We need prayer partners.

Our team has fourteen members this year. The members are:

Dan & Kristin Sterk
Mary & Wally Oldham
Aaron & Daniel Mead
Keith Lubbers
Jeff Bartoszek
Mike Hess
Brenda Vriezema
Chip Cramer
John DeVries
Flora & Dave Oosterhouse

Very soon we will have a sheet posted at the Information Kiosk at the CRC of St. Joseph, MI where our church family can sign up as prayer partners for specific people. We would like to thank our supporters for everything that you have done for us and ask that you remember us in your prayers as we continue to plan for our trip and as we make the trip. Your prayers for us are the most important thing that you can do for us now. Once again "Thank You!" for everything that you have and continue to do for us. May God continue to bless you.

We have a project!

I received this email from Steve -

Hi Dave. I wanted to let you know that your team is now officially assigned the project in the Esperanza zone. This is located north-west of the city of Santiago. The trip takes about 4 hrs from Santo Domingo. The project is a pastor’s house. Some local pastors are working on getting a building lot as we speak. At least that’s what they told me!

The housing will be in the city of Mao, where we will use a small hotel. I have the transportation arranged as well: three vans will come from the airport and then two will be used by the team on a daily basis. We will need one team member to drive. Remember how much fun that is?????

I have not yet worked on schedule but there are some options. Since you guys are here for two weekends, one of those weekends could be spent in the Santo Domingo area, maybe a trip to San Pedro for example. I would say the first weekend would be better for that. Also since you will be arriving in the evening on Friday the 11th, you could come stay at the CRC ministry center until Sunday afternoon when we could head up to Mao. On the return, we might want to come back to the ministry center on Sunday PM Feb. 20, since you have an 8:22 AM departure the next day. How does that all sound?

Blessings to all!

Steve & Sandra Brauning
Christian Reformed World Missions
Dominican Republic

OUTSTANDING!

It is almost 2 months before our trip. Today we received a report on our fund raising efforts. The check for our expenses in the Dominican Republic was sent out last week. We still have funds coming in from a couple of fund raisers that we participated in. But we currently have more than enough money in the account to pay our estimated miscellaneous expenses. THE TRIP IS COMPLETELY PAID FOR! Once again God our Father has blessed us thru you our supporters. Any extra money that we collect from now on will be used for our 2013 trip. We as a team look forward to enjoying the Christmas season and concentrating on preparations for the trip. Once again we would like to thank our families, friends and supporters for all that you have done and are doing. God has blessed us thru you.

A few pictures from past trips.

The weakness of God...

1 Corinthians 1:25 NIV
For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.

By worldly standards, God's plan for salvation is foolishness. By worldly standards, God the Father offering his one and only perfect Son to death on the cross is weakness. But sin and the fall keeps us from complete fellowship with God. God knew that complete fellowship could only be restored thru justice. Justice demands atonement for sin. There is nothing we can do or say to atone for our sin. Only thru a perfect sacrifice is atonement made. Jesus Christ is that perfect sacrifice. God's strength to sacrifice his own perfect Son has broken sin and has saved us. Poderoso!

Poderoso

The team is learning the song Poderoso by Hillsong, the lyrics are:

Su amor
Me alcanzó
En la cruz
Por mi murió
Mi pecado Él llevó
Con poder resucitó

Sigues siendo
Siempre fiel
Mi refugio
Mi sostén
Jesucristo es la verdad
Que me dio la libertad

Poderoso
Poderoso
Me libraste
Me salvaste
Está escrito
Has vencido
Cristo tú eres Señor

Sin principio
Sin final
Esperanza sin igual
El perdido encontró
En Jesús la salvación

Que tu nombre sea exaltado
Sea exaltado
Sea exaltado

We are planning to sing this at the church services that we attend during our trip. In case your Spanish is not very good, here is the English translation:

There is love that came for us
Humbled to a sinner's cross
you broke my shame and sinfulness
you rose again victorious

Faithfulness none can deny
through the storm and through the fire
there is truth that sets me free
Jesus Christ who lives in me

Chorus
You are stronger you are stronger
Sin is broken you have saved me
it is written Christ is risen
Jesus you are Lord of all

No beginning and no end
You're my hope and my defence
you came to seek and save the lost
you paid it all upon the cross

So let your name be lifted higher
Be lifted higher be lifted higher

Link to the Spanish version video

Link to the English version video

This week - 11/8 to 11/13

Good progress was made on the food pantry this week, various team members spent two nights this week working on insulation and drywall.
Work was completed on two lawns this week. We are grateful for the donations made to the trip fund in exchange for our work.
Work is progressing on our preparation for the Christmas dinner. We are planning a delicious meal with a wonderful evening of celebrating THE reason for the season.

Auction Results

Once again everything came together with a great effort from everyone. We are very appreciative of everyone who donated items and services. We were able to raise $6011 for the trip. Dinner was once again provided by Domino's pizza of St. Joseph with salads and desserts provided by team members, friends and family. We had the opportunity to Skype with Steve and Sandra in the DR and to hear about the possible projects that we could be working on. We hope that everyone enjoyed the evening. Once again God has blessed us thru our supporters, Thank You all!

