Gabharts September 2024
Heart for Harvest
September 22, 2024
Right after second service come and share a complementary meal and learn more about the missionaries FBC supports.
Please sign up at the table in the vestibule starting Sunday September 8, 2024.
If you have any questions contact Candy Waite 815-222-5740.
Kihomi Ngwemi andNzunga Mabudiga July 2024
Greeting from our rainy Altagracia.
Many of you have been wondering about the whereabout of Nzunga & Kihomi. We are in Altagracia, a small village/town about 30-45 minutes’ drive from Santo Domingo, the capital city of the Dominican Republic. Our house is about 5 minutes’ drive from the FINCA, the mission land where we will be building the church and eventually develop a youth camp.
We are in the full swing of activities. Meetings that go beyond 9, 10 PM. Visits of sick & shuts in. Yesterday, in our nightly meeting we put in place a new structure that will help develop the new church. The young pastor Benny was named Senior pastor seconded by his wife, a Palmer Seminary Master of Theology student, and 2 Haitian leaders.
Nzunga & Kihomi will be teaching every Tuesday and Friday while sharing the duties on Sundays. Also Kihomi will help develop some development projects to help members strengthen their financial economy.
The big challenge in this society is how to help people with no legal status in Dominican Republic. Here is the case that has been keeping us awake since we arrived. A young Haitian lady member of our New Creation Baptist Church has been shut in.
Why? She has a mass preventing her to urinate normally. She uses a Catheter but needs a surgical operation, but no hospital will take her in because she is illegal in the country and because of lack of funds.
Yesterday in our meeting we decided to call The Good Samaritan Hospital in La Romana about 4 hours away if they can take her in and we will volunteer to drive her over.
Thank you for praying for our emotional strength.
Yours in DR
Nzunga & Kihomi
Dear Supporters,
When this was written they had been back in the DR for 8 days. The Energizer Bunny has nothing on them. What passion of the Lord and his people.
The building of the New Creation Baptist church has been delayed due to the torrential rain and the lack of an engineer. Evidently there is a building boom going on and finding an engineer is difficult. The DR has building codes just like here. Please pray for the rains to stop and for an engineer to become available.
As always, thank you for your support.
Yours,
Dennis Shewell and the MPT team
deshewell@gmail.com
Meet the Goods
A reception will be held for Global Servants, Rev. Jon and Amanda Good on Tuesday, April 30 at 7PM in the Common Grounds. They will be speaking about their former ministry in Hungary and their transition into Rome, Italy. They have been staying at Judson Univesity for their home deputation and will be leaving in July for Italy. All are welcome to come visit with them and hear their story. Light refreshments will be served.
2024 MLK, Jr Food Drive
Thanks to all who contributed to the 2024 Martin Luther King, Jr. Food Drive. We were able to drop off a large amount of food and other household items to benefit those in need.
Gabharts November 2023 Prayerline
New Country, New Missions – August 2023
Dear Loved Ones,
Greetings. This past Friday August 11, 2023, we left our house early to go to Villa Altagracia about 2.5 hours away. We had our retreat, and it was the most blessed one. Friday upon our arrival we all went to visit the land that our sister denomination here had just purchased. We planted many fruit trees.
The nights and days were all devoted to praying and following some teachings from a Canadian Pastor, Dr. Bill Dyck.
Villa Altagracia is a small village type of place, a refuge for many Haitian immigrants with no legal papers. Here they tell me that they have many Haitians who need Shepherds. People at the retreat think that God is answering their concerns.
The retreat place has a small one-bedroom apartment they would like to finish for us to move in. We are excited about moving to the countryside. Another part of our job will be to help develop the newly acquired land for a youth camp.
Please keep praying for us.
In DR,
Yours,
Nzunga & Kihomi
Dear Supporters,
New country, New church, New Mission.
Let’s Dance: Celebrate Cuba EXIT Pilot – Aug 2023
| “Transiciones” De la herida a la Vida; del dolor al olor; de la prisa a la risa; del llanto al canto…. de los duelos… a los vuelos…” | “Transitions” a loose translation From wounding to Living; from pain to scent; from “I’m late”to laughter; from tears to singing…. from mourning… to flight…” |
“You have turned my mourning into dancing;
you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness,
that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent.
O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever!”
–Psalm 30: 11-12 ESV
Our first intensive training for the EXIT(Expressive Arts in Transition) Cuba pilot project finished two weeks ago in Matanza, Cuba, but the yearlong practice and supervision process is just beginning. 10 creative and committed leaders will be artfully accompanying various communities throughout Cuba as they implement early intervention practices to help deal with the impacts of trauma.
Due to ongoing trauma, we armor up to protect ourselves, get trapped in the past, and hold stress in our bodies. The arts help us to engage our senses to make sense of our stories, practice presence by staying in the here and now, and move forward in healthy ways as researchers of our own bodies. With a focus on salutogenesis, an approach to human health that examines the factors contributing to the promotion and maintenance of physical and mental well-being rather than disease and pathology, we are learning to ask ourselves, “Where is health
here? What do I need to do that will nurture well-being here?
