A friendly horse!

Enjoying church with a/c!

Christening/Dedication 

November - December Newsletter

Greetings in Christ’s Name,  
  
    What a golden opportunity it is for us to share Christ in a country where religion has redefined everyday Christianity. At times the thought has crossed our minds that perhaps replanting a church wasn’t needed here in Grand Turk. That thought has been totally erased as we’ve spent Wednesday and Sunday nights studying basic Biblical doctrines and ethics. These times have taught us that we are not replanting, we are starting brand new! Darkness is darkness whether it is in the form of religion or heathenism!
    Many who have begun to attend Bible studies over the last 20 months grew up attending church. While it could be thought the work here is being built with people from other churches, hold that thought and visit a couple Bible study sessions. It’s Wednesday night and it’s HOT! There are 15-20 people gathered to study Christian ethics and tonight the issue is purity before marriage. As we go from scripture to scripture revealing God’s plan for courtship and engagement – listen and look closely. Listen for the whispers, sighs, and hushed laughs. Look at heads in hands, rolling of eyes, pointed fingers, and blank stares. Something is happening! Biblical light is breaking through the darkness as the Holy Spirit is bringing another person into conformity to Truth. As always at the end of Bible Study, questions are welcomed but tonight they’re not questions, they’re statements. Statements such as:

“Pastor, thanks, I’ve never heard this before...Pastors don’t share this stuff.” “I grew up in church but never knew this.”

“I’m going home and calling my girlfriend - we’ve got to have a Bible Study.” “Boy, I’m going to start looking for my tux.”

If this has happened once it has happened 10-15 times in the last 20 months. There is no shame in being a light-bearer for Christ in a place that has misidentified true Christianity!
    Come visit and you’ll see a great need for Bible study as well as many other ministries. Listen to three young boys in the most formative years share their struggles. “Pastor, I wish I could go to school with your children.” Why? “It is so hard to be a Christian at school because the boys do drugs and show pornography on their phones and make fun of us if we don’t watch it. I wish you had a school I could go to then I could be a Christian.” Watch those same boys at suppertime as they hang around hoping for food! Do we send them away hungry? Never!! What about the child missing school because of lack of funds for proper medication? What about humanitarian and educational ministries? I say be bold and seek a big vision for we serve a mighty God!
    In closing please pray for the church here since we must return state-side for deputation. We are still in need of someone to fill in for June, July, and part of August. Please pray for Rev. Bob Clouse and his wife as they fill in from March through the first of May. They will need $3,500-$4,000 to cover expenses for that time period. (All giving is tax-deductible through HIM/FEA.) May you and yours have a blessed Thanksgiving and Christmas this year.
Yours for Christ,

Rob, Martha, Josh, Mike, Tyler, Josiah, Lauren, & Eli Loper 

Not a favorite post

Not my favorite type of post here: 
     The cost of living here in Grand Turk is very high as can be attested by those who've visited. Over the last few months we've battled with financial shortages but have made it thus far. 
    We currently have 74 days until we arrive in the States for deputation. During these remaining days we must have enough finances to cover our work permits to return after deputation. (We need $3,500 for this cost.) To come home we need $2,500 for flights! Of greater importance currently is a lack of nearly $1,600 this month to cover expenses for cost of living. 
    We have little doubt we are right within God's present plan. We've seen great victories and advancements in Grand Turk and feel certain God is not finished with us in Grand Turk. By Gods grace with your help we shall stand to see tomorrow. Donations are tax deductible @
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=DRKAUQBR6HFSN

Rob

Bible Study News

A/C Units for Church

A/C units for Church!

    We are so excited to add to our attendance these awesome items.  It will be nice to worship and preach in air-condition for the fist time in years.  

    Concerning the use of a/c units in our home and church, our Regional Director said, "If God provides a/c units He will as well supply the finances for running them."  I felt no way it could be so after seeing our electric bill last year after running window a/c only at night.  After adding mini-split a/c units in our bedrooms our electric bill has went down considerably.  It would be most miserable to not have a/c to look forward to at night!  The Caribbean is steaming hot from June-October and these things are a must wherever electricity is available!

A tree NOT to hug! Black poison wood or Caribbean Rosewood.

Island Basketball!!

Here is what basketball looks like in Grand Turk.

August 2014

Greetings in Christ name,

            I stood astonished, near the end of Kids Church a young man stood and said, “I’m offering $10 to however can quote from memory the most Scripture verses next Friday night.”  For the next week several kids took the challenge seriously, studying and memorizing as many Scriptures as they could.  Friday night came and the challenge was on, someone was going to earn $10.  Bebe a teenage boy from Haiti was ready! He came forward and quoted 19 verses.  He worked extremely hard, but the missionary kid Lauren quoted 20!  (The challenge was for all and the winner was simply the one who quoted the most.)  Quickly, another $10 was offered so that the top girl and boy could earn $10.  What a great investment!  That Friday night over 39 verses were quoted from memory, 39 verses that will not return void, 39 verses that will accomplish what God pleases to do!

