Lifting Up His Name & Raising Up His Church – Los Palos

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This past week in Los Palos, Cuba, two groups (nicknamed Team Wow) arrived from Vermont and Wisconsin to unseasonably heavy rains. Not exactly the conditions anticipated for the dry season by any of us. The opening Sunday service was electrified with excitement, as the church was full to overflowing. As the song, How Great Thou Art rang out; the congregation got on their feet and brought the rafters down. God’s glory rested on us all. The message from Nehemiah was exactly on target. Verses were read that described an impossible task, enemy attacks, courage, and faith. Focus and singleness of purpose were the word of the day. To the Israelites own surprise the project of Nehemiah was completed in 52 days. For Team Wow every morning was a one-hour prayer and praise trip to the project in the pouring rain. Each day as we arrived we watched the black clouds, heavy with rain divert around us. Nightfall brought a continued deluge of rain. The team and the Cubans put their hearts and souls into the work, pressing forward in the muck and humidity, trench by trench. Then we began the hand mixing and pouring of the concrete footings and piers. Eventually, the first pre-fab column and truss rose skyward, and shouts of praise went up. Now many wide eyed onlookers were gathering at the fence watching intently, as brothers of differing races, tongues, and nationalities worked together. Something that hadn’t been seen in a long time and perhaps ever by some was the miracle of a new church rising.

“God can work great miracles when His people resolve to be unselfish.” – Unknown

A special salute to Team Wow whom STAYED CALM AND CARRIED ON. The church at Los Palos thanks you and hope to see you at the dedication. – John Sims

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BUILDERS FOOTPRINT!

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ADVANCE AND COMPLETE!

There are so many things to be thankful for this season, but one thing that stands out to us in a big way are the many teams that have traveled to the field. They are CHAMPIONS and CO-WORKERS. These teams have helped advance and complete many projects. We are so grateful for their hard work and sacrifice! Their builders footprint is making a difference and helping spread the gospel to the nations.

Another key part to our missions work involves finances. Many of you have partnered with us financially, also making it possible to advance and complete many of these projects in Latin America and the Caribbean. These projects consist of churches, schools, rescue centers, and church camps. With your financial help, the lives and futures of many are being changed.

Builders TEAMS in the Latin America and Caribbean Region! (LAC)

  • Bethel Temple – Cuba
  • Bethel Temple – Curacao
  • Faith Assembly, VT – Cuba
  • Lone Star Cowboy – Cuba
  • Oak Creek – Cuba
  • Oak Creek – Costa Rica
  • Cross Mountain – Cuba
  • Plain View 1st Assembly – Cuba
  • Faith Assembly, SC – Cuba
  • Hammonton Assembly – Dominican Republic
  • Evangel Assembly of God- Belize
  • Tomball Assembly of God – Belize
  • Needville Assembly of God – Belize
  • Evadale Assembly of God – Belize

Builders International Teams have also worked in Haiti, Chile, Colombia, and Mexico this last year!

Thank You!

This holiday season our family is especially grateful for all your faithful support this last year.

  • Thank you for your help in sending and going to the field!
  • Thank you for your prayers! We have been blessed with continued good health, a new daughter-in-law, and a college graduate.
  • Thank you for your financial support. Many needs have been met.
  • Thank you for allowing us to share about our missions work. We have been blessed on this itineration time.

We are looking forward to 2016! Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!  – John and Deborah

To Give Click Here THANK YOU!

Ministry in Latin America – Current Projects

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We have the privilege of working together with missionaries serving with Latin America ChildCare, who are dedicated to transforming the lives of needy children with the Good News of Jesus Christ through education and ministries of compassion.

DSC00145CIENAGA LAC SCHOOL This school and its process of development to the point of now sustaining 620 students. Cienaga is a banana farming and fishermen community of 100,000 people with an average income of $308 per month. The next phase of development includes building and equipping a third and final level of the school to increase  its capacity by 200 student.

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SANTIAGO CHILDREN’S MINISTRY  This new facilities include a church, a school, an athletic area, and the offices. Santiago Children’s Ministries serves this city of 6.5 million people in the areas of evangelism, discipleship, hot meals, educational reinforcement, rescue from child prostitution, shelter, medical and foster care.

UnknownMORE KITCHENS IN MATAMOROS This project is a direct response to the city leaders’ cry for help from the church community to help feed hungry children. There are currently 104,000 children in the Matamoros school system, and 70% of them come to school hungry. This is a partnership program between local churches who provide volunteer labor and the DIF (Department of Integration of the Family) who provides the food.

The outreaches of INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES includes BUILDERS INTERNATIONAL

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INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES IS MADE UP OF STRATEGIC OUTREACHES that focus on meeting specific needs for missionaries and national fellowships worldwide. Missionaries serving with International Ministries are uniquely skilled in creating and providing materials and means that help resident missionaries in their outreach efforts. Using printed resources, one-on-one training, construction expertise or medical assistance, International Ministries is helping to fulfill the mission of Assemblies of God World Missions by reaching the lost, planting churches, training disciples and touching people in need around the world.

By offering specific skills, missionaries with International Ministries help make witnessing and discipleship more effective, which can help open doors for the church. Their specific abilities are particularly useful in restricted-access areas where nontraditional outreaches are needed.

The tools used by missionaries with International Ministries range from computers to concrete mixers to stethoscopes. Their methods of ministry may not be typical, but their goal is the same: reaching the lost with the love of Christ. Called by God and gifted with unique skills, they work to provide what is needed to open doors for the gospel.

THE PROJECTS BUILDERS INTERNATIONAL HELPS BUILD are driven by the field’s need in alignment with AGWM’s goals. One of the factors used to determine priority projects is whether the project reaches out to unreached people groups.

The facilities built by Builders International are used to train ministers and missionaries from national AG fellowships. These facilities play a role in helping to carry the gospel to all nations and establishing the church among unreached people groups.

JOHN AND I are A/G International Ministries missionaries serving with Builders International. As the Regional Project Mangers for Latin America and the Caribbean, we have the opportunity and responsibly of helping bring transformation to lives and communities through the construction ministry. Jesus was a carpenter, but his purpose was to do the will of the Father. In obedience to our calling, our heart is to see people set free from sin and oppression and introduced to a new life of freedom in Christ.