Letters and Miracles from Colombia - Diane

I hope many of you had a chance to follow Gary and Diane's story this week on Facebook as they reached out for some prayer covering at language school. Last weekend, they feared that they would not have a level two class to attend after graduating from level one. With only the two of them signed up, the school needed at least three people for class. So we asked everyone to be praying. And last minute - as God often does - God provided. In the midst of their finals in level one, God provided another student. We don't even know where that other student came from but we do know that God answered the prayers of so many people. And we thank you and we thank a God who sees and loves us so much to do big things.

While they are concentrating on their Spanish language studies in Colombia, we will be sharing some of the stories we have from previous trips earlier this year. We hope you enjoy them and we hope that we will be able to soon share some of the ministry things they are able to participate in on the weekends in Colombia.

Wednesday January 25

Today we were picked up at 8am and we made our way through rush hour traffic to Bella Vista Prison. This was the prison in the video that we saw before we even knew what our assignment was with OMS. So we feel like our ministry started here, even though the program has been going on for approximately 20 years.

The first section of the prison we saw was the APAC program. This program gives the men more freedom in their areas and also trains them to do useful things when they reenter society. Jonathan, our ministry supervisor's son and our escort and driver, told us that the section of the prison they were given for APAC was in the worst shape of anywhere in Bella Vista. It has only been in existence for a year. And yet there are areas where there are sewing machines where they were making backpacks. They were very well made. They told us a supplier gives them the materials then they make them and the supplier sells them in his store. He gives some of the profit back to the inmates. They told us how this program not only gives them something to do, but gives them a sense of worth. They have hope they will be able to work when they are released. They also make jewelry. One of them gave me a necklace , bracelet and matching earrings. I was so touched. 

They all told us a little of their testimonies and how the spiritual aspect of the program is changing their lives. This program is changing the lives of Prisoners from the inside out. APAC started in Brazil and is making a huge difference in the lives of prisoners all over Latin and South America.

One other thing we saw them doing in the APAC program was working together on a project, building a large boat model. The other projects were more individual but this boat required teamwork and cooperation. This will be very useful to them as they reenter society.

We had lunch in the cafeteria and after lunch we entered the more high security part of the prison. We were led to an area where we were introduced to six leaders of the various "patios" around the Prison. This was an intimate meeting led by the Pastor Janivez in charge of that area. Each man gave his testimony, sharing how long he had been in prison and what he did to get there. Most shared that they had been murderers with no conscience at all about it. They said they would be dead if the Lord had not brought them to Bella Vista. It was amazing and touching. We thanked them for sharing their stories. Then we shared a little about our call to prison ministry. We told them that we would go home and tell the stories of the miracles that God is doing on a daily basis in Bella Vista prison . We prayed at the end and you could just feel the Spirit moving there. 

Another nice thing about today, is we had direct contact with the inmates and that doesn't always happen. Shaking hands and blessing them with a loving hands. We told them how much their stories blessed us and we would be sure to share them with everyone we meet in the United States.

Pastor Javier Mosquera, who was our guide spent 22 years in Bella Vista. Miracle after miracle.

Diane's Word for 2017

Each year for the last few, a small group of us have chosen a word or prayed about God giving them a word to focus and filter our life through for a year. We exchange emails every so often about how God is using that word to teach, grow and mold us. Diane gave me permission to share her last response regarding her 2017 word - OBEDIENCE.

Everywhere I turn, I get such strong confirmation that my word Obedience was truly the one for me. Recently I was part of a Priscilla Shirer study called One In A Million. It was a study about the Israelites journey through the wilderness. I realized that going to language school is my wilderness journey. It may not be as traumatic as some are called to be in, but still it is a very difficult thing for me to face. I know without a doubt that the Lord has called me to do this. So I am confident that He will sustain me through it. This study has reminded me that I cannot serve Him in this ministry on my own power. And the language learning is at the top of that list! I also realized that I must be positive and thankful about God's ability to enable me to learn Spanish. I must not be negative! And I will try to be grateful for this opportunity to serve Him. 

