Saturday, July 28, 2007

ASA latest - Portugal!

Apologies for late newsletter. Hubby Bob is not recovering too well after his recent mini-stroke and, of course, he's my first priority. Please include him in your prayers that he will strongly feel God's loving presence and healing power.
THIS SUNDAY'S GUEST will be JOE SANELLI, a member of Greentree's S.T.A.M.P.
team that went to Portugal this past July 12 - 23. Joe, who is Athletic Director at Atlantic Christian School in EHT, was one of four men and six women (including Pastor Pat Tedeschi and wife Dana), who went to assist Georgina, full-time missionary, whom Greentree helps to support in that country. Joe's narrative is riveting and informative about the work being done there, and gives a warm testimony of how impressed he was with Georgina and her son.
The program will air this Sunday, July 29, at 1:30 p.m. on station WIBG, 1020AM radio dial. Remember, you can listen simultaneously online atwww.wibg.com
WE MISSED YOU, MIKE! I can only hope I forget the trauma experienced the past two months while moving from our home of 42 years to my (now really nice!) mobile home at Oak Forest. Praise the Lord! During that time, a BIG regret was missing Mike and Dottie Clark, who run the Casa for hundreds of children in Guatemala, and who visited Atlantic City for a day while on a recent short vacation trip. I don't think any of us from Gospel Outbound was aware they were in this area -- much to our regret and disappointment. We can only hope they had a wonderful time "walking the boards" and extend to them our best wishes for happy memories of their vacation. We're so sorry we missed you!
Please continue to pray for Trish and Bernard Cohen. In her latest e-mail, Trish related that she is resting at home after her surgery and that her appointment "to remove the staples, discuss the staging of the tumor, and what the 'plan of action will be' is scheduled for this coming Monday afternoon." Bernard plans to return to Guatemala as soon as possible to finish the work he began before her surgery. In addition, Trish asked for prayer for daughter Lisa, whose MS test results were not good, and that Lisa's husband will be transferred to Jacksonville soon so he can be with the family.
A SPECIAL NOTICE TO ALL SHORT-TERM (AND LONG-TERM) MISSIONARIES: Josh Hennig, who records the ASA programs at the WIBG station in Ocean City, is available only between the hours of 11:30AM and 1PM on Tuesdays through Thursdays. However, schedules must be made in advance. You know who you are, and you know that each and every one of you is welcome to be on the program. It's all for the Glory of God -- not ours. So please call me at my new phone number: 609/926-3722, or e-mail me, and tell me you want to share with our growing number of listeners what you are doing in the mission field. BE BLESSED! Peace and Joy -- Jo

Friday, July 20, 2007

LATEST ASA NEWS

Dear brothers and sisters,
THIS SUNDAY'S GUEST: Atlantic County native Phil DiGiacinto, will be the guest on America's Silent Ambassadors this Sunday, July 22, at 1:30 p.m., on station WIBG, 1020AM radio dial. A realtor, Phil is a member of Praise Tabernacle Church in Egg Harbor Township, well-known for its mission outreach program. For the past eight years, Phil has been a member of his church's short-term mission team committed to the redevelopment of Rancho Los Amigos, a children's home run by YWAM (Youth With a Mission) in northern Mexico. (His teen-age son has accompanied the team the past two years.) Phil speaks with passion about the work the team does and how it has impacted not only the home but the surrounding area as well.
Remember, if you live outside the broadcast area, you can listen simultaneously online: www.wibg.com
PRAISE! Word has been received that our sister, Trish Cohen, long-time missionary in Panimaquin, Guatemala, now in Florida, who recently underwent surgery for removal of her L kidney, "is doing well and sleeping," according to her husband, Bernard. He added that "everything went smoothly." Praise!
For those of you who know Trish and would like to send her a card, her address is: 2315 Adams Lake Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32221. From the family: "Many, many thanks for your prayers!"
More reason for PRAISE! One of the most heartwarming e-mails I received this week came from our sister, Jill Mascena, RN, who, as many of you know, volunteered 10 years (from 1997 through 2006) on Gospel Outbound medical mission teams to help in the free medical/pharmacy clinics of John and Sharon Harvey's ASELSI in Guatemala.
Now "retired" (ha!), Jill wrote in part: "As you may remember, a few of us from our church have been doing health screening for the migrant workers in Hammonton. This past week, our outreach worker/interpreter was Carlos, a 29 year-old almost pastor from Peru, who is married to an American girl who was originally a short-term missionary to Peru. We had a couple of great prayer times Tuesday night (even though we work with a secular agency and prayer isn't part of it). ... "It was a wonderful night. .. Each week as we drive down, we ask the Lord to work through us however He chooses. [Although we don't see the results], we do realize that what we expect to happen is dumb compared to what He has in mind!"
Thank you for sharing with us, Jill, and may your faithfulness continue to inspire all of us!
And More Praise! In her weekly e-mail update, Yvonne Parr, missionary in Rwanda, wrote: "Trying to teach others how to stretch the money God has given them so God can bless it with increase has been challenging at times, but very rewarding. Then there are mornings like today, when you go outside to pay the little old man for the grass he brings for the sheep -- 60 cents a day. You see his tattered clothes, no shoes, skin like leather from hard work in the sun, yet he is happy to receive that 60 cents just for bringing one load of grass. ... God has a plan, the poor are with us always, but we are required to do what He asks -- sometimes with more sacrifice than other times."
PLEASE REMEMBER IN YOUR PRAYERS -- Greentree Church's S.T.A.M.P. team currently in Portugal, due to return home Monday, July 23. Pray for safe journey mercies and that God will bless their efforts.
Peace and Joy, Jo

Friday, July 13, 2007

THE LATEST ASA NEWS!

Dear brothers and sisters,
PRAISE! PRAISE!
The Lord has answered prayers. I spoke with Rev. Bishop of Barnabas House last night. Our brother, Rick Springsteen, is home and recovering from his surgery earlier this week at U. of Penn Hospital. Since Rick was resting, I did not wish to disturb him, but knew this GOOD NEWS should be passed on to you. Praise!
THIS SUNDAY'S GUESTS ON ASA:
Doug and Linda Long, members of Greentree Church's STAMP team that recently went to Belarus (June 25 - July 5) will be the guests on America's Silent Ambassadors this Sunday, July 15, at 1:30 p.m., on WIBG, 1020AM radio dial. Their account of the work the team prepared to do and accomplished is illuminating. Praise!
All for His Glory! Michael Kiyaga, who heads Tower of Hope in the U.S., wrote me the following: "We at Tower of Hope International Ministries thank you very much for your generosity. The money you donated was taken to Uganda last week and it was used for water supply, clinic, teachers pay, and school supplies....." You will remember that Tower of Hope conducted the sale of my house contents when I recently moved. Praise and Glory to God for His leading!
Rebecca Onkar, of Faith Calvary Ministries (FCM) in India, has requested prayers. She wrote, "We are in urgent need of some teachers and we also have a new principal. Please pray for him as he is taking on many new responsiblities."
Rebecca's dad, Richard Weidner, Treasurer of FCM, recently spent two weeks with the Onkars in India. He shared his experiences in a recent e-mail in which he said, "They minister with grace and hope against demonic forces, corruption, the weather, limited resources, discouraging circumstances and persecution. Yet they move on with joy, perseverence and faith. ..... Thank you for your partnership in the Gospel. Please keep praying. The battle is the Lord's. ..." Praise!
Please pray for Greentree's STAMP team that left yesterday for Portugal. Pray for safe journey mercies, and that the Lord will bless and keep the team as they seek to love and serve Him as He has commanded.
This is all the news for now. Remember to listen to the radio program -- it's all about God's servants seeking to do His Will. Join them. Peace and joy! Jo

