en FaithQuest is proud to lead the Y-Africa?/Y-Malawi? projects http://www.faithquestmissions.org © Copyright 2000 - 2010Church Community Builder. All Rights Reserved. http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=33 http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=33&article_id=105 Gracie, Lisa, Carlos, Chase, & Alison Mon, 8 Feb 2010 14:49:06 MST http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=33 http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=33&article_id=87 View my page on Y-Malawi? Mon, 8 Feb 2010 14:42:36 MST http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=33 http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=33&article_id=65 Carlos Sales joined Faithquest Missions full-time after 13-years of pastoral ministries in several mega-churches in Southern California. Carlos joined FaithQuest and our vision to mobilize churches in the US to put their faith into action. Carlos shares here on his personal life and passions: " I've been happily married to Lisa since May of 1987. We have four children... Gracie (18), Alison (16), Olivia (15) and Chase (11). Lisa home schools our children. However, Chase has Down's syndrome, so he currently attends a special needs school in Vista. Our family loves to swim and play games together. We love to vacation as a family and one of our favorite vacations each year is Forest Home Family Camp. I enjoy riding street motorcycles, computers, reading and working out. (Above: Carlos leading a mission team on the village trails of rural Malawi, with Nkhoma Mountain in the distance) I'm passionately committed to helping people develop and build an intimate love relationship with God through prayer, study of His Word, and using their gifts to serve others and to lead them to Christ. Encouraging others to live life to it's fullest is also a passion of mine. My purpose in life is... "To bring glory to God by pursuing a rich, intimate, authentic love relationship with Jesus Christ and by investing all the resources He has entrusted to me - my gifts, my abilities, my time and my money - in ways that directly contribute to fulfilling the Great Commission." My priorities in ministry include building and leading ministry teams through partnership, affirmation, collaboration, empowerment and accountability. I care deeply about designing and implementing ministries that reflect biblical integrity and cultural relevancy. My values and desires are to maximize each person's unique gifts, competencies and passions as they take steps of faith towards spiritual maturity. I studied Civil Engineering and Computer Science in my early years and later received my Bachelor of Science degree at Biola University for Organizational Leadership. I was born in Hong Kong and moved with my family to the United States when I was nine-years-old. I was raised in a strict Catholic home. I attended Catholic school, Catechism and mass every weekend. I considered myself a religious and moral person. On February 4, 1978, I accepted an invitation to a Christian concert at Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa. I heard, for the first time, that it was possible to have a personal relationship with God. God opened my eyes and I took a step of faith in accepting Jesus Christ into my life as my Lord and Savior. My spirit came alive and I instantly developed a new awareness and passion for God and His Word. Lisa and I have been called by God from the Shepherd's field to the Mission field. We believe that God has called us to take this step of faith to serve Him in a whole new way. We are excited yet very humbled by what He is doing in our hearts. We are taking a step of faith, joining FaithQuest Missions and making the Y-Malawi project our primary focus. Our primary source of income will be financial support of individuals and churches. Please prayerfully consider partnering with us to mobilize the church to reach the lost and care for the extreme poor of the world." Carlos and Lisa need your support to carry forward their work! Please pray for them, and as God leads send checks to: FaithQuest Missions - 25016 Adelanto Drive, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677. Just write Carlos Sales on the memo line. Contributions can also be made online. Simply click on this button: FaithQuest Missions will send a year-end receipt totalling all contributions within the year. An immediate receipt for each contribution will be happily made upon request! To view all ministry update letters with pictures from Carlos and Lisa, simply go to:www.SalesMinistry.org You can reach Carlos at (760) 208-1511 or email him at Carlos@FaithQuestMissionsOrg Mon, 8 Feb 2010 14:37:34 MST http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=37 http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=37&article_id=92 All of us have taken a journey to the point that we are at presently. We look back on it and usually have a contorted-face response of "Wow...that was strange." In addition, if you are a believer, you can begin to clearly see all the nudges, urgings and obstacles that God gave you to get to the place that you are at now. I look back at mine and see lots of twists and turns. I mean, earlier in my journey, I felt that my life calling was to be an elevator doorman-push buttons, go up and down on elevators and talk to people all day...can life get better? Now here I am, however, super excited to go do missions work for a living....huh. I would have never been as confident as I am about this decision to enter into full-time mission work with FaithQuest, though, if I did not look back on my life and see the smack-you-in-the-face obviousness of God's leading to this very purpose in my life. I certainly have had lots of things that have played into my life, but I must say that two things have radically revolutionized the course of my life. The first is the moment was when I was speaking to my peers, as a senior in high school, about being a light for Christ and in that moment decided I wanted to be in vocational ministry for the rest of my life. The second...well...is what I want to talk to you about. Sun, 18 Oct 2009 17:25:57 MST http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=37 http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=37&article_id=93 As many of you know, my Dad is the director of FaithQuest and as the title suggests, he has been on a journey of faith ever since he stepped into this lifestyle in 2002. At that time, I was age 17 and was quite impressed and a little taken aback by my Dad's