by those whose hearts the lord seeks out. it is his.€¦ · encourages me to seek more of god. i...
TRANSCRIPT
ONE LIFE
ISSU
E 2
2018
ONE CHANCE MINISTRIESOne Life | One Community | One Kingdom
TELL YOUR STORYOne volunteer shares her story
SUMMER MINISTRY IMPACTGod at work in San Quintin
this summer
WELCOME MANUELNew OLOCM team member
in Mexico
THE WORLD IS REALLY RUN BY THOSE WHOSE HEARTS THE LORD SEEKS OUT. IT IS HIS.
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www.onelifeonechance.ca | [email protected]
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It’s 3:00 am and I can’t sleep. It’s probably because I’m getting older…yet, I’m getting older! I’m not sleeping because the Lord continues to place on my heart hard things. The people of Mexico, this ministry, and our staff consume my thoughts. They sit at the front lines of darkness and still find the energy to wake each morning with a passion to reach out to some of the most beautiful people in the world. Families that would change their whole day, just to spend an hour with us. Families that understand how import-ant relationship is, give what little they have to invite us into their homes and pray over us before we leave. Hum-bling, especially as we are guests in their country, community and lives.
Many of the streets we build on have no name, but the families that live there do. They are diverse and come from every part of Mexico. They have experienced things that would scare us, take us out of our comfort zone and change our world view. This diversity is so precious and speaks to every one of us. It is the raw material that helps us understand the dirt, plastic and human condition that defines people I call my friends. This is our beautiful world and something that is untouched by the politics of today. The enemy tries to have a foothold, but the world is really run by those whose hearts that the Lord seeks out. It is His.
After 25 years, God continues to show Brenda and I that these streets are not just made of dirt but born in life…rela-tionship. These are real families, that hurt, love and know the same Lord. In Canada, we have our separate church-es, individual houses and yet the great-est lie is, “we are an Island.” Why does it take a journey abroad to understand that missions starts back home?
However, one of the blessings Brenda and I have, is knowing a communi-ty amongst the many churches and families that visit Mexico. We get to hear the heart of so many people wanting to
This season, I learned of a young girl that spent her free time colleting bottles for a family. She raised all that money, on her own, and those bottles built a family a house…a home. Can you imagine what that took to raise thousands of dollars through pop bottles? For a home and people, she never met? It’s the widow’s mite, the things done in secret and why you never talk about the things that matter. She gave of her heart for someone that may never know.
God doesn’t want our money, He just wants our heart…
make a difference back home / abroad. Nothing happens by chance and ev-ery person that has contributed might never understand the value of that time. I hear over and over again, from grown children, how someone from another country came all this way to spend time with me and they’re changed because of that moment. I love 1 Thessalonians 5:11 because it speaks into who you were when you came down. Wanting, but also giving.
Thank you for being Jesus to so many families and the allowing the Lord to reach out to our friends. In that, you have literally cemented foundations into communities that would otherwise not have hope. What you have done in secret does not go unnoticed. Thank you!
WHERE THE STREETS HAVE NO NAMEBy Rob & Brenda Wall - Founders
“Why does it take a journey abroad to understand that
missions starts back home?”
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Manuel de Jesus Morales joined the OLOCM team in Mexico earlier this summer as our Manager of Operations for the Ministry in Mexico. He brings a wealth of experience in management and planning, as well as a heart to see God move in the people of his home community.
“Before I came to work with OLOCM, the jobs I had were work, but none of them aligned to my spiritual needs or goals. My wife and I asked God to provide us with a job that would give us time to go to church, as with the jobs I had previously, we were not able to do so. I found out about this position with One Life One Chance Ministries, and knew it was from God, because we had asked him for it. He gave me the opportunity to be part this ministry, and
it’s a great blessing to see how others are blessed through it.
