Lifeline is gearing up for the National Missionary Convention in Peoria, Illinois November 19-22, 2009.  The Missionary Convention is for missionaries and those interested in missions, and the teen portion of the convention is a highlight for us.  Each year, the teens participate in hands-on service projects and this is the third year in a row that Lifeline has been involved through the Kids Helping Kids/Kids Against Hunger food bagging project.  We plan to fill an entire 40-foot container (300,000 meals) with the rice based, fortified, highly nutritious meals for the children in Haiti.

Volunteers are needed!

Volunteers are needed to serve as Event Staff for the food bagging project.  Event Staff will escort groups of teens to their work area and show them how to make the meals.  The one hour food bagging sessions will be hosted on Saturday, November 21 at 8:30am, 9:30am, 2pm, 3pm and 7:30pm.

Training for Event Staff volunteers will be held at the convention on Friday, November 20 from 6-7pm.  This is not mandatory, but very helpful.

Volunteers are also needed to help with setup on Thursday or Friday.

If you are available to help with setup or with one or more food bagging sessions, please contact Shelby Baxter at Shelby_Baxter@yahoo.com or phone 513-683-0890 (home) or 513-519-6022 (cell).  Sonny and Shelby Baxter are the Project Managers for this event, along with other Lifeline staff and supporters. 
 

Come and meet the missionaries! 

If you are at the convention, come over to the teen food bagging area and see us!  We hope to have some Haitian missionaries present who receive this food through Lifeline.

Lifeline is pleased to announce the addition of several key staff in Lifeline's Westerville, Ohio office.  Ben Simms, Vice President of US Operations, will oversee Lifeline's US office and US ministry efforts.  Keith and Christi Dimbath, from Wilmington Church of Christ, will join Lifeline as Work Team Directors; Keith will also focus on Development/Advancement and Christi as an Office Assistant. 

Ben, Keith and Christi will join Lifeline's staff in November.

Ben writes:

Since my first mission trip in college, I've always had a heart for the ministry work of Lifeline Christian Mission.  Lifeline has provided opportunities to live out my faith and I began in full-time ministry nine years ago as Lifeline's Development Director.  After spending the past 6+ years serving in the local church, I'm looking forward to returning to Lifeline.  I can't wait to help people get out of their comfort zone, get out of the pew, and get out to help spread the good news of Jesus Christ to those in the countries we serve.  That's my heartbeat for stateside Christians to make a difference.  I look forward to working together!

Keith says:

After 30+ years of full-time ministry in the local church, God is leading my wife, Christi, and I into a new ministry as part of Lifeline's staff.  I've been to Haiti several times over the last 11 years - bringing groups from the church where I ministered, and in the last few years working for Lifeline in a volunteer capacity leading work teams.

I'm excited to be a part of what God is doing through Lifeline.  My prayer is that He will use me to challenge others to be involved in Lifeline's ministries in Haiti, Honduras, El Salvador, Cuba and the United States.  I'm looking forward to helping people discover the joy and excitement of being the hands and feet of Jesus in serving the needs of others - by being part of a mission team or by stepping up to provide leadership and oversight of teams on the mission field.

Christi writes:

I was first introduced to Lifeline Christian Mission in 1998 when my husband and children went on a mission trip to Haiti.  The following year I was able to go to Haiti, and I've been hooked ever since!

"Jesus Christ is the center of all that Lifeline does."  That is a phrase I heard on every trip with Lifeline.  But I not only heard it, I saw it over and over.  Countless lives have been changed and come to saving relationships with Jesus Christ because of a "cold cup of water" offered in Jesus' name, through the churches, schools, clothing, nutrition and medical ministries of Lifeline.

Keith and I are excited to be joining Lifeline in a full-time capacity.  I'm looking forward to joining God in the work He is doing by making a difference in the lives of others through recruiting, equipping and encouraging others to lead work teams to Haiti, Honduras, El Salvador and Cuba.

Please join us in welcoming Ben, Keith and Christi to Lifeline's staff!

