Freedom House!

Not much excites me more than making the impossible possible. That is what Freedom House does. Guys impossibly hooked on drugs can find Jesus and get it all turned around in 6 months.

I just got out of a meeting with the Freedom House team. We have 4 guys in the house, 2 directors, and two new interviews happening in the next 24 hours. We are moving into a bigger house to accommodate more guys.  Jake, Ed and Chris (directors) are really getting it done!

The best thing is loves are being changed from hopelessly out of control, to being useful, productive,  Godly leaders.

Very, very exciting.

facing my own giants

Everybody else's challenges seem easier than our own I guess.

So I am back from Nepal, and facing a few of my own giants.

We have carefully reviewed many options. Either a church keep challenging itself to grow, or it dies. Churches were built to build people, not just comfort them. Freedom Valley is no exception.

We have explored a lot of options on how to move forward. The bottom line is, after all of those options have been explored, it seems like the time is right to double our sanctuary space, so that we can continue to expand our ability to change lives, build families, and make the world a kinder, more excellent place.

Sunday night, I meet with key leaders to talk about why I think this is the time, and this is the way to reach our world more effectively. I want to hear from our leaders and have us seek the heart of God together, and move forward.

There is a lot at stake for us. I'm looking forward to the journey.

airport bound

Friends,

While the seminars have been done for two days, still we wait to leave Kathmandu, Nepal. Our tickets were far more expensive to get an earlier flight out. So we dideiced to take the last couple of days and save a large pile of money.

This gave me time to preach in another church, where people crowded in by the thousand. They all take off their shoes at the door, and sit on the carpet (Persian rug style that covered everything) for the entire service. You can really pack them in that way.

When we arrived, the service had already begun. They ushered us in through a side door near the stage. then an usher came and brought me over to the sernior Pastor, whose was sitting on the floor up against the stage. every square inch of floor space was taken, making sitting there even more uncomfortable.

When I introduced myself, I asked in anyone had been to Gettysburg and 5-6 people raised their hands! One of them was from Strasburg, next to my home town of Gap. She/they are missionaries over here. after the service we met another young American lady who is working for the United Nations's Unicef children's program as an interpreter. She grew up speaking 5 or 6 languages, and could help them tremendously i that way. I asked her how she felt about the U.N. efforts to help children and she said it seemed as if most of the money was wasted, and far too little actually helped anybody. Sad. But we as a nation are U.N. drunk, and keep giving them millions to waste.

But that was Saturday. This is Monday morning. We have said goodbye to Johannes, and Peter, and Walter, all from SOS international. Our India host Asoken and his family are still here with us, and providing any help we need as useless foreigners. He is Johannes' man here i India, and has seen 160 churches planted under Johannes' SOS international ministry, with almost no financial support from Johannes. Their last report was almost 3000 believers in those churches, and growing so rapidly that they may hit 4000 by Spring!

This morning Asoken (pronounced ash-ol-ken) asked for a last sevrice with us, and insisted in washing out feet. This is an amazingly humbling event. It is also amazingly bonding.

So we cannot wait to get on that airplane and come home! We are packing, doing last minute shopping, and generally getting it all put together. In a few minutes I need to go down and pay our bill for the week.
Thank you all for making this possible financially. And for carrying us in prayer. We have been tested in many ways, but God brought us through and helped us all along the way. we have seen healing, salvations, and Pastors being healed. We hope and pray that every penny of value was used to the uttermost for His Kingdom.

Gerry

prayer... again?

You-all have been so generous, praying for us every step of the way.

So I guess I will boldy ask yet again. In about an hour, about 11pm your time, we will be an our next service- a huge church service of 1500- to 2000 people. I covert your prayers as I preach.

Thanks, you-all.

Gerry

Nepal Pastor's seminars are finished!

It's Friday evening here in Nepal. 5:09 pm here, but 7:30am for you! It is always interesting to me that the end of our day is your beginning. Getting ahead of you people is not easy, but I finally did it! (lame joke alert)

Our seminar for India Pastors is over. Many of them headed home tonight. Some leave in the morning. A number of them have more than 4 days journey home, but bus, train, and whatever else they have to do. Some of them Pastor multiple churches, and as far as I can tell ALL of them plan to plant multiple churches yet this year.

