Tuesday, May 26, 2015

FAMILY LIFE at Desert Springs - a place where we can share the heart of our church family; prayers, praises and important announcements.  Be sure to check-in often to see what is happening. 

If you have a prayer request or praise, please submit by contacting me, Laura Keener, Frontline Director at Desert Springs....760-568-3646 or lkeener@desertspringsfamily.org.



On April 7th Art Tuverson went to his home in heaven. A memorial service in his honor will be held  THIS Saturday, May 30th, 12 noon at Desert Springs Community Church. In lieu of flowers please make a donation in honor of Arthur's memory to The Living Desert in Palm Desert or to the Lucy Curci Cancer Center in Rancho Mirage.  The service is open to all Desert Springs Church family. Please join us as we CELEBRATE  Art's life and all she meant to us. 


PRAYING FOR HEALING, COMFORT, 
STRENGTH &  WISDOM 

Lily Boyd * Beverly Baughn * Phil Drehmer's brother, Richard
  LaReign Hodges * Mike Kunkle * Walter Rohm  
Carol Smoke * Washburn's son, Steven * Virgil Webb

HE SEE'S YOU...HE KNOWS YOU...HE LOVES YOU

When we see a need of someone and we ask if we can help them, we show them they are seen and known by us and a loving Father.

Asking shows someone God’s design for authentic community.

The early church had it right. They loved each other so well. They sacrificed for those who were in need. They gave, and when they had nothing left, they gave some more.

“All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.” {Acts 4:32-35}

We could learn a lesson from the early church. I don’t often think about the things that I could go without so that someone might have. The very core of serving is that nothing belongs to us. We are only stewards of what belongs to God . . . our time, our gifts, our skills, our resources. We should hold them loosely in order for Him to bless and minister to the broken around us.

So whether you are the one asking or the one being asked, it is all an offering to the Lord.

It is in these times, when I know He sees me. And I know He knows me. And I know He loves me.

He sees you.

He knows you.

And He loves you.

GUINEA BISSAU MISSION'S REPORT



Dear Pastor's, Family, Friends and Prayer Partners,

We are finally back home in Hunters, Washington after over three months in Africa and a month on the road here in the USA.

Pr. Tony is alive and doing very well. He returned with a whole new vision for the Mission. He says he can cover the work in Africa and we should spend most of our time in the USA raising funds. It has become clear to us that John can no longer spend much time there as the dust stirs up his asthma. What a blessing our clean air is! Also, the work has grown to such an extent that Servants to Missions has to expand to handle it all. Pr. Tony is wanting us to recruit and assist missionaries beyond just the two of us. 

There is a great work to be done in these last hours. PTL! We are seeing an increased outpouring of the Holy Spirit! It is really exciting! Here are some examples:
An outreach team going to the southern part of the Gabu Region had people coming in from miles around to give their lives over to Jesus, having first heard the gospel several years ago from Fred and Cindy Wieger who had served in that area. The team members kept saying, "We just sat there and watched God work. We didn't do anything."
Three months ago an outreach team was traveling in the Bafata Region of GB. They stopped along the way to find a bathroom. They asked a man for directions to the next village. He asked why they were going there and was told they were going there to preach the Word of God. He responded, “Why don’t you preach to me? “ So they did. He accepted Jesus, they gave him a Bible and went on their way. Three months later the team was again traveling and stopped to see what had happened to the man. They found him leading a group of 20 believing families, all of whom he had led to the Lord, meeting on a regular basis for worship and Bible teaching. They didn't have a church building but they had a Bible and a cleared space under a mango tree to meet. However, the man's wife was unhappy. Apparently, he kept his Bible with him all the time and wouldn't share it with her.......so the team gave her a Bible too.

Last year we helped Barros, a Christian teacher who lost his vision due to cataracts, get eye surgery. His church then sent him to a community to teach. He now has 70 students during the day and 80 people in a church after just one year. He is not a trained Pastor so he needs to keep in close contact with his supervising pastor who is based over 100 kilometers away. Please pray for a much needed and deserved motor cycle for Professor Barros so that he can get the ongoing supervision he needs to shepherd his new flock.
A team just returning from the Easter Region had several people wanting to be baptized. Unfortunately, being the dry season, they couldn't fine sufficient water. In other parts of the country, baptisms have gone from 3 to 12 to 25 at a time.
Last year, the little church we attend there averaged about 50 people each Sunday. Now they are running 200 +. (See photo of early church)

Please keep praying for a continued and greater move of the Holy Spirit.