Saturday, July 7, 2007

Fwd: Latest on ASA & Jo's Move

Dear Loved Ones,
A special blessing to those who have missed this ASA Newsletter the past three weeks -- and even listened in on America's Silent Ambassadors on Sundays at 1:30 p.m. on WIBG, 1020AM radio dial, or simultaneously online, www.wibg.com I know I missed reaching out to you -- the work of our brothers and sisters in the mission field must go on.
The move from the Northfield home where Bob and I lived for 42 years to the smaller home was anything but smooth. My deepest gratitude to those of you who prayed me through all the rough times -- believe me, I felt your prayers! I ALSO FELT THE HANDS ON HELP FROM LILO HAWN, SHARON TUDOR, RICK SPRINGSTEEN, AND OTHER FAITHFUL BROTHERS AND SISTERS. Bob is still the same -- holding his own -- at Meadowview Nursing Home. HERE IS MY NEW ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER:
Jo DiStefano Kapus
Oak Forest Mobile Home Park
309 Jetty Drive
Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234
Phone: 609/926-3722
Praise the Lord, things are looking up, but it was touch and go for a long time. Am I getting old?
My thanks to Chaplain Rick Springsteen of Barnabas House for hooking up my pc equipment -- Only because of him am I able to send all of you this information via e-mail. (PLEASE, please remember to pray for Rick as he enters U. of Penn Hospital this Monday for corrective surgery for diverticulitis.)
AND LEST I FORGET!!! GARLANDS OF THANKS TO RICK BRANCADORA, OWNER/MANAGER OF STATION WIBG FOR HIS KINDNESS, GENEROSITY, PATIENCE AND LOVE FOR OUR LORD -- LETTING ME CONTINUE THE PROGRAM WITH REPEATS OF FAVORITE PAST BROADCASTS WHILE I WAS MOVING. BUT MOST OF ALL, WHEN RICK HEARD THAT I WAS PARTING WITH PRECIOUS LIFE POSSESSIONS BY LETTING TOWER OF HOPE, A MISSIONARY-AID SOCIETY THAT WORKS WITH DESTITUTE HOMELESS ORPHANS IN UGANDA, CONDUCT THE HOUSE CONTENTS SALE FOR THEIR BENEFIT, HE NOT ONLY ANNOUNCED THE SALE, BUT PERSONALLY MADE A GENEROUS DONATION TO TOWER OF HOPE! MAY THE LORD RICHLY BLESS YOU, RICH!!
This Sunday's guest on ASA will be a repitition of the broadcast of Rev. Terrol (Terry) W. Jones. It will be aired Sunday, July 8, at 1:30 p.m. on station WIBG, 1020AM radio dial. His experiences in northern India and Sri Lanka are riveting. Have you read his recent book, "Extreme Adventure - Experiencing the Word of God"? -- It's GREAT!
Please continue to pray for Trish Cohen, long-time GMO missionary, Panimaquin, Guatemala, now living in Florida. She is scheduled for July 19 at 8:30 a.m. for removal of her L kidney and close lymph nodes for biopsy. The Cohens are still conducting their mission efforts in Guatemala. Her husband, Bernard, is currently there and will return on the 18th in time for Trish's surgery.
Also, continue to pray for Yvonne and Les Parr in Rwanda. They are in great need of financial support (they have trouble paying for much needed food!). You can mail a check to: Elim Fellowship, 1703 Dalton Road, Lima NY 14485 and mark it Preferred Parr Support.
Please pray for Genesis, 11, in Mike Clark's Casa, who is waiting for a kidney transplant, hopefully in less than 90 days.
Pray also for John and Sharon Harvey, of ASELSI, as barriers seem to be opening up for Bible study for Quichua Indians in Ecuador. Also, their physical therapy clinic in Chichi is doing great! -- "several children who had no hope of walking are now able to walk with a walker!" Praise!
This is all for now. Remember to pray for our brothers and sisters who have answered the call to further God's Kingdom.
Praise the Lord for the Belarus team and pray for their safe return. Peace and Joy -- Jo

Saturday, June 16, 2007

Jo's Moving Yard Sale + Latest

ASA (missions) NEWSLETTER

© 2007 Jo DiStefano Kapus (e-mail: supak@worldnet.att.net) June 16, 2007

FLASH!

HOUSE CONTENTS SALE! IN NORTHFIELD -- Saturday, June 23, 9-3, 113 Davis Avenue. Ethan Allen bedroom furniture, small hutch, chairs, lamps, books, office furniture, tools, jewelry, clothing, household items and much MORE! Yours truly is MOVING -- EVERYTHING MUST GO! Sale will benefit Tower of Hope, missionary-aid society for Uganda orphans. This is the only way I could part with what has meant so much in my life. I shall not pine, but take joy that I do something for those who have been far less fortunate! Please come to the sale -- ENJOY!

SUNDAY'S GUEST -- For those who missed America's Silent Ambassadors last Sunday, June 10, Pat Tedeschi's broadcast will be repeated this Sunday, Father's Day, June 17, at 1:30 p.m., on station WIBG, 1020AM radio dial. Remember, you can listen simultaneously online: www.wibg.com

PLEASE PRAY !!

While going for tests because of a new cataract, Trish Cohen, Guatemala GMO missionary now living in Florida with her family, was discovered to have a rare type of renal cancer. In her e-mail update, Trish wrote, "I thank you for your prayers for me and my family." Her appointment with the surgeon has been scheduled for this Monday, June 18, at 2:30 p.m. Please, please pray! Trish's e-mail address is: annatrish@gmail.com

UPDATES:

From John and Sharon Harvey -- excerpts of an update on Pastor Manuel Mateo: "The village has calmed down and there are no apparent risks at this time. Manuel has just returned home again and is very nervous at all the rumors circulating. .... "

Please pray!

From Mike Clark, director of Casa: No further news about Genesis, who is waiting for a kidney transplant -- this after three hours in the Children's Hospital, which is actually the Cancer Center for children. NOTE: Mike and Dottie Clark plan to be in the US in September. They are currently scheduling speaking engagements in churches -- still dates open. Contact secretary Debbie Hyatt at 337/855-1286.

PRAISE !

From Rebecca Onkar, Faith Calvary Mission in India, "Graduation is over and God is good. Thank you for praying. Keep praying for the graduates. ..." Praise!

From Yvonne Parr, wife of Les Parr, (missionary couple in Rwanda), returning to the field after her 6-week stay in the US: "From the depths of my heart, I know God wants us in Rwanda. ... He wants us to live by example. ... Thanks again for all your prayers."

Friday, June 8, 2007

THE LATEST

Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Apologies for no ASA (missions) Newsletter this week. Yours truly covets your prayers as she is overwhelmed by the business of moving after 42 years in the same home. Wow! Talk about possessions owning you.
PAT TEDESCHI, Pastor of Outreach and Discipleship at Greentree Church, EHT, will be the guest on America's Silent Ambassadors this Sunday, June 10, at 1:30 p.m., on station WIBG, 1020AM radio dial.
Pastor Pat gives an excellent report of his recent trip with Eric Huber to ASELSI (John and Sharon Harvey's mission compound in Chichicastenango, Guatemala). Of special interest is Pat's narrative concerning their role in teaching locals to lead and pastor churches, and visiting new churches, and how it became a learning experience for them -- which will be of great help in the future.
Please pray for:
Pastor Manuel Mateo -- friend of the Harvey's in Guatemala, for safety for his family, and that God will protect him from the forces of evil which threaten him at this time.
Mike Clark, who, as you know, runs a home for hundreds of neglected and abused children in Guatemala, has been plagued with armed gunmen. Wrote Mike recently, "It was such a feeling of security to return home today from the bank with two armed men inside and outside the gate. It is costly but there can be no price on the lives of children and staff."
Rebecca Onkar -- that she will enjoy a most pleasant visit from her Dad and niece who flew there from the U.S. last Monday. Also, please pray for their first Graduation of Faith Calvary Theological Seminary, which will be held June 8-10th with the main graduation taking place on Saturday, June 9th.
And please continue to pray for all God's harvesters, who faithfully preach His Word.
Be blessed. Jo

Friday, June 1, 2007

THE LATEST

ASA (missions) NEWSLETTER

© 2007 Jo DiStefano Kapus (e-mail: supak@worldnet.att.net) June 1, 2007

SUNDAY'S GUEST: Tiffany Mills, 22 year-old student at Philadelphia Bible University, will be the guest on America's Silent Ambassadors this Sunday, June 3, 2007, at 1:30 p.m., on station WIBG, 1020AM radio dial. Tiffany first appeared on our program July 2, 2006, when she talked about her short-term mission trips to the Dominican Republic, Morocco and Algieria.

