A New Cafe

Focus on Gabriel and Fabiola B.

 

When we first met Fabiola B. (don’t get confused, this isn’t Fabiola Wolyn) she was a single mother that moved into the house next to our church. She and her one-year old daughter started coming to our church and she dedicated her daughter and herself to the Lord.

 

After some time, she met Gabriel and they fell in love, but then they moved in together and things soon went downhill. After coming to us for counseling they decided to do a “re-start” and he moved out, began to focus on seeking God, decided to give His life to Jesus and was baptized. Then they were engaged and have been learning helpful relationship skills as they prepare to be married next month.

 

We invited Fabiola B. to enroll her daughter at the Christian school that World Impact started (where all of our children have gone) and she has been growing leaps and bounds academically, socially and spiritually. She is so fun to watch worship!

We got to cheer Fabiola B. and her daughter on as she won the “Student of the Quarter” award for her Kindergarten class.

Ministry Center Renovation

 

Another cool connection in this story is that Fabiola B’s old house has now become our new ministry center… 

A volunteer group from Northern California helped us paint the outside of the house taking it from an eye sore to something that can now be used to bless our community. We also painted the entire inside and have all new window coverings and additional parking for our church.

 

Café

 

We are now working at fund-raising appliances and furniture so that we can open a café in the fall. 

If you are interested in helping with this project, there will be details at the end of this update.

After all of this work was done Fabiola B., Gabriel and their daughter came and painted the gate around the church property (which now includes this new ministry center).

Health & Wellbeing Ministry

The first ministry that was launched in the ministry center – but now is being housed in our main church building – were our exercise classes (part of the Health & Wellbeing ministry that was recently launched to minister to the community). We offer stretch classes and step classes (like Zumba).

 

Vacation Bible School – Kid’s Club

 

Leading up to Easter we had our annual outreach in the park across the street from our church. There were over 100 people that came out. This event helped us to build new relationships with families in the community, some who have now connected with our weekly ministry. We now have two more countries represented at our church!

We had a core group of volunteers helping with this event. Fabiola B. provided some practical help by bringing our son, Beniah, along with her daughter to be a part of the event after their school let out. 

Easter – Gabriel’s Baptism

Gabriel powerfully shared his new faith and passion for God so boldly at his baptism. Fabiola B’s family came out to support him on this special day. 

English Ministry

Fabiola B. and Gabriel have also helped us launch the new English ministry at our church. Our goal is to do a better job discipling the youth and adults who prefer English, but still love being part of a Spanish speaking church while also expanding our reach to friends, family, classmates, co-workers and neighbors who speak English. 

Stories of redemption, hope and growth – like Fabiola B. and Gabriel’s story – are what keep us going after 16 years of ministering in the city. For every hurt heart, broken family, or addiction to overcome there is healing and restoration in Christ Jesus!

 

Thank you for praying for us and for supporting this ministry to some of the darkest and most neglected neighborhoods of Los Angeles and beyond.

 

 

 

Are you interested in helping us launch our café in our new ministry building?

 

Here are some of the slides from one of the vision presentations prepared by the "Cafe team" at our church (they are in Spanish, but hopefully give you an idea of some of the dreaming and planning that is taking place)…

Here are some of our bigger needs…

Tables & Chairs ($200/set): $1,000 

(we need 5 sets)

Refrigerator: $500

Stove: $500

Ice Cream/Popsicle Freezer: $750

Coffee/Espresso machines and supplies (coffee, syrups, cups, etc.): $500

 

You can give tax-deductible gifts to our church, Fuente para las Naciones.

 

Either by mailing a check to:

Fuente para las Naciones

2001 S. Vermont Ave.

Los Angeles, CA 90007

 

Or using Zelle (Fuente para las Naciones – iglesiafuente@gmail.com) and writing “Café” in the Memo.

 

 

Thank you for all of your support and prayers!

 

The Wolyn Family

Chad, Fabiola, Rebecca, Justice & Beniah

Spotlight on 2 Graduates

As grad season is upon us, we wanted to share a spotlight on two graduates, Stephanie and our son Justice as we share some updates from recent ministry.

 

Spotlight on Stephanie…

We met Stephanie and her family when she was 4 years old, and we were just getting to know our neighbors at the start of our church planting endeavors. Her family were some of the first to come to the Lord and be baptized at our young church. Rebecca and Stephanie are great friends and we’ve been able to celebrate many birthdays, quinceaños, graduations and other milestones along the way.

Stephanie just graduated college – the first in her hard-working family. She finished her bachelor's degree in just three years and is now enrolled at Azusa Pacific University for her doctorate degree in Child Psychology.  She will live at home and help her parents with their business as she studies. 

She recently shared at our church:

 “First of all, without God I wouldn’t be able to be where I am today. I remember when I first started at Vanguard University, I wasn’t sure if Psychology was what I was supposed to be studying. I was praying about it for weeks asking God to bring clarity and direction. One day, during worship, a friend came to me, and this was a friend I’ve never shared any of my doubts with, and she shared with me that God was calling me to a place where there were people that were broken. She continued saying that my profession wouldn’t just be a profession, but a calling from the Lord to help and reach people for the Kingdom of God. That is why I worked so hard over the last 3 years to get my degree in Counseling. In August I will begin my doctorate studies so that I can help families and children in broken places, in homes where there is abuse, all with the desire to help reach more people with the love and hope of Jesus.” 

Stephanie is one of our Trauma Healing Group facilitators and joined us on our mission trip to Mexicali, Mexico to train teams from four churches.

 

Here are a few quotes from that training:

“I feel like through this training I’ve become more capable and confident to help people with deep emotional wounds. Now I feel that trauma isn’t such a scary topic…with the right tools you can really address the deeper needs and help others find healing.” (Anonymous)

“I loved how God, through this training, helped me identify hurts in my own heart and understand the process towards healing. Thank you so much for your generous service and attention in helping our local churches. It is beautiful how we can build deep bonds with brothers and sisters from other parts of the world.” (Anna)

“I thank World Impact and above everything else Chad, Fabiola and Stephanie for their heart and willingness to help us so that our community will be blessed through what we have been equipped to do.”  (Pastor Ramon)

“It was such a fun and dynamic way to present the material, it helped me understand everything so clearly.  I can’t wait to share this with my friends. Thank you so much for coming all the way to our city to share this training with us.” (Elizabeth) 

The building of the church that hosted this training in Mexicali, Mexico. 

Some of the hands-on learning, skits and demonstrations.

Chad & Fabiola facilitating part of the training.

Stephanie facilitates part of the training and then has the class break into pairs for an activity. 

Chad going through some of the logistics on how to facilitate healthy heaing groups and then giving each person an opportunity to practice facilitating a section of a lesson. 

Stephanie made some great new friends, did a wonderful job facilitating the healing group and assessing those being trained. We are already making plans for more healing group facilitator trainings in the future. (Pictured some of the participants showing off their certificates at the end of the training.)

Since our trip it has been exciting to get reports and pictures from how those that were trained are using the material and meeting in coffee shops, homes and churches to help more people apply the Word of God to their own healing journeys.  

Stephanie also helped lead a group of our youth to Winter Camp for the second year.

Isn’t it amazing that she has been able to continue ministering at our church locally and internationally while finishing up her bachelor’s degree in three years?!

Stephanie is part of our worship team and helped lead worship at our Mother’s Day brunch celebration. 

Some of the women gathered for the women’s ministry event. 

While Stephanie finished up her undergraduate degree, our son, Justice, just graduated high school. As a vocal and charismatic part of his school’s ministry team he has become seen by the faculty and his peers as a “student pastor” and was able to share several messages with the student body at chapel.

Justice has been on the mission field since he was 1 years old. He has gone from being carried around in our arms and a stroller to serving in children’s ministry at our church. He has witnessed first-hand how hard and how rewarding ministry can be. He has benefited personally from your prayers and financial support. Since he has been such a huge part of our life and ministry, we thought you would appreciate hearing his heart and see how you might pray for him as he heads off to college in just two months.

Dear Friends,
 
As many of you may already know, I have recently finished a chapter of my life and have graduated from high school. My time at Maranatha High School was possible only through the support of family and friends like yourselves. Knowing this, I made the most of all four years, ensuring I did my best in my academics and extracurriculars. Some of my favorite memories were in sports, like on the football field, and others were in the classrooms working on group projects or class discussions. I was blessed enough to join the Ministry Team, where I was able to speak in chapels and encourage others on their faith and walk with God. I give thanks for all of you who have prayed for me because the Lord has allowed me to flourish and be a light for others at Maranatha.
 
For my next chapter, the Lord has led me to choose Biola University, where I will be studying Christian Ministries! I know Biola will do a great job helping me develop for pastoral work while allowing me to be in an uplifting environment full of Christians. I plan to surround myself with believers who challenge each other in growth and connection with the Lord.
 
I ask for prayer regarding two things: first, that I can fill the financial and resource gaps needed for tuition and living expenses; and second, for a smooth transition into college life, including my academics, making new friends, and living away from home for the first time. It will be challenging, but also fun and exciting! Knowing so many prayer warriors will have my back brings me great comfort and peace. I also pray for you and give thanks to God for all your support and friendship with our family.
 
God Bless,
Justice Wolyn

Justice had the honor of leading the processional of graduates as he carried the cross during his high school graduation. 

Justice will be attending Biola University and studying Pastoral Ministries

Please be in prayer for us during the following transitions:

• Justice starting college at Biola and moving to the dorms.

• Beniah starting middle school. 

• Rebecca starting her classroom experience as an Elementary Education major and living off campus. 

• Chad as he supervises more people and is responsible for larger regions in the mission work. 

• Fabiola as she helps supervise the church’s new outreach initiatives and feels a little more of the ‘emptying nest’.

Thank you for your love, emotional and financial support, and prayers!

Chad, Fabiola, Rebecca, Justice and Beniah Wolyn