Covenant Life Church

November 13 2011 at 5:14 pm

Rancho 3M Baby Home: Complete!

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This coming Sunday we’ll be celebrating the completion of the baby home at Rancho 3M Orphanage and School in Gaudalupe, Mexico. Covenant Life has been partnering with Director Dean Adamek and the Rancho 3M Ministry since 2005. Completion of construction on the baby home this summer was the culmination of seven Covenant Life missions trips over a two-year period and 6000 man hours of work.

Working hand in hand with the appropriate governmental authorities, Rancho 3M plans to take in orphaned babies from the community while seeking adoptive homes for them.

The video (top) and slideshow (bottom) above provide a look at the construction process, the Covenant Life members involved, and the some of the children and staff of Rancho 3M. Thank you, Covenant Life Church for praying, believing, and giving to make the baby home possible.

July 1 2011 at 5:24 pm

Outreach to Area Neighborhoods Coming This Month

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Youth from Covenant Life are putting “feet to their faith” July 11-15 by offering a week of Christian day camps in communities close to the church. The goal is to love our neighbors through serving, developing friendships, and sharing biblical truth as we combine service projects with intensive, relational ministry.

Todd Keeler is leading the initiative called simply “Local Missions 2011” (see above for photos from last year), with the support and help of Family Life pastor Matt Maka and the 10:31 youth ministry. Participants will be primarily 10:31 youth and their parents, including other Covenant Life adults who have already been serving faithfully in these communities.

Youth and parents will fan out to several local neighborhoods each day to lead day camps for children with games, singing, Bible teaching, Scripture memory, arts and crafts, snacks, and miscellaneous fun. At the end of the week, each team hopes to host a cookout for the children and their parents right in their neighborhood.

Todd sees the week of camps as “another step into the community with the gospel, following in the footsteps of Mark Mitchell (Outreach Pastor), Drew Garfield (Community Outreach and Missions Coordinator), and others who have been getting to know and love our neighbors.”

It is tremendously exciting to think of the possibilities as God directs more and more people from Covenant Life to serve in practical ways and build relationships with members of these communities. We hope that this week will play a small part. Let’s pray that God will continue to fan into flame his gifts at work in us as we befriend our neighbors with the love and truth of Christ.

For more information about Local Missions 2011, e-mail .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), or call the church office.

April 1 2011 at 10:50 pm

Ethiopia Medical Missions Trip: Final Report

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From Greg S. on behalf of the medical team that served in Ethiopia from March 19 to 28:

Let me admit at the outset: There is no way I can compress into one short report all that our gracious God did in and through us during our 9-day trip to Ethiopia. Our hearts and minds are full of the sights, sounds, smells, and spiritual highlights we experienced throughout our stay. But out of gratitude for those who contributed financially and upheld us with prayer—and in hopes that this brief report may stir up fresh love and zeal for God’s glory among the nations—let me attempt to capture some of the highlights of our trip using key passages from Paul’s letter to the Philippians, the focus of our team devotions while we were away.

Partnership in the Gospel
Paul thanked God for his gospel partnership with the Philippians (1:3-5), and we feel the same gratitude for the fruitful three-way partnership that made this trip possible. The pastoral team and members of Covenant Life Church gave generously to fund our travel and purchase all needed medical supplies. You Go City Church, a thriving church in Addis Ababa which our church helped to plant 8 years ago, hosted three of our day-long clinics. And a team of dedicated staff members of Mission To The World, the missions sending agency of the Presbyterian Church of America, coordinated all aspects of our trip. They provided us with a guesthouse, a cook who catered to our western appetites, a bus driver with nerves of steel, nurse-translators who ensured that our caregivers could communicate effectively with patients, and program directors whose humble attention to our needs and love for the poor were a constant inspiration.

Team Unity
I am so proud of this team – they epitomized the zeal and unity which Paul describes in Philippians 1:27: “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel….” A diverse group of singles and marrieds ranging from age 19 to 53, they served together with one mind and heart, gladly embracing whatever assignments came their way. Chris Mays, our lead doctor, worked tirelessly before and during the trip to ensure that everyone was positioned for effective service. Seeing this cross-section of the Body of Christ minister together with such joy and camaraderie was clearly one of the highlights of the trip for all of us.

Humble Servanthood
Paul tells us that Jesus “did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant” (Philippians 2:6-7). All week long I was surrounded by men and women eager to do the same. Scott Hendricks noticed the watchman who guarded the guesthouse gate and took him a plate of food. Dr. Kevin DeWeber prepared songs in advance and skillfully led us in daily worship. Without hesitation, nurse Natalie Beall set up an IV for an HIV+ patient despite the inherent risks. Katie Barnett and Corey Simmons shared their testimonies on Sunday with a group of teens from the You Go church. Vascular surgeon and medical school professor Kakra Hughes humbly deferred to a younger doctor still in residency. Everywhere I looked, I saw team members taking the form of a servant—taking the form of Christ.

