CBC-Colorado student, Nadine Reitz, shares the love of God with a little girl in Nicaragua. (Click to enlarge)

CBC-Colorado's 2013 Nicaragua team. (Click to enlarge)This CBC team ministered primarily to children in Managua, the Granada Islands and on the Island of Ometepe. The students performed skits, street dramas and puppet shows to engage the youth. They also preached, offered prayer, and passed out food, toys and necessities to the community.

While the humanitarian aid and ministry were warmly received, the CBC students could not look past the hurt behind many of the children's eyes. The pain perceived by CBC student, Marie Marsden, overwhelmed her. Marie said she saw sadness in many of the littlest girls and some middle and high school-aged children. "My heart just broke for them. I know that sexual abuse is rampant in Nicaragua. I was told by a team member from Ambassadors to the Nations that one out of every three girls is sexually violated on a regular basis," Marie shared.

Marie Marsden (right) with several Nicaraguan young ladies.
(Click to enlarge)The team saw some difficult living situations, particularly for the children. Marie came upon these situations regularly, and began to feel weighed down, so she turned to the Holy Spirit for comfort. In spite of the language barrier between Marie and the Spanish speaking communities, God was not hindered in moving among each and every divine encounter Marie experienced. "Not being able to speak the language, in some ways, made it easier to focus intently on the leading of the Holy Spirit while we were ministering. We saw the Spirit of God touch people’s hearts and lives—moving them to tears. We also saw bondages loosed, and the spirit of joy released in those for whom we prayed. Most enjoyable were the smiles which came from the beautiful children’s faces. Sadly though, we were not able to draw smiles from all the children," said Marie.

Gillian Moore (right).
(Click to enlarge)Gillian Moore was also touched by her trip to Nicaragua, and her experience solidified her call to the mission field. Through this trip, Gillian was able to see God working all things together for good. Before she left for Central America, the Lord brought people, even some unbelievers, to help her prepare for her journey. People at work found out that Gillian was going on a mission trip, and they offered to provide the supplies she needed for the journey. Gillian said, "They really did help. They gathered crafts and toys, candy, women’s articles, and clothing. They pretty much filled my check-in bag, and we were able to distribute these items all over the place."

Gillian enjoyed the ministry in Nicaragua, the laughing, playing and dancing, and she said it was a rewarding experience. Among those to whom Gillian was able to minister were the two children she sponsors through Ambassadors' Sponsorship Program. "I was able to meet both of my sponsored children in Ometepe, and together with a fellow student, was able to minister to the mother of my one young boy who was in a difficult home situation. I am trusting that this home will continue to CBC Student, Jon Wolter, helps to paint the walls behind these young boys. (Click to enlarge)grow in the love of the Lord because of this ministry," she said.

Both Marie and Gillian mentioned the simplicity of making a difference in someone's life; it is the willingness to say, "Here I am Lord, send me."

I believe God is calling me to missions in the future, and going to Nicaragua has rekindled a flame that I thought had died out. I believe God wants His children to hear His heart, His love for the nations, and be willing to go. I am saying, "Here I am, Lord—Send me!"

Mark and Charla Eastwood, Directors of Charis Bible College in Kansas City. (Click to enlarge)

As they sought the Lord, He led them to watch Kenneth Copeland’s television program, where they heard truths of God’s Word that they had never before been taught. Once they got a glimpse of all God had for them, they became immersed in learning more of His Word and His ways: “We learned about Mark and Charla on their second-year mission trip to Mexico in 2001.
(Click to enlarge)divine healing, which we knew nothing about,” says Mark. “I prayed for Charla, and the sinus headaches she’d been plagued with almost daily for more than two decades were gone, never to return. We were off and running!”

After several years of walking with the Lord in a Spirit-led relationship, God put it on their hearts to attend Bible college. They had no idea where to begin searching for a Bible college, but God did. God led Mark into a conversation on his construction job site one day, and he was given a cassette tape of one of Charla teaching in Mexico. The outreach began while there was still daylight, and according to Charla, there were not many in attendance. By the time the team gave an altar call, more than 120 people came forward from the shadows to receive Jesus. Out of darkness into the Light! (Click to enlarge)Andrew’s teachings.

