Mission news

BEYOND THE BLAST: SHARING JESUS’ LOVE IN LEBANON

Amid chaos, confusion, grief and anger following the explosion in Beirut on 4 August 2020, CMS mission partners have been sharing the hope of Jesus.

Audrey Gibson helps to prepare food for those on the front line of the clean-up operation

“It seems impossible that Lebanon will ever be the same,” say Phil and Sylvie Good, who worked with Resurrection Church Beirut to raise funds for relief in the city. “[T]he thousands of people who heard the screams and saw the blood are still processing what has happened… people are feeling very sad and… angry.”

The Goods, along with Audrey and Colin Gibson who work with LSESD (Lebanese Society for Educational and Social Development), report that many want to leave the country, as political instability, coronavirus and economic collapse were already burdensome before the blast. Despair has deepened among the traditionally resilient, resourceful population.

The Goods and the Gibsons ask for prayer for the Church in Lebanon as they comfort the broken-hearted. Reporting from the frontlines of the clean up a week after the explosion, Audrey said: “…nearly all the work is being done by volunteers…. Churches, other faith groups and multiple NGOs are doing what they can – from sweeping up glass to handing out food…. [The scene] was truly appalling. As well as practical support some of the team offered to pray with people and were giving out audio Bibles to those who wanted them.” LSESD is now offering trauma recovery services for children and adults.

In choosing to stay and minister among Lebanese people and Syrian refugees in the country, the Goods and the Gibsons have sought to demonstrate the faithful presence of Jesus: “We bring a simple message that Jesus comes to us and dwells among us and brings us life and hope and will move us towards justice and peace,” says Phil.

Neema masks now in the UK

Earlier this year we shared the news that Neema Crafts, pioneered and led by Church Mission Society mission partners in Iringa, Tanzania, had started making face masks for healthcare staff in Tanzania. Now churches in the UK can also buy these vibrant and colourful Neema masks!

Masks from Neema Crafts are now available for UK churches

Ben and Katy Ray explain, “The Neema Crafts Centre is now open, with the cafe and shop resuming a normal service, but we are only seeing a trickle of customers where normally we would expect a deluge during the summer months. Since we have been producing more masks than there is now demand for in Iringa, and with the announcement by the UK government that face coverings should be worn in public places, we have sent some of our masks over to the UK.”

The masks are available in boxes of 50 or 100 – ideal for churches to sell in their congregation or local community. For more information, contact neemamasks@gmail.com

New book: inspired by imagination

Jonny Baker and Cathy Ross have recently released a new book inspired by former CMS general secretary

and mission thinker John V. Taylor. Cathy Ross recently gained increased access to Taylor’s travel diaries and newsletters from the 1960s and 70s, and uncovered a treasure trove of insights into mission so fresh and radical, they could have been penned for 2020 and beyond.

Imagining Mission with John V. Taylor was released on 30 August. Jonny Baker describes the book, “It is inspired by Taylor’s writings – but it really isn’t a historical book. It’s more about soaking in his ideas and imaginings and then speaking boldly into today’s questions and issues in church, mission and society.”

Taylor was one of the earlier voices in the Church to speak out about the environmental crisis, for instance. Cathy and Jonny believe tapping into Taylor’s ideas will help people become more bold, creative and innovative in mission today. “He was a prophet figure without a doubt,” says Jonny.

The book is available from SCM Press using discount code MISSION2020.

Hearing hope in refugee camps

Distributing pre-loaded digital audio players in refugee camps is bringing healing, hope and even saving lives as food rations are cut and stress soars due to the pandemic.

Usual church gatherings in refugee camps in northern Uganda have not been possible

One mother went from feeling suicidal to being determined to carry on, thanks to the recorded trauma healing sessions featured on the players provided by local partner Sam Malish and his colleagues to South Sudanese refugees in Uganda.

The digital audio players (DAPs) come pre-loaded with holistic transformational messages including sermons, teaching on trauma healing, talks on parenting strategies and Bible teaching specifically for children.

Sam and the team are hearing stories of real change as a result. A refugee in her 50s who was planning to quietly divorce her husband was inspired and encouraged when she listened to the trauma healing messages recorded on one of these DAPs. Her relationship with her husband improved significantly and she changed her mind about divorcing him.

Northern pioneer training centre has arrived

The first weekend of Pioneer Mission Leadership Training at the Northern Mission Centre took place on 12 and 13 September. A group of 18 students from the north of England and Scotland gathered in Penrith as part of this partnership with the Diocese of Carlisle.

The course means CMS training is available to a much wider geographical area, and will offer an authentically northern pioneer approach embedded in practice, equipping, enthusing and enabling mission thinking and action.

Feeding families in India

In India, Asia-CMS recently worked with an organisation called Sahayak to get food to 100 migrant labourer families – and the community’s children helped lead this effort.

Sahayak works mainly with migrant labourer children and women as they are often the most in need. Asia-CMS’s offer to partner in food distribution came at just the right time, as food was becoming scarce and families had nowhere to turn.

“The Sahayak kids were instrumental in identifying and helping struggling families come one by one to our centre to pick up food packets,” Sharon from Sahayak reported.

One mother, who had walked for days with her three children, was worried about how to provide for them. When one of the Sahayak boys told her about the food packages, she felt her prayers were answered.

Suzane from Asia-CMS said, “[People’s] prayers and support have helped us walk alongside our partners who had the opportunity to be the face of Jesus to so many who don’t know him.”

This story is published by kind permission of Asia-CMS.

