SunHills March Update

  • Dan Haakenson
  • Mar 2, 2012
Mission 

Jeff Bock recently visited our Hosamane Child Feeding Project along with Devanand (the director from our KEA partners in Bangalore).  While there, Jeff had the privilege of talking to the children about a blind man that Jesus healed.  He has this to say about the Child Feeding Project:

The program is up and running well – it supports two teachers and two cooks/cleaning helpers.  Fifty children per day are being fed with the funds being donated by SunHills!  The cost of the food is about $14/day to feed all the children.   These children receive one meal per day (sometimes their only one), usually in the morning right before school.  Saturday is a play day and the teachers organize games and fun activities as well as Christian teaching.  It’s also the one day a week the children get a hardboiled egg along with their rice or  vegetables.

The program is really opening up the community to interact with the church.  Both mothers and fathers have been interested in going to regular meetings to talk about how the kids are doing.  Getting the fathers involved is really unusual and a great blessing.   They hope to hire another teacher soon and expand the program to 100 children – there are plenty waiting.  

Our ‘mission’ is not just international. In fact, it begins right here at home – with family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, etc.  We are called both to share the good news of Jesus and show the love of Jesus to those around us.  And both of these – sharing the news and showing the love of Jesus – are a privilege.  Be prayerful about your part in that – with whom, where, when, and how?  Ask for God’s grace in that and then step out to share and show.  One specific thing you can do is to invite others to our Easter services.

MEXICO

Thanks to those of you who have financially supported the Mexico Outreach.   As of now we’ve received $2,924 and we still need $3,000 to meet our budget for this trip. Thank you for your support in this way. And don’t forget – we need more than donations - your support in prayer for the trip and the ministry is especially appreciated.  Thank you.

WELCOME TO ERICH AND ALLIE GRUNDER

On Sunday, March 11 we will introduce Erich and Allie Grunder.  We’ve hired Erich as our full-time Pastor of Student Ministries and are glad to have him officially begin his ministry here.  Erich and Allie grew up in Northern California. In his preparation for ministry he went to Colorado Christian University and he’s been serving as a full-time Youth Pastor in Colorado for the last 3+ years.  It will be great to have him and Allie, and their daughter Alexandria, join the SunHills family and ministry.

A huge ‘shout out’ to our awesome youth leaders who have been serving and leading very effectively with our Middle School and High School groups.  Thank you for your ministry to students!

EASTER

Easter is coming – Sunday, April 8.  Join us as we celebrate the resurrection of our Savior Jesus!   We are having two services at our regular times:  9 and 10:45 am.  We anticipate having full services so we will fill the room with all our chairs.  Easter is a special day to share with family and friends.  Be intentional in thinking about whom you can invite to share in our celebration.

GOOD FRIDAY

Christ’s death is central to the ‘good news’.  So before our celebration of his resurrection (Easter) we’ll have a time to reflect on what he has done for us in his death and crucifixion.  I hope you will join us for this special service on Friday, April 6 at 7 pm.

NO OTHER GOSPEL

Colossians 1:5, 6 speaks of “the word of truth, the gospel, which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and growing – as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth”.  In other words, the gospel continues to bear fruit and grow.  It is encouraging to see that happening among us as we ground ourselves in the good news of Jesus. During this month we’ll continue in Galatians, moving through chapters 3 and 4. Keep reading along and following through this important series.  (Our Sunday services are an important time together; we don’t want you to miss, but if you have to you can listen to the messages on-line).

BUDGET

As of the end of February our offerings are right on track with our budget. Thank you for your faithfulness and generosity in giving.  Your partnership in this way is an important part of the ministry of SunHills – both here and extending into our community and the world.  Thank you.

“The righteous shall live by faith” (Gal. 3:11)

 - dan