Harding Grad Named CFO
God continues to bless us here at Mission UpReach with the needed resources to continue this ministry. Just over one year ago Jon Stacy and his young family moved to Santa Rosa de Copán to live and work with us on a full time basis. In that one year Jon and his family have touched just about every area of the mission with a positive impact. Given Jon's educational background and his business experience it only made sense for him to step up into a very important role that we have here. This month Jon has been formally named as our Chief Financial Officer and is charged with helping Phil and Donna Waldron, Founders of Mission UpReach, to chart the future of this mission effort under the continued supervision of the Campus View church of Christ elders. Jon is originally from Bartlesville, OK and has been married to his wife, Stacy, for ten years. Together they have three children; Lawson (7), Jordan (6) and Tobin (16mos.). Jon graduated from Harding University in 2002 with a BA in Accounting. He has worked at a CPA firm in Huntsville, AL and at one time managed an O'Reilly Auto Parts store. This business background and his passion for missions has made him an invaluable co laborer here for team Mission UpReach.
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Lowell and Robin
Mixed emotions prevailed back in August of this year as Lowell and Robin White announced their return to the US after co laboring here with us for almost two years. We were sad to see them go but happy for them to be able to return to the US in full time work as the evangelist at the Wilkesboro, NC church. May God bless their ministry there.
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Keeping Kids In School
Our school backpack fund drive program has been a success. Thank you to all that participated. Here is a group of backpacks that came from Lufkin, TX and were brought to our Longview, TX warehouse. We are still receiving backpacks and donations for this drive and will be reporting in as we load the container and get it headed towards Honduras by year's end.
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Two More Boot Camps
Our leadership training seminars continued this month with 50 individual participants taking part. There is no doubt after this year's efforts that this program is one of the most effective training methods that we have encountered. We have two more of these week long intensives in our calendar before year end.  Please keep these men and their work back home in their local congregations in your prayers. |
Moving Begins
After buying land and beginning construction of a temporary shed like structure for the church to meet in; the moving operation has begun. This includes unscrewing the entire structure of the Pine Tree House that was erected on top of the roof of the building that we have been renting as a church. The new quarters will be cramped until we can build a permanent structure but it is paid for and what a blessing it is for the church to be debt free.  |
Operation A Capella
Jeremias Santos, our very musically talented, Dominican, team member, is pictured here on the day that we kicked off practice sessions for a new project that we are calling Operation A Capella.
Our goal is to reach a high level of quality, four-part harmony, A Capella music in order to be able to put the group on tour in our region building an awareness and culture of quality, four-part, A Capella music in our churches.
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Note From Donna
As our school year approaches its close (February through November), I am busy visiting the 13 different schools that participate in our DESEO program. The program administrator, Angie Rivas and I are doing a face to face evaluation with each school director (principal) as well as any staff members the director invites.
The freedom we have to teach from the Bible and talk openly about God and His will, provides a wonderful opportunity to direct these young children toward a more fulfilling and productive life.
DESEO has provided us the opportunity to build relationships with some of the children, many of whom just need someone who cares about them and loves them. Adding our Upward Basketball league has really impacted the relational side of this ministry.
Hearing the shouts of joy as our mission vehicle approaches the school is enough to make me think it is all worth it! Hearing the directors share the differences they have seen in the children, from improved school attendance, to treating others with respect, reinforces our desire to continue serving our community with this program.
Please be praying as we look for the continued financial support for the 2013 school year.
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MUR Team Members Certify in BLS
Several of our MUR team members took advantage of the American Heart Association certification course offered in Santa Rosa this month. Donna is shown here practicing CPR on a mannequin as part of the course. This training and certification is of great benefit here where there is no 911 services like you would encounter in most communities in the US.
We would love to one day be able to take this same training out to the community health clinics in order to help community health workers save lives.
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