A Lesson in Teamwork, Humility, and Urgency

One Vision has been blessed with the opportunity to serve in Haiti and the Dominican Republic over the past several years. It has been incredible to see how the Lord has worked in and through the hearts of those overseas and how he has transformed trip participants in just a few short days. Recently, when He closed the door in Haiti, we were left wondering what the next steps would look like. However, God never ceases to prove his faithfulness and where one door closed, another opened.

There is no easy way to sum up the most recent trip to Brazil. We went with the hopes of finding a specific project that One Vision could invest in. Rather than finding one particular project, we found at least half a dozen areas where the Holy Spirit was already moving in and through the people.

One of those was a church plant in Madiero where we helped to finish construction on their new church building. Christians from the mother church, other local churches, and new believers from the community all came out to work on the building and spend time together. It was encouraging to see Christians from all denominations so excited about reaching their own people with the Gospel of Christ.

While we were there we got to hear their stories, work together, and help them reach out to local schools and classes. This was not a time where we went to serve or came to be served but rather a time where we all came together, as a family of believers, to serve people who did not know Jesus Christ. Pastor Machado was a constant example of what it looks like to humble yourself before others and reflect the love of the Lord to a lost community.

On Wednesday night we arrived at the completed church building for the dedication service. We were concerned when we noticed there were large fires burning on either side of the church and winds were pushing them closer. We were told that teenagers had started at least one of the fires but no matter what, the service would go on as scheduled. As we watched, we noticed that there was one man working to put out the flames. Pastor Machado was standing beside his new church, in his suit and tie, beating out any flames that threatened his church body. (See video in FB page)

Where we were quick to worry, he was quick to act. He never brought attention to himself and people filing into the church didn’t even seem to notice. How often does the Lord care for us in that way? While we spend our time worrying about what is to come he is already quietly caring for us. Holding back harm and planning for our future. He does not scream, “Look at me!” but whispers, “I love you, and you are mine” Isaiah 43:1-13

There are too many stories to share them all but the trip can be summed up by remembering that we are not taking Jesus to Brazil. He is already there and moving is ways that are hard to describe in words. What we CAN do is continue to be faithful to the call to GO! We can partner with our brothers and sisters who are already sacrificing so that their own people will understand salvation. We can share the joy, hope, and redemption that the Holy Spirit has placed in our hearts. Our friend Florencio told me, “missions flows in our veins and our hearts burn in clamor because of our suffering people who are enslaved away from God"

Does your heart hurt for the lost?

Container of Hope

Can you imagine being forced from your home in the middle of the night? This is the case for thousands of families that are trying to keep their loved ones safe. They are seeking refuge in a camp that is facing overcrowding and extreme temperatures. Food supplies are low. Clothing is worn out. Medicines are hard to come by. Even more crippling is the loss of things that you can not see. The loss of hope, pride, and a sense of security.

We can not help everyone but we have a responsibility to let our brothers and sisters overseas know that they have not been forgotten. We have not turned a blind eye to their needs because they are uncomfortable or hard to hear. We care for them as Jesus cares for us and we want to help.

One Vision International is currently collecting clothing to fill a shipping container that will be sent to an unreached people group. While I can not give you the exact location of the container, I can tell you that these items will be shipped to a refugee camp that is currently home to over 18,000 refugees. These brother and sisters are living in harsh conditions but thankful to be with family and, for the moment, to be safe.

We need your help to fill the container with boxes of winter clothing for children and adults. All details are below:

Dates- We will begin collecting clothes immediately Final Date to Accept- Thursday, October 15th Shipping will be Monday, October 19th

We are asking for families, small groups, or sunday school classes to fill 2-3 large boxes each. Please include an itemized list of your boxes contents. The size of the container is 40' so there is A LOT of space to fill.

*New items are preferred. Used clothing will be accepted as long as it is in good condition.

Items Needed: Winter Clothing (Men's, Women's, and children) Long Underwear Hats Gloves Scarves Shoes & Socks Blankets Diapers (all sizes including adult) *If possible do not send the color blue. Culturally, this color is offensive and will not be worn to avoid conflict.

This container is different than others we have sent in the past. I can not help but emphasize the reality and gravity of this situation. This container is not only necessary, but essential to the survival of this people group. If we do not help these brothers and sisters, it is very possible that they will not make it through the winter of 2015.

Our office will be open for drop off from 9am-5pm Monday-Thursday, and 9am-12pm on Friday. There will also be a designated drop off location at Sevier Heights Baptist Church on Sunday mornings. We are located at 2915 Alcoa Highway, Knoxville TN 37920.

