Hungering World

Ukraine Mission Brochure

7th Annual St. Michael’s Healing Mission to Zhytomir, Ukraine
Thursday, September 30— Sunday, October 10, 2010
The pastors and church leaders in Ukraine, coordinated by Pastor Peter, have been impacted greatly by witnessing their parishioners being healed, and they, too, are being healed by God as they seek prayers. Some of the churches are holding weekly 24 hour prayer chains – 24 people praying 24 hours for spiritual awakening in Ukraine – AND – they are praying for us at St. Michael’s. The youth are holding monthly 24 hour prayer events. The youth are doing community service by cleaning up trash from the roads. When the neighbors ask why they are picking up other people’s trash, the youth take the opportunity to share the Gospel of Jesus with them.
God moves powerfully in the healing services during the healing missions. The team prays with the youth and children, as well as the adults. In October of 2009, Johnnie Corbett and Oksana Tsiskal prayed with nine year old Valentine, who had one leg about two inches shorter than the other, and his back and shoulders were severely twisted. Johnnie sat in front of him, lifted his legs, prayed, and watched Valentine’s leg grow out even with the healthy leg. He prayed again and as he ran his hand down the child’s spine, his shoulders leveled out and his back straightened. Valentine jumped up and ran to his mother, who was being prayed for by another team. He began excitedly talking in Ukrainian to his mother. The team asked the translator what was going on. She said Valentine was saying, “God has healed me and now I can play soccer with my friends!”
In May, we received an email about Valentine from Oksana and Pastor Sergey in Piryatin. “Valentine is from Grebinka town and he is doing very well. He comes to Piryatin every week to be at the worship service with his mom and grandmother and sometimes with grandfather. He likes to be among the believers. He likes to play soccer with Oksana’s nine year old son, Ruvim.”

HOW TO SUPPORT THIS MISSION
Prayer Support for team members and the mission!
Financial Support may be sent to: St. Michael’s Church,
Healing Mission to Ukraine, 71 Broad Street, Charleston, SC 29401 Please make your tax deductible gift payable to St. Michael’s Church, Ukraine Mission. For more information please call Jean Corbett 843-729-6423

TEAM MEMBERS
Charlie Baldwin
Jean and Johnnie Corbett
Stephen Haynsworth
Bradford Marshall
Walt Miller
Scott Myers
Joe Nicholson
Peggy Reeves
David and Marty Richardson
Weezi Shaw
Barbara and Ned Simmons
Margie Williams

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8

Burundi Mission 2010

Why Burundi? What About the Needs of Charleston?

So often when we talk about missions to places like Burundi, I often hear in response, but what about Charleston? Why do we need to go so far to do mission? The short answer is that our vision demands it, in fact, our vision and Scripture demand it! The Vision of St. Michael’s Church is to Transform Hearts through Jesus Christ in the Home, Holy City, Hurting Coast and Hungering World. This isn’t something we invented, but it is the Biblical imperative out of Acts 1:8, where we find Jesus saying, be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the ends of the earth. We translate those destinations this way:

Jerusalem = Heart and Home ~ Judea = Charleston ~ Samaria = Hurting Coast ~ Ends of the Earth = Hungering World

Jesus didn’t insert or in the middle of those destinations, in fact he said and between each destination! He is calling us to minister in all 4 areas. Yes, it would have been easier if Jesus had given us a choice, but the fact is, our ministries in the home have to be as vital as they are in the larger city, the coast and locations beyond our borders!

The Preaching and Teaching Ministry in Burundi

When you go on mission with an investments advisor (Joe Nicholson), an attorney (Bill Lyles) and a banker (David Soutter), one can wonder, how will we all do in a foreign land? More specifically in Burundi, there is a tendancy to be asked to preach or give your testimony at the drop of a hat. I couldn’t be more proud of our St. Michael’s team! When asked to preach and teach, they more than willingly did what they were asked and did it well!