Our friend from up North contacted us. He is fine but busy keeping his head down as are his brothers and sisters. They are in hiding as others are actively searching for them. Please pray for their safety and for all those in the persecuted church. Better yet, pray for the salvation of their persecutors. God loves them too and "we war not against flesh and blood...."

Pastor Tony's vision is to bring people in to the Bible School not only from Guinea Bissau but from other regions of Africa to train them safely on the Jericho Base and then, when trained and equipped, send them back out. Please pray for the funds to drill a well for good clean water and a dormitory to house these new students. (we already have the extra land)

The women's sewing group is going great. I am so proud of them. They walk with a new sense of pride and purpose. More women are wanting to join so there is now two groups; beginners and advanced. My veranda was filled most every afternoon with singing and laughter and the chatter of their foot peddled machines. They have now moved to the Jericho base where they have their own classroom and can set up their equipment permanently and safely store their supplies. (see photos) Please pray for someone to assist with exporting and selling their products.

PTL! The guest house should be completed by June. The roof went on in just two days. (see photo)

If anything can go wrong, it will. Here's where we are in the ongoing saga of the radio station. (which Satan really, really hates) The radio parts have been ready to go for some time but the shipper did not know how to get them there as the air freight contract for Guinea Bissau was with an airline that no longer flies there. Getting things changed has taken over two months. Now the equipment is at JFK awaiting the next stage in it's journey. Please pray for the safe arrival of the radio equipment and the HCJB specialist who will install it, an easy time through customs, protection from future electrical storms, and anything else that Satan can dream up .

Your Sister in Christ,

Rachel Hiskey

Servants to Missions

(new home address)

P.0. Box 178

Hunters, WA

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

FAMILY LIFE at Desert Springs - a place where we can share the heart of our church family; prayers, praises and important announcements.  Be sure to check-in often to see what is happening. 

If you have a prayer request or praise, please submit by contacting me, Laura Keener, Frontline Director at Desert Springs....760-568-3646 or lkeener@desertspringsfamily.org.


On April 7th Art Tuverson went to his home in heaven. A memorial service in his honor will be held on Saturday, May 30th, 12 noon at Desert Springs Community Church. In lieu of flowers please make a donation in honor of Arthur's memory to The Living Desert in Palm Desert or to the Lucy Curci Cancer Center in Rancho Mirage.  The service is open to all Desert Springs Church family. Please join us as we CELEBRATE  Art's life and all she meant to us. 


What Really Matters
by Max Lucado • May 12

A man once went to a minister for counseling.

“I’ve lost everything,” he told the minister.
“Oh I’m so sorry to hear you’ve lost your faith,” the minister responded.
“No,” the man corrected him, “I haven’t lost my faith.”
“Well, then I’m sad to hear you’ve lost your character.”
“I didn’t say that,” the man corrected. “I still have my character.”
“I’m so sorry you’ve lost your salvation,” said the minister.
“That’s not what I said,” the man objected.
“You have your faith, your character, and your salvation. Seems to me,” the minister observed, “that you’ve lost none of the things that really matter.”

You and I could pray like the Puritan. He sat down to a meal of bread and water. He bowed his head and declared, “All this and Jesus, too?” What will you gain with contentment? You may gain joy—and the faith to say, “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want!”


PRAYING FOR HEALING COMFORT, STRENGTH, WISDOM & UNDERSTANDING 

Phil Drehmer's brother, Richard
  LaReign Hodges * Mike Kunkle
Walter Rohm * Carol Smoke
Washburn's son, Steven 
Virgil Webb




GUINEA BISSAU MISSION'S REPORT





Dear Pastor's, Family, Friends and Prayer Partners,

We are finally back home in Hunters, Washington after over three months in Africa and a month on the road here in the USA.

Pr. Tony is alive and doing very well. He returned with a whole new vision for the Mission. He says he can cover the work in Africa and we should spend most of our time in the USA raising funds. It has become clear to us that John can no longer spend much time there as the dust stirs up his asthma. What a blessing our clean air is! Also, the work has grown to such an extent that Servants to Missions has to expand to handle it all. Pr. Tony is wanting us to recruit and assist missionaries beyond just the two of us. 

