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December,
2007 Newsletter To Friends & Partners
December 7th,
2007
Dear Friend & Partner,
It is with great joy that I write
you as we enter this wonderful Christmas season. Cathy,
Sarah and I are remembering your faithful prayers and
support of our ministry and are always giving thanks to
God as we mention you in our prayers. Thank you
for helping us take the gospel to the nations.
As I reflect on 2007 many things
have been accomplished which could not have happened
without your prayerful support. At the beginning of the
year we “Entered His Rest.” Thank God for the revelation
that God is my Father who created me…revealed my purpose
in life…and has provided everything I need to accomplish
it. We have ministered in 5 countries and several states
in the US during which more than 130 people gave their
lives to Jesus. We also have received many testimonies
of healing such as broken bones being healed…arthritis,
appendicitis, and female problems all healed by the
prayer of faith…God is faithful. Omega Christian Academy
was launched with grades 4 thru 7...God has given us
some wonderful students and parents as well. When I look
at our budget I am amazed at what God has done…He is not
limited to a budget, or in any other way. I can only
say, “To God Be The Glory Great Things He Has Done.”
I have a wonderful praise
report…As you know I have been believing God for a truck
for our work in Tanzania, East Africa. Praise God…We
have received a beautiful GMC Jimmy from one of our dear
partners. Wow, God will never give you an assignment
without providing what is needed to complete it. Now
please agree with us for the shipping cost, which is
only $4,000...
Please continue to visit our
website for updates and opportunities to work with us in
bringing hope to the hurting of this world. When you go
to our homepage (www.thomasmeares.com) you can click on
the link to the Giveline store and shop for many items
and a portion of your purchase price will be sent to our
ministry to help us preach the Gospel to the nations.
Also please sow a seed in this season to 1.) Help us
ship the truck to Tanzania, East Africa. 2.) Send $1000
toward the down payment of Pastor George Paige’s Church
in Cape Town, South Africa.
Cathy, Sarah and I are wishing for
you and yours a most joyous Christmas and a Happy New
Year.
Thank you again for being
part of this great work and helping us take the Gospel
to the nations.
Working Together In His
Kingdom,
Thomas Meares
Apostle Thomas Meares
Teaching ~ Helping ~ Releasing ~ Because Your Success
Matters
October, 2007 Newsletter With Details Of
Mission To Tanzania & Kenya
October 12th, 2007
Dear Friend,
Hello my precious friend and thank
you for your prayers and support. Cathy & I are so blessed to have you
as our friend and partner. I just returned from three weeks of
successful ministry in Tanzania & Kenya. This is an update especially
for you. Please take just a few minutes to read it to the end. I have
also enclosed some pictures from this mission. Wow, what a trip...it was
a little hard on the flesh but the spiritual results and rewards are
awesome. There were 30 plus people that accepted Jesus as their Saviour
and many others testified of God’s healing power in their lives. All the
Pastors and Bishops I ministered for said that they as well as their
people were very encouraged. Thank God I was able to give up myself so
God could lift up His people.
God showed Himself faithful during
the whole time there. The first 5 days my mornings were spent teaching
at the Agape Bible College (Bishop Stephano Nzowa founder) and preaching
in the evenings at New Beginnings Church in Mbagala for Pastors Swithurn
& Angelina Mgaya. The time spent with the Bible College students was so
rich, all of them being in the ministry. I saw God working with His word
as one of the students; a Pastor sowed 100,000 shillings which is
equivalent to $100.00. His obedience to God’s word enabled us to take
about 25 of the students on a day trip to Bagamoyo, a city that was know
for slave trade. It was a very informative trip for us all and a treat
for me after 5 days of ministering morning and night.
After a 7 hour bus ride we (6
people plus me) reached Dodoma the capitol city of Tanzania our next
place for ministry. It is the dry season so everything is brown and
dusty...and the wind is blowing dust everywhere. We were met by Bishop
Mark & Dorcas Mhina of New Beginnings Fellowship and stayed in their
home. The crusade began on Thursday and continued through Sunday with
hundreds in attendance. This is where 24 plus people were saved and we
received several healing testimonies. One being a woman that was healed
of female problems...Praise God. It was also here that my camera was
accidentally broken by the Bishop sitting on it and I also ran out of
money. So you see although I love telling about the good things...bad
things do happen. I was very disappointed about my camera as it was a
gift from a precious preacher and a wonderful church...the best camera I
have ever owned. I am still trusting God that it will be replaced.
Sunday was the last day there so I ministered in the church that morning
then went to the Pentecostal Church Of Christ Mission and ministered for
Pastor Egla Utonga in the afternoon. Then we came back and closed out
the crusade that evening with Bishop Mark & Dorcas Mhina.
After the long day on Sunday we (5
people plus me) arose at 5am on Monday to get ready to board the bus at
6:15am for our next destination. This proved to be the worst day of my
trip. The bus had a flat tire which took about an hour to fix. We then
traveled another 30 to 40 minutes and the transmission went out on the
bus, stranding us in the middle of nowhere. Finally after it was dark
the bus driver flagged down a transfer truck and all six of us including
our luggage climbed into the cab of the truck with the driver and his
assistant. After 3 hours packed in there like sardines (worse than
uncomfortable) we arrived in Moshi. We finally got in bed about 1am
Tuesday morning...Wow, what a day.