In 1 Peter 3:15 we find these words: Always be prepared to make a defense to any one who calls you to account for the hope that is within you, yet do it with gentleness and reverence.

What’s Next for Burundi?

Burundi, while only the size of Maryland, yet with over 9 million people, is a scarred nation. For 13 years, this country fought a civil war, and during that time, most of the infrastructure was destroyed. For two years there has been peace, a peace that now hinges on the Presidential elections going forward this summer. If those elections are anything but peaceful, it could throw the nation back into civil war, which would prohibit us from sending teams in. Our prayer, hope and expectation is that we would be able to respond to their greatest needs, which after many listening sessions, include the following:
Continued financial support for the staff’s and operating budgets of the ministry partners
A healing ministry to come in and train their clergy and pastors
Doctors and nurses to come over to help start and maintain their clinic
There are so many more needs, but these seemed to be the big three. It is also exciting that St. Michael’s Church is not alone in the support for Burundi. The Church of Our Savior on John’s Island, as well as St. Andrews Church Mt. Pleasant are also looking to send teams over.

Reflection by David Soutter
Burundi Mission 2010

I was getting a bit frustrated.

I had felt a call to return to Burundi, in February, but it seemed every avenue I went down was wrong, or just did not work. There was simply not enough time to pull off a medical mission, nor any experienced medical person to lead. A healing mission did not seem to jell, and I was unsure exactly what one could really accomplish. Some new people wanted to go, might go, but suddenly just could not go in February.

Still I felt that call. So I prayed. And the nudge I got told me to go see Al, he needed to go. So I prayed some more, another day, until the Voice told me, in no uncertain terms “I told you to go see Al.”

So I did. And as I explained to Al what I felt called to do, and explained how a trip might work, and we thought through what would have to work for Al to go, the mission finally became clear. We should take church leaders there, to see the Gospel at work, to meet our partners, to experience the transformations that happen to us when we go into the mission field. Those leaders could help share the passion with those who have gone. And we could get so much more done with more Godly leaders behind our efforts.

And that is what happened. Al’s scheduled cleared enough to go, and obstacles got addressed and resolved. Joe Nicholson had wanted to go in 2009, but had been prevented from going, but now was able, and ready. And Bill Lyles was asked and prayerfully agreed to go as God seemed to clear his calendar.

What a team! It is impossible for me to imagine how we could have been better constituted, how we could have fitted together any better. God blessed me with the entire trip, but blessed me first with the team.

In Burundi, we have partnered with an organization called Great Lakes Outreach, based in the UK. GLO was created by Simon Guillebaud specifically to support the work of Scripture Union and its decades-old efforts in Burundi. GLO and Scripture Union believe the problems in Burundi are strategic, the failures of leadership, arising from historic tribal jealousies. So GLO’s strategic imperative is “to raise up a new generation of leaders, without respect to tribal affiliations”.

We have worked especially with three of Scripture Union’s best: Freddy Tuyzire and Youth for Christ, Onesphore Manirakiza, at Harvest for Christ, and Emmanuel Ndikumana at the theological school PTI. All have proven to be exceptional leaders, all completely sold out for Jesus, all are well educated, all attractive, articulate, and good family men.

Youth for Christ (YFC) is a worldwide organization, whose impact in Burundi has been substantial. Under Freddy’s leadership, they sponsor Bible Clubs in high schools throughout the country, an orphanage and school in Burundi’s second city, Gitega, a new clinic there, and are considering a secondary school elsewhere in Gitega. There has been real direct progress made, and all consistent with Freddy’s (and the Lord’s) long range plans.

