Mt. Bethel Blog

Majoring in the Minors

Posted: March 16, 2010

The details of educating each child are important. In fact, I believe that it is the details that separate a great school from an excellent one. Right now, our public schools are digging deeper into the details of what makes up their total educational costs in order to figure out which ones to cut. Taxpayers are expressing frustration and disappointment that some programs such as the arts and music will be cut to bare bones or even removed from Lower and Middle Schools. Interestingly, we believe that these very ―details‖ are the ones that enable many children to reach their full potential in core subjects such as math and science. Other details separating our school from other alternative choices include a defined starting time for all students, appropriate lunch times, and dress codes that empower our students to focus on academic success. We further implement safety systems whereby students are re-leased to parents and guardians, keeping them from wandering up and down busy streets and into area restaurants. Most importantly, the detail that separates our school is having Christ at the helm of all our academics, cocurriculars, and faculty-student relationships.

March 14 Encounter (Contemporary) Sermon: “Hallowed Be Your Name” – Second in the Series: “Instructions for Praying: The Lord’s Prayer”

Posted: March 15, 2010

Minister: Rev. Jody Ray

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-14; 9

Kenya: A Guest Post by Ferrell Coppedge (Part 1)

Posted: March 15, 2010

On Monday, March 1, I was joined by a Mt. Bethel team consisting of my wife, Libby; our daughter, Annie; Gaylyn Kelly; Jody Ray; and Jonathan Lawson in a visit to Kwambekenya, Kenya. While this was an opportunity for most of us to visit with friends met from previous trips, it was a special opportunity to introduce the Mt. Bethel partnership community to Jody and Jonathan.

We were graciously hosted by the 410 Bridge community director and a member of the village council and received a tour and operational update on the medical clinic and school complex (which were built in partnership with Mt. Bethel and opened in 2009 and 2007/2008, respectively). We were all impressed with the condition and progress being made in the clinic. It has transitioned from being less than fully efficient and completely functional at its July 2009 opening to a clean, re-painted, well organized, fully-staffed facility with good and improving community utilization with approximately 20 patients being seen per day. The initial absence of a placenta “pit” has been resolved recently which will allow the clinic to operate and comply with all government regulations for child births. Overall, we were impressed and encouraged with the progress that continues to occur at the clinic as both the community and its leadership grow in their knowledge and effectiveness in delivering viable health care at the clinic.

Called Not to Stay Silent Anymore

Posted: March 12, 2010

Friends,

Too often I return from an experience that rocks me and I remain silent, because I often feel putting words to such an experience cheapens it. But I will not stay silent anymore…not over this. Not anymore.

I was wrecked by being able to go to Kenya the past two weeks and witness simple and profound truth to living out the scriptures of love. How giving a toothbrush (one of the thousands you guys donated at dnow) to children says, “you are loved by the creator of the universe”. I got to see, with tears rolling down my cheeks, the well (again from $
donated at dnow) being manually dug at Christ Compassion Rehabilitation Center in Joska, Kenya, that reminded them, “God provides”. I got to hold precious Evelyn, a 2 and 1/2 year old, HIV-positive toddler at Beat the Drum orphanage, that spoke God’s promise to her “that I will never leave you or forsake you”. God allowed me to play volleyball with Grace, Beatrice, Cecilia, some of the 11, 12 year old girls at HOREC home who enjoyed an afternoon of play, that sent the message, “I take great delight in you”! I got to pray for John, my 15 year old friend,
who remembers our team visiting, when Reece rode a bike through their game and Joey made his monkey face, Nic playing guitar and Megan giving out prayer bears, along with the bubbles and the kites, that spoke ‘God is your refuge and your strength’. I got to take chai with the children at Rhema who were decked out in their Mt Bethel Academy uniforms, the ones we distributed the last trip, that spoke to them “God sees you always”.

THEY REMEMBER. They hold onto God, for countless reasons, but one is because “He sends us friends from the U.S., to share His love and tell us we are not forgotten”. Quote from Patrick who lives at Strong Tower.

Incredible.

God also gave me a new experience that I believe He timed just perfectly, but I am still processing the magnitude of it all. This trip, more than any other, the HIV/AIDS virus was what altered my heart most. Over and over again God had me talk with someone who was directly affected by HIV/AIDS. Some infected with the virus themselves, several who have adopted an orphan infected and many who have taken in their nieces and/or nephews because their brother or sister died from AIDS.

Many of you know that I am continually prompted to quote a statement from Shane Claiborne’s book, Irresistible Revolution, “Sometimes statistics need a face.” Well friend, the HIV/AIDS incomprehensible statistic has a face, and a name, and a life, and a story. Several of them.

HIV/AIDS is changing the lives of our brothers and sisters. Yes, we know the harsh statistics this fatal virus has left in it’s wake. Some of our cynical views are, “if the governments were not so corrupt in Africa all the millions of dollars that have been raised for the treatment and eradication of this pandemic would be enough”. I don’t know the answer about what to do with government corruption and I can get as angry as you knowing that innocent people are suffering because of money not reaching them that was earmarked for their care. (that is in addition to my anger towards my own government not doing enough for our domestic homeless plight, AIDS, malnutrition, trafficking of children, etc.) I have had some personal arguments with God about these issues. I believe that He continually calls me to retell the story of what HE places before my eyes and burdens my heart with, “now that I have seen I am responsible”. It is more than time for us to use our anger and/or frustration to move to action. Jesus is saying continually over each of us, hear HIM SAY, “For when I was hungry you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me’ and “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for the least of these brothers of mine, YOU DID FOR ME.” So in my/our frustration at governments, ministries, etc we are called to care for, or as in James 1:27 “look after the orphans and widows” and Matthew 25:40 tells us when we do ‘look after them’ we are looking after JESUS! SO perhaps you are called to protest the government, run for office, unite causes to change policy, I pray that some of you reading this are. But for me and for several others of you, we are called to ACT now. We know that familiar tug at our heart to DO SOMETHING NOW! We are moved to tears to stop making excuses and we are called to LOVE beyond what makes sense to live lives that are unexplainable without the Holy Spirit. Therefore whatever that looks like in your life right now, today, how I pray that you respond. Jesus is telling us what-EVER we do for the least of HIS children we do for HIM. Directly for HIM, King Jesus. Hold a child- you hold Jesus; feed the sick- you feed Jesus; clothe the naked- you clothe Jesus; bring water to the thirsty- you bring water to Jesus; care for the sick- you care for Jesus; visit, listen, take chai, dance, laugh, cry, walk with someone and you visit, listen, take chai, dance, laugh, cry and walk with JESUS.