Thank God I had the next two days
to relax. On Tuesday I enjoyed the beautiful mountain, Mt.
Kilimanjaro...the highest mountain in Africa which is over 19,000 ft
high. Then on Wednesday I enjoyed a small animal park and a museum of
the Maasai people, the traditional African people who are nomadic
herdsmen. I had a first experience here as it was my first time riding a
camel. It was also here that Cathy wired me money which God provided
just in time...God is always faithful. I stayed in a hotel here and was
able to take a shower (a cold shower)...Praise God for a shower even
though it was cold. Many people have to walk for miles for water and
it’s not very clean at that.
After this short time of rest we
(now three others and me) set off for Nairobi, Kenya. Seven hours later
we arrived and met Pastor Charles Kingori. Tired and ready to rest we
found out that he lived in Nkubu, a town 200 kilometers from Nairobi
toward Somalia. Four hours later, now after 10pm we arrived at Pastor
Charles’ home and were met by his wife Nancy and daughter Daisy and a
nice meal. The next night we started the meetings in his church,
Evangelism Church. On Saturday we also had a crusade in town as well as
the night service. On Sunday I again preached 3 times, in the church
that morning, the crusade in the evening and the final service that
night in the church. Thank God for 6 plus salvations and 3 joining the
church.
On Monday October 1st
we had quick celebration of my birthday in the morning before leaving to
Nairobi to start my long journey home. This is the first time I have
been away from home on my birthday. I was supposed to leave on Saturday
night but because my ticket was booked to leave from Dar es Salaam
instead of Nairobi, my ticket had to be rebooked at an additional cost
of $115.00 and the first flight they could get me on was Monday night.
Thank you again for being our
friend and partner. After all of this I have returned and my airline
ticket for this trip has not been paid for. I still owe $1489.00
plus the additional $115.00 to rebook, a total of $1604.00 which is
still on my credit card. Please help me take care of this...I
don’t believe that God would send me on a mission and not provide for my
expenses. I also don’t believe in giving interest to the credit card
company when I could be giving more toward ministry projects.
One last thing is the
truck...I have failed at this point to deliver this valuable tool to
Bishop Nzowa. I still believe God for a miracle of $8,000.00 in order to
accomplish this. Please ask God what He would have you to sow toward
this. I will continue to pray for you
daily that God will provide your every need...spirit, soul and body. Let
us know what we can pray with you about. Cathy and I will stand in faith
with you concerning your prayer request. Thank you again for your
faithfulness. We look forward to hearing from you very soon.
His For Kingdom Advancement,
Thomas Meares
Apostle Thomas Meares
Teaching ~ Helping ~ Releasing ~ Because Your Success Matters
A New Way To Support Omega Christian
Ministries
Dear Friends,
I had
forgotten to tell you about Giveline. It is an online
store that you can order music, electronics, movies,
travel and many other items. Every time you order Omega
Christian Ministries will receive a percentage of your
purchase from Giveline. So please follow this link and
check out what they have to offer. The link is:
http://www.giveline.com/default.asp?v=V001470429...thank
you for your prayers and support to help us be a
"Lighthouse To The Nations".
Advancing
God's Kingdom Together,
Apostle
Thomas Meares
Omega Christian Academy Is Now Open
Precious Friends & Partners,
This has been a life long dream of mine, come true. Yes,
August 13, 2007 was the first day of school for Omega Christian
Academy Students. Some of you may not know, but on May 24th
the school where I was teaching closed their doors. Sometimes
I think we can get to relaxed and in a comfort zone so to speak. But
God knows how to get our attention. I was going to start two years
ago, but it was not Gods timing. I am excited to get started and
there are many challenges. Please pray for this very important part
of Omega Christian Ministries International. The following is a
little about what we will offer at Omega Christian Academy.
Building Lives for the
Future,
Cathy
Meares
May God Richly Bless You
and Your Family!!!
Greetings From The Cathy Meares
On the surface, most schools look alike - buildings, personnel,
curriculum, and budgets. Omega Christian Academy wants its
philosophy built on basic principles of the Word of God. We want to
teach Students to see life from God’s point of view, to take
responsibility for their own learning, and to walk in Godly wisdom
and character. At Omega Christian Academy we focus on what is best
for the individual child, after all, that should be the primary
concern of education.
Individualization - Whether
the student is a high-achiever, a moderate-paced learner, or a slow
learner, Omega Christian Academy educational process proceeds at the
exact level determined by the child’s ability. With the curriculum
we have chosen this makes it possible for each student to master the
subject matter before moving on. Such mastery is the foundation upon
which all future learning is built.
Academic Excellence -
Individualization produces academic excellence. Students receive
character training in Biblical principles. Moreover, students will
go on to higher education and into business and professional pursuit
with confidence and a superb educational
background.
Character Building - Godly character training received
as part of this learning experience prepares students to welcome and
accept challenges and future
opportunities.