change in his life. I mean, wow, a missionary, that is pretty extreme. That was my initial thought. I was a strong believer, yet was completely unaware of any sort of global purpose. Then my dad began to make several of these trips to Africa and would come back with stories and pictures that moved my heart and I could hear the passion in my father's voice. I can recall so many stories from those early days of needy, impoverished brothers and sisters in Africa. However, I can also clearly remember the stories of the workers. Workers like Hester who in her great faith had healed people. Then there was Dan who traveled through the squatter camps of South Africa embracing poor Africans who were his friends and brothers. Local workers, too, like Aphenos, a young African man who dedicated his life to spreading the gospel to his fellow Africans. This is what my Dad was a part of. My Dad had a great sense of purpose, and through the power of God was doing things that had significant meaning. Because of my Dad, I was exposed to these global and kingdom perspectives at a young age, and it was the start of a great work in my life. Sun, 18 Oct 2009 17:25:57 MST http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=37 http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=37&article_id=94 In the years that followed, my Dad went on more trips to new places, founded FaithQuest for the purpose of mobilizing churches, partnered with World Vision, and co-founded a transformational ministry called Y-Africa. He has been blown away by the expansion of influence of FaithQuest throughout US Churches and throughout other areas of the world. Along with FaithQuest's growth was the growth of my own heart for missions and global mobilization. Sun, 18 Oct 2009 17:25:57 MST http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=37 http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=37&article_id=95 My first trip abroad came in 2005 and I went to Malawi and South Africa. Amongst the great need, it was the joyous hope and interdependence of African communities that penetrated my core. The African people inspired me to be a better man and stirred in me a huge desire to be part of the effort to fight malnutrition, poverty, AIDS, and disease in 3rd world countries. Something inside me sparked and could not put out the fire inside of me, even if I wanted to. These were my brothers and sisters and I loved them. I praise God so much for this first trip because it opened up my eyes to a whole new realm of understanding. Sun, 18 Oct 2009 17:25:57 MST http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=37 http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=37&article_id=98 Indonesia was still 3rd world, but the people had a much greater sense of Western culture. You had two very distinct types of people in Indonesia: Indonesians that were deeply indoctrinated by their religion (Bhuddism or Islam) and Indonesians that were living a life of worldly pleasure and inwardly corrupting themselves. The enemy was very present in Indonesia. Praying so deeply on that trip, my team found strength and confidence to speak the promises of the gospel of Christ to both these groups. Sun, 18 Oct 2009 17:25:57 MST http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=37 http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=37&article_id=99 In Sri Lanka and Indonesia I found myself deeply motivated by the purpose of the great commission-"Go! Make disciples of all nations..." (Matt. 28:19). Upon returning, I could not help, but to be internationally-minded. It was at that time that I studied more into this. I was engaging in the Word, noticing even more that every word Jesus spoke related to the purpose of reaching the lost and providing for the needy. I was captivated by Paul's undying devotion to this purpose. In Acts 20:24 Paul states "I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me-the task of testifying to the Gospel of God's grace." He found all his worth in representing Christ and spreading His message of grace. It was also in this time that I sought out the mentorship of the International Programs Director at Azusa Pacific, Matt Browning, for more insight into missions. His guidance and the book he introduced me to, Live Life on Purpose were paramount to my decision to step into FaithQuest a year and half later. Sun, 18 Oct 2009 17:25:57 MST http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=37 http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=37&article_id=97 Two years passed before my next trip and the Spirit was deep at work in me throughout that time, working to educate me of the Christian purpose of being salt and light to the world. In 2007 I traveled to Sri Lanka and Indonesia for two months where I had to put my faith into action and witness to the lost and broken people within these deeply authoritative Muslim communities. We went to a part of Sri Lanka that had been severely hit by the tsunami in Dec. 2004. They were rebuilding, but what they wanted was emotional and spiritual support. Foreigners would come and help build, but wanted nothing to do with the people. The authoritative Mosque in the town only strained the people's spirits. The soil of their hearts was soft and broken and perfect for the seeds of Christ to be planted. God certainly used my team there. Sun, 18 Oct 2009 17:25:57 MST http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=37 http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=37&article_id=100 I did many different things after my return from Sri Lanka and Indonesia. I even was in vocational ministry as a youth pastor for 15 Months; however, I couldn't avoid the burning desire for missions and global mobilization. The wide majority of sermons I prepared revolved around the Great Commission and the first person I connected with at my church was the Missions Chair. Whereas I have a love for youth and love being a positive influence for them, the core of my Spirit was pulling me into missions. I even married a woman who inspired me because she had to desire to become a Nurse so that she could eventually take those skills into the mission field. The Lord has been preparing me for this. My wife and I were at a point where we were ready to trust in the Lord's providence and therefore, we made the choice for me to step into full-time work with Faithquest missions. And the rest is, well...in front of me. I can't wait to see what's next on the journey! Sun, 18 Oct 2009 17:25:57 MST http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=37 http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=37&article_id=91 Hey friends! Jordan here and I am excited to share with you the great news about joining FaithQuest Missions. My wife Alex and I are extremely energized by this new step in my life and either of us would be happy to talk to you about it. Feel free to contact me at Jordan@FaithQuestmissions.org with any questions or comments you have. Jesus said "Go" and I am ready to do just that--not to mention, I plan on taking some of you with me! Blessings! CHECK BACK TO SEE THE MANY UPDATES THAT WILL SOON FILL THIS PAGE! Sun, 18 Oct 2009 17:25:57 MST http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=35 http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=35&article_id=81 The kick-off event for this year is The Dana Point Harbor Turkey Trot, Thanksgiving morning on November 26! What a great way to start of the day, with a fun and casual event like this! (Yes, the Running Elvis's in full costumes is casual!) YOu can walk or run or some of both, 5K or 10K, but do it in a TeamFaithQuest jersey! In 2008, TeamFaithQuest laughed and sloshed our way along the coastal and harbor route with 4,000 other runners in a rainy Turkey Trot. We had a real hoot, and it was a coming out party for our cool new Asics TeamFaithQuest jerseys. The rain test was successful...the jersey worked well even in the pouring rain! We also ran into others from Y-Malawi churches there who said: "Heeeey, I support FaithQuest and Y-Malawi....where do I get a TeamFaithQuest jersey???" HA! You have to join TeamFaithquest! Members from left to right: Nathan Blakely, Ryan Joly, our fearless leader Shane Stagner, Lori Gash, John Gash, and Melissa Armstong Mon, 5 Oct 2009 15:04:52 MST http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=35 http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=35&article_id=78 Dana Point Harbor Turkey Trot 5K and 10K. November 26, 200913.1 (Half) Marathon Los Angeles (Santa Monica Bay)- January 10, 2010178 Mile Ragnar Relay - Santa Barbara to Dana Point. April 23/24, 2010San Diego Rock 'n' Roll Marathon - May 30, 2010Camp Pendleton Mud Run - June 5, 2010 Don't see your event? No problem! You can participate in the event of your choice and invite others to join too! Let Shane (pictured) know what event you have chosen so we can support you! Join us for some training! The South Orange County group meets Saturday mornings in Dana Point Harbor at 7:00 for a fun run, with many sub-groups at several speeds including walking, so you can find the level that fits for you! We all connect before and after in the same spot to enjoy and assist one another. Contact Shane@TeamFaithQuest.org for more on this, or Carlos@FaithQuestMissions.org for info on the San Diego gatherings. Mon, 5 Oct 2009 14:56:23 MST http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=35 http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=35&article_id=77 Join TeamFaithQuest for the fun and friendship with other action-oriented men and women, and consider the option of raising funds for bringing relief for communities in need at athletic challenge events. If you want a training buddy, it's easy to find like-minded members through the TeamFaithQuest Community, Lifetime membership is just $50 and includes a great TeamFaithQuest jersey by Asics, as well as a fun casual shirt. Both pretty cool shirts and great for easy identification of your fellow members and sharing the message! Visit our website at www.TeamFaithQuest.org and Community at www.TeamFaithQuest.ning.com, or contact Shane@TeamFaithQuest.org for additional information! There are alsoTeamFaithQuest Groups for Orange County and San Diego located on the Y-Malawi Community site. Follow the link to check that out: Visit and join the Y-Malawi Network Website! Mon, 5 Oct 2009 14:55:45 MST http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=35 http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=35&article_id=76 TeamFaithQuest is a growing network of runners, walkers, hikers, & cyclers committed to raising awareness & resources for FaithQuest work including their leadership in Y-Africa? & Y-Malawi?. Our goal is to have fun, unite with one another, and add meaning and purpose to our efforts as we bring help and hope to poverty-stricken children and the communities they live in. We invite you to join our network of men and women who share these common goals! Mon, 5 Oct 2009 11:02:58 MST http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=36 http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=36&article_id=86 If you are from a Y-Malawi church: We hope to see farmers and others with a heart for providing food for the hungry from currently involved churches cooperate and unify for greater impact in Nkhoma/Chilenje! Not from a Y-Malawi Church? We also hope to invite farmers and others whose church is not yet involved with Y-Malawi to join us on trips and our work in Nkhoma/Chilenje, and potentially be a contact person for your church joining the Y-Malawi alliance of churches reaching out with God's love in tangible ways to the villages of Nkhoma/Chilenje. Our goal is to develop and grow a network of like-minded individuals and their churches for maximum impact, food security, and transformation in Nkhoma/Chilenje! Please contact us if you have a heart for doing something tangible and impactful about the food crises in Malawi! Partnering together with our churches, we know God will make a way for us to feed the hungry! Contact: Cathey Anderson (FarmerCath@FaithQuestMissions.org) Carlos Sales (Carlos@FaithQuestMissions.org) Sun, 4 Oct 2009 15:55:46 MST http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1 http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=1&article_id=89 We are pleased to announce that Jordan Gash has joined the FaithQuest Missions team! Reach Jordan at Jordan@FaithQuestMissions.org Tue, 29 Sep 2009 14:54:23 MST http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=29 http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=29&article_id=35 FaithQuest Missions is a faith ministry, operating by the faithful financial support of individuals and churches. Please prayerfully consider partnering with us to mobilize the church to reach the lost and care for the poor of the world. Send checks to: FaithQuest Missions - 25016 Adelanto Drive, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677. Contributions can also be made online. Simply click on this button: If you would like your finances to support a specific project or progam, please let us know, otherwise it will be applied to the most pressing needs at the time received! All donors will receive a year-end receipt totaling all contributions within the year. An immediate receipt for each contribution will be happily made upon request! Photo: Malawian child from the Nkhoma Villages we are focusing our relief upon Wed, 10 Jun 2009 19:00:40 MST http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=30 http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=30&article_id=36 FaithQuest Missions is a faith ministry, operating by the faithful financial support of individuals and churches. Please prayerfully consider partnering with us to mobilize the church to reach the lost and care for the poor of the world. Send checks to: FaithQuest Missions - 25016 Adelanto Drive, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677. Contributions can also be made online. Simply click on this button: If you would like your finances to support a specific project or progam, please let us know, otherwise it will be applied to the most pressing needs at the time received! All donors will receive a year-end receipt totaling all contributions within the year. An immediate receipt for each contribution will be happily made upon request! Photo: Malawian child from the Nkhoma Villages we are focusing our relief upon Wed, 10 Jun 2009 18:59:50 MST http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=34 http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=34&article_id=88 Photo above: Mark finishing a 210 mile 10 warm-up hike of the John Muir Trail Photo right: Mark at 14,000\' on the trail just below the summit Mt.Whitney on the John Muir Trail hike....a path he will retrace as he comes through the eastern side of the central Sierra Nevada Mountains Mon, 6 Apr 2009 17:44:59 MST http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=34 http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=34&article_id=73 The UN is not going to save Malawians. Their greatest hope, like ours, is in Christ and then in the followers of Christ in His church. Mark is trusting that his effort of his can serve to draw attention and action to this growing crisis. He's wants to reach out to Christians across the country and challenge them to sponsor this hike as a way of together making an impact in Malawi. Mark hopes to raise awareness, prayers, and enough money to make a transformational impact on several specific regions including the Nkhoma Valley. Mark's goal is to raise at least $15,000 in this effort. The vision is to leverage the funds through FaithQuest to engage 5 additional USA churches to join in the effort, adding to the 25 churches that are already engaged with FaithQuest / Y-Malawi. This additional impact is estimated to generate between 2 - 5 million dollars of tangible resources for helping the poor of Malawi over the term of the project! Mark is doing the hard part. Let's join his vision, support his efforts, and transform the lives of the children and communities of Malawi! To sponsor Mark and support the FaithQuest Challenge now, click here: http://www.firstgiving.com/faithquestchallenge To visit Mark's trail journal at www.postholer.com/mdcalpoly and use the drop down menu in the upper right corner of the page! To receive more information on how you or others you know can be involved, please write Mark personally at mdcalpoly@gmail.com. He will reply to you personally up until he leaves for the hike! You can also write us here Challenge@FaithQuestMissions.org Mon, 6 Apr 2009 17:38:05 MST http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=34 http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=section&id=34&article_id=71 Mark Dupray is a young man of vision, outrageous faith, and belief that he can make a difference. Mark is preparing to hike the entire Pacific Crest Trial, in one shot, crazy as it sounds. Alone, 2650 miles. Yes, 2650miles, from Mexico to Canada, 20-25 miles or more a day for months, through deserts, mountains, and the elements. He leaves the end of April 2009. Mark has joined with FaithQuest Missions to dedicate this trek to raising funds for Christian relief for the poor of Malawi, Africa. Mon, 6 Apr 2009 17:37:16 MST http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=group&id=1 http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=group&id=1&article_id=42 REFLECTIONS ON 2008 - Woohoo! What a ride! There is no way we can start a report for this new year without a big joyful yelp to our amazing God and a giant THANK YOU to you and all the other faithful men and women who have partnered with us in this adventure! It's been another great year of action here in the USA and in Africa and beyond. We have been blessed by God through your prayers and financial support that has allowed for expansion on many fronts! We partnered with more than 30 churches and had 12 trips with more than 150 participants going to serve in Africa. (Photo: John & Lori with Group Village Headman Cheif Mazengara in Nkhoma) Wed, 28 Jan 2009 19:14:56 MST http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=group&id=1 http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=group&id=1&article_id=43 Some of the highlights for 2008 include: Many new trip leaders were recruited, trained and sent in 2008. A foundation of new leaders for the future!Started working with several new churches to help them be more outwardly focused and engaged.Distributed more than 500 Bibles to singing, dancing, cheering Chiefs in the Nkhoma/Chilenje villages of Malawi.Delivered a new minibus to our partner, the Chief's Ministry in Malawi (Photo: Cheif's MInistry leader Amos Chibisa celebrating!)A 2nd new minibus delivered for use by all of the Y-Malawi partners and the visiting teamsOur "Run to Battle" Trip to Malawi with men from US churches working with men and chiefs in Nkhoma/Chilenje. (Also climbed Kilimanjaro with some of the men, fulfilling a childhood dream!)Leadership training with the Pastors, Ministry Leaders, and Chiefs of Nkhoma/Chilenje with Dr. Roland and Patricia Niednagel.Began construction on new training center and ministry base for Fishers Trainers Senders, our evangelism and discipleship ministry partner in Malawi.Visited and personally expereinced the great progress made with our South Africa ministry partners Monte Christo Ministries and Cargo of Dreams in the poor communities around Paarl, South Africa.New growth of the FaithQuest team adding Carlos Sales, Stan Smith, and Cathey Anderson. Wed, 28 Jan 2009 19:13:14 