The Deed is the Word

An excerpt from...

The Deed is the Word

By Brad Carter, Spain

July-September 2013

I recently read an article on LifeHacker.com called “How to Translate ‘I Wish I Could’ Into Actual Results.” This helpful article gives inspirational, practical methods and small steps to setting and achieving goals.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if, as disciples of Christ, we would set goals and follow through in achieving them? What would happen if each of us prayerfully considered the direction in which God is leading us, made that our goal, and took steps in faith toward its fulfillment?

Sometimes I wonder if we have created a false dichotomy for ourselves: evangelism over here and justice over there. We want to “win souls,” walk someone through the “sinner’s prayer,” and “save people from burning in hell.” While this is a decent sentiment, it gives us the opportunity to set a goal for others and for God—but not for ourselves. 

So which goals are obtainable? Start by setting a goal you can achieve. How about getting to know your neighbor? As someone whose passion is getting to know immigrants, might I suggest investing in the lives of immigrants in your neighborhood? Help them practice their English or show them around town. A great way to get to know someone is to let them be the teacher and you be the learner. This goal will develop into a relationship. That relationship will transform into a friendship. Soon they will see how much you care, and they will want to know why. Your goal, your deed, becomes the evangelism. The deed is the word.

You can’t separate word and deed, evangelism and justice. If you do, you create a chasm that will leave you wishing “I could evangelize” but not doing much about it other than sitting in a pew on Sunday mornings.

Click more to read the LifeHacker.com article to help you set goals. You can do it!

Beauty from Bruises

An except from:

Beauty from Bruises

By Maribel Pedraza, WGM Partner in Mexico
July-September 2013

“Mrs. Pérez, we’re sorry to say you must return to your home.” Those words resounded in her head like the blows she received while she, as defenseless as a child, was assaulted with furious punches by her husband. 

This wasn’t the first time Pedro had hit Conchita, but it would be the last. Hours later, she would leave her home and this vile mistreatment…in a black body bag. Pedro had stabbed her to death.

It’s been several years since the last time I lifted myself up off the floor with a misshaped face. As a consequence of my decision to stand up for myself, a very painful divorce followed and ended in my losing custody of my small daughters who are now adults.

Almost since the beginning of my conversion in 2004, I received a call to work with abused women. When I was studying to become a missionary, a beloved teacher told me, “From your worst pain, God will form a ministry.” And that is what has happened. I’m now in Pénjamo, Mexico, with my worst pain converted into a labor of faith, working to bring forward this vision born from the heart of God for this abandoned city: Build a refuge for abused women and their children where they will be strengthened in every way—physically, emotionally, and spiritually—and where they may learn to reincorporate themselves effectively in society.

My friend Conchita didn’t survive. I did. I’m alive to tell about it and complete a divine purpose. To God be the glory!

Help this labor of faith grow. Registering this ministry with the Mexican government requires lawyer and registration fees. Assist with this financial need by sending a check to WGM. Check donations should be made payable to World Gospel Mission with account #26560-CALL written in the memo line. 

Send check donations to:

World Gospel Mission
P.O. Box 948
Marion, IN 46952-0948

Massage Therapy: helpful, healthy, heavenly service

An excerpt from...

Massage Therapy

By Tracy Dubois, Support Staff
July-September 2013

Stress. Trouble sleeping. Back pain. Depression. Headaches.

If you have any of these symptoms, read on to learn how massage therapy could be just what the doctor, and God, ordered.

Cheryl Nesselroade, daughter of World Gospel Mission retirees Dick and Barbara Barker (Japan) and ministry partner ofLaura Lea Sims (American Indian Field), is a massage therapist at Massage on Main in Wilmore, Kentucky. 

“Massage allows me to share Christ’s love in such a tangible way—through touch,” Cheryl began. “Public speaking is not my strong suit, so this profession is perfect for me. There are many people who are suffering and living through tremendous pain, and by showing concern and letting God work through me to bring someone relief, I believe that is sharing God’s love.”

Cheryl sometimes prays silently over her clients, asking God to bless and keep them in whatever circumstances they are going through. 

“Massage therapy has the unique ability to positively impact not only the physical, but the emotional and mental,” one of Cheryl’s regular clients explained. “As the body is worked, pain is relieved and tension is calmed. The negative emotions associated with the pain are replaced with positive ones. The therapist acts as a facilitator to focus awareness on the issues which are being addressed.”

