Two
brothers, a garage sale and a burden for missions
"Mom, can we have a garage sale so we can earn more money for
missions?" asked 10-year-old Michael Teifel and 8-year-old
John Teifel. These two brothers from Oak Park Christian Center in
Pleasant Hill, Calif., got the idea from the recent Northern California/Nevada
District publication 50 Ways to Fill a Barrel.
"They are always
looking through the book to get ideas to raise money for Boys
and Girls Missionary Crusade (BGMC). In addition to the garage
sale they also set up a lemonade stand," says Carolyn Burkhalter,
children’s pastor at the Teifels’ church.
"They give from
their allowances, monies from birthdays and extra jobs they do around
the house," says the boys’ mother, Joellen Teifel. "They
just want to help missionaries! I can thank Pastor Carolyn for that.
She does a great job of teaching my children about missions every
week."
Captain Commission recently
visited their church to personally thank Michael and John for their
commitment. "The commitment these boys are displaying proves
kids are a missions force," says George Negrete, NCN District
BGMC coordinator. "We found out the boys have each earned at
least $75 for BGMC this year."
"Michael and John
have a real heart for missions. They are only 8 and 10 years old,
but they set a great example to all the other kids on how to be
a cheerful giver," says Burkhalter.
Thank you from the
Philippines
Thanks, BGMC kids! You have helped us buy a stove, refrigerator,
pots, bowls, spoons, cups and a freezer. Sandy and I think it is
so cool that BGMC kids have given us enough money to help us buy
kitchen equipment so we can feed hungry street kids here in the
Philippines.
For five weeks in a row
we have been feeding a large group of very hungry children, and
some of the families that live downtown in the slums.
First, the Family Circus
ministry teaches them about Jesus. Then after feeding their hungry
hearts, we also help to take care of their physical hunger. The
children and the families have been so thankful. Included in the
meal are milk, bread and Lugao – a delicious Filipino rice
dish with chicken, carrots and onions.
We are able to make the
food for 200-250 people for about $20 (U.S. dollars). Imagine: a
good meal for about 10 cents each.
In it for the King and
His kids,
Darrell and Sandy Blatchley
Missionaries to the Philippines
A miracle in Argentina
Just a word to say a big thank you for BGMC for the recent $1,000
given us to purchase ventriloquist dummies for our Argentine children’s
workers.
For 25 years we have
been using a ventriloquist dummy named Felipe and always with exceptional
results. During the past few years we have encouraged talented Argentinean
children’s workers to step out in the use of ventriloquist
dummies, and we have taught special classes on it. Since these dummies
are not available here, I have been purchasing them in the United
States and shipping in a few every time I am able.
Children who give to
BGMC will be especially happy to know that this year BGMC gave us
$1,000 with which we purchased six dummies for our Argentine workers.
On Thanksgiving Day,
we gave one of these ventriloquist dummies to an Argentine children’s
evangelist, Basilio Androniciuk. He named him Cristianito (meaning
"Little Christian") and immediately began ministry with
him.
Two weeks ago Brother
Androniciuk was using Cristianito to teach the gospel message in
a church service. A 10-year-old girl named Soledad was sitting in
a wheelchair at the back of the church. Soledad had been in a serious
car accident at 5 years of age and had been left paralyzed from
the hips down. For five years she had no use of her legs. They hung
limp from her body. The little dummy Cristianito was quoting John
3:16 when suddenly Soledad rose from her wheelchair, walked all
the way down the aisle and stood looking up at him. The entire congregation
broke into praise at this obvious and unexpected miracle. The church
service could not go on. There could be no preaching. Spontaneous
praise continued to drown out any possible words from the pulpit
as this little girl continued to walk and then almost run around
the room.
Soledad still used the
wheelchair some of the time as her legs gained strength, but several
of her school friends have come to know the Lord Jesus through her
testimony of His miraculous touch.
Ralph and Frances Hiatt
Missionaries to Argentina from 1964-2001
5-year-old painter
for missions
Alexis Melilli, 5-year-old daughter of Pastor Jonathon and Salli
Melilli, has raised more than $100 for missions through BGMC. After
her family devotions in the home were finished, she had been praying
for unsaved children in the world. She decided to help missionaries
tell people about Jesus by using the talents God gave her to earn
money for missions. She started drawing pictures of trees and houses
with bright blue skies. She would go door to door selling them for
50 cents or whatever people wanted to give. People quickly caught
the fever of her great passion for missions and began to give above
and beyond. Some have offered her $20 for her colorful drawings.
When other kids are saving money for toys, Alexis Melilli stands
out as a true hero of the faith.
Essay Contest: What
do you like best about church?
Write down your answer on a separate piece of paper and send it
to the address below. The top 10 answers will be awarded prizes
from the Children’s
Ministries Agency of the Assemblies of God. Include your name,
address and age.
Send to:
Children’s Ministries Agency Essay Contest
1445 N. Boonville Ave.
Springfield, MO 65802-1894
Two
brothers, a garage sale and a burden for missions