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RHM January 2016 Newsletter

  • He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give freely to him who is thirsty from the spring of the water of life. He who overcomes, I will give him these things. I will be his God, and he will be my son.” Revelation 21:6–7 WEB

    RHM January Newsletter - 2016

    Hello there,

    Welcome to 2016! It is a new year and we are excited to live it and see all that God will do in our midst. Thank you for reading our devotional and being a part of Refreshing Hope Ministries. This is our monthly update on what has been happening here during the last month and I hope that you will take the time to read it.

    We were blessed to travel to California over the holidays and see Sylvia’s family. It had been three years since our last visit. God took care of us, gave us a safe trip there and back, and we got to spend time with them. We drove 5,818 miles in about 92 hours and got to see a lot of the country, from the east coast to the west coast. We drove an average of 10 to 13 hours a day. The trip home was our sixth time driving across the United States.

    Sylvia's Family at Christmas 2015

    We traveled through South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, and California. We saw interesting places and community names like “Toad Suck Arkansas” and “Buck Snort Tennessee.” Sylvia’s mom loves table tennis and actively competes in tournaments, so we went with them to see the U.S National Table Tennis Tournament in Las Vegas. We stayed with Sylvia’s mom and it was an extremely busy time for us, with each day filled with activities because she had not seen us in so long.

    The week of Christmas, everyone in the house became sick. It began with a scratchy throat and then progressed into a fever and coughing. I was one of the first to get it and was soon wrapped up in a blanket in bed. Being that we had to face the long drive back the following Monday, it was a good thing that I got it over with early. Sylvia caught it about three or four days before we had to leave California and a blizzard (Goliath) hit the middle of the country right before our trip home began.

    i40 on the drive back home

    To say the least, driving back was rough. It was really cold for us who are used to living near the southern coast. In Arizona it was 13 degrees F, and snowing so hard that we could barely see. The Interstate was a sheet of ice and just when we thought that we were going to have to pull over and get a hotel, the road cleared and the snow stopped. After four days of driving, we made it home safe, but Sylvia is still very sick at the moment. She has coughed until she has pulled the muscles in her stomach and we have a doctor’s appointment for her in the morning. Please pray for her.

    We made it home for New Year’s Day and are just catching up. We found that a backup server had crashed that I now have to rebuild as well as various unexpected things like broken plumbing. Though we are both still sick, there is no place like home. It was a beautiful thing to see our home come into sight again.

    I want to thank you for keeping up with this ministry, for supporting and praying for us. I am sorry if you have tried to contact us and there has been a delay, it was tough to find a quiet moment to catch up. So that is a summary of what has been happening in our lives over the last month. Here are some things that are coming.

    Online Church News: We have grown to 2,963 members. Many people have found new friends and encouragement during a time of need. People openly pray for each other all over the site. It encourages me to see God’s people walking with others instead of alone. We have new people join everyday.

    Sylvia is now leading a new group called “Healthy Living” and it is a support group for building good habits and a healthy lifestyle, not just physically, but also mentally and spiritually. The group is a safe place to talk about issues that challenge us, to share what we have learned, to encourage each other when we fall and to celebrate our victories!



    The Love Dare Relationship Challenge: The Love Dare was written by Alex and Stephen Kendrick and featured in the movie “Fireproof” by Sherwood Pictures. It is a 40-day relationship challenge that features a short teaching, and then an action for you to take that will improve your relationship. It is not always easy, but if you make it through it, it will be life changing. It is the best marriage checkup that I have ever seen and really puts things into perspective. It will bring hope to those unequally yoked and improve even the best of marriages.

    We have obtained permission to post “The Love Dare” on our blog and share it with our readers, so we plan to have a group event beginning February 1st. Sylvia will be leading this event and here is how it works: Beginning February 1st we will post a short teaching on relationships and then a challenge to do that day to improve it taken from the Love Dare. We will also send out an email as reminder with a link to the day’s teaching for the 40 days.

    We can have fun, enjoy this together, discuss ideas and support each other in the comments on the website. We welcome you to join us and look forward to “Fireproofing” relationships. Also, if you have not yet seen the movie “Fireproof” then you should see it so you can get an idea of what is involved. It is a challenge, but if you take it seriously it will forever change the way that you look at your spouse, and them at you.

    You can sign up for The Love Dare here:
    https://refreshinghope.leadpages.co/the-love-dare/

    As soon as we get caught back up, there will be some new things coming. We are working on a Question and Answer area for the website as well as a new theme. Video sermons are getting closer.