After learning more about Andrew and his ministry, they also discovered that he had a Bible college. At the time, Charis Bible College (CBC) Colorado was Andrew’s only college, so the Eastwoods began their studies via the correspondence program. After finishing their first-year courses, they relocated to Colorado Springs to complete the second-year program.

At CBC, the Eastwoods learned about God’s grace and love, how to live victorious Christian lives, and how to pray effectively—for themselves and for others. Charla recalls, “We were trained to minister. We volunteered on the prayer line, we effectively ministered discipleship, and we even traveled to other countries to minister.” In May of 2001, In 2012, the Eastwoods became the Directors of CBC-Kansas City. Here students attend class at the extension school. (Click to enlarge)the Eastwoods became graduates of CBC-Colorado.

Upon graduation, Mark and Charla returned to Kansas and began serving as prayer ministers at Gospel Truth Seminars around the country. “Using the training we had received at school, along with the opportunity for practical application, we were able to minister God’s love and grace to hundreds—seeing signs, wonders, and miracles following,” said Mark.

During this time, God arranged many divine appointments for the Eastwoods, and they began holding local Bible Mark and Charla speaking during a special event. CBC-Colorado's Healing School held a special seminar at CBC-Kansas City. (Click to enlarge) studies and meetings, where they taught the Discipleship Evangelism program while ministering and praying for people. In 2011, God opened a door for them to intern with CBC-Kansas City when the director, Cody Hull, relocated to Houston to start a new CBC. In March 2012, the Eastwoods were chosen to take the helm as directors at CBC-Kansas City.

“The 2012-2013 school year has been an exciting one,” said Charla. “The college relocated, we have all- new classes for first-year students, and we have hungry students who are learning Mark (center) praying for a pastor in Nicaragua. To Mark's left is CBC-Florida's Director, Danon Winter. (Click to enlarge)and growing quickly... Our second-year class has already been on a mission trip to Nicaragua, where they saw blind eyes opened and many physical ailments healed, along with salvations and baptisms in the Holy Spirit.”

Mark and Charla have caught Andrew’s vision of planting Charis Bible Colleges all over the world. They have seen firsthand how the message of God’s goodness and grace that is taught at CBC is both life giving and life changing. As the newest directors of CBC-Kansas City, the Eastwoods have the opportunity to impact their home community—and ultimately the world—in a bigger way than they ever thought possible. And it all started with a teaching tape that led them to CBC over ten years ago.

CBC-Colorado staff and students in front of the Berlin Cathedral, Oberpfarr- und Domkirche (Supreme Parish and Collegiate Church). (Click to enlarge)

Students performing a drama in the center of Berlin, Alexanderplatz, with the International World Clock in the background. (Click to enlarge)In mid-April, 23 students and three leaders from Colorado Springs, including, CBC Mission Coordinator, Michelle Patterson, visited Cologne and Berlin. For nearly two weeks, the Colorado team was hosted by Jeff and Barb Serio and their Berlin-based ministry, European Initiative, and they spent most of their time ministering on the streets and in the open spaces of both cities.

Some aspects of the street ministry were a stretch for one CBC student, Justin McCormick. "I was way outside of my element," Justin said, "Dancing and skits just aren't my thing. However, I was committed to doing the Lord's work."

Although Justin soon realized that the trip was not about what he was comfortable with, but about blessing the people of Germany, he found that he was having limited success ministering to After watching one of the street performances, the two young ladies (left of center) had just received Jesus.
(Click to enlarge)the people after each performance. Justin asked God to show him what the problem was, and God quickly responded. Justin said, "I asked God, 'What's the deal?' He said, 'Quit leaning unto your own understanding. Trust me, and I will fill your mouth.'"

Instantly, Justin thought of Proverbs 3:5-6 and Revelation 12:11, and with newfound boldness, he approached two girls from the crowd and began to tell them about the skit they had just watched. As he spoke, he asked if they had ever heard of Jesus, to which they both replied, "No." As he shared Christ, he stopped mid-sentence and looked at the girl to his left and said, "You have heard of Jesus. In fact, you have heard a lot about Him, and have been considering asking Him into your heart." The girl began to cry, and the Holy Spirit prompted Justin to share more with her. Moments later, she accepted Marcus Gresham (second from right) stands with some young men who received Jesus as their Savior.
(Click to enlarge)Jesus as her Savior.

