For SIM workers, by SIM workers
NOV 2019 • VOL 1 ISSUE 2
María Teresa plants a church TCK ministry in Paraguay Who is growing SIM’s Fulani ministry teams? Ethiopians! Reaching Canada’s hip-hop community
CONTENTS
FINDING BETHLEHEM DR. JOSHUA BOGUNJOKO
Introduction ............................................... 2-3 New Harvest Workers .............................. 4-5 3CKamps in Paraguay ...................................6 Q&A with an SIM leader: Tim Allan ...........7 CALLED: Tan and Izumi Shimizu ...............8 Are you signed up? .........................................9 News ............................................................. 10 Leader Appointments ............................... 11 Ethiopians to Fulani ................................... 12 Reaching Canada’s hip-hop community.... 13 Sports Friends’ coach attacked.................. 13 María Teresa plants a church..................... 14 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Opportunities to serve ............................... 15
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Faithful Witness .......................................... 16 © SIM International 2019. Connect is an internal publication of SIM International for the encouragement and information of SIM workers. SIM International Director: Joshua Bogunjoko International Communications Director: Tim Allan Editor: Tabitha Plueddemann Design: Pilgrim Communications Email: connect@sim.org Web: www.sim.org Cover: María Teresa of Ccafiamerea, Peru. p14
When SIM workers get together, we often ask each other, Where are you from? Our newsletters mention how many countries are represented in our ministry or at an event. As our teams increase in diversity – diversity of culture, ethnicity, age, language, skill - the question, Where are you from?, has no chance of dying out any time soon. But in our diverse mission, some of us will feel confident about our "from" and others will feel less confident. Maybe you’ve experienced that your "from" requires some explanation, or carries with it some misperceptions or stereotypes. You have to manage assumptions in the eyes of others. As we anticipate the Christmas season, let’s marvel at the "from" that Jesus chose for himself. He could have picked anywhere to associate with during his life on earth. Unlike us, he had every option available across time and place. Yet he did not choose citizenship in a safe, peaceful kingdom or in a powerful empire. He did not choose an affluent city by the sea or a prosperous and comfortable town. He deliberately chose his place of birth, his "from" – a tiny, inconsequential and overcrowded village clinging to the dusty outskirts of an occupied city. Like little Bethlehem, I am from a tiny village called Owa Onire, with a population of no more than 500 at the time of my birth. Attached to this "from" are many things – my culture, language, socio-
INTRODUCTION
village for Jesus. Because of this, I and my family follow Jesus! Such a story is repeated many times over. Today a new believer named María CHAD LOFTIS PHOTO Teresa hikes two hours the village of Cruzpata in the Andes Mountains of Peru where she has planted a church. Today, we economic status, ethnicity, etc. Owa Onire are sending people to a cluster of homes is not of huge significance in my state or in Mali called Dudya-Kadjel, praying for region of Nigeria, and yet it is God who gospel seed to take root there. There are established this "from" for me. remote villages in Mongolia and North Just as we come from many places, so Africa. There are forgotten neighbourhoods we are going to many places. In fact, we are in Ayutthaya, Paris and Quito. Seen in the always going to someone else’s ‘from,’ and light of the Christmas story, these are all nowhere is too inconsequential for us to “Bethlehems”, waiting go. If the Lord of the But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, for the light to dawn. Harvest sent his only Son though you are small among the clans No matter where into a stable in a village you are coming from called Bethlehem, how of Judah, out of you will come for - country, education, much more should we go me one who will be ruler over Israel, socio-economic level, anywhere, for his sake. whose origins are from of old, from single or married, No matter where you are ancient times.” Micah 5:2 language – or where from, God can use your you are going, the joy “from” for HIS future. offered to you is to imitate the Christ Child. One hundred years ago, a professional Crossing barriers into the Bethlehems of athlete from Canada turned down the today, we, too, incarnate ourselves, confident opportunity to compete in the Olympics. with the prophet Isaiah that “the people He became a missionary. One day, he walking in darkness have seen a great light; trekked 26 kilometres into my village from on those living in the land of the shadow of another remote village. He came to my “from”. There was nothing to mark Owa death, a light has dawned." Onire on any map, nothing special about it physically or economically. Yet this man was convinced there were people in this
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NEW HARVEST WORKERS
Nicoline Zwikker
New harvest workers
Church: REACH South Africa Where will you serve? Asia What will you be doing? Teaching English Pray: That I have joy and perseverance in preparing well for the lessons, and for living in this country where everything is different.
