September was supposed to be such an exciting month for my family.

My youngest sister was having her first baby. She and her husband are pastors of a small church in San Sebastian, Puerto Rico. Our flights were booked and we were eager to meet the newest addition to the family at the end of the month.

Then, we got word that Hurricane Maria was headed for Puerto Rico on September 21—that was my sister Natalia’s due date. Due to the threat of the hurricane, her labor was induced to avoid going into labor during the storm. Complications developed after being induced and she began hemorrhaging; an emergency C-section was performed. We received word she was okay and the baby was fine, but then all communication ceased. Hurricane Maria hit on the 21st and tore through the island.

What a sense of devastation and helplessness! Our family here in the States had no way of knowing if our family in Puerto Rico was all right. We only knew what the media was reporting, and we were extremely worried; a feeling of desperation settled over us. We finally heard through other people that my family was okay and on October 3rd, I was finally able to speak to my sister. She had traveled over an hour to get a signal to contact us and let us know how they were doing.

Today, they are still without electricity and endure very long lines everywhere they go to purchase fuel and food. In the midst of it all, our family has been able to see God moving in their lives and taking care of them. Random people have stopped by their house to drop off water and formula, and just recently a few US Army Soldiers dropped off three cases of water, three packs of diapers, a cooler of canned foods, Lysol, and bug spray.

We are extremely thankful to them and for their generosity. The icing on the cake was that the soldier took a picture and we finally saw a picture of Baby Liam. PTL!

—Yvette Morales
Assistant Manager
World Missions Donor Relations

To give to continued recovery efforts in Puerto Rico and the rest of the Caribbean, go to enteracts.com/caribbeanrelief.

With so many needs, especially for clean water, that have come about from the unprecedented, continuing disasters, have you perhaps asked yourself the question: “What more can I do?”

We have an answer … the Basic Clean Water System, performed though a filtration, microfiltration, and ozone disinfection process. The process time and capacity is 300 gallons per hour at 5 gallons per minute per batch!

Typically, the water systems are installed in churches, orphanages, safe houses, education centers or medical clinics, and can provide sufficient clean drinking water for an entire community at very lost cost (1/2 cent­­—1 cent per gallon)­. An essential part of the installation process is the health and hygiene education program that teaches about germ theory, proper hygiene, proper use of clean water, and most importantly, God’s salvation in Jesus Christ, the True Living Water. ­­­­­­

Just Like God Missions is the ministry of John and Lynnette Garrison who install these wonderful clean water systems … their claim to fame is they’re just “ordinary people who serve an extraordinary God!” They have left impact with the water systems in Iraq, Haiti, Guatemala, with trips now planned for Uganda, Ecuador, and Colombia, as well as locations possibly in other areas of Latin and South America.

The Garrison’s goal is to install these systems in as many orphanages, safe houses, ministry locations, and communities as possible—a tool that can be used to produce life-saving clean water and a tool to share the gospel of the “Living Water” that promises eternal life!

To offer your prayerful and financial support, you may contribute through World Missions, #065-0935.

The children of Project M:25 eagerly anticipated the fun summer programs, including Vacation Bible School, sponsored by the Lynch Family Missions, missionaries of Church of God World Missions.

It’s a thought we likely don’t recognize, but fun convinces kids that you actually like them. The enjoyment helps to reconnect what has been disconnected, fosters resilience, and indicates forgiveness. Fun, over time, even helps friendships go deeper. Now, who would’ve ever thought there was so much attached to just having “fun!”

At VBS this past summer, the plans were sure to include lots of fun. For six days, the children learned about God while making crafts, eating delicious snacks, and, of course, having fun.

One child, Abi, has been attending since preschool. Her mom is actively involved in the Women’s Bible Study group. Eight-years-old now, Abi has become a great little evangelist, witnessing to other children. Her family was also a recipient of one of the water filtration systems (Give Water Project), and the family has seen remarkable improvement in the kids’ health. The entire family has been transformed, spiritually and physically, by their encounter with Christ.

Project M:25 is committed to providing care for preschoolers so their older brothers and sisters can also participate in the nutrition, education, and enrichment activities. The project has far-reaching ramifications, and God is blessing the efforts.

Give to this project, #102-9249

Church of God World Missions has never been slack concerning providing for the orphans. Some of its earliest endeavors were establishing orphanages and feeding programs for the abandoned.

