Never be tired of speaking of Christ

Do you ever try to do good to others? If you do, remember to tell them about Christ. Tell the young, tell the poor, tell the aged, tell the ignorant, tell the sick, tell the dying - tell them all about Christ. Tell them of His power, and tell them of His love; tell them of His doings, and tell them of His feelings; tell them what He has done for the chief of sinners; tell them what He is willing to do until the last day of time; tell it to them over and over again. Never be tired of speaking of Christ. Say to them broadly and fully, freely and unconditionally, unreservedly and undoubtingly, ‘Come unto Christ, as the penitent thief did; come unto Christ, and you shall be saved.’

J.C.Ryle

All one in Christ

Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Sunday evening we were listening to Pastor G. preach, suddenly our oldest son began to quote the text above. He had heard the Pastor mention the words Jew and Gentile, and immediately felt the need to quote and explain the meaning of Gal. 3:28. It dawned on me that children are sponges, their brains absorb everything. We need to share the gospel with them as early as possible.

(This excerpt is the second part of our Dominican trip experience.)

On our trip we were privileged to hand out Bibles and colouring books with Bible versus for the young children. (If you would like to see a samples, go to Bible Verse Coloring books.) We handed out the colouring books to some of the younger children, but soon realised that even the older children were interested. Many children there don't own a colouring book. Someone had kindly donated little packages of crayons to the mission, so we were able to attach them to each booklet. 

Rosalyn and Ray were very excited with their new colouring books

We also shared the colouring books with a local Pastor, he was going to hand them out at the next Sunday school class. Here are some of the Pastors children eagerly colouring.

Before we left, someone gave a donation towards a washing machine and dryer. New Hope was in desperate need of a proper washer and dryer to sanitize the girls' clothes. We shopped around at several appliance stores in order to find the best deal. When it comes to appliances, a good deal is hard to find, they are outrageously expensive there. We finally ended up at a store called, "Price Smart", it is equivalent to our Cost-co. As a matter of fact, they carried several items with the Kirkland brand on them. God gave us an amazing deal here, there was a washer and dryer set completely assembled and for an amazing price. The only problem was, Price Smart didn't deliver, so what to do? You call a local taxi truck and he will deliver!

The delivery truck

Fresh fruit is so tasty when ripened on the tree. I don't know if we've ever eaten so much pineapple in one week. Each day, on our way to La Vega, we bought from locals who walked with an arm full of pineapples through traffic. They would get so excited if we waved them over to buy from them, I think they did fairly well while were there! 

All the girls at New Hope received new socks. The socks all had coloured bottoms, so each girl received socks with their favourite colour on them. It was so neat to see how a few pairs of socks could make children so excited. Sophia and Joy sorted through clothes to see what would fit whom. Each girl was given a "new" outfit, they were so excited to try them on and show us. It's amazing how little items we take for granted are treasured there. 

 Sophia and Joy sorting clothes

The Girls eagerly awaiting as all the items are pulled out of the boxes

I will include a picture of the flip flops the women make and sell. They are super comfy and beautiful. You are able to order them through their Facebook account, "New Hope Girls Academy" or by emailing using the website, with the same name. 

Well, I was intending this to be the last post about our trip, but it appears I still have more pictures and stories to share. Hopefully I will have time later this week to complete another entry.

New Hope

"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11)



I recall saying to my husband Chad, "Wouldn't it be great if we could collect $1000 for New Hope?" We sent out emails and made phone calls, and God moved hearts to give. God opened hearts and the gifts surpassed our expectations. Who would have imagined this? I felt awful for belittling our God. He does miracles, miracles so great we can't even fathom them! Many people gave other items that were needed, we are so grateful. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Sophia and I left on April 20 to head to Seattle airport, our flight left at 11:00pm but with a three hour drive ahead, we decided to leave on time. We flew a red eye flight, I managed to snooze most of the way there, while Sophia closed an eye here and there. We arrived in Santiago, Dominican Republic at 12:00 noon, dropped off our bags and headed over to one of the local swimming pools to meet up with our friends Sherilyn and Anthony Koster. We enjoyed our afternoon lounging around and catching a few rays of sun! We had a great time of conversation and headed to Joy and Vidal's house around 5:00 pm. Joy and Vidal are the people that started New Hope Girls Academy in Dominican Republic.