Harvest for Christ (HFC) has as its focus an annual Evangelism Explosion, an effort that has grown significantly over its six year history. The venture requires the training of amateur evangelists over the course of the year, then sending them out, almost Biblically, over two weeks and three weekends in August. The results are carefully tracked, with some 450 evangelists going out in 2009, who talked and preached to nearly 60,000 people, and got nearly 25,000 commitments to Jesus Christ. All of those who commit their lives to Christ are directed and connected with local congregations of many denominations. Many of those conversions are accompanied by miracles of healing and the casting out of demons. Stories of Muslims coming to faith, of witch doctors burning their tools, these make the news in Burundi, and are evidence of the transforming of the country, one soul at a time.

PTI is the new school set up to allow the many Christian ministers to receive some proper theological training. Many of these pastors are called to ministry, but many have no formal education beyond primary school. We saw the real need for this kind of empowering education among the clergy, whose call, and preaching and pastoring, is strong, but whose efforts can be dramatically enhanced by a better grounding in Scripture.

I saw many real improvements in general life in Burundi since my first visit in 2008. The country had then just ended (barely) its thirteen-year civil war, militias were still evident, security was extremely tight (with roadblocks every five miles or so), and the people very wary. And weary. There were major washouts on major roads, and some travel could not begin after 3:00pm since it was not safe to be on the roads after dark. Accommodations were generally poor, requiring us to essentially camp out, even if we were staying inside a building. Bathroom facilities were especially challenging.

But this time I saw a better spirit, more optimism, even some traffic improvements. Though there is certainly what our host Olivia calls “lawless driving” (an adventure that can hardly be described), I saw some actual stop signs, even a street light. I saw more light in the countryside. And I heard from our friends there a wary optimism about the context of this summer’s elections. All these elements should bode well for the future of this recovering country.
So I look forward to working with our partners there, to see improved conditions, to see a happier people, a healthier people, to see the Gospel preached without shame, and to see a new generation of leaders who can make Burundi a Christian light to the nations.

Reflection by Joe Nicholson

We traveled by a hairy car venture to a mountain village called Busiga to see the Batwa also known as “Twa” or pygmy. The Twa are only 2% of the population and as outcasts they can only work for food. The average Burundian life expectancy is 48, but the Twa was only 28. As we got out of the cars, we were immediately greeted by at least 30 children which more than doubled as a few minutes passed. The children treated us as if we were some sort of royalty or celebrity as we literally wading amongst the sea of Twa who came to see us. Dave, Bill and Al were taking pictures of the children and then would turn the camera around to show them their faces on the digital screens which was received great shouts of joy and “ah’s & whoo’s”. We were being escorted by Youth for Christ missionaries, Passie (age 30) and her fiancé, Hermes, who were to marry that weekend. After their wedding, they were moving to this village as missionaries to the Twa. Passie led us down a very steep decline where we were followed by at least 70-100 children and adults. Once in their midst, I realized there more adults that than children, because the tallest adult was only around 5 foot. It hurt to look at the children as all of their clothing was in complete rags, most with no sandals, distended stomachs, but all had the hugest smiles with the whitest teeth I had ever seen. Most of them carried filthy yellow jugs which they used to carry water in. Carved out of the steep hill, they lived in these woven stick huts with green leaves in-between with brown thatched roofs with dirt floors. Looking inside we saw little camp fires where we were told the entire family of 8-10 would sleep alongside their goats to help keep them warm. Passie said their huts often had to be rebuilt because they could not with stand the mountain storms and wind. It suddenly occurred to me that these people were living in conditions worst off than during biblical times. The greatest needs was simply clean water which Water Missions has plans to place 1 unit but still needs funding for it. St. Michaels could make a biggest difference in the community if we just support what Christ is already doing with Youth For Christ.

At another similar Twa village, we saw body stretcher made of sticks and woven grass being carried down the hill. Freddy said if they sick or dead, that is the only to transport up these hills since there is no ambulance or medical clinic care nearby. As we started up the hill to leave we stopped by the clapping and singing coming from about 25 children and adults. The babies were even clapping and dancing along with the others. I had no idea what they were singing, but I felt the Holy Spirit with a such a force that every hair was standing up on my neck, and I felt paralyzed as I watched them dancing and singing towards us. The singing was absolutely beautiful but the love I heard was transforming. Our leader, Freddy, later translated the song which said they appreciated our coming and thank us for visiting and they would pray for God to bless us and protect our way. I had never seen people in such utter poverty yet in such joy in my life. They had nothing, but they were giving us a gift of song, dance and prayer that was only of the Holy Spirit.

