From jdanross at verizon.net Fri Jan 12 12:30:32 2007 From: jdanross at verizon.net (Dan Ross) Date: Fri, 12 Jan 2007 14:30:32 -0500 Subject: [Newsletter] Mission Fiesta News, January 2007 Message-ID: Mission Fiesta News January 2007 Vol. VI, Issue 1 Happy Birthday to Us! Dan Ross, Mission Fiesta News Editor As I began to write this article, I decided to get the page heading ready and it ?hit me? from out of the blue--this is the beginning of the sixth year of Mission Fiesta News! While it doesn?t seem like it has been that long since we began our publication, the volume number tells the story. During the past five years, we have shared many stories with you about our mission trips to Guatemala. Also, during the time since we first began our trips to Guatemala, we have seen a tremendous change in the projects with which we are associated. Our first fiesta in 1997 was for approximately 150 children at Casa Aleluya (formerly Mi Hogar II and Casa Para Ninos Aleluya). The number of children included in our June 2006 fiestas rose to over 1,700--more than a ten-fold increase, not counting the missionaries and national workers--and the number of projects with which we work has risen from one to fourteen. During the same time, we have been blessed to have met hundreds of missionaries and national workers who dedicate their lives to helping God?s children there in Guatemala on an everyday basis. We feel that God has abundantly provided for us and has allowed us to share His love with all of these people. As we continue our mission work in Guatemala, we want to remind you that you are a vital part of our ministry. The Mission Fiesta Team and Volunteers have had the joy of being vessels to be used by God, but our part in the ministry would be impossible without each one of you! You have been so faithful to shower us and surround us with your prayers as we prepare and carry-out our mission each year. Also, your financial support makes the fiestas a reality each year. Please rest assured that you have brought thousands of smiles to faces across the years--many whom have had little to smile about in their lives. It is our hope and prayer that you have been blessed in your supportive roles and that you will continue to allow God to work through you in this new year. We also want to let you know that you are important to us and to our mission ministry and that we appreciate each one of you so very much. ?Gracias y puede Dios lo bendice! (Thank you and may God bless you!) Dan Ross The Name Above All Names Gary Baker, Mission Fiesta Director We have just celebrated another Christmas and once again we heard that we should not offend others during this time. We should greet each other with generic non-threatening phrases. So, what is wrong with mentioning Christ at Christmas? After all, isn?t Christmas a mass for Christ? In Philippians 2:9 we read, ?Therefore also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name.? The name of Jesus Christ, then, is a highly-exalted name that carries great honor and power. The name of the One who can take away the sins of the world, calm the sea, and exercise authority over demons. A name that brings healings of all kinds. What a great and powerful name is the name of Jesus Christ! With a name this highly exalted, the mentioning of it will cause a reaction. What that reaction will be depends on one?s relationship with Christ. If one sees Him as savior, then it is a wonderul name that continually brings glad tiding to one?s heart and life. If one does not see Him as savior, then His name is something that one does not want to hear or think about. The name of Jesus Christ is the name above all names and it will always elicit some response when spoken. So what should we do next Christmas? In Acts 2:21 we read, ?And it shall be, that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.? I say keep saying it and praying that someone will call upon the name of the Lord. merry CHRISTmas--just getting an early start! LOL : ) Gary Baker We?re Looking for a Few Good Volunteers!!! It?s that time once again--time to find a few good men and women who will answer the call to become volunteers for the 2007 Mission Fiesta trip in June. Please take some time to spend in prayer to see if you are one of the people whom God has chosen to use as a Mission Fiesta Volunteer. (Isaiah 6:8) It is an exciting experience and one that we feel will enrich your life, particularly if you have a burden for missions. You can download and print a volunteer application from our website: www.mfiesta.org Applications should be submitted ASAP to our director, Gary Baker. ?Everything on the earth has a purpose, every disease an herb to cure it, and every person a mission.? --Mourning Dove Check out our website: www.mfiesta.org to learn more about our mission organization. You?ll find pictures and other important information. How The Parties Began Hazel Watson, Contributing author In 1997 when Gary Baker, Dan Ross, Janet Hall and Hazel Watson made their second trip to Casa Aleluya, we lived in the dorms with the children and we interacted in every phase of their lives as we had the first year. This was a gift from God that we were able to establish very special relationships with the children and the staff. There were many needs and we assited with daily tasks. Gary and Dan had a gift of money given to do something special for the children. Janet and Hazel had a smaller gift of money for something special. We inquired of the missionaries, Mike and Dottie Clark, what they had wanted to do for the children that had not been possible. One thing was to give a birthday party. Gary and Dan sponsored the party. We had large 5-gallon containers of ice cream and hand-dipped it for the children. We also had purchased huge cakes to serve to them. The children were so excited. Many were coming back with their bowls and saying they had not had ice cream when there was ice cream all over their faces. We were so blessed to see the joy in their faces! Janet and Hazel were able to buy cereal and bananas for a special breakfast for all of the children. We had Frosted Flakes (Zucharitas). They normally did not get packaged cereals. This was a treat. This small party was the beginning of our special ministry to provide a birthday celebration that would send the message that God had created each child and worker and that He wanted them to have the joy of His love in their lives. God has continued to expand our ministry and to use us to carry messages of the joy of God?s love to the people of Guatemala. Hazel Watson Mission Fiesta Historian Looking Ahead At our fall Mission Fiesta Conference, we went over goals and visions for our ministry. One of the visions for ?Mission Fiesta News? was to expand the newsletter. In this particular issue, we have articles from all four team members. In future issues, you might read articles written by some of the missionaries with which we work; selected articles from children who have experienced Mission Fiesta; or perhaps feedback from readers? We hope you will enjoy the new, improved ?Mission Fiesta News.? Send us your comments: news at mfiesta.org The Power of Prayer Janet Hall, Contributing author There is no telling how much the world has been changed throughout history as a result of prayer by Christians. God's Hand moves when Prayer Partners pray together. Prayer is meant to be answered or God would not ask us to pray. We need to pray as Jesus prayed. Being a Prayer Partner is a high calling! Look at these few of the many Scriptures on prayer: Psalm 62:2; II Chron. 