THIS SUNDAY, she speaks candidly about her recent trip during Spring break when she returned to the Dominican Republic and spent much time with street children. During her first trip there, Tiffany was so deeply touched by the homeless children that she couldn't wait to return. Hear how she is planning for her next trip to the Dominican Republic hoping to take her three younger sisters with her. Hear how she is seeking the Lord's blessing and guidance that she will be able to become a full-time missionary in that country and open a home for the street children.

Note: For those of our readers who feel a call to minister to street children in a foreign land, Tiffany recommends reading "A Cry from the Streets," by Jeanette Lukasse, published 2002 by YWAM Publishing. The book is mainly a dramatic story of rescue and restoration to which God called a young Dutch couple living among the hunted street children of Brazil.

You can listen simultaneously online: www.wibg.com Beginning June 1st, the program will also be aired online at 1:30 a.m. our time.

PRAISE ! Rick Springsteen, Team Leader of Gospel Outbound's recent medical mission team's trip to Guatemala, reported that the trip was a great success! "I arrived home at 2 o'clock this past Sunday morning," said Rick. "The trip was a wonderful success and we saw over 500 patients at our free clinics. The weather was beautiful." Rick went on to explain that Dr. Robert Smith, dermatologist and dermatopathologist, did not conduct his usual seminar this year. He volunteered his services half a day at a government clinic in Chichicastenango, working with patients with skin diseases. Praise!

Last night, I had the pleasure of talking on the phone with Renee Boyd, who is a staff member at Mike and Dottie Clark's Casa Para Niños Aleluya, a home for hundreds of neglected and abused children in Guatemala. Renee, who is the home's abuela, sewing teacher and librarian, is on vacation in the States. Although I met her briefly in November 2004 as a member of Gospel Outbound's Survey Team, I feel especially close to her. God called me to the mission field at age 71, and I think Renee was about that age when she was called. But she has served full-time overseas! We talked about not wanting to set a time limit on our service to the Lord. Next year, we'll be 80. It's just a number. Praise!

Friday, May 25, 2007

The Latest! and MORE!

ASA (missions) NEWSLETTER

© 2007 Jo DiStefano Kapus (e-mail: supak@worldnet.att.net) May 25, 2007

SUNDAY'S GUESTS: Bob and Heidi Winslow, currently serving as full-time missionaries in France, will be the guests on America's Silent Ambassadors this Sunday, May 27, at 1:30 p.m., on station WIBG, 1020AM radio dial. It will be a repeat of their April 30, 2006, radio broadcast, which detailed their entry into the Lord's service in the late 1990s and how the Lord continued to lead them. I am repeating this program for the benefit of those who might have missed it last year. The Winslows appear from time to time in this newsletter asking for your prayers as they minister in France, a country that prohibits by law the wearing of conspicuous religious symbols, claiming it threatens the country's secular identity! The Winslows are a young couple, with three young children, who face crushing atheistic forces daily in their ministry. Please continue to pray for them.

You can listen simultaneously online: www.wibg.com

PRAISE!

Word has been received that Greentree's Pat Tedeschi and Eric Huber, who left May 18 for Guatemala to help in John and Sharon Harvey's ASELSI Ministry, have been blessed in their efforts to teach and serve in the northwestern highlands. Please pray for them as they continue their harvesting, and for safe journey mercies when they return home Monday, May 28. Also, please pray for the Gospel Outbound team, also currently serving with ASELSI, and for their safe return home.

Onkar and Rebecca, after a fruitful sojourn in the States, returned to their Faith Calvary Ministry in Gujarat, India, this past Wednesday. After thanking all who were so kind to them while here, Rebecca wrote: "Once we get back it will be busy busy busy as you can imagine. Onkar is really going to have a lot on his plate -- solving problems, etc.. We also have our first Bible College graduation three weeks after we return and school starts right after that. Talk about hectic! We would really apreciate your prayers. ... Don't forget to check out my blog:

www.allthelittledetails.blogspot.com to keep up to date with what is going on.."

NOW HEAR THIS !

As many of you know, my hubby Bob has been a permanent resident in a nursing home for more than a year. This has resulted in my having to downsize my place of domicile and, Praise the Lord!, I shall be moving from my home of almost 42 years into a single mobile home unit. Needless to say, it's a very real anxious time for me. Trust in the Lord is a way of life for all Christians. He has led willing Christian brothers and sisters to my aid. He has helped me to let go of cherished personal and household items without rancor by turning the house sale to Tower of Hope short-term missionary friends, who will conduct the sale at a near future date and use the proceeds for their evangical, medical and construction work with their homeless and destitute children in Uganda. You can help. Come to the sale and find bargains. I'll keep you posted! PRAISE!

Friday, May 18, 2007

our latest mission news


ASA (missions) NEWSLETTER

© 2007 Jo DiStefano Kapus (e-mail: supak@worldnet.att.net) May 18, 2007

FLASH -- REMINDER !

Beginning this Sunday, May 20, 2007, America's Silent Ambassadors will air at 1:30 p.m., on WIBG, 1020AM radio dial.

APOLOGIES ! Last week's announced program (a repeat) was not presented due to technical difficulties with the disc. My sincere apologies to everyone, especially the David Hawn family. The previous week's program, featuring Yvonne Parr, was aired again.

SUNDAY'S GUESTS: Rebecca Weidner Onkar and Suresh Sawant will be the guests on America's Silent Ambassadors this Sunday, May 20, at 1:30 p.m., on station WIBG, 1020AM radio dial. Rebecca and her husband, T. M. Onkar, have been the directors of Faith Calvary Ministry (FCM) in Gujarat, India, since 1999. Suresh Sawant, Mission Director, has been a friend of Onkar since boyhood. He speaks about his work with great passion and love for Jesus Christ. Rebecca presents a vivid picture of her role in their work, which includes a Bible College, Karuna Children's Home, Faith Calvary Schools and Faith Calvary Church. Of special interest is their exciting "20/20 goal." India, with a population of more than 1 billion people, is only 2.3% Christian. It is their goal that by the year 2020, India will be 20% Christian!

You can listen simultaneously online at www.wibg.com

PRAISE !

Barbara Schwartz has been faithfully keeping us up to date with news from Jill, whose PC was on strike. Jill's husband, Tony, was able to return home earlier this week after surgery at Jefferson Hospital. Praise!

PRAY! PRAY! PRAY!

Update: Mike Clark reports from Guatemala that Genesis, a little 8 year-old girl at Casa, will be ready for a kidney transplant by the end of this month. To date, there is no donor! Please PRAY for this little one!

Les Parr reported from Rwanda that under the seemingly peaceful surface, people still struggle deeply with genocide memories, even after 13 years of post-genocide reconstruction. Please pray for the people of Rwanda, especially the young. According to Les, a sudden flashback can trigger a student to go into trauma, a "spark that seems to light and the trauma spreads to many other students."

Special Request: Please pray that the ASA radio ministry will bless those who venture forth into the mission field. It has been my intention from day one to let people know what ordinary folks do to spread the Good News about Jesus Christ. Please join me in prayer for each and everyone of them. Be blessed!

Saturday, May 12, 2007

mission news


ASA (missions) NEWSLETTER

© 2007 Jo DiStefano Kapus (e-mail: supak@worldnet.att.net) May 11, 2007

FLASH !

Just a reminder: Due to changes in programming at WIBG, America's Silent Ambassadors will be broadcast from 1:30 to 2:00 p.m., beginning Sunday, May 20.

