W&d fall2013 web

> INSIDE ECUADOR

Amazing Grace!

Haiti

A Family Affair

Malawi A Study in Contrasts

>foreword

By Rick Postma

Biblically Shaped Compassion In North America, most, if not all, of our social policy planners would be scandalized by the simple biblical injunction that “if anyone will not work, neither shall he eat” (2 Thess. 3:10). Comparing Scripture with Scripture, we can qualify that this command applies to those who are able bodied. Marvin Olasky in his fascinating book, The Tragedy of American Compassion, explains how churches in New York City in the 19th century had a flourishing ministry to the poor which included a “tough love” element. As a poor person being assisted by this ministry, you could have a meal but first you’d have to chop some wood. You’d have to commit to cleaning up your act, to being mentored by a family of the congregation (which often involved having at least one meal together each week), and to taking on any job the ministry could find for you. All the while, those involved in the ministry would be lovingly showing you from God’s Word that rebellion against God is the heart of your problem and that Christ came to die for sinners—Word and deed in action. Not surprisingly, the churches in the New York City area grew as they reflected Christ’s love into the community in this way.

While our partners in the developing world continue to bring Word and deed into the lives of needy sinners, faceless social programs in North America

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have greatly reduced this opportunity to bring the gospel.

Still, there are many needy people virtually on our doorstep who need the love of Christ shone into their dark lives.

Sadly, social programs have created a voluntary system of dependency, or slavery, which goes directly against God’s design for humanity. As churches, we need to reengage in outreach to the needy in our community, if we haven’t already, while carefully following biblical guidelines which lead to personal accountability and provision of personal needs subject to the capacity of the individual.

Word & Deed Ministries, together with you and our partners, has the privilege of bringing biblically shaped hope into the lives of many needy people in the developing world. In this issue we celebrate how this is being done in Haiti and Nicaragua while requesting urgent prayer for some of the projects in Malawi as they wrestle to survive after the death of Frank Phiri. In the meditation, Pastor John Koopman challenges us to be passionate about extending and building up God’s Kingdom through prayer and Norlan De Groot highlights how this focus also needs to be reflected in how we view the assets God has given us—are you a faithful steward? W&D Rick Postma is Director of Public Relations for Word & Deed Ministries.

WORD&DEED

meditation

Official Publication of Word & Deed An International Reformed Relief and Development Agency Free for sponsors and friends

By Pastor John Koopman

FALL 2013 Editor Rick Postma Assistant Editor Hanna Korvemaker IMPACT Tanya Byl

Graphic Design Knor Graphic Design Solutions Copy Editors Tanya Byl, Martha Markwat In response to Jesus’ command to love others, Word & Deed is an international, evangelical relief and development ministry that provides funding to meet spiritual and physical needs among people in developing countries.

With cooperating offices in St. Thomas, Ontario, and Hudsonville, Michigan, Word & Deed partners with Christian agencies in Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Myanmar, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Nicaragua, Malawi, South Africa, and Nigeria.

Canada Office PO Box 20100 St. Thomas, ON N5P 4H4 Ph 519.633.2333 Fax 519.633.7181 Toll free 877.375.9673 office@wordanddeed.org Administration Director John Otten Project Director Bernie Pennings Public Relations Director Rick Postma Support Staff John Kottelenberg Hanna Korvemaker Kara Luiting Heather VanMeppelen-Scheppink Board of Directors President - John Vangameren Vice President - Corney Les Treasurer - Henry de Waal Rev. T. Bergsma Rev. C. Heiberg Jake Sinke Lyle Ypma Advisory Committee Mr. Jim Beeke –

International Educational Consultant Dr. Gerald M. Bilkes – Professor of Old & New Testament, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary Dr. Arjan J. deVisser – Professor of Ecclesiology and Diaconology, Canadian Reformed Theological Seminary Rev. Danny Hyde – Pastor, Oceanside United Reformed Church

Dr. Nelson D. Kloosterman –

Executive Director and Ethics Consultant for Worldview Resources International.

Rev. Frank Van Dalen – Executive Director of the Foreign Missions Board of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church

United States Office PO Box 157, Hudsonville, MI 49426 Ph 616.896.3160 Toll free 866.391.5728 Fax 616.896.9219 usoffice@wordanddeed.org

Office Administrator Heidi Pronk Public Relations & Projects Norlan De Groot Ph 712.441.7112 uspromotions@wordanddeed.org Board of Directors President - Peter Van Kempen Vice President - Pete Vander Stel Secretary - Harry Kooistra Treasurer - Karen Vander Sloot Eric Brandt Dave Byker Mary Cogbill Paul Laman Anita Sikkema

Psalm 67:

<

A Passion for Missions

You recognize what the Psalmist is praying about in this psalm, don’t you? He is praying for a blessing that we might be a blessing! So notice the link between verses one and two found in the word “that”. He prays, “God be merciful to us and bless us, and cause his face to shine upon us; that your way may be known on the earth, your salvation among all nations.”

