Nicaragua this Summer

Just recently I went down to San Juan Del Sur Nicaragua, a small tourist town next to Costa Rica border overlooking the Pacific Ocean. I stayed with 3 friends in a room a few hundred feet above sea level. From our room, you could see a 70 foot statue of Jesus positioned on a mountain - a replicate of the Jesus statue in Rio. . There was a prominent Catholic church stationed in the city center. It was evident that you were in a very Catholic country. Activities were constantly going on throughout the city including Small parades with children dressed like Disney characters. The town had a small, yet conservative Key West feeling and from our locale, it was hard to believe that you were in the second poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.

So we began to explore. It did not take long to find poverty. Heading north in a Toyota pickup with four wheel drive, we drove into small little villages that were comprised of thatched roofs and stick framed supports. The water supplies were murky, brown and tepid. All the statistics we had heard about the poverty in this country, became very visible and real outside the tourist town. About every 5 miles small schools were erected. The students were engaged in their studies. Life looked very normal except for the basic living conditions and standard amenities that we take for granted every day. We drove on for another hour to find a medical clinic that was centered in the midst of these tiny villages. When we found the clinic I was surprised to see how clean it was. When we went inside it appeared to have the basics. So we asked to speak to the head nurse at the clinic since there were no doctors. As we began to discuss the needs we realized that the clinic was anything but normal. There were 4 sinks that were built in the clinic, yet only 1 had water actually hooked up to it. There was a medicine room but it only that had supplies for 10 days, thus being a problem as they only received their supplies every 90 days. The nurse also told us that she had received her last training 16 years ago. She explained that it was her responsibility to service an area of 50,000 people. This experience was quite different from what we felt in San Juan Del Sur. It was easy for me to see that there was tremendous need.

Upon returning to our room, I began to think about other countries I have visited and I started to realize that there was something missing from Nicaragua that I had seen in the other countries - an evangelical presence. My experience in Africa was quite different. Wherever you traveled you would see Para-churches and small churches in almost in every market. There are stickers and billboards with clichés about the Christianity everywhere. Here there was nothing. Even in San Juan it was clear that there was very little Evangelical presence. In San Juan, I wanted to meet with leaders and found few. I asked people in the city about the churches that were evangelical and they indicated that there were some but not many. The people described the churches as “cults” with legalistic tendencies. It was clear that they were having very little impact. Although San Juan is fine economically because of all the money from tourism, it was poor spiritually. I left San Juan not sure where to find the gospel.

This summer our church has an opportunity to change that as we plan on partnering with organizations, doctors and the Nicaraguan government to help bring healing and spiritual awakening to this region. A church-wide mission’s trip to Nicaragua will be in July if God wills. We must pray that God continues to open doors for us to raise support and supplies for this scarred country. The mission trip to Nicaragua is open to all ages including youth, young adults and the adults all exercising their gifts in service. You will have an opportunity to serve. As you prayerfully consider what your level of involvement may be, please consider this opportunity as a project that will change lives forever.

The people of Nicaragua need your help!!!
Contact the Outreach Department at 954-334-5069 for further information.

Thanksgiving in Avondale

Thanksgiving in Avondale

The last few years we have taken Thanksgiving meals to families throughout the city. This year we tried something a little different. Partnering with OneHope and Calvary once again, we expanded our Outreach to bring Thanksgiving to an entire community – Avondale. The hope for the event was realized when the people in our church responded with passion and love for the people in Avondale.

It was our Church members that truly led the way. The whole body participated. The women’s department made all homemade side dishes in 248 ounce containers. Some of the women worked late into the evening preparing the food with love and care, in the same manner they do for their own families. Others got up early before church to finish their dishes. The men came in on Saturday to load trucks with 470 chairs and 48 round tables and then on Sunday they unloaded both trucks for the dinner. Youth in our Church helped with the crafts area. Our families ate dinner with families from Avondale and people from different cultures were united around the dinner table. It was a memorable day.

Perhaps, by sharing some of the moments I recall, you can gain a better understanding of the day. At one table, 7 men were sitting down and enjoying their dinner. I approached the table and saw that Bill Haring was sitting with these men and talking with them about their lives with sincerity and interest. During the dinner some of the men showed a desire to play in the CRPC softball league this year. Bill encouraged them in their lives but he also encouraged them to be involved with league. The hope is that some of these men will come and be involved each week as they receive instruction in the word. They will also be involved in our church community as well through our sports ministry. This was one of the many times that I saw people in our congregation reach out to help people with encouragement and ideas of how to participate in events available to them. Chuck Tiedje spent over an hour sharing the Gospel with a man named Tom. He stayed late after the event to encourage Tom on how to understand his faith and how to grow in Christ. Chuck presented the gospel through Evangelism Explosion. He was one of many EE trained people who were there to share their faith with people who were in need the hope of the gospel. This was another example of how the church worked together to minister to the people in Avondale. Some talked, some served and others shared.