One of the quotes from the study really spoke to me, "If we want access to our full inheritance, we have to engage in active faith that illustrates our belief in God's ability and move forward in full confidence." 

So with His help, I will obey and go to language school as an indication of my active faith, that illustrates my belief in God's ability. To be able to do this I know I will have to begin each day with Him in prayer and His Word. Your prayers would be appreciated too 😊! 

And now, they are a week into the language studies she referred to in the here. MAYBE this was timed perfectly to be a reminder to her as well. Would you join me in praying that both Gary and Diane allow God to work powerfully within them to just make it click! He's so big, he surely can do that!

A 30,000 foot view of OMS in Honduras

Last week, upon his return from their latest trip to Honduras, Gary sent in a report to his immediate supervisor at OMS. He sent a copy to me as well and it gave such a great description of the scope of the work they have helped foster in that country that I asked him if I could share it with the blog community. He was happy to share. So check out what three years has meant to the sharing of the gospel in this one Latin American nation.

A general summary of the work in Honduras is that it is growing rapidly and in ways that clearly show the hand of the Lord in how, who and where the growth is occurring. 

When we started in Honduras about three years ago, they were really only seeing and working in three prisons, at San Pedro Sula, La Paz and Marcala.  They were working with a small core group of volunteers  who worked very hard, but due to lack of training and material, were really only ministering to the inmates' physical needs and to a much lesser extent, their spiritual condition.  They were in each of these prisons approximately twice each month, and they delivered personal hygiene products, some OTC medicines and preached a short message in the chapel.  The total number of people that they ministered to was probably in the range of 30-40 individuals in each of these prisons.  This was after serving with Prison Fellowship for more than 25-30 years.  It wasn’t lack of desire or effort, but no appreciable direction or materials for growing the participation.

Enter Train & Multiply.  The combination of the material and the funding of their ministry has changed the face of their ministry and isdramatically changing the face of the prison system in Honduras. 

Now their volunteer base consists of pastors from several different denominations, Nazarenes, Church of God, and even Roman Catholic, seeing the people in the prison several times each week. These are people who are graduating multiple classes from Train & Multiply each month and are providing the manpower and follow-up that Herasmo, Erasmo and Nora were unable to do because of the distance and time requirements to travel in Honduras. 

Where three years ago there were three locations, now there are 12-15 including:

La Esperanza, Comayagua, Tamara National Prison for Men, Tamara National Prison for Women, a third Tamara Prison, San Pedro Sula, El Progresso, Marcala, La Paz, Danli, Tela, Choluteca Prison, Nacaome Prison.  The ministry has grown and has made an impact to the point that the ministry has now been involved with Samaritan’s Purse to deliver Shoe Boxes to the children of prisoners.  They have an expanded participation in the PFI Angel Tree Program - again providing gifts for the children of prisoners. 

I have included a map of Honduras for you to get an idea of the scope of where they are working.  The country is about the size of Tennessee, but to go a little over 80 miles as the crow flies, it requires a drive of almost 4 hours even in the non-rainy season, which is better known there as construction season.  The volunteers are currently working in a large number of the departments or states in the country and are already planning on serving more. 

They are still doing all the things they used to with regard to preaching, personal hygiene and medicinal items, distributing gifts for the inmates children, but more importantly, they are developing a core group of 25-40 men and women that are trained as trainers who are spreading the program even when our volunteers are not on site. 

We have found that some of the inmates, primarily the gang members, while making a real change in their lives, still desire to be taught by an outside volunteer rather than by fellow inmates.  I have actually experienced this preference in the prisons I work in here in the states as well.

The program has been somewhat slow to grow outside the prison, but there is some activity in the city of Tegucigalpa with people participating from various barrios in Train & Multiply. Some of the remote pastors serving in the prisons have discovered that the Train & Multiply Program provides great material for developing the discipleship in their own churches and communities.

