Newsletter, Summer 2010

FAMILY

Ian, our oldest, will be going into third grade this fall. He passed the swimming test at the pool so he spends all his time in the “deep end” with the big kids. He still likes soccer, but is thinking about trying football this fall. Luke (aka laughing Luke) just turned six and will be going into 1st grade this fall! He also loves swimming and playing in the neighborhood with other kids. Maddie is a handful~ in the best of ways. With two older brothers, she’s as comfortable in a wrestling match as she is playing with her dolls. They all of course love the summer time and are looking forward to some time at the beach and visiting the grandparents!

INTRODUCING: BRIDGETOWN FELLOWSHIP
As you know, Stef and I are passionate about the local church and church planting. As much as we engage with training (Elijah House, Missions, Community Development, etc) we believe effective discipleship in these ministries function best when birthed out of, and connected to, a local church. It has been amazing to see people of different cultures commit to live life together here at Bridgetown. Through trust and reconciliation new ministries are being birthed together with the wealth of wisdom from different cultures and perspectives. It has been both a blessing and challenge as the strongholds that divide the body of Christ are deep.

Here is an encouraging note that I received from a member here at Bridgetown Fellowship. At the time of this note he was in a three-month recovery program. Now he’s serving here at the church in numerous capacities: “I thank you and Stef for being the first and only positive, REAL, role models in my life. You guys showed me how to love, live, learn, laugh and grow according to the word of God; and then introduced me to others who do the same. God used you guys to save my life! Thank you again!”

We have been working with and training a team of 15-20 people for the past 6 months in preparation for a public launch (date TBD) and we are believing God will birth out of this team a ministry of healing and reconciliation for Coatesville and beyond!

COMMUNITY NIGHT
Through our community nights over the past year we have been reaching out to over 70 kids on a weekly basis. Every week Pre-K through Adults would pour into the building in droves, eat dinner and move into one of the classrooms where we would do our best to impact their lives and thinking. As we have been developing cross-cultural relationships and leadership it has dramatically affected our strategy toward evangelism and ministry. We started listening more to the wisdom of people here in Coatesville; the African American voices, Hispanics and those who have great insight on what our community needs and how to work together. So we again have transitioned community strategy from large numbers of kids to working with a limited number of kids and their families, on initiatives with measurable outcomes; initiatives that empower and, hopefully create deep and lasting life change and hope!

Here is what Tamika, a onetime Community Night attendee, now turned volunteer and Bridgetown Fellowship church member says. “We are fortunate enough to be able to sit and enjoy a wonderful meal with our family and friends; talk, share stories about our day. I also enjoy children and I am now a part of teaching, mentoring and loving children from kindergarten to fifth grade. It’s an encouragement that while I’m involved with these children, my own children are here in different classes being nurtured in the same way.”

ELIJAH HOUSE
Stefanie just finished up facilitating two courses this spring (Elijah House Basic I and Basic II) with people attending from 5 different churches! The graduation ceremony once again was filled with testimonies of healed hearts and mended relationships to family, authority and friends. She has continued to train leaders, sending them out with new tools to transform their own Churches and communities! Please pray for us as the next Basic I school in Coatesville starts on September 9th. If you or someone you know is interested in attending, please e-mail Stef at: stefaniesteve@yahoo.com

PRAYER AND PRAISE REPORTS:

PRAYER: Please pray for our family this summer; for Ian, Luke and Madeline…
PRAISE: Our oldest son Ian asked to get baptized! We’re excited about his desire and the discussions that followed
PRAYER: Stef continues to love on our neighborhood, and is watching two neighbors’ kids (in addition to our three) throughout the summer…Pray for strength, Please!
PRAISE: We recently had a Chilean family join the church who are gifted evangelists and worship leaders!
PRAYER: Please pray for the church plant, Bridgetown Fellowship. Pray that the launch team would grow in unity and vision throughout the summer.
PRAYER: Steve will be going with a team back to Zambia, Africa from Aug 11th-26th. He’ll be working with the community development leaders and a church planter. Pray that God would use the team in a mighty way for His gospel.

Thank you so much for your ongoing prayer and financial support! You are an amazing blessing to our family and the ministry He has called us too~ we pray you have a great summer!

For online updates check out:
http://wilsonsjournal.blogspot.com/

Much Love,
Steve, Stefanie, Ian, Luke and Maddie

Pictures and Proverbs

Woodblock 2000-2005

Proverbs

The spring of pride is a deceitful snare. Drink from it and, although at first you will be refreshed, it will sit like led in your belly.

A house of greed is like a roller coaster leading to death. Once you board, it is near impossible to get off.

Listen to wisdom; for she cries out from the rooftops, she makes her plea in the streets. Be aware of the harvest, and do not slumber when it is time to reap. For the heart of man is ripe for a season, and his ears attentive for a moment.

Be aware of those that carry the sickness of discontentment, or you too might come down with a cough.

It is fruitless to argue with a man of depraved mind. Your words will fall like drops of water on cement. But find a man seeking and there you will bring water to parched ground.

The veil of bitterness covers a gaping wound, but forgiveness heals the heart. The veil of fear covers shame, but restitution unveils brotherly love. The path of love is like a great river; her strength flows over all obstacles. Those who drink deep are satisfied.

Be cautious of one unable to say "no." Although at first they are a dear friend, in the end you too will fail them.

The tree of obedience rests on a slippery slope. Few are able to reach her, but he who takes hold will enjoy her fruit.

Under the Tree

Thoughts on Poverty

If your interested in assisting those who are in economic poverty, but don't know where to begin, below are just some initial thoughts laying out the dynamics that trap people and communities into economic poverty.

Si usted esta interesado en ayudar a los que están en la pobreza económica, pero no saben por dónde empezar, a continuación son sólo algunas ideas iniciales, por la dinámica que atrapan a las personas y comunidades en la pobreza económica.

Vea a continuación el texto de Inglés para españoles

Absence of Resources

With the exception of the occasional need for emergency relief, community’s suffering in economic poverty do not need handouts, but need access to resources that provide sustainable, long term development and self-sufficiency.

Absence of education

It is often more damaging to education someone, giving them a sense of hope, only to release then into an unjust society without real opportunity to apply their skills. Education is an important component in eradicating economic poverty when coupled with opportunity.

Absence of Justice

The presence of unjust systems that were established through past injustice that directly or indirectly benefit only portions of a society, but keep the economically poor trapped, must be acknowledged and overcome by both parties involved.

Absence of Individual Identity

A society that has been battered with injustice often carries within their DNA the message that you only valuable for someone else’s benefit; that you are a disposable tool. This message leaves individuals, families and societies with a damaged identity that must be restored through a process of reconciliation.

Absence of Spiritual Identity

A community without spiritual identity, either because it was never fostered or because it was disallowed by force, needs to be encouraged toward embracing spiritual rebirth and identity.



La ausencia de recursos

Con la excepción de la necesidad ocasional de ayuda de emergencia, el sufrimiento de la comunidad en la pobreza económica no necesita dádivas, sino que necesitan tener acceso a los recursos que proporcionan el desarrollo sostenible, a largo plazo y la autosuficiencia.

La ausencia de la educación

A menudo es más perjudicial para alguien que la educación, dándoles un sentido de esperanza, sólo para liberar a continuación, en una sociedad injusta, sin oportunidad real de aplicar sus conocimientos. La educación es un componente importante en la erradicación de la pobreza económica cuando se combina con la oportunidad.

La ausencia de Justicia

La presencia de los sistemas injustos que se establecieron a través de las injusticias del pasado que directa o indirectamente beneficios sólo partes de una sociedad, pero mantienen a los pobres económicamente atrapado, hay que reconocer y superar por dos partes implicadas.

La ausencia de la identidad individual

Una sociedad que ha sido maltratadas por la injusticia a menudo lleva en su ADN el mensaje de que sólo es valiosa para el beneficio de otro, que son un instrumento desechable. Este mensaje deja a los individuos, familias y sociedades con una identidad dañado que debe ser restaurada a través de un proceso de reconciliación.

La ausencia de la identidad espiritual

Una comunidad sin identidad espiritual, ya sea porque nunca se fomentó o porque fue rechazado por la fuerza, debe ser alentado a que abarca el renacimiento espiritual y la identidad.