A hearing impaired member has offered to give sign language training to any in our community that want it. It will be Sundays from 12:30 to 1:30 at our building on Summit Road. It will start in June 2 and end on July 28. Ages 10 to 110 are welcome.

Contact us if you are interested and we will give you the details and answer any questions.
408-353-2302 / or mountainbible @ Gmail dot com.

Sunday, May 26 from noon to 3 PM you are invited to ‘stay local’ and join your neighbors for a picnic at Loma Prieta Elementary School.  Everyone is encouraged to bring anything that flies (kites, rockets, RC planes, etc.) and show it off to the rest of us.  Bring your own picnic.

Why don’t Catholics and the Protestants who accept the Apostles’ Creed do more together?

We will join with Christ Child Catholic Church for a 7 AM “sunrise” service. It will be followed by an Egg Hunt for the children at the Gazebo. Our regular services at our building will be held at 10 AM with Special Music and a special welcome to visitors that day.

We meet in the perfect place for such an event as it is between our two properties and in the community park with the Gazebo built by volunteers from all backgrounds. And there we will be, as Protestant and Catholic followers of Jesus, celebrating the key truth of both our groups … Jesus rose from the dead!

This is the type of important action our church focuses on taking. Jesus asked us to unite around Him, not around those who do everything just like us.

DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK CAMPING TRIP … APRIL 14-19
Sponsored by Mountain Bible Church
and Christ Child Catholic Church Youth Ministry.
Guided by CT English Middle School teacher David Kissner and Quest Ministries

Join us this Spring Break for a camping adventure in Death Valley National Park in California! Open to the greater CT English community and their families, we are heading to this amazing desert to experience God’s magnificent creation, learn about God through the hearing of His Word, to have fun, and to build lasting relationships and memories!
Activities
- Hiking through the narrows of Marble Canyon
- Climbing to the top of the 700 foot “Singing Sand Dunes” at
Eureka Dunes, the largest dunes in North America – Visiting the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere at
Badwater Basin at 282 feet below sea level
- Night hike under the stars through the Devil’s Corn Field
- Visiting Dante’s View, 5,800 feet above the salt flats below
- Ranger-led tour of historic “Scotty’s Castle,” and the colorful
stories of Death Valley in the 1920s
- Driving tours of various park highlights
- Afternoon pool swim
- Sleeping under the stars
- Evenings around a campfire
- Overcoming the hostility of the desert environment

The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak;
night after night they make him known. They speak without a sound or word;
their voice is never heard.
Yet their message has gone throughout the earth,
and their words to all the world. – Psalm 19:1-4

The not-so-fine print: This trip is not a cushy guided tour! It is a camping adventure where every participant is a member of a team and helps out with setting up camp, cooking, clean- up, etc. Death Valley is a notoriously harsh environment, and potential for excitement is high! Our remote backcountry campsites typically do not have toilets, water, or any amenities that we do not carry with us. We sleep on the ground under the stars with the wildlife. Temperatures can reach well over 100 degrees in the Badwater Basin during the day and can drop below freezing in the mountains above at night. Wind and sand storms can come up unexpectedly, which could make camp functions like cooking, eating, setting up tents, taking the shovel into the desert for a bathroom visit, and sleeping very difficult. There are limited opportunities for bathing during the trip. Vehicle problems or flat tires could alter plans. That being said, we have always had a blast, even with the challenges – one thing that is guaranteed is lasting memories! An adventurous spirit and a flexible attitude are required items on the packing list!
Cost: The cost for this 6 day trip is $320. A $50 deposit holds your spot. We do not want financial hardship to be a reason anyone does not go – please contact one of the trip coordinators to ask about financial aid if there is a need.
Who: Open to the greater CT English Middle School community – current and former students, siblings, parents, etc. We ask that any child under the age of 10 be accompanied by a legal guardian. All participants will require a signed permission slip/ release of liability, and a medical release form.
Equipment: The packing list will be provided at the informational meeting. No camping gear required.
Contact: For questions, details, or to reserve a spot, please contact one of the following:
David Kissner
Guide, Quest Ministries
Teacher, CT English Middle School 760.214.7144
Daniel Brandt
Student Ministries Mountain Bible Church 408.628.8681
http://mountainbible.com/ 408.353.2302
Space is limited! Please contact one of the trip coordinators as soon as possible if interested.

