PLEASE R.S.V.P. BELOW:

Hello everyone.

Please join us Sunday Feb. 28th 6pm-8pm for the first meeting of the Young Professionals Life Group. This is kid friendly so don’t be afraid to bring the children.  We will have a baby sitter to make sure the kids don’t kill each other. 

We will need the following:

• Meatball subs.  The Medley’s will be supplying the meatballs
• Cheese
• Chips and Dip
• Dessert
• Salad
• Drinks
• Hoggie Rolls
• Paper Plates
• Plastic Cups
• Napkins and Plasticware
• Any sides that go with Meatball Subs

Name

Email

How many guest will be with you

just me 1 2 3 4 5 6

How many kids wil be coming?

no children 1 2 3 4 5 6

Comments and item you will be bring

sb

Please fill out code

Just the Right Amount of “This” and “That”!

Matthew 5:5

(February 14, 2010)

- Life Group Discussion Guide -

OPEN:

1. Just off the top of your head how would you define the word “meek”? Are there any word “pictures” that come to your mind? Is there any person in particular?

2. Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary: (1) enduring injury with patience and without resentment (2) deficient in spirit and courage (3) not violent or strong

(a) Based on your current knowledge of the usage of meek in the Bible, how do those definitions stack up?

(b) Do you think the Bible usage has more to say? How….

(c) How about you…do you consider yourself to be a “meek” person? “Why, why not”? Explain.

DIG:

1. John Stott says, “the Greek adjective “praus” – means gentle, humble, considerate, courteous and therefore exercising self control without these qualities would be impossible”. How do you see that play out in the following verses?

Matthew 11:28-30; Galatians 5:23; Ephesians 4:2; Galatians 6:1-3; I Peter 3:15

2. What do you think the Apostle Paul had in mind to say about himself and his relationship to the Corinthians by his reference to Christ in terms of “meekness and gentleness”? How did he want to be received by them?

3. Consider the following comment: “Meekness is essentially a true view of oneself, expressing itself in an attitude and conduct with respect to others. The man who is truly meek is the one who is amazed that God and man can think of him as well as they do and treat him as well as they do.” (Lloyd-Jones) This makes him gentle, humble, sensitive, patient in all his dealings with others” (Stott) what do you think?

How do you think, “Blessed are the poor in Spirit” and “Blessed are those who mourn” feed into this concept of being meek?

4. Just for fun speculate on what you think Jesus meant when he said, “for they shall inherit the earth?

Reflect and Apply:

1. How do you feel these first three beatitudes give you depth of insight about?

(a) The relationship God wants you to have with Him?

(b) How God wants us to see ourselves?

(c) Our relationship with others?

2. How would you feel about – “receiving the Kingdom of heaven”, “comfort” and “inheriting the earth”?

Since the bowls are unique and limited, buy your tickets early: Look for the sign-up area in the church foyer.

All proceeds go to Brian Wallace and the Haiti Relief Project.

Mark your calendars for our very 1st Men’s Spiritual Impact Day

• Saturday, Feb. 27th!
• Our speakers will be Wesley Leonard, Larry Cline, Steve Puckett and our very own, Jeff Robison.
• The theme is:  “Becoming God’s Man in Today’s World”.
• It will be held here at Maricamp Road Church of Christ, 2750 SE Maricamp Road, Ocala, FL.
• Registration and continental breakfast is from 8:30 – 9:20 and the program will be from 9:30 – 4:00 (with lunch included).
• The cost is $10 (to cover lunch).
• The registration deadline is Saturday, Feb. 20th.
• Please make checks payable to “Maricamp Road Church”.  We look forward to seeing you there!!