We are partnering with OneHope to establish some baselines that we can begin to measure the impact we are having in the Avondale community. At the dinner, OneHope set up tables in order to do further research on some specific social issues in the community. Research is imperative for us to see where we are having the most impact. Recently English classes have been started because of the research we received from previous surveys. Over 43% of the people surveyed had a desire to learn English as a second language. Because of the information we received back from the people in the community there are now classes that serve the community with English as a second language. This allows people to gain employment more readily as well as helping people integrate more fully in their community.

In Ezekiel 16:49 it says, "Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy.” Let our church strive to be humble as we serve others. Let us realize that all we have received comes from the Lord. Let our church be a church that is truly concerned with needs of those who are hurting. I believe that God allowed us to participate in a project that not only helped those in need in Avondale, but it helped us with a blessing that can only be received by serving.

Larry Becker - He was everywhere

On Tuesday I heard some terribly glorious news. Larry Becker had passed away late Monday Evening. He was found on the street by the Fort Lauderdale Police department. Immediately we tried to find anyone who was related to Larry to see if we could assist for his memorial service. Quickly we realized that Larry was alone. He had no family. He only had us, his church family. At that moment it became abundantly clear that we needed to set the agenda for the memorial service. Once the staff started to think through the service we realized that Larry was everywhere. He was in EE two nights a week. He was in a bible study at a Pizza place. He went to brother brigade. Wednesday night dinner was a scheduled activity. He visited GracePoint church and had many friends there. Larry was involved in the church community. For anyone who knew him they would describe him as kind, loving and consistent. He was everywhere. Now he is gone which is terrible for us, but now he is in Glory which is great for him. For to me to live is Christ and to Die is gain. It was a pleasure to have Larry in my family we will surely miss him. He is not everywhere anymore, but he is truly in the right place.

Central Africa Republic (CAR) Amazing Interviews - Must Read

1. Minister of Education:

The Minister spoke of the problem of violence in the country with young people growing up in a culture of violence. The solution to a problem for numbers of youth is violent actions. School attendance has decreased dramatically since 2 wars were fought in CAR. There is also a lack of unity in the country. Ethnic conflicts are common since the wars. Racism which was almost non-existence is a real problem in the country. The Minister asked if we could teach on reconciliation in our program throughout the country. Modernism is causing a new generation to grow up highly sexual. The average youth is sexually active by age 13 to 14. There is also a lack of respect for the parents. The traditional culture saw the parents as the undisputed authorities in the home. The urban areas this problem is more of an issue.


2. Vice Chairman of the national Parliament:

Unemployment is a great challenge in our country. When young people are jobless this creates too much free time where youth can get into trouble. The rural areas tend to be more traditional, however the urban areas also influence the countryside. The conflicts in the country have had a huge impact on the country. The younger generation believes that conflict resolution is by violence. Sexuality and AIDs is also increasing among the young people. He stated “ we have been looking for a youth program that would help with behavioral changes in society.”


3. Director of the main theological seminary in Bangui:

The Gospel has been in CAR a long time but the majority of the Christians are superficial in their faith. The values of Christians are not integrated into their personal lives. We must train up the children in the way of the Lord Proverbs 25. The youth in the urban settings are exposed to many bad influences from TV, music and the internet. The parents do not know how to deal with these issues. Thus there is a lack of participation by parents in the education of their children at home and in regards to school. The children do not respect the authority of parents. We must make disciples and train up the youth. Aids is a problem with 7% of the population, it is especially acute in urban areas among young ladies who give out favors for money, grades etc.. Only about 5% percent of girls are virgins before getting married. A lack of good communication between parents and youth.


4. Youth, (19) Guy non-believer Bangui area:

Education is a big problem in CAR. There are very few schools which leads to overcrowding some high schools have 200 pupils per class. The teachers are corrupt so school becomes a business for them. If you want a passing grade the teacher must receive a benefit sexual favors or money. The seed of these problems is poverty. There are no jobs, these creates a sense of desperation which leads girls to becoming prostitutes and an increase in AIDs. We need to educate the youth socially to avoid bad situations and places. Racism is also a big influence in society after the wars. The people prefer to be segregated with their own people.

5. NGO coordinator of development in rural CAR:


The organization works in rural CAR training people in the field of agriculture. The economy is performing very poorly which leads to many problems. The roads in the country for transporting goods and services are very bad. This is very difficult for the rural economies with the road system. The bad economy creates a lack of hope and many young people want to migrate to the urban areas. Many young people do not want to be involved in farming. The schools are few in rural areas sometimes children have to walk up to 10 miles to get to a school. He has noticed a change in the behavior of youth in the rural areas, he believes this is through media, radio, and youth returning from the cities with bad habits. The solution is better education with good morals and values taught in the schools.