As we prayed over them, God gave prophetic words, healings, and the healing of tears. A quick story: "Pastor Saybastian" told me that he had pain in his hip. It has hurt for 4 years. Two nights ago we prayed and he says he did not feel any pain at all since then. He was ecstatic!

As a team, we have survived some heavy stuff. We were rebuked for cultural insensitivities, and struggled to know which (if any) issues we should confront. So far we are all healthy, happy, and feeling as if we came and delivered what God sent us for.

Tomorrow I am preaching in a local church. They said 2000 people will likely attend this service. Then we should have about about a day to rest before we have to get on an airplane. I am so ready to be home, as I always am. My body may be here, but my heart stays in Gettysburg, with my favorite people on earth.

Thanks for being my friends,

Gerry

Thursday night in Nepal

Wow, this has been a long day. But very exciting and eventful.

Johannes preached for 2 hours this morning, then I taught for another 2. I spoke about surving the brutal criticims in leadership, and asked them if some of them wanted prayer for their hurts. They ALL wanted prayer and we went to work, hearing so many stories of so much pain, persecution, rejection by their families, and criticisms over themistakes they are making in new leadership. It was such an honor to get to be part of their healing.

After lunch the entire group hit the streets for hours of witnessing, casting out devils, and healings. It was very exciting stuff. My team and I spent the afternoon in a Hindu Temple- sharing Jesus. Amber Martin (she was amazing!) led several people to Christ, as did our interpreter. I was the back prayer warrior, and rarely if ever prayed so hard in my life.

Jake's team worked in other places. On their way back to the church, Jake was unhappy that he had not personally led anyone to Cjrist yet, so he stopped off a music store and admired a johnny Cash cd. The propietor came over, and Jake led him to Christ, referencing Johnny Cash's faith in Jesus! Those kinds of thigs were very exciting and rewarding. Other teams cast out demons, healed lame people, and saw a lot more salvations! There must have been more than 50 salvations I would guess. Johannes and Walter led our waiter here at the hotel, to Jesus, while Peter and Asoken led our driver to Christ!

But tonight we are all very tired. This team has all been getting up by 5 am so that we could each spend some extra time in prayer before we go to work. So our days have been long.

Tomorrow, we end our conference with an ordination service, in which 30 ministers will be ordained. Today Johannes got an update as to how his churches were doing, and was excited to hear that the SOS 120 church in India have about 1600 believers. This is up from 1000 in January, when he last received the report. He expects to top 2000 here before the end of the year.

Today, he and his team prayed over and plotted outa possible festival here in October, where they hope to lead many thousands to faith in Christ, and plant their first church here in Nepal. he is very pumped about that too!

So now I will drag myself to bed. Another satisfying and tiring day is done. I fele like I could fall asleep on my way to the room.

Gerry

day two in Kathmandu, Nepal

From the Kathmandu Team: Clay, Joe, Amber, Charity, and Jake-

We had a wonderful day here in Nepal, except for the terrible news that Joe and Vicky Cooper lost a wonderful nephew- Officer David Tome. Our hearts and prayers are with you in your grief.

Johannes' teaching first thing this morning, rocks my world as it usually does. Then I taught for about 3 hours, and we prophesied over each Pastor. Lana sent me a word that we would be shaping the leaders who changed nations, and I heard that a lot from the Holy Spirit as we ministered. We heard stories form a few who had their churches burned down more than once. For one of them it was his house that was burned down twice- because his church is in his house- about 50 people!

Terri Close also sent a word that she felt tremendous power when she prayed for us today. I felt it too, Terri. Thanks so much for praying and sending your prophetic words. Many of you wrote me, and each one meant more than I can say. It's like you are sending me injections of Jesus, and I crave them more than I crave breath.

Tomorrow we will teach, then do an ordination of 30 Pastors! Then we will hit the streets, two by two to heal the sick, cast out devils, and win souls. Johannes said "we will do crazy stuff. You stick with me Gerry, and we will get in trouble together" Angels quaver when he talks like that. Gerry does too.

Tonight we sat together until late (it's 11pm) talking about how to win nations to Christ. I am so small, and my faith ideas so puny when it comes to these things. Please pray that God will give me some ideas that could win more of the 9 million unchurched Pennsylvania residents who do not attend church. And some ideas for Armenia, and for the Dominican Republic. I need some kind of plan that raises my faith a notch or two above the pathetic line.