"On this trip I learned to trust God and let Him do the work. I stepped out in faith, and He did the rest," said Justin.

CBC student, Marcus Gresham, also found that as he spoke to the people of Germany, the Lord filled his mouth with His words. Marcus said, "Sometimes I spoke to groups as large as ten people. No matter the size, the Holy Spirit downloaded everything to me that I was to say to them. It was just like the instructors of CBC have taught—God will give you the right words to speak in that moment of time. The results were astounding! I personally was able to see 33 people make the decision to follow Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior."

The CBC team working with another ministry, Christliches Jugendzentrum Orenienburg, to help remodel a home to be used for child foster care.
(Click to enlarge)Another CBC student, Tim Spadino, came across a group of Muslim students visiting from nearby Belgium. Tim found that one student was suffering with pain from a broken knee, and he offered to pray for him. "I offered to pray and he accepted, so Jeff [Serio] and I put our hands on his knee and commanded the pain to leave. Then I asked him to move it around, and he got super excited and started running around and saying, 'It's a miracle!' His teachers came over and asked what was going on. With a big smile, I told them to ask the boy about his knee. Then I got to tell them that Jesus was the One that healed him. They had to leave before anybody could accept Jesus, but I'm confident that this will change their view about Jesus—a little bit."

Letting Jesus' light shine in Germany—Hard to miss enthusiasm like this! (Click to enlarge)With each mission trip to Germany, more and more seeds are planted in the hearts of the German people, and the harvest for each team continues to grow. “This is my third time to lead a team to Germany, and I can see God moving, opening doors and transforming lives. The first team we took in 2011, only saw two people receive Christ. In 2012, we saw 44 salvations, and now this year, we had 121 people to accept Christ during our street ministry...The people are hungry, searching and opening up to receive," said Michelle.

CBC-Colorado graduate and director of CBC-Florida's Clermont campus, Terry Hull and his wife Melanie. (Click to enlarge)

Terry's job required that he work in tight spaces, often while carrying and maneuvering heavy equipment in those cramped quarters. In 2001, Terry suffered a herniated disk in his lower back, which led to an excruciating case of sciatica. The pain in Terry's back became so uncomfortable that standing and sitting were unbearable. Even doctor prescribed pain medications would not alleviate Terry's discomfort. At the time, the only place Terry was able to find relief was flat on his back on the floor.

Approximately six months after Terry was injured, Melanie's mother, Eva Coldiron, gave her one of Andrew's teachings, You've Already Got It. Eva had just seen Andrew minister at a church in Colorado Springs, and she felt impressed to share his teaching with Terry.

Andrew prays over the Hulls, including their sixth child, Kate Evelyn, whom the enemy tried to steal during the pregnancy. Melanie suffered miscarriage-like symptoms, and doctors repeatedly made claims of abnormalities including Kate having the markers for Down syndrome. The Hull's chose to believe God, and did not share the negative reports. The baby was born without Downs and remains perfectly healthy. (Click to enlarge) Melanie was vaguely aware of Andrew's presence on TV (she recalled changing the channel any time she saw him) but because of Terry's situation, she was happy to share the teaching with her husband. Terry had not heard of Andrew, but began listening to the tape from his mother-in-law. He played the message, not once, but over and over again. As he listened, Terry began to realize that he didn't have to wait any longer for God to answer his prayers for healing—he needed to receive what Jesus had already provided.

After listening to You've Already Got It about 50 times, Terry had a new revelation, and the gospel finally made sense to him. Within two months of receiving the teaching from Eva, Terry's back was totally healed. Because of the impact of Andrew's message, and because he wanted to know more, Terry enrolled in classes at Charis Bible College in Colorado Springs in the fall of 2001.

