frontline

MISSIONS
contents
FROM THE
HEART OF ALAN
page 2
w
HONDURAS:
THE TOLUPAN
page 3 & 4
w
STORYING
pages 5 & 6
w
HONDURAS:
BEULAH & LANDMARK
page 7 & 8
w
adventureF ON THE RONTLINE
COLOMBIA:
CHAVARRIA MINISTRY
page 9
w
GUYANA: SAVE-R-KIDS
page 10
w
GUYANA: MESHELL
page 11 & 12
w
BRAZIL:
IBEL & CETRAM
page 13 & 14

Cover photo:
Alan Winter poem written by Heidi Winter

Inside cover photo:

Luis Chavarria
For more information about Frontline’s activities, visit www.fmusa.org.
Publication editor: To receive regularly emailed updates and prayer requests from Frontline,
Autumn Hill Faulkner please contact us at info@fmusa.org.

PAGE 1
 FROM THE HEART OF ALAN
The longer I serve God, the more amazed
I am at His marvelous ways. This was made
clear to me during a recent trip to Honduras,
when I was privileged to see God’s hand at
work in a very special child’s life.
Our mission team was arranging a worship
service in the small village of Punta Grande.
We had driven there earlier in the day and
were all busy setting up sound equipment, or-
ganizing the service, and talking with the local
pastor. As I worked, a small child separated
from the usual crowd of kids and grabbed my
hand. He stuck by me as I helped the team pre-
pare. I was distracted and preoccupied, and
though he stayed by my side constantly, I didn’t
pay him much attention at first. Finally, Alan Winter seeing his little namesake for the first time since the
baby was given a life-saving treatment eight years earlier.
though, I knelt and got eye to eye with him.
“What’s your name?”
“My name’s Alan.” to take her baby with her last breath, so he wrapped the
This took me aback. I asked him how old he was, child up, jumped on a bus, and traveled the eight hours
and when he said eight, my heart leapt and I asked him back to his village. His mother adopted the baby for her
to run and get his mother. own, and had been caring for him since.
Eight years earlier, I had come to Punta Grande This story confirmed our diagnosis—the baby’s
with another mission team to hold a medical clinic. At mother had been a prostitute, and passed on the terri-
one point, the doctors approached me about an infant ble disease to her son. Fortunately, we had all the neces-
who was suffering from a malady they couldn’t identify, sary medicines to treat him. He left the clinic that day
so they asked me to take a look. I had just attended a in good hands, and we heard during later trips that he
medical missionary course before this trip, and amazingly and his adopted mother had moved to Yoro and that he
the case study I had worked on involved the same disease was in good health.
this baby had. I immediately recognized the symptoms of This day, his mother had returned to Punta
staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome. Grande. She gave me a fervent hug when she found me
Strangely, the baby’s mother was perfectly healthy. and introduced her son, a strong healthy child whom
The doctors and I knew that the disease must be passed she had named Alan on that day she left our clinic. I
on from the mother, so we were puzzled and consulted saw with joy that he showed no residual effects of the
our medical textbooks again to make sure our diagnosis disease we treated so long ago.
was correct. Finally, I took the woman aside and ques- That day, I was able to share Christ with little Alan,
tioned her about the infant’s true parentage. This kind who cried and clung to me. Moments like that make me
woman admitted she was not the child’s biological grateful to God for the lessons he teaches us. Thank
mother. Several weeks before, her son had stumbled on you, Lord, for allowing me to see Your hand at work,
a dying woman in the city of San Pedro Sula, who had and for allowing us to minister not only to suffering
just given birth on the streets. The woman begged him bodies, but to souls who need Your love.
PAGE 2
 H O N D U R A S : T H E T O L U PA N