A huge thanks to everyone who has donated peanut butter this year.  528,944 ounces - or 29,386 18-oz jars - of peanut butter have been donated thus far this year!  Keep those jars of peanut butter rolling in for the malnourished kids in Haiti!

Would you consider participating in a special volunteer task for Lifeline's Child Sponsorship Program? 

In November and December, Lifeline is hosting a special sponsorship drive and we're seeking volunteers who would be willing to be a Sponsorship Drive Coordinator. 

Currently, Lifeline has 10,000+ children in our Christian schools and nutrition programs, and more than 6000 children are not yet sponsored.  Lifeline's general fund must support those children who don't have sponsors.  Our goal is to have at least 600 more children sponsored by the end of the year.

As a Drive Coordinator, you would:

• Obtain permission from your church, club or organization leadership to have this drive.  The drive can be long or short (one month, one weekend, etc); whatever your church/organization will permit.

• Lifeline will provide instructions, the photos and information on available children, sample packets, and a 5 minute PowerPoint presentation.  Posters, a table-top display, bulletin inserts, and literature are available as requested.   

• The drive could be coordinated through clubs, small groups, Sunday schools, worship times, Bible studies, youth groups, community organizations, etc.  Our hope is that Drive Coordinators would receive permission from their churches or organizations to have a few minutes during worship services, Sunday School, meetings, etc. 

Please pray about this and if you wish to be involved, please contact Info@Lifeline.org or Erma@Lifeline.org.   If you have questions or would like to personally discuss this with Erma, Lifeline's Lovelink Coordinator, then please contact her at 614-794-0108.   

Eight churches are already on the schedule to host the drive. These volunteer Drive Coordinators have been to the mission field with Lifeline and have seen the programs at work - changing lives and blessing these precious, needy children in Christ's name.

We love you and appreciate all you do for the children in Haiti and Honduras! God bless you!

The summer has been busy around the Lifeline office! 

• Sponsor gifts are pouring in for the Christmas gift deadline and the office is flooded with the goodies you've sent.  There will be some very happy children in Haiti and Honduras when their Christmas gifts are delivered by the women's work teams. 

• Staff & volunteers have also been representing Lifeline at various camps & VBS's around the country.  It's been a lot of fun making new friends!  Sarah Earleywine summed up her camp experience this way:

     On Friday, the dean came up to me and asked if I had ever baptized anyone.  I said no, and he asked if I wanted to.  A girl who had been in my family group and who I had talked to about baptism was getting baptized that day.  I was honored and humbled by his request.  It was awesome to have the privilege to baptize Macy that day and play a small role in the day she gave her life to Christ.  However, one thing that God taught me that was just as exciting if not more exciting than seeing Macy and 2 other campers get baptized was watching Caleb grow. 

     Caleb was another camper in my family group.  He got baptized a few months ago, but over the course of the week, I saw him grow so much!  On Tuesday night our family talked about some hard questions our campers had.  We ran out of time, but I made sure to tell them that if they had any questions or wanted to talk, to come talk with us (family leaders).  All the kids left right away except for Caleb.  He came up to me and asked about the "golden rule" and if it was the most important.  I took him to Matthew 22 where Jesus told the experts of law about the Greatest Commandment: Love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and just as important, love your neighbor as yourself.  Caleb and I talked about love and how the Bible can be summed up with that one word: love.  His mind and heart were turning as he was digesting a concept of love in a way he had never experienced before.  This wasn't the kind of love he had for a hamburger, but the kind of love that could transform lives.  The rest of the week, Caleb grew in spiritual leaps and bounds.  It was great to see kids like Macy make the decision to let God's love change their lives, but it was awesome to see kids like Caleb realize that he now must love God in return by loving other people in a way that will change lives, just like Christ did. 

     God taught me through that in the mission field, it's easy to focus on numbers because we think that's what we need to report and that's what our supporters want to hear- how many people got baptized, how much the church has grown in the last year, how many programs are happening, etc.

