Child Sponsorship: Clean Water
February 7th, 2012

Joel Ibanes is the Director of Joy Youth Hostel (JyDC) and Camp Joy Ministries (CJM) in Thailand. Forty-seven children live at JyDC under his care.  

This past November, Joel expressed the need for water containers at Joy Youth. Funds raised at the AMG Pennsylvania Banquet were used to purchase these containers.

 Joel sent an update after the water containers were installed.   

 “We are excited and thankful to God for the way He has answered our prayers and has now provided these water containers. We are hoping that this will ensure sufficient supply of clean water for both the JyDC hostel and the CJM camping program. We are hoping that this will also reduce our monthly electric bills. Thank you very much for facilitating for this urgent need.”

We thank the Lord for his provision and pray for young children living at Joy Youth. 

Posted by Stephanie Pickard in Thailand, Joy Youth, Child Sponsorships   |  0 Comment(s)

Child Sponsorship: God Works in the Midst of Heartache
February 6th, 2012

A Mission Adventure team recently returned from a two week trip to Uganda.  The team spent a few days in the small town of Bugogni which is located about 6 hours southwest of Kampala.  

Yep, this is it.  It is beautiful there…very green and lush. 

This area, like much of Uganda, is very poor.  Families are struggling to survive, children are left without parents and Christ is the only one who can bring hope.  In 1996 Reuben and Florence Musiime along with AMG started a Childcare Center to help meet the physical and spiritual needs of this community.  AMG also opened Hope Medical Clinic offering the only medical care to this community for miles. 

While the Mission Adventure team ministered to the Ugandans living in this area they came across a sweet brother and sister named Edgar and Olivia.  In 2003 their father passed away due to AIDS and unfortunately this past November their mother passed away leaving these two children total orphans. Olivia is an AMG sponsored child and when the Bugongi director came to check on the children after their mother’s funeral he saw that these two young children where living on their own.  The director found an auntie to take them in, but like so many in Uganda, she can hardly care for her own family so adding two more mouths to feed is quite a burden.  In the mist of all this heartache and pain the AMG Mission Adventure team, by no accident, visited this family and learned of their struggles.  During their time with the family the team prayed for them and gave an encouraging word from scripture.  One of the team members gave little Edger a hug and he started crying because he missed his mom.  As this story unfolded in front of the team God lead one of them to sponsor little Edgar.  Now, he can attend the childcare center to receive love and care from the Christian staff, nutritious meals, medical care, and his school fees will be paid for.  Edgar will also learn about the great love Christ has for him giving him hope for a bright future. 

There are countless children with similar stories in Uganda and all over the world.  AMG strives to bring the hope of Christ to them through the sponsorship program.  Ultimately AMG hopes to be part of rising up a generation out of poverty to become solid Christian leaders in their communities.   Won’t you be part of it?

Posted by Karen Farney in Child Sponsorships, Mission Adventures, Uganda   |  0 Comment(s)

General Ministries: Greek Friday
February 3rd, 2012

There are at least three challenges we all face in Greece this week:  

First the dramatic negotiations with the loan givers of Greece primarily from the private sector in order to save our bank system.

Second the severe weather, very strong cold, which made the lives of 20,000 homeless very tragic and the millions of people who cannot afford to buy heating oil more dramatic.

Third the attempt of the government to pass a special amendment in order to release from prison thousands of criminals –thank the Lord did not pass- in order to make space to “accommodate” people who own big amounts of money from taxes!

The atmosphere in the market place is rather depressing as firing of employees is a daily routine and the cutoff of salaries is drastic in all levels. There are millions of people who really face challenges without being unemployed. On the other hand we do not see any decrease on prices either on grocery stores or in the gas stations. There is a huge wave against politicians from every party.

Especially I would like to ask you to pray this week:

• For God’s peace on the hearts of the people so we may not have social uprisings.
• For all those among our churches who care for the homeless and the unemployed offering daily meals and other services.
• For the Greek government as they face the most difficult and severe moments in our history since the Modern Greek independence in 1821.
• For the pastors and teachers of Greek churches who have the responsibility to share the truth in love encouraging people from the Word of God.
• For our first full semester at the International Center of New Testament Studies, Spiros Zodhiates. A wonderful class has started our first full semester journey coming from Spring Arbor University in MI.
• Pray for traveling mercies for my coming up trip to the USA this coming week.

We are very grateful for God’s presence in our midst. He may allow us to go through this tragic crisis in order to increase our faith and dependence on Him.

Till next time.

Fotis Romeos

"Rejoice in the Lord always…" Phil 4:4

Posted by Karen Farney in Greece   |  0 Comment(s)

Mission Trips: Join Us on an Adventure!
February 2nd, 2012

What are you going to do this year?  Join an AMG Mission Adventure team and be used by God and forever changed.  A Mission Adventure will provide you with incredible experiences and give you opportunities for personal and spiritual growth as you partner in ministry with AMG missionaries and national workers around the world. 