Cheryl added: “Our bodies are agents and ambassadors for God. He commands us to ‘love one another as we love ourselves.’ We must take care of our body and soul in order to be fully available to care for others.”

While massage has many physical benefits—increased work productivity, fewer trips to the doctor, decreased pain, delayed surgeries, and general increased wellbeing—Cheryl believes these effects are spiritual as well. “I love to offer a service that is helpful, healthy, and heavenly.”

Does someone you know need a healing touch? Send them a gift certificate for a massage along with an encouraging note from you.

Works of Faith

By Shannon Hawk, Support Staff
July-September 2013

On November 7, 2012, World Gospel Mission support staff at headquarters in Marion, Indiana, had the opportunity and privilege to work out our faith alongside one of our partner churches in Nappanee, Indiana, and be part of a Feed My Starving Children MobilePack event. Nappanee Missionary Church devotes an entire week each November to expertly hosting this event. This time, over 8,000 people volunteered from their community, including both young and old and many who do not attend church. 

The work began with our group donning food service hairnets and filing into the sanctuary for a quick introduction and orientation. Feed My Starving Children staff gave us a brief but thorough training and split us into groups of different responsibilities. The day was split up into several two-hour shifts that consisted of approximately 400 volunteers broken down into 20 individual packing cells. In assembly-line fashion, our WGM cell packed meals through our first two-hour shift, ate lunch, powered through our second two-hour shift, said our goodbyes, and loaded up to head back home. We were tired, but we had a new excitement and enthusiasm from the work we had accomplished together.

What can 21 people do in a short amount of time with a specific purpose and a little organization? WGM’s cell packed 11,448 meals in those four hours, but even more impressive is that out of those two two-hour shifts with approximately 800 volunteers, 190,000 meals were packed. When the week-long Feed My Starving Children MobilePack event at Nappanee Missionary Church was finished, 2,107,296 meals were packed and loaded into trucks, ready to ship to Feed My Starving Children partners worldwide.

In November 2013, our goal is to take 60 new people from our local community to the MobilePack event at Nappanee Missionary Church so they can then go back to their circles of influence and recruit more people, and the following year we can exponentially grow the number of volunteers that we take with us.

Though numbers are impressive, success is not measured in numbers. Success is measured by the obedience and faithfulness of our hearts to our Lord and Savior and embodied in our “works” of faith.

For more information on Feed My Starving Children MobilePack events, visit www.fmsc.org/mobilepack/about. If you would like to join WGM in November 2013, contact Shannon Hawk atwgm@wgm.org.

Compassion from Dark Places

An excerpt from...

Compassion from Dark Places

By Debbie Cartwright, American Indian Field
July-September 2013

Daniel* wiped away a tear. “I know we can’t really afford to keep feeding them, but how can I watch the kids look for food in the garbage because they’re so hungry and not do something about it?”

Christi nodded. “We just feel like we show Jesus’ love to them when we feed them.”

“You guys have anything you want to add to a food box?” Matthew asked us. “I know I just took one to Mary, but the kids are hungry again and there’s nothing for them.”

Julie added, “It isn’t the kids’ fault their parents are addicts. They shouldn’t have to suffer.”

It’s a constant burden that our Native friends bear. Their compassion is deep because so many have been in those same dark places. Daniel and Christi have seen the destruction of addictions in their own family and among the people of the little church they pastor. Matthew and Julie—recovered meth addicts themselves, delivered by the grace of Jesus—vividly remember seeing the hurt of neglect in the eyes of their own children. They cannot undo the damage of their past, but they try to help now by ministering in a tangible way to the children of addicted parents.

Every week we see Native people being Jesus to children who need more than just a Bible story. Their compassion inspires us to be more like Jesus.

*The names in this story have been changed.

Hungry kids live in many neighborhoods in America. This week, ask Jesus to open your eyes to the hungry kids in your community. Then get your grocery bag ready, because it is time to pay them a visit with the gifts of Jesus’ love and food.

And They Were Amazed

An excerpt from...

