Ethiopia Fall 2013 : Prepare God's People ~ Africa Rising: Invest in Teaching the African Church ~ Eternal Rewards

Sept 7, 2013

Dear Family and Friends,

Ethiopia Fall 2013 is just around the corner. Our theme: “To prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.” Eph. 4:12

Dr. Phil Walker will be teaching the Men’s Conferences. I will be teaching Women’s Conferences: Purpose Driven Life Seminar #5 – Spiritual Gifts

                                        Sheryl and Megan prepare for Ethiopia

 “All I want to do is serve;” said my sweet daughter-in-law, Megan, who will be teaching First Aid kit training – we will donate 150 First Aid kits. This has added an additional $2,500.00 to the cost of our trip from Sept. 12 through Sept. 26, 2013.

We appreciate your prayers for planning and for our financial need. (Includes round-trip airline tickets, hotel, meals, in-country transportation, copies of student notes, translators, facility rental and food for attendees.) Please consider sending an extra gift this month to cover Megan and my trip. Total cost: $10,000.00. Earmark: TEAM GIESBRECHT ETHIOPIA FALL 2013.

                                        Africa Rising: ICM 2013 banquet packs a full house

"It is possible to fulfill the great commission in our generation if we do the right things in God's way." —Phil Tuttle, President of Walk Through the Bible speaker at the ICM's Hope of Africa Fundraising Banquet www.icmusa.org

 

 

 

"The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field."  Matt. 9:37, 38

 

 

                             Sheryl, Phil Walker and Painito Ambuka, ICM Burundi Director

                                  tell how God is writing the New Story of Africa.

The New Story of Africa is empowering the African church to become more and more engaged in fulfilling the Great Commission. Won’t you help us by sending an additional financial gift for my ETHIOPIA FALL 2013 TRIP?

If you are able to do so, I will send you a special Thank You with a bookmark about The New Story being written in Africa.

My love and prayers,

Sheryl

 

Africa - From Poverty to Promise

August 12, 2013

 

 

 

Sheryl and daughter-in-law, Megan, plan and pray for God’s will to be done through our Fall 2013 Ethiopia Trip.

 “All I want to do is serve;” said my sweet daughter-in-law, Megan. Newlywed and recent UC Davis graduate, Megan, will finally join her husband to live in North Carolina at the end of August. Our Fall 2013 Ethiopia Trip is planned for a short two weeks after she arrives at her new home. It warmed my heart and encouraged my soul to hear her words of commitment and willingness to do God’s will. The dates of our trip to Ethiopia are Sept. 13 through Sept. 26, 2013.

Ethiopia Fall 2012 in Addis influenced hundreds of pastors & leaders

Dr. Phil Walker will be teaching the men and I will be teaching Women’s Conferences in Addis Ababa and Hawassa on the curriculum: Purpose Driven Life Seminar #5 – Spiritual Gifts. Megan and I chose the team’s theme verse: “To prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.” Eph. 4:12. We appreciate your prayers for planning and for our financial need. The individual trip cost is $3,500.00 – this includes round-trip airline tickets, hotel, meals, in-country transportation and conference costs (copies of student notes, translators, facility rental and food for conference attendees.) Please consider sending an extra gift this month to cover Megan and my trip. Total cost: $7,000.00. Earmark: TEAM GIESBRECHT ETHIOPIA FALL 2013.

August 2013 is Africa Rising month!

 

Calling all WOMEN! If you live in the Kern County area, you are invited to join us for a night of encouragement. Sharing the Journey - Connecting and Bonding with Our African Sisters. Sunday August 18, 2013, 6:30 pm at Crossroads Christian Fellowship, 2500 Fairfax Rd. (Exit 178 Hwy. on Fairfax Rd. located on Fairfax Rd. between College and Niles) Church Ph. 377-2500 (RSVP ask for Teri) Find out how God is using women to build His Kingdom in Africa - Delicious desserts and liquid refreshment!

 

ICM: Africa Rising: Hope Renewed – Order your TABLE of EIGHT NOW!

Call (661)832-9740 ask for Lauren. Don’t miss meeting our African directors!

