Coming to the states
 

Brother Michael (son) and I will be leaving tomorrow for the states to be with Brother Alvear. If anyone needs to touch base with me I can PM a phone number to you. I will be in Ga. Michael or myself may be able to do a few meetings to help on expenses. I had a pastor from North Carolina call me yesterday and asked if possible to come speak for him one night. At this point my main concern is Brother Alvear but of course bills have to be met and our whole life is built around sacrificing to help others.
Thanks for your prayers and deep concern. Please continue praying for Brother Troy and Brother Alvear.

Sis. Alvear,

This is just curiosity on my part, none of my business if you don't want to respond:

Are you a missionary under UPCI? I thought you were. I know Bro. Baker in Brazil is now independent and our church sponsors him. I was just curious to know where you PIM's are? Are they aware of your needs? Is Bro. Alvear here on PMI tour to raise finances? Do they need to raise your budget costs?

The reason I ask is that I am wondering where your support system is? If you are independent then I can understand your frustration and your consistent concern with finances. It is much more difficult to raise funds with no support system, which in that case...this forum has a great many people that are able to help.

I guess I just need clarification because we [our local church] support many independent missionaries and if you need to raise other funds maybe we can help.

Finances is a sore subject with me. I do believe Luke 6:38 and know we cannot outgive God. I believe in giving of tithes and offerings, and missions - absolutely. I do not believe in the prosperity doctrine of giving so God will increase your financial debits & credits, but I believe good stewardship and consistent giving benefit everyone, as in the parable of the stewards.

There are times I feel very uncomfortable with people on this forum always needing money and appealing for it. I am not being critical of you per se because I know that missionaries have many needs. I also have known many UPCI sponsored missionaries that have had more in the field than they would ever have had in the states.

There are many who think these things and don't say them, but I am concerned when there is so much trajedy and so many appeals for financial aid when I thought there was an organization that backs their missionaries up. If they don't then it is time to switch organizations or go independent. I am just trying to understand.

Prayers & Blessings, Rhoni

Rhoni, if I understand right, the Alvears have always been independent. She is originally out of the church in Arkansas where Bro. Holmes pastors.
Sis.Jan, if I'm wrong, please correct me!

Sherri,

Thank-you for that clarification...If the Alvear's are independent then we can do our own AFF monthly pledges to help them. I just haven't understood. I thought they were UPCI.

Sherri is right. Many years ago because of Brazil laws I held a PAJC card but haven´t renewed it in years although some of them are still around. The work here is independent.
My husbands brothers are ACI and his nephew was but do not know if they are now or not.
We have been invited to join many groups over the years but it was always my burden and it is Brother Raul´s burden to have a strong Brazilian church.

Working this way is sometimes more difficult BUT we can choose our friends...however even independent circles sometimes have problems trying to tell you who to be friends with. I shy away from some cultish ideas some people have.

I grew up in a mission church in Jacksonville Arkansas that was an out reach at one time of Brother AO Holmes church where Brother Joel Holmes is now. I grew up in the Jacksonville church and Brother Taylor was the pastor there at that time. I went to school at the Holmes school. After Brother Taylor left Arkansas my folks (now deceased) went on over to the mother church.

My son Raul Jr is preaching a UPC camp right now in Az. at least I think they are UPC they were...so much is changing. However he is with good people the Connors from Tuson.

My husband had come to the states to try to raise money for the jungle work and far south Brazil work where we are building several churches. We know all things work together for the good...so something good will come out of all these dark clouds.

I always post our letters and in monthly letters we mention needs. That is quite common for missionaries to mention needs. I proably mention too many..ha...however when you live around people that need help and I am always thinking how much is wasted in the states I guess I am that type mother that wants people to see how blessed they are.

Last night at one of our little churches one of the sisters in her testimony mentined my precious mother that lived among us and left for glory right here. She told how that during mother´s suffering she learned many spiritual lessons...
When I got up to speak I told them there was something I wanted to tell them about that old saint of God that happened during mothers last 10 months on earth. She had one thing about her she needed to change...she needed to learn how to trust others and share. She gave her offerings and tithes...but another type sharing. She could not drink after anyone not even her kids, she was toooooooooooo clean....she wanted rewash every dish every cup before she drank from it...rewash bed linens before she slept on them...and just all kinds of things that come with being extra clean...HOWEVER when she had her stroke I saw something and I don´t know if this even makes sense to you readers but She became a little child...she wanted everybody to drink from her glass to share her plate...all those little kids from our community would come to see her and if she was sipping from a straw coke or whatever they all lined up to get a sip...I would sit and weep...I saw Jesus there giving drink to the little ones...every preacher that would come pray for her she would ask me, Janice, do they have a car? I would say, No, mother they don´t have a car. Even though she didn´t have the money she thought she did she would say, "well just write them out a check from my account and tell them to go buy a blue car..." She would ask me about all the kids without shoes and I would remind her she was in Brazil and she would say, "call the pastors in the states to buy shoes for the children..."

more in a few minutes...