Some years ago, Tony Lane, Coordinator of Children’s Ministries, made a trip to Poza Rica, Vera Cruz, Mexico, and discovered a situation that left its imprint on his heart. From that time since, Tony has put concerted effort into helping assist the endeavor.

Poza Rica became a city of the oil industry. Men left their families behind to work. Prostitution became prominent and left many unwanted children on the streets. They became survivors and sought shelter wherever they could find it, lived by begging and stealing, and slept wherever they could find a place. Paint thinner and cheap drugs became a way of escape from their despair.

Many children found land beneath a bridge for a temporary home. Pastor Elias and Teresa Herrera saw the great need, and took clothing and food to them, some as young as two years old. One 12-year-old girl had given birth to a baby and was raising the baby under the bridge.

The Herreras opened their home and the church parsonage to give the children a place to live. Difficult to house children in such small quarters, they persevered; children were house for the first six years in two Sunday school classrooms.

But, God had a plan! With the assistance of many donors and the oversight of the project by Tony Lane, land and property were purchased and a building was built with a kitchen, dining hall, and 12 bedrooms, along with a separate bathhouse. Later a new house for the director and his family was built, complete with electricity and a paved concrete road. Since then, a three-story dormitory for girls, and a two-story multi-purpose building provided emphasis on education. A prayer tower has been added, and apartments for orphanage leadership. Expansion has continued to include a ministry program for pastors and leaders, and a multi-purpose auditorium is being finished.

The ministry began as a mission of faith. The Herreras during those first years stretched their pastor’s salary to meet the basic needs of the children. Their ministry grew to minister to various poor communities around Poza Rica, and a new church was established in a mountain community of indigenous people.

All this happened because a couple responded to the call of God to love the orphans. Sponsors are still needed for the children, as well as the orphanage workers.

Ambassador to Casa Hogar, Tony Lane, says: “I have grown in my faith by seeing firsthand faith in action. The Herreras are true spiritual heroes of the faith!”

Give to this project, #715-0130.

In keeping with their vision to help bear the burdens of Western Territory Honduran brothers and sisters, Steven and Candace Day are moving right along helping the pastors and are so grateful for the support that has been given to their projects.

This month, the Days have purchased some items for the chicken project in Protection—a storage building and a machine that de-feathers the chickens. Other projects include construction on churches, putting roofs on two new plants, and completing groundwork.

Even missionaries experience sorrow, and this time it touched the Days. Candace is working as a teacher’s assistant at a new school. At the end of September, a very heavy rainfall occurred. One of the first graders was in a vehicle with his older sister and brother as they attempted to cross a flooded bridge. The small vehicle was swept away by the current. The two older children made their way to dry land, but little Axel was missing. The community searched for two days, but the dreaded news they did not want to hear finally came. Little Axel’s body had been recovered. The school and community mourn the loss, but they have the hope of seeing Axel again in heaven.

Project #065-0948

Having experienced the transformation power of God in her own life, Pastor Rosalba Pérez In Cota, Colombia, obeyed God’s call to bring hope and joy where poverty, violence, and illiteracy reigned. She fully understood how God transforms one to transform!

What God put into Rosalba’s heart became her missions for the Kingdom … to defend the rights of vulnerable people, such as child victims of sexual exploitation and domestic violence. Eighty-six percent of children recruited in Colombia for armed conflict were victims of family violence.

More than 30 years ago, Rosalba saw the pain of children with economic and nutritional deficiencies, abused in all areas, mistreated, taken as spoils of war to be sexual slaves for the armed groups unleashing ruin, misery, and pain to many generations. Her plan was to show children that the circle of poverty is broken with education, and hearts are healed by the power of God.

The transformational impact began by reaching the neediest corners with professional teams to provide support to those in need. Jireh Provision of Love home has restored more than 85 (girls) victims of abuse and forced displacement. The school has about 300 children of low resources to whom God’s Word is shared daily and they are given an education with Christian values. Soup kitchens also provide meals for children who are hungry because of abandonment.

Lamentations 2:19 reflects the mission of Rosalba … Arise, cry aloud in the night, at the beginning of the night watches; pour out your heart like water before the presence of the Lord; lift up your hands to Him for the life of your little ones who are faint from hunger at the head of every street.

Project #102-0032
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