The Perez Family – February 2010
Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. And when they had this done, the they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. Luke 5:4-6
We pray that this New Year will be a year of change, a year of hearing and obeying the voice of God. This is the year that we walk in faith based on what He says and not what your past says, or what those around say. This is the year to launch into the deep because He says so!
These past few months have been months of change and transition. Leo and I have faithfully served this ministry for nine years. In that time we have worked in and learned every aspect of the ministry. We are grateful for what we have learned and could not have asked for better teachers than Vaughn and Mary Gorton. God placed us under their wings until the time came for us to fly on our own and that time is now. Leo and I have been placed as directors of this wonderful ministry and we are humbled and honored to step into this position. And because He says so, we know that we will soar with the vision that He has placed in us.
We are experiencing a greater unity within the church. The three churches (Baitoa and both the Dominican and the Haitian churches in Hato Mayor) are working together like never before. We as leaders have been meeting, praying, and re-organizing together and God is revealing His plan to us, step by step!
The day the earth shook
All of you know about the earthquake that shook this island on January 12th and devastated the nation of Haiti. It was something that sent a spirit of fear across this island. When the earthquake occurred no one imagined that there was so much death and destruction until the horrifying reports began to flood the airways. We grieve with our Haitian brothers and sisters for the loss and destruction that occurred. The Haitian church that is under our covering (in Santiago) suffered great loss. All of the members of the church lost loved ones in the tragedy. We are standing together, praying together, working together believing for restoration and healing for the nation.
The church (Haitian) is growing and many have returned to the Lord since the tragedy happened. The Pastors, Felix and Maria Pierre, are dedicated and determined to help bring change to their people through the teaching of the power of the word of God. Pastor Felix, who knows the miracle working power of God, was as a child dead in the casket. And at the viewing, his father, who was also a pastor, was in a corner praying. His uncle could not believe his eyes when he saw Felix moving in the casket and he began to shout “He’s moving! He’s alive!” Now Pastor Felix, knowing that power, preaches that there is nothing impossible to them that believe. And even though there has been death and destruction, the breath of God can bring new life and restore.
Pastors Julio and Digna Cervantes, the pastors of the Dominican church (Hato Mayor), have begun cell meetings. It is incredible how much the church is growing. I have been teaching the Thursday night Bible study there and every week there is a new face from the cell meetings. There are currently three cell meetings and many new believers. There are many women and teenage girls that have received Jesus, and they are hungry and on fire. It is refreshing to see new life in the church; they truly have a desire to know more.
Baitoa
The church of Baitoa is also growing quickly. This past Sunday we did not have enough chairs for everyone and many people sat on the floor. The past few weeks I have been noticing a lot of 12 and 13 year old boys in the service that sit and attentively listen to the message. I wondered “where are these kids coming from, because they are there without their parents”. I finally asked, “Who is inviting all these kids?” I found out, to my surprise, one of the youth that helps coach a local baseball team has been inviting them. He is the quietest youth in the bunch, which is why I was so surprised. But the Lord showed me that this young man’s humbleness and quietness says more and speaks louder than words!
Music Studio/ Doctors office
We have finally found a place near the church to rent for the music studio that the youth have been believing for. If you remember last year a team came in and sowed into their dream to produce their own music. They will share that space with Dr. Cervantes, the pastor from Hato Mayor. He has had it on his heart to come weekly to Baitoa and do a medical outreach. The space we are renting is large enough to divide and make a small studio and a place for the doctor to treat patients.
Women’s Ministry
Women of destiny, the women’s ministry here in Baitoa, has begun to reach out into the community. The women decided that they wanted to begin a monthly outreach of blessing a family in the surrounding area with food, clothes and any other basic needs they may have. This is such a blessing to me, because these women are poor and many wait for someone to give to them. For them to recognize that they need to give and that there are many people out there that are in worse situations is so awesome to me. This speaks to what God is doing and getting ready to do in their lives. The home that we recently went to visit and bless with groceries was an eye opening experience for all of us. There we found a 2 year–old girl with a severe skin fungus that was causing her hair to fall out. Living in the same house was her cousin, a 13 year-old autistic boy that could not speak. He was lying on a bed bathed in his own urine when we arrived; it was a very sad scene. We realized that the spiritual and physical needs were so great, not only there but in the surrounding areas. As we prayed the Lord touched our hearts with a greater compassion and love for those that are hurting and in need. One of the youth went with us and as we were walking out he said, “They need education.” I agreed; many don’t know how to read or write and, there is a great need to educate about hygiene and basic things we can do to avoid sickness and infection. Since that trip many have given what they can to help with the medicine for the little girl and we are planning with great anticipation our next visit to that area. You can check our blog and see our visit and the family to whom we ministered: baitoa-theperezfamily.blogspot.com.
The Season for open doors
We are so excited about what God is doing. We are believing what He says and even though it may seem impossible we will move upon His word. We are believing for open doors and divine connections. Please pray and believe with us. This year we are believing for:
* Great spiritual growth and many will come to the feet of Jesus and accept Him as Lord and Savior
* Vehicle for the ministry
* To buy land here in Baitoa and build a school.
* To have the school to be certified by the board of education so the parents of this community will have a choice. Many parents have asked us to take these steps and become a certified educational institution because they do not want to send their children to public school. We want to start with Kindergarten – 2nd grade.
Thank you for your prayers and support. Thank you for supporting and believing in the vision. Please continue to stand with us and support us any way that the Lord directs you. We love you and may God richly bless you!!!!!!!!
