“Happy Valentine’s
Day to you.” This is a special time to let others know we
appreciate and love them and to thank the Lord for them.
In Latin America, this day
is called “Dia de Amor y Amistad” (literally Love and
Friendship Day). In anticipation of this day I asked two
Icthus leaders if their children might make cards to share
with Icthus friends such as you here in the USA. I hope
you enjoy them. What cute cards the children have made.
Though you can’t see it
clearly in the card below from, 9 year old Suany says
something that I think is profound. Valentine’s Day is
really about showing love and appreciation in concrete ways
- by helping and encouraging others.
One thing that is common
in these cards is essential about understanding Valentine’s
Day. This day is all about encouraging and helping others
in practical ways. There are many ways to show love and
friendship, but simple acts of kindness and service make the
biggest difference. This goes to the heart of one of the
three core values of Icthus – to love your neighbor as
yourself.
TRANSLATION:
Friendship is to have friends to pass the time with. It is
something special because we can have fun. We need to be
generous because if we are not generous we do not have a real
friendship
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.
Matching Campaign a Success
2/3/12
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.
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.
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.
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.
Icthus Leaders at the International
Congress
Left to Right: Teresa (Dominican Republic),
Margarita (Chile), Mateo (Guatemala),
Cristian (Costa Rica), Julieth
(Colombia), and David (Mexico)
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.
It is midnight, Christmas Eve in a home in
Guatemala. You and I are in a small room dimly lit by a few
flickering candles. Hushed voices surround us. The candle
light glints off small figures on the floor surrounded by pine
needles, colorful paper, and a miniature stable. For many days
now, the figurines of Mary, Joseph, angels, shepherds, and more
have seemed to be waiting patiently for a special arrival.
Then the small hand of a child reaches forward tentatively to
place a delicate figurine of the Baby Jesus in a manger. Now
that Jesus, the center piece, is in place the room erupts with
clapping and praise!
I love these special family traditions which are
repeated in countless homes throughout Latin America. The
nativity is a favorite part of Christmas for children.
But, as special as this tradition is for
children, this may be all that they understand about Jesus.
They need someone to guide them to something far more
important than putting Jesus in the manger –
to put Jesus in their hearts.
This is what Icthus strives to do. Children are
incredibly open and able to apply this guidance to their lives.
Here is as an example. I received this letter last week from
Honduras.
My name is Sofía. I am 11 years old and am
in fifth grade in San Pedro Sula. In school I like science
because I love learning about nature and how to take better
care of it.
Honduras: Sofia, in red,
plays a game of Uno with other Icthus children
while waiting for the
Icthus meeting to start.
I got to know about Icthus when I was seven.
That’s when I attended the Icthus Benjamin program. I learned a
lot about the story of the chosen people of God. Now I go to
Icthus Legionnaires. Of the pieces of God’s armor that we
learn about (in Ephesians), the one I like best is the Belt of
Truth. The lessons have challenged me to speak truthfully at
all times, and above all to tell others the truth of God.
I am very happy that I belong to the Icthus
family because I have gotten to know lots of kids and have fun.
But, most importantly, I have gotten to know Jesus and I want to
keep growing in my friendship with Him.
Wow! Imagine the positive direction that Sofia
is heading in her life!
The testimony of Sofia like so many
other young people motivates us to continue to provide training
to local churches and a strong curriculum that attracts young
people to activities, weekly meeting, service projects and
learning for life.
It is by God’s grace that this ministry has such
a wonderful impact in the lives of children and their families.
It is far more than we can imagine.
There are more children like Sofia
that we can reach. Would you consider helping more young people
have Icthus by giving a Christmas gift? Incredibly, it takes
less than $20 to help a child have Icthus for a whole year. You
can help a whole group have Icthus, average twenty children, for
$360 for a year ($30 a month).
Let’s share more of the abundance the Lord has
given us to guide more children.
During this season, do you put up a nativity scene or crèche in your
home? Do children help you place the baby Jesus in his
manger on Christmas Eve? If so, this is a wonderful time to
share not only the story of Jesus’ birth, but what He came
to do for us and how that changes lives. May this time of
year be special for you and your family, especially the
children, grand children, nephews and nieces.
NOVEMBER 2011 NEWS
Los Angeles 2011
Fiesta
de Icthus Banquet
The latest Fiesta Banquet was held on Saturday,
November 5th at a beautiful venue, the Santa Anita Golf Course
in Arcadia, CA (near Pasadena) .
What a wonderful
evening! It was a celebration to rejoice in the Lord’s work
through Icthus in blessing children, families, and churches
in Latin America. Funds were raised to help provide 688
children with Icthus for a year. The goal is to help
at least 750 children. (See the 750+ Kids Campaign
below.)
Some of the 135 Icthus friends who gathered for
the Fiesta in Los Angeles on Saturday evening, Nov. 5th 2011
Rev. Glen
Thorp, the Fiesta MC for the evening with three guests.
