This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:12-15 (NIV)

This past Sunday I had the privilege of sharing with the congregation how our elders released sixty thousand dollars from our cash reserves to be distributed as one-time gifts to our supported local and international mission partners. Twenty four thousand dollars was given to our local partners. Thirty six thousand was given to our international partners. How much was given to each ministry was determined by the team appointed by the elders – Rick Hedger, Arlan Howard and Chris Van Huss.

One of our international mission partners is Mulberry International. Mulberry International works in Ukraine. We have sent folk from Mount Carmel in the past to Ukraine to see the work being done in that country. This is the link to the Mulberry International website

Below is a thank you note to us for our received from Natasha Reimer, the Ministry Executive Director

Chris,

THANK YOU so much!

Most of our team, families and children have been evacuated from Mariupol and we are working on getting them safely into Romania and Poland. There are many who are left behind to be the hands and feet of Jesus right on the battle field.

The needs will only grow exponentially when the war is over and half of the country will have to be rebuilt.

I am so broken-hearted.

Natasha Reimer

Last week our elders, staff and prayer team received this prayer request:

My heart is broken for my people and my country, and for the countless victims who have been killed, wounded and displaced. Now, I grieve for my friend and co-worker in Christ, Nikolai, who was killed today with four other Christian men while delivering food to others in shelters and homes. He leaves behind his wife and three children, who still remain in Mariupol.

Please pray for Nikolai’s family as well as everyone affected by this war.

Also from Natasha’s Facebook page and Mulberry’s Facebook page:

Thank you for your faithful support. I heard it said that when you give as an individual you make yourself famous. When you give as a church, you make Jesus famous! Without you sharing as a member of Mount Carmel, we could not respond to such needs in the name of Jesus.

Also, please continue to pray for faithful Christians working for the Lord in Ukraine, like the folks at Mulberry. We will be praying for Ukraine at our Night of Prayer and Worship this Friday, March 18, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm in our sanctuary. We would love to have you join us.

Didi