Traditional Values - Biblical values and concepts
considered foundational to meaningful interpersonal relationships
and productive living are conveyed throughout the curriculum, in
such a way as to become life-shaping influences.
Academic Benefits
* Produces
academic excellence
* Teaches
the child to think
* Stresses
the uniqueness of the individual
*
Incorporates Godly character training
* Teaches
responsibility and accountability
“Building
Lives for the Future”
For more
information or for an appointment:
Contact: Mrs.
Cathy Meares
910-628-8610
"Academic
Excellence With A Biblical Perspective"
July 31, 2007 Letter to Partners
Dear Friend & Partner,
Hello, it has been some time since I have written
you, but you are always in my thoughts and prayers. Your prayers and
support mean more than you can imagine to Cathy and me. Thank
you so much for helping us take the gospel to the nations...Wow,
Cathy has really kept me busy getting the building ready to launch
Omega Christian Academy. Yes she will finally give birth to her life
long dream of having a Christian school and on August 13th
the school and will open with 15 students in Fairmont, NC. I have
enclosed a short letter with more about the school from Cathy.
I will be traveling to Tanzania, Zambia and
South Africa September 11th thru October 2nd.
One of the main purposes for my trip is to purchase a pickup truck
for Bishop Stephano Nzowa and the Agape International Fellowship
which consist of 34 churches in Tanzania, Zambia, & Mozambique.
Bishop Nzowa & I will also hold a conference with all the Pastors of
the Agape International Fellowship to encourage them and further
equip them for their work. We will visit the churches in Zambia
also.
When I was there last year I announced that
when I came back Bishop Nzowa and I would be riding in a truck.
Please hear me from my heart. Bishop Nzowa is a precious
man with a big heart for the Pastors he serves and my desire is to
help him train and oversee many more Pastors who will plant more
churches. He don’t have a vehicle at all and has to travel many
miles by bus or train...then he walks for miles in the rural areas
to bring hope and encouragement to his Pastors and their churches.
I only wish you could go there with me and see the conditions
for yourself. The roads are terrible to say the least.
I am not attempting to buy a new truck, but a good used one. The
investment needed for the truck is $8500.00. Wow, what an
opportunity to place such a tool for evangelism in this man of God’s
ministry. It will increase the effectiveness of his ministry
more than you can imagine. Will you please ask God what He
would have you to invest in this? I believe according to Ephesians
6:8 “What you make happen for a man of God, He will make happen for
you. Thank you in advance for helping to advance God’s Kingdom in
Tanzania.
I
will leave Tanzania on September 26th and go to Cape
Town, South Africa. My main purpose there is to speak in a
fundraising breakfast for Pastors George & Ingrid Paige who are
raising money for the down payment on the building for House Of
Healing Christian Center. They need at least another $25,000 to
accomplish this goal. Please pray for all of the above needs
and do your best. A preacher friend of mine told me that God
could supply the money for the truck with one swoop. In other words,
someone could write a check for the total amount of $8500.00.
Please be obedient to God’s leading. We look forward to
receiving your letter and please include your prayer request so we
can intercede in your behalf...God answers the prayer of
Agreement. Thank you again for prayers and financial
support.
Advancing God’s Kingdom Together,
Apostle
Thomas Meares
Teaching ~ Helping ~ Releasing ~ Because Your Success Matters
Cathy's Letter
My
precious Friend,
This is a life long dream of mine, come true. Yes, August 13, 2007
will be the first day of school for Omega Christian Academy. Some of you
may not know, but on May 24th the school where I was teaching
closed their doors. Sometimes I think we can get to relaxed and in a
comfort zone so to speak. But God knows how to get our attention. I was
going to start two years ago, but it was not Gods timing.
I am writing you to let you know I need help. I didn’t know it could
cost so much to start a school. Expenses like Inspection permits,
having Water, Electricity and Telephone turned on is just a start. I
need to purchase Teacher’s Books, Student Desks, Black Boards, Bulletin
Boards, and a Water Cooler. The list goes on and on. Will you help?
Teachers Books cost $550.00 per class. I’m starting with 4th
– 7th grade this year. One friend and partner told me that
her and her husband would purchase one grade of Teacher’s books. Can I
depend on you? Your gift is greatly appreciated.
Building Lives for the Future,
Cathy Meares
_______ Yes Cathy, I will purchase Teacher’s books $550.00 for one
class.
_______ Yes Cathy, I will help with the Teachers Books
_______ Yes Cathy, I will purchase a Black Board for $150.00.
_______ Yes Cathy, I will donate $100.00 towards school start up
expense.
May God Richly Bless You and Your Family!!!
Newsletter April 07 Ministry To
South Africa
May 5th 2007
Dear Friends & Partners,
Greetings and Blessings from Thomas,
Cathy & Sarah... We have just returned from three weeks of ministry in
South Africa. Wow, what a great time of ministry as well as a wonderful
time for building relationships. Thank you for your prayers and support
to make this ministry a success.