There is a great work to be done in these last hours. PTL! We are seeing an increased outpouring of the Holy Spirit! It is really exciting! Here are some examples:
An outreach team going to the southern part of the Gabu Region had people coming in from miles around to give their lives over to Jesus, having first heard the gospel several years ago from Fred and Cindy Wieger who had served in that area. The team members kept saying, "We just sat there and watched God work. We didn't do anything."
Three months ago an outreach team was traveling in the Bafata Region of GB. They stopped along the way to find a bathroom. They asked a man for directions to the next village. He asked why they were going there and was told they were going there to preach the Word of God. He responded, “Why don’t you preach to me? “ So they did. He accepted Jesus, they gave him a Bible and went on their way. Three months later the team was again traveling and stopped to see what had happened to the man. They found him leading a group of 20 believing families, all of whom he had led to the Lord, meeting on a regular basis for worship and Bible teaching. They didn't have a church building but they had a Bible and a cleared space under a mango tree to meet. However, the man's wife was unhappy. Apparently, he kept his Bible with him all the time and wouldn't share it with her.......so the team gave her a Bible too.

Last year we helped Barros, a Christian teacher who lost his vision due to cataracts, get eye surgery. His church then sent him to a community to teach. He now has 70 students during the day and 80 people in a church after just one year. He is not a trained Pastor so he needs to keep in close contact with his supervising pastor who is based over 100 kilometers away. Please pray for a much needed and deserved motor cycle for Professor Barros so that he can get the ongoing supervision he needs to shepherd his new flock.
A team just returning from the Easter Region had several people wanting to be baptized. Unfortunately, being the dry season, they couldn't fine sufficient water. In other parts of the country, baptisms have gone from 3 to 12 to 25 at a time.
Last year, the little church we attend there averaged about 50 people each Sunday. Now they are running 200 +. (See photo of early church)

Please keep praying for a continued and greater move of the Holy Spirit.

Our friend from up North contacted us. He is fine but busy keeping his head down as are his brothers and sisters. They are in hiding as others are actively searching for them. Please pray for their safety and for all those in the persecuted church. Better yet, pray for the salvation of their persecutors. God loves them too and "we war not against flesh and blood...."

Pastor Tony's vision is to bring people in to the Bible School not only from Guinea Bissau but from other regions of Africa to train them safely on the Jericho Base and then, when trained and equipped, send them back out. Please pray for the funds to drill a well for good clean water and a dormitory to house these new students. (we already have the extra land)

The women's sewing group is going great. I am so proud of them. They walk with a new sense of pride and purpose. More women are wanting to join so there is now two groups; beginners and advanced. My veranda was filled most every afternoon with singing and laughter and the chatter of their foot peddled machines. They have now moved to the Jericho base where they have their own classroom and can set up their equipment permanently and safely store their supplies. (see photos) Please pray for someone to assist with exporting and selling their products.

PTL! The guest house should be completed by June. The roof went on in just two days. (see photo)

If anything can go wrong, it will. Here's where we are in the ongoing saga of the radio station. (which Satan really, really hates) The radio parts have been ready to go for some time but the shipper did not know how to get them there as the air freight contract for Guinea Bissau was with an airline that no longer flies there. Getting things changed has taken over two months. Now the equipment is at JFK awaiting the next stage in it's journey. Please pray for the safe arrival of the radio equipment and the HCJB specialist who will install it, an easy time through customs, protection from future electrical storms, and anything else that Satan can dream up .

Your Sister in Christ,



Rachel Hiskey

Servants to Missions

(new home address)

P.0. Box 178

Hunters, WA


Wednesday, May 13, 2015

FAMILY LIFE at Desert Springs - a place where we can share the heart of our church family; prayers, praises and important announcements.  Be sure to check-in often to see what is happening. 

If you have a prayer request or praise, please submit by contacting me, Laura Keener, Frontline Director at Desert Springs....760-568-3646 or lkeener@desertspringsfamily.org.


On April 7th Art Tuverson went to his home in heaven. A memorial service in his honor will be held on Saturday, May 30th, 12 noon at Desert Springs Community Church. In lieu of flowers please make a donation in honor of Arthur's memory to The Living Desert in Palm Desert or to the Lucy Curci Cancer Center in Rancho Mirage.  The service is open to all Desert Springs Church family. Please join us as we CELEBRATE  Art's life and all she meant to us. 

Last week Joan Washburn's mother passed away suddenly. Joan said her mom was a real woman of God and is now in heaven with Joan's daughter Suzy (who passed away last year).  Please keep Joan in your prayers, she has so much on her shoulders now, as her son Steven is terminally ill.  

Also, this week Lily Bent went home to be with our Lord.  She was a precious women and best friend of our Serena Williams. Keep her family and friends in your prayers. 

TOUGH WEEK?

