Fr. Joe & Tina Rhodes

2011-09-15T07:54:00.001-04:00

Please join us in praying for our daughter, Stacey, and the team that she is bringing to the USA next month to tour in various cities across the nation. The group is made up of 13 young men and women: 7 with the Performing Arts Ministry and 6 with the School of Worshipping Warriors; all from the Youth With A Mission (YWAM) Island Breeze (IBS)ministry in Sydney, Australia. The purpose of this tour is to bless this country and the people who live in it. The group will be doing a production called JIRIYAY. The word Jiriyay comes from the Indigenous Australian tribe, the Dharuk. The Island Breeze-Sydney base is located on the land/territory of the Dharuk Nation. Jiriyay in Dharuk is a war/battle cry. The production, JIRIYAY, is a modern Indigenous Australian story telling of the Creation of the world, a look at humanity, the story of the cross and resurrection. Throughout Jiriyay, you will experience the sounds and sights of God’s people from around the world. It is a celebration of life, cultures, and a call for the Lord’s army to rise up! However, Stacey wants you to know that the team can do a lot of other things than just the production which lasts about an hour. They can be available to help with service projects, various teachings and testimonies. They have a desire to meet with the clergy and pastors of the various cities that they go to in order to pray for them and bless them. Since most of the team members come from developing nations, their need for finances to make the trip is a big need for them. The list of the team members are below along with their native people group/country. Performing Arts Ministry (PAM):Simon………….SamoaStacey & Taimane……USA/Australian(USA-Samoan)Will……………..SamoaEli……………….Indigenous AustralianAlipate…………FigiFalita…………..FigiSierra…………..USA School of Worshipping Warriors (SOWW):Abney………….USALowana……….Indigenous AustralianAngelina……..TaiwainJimmy………..AustraliaJudah…………TongaJamie…………Nivan/Vanuatu Tour Dates/Cities: (Subject to change) October 10-23 Los Angeles, CA\Oct/Nov 24-2 MontanaNovember 2-8 Dallas, TXNovember 9-10 Garden Valley, TXNovember 11-21 LouisianaNov-Dec 22-7 South CarolinaDecember 8-12 Washington, DCDecember 13-22 New York, NY Prayers Needed For: Ø Finances from all their supporters to come inØ Special VISAS needed for:o Falita & Alipate who are Fijianso Simon & Taimane because they will be out of Australia for longer than 90 daysØ Taimane’s passport to be processedØ Stacey’s renewed passport to be returned soonØ Good prices on flights and rentals of vansØ Good flight connectionsØ Safe travel in the air and along the roads they travelØ Good weatherØ No customs or immigration problemsØ Good healthØ Good accommodations along the wayØ Divine appointments with people along the journeyØ God’s blessing upon this team and those they minister to along the wayØ Anointing on Jiriyay for God’s people to rise up and be His peopleØ Simon’s ankle to heal We realize that this is a lot to ask prayer for, so you might want to pick a specific area and focus of that one area, such as Good Health. Let the Lord direct your prayers. Thank you for joining us in prayer for this Team and their call to minister in the USA. Be Blessed to be a Blessing,Fr. Joe & Tina The Rev'd Canon Joe & Tina Rhodes2280 Clematis TrailSumter, SC 29150www.win-gs.orgwww.sams-usa.org803-469-0720

January 2011 Newsletter

2011-05-24T12:44:00.000-04:00

January 18, 2011

To the Saints of God through the love, mercy and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ by the working of the Holy Spirit in you; may the Lord continue to bless you to be a blessing to others.

We praise our Lord Jesus who has blessed us in ways that only He can comprehend. First and foremost, He has blessed us with another granddaughter, Merritt Reese Jones. She was born on the 4th of January here in Sumter. Second, He has blessed us with you who are willing to pray for us and for the ministry that the Lord has given us. We are truly blessed to have such a support team.

We also give thanks for Abney having a safe journey to Australia to begin her journey with Youth With A Mission and the call that the Lord has on her life. Praise God, all the monies came in for her ticket to Australia and for the lecture phase of her school.

Tina and I head to Honduras on the 10th of February to lead the Happener’s Retreat for the Diocese of Honduras. We anticipate having 50 young adults at the Retreat. The focus of the Retreat is “Keeping Your Eyes on Jesus.” This is based on Hebrews 12.1-3. The Retreat will be from the 11th until the 13th. The Lord has provided us with some dear friends from Costa Rica to be our interpreters for the week end.

Then on the 14th, we will be meeting with the leaders of Aanglidesh, the social arm of the Diocese of Honduras, to consider getting a Solar System project for the Diocese of Honduras. This could be a source of income for the Diocese and also provide employment for several people. Please keep this project in your prayers. We head home on the 15th.

March is looking like a very interesting month for us. We have been asked to do a teaching on “Missions” at the Island Breeze-Sydney, YWAM base in Sydney, Australia and to be available to minister to the staff and students while we are there. Tina will leave in early March in order to be with and help Stacey when she has her baby. I’m sure all you mothers can appreciate Tina going early to help out. Joe will be in Honduras the first two weeks of March with the Church of the Transfiguration, Vail, CO as their chaplain in La Ceiba. They will be working with Emilia D’Cuire School for special needs children and with Holy Trinity Episcopal School. Then joining Howard Ball who will be presenting a program to the congregations in the Atlantida Deanery that he developed called “Reaching the World Through the Church” when he was with Campus Crusades for Christ. Joe will then join Tina in Australia when he returns from Honduras. While in Australia, we will go up to Ipswich (near Brisbane) to see Kerry & Daniel and the boys before coming home in April.

We’ll get back in the country mid April and then get ready for Holy Week and Easter. Joe helps out with worship services at St. Augustine’s near Wedgefield and Good Shepherd in Sumter when he is in the States. Then in May, Joe will be part of the Kairos Team going into Lee State Correctional Institute. Also in May, the Diocese of Honduras will be celebrating 150 years of Anglican/Episcopal presence at their Diocesan Convention. Bishop Allen would like for us to be part of the celebration, so we are praying that the Lord will provide the funds necessary for us to attend. Please keep them in your prayers as they prepare to celebrate the presence of the Church in Honduras for the past 150 years.

Over the past several years when we have done Retreats for the high school at St. Mary’s Episcopal School in Tegucigalpa, we have given bilingual Bibles to the seniors. There are 16 students that will be graduating this year. Since we will not be returning to Honduras in June, we would like to be able to take the Bibles down when we go next month since we will be in Tegucigalpa.

