Northeastern District Great Commission Women

Transcription

1 December 2015 Northeastern District Great Commission Women In Memory... Reflecting often over the past month has brought my walk with my Savior even more compassionate and finding I have been spending much time in prayer and in his Word. I have felt a deep loss last month here on earth of my precious mother as well as my faithful fellow co-laborer in ministry, Penny McNamara. Penny was such an inspiration to me as we worked together in Great Commission Women and as my prayer partner. I miss her passion, wisdom, sweet spirit, enthusiasm for ministry and Jesus, love of serving and the list could go on and on. She was an amazing and godly woman and I was privileged to have her serve as the Northeastern District Great Commission Women Secretary. It truly was a privilege. Penny wrote her story last year for one of our NED GCW newsletters and I was reading it over just recently. I had the privilege of visiting her in the hospital on the eve of her last surgery and to pray with her, give her a hug and chat for a short while. She was at peace with whatever God had in his plan for her future and in her life here on earth. I knew without a miraculous healing, Penny would be with her Savior in the not-toodistant future. I went home reflecting on her story of how she left her job to become her pastor husband s full-time caretaker after a serious injury while on a church outing. She wrote During this time, by God s design I backed out of almost all public ministry. My ministry took on a very private dimension to my husband. I felt very strongly that this was God s call. Then at the end of November 2012, (six and one-half years after Tim s injury) without warning, Tim passed away. Now what? That is the question that I have had to wrestle with. And I don t know all the answers. But God has graciously opened up opportunities of ministry again. And I have realized that this is all part of His plan. Some may view the last few years of my life as an inexplicable tragedy. But I am confident that in God s economy a great good is being accomplished. I wanted to think it was all a mistake and that I had to settle for plan B. But there are no mistakes with God. For His children, God only operates out of plan A. Penny had such a deep faith in her Lord and Savior and she was so enjoying being back in full-time ministry, working on her consecration and serving on the NED GCW. What joy to work with someone with that passion and calling. I wouldn t want her back here on earth suffering from cancer, but she is missed by so many. In spite of this, one cannot help but think of her and her dear husband singing together once again and having a blessed reunion in heaven with Jesus. We never know when our time on earth is over, but I know that Penny lived her life devoted to her Lord and Savior and was at peace with going to be with him at what seemed to me as too young and when her ministry was exciting for her. Thanking our heavenly Father that he is good and is in control and brings comfort in the midst of sorrow. Let s never forget that, In HIM we live and move and have our being... (Acts 17:28a). Wishing you a joyous and blessed Christmas and a New Year placed for a purpose in serving Jesus. Daisy Inside this issue: Reflections. Thank you God s Positioning System National Project Up-to- Date Giving Exciting 2016 Spring Refresh Information! Thank You and pictures from Myanmar and CAMA Services Merry Christmas! NED GCW Officers Director: Daisy B. Wallace 451 Hornbrook Road Ithaca NY dbw4@cornell.edu Asst. Director: Terri Groh PO Box 224 New Haven NY terrigroh@yahoo.com Treasurer: Barbara Moleski 4487 Wilderness Way Syracuse NY bmoleski@twcny.rr.com Secretary: Be praying for a new secretary

