Colombia

Colombia, December 14, 2009

Dear Brethren,

My time in Cali, Colombia has just about come to an end for this year. I am at the airport at the gate waiting to board my plane. I've already gone through two security checks and there will be one more before I board the plane to Miami. Bro. Valori and Dan left earlier they had an 8:35am flight with American Airlines. I'm glad to be coming home and while the trip home is long its not as long or tiring as some of the other places I've been to.

As I have mentioned many times, the people here are very precious and its a blessing to see how they receive the word with gladness. Through Sion there are churches being planted in Bogota, Cartagena and a few other places. I am trusting in the Lord that the next year Ric and I come to Colombia we will be able to encourage these brethren as well.

My time to board is coming up soon so I will say goodbye and thank you for your loving prayers and support.

Blessings to all.

Colombia, December 11, 2009

 Dear Brethren,

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!” Psalms 133:1

We rejoice in how God's people here in Colombia continue to receive the message God has put on our hearts. Their love for us is truly amazing and as I have said many times before they are truly family to me.

The other day Dan wanted to bless a number of them and he organized to make a spaghetti and meatball dinner. We fed about 15 people and had plenty of food left over. Dan did an amazing job and Sergio and I helped by rolling meatballs. I also mixed the ingredients together by the squishing method. Since I've never grown up it was a fun thing to do.

Our time here is beginning to draw to an end. Today Friday we meet with a family and tonight Bro. Valori will share the word. As always thank you for your prayers.

Blessings to all.

Colombia, December 7, 2009

Dear Brethren,

We have had some excellent meetings. I kicked off the first meeting on Saturday, Bro. Valori shared yesterday and Dan will share on Wednesday. I am glad to report how open these precious people of God are to the message we carry. As I have said before, these Colombians are some of the most loving people one can ever encounter. They have become to me very precious in the ten years I have been coming here.

The economics continue to be rough as illustrated that the dollar is at an all time low. Last year the dollar was worth about 2300 Colombian pesos this year 1875. Not a good sign for us back home and even harder for them here. However, the Spirit of God is alive in the hearts of His people. 

We continue to do well. Especially Bro. Valori who has found a renewed energy.

Blessings in Christ.

Colombia, December 5, 2009

Dear Brethren,

I am glad to report I had a long but safe trip to Colombia. I had left my house on Thursday and Gary Rose drove me to the Scranton airport. I went from Scranton to Charlotte NC to Miami to Cali Colombia. Praise God all my connections went smooth and my luggage arrive with me. Bro. Valori and Dan DeVitis also arrived on time. They came on American Airlines I travelled on Avianca. They arrive about twenty minutes later than me. All of us are doing fine.

Tonight we have our first church meeting and I am kicking it off I look forward to seeing all the precious brethren here. The love they show us is simply amazing and whenever I go to Colombia I feel like I am here visiting my family which of course they are. My blessings to all of you and I will keep you updated. Thanks for your prayers.

India

Coimbatore, October 22, 2009

Dear Brethren,

Greetings from Coimbatore- October 19, 2009

Dear Brethren,

Praise God we have arrived safe and sound in Coimbatore. Its hotter here than in Bangalore but hopefully it will not be as hot as in Visak. There were several brothers who met us at the airport and were glad to see us. Pastor Deveraj from Coimbatore was also at the meetings in Bangalore and was very blessed. These people have been hurt in the controlling atmosphere that Joy Thomas produced. I know these meeting will produce a freedom in the spirit and years of burdens and heaviness will leave.

Although we have a number of meetings ahead of us the reality is we will be leaving here in several days. Although our time here is coming to an we trust that there will be an impartation of great things before we leave. I am doing well and I trust you all are as well.

Blessings to all.

Greetings from Bangalore-October 18, 2009

Dear Brethren,

Today ended our last meeting in Bangalore and I am glad to report our meetings were "exceedingly beyond all that we can ask or think". These brethren came out of a cultish controlling ministry and about eighty five of these precious people attended this conference. While it is good that they came out the question for them was what do we do now? Where do we go? What should we do next?

About three years ago, by God's providential hand, a brother by the name of Raju (Philip) Thomas from Thrissur, India searched the internet for a man by the name of Sergio Valori. A man he had first met about twenty five years previous but made a very deep impact on his life. By God's grace he found the CMF website and the connection was made. Ric and I and Bert Ghilardi visited Philip about two years ago and met some of these brethren. Bro. Valori, David Valori and Bert returned last year as well. This year however was God's timing to pull them all together in one big conference here in Bangalore and followed up with a smaller conference in Coimbatore. The team consisted of Bro. Valori, Ric, Gary Sclafani, and myself.