Though those things are excellent and wonderful to hear, what we often miss and what I think supporters may forget is how the seeds that that have already been planted are growing!  It's harder to put numbers on growth and so it's easy to forget about that sometimes.  Converts to Christianity are great, but disciples are incredible!  When someone discovers the joy of the Lord, and then decides to share that with others as they grow, ahh, that's what it's all about!  And that's what really gets me excited!  As God prepares me for the mission field, I need to remember to share with my supporters not only the numbers, but also the stories because though numbers help put things in perspective, stories of maturing lives and discipleship are what multiples the Kingdom of heaven.

December 2008

“Kids Food” Bagging Project

• In July, we had a “Kids Food” bagging event in Springfield, Missouri as part of their VBS mission program at Glendale Christian Church.  Lifeline and another Kids Against Hunger satellite partnered and, as a result, 300,000 meals went to Haiti and arrived in September…just as the hurricanes hit!

• In August we had our first Fall Kids Against Hunger food bagging event at Greenwood Christian Church (Indiana). This event was followed by 5 others, concluding with the National Missionary Convention in Tulsa, OK in November.  Over 1,500,000 meals were shipped to Haiti in September, and thanks to all of the partnering churches, IDES, KAH and NMC, this food has reached Haiti and has been shared with dozens of other missions who feed children and adults on site.

Hurricane Relief

• The hurricanes that devastated Haiti sent the DeVoes traveling in many different directions to report.  As we traveled, we had one hand on the computer keys and one on our cell phones…networking back and forth as we implemented immediate hurricane relief and put out pleas for food and funds.  God’s people responded in a huge way and the relief efforts continue.

• Our staff also continues to pick up peanut butter, canned goods, bottled water, blankets and all those things that are needed in Haiti for this on-going relief effort.  Thanks to all those who have given and continue to give!

• Just today as I’m writing this update, 3 more containers are about to clear customs in Haiti that are loaded with food. One is going to Cap Haitian for Mathieu Alexandre and Emmanuel Laguerre to feed starving people and another one is going to Gonaives where people are still homeless and the mud has not yet been totally cleared up.  Crops and gardens were totally wiped out.

• Join us in prayer that food supplies will come our way; we have dozens of missions seeking additional food.

Staff

• Our summer of VBS and camps kept Greg and other staff members traveling.  Several of our staff families represented Lifeline at camps this year.

• Things have REALLY been hopping on the home front this past fall and late summer.  The staff have been traveling and the work has reaped tremendous benefits.

• Karen Kennison, our Executive Assistant, underwent an emergency appendectomy in late November but is doing well now. 

• Keep us in prayer as we strive to keep the focus on Christ and witnessing for Him in all that we do.

• After having to postpone it twice due to no containers available, we were able to get a 40 foot container delivered yesterday to load the peanut butter and sponsor gifts, among other things to go to Haiti.
• Greg could use some additional hands today and tomorrow for loading. Contact Dana@Lifeline.org or call 614-794-0108 if you can come help. If we don't get it all done by then Saturday will be a partial work day too. The container people felt badly about having to cancel twice so they are allowing us to keep the container until Monday morning. Special thanks to all who have come to volunteer the past few weeks to load the container, box peanut butter, and much more.
• VBS/Camp Program is well under way; Janet Simms our graphic arts and web master puts together our CD's and DVD presentations and she is putting final touches on the one for this summer. For more information email Greg@Lifeline.org
• Total peanut butter so far is about 10,000 jars but more is flowing in. We ask for it all year long so keep up the good work.
• This year we are conducting our bi-annual Lovelink Child Sponsorship Drive and are seeking Drive Coordinators. If you are interested in representing Lifeline at your church, camp, work place or wherever to get children sponsored, contact Erma@Lifeline.org to get all the info and instructions/Drive Coordinator Packet, etc.
• Finances: Pray that we will not have a summer slump and that our need for May expenses, Haiti and Honduras payroll, etc. will be provided. Our need this month is about $240,000.00. Which is in line with our budget for all ministries. And June is the month we must make an extra month's pay to Honduras staff according to their employment rules there. So we urge prayer that our finances will support the regular and extra needs. God is good and His people are generous.