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Gabriel & Sharleen Howard
Church: REACH, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa Where will you serve? Cape Town, South Africa What will you be doing? Chief Operations Officer for SIM South Africa, which both sends and receives 143 missionaries Pray: For me to be an agent of God`s grace as we look to run a God-honouring and efficient office; that I would use opportunities to share the gospel.
Mic
Church: Eagles Nest Church, Roswell, Georgia, USA Where will you serve? Cairo, Egypt What will you be doing? Evangelism and discipleship Pray: Sharleen’s visa and our transition to join a new team and acclimate to a new culture.
Church: Long Crendon Baptist Church, Aylesbury and Emmanuel Church, Bramcote, Nottingham, UK Where will you serve? Nairobi, Kenya What will you be doing? Studying at Africa International University for masters’ degrees in mission studies, with an Islamic focus, a step into long-term mission. Pray: For a strong support base in the UK, for visas and application to AIU.
Josh & Helen Chard
WWW.SIM.ORG
Church: Eglise Protestante Evangélique de GrenobleEybens, France Where will you serve? N’djamena, Chad What will you be doing? Serving as nurses in Guinebor’s hospital Pray: That God will give us opportunities to witness while giving medical care, and opportunities to go further by studying his Word one-on-one.
CEline & Paul Boni
Christine & Jean Picq
Home city: Sydney, Australia Where will you serve? Southeast Asia What will you be doing? Leadership role in a school for MKs Pray: Give thanks for those who have come on board to partner with us and to pray for our final preparations.
Ode & Jennifer Agabi
Al & Liz NOVEMBER 2019 • VOL 1 ISSUE 2
New harvest workers
Church: ECWA Goodnews Nasarawa, Nigeria Where will you serve? Kayes region, Mali What will you be doing? Evangelism and church planting among the Hassaniya herdsmen. Pray: For a harvest of souls and that the work of Christ prospers in our hands.
Church: Eglise Protestante Evangélique Saône Vallée, Trévoux, France Where will you serve? N’djamena, Chad What will you be doing? Discover the mission and help churches in the Great Commission. Pray: For our intensive Arabic lessons and for good cultural adaptation.
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3CKAMPS IN SOUTH AMERICA
Missionary kids
BY DAN HOUGH, YOUTH CHAMPION FOR RURAL PARAGUAY
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While serving Paraguayans in the heart of South America for the past 13 years we have watched many Missionary Kids, including our own six, grow up in this wonderful and challenging environment. That’s what inspired Sarah and I to begin a youth ministry at the end of every month for Third Culture Kids growing up in Paraguay. We call it ‘3CK’. In recent years we’ve taken this ministry a step further by organising annual ‘3CKamps’: Christian camps for TCKs in Paraguay. While many MKs are living in isolated areas with their parents 3CKamp gives them an opportunity to connect with other kids like them. At our last camp we had youth from America, Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Paraguay, Russia, South Africa, and South Korea. Though many of them had never met before they all quickly, almost effortlessly, connected. In spite of their diversity they shared
one hugely significant thing in common: they’re all TCKs. As an optional excursion for 3CKamp we do a day-trip hike to the top of Paraguay’s highest peak which is only 15 kilometres from our camp. The first time we offered this every last camper signed up for the optional hike. I led a group of 30 campers up the almost two-mile section of very steep trail with a missionary teammate taking up the rear. Once at the top I took in the spectacular views with the other hikers as they gradually arrived one by one. What would have been a time of joy turned to fear when our teammate reached the top with the last of the campers and we realized
Life In life there is not just sadness In life there is not just madness In life there is also joy But don’t use it like a toy But use it wisely and make decisions with care For you do not have another life to spare
our son, Toby, was not accounted for. After some quick coordinating, several counsellors and I set off back down the trail which often goes along steep cliffs. During the next 15 to 20 minutes it was hard not to imagine the worst. But we found Toby who had gotten turned around on a side trail and was working his way back, hoping to run into his friends and leaders. He was shaken but had kept his head about him — praise God! Like Toby, Third Culture Kids sometimes get lost trying to find their way along a path which, all too often, isn’t clearly marked. ‘Who are they?’ ‘Where do they belong?’ It is our immense privilege and responsibility to help our Missionary Kids navigate life as TCKs! Since we’ve started to reach out to this unique and gifted crowd we’ve gotten feedback from parents like, ‘This has provided exactly what our kids needed’ and ‘Thank you, this has changed our kids’. Years after he had gotten lost and shortly after returning to his parent’s home-culture, Toby drew a picture to go with a poem he had written simply entitled, ‘Life.’ Visit www.houghslife.com. WWW.SIM.ORG
