Good Samaritan News

Should Christians Help the Poor?

2012-06-29T00:30:00-04:00

Should Christians help the poor? Throughout Proverbs we find that God tells us to be merciful and kind to the poor, yet I’ve also been told that if we do not couple that with the Gospel our efforts are in vain. I like to take the Word literally and say that we as Christians have an obligation to help the poor because we love God and want to show His compassion.

If we are walking in the Spirit, we will be a living example of what God can do for a person and our lives will point them to Christ. Of course we need to open our mouth and testify of Him, and that will happen if we make it our practice to testify of Him whenever we are given the opportunity. Our responsibilty is to “show” and “tell” by our actions and words. God will take care of the rest.

I challenge all Christians to show the love of God in whatever way the Holy Spirit directs. This may be lending a helping hand to an older saint, the neighbor who lost his job, or a small child who has no family. We must be atune to the Holy Spirit’s leading every moment of the day so we do not miss opportunities to serve God by meeting the needs of the poor.

Prov. 14:21 “He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.”
Prov. 14:31 “He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.”

Prov. 19:17 ”He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.”
Prov. 21:13 “Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.”

Prov. 28:27 ”He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.”
Prov. 29:7 “The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it.”

Prov. 31:9 “Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.”

The last one I dedicate to all those who are a friend to the poor and needy child.

Matthew 10:42 “And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.”

To love a poor and despised child of God for Christ’s sake shows greater love to Christ than if we love the honorable, and amiable, and rich members of his church. Acts of love are divinely estimated rather by motive than by measure.

Help us Keep Our Feeding Centers Open so we can Feed the Hungry and Keep Showing and Teaching these children how much Jesus Loves them.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO OUR 2012 FEED THE HUNGRY BENEFIT.

May God Bless You,

Good Samaritan Mission

Update from Joan Tyson January, 2012

2012-01-16T08:37:14-05:00

In just a few days young people will be coming from villages all over the southern part of Honduras seeking an opportunity to study. For us to board and take care of them 24 hours a day we have to have a minimum of two sponsors paying $30.00 per month each, or one sponsor paying $60.00. This includes dormitories, three meals a day, their uniforms, shoes, and schooling. Some students have been studying in the villages with one sponsor for a long time but now it is time to go to high school and there are no high schools in their villages. Their hope is to come to Good Samaritan High School and live in the dormitories.

We desperately need your help. Please go to our website at www.goodsamaritan.ms in the menu, you will see a link that says “Sponsor a Child” and look at the pictures. If you could only come here and see what our program has done for these children and young people, you would see why my life is dedicated to trying to help them. When our high school principal was recently in a very serious automobile accident, she was met and attended to at the hospital in the capitol by students that she had taught years ago, now doctors or interns about to become doctors. They are everywhere – in banks, offices, teachers, military academies, doctors, nurses, pastors, pastors wives, and on and on. Do you know the wonderful part? The majority of these young people are born again Christians, having received the Lord in our schools. We are adding new children to the site everyday.

I need your help. It is so, so hard for me to say no and see someone leave, knowing they have no opportunity in this life. Together with our grammar school, in Honduras alone, last year over 1100 young people had the opportunity of hearing God’s Word every day of the week. Many received the Lord as Savior. Please do not think of this as a social program. THIS IS OUR MISSION FIELD. Our goal is that every young person leave our school with the Lord in his/her heart.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE TODAY AND ALLOW THE LORD TO SPEAK TO YOUR HEART. CHOOSE ONE OF THESE YOUNG PEOPLE AND EXPERIENCE THE JOY OF THE LORD IN YOUR HEART KNOWING YOU ARE GIVING AN OPPORTUNITY OF A LIFETIME TO A DESERVING YOUNG PERSON OR CHILD.

PROVERBS 19:17 “HE THAT HATH PITY UPON THE POOR LENDETH UNTO THE LORD; AND THAT WHICH HE HATH GIVEN WILL HE PAY HIM AGAIN”. WOULDN’T YOU LIKE TO MAKE A LOAN TO THE LORD TODAY?

JOAN TYSON

National Emergency in Honduras

2011-10-20T08:34:35-04:00

October 18, 2011

Dear friends of Good Samaritan,

We have an emergency going on in Honduras right now as a result of the hurricane that hit Mexico a few days ago. The hurricane has caused heavy rains and flooding all over Honduras and neighboring countries and the rains keep coming.

Many of the villages are completely cut off or isolated because of mudslides that have destroyed parts of the roads. A part of the Pan American highway between the capital city of Tegucigalpa and the largest city in the south, Choluteca, has been washed away in one place, cutting off Choluteca and all surrounding towns and villages including San Marcos de Colon.

The President of Honduras has declared this a national disaster. All schools, including ours, have been closed. The people who work in the fields have been unable to work for days due to all of this rain and this means no pay and no food in their homes.

Our pastors are investigating how many homes have been affected in their areas.

We want to make up food bags and start giving these out just as quickly as possible. The mayor of San Marcos de Colon has asked for the mission’s help but we prefer to work directly with the people through our pastors.

We don’t have time right now to send out a letter by regular mail so we are using e-mail. If the Lord touches your heart to buy some food bags, the fastest way would be to send your donation by PayPal or any major credit card. Just note that this is emergency relief for Honduras. We plan to make up $20 food bags and you can buy as many as you want. We want to give out one food bag in every home that has been affected by this disaster. I know that many people are calling on God right now for help and we are praying that God will touch many hearts to help them.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE BY PAYPAL

May God richly bless and repay you. Please keep the people of Honduras in your prayers.

In Christ,

Joan Tyson

Satan is on the Run

2011-07-30T17:51:04-04:00

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

At the bottom of this email, I will be showing you a couple of pictures but first I want to let you know what this is all about.

After we had recorded our third album, I was content but I felt extremely burdened because I knew that Christians were enjoying our music but the ministry that I grew up with from the day I was born was engaged in winning the lost and confronting evil in the Latin American Countries. My Father, Bob Tyson, was a man that stood up and faced followers of Satan, Witches and People who were demon possesed. He never showed any fear and God gave him the strength to destroy many walls that Satan had put up.

There are less Religious people today and more God Haters than anytime before. I wanted our fourth album to do tWo things, First, to show that Religion does not save anyone, only by turning your life over to Jesus, and Two, to find and sing songs with strong lyrics confronting demons, addictions, and anything that would have to do with satan and the hold that he has on the youth.

We started uploading the music on Youtube and I started a spanish blog. My strategy was first was to show that I am a normal person with a past and with problems just like anyone but the difference is that I have someone living inside of me who gives me strength. I did not want to start off forcing God on anyone but I started little by little talking about my faith. In just a few months, we had over 45,000 subscribers with our videos being seen over 3 million times. 64 Percent of our subscribers our from Mexico and their ages range between 13 and 19 years old.

Once the CD came, our music started flooding the internet. Even some spanish sites were pirating some of the songs where people could download them for free. (This did not bother us a bit because our goal is for people to listen to the message). Just one site alone had over 11,000 downloads of Stephany singing At your Feet.

One of the songs that we sing is called Set me Free. The lyrics are extremely strong against Satan. Just one verse of the songs says "It hasn't always been this way, I remember brighter days, Before the dark ones came, Stole my mind, And wrapped my souls in chains. Now I live among the dead, Fighting voices in my head, Hoping someone hears me crying in the night And carries me away. Set me Free from the chains holding me, Is anybody out there hearing me? Who is this man that comes my way? The dark ones shriek They scream His name Is this the One they say will set the captives free? Jesus, rescue me"

Countless number of churches in just about every spanish speaking country in the world started downloading this song and their youth groups started doing dramas and skits with this song. They would go to parks and do it in public places. Most spanish christian music is mainly worship style like "lift your hands toward heaven" which is fine but to someone who does not believe in God, this kind of music is ignored.

Today, I received a video from Mexico. The email was anonymous and all they wrote was, "God cannot Set you Free, Only Satan". I cannot show you the video because it is very disturbing but I will put a couple of screen shots. It is from a Satanic Cult doing a ritual with some type of pentagram with a picture of my son on one side and my picture on the othe side. First a voice comes up asking for my death and suffering in the name of satan and then chanting starts with people dancing around the pentagram with knives and some type of symbols in their hands.

ALL I CAN SAY IS THAT SATAN IS ON THE RUN

This has inspired me to record once again in September. Hundreds of thousands of people are happy to receive any music we give them. We are going to continue to put swords in the hands of Christians in these spanish speaking countries where EVIL lives.

If you have any suggestions on songs that you believe that can help change the minds and hearts of the youth, we can translate them, get the permissions and record them. You can email me atphilip@samaritanrevival.com or leave me a comment below with your suggestions.

Thank you for reading this and keep us in your prayers as we start visiting churches here in the US in September. The pictures are below.

Your Brother in Christ,
Philip Tyson
Samaritan Revival
www.samaritanrevival.com

Feed The Hungry Benefit 2011

2011-05-03T14:42:07-04:00

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

It is that time once again for the Second Annual Feed the Hungry Benefit to raise funds for the Feed the Hungry program in Honduras and Nicaragua. Last year was an incredible success thanks to all of you for helping us raise extra funds to feed hungry children who without your help, have no hope of receiving a good meal everyday. In 2010, we were able to raise over 40,000 dollars which over 150,000 plates of food were able to be delivered. These children not only fed but they were showed that Jesus loves them and He does not want them to go hungry and He also wants them to receive Christ as their savior.

This year, our goal is to raise enough money for 200,000 plates of food. We are hoping to raise 60,000 dollars and we can only do this with your help. The Feed the Hungry Benefit fundraising drive starts today and will end sometime in September. We will be holding several Benefit singings in several churches and in the near future, we will be announcing where these benefits will be held.

We pray that you will help us start our fundraising drive today by visiting our website atwww.goodsamaritan.ms and on the left hand side, you will see a box that says 2011 FEED THE HUNGRY BENEFIT and by clicking GIVE you can choose to give between $5 and $5,000 toward this need. Every dollar counts and just imagine that Five Dollars will purchase 15 plates of food.

Because of the economic situation in Honduras, our Feeding Centers are over capacitated. People are out of work and the children have nothing to eat unless they visit our centers. Everything we do, is done in the name of Jesus and the children are taught that Jesus loves them so much that He does not want them to go hungry.

Please make a donation today by visiting our website at www.goodsamaritan.ms and you will see the donation box on the left hand side. Just click GIVE and help us reach our goal.

The Bible Says in Isaiah 59:10 - "And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noon day"

Thank you so much and May God Bless You.
Love Generously

Philip Tyson
www.goodsamaritan.ms

New Church Building Construction in Yusguare, Honduras

2011-05-02T02:21:40-04:00

Here is a picture of the Old Adobe Church Building in Yusguare, Honduras torn down so a new beautiful church building can be built. This was of our first churches in Honduras and the building was falling in. Now these wonderful Christian people will have a new building to worship the Lord. We will be posting updates as the building is being built. Thank you for your prayers and support that allows us to build churches in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Philip

Boys Dormitory Construction Finished

2011-04-15T16:52:21-04:00

San Marcos de Colon

Choluteca, Honduras

April 15, 2011

Dear Friends and Co-Laborers,

After a long four and a half months, the boy’s dorm of the Good Samaritan High School is now finished. Many are saying this is the most beautiful building of the Good Samaritan Baptist Missions. I think it is because it is so white and white represents purity. Across the street stands the beautiful tabernacle, all pointing to the power and provisions of our Lord Jesus Christ, buildings that were built to bring Him and only Him honor and glory.

I want to take this opportunity to thank every person who had a part in the construction of this building, especially Mary Lynn Crider and the MLC retreat ladies who gave so sacrificially and unselfishly at the MLC retreat in November of last year. Also, I thank once again the nine men who came from the Glen Haven Baptist Church in Stockbridge, Georgia and worked for one week from sunup to sundown giving their labor to help build this building. To those who were only able to give $10, $25 or $100.00, “little is much when God is in it”, and you can see where your little became MUCH. Never think you are giving too little in God’s work.

