LMCCMissions

The Power of Confidence in Christ

2012-01-20T11:09:00.000-07:00

Fear comes in many sizes, shapes, and forms. There's a writer's fear of facing a blank page, a mother's fear of harm coming to her child, a father's fear of losing his job, a grandfather's fear of death, a banker's fear of being robbed, a soldier's fear of being killed, a country's fear of terrorist attacks.

As Christians, how do we face fear? Phillip Keller writes, "Too many of us are shaken up, frightened and panicked by the storms of life. We claim to have confidence in Christ, but when the first dark shadows sweep over us and the path we tread looks gloomy we go into a deep slump of despair...This is not as it should be."

When fear invades our spirits, we need to turn to the One in whom we have confidence--Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd. The One who tells us that He is with us always,"to the very end of the age" (Matt. 28:20).

Oswald Chambers writes, "The problems of life get hold of a man or woman and make it difficult to know whether in the face of these things he or she really is confident in Jesus Christ. The attitude of a believer must be 'Things do look bad, but I believe Him; and when the whole thing is told, I am confident my belief will be justified and God will be revealed as a God of love and justice.' It does not mean that we won't have problems, but it does mean that our problems will never come in between us and our faith in Him. 'Lord, I don't understand this, but I am certain that there will be an explanation, and in the meantime I put it to one side.'

Although we may not understand why certain things happen in our lives, God instructs us to be strong and courageous, for "no one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life...I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you" (Joshua 1:5). Do you have this confidence--that God is with you in the storms of life? That you can trust in Him and he will bring you through it all? Or do you trust in something other than Christ: "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God: (Psalm 20:7).

David wrote of his trust in God in many of the Psalms, most notable, Psalm 23: "I will fear no evil, for You are with me" (verse 4). Phillip Keller writes, "It is a most reassuring and reinforcing experience to the child of God to discover that there is, even in the dark valley, a source of strength and courage to be found in God....Because He has led me through without fear before, He can do it again, and again, and again. In this knowledge fear fades and tranquility of heart and mind takes its place."

The only confidence we have in this life is knowing that God is always with us. He is our Protector, Comforter, and Guide. And if we are wise enough, we will look for and find God in every moment, filled with the assurance that He is with us through the good and the bad, the known and the unknown, the beginning and the end. He is there when others are not. If we follow God--through prayer and the reading and application of His Word--He will keep us close to Him, traveling down the right path, until we reach our home, where He greets us. Within the shelter of His embrace, fear is vanquished.

Phillip Keller writes, "The person with a powerful confidence in Christ; the one who has proved by past experience that God is with him in adversity; the one who walks through life's dark valley without fear, his head held high, is the one who in turn is a tower of strength and a source of inspiration to his companions."

Be a person with powerful confidence in Christ. Renew your mind each and every morning with God's truth, for that truth is what will keep you confident and expectant throughout the day. Plant God's Word in your heart and mind. Pray for His deliverance: "Deliver me from evil." Leave your fears at His feet.

Reflect on your past experiences, how God has carried you through. Go to your Protector, Guide, and Good Shepherd, for He and His Word are the only things that can set you free from all fear as You trust and hope in Him. Know that "God will command his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will carry you in their arms, and they won't hurt your feet on the stones: (Psalm 91:11-12).

~Donna K. Maltese

Isaac-Ismail Initiative Update

2012-01-17T17:17:00.000-07:00

17 January 2012

Dear Friends,

Greetings from Denver (although enroute to the Middle East). This past weekend I was involved in a "Train the Trainer" initiative withCrescent Project. I sat among a Saudi, Indian, and Moroccan who previously had come to faith in Christ. Another participant has lived in Kazhakstan for 10 years, another (Dutch woman) served for many years in Thailand.
What an incredibly rich and powerful time we had as we worked on how to equip local churches to reach out to Muslims in the West!
Today Susy and I fly to Beirut, Lebanon for the next week. I will be meeting with the director of World Vision (and visiting Palestinian refugees camps), connecting with other key leaders in the city, and preaching at All Saints Church, pastored by long-time friends of ours. This is the first time Susy and I will be in the Middle East together!
I am in the midst of developing a new seminar entitled, The Desire of Every Jew and Muslim, focusing on the similarities between them in relating to God (or trying to do so). I will be doing the seminar in Denver in February.
There is so much happening simultaneously in ministry it's a bit overwhelming at the moment. Please pray for balance as I juggle numerous opportunities.

Family Update
Carly returned from Mexico last month and is back atWestmont College for the remainder of her third year. She is living off campus now, working a couple of jobs, and busy with school.
Steven is waiting to hear from several universities if he has been admitted. Earlier this month he was accepted to theUniversity of Denver and offered a partial scholarship. Denver is his "back up" school; he is waiting to hear from USC and NYUwhich are his first choices.

Thank you for your friendship and encouragement. We will look forward to giving an update on our Lebanon trip in the next few weeks.

With Grace, in Christ,

Brian and Susy

It's that time again....for CHILI!!!

2012-01-15T21:33:00.000-07:00

Brian and Suzy Newman-the Isaac-Ishmail Initiative

2011-12-30T09:21:00.000-07:00

30 December 2011

Dear Friends,

I stood staring into the vastness of the western Sahara Desert wondering how people live in such a wasteland, with no water or vegetation.
For the preceeding week in late September a group of us had met with 16 Muslim imams in a refugee camp in western Algeria, just north of Al-Queda controlled land. It is truly a wasteland, and provided a reminder to me about religious systems such as Islam which ultimately lead people away from God rather than toward Him.
Brian has launched the Isaac-Ishmael Initiatve because of the simple fact that Jews and Muslims alike are lost in the desert without Jesus. It feels that we are embarcing a divine moment.
The year 2011 has been one of developing vision, creating partnerships, and obtaining funding. This is a unique "divine moment" and I believe 2012 is now on the launching pad.

In February we will hold a gathering in southern France with 10 of us to make plans for outreach fo immigrants in Europe;
In June we partner in a week-long training called Sahara Challenge in Minneapolis;
In the summer we hope to partner with Serve the City and have a mission team go to Lebanon.

You can find more information about the vision of the Isaac-Ishmael Initiative at our new website, which officially launches today. Click HERE.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. ~ Eph. 3:20-21

With Grace, in Christ,

Brian and Susy

Christ's Body Ministries--Falling Through the Cracks

2011-12-21T12:05:00.000-07:00

Lynn worked as an Optician for 30 years until his first bout with congestive heart problems made retirement mandatory. He still felt secure in his apartment covered by Medicare, with his monthly Social Security check and a small Air Force veterans pension. But gradually the prescription copays (he now takes 22 pills daily) ate up his savings and then his rent. Once he lost his apartment then the only housing option left was cheap motel rooms which still cost $30/night. Within a few weeks, Lynn, for the first time in his life, was one day away from being homeless. As he tells in his soft southern voice, "I finally had to swallow my pride." He went to Pastor Miriam at his church, Trinity United Methodist, for help. Fortunately Miriam knows us and our respite care program. She called Deb and thankfully we had one open bed for him.
Lynn has been at Christ's Body for two weeks, and wanted everyone to know how grateful he is. He said, "Everyone here is so kind. Deb has been very helpful and with her help I have gotten more help and more things done in two weeks than in the months before." Specifically Deb signed Lynn up for a Medicare program that covers drug costs for low income patients. She also has started the process for him to get Veteran's disability help and placed him on Colorado Coalition for the Homeless low-income housing program. Lynn had no idea that such programs even existed, let alone how to apply for them. Beyond the practical help, Lynn told me, "Deb has God in everything she does and you don't often see that in social workers."
What a blessing it is when we can show someone like Lynn that God is real and cares. Many times people fall through the cracks of man's social safety net. We are grateful to our government for the help they do provide. This help however is often very hard to access, especially when sick, without a caring hardworking advocate like Deb Butte.
Lynn now hopes to be able to get his own place in the next weeks. I told him we were pleased to have him as our guest and there was no hurry. He replied, "Oh no, as soon as I can, I want to move out because there is someone else out there who needs this bed as bad as I did."
Thank you for supporting Christ's Body. You make it possible for us to be the arms of God catching those falling through the cracks. -John Moorhead

Caleb Home from India for Christmas

2011-12-15T11:46:00.000-07:00

Caleb will be in Idaho Springs, CO for Christmas. He arrives December 17 and stays until January 16. On January 1,2012 he is the guest speaker at First Baptist Church of Idaho Springs at 9:30 a.m. Located at 100 Colorado Blvd. on the west end of town. Take exit 239 off of I-70 and follow it to the church. Caleb is looking forward to getting to see many of you. You can call him at 303-567-2711. January 5 - 10 he will be in San Diego to visit Aunts, Uncles, & cousins.

The pictures below: National Costume Day at Woodstock School, Caleb on the summit (20,773 ft.), Camp before heading to the summit of Banderpunch in the Indian Himalayas. The highest peak in the picture.

Caleb wishes you a Merry Christmas and Wonderful New Year.

Crutches for Africa opportunity!

2011-11-24T20:31:00.000-07:00

Black Friday

Solutions

November 25-December 25

For one month only, Crutches4Africa is offering all of our subscribers buy-one-get-one-free opportunity exclusively through our secure link That's right, you can give the gift of mobility for a mere $3 and we will match it by sending a pair of crutches, cane, or walker, at our expense.

Partners

Whether your corporation is small, medium or large, we need people who will connect with us as partners.

You can have a link to us, we will link to you and use your logo in our "Partners" promotional materials.

GIVE NOW

MOBILITY IS A BASIC HUMAN NEED

HOTC Fall Banquet

2011-11-09T15:35:00.000-07:00

Hands of The Carpenter in hosting their Fall Banquet, "The Art of Hope" Saturday, November 12that the Denver Art Museum. This is going to be a wonderful evening to raise support and awareness for single parents and widows and their families. Please go to www.ehands.org to register, or call Juli at 303-526-4488 for more information.

Caleb Holman--article from the Woodstock Tiger newspaper

2011-11-01T10:47:00.000-06:00

While going through his future college options, young Mr. Caleb Holman was told by many of his teachers that he would not make it. They told him it would be a waste of time to go.

However, his civics teacher, Mr. Bob Ormac, encouraged him to apply. “He saw what I could do, not what I couldn’t. He said I was gifted in law and politics and taught me how to play to my strengths,” Mr. Holman said. He then applied to and ultimately graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with a degree in Philosophy of Public Policy and Ethics, as well as a minor in Political Science.

For Mr. Holman, earning a degree was a challenge, as he suffers from dyslexia and also from Wagner’s disease. These conditions prevent from reading and forming words. The skills that one takes for granted are everlasting troubles for him.

However, he has liberated himself from such problems through the usage of auditory technologies. A combination of three programs – Dragon Naturally Speaking, Read and Write Gold, and Open Book – helps Mr. Holman completely read and understand texts. Dragon Naturally Speaking translates his spoken words into text and vice-versa; this software is the substitute to typing and reading. Read and Write Gold and Open Book enable him to scan books into his laptop and skim through them at will.

He recalls the moment he first bought himself a scanner and was able to read independently. With tears in his eyes, he said, “It was the first time I could step inside a library without the help of my mother. I stayed up all night and all morning, reading everything I could. I was surrounded by books stacked five feet high.

“Although my dyslexia did not go away, the significance of reading changed for me. I was able to understand the meaning behind the funny little shapes called letters. Imagine you were gifted wings and could fly like everyone else around you, how would you feel?”

Currently, he works as a dorm parent at Clifton Hostel, runs the woodshop and is also the head of the Water Safety Team. He spends a majority of his day at the swimming pool, cautiously encircling it to ensure everyone’s safety, and if there is any unsafe behavior he instantly breaks up it up with a shrill whistle. When matters get out of control, Mr. Holman actually pounces on top of students and momentarily drowns them into the pool to teach them a lesson. He inherited such discipline from formerly working as a firefighter and also being a member of several rescue squads. He said, “My previous experiences have given me a huge toolbox to choose from. I am quite an expert at saving lives.”

Mr. Tim Raby, Hostel supervisor, believes that Mr. Holman is a vital dorm staff member. He said, “Firstly, he is a very dedicated dorm parent and he is very professional. This job is very people-oriented, and Mr. Caleb is extremely dedicated to his students. He has also introduced and taken initiative for many programs such as the woodshop, swim team, outdoor club, unit meals, pool safety and lifeguard training. He is a valuable member of the Hostel team.”

Growing up with a unique condition, Mr. Holman was subjected to judgment and did not receive much help. He remarked that he was often discouraged by those around him. He said, “My own teachers would say things like ‘Why waste the morning with Caleb? He can’t even write. He’ll definitely fail.’ They had no idea how powerful words actually are.”

With this in mind Mr. Holman always makes sure not to judge too quickly. He said, “If a student is slacking off, I am not pissed, I am curious. I always ask the question ‘Why?’ before a student is judged or labeled. I do my best to help them out because I know how it feels.”

Martin Softing, a Grade 11 student, said, “Some people think differently of Mr. Caleb, but once you get to know him, he is a really cool guy. I always talk to him about my personal problems and he always helps me by encouraging me to study.” Mr. Holman can usually be seen roaming about the dorm and helping students.

“I felt like I was a second-class citizen. I felt like I needed to prove to the world that I had a right to live,” Mr. Holman said. “The Wright brothers were told they could not fly, Gandhi was told he cannot have an independent India, Einstein was told that he could not go to college and yet they did. In the same way they told me I cannot read, I cannot go abroad, I cannot survive in the real world.”

However, now he does read, he is working abroad in India and is living in the real world. He said, “The definition of the word ‘cannot’ changed for me. Cannot is not an impossibility, it means that to survive one must be creative in order to reach their goal.”

Mr. Holman has many plans set aside for the future. He said, “I hope to have the Water Safety Program fully set up so that it can be run without my assistance. I will also work on getting a Master’s Degree in Counseling. Finally I hope to, one day, have a family.” As he sets to achieve these dreams, the only difference is that, this time there is no one to tell him that he cannot.

Brian and Suzy Newman

2011-10-18T14:57:00.002-06:00

The Western Sahara Desert is a desolate wasteland, dotted with Bedouins and camels. Near the borders of western Algeria, Morocco, and Mauritania an astonishing dialog is happening between Christians and Muslims.
In September I spent a week participating in this dialog - between an American delegation and 16 imams (Muslim clerics) from Algeria. It was inspiring, humbling, hopeful, and complex. It was also physically exhausting as we stayed in a refugee camp.
Here is what I came away with from my time in the desert:
* There are some mind-blowing, incredible signs of Jesus' Kingdom coming in the Muslim world and among its leaders. Suffice it to say, the Holy Spirit is at work;
* There is also a deep mistrust of western culture and religion and a few people on the radical fringe of Islam wish hardm to non-Muslims;
* The Muslim world is rapidly secularizing, just as the West has been secularizing for many year. This offers opportunities for the gospel in ways that it could not in previous times.
There is great concern among leaders in Algeria that so many people from their country have emigrated to wetern Europe over the past generation. There is "brain drain" from the country. As I listened to the imams talk about this, I thought of our work in Europe and found it so ironic that this reality (people moving to Europe) is an open door for the Gospel to people who have previously lived in closed countries.
We are planning several key events for 2012 for the Isaac-Ishmael Initiative. First up is a Summit on Islam we will hold in Grasse, France in February. We will update you on this in the next month or two.
Thank you for your support and encouragement, and for a vision for the Kingdom of God coming to people and places who are otherwise far from Jesus.