Praise God for 25 people being saved
and several miracles. Two miracles of healing took place on Easter
Sunday. First, one of the elders of Pastor George Paige's
church was suffering with an arthritic knee and had been out of work
several days. He could not bend his knee and was walking with the
assistance of a crutch. Just after the service was given to me I was
prompted by the Holy Spirit to pray for his healing. Praise God,
when he left the church he was carrying the crutch and when he
came back on Sunday night he was walking normal. The next day he
went back to work...Hallelujah. Second, the mother
of one of the preachers had been taken to the hospital with pain in her
side. The doctor said she would have to have an emergency surgery to
remove her appendix. I agreed in prayer with him for her and before the
service was over his father came by the service and said that the
surgery had been canceled. I went and preached for this Pastor on
Wednesday night and his mother was there, smiling and totally healed.
Wow…what a mighty God we serve.
Thank you again for standing with us
and believing in us as we endeavor to advance God's Kingdom. I will now
share my heart with you about a great need of my friends Pastors George
& Ingrid Paige and the ministry of House Of Healing Christian Center.
They are in currently worshipping in a building that they wish to
purchase. They are renting about half of the building and are paying
$1000 per month. Pastor Paige feels that the money they are paying in
rent should be going to purchase the building and I agree. It is a very
large building which was once a grocery store. The building is built
well and will serve the ministry and its many outreaches for years to
come. The building is large enough to accommodate up to 3000 people. So
you see it will be a good investment. The cost of the building is 1.2
million rand and my desire is to help them raise the down payment of
210,000 rand which would be $30,000 dollars.
These precious people have been in my
home on two occasions and I have now been with them on two occasions. I
have seen their hearts of love for God and the ministry. I have also
seen their ministry for myself and it is good ground to sow into. Please
make this a matter of prayer and let me know what you can do to make
this happen. I really believe that "What You Make Happen For God's
House, God Will Make Happen For Your House". Please do your
best...and remember that it is your seed that creates
your harvest. You are so special and we are always praying
for you and your success in every area of life... spirit, soul and body.
Always Advancing God’s Kingdom,
Apostle Thomas Meares
Teaching~Helping~Releasing~Because Your Success Matters
Happy New Year & Report of
Ministry To D. R., Honduras & Guatemala
January 5, 2007
My Dear Friend,
Happy New Year my friend
and fellow laborer in Christ, from the Meares and Omega Christian
Ministries Int’l. This is the Year of Rest… You must enter your
Sabbath of Rest and receive all that God has promised you. God
rested from all His labors on the seventh day and enjoyed all that he
had made. It is time now for us to enjoy the fruit of our labors.
You can only enter your Sabbath by faith. The children of Israel could
not enter their Promised Land because of unbelief. The Sabbath is a
Place and not just a day. You must come to the end of yourself and
you trying to make something happen. Just be obedient to God and His
Word and let Him produce the results. Let’s all enter our Promised
Land of Rest…Our land that is flowing with milk and honey. God has
given us everything that pertains to life and godliness (II Peter
1:3&4). Receive God’s best in this Year of Rest...
Thank you for your prayers and
support of my recent trip to the Dominican Republic, Honduras and
Guatemala. From the first night it was an absolutely successful time of
ministry. The first night in the D.R. was in a small town called
Ranchito and we had six people who were gloriously saved. On Friday I
sang and spoke at the La Vega Christian School for the High school and
the Middle school students. Wow what a lively group of young students,
it was great. The Pastor’s Conference was a huge success. They were very
encouraged as I shared the Word under the anointing of the Holy Spirit.
At the close of the conference they received an offering for my trip to
Honduras and Guatemala, also one of the Pastors paid for everyone’s
meal. This was a miracle. Another miracle was a brother that just
happened to be in La Vega who was from Ft. Worth, Texas and he sowed
$200.00 also. I was there to sow and God was multiplying my seed (II Cor.
9:10) Praise God…Continue to pray for Bishop Mitch and Debbie Martinez,
the school and all the churches that they are working with. They have a
wonderful ministry and have accomplished so much in the Dominican
Republic
After arriving home on Tuesday
night and sleeping in my bed for a few hours I left again on Wednesday
morning for Honduras where I met Apostle Jose Alvarez and the ministry
team of Cocina del Amor (The Love Kitchen). I ministered to the men of
the Iglesia de Christo Mahanaim that night and 6 men were saved and many
other encouraged in the faith. This is a great church of over 1000
members in San Pedro Sula which is the second largest city in Honduras.
On Thursday night I ministered to the whole church and declared a New
Season to them. It was a glorious time as the Holy Spirit spoke thru me
to declare that they were a church that was chosen to make a big impact
on the city and the country. Please pray for this church and Pastors
Miguel & Nora Flores.
On Friday we left for the
mountains of Guatemala. There in the city of Esquipulas we ministered to
over 1600 people all day on Saturday and Sunday. These are very poor
people that live up in the mountains without electricity or running
water in their houses. Over 60 people gave their lives to Christ and
countless others were encouraged and healed by the love of God felt from
the ministry team. Over 400 families received baskets of food and
everyone enjoyed hot meals on both days.
On Sunday which was the children’s
day there was special music and a clown. About 900 children received a
toy for Christmas. It was a very happy time for these precious people.
