Ireland Revisited-year 5

Due to shortened funds, the Hostetters had not expected to minister at Discovery Church this year. However, God, being the benevolent God He is, provided a group of former team members who said, “Let’s go!” And so, we went in the name of Jesus. One of our members, Beckie Thompson, even served the Lord on crutches because she knew God wanted her there.

Our ten days were filled with wonderful ministry for the children and adults of Galway and Athenry. We conducted two kid’s camps. Both were well attended, and the Lord entered into our program.

Rain can be a problem in Ireland. But, not for us! We set up at a new location in a park used by some very rough teens! Are you ready? They came to the camp along with other young kids from the neighborhood and church. All listened to our wonderful stories about the Ten Commandments. The teens even did the crafts. Some of their language wasn’t the cleanest, but we had a good time sharing and enjoying them right where they were. Seed planting was our calling that week.

The kids at Athenry were excited. Of course, at the end of the camp they all wanted to know if we would come back next summer. We had to say, “Yes.” If God could get us there this year, why wouldn’t He continue to do so in the future?

Saturday presented a new adventure for our group. Pastor Paul Cullen has begun a healing ministry from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm on Shoppe Street in Galway, one of the busiest shopping areas of the city. Invitations are distributed to passers-by. Four chairs are posted with members of his congregation waiting to pray for individuals. Wonderful results have emerged from this outreach ministry. We were privileged to partner with them that Saturday, and see God draw shoppers off the street onto the chairs and wait for God to touch them.

Discovery Church has really grown. We remember when it was just the Cullen family with a dream for Jesus to enter into Galway. Now, around two hundred people, hungry for God, are in attendance for Sunday worship. Small groups have begun, and the staff conducts an evangelism outreach program every Wednesday. It has been beautiful to see God grow His bride. Wally preached Sunday morning and was invited by a small Indian congregation who are sponsored by Discovery Church to preach on Sunday evening. Linda combined the entire Sunday school program for Junior Worship. She and her team had a great time with the kids.

Of course, Linda climbed Crough (Mount) Patrick and prayed for the Nation of Ireland to turn to Christ. She never has made it to the top, but it is a long way up there.

Thank you, Discovery Church, for allowing us to be blessed to serve with you. Jimmy, you are such a welcome addition to the staff! Thanks also for all you did to make our ministry a success and allow us to be comfortable throughout our stay. Paul and Caroline, Brian and Carol, Angela, Jimmy and Meilyn, Ken and Fiona, Kevin, Jill and Leanne, John and Ann, Fran, Willie and Teresa, Valerie, Andrew and Sarah, and Ken from Africa-- we just couldn’t have done it without you! We are praying for God to shower you with as many blessings as He does drops of rain from His heavenly realm on Ireland.

Urban Arts Camp with Central Detroit Christian

Back in the 90’s a professor from Gordon Conwell Seminary conducted a very early morning session for the staff of the DC/LA Youth Conference. A quote that has remained as a pillar in my life is, “No prayer, no power. Little prayer, little power. Much prayer, much power.”

In July, a group of overt teens sat during our early morning devotions at Urban Arts in Detroit. I shared those words with them, illustrating their poignancy with stories from my own life. At the end of my talk, I taught the kids body motions to accompany the above quote. The Spirit fell. When I invited any who wanted to join me up front, the entire audience jumped up and together, we yelled while adding the motions, “No prayer, no power. Little prayer, little power. Much prayer, much power.” This may not hit you hard, but it did me. They got it!

Our week went well as this group of young people learned dance, drama, music and art during sessions that were specifically designed to produce a performance on Friday. We saw them go from unruly, and sometimes uncooperative, to a lean machine, willing to give their best in their actions and attitudes.

Working in D.C.

As many of you know, we have been working on Prayer Stations for the Nations for many years. Last spring and summer we traveled to Anderson, IN where we filmed Ruth Shinness who graciously offered her addition to this work. Since that time, she has also produced the reading of her prayer book with background music at our request. Her son, Tom Shinness is a professional guitarist who specializes in the Harp Guitar in Nashville, TN. Together, Tom and Ruth completed another portion for Prayer Stations. In March, Wally and Linda worked with a friend on the educational and testimonial portions of this work. They spent two weeks in the Washington D.C. area writing, producing and filming. So far, so good! We are looking forward to continuing to move forward on this project as the Lord continues to provide the resources and funding.

Chaing Mai, Thailand

January/February 2008
Leaving Nicaragua, Wally, Linda and Katie Beth began and arduous journey to Thailand, filled with many unforeseen events. Prepared to board their flight in Los Angeles, they learned that it was cancelled. After waiting many hours, the airline housed them near the airport. The following morning they still had no word regarding their departure. Katie Beth found that her computer was malfunctioning. It was our team's bloodline for the graphics to be used during our week of presentations for the Spiritual Emphasis Week at Grace International School in Chaing Mai, Thailand. We learned something very valuable that day. The Lord tells us in His Word that we make our plans but He directs our steps. If we hadn't had a delayed flight, the computer could not have been repaired. This scenario proved to be a blessing from God. Katie Beth needed an Apple Store. One was within six miles of our hotel. Even though the technician said he was unable to service the computer, after Katie Beth told him her dilemma, he had everything working within a matter of ten minutes.

