▪•• • • •• • • • • ••• November, 2017 ▪•• • •• • •▪ ▪▪ ▪••• • •▪ ▪
And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. And he said unto him,
Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.
Luke 10:25-28
<<Salutation>>
The word for the month is thankfulness, t-h-a-n-k-f-u-l-e-s-s. We have plenty to be thankful for and certainly see you as one of many blessings in our life. Our hope is through this holiday season you find those areas that cause you to be thankful and express gratitude to the Lord and to those around you who make thankfulness a reality in your life.
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We knew our time in Haiti would go fast with a plan to return to the U.S. before Christmas. We are now past the halfway point, and the days will race by leading up to our return on December 20th. Part of our reason for returning is to continue sorting through our home, and preparing it for renting as it now just sits empty while we are serving on the mission field.
Another reason we are returning is due to exciting plans to travel to Israel for 10 days in late January. Our home church will have over 20 people travel to Israel for a tour of the Holy Land. We have wanted to do this for many years, but for a variety of reasons, it was not the right timing. This trip will be extra special as Les’ mom is also going.
There is a time and season for everything.
Almost 8 months ago, back before Easter, Eddy Constant, the director of the Consolation Center of Haiti (CCH), asked me to consider teaching on worship. This had been a long time desire of mine. Over six years ago, upon our arrival in Haiti, I began spending time with the girls singing and learning to sing in French and Creole. Music is a universal language that brings together every culture. In addition to songs, I would grab some girls and teach them to dance to some of the worship songs. As time progressed, songs were added in a song book form of the favorite songs we were singing. Overtime, songs and motions became a part of Monday night bible study. So, when I was asked to teach on worship I was very excited about this, but I was so occupied that there was not enough time to really devote to the necessary preparation.
As always, there is a time and season for everything. Upon returning to Haiti this time, it seemed like the timing was right to tackle Eddy's request. The hard part was how to make it meaningful to ages 4 to 14. Through lots of prayer and seeking the Lord, the Monday night bible study will involve instruction on the definition of worship, why we are to worship God, and a simplified explanation on worshiping in spirit and truth. There will be lots of singing, and expressive worship. If you have had an opportunity to visit us in Haiti, you know how much the Haitian people enjoy singing and with fervor and volume.
Worship is something that we all do. But, generally, we think of worship as singing songs with musical instruments in a church service. But worship is so much more. The Lord God is looking for those who will worship him in spirit and in truth. What an awesome opportunity it is to share and demonstrate how we can have an emotionally, sweet moment in the presence of the Lord God, to taste and see that the Lord is good.
Having had years of experience in this area in different cultures and in different styles throughout my life, these experience will create a neat opportunity to share with and include the Center girls and Joshua boys. With such a large group, we have moved to the Worship/Community Center at Consolation Center of Haiti (CCH). As you can imagine, with so many children at a rather young age group, being heard and keeping their attention will be a challenge, but I have come up with some creative tools to help keep their attention. Please keep me in your prayers as I teach on this long awaited topic. May the Lord be glorified and every heart be drawn closer to Him.
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 “…love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” (Part 1)
We’ve always found it fascinating to read Jesus’ responses to His listeners who would approach him. Sometimes it’s just an individual that is genuinely curious, but other times, it’s the religious leaders of the day trying to trick him with “loaded” questions to get a glimpse of how He handled the questions is interesting. In the gospels of Matthew and Mark we see He is approached by a Pharisee, who happens to be a lawyer, and is being tested by a question. The Pharisee asks Him what the greatest commandment is. Jesus’ famous response is quoted above. In the gospel of Luke, Jesus follows a question by asking a question. He puts the ball back in the other person’s court, so to speak. This time the lawyer repeats the above quote and adds, “…and your neighbor as yourself.” Eventually this dialogue ends up with the story of the good Samaritan, and a vivid picture of what it looks like to care for our neighbor.
What can get lost in all this is the commandment itself that we read in all three gospels. What does it look like to love the Lord with all your heart, mind, and soul? We can understand loving the Lord your God, but the all part is what truly challenges us. So, for November and December we want to share what God has been nudging to our hearts regarding this.