Register Below:

JANUARY 2010

It is hard to believe that another year has started and we are already into February. 2009 was a tremendous year for both the church and the mission. If January is an example, 2010 promises to be a very exciting year.
First, on a personal note, a very special thank you for your prayers during Donna’s surgery and this time of recovery. She says thank you for your prayers but please don’t stop. We also want to thank Dr. A.D. and Sharron who provided us a place to stay and transportation. Donna continues to improve and is back in Nicaragua doing her physical therapy. She is scheduled to have the second knee replaced March 30.
We welcome to the work of the church and the mission, Sergio and Daisey Salazar and their son Douglas. Sergio and Daisey graduated from Baxter in December and started their work with us on January 1st. They are both from Nicaragua. Sergio will be serving as the Assistant to the Executive Director and will work with all aspects of the mission. Daisey, who is a pharmacist, will be working with our new medicine agreement with MINSA. They both will be a vital part of the church in Jinotega. Also on January 1st Ben and Susan Brooks began their work with us. Ben is a CPA and has worked as the CFO in the automobile industry and Susan is a school teacher. Ben will be working as the Deputy Director/Finance and Development of the mission and Susan with our schools and our “Smile” project. They live in Bossier City, LA and attend the Airline congregation. They will also be helping during the year with our groups. What a blessing to have both of these couples as part of our team.

This month we expanded our Institute for Preparation of Workers with the starting of a second class. We now have 45 students combined in both classes (with additional 60 Bible students in the Waswili prison.) Each class meets one week every other month (in the prison they meet two mornings a week… We are now into our second year of working with Sunset to prepare workers for northern Nicaragua. Luis Prada serves as the director of the school. This summer our plans are to add Video Classes for the students to be involved with great teachers from around the world. Over the last five years of the institute each student has received a Thompson Chain Reference Bible made available through the generosity of a family in Arkansas. The support for the institute comes from the Highland church in Texarkana and the new class is support by a brother in South Carolina.

We were able to attend the Annual Sunset Summit in Lubbock and Medical Mission Seminar in Dallas. At the medical conference we hosted with Health Talents a lunch for mostly medical or pre-medical students interested in medical missions. Both missions presented how they could be part of what we do in Nicaragua and HTI in Guatemala. A special thanks to both Sunset (partner with the mission since 2008) and ICHF for hosting these times each year. We were also able to be with Garland Street congregation in Plainview, our overseeing congregation. We are so thankful for their continued support, March 1st will mark five years they have had the oversight of this mission (partners since 2000). We visited with some of the folks from the Farwell, TX congregation (partners since 2008) and with Cindy at Child Meds First (partners since 2006). We were with the Argyle congregation in Jacksonville (partner since 2007) and we were part of the ministry fair at the Westgate congregation in Dothan (partners since 2006). We were at the Grapevine congregation who hosted a dinner meeting for the mission (partner since 2005), the Highland congregation in Texarkana (partners since 2003), and visited with a new congregation in Holly Hill, Florida. When we were in Lubbock we visited with Dr. Long of the nursing department at LCU. While in Lubbock we meet with part of the group coming Spring Break from LCU. This month we had the privilege of meeting with the Board of Director of Teethsavers who became a partner with the mission in 2009.

We have now secured over 20,000 toothbrushes toward the goal of 50,000 this year… we picked up over 6,800 toothbrushes from the Heritage congregation (partner with us since 2008) in Keller and a large sports bag from Gail Goad of the 4th and Beech congregation in Durant, OK. Gail says they have two other bags of similar size already in Nicaragua and will get those to us when they return to Nicaragua in February.

The world stopped and was stunned by the tremendous tragedy in Haiti. We pray that you have given prayerful consideration to what you can do to help the people of Haiti. With the rainy season coming soon one way you may look to help is with a project out of Harding…. http://www.tentsandtarps.org/
The mission has considered how the church in Nicaragua can to be involved in Haiti. Many have helped us through years, our work in Nicaragua started the year before Hurricane Mitch. We know what we can do is limited. One of the reasons is our continued effort of Hurricane Ida relief on the East Coast of Nicaragua which we have a group traveling there now. This work of Ida relief is done in conjunction with MINSA and SINEPRED. Also with our continue efforts on the Rio Coco and other projects serving the Jinotega Region. But our desire continues to do what we can to help our church family in Haiti.
With this desire to help we have developed a plan to help 12 children from Haiti to come to Nicaragua. From the very beginning of this plan we have been in contact with the Ministry of Family and other government offices. Porfirio Molina, the Vice-President of MPC-Nicaragua and our Director of Government Relation, was the Vice-Mayor of Jinotega, has taken the lead for the mission in this project. We are working directly with people in Haiti who are also working with the Haitian government on approval of the children to leave Haiti. In Haiti we are working with, Jean Robert St. Hilaire: Delmas 43 Church in Port au Prince. We fully understand that with all the concerns of the exploitation and trafficking of children we have to do things with proper approval from both Haitian and Nicaraguan government. It is exciting to see the church in Nicaragua looking to serve the church in Haiti. We continue to ask for God’s wisdom and direction as we move forward for the children.

