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Women In The Mission Field

November 14, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Photo By Steven O’Sullivan

You might recall on May 12, 2012 that I had a guest blogger by the name of  Shanda Oakley.  She wrote about an all-woman team of short-term missionaries preparing to head over to Zimbabwe and South Africa.  The blog was entitled “A Pause On The Path” after Shanda’s own blog site. In fact, some of you were so moved by the blog that you donated to their cause.  Well they are back and they are excited.

I have asked one of the team members to be my guest blogger and share their experience with us this Friday, November 16th. The guest blogger is Ashley Beckford and I am truly excited about having Ashley join us.  Ashley grew up with my youngest daughter.  My wife and I still remember her occasionally coming over to the house and talking about the different sporting activities she was involved in during her school years.

Fast forward 15 years and we find Ashley married to a talented musician and the two of them share their home with the family dog named Oreo.  Ashley is a devout woman of God and is an accomplished professional musician in her own right.  She is a singer and songwriter and has been leading worship for Christ’s Church of the Valley (CCV) for the past seven years.

In addition, Mrs. Beckford has been a part of several worship-recording projects with CCV’s songwriting community known as Valley Worship.  The Valley worship projects include “CCV Live 2010” and a self-titled CD known as “Valley Worship”.  She is now working on her first debut solo album, “Heart After You”, which will be released early in 2013.

 Please join me this Friday as we read how a group of women left the comfort of their homes in America and ventured off with one main resource…faith.

 

 

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A Pause On The Path

May 4, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Please enjoy today’s blog by Shanda Oakley -

Memories of my childhood include: sitting under a tree while my father preached at a village church, having a mud hut for a play house, and seeing wild animals from my car window.

One can never underestimate the power of parental influence.  I grew up to missionary parents in Africa and my heart has never strayed from the desire to serve God and teach others about Him.  Naturally, I am passionate for world missions and especially love the people of Africa.

In October, I will be leading a group of women to Zimbabwe and South Africa for three weeks.  Our mission will concentrate on the women.  Our prayer is that not only will some be led to the Lord, but all will be left feeling closer to God and have a stronger desire to serve Him and make a difference in their homes, churches and communities.

Through worship, testimonies and teaching God’s Word, we will be conducting three conferences as well as holding meetings and doing service projects during the week.

Our team of women is from Christ Church of the Valley in San Dimas, CA.  If you are close by, we would like to invite you to our “Concert Under The Stars” fundraiser on May 18, 2012 from 7-9pm.  One of our team members will be performing and there will be a fancy desert buffet as well as some incredible raffles.  The cost is $20.00.  Please consider joining us. For further details about our trip or for ways you can help us send the Gospel message to Africa, please visit:

 http://www.facebook.com/events/162198850560533/

 Check out Shanda Oakley’s blog by clicking on the link entitled “A Pause On The Path” under my “Blogroll” category. 

 Thanks for sharing with us Shanda; we are looking forward to hearing how God used the team after your return.

 Rick Mayhew

 

 

 

 

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How To Spend $1.6 Million

May 2, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Ever wonder how to spend $1.6 million?  Phillip Chiyangwa, a property tycoon, answered that question.  He recently donated that exact amount of money at a fundraiser for the University of Zimbabwe (UZ).  Even though Mr. Chiyangwa had two daughters graduate from this university, that was not the main reason behind such a substantial donation.

When asked why he donated the money, he said, “ The money will be used for the construction of a chapel which is one of nearly a dozen capital projects identified for funding by the university authorities.  There is currently no church at the UZ. Where there is no God, there is a problem.  Over the years, there have been too many riots and injuries…there must be some peace.”

Mr. Chiyangwa will not have to look very far, come October, to find a small group of women from the United States who I believe would agree with his ideology on this matter.  Would you like to find out more about this brave bunch of believers who will be leaving their families behind this summer to serve and meet the needs of the women of Zimbabwe?  I know I would.  That is why I have asked the team leader, Shanda Oakley to be my guest blogger this Friday.  Visit my website on May 4th to live vicariously through these dedicated followers of Jesus Christ, as Shanda weaves the story of her childhood and the teams planned servant-hood in a foreign land.

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Prison Overcrowding: A Global Issue

April 30, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Prison overcrowding is a global issue.  No one seems to have the answer as to what to do while the criminal element continues to rise; yet the economy prevents most governments from expanding or redeveloping the current holding facilities.  The overcrowding is so harsh in South Africa that government officials have announced that they will be releasing approximately 14,600 prison inmates.

Although the news article indicates that the hard criminals will not be a part of this release effort, I believe there is a safety and wellbeing concern among the surrounding communities.  Think there is a need for missionaries in South Africa?  I do and so do some of my friends. In fact, there will be a small contingency of women heading across the ocean to South Africa and Zimbabwe this summer on a short-term mission project.  They will be bringing the hope and love of Jesus Christ to women in need in areas both populated and under-developed.

In the Bible, the book of Mark, Chapter 16, Verse 15 describes Jesus giving this commandment to His disciples, “And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.’”  If you would, please join me in praying for these dedicated followers of Jesus Christ as they venture into the world in an attempt to be obedient to the commandment of their Lord and Savior.

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2012/04/28/safrica-to-release-35000-from-crowded-prisons/

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