With Grace, in Christ,

Brian and Susy

Caleb Holman---Lifeguard Trainer

2011-10-15T16:11:00.000-06:00

Caleb is asking for your prayers this week. He has an intense time of training and teaching. He is training to be a certified Lifeguard Trainer. This requires him to take the course from a certified Lifeguard Trainer. The trainer also has to witness Caleb teach two lifeguard classes. The training stared today 10/14/2011. It will be through the 21st, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. In the morning Caleb has his training. In the afternoon he teaches two classes--the lifeguard course for staff, and the junior lifeguard course for students. It is 5 p.m. MST Friday now and 4:30 a.m. Saturday at Woodstock School, India.

Thank you for your interest and prayers for the students at Woodstock and Caleb.

Hands of the Carpenter Car Care Clinic

2011-09-21T18:20:00.000-06:00

HOTC CAR CARE CLINIC
Hands of The Carpenter will be hosting our next Car Care Clinic for single parents and widows onSaturday, September 24th in the morning at Hands Automotive, located at 1510 Kendall St. in Lakewood. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Dan Georgopulos at dan@ehands.organd he will sign you up on a team to help women in need. If you are a single parent needing a free oil change, please visit our web site at www.ehands.org after Sept. 10th to sign up for a time slot. This is always a great time of fellowship and coming together to serve our community.

HIV Carelink

2011-09-21T13:51:00.001-06:00

God is at Work!

We are grateful for what God accomplishes through HIV Care Link. Recently we have had many beneficiaries of our ministry comment on what an impact we had in their lives.

A student commented after hearing our Safe Project presentation, "That was amazing,I will NEVER forget that!"
A parent of a person living with HIV (PLWH) commented, "Thank you for keeping me sane. You are my lifeline and you have no idea how much your support means to me. I know that God is really using you!
A PLWH commented, "Thanks for your advice; I did what you said and it worked! Thank you for being there for me!"
After we finished moving a client into his new home he commented, "Thank you so much; I don't know what I would have done without you!"
A Pastor, after taking extensive notes on our conversation, commented, "Thank you for meeting with me. I have so much to learn--this was eye-opening!"

These are all good reminders to us of the importance of HIV Care Link!

Right now, HIV Care Link is facing a financial shortfall of $15,000. We have a very conservative budget, however, we have been deeply impacted by dwindling donor resources. Without your immediate intervention and the addition of new donors we are not be able to meet our financial obligations.

We believe that God is at work and we are patiently praying and doing our part to continue providing excellence in HIV ministry. Please join with us in prayer and consider what you can do to champion the work of HIV Care Link.

Now, is the time to show your love for what we are doing!

Click here to give online or mail your timely gift of support to:

HIV Care Link

534 Commons Drive

Golden, CO 80401

Hands of the Carpenter Car Care Clinic

2011-09-08T10:16:00.002-06:00

Hands of The Carpenter will be hosting our next Car Care Clinic for single parents and widows on Saturday, September 24th in the morning at Hands Automotive, located at 1510 Kendall St. in Lakewood. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Dan Georgopulos at dan@ehands.org and he will sign you up on a team to help women in need. If you are a single parent needing a free oil change, please visit our web site at www.ehands.org after Sept. 10th to sign up for a time slot. This is always a great time of fellowship and coming together to serve our community.

2011-09-07T17:42:00.000-06:00

R.S.V.P.
2011 Evening of Alternatives with Eric Metaxas

Tickets are $100 per person. Reserved Tables for 10 guests are $1,000.

Reserved tickets provided at the Guest Services table at the event.

Purchase tickets and R.S.V.P. online for an Evening of Alternatives with Eric Metaxas.

Download the complete Evening of Alternatives Invitation and R.S.V.P. card for postal mail reply.

Confirm the guest list of friends you have invited to attend.

To learn more about Table Sponsor benefits or for general event questions, please contact Calli Lamb by email or by calling 303.298.8815.

Thanks to our Legacy Sponsors

Join Us

AN EVENING OF ALTERNATIVES

WITH

ERIC METAXAS

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2011

6:00 – 9:00 p.m.

SHERATON DENVER

DOWNTOWN HOTEL

Eric Metaxas’ newest book is a New York Timesbestseller entitled, Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy, and was recently awarded the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association 2011 Christian Book of the Year Award and the 2011 Gold Medallion Book Award in the Nonfiction category.

Eric’s acclaimed biography, Amazing Grace: William Wilberforce and the Heroic Campaign to End Slavery, is the “official companion book” to the feature film, also titled Amazing Grace. He has also written for VeggieTales, Chuck Colson and the New York Times.

Metaxas has been frequently featured as a cultural commentator on CNN and the Fox News Channel; and, has discussed his own books on C-Span’s Book TV and Hannity & Colmes.

This event will sell out quickly, so please purchase tickets at your earliest convenience to reserve your seating. And, prepare to be challenged to change the world.

Proceeds benefit Alternatives Pregnancy Center.

Alternatives Pregnancy Center Prayers

2011-09-03T13:07:00.002-06:00

1. Please pray that an abortion-minded client will come to her ultrasound appointment this week and that she will connect with the image of her baby. Pray that she will experience God's presence during this difficult time and that her interest in spiritual issues will flourish.

2. Please pray for an abortion-minded client who is struggling with the pain and anxiety of multiple miscarriages. Lord, please give her strength during this difficult time. Pray that her family and friends will give her the support she needs to choose to life.

3. Please pray for a client who is approaching her due date and is living in a motel. Pray for an opening in one of the transitional housing sites she has applied for. Pray that she and her husband will be able to find work.

4. Please pray for a client who is planning on having an abortion. Pray that her heart would connect with her unborn child. Holy Spirit, please instill a renewed sense of hope in this client that will enable her to reconsider her decision.

More from Caleb Holman ministering at Woodside School in India

2011-08-19T14:53:00.000-06:00

Swimming Pool:

Well we've come a long way with the pool: from not having one and having no lifeguards, to having five lifeguards, four others that can help with dry-land rescues in medical emergencies at the pool, and to having almost all the safety equipment to meet international standards. Woodstock has also appointed me as the Pool Safety Officer, consolidating the responsibilities of the pool and the training of water safety team members. With this added responsibility, I'm in charge of the training for the pool safety team, developing a swimming program for the school with the PE department, and working with our security department so we effectively use the training of the swim safety team in case of emergencies.

A few of the projects we are working on for this next year include:

- a larger partnership with the Royal Life Saving Society of India for our swimming program and water safety program

- installing a solar-based heating system for the pool, increasing the length of the seasons we are able to use the pool

- raising funds so we can purchase an automatic defibrillator

- most importantly, ensuring that the kids have fun this next year while we are expanding the swimming program.

It's exciting to help develop this program and I look forward to receiving the necessary training. I need to become a lifeguard trainer, receive some advanced medical training, and become a swimming instructor in this next year.

2011-08-15T21:14:00.002-06:00

15 August 2011

Dear Friends Around the World,

Our family is at an exciting point in our journey, and so we wanted to give you a Kids Update this month.

Carly took off last Saturday for Mexico for a semester studying abroad as part of her Hispanic Studies major at Westmont College. While we will miss her while she is abroad this Fall, we are also so proud of her as she grows into a wonderful young adult. She is now in her junior (third) year of university.

Steven and Brian spent a week traveling on the East Coast of the U.S. together visiting five universities which Steven is considering for studies after his final year of high school. His topic choices are New York University, University of Virginia, and University of Southern California. Quite the geographic diversity! He begins his senior year of high school next week, with a full load of advanced placement classes.