    If you are in need of prayer, be sure to send in your needs to our prayer network. We and our prayer team will be honored to lift you up! As we start a new year, please remember that it is a great time to do a fresh start, to live better, to walk closer, to make new friends, to leave bad habits behind.

    Thank you so much for sticking with us, and for all who have supported us throughout the month with prayer, encouragement and financial resources. Thank you also for all of the wonderful Christmas cards, emails, and notes that that we received! It was so encouraging to hear from you and we were blessed by every one of them. We have added them all to our prayer wall here. I pray that the Lord richly blesses you and that you are covered with His presence as you read these words. May He guide your every step and fan the flames within you. May this year be your best ever! May the Lord lead us all into everything that He has for us as we follow Him one step at a time, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray.

    Pastor Dion

    Our mailing address is:

    Refreshing Hope Ministries
    P.O. Box 67
    Conway, SC, 29528
     


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Social Sharing

39 comments
  • 3
Norman Glaze Sr
Norman Glaze Sr So Glad you guys are home safely Pastor. Sad to hear about the bug you all caught Brother. You and First Lady are in our thoughts and Prayers. 
January 7, 2016
  • 1
Dion Todd
Dion Todd Thank you Norman!
January 7, 2016
  • 1
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd Thank you very much, Norm! We are getting there :)!
January 7, 2016
  • 3
<i>Deleted Member</i>
Deleted Member Praying and believing for many more great things for RHM. 
January 7, 2016- Edit- Delete
  • 1
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd Thank you, Tammy, we love y'all!
January 7, 2016
  • 4
Cheryl Wilson
Cheryl Wilson Thanks so much Pastor Dion and First Lady Sylvia for all that your ministry does for people.  I pray that we all are richly blessed and spread the Love to others as Jesus would want us to in 2016!!
January 7, 2016
  • 1
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd Thank  you very much, Cheryl, God bless <3!
January 7, 2016
  • 4
Janet Marsh-Lord
Janet Marsh-Lord Thank you both for your wonderful Ministry and that it is reaching people everywhere.It was great to read all about your trip and the distances you travelled. Living in a small country like New Zealand its hard to imagine travelling such huge distances. Where I live we don't get snow on the ground, but mostly on the hills surrounding our town, but only in winter.It was nice to hear you visited family and had quality time with them. I pray for healing for you both and especially Sylvia and that you both will soon be back to full health. May God richly bless this Ministry and all concerned and connected with it. God Bless...and get well soon.
January 7, 2016
  • 2
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd Oh, my folks were just in New Zealand last year! When we visited last month, they had a number of things like special soap and honey from there, that they had saved for us :). Thank you so much for your prayers!
January 7, 2016
  • 4
Roseanne Braverman
Roseanne Braverman Your messages always lift my heart, but I'm sad to see that you were sick and that Sylvia is still sick.  I lift you both up in prayer and ask our Lord and Father to heal and strengthen both of you. In Jesus name I pray, Amen. 
January 7, 2016
  • 1
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd Thank you so much for your prayers, Roseanne <3!
January 7, 2016
  • 1
Dion Todd
Dion Todd We will get better!
January 8, 2016
  • 3
Laurel Walden
Laurel Walden Sorry to hear that you have both been sick, but so thankful that you all made it home safely and were able to enjoy some precious time with family. Thanks for the update, and looking forward to all that God is going to do with this ministry in 2016.
January 7, 2016
  • 1
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd Thank you very much, Laurel, and we are very glad to be home, too :)!
January 7, 2016
  • 4
Pamela Olszewski
Pamela Olszewski Thank you so much for allowing me to be part of Refreshing Hope Ministries. I'm sorry you have both been sick but thankfully your safely home now and hopefully on the road to full recovery. Regarding your ministry, I feel I understand so much more and am even on the last day of my first 7 day fast. I had been contemplating fasting for some time but always talked myself out of it for fear my desire to kick start a diet would be my underlying goal. After much prayer I know I have done it for the right reasons. Thank you again.
January 7, 2016
  • 2
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd Amen, Pamela, I know that God will honor the fast you did and move in your life!
January 7, 2016
  • 1
Dion Todd
Dion Todd Thank you Pamella. 
January 8, 2016
  • 4
Lissy Verghese