Todd Brown’s memorial service at Mountain Bible Church, April 13, 2013 –

Please share this link with whomever you feel would like to view Todd’s memorial service: http://youtu.be/36sazMytjyY

View photos from Todd’s camera (click on image) –

————-

Update: Monday, April 1: Todd’s brother Darin and one of our elders, Mark Adams, will attend Todd’s Jamaican Memorial on April 4. Todd’s USA Memorial service will be Saturday, April 13 at 2 PM at our building, 23946 Summit Road in Los Gatos. Any donations to honor Todd can be sent to www.YWAMJamaica.org

Update, Friday, March 22

The saddest outcome for us … but Todd is free.

Here is how Marion Jacobs, his YWAM base Director describes it:

“I saw Todd yesterday, it was very rough for me. He is now out of ICU and on the regular ward. He seemed so frail and ill looking. I just wanted to take him home and care for him. His hair needed cutting but they were afraid to move his neck because of the injury. My heart ached when I looked at him. I purchased some pajamas last evening so that he at least wouldn’t look so ill lying there, and had everything prepared to take with me when I visit with him today.

This morning while I was in the morning meeting, I got an urgent text from his Jamaican pastor. She said the hospital had been desparately trying to get in touch with me, so they got her instead. Todd, our dear precious brother went home to be with the Lord this morning at approximately 6:18 AM. I have no words to describe the emotions that I am going through right now and I am sure it is the same for you. I spoke to his American pastor this morning as well. Please be in prayer for his church family both locally and abroad, his brother and other relatives and friends and his YWAM family. This is such a blow to us as we were putting things in place for his rehab in Kingston. I wanted to take him home, but the Lord took him home faster than I could.”

Update, Wednesday, March 20
Todd is in a regular hospital bed but still has a feeding tube and oxygen. Marion writes: “He does not recognize me as yet but he soon will be fully alert again. Today I will cut his locks. It’s the best half, as his head is shaved from the surgery and the locked part is dirty and unkempt. I hope all his friends will now visit him [there were restrictions on visitors while he was in ICU] and join in the battle as we petition for his full recovery.”
It is a praise to God that the Jamaican hospital waived his medical expenses because Todd has been working there for so long. Pray for wisdom in getting Todd into a good rehab facility that matches up with his needs and his resources. Thank you to so many for wanting to help and we will let you know when we see how much his care will now cost.

Update, Sunday, March 17: Claudius England, whom Todd performed with recently, offers this musical prayer –

Update, Wednesday, March 13 … As you will see from this report,(below) Todd is making good progress but with his lung still severely congested. He is getting good care in the hospital ICU.

Plans for his next steps:

1) When the lung clears he moves out of ICU into the regular hospital ward

2) When the doctors approve it and St. Joseph’s Rehabilitation Center in Kingston confirms space, Todd will be moved there. This is private care and very affordable.

3) YWAM Director, Marion Jacobs and Pastor Mary of Todd’s church will locate a trustworthy person to be Todd’s helper there (purchase and bring his medical supplies [keeping records], visit him, communicate with us).

4) Todd will receive Physical and Occupational Therapy to regain as much of his abilities as he can. No one can say what that will be.

5) A visit to Todd from his brother Darin or one or two of us here is prepared to happen whenever it is deemed useful. This visit will most likely be when he can communicate.

What we can do:

1) All who support Todd financially, thank you; please keep up what you have been doing. Your current giving may be enough but unknown factors may call for special gifts. We will let you know.

2) We are working at creating a simple way you can send Todd video messages of hope and support. He seems able to recognize and respond to familiar voices. Watch for details on that.

3) Pray and keep checking for updates.

Now Marion’s report:

Todd smiles, winks and grins sometimes; I think he is interacting with angels. He grimaces, frowns and widens his eyes as if he’s impatient with someone or he sees a ghost. He is only in ICU now because of the copious secretions and he has to be suctioned frequently. Todd can do no writing and voices no words; he speaks with his eyes. He is still fed via a feeding tube and with the tracheostomy he will have to learn how to produce sounds.

I go everyday and read to him, update him on happenings and pray with him.

Update, Saturday, March 9 … Just in from the Youth With A Mission Montego Bay base Director, Marion Jacobs …

Hi everybody,

Thanks for praying for us … Marion

Update, Tuesday, March 5 … Good News to Start the Week:
We continue to work on details of how to care for Todd in the days ahead and we appreciate your prayers and concerns expressed about that.

Meanwhile, Marion at YWAM, sent us an encouraging word on how Todd was doing Monday:
“Todd looked so much better today and the nurse said, “He’s coming out.” His eyes were wide open. His eyes went from me to the YWAM board member who was granted favor to go in for a short visit. There is some movement on the right side. He is off the ventilator but he still is on oxygen. He is wearing the cervical collar, which the doctor said he’ll wear for approximately three months for the C7 fracture to be healed.”

Update, Saturday, March 2 … Mixed News to End the Week:
The YWAM DIrector, Marion, has been doing an excellent job overseeing Todd’s care and this is what she says:

“Todd was responding to commands: “Show me one finger Todd; show me two fingers”. Our brother is coming out slowly but surely. God is Good. He is being weaned off the ventilator so he was getting less support so his breathing was laboured as expected, but he was breathing. The neurosurgeon met with me to discuss the long term care.
Todd is been watched for:
1) Infection- even with the specific antibiotics he still has a high fever
2) Blood clots- Right calf swollen
3) Bed sores – immobile (I got him an egg crate mattress and will be trying to get him above knee compression stockings.)
These complications cause less blood flow to the brain hence the healing there is slower.

Rehab in the hospital and in Jamaica is limited. The two recommended by the doctor are in Kingston one public and the other private. I will check those out this weekend as I will be in Kingston.

Chest x-ray done was not too good
CT scan is due to reassess bleeding
C7 fracture – will heal with time if he is kept stable.” (estimate is 3 months)

Update, Thursday, Feb. 28:
Thank you all for your prayers and concerns. Our church elders met with Todd’s brother Darin this week and are developing answers for some of the “nuts and bolts” questions of Todd’s recovery.
Pastor John Haak

Marion of YWAM writes:

“I waited in the ICU lobby while the tracheostomy was being done. Dr. Hemmings ENT specialist took the time and explained how they were able to successfully do the procedure without moving his neck. No bronchoscopy was requested as they do not want to do too much on him at one time. The breathing has improved.

Please continue to pray. With this tracheostomy they will wean him off the ventilator and transfer him to the ward.”

Update, Monday, Feb. 25:

Today Todd will have a stoma placed in his trachea to move off the ventilator by mouth that does damage if you exceed 14 days of use. This procedure is complicated by the fact that Todd’s spinal injury is at the “C7″ location in his neck near where the tracheostomy will be attempted. Pray for God’s Hands with the surgeon’s to do this procedure.

Pray for God’s wisdom as Todd’s brother meets with the elders of our church Tuesday night to consider what practical needs we can now address for Todd. We will communicate these plans to you all as soon as we can. Darin made it back safely Saturday night after three days in Jamaica gathering firsthand information.

Update, Thursday, Feb. 21:

First the positives from Marion at YWAM:

“Today the doctor said Todd’s brain function has improved but this is not stable. I could see both his eyes open. The bandaging on his head continues to get less. I saw more movement in his left limb and he held my hand and squeezed it when I squeezed his and asked him to squeeze mine.”

And the negatives:

“The doctor also said he is very critical. After the bronchoscopy and physiotherapy, the chest x-ray showed that the whole left lung is filled with pus from a severe infection. She also told me that there is a fracture of the spine (C7). So his movement has to be restricted to reduce the risk of nerve damage and paralysis. They may also have to do a tracheostomy (make an opening into the trachea through the neck and place a stoma there) for the artificial breathing to continue. The present ventilation set up is to be used for a maximum of 14 days and he has been on it since the 10th so a change must take place.”

Final positives:

*Todd’s brother, Darin arrived there with some helpful care items; he returns to California on Saturday. (Pray for Safety)
*Darin will be able to talk directly to the medical staff to bring back an action plan for Todd’s future. (Pray for God’s wisdom)
*Todd’s “Jamaican Family” are giving fantastic support with prayers and visits (prayer for energy for Marion and Pastor Mary)
*All the family are so encouraged by your prayer support … thank you.

Update, Tuesday, Feb. 19: Todd’s brother Darin leaves for Jamaica tonight. Please pray for him as he travels. Darin has expressed thanks and gratitude to Todd’s friends and supporters, noting the closeness everyone shares with Todd.

We’ve received one clarification about Todd’s condition. While he does respond to touch, he does not yet respond to voices. Those close to the situation explain that Todd is in stable condition, but that means only that his condition is not deteriorating. Please pray for Todd’s recovery.

