Our Two Apprentices are Here!

Praise God! Two Apprentices Just Joined Us

Bryan Jackson and Erick Johnson interned with us last summer and joined us in March as apprentices! Erick is serving in the Community Development Team as a software developer, and Bryan across SonSet Solutions in some key operational roles.​​ We've needed young people with these kinds of skillsets for some time, and are trusting the Lord for more! We also have the pleasure of hosting Erick as he serves here.

A Great 2022 Spiritual Retreat!

Our spiritual retreat was held at the end of March. We praise the Lord that we were able to take a day of spiritual refreshment focusing on our theme of “Investing for Eternity.” Pastor Phil Jerome from Prairieview Missionary Church was our guest speaker. We were also able to spend time in praise and worship led by Cody Collier from WFRN.

The challenge was good, and the fellowship was sweet. John is on the spiritual enrichment committee who planned this annual event. Many thanks to them! They also led us through some fun activities including a trivia game, logo knowledge quiz, and even a team, paper-airplane contest (Jean's design won!)

Delaware Bible Church (Ohio) Missions Conference

We were really pleased to be invited to participate in Delaware Bible Church's annual missions conference. We were able to share during one of the services, participate in a life group, have a part of the kids' program during the conference, and be able to sit on a panel during one of the sessions. Praise to God and thanks to Delaware for having us there! The fellowship was great, our hosts were great, and the church has the most willing children who volunteer easily.

Praises

1. Our two apprentices Erick and Bryan began service this past month. We praise the Lord that they have reached 100% of their financial support.
2. We praise the Lord for a good and busy time spent at Delaware Bible Church at the end of March.

Requests

1. ​Please pray for two appointees who continue to build their support team.
2. Ask the Lord for the ministry workers we need to fill key roles. "The harvest is plentiful, the workers are few...."
3. As COVID-19 continues to fade, please ask the Lord to open many doors wide going forward for worldwide ministry.

Already Seeing Impact in Uganda

We appreciate the financial gifts and prayers of our partners for the gospel. We are excited when they want to partner with us on a deeper level! For example, sending a work team to serve alongside us at SonSet Solutions for a day is one way. 

One of our churches was thinking outside the box when they explored a possible collaboration between SonSet Solutions and their church to work with one of the other missionaries or mission organizations they support. They explored ways that SonSet could provide a solution for another missionary overseas they support to make a three-way partnership. 

Working with SonSet Solutions, they chose to enhance and further the ministry of a pastor and church planter in Iganga, Uganda by sending a Solar Media Center (SMC) from SonSet Solutions – providing a technology solution for Pastor Ronald of Liberty Transformation Church. 

Mike Tapia, our SonSet Solutions Power Team leader, traveled to Uganda in January and was able to install a SMC. There are several stories of God's provision during his trip there.  We praise the Lord for that on his trip there. The photo below shows Mike Tapia (far right) and Pastor Ronald is next to him. Pastor Ronald's wife is also pictured.

Though the church is located between two Muslim mosques, Pastor Ronald has seen growth in the church from five members in a house church situation to around 200 members.
Recently, we received communication from Pastor Ronald of the impacts that this Solar Media Center has already made. Here is a summary:

1. They are able to watch the Jesus Film and other visual Bible stories on their mobile devices. People are able to sit at the church and watch these movies, and this has transformed the girls and boys who are being mentored to become ministers and servants of God.
2. The loud speakers have allowed the church to penetrate the community, which is mostly Muslim. They play gospel music, sermons, and Bible reading audio right from the church's media room.
3. Sunday school children are able to watch the story of Jesus and learn about Jesus this way.
4. By using the solar power, the church's power consumption has been reduced to 50% of what it was.
5. The solar power has allowed the church premises' lights to remain on continually. This was a problem in the past due to the power shortages and load sharing in Uganda.

In addition, Mike had this story to add: As Mike and three local men were installing the system, a young boy appeared at the door where Mike was working. Unable to speak English, the boy held out a smartphone. Sensing what the youngster wanted, Mike took the device from him and connected the boy to the SMC. Soon the boy was able stream the Jesus Film on the phone.

We praise the Lord for his work to bring this collaborative effort together. We give God the glory for this, as only He could put this all together! It is wonderful being part of one body in Christ.

Praises

• Praise the Lord for our partners–we appreciate your prayers and deep giving. You are so faithful and are great reflections of God's faithfulness.

• ​We praise the Lord for a good time with family as we celebrated Chinese New Year. We enjoyed favorite Chinese foods together as we remember those who have gone before us.

Requests

• Please pray for Pastor Ronald and Liberty Transformation Church in Iganga, Uganda as they minister to their community on newer levels.

• ​Two more SMC units are being installed in the Dominican Republic soon. Please pray for the pastors and ministries who will soon utilize the SMC to expand their reach

The Calculations are In!

 February 2022 Update

Using the software that John has written, we can say that during 2021, SonSet Solutions assisted 120 ministries in 46 countries via equipment, service, consultation, training, and partnership development. We praise the Lord for his work during this peculiar time in history as COVID-19 and its management has led to many unexpected situations. but the Lord's work has continued and we praise Him for it!

So many times, we fail to see God's hand in situations! God is the one who connects, provides, and continues the strands into one cohesive plan.

Our president, David Russell, was able to experience this very thing when he traveled to Peru in December to provide technical help for a radio broadcaster. He saw God's hand in "at least three generations of technical ministry workers in Peru."

You can read this full story on our website:https://sonsetsolutions.org/it-began-in-peru-at-least-a-lifetime-ago/

We had the privilege of representing SonSet Solutions at Cedarville's GO (Global Outreach) Conference. We were pleased to meet so many.

The speaker was great! In addition, please pray for the students that we met who are possibly interested in SonSet Solutions and possibly a 2022 summer internship. 

We are grateful that we could coordinate this visit to Cedarville with a visit to our friends in Xenia, Ohio, especially all those at Cornerstone Bible Church. What a blessing to see them and be hosted by one of their families!

We are so grateful for all those who partner with SonSet Solutions in prayer and gifts. 

The financial partners that SonSet Solutions has are amazing! God has been a gracious provider, and it has been evident as we prepared annual statements for mailing and emailing.

This was a new task to Jean and she was grateful for all the help she got from John and others in the office to get these out in January!

​We thank the Lord for provision that allows us to abound in his work!

 

Praises

1. ​We praise the Lord for a much-needed getaway at the end of 2021 to New Orleans.
2. We are thankful for our families and friends.

Requests

1. ​Please pray that the Lord will bring new workers and opportunities to 2022.
2. ​That the Lord would continue to allow us to serve well in these expanded roles.