SUNDAY'S GUESTS : David, Sheri and Josh Hawn will be the guest missionaries on America's Silent Ambassadors this Sunday, May 13, at 2 p.m., on station WIBG, 1020AM radio dial. As some of you know, they are Harvey and Lilo Hawn's son, daughter-in-law and grandson. This is a repeat of their program that aired on December 17, 2006, wherein they discuss their trip to ASELSI the previous October with the team from the United Methodist Church of Absecon. I chose to repeat this program this coming Sunday, Mother's Day, because Sheri presents her testimony from the heart of a mother.

You can listen simultaneously online at: www.wibg.com

PRAISE!

Richard Walton, SEND International missionary to Bulgaria, wrote in his latest (May 2007) "The Balkan Bulletin": "The school year is soon to finish. Students at the Resident Program in Sofia will finish with exams and many will get involved in summer ministry with churches and mission projects." Praise!

Mike Clark e-mailed me to say that his book is almost finished. No publishing date has been set as yet. Please pray that this work will touch hearts and further God's Kingdom. Since 1989, Mike and Dottie Clark have run a home for hundreds of homeless, neglected and abused children, and planted 100 rural churches in Guatemala. Praise!

PLEASE, PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY

Tony Mascena, Jill's hubby, underwent surgery Friday, May 11, at Jefferson Hospital. Please continue to pray for him and the family.

Genesis, a little 8 year-old girl, who is a resident at Mike and Dottie Clark's Casa, is gravely ill. She has only 10% kidney function and is on a waiting list for a kidney transplant, her only hope for survival.

A REMINDER

T. M. and Rebecca Onkar, India missionaries, are in the States on furlough. Gospel Outbound is hosting a reception for them at the home of Robert and Roni Breunig, 20 Tyler Road, Greenfield, NJ, (390-0121) this Saturday, May 12, at 7 p.m. You are all cordially invited to come and hear how their ministry has been blessed. They are the parents of three beautiful children! Refreshments will be served.

Friday, May 4, 2007

Today! urgent prayer & latest


ASA (missions) NEWSLETTER

© 2007 Jo DiStefano Kapus (e-mail: supak@worldnet.att.net) May 4, 2007

TODAY, URGENT PRAYER REQUEST!

John Harvey, of Aselsi Missions, Guatemala, has issued an urgent prayer request for THE BIG WEEKEND. John requested prayer all day today (Friday, May 4, and half day Saturday, May 5). Wrote John: "People are coming from all over Guatemala and Mexico. We have never had such a response. [Please pray] that God would continue to favor us with His presence. We are having seven international speakers, who all have a heart for these humble, dedicated brothers and sisters. They have suffered so much in the past. The refreshing and healing balm of the Holy Spirit is a blessing they all hunger for. Pray for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on all flesh. They will go back and minister to thousands more with this refreshing. I just wish you all could be here!"

FLASH ! On the move at WIBG !

Due to changes being planned for the station's Sunday programming, America's Silent Ambassadors will be moved up a half hour to air each Sunday from 1:30 to 2:00 p.m., beginning ca. May 20.

SUNDAY'S GUEST

Yvonne Parr, on furlough from Rwanda, Africa, where she is a full-time missionary with her husband, Les, will be the guest on America's Silent Ambassadors this Sunday, May 6, at 2 p.m., on station WIBG, 1020AM radio dial. Yvonne's excitement and passion for their work comes through loud and clear as she describes their year in Rwanda. Hear her describe the biggest surprising challenge they had to overcome. The Parrs' home church is Praise Tabernacle in Egg Harbor Township, and they are in Rwanda under the umbrella of Elim Fellowship. Please pray for Yvonne and Les that the Lord will guide and strengthen them as they willingly and selflessly do His work. Remember, if you live outside the broadcast area, you can listen simultaneously online at: www.wibg.com

PRAISE! Brian Wheaton, President of Gospel Outbound, received an e-mail from N. J. Varughese, thanking him for G.O.'s donation of $2,000 to "All India Mission" for a micro-finance project that empowers Christians with a few goats and consequently the church. Wrote Brian, "As the goats multiply, each family is to give two or three goats to another Christian family and the new family reciprocates and so on, and each family that receives goats is to give one goat to the Pastor of the church. Prayerfully, the goats will continue to multiply blessing family after family and growing the church as well." In his e-mail, Varughese included photos of some of the families who received goats through G.O.'s gift.

REMINDER: Gospel Outbound invites you to a reception for India missionaries Onkar and Rebecca, Saturday, May 12, at 7:00 p.m. at the R. Breunig homestead, 20 Tyler Road, Greenfield, N.J., (390-0121) Refreshments served. Please come!

ASA (missions) NEWSLETTER

© 2007 Jo DiStefano Kapus (e-mail: supak@worldnet.att.net) May 4, 2007

TODAY, URGENT PRAYER REQUEST!

John Harvey, of Aselsi Missions, Guatemala, has issued an urgent prayer request for THE BIG WEEKEND. John requested prayer all day today (Friday, May 4, and half day Saturday, May 5). Wrote John: "People are coming from all over Guatemala and Mexico. We have never had such a response. [Please pray] that God would continue to favor us with His presence. We are having seven international speakers, who all have a heart for these humble, dedicated brothers and sisters. They have suffered so much in the past. The refreshing and healing balm of the Holy Spirit is a blessing they all hunger for. Pray for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on all flesh. They will go back and minister to thousands more with this refreshing. I just wish you all could be here!"

FLASH ! On the move at WIBG !

Due to changes being planned for the station's Sunday programming, America's Silent Ambassadors will be moved up a half hour to air each Sunday from 1:30 to 2:00 p.m., beginning ca. May 20.

SUNDAY'S GUEST

Yvonne Parr, on furlough from Rwanda, Africa, where she is a full-time missionary with her husband, Les, will be the guest on America's Silent Ambassadors this Sunday, May 6, at 2 p.m., on station WIBG, 1020AM radio dial. Yvonne's excitement and passion for their work comes through loud and clear as she describes their year in Rwanda. Hear her describe the biggest surprising challenge they had to overcome. The Parrs' home church is Praise Tabernacle in Egg Harbor Township, and they are in Rwanda under the umbrella of Elim Fellowship. Please pray for Yvonne and Les that the Lord will guide and strengthen them as they willingly and selflessly do His work. Remember, if you live outside the broadcast area, you can listen simultaneously online at: www.wibg.com

PRAISE! Brian Wheaton, President of Gospel Outbound, received an e-mail from N. J. Varughese, thanking him for G.O.'s donation of $2,000 to "All India Mission" for a micro-finance project that empowers Christians with a few goats and consequently the church. Wrote Brian, "As the goats multiply, each family is to give two or three goats to another Christian family and the new family reciprocates and so on, and each family that receives goats is to give one goat to the Pastor of the church. Prayerfully, the goats will continue to multiply blessing family after family and growing the church as well." In his e-mail, Varughese included photos of some of the families who received goats through G.O.'s gift.

REMINDER: Gospel Outbound invites you to a reception for India missionaries Onkar and Rebecca, Saturday, May 12, at 7:00 p.m. at the R. Breunig homestead, 20 Tyler Road, Greenfield, N.J., (390-0121) Refreshments served. Please come!

Saturday, April 28, 2007

Latest and Prayers Needed


ASA (missions) NEWSLETTER

© 2007 Jo DiStefano Kapus (e-mail: supak@worldnet.att.net) April 28, 2007

SUNDAY'S GUEST Rick Springsteen is a special guest on America's Silent Ambassadors, this Sunday, April 29, at 2 p.m., on station WIBG, 1020AM radio dial. Rick was the guest on ASA on May 1, 2005, which launched the program on the air. This Sunday, he launches ASA's third year on WIBG! Rick, who is the Chaplain at Barnabas House in Wildwood, a halfway house of the Atlantic City Rescue Mission; a pastoral care minister at Greentree Church, and CEO of Gospel Outbound, talks about his many short-term mission trips to ASELSI in Guatemala. He is scheduled to repeat those trips in May and August this year -- one with Gospel Outbound and one with Greentree's STAMP team. Thank you, Rick, for your faithful service to our Lord!

