A Word from Pastor (Papa) George

USA – Harvest Kids & Hope on the Streets, January 1, 2022

Posted on Jan 2, 2022 by George Henson in BLOG, General |

We were hoping for a break in the weather, but the snow and cold have persisted.

This was our first meeting of Harvest Kids in 2022 and our first meeting of having the Harvest Kids every Saturday instead of the 2^nd & 4^th Saturday.

We know it is unlikely that many of our kids don’t have other activities on Saturdays, so we are hoping this new schedule will allow the kids more opportunities to participate.

Miss Clara came and represented all the kids very well and were later joined by Zhanna, Asher and Tristan. Because of the cold weather, Dove, the Harvest Kids rabbit, was in the Harvest Home for the kids to pet, along with Wayne’s dog, Walker.

Dale and Clara crushed the cans on the only open bare spot on the concrete and then went inside and started counting the change that had been donated to purchase the 40 desks, that seat 3 students each, for the Harvest Doves primary school the kids and their donors built last year in Kayunga, Uganda. The school opens Jan 7^th and we are excited that some of the Muslim families in the community have chosen to have their children attend. The kids had received enough at the December HK to purchase 2 desk. Thanks to some other donors and those that donated for the hazel nuts that the kids have for donations, we wired $625 to Africa because they want to get all the desks possible before they open the school. Another $230 today and they only need $265 to finish all 40. It was nice to not be rushed so Wayne and Dale could teach Clara some math and she also helped roll all the coins, which we normally do later after Harvest Kids.

Wayne used a home-made scale shaped like a cross to show that some 1982 US pennies weigh more than others, although they all look the same. In that year, some were minted copper coated zinc coins and others pure copper. The copper ones weighed more. He used that analogy to talk about the difference that happens inside our hearts when we accept Jesus and that on God’s scale He knows who they are.

Afterwards, Clara packaged cookies up to be given out later in the afternoon when we meet with Cheryl and Makenzy to help with the Hope on the Streets ministry that visits, prays and help some of our friends in Mt. Vernon that live on the streets. It was a blessing to have Zhanna, Asher and Tristan join us while we prepared for our trip to Mt. Vernon for Hope on the Streets.

Clara enjoyed her part as being the hot chocolate maker for everyone. We are hoping to do this more often.

Looking forward to next Saturday, Jan 8^th, when Lynn Griffin comes to share with all of us.

The World – The Secret, December 31, 2021

Posted on Dec 31, 2021 by George Henson in BLOG, General |

“I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation,

whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

I can do everything though Him who gives me strength.”

(Philippines 3:12-13)

As Linda and I have been pondering over Christmas and our 45th wedding anniversary, the Father is sharing with us the beauty of our journey with Him. On the surface, we are not exceptional. We have made some bad and some good choices that have displeased or pleased Him. We are thankful for His grace, mercy and unconditional love. We have had our parents and even three of our children finish their journey of this life. We have suffered and we have rejoiced. Yet, the Holy Spirit is prompting me to share what the Lord chooses to rejoice over more than anything. It’s kinda like – life has a certain beat, a rhythm and we keep changing it to get the beat that brings joy – at least for the moment. Linda and I have had them all.

“Jesus said, ‘Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them.

Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country

and go after the lost sheep until he finds it:

And when he finds it,

he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home.

Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says,

‘Rejoice with me; I have found my sheep.’

I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven

over one sinner who repents

than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”

(Luke 15:3-7)

Jesus in describing the father’s reaction to the return of his prodigal son:

“The son said to him,

‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.

I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

But the father said to his servants,

‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him.

Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.

Bring the fattened calf and kill it.

Let’s have a feast and celebrate.

For his son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’

So they began to celebrate.”

(Luke 15:21-24)

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.”

(Luke 19:10)

The Holy Spirit spoke to Linda when she was 10 years old that she would go to Africa. When Jesus revealed Himself to me we became equally yoked and every priority in life changed simply to want what the Father wanted. That was for us to abandon ourselves to what brings Him joy and that is seeing His children come into His loving arms of the Father who does not hold their sin against them. The gospel of Jesus Christ. We are in almost daily contact with our co-laborers in central Africa and no matter what the circumstances in their personal lives or the state of their nation, their testimony is always about lost souls coming into the kingdom. Yesterday, we received the testimonies of their work to share the gospel in November and updated their testimony board on the wall of the Harvest Home. They share that with joy and thanks for the prayers and support of those that are in partnership with them in the gospel. No person can save anyone except Jesus Christ through the work of the Holy Spirit. But the Father and all the angels in heaven celebrate and in every step of our journey of life, the Lord shares that with us.
We have a Lord who’s work is worthy of celebration.

