The latest News from Syd & Liz.    

July 2009 

Mighty Prayer Warriors, 

  Thanks so much for your prayers and your incredible generosity.  Again, we saw the Lord move in power and love, changing lives, empowering people, keeping us safe and well and giving us great weather! 

  Our trips to England, N. Ireland and Nicaragua were filled with Divine Appointments.  THE LORD is on the move and our desire is to move out of the way and let God be God!  Over the summer we have seen about 500 men, women and children receive Christ and another 300 baptized in the Holy Spirit.  We have had the privilege to work with wonderful people of God on our teams representing many nations. 

   You have been a vital part of our global team as you have interceded and given of your finances.  What we have experienced and the lives that have been changed are because of your partnership with the Lord as we co-labor in the harvest. 2 Cor. 6:1 

Christian Resource Exhibition                              
After a series of important meetings with key leaders in the U.K. we had 4 days at the Christian Resources Exhibition at Sandown. Liz led worship for daily devotions given by Steve Clifford, the new General Secretary of Evangelical Alliance. Many faithful helpers were there, especially Chris and Maurice Kane, to set up and also keep things moving. There were again over 60,000 Exhibition visitors and we know that our small display of ‘Heal our Land UK ’ in the Sharing Show was a point of contact for many believers longing to see transformation in the Land.  Please remember this national initiative in your prayers.  It is our next mission emphasis. 

“Love Ashford”, Kent England  
  
Rachel Doyle Martinez

It was great to be back in Ashford , Kent with our son, Josh and our daughter Rachel and our granddaughter Kyla. For the second year we were the guests of Pastor’s David and Joyce Lamb of Ashford Christian Fellowship, the church we founded in 1975. They have faithfully led the work there since 1999 and it has produced some great fruit, touching many nations with the Gospel. Some of those now helping had come to Christ in the Cultural Extravaganza of 2008! Our immediate cross cultural team consisted of Ellie from Michigan , Rachel and Kyla Martinez from North Carolina , Steve Mac from North Wales, Paul (Egyptian) and Venus (Iraqi) from Church on the Way, California .  The weather was again glorious – thank you Lord and all the prayer partners. After many meetings, public school ministry and 16 hours street evangelism, thousands heard the Gospel message;   over a hundred received Christ and more were filled with the Holy Spirit. The annual “Cultural Extravaganza” drew 4,000 people this year.  
Rachel and Josh both performed their songs along with an array of ethnic music and dance from many countries in Africa and Asia . Josh had a great time in the evening performing his music for many of his old friends. 
The need of the hour in the Western Church is evangelism and we love to see churches mobilized to do just that. 

 Nicaragua for Christ

On our return from UK we had a few days before we headed south to Nicaragua . Our cross cultural team included 28 from the USA and 31 from Mexico . Monica Cook of Rural Sunrise Ministries in England also joined us. We had a vigorous week of ministry to thousands of people of all ages and saw some great developments in the 11 cities we went to. Syd, Victor Benitez and James Seay headed up Pastors seminars in three towns, San Marcos , Tipitapa and Grenada . These last two seminars were preparation for Bike missions in these cities.  90 were expected in Tipitapa but 129 showed up! Grenada had 100. 
   Both bike rides had a total attendance of up to 1600 riders, with police escorts. We happily stopped the afternoon traffic in the towns as we shouted ‘Cristo Vive!’ 2 rival gangs attended the meeting in Tipitapa and heard the Gospel.   The Police Lieutenant in Tipitapa was delighted to meet up with the Pastor who led her family to Christ 15 years earlier! Over 110 people came to Christ in both towns and met with the Pastors who prayed for them and made church connections. 

You sponsored a record 124 new bikes, with one year warranties.  They were presented to senior pastors from may denominations and fellowships. Each one was $100.00 and represented 2 months wages for these brothers and sisters. We praise God for all your generous giving! Thank you all for your prayers and may the Lord bless you mightily. 

Liz and Angela Benitez led the team of speakers and contributors for the Pastors’ wives Retreat and 6 Releasing Daughters Conferences. 130 women attended the Retreat and were blessed with great teaching and inspirational messagesas well as “make-overs", craft classes and health tips. 

“Last year I came to my first Retreat.  I received a “make-over” and was inspired by the other Pastors’ wives to make more of my life and ministry.   On the day I went home, I opened up an internet account, and signed up for a computer course.  This past year I learned to drive and opened a preschool in our town.  Thank you for encouraging me to take hold of all the Lord has planned for me.”  Pastor Lourdes, Chinendega , Nicaragua 
The 2 “Releasing Daughters” Events Liz spoke at saw 30 women give their lives to Christ and another 300 baptized in the Holy Spirit.  At one point, thunder crashed when she preached that the gifts of the Spirit were for use in our evangelism, not toys to be played with.  It was as if God were shouting AMEN to that! 
  
  Mike Nelsen and his team of 19 from our sending church Waterford Foursquare Michigan, saw hundreds make decisions for Christ. Under the Sandinista government in Nicaragua , they had freedom in the public schools and led 100’s to Christ throughout the week. On the second day they held a two hour assembly of 500 students and teachers!  Joel Schweibert headed up the first Baseball clinic we had in Nicaragua and despite holdups in the first few days they culminated with a group of enthusiastic youngsters on the Saturday where 70 gathered for baseball and 60 came to Christ in the gathering afterwards! 

“I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciated all your hard work, connections, and for hearing God’s voice regarding this beautiful country. I am still amazed at how God loves these people so much, how he arranged so much, convinced so many, and  provided so much for this week to take place.   Thanks for being instrumental in this. It’s incredible how much fruit can result from just a little time, investment and commitment.....it’s been fun to harvest together.  Angela Benitez host Nicaragua Outreach