I told her, "well I looked at carts to buy." she replied, "really, carts!" I said, "why yes indeed carts." (or something like that)

Alissa continued to tell me that for Christmas a woman from her church emailed and said her small group had taken an offering for our base and wanted to give it to Alissa to give it us as a base. Alissa asked them to pray about how to use the on the base, because we have lots of needs. So this lady got together with her small group and they prayed (they live in in CO, USA) After a few days they emailed Alissa back and said, "we keep getting the word 'cart', could you possibly need a cart?" Alissa said, "well no (remember this was back in December), but we will keep it until God does something with a cart."

As I heard this my eyes got bigger and bigger! This was all great news to me, as I have been asking God, "do you really want me to get a cart!?" So I asked her how much money did they give and she said, "100 dollars!" Exactly how much the carts costs!

Shoot if that isn't God I don't know who it is! God is alive and moving from Cambodia to Colorado and elsewhere. He can speak about anything and he can lead us anyway he wants. If we would only pray and ask him.

I was so encouraged when this happened, I am doing something right!!! God's confirming it through others who love him!!! May you be encouraged as well. God speaks and leads.

So I'm off to buy a cart...

peace. Molly

two lost kids

So, I just finished reading the book The Prodigal God by Tim Keller. What an eye-opening book! The parable we call "The Prodigal Son" is one that we often consider in the following way: A younger brother takes his father's inheritance, goes off and squanders the money on wild living, and then turns back to the Father who runs to meet his son with open arms and welcome him home. We think about it in terms of our lostness and God's free gift of grace and forgiveness.

Keller spends much more time unpacking the parable...fleshing out that it is really a parable of the two lost sons, not just the one. The elder brother's reaction to the return of his younger brother and his response to his Father showed that he was lost as well. He, like his younger brother, just really wanted the Father's things and not the Father.

Keller does an amazing job addressing the younger brother who was trying to find salvation through self-discovery and the elder brother who was trying to find salvation through good behavior. He also does a tremendous job showing us the character, sacrifice, and invitation of the Father.

I'll never read this parable in the same light again. As Jesus addressed both the tax-collectors/sinners and the Pharisees in his audience, so he addresses all of us in this story as well, and points us to the Father, the true elder brother (Jesus), and the feast. I'd recommend the book!

Cleope update from the Philippines

Hello to our great Friends and favorite Supporters,

NEW YEAR............Another year is upon us and it’s always nice to get a fresh start, a fresh outlook on life.

“So roll up your sleeves, put your mind in gear, be totally ready to receive the gift that’s coming when Jesus arrives. Don’t lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. You didn’t know any better; you do now. As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God’s life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness.” 1 Peter 1:13 (the Message)
What a way to start the year!

NEW ANNOUNCEMENT…………
Our family will finish our assignment, serving in the Philippines with Pacific Missionary Aviation, on Sept 30th of this year. That is exactly 9 years since we arrived here. Our initial commitment was a term of 3 years; but God stretched us to make it three terms. Our lives have been enriched by the Filipinos who have worked alongside us. Our kids have embraced the culture and our paths have mingled with other missionaries pressing on with the Great Commission as their centerpiece. It is a blessing and an honor to serve here.

We still have much to accomplish in the next 8 months. God humbles us regularly and we have grown closer to Him. We trust Him for our daily provision and He has worked out the details. As a family, we look forward to being closer to the grandparents (Malcolm’s dad in California, and Mary’s mom in Iowa.) We miss Will so much and want to be near him and Lauren as they move on in college.

NEW AND “OLD” SUPPORTERS…………
As supporters, we are asking if you could stay with us until the end of September?! Financially, we need a strong finish to pack up our belongings and move our family back to Iowa, then transition into a new situation. We will leave this country on July 4, then visit churches and meet up with you in the USA during those last months.

Our personal support with PMA will continue until Sept 30th. This is same support that many of you have generously given for over 8 years and we THANK YOU! For some others, have you have ever thought of sharing in this ministry? Now is a great time to start. It’s never too late and 8 months is a pretty short commitment….or we would be ever-grateful for a one-time gift. (See the headquarters address below.)

MEDICAL OUTREACH AND ADOPTION…………
January was a month of action and emotion. With the help of a ministry team from Iowa, we were able to accomplish a three-day medical outreach in two remote villages. These visitors can testify that it was not easy to get there! By air, boat, and walking through low tide, we arrived ready to serve. PMA recently planted a church in one of those villages, and these people had NEVER had a medical outreach or barely any medical assistance in their history. Seven local doctors and dentists joined us to share God’s love to over 900 patients. Can you picture this? We had to bring with us – the medicine, dental supplies, drinking water, backpacks, sleeping bags, and even tents for 19 people. It is only God that gives us strength.

Our Bahay Kalinga child, Aileen, was adopted the following Tuesday. Malcolm flew the family to Mindoro, along with Dr John, who was doing monthly checks on all the children. We rejoiced is seeing the “forever” family meet and unite with Aileen. Of course, the family cried and the caregivers cried. After a while of warming up, Aileen was all smiles as she headed out on the jeepney, enroute to the USA.

“And that’s about it, friends. Be cheerful. Keep things in good repair. Keep your spirits up. Think in harmony. Be agreeable. Do all that, and the God of love and peace will be with you for sure. Greet one another with a holy embrace. All the brothers and sisters here say hello.” 2 Corinthians 13:11-13 (the Message)

Much love to you,
Malcolm and Mary Cleope, Lauren, Chris, & Mark, plus Will in Iowa


All donations can be sent to PMA Headquarters:
Pacific Missionary Aviation
P.O. Box 3209
Hagatna, Guam 96932
Thank you for your support!

seeking answers or seeking God?

a few quotes that caught my attention from Oswald Chamber's passage today in "My Utmost for His Highest":

"Spiritual lust makes me demand an answer from God, instead of seeking God who gives the answer."

"Whenever the insistence is on the point that God answers prayer, we are off the track. The meaning of prayer is that we get hold of God, not of the answer."