Sorry this took so long to write. There was just too much to say! (Click on each page to enlarge them so you can read them more easily.)God bless you all!
In His service,
Alex & Holly
Friday, August 15, 2008
June-August Newsletter
Sorry this took so long to write. There was just too much to say! (Click on each page to enlarge them so you can read them more easily.)God bless you all!
In His service,
Alex & Holly
Sunday, August 10, 2008
2008 Home Makeover
Last week we purchased the house for this year's Peruvian Home Makeover project. This is a picture of Edgar and his family right after we bought their new house. I took them to the only McDonald's in town. The house will be ready in November of this year, and our team will be there to welcome them into their new home. Buying a house here can be much easier than in the U.S. We bought the house in 2 hours, and Edgar has never seen it, nor does he know where it is. That is the best part. There are only 3 people that know where the house is at this point, so it will be a complete surprise.
The reason we purchased them a new house is because they do not have one. They rent a one-room apartment. It is 12 feet by 12 feet, and that's it. They share a bathroom with 16 other people on their floor. They live on the 4th floor, and their daughter is in a wheelchair. Edgar's daughter's name is Betsy, and she is 9 years old. She was born with Cerebral Palsy, and they spend all their money on rehab for her. Because they are not rich, they qualify for special assistance with her rehab. Edgar has been driving our teams around for the past 5 years, and their family has been amazing towards us. Betsy always has a smile on her face, and that's what makes her so awesome. This family is very loving and deserving of this house. Please pray as we work on the house and get it ready in time.
Wonderful Day
Holly had an awesome weekend. We had a great night Saturday with some friends. We made it a date night. We took our good friends Laura and Vico out to Jockey Plaza where we had a nice dinner, and then we went to see the Mummy 3. We had a really good time with them. It was Vico's first time at a Chili's. He really loved the American food. He got a steak, and Laura got the Cajun Chicken Pasta, which she really enjoyed. Anyway, it was a really nice night, and I wish we could do something like that every weekend. It just takes your mind off of work when you get to spend time with friends.
Today was a great day at church. Holly and I went to the 11am service at the sector 3 church this morning. When we first got to the door, we were asked to attend the 2 year anniversary of our sector 10 church. We currently have 12 churches that we work with here in Peru, so it was a real treat to go to the anniversary service. They really do it up here too. We had some praise and worship, a special dance, and some other special music. After that, they had a nice dinner prepared for all of us, and some cake of course.
Today was a great day at church. Holly and I went to the 11am service at the sector 3 church this morning. When we first got to the door, we were asked to attend the 2 year anniversary of our sector 10 church. We currently have 12 churches that we work with here in Peru, so it was a real treat to go to the anniversary service. They really do it up here too. We had some praise and worship, a special dance, and some other special music. After that, they had a nice dinner prepared for all of us, and some cake of course.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Jesus has Truly Blessed Us
For all of you who have been waiting for an update on our blog, here it is... We have been really busy these past couple of months. We had a chance to be in the United States for most of July, which was awesome. We spent July 4th in St. Marys, GA at Alex's family reunion. That weekend was really great because we went to the beach and didn't have to worry about anything, other than getting a sun burn. It was great trip, but as always it went by too fast. After that weekend, we returned to Atlanta to work in the ministry office, as that was our main purpose for being in the U.S. We spent those weeks working with Bruce and really helping the ministry get ready for November, which is our next big mission trip. We were also able to spend time with a lot of our supporters, which we love doing. Holly and I gained a couple pounds from all the eating out we did, but the time with friends is alway worth it.
As a lot of people already know, Alex has been asked to be the President of New Covenant Ministries, but we wanted to let others who do not know to read about it on our blog. As we wish this came with a huge pay benefit, it does not, but this does allow him to have more power to get things done in Peru. Holly has also got a new job title, and that is Director of Public Relations. She is really excited, as this is allowing her to focus a little more on marketing and creative communication, which is her expertise. She is still teaching English at the local church, but we did cut the classes back to allow her to be able to do both jobs. That was July; it came and went like each month seems to. We will be sending out our newsletter soon, so look for that. We will also post it here on the blog.
This month began with a wonderful visit from some new friends in New Jersey. The last Sunday in November, Holly got an email from a man named Dan Baker. He is from New Jersey and goes to Chapel on The Hill (www.chapelonthehill.org). Dan heard about us while surfing the internet looking for another group called Shama. Shama is a boys orphanage that we do work with, but it's not officially a part of NCM. Dan found our blog because the orphanage is here in San Juan de Lurigancho, where we also live and minister. It was truly amazing how God worked things out and allowed us to meet.