Hope of Africa Fundraising Banquet, Keynote Speaker: Phil Tuttle, President, Walk Thru the Bible. Join us on Tuesday, August 20, 2013, 5:00 p.m. Hors D’oeuvres & Silent Auction • 6:30 p.m. Dinner, Tickets $40 • Table of Eight $300, Olive Knolls Church of the Nazarene 6201 Fruitvale Avenue • Bakersfield, California

 For reservations call - 661-832-9740 www.icmusa.org

Thanks so much for your prayer and financial support. See you soon!

Sheryl

 

 

 

Spring 2013 Kenya/Uganda Africa Trip

Dear Friends,

Thank you for praying for me and my Kenya/Uganda Spring 2013 Team. Our team consists of myself plus Cali & Charlene Ryan (daughter & mom represent 1^st Baptist Lake Isabella, CA), Alisa Rodgers, Raeanne Colson & Ceci Willever (represent 1^st Baptist El Cajon, CA) and Anita Stinnett (North Pointe Community Church, Alpharetta, GA).Our team have not met personally, only through Skype, and will work together for the first time once we are in Kenya. Please pray for unity, health, smooth flights, schedule flexibility, ministry opportunities and strength for our journey. Luke 10:2 “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest field.” Thanks, love and prayers for you, Sheryl

 

Team Schedule for Kenya/Uganda Spring 2013

 

“Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding to learn your commands. May those who fear you rejoice when they see me, for I have put my hope in your word.” Ps. 119:73-74

 

Tue 4/30   6:30 am Sheryl leaves Bakersfield UAFLT5201

 

Weds 5/1  10:40 pm Sheryl arrives Nairobi, Kenya

 

Thurs 5/2   7:00 am Sheryl leaves Nairobi for Eldoret to Kitale

 

 “Teach me. Lord, the way of your decrees, that I may follow it to the end. Give me understanding so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart.” Ps. 119:33, 34

 

Fri 5/3   6:00 pm ATS Graduation Dinner honors ATS graduates

 

Sat 5/4   10 am ATS Kitale, Kenya Graduation honors ATS graduates

 

Sun 5/5   9 am Speaking in Church

 

 “Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. Your commands are always with me and make me wiser than my enemies. I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes.” Ps. 119:97-99

 

Mon 5/6 – Weds 5/8  ATS Summit Meetings

 

Thurs  5/9 – Visit orphans & widows at Kipsongo Slum

 

Fri  5/10 – Visit women & children in women’s prison in Kitale

 

 “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” James 1:27

Sat  5/11 – Sheryl departs for Mt. Elgon, Kenya - ATS Mt. Elgon Graduation

 Sat  5/11 - 2 am team arrives in Nairobi, take flight to Eldoret 7:40 am Saturday. Driver transports to Mt. Elgon for ATS Graduation.

Saturday 5/11 – USA team arrives Mt Elgon Graduation at 10:00 am

“Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.” I Peter 3:8

Sunday 5/12 – 9 am Mother’s Day Service & VBS preview at Great Mercy Children’s Home with ATS Graduate/Orphanage Director – Judith Mutange

2 pm – Mother’s Day - Women’s Conference at Revelation International Church in Kitalale, Kenya with ATS student Pastor Peter Ndiwa

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”1 Peter 5:7, 8

Monday 5/13 - Great Mercy Children's Home – VBS/The Armor of God & First Aid Training

Tuesday 5/14 – VBS/Daniel and Lion’s Den & First Aid Training/Anita Stinnett arrives

Wednesday 5/15 – Travel to Torroro, Uganda to ATS Uganda Director Grace Koelewijn to Namugongo Children’s Village - 6 pm evening VBS program - The Armor of God

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.” I Pet. 2:9

Thursday 5/16 – Women’s Conference at ATS Uganda in Torroro, Uganda

Friday 5/17 – VBS/Daniel and the Lion’s Den and First Aid Training

Team - Sheryl Departs for Nairobi (Sheryl nominated to received Woman with a Heart for Bakersfield humanitarian award on 5/21/13)

Anita Stinnett will serve as Team Leader until team departs for USA.