Ric and I had arrived in India about a week before Bro. Valori and Gary for we were ministering in Andra Pradesh with Bro. Melchizedek.

Praise God, a three day gathering took place where we were able to bring forth the liberating word of the gospel of the kingdom. The second night the Holy Spirit moved in such a way that deliverance and peace of mind and heart were brought to many. I shared on the "traditions of men" followed by a prophetic move and an exhortation by Ric. Oh brothers and sisters, what a powerful and glorious meeting it was. The leaders have come to the conclusion to commit themselves to seek and pray what the Lord's will is for them individually and corporately.

These men and women are precious and I can see God extending much grace upon them. Using them not only to mend their own lives but also bringing freedom to others that are enslaved as well.

Tomorrow is a travel day to Coimbatore and our meetings start Tuesday. Thank you for all your prayers.

Greetings from Bangalore-October 16, 2009

Dear Brethren,

I am glad to report that we have landed safely in Bangalore. It was good to see Bro. Valori and Gary S. once again. We also met for the first time Joseph Rozario who seems to be an important part of what God wants to do here. Later on we saw Biju Jacobs and his wife Leena, they are precious people.

Tomorrow we start off our meetings and we are all looking forward to it. These meetings are key and I know that precious seeds of the kingdom will be successfully planted here tomorrow. Thanks for keeping us in your prayers.

Last day in Visak-October 15, 2009

Dear Brethren,

Today we leave Visak and fly to Bangalore to meet up with Bro. Valori and Gary Sclafani. Our meetings here in Visak have been very beneficial and we trust that many of the brethren that heard the messages will strive to enter into the fullness that God has for them. Both Ric and I shared at yesterdays pastor's conference. We both sensed the unction to speak as direct as possible on how God is looking for leaders who are uncompromising and want to be part of that company without spot or wrinkle. Greed and dishonesty are rampant in the churches in India.

We leave today about 10:40am and arrive at 12 noon so its a short flight. It will be good to see Bro. Valori and Gary and some of the other brethren we have come to know over the years. The conference starts tomorrow Friday. Many of these leaders have come out of a very negative and controlling atmosphere and we sense God is going to minister to them in a powerful yet loving and gentle way. We pray that there would be an even greater knitting of hearts between them and us as we all desire to fulfill the purpose that God has for us corporately and individually. Its going to be a busy time so pray specifically for Bro. Valori. Some of the key people will want to meet with us privately to seek guidance and counsel. Lift us all up to the Lord for wisdom and a continual fullness of God's Holy Spirit. I believe our hearts are ready and we know that the Lord has gone ahead of us.

My blessings to all.

Greetings from Vizag-October 14, 2009

Dear Brethren,

Today will be our last full ministry day in Vizag and we have a full day ahead of us. Both Ric and I will be sharing twice. One session each in the morning the other sessions in the afternoon. It has been very hot here and inside the buildings there does not seem to be much ventilation. For the last several days even before preaching while you are just sitting the sweat is pouring down your face, that's hot. However, I am glad to report we are being well received, all to the glory of God.

Today we go back to a church I had preached to on Sunday. The pastor is a young man that seems to have integrity. Unfortunately in India many of the pastors seem to be corrupted especially when it comes to money and finances. They look at westerners as rich and have very little compulsion in asking for money. Since my first trip, this is now my fourth, I have received a number of emails asking for money for this project or money to complete their church building or whatever.

Why are we here? Because God is wanting a people to be shepherded by Godly principled men. So we preach God's highest. What does God require of you who are hearing these messages? There are men of God like a Pastor Rao. A man who started with nothing but he has a tremendous heart for God and the lost. By God's grace he has a number of praying churches. He is an older, loving man of God, certainly a cut above the rest. There is also Bro. Melchizedek, a good man whom I believe God is putting on the potters wheel.

Whether it be in Vizag or the meetings we are soon to start in Bangalore and Coimbatore, may there be men of God who arise in this hour that will have a heart for God's people and learn to depend upon Him and have a hunger for Him and become men of integrity.

In Christ.

Greetings from India-October 11, 2009

Dear Brethren,

I praise God we had a good day of ministry. This morning I spoke at two services. The first an english service and I must say it was nice not using a translator. The second a Telegu service where Bro. Melchizedek translated. I have learned through the years of not holding back, always being sensitive to the Holy Spirit and speaking the truth in love.

Many have never heard the message we carry but if their hearts are open they will receive the truth of His word. I pray that the pastors and leaders are stirred afresh in this hour. Open to what God has not only for them but for the churches they have been called to shepherd.

Every day until we leave Visak to fly to Bangalore we will be having leadership meetings. Pray that hearts would be opened.

In Christ.

Kenya

Tanzania