In the US and many other countries, Valentine’s Day is a big commercial day - billions of dollars are spent.   In 2011 the National Retail Federation said that people in the USA will spend an average of $110 on cards, flowers, candy, dinner, vacations, jewelry… and more.  The last time I checked, cards are $3 to $8, and flowers and all the rest are more – it adds up! 

              As you think about Valentine’s Day will you consider helping more children learn these important values?  Thinking about the cost of a valentine card, many of us will readily lay out $6.  Though much appreciated by the recipient, cards, flowers, and the rest will last only a few days.   In contrast, the price we pay for a card will also help provide Icthus to 4 children for a month.

We received the final donation yesterday (given before the end of the month) towards the matching gift of $2,000. I am pleased to announce that we surpassed the match by $85.

I called the Icthus friend who pledged the match to share the news. He was very pleased and will send his match tomorrow. He said:

"The richness of the spirit of Christ that lives with the Icthus youth and their families brings hope and joy to so many who are among the materially poor. It is a blessed privilege to provide encouragement for others to support this amazing ministry."

Praise the Lord and thanks to all who helped Icthus make this match possible and all who continue to help Icthus through regular donations. This makes a big difference in providing ministry to children.
 

Matching Gift for a Strong 2012 Start

By Don Weisbrod

Happy New Year!  Are you recharged spiritually, physically, and emotionally and do you have plans for the year?  Just as a weak car battery makes for a dismal start to a trip, we need our “batteries” to be are recharged.

There is a great saying in Spanish that applies to us at this point -  “Carga sus pilas”.  The literal translation is “charge your batteries”.  But, what it really means is - Get Energized; Get Going!

That is exactly what we are striving to do in Icthus.  Each country is working hard completing implementation plans and budgets.  There are exciting plans for starting new groups, camps, training guides, and more.

It was Challenging Year

Last year was challenging as it was for so many missions.  Donations for us were 15% below 2010.  We cut everything we could and used our reserves.   Praise the Lord, that He kept the ministry going 100%.  Incredible things were accomplished, such as the International Congress in Honduras, the launching of Heroes, a new program for ages 7 to 9, a wonderful Fiesta Banquet in Los Angeles, and my trip to Colombia in October.

Now, however, our financial reserve is at its lowest in years.  Our challenge is to get the new year started on a stronger footing to be able to help the countries carry out the ministry plans.  

Good progress has been made in the last three weeks - $5,000 of the $14,000 goal.  Now we are seeking to raise $9,000 to reach the goal. 

Matching Gift Offered

This is a big goal, but we have some extra help.  An Icthus friend has pledged to match up to $2,000.  He will match donations above and beyond regular monthly giving dollar-for-dollar.  I hope that the pledge will encourage you to join in.

This will allow Icthus to help twice as many children.  I’m praying that by the end of January we will reach a significant part of the goal and that we can say that our “Pilas” are “Cargadas” (the batteries are charged).  This will launch the Icthus ministry into the new year helping more children.   

Please consider giving a gift to help recharge the Icthus ministry and help twice as many children.  Thank you. 

Is your “Pila Cargada”?

I also pray that as the year rolls out before us that you and I will take the time to renew ourselves spiritually, physically, and mentally in the Lord so that we can be fully energized and ready for what He has for us to do.

Matching Gift:  To recharge Icthus ministry for more children

Donations beyond regular monthly gifts will be doubled dollar-for-dollar to help twice as many children in 2012 up to the limit of $2,000.  The deadline is January 31.

Make a Donation

Memorials

Two Icthus friends have gone to be with the Lord since Christmas – Kay Menser and Blayn Marksbury.   Both helped and encouraged the Icthus ministry for many years and were deeply appreciated.  Both served as volunteers in very active capacities in their church – First Presbyterian of San Diego.   Kay is survived by her son, Bruce Menser and his wife Elzbieta, and their daughter Natalia.  Blayn is survived by his wife Mildred and son Jim and three grandchildren.

Honoring Gifts

Icthus friend, Ruth Aju of Ohio, gave a gift in memory of her father Bernard Snider.  She is also honoring Keith and Laura Padgett and the Lee Weber family through gifts.

Nicolas of Chile leading an Icthus festival activity at his church

Nicolas is 15 and lives in Huambali, several hundred miles south of Santiago, Chile.  He is enthusiastic and loves the Lord.   Recently he received guide training so he could help start Icthus in his church.  Nicolas said, “I was a Scout when I was a child.  When I started attending church there were lots of kids and I wished I could teach them something similar to what I had learned in the Scouts, but my church didn't have a program. Then Icthus came. I received the training and we started working right away.  I am very happy and grateful to the Lord for being part of Icthus.”

Nicolas’ Icthus group

These pictures share a recent activity for the Icthus children in Huambali as a part of the annual week of prayer at the church.  The children came on Saturday dressed in costumes and put on a parade and played games in their community.  They also prayed for all the neighbors.  What a great idea for getting kids involved and attracting more children to join them.

More Pictures from Nicolas' Icthus Group in Chile

Nicolas has created a great blog for his Icthus group with music and pictures.

http://icthushuambali.webnode.es/

On behalf of Icthus leaders in Latin America, we wish you Happy New Year. Thank you for your interest and help in providing Icthus ministry to thousands of children and youth during 2011.

Here is a picture of a few of the Icthus leaders showing the rich cultural heritage of Latin America through their native costumes. This picture was taken at the International Congress in Honduras in March.

Please join us in praying for and praising the Lord about the following:

Praise: 2011 was a difficult year financially, but we praise the Lord that we were able to keep everything going.
 

Prayer: We are facing the most difficult season of the new year when donations begin to drop with depleted reserves.
 

Praise: An Icthus friend has committed to matching all gifts up to $2,000 for a stronger 2012 start. Gifts will be doubled dollar for dollar to that limit through January 31st. This is a great start towards the goal of launching Icthus in 2012.
 

Prayer: For the Icthus leaders above and all the others for renewed commitment and strength to carry out ministry in their countries.
 

Thank you for your support and prayers that make the Icthus ministry possible.

Happy New Year,
Don Weisbrod

PS: I hope you will consider joining with us in the matching gift for a strong 2012 launch by making an additional gift this year, but no later than mid January. This will make a big difference starting in the new year.