As another year passes I find myself reflecting on God's work in and through 6:8 Ministries. Over the past year there have been moments of tremendous joy and harrowing sorrow, times of celebrating success and moments of recovering from failure. However, the one constant was God's powerful presence and blessing upon 6:8 Ministries. I would like to recount some of these amazing blessings to encourage you to join us in praising the awesome God we serve. 

Over the past year we have experienced tremendous growth. God allowed us to host 52 mission teams, from 39 different churches. Many lives were blessed through these mission teams. He used these mission teams to build His local church. These teams constructed over twenty new homes and one playground for a local school. He also sent three medical teams to host free clinics, and one veterinary team to host a free animal clinic.  

   
God also expanded the feeding center program as we now have two churches hosting feeding centers. We also partnered with a third church to host mobile feedings. He provided us the means to  serve over 24,000 meals to the hungry. What a joy it is to be able to serve "some of the least of these".
    
The Celebration church plant continues to bless and serve the local people. The church recently incorporated live worship, and conducted over 40 baptisms last year. The greatest part is that the local people are learning the blessing of leading a "God-first Life".

    
The child sponsorship ministry has grown and we hope to provide 200 educational sponsorships in 2012. It's our hope that through providing the opportunity for these children to go to school, and equipping them for success, these children will be able to escape a life of poverty.  
 

     

The new Children's Ranch project is underway! We have found a piece of land, had it surveyed and are preparing to sign a contact to purchase the land. You can keep up with the progress and news regarding the children's ranch project at www.68Ranch.com.   

Finally, the 6:8 Ministries staff is growing both numerically and spiritually. It's not always easy living and serving in a foreign culture, but when you can experience God working in and through you, it's totally worth it! Please continue to pray for and support our missionary families, and the work God has called us to in Costa Rica. 

In closing, we would like to thank you for all the prayers and support. We are excitedly anticipating what God is going to do in and through 6:8 Ministries in the coming year.

In Christ,

Spencer

Add "hope" to your Christmas shopping list!

Dear friends,

I would like to make you aware of two very special opportunities to give this Christmas season. This truly is an opportunity for you to give a gift that will make a significant difference in the life of a child.

We are still in need of sponsors for the child educational sponsorship program. Over the past five years the 6:8 Ministries Child Sponsorship program has provided hundreds of children the opportunity to get an education. This year we have increased our goal to two hundred sponsored children. We are still in need of sponsors to reach our goal.

We are also accepting donations for the new Children's Ranch project. We are not only passionate about Educational Sponsorships, but we also want to care for the fatherless and orphaned. We believe that God has called us to start a 6:8 Ministries Children's Ranch. This ranch will provide a safe and loving environment for children who are currently living in abusive and destructive conditions.

Please prayerfully consider how you might be able to give and make a difference this Christmas season.

Property Preview

Spencer just returned from a trip to Costa Rica.  While he was there, he toured the property we are considering for the Children's Ranch.  The architect who is helping with the project also came to view the property and let us know of the usability of the land.  He gave it a huge thumbs up!  So, unless God slams this door shut, we are pursuing this piece of land.  It is 50+ acres of hilly land with two rivers flowing through it. What an incredible display of the beauty of God's creation!

 

 

 

 

Ramblings - Miraculous

It's hard to believe that it's only been two months since we started working on the Children's Ranch project. During this time a lot has changed for our family. The most significant change for our family was relocating to the United States. It's nice to have the opportunity to focus my time and energy to this exciting new project. While past couple months has been very busy, and somewhat stressful at times, it has also been amazingly fruitful.

 Since our return to the United States God has allowed us to make some miraculous progress on the Children's Ranch project. I don't use the word miraculous lightly, and the things that have happened are truly extraordinary and defy any simple explanation. I would like to take this opportunity to share with you some of the amazing things that have happened.

 First, we were introduced to an extremely successful lawyer that owns a successful law firm in Costa Rica. Not only is he a very competent lawyer, he also served as the Secretary of State for Costa Rica. So as you can imagine he is very well connected in the Costa Rican government. The really crazy part...this man has agreed to assist us with the legal requirements for the project free of charge. So my question is, why would this high power lawyer, whom I didn't even know two months ago, even take time to meet with the likes of me, let alone offer his assistance, free of charge?

 Then we were able to find a beautiful piece of property, 50+ acres of rolling grass land, with flowing rivers on the southern and eastern borders. The absolutely incredible part is that the owner is selling to us at a great price! Not only did he give a great price, but he is excited about the project. He has already spoken to the local municipality on our behalf! My question is why would this wealthy land owner, whom I didn't even know two months ago, take interest in us and then sell us his land at a significant discount?

 Then we acquired the talents of an extremely gifted architect from Studio V in Manhattan. His studio is currently working on several other projects that range from the Macey's Renovation valued at $120 million to the Restoration of the East River for $1.5 billion. The truly amazing part is that he has offered his services free of charge! My question is why would the owner of a prestigious architectural firm, whom I didn't even know two months ago, take an interest and donate his services?

 Wait, there's more! How is it that we have been able to raise over $15,000 in project seed money prior to holding our first fundraiser? How is it that we've been given free office space to use for the project? How is it that someone has committed to pay for all of the printing and marketing materials without being asked? How is it that we were able to have the survey on the land completed for $500, when normally it would cost at least ten times that amount?

 I could go on and on, and I could start to feel really good about myself, except I recognize that it's not me doing it. It's God! There is only one explanation for everything that has happened over the past month...and it's God. Please allow me say it again...it's GOD! Therefore, let's give credit where credit is due. I'm extremely excited, joyful, and full of praise. God gets all the praise, and all of the credit, I'm simply thankful that He would allow me to be part of what He is doing.

 In closing I would like to thank you for all of your prayers and support. Please pray for God's continued blessings on the project and our family. Please pray that God continues to work in miraculous ways. Please pray for our family to continue to adjust from the move, and also for our family's personal support. We are currently $500 short of making our budget in monthly commitments. Pray that we will always remember to give God all of the credit and praise for all that He is doing.

 We are honored to be part of what God is doing!