Thank you, my friends. You are a great blessing in my life and in the work of the Lord here in Honduras and Nicaragua.

Joan Tyson

GOOD SAMARITAN BAPTIST MISSIONS

SAN MARCOS DE COLON, HONDURAS

Construction Starts on Boys Dormitory in Comali, Honduras

2010-11-18T02:09:20-05:00

They say that a Picture is worth a thousands words so we will let the pictures do the talking. These pictures will show the Boys Dorm being torn down in Comali, Honduras preparing for the construction of a new beautiful Dormitory for the children who will be coming in from the villages to study in our High School in San Marcos de Colon, Honduras.

Report from National Pastor Vidal Videa

2010-09-29T13:04:43-04:00

GOOD SAMARITAN BAPTIST MISSION IN MEXICO
Missionary – Pastor: Vidal Videa

Greetings from San Luis Potosi, Mexico!

By the Grace of God we want to let you know about the developing of the God’s work that has been made in the past months with your participation and through me and my family.

During the end of July and in the first week of August, Vacation Bible Schools were carried out by our churches and mission churches as El Buen Samaritano, Torre Fuerte, El Cordero de Dios, Fuentes de Agua de Vida, Principe de Paz and Jerusalem. Every Vacation Bible School has had a very good attendance and many kids made profession of faith receiving the Lord as their personal Savior.

After one and a half month of vacation, we went back to our Bible Institute’s classes in September. At present we are finishing the first two trimesters. And despite I haven’t a financial fund for this project; the Lord has supplied me to go on with the expenses.

Concerning the material work, we finished putting the floor on the church parking lot at the Good Samaritan Baptist Church; also we have been making many construction details to beautify the church building, now it looks different! Also a long fence was built in the land we are purchasing for El Cordero de Dios mission church. Other of our churches, Torre Fuerte Baptist is building a church’s hall to perform their church’s activities in their new land.

Pastor Apolonio Castillo and I took a group of people from Torre Fuerte Baptist Church to a place located two and a half hours from our city to have a baptism service. Praise God! eight new believers were baptized.

After 6 years of haven’t seen our relatives, we thank the Lord because we made a family’s trip driving to Nicaragua the past month of July and the Lord took care of us. It was of a very blessing trip!

About 18 adult persons made profession of faith during the two past months and also many children at Vacation Bible Schools.

Thank you so much for your prayers and the very important financial support we received on time every month from you. Please help us to pray for our Bible Institute that the Lord supply for buying some furniture like white boards, desks, bookcase, books, a copier, a computer and for gas to the teachers that come to the Bible Institute from other towns.

In Christ Love,
Vidal Videa and Family

Report Joan Tyson July 18th, 2010

2010-07-18T17:50:53-04:00

THE BANNER SAYS

"WELCOME EX-STUDENTS OF SAMARITAN HIGH SCHOOL"

"ONCE A SAMARITAN, ALWAYS A SAMARITAN"

San Marcos de Colon, Choluteca
Honduras

July 18, 2010

My heart is still rejoicing over one of the most incredible events that I have experienced here in Honduras.

All this week, our high school has celebrated its 20th anniversary climaxing last night with the reunion of all ex-alumni, and what a reunion it was. The banquet was “supposed” to start at 3:00 pm but if you have ever visited us here, you know nothing ever starts on time. There was so much excitement in the air as the former students began coming in, seeing their former classmates that they had not seen for many years, all matter of time was forgotten. I think it was more like 4:30 when it finally started.

All former teachers, counselors, and principals were invited. All could not come but there was a good representation of those, many now with a lot of gray hair and not so young anymore, but what a reunion as they came through the door and spotted a dorm counselor who had taken care of them 20 years ago, a teacher who had taught them, or a classmate they had not seen for many years.

There was a tremendous and challenging message brought by Pastor Pedro Estrado of the Bread of Life Baptist Church in Choluteca, and every ear was attentive. How the people listened and how they responded with “Amens”, all over the high school auditorium which was now filled with beautifully decorated tables and chairs.

Following the message, a former graduate representing his graduating class of 17 years back began to talk. There was a lot of laughter and a lot of tears as these beautiful young men and women began to share their memories. They came from Spain, the United States, Nicaragua, and from all over Honduras. So many were not saved when they came to Samaritan High School but they received the Lord and their lives changed. I sat there and just thought how wonderful it would have been if every sponsor could have been present. You would have been so proud to have a part in OPPORTUNITY OF A LIFETIME. These young people did not look poor any more. They came from every walk of life – all classes of professional young men and women – school teachers, engineers, lawyers, office workers, military – almost every profession you can name, and here they were, thanking God for the blessing of graduating from a Christian high school like Samaritan High School.

One by one they shared their experiences. A former teacher of many years ago told how we offered him a job and when he told me that he was Catholic, all I said was, “God can change a person” and I walked away. I don’t even remember this, but he told of how God did change him and he has been serving the Lord since that time. He now works in another city but is faithful and active in his church. He was single all those years ago but now has a wife and two precious children. More than one couple were classmates together and after school they were married and now have children (there was a lot of laughter when they were reminded that dating was prohibited). It just goes to show that we don’t always know what is going on even in a Christian school but it all turned out for the best.

As the night went on and more and more were giving their testimonies of what had happened in their lives, I sat there like a proud grandmother or great grandmother, my heart was completely filled with joy. Just to think that our “fruit has remained”, and is bringing forth more fruit. What a ministry this is and how challenging it is to work with teenagers, coming from all walks of life, and now seeing what God has done. They were now back, some even brought their children, and they were laughing and hugging and crying.

Earlier there were basketball games of former students playing our current students, and the former students won. The team and coach that our son Steve played with many years ago were all together and what a time they had. They also won the ball game.

The Samaritan Revival singers sang, all of them being students and graduates of Good Samaritan High School. Harold gave a touching testimony of their lives when they came to Honduras to study. Later, old pictures were shown which brought about a lot of laughter. It was 20 years ago that God laid it on Bob’s heart to start a Christian high school. We had no earthly idea of what lay out ahead. No money, no facilities, no school building, but he said he felt that is what God wanted, and we stepped out by faith. If God had called me home last night, I would have died with more joy in my heart than I have had in a long time.

Then it was picture taking time. I had my picture taken so many times my smile almost froze on my face but they wanted a picture of each graduation and they wanted Sister Joan in every picture.

I just wanted to share this with you and to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping a child. “…go forth and bring forth fruit and that your fruit may remain” is what John 15:16 says and last night the Lord let me see just a little of the fruit. Next year, we plan another reunion and start announcing early so many more former students will know about this. Then probably we will plan to have this every so many years, but I want another one next year because I never know when God is going to call me home and I want to experience this joy one more time in my life.

Joan Tyson
www.goodsamaritan.ms

www.samaritanrevival.com

www.facebook.com/samaritanrevival

Ministry Report June 2010

2010-06-04T17:05:16-04:00

PICTURES ARE BELOW EMAIL

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Greetings from rainy San Marcos de Colon, Honduras. Heavy rains are falling right now, and the farmers are happy because they believe they will have a good harvest.

Stephany, Philip, Jr. and I returned May 15 to Honduras and stayed with Steve and Scarleth until Monday to buy groceries and get a little rest before making the 3 and 1/2 hour trip on to San Marcos.

On Sunday afternoon, we visited the radio station, and when we arrived, there were four men in the studio preaching and answering phone calls. We stood and watched behind the glass as one call after another came in. Many times every line was lit up at the same time – people hurting for one reason or another, people sick, people needing the Lord. Every call was answered with compassion and love, always praying for the person who was calling. When Stevie told me that two of these men were blind, it made cold chills go over me. I have never seen such a beautiful smile as the young one had on his face. Born blind, he looked to be about 30 years old and when he heard I was there, he asked if I would wait until the program finished so he could give me a big hug. He had heard a lot about me but had never met me. And he gave me a BIG hug when the program was over. I just thought… “this man has never been able to see the light of day but there was a brilliance about his face and a joy from his heart that shone on his face”. At that moment I analyzed my own life. I never saw a frown on his face yet how many times I frown from little petty problems. The joy that came out of his heart lit up his face. How many times does my face fail to reflect the joy of the Lord? Isn’t it something how God just seems to put us in situations to teach us lessons that speak to our hearts? I left the radio that afternoon with a lot to think about.

It has been a busy time since we returned. We had a small group to come in on Saturday, who had raised funds in the U.S. to build a new church, just inside the Nicaraguan border. The Liberty Baptist Church was dedicated on Sunday and the place was packed out. It was a wonderful service. The Samaritan Revival group sang and I told them that I heard them sing in probably 100 churches in the states but never had I been so blessed.

After the dedication service a man came up to me and when he told me who he was I couldn’t believe it. For those who have read my book you will remember a chapter that tells about our family and our Bible School students being invited to a place called El Coral way back in the jungles of Nicaragua to hold a campaign about 35 years ago. An elderly man and his family were the only Christians there and they had built a church building. All they needed were people to get saved and fill up the church. The one thing they didn’t tell us (or tell me) was that the place was named El Coral after the coral snakes. Our family had to sleep in our van, which was parked under a tree, and I could just imagine one of those snakes falling out of the tree and coming into the van. It was move the van or roll up the windows. Finally, Bob moved the van (it was so HOT). We also had to bathe in the river until I found out about the snakes. From then on, Stevie, who was about two or three at the time, and I bathed in the bathhouse, where you simply poured a bucket of water over your head (no roof). I will never forget that Stevie got a fungus from the wet, wooden floor and the skin literally hung off his little toes. We reminisced of how God began to bless in that campaign many years ago… how after the second night the little church wouldn’t hold the people and services were moved outside and about how the people would lie down around our van and sleep until 3 or 4 in the morning, then go back up the mountains to work in the fields and come back the next night. I can’t remember how many were saved but we left a church filled with people. And now this man, who was just a teenager at the time, was holding his hand out to me and telling me his story. During the war, his dad was murdered in the street and every possession taken; land, buildings, trucks. “Everything was taken,” the son said, “but the Lord who was living in our hearts. They couldn’t take that”. The mother and children were left with nothing and years of suffering followed. He told me how the Lord has blessed him with five sons – a doctor, lawyer, engineer, and two in business. Our pastor had gone into his store and invited him to the dedication on Sunday and he along with his wife came, never thinking he would see our family there. He told me they had just finished building a church in the town where he now lives. This was another one of those unexpected blessings the Lord sends our way.

We have been in two wonderful school programs this week. The talents of these young people amaze me. We also visited the Elderly kitchen and just to hear those old voices ringing out sounded like a heavenly choir. We visited the kitchen in Tapaire where about 100 children are eating everyday. Stephany has been a wonderful help to me. Not only does she help me in the office but she has been traveling with the groups to translate. I thank the Lord for the maturity that I see in her and the love that she has for the people of Honduras and Nicaragua.

I thank the Lord for my family who are all involved in the work. Stevie did a great job here attending to the radio and the mission in general while we were in the states. Philip stayed in the states to try and raise support for the children and the national pastors. He is also booking meetings for the next Samaritan Revival tour which will be in September and October.

Three years ago this past week, God took Bob to Heaven. It has not been easy, but with the love and confidence you have shown to me and my family, we have gone forward, knowing that we have people like you who are in this warfare with us. Thank you so much for your financial support; you will never know this side of Heaven what you mean to me. It has been my great privilege and blessing to meet so many of you; the rest of you I will meet in Heaven.

The Tyson Family

Pictures are below

Samaritan Radio Network - The first 2 men on the left are blind.

Harold Iglesias and Family - Thank you for praying for Harold,
from the Samaritan Revival group, who is recovering from his
2nd gallbladder surgery

Pastor Bellarmino Rios baptized 13 new brothers and sisters
in Christ in a new work he recently raised up. More have been
saved and baptized since this photo was taken.