The message of God's grace and healing lit a fire inside Terry, and he would come home from classes excited to share what he had learned with Melanie. Over the course of Terry's two years at CBC, the Hull's lives were radically transformed, even down to the way they spoke to and interacted with their children. They had known that God Andrew, Jamie and the Hull's enjoy conversation outside the school in Jacksonville. (Click to enlarge)loved them, but they had never had their eyes opened to all that Jesus had purchased for them. This revelation of God's goodness changed their lives.

As Terry's graduation neared, the Lord began to lead the Hulls in a new direction—southeast—to Florida. God used Genesis 31:3, to lead Terry back to his homeland. Although they weren’t sure why they were to return to Florida, they knew that they knew God said He would be with them. Content in that promise, they made arrangements to relocate to Terry's hometown, after graduation, with the simple plan of living, continuing to raise their family, and getting involved in a local church.

Several years after their move, the director of CBC-Florida, Danon Winter, opened a secondary extension school in Orlando, and things became clearer for the Hulls. They realized that part of the reason they had been led to Florida was to be in a position to help with Classes at CBC-Clermont are currently offered on a part-time basis on Monday and Thursday evenings. The Hulls plan to offer full-time classes in the near future. Here, Terry (foreground) facilitates a DVD class.
(Click to enlarge)CBC-Florida's Orlando campus and the future expansion of CBC-Florida.

In an effort to be prepared to participate in CBC-Florida's continued growth, Melanie, now a mother of six, enrolled in first-year classes via the correspondence program, a program she hopes to complete this summer. As Melanie continues her studies, she and Terry have been part of the launch of another campus in Florida, about an hour south and west of CBC-Orlando. "We felt the Lord was leading us to start a school here in Clermont to make CBC classes more accessible to the west Orlando areas. After speaking with Danon and our pastor, the doors were literally flung open and we began our first year in September 2012. We have a church that is totally behind this, with the pastor attending all the classes as a student," said Melanie.

Melanie said that she and Terry would not trade the knowledge of the Word and the understanding of the peace of God that they now know for anything they had before attending CBC. "God used CBC to be the greenhouse of our spiritual growth. Before Andrew and CBC, we hoped God may heal us. Now we know that healing is ours. Andrew and Jamie stand with the Hulls and CBC-Clermont's first-year students. (Click to enlarge)We have seen sicknesses leave our children instantly by the Word. We have had miraculous provision in times of need. Now we walk in the blessings of God more than ever before and have the privilege of pouring these blessings out to others," she said.

As director and facilitator, the Hulls share the administrative duties of the school. Terry coordinates the schedule, and teaches live sessions, and Melanie helps facilitate DVD classes. As the current academic year draws to a close, the Hulls are looking forward to next year when, for the first time, they will accommodate both first and second-year students. They see a great opportunity to share the grace and faith message with the people of Clermont and the surrounding area.

CBC-Clermont currently offers classes on a part-time basis. Classes are held on Monday and Thursday nights. For more information visit the CBC-Florida website or Like Charis Bible College Clermont on facebook.

Second-year students from Charis Bible College in Colorado recently served on the mission field in Machala, Ecuador. (Click to enlarge)

CBC grad and missionary, Mickey Cartagena addresses men in a local drug rehab in Machala.
(Click to enlarge)

While looking at the cultural and regional diversity of the team, one student was prompted to ask God, "Why did you put this team together? How is this going to work, Lord?" The student's questions came while preparing for the trip as a team and evaluating the diverse make-up of the group. The student was concerned about the team being able to come together in unity to serve the Lord. "We were like an orchestra warming up, we sounded out of tune," the student said.

Jeremie Hill, with the assistance of the CBC team Co-leader and translator, Citlalli Macy, shared his testimony in the drug rehab. (Click to enlarge)An amazing thing happened by the time the team arrived in Ecuador, our Lord, The Conductor, began to lead His orchestra. The student remarked, "All the pieces fit together and sounded so beautiful. Everything we had prepared separately was exactly what was needed at the right time."

Not only did the Lord bring this team together, but He used them in mighty ways, so much so that the Cartagenas opened their recent ministry newsletter with the headline: "CBC Colorado brings 'Love in Any Language' to Machala & Huaquillas, Ecuador."

