Following the 7.9 earthquake in August, the Lord put it in our executive director’s heart to start a mission outreach in Peru. I, along with our director, Mary Alice Isleib, and Bill Gibson, COI Operations director,  visited and saw firsthand the many ministry opportunities to help the people and to expand God’s Kingdom. The Lord blessed us with strong connections there to partner with and develop ministries for this disaster relief.  COI now has ministry in Peru!

The main areas where we’ll be working are the towns of Pisco and Ica, which were most affected by the earthquake.  Right now some shelter homes are being built for the people who lost everything. 

 
One of the most important ministries that we could have here is with the children, because they’re very affected by the destruction and loss.  Some of them lost one or more members of their family, along with everything they had. 

 Also, most of the churches were destroyed or damaged and need to be repaired or rebuilt.  Many pastors are struggling without their churches, and most of their members lost their homes too.  Right now is the perfect time to go and bring the gospel because people are open and hungry to hear what God has to tell them. 

Even with all the disaster and destruction surrounding them, you can see that the people are willing to go on, they have hope that one day they’ll have a home again and are ready to work. It is a great blessing that COI can be part of what the Lord will do in this nation.

YOU CAN BE PART OF THE PLAN OF GOD FOR PERU!  

Share This

It is so amazing how sports are a great way to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

On April the basket ball team from Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, the Lady Nights: Alexa Weaver, Renee Militello, Lauren Turner, Laura Strode, Grace Gebauer, Lauren Carver, Sara VanderWaal, Bethanie Donovan, Sarah Grenier, Whitney McCloud, Sarah Homan, headed by the leader and coach Krista Newell and the second coach  Rob Mouw came to Chihuahua Mexico.

They played three games against two of the Chihuahua State Selections. The Lady Nights shared the gospel in every game to players and basket ball staff.

The Lord opened the doors for them and were invited to a TV Program called “Let’s Talk About Basket Ball”. They were introduced by a bronze medal mexican olympic athlete. They shared the purpose of their visit to Mexico including their faith. They appeared in one of the best local newspaper as well.

The third and last game was played in Delicias City, Chihuahua, where they won the game in the last seconds. A game that became very tight after the second quarter. My self and the audience really enjoyed that game!

They also worked a couple days with children of an orphanage sharing the Gospel and taking them to the park where they played for hours.

We were so blessed by their visit!

Share This

Hola!  We wanted to experience just what our Groups do when they travel to Chihuahua, Mexico, and minister with Mary Alice to the ladies at the Conference. Our entry point to Mexico is El Paso, Texas. We were met by our new friend, Umberto, a member of the COI partner church in Chihuahua, who drove us the three hour trip.  He spoke some English, so we got a running commentary on the areas we passed through, along with some history.  Mexico seems to have a wide range of scenery-desert and mountains, as well as the culture; luxurious hotels alongside areas of poverty.

After a day of travel, we met for dinner with Mary Alice and our COI Latin American director, Jose and his assistant, Alex.  We have spoken with them by telephone, but meeting them in person was wonderful!  They have such a heart for God, for people, for missions and they both have great personalities.  Later, meeting their wives and families, we all bonded together in a great new level of relationship.  They all have great attitudes and we had great fun with them.

We stayed in the COI Missions house, which was unexpectedly large and set up to accommodate our groups. 

Bill visited one of the orphanages with Jose and Alex, and was impressed with the excellence of the ministry there.  He was so touched when one of the little boys (nino) grabbed him for a big hug around his knees.

The Women’s Conference was awesome!  It was great to see so many ladies (and men) so hungry for God (600+)!  Mary Alice spoke (with interpreter) on the Power of Prayer and how prayer changes things in our lives and even in nations.  She also ministered the evening message, continuing on the importance of prayer and different kinds of effective prayer.  When she gave an invitation to receive ministry for a deeper prayer life, 80% of the congregation responded!  At first we thought they didn’t understand, but they did and came forward for ministry.  There were many who later expressed their thanks for what God did for them through Mary Alice’s ministry.

The ministry in Mexico really impacted us.  The need there is great, as well as the wonderful opportunities for ministry.  Please consider traveling with Mary Alice when she offers another trip.  Get a group together from your church or community to go there, or anywhere COI offers ministry!

We left a piece of our hearts there with our new friends and the city.  We now have more of a focus in our prayers for Mexico!  Jesus is Lord over Mexico!  We encourage you to get up and get out of your city; your nation and your comfort zone and GO be a blessing to others.  You will find that you will also leave with a blessing from them and from God.  COI is here to help you make it happen!  Gloria a Dios (Glory to God)!
Adios, Hasta luego, (Goodby, See you later)

Share This

 Thirty-eight students traveled all the way from Washington State and lent their helping hands on several spring cleaning projects at the new 37^th Street property.

Share This

Dr. Tim McGarvey took his team (Northwestern College Symphonic Band) on an outreach mission trip to Chihuahua, Mexico during the first week of March. The team got off to a rough start as they had 2 feet of snow fall in Omaha the day before their flight to El Paso. Dr. McGarvey led his team through the adversity and made a real impact in Chihuahua.

The Northwestern College Symphonic Band held 5 concerts. Camargo City Theater, The Heroes Theater, Palabra Viva Church, Chihuahua City Theater and Delicias City Theater were blessed by their performances.

Some of the pieces performed were Magnum Mysterium, Southern Harmony and Be Thou My Vision. The Gospel was shared during intermissions. During each performance Dr. McGarvey explained who the pieces were composed for and why. He also explained God’s mystery about sending His son Jesus to earth in order to die for us.

Accolades were printed in the local newspaper with the headline: “The Heroes Theater Vibrates”. It mentions how two bands, the Northwestern College Symphonic Band and the State Philharmonic of Chihuahua, gathered together to play in this concert. The Director of the Department of Culture of the State of Chihuahua was heard saying: “It is great to take God out of the church and bring Him to the theater. It doesn’t matter if I get fired for this!”

After the concerts the team was able to share the Gospel and hand-out bibles. Some of the people told C.O.I.’s missionaries that they felt peace in their heart while the band was playing. Dr. McGarvey’s team received a very warm reception.

In all, nearly 7000 people attended the concerts and over 500 people accepted Christ. What an abundant harvest! This mission trip was a resounding success.

Share This