MEET TIM ALLAN SIM GLOBAL DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS ANSWERS KEY QUESTIONS like to make our communication simpler, clearer and Tell us a little about your background. more effective. I’ve been a journalist all my working life. I joined a local newspaper shortly after leaving university, then What inspires you when life gets difficult? moved to a regional evening newspaper and then on The knowledge that what I do does not depend to a national newspaper. I’ve always loved sport, so on me. Sometimes that’s hard for me to accept it was natural for me to move into that field. Most of or put into practice because, like many people of my career was spent on red-top tabloid my generation in the UK, I was newspapers. I was Deputy Sports brought up to be very self-reliant Editor of the News of the World, then and independent. One of the great Executive Sports Editor of The Sun and I want to make storyliberating things about becoming a finally Sports Editor of The Independent Christian, which I didn’t do until I was telling front and centre on Sunday. in my late 40s, was the realisation that
of the way we mobilise
NOVEMBER 2019 • VOL 1 ISSUE 2
Q&A with an SIM leader New harvest workers
God is in charge of my life. Tell us a little about your family. new workers and ensure Kerry and I met at journalists’ training What do you do when you’re college and got married in 1987. We that our core mission, not working? have three children – Imogen, who is a vision and purpose is I spend time with my family, usually primary school teacher; Madeleine, who over a meal. I cycle and play golf as embedded in all we is an account executive for a food and often as I can. I will watch any sport drink PR company; and Fergus, who is communicate. on television and love to go to sports studying history at Exeter University. events. I walk our dog every day. Kerry How did God lead you and Kerry and I enjoy travelling, especially to to SIM? places with a wealth of history. By a very circuitous route! I was looking for a way to What is your favourite Bible verse? use my gifts and experience after leaving I have a favourite passage – Ephesians 6:10-17. Put newspapers and saw an advertisement for the on the full armour of God…. If I’m ever asked to lead communications job with SIM UK. I applied and a Bible study or devotion at short notice, that’s where started there in 2015. When I moved to I’ll go. It speaks so powerfully about the way we International, that left a vacancy at the UK office, should approach the world. which has been filled on a part-time basis by Kerry. The fact that she is a journalist too is a great What piece of technology could you blessing, both to me and do without/never to without? to SIM UK. My mobile. It is my calendar, What key things do you hope my newspaper, my means of to achieve in your time/your communication and a means role with SIM? of entertainment. Even I want to improve the though I’m old enough communications between to have lived for the communicators, many years without a which I’m trying to do by mobile, I now feel lost hosting regular comms without it. cafes and sending How can we pray out details of stories for you? published across the Pray I would always rely SIM world. I want to on God and trust in his make story-telling front good purposes; that I can and centre of the way we continue to build good mobilise new workers relationships with my and ensure that our colleagues and that my three core mission, vision and children would come to know purpose is embedded in the Lord. all we communicate. I’d
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PLEASE PRAY:
CALLED
CALLED:
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Japanese workers Tan and Izumi Shimizu have overcome many challenges to answer God’s call to share the gospel in Africa. The couple, and their two children, have been in Tanzania for more than 19 years, working among Muslim communities and supporting churches across several Christian denominations. But that would have seemed impossible when the word ‘Africa’ first made an impact on Tan. Back in 1990, he was still at high school when he heard a sermon at his church’s world mission prayer meeting in Japan on Matthew 24:14, focussing on the vital need to take the gospel to people who do not know Jesus. As he prayed about what he’d been taught, the word ‘Africa’ implanted itself in his mind and from that moment he was determined to serve there. Living in a country with almost no history of sending workers to Africa meant that was a lot easier said than done yet somehow the Lord made it happen. First, he opened the door for Tan to study African culture and
For Tan and Izumi to remain free from persecution and able to share the gospel joyfully with those who don’t know Christ That they will continue to trust in the Lord as he leads them in the future direction of their ministry. For SIM's Japanese MKs to flourish and grow in the Lord as they navigate multiple cultures. For more gospel workers to be raised up from Japanese churches to serve in all parts of the world.