In spite of the heavy rains, these young people were baptized
on Sunday in San Luis, Honduras, one of our faraway churches.
The pastor in the white shirt is Brother Edwin Miranda.

A group from the United States visited this Feed the Hungry
Kitchen last week in Tapaire, Honduras.

El Espino Dedication

El Espino Dedication

This was the Dedication of Liberty Baptist Church in El Espino, Nicaragua.
Doug and Jo Mason from North Carolina raised the funds to make it possible
to build this new church. Here they cut the ribbon for the Dedication Service,
which was packed on Sunday, May 23, 2010.

www.samaritanrevival.com
www.facebook.com/samaritanrevival
www.goodsamaritan.ms

New Video - 2009 Ministry Update

2010-05-11T13:30:00-04:00

The Video below was presented in our annual Board Meeting today. It shows an update on the work of the Good Samaritan Baptist Mission for 2009. Hope you will watch and comment.

Thanks,

Philip

New Church Building in Los Calpules, Nicaragua

2010-05-08T07:00:00-04:00

Some of you may of heard the story about a church in Los Calpules, Nicaragua that needed a new church building. The Pastor lived behind the church and he decided to tear his small little house down so the church could be build larger since so many people were being saved in this village.

We had some donations to come in and they have almost finished their church. The only thing is that they made it bigger than what we thought and the truth is they needed it.

Instead of just making the church wider, taking the room where the pastor lived, they have everything down and build a BIG church. Now they are without money. I have no idea where the pastor is going to live now but he does not seem to be worried about where he is going to live. He is so excited about his new church building.

They need $5,000 dollars to finnish the church building. If you would like to help with this, please contact our mission office at 770-459-4058 from Monday thru Friday 9 AM to 4 PM. Please pray about this project. We have many projects going on at the same time but building churches is our priority. One day, we will be gone but the church will always be standing as a lighthouse guiding the lost to Jesus.

May God Bless You,

Philip

Ministry Update

2010-04-05T12:00:00-04:00

Pastor Favio Videa Baptizing in Nicaragua

Psalms 36:5 Thy Mercy, O Lord is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds

Pastor Favio Videa has been a Pastor with the Good Samaritan Baptist Mission for over 30 years. He was trained by Bob Tyson and he is still faithful today in the ministry. He is now the director of the work in Nicaragua.

When he announced that he had received Jesus Christ as his savior, he was just a young man and his two other brothers also received Christ. His family threw him out of the house for (changing religions) but my father (Bob Tyson) took him in and he started studying in our Bible School. In the 30 years that he has been faithful in the ministry, there is no telling how many people have been saved and today he is still preaching and baptizing throughout Nicaragua.

In this picture, he is baptizing a new convert in Esteli, Nicaragua just a few days ago. Keep Favio in your prayers.

Samaritan Revival with Archie from the Inspirations

On Friday, April, 2, 2010, Aaron, Stephany and Eliu from Samaritan Revival was blessed by having the opportunity to sing in a concert with The Inspirations and The Diplomats. Our group was also blessed by booking five new churches after the concert. The Lord opens up doors that we never expect. Brother Archie is such a sweet wonderful man and this was an honor for us.

Philip Tyson and Les Beasley President of the National Quartet Convention

Philip Tyson had the opportunity to meet Les Beasley from the National Quartet Convention. Samaritan Revival had the opportunity to sing while Brother Beasley was in the audience. Afterward, he spoke to us about how blessed he was from the music of Samaritan Revival. He spoke to us about performing at the National Quartet Convention which will be held in Louisville, KY in September of this year. Brother Beasley is also the original founder of the legendary Florida Boys. We believe that his relationship will open up many doors for our ministry.

Below is a video of the concert with the Inspirations and The Diplomats on April 2nd

A Letter of Thanks

2010-02-22T03:00:00-05:00

On March 10th, we start our fourth tour in the U.S. and as I was planning the details of the tour today, I started remembering how all of this started. We have definitely been overwhelmed by what God has done for our ministry and we know that only by His grace our we able to minister through music in so many churches around America.

I found an old video where we were in a place called El Naranjal, Honduras. An old dirt road beside a river where around 30 people were being baptized. The video shows me telling Stephany that I was starting a group and she was going to sing in it. The expression on her face was really funny because she had no idea but if you know Stephany, you know that she said, OK.

When it is time to start scheduling churches and venues, you should just see how nervous I get. Talking to Pastors does not make me nervous, I really enjoy it. I found out along time ago that Pastors are human beings just like everyone else and they need to be shown love as much or more than the love they show others. I guess I get nervous because I set goals and even though I do not sing, my responsibility is that Samaritan Revival has open doors in churches around America to sing. I set a goal of 50 churches for this tour and we have now booked 52. Every tour, we meet out goal and once again this shows us that the Lord has plans for Samaritan Revival.

I want to thank some people who God has used to help us in our ministry. First, I want to thank Rick Sweinsberg from Daywind Records. We met him when we were first getting started and talking about green, we were as green as they come. We knew nothing about any of this and he has helped us in such a wonderful way and he is now one of our best friends.

I want to thank Charles Brady who is the President of the Carraway Media Group. This company has many websites like sogospel.com - sogocity.com and many others. Charles came to hear us sing in a church in North Carolina and from that day, he became a part of our family. He has to be one of the most spiritually anointed men that I know. We love brother Charles and he has helped us in so many ways that I cannot even start to explain.

I want to thank my mother. Joan Tyson has traveled with us to the majority of our meetings and you should see us cramped up in a mini van traveling hundreds and thousands of miles. She never complains and best of all, she buys are food. LOL. Seriously, she inspires us to keep going even when we are tired and we are so happy that she will be with us on many meetings on this tour. She may not like me telling you this but she is 72 years old and she works harder than any of us for God.

I want to thank some Pastors that have helped us and giving us the confidence we need. I cannot mention them all but I do want to mention a few. Pastor Randy Bell from Lupton Drive baptist Church in Chattanooga, Tn. Pastor Doug Ripley from Decatur Baptist Church in Decatur, Al. Co-Pastor Jimmy wilson from First Baptist Church in Loganville, Ga.

I also want to thank Mark Hall from Casting Crowns for giving us a wonderful recommendation. The day I met Mark, I was to nervous I cannot even remember what I said, but I can remember the spirit that we felt with him.

I want to especially thank Brother Ralph Easterwood from Glen Haven Baptist Church in McDonough, Ga. Many of you may not know this but back in 1968, my dad was trying to raise his support to go to Nicaragua to be a missionary. He was having a hard time but one night he visited Glen Haven and at that time, Brother Ralph, was the Co-Pastor. Dad was at the altar praying when Brother Ralph put his arm on my dad's shoulder and said "Brother Bob, we are going to help you". This gave my dad hope and three months later, dad was on the mission field. He then started the Good Samaritan Baptist Mission which is largest independent baptist ministry in Central America. Those small but powerful words changed all of our lives because all the ministries of our mission including Samaritan Revival is here today because of my dad so Brother Ralph is very important to all of us.

I have so many more to thank but I cannot list them all. I know that God knows and that is what's important.

Thank you for your prayers and we hope to see you in your church or in a church near yours very soon. We still have around 10 dates open in September and October. To check them out, just click our link HERE to go to our booking form.

Below is a video of one of our very first concerts. That night we had the blessing of singing with some wonderful groups like Ricky Atkinson and Compassion, Hopes Journey, The Mackameys, and others. This video below is the spanish version of I BELIVE IN A HILL CALLED MT. CALVARY.

May God Bless You,

Philip Tyson
www.samaritanrevival.com
678-654-6391

Gateway Baptist Church - Super Bowl Sunday Night

2010-02-07T22:39:44-05:00

God is Great.... We presented the Good Samaritan Video at Gateway Baptist in Newton North Carolina Super Bowl Sunday Night. We gave our testimony and presented the work and we had 16 children and 2 pastors sponsored. Many of the people that came up to our table after church said that they are planning to visit the website and consider sponsoring childeren. Many asked about taking a mission trip.

This was our 2nd presentation and God gave Edie and I peace that can only come from the Holy Spirit.

Praise God for his Mercy and Grace and we are here to serve Him.

Report from Joan Tyson

2010-01-27T11:45:47-05:00

January 27, 2010

Dear Friends and Co-Labourers,

Greetings from “chilly” Honduras. We have had some strange weather lately, and some of the coldest that I have ever experienced. It warmed up for a few days but now is turning cold again. My heart goes out to the little children and elderly who live in little huts without any kind of heat. I thank the Lord for all the warm clothing that came in the container. I picked out the jackets, childrens clothes for cold weather, blankets, etc., and gave to the elderly and the children back in the mountains.

I want to thank every person who has given on the reconstruction of the visitors rooms at the mission center. As they were trying to tear down the old rooms upstairs, one of the adobe walls downstairs fell, and it really looked scary to see that “dirt” was holding up the top floor. Of course, there were pillars but with no steel at all. This has made the budget go up, and we are desperate to finish these rooms before the groups start coming.
Our original budget for this project was $42,164.00. TO DATE, WE HAVE RECEIVED A TOTAL OF $31,463.19 – PRAISE THE LORD!!!!! With the added expenses of another wall plus some other expenses that the builder always forgets to put in, we will be able to finish this for $15,000.00 more. I know how hard times are right now but God has always come through for us here. I could look the world over and not find better friends than the ones God has given to me. I love and appreciate every one of you and every day I thank the Lord for your faithfulness and your prayer support without which I could not go on.

Yesterday, Pastor Bellarmino Rios from Tapaire came to see me just to tell me how God is blessing in a new area where he is preaching…In these days more than 20 have received the Lord and 15 will be baptized this Sunday. From extra offerings not designated, we were able to buy a large adobe house from new Christians for $1323.00, unbelievable here to even get an adobe house for this price but the Lord made this possible.

I want to introduce to you by means of this letter Tony and Edie Middlebrooks who are now representing our mission in the United States. Their love for the work and their sincerity and desire to help the children is so evident. They have a documentary of the work which they made while in Honduras a few months ago. This past Sunday this was shown in the Lupton Drive Baptist Church in Chattanooga and blessed the hearts of everyone present. If you would like to know more about Good Samaritan, we urge you to contact Tony and Edie through our mission office in Villa Rica, Georgia (770-459-4058) and they will be glad to visit your church or Sunday School class.

AGAIN, PLEASE, PLEASE PRAY THAT GOD WILL TOUCH HEARTS TO HELP US WITH THE $15,000.00 NEEDED TO FINISH THE CONSTRUCTION AT THE MISSION CENTER IN HONDURAS.

JOAN TYSON
GOOD SAMARITAN BAPTIST MISSIONS
EMAIL: joan@goodsamaritan.ms

Journey up a Mountain

2009-12-15T14:01:45-05:00

I want to write this while my heart is still full and running over with joy from the blessings we received Saturday and Sunday from a wonderful missionary journey to Nicaragua. I thank the Lord He is still giving me these wonderful experiences and I am still able to go to faraway places to see what God has done in places that I never imagined I would be able to go.

It all started a few weeks ago when one of the pastors in Nicaragua told me that one of our churches was planning a "BIG" service in my honor. When I asked him where was this church, he told me to turn around and look. I was in front of the church in LaTrinidad at the time and when I turned around I saw one of the highest mountains I had ever seen (well, at that time it looked like the highest), and my first response was "There is no way I am going up that mountain". Then, he and others began to tell me that a road had recently been made and one didn´t have to climb the mountain called Mesa de Oyanca. They also told me that other churches were going to be there and they had made plans to kill a cow, etc., etc., so wanting to show these pastors that I was a brave missionary, I agreed to go.

My two sons advised me not to go, saying I would not be able to make the trip. Stevie even went as far to say as "Mama, if you die up there on that mountain, they are only losing a missionary but we are losing a mama¨....