“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father may give you a Spirit of wisdom and revelation so that you may know Him better.” Eph. 1:17

Saturday 5/18 – VBS/David and Goliath and First Aid Training

Sheryl arrives home to Bakersfield at 8:31 pm

Sunday 5/19 – 9 am Church in Torroro, Uganda – 2 pm VBS & First Aid Training

Monday 5/20 – 8 am Team travels to Nairobi

“I pray that the eyes of your heart my be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.” Eph 1:18

Tuesday 5/21 – 9 am First Aid Training at ICM Nairobi Office

1 pm Sightseeing - Karen Museum/Giraffe Feeding

Weds 5/22 – 9 am Baby Elephant Feeding/Kuzuri Beads/Wild Animal Park

 USA Team prepares for departure at 3:45 am Thurs 5/23 to arrive in USA 5/23 at 4:30 pm

“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus.” Eph. 3:20

Thank you so much for your prayers and financial support! I am representing you. I look forward to sharing Team Kenya/Uganda Spring 2013 updates on Facebook, Twitter and Sheryl’s monthly ICM newsletter for June 2013. My love and prayers - Sheryl

There is No "I" in Team

March 18, 2013

 

 

 

 Pastor Victor Airiohuodion of CityGate Church leads the weekly ICM Hour of Power prayer time.

 

ICM staff and community prayer partners join hearts in prayer for Hour of Power.

There is no “I” in TEAM. I am convinced Jesus showed us how to do this in His life of service. Jesus’ time was concentrated on twelve men, His focus was narrow, yet His intensity increased incredibly because He poured Himself into a few trusted servants. He lived, worked and died in their presence. John 15:5 reminds us, “I am the vine, you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

 

 

 

 Alisa Rodgers, wife of Pastor Kevin Rodgers of First Baptist El Cajon leads the FBEC team. Pray for her as she directs her group to complete the many details necessary to travel to Africa.

 

Please pray for our Spring 2013 Kenya/Uganda Team, as we prepare and fundraise. Thanks to modern technology, we are able to meet bi-monthly by Skype from four different cities. It’s amazing to plan and organize our trip this way. Please pray for our team by name: Cali Ryan,co-leader, Cali’s mother, Charlene Ryan, craft coordinator, Alisa Rodgers, FBEC team leader, Sylvester Warsaw Jr., men’s conference teacher, Raeanne Colson, VBS coordinator, Susy Pearl and Ceci Willever.

 

 

 

Ben and Megan Giesbrecht celebrate Ben’s March 8 graduation from his Navy training program. Ben moves to Fayettesville, NC on April 6 to begin medical training, Megan will join him mid-July 2013.

 

 

 

Sheryl with Sarah (Giesbrecht) and husband, Matt Hunter, celebrate Ben’s graduation at Dewar’s. Matt is considering attending a welding school; please pray for confirmation and direction.

 

My prayer for you, ICM, myself, my family and all the areas God allows me any influence, I will remain in Him. I pray we will stay connected to the Vine, remain in His words. And fulfill John 15:7 “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be given you.”  

 

Glad YOU are on the TEAM!

 

Sheryl

 

 

Carol Wilcox, (Sheryl’s ministry assistant/editor) at Parkside Mission’s Conference give God the glory for the release of Sheryl’s book Get Back Up: Trusting God When Life Knocks You Down

 

 

GET BACK UP: Trusting God When Life Knocks You Down...available on line...

https://www.amazon.com/GetBackUpSherylGiesbrecht

 

ICM Spring 2013 Kenya/Uganda Team Plans Underway

Greetings Friends and Family –

 

 First Baptist El Cajon MOM’s group is one of the opportunities Sheryl had to connect with leaders.

At the ICM USA office, we’ve implemented a weekly prayer time, led by Nigerian Pastor Victor Airiohuodion. We are committed to get things done God’s way, and that is by prayer. If you are in the area, please join us Mondays from 12 to 1 pm at the ICM USA office. I’m committed to pray for you regularly. Send your prayer needs to: sherylg@icmusa.org.

 

The ICM display attracts many interested in supporting the work in Africa.

I covet your prayers as we implement our strategic plan for 2013. One of our goals is to encourage Kingdom connections. God is allowing this to take place as I will be leading a Spring 2013 team from First Baptist El Cajon.

 

Jim Turner, Sheryl, Alisa & Pastor Kevin Rodgers, Ben Giesbrecht gather around Marsha & Ron Reece, with the Rodgers’ kids. Sheryl presented ICM opportunities at First Baptist El Cajon .

I am thrilled to announce my non-fiction book “Get Back Up: Trusting God When Life Knocks You Down,” will soon be available through Amazon and on bookstore shelves. It is very exciting to see how God will use my story to connect ICM with those who want to invest in leaders.

