FIRST HAND WITH BRENDA & DAN

A WHOLE LOT OF BUILDING GOING ON

For a small home church in Ventanilla, Peru a dream of a life time has been accomplish through the 
  construction of their church building. The gift of love was financed by Shirley Spencer and her family in memory of her parents Mr. and Mrs. Cross. Pastor Amelia Torres is realizing God's provision on her church after years of faithful service. The church family, which consists of about 18 adults and 35 kids have seen an increase in attendance in just one week of an additional 40 children. Pastor Amelia informs me they have not waisted any time in continuing the construction. They have already poured the new platform and will start on the floor next. This church is looking forward to what God has in store for their ministry.

The Heartland team consisted of several churches coming together in a team effort to build four walls and a roof in a week. They also held four medical clinics in other cities ministering to over 500 people. The foundation for the construction was ready when they arrived and they accomplished their goal along with putting in three sets of stairs for the neighbors near the church. Working along side of the team as our cement mixers were the young men from the streets that I met about two months ago when I started putting in the foundation. We have bonded in a special way as I have seen God speaking and revealing himself to them. Through conversations and personal prayer they have truly made great strides toward God. We continue to hold them up in prayer. A great big thanks to Sirley Spencer and to the Heartland for a great week and for all the giving of clothes and gifts to this ministry.

INITIAL VISIT TO A NEW WORK IN CASMA, PERU - by Jackie Davis

My first week in Peru was an exciting introduction into missions.  A couple of days after arriving to Lima, I traveled to Casma, Peru alongside Dan and Brenda Clowers.   In company with Jay and Rebekah Ehrhart from California, and three other Peruvians, we departed for an initial visit to a new church plant six hours north of Lima.

A Peruvian woman, Elvira,  had been having church every Saturday night in a house where about 20 or more adults and kids from the town were meeting together for several months.  We had a great time meeting and making friends with the people.  That night, the house was filled with kids and adults in which we were able to serve them through fellowship, teaching of the Word, and through praise and worship together.  Even better, four people asked Christ into their hearts that night!

The next day before leaving, we rode in a motor taxi around the village inviting kids and adults to the house for a special service we were holding that afternoon.  Brenda taught and engaged in a comical skit with Dan Clowers.

We fellowshipped with the people, sang songs, passed out snacks and clothes, played games outside, and developed new relationships.  It was emotionally overwhelming to experience what these people are exposed to.  However, we believe that the only hope that can overcome this darkness is the true light that comes from knowing Christ.

We look forward to going back in a few weeks because many of the children and adults need medical attention and more clothes. This home ministry, together with the assistance of missionaries, will soon turn into an established church plant in Casma, Peru. How exciting to be a partner with God’s work in Peru!

   

    Future location of the church plant in Casma, Peru

JACKIE DAVIS IN PERU

It is a joy to have our new Missionary Intern, Jackie Davis with us in Lima, Peru. Jackie comes to us from Oklahoma City and has already made herself a blessing to us here in the mission home. We have taken a trip recently to the town of Casma where we have a brand new work and she fit right into the mission team. Jackie will be here for about four months and then will go to the SAFARI program in Africa. Missions is her calling and God is going to use her in this work. We're gald to be part of her life for now and ask that you please pray for Jackie as she experiences the new culture and learns the language but more importantly that God will use her in her ministry strengths.

RUN THE GOYE A great success

  On August 29th the 1st annual Run The GOYE 5K run was held in Oklahoma City at the Global Ministries Center, (GMC formerly the RDC). On a beautiful summer morning with 70 degree weather 138 runners, that had registered for this race from across the state and beyond, took off running and walking to complete the 5K course. With police escort and many volunteers the race was a great success. The proceeds for this race went to the LAMCAR social ministries, such as victims of earthquakes, hurricanes, and medical needs. A great big thanks to my son Brent Clowers and his wife Becky, founders of GOYE Racing, for all the planning and preparations they put into this to make it a great success. The GOYE plans to be an annual event for LAMCAR and we are excited about next years which promises to be even bigger and better. I also want to thank all the sponsors and World Missions Ministries for helping and participating in this race. Our own Dr. Doug Beacham and his wife Susan participated as runners and did fantastic. My wife Brenda and I also participated. Brenda came in second for her age category and I jokingly say I came in first ....for my weight category.