Pep with her friends. She is the
daughter of John Shackelford,
Marco Antonio & Jacobeb Gonzales with Rev. Juan
Jose Moreno our guest speakers from Tijuana, Mexico
Dianne and Joanne volunteered at the registration
table.
Rev. Scott Anderson, Paz Naz Church
Rev. Jim Conner, Arcadia Presbyterian Church
Leiner,
an Icthus boy in Arjona, Colombia (wearing a replica of a Roman
soldier helmet) with his mother and brother. They appear
in the film that was shown at the banquet,
"The Lord'' Anti-gang Gangs of
Colombia". The helmet signifies a part of the armor of God
mentioned in the Bible in Ephesians 6:13 to 18. The helmet
represents, Salvation.
The 750+
Kids Campaign Goal
We praise the Lord that the Fiesta de Icthus
raised $12,400 which is enough to help provide 688 children with
the Icthus ministry for one year.
The goal is to provide for 750 or more children a
year. This campaign continues through the end of November.
We hope that many Icthus friends throughout the US will help
surpass the goal to provide this ministry to more children.
Join in helping to achieve this worthwhile goal
that will be blessing in the lives of many children.
On July 9th at the House of Prayer Church in
Monteria, Colombia Icthus had a graduation ceremony. Included
was special recognition of Josue David. He has been part of the
group since its beginning. He is a kid who has persevered and
participated.
Josue shared this testimony about Icthus:
“My experience with Icthus has been great. I have learned a lot
during
“My experience with Icthus has been great. I have learned a lot
during
these years, from the Sword which is the Word of God through the
Breastplate of Righteousness and how to apply them in my life
and tell others about them. Now that I have finished all the
pieces of armor, I want to join the Icthus Youth (for teens). In
the future I want to become an Icthus Guide.”
Josue David with his parents Leonardo and Merly.
They told Lucas Ramos, the Colombia national
director, they are grateful
to the Icthus ministry and the church for all the
help they have given to their son.
PROGRESS ON THE ICTHUS HEROES
PROGRAM
We started this project in June. Since then we have
completed the Guide’s Orientation Manual plus the plans and
children’s manual for the first 2 months. Ester, one of the 7
heroes, is almost ready for the artist. It has a leader’s and
children’s manual for 5 months of activities. The next hero,
Abraham, is 80% complete.
"Heroes", is what we call those who are investing in this
program. Todate they have invested $3,530 of the
$10,000 needed. Thank you Heroes! Each Hero has received a copy
of the 1st manual.
Great progress has been made, but additional funds we will soon
be needed soon or the project will be stalled. Have you wanted
to be a part of creating something significant? Here’s an
opportunity.
Do you want to see what Heroes looks like? Here is a link to a
draft of the first 9 meetings and the children’s manual for the
Beginners Section. This is what you would need if you were going
to start Heroes in a church.
The Guides Manual will include an Orientation Section of 45
pages which will show leaders how to run this program as well as
plans for 149 meetings (3 years of activities). The Children’s
Manual contains lessons for the 149 meetings. To develop the
guide’s manual plus the related children’s materials will cost
an average of $70 for each of the 149 parts.
The purpose of Heroes of Faith is to use the examples of Bible
Heroes to guide children to put their faith in the Lord, to help
their neighbors, and develop skills, interest, and positive
attitudes. We have an excellent writer, a gifted artist, and a
team of 9 people from different countries ready and willing to
develop this program.
To do this project though, we need Icthus Friends like you to
join in as producers in developing the 149 parts by providing
funds for one part, a number of parts ($70 each) or whatever
they can give.
Please pray with us about this project and that by the Lord’s
grace it will help reach and guide thousands of children in the
years to come, just as the other Icthus programs have done.
Cinco de Mayo brings to mind
Mariachi Music. If you have a celebration put on some
music to liven up the party. Mariachi music is said to
have started in the late 1880's.
Wikipedia says: Mariachi is a genre of music that
originated in the State of Jalisco, in Western Mexico. It is an
integration of stringed instruments highly influenced by the
cultural impacts of the historical development of Western
Mexico.... The mariachi ensemble generally consists of violins,
trumpets, a classical guitar, a vihuela (a high-pitched,
five-string guitar), a guitarrón (a large acoustic bass) and, on
occasion, a harp or two. They dress in silver studded charro
outfits with wide-brimmed hats.
Here are two websites where you can listen to this music.
Pandora.com is a wonderful website! You can
listen to hours of music for free.
It is simple and free to join. Type in "Mariachi Music"...or any kind
of music you want. Click this link:
www.Pandora.com
STORIES OF ICTHUS CHILDREN FROM MEXICO
MONTSE FROM MEXICO
Montse, on the left with her Icthus group on a
campout.
Montse, a 12 year old girl who attends the Vida Nueva Church
near Mexico City, started in Icthus because of her aunt who is
the guide. She is a very smart girl and is growing spiritually.