“This spring I was able to participate in the Unity Project together with several pastors, building a house for a family in need. Seeing happiness, seeing the joy on their faces…I really do not know how to explain how it felt to be part of that. It was such a wonderful experience. Work-ing with the groups that come to serve is also exciting. I’ve gotten to know many new people this summer, and seeing the joy that they have in serving here encourages me to seek more of God.I love how God works through OLOCM. It’s a great blessing for the Valley of San Quintín…how it touches the hearts of the people, the sponsors, the volunteers who come to serve, and all the staff. I ask God to bless the lives of each of
them. I know it is not easy for those serving to leave their families and their comforts, for this place, but I know they do it with all their heart.
“I also appreciate how this ministry works with local pastors, and organizes various events for the churches and pastors. It’s marvelous seeing how the churches work together for the good of this place. It’s beautiful. I ask God to continue blessing this ministry that teaches us many wonderful things.God bless you all!”
Manuel, his wife Anarely and their three beautiful children live in the San Quintín Valley of Baja California and are excited about being part of this work.
WELCOME MANUEL
“...seeing the joy that they have in serving here encourages me to seek more of God.”
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At the start of this summer, we asked God to move in big ways in the lives of those who came from Canada to serve, those who we served with, and those who were served. We asked that as we worked together for God’s glory, that He would answer that prayer and change lives by the power of His Holy Spirit, and He has! Over the past two months, we’ve hosted nine teams at Los Olivos and each one has served well in ways unique to their group. Each team brings different talents, passion, and energy, and we’ve seen God work in amazing ways in and through them all:
team member baptisms // kids programs with churches and in the community // women’s event // testimonies at church services
// relationship building every day // community service projects // family reunions // sharing the Gos-pel // serving those in need // lives redeemed by Jesus // healing and restoration // strengthening of the local Church
People are being transformed by the saving power of Jesus Christ as they turn their lives over to Him! These things excite us as we see God moving equally in the hearts of those serving and those being served. Give thanks with us and continue to pray for fruit to be borne through the work of this ministry and the churches we partner with in San Quintin.
THANK-YOU Crossroads Community Church, Yarrow Alliance Church, Gracepoint Community Church, Broadway MB Church, Main Street church, Youth for Christ Wetaskawin, Arnold Community Church, Yarrow United Mennonite Church, and Chilliwack Alliance Church for serving and pouring into the people of San Quintin!
SUMMER MINISTRY IMPACT
This summer...Over 170 people
on 10 teamsconnected with
7 Churchesin 5 communitiesto serve 9 families
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CELEBRATION NIGHT
Chilliwack Alliance ChurchFRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2nd 2018 7:00PM
Five years ago, I was sitting on a rickety church pew at a Thursday night youth gathering, when my youth Pastor flipped to a slide promoting our church’s “2013 Mexico Missions Trip” with One Life. A spark ignited in my soul that night which hasn’t gone out since.
Ministry isn’t a moment or certain feeling during a 7-day mission trip, it is the Great Commission. As Christians, we are called in Matthew 28 to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.” Ministry doesn’t only take place away from home or in a foreign country... but in every aspect of our lives; in our workplace, in our school, in our community, and in our homes, we are called to be Christ’s hands and feet. And when we are in full surrender towards our Heavenly Father we see the transformative work
of His hand in our lives. He moves us into seasons of discomfort, change and unknown to show us His providential work and reveals His promises.
This has been my story for the past 5 years. From the beginning when I heard if this ministry, I knew Christ had called me to serve. When the founders, Rob and Brenda Wall, gave their welcome speech and staff introductions to my team 4 years ago, Rob said, “This could be one of you guys up here in a couple years,” and I knew that was God. He was calling me down to Mexico, and that was a promise He kept.
This summer I had the opportunity to serve as staff for the second time in San Quintin, but there were moments where His way was unclear to me. There were moments where it was hard to see where He was leading me. Many times in our lives He calls us into situations
and seasons littered with promises but lacking actual logistics, and when there seems to be no light, God reveals Himself and moves. In these situations, we have to live in reckless abandonment towards our Great Father and His plan. After deep prayer and reflection, I have been able to see His faithful promises have prevailed in calling me to serve. Our Great God will always keep His promises in our lives; He is SO good.