ATTENTION, PRAYER WARRIORS!

This past week, I received the following requests for urgent prayer:

From Jill Mascena: (a) Please pray for her husband, Tony, who will undergo surgery for his Crohn's disease on May 11 at Jefferson Hospital. (Also, please pray that he will end up on Joyce Stout's floor!) (b) Jill, who is an RN, has joined the Health Ministry Team of the Migrant Worker Ministry as a volunteer to work with the South Jersey Family Medical Center (SJFMC) in Hammonton during the blueberry picking season. They are in need of more RN's and LPN's and any extra people or students who speak Spanish. You should be available to do health screening and teaching on the blueberry farms one night a week from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday, during June and July, (whenever the berries are ripe). If you can help, please call Melinda Lamb (428-3325), or Jill (428-7342).

From Bob and Heidi Winslow, missionaries in Albertville, France: Pray for their "carte de sejour" application. This is the second step in obtaining long-term residency (similar to a green card in the U.S.). Please pray for favor with the Prefecture.

From Bernard and Trish Cohen, GMO missionaries, Panimaquin, Guatemala, now residing in Florida from where they continue their ministry: Please pray for their family and for needed financial aid to continue their work. Trish turned 70 this past Thursday!

From Les and Yvonne Parr, missionaries in Rwanda, Africa: "Please continue to pray for us as we continually ask God what have we done wrong, what have we done right, search our hearts, let us not offend, let us be builders not destroyers -- help us, Oh God!" Les and Yvonne's home church is Praise Tabernacle in Egg Harbor Twp. They have just completed one year in Rwanda.

PRAISE! PRAISE! PRAISE! Yvonne Parr, was in our area this past week on furlough from Rwanda. She took time out to come to my home and record a program for ASA which will be aired Sunday, May 6, at 2 p.m., on WIBG. Please pray for her and Les, and their ministry. They do a lot of work with children.

"If God so loved us, we ought also to love one another." I John 4:11

Saturday, April 21, 2007

Praise from ASA


ASA (missions) NEWSLETTER

© 2007 Jo DiStefano Kapus April 21, 2007

PRAISE! PRAISE! PRAISE!

America's Silent Ambassadors, first aired on the air on radio station WIBG, 1020AM, at 2 p.m., Sunday, May 1, 2005. Rick Brancadora, General Manager of WIBG, liked the focus of the program: contemporary mission experiences of our neighbors. Each week, long or short-term Christian missionaries would recount their experiences of their service to God overseas. They would be an encouragement to others to go forth into the world and spread the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ -- Matt. 28:19,20. PRAISE THE LORD!, with God's blessings, we shall soon begin our third year.

Many thanks to those who prayed for the safety of Greentree's STAMP team of 16 teens and five adults. They returned safely (despite the bad weather last weekend) from Guatemala, where they assisted at ASELSI Missions. PRAISE!

SUNDAY'S GUEST Alecia Brennan, will be our guest this Sunday, April 22, at 2 p.m., on station WIBG, 1020AM radio dial. It will be a repeat of the March 4, 2007, program, wherein Alecia, a Cape May County social worker, will speak about her experiences as a short-term missionary to Israel. Her story will be of great interest to those who are burdened with the conversion of Israel. Remember, you can listen simultaneously online at www.wibg.com

BETWEEN YOU AND ME I don't know how much longer I can continue my radio program. God will make that decision. I praise and thank Him with awe that He has allowed me to continue my work in missions in old age. That said, I would like to say to the readers of this newsletter that regardless of what the future will bring, I pray that you will remain in the Lord's service in missions, especially as prayer warriors. There is some great information on the web. For one, try Missionary-Blogs.com

BBC NEWS -- VIRGINIA HERO IS BURIED IN ISRAEL Since Israel is the featured country in this Sunday's ASA program, I share the following information which was excerpted from the above BBC (web) article:

Romanian-born Holocaust survivor, 76-year-old professor Liviu Librescu, was hailed a hero while protecting his students during [this past week's] Virginia Tech shooting. He was an aeronautics engineer and Virginia Tech lecturer for 20 years and was one of the 32 victims killed.

According to his family, as a boy during the Nazi era, he was sent to a labour camp and then to a ghetto in eastern Romania. He emigrated to Israel in 1978 after refusing to give allegiance to the communist regime of Nicolae Ceausescu and began teaching at Virginia Tech in 1985.

Professor Librescu is thought to have saved the lives of a number of students by using his body to barricade a classroom door before he was gunned down by Cho Seung-hui.

"Greater love hath no man ..." -- Jesus Christ, Jewish Messiah

John 15:13

Friday, April 13, 2007

The Latest

ASA (missions) NEWSLETTER

© 2007 Jo DiStefano Kapus April 13, 2007

SUNDAY'S GUEST Rebecca Enslin Glancey, of Friendship Bible Protestant Church on Ocean Heights Avenue, Egg Harbor Township, will be the guest on America's Silent Ambassadors this Sunday, April 15, at 2 p.m., on station WIBG, 1020AM radio dial.

Originally aired on Sunday, January 21, this broadcast is being repeated because of the great response it received for its subject matter. Rebecca speaks about the ministry her church conducts for people who have suffered the loss of a loved one. Called the Marah Ministry, it was named for her eighth child, her infant daughter Marah, who died suddenly at age seven months. While ASA focuses primarily on overseas missions, this program is a home missions feature that not only spreads the Word of God, but also His love and compassion. Listen simultaneously online: www.wibg.com

PLEASE PRAY

1. Trish Cohen, of Guatemalan Mission Outreach (GMO), Panimaquin, Guatemala, has asked for prayer. She, Bernard and little daughter Sarah are now living in Florida, but are not retired from GMO. They have moved into a large house that will accommodate them and her daughter Lisa (victim of MS) and her family. From there, they will continue their GMO ministry. Trish has asked us to pray that Lisa's huband will receive a job transfer near their new location. The Cohens are in need of prayer for GMO finances. On the bright side, Trish wrote that Diana Sidebotham, from Seminole Christian Fellowship, is now part of GMO full-time in Panimaquin. "We are so happy to have her joining us in the vision for our village," Trish added.

2. Please pray for safe journey mercies for Greentree Church's S.T.A.M.P. team of 16 teens and five adults, all from Greentree, who went to Guatemala to assist in John and Sharon Harvey's ASELSI Missions. They left Monday, April 9, and should return home this Sunday, April 15. Please pray also that the experience will enrich their lives with a greater purpose in serving our Lord.

HEADS UP! RE-CHRISTIANIZING THE CONTINENT

In his article, KEEPING THE FAITH, which appeared in "The New York Times Magazine" dated April 8, 2007, author Russell Shorto listed this disturbing information. He wrote: "Comparing survey data on church attendance in Europe and the United States is doubly revealing. In Western Europe as a whole, fewer than 20 percent of people say they go to church (Catholic or Protestant) twice a month or more; in some countries the figure is below 5 percent. In England, fewer than 8 percent go to church on Sundays. In the U.S., by contrast, 63 percent say they are a member of a church or synagogue, and 43 percent of respondents to a 2006 Gallup Poll said they attended services weekly or almost weekly. ..... 'Americans think religion is a good thing and tend to feel guilty that they aren't religious enough. In Europe, they think being religious is bad, and they actually feel guilty about being too religious'."

Do you wonder why missionaries go to Western Europe to evangelize?

Friday, April 6, 2007

ASA Easter Sunday


ASA (missions) NEWSLETTER

© 2007 Jo DiStefano Kapus April 6, 2007

SUNDAY'S GUESTS HOWARD HUETTL and JOHN TUDOR return as guests on America's Silent Ambassadors this Easter Sunday, April 8, at 2 p.m., on station WIBG, 1020AM radio dial. When you hear this Sunday's program, you will know that Jesus is alive!