About ¾ way back up the hill we pass an 11 year old boy going down the hill, in tears, that was carrying his infant brother wrapped on his back. He explained to Passie that his infant brother was sick, had not eaten in days and he was afraid he was going to die. The boy said he had no mother and had carried his brother on his back, barefoot, for miles to a medical clinic that refused to see his sick brother without a parent. It then occurred to of my own reality of having my own 11 year old and thinking of a child having this burden was too much for me to bear. We had no medicine, we were not doctors, and money could not cure this child. Al asked if we could pray for this infant, where he prayed from Acts 3:6, “Silver or gold we do not have, but what we have we give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, we ask that this child be healed of whatever sickness or affliction and blessings upon his brother and family.” Al then anointed the infant and boy with holy oil in the name of Father, Son, & Holy Spirit. In this moment of absolute desperation and helplessness for this brother and sick infant, I too learned that all I ever need is to call upon Jesus Christ.

Lenten Action for the Hungering World

Walk For Water 2010
Saturday, March 20th at Cannon Park
Join the St. Michael’s Walk for Water Team, as we support Water Missions International. The Walk for Water is inspired by millions of women and children who are responsible for making the daily trek to collect water for their families. During the walk, each participant has the opportunity to carry an empty water pail, which can be filled with water at the halfway point along the route then carried to the finish. All funds raised support Water Missions International’s ongoing efforts to provide safe water, sanitation and God’s love to people around the world. www.watermissions.org
Dirty Water For Clean Water
Team members of Burundi Mission will be giving away free water bottles after each service on Feb. 14, Ash Wednesday, Feb. 17 & Feb. 21. See ad the water bottle label below.

Ukraine Healing Mission 2010

Planning for the 2010 Healing Prayer Mission to the Ukraine has begun and early applications have been made available to all St. Michael’s Prayer Ministers. The dates for this annual mission are planned for September 30 through October 10, 2010. Following a deadline established for receipt of applications from Prayer Ministers, should additional openings be available to share in this team, a general meeting will be held in April for all that are interested. Please continue to pray for the Ukraine, for the formation of this 2010 team, and for God’s ministry of healing throughout the world.

From the Messenger February 7 & 14, 2010

The Rector Travels to Burundi
By the time you read this, I will be joined by David Soutter, Bill Lyles and Joe Nicholson on an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Burundi, in East Africa. We will be in that nation from February 12-24th. Believe it or not, it’s St. Michaels’5th mission to Burundi. The trip is under the sponsorship of Great Lakes Outreach, a ministry under the leadership of Simon Guillebaud.

While there, we will:
Give testimonies
Teach at a very new seminary
Do some personal evangelism
Work with orphans and pygmies
Aaffirm our commitment to four Water Mission installations
Prepare for a planned medical mission in the summer
Meet up with those who are planting Alpha Courses in that country.

Please pray for the families and spouses of those going and I can’t wait to report back!
~ The Rector

Dirty Water for Clean Water
Team members of Burundi Mission will be giving away free water bottles after each service on February 14th, Ash Wednesday, & February 21st. This water will look dirty, but it is a safe to drink tea mixture. It is meant to remind you of your blessing of good water. As a Lenten discipline, we are asking you to return your bottle at Easter filled with money (and more we hope) that you might have spent on bottled water, soft drinks, etc.

This project is in cooperation with Water Mission International to establish four clean water plants at two orphanages, a school, and near two Pygny tribes in Burundi.

Thank you so much for your help with this project.

