MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE POWELL FAMILY

We stop during this busy season to say thank you for your prayer and support this year. Together we have been able to do many great things for people and the Kingdom of God. I look forward to sharing many of those things as the year ends, but for now, we simply pause to say thanks. Elsa, Gaby, and I appreciate you. We take time each week to pray for God to meet your needs and to give you a new revelation of Jesus. At Christmas, we celebrate the birth of our savior.  We pray that all of us would enjoy the celebration of the first "revealing" of Jesus to the world. And we pray that in our lives and yours HE will be REVEALED again daily..... not just to you but through you to the world. 

LOVE AT CHRISTMAS FROM THE POWELLS!

Elsa, Gaby, and John

THE CHILDREN GROW UP

For many years Elsa and I lived and ministered in Venezuela. We worked to train and place people in ministry. It was hard when we left 2 years ago and resettled in Bogota. We had faith that God would work, but deep down we were concerned about those we left behind, in the way that a parent "worries" about children growing up and going out on their own. It's what we worked for, but still.....
Well, it is testimony time as we watch the " children" grow up. 

        PATRICIA
Patricia and her husband Gerson are the full-time Lead Pastors of El Cordero Church in Calabozo. Patricia is Elsa's youngest sister. She was only 8 or 9 when I first went to Calabozo. Now she is a wife, mother, and pastor. She and her husband have been doing a great work for a long time with Project Joseph and Mission20. 

                                                               MARLON

Marlon Gutierrez was only 17 when he first worked as a translator for one of our medical projects in Caracas in 1995. In fact, it was this project when I met Elsa. Marlon worked with us on projects for many years. Along the way he married and had 3 children. His kids are very good friends of Gaby. And everyone is happy because Marlon and family will be moving to Bogota to work full-time with me as we develop the ministry and missionary training center. He's growing up and is an important part of our ministry. 

                                                             JUAN PABLO
Juan Pablo was a young married man with children when he first came to our church. He was a new believer. He grew up spiritually in Torre Fuerte. He heard the call of God to serve as a pastor. He answered the call and has been the pastor of Torre Fuerte in Uverito. He has planted several new churches and is our lead pastor for church planting. What a blessing he is to my family and the ministry.

Like natural children, spiritual children grow up. And like parents of our natural children, we are so proud of these and all of our spiritual children. 

You not only share in the victories of people fed, people saved, disciples made, and churches planted. You are part of the lives of Patricia, Marlon, Juan Pablo, and others who carry on the work of building the Kingdom of God. Elsa and I appreciate your prayers and financial support. You make it happen. 

                                                   BLESSINGS!

                                        Elsa, Gaby, and John Powell
                                              ktaven@gmail.com

                                       

A SEPTEMBER TO REMEMBER

September was a very busy month for the family and ministry. Our landlord decided to sell their apartment so we had to find a new place to live. October 1 was "moving day." It went well but was tiring. 



September was memorable because of 2 great medical projects in South Bogota. The Mercy & Truth team worked with us to see nearly 1500 patients with hundreds professing Jesus for the first time.  


But September will be remembered because of the continued struggles of the people in Venezuela. Project Joseph has added new feeding programs. Mission20 is expanding evangelistic outreaches. And Torre Fuerte has been planting and growing new churches. BUT I will remember September because of 2 little girls. They were abandoned by their family because they couldn't feed them. Thank God that Pastora Xiomara and Project Joseph were there to get them into Christian homes and provide food daily. There are many such stories. Together as workers, prayer warriors, and donors, we are making a difference. 

Elsa, Gaby, and I appreciate all that you do to enable us to be here and build these ministries. We are blessed to be called by God to do this work. And we are blessed that God has provided supporters like you to stand with us. 
I want to close by inviting you to the Celebration of my 25 years in full-time missions. It will be held at Grace Chapel in Waycross on November 3. There will be a meet and greet 530 - 645 pm and then a great celebration with pictures, videos, testimonies, and many surprises. After the Celebration Service, there will be a cake and punch reception. You have a special invitation!

Blessings!