Sharing without looking for return has been my burden for the mission field...I did not want to be a part of a machine (no offence to anyone) but I wanted to give to the Brazilian people...Today the churches are theirs, the work is theirs...I really beg for them and their needs but in reality they can march on with or without me. Whatever I do through help from the states blesses them and takes a load off them.

I deeply love them( the Brazilian people) enough to be misunderstood by many that say join this or that but I don´t want some group of Americans coming over here and selling their buildings after I am gone...it is theirs...to carry on.
People that are naive (no one that is writing on this board) but in the general sense do not know what happens on many mission fields. Many Americans don´t know how to back away and put the nationals in the drivers seat...

Since the past two years I have worked a lot in office work and have a laptop with me most of the time I have felt a special call to share on this forum the heartbeat of a missionary. Other than over at Goodnews I seldom write on any other forums even though I have invitations. I feel a special burden for AFF. Why the burden I do not really understand...maybe it has helped others look deep into the heart of a missionary.

Rhoni: You are so sweet and I am glad you asked. I forget many here are UPC or once UPC and have a different way of raising money. (PIMS) Please anyone feel free to ask any questions about the work. We are a part of YOUR family for we have been washed by the same blood. Blessings to you.

Brother Holmes money has nothing to do with me. He is a precious friend and is good to missionaries that come by his church but that does not mean he has any obligation to me.

I almost said something I shouldn´t have...thank the Lord the Holy Spirit quickened me and I didn´t.

I have always thought is was a shame that missionaries have to leave the field where God has called them to come to the states to raise money. BLESSED churches are ones that support Missions sacrificially. IMO, the UPC should support missionaries to the point where they never have to come raise money in the states. God has called them to minister and reach people, not travel here. Just my 2 cents worth.

You are absolutely right. It came across differently than what I had intended. I shall deal with it right now...

Thank you....

Sister Coonskinner...

I deleted my message. Since you copied mine, you might want to delte yours too. After you do, I will offer an apology and a explanation for my thoughtless remark.

Ok. I just did.

BTW, thanks!

Thank you sister Coonskinner,

You are a child of God indeed. I deleted mine instantly upon reading your objection to my thoughless post.

Now, for an explanation...

There is so much money for the work of God that is misspent while worthy missionaries such as sister Alvear and many others remains in great need; sometimes for even the most basic things. I can't help but to believe that unwise stewards of his resources are going to be found accountable in judgment.

There are many too struggling saints that give until they cannot give anymore...giving until they are financially hurt, only to look upon and gaze at the wealth of large churches misusing God's money for the unneccessary, the mundane and the unimportant.

My thoughtless post was a knee jerk reaction to what I can't help but to believe that God is dreadfully displeased with. I could be wrong. Ppossibly God is greatly pleased with extravagance, excess and opulence in church houses while a godly woman has to struggle just to buy an airline ticket to visit an injured husband in the hospital. Then, after she gets there, she will need to preach around to raise money to get back and meet the many other pressing needs.

Oh good Lord! No wonder so many people are getting so cynical. Thank God Senator Grassley is going to have a Senate investigation of some churches, ministries and Pastors of THAT SORT. Maybe a little more humility and accountability will finally return to the house of God before the people of God loose ALL credibility.

Trust me, there is more than enough money going unsused that could buy a million or more airline tickets that is hoarded away by churches.

Understand your sentiments and don't really want to hijack this thread but cannot pass up the bolded portion of your statement. When we are depending on the Senate or any other part of the US Government to decide how much money churches should have and/or spend on anything we are all in big trouble.
What SORT of churches might they decide to investigate and control next? Those that call homosexuallity sin? Those speak out against gambling (now a government sanctioned activity)? Those that are not orthodox in following the creeds? Where does it end?
I do not support or believe in the authenticity of those who are being investigated but it is not the place of government to decide who is and who is not a legitimate minister or religion. There should be a cold chill up our collective spines.