Howard and John were part of the Tower of Hope team that went to Uganda this past February 16-28. There were 18 on this evangelist/medical/construction team and both men were involved with the construction work. Hear Howard tell about the work on the clinic that Tower of Hope is building for the needy of two poor villages, and how the native men taught them how to build on that land. Your heart will be touched when Howard relates how enraptured the young boys were when he taught them how to build a big toy airplane, all the while sharing the Word of God with them!

Hear John tell how blessed they were while conducting men's conferences for hundreds of villagers hungry to hear about Jesus. This was a team that not only gave blessed compassionate aid, but spiritual benediction as well.

Uganda is an eastern African nation, smaller than our state of Oregon, with 27 million people who, on an average, live less than 46 years. AIDS, disease, lack of clean water and malnutrition are the most notorious killers.

PRAISE THE LORD! The Lord has blessed this radio ministry. May 1st marks the beginning of our third year. God willing, Rick Springsteen, who helped me launch the first broadcast on May 1, 2005, will help launch our third year. At this time, I want to thank radio station WIBG for the opportunity to tell the man on the street what extraordinary deeds ordinary people can accomplish when serving our Saviour JESUS CHRIST.

YOUR PRAYERS ARE REQUESTED!

Before He ascended into Heaven, Jesus commanded His disciples to go everywhere and teach everyone to obey everything He had commanded them. Please take the time to pray this Easter for the following full-time missionaries, who have appeared on ASA, and who are obediently serving (or have served) overseas:

Renee Boyd, Guatemala Rev. Mary Materniak, Ecuador,etc.

Mike Clark, Guatemala Rev. Dan & Jean Olsen, Africa

Pastor Bernard & Trish Cohen, Guatemala Rebecca & T. M. Onkar, India

Rev. John & Sharon Harvey, Central America Les & Yvonne Parr, Rwanda

Bob Helwer, Guatemala Ellen Pfirman, Africa

Rev. Terry & Patti Jones, Southeast Asia Rev.Rich.& Gerry Walton, Bulgaria

Father Leonard [Carrieri], missionary priest Lisa Whitaker, Central East.Europe

Allen & Joan Timkins Lovekin, Africa Bob & Heidi Winslow, France

"Walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called." --Eph.4:1

Friday, March 30, 2007

missionary updates


ASA (missions) NEWSLETTER

© 2007 Jo DiStefano Kapus March 30, 2007

SUNDAY'S GUESTS John and Sharon Harvey, of ASELSI Ministries in Guatemala, will be the guests on America's Silent Ambassadors this Sunday, April 1, at 2 p.m., on station WIBG, 1020AM radio dial. At the time the program was recorded, the Harveys were winding up their visit to this area, having been conference guests at Greentree Church's World Missions Conference, March 11-18. They have served 15 years as missionaries in Central America.

An ordained minister, who did his Master's work at the Nazarene Theological Seminary, John heads the educational branches of ASELSI (Association for "Equipping the Saints International"). It provides quality Bible education to leaders and pastors of rural communities at its permanent Bible training center and in extension centers in more remote areas in Central America.

Sharon, who is the sister of Harvey Hawn, co-founder of Gospel Outbound, Inc., grew up and attended school in Pleasantville, NJ. After high school, she earned her RN at the West Jersey Hospital School of Nursing in Camden, NJ. She runs the free Father's Heart Clinic/pharmacy at the ASELSI compound (as well as free pharmacy/clinics in remote villages), serving thousands of people annually, who would not otherwise be able to receive care and medicine. The clinic provides examinations, pre- and post-natal care, eye clinics, health education, a pharmacy stocked by donations from the states, the Milk Program, and most recently, physical therapy for the physically challenged. Too, the Word of God is lovingly shared at all times.

Remember, if you live outside the broadcast area, you can listen simultaneously online at www.wibg.com

PRAISE THE LORD! Dorothy Marketto, founder of Omie's Home for Children, (named for her mother, Oma), now has a website: www.omieshomeforchildren.com Some of the web is still under construction, but there is enough information there that will touch your heart. It all started in a rural suburb of Secunderabad, a city in southern India in the state of Andhra Pradesh when Rev. Mani R. Nadava found 10 children living on the streets of a village where he and a team were evangelizing and digging a water bore well. He contacted Dottie, a short-term missionary to India, and asked if she could help. Dottie, who lives in Vineland, NJ, brought the need to her family and friends and the rest is history. Omie's Home for Children in Secunderabad, India, is now "home for 26 children in need of God's love and care." PRAISE!

Yvonne Parr and her husband Les are missionaries in Rwanda under the umbrella of Elim Fellowship International Ministries, Lima, NY. Yesterday I received a very special e-mail from Yvonne, who wrote: "Today marks a special day for us. A landmark day since it has been one year today we disembarked off the plane and began our new life in Rwanda in which we now call home...." Yvonne will be here on furlough later this Spring. Please pray that she will be able to be on ASA at that time.

Also, please pray that Bible college student Tiffany Mills, who went on a short-term mission trip to the Dominican Republic during her spring break this year, will also be able to be on ASA soon. PRAISE THE LORD FOR HIS SAINTS!

Friday, March 23, 2007

important mission news


ASA (missions) NEWSLETTER

© Jo DiStefano Kapus March 23, 2007

PRAISE THE LORD!

T. M. and Rebecca Onkar, founding missionaries of Faith Calvary Ministry (FCM) in India, were blessed with a new baby girl, Genevieve Hanna, born March 15, 2007. Proud grandmom, Joan Weidner, told me that mother and baby are doing fine. The Onkars have two other daughters and the family is here in the States until mid-May. They are available for speaking engagements in churches, small groups and individually during this time. For more information, you can contact their NJ office at (856) 663-6668.

FCM in India is a flourishing ministry involved in Pastor support and training, Bible College, Children's Home, Churches, Cell groups. House churches, English schools, Leadership training and Relief work.

SUNDAY'S GUEST

FATHER LEONARD CARRIERI, of the Missionaries of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, will be the guest missionary on America's Silent Ambassadors this Sunday, March 25, at 2 p.m., on station WIBG, 1020AM radio dial. The day marks Father Leonard's 93d birthday! A scholar with a doctorate in Theology, he clings to Biblical belief that salvation comes only through Jesus Christ. Hear his thoughts about Lent - they might surprise you. A Roman Catholic priest for more than 70 years, his poignant answer to the question, "Any regrets?" will touch your heart.

If you live outside the broadcast area, listen simultaneously online www.wibg.com

YOUR PRAYERS ARE REQUESTED

Bob and Heidi Winslow, a young missionary couple with three small children, appeared on ASA on April 30 last year when they were home on furlough. They are currently serving in France, a nation whose government maintains that the wearing of conspicuous religious symbols threatens the country's secular identity.

A couple of days ago, Heidi wrote: "I write you all asking for prayer this morning because we have a battle to fight for the heart and purity of our children and for France." She went on to explain that each day, her husband and their little girl are forced to walk by a certain convenience store, on the way to the child's school, that displays a very inappropriate poster/advertisement in front. Although Heidi does not describe the poster, she added, "It is quite offensive because you feel like they have violated your kids with such a blatant display (but this is the sin-sickness of the whole culture because no one seems to care about children seeing sexual images."

Heidi went on to say that she intended to see the store's owner that day to ask the owner to please take down the poster. If that didn't work, she thought she would approach the mayor about it. Please pray for Heidi and Bob and the children, as they seek to serve the Lord in a country that, although many believe is Christian, is in reality atheistic.

Also, please pray for Mike Clark, founder/director of Casa Para Niños Aleluya, a home for hundreds of abandoned, abused and homeless children. He is asking anyone in the pharmaceutical/medical field, who can help, to please donate the following meds for one of the home's little girls scheduled for a kidney transplant in mid-April: Prograft, Cell Cept and Prednisone -- (for post-operative long-term care).

