Missionary Gospel Fellowship

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In This Issue:
Missionary Gospel Fellowship
BULLETIN
1
Mon & Grace
Singh
1
Jack & Dollie
Harvey
2
Duane & Betty
Kepner
3
John & Pat
Milloway
3
Gloria
Bowen
4
Kenny & Merlin
Perumalla
4
Isaac & Luan
Thiessen
5
photo courtesy from MGF files
Is This the One?
Jim & Melinda
Erickson
Memorials
Vol. 66 No. 3
Cam – someone new!
I recently
attended a meeting of people in our area
with common interest in reaching out to
Muslims. I met a young woman there who
shared that her brother, Cam, who was
born in Iran, was a believer but he didn't
have anyone to disciple him. Boing! My
eyes lit up. Could this be the ONE I have
been looking for, that man of peace?
We have met three times since, once
to get acquainted. “There is no guarantee
that I am the one who can help you, but
I'm available and willing to try,” I told him.
Our family
“We’re going to study the Bible, memorize
some Scripture, and I’ll equip you with
whatever tools you need to do God’s work and prepare you to replicate
continued on page 6
5
Elwin & Arleah
Fitch
7
Trino & Esther
Ortiz
7
Sudha & Monica
Peethala
8
God's Faithfulness
This past April, an Indian couple in
Concord Bay requested us to host a Bible
study. While we were sharing about Jesus,
one of the attendees named Satya, who
didn’t know the Lord Jesus, started asking
questions about the Lord and ended by
receiving Jesus as her Lord and Savior.
Glory to God! After she received Jesus we
saw the joy in her face, the hunger to know
more about Him and excitement as she
kept asking when will be the next meeting.
In spite of all the victory, the next day we
received news from our Director that we
needed to go back to our country due to our
immigration status. We were both shocked,
photo courtesy of Singhs
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Finally with our family!
continued on page 6
Missionary Gospel Fellowship PO Box 1535, Turlock CA 95381 (209) 634-8575 www.mgfhq.org
All In the Plan of God
through those years.
The Fellowship Bulletin is a quarterly publication of Missionary Gospel Fellowship.
Some emissaries of the king of Babylon came
to congratulate him on his miraculous recovery
from a serious illness. He showed them all his
treasures. After they left, Isaiah the prophet
came and confronted him about that. He said
that all those treasures would be carried off
to Babylon, and even some of the king’s sons
would be eunuch slaves there. The reason for
the rebuke wasn’t very specific, and I’ve always
wondered if it was really such a big deal. Maybe
the things that the prophet warned about were
just supposed to happen because of the sins of
Judah, and it was just coincidental that these
Babylonians had seen all the wealth Hezekiah
had accumulated.
When I prayed about this God gave me a
different perspective. God had raised up and
blessed the Jewish nation to bring Himself
glory—that these people might reveal Him to
the other peoples of the world. Here the king
of Judah is sought out by pagans who are
interested in a miracle that has happened to
him. Instead of taking them to the Temple and
describing to them the wonderful works of his
great God, he shows them what a great king he
is, what riches he has accumulated and how
successful he is.
I was convicted because I’ve done the very
same thing. Maybe that’s why it was hard for
me to see Hezekiah’s fault before. Many times
I’ve asked God for help, and He has given it.
Sometimes I am ashamed to admit that I am
more apt to describe my part of the adventure
than to give glory to God, especially if I think
the person asking has no interest in God. How
tragic! Who needs to hear about God more than
someone who obviously doesn’t know Him?
Lord, please help me to give You Glory as
You arrange opportunities.
~Jay Hyatt, General Director, MGF
2
It’s been a busy springtime! We began with a trip to some of
our supporting churches in Illinois, where we spoke at 31 different
events, including Awana clubs, senior lunches, youth meetings,
Sunday School classes, women’s meetings, and church services. The highlight of
our trip was when
Grace Presbyterian
Church presented
us with the Bruce
W. Dunn Missionary Emeritus Award
for
Outstanding
Missionary
Service. What an honor! They hung an
engraved
plaque
with our photo on
“missionary
Receiving the Bruce Dunn Missionary Emeritus their
hall of fame” wall,
Award from Grace Presbyterian Church
and we’re sure that
plaque is as humbled as we are to be with those we have long
been considered “giants of the faith!”