TAN AND IZUMI SHIMIZU TAKE THE GOSPEL FROM JAPAN TO TANZANIA Swahili at Osaka University by enabling him to pass a very tough entrance exam. Then, he allowed Tan to meet Izumi at university and discover she was equally passionate about mission. The Shimizus married and began working as church planters in Osaka. And then he overcame the problem of there being no organisation which could send and support workers going from Japan to Africa. Because SIM had a sending office in Asia, the door was suddenly open for them to go. Tan said: “When we visited SIM Singapore, the director, Dr Andrew Ng, and his wife, Belinda, welcomed us and said: ‘We’ve been praying for 10 years for missionaries to join SIM from Japan.’ “I was overwhelmed by this and tried to remember where I had been 10 years earlier. It was the time I was challenged by God at the world mission prayer meeting and began praying for mission in Africa.” From there, Tan and Izumi set about trying to set up an SIM Japan Council. After much hard work, the council was eventually formed
under the leadership of Izumi’s father, Rev Joshua Ogawa, who had served as a gospel worker in Indonesia with his wife. That then allowed Tan and Izumi, with their two sons, three-year-old Ko and nine-month-old Sei, to head to Tanzania in 2002, where they have been ever since. They have worked in a predominantly Muslim region of Tanzania and, while they have suffered no physical persecution, are constantly aware of spiritual and emotional battles. They have seen both great encouragements and great disappointments during those 19 years. But their commitment to the people of Tanzania and to sharing the gospel remains undimmed. Izumi, who had to learn Swahili when she arrived in the country, said: “We are truly thankful for each one of our Japanese churches in Christ who have been praying for our family members by name and supporting us all through these long years. I am dedicated to continuing to live for the Faithful Lord who leads me with his unchanging promises.” WWW.SIM.ORG
ARE YOU SIGNED UP? Ideas for incorporating the arts into mission and ministry opportunities are all available. Contact intl.arts@sim.org to subscribe.
SIM’s ArtsBeat newsletter equips and encourages the SIM creative community around the world. In it you will hear from workers in the arts, ranging from visual arts to music, drama and dance. The monthly newsletter from Engaging the University shares stories, prayer requests and event notices to keep you informed
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AfriGO and Allons-y! promote missions mobilisation in Africa and among its diaspora. This 12-page quarterly magazine features news and articles by African
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Masala newsletter shares compelling stories from a South Asian country. To subscribe, contact communicate.in@outlook.com.
Email connect@sim.org
LEARNING CAFÉS SIM Learning Cafés are 75-minute webinars
available on Zoom to everyone in SIM. They foster SIM’s value of lifelong learning and support our desire to flourish. Watch nine previous Learning Cafés on Port. Click the ‘International Leadership and Services’ button on the landing page, then go to ‘People Development & Care’ from the ‘Related Sites’ list. On the PDC page, select the top left tab - Learning Cafés. Look for an invitation to
NOVEMBER 2019 • VOL 1 ISSUE 2
upcoming cafés from international.workerdevelopment@ sim.org: • Trauma-informed organisation • Security • Mental, physical and spiritual fitness for the field • Storytelling as an outreach and discipleship tool • TCK teens and how to support their developmental needs • What to do when you’ve hit language learning wall
Are you signed up?