The four of us had an end-of-summer mini-vacation in Williamsburg, Virginia last week before going to my nephew Dan's wedding in Richmond. It was good closure to a work-filled summer in which all four of us juggled multiple jobs and ministries. We are grateful to the Lord for this unique time for our family. And now it is onto the Fall season.

Thanks for your friendship and encoruagement.

With Grace, in Christ,
Brian and Susy

Caleb Holman

2011-08-07T09:40:00.000-06:00

Greetings from India I hope everyone is doing well.

Wow it has been another busy and exciting year for me here in India. From working with the students here at Woodstock at the swimming pool, at the student wood-shop, camping, and the general responsibilities of being a dorm parent - I've been busy! I have also had the time to work a little bit with the Sharp Memorial School for the Blind, go scuba diving, and, if my parents haven't told you, climb a 20,722ft. peak. Before getting to talk about all this other stuff, onto the most common question that I am asked. Yes, I am still single.

Well now that's out of the way, Woodstock:

I've had a really exciting year building new relationships with a new set of boys after my last group graduated. Like all teenagers, relationships (especially those with the opposite sex) are something that we talk about an awful lot. And it's exciting to see these guys grow and develop in a positive way. But it's not just girls that the boys think about. They are also thinking about making the world a better place, why the world this is the way it is, and what they need to get into university. At times are also carefree and enjoy video games and just being a kid. Like in any large group, there are some students doing really well and others that are struggling. One highlight for me was when some of my boys came to me and asked if they could figure out a way to restore some of the trails on campus and other areas where everybody walks and hikes. I've also had the opportunity to talk an awful lot to one of our students from Afghanistan about politics and his life growing up in different world philosophies. I really appreciate how fortunate I am to have this interaction with students it is great to get to know them and help them develop into good men and women. I also have some students who struggle. One in particular has faced a lot of unhappiness in his childhood along with some academic struggles. He often struggles with sadness. Although this student needs a lot of attention and support, Woodstock is the best place for him. I'm very grateful to have the support of my colleagues and to have earned this student's trust. I am in a position to support him as he walks through this difficult time.

Like always, Woodstock has a lot of changes. This upcoming year we will have an interim principal for the first semester and we will have a new principal after Christmas holidays. One thing that hasn't changed is that, for the first time in 24 years, the Hostel Dorm team has all the same members that we had at the end of the previous school year. It is really exciting that we can give some continuity to our students that they have not been able to have in the past.

2011-08-03T16:16:00.002-06:00

HELP ALTERNATIVES PREGNANCY CENTER

Alternatives Pregnancy Center is in need of pregnant women between 6 and 22 weeks gestation to participate as models for limited ultrasound practice scans. The practice scans are scheduled for Tuesday-Friday, August 16-19, and Tuesday-Friday, August 22-26, between 9:00 am and 4:30 pm at our downtown location. The ultrasounds will be offered without cost and each model will receive a $5 gift card as a thank you. For details or to sign up, please contact Becky Rohr or Elisabeth Buchholz at 303.298.8815.

Serve the City Recap

2011-07-13T10:07:00.002-06:00

We have been back in Denver for a few weeks since leading a mission team to Amsterdam the first week of June. It was a great time working with Serve the City there. Our 11-person team spent four days painting apartments, serving the elderly, and helping to feed a crowd of volunteers every day. Special thanks to all of you who supported us!
     I am excited about the growing opportunities for The Isaac-Ishmael Initiative in reaching out to both Jews and Muslims in places such as France, Belgium, Scotland, Los Angeles, and Denver. I am in the midst of finalizing a Mission Proposal for this upon receiving input from some trusted advisors. In the next couple of months I will be sharing about this in our newsletter and elsewhere.
     Here are some photos from Serve the City and our time in Amsterdam:



With Grace, in Christ,

Brian and Susy

Crutches for Africa update...

2011-07-06T17:53:00.001-06:00

Our trip was amazing, God provided Max, a Kenyan who is all american, big, black and fun to be with. Our granddaughter Brooke called him Gigantor. She felt very safe and protected by his presence.

He arranged TV interview, meetings, with head honchos of every description every where we went.

There were newspapers, radio stations, and all sorts of meetings with heads of communities we hope to distribute into.

About 9 reporters were at Bandera College where we had free storage before loading up the train in Mombasa to go to Nairobi.

We were given native costumes, baskets of mangos and a GOAT!

NO we did not kill and eat the goat. We regifted it.
ahhhh recycled goat....ha ha.
We gave away over 3000 devices in three weeks overseeing at least 500 ourselves, personally one on one.
We were in so many places, city slums,

deep in the bush


the far country this was a shock to the woman who had never had anything given to her.
The toughest thing we ever have to face is when we cannot help someone, either because they are too twisted up by the ravages of polio,
  This was a sad moment when David got down on the ground and said "if we can do something we will do it, but right now I SEE YOU."
I think for the invisible people on the ground, in huts hiding, or abused and neglected, the greatest gift is to be seen. To be counted as a person. It shocks them and is hard to take. The children are so used to the neglect and abuse they don't believe it and when they get a wheelchair they go into shock and disbelief.
  until now the grandmother had to carry this girl everywhere she could not scoot on her twisted limbs. She only has one useable arm....
sometimes we ran out of what we needed.
We were in Kenya and Uganda.
We got to see our sponsored orphan Oliva in Tororo, Ug.we met her in 2005.
David went to Rwanda to meet with the officials in charge of the shipment to the new government hospital to be arranged.
I was able to spend some quality time one on one with Brooke, our granddaughter from Tenn. who is 16.We were able to take a long safari in the Nairobi nature preserve, which is unfenced and full of many species of birds and wildlife. Giraffes were prevalent, but we also saw lions up close and personal, thanks to Brookes perfect imitation of a bleating goat.

We all stayed well, ate plenty of "chips" french fries,
scrambled eggs, instant coffee, and samosas.
Our favorite food was sugar bananas
Bottom line, we were blessed, kept safe despite horrible traffic and near misses on the road. We also were blessed to deliver about 40 dresses from Dressagirlaroundtheworld.org. That was "fly by the skirt" distribution for sure. Out of van windows,
then when wehad a van breakdown I dressed 5 kids!
.
Gave out about 90 devices at a remote location then about 12 dresses afterwards.

on our way home (36 hours) we had a layover for 8 hours in Chicago.
glass floored deck of Sears tower, now Willis Tower....wild


thanks to all who participated, through giving, prayer, volunteering, or any other way. We cannot do this alone, and it is growing by leaps and bounds.
Please share this with whomever and however you can so that people can see we are really grass roots, on the ground, face to face people who love what we have found to do.
Candice Talbot

Hands of the Carpenter Car Clinic

2011-06-29T17:05:00.000-06:00

Hands of The Carpenter is hosting our July Car Care Clinic on Saturday, July 16, from 8:00 a.m.-12:00 noon. The clinic will be held at our auto shop, Hands Automotive, located at 1510 Kendall St in Lakewood. This is one of our favorite events with volunteers, clients and staff all coming together with a sense of joy and purpose to serve the single parent and widow in need! Please contact Dan at dan@ehands.org or call 303-526-4488 if you are interested in volunteering as one of our "mechanics." Whether you have little to no experience with oil changes and car care, or you are a veteran at -lending us a hand, we would love to have you join us! Register.

Alternatives Pregnancy Center Prayer Requests

2011-06-20T16:45:00.000-06:00

Pray an abortion-vulnerable client would make a life-affirming choice for herself and her unborn child as she makes her decision about her pregnancy. Pray for support from the father of the baby.

Pray that the Holy Spirit would soften the heart of an abortion-minded client that she would come to her ultrasound appointment this week and that it will have a positive impact on her decision.

Pray for a changed and renewed heart for a client who has been making unhealthy lifestyle choices throughout her pregnancy that she would begin making healthier decisions. Please also pray for safety for her and her baby.

