[Newsletter] Mission Fiesta News, January 2007

Fri Jan 12 12:30:32 MST 2007

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

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