Here are this year’s opportunities for you to go deeper in your relationship with Christ by serving overseas:

Peru – Children’s Ministry – May 25-June 4

Join what God is doing through AMG in Peru by spending a week sharing the love of Christ with sponsored children at the two AMG Childcare Centers located in the slums of Lima, Peru.  The team will also provide much needed maintenance at the centers and minister to the children’s families through home visitation, etc.  Team members will also have the privilege of encouraging the Apon family, who oversee AMG’s childcare ministry in Lima.

Approximate Cost: $1850 – Only 9 Spots Left!

Greece – Evangelism and Camping Ministry – July 8-21

Spend two weeks ministering in Greece alongside our national workers.  During the first week the team will be working with the youth at Above the Street Evangelical Church in Larisa, Greece.  There the team will be involved in outdoor evangelistic skits, songs, testimonies, and engaging people in conversations concerning the gospel.  The second week the team will conduct a three day children’s camp at the AMG Cosmovision Center in Athens for Polish refugee children.  Also, the team will tour ancient Corinth and Athens to learn more about how these two cities influenced the writing of the New Testament.  

Approximate Cost: $3400

 Uganda –Medical & Children’s Ministry – August

Visit Uganda where you will encourage our national workers, love on our sponsored children, and share Christ with Ugandans.  This team will be involved in medical ministry at AMG Medical Clinics, visiting AMG Childcare Centers, home visits of AMG sponsored children, working at Upendo Christian Academy (AMG orphanage and school),  and serving our brothers and sisters in any way possible in the name of Christ.

Approximate Cost: $3200

Argentina – Construction & Evangelism – October 20-30

Serve alongside AMG National Worker, Pastor Jorge Ovando.  This team will help with the construction of second floor classrooms over Pastor Ovando’s church, paint the school building, be involved in street evangelism, participate in local church services, home visitation, and encourage Pastor Ovando and his ministry.

Approximate Cost: $2900

Peru – Bundles of Love – December 1-10

This Christmas join Mission Adventures on a Bundles of Love team!  Share Christ’s love at Christmas time with many needy children and their families.  Team members will share the real meaning of Christmas while helping prepare and distribute Christmas gifts called Bundles of Love to needy children and national workers sponsored through AMG. 

Approximate Cost: $2000

Guatemala – Bundles of Love – December 1-8

This Christmas join Mission Adventures on a Bundles of Love team!  Share Christ’s love at Christmas time with many needy children and their families.  Team members will share the real meaning of Christmas while helping prepare and distribute Christmas gifts called Bundles of Love to needy children and national workers sponsored through AMG. 

Approximate Cost: $1500

Interested? Here are a few things to know:

1.) Team size is limited for most trips.  This means that teams are established on a “first come, first served” basis. 

2.) Trip costs shown are the responsibility of each team member.  These costs are approximated and are subject to change based on actual purchase date of airline tickets, etc.  These are, however, a good working estimate based on past experience and current airfares.

3.) Your $100 deposit, completed application, and airfare payment are due 60 days prior to date of departure.  Your deposit is non-refundable.  Final payment in full is due 30 days prior to date of departure, unless other arrangements have been made.

4.) Accommodations for trips will be comfortable and clean.  Team members will be staying in hotels or AMG housing during their trip.

Email Pete LaFakis or Ken Ivins if you would like more information about any of these trips or the ministry of AMG Mission Adventures.  Or give us a call toll free at 1.800.251.7206 and ask for Mission Adventures.  We hope to see you on the mission field!

Posted by Karen Farney in Mission Adventures   |  0 Comment(s)

General Ministries: Disciple Magazine
February 1st, 2012

Did you know that AMG now offers the Disciple Magazine free?  Disciple Magazine is an e-magazine with the goal of making disciples of Jesus.  Twice a month Disciple Magazine puts out new relevant articles to help anyone deepen their faith in Christ. Here are the most recent articles:

The Gospel in an Abortion Culture by Russell Moore

Engage in Culture if You Dare, Pastor by Joe McKeever

Increasing or Decreasing? By Justin Lonas

Exegetically Speaking Matthew 25:1-7 by Spiros Zodhiates

Living out the Living Word 1 Timothy 2:1-7 by Justin Lonas

Points to Ponder by David Olford

Counselor’s Corner by James Rudy Gray

Church Builders H.G. Underwood: Pioneer Missionary in Korea by Bernard DeRemer

The Story behind the Song: This is the Day By Lindsay Terry

Posted by Karen Farney in Disciple Magazine   |  0 Comment(s)