Elsa, Gaby, and John Powell

KTAVEN@GMAIL.COM

IT'S SPECIAL

Our ministry has been growing. Because of faithful supporters and prayer warriors we have been able to start and expand several initiatives. Project Joseph has over 30 feeding programs in 7 states in Venezuela. We are consistently shipping Bibles and discipleship books to Venezuela. We have 5 full-time workers there and we are planting new churches. Leadership training has kept us very busy. 
But here's the thing that is so special. In the last two years, we have gotten back to our ministry roots - medical evangelism clinics by doing projects in Trinidad, Ecuador, and Colombia. And it is exciting! 

Policarpa in Central Bogota 2018

Is it the hustle and bustle? The camaraderie of the team? Maybe it's because "once a doctor, always a doctor." I put on the stethoscope and that first patient comes in and it feels right. But I think it's a reminder of many such projects before and the results. People meet Jesus. And follow Him. I remember why I started doing this 25 years ago, to look for that "lost sheep." 

It's also special because Elsa is at my side interpreting, as she has done many times. We met in Caracas in 1995 doing missions. 

And look who has now started translating! GABY! 

Medical Missions is again a part of our ministry. And I am thrilled. We have people to feed, sermons to preach, conferences to teach, churches to plant, but we also have patients to see. 

Thank you for your prayers and financial support. We are a team working to find lost sheep for the Lord. Elsa, Gaby, and I are proud to be a part of the team. And we are grateful that you are too!.

John, Elsa, and Gaby Powell

johnp@mission20.net

25 YEARS!

It has been 25 years on the mission for Dr. John Powell.

Mission20 and Project Joseph have announced a Special Celebration on November 3, 2018, at Grace Ministries in Waycross to commemorate this milestone. In 1993 Dr. Powell sold his Waycross pediatric practice to become a full-time medical missionary. He also served as a pastor and church planter in Venezuela for 17 years. He now lives in Bogota Colombia with his family as they continue to serve as missionaries in Latin America.

There will be a Meet and Greet from 430 - 530 pm followed by a service from 6 - 8 pm. There will be a reunion of many people who have participated in mission trips and served with the ministry. More information can be obtained from James Moore by email. His email address is: jem3754@yahoo.com 

Grace Ministries is located at 1700 Osceola Ave in Waycross GA. 

A NEW GENERATION..... AND THE WORK CONTINUES

Elsa and I are so glad to see the work of evangelism and especially medical evangelism continue in Venezuela. After living and working there for 18 years we moved our mission base to Colombia. But our focus is still Venezuela. We are believing in political and cultural change. We also are seeking God for Revival and a Great Spiritual Awakening. Our current ministry focuses on feeding hungry people through Project Joseph. Working with local leaders through Mission20 to facilitate evangelism and church growth. We also have the privilege of distributing Bibles across Venezuela. 
One of our personal thrills is seeing those we trained in Torre Fuerte and other ministries now taking the lead in preaching the Gospel and building the Kingdom of God. Juan Francisco accepted Jesus Christ at age 16 in TF Calabozo. Now he is a medical doctor and carries on the tradition of medical clinics in churches for

the needy. He had served as a worker for many of the medical teams we brought to Venezuela from the U.S. Now he is leading teams! I look forward to taking a team from the States to Venezuela soon and working with Dr. Juan Francisco. 

There are many young leaders taking charge in Venezuela under very difficult circumstances. Pastors Patricia and Gerson are leading evangelism teams in Calabozo. Marlon and Maribel are serving in Mission20. Adrian is now an M20 leader on the border at Guasduolitos. Pastor Juan Pablo pastors new congregations in Calabozo and Guardatinajas as well as Uverito. And he is busy planting new churches. And of course, Project Joseph has been an opportunity for new leaders and ministers to arise. In 7 Venezuelan states, we now have 27 programs. 

Elsa and I look forward to returning to Venezuela to work and train leaders, establish ministries, and plant churches. But until we can, it seems the new generation of leaders will be building the Kingdom. 

Elsa, Gaby, and I appreciate your prayer and support. It is a base of great people that give us the privilege to serve our Lord in Missions!

The Powell Family

 ktaven@gmail.com 

Bogota, Colombia

DOCTORS AND EYEGLASSES DRAW A CROWD

                                                                 They gathered in large numbers to get into the church in Soacha, on the south side of Bogota, to see the doctors and also be evaluated for glasses. The same scene was repeated in San Francisco de Bogota and even on Saturday in Policarpa. 