On Sunday we enjoyed going to one of the local churches where many of the teachers from Santiago Christian School attend. (thankfully you could wear a head set which had the sermon translated into English) After Church we went home with Sherilyn and Anthony and spent the entire day relaxing there.

Monday was a transforming day. Even Joy and Vidal couldn't have predicted what we were about to see. Upon arrival at New Hope Girls school, there was a new child sitting amongst the other students. Her Father had dropped her off with a tiny bag of clothes. Here was this child, small, and alone. Her hope was "New Hope", the name is very suiting. I can honestly say, this little girls story impacted me deeply. I cannot share the details, but it caused me to contemplate all the blessings we have in North America, we live in a dream! I will post a picture of her belongings, I'm sure if we had to pack up everything we owned, it wouldn't fit in a Safeway bag.




I will try and give you a glimpse of what the rest of the week looked like. After spending quite a bit of time at the Girls school, we headed over to Rosa's house. She is the women behind the flip flops and purses. God has given this women many talents, her cooking was amazing, but her sewing abilities are incredible! In November, when my husband and I visited we gave Rosa a pattern for a purse, she took it and ran with it. They are currently sewing purses and designing flip flops with beads that they sell. Between November and now Rosa had saved up enough money to buy a moped. She can now bring her children to school instead of paying for a taxi. The picture below is with Dahlia and I on the moped bringing the Serger away to be repaired. Sophia and I brought a Serger along for them so that their projects would be completed faster, but the timing on the machine needed to be adjusted.





The workshop where the women work has dirt floors, a tin roof (which has so many holes in it, that when it rains the women can't work) and old tree branches holding it up. Someone generously gave money to have this totally rebuilt. When Joy shared this with Rosa, she covered her face with her hands and exclaimed, "Thank you Jesus"! Rosa has several women working along side her, but guards her house carefully from gossip and evil. She's a true example of what we need to be as Christians! We were also able to purchase some Rubber-maid totes for the material. Rosa was so excited she raised them above her head and exclaimed once again, "thank you Jesus"! The progress of the building will be shared on the New Hope Blog located here

We brought along Bibles and coloring books. One box of Bibles was given to a Taxi driver who Chad and I met in November. Many people in his church cannot afford to purchase a Bible and we promised we would bring more Bibles to them. The people there are so hungry for God's Word! The other box of Bibles was given to a Pastor which lives at the bottom of the mountain where the girls school is located (see picture below) When we asked him if he wanted the Bibles, he said in Spanish, "There's a soul for everyone of these Bibles, I'm on my way to a revival meeting right now"! Because we were experiencing torrential rains that day, He placed them in a big garbage bag and off he went on his motorcycle.



The Women's workshop


The Pastor with the Bibles

"God can move the mountains", echoed over the Valley of La Vega as the girls sang for us before we headed off. They sat in front of the window of the girls school singing praises to God. For many of these girls, God has moved mountains! For them, New Hope is a safe place and a place where they find New Hope! They learn about Jesus being their Saviour, life skills, reading, writing, and math.  Many of these these things we take for granted. I will stop writing before this post becomes a book! We ask that you will remember to pray for Joy and Vidal. When you work there, it is evident that Satan isn't happy with what they are doing. He constantly is trying to discourage, but we know our God is Greater! Please pray that they will be encouraged by our Heavenly Father.


The evening we left

I hope to add another post about our trip next week.

There’s two ways to solve a Rubik’s Cube.

There’s two ways to solve a Rubik’s Cube; one is to peel the stickers off and cheat, the other is to toil over the thing until you learn how to do it correctly.
I think it’s like that with our Christian lives. We can cheat ourselves by peeling the stickers off and putting them in the right places so the world thinks we’re all set and good. The alternative is to do some toiling of our own. Searching our own hearts if we are truly in the faith.