If you have any questions please feel free to call 865-579-3353 or email rcox@onevisionintl.org

Opening

One Vision International is looking to add to our staff! The One Vision team is seeking an outgoing, experienced business manager with excellent computer skills for part time work. This would be an hourly position starting in mid-May. If you have questions or are interested in applying for this position please email your resume to info@onevisionintl.org by May 8th. Details and requirements can be found below: Title: Business Manager Status: Part- Time, non-exempt position Reports to: Executive Director

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

-Daily management of all accounting activities related to cash receipts and disbursements -Maintains internal financial controls and system of accounts -Prepares financial forecasting reports -Responsible for monthly bank reconciliations -Responsible for payroll and IRS quarterly reports associated with payroll deductions -Helps maintain current and accurate information in Donor database -Maintains agency insurance programs, including general liability, workers compensation and officer/director liability coverage -Prepares monthly, quarterly and year-end financial reports -Prepares budgets and other financial information for funding proposals -Coordinates and assists certified public accounting firm with year-end audit -Provides any other financial information as requested by Executive Director and Board of Directors -Prepares and coordinates city and state solicitations -Prepares and coordinates tax exempt certification annually -Maintain clear and consistent filing systems, both electronic and paper -Meet and greet volunteers, donors and visitors -Provide professional telephone and walk-in reception -Perform general clerical duties to include, but not limited to: photocopying, faxing, mailing, filing, office organization, and making bank deposits -Update and help administration maintain Donor database -Process donations and maintain accuracy of all records -Process travel participant registration (taking fees, giving receipts, reviewing applications, etc.) -Update and maintain accuracy of organization contacts -Assist with special events planning and other administrative activities as needed -Responsible for ordering/maintaining supplies -Other duties as assigned by Executive Director

Requirements

-Exercises independent judgment -Extremely detail oriented, precise, organized and able to work independently and manage / prioritize multiple projects simultaneously. -Discretion with confidential information -Knowledge of proper telephone protocol -Friendly, outgoing nature and an eagerness to serve the public interest. An ability to work in a team environment and go with the flow in a fast pace, high-energy organization is a key to success in this job. -Excellent computer skills with expertise in QuickBooks and Microsoft programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)

We look forward to hearing from you!

Thought for the Day

We ran across this devotional in "My Utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers and thought it shared some great insight into missions. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

Jesus said to them again, ’. . . As the Father has sent Me, I also send you’ —John 20:21

A missionary is someone sent by Jesus Christ just as He was sent by God. The great controlling factor is not the needs of people, but the command of Jesus. The source of our inspiration in our service for God is behind us, not ahead of us. The tendency today is to put the inspiration out in front— to sweep everything together in front of us and make it conform to our definition of success. But in the New Testament the inspiration is put behind us, and is the Lord Jesus Himself. The goal is to be true to Him— to carry out His plans.

Personal attachment to the Lord Jesus and to His perspective is the one thing that must not be overlooked. In missionary work the great danger is that God’s call will be replaced by the needs of the people, to the point that human sympathy for those needs will absolutely overwhelm the meaning of being sent by Jesus. The needs are so enormous, and the conditions so difficult, that every power of the mind falters and fails. We tend to forget that the one great reason underneath all missionary work is not primarily the elevation of the people, their education, nor their needs, but is first and foremost the command of Jesus Christ— “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations . . .” (Matthew 28:19).

When looking back on the lives of men and women of God, the tendency is to say, “What wonderfully keen and intelligent wisdom they had, and how perfectly they understood all that God wanted!” But the keen and intelligent mind behind them was the mind of God, not human wisdom at all. We give credit to human wisdom when we should give credit to the divine guidance of God being exhibited through childlike people who were “foolish” enough to trust God’s wisdom and His supernatural equipment.

Accessorize for Arcahaie

During the holidays, you often feel the pressure to gets your friends and family thoughtful Christmas gifts, but you also want to give back to others in a meaningful way. Here is a way to do both!

Vi Bella is a great non-profit that strives to change thew lives of women and their families all over the world. They employ women from several countries including Haiti, to make jewelry that is the sold in the US. The profits help these women to provide for their families and gives them a career that they can be proud of.

One Vision partners with Vi Bella each year to support women in Haiti. Vi Bella also has a location at our One Vision orphanage!

Here is how we can help them:

Visit www.vibellajewelry.com Select "Shop Now" and put great gifts in you shopping cart When you are ready to checkout, enter Ambassador #1065 It will prompt you to give a party number. Enter #342 *This ensures that credit is given to One Vision

30% of the profits will come directly to One Vision but 100% of the profits benefit women around the world that are working to provide for their families.

Watch this video for more information about Vi Bella: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Rt7mq1B8bfA

Make sure your Christmas gifts make an impact this year by purchasing Vi Bella jewelry online from November 17th- December 15th! If you order in November, you also get free shipping!