Arriving back in California we hit the ground running, directing
a very successful VBS training clinic. VBS is such an awesome
program and brings so many children to Christ each summer
(83,000 in 2010 just among the Southern Baptists!), we do everything we can to promote it and get all the area teachers and
staff “fired up!”
Nearly 100 teachers and staff from ten area churches came
and were probably the most enthusiastic crowd we’ve had yet.
In addition to leading the training, we help the churches with materials, scheduling, information, additional training, and whatever
they need throughout the summer. Our son and fellow MGF missionary, Bill Farley, plans to come to help with our Punjabi VBS.
The Easter week found us scurrying around setting up for a
Passover Supper. Most of the people had never participated in
a Passover, so it too was a major teaching experience.
The next week
Jack underwent fiveway heart bypass
surgery, followed by
a minor stroke, then
major
abdominal
surgery, plus a bad
infection. He spent
29 days in ICU (and
is currently back in
the hospital), where
Passover Supper Demonstration
he’s reaching lots of
Punjabis! Please pray for his strength to return and the infection
to go away. The MGF Board has set up a special Medical Fund
to help with the overwhelming expenses – donations can be sent
to MGF, designated for “Harvey Medical Fund - 125.”
photo courtesy of Harveys
Jay Hyatt,
General Director, MGF
I
was
recently
convicted while reading
the story of how King
Hezekiah
stumbled
toward the end of his
life (II Chronicles 32:2431 and II Kings 20).
This righteous king
had contracted a fatal
infection. He cried out to
God who healed him and
granted him fifteen more
years. He increased in
wealth and prosperity
photo courtesy of Harveys
photo MGF files
General Director’s Column
~Jack & Dollie Harvey
What Do Missionaries Do Anyway?
Graduation Celebration
What do we do? Counseling by telephone is frequent.
Today a doctor called about an employee who was lying.
Our counsel: tell the truth in your report to the “Labor
Board.” No matter what the employee says, your account
is truth and justice will prevail.
photo courtesy of L. Hyatt
Recently Alan Huffman went to heaven. We meet with
Adria to encourage, motivate, help sort the next steps for
her and pray together. Similarly we meet with América
Rivera as she is involved in changes in ministry, home
location and family concerns.
Enjoying the MGF Winter Conference
It is a great joy to teach and preach God’s Word.
Occasionally I do this in Spanish in México. Personal
conversation with people is also a great way to evangelize,
and we do this.
The Good News of Christ is shared well by using tracts
to give out. Many we meet get a tract to take with them.
These are usually in English or Spanish.
Phone calls are an opening to speak of Christ. During
the voting pressure telephoning by candidates, we usually
end our time with the words: "God bless you today."
What about you and us? When you are doing something
and a missionary comes to your mind: think what you are
involved with and pray for that missionary in the light of
your situation. God often does this to encourage us to pray.
He gets the glory as we pray expectantly for help.
Missionaries look for others to become missionaries,
too. Consider this for yourself. We Kepners are recruiters
for new workers. This may be you or someone you know.
Please contact MGF.
~Duane & Betty Kepner
This summer is
our ninth anniversary
of ministry at Ririe
Chapel in Ririe,
Idaho. We began
with mostly older
people, but soon
younger
people
started
attending
and
there
were
two children, so
we started having
Sunday
School.
Through the years
more children have
come, but two of
those children have Kanisha was presented a Ryrie
Bible and frame
been
faithful
in
coming for all those nine years. Kanisha was
nine and Kasey was eight. Through the years, we
have seen them grow in their love for God and in
the knowledge of His Word.
photo courtesy of L. Hyatt
Our ministry is as varied as life itself. We set a plan for
a day and, almost immediately, God sends an interruption.
Actually, this is His day’s plan for us. Our response is to
obey what He directs. Sometimes this is clear and direct.
Sometimes it seems vague to us and not at all what we
had in mind.