Our prayer must be that God will bless us so that we would be a blessing to others. This really is a foundational truth of the gospel. The Lord saves his people that they might be used of Him to bring the gospel of salvation in Jesus Christ alone to the nations.

The psalmist shows a passion for missions in the second stanza: “Let the peoples praise you, O God! Let all the peoples praise you, Oh, let the nations be glad and sing for joy!” He ends this stanza repeating the same words he began with: “Let the peoples praise you, O God; Let all the peoples praise you!” Do you sense his passion?

Notice that the passion of this psalmist is not simply for the spread of the Christian religion in the world as another option alongside of others. His passion is not a type of religious imperialism –– another religion looking for its market share of the population.

The industry of “Christianity” is so much alive with its trinkets, and books, and religious tours, and figurines. His passion is not even simply for the salvation of people –– as if that is an end in itself. He is not simply praying for the salvation of souls. When people are primarily concerned about their own religion and faith, it can become centered on man.

They often lose sight of the purpose of salvation.

be worshipped! The passion of the psalmist is that all peoples of the earth, all the nations of the world, men and women and boys and girls everywhere would bow down and serve our God! It is a passion for worshippers to be gathered together to praise and magnify our great and glorious God! Do you share that same passion? Now notice that his passion is expressed in a prayer to God. This is important, isn’t it? You can tell what you are passionate about when you examine what you are praying about. What do your prayers reveal about your passion? Do you pray for the nations? Are you praying for the salvation of people in your community that God would be worshipped? W&D Pastor John Koopman is the pastor of the Free Reformed Church in Chilliwack, British Columbia.

What then is the passion of the psalmist?

His desire is that the people would know God; that the nations would worship God; that all men would praise God! His desire is for worshippers of the Lord. This petition for missions highlights the fact that not only do men need to be saved but that God must be known! And even more than that, this petition expresses his passion that God is to

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>ECuaDOR

By Kara Luiting

Amazing Grace!

Clockwise from top left: Kris VanSanten, Aaron Pennings, Steve Van't Voort and Devin Cramer working on the wall.

It’s not every day that I’m eager to jump out of bed at 3:00 a.m., but the morning of April 29, 2013, was an exception. Off to the Toronto airport I went with a group of mission team members, ready to spend a couple of weeks in Ecuador. After a full day of traveling, Fred, Arlene, and Erin Jonkman were a welcome sight at the airport in Quito.

They whisked us off to the Nazarene seminary where we got some sleep, and by 8:00 a.m. the next morning we were on the road again, heading to the city of Quininde.

The four-hour bus ride through the mountains was quite the experience! The views were breathtaking ... for more than one reason. One of those reasons being that every time we passed someone on the one-lane path up the mountain, I thought we were going to drive over the edge of the cliff, the other reason being that the beauty of God’s creation was astounding. Once we got to Quininde, we quickly realized how different it was from Quito: There were no big shopping malls, golf courses, or McDonald’s. There were, however, dozens of stray dogs, street vendors, and people staring at us everywhere!

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There are two different children’s projects in Quininde. The girls on the team spent the mornings at the Cesar Proano children’s project doing some painting and then rotated between the two projects to host a craft time with the kids every afternoon. The guys worked on building a wall out of cement blocks around a piece of property that will one day be the home of a small clinic and a few other buildings.

We really enjoyed spending time with the kids. Every day at lunch the guys would join us at the project and we’d all play games with them. It’s very easy to form a bond with the kids ... they are so eager for anyone to reach out and pay attention to them.

On the Saturday that we were there, we took a two-hour boat ride into the rain forest to bring the Gospel to a remote village. The views we saw on the way there were amazing, but our experience in the village was even more so. For many of the villagers, this was their very first time ever hearing the Gospel. They lived extremely primitive lives. They lived in shacks. Their drinking water came out of the same river they did their laundry in. The smell of

working in for a while already.

TOP: The team members heading to a remote village to evangelize.

Getting to the village required a two-hour boat ride on the Rio Blanco (Blanco River).

After experiencing all of this, I realized that I can be so naive to the problems and issues in the world around me. But now I realize that the naivety is a choice.