Do you have a ministry-focused newsletter that you would like to share here?
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NEWS
events
| resources | updates
HOPE FOR LIFE GATHERING
The Hope for Life Global Gathering took place in Johannesburg, South Africa, from Oct 28 to Nov 1. Thirty-three people from 13 nationalities attended, representing 20 ministries in 11 countries. Most of the ministries were from Africa, with ones from India and Thailand also present. The gathering focused on launching the Hope for Life network, whose mission is to connect, encourage and strengthen HIV-related ministries. The network supports ministries to bring holistic transformation to people and communities impacted by HIV. Participants were able to connect one-on-one, encourage each other, and to be equipped in skills, knowledge and resources. A focus on trauma-informed care, including self-care, was particularly well-received. Action steps emerged that will strengthen the HIVrelated ministries of SIM and its partners. Visit www. hopeforlife.net or contact Jacqui Croxon, HIV Ministry Point Person – Hope for Life, at international. Hope for Life team members serve lunch to Khaya Centre community members. The Khaya Centre serves more than 1,100 people daily. hopeforlife@sim.org.
NEWS
NEW BOOK BY SIM’S STUART FOSTER
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SIM’s Stuart Foster is the author of a new book, Highly Favoured: Our Powerful God’s Covenant With You, published by Oasis International. The book explores God’s relationship with his people for all time through the lens of covenant. Primarily intended for African readers, Highly Favoured will have a wider audience. Speaking against a background of prosperity gospel and African traditional religion, it offers deep assurance of a lifegiving relationship with God rooted in the covenant promise: “I will be your God and you will be my people.” Foster’s many years of translating the Bible from its original languages into the Lomwe language of Mozambique has given him a deep knowledge of God’s Word. He combines this with personal experiences, African proverbs, illustrations and stories. www.stuartjfoster.com www.amzn.to/32PLOY3
FLOURISHING PEOPLE WORKSHOP
Just over 100 people attended the Flourishing People Workshop in Kenya from October 8-11. Plenary sessions and elective workshops all served the goal of encouraging and equipping people in their ministry to SIM people. One participant said: “I’m new to my role and was unsure of all I was supposed to be doing. But now I have been connected with a mentor, I know who to go to for different resources. I’ve made new friends and I’ve connected with other personnel coordinators – this workshop has been so encouraging and helpful for me.” All the members of the People Development and Care team attended, along with personnel leaders and others. A major outcome was how evident it is that some of our more recent initiatives have come together to help us to work towards the purpose of SIM. We saw how the management, development and care of SIM’s people is directly integrated with SIM ministries. That closer integration helps us accomplish our purpose and helps our flourish and grow in life and ministry.
COMMS & SECURITY WORKSHOP
A communications and security workshop will be held from October 26-30, 2020 at the headquarters of SIM partner DMG in Germany. If you are an SIM worker whose role includes communications or security, please contact Tim Allan at international.commsdirector@sim.org for more information. Registration will open next month, and places are limited to 50. WWW.SIM.ORG
LEADER APPOINTMENTS Malcolm Watts
Australia Director Start date: Sept 2019 Mal and wife Jenny served with SIM in Burkina Faso for 13 years, in treasury and leadership roles. They joined the SIM Australia team in 2015, when Mal became finance director. Mal has a Bachelor of Business in accounting, a Bachelor of Ministries and has completed his CPA professional accounting studies.