By Alan Winter encountered, the enraged Tolu-

The Tolupan are a native pan began to suspect all Hon-
people group who live high in durans, and were rumored to be
the mountains of Honduras, seeking revenge. La Ceibita had
concentrated on Flower Moun- become a dangerous place, espe-
tain. Frontline first arrived in cially for our Honduran leaders.
this remote area four years ago Soon after, the Tolupan
with a team from Redeemer sent word that they wished to
Lutheran Church in Mar- see Alan alone. Alan knew, how-
quette, Michigan. ever, that this would foster more
This initial trip was diffi- tension between the Tolupan
cult. We held a medical clinic in and the Honduran leaders who
La Ceibita and also reached out wished to help them. Frontline’s
to nearby villages. The Tolupan, chief aim is to equip and en-
however, were mistrustful. Their courage local leaders in minister-
First Chief, Julio, refused to see ing to their own countrymen,
or speak to any of our team and Alan hoped the Tolupan
members, relaying messages only would come to trust these Hon-
through Second Chief Tomas. In duran Christians in time.
our second trip, though, we were Alan sent word back that
able to make a little progress he would only agree to come if
with the Tolupan language, and his Honduran friends were wel-
saw Second Chief Tomas’ son, come too. The Tolupan re-
José, come to the Lord. On sub- Albero, a Tolupan chief, waits outside the med- fused. Messages were
sequent trips, Frontline even built ical clinic to be seen by a Frontline doctor. exchanged back and forth, but
a church in La Ceibita. the situation came to a stand-
Encouraged by these good signs, our Honduran still. Days turned into months, and months became
brethren attempted to follow up with the Tolupan after years. The Tolupan isolated themselves while Frontline
Frontline left. To their shock, they were stopped on the and its family of churches asked God to change the
outskirts of La Ceibita by strangers wielding AK-47s. The hearts of the Tolupan. Redeemer Lutheran, the first
Hondurans escaped without injury because a passenger church to visit La Ceibita, felt a special burden for the
they had given a ride to was recognized by the aggressors, Tolupan, and prayed for them without ceasing.
who fled at the sight of someone they knew. But a vio- Two years passed and nothing changed. The situa-
lent tragedy occurred shortly after the Hondurans re- tion had been weighing on our hearts for so long, when
turned home—three Tolupan natives were murdered, suddenly word came from the Tolupan: “We want to
right outside the newly built church. Although the cul- talk to Alan. He can bring the Hondurans.” A trip with
prits were probably the same bandits the brethren had Redeemer Lutheran was hastily arranged, and Alan, the

PAGE 3
 H O N D U R A S : T H E T O L U PA N
Hondurans, and the church team arrived in La Ceibita Bible stories in Tol and training a native Tolupan pastor.
on January 24, 2010. On the last day of this trip, Frontline took yet an-
They received a totally different welcome this time. other important step toward gaining the trust of the
Julio greeted Alan with a handshake, and the team was Tolupan. Five team members were invited to carry sacks
peppered with questions. “Where have you been? What of corn to the hidden and forbidden village of First
took so long? We have been so sad, not hearing from our Chief Julio. The team returned full of excitement and
friend.” All signs of apprehension gone, Julio praised awe of all they experienced that day. “They trust us!”
Alan as being a man of his word, and gladly accepted “They invited us back!” “They said we were their
gifts of food and medicine for his impoverished people. friends!” Instead of returning exhausted and famished
As for the murders, it had been decided that the vi- from the strenuous mountain hike carrying heavy sacks
olence was an isolated incident, and the Tolupan were of corn, they returned energized and as excited as a
no longer angry at all Hondurans. This represents a big bunch of children on Christmas morning. One of the
step for the Tolupan, whose culture typically demands members exclaimed, “the experience was as exciting as
“a life for a life” in matters of justice. Clearly God had anything that I have ever seen on National Geographic.”
brought peace to their grieved spirits, in answer to the 2011 will bring six teams to the Tolupan and a trained
many prayers spoken on behalf of the Tolupan. team of Hondurans ready to equip a people for the Lord.
And now their hearts were opened to Alan and Meanwhile we stand in awe and amazement of the Lord’s
the team—Americans and Hondurans alike. The med- power in changing the hearts of an entire people.
ical clinic saw 147 people that day, most of them chil-
dren. An overwhelming majority (86 percent!) of the
adults gave their lives to Christ, signaling a sweeping
change in the hearts of the whole Tolupan community.
Alan was even given the opportunity to share the
Gospel with the Tolupan chiefs.
The Tolupan have an oral culture, and story-telling
is one of the main ways they fellowship and preserve
their heritage. The telling of the Gospel in this way
helped the Tolupan chiefs overcome their initial hesita-
tions, and by the end many of them were excited by
what they heard. (See “Storying” on pages 5 & 6).
The Tolupan chiefs are beginning to realize the pos-
sibilities of a change—a new way of life, with hope. The
rapport Alan was able to establish with them will change
so many things (a rapport that he probably cemented
when he gave Chief Julio the sandals off his feet after
noticing Julio had worn the flesh of his foot to bone).
Additional trips were made in the summer of 2010,
including one in August which involved medical clinics,
and finishing most of the construction on the apartment
that will house Honduran missionaries. These leaders A young Tolupan mother holds a bag of donated
school supplies (given by Landmark Christian School).
will work toward translating and recording at least 22

