There are not enough words that I could use to describe how I feel towards Rob and Vicky’s old church. They were “Awesome”. I think almost everyone who was there at church on Sunday did something for us. There willingness to serve us and take time out of there day to feed and drive us was unbelievable. If every church was like them I think the world’s view of Christianity would be completely different. We would not be seen as hypocrites any more but actually a people who live what they preach. Even our church could learn some things from them. I personally could grow more as a servant from watching them by learning to serve someone who I do not even know.

More about me, like I said at church, I can not say enough on just how broken I was over how lost the world really is. Even in America I see how fake a lot of people’s Christianity is. It is no different here or there, people live however they want but if at the end of the day they say they believe in “God” or “Allah” they will go to heaven or paradise. To be honest I do not know how to change all of that but I am at least glad that God made that reality to me in the form of Robert. I grew to have a deep care for that boy and it breaks me that I might not ever see him again on earth or in eternity so now I hope to have a heart for the lost in the form of Robert. So if I see someone who is lost I hope it will make me think of Robert so I will have as much compassion for them as would for Robert.

I was also really encouraged by the church members and Point Bible. Their willingness to serve us by making us meals and having us over was such a testimony to me. I really realized how big God is! The thought that there are Christians out in France that don’t even speak our language and come from a completely different culture but serve the same God was incredible. Serj and Michelle had to be two of the most loving people I’ve ever met. How I can’t wait for the day when we will see them in heaven and be able to communicate.

The trip was also a humbling experience for me. God revealed pride in my heart that I was unaware of at the time. Going into the trip, thinking I had this whole testimony thing down, I was quickly confronted. After giving my testimony on Sunday in church and hearing some constructive criticism, I realized that maybe I didn’t have it down after all. As the team leader of this trip I also began to think of myself as somewhat more important than the others. God showed me that each one of our team members is no more important or valuable than another but that we all have specific roles in which we are to serve.

Rob and Vikki were so much fun. Vikki was so sweet loving towards us. Even though she had a bad need, she was still doing all she could to serve us and serve the kids. She’s awesome! Robo, man I miss that guy. I miss him waking us up like a drill sergeant. Good times! It was really cool getting to know Rob and hearing about their experiences with missions and just gaining wisdom from him. He really helped me with being able to share my faith more clearly. After giving my testimony that Sunday, he helped me realize that I need to use my testimony to show unbelievers proof of God’s work in my life.  I really enjoyed spending time with them and I am so thankful for their ministry.

The camps were a blast. Even though there was a language barrier between us we still managed to communicate with the kids. Investing in and loving on those kids meant so much to them. You could really tell by how excited and happy they were. That was the true reason we were there, to show those kids the love of Christ because of what Christ has done in our lives. I pray that seeds were planted and one day some of those kids will know the truth. I will never forget this trip and I hope to return someday and serve with Rob and Vikki again.

Shot by Catherine Lainé of AIDG (flickr)

If you haven’t been in a cave, then you know of the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti six days ago, and the ensuing humanitarian crisis that’s developing now.  Over 200,000 are now estimated dead with many of the living in desperate need of food, water and medical care.  Christian and non-Christian alike are working hard to help mitigate and relieve some of the incredible suffering that’s now taking place.

For believers, we are called to be faithful stewards of God’s resources.  That means that we should be saving up funds to spend on others, and not just ourselves.  Jesus tells the story in Luke 16 of an unrighteous, worldly steward who knew enough to spend his master’s money in a way that would benefit his future.  And Jesus argues that if an unbeliever knows enough to do this, how much more should Christians be investing God’s money into things of eternal consequence!