Jack Westerink, a brother in the Lord who has ALS recently wrote the following on his blog ” just because you are dying, it doesn't mean that you stop living” a statement that is so true and should speak to us all. It begs the question; will we still be here when the sun rises in the morning? At times it is said “we are still in the land of the living”. When I hear that statement I always have the inclination to correct it into “we are in the land of the dying”.

It made me think of the young girl who received a gift from her boyfriend to go on a tandem hang gliding jump from one of the local mountains here this week. Only seconds into the flight she fell some 300 meters to her death. She had expected to land in a green pasture maybe 30 minutes later. Instead she died and met her Maker that day. Even if you don’t hang glide, death can come at anytime, the question is, are we ready.

I want to share an amazing sermon I heard on Sunday at our church, you can listen to it here. It gave me renewed hope and courage to go on. God is doing great things in our lives. I hope you will take the time to listen. This sermon on Hebrews 12: 1-2 gave me much courage, how that we are to run the race that is set before us. Yes, we will encounter difficult times during our race, however, if we keep our eyes on Christ we will be able to endure until the end.

I feel so well that we decided a few weeks ago to go for 18 days to the Netherlands, the country of my birth. Some of highlights of this trip are to attend a wedding, visit family and be part of recording and broadcast of Christian music, Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual songs accompanied by choirs and orchestra and a variety of other instruments including audience participation. We can sing to our hearts desire on May 15 in one of the oldest Gothic Basilica Cathedrals in Holland, dating back to 1470. That makes this Cathedral 540 years old. Once we get back, Lord willing, I hope to post a recording of this event.

Because I don’t have to be back until May 25 for a CT scan we are able to go to Europe. The doctors felt it was no problem for me to go. On May 30 I hope to get the CT scan results. We continue to pray for complete healing, and I continue to believe with all my heart that God can do the impossible. I continue to feel good and wonder at times what is happening inside and look forward to the scan results.

The next time I will write on my blog will be the last week of May, Lord willing. However there will be others that will fill in for me. Our daughters Stephanie and Sophia returned safely from Dominican Republic after a safe but moving journey. They will tell you all about it, I am sure you will enjoy reading about their experiences.

Until then I wish you God’s blessings, God be with you till we meet again.
John

You Cannot Reach Paradise Without a Cross

All the children of God have a cross to carry. They have trials, troubles, and afflictions to go through for the Gospel's sake. They have trials from the world, trials from the flesh, and trials from the devil. They have trials of feeling from relations and friends - hard words, hard conduct, and hard judgment. They have trials in the matter of character - slander, misrepresentation, mockery, suggestion of false motives - all these often rain thick upon them. They have trials in the matter of worldly interest. They often have to choose whether they will please people, and lose glory; or gain glory and offend people. They have trials from their own hearts. They have each generally their own thorn in the flesh, which is their worst foe. This is the experience of the children of God. Some of them suffer more, and some less. Some of them suffer in one way, and some in another. God measures out their portions like a wise physician, and cannot err. But never, I believe, was there one child of God who reached paradise without a cross.
J.C. Ryle

God hears the needy when they cry.

The last week has been a remarkable week to say the least. In my last posting I shared with you how our daughters Stephanie and Sophia will undertake a trip to help those in great need at an orphanage in Dominican Republic. God indeed heard the cry of the needy and opened the hearts of people to give in a most abundant way. A Bible verse came to mind today from Malachi 3:10 Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. The girls had hoped to take goods and $1000.

The girls are at the point that they are over the allowable amount of free luggage by air and by the time they leave on April 20 the monetary donations will have far exceeded expectations. It is for that reason we must never think too small of God. He is an amazing God, He indeed hears the needy when they cry. Thank you for opening your hearts and please pray that the huge amount of luggage will travel at no charge with Delta Airlines.