We do understand the financial difficulties that many of you are in. Our requests below are not intended to be a burden on you or to impose guilt; they are to inform you in order that you can go before the Lord with our request. Here is a summary of our present financial needs for the ministry:

$ 200.00 Bilingual Bibles for the seniors at St. Mary’s Episcopal School

$1,300.oo Travel and lodging to and from Happener’s Retreat

$2,000.00 For one ticket to Australia; one ticket is being paid by the YWAM school

$4,500.00 Abney’s outreach fees

Thank you for supporting this ministry that the Lord has asked us to be a part of with you and with Him, the King of King and Lord of Lords, our Lord Jesus the Christ.

Be Blessed to be a Blessing,

Fr. Joe & Tina

May Newsletter

2011-05-14T13:24:00.000-04:00

Many Kingdom blessings since our newsletter in January. We thought you would enjoy seeing these pictures…evidence of your many prayers and financial gifts! May you be blessed as you view each picture. We do apologize that there is no photo of the leadership from Santisima Trinidad in La Ceiba that gathered for the Great Commission Congregation meeting….Joe and Howard forgot their cameras!!!!
We want you to know that every financial need that we posted in our January newsletter for our ministry has been met!! Hallelujah!!! We serve an awesome God! Thank you Lord for Your faithfulness!!
When we arrived home in April from Australia, Bishop Mark Lawrence of the Diocese of South Carolina appointed Joe as Priest-in-charge of Good Shepherd Church, here in Sumter. This appointment enables us to help Good Shepherd out while we are in Sumter with their pastoral and worship needs. It also allows them to join us in our ministry. Therefore any future financial contributions for gifts or special appeals will come through Good Shepherd and not through St. Augustine’s Mission Fund. However, we do want to thank the dear folks at St. Augustine’s and especially John Spann for his dedicated support to our ministry over these past 3 years. Just be sure to write your checks out to Good Shepherd Episcopal Church and on a note, let us know what or who it is for. Send the check to our address below so that we can make sure it gets to where you want it to go.
Remember that those of you who give to our ministry through SAMS (Society of Anglican Missionaries and Senders), is for our day to day expenses that we have and for those expenses that occur that the special appeals don’t cover. So this aspect of giving to our ministry stays the same. We appreciate all of you who support our ministry through your prayers, financial offerings, or both.
As summer approaches, we are in a discernment process….please join us in prayer:
Guidance for the next step in our preparations for our ministry in Honduras
2. Finances for language school (3 months @ $5,040.00) in Copan
3. Abney’s Discipleship Training School (DTS) outreach in Ghana, West Africa for her safe return to Australia on June 8th and then her outreach to the Outback in Australia. Her school ends on July 8, 2011.
4. Finances for Abney’s next school phase – School of Worshipping Warriors, which begins on the 15th of July, 2011 through December 22, 2011 in Sydney, Australia.
For Joe and the Kairos prison ministry team going to Lee Correctional from May 18-22, 2011.
Thanksgiving that a recent Doctor’s appointment for Tina found a cyst on her thyroid to be benign.

In closing, we want to share a scripture with you that has been special to us from John 13.3. “Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power and that he had come from God and was returning to God.”

Jesus knew who He was.
Jesus knew who He belonged to.
And Jesus knew where He was going.

May you always remember who you are…(A beloved child of the Father), who you belong to…(You belong to the Father), and where you are going…(You are going to be with the Father eternally)
Your life touches many lives and your life will make a dramatic change in someone else’s life when you remember who you are, who you belong to, and where you are going…….Enjoy your Kingdom Life here on earth. You are a gift to the world and we are blessed by knowing you. We thank you for your friendship and love.

Be Blessed to be a Blessing,
Fr. Joe & Tina

December Update 2010

2010-12-30T19:05:00.000-05:00

December 30, 2010

To the Saints of God; may the grace, mercy and love of our Lord Jesus Christ abide with you.

During this Christmas Season, we want to thank you for your faithfulness to the Lord and to us. We are able to be in those places where the Lord would have us to be because of your support through pray and finances. And so, we present to you some ministry opportunities that we have before us:

Happener’s Retreat in Honduras in February; teaching opportunity in Sydney, Australia at the end of February/first of March; chaplain for the Church of the Transfiguration, Vail, CO in March; teaching mission with Howard Ball to the Atlantida Deanery in Honduras in March; Kairos prison ministry in SC in May; two schools in Colorado Springs, CO some time late summer and language school in Honduras some time after our time in CO. All of these opportunities need your prayer for them to come about.

The cost of the Happener’s Retreat is $2,750.00 for 50 young adults. This price includes transportation to and from the Retreat, room and board, supplies and a t-shirt. We only need $875.00 more toward the Retreat. And then another $2,000.00 for us and our translators from Costa Rica to get to Honduras. So, we only need $2,875.00 more to make a go of this for the future leaders of the Episcopal Church in Honduras.

Abney still needs $1,400.00 for her DTS at this time and will need another $4,500.00 in April for her outreach.

We ask that you prayerfully consider how you are to respond to these requests. Some of you will be used to only pray that the finances will come forward. Some of you will be asked to pray and to give. All we ask is that you will be faithful to that which the Lord asks of you! For those of you who are to give financially, please write your check out to St. Augustine’s Mission Fund and let us know where you want you gift to go on a separate piece of paper. Send it to us at the address below.

Merry Christmas and a most Blessed New Year,

Fr. Joe & Tina

2280 Clematis Trail
Sumter, SC 29150

Fr. Mike Flynn Conference

2010-03-18T12:35:00.000-04:00

Being Responsive to the Holy Spirit for Life and Ministry

A Conference Led By:

The Rev. Mike Flynn

Sponsored by

St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church

Wedgefield, South Carolina

May 20-23, 2010

Registration Form:

Name: ____________________________________________

Address: __________________________________________

Email: ____________________________________________

Telephone Number for Conference Contact: __________________

What to bring

(1) Paper and pen to take notes
(2) Bible
(3) Check or cash to purchase books or Cds

Fees and Payment: Individual $15.00 and couples $25.00

Enclosed is my/our check for $15.00 ____ $25.00 ______

Please make check payable to St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church and mail it along with this registration form to:

