December 2010
May 2011
October 2011
January 2011
June 2011
November 2011
February 2011
July 2011
December 2011
March 2011
August 2011
September 2011
April 2011
Who We Are
We are small business owners, construction workers, police officers, teachers, executives, ministers, and airline employees coming together in local teams to work on practical projects to improve some of the most desperate conditions in the world.
What We Do
We encourage people in the marketplace to live to the fullness of their God given abilities.
We provide opportunities for people in the marketplace to come together in teams that work together for the benefit of others around the world.
Where We Work
We have service teams and projects in the United States, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Peru, and Liberia.
As we look back on 2011, VisionVestors, which includes all of our partners, made a huge difference in the peoples lives we were able to touch. We are grateful for all of our teams who went to areas of desperate need and showed the love of Christ in all the ways that they served. We are grateful for every contribution that provided resources for our practical projects that elevated the quality of life, displayed a genuine concern and assisted those who live in daily hardship. We are grateful for everyone who worked behind the scenes to gather supplies and coordinate efforts to enable our teams and projects to accomplish life-giving objectives. Lives were touched and the world became a better place through your compassion. In our final monthly newsletter in 2011, we want to briefly highlight the results of our work this year. We believe you will find that significant help was given in a number of places. We were delighted to serve these needs with you. We were blessed by the gifts, skills, time, efforts and ingenuity that were offered in a team effort. You offered your heart and your hands. Together, we impacted the world in the love of Christ!
Join Us for a
Connection Meeting
Our connection meetings are regional groups which meet on a monthly basis. At our meetings, we present updates on our various service projects, give highlights and reports from our service teams and offer people invitations to use their skills to change the world. It is a great way to meet new friends and partner with them to change the world. If you cannot join us for a meeting, track with us on the web from anywhere.
VV Team to DR Makes Its Mark
Special thanks for the team of Chad Jackson, Jessica Burdick, Eilene Senter, Sally Ashworth, Kathy Burdick and Betty Larrabee and their recent efforts in the Dominican Republic. They are pictured with Christian and Brittany Humble, missionaries to the DR. The team served at the orphanage, conducted a clinic and did home visits to provide medical care.
Assistance Needed
We have been blessed to work with Pastor Benjamin Arazu of Nigeria and Pastor Alexander George of Liberia. We are working with Service Projects in their nations. It is hugely important for them to attend the International Conference in April. It is impossible for them to do so without our help. We are asking for contributions to make this possible. The total cost is $5500. Our goal is to have these funds secured by December 31. We ask that you would please help us bring these men of God to our conference. Designate your giving African Assistance. Your gifts are tax deductible, give online or by check.
Pause to Give Thanks ...and to Give by Dallas Elder
This is a season to pause and count our blessings. We have just celebrated our Thanksgiving holiday. Hopefully, you took time to give God thanks with a grateful heart for all the ways that He has blessed you and provided for your needs. In just a few weeks, we celebrate the indescribable gift that God gave to the world; His Son and Savior, Jesus Christ. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! II Corinthians 9:15 We truly should give thanks for Gods physical and spiritual provision. A grateful heart is recognition of His grace and faithfulness toward us. In the United States, we live in the most prosperous nation in the world. Even with the current economic crisis, our incomes, opportunities and lifestyles rank at the top of the world. We have a multitude of reasons to give thanks.
It is also helpful for us to have some perspective in regards to ourselves and other parts of the world. The World Hunger Education Service reports that there are 935 million people who are suffering from hunger. Nearly a billion and a half people of the nearly 7 billion people in the world, live on $1.25 or less per day or about $465 per year. (We can compare that to the poverty line set by the US Federal Government which is $10,890 of annual income for a single person.) We also have ready access to clean drinking water. Over a billion people do not have access to clean drinking water. Diseases from unsafe water and lack of basic sanitation, kill more people every year than all forms of violence, including war. Children are especially vulnerable, as their bodies aren't strong enough to fight diarrhea, dysentery and other illnesses. 90% of the 30,000 deaths that occur every week from unsafe water and unhygienic living conditions are of children under five years old. Many of these diseases are preventable. The UN predicts that one tenth of the global disease burden can be prevented simply by improving water supply and sanitation. Furthermore, UNICEF reports that there are an estimated 100 million children living in the streets of the world today. Children living on the streets are especially vulnerable to victimization, exploitation, and abuse of their civil and economic rights. International indifference to the problem has led to the continual neglect and abuse of these children.
The sole purpose of these facts is perspective. It is not to make us feel guilty for our blessings. We should be totally grateful for what we have. However, there is an interesting concept associated with giving thanks in the Scripture. It is a Thank Offering. There are several references to the practice which was more than verbalizing thankfulness with a grateful heart. It was giving a tangible gift; taking a portion of Gods provision and making a sincere thank offering unto the Lord. It is taking thankful action. The exhortation to the people of God was: Let them give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men. Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy. Psalm 107:21-22 This season, our thanksgiving and our thank offering will glorify God. Our thank offering is a thankful action that will significantly touch needy people. I encourage you to give a Thank Offering into one of our VisionVestors projects. The projects change lives in the areas mentioned. God will be glorified, people will be helped and you will be blessed also.
VisionVestors Report Card 2010
? Provided relief for the earthquake victims of Haiti.
? Established clean water projects.
? Provided seeds for people to grow their own food.
? Collected and gave clothes and shoes.
? Supplied school materials and teacher assistance.
? Provided medical treatment and medicine.
? Helped with starting new businesses.
? Assisted with starting new churches.
? Repaired damage to churches.
? Prayed with people for healing and spiritual help.
? Shared with people the Good News and love of Jesus.
? Offered hope to desperate people.
Still there is more that happened in this last year. Our supporting partners in VisionVestors were blessed because they saw that their contributions truly made a difference. People who served and labored behind the scenes to collect materials and outfit our Service Teams saw their supplies make their destination and meet needs. The members of our teams provided a personal touch and were forever changed as the people they helped touched their hearts. We are sincerely grateful for all of the ways that you served and our partnership together. Together we changed the world! We look forward to serving with you for greater things in this next year. We will be announcing our Service Mission Teams dates by January for your advanced planning.
Then the King will say, Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.
Matthew 25:34-36
VisionVestors and GC Ministry Conference
February 8-11, 2011-Kansas City, MO
The Grace Covenant Ministry Conference will be held this year at New Destiny Church in Kansas City, MO (Just 10 minutes from the KCI airport). It is our Grace Covenant ministry family reunion and all guests are welcome. VisionVestors is a ministry of Grace Covenant and will have a luncheon, connection meeting, and featured time at the conference. This is a great time to renew friendships and meet representatives from the broader group of VisionVestors. Our segment at the conference provides the opportunity to also connect with our international partners who will be in attendance as well. The fellowship and networking opportunities lay the foundation for effectiveness in accomplishing our service projects. During the VisionVestors segment, which will be during the day on Wednesday, February 9, our projects will be highlighted and discussed, testimonies of mission team members will be shared and the focus and plans for 2011 will be presented.
The free conference will also include ministry services, equipping sessions, fellowship events and ministry networking as well as specific group activities. For people traveling in from out of town and need lodging, we have a block of rooms at the Comfort Inn-Kansas City Airport which is four blocks from the church. Rooms are $65 per night which includes a hot breakfast. This new hotel has a 24 hour airport shuttle and free Wi-Fi. Reserve your room through the VisionVestors/GC office. While the conference is free, we are requiring registration through our office to provide conference materials for everyone attending. Please call or email our office and include the number and names of all persons attending. We believe the conference will be an enriching and spiritually uplifting event.
2010 Christmas
Catalog
Now Available!
Last year we launched our Christmas Catalog that offered a wide range of ways to contribute to meet needs in third world countries where we have our Service Projects. It was a huge success and many got involved. We had a great response. It gave individuals an opportunity to bless others less fortunate in the spirit of Christmas. Families, groups and churches also participated. We encourage your family, group, business or church to consider giving to compassionately and practically touch lives.
