June Newsletter

 Greetings in Christ name,

    “Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it.” (Psalms 127:1) That’s exactly what God is doing here in Grand Turk.  God is rebuilding His work and establishing it in a powerful way. 

    A visit to The Lighthouse Church means a visit to your home!  It was through this practice that God began rebuilding the house.  During one of these visits came these words from Renessa, “Pastor, I really desire to know more about God, can we start a Bible Study?” Exciting words as God was opening a door to begin midweek services.  Here’s how it s working; 1^st week no one came, 2^nd week 1 came, 3^rd week 4 came, 4^th week 8 came, 5^th week 10 came.  At the end of one Bible study one asked, “Is it wrong to be anxious?”  Asking why, she replied, “The Bible says, ‘Be anxious for nothing,’ and we are so anxious to come to Bible study.”  Another claimed, “I look forward to this like I do for Christmas.” God is rebuilding His house in Grand Turk.

A major adjustment was not having Sunday night services.  Upon arrival we tried in our timing to open this, but no one would come.  We have been praying for nearly 4 months that God would give us Sunday night services.  Through Wednesday night Bible study we developed a great friendship with Demarco.  Demarco loves to fish, so fishing has become a part of our home!  While fishing Demarco unburden his heart stating, “Pastor, when I leave on Wednesday nights, the next Wednesday night seems so far away.”  God was answering a prayer and opening a door.  Asking of his interest for a Sunday night Bible study/ service he stated, “If you do it, I’ll be there.”  Father’s Day, we ask about interest in this and we had 4 strongly affirm, “We’ll be there,” “when can we start?”  God is rebuilding His house in Grand Turk.
            We ask for your prayers in several ways:  1. There is a strong desire for a youth ministry but we need more local involvement.  2. Pray for Wednesday and Sunday night Bible study.  3. Pray for a need of a Sound System for the Church – it is very difficult leading services without this.  We seriously rely on you pulling on the ropes of prayer for us.  We count on numerous ones lifting our family and the ministry up daily in prayer.
            We praise God for several things beyond what we mentioned above: 1. Supplying $7,500 of A/C for our home.  2.  Supplying funds for Josh and Mike to attend Youth Camp.  3.  Monthly supporters following through with their pledges.
Yours for Christ,
The Lopers
Follow us at: www.facebook.com/LopersMissionPage or  theloperbunchblogspot.com
Contact us at State-side # 937-867-0953

 Demarco

 Renessa

 "J"

 Tresha

May Newsletter

Greetings from Grand Turk, 

Broken into! Yes, our first night here we had a startling break-in! Outside of the back bedroom window footsteps of the intruders could be heard. Suddenly, around 4:00am they abruptly and rudely awoke us out of our sleep with loud braying under the bedroom window. What a surprise! 

If God can use a donkey to preach a message, couldn’t He use one to “open the door” to a community? He can and He has! One week after the break-in, while eating supper, we noted a donkey frantically running down the road with two boys in hot pursuit. Soon they returned laughing until Rob jokingly asked, “Where’s my donkey boys? Why did you chase him away?” The frantic donkey had opened a door! The next night we had 13 neighborhood kids playing baseball in our yard. 

When we arrived we had several assignments that pressed upon us. First, the mission vehicles were in need of repairs, inspections, and insurance to be legal to drive. The church van insurance cost is $305 yearly. The inspection and license cost is $240 yearly. While at the Government Garage, Rob met the Prison Chaplain who asked if he was willing to preach at the prison. In less than a week we had a prison ministry! Our second assignment was to get our legal papers. The task has proven very expensive: $250 yearly for adults and $300 yearly per child which equals out to $2,300 per year. Unfortunately, we only figured this cost in our budget as a one-time fee. Thankfully it’s God’s bill, and He always pays them on time. 

The church was our third assignment! Without completing the first two we couldn’t legally live here and legally use the vehicles for outreach. When we arrived March 4, the church had been closed for eight months. We have found out since being here, that the church was rarely open on a regular basis over the past few years. With it being closed eight months and infrequently used over the past few years, we’ve had to overcome some hurdles. God has blessed and to Him we give glory! Over the last month we’ve averaged over 22 in our services, with a high of 28 in attendance for a service. To God be the glory! 