The spark that Christ lit in my heart 5 years ago continues to fan into flame. The God who put the universe in order, created the land and sea, gave breath to the birds of the sky and animals of the earth and called it “good” also invited me to volunteer with One Life One Chance and I could not be more thankful. I was moved in ways I couldn’t have expect-ed and saw the hand of God in various situations, and in the teams that came to serve.
One life One Chance continues to be a bright light in the darkest places of the San Quintin Valley. He is moving in this community as they impact countless individuals, families, and churches. And not only in Mexico but here in North America too. As I served this summer, I saw lives transformed and hearts broken and turned back to Christ. God used His work to impact my own life through the church services, the fellowship with the locals and so many interactions with others. I do not have enough gratitude to thank my Heavenly Father for the season He has placed me in, and I am hopeful of what He has in store for me next. However long this season of working with One Life One Chance is, I will continue to understand and proclaim that He loves the powerless. And so will I, in every aspect of my life.
Janaya lives in Abbotsford, BC and is studying Elementary Education with a minor in Middle School Math and Sci-ence at Dordt College in Iowa. She has served with OLOCM for 5 years.
TELL YOUR STORYBy Janaya Hirsch - OLOCM Volunteer
SAVETHE
DATE
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This summer our team served with hearts full of love and surrender to the work God had planned for this Ministry, and for themselves. We are grateful for each one and the gifts, talents, and passion they brought to serving teams alongside local communities, pastors, and churches for God’s glory! Please continue to keep our team in prayer.
Left to right: Martha Reyna, Heather Molina, Paige Janzen, Arturo Molina, Evita Reyna, Jemyma Ornelas de la Rosa, Tiff Tsu, Marcos Lee, Angel Ojeda, Michelle Murray-Schlitt, Manuel Morales, David Ornelas de la Rosa, Amanda Rahn. Sidebar: Isaias & Ana Vasquez, Everardo Jeminez
As OLOCM was growing in Mexico, and hosting more groups at Los Olivos, it became apparent that having a local, full-time cook would be extremely helpful in providing meals for those serving with us. Around seven years ago Evita Reyna came to us through a local connection, and began sharing her gift of cooking with this ministry. She’s made hundreds of meals serving thousands of people, and has probably chopped more veg-etables that she cares to remember! As she’s served, she has included her family and friends at times when she’s needed extra help. It’s been so good to get to know her family and to have them as part of this work. In a previous inter-
Three years ago OLOCM was as a point of growth where the ministry’s bookkeeping needs had grown beyond the staff’s ability to maintain the work. At just the right time, God brought Neil Oslund to One Life to fill the role of bookkeeper. Neil committed to serve with us for three years, and to volunteer his time! His skills, gifts and experience allowed our staff and board to gain greater insight into the financial aspects of the work we do. Additionally, he and his wife, Judi, spent significant time in Mexico through these years, encouraging our staff team, filling gaps and working hard to move the work for-ward. Words will not be able to convey the appreciation we have for Neil and Judi and their hearts for this work and the people of San Quintin. We are so grateful!
view Eva shared, “I’m really happy to cook and serve the groups. I do it with a lot of love, as if it was my own family. I don’t just make the food as if I wasn’t going to eat it, I make it as if it was for my family. I really like what I do.”
Our last team of the season joins us in September, and this also marks the last week that Eva will be working with us. She has served well, and is now seeking to follow a dream of opening a small restaurant. We’ll certainly miss her, and pray God’s blessing on her and her family as she works toward fulfilling this dream.
CELEBRATING OUR TEAM
THANK YOU EVITA
THANK YOU NEIL
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SUPPORT OPPORTUNITIES
SOLO UNO MAS
DONATE A VEHICLEHelp! While we do love the “Green Machine”, its days are numbered. Along with this vehicle, many others in our fleet in Mexico need re-placing very soon. Contact us to learn how you can donate a vehicle to OLOCM. We’re looking for 15 passenger vans, a family-sized van, a car or two, and a pick-up truck.
