8 May 2008


Greetings!

An increase of news reports coming out of Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) the last few days reveal the devastation caused by Cyclone Nargis is much larger than first thought. The death rate continues to climb to an estimated  100,000 with others still missing, and as many as 1 million people homeless.

Myanmar is controlled by a secretive military junta which specializes in human rights abuses designed to repress the people. The government is just now officially allowing international aid to arrive in the country. The first UN relief plane landed today (Thursday) with more on the way. The Myanmar government was very slow in granting entry visas for international relief efforts.

I am aware that some Samaritan's Purse staff arrived in Myanmar on Monday (two days after the cyclone hit) because they already had plans to visit the country. That organization--along with many other relief agencies--are mobilizing efforts to assist the people of Myanmar, once their government will allow relief workers to enter.

Our CGGC Eastern Region has announced that funds can be sent to their treasurer (designated for "Myanmar Cyclone Relief") which will then be forwarded to the Mennonite Central Committee for disbursement.

Churches outside the Eastern Region are encouraged to send relief assistance directly to Samaritan's Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607. Or you may go directly to the Samaritan's website and donate online:  www.samaritanspurse.org/MP_article.asp?ArticleID=158.

And most of all...pray for the people of Myanmar. I am fully aware that God works through natural disasters such as this to "open doors" so that that people may hear the truth and come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Pray for Christian relief workers to demonstrate sensitivity to the government authorities, yet provide a living witness to Christ's love that will be undeniable to those who are helped.

Thank you for your generous response.

Blessed to be a blessing,

Pastor Don Dennison, Director
CGGC Cross-Cultural Ministries



5 May 2008


Greetings!

If your church has a written short-term missions trip policy, we would like to have a copy to share with other churches which have interest. We periodically get asked for samples.

Please email your policy to me (missions@cggc.org) as an attachment. Thanks!

Blessed to be a blessing,

Pastor Don Dennison, Director
CGGC Cross-Cultural Ministries



1 May 2008


Greetings in the wonderful name of Jesus!

I arrived back in Findlay last night after attending various missions events as well as the Eastern Region Conference meeting earlier this week. Last Wednesday night, I shared about Haiti for the Allegheny Region Missions Impact gathering at Buchanan Church of God. Several ARC area churches were represented. On Saturday afternoon, I led two seminars (introducing the Biblical basis of missions from the Cat & Dog Theology material) at the West Shore Missions Rally in Mechanicsburg, PA. On Sunday, I preached at Highspire Church of God in the morning, spoke at the Cumberland Valley Missions Celebration in Chambersburg at 3:30 p.m., and then returned to Bainbridge Church of God that evening for the Lancaster Missions Rally. Pastor John & Toni Thumma from Hooghan Nizhoni and Pastor Brook & Sara Sarver (missionary candidates to Thailand) were in the area for the weekend and attended these events. It was a exhausting weekend but very encouraging in the way the people responded to the missionaries and myself. By the way, I was also thrilled by the number of youth attending the missions rally at Chambersburg. Nearly $50,000 in extra giving was brought in at these events in support of CGGC Cross-Cultural Ministries...with more still to be collected. I am truly grateful!

Keep Donna Binkley in your prayers as she was scheduled to begin her chemotherapy treatments this week.

Some of our missionaries have websites or blogs which keep you up-to-date on what's happening in their ministries. For example, go to www.newlifegoteborg.se to learn more about Doug & Anna-Karin Molgaard's ministry in Gothenburg, Sweden. Sunday morning worship and cell groups have now been developed. Learn more at their website. Mike & Natinha Poe have a blog at http://brasilbuzz.blogspot.com. Two new members were baptized in Palmas, Brazil last Sunday. See pictures and read about them at the Brazil Buzz. Gordon & Annie Avey also have a website at www.pgnbrazil.com where you can learn more about the Project Good News churches in Brazil.

Kara Shifler, daughter of Pastor Kim & Jeff Shifler of Middletown, PA, has been approved for a missionary internship in Gothenburg, Sweden from September 2008 to May 2009. Kara graduates from high school this spring and will pursue this ministry opportunity prior to entering college. Her designated support category is CC 2809.002. Pray for Kara as she continues to prepare for this assignment.

I am now scheduling UnveilinGLORY/Cat & Dog Theology seminars for the fall 2008. Go to www.catndogtheology.com for more information about this biblically-based, fast-paced, and humorous material designed to challenge common assumptions about the church's purpose. If you are interested in learning more, please call or email me.

Thanks for your partnership in advancing the gospel within other cultures.

Blessed to be a blessing,

Pastor Don Dennison, Director
CGGC Cross-Cultural Ministries