And They Were Amazed

By Beth Muehleisen, Uganda
July-September 2013

Have you ever planted a seed and watched eagerly, anticipating the day when little bits of green start thrusting up from the ground?

This is what we do through seed projects in Community Health Empowerment. A seed project is a small-scale ministry project carried out by a local church using local resources to bring great blessing to local community members with no strings attached, and it whets their appetite to see more of God’s love demonstrated in practical ways.

Scholastica and Fred made hand-washing stands and placed them at public latrines on Sigulu Island in Lake Victoria. Many of the diseases that people have in Africa are caused by contaminated food and water. We can reduce this problem greatly if people wash their hands after using the toilet.

The people in the community asked Scholastica and Fred, “Why are you doing this?” “What do you get out of it?”

They answered, “We don’t get anything. We’re doing it because of God’s love.” The people were amazed!

Every time a seed project is done by someone trained through CHE, the response in every community is the same—and they were amazed! Recently as I read through the book of Mark, I noticed that the people in the communities where Jesus visited had the same reaction to His ministry: “…and they were amazed!”

We have two requests for you. One, will you pray for those involved in the CHE ministry that God will use them to rebuild walls, repair broken gates, and be Light-bearers in their communities? The second request concerns you. How does God want to use you to do a seed project in your own community? God wants to use all of us to demonstrate His agape love no matter where we live, and when we do, everyone will be amazed.

How can your church address spiritual and physical needs in your community? WGM can help with training in this area. Consider a weekend Vision Conference for Wholistic Community Transformation. Contact us at wgm@wgm.org to schedule training.

Biblical Transformation

An excerpt from...

Biblical Transformation

The benefits of using the CHE tool in South Sudan
By Joy Phillips, South Sudan
July-September 2013

World Gospel Mission has joined a global movement called Community Health Evangelism. Mango Ministries in South Sudan uses this tool that leads to transformed lives and communities. In 2013, we are training and mentoring nearly 75 leaders in four different areas of South Sudan.

We’ve seen exciting glimpses of transformed lives in both the spiritual and physical realms. In one CHE lesson, WGM missionary John Muehleisen explained the plan of salvation by drawing the Four Spiritual Laws illustration in the dirt, in lieu of a chalkboard. Here is a testimony from one of the participants:

“I had gone to different trainings. But this was very special. I benefited spiritually and physically. This is a lesson that I can’t ever forget. I used to believe that salvation is from my side. I was thinking that I can reach God. But when Pastor John explained to us, I realized that I was wrong. I realized that it was God who can reach to me and save me. I can’t forget this lesson all my life—never!”

Isn’t that exciting? Changing misconceptions about God is the work of the Holy Spirit. Our job is to pray. Will you join us in praying that God will continue speaking truth into the lives of the CHE leaders and turn their worlds upside down? It’s a slow process, but we believe biblical transformation holds the key to radically changed lives, families, churches, and communities. When a life is wholly submitted to God and His truth and God’s creative power is unleashed, no one can predict what amazing things God will do!

Partner with Mango Ministries through prayer. Print Pray CHE, a free prayer guide, at www.wgm.org/mango.

Learn more about the CHE movement at www.chenetwork.org.

Has Anyone Asked You Lately?

An excerpt from...

Has Anyone Asked You Lately?

By Nathan Vitatoe, Spain
July-September 2013

We each have an incredible story of redemption, a capturing journey from death to life that God invites us to tell many times over for His glory. The question is, how are we putting the Living Word into our own living that begs others to inquire about the hope they see?

For Kenzie and me, part of our ongoing story of God’s grace involves a joyful opportunity that we had in New Jersey while traveling and speaking on homeland ministry assignment. Some might wonder what missionaries do when they’re home in the States. Yes, we speak at churches, make phone calls, write letters, send emails, tweet, post on Facebook, etc., but as missionaries, we like to focus on the M in HMA: ministry.

We were part of a young adult outreach conference called The Jeremiah Project that was packed with service projects, worship, and life challenges that encourage a deeper walk with the Lord. While our two little girls handed out milk at an adult care center for the mentally and physically disabled and Kenzie played bingo, I played dominoes with Spanish speakers. We shared moments of laughter and joy as we connected with those in the program. We sang praise songs and talked about the hope we have knowing Jesus, inviting our new friends to embrace Christ.