I’ve seen firsthand what life would be like without God’s grace touching every aspect of my life. It’s only by God’s grace that I grew up in the country I did. It’s only

by His grace that I was blessed with the family I have. It’s only by His grace that I grew up hearing the Gospel of Jesus Christ every day of my life. It’s only by His grace that I’m sleeping in a cozy bed tonight with a full stomach. So here’s the challenge for me: What am I doing with all that God has entrusted me with? Am I sharing His love with others? Am I aware of just how much grace He has given to me? Am I aware of how different my life would be without the Gospel?

Amazing grace, indeed! W&D Kara works as Administrative Support and Sponsorship Coordinator at Word & Deed Ministries.

LEFT: Joan with her sponsor child, Gleysi (left), and Gleysi’s sister.

rotting food was everywhere. Many of the children had distended bellies due to parasites. They are in need of so much, but what they need the most is the Gospel of Jesus Christ! Doctor Yeny is trying to start up a women’s group in this village. She recently started one in a village that isn’t too far from the village we visited. Since the people in the village that Dr. Yeny mentored and loved have begun to embrace the Gospel, their entire lifestyles have changed. It’s amazing to realize how much the Gospel changes our entire way of living! It’s our hope and prayer that the work Dr. Yeny is beginning to do in the village we visited will reap a similar outcome to the one she’s been

The team of volunteers who traveled to Ecuador in May of this year.

Clockwise from back left: Steve Van’t Voort, Scott Bredenhof, Aaron Pennings, Devin Cramer, Albert Pennings, Kristen Luiting, Kara Luiting, Lydia VanMeppelen-Scheppink, Allison Harke, Paty (a local Ecuadorian), Roxanne Beusekom, Joan VanSanten, Kris VanSanten and Andrew Westerveld.

ECUADOR LEFT: One of the sponsor children at Malecón showing off the craft she completed.

“Growing With Hope” Sponsorship Program

The “Growing with Hope” Sponsorship Program serves the communities of Cesar Proano and Bajo Malecón in Quininde, Ecuador, by providing food, clothing, medical care, after-school tutoring, and biblical instruction to 100 children in each community. All children are currently sponsored.

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>HaiTi

By Melissa Bos

A Family Affair

Adoration students on their way to a sugar cane museum for a class trip.

Since the inception of Adoration Christian Centre, my immediate family has been involved in its growth as a mission in the heart of Haiti. My sister began visiting Haiti 15 years ago, my brothers have served on the board in different capacities and have made visits to Haiti, and both of my parents have been to Haiti more than a few times.

It has been a desire of my heart to go to Haiti for a very long time.

The opportunity for me arose in April. My dad, John Kottelenberg, Word & Deed project manager for the Adoration Christian Centre, was making a visit for Word & Deed and asked if I would like to accompany him. I eagerly accepted the offer with much anticipation and admittedly, some apprehension.

I was most excited to see Adoration Christian School in action and I was not disappointed. Watching the Grade 2 and 3 class pile into the back of a caged pickup truck and going with them on a class trip to the sugar cane

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museum was an adventure and a great history lesson.

Attending the staff day where teachers and staff members were reviewing their school year, making preparations for the next year, and evaluating committee progress was insightful to the challenges the Center faces in developing good leadership skills and work ethic in its staff. Teaching the high school students several worship songs in French during their Friday afternoon Bible study period was uplifting and rewarding. Watching a basketball game between rival high school boys was both entertaining and exciting â&#x20AC;&#x201C;â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Adoration Christian Centre has great potential for being an influence in its community.

And of course there were the everyday ins and outs of school life. The opening ceremonies, raising the flag to the singing of the national anthem, and reciting of Bible verses were enriching. Witnessing the children polish off their breakfast and lunch was heartening. Observing the different classes in session, with little more than chalk and board, pencil and paper, was telling of the blessings we

Haiti

Adoration Christian centRE

LEFT: A classroom at the Adoration Christian School.

RIGHT: Adoration students help tidy the school after each day is done. have back in our classrooms at home and the challenging task the teachers tackle each day. Watching the high school students work as a team to perform their janitorial tasks for the school was a great example of the positive influence Adoration was having on its teens. Indeed, it was easy to see Adoration making a loving, effective, and sustainable difference in the lives of the many students.

Adoration Christian Centre is a holistic, Christian, social mission serving and discipling Haitians in Port-au-Prince through the Adoration Christian School, partnerships with the local church, and a medical clinic.

They train teachers and educate students through the glasses of the Gospel and they partner with and support the local church, discipling future leaders who will one day stand on their own and take up the same tasks.