St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church

Att: John R. Spann

Post Office Box 247

Wedgefield, SC 29168

For questions, contact John Spann at (803) 494-2988 or spannj@ftc-I.net or

Father Joseph Rhodes at (803) 481-0270 or joetina71@aol.com

Schedule/Time/Place

Thursday May 20 / 6:00 PM
Opening Session @ St. Augustine’s Church

Friday May 21 / 10:00 AM
Special session (Pastors Only) @ St. Augustine’s Church

Friday May 21 / 6:00 PM
Third Session @ Alice Dr. Elementary School

Saturday May 22 / 10:00 A. M.
Fourth Session @ Alice Dr. Elementary School

Saturday May 22 / 4:00 P. M.
Fifth Session @ Alice Dr. Elementary School

Sunday May 23 / 11:30 A. M.
Closing Service @ St. Augustine’s Church

The Topics for the Sessions Include the following:

1. Demonstrating the Spirit’s Power
2. Developing a Healing Ministry Without Blowing Up Your Church
3. The Seven Steps in Developing Lay Ministers
4. Having Faith for Healing
5. Growing in the Spirit’s Power

Father Mike Flynn

Fr. Mike Flynn is an Episcopal priest who was mentored in power ministry during the early 80s’ by John Wimber, founder of the Vineyard Movement. In 1985, while Mike was pastor of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Burbank, CA, he began taking his people on the road giving to the wider church the dynamics they field-tested at St. Jude’s. Over the next decade they led 150 conferences. At the present Mike has led over 470 conferences.

Fresh Wind’s vision is to teach, model, and impart responsiveness to the Holy Spirit. While the themes and teachings are tailored to each client group, general areas of use are power ministry, physical healing, emotional healing, lay ministry development, discipleship, ministry to the poor, prayer, spiritual growth, power evangelism, and understanding and using biblical faith. For more information, see the website at www.freshwindministries.org.

Mike has written several books, among them Holy Vulnerability, Chosen Books, 1990 (2) Inner Healing, co-authored with Doug Gregg, 1993 (3) Making Disciples, 1997.

Mike received a B. A. at the university of California at Santa Barbara in 1963 and an M. Div. at University of the South,. Sewanee, TN in 1966. Mike pastured 4 churches in the Los Angeles area 1966-96, most recently St. Jude’s Burbank, 1981-1996. Married for 47 years, Mike and Sue are parents of 4 grown sons who have brought forth 4 grandchildren.

Driving Directions To St. Augustine’s:

From Columbia

Take Hwy 76/378 from Columbia Toward Sumter. After crossing the Wateree River, continue for approximately 9.8 miles to Stateburg. At the intersection of 76/378 and Hwy 261, turn right onto Hwy 261 and following the instruction to Poinsett State Park. At the entrance gate of Poinsett, turn left onto the dirt road and continue for approximately 1/2 mile. The church sits on your right.

From Florence

Take I-95 from Florence toward Savannah. Exit from I-95, at Exit 135, and proceed west toward Sumter, SC. In Sumter, Continue on 76/378 toward Shaw Air Force Base. Go past the Base entrance gate on 76/378 to the intersection of 76/378 and Hwy. 261. Turn right onto 261, and following the instructions to Poinsett State Park. The Church is located approximately 1/2 mile on your right.

From Charleston

Take I-95 North toward Florence. From I-95, exit at Manning, SC onto Hwy. 261 West. Continue on Hwy. 261 through Manning, Paxville, and Pinewood. Approximately 9 miles out of Pinewood, follow the directions to Poinsett State Park. At the entrance gate of Poinsett, turn left. The Church is approximately 1/2 mile on your right.

Acknowledge Him (Proverbs 3.5-6)

2010-02-08T01:56:00.000-05:00

Acknowledge Him:
So much of our ability to trust the Lord is in our ability to Acknowledge Him. I have the tendency to Acknowledge Him when I find myself in a time of need. When life is on the wide and straight, who needs to Acknowledge the Lord? Well, that's our problem, at least it is for me. As I look at the life of Jesus, I notice that He spent a lot of time with His Father in prayer. And Jesus always Acknowledged the Father in His ministry. When we Acknowledge the Lord, we are really depending on His faithfulness. Therefore, as we Acknowledge the Lord in all our ways, we develop a trust in Him who is always faithful.

Fr. Joe

Trust

2010-02-04T20:44:00.000-05:00

As part of our preparation for our time in La Ceiba, we are to read, meditate, and pray Proverbs 3.5-6.

That being said, here is what stood out to me when I read Proverbs 3.5-6: "Trust the Lord with all your heart"

Reflection: So, how is your TRUST factor? Who do you TRUST? Why? Have you ever sat back and asked why you TRUST certain people and others you don't? For me, I TRUST people until they break the TRUST which I have given them. Now Tina, my wife, doesn't TRUST anyone straight away. You have to earn her TRUST. Neither way is right or wrong, but what is important is that we develop a TRUST in God and with others. Part of military training is to TRUST because when you are in combat, you are dependent on others for your life. The same should be true for those of us who claim to be Christian. If you tell me that you are a Christian, then I should be able to TRUST you because you have made a statement that carries with it a set of commitments that go with it. We have given ourselves; our desires, our rights, our lives, to Him that is TRUST worthy, to Jesus. So, for us to TRUST the Lord will all our heart, seems to speak to us in a way that our entire being can depend on Jesus in all situations.

We were created to be in community. Paul refers to the community of the faithful as the Body of Christ or the Church. We need each other on this journey of life on earth and as we put our TRUST in Jesus. We need to TRUST that Jesus will be faithful to us through His Church, through each other.

Lord Jesus, enable us through your Holy Spirit who dwells in us to be TRUST worthy, as you are.

Blessings to all,
Fr. Joe

Teaching Opportunity

2010-01-17T00:28:00.000-05:00

I will be teaching at the Island Breeze-Sydney next week, Jan 26-28. The topics are Faith & Finances and Stewardship. Since each base is part of the University of the Nations, there are certain element and performance criteria that is attached with each topic. The element under Faith & Finances is to Reflect Christ in Relationships. The Performance Criteria where Biblical principals ofservant hood and humility are explored and applied in a personal life style. The Element for Stewardship is to Integrate the biblical principles of responsible stewardship into one's lifestyle. The Performance Criteria involves biblical principles of stewardship as they apply to all of creation: Relationships, The Environment, Personal Health, The value of work, The value of rest, Generosity, Finances, Spiritual Gifts, Hospitality, and the value of Time. These principles are to be incorporated into each person's life style.