Live out God’s Word each day so you have the opportunity to share your hope in Christ. Your own story continues; connect with a cause in a deeper way this year by checking out www.wgm.org/causes.

The Sparrow's Nest

An excerpt from...

The Sparrow's Nest

By Betsy Tejeda, Texas/Mexico Border Ministries
July-September 2013

As my husband, Gerson, and I were praying about a tangible way to show God’s love to the McAllen, Texas, community where we serve, the Lord planted a vision in my heart about a ministry to provide free gently used clothing for needy families. We believe that ministering to their physical needs will unlock the door of trust to minister to their spiritual needs.

Just a few months ago, our vision became a reality. We opened a clothes closet called The Sparrow’s Nest located at Taylor Community Center where families can “shop” for free food and clothes. 

When asked by the “shoppers” why our little shop is called The Sparrow’s Nest, we joyfully explain how much God loves each of us as demonstrated in Matthew 6. If He cares enough about the birds to feed them, isn’t He concerned about whether or not we have enough to feed our families? If He clothes the fields of grass with flowers, isn’t He concerned about clothing us? Are we not more precious than birds and grass? The answer is a resounding yes!

Do you need to be reminded of God’s love? Study in Scripture where love is mentioned alongside Jesus and journal about your findings. Are you encouraged that you can show that love to others?

Who's on Your Team?

An excerpt from...

Who's on Your Team?

By Robyn Moore, Kenya
July-September 2013

Partnerships are vital on the mission field. As a part of the Least of These team, I can affirm that without partnerships, we would not be able to care for as many precious, vulnerable children as we have had the privilege of doing without others coming alongside the ministry. Here’s just one example:

In January 2013, the Tenwek Hospital Eye Team came to the Nairobi area to partner with Least of These ministry, CSI International, and the Salvation Army to care for 150 students in a primary school for the blind. The Eye Team checked for ways to help with sight while our team did brief physicals, administered deworming medications, and treated acute illnesses.

We also have team members who aren’t physically with us on site but play a key role in the ministry. They are the praying and financially supporting partners. How I love working with so many to give love and care. And it takes all of us—each doing our part.

Join the team. 

Join the Least of These team by partnering with them in prayer. Set aside this month to pray that the staff will have wisdom and strength as they provide food, healthcare, and spiritual care for children in Nairobi.

While visiting the school for the blind, the team met several albino children in need of SPF 50 sunscreen. Help provide for this simple need through a financial gift to the Least of These ministry. Check donations should be made payable to World Gospel Mission with account #21197-CALL written in the memo line. 

Send check donations to:

World Gospel Mission
P.O. Box 948
Marion, IN 46952-0948

Working Together

An excerpt from...

Working Together

By Robyn Moore, Kenya
July-September 2013

Over several months, the Least of These team was privileged to care for a precious 10-year-old boy named Ryan. We first met him in April 2012 when our team started assisting the children’s home where he lived. He had HIV/AIDS and was on treatment, and he was malnourished as well. Our team, along with CSI International missionaries Dave and Jen Bell, helped provide higher protein foods, such as milk and peanut butter and also fruits, to help Ryan.

The second or third time we saw sweet Ryan, he was in pain with a large abdominal mass. Dr. Russ White found cancer in his lymph nodes and abdomen.

Once we knew Ryan’s diagnosis, Anthony, part of our Least of These team, went to spend time with Ryan and led him to trust Jesus as his Savior. Ryan was started on chemotherapy.

It became apparent to us that, despite treatment, God had another plan for completely healing Ryan. Just before Christmas, Ryan gave me a letter, telling me of his love for me and that he knew I loved him! What a testimony for our team that he could tell we loved him and did all we could to care for him.

On January 14, 2013, we visited and prayed with him for the last time here on earth. Later that evening, God healed Ryan completely by taking him to heaven.

On February 23, a memorial service to honor Ryan’s life was held at the children’s home where we had met him. Along with the Bells and the children, including Ryan’s sister, we planted 11 fruit trees. It is a joy to know that these trees will provide food for the children and the staff in the years to come.

As a part of the service, we shared the gospel with all the children, reminding them that Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life. Because Ryan trusted Jesus, he is healed and enjoying heaven! Pray with us that this seed of truth will be planted in their little lives and bear beautiful fruit.