This marks our third year to host students as part of the PAM program at Baxter Institute in Honduras. It is through this program we were able get to know Sergio and Daisey last year. Coming to be with us for three months this year is Byron and Sandra Caná and their two sons: Diego and Derek. They are from Chimaltenango, Guatemala. This is our fourth couple to host with this program. We look forward to these students coming each year.

For your prayers and consideration:

• Please continue to keep Donna’s recovery in your prayers.
• School starts the first of February. We start the year with 20 schools and with over 850 students. Could you help with “Just One More…” student or school? $20 a month helps a child, $350 support a school. Contact us today.
• The signing of the Medicine agreement with MINSA was scheduled for February 5th but was postponed till the 19th because of conflict with Dr. Gonzales schedule. The agreement has been finalized but we just need his signature. Please pray that we can finally bring this project into action.
• We presently have 15 groups confirmed for this year, we have room for you and your group to come this year, contact us today for date to come to Nicaragua.
• We need $6,000 to fund the shipping of a container out of Global Samaritan in Abilene. The supplies are ready to ship we just need the funding for the container.
• The mission’s coffee cooperative (coop) is coming together. We have enough money to start forming the cooperative. However, we are still in need of additional $4,000. If you want to help or need more information contact Mike. The cooperative will start with three families from the church in Yankea. Reynaldo Rizo the evangelist in Yankea is one of the farmers. Thanks to a brother in Alabama we were able to purchase the first piece of equipment for them to use in this harvest.
• This year we need to purchase a utility truck and another van. We are bless to have the vehicles we have but this week we have had to rent two additional vehicles because of number of different directions our people are traveling to serve.
• Please continue to pray for the search for a new Nicaraguan Director.
• We need $2,600 to fund this year Bible Bowl. We will start giving out this year material on the book of Mark in February.
• $1,750 is needed for the Video Conferencing equipment we need for the Institute, this equipment will also be used for training with Teethsavers and our Community Health Promoters.
• $600 a month is needed to be able to rent additional space for the mission and church in Jinotega. Last Sunday there were 99 in attendance Sunday morning, the children in the classroom were more than in auditorium. This space will give more housing, secure parking for our vehicles, additional classroom space and additional warehouse area.
• Toothbrushes still needed….

Thanks again for all your support and encouragement. Your partnership makes the difference. .Because of Him; Benny and Donna

Less of Me…More of God and His Rule!

Matthew 5:3

(January 31, 2010)

- Life Group Discussion Guide -

OPEN:

1. When you hear the word “poor” or “poverty” what are the first word pictures that come to your mind?

2. What connections might come to your mind between being “poor-physically” and “being poor spiritually”?

(a) Are the physically-materially poor always “poor in Spirit”?

(b) Why might be another reaction?

3. In what ways might it be harder for a person blessed with physical-material things – to be “poor in spirit”?

DIG:

1. In what ways are repentance and the New Birth necessary for receiving understanding and live life in the kingdom?

(Matthew 3:17; John 3:3-11)

2. What are some ways that understanding true poverty may help us to understand being “poor in spirit”?

3. What does being “poor in spirit” mean to you? How does it seem to relate to “self”? How does “self” keep us from realizing the Kingdom of God in our lives?

4. In what ways does “being poor in spirit” apply to:

* The person not yet a Christian?

* The person seeking to grow as a Christian?

*To the Church (a local church like Maricamp?)

Reflect and Apply:

1. As a Christian how important is it to you to receive the “Kingdom of God in your life”?

(a) What does that mean to you?

(b) How does that go beyond, “being saved”?