Pray for the Holy Spirit's peaceful presence to envelop and bring healing to a client who has experienced the emotional pain of a miscarriage during her new pregnancy. Pray for a full term, healthy pregnancy. Thank you, Lord, for all the support and love surrounding this client.

Pray for peace in the life of a pregnant client, that she will be able to gain access to prenatal care and that her baby will be healthy and safe.

Praise the Lord for an abortion-minded client who recently decided to carry her child. Pray for courage as she tells her family and that they would surprise her with support for her decision. Pray for healing from a past abortion.

Pray for an abortion-minded client feeling overwhelmed by her difficult life circumstances to make it to her ultrasound appointment this week and that her heart would be open to what she sees on the monitor.

Pray for a strong support system and a healthy living environment in the coming months for a pregnant client who is unsure how the father of the baby will react to the pregnancy.

Pray for safety for a client in a potentially dangerous relationship and for wisdom and courage as she makes decisions about her relationship and her pregnancy.

Pray for courage and guidance for both the leaders and group members for the post-abortion ministry as two new groups will begin meeting this week.

Crutches for Africa...currently in Kenya

2011-06-16T16:06:00.000-06:00

Dave and Candice are currently in Kenya distributing mobility devices. Dave writes:
This is my new friend John.

He weighs 45 lbs and is 49 years old.

He is a polio victim.

The only thing that will help him is a baby jogger.

We have arranged for one to come over to Kenya for him this summer.

David

Hand of the Carpenter Updates--Praise God!

2011-06-14T16:58:00.000-06:00

2 cars donated that we were able to gift to single mothers in need!

76 repairs thus far, with 57 unique clients! How amazing what God is doing to help single mothers and widows in need.

104 total jobs, including our Car Care Clinic Clients.

An update on Fatuma – she is the woman that shared last Fall after Dan taught in church one weekend. The last step in the Visa process of getting her three other children to America from Saudi Arabia is an “exit interview” one child has had their interview! The other two are scheduled to interview soon. This process has taken years- Fatuma has trusted in God to bring them “home” to her – LOMCC provided the finances for the airplane tickets. thank you – as soon as they get here, they want to come and thank you personally.

Hands of the Carpenter-Prayer Requests

2011-06-11T22:04:00.000-06:00

*Please pray for our Service Manager Ray for reoccurring health issues

*We previously served Denver and Jefferson County – we have temporarily narrowed it to Jefferson, so that we may serve Jefferson well, and then when we are able again, to expand to Denver County. Please pray for single mothers and widows in Denver County – many have been frustrated and sad that we are not currently serving them. I have had quite a few difficult conversations. Please pray that I may love them well over the phone, as well as trust that the Lord will care for their needs.

*Please pray for continued financial provision!

*Please pray for the success and business and wisdom of Hands Automotive – pray for customers! and for our mechanical staff there.

*Please pray for the hope and encouragement and faith of our clients – that God will be visible through the love and action of Hands and others

*Please pray for employment for our clients

*Please pray for two specific single mothers who have been waiting months for a donated vehicle

*PRAISE – for a successful Bowl-A-Thon! Thank you Jesus!

Amsterdam Mission Trip--Last Day

2011-06-07T18:40:00.000-06:00

It's the end of our week in Amsterdam and we head home today. I am tired yet fulfilled in the work/ministry we did this week. Serve the City is a major undertaking and the coordinators do an incredible job juggling the many details of the projects.
   Here's a few personal reflections on the week:
1) Serving others is both incredibly simple and full of complexity at the same time. It does not take that much to push a wheelchair with an elderly person, but their needs and hurts are so far beyond that moment of bringing them to the park;
2) We could have done Serve the City projects in Amsterdam for weeks on end and there would still be many, many more needs. The goal is not to meet everyone's needs, but rather to show love through serving and thus point people to God in some way.
3) There are better mission project leaders than me! :o) I have not led a mission team to Europe in many, many years. My team was flexible and gracious with me, which was a good thing because I needed grace!
4) Susy's and my worlds of Denver and Europe "met" for the first time this week, which was a lot of fun for us. It was like linking to important chapters of our lives together at last.
   I'm left with one more thing to ponder - I do not know what God will do with the work our team did this week. We were in many situations and interacted with a lot of people. We stay in the heart of Amsterdam and met servers in pubs to people on the street to someone asking for directions. We painted the apartment of a emotionally challenged guy and another apartment of a woman who is addicted to drugs.
   Hopefully we left God's mark wherever we went, and I trust that He will use it for His purposes.

Amsterdam Mission Trip--Day 6

2011-06-06T13:35:00.000-06:00

Yesterday was our last day of Serve the City. It started by going to worship services at Crossroads Church. It was a great reunion for Susy and me as we saw many friends from years ago.
We did something unique at the beginning of my message. My good friend Nada Hussein - Lebanese from a Muslim background who follows Jesus - and I read three Scripture passages together on stage. I asked the question, "Where in the world could a Lebanese of Muslim background and a New York Jew stand together on stage and read Scripture?" Not too many places I suspect. The sermon was on Shalom and the People of God. Powerful morning of worship with a great community!

Nada (at left) and I speaking at Crossroads Church last Sunday (A bit blurry, sorry!)

Amsterdam Mission Trip Day 5

2011-06-05T13:04:00.002-06:00

It is early Sunday morning in Amsterdam. Most of Serve the City is behind us now; it has been a full and fulfilling three days. Today we attend worship services at Crossroads Church and then have a party for kids in one of the parks of Amsterdam.
Yesterday we spent the day with elderly folks who are in assisted care facilities. Some of them have forms of dementia, many need to be pushed in wheelchairs. They rarely get out of their group home, so we packed them up and brought them to a nearby park and had a picnic lunch together. Sounds simple, doesn't it? It is. It was also profound for all of us. It's often the little things of life which are most most poignant. It was a beautiful scene seeing our team pushing wheelchairs with elderly people into the park. (photos forthcoming in tomorrow's blog)
I am up early to look over my sermon notes; I am preaching at Crossroads today. Very much like coming home for me. Looking forward to seeing many dear people to my family.

Amsterdam Mission: Day 4

2011-06-04T21:04:00.002-06:00

TEAM: You never know how a group of people will gel and live together for a week on a mission trip. We are half way through the trip and this has been a great mix of people, talents, personalities. Just a wonderful time!

   There are 11 of us, and it has been a meeting of our family's worlds of Europe and America (Amsterdam and Denver). We have been privileged to have three people on the team - Joe, Betsy, and Gail - who we journeyed with us when we lived in Amsterdam. Joe and Betsy live in the US now, Gail still lives here. It has just felt so natural to have them as part of the team.
   The rest of us (8 people) are from our church in Denver. Relative newcomers to the church - Chris and Kelda - as well as old-timers (who will remain nameless!). Extroverts and introverts, life-of-the-party and wall-flowers.
   We have walked the streets of Amsterdam together, served people together, laughed and cried and prayed and pondered together. There have been some easy times and some harder times. We have enjoyed great meals together, slept in cramped quarters together in a hostel, been a bit overwhelmed by the sights and sounds of Amsterdam culture. We have done it together, and it is a great privilege for me. Thanks, team!

Amsterdam, Day 3

2011-06-02T17:54:00.002-06:00

We have had a great first day of Serve the City. Our team divided into two groups and painted two people's apartments.

June 1: Amsterdam Day 2

2011-06-02T17:53:00.002-06:00

Life is a blur at the moment, due in part to jetlag and feeling "foggy" in my head. We have had a great first day in Amsterdam. This afternoon we visited the Corrie ten Boom house in Haarlem and afterward met as a team to discuss shalom.
It's a spectacular day here in Amsterdam - sun is shining, people are out in numbers at cafes. I am meeting a good friend for a coffee at Leidseplein in 20 minutes, then the team will be with Brigitte (Serve the City coordinator) for dinner. Projects begin tomorrow. We will be painting two people's homes/apartments all day.
More later ... with photos, as soon as I can get them downloaded onto my computer.

