WMB SAM hosts National WMB Coordinator's Summit
Communication leaders from throughout South America gathered February 21-24 for the first annual National WMB Coordinator’s Summit at the Regional Communications Center in Pilar, Argentina. The summit was designed to further establish a virtual team of communication strategists, redefine roles and responsibilities in an ever-changing world of technology and unify the vision for World Mission Broadcast in South America.
The summit included several workshops, including Effectively Using Media, The Secret to Creativity, Communicating the Gospel God’s Way and Adopting A Communication Strategists Mentality. These workshops lead up to a brain storming session where several new ideas and innovative strategies were presented. “Each workshop was a unique, fun and interesting experience,” shares Gustavo Perales, WMB National Coordinator from Peru. “Personally, I return home challenged and excited to put into practice all I that have learned and to do my very best for God.”
Jake's World
He's 7 now and has lost two teeth! He so very patiently waited for some to be loose, and now he's lost two of them. So far, he's lost one a month since turning 7. As for now, there aren't any more that are loose, but we're anticipating one moving soon.
He's in first grade and doing very well. He's been enjoying our puppy, Victoria. We will be selling her soon, but he's having fun with her for now. He's also been taking guitar lessons at school. He is doing great and can play Mary Had A Little Lamb.
Plans are on the way for Jake's World III: Kids are Missionaries Too! We're already getting ready to go into production for this third DVD. Catch in at a Mission's Service near you!
Brian & Lynne
Brian has stayed very busy with his work schedule. The last couple of month’s he has travelled to Bolivia and Peru. He gave Communication’s workshops and were very successful. There was a great turn out and a lot of enthusiasm present. Brian also had his first opportunity to eat the local dish CUY, which is basically a guinea pig.
His parents, Jim & Sandy, will be coming at the beginning of April, for their 3rd trip here to visit us. We are so looking forward to spending some time with them and taking some vacation time while Jacob is on Spring Break. The day his parents leave, he, along with the other Regional Coordinator’s for the South America and Mexico and Central America Regions will be meeting together in Panama to help develop the lay leadership training schools as it is a shared strategy and we don’t want to duplicate the work.
Lynne is staying busy as the Field Treasurer for the Southern Cone Field. She truly enjoys her job and is blessed to be able to work with such a great team of people. She has been hosting a Ladies' Bible Study with some of the other missionary ladies that live near us. They are currently studying the book, "How to Read the Bible So It Changes Your Life." It really is impacting us in a great way. If you haven't read it, we highly recommend it. Sunday School at our local church gets postponed for the summer, but will be resuming next week. Lynne and Brian our co-teachers for the young adult class. Please pray as we get back into Sunday School, that the Lord will bless those in our class.
From Esperanza.net
“I have many problems in my life. I want to do bad things. Many times my desires overtake me. I would like you to pray for me that God can help me.” Saul, 17 Mexico
“I want to learn to me nice and to love those around me. I want to be better person and learn how to be a child of God.” Claudia, 22 El Salvador
“I want to know more about the Holy Spirit.” Carmen, 46 Spain
“I listen to the radio in the early mornings. You have many wonderful messages. I want to have contact with you to understand and have answers.” Manuel, 33 Ecuador
“I want my husband to change. I want him to stop drinking and to come back to his home. Please pray for me.” Ligia, 25 Bolivia
“My need is to have a relationship with God. I want to give Him all my fears and doubts.” Elena, 46 Chile
“I want to ask for prayer for my mother-in-law. She has breast cancer.” Angie 26, Panama
From the Trenches…
(Actual testimonies from local WMB radio ministries in South America)
“We first received contact from a listener named Betty in August. She wrote, ‘Hello Word of Hope friends. I am writing you to tell you that I very much like your program because it teaches me the Bible and I am learning to pray.
I want to tell you that I am a Catholic woman and I don’t identify myself with Evangelicals. I continue to listen to your program and the pastor who speaks during this time, because he gives good lessons. I realize that through your prayers, God has help me a lot in my life.’ Betty continues to communicate with us and wants to meet us personally to talk more about God.”
- From Dr. Santiago Bereche leader of WMB Program “Palabra de Esperanza” (Word of Hope) in Santo Domingo, Ecuador
“Nelly is a young adult who for many years has been abused by her father. Her father makes her life a drama full of pain. She confessed to us that she has suffered for many years. She shared this with her mother and her response was denial in silence. For years she has looked for help and never obtained it. Some months ago she listened to the program by chance and had the opportunity to meet with us. When we saw her terrified face, we recognized that this is a full person of fears, tension and complexities. We ask permission to find out the reason for those characteristics.
Some were answered. We only saw eyes soaked with tears. Through God working, she told us everything. It was something painful, amazing and dramatic to know this difficult story. It was hard to believe. My wife and I are counseling with her with God’s help. Finally, after many hours of listening and a long process of dsicleship, on December 27th, she received Jesus in her heart. She has already decided to attend the Church of the Nazarene. I request pray for this new daughter of God.”
- From Romaín Sosa leader of the WMB Program “Génesis” (Genesis) in Jaén, Peru
· Please pray for the National Communications Coordinators as they return to their countries excited about what the Lord can accomplish through communications.
· Please pray for Marcelo & Viviana Fretes—they’ve been on the Communications team for quite awhile now. They feel the Lord is calling them to Ecuador where they will be Youth Pastors to Viviana’s home church in Riobamba. Pray for traveling mercies, and that their positions will be filled quickly with quality people.
· Please pray for the Casas family, as they will be arriving in Argentina soon. He will be working in Communications. Pray their adjustment and move will be easy.
· Please pray for Bud and Judy Grumm—volunteer missionaries that arrived last week to work in the Cono Sur Field Office. Please pray their communication barriers and adjustment to Argentina will go smoothly.