 His Healing Touch Ministries from Monroe Michigan provided the team, meds, and glasses. Team20 worked with Iglesia Cristiana of Colombia to host the project. We are now preparing to host Mercy and Truth September 13 - 20.

   

The doctors saw 1200 patients and the vision clinic provided 800 pairs of glasses for happy patients. The Gospel was presented and almost every person was prayed for. 125 people accepted Jesus Christ. Now the churches are busy visiting and checking on people who came to the clinic. 

Gaby worked on a dental project last year in Quito Ecuador but this was the first time she had the opportunity to work with her mom and dad. It was a great time working together as a family. 

We appreciate your prayers and support!

The Powell Family

ktaven@gmail.com

Love to the World 

324 S. Plant Ave.

Tampa, FL 33606

                                                                                                                                                                                            

UNTOLD STORIES

When you think of Project Joseph and the feeding programs you probably envision many children being fed. And you would be right as we now feed 2500 children in 17 programs. Some programs are small and feed 25 - 75 people. The larger programs feed 350 per week. But let me share some untold stories. We have programs that work in hospitals, prisons, and elderly homes. But let's go beyond that to find the untold stories of 3 elderly people being ministered to by ProJo workers and using the funds made available to them.

Pastora Xiomara and the team at Huellas Sin Fronteras ministers daily with food, prayer, and the Word to this elderly lady who is bedridden with cancer. Maria has had a hard life and now is facing death under very difficult circumstances. Her one request is for a mattress, which our ministry is providing. 

Pastora Xiomara just sent word that an 88-year-old lady just accepted Jesus week. We don't have a picture of her. But the important thing is that her name is in the book and she is ready for eternity. She has been fed daily by ProJo as workers take food to her house each day. 

GOD BLESS Huellas Sin Fronteras.... Footprints Without Borders. 

The ministry Suenos de Dios (Dreams of God) is a new Projo ministry. They are feeding in the hospital and also in small communities. The leader, Aliris, sent a report about a 90-year-old lady who used to be a well-known practitioner of witchcraft. But now she is a believer and a joyous believer. She comes to the cell group and church. 

                                                                     Maria Moreno

We thank God for many programs that are part of Project Joseph and Mission20. Together we are making a difference in the lives of thousands of Venezuelans. We are motivated to do it for 1 lost sheep. But as a ministry, we have an expectation for a large harvest. Your prayers and financial support help us in the pursuit of souls for the kingdom.

Our prayer for you is that God would continue to richly bless you.
Our commitment is to build a ministry that is good soil for your support. 

John, Elsa, and Gaby Powell

johnp@mission20.net

. 

THE DOCTOR WAS IN THE HOUSE

THE DOCTOR WAS IN THE HOUSE

Indeed the doctor was in the house. No, I'm not talking about me. I've been a pastor and missionary so long that I often forget to respond to the title doctor. But I don't forget the title and name, Dr. Juan Francisco. Juan accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior when he was 16 at our church, Torre Fuerte in Calabozo. As an adult, he was recognized as an evangelist by the church. He went to medical school and obtained his medical degree. 

He was away from Calabozo for some time but is living and working there again. And he is helping our church and ministry, as a doctor. Juan worked with the medical teams we brought to Venezuela and learned "medical evangelism." This month he organized a medical clinic and outreach for Torre Fuerte in Uverito. Although I couldn't be there I was thrilled to see the pictures and hear the reports. Our ministry and churches have done many projects and outreaches and campaigns. But this was special! As a pastor and a doctor, I am proud of him. 

Ministry is more than statistics and reports. It is about lives changed. Juan Francisco's life was changed many years ago by his decision. But also by the many people who have taught and discipled him. The "spiritual kids" are growing up and helping. And I am glad because there is still much work to do. 

  Elsa, Gaby, and I are grateful to those who pray and give. We are not here today and gone tomorrow. Our feet are planted in Latin America to fulfill the vision.

PROJECT JOSEPH
We now have 20 feeding programs in 5 different States in Venezuela. The programs serve 2000 people weekly. Thanks to every giver and prayer warrior standing with us in this work. 