Rubbish and Riches
On Wednesday we had the emotionally overwhelming experience of visiting dozens of the people that Mission To The World serves through its AIDS Care and Treatment program. These are the neediest of the needy, trying to scratch out a living while battling the ravages of disease. Their tiny 6’ x 8’ homes were made of tarps and cardboard, mud and sticks. Families typically shared one twin bed. Kids played amidst the litter of garbage and human waste. Everywhere you looked were reminders of crushing poverty. And yet here we were, bearing the good news of a Savior who descended into human misery in order to redeem us from the pit. To the most desperate of these dear people we could offer the pearl of great price, the promise of a Savior: “I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ…” (Philippians 3:7-8).

The Joy of the Lord
Repeatedly Paul told the Philippians to rejoice. We felt him telling us the same, reminding us that the joy of the Lord is our strength. During intensely competitive games of “Taboo” and good-natured teasing among friends, while posing for group pictures or being pushed by Rebecca Orban to take one more lap around the neighborhood jogging trail, we were strengthened again and again with the gift of laughter.

Pressing On Toward The Goal
In light of the great sacrifices that team members made to come on this trip, they could have returned home feeling they had satisfied their spiritual obligations. But not this team! They didn’t go to Ethiopia to assuage their conscience or fulfill a duty. They went to stoke the fires of faith, to gain a greater appetite for God’s work in the world. Each one returns to the States with a heightened sense of vision to share the gospel and serve the poor, proclaiming with Paul: “forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14).

A Fragrant Offering
At the end of his letter, Paul thanked the Philippians for the gifts they had sent to him, “a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God” (Philippians 4:18). On behalf of the entire pastoral team, let me say the same to each member of the 2011 Ethiopia Medical Missions team and to all those who supported them. Your investment in this trip was a fragrant offering. Almost 400 people received excellent medical care they never could have gotten otherwise. Scores of them heard the good news of the gospel. A group of 14 orphans received their own copies of the Bible. At least two patients—including one Muslim man—professed faith in Christ. And every single man, woman, and child you touched experienced the tender love and comfort of the Father.

God is so pleased! I will never forget this week with the team, striving side by side for the faith of the gospel. “To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.” (Philippians 4:20)

—Greg S.

March 26 2011 at 10:07 am

Updates from Mexico Mission Team

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Above: a departure photo of the team that has served at Rancho 3M Christian Orphanage in Guadalupe, Mexico, over the past week. Pictured left to right: Luke Chamberlain, Devon Chamberlain, Eric Conroy, Dave Leo, Nate Somerville, Andy McPhillips, Grant Layman, Milt Hendrickson, Lou Stavely, John Luhman, Robert Johnson, Bob Merryman, Art Shenk, and Nick DeCarlo. Not pictured are team members Sherry and Van Van Orsdel, Sam Hoffman, Jack Anderson and Andy Tvardzik. Below: a digest of several updates from Art Shenk on behalf of the team.

Day 3 Update
Another gorgeous work day, sunny, mid 80s, warm dry breeze. We started the day with Sherry and Devon’s tasty egg breakfast burritos, made using four dozen eggs from Taylor Adamek’s (Dean’s and Denise 13 year old son) chicken farm at the Ranch. Taylor charges 10 cents per egg, and the budding entrepreneur is now considering moving into the market for chicken meat, too.

Luke’s worship song selections of “Let your Kingdom Come” and “High Above All Things” led into Lou Stavely’s excellent devotional on propitiation (God’s wrath-removing sacrifice of sending his son Jesus to die for our sins), reminding us of the incredible blessing it is to live each day with the knowledge that our sins have been forgiven and that we no longer live in fear of God’s wrath.

All the teams were in full production today starting at 8:30 a.m. and worked thru until 6:30 p.m. when we enjoyed a meatball sub dinner and reflected on the day’s activities and the excellent progress made on all fronts.

Painting crew team leader John Emelio reported that the upstairs wall and ceiling painting was totally done, thanks to the steady endurance of John, Bob Merryman, Luke Chamberlain and Jack Anderson, all very quiet but extremely focused on the task at hand. Meanwhile in one of the back rooms Jon Luhman and partner Sam Hoffman were knocking out door after door with prime and finish coats. Grant’s color selections are superb ... they’re beginning to create a warm and inviting haven for the newborn and toddlers that will soon be arriving.