The program has developed to the point where it could almost be self-sustaining!

If you would like more detail, that is certainly available, but this gives you an idea of what and where things are happening.  On my next visit in November, it will be after the rainy season and before the construction season gets rolling and Herasmo promised that we would once again be running all over the country seeing the growth of the program throughout Honduras!

Colombia, January 2017 - Diane

I love sharing these snippets from my mom's travel journal. If you know Diane at all, you know that traveling is not second nature to her. I suspect most all of you know that if she were deciding, she would be home with her beloved dog, Summer and in close proximity to her kids and grandkids and her typical daily routines. Isn't it just how God works on us to make us uncomfortable to grow closer and more dependent on Him? Please be praying for Diane and Gary and their discomfort and growth - mental, emotional and physical discomfort is hard but it pays in huge dividends when God is the source!

Saturday Jan 21

Today the first day here in Medellin was a very full day! We arrived at the hotel about midnight last night and just unpacked enough to sleep. Then this morning we met Lacides Hernandes, the president of Prison Fellowship - Latin America, and off we went!  Back to the airport an hour away to pick up the board members arriving from an OMS board meeting in Peru. Then we went to visit a part of this ministry that reaches boys through soccer. They built a big sports complex that enables them to practice and play a lot of soccer. But also while they are playing this sport, they are being led to Christ and discipled

in the Christian way of life. And the families are involved in their process also. They are also building a church in the community that has grown from the soccer ministry.

Then we were taken to a facility that manufactures brownies using an American recipe and the proceeds are used to fund the soccer facility!  It is an amazing process that shows Gods  people working together to further His Kingdom.

Sunday January22

We got up and had breakfast with some of the International Board members, including president of OMS, Bob Fetherlin. We got to share our story of how God called us to serve Him in mission work. Many people who are with OMS have been in missions their whole lives and their families were missionaries. So our story fascinates them.

We went to church in Medellin at the first evangelical church established here by IGLECO, a division of OMS. It was a very special day for them to have the president and board members visiting. They gave a plaque to the President with their many thanks. One of the board members is a pastor and he preached a wonderful sermon with Randy Spacht as his translator. It was very powerful for everyone. The title was "At the Feet of Jesus," the story of Mary and how that was where you could always find her. It was very applicable in our busy world to take time to find what we need at the feet of Jesus. 

Bob Fetherlin spoke of the goals of OMS to reach all who have not heard the name of Jesus. He challenged all of us saying we are the ones who will take His name to all the earth. He also challenged the church here in Medellin - they are called to send missionaries to other countries that need Jesus. As always he was very inspiring.

Then after the service of much singing and greetings, we went to a local mall for lunch. The officials of the church hosted us and many were there with their families.

After lunch we went to visit the offices of IGLEICO. They are located very close to our hotel. They shared their organizational plan and plans to expand into other areas of Columbia. They are already in much of the country and even have a church in London.

Tonight for dinner we will hear about other aspects of ministry here. Such as the Satura Columbia project which as the name implies, has the goal of saturating the whole country with the Gospel. It was a special treat to hear from Juan Guillermo Cardona tonight about the saturation project for all of Columbia. He gave a very detailed plan of how this would be accomplished. He and his family work very hard for the Lord. It was such a pleasure to see them all. The last time we saw them his wife was undergoing chemotherapy treatments for breast cancer. Thankfully she is cancer free now and looks wonderful! Their two teenage children, a boy and a girl, are so sweet and welcoming to us. It is wonderful to have such good friends here.

OMS - Counting on a Miracle of God!

One of the things that Gary and Diane do when they aren't traveling to Latin America is participate in conferences and trainings here in the states for OMS. Below, Gary describes one such conference from June of 2016, where they began to tally the numbers to watch God work a miracle.

I know Diane has already shared her impressions of the International Missions Conference and the Worldwide Coordinators Seminar that were held at Ohio Wesleyan University in Marion, IN in June.  I just wanted to give you an overview from my standpoint.