Special Thanks to our 2010 Mission Teams!
Inspiration- Making Room to Receive
by Dallas Elder
T o a world that so desperately needed a Savior, it just seemed so preoccupied with its own business. The fullness of time had come. The long awaited prophecy was being fulfilled. The Word was becoming flesh. It was the night of our dear Saviors birth. Mary and Joseph made their way to Bethlehem, for the census that had been decreed required them rightly register their family. Mary was great with child and the labor pains began. All of the lodging in town was booked, possibly because of the census visitors, but the situation seems to speak much more. There was no room at the inn. It seems ominous that our God and Savior came into the world and met with, No Vacancy. Hotel Bethlehem was not the only establishment to post such sign. The religious guild, made up of the priests, scribes and Pharisees were oblivious to the cataclysmic spiritual event of the ages, forever splitting history into BC and AD. These spiritual guides were too self-absorbed in their self-righteous rituals and empty traditions. They were asleep at the switch and unable to lend revelatory perspective to the people they were called to shepherd in the Name of the Lord. Jesus would later call them blind guides and tell them, You have no room for my word. John 8:37 Then there was King Herod, who represented ruling government over much of the known world. He considered the idea of a king being born into his jurisdiction, as a threat to his kingdom. In jealousy and hardness of heart, he ordered all the baby boys of the Judea to be put to death. To a world in such deep need of redemption and longing to experience the love of God, the entities of the earth were driven by their own agenda. It was business, religion and politics as usual. There were many signs posted across the landscape of the Fathers world to greet His Son. They read: No Vacancy! The actions revealed the consensus attitudes of the heart. The core expression of the world was We have no room for you.
There were, however, a few humble, open-hearted people who captured the moment. They were lowly shepherds and truly wise men, who were in tune with the Spirit of the Lord and significance of the hour. Their seeking and open hearts allowed them to receive Gods great gift from heaven sent to mankind. But to as many as received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. John 1:12 As we come to this Christmas season, we can be tempted to be pre-occupied, self-absorbed and self-promoting. These were the general attitudes of the world when the Savior first came. When Jesus came, he did not come seeking a position in the marketplace, in the pulpit nor in a palace. He came seeking a place in the heart of man. He sought to make his home in the heart. If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. John 14:23
I encourage you to lift your gaze from the self-serving clamor of our agenda driven world, to behold the freshness and the fullness of Christ, as we celebrate the love of God and the power of His Redemption. Let every heart prepare Him room. Make room to receive! Heaven has more gifts to give.
Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift. II Cor. 9:15
VisionVestors Forum 2011
Strategizing to Impact the World
The Grace Covenant Ministry Conference will be held February 8-11 at New Destiny Church in Kansas City, MO. This annual event is a gathering of the Grace Covenant ministry network with people attending from across the United States and from nations around the world. VisionVestors is a ministry of Grace Covenant and we will be connecting with our partners during the conference. VV representatives and interested guests will have the opportunity to fellowship at the VisionVestors Luncheon and participate in the VisionVestors forum which will feature updates about our projects and specific focal points for the coming year. This is a wonderful
opportunity to personally meet our international leaders from the nations where we have ongoing Service Projects. You will also meet VV partners from other parts of the United States. During the conference there will be mission presentations providing information concerning the latest developments in those nations. Fellowship with others who share the common mission of meeting needs in Jesus Name. Hear first hand reports from people in those nations where we serve. Discover how you can get involved in 2011 to make a difference in the world and enrich your life. The conference is free and anyone interested is welcome. Check out the conference schedule for days and times.