MST http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=group&id=1 http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=group&id=1&article_id=35 It has been a while since we posted a newsletter on the website so we thought it was high time we shared with you more of the good news that has been happening with FaithQuest Missions and our Y-Malawi project! We have been home for about 2 months and have been playing catch up after being in Malawi and South Africa for about 4 weeks. In South Africa we were able to catch up with the great work being done by our partners Monte Christo Ministries and Cargo of Dreams. (Please see http://www.montechristoministires.com/ and http://www.cargoofdreams.org/ and connect with them!) Before that we had the wonderful opportunity to take people from 3 different churches ranging from Los Angeles to San Diego to Malawi and each church was touched by our Lord with what they experienced. They have all jumped aboard the Y-Malawi movement and are launching child sponsorship drives as well as booking future trips to Malawi to serve amongst the communities there. God is moving...praise Him! (Photo: I can never really tell if the Nkhoma children are giggling with me or at me!) Wed, 28 Jan 2009 19:04:09 MST http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=group&id=1 http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=group&id=1&article_id=36 We also had the tremendous opportunity to help Pastor Roland Niednagel and his wife Patricia do leadership training with pastors and tribal chiefs from within our Y-Malawi villages of Nkhoma. The enthusiasm and receptivity of these humble men and women was amazing! They had such a desire to know Christ more and to know His word and to lead their people. Through this last trip we came to understand that there was a huge need for bibles for these leaders. They do not have the money to purchase a bible for themselves even if one was for sale somewhere, but God showed up to overcome this in an amazing way! (Photo: The Niednagel's bringing joy to their sponsored child) Wed, 28 Jan 2009 19:04:09 MST http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=group&id=1 http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=group&id=1&article_id=37 Through the people that came with us to Malawi in April and through others hearing of the need for bibles, $14,000 came in to Y-Malawi specifically for Chichewa bibles which will provide over 2000 bibles! God is great! The bible bucks and the gift of another $15,000 for a first vehicle for the Chief's Ministry along with other contributions for our Malawi partners has made the last weeks very exciting! What a blessing for these precious people and what a privilege that you all have had a huge part in sharing by your prayers and support of FaithQuest and our work in mobilizing USA churches for kingdom work in Malawi. Thank you all so much! We are truly blessed by Him and you! This blessing is literally enabling us to work with dozens of churches representing a vast army of believers whom God is using to change Malawi and change lives and churches here as we all join Him in His Great Commission and Great Commandment work. (Photo:This is a pre-school in Nkhoma...we loved the desks and guy in the ski suit!) Wed, 28 Jan 2009 19:04:09 MST http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=group&id=1 http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=group&id=1&article_id=38 Great work for the Kingdom of God by the teams at Monte Christo Ministries and Cargo of Dreams in South Africa 9 teams from the U.S. serving in Malawi this yearFor the new churches joining us in Y-Malawi?Child Sponsorship drives are going wonderfully. Almost 4,200 children sponsored in Nkhoma so far! The launching of the new Chilenje Project Area and World Vision ADP next to Nkhoma, expanding the reach to an additional 45,000 Malawians Funding for 2000 Chichewa bibles for pastors, tribal chiefs, Above and left...Malawi facesand families in the Nkhoma and Chilenje villagesFunding for a long desired first ever vehicle for the Chief's MinistryJohn & Lori's health and strong marriage of 30 years celebrated in April with great friends Wed, 28 Jan 2009 19:04:09 MST http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=group&id=1 http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=group&id=1&article_id=39 That our faith and trust in Him and His promises would grow even moreFor faith & provision for our USA church partners and their leaders that are standing firm on their commitment to be outwardly focused even during challenging times Financial provision for FaithQuest team member Pastor Carlos Sales and his family of 6Financial provision for John & Lori/FaithQuest. (Giving to Malawi projects is up, PTL, but giving to John and Lori's support has dropped. We are praying for replacement of vital $2000 per mo.) God's best blessings for all of our partners and supporters Finalizing plans and team for John's Run To Battle Men's Ministry Malawi trip in SeptemberHealth and blessings for Baby Stagner due this month... Amber and Shane's 3rd and grandchild 5 for proud Grammy and PapaWedding of son Jordan to the beautiful Alex 8/8/08. John per-forming the ceremony (Yikes! What were they thinking to let me do that?)God's right job for Jordan, near enough to Alex's new job at Children's Hospital in Los Angeles. (Photo: I found this crazy but beautiful woman leading a group of Americans through Malawian corn fields in search for their sponsored children!) Wed, 28 Jan 2009 19:04:09 MST http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=group&id=1 http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=group&id=1&article_id=40 We thank Him that we are more certain than ever of His calling on our lives. We are excited to charge forward! With much love and appreciation for Him and you, from your fellow servants, John & Lori Photo: We are so thankful to have your love and support that allows us to serve these little ones in Nkhoma Malawi and lands beyond! We are with our 2 sponsored children Wynot and Mala and their families in this photo. Wed, 28 Jan 2009 19:04:09 MST http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=group&id=1 http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=group&id=1&article_id=27 It's been a challenging but great year and we are incredibly humbled and thankful that God continues to move with such power and blessing in our lives and ministry. We are certain that it was Him working through you in our lives that has made this possible. You