· The first thing we must establish is ownership. Whose are we? Culture and society tell us we are our own. Our needs, wants, and desires are there to be selfishly satisfied. Evolution/culture tells us we are simply the byproduct of a random chance, and there is no divine involvement. This under current of thinking has even reached in to the church, and how we respond to God. Thinking if we give him an hour or two on Sunday morning, we are free to have the rest of the time during the week to ourselves. However, the Bible tells us that each person is fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14), and before we were formed, or even born, He knew us, (Jeremiah 1:5). Frankly, we are not our own, we are God’s! I Corinthians 6:19-20, tells us as Christians we are not our own, but we have been bought with a price. And therefore, our lives should reflect this truth, and glorify God. It’s hard to grasp this concept in such an individualized world, but the fact remains that we are not our own.
· Once we establish whose we are, we can now determine our purpose. You see each day you get up in the morning…there is a reason. Not just to go to work, or school and make or prepare to make a living. God has plans for you. One of the primary purposes is for you is to reflect His love. God demonstrated to us His love by giving His Only Son, and that love should compel us to go and share of His love, and love others. A powerful song we recommend is called So I Can Love, by Shane and Shane. It’s so appropriate to better understand our purpose. Please click the link: So I Can Love We especially like the lines, “I want to live with no regrets when all is said and done. If I’m still breathing there’s a reason.” It’s so important to recognize in the hustle and bustle of life, you have a greater purpose than just existing. Ultimately the way you live your life and the things you do and desire should reflect a love for your Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and love and compassion for those around you.
Next month we’ll finish the second part of a two-part series on loving the Lord God with all your heart, mind, and soul. We’ll talk of practical steps and ways to be more purposeful in deepening our love and devotion to the Lord God. We would also welcome thoughts or personal insights on what we have already shared. We enjoy hearing from you, even if you disagree with what has been shared! |
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Laborers With Christ Intern
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 Hi, I’m Bethany Beier, also known by my James children as Mamani (Mama + nee for Mama Bethany). This name has recently evolved from Nanani. I have now become one of their mamma's, what a special blessing.
You might remember me from about 8 months back when I wrote about my time in Haiti in this very newsletter. Well, I’m back. Something about this place and these children that just draws you in and takes a piece of your heart. I’m thankful that Les and Catherine have allowed me to come back with them and become part of their family and ministry.
I found my place again, back out at the James 1:27 Center helping the house moms take care of the babies. It was so fun to go out there after being gone for 8 months and have the madams and babies remember me! Each day when I arrive, all the babies start screaming and jumping and saying my name. So precious and it makes the leaving part of the day hard.
It’s been like coming home for me. Since I’d already had the trust built with the madams, it’s been easier to fit back in and help along side them and I’ve been able to start a bible study with them on Friday’s.
A typical day out at James starts when the babies wake up and need their first bath. I know first hand that they are soaked in pee from head to toe and not only does the bath clean them, but also makes them smell good.😉 Then the mattresses are put outside to air out and the blankets, cloth diapers and clothes are then washed up and laid out to dry.
Breakfast is prepared by one of the madams and the babies eat it all up! Then it’s time for potty training, while the madams clean up the dishes, mop the floors and start on the lunch preparation.
Each madam has a day she is in charge of the cooking, in addition to all the work of taking care of the babies in her home. I have such an appreciation for what these women do each day.
Lunch is a huge meal! Each baby gets more food than I could even begin to eat, and it’s amazing that they eat it all! Some are able to feed themselves and others are circled in front of the mom and fed by her. Feeding the babies is always an eventful time for me! Sometimes the babies even help me finish my food after they’ve eaten their HUGE portion.
After lunch is served and cleaned up, which often is mid afternoon, then it’s potty training time again. This consists of the babies sitting on a plastic pot until they go. For some babies it’s quick, others have been known to sit on their pot all morning until lunch or after lunch until bath time. Mid afternoon and it’s time to bathe the babies again and put on fresh clothes. I really enjoy helping out with the baths and the mothers appreciate it so SO much! It’s a lot of work! Wash, powder, diaper, clothe, then dump the water and start again. Some days they have up to 6 babies to bathe. The water is left outside all day and by the time we use it, the sun has warmed the water. Bath time is quite the process here in Haiti. It’s not like the US where we have bathtubs and running water.