Jeremie (bottom right) extends his hand in blessing and prayer.
(Click to enlarge)Mickey said, "As the team ministered in the home groups, in the church services, and in a rehabilitation center, they all ministered with the power of God’s love. How awesome it was to see the countenance on the people’s faces change as they encountered God’s unconditional love."

CBC student, Jeremie Hill, won't soon forget his time in Ecuador. He was given the opportunity to share his real-life prodigal son story at a drug rehab facility for men. Jeremie gave his victorious testimony, an account of coming out of the drug and alcohol scene after spending nearly a decade running from God. After Jeremie and a Jeremie, John (center, hand on man's back) and the team during a powerful time of prayer with the men who responded to the altar call.
(Click to enlarge)classmate, John Leong, shared their stories of hope with the residents, they gave an altar call to accept the love and forgiveness that Jesus had for each them—the same love that had saved them. About a dozen men came forward to receive Jesus. Jeremie said, "I was ecstatic! Then, we gave an opportunity for them to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit...even more men came forward at that point!" Nearly 30 men went forward in all.

"We saw healings, salvations, and the Holy Spirit move everywhere we were allowed to teach—even in the park and especial at the drug rehab center. It blessed me to be a part of this Ecuador team," said CBC student, Jane Montague.

Jane (pink) and the CBC team performed a puppet show for kid's in a children's home. (Click to enlarge)Jane also shared that the one thing that touched her heart the most was when the team visited the children's home. The home named, La Casita de Mi Sueños (Little House of My Dreams) is a place for children from broken homes, homes where the parents are drug addicts and where the children had been severely abused. In the home Jane used a puppet show to teach a lesson about the Lost Sheep and how Jesus is like the shepherd. She made sure to point out how precious each person is to Jesus, including each one in the children's home. After the puppet show, 10 children came forward for salvation. Jane said, "I started crying to see God's plan come to life through that simple story. God sent me to Ecuador for that reason, and it was beautiful."

Mission: Bring the unconditional love of God to the people of Ecuador. Mission accomplished.

For a recap of the project's advancement, be sure to check out Andrew's previous updates, which have included the arrival of the earth movers, the leveling of the land, the foundation excavation, the preparation for the basement walls, piping in the water, the completion of the basement support structure and the enclosure of the south-facing wall. Each of these videos documents the progress as Charis Bible College's new campus continues to take shape.

Workers prepare to lay the rebar floor support for the Barn floor. (Click to enlarge) Workers methodically lay the rebar across the entire span of the floor. (Click to enlarge)

Cement trucks provide a steady stream of cement for the pouring of the floor. (Click to enlarge) Many hands on deck working feverishly to spread the cement. (Click to enlarge)

One man guides the flow of cement as many others spread it evenly. (Click to enlarge) The floor is poured and leveled using a variety of tools. (Click to enlarge)

The pour continues as this worker guides the cement onto the rebar reinforced floor. (Click to enlarge) These machines are used to level and finish the floor's surface. (Click to enlarge)

This update was filmed on March 7th, to view the most recent video update visit the Sanctuary Construction Update page on the ministry's main website.

CBC-Colorado students arrival in Russia. (L-R: Stan Goodman, Leonora Britton, Kimberly Kral, Clint Zeller, Cristina Goodman, Deborah Peters, Joanne Lawrence, Zoe Newton, and Dino Bridges [Not pictured: JB McKoy, Mark Jones and Sharayah Stitt]). (Click to enlarge)

The Colorado team was hosted by seasoned missionaries, Carrie and Mike Pickett, the Directors of Andrew Wommack Ministries Russia, and the CBC extension school, Charis Bible Training Center in St. Petersburg. The Picketts provided the visiting mission team with many opportunities to share God's unconditional love and grace with the Russian people. The Colorado second-year students taught the first-year students at CBTC in a classroom setting, they visited a drug rehab where they shared with individual Clint and Garrett praying for a young mother at the church in Korelia.
(Click to enlarge)groups of men and women, and they also visited a church several hours north of St. Petersburg.

Having heard the wonderful testimonies from previous mission teams, Colorado student, Clint Zeller, went to Russia anticipating having an amazing ministry experience. What he didn't expect was the way in which the Lord would minister to him. Through his time in Russia, Clint began to understand his relationship with Jesus in a new way.