PAGE 4
 STORYING

By Alan Winter duran government and USAID pointed out that Satan appeared
“We are storytellers—that is how called an emergency meeting which without any context in the narrative.
we learn! What took you so long?” the Tolupan leaders felt obliged to He said, “When the creation
exclaimed First Chief Julio, after attend. As the team was driving into story ends, everything God had cre-
Alan asked him if Frontline could the mountains, they met the Tolu- ated was good. How can we start the
craft and record Bible stories into pan walking down the road toward next story with evil?” The team
Tol, the language of the Tolupan. the city, and didn’t see them again knew then that God had given them
Julio is chief of the Tolupan na- until they passed them once more the perfect person to start the Story-
tives of Montana de la Flor ing training with!
in Honduras, and he prom- Accordingly, they crafted
ised to try to bring represen- a story from Isaiah and Ezekiel
tatives from all Tolupan about the fall of Lucifer, which
villages in his area when filled in the gaps of the story
Frontline returned to share and made the narrative flow
the Gospel through the new very well, much to Marco’s sat-
approach of Storying. isfaction. The team was
The first efforts to use thrilled to watch the Holy
Storying as a way to advance Spirit work in and through
the Gospel among the Tolu- him as he learned these stories
pan were made in January of and then retold them in his
2010 by a team from Re- mother tongue, Tol.
deemer Lutheran Church of Meanwhile, the rest of
Marquette, Michigan. the Honduran team also spent
Later that same year in most of our visit learning how
May, Alan and Heidi returned Yensi (right) tells a story she learned during the Storying to craft the text of Bible stories
traning session. Her Uncle Jairo (left) listens intently.
to Montana de la Flor with into Storying formats. The
Alan’s cousin and her hus- team practiced the Storying
band, Cindy and Jim Lamson of An- on the road as they were returning techniques and also led the rest of
chorage City Church, to train the and the team was leaving! But God the group members in inductive
Tolupan leaders from every village in was not surprised by this change of studies of Bible passages. The trip
the Storying technique. They were plans, and provided the perfect al- provided everyone with a lot of prac-
joined by Frontline’s Honduran ternative: Marco Tulio. tice and they became more comfort-
staff members and translators, Meily Marco worked tirelessly for able with this new approach.
and Cristy Garrido, as well as seven hours with Meily, Cristy, and Heidi This trip was a whirlwind for
members of Pastor Luis Romero’s in order to learn the stories of Cre- Alan—after departing Honduras, he
church in Sulaco, Yoro, Honduras. ation and The Fall for his people, was off to Guyana with Peachtree
Things didn’t go quite as the Tolupan. Upon returning the Christian Fellowship from Peachtree
planned for this visit—the Hon- next morning, Marco shrewdly City, Georgia, where he had the

PAGE 5

honor of telling God’s stories to
gatherings of Muslims and Hindus,
as well as in several churches. Then
he hit the road yet again, returning
to Honduras with three more
teams: New River Community
Church and Beulah Baptist of Dou-
glasville, Georgia, and Cornerstone
Church of Ramsey, Michigan (his
parents’ church), for more Storying.
Alan anticipates more intense
Storying work in the near future,
thanks to the interest listeners have
shown. He feels extremely grateful to
the Lord for connecting him with the
Storyrunners of Campus Crusade for
Christ. He is also thankful for train-
ing in Storying, and for all the en-
couragement he’s received in working
toward this huge challenge: to involve
fifteen U.S. churches in taking Story-
ing to four countries, four religions,
six languages, and ten cultures. This
seems like an overwhelming task, but
the response from listeners is hearten-
Pastor Marcos, a chief of the Ingarico people
of Brazil, practices the Storying technique.
STORYING
ing. Here are some things
Frontline has heard dur-
ing recent trips involving
Storying:
e“Now I under-
stand the Bible! I was
taught in school that the
Bible was just a bunch of
unrelated stories about
the Christian God. Now
I know that God really
does have a plan and is
concerned about us.” A Alan and Meily share the Gospel with the Hon-
Hindu family in Guyana, duran leaders using the Storying technique.
South America, after hearing
the panoramic Bible story (Creation to ministry experience.
Christ in ten minutes). Frontline closed out 2010 with
e “On our hour walk home last two more Storying-intensive trips. The
night we talked about the story we had first was to Honduras, where Alan,
heard at the meeting all the way. Then Heidi, and eight team members held
this morning each one of us told the three nights of open-air services featur-
story and we discussed how the story ing Bible Storying. The team also pro-
related to our life.” A Honduran family vided further training to local pastors
living high in the mountains. and leaders, which will equip them to
e “I knew there had to be a reach out to the Tolupan on their own.
story about creation, During the second trip, Alan
Satan’s fall, man’s sin spent a week in Boa Vista, Brazil,
and God’s plan for training teachers and leaders to use
mankind. I am so grate- the Storying approach. This training
ful to now know His was in preparation for the long-antici-
story so I can tell my pated opening of the indigenous
people. I can’t wait to school and training center in February
learn all of God’s stories (see “Brazil: CETRAM” on page 14).
for my people.” Chief and All of us at Frontline expect marvelous
spiritual leader for the In- results as we continue to develop this
garico natives of Brazil. exciting approach to sharing Christ.
e“This is the best You can hear the panoramic
teaching method I have Bible story told by Elizabeth Pear-
ever witnessed!” Hon- man at http://www.youtube.com/
duran pastor with twenty years of watch?v=7RBSU0WqOzg .
PAGE 6
 HONDURAS: BEULAH