Can I count on your prayers and support for these desperate people of
Esquipulas?
Our final destination was
Guatemala City and the headquarters of The Love Kitchen Ministries. On
Tuesday night there was a service in the streets at the ministry center
and what a celebration it was. There was special music and after my
message “Jesus Is Lord Of The Sabbath” the ministry team prayed with
about 40 people. They were very blessed as we ministered the love of God
to them. Again everyone was fed a wonderful hot meal and food was given
to many families. On Wednesday it was ministry to the children with a
special children’s group that sang and did skits. The clown also amazed
the children with his tricks and funny stuff. Every child received a toy
and what a blessing it was to see the smiles on their faces. During the
time that the children were having their fun Rev. Lora Lockert was
leading a Ladies Banquet. There were about 185 ladies in attendance and
many were saved and healed, not only physically but emotionally as the
Holy Spirit ministered thru Rev. Lockert and the ministry team.
Wednesday night was the close of
the 11th Annual Celebration of The Love Kitchen with a
banquet at the Westin Camino Real Hotel. Wow what a banquet. The food
was great, but the ministry was even better. Everyone was ushered into
the presence of God as we were lead into praise and worship by Jose Jr.
and the band. I preached on “The Power of the Seed” and over 50,000
quetzales were received as the Holy Spirit challenged the people to sow
into The Love Kitchen Ministries. To top off all of this, I was honored
by Apostle Alvarez and the Love Kitchen when I was presented with a
beautiful silver and jade ring with the logo of the ministry etched into
the jade. Please continue to pray for Apostle Jose Alvarez, his staff
and the various ministries of The Love Kitchen. Also pray for my good
friends John & Renee Houser of La Paloma Ministries (The Dove
Ministries), which is a support ministry here in the States for The Love
Kitchen Ministries. John & Renee, along with Rev. Lora Lockert and
Heather & Billy Medley were part of the ministry team from the United
States.
It was an absolutely powerful 18
days of ministry and I am so very thankful for all of you who supported
me with your prayers and your finances.
We are planning our first ever
Partner meeting and we would love for you to make plans to come. Plans
are to have this meeting in Lumberton on the third Saturday in February.
I will send another letter with details soon. It is going to be a great
year and we ask for your continued support. We can’t do it alone. Thank
you for your faithful support. You are in our thoughts always and we are
praying for you. Again receive God’s best in this Year Of Rest…
Always Advancing God’s Kingdom,
Thomas Meares
Apostle Thomas Meares
Teaching
~ Helping ~ Releasing ~ Because Your Success Matters
Ministry To England July 2006
July 31, 2006
Dear Partner,
Thank you for your prayers and support of my recent
mission to England, and also your support of our ongoing ministry to
Tanzania. The mission to England proved to be most successful. Because of
your help I am able to preach the Gospel all over the world. The following
is a brief account.
The Destiny Connect 06 Conference was absolutely
powerful. Over 200 people were blessed and encouraged as God’s glory was
manifested. The Word went forth with such power and authority.
Many were healed of various ailments and prophetic
words thrust all present into a higher place… Heavenly places in Christ
Jesus. I made some golden connections with two Indian Pastors as well as a
wonderful couple from the Czech Republic. These connections were all made
possible by my friends Apostles Ian and Rachel Critchley. They are the
founders of Destiny Connections, and the Pastors of Destiny Christian Church
in Wakefield, England. Wow, what an awesome life changing conference and a
wonderful time with my Destiny Connections family. On Wednesday night I
ministered at Destiny Christian Church with a powerful message on the
manifested sons of God, in which I encouraged everyone to do the works that
Jesus the pattern Son did.
After arriving in London on Thursday, I was greeted by
my friends Pastors Kendrick and Simone Simon. On Friday night I spoke to and
Arabic church and what an honor to address mostly former Muslims from Egypt,
Jordan and Iraq. On Sunday morning I brought a brief exhortation and a song
at the Fountain Of Life PH Church. We returned again for an afternoon
service at the Arabic church and what an experience it was to worship with
these precious people. God is busy raising up His church all over the world
and He is doing it through us, His body…the body of Christ. On Sunday night
I ministered at the World Revival Center to a Brazilian (Portuguese
speaking) congregation.
Wow, what an exiting on fire group of people. Thank God
for this young Pastor and his precious wife. This church began just two
years ago and over 200 believers are already part of this ministry.
Again, thank you for your prayers and support. Your
obedience to sow into this ministry will continue to authorize God’s
blessing on your life. It also enables us to fulfill the Great Commission.
(Mark 16:15 & Matt 28:19&20) Please
continue to pray and support the ongoing work in Tanzania.
I have enclosed an updated list of ministry needs.
You are loved and appreciated more than ever and we are interceding for your
needs. Please continue to send us your prayer concerns. You can
email us at
thomas@thomasmeares.com or you can include them with your next financial
seed. Also please keep checking our website
www.thomasmeares.com as we are in the process of updating it.