Partner with the Least of These ministry at www.wgm.org/supportlot to ensure continued care for orphans and vulnerable children whom God puts in its care.

Prayer Calendar: August 4 – 10, 2013

Take a moment this week to remember this missions prayer point in your time with God:

Pray for the Least of These team as they work together to bring hope and health to needy children in Kenya.

"I love when the body of Christ comes together to care for the least of these.” ~Robyn Moore from Working Together

The Discipline of Love

An excerpt from...

The Discipline of Love

Learning to reflect Christ’s character
By Rachel Elwood, Support Staff
July-September 2013

Most of us sane people would admit that something as strenuous as running 26.2 miles takes a certain measure of training. The body is just not naturally inclined to produce that kind of endurance quickly.

It’s the same with practicing the kind of sacrificial love modeled by Christ. There’s no question that we are called to love others, too. A gander through Matthew 25 reveals that distinguishing marks of believers include feeding the hungry, clothing the needy, and visiting the vulnerable. In Mark 21:31, Jesus emphasized the importance of loving and serving our neighbors as much as we would want the same for ourselves. Acts of service are not emphasized for their own sake, but they are to be done out of an attitude of love.

But our fallen nature means we are naturally inclined to be selfish. Without regularly committing to love others, we can easily fall into patterns of behavior toward others that are not Christ-honoring. Loving others as Christ intended takes practice and training.

Luke 2:52 gives us a great “training plan” as a place to start in the discipline of love: “Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people” (NLT).

We have those four areas in which we can show love: by sharing wisdom and by meeting physical, spiritual, and social needs. But who are we supposed to reach out to? Think about the three primary social circles we all live in: our families, our church or other fellow believers, and non-Christian “neighbors.” Plotted out on a matrix, this creates a nifty guide we can use to brainstorm small expressions of service and love we can do for each of these three groups of people in these four different ways.

Growing in the discipline of love takes commitment, willingness to be guided by the Holy Spirit, and creativity. But the repercussions of us becoming more intentional in loving others are huge! Think of how this world could change if we actually lived what we preached. So what are you waiting for?

Do you need to flex your service muscles? Fill out the Discipline of Love matrix with ideas to show your family, your friends, and your neighbors Christ’s sacrificial love.

Visit www.disciplenations.org to learn more about what God is doing through people who are committed to whole-person discipleship and reconciliation around the world.

Prayer Calendar: July 28 - August 3

Here is a missions prayer point to add to your personal reflection this week:

ASK God to help you take practical steps in loving those around you.

Don't Miss the And

An excerpt from...

Don’t Miss the And

By Hubert Harriman, President
July-September 2013

Sometimes I will hear or read something that grabs me and drives my thinking for long periods of time. Such was the case when I heard a reference to a statement by Jim Collins, speaking to what he called “The genius of the and.” The word and is a common word, yet a critical word. Without it, we can miss the whole. As I studied its use in Scripture, I began to see this as “The Power of the and.”

There are many such connections, and I encourage you to read the Bible looking for them, but let me speak to one that is deeply troubling in our day. It’s the disconnect between “faith and works” (James 2:14-26). Dallas Willard speaks of this as a disjunction between faith and life, where “transformation of life and character is no part of the redemptive message.” Troubled over this disjunction, he asks, “Can we seriously believe that God would establish a plan for us that essentially bypasses the awesome needs of present human life and leaves human character untouched?” (The Divine Conspiracy, pages 38-41).

Our aim in missions is to send those who go in response to the prayer Jesus taught us to pray: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed [holy] be your name….” The word hallowed is in the active voice, meaning this is more than honoring Him with words. This is honoring Him with actions—serving Him “in holiness and righteousness [justice]…all our days” (Luke 1:75 NIV). This is Christian character that works. Is this what Jesus meant when He said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven”? Yes! And we can ill afford to send anyone with less. The world has seen enough sinners with their self-seeking, self-satisfying, and self-centered ways. Why send them another one? It’s “The Power of the and!”

ACT: Demonstrate the power of and around the world. To learn more about WGM’s current ministry opportunities, visit www.wgm.org/go.

I Love God's Word

 An Excerpt from...