The OSBERG UPDATE

Dear Friends and Family,
Thank you for your continual prayers for the current situation in Honduras. After another week out of school last week, due to the political unrest in the city, we are so thankful to be back in school even though it's only half days for this week. It's like starting school all over again having missed almost three weeks in the first half of the quarter.
I want to share with you a few things we have been learning during this difficult time and trust it will be an encouragement to you as well.
1. GOD is in control of all things, not just the good things that happen. That our role is to be in prayer and to trust HIS work while seeking HIM above all else.
2. Work, routine, and a schedule are all good things and a true blessing from the Lord. When it's taken away we begin to appreciate and be more thankful for it. Of course the challenge comes in keeping this blessing in balance each day when things return to "normal".
3. Having the freedom to go where you want, do what you want, and pursue plans is a gift we often take for granted. When that's taken away we realize how independent we like to be each day in doing whatever we desire.
There have been daily curfews set for us to follow. Last week, the curfews included daytime hours as well. At one point we were not able to leave our house for 42 hours. Then later the daily curfews changed to include only evening through early morning hours which still continue for everyone to follow. However, the times vary and we don't know what to expect each day. Last Saturday afternoon we were out, but due to more disturbances that day, the curfew was quickly set for 6:00. So, our plans had to change. The attached picture shows a blocked road that the military is guarding to keep people from where the ousted President is staying, with the mountain that we live on in the background.
4. Real growth comes through struggle and we are refined through difficulties. We have been able to spend more time in HIS Word, read encouraging books, share with others, and in concentrated times of prayer. James 1 tells us that through the trials our faith is tested and we develop perseverance. Perseverance is part of the maturing process we must go through as Christ's followers.
5. The Lord truly dwells in the praises and thanksgiving of His people. As we purposely choose to praise HIM, through the difficulties and circumstances we are in, HE changes our hearts and grants us HIS peace IN the situation. Philippians 4 has come alive in new ways for us as we rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS, choose not to be anxious but pray about everything, and think about things that are praiseworthy. This is where true peace comes from each day and NOT in what happens around us and the security of this world.
Your prayers have truly given our teachers a new peace and thankfulness in praising God for the safety of our home on the hill, the joy of getting to know each other better, and the desire to continue on with the ministry of the school. God is working HIS purposes through this time and we are thankful. But it's not over yet, so please continue to pray for our situation. The elections don't take place until the end of November so it's a day by day walk in setting and canceling activities and plans in being extremely flexible. My mom's Bible Study group was able to meet yesterday morning after three weeks of having to cancel and I was blessed by their attitudes. We were able to encourage each other that God loves us, is with us, and we can trust HIM with every detail. They are growing and digging deeper into HIS grace and mercy for them and their families. What a privilege to lead them in this way.
May your day be blessed with glimpses of HIS grace and goodness in your life as you choose to praise Him for every blessing and for HIS character that never changes. We are so grateful for your love and support that encourages us in the work HE has placed before us to do especially during these uncertain times.
Love and Blessings,
Dennis and Deb Osberg
Academia Los Pinares
Tegucigalpa, Honduras
Address: Academia Los Pinares, Apartado 3250, Tegucigalpa, Honduras
(954/725-8147)
TAX-DEDUCTIBLE SUPPORT INFORMATION for our personal account:
write checks out to Anaggello Global Missions, (we receive the entire check amount) on the memo line write, Honduras mission then mail to:

Anaggello Global Missions
6550 NE 21st Drive
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33308

The New Faces of Christianity

In the year 1900 Europe and North America comprised 82 percent of the world's Christian population. By 1995 Europe and North America only comprise 32 percent of the world's Christian population, while Africa, Asia and Latin America make up 60 percent of the world's Christians today. This is not only happening globally, but also in the states. By 2050 it is estimated that most of the US will be non-white which is presently only about a third of the population. The US will see major growth in minority groups. This shift may actually help maintain Christianity a the primary focus of the nations, considering that whites are becoming post-christians and minorities are increasing in belief.

The above chart is a dramatic visual of the shift in the Anglican church from England to Africa.

A Church in Africa with over 250 Children in Attendance.

Christianity may look different, but thank God for the new faces.

WHY you received this Email - Please READ

Last night I talked with my good friend (scott cochran) and he asked me why he had received an email from this blog. I then realized that I did not explain this concept to all of you. There are ten people on our email list. YOU are one of them. I am hoping that you will take time to read the blog when it is sent to you. Then we are hoping that you will send the link to others who will find that particular blog of some interest. This will help us to get the word for missions and outreach without inundating people with unwanted emails. Thank you for your service to this ministry in our church.