The Missions Conference was primarily focused on sharing the vision of Bob Fetherlin, President of One Mission Society.  Bob explained his desire since being named president to cast a vision for the next decade.  He said he kept coming up with goals, but kept feeling God saying “bigger!”  Bob began a long prayerful negotiation with God and came up with what he said was a GOD SIZED GOAL.

“One Billion – One Opportunity Vision”

“We’re asking God, by his power and grace and for his glory alone, to enable OMS and our partners to give one billion people the opportunity to hear, understand, and believe the Good News of Jesus Christ over the next 10 years.”       

    Robert Fetherlin – President One Mission Society

This first half of the conference was to share the vision and discuss how this God Sized Goal could "reasonably" be achieved.  Not by OMS or other organizations, but by God because, after all - with God all things are possible. 

We were presented with outstanding speakers involved in worldwide mission with reaches spanning throughout the world. The world seems to be primed for receiving the good news.  Attending the conference were prayer supporters, financial supporters, missionaries and ministry partners from approximately 60 countries where OMS has an on-going ministry presence.  This was the inspirational part of the meeting and everyone got really excited for the opportunities that God is opening for us and Christians around the world to spread the Gospel.

The second half dealt with the mechanics of the implementation of the vision, the “feet on the ground” aspect of what God was calling us to do.  This was attended by ministry leaders from all over the world -  Asia, Africa, Australia, Europe, South and Central America, the Caribbean, and from North America as well.  Here each group and ministry provided a short update on their activities, successes, setbacks and their plans for the future.  

There were seminars and workshops presented that discussed methods and practical steps to more effectively spread God’s word.  They explored and explained the challenges and creative methods each group had found to overcome obstacles and shared those with others that may currently be encountering similar issues.  

The first three days of the Symposium were packed with good practices that have worked in other areas and how to avoid pitfalls and errors and follow Biblical principles in the spread of the Gospel.  On the last day, each national group met individually with others from their respective countries and together they worked to determine what portion of the One Billion – One Opportunity goal they could manage.  

During the final session, the results of the tally were presented to the assembly.  Now remember this is just what OMS ministries feel they can be reasonably held accountable,  ...….. The number came to approximately 400 million, forty percent of the stated goal, without allowance for the contributions that come from other agencies, organizations and evangelistic-missionary groups.  That is an impressive goal in and of itself, if combined with other partners are able to do, the One Billion – One Vision concept appears reachable. Because indeed with God, all things are possible!

  

The Conference ended on a very positive note and we all headed home - inspired, encouraged and challenged.  When we look at the big picture, we can all see that it has to begin with each and every one of us sharing our faith on a daily basis and letting the power of multiplication work to give the opportunity to billions to know Jesus.

Slacker Blog Poster

Hey all! It's been literally MONTHS since I posted anything to Gary and Diane's blog and NOT for lack of material. Life has just been full and busy and this slipped through the cracks. Apologies!!!

Right now they are on their way back from Medellin, Colombia, South America after a ten day visit filled with all NEW wonders and stories. However, I was looking through unposted stories and ran across this one from over 6 months ago that we didn't share. Getting back on schedule, I thought it well past time to remind everyone of the amazing things that Gary and Diane are blessed to be part of with One Mission Society and Prison Fellowship. Hope you enjoy!

From Diane's Travel Journal last summer in Medellin:

Well, we FINALLY spent our first full day in Medellin,Columbia. We were off to a very rocky start. We were supposed to arrive here late Monday night with a full day planned for Tuesday. A graduation and baptisms were planned for Tuesday. But instead we missed the plane to Medellin due to a late plane from Pittsburgh. Thankfully Delta paid for our hotel room that night, since it was their fault. We still may have to pay for the missed reservation at the hotel here in Medellin, not sure yet.