In closing, we want to thank everyone who has been involved with our ministry here in Grand Turk. We have felt your prayers as we adjust to a new culture. We have sensed your prayers as God has opened numerous doors of ministry. Thank you for praying; we are relying on your prayers. Thank you to each of you who have given financial support in the form of shares. Your giving has enabled the ministry here in Grand Turk. We heavily rely on your continued financial support. Thank you who have given for project expenses. We still need a sound system for the church. We are also raising funds for A/C in the church and in our bedrooms. All giving is tax-deductible when given through H.I.M. 

Yours for Christ, 

The Lopers    

Kids gearing up for a spirited baseball game.  In a matter of weeks our yard went from having grass to mostly sand.    Doesn't matter though,  you can't take a yard to heaven with you!!

Our very first service March 4.  We had 13 in attendance.  God has been building a Church and to Him belongs all the glory.  We have started a kids church and average over 24.  Next week we are starting a Bible Study in our home.  God is at work.

You just got to love Bro. Vaughn!!  He is such an excellent example and leader.  We really love him!!!

Happy Birthday "4" Eli

Prayer Requests and Needs:

Prayer Requests:

1. Pray for and interest amongst the people for a Sunday night service.
2. Pray for our Children's ministry starting 4/7 at 6pm.
3. Pray for a gentleman who used to be a licensed minister with out Church who has been attending.
4. Pray for us as we try to adjust to the weather without air condition.
5. Pray for our oven that isn't working properly.


Thank you -

Mrs. Donna Lutton for heading up the project for ceiling fans and raising sufficient funds to purchase them.  Thank you to every person who was involved in this.  These fans will be a blessing!!

Needs:

1. Many maintenance needs have arisen with house and Church not being maintained for several years. Cracked glass, termites, plaster and concrete repairs.
2. Across the Island as we meet people, most if not all strongly urge us to have some form of Air Condition for the summer months.  Recently, an Air Condition project was approved stateside.  The most energy efficient form of A/C is a Mini-split system A/C.  We need at least $4,000 for the house and 4,000 for the Church.  Help us in praying earnestly for and A/C system for the house!!

Goodbye and hello!

 

News from Turks and Caicos (TCI)

         

         It was 107 degrees, deputation had just started and we faced unlimited questions and fears as we faced the unknown.  Since that hot afternoon we have traveled over 19,000 miles and been in nearly 70 different Churches.  Fear has been turned to faith, as with each new need, God has poured in His blessings and supply.  

January 12, after returning the van we used during deputation, we flew out of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania to Orlando, Florida.  January 22, Rob traveled to Grand Riviere, Haiti, with a work team to put a roof on home for Danny and Liz Flowers.  They were able to complete the project and arrived back home very weary.  Since arriving in Florida, we have been very busy securing items that aren’t available in Grand Turk. We are very thankful for the opportunity H.I.M. extended to us to stay on Campus and enjoy Sea Breeze Camp.

February 19, we left Hobe Sound, Florida at 5 am for Ft. Pierce, Florida and Missionary Flights International.  As the plane departed from American airspace our hearts were filled with peace.  At 10:50am we landed in Turks and Caicos Islands and began working on our permanent papers immediately.  For a fee of $2,500 yearly, we are allowed to Pastor and live on Grand Turk.  All of our supplies will arrive March 12 for a fee of $4,500.  Flights, permanent papers, and cargo cost will be over $10,000.  

We invite you to come visit us!  We are in great need of your daily prayers.  Prayer is the key to any victories in Grand Turk! You can join us everyday on the Island through prayer....so come along!  We need “follow through” with pledges.  To those who have started, thanks.  Each pledge is counted upon to remain in Grand Turk.  (Anything we can to do help in this matter, please inform us.) Your faithfulness makes you a partner in what God is doing in Grand Turk....so come along!

Yours for Christ,

The Lopers

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Moving, flying, and boating