BLESSINGS FROM THE POWELL FAMILY 
MISSION20/PROJECT JOSEPH

                                                               ktaven@gmail.com
                                                                           LTW
                                                                  324 s Plant Ave
                                                                  Tampa, FL 33606

                                          

PLANNING AND PROJECTS

People line up for food at a Project Joseph feeding outreach near Valencia Venezuela.
Project Joseph has grown to 15 projects in 5 different towns in 3 states in Venezuela and many projects have been able to increase to several times per week. Also, we now have projects in a prison, 2 hospitals, and for the elderly. Project Joseph and other small to medium sized ministries are able to get food and medicines to the people in Venezuela whereas the larger ministries and NGOs have been blocked by the government from shipping humanitarian supplies to the country. As we close March I heard from a pastor in Calabozo that everyone in Calabozo knows what we are doing to feed people in the crisis. That's nice but of course, we don't do it for credit. But here is why I share this news. The pastor added that not only have they seen what our ministry is doing but that it has motivated many people and churches to start feeding programs also. To God be the Glory for that! Thank you to each one who has donated to project Joseph. You are making a difference.

Mission20 leaders met in Bogota for a week of training and planning. We were able to accomplish a lot in 6 days of work. Marlon, Juan Pablo, Gerson, and Patricia make up the core group of leaders who oversee the various ministries in Venezuela. We were excited to work on the expansion of Project Joseph, the founding of the Casas de Luz (Lighthouses) prayer ministry, and we were able to train them in M20 evangelism. They will now conduct training in Venezuela. I will share more on the work of Mission20 in a future report.

This child received food along with his mother in a project near Valencia Venezuela. The mother also received spiritual food as she saw a witness of Jesus Christ and heard the Gospel. Many people through Project Joseph and Mission20 are being drawn to Christ. With your continued support, we will reach more and more people. I decided long ago that I would never stand before Jesus and hear him say, "I was hungry and you didn't give me anything to eat." Together we are ministering to the least of these. 

BLESSINGS!

John, Elsa, and Gaby Powell

YOUNG AND OLD

When you have done it to the least of these, you have done it unto me.  Matthew 25:40

You are part of a great effort to minister to the people of Venezuela with humanitarian aid and spiritual help. Because of your help,  we have been able to establish a base of ministry in Colombia that is reaching Venezuela through churches and our ministry leaders there. You are helping to feed the elderly and children; provide medicines to people with seizures, diabetes, and hypertension; ship Bibles into Venezuela for distribution: buy chickens and pigs to be raised to provide food; and you are helping to support pastors and leaders stay in Venezuela to care for their churches and reach people who need Jesus. 

Elsa and I would not be able to do any of this without you as a member of our Missionary Partnership. We are very grateful as we work to help another pastor, feed another child, and look for one more lost person. We are blessed to be able to do these things with you as our partner. To God be the Glory! He is doing great things!

FIRST QUARTER 2018 REPORT

We are excited about 2018 and the great work prepared for our ministries. Starting with this first edition I will send out a quarterly update on the status of various aspects of the ongoing work. Let me begin by saying that, although we are in Colombia, our primary focus is Venezuela. God has given us many contacts and much favor in Venezuela, so we are using that to reach people for Christ and develop ministries that will reform the nation.

Let me give you a brief overview of our current ministries.

BET20 – The Basic English Training program was designed as a scholarship program for very poor high school and college age students who couldn’t afford to attend the English Academy. We graduated 3 classes of students who received English teaching and values education from a Christian perspective. As we enter 2018 we have selected a group of the best students to receive training to work as translators. By mid-2018 we will again begin basic classes.

GSCA -The Good Samaritan Christian Academy will celebrate its 20^th Anniversary in 2018. The original mission of the academy was to train translators for medical mission projects. In May 2018 graduates and students of the academy will help us with a project on the Venezuelan/Colombian border. GSCA grew into more than just a center for the training of translators. The academy has taught French and Italian, as well as offering seminars on leadership and jobs training.

Project Joseph/Proyecto Jose – The English named program is our effort to help feed children and elderly people in Venezuela in the midst of this crisis. We help 3 feeding programs in Calabozo and are added a program in Valencia this month. Proyecto Jose is a program that helps Venezuelans raise chickens, pigs, fruit, and vegetables. We help with seeds, feed, fertilizers, etc. to get then started. They sell a portion of their harvest to our feeding programs at a good price. The rest they can eat or sell. The goal is to fund them for no more than 3 to 6 months. Some projects are small in back yards of the city, while others are larger in rural areas.