Kanisha always had a heart for God, and from
the time she started coming, she hardly ever
missed a Sunday. She was rewarded for her
perfect attendance, each year, with a scholarship
to the local Christian camp for a week. This
experience has helped her mature emotionally
and spiritually. She is now helping with the
Sunday School class, which has grown to eight
to ten children. She is being trained to teach the
lesson when the teacher has to be gone. She
has also volunteered to oversee Daily Vacation
Bible School this summer with the help of two of
the women.
This year, Kanisha graduated from high
school. She attended school in Ririe since first
grade. In a predominately Mormon community,
the public school is one of the hardest places
to be a Christian. In a false religious system,
there is a lot of pressure to become part of that
system to be accepted and succeed. Most of her
classmates are LDS, but she has taken a strong
stand for her Christian faith and has been a good
testimony to them even though she has suffered
ridicule and rejection because of it.
To commemorate her graduation,
Ririe
Chapel honored her with a special dinner where
we presented her with a Ryrie Study Bible. We
thank God for the privilege we have to train and
disciple her to be a future leader in the church.
Please pray for her as she seeks God's direction
for her future.
~John & Pat Milloway
3
Missionary Gospel Fellowship PO Box 1535, Turlock CA 95381 (209) 634-8575 www.mgfhq.org
A Missionary in Need ~ Gloria Bowen
photo from MGF files
Gloria
B o w e n
began her
ministry
serving on
the
field
in
labor
c a m p s
working
m a i n l y
w i t h
Gloria Bowen
children.
She also had the gift of hospitality
and hosted many of the missionaries
in her home.
There was a need for a secretary
in the MGF office, for which she was
well qualified, so she split her time
between the two ministries. She was
then asked to serve full-time in the
MGF office. Gloria then served MGF
as secretary for many years, most
of them under the directorship of
Max Kronquest. She was extremely
detail oriented and handled the
office needs well as Max traveled
extensively, entrusting the office to
be kept running well in her care.
become very limited. Her college
friend Mary and her husband John
invited Gloria to live with them. They
built very comfortable living quarters
for Gloria behind their home.
She kept both Max and the
missionaries
informed
and
maintained a good relationship with
the Board members, who at that time,
numbered about twenty.
Gloria continued serving in ministry
through her church and working
alongside John and Mary Dorsey.
The annual conferences were
primarily developed and engineered
by Gloria in all their aspects. Max
Kronquest ran the meetings well,
and did so by means of the precise
scheduling notes prepared by Gloria
in the months and weeks prior to the
Conference. He relied on her and
expressed his gratitude openly to all.
Gloria's health is now failing, and
she is receiving home health care.
She does not have the financial funds
needed for this care. MGF has set
up a special account for Gloria's care
waiving the usual 10% administration
fee so that any contributions made
on her behalf can go directly to her
need. If you would like to help Gloria,
you can send in a donation marked
for Gloria Bowen account #126.
For years Gloria had prepared for
her retirement, but through various
circumstances, her finances have
We invited Pastor Zeke Nelson to
speak at this event, and translation
into Punjabi was done by Bro. Surjit.
We were busy cooking, organizing,
leading worship, and everything
else. Pastor Zeke brought a Gospel
message and five of the Indians
raised hands and prayed in their
hearts to receive Christ as Lord. They
are interested in learning more about
Christ. We have visited, prayed and
encouraged them in the Lord. Pray
for the follow-up work as we continue
to build new relationships.
Merlin at Winter Conference
4
One
Sunday
evening
last
December, by God’s grace, we had an
Indian Christmas outreach program.
About 40 Punjabi Indians (who are
of the Sikh religion) attended, along
with 15 other Indian Christians and
50 other Christian friends. This is the
Lord’s doing who has enabled us to
do the work and build friendships with
these people through house visiting
and through ESL ministry.
Throughout
the
year,
we
experienced the tender touch and
photo courtesy of Gwen Hogin
We had two Sikh priests’ families
at our house for the evening dinner.
They requested us to prepare south
Indian dishes. These two families
enjoyed delicious food, and we
all had wonderful fellowship. We
have come to know each other and
hope to build good friendship and
relationship. Pray for these priestly
families that God may touch their
lives and lead them to Christ.
photo courtesy of Gwen Hogin
The Fellowship Bulletin is a quarterly publication of Missionary Gospel Fellowship.
