Change.

Change is something that brings on excitement and hope. But it also comes with a little "oh wow, what the heck did I do?"

The last month has been full of new, full of exciting... full of change.

--- I moved to a new city... in a new state... and sometimes it feels like a new country.
--- I have gone from big city to small town.
--- I have been living with a family- whom I love (until my house is ready)- when I am use to living alone with my dog.
--- I have started going to a new church
--- I have met new people and have to make new friends.
--- I left ministries i LOVED and now faced with the challenge of starting new ministries.
--- I have gone from super busy to not-so-busy yet.
--- I am selling my car to get something more functional in the new town (I am super excited about getting a new car even though i will miss Madam Blueberry).
--- I am getting new dogs and maybe a cow?
--- I went from a place where I was comfortable to a place that I am not. I am relearning where to buy things, who to talk to and how to not get lost!

God's timing is perfect and even though plans changed, He moved me at the exact time that I needed to leave. Being reminded, yet again, that Gods plans and timing are perfect.

Not only do I know that His timing is absolutely perfect, He also provides everything I need to keep going in the direction He wants. Those are evidences of His hand at work. It makes changes and new experiences a little less scary knowing that He is in complete control, I just need to be faithful.

New Ministries!

Aroma Coffee Shop, Bookstore, 
and Amealco Community Center -

Ministries of Iglesia Bíblica 
Manantial de Vida (Spring of Life Bible Church) 

Team:

Brock and Heather Hower (and their four children), and Tina Barham

Key Verse:

2 Corinthians 2:15 

“For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing” 

2 Corintios 2:15

“Porque para Dios nosotros somos el aroma de Cristo entre los que se salvan y entre los que se pierden” 

Plan:

The Gospel has not been in Amealco for long.  It is an old town that is deeply rooted in traditional religions and beliefs and the people in the area have been reticent to embrace the good news of Christ.  God has blessed, however, and the local Bible church has taken root over the last seven years.  As disciples grow and mature in Him, we are excited to see a harvest of believers and we are now planning the expansion of the church’s ministry to extend ever further to the unsaved of this unreached field.  There are two specific ways in which we plan to expand the influence of Christ in Amealco.

The first initiative is that the church has made a deal to purchase a piece of property in town.  Until now, the congregation has met in an extra house out in the country where they have not had to pay any rent or utilities.  This has worked well, but the new property will allow more accessibility and visibility and will enable the church to reach neighbors and friends that can walk to the services. 

The second initiative is to start Aroma: a Coffee Shop, Bookstore, and Community Center rolled into one.  We plan to set up two spaces to accommodate this outreach ministry.  The first space will be a coffee shop that specializes in American style coffee, deserts, and snacks.  Included in this space will be a small book store as an outreach tool and point of contact.  This will add up to be a space where people can come and relax, taste a bit of the U.S., and where they can see Christ’s love displayed.  The second space will be dedicated to the Amealco Community Center.  We plan to promote English classes (especially in the local university), baking classes, guitar classes, and craft classes, just to name a few.     

The long term goal is for these two spaces to eventually raise enough funds to supply the needs of a ministry project to help the most needy in the community.  We have felt led by the Lord to take the next six months to pray and seek His will as to what that future ministry will be.  We will be in that process, and so we covet your prayers. 

In order to make the next phase of ministry (coffee shop, bookstore and community center) a reality, we need your help! Please pray for us as we plan and get things ready. Also, we are in need of about $8,500 to set up both places and pay for rent for six months. After that, we hope to be fully self sustained. Please prayerfully consider giving to this neat ministry that the Lord has opened doors for. There is a detailed list of specific needs and the cost of each need, if you would like to see it shoot me an e-mail!

To give GO HERE

Specific designation: project # 063651

In Him,

Brock and Heather Hower family Tina Barham

(bhower@caminoglobal.org) (tbarham@caminoglobal.org)