Jacqui Croxon
International Board of Governors, Member at Large Start date: Jan 2020 Australian Jacqui has served in Chiang Mai, Thailand, since 2014 with project Radical Grace. She became SIM’s HIV Ministry Point Person in 2017, working with Hope for Life. She was a local government health promotion officer for 10 years and completed a masters in health and human services management before joining SIM. Tom Jessurun
Nigeria Director, second term Start date: Feb 2020
Watson Rajaratnam
Regional Director for East Asia Start date: 2021 Watson serves as the New Initiatives Consultant with SIM Malawi and has helped send Malawian workers to Mozambique. Watson and wife Viji also engage with Indian diaspora in Malawi. A former lecturer, academic head and news editor, he joined SIM in 2008, serving as Singapore Director and later mobilising in Zambia.
Ken
North Africa Director, second term Start date: Jan 2020 Ken has served as North Africa Acting Director since 2012 and has been excited to watch God bring new partnerships and new workers to the region. After serving as a pastor for 10 years, Ken and family served as church planters for 11 years in Eritrea and Ethiopia.
Middle East Director Start date: Jan 2020 Stephen and wife Jane joined MECO in 2006 and studied Arabic in Jordan. They were based in Cyprus until 2014 when the office moved to the UK. Stephen was brought up in the Middle East. His parents served with the Lebanon Evangelical Mission, then MECO.
2020 PRAYER GUIDE IS HERE!
The 2020 Prayer Guide is available! To order hard copies, email christabel.corazza@sim.org. Download a digital copy as PDF, EPUB or MOBI from Port; go to the prayer button on the home page. Available on www.sim.org December 1.
NOVEMBER 2019 • VOL 1 ISSUE 2
Leader Appointments
Stephen
Tom’s first term was marked by an expanding ministry in the north of Nigeria and developing a mission internship programme for young adults. He and wife Heidi have served in Nigeria since 2001, first in Kano and in Jos since 2010. Tom is passionate about theological education.
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ETHIOPIAN MISSIONARIES STRENGTHEN FULANI TEAMS
ETHIOPIANS TO FULANI
The Gospel first arrived in Ethiopia nearly 2,000 years ago, through a high official in the court of Queen Candace. Acts 8 tells how the Holy Spirit sent Philip the evangelist into the desert to meet this Ethiopian in his chariot and explain the scriptures to him. Today, the Holy Spirit is sending Ethiopians out into the desert to open the scriptures to others. An emerging focus of the SIM East African sending Office (EAO) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, is the nomadic Fulani people of West Africa, who live along the Sahara Desert. Their population, estimated at 40 million in 20 countries, is largely Muslim, and includes many who follow indigenous traditions. Side-by-side, the Fulani and Ethiopians look like siblings, and legend says the Fulani originated from Ethiopia. In one of the Hadith, Muhammed forbade his followers from harming Ethiopians, making them natural friends today. Worku Hailemariam, Director for SIM EAO, hosted a two-day conference in Addis Ababa in June 2019, drawing attendees from various churches and denominations. He invited a Fulani church leader from Niger, Tambaya Ibrahim. Tambaya is director of a Fulani Bible school and serves on a scripture translation team. (Famines in 1974 and 1984 sent people from his desert community south in search of food, and they encountered the gospel.) Rev Gashaw, Ethiopian missionary to Mali, gave an altar call, and eight responded, committing themselves to help reach the Fulani.
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The three main presenters at the EAO conference were Jon Banke of SIM, Tambaya Ibrahim from Niger, and Rev Gashaw Nemosa of Ethiopia.
The EAO has sent out over 40 missionaries outside Ethiopia, supported by their home churches. The EAO is now also sending Kenyans, Eritreans, Tanzanians and Ugandans. Five families sent through EAO, now serve among the Fulani in Ghana, Niger, Mali, and Guinea, with more arriving in Nigeria soon. *Adapted from the article ‘Ethiopian missions: A history of prayer and sacrifice,’ published in AfriGO Vol 4, Iss 2.
FULANI MINISTRY TEAM IN GHANA The emerging Fulani outreach team in northern Ghana is so far made up of two Ethiopian families, Dawit with wife Eshetu and Mesfin with wife Asefash. New SIM workers, Gaspard and Félicité Mamang, from Central African Republic, have joined them. Gaspard and Félicité fled civil war in their homeland several years ago, becoming refugees in Ghana. Earlier this year, they joined SIM through the West Africa Missions Office.