       

And Suddenly There was Emelia.

  

 by Brenda Clowers

In August I had the privilege of helping with a team to Ecuador from the Cornerstone Conference led by Jewel Nichols and her husband, Pastor Mitch.  The team  visited five different People to People feeding programs.  They had prepared VBS material, songs and games for the children.  We had a joyful time as we sang, played, danced and ate with the children.  There was only one meal that we conveniently skipped out on when we heard it was cow’s stomach soup. 

            There were thirteen of us and every person was actively involved in touching the lives of these children.  Not only did we share with them, but the children had prepared programs and gifts to give to the team as well.  It was truly an interchange of love.  Every day brought a feeling of success but God had a little extra in mind.  I’ve often stated that God would take a team with all the money that involves around the world for one person.  Well in Ecuador we witnessed that.

            As we were driving from Quito to Otovalo where we have a thriving church plant, God stopped us for a specific mission. After a couple of hours on the road, Jorge Ledesma, our missionary there, suddenly pulled into a look-out area. It appeared that it was a last second idea. He said he thought it would be a good place to stretch our legs.  As we pulled in, there were no other cars, but sitting right in the middle of the sidewalk area was a little Indian lady.  We pulled up a ways and as we were getting out of the van she began to make her way over to us. Our hearts were broken as we saw her walking on all fours, somewhat like a gorilla would walk.  She had shoes on her hands to protect them from the hot pavement.

            I quickly rushed to her and told her to stay where she was that we would come to her.  We began visiting with her and found out that her name was Emelia and she was 72 years old.  Alicia, the missionary, squatted in front of her and very gently began to talk to her about Jesus.  She explained who He is and about sins and forgiveness and about the assurance of eternal life with him.  As we visited with Emelia she told us that at the age of 6 her sister pushed her off of a donkey and she broke her back.  She has walked on all fours since that time.  But as Alicia talked to her more and more about the love of Jesus, her eyes teared up and when Alicia asked her if she would like to say the sinner’s prayer, she eagerly agreed.  Her eyes told the story as she accepted Jesus into her heart. 

            We may never see Emelia again, but we are confident that Jesus will continue to reveal Himself to her through his Holy Spirit.  If God can stop a van going down the road at just the right time to minister to a 72-year-old Indian lady, He knows how to take care of her.  The team gave her some money, crackers and water and we went on our way.  But the atmosphere in the van had changed completely.  As we traveled on the team one-by-one began to weep as we prayed for Emelia and the thousands of others like her among the tribal people of Ecuador.  But as someone mentioned how wonderful it will be when we stand before the Lord and we see Emelia walking towards us strong and tall and say “Thank you, for stopping and sharing with me about Jesus” we all began to rejoice and give praise for His timing.

            We have an invitation to go into the jungles of Ecuador next year to minister to tribes and take medical care to them.  There are many tribes in those jungles that still have not heard the name of Jesus…..more Emelias….more broken people.  With God being our helper we will answer the call. 

2009 School Of Missions

In August we were in Black Mountain, North Carolina for the 2009 School of Missions, (SOM). This is a time of training and ministry for the missionaries and new missionary candidates ofthe World Mission Ministries. The week is filled with many seminars and training time to help the missionaries understand the inner workings of WMM. The evening service was a great blessing under the teaching of the editor of Charisma magazine Rev. J Lee Grady.

While attending this year's SOM I was blessed to get to interview several new missionary candidates who are showing interest in being missionaries in the LAMCAR region. We are in great need of workers in this region to help us reach the unreached people groups of our region.