"This trip helped me realize that I can stop questioning everything that comes to me, and just rest in Him. I don't think we realize how cluttered our lives are until we have a chance to step away, even Clint speaking on grace to first-year CBTC students through his interpreter Jules. (Click to enlarge) for a short time, and completely focus on Him. So many times we allow our minds to get in the way of what God is telling us, but His voice becomes much clearer when we can put everything aside and just allow Him to move through us. No matter what He calls us to, we can rest in the fact that we are blessed no matter where we are. We don't have to worry about anything because He is with us. It took a trip to the other side of the planet for me to figure this out, but it's definitely something I won't forget," said Clint.

One of the places the team had the opportunity to minister was at a small village church in northwestern Russia, in the Republic of Karelia. The church recently started a small Bible school and Stan, Cristina, and Kimmy, praying for healing for a man at the church in Korelia. (Click to enlarge)was hungry for more teaching of the Word. The students spent a couple of nights teaching, sharing testimonies and praying for the people in the congregation.

For one CBC student, JB McKoy, the visit to the church in Karelia provided the opportunity to minister one-on-one to a former prison inmate. JB said that the man, Dema, had been in prison for the past six years. He had been on and off drugs, and he was afraid of falling back into drug dependence. JB was able to pray with him over the course of the two nights in Karelia and he was able to encourage Dema in the sufficiency of God's love to keep him on the right path.

JB also enjoyed ministering in front of a larger crowd at CBTC. "I had the wonderful opportunity to share my life-changing message on renewing the mind with over twenty Russian first-year students, plus the team and school JB McKoy (right) sharing his message with students at CBTC.
(Click to enlarge)staff," JB said.

JB put everything he had into his message and its delivery and was excited to see the students' expressions as the message began to resonate with them at what JB perceived to be a heart level. He saw the students writing down the many Scripture references he shared, and he knew the Word would have a tremendous impact. At the conclusion of JB's teaching, he gave each student a gift, a matted print he had made of a butterfly picture with a Scriptural message of hope and encouragement written in Russian.

Clint and JB's experiences are just two more examples of the wonderful way the Lord weaves his love and grace into the ministry that takes place on the mission field as CBC students go forth proclaiming the Good News.

A mission team from CBC-Colorado praying for people after a service in Costa Rica. (Click to enlarge)

CBC-Colorado's mission team on the ground in Costa Rica. (Click to enlarge)The McHoods provided the students with ample opportunity to put into practice the ministry training they have received at CBC. The team spent time evangelizing neighborhoods through door-to-door ministry; they taught in churches and schools and visited a local rehabilitation center. Each opportunity yielded measurable fruit.

For CBC student, Dalton Mixon, that measurable fruit came in the form of healing. After an evening outreach, which included a series of teachings and the sharing of student testimonies, Dalton had the opportunity to minister to a man who came forward for prayer. Although Dalton Mixon as Jesus during a skit performed at a rehab center.
(Click to enlarge)the two were hindered by a language barrier, Dalton understood by way of hand and facial gestures, that the man was suffering from severe back pain. It was Dalton's prayer that the man would feel a warmth come over his body as he laid his hands on him. Dalton hoped the warmth would overcome the language barrier and that the man would realize he was healed. When Dalton finished praying for the man, he invited an interpreter over to bridge the gap in communication. The interpreter told Dalton that the man said he had felt a warm sensation in his back and that he knew he was healed. The man also said that there was still a small pinch when Dalton praying with a young man.
(Click to enlarge)he bent over all the way. Dalton was unwilling to compromise; he expected a full healing. Dalton spoke again to the man's back, and the pinch and pain left immediately. Later one of the CBC intern leaders, Marcelo, who speaks fluent Spanish, followed up with the man and explained to him that it wasn’t Dalton who had healed him, but that it was God. Marcelo stressed this for the man's benefit, pointing out that tomorrow Dalton would be gone, but God would never leave him.

