I had been planning for some time to write a newsletter. But, as you probably know me well, by now I could always find just one more thing to do before getting started on it, so it gets delayed and delayed. No I have to send you at least a short update as life has just turned upside down.
Many of you may have seen or heard by now, possibly through International Ministries, that Northern parts of Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand and Eastern Burma all got hit by the tail of a typhoon last week which has caused heavy flooding in all four countries. Vietnam is reporting over 240 dead, over half of that number from a landslide that took out one village. Accurate information on Burma and Laos is not so easy to get, but we are seeing reports of severe damage in Burma with at least 160 dead and counting. Even the capital of Burma, NayPyiTaw, was flooded badly.
Our home province of Chiang Rai was also severely damaged. The flood came into the city and damaged most of the downtown. Almost all the communities near the river were hit hard. Upstream, in the hills, many villages near the river have seen complete destruction. Our home, near the river, was also flooded. But thanking the Lord that it is just a lot of mud that we have to deal with and no significant damage. We got most everything up in time before we rushed out at 10 pm on Wednesday night – just as the water rushed in. At least a dozen other missionary families were flooded out. Some lost absolutely everything.
The flood of the century, I would say. In the nearly 40 years I have been here, I have never seen this level of flooding.
International Ministries has put out an appeal, if you would like to donate. Some of the local ministries I am related to here will be managing those relief funds.
The Thai people have been amazing. Volunteers from the entire country have poured in. It is a time of working together and helping each other.
We are monitoring the news from our neighboring countries, trying to find ways we can help as we know that the needs there will be greater than ours.
International Ministries has sent an initial grant of $20,000 in One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) emergency relief to partners that will provide humanitarian relief to the victims of the severe flooding devastating northern Thailand.
Catastrophic flooding has struck Chiang Rai province in northern Thailand, affecting more than 10,000 homes, according to news reports from the Bangkok Post. Some are calling it the worst flooding in 80 years, with the Kok River overflowing to submerge the entire business district of Chiang Rai city. Across Thailand, 48 provinces remain under flash flood warnings through September 18th, with the potential for further devastation.
International Ministries (IM) is deeply concerned for the safety and well-being of its global servants, partners in the region, and the communities they serve. The Williams and Coats families, IM global servants stationed in Chiang Rai, have been forced to flee their homes due to rising floodwaters.
IM Area Director for Southeast Asia and Japan Rev. Kyle Witmer describes the dire situation: “Our partners among the hill tribe peoples here have seen some devastating realities as rivers have overrun their banks on numerous occasions. Please prayerfully consider how God might use you to respond with love and care for those affected. Pray that in the midst of this difficult time, people will see the difference that a relationship with Jesus Christ makes in the lives of God’s children.”
With ongoing flood warnings, immediate needs for displaced families include food, clean water, and shelter, while longer-term efforts will focus on restoration and rebuilding. Kyle and Katrina Williams, IM global servants in Chiang Rai, have been providing updates on the situation as it unfolds. They are urgently asking for prayer and support. “Our community is overwhelmed. Many families are now living like refugees, uncertain of when they’ll be able to return to their homes and begin the daunting task of clean-up,” shared Kyle Williams.
IM calls for urgent prayer and support for all affected by the floods, especially for the families of its global servants and local partners. Financial gifts can be made in two ways:
To support community relief efforts, donations can be made through your American Baptist church, through giving online, or by sending checks directly to International Ministries. Please designate your contributions “OGHS–Thailand Floods” in the memo line of your check.
To support the IM global servants who have experienced personal losses, donations can be made online or by sending checks directly to International Ministries, designating your contributions “Global Servant Emergency Care” in the memo line of your check.
Checks sent directly to International Ministries should be made payable to “International Ministries” and mailed to:
International Ministries Attn: Gifts Processing 1003 W 9th Avenue, Ste A King of Prussia, PA 19406
All funds will directly assist those in need as they navigate this unprecedented disaster. Your prayers and financial support will make a significant difference in helping those affected by the devastating floods in Chiang Rai and across the country.
A reception will be held for Global Servants, Rev. Jon and Amanda Good on Tuesday, April 30 at 7PM in the Common Grounds. They will be speaking about their former ministry in Hungary and their transition into Rome, Italy. They have been staying at Judson Univesity for their home deputation and will be leaving in July for Italy. All are welcome to come visit with them and hear their story. Light refreshments will be served.
During a recent interview, Rev. Igor Bandura (vice president of IM’s Baptist partner in Ukraine) shared, “There are more generators running in Ukraine than anywhere else in the world.” This is just one reality of life one year into war.