Please pray that God would bless the work of Adoration and that through the presentation of the Gospel lives would be transformed. Operating costs in 2013: $483,000

However, the most telling evidence of Adoration’s mission (to help Haitians restore relationships with God, themselves, their neighbor, and creation) was in the unique opportunity I had to visit the homes of two Adoration families. Though living in what we would think of as primitive buildings, these Haitians showed pride in their humble abodes. Their hospitality was very genuine and endearing. Both families expressed a deep appreciation for Adoration Christian School, for the alleviation of the financial strain of sending children to school in Haiti, but most importantly, for the Christian influence on their children and family. What a blessing to witness this mission shaping a generation of Christian leaders to help rebuild Haiti from the inside out! W&D Melissa Bos attends Immanuel URC in Jordan with her husband, Ivan, and their children, Kaelyn and Jacob. Ivan and Melissa are members of the Word & Deed Business Group of Niagara.

In

Opening exercises at Adoration Christian School.

Praise of the Saviour

The Joy of Christmas

This Christmas, fill your home with beautiful music proclaiming the good news of the birth of our Saviour. This album, “In Praise of the Saviour,” includes 16 classical Christmas hymns and arrangements including “O Holy Night,” “How Beautiful are the Feet” and “Messiah Medley no. 2.” Featured artists are John Vanderlaan (organ), Joyce Postmus (piano), Karen Postmus (soprano) and Natalia Manley (violin).

CDs are $20.00 (CAD and USD) including shipping and handling; a portion of the proceeds for each CD sold will be donated to Word & Deed Ministries.

Please contact Joyce Postmus to order your CD: sjpostmus@bell.net or at 519.448.4161.

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>MaLaWi

By Heidi Pronk

A

Study

in

Contrasts

A light breeze sways the lush green grasses as we glide into the airport in Lilongwe. As we enter the terminal gates, our study in contrasts begins. An affluent, elderly tourist is offered a wheelchair made out of a plastic lawn chair strapped to a frame. As we drive toward the outskirts of the city, we see the beauty of the vibrant green foliage, a gift that comes with the rainy season in Malawi. The last trip I took over these roads was in the middle of the dry season when the dusty roads, red-brown fields, and dried vegetation all blend into one dull, brown color palette.

Just as the rainy season contrasts with the dry season, so does the plentiful food of harvest contrast with the months of famine when maize supplies run low and the price of grain on the black market soars. The contrasts continue in the faces of the people we pass walking along the roads –– the weathered, grief-lined face of the elderly woman with the contented, wide-eyed grandchild slung across her hunched back.

This contrast plays out in the projects we visit as well. At A picture of the girls at the Blantyre Girls' Home in August 2011 (the young girl in pink is Frank's daughter).

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Lizulu Orphan Care, Everton Kamangire, our faithful partner in the Lord who is just recovering from a bout of malaria, humbly and diligently works to provide meals, biblical instruction, and basic necessities to 500 orphans. A teacher in the local government school, Everton embodies selfless service. He has established large gardens tended by the orphans who also reap the benefits at harvest. He buys grain when it is priced low and stores it to use during the hunger season. They’ve constructed a well which supplies the orphan care center with water. It also serves as an income generating enterprise as they sell water to the community. At the assembly in our honor, the children appear disciplined and are versed in Scripture and song. God’s blessing is evident.

A few days later we travel to Blantyre to visit the Girls’ Home and there we come face-to-face with the ravages of spiritual disobedience. In stark contrast to Lizulu Orphan Care, here at the Girls’ Home we find confusion and carelessness. The Home is intended to provide safe harbor and counseling for

young women who have been involved in prostitution.

As we slip along the muddy path leading to the home, we are greeted by beautiful, ebony-skinned, smiling faces. Beyond the smiling faces we enter the compound and the contrast is inescapable. Twelve girls, a quarter bag of maize, no plumbing, no soap, no clean water –– just dirty mattresses stacked in cramped bunks. We are stunned.

Every Word & Deed project has several layers of accountability built into it –– an administrative team, an indigenous board, and a supporting church. How could all of these safeguards have failed simultaneously?

Though the project had been capably managed for several years and at least one girl that we know of was brought to faith in Christ through the work of the Home, the sudden death of the administrator, Frank Phiri, precipitated a hasty decline. As the story unfolds, we discover that there were significant unresolved conflicts in the community. We also learn that the local church had lost interest and failed to provide the expected pastoral care. We learn that the local board had not met in months. The girls pour out their hearts to us, sharing their burdens freely and then they ask to sing.