April 2008

• Ron and Karen Lydick (Karen works with Lifeline; is a stateside representative and oversees our Scholarship Program for the Haitian youth; and she helps with work teams) are the proud grandparents of their first child, born to their daughter and son-in-law John and Laura. A little baby boy weighing in at 7lbs 14 ounces. Congrats to the entire family for a healthy new life.

• Plainfield Christian Church conducting a KAH Food Bagging Session for Lifeline tomorrow/Saturday. The food will go to Haiti. Thanks to Greg at Lifeline for his leadership in this and to Tim Gephart and Karen Lydick for pulling it all together!

• Staff busy preparing for VBS.

• Janet Simms preparing all our newsletters, brochures, annual reports, and Homes For Haiti DVD presentations; we keep her busy.

• Lifeline has a Prayer Warrior Ministry and would love to sign you up and provide more in-depth prayer needs which include a lot of prayers for supporters, supporting churches and their families and friends.

• Upcoming work teams to Haiti and Honduras this summer.

• Keith and Christi Dimbath, Laborlink Coordinators, to Haiti.

February 2008

• Lifeline is gearing up for VBS programs this year.

• Will have a major Child Sponsorship Drive in the U.S. this fall; still have over 5000 students not sponsored.

• Peanut butter drive is in full force right now

• Dates will be set and announced in April for the summer KAH (Kids Food) bagging sessions to provide the food needed to feed Lifeline's school children and nutrition program kiddies.
   

January 2008

Hello from Grand Goave, Haiti and Happy New Year!

We apologize for not writing sooner, but time has gotten away from us and some tasks can get in the way of other tasks! We praise God for your partnership in the Gospel and it is always a joy to sit down and count our blessings as we make effort to convey to you what our sovereign Lord is doing through Lifeline Christian Mission.

As we start a new year we want to thank you for making 2007 a most fruitful and blessed year.  God showered blessings on the work and staff; their efforts to reach the lost for our Lord have not gone unrewarded.  Everywhere we work we are seeing revival, visionary programming, and spiritual blessings so abundant we can't measure them.  More people have come to Christ and the leadership of Lifeline Christian Mission has poured out their hearts and raised their hands in praise and labor for the work of Jesus. 2007 was a good year financially.  We continue to catch up but need to ask for continued, faithful and generous giving if we are to totally recover from several difficult and lean years!  Praise God and thank you!  And pray that things will remain calm in Haiti so the work groups can come.  They are one of the greatest sources of blessings to Lifeline's work and their generous giving helps us to meet our budgeted needs in every county.  This year we hope to have our first El Salvador Work Trip. Pray that it will happen.

Our U.S. staff now holding the fort with many of us in the mission fields this month.  Pray for Dana, Cathi, Greg, Renee, Cheryl and Marilyn as they keep things going in our absence.  Esther DeVoe is doing awesome.  She had a stint put in last week and is recovering well and has been able to go to church!

Read updates about    Haiti      Honduras

August 2007:

• Shipped 2 containers to Haiti loaded with peanut butter, clothing, infant formula, "Kids Food" (Kids Against Hunger food), Christmas gifts to sponsored children, pantry gifts, medical supplies, sewing supplies, etc. 

• "Kids Food" bagging session was a huge success; raised over $3000 to cover cost of shipping this food to Haiti.  Currently, Lifeline is feeding over 6000 people "Kids Food" and is a distributor of food to another 20 missions feeding a total of about 14,000 children.

• Lifeline will participate in the National Missionary Convention’s Kids Food Bagging Session.  Lifeline is the distributing mission for this food, which will be bagged during the teen session of the convention in Cincinnati.  Many missions will benefit from this hands-on fund raising project.

• Preparations are taking place for upcoming Lifeline fund raiser golf outings...details below!

• Lifeline was blessed to be the mission at many VBS’s and camps this year.  All funds donated will go to the ministries that benefit children in Haiti and Honduras.