December 2003
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Haiti Bible Mission December 2003 |
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Dear Prayer-Partners, WHOSE BIRTHDAY ARE WE CELEBRATING? For years I have been giving out this challenge during the Christmas season. If it is His birthday we are celebrating...why do we just give gifts to one another? Is Jesus worth at least as much as our family and friends? I encourage you to think about this...think what could be done for the Lord's work if each of us added up all the money we spent at Christmas (gifts, decorations etc), then gave a gift of that same amount to our church, to missions or to another ministry that carries the gospel of Jesus Christ...just a thought...but think about it. NOVEMBER HAITI TRIP The Lord blessed the trip tremendously! I was to teach three seminars for preachers and could only do one. The first one I could not do because my motorcycle was broke down...the second one I could not do because we had so much rain that the rivers were too high and I could not get there and if I could most of the preachers could not make it. The third one I was able to do and the Lord blessed us in a wonderful way. You can see a photo of that seminar on the website. While my motorcycle was broke down the Lord blessed me in many ways...first, I was limited to the city so I worked on many home projects...I repaired things that needed repairing, some of the projects I have been wanting to do for years but never had the time. I also built new counters in the kitchen and more storage for supplies for the Haitians so I am better prepared for groups than ever. The best part was seeing how the Lord enabled me to get the gospel to many people that would not have heard it if my motorcycle was working. I walked and walked and walked...I walked up the mountain...I walked down town...I walked on the roads and walked through the trees...I found paths through the trees I did not know were there and made some paths where I though there should be some. One of my favorites was finding a lady on the trail who was heading home to the country on her mule...I walked along side of her and we started conversing...she liked a white man that could speak her language...I asked her if she went to church and she said, yes...I asked if her church preached the gospel of Jesus Christ and she said she did not know...well...you can imagine the good time I had sharing the gospel with her. Thank you, Lord, for many chances to share the gospel because my motorcycle was broke down! IT'S A MIRACLE!!! The Lord continues to bless like Ephesians 3:20 says...above all I could ask or think! I came home from Haiti and found out that the Lord had answered our prayers big time...THE FUNDS WERE BEING PROVIDED TO PURCHASE A NEW TRUCK AND A NEW MOTORCYCLE FOR HAITI BIBLE MISSION!!! In Haiti they say, “we just can't finish telling God thanks enough." That is the way I feel...I SAY GLORY!! My shoes are not wearing out these days cusp I am just a floatin on air!!! I ask you all...isn't our God good? I can't wait to tell the hundreds of believers in Haiti who have been praying for this...they are going to be so encouraged. They kept saying, "Pastor Dave, the truck is coming, we are praying...the motorcycle is coming, we are praying. What a great answer to prayer and what a great God we serve!!! I thank all of you for your prayers as well. This will change the ministry there and allow us to do so much more for the Haitian people and churches. MISSION TRIPS I now plan to leave for Haiti earlier in January and try to have the truck purchased before the next group arrives sometime the end of January. Please pray for the Lord's blessing in all that it takes to get the truck purchased...too much to explain here, but it is a big task. If anybody is ready on short notice to go to Haiti and work we could use a couple more for January 29 through February 9. There are trips being planned right now for April, June and November. If you are interested, please let me know. If you have a small group that would like to go we can arrange the schedule to fit whatever time is best for you. BUILDING FUNDS NEEDED I want churches and individuals to be aware of the need for funds for churches and houses for preachers. I have several people wanting to work...we just need funds for the projects. We have two houses to finish...$1000 each. We have one house to rebuild...$2000. We have several country churches to build...$7000 each. Please pray with us about these needs. THE BOYS My boys are always a joy to write about...three of the four will be home for Christmas...we have many things planned in sharing that good time together. Luke is finished with his Bible college training as of December 19. He is checking out jobs and ministry opportunities. I really could use him for these Haiti trips...many of you know Luke and if the Lord would lead any individuals or churches to help Luke get to Haiti, especially in January, it would be a great blessing. He is such a great help and is very well respected by the Haitian pastors and preachers. Matthew is still with me in Arkansas as he makes plans for the future and John will continue with his Bible college training. Mark and his fiancé, Lacey, are planning a wedding in Florida on May 15. Dad is really looking forward to that! THANKS SO MUCH! Now I will use our Haitian saying...I just can't finish telling God thanks enough for all you who support Haiti Bible Mission with your prayers and finances. May the Lord bless you richly for all you do for His glory. In Christ our Savior, Pastor Dave Stockeland
P.S. If you are interested in receiving the newsletter via E-mail please contact Jonell Crain (she does the newsletter for me) at j.Crain@juno.com. This would save time and money for the Haiti Ministry.
Pastor Dave Stockeland's contact
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12/28/05