Most of us are creatures of habit and most of us will typically sit in the same area, if not the same pew, every Sunday. Now you probably know the people you sit beside and may talk to the people who sit in the row ahead or behind you; however, how well do you know the person who sits 5 or 10 rows away? How well do you know the people who sit on the other side of the aisle? I’m not talking about saying “hello” and “how are you doing?” type of knowledge, but do you really know them?

Starting in verse 44 “All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people…”

I don’t know about you, but I have a hard time getting my head wrapped around some of the things mentioned in these verses. These people sold their possessions and goods and gave to those in need. Could you imagine selling one of your cars or a piece of property for someone at church? It might be easier to do if we actually knew the person and regarded them as family; moreover, it would help if we knew what their true needs were in the first place.

I hate to admit it, but there are people that have been going to Maricamp Road for years and I don’t even know their name (for the record, I’m bad with names, but that is beside the point). I have seen people in the grocery store and stopped to say “hello” and then we went on our way. I don’t know them well enough to know what their true needs are let alone sell anything for them. Is this the kind of relationship given to us as a model in Acts?

Our relationships with each other will not change overnight, but I feel we need to spend more time than 4 hours a week in a structured service with our brothers and sisters if we are going to get to the point to where we truly know each others needs and care enough to do something about it. (I know this is an argument in favor of the small groups and I’m in agreement, this is just a generalized statement). I have started getting out the church directory on a regular basis to put a name to faces and have tried to sit in different spots during service. I had one person tell me on the phone last night “You weren’t at church” to which I replied “Yes I was” and the response was “I didn’t see you” which translates into “You were not sitting where you normally do.” It would only take a little effort on all our parts to make each other feel genuinely cared for and loved. I have witnessed the opposite as well when a person was upset that someone else was in “their” seat and stomped off in a huff. What is the message we want to relay to our visitors and the offending party who was sitting there?

One of the intangible things about the mission trip I enjoyed while I was in Nicaragua was spending time getting to know those around me. With no television, radio, computers, ect., we were able to sit and talk on the 7 hour bus rides, the canoe trips and after dinner each night. It was one of the highlights of the trip to get to know Steve, Bill, Pete, Chris , Jacob and the others on a more personal level. It helped that we spent 9 days straight together, but there is now a connection that would not have been there if not for that time together.

I am not perfect and definitely don’t have all the answers, but as a common member at Maricamp Road, I can only imagine what our family would look like if we started to pattern ourselves after the first church mentioned in the second chapter of Acts.

How much of a difference, if at all, do you think it would make on us as a body of believers, and to our community at large? It starts with me…and of course, you.

http://mgm.mannadr.org/

The Desire of Your Heart:

Is it to be “Happy” or “Blessed”?

(January 24, 2010)

- Life Group Discussion Guide -

OPEN:

1. From a purely “earthly” perspective how would you complete this statement, “Happiness is __________________”?

2. From purely “spiritual” perspective how would you complete the same statement, “Happiness is __________________”?

3. In what ways might we “tend to blend” the two above thoughts as we form our personal thoughts about what, “Happiness is”?

4. Can you think of any passage that directs us to pursue happiness or is it a by product of another pursuit or lifestyle?

(cf. Psalm 144:15, 146:5, Proverbs 16:20, Philippians 4:4)

DIG:

1. Why would we assume that one of the main goals of life is to be, “Happy”? What might be seen as problematic in the pursuit of happiness?

2. How might Solomon’s pursuit of meaning and purpose be reflective of some of those same problems? (Ecclesiastes 2:1-8; II Chronicles 1:7-12; I Kings 11:1-6; Ecclesiastes 12:13, 14)

3. How is the search for God, happiness, meaning and purpose reflected in the Beatitudes? (Matthew 5:1-12)

4. Why might the experience of the “new birth” be necessary to see, understand and live out this lifestyle described in the Beatitudes? (John 3:1-12) How might 3:10-12 fit into this process? (See Matthew 5:20)

Reflect and Apply:

Have a brief discussion on “what are some things that happen” in the process of the “new birth”? Who all is involved? How should this be reflected in our lives each day?

We are still accepting any donations for relief efforts and on-going support of help for Haiti. 100% of your donation will be used to buy fuel, gas, food, water, etc. for those in need! Donations can be made through our website (mannaglobalministries.org) or by sending a check to MGM, PO Box 2993, Clarksville, IN 47131.