Saturday morning, along with Stephany and Philip, Jr., we left early for the mission center in Condega where I spoke with the pastors wives of our mission. It was a wonderful time for me to get to know many of the wives that I had never met and we had a great meeting.

We then drove to the city of Esteli to spend the night. Getting there early, we were able to walk around town and I showed different places to the grandchildren, such as where we first lived in Esteli, places hit hardest during the war, etc., etc.

On Sunday morning at 7:00 am, we left for LaTrinidad where two four wheel drive vehicles were waiting for us. I felt no fear, only a thrill to be able to meet brothers and sisters in Christ that I had never met before. For about the first hour the little narrow road was STRAIGHT UP and the most beautiful scenery that you could imagine. It was breathtaking. Then we hit the flatland and I could not believe what my eyes were seeing. There were rocks that came up to the door of the truck and the driver had to try and go over, around and in between these rocks. My only fear was that one of these rocks would destroy the vehicle underneath which, by the way, was a rented vehicle. The jeep was in front of us.

After about an hour and a half we reached the church and I could not believe the people standing there waiting to see Sister Joan. It was very emotional for me....hundreds of people and they had killed the cow. They wanted to serve us breakfast first thing and they were proud to tell me they were serving me "steak", the best part of the cow.

The pastor told me he had 97 adults saved on this mountain. They had built their own church before the "road" was built. Every member was required to bring 10 cement blocks for the construction, even including the women. How they ever carried a block up that mountain is beyond my imagination! The vice-mayor came for the service on Sunday, and he promised the people that in time the city of LaTrinidad was going to improve the road.

To my surprise I began to see more people arriving, but these people had walked up that mountain. Most said it took them two and a half to three hours. The greatest surprise was to see Antonio Inestroza´s mother-in-law who has to be in her late sixties, or maybe more, who left her home in LaTrinidad to climb the mountain. It took her and others with her over five hours to make the climb. She left her home at five in the morning and she told me she would climb a little while and then rest, but she said it was well worth it.

What a service we had!! They had put up what looked like a home made tent and the wind was blowing so strong, I looked for the poles to start flying at any time. Brother Carmen Carcamo, whom many of you know who almost died last year with an enlarged heart, diabetes and a lot of other problems, preached under that tent, a miracle from the Lord. When they asked me to speak, I told those people that one had to feel close to the Lord because it felt like you could touch the sky. What a beautiful world God made for us.

After service they wanted me to go to another house where an older member wanted to meet me. She was unable to walk. I sat amazed as she told me about her life - she had born 13 children on this mountain, and never had a doctor. She was so beautiful and she would not take her eyes off me.

As we said our good byes and started back down the mountain, we met several men, women and children on horseback on their way back home after going into town for supplies. I felt like I was watching a western movie on television.

I wanted to do something so badly for all these people to show my appreciation for their invitation to me to come and visit them. I told them that they had fed me, now I wanted to feed them - and that I wanted them to have a big Christmas meal together and I am going to send money also for piñatas for the children who will also be receiving toys and candy from the Christmas sacks that we will be giving to all the children.

As we were coming down the mountain, I told the group I was with that people give me so much honor and glory, which I feel I do not deserve. I have never climbed a mountain for five hours to be in a service for the Lord, I never had to live in a place like that and bear my children without even a doctor like the young pastor´s wife has done. I think when we stand before the Lord at the Judgement Seat of Christ, many of us will be taking a back seat to these men and women who love God so much and who sacrifice in ways that I have never had to do but yet never receive any recognition from man. God keeps the records and their recognition will be coming from Him.

Thank God for allowing me to go to Mesa de Oyancas and meet more of the precious family of God. Thank the Lord for the opportunity to expose my grandchildren to missions and to the hardships and sacrifices that others make for the Lord without any recognition. Thank God for His people in the United States who support me and pray for me so that I can be a missionary.

Joan Tyson

School Graduations 2009

2009-11-25T20:30:00-05:00

The end of the year is always a wonderful time for all of us in Honduras and Nicaragua because the school year ends at the end of November which means that graduations are held in all of our schools.

I do not have the numbers from Nicaragua yet but here are the numbers from Honduras.

64 Students Graduated from High School

115 Students Graduated from Grammar School

8 Students Graduated from Bible School

Below are Three Picture Albums of the Graduations.

GRAMMAR SCHOOL PICTURES

Find more photos like this on Good Samaritan Baptist Mission
HIGH SCHOOL PICTURES

Find more photos like this on Good Samaritan Baptist Mission
BIBLE SCHOOL PICTURES

Find more photos like this on Good Samaritan Baptist Mission

Gossip - Doing the Devils work for him

2009-11-17T06:28:14-05:00

You've heard the phrase, 'Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me." It's not true ---- like a poisonous snake gossip can kill you!

We live in a notoriously violent society! Under the influence of Satan, people hurt, maim and kill fellow humans with impunity.

What about you? Do you inflict injury upon your neighbors? Could you be guilty of murder?

"How unthinkable!" you may answer. "Never!" Yet millions of seemingly harmless people hurt end even kill their neighbors every day. Their instrument of violence is not steely switchblade nor a silver "Saturday-night special" (an American term for a cheap handgun). It's the tongue!

"The hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbor," says Bible verse Proverbs 11:9. Whether the gossip is premeditated or accidental, murder is murder. And when you're dead, you're dead.

Yes, words ---- in the form of gossip ---- can hurt you and other people. But gossip can be stopped! Let's learn how to prevent this deadly crime. First, what is gossip? Many people don't know. Many do know, but pretend they don't. Many know, but don't care ---- they go right on anyway, murdering others with their words. So let's define this instrument of death.

What is gossip

Gossip accuses people. It charges others with wrong. People love to talk about the alleged actions of others. Does the following sound familiar?
"Did you hear what he did?"
"No ---- tell me!"
"Well, just between you and me, he..." and on and on it goes.

Listen to what God says about gossiping accusers: "An ungodly man digs up evil, and it is on his lips like a burning fire (Bible verse Proverbs 16:27). What happens to the victim of accusations? These accusers ---- this lynch mob of tongues ---- charge him, convict him and condemn him to death! Accusation is deadly gossip.

Gossip slanders neighbor. It destroys a person's character or personal reputation. But beware! He who lives by the sword of slander shall die by the sword of slander. Almighty God says, "Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor, him I will destroy" (Bible verse Psalm 101:5).

Gossip talks indiscreetly. People who say just anything that comes into their minds spread gossip. They do not engage their minds before they engage their tongues. They do not evaluate what they are about to say or its effect on others. "A serpent may bite when it is not charmed; the babbler is no different" (Bible verse Ecclesiastes 10:11).

In short, gossip is any communication that hurts people. "The words of a talebearer [a gossiper!] are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly" (Bible verse Proverbs 18:8), King James Version.)

What is the source?

Now you know what gossip is, but do you know where it comes from? Whether you realize it or not, when you gossip you are involved in an encounter with the realm of evil spirits ---- an encounter with the longest and the vilest tongue in the universe ---- that of Satan the serpent!

Satan started gossip. Jesus Christ said, "He was a murderer from the beginning" (John 8:44). Satan probably used gossip to assassinate God in the eyes of one third of the angels, causing them to rebel (Bible verse Revelation 12:4). Jesus also revealed that Satan is a lying slanderer: "For he is a liar and the father of it" (Bible verse John 8:4).

Satan accuses both God and humans today through unsuspecting people. He is called the "accuser of our brethren" ---- of God's begotten children in His Church (Bible verse Revelation 12:10).

Listen as Jude describes the gossiping nature of Satan and his demons ---- and people who follow Satan's way: "Likewise also these dreamers defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak evil of dignitaries... But these speak evil of whatever they know naturally, like brute beasts, in these things they corrupt themselves" (Bible verses Jude 8-10).

Yes, Satan is the source of gossip. Do not allow Satan to whisper in your ear.

Gossip addicts

People gossip for many ---- all of them wrong ---- reasons. For example, people of low self-esteem tend to gossip. They do not respect themselves, so they gossip about others and pull them down. This allows their own egos to rise on the ruins of others'. The gossiper experiences a temporary illusions of worth, but quickly descends even lower than before. He or she then yearns to gossip again, aching to experience another high. But down he or she goes again.

And another gossip addict is born! Some people are addicted to gossip just as much as some others are addicted to drugs.

Frustration produces gossipers, too. You can't have everything you want. Perhaps you are dissatisfied with your situation in life. You hunger and thirst for satisfaction. So what do you do? Well, some people eat, eat, eat, desperately desiring to devour their frustrations away. Others talk, talk, talk and devour their neighbors away. After gossiping they feel better ---- for a little while. Then reality hits them again and the addictive cycle of frustration and gossip starts all over again.

Idleness breeds gossip. People who are idle with their hands tend to be active with their tongues. Paul comments: "And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not" (Bible verse I Timothy 5:13).

No one wants to be a gossip addict, destroying those around. Can the addiction be cured? Can gossip be stopped? Yes ---- here's how!

The cure for gossip

First, realize how much God hates gossip. Gossip-related sins appear three times on God's "hit list" of the six most abominable things He hates: "A lying tongue... a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren" (Bible verses Proverbs 6:17-19).

God hates to see His children hurting one another. Yet He sees some of us day in and day out destroying one another with gossip. He wants a cease-fire of the tongues. God wants you to have the same attitude He has against gossip. So the first step toward stopping gossip is to hate it, because it hurts people. Once you come to hate gossip, then...

Repent of gossip. Perhaps you don't think about this as often as you should, but gossip is sin. Almighty God thunders in His Ninth Commandment, "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor" (Bible verse Exodus 20:16). A main thrust of this commandment focuses on the harm done to one's neighbor by the types of accusation and slander that make up gossip.

James explains: "Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge" (Bible verse James 4:11). Gossiping is bearing false witness, and that brings the death penalty (Bible verse Romans 6:23). So realize that gossip is sin. Repent and determine never to gossip again.

Realize the source. As we saw earlier, Satan originated gossip. No Christian wants to be an instrument of the devil. Yet when you gossip you are being used by Satan. He not only started gossip, he now perpetuates it through humans (Bible verse Ephesians 2:2).

The next time you are tempted to gossip, think about the source and bite your tongue.

Don't listen. Not only should you repent of gossiping, you should stop listening to gossip. Don't fool yourself. Just as it takes two to tango, it takes two to gossip ---- one to talk and one to listen. Gossip would stop instantly if everyone would stop listening. It's no fun gossiping to yourself!

Listen to John's instruction: "If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds" (Bible verses II John 10-11).

Just listening to gossip makes you an accomplice. If anyone comes to you with gossip, do not listen. As gently and tactfully as possible, tell the person that the subject matter does not concern you and you'd rather not discuss it. Be as firm as necessary. The person will quickly get the message ---- and the gossiping will stop.

Detect gossip. To stop gossip, you must recognize it. But how? God has provided you with a gossip-detection system. Let's take a look at that system, described in Bible verse Philippians 4:8. The first criteria for proper communication is that it be true. You should not listen to or say anything that is not true. In fact, you or the person telling you should be able to prove that it is true. "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good" (Bible verse I Thessalonians 5:21, KJV). If it can't be proven, it shouldn't be listened to or spoken of.

But what if it is true? Should you get involved? Not unless it's noble. The information should not in any way tarnish the character, name or reputation of another person. Any hint of disrespect should set off an alarm in your mind that shouts "Gossip!" Paul goes even further by declaring that the information must be just. This means you should not discuss or listen to discussions about the sins of others. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," says Bible verse Romans 3:23. "He who covers a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates the best of friends" (Bible verse Proverbs 17:9).

Another important part of our gossip detection system is purity. The words must be pure. In our sick society, blasphemy and profanity almost have become proper etiquette. "Their throat is an open tomb... whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness" (Bible verses Proverbs 3:13-14).

