Today's games presented the opportunity to unveil the new Gathering Hearts soccer shirts and equipment that were made possible by Richard and Gayla Dixon, members of First United Methodist in Tulsa and the Carpenters Class. Richard worked with FUMC member Jim Blazer and Eskimo Joe Promotions on the new shirts that sported a newly designed Spanish-language Gathering Hearts logo. When the apparel was passed out prior to the games, it was discovered that the new shirts also came with an Eskimo Joe sticker on the back. Those items proved so popular that the players refused to remove them until they were either torn or sweated off.
Day two at the Gathering Hearts Mission brought many medical patients and participants in the women's and children's ministries. By day's end, 92 villagers have been fitted with eyeglasses over the last two days and our physician Dr. Bill Dudney and pharmacist Mike Freeland treated dozens of patients. Meanwhile, Ellen LaGrone continued her work with Nelson Osorto and his students who are learning English. A highlight of the day was observing a four-team soccer exhibition on the concrete pads Gary and Cheryl Kuney hope to acquire to turn into a traditional field that will allow their soccer ministry to expand. Already, soccer tournaments have been successful ... one drew 12 teams and hundreds of villagers as observers. That day the sidelines turned into a giant tailgate party with tamales and frijoles served under thatched-roof shelters. Pastor Nelson Baptista -- as he always does in the soccer ministry -- used the occasion to share the gospel and relate to the young players who may otherwise be attracted to join area gangs.
Today's games presented the opportunity to unveil the new Gathering Hearts soccer shirts and equipment that were made possible by Richard and Gayla Dixon, members of First United Methodist in Tulsa and the Carpenters Class. Richard worked with FUMC member Jim Blazer and Eskimo Joe Promotions on the new shirts that sported a newly designed Spanish-language Gathering Hearts logo. When the apparel was passed out prior to the games, it was discovered that the new shirts also came with an Eskimo Joe sticker on the back. Those items proved so popular that the players refused to remove them until they were either torn or sweated off. Sunday was our second baptismal service at Templo Evangelico Emanuel where six people were baptized. These baptisms are giving strength to the village church. Yesterday, Wednesday, Cheryl had her procedure done on her kidney; it is too soon to tell if it is going to work. Also yesterday Nicolas took Jose, the man in our church with cancer, to El Salvador to see his doctor who uses naturopathy. Nicolas said it went well. I got a call today from Nicolas saying that pastor Batista’s wife, Juliza, is in the hospital with symptoms that appear serious.
The group from First Methodist Church in Tulsa arrived on Saturday, just in time for the first baptismal service for our church here in the village on Sunday. The baptismal was held at an ocean beach. Five people were baptized, but there were so many who wanted to be a part of the service we had to rent a school bus to transport everyone. Pastor Nelson gave an inspiring message beforehand and then everyone went down to the water to witness the baptisms. It was most inspiring. Afterward the locals put on a feast that was enjoyed by everyone. Ministry has gone well for the Methodist group. Yesterday we started off with a walking tour of El Sauce, the very poor area where we started Gathering Hearts nearly fourteen years ago. There has been children’s ministry, testimonies, cake decorating, and woodworking. Seventy two people have been given eye exams and glasses. The group from First Methodist Tulsa left on Saturday; we had a wonderful time while they were here. Sunday was the first communion service at our church here in the village and it was very special. We had invited a number of people from the low lands when First Methodist was here but didn't know if they would attend. We offered to pick them up, and as it turned out, nearly every one of them came; we had nearly 50 people in church. Pastor Nelson and Juliza Batista left this morning for Venezuela due to their visa problems. Yesterday the morning class of computer students fixed lunch for them; and last night the afternoon class had a BBQ. They really hated to go and fully expect to be back within 30 to 60 days. Please pray with us that they will.
Most of them were from our English classes; but a few came from Nelson’s English school in Campana. In all, there were about 75 teens that heard testimonies, saw special video presentations, and listened to a message by Pastor Batista. Nelson Osorto gave his testimony of how God impressed upon him that he would be part of The Gathering Hearts Ministry three years before he even met us. Young people in our area have grown up in poverty; and there are many opportunities for them to go astray trying to find a better life. It was an encouraging to see many of them obviously moved by what they were hearing and seeing in the meeting this morning..
Gary, Nicolas and I went out again to the impoverished area and presented the Gospel with the "Storying" method. We prayed with one young man to receive Christ. Second house in homeless housing project finished. What a great fulfillment to help these poor people get houses. There are seven children that live in this house with their parents. One of them is the little boy, Jose Manuel who is crippled. We will soon select the next recipient. Please pray that we could find a lot to build Lourdes her house.