7:14; I Samuel 12:23; Isaiah 56:7; Matthew 21:22; Luke 18:1-2; Ephesians 6:17-18; I Thess. 5:16-19; Matthew 16:19-20; Matthew 18:18-20; James Chapter 6 The following observations are from books that I recommend on prayer: All that God is and all that God has may be received through prayer. Prayer is both a right and a privilege of the redeemed man, according to Dr. Myles Monroe in his book, ?Understanding the Purpose and Power of Prayer.? Prayer is conversation with God...not helping God with answers. It?s asking God to help...not telling Him what to do. It?s telling Him my need. Prayer is not just coming to Jesus, but is letting Jesus come into me. Prayer is not a waste of time--it is an appointment with the King of kings! (Becky Tirabassi in the book, ?Let Prayer Change Your Life?) When God answers prayer He answers in one of three ways-- yes, no, or wait. God only says no and wait when it is best for us. (Roman 8:28) He does it many times for our protection. Sometimes it is simply not the right time. (Charles Stanley in ?Handle With Prayer.?) During the past year in 2006 we had an average of 4-5 prayer requests daily and your prayers definitely made a difference. The following examples are just a few of the results of your prayers: Jennifer, a teenager--prayer brought her from coma and death expectancy to her present recovery process. A young child in California emerged from a coma to be discharged to return home. Susan progressed through her second bout with cancer surgery and chemo and is now back at work. Carlton has had an amazing and instant recovery from hip pain on 12-30-06. Bill recuperated from a critical illness, surgery, and recovery and is presently back to work. There was a provision for a widow with need. You helped hold Diane's hand through the long-term illness and passing of her father. And many, many more! Let us continue to pray together. Let us renew our covenant as Prayer partners...In Jesus Name! As you pray for yourself and for others, what do you want from God? Think on this. Are you tired of the ?same old, same old?? Desperate? Don't let the "crowd" shut you up...cry out--Jesus is passing by. Cry out as blind Bartimeus in Luke 10:46-52, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me." God heard him and healed him and His blind eyes were opened. The world is trying shut up the church (American Christians). Cry louder!! (notes from a sermon by Pastor Walter Jones, First Baptist Church of Haw River, NC) Thank you for praying the Prayer Calendar with me and for your intercession with the many individual requests that were made throughout 2006. May you determine in your heart and mind to be a faithful Prayer Warrior in 2007. I praise God for you--giving thanks for you, asking Him to answer your prayers, to provide for you, and to give you strength to cry out your resolve! In Jesus Name, Janet Hall Mission Fiesta Prayer Ministry The Top Ten Things You Will Not Have to Worry About in 2007: 1. The Bible will still have the answers. 2. Prayer will still work. 3. The Holy Spirit will still move. 4. God will still inhabit the praises of His people. 5. There will still be God-anointed preaching. 6. There will still be singing of praise. 7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people. 8. There will still be room at the cross. 9. Jesus will still love you. 10. Jesus will still save the lost. "If God's love is for anybody anywhere, it's for everybody ywhere." --Edward Lawlor Spring Mission Conference The spring conference for Mission Fiesta will be March 6-8, 2007 at Twin Falls Resort State Park in West Virginia. Please be in prayer for this conference as we finalize plans for our June 2007 Guatemala trip. How to Contact Us Gary Baker director at mfiesta.org (volunteers, general info) Dan Ross news at mfiesta.org (newsletter) Janet Hall ptlw at mfiesta.org (prayer concerns) Hazel Watson history at mfiesta.org (history of Mission Fiesta) Facts About Guatemala... Guatemala's 1985 constitution provides for a separation of powers among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government. The 1993 constitutional reforms included an increase in the number of Supreme Court justices from 9 to 13. The reforms reduced the terms of office for president, vice president, and congressional representatives from 5 years to 4 years, and for Supreme Court justices from 6 years to 5 years; they increased the terms of mayors and city councils from 2-1/2 years to 4 years. The president and vice president are directly elected through universal suffrage and limited to one term. A vice president can run for president after 4 years out of office. Supreme Court justices are elected by the Congress from a list submitted by the bar association, law school deans, a university rector, and appellate judges. The Supreme Court and local courts handle civil and criminal cases. There also is a separate Constitutional Court. Guatemala has twenty-two administrative subdivisions (departments) administered by governors appointed by the president. Guatemala City and 331 other municipalities are governed by popularly elected mayors or councils. Mission Statement: We, as a group, are dedicated to helping organizations that provide services to the poor and needy as well as to those who work with them. In keeping with our vision, ?Celebrating Life,? we hope to help everyone realize that they are special in God?s sight. Comments or Suggestions If you have comments or suggestions that you would like to share with us regarding our newsletter, please feel free to contact me in either of the following ways. E-mail: news at mfiesta.org or U.S. Mail: Dan Ross, 1109 24th Street, Portsmouth, OH 45662 Mission Fiesta, Inc. 1623 Waddell Rd. McDermott, OH 45652 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: clip_image002.gif Type: image/gif Size: 1049 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... 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