have inspired and strengthened us through your prayers, encouragement, participation in events and overseas trips, financial support, and simply by sharing your lives with us. For some of you this has been a difficult year, with health, family, or financial issues, or spiritual battles, and sometimes all of the above. We are thankful for how you have persevered in your faith, for it serves as a great reminder of the hope we all have in Christ. We hope to be a blessing and an encouragement to you all too, and report the amazing things our awesome God is doing in the world to bring His love, hope, and unity. Above left: Johno and Wynot - Visiting our sponsored children in Malawi was a highpoint! Wed, 28 Jan 2009 19:04:09 MST http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=group&id=1 http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=group&id=1&article_id=28 We'll tell you first that we are doing great. We really do feel like God has used you to bless us so that we can be a blessing to others. Personally, God's provision of a close walk with Him, an incredible marriage, our health, wonderful community in our small group, and two new healthy grandchildren has us really soaring. Our adult daughters Autumn and Amber and their families live close and Jordan is starting his senior year of ministry studies at Azusa Pacific University this month. We are very busy, but we are very well with our souls. Wed, 28 Jan 2009 19:04:09 MST http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=group&id=1 http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=group&id=1&article_id=29 We also have experienced significant ministry growth in all areas this year: Through FaithQuest and Y-Malawi we led or sponsered 10 team trips to Africa in 2006 involving over 150 people from 23 different churches. Many new churches and Christian schools joined Y-Malawi this year, swelling the number to 19. The second 50,000-person Area Development Project (ADP) in Malawi is being launched and we ar e rapidly closing in on 2,000 children sponsored in 2006 through Y-Malawi with our partner World Vision. With 2,500 children sponsored in each ADP, more than $1,000,000 in annual funding for each ADP community is established, which will provide for drilling bore holes (wells) to replace consumption of water from contaminated pond/mud holes, provide widespread agricultural programs to establish family food security, provide health and hygiene training, medicines and healthcare workers, HIV/AIDS workers and caregiver supplies, training and supplies for mid-wives to increase mother and infant survival, and much more, all in the name of Christ. Wed, 28 Jan 2009 19:04:09 MST http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=group&id=1 http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=group&id=1&article_id=30 Through you, God also provided significant funding for a micro-enterprise development and lending program in these communities managed by our expert partner Opportunity International. Our focus area in Malawi is in one of the very poorest regions in the world, and contains almost 100,000 of God's men, women and children within the first two ADP's. Although the current life expectancy in Malawi is only 37, life is about to be filled with much more hope for those that God has used you to touch in all the ways they need it most! Something to celebrate! We exhibited and spoke at 3 major conferences for pastors and leaders this year with World Vision, and God continues to open new doors as a result. World Vision's tireless support of Y-Malawi, combined with understanding more of their experience and expertise as the largest Christian relief organization in the world has been an amazing eye-opener to me as to what can be done if we can come together in unity as churches under the banner of Christ. Wed, 28 Jan 2009 19:04:09 MST http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=group&id=1 http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=group&id=1&article_id=31 As we look into 2007, you can guess that we are praying for both a repeat of 2006 while also believing big for even further growth of the ministry and kingdom and expansion that happened this year. We thank God for great things He has done, yet it is impossible to ignore all that is still before us for Him. We hope to build bridges between more of the tens of thousands of evangelical US churches and the hundreds of millions of people in Africa and other continents that are in the Extreme Poor and/or Unreached categories. We ask you to join us in praying that the faith, hope, and love that is His Kingdom and His church in action can be expanded. We humbly request your continued prayer and financial support both here before year-end and on into 2007, so that we can continue and also expand into new opportunities as God provides. Wed, 28 Jan 2009 19:04:09 MST http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=group&id=1 http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=group&id=1&article_id=32 More than $100,000 was sent by our partner churches through Y-Malawi to our Malawi-based evangelism and discipleship partners. Tens of thousands of people were exposed to the Gospel of Christ through these ministries and literally thousands came to know him! Leaders were discipled and trained and new churches were planted. God's people putting their faith into action in partnership with their local churches and FaithQuest/Y-Malawi has lead to many thousands of the extreme poor getting intensely practical, meaningful, and sustainable relief through the finances and ministry that happen as a result of these partnerships. We thank God and we thank you for your part in making this happen! Wed, 28 Jan 2009 19:04:09 MST http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=group&id=1 http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=group&id=1&article_id=33 Words cannot express how thankful we are for you and your partnership with us. We are pierced by your love and devotion for Him as expressed by your love and support of this ministry and us personally. Our heartfelt prayer during this Christmas season is that you and yours are blessed as we together remember the reason Jesus was born 2000 years ago and seek to share that reason with others. God has used you, dear friends, and all of this will echo through eternity! With much love from your fellow servants, John and Lori "Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. I always pray for you, and I make my requests with a heart full of joy because