There in that dark, dirty room rang praises to the Light of the world who came to cleanse sinners. Overwhelmed and humbled, we make temporary arrangements for their care and return to our lodging. Not one of the four of us who made the visit slept that night, each of us wrestling with what could have gone so wrong and how to repair it.

At Word & Deed we define poverty as broken relationships stemming from a broken relationship with God. Ultimately, no matter what explanations we may offer, sin is the cause of the situation we found at the Girls’ Home. Hearts that are callous toward God or consumed with self lack the empathy these girls so need. Our team in Malawi continues working to find new leaders and restore the programs at the Home

so that these girls can receive healing.

But the prince of darkness is also working to prevent the gospel from being proclaimed and exemplified in this community.

Please pray for Light to penetrate darkness, and pray fervently for evidence of the greatest contrast of all –– filthy, hell-deserving sinners cleansed by the perfect, sinless sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

TOP LEFT: Everton, our faithful administrator at the Lizulu Orphan Care Centre.

TOP RIGHT: Children at the Lizulu Orphan Care Centre lining up for a meal.

BOTTOM: Frank Phiri, the former administrator of the Blantyre Girls' Home and the Manja Safe House in Malawi. Frank passed away suddenly in October 2012.

Please see the accompanying Project Box for more information about the Blantyre Girls’ Home and for specific prayer requests. W&D Heidi Pronk is the Administrator at Word & Deed USA.

Malawi

Blantyre

Girls’ home

The Blantyre Girls’ Home project was put in place to rescue young girls from prostitution and has a capacity to house ten girls. Bible lessons, counseling, and role modeling were used to help the girls reintegrate into society. For a number of years this home has been an oasis for girls coping with lives of poverty and lives without knowledge of Gospel Truth. In the months following the sudden death of the administrator, Frank Phiri, it was suspected that the administration and care offered by the home was faltering. This was confirmed by Heidi Pronk, who recently visited the home in Blantyre, although conditions were worse than expected. We learned that even before Frank’s death, the previous stakeholders in the project (board members, local church) were no longer dedicated to helping these girls and others like them. The absence of these two crucial pieces of the project’s support network meant that once Frank was gone, conditions deteriorated rapidly. Interim care has been arranged for the girls, while Word & Deed project directors work with various partner organizations in Malawi to restabilize this project. Please pray that capable, committed, and godly leadership would be provided both in the form of a local board and a local church partnership.

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>NiCaRaGua

By Hanna Korvemaker

Agricultural Commercialization Update Over the course of 10 years, this Agricultural Commercialization project has the goal of training locals in eight communities in the sustainable production of various crops, founding a micro-credit program, training locals in family business development, pork production, poultry production, and developing Christian leaders. The scope of the program is wide in order to effect, with God’s blessing, transformation in the community “from the ground up.”

There have been both challenges and blessings in the first months of work.

• There have been some bouts of bad weather which have affected the crops; • Local superstition: When somebody dies, it is customary to pull the leaves off the vegetable plants for incense, thereby destroying the crop.

Blessings:

Challenges: • Locals are used to traditional crops that are planted and harvested with very little money or work– it’s difficult to help them see the increased benefit of putting time and resources into crops that are more rare, but easier to sell at a profit;

• The technicians are gaining a better understanding of the local farmers’ experiences, which, in turn, has made them more effective instructors; • Locals are improving in their response to crop diseases by using the natural and chemical controls they have been taught about; • The local communities are showing great interest in growing vegetables on a larger scale; A recipient spraying organic pesticide on a crop of tomatoes.

• Because the crops are newer to the locals, the people have little experience with them;

• Part of the agricultural classes are used to teach a biblical worldview to the community.

Please remember this project in prayer! W&D Hanna Korvemaker works as Public Relations Support at Word & Deed Ministries.

“Bright Idea” This year, Elise and Shanelle of Brantford, Ontario, decided to have a cupcake-themed birthday party which would double as an opportunity to make a world of difference to children in Ecuador. Anonymous amounts of money were contributed by their party guests to be used to buy gifts for sponsor children at the “Growing with Hope” program in Ecuador.

As part of the festivities, which included decorating cupcakes and face painting, there was a time to learn about the children to whom the gifts would be given (an article about the project, recently published in Word & Deed magazine, was read).

With the $222 that was raised at the party, art supplies, crafts, games, puppets, figurines, and instruments (etc.!) were purchased. The store owner was very generous to Elise and Shanelle when she heard the cause, and gave them discounts and even some free items.

Thank you, girls, for creatively turning your birthday party into an opportunity to make a world of difference to children in Ecuador!