What she likes most about Icthus are the many different
activities—for example the recent camp.
Her parents are not Christians but they are happy with the
changes they see in Montse. She practices what she learns.
Recently she invited her parents to her Icthus promotion
ceremony for the Arrow Award. During the ceremony Montse and her
group told about the things they had learned. She told about
nutrition and explained the benefit of eating vegetables. She
also explained the value of prayer and four of the types.
She prays for her parents frequently. She is confident that some
day they will share with her the beautiful experience of being
in church together.
Please join her in that prayer for her family.
LESLIE OF MEXICO
This
is Leslie, she is 9 years old. She attends an Icthus Benjamin
group in Tijuana, Mexico. We met her at an Icthus camp in
Tecate. Her very first camp.
Leslie told us that what she liked the most about camp was
receiving Jesus into her heart and that no one can take that
away from her. She also liked all the cheers, the talks about
ecology, the tents, food and everything else.
She said her mom prepared flan dessert to welcome her back
from camp and asked Leslie how it went. Leslie told her
everyting including about the craft windmills they made. She
said she had lots of fun and will keep attending the Benjamin
group.
Síria, the Icthus guide, invited her to come to Icthus a few
weeks before. Siria even went to her house to ask
permission from her mom. Leslie’s mom does not attend
church yet, but she is happy that her daughter does. Leslie is
very happy in Icthus.
WHAT IS CINCO DE MAYO?
Cinco de Mayo, Spanish for the "5th of May", is a holiday that
commemorates Mexico’s unlikely initial victory at Puebla over
the French invasion in 1862. This was a strange time in history
when Napoleon III sought to impose his rule over Mexico.
The U.S. at that time wasn’t paying much attention to this. It
was totally immersed in its own problems, with the Civil War.
Some mistakenly confuse this day with Mexico’s Independence Day. Mexico declared its independence from Spain 52 years earlier on
Sept. 16, 1810.
WHAT DOES LAS VEGAS AND HONDURAS
HAVE IN COMMON? - April 2011
Dear Icthus
Friend,
Thank you for your interest, support, and prayers for children
through the Icthus ministry. I have two exciting things to
share and ask your prayers for: The International Congress in
Honduras earlier this month and a visit to Las Vegas Saturday
and Sunday. They have something in common that you may not know
about.
Thank you and Lord
bless you,
Don Weisbrod,
President
HONDURAS
INTERNATIONAL ICTHUS CONGRESS
Icthus leaders in Honduras
March 3 through 7 was blessing and answer from the Lord for the
Icthus Congress. We met in the Honduras National Park – a
beautiful rain forest. The accommodations were simple but very
adequate. This time and space allow 17 of us from 9 countries
to work on a variety of projects which will improve the ministry
for children. We made great progress on the development of new
curriculum. We provided training on national boards and the
international 4/14 movement. A council of representative was
formed that will be involved in ongoing work. Everyone left
with a new spirit of motivation for carrying on the ministry
Thank you to all for your prayers, encouragement, welcome
letters, and support that made this possible. The welcome
letters that many sent were very much appreciated. I had enough
to pass out to the leaders on three days. They loved knowing
that people were praying for them and the congress. More news
will be coming soon on exciting the launch of several new
initiatives. Please pray with us that the work we started
will come to fruition and bless many children.
To see a map showing where each of the participants came from
CLICK HERE
LAS VEGAS –
WHAT DOES IT HAVE IN COMMON WITH HONDURAS?
What is in common? They both have Icthus. This past weekend I
was invited to be a part of the 10th Anniversary of
Icthus in a church in Las Vegas. I have been hearing Icthus
there for years and have wanted to visit for some time. Also
invited was Pastor Juan Jose Moreno from Tijuana, Mexico with
his 9 year old son, Manuel, who is in Icthus. His church was
the first to start all five of our programs from ages 4 to 18
and parents too.
What an incredible time we had. Saturday night they showed
pictures and shared testimony of how Icthus started. They older
Icthus kids did an amazing program of their hands in white
gloves lit by florescent light. I was shared pictures of the
Congress in Honduras – the kids were amazed that there is Icthus
in so many countries. The next morning I shared about the
beginning of Icthus. Pastor Juan Jose shared powerfully about
the importance of this type of ministry.
Please pray for the Icthus leaders and the ministry they are
carrying on – over the 10 years they have guided hundreds of
young people. More Icthus groups are badly needed in Las
Vegas. If you every go to Las Vegas let me know. I’ll
recommend that you stop bye and visit Icthus there… I think it
is the best thing going on!
The support and help you give through Icthus provides Jarol and
many others with not just great memories, but helps in building
Christian character and skills for life. (see below)
If you want information on making automatic monthly donations
using your credit card click here.
HOME
This
is Leslie, she is 9 years old. She attends an Icthus Benjamin
group in Tijuana, Mexico. We met her at an Icthus camp in
Tecate. Her very first camp. 
