Grace United Methodist Church

GREETINGS FROM OUR YOUTH INTERNS

Alexandra Parks is a junior at Indiana Wesleyan University. She is pursuing a double major in Christian Education and Youth ministry. She is a native from Columbus, Indiana, also the home of John Bundick. She has a twin sister who goes to Indiana University and majoring in English. This summer she is working with the former intern, Josh Lemons in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Joe Fry - Navigators - Specialist, Africa - $3,726.00

(Rather than win souls for Christ "one on one", his group's mission is transform whole communities by "Discipling for Development". In Africa where so many poor live, Joe blends community development with discipleship to expand God's Kingdom among poor and unreached people groups. He and his staff teach the people how to teach others, thereby multiplying ministry over and over. The result is an advancement in health, agriculture, and water resources as well as building relationships for the glory of God. He says we do this because God in His Word said; "The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor..." Jesus, of course, knew that the poor must not be left out. He went to them and so do we.)

Joe is an Associate Director, Mission Moving Mountains, A Ministry of the Navigators, headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado. With recent additions, Joe's field includes Senegal, Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, Ghana, Malawi, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo Brazzaville, and Rwanda.

Dave Ginn - Europe - Support $3,420.00

Dave and Shari Ginn, graduates of Wheaton College, have served with Campus Crusade for Christ since 1988. They moved to Bucharest, Romania in 1992, where Dave served as the CCC national director from 1998 until 2003 when he had the joy of turning his job over to a Romanian national. In 2003, the Ginns moved to Budapest, Hungary. In the Spring of 2009, Dave turned his responsibilities as a Regional Director to a national, Marek Wyrzykowski in order to accept the role of "Strategy Director". Rather than as a Regional Director being responsible for the work in Romania, Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, Bulgaria and Moldova, Dave will lead 8 "strategies" in 19 Area countries of Eastern Europe and Russia. These "Strategies" include evangelism and discipleship targeted toward college students, high school teachers, churches, military personnel, executives, families, athletes and musicians. In addition, he will retain his work with Russia as its Regional Director for the next 2 to 3 years. Sheri continues to give direction to the use of the movie "Magdalena, Released from Shame".

Steve Turley - U.S. Rice University, Houston, Texas - Support $1,500.00

Steve works with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship at Rice University, Houston, Texas, where he tries to advance witnessing communities of graduate students and faculty within the academic context. First, he works to build community, so that students and professors can feel encouraged as believers in what can be a hostile context. He organizes large and small groups for Bible study, prayer, discussion, and service.

Second, he works to challenge and equip students and professors to go out from these communities to be witnesses for Christ in the university. His wife, Ruth, is a vital asset in this work, as she herself is a Christian professor with an extensive and powerful ministry of mentoring students.”.

Ken Vance- Zambia, Africa - Support $3,420.00

Ken is co-Pastor of the Ndola Towne UMC and working with leaders of the Kafakumba Training Center (KTC) and directs the Kafakumba Pastor's School. His responsibilities also include overseeing and working with the continued construction of the Training Center, agricultural projects, including bananas and aloe vera.

Mama Deb works with the Pastor's wives and children, as well as hospitality for groups and individuals who come to Ndola for short-term mission work. The building is under construction that will house the Women's Training Center at KTC.

Kevin VanWagner - Wycliffe - Dallas, Texas - Support $3,420.00

Kevin and Lynette have brought their field experience in Guatemala and Indonesia to their new assignment in Dallas, Texas. Kevin is serving in career guidance, helping new Wycliffe members and members who are transitioning into new roles find the place of service within Wycliffe where they will have the most impact for God's kingdom. Lynette helps with training.

Wycliffe is one of many groups involved in translating the Scriptures to over 2,000 Bibleless language groups. With support this task is targeted to be accomplished by 2025.

Compassion International is a Christian organization that supports over a million children in 24 countries who live in poverty. We sponsor two children at the low cost of $32 each per month. Rosa Blanco was born February 24, 1992 and is sponsored by the "Bible Study Class" led by Brent Chapman. We first got to know her when she was in the first grade. She liked playing "hide and seek", running and playing with dolls. Her grades were average. There were 7 children in the family and her father worked part time. Her mother cared for the children.

Time has passed and now Rosa is in middle school. Now there are 6 in the family. She enjoys singing, running, playing ball and going to Sunday School and Bible Class. She is responsible for making beds, cleaning and running errands. Father works sometimes and mother maintains the home.

Another child, sponsored by the TLC Class, led by Ted Leas, is Supakit Klinkong from Thailand. He turned 19 in March of 2009 and will soon be "on his own". He writes: "' Hello. I'm so glad to write a letter to you again. How are you and your family? My family and I are fine, but my grandfather is sick. He has to go to the hospital, so I have to take care of him and be with him. Please much pray to God for my grandfather, because he is so old. I will study in the first year of the vocational degree in this year. The new semester will start in the middle of May. I didn't join the summer camp of the project. I am so sorry about that. I couldn't join it because I have to help my family work and take care of my grandfather, who is sick.