God does not want His people listening to or spreading dirty words or stories. Keep your ears and mouth pure. Accept only lovely things into your mind ---- things that effect you and others in a positive, uplifting way. Make sure the words you speak and hear are of good report. Bad news bombards us constantly. Human nature seems to thrive on bad news. "For their heart devises violence, and their lips talk of troublemaking" (Bible verse Proverbs 24:2). Paul tells us to avoid bad reports.

Use the gossip detectors of truth, honor, righteousness, purity, loveliness and good reports to stop gossip.

Speak to edify. In the same Bible verse 8 of Philippians 4, Paul says that we should speak words of virtue. Virtuous words are words of excellence and value, words that produce good fruits, that build up the speaker, listener and everyone else.

Speak words of praise ---- words that praise the great works of God. Talk about His great creation in all of his wonderful glory. Talk about God's Work on earth today ---- the Work that's spreading the good news of the Kingdom of God. Speak words of praise about the good in other people. Encourage others to do their best. Comfort other people when they are discouraged.

In short, use your tongue to bring life ---- not death!

Now you know what gossip is. You know its source. You even know why you gossip. More importantly you know how to stop gossip. So work to stop this heinous crime!

Graduation in Los Ranchos

2009-11-15T04:29:05-05:00

This morning I was invited to the 6th grade graduation of a little public school way back in the mountains of Honduras, past the village of Duyusupo and on up the mountains to a community called Los Ranchos.

What a surprise when I walked in and there was a large banner across the little one-room school house that read, “Joan Tyson, Madrina of our Graduation”. This meant that I was chosen to be the special guest or “godmother” of their graduation.

The reason for their honoring me in this way was because the four young people who were graduating from sixth grade were “Opportunity of a Lifetime”, sponsored children.
The parents living back in this mountainous area were so proud to see their children reach this level of education, and you can see by the number that not many are able to do this. They are so grateful to the Lord and to the sponsors in the United States who made this possible.

The teacher/principal is a Christian and has over 50 from grades one through ninth in his class. He teaches them all in one room. Our pastor in Duyusupo is in charge of the Opportunity program in this area. The service was opened in prayer and all during the graduation the principal read Bible verses. God was not left out of this graduation, nor is He left out of this little public school.

There were about six teachers from other schools present. What a surprise when one sat down beside me and began to thank me for giving her an opportunity to not only go to our school but to graduate from teachers college. Now, she is a teacher/director, just like the one in Los Ranchos. Then I learned that she was his wife and they have two children. She talked to me about her sponsor who passed away just before she graduated. Her eyes filled with tears as she thanked the Lord for the great opportunity He had given her.

After the service, the principal announced that with great sacrifice the parents of the graduates had prepared a meal for us. The meat was tough and the tortillas were cold, but a steak could not have tasted any better because it was prepared from hearts of gratitude.

On my way back this morning from Los Ranchos, I began to think about our own high school graduation that will be held on Sunday night, the 22nd, in the tabernacle where there will probably be over 1000 in attendance and about 85 graduating, and then our 6th grade graduation will be on Monday night and the grammar school auditorium will be packed out with more than 600 and probably close to 100 sixth graders graduating. But my heart told me that our teachers and everyone involved in planning these graduations will have to go a long way to surpass the graduation service that I was honored to be in this morning in Los Ranchos, Honduras.

Thank you to every sponsor of the OPPORTUNITY OF A LIFETIME program.

The Memories continue…

Joan Tyson

Container has left for Honduras

2009-11-01T14:32:33-05:00

Dear Friends,

I want to thank all of you who helped with the container. After weeks of packing and sorting, we loaded the container on Friday, October 30th. We know that many people in Honduras will be blessed and we could not of accomplished this without your help. Below is a video of the container being loaded and leaving out.

May God Bless You,

Philip

A wonderful missionary story

2009-10-22T03:58:43-04:00

Back in 1921, a missionary couple named David and Svea Flood went with their two-year-old son from Sweden to the heart of Africa-to what was then called the Belgian Congo. They met up with another young Scandinavian couple, the Ericksons, and the four of them sought God for direction. In those days of much tenderness and devotion and sacrifice, they felt led of the Lord to set out from the main mission station and take the gospel to a remote area.

This was a huge step of faith. At the village of N'dolera they were rebuffed by the chief, who would not let them enter his town for fear of alienating the local gods. The two couples opted to go half a mile up the slope and build their own mud huts'.

They prayed for a spiritual breakthrough, but there was none. The only contact with the villagers was a young boy, who was allowed to sell them chickens and eggs twice a week. Svea Flood-a tiny woman only four feet, eight inches tall-decided that if this was the only African she could talk to, she would try to lead the boy to Jesus. And in fact, she succeeded. But there were no other encouragements. Meanwhile, malaria continued to strike one member of the little band after another. In time the Ericksons decided they had had enough suffering and left to return to the central mission station. David and Svea Flood remained near N'dolera to go on alone. Then, of all things, Svea found herself pregnant in the middle of the primitive wilderness. When the time came for her to give birth, the village chief softened enough to allow a midwife to help her. A little girl was born, whom they named Aina. The delivery, however, was exhausting, and Svea Flood was already weak from bouts of malaria. The birth process was a heavy blow to her stamina. She lasted only another seventeen days. Inside David Flood, something snapped in that moment. He dug a crude grave, buried his twenty-seven-year-old wife, and then took his children back down the mountain to the mission station. Giving his newborn daughter to the Ericksons, he snarled, "I'm going back to Sweden. I've lost my wife, and I obviously can't take care of this baby. God has ruined my life." With that, he headed for the port, rejecting not only his calling, but God himself. Within eight months both the Ericksons were stricken with a mysterious malady and died within days of each other. The baby was then turned over to some American missionaries, who adjusted her Swedish name to "Aggie" and eventually brought her back to the United States at age three.

This family loved the little girl and were afraid that if they tried to return to Africa, some legal obstacle might separate her from them. So they decided to stay in their home country and switch from missionary work to pastoral ministry. And that is how Aggie grew up in South Dakota. As a young woman, she attended North Central Bible College in Minneapolis. There she met and married a young man named Dewey Hurst.

Years passed. The Hursts enjoyed a fruitful Ministry. Aggie gave birth first to a daughter, then a son. In time her husband became president of a Christian college in the Seattle area, and Aggie was intrigued to find so much Scandinavian heritage there. One day a Swedish religious magazine appeared in her mailbox. She had no idea who had sent it, and of course she couldn't read the words. But as she turned the pages, all of a sudden a photo stopped her cold. There in a primitive setting was a grave with a white cross-and on the cross were the words SVEA FLOOD. Aggie jumped in her car and went straight for a college faculty member who, she knew, could translate the article. "What does this say?" she demanded. The instructor summarized the story: It was about missionaries who had come to N'dolera long ago ... the birth of a white baby ... the death of the young mother ... the one little African boy who had been led to Christ ... and how, after the whites had all left, the boy had grown up and finally persuaded the chief to let him build a school in the village. The article said that gradually he won all his students to Christ... the children led their parents to Christ... even the chief had become a Christian. Today there were six hundred Christian believers in that one village.... All because of the sacrifice of David and Svea Flood. For the Hursts' twenty-fifth wedding anniversary, the college presented them with the gift of a vacation to Sweden.

There Aggie sought to find her real father. An old man now, David Flood had remarried, fathered four more children, and generally dissipated his life with alcohol. He had recently suffered a stroke. Still bitter, he had one rule in his family: "Never mention the name of God- because God took everything from me. After an emotional reunion with her half brothers and half sister, Aggie brought up the subject of seeing her father. The others hesitated. "You can talk to him," they replied, "even though he's very ill now. But you need to know that whenever he hears the name of God, he flies into a rage. Aggie was not to be deterred. She walked into the squalid apartment, with liquor bottles everywhere, and approached the seventy-three-year-old man lying in a rumpled bed. "Papa~" she said tentatively. He turned and began to cry. "Aina," he said. "I never meant to give you away." "It's all right, Papa," she replied, taking him gently in her arms. "God took care of me." The man instantly stiffened. The tears stopped. "God forgot all of us. Our lives have been like this because of Him." He turned his face back to the wall. Aggie stroked his face and then continued, undaunted. "Papa, I've got a little story to tell you, and it's a true one. You didn't go to Africa in vain. Mama didn't die in vain. The little boy you won to the Lord grew up to win that whole village to Jesus Christ. The one seed you planted just kept growing and growing. Today there are six hundred African people serving the Lord because you were faithful to the call of God in your life. ... Papa, Jesus loves you. He has never hated you." The old man turned back to look into his daughter's eyes. His body relaxed. He began to talk. And by the end of the afternoon, he had come back to the God he had resented for so many decades. Over the next few days, father and daughter enjoyed warm moments together. Aggie and her husband soon had to return to America-and within a few weeks, David Flood had gone into eternity.

A few years later, the Hursts were attending a high-level evangelism conference in London, England, when a report was given from the nation of Zaire (the former Belgian Congo). The superintendent of the national church, representing some 110,000 baptized believers, spoke eloquently of the gospel's spread in his nation. Aggie could not help going to ask him afterward if he had ever heard of David and Svea Flood. "Yes, madam," the man replied in French, his words then being translated into English. "It was Svea Flood who led me to Jesus Christ. I was the boy who brought food to your parents before you were born. In fact, to this day your mother's grave and her memory are honored by all of us." He embraced her in a long, sobbing hug. Then he continued, "You must come to Africa to see, because your mother is the most famous person in our history." In time that is exactly what Aggie Hurst and her husband did. They were welcomed by cheering throngs of villagers. She even met the man who had been hired by her father many years before to carry her back down the mountain in a hammock-cradle. The most dramatic moment, of course, was when the pastor escorted Aggie to see her mother's white cross for herself. She knelt in the soil to pray and give thanks. Later that day, in the church, the pastor read from John 12:24: "I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds." He then followed with Psalm 126:5: "Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy."

Christian Cartoons

2009-10-20T03:44:08-04:00

Here are some Christian Cartoons for you.

A Great song about Why we should Pray

2009-10-15T02:05:25-04:00

When I am driving in my car or laying in bed listening to the radio, sometimes a song will come on that will make you think. I really like singers who really know how to get their message across in a practical way. The other day, I heard this song and I wanted to get the words and place it in this blog for you to read. It definitely gets the point across.

What if the armies of the Lord
Picked up and dusted off their swords
Vowed to set the captive free
And not let satan have one more

What if the Church, for heaven's sake
Finally stepped up to the plate
Took a stand upon God's promise
And stormed hell's rusty gates

Chorus I:
What if His people prayed
And those who bear His name
Would humbly seek His faith
And turn from their old ways

And what would happen if we prayed
For those raised up to lead the way
Then maybe kids in school could pray
And unborn children see light of day

What if the life that we pursue
Came from a hunger for the truth
What if the family turned to Jesus
Stopped asking Oprah what to do

Chorus I:
What if His people prayed
And those who bear His name
Would humbly seek His face
And turn from their own way
Chorus II:
He said that He would hear
His promise has been made
He'll answer loud and clear,
If only we would pray

Bridge:
If My people called by My name
If they'll humble themselves and pray
If My people called by My name
If they'll humble themselves and pray

Words by Mark Hall

These lyrics are like a bullet. They shoot straight.

Philip

A Book Burning Celebration - This is not a joke.

2009-10-14T16:22:56-04:00

I thought I have seen it all but I guess I have not.

I received an email inviting me to a Book Burning on Halloween. Here is part of the email.

COME TO OUR HALLOWEEN BOOK BURNING. WE ARE BURNING SATANS BOOKS. WE WILL BE BURNING ALL BIBLES THAT ARE NOT THE ORIGINAL 1611 KJV VERSION.

