CLIPS: Press-time reports of need, opportunity, inspiration, and praise
Rebuilding in Peru
When south-central Peru was hit by an 8.0 magnitude earthquake on August 15, Peruvian churches from other parts of the country contributed to an immediate, massive response to take food, water, blankets, and other relief aid to those affected. Soon, the urgency of providing basic necessities passed as most of the affected area returned to semi-normal. Stores and markets were gradually reopened and electricity and water were restored.
However, the need to rebuild damaged and collapsed homes and churches remains. So far, God has provided the funds to build forty wooden shelters for church families, and there is now sufficient funding to begin rebuilding churches that were damaged or destroyed. This is an opportunity to share Christ’s love and rescue people for eternity in the midst of a difficult situation. Thank you to each individual and church who has given to the Peru Earthquake Relief Project. The testimony of Christ’s Church is shining, and some will come to Christ because of your generosity. Check for more updates.
Unexpected Revival in PNG
The week before Bill and Lori Smith planned to hold evangelistic meetings in Mt. Hagan in the Western Province of Papua New Guinea, Nori, one of the most prominent Christian men in the area, died after a long battle with cancer. He had impacted many people for Christ. Because of Nori’s direct impact on so many churches, pastors from all over the nation flocked to Mt. Hagan, bonded together, and experienced a wonderful internal revival. Pastors who had broken fellowship over misunderstandings or minor disagreements came together for this time of celebration of Nori’s life.
Over 800 men and women from the community congregated to mourn and wail where Nori’s body lay. The pastors used this opportunity to stand together and share the gospel with them. The next week, hundreds of people also came to hear the gospel at evangelistic meetings held by Bill and Lori Smith. Nearly 100 people professed that they accepted Christ’s gift of salvation and many Christians recommitted their lives to Christ. Read the full story on Message Online.
Cyclone Sidr Relief
The Association of Baptists NGO in Bangladesh is coordinating with a national partner and his team to provide compassionate disaster relief to survivors of Cyclone Sidr. Many survivors lost everything in the storm including their livelihood for the future—their food, crops, and livestock. Workers from the Association of Baptists NGO surveyed the needs in the Khulna and Bagerhat districts and are working with a Bangladeshi pastor and his team to put together a plan that could really make a difference.
The relief operation will include food and clothing for 1,000 families, shelter to 200 families, and as the Lord provides there will be opportunities to help people replace their crops and livestock.
The beauty of this relief operation is that those who are providing the relief are known in the communities. When the relief is done, the relationships will continue. This relief work strengthens the indigenous church as well as promotes national ownership for uplift in the community. Please partner with us in prayer for the people of Bangladesh. More information on this relief project.
Change of Course
Don and Ruth Trott
After nearly twenty years in our Mobilization Department, during which over 1,000 new missionaries were appointed by ABWE, Don Trott is changing his role in the mission. He will now be serving as global personnel consultant on special assignment with our Strategic Initiative and Research Department. He will be working with the ABWE president and field administrators to develop a global field-based mobilization strategy. In addition he will be working on special assignment with our Church Relations Department. Pray for Don as he assumes this new responsibility.
God’s Provision in Bosnia
Praise God for doors He opened to provide equipment and perhaps resources for the hockey programs in Bosnia. Pray that His will be done in the funding of a hockey/ sports/community center in Sarajevo that will be used to further the gospel message with a goal of church planting and facilitating missions movements. Pray that God will send the team members needed to help with such a large project. Read about the hockey program in the Summer ’07 issue of the Message Online.
SUMMER MISSIONS OPPORTUNITIES
Group trips are forming for the summer of 2008. Come be a part of what God is doing around the world!
EXPEDITION
High School Students: youth groups or individuals
Australia—run a VBS program for kids Czech Republic or Slovakia—be involved in various ministries
Nepal—backpack through the mountains passing out Bibles and tracts (for college students also)
Portugal—help with a children’s camp ages 8–10.
IMPACT
College Students
Various ministries including: church ministry, music, testimonies, drama, TESL, sports, children’s ministry, etc.
•Bangladesh
•Czech Republic
•Romania
•Cameroon
•Ghana
•Slovakia
•Costa Rica
•Portugal
•South Africa
Teaching Opportunities
Bangladesh—need education majors to teach elementary or high school over the summer
Hungary—need college juniors and seniors who are education majors to teach English
For more information and opportunities please contact:
Whitney at wdatkinson@abwe.org or Paul at pkatkinson@abwe.org
(877) 636-5478 ext. 2389
Copyright © 1996-2008 ABWE, Inc. All Rights Reserved.