Amsterdam, Serve the City, Day 1

2011-06-02T17:52:00.000-06:00

At the moment I am sitting in a United Airlines lounge at Denver Airport looking at a flight board, waiting for our flight to Philadelphia and onto Amsterdam.
   I go on auto-pilot (no pun intended) on travel days. I have done the travel thing long enough that it's kind of old. This trip is different because Susy and I are traveling with 4 others from Denver and meeting up with 5 more people when we arrive in Amsterdam. Our 11-person team is an awesome mix of people! I am looking forward to being with them for the next week.
   We travel for the next 16 hours and arrive in Amsterdam at 9am local time. Then it's off to The Shelter hostel in downtown Amsterdam to settle in. I'll write again once we arrive in Amsterdam.
   Thanks to all of you who are part of the Serve the City project - people in the U.S. who are supporting the projects, people in Amsterdam who will be volunteering, people around various places who are praying! We are grateful for all of you.

HIV Carelink Benefit

2011-06-01T09:57:00.000-06:00

"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine" -Proverbs 17:22a

HIV Care Link's 14-Year Celebration and Benefit Dessert!

Sunday, June 12, 2011, 6:00 to 8:00 PM
At the Madcap Theater

The Madcap Theater is located in the Westminster Promenade, 10679 Westminster Blvd, Westminster, CO 80020

Come, bring your friends and be merry!

Single registration is $40 and a table for 4 is $150

HIV Care Link Benefit Concert April 29

2011-04-13T15:19:00.000-06:00

HIV CARE LINK MiSSION:

HIV Care Link is an outreach of Christian compassion and hope committed to preventing the spread of HIV, empowering and supporting those affected by HIV/AIDS and equipping the church to minister effectively to people living with HIV.

HIV CARE LINK MINISTRY:

BENEFIT CONCERT:

Austin Collins in Concert

Friday, April 29, 7:00-8:30 PM

At the “D Note,”

7519 Grandview Ave.

Arvada, CO

All ages are welcome

$10 suggested donation at the door

Join us for an evening of great music and support HIV Care Link

Street's Hope Research Survey

2011-04-12T15:50:00.000-06:00

Street's Hope has been working on a comprehensive survey for women who are or who have ever been been involved in the sex trade industry. We now have the survey complete and are at the stage of getting women to participate in the survey. We are hoping to get 100-120 women to participate and share their voices and their experiences with us. We need you to pray.

This research will help organizations who work with these women better understand the complexities of the issues the women bring with them. In addition, sharing the results of the survey with the general population will help dispel the myths that blind the general population from seeing the hearts of the women we serve. Too often it seems as if this population is categorized rather than seen. Seeing their stories through this research will most certainly open the eyes of the general population to the realities of their lives. My hope is that in seeing they will be moved with compassion.

We have run into some difficulty in getting cooperation from some larger organizations in gaining access to the women they serve in order to take the survey. Please pray with me that God will remove any obstacles between this survey and the women whose voices need to be heard. Thank you in advance for faithfully lifting up this project.

Cadence International Armed Forces Ministries

2011-04-06T12:49:00.000-06:00

Update/prayer request from Paul Bradley: I am heading into Burma with the Free Burma Rangers for the week to teach leadership classes for relief teams as well as seeker bible studies at night and then will be home only a couple of days then off to Cambodia to put on a medical clinic and Bible classes at a special forces unit. Lots of travel for me running on all cylinders which leaves the family without dad. I am still recovering with back issues and the time in Burma will be very physically demanding (think boot camp). Pray for physical strength for me and protection over my family. Pray for open hearts as I share the gospel with Buddhist resistance forces at the training.

Crutches for Africa...update!

2011-03-31T11:34:00.000-06:00

From Dave Talbot: We have been warmly received (ha ha, over 95 degrees here) by many Rotary Clubs We will be in Lagos, a western state of Nigeria, tomorrow hosted by a church. We have met many top players and have given away a few of the devices that we brought as luggage. A full container is going to come here mid summer from our efforts in New England. We have been carefully transported and protected by hosts here and are looking forward to a bit more freedom of movement in the west. Our bronchitis is finally subsiding. Thanks for your prayers.

Please pray for safe travel!!!

Crutches for Africa...in Africa!

2011-03-29T21:33:00.000-06:00

Dave and Candice Talbot are currently in Nigeria…following a LONG, but uneventful flight. They are in a strongly Christian part of the country and are staying with a Christian family as they make contacts for distributing their next container of mobility devices to Africa. God has gone before them, arranging contacts with many Rotary Club leaders in Nigeria. Please keep Dave, Candice, and their Nigerian contacts in your prayers as they establish a growing distribution network.

Street's Hope

2011-03-25T11:47:00.000-06:00

Providing an escape for women in the sex for sale industry
Not everyone in the sex trade industry wants to stay there. Who is listening to them? Where do they turn? Street’s Hope works with women who want to leave the sex trade industry. It offers them a safe place to live in a healthy environment where they receive support and counseling and have opportunities to pursue training and education – to choose a different way of life and become a thriving member of their community.
            Street’s Hope is a faith-based non-profit organization created to assist women desiring to leave sexually oriented businesses. Our clients include women working in prostitution, escorting, exotic dancing, and pornography. The goal of Street’s Hope is to encourage each woman to become balanced (physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually), to be self-supporting apart from the sex for sale industry, and to become an active part of a healthy community.
Meeting Diverse Needs
The women who come to Street’s Hope suffer from a variety of issues. Whether sexual, physical or emotional abuse, substance abuse and addiction, inability to hold down a ‘real’ job…these women come into Street’s Hope with a goal of transforming their lives.
Reflecting Christ
As Christ calls us to serve “the least of these,” the mandate of Street’s Hope is to offer hope to women who feel they have had no choice but to sell their bodies to survive. By offering them safety, support and a future, Street’s Hope strives to demonstrate to the community that by serving “the least of these” they are ministering to Jesus himself.
Prayer Requests
•    Funding: Please continue to pray for funding for SH. Funding for general operating expenses is always a need.  All our hopes to expand and improve services depend on additional funding. Please also lift up our staff and their support needs. Please pray specifically for our house director whose support is inadequate at this time.
•    Research Project: Please to pray for the research project that SH will be involved in over the next few months. This involves a survey to discover available services and avoid duplicating what is already available.
•    Programming: Street's Hope is working to enhance our programming so that what we do can be duplicated and so that our staff and volunteers have the best tools possible for what they do. Please pray that SH will be able to develop effective program while retaining our focus on God and our sensitivity to His Spirit.
•     Perseverance: Please pray that our clients and staff will find the perseverance they so desperately need each day.

HIV Carelink

2011-03-21T16:12:00.000-06:00

HIV CARE LINK MiSSION:

HIV CARELINK MINISTRY:

HIV Care Link is an interdenominational HIV/AIDS ministry that believes in the value of every person, and is committed to obeying Jesus' command to love all people: actively, tangibly and self-sacrificially. They are primarily funded by the tax deductible contributions of individuals and churches.

HOW CAN YOU HELP:

Get the word out!! Do you know anyone who might be interested in supporting this outreach? Let them know! Share with your church, Bible Study, College ministry, and your neighbor next door! And please pray for supernatural connections!

Another story from the Dominican Republic

2011-03-16T14:29:00.000-06:00

Franci was a 14 year old girl I fell in love with in the Dominican Republic. Something about her caught my eye the very first day we were in La Canita (that is the little village outside La Victoria, it means "little cane" because Sugar Cane is plentiful there). She wouldn't make eye contact with anyone and she seemed skiddish around everyone who got within close proximity of her, even the other women in her village.