Update, Monday, Feb. 18: Pastor John Haak reports that Todd’s situation remains much the same, but there is increased hope: the source of a fever has been identified — this will help doctors treat Todd — and there is “slight movement” in his right side (there hadn’t been before). Please keep praying for Todd.

Update, Sunday, Feb. 17: People and churches across the globe are praying for Todd. See what the Lord has done in Todd’s life. Pray for what the Lord will do:

Note: This is the full version of the recording. A shorter version was played at church Sunday morning.

Update, Friday, Feb. 15: Pastor John Haak reports that Todd remains in critical condition, though he is improving by degrees. Todd’s brother leaves early next week to be in Jamaica. Please pray.

Update, Thursday, Feb. 14: Pastor John Haak reports the following –

Our member who moved to Jamaica to serve the youth was in a terrible accident Sunday. But we just got some hopeful news from his friends: “The swelling in the face is going down and the effects of the battering is more noticeable.The Nurse reported that he opened his eyes. Pupils are responding well to light. When I got there this evening he had just settled down because he was very agitated. I read to him and gave a brief summary of the day. Left arm still restrained. He opened his eyes a little while I was there and gave my hand a firm grip, he was not so sedated”

Update, Wednesday, Feb. 13: “Doctors are more hopeful” — that is the latest word from Jamaica about Todd Brown. His injuries are serious, but he is responding to voices and gripping people’s hands. Tonight, we got word that he opened his eyes, and that his pupils are responding to light. We pray that God will continue Todd along a road of recovery.

Please stay tuned for updates.

————————

On Sunday, Feb. 10, Todd Brown was involved in a serious, life-threatening accident while riding his motorcycle. His prognosis is uncertain. He is being cared for by doctors in a hospital in Montego Bay, Jamaica, and members of his church and missionary organization are with him night and day. They are praying, reading scriptures, and singing in order to fill his room with hope. Please pray for Todd Brown.

A prayer meeting will be held at at Mountain Bible Church in Los Gatos, California, Wednesday, Feb. 13, at 7 p.m. The church is located in the Santa Cruz mountains at 23946 Summit Road, Los Gatos, CA 95033. Our telephone number is 408-353-2302.

Todd is a dear brother and we pray for God’s mercy. Please pray also for his brother Darin Brown, Todd’s home church in Jamaica, and Youth With a Mission (YWAM) Montego Bay, where Todd works.

If you have questions, e-mail Pastor John Haak at mountainbible @ gmail.com.

Here’s an update about the project: dozens of people gathered to assemble care packages, stuffing over 300 bags with personal items, letters and food. Here’s a picture slide show –

——————- Previous posting:

Members of Mountain Bible Church and Christ Child Catholic Church invit the community to make care packages. We posted a few of last year’s pictures at Flickr page (press here).

On Sunday, February 24 at 11:30, we will join with Christ Child Catholic Church at our place to gather our donations and form gifts to our soldiers. We end up with about 400 gallon bags stuffed with useful items from the list you see below.

One local “Blue Star” mom, Mary Billingsley, has let us know about her daughter Shannon being freshly deployed in the Middle East in the past.

We use a Red Cross list of items that ship well and are desired by our troops. Here it is …

Troop Care Package Needs for Feb. 24

Food and Snack Items
NO CHOCOLATE AS IT MELTS OVER THERE … Individually wrapped hard candy (Twizzlers, Tootsie Rolls, Tootsie Pops, Skittles, lollipops, Life Savers, Sweet Tarts, etc.), chewing and bubble gum, mints, breath strips
Small packages (lunch box sized) of nuts, seeds, pretzels, cookies, chips (Pringle type containers best), Cracker Jacks, crackers, Corn Nuts, fruit snacks and fruit leather, Gardettos, microwave pop corn Trail Mix, energy bars, protein bars, breakfast and granola bars, nut bars, instant oatmeal, Kraft Easy Mac, ramen, Cup a Noodles, Powdered, sweetened drink mixes (Gatorade, Crystal Light, Kool-Aid), ground or instant coffee, tea bags, hot chocolate, cider mix, sugar, sweetener, Coffee Mate, and condiment packets, Canned meats (NO PORK!), stews, chili, ravioli, soups, fruit, beef jerky, non-refrigerated microwavable meals.