From the Messenger January 24 & 31, 2010

The Rev. Rob Dewey Deployed to Haiti

I am being deployed to Haiti – not sure when I will be back – your prayers for them and my team (Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team) is appreciated.

Chaplain Rob Dewey, Coastal Crisis Chaplaincy

Haiti Disaster Relief Fund
The money collected in the envelopes this past Sunday has been donated to Water Missions International in Haiti. If you missed the opportunity to donate for this specific fund, you can mail a check to St. Michael’s Church and we will make sure it gets donated specific to Haiti Disaster Reflief.

Burundi and Good Water

Several teams from the Diocese of South Carolina, from St. Andrews Mt Pleasant, St. Michaels and others, have traveled to Burundi in east Africa at the invitation of Simon Guillebaud and his organization, Great Lakes Outreach (greatlakesoutreach.org). All of us have been profoundly moved by who we met, what we saw and what we experienced.

Burundi may be the poorest country on earth, with an estimated gross annual income of less than $100 per person. It has recently emerged from a civil war where hundreds of thousands of people were killed, often hacked to death in tribal jealousies that go back generations.

Great Lakes has ministries in several strategic areas, working through local leaders in caring for orphans and street children, combating AIDS (spread in refugee camps during the war), facing the challenge of Islam, and, most importantly, spreading the Gospel. The overall mission, beyond the Gospel, is to raise a new generation of leaders, which is well under way.

We invited all mission participants, as well as anyone else interested in these ministries, to meet. To decide how we would respond to the experiences we shared there. Moved by the Holy Spirit, we elected to work to bring good water to some of the areas we visited.

We commissioned Water Missions International to assess our recommendations, and they have affirmed the extreme need in four locations, two near sponsored orphanages and two near Batwa (pygmy) villages. The total investment exceeds $100,000 for all four. Clean water would be made available to many children at orphanages, at three schools, at a clinic, and for the neighborhoods.

We are delighted to report that, from money previously given for Burundi missions, from a specific parishioner’s gift, and from a letter writing campaign, we have in hand nearly enough for the first three units.

We are actively seeking broader support, and seeking funds to complete the project. If you are moved to help, please send gifts to Water Missions marked for Burundi, or to St. Michaels, similarly marked.

Gifts will make a profound difference for these communities, for the kids there, and for the spread of the Gospel.

Dave Soutter (843) 270 1270

Water Missions, 2049 Savannah Highway, Charleston, SC 29407-2228, (843) 769-7395

St. Michaels Church, 71 Broad Street, Charleston, SC 29401, (843) 723 0603

February Mission to Burundi

On February 12th, four St. Michaels men, Bill Lyles, Joe Nicholson, Al Zadig and I will leave Charleston for Burundi, in East Africa. We will be there for about 9 days. This will be St. Michaels fifth mission to Burundi.

We go there under the sponsorship of Great Lakes Outreach, a ministry under the leadership of Simon Guillebaud. Great Lakes (Africa’s great lakes, Victoria, Tanganyika, etc.) has a comprehensive ministry there, encompassing orphans and street children, Christian leadership development, Youth for Christ chapters in schools throughout the country. But all focused on a long term goal of raising a new generation of leadership in the country.

Burundi is arguably the poorest country on earth, with annual per capita income less the $100, and the vast majority of people surviving on subsistence agriculture. It is only now emerging from the civil war and tribal genocide that overwhelmed the country at the same time as Rwanda, with fewer deaths (600,000) but a longer anguish (10 years).

While there, we will give testimonies, teach at a very new seminary, do some personal evangelism, work with orphans and pygmies, affirm our commitment to four Water Mission installations, and prepare for a planned medical mission in the summer. We are committed to such works as can only be done with our very presence.

We seek your prayer support. We are undertaking this trip at personal expense, so we are not seeking gifts (though we are seeking financial help raising the funds to underwrite the water plants).

~ Dave Soutter