WWW.SIM.ORG
REACHING CANADA’S HIP-HOP COMMUNITY Youngdo Kang is serving Canada’s hip-hop communities. He says, “I want those involved and/or interested in the hip-hop culture – an often misunderstood and unreached group – to know the love of God and the life that comes through the gospel. They don’t often get that chance, so God called me to start
City Lights, a mission to show and tell the grace and truth of his Son.” This is the first such ministry in Canada and the goal is to see the hip-hop community being shaped by Jesus Christ and helping others to have a relationship with God.
PLEASE PRAY:
for the third annual Uprock Canada conference on Dec 7 with two parts: a fellowship for believers in the hip-hop culture and a breakdancing competition (for everyone) for charity. for trial runs of the combined “How to Rap” and “Leadership to Better Your Community” programme that Youngdo helps with. for a new Q&A&Pray fellowship to grow well. for the building of a new site, www.thewordbecamefresh.ca. for his relationship with those in the hip-hop community; for them to be open to the Gospel. for new leaders/helpers. for support-raising for the end of this year and next.
SPORTS FRIENDS’ COACH ATTACKED IN MALAWI
NOVEMBER 2019 • VOL 1 ISSUE 2
PLEASE PRAY:
assault was religiously motivated. He has introduced many young people to Jesus through athletics and has also helped plant two churches in the heart of the community. Some religious leaders have felt threatened by this. Enock’s arm has healed at a surprising speed, and he has avoided infection. His scar is a reminder to him of God’s power. He said: “My arm will be a destructive weapon into the kingdom of the devil. Every time I lift my arm up, many will be able to see that heaven is opened for them.”
Enock’s healing and safety. God to protect Jesus followers in Malawi as they share the good news of salvation with their neighbours. More campers to attend Sports Friends camps and follow Jesus.
UPDATES
Sports Friends coach Enock Gondwe of Malawi was attacked and beaten the day before his camp was scheduled to begin. He survived with a serious machete gash to his forearm, which exposed the bone. Enock’s colleagues advised him to postpone the camp to recuperate, but Enock said, “No, there’s nothing that can stop the work of the Lord. The camp has to continue.” Although he struggled to overcome weakness, he facilitated the programmes and connected with the young athletes. Sports Friends’ Malawi director, Fostance Mtolo, said: “He showed us how much he loves the Lord as well as God’s people.” During the week, Enock shared about his attack with the campers. It inspired a mix of emotions – some were touched, and some were shocked. Because he wasn’t afraid or discouraged, they shared in his confidence that God protects his children and is worthy of faithful service. Multiple children chose to follow Jesus at the camp. Enock could not identify his attackers, but many suspect the
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THE STORY OF
Maria Teresa’s story
MARÍA TERESA
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María Teresa grew up in the Andes Mountains of Peru where terrorism was pervasive. As a teenager, she fled her home in Ccafiamarca. Despite her escape, she drifted back to her village after three years, where she met and married a man named Abel. The violence that had driven María Teresa from her village was soon present in her home. Abel had begun to drink heavily and beat her. María Teresa followed his example and leaned on alcohol to cope. This prompted her to fight back against his violence. María Teresa’s excelled in self-defence to the point that she started teaching other women to fend off their own husbands’ attacks. SIM’s Brendan Conally said: “As you can imagine a town full of husbands and wives beating each other was not a pleasant environment for anyone, especially children.” Brendan’s colleague Cecilio first encountered María Teresa through her children who attended a nearby church. Cecilio encouraged the children to bring their mother to the next church service. “At this point, María Teresa had a reputation for beating up men, and Cecilio was worried she might
SEAN SHERIDAN
ORAL BIBLE STORYING
The Abancay area of Peru is home to a dialect called East Apurimac Quechua. Although the region is greatly influenced by Catholicism, the Quechua people have not had the privilege of learning scripture in their own language. SIM linguist Brendan Connally translates materials into written and audio formats, bringing the Word of God into their language for the first time. Resources such as picture books and solar-powered audio devices are indispensable for speakers of this dialect to be strengthened in their new faith and to pass it on to neighbours and friends. Alcohol abuse is so prevalent in rural Peruvian villages that the Connallys published a Quechua book in 2011 to counsel believers through the temptation of alcoholism. come after him!” said Brendan. Cecilio overcame his fear and visited María Teresa and her children. He was fortunate to meet her on a good day, and she was courteous as he explained the gospel. Afterward, she told Cecilio: “I’ll consider Jesus and take some time to count the cost.” More than a year later, she committed her life to Christ. Over the next year, Abel saw the drastic change in his wife and chose to dedicate his life
PLEASE PRAY: For this precious family to grow in the Lord and in service. For churches in Ccafiamarca and in the village of Cruzpata. For Brendan’s ministries of translation to the East Apurimac Quechua and for wife Erin’s dental clinics in the region.