Thursday, February 10
9:30-10:30am Praise/Devotion: Message by Raquens
Turenne-Haiti
10:30-10:45 Break
10:45-12:00pm Affirmation of Leadership, GC Vision & Ministry
12:00-2:00 Lunch Break
Missionary Fellowship Lunch-
2:00-4:00 Missions Highlights-Sanctuary
*Bahamas/Jamaica-Jonathan and Shena Carey
*Haiti-Raquens Turenne
*Paraguay-Angel and Malia Hernandez
*Dominican Republic-Rick and Carie Bernard
7:15 Praise, Commissioning and Preaching:
Message by Kevin Clancey
Conference Schedule
Tuesday, February 8
7:15 Praise and Preaching: Conclusions for Victory-Dallas
Elder
Wednesday, February 9
9:30-10:30am Praise and Prayer Season: Shawn and Maryann \
Spiess/Dallas Elder
10:45-12:00pm Teaching: On the Brink of a Bold Move-Dallas Elder
12:00-2:00 VisionVestors Fellowship Luncheon
2:00-4:00 VisionVestors Forum Youth Room
For a complete conference schedule click here
Ministry Director Raquens Turenne of Haiti will be attending and speaking at the conference. He will be bringing an update regarding current life in Haiti and the progress of our VV Service Projects there. He will be in the Kansas City area from February 4-14. Many have gotten acquainted with Pastor Raquens over the years as our mission teams have served in Haiti. We invite you to set aside some time to connect with him. His story and his heart will be a blessing to you! Contact the VisionVestors office for more information about connecting with Pastor Raquens.
Project Response
We are grateful for all of the people who responded to our Christmas Catalog. People are still responding and we are still receiving contributions for this project. If you wanted to make a contribution toward one of the many worthy projects listed in the catalog, it is not too late. You may follow the prompts in the catalog to make your contribution or you can simply make your donation online at www.visionvestors.org Your gifts offer hope and a future!
VV Service Team 2011 Schedule
Our Service Teams are a strong part of our ministry and enables personal touches, relationship building and hands-on-help for our Service Projects. They are world-widening, life changing, Kingdom impacting efforts. We are excited to announce these confirmed dates for our 2011 teams with more team dates to follow. Our goal is to form and send 6 teams. We encourage you to plan now to get on a team. You will be deeply enriched, your world expanded and your availability will make a huge difference.
Haiti....April 6-13
Work with churches and schools and VV Service Projects.
Peru....September 28-October 7
Encourage leaders, churches and survey micro business opportunities.
Dominican Republic....October 18-25
Serve at the orphanage and childrens feeding program, meet needs (medical) in the refugee area, serve in churches.
Liberia....November 1-10
Serve in churches with teaching and medical outreach
Inspiration- Christ in the Lead by Troy Wilson
"Business people are always quoting great thinkers in business for guidance and inspiration," Chick-Filet-A?s President and Chief Operating Officer Dan Cathy said. "You know, whether it be the Jack Welchs or the Peter Druckers, we simply choose to go a little further back in history and say, 'Hey, the 10 Commandments that Moses scribed from the heart of God, you know, many, many years ago, are very applicable today." Dan Cathy recognizes God, has expressed His heart in the Word of God and decided to operate his business and life according to those principles, rather than follow the great thinkers of history. One way we see this decision manifest is in Dan Cathy?s business. Chick-Filet-A is one of a few restaurants not open on Sunday. The fast food industry would tell anyone it would be fiscal suicide to close a restaurant?s doors every Sunday. Dan Cathy has chosen to do business and life contrary to world?s popular opinion aligning himself with the heart of God. In 2009, Chick-Filet-A opened 80 new restaurants and reached $3 billion in sales. Chick-Filet-A and its leadership is a wonderful example of applying biblical principles in the business world and bearing abundant fruit.
Proverbs 3:3-5 says, ?Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.? God has clearly presented the best way to go through life: Putting your trust in Him and following His lead. Dan Cathy lives on this simple yet challenging path. How about you?
Many of us go through life knowing the right thing to do and the right way to act, yet never take action on that knowledge. We realize God knows the best way to live life, but we rarely communicate with Him about the small and big decisions that fill our lives. We find ourselves in a rut, unable or simply too comfortable to move into all the great things the Lord has in store for us. We have put our trust in ourselves rather than God. It is time to return to the Lord.