I will have 3 hrs each day or a total of 9 hrs. What a privilege to be able to invest into the lives of these young people who will be going all over the world to proclaim the saving Grace and Love of Jesus. But remember, it's not just me. It is you as well as you remember me in your prayers, that I might teach faithfully the Word of God in a manner that is understood and as you pray for each of the students and staff that will hear the teaching. Thank you for yourfaithfulness in joining with me in this venture.

I leave for Sydney on Saturday, Jan 23rd at 7:00 PM Brisbane time or 4:00 AM Eastern USA time and arriving in Sydney at 9:30 PM or 5:30 AM EST. I will be returning to Brisbane on Saturday, Jan30th at 5:00PM Sydney time or 1:00 AM and arriving in Brisbane at 5:30 PM or 2:30 AM EST.

Be Blessed to be a Blessing,
Fr. Joe

Prayer of Consecration....The Holy Eucharist

2010-01-13T07:44:00.000-05:00

This comes from Tina, my beloved: "I had an interesting image or thought this morning at church during the consecration part ... the words were that on the night before he was handed over to suffering and death, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, Take,eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me......I was thinking that each Sunday as we take the communion bread and wine that we are fed before our week of work... whatever our task will be that week that we have been fed His presence and he is part of us and as we remember the bread and wine that we are to remember he is with us and goes with us.. into the world and as he was obedient to death we are to be obedient to the work before us ... also His task after eating was to suffer and die; our tasks for the coming week may include suffering and dying to many things as well as death too. I was so struck by the strength that was given to Jesus by this bread and wine.... a simple sustenance but a powerful gift from the Father... He gives us a simple reminder each week as we receive but a powerful reminder of what is given to us ...his presence and strength...and those words of the Eucharist spoke to me today in such a powerful way. It makes me want to take the Eucharist daily."
For His Sake,
Tina Rhodes

Christmas 2009

2010-01-04T16:21:00.000-05:00

January 2, 2010

As we sit to write you on this 8^th day of Christmas we are filled with thanksgiving and joy for what the Lord has done for the world in sending His son, Jesus and what He has done and continues to do in our life and yours. We love writing our Christmas letter during the twelve days of Christmas because we have time to focus without all the preparations and parties we all do for Christmas. We can reflect, remember, reminisce, and pray for each of you and thank the Lord for your lives. Part of a scripture from Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 comes to mind…..” There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven….” We have found 2009 to be a year of great change, a different season, a constant changing season, and we know that many of you have had great changes in your life too. We have been so blessed to be a part of these changes in your life and to sow prayer into your life. We are also blessed because you have surrounded us in prayer. Thank you for who you are and how you share His love.

Because so many of you are on our email list and check our web page where our newsletters are posted you are up to date with our daily life, so we thought we’d just give Thanks to the Lord for the most recent events that have occurred and those to occur in this season where we find ourselves.

We are thankful for:

…….the wedding of Simon and Stacey – now Mr. and Mrs. Simon Fua –that took place Dec. 19, 2009 in Brisbane , Australia.

…….the Fua family and our family being brought together .

……for Joe being able to remain in Australia to attend Daniel’s ordination on Feb.6, 2010 to the Deaconate in the Anglican church.

…… the adoption process for Daniel, Kerry, Isaiah, and Ethan as they wait for a little sister to come from Thailand to join their family.

…… the upcoming wedding of Ansley to Brooks Whiteside on May 1, 2010.

…… the up coming wedding of our niece Kate Klammer to Benny Bradberry on May 15, 2010.

…… our work in Honduras and the two teams who will be accompanying us in June/July.

……the family and friends who have supported us with prayer and finances to do the work we find before us.

……the continued health of our nieces, Jennifer and Abbie who have had cancer.

…….the life we have been given.

In closing we pray ….Almighty God to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you nothing is hidden. Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit that we may live, move, and have our being in you. That we may each embrace the change that has come into our lives- that season of life known only to you; who is our Provider, our Security, our Comforter, our Counselor, our Helper, the Author and the Perfector of our faith. Amen.

We love you and may 2010 be a most blessed year and filled with His abundant love, joy and peace!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year,

Joe, Tina, and Abney

June 2010 Mission Applications

2009-10-30T14:11:00.000-04:00

THIS PART OF THE APPLICATION IS NEEDED FOR EITHER MISSION IN JUNE:

What grade are you in? ________
(Students)

What is your occupation?
(Adults)

Have you ever traveled outside the USA?______If yes, where, when, and why?

A passport is required.
Do you have a valid US passport? ________ If yes,

Number:

Expiration date:

MINISTRY INFORMATION

Have you ever been a member of a US or foreign mission team? __ ___ (If yes, with whom and where)

What do you like to do (e.g., worship, helping, crafts, dance, mime, drama, sports, construction, sing, play musical instruments, puppets, ect)?

Have you ever attended a mission conference or participated in any mission training program? _________ If so, when & where?

Why do you feel called by God to this particular mission trip? Please explain.

What do you feel you can contribute in the way of skills or talents to this team?

Do you have any musical ability? ______If yes, what instrument?

Are there any major concerns about this trip?

MEDICAL INFORMATION

Any major illness during the past year? ____If yes, explain:

Do you take medication regularly? ________ If yes, explain:

Any allergies? _______If yes, explain:

Is your tetanus shot current? _______
Have you been treated or hospitalized for a mental or emotional condition in the last 5 years? _______ If yes, please explain:

Any physical limitations/disabilities? ______ If yes, please explain:

IF I AM ACCEPTED TO BE ON THIS MISSION TEAM, I UNDERSTAND AND AGREE TO MEET THE FOLLOWING REQUIREMENTS:

I will be responsible for the financial support of my trip, including housing, meals, airfare, necessary immunizations, and passport. I understand that a valid U.S. passport is required.
For the success of this mission and well being of the whole team, I will submit to the authority set over the team both in the U.S. and in the country where we minister. I understand that I am expected to attend ALL preparation and training sessions. The team training sessions are as follows and includes lunch:

Initial Gathering & Training:
Parents &Team Members January 30th
at the Rhodes’/Trinity, BR 10 AM—12 PM
$100.00 deposit required at this initial gathering

Session 1 February 20th @ Rhodes’/Trinity, BR 10 AM—3 PM
Session 2 March 20th @ Rhodes’/Trinity, BR 10 AM—3 PM
Session 3 April 17th @ Rhodes’/Trinity, BR 10 AM—3 PM
Session 4 May 29th @ Rhodes’/Trinity, BR 10 AM—3 PM
Commissioning May 30th at your home church worship service

I will cooperate with the team leader’s directives and decisions before and during the trip, understanding that the leader may at any time ask me to leave the team for the well being of the team.
During the trip, I will accept conditions that may be different and uncomfortable compared with those I am used to in the U.S., particularly in regard to cleanliness, sanitary facilities, and food safety. So that I will not hamper the team through avoidable illness, I will acquire all recommended immunizations and will carefully follow the health guidelines established for the team. I will respect the mores of the culture in which I will be ministering and will agree to follow recommended dress standards. I also agree not to smoke or drink alcoholic beverages at any of the team meetings, while in the country that we are ministering, or in traveling to and from said country.
I certify that all of the information I have supplied in this application is true to the best of my knowledge.