By Elizabeth Pearman answer. With each answer, their faith ice two members of the team lift up
Sometimes when we think of began to increase. every aspect of the service from a lo-
short term missions, we think of the The awakening in cation “behind the pulpit.”
difference that mission team mem- Each day members commit to
bers make in the praying for specific requests given to
lives of people in them by the staff at Beulah. Over
other countries. time, the staff has gotten even more
Often however, detailed with their prayer requests
God uses the mis- because they have seen God answer-
sion trips to change ing the team’s petitions. The team
the lives of team has even recently started praying
members who go. over the orches-
Kirk Gable and Jimmy tra, sound tech-
Hanes are two such nicians, and
people. They went on a music ministry
trip with Beulah Baptist before the start
Church (Douglasville, The Beulah team of every service.
Georgia) in July of 2008 to encounters a The blessings
muddy road and a
make a difference in Hon- flooded river in
and changes at
durans’ lives. Instead, they Honduras. Beulah since the
found that God used the start of the Behind
trip to create a change in the Pulpit ministry
their own hearts—a change which has have been incredi-
spread through their whole lives. their hearts to the power of prayer ble. The services are
Jimmy and Kirk’s trip was a did not stop after the team returned filled with an excitement and hunger
tough one, with setbacks from rain, home. Jimmy and Kirk began to for God, and Beulah has seen more
flooded rivers, and muddy roads. On meet weekly to pray, and soon things and more people accept Christ.
the bank of a swollen, rushing river, started changing in their everyday As can be seen by the changes in
Jimmy was surprised when someone lives. Jimmy and Kirk and the other mem-
suggested that the team pray for the The difference soon became ob- bers of Beulah, short term mission
river to drop so that they could cross. vious to those around them, includ- trips are not just about impacting
Jimmy and Kirk remember thinking, ing the congregation at Beulah. Kirk people in faraway places, but about
“Pray? Will God really answer a felt like God was leading him to start touching lives right here in America
prayer for this kind of thing?” a prayer ministry at Beulah, so in Feb- through those who go. “God
Even in the midst of their ruary of 2010 the Behind the Pulpit changed me,” said Kirk about the ex-
doubts, God answered their prayer. prayer ministry was born. The prayer perience. As Jimmy testified, “The
After that, the team began to pray for team has 24 members, and each Sun- mission experience doesn’t burn out.
the little things, and they saw God day during the morning worship serv- It keeps growing and growing.”