Sis. Alvear,

When I attended JCM I had a couple missions classes. One called, "The Indiginous Church". It was actually ahead of its time. I have always worked in churches hopeing to replace myself. We should train nationals to maintain on their own for many reasons.

My first experience was right out of Bible College. Rev. Molter, El Paso, Texas had a woman in his church who was deaf. He wanted me to come work for him and set up a deaf ministry. I was there a couple weeks and asked him about getting a sign language class going because it is difficult to interpret every service all alone.

He wanted me to do it all and to sign a 5 year contract to stay at his church and do this. I called back to the college and spoke with the VP and then resigned my position with Bro. Molter. He was a good man but I felt lacked vision. I could have taken 6 months and left him with a fantastic deaf ministry, but he didn't get it.

I think good leaders are those who train and mentor other leaders. I have never felt threatened or intimidated by those who could keep up or surpass my abilities in any certain area. It is all about training, mentoring, and passing the mantle on to others. I have never felt myself irreplaceable...I have just always wanted to train my replacement:):scripture

Thank-you for explaining your situation to me as my points of reference are primarily limited to UPCI.

Bro. & Sis. Freeman invited me to come to Africa with them in the 1970's between JCM semesters because there were so many deaf people in South Africa. I had to decline because I was not financially able to support myself and pay my school bill for the following year.

Who knows, I might should have went and not graduated from JCM...I probably would have stayed.

Love & Blessings, Rhoni

You're correct, however the deputation angle of things does have some benefits. The missionaries have family in the States and will need to visit anyway; so it's good to have some sort of schedule of rotations so that those in the field can coordinate their travels and even have someone come from state-side of from another field to fill in when necessary.

Also, the deputations allow the missionary to share their burden for the work. With the advanjce of multimedia technology today, this may not be as critical but there was a time when the deputizing missionary was the only contact whatsoever between a local church and the missions fiels.

And then there is the whole idea of the missionary "replacing" themselves as well. By making direct one-on-one contact with people here, the burden for missions is shared more effectively and those feeling a call are able to connect more readily.

The way to cut down on the deputation times is obviously to have more churches give more money to missions. To do that throughout North America we will need to solve many of our own problems and create a more stable environment for our pastors and saints.

Precious Friend:
Remember God will only hold us responsible for what goes through our hands.

There are many churches in the states we could call rich churches and rich pastors. I harbor no hard feelings toward those that have more. Buring the midnight oil writing letters, living among the people has only made me a wiser person and no doubt a better person.

I could have chosen even as a missionary a easier route but many years ago when I was a young girl still in school I read about the church that carried on in China after the American and English missionaries were gone...It is the native church, the church that was governed by the Chinese. The churchs that only knew how to operate with the missionary and his money were the first ones that closed.

To be a suscessful missionary you must work yourself out of a job! Brother Alvear and I are pioneer missionaries...we love the rough and tough work. As we get older our bodies cannot do what we once did however we are working us out of a job here too!

I am a person of a free spirit and don´t get easily attached to "things"...I said the other day in a service how God used us to start many churches and who knows how many more places he might take us to...Well that statement drew a line of people after church telling me they really feel I am to be forever with them here in Maceio!

Yes, friend some things may seem unfair but never forget the good that has come from Brother Holmes church. They have given money to many missionaries and given money to us over the years. I love Mother Holmes and am glad I had the honor to grow up at her feet.

I know lots of people talk about the organ, the building the this or that...it was done unto God so I let it rest as that. Solomon built a great temple for his day...

The judge of the earth will weigh our thoughts, our actions and not only what we spent during our stay on earth but how we spent it and what we had left over...

Thank you for such concern. I am grateful for friends.

I don´t mind visiting most churches in the states. There are a few I feel very unconfortable in because of their harshness about certain things. However Monday night a precious sister is fixing a steak supper for me just as soon as I get in...
Many precious people sacrifice and give far beyond and above what they can afford to but in the end God remembers their sacrifice and blesses them.

Just wanted you all to know Michael and I left Northeast Brazil at 5 pm this morning. We are now in Sao paulo Brazil and supposed to leave out at 11:30 tonight...We just found out we have a 7 hr layover in Houston Texas...besides this ong layover here...however we are on our way. My thanks to all and do remember us in your prayers along with why we are traveling to the states.
Love and blessings to all.

Did not travel to the states tonight!
 

Our flight was cancelled...only tomorrow night so we are in the Sao Paulo!