To View Pictures Of This Trip
(Click Here)
Always Advancing The Kingdom,
Thomas Meares
Rev. Thomas Meares
Teaching ~ Helping ~
Releasing ~ Because Your Success Matters
|
Ministry To Tanzania & South Africa April 2006
May 9, 2006
Dear
Friends & Partners,
Praise God, I am back in the USA from my three week trip to Africa and
what a powerful and challenging trip it was. I am so thankful for your
prayers and support. Your prayers were effective and God gave me
strength to complete the mission. Let me give you some highlights of
this mission.
I started out with the hardest assignment first which was 10 days in
Tanzania. I left on Tuesday April
4th
at 3:00pm and arrived in Dar es Salaam at
9:30pm on Wednesday April
5th
Bishop Stephano Nzowa along with other
Ministers, members of the church and family members met me at the
airport and welcomed me. We then went to the Bishop’s house for the
first night where I finally got into bed at 12:30am. I was awakened at
4:30 am to get ready for the 12 hour bus ride to the Mbeya region where
I would stay in a rest house in the small village of Mlowo. We missed
the bus we were supposed to take and had to ride one that stopped in
Mbeya. It was pouring rain and we had to stand under a shelter until
Bishop Nzowa found us a taxi to take us on to Mlowo. I finally arrived
after 9:00pm wet, hungry and exhausted. Thank God the rest house had a
decent bathroom with hot water. After bathing and having some food I
crashed about 11:00pm and slept till 9:00am the next morning.
On Friday we began the Ministers Conference in Isansa which is a village
out in the remote area. It took us about 45 minutes to travel 10 to 12
miles. The roads were so bad that we had to hire a truck to take us.
(What made things worse was that the Bishop’s phone had been stolen and
he don’t have a vehicle. We were without communication and
transportation so you can imagine how difficult it was. Remember this is
the remote area and everything was a challenge.) When we got to the
village of Isansa we were welcomed with singing and waving branches.
They put down branches and cloths for us to walk into the church on. It
was such a welcome that it made tears come into my eyes. They were so
happy to see us and it was a way of showing respect to us. We had an
awesome service, they were so excited and you should see how they
worshipped with dancing and waving flowers and branches. The church was
decorated with flowers and balloons. I preached for over an hour and
everyone was very blessed as the Holy Spirit ministered to each need.
Bishop Nzowa then showed me his old home place. Most of his family still
lives in this village. The houses are mud huts with grass roofs; however
some are made with homemade bricks and have a tin roof. We left to go
back to the rest house in Mlowo about 7:45pm. Oh this day was also the
first contact I made with my wife by email after being gone since
Tuesday.
Saturday was another great day. We finally got out to Isansa at about
1:30pm. We marched with the students (from a house where they met to get
ready) to the church. It was a proud occasion for all of them. After
preaching for almost 2 hours (It would only be about an hour if
I were not preaching with an
interpreter. The language there is Swahili.) Bishop Nzowa and I
presented diplomas to 18 students who received a Diploma In Theology for
their studies and we also prayed for them. The students were so touched
as the Holy Spirit spoke some powerful words thru me to them as we
prayed. After the service we went to the Pastor’s house where the
students took off their caps and gowns and we ate some boiled corn
together. It was a joyous time for all. We then went to another village
where the assistant Bishop Wegga pastors a great church. They welcomed
us the same way and we had a powerful service there as well. After the
service we went to the assistant Bishop’s house for a Pepsi. I had to
use the bathroom there and it was an adventure. It was a small room with
a burlap sack as the door, and a hole in the floor for the commode. I
didn’t see any toilet paper but I did see some corn cobs. Wow what a
deal... After the Pepsi and some fellowship we started the long
journey back to Mlowo. We had rented a larger truck so we could bring
the ministers and students back so we could finish the conference in
Mlowo. The Bishop told me that there were about 70 people packed in the
back of that truck. Again, wow what a deal...
On Sunday we also had two services at the Mlowo branch church. The first
service was a regular Sunday morning service, but there was nothing
regular about it. The anointing was so powerful and I released it into
the people. When I finished the Bishop said “what do we have to give to
this man.” He has given everything he has and we don’t have anything to
give him except our prayers. He instructed them to pray and that they
did… . .
it was powerful. While they were praying the
Holy Spirit instructed me to receive the tithes and offerings when they
finished. So I told them if you really believe what you have just
prayed, bring your tithes and offerings. I believe everyone came forward
and brought something. One brother didn’t have any money so he brought
his jacket. The offering was 27,500 schillings and the Bishop said that
was a miracle. He told me that many of the people did not have anything
to eat. They had went to bed hungry the night before because they were
saving their money to pay for transportation back home or to pay for the
guest house they were staying in.(27,500 Tanzanian schillings is about
$27.50 US dollars) So you see what he meant about we don’t have anything
to give this man. I felt uncomfortable when I tried to give the offering
to the Bishop and he wouldn’t take it. He told me that God instructed me
to receive the offering so it was mine. I told him I didn’t receive it
for me but I would use it for the ministry. He told the people what I
had said and they all said “Use It”. Of course I sowed it all
back into the ministry. Later that evening about 6:00pm we had the
ordination service and 18 ministers were gloriously ordained into the
ministry with the laying on of hands by Bishop Nzowa, assistant Bishop
Wegga and I. What an awesome service and a blessed day it was.