WE WILL ALSO BE BURNING SATANS MUSIC. WE WILL BURN ALL CHRISTIAN MUSIC THAT INCLUDES STYLES LIKE COUNTRY, WESTERN, JAZZ, SOUL, OLDIES, ETC.

WE WILL ALSO BE BURNING SATANS POPULAR BOOKS WRITTEN BY HERETICS LIKE BILLY GRAHAM RICK WARREN, JOHN MACARTHUR, JAMES DOBSON, CHARLES SWINDOLL, TONY EVANS ETC.

WE WILL BE SERVING BAR-B-QUE CHICKEN, FRIED CHICKEN AND ALL THE SIDES

IF YOU HAVE ANY BOOKS OR MUSIC TO DONATE FOR THE BURNING, PLEASE CALL US FOR A PICKUP OR YOUR CAN DROP THEM OFF AT OUR CHURCH DOOR ANYTIME.

THE SCRIPTURE THAT WE ARE USING TO GIVE US AUTHORITY FOR THIS BURNING IS FOUND IN ACTS 19-18-20

"And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds. Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed."

THANKS

AMAZING GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH
CANTON, NC

END OF EMAIL

Well, I don't really know what to say. Leave your comments.

Joan Tyson's New Book "A Missionary Journey"

2009-10-13T00:30:00-04:00

CLICK HERE TO ORDER "A MISSIONARY JOURNEY"

Many of you have read my mothers first book and many have asked her to write a new one. She decided that instead of writing a completely new book, she would revise the first one and add extra chapters to the new one. This book is called "A Missionary Journey" and you will learn things you never knew about the ministry of Bob and Joan Tyson and the Good Samaritan Baptist Mission.

Much has happened since the year 2000 since she wrote her last book and I know that this will touch your heart like the first one did. We are launching a PRE-ORDER on this book. The first printing will be in a couple of weeks and the majority will go out to the distribution company but we will keep a certain amount to be sold directly by us. If you act now, you can receive a copy of her book as soon as it is printed which should be in the next couple of weeks.

When she wrote her first book, my father was still alive and I know that it has not been easy for her to write about his death and everything that has happened since then but she knows how much people love their ministry and it is important for everyone to know the whole story. Just click the BUY NOW button to order your copy and as soon as it is ready, we will ship it to you. You can order several copies if you like. You can give them out to your friends. I know that it will be a blessing to them.

Thank you so much for your prayers and support. It is incredible to me how mom at the age of 73 years old is still working 14 hours days, everyday, in Honduras for the Lord. Please keep her in your prayers.

CLICK HERE TO ORDER "A MISSIONARY JOURNEY"

Philip Tyson

A Wonderful Surprise

2009-10-09T06:00:00-04:00

We have a wonderful surprise coming very very soon. Joan Tyson is putting out a new revised version of her book with new updates, new chapters, and new material.

The name of the book is A MISSIONARY JOURNEY. Some of the content will be the same but you will read stories you never heard before. We are in the last steps of finishing the book and we have another blessing. New Day Christian Distributors out of Nashville is going to distribute the book to book stores around America.

Much has happened since she wrote "Sleeping Spiders, Green Grapefruits and Empty Cages back in the year 2000 so this book is a must for those who love missionary stories and especially the ministry of the Good Samaritan Baptist Mission.

We will let you know as soon as it is available. Probably in the next couple of weeks.

Here is the cover.

May God Bless You,

Philip

This is your life, are you who you want to be?

2009-10-07T06:05:26-04:00

I want you to reflect on something for just a minute.

This is your life, are you who you want to be?

I heard a group sing a song with this tittle and it starts off by saying...

Yesterday is a wrinkle on your forehead
Yesterday is a promise that you've broken
Don't close your eyes, don't close your eyes

This is your life, are you who you want to be?
This is your life, is it everything you dreamed that it would be?
When the world was younger and you had everything to lose

I started thinking about my father. He was around 30 years old and he was not satisfied with his life. He knew that God had a purpose for his life but he had not found it. He could of stayed where he was but he never stopped searching for his purpose in life until God showed him where he needed to be.

The past is the past and there is nothing you can do to erase it. When we are young, we dream about our future and many times we reach a certain age and how easy it is to see life passing by without ever finding our true purpose in life. Don't close your eyes to negative thoughts that tell you that you are to old or to weak to serve God. Don't ever allow your past or your broken promises to keep you from fulfilling your destiny. As George Foreman once said, "turning 50 is not a death sentence". He went on to win the Heaven Weight Championship of the world.

Ask yourself, "This is my life, am I where I want to be?" If not, ask the Lord to help you, to show you the path you need to follow, the decisions you need to make. It is never to late to serve the Lord. It is never to late to become a missionary. It is never to late to get involved in your church. It is never to late to go after your dream. It is never to late to change your life.

Philip Tyson

Have you ever been this tired?

2009-10-01T21:24:55-04:00

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN THIS TIRED?

I received this from Pat Hensley, one of our supporters. I hope this puts a smile on your face.

Dealing with Loss and Sorrow

2009-10-01T05:11:54-04:00

One of the biggest problems most people face when dealing with sorrow, is wondering when the overwhelming sense of grief will subside.

When you’ve lost a loved one from your life, you feel as though you will never recover from the grieving process. Every time you think of that person your eyes well up with tears and your sense of loss feels inconsolable.

Tragedy is often what we make it to be. What would be a tragedy to one person may be only a sad situation at worst to another. The death of a child, unexpected fatal injuries or illness and broken lives caused by drug use and foolish choices are the best examples I can think of to delineate tragedy. Any of us would have to be very cold-hearted not to feel sorrow when affected by events such as these.

Sorrow, to me, goes deeper than sadness or momentary unhappiness. When sorrow comes to us, both our emotions and view of life are darkened. You may say that is a tragedy in itself. Nobody escapes from this life without experiencing some sort of heartache and sorrow. It is the way of the world and, if you are a Christian, allows you to see in some measure the agony Jesus Christ went through for humanity. When crisis and the inevitable sorrow come to you, it is well to have some awareness of what you will go through.

Living on the mission field can be a dramatic experience. You can either fall into to categories, one, your can become numb to everything you see because grief and sorrow are all around you. Second, your heart can be so broken that it actually starts effecting your own emotions and feelings. You know that you cannot help everyone and the need is so great that you can even start feeling guilty every time you sit down to eat a good plate of food knowing that others have nothing to eat. A missionary cannot win people to the Lord without loving them first. The Bible says that "For God so loved the world". In other words, he sent His son to the cross because He loved us. There was much pain involved in this decision.

The Bible explains some important points about grief and sorrow.

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted"(Matt. 5:4).

Most people in our society have an amusement-park mentality. They spend much of their time and money on entertainment, wanting to enjoy life and avoid problems whenever possible. To them, Matthew 5:4 is a paradox. How can someone who mourns be happy? The answer lies in the difference between godly sorrow and human sorrow. Godly sorrow is sorrow over sin; human sorrow is sorrow over some tragic or disappointing turn of events (2 Cor. 7:8-11).

In Matthew 5:4 Jesus is referring to godly sorrow, which is our topic for tomorrow. But we all face human sorrow, so I want to discuss it briefly today.

Human sorrow is a natural emotion. Our Lord Himself was "a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief" (Isa. 53:3). Many things can cause it: we might mourn out of love, disappointment, loneliness, or physical illness. There is nothing wrong with that kind of mourning. It is a God- given relief valve for the pain and sorrow in this fallen world, and promotes the healing process.

Scripture gives many examples of human sorrow. Abraham wept when his wife, Sarah, died (Gen. 23:2). Through tears Jeremiah preached God's message of judgment (Jer. 9:1). Paul expressed his concern for the church with his tears (Acts 20:31). Those are natural, healthy expressions of human sorrow.

However, sorrow can also be caused by evil desires or a lack of trust in God. King Ahab mourned to the point of sulking and not eating when he couldn't have another man's property (1 Kings 21:4). Some Christians mourn excessively when they lose a loved one. Forsaking the comfort of the Spirit, they focus only on their own grief. Extreme or prolonged manifestations of sorrow are sinful and must be confessed rather than comforted.

God is gracious to His children amid times of human sorrow. Ultimately He will do away with mourning and pain forever (Rev. 21:4). Rejoice in that promise and be comforted by His wonderful grace!

Suggestions for Prayer:

Thank God for the ministry of the Spirit, who is the great Comforter or Helper (John 14:16-17). When sorrow occurs, lean on the Spirit, feed your soul on God's Word, and commune with Him in prayer.

For Further Study:

Read Psalm 55. How did David express his desire to escape his difficult situation? What was his final resolve?

Philip Tyson

Samaritan Radio Network Report

2009-09-29T20:00:00-04:00

Samaritan Radio Network
PO Box 430
Villa Rica, GA 30180

Office (770) 459-4058 Fax (770) 459-3418
_________________________________________________

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO GIVE A DONATION TOWARD THE PURCHASE OF THE NEW TRANSMITTER, PLEASE CLICK HERE. YOU WILL BE TAKEN TO THE ONLINE STORE WHERE YOU CAN CHOOSE TO GIVE TO THE SAMARITAN RADIO NETWORK.

Tegucigalpa
September 30, 2009

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

In the book of John 15:16, the word of God says, “Go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain.” We believe in the radio ministry, this is very evident every single day. From the hours of 5:00am to 11:00pm, we hear of the many fruits that are being received but there is one specific hour that God has used to receive more salvations than perhaps any other hour in the past six years. At 10:00am to 11:00am, our microphones are open and an altar call is given for anyone who has the need for prayer…whether it is health problems, financial needs or spiritual needs, the amount of phone calls at this hour is amazing and the testimonies are very touching.

Angela Aguirre called recently from the mountains of Trujillo, Honduras. She said that, after receiving Christ in her heart through the radio ministry in the year 2006, she became a disciple for Christ. After this, she began witnessing to the people there walking from house to house in a place where the Roman Catholic religion has always been very strong. She said our radio signal there on the coast was very powerful and there were many people who were being blessed. Her petition was that she had worn out her one and only pair of shoes and her prayer was that the Lord might send her a new pair of shoes to continue testifying in the different towns and communities. This testimony touched our hearts because there are so many things in life that we take for granted. We are blessed to know the people that have received Christ through the radio ministry are so loyal and faithful to the Lord.

A few days ago, another call was received at this same hour from Juan Burgos. This man called from the capital city of Belize. We receive many phone calls from this country but not from the capital city. He said our radio signal was so clear in his house that it was almost like our studios were there. His testimony was that he received Christ listening to one of our morning programs back in the year 2005. His prayer was that the Lord would heal him from a very serious asthma and breathing problem that he has been struggling with for quite some time.

We realize we have said many times how we would like to write and tell you about the thousands of testimonies that have been received but it is just not possible. Each testimony we read or hear has different meanings and purposes. The Word of God that is transmitted daily over this large network is truly ALIVE and HE has always blessed and provided every single need we’ve ever had. We would like to thank our supporters and everyone who gave a donation for our new Nautel 12 kilowatt AM transmitter here in Tegucigalpa. This transmitter has been ordered and will soon be ready to ship but $10,000 is still needed to make the payment. Thank you again for your donations to this worthy cause where over 2,000,000 people here in the central parts of Honduras and Costa Rica will hear our radio signal even better than before.

In December 2008 we closed the year with 9,108 reported salvations and we truly feel and believe in our hearts because of the daily testimonies that we will surpass this amount in 2009. Today we are celebrating 19 years of transmitting the Gospel since 1990. We can only imagine and only HE knows how many professions of faith have been made throughout Central America since that time until now. We understand and realize that everything that has been done and will be done is all for HIS honor and glory!

May God Bless You,

Steve, Scarleth, Ashley and Briana Tyson

Joan Tyson Report from Honduras

2009-09-27T20:00:00-04:00

Yesterday was a wonderful day. I felt like I was sitting in heavenly places. My morning started at 5:30 a.m. when I tried to see if there was a curfew which would hinder my trip to Nicaragua to participate in the celebration of the 440th anniversary of translation of the Spanish Bible. Finding no curfew, we left at 7:15 for Palacaquina, Nicaragua where the Good Samaritan churches in Nicaragua were gathering for the Bible Day march.