Ephesians 2:10 says, ?For we are God?s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.? It will be helpful to realize three points in this passage as you step out in trusting God with all of your heart. First, realize God identifies you as his handiwork or masterpiece. Ask God to reveal this great truth to you. It will embolden you to live more fully for him and give you confidence in the face of fear and doubt. Second, realize God created you in Jesus Christ for a purpose. This purpose is to do good works. Going through life on autopilot is not the life you were created to live. God specifically fashioned you to accomplish good works on this earth. Seek the Lord concerning these good works and then get to work. Third, realize these good works you are to complete have been prepared by God in advance for you to do. God has set you up for success before you even take your first step.
We, God?s handiwork, have been created to walk with God along a certain path that requires us to put our trust in Him and give Him our complete obedience. On this path we will accomplish good works that will glorify God, bless others, and bring fulfillment to our lives. I invite you to join Dan Cathy, myself and countless others in trusting in the LORD with all your heart, leaning not on your own understanding; but in all your ways submitting to him, knowing He will make your paths straight and full of good works that He has created specifically for you to accomplish. If you accept this invitation, I would ask you to respond to our newsletter via email with the simple message, I accept.
Joining Hands and Hearts
To Shine Forth the
Light of the World
The Grace Covenant Ministry Conference will be held February 8-11 at New Destiny Church in Kansas City, MO. This annual event is a gathering of the Grace Covenant ministry network with people attending from across the United States and from nations around the world. VisionVestors is a ministry of Grace Covenant and we will be connecting with our partners during the conference. VV representatives and interested guests will have the opportunity to fellowship at the VisionVestors Luncheon and participate in the VisionVestors forum which will feature updates about our projects and specific focal points for the coming year. This is a wonderful opportunity to personally meet our international leaders from the nations where we have ongoing Service Projects. You will also meet VV partners from other parts of the United States. During the conference there will be mission presentations providing information concerning the latest developments in those nations. Fellowship with others who share the common mission of meeting needs in Jesus Name. Hear first hand reports from people in those nations where we serve. Discover how you can get involved in 2011 to make a difference in the world and enrich your life. The conference is free and anyone interested is welcome. Check out the conference schedule for days and times.
We hope to see you there!
The ValueGiver-The HeArt of
Receiving and Giving True Worth
is a new book written by Dallas Elder. It was released on February 1. Copies will be available at the GC conference and at the Grace Covenant/VisionVestors office. For more about the book and to order online, go to www.thevaluegiver.com
We live in a depreciating world. Life experiences of abuse, injustice, tragedy and poor choices lead us to devalue ourselves and others. Buried under inadequacy, inferiority and despair, we struggle to find significance. But, Jesus is The ValueGiver. This book examines Gods healing grace applications toward our hurtful life experiences and His power to redeem our value and purpose.
A New Roof and Well
Pastor Marks church in Haiti was hit by a strong storm that tore off its roof. Because of the lack of resources, the church was unable to replace it. His congregation, which had been 100 strong, immediately dwindled to about a third. People found it hard to come to church and sit in the hot sun or contend with the rain. VisionVestors has been able to help this church to begin to rebuild the roof. The congregation is rebuilding also. While there is still work to do on the building, things are headed in the right direction. VV has also a well project on the church property. It will provide clean water for the surrounding community.
You can help in this effort: Church Repair: $2500 Well: $3500
Please send your tax deductible contribution to VisionVestors designated Haiti-Church Project. You may also contribute online at www.VisionVestors.org
Get on Board for Haiti
Mission Team to Haiti-April 6-13
*Led by Troy Wilson
The team will be serving in schools by bringing supplies to help students and teachers.? The teams will also be sharing in churches and serving into our ongoing?service projects (construction, compassion works, medical outreach, clean water projects, economic development, teaching, and prayer works.)? A huge part of the team's service is building relationships and serving practical needs that arise.???As the team forms, we will be able to give more specific details of the service objectives of this team. Sign-up deadline is February 20. Contact us!