Friday, March 16, 2007

latest missions news


ASA (missions) NEWSLETTER

© 2007 Jo DiStefano Kapus March 16, 2007

SUNDAY'S GUEST SHARON TUDOR, Township of Hamilton resident and member of the Tower of Hope short-term mission team that served in Uganda, Africa, last February 16 - 28, will be the guest on America's Silent Ambassadors this Sunday, March 18, at 2 p.m., on station WIBG, 1020AM radio dial. Sharon has appeared several times on ASA, and always shares her experiences in a candid, articulate manner.

Sharon has a heart for the people of Uganda, a country devastated by poverty, war and AIDS, and where life expectancy is 45. Hear how Tower of Hope is building a home and clinic for many desolate, homeless children, how they conducted free pharmacy/medical clinics in small villages, how there is a hunger for the Word of God, and how she and her husband, John, who also went on the team (as one of the construction workers), have been dedicating themselves to fulfilling the Great Commission in Uganda.

PRAISE THE LORD! Greentree Church's World Missions Conference is in full swing! A record number of women attended Girls' Night Out on Thursday, March 15, to hear Sharon Harvey, R.N., of ASELSI Ministries in Guatemala. She shared her years of experience as founder and director of The Father's Heart Clinic, where she has saved hundreds of at-risk babies from malnutrition, birth defects and disease.

Also on the program was Lucinda Wills, who served as a missionary with her husband, Robert. She brought with her their adorable adopted 20-month-old toddler, Jaden, an African baby boy abandoned by his tribe. The stories of these two women touched many hearts.

Sharon's husband, John Harvey, co-founder of ASELSI Ministries and Director of ILIO (Equipping the Saints, International), which offers a degree program in Bible to Guatemalan men and women so they can return to their villages as pastors/leaders, will join the Men's Breakfast on Saturday, March 17, 8:30 a.m. at Greentree's Zion Hall. He will also be the guest speaker at the church's Sunday morning (8:45 and 10:30) worship services.

Rev. Terrol (Terry) W. Jones' book, "Extreme Adventure - Experiencing the Word of God," is now available. Terry, a missionary, educator and pastor, has dedicated the book to the youth and young adults of South Jersey. IT IS A BOOK FOR EVERYONE!

(See the March 9, 2007 ASA Newsletter.)

YOUR PRAYERS ARE REQUESTED Alan Bender, who has been a guest on ASA with reports of his evangelistic work overseas, and home prison ministry, called to ask for prayer. Said Alan, "A friend of mine is coming from Portland, Oregon, and staying from March 29 through the beginning of April. We're going to try to go to prisons in Camden and Philadelphia. Please pray that doors will be open and that God will bless our efforts in this ministry."

"...I was in prison, and ye came unto me. ...Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." Matt. 25:36,40

Friday, March 9, 2007

new young adult book + latest


ASA (missions) NEWSLETTER

© Jo DiStefano Kapus March 9, 2007

Heads Up!

SUNDAY'S GUEST Rev. Terrol (Terry) W. Jones, who has a Master's Degree in Theology and is a missionary with International Missions Network, out of Dallas, Texas, will be the guest on America's Silent Ambassadors this Sunday, March 11, at 2 p.m., on station WIBG, 1020AM radio dial. When he is home from the missions field, Terry is Assistant Pastor of Covenant Life Christian Fellowship in Seaville, NJ, and a substitute teacher in our public school system. His first appearance on ASA was in May 2005.

Terry relates his experiences in northern India and also in Sri Lanka, where he serves at the evangelical Lanka Bible College in Peradeniya, Kandy.

Most exciting will be Terry's introduction of his book, "EXTREME ADVENTURE - Experiencing the Word of God," which he has dedicated to the youth and young adults of South Jersey in memory of Covenant Life Christian Fellowship's Pastor Andrew Surace's son. The book should be available in book stores and on the web in about two weeks. Terry, a missionary, educator and pastor, whose undergraduate work was in Education, History and Social Sciences, is married and a father, and well qualified for a work of this depth and magnitude. THINK! It is between the years of 18 and 30 that we all make our most important decisions in life -- those which not only impact our own lives, but those of our parents, spouse, children and grandchildren. THIS IS A BOOK FOR EVERYONE!

(See Terry's website: www.impactasiaministries.com)

PRAISE THE LORD! Alan Bender, former Philadelphia electrician, who has dedicated his life to spreading the Gospel, called me last Saturday, March 3. He had just returned from Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, and in his usual ebullient way, shouted "Jo, you now have 2,000 more brothers and sisters in the Lord!" PRAISE!

"You just don't get this kind of information anywhere else!" .. "I enjoy listening to your program!" These are the two most frequent comments I receive from listeners. I ask all missionaries, long or short-term (overseas or home missions), to please share your experiences on our program so that you can inform, educate and encourage others to walk with the Lord. This May 1, we shall begin our third year of broadcasting on WIBG. PRAISE!

YOUR PRAYERS ARE REQUESTED Would you believe? According to "CLC Heartbeat", Winter 2006 edition, a bookmobile is becoming a reality in Burma! The population in Burma (Myanmar according to the ruling military junta) is about 50 million, 89% of whom are Buddhist and 6% Christian. The bookmobile will be used to deliver books and Bibles to previously unreachable areas. CLC began its work in Burma 15 years ago with a Christian bookstore, and have now published over 100 books in Burmese. Currently there are 75,000 Burmese Bibles waiting at the border to be shipped in, as well as over 20,000 books. PLEASE PRAY FOR THEIR SAFE PASSAGE. They are desperately needed, but must be prayed in!

World Missions Conference March 11-18, 2007, Greentree Church, EHT, NJ

Friday, March 2, 2007

Israel 2 p.m. Sunday+news


ASA (missions) NEWSLETTER

© Jo DiStefano Kapus March 2, 2007

SUNDAY'S GUEST Alecia Brennan, who has been a missionary to Israel, will be the guest on America's Silent Ambassadors, this Sunday, March 4, at 2 p.m., on station WIBG, 1020AM radio dial. Remember, you can listen simultaneously online at www.wibg.com if you live outside the broadcast area.

Heads Up!

Alecia, a Cape May County social worker, will be of enormous interest to those who are burdened with the conversion of Israel. You may be more than a little surprised at her candor when she speaks about her experiences there. Even more riveting is her admission that she disobeyed the two rules missionaries must never break, and how she survived.

Of special note is Alecia's interest in Messianic Judaism, citing New York Times best-selling author ("The Last Days" and "The Last Jihad") Joel C. Rosenberg's non-fiction book, "Epicenter: Why The Current Rumblings In The Middle East Will Change Your Future," published 2006.

PRAISE THE LORD! John and Sharon Harvey, of ASELSI Ministry in Guatemala, Mexico and Ecuador, will be featured at Greentree's World Missions Conference that will run from Sunday, March 11, through Sunday, March 18, 2007. Also featured will be missionary Lucinda Wills, plus special presentations and events. Conference schedule brochures are available at Greentree Church.

This past December and January, the Father's Heart Clinic, run by Sharon Harvey, RN, was able to help seven of their Milk Program children (more than 260 were seen each month last year) with "one of the greatest Christmas Gifts of all -- a fixed lip or a new palate." The cost of running the clinic last year, not including medications or vitamins given, was $27,096.

YOUR PRAYERS ARE REQUESTED We look forward to the safe return of the Tower of Hope evangelism/medical/construction mission team that went to Uganda last month. Please pray that their efforts are blessed and that they will have many inspirational moments to share with us. Praise!

Yvonne Parr is overjoyed that her sister will visit with her and Les very soon. Yvonne reported that their H.E.L.P. program in war-torn Rwanda, Africa, now has 53 students in the program. They were anticipating only 24 and, needless to say, they are short of supplies. Please pray that the Lord will supply the needed finances for supplies.

Richard Walton, of SEND International, returned home last month after his recent trip to Bulgaria to teach Missions at the United Theological Faculty program in Sofia and Varna. He has asked for prayer for the staff at UTF "as they carry on the program and see the students develop for effective ministry in Bulgaria, the Balkans and Beyond."