A couple of really hard weeks. You know . . . the kind that makes you just wonder how so much can be happening at once. The kind of weeks that make your heart ache for lots of reasons. The kind of weeks that make you weary and tired.

It is a lot. It can be overwhelming. You go about your days, but this heavy stuff is never far from your mind and heart. Sometimes it seems like too much. I know that God doesn’t tell us this life will be free from struggle. He doesn’t tell us this life is immune from difficulties. This life is just plain unpredictable, and it can be stressful, disappointing, sad, and sometimes scary.
But take heart, friends, His love is deeper than any of these trials. His peace is bigger than any of these trials.

One thing we do know is that He will be with us. So it will be okay.

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” {Isaiah 41:10}

Another thing we know is that He can give us peace in the struggle. So it will be okay.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” {John 16:33}

Although peace sometimes seems a little harder to find when we are in the midst of sadness and darkness . . . it is there. God’s peace is comfort in the storm. There is a season for everything, but hope is always ahead. God is always good, and we are always loved. This heartache and disappointment won’t last because His peace and His love are greater.
We will never be able to predict where this life will take us and what we will go through. Bad things happen. Good things happen. That is just how life works.


But one thing we can be sure of is that God is our partner through it all. His peace will comfort us regardless of our circumstances, an inward peace that can only come from Christ.

PRAYING FOR HEALING COMFORT, STRENGTH, WISDOM & UNDERSTANDING 
Marie Bryant
Phil Drehmer's brother, Richard
  LaReign Hodges * Mike Kunkle
Walter Rohm * Carol Smoke
Washburn's son, Steven 
Virgil Webb
Sharon Wren's sister, Kathy 

NEPAL MISSION'S REPORT

Just over two weeks after thousands died in a mammoth earthquake, Nepal got hit hard again Tuesday by another powerful tremor that has left dozens more dead, more than 1,000 injured and questions about what's next for the already traumatized Asian nation.

Tuesday's disaster piled fresh horror on Nepalis still picking up the pieces from last month's quake and its legion of aftershocks. More buildings collapsed, more landslides rumbled and people once again scrambled for their lives.

Pray for supplies to get to those in need...water, food, tents, medical care...

Our missionaries that serve with Youth With A Mission have communicated that they were not hurt and are in full rescue mode. May those they help feel the love of the Lord and find comfort and strength.

Monday, May 4, 2015

FAMILY LIFE at Desert Springs - a place where we can share the heart of our church family; prayers, praises and important announcements.  Be sure to check-in often to see what is happening. 

If you have a prayer request or praise, please submit by contacting me, Laura Keener, Frontline Director at Desert Springs....760-568-3646 or lkeener@desertspringsfamily.org.



Marcella Steinkuhler went home to be with the Lord on Friday, May 1st. Her family will be hosting a Celebration of Life Service on Saturday, May 9th at 12 Noon at the Forest Lawn in Cathedral City (760) 328-3789.

The service is open to all Desert Springs Church family. Please join us as we CELEBRATE Marcella's life and all she meant to us. 


- BIBLE, THE WORD OF GOD - 

“Chin Su” will never forget the day she received her first Bible. She was finally able to hold God’s Word in her own hands and encounter Him in a new way. 



Chin Su was willing to walk for more than 12 hours to get a copy of God’s Word. For many believers in restricted and hostile nations, Bible ownership is out of the question. Bibles in these areas are simply unavailable or too costly for poor believers.

This year, Voice of Martyrs (VOM) workers have collected the names of 249,843 believers from hostile and restricted nations who are waiting for a Bible. Each Bible costs just $6, including the cost of distribution.

You can help by providing Bibles to these waiting believers today. Go to www.persecution.com.


PRAYING FOR HEALING COMFORT, STRENGTH, WISDOM & UNDERSTANDING 

Marie Bryant
Phil Drehmer's brother, Richard
  LaReign Hodges * Mike Kunkle
Walter Rohm * Carol Smoke
Washburn's son, Steven 
Virgil Webb
Sharon Wren's sister, Kathy 

MISSION'S REPORT

For surely, O Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor with a shield." 
Psalm 5:12


Evangeline Byrnes-St. Claire Our missionary to Tacloban, Philippines has asked for our prayers.
  •        Continued safety during her visitation, good health,strength & protection.
  •        Zealousness in the mission work.
  •        Completion of the ongoing typhoon disaster projects.
  •        Evangelism with follow up and discipleship.
  •        Send more soul burdened hearts and laborers to help us to rebuild.
  •        For God’s wisdom during our visitation in the Tacloban Prison.