On Monday we came back for one closing session with the Ministers only
and I was able to pour into them what God had given me. It had gotten
dark on Sunday and I did not get to share the message and the charge
that God had given me for them. (The churches don’t have electricity and
most of them have dirt floors.) Also, today is when I gave back the
remaining part of the offering which they gave me on Sunday. I had
already given part of it to two different Pastors as the Holy Spirit had
directed me. The reason I gave the money to Bishop Nzowa is because he
knew who needed it the most. This was the closing service and everyone
was so very encouraged. The Bishop was really happy with the conference
and he said that the ministers and the people were very blessed and
encouraged. There was such a sense of unity and belonging created by the
conference. By coming together each minister now has a renewed desire,
and a feeling of being part of something bigger than their church. I
don’t know if we can even comprehend everything that God did thru the
conference. Again, what can I say except God is absolutely
wonderful?
After closing the conference and leaving Mlowo we went to Tunduma,
which is a town on the border of Tanzania and Zambia. After checking
into a hotel we crossed the border into Zambia to visit Bishop Nzowa’s
daughter. We had a good time of fellowship there and prayed for them and
their family. Then we went to find some supper, we had to stop at a
couple of restaurants before we found one that Bishop felt comfortable
with. Thank God he was looking out for me. At this point I had given him
all the money I had with the exception of about $57.00 which I was
keeping to get to South Africa. He would not even order any food. He
said he was going to eat with his brother. He also didn’t stay at the
same hotel because it was too expensive. However it was not a very nice
hotel according to our standards. It had a long drop in the bathroom
instead of a commode, but at least it had a shower with warm water.
On Tuesday we headed back for Mbeya where we were to take the train back
to Dar es Salaam. Bishop Nzowa’s wife had gotten malaria while we were
in Mlowo and had to go to the hospital for two days. We prayed a fervent
prayer on Monday in the closing service of the conference and I told
them she would be out of the hospital and would go back home to Dar es
Salaam with us. Praise God she did … Because of the
malaria she needed fresh vegetables to eat so we went to look for them
and missed the train. At 2:00pm the Bishop’s wife Edda and the other
ladies got on the train and it left without us. We then had to get a
taxi to take us far enough to get ahead of the train and board it at
another station. This train was a nightmare, it was 35 years old, the
bathrooms had no water and no paper and you could not use the bathroom
if it was stopped at the station. I’ll let you figure that out. It
stopped at every station on the track, about every 25 to 30 minutes. The
windows were down and diesel smoke was coming in. I had the top bunk and
it was awful… what an experience. 27 hours and 45 minutes later we
arrived in Dar es Salaam. I have never been more thankful to get off of
anything in all my life. I threw up my hands and praised God as soon as
I stepped off. The time is now 15 minutes to 5:00pm on Wednesday. We
finally got back to the Bishop’s house about 7:00pm. I would like to
tell you that the nightmare was over, but there is one more day.
After a bath, a meal and a good night sleep I rose on Thursday ready for
the next ten days in South Africa. The day was off to a good start.
First of all I went and emailed my wife. Bishop Nzowa and I then went to
look at trucks to get some idea of how much money we needed to purchase
a truck for him. Then we went down town to the fish market and took some
pictures of me standing in the edge of the Indian Ocean. I asked the
Bishop if we needed to head for the airport several times, but he said
we had plenty of time. We had a soda, a snack, and enjoyed looking
across the bay. Finally we headed for the airport and the traffic was
horrible. Long story short we got to the airport at 3:00pm and my flight
was at 3:20pm. The flight was closed and I was upset. I had a little
talk with the Bishop about respecting my time and we went upstairs to
rebook my flight for the following morning. After that we left the
airport about 4:00pm and went into the city to email my wife and call
Pastor George Paige to let him know I would not be there to open the
conference on Friday morning. Because of the rush hour traffic we
finally got back to Bishop Nzowa’s house at 8:00pm. I was so
disappointed but God really helped me. We had a good supper, but I
didn’t sleep very well that night. Friday morning I rose early
determined not to miss my flight again. My flight was at 10:20am and I
was at the airport at 7:30am. Thank God for a successful mission to
Tanzania.
I
had asked God Thursday night to connect me with someone on the way to
Cape Town and he did. I met a wonderful Christian man at the airport in
Dar es Salaam that bought me breakfast, let me use his phone and gave me
300 rand for the ministry... God is so good. Since he was also going
home to Cape Town, I was on the same flight and he helped me get thru
the airport in Johannesburg. Thank God for answered prayer. We got to
Cape Town at about 5:15pm and Pastor George and two of his elders picked
me up and we were off to the Easter Conference. I got to the church in
time to get a shower and go right into the service, and wow what a
service it was. After giving my last fifty dollars and the offering that
my new Christian brother gave me my pockets were empty. The service was
powerful and 3 people were saved. I was so happy to see so many Pastors
there. God is really raising Pastors George and Ingrid Paige up to bring
unity to the churches. After the service the Pastors were invited for
some food and fellowship. Before we got started, a tall young preacher
came up to me and gave me a nice watch. He said it was the best he had
at the time. 1 really liked the watch and wore it proudly the next day
showing off my blessing. On Saturday night I had no money for the
offering and I felt lead to sow my new watch…the Bible says that God
gives seed to the sower so I sowed my watch. That night after service a
man came up to Pastor George and bought my watch back for me... Praise
God!!!