So here is what the Lord has asked us to share with you.

We are only able to contribute a little, but the ongoing celebration is ours and we humbly and cheerfully join with Him as He brings the sheep home and the Father tells the servants to prepare for the celebration. We thank God that we can celebrate and have been continually at that banquet throughout every day. Mindful, that every day, in Africa alone, through the sharing of the testimonies from our brothers and sisters there, that over 60 people every day of every week for the last 15 years have come into their rightful inheritance and are with us as the Body of Christ. We know that the Body of Christ is interceding to seek and save the lost with the heart of the Father, the mind of Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

We know because of the evidence of the miracles of salvation that the Church is forcefully advancing and that the gates of hell cannot stop that gospel until it has completed it’s purpose to go to all the nations of the world – and then the end will come. And because of that promise, there is no need for concern. If you aren’t sure the Church is forcefully advancing or that the gates of hell are prevailing and you are spending time with Christ in His Word, then you are reading what you believe instead of believing what you read. Remembering always that our faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we cannot see. If you still the other voices, the worries of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth – you can hear the angels in heaven rejoicing and the Father telling us that we must celebrate for the one that was lost and has now come home.

Central America – Pastor Sergio & Gloria Lopez

Posted on Dec 26, 2021 by George Henson in BLOG, General |

We are very excited to introduce you to Pr. Sergio and Gloria Lopez,

our Harvest Vision Ministries coordinators in El Salvador.

Sergio is a long time friend of our brother, Noe Lara and his wife, Nancy, who serve as Harvest Vision Ministries liaisons to El Salvador and other countries in Central America. Noe, who is from El Salvador, and Nancy, who is from Honduras, live in Burlington, Washington in the USA.

Sergio was born November 3, 1950 in Ciudad Arce de Liberta in San Salvador. His parents were nominal believers but he was raised with some Christian influence. He met his wife, Gloria, and they were married in 1985 shortly after he became a Christian in 1984. They have five children and a strong faith-filled family.

He served in the church and felt called to pastoral ministry in 2000 and currently pastors a small church family in Colonia Miramonte in San Salvador. They fellowship together at a local park and in their homes. Sergio and Gloria share a home with nine family members that all work together to raise their children, operate a small family business and share the expenses and work of maintaining their home.

Noe visited Sergio in the latter part of 2019 to introduce him to the vision of coordinating relationships between people in the USA, Mexico and other countries that have families and friends that are scattered throughout El Salvador. He will be helping prepare and equip God’s people to work together for evangelism, pastoral training, discipleship and church planting

(Ephesians 4:11-16).

George and Noe were joined by Miguel and Olivia Estrada, the Harvest Vision Ministries coordinators for Mexico to confirm Pr. Sergio and Gloria’s calling on February 25, 2020. Sergio has taken the opportunity to travel and visit some other locations as the pandemic restrictions have allowed him. In the last year, the Lord has allowed him to build a strong church family in Ciudad Arce, which is a small community close to Santa Ana.

Africa – Kayunga, Uganda crusade, Dec 18-20, 2021

Posted on Dec 22, 2021 by George Henson in BLOG, General |

We are blessed to have testimonies day after day

from our faithful co-laborers in central Africa the truly live the

“Lord came to seek and save that which was lost.”

(Luke 19:10)

Whether it is testimonies and photos from Simon, our north Kenya coordinator, of a church structure being built for the Boran Pokot people that live in Samburu in north Kenya, or from David our north Uganda coordinator doing an outreach to Laroo or the 4-day Harvest Crusade in Bukamba Town, Kayunga in eastern Uganda – souls are coming into the kingdom every day and are being discipled by local believers until they are established into a local church family. They soon become agents of change for their community as true ambassadors of Jesus Christ.

A Word from Pastor (Papa) George

USA – Harvest Kids & Hope on the Streets, January 1, 2022

The World – The Secret, December 31, 2021

Central America – Pastor Sergio & Gloria Lopez

Africa – Kayunga, Uganda crusade, Dec 18-20, 2021

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