FAMILY SUPPORT FUNDThrough your donations, this fund provides support packages (food, household, and school supplies) to hard working families in San Quintin who need a little extra help. OLOCM connects with previous house build families and others in the community to provide encour-agement and connection to the local Church while meeting basic needs. A typical grocery package is $65 (depending on family size). Your support enables this practical support to continue.
Our 3rd Annual multi-church gathering is being planned for Octo-ber 7th! This event continues to grow, with 15 different churches participating last year and over 600 people in attendance! Pray for our team in Mexico as they work together with local pastors to plan this fantastic day of worship, teaching, prayer, fellowship, sport and fun. You can support this event, which encourages unity in the local Church, by donating today. Funds cover costs for chair, tent, and equipment rentals, food, and ministry supplies. Total funds needed: $1650 www.onelifeonechance.ca/give
I Love San Quintin - MONTHLY SUPPORTJoin us in the ON-GOING work in San Quintin by becoming a monthly supporter! For as lilttle $35 a month you can make a difference in San Quintin as One Life encourages, equips and supports local pastors and ministries in sharing the love of Jesus Christ with the marginalized and needy in their communities. When you partner with OLOCM, you’ll be enabling our team in Canada and Mexico to continue connecting with churches in both countries, coming alongside these communities as we partner together to expand God’s Kingdom. Simply put, we cannot do this work without your monthly financial support. Please pray and consider if God is inviting you to join us in this way.
To join this program, or for more information, and to donate go to: www.onelifeonechance.ca/give.
Do you love this Ministry and how God is working through it? Is there someone in your family or circle of friends that shares a desire to build into the local Church and communities in Mexico? Encour-age a family member, friend, relative, colleague, client, teammate…someone you know, to learn more about us, and invite them to join you (and us) in helping make a difference. Solo una mas…just one more. Help increase our impact and enable us to fulfill our mission of transforming lives and communities in the San Quintin Valley. www.onelifeonechance.ca/give
UNITY SAN QUINTIN
Give Thanks:• For the teams which have given so much this summer to encourage the Church and families in San Quintin• For our staff team and volunteers who serve in Canada and Mexico• For our church partnerships in Canada and Mexico which enable this work to flourish• For God’s continued provision and covering of this Ministry
Intercede:• For church and ministry leaders in San Quintin as they preach the Gospel• For several upcoming projects and ministry initiatives in Mexico, that planning and logistics would come together• For equipping for the local Church in Mexico and reliance on the Holy Spirit• For additional monthly partners to support this work financially
Join our Prayer Team! Contact Trish Wiens at: [email protected] to learn more.
Trish WiensExecutive Assistant [email protected]
Arturo & Heather MolinaDirectors of Indigenous Ministry
[email protected]@onelifeonechance.ca
Rob & Brenda WallFounders
[email protected]@onelifeonechance.ca
Grant W. SaipExecutive Director
Manuel de Jesus MoralesManager of Operations
Stay up to date by following us on social media!
PO Box 4023 Yarrow Station Main Chilliwack, BC V2R 5H8 CANADA604-621-4997 [email protected] www.onelifeonechance.ca
PRAY WITH US
SUPPORT THE WORK
PARTNERING WITH PEOPLE TO TRANSFORM COMMUNITIES FOR THE GLORY OF GOD
Your participation and financial support enables us to carry out the mission God has given us. You can contribute in several ways: by mail to the address below, on our website (www.onelifeonechance.ca/give) or by scanning the QR code to the right. Thanks for partnering with us!
You can direct your donation to:• General Fund – supporting daily ministry operations, I Love San Quintin campaign• Evangelism & Equipping -- Bibles, resources, pastoral care• Community Outreach – benevolence, small projects, family support• Capital Projects – House of Refuge, dorms, warehouse If you have questions related to finance, contact Brenda Wall at: [email protected]