__________ ______ ____________________
Signature Date

Please return this form to Fr. Joe Rhodes at:
2280 Clematis Trail
Sumter, SC 29150
Joetina71@aol.com

RETURN BY December 12, 2009

FIRST MISSION TRIP--JUNE 4-17, 2010

HONDURAS 2010
SHORT TERM - MISSION APPLICATION

DESTINATION: Tegucigalpa, Honduras
MINISTRY: High School Retreat & VBS at St. Mary’s School
Retreat & VBS at El Hogar Orphanage
VBS at San Isidro, El Cruce

SECOND MISSION TRIP--JUNE 21-JULY2
HONDURAS 2010
SHORT TERM - MISSION APPLICATION

DESTINATION: La Ceiba, Roatan, & Tela, Honduras

MINISTRY: Teaching Mission & projects

EACH MISSION TRIP WILL COST: Around $1,850.00

PERSONAL INFORMATION: Please type or print clearly.

Name:
(First) (Middle) (Last)

Address:

City: State: Zip:

Telephone: (H)

(Cell)

E-mail:

Birthdate: Gender (M/F) Single/Married: How Long?:

Home Church:

Address:

City: State: Zip:

Who will be your Contact Person:

Name:

Phone:

Email:

Aug-Oct Update

2009-10-15T15:16:00.000-04:00

WIN-GS…..Wherever I’m Needed—Go Serve….

Thank you for your continued prayers and financial support. It’s because of you that we are able to be free to be in those places where the Lord needs us to serve Him.

In August, 20-22, Joe attended the Anglican Honduras Hope board meeting in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. The Board was able to hear from the various Deaneries and special ministries throughout the Diocese. The purpose of Anglican Honduras Hope is to provide a vehicle which can help ministry occur between congregations and individuals in the USA and the Diocese of Honduras. There are many avenues in which people are able to serve, so if you would like to do some type of ministry to help the Diocese of Honduras please let us know and we will see what we can do to make it happen.

We went to Atlanta, GA to stay with our good friend, Paul Wood, on the 29th of August. That served as a double purpose because we needed to be at the Atlanta airport at 6:00 AM to pick up Stacey and Simon coming in from Australia the next day. Stacey has not been back to the states for 2 years and this was Simon’s first trip to the states. Not only that, but it was Tina’s 60th birthday on the 30th. So we had a big celebration with the family for Tina when we arrived in Sumter.

Joe continues to hold services at St. Augustine’s, near Poinsett State Park off SC 261 usually on the 1st Sunday of each month when he is available. This has been a real blessing to us to be able to connect with these precious people. Also, this summer, Joe has helped out with St. Mark’s church which is not too far from St. Augustine’s. St. Mark’s is the Mother Church of the region and was established in 1757. Six former South Carolina Governors attended this parish and two of them are buried at the cemetery that is on the grounds. Joe will celebrate and preach at St. Mark’s annual homecoming service on the 25th of this month. If you are in the area, come and join us. Bring a covered dish to be shared. The service starts at 11:30 AM.

We went to Alexandria, LA the weekend of the 11th of September to be the presenters at the Diocesan Ultreya of Western Louisiana. It was good to be with some friends that we had met along the way through our mission work and Kairos when we were in Baton Rouge. It was a refreshing time of ministry with the Cursillo Community. We were also able to have a short visit with Charlie Moore and son, Matthew. Janet had to work so we missed seeing her, but we did get a chance to talk with her for a short while. They were parishioners of Holy Spirit when we where in Baton Rouge and good friends of our daughter Kerry and her husband Daniel.

Through the generosity of Holy Comforter Church, we were able to have a Welcome Home gathering for Stacey and Simon in the Parish Hall for our family that live in SC and near by states on the 19th of September. It was a real joy for us to have our family meet Simon and to be able to see Stacey. What a blessing!

On Wednesday, September 23rd, we took Stacey and Simon to Charleston. We were able to show Simon the Citadel and parts of down town; especially the Battery and the Market. Later in the day, they did a presentation of their ministry at Holy Trinity Church on Folly Road. The priest there, David Dubay, was a member of St. Christopher’s when we served there many years ago.

On the 25th of September, the Florence Deanery had the privilege to meet with Bishop Mouneer Anis. Bishop Mouneer is the Bishop of the Episcopal/Anglican Diocese of Egypt with North Africa and the Horn of Africa. He is also the President Bishop of the Episcopal/Anglican Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East. Joe was really excited to meet Bishop Mouneer because when Bishop Mouneer was on staff at the Cathedral in Cairo as a priest, he ministered to George Tutu and his family who were refugees from Sudan. George and his family became members of Holy Spirit in Baton Rouge in 1998 and opened a new world and ministry for us in regard to the persecuted church and the plight of those in Sudan.

Stacey and Simon did a ministry presentation at Holy Comforter on the 26th. It is absolutely amazing to hear about the various people groups that they minister in the South Pacific and the indigenous of Australia. To learn more about their ministry go to www.Islandbreezesydney.org and to www.islandbreeze.com.au.

We celebrated Joe’s 60th birthday on Sunday the 27th, a day before his birthday, so that Stacey and Simon could go to Louisiana to visit Holy Spirit and Beloved, two of the churches that Stacey was part of before heading down under. And Joe headed off to Lee Prison with Kairos for 4 days.

This past Tuesday, the 13th, we took Stacey and Simon to Atlanta for them to head back to Australia. Please keep them in your prayers as they continue to prepare for their wedding on the 19th of December.

Mixed in to all of this, we continue to substitute teach at Abney’s school. It gives us the opportunity to help the school out and also to be available in other ways with the students. Tina is involved in a bible study group at the school with teachers and parents, as well as going to pray for the school at the school once a week with another parent.

Needless to say, it’s been very busy around the Rhodes’ household with Stacey and Simon being here with all the extra activities. Tuesday was a sweet and sour day for us; glad that they were heading back to Australia and sad because they were heading back to Australia. Yet, many years ago, the Lord told us that none of our children were ours; they were His and just on loan.

Thanks again for your prayers,
Fr. Joe & Tina

Salt of the Earth

2009-08-24T09:05:00.000-04:00

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells us, "You are the salt of the earth." (Mt 5.13a) You and I both know that salt adds flavor to the foods that we eat. Therefore, Jesus is telling us that we, as his followers, add flavor to the world in which we live. We make something that is dull, lively. We bring excitement to a bland life.

Salt is also used as a preservative for meats. So as salt, we preserve the true nature of life. Therefore we are to hold up what is pure, righteous and holy for the world.

Jesus also says, "But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is not longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men." (Mt. 5.13b) I started reflecting on this statement. What does it mean for salt to loose its saltiness? Salt is salt! Salt always has the characteristics of salt. If it has lost its saltiness, then it is no longer salt. It has become something else. Maybe just sodium and chloride.

What does this mean for us as Christians? Does it mean that it is possible for us who are Christians to loose our nature or characteristics of a Christian? If this is true, then it means that we have chosen to display the nature of the world rather than the nature of Christ. This is indeed a hard pill to swallow if we believe that once we have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior, then our salvation is secure! This also is hard to hold onto if we believe that because we have been baptized, then our salvation is secure!

Being a member of a Sacramental Church, I know that some believe that if they receive the Sacrament of Baptism and the Holy Eucharist, all is well. The only problem with this is that the scriptures don't back that thought pattern. I have had discussion with some that say, well they never believed in the first place. This may well be the case when many of us were baptized as infants and have never had an experience of God's saving Grace through His son, Jesus. I can understand that. I was raised in the Southern Baptist tradition and was baptized when I was around eleven. It was a "Believer's Baptism." Well, it was what one did when they were eleven, kind of like Confirmation or first Communion in the Sacramental Churches; you did it because you were suppose to at that age and your parents wanted to make sure you were part of the Church. But did it make me into SALT????? It didn't for me. I was already a priest in the Church before I had a life saving experience of Jesus. Is baptism important? Yes!!! Is the Holy Eucharist important? Yes!!! But both are intended to incorporate us into the Body of Christ, the Church. The Church doesn't save us, Jesus does. But you may say, the Church is the Body of Christ. And so it is. But you have to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and Him alone to be a member of the Church, His bride.

If we believe that Jesus died on the Cross for our Salvation, what does that mean? To accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, what does that imply? To say a few words and then do what we want to do? Is there not some responsibility on our part to adjust to a different way of life? Are we not suppose to live a different life than that of the fallen world? Are we not suppose to strive after the things of God? Are we not suppose to be obedient to the things He asks of us? Are we not to live a life of integrity?

How do we become the "Salt of the Earth?" Well, first of all, you can't want to be Salt and become Salt. We are like Sodium all by itself. It takes the work of the Holy Spirit to join us with Jesus (the Chloride if you will) to make us Salt. The only difference in this is that we have the free choice to be connected with Jesus or not. God will never ever take away our freedom to choose Him or not..............that is LOVE!!!! It's the loving thing to do. To let individuals make choices. Even choices that destroy their lives. And what is hard for us to believe is that God loves us so much that He allows us to reject Him and His nature to our own damnation. Too many people in the Church believe that because they are a member of the Church that they are Saved. And some believe that it is loving to allow people to remain in the ways of the world and therefore it is Godly or the Christian thing to do. They offer cheap grace, a grace that has no power to change lives from Sodium to Salt.

The Holy Scriptures have been handed down to give us the plumb line to show us the ways of the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and our Lord Jesus Christ; that which is pure, holy and righteous. It is God's desire for us to be the person He created us to be and the only way that this is done, is to allow Him to have His way with us. In that process He is the one who cleans us up for His purposes. He is the redeemer. He is our Lord. He is our Savior. He is our Lover. He is our Sanctifier. He is our "All in All." In Jesus Christ alone, are we the Salt of the Earth.

Fr. Joe

Unseen Visions

2009-07-21T15:11:00.000-04:00

While Tina and I were doing our devotions from Numbers 20, verses 9-12, I saw something that I had never seen before. The chapters leading up to chapter 20 is a culmination of Israel's constant grumblings & complaints.

So after the Lord told Moses to gather the people together and strike the rock to give them water, Moses said, "Listen to me, you rebels! Are we to bring water for you out of this rock?" After the water gushed out of the rock, the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, "Because you were not faithful to me in showing forth my sanctity before the Israelites, you shall not lead this community into the land I will give them."

Here's the insight that I had. When we get frustrated with the Church and speak against her with these frustrations and deny God's glory to be shown through our actions (responses); we will not be able to enter the promises or visions that the Lord has for us here on earth. Grumblings and murmurings wear us down to the point of not being able to move forward.

Also, another response of disobedience is to back off the visions that the Lord gives and just do nothing.

Our response should be that of Psalm 90.11-17:
11 Who knows the power of your anger? For your wrath is as great as the fear that is due you. 12 Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. 13 Relent, O LORD! How long will it be? Have compassion on your servants. 14 Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. 15 Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen trouble. 16 May your deeds be shown to your servants, your splendor to their children. 17 May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands.

We cannot move ahead without being obedient to God's instructions, therefore we need to follow what Solomon tells us in Proverbs 3.5-6:
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight

In these days within the Episcopal Church, any other denomination, or independent church; these words from Bishop Mark Lawrence's pastoral letter to the Episcopal Diocese of SC in response to the actions taken by the General Convention of the Episcopal Church are well worth while to heed: "(This) is not a time for alarm. It is a time for thoughtful and steady resolve. We face significant challenges. They are no longer the challenges of tomorrow they are the challenges of today. This cannot be brushed aside as if it is of little consequence." (You can read the entire letter here http://www.dioceseofsc.org/mt/archives/000415.html )

So often we get complacent with where we are and seek to do nothing to extend the Kingdom of God by proclaiming the saving Grace of God as has been revealed in his son, Jesus, the Christ. Too many people these days want to do their own thing and try to find justification for it by blaming others or trying to make the Bible say things that aren't there or if it is there, to reinterpret it to fit their sinful desires.

Father, help us all to repent of all that is against your will. Give us a desire to please you and to respond to the love, mercy and grace that you have given us through your son, Jesus. AMEN.

