With God There Is Hope

 

With God there is always hope. But for God I would not have made it. We have heard these and similar phrases when there is a disaster or what looks like a hopeless situation. In earthquake affected areas of Venezuela there is devastation. Over 4,500 reported dead. More than 16,000 casualties. Over 20,000 homeless. How many missing or unaccounted for? The government doesn't know or isn't saying. Guesses range from several thousand to tens of thousands. The situation is a disaster.

As the picture above reveals, there is a sign of hope in the midst of the ruins. A pastor and a team from his church, El Cordero, have made multiple trips to serve those in need. They have taken clean water, clothes, supplies for babies, medicine.... even a big pot of soup. Hope can be found as churches and people reach out to them to help in their time of need. The Project Joseph team showed the love of God to the hurting. They also took Gospel tracts and New Testaments and using these they shared the Gospel. Food meets the need when you are hungry. The Gospel gives Hope!

Shortly after the disaster Global 21 received donations without asking. Individuals and churches called asking how they could help. We have received close to $15,000 which we have channeled into relief works in Venezuela. We have paid for gas for doctors to get to patients. We have a cook providing daily meals in the area of the epicenter. G21 has rented trucks, bought food, and provided tents and mattresses. One team from Barquisimeto actually were able to rescue 5 people from a collapsed building! G21 was able to quickly mobilize by contacting the churches and ministries that were part of our Project Joseph Network. Many of you may remember our Project Joseph Network of ministries that operated feeding programs for 5 years in Venezuela. The Project Joseph Network has been reactivated!

Project Joseph will continue with immediate relief efforts. However, we recognize the pace of recovery in Venezuela will be slow. Help for displaced people will be needed for months not just days. As always while Project Joseph feeds and clothes and helps in many ways our greatest work is proclaiming Jesus. 

Our desire is to bring Hope to the Hurting. And a harvest of new believers out of this tragedy.

Evangelism, Training, and Bibles

                         Welcome to the Global 21 and Powell Family Update

Global 21 and several ministries from the States, Colombia, and Venezuela converged on the Venezuela/Colombia border in April for 2 weeks of house to house evangelism, crusades, and church growth activities. We had especially large crowds in Arauca Colombia and there was a great response to the conference for pastors led by Evangelist Caleb Lancaster. In June several pastors from Calabozo Venezuela will return to train church leaders in discipleship. 

                                 

 While I wait for the opportunity to return to Venezuela, G21 is focusing on ministry projects on the border. We have done projects in Cucuta, Villa del Rosario, and Arauca this year and we hope to be able to work in Puerto Carreño soon. Another focus is the training of ministers, leaders, and ministry teams from Venezuela. The group in this picture traveled more than 12 hours by bus and boat to help us with the Arauca Crusade and participate in training events. In August we will host several more training events.

Bibles to the Border...And Beyond was able to provide 2000 Bibles, 2500 New Testaments, and 7500 tracts for use in Evangelism and Discipleship. This month we shipped 1000 Bibles to church planting teams in Bogota.

One last picture to close this Blog. On April 30 Gaby traveled from Bogota to Toronto Canada to begin a 9 month internship at a Global Training Center. Elsa and I were sad to see her go but were thankful for the time she had with us. We are praying for success as she prepares to serve in Bible Education and Ministry Training Centers in the future. 

John, Elsa, and Gaby Powell

Global 21

john@g21us.org

VENEZUELA UPDATE

 Venezuela has been in the news a lot lately because of the arrest of Nicolas Maduro. I thought I would take a moment and present some information from within Venezuela. As you know we have lived in Colombia for the past few years because of threats to Americans in Venezuela. However, Elsa's family lives in Venezuela. Additionally, we have many churches, ministries, and friends there. We are in daily contact with people around the country. 

There has not been a great change in the daily life of the people. People are cautiously optimistic. Most have a great hope for the future of the nation. But they haven't been able to truly celebrate yet because the regime still controls the government at all levels. You may have seen videos of large crowds of people celebrating in the streets and statues of Chavez been torn down. Most of these are from Venezuelans in other countries or are old videos from protests in previous years. The street scenes of people celebrating the release of political prisoners are current. Several hundred prisoners have been released. We have had some friends and ministry contacts released this past week. We are thrilled!

The large majority of Venezuelans are grateful for the capture of Maduro. The only ones who are not are the "enchufados" which is the term used for those who are "plugged into the government." In other words, they make their living from political position, crime, drugs, etc. There are very few people remaining in Venezuela that want socialism. Everyone has seen it fail and produce the disaster that started in 1998 and has continue until today. Even the "enchufados" could care less about ideology. They are just trying to hold onto their position of privilege. 

Venezuela and the future? People are hopeful that the transition period will be short. They want to see the regime leaders fall from power and the "cartel de los soles" collapsed. They are looking forward to free and fair elections that will lead to good government. With good government the future of Venezuela will be bright.

How to pray for Venezuela?

1, God's Kingdom to come and His Will be done in Venezuela.

2. The criminal gangs and cartels be destroyed.

3. Good government. 1 Timothy 2:1-4

4. Open doors for the spread of the Gospel

5. Revival and Awakening

Our ministry in Venezuela continues to be strong. Churches continue to grow and plant new churches. We continue to ship Bibles into the country. The prison ministry is powerful. The Institute of Grace and Faith is expanding. I will focus on these ministries and other Global 21 ministries in Venezuela in future posts. 

As always we are appreciative of your prayers and financial support. Together we will continue to see the Kingdom of God advance in Venezuela.

HERE, THERE, SOMEWHERE

 

Greetings from the Powell Family and Global 21. November has been a busy month for us. John is in the U.S. speaking in churches, meeting with 2026 teams, and visiting with supporters. This month Elsa is in Venezuela to visit family and churches. While we were gone Gaby, who has been at Bible School for the past 3 years, has been home in Bogota. She comes home and we are gone! Crazy Missionary life! We are excited that we will all be together for Christmas. The first time in 3 years! 

In the midst of all the travel and work we are blessed with God's provision and protection. We are grateful to our Heavenly Father and for your prayers to Him on our behalf. Your support and prayers are vitally important. Many lives have been impacted in Venezuela and around the world as we all work together to proclaim The Good News.  

Thanksgiving is almost here, which is John's favorite holiday. We hope you have a great Thanksgiving with a joyous time of food, fellowship, and family. (Can you believe that it's time to start counting down to Christmas?)