PAGE 7
 HONDURAS: LANDMARK

By Heidi Winter

This year, when Landmark Chris-

tian School made their 14th annual
spring break trip to Honduras, they
brought more than medical supplies
and music—this time, they brought a
sports tournament.
The competition was hosted in
the tiny town of El Tempisque, an
five-hour drive from the nearest
major city. People from all the sur-
rounding areas flooded into El Tem-
pisque to participate in the historic
soccer tournament.
Gable’s Sporting Goods of Dou-
glasville, Georgia, generously outfit-
ted the four teams with 72 jerseys
and six soccer balls. The tournament
was a three-day affair, officiated by
Landmark’s Seth Cochran (this high-
school junior got in some serious ex-
ercise during those three days!)
Each regional team was spon-
sored by an Atlanta-area business: 1)
Team San Luis, Gable’s Sporting
Goods; 2) El Plan, Long Orthodon-
tics; 3) El Jano, Frank Cawood and
Associates; and 4) El Tempisque,
Wells Fargo Advisors.
The matches proved intense. El
Plan vs. San Luis was ultimately de-
cided by penalty kicks, with El Plan
emerging as 6-5 winners. The match
ended on a disputed call, with Seth
standing firm in his decision, despite
loud protests from players and spec-
tators. The passion Central Ameri-
can fans bring to soccer matches is
well-known, so Seth showed true grit
Dr. James Long (center, blue shirt) poses with the El Plan soccer team and their
first place trophy. El Plan won a four-team tournament hosted by LCS.
in sticking to his guns!
The next day, El Jano pulled out a
win against El Tempisque despite per-
sistent rain throughout the match.
The final day of the tournament
fell on Easter Sunday. After morning
medical and dental clinics, a crowd
of over 400 gathered to watch the
conciliation and winner’s bracket
matches. Sidelines were packed with
cheering people. At one point, a
horse broke free and ran wildly
across the field, drawing uproarious
laughter. Seasoned local announcers
used Frontline Mission’s sound sys-
tem, transforming the match into a
World Cup scene as their excited
voices resounded off the surround-
ing mountains.
In the championship match, El
Plan and El Jano fought it out to the
last minute in overtime, with the
final 3-1 win going to El Plan. Re-
markably, Dr. James Long of Long
Orthodontics, El Plan’s sponsor, was
on site to celebrate with his team as
they received the first place trophy.
El Tempisque’s residents were
blown away by the time and effort
shown by this group of American
teenagers. Before the trip, LCS stu-
dents spent weeks practicing so they
could sing, dance and perform dra-
mas entirely in Spanish. After a
week of Spanish worship services,
school visits, clinics, and the crown-
ing soccer tournament event, many
of the Hondurans opened up to the
LCS ministry. During the last serv-
ice, dozens came forward for prayer
with the team.
There were tears and praises on
each side as teenagers from both
countries embraced each other and
knelt in prayer before the God of
All Nations.
PAGE 8
 C O L O M B I A : C H AVA R R I A M I N I S T R Y
By Luis Chavarria
There are many places around
the world where sharing the Good
News is not easy, due to political tur-
moil. Early this year, God opened a
door for us to start serving in
Colombia, in a small city called
Sincelejo on the northern Atlantic
coast. Just a couple of years ago,
armed conflict was prevalent in this
area. Many residents had to abandon
their homes, many were killed, and
others are still trying to deal with the
scars of a not very distant past.
We talked to pastors who had
to run for their lives and to dis-
placed people who dream about re-
turning to their lands. We talked to
people in jails and in the streets, to
politicians and to leaders, to church
founders and to new believers.
Everyone has a story to tell, stories
we are just starting to hear. We felt
challenged to live as if there were no
tomorrow, as if today could be the
last chance to be grateful, the last op-
portunity to share the Good News.
We found the people in
Sincelejo thirsty for the Gospel. All
you have to do is to walk down the
streets, share a tract, ask a couple of
questions, give a smile and share
your faith. Knock on doors, and
people will stop what they are doing,
invite you in, and listen. The doors
are open, but the laborers are few.
This is easy to understand, con-
sidering the ever-present threat of
PAGE 9
violence. You have to stay cautious,
but as my brother-in-law likes to say,
“If the shot is for you, the shot is for
you.” I prefer to say it another way:
God is in control.
The streets of Sincelejo, Colombia, where
Luis Chavarria is carrying the Gospel.
I praise God for the privilege of
being a part of what He is already
doing in Colombia, a beautiful coun-
try, full of open hearts. We started
working with a group of 16 churches
around Sincelejo in March. This first
effort was directed to motivate and to
encourage local churches to reach out
to their communities, and to offer
training for the pastors and leaders of
these churches. Since then we have
made a couple more trips, and as a re-
sult of the Lord’s work with them
and through them, the church we
first attended has more than doubled
in size. A Bible Institute was started
in July, with 40 pastors and leaders
from different denominations in at-
tendance. Thousands of tracts have
been distributed with the help of
over 60 churches from different
backgrounds. We are also in the
process of raising the required funds
to buy 30 acres of farmland, where
we can establish an orphanage and a
drug recovery center. In Sincelejo,
we hope to start a “youth sensitive”
internet cafe where high school and
college students will find an attrac-
tive, positive environment which
will help us share the Gospel with
them. Finally, in 2011, we will start
working with 40 churches in San
Marcos, a city at the heart of the
swampy area in northern Colombia.
The exciting part is that the
Colombian churches are enthusias-
tic about our plans. They do not ex-
pect us to do the work for them—they
are ready and willing to take the lead.
We are just there to encourage them
and to provide resources. In a coun-
try where taking volunteers is too
dangerous for now, it’s crucial that
the local church is working to keep
the flame alive instead. I thank God
for allowing us to serve Him in a
country so ripe for the harvest.
 G U YA N A : S AV E -R-K I D S