But we were off this morning bright and early to Pedregal women's prison to see  their APAC program. Which is their reentry into society program. The girls were doing a Bible study and we got to listen with a wonderful translator. She was a joy to meet, but we came to find out that she is Muslim and is merely teaching the others English. We listened to her story and talked to her about salvation and it was clear the she is searching and confused. We will be praying for her salvation. Will you join us?

Some of the girls shared with us how the program is helping them grow spiritually and prepare them to reenter society.

Then after the prison we were off to a meeting at the CCC, Confraternidad Carcelaria Columbia, where Lacides was having a meeting with the Board of Prison Fellowship Columbia. We had an interpreter then also. There was much talk of finances and some questions for us representing OMS that we must find answers to. 

 It was a wonderful but exhausting day. We did not actually check into our room last night until 11pm and were quite tired.

Sometimes in reading or listening to my parents tell about their trips, I forget how exhausting travel can be. They have MANY days with back to back to back meetings and it is fair to say that during most all of their visits, they must be ON, focused, and present. When I consider that and the fact that they are both closing in on 70 years on this earth, it becomes clear that God is sustaining them while they are away. I hope I am as youthful as they are at that age but even as they spend this full day traveling back again from South America, please know how critical your prayers are for them. This is not an easy path but He is certainly the God of miracles and the impossible. Thank you for all of your support! Would you consider leaving a prayer in the comments here or on Facebook to encourage them today?

Thanksgiving for the work God is doing!

As we all settle down for gatherings with family and friends to begin this season of Thanksgiving to count our blessings, here is a reminder from Gary and Diane's recent visit to Honduras. Strung throughout is evidence of all the gratitude and thanks we have for the amazing things God is doing. This is also a time for Gary and Diane to say thank you for all of the support and prayers that you have offered them since this adventure began. All of us have so much to be thankful for during this special season.

November 7

   

Today we went to the city of Tamara to visit the National Men's Prison there. There are about 4,000 men housed there.  The day was beautiful and cool. We were taken to a very nice open air worship area. There we would participate in the graduation of about 40 men from the Prisoner's Journey Program. This is is 6-8 week program of evangelism and introduction to Jesus. Then immediately following they will be going on to do the Train and Multiply Program, which will train them in discipleship in the coming year. This will prepare them to be mature followers of Jesus. At the graduation they were given a Bible and a diploma. Most had never had a Bible before. It was a treasure to them. We were blessed to shake their hands and witness this wonderful celebration. 

Across the rest of that prison, programs are being held in Train and Multiply and the Prisoner's Journey. A total of 980 men are actively involved in these programs throughout the prison system since the program started approximately one year ago.  One amazingly beautiful thing beautiful is that the Catholic Church there at the prison is holding a class in The Prisoner's Journey! This kind of collaboration does not happen often, but as it happens more frequently we as "The Church,"will be able to help fulfill the One Billion Vision that the Lord has given to OMS - one billion lives reached with the Gospel message in the next 10 years. We are so blessed to be a small part of what the Lord and His servants are doing in the prisons of Honduras.🙏🙏

After the ceremony we were introduced to another group of volunteers who work in the prison of Tamara. One of them spoke English! He had been in prison in the US when he found Jesus! So now he is working here in Honduras to bring the Gospel to his fellow prisoners. He also wants to work together with Prison Fellowship Honduras. So the Lord orchestrates the meetings of His hands and feet! We see this often! The love of our Savior and The Gospel bringing us together.

Another special moment happened at the closing of the ceremony. They brought us pop and two small chicken burritos to eat. So sweet and generous. Herasmo said we should try to eat it because they want to share this special time with us. So Gary and I and Herasmo drank the pop and ate the burritos 🌯 with them. It was their celebration and we were honored to share in it. Herasmo knows I sometimes have problems with the foods here, but I knew the Lord would bless this food that they shared with us. Another blessing to end the wonderful morning.

Another PS to this story! As I was writing this I neglected to share that Gary was able speak a word of encouragement to the graduates! He told them how much of a blessing the success of this program is to us and to both OMS and Prison Fellowship International. They woven into our lives,hearts and prayers.🙏