Frontline October Newsletter

Frontline M

issions

contents Heart of Alan page 2

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Guyana pages 3 & 4

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Brazil pages 5 & 6

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Honduras pages 7 & 8

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New staff member page 9

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“Watergitters” page 10

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Cover photo: Pastor Marco  of Roraima, Brazil.  Taken by Heidi Winter.

RunningF

TO THE rONTliNE

brazil March: Dogwood Church, Alan, Harry april: TBA May: TBA June: TBA July: Manna Church, Alan, Heidi

MESEF training MESEF training MESEF training MESEF training Tba

ECUaDOr august: Alan and Heidi

Tba

GUYaNa December – January: Alan March: Dogwood Church, Alan, Harry July: Dogwood Church, Harry July: St. James Episcopal, Harry

church planting, training lethum leadership planning clinics, children’s home clinics, VbS

HONDUraS January: Redeemer Lutheran, Alan april: Landmark Christian School, Alan, Heidi, Harry July: Beulah Baptist, Alan July: Sweetwater Baptist, Alan

clinics, construction clinics, evangelism, digging wells Tba Tba

Publication staff

Christy Solly, staff writer Kate Sawtelle, staff writer autumn Faulkner, editor Page 1

For detailed information about this schedule, please visit www.fmusa.org.

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FrOM THE HEarT OF alaN

n Genesis 12, God gives line’s efforts in Guyana, Brazil, Abram a mandate. “Go and Honduras. Our ultimate from your country,” He goal is to empower men and says, “and from your kindred and women in those countries to beyour father’s house to the land come leaders in their own comthat I will show you.” munities as Frontline works in God isn’t giving Abram a dithe background. rect command, however—instead, José Pierra da Silva, a native He makes a promise. Do this, He American in his forties from Rosays, and you will be blessed, and raima, Brazil, is an example of all the peoples of the world will this kind of leader. Frontline be blessed through you. provides José with support and In 1995, this same promise of training while he preaches the God’s eternal faithfulness led me Word of God to hundreds. Just and my wife this year, he Heidi to leave founded thirHow beautiful on the our comfortteen churches mountains are the feet of able life, our in rural redependable gions. those who bring good income, and In addition news... our church to this kind of Isaiah 52:7 home, to folwork, Frontlow the vision line routinely of founding Frontline Missions. sends small teams of church Since that day, the Lord has members to offer evangelistic used Frontline to mobilize the medical clinics and other services. American church in reaching the Such trips pave the way for Frontunreached. line to build relationships within In the following pages, you these communities and earn the will be able to read about Fronttrust of the people living there.

Alan and Heidi live in Fairburn, Georgia, where they operate Frontline Missions out of a home office.

Through these church groups, and through the efforts of Frontline over the years, thousands have been shown the boundless love of Christ. Heidi and I, and everyone on the Frontline team, feel incredibly blessed to be a part of such good work. Our hope is that, as you read, you will be encouraged to know that your own prayers and gifts are a blessing to multitudes of people.

Harry Calsbeek, pictured with his wife Diane, has been a senior staff member at Frontline Missions since 2004. Harry is also a member of the group Watergitters, which is featured on page 10.

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GUYaNa

Save-R-Kids Children’s Home: One Life at a Time

By Christy Solly

In 1995, in the infancy of Frontline Missions, Alan and Heidi led a medical missions team to Guyana. While there, a registered nurse named Pat Jackson fell in love with the numerous orphans the team ministered to. That’s how the dream for Save-RKids Children’s Home was born. Eight years later, that dream became a reality when the government of Guyana gave sixteen acres of fenced land to Frontline in exchange for a promise to improve the land and operate a safe home for orphans. Believing whole-heartedly in James 1:27, Alan personally guaranteed that Frontline, with God’s help, could do the work that needed to be done. Today, five years since its founding, the children’s home is going strong. With help from husband Gilbert, Pat Jackson works tirelessly to raise funds for the facility, and

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in distress... James 1:27

continues to passionately fight for the welfare of the orphans of Guyana. But Pat and Gilbert are not the

If you are interested in more information regarding the children’s home or how you can support a child each month,  please contact: Pat Jackson 770.969.0127 Donna Shuford 770.251.5309 [email protected]

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only ones who dedicate time and energy to the children’s home. Michael and Michiel Campbell live with their five children at Save-RKids and have become parents to the thirty orphans under their roof. The Campbells, in addition to maintaining the home and its property, work hard to make sure each child has an official birth certificate, medical records, and an education. The future of Save-R-Kids is bright. There are plans for a second house to accommodate another family and more children, and also hopes for a “halfway house,” where the children, upon reaching adulthood, can transition to life on their own. This heartfelt, innovative passion for God’s children has made Save-R-Kids an effective and powerful ministry, and Frontline hopes for many more years of the same.