The framing and trim team is rolling along with the daunting task of trimming over 60 windows and 19 doors. But Van Van Orsdel came up with a “jig” that has really reduced the time it takes to assemble the window trim. The “shop” set up is quite impressive with some serious power tools ... There is no question in our minds that this team of Van, Lou, Milt Hendrickson and Eric Conroy will meet the challenge of completing the trim.

Grant Layman remarked that the tile team (led by Nick DeCarlo…with help from Grant, Robert Johnson, Nate Somerville and myself “made a comeback” from yesterday’s slow start in some of the small rooms in the front of the building by breaking out into the large room in the center of the first floor and making some serious progress.

The most fun to watch is our electrical team of Dave Leo and Andy McPhillips ... both seasoned tradesman who fly around the building (and all the other teams as a matter of fact), kneeling down, going up and down ladders—you name it they do it—to get in positions to install power outlets, lighting fixtures, ceiling fans, smoke detectors, etc. If all goes well we could have power to the building as early as this Wednesday.

Last but not least we are grateful for, as Nick DeCarlo put it, Grant’s spiritual leadership and Andy Tvardzik’s construction leadership. The entire team recognizes that Andy has planned and prepared for months for this trip—arriving the middle of last week to buy supplies, figure out team assignments, etc. He find’s his name being called all the time for counsel on “what to do”—that is, unless he is off on another two or three hour trip across the border to get more supplies for his appreciative band of workers. Andy is a gift from God … as nothing ever seems to upset him; you couldn’t pick a better project manager and exemplary leader to follow.

Finally, we are sooooooooooooooo grateful that after three days we have no sickness or accidents/injuries … and we are having a blast!

Day 2 Update
The day began with breakfast at 7a.m. Grant has each team member share why we signed up for the mission trip, followed by Luke Chamberlain leading us in worship using the smallest guitar ever made, and Nick DeCarlo sharing an inspiring reminder from Philippians 2 about our call as men to humble servanthood, being ready to do whatever it takes to see the baby home built … as this week we would not be “writing a check to a worthy cause” but putting our “boots to the ground,” working side by side to see this work of the Lord established as an act of “pure religion”—the kind spoken of in James 1:27, which includes visiting orphans in their affliction.

We put in a full day:

• painting of doors (Jon Luhman, Jack Anderson, and Sam Hoffman)
• painting of the upstairs level (John Emelio, Luke Chamberlin, and Bob Merryman),
• tile work in the front entrance (Nick DeCarlo, Grant Layman, Robert Johnson, Nate Somerville and Art Shenk)
• window framing (Andy Tvardzik, Lou Stavely, Eric Conroy and Van Vanorsdel) of the over 56 windows
• wiring electrical power outlets, installing lighting fixures and smoke detectors (Dave Leo and Andy McPhillips)
• Over dinner we recounted with gratefulness the joys of the first day of work.

Day 1 Update
Our team of 19 arrived at Rancho 3M to a grand welcome by the children … smiles and hugs for all as we got out of the vans … including special greetings by name to Señor Layman and others who have been to the ranch for many years. The children went on to immediately lug our big suit cases to our bunk room, the cutest group of little porters you will ever see.

The baby house looks great! Dean Adamek (Rancho 3M Director) shared his vision for the ministry and all that will be taking place soon in the new building (projected for occupancy as early as this fall). The house is spacious, inviting, and brightly/naturally lit …attractively designed and so functional. Dean expressed his deep appreciation for the folks at Covenant Life and our continued partnership with him and his staff.

Andy Tvardzik shared an overview of the ambitious but doable goals for the week: completing the lion’s share of the interior finishes, including window and door trim, painting, tile/wood flooring installation and electrical work. We enjoyed our first meal prepared by Sherry Van Orsdel and Devon Chamberlain serving in their all important role of keeping our little band fed—a band now known as “Grant’s Mighty Men” (a phrased coined by Nick DeCarlo as he recapped the privilege of being able to serve using our God-given skills and abilities for His glory).

By their displays of spontaneous joy, happiness and gratefulness, the kids of Rancho 3M continue to motivate us all the more to do our part to get the “walls built” of the baby home as soon as possible, so that Dean and his staff will be able to serve even more children—”rebuilding of the walls” in the hearts and minds of the children thru Gospel-centered care that points them to their need for a Savior, Jesus Christ, and to know and love their Heavenly Father who loves them with an everlasting love and who will never fail or forsake them for all of eternity.