I will not share as many details about South Africa due to the length of
the letter. We closed out the Easter conference on Sunday night with 5
people saved many healed and everyone present on a spiritual high. On
Monday I had a rest day and we drove around and saw some of the beauty
of greater Cape Town. It is a beautiful place with the mountains and the
seas. I spent Monday and Tuesday night with Dave and Pat Donald. On
Tuesday Dave took me on a nice drive which included Cape Point where the
currents of the two oceans meet...the Atlantic and the Indian oceans. It
was a very relaxing and enjoyable day with my new friend. I had a
preaching engagement that night and on Wednesday morning we went to a
men’s breakfast where I also spoke for a few minutes. I went to preach
Wednesday night at Manenburg where Pastor George’s brother Richard is
the Pastor. It seemed that the service that night lifted my spirit and I
was ready to finish my assignment. I preached Thursday night and Friday
night. Saturday morning we had a Pastors breakfast and I spoke on
relationships. Pastor George shared my burden for the Tanzanians and
received an offering of 972 rand which is about $150.00. I felt that I
was supposed to match it so I did a bit more and sent $319.57 which is
about 2000 rand. Sunday morning I preached under a tent in a place
called Saron about an hour and a half from Cape Town. There was a strong
prophetic anointing in that place and 5 people were saved and several
were healed of sugar diabetes and other problems. I finished that night
in the Sowers Of The Word Church in Cape Town with another strong
prophetic message that confirmed the direction of the church. On Monday
I finally got to go to Table Mountain and it is magnificent, the views
are so beautiful... God is so wonderful...
When all was said and done there were about 15 people added to the
kingdom, many healed and hundreds encouraged by the powerful Word of
God. Thank you for being my partner. I am praying for you every day and
I know that God will continue to bless you for your connection to this
ministry.
To View Pictures Of the Africa Trip (Click
Here)
Partners For The Harvest,
His For The Kingdom,
Thomas Meares
Rev. Thomas Meares
Teaching ~
Helping ~ Releasing ~ Because
Your Success Matters
Ministry to Guatemala November 2005
December 27, 2005
Dear Partner,
Choice greetings to you my dear friend, I just
wanted you to know that I am praying for you. I believe that God has
something fabulous you in 2006. Thank you for your prayers and financial
supporting the past year and also thank you in advance for partnering
with me in 2006. My prayer is that God will overwhelm you with His
presence and power as you pursue Him in the New Year.
My trip to Guatemala was
a great success. Many were encouraged by the power of the Holy Spirit.
You should have seen the smiling faces of the children as they were fed
by the staff of Cocina Del Amor along with my sister Christina. They
were especially happy when she gave all of them lollipops. Their smiles
were priceless and it was worth every effort we invested to witness
their happiness.
I gave all that I had,
even though I still owed the price of my airline ticket ($514.00). I
also blessed Pastor Christian with three suits which I charged on my
credit card. When God speaks we must be obedient. I know that my reward
is looking for me because I have been obedient to God’s voice. On the
last night of the crusade I preached on the power of the seed and
received an offering for the church in excess of $4,000.00, to God is
the Glory… The church is in a rented building and God has challenged
them to acquire their own property. Please pray for The House of Bread
and Praises Church and Pastor Christian Maldonado and his family as they
pursue God’s best for them. Apostle Jose Alvarez has invited me to do a
crusade with him in Nicaragua. I also have an open invitation from
Pastor Christian to go back to The House of Bread and Praises Church.
Bishop Stephano Nzowa,
founder of Agape International Fellowship Centers has asked me to be the
Mark or Father of his College, Agape International Bible College in
Tanzania. In August he asked me to send curriculum and when the fall
session closed I was asked to prepare diplomas for the sixteen people
who received a Diploma in Leadership. I will be returning to Tanzania in
April to minister personally to the graduates and hold a special
Ordination Service. After my time in Tanzania I will be going to Cape
Town, South Africa for a special Easter Crusade at The House of Healing
Christian Center with Pastors George & Ingrid Paige. I will also be
going to England for Apostle Chritchley’s annual conference in July and
several other trips which dates have not been set for as yet.
Wow, these are just some
highlights of what we have done and what we are anticipating in 2006.
If you could help with any of the ongoing projects, upcoming events or
just help us get back in the black going into the New Year, please know
I will be most appreciative. Thank you again for being my friend and
partner. Please write or email me with any prayer needs, the email
address is thomas@thomasmeares.com . I am praying that the
Rest of your life will be the Best of
your life. May the blessing of the Lord overtake you in this New Year.
To View Pictures Of
This Trip (Click Here)
Partners For The
Harvest,
His For The Kingdom,
Thomas Meares
Rev. Thomas Meares
Teaching ~
Helping ~ Releasing ~ Because
Your Success Matters
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