A few days into the trip it occurred to me that she acted much like the homeless dogs that wandered around the streets. To approach them is not wise as they are only used to being kicked, beaten or mistreated in some way and may lash out in self protection to bite those who come near. They even rejected little scraps of food we tried to hand them because they have been conditioned to receive abuse and do not know that good things could come from the hands of humans. And so it was with Franci that we had many thick walls to break through to let her know we wanted to give something good to her, that we were safe. Trust wouldn't be handed over easily. The thickest wall of all seemed to crumble just a little, it was the one that has taken her captive and tells her that she is not worth knowing, is not worthy of love, and was made to be used and discarded.

Franci has a four month old baby and was kicked out of her home by her father because he refused to pay to take care of them both. Homeless, she sought refuge in the home of an old man named Emilio, a mentally ill, if not demon possessed alcoholic who appears to be about 70 years old. He rapes her every night. If she refuses to sleep with him, she gets beaten. She was very closed to me most of the week, even after taking her and her son to the hospital to be treated for severe burns. But day by day she seemed to come out of her shell as we poured out love on her. By Friday, she had even begun to sparkle a little, like a fourteen year-old girl should. We washed her feet, massaged oil into her little legs, took her to the beach and held her baby for her while she splashed in the ocean. We taught her how to give her son antibiotics and wrap his wounded little hand, how to make jewelery to sell and how to save money to buy more supplies.

It appeared that when we arrived, she was very shunned by the other girls (also teenage moms with no men to support them) and they kept their distance from Franci, kind of like we learned to steer away from the stray dogs. But something broke loose off of this young mother this week that opened up a possibility for connection with others. We have no illusion that Franci is out of harm's way. And to leave this young mother, this child, in the home of this disturbed man, Emilio, broke our hearts in places we didn't know we had. Only one week. Only several voices speaking of her dignity that competed with the many others that have always told her that she is worthless. Are we crazy? To think we could come for a week and make a difference? But something tells us we did. A Voice beckons us forward, to lean into the places of pain where it would be easier to shut ourselves off, easier to not enter into this grand story of epic pain and loss. But we showed up, and in faith believe we made a small difference. Believe we are supposed to be part of this larger story. A seed planted. Hope spoken. The second all women's trip completed. And we promised we will be back. And we will. The women of La Canita now forever hold a place in our hearts, that is reserved just for them. And I dare to hope that we have earned a place in theirs as well. We will be back.

Pics from the DR

2011-03-09T15:56:00.000-07:00

Some pictures form the trip to the Dominican Republic:14 year old mother and bab yIn the campo (country side)Claiming this place for Jesus

David translating for Angie

A Dominican baby

Lizzy and Amanda washing feet

Praying blessings

Caleb Holman at Woodstock School in India

2011-02-22T12:43:00.000-07:00

Caleb Holman is currently teaching at the Woodstock School in India. Currently he is expanding the Woodshop program at the school in order to offer training to more students. In addition, he is working on training and certifying the life guards at the school. All of this in addition to his primary role as house parent in one of the dorms. works with approximately forty 10th and 11th grade boys. It is important to Caleb to get to know each boy as an individual, and to have the wisdom to help them with their needs, to show Christ to them and to answer their questions. Caleb requests prayers for God's wisdom in whatever extra work he is doing, so he is where God wants him to be, yet not over doing.

In the near future he has several camping/hiking trips planned with the boys: a hike next weekend (Feb. 25-27), and overnight March 18-19, and some activity during the quarter break on March 24-27.

Caleb is also looking into where and what God would have him to do next year. Please pray for the wisdom and energy to do the things now that will prepare him for next year. Many at Woodstock would like him to remain there, but he has also applied to Duke University’s Master of Public Policy program. Please keep him in your prayers, that God’s will for Caleb’s life would be abundantly clear.

News from the Dominican Republic

2011-02-16T13:29:00.001-07:00

There are not words to describe the last eight days. Places in my heart were opened up that I didn’t know existed. Love grew in places where I have never had feelings. Like a tree that springs forth out of the crags and rocks on a mountainside, hope has exploded in a desolate and barren place. I will write a little each day to try and give you a picture, but no picture will be sufficient to explain the work that God is doing through the lives of the people in the Dominican Republic.

We prayed for the blind to see, we literally spit in people’s eyes and smeared mud on their faces and called down miracles. We treated a four month old baby’s hand for severe burns, got antibiotics to a little girl who had gotten knocked over by a motor cycle, we held hands with children who followed us through the streets, wanting a taste of the Hope that we brought. We danced and laughed and washed women’s feet. We touched the “untouchables” with growths and tumors. We held babies who don’t have diapers because they cost too much.

We taught women to use sewing machines. We gave them lessons on how to make projects, beaded necklaces, headbands, things to sell…and gave them envelopes to save their money to buy more. We washed their feet, massaged lotion into their weary muscles. We danced and laughed and praised God together. They will forever be in our hearts. I sobbed as I got on the plane yesterday and took my last glance back at the people we were leaving behind. I didn’t want to leave them. I have to back to see them. I will go back. They are forever a part of my heart.

God is REAL….and He is big. And he speaks and he moves and he cares deeply about the details of our lives. Thank you for checking in. Back in a country with consistent electricity, I will share stories. Be in touch. ~Jayne Spear

Serve the City...Amsterdam

2011-02-10T10:54:00.000-07:00

Susy and Brian Newman are leading a team to Amsterdam from June 1-8 (dates are approximate) to work with Serve the City. The nucleus of this team will be from Lookout. However, folks that are not part of Lookout are welcome to join the team also.

Please think, pray, and dream about being part of this mission team. It will be a great trip; Serve the City is an amazing experience as hundreds of volunteers bless the underprivileged in Amsterdam (including refugees, Muslim immigrants, prostitutes, drug addicts, and the homeless, among others).

An information meeting will be held on Sunday, February 20th after the worship service at noon. More trip details will be available at that time. Please join us, and pass along this information to others as well.

Check out the one-minute promo produced by the good folks of Serve the City in Europe. It's amazing. Here is the link:www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrJd1YdSQaI

DR Mission Trip

2011-02-06T21:06:00.000-07:00

A group of women and girls are traveling to La Victoria, Dominican Republic February 4-11, 2011. We plan to enter into community with the women and pray that God will show His extravagant love through us. Our hope is to present ideas and ways in which they can create something that will be income producing for them. To read the details of this mission trip go to this link for oursupport letter.

We would love to have your prayers and support. If you feel led to give financially to this mission trip, please make a payment through PayPal or send a check to Lookout Mountain Community Church, 534 Commons Drive, Golden, CO 80401 Attn: Women’s D.R. trip.

To learn more, here’s a detailed history of our relationship with La Victoria.

Heading to the Dominican Republic

2011-02-03T18:43:00.000-07:00

The DR team is heading out on Friday, February 4. Their bags are full of materials which will be useful to Dominican women as our team partners with them in establishing new sustenance and income opportunities. Please pray for safe travel, sweet times of fellowship within the team and with the women of La Victoria, and for God's hand to be in all they do.

Christ's Body Ministries

2011-01-31T09:38:00.000-07:00

     Christ’s Body Ministries is an inner-city pipeline for people in the larger body of Christ to serve poor, homeless, and broken people of all backgrounds, ages, races, and faiths. At Christ’s Body our mission is simply to feed, clothe, and share the gospel 365 days a year with Denver’s poor and homeless.
   Here is just one story from Christ's Body:
     Darrell is tall and lanky and walks like he talks in a slow graceful way. He never seems rattled and always at peace. One day I asked him to share the road he traveled to get to this place of peace. With his soft southern voice he told me he was born in Mississippi in 1962. At the age of 4 his dad was killed in a car accident and his mother died of a heart attack when he was 6. He was raised by loving grandparents and his granddad was a Baptist preacher for 42 years. Darrell did HVAC work for 22 years until a pinched nerve and carpal tunnel made it impossible for him to continue. He moved to Denver and worked for Gart’s Sports until they sold out and he got laid off. Since then he’s just been able to get short term temporary work. I asked him how he keeps from getting discouraged. His answer, “I just like to sit with my back against a tree in God’s creation and journal the thoughts and blessings God gives me.”

