Summer 2010 | meSSengerInternatIonal.org

Truth. News. Outreach.

John & Lisa Bevere

messenger

ScheduleP2

Fave TweetsP3

OutreachP6

5/28 - 5/30 (Lisa)Oslo, NorwayUnite Women’s Conference& Sunday ServicesJesus Church

5/31 - 6/2 & 6/3 - 6/5 (Lisa)BradBradford, EnglandCherish Women’s Conf.Abundant Life Church

7/11 (John)London, EnglandHillsong London

7/14 - 7/15 (John & Lisa)Mariager, DenmarkSommerCamp 2010Christian Bible & ConfChristian Bible & Conf. Ctr

7/16 - 7/18 (John & Lisa)Seinajoki, FinlandPentecostal Church

7/30 - 7/31 (John)Uppsala, SwedenWord of Life Innternational

8/1 (John)St. Petersburg, RussiaMission Good News

8/2 - 8/3 (8/2 - 8/3 (John)Manchester, UKAudacious 2010 ConferenceAudacious City Church

Don’t you love it when God breathes fresh and vibrant life on the ancient texts? I recently revisited this familiar passage and found another layer of wonder added. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

James 5:16 NKJV In the past I’ve focused on the effective, fervent portion of this scripture as I recognized the importance of passion and accuracy. But this time my attention moved to the close of the verse and landed on avails much. What exactly does this mean? Simply put, it means to make much available. Prayer lifted with authentic passion and earnest intent changes availability. Heaven snaps into action and invades earth with its counsel, connection and provision. Doors previously closed tight…suddenly swing open. Empty spaces and rooms…fill up. The fog of confusion and distraction clears as clarity and direction are restored. Here’s how it works:I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers! Isaiah 65:24 NLTYour answer is waiting. Are you ready to set it in motion? Even as you lift your request, God answers. Knowing this is true…how should we pray? Let’s move away from the ritualistic and into the ardent and focused appeal.

I understand how overwhelming and daunting the needs of this earth can seem. They range from the travesty of human trafficking and poverty to the heartbreak of loneliness. Please know God wants to be the intimate answer to each and every request.Dear friend, there is an answer coming from the limitless realm of heaven. Together let’s tap into God’s inventory and watch heaven-breathed solutions unfold.

With love,

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LISA BEVEREEditor in Chief

A few months later we received the amazing news that we would be adopting twin boys! We were overjoyed, as there was no doubt God had handpicked these children for us. We will always remember the first time we held them. True love!

As many of you know, an international adoption process can be complicated, confusing, and time-consuming. All we wanted was to bring our boys home and begin our family. Talk about developing patience! We were told that it could take 2 to 4 years before the adoption would be complete. While this was discouraging at times, we believed God would speed up the process and we would see the culmination of His promises.

When we heard the news of the earthquake, our hearts immediately turned to our twins. We wanted to know they were safe. We received word a few hours later that the orphanage and its occupants had survived the quake. The good news was quickly followed with this sobering reality from the head of the orphanage. She said, “We need supplies in order to survive; the entire infrastructure of Haiti has been destroyed.” Aid would

arrive in Haiti within 24-48 hours of the quake, but none of this was slated for the orphanage. Our confidence grew as we realized God had positioned us with both an inside relationship in Haiti and the compassionate connections of Messenger International. Through all these we could

partner to bring solution to this problem.

We began to get the word out through every available channel. We were overwhelmed by how quickly God began to pull things together. Before we knew it, we were on a chartered plane filled with supplies headed for the orphanage in Haiti. All this would not have

happened without your generous and immediate response. It was nothing short of miraculous.

Reports were coming out that the Haitian airspace was shut down and only military and Red Cross flights were allowed to land. We clung to Matthew 19:26, “with man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” We knew and believed God would make a

way. All through this rescue process we had such a sense of being undergirded with prayer!

On January 19th, we received clearance and landed in Haiti with 12,000 pounds of supplies and hearts full of expectation. The plan that God

had put in motion was rapidly moving forward. Immediately after arriving in

Aaron Ramsay, the CFO of Messenger International, is a treasured employee and friend. Aaron’s passion for Haiti began long before the devastating earthquake grabbed the world’s attention. He is like a son to us, and his heart and concern for Haiti will continue to be shared by Messenger International. Following he shares his story of the days that led up to and followed the massive earthquake that ravaged Haiti. His story is your story…

January 12th, 2010 will be a day we will never forget. The news spread like wildfire: A 7.0 earthquake had struck Haiti and the devastation was overwhelming. We never dreamed this quake in all of its destruction and death would give rise to miracles and dreams fulfilled.