Building Friendships, Changing Lives
Kenny at Winter Conference
gentle leading of God that comforted
our family in the midst of struggles
and challenges. We acknowledge
that because of God’s protection,
provision and presence, we could
see God’s hand and the fruits of our
labor. We give all glory and honor to
the Almighty God for every blessing
we received. Thank you for your
continued support, love, concern
and prayers.
~Kenny & Merlin Perumalla
Missionary Gospel Fellowship PO Box 1535, Turlock CA 95381 (209) 634-8575 www.mgfhq.org
Glimpses of Ministry
In Memory of ...
Bible Study! Discipleship!
Neil
Anderson's
Freedom!
Forgiveness! Who am I in Christ?
Sunday mornings find many
adults gathered to study the
Word of God and find out how it
applies to their lives. We learned
early on in our ministry that when
people accept the Lord they
often bring a lot of baggage with
them. This study is helping to set
them free in Christ.
Isaac and Luan Thiessen's
grandson, Adal, lost his battle with
cancer on June 6, 2012, but is now
with the Lord. His funeral was June
13, 2012 in Mexico.
Please pray for his parents, Trevor
and Janda Thiessen, and younger
brother David, as well as the rest of
the family, during this difficult
time of grief and loss.
Cristina, Luis Fer, Isaac & Luan in front of
our partially constructed church
Alan
wrenches.
Paint.
Shovels. Food. Medicine. Transportation. Clothes. Tar paper. Sounds real
spiritual, ¿no? A lot of our ministry is hands on, hard physical labor. It’s
while we work side by side with the nationals that we have opportunities to
share the Lord. People often ask why we don’t mind getting dirty with them;
because we like to put feet on our words. Our lives are often the only Bible
many will read and we want our lives to reflect Jesus only!
Adal Thiessen
2001 - 2012
photo courtesy of Thiessens
Shopping for stuffed white toys, making them into puppets; cutting
things made out of fluorescent poster board; hanging black plastic on the
walls; making bags for your head out of sports netting; and practicing,
practicing, practicing. All this to do a wonderful black light presentation
for “Day of the Child.” I totally understand what sardines feel like packed
in a can as we had well over 100 kids and parents present where the
gospel of Jesus Christ was clearly presented. One man accepted Christ
and is now attending services
and being discipled. How very
exciting. ¿no?
photo courtesy of Thiessens
photo courtesy of Thiessens
“Is it time
yet? Is it time
yet?” I hear
banging
on
the
church
door as the
first of the
Klub Kerusso
kids
begin
arriving. It’s
only
3:00
p.m. and club
doesn’t start
until 3:30, but
Klub Kerusso
that doesn’t
matter. “Pastora (the name the kids use because I’m the Pastor’s wife).
Can you get the soccer ball? Can you play jump rope with me?” (Yep! I
can still jump rope.) Each Wednesday afternoon Luis Fer, Cristina, Isaac
and I, have a children’s club with about 30 kids. We start with outdoor
games, come inside for energetic songs, memory verses and answering
questions from the previous week followed by a Bible lesson and craft.
What an amazing ministry.
~Isaac & Luan Thiessen
Al Huffman
February 6, 1925 - May 16, 2012
Al passed away May 16, 2012
in southern California. Adria and
Al were married December 2003. Al
accompanied Adria in her ministry
to Senior Centers and Convalescent
homes in the Imperial Beach area.
Pray for Adria and the family as
they grieve the loss of Al.
5
God's Faithfulness
Is This The One?
continued from page 1
continued from page 1
yourself.” I didn't make it sound easy, but Cam was
excited! Cam told me, “I want to grow deeper with
the Lord, and I have been searching for someone to
disciple me.” Together we looked at some Scripture
as I described what we would learn and gave him
some verses to meditate on and memorize before
our next meeting.
unprepared, and concerned about leaving and, foremost,
knowing that Mon had to go to India and I had to go to the
Philippines. This meant we weren’t going together and
Mon had no way to see our children.
One thing about Cam is that he is quite a
winsome young man. It seems that he has many
people in his life who are asking him for help, and
he is anxious to do that, but feels ill-equipped. "I
am not sure why this is happening, but I want to try
to help them," he said.