By Carla Akins ing and educating older children as they prepare to leave
Much has happened at Save-R-Kids Children’s Home the Home is an area that increasingly needs attention.
in Guyana this past year. As usual, the directors Michael These small business projects may be the answer that we
and Michiel Campbell and their family have been busy car- have been looking for—helping the older children learn a
ing for the 32 children who call Save-R-Kids home. The trade that can propel them into successful lives as adults.
children are happy, healthy, growing, and for the most part This year, Dogwood Church in Tyrone, Georgia, and
doing well in school. Althea Campbell, one of the Camp- Saint James Episcopal Church made their annual visits to
bells’ daughters, recently opened a new day care in Sep- the home. Dogwood hosted medical clinics for the com-
tember. This longstanding dream of Althea’s was brought munity, started construction projects at the home, and
to life by Mary Joan and spent lots of time just lov-
Paul Mitchell and members ing and playing with the
of Saint James Episcopal kids. Saint James offered
Church in Charleston, Vacation Bible Schools for
South Carolina. The day locals, worked on the main-
care will provide a career tenance and upkeep on the
path for Althea, as well as buildings and grounds, and
open up potential jobs for got to play with the chil-
many of the older girls at For more information about Save’R’Kids, dren as well, which is al-
Save-R-Kids. These opportu- please call or visit the website: ways a joy for everyone!
nities will teach them much- This year, Save-R-Kids
Pat Jackson 770.969.0127
needed skills and provide established a new board of
experience that will be use- Donna Shuford 770.251.5309 directors in the U.S. This
ful to them in the local job www.saverkidsinternational.org has been a long time com-
market after they graduate ing and the subject of
high school. It is also an- much prayer. God has pro-
other chance for the light of the Gospel to shine in vided a wonderful team of people who have long histories
Guyana through quality, Christian childcare. with Save-R-Kids and share a passionate commitment to
Another great development has been the re-starting their cause. The members are: Mrs. Pat Jackson (Presi-
of the chicken business at the children’s home. The first dent), Frontline Missions (Alan Winter and Harry Cals-
group of chickens were started in mid-November and ad- beek), Donna Shuford, Katie New, Mary Joan Oexmann,
ditional chickens will be added to the production sched- John Warnock, and Val Akins.
ule to keep the chicken producing at a profitable pace. Frontline Missions values your prayers and support
Save-R-Kids will use the chickens for food for the chil- as we continue to partner with Save-R-Kids to develop
dren and also as income to pay for the whole project. the Home and help provide for the children of Guyana.
Building on this, we are looking forward to the develop- Those interested in helping the Home have the oppor-
ment of small-scale farming on the property. Farming tunity to support a particular child for $30 per month,
will also help feed the kids, and it will give some of the and donations toward the monthly cost of caring for 32
older ones a chance to learn more about business. Train- children are always greatly appreciated.

PAGE 10
 G U YA N A : M E S H E L L
By Heidi Winter
Desperately clinging to me,
Meshell repeated the words amidst
her sobs when I asked, “Are you
ready to give it all up? Are you? Are
you?”
“Yes, yes!”
“Do you want to turn away
from all the Hindu gods and receive
Christ as your only Savior?”
“Yes, yes!”
This transformation from terri-
fying darkness to the true Light was
a rare, awestruck moment. In all my
40 years of serving Christ, I have
never seen such a dramatic and
heart-wrenching salvation. We truly
serve a mighty God.
After a casual introduction
nine years ago, Meshell Narine in-
sisted on giving Alan and me a little
dress to take home to our grand-
daughter. We were taken aback by
her determined generosity. Meshell
did not even know us, but what spir-
itual down payment was transpiring
at that moment? Only God knew. It
wasn’t until March of 2010, when
we both returned to Mahaica,
Guyana, that we were enabled su-
PAGE 11
pernaturally to find Meshell once
again. To our sorrow, we found she
was seriously ill and unable to walk
normally, remaining mostly se-
cluded in her family quarters.
Meshell was no longer the extrovert
of her community, but an extremely
withdrawn and depressed woman.
Little did Meshell or her family
know that she had already started
the battle against cancer—and it was
trying to destroy her.
This time, my
fellowship with
Meshell
ended with
her ac-
cepting
Christ.
At the
end of
our visit,
she was
frantic.
“Don’t leave me,
don’t leave me!” The
cry rang in my ears and
heart, reminding me of my own
days of desperation. How could I
simply walk away when I had des-
perately clung to another, crying
those very words myself? The love of
Jesus Christ manifested in the flesh
by His church overcomes demonic
realm and sets captives free. I knew
it personally and I recognized its
working virtue once again.
Now, after nine months of
close communication and mentor-
ing in Christ, the Holy Spirit con-
tinues to guide me as I pour love
into Meshell’s life. He has led me to
walk her through the medical jour-
ney of fighting cancer, to point her
to a Savior who could usher in a
physical healing for her, and to sim-
ply love her with a mother’s heart.
“Since Auntie Heidi and Uncle
Alan have come into my life, I see
things differently now,” Meshell re-
counts, “I see the battle is the Lord’s
and I’m going to get the victory. It’s
coming!”
Meshell
and Heidi
Meshell
fights pain daily, but “bears it” the
best she can with the aid of medica-
tion and prayer.
But most importantly, her change
in disposition is the proof of her
claiming Christ. Frontline Missions
has brought over 40 believers into
Meshell’s home to pray since March.
And this December, we were blessed
to be a part of Meshell’s baptism.
In American culture, water bap-
tism often seems like a small, simple
step, but in other areas of the world