Anyway, Dan emailed Holly, and she emailed back. It was history from there. Dan and Johnny arrived last thursday, and we picked them up from the airport. For the next three days we showed them Shama, Pat's Place, Hope House, The Sports and Medical Complex, and toured Lima for a day. Shama actually had a benefit concert on Saturday night, and we were able to attend. Unfortunately, they had to leave on Sunday night, but they blessed us with their presence and allowing us to show them around. It just goes to show how God really works in our lives when we least expect it. I forgot to tell the best part. The church they belong to is only two blocks from Holly's Aunt's house in Cedar Grove. Holly and I were hoping to be in New Jersey for Christmas before we knew anything about them, and now we have more friends to see while we are there.
It is only the 5th day of the month, and already things have been busy. The sports and medical clinic is moving along. The first floor roof has been poured, and I went to buy the materials for the second floor yesterday. There's nothing like a man spending a lot of money at a hardware store! The only issue is that it is not like Home Depot, but I still like it. Today was a great day as well because we purchased the home for this year's Peruvian Home Makeover project. It took most of the year to find a home and then be able to purchase it, but the Lord has really blessed the ministry in being able to get this done. We will start the makeover process of the home by the beginning of September, and the house will be ready to present to the family by the first week of November. This is an amazing dream for this family. They have a wonderful daughter who unfortunately is in a wheelchair and cannot really talk, but she is so lively, you would not know it. She never seems to be in a bad mood or unhappy. Today after purchasing the house, I asked if I could take them to the local McDonald's, and she screamed, which meant; "You Better Believe It!"
As a lot of people already know, Alex has been asked to be the President of New Covenant Ministries, but we wanted to let others who do not know to read about it on our blog. As we wish this came with a huge pay benefit, it does not, but this does allow him to have more power to get things done in Peru. Holly has also got a new job title, and that is Director of Public Relations. She is really excited, as this is allowing her to focus a little more on marketing and creative communication, which is her expertise. She is still teaching English at the local church, but we did cut the classes back to allow her to be able to do both jobs. That was July; it came and went like each month seems to. We will be sending out our newsletter soon, so look for that. We will also post it here on the blog.
This month began with a wonderful visit from some new friends in New Jersey. The last Sunday in November, Holly got an email from a man named Dan Baker. He is from New Jersey and goes to Chapel on The Hill (www.chapelonthehill.org). Dan heard about us while surfing the internet looking for another group called Shama. Shama is a boys orphanage that we do work with, but it's not officially a part of NCM. Dan found our blog because the orphanage is here in San Juan de Lurigancho, where we also live and minister. It was truly amazing how God worked things out and allowed us to meet.
Anyway, Dan emailed Holly, and she emailed back. It was history from there. Dan and Johnny arrived last thursday, and we picked them up from the airport. For the next three days we showed them Shama, Pat's Place, Hope House, The Sports and Medical Complex, and toured Lima for a day. Shama actually had a benefit concert on Saturday night, and we were able to attend. Unfortunately, they had to leave on Sunday night, but they blessed us with their presence and allowing us to show them around. It just goes to show how God really works in our lives when we least expect it. I forgot to tell the best part. The church they belong to is only two blocks from Holly's Aunt's house in Cedar Grove. Holly and I were hoping to be in New Jersey for Christmas before we knew anything about them, and now we have more friends to see while we are there.
It is only the 5th day of the month, and already things have been busy. The sports and medical clinic is moving along. The first floor roof has been poured, and I went to buy the materials for the second floor yesterday. There's nothing like a man spending a lot of money at a hardware store! The only issue is that it is not like Home Depot, but I still like it. Today was a great day as well because we purchased the home for this year's Peruvian Home Makeover project. It took most of the year to find a home and then be able to purchase it, but the Lord has really blessed the ministry in being able to get this done. We will start the makeover process of the home by the beginning of September, and the house will be ready to present to the family by the first week of November. This is an amazing dream for this family. They have a wonderful daughter who unfortunately is in a wheelchair and cannot really talk, but she is so lively, you would not know it. She never seems to be in a bad mood or unhappy. Today after purchasing the house, I asked if I could take them to the local McDonald's, and she screamed, which meant; "You Better Believe It!"
Monday, June 23, 2008
June Update
This month has been amazing. We have seen many people saved through our street dramas, medical clinicis, and conferences. Holly had the opportunity to speak all weekend at the women's conferences. She took Alison Lusted's place as she was not able to come to Peru this June. Last night was the last of the three conferences, and Holly did an awesome job. She was preaching in front of 250 people like she was just talking to me. By the time she was finished, we asked her to stay up and give an altar call for salvation. Then she invited everyone up for prayer, and God just kept moving. The focus for the conference was on Purity, and a lot of these women got their purity back because of the healing that the Lord did in their lives.