Auction

One week from tomorrow is our annual auction to support our trip to the DR next year. We hope that you will consider attending and supporting our mission. The night will start with dinner at 5:00pm. Once again we will be serving Domino's pizza along with home made salads and desserts. The auction will start at 6:30, child care will be provided. Below is the a list of the auction items that we currently have.

Again we would like to thank all of our supporters. Without you we could not have made these trips nor completed the work we have done. God has blessed our brothers and sisters in the DR and the teams that were sent thru your generosity. "Thank You!" with all our hearts, God bless you. We hope to see you next week.


Auction List 2010

These first 11 items were donated by Mary and Wally Oldham
5 piece Alpha Nonstick Cookware with lids.
56oz Sullvan Carate from Crate & Barrel (Clear Glass).
Tabletop Relaxation Fountain by Homedics Body Basics.
Fajita Grill 1300W/120V, by El Paso Chile Company.
Tiara (Rhodium Pearl Crown with Peri Stones, from Davids Bridal.
3 Pc Pizza Stone Set from Bialetti
7 Pc Premium Ovenware set (glass) by Anchor Hocking
2 - 60 Hour Citronella Candles for the patio.
Hallmark scrapbook kit for Bachelorette Party or Bridal Shower
Small pillow and table runner (light green with fern pattern)
Wood Photo Album with Swivel Base (Walnut Finish).

Embroidered Nativity Wall Hanging - Jan Jaarsma
Bicycle - The Mead Family
Exercise Bike - The Mead Family
Bicycle Tune-Up Certificate - Dan Sterk
2 Sets Hand Made Note Cards - Kristin Sterk
NLT Life Application Bible - Kristin Sterk
Oak Bench for Entry Way - Roger Bredeweg
Harbor Shore Golf Club - 1 Round of Golf for 4 people with Cart - Tim Vriezema
Candle Stick Phones - Gerard Horneman
Utility Sink with Faucet - Gerard Horneman
Noritake China- 12 place setting and serving pcs. “Harris Grove” pattern - Betty Jennings
One dozen Dutch Pigs in the blankets - Linda Horjus
5 sets of 3 sticks of Home Made Banket - Corry Oosterhouse
Candlewick Pillow - Corry Oosterhouse
Knit stuffed Animal - Monkey - Martha Johnson
Knit stuffed Animal - Bear - Martha Johnson
Small Multicolored Hand made Quilt - Martha Johnson
3 Black Tea-Light Lanterns - Sue Plummer
2 25th Anniversary Frames - Sue Plummer
Assorted Stone Jewelry - Sue Plummer
“Grandmother” Angel Tealight Holder - Sue Plummer
2 “Wild Pig” Piggy Banks – Sue Plummer
Evergreen Winter Centerpiece – Sue Plummer
Recipe Box – Sue Plummer
2 Lighted Snowy Cottages – Sue Plummer
2 wooden birdhouses
Martha Stewart - Queen Size Complete Bedding Set
2 sofa slip covers
Bathroom Medicine Cabinet
2 Wooden Light Fixtures
Bear Wall Hanging
Crocheted Baby Blanket
Small Brown and Green Hand Made Quilt Wall Hanging
Quilted Pillow
Cuisinart Coffee Maker

Attention to W.T.

JAB has purchased one vision package. You had the second highest bid, the second package is your's. Please contact David Oosterhouse to claim the second package. Thank you again for your support.

We have some winners!

"Thank You" to everyone who bid on our auction items and "Thank You" to everyone who helped put the auction together. JKS had the winning bid for the concert tickets. JAB had the top bid for the vision package. Would JAB please contact David Oosterhouse and let me know if you want one or both of the vision packages. Please send me a email about paying for and collecting your items. Thank You again.

(2) Vision packages at Dr. Flood’s Vision Center

(2) Vision packages includes the exam for glasses OR contacts, plus the fitting. Also a 6-month supply of Acuvue lenses. And a pair of non-prescription sun-glasses. (Retail approx. $300 per package).

To place your bid -
click on the "comments" link at the end of this post,
enter your bid and name in the white box,
next to "Comment as:" select "Anonymous",
finally click "Post Comment"
Bidding will end at 9:00pm Wednesday September 15, 2010.
The winning bidder will be offered both packages at double the winning bid.
Otherwise the second package will go to the second highest bidder.

Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra tickets

This is a "4-ticket flex pass", this is the description from their website:

FLEX PASS - 4 concerts - 18% savings!
The 4 ticket FLEX pass is great for anyone who needs flexibility in their scheduling.
Use it in any combination: four at once, in pairs, or one at a time!
FLEX pass seating cannot be used for reserved subscriber seating.

This is for mainstage concerts. Click on the link below to see the concert schedule.

Concert Schedule

To place your bid -
click on the "comments" link at the end of this post,
enter your bid and name in the white box,
next to "Comment as:" select "Anonymous",
finally click "Post Comment"
Bidding will end at 9:00pm Wednesday September 15, 2010

We have a team!!!

We have a team!!! 11 people for sure, Mike Hess will know very soon his February schedule and how our trip will fit into his plans. Airline tickets have been ordered for everyone except Mike. We are scheduled to leave Friday Feb. 11, 2001 and return Monday Feb. 21, 2011.