GUYaNa Pastor of Mahaica By Christy Solly

A man walked down the street and came upon a Christian, a Hindu, and a Muslim standing together. The man was greeted by each of them as “pastor.” Sounds like the beginning of a joke, doesn’t it? Would you be surprised to know that such a man truly exists? Such is the life of Fizul Hack, widely known the “Pastor of Mahaica.” Fizul, a third-generation Muslim from Guyana, made a name for himself as the Welter Weight Champion of the Caribbean in boxing. He had ambitions, and all the potential, to become the Welter Weight Champion of the World. But something happened in the 1960s that changed his life forever— Fizul met Jesus. When he became a Christian, he put down his boxing gloves, stopped fighting against men, and started fighting for their souls. His decision was not a popular one. As the one and only Christian in his Muslim family, he faced rejection and persecution. But, always the fighter, Fizul stood strong and marched ahead down the narrow way set before him by the Lord. Nearly fifty years later, Fizul again has made a name for himself. Only now, the name he proclaims isn’t his own, but the name of his Savior. He has lived a faithful life of

Fizul Hack, the “Pastor of Mahaica,” gave up a promising career in boxing to minister to the people of Guyana. In particular, Fizul has a heart for those of Muslim and Hindu faith.

service to the Lord and has earned the respect of all who know him. In Mahaica, all who encounter him, be they Christian, Muslim, or Hindu, greet him warmly as “Pastor.” In Guyana, it is common to host a Thanksgiving Service when something great happens, whether the birth of a baby or the healing of a sickness. On these occasions, the Guyanese take time to stop and give thanks by hosting a meal and a service in honor of the event. In many cases, the services over which Pastor Fizul presides are attended by as many non-Christians as believers. In perhaps a greater testament to the respect he has earned for his work in Guyana, much of the money given to his ministry is from Muslims and Hindus to whom he has ministered over the years. Many of the pastors in the area have been

groomed and discipled under his leadership. He has made personal sacrifices in order to continue the work God put in his heart so many years ago. Frontline is proud to work in partnership with Fizul and help him expand the work he is doing in Guyana. Pastor Fizul wishes to continue planting churches and raising up leaders to carry the name of Jesus to underserved parts of Guyana. But, more than anything, he has a heart to reach out to those caught in the teachings of Islam and introduce them to the true Messiah, the one who can set them free and give them life abundant. So he continues each day to work towards that goal and run towards the prize of the high calling given to him as the Pastor of Mahaica. Page 4

brazil

New training center completed for MESEF By Harry Calsbeek

In response to the urgent need to reach the many remote villages of Northern Brazil in the State of Roraima, evangelist Awan Chatarpal has been driven to develop MESEF (Evangelical Missions Without Borders), Frontline’s sister organization in Brazil. Many of you are already familiar with MESEF’s growth over the past few years. One of MESEF’s most vital functions will be the recruitment and training of indigenous church leaders. These men and women will travel in the restricted lands of Brazil’s native peoples in order to plant churches and spread the Gospel. After the state authorities’ recent mandate that MESEF is henceforth responsible for the spiritual lives of all indigenous peoples of Roramia, those involved with MESEF were suddenly struck by the enormity of their task! Page 5

To equip groups efficiently, Awan envisioned a center where leaders could attend intensive threemonth training sessions.

Currently, the Indigenous Training Center is nearing completion. The site contains an office building, church building, educational building, dormitory building, kitchen facility, and a pastor’s home. The center will be fully operational when the kitchen and the women’s dorm are completed, pending further donations from additional faithful contributors. Classes will begin February 1, 2009, attended by over 100 eager students. The final phase of construction will be a technical training center for woodworking and mechanics. After these facilities are finished, the training center will be complete. MESEF’s goal is to train people as rapidly as possible and get them out in the field. Involving indiginous leaders in evangelism in this area is crucial, and the new training center makes this possible.