We have also seen a lot of amazing things happen on the Drama Teams and in the Medical Clinics. Tody we had our 5th medical clinic, and there were about 200 people seen. It is amazing to see how these things go. We do a full medical clinic for those who are sick and need medicine. We also have an eye clinic for those who need glasses. We are able to give away hundreds of glasses each year during June and November. Alex was out with the Drama Team today, and we stopped at five locations and lead people to the Lord through drama. It is so amazing watching mostly teenagers work together so that people can receive Christ in their lives. These teams go to bed late most nights (12am) and get up early, but they push through all of the tiredness to get the job done. Holly and I welcome them, as it is the only time we really get to hang out with a lot of our friends here in Peru.
Holly and I pray everyone is doing well, and we look forward to seeing you all soon. Please send us an email or give us a call when you can.
We have also seen a lot of amazing things happen on the Drama Teams and in the Medical Clinics. Tody we had our 5th medical clinic, and there were about 200 people seen. It is amazing to see how these things go. We do a full medical clinic for those who are sick and need medicine. We also have an eye clinic for those who need glasses. We are able to give away hundreds of glasses each year during June and November. Alex was out with the Drama Team today, and we stopped at five locations and lead people to the Lord through drama. It is so amazing watching mostly teenagers work together so that people can receive Christ in their lives. These teams go to bed late most nights (12am) and get up early, but they push through all of the tiredness to get the job done. Holly and I welcome them, as it is the only time we really get to hang out with a lot of our friends here in Peru.
Holly and I pray everyone is doing well, and we look forward to seeing you all soon. Please send us an email or give us a call when you can.
Blessings,
Alex and Holly
Friday, June 13, 2008
An Unusual Morning
Yesterday was not a normal morning by any means. NCM's Director of Medicine, Jan, and I were suppose to start the morning by touring two new churches to decide how the medical clinics were going to be set up for next week. Apparently, we had a more important job before we were to leave the church. At about 9:45am, I heard a loud screaching sound like wheels from a bus locking up and then a loud bang. Jan happened to be close to me but did not know what had happened. I grabbed her and told her what had happened. She asked me if we should go check on the man, and I said yes. When we got over to the man, he was not moving, and there was already a big gathering of people. All of them were arguing with one another about whose fault it was, and not one of them was checking on the man. The police were already on the scene, since they stay on the corner where the accident happened. I had to tell them that we were medical professionals so we could get to the man. Jan is, of course, but I am not. The man was not moving at all, and there was blood all around his head.
I ran the 50 yards back to the church and grabbed what we needed (gloves and gauze). When I got back, other police officers had already showed up, and I had to tell them again that we were medical professionals in order to see the man. Jan and I put on gloves and did what we could to stop the bleeding from his head. The man was barely breathing and was not with it at all. Jan told him that Jesus loved him and prayed over him. We then had a pastor's wife show up next to us, and I asked her to share with him the Lord's Prayer. I saw his head move a tiny bit one time when she talked to him about being saved. After that his eyes had no life, and the ambulance was finally showing up (30 minutes after he had been hit by a bus). Unfortunately, the man died in our hands. There was not a lot we could do but hold him and pray with him. There is much more to the story, but I do not want to put that on the blog. Please pray for me, as it has been a little hard. I am not sure how to take a man dying in my hands, but I have had a lot of friends around me that I can talk to.
Blessings,
Alex
I ran the 50 yards back to the church and grabbed what we needed (gloves and gauze). When I got back, other police officers had already showed up, and I had to tell them again that we were medical professionals in order to see the man. Jan and I put on gloves and did what we could to stop the bleeding from his head. The man was barely breathing and was not with it at all. Jan told him that Jesus loved him and prayed over him. We then had a pastor's wife show up next to us, and I asked her to share with him the Lord's Prayer. I saw his head move a tiny bit one time when she talked to him about being saved. After that his eyes had no life, and the ambulance was finally showing up (30 minutes after he had been hit by a bus). Unfortunately, the man died in our hands. There was not a lot we could do but hold him and pray with him. There is much more to the story, but I do not want to put that on the blog. Please pray for me, as it has been a little hard. I am not sure how to take a man dying in my hands, but I have had a lot of friends around me that I can talk to.
Blessings,
Alex
Friday, June 6, 2008
May 2008 Newsletter
Hello wonderful people! Thanks for checking up on us and reading our newsletter. If you click on the images, they will enlarge so you can read them easier. We'd love to hear from you! We hope you are well in body and spirit. Thanks for your prayers. You are in ours too!Blessings,
Alex & Holly
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