"...Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." Matt. 25:40

Friday, February 23, 2007

missionaries need prayers


ASA (missions) NEWSLETTER

© 2007 Jo DiStefano Kapus February 23, 2007

SUNDAY'S GUEST Alan Bender, 60, will be the guest this Sunday, February 25, at 2 p.m., on station WIBG, 1020AM radio dial. A former electrician, Alan, who hails from Philadelphia, dedicated his life to the Lord shortly after the loss of six beloved members of his family. For the past four years, he has committed his life to evangelize overseas. He first appeared on America's Silent Ambassadors on October 2, 2005, when he spoke about his trips to various countries in South America, etc.

Under the umbrella of Champions for Life, Alan has also continued his prison ministry overseas. (Over the years, he has ministered in 160 prisons, bringing the Word of God to hundreds of prisoners, calling it his "motorcycle ministry" here in the States.)

This Sunday, Alan will speak about his trip last month to Ecuador, in northwestern South America. Alan gives a vivid account of this trip, particularly in the dense rain forest area where Steve Saint's father, Nate Saint ("End of the Spear") was one of the five missionaries martyred on January 8, 1956.

Three days after recording this latest broadcast, Alan left for Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic to continue his work in evangelism.

YOUR PRAYERS ARE REQUESTED Please continue to pray for the 17-member Tower of Hope mission team in Uganda as they continue to evangelize and conduct free clinic/pharmacy visits to local churches and schools there. They are also helping to build a facility for hundreds of homeless children.

Also, please continue to pray for Les and Yvonne Parr. This is their first year as full-time missionaries in Rwanda, a country devastated by war, genocide, poverty, AIDS and broken lives. They recently wrote: "God keeps confirming to us we are to continue to love the people of Rwanda and to desire to live a simple life with them, keeping our eyes and ears open for what God would have us do in these lives." I was touched by the account they gave when they recently took out bubbles at recreation time for very young children. The Parrs thought there would be a riot! Children who never saw a bubble before screamed wildly as they tried chasing them. The game had to be stopped so the kids wouldn't trample each other.

Last, but not least, please pray for Mike and Dottie Clark as they travel through southern states, Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee, etc., visiting groups and churches for partners in their ministry. They are the founders (in 1989) and directors of Casa Para Niños Aleluya, a home for hundreds of homeless, abused and neglected children in Guatemala. It has to be difficult for the Clarks, who are now in their 60s, to visit older family members only once every two years here in the States. Please pray for safe journey mercies for them and that the Lord will bless their efforts to continue their work.

"Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me; for of such is the kingdom of heaven." -- Matt. 19:14

Friday, February 16, 2007

The Latest!

ASA (missions) NEWSLETTER

© 2007 Jo DiStefano Kapus February 16, 2007

SUNDAY'S GUEST Trish Cohen, of Guatemalan Mission Outreach (GMO), in Panimaquin, Guatemala, will be the guest this Sunday, February 18, at 2 p.m., on station WIBG, 1020AM radio dial. A retired registered nurse, Trish and her husband, Bernard, a building contractor, were widowed (both hail from Pennsylvania) when they married in later life, moved to Florida where they served in home ministry, and ended up in the tiny mountaintop village of Panimaquin where they served as missionaries from 1996. With Sarah, now age 4, a Mayan Indian girl they adopted as a brand new infant, they "retired" to Florida at the end of last year.

Actually, the Cohens are far from retired. Trish gives a vivid account of their work in the village -- how they grew from a one-room church to a compound with a fellowship hall, kitchen, school, factory, soccer field, etc., and a well that provides water for the entire village! She and Bernard plan to follow up on the work they began, with Bernard leading short-term mission teams there several times a year. A retired pastor friend, who has been leading mission teams there, will continue to do so, also. Trish is excited that in addition they have planned for a retired Guatemalan doctor to conduct a clinic in the village each month. The Cohens have also begun on plans for a ministry in Florida. Praise!

Remember: You can listen to the program simultaneously online at www.wibg.com

VISITING MISSIONARIES John and Sharon Harvey, of ASELSI Missions in Guatemala, Mexico and Ecuador, will be in the area next month. Friends of Gospel Outbound and ASELSI are invited to attend a reception for them on Friday, March 9, at 7 p.m. at the home of Bob and Roni Breunig, 20 Tyler Road, Greenfield, NJ. Please RSVP before March 5 to Lilo Hawn at 609/926-4538 to let her know how many will be attending. If no answer, kindly leave a message.

YOUR PRAYERS ARE REQUESTED A Tower of Hope Team of 17 members, including three nurses, left this week for Uganda, Africa, to evangelize and conduct free clinic/pharmacy visits to local churches and schools and to help build a clinic facility for 800 homeless children.

Greentree's Linda Swartz, R.N., has asked for prayer that the clinics go smoothly --"we'll be living out of boxes of medicine". This is the first time Linda will be conducting a clinic in Uganda, and will be depending heavily on what she learned from Sharon Harvey while in Guatemala. Hey, she had a good teacher!

Added Linda, "Please pray that we have enough needed medication and that we are able to attend to all the people who come to us. We will be going to different villages and homeless areas."

APPLAUSE! to Gospel Outbound for its generous support for the above effort!

From "Over the Next Hill & Still Rolling": Grandchildren don't make a man feel old; it's the knowledge that he's married to a grandmother.

ASA (missions) NEWSLETTER

© 2007 Jo DiStefano Kapus February 16, 2007

SUNDAY'S GUEST Trish Cohen, of Guatemalan Mission Outreach (GMO), in Panimaquin, Guatemala, will be the guest this Sunday, February 18, at 2 p.m., on station WIBG, 1020AM radio dial. A retired registered nurse, Trish and her husband, Bernard, a building contractor, were widowed (both hail from Pennsylvania) when they married in later life, moved to Florida where they served in home ministry, and ended up in the tiny mountaintop village of Panimaquin where they served as missionaries from 1996. With Sarah, now age 4, a Mayan Indian girl they adopted as a brand new infant, they "retired" to Florida at the end of last year.

Actually, the Cohens are far from retired. Trish gives a vivid account of their work in the village -- how they grew from a one-room church to a compound with a fellowship hall, kitchen, school, factory, soccer field, etc., and a well that provides water for the entire village! She and Bernard plan to follow up on the work they began, with Bernard leading short-term mission teams there several times a year. A retired pastor friend, who has been leading mission teams there, will continue to do so, also. Trish is excited that in addition they have planned for a retired Guatemalan doctor to conduct a clinic in the village each month. The Cohens have also begun on plans for a ministry in Florida. Praise!

Remember: You can listen to the program simultaneously online at www.wibg.com

VISITING MISSIONARIES John and Sharon Harvey, of ASELSI Missions in Guatemala, Mexico and Ecuador, will be in the area next month. Friends of Gospel Outbound and ASELSI are invited to attend a reception for them on Friday, March 9, at 7 p.m. at the home of Bob and Roni Breunig, 20 Tyler Road, Greenfield, NJ. Please RSVP before March 5 to Lilo Hawn at 609/926-4538 to let her know how many will be attending. If no answer, kindly leave a message.

YOUR PRAYERS ARE REQUESTED A Tower of Hope Team of 17 members, including three nurses, left this week for Uganda, Africa, to evangelize and conduct free clinic/pharmacy visits to local churches and schools and to help build a clinic facility for 800 homeless children.

Greentree's Linda Swartz, R.N., has asked for prayer that the clinics go smoothly --"we'll be living out of boxes of medicine". This is the first time Linda will be conducting a clinic in Uganda, and will be depending heavily on what she learned from Sharon Harvey while in Guatemala. Hey, she had a good teacher!

Added Linda, "Please pray that we have enough needed medication and that we are able to attend to all the people who come to us. We will be going to different villages and homeless areas."

APPLAUSE! to Gospel Outbound for its generous support for the above effort!

From "Over the Next Hill & Still Rolling": Grandchildren don't make a man feel old; it's the knowledge that he's married to a grandmother.