Cheryl, Leo and Zamar Perez
Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. And when they had this done, the they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. Luke 5:4-6
We pray that this New Year will be a year of change, a year of hearing and obeying the voice of God. This is the year that we walk in faith based on what He says and not what your past says, or what those around say. This is the year to launch into the deep because He says so!
These past few months have been months of change and transition. Leo and I have faithfully served this ministry for nine years. In that time we have worked in and learned every aspect of the ministry. We are grateful for what we have learned and could not have asked for better teachers than Vaughn and Mary Gorton. God placed us under their wings until the time came for us to fly on our own and that time is now. Leo and I have been placed as directors of this wonderful ministry and we are humbled and honored to step into this position. And because He says so, we know that we will soar with the vision that He has placed in us.
We are experiencing a greater unity within the church. The three churches (Baitoa and both the Dominican and the Haitian churches in Hato Mayor) are working together like never before. We as leaders have been meeting, praying, and re-organizing together and God is revealing His plan to us, step by step!
The day the earth shook
All of you know about the earthquake that shook this island on January 12th and devastated the nation of Haiti. It was something that sent a spirit of fear across this island. When the earthquake occurred no one imagined that there was so much death and destruction until the horrifying reports began to flood the airways. We grieve with our Haitian brothers and sisters for the loss and destruction that occurred. The Haitian church that is under our covering (in Santiago) suffered great loss. All of the members of the church lost loved ones in the tragedy. We are standing together, praying together, working together believing for restoration and healing for the nation.
The church (Haitian) is growing and many have returned to the Lord since the tragedy happened. The Pastors, Felix and Maria Pierre, are dedicated and determined to help bring change to their people through the teaching of the power of the word of God. Pastor Felix, who knows the miracle working power of God, was as a child dead in the casket. And at the viewing, his father, who was also a pastor, was in a corner praying. His uncle could not believe his eyes when he saw Felix moving in the casket and he began to shout “He’s moving! He’s alive!” Now Pastor Felix, knowing that power, preaches that there is nothing impossible to them that believe. And even though there has been death and destruction, the breath of God can bring new life and restore.
Pastors Julio and Digna Cervantes, the pastors of the Dominican church (Hato Mayor), have begun cell meetings. It is incredible how much the church is growing. I have been teaching the Thursday night Bible study there and every week there is a new face from the cell meetings. There are currently three cell meetings and many new believers. There are many women and teenage girls that have received Jesus, and they are hungry and on fire. It is refreshing to see new life in the church; they truly have a desire to know more.
Baitoa
The church of Baitoa is also growing quickly. This past Sunday we did not have enough chairs for everyone and many people sat on the floor. The past few weeks I have been noticing a lot of 12 and 13 year old boys in the service that sit and attentively listen to the message. I wondered “where are these kids coming from, because they are there without their parents”. I finally asked, “Who is inviting all these kids?” I found out, to my surprise, one of the youth that helps coach a local baseball team has been inviting them. He is the quietest youth in the bunch, which is why I was so surprised. But the Lord showed me that this young man’s humbleness and quietness says more and speaks louder than words!
Music Studio/ Doctors office
We have finally found a place near the church to rent for the music studio that the youth have been believing for. If you remember last year a team came in and sowed into their dream to produce their own music. They will share that space with Dr. Cervantes, the pastor from Hato Mayor. He has had it on his heart to come weekly to Baitoa and do a medical outreach. The space we are renting is large enough to divide and make a small studio and a place for the doctor to treat patients.
Women’s Ministry
Women of destiny, the women’s ministry here in Baitoa, has begun to reach out into the community. The women decided that they wanted to begin a monthly outreach of blessing a family in the surrounding area with food, clothes and any other basic needs they may have. This is such a blessing to me, because these women are poor and many wait for someone to give to them. For them to recognize that they need to give and that there are many people out there that are in worse situations is so awesome to me. This speaks to what God is doing and getting ready to do in their lives. The home that we recently went to visit and bless with groceries was an eye opening experience for all of us. There we found a 2 year–old girl with a severe skin fungus that was causing her hair to fall out. Living in the same house was her cousin, a 13 year-old autistic boy that could not speak. He was lying on a bed bathed in his own urine when we arrived; it was a very sad scene. We realized that the spiritual and physical needs were so great, not only there but in the surrounding areas. As we prayed the Lord touched our hearts with a greater compassion and love for those that are hurting and in need. One of the youth went with us and as we were walking out he said, “They need education.” I agreed; many don’t know how to read or write and, there is a great need to educate about hygiene and basic things we can do to avoid sickness and infection. Since that trip many have given what they can to help with the medicine for the little girl and we are planning with great anticipation our next visit to that area. You can check our blog and see our visit and the family to whom we ministered: baitoa-theperezfamily.blogspot.com.
The Season for open doors
We are so excited about what God is doing. We are believing what He says and even though it may seem impossible we will move upon His word. We are believing for open doors and divine connections. Please pray and believe with us. This year we are believing for:
* Great spiritual growth and many will come to the feet of Jesus and accept Him as Lord and Savior
* Vehicle for the ministry
* To buy land here in Baitoa and build a school.
* To have the school to be certified by the board of education so the parents of this community will have a choice. Many parents have asked us to take these steps and become a certified educational institution because they do not want to send their children to public school. We want to start with Kindergarten – 2nd grade.
Thank you for your prayers and support. Thank you for supporting and believing in the vision. Please continue to stand with us and support us any way that the Lord directs you. We love you and may God richly bless you!!!!!!!!
Cheryl, Leo and Zamar Perez
If you would like to sow into this ministry checks can be mailed to:
Good News International
The Perez Family
P.O. Box 1219
Erie Pa 16512
