There are two major events taking place within H*VMI these days.

First is Handi*Camp, which begins May 22nd with Staff Orientation. God has given us the opportunity to minister to close to 160 people with disabilities. What a blessing! He has provided an outstanding summer staff to complement the full timers. For some campers and guests, it will be the first time to hear the Good News of the Gospel. To others, it affords the opportunity to encourage growth in the Word and secure an even closer walk with the Lord. It’s so interesting to see how the staff comes to serve but ends up receiving more than they could have ever given. You cannot out give the Lord. It’s an exciting time as we see God preparing hearts and bringing unity among the staff.

The second major event is the possibility that H*VMI just might have a new home in the days ahead. Presently we’re looking at a property in Elizabethtown, PA where we could have our offices, a camp site, an area for training and a place of respite for bereaved parents, parents who have a child with a disability or women who have been abused or just released from prison. The place we’re looking at is a Bed and Breakfast which is owned by a wonderful Christian couple. We’ve had great conversations with them and have spoken with the bank that holds the mortgage. We’re praying for a miracle. However, we serve a God Who performs miracles.

So, as you can see, there are some pretty huge matters to bring before the Lord. Please join us in praying. Thanks.

Share:

Some of Our 2013 Campers

Praise the Lord!! We were able to have a very successful Easter Annual Camp. March 27 – April 1.

God gave us a great line-up of Bible Teachers/Preachers. Pastor Alex Boamah, our old Camp Staff from Aburi, eastern part of Ghana; Pastor Joel Quansah our friend and also a former Camp Coordinator now serving under Joni & Friends and Pastor Richard Avavor a Blind evangelist, one of our old campers we had a part in training, now win souls and serve the Lord in his village and other Christian leaders were used by God to inspire our Campers.

Praise the Lord!! We were able to get enough food and donation to cover the entire event.

Eight weeks before the Camp, we started raising funds for the Campers. We needed 60 dollars for each camper, rental of additional Tables and Chairs, food to feed 200 Campers per day, fruits and vegetables for the guest speakers. Praise the Lord!! Each preacher paid for his own expenses in order to get to the Camp, for which we say – Thank you so much.

As usual our prayer partners in US were incredible. They sacrificed and gave the money they could. We were not able to raise all the funds, so we started asking for donations of food, firewood for cooking from our local friends and partners. God used some friends to supply us with all kinds of foodstuffs. We also contacted some women in the market to supply us with some food on credit.

Praise the Lord!! We had 15 saved and 16 for re-dedication. Each soul saved is fruit for your account.

The Spirit of the Lord was good and the excitement for the Camp was very high. During the meeting we averaged 178; we had approximately 45 first time campers. Many lives were transformed by the preaching and teaching of God’s word. This was great event with (11) Pastors present. We are excited about the Camp Ministry God is Blessing.

Statistical Breakdowns:

Youth with Blindness – 140

Elderly with Blindness – 10

Guides with no Blindness – 29

Children with no Blindness – 9

Praise the Lord!! We have already received the additional $10,000 to cover the cost of a pick-up-truck.

We love you all very much for your faithful prayers and investment in the lives of these precious souls. Please pray for our finances and the need for a pick-up truck. Recently $3,000 was received toward the purchase of used one. Additional $10,000 is needed to cover the cost.

Other Requests:

• We still have problems with our Land because of encroachment. Please Pray!
• Also pray that we can raise funds to buy our Blind Campers Braille materials. We can buy a Box of Braille sheets for $30.00. We have many Blind students in the Akropong School for the Blind who are in need for Braille sheets for class work.

Check Out the Pictures

Share:

Did you ever wonder why . . . . . .  Jesus had His disciples present when He performed miracles? What was the purpose of their witnessing 26 of them dealing specifically with people with disabilities? I’m sure you’ll agree that it was to demonstrate His power and love for the hurting and “left out” of society. He was showing them that as part of His creation, He cared for and had a plan for them no matter what the disability.

However, in addition, I believe He had another purpose in mind. Because the disciples were going to be used by God to set up the church after He went to heaven, He was showing them the importance of including the disabled and hurting as part of that church.

Now, you say, why are you bringing this up? It’s because that is what’s at the heart of H*VMI.

This past Saturday, in the office conference room, we held a seminar especially designed to encourage church members to consider reaching out to people with disabilities in their community and invite them into their church fellowship. Our desire is to bring them to Christ and then encourage them to use the giftedness God has placed within them to complement the body of believers. In so doing, they are not only following the example of Jesus, but demonstrating to the world around them that God cares for the hurts that are not only seen on the outside of a person but on the inside as well.

Perhaps you missed the seminar.  Check out this page:

Recommended Resources to Help in Your Disability Ministry

We, at H*VMI are so thankful for your prayers, gifts, emails, cards and phone messages. We truly are co-laborers together with God.

Share:

Last Saturday H*VMI provided a seminar called Planning a Good Offense for Stress and Anxiety here at the Ephrata office. Because of the possible weather conditions, we didn’t want people to come “stressed out,” so we delayed the seminar for an hour. As it turned out, the storm didn’t affect us so badly and the attendance was amazing. The people listened as Cathi Myers and Deb Clark, with our Minds Renewed Ministry, gave encouragement from their studies, life experience and truth from the Word of God. I watched and listened from the back of the room and saw people “soaking up” the material, asking great follow-up questions and leaving at the end with extremely positive feed back.

It made me realize once again how stressful life is for so many. People are looking for answers for how to cope with the stress and anxiety in their lives. One example is road rage where uncontrolled anger sometimes leads to hurtful acts against innocent people. Psychiatrists’ couches are filled with people who are in great despair.

What a blessing it is (and was on Saturday) to know that truth from the Bible will provide the peace, strength and comfort to a hurting world. What an honor it is to be a part of a mission agency that proclaims His Word.

We have two more seminars coming up soon.  Click on the titles to learn more.

March 9, 2013 – It’s So Daily! Ministry to and Encouragement for Families Affected by Disability Seminar

April 27, 2013 – Relationships Seminar

We hope to see many of you at one or both of the seminars!

Share: