Project New Hope – April 2015 – A New Partnership with CMF

Project New Hope + CMF

We know this newsletter looks a little different than you’re used to, so let’s get acquainted!

Who is CMF?

CMF is a global missions team creating and growing Christ-centered communities in 24 different countries. We are made up of missionaries, partner churches and individuals and staff. CMF has been serving the Lord and local churches in global missions for more than 65 years.

Our ministries are based on three foundations: our committed missionaries, our innovative and culturally appropriate strategies and our partnerships with others who are involved with God’s work of transformation around the world.

CMF is currently involved in holistic ministry partnerships in the Mathare slums of Nairobi, Kenya; in Abengouru, Ivory Coast; in Arusha, Tanzania; in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and in Mexico City.

A new partnership

Now CMF and Project New Hope have forged an exciting new partnership with missionaries Mike and Dani Bukta and their work in Peru and Ecuador. Through this partnership, we will work together toward holistic mission, where disciples are made, individual lives are transformed and nationals are empowered to lead. U.S. churches will be challenged to actively partner in this ministry with the goal of creating dynamic Christ-centered communities (churches) that can transform the world.

Steve Palich, CMF Director of Ministry Center Development, will work closely with the Buktas in their ministry of holistic transformation. Steve was mentored by John Hendee and Roy Lawson while they were on a church staff together in Arizona. Steve also served for many years as a CMF missionary in Mexico City. His current focus is on developing holistic Ministry Centers in Mexico City and Latin America.

CMF values innovative and cross-cultural partnerships in ministry that produce verifiable results. We are happy to see that Project New Hope shares these same values! We look forward to ministering together to see God’s Kingdom come and His will – loving the least, the lost and the marginalized – be done in Latin America.

Ecuador

Maria begins a microbusiness

Several months ago a small group of women went through the CHE (Community Health and Evangelism) microbusiness training program. After they graduated, Maria presented her business plan. She was already making and selling empanadas (fried dough made out of a certain type of banana stuffed with chicken, beef or cheese). She wanted to grow her business and hire a few people in the church who wanted and needed to work.

Our goal with CHE is to help people who want to start a small business by training them in marketing, accounting and the everyday work that is involved with a business. When someone completes the training we help her with each step that is needed for success. Eventually she is on her own, but we are always there for the new entrepreneur as needed.

The first week we started helping Maria make her empanadas we were at the church at 3 a.m. At first it was hard getting up so early and working until night, but it was actually rewarding to fellowship and be a part helping someone reaching her goal.

Maria needed to grow her business because she has six children who are still in school. She is afraid that the older three teenagers may have to drop out so they can work, because they can’t afford the uniforms and school supplies that are needed to go to school. We advised her that this wouldn’t be a good idea because you need a high school diploma to get a decently paying job here.

Now Maria’s children are helping to make and sell empanadas and Maria is learning how to save her money. She is also putting God first by tithing at church. Even though there have been a few bumps, Maria is learning a lot from the mistakes. This is the first microbusiness that has been started out of the church in Santo Domingo, Ecuador, but it won’t be the last. Others are being inspired to start their own businesses. It is encouraging to see people put into action what they are learning to solve their financial problems.

Henry has eye surgery

Henry is 23 years old and was in an accident that affected his eyes when he was a young child. The doctors wanted to do surgery but his dad was afraid to take the advice of the doctors and wouldn’t allow Henry to get the surgery he desperately needed. So Henry grew up with crossed eyes.

Because Henry never fixed the problem with his eyes, he started to go blind and needed an operation immediately. Henry is a hard worker and was saving his money to go to college, but instead he had to use that money for his operation. He is recovering and doing well. We have known Henry and his family for three years and Henry is just starting to come to church and is doing the Peace Treaty. So pray for his salvation and recovery. We will keep you posted on Henry and his family.

Update on Emma

Many of you know Emma’s story and the trials she has been facing this year: her son was in jail but is now out, and Emma was fired from her job for being a Christian and because of her health problems. Throughout all of this she is committed in spreading the Gospel and her faith has grown stronger each day. She doesn’t blame God but gives advice to others and focuses on Christ.

We are going through a series at church using John Hendee’s book, “Dragon Slaying.” It’s about how to kill your dragons (sins). Throughout the week we meet with people individually so we can talk more deeply on the subject. People are really enjoying these sessions and are getting a lot out of them and growing in their walk with Christ. Emma was talking to a lady who hasn’t been coming to church because she is doing some bad things and feels she needs to get rid of her sins before she goes back to church. This type of thinking is very common here. Emma responded that Jesus didn’t come for the healthy; He came for the sick.

On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Mark 2:16)

Emma encouraged her friend to reach out to Christ and to start fellowshipping again. Stories like this are wonderful to hear because people are becoming disciples of Christ and putting their faith into action. They are not waiting for the pastor or leaders of the church to evangelize, but are taking the responsibility as believers to spread the Gospel.

We are also happy to report that Emma’s health problems have gotten better. She is still going through treatment but she is improving. Keep praying for her family, health and her spiritual growth.

Thank you for all your prayers and support!

The Bukta family

Peru

Moving out but moving forward

Things are changing here in the barrios. In Barrio 6-A we had a temporary modular building set up, but the population is growing and the authorities need the property to build a school within the barrio. So our team, along with the help of several young men, took the building apart and surrendered the property to the municipal. We are sad to leave Barrio 6-A but are happy to know the residents will have a new facility where their children will be educated in the neighborhood.

The modular building we have taken from 6-A will be rebuilt in Barrio 3-B. Although we already have a modular unit there, God’s kingdom is growing and we are running out of space. Throughout the week we use the building as a community center. We have a ministries for women, seniors, young adults and children that gather at different times throughout the week to do different activities, including Bible studies. We also use the facility to teach CHE (Community Health Evangelism), a program that equips communities to identify issues and mobilize resources to achieve positive, sustainable change.

We are excited about the growth and participation in Barrio 3-B.

Meet Chuck

Chuck is a dedicated volunteer for Project New Hope. He spends his afternoons walking beside us in the barrios. He serves in any way he is asked, from moving rocks to preaching at services on Sundays. Chuck is a 27 years old and aspires to be a missionary and continue to serve God.

Choosing a new ministry site

At the present time our team splits up two days out of the week to seek out a second barrio to work in. With so many people living at a poverty level it is difficult to choose, but we have narrowed it down to two options. We are taking time to speak with the people and the leaders in the communities. With God’s guidance we will be able to choose one to focus on and share CHE principles.

Prayer requests

Please continue to keep our team in prayer as we expand God’s kingdom here in Trujillo.

Thank you for your prayers and support.

Iliana Bustios