            Recently the phone rang and on the other end a young man said, “Pastor, what does the Bible say about relations before marriage?”  In a culture where immorality and children out of wedlock are rampant, this question was exciting.  He then said, “Pastor, I got you on speakerphone I want the office to hear your response.”  Several weeks later on social media I noted a picture of this young man with a bunch of kids.  Someone wrote, “Now its time for you to have your own children.”  He responded, “I won’t be having children until I’m married.”  Thank God for quick obedience! On a recent Sunday night a young man shared, “Pastor, I’m really struggling with women!  I tell myself when I see a indecently dressed women not to look, but when she passes I do what I didn’t want to do.”  The classic struggle between the Spirit and flesh!  The perfect opportunity to point out James 1:8 “A double-minded man is unstable in all of his ways,” as well as James 4:8 “Cleanse your hands ye sinners, purify your hearts ye double-minded.”  Please pray much for this young man that he indeed would seek a pure heart. 

            Daily we have multiple youth in our yard to play basketball.  The basketball court is loose dirt and when they play the dust flies into our kitchen window.  FEA has approved a project to pour a concrete court that would be used for multiple purposes.  We have a team willing to come but need $3,000 for this project.  (Click here to donate)

In closing we want to thank you for your continued prayers and financial support.  For 18 months God has supplied every need through your faithfulness.  We are excited to announce that in 5 months we will be back in the States for deputation.  Soon we will be calling Churches and scheduling services, please keep us in mind.

Yours for Christ,

The Lopers – Rob, Martha, Josh, Mike, Tyler, Josiah, Lauren, & Eli

Here a few pictures;

Lauren and Ashley.

Youth with God's Missionary Youth Crusaders

Renessa and Martha - (Renessa recently accepted Christ into her life)

Martha and one of many 'Island Kids.'

Solomon with his new friends.

Pastor Delancy changing out electric panel box in house. 

A new door with an awesome breeze to help cool down a very hot house!

Repairing rusted rebar on house. (Church needs done badly)

TLC 2014 Team Grand Turk!  

A tired missionary kid.

A boy who has a dog is a happy boy.  (Not our dog, just one of many strays)

1st Quarter Update

Greetings from Grand Turk,

            What a difference a year can make! On March 4, 2013 we landed in Grand Turk with nothing more than a calling, a vision, and a passion to develop an indigenous work. We had little idea where to start, so we just began loving the people and visiting in homes of those connected with the church. Thankfully, God has multiplied our efforts. 

            Welcome to the very southern tip of Grand Turk and sharking 101. Greetings Professor Demarco! You are seated in the white sand listening to the waves roll in; its “hands-on” teaching night. While waiting, the conversation turns to questions about God, and for the next few hours the professor and students question you. Student Shard speaks up in the midst of the conversation and exclaims, “Pastor, we are like the disciples and you are like Jesus teaching us by the seashore.” How exciting!

            Now, fast forward to Friday and climb aboard the white Ford church van as we begin the van route to pick up kids for Kid’s Church. The driver is Demarco, the door opener is Josh, and the van captain is Shard. Prepare your ears for it is about to get loud for the next 30 minutes with the 15-25 kids packed into the van. Finally, back at the church you are in for a treat. To your right are nearly 30 boys and to your left nearly 15 girls who are ready to clap their hands to the beat of a song, learn a Scripture verse, and hear a Bible story.

            We welcome you to Sunday morning service. Fellows, forget the suit jackets and loosen your tie. Ladies, you will perspire since it is 85-90 degrees in the church. Sunday evening takes us to a Bible study. You are about to hear choruses that you have never heard, but may wish you had, as Shavar leads the singing. Testimonies are given: the fellow who said he could never give up rum, the man who was sitting in prison around a year ago, a lady who has a rough road at home, and a fellow who broke up with his fiancé because she refuses to seek God.

            God is working, and we need you! We need you to pull on the ropes of prayer as the enemy is preying on the people who are coming to church. They face daily opposition from family, friends, and even from other churches.  Please pray for the children who come; these children have amazing potential! Pastors, pastors’ wives, missionaries, teachers, and church leaders can be mined out of this group as we pray earnestly. Please help us pray concerning an assistant pastor to fill in as we come home for deputation. We also need your financial support. In 10 months, we must return to the US for deputation. We are currently in need of no less than $3250 per month in support to carry us through to January 2015. If you have not given, would you consider investing in the work at Grand Turk for the next 10 months or by giving a one-time gift? You may donate at: http://him.hopeinternational.cc or by sending a check to HIM, PO Box 1065, Hobe Sound, FL 33475. Please mark Rob Loper family in the memo line.

            We thank you for your interest and investment in our family. What you have seen, heard, and read concerning the Lopers and Grand Turk, you have partnered in. God is blessing your prayers and financial investments.

The Rob Loper Family

PS. We welcome you to look at our Facebook page (Rob n Martha Loper) for photos and frequent updates.