Alleluia, Christ Is Risen!!

2009-04-12T19:53:00.000-04:00

ALLELUIA, CHRIST IS RISEN!!!! THE LORD IS RISEN INDEED, ALLELUIA!!!!

What glorious words to say and hear! Words of truth, life, and hope. Words to live on each moment of our lives. These words, this truth, is the Real Reason for all the Seasons in the Church and the World.

This has been a very different Holy Week and Easter for Tina and me. For the past 33 years, Holy Week started with the Liturgy of the Palms and concluded with the Easter Vigil early Sunday morning. We had a service each evening and we would include the Stations of the Cross usually on Wednesday evenings so that we could do the Good Friday Liturgy. Holy Saturday was always short, but it gave us time to pause while getting the church ready for Easter to think about that day when all the disciples were in despair.

Yes, this year was quite different. To begin, I didn't have to prepare or have responsibility for anything. I spent Palm Sunday with my dear friend and seminary classmate, Ernie Saik, at Christ Church in Slidell, LA. There I participated in two lovely services and in between them I had an opportunity to talk about Missions and our work in Honduras specifically. Holy Monday, I received word from Paul Wood that his wife, Suzanne, had died and wanted to know if I was available to help with the funeral on Holy Saturday. That night, Tina and I went and heard our granddaughters sing in their school concert. Very different Holy Monday, but it was indeed very Holy.

Holy Tuesday found us at a meeting for Young Life, a ministry to middle and high school children. Several men and women in Sumter have been working for the past 4 years to get Young Life to come to minister to the children in our schools in Sumter. It was indeed a Holy Tuesday to see what the Lord was going to do for our children in Sumter.

Holy Wednesday when I usually have the Stations of the Cross was replaced by an Alpha Celebration Dinner. The Alpha Course is to help nominal and nonbelievers to take a closer look at who Jesus is and what difference does it make in one's life to follow Him. This Celebration Dinner is the climax of a 12 week course and you get to bring people to it that you believe would benefit from the course. Each week was a station unto itself to bring people closer to Jesus.

Maundy Thursday was Maundy Thursday............The foot washing.........The Holy Eucharist...........The stripping of the Altar..........Different from the way I did it, but nevertheless the same.........Remember

On Good Friday, we had the Good Friday Liturgy. I for one just love that service. There are so many ways in which you can form and fashion it, and yet, it penetrates to your very being of what Jesus did for us by going to the cross and dying for the souls of all who would believe in Him and follow Him as their Lord and Savior.
On top of this, we have to get our youngest daughter ready to be a server for their Jr/Sr Prom. Talk about the world and its agenda!

Holy Saturday was indeed a very Holy day. It was a day that many gathered at St. Jude's in Marietta, GA to say "See ya later" to Suzanne Dalme Wood. It was a glorious send off for her. Tina and I were honored to have been able to be there and to participate in her funeral.

Today, I was privileged to have been able to celebrate the Easter Service for St. Mark's, Pinewood and St. Augustine's, Wedgefield. This is the first year in 33 years that I didn't have to get up at 4:00 AM to get ready for the 5:30 AM Easter Vigil. I was glad because I had to get up at 4:00 AM on Holy Saturday to make the funeral service for Suzanne. They were glorious services! A saying that they say down in Cajun Country...It's the same thing, just a little bit different! And that it is! Yes, different, but very Holy for we serve a Mighty God!

Several little insights through the week.........the reunion of Mary the mother of Jesus and Jesus.....Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus are no longer silent followers of Jesus and were unclean for the Sabbath....Paul was a half-breed........in order grow in the Lord, the old has to be shed.............John took care of Mary the mother of Jesus and not her children........

But the best news of all is this...........in Jesus, and in him alone..........is the way to have a relationship with God the Father for eternity. For those of us who know this, then it is our DUTY or RESPONSIBILITY to tell others of God's saving Grace through His Son, Jesus.

May you have a most Blessed Easter Season.......The Lord has risen indeed! Alleluia, Alleluia!!!

Fr. Joe

Maundy Thursday

2009-04-09T07:34:00.000-04:00

Today we remember the two great gifts that Jesus left for the Church; The Holy Eucharist and Servant hood. Most of the Church participates in the The Holy Eucharist on a regular basis, but the symbol of Servant hood, the foot washing, is not done by many. Why is that? I grew up in a church that didn't do either. We did have communion once in a while, to remember what Jesus had said for us to do; but it had really no meaning as I recall growing up. It was only after I joined the Episcopal Church that I saw the value and strength of the Eucharist or Holy Communion. And then, it was while I was in seminary that I caught the value of the Foot Washing service.

Jesus left for us different tangible events that would sustain us through our life with Him. As we partake of the bread and wine, we receive Him and what He stands for. The bread, His Body; the Church. We commit anew to the Church and to Her mission throughout the world. We take our place in the Body of the Church to be faithful witnesses to Him who gave His life in order that we might have life eternally with the Father. The wine, His Blood; the Spirit. We live a life directed and guided by the Holy Spirit. The things we do, we do in the Spirit of Jesus. Take this in remembrance of Me. We take communion to be more like Jesus, to be transformed into His likeness and image.

Jesus gave the disciples an example of servant hood in the washing of their feet........all of them....even Judas!! And He told them, as He tells us, "I have set an example that you should do as I have done for you." For me, it's much easier to receive the Bread and Wine, than it is to Wash Feet! We can make up all kind of excuses why we don't have to literally wash feet........it is just to remind us that we are to be servants for Jesus and to Jesus through those that are around us. It is so easy to forget the intent of the action and begin to just do our own thing. Lord have mercy on me, a sinner!

I pray that all who reads this today will have a most Blessed Maundy Thursday.

Fr. Joe

Being Present

2009-03-16T23:15:00.000-04:00

I have just returned from a mission trip to La Ceiba, Honduras. I was the chaplain for the Mission Team from the Church of the Transfiguration of the Eagle Valley in Colorado. For most folks like me, that means Vail, CO. However, the team consisted of men and women from the Eagle Valley, California, Virginia, and SC. The common factor was the commitment to Jesus and to be available for His service to the dear children in La Ceiba.

The Church of the Transfiguration has developed a relationship with the Special Educational School of Emilia D'Quire over the past 5 years. As we were saying our good byes, it was evident that a relationship had formed to the point of TRUST. Trust is not easily developed in Honduras. One has to earn it and the only way one can earn trust is to Be Present. This is a hard lesson to learn, but in any relationship one has to Be Present for the relationship to move from being casual to that of trust. If I hang around you and observe your actions toward me and others, then I and only then am I in a place where I can trust you.