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A recipient spraying organic pesticide on a crop of beans.

sponsorship Make a World of Difference by Sponsoring a Child in

Myanmar

The Good Shepherd Home in Myanmar was established in 1999 and cares for 20 children (girls and boys from grades 4 through 11) who come from impoverished homes. It’s normal for children from poor families to drop out of primary school to share the family burden of working to meet basic needs. With no proper education or suitable employment, many young people and even children develop destructive habits (excessive smoking and drinking alcohol); early marriage followed quickly by divorce is common.

Through the Good Shepherd Home, these children are not only given food, shelter, medical care, and an education, but they are also taught each day in the Word and are connected to the Grace Reformed Church in Yangon through the Sunday School Program, worship services, and Wednesday evening Bible Study.

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The lives and God-fearing attitude of the children who are brought up here has resulted in a good reputation for the home.

Praise God for the good fruit that this center has already borne, and pray that God will continue to use it as a means of presenting His saving grace to impoverished children in Myanmar.

Thawnglian:

Lalcei:

Thawnglian is 16 years old.

Before coming to Good Shepherd Home he lived with his father, Khawsat, his mother, Siang, and three siblings. His father does odd jobs for a living, but struggled to meet the physical and educational needs of the children. Thawnglian’s favorite subject is Myanmar, and he is a very hard-working person. He hopes to study at Bible school and become a pastor one day.

Lalcei is 13 years old. Before coming to the home she lived with her father, Rev. Mang (a church pastor), her mother, Cung, and her two siblings.

The family faces a lot of difficulties to send their children to school. Lalcei’s favorite subjects in school are English and Science and her hobby is singing.

It is her prayer that when she finishes school she will become a doctor.

San: San is 14 years old. Before coming Tinsui: Tinsui is 12 years old. Her parents to the home he lived with his father, Hlawnkip, his mother, Khuangcin, and his six siblings. This big family struggles a lot for their daily basic needs, and are unable to continue supporting San's education. San’s favorite subject in school is Myanmar and he loves playing football. He would love to become a pastor or teacher one day.

divorced when she was a child. Her father is in Malaysia and has never looked after Tinsui and her two siblings. Her mother is remarried, so Tinsui and her siblings lived with their Aunt Famtin before coming to the home. Famtin could not afford to provide for the needs of the children. Tinsui’s favorite subject in school is Science and she would love to become a teacher one day.

Don't underestimate the impact that a picture and a short letter can have on your sponsor child!

Many sponsor children come from broken and dysfunctional homes and do not receive the attention or affection that children thrive on. A short note from you is one more example of healthy, Christian love in their lives.

Please write, today!

(Contact Kara at office@wordanddeed.org if you’re not sure how to get started.)

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Education Norlan De Groot

The

Difference Between Philanthropy and Stewardship

In 2010, Warren Buffet and Bill Gates announced the Giving Pledge, which called all the billionaires of the world to “commit to giving over half their wealth to philanthropy.”

Buffet and Gates see philanthropy as a way to make the world a better place. It is true that philanthropy can do many good things. Philanthropy can help find cures for diseases, create clean water supplies, make advances in agriculture production, and so many other things.

But there is another way to look at giving, a more Godhonoring way, called stewardship. The difference between the two comes down to who is considered the owner of the resources.

Philanthropy sees the philanthropist as the owner. As philanthropists, Buffet and Gates believe they own their assets and have the authority to use them as they see fit.

They decide if they want to use some of their assets for the good of society. When Christians see themselves as philanthropists, they too claim ownership and authority over their assets. They decide if they want to use some of their assets for the good of Christ’s kingdom. But in doing so, they make God beholden to them. Rather than glorifying God, philanthropy glorifies the giver.

Stewardship acknowledges God to be the owner. King David was a steward. He collected materials for Solomon to use to build the temple. Then he prayed. He could have prayed something like, “Lord, we give this portion of our resources to You...” Instead, he prayed, “O Lord... all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours... Both riches and honor come from You...

O Lord our God, all this abundance that we have prepared to build You a house for Your holy name is from Your hand, and is all Your own” (1 Chron. 29:11-12, 16 NKJV).

David understood that the resources he contributed to the temple were already the Lord’s. As a steward, David knew that his contributions were not a result of his goodness as a philanthropist, but rather they were his response to God’s goodness and generosity toward him. God had placed many assets in David’s hands, but God placed them there—all of them—so that David could use them, not to suit his own will, but for God’s glory and to fulfill God’s purposes.

God has also placed many assets in your hands. Will you use them as a philanthropist, or as a steward? W&D Norlan De Groot works with public relations and projects for Word & Deed Ministries and lives in Sioux Center, Iowa.