The Cost:? $700 plus airfare from your location.? (Total about $1300.)
Singly Focused- By Troy Wilson
Certain adjectives come to mind when we think of a man or woman of character. Trustworthy, responsible, consistent, respectable, honest and reliable are just a few. A colleague, friend or family member may come to mind when the topic of men and women of character arises in a conversation or an article. We look to these people in times of uncertainty for help and support. They are a strong foundation and a trustworthy ear in our times of need.
Men and women of character seem to be harder and harder to find in this day and age. When we spot one of these rare gems we admire their ability to live a life of character in the midst of a world that is spiraling in the opposite direction. Proverbs 31:10 says, A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. With dishonesty abounding in the workplace and unreliability commonplace in the family, how does someone live a life of character? Where are the people who choose righteousness, especially when no one is looking?
During the first century, Jesus Christ, the supreme example of a person of noble character, walked among various types of people. He was not a respecter of persons. He spoke with the prostitute and the lawyer. He ate with the rich and the poor. He accepted invitations to banquets and the synagogue. He was sought out by the powerful and people of no influence. No matter who Jesus was spending time with, he was consistent. In all cases, he spoke the truth and was responsible with the tasks His Father in Heaven gave Him to do on the earth.
Jesus is the ultimate illustration of character, because he was singly focused on accomplishing the will of His Father in Heaven. He was not concerned about the thoughts of the crowds around him. He was not swayed by popular opinion or the powerful institutions of the time. Jesus said in John 6:38, For I have come down from Heaven not to do my will, but to do the will of Him who sent me. We can always rely on Jesus doing the will of God.
The challenge to us is to allow Christ in us to live abundantly through us. No doubt, we will not perfectly accomplish the will of our heavenly Father as Jesus did during his time on earth, but we are to walk in the example the Lord Jesus has set for us. As children of God, through the work of Jesus Christ on the cross, we live to do the will of our Heavenly Father. This is our birthright as heirs to the Kingdom of God. Shouldnt we be men and women of character, people above reproach, in our families and marketplace? If we stay singly focused on the will of our Heavenly Father and trusting the Holy Spirit to empower us, we will walk as men and women of character. We, unknowingly, may find ourselves being labeled men and women of noble character. Are you up to the challenge?
Strong Conference!
VisionVestors had a strong representation at the Grace Covenant ministry conference. It was a great blessing to have many of our partners in attendance as we connected at the VisionVestors luncheon and forum which followed. Many who participate in our regional connection meeting and others who participate with our mission teams gathered for the fellowship times and updates on our projects. It was also a delight to hear personal reports from our national representatives in Haiti and in the Dominican Republic. First hand progress reports were given. Actual slides and videos were displayed showing the latest in developments of many good works enabled through our collective teamwork. Once again, we were blessed by the investment of personal relationship through VisionVestors. It was clear to all that we continue to do service projects that involve people. Every project has a face. It is personal, not impersonal. We are not personally removed from our projects, we are personally involved in our projects. We get to rub shoulders with the national partners with whom we are serving. We get to personally hear their gratefulness and how our efforts are raising the quality of life. We were all truly blessed to hear such an eye-witness report of Pastor Raquens, our Ministry Director in Haiti. He shared how our teams, funds and supplies have helped quake victims, provided clean water, improved education in schools and encouraged churches.
Cars, Trucks &
Vans for Jesus!
One of the ways that you can help make a difference through our compassion projects around the world is through donating a car, truck or van to VisionVestors. You will receive a tax deductible receipt for its value and the proceeds from the sale will be applied toward our service projects in need of funding. It can be a win on all fronts. You have the opportunity to relieve yourself of an unwanted vehicle, make a tax-deductible charitable contribution and people are able to receive help, clean water, medical supplies, education and ministry that they would not otherwise be able to receive. If you have a car, truck or van that you would like to donate, please contact our office by phone or email. We will be happy to work with you to have your vehicle make an impact for Jesus.