The march started in front of the First Baptist Church in Palacaquina and ended at the plaza, the same plaza where the old, ragged tent was put up 39 years ago and the Gospel of Jesus Christ was preached for the first time. Thirty nine years ago, Bob was looking for a place to begin the ministry in northern Nicaragua where God had called him to go some five years before. After 3 ½ years of studying the Bible, three months of trying to raise support to go, and one year of language study in Costa Rica, at last we were in northern Nicaragua. He, another missionary, and a national preacher stopped on the Pan American highway and prayed that God would show them which way to go. They were at a gasoline station and could have gone in one of four directions. Bob said that he believe God wanted them to go to the right, which was Palacaquina, a town filled with cowboys with pistols, cantinas and all kind of open sin.

Yesterday, as I looked out over the MULTITUDE of people I could not hold back the tears…Just to see what God has done over the last 39 years. There were so many people they couldn’t even be counted. They had put a tent on the plaza where hundreds were seated but around the tent, on the road, sitting on the banks, there was a multitude. I just thought of Bob´s words years ago as he compared the Gospel to striking a match in a dry land and how the flames would spread. That is exactly what has happened in Nicaragua. The match was struck and God fanned the flames. Now the Gospel has gone out all over Nicaragua. Not even one half of our churches were able to participate because of the distance and expense. We should never, never think that what we do for the Lord is nothing. As one pastor said, Bob is in heaven but he left something with the people which is forever and that is the Word of God.

We hurried back from Nicaragua to get to another meeting back in the mountains of Duyusupo. The churches in our area have been meeting in different churches every Sunday night for a month and last night the meeting was scheduled for Duyusupo. The curfew was to start at 9:00 so the meeting was scheduled to start at 4 p.m. As you know, nothing starts on time here and it was about 5:30 before we got started and the service went for three hours. I have never seen anything like it. The place was full with almost as many standing as there were seated. People stood for three hours while people from the different churches sang specials, gave testimonies, and then a powerful message from the Word of God. Five came forward for salvation and rededications. The Holy Spirit was working. The people who came forward, three adults and two teenagers, were shaking and one man´s tears were falling on the altar from where he was kneeling.

It was after nine o´clock when we left Duyusupo. One of the buses bringing 80 people would not start and so everyone was putting as many people as possible on the back of the pickup trucks. When we got back to San Marcos, it was like a ghost town. The curfew had taken place and here all of us were loaded down with people. A couple of trucks were stopped but when they told the soldiers they had been in a service the soldiers just told them to get off the streets as soon as possible.

There is a lot of bad things going on here but in the midst of the bad, God is working. I truly felt like I sat in heavenly places yesterday. I thank the Lord that the freedom to worship here is just as powerful as it has ever been. Thank you for praying for us and for Honduras.

Joan Tyson – September 27, 2009

Honduras Update - Good News

2009-09-23T20:00:00-04:00

We want to thank everyone for your prayers. Honduras is getting back to normal. The curfew has been lifted and people are now going to back to work and the schools and universities are now open. It seems that the Ex President did not have the amount of support that he thought he did. Even though Zelaya is still inside the Brazilian Embassy, people are going on with their daily lives.

Even though the situation was scary, the government used wisdom in calming everything down. The European Union today announced that they were opening all embassies in Honduras once again and that relations with Honduras would go back to normal. This is an answer to prayers.

Our mission workers are now working hard getting ready for Christmas. We will be adding new products to our online store for sponsors to purchase for their children in Honduras. We should have these products posted by the end of this week.

We still have some seats available for the trip in November. This is the time when our schools have their graduations including our Bible School. This is one of the best times to visit our work in Honduras. Do not worry about the political situation. We would never put anyone of our visitors in danger. This is why we communicate everything that is going on. There is absolutely no danger for any groups visiting Honduras at this time. You can call our home office for more information at 770-459-4058.

I want to thank many of you that have sent your donations to fill the container which we will be shipping in around a month. If you have been gathering donations for this container, please send them as soon as you can so we can get everything sorted. You can either bring your donations to our home office in Villa Rica, Ga or you can ship them to 210 Ridgeside Drive, Villa Rica, Ga 30180. At the end of this email, you will see a list of articles that we are needing to fill the container. If you are planning of donating, please answer this email and let us know. We will truly appreciate it.

Last, to receive better updates on our ministry, please visit www.goodsamaritan.ms and on the right hand side, click SIGN UP. We now have almost 1,000 members signed up on our site and this helps us to update you about everything that our ministry is doing including up to date news about Honduras.

List of Supplies for the Container.

Spanish Bibles
Spanish Song Books
Any Spanish Reading Book for our High School and Bible School Library
Only Children's clothes for New Born to 12 years old - No Adult Clothes
Shoes (Any type of Shoe as long as they are in good condition)
Ball Caps and Ties for our National Pastors
Music Instruments for School Band (Saxophone, Trumpets, Trombones, Etc.)
Electric Generators for churches that have no electricity
Forks, Spoons, Knives - for our Feeding Centers
Plates, Cups, Bowls (No Glass or disposable. Hard Plastic is great)
Soap, Shampoo, Body Lotion, Baby Powder Etc.
Gardening Supplies (Rakes, Shovels, Picks, Weed Eaters, Lawnmowers, Etc.
Sound Equipment for our Churches (Speakers, Microphones, mixers, Amps, Cables, Guitars, Keyboards, Etc.
Used Computers for our High Schools (Does not have to be new but in good condition)
Office Supplies (Printers, Copying Machines, Staplers, Scissors, Etc.)
Sewing Machines (To make the uniforms for the Sponsored children)
Carpentry Equipment (Saws, Drills, Sanders, Etc.)
Mechanical Tools (Tool Sets, Wrenches, Screw Drivers, Hammers, Etc.)
Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Mouthwash
Over the Counter Medicine (Tylenol, Advil, Ibuprofein, Etc. Pain and Cold Medicines. Must not be Expired)
Vitamins for Children (Must not be Expired)
Bed Spreads, Blankets, Sheets, Etc.

May God Bless You,

Philip Tyson

A Great Night of Revival in a Hispanic Church in Georgia

2009-09-02T20:00:00-04:00

This last week, I had the opportunity to preach in two Hispanic churches in Georgia. I have preached many times in english speaking churches in the U.S. and in hispanic churches in Honduras and Nicaragua but this was the first time for me in an hispanic church in America.

The night before, I was praying and asking the Lord to lead me in the way He wanted to go with my sermon. The Lord spoke to me and I realized that no matter where you are in the world or where you are from, you need Jesus. No matter what your struggles are or if your life seems perfect, you need Jesus.

The Holy Spirit moved in a powerful way in both services and many people came to the altar. I hope to have more opportunities to preach the Word of God in spanish speaking churches in America. The Lord is opening up doors. Revival is not only moving in Central America but also here in America.

The picture of above shows the altar call in one or our services in Georgia.

May God Bless You,

Philip Tyson

Joan Tyson Report for September, 2009

2009-09-02T20:00:00-04:00

This is a picture of the reconstruction of the church in Iztoca, Honduras. We want to thank everyone who gave toward this project. The people here are very happy and we know that God is going to bless you. Thank you once again.

San Marcos de Colon, Choluteca, Honduras
September 2, 2009

We have been back in Honduras for a week and everyday has been filled with new experiences in the Lord´s work. The political situation is very quiet right now, in fact, it seems more calm to me than ever. We are used to being stopped at checkpoints but most of the time now they just wave us on by. We pray that after the elections in November that the world will see that Honduras wants peace and democracy. It makes me have more respect for this small nation who has stood alone against dictatorship and for democracy. It made me feel good when I heard that Israel is helping Honduras economically. It almost sounds like two small nations standing alone…

We have six people from the states visiting with us right now – Don and Evelyn Eckard, along with their grandson, Matt, are here working in the dental clinic and Tony and Edie Middlebrooks, along with Mickey Turpin, are here to film a documentary for Tony and Edie to use as they represent Good Samaritan in the US to get help for the children and pastors. We are having a busy week as they are not only filming and working in the clinic but Matt, a young Bible School student, is giving out food bags.

Yesterday, I met with about 60 pastors and this was such a blessing to me. There was a wonderful spirit as one by one they stood to tell of the Lord´s blessings – salvations, baptisms, weddings, etc. In the church in El Corpus 22 were baptized, another reported 18 baptisms. I am so thankful to the Lord that He is allowing me to be a part of this wonderful work. I cannot preach but I can try and help these men of God by writing letters, trying to get them support so they can feed their families or buy gasoline or pay a bus to go way back in the mountains and preach the Gospel. As I told them yesterday, soon this is all going to end and the only thing that will count is what we have done for our Lord Jesus Christ.

The only sad thing was when Pastor Antonio Suarez stood to tell about losing his precious young wife to cancer. He spent the last 29 days with her in the Government hospital in Tegucigalpa, sleeping in a chair or on the floor, taking care of her as though she were a baby and he said he would do it over and over again. She is now at home with her little girl who died about 2 years ago. Sometimes it seems to me that there are people born to suffer and Brother Antonio is one of them but he has brought honor and glory to the Lord throughout all this suffering.

On Sunday morning we were with Pastor Danilo Hernandez in El Triunfo – the church was filled and we were amazed at how so many children could be so quiet. Danilo and his wife are doing a wonderful work here. In the afternoon we passed by the church of Iztoca. All I can say is: WHAT A BEAUTIFUL CHURCH, and so many of you had a part in this. You would be blessed to see what a blessing you have brought to these people. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

I say that I am not going to start any more projects right now but in the pastors meeting, one of the young pastors stood and began to tell how the Lord had blessed in CHUPADERO. At present they are meeting in a mud church that is about to fall in, one that the people built a few years ago. My heart was touched, as usual, and when I asked him when he and his people could knock the mud walls down, he quickly answered “TOMORROW”….That brought a laugh from all the pastors. They were offering to loan him picks and shovels. I told him to tear it down…I feel perfect peace in my heart about this and I believe that together we can all build a pretty church in Chupadero as we have in Iztoca. I know that God repays when we do something for His honor and glory. The total cost of the Iztoca church, which included a new floor, was $24,000.00 and the Lord provided every cent. It will cost about the same in Chupadero.

WE HAVE SET UP A PLACE ON OUR ONLINE STORE WHERE YOU CAN DONATE TO THE BUILDING OF THE CHUPADERO CHURCH. JUST CLICK HERE.

This has turned out to be a long letter and I didn’t mean it to be but in just one week so much has happened. I am so thankful to be back and to have the health to still work for the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, our Lord Jesus Christ. From the bottom of my heart, I say thank you and I love everyone of you in the Lord.

Joan Tyson
GOOD SAMARITAN BAPTIST MISSIONS, INC.
P. O. BOX 430
VILLA RICA, GEORGIA 30180

Samaritan Revival ends its tour

2009-08-30T20:00:00-04:00

Just a few minutes a go, I returned from the airport where I left the Samaritan Revival group. They are on their way back to Honduras after two months of visiting churches here in the U.S. God blessed more than we could ever imagine and we definitely know that He has his hand on the ministry of the Good Samaritan Baptist Mission. God is so good and merciful and we thank Him for all the doors that He has opened up for us.

In February of 2008, the group first came to the U.S. with the purpose of sponsoring children. They were here for four months. In In March of 2009, they returned for a two month tour and in July of this year, they came back once again which ended today. In just the last two months, we were able to find sponsors for 205 children. This makes 617 children in all three trips.