you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. And I am sure that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again." Philippians 1:3-6 Wed, 28 Jan 2009 19:04:09 MST http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=group&id=1 http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=group&id=1&article_id=34 The heart and purpose of FaithQuest Missions is to mobilize the church to "faith-in-action" kingdom purposes. We seek to build bridges of love and connection between churches within the United States and front-line missionaries and their organizations to the extreme poor in areas of greatest need in the world. Wed, 28 Jan 2009 19:04:09 MST http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=group&id=1 http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=group&id=1&article_id=20 The Kafulu ADP villages are all operational farming villages, but it was hard to miss how much they had been imporoved! They had a new irrigation watering system in which they pumped water into a huge vegetable garden. There is no electricity so of course the watering system was pumped by manpower on a device that looked a lot like a primitive elliptical machine! (See photo at right, with Carrie Radliff from Saddleback Valley Christian Schools and Rock Harbor Church helping out!) They needed to be on that pump for about an hour each day to water their crops. Yikes!!! They had mango and papaya tree farms, silos filled a new kind of high-yield corn, wonderful livestock like hybrid super-goats that had been introduced to, grow bigger, produce more milk and meat, resist disease, and have more babies. It was great! The people seemed happy, encouraged, and empowered. All this is done in a way that allows the people to have dignity, pride, and a sense of ownership by learning to do it with their own hands and minds, not just by receiving money or others coming in and doing it for them. It was all done in the name of Christ by Christians with a heart to show His love and see these families and communities know Him. Needless to say Kafulu was amazing! The things that have been accomplished in 8 years have been truly transformational for the people there! Wed, 28 Jan 2009 19:04:09 MST http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=group&id=1 http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=group&id=1&article_id=21 Our next stop was an area called Nkhoma. This is the area of the brand new ADP that has been started in partnership with the USA Y-Malawi churches. This area in stark contrast to Kafulu! Their water is not something we would ever want to drink from. Basically a hole in the ground where wild animals can drink and urinate and well let's just say it's not very sanitary. There is little agriculture to speak of. No livestock animals, just lots of dirt. Thatched huts for schools, zero medical services, deforested, real poverty. BUT, that is starting to change! Photo: Nkhoma villagers gathering pond water for drinking Wed, 28 Jan 2009 19:04:09 MST http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=group&id=1 http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=group&id=1&article_id=22 Last year when John took some churches to Nkhoma, the chief and leaders really pressed them for a school built for the children. Someone from the government had promised them a school 7 years earlier if his people made the mountains of mud bricks needed to build it, but the government never came through for the chief and his people once the bricks were done. Photo: Grass Nkhoma school house packed with kids! Wed, 28 Jan 2009 19:04:09 MST http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=group&id=1 http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=group&id=1&article_id=23 Now the USA Y-Malawi partner churches partnering with our local World Vision team have stepped in helped the people of Nkhoma to build their new school and we were privileged to be able to see it! WOW! Amazing that the bricks made 7 years ago are at last being turned into a school block! God is so good! The people of the village were incredibly thankful and showered us with gifts of chickens, pumpkins, and peanuts and sang for us in appreciation for us helping them. Photo: The new brick Nkhoma school under construction, funded through our Y-Malawi partner churches in partnership with World Vision! Wed, 28 Jan 2009 19:04:09 MST http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=group&id=1 http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=group&id=1&article_id=24 Our next stop was to see the World Vision children that we had individually sponsored. Whoa, what an amazing thing to actually see first-hand the child or children we personally had chosen to sponsor! It was great; there were more 700 people there to welcome us with singing, waves of joy, and warm smiling faces. Our children were put into a circle with their names and our names on a piece of paper so we could be introduced to them. We met our children and their moms and/or dads as well as some of the other children came too and we went and sat under a tree with a translator to visit with them and give our small gifts to them. The kids John and I had sponsored were quite shy and a little fearful but the moms were smiling ear to ear and gracious as ever! I guess that is how I would be if my child was chosen to be able to go to school and have a better life. The good news is, yes that particular child was sponsored but really everyone in the villages of Nkhoma will reap the benefits through these child sponsorships! The money you and I send to these kids through World Vision on a monthly basis is way more than the average annual income these people make so it is a real blessing to understand that an entire regional ADP village area of 30-50,000 people is transformed by just 2500 of the children being sponsored! AWESOME huh? Photo: John and I with our sponsored child, 3 year old Mala and her mother with the gifts of yams and peanuts they brought for us! Wed, 28 Jan 2009 19:04:09 MST http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=group&id=1 http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=group&id=1&article_id=25 It was also awesome to have all the new individuals, churches, and schools represented on this trip indicate their commitment to the Y-Malawi partnership, which now brings the total number of churches and Christian schools committed to the partnership to 18! God is moving and we are holding on for the ride! We are totally blessed to be in the middle of all this! Oh