The ValueGiver:
The HeArt of Receiving and Giving True Worth
is a new book written by Dallas Elder. It was released on February 1. Copies are available at the Grace Covenant/VisionVestors office. For more about the book and to order online, go to www.thevaluegiver.com You will receive your book in just a few days.
We live in a depreciating world. Life experiences of abuse, injustice, tragedy and poor choices, lead us to devalue ourselves and others. Buried under inadequacy, inferiority and despair, we struggle to find significance. But, Jesus is The ValueGiver. This book examines Gods healing grace applications toward our hurtful life experiences and His power to redeem our value and purpose.
LIFE EQUATION: Value = Significance = Purpose = Destiny!
It is great to see a need met. The earthquake of January 12, 2010 hit Haiti and shook this church building. It cracked walls and weakened supports. Not long after the quake, a hurricane force storm took off its roof. The church of over 100 people was reduced to 30 due to the fact that people didnt want to meet in a church that had no roof. Exposure to hot sun and rain was an understandable deterrent for the people. The church did not have the funds for repairs and the pastor was very discouraged to see the tragic affects of the situation upon the congregation and the ministry. When the VV team came to Haiti last November, they received a burden from the Lord for the church to get a new roof. The team provided some funds and the church provided the labor. Pastor Raquens Turenne, our Haitian Ministry Director brought word and this picture of the progress. Now the people are returning to worship and serve in the church. The ministry is growing. The faithfulness of our VV teams and support partners are making a difference.
VV Service Teams 2011
Mission Team to Haiti-April 6-13. Led by Troy Wilson
Mission Team to Peru-Sept. 28-Oct. 7. Led by Shawn Spiess
Mission Team to Dominican Republic-Oct. 11-18. Led by Johnson/Gaddam
Mission Team to Liberia-Nov. 1-10
These are the teams and dates that we have secured for now, but we will be adding other dates and teams for the summer and fall. If you are interested in one of the scheduled teams or one at another time, please contact our office.
PHONE: 816-431-6217EMAIL: VisionVestors_GraceCovenantInt.com
Inspiration
Working unto the Lord- By Troy Wilson
Colossians 3:23-25 says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.”
In the United States, some Christians do a pretty good job of showing up for church on Sunday and appearing to be living up to the standards laid out in the Word of God. Most of us are masters of appearing better than we really are on Sunday. But as soon as we hit the work week, we find it much more difficult. This passage challenges us head on, with no apologies. It gives an outline for actions leading to rewards and actions leading to negative consequences. It is simple and straight forward and there is no favoritism.
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord. Its not just the company youre working forty hours a week to satisfy. Its not so much the unfair and demanding boss you are trying to please. Its not even for the small or large paycheck you receive for your labors. Its the Lord Jesus Christ himself whom your labor is offered up to. He is the one youre working for and He will be the one you receive your reward from in the day He chooses.
So, is it typical for Christians in your workplace to work with all their hearts, as working for the Lord? Is this typical for your work week? Are you a light in the dark places of your company or business? Unfortunately, in some cases, Christians are the ones with the bad reputation when it comes to their work life. Many times there is little difference between the believer and unbeliever in the workplace. They call in sick just as often. They are lazy and dont get their work done. They criticize their boss and co-workers behind their back. They steal from the storage closet. They use foul language and joke coarsely. They are most definitely not doing their work as unto the Lord.
Matthew 5:14-16 says, You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. This is your mission in the workplace: Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.letting your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
When you are working for the Lord with this mission in mind, it does not matter if someone steals the credit for your work. It should not concern us when we are mistreated or taken advantage of in life. The Lord has told us when we work for Him we will receive an inheritance from the Lord as our reward and those who have stolen from us and insulted us will be repaid for their wrongs. So let us take heart as we enter into the work week knowing the Lord is willing and able to help us work wholeheartedly for Him, so our light shine before others, that they may see our good deeds and glorify our Father in heaven.