You may be thinking, ‘here we go, (again), Gaylyn is all pumped up on passion because she just returned. Give her a few weeks and it will all fade back to normal.” Heaven forbid! I ask you to hold me accountable that is does not.

You may be rehearsing your reasons for doing nothing with thoughts and statements like, “I don’t want to enable them, or hurt them with throwing more money at the problem’; or, “how do I know that the money I give reaches those in need?” or “I can’t go, I have work/school here, or my family needs me, or there is so much need I could never make a difference”. Or, ‘I can’t because ______’, you fill in the blank.

Or you may be asking, “so what does that look like in my life? What CAN I do?” Begin by asking God, “how can I love others and therefore love you?”, knowing that you are loving Jesus while you do. What is breaking God’s heart and allow that to motivate your actions. Look around, pray, ask Him to lead you and for you to love HIM with your life to be the motive of your heart.

Are you called to go? Then GO! There are countless opportunities to GO and receive the love of Christ. I was supposed to say, “spread the love of
Christ”. No, I typed it correctly. You receive so much more when we GO. Many of us are called to go and we need to wade through the excuses and expose them to God to reveal HIS answer. Compassion in Action- live out Matthew 25! Give- sponsor a child, donate to their living expenses to buy them food, anti-retroviral medications, clean water, clothing, etc. Bright Point for Children, is a ministry I have seen in operation and it works. The children I have met, who are sponsored through Bright Point ARE receiving food, basic living supplies and an education. Support a missionary or an intern who is going to live in the places to directly love those in need. Be a part of that testimony of loving Jesus directly through your support. The GARDEN, 7 Bridges, need volunteers constantly to love Jesus by feeding a meal to those in need, visiting those who are there, and looking into their eyes and remind them that they matter. Give your time and yourself away.

Pray- and don’t just say you will, but truly place a reminder on your bathroom mirror or your steering wheel and pray. Crying out for others – not just statistics, but faces, and names, and lives, and stories.

Not staying silent,
Gaylyn

Christ Compassion Rehabilitation Center in Joska, Kenya

Posted: March 12, 2010

God has been revealing HIMSELF in countless ways on our Kenya trip.

Yesterday I was blessed to be at Christ Compassion Rehabilitation Center in Joska, Kenya and witness the manually drilling of a well.  The orphanage is the place that did not have a well and during dnow2010 we focused on raising funds for that project. 

I literally cried when I saw them working on it, listened to the joy in the voice of James and Pamela, the caretakers of the 50 orphans who live there, as they explained how far their water source is right now and how transformational this well will be for the CCRC orphanage. 

It was incredible to witness GOD’s hand connect us all through all of this.

Hello from Eldoret, Kenya

Posted: March 10, 2010

3/11:

We taught on the Holy Spirit and it was followed by a powerful time of worship. God’s presence was real as people were prayed over, some wept and some praised God for how God was touching them this week.

Wayne and I are having a chance to talk with more of them one-on-one and we continue to be moved by their passion for God and the church and those who are in need around them, Please pray for them in the last days of this conference. They asked me time & time again to thank Mt. Bethel for sponsoring ILI in Eldoret. I am thankful to be here to be part of it.

Blessings from Kenya,

Carey

3/10:

The ILI conference in Eldoret, Kenya has been such a great time so far. The Pastors are very hungry to grow and learn more about Christian leadership. They are so appreciative for every little thing we share with them. Such humble and passionate hearts. I talked with one pastor today who started a children’s home when his wife was moved by 3 children who had both parents die in the same day. Such incredible faith in the midst of incredible circumstances. Please be praying for these pastors as God works on their hearts and encourages them in midst of situations that most of us can’t image. Wayne and I are doing well and so thankful to have this opportunity to share with them. Maybe someday I will have faith like so many of them.

Blessings from Kenya,
Carey

Video of March 7 Traditional Sermon: “The Value of a House” – Third in Series: “Jesus Stories”

Posted: March 9, 2010

Minister: Dr. Randy Mickler

Scripture: Matt 13:24-30

March 7 Encounter (Contemporary) Sermon: “Our Father” – First in the Series: “Instructions for Praying: The Lord’s Prayer”

Posted: March 8, 2010

Minister: Rev. Jody Ray

Scripture: Matthew 6:5-14; 9

Costa Rica Women’s Retreat

Posted: March 8, 2010

Date: September 8-13, 2010

Purpose: To support the National Conference of the Methodist Women of Costa Rica through personal participation in their Conference, offering supplemental workshops, and providing monetary support, supplies and donations (clothing and gifts for the women).

Check out more info on this exciting retreat in our Missions section.

Upcoming Encounter Series: The Lord’s Prayer

Posted: March 5, 2010

This Sunday, we’re beginning a new series on “The Lord’s Prayer”.

What does it mean?
Why do we pray it?
How do we pray it?

We’ll answer these questions and more as we receive “Instructions for Praying: The Lord’s Prayer”.

See you there!