it can be a giant leap--figu-
ratively and literally.
It seemed like all the
forces of the enemy were
trying to prevent Meshell’s
baptism. To begin with,
Alan was miserably sick
with flu when we left for
Guyana (the illness stuck
with him until right after
the baptism—go figure).
Then we ran into de-
lays at the Atlanta airport
TOP & BOTTOM: Meshell Narine is baptized after many set-
and nearly missed our con- backs and difficulties. Meshell is now battling Stage 4 cancer.
nection. Finally, changes
to Alan’s flight forced him
to leave Mahaica earlier
than expected, so we had
very little time to plan for
and conduct the baptism.
Finally, we found
time to sit down with
Meshell. Alan went over
the meaning of baptism
and explained the process
to her. She experienced
some fear at the thought
of being totally immersed in water,
since she has never truly gone swim- answered our prayers, causing the
ming or even had her head beneath storm to pass by without raining on
water before now. Her fear only in-
creased when we learned that pira-
nhas had been spotted in the
baptism area (truly, baptism is a
completely different experience in
Guyana!).
On top of this, a loud thunder-
storm blew up fifteen minutes be-
fore we were supposed to leave.
Praying fervently for clear skies and
piranha-free waters, we arrived at
G U YA N A : M E S H E L L
husband, even exclaimed
that her face looked totally
changed! The Lord has not
forgotten Meshell’s family
in this journey of faith.
As we continue this
special ministry, we covet
your prayers for not only
the sake of Meshell and
her family, but also for
everyone in her commu-
nity. Who knows what
seeds are now being
planted there?
We do ask special
prayers for Meshell, as she
has now entered Stage 4
cancer and lives in agoniz-
ing pain (her doctors con-
sider her one of the two
cancer patients in all of
Guyana at this level of
pain). The cancer has
spread to her sciatic
nerve, her hip bone, and
part of her kidneys. The
medicine available there is
the baptism area at last. The Lord not strong enough to help her cope
with what she suffers.
At the time of this writing, I
us. We encountered one final obsta- am attempting to obtain additional
cle—getting Meshell down the diffi- cancer drugs for her, and also asking
cult descent into the water. Other those who feel led to participate in a
members of the group finally low- seven-day fast in prayer for Meshell.
ered her to Alan as he stood waiting We are beseeching Heaven on her
in the water. behalf for a miracle of healing,
Although she had been trou- counting on persistence and inter-
bled by fear a moment before, when cession to work hand in hand. We
Meshell emerged from the water are grateful to everyone who joins
after the baptism prayer, her face us in boldy approaching the throne
was transfixed. Tinnie, Meshell’s of God for Meshell.
PAGE 12
 B R A Z I L : IBEL