While in Matanza, we held stories of struggle and strength, we processed grief and frustrations, we sat in silence and song, painted and played, used our imaginations to travel in time and danced out animal strengths that would help us face our daily challenges. Immersed in the beautiful surroundings of the seminary overlooking the sea and shaded by flamboyan trees, we rediscovered the resources around and within us that we already possess. With the accompaniment of the community, one participant was able to name and take steps towards healing a debilitating fear that had plagued them for years. Another embraced a new perspective on a negative bias held and saw the benefits of a “both and” approach. By stepping into the future with a resource from the past and surrounded by friends now, another saw themselves accomplishing a long held dream within the year. These are just a few of the glimpses of transformation that we witnessed together.
I am so grateful for the support of many folks who are making this pilot project a reality. Yim Locke’s name was drawn from the box of gift givers to receive the stained glass art that I made and Barb Shustek’s name was drawn to receive a collage made from the signatures and collaborative painting made by the participants. God works in communities to transform our mourning into dancing and our struggles into strengths.
Thanks for being a part of mine,
Mylinda
The Touch Barrier
The Touch Barrier
There’s a woman, who I will refer to as “Jane,” who has been at the breakfast since I first started. When I first began serving, Jane was very standoffish and reserved. She would come to the breakfast, sit at a table, eat her breakfast and leave. She didn’t really say hello or look at anyone. Needless to say, connecting took a long time. A few months ago, Jane was asked to help us serve food. Over these last few months, Jane’s whole demeanor has changed. She comes in smiling, enthusiastic and engaging. It’s been incredible to see such a huge change compared to a year ago.
One of the most incredible things happened recently. Jane came up to me and told me she has been sober for a year now. And then…
Jane gave me a hug.
I couldn’t believe it. She broke the “touch barrier.” I can’t quite describe what the feeling was like, but I can tell you this much. For her to do so, was HUGE.
Here’s why:
The touch barrier is all about how people set boundaries and personal space when it comes to physical contact. It’s influenced by individual preferences, cultural norms, and social expectations. Some people are more comfortable with touch, while others prefer more personal space.
When we think about how homelessness and the touch barrier intersect, a few things come to mind. First, it’s important to recognize that homelessness can greatly affect how someone feels about their personal space and boundaries. Unstable living conditions and being constantly surrounded by crowded shelters or public spaces can make it difficult to maintain the physical distance people want.
People experiencing homelessness are often more vulnerable to physical contact. The power dynamics and increased risk of exploitation or harm on the streets or in shelters can make them more cautious about being touched. This heightened sensitivity to personal space is a way for people to protect themselves.
Society’s perceptions and stereotypes about homelessness can also contribute to the touch barrier. People experiencing homelessness often face stigma and dehumanization, which can lead to social isolation and fewer positive social interactions. Some people hold negative attitudes and misconceptions, viewing those experiencing homelessness as undesirable or untouchable.
To address the touch barrier and support people experiencing homelessness, it’s crucial to promote empathy, understanding, and respectful interactions. Those working with individuals experiencing homelessness, such as service providers, volunteers, and community members, should be mindful of personal boundaries and respect individual preferences regarding touch. Creating safe spaces that foster dignity, trust, and a sense of autonomy can gradually break down the touch barrier and build positive connections.
Thank You from Koinonia House® Ministries, Inc.
Thank you, First Baptist Church of Elgin, for partnering with Koinonia House Ministries (KHM) in blessing the families of the men incarcerated at Mississippi State Penitentiary (aka Parchman)! A little over a year ago, Superintendent Marc McClure faced a daunting task when he assumed responsibility for this 22,000-acre property, its 2,500 residents and approximately 800 staff. His wife Lee Ann has joined him in implementing changes to make his vision of bringing hope to Parchman a reality.
One such change is Visitation. In order to encourage more family visits, which have proven positive impact for everyone involved, Superintendent McClure re-opened the Visitation building (pictured above) near the main entrance and refreshed its two large rooms (see next page). Due to security issues, visitors are not allowed to bring anything into the prison, and those with infants are only allowed to bring four diapers, two bottles, one change of baby clothes, one pacifier and diaper wipes in a zip lock bag.
Last April, when KHM visited Parchman and inquired about specific ways in which we might enhance their work, Mrs. McClure shared their desire to refresh the items available to families for use during visits.
On very short notice, First Baptist Church of Elgin responded to this need! Pictured above are the many bags of books, puzzles, crayons, chalk, toy trucks – and more – they provided. KHM’s Manny and Barbara Mill were privileged to personally deliver these items to Parchman in early August.
Thank you, FBC, for helping to build bridges and restore hope for inmate families!