The Mission Team had a "Word of Execution" which was prayed by each member in their preparation for the Mission. A "Word of Execution" is a verse or more from the Bible that the Lord has given the Leader of the team to pray and to reflect and inwardly digest for the Mission. This stems from Psalm 149.6-9 and Isaiah 55.10-11. As the Word is Spoken, it does not return empty but accomplishes that for which it was purposed.
The "Word of Execution" for the Team came from Paul's letter to the Ephesians, chapter 4, verses 2 & 3; "With all humility and gentleness, and with patience, support each other in love. Take every care to preserve the unity of the Spirit by the peace that binds you together." During the 10 days that I was with the Team, I witnessed the reality of these two verses. Men and women from all walks of life coming together to be formed and fashioned by these verses to Be Present to the children, teachers, staff, helpers, and parents of the Emilia D'Quire School.

This was the second year that the Church of the Transfiguration helped out at Holy Trinity Episcopal School. Holy Trinity is on its way back to be a very good bilingual school for the children of La Ceiba. Many years ago it had the reputation of being one of the best, but because of circumstances it decided to just be a regular parochial school that taught only in Spanish. So some of the team members were "called" to Be Present at Holy Trinity School. They helped the students with their English and other aspects that were needed around the school. They made a big difference, because they were Present.

The major difference between Christianity and other religions is the fact that Christians can have a personal relationship with their God. At Christmas we talk about Emmanuel, God with us. God became Present to us in the person of Jesus of Nazareth and through the person of the Holy Spirit in us, we can have a relationship with God, the Father, through Jesus. Relationships is the key factor. We talk about the fact that God is Love. Only when a person is in a relationship with another person can love be displayed. We experience the love of the Father through His son, Jesus. And it was Jesus who demonstrated how much the Father loves us by dying on the Cross for our sins. Yet, it was when the Father raised Jesus from the dead that the reality of all that Jesus said and did was TRUE!!! In Jesus and only in Jesus can we have this relationship with the Father because we cannot get to the Father without having a relationship with Jesus. If we don't have a personal relationship with Jesus, then we can never know the Love that the Father has for us.

Sure, you can send money to relieve people from circumstances. You might even help them have a better life. But only by Being Present will the people know that you care and can be trusted. And it is only when we allow the Holy Spirit to fill us with His grace and love can we begin to know the mind of Christ in order to do the work of Christ in this world in which we live.

Come Holy Spirit come and fill us with your Love and your Power for the extension of the Kingdom of our God.

Fr. Joe

Fasting

2009-02-24T10:27:00.000-05:00

Today is the day to clean out the frig and to get ready to Fast! It's too bad that most of us will give up things like food and not hatred. Of course we like our opinions and don't think much of others. It's hard for us to listen to others and take their advice on those things that really matter in life.

What I find most interesting about fasting is that in today's society..........we DON'T fast!!!!! I'm at the top of the list. I give up watermelon every year. A couple of years ago I found myself in Honduras at their Diocesan Convention which was during Lent and they had watermelon! I was true to my fast. I didn't eat any but I laughed and told someone that the Lord sure did have a sense of humor and that He got me good.

However, when we read about fasting in the Bible, the Lord is not so much concerned about what we eat and drink as He is on how we think and act. He wants us to be Holy as He is Holy. He wants us to be Righteous as He is Righteous. He wants us to take care of each other and not be so concerned about our own selves.

So, it seems to me as we enter into Ash Wednesday and the season of Lent, that we might want to consider having an attitude inventory. We need to ask ourselves why we do what we do? If it's not all about me, who is it about? How can I best serve the God who revealed Himself to me in His son, Jesus of Nazareth? What does it mean to be Faithful to Him? Can I trust Him? Can He trust me???? Will I allow Him to be Lord of my life? Will I allow Him to be Savior of my life? Am I just a convenient or token Christian? Do I really believe that He is who He says He is? Does it really matter?

If you say that you are a Christian, are you living for Him?

Have a Blessed Lent.................

Gifts of the Spirit

2009-01-20T22:40:00.000-05:00

This week Tina and I venture to lead a Retreat for several Mission Teams. It's been interesting how the Lord has lead us in this venture. I will be teaching on the "Call to Serve" along with the Gifts of the Spirit. Tina will then pick up on how all of this should produce Fruit, Fruit of the Spirit. It's amazing how often we forget that the result of the gifts of the Spirit should be Fruit. No Fruit, No Holy Spirit. Paul is clear on this. These days seem to be filled with "do as you want to" and no regard for one's relationship with God or others. We live in a very self centered society here in the good ol US of A.

So if you just happened to stumbled on this, there are several questions that you need to ponder: 1) What are my gifts? 2) Am I using them? 3) Am I producing fruit? By the Grace and Mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ you will be able to identify your gifts, use them and produce fruit that is worthy of the Kingdom of God.

Be Blessed to be a Blessing,
Fr. Joe

2008-12-31T13:51:00.000-05:00

As I sit here getting our office area in some sort of condition that will be workable and neat, I am reminded of the Lord's hand reaching down and putting my life in a workable condition for His work and to bring order in my life. Well, that's what redemption is all about...........restoration...........That's what Christmas is all about.....God coming into the world as a child to offer Himself for the salvation of all that will receive Him.

How about you? Have you received the greatest gift of all.........Jesus, the Son of God? If not, He stands ready to be received by you at this very moment.......

Thoughts

2008-12-18T22:17:00.000-05:00

I've just received some great news from friends in Cambodia. They are working with the street kid's shelter and with the safe home for former sex trade workers. What a Blessing that they are there to be Christ to them.

Last night at our regular visit to the jail on Wed evenings, we saw some men respond to the Gospel in a very sweet and moving way. It is always a joy for me to visit those that in prison. I can still remember receiving the Grace of God when I began in the prison ministy through Kairos (for more info on Kairos check out the links section).

A friend of mine some years ago put an interesting definition for the mission field. The Mission Field is Today. It doesn't matter where you go. What matters is that you understand that God has a purpose for your life and you are to use it for His glory and for the extension of His Kingdom.

Have a Blessed Advent as you prepare for the coming of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Getting Started

2008-12-17T16:39:00.000-05:00

I've started this to help people stay in touch with the on goings of what we are doing through our Win-gs Ministry and with SAMS (South American Missionary Society). Blessings to all, Fr. Joe