Once again another group of eager Aglow transformers journeyed to the other side of the world to visit and share with others. Six of us-five women and one courageous man- joined the CMC missionaries, Marcy and Paul Babor, in Yangon, the capital pf Myanmar. (formerly Burma). Much to our delight they brought with them their twin three year old daughters and four twenty-something ladies from California who are interning with them in the Philippines for a year. You can imagine what a lively group we had!

Because this was the first time in Myanmar for the entire team, we were wondering what God had in store. We knew it would be hot there (average temperature was 100), that we would be expected to eat much rice in local homes, and that we women needed to wear long skirts. I mention that because by the end of the time there , most of us had grown comfortable with their native dress (skirt), the” longi ” (not sure of spelling) and had adopted it for ourselves. Because the country is opening up to modern conveniences so rapidly, the electrical system had a hard time keeping up so there were many instances of no electricity. Regardless of these issues, the ministry there was very fruitful and inspirational. Actually it seemed very much like the Philippines. We were reminded of our FIlipino friends frequently.The people there were friendly, helpful and welcoming–as well as very open to what we shared. God was faithful to make Himself known to them which resulted in many who prayed the salvation prayer and also many who were healed physically. In the ten days we were there the team visited villages, meeting in homes of Christians who invited their Buddhist neighbors, friends and relatives to come and hear the
“foreigners.” Attendance varied from home to home but we were able to share with a large numberof people, many of whom were very receptive. Local Christian pastors were elated at their response and will be diligently following up their interested newcomers. God is so good to follow our efforts with signs and wonders.

This was done on each morning. In the afternoon we visited various landmarks throughout the city, Yangon.We had entered on tourist visas so acted like tourists. We went to the shopping area, visited the largest Buddhist pagoda, spent time at the largest lake and park in the area, took in some cultural dances and puppetry at a Cultural Center and visited many good restaurants. I personally would rather not eat any rice or noodles –the staple in their culinary efforts- for awhile. All in all the work there was much easier than we had expected and it was a joy to see all that God did.As we know and are coming more and more aware, God cares about all people and it was an honor to serve in the mystical land of Myanmar.

Parašė Cheryl Erbes

This last week, in a hurry to get errands run, I asked my husband to send a package for me. I stuck a little stickie note on the front with the address so he could use it to print out the official mailing label and send it at the post office. Busy hands, busy lives, sometimes a step gets missed! That was the case for sure. Good thing God knows where we are!

I got an email from Shannon who just happened to go into work at the post office in her city that day and this is what she said:

thank you for the gift I nearly didn’t receive.

When I walked up to our post office, there was a sign on the door, “If you know someone named Melonie Mangum from Newbury Park, CA please come see me. There is a package for someone here but there is no name or post box written.”

I tore the note down and sheeplishly walked up to the counter and said to my boss, “Ummmmm, this is for me….” and held up her note.
She said, “Seriously? ? It is for you??? ”

She grabbed the package off our shelves and after scanning it as delivered, told me that so many of the customers, after seeing the sign on the door, were telling her to throw the box in the ‘Dangerous’ area as it might be a bomb, or to send the package back…..

So I apologized profusely and agreed with her that we have a really nice and generous post master who kept a box that wasn’t labelled properly just because she wanted to to ensure that whoever the package belonged to would receive it….

But the mug made it safely to me, and after throwing it in the dishwasher, I had my morning cuppa tea out of it the following day!

So thank you for thinking of me while you were on your trip and, by the Grace of God, your mug made it safely to Yarnell, and eventually to me….
Shannon
With the email Shannon sent me a picture of the package. No address except the city and state! Yet she got it!

It may look like God doesn’t know where you live. Your circumstances may be saying, “Where are you? Don’t you know I’m here?” But he does and is working on your behalf bringing life, blessings and provision. He often is stuck with using vessels like us, who sometimes don’t remember to do all they should and something gets missed along the way – But God! But God! Thank you Lord for bringing us the grace and mercy of your love and showing us in little ways the deliberate expression of your goodness!

Vėl – thank you!!!
Shannon

Tulip Time Festival@ Holland MI: May 8-11, 2013
Team Leader-Cheryl Erbes cerbes@att.net

Arab Festival @ Dearborn, MI: Birželis 13-16, 2013
Komandos lyderiai-Cheryl Erbes & Phyllis Fox cerbes@att.net

Paso Robles, CA: Rugpjūčio (approximately) 18-25 2013
Team Leader-Janet Mangum melonie.mangum@me.com

Aglow International @ Orlando, FL: Sept. 26-29 2013
Team Leader-Janet Mangum melonie.mangum@me.com

Transformation Activations
Training and Outreach
Planning in progress
For information:
Contact Janet Mangum melonie.mangum@me.com

Paso Robles, CA: Rugpjūčio 2013
Team Leader-Janet Mangum

Missions Outside the USA

Brazilija – Pat Kempf Leader safeguard2@sprynet.com

Oman: Fall 2013 Presence and Prayer
Team Leader: Cheryl Erbes cerbes@att.net

Cambodia: Balandis 1-10  Telling our story and His story
Team Leader: Indhu Mathew inmath@telus.net

MENTOR MATCH ME

WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE A MENTOR THIS YEAR TO PRAY WITH AND GET WISDOM FROM FOR THE PEOPLE OR AREAS YOU ARE TARGETING FOR TRANSFORMATION EVANGELISM AND DISCIPLESHIP?   CONTACT MENTORMATCHME@YAHOO.COM and tell Janet what you are looking for in these areas.

