Missions Overview

Praise

1. Continue to praise God for the work He has begun in the hearts of several people in response to our prayers that He would rise up a full-time Christian Worker to represent our church in Haiti. Please continue to pray that God’s leading and direction would become abundantly clear to these individuals.

Prayer

1. Pray that another family will go from our church to minister at Rift Valley Academy.
2. Pray that God’s servant(s) would be raised up in His time for both of these opportunities to serve in the field.
3. Pray for the children at the orphanage in Haiti. Pray for their spiritual growth and that God would use them as the next generation of leaders in Haiti, passionate to make a difference in that Country for the glory of Gods Kingdom. Pray that they become the Salt and Light of Haiti.
4. Pray for Millian's, there is a great need for good schooling for the daughters that will be accepted by Colombia.

Grace Missions 2011 - Who We Support and Where

The following is a brief summary of Missions activity that we as a church support as we advance the Great Commission:

Africa:
Kristin Barlow continues to minister to women near Lukodi in northern Uganda. She is with ChildVoice International, her two-year term expires in May, and she renewed for another year. We need to pray for Kristen and her eye, as she may need a corneal transplant. She has been back in the U.S. for medical treatment and we plan to have her here w/us on 2/27 for an update!

Belarus:
Our friends with the band Spasenie (org - they have a Facebook page maybe you can link to that) provided us with a great concert the weekend of our Missions Conference here last fall. While we don't provide any ongoing financial support, please continue to pray for them as they minister in this last bastion of Soviet-era control of their country by the government. Their 2012 concert tour may bring them our way again.

Canada:
Brig & Chris Judy have been serving with North American Indigenous Ministries (NAIM) for 24 years. Grace Community EFC has partnered with the Judy's for all of that time. Brig & Chris are working in Broadview, Saskatchewan ministering to First Nations communities in the area.

Ecuador:
Kevin and Kathy Bruce and family working under Liebenzel missions, continue their ministry to the Awa nationals. and we are helping to other couples that support them:

- Herman and Luz Marina Millan and family are in Lita in charge of center used for a refuge for the Awa people when they come to buy supplys, they provide a safe haven and encouragement until they return back to their mountian homes. They are being supported as they help Kevin & Kathy Bruce in their mission in Ecuador.

Haiti:
Franceli & Julie Joseph with Bridgebuilders Ministries, who will be here with us on 2/27! We continue to send teams in support of the orphanages in Batso, Port-au-Prince, and medical teams. On 2/20 Paul Deasy outlined our church goal of raising $30,000 to build the new orphanage near Port-au-Prince. The land has been purchased, a fence erected, a well dug, and electricity is now on site.

We also support Pastor Kelly's work in Haiti and recently we raised additional funding of approx. $7,700 for the Batso property which has been sent to MBC.

We also have continued to support individual church members as the seek to follow the Lord's will in their lives by traveling to Haiti for medical and non-medical STM trips. Liz and Britta Nelson traveled to Haiti in January to minister there.

We recently gave MBC $2,100 for Paul Deasy's expenses so other resources could go directly to Haiti. It is the intention of the Missions Committee to add Paul as a designated missionary as we establish the 2012 Missions budget, subject to future congregational approval.

Iceland:
Greg and Betsy Aikens are working in Iceland with LifeQuality Ministry with the goal of assisting businesspeople and professionals to live balanced and productive lives, centered in Christ.

Indonesia:
Justin and Courtney Wallhoff are serving in Indonesia (the largest Muslim nation in the world) with New Tribes Mission. Justin is flying a helicopter to support NTM's efforts in this country of numerous islands. The recent volcanic eruptions were in the area, but they have not been directly affected. Pray for the new little Wallhoff on the way!

Israel:
The Friends of Israel gospel ministry. More than a vacation, a pilgrimage for some, educational tour for others, but through their trips we support of the Friends of Israel ministry and the nation of Israel. They also publish a monthly newsletter with valuable information

Asia:
Andrew and Colleen Burkinshaw plan to return (with their twin babies) this spring. The Committee voted to provide their assistant with $1,800 (half his plane fare) and he will assist Andrew and Colleen with "manny" services for a while upon their return.

Peru:
Gordy and Bear Grover are working through the EFCA TouchGlobal Crisis Response in Cihicha, Peru. This area experienced a severe earthquake over two years ago and the Grovers are working to help rebuild housing that this seismic-resistant. The need for construction teams is critical but also any English, dental, and/or medical teams that can travel to the area will be welcomed. Their specific prayer concerns are:

1. Financial Support - one supporting church is cutting back on support, they have others, but this is a big hit.
2. The discipleship/doctrinal purity of the new believers in Chincha.

United States:

- Camp Spofford is supported as well as camp counselors who request STM
money from the church for their support.

- Judy Keith is supported through Barnabas International as she ministers to missionary kids on college campuses throughout the U.S.

- Pregnancy Center of the Monadnock Region (formerly CareNet) is supported by us at both Keene and Brattleboro locations.

Other Missions We Will Support in 2011:

The Light Radio Network (org) - we voted to provide $600 for this Christian radio station's work in the Brattleboro/Keene area.

NEDA- we voted to raise our support of this EFCA effort to plant churches in this area and support the NE efforts of the EFCA by $1,170 bringing our total giving to $4,715.
Open Doors - works in the world's most oppressive countries, strengthening Christians to stand strong in the face of persecution and equipping them to shine Christ's light in these dark places. Each year we recognize the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP) in November. Open Doors provides us with IDOP materials and we are giving them a gift of $250 this year.

The Missions Committee would like to express their gratitude for the stewardship of the congregation in supporting missions. In addition to supporting our regular missionaries with financial and prayer support, we helped many members fulfill their desires to serve on short-term missions. Thanks also to Irv Bruce, our webmaster, who diligently keeps the Missions sections of the church website updated!