I Love God’s Word

By Dr. Roy Lauter, WGM Partner
July-September 2013

The morning air was filled with sounds of the Maasai community of Olderkesi, Kenya. The friendly conversations of men and women moving toward the Africa Gospel Church mixed with the other rhythms of Sunday morning in Maasailand.

Jon and Vera Steury, WGM missionaries in Olderkesi (at the time), led us toward the church amid warm greetings and salutations from the Maasai people. 

This was a special day for Jon and Vera. Under their instruction, several women had learned to read. This called for a time of celebration and special recognition. As Jon called the names of the women, they stepped to the front of the church to the applause of the congregation. Vera presented each lady a new Bible in the Maasai language. The proceedings were interrupted by an older lady. She stood before the group clutching her Bible close to her chest. In her mother tongue, she spoke, “Kanyor ororei le Nkai. Kanyor ororei le Nkai!” Translated, it means, “I love God’s Word!” The translator told us what she was saying. “This book is my most precious possession. I sleep with it by my side for safety. I carry it as my shield for protection. I keep it close to me all the time. And someday I hope I’ll be able to read it. Kanyor ororei le Nkai!”

I could not hold back my tears. I felt a sense of shame as I thought how many of us do not read God’s Word when we have every opportunity. Our Bibles often lay on a table or shelf and gather dust. Oh, God, please give us the love for your Word like this beautiful lady! Help us to read it daily and treasure its divinely inspired message. Teach us to use it as a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. May we truly say, “I love God’s Word.”

It’s hard to share God’s love through word and deed if you are lacking in the area of Word. Recommit time to the Lord daily for learning through His Word and listening for His direction.

Just a Bowl of Cereal

An excerpt from...

Just a Bowl of Cereal

By Chrissy Greenwell, Mexico
July-September 2013

Three years ago, Francisco moved to another town for work because, as a truck driver, he had found that no job was available for him in the city. His wife, Betty, and two daughters remained behind. Betty picked up odd jobs here and there, but making ends meet was difficult.

As the weeks went on, things took a turn for the worse. Francisco, a diabetic, started losing his vision. His truck flipped over and he was wounded; he ended up having an amputation. Betty was no longer able to work outside the home as she had to take care of her husband.

God placed it on my heart to send them a care package to help with some of their needs. I prayed over what I should get them. Over and over again, “cereal” came to mind. Whatever else would be included in that care package, a huge bag of cereal would be there! I gathered the items and left them at the church the following day. I had no idea of the impact this box of items would have on the family.

Weeks later, I chatted with Betty and asked how her daughter Rebeca was. Betty started to cry as she shared about their struggle. Rebeca had been angry, questioning God’s love. She asked her mom why God wouldn’t even allow her a bowl of cereal. Betty told her to pray about it and ask God for the cereal. That was the night I went shopping. The following day when they received the care package, Rebeca realized how much God loved her and that He always hears our prayers.

It’s those little things that make a difference; those seemingly insignificant acts that have a huge impact for the kingdom of God.

Is the Holy Spirit leading you to complete an act of love to make a huge impact for His kingdom? Ask the Lord to show you what you can do to help someone’s faith grow deeper.

Community Health Evangelism Progress in Honduras

An excerpt from...

Community Health Evangelism Progress in Honduras

By Larry Overholt, Honduras
July-September 2013

Our goal as missionaries is to serve God as ambassadors in helping restore broken relationships, which are often manifested in various forms of spiritual, physical, social, and emotional needs.

When we arrived in the city of Choluteca, Honduras, in 2000, we encountered a sense of depression in the region. Hurricane Mitch had devastated the area two years earlier. Many young people were still not attending school. Adults were still underemployed. People suffered from increased illnesses such as asthma. Houses were still in ruins. Substance addictions were widespread.

We praise God that a vibrant church is beginning to take hold. Much of our ministry investment has been based on the Community Health Evangelism model. CHE “seamlessly integrates evangelism and discipleship with disease prevention and community-based development. The work is wholistic, seeking to meet the whole need of individuals and communities through complete obedience to everything that Jesus commanded” (Global CHE Network).

