August 2012 has proven to be one of the busiest months we have had in quite a while.  We began with the outreach to Guatemala, which we will speak more of shortly.  Then three days after our return, we dashed off to Lawrenceville, GA for the arrival of Ethan Daniel Jones, our fifth grandchild… but first grandson!  Ethan was born Sunday, August 19^th, weighing in at 7 lb. 15 oz.

He’s quite handsome with a head full of dark hair.  Big sister, Emma, is enamored with him and has taken an active part in holding and feeding him.  Mom and dad are doing well and adjusting quickly to this precious new addition.

A few hours after Ethan’s birth, David drove home to Ocala leaving Diane to help Erin for a few days.  On Monday he began the set-up process for the Missions Yard Sale at Wings of Faith Fellowship.  The sale typically generates “good” money for the upcoming trips (this year, to Haiti and Romania) but the two-day sale takes more than a week including prep and clean-up.

Our ministry trip to Casa Shalom orphanage in San Lucas, Guatemala was a great experience!  From a leadership perspective, it was one of our easiest outreaches.  Each team member was enthusiastic and focused on the various projects we had scheduled with Josh and Jessica Hanson, directors of Casa Shalom.

Part of the team conducted a vacation Bible school program for the elementary-aged children each  morning before they went to school.  The VBS was complete with music, games, crafts and Bible drama stories.  We are thrilled that 12 of the children      responded to the invitation for salvation!

The men “bricked” a retaining wall of a parking pad.  While it was utilitarian, it was not visually appealing. The new finish transformed it into something that adds value to the property.

The ladies painted the interior of the “baby house”.  Nine rooms got a fresh coat of paint and a new mural was hand-painted in the main room.  Since the ladies were so “efficient” they tackled a second house with two rooms which will become housing for new staff.  Well done, ladies!

Please enjoy the following video summary of the trip:

• September 28-30, 2012

With August behind us we now turn our attention to the Wings of Faith World Missions Conference.  This will be the 18th year we have hosted this meeting.  Our theme for the conference is If YOU Know HIM – YOU Can Tell THEM!  We want to show people that regardless of their gifting, there is a place for you in missions.

On Friday evening we will hear from Pastor Richard Derrick Notice, a Jamaica national who leads Fresh Oil Ministries in Orlando.  Dr. Sam Chand, former president and chancellor of Beulah Heights University, Atlanta, GA and currently a board member of EQUIP, John Maxwell’s ministry to develop leaders, will address the congregation on Sunday.  These men, with our missionaries, will bring a first-person perspective of missions.  Don’t miss it!

• November 8-15, 2012
• Cost: $1,350

For the third year in a row, David will lead a team to Haiti in November where they will undertake a construction project, helping restore some of the damage incurred during the 2010 earthquake.  While the quake occurred two years ago, there remains much that has not been repaired or replaced.  It is projected that they will repair roofs on a couple of houses of workers assisting Tom and Ginger Schmidt of Harvest International, an Ocala-based ministry.  We have purchased the airline tickets for the team of five men.

• December 4-11, 2012
• Cost: $2,100

Since 1992 Diane has made annual trips to the     Transylvania region of Romania, sharing the love of Jesus at Christmastime to young and old.  We have people from Florida, Alabama and Maryland going to “physically” minister God’s love through the distribution of staple foods, fruit, hygiene items, and toys for the kids.  Hundreds of pounds of food will be purchased to help sustain village families during the winter months.  Staple items like flour, cornmeal, sugar, rice, oil, margarine, and dry beans will be such a blessing.  Extra treats of canned pork, pasta, peas and even grits will make the Christmas season a little more special.  It will cost about $60 to supply the needs for a family of four.  If you would like to help provide food for these families, please contact us through the “Join Us” link above.  Thank you.