Many Ukrainians—those who remained and those who left—continue to live in the middle space between deep grief and deep gratitude. What Rev. Bandura shares most about is the gratitude. When Russia invaded on February 24, 2022, IM’s supporting congregations, individuals, and the Baptist worldwide family responded quickly with generous donations that have provided for sustained relief activities.
You generously gave $1,366,000 in the past year through One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS)–Ukraine Relief. Your gifts combined with others around the world to provide more than $5,700,000 in humanitarian aid. You helped meet basic needs: food, shelter, heating, transport, and psychological assistance. The aid has been delivered by Baptist partners in Ukraine and neighboring countries; by your International Ministries global servants, including Carmella Jones, Becky and Larry Stanton, Amanda and Jon Good, Pieter and Nora Kalkman, and Kristy Engel; by Church World Service staff in Moldova; and by L’Arche staff in Ukraine.
One of the many challenges of ongoing war is that some of the same needs continue as long as the war continues. After a hurricane, the damage and needs can be readily assessed. Immediate needs can be met and longer-term planning can begin. Ongoing war presents a very different challenge, as many of the needs remain the same for an extended period of time. Today, sporadic shelling across the country continues, with Russian troops increasingly targeting civilian areas and critical infrastructure. This makes returning and beginning the long process of rebuilding impossible.
We face a long road ahead. Rev. Bandura asks for us to “think in terms of staying with Ukraine for the coming eleven years.” Your continued giving to OGHS-Ukraine Relief will enable us to do just that—be there not just for the time of war, but for the time of rebuilding.
I’m so pleased to share a video with you from IM Global Consultant for Health Kristy Engel. Last month, Kristy, Global Servants Dr. Anita and Dr. Rick Gutierrez, and IM volunteer, Melissa Wolfson, traveled to Ukraine to help provide mobile medical clinics for people displaced by the war, at the invitation of IM partner Hungarian Baptist Aid. You can hear more from Kristy about what the team saw and experienced in Ukraine through the video below.
Your gifts to world relief through International Ministries made this trip possible! Thank you for your partnership in bringing hope and practical care in Jesus’ name.
Charles Jones, Area Director for Europe, the Middle East and Liberia
Questions for Charles? Email us!
NEWS YOU CAN USE
Today we celebrate the life of Martin Luther King, Jr.
One way in which you could honor his legacy is by supporting the Lott Carey National African American Missions Council (NAAMC) Scholarship Fund. These scholarships for Black missionary candidates help decrease the challenges they might experience in securing funding to serve in ministry. Learn more about the scholarship fund.
Join our Short-Term Mission staff and global servants on trips that will help you discover what God is doing around the world! We invite you to journey with us in 2023.
AMSTERDAM: April 17 – 25, 2023 / Learn more about the Amsterdam team (registration deadline 1/30/23) JAPAN: April 27 – May 8, 2023 / Learn more about the Japan team (registration deadline 2/20/23) LIBERIA: May 24 – June 2, 2023 / Learn more about the Liberia team (registration deadline 3/24/23) NORWAY: July 2 – 9, 2023 / Learn more about the Norway team (registration deadline 4/7/23) MISSION EXPRESS: March 15, 2023 / A virtual trip with Global Consultant Mylinda Baits on how art can be used for healing and holistic mission / Learn more (registration deadline 3/6/23)
PROJECT SPOTLIGHT
House of Hope, Bolivia
This month on our homepage, we are highlighting the opportunity to support mobile medical and dental clinics for indigenous people in Cochabamba, Bolivia, through a project managed by Global Servant Rhonda Reed. The House of Hope partners with local doctors and dentists to bring mobile clinics to serve vulnerable populations in the city and surrounding provinces. Your support provides equipment and supplies for regular medical and dental care, as well as creating a ministry opportunity during the clinics for local churches to reach out to their communities.
THE IMPACT OF YOUR GIVING
Ministry of Accompaniment and Presence Global Servants to the Dominican Republic Ketly and Vital Pierre
As the two of us continue our service in the Dominican Republic, we have asked ourselves: what is God’s call of service for us in this place and for this time?
We believe the 1.5 years we spent in the USA “in the desert” during Ketly’s breast cancer surgery and subsequent treatments were to prepare us for the present. “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18). We experienced so many uncertainties when we went to Boston, yet God provided people with open hearts and arms to welcome us and to provide for us. This outpouring of God’s love to us strengthened us to be God’s hands and feet once again here in La Romana. Also, I (Ketly) feel my ordination prepared me to be an example and an encouragement to other women in the D.R. who are called to pastoral ministry.