Around supper time each baby gets a big bottle of milk and then the mattresses, blankets and sheets get brought back in and it’s time for bed. Since it gets dark by 6pm, early bedtime is great and then the madams get some quiet time. They are all pretty tired by the end of the day.
Friday afternoons after we get the kids all bathed and in their cribs with some toys, we meet under the gazebo for bible study. We are going through some of the Psalms and spend time reading the Word and praying together. It’s also a nice quiet break, and the babies have been good for us each week. I’m thankful for this time with the house moms to encourage them in their faith and walk with the Lord.
It has been so wonderful to get to know each of the babies and their unique personalities. I’ve also learned which are the very naughty ones and the ones who are content to just be held. One of the things I have been able to do is play worship songs and sing to the babies as well as pray for and over them. The love I have for each of them is hard to describe and hearing them call me “momma” just makes my heart so full and happy. |
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 Johnny:
We have learned over the span of existence of the James 1:27 Center that often the children who are abandoned, are abandoned for medical reasons which can present some real problems for parents financially. In a country where poverty is rampant, and larger families are already losing the battle to keep everyone fed. It’s an economic decision to “remove” the source of additional financial strain. When 60 – 80% of the family income is used for a meager supply of food, there’s not much room to add additional expense.
Johnny would be an example of a victim of these circumstances. Johnny was born with a birth defect that has his hips, knees, and ankle bones all deformed. We have had him to a couple of different doctors, and it’s going to be a long road for him. As he grows, it’s likely he’ll need multiple surgeries to try and correct, to some measure, his body to allow him to us a walker or crutches to be mobile. While a simple look can reveal his handicap, he functions and lives with no thought of being different than anyone else. He is very mobile, and has a disposition that is amazing. He’s a happy little guy with so much zest for life. He is very social and scoots all over. He reaches out his hand to greet people and has a contagious smile. He especially likes bath time.
Like all the kids at the James 1:27 Center, he is unsponsored. A monthly cost to keep the James 1:27 Center operable is $1,800. We would welcome any year end donations towards this project. God is using it in amazing ways. Please contact us for more information, or make a donation to Laborers With Christ and earmark it: James 1:27 Center. Thank you. |
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Nutritional Nuggets ~ Natures Pharmacy
ABC's of Vitamins and minerals
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2. TOP 10 Diseases & Conditions Part 2 of 10: Cancer Wars. 595,930 Top 10 Diseases & Conditions
4. Part 4 of 10: Accidents Happen (unintentional injuries; 5.2%)
 A lot of pressure
Stroke is the No. 5 cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the United States, you probably have a friend or family member who has suffered from it. We have a nation under "A Lot of Pressure" and there are a number of reasons why. Are you under pressure?
WHAT CAUSES STROKE? The answers may surprise you.
  
ALARMING CASE STUDIES LDL, HBP HEALTH CARE REFORM
NEEDED
We only have one life to live. Your best life can be now. Here's how: find foods analyzed for nutrient quality - all specific to help relieve you of pressure.
Please click here to read more about the steps that you can do to begin your best life now on Catherine’s Genesis Health blog.
Revisit past Nutrition Nuggets about Natures Pharmacy regarding the benefits of individual fruits and vegetables. If you are interested in learning more about improving your health, please visit and follow Genesis Health today.
“Let food be thy medicine, and medicine be thy food.” Hippocrates
Promoting a lifestyle of preventative care!
WELLNESS PRINCIPAL: Health comes from within. You cannot buy it in a bottle.
Please visit Catherine’s Pinterest boards by clicking this link: Catherine's Place. There, you will find a variety of healthy sources, natural solutions, recipes, God's Creation, and SO MUCH MORE. Grab yourself a healthy snack, make yourself comfortable, and take time to browse the wealth of information and be not only inspired but uplifted.
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Thanks for your wonderful support in so many ways!.
If we're still breathing, there's a reason,
Les & Catherine
Ministry (U.S.) Les & Catherine DeRoos
Laborers With Christ c/o Agape Flights CAY 26466
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Laborers With Christ On-Line Donations
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Just click on this link: Love gift to Laborers With Christ You can also visit us at laborerswithchrist.org and go to our Financial Support page. Thank you so much for your willingness to partner with us in ministry.
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