With that in mind, I wanted to make you aware of a variety of solid, trustworthy and less-heard-of relief organizations that are now hard at work in Haiti:

• Churches Helping Churches – an effort launched by James MacDonald and Mark Driscoll to specifically help solid Haitian churches that have been flattened or otherwise destroyed by the earthquake.  Hospitals, schools and other major buildings get all the attention, but biblically solid churches need to exist in Haiti for them to truly thrive.
• Childrens’ Hunger Fund – this organization is primarily focused on bringing food and the hope of the gospel to kids.  Francis Chan (pastor of Cornerstone Church in Simi Valley) sits on the board and they have been operating in Haiti since before the earthquake.
• Missionary Flights International – they provide air support to missionaries working in Haiti and the Dominican Republic.  Since the earthquake, they have been shutting supplies there as often as the airport will let them land.  Here’s a report on MFI from our own Eric Verkouteren…

As the Lord would providentially have it, I’m sitting in the parking lot of Missionary Flights International in Fort Pierce Florida, awe struck of the mercy god supplies. As an established organization, MFI organizes and partnerships with missionaries in Haiti to be a support chain in the supply of personel and goods. In response to the recent earthquake, this operation has expanded it’s daily flights and services beyond what it can withhold. As I walk around the hanger I see over 200 volunteers packing and sorting supplies. In talking with the Vice President Larry Cambell, he acknowledges the donations of some 100,000 lbs of supplies just today! MFI normally operates three restored DC-3 aircraft, but the demand has quickly exceeded the capacity of the organization.

Supplies being loaded at MFI (by Eric V)

In talking with Mr. Campbell he explained, ” The need is beyond our limit. With the generous support of Hendrix Motorsports we have two corporate jets shuttling workers and personnel. But we are still overwhelmed. We have 100,000 lbs of supplies sitting on the hanger floor with no way to get it down to Haiti. We need a C-130 or other aircraft to acomplish the task.”
Surely the need will continue for the next few months. Acording to Mr. Campbell, the US military has taken over the airport in Haiti, the flights are leaving several times a day. As I write I’m watching the supplies be loaded, personnel making their last phone calls, and more supplies arriving by the pallet. I’m stirred and I hope you are too to seek the lords hand, and to reach out how He may lead. More than just a temperal need, there is a spiritual need beyond what we can imagine.
Let’s rally in Christ…
In Him,
Eric

If you’d like to personally support what the Hurleys are doing in Uganda, visit SOS Ministries and make a donation.

Erick

Obviously this does not in any way remove the need for me to personally share the Gospel with them (or risk offending them).  But it does offer a supplement to the evangelism process.  It allows them to see into my life in a way that is not threatening to them and gives them extended exposure to the Gospel.

Anyway, the point is: 1.) Get a Facebook account if you don’t have one, 2.) Add unsaved friends and (especially) extended family, 3.) Make your statuses and posts strategic for the Kingdom.  They are watching…..  Facebook missionally!

For those of you who are new to Kaleo, FBC or Facebook, mine is at: http://www.facebook.com/erickcobb (I would be happy to add, so please request it), the Kaleo Facebook group page is here and the FBC Facebook group page is here (please become a member).

But more importantly do steps 2 and 3 above and let’s follow Paul’s lead and “become all things to all people, that by all means [we] might save some…and do all for the sake of the Gospel” (I Cor 9:22b-23a).  Including Facebook.

Well worth watching…

Shannon preached both services at FBC, teaching from Hebrews 11.  He honored the meaning of the text while exhorting us to have strong faith in God and not be content or comfortable with life here — for the earth is not our home.  Audio can be downloaded from our sermon archive or you can listen to the podcast, if you missed it (or want to listen again).  Shannon also preached in our college-career ministry, Kaleo, last night.  If audio becomes available, it will appear on their website.

Please be in prayer for the Hurleys as they return home next month to Uganda.  In the coming weeks, they will travel north to visit friends and some churches and then fly home in April.  I know that they are enjoying their time here, but are eager to get home and back to a life of ministry among a people who desperately need Christ.  We’re thankful to have been able to spend some time with them while they’re here – and to bless them with a Disneyland trip on Friday!  Chris took some pictures which are below: