The Ivey Vines

News and Information about the Iveys, their Mission Partners and Supporters
www.IveyMission.org

Published Sporadically as Time Permits and Circumstances Dictate
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1-21-2008 - The Dalton First UMC will field a team of 21 doctors, nurses, dentist and eye specialists for a medical mission trip to Arthur's Peruvian hometown, Huancayo, on January 31.  If there are supporters and friends who wish to send a small package, a donation to Arthur's work, or letters, please contact me.  You may call me at 706-278-8406 during office hours or at 706-259-8406 in the evenings.  You may also e-mail me at jdavis@LancerEnt.com  We leave Dalton on Thursday, January 31 and return on Tuesday, February 12.  I would also ask for your prayers for traveling mercies for the team and for Arthur and his family for strength to put up with us.

I H S,

Jim Davis

8-19-07 - Information on the Earthquake
 I apologize for the delay in posting, but below is the latest from the Iveys in Peru.  Remember that Arthur is quite a ways from Lima, being separated by the Andes.  However, as he notes, they received shocks from the Lima quake.  Here is a copy of Arthur's latest communication to me:

Dear Jim, 

Thanks for posting the newsletter.  I don't have good access to the internet right now, but when it gets back to capacity I will check it out.  I would like to do other things on the website, but just haven't had time to put anything together.   

The earthquake is affecting us, but not like those in Lima and Ica.  It shook our house pretty good, but to my knowledge there was no damage or injuries in Huancayo. Every hour we hear reports of other affected areas.  We have communicated with all Mission Society folks here and they are ok.  We are not sure about Peruvian co-workers in Ica and Lima at this time.  We do not have communication with Lima and the roads are blocked by landslides.  Please be in prayer for those who have been hurt.

I would suggest that you not attempt to reach the Iveys by e-mail, as they will not have the time or ability to answer even if your message gets through.  I will post as I receive information, however I am leaving for India and Sri Lanka on the 29th and will be gone for two weeks and may not be able to have suitable ISP service to be able to update the site.  If you need more, contact the Mission Society in Norcross for any additional information during my absence.

Jim

 

3-06-2007 - A Successful Trip and Safe Return for DFUMC Team to Tarapoto
A wonderful trip of 10 days has just ended for a Medical Mission Team from Dalton First UMC to Tarapoto, Peru.  The Ivey family plus MS intern Todd Weeks, hosted and provided translation services for the team in Tarapoto, a northern Peru city in the Amazon Basin.  Wonderful works were accomplished, with 2288 patients being seen and over 1,000 professions of faith. We wish to thank the Iveys and Todd for the logistics and translations service as well as sharing with us for the week.  If you would like a bit of the story in words and pictures, click here.
 
1-4-2007 - Happy New Year!
Maybe it is just me, but as I get older it seems that at least one month is taken from the calendar year.  It seems only a couple of months ago that a group of us from Dalton FUMC was in Tarapoto, Peru fulfilling a need with one of Arthur's national Christian leaders, Jaimie Gomez at the Esmirna Iglesia there.  I look at the calendar and see it is already January and I am knee deep in preparations for yet another such trip to supply medical attention to the needs of the church and its congregation and outreach.  I will be leading a team of 20 to once again do our bit in some small way to fulfill the Great Commission.  Our team is anxious to renew our relationships with Arthur, Mary Alice and family as well as the leadership of the Esmirna Iglesia.  We also will be working with Arthur's interns and look forward to that introduction as well.
 
I have just posted the December newsletter from the Ivey's.  It is one of the most inspiring and uplifting ones that has been written.  Arthur and his family have labored so long as "one lonely voice in the wilderness" for so long that the newly assigned personnel are wonderful news.  On a personal note, I have never met any missionary with the heart for service that Arthur and his entire family epitomize.  Take a look at the pictures, especially of the happy graduation family!  Congratulations for the studious recognition to all three of the children, and when one considers that each are the only native English speakers in any of their classes, the class rankings are mind-boggling.  It seems only last year that they were in San Juan Costa Rica in language school.  To achieve the rankings of their respective classes is a phenomenal achievement since they started school in CR with no Spanish in their vocabulary and rose to the top of their classes under such circumstances.  Take a look here and be prepared to be inspired.
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0-23-2006 - New Postings
Several updates to the site have been completed.  As you have already seen, there is a new family portrait on the Homepages of the site.  The Support Page, Current Needs Page, Contact Page and the 2007 Short Term Mission Trip Calendar has been modified.
 
You may have also noticed the new Mission Society name and logotype.  Because of increasing awareness and support by other denominations, the Mission Society for United Methodists has become simply The Mission Society.  There is no diminished support of Methodism, just an attempt to broaden our support base and acknowledgement that the Good News can come from many Christian sources.  We welcome all Believers, both to our support and to our fields of work.  Also the Cross and Flames, based on the UMC logotype, has been replaced with the earliest sign of Christianity, the fish, and a stylized globe, signifying our ever broadening "net" as fishers of men.
 
Dalton FUMC is planning a medical trip to Tarapoto with Arthur providing the logistics and support.  We are looking forward to both renewing our friendships with the family of Pastor Jaime Gomez and the elders of the church, as well as Arthur, Mary Alice and the Ivey family.  Last year Ben joined us as an interpreter, doing a commendable job..  We plan to offer surgical help, dentistry, eyeglasses, and general medical attention.  A lot of work remains to be done, but we may have a couple of slots available for dental and nursing assistance.  If interested, send me an e-mail for more information.
 
1-10-06 - Happy New Year to Everyone! The December newsletter is posted here.
 
12-7-2005 - The November newsletter has been sent to supporters and is posted here.
 
11-30-2005 - The iveys have been back in Huancayo since late October.  Read the latest news from the family here. Several pages of information on contacts, support and such have been updated as well.
 
If you have news to share or plan a trip in support of Arthur and Mary Alice, let me know and I will be glad to post any information that you may feel important.
 
8-4-2005 - There has been several updates to the website while the Iveys have been stateside.  Arthur has corrected several mistakes, and the "Support" and "Short Term Team Calendar" has been updated to reflect the coming year.  Newsletters during the first part of 2005 are posted, but only some referenced here on the news page.
 
I hope this helps you better keep up with Arthur, Mary Alice and the children.  Let me know if you would like other features and I will give it some thought toward adding.
 
2-5-2005 - January-February Newsletter
 
2-5-2005 - Mission Society President's Gathering.
If you will forgive me for taking a point of personal privilege, I would like to share a bit of a wonderful series of meetings I attended last weekend.  My wife, Linda, and I, along with Dr. John Church and his wife Dr. Therese Church, also from Dalton First, \were invited to attend the 2005 President's Gathering in Ft. Myers, Florida.  Dr. Phil Granger, President of the Mission Society was our host and leader.  The Gathering brought together Mission Society supporters from across the country, along with some wonderful speakers and missionaries from across the world who were home on furlough.  Our opening night speaker was Gloria Gaither, who delivered one of the best talks that I have ever had the pleasure of hearing.  She talked on "Life's  Interruptions", and pointed out how a seemingly random and usually unwelcome interruption in our daily lives have the potential of being a life changing event for the Christian and non-Christian alike.
 
Dr Sandy Richter, Professor of Old Testament and Archeology at Asbury Theological Seminary, delivered two sessions of learning as well.  She did a wonderful job of incorporating the science of Archeology into the study of ancient men of faith.  Her best lecture, in my opinion, was the lesson of Jonah and his attempted escape from God's call to be a missionary to the ancient city of Ninevah.
 
While at the function, I was able to visit with Arthur and Mary Alice, who had been at Dalton three weeks earlier for a part of our Missions Celebration, and with Ari Arfaras, a missionary to the Russian Far East and ministers to orphans there, as well as several other missionaries of the Mission Society.
 
One of the highlights of the Gathering was meeting some of the movers and doers in the African movement.  I shared a table for the weekend with Bishop David Thananga of Kenya and learned of his wonderful work.  He left the meetings early to travel to Boston to meet with a team of some 61 short-termers from one church there who was going to do evangelism, medical and construction ministries.  They have rented the largest stadium in Nairobi, Kenya, which seats some 60,000, for their evangelism crusade.  That's faith, and David expects it to be SRO for the services.
 
In our visits with Arthur and Mary Alice, we learned of the on-going Kid's Clubs across the Andes, and their anxiousness to be back among those they serve in Peru.  The efforts of Mision Amen and their leadership is providing a wonderful support for the Iveys and the Mission Society in efforts to evangelize in Peru.  Although they love to visit family and friends here, their hearts are truly with those who they left behind in South America.  I encourage you to contact Arthur to visit your Church or Mission Group while he is stateside this summer.  I guarantee you a wonderful blessing.  - Jim Davis
 

2-20-2004 - The Iveys are Stateside!
Welcome back!  This has to be a bittersweet moment for the Ivey family, as they have immersed themselves heart and soul into their work in Peru for the last 4+ years.  The "reverse cultural shock" has to be a huge problem, and getting enrolled in new schools, making new acquaintances, renewing old friendships, and getting used to "strange ways" from grocery shopping to driving in Atlanta traffic will take time.  I know you all join me in wishing them well and look forward to an early reunion with them soon.

You may want to drop them a line at: 

                770 West Ridge Ct.
                Marietta, GA 30064

12-20-2004 - Needs of the Iveys
As you know, the Iveys are in preparation now for a return to the States for a mandatory R&R and will be in the Atlanta area shortly.  They will be raising funds to support their next assignment, and will be visiting many of their Stateside supporters while here.  To help in their presentations here, and later in their next assignment, they are in need of a multimedia projector.  If you or your church would like to contribute to the purchase of such a projector, please contact either the webmaster or the Iveys.

12-20-04 - November/December Newsletter Posted

10-6-2004 - September Newsletter Posted

9-10-2004 - Rotating Home!

    We will be returning home in January of 2005 to raise additional support in order to return for an additional 4 or 5 years to work in the ministry here in Peru.  We will also be using this time to recruit new missionaries for the work in Peru.  If you would like to have us share with your church, Sunday school class, in your mission conference,  or other group, we would love to hear from you in order to schedule a time to visit.  Please contact us by e-mail at acivey@mindspring.com.

9-1--2004 - August Newsletter Posted

8-4-2004 - July Newsletter Posted

    The April Newsletter is available for reading.  I would add my plea to keep the Ivey's in your prayers as they wind up their tour of duty in Peru.  Here is the closing paragraphs in the latest newsletter:

    "Please be in prayer with us for the continued advancement of the Kid's Club ministry and our efforts to find and train additional workers for this ministry.  Pray also for the discipleship and leadership training and the youth cell ministry, and that God would continue to impart His vision in these young people.  Please ask God to expand our time and provide additional financial resources for the ministries.  Please continue to pray for our relationship with Mision-AMEN and our relationship with the Methodist Church.  Most importantly we would like to ask you to covenant with us and the youth leadership team to be in regular prayer and fasting for the ministry to the lost and dying youth of Huancayo and the desperate situation here in Peru.  Pray that we would be protected from attacks and that the enemy's power over these people would be broken.  Pray, also, for the preparations for the medical mission teams that will be coming this year.

    Again we want to thank you for all your support and prayers.  Please continue to pray for the churches here in Peru.  Please pray for the tension in the churches, and for the church leaders. Please pray for the leaders in the Methodist Church:  Bishop Marco Ochoa, and District Superintendents Jose Bustamante and David Figueroa.  Also be in prayer for Obed Alvarez, the head of Mision-AMEN, as well as their other leaders and missionaries.  Please pray for our safety as we travel, and that we will boldly speak God's Word wherever we go".

1-03-04 - December Newsletter Posted
 Arthur's monthly newsletter for December is posted.  An update on the Kid's Club activities and Mary Alice's training seminars is included.  Please read carefully and remember the prayer pleas presented.  The Ivey's are under a lot of pressure from those groups of non-believers, and have little support from the organized United Methodist Church in Peru, although the Methodist leaders in the prayer request are good men and do all they can to help.  Drop the Ivey's a note, either by e-mail or handwritten.  They appreciate your thoughts and prayers more than you will ever know.

12-26-2003 Short Team Trips Calendar
 Arthur has just released the 2004 Short Term Missions Trip Calendar for Peru.  If you would care for a look, just click here.

Arthur and Mary Alice and the family hope you and yours enjoyed a happy and joyous Christmas.  Here is a recent photo of the entire family gathered to send best wishes.

The new and updated Needs List for Peru has been released.  Click on "Current Needs" on the Navigation Bar to the left to view the opportunities to serve Christ and His people in Arthur's jurisdiction.

8-16-03 Back Online
First of all, a note of apology for my tardiness in updating the site, especially the posting of the monthly Ivey Family Newsletters.  I suffered an accident to my right eye about six weeks ago, have undergone two surgeries and am facing two more before the end of the end of the year.  My surgeon says that after the December surgery, my vision will be better than before the accident.  I am grateful to those of you who held me up in your prayers, and for Dr. Jim Hays of Atlanta, a very good friend and probably the finest corneal surgeon in the US.  If you ever have sight problems that are above the ability of your ophthalmologist, or if you want a second opinion regarding a vision problem, I would heartily recommend that you contact him at the Atlanta Eye Surgery Group.

A lot has happened this summer in the Missions area.  The Ivey family has been "wall to wall" with short term teams- note the recently posted June and July newsletters.  My own church, Dalton First UMC sent a team to Tarapoto in the north central jungles of Peru.  Due to my accident, I could not accompany the team, so Frank Kilgore took my place as leader.  He did a wonderful job.  The church in Tarapoto is a vital, growing work of God.  The church claims over 6,000 members and includes some 90 cell churches.  Our team ministered to over 2,000 patients for vision, dental and medical needs.  The team of 19 members were welcomed by the church and overwhelmed the expectations of the church.  The pastor remarked that "Dalton really put on a show".  He said the church had been praying for two years for a medical team, and when we responded it was of God.  He was expecting a doctor, maybe a nurse and a couple of lay volunteers.  The team's efforts were rewarded with over 500 professions of faith and new evangelistic fervor among the church members.

Arthur was instrumental in the mission's success.  Due to a commitment with an earlier team, Arthur could not meet the team upon arrival on Thursday, but joined them on Monday evening.  His commitment, along with his entire family, constantly amazes all who see the Ivey's at work in the field.  If there are more loving, dedicated and committed workers in the field for our Lord than are the Iveys, I cannot imagine who or where they are.  The Kingdom, The Mission Society and the United Methodist Church are fortunate to have such missionaries representing them in the mission fields.

More on the Tarapoto trip along with pictures later.  If any of you have stories of your work with the Iveys that you would like to share, send them and I will be glad to post them   

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