By Awan Chatarpal and Alan Winter will be their only meals during the week. In the after-
Eliswaldo Lima, the administrator of MESEF and noons and evenings the school will open to tutor older
the pastor of Betel Church (known as the ‘Children’s students. In addition to teaching academics, IBEL will
Church’), and his wife, Cleonice, are opening a kinder- instruct the students in Bible lessons, in keeping with
garten for poor and neglected children in their area and their establishment as a Christian school.
a tutoring center for youth. The mayor of Boa Vista has promised to donate all
It all started in 2008 when a team from Manna of the food and a community foundation has commit-
Church in Fayetteville, N.C., built a small shop to sup- ted to donating 1000
plement the humble finances of the Lima family. Be- books for the
fore the shop was finished, Cleonice began tutoring school’s library,
children that could not afford shoes which will make
and supplies in order to IBEL’s library sig-
attend the nificantly larger
local pub- than those of the
lic school. surrounding
Thus a vi- public schools
sion was which typically
birthed. have between 40
The Limas s ; s t u -
ssroom and 50 books each.
IB EL cla ing.
realized that ne of
t h e
gather We see God’s hand
ow s off o speaks to a
Biblical values, onice
s h
waldo of favor on this endeavor as
r ig ht: Cle at IBEL; Elis
including the ap- left t o son most of the construction materials have
From ttend a les
preciation of hard t s a
den also been donated.
work and integrity, are ab- The community has rallied in support of the
sent from the Brazilian school system and they wanted school and has now asked Eliswaldo to become the bar-
to help instill these values within the youth of their rio (neighborhood) president, which is a great honor
community. As a result, they have completed three for Eliswaldo, especially since it opens the door for the
classrooms, an office, a kitchen and are about to finish Lord in that community.
the cafeteria. Last week they received provisional gov- Eliswaldo and Cleonice have eight children and
ernment approval with the requirement that they finish live in a three-room house, although one would think
a short list of projects. This will allow them to open the they live in a three-bedroom home. They live on $300 a
Instituto Betel de Ensino Livre (IBEL)(Bethel Institute month and believe God will help them build this
of Free Learning) in February of 2011. school in order to stop the cycle of poverty and abuse
The school will function with the volunteer labor that exists all around them. They don’t consider them-
of two teachers, two assistants, a secretary and a cook. selves poor but blessed beyond belief to be used by God
They will teach sixty children, ranging from ages three to offer hope to the hopeless! They have sacrificed
through six, from 7:00 am to 11:30 am. They will also much, believed God for much and now are accomplish-
feed the students five days a week, and for many this ing much.

PAGE 13
 B R A Z I L : CETRAM

By Alan Winter heartfelt gratitude to everyone that revised our training model to Story-
Last year I wrote about the has labored faithfully in prayer and ing, using teaching methods that are
planned opening of the Training interceded on our behalf for the re- Biblically accurate, culturally rele-
Center and asked for prayer con- lease of this container. God alone is vant and transferable (i.e., easily re-
cerning the container the only produced). We also have had two
that was en route to one aware opportunities to train future
Brazil. I am excited to of all the CETRAM instructors in Storying.
announce the con- prayers WOMEN’S HOUSING: The de-
tainer finally arrived that have partment of education is now requir-
on November 16, been lifted ing us to have equal housing for both
2010. I was present as up on be- male and females. We currently have
they unloaded these the building 50% com-
indispensable items pleted, and an addi-
that are essential for TOP: Stefanie Ertel tional $8900 is
the opening of CE- from Manna Church of- required to finish its
TRAM (the training fers dance training to construction.
CETRAM’s church.
center). There was so EQUIPPING:
much celebrating and RIGHT: The women’s Manna Church in
housing building for CE-
rejoicing as the items Fayetteville, North
TRAM, which needs to
were brought out! As be completed before Carolina, sent a team
Awan put it, "I feel like the center can open. that offered training
we just left Egypt and we to the church in
are free from Pharaoh’s heavy hand half of this matter, but we have heard dance and also in Restoring the
of oppression!” how many of you have been on your Foundations (RTF)—a Biblical inte-
We could easily dwell on the knees in the spiritual realm with us. grated approach to prayer healing),
difficult struggle that we had to en- Please rejoice and praise the Lord both with great results.
dure to get the container through with us this day as we announce the CONTACTS AND EXPO-
customs, but I choose to rejoice in long-awaited dedication and opening SURE: Throughout this past year
the Lord's goodness and abundant of CETRAM will be February 28, the Lord helped the CETRAM min-
grace that He has bestowed on all of 2011. We cordially invite any and all istry establish connections with nu-
us during this time. Truly all things of you, our prayer partners, to join merous business men and political
do work together for good to those us in prayer for this grand celebra- leaders who worked on our behalf
who love the Lord and are called ac- tion of equipping disciples amongst for the release of the container. We
cording to His purpose (Romans the Amerindians of South America. are convinced these relationships
8:28). Thank You, Jesus, for Your In spite of the many delays we will play a vital part in the future of
abundant grace! are very encouraged about all that the training center and also the ad-
All of us at Frontline, MESEF, has happened in 2010: vancement of the Gospel in the sur-
and CETRAM give our deepest and STORYING: This year we have rounding area.

PAGE 14
frontline
MISSIONS
5600 Short Road, Fairburn, Georgia 30213
Contact: 770.774.0641 | info@fmusa.org

Alan and Heidi Winter Harry and Diane Calsbeek Luis and Karen Chavarria