In the midst of a difficult situation, we have learned to
trust God and acknowledge that He is the only one who has
the power to change every situation we’ve been through.
God did a miracle making the impossible possible. Mon
Melinda's dad, Pete (seated in the photo), seems
more hardened, more resistant, more angry and
hostile toward the Gospel and us than ever before.
We rarely talk about anything of significance
anymore. He offers no opportune moments to
share how much God loves him. He grits his teeth
as we hold hands and pray before meals. Some
days are not so fun. Yet, God has put us here in
his life, for there are no other believers who know
him, few he has ever known in his life. He lives,
therefore there is still hope.
• Pray for Cam – that this excited young
man will be faithful in studying God's Word, in
memorizing and USING what Jim will be giving
him each week. Let's see what God does.
• Pray for wisdom for Jim as he teaches
Cam.
• Pray for strength, wisdom and focus to
accomplish all that God seems to have put on our
plate just now, pleasing to the Lord, full of joy.
• Pete is a trial, yet he's a man who simply
needs Christ. Pray for perseverance for us, and
that God would open his heart one day.
~Jim & Melinda Erickson
photo courtesy of Singhs
At our second meeting, I learned that Cam had
not memorized the verses he had been given word
for word, BUT he had actually shared them with
other men with whom he had been meeting, and
was reminded of the verses many times during
the week as he applied them to his own personal
life. Wowie...application, immediately! We talked
about a lot of issues, including a new homework
assignment. The time flew by and I am VERY
excited about what God may do through this man.
Although he doesn't yet have a passion for reaching
out to Muslims, he has a passion for reaching out
to anyone and people are seeking him for help.
Praying with Indian women
was able to enter the Philippines, an unusual entrance,
with escorts from the former president of the Philippines.
Upon passing through immigration, we went through the
VIP/executive line to the VIP room and there we met our
son and my brother saying, "Mission accomplished!"
We are both overwhelmed with joy and are so amazed
of how God displayed His power on our situation. It
seemed hopeless and very confusing, but God never
made a mistake. He always has a purpose and His
thoughts and plans are perfect.
We are now in the Philippines, and our main focus is to
minister to our family and friends. We believe that this is
God’s purpose of temporarily sending us back here as we
wait His perfect timing in going back to the United States.
Thank God for the praise report that our 1-360 has
been approved, and we believe our green cards will come
soon. Please join us in prayer thanking God and continue
praying for our family.
~Mon & Grace Singh
6
Missionary Gospel Fellowship PO Box 1535, Turlock CA 95381 (209) 634-8575 www.mgfhq.org
God's Team
All In the Plan of God
We pray that we can be a testimony with this board. The
manager/treasurer claims by testimony that she is saved and
knows the right way to walk in her Christian life. The others
need prayers and encouragements. I send out birthday or
anniversary cards to the board members. They have been
so pleased to have received the cards and are moved by our
kindnesses. Pray for us as we reach out to our neighbors in
a kind way, and that these will commit themselves to Christ.
I am limited to what I can do, but I praise God for His
sufficient grace to keep going. Almost every day Arleah
wraps my legs to keep the swelling down and infection out.
Praise God that when Sunday, Wednesday, and Thursday
come the wraps come off and I’m ready to go. Since I can’t
walk a long distance my electric chair becomes my means
of transportation from the parking lot to the organ or piano.
If I teach, I sit. As long as the Lord gives me the strength, I
keep on keeping on. Arleah has been a blessed helpmate
in my health problems, and caring for me in many ways.
She continues to fill in teaching the children, encouraging
the ladies. Her health is fairing well. David’s valley fever
has reoccurred and he is under a doctor’s care.
In April the Child Evangelism Fellowship State Board
presented me with a nice plaque of 30 years of service with
Arizona CEF.
We know that God is still using us, ‘for His glory’, as
we are His workmanship unto good works. The Lord tells
us in Jeremiah 29:11; “For I know the plans I have for
you, plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a
future and a hope.” ~Elwin & Arleah Fitch
photo courtesy of Fitches
photo courtesy of E. Ortiz
Our neighborhood is composed of 128 homes, and
made up of mainly Hispanics. I am on the Homeowners
Association Board, and have been for many years. Like
many neighborhoods there is quite a bit of crime. Since
there have been several robberies, including our home in
recent weeks, we are now setting up a neighborhood watch.