A Living Legacy As generation gives way to generation in North America, billions of dollars change hands. Who will benefit? Consider adding a child named “Charity” to your will and leave a legacy that lives on through the work of the Lord on this earth.

Please contact the Word & Deed office or visit our website for more information on Planned Giving.

I hereby give to: Word & Deed Ministries Canada Inc. 39993 Talbot Line, Talbotville, Ontario, charitable registration number 891200941RR0001 [a specific percent] of the residue OR [a specific amount] of my estate, OR Word and Deed USA, Hudsonville, Michigan, EIN non-profit number 37-1429283, [a specific percent] of the residue OR [a specific amount] of my estate, to be used in fulfillment of its proper purpose.

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>GETTING INVOLVED

Business Group

Meetings Mark Your Calendars for the

Meetings for the fall include:

Fall Dinners Ecuador Keynote Speaker:

Dr. Yeny Agila with Arlene Jonkman Oxford, ON – October 24 Strathroy, ON – October 25 Hamilton, ON – October 26 Calgary, AB** – October 30 Chilliwack, BC – November 1 Surrey, BC – November 2

Dominican Republic Keynote Speaker:

Dr. Silvia Martinez

Niagara (ON) September 12, 2013 Norwich (ON) November 22, 2013 Grand Rapids (MI) December 5, 2013 Hamilton (ON) December 11, 2013 Hurontario (ON) TBA West Lincoln (ON) TBA (Launch!)

Greenville (SC) TBA (Launch!)

Pompton Plains (NJ) TBA (Launch!)

Jordan, ON – October 19 Lethbridge/Monarch, AB – October 23* Edmonton, AB – October 24 Central Alberta/Ponoka, AB** – October 25* * Tentative ** Dessert Evening

Upcoming Events Chilliwack Softball Tournament (Chilliwack, BC)

September 7

Points for Charity Each year, dozens of flights are booked and paid for at Word & Deed Ministries: flights are necessary to conduct yearly project evaluation and mentorship trips, as well as the more occasional investigative and promotionrelated trips. If you’re a points collector (whether on credit cards or flight-related point systems), you can make a big difference! By purchasing the necessary flights for Word & Deed project managers with your points you will be contributing significantly to our ability to manage and support projects in the developing world. If you are interested in contributing to Word & Deed Ministries in this way, please contact us at:

1.877.375.9673 (Canada) or 1.866.391.5728 (USA).

Auction (Zion Christian Shool in Byron Center, MI)

September 21

Donations welcome!

Mattaniah Male Choir (Vineland FRC in Vineland, ON)

November 29

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>VoLunteeR profile

By Hanna Korvemaker

Jan Den Oudsten:

Long-Distance Volunteering

In 1983, one of Word & Deed’s longest-standing volunteers emerged. Although Word & Deed Canada wasn’t founded until 1993, Jan Den Oudsten, an IT specialist, was first recruited by his wife Gerda to advise Woord en Daad (our “sister” organization in The Netherlands) about how to automate the manual administration processes that the organization was using at the time.

This initial role as “advisor” was short-lived, and resulted in Jan writing all the required programs to run a customized database for Woord en Daad himself –– named by Jan and affectionately referred to as “the WDO” (Word & Deed Office). This database is a unique piece of software, customfitted for our organizational needs, with various modules that allow us to keep track of data for our donors, sponsor children, projects budgets, and more.

In 2000, Word & Deed Canada gratefully inherited Jan’s dedication to the organization and the database he developed.

It was in February of 2000 that Jan first traveled to Canada to install the WDO program on Word & Deed computers. This was the first of three trips from The Netherlands, which Jan valued as opportunities to meet the Word & Deed staff members that he usually only communicated with via email or Skype.

Today, Jan is still our resident WDO expert from afar.

Despite living in a time zone six hours ahead of our Eastern Standard Time, he is never more than a Skype or an email away. Jan always responds promptly and capably resolves any issues we might experience, despite being busy with his job as an IT specialist for the ING Bank in The Netherlands, his work as a deacon in his Dutch Reformed church, and time spent with his wife and family of three (now adult) children. In fact, Jan reminisces that there were times when he spent nearly all of his evenings and Saturdays on Word & Deed (both the Dutch and Canadian offices).

Word & Deed deeply appreciates Jan’s dedication to the organization, evident in both the amount of time he has spent volunteering for Word & Deed and the length of time (30 years for Woord en Daad and 13 for Word & Deed Canada)!