to the Lord. Abel and María Teresa’s family has begun to heal from the drinking and violence that filled their home. Now, the couple is involved in church planting and in putting materials from the oral Bible project to good use. Abel now pastors Ccafiamarca’s church, and he preaches using oral Bible storying methods. Together they counsel families going through similar issues as them. María Teresa treks two hours to Cruzpata where she has planted a church. She says her solar audio device is essential to help her share God’s Word as she goes from house to house in Cruzpata, a village where almost no one can read or write their own language. WWW.SIM.ORG
MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES If any of these roles interest you, or if you have suggestions for using artistic skills in SIM, contact us at intl.arts@sim.org. SIM works in other parts of the world not mentioned here.
MUSIC
VISUAL ARTS
AFRICA • Theological seminary music teacher • Primary/high school music teacher SOUTH AMERICA • Music and worship worker • Primary/high school music teacher • Youth outreach through music ASIA Associate director of music school. Will be involved in vocal and instrumental teaching as well as learning local vocal and instrumental styles
DANCE & DRAMA
AFRICA • Photographer • Videographer • Graphic artist • Visual artist • Web page designer
SOUTH AMERICA Youth outreach through dance and drama
VERBAL ARTS
SOUTH AMERICA • Primary/high school art, design and technology teacher • Youth outreach through visual arts
AFRICA • Journalist • Multiple positions for media and communications
ASIA • Visual artists • Photographers • Qualified art therapist
ETHNOARTS INTERNSHIP
IN THE PHILIPPINES
NOVEMBER 2019 • VOL 1 ISSUE 2
the fellow interns. We engaged with different art forms to process our learning. Our intern group became quite close. “The second week we spent in a rural community, living alongside and observing. It was powerful to see local believers take ownership of the art forms God has given them. Rev 7:9 means that their nation, tribe, people and language will be in the new creation, praising the Lord. It’s important to teach their art forms to the next generation. “It was beautiful to observe how their art forms interrelate. To sing a song, you must wear the correct clothes; to play an instrument you must also move with the correct dance steps, etc. As the week progressed, more of the locals changed from Western
clothes to traditional clothes. By the last day, 98 percent of us, interns included, wore traditional dress. “With young people of the community, we learnt the art forms and dances. We had a wonderful craft afternoon together, and I’ve even learnt the local courting dance. “God is a good God, looking after his people, bringing us together from around the world to dance, sing and shout his praise, bringing glory to himself.”
MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES
In July, six interns from Australia, the UK, the USA and the Philippines came together in Southern Philippines for a two-week ethnoarts internship. Together they experienced arts in missions, including how to encourage local people to use their own art forms to worship God and share the Gospel. Amy Kotlar, an intern from Australia, reflects: “The internship allowed us to delve deeper into what the Bible says about creative art forms, worship, and identity. We had stimulated discussions on anthropology, culture, the redemption of art forms, and how to share the gospel within a culture. “The first week allowed us to reflect and share about our own cultures and Filipino culture with
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Faithful witness
Founders’ Day Meditations
2019
“Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the first born from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.” Rev 1:5 Download this resource: http://bit.ly/simfoundersday2019
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