A Note from Pastor Jay Halley
Dear Chapel Family,
I will soon be joining The Chapel’s pastoral staff in Sandusky, Ohio. For more than twenty years the lead pastor of that church and I have discussed the possibility of working together some day. Now is the time. Sandusky Chapel (with historic ties to this church) has developed to the point where their needs are an excellent match with my giftings, passions, and experiences. This move simply reflects a desire we must all share as Christ-followers: How can I most optimally serve God? My 23+ years on staff here, working with the finest co-workers and serving the most wonderful congregation in the world, have prepared us for this new field of ministry.
I will serve as one of the team-teachers, give form to the mission efforts, perform general pastoral functions….and more. Also, you may be interested to know that my aging parents still live in Huron and attend Sandusky Chapel, a nice side benefit to being there.
A Harvest in Mozambique
Spring, 2011, The Chapel’s short-term Mozambique team learned about four hectares of tillable soil not too far from the Limpopo River just down the road from our adopted village, Chaimite.
The partnership vision was this: The Chapel would help purchase the field, the river pump and the drip irrigation system (the most efficient form of irrigation). World Relief would facilitate the development process and find a qualified supervisor to monitor the field production for several years. Selected local residents agreed to prepare the fields and irrigation system followed by the hard work of cultivation and sowing/planting.
Once the crops are harvested, the field workers will begin to pay back the loans they received in order to farm their part of the field. Once full payment is made, more land will be purchased and cultivated by other locals. This is what makes the project a sustainable one.
Scenes from Haiti
by Fred Muffet
Fred and Sandy Muffet are leading a team of 23 in Haiti from December 31 – January 7. They are doing work projects for Mission of Hope and medical clinics. Get a glimpse into what they’ve experienced there so far, and pray for those in Haiti still suffering from the January 12, 2010 earthquake.
Bob, Todd, and I have been speaking at a Pastors’ Conference that runs for three days. The people of Haiti are starving for church affiliation, and Pastor Lex is working hard to fill that need. He also is working with the BeLikeBrit people who are building an orphanage next door to the church.
Some background on BeLikeBrit: Britney Gengel was a 19-year-old American who was serving in Haiti at the time of the earthquake. While there, she sent a text to her parents that she wanted to finish school, move to Haiti and start an orphanage. Then the earthquake took her life.
In her memory, her family and friends are building an orphanage on a beautiful hillside. The builders and the Gengel family are using Mission Of Hope International (MOHI) as a base camp while the orphanage is under construction. In fact, our power is coming from a generator owned by BeLikeBrit.
Blessed Beyond Measure
by Carl & Sue Edwards
In 2010, our ten grandchildren and two close nieces chose to give through The Chapel’s Gift Catalog in lieu of receiving gifts from us. We felt so blessed to have such giving children–ages 5-14.
This year we thought it would be too much to ask the children to give up our gifts to them two years in a row. That is until our son asked if we were going to give through the catalog again. We began to make calls to the others. When one 14-year-old grandson was asked and told he could think about it, and that he didn’t need to answer right away, he said, “I don’t have to think about it. I want to give to the poor.”
All twelve of the children eagerly said that is what they also wanted. Our children (who also give) encourage and support the grandchildren’s decision.
Their giving hearts bless us, and pleases God!
Click here to view The Chapel’s Christmas Catalog and help those in need.
God Poked Me in the Ribs
by Pete Keslar
Long-time Chapel member, Pete Keslar, shares a story from his life & a lesson on the sovereignty of God.
When I first began working for Dad, Acme’s board of directors had a Christmas party each year for the meat department owners. They were a very nice affair. My Dad wanted me to go because he wanted me to meet the leadership at the company and the other meat department owners. After the banquet, the president of Acme was the master of ceremonies. He informed us of the future plans of the company and the challenges of the future. He then asked the owners if they had anything to expound upon; most of the comments were about the future of the retail meat business as there were going to be great changes coming about because of the switch to prepackaged meat. Most of the owners were Dad’s age and about three of them got up and spoke but said nothing of much substance. While they were speaking, Dad whispered to me to get up and speak. After the last speaker sat down, I got a hard poke in the ribs, I believe from God, but through Dad (the sovereignty of God).