Lissy Verghese Thank you dear Pastor and Sylvia for the online church! I am sorry to hear of your trouble with the winter...pray that both of you get well soon. Yes, the ministry is a true blessing!
January 7, 2016
  • 1
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd Thank you very much, Lissy, God bless :)!
January 7, 2016
  • 1
Dion Todd
Dion Todd Thank you Lizzy. 
January 8, 2016
  • 4
Michelle Toney
Michelle Toney Well it sounds like yall had an adventure all around...lol...sorry yall got sick an hope you both feel better soon...tale lots of vitamin C.  :-) . Im glad yall are back home all safe..an pray that God will continue to abundantly bless yall...
January 7, 2016
  • 1
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd Oh, thank you for the reminder, Michelle, 'cause we picked up some orange juice and I forgot it we had it till you mentioned it :). God bless!
January 8, 2016
  • 2
Michelle Toney
Michelle Toney Lol.....your welcome....:-) 
January 12, 2016
  • 1
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd :-)
January 12, 2016
  • 4
Trish Hicks
Trish Hicks Wow Pastor Dion and Sylvia........and family .Bless your hearts.What aimed to be a liesure vacation,i see the enemy did everything possible to make it a devastating adventure.. However real curious u mentioned you passed through North Carolina ....do you mind me askimg what part had u gone through I live in North Carolina. Well I am glad you have made it safe and sound back home. This is why i do not like the monh of Jan or Feb too much sickness.It's when the weather really gets cold this side of the country be glad u are on the west coast. Keep up the great work here Pastor Dion and Sylvia.And Thank you both.
January 8, 2016
  • 2
Dion Todd
Dion Todd We passed through Asheville NC on I-40 and then onto SC. Thank you and be blessed!
January 8, 2016
  • 3
Cheryl Hepler
Cheryl Hepler What a story.. What a testimony.. What life examples when you got home..in sickness. home repairs etc that says even though you live in this corrupt world God overcomes!!  Blessings to you both in this 2016!!
January 8, 2016
  • 1
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd Well, we got through the worst and will kick the illness, too :). Thank you so much for your prayers, Cheryl!
January 8, 2016
  • 3
Janet Clary
Janet Clary Pastor Dion and First Lady Sylvia,  so glad y'all made it home safely.  So sorry for the bad colds as I know that its not easy to be sick and have to deal with the house problems.  I am getting so excited about the Sermon Video... wow!!!  God is blessing us with all y'alls love and continued hard work for us here at RHM.   May the Lord bless y'all and giving healing as well as lots of hugs!!  Janet
January 8, 2016
  • 1
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd Thank you so much, Janet! (((HUGS)))
January 10, 2016
  • 3
Leslie McLea
Leslie McLea I have seen Fireproof, it was an awesome movie.  I pray that many relationships will be saved because of the LOVE DARE. 
January 9, 2016
  • 2
Leslie McLea
Leslie McLea Just so that you know too, check your libiary for Fireproff, and the Love Dare book. They are in my libiary. 
January 9, 2016
  • 1
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd Oh, that's a great thought, Leslie, then people can see it for free :)!
January 9, 2016
  • 3
David and Dianna Wyles
David and Dianna Wylesedited: January 9, 2016 I hope Sylvia feels better fast! Thanks for the update glad you are home safe and sound :) Never seen the movie, I'm not big on drama even if it is inspirational but I have seen clips and am familiar with the love dare. Looking forward to making my hubby do this with me :) Blessings
January 9, 2016
  • 1
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd Thank you, Dianna :)! We are both praying to be recovered soon! If you get a chance to see the movie, it's very worthwhile! For sure, if you can both do the love dare, all the better!
January 9, 2016
  • 3
Darla Bailey
Darla Bailey I pray that you both get back up to snuff and feeling 100% very soon! What an adventure you two had! You passed just a matter of miles from my sister and her family when you discovered Toad Suck, Arkansas! I've been there, myself! I want to extend a very heartfelt Thank You to you for providing this wonderful home for believers. I'm so very blessed by the ability to have access to a good, clean inspirational place to be. God's Blessings to you always.
January 9, 2016
  • 1
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd Thank you very much for being part of the family here, Darla1 We are getting there on this flu (or whatever it is) and will be better soon, Lord willing :). Wow, that's amazing that someone here has even heard about Toad Suck, much less been there :)!
January 9, 2016
  • 1
Sylvia Todd
Sylvia Todd Thank you, Helena, we are so glad to have you here with us :)!
January 10, 2016
  • 1
Myrna Gonzalez
Myrna Gonzalez Amen
January 27, 2016