mitch & char

mitch & char

Saturday, May 22

Quick update from M n C

We just wanted to touch bases and see how life was going for you? Anything we can be praying for for you?

99 Days until we move to Africa-we are filled with anticipation!! We recognize that this “preparation” time is not wasted time though, and are grateful for these next few months. We are nearing our minimal funding necessary to go, and trusting that He has some folks that will be willing to partner with us with one time gifts and monthly support-MORE importantly with PRAYER!—would you pray for us, and pray for the children?

This summer will go by as quickly as any. We are hosting a team of 50 to Nairobi and Malindi Kenya from June 5th through the 16th, then Mitch turns around and takes another team to the Dominican Republic June 22nd through the 30th . July 16-18 brings Hills Alive (the music festival in Rapid City SD). This will be his last official/outward duty with Bethesda. After that, we will be wrapping things up at Bethesda Christian Broadcasting and Mission of Mercy, and our last day at work will be August 5.

We are planning on spending a week in North Dakota, and a week in South Dakota prior to flying over to Swaziland later in August.

The past month has been incredible-watching God work us overJ, and work through those around us. We are renting a room at a friend’s house for a discounted price-resulting in saving more funds for the ministry, have made connections with a number of new friends in Africa(got to love Facebook), have had some sad times-our friend GuGu passed away, leaving behind her 3 children(she was the office manager for Children’s Cup in Swaziland)-BUT, she is dancing with the King now-and we rejoice for her.

If you see the links below-we are starting a podcast site. (this is a site that via itunes, and the website, you can stream audio and video we record while in Africa) We hope to do interviews with children and adults, locals and missionaries, and pass that info on to you every few weeks. Just one more way to involve you in what He is doing in Africa!

God is so good, Charlotte and I have never been closer, and continue to prepare our hearts for all that is “Africa”. Please bookmark the blog site below(we will post our newsletters there, and other random thoughts and stories), as well-subscribe to the audio feeds(updates coming soon)

Hope to see you soon! If you can find just a few minutes-crack open your bible and re-read Psalm 100…. Focus on it, it is SO very true! If the maker of mountains and caterpillars loves us so much, we certainly can enjoy praising Him. He is not some intangible white bearded ruler, He is our most intimate friend that walks and talks with us!


Mitch and Charlotte Hildebrant
Missionaries to Swaziland Africa

Psalm 82:3-4 MSG “You're here to defend the defenseless, to make sure that underdogs get a fair break; Your job is to stand up for the powerless….”

http://childrenscup.podbean.com

Sunday, May 2

Love, Marching orders, and update

This past week was spent in Baton Rouge at the Association of Related Churches conference, Healing Place Church, our Church plant team from Colorado Springs(Inspiration church-set to launch in September) and with Children’s Cup International Relief(our hosting mission organization).  It truly was a powerful week, and one that we are not likely to ever forget.  We have been fighting the issues we see in the “church” here at home…for us-it seems like the Holy Spirit has been quelched out of the local church.  This weekend renewed our thoughts on the American Church- we saw and became part of a family of truly “New Testament” believers.  We have struggled with locating a church to be part of in Colorado these past 2 years(until Pastor Cory and his family came along-INSTANT connection of folks that just LOVE Jesus-nothing more, nothing less!)

The people we have met this week truly are “Christ in the flesh”- we have never witnessed such grace and love. Ben Rodgers(Children’s Cup)-LOVES, LOVES, LOVES people.  PERIOD!

We had the honor to spend time with missionary pioneers Dave and Jean Ohlerking(founders of Children’s Cup).. a man who’s every word seems well thought out, poignant and spirit guided; and a woman whose love is truly that of which I would expect from Jesus Himself.  We met new friends that have, like us, made the decision to pursue a dedicated life(with their 3 precious little kiddos) of serving in Africa-and will be on the ground shortly after we arrive. An INSTANT connection with them-a 5 day friendship feels like a lifetime. Then for the young men that are going over next week as interns-POWERFUL testimony of teenagers and early 20 somethings that long after Him!

With thoughts lingering and now a faded memory of what we are “giving up” (OH it could not be further from the truth)-we are GAINING it ALL-we even feel a bit selfish about going!- we have never felt this free, NO personal posessions to bog us down, NO concern or worry about tomorrow(although we sure wish it would get here soon J)and all fear and doubt washed away about our decision. (as Pops(Mr. Ohlerking) asked- “If this decision requires your life-are you still ready to go?”—our answer “Would rather go “home” from there, than here in the usa!)

Preparation time is not wasted time(seemed to resonate in all that happened this week)-We are focused on strengthening our marriage, communicating, and drawing nearer to God in this time-as we know the enemy will want to tear us apart, and will look for any and all cracks and openings to do so, and we lift up our friends who are already serving so diligently around the world.

We have a start to our “marching orders”.  We will of course, be with the children-taking care of a carepoint or 2(where the kids come every day for food, medical care, love and Christian education), as well-Char will be helping with administration for Ben and the African office for Children’s Cup, she will jump both feet forward to help with HPC Swaziland(2 year old church plant)music ministries, and I have a feeling-will have her heart broken a time or two by precious children.  Mitch will seek God’s creativity in helping Ben and “Cup” tell the story/cast the net-video, audio, images, social media, and whatever else we can do to “get the word out”.  In so doing, our heartfelt prayer is that others will feel compelled to come, to give, and most importantly to PRAY.  Like most ministries this year, budgets are tight, but we know that God has supplied EVERY dollar needed to allow Children’s Cup to reach more and continue to show LOVE to orphaned and victimized children around the globe—those funds are just in folks’ pockets, and we eagerly await how He impacts lives that desperately want to then make a difference.

I just realized how lengthy this is getting, we are just so full of joy and hope for all He is doing-The flight leaves 8/30/10…one way!  On a final and personal note, our fundraising is going well, the majority of our personal budget has been met, we have shifted our efforts to add on a “ministry” budget, and are praying that we can raise(in pledges and one time gifts) an additional $1000/month to meet needs, and introduce people to a God that loves them and desires a relationship with them.  We have 3 months left serving here in America-and we have never been more focused on the tasks at hand  with Bethesda Christian Broadcasting and Mission of Mercy- OH how we love these ministries, and OH how we pray for continued success, vision and guidance for them.  We will miss these the most-and will do anything we can to stay connected to them as they continue to shape, mold and change the world.