Hygiene, Entertainment, and Miscellaneous
Hotel/travel sized gel deodorant, shampoo, lotion, toothpaste and mouthwash, toothbrushes, dental floss, Sanitary Pads and Tampons, Disposable Razors, Eye drops, Nose Drops, Unscented Baby Wipes, Wet wipes, Small Hand Sanitizer, Mach III Turbo Razor Blades, Small Kleenex Packets, Q-Tips (Large packages are fine), Anti-Fungal Creams, Band Aids, Medicated Foot Powder, Sunscreen.
DVDs, AAA and AA batteries, pens, pencils, blank greeting cards and stationary, stickers, disposable cameras, AT&T phone cards. Hand and foot Warmers, Dark Knit Caps, Gloves, Gallon, Quart, Sandwich, and Snack Sized Ziploc Bags (to make care packages).

We stop in our lives to recall that our freedom is not free. Thank you to all the families that have suffered … …separation from loved ones and even their deaths. Thank you.

Here is the full broadcast of the news segment about the peace accord between the government of Central African Republic and rebel groups — a partial clip was shown in church. Please pray for peace, and pray for our many friends in CAR.

A general overview of the situation in CAR is posted at Agabus.com — press here.

January 6 is the start of a new series of Bible messages as we go verse-by-verse through Second Corinthians. We will discover why God intended His best gift to run free in all of our lives, “Grace Unchained”!

Every Sunday we will study a passage from Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians. God’s Word is full of His life being offered to us all and we each need to hear it and know it. A weekly take-home study guide is provided for the essential, deeper personal study we all need.

These messages will be posted on this website so you can catch any that you might miss. You will be encouraged to know that your Creator knows that His grace can change you, not His rules. He understands us and has a way out of our darkness. Come and learn the way.

Note: Visit Todd’s blog at DrummingfortheNations.com.

Todd Brown played his congas at the “A Betta Tomorrow” Christian music festival in Montego Bay. Writes Todd on his Facebook page, “[The concert] is an outreach to the Nation of Jamaica, and the youth are the focus. I was blessed to be a part of this work …Glory to God!”

The Jamaican Gleaner has this story about “A Betta Tomorrow,” featuring a popular recording star:

When recording artiste Kevin Smith heard the prodding of the Lord to put together an event geared specifically to the west, he thought that there must have been a mistake. Why would God chose him? How could he put it together and how would it be funded?

After some intense and long sessions of prayer, however, he knew that the message was indeed for him and so the wooden flooring expert enlisted his business partner, Nicholas Eccleston (DJ Nicholas), and went about the business of planning an event which he believed to be significant for the city of Montego Bay.

The first course of business was to get some of his fellow gospel industry friends to buy into his vision and after a series of ‘street meetings’ held in Sam Sharpe Square in the second city – Smith had recruited some of Jamaica’s leading artistes for his ‘free-to-the-public’ main event which took place last Saturday, to an audience of thousands.

Artistes were on form for the event and delivered incomparable performances.

The line-up included Prodigal Son, Judith Gayle, Ryan Marks, Jason Mighty, Kevin Downswell, Omari, Claudius England, JCee, New Generation, Minister Godista, DJ Troy and Jahdai.

Also participating were Leshone, Melodies, Ywam, Tricia Foster, Jermaine Bolton and Manifest Sons of God Bishop Errol Hall and Evangelist Wilson who delivered awesome ministries of the word.

Love 101′s Nadine Blair, alongside Kedon, directed the proceedings while music was provided by DJ Chinny.

“I believe that Montego Bay is significant as it relates to the transformation of Jamaica,” said Smith, when asked the reason for staging the event there.

“We were faithful that souls would be saved and that the Lord would be true to His promise that every ear shall hear and every knee shall bow, and in His faithfulness hundreds raised their hands in response to the alter call and committed their lives to the Lord,” he added.

“It doesn’t end there, though. We intend to continue with our street meetings in our quest to minister the gospel in Montego Bay and, ultimately, the rest of Jamaica,” he said.

Sponsors who shared in Smith’s vision and supported this event included Modern Furnishing, Modish Design, Jamaica Broilers’ Reggae Jammin, The Wexford Hotel, TVJ, RedTones Productions and On The Shout Records.

The Betta Tomorrow series climaxed with a fun day for children and a star-studded concert at the Dump-Up Beach, and was as entertaining as it was life-changing.

This summer, several members of our congregation visited a missionary hospital in Galmi, Niger. Our members volunteered to work with patients and help around the compound. The experience was life-changing.

Galmi Hospital has begun a rebuilding campaign and invites you to get involved. To learn about their projects, download this PDF: Hope for Women.