We find the spirit of Immanuel “God with us” helps us to accompany those who are sick and broken-hearted. One of our friends in La Romana named Orene is suffering from cancer, and God is giving me the opportunity to walk alongside her to provide spiritual, emotional, and physical support. I feel like I learned so much from the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, and that part of my ministry to those suffering from cancer is education – what to eat, how to rest, what questions to ask the doctor. Also, a young man we know named Joel was just diagnosed with stomach cancer, AND his father also just received a cancer diagnosis. God has prepared me to accompany them as they walk through this time of trial. Praise God that the family is strong in their faith, but the path ahead is not an easy one.
Immanuel “God with us” is also present in the start-up of the chaplaincy program at Good Samaritan Hospital in La Romana. In January, twenty-one volunteers from the area churches will work alternatively for several hours throughout the week as “angels of mercy” in the various wings of the hospital. This is a much-needed addition to the ministry of healing at Good Samaritan.
The Talita Cumi Girls Clubs have experienced Emmanuel “God with us” as many girls are finding Christ’s light, joy, and friendship through the weekly meetings in the various bateyes and La Romana. One mother related that her daughter’s attitude has changed from one of criticism and negativity to one of laughter and positivity.
One of our concerns this year is the increase of persecution of Haitian immigrants in La Romana. There is a sense of unease and fear among many of the Haitian community, and the Community Center is a place of rest and an oasis of peace in the midst of this chaos. Vital is accompanying many Haitian construction workers who need brotherly, physical, emotional, and spiritual support so they can live with dignity in the D.R. The goal is to have an organization to unify these men so they can be a mutual support to each other. Vital is also hoping that the Community Center will soon be able to create a “Job Board” so Haitian women looking for work can be connected with potential employers. We keep in mind this scripture: “You shall not oppress a stranger nor torment him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt” (Exodus 23:9). Yes, Immanuel “God with us” is essential for these immigrants.
Through your prayers and your financial support you have been accompanying us as we minister. We are grateful and look forward to this continuing investment in our lives.
You help us to know Emmanuel “God with us” – THANK YOU!!
I have been blessed to serve both as a global servant and now on the home office staff with International Ministries, an organization that has been an important part of my family’s life for over twenty years. In 2001, my wife, Terry, and I accepted a call to serve with International Ministries in Bulgaria where we served for seventeen years. During that time we partnered with the Bulgarian Baptist Union in various ministries—economic and community development, education, abolishing trafficking in persons and global slavery, and for a short time working with immigrants and refugees. We also had the opportunity to host several short-term mission teams. Through all the years we were blessed by the support of our partner in Bulgaria and by the staff at International Ministries. In 2018, we felt that our time in Bulgaria was coming to a close. At the same time there was a position on the home office staff which I felt called to apply for, so in 2019 I transitioned to my current role as Director of Global Personnel Services. When asked what this position involves, I often describe it as human resources for our global servants, and much of what I do falls into that category—compensation, benefits, health insurance, grants and allowances for specific location needs, etc. But to me it is so much more. It is helping provide member care for the global servants and families. It is being prepared to react to crises if they arise and assist in whatever way is necessary. It is about helping with transitions—from the beginning, through US/Puerto Rico assignments, and in retirement. But most importantly, it is walking alongside IM’s global servants so they can effectively live out God’s calling. What is the best part of my job? The best part of my job is getting to hear amazing stories of what God is doing through IM’s global servants and partners around the world, and the stories of how God is calling the next generation to go and serve.
Happy Easter 2021!On behalf of International Ministries, our CEO/Executive Director Sharon Koh wishes you a happy Easter in the name of our risen Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
When you support the Congo Medical Residency project you provide medical residents with quality training at the Vanga Evangelical Hospital in the Democratic Republic of the Congo as they prepare to serve in remote hospitals throughout the region. This residency program was started in the 1970s by well-known IM missionary Dr. Dan Fountain and re-purposed in 2015 as a means to raise up and equip Congolese doctors to provide health care in rural areas. Access to trained doctors impacts mortality rates, decreases lifestyle-related diseases, improves nutrition, and increases overall public health. This program recruits teachers from Europe and the U.S., who volunteer time to train the students. You can learn more about the program here: https://www.internationalministries.org/congo-medical-residency-program/. Join us in asking God to raise up medical students who will impact the communities where they will serve.
