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Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will. –Romans 12:2
Dear Friends,
God is in the transformation business.
At times this means creativity, as when God transformed nothingness into the vastness and complexity of what we call “creation.” Other times, it is purely intercessory and something only God does on our behalf, like Jesus dying on the cross and rising again to overcome sin and death and make a way for us to be in right relationship with God again.
But other times this means our cooperation with the work of his Holy Spirit in us. As we surrender our lives to God, his Spirit works to transform us. The result is a deeper awareness of God’s will and ways and the opportunity to obey and lay down our lives as sacrifices in an even deeper way. In Romans 12, Paul only presents two options – conform to the world or be transformed.
New Life Advance International and our individual ministries are in the transformation business as well.
Sometimes that looks like New Life Children’s Home rescuing children from neglect and abuse and providing them with a Christian education and discipleship so that their minds can be renewed, their hearts healed, and their lives transformed. Sometimes it looks like Echo Reach Ministries transforming dilapidated schools into functional learning centers and then drawing children who would otherwise slip into gang life back to school and a discipling relationship through soccer. Soon we expect it will look like Little Pasos forming relationships with little children and their families as they shine the light of Jesus and teach the kids English; opening up future opportunities for employment and Kingdom impact.
The missionaries who serve and have served through NLAI – whether long term, as interns or on mission trips – have been transformed as well. We’ve even been talking lately about how God has transformed the property, the buildings and the tools NLAI has in order to make His transformational work more effective here in Guatemala.
This year, through our updates and newsletters, we will be focusing on God’s transformational work in and through NLAI and its ministries.
We begin this month by sharing some pictures from a recent retreat NLCH took with the over-13-year-olds at a beautiful site on Guatemala’s Caribbean beach. Guatemalan leaders from our mentorship program initiated this awesome opportunity and volunteers from Youth for Christ lead activities. It was great fun, Christ focused, and we believe TRANSFORMATIONAL in the lives of all who went.
Such transformational events and activities are only possible through the generous donations of our child sponsors and special contributors. We are so grateful to all of you who have given this past year. If you would like to be a part of God’s transformational work here at NLAI, you can visit www.nlai.org, or email us at [email protected].
Blessings,
Kendon Wheeler,
NLAI President
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