Gordon & Becki West: KidZ at Heart International, AZ

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We want to share with you, our friends and supporters, some unexpected news that we received recently. In early June, Becki had a routine surgical procedure followed by a pathology report that revealed internal melanoma.
This news has rocked me to the depth of my soul, but I have repeatedly heard God say two very important truths:
“I am (still) God, just as I have shown you over, and over, and over.”
“I love Becki even more than you do.”
The past few weeks have been an emotional rollercoaster for our whole
family. Our days have been filled with scans and tests and visits to various doctors. In the midst of this, we have seen God’s hand in providing brilliant and compassionate caregivers and miraculous openings in appointment books.
The best news is that a post-surgery, full-body PET scan revealed no active melanoma. Therefore, Becki will not need chemotherapy or radiation at this time. The sobering news is that we do not know what tomorrow brings. We will now maintain a vigorous surveillance regimen of visits to the oncologist & dermatologist.
We are blessed by your friendship, and we would like to invite you to join us in this faith-building season. While we do not believe that getting more people to pray somehow gets God to do what we want, we do want to share with you our needs and our journey and ask that you watch, with us, to see what God is doing and will do in our lives.
We ask you to pray that each member of our family would continue drawing upon his strength, trusting in his goodness, and enjoying his blessings for
today. Please pray that we are able to trust God for tomorrow and leave those cares in his hands. And, of course, please ask God to stop all growth of cancer and to rid Becki’s body of every last melanoma cell.
What’s next? We will be leaving (July) on an international training trip (So. Africa, Uganda & Moldova) to graduate our first class of the KidZ Ministry Certification Program’s Basic Teacher Certificate recipients, certify our first set of certification program trainers, and join representatives of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes as we train leaders to reach kids through sports camps.
After the work is over, Becki and I will be continuing on for a vacation visiting the Holy Land & the pyramids to celebrate our 35-year love affair.
And we are thankful for you, your friendship and support.

Philippines Mission 2016 Report

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Highlights in iRC (Ikthus Redeemed Community). 7/20 – 26

iRC Cabacungan ministers to more than 2,000 people through their satellite churches.
They have a strong discipleship program using stories (orality method) because many are illiterate.
> The team met with Pastor Steve Indino at iRC Cabacungan, his staff & volunteers, &
the 28 kids in the orphanage. The team encouraged the iRC team and loved on the
kids in the orphanage.
> The team worked with iRC staff & kids in making ginger tea & sweet potato chips,
which are the income-generating project of iRC Cabacungan.
> Ministered & taught worship songs & helped with their worship equipment.
> Painted 3 houses that were built through Bahay-Buhay (Home-Life) Project funded by
WCC. These houses were burned down last March 2016. We also give an additional
fund to build one more house.
> Conducted Teachers’ Training & taught around 100 kids about our Lord Jesus.
> On Sunday, we visited 3 satellite churches and shared testimonies, sang & ministered
to the main service in iRC Cabacungan through skits & a message from Pastor Vince.
> Traveled by land to the southern part of Negros & visited iRC Valencia & Du –
maguete. Took a ferry the following day to go to Cebu island to visit iRC Algeria
& iRC Cebu and met with leaders/pastors of iRC Carmen & Danao.

Highlights in Breakthrough Church in Payatas in Quezon City. 7/27 – 31
> Taught (80) children about Jesus to the areas where we have the Feeding Program.
> Conducted medical/dental outreach to the children of Breakthrough Christian
Academy. The number of people seen was 373 for medical & 230 for dental.
> Distributed 250 grocery bags (rice, canned goods, noodles).
> Visited homes and prayed for people who are sick.
> Traveled to Trece Martirez (2 1/2 hr. drive outside Manila) for a Medical/Dental
outreach. The team shared Jesus & prayed for people. The village was so thankful for
our visit.
> The men in the team ministered to around 50 men/dads & our moms/daughters
ministered to the moms/daughters in Breakthrough church.
> The team ministered at Breakthrough’s evening youth service. One of our youth
shared the Word. People were blessed.

Pastor Frank Encourages Police And Civilians Alike: “We need to do good in this world…”

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This week, Pastor Frank lead prayers uniting the police force and the citizens they protect under the banner of The Holy Spirit. The Orange County Register cover it:

A week after the killing of five police officers, civilians and religious leaders as well as police already are coming together in an effort to resolve the tension between many African Americans and law enforcement.

In a prayer thread ceremony at Christ Our Redeemer Church in Irvine on Thursday, Orange County sheriff’s deputies, Irvine police, elected officials, Jews, Muslims and Christians tied string around each other’s wrists and vowed to tie diverse communities together.

“It’s wrong for five police officers to die in Dallas,” the Rev. Mark Whitlock said. “It’s equally wrong for two men to die. We are here today to hold a love fest.”
-David Whiting, Orange County Register

Read More Here