How Can I Help?
One of the rich benefits for churches who partner with FAIR ministries is being able to develop a greater engagement in global missions and in serving those in need in different parts of the world. A very simple picture of what that looks like in reality is when partnering churches send mission teams to their partner ministry.
Casa Hogar, a Fellowship Child Sponsorship ministry in Honduras, recently received a team from Québec, led by Claude and Debbie Hurteau. Debbie shared some of her reflections and highlights from the trip.
Claude and Debbie Hurteau from Église de l’Espoir des Mille-Îles, Ste-Thérèse, Québec
What a joy to return from our third short-term mission trip to Casa Hogar. This year we were accompanied by nine people who were on their first trip to Casa Hogar. The theme of our trip this year was How can I help? We had t-shirts printed with that phrase in English, French, and Spanish that the team wore during our trip. During our devotions a key verse, Proverbs 25:25 (ESV), inspired us: “Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.” Our goal is to be a refreshment for Fellowship International missionaries Mélodie Francis, and Rick and Ena Ward, and all the “tias” (“aunties”) of Casa Hogar.
The highlight by far this year was having Jennifer as our translator. She has lived at Casa Hogar most of her life. Jennifer just graduated from a bilingual secondary school and didn’t start university until after we left. What a blessing to be able to hire her to help us. She, along with two other young adults from Casa Hogar, have begun attending university this year.
We also had a wonderful time doing Vacation Bible School (VBS) with the kids this year. We chose the story of Amy Carmichael to share with them. This year our leader for VBS was France Tousignant. She is currently learning Spanish to serve in a community outreach of her church L’Église Baptiste Évangélique de Ste-Hyacinthe. She is also a friend of Mélodie’s mom, Lise Francis. Lise shared with France that the choice for Mélodie’s middle name was inspired by the life of Amy Carmichael. The children were able to make the connection between the story of Amy Carmichael’s ministry and that of their beloved Mélo.
Also, from Ste-Hyacinthe was Normand Olszensky. He helped out tremendously with the project this year to repaint the fence that surrounds Casa Hogar. Rick also appreciated his companionship and hard work on other projects around the home.
Please pray with us that God will raise up other leaders in Québec who would like to lead a short-term mission team to Casa Hogar in the future. Please pray also for God’s guidance for the timing of our trip next year. And, above all pray for Mélodie, Rick and Ena, and for more new sponsors for the children of Casa Hogar.