Southern conference

The Southern conference planning team has decided in view of COVID-19 to cancel the CMS Southern conference scheduled for 19–21 February 2021 at High Leigh. They are looking into running a virtual conference that weekend.

CMS Southern conference is going online

Pioneer peak

This year, there are more ordinands than ever starting CMS Pioneer Mission Leadership Training with 10 new students this year – six undergraduates and four postgraduates, including the first ordinand studying for on the DTh doctoral programme.

Newest recruits

Despite the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic, CMS has recruited two new mission partner families in recent months. Both are looking forward to leading churches in strategic places.

New mission partners Kevin and Jennifer Cable

Jennifer and Kevin Cable will re-open the historic Anglican Church in Jaffa, where the doors have been closed for more than 70 years. Jaffa is the historic Joppa: the place from which Jonah attempted to sail to Tarshish, the port where the cedars of Lebanon arrived to build the temple in Jerusalem, and where Peter received his vision to preach to the Gentiles. Jennifer and Kevin comment, “We feel honoured and humbled to have been called to work with CMS in re-opening this church, which will re-energise and encourage the Christian community in Jaffa and beyond.”

Lea and Petra Williams, with their two children, will lead a small Anglican congregation in Brno in the Czech Republic, creating opportunities for Czech and English-speakers to worship and explore issues of faith. Brno is a vibrant growing city, home to thousands of students and internationals. There are few Englishspeaking congregations, and according to recent Pew Research the Czech Republic is the most secular nation in Eastern Europe. Lea and Petra are excited to develop a vibrant international Christian community where people meet Jesus and grow as disciples.

New mission partners Petra and Lea Williams

Our recruitment team are always keen to help people explore their call to mission – contact vro@churchmissionsociety.org if you are sensing God calling you on a new mission journey.

WHEN A PANDEMIC GETS PERSONAL

Azaria Spencer, working with Street Kids Direct in Guatemala, shares her experience of the pandemic coming too close for comfort.

Azaria giving out food to some of the most vulnerable in Guatemala City

I have taken the virus seriously but not been overly concerned for myself. My concern lies primarily with vulnerable people here in Guatemala, not just their health but also their need for food and rent. I have been helping prepare and distribute food parcels fortnightly to families we work with. A food kitchen in a poorer part of the city is feeding 150 people daily and going there once a week has helped me see hope as people have come together to support those most affected.

In addition, my concern has been for friends and family in the

UK. When I first heard of the virus spreading in the UK, my thoughts were for my sister, an NHS nurse. When she told me that she would be working on a COVID-19 ward, I didn’t want her anywhere near the virus. Yet God reminded me that we are not called to do the least we can, but the most. So, I prayed for her protection and my admiration for someone I already adore grew as she faithfully did her job.

Then the news I had been dreading came. My sister had the virus and I was undone. Suddenly the pandemic had become far too personal.

Being far away from family for long periods of time has many challenges. Missing the good things – celebrations, birthdays and Christmas – is difficult, but missing the bad things is even harder. It was made even tougher as I felt that my usefulness here in Guatemala had dropped during lockdown and curfew.

My sister stayed home and recovered from the virus. I learned valuable lessons in humility, trust and faith. Paul advises us to seek contentment in every circumstance (Philippians 4:11–13). Several months into lockdown, I might finally be learning what it is to be content right now.

TRAPPED IN UNCERTAINTY

A mission partner in South East Asia shares about the added uncertainty of long-term health issues for those in an already difficult prison environment.

Ireceived news that an inmate had been admitted to hospital. Things didn’t look good – he was unconscious and unresponsive.

I had got to know KM quite well while he’d been in prison. Before his detention, KM ran a restaurant, and in prison he cooked for other inmates. A couple of times, he asked me to bring cooking spices for him (I checked the contents thoroughly to make sure it wasn’t drugs!). As well as exotic ingredients, KM had asked me to help him with supplying insulin and syringes because he was diabetic.

I was worried for him, as healthcare at the prison is dire. Any kind of long-term health issue, like diabetes, adds another layer of uncertainty to an already uncertain existence.

When I visited, KM was in the prison wing of the hospital, one of the most depressing places I’ve ever been. Patients are behind bars and I was locked in. KM was unconscious but repeatedly pinched his leg with his thumb. I held his hand and grimaced from the force he was exerting. He was on oxygen and hooked up to a drip and I also noticed a nearly full catheter bag. The small room was crowded with other patients and visiting relatives. There was little evidence of care being given, save for the patients being attended to by relatives. I put some Christian tracts in his language in his pocket, hoping he might get some encouragement from them when he woke up, then said goodbye.

I visited KM several more times. He was moved to the ICU. The doctor treating him apologised for the delay, but I was too relieved to see evidence that KM was being looked after to be judgemental.

A few days later, the doctor told me KM’s breathing was deteriorating. I went to see him and explained that I wanted to pray with him. I was not sure if KM heard my prayers. The doctor waited at the foot of the bed as I prayed. I don’t know how much she understood but I hope God communicated with both of them that he loved and cared for them.

Early the next morning, I received a call telling me KM had died. He hadn’t recovered consciousness after suffering a stroke.

KM’s family, who live in other parts of the world, had asked me to take care of things for them. I took his funeral three weeks later. Apart from some police, the only people there were C, who was videoing it to send to KM’s family, J, who read the scriptures in KM’s language, and myself.

This whole episode is tragic. KM was in his forties and if he had been treated properly, he may well have recovered. I long for a better justice system and healthcare for inmates – those with chronic health conditions are being failed and this is frustrating, upsetting and wrong. Yet we believe God is present in this mess and places us here to do whatever we can to make a difference.