Team20 – We have started a short-term trips ministry again for medical as well as evangelistic projects. Dr. Jeff Chapman will come in May to conduct a clinic in Cucuta Colombia on the Venezuelan border. Mercy and Truth Medical Missions will work here in September. Our desire is to re-establish this very effective form of ministry in Venezuela and Colombia. We would love to have each of you come.

Cuarto de Guerra – The War Room – Started in December 2016 this ministry in the past year has served to mobilize prayer and intercession in and for Venezuela. It grew to not only be an internet prayer ministry, but also a ministry for teaching and training people in fervent and effective prayer. As we move into 2018 we are establishing “lighthouses” in neighborhoods across Venezuela to pray for their communities. Look for some exciting updates soon about this ministry.

VENSTRA -  This is our acronym for the ministry that is developing in Venezuela. I have saved the most exciting news until the last. We have been able to bring into the ministry four great leaders in Venezuela. Juan Pablo is the Pastor of Torre Fuerte in Uverito; Patricia Luna is the Pastor of El Cordero; Gerson Veloz is Director of Reskate Foundation; Marlon Guttierez is an Associate Pastor of Iglesia Maranatha. I have been associated with each person for 10 – 20 years. With financial support from VENSTRA they will now be able to devote hours to the ministries we are developing in Venezuela. Each one will have specific ministries to develop and oversee including those listed above, as well as ministries that I will be telling you about in the next update. Each leader is spending time with us in Bogota for training and will be at our leadership conference in Cucuta in March. These leaders will help us begin an effective evangelism, discipleship, and church growth ministry. By July 2018 we will be training pastors and leaders to plant churches in villages and communities without a church.

MEDIA – This update will be sent to you quarterly. Online updates, reports, and pictures will be posted regularly on my Facebook: www.facebook.com/JohnPowell55 

The Project Joseph Facebook page:  www.facebook.com/ProjectJosephGSI

Our blog is POWELL FAMILY BLOG: https://johnelsagaby.blogspot.com/

John’s email: ktaven@gmail.com

PRO JO EXPANDS

Young children eating lunch at El Cordero Church  Dec 2017

The economic and humanitarian crisis continues to worsen in Venezuela. Organizations are having a difficult time because the price of food increases daily. Project Joseph helps Venezuelan churches and foundations feed hungry children in Central Venezuela. This month we are expanding to help feed children in Valencia. Also, we are adding an outreach for the elderly.

A one-time gift towards our goal of $2500 will help nourish vulnerable children and elderly people in hard-hit areas. You can help by giving Online by credit card at www.razoo.com/story/projectjoseph. If you prefer you may give by check made out to Love to the World. The mailing address is:                                                                       

                                                       LTW

                                                       324 S. Plant Ave

                                                       Tampa, FL 33606

Elsa and I greatly appreciate your help.

CELEBRATION

In October I shared with you in a message titled "Motivation and Expectation" about Yusdalys. This is what was written at that time:

4 “What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the [b]open pasture and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?" Luke 15:4

Yusdalys is a young Venezuela girl now living in Bogota. She graduated as an architect as the number 2 student in her Venezuelan University..... Number 8 in the entire nation. She now sells coffee on the streets of Bogota and lives with a Colombian family. She lives in a very desperate situation and she doesn't know Jesus. We helped her to get the equipment she needed to sell the coffee. She now comes to our house for Bible study and prayer. Our motivation has to be to reach one. She is worth all of our efforts. When Yusdalys knows Jesus as Lord and Savior we will celebrate and then...... look for another LOST SHEEP!

ON SUNDAY DEC. 31 she made the decision to follow Jesus Christ and made Him her Lord and Savior. We celebrated with Yusdalys as the Angels in heaven were celebrating. What a great ending to 2017! There is still much to be done to help her to grow into a disciple of Jesus. But she is on her way. And now.... it is time to look for more LOST SHEEP. 

Elsa and I thank you for your support of our family and the various ministries we oversee in Venezuela and Colombia. 

BLESSINGS IN 2018!!