If you think about it, this is over 600 families that are going to now be blessed with a new hope of improving their life not just physically but spiritually. Six Hundred and Seventeen children are going to receive a good meal everyday, they will have an opportunity to receive a good education but best of all, they are going to hear about the love of Jesus everyday. With the economic situation the way it is in many parts of the U.S. this just shows that God is a powerful God and He has the ability to touch hearts and He is proving that He will provide if we trust Him.

I want to thank all of you who sponsored a child. Thank you for making a difference in the life of a needy child. Our prayer is that these children will grow up to be pastors, deacons, evangelist or just good moral God fearing Christians. Now they have that chance.

There are many surprises that will be coming in the future. We have many plans and as the Lord leads us, we will continue to find more sufficient ways to serve Him.

I do not know what the future holds but what I do know is that our trust is in Christ and wherever He leads, we will follow. Keep us in your prayers and thank you for your support.

May God Bless You,

Philip Tyson

Join us for the Honduras Music Jubilee 2010

2009-08-24T20:00:00-04:00

We are happy to announce that we have officially started the registration for the Honduras Jubilee 2010 which will be held from March 1st to March 8th, 2010.

This is a trip of a lifetime and we hope that many of you who minister through music will join us for this wonderful week of music and evangelism in the countries of Honduras and Nicaragua.

Below you will see details about the Jubilee. It is important that you reserve your spot as soon as possible. All prices are leaving from the Atlanta Airport and returning to Atlanta. If you need to travel from another airport, this may be able to be arranged by our trip organizer.

1. All music groups that sign up for this Mission Jubilee will have the Opportunity to minister through their music from Tuesday thru Sunday Night. On both Mondays, everyone will be traveling.

2. Since our goal to see people come to the Lord, their will be many opportunities for messages to be preached. Once you sign up, you will be asked if you would like to preach. If so, we will add you to our schedule to preach once or even more. If you are ordained, you may be asked to help us baptize. Most baptisms are held in the river so you may get a little muddy. We will provide several translators so communication will not be a problem.

3. During the day, we will be visiting remote villages where you will be singing and testifying to village people. Each day, we will have a service in a village church. To reach many of these villages, we have to travel on dirt roads so it will be a little bumpy but the experience will incredible. You will also have the opportunity to bring down candy, clothes, bibles and toys to give out to the poor people. Pre Packed food bags will be available for purchase for your to give out door to door to many poor families if you like.

4. During the night, we will be having regional crusades where many churches will unite for a large concert. Expect to sing to hundreds or even thousands of people. Once you sign up, we will ask for the lyrics of your songs that you will be singing so we can translate them into spanish and as you sing, the spanish words will be shown on a screen so everyone can understand.

5. We will also be visiting our Christian Schools where each group will be singing to a great number of Primary and High School Students. We will be doing this in Honduras and Nicaragua.

6. To travel to Honduras, you are required to have a valid U.S. Passport which does not expire in the next six months. No shots are required. If you do prefer shots, you can call your local health department.

7. The cost of the trip is $1,300.00 per person. This includes:

Round trip airfare from Atlanta to Honduras
All Transportation
All Meals
All Taxes including airport tax
The truth is "EVERYTHING"

8. You will not need to bring any sound equipment. We have first class equipment which we will be using. You will need to bring your sound tracks either on CD or on your computer.

9. You will have the opportunity to be interviewed live on our Radio Network which reaches over five million people.

10. The culture in Honduras is very different than in America so we ask you not to wear shorts and definitely no smoking.

11. Our mission center is very nice and the food is great so each night, you will have a good bed to sleep on and you will have good clean bath rooms and showers.

12. If you take any medication, please bring it with you. Some medications cannot be found in Honduras or they are under another name which sometimes is hard to figure out.

If you would like to join us for this Jubilee, please contact Rebecca Day at our home office at 770-459-4058 or you can email me at philip@samaritanrevival.com

We will need a $150 dollar deposit to reserve your seat. Rebecca will give you the deadline for the deposit and for all payments.

We hope that you decide to join us. You will be ministering to an unbeilable amount of people and I can assure you that your life and your ministry will be changed forever.

Leave us any questions of comments below and I will answer then as soon as possible.

Philip Tyson
www.samaritanrevival.com

Are we leaving the fallen soldiers behind?

2009-08-21T20:00:00-04:00

A couple of years a go, I found an old video of my mother speaking at a church in Atlanta. She was talking about their ministry and about how the Lord was blessing the ministry even though the Devil had launched very strong attacks. This video was recorded back in 1998. She started talking about me (her son) who had accomplish much for the Lord but had lost his way. At that time, I was going through a hard time in my life and my life was out of focus. Speaking to this church, she said something that impacted my life as I watched the video years later.

She said "When you are in a war, you do not step over a falling soldier, you stop and try to pick him up. You cannot leave him behind".

Those words still swirl around in my head as I experience life as a redeemed and forgiven man. The marines have a saying "No one gets left behind". Can you imagine if every Christian felt this way. What a day that would be when someone who has fallen into problems that this world can bring gets surrounded by Christians who are willing to do everything in their power to restore them to full capacity.

Mathew 6:14-15 says "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses"

Anyway you want to look at this passage, it is pretty clear. It is also a little scary because today forgiveness is hard to come by when it comes to man. If you ask me why, I really do not know. I have heard many explanations and usually the Bible is mentioned but when I read my Bible, forgiveness is one of the key messages in the Bible. The Bible also talks about love and helping one another and lets face it, that is what Jesus did when He was on this earth.

We have a friend who has a ministry in California which is just incredible. His ministry is devoted to restoring fallen christians and church leaders. His ministry uses the Bible to show someone who has fallen by the wayside how to find the path of Christ once again.

As Christians, we all start out strong. We all line up in formation as soldiers ready to do battle against satan and his followers and unfortunately, some will stumble and fall. Do we leave them behind? The answer is no. Our motto should be, No soldier left behind.

I am serving the Lord because my mother never lost faith in her son. She never stopped praying and the more she prayed, the more I felt like I needed to speak to her. She never judged, she just loved. She never gave up until one day my heart broke and I saw myself where I really was, sunk in a pit with no way of getting out and Jesus was the only one that could pull me up toward the sunshine.

Not everyone can be restored but we can try. I have had six wonderful years of working in the ministry once again and I have to think my mother that never stopped praying. Do not give up on your child or on your friend. Do not give up on a loved one or on yourself.

If God could split the red sea, He can restore the life of a fallen soldier in the army of God who has stumbled.

Philip Tyson.

August 2009 Report by Joan Tyson

2009-08-16T20:00:00-04:00

Dear Friends and Co-Laborers In Christ,

How could we have ever known when I wrote the last newsletter on May 17 that the political situation would be as it is today in Honduras? Stephany and I left Honduras on the 23rd of June for the last two months of the Samaritan Revival tour and four days later on the 27th of June the President of Honduras was impeached by the Congress of Honduras, arrested, and taken to San Jose, Costa Rica. For months this President had done so many things contrary to the democracy of Honduras that it was frightening. I had told you about his tripling the minimum wage, which caused so many small businesses to fold and also we had to get rid of so many workers, some of whom had been faithful for years. He had signed an ALBA treaty with other communist nations against the wishes of Congress. The last thing was his plans on the Sunday he was arrested to hold another election which would enable him to stay in office permanently. The Congress had warned him not to do this but on Saturday night before the election and his ousting on Sunday, four planes from Venezuela landed in Tegucigalpa with ballot boxes already prepared from Venezuela. The Army was not going to turn these over but Zelaya called on his supporters to march to the airport with him and collect these boxes. In order to avoid a blood bath, the ballot boxes were turned over to him by the army but at 5:00 am on Sunday morning, before the election could be held, a representative of the Supreme Court went with the military to arrest him accusing him of crimes he had committed against the country. Immediately the President of Congress, who was in the same party as President Zelaya, was sworn in as the new President. It was not a military takeover.

What happened next is still hard for us to believe. Instead of rejoicing that a small nation like Honduras was fighting to stay a democratic nation, our Government has turned against Honduras, cutting off all aid, and saying that this leftist president has to be restored to power. I watched as the entire United Nations gave a standing ovation to Ex-President Zelaya. I heard Secretary of State Hillary Clinton say that Honduras would be severely punished if he was not restored to power. I heard President Obama say that the United States would only recognize the ex-president.

There is a lot of turmoil in Honduras. At the present time the ex-president is at the Nicaraguan border with hundreds of his followers, including Nicaraguans and Venezuelans, while others are rioting in the streets, threatening to enter and take over. Only the Lord knows where all of this will end. Honduras is being threatened by both Nicaragua and Venezuela. PLEASE, PLEASE PRAY….

Forgive me for spending so much time on the political situation but we need everyone to pray for Honduras that the Lord will intervene and show mercy to this small nation who is so open to the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Pray for the Christians and pray especially for the children. The borders have been closed and there has been no trade. There will be more children needing food. It would break my heart to have to close the kitchens… Should the Lord touch your heart to help buy food for the kitchens, it will be a blessing. Right now, we have food but it is not going to last for long and then we will have to look for food to buy. We know it will be hard because some food is already being rationed but if we have money, we will be able to find some food.

THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART for the way you responded to the need of reconstructing the church in Iztoca, Honduras. We have received enough funds not only to rebuild the church but to buy chairs (they like chairs better than benches so they can take these to outdoor meetings). I will send pictures later.

Some of you may know that the Samaritan Revival group was nominated in the top ten of new singing groups at the gospel singing convention in Branson, MO. They didn’t win but it was an honor for them to sing on stage there along with famous singing groups. Since these young men from Nicaragua were also in the Opportunity program, and graduated from our high school, and now working for Good Samaritan Mission in Honduras, their testimony has touched the hearts of many people to sponsor children. We have been in some wonderful services – two Spanish men have received the Lord.

There is so much news and I don’t have room to write any more but I just want to ask you to pray for Stephany and me. The Lord willing, we will return to Honduras on the 24th of August. We do not plan to return to the US before sometime next year but I always say, “if it’s the Lord’s will”, because we never know what His will is for our lives. Pray for Philip as he will remain in the United States for awhile, visiting churches and updating them on the mission. We love every one of you and thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your love and support. You mean so much to my family and me, and to all our mission family in Honduras.

Joan Tyson and Family

A Poem about the Scars of LIfe

2009-08-14T20:00:00-04:00

I hope that this Poem touches you as much as it has touched me. We all have scars and the hardest person to forgive is our self. We all experience pain, some more than others, and I hope this poem helps you if you have scars in your life.

Scars of Life

From evil’s claws depression come –
so many people live in strife
not knowing how to cope or live –
always burdened by the scars of life

Everyone must bear their share of pain –
sometimes alone, sometimes not
but no one is really completely lost –
there might be someone they just forgot

We all carry burdens that are not so light –
and some feel heavier as life goes on
but without a friend standing nearby –
we can feel like life is finished or done

The scars we live with won’t just go away –
they remain with us wherever we trod
and they can drag us to the ocean’s floor –
if we do not release them to our God

Some are permanent and will always be –
a reminder of a time when we were lost
but why carry those we can set free –
and be victims to a waste less cost

Joy and happiness reign supreme –
there is a time when birds do sing
and a time when the sun does shine –
and in soft breezes, chimes do ring

We make choices every day –
that often come with uncertain stress
those are the scars we do not need –
we can let them go, or they’ll make us less

Life’s journey has many paths –
we can decide which to take
one of darkness, and stand alone –
or a path with friends, for a better fate

We can control to much degree –
the kind of life we want to choose
to hold the hand of a friend indeed –
someone who cares, how could we loose?

Joy and pain live side by side –
and both are felt as when they come
we can live the joy in comfort and peace –
or relent to the pain; nothing is won

If we choose to walk our path alone –
then the scars of life will victory claim
but walk with a friend who cares and loves –
then The Master’s Paradise will always reign!

God clings to His children so close and dear –
the love He gives cannot be compared
we can overcome the scars of life we fear –
when embraced by a friend whose love we share!

@ Steve A. Politte