April 10th found
Trino at UCI Medical
Center in Los Angeles,
CA, having two knee
replacements. Wow
(as Trino would say)!
What a journey! This
was a journey begun
nearly two-and-a-half
years ago when Dr.
Zamorano (orthopedic
surgeon)
noticed
Trino limping and he
heard his story of
God's timing for surgery
knee deterioration and
pain. There was a lot of arthritic damage which
had to be cleaned up before the replacements
could be made. All of this occurred in five hours of
grueling surgery. On Friday, April 27th, Dave and
Diane Zamorano delivered Trino and Esther back
to Ensenada where they were warmly received by
their family with many hugs, kisses and tears of
joy. Trino’s new knees are healing well and he is
walking in his therapy!
This journey included
hundreds who prayed
and donated for the
surgery. It included many
at UCI Medical Center
who made donations
and
accommodations
to make this surgery
possible. It included
many who visited and
encouraged Trino and
Esther while they were
going
through
this
difficult time. Dr. Dave
Zamorano
organized
the medical community
In the hospital after surgery and opened countless
doors at UCI as well as
he and his wife, Diane, hosting the Ortizes while
they were in town. John & Janet Yates of Luke
Medical Foundation handled the finances while Ana
Popescu faithfully came to the Zamorano’s home
to provide physical therapy. In giving recognition,
let’s not forget our loving and sovereign God who
pulled this all together by touching individual hearts
to make this possible and for superintending the
surgery and the healing as the Master Physician.
God’s miraculous team was used to put Trino on
the road to a successful recovery availing him for
fruitful ministry.
photo courtesy of E. Ortiz
"One by One, One by One, reaching people for Jesus,
One by One, One by One, reaching out for Jesus."
~ Trino & Esther Ortiz
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PAID
NON-PROFIT ORG.
PERMIT #732
TURLOCK, CA
95381
M
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Mission
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Missionary Gospel Fellowship
PO Box 1535
Turlock, CA 95381-1535
Return Service Requested
Influx of Blessings
photo courtesy of Peethalas
We believe that ministry begins at
home and our desire and prayer is
to raise up disciples of Jesus Christ
from within our family, our own
children. If we can’t make disciples of
our own children, how are we going
to speak into the lives of others? We
desire to see our children fall into a
love relationship
with Jesus
Christ.
Please
pray
for
G o d l y
wisdom,
discipline,
perseverance
and
obedience to raise up our children
in a God fearing and loving manner.
God has entrusted a group of young
people into our lives, and we praise
Him for the transformation He is
bringing into their lives and the fruit
they are producing.
God has been using the IIC
worship Band to draw people into the
realm of praise and worship toward
our Almighty God Jesus Christ. We
currently have five leaders God has
raised from within the church, and
it is amazing to see them grow into
a mature walk with the Lord Jesus
Christ. God is actively involved in the
work of molding our worship band
leaders. The results of His molding
have been sessions of Spirit-led
anointed worship.
Prayer has been the focal point
of our youth ministry in 2012. Having
connected the prayer link to our
photo courtesy of Peethalas
We praise God for the influx of
blessings upon our family and our
ministry. The year began with a new
addition to our family. Our second
daughter Anina Raksha was born
on December 20th, 2011. We rejoice
and praise God for our two beautiful
daughters and our home church in
Portland, OR.
Monica, Sudha, Anina & Alena
youth group ministry, God has been
unleashing the power of prayer to all
of our youth group members. There
is a revival occurring in the hearts of
our youngsters. The youth group is
drawing closer into a love relationship
with God Almighty. He is inducing
a passion so deep that our young
people cannot keep silent anymore
but offer a sacrifice of praise and
worship to the one and only who is
worthy of all praise, glory and honor.
~Sudha & Monica Peethala
Missionary Gospel Fellowship PO Box 1535, Turlock CA 95381 (209) 634-8575 www.mgfhq.org