General Convention of the IPHC

You may have already figured out by now if you are a regular to this blog that we are missionaries with the International Pentecostal Holiness Church, (IPHC). The last of July  thru the 1st of August we attended the 26th General Convention of the IPHC held in Greensboro, North Carolina. I have not missed a General Convention in the last 37 years. I have to say that this was probably one of the best conventions I have been to. During the week business of the church was held and elections of our general officials took place. A great spirit of unity and fellowship was present in spite of different views. Our new leaders are as follows:

 Presiding Bishop - Dr. Ronald W. Carpenter Sr.

Vice-Chairman and Executive Director of World Missions Ministries - Dr. A.D. Beacham

Corporate Secretary and Executive Director of Evangelism USA - Rev. D. Chris Thompson

Corporate Treasurer and Executive Director of Descipleship Ministries - Rev.Talmage Gardner

Our prayers and commitment go out to these our new officers in the church. We know that God will lead us to a great future and that together we will accomplish great things for the Kingdom of God.

                               

JoySpring Retreat

In July Brenda and I were blessed to be part of a Joy Spring Retreat. Joy Springs is a ministry of Bane and Barbara James of Franklin Springs, Georgia. For two or three time in the year the James host a very intimate retreat in the mountains of Gatlinburg, Tennesee. The guests that are invited range from missionaries, pastors and church leaders. For two or three days a time of praise and worship and prayer for the different ministries represented is experienced along with the teaching of the word by a special guest speaker. I can personally say that for Brenda and myself it was a much needed time and well appreciated. Thanks to Bane and Barbara for their ministry of love that really brought a spring of joy to our souls.

BOLIVIA IS HIGH ON OUR LIST

As I write this update I am in La Paz, Bolivia. I am amazed at the love and fellowship I receive eachtime I come to Bolivia. We have a total of four works in Bolivia. La Paz, El Alto, Cochabamba and Tajira. Our missionary Iber Luis prado definitely has a gift for planting churches but it is obvious that he needs help, not because he can't do the job but because he is only one man and the work is great so we need more workers. Bolivia is high priority for getting a North American missionary who has experience in ministry and leadership training and  is willing to join with the vision of our missionary Iber Luis Prado. Together we will see a great conference of churches for the Lord and the IPHC. I spoke in two of the churches while here and although I always suffer a little with the altitude sickness while here I am fine and leave for Tegucigalpa, Honduras for a retreat with the pastors after this. Our missionary Iber Luis Prado has been working with a budget that is about $1,000 too low. God has blessed many times through the kindness of givers like you but I want you to pray about being a regular supporter of this work. Your faith commitment will not only open doors of ministry here in Bolivia but will bless your life as well. If you want to help you can send your love gift to:  World Missions Ministries P.O. Box 12609, OKC, OK 73157  note on check offering for National Missionary Bolivia: Iber Luis Prado.

 

SHAKE RATTLE & ROLE

Brenda’s sister Rhonda and her husband Rodney Daniels came for a visit to Peru. Wow what a great time we had with the family. Rodney and Rhonda are directors of three Teen Challenge centers in the Houston area. While in Lima Rodney was able to give a presentation of the ministry of Teen Challenge and its successes. We were able to do a little more traveling with them so we went to all the works in the conference. They helped with our People To People feeding program we have in Sector N, Ventanilla, the site for the new building that the heartland Conference will be doing in September. While in the Chincha area we stayed in a hotel called the Columbus hotel. Monday morning as we were readying to leave an earthquake hit at 8:05. It registered a 5.2 on the rector scale. This was small compared to others I have been in were I was almost killed but none the less very shocking. This was a first for Rhonda and Rodney so they were of course ready to get down from the fifth floor of the hotel. No damage was done but the region we were in is where the major quake hit two years ago and they are still trying to recover. Thanks Rhonda and Rodney for a great time. And to learn more about People to People and the child sponsorship program go to  www.iphc.org