By midnight, we were again at the airport boarding the plane. To our surprise, of the original two hundred and fifty passengers, only fifty of us were left. We were hopeful that they would allow us to move into business class. Actually, it was better. Each of us had our own row of middle seats, just enough room to lie down and sleep for the nineteen-hour flight to Bangkok. What a blessing! Transferring planes in Bangkok we flew on to Chaing Mai where our hosts, the Bolands, met us and drove us to their home where we were housed throughout our ministry.

Grace International School is a marvelous work. Five hundred students attend. Ten percent of the school's population is from the surrounding area, many of whom are Buddhists. 90%of the students are from missionary families whose parents are serving throughout Asia and the South Pacific.

As we entered the beautiful facility, we were show the room where all meetings would be held. At the front of the room was the sixth grade teacher on her knees praying for spiritual emphasis week. We knew that God was going to bless the work.

At the end of our first week there, we conducted an elementary and secondary chapel so that the youth would be introduced to our family. All went well. They were very responsive and excited for what the next week would hold.

On Sunday, Wally preached at the church in Chaing Mai that is home to most of the missionaries who are serving in that city. On Monday the first of four chapel events began. Wally and Katie Beth led the teaching for the high school students while Linda began working with the elementary students. There was such great response to the elementary chapel that teachers invited Linda to come into their classroom to speak on various topics. To her amazement, God allowed her the privilege of speaking fifteen times that week! Most of her time was spend in the school library preparing for these extemporaneous talks. But, she loved it and so did the children!

We also conducted workshops on prayer and spiritual gifts. After one of Linda's times of teaching on prayer, a student, Su Yung, approached her and asked for prayer. Linda told her to come back after the next class so that they woudl have time to spend praying for her needs. SuYung had a physical development problem. The left side of her body had not developed at the same rate as the right side. her organs, muscles and bone structure were lagging behind. The caused great pain for Su. She told Linda that she was not able to find any medical help for her problem. She took off her hoodie that covered her blouse. It was then that Linda recognized the anomaly. Linda began to pray. After a few moments of prayer Linda noticed that Su was crying. She pulled her hands off Su's shoulders and said, 'Am I hurting you?' Su replied with a tearful smile, 'No, I'm being healed.' Linda continued to pray and could actually feel Su's body moving under her hands. It was a blessing and a miracle.

On Thursday evening a bonfire was held to celebrate the end of the conference. Students were encouraged to give testimonies. Su came to the mic and told what God had done for her. Other followed suite. One young man had made a decision to become a pastor. As the fire shot flames into the air, torrents of rain fell, unable to extinguish or even dampen the physical fire or spiritual fire that had been lit in the lives of these young people during the past week.

Each of us had an opportunity to pour love and wisdom into several students during our stay. We watched God work to help the kids make their lives count,l which was the theme of Spiritual Emphasis Week.

On Friday, we were invited to a Buddhist village outside of Chaing Mai, where the seniors shared crafts, songs and dance with the elementary age children. We were privileged to be the second group of non-Asians allowed to come to the village. Linda spent her time with the Principal's wife. Before leaving the village each of the women exchanged their necklaces as a fond remembrance of their friendship built during that day. Wally met with the Mayor and elders of the village, extending greetings from America.

We have also just learned that a young man named Calvin who attended the spiritual emphasis week made a decision for Christ shortly after our departure. Calvin was a Buddhist. His mother is now reading the Bible daily seeking to know more about Christianity. Isn't God good!

Bluefields, Nicaragua

January 2008
Randy Gilbert contacted Katie Beth about a return trip to Bluefields, Nicaragua. Wally and Linda joined with their team of eight to minister in three churches. The days were filled with training eighty Spanish youth for a musical production in Spanish. The Gilberts did an excellent job in orchestrating this event. Katie Beth assisted them with this dramatic production, while Wally and Linda provided spiritual development through biblical stories and object lessons. On the evening of the performance, families and friends packed out the church. Wally delivered the message and gave an offer of salvation. The Lord brought many, especially men, into the Kingdom that night.

The Hostetters also spend several consecutive evenings with fellow pastors and their spouses to discuss church and personal issues. Each of these meetings ended with intense prayer with these dedicated servants of the Lord. The fellowship was sweet.

Verbo Church opened its doors for Linda to conduct a widow's and abandoned women's conference. The ladies were blessed with gifts of two pounds of rice and two pounds of beans, as well as beautiful scarves. Last fall a horrific hurricane accosted the east coast of Nicaragua. The bean crop was destroyed. So, this gift of beans was like gold to these women. A delicious dinner was served. Darcy, one of our young team members, provided vocal entertainment and Katie Beth filmed the event. The women were invited to join with Prayer Stations for the Nations to pray for the widows of the world. Of course, at the close of the evening, Linda prayed individually for each of the forty-five participants. She also deposited a kiss from Jesus on each of their cheeks. They all left happy and blessed.