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February 2009 VOL 3, Issue 46
In This Issue
Hearing Everett Update
Santa Ana Project
People out there DOING IT
Food Distribution
DOF Nursery Project '09
HEARING EVERETT UPDATE
hearing everett 1-1-09
This last week was a busy one for Luke and HE. Luke spent the week in Concord, CA and Sumner,Washington.  During that time, the film screened in three churches, and Luke spoke in 7 church services and 3 schools. Over 400 folks saw the film, over 2,500 heard Luke speak. After the film screened,  people came forward and excepted Christ and several more made  public commitments to full time service in some capacity (much like Luke's dad did in the film).  At one church, a deaf mom was led to the Lord by Luke after her deaf son made the effort to corner  and convince him to meet he and his mom for coffee. Later, that mom came to one of the screenings and connected with a small group of deaf adults that also came. Before the evening was over, the Pastor agreed to let that group meet at their church and start a deaf ministry.
 
Plans are in the works for a "city wide/multiple church" week long showing of HE at a local Whittier, CA theatre in April. The film would show for 5 days straight, with a different church hosting each screening. It would also include local folks in the community who are promoting a "Serve Whittier Day".
 
Finally, on FEB 22 in Phoenix, AZ  HE will kick off a week long mission's conference when it is screened in front of about 2000 folks.
 
To schedule a screening, initiate a HE small group study at your church, leave a comment about your own personal journey of service, or to see where HE is showing near you, please visit www.hearingeverett.com  

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Santa Ana Project 
February 7, 2009 is the next Saturday Santa Ana Food Distribution Day. Remember that this occurs twice a month, always on the 1st and 3rd Saturday's of the month. We need volunteers that can arrive between 8:00 and 10:00 AM to do various jobs. We also have spots for folks that cant arrive until after 10:00 AM , but can stay until 4PM. If any one of you, your friends, or your small group are interested for this Saturday, the last day to sign up is Tuesday 2-3-09. Please contact Dimitri at 714-357-0587 to find out more information and to sign up!
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Greetings!
 
" to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up, until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ."
Ephesians 4:12-13.
 
We serve a BIG God...
 
...A gracious God, a God that allows and invites us to join together to bring to others the message of HOPE found in Christ Jesus. To be the hands and feet that bring help to a hurting world. Please don't miss out on your opportunity to make a difference for Him.
 
Make February 09 count.  
 
In His Love,
 
James Kirk-Johnson
Director of Ministry Operations   
People out there "DOING IT"
The following is from Rose, wife, mother of 3 school age kids, and part time wage earner, who in Jan 09 made the time to make a difference....
phil 1My trip to the Philippines is something I will never forget.  For eleven days, I opened my eyes and heart to what the Lord had to show me.  I was part of a five-member team. The majority of our trip was in the Metro Manila area focusing on the unreached people and the poorest of the poor.  I participated in feeding programs and visited those that lived in the city dump. I met families that lived in cemeteries. I worshiped with incarcerated women. I saw a new level of poverty that most have never seen. The silver lining of it all was the hope in Jesus Christ. I met pastors and volunteers that had such passion for their communities and for the people.  These people led by example in their willingness to serve and give back to their community.
 
One particular example was Pastor Philip. It was evident that God was working in his ministry.  He feeds 40 elderly street people Monday thru Friday and then 300-400 children on Sunday with less than $24 dollars a week. He also ministers to the drug users and people living at the city dump. When Jesus talks about caring for the least of the least, he means these people that Pastor Philip ministers to. I was encouraged by his heart, his passion and his sacrifice. 
 
After meeting people like Pastor Philip, I began to ask myself what my ministry looks like to someone else and what I can do with what God has shown me. Although I am still processing through some of it, I do know this:  God is everywhere and in everything. He can work through everyone but we have to be open to Him. We have to let God use us for His purpose which means we have to leave our agendas aside.  Philippians 2:13 says, "For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose."  God is there to come along side us and be within us, thus giving us the power to do what He wants. We must first let go of our personal desires and be more Christ-like. Are you willing to do this so that God's work can be done?
 
I loved the Philippines and the beautiful, heart-warming, generous people that live there. I can't wait to go back! My prayer is that one day you can have a life-changing "mission trip" experience like mine.
Rose Kent
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We would like to hear your story.........
42,000 pounds of food to Santa Ana and Mexico in January
A testament to what working together can do.......
 
STM wishes to thank our partnering ministries GAIN, CONVOY OF HOPE, CLUB DUST, CORAZON, and our new friends from HILARIOUS GIVERS who provided funding, warehouse space, and volunteers that resulted in over 40,000 pounds of food being distributed to over 10 orphanages in Baja Mexico and 100's of destitute families living in Santa Ana. We are hoping for these distributions to occur several more times this year, so if you are up for helping transport,fund, or distribute this much needed food, please email us and we will pass on upcoming opportunities.   
 
One of the many praise reports received was from an email sent by one of the Baja orphanages. It turns out that they had been in prayer for a critical shortage of beans and rice. It turns out that what they received was....you guessed it: 33 cases of rice and 200 pounds of beans. 
DOF Nursery Project 09
dof therm janCAN YOU SAY...Second Story? Its true. The month of February will see work beginning on the second story of the nursery. The first step is pouring the second floor, then its off to the races with more block wall.  Hundreds of volunteer hours that you have provided have brought the project to this point, and for that the kids and staff of the DOF are grateful. So far, the only injury to report is when DJ (the DOF administrator) suffered a fractured elbow when he attempted to get the "perfect picture" of the big tree being toppled that used to be in front of the Nursery site. In the heat of the photographic moment, he backed over a small retaining wall and backflipped into a ditch. Dj reports that he is recovering well, but is getting really tired of swimming in circles with his "one good arm".
So pick a Saturday this month and contact Steve at 714 397-2229 for a day of work and play.     
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Keep in mind that if you can't make it down to Baja  this month, you can help with the fundraising efforts by contributing 50.00 for a ceramic tile that you can decorate locally in Orange County at Color Me Mine. The finished tiles will then be used as decorative features that will be permanently displayed in the completed Nursery's entry way. Just email us, ask for TIm, and he will get your tile decorating date set up.