2 P a g e 2 Reflection by Cindy Prahst (this article was published in the December/January NED Connection, the Northeastern District Newsletter) Because of the recent terrorist attack in Paris, you ve probably seen news reports, blogs, tweets, and posts about whether or not the U.S. should welcome Syrian refugees. It seems to be a divisive issue among Christians. Those who are opposed cite concerns about safety; those who support it say we need to show compassion. As I ve been grappling with this issue myself, I keep thinking about one of our C&MA core values: Achieving God s purposes means taking faith-filled risks. This always involves change. Allowing Syrian refugees into our country could be a faith-filled risk, but also an awesome opportunity! God would be giving us greater access to a people group that we otherwise struggle to reach. Jesus had compassion on the confused and helpless, who were like sheep without a shepherd (Matthew 9:36), and we should follow His example. I understand the fear, but perfect love drives out fear (1 John 4:18). In seeking God s will and obeying it, we may feel that what He is asking us to do is risky. As our love compels us to move forward though, our fears will decrease. One of the themes I took away from C&MA General Council in May was that we, as a denomination, are being called to reach people on the move. Diaspora is a term that means the dispersion of any people from their original homeland. As President John Stumbo talked about the GCF (Great Commission Fund), he shared his dream of having the funds to reach the diaspora in America. He also stated his desire to see new expressions of lay ministry launched. I m not sure exactly what he had in mind, but in light of recent events, and in seeing where God is at work, I get excited! I think about the possibility that God may be answering this prayer and desire by providing us with the opportunity to minister to the Syrian diaspora as they arrive in our country. I believe it is no accident that our GCW National Project this year is targeting five diaspora groups on at least 3 continents. God has already begun preparing us, as Great Commission Women, to develop hearts for displaced people through support of this project! I love being a part of a Christ-centered, Acts 1:8 family, where we will love, proclaim, reach, and launch! ~ Cindy Prahst, Pastor s wife, Valley Alliance Church, Nelliston Prayer Chair and Capital West Regional Coach Northeastern District Great Commission Women Thank you to all you churches who have adopted Third Culture Kids and Church Planter Kids (TCKs/CPKs) and for sending Christmas gifts or greetings to encourage and love on them and their family. Bless you all for reaching out to our Northeastern District International Workers through their children. We are still in need of one church to adopt a CPK. Please contact our CPK Chair Cindy Gloverf at cglover@twcny.rr.com. Merry Christmas!

3 P a g e 3 by Terri Groh Thank you for your generosity in giving towards the National Project. We would love to feature your fund raisers so send pictures and a brief explanation of what your church or group is doing to raise money. Sharing ideas is a great way for other churches/groups to raise national project donations.

4 P a g e 4 Mid to late-january, watch your mailboxes for Spring Refresh information coming in a manilla envelope..one packet/church.

5 Dear Great Commission Women of Northeastern District, P a g e 5 We got our November statement from the national office and we saw the gift from the GCW Fall Retreat and are so excited about what you have given toward the needs of people in Myanmar! Thank you for your VERY generous giving and compassionate hearts. Doris was able to go to Myanmar a few weeks ago and connect with a couple Alliance churches in Yangon. She also met with the church-based Flood Relief Committee in the south and got a first hand update about their trip to a village in the Irrawady Delta that was flooded. We want to pass along some pictures (sorry about the quality as local people took the pictures with their cell phones but it can give you an idea of things) and testimonials from our national counterpart, Mrs. Maa-tee (not real name) Finally, Mrs. Maa-tee brought Doris to a slum outreach that is being done by the local church in partnership with CAMA. Mrs. Maa-tee and her team does local literacy and Bible stories with the children. We continue to seek the Lord for direction in how to continue this important ministry. Thank you again for your gifts and prayers for the missional activities taking place in Myanmar! May God bless each of you! With appreciation, David and Doris LETTER FROM MRS. Maa-tee (this was her report to us/cama she did not know we would send it on to you) "It was amazing our trips we really thankful to those who are involve the team. I know that this trip was God plan. God Love them as he love us. The relief team 6 members from Yangon hire the car for three hours. In a town we bought some of our materials some from Yangon. From the small town we took boat to another village for one hour. After we arrive we prepare for our material to give them. Then at night we have worship service. The next day We assisted 245 houses or families. we ourselves handed the material to them out of the 245 families only seven families are Christian. The rest are Buddhists. Before us The victim have received help from one of the monk. this is the second time they received help. Some time the team come but they help only Christian families. The leader said that they are wondering 'why we help them Buddhists families and this much amount ' So that we could share how God love them. I had interview the head leader. The victim s main job is fishing and cultivating, But currently, They have no work because of flood. Even now, the rain has not stop the situation is not getting better the live by the support they received. They are desperately in need of help until they can work Your generosity met the need of many people. they are truly grateful to you your generous gifts. Please continue to pray for those victim that their need may be met physically and spiritually. pray for them that their situation they face may be a means t know the Lord Jesus Christ. I know God really love them. I hope we can do follow up and God will send some Body to tell the word of God and they will change their life. On behalf of all, I would like to express our heart felt gratitude to every one who contribute for flood victims in Myanmar. We deeply appreciate your generosity. May God bless you all richly. Thank you Maa-tee (Myanmar Pictures on following page.)

6 Pictures of Myanmar flooding and project and CAMA ministries Walkway Houses in flood area Lady getting food for family Thank you NED GCW! Villagers coming for basic food commodities Myanmar Team Pastor NN sharing Jesus Villagers