CBC student, Maria Seppälä, experienced the Lord as He led her to step out of the shadows and into the front lines of ministry.
(Click to enlarge)Another CBC student, Maria Seppälä, experienced the Lord in a different way, and her fruit manifested on a freeing internal level. As she prepared for the trip to Costa Rica, Maria realized that her primary expectation for the trip was to actively participate in the ministry opportunities presented to her on the mission field. Maria felt that she had been hiding behind her husband for some time, with the perspective that he was the one God was able to use, and that she was just along for the ride.

Once on the ground in Costa Rica, Maria stepped out of her husband's shadow and out of her comfort zone. On more than one occasion, Maria found that the Holy Spirit led her to It is the goodness of God that leads to repentance... The team's bus driver, Johnathan, was so impressed by what he saw in the team's witness that he gave his life to Christ. Here he is being baptized by Marcelo Duarte and Francis Ansah. (Click to enlarge)minister to groups of people that have always been on her heart, and she found that ministering in those situations was exciting. "I have felt that I am called to love and help parents in their parenting, to help young couples with their marriages, and I know that I want to see children growing in their personal relationship with their Lord and sharing the good news. During the mission trip I was excited as I realized that most of the ministry opportunities that I had, took place among these groups of people. I loved being in those situations and I felt that ministry was easy," Maria said excitedly.

Some of the CBC-Colorado mission team, including Kelsey Hamilton (far right) pause for a picture on the busy streets of Chennai, India. (Click to enlarge)

Over the course of the nine days they spent in India, the Colorado team had the opportunity to teach at the school, participate in a local community outreach, minister in churches and during The team stands in front of a promotional banner for a youth celebration. (Click to enlarge)open-air crusades, and they traveled to a gypsy village. They also visited a home for destitute women and an orphanage for HIV-positive children. At each of the two latter places, the student's close interaction with the residents gave the women and the children a taste of love, laughter, life, and in a way, the very nearness of God and His unconditional love.

For one student, Kelsey Hamilton, the journey to India was a dream come true. Before ever hearing about Andrew or CBC, Kelsey had a vivid dream in which she saw herself in the busy streets of India. She knew in her spirit that the dream was of God, and it was her call to the mission field.

CBC staff and students, including CBC-India Director, Lance Weldgen (left) and CBC-Colorado team leader, Dr. Delron Shirley (right).
(Click to enlarge)After learning about CBC, and moving to Colorado to attend, Kelsey found that one of the graduation requirements is the completion of a foreign mission trip. Although at the time, her trip was more than a year away, she immediately asked God where He wanted her to go. As she reviewed the destination options, she remembered the dream she had about India. She scanned the available trips with excitement, but her enthusiasm was dampened as she realized that there were no trips scheduled for India. Kelsey then heard the Lord tell her to call forth a trip to India. She spent the rest of her first year speaking forth her opportunity to minister in India. During her second year, when the time came for students to submit their choices for their preferred mission trip destinations, India had been added to the roster!

Kelsey Hamilton and Divia. Since the trip, Delron has had the opportunity to arrange for Kelsey to return to India this summer to teach English in the Northeastern part of the country!
(Click to enlarge)Throughout her times of prayer, calling forth India as her destination and praying for the people of India, Kelsey continued to have visions of things to come (John 16:13). One such vision included the image of a little Indian girl; when Kelsey saw the girl in her mind's eye, she wept.

During the team's actual visit to the gypsy village, Kelsey came face-to-face with the little girl she had seen in her vision. "Right when I saw her, I knew she was the one I had wept over. She was so dirty and her hair was matted, but she was so beautiful. When she saw me, she clung to me, so I held her the whole time. The one time I did have to put her down, I gave her to her mom, and she was crying and reaching for me; talk about breaking my heart. Her mom handed her back to me and asked, 'You take her to America with you?' I wanted to more than anybody knows. I asked what her name was and was told, 'Divia.' I looked it up and it means, 'Heavenly.' Meeting Divia changed my life," said Kelsey.

Kelsey knew before she went to India that God called her to go there, and now that she has visited, she continues to think about and pray for India and its beautiful people. "I long for the day that I can go back. On this trip I grew closer in my relationship with my heavenly Father and feel so privileged that He chose me and called me to India," said Kelsey.

Francesca spent her childhood unaware of true affection, and sustained constant physical and psychological abuse at the hands of those with whom she should have been safest.

