Global Missions
Guest Helpers Ministry
Guest Helpers are lay people who accept invitations from missionaries or mission organizations to come help in some specific building/repair project. Teams are composed of professional, nonprofessional and handy helper type workers who use their skills to serve the Lord in missions.
Guest Helpers have literally circled the globe in the past 25 years with construction, technology, maintenance, domestic, clerical, and other skills. Their priority is to serve Calvary Church missionaries where possible, and preferably in cross cultural settings. The latest addition to their schedule is the on-going maintenance of the three Calvary mission houses in Santa Ana and Tustin.
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SAGRADA, MISSOURI - April 2012
Ava and Bob Vander Wall arrived at camp on Saturday, March 31 to be greeted by John & Kathy Fenn and long time friend Gene Winn. Others won't arrive until the middle of April. The weather is unusually warm, upper 90's, but rain is expected in the next few days! Kathy and Ava are fixing an Easter dinner for the Johnson's and the others of us at camp. We will be eating in the barn after going to church in Warsaw to worship our RISEN LORD.
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CATALINA - February 3 -6, 2012
This year’s Guest Helpers Catalina Island trip to Campus by the Sea (an Intervarsity Christian Fellowship Camp) was from February 3rd through the 6th and the Guest Helper Team included:
Rich and Judy Andrews, Tim and Rachel Crizer, Leroy Dyrud, Elana Edmisson, Jim and Jeannie Kiech, Gladys Lionbarger, Dorothy Matheson, Alin Munteanu, Rick, Chris and Rose Mizuhara, Johanna Olson, Nancy Steger, Jim VanDalsem, and Keanu Velaquez.
The weather was exceptional for working, clear and about 70 degrees every day with glassy seas for all four days as well. The Guest Helper projects included:
- Repairing and epoxy painting 4 ping pong tablesPainting all outside tables, benches and trash can holdersCleaning all cabinsRepairing window screensExterior painting of a large walk-in refrigeratorPainting and installing new vinyl flooring in three VIP cabinsRepairing and painting the floating platform used by swimmers
- Installing hinged window shutters on two meeting buildings
Besides be able to provide some much needed and appreciated work, each Guest Helpers trip also provides many enjoyable moments like:
- Enjoying a Super Bowl buffetPhotographing sunrises and night scenesKayaking
- Having dolphins next to the camp boat as we left camp for Avalon
Be sure to see the picture below! In Christ’s love,
Rich and Judy Andrews
LEON MEXICO TRIP Feb. 10-18, 2012
Fourteen Guest Helpers worked with Don & Janie Nellis in Leon,Mexico at the Star of Bethlehem Baptist Church. The painting crew worked in classrooms, hallways, and stair wells of the three story church. Others worked in rewiring much of the church inside and out. Others installed 48 sheets of Durock siding on the outside area of the two story combination basketball/multi purpose room. Delicious meals were prepared by the ladies of the church, and many friendships were developed over the time we were there.This was the sixth consecutive year that more than a dozen Guest Helpers have flown into Mexico to work with Don Nellis and a different church each year. We anticipate going again next year. Care to join us?
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Letter regarding Little Ana of Ana's Kitchen
February 16, 2012
Dear Friends and Family,
Yesterday I was informed by the staff of Ana’s Kitchen (La Cocina de Ana) that little Ana was struck by a large vehicle and run over snatching life from her. This was reported to the staff by several individuals that eat there. The person talking to me on the phone had great difficulty sharing this tragic news because he knew how much we loved little Ana. Our hearts are broken and we are still reeling from the news. Janie and I were sustained in comfort with the loving arms and prayers of the Guest Helpers down here in Leon, many of whom met little Ana two years ago and had personally hugged her.
We know this young teen is precious to you too! You have invested in her with countless prayers for her salvation. You have also been very generous in your gracious gifts in supporting this ministry which has now fed over 20,500 people along with a clear Gospel message since it opened two and a half years ago. Thank you for your love and concern for little Ana.
One dear friend upon hearing this news said it so well: “We might not be able to help everyone, but we can try and help those that we are called to help and you were called by God to advocate and intercede for little Ana. I don’t think you could have done anymore. Her wounds were too deep. I hope she experienced enough of God’s love and faith, in spite of the path that she was on, to be with him now.”
Little Ana’s short life was not easy. She cleaned windshields on busy intersections, sniffed paint thinner, was taken advantage of in many ways by predatory adults. She experienced quite the opposite from many of God’s people. The love of the Lord Jesus from God’s people both from the U.S. and Mexico surely impacted her heart. Her death only strengthens our resolve to reach as many street people of Guadalajara and other places with God’s love, care, and message of salvation.
On Monday I plan on going to Guadalajara to visit our Ana’s Kitchen staff and attempt to bring comfort to them from God’s Word. They have a very challenging ministry. The head cook, Ana, has been absent from the kitchen for a month. She is suffering from stress related migraines and other symptoms and has asked for a 3 months’ reprieve. Her husband, Lalo, has taken over for her. Please pray for the staff of 5 who bear the brunt of the many who come with their varied problems and situations. The staff need to be refreshed and tended to themselves.
1Jn 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us.
The Lord Jesus loves every precious person on the street as much as He loves you and me! Praise His Name!
With sadness and hope,
Don and Janie Nellis
Calvary Church missionaries serving with UIM
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