my there is so much I could say, but I feel I must leave you with some questions to ponder and wonder about. Maybe you are supposed to go with us to Malawi and see God's amazing works and blessing of the people from the warm heart of Africa? I pray you have been blessed by my story from Malawi, because through all of your prayers and concerns and financial support I have had my socks blessed off!!!!! Thank you massively from the bottom of our hearts for your constant partnership with John and I, FaithQuest Missions, and the Y-Malawi church partnership project he leads! Serving the Most High Joyfully, Lori (and Johno too) Gash Transformational Development Credo Go to the people Live among them Learn from them Work with them Plan with them Start with what they know Build on what they have Teach by showing Learn by doing Not a showcase, but a pattern Not odds and ends, but a system Not relief, but release Of the best leaders When their task is accomplished and their work is done, the people will remark "We have done it by ourselves!" James Yen Wed, 28 Jan 2009 19:04:09 MST http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=group&id=1 http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=group&id=1&article_id=26 God’s always-stunning art! Sunset our last day on the Shire River, Malawi. Wed, 28 Jan 2009 19:04:09 MST http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=group&id=1 http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=group&id=1&article_id=16 Dear Partners, Friends, & Family: John and I have just come back from Malawi, Africa and what an amazing trip we had! I will try and share with you what we saw and the vision that we hope to cast for many years to come, from my perspective as a first-timer to Malawi. My thoughts are below, section by section, as follows!. (Pictured: John and I last week at Lake Malawi) Wed, 28 Jan 2009 19:04:09 MST http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=group&id=1 http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=group&id=1&article_id=17 It started with a group of 29 people and let me tell you, what an AWESOME group! We had people ranging from 17 years old to 58 years old. We had people from diverse backgrounds ranging from Catholic, to Chinese Evangelical, non-denominational to Presbyterian, and representatives from Christian Schools and from Christian Universities. It was AWESOME!!! Everyone and I mean everyone got along great! Not one complaint, not even from the women having to go to the restroom in.....well let me just say it isn't anything like the restrooms we have here! We were thrilled if we had nice cement to stand on around in what is commonly called an "African long drop toilet". Ha!!!! Anyway let me get on with our trip.......(Pictured above: A portion of the June team of 29 pictured here beside Lake Malawi! All joyful servants of God, representing churches, Christian Schools & Universities for Y-Malawi Wed, 28 Jan 2009 19:04:09 MST http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=group&id=1 http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=group&id=1&article_id=18 We arrived in Malawi and the smiling face of Louise Laubscher our wonderful front-line missionary partner in Y-Malawi was there to greet us and help us with our luggage. From there we headed toward Lake Malawi to a cluster of villages near an area called Nkhotakota for an outreach including two showings of The Jesus Film. The giant lake was beautiful and quite a contrast from the villages we would soon begin working in. I wasn't prepared for the true poverty and nothingness that I would see. They did have mud huts with dried grass roofs, but they slept on dirt, no furniture of any kind, little food, nothing but rags to wear. Yet amongst this the kindness of the people, their warm smiles, the Extreme poverty reigned along the lake shore, but the children greeted and loved us! genuinness of their touch, and their willingness to sit with us and visit was amazing. John always said Malawi is called "The warm heart of Africa" for the warmth of the Chichewa people there and now I see why. Our group loved the time we spent with the people in the villages and working alongside the ministry workers and following up on the film showings. John had taken a group of church leaders last year to the same area that had left a lasting impact of Christ on them and they were truly like sponges wanting more! We shared our faith and the Malawians were so receptive and so pleased that we had come back to see them. My heart grieved over the fact that amongst the new Christian villagers, their growth and discipleship in Christ had not grown as quickly as I would have liked. Of course that is the U.S. thinking BUT.....my heart was overjoyed when as we left Nkhotakota one of Louise's team members from FTS (Fishers, Trainers, Senders, Louise's outreach ministry) was starting new a discipleship program as well as launching 16 new churches as a result of the outreaches successes there with us this year and last year. Fantastic!!!! Wed, 28 Jan 2009 19:04:09 MST http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=group&id=1 http://www.faithquestmissions.org/app/w_page.php?type=group&id=1&article_id=19 Our next stop would be to see Kafulu ADP (Area Development Project) with our Y-Malawi? partner World Vision. This holistic community transformation ADP is a project that has been going for about 8 years. The ADP model is at the core of the Malawi side if the Y-Malawi partnership and the goal is to empower impoverished communities for social, physical, and spiritual transformation and self-sustainability. This has many facets, but we saw how World Vision workers come in and help the people who have access to only dirty, disease-infested drinking and cooking water that spreads diarrhea and deadly parasites gain access to clean water. We saw practical training in action for how to farm the land for a year-round food supply as well as profit for their families and villages. We saw a commitment to educate the people through building schools and hospitals. They provide practical teaching about HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases that ravage the families living in this land. Through the love and practical help, trust is built and a credible witness is established where people who have now experienced Christ love can hear about and receive Christ and be taught how to have a personal relationship with Him. Pictured above: Kafulu ADP children greeted us by the hundreds...unforgetable! Wed, 28 Jan 2009 19:04:09 MST