Progress is not always as fast as we would like. In July 2012, five years after starting the CHE ministry, the Shalom Church finally held its first evangelistic service in the local soccer field. The service was a great success with 12 new converts. It was also the last sermon that Reinaldo, one of our Shalom pastors, preached before dying and going to be with the Lord. Reinaldo’s legacy in “7 de Mayo” was the beginning of a new discipleship group that developed with those who were converted. One of the most recent converts is Elvira, a midwife whom Angie had been teaching. We anticipate having a WGM work team help rebuild her house later this year.

Recently one of the women from the newly formed discipleship group had been in the hospital and was sent home with no prospects of recovery. Her family was called to her bedside to say goodbye. Some of our CHE team members were called in to pray for her. Since then, she has not only recovered, but she now plans to get married to her long-term partner and wants to be baptized so that she can better serve in the church.

We now have six CHE leaders from the Shalom Church working in the village throughout the week.

We are looking for ways to get involved with the men in the village. One of the greatest opportunities to reach the men is through agricultural projects. The Ohio State University is sending a team of engineering students to install a pilot aquaponics project in the community. Aquaponics combines the cultivation of plants (hydroponics) with the growing of fish (aquaculture). We hope that this will be the beginning of additional projects that will develop into small businesses as well as help develop social capital in the community. At the same time, we are excited to have the opportunity to share transforming community development ideas with university students from a secular university in the United States. We are grateful to be a part of the planting and watering process while God gives the increase. (1 Corinthians 3:7)

An aquaponics kit enables a family to raise fish and vegetables in a small backyard plot. That means substantially improved nutrition, extra income, and meaningful family time as parents and children work together. Christ performed miracles with fish on more than one occasion—and you can work a miracle with fish right now! Time to form your own CHE team! Gather your friends, neighbors, and family and share this article with them. Set a goal to raise $180, the cost of an aquaponics kit. Check donation should be made payable to World Gospel Mission with account #25492-CALL written in the memo line. Send your donation to: World Gospel Mission, P.O. Box 948 Marion, Indiana 46952-0948. All donors will receive a receipt from WGM with thank you for their support.

Country Gal + City Kids = Love

An excerpt from...

Country Gal + City Kids = Love

By Peggy Bushong, Support Staff
July-September 2013

The Problem:
At a small church in my town, children were attending Thursday night services that the church depended heavily on help from college student volunteers. Most of those volunteers would soon be leaving for the summer. If the children’s activities on Thursday nights were suspended, these children probably wouldn’t hear much about Jesus over the summer. An appeal went out to other local churches for volunteers who would help keep the children’s ministry going.

The Response:
I work with Christians, go to church with Christians, and most of my friends and close family are Christians. I wanted to be able to share about Jesus with people who did not have a personal relationship with Christ. Here was my chance.

The Beginning:
I showed up at the church to volunteer. I was put with the younger children (pre-K through first grade), which suited me quite well. But having grown up in a pastor’s home in small towns and country settings, I had absolutely no “street smarts.” These kids had plenty.

The Battle:
As I got to know the children better, it was like we were living in parallel universes. In my world, the norm is three meals a day, a family unit of two parents and two to four children, boys and girls who sit quietly (mostly) in class, and parents who carefully monitor their children’s TV viewing and homework.

In their world, children may go hungry, may have as many as 10 or more siblings from various parents, are often starved for attention, may see pornography on TV in their home, and probably know someone in jail. 

The Inspiration:
Not long ago, I was discouraged about the ministry. The evil seemed so great, and I didn’t seem to be making an impact. Then I read a statement by a missionary woman. She wrote that while she was grieving the loss of a child, God had spoken to her, telling her He had not brought the children in her care to her to heal; He had brought them to her to love. And it was as if God was saying to me, “I did not bring these children to you to save; I brought them to you to love.”

I was encouraged, and I am grateful to be able to love these precious children and to point them to the One who can save them.

The Word and Deed:
Loving children in the name of Christ is loving God the Son and God the Father. Jesus models the way for us when He took the children in His arms and blessed them. This is best shared with us through Mark 10:14-16. Prayerfully read the Word. Now put your faith into action. Serve the children in your neighborhood this year. Whether you get involved with an organization like Youth for Christ or volunteer in the nursery at your church, share God’s love with a little one.

Prayer Calendar: July 1-6, 2013

The Call's prayer calendar reminder for this week is...

PRAISE God for the freedom we have to worship Him.

Have a safe and happy Fourth of July!