Recently Francesca stumbled upon Andrew's Gospel Truth program. At first she thought he was the most boring preacher on television, and she would change the channel when he would come on. "He wasn't the flashy, screaming, slapping-people-on-the-foreheads, selling-prayer-cloths-and-healing-water kind of guy. He just sat there and talked—like he was having a conversation with a friend in his living room," Francesca shared. Andrew's calm demeanor was too boring to keep her anxious mind interested for very long. Then, one morning, after a horrible night of not sleeping, struggling with panic attacks, flashbacks, and every other symptom that comes with PTSD, Francesca turned the TV on and there was Andrew teaching about hope. Hope—something Francesca had lost a As a child, Francesca misunderstood inappropriate contact as affection.long time ago. She had prayed to God for years to be healed, delivered, rescued and restored from the trauma she had suffered at the hands of those with whom she should have been safest. She begged, pleaded desperately and tried to make deals with God, all to no avail.

Something was different about that morning as she listened to Andrew. Suddenly, Francesca was filled with hope and she craved, in her own words, "literally, physically craved more of his teachings." She visited Andrew's website in search of more materials and was shocked and pleased to find all of his teachings downloadable and free. "I started downloading and listening day and night until I got so tired, I'd fall asleep listening," said Francesca.

After soaking in the revelation of Jesus found throughout Andrew's messages, Francesca decided to rededicate her life to Jesus. She called Andrew's Help Line and a prayer The trauma sustained during childhood, negatively affected Francesca's judgment as an adult. minister helped her receive Salvation. Since that day, Francesca has been devouring Andrew's teachings. "I have given up watching TV. I'm just not interested anymore and yet, before that, TV was my constant companion, the one thing that served as a distraction from my situation. Now, all I want to listen to is Andrew's teachings, and I have set my alarm for 7:20 a.m. every morning, so I can start my day by watching him on TV every weekday at 7:30 a.m., which is when The Gospel Truth airs here in Toronto," said Francesca enthusiastically.

What modern medicine and psychiatry couldn't do in 27 years, Andrew's Christ-centered teachings accomplished in a few short days. Francesca is now completely free of all PTSD-related symptoms and she says she has a peace that surpasses all understanding. "I was so mad at God for not answering my prayers, so much so that I had become suicidal. I didn't care if I went to hell because I was already living in hell here The crushing weight of her youth coupled with multiple abortions and two failed marriages left Francesca suicidal. on earth. I was also at a point where I was seriously considering turning to the devil for help because I saw "bad" people living wonderful, healthy, free lives, and I was a prisoner in my own body and God wasn't helping me. I wanted the pain to stop so badly that if it meant turning to the devil for help, I was going to do it," said Francesca.

Finally, after being tortured for 27 painful years, Francesca has been delivered from the spirit of debilitating fear, and all her other debilitating, physical and psychological, symptoms are gone as well. Francesca is excited about life now. She feels good, and she has hope. Francesca said, "It wasn't God who wasn't doing anything, it was me who was doing all the wrong things. Now that I have finally been healed, I have to rebuild a life from scratch because everything I had and worked hard After hearing Andrew teach about the Hope found in Jesus, Francesca found true freedom! The revelation of Jesus set her free from a lifetime of torture.for, this debilitating fear took away: My career, my finances, my house, my marriage, my peace, my joy...and almost my faith in God."

While Francesca rebuilds her life free from the torment of anxiety, she has new-found desires in her heart. Besides having the desire to acquire and complete CBC's correspondence program, Francesca has hope-filled dreams of one day becoming a counselor. She also wants to be able to give back to Andrew's ministry. While her current financial situation prevents her from giving as generously as she would like, she has found another way to be a blessing; she has offered her time as a volunteer at the ministry's offices in Toronto.

Francesca is grateful for Andrew's ministry and his teaching of the Gospel Truth. She said, "You may very well have saved my life because while I did not want to kill myself (I'm a mom and therefore don't have the luxury of suicide) it certainly was something that entered my mind on a daily basis. I would say to myself, 'If this gets to a point where I really can't handle any more, I can always kill myself to make the pain and the fear stop.' Well, the pain and fear have stopped—thanks to God and to Andrew."