Coordinates
and
Coordination
Following all of the labors invested with bringing our VisionVestors partners and guests together at our conference in February, we are now at work to further develop the plans of our Service Projects for this year. We have a growing number of Service Teams that are forming and scheduled throughout this year. These teams will be defining their specific objectives and projects to accomplish during their mission trips to their determined destinations. We have been delighted to find increased interest, which has been tangibly translated into a multiplying number of VV Service Teams and more participants signing up to be on those teams. We are also continuing to survey needs and wisely craft our projects to meet those needs. Our Connection Meetings are regional intersection and interaction points. These occur monthly during the Spring and Fall. They are a huge part of coordinating our resources and efforts in conjunction with our mission teams. They are strategic in updating everyone regarding the current status of our projects, planning the next phases of work to be done, identifying the resources needed, taking inventory of resources available and getting people involved to serve. These times result in determining precise targets of need in the nations where we serve, streamlining the package of support required and outfitting teams to impact the people and quality of life in those areas. We meet practical needs in the Name of Jesus. It is amazing that when you compassionately serve practical needs, it communicates to the people that you genuinely care for them. It builds a bridge for sharing faith in Christ. People openly receive prayer for Gods help, listen to His Words of life and respond to invitations to attend church. Check out our scheduled meetings and mission teams. We invite you to choose ways that you can get involved. Meet new friends, encounter God in fresh ways and touch lives.
Pray for our Haiti Team
Inspiration The Great Exchange by Dallas Elder
My favorite word is redemption. This little story powerfully illustrates the meaning of being redeemed.
A young boy built himself a beautiful model sailboat. He spent much time and effort in making the boat beautiful down to the last detail. Then, he skillfully painted the boat and gave it a slick glossy polish and buff job. He was so proud of himself, but now came the true test. Would it float? He took it down to the river and launched it into the slow current. To his excitement, it did float! Only now, it made its way to the swifter part of the river. Though he tried desperately to catch it, the tiny craft sailed out of sight. Now he was very saddened as he made his way home, because he had lost his most prized possession.
Several months passed by and when he was window shopping in the city one day, he saw his boat sitting in the window of a toy store. He couldnt believe his eyes! He ran into the shop and told the man behind the counter that his boat was in the window. The shopkeeper calmed the boy down and said, This boat belongs to me now. Im the rightful owner. If you want the boat back, you will have to pay me what I ask for it. The little boy asked how much it would cost and to his joy it was only $10. The boy took a ten dollar bill out of his pocket and paid for the boat. The man handed him the boat and recalls the little boys words as he hugged and kissed the boat. Youre mine now! But you are twice mine! Because I made you and then I bought you back again!
God created people to be in relationship with Him. This was His original design, for mankind to live in His Presence enjoying the embrace of His love, peace and favor. However, when man sinned, this relationship was broken and mankind sank from Gods intended paradise into the cruel shadows of the kingdom of darkness. Mankind was lost. But God still loved His prized created possession and sought to redeem mankind. The payment price was the life and blood of His Son Jesus. The Father offered His Son. Jesus paid the price for our redemption by shedding His blood on the Cross for the forgiveness of our sins. The Bible says of Jesus, ...You were slain and with your blood you purchased men for God and from every tribe and language and people and nation. (Revelation 5:9) The Bible says of us, ...You were bought at a price. (I Corinthians 6:20) It was a huge price. But the payment for our redemption has been made. We were lost but now we have been found. We were redeemed from death to life, from darkness to light, from the power of Satan to the power of God, from emptiness to fullness, from aimlessness to purposefulness, from brokenness to wholeness. We now belong to the family of God. Our inheritance is eternity in Heaven.
The Great Exchange has been made and the Father says,
You are twice mine!
Please be covering our team of Troy and Jodi Wilson and Chad and Amy Bruce who will be in Haiti April 7-13. They will visit the island of Logonav to serve in a church and determine the location of a new well. The population of the island has more than doubled since the quake and is in great need of clean water.
Lets have their backs in prayer.
Cars, Trucks & Vans:
Kingdom Offerings!