Saturday,Gary and I went out to the very impoverished area of El Sauce and did “storying” , a method of evangelizing in third world countries. We simply give a Bible story, but leave the story unfinished until the next time to build suspense. We just stood out in the street and gathered people around us by Gary playing the guitar and singing. It was not long before there were about 15 + people. The session ends with an invitation to Christ. We hope this will be a weekly Saturday afternoon event.
Cheryl and Gary arrived safely in Tulsa, Monday August 27 Travis & Courtney Rutland with Gary & Cheryl Travis Rutland and team had a successful time here. They hosted soccer training sessions. Using the colors of the soccer balls, they gave the Gospel message. In eight sessions with different shifts of kids each day, they ministered to hundreds of kids. They also helped with some construction in the production plant. After dinner, we all sat around the living room and listened to testimonies. It was great fellowship and we all made closer relationships and lasting memories. Eleazar Bermudez arrived Tuesday morning to teach the pastor’s training for two days. Today all of the Gathering Hearts classes were cancelled so that they could come to his service this morning and this afternoon.
This is an evangelistic outreach to those students who do not know Christ. Eleazar has in mind a potential couple who could come for a year to help the church grow. Please pray with us about that. It would be a great benefit to have a pastor living with the people and actively developing the church. Tuesday night Mauricio and Maci Mayor joined us for dinner to meet with Eleazar. We strategized about the church and ministry. Below: we provide lunch for the attendees. Last Wednesday, the 13th, we made a trip to Stillwater, Oklahoma and experienced a double blessing.6/18/2012
First of all we had a meeting with Julie Ward, our Gathering Hearts accountant. There were several documents as well as policies and procedures that had to be discussed, and then we had a delightful lunch together at Julie's favorite restaurant. Julie is, of course, very busy with her regular job and we appreciate so very much what she does for this ministry.
The second blessing of the day was a meeting with the Dr. Paul Weckler, Ph.D., P.E., Associate Professor Biosystems & Agricultural Engineering Dept at OSU. What an extra blessing that Paul could meet us despite his recent foot surgery. Paul was the faculty advisor for the Seis de Mayo water filter project. You may recall that at the very time Dr. Weckler was to bring in a group of students from OSU we had to leave the country; he and his group were there without us. As it turns out, they did very well and had a most productive time. We talked Wednesday about the positive impact which the biosand filter project his had; as well as future projects that might enable the OSU students to continue making visits to the mission center. Paul told us about OU inviting him and Eric Lam to share with them about the project in Seis De Mayo. This water filter project has been a great success and OU wanted to know how they did it! Paul and the School of Engineering are planning their next trip down. You may also recall that Paul’s wife, Stephanie, and their daughters, Karen and Susan, went into the schools and developed relationships with the students there. Another reason for our visit on Wednesday was to take them letters that the Honduran students had sent to their new U.S. pen pals. Three years ago my husband began bringing groups of engineering students to Honduras to work on water projects in Seis de Mayo. As I learned more about the ministry of Gathering Hearts for Honduras I began to dream of a family mission trip. I was particularly interested in the sewing classes taught at the mission house.... When the opportunity came to accompany the group from OSU this year we were thrilled! We prepared several sewing related activities to share with a variety of ages… On our first day we worked with Norma’s sewing classes and Myrna’s children’s class… On Tuesday Nicolas took Susan, Karen and me, along with our translators, to a nearby public school… We had burlap sewing activities for about 45 students... My daughters performed a skit about being stuck in sin. I shared a message about how we can get stuck in sin, fear, anger or pain; and how Jesus can rescue us… Tuesday afternoon we sewed another project with Norma’s class at the Mission House. Thursday morning we filled the church behind the Mission House with a group of fifty or more 7th – 9th grade students. I shared a message about choices we have in the midst of trials. I encouraged them to consider the consequences of the choices they are making at this point in their lives. I reminded them that no matter the situation they can always choose Jesus and the life He offers. Afterwards the girls decorated personal information pages and we took pictures to match each one of them with an e-mail pen pal. The engineering education team conducted a water filtration experiment with the boys. Then Nicolas suggested we visit the worksite to show the students the water filters built by the EWB team. Several students gave us hugs and thanks as we said “Good-bye.” ...Thursday afternoon we had an intimate Bible Study with Norma’s sewing class. They are a group of sweet believers…
In addition to our time with the people in Honduras, the girls and I were able to get to know the OSU students much more personally. It was the first time for most of the students to hear the testimony of God’s grace toward our family in the face of the loss of our son. I had many individuals share personal testimonies with me. I was encouraged to hear so many of them express a desire to serve the Lord, particularly through using their engineering training. “Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.” - Ephesians 3:20, 21 |