March 26 2011 at 9:41 am

More Updates from Ethiopia Medical Team

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Here are more updates from Greg S. on behalf of the Ethiopia Medical Mission team now in Addis Ababa:

Update #5
We had a wonderful last day today. We saw about 100 patients, including 15 orphans who came in a group. We were able to give each one a personal copy of the Bible in Amharic. One of the nurses prayed with a Muslim man to receive Christ as his Savior. We are going to be donating a large quantity of leftover medicine to Mission to the World. I know the whole team would say that we are so privileged to have gotten to serve the Lord in this place, to serve these wonderful and needy people. We could not be more pleased with the way that God has blessed our labors here and the fruitfulness of this trip. We attribute so much of this to the prayer support we have received from all of you back home and we thank God for each of you. Thank you for your partnership in the gospel.

Tomorrow will be a down day to do some sightseeing and buy some gifts. On Sunday, we will attend church in the morning, then have lunch with Pastor Wonde before packing up and heading for the airport.

Update #4:
We’ve just completed our fourth day of service in Addis. Yesterday, we were able to visit people in their homes—a very emotional experience for the team. We divided into four different teams and were able to visit 40 homes in the poorest areas of Addis. These homes were small structures made of tarp, poles, mud and sticks. They were probably 5 x 6 feet or 6 x 8 feet, barely enough room for a husband and wife and one or two children. These were people who participate in the HIV support program, and we were able to visit and share the gospel with them. Today, we set up a clinic in the same neighborhood where the You Go church is located and see 90 patients with a range of needs. We were able to play with the kids and give away toys. We were even able to lead one man in a profession of faith in Christ! What a great experience for the team.

Everyone here is in wonderful health; we are really experiencing the effect of your prayers. Andy, the director of the Mission to the World program here in Addis, encouraged our team by saying we’re one of the best teams they’ve ever worked with. Praise God! We would ask for prayer for our final clinic tomorrow, where we expect to see 50-60 more patients. Saturday will be a free day, and Sunday we will attend the You Go church, before packing up and heading to the airport for our overnight flight.

Thank you all for your prayers—we know they are carrying us.

Update #3
It is an absolutely perfect Wednesday morning in Addis. Our team has arrived at the Mission To The World branch office in the Bole neighborhood of Addis where we will be doing home visits to families who participate in their HIV outreach program. We also get to lead a support group meeting for women in the program, sharing from Scripture and praying for their needs. As we have the privilege of entering these humble homes (not uncommon to have a single mother and three or four children living in a 6’ x 8’ structure), we remember with amazement the Savior’s willingness to leave his heavenly home and come to dwell among us.

On Monday and Tuesday we conducted clinics in the You Go City Church of Addis (a church which Covenant Life helped to plant seven years ago). Church members had passed out invitations for free medical care within the community. As we arrived at 8:30 each morning, people had already gathered. Two triage nurses from our team checked vital signs and then directed patients to one of four tables where our medical providers were teamed up with nurse-translators. Ailments ranged from itching and irritated eyes (a common ailment due to the amount of dust and pollution in the air) to vertigo and blindness. After patients got a diagnosis and free medication from our pharmacy, many received prayer and spiritual counseling as well. One woman was powerfully affected by the Spirit when team members prayed for her. Over the course of the two days we saw two hundred patients.

We have felt the impact of the church’s prayers in so many ways. Though one team member needed to stay home and rest because of a migraine headache yesterday, we have experienced remarkably good health and good spirits. We are honored to be here in the name of Jesus—and we thank you for your generous support!

March 21 2011 at 8:03 pm

Word from the Ethiopia Medical Team

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This word from Greg S. on behalf of the Ethiopia Medical Mission Team came in on Sunday:

The team has landed in Addis Ababa! After a smooth 13-hour non-stop flight on a jumbo Boeing 777, we touched down in Addis at 8 a.m. local time. Most of the team members made it through customs without incident. A few of the more suspicious-looking individuals (including the pastor) had their luggage searched and medications confiscated. The airport staff were very courteous and have assured us that we can reclaim the medications on Monday morning. (Please pray!)

We have settled into a lovely guest home where the staff is treating us like royalty. They have briefed us on the history of their ministry in this beautiful but needy city. They will be providing translators with nursing experience to assist us as we care for patients in the community over the next five days.

It’s 6:30 p.m. now in Addis. We are organizing the medications we brought so that we will be ready to leave first thing in the morning. Once we’re prepared, we will be looking forward to a much-needed night’s rest.

Thanks for sending us and for carrying us in your prayers. We will update you as the week unfolds!

—Greg

Another brief update came through today (Monday):

Everyone is in good health and spirits but still tired from jet lag. The team set up a clinic today at Covenant Life Church Addis, also known as You Go Church. They saw 90 patients and will go back again tomorrow. They’ve seen a lot of poverty today and are honored to be able to serve these needy people in the name of the Lord. The team is reading and praying through Philippians together.

Prayer requests: discernment for the doctors, strength and continued health for team members, and more opportunities to share about their hope in Christ.

Also, the team members pass on their love to their families!

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