Get Back Up:Trusting God When Life Knocks You Down - Available at www.Amazon.com

Upcoming events:

2/19 – MOPS Calvary Bible Church, Bakersfield, CA

2/20 – AWANA First Presbyterian Church, Bakersfield, CA

2/24 – Missions Conference – Parkside Church, Bakersfield, CA

3/20 to 3/26 - Atlanta & Cummings, GA – North Pointe Church & Walk Thru the Bible  meetings

4/6 – Women’s Retreat – First Baptist Lake Isabella, 4201 Ardmore Ave, Suite 2, Bakersfield  (open registration)

4/12 to 14 – Women’s Retreat – Cambria, CA - Rosedale Bible Church

4/19 & 20 – CMTA (Formerly GLASS Convention) www.CMTAconvention.org

5/1 to 5/23 – ATS Graduation/ATS Summit meetings/First Baptist El Cajon Team  to Kenya & Uganda

9/12 to 23 – Purpose Driven Conference Team  to Ethiopia

As you can see, my schedule is packed with ministry.This year, I am in need of $15,000.00 in travel and conference costs. I look forward to see how He plans to meet the needs of this work

Much love and prayers,

Sheryl

“They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.” Rev. 12:11

 

Unpacking to Make Room

January 14, 2013

New Year Greetings!             

 I’ve been putting away Christmas decorations. Funny isn’t it, when you rearrange and pack things up, it feels like the house has more room.  The same thing is true in our spiritual life, when we allow God to rearrange and pack things up; we have room in our lives for more of God.  Dallas Willard says, “Amazing things can happen when we open up spaces in our lives. It is easier to hear the voice of God when we practice silence because our world is not filled with competing noises.”

Sheryl worships God beneath a waterfall near Yosemite.

Silence and solitude are ignored spiritual disciplines. At a nearby conference center, under the guidance of a spiritual director, I began the New Year with a four day silent retreat. I asked myself. “What gifts does God want to give you?” “What are you thankful for? I spent hours in prayer, pouring over scripture, hiked for miles, journalled my thoughts, feelings, prayers. I discovered God’s love in a deeper way, enjoyed His creation and found solace in communion with Him.

 “He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.” Psalm 18:19

The Latin term, “Capax Dei” – an increased capacity for God is something we can develop by allowing space in our lives. I challenge you to “open up spaces in your lives” – each of us know what we can cut out, so let’s make the choice to increase our capacity for God. Instead of self-indulgence, let’s choose God –indulgence. Rearrange and pack things up, so you have room for every new blessing God wants to bestow on you in 2013! Thanks for sharing in the ministry of ICM through your financial and prayer support.

“You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” Psalm 16:11

All my love,

Sheryl

Prayer time with Ben and Megan at their reception with Dick Compton, Pastor Josh Kirstine

My thanks to you who attended Ben and Megan’s Christmas Open House Wedding Reception.  You  completed our holiday by sharing our joy and your presence with the newlyweds. Glory to God!

 

Share in Our Christmas Joy!

 

Holiday Greetings!

 

 “Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” Luke 2:11

God carefully entrusted a few human messengers with the news of the coming Savior of the world. The angels foretold it. Elizabeth confirmed it. Shepherds were the first to receive it. Unassumingly, Jesus arrived by way of the womb of a teen mother. “And she gave birth to her first born, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger.” Luke 2:7

And so God entrusts you and me, common human messengers with the Good News of His coming! The Good News hasn’t changed; in fact, telling others of Jesus’ birth is still the best gift we can give anyone. The arrival of Jesus marked the fulfillment of prophesy and promise plus the beginning of a new covenant. “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” Is. 52:7

May your Christmas season be filled with sharing hope, offering encouragement and giving joy.  I would love for you to join me and share my Christmas joy -- Christmas Wedding Reception and Open House for Ben and Megan Giesbrecht! Please join us!

 

Christmas Wedding Reception Open House

Honoring

Mr. Benjamin and Mrs. Megan Giesbrecht – (Married 9/2/12)

Sunday - December 23

 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm

His Refreshing Presence Sanctuary – 4201 Ardmore Ave, Suite 3

Bakersfield, CA 93309 – RSVP: sherylg@icmusa.org or text to: 661-204-7957

Merry Christmas – See you on the 23^rd! 

All my love,  Sheryl