brazil

Children’s Outreach Center gives hope By Kate Sawtelle

In September, I had the opportunity to visit Brazil and see the work Frontline is doing there. One of the projects in which Frontline is investing is the Children’s Outreach Center. This facility is a place where underprivileged kids are able to escape the harsh reality of their lives and receive love and kindness from complete strangers. I met some of the sweetest children there, and it broke my heart to see the hand life had dealt them. But there is hope! God is coming through for them in big ways through Pastor Moises and his team. These dedicated servants take time from their own families and money out of their own pockets to help these children in need. I was impressed by the way the people in this group, who have so little themselves, gave so much to children they don’t even know. It was exciting to watch the kids laugh and sing

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Isaiah 52:7

and receive a meal (which they ate eagerly and graciously). It amazes me how so little can mean so much to them. It only takes $30 a month (about $1 each day) to provide one meal per day for one of these children. For some of them, it may be the only meal they get. I am honored to have been able to meet and spend time with the kids, Pastor Moises and his team. The people of Children’s Outreach Center are truly doing God’s work by providing these kids with fun, food, and the knowledge of God Himself. Page 6

HONDUraS Ministering to Believers: Landmark Christian School By Christy Solly

Proverbs 16:9 tells us, “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps,” and so it was for the Landmark Christian School Mission Team to Honduras in April. Stepping off the plane in San Pedro Sula, the team of 51 students, teachers, parents, and alumni had visions of revival and numerous conversions. Many of the members had been to Honduras before and had seen such events. But the Lord, it seemed, had different work in store. After two grueling days of travel (an international flight, a bus trip, and finally a long trek up a mountain), the team arrived in the remote village of Agua Sarca. There they held medical and dental clinics, performed presentations of the gospel in the afternoon, and completed a much-needed project to bring clean water to the village. However, in comparison with previous trips, the number of people who accepted the Lord was relatively small. Luke 15 tells us that there is much rejoicing in heaven when even one comes to the Lord, but there was a feeling among the team members that they hadn’t done enough. It wasn’t until the team shared experiences at the end of the trip that God’s plan became clear. In conversations with the pastor of the village, Pastor Oscar, Alan discovered that although Agua Sarca was a Christian village, the people of the village were struggling, discouraged, and unsure Page 7

Members of the Landmark team and Watergitters (featured on page 10) hauled a 250-lb. water filter up a mountainside and over a river to provide the village of Agua Sarca with clean water.

of the Lord’s love or presence. But in His unending faithfulness, the Lord sent a team from a little school in Fairburn, Georgia, to demonstrate His love and meet their needs. Dr. Long reaffirmed that love to each of his paitents as they sat in his dental chair, telling them, “We have come because God loves you and He sent us to take away your pain. Even if it were only you, we still would have come.” Can you imagine hearing such words? What love the Lord has for us! The Lord had a lesson for the team as well. Not all mission trips end in ecstatic revival or tremendous life change. Sometimes it is given to us to be the ones on the front lines doing the work. But sometimes, it’s Frontline’s job to take care of the others

Dr. James Long of Newnan, Georgia.

who do hard work in the field. That was the job of the Landmark Team in Agua Sarca. They may never know how many lives will be changed because they brought love and refreshment to God’s people in Agua Sarca.

HONDUraS

Healing the Lame: Peachtree Christian Fellowship By Christy Solly

In July, Frontline had the oppor- stretch the faith of the team memThe team was introduced to Edith, a young girl in the village of tunity to take a team from Peachtree bers. Several of the students were Pacaya. She had been Christian Fellowship paralyzed for eight to Honduras. This years, could not speak team experienced the and did not like to be power of God in dratouched. Several matic ways! members of the team Hebrews 2:3-4 circled around her says, “this salvation, and laid hands on which was first anher in prayer. Other nounced by the Lord, members of the team was confirmed to us walked around the by those who heard house and prayed. Him. God also testiHer heart was so fied to it by signs, moved that she wonders and various wouldn’t let go of the miracles, and gifts of team members as the Holy Spirit disthey were leaving. tributed according to As the students His will.” left her house, God We experienced This young girl, named Edith, experienced the Lord’s healing this testimony of power after she was prayed for by Peachtree Christian Fellowship completely healed Edith and she got up God first hand while team members. and ran to the next in Honduras. Not hut! only did God choose to work mirachallenged and strengthened as they The story of Edith is only a taste cles in the lives of the people of saw the Lord work miracles— of what God did in and through the Honduras, but He also chose to through them! Peachtree Christian Fellowship Team and Frontline. In nine days of ministry, the team saw over 100 people healed and at least 27 people accept Christ—praise God for His faithfulness! If you would like to see a more detailed list of all the miracles God performed during this trip, please visit the Frontline webpage (www.fmusa.org) and read the blog. Page 8

Luis Chavarria joins Frontline by Autumn Faulkner

Soon after he married his wife Karen (pictured below), Luis Chavarria began to feel jealous of the “crazy” people she was always spending time with. So one night, he decided he was going to see what this church stuff was all about. At the service he attended with Karen, Luis had a powerful encounter with the Lord. Although Luis finished his course of study in engineering and acquired a very good position with a company in his native Costa Rica, he could not shake the conviction that he was called to ministry. So he attended seminary, eventually left his job, and worked at his home church for some time before he planted another church on his own. This passion for evangelism eventually led to his decision to leave Costa Rica and move his family to Honduras in order to become a missionary. Two months after this move, Hurricane Mitch devastated many of Honduras’ poorer regions. It was Page 9

while Luis was working in these disaster areas that he met Alan of Frontline Missions. This encounter, and other meetings during subsequent Frontline trips to Honduras, sparked a three-year partnership. Luis again heard God’s call to move, and this time he felt led to bring his family to Atlanta and begin planting Hispanic churches in the metro area. Currently Luis is working at First Baptist Church of Atlanta as an

electrical engineer, and has already led eight Frontline teams on shortterm trips. He will join Frontline full-time in January and continue leading groups into Central and South America. Luis has been married to his wife Karen for 25 years, and has two children: Joshua, 23, and Andrea, 21. Frontline is thrilled to have Luis as a team member, and we are grateful to God for his passion and enthusiasm.

Clean water ministry saves lives By Christy Solly

The following are some statistics that may astonish you: –“Over 1 billion people worldwide have no access to safe drinking water.” –“Each year, an estimated 4 billion episodes of diarrhea result in an estimated 2 million deaths, mostly among children. Waterborne bacterial infections may account for as many as half of these episodes and deaths.” These figures (provided by www.cdc.gov) are shocking in a day and country where we can access clean drinking water from a number of taps within our own homes. Every day, we bathe in, cook with, and drink water that has rarely, if ever, presented any real danger to our health. In a country like ours, it’s hard to believe there are people all around the globe who are dying because they lack what we take for granted—clean drinking water. In 2006, five men came together and decided to do something. Jay Knight, Neil Parker, Al Hogan, Rick Sewell, and Harry Calsbeek traveled to North Carolina to learn how to drill wells. Together, they formed an organization they called “Watergitters.” These men clothe themselves in the four tenets of Service, Humility, Integrity and Urgency. They reach out in sacrificial service, realizing they are “better off” but not “better than” those they serve. In 2007, Watergitters traveled to Honduras with Frontline Missions and Landmark Christian School and had their first opportunity to “git” water. They went first to the village of Maloa and were able to successfully complete a well in two days! Because of these men, a village has access to clean water. The people of Maloa will see a decrease in sickness and absence from work and school because they no longer have to drink water contaminated by animals or people. Perhaps the most exciting thing about Watergitters is their passion to reach people for the Lord. They took to heart when the Lord said in Matthew 25:35,40: “I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink… whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for Me.” During their second attempt at digging a well in another Honduran village, they ran into an impenetrable

Over 1 billion people worldwide have no access to safe drinking water. www.cdc.gov

bed of rock. Although they only got ten feet into the ground during two full days of drilling, they did not lose heart. During the time the drill was barely moving, they reached out to the people of the village and showed them God’s love in other ways. In that village, nine children accepted Christ as their Savior! And God did not leave them wanting. Even though the well could not be completed, they were able to install biosand filters to provide clean water. But it was even better that they planted seeds of hope in young hearts that there is a God who loves them and sent these men to care for them. Working in partnership with Frontline Missions, Watergitters has had the opportunity to travel twice to Honduras, and more trips are being planned. These men travel to unreached places in order to provide access to physical water, but more importantly, access to the Living Water. We can’t wait to see what God is going to do through this partnership for many years to come! If you’d like to be part of what Watergitters is doing, please contact Jay Knight at 770.527.0323 Page 10

Go,

therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that i have commanded you; and lo, i am with you always, even to the end of the age. Matthew 28:19-20

Frontline Missions 5600 Short Road, Fairburn, Georgia  Contact: 770.774.0641 w [email protected]   www.fmusa.org