Vol. 7: No. 12
November 21, 2018

Click here for a Bulletin Insert or 8.5x11 Poster of this Report

Photo by Hurricane Relief Volunteer, Mike Myers (Puerto Rico, Nov. 2018)

In this issue:
California Fires
Hurricane Relief Updates
Short-Term Missions Opportunities

CALIFORNIA FIRES
Recommendation for Donations

Photo Credit: Randy Bouscher/LiPo Ching/Randy Vazquez. EastBayTimes.com (Paradise, CA, Nov. 2018)

On the eve of Thanksgiving Day, we are thankful to report that the OPC has been spared in the California Camp Fire. None of our church buildings or members in the region were directly affected by the fire. Praise the Lord!

Reports of the "most destructive wildfire in California history" are now compounded by the news that forecasted rain could complicate the search for fire victims and cause mudslides.

In seeking to give diaconal aid to those impacted by the Camp Fire, the Diaconal Committee of the Presbytery of Northern California and Nevada, and the Committee on Diaconal Ministries, have made an initial gift on behalf of the OPC to fire victims at Ridge PCA in Paradise, CA.  

This excerpt from a PCA Mission to North America report was recently posted at the Ridge PCA Facebook page:

MNA Disaster Response is working with Ridge Presbyterian Church, a lovely multi-site congregation with preaching points in Paradise and Chico. The church’s physical plant in Paradise was incinerated along with every member’s home. This is perhaps the largest loss of PCA owned homes in our denominational history, and likely the most traumatic disaster event that has ever affected one of our congregations. Fortunately, our church family living in Chico and other places whose homes were spared have taken in families who lost their homes.

OPC Disaster Response commends this as a worthy ministry of mercy to brothers and sisters in Christ who have lost their homes and all their earthly possessions, many of them barely escaping with the shirt on their backs.

Click below if you would like to give directly to Ridge PCA victims. May Christ supply all they need!

HURRICANE FLORENCE RELIEF
Blessings Bags Distributed to Hurricane Florence Victims

Report from Matt Miner, Ruling Elder, Pilgrim OPC, Raleigh, NC: A team of youth volunteers from Covenant OPC (New Bern, NC) and Pilgrim OPC (Raleigh, NC) was able to distribute 105 "Blessing Bags" to families who had been badly hurt by Hurricane Florence. 

The bags contained a $25 gift card, a snack, a bottle of water, a flashlight, an informational brochure about the OPC, and an invitation to worship at Covenant OPC.

A number of these neighbors in New Bern expressed openness to visiting at Covenant. Virtually all were appreciative of this expression of kindness from God's people.

We trust that the Lord will continue to build his church and further the gospel ministry in New Bern.

HURRICANE FLORENCE RELIEF
Volunteers Needed in New Bern and Wilmington, NC

So thankful for Hurricane Florence Relief volunteers like Chris Lillie and Gregg Ratledge (right, above) who came from Geneva OPC (Marietta, GA) to do reconstruction work on the home of Charles Sexton (left, above), a member of Covenant OPC (New Bern, NC). Devin Phandara from Covenant OPC helped out!

Will you join those who are serving with OPC Disaster Response in North Carolina? Find an Application Form, FAQs, and a contact address, here:

DISASTER RESPONSE UPDATE
Volunteer Teams Serving In Puerto Rico

Homeowners cheer the Hurricane Maria Relief volunteers who rebuilt their deck while serving in Puerto Rico this month. So thankful for these teams!

Short-Term Missions Opportunities

FEBRUARY 2019:
Teach ESL in Uruguay

February is summertime in Montevideo, Uruguay (below the equator)

The OP Mission in Uruguay is seeking adult volunteers with teaching experience (particularly experience teaching English as a Second Language) to participate in an “English Club” outreach in Montevideo, Uruguay, February 11-15, 2019...

Missionary Associate Openings

Skilled Help Needed