Thank you for your continuous thoughts and prayers!

Manna Global Ministries
Laura Beth Lamb
Administrative Director

Please, please pray that this transition goes well! This could open up so many possibilities for us and you to be of service to those in Haiti that need our help!

Please don’t forget to email Laura Beth Lamb if you are interested in serving as a doctor, construction worker, cook or just feel the need to help (and can speak Creole!). We do not any decisions made yet but will be in contact with you as soon as we have any details and prayerful decisions from Brad and Brian.

Laura Beth Lamb
Manna Global Ministries

Most of the group was going out into the city to be of help where ever they are needed. As they were driving through the city, they “happened” to see a surgeon and director of an NGO that they had met in the DR. They stopped to talk with him and he told them there was a hospital that was in serious need of help and how to get there. They went directly there and hundreds of people were waiting, needing medical attention and very few medical personal. Our team was put to work immediately and worked there all day. They eventually had to leave to insure they were back to Mission of Hope before dark.

There is a water and fuel shortage now, so travel is limited and difficult. Through a conference call this morning, we were able to discuss some options for taking groups but we are praying that God gives us guidance in making some big decisions.

Words cannot express the gratitude we feel for all of you who have sent encouraging words, verses, offered help, donations, and really the list could go on forever! Please continue to relay all communication through Laura Beth Lamb whether you are interested in going on a relief trip or would like to make a donation. 100% of your donation will will be sent to Haiti for relief and on-going support. Donations can be made through our website or by sending a check to MGM (PO Box 2993, Clarksville, IN 47131).

We’re praying that God directs those working in Haiti to where they are needed most and that they will take His light and hope with them as they go. With each moment, we continue to pray for those who are trapped, that they will be found, and that those who are hurt will receive comfort. Lord, make yourself known in a mighty way.

“I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints. I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.” – Philemon 1:4-6

Sincerely,
Laura Beth Lamb
Administrative Director

“I just got off the phone with Marilyn from MOH (Mission of Hope) who was on skype with Brad Johnson while we were on the phone. The team made it. Brad Gautney was at work in the clinic while we were on the phone.”

So thankful to know they made it there safely!

We are making a spreadsheet with all who have responded and is am working on all of the logistics of getting a team in there as soon as we hear how we need to respond from Brian and Brad.

Thank you for all of the amazing, encouraging emails whether it has been about a donation, collecting items to send or communicating your desire to travel with a relief team.

If you want to contribute directly to the relief efforts in Haiti, 100% of your donation will be sent to help those in need. Please make contributions through our website (mannaglobalministries.org) or by sending a check to MGM (PO Box 2993, Clarksville, IN 47131).

We will be sending out updates still at least once a day to inform you on what the need is and how the group that is doing. Please continue to keep them in your prayers that they will have strength to face the challenges ahead and the guidance to make decisions on how Christians abroad can minister to those in Port au Prince.

You have been amazing prayer warriors for all of us!

In Him,

Laura Beth Lamb
Administrative Director
Manna Global Ministries

A “New” Day! A “New” Way of Living!

(Luke 1:67-79)

(January 10, 2010)

- Life Group Discussion Guide -

OPEN:

1. In what ways have you felt that there is more to the Christian walk than you are experiencing? Explain

2. What are some ideas or concepts that you feel (have/are) hindering you from that walk?

3. In what way can we as “Christians” be like the “Jews” and miss the true concepts of kingdom living and the Life to which we are called?

(cf. Matthew 13:11-17; 15:1-20)

DIG:

1. How important is Jesus teaching in Mark 1:14-15 to us today in order to receive all that’s encompassed in the teaching about the kingdom of God?

2. In what ways should the teaching of Jesus about the “New Birth” be significant to us in experiencing the life in the kingdom and understanding heavenly things? (John 3:1-16)

3. How does the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 26:28, 29 impact your thinking in understanding the new life God offers in Christ? How important is understanding the “new covenant” relationship with God? (Hebrews 8:10-12)

Reflect and Apply:

How can our trust in a “physical, earthly, political kingdom” hinder us from understanding and receiving the full benefits of the Kingdom of God?