Out with the Old In with the New

Happy New Year.

Forgive me for taking so long to write but last year's end proved to be wonderful and busy and things like newsletters were neglected.

As you know, I've been developing a microenterprise training program to present at local churches. Towards the end of November last year I took a trip to Medellin, Colombia to visit some of the microenterprise work that is going on there in an effort to get more perspective on what other countries/ministries are doing in this realm. It was a wonderful visit full of great memories from the past as well as some wonderful new experiences. It had been 22 years since I had been to Medellin after our Evacuation in 1989 when we were told on a Friday that we had to be out of the country by Monday. It took me a few days but I soon felt like I had returned home. Having lived there for 13 years as a child, Medellin is probably the City that most formed me as a child.

It was fun to reconnect with friends I had not seen in two decades as I visited homes as well as the church that was started in our living room over 27 years ago. It was also very encouraging to see church sponsored schools, children's homes and microenterprise based outreach throughout the city.

Twenty Two years after being evacuated from what was at the time the most dangerous city and the world and wow how it has changed. Please remember to pray for the work in Medellin and especially for the microenterprise ministry that seeks to rescue women who work in Bars as prostitutes and seeks to teach them a new trade.

I'd also ask that you pray for the boys in "House of Peace". This is a home outside of the city where a hand full of boys that live in very poor and dangerous neighborhoods go to get away from the stress and pressures of that life in order to go to school and be discipled. I had the pleasure of visiting them while I was in Medellin. We had a blast playing soccer, goofing off, taking pictures and just loving each other in a beautiful country setting. Pray for the boys as this opportunity means being separated from their mothers for most of the academic year. (Some of the boys from the house pictured above).

Finally, I'm excited to announce that starting in March we will be launching the pilot program for the microenterprise development. We will be teaching the course for three months on Saturdays after which we will be holding an expo for our students so that they can present their projects / ideas. My goal is to be able to bring in Local business owners /entrepreneurs and investors who can get connected with projects that interest them and serve as support and encouragement to our graduates. The classes will be taught in a local church where we hope to be able to develop relationships and share the gospel with our students. Please keep me in your prayers as I button up the material and book the various speakers who will be helping teach the course.

Blessings and Happy New Year.

Joshua.

P.S. Stay tuned for new and exciting news in the next installment of Nosnews.