Please, please promise me that you will pray with me for that. I can't even stop weaping as I write this.

Thanks you all for being my partners. I feel like I need you so badly. This life changing gospel is so precious and so life giving, and we are reaching so few. But your prayers and partnership give me heeps of courage. Thank you so much.

Today I got a detailed account of your church staff meeting yesterday morning. As I read it, I was hit with one HUGE thought- I have an absolutely unbelievably incredible team of leaders working with me. Marvin, you are becoming superb at leading when I am out- even better than when I am there I suspect. Jason, Jeremiah, and each team meber- you are really outstanding people doing such outstanding work. I feel like I owe you more hugs than I ever give. You-all who read this- hug them for me today, will you? They are incredible people- completely dedicated to serving you to their last breath.

I love you all.

Gerry

Re: Nepal Trip Update

Friends,

Our first day of ministry in Kathmandu, Nepal, has just come to an end. Johannes preached for 3 hours, I did 1.5, and Walter, Johannes' man in Bulgaria, taught for an hour.

Preaching jet lagged is about 10 times harder. Listening to someone else preach when your body is screaming to you about it really being 4 in the morning and you should be sleeping, is harder still. I had to get up and walk to stay awake, and even then was not confident that I could do it.

But we got it done.

Johannes showed us where everyone is sleeping- in the Sunday School rooms of the host church. There was simply not enough money to buy everyone hotel rooms, so they are sleeping on the floor of the Sunday School rooms- about 15 to a room. Johannes insisted that he would sleep with them last night, and equally insisted that we would not.

Tomorrow should be about like today. But Wednesday, Johannes said that we would be sent out on an adventure for God. He said I am going with him, and if he gets thrown in jail, I am going in there with him too. He was kidding about the jail part.

I think.

Thanks everyone for praying with us and for us. I appreciate your kindness so much. A great big thanks to all who invested financially in this trip as well. May God bless you in a special way each day that we are here. I am asking Him to open the windows of financial blessing on you as well.

That is economic HIS bailout plan. Granted, it cost him more than 700 billion (the life of His boy was involved), but it's free to us. And I am praying it on you who sacrificially gave.

I love and miss you-all so much.

Gerry

from the Nepal team

We made it to JFK airport in New York. Any minute they will be calling our flight for boarding to Abu Dahbi, then on to Katmandu. We are mostly sitting around reading, and wishing for that good Third Place coffee, instead of the far lesser quality stuff here in the JFK airport.

Clay France drove us up. I love his driving because it's like mine- aggressive, yet smooth and solid. he doesn't waster any time. He knew his route and executed it like a pro.

Okay, it's like my driving in my dreams!

Anyway, thanks for all your help with generous giving, and much prayer. I have never felt as covered in prayer as I have on this one. And probably never needed it more.

We ended up bringing $7000 with us for the crusade that we are conducting in Katmandu. We previously sent $9500, so that brings us to $16,500. This is short of the $25,000 we hoped for, but a good number nevertheless! I am praying God's richest blessings on all of you who gave so generously. YOUR economy will be abundant, YOUR homes will be blessed, and your life will experience the richness that comes form the bearing the burdens of those who suffer for Jesus! I love you-all so much for caring about this.

Most of you also give sacrificially (more than your tithes) to Freedom Valley's building program as well. You are blessed for it, and much loved.

But most of all, thanks for being my friends.

From here on I HOPE to stay in touch with you, but as you know, it can be tough to do so when one travels.

leadership ideas shared by Dary Northrup of Timberline church, Colorado

Today I was in a training group for Pastors of larger churches. But these principles that Dary Northrup taught, are not about the size of the church, or about Pastoring. They are about relationships. I thought they were great ideas, and things I would like to learn better:

1. Assume that people like you; it s a self fulfilling prophecy in many cases. The opposite belief (most people will not like me) also tends to come true many times.

2. Do not think tired. Stop repeating over and over how tired you are. It makes it worse, and multiplies the resulting issues.

3. Be fully present. Stop doing things halfway. Be fully IN the things you chose to get involved in, or have to be part of.

4. Learn to pull rather than push. Lead people by getting ahead and pulling them toward you, not be getting behind and pushing. Everyone hates to be pushed.