Our personal story began 8 years ago when my wife and I were diagnosed with unexplained infertility. We knew God promised us a family but were unsure how or when it would be fulfilled. After much prayer, God put adoption on our hearts, but from what nation? God had a plan and directed us to Haiti. Our first visit to the nation in October 2008 was like going home. We spent a week volunteering at God’s Littlest Angels orphanage, loving on the kids, and falling in love with one of the poorest countries in the world.

True Love

Sobering reaLiTy

we knew & beLieved

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Ethan & Brecken at the orphanage in 2009

Supplies delivered to the orphanage

Port-au-Prince, the U.S. military asked if the plane Messenger International had chartered could transport Haitian Americans back to Miami. This meant Tanya and I had to part ways as she accompanied the citizens back to the U.S. I remained in Haiti to deliver supplies to the orphanage. It was difficult, but we knew it was part of God’s plan.

After driving through the devastation of Port-au-Prince, we arrived safely at the orphanage with the supplies. The following day was spent distributing supplies and providing relief for orphanage workers who had been working nonstop since the quake. I also helped the head of the orphanage with the logistics of getting children home to their adoptive families. That night the earth shook again as Haiti was hit with a 6.1 magnitude aftershock. We immediately moved all the children out to the courtyard, setting up tarps and blankets. While the orphanage was not damaged by this aftershock, we knew it was time for the orphans to go home.

Our team, both in Haiti and in the U.S., went into action, appealing to the U.S. Embassy in Haiti, U.S. Senators and Representatives, and media personnel, about the 81 Haitian children who needed to be taken home. I spent an entire day at the U.S. Embassy in Port-

au-Prince surrounded by heartbreaking stories of children being denied visas yet I maintained faith that God would provide a way for the orphans. Finally, with documentation in hand, we received the visas for the 81 orphans. Walking from the embassy surrounded by destruction and heartbreak, knowing that God had miraculously made a way

for the orphans to go home was a sobering experience.

As a result of the continued support of our partners, churches, and ministry friends, another plane

was chartered for the 81 orphans. Our staff and others worked tirelessly so that adoptive parents were notified, rooms were secured and essential supplies were gathered for these beautiful children. It

wasn’t long before all the pieces were in place and God’s divine adoptive plan was ready and waiting for their arrival. Ten harrowing days had passed since the disastrous earthquake, when 81 Haitian orphans arrived in Miami. There were many tears as children were united with their

adoptive parents. They were no longer orphans, they were beloved sons and daughters.

Tanya and I saw the promises of God unfold before our very eyes. Ethan and Brecken, our twin boys, were 2 of the 81

children released to their U.S. adoptive parents. The long process is over and they are home. It has been quite a

journey for us. We know it is not over; we believe it has just begun. Surrounded by love, nurture and food, our boys are home and thriving! God’s promise of a family is now our reality.

Dear Friends, Partners, and Church leaders, We’ve included Aaron and Tanya’s story because we wanted you to know firsthand the stunning redemptive fruit of your seed. NONE of this could have happened without your generous gifts and compassionate response. Thanks for not only partnering but trusting us with your generosity.

10 harrowing dayS

orphanS no more

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The plane chartered to bring the orphans home

Orphans right after the 6.1 aftershock

81 from Haiti arriving in Miami

Ethan & Brecken at home in Colorado

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Life-Transforming resources

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How to Respond When You Feel MistreatedThe usual response to mistreatment is “get mad and get even.” But if you leave justice in God’s hands, He promises to defend, vindicate and bless you. You will grow in character and develop spiritually.

The Power of Two with One Heart CDOur marriages were never intended to be something we endure, but a beautiful and exciting haven where the man and woman flourish. When we embrace our roles and lend our strengths to each other, true restoration can begin.

The Hidden Power of Humility 2 CD SetHumility is the key to your high calling. It strengthens and protects you from the enemy, keeps you sensitive to the heart of God, and empowers you to fulfill your destiny.

Healing for the Angry Heart provides practical, biblical insights to help you deal with the past and move forward in your life.

In this series, lisa Bevere discusses:* anger Issues* the Power of Confession* Stopping anger Before It gets out of Hand* letting It go* Putting It Into Practice* anger and Depression* anger and Fear

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“I finally see there is hope for me after carrying anger from a childhood marked by abuse and abandonment.” S.B.

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