Although balancing family life, his daily job, church duties, and Word & Deed volunteering is a challenge, he continues to do it because he sees Word & Deed as an effective Christian organization bringing the Gospel to the developing world and giving children hope for a better future. W&D Hanna Korvemaker works as Public Relations Assistant at Word & Deed Ministries.

From left to right Jan Den Oudsten, Gert-Jan van den Berg (IT at Woord en Daad) and Bernie Pennings during Jan’s last trip to Canada (September 2007).

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Letter to the editor

we want to Hear from you!

Prayer Requests

Corporación Misión San Lucas Ecuador (St. Luke Society Ecuador) • Pray for the children in the projects, especially for Javier, Andres, Marcos, and Stalin (four abandoned boys in the Malecón Sponsorship Program)–for their salvation, safety, and future.

Do you have a question about how Word & Deed operates? Or about a specific project or country that Word & Deed works in? We invite you to ask us! Please write Rick Postma at publicrelations@ wordanddeed.org and you might see your answer in an upcoming “Letters to the Editor” page in our magazine.

Adoration Christian School in Haiti • Pray for courage and wisdom for the administrators and teachers at Adoration Christian School as plans are made for next year.

• Pray for Pastor Octavius, an Adoration Bible teacher and pastor of the Delmas Reformed Presbyterian Church in Haiti, as he offers spiritual leadership to the Adoration school and speaks to students who express an interest in knowing God more.

Agricultural Commercialization in Nicaragua • Pray that the villagers would know the love of God through this project and become better stewards out of gratitude to God. • Pray that the local churches would be spiritually strengthened and become promoters of change and development in the communities.

Blantyre Girls’ Home in Malawi • Pray that capable, committed, and godly leadership would be provided for the girls being ministered to through this home.

come & visit our

website

Lizulu Orphan Care Project in Malawi • Praise God for the faithful and selfless leadership of Everton Kamangire at this project; may this center be used to bring many to salvation.

Good Shepherd Home in Myanmar • Pray for the new children at the home as they cope with living in these prayer requests have been a newcensored place and with their studies at school. for the security of • Praise God for the good fruit that this center has already our partners produced in the lives of godly young people.

Word & Deed North America • Pray for the Public Relations Team, that their promotional efforts would be God glorying and reflective of a proper understanding of biblical stewardship.

• Praise God for many faithful volunteers who have already used their time and their talents to execute fundraisers for the work of Word & Deed in 2013.

and see all the latest updates on: • How you can get involved • Projects • Events • Ways to give • Sponsorship Programs etc.

Like our page on FACEBOOK:

www.facebook.com/Word.DeedNA

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NON-PROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID HUDSONVILLE, MI PERMIT #204

IMpACT

A Study in Contrasts 1. It is difficult to remain unmoved by the contrasts outlined in this article. Please review each of the needs at the Blantyre Girls’ Home, and then pray for them. If you are in a group setting, divide the needs among the people in your group and take turns praying aloud for each need.

Agricultural Commercialization Update 1. What is the purpose of the Agricultural Commercialization project?

2. Put yourself in the shoes of the Nicaraguans who are the subject of this project.

3. How and why would you view the project with skepticism? Using the first-person voice of a Nicaraguan farmer, give your opinion on the new crops.

4. Or, create a dialogue script between a project worker and a village farmer. The project worker is trying to persuade the farmer of the value of the new crops.

The farmer disagrees. You may or may not have them come to an agreement by the end of the discussion.

Psalm 67: A Passion for Missions 1. For what purpose does the psalmist ask God for a blessing?

2. What is the psalmist’s main concern?

A Family Affair 1. The author of this article describes many details of Haitian life, especially at Adoration Christian Centre. Make a chart dividing all these details into two categories: a) similar to my life, and b) different from my life.

Amazing Grace!

1. How is being and remaining naive a choice? Is it ever good to be naive? When is it not? In the course of answering this question, look up the definition of naivete.

The Difference Between Philanthropy and Stewardship 1. What is the crucial difference between philanthropy and stewardship?

2. How does this difference relate to the philosophy embraced by some that “the ends justify the means”?

3. Discuss: Would the attitude at the beginning of giving (philanthropy or stewardship) affect the outcome of the charitable work? How or how not?

1. Jan Den Oudsten: Long-Distance Volunteering 2. After reading this volunteer profile, make a list of 10 common career fields you see in your community.

Brainstorm ways that each type of special training could contribute to organizations such as Word & Deed.

Integration: Integrate Bible, history, geography, critical thinking, current events, and reading comprehension (etc.).

Missions: Challenge students to consider short-term mission trips and the use of their time, talents, and money to the glory