Newsletters

School Sponsorship Project:  Mid-Year School Packs

We finished handing out the mid-year school packs for our School Sponsorship Project.  We covered 26 schools, blessing 2005 students with their school supplies.  We are already buying supplies for the 2009 school year from the "back to school" sales in the US.  This has been a very successful outreach that has blessed so many people.  Check out more information on the website if you would like to know how you can assist with this project.

 

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Public Relations:  Informing the Public About Servant Ministries

We did some Public Relations events to try to educate the people here as to who Servant Ministries is and what we are going.  We did a round table talk show for a local cable company and have taken out ads in papers and radio spots.  It is important for the people here to understand what we are doing.

 

 

 

Pastor's House in Agua Zarca

We have started a buioding project in the village of Agua Zarca; a house for our pastor there.  A team is coming in February 2009 and someone from that group is covering the construction expense.  We always have the foundation ready before the team's arrival but we decided to put it in early.  Costs for building materials have skyrocketed; things such as rerod and the roof tin have doubled in price just in the last 6 months.  We have bought everything we can and are storing what will not be used for the foundations; trying to avoid further price hikes.

 

 

 

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Refugee Crisis

Our biggest news is that we are trying to help about 1400 refugees that have had to leave their homes and are living in "shelters" in both Camotan and Jocotan.  Our fault lines have been moving.  We also have had excessive rain, which is a first for us.  We are usually praying for more rain!  Landslides have buried houses, foundations are cracking and many areas have been named "uninhabitable."  One whole area of Jocotan has had to be evacuated. The people have gone to relatives or friends and some that had no other option, to the shelters.  About 1200 from La Union, a town about an hour and 20 minutes away, are in our shelters. 90% of the town was evacuated and the people don't know if they can ever go back. Institutions such as the Red Cross and World Vision are helping.  Local churches and individuals are bringing in private donations.  I am going around and trying to pick up the slack and covering areas such as soap to bathe and wash clothes, bleach, disinfectants, brooms, mops, firewood, propane gas, towels, and some miscellaneous food items that are not coming in from other sources, such as milk.  We have received special designated offerings to date of about $3500 and will continue to be an assistance in this difficult time as we are able.  It is sad to see people who had to leave their homes, with nothing but the clothes on their backs; but a joy to show them that we care and to put into action the love of God.  If you feel led to help with this crisis outreach please send your checks to the US office and mark them "Refugee Fund."

 

 

 

Bible Institute
In August we began a 4-month Leadership Training class under our Bible Institute, Siervos del Maestro. We didn't have any new students for 2008 and so decided to do this 4-month course that is directed toward "leadership" to raise up leaders for the local churches and in hopes that some will decide to study formally for the 2009 year toward preparing to work in fulltime ministry.  More information is available on our website under "Bible Institute."

 

 

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Final Words

I will be traveling August 19 - September 26 to do my northern fundraising tour.  I have a number of churches in Michigan to cover, my Canadian office church to visit, plus the ministry's annual Board of Directors meeting, an annual Fundraising Banquet, some medical checks and some much needed time with the US office.  Please pray for favor and protection for this time of travel!  The economy in Michigan is exceptionally bad and is being named a "one state recession."  I have a place to stay and a vehicle so my basic needs will be covered and I can concentrate on sharing the needs of the ministry.  I will continue to access my regular email address at nsheldon1@gmail.com even while I am traveling.

 

We invite you to check out our web page at www.servantministries.net if you haven't done so in awhile.  We have made a number of changes and are providing a lot of updated information that is traded out each month.  We want to keep you informed of what your partnership with this ministry is accomplishing.  Thank you for standing with us as we continue to reach out to the people of Guatemala.

 

Together for Him,
Nancy Sheldon

 

Please send your US support to:
Servant Ministries
P.O. Box 611364
Port Huron, MI  48061-0364
Tel: (810)385-4338

Checks payable to Servant Ministries (or Embrace for child sponsorship)!!

 

Canadian support:
Koinonia Christian Fellowship
850 Sawmill Rd.
Bloomington, ONT NOB 1K0
(519)744-7447

Checks payable to KCF!