May 4, 2012
Praise Reports:
. The Baja, Oaxaca, Sinaloa & Michoacan Missions celebrated both Children’s Day (Dia del Ninos) and Labor Day (Dia del Trabajo) this past weekend. As the pictures below convey, there was a lot of fun activity going on in and around each of our 4 Missions. Give thanks that our staff reached out in such fun, creative ways to touch “the least of these” with His love.
Celebrating Children’s Day & Labor Day
. Charla was delighted to receive a very generous donation from South Sound Church, Lacey, WA honoring their former FFHM missionaries, Phil & Betty Swor who have now retired to, Lynden, ID to be close to their family. Phil & Betty dedicated many years of selfless and devoted service to caring for the Baja Mission’s at risk babies & infants. It’s appropriate that this gift will go towards furnishing the newly refurbished Cuna (Nursery) with lovely new cribs. A wonderful tribute to these precious FFHM friends!
New cribs in honor of Phil & Betty Swor
. The San Clemente office staff were once again blessed by the kindness of our neighbor and small business owner, Andrea Workman. Andrea made jam for all the staff – a lovely, loving gesture that was greatly appreciated by all.
Andrea – a great neighbor!
. Ellie Goolkasian Lugo, RN, former FFHM/CPSM nurse at the Baja Mission and now Director of CHE (Community Health Evangelism) in the Baja, has once again blessed us with another of her exceptional and inspired writings. Click here to enjoy reading “Prayer Walking!”
Ellie, Bertha, Ruth & Ofelia Alex & Flor with “The Map”
. This past weekend, the San Clemente office staff were blessed by a surprise visit from our beloved pastor emeritus, Dr. Ellis Pitman. Pastor Ellis came to share about his recent missionary travels to the Philippines and join us for morning devotions. How blessed all were by this exceptional leader and faithful FFHM friend!
Pastor Ellis – bearing gifts!
. Thank you for praying for our other dear friend Dr. Bruce Camp who has safely returned from his time of ministry in the Far East. Bruce fulfilled his goals of strengthening and renewing old friendships as well as making lots of new ones! Father, we thank you!
Dr. Bruce Camp – safely home!
. Lucia Castillo, Supervisor of our Michoacan Mission school is giving thanks for the funds raised at a local “Spring” charity event in which their students participated. The money raised will be used to purchase two computers for the school.
Spring Festival Charity Fundrasier in Michoacan a big success!
. Lest anyone think that the life of a FFHM missionary is solely about sacrifice, David Laufer, missionary at our Baja Mission from Valley Vineyard Church, Reseda, CA, can honestly state that this is definitely not the whole truth! Along with several other Baja Mission friends, David has been enjoying some incredible hikes far into the interior of the Baja Peninsula as well as having some great times of off-shore fishing. Community barbecues and delicious fish tacos are now the norm when the catch is cooked – special times of fellowship experienced around a camp fire! Thanks for the pictures David – proof positive that a FFHM missionary can also have a life!
Hiking, fishing, barbecues & fish tacos – the other side of a busy missionary’s life
. The Baja Mission is giving thanks for two wonderful living memorials that the family of their fellow colleague, Peter Kozak, have designated in memory of Oralee, Peter’s beloved mother. The newly rebuilt Pastor’s house now has a lovely patio/barbecue are and a further gift will be towrads the improvement of the Baja Mission’s Soccer Field. Both lovely tributes to a wonderful mom!
Living memorials being created for Oralee Kozak – a beloved mother!
. Charla and the team members from both CA & GA are back safely from their Medical Outreach to Oaxaca. She thanks everyone for their prayers and reports many, many lives were touched by the love extended to the “least of these.” Below are a few pictures showing a few of those lives that were touched.
Prayer Requests:
. The Michoacan Mission is requesting prayer for a man and his family that they met while doing neighborhood evangelism. Don Fidel is very, very poor, a single parent and has 5 children and not yet a Christian. Please lift him before the Lord.
Don Fidel with 4 of his 5 children
. This weekend Janice & Janelle will be representing Charla & FFHM at the annual WINGS (Women In God’s Service) conference in Redding, CA. They will also be sharing in the Sunday service and Sunday School classes at Redding Christian Fellowship (RCF) and meeting with their Missions’ Committee in the afternoon. RCF and WINGS have been faithful long term supporters of FFHM. Please keep the girls prayerfully before the Lord especially as they will be making this long journey by car.
Charla with Janice & Janelle
. Joe and Virginia Sanders, Laguna Woods, CA, very dear FFHM friends who every month do the final proof of our Mission News before it goes to press (see picture below), have a pressing prayer request. Before their retirement, Joe and Ginny were seasoned missionaries to Colombia, Latin America and founded an outstanding Christian publishing company, Mensaje de Vida (Message of Life) which provides beautifully illustrated Children’s Bible stories in Spanish which both our Baja and Oaxaca Missions use. Mensaje de Vida is currently looking for a Spanish speaking Executive Secretary to direct their US publishing company in Awahnee, CA. Please pray and make this opportunity for service known. Mensaje’s toll free number: 1-888-683-7028.
Joe & Virginia Sanders, founders of Mensaje de Vida, asking prayer for a Spanish speaking Executive Secretary for its US office