(See related photos at end of newsletter.)

It's been a long while since you have received a letter from us, especially the paper ones. 

Last month we sent out an e-mail newsletter, but many of you did not receive it because of technical difficulties related to our website.  We hope those problems are corrected now.

Speaking of which! ... An important word about SPAM filters:
Many e-mail services have SPAM filters which, unfortunately, often block important messages (such as this one!), or send them to your junk mail folder because they don't recognize the sender.  To help ensure that you receive future e-mail from Father Heart Missions, please take a moment now to add us to your Contacts, Address Book, or “Safe Senders” list.   The e-mail address to add is: TheBrowns@FatherHeartMissions.com

Now then, here are some things that have gone on since we returned from the States in July....
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Feeding Program
Every Saturday the "official" feeding program continues.  But it doesn't end there.  Quite often, children and teenagers show up at our house during the week, hungry physically and spiritually. Last week, some kids walked an hour and a half to get to our house, telling us they wanted to have "church," so ... "church" we had!  We began with worship, followed by a sermon, and then we fed them all spaghetti.  It was fun!
* * *

Father Heart Class
We are teaching two Father Heart classes in our apartment. It is very fulfilling to be able to minister the love of Father God to teens and young adults. Three of these young people gave their hearts to Jesus during a recent class. It has been incredible, and we have many who are on the waiting list to be in a future class.

Here are some quotes.

A young woman: "My mother had me when she was only 13 years old.  I was a product of rape.  Whenever my mother got mad at me, she told me that I was never wanted, that I wasn't even supposed to have been born.  I went into deep depression.  But now I have learned that there was never a time I wasn't wanted by my heavenly Father, and He rejoiced at the day of my birth.  God is giving me a new joy and love for myself."

A young man told Brad: "I lost my father when I was 12.  I felt so bad and fatherless.... But then you came along and, not only are you just like a father to me, but you are showing me to how to know God as a Father."

Soon we want to start a new class with pre-teens, and another with adults.
* * *

A Mission Team Visits
We enjoyed a visit from our friends John and Skip from the States.  They preached in two churches, and they visited the Father Heart School (Escuela Corazon del Padre), which they have been sponsoring for several years now. They were very blessed to see the completion of the new school building.  We celebrated with the children by having a party, complete with piñata, games, and refreshments.
* * *

A Parade!

This year, for the first time, the Father Heart children marched in the annual parade.  What fun! 

Not all children in the neighborhood can attend Father Heart School.  Even though it's free, some children have to work so their family can survive.  Among the photos at the end of this newsletter, you'll see two boys who work in the dump.  The long sticks are so they can pick through the garbage (and through the smoke) to find what they want.  They act like it doesn't bother them ... but it does.  It was nice that they were able to get away from their work for a little while and come to the party.
* * *

Ruth's Third Annual Women's Retreat
Ruth had a very special time teaching at the women's retreat in Orinoco, along with a team of three other ladies.  

Here is a fun story....

One day, as I was walking along the narrow path on the way to church, I found a donkey walking in front of me.  I paused so he could go on ahead, but when I did, he turned and faced me and waited.  Not until I started walking again did he turn back and continue "leading the way."  Well, I guess God can use a donkey to bring us to church.  I seem to remember He used donkeys a few times in Bible days too! 

You can read all about the retreat, and see more photos, at our new ministry page on facebook: www.facebook.com/FHmissions
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Graduation, Scholarships ... and Christmas!
In Nicaragua, the end of the school year is in November.  Several of our scholarship students are graduating from sixth grade, or from high school. 

• Yessileth, graduating 6th grade, took 2nd Place in Academic Excellence in her class -- among all the 6th-graders in the city!  We are very proud of Yessileth.

• Lexania, a single mom with three kids, has been studying nights and is finally graduating high school with high honors.  Yay, Lexania! 

None of this could have been possible without the help of their sponsors. THANK YOU to everyone who sponsored a student, or students.  Would you consider sponsoring a child for 2012 -- giving someone hope for the future? Whether you want to renew a sponsorship or start a new one, I can't think of a better buy for the money.  $70 will send a child to school for an entire year.  School starts in the end of January but we need to start buying the supplies now, so you can send us the money as soon as you are able to. 

And then there's Christmas!  Yes, it is that time again.... to plan for the Christmas party and children's program.  It means so much to these families to receive this blessing.  See below for details about how you can give -- either for the Scholarship Program, and/or the Christmas Program.
* * *

Love in Jesus,
    - Brad and Ruth

"...ministering the love of our heavenly Father..." Love never fails.  I Corinthians 13:8

Find Us on Facebook
We have a new ministry page on facebook called Father Heart Missions.  

Check it out! ... www.facebook.com/FHmissions

How to Give:
1.)  Go to our website, www.FatherHeartMissions.com, and click on the "How Can I Help?" button.  Follow the simple directions to donate securely online.

...OR...

2.) Write a check payable to International Accelerated Missions, and mail to:
     International Accelerated Missions
     114 Rock Rd.
     Berne, NY 12023
(Please make sure that our name, Brad & Ruth Brown, is in the envelope, but do not write in the memo section of the check.)

...OR...

3.) Call the IAM office during business hours and put it on your credit card.  Phone: (518) 872-0987.

To give to a specific cause, such as the Scholarship Program: 
Simply include a note with your gift, stating your desires. If you give through our website, click on the "Contact Us" link to send us the note. 

Some Specific Causes:
Christmas for the Kids ... Helping to give up to 200 kids a Merry Christmas -- gifts, party, food, and the Gospel.
Scholarship Program ... $70 per student sends a needy child to school for an entire year.
Small Business ... Helping the needy get started in a small business so that they can help themselves
Mercy Ministries ... Emergency funds for people in desperate need, such as medical help, food or shelter 
Feeding Program ... Feeding up to 100 hungry kids per week
Youth Center ... A safe place for children and teens, where they can be involved in wholesome activities and learn about God’s love
Father Heart School ... Serving the children from the dump; enabling these poorest of the poor to go to school
Where Needed Most ... When things come up in any of the above categories and they're short of funds, we draw from this general fund instead.

Thank you!

Prayer and Praise