Another miracle is the story that unfolded this week of Jacob and Anja Oosterwijk from Southern Alberta who got lost in the vast back country of British Columbia. Many prayers were made to God for their safe return, including a prayer service, and later a thanksgiving service. God heard the needy when they cried, the cries of their children, loved ones and friends and total strangers. You can read here and watch how the story unfolded. Amazing Grace indeed.

As for myself, God is blessing me too in a remarkable way. I have not had Chemo Therapy treatments since the end of January and feel amazingly well. I will have a CT scan on May 25 and a follow up visit with my Oncologist on May 30 for the results and consultation. Again I am looking forward to hear what the CT scan results will show and we continue to pray for amazing results from an amazing God who gives more grace and blessing each day.

Psalm 72: 12 For he shall deliver the needy when he cries; the poor also, and him that has no helper.

Time and again we can see God’s blessings all around us. I hope you see them too. Please take time to reflect on all your blessings and don’t forget to count the little ones, they are as important as the big blessings.

Thank you for your continued prayers for us. God is good, all the time.

John

In Christ there is no East or West

This blog entry is not about me this time but in support of some very special people in very special circumstances with a very great need. I want to share the story with you.

Mark 14: 7 (Jesus spoke these words) For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good for them. But you will not always have me.

In November of last year, our daughter Stephanie and her husband Chad were privileged to visit and work at a mission called “New Hope Girls Academy” in the Dominican Republic in the small town of La Vega. They were moved by the work that God is doing at this small mission station, but they were also deeply moved by the poverty that the founders, Joy and Vidal are operating in.

Joy and Vidal are living from day to day solely depending on donations for survival. The prayer “Lord give us this day our daily bread” is so real in their lives as they rely on God’s help each day to provide for their needs. Financial and prayer support is desperately needed at this mission station where they care for girls who are in great need of care, food and education.

Joy and Vidal have built a small school to educate these children. The school teacher, who is a Christian, is a registered teacher who has committed to volunteer at the school, she also holds a regular job teaching at the public school. Children without birth certificates are unable to attend Public school. For children without education it is nearly impossible to find employment later in life.

Several years ago, Joy and Vidal left their home in Oregon to answer Gods call to the Dominican Republic. They felt the need to help the less fortunate, rescue the oppressed and most importantly bring the Gospel. They have a family of four lovely children. Joy and Vidal are teaching the local women how to make purses and flip flops with embellishments which they can sell in order to provide for their families.

Being deeply moved by their experience, Stephanie has decided to return on April 20 with Sophia her sister to equip the mission with “fishing rods”. They will be loaded down with extra luggage and transport a near new Serger sewing machine to teach the local women to sew items that can be sold to support their families.

Some people in Canada have designated money towards a feeding program for the 13 children that attend the school and many other much needed supplies. The mission’s goal is to make these families self sufficient and bring the Gospel to a people who are in great need of help and of Christ. Please consider prayerfully to support this mission that is in desperate need of your help. You can visit the website for New Hope Girls Academy here; you can also donate directly online on this website. A short video produced by Joy on New Hope Girls Academy can be viewed here. Feel free to drop Stephanie an email at c.s.hampson@gmail.com or Sophia at vdts@comcast.net they would gladly accept checks or cash to deliver directly to New Hope Girls mission.

As parents we want to give our dear daughters a word of encouragement.
Dear Sophia and Stephanie, as parents we feel blessed that God has laid this on your heart and to have compassion on the poor and needy. Be assured that as always, that we will pray for you, and that you may be a blessing to the people there who are anxiously awaiting your arrival. "Go in peace. The journey on which you go is under the eye of the LORD." (Judges 18:6)
God be with you till we meet again.
Deeply loved
Mom and Dad

In Christ there is no East or West,
In Him no South or North;
But one great fellowship of love
Throughout the whole wide earth.

In Him shall true hearts everywhere
Their high communion find;
His service is the golden cord,
Close binding humankind.

Join hands, then, members of the faith,
Whatever your race may be!
Who serves my Father as His child
Is surely kin to me.

In Christ now meet both East and West,
In Him meet North and South;
All Christly souls are one in Him
Throughout the whole wide earth.