Ever since then Darrell often stops by and shows me his journal entries for that day written in his careful precise hand. I’m always amazed and blessed by Darrell’s thoughts, but this day I was especially touched and asked him if I could copy it and share with all of you. So here unedited is Darrell’s page for that day…

The things I like about myself:

My green eyes. Daily, I spend time in relationship with Jesus. I am saved and redeemed. I am creative-can mix and match fabrics. I am an encourager. God’s favor. I won’t give up. Strong roots in God. For I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I am unique. I am righteous through the blood of Jesus. God uses me to talk to others. I am both; a miracle and a survivor. I am a victor. I am a conqueror. I am an overcomer. And I am unstressed and blessed. Thankful each day to God, for another day.

Darrell is unemployed and homeless and still knows God’s many blessings. May all of us never forget them either.

Alternatives Pregnancy Center

2011-01-28T09:58:00.000-07:00

Alternatives Pregnancy Center educates clients and youth in schools about abstinence before marriage and renewed abstinence.

They also enable those facing the decisions of an unintended pregnancy to make informed decisions while listening to these women's circumstances and needs. In addition, they encourage women who have conflicted emotions about a past abortion through leading Post-Abortion Support Groups.

Pray for a pregnant client as she prepares for the arrival of her little one and for favor as she searches for a new job and for support from those around her.

Praise the Lord for a pregnant client who has decided to carry and parent. Pray for financial provision as she seeks prenatal care without insurance.

Pray for a client to connect with new friends and community as she searches for a church family. Pray for her relationship with the Lord to deepen and grow and for the Lord to surround her with a strong support system.

Pray for a pregnant client as she faces many challenges with little support. Pray for healing and a renewed sense of hope.

Pray for the Lord's healing and comfort in the life of a client. Pray for direction and guidance as she makes important decisions about her pregnancy and relationships.

Pray for an abortion-minded client who recently found out she is pregnant. Pray for her family and boyfriend to come alongside her with love and support as she makes this difficult decision. Pray that she could make a decision that is life-giving to herself and the baby.

Crutches for Africa Chili Cook Off

2011-01-19T20:45:00.000-07:00

Hi!

You are invited to the following event:

2nd Annual Cabin Fever Chili Cook-Off

Feb 05, 2011
12:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Mt Vernon Country Club
24933 Clubhouse Circle
Golden, CO 80401

View Map

Event Details: Cabin Fever second annual chili cook off. Noon to 3 pm only. Taste and See then Vote for your favorite chili with dollars, so bring plenty. There will be chili and cornbread for all attendees made by our world famous chef Gretchen Palmer from...Read more

Want company? Share this event on Facebook and Twitter.

We hope you can make it!

Cheers,
Crutches4Africa

Hands of the Carpenter Prayer Requests

2011-01-15T16:41:00.001-07:00

Hands of The Carpenter is a faith-based nonprofit community passionate about serving an often overlooked group - single parent families and widows in need. Hands provides automobile repair and maintenance; enabling them to maintain a job, get children to school and keep medical appointments.

*Hands of the Carpenter receives 40-50 calls per week – unfortunately we are able to serve approximately 2 per week! Please pray the Lord continues to build our ability to serve more clients, as the need is obviously there.

*The financial needs of our clients are overwhelming – please pray the Lord proves Himself faithful as their husband and provider; protector, comforter and companion.

*Please pray for a permanent “place” for our women to meet together on a regular basis. Our shop is not large enough to create a safe and secure “space.”

*Please pray for our wisdom, direction and discernment as we seek to minister to the Lakewood community.

*Please pray that more churches will hear and see and understand God’s heart for the widow and orphans of our day – that the Spirit leads and people respond to God’s calling to care for them.

Christmas and New Year's Greetings from the Mairoris

2011-01-12T21:26:00.000-07:00

   From the Mairori family we want to wish you and MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR. As we look back at the the year 2010, we testify of God's goodness and leadership in our family and ministry.
   As a ministry(ICM Kenya) we have have seen His provision in a year that we anticipated to be very difficult for us financially because of the financial crisis around the world. It is a miracle to look back and see how God provided. We have had all our training programs at the seminary and at the Seminars we conduct around the country go on with great success. The seminary education and the seminars that we offer means a lot to the church leaders here in Kenya and we are grateful that we are able to continue doing that. Thanks for your prayers and support that makes the training available to our Church leaders in Kenya.
   This year in September I was appointed the International Coordinator of ICM. This was very humbling and yet calls for more responsibility on my part. I will be working closely with Phil Walker and the other country directors in providing leadership to our organization. I request your prayers.
   Roselyne is working with the Children of Hope. She very excited with what God is doing in bringing hope the orphaned and abandoned kids.
   Our kids are all doing well. Seth and Kathy were baptized this past Saturday. It was great for us as parents to witness their baptism. Seth is in the 9th grade and Kathy is in the 6th Grade. Grace is in the first grade. They are all doing very well in their studies.
   As a family we are very grateful for your partnership in ministry. Thank you for praying for us and supporting us financially. Together we are able to touch the lives of many here in Kenya.
God bless you indeed. Have and Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Stephen , Roselyne, Seth, Kathy and Grace.

LMCCMissions

The Power of Confidence in Christ

Isaac-Ismail Initiative Update

It's that time again....for CHILI!!!

Brian and Suzy Newman-the Isaac-Ishmail Initiative

Christ's Body Ministries--Falling Through the Cracks

Caleb Home from India for Christmas

Crutches for Africa opportunity!

HOTC Fall Banquet

Caleb Holman--article from the Woodstock Tiger newspaper

Brian and Suzy Newman

Caleb Holman---Lifeguard Trainer

Hands of the Carpenter Car Care Clinic

HIV Carelink

Hands of the Carpenter Car Care Clinic

Alternatives Pregnancy Center Prayers

More from Caleb Holman ministering at Woodside School in India

Caleb Holman

Serve the City Recap

Crutches for Africa update...

Hands of the Carpenter Car Clinic

Alternatives Pregnancy Center Prayer Requests

Crutches for Africa...currently in Kenya

Hand of the Carpenter Updates--Praise God!

Hands of the Carpenter-Prayer Requests

Amsterdam Mission Trip--Last Day

Amsterdam Mission Trip--Day 6

Amsterdam Mission Trip Day 5

Amsterdam Mission: Day 4

Amsterdam, Day 3

June 1: Amsterdam Day 2

Amsterdam, Serve the City, Day 1

HIV Carelink Benefit

HIV Care Link's 14-Year Celebration and Benefit Dessert!

Sunday, June 12, 2011, 6:00 to 8:00 PMAt the Madcap Theater

Come, bring your friends and be merry!

HIV Care Link Benefit Concert April 29

Street's Hope Research Survey

Cadence International Armed Forces Ministries

Crutches for Africa...update!

Crutches for Africa...in Africa!

Street's Hope

HIV Carelink

Another story from the Dominican Republic

Pics from the DR

Caleb Holman at Woodstock School in India

News from the Dominican Republic

Serve the City...Amsterdam

DR Mission Trip

Heading to the Dominican Republic

Christ's Body Ministries

Alternatives Pregnancy Center

Crutches for Africa Chili Cook Off

Hands of the Carpenter Prayer Requests

Christmas and New Year's Greetings from the Mairoris

Sunday, June 12, 2011, 6:00 to 8:00 PM
At the Madcap Theater