The purpose of the Aglow Micro Business Transformation Outreach is to provide an evangelistic opportunity that has the potential to transform lives. Our goal is to minister to the whole person: spirit, soul and body. By showing the tangible love of Jesus in providing skills to create items to sell we can empower people to provide for the needs of their families, helping them to be a part of a business, or start their own business. Our hope is that those who learn will be able to help others to learn, sharing the love of Jesus, who cares for all people and wants them to experience a personal relationship with Him. Our goal is transformed people who impact their families and communities for Christ.

The Micro Business Transformation opportunities for 2013:

March 5 – Kovo 19, 2013 – Fortaleza, Ceara, Brazilija
This opportunity is in the Northern part of Brazil. We will need a team that can teach jewelry making and quilting. We will spend 15 days in Fortaleza, 7 days teaching skills, including one day of basic business concepts. Opportunities for ministry will include speaking for church services, and a one-day retreat. We will be looking for donations to purchase sewing machines estimated at $225 each, and other supplies. Su kelionės išlaidos $3000.00, with the deposit of $ 1500 due Oct 30, 2012, and final payment of $1500 due on Nov 21, 2012.

Liepa 3 - 17, 2013 – Generations Group – Salinas, Uruguay
This opportunity is for the Generations Group. We will need a team of 6 - 8 that will teach jewelry making and do carpentry projects for 5 days. The Carpentry group will bless the widows and single moms in Salinas by working on some of their fix-up needs. This group will have opportunities to minister in churches, host a youth rally, and much more as they work with the Generations Group in Uruguay. The cost of the trip will be $2400.00, with deposit of $1200 due March 22, 2013 and the $1200 balance due May 15, 2013. We will be looking for donations for beading supplies to take & carpentry supplies to purchase in Uruguay.

Liepa 2 - 16, 2013 – Gramacho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazilija
This opportunity in the state of Rio de Janeiro, will be for a team that will teach quilting. A day of shopping for sewing machines and site-seeing will begin our 13 days in the Rio area. This team will have 6 days of teaching, including basic business concepts training. Ministry opportunities will include speaking in churches, and a one-day retreat. The cost for this trip will be $3000.00, with a deposit of $1500 due March 20, 2013 and the $1500 balance due May 15, 2013. We will be looking for donations to purchase 4 sewing machines at $200.00 each, as well as other quilting supplies.

Liepa 15 - 30, 2013 – Aparecida do Norte, Sao Paulo, Brazilija
This opportunity will need a team to teach quilting. This team will have 7 days to teach the quilting technique in making bags, table runners, wall hangings etc. and basic business concepts. The ministry opportunities will be preaching in churches and a one-day retreat. A day of shopping and site seeing is included in this 14 days in Brazil. The cost will be $3000.00 with the $1500 deposit due March 20th and the $1500 balance due May 15th. We will be looking for donations for sewing machines at $200 each as well as other quilting supplies.

For those wishing to participate in both July Brazil teams: Liepa 2 - 30, 2013 the cost will be $4590.00, with deposit of $2300 due March 20th and the $2290 balance due May 15th.

For further information or Transformation Team application contact Pat Kempf, Aglow Micro Business Team Leader, at safeguard2@sprynet.com .

2:30-5pm Thursday – Transformation Activation in Doubletree Hotel Silverwood Ballroom.  Everyone welcome.  Fresh equipping, inspiration and direction!

Friday afternoon – Invite guests walking by to come Friday for evening free service and be ready to share our faith if hearts are open!  12:30 į 2 .  Contact Cerbes@att.net for more information.   Come join us.

The purpose of the Aglow Micro Business Transformation Outreach is to provide an evangelistic opportunity that has the potential to transform lives.  Our goal is to minister to the whole person: spirit, soul and body.

By showing the tangible love of Jesus in providing skills to create items to sell we can empower women to provide for the needs of their families, helping them to be a part of a business, or start their own business.  Our hope is that those who learn will be able to help others to learn, sharing the love of Jesus, who cares for all people and wants them to experience a personal relationship with Him.  Our goal is transformed people who impact their families and communities for Christ.

An   Aglow Transformation Team arrived in Dearborn, MI,  on Thursday, June 14, to prepare to serve at the Arab International Festival which continued until Sunday, June 17, 2012. This is the sixth year that a team from Aglow has joined with a group called Impact International to help the Arab Chamber of Commerce  with their festival. The air was filled with Arab music and the smell of wonderful shawarma kebobs and falafel sandwiches as approximately 200,000 people came to enjoy their Arab heritage.  Arab men, dressed in their traditional Arab garb or in American blue jeans, enthusiastically danced in the streets. It is in this atmosphere that the team went about their assigned tasks of providing the vendors with the the supplies they needed, walking the Festival grounds and surrounding neighborhoods in prayer and helping the children with crafts, all the time having interesting conversations. It seems that each year the  people are more open to us.

One of the newest members of the team, Sharon Waite, shared highlights from her experience with us; The Arab Festival was like a mission trip in my own backyard- living in metro Detroit. This is a vital and essential place to serve—God made a way for open doors to know Arabs there, learn how hospitable they are as a culture, hear their stories and share God’s love by serving them. People opened up because we were a part of Impact international,  a group which has been helping them for 13 metų. I got a chance to hold a toddler and hear stories from some of the adults. One woman openly shared her regret for how her people were responding to conflict from some Christians. As we talked, I learned that she is studying the Bible with her Christian neighbor because of his love for her family—a single parent whose husband kidnapped her youngest son and took him to Oman. Another ten year old girl wrote to one of our younger volunteers, “I wish you were my sister” to which she replied back prophetically, “We will be sisters.” This opportunity is clearly a way to see the prophetic word given to Aglow for this people realized.

Have you wondered how you can be a part in fulfilling the mandate given to Aglow? God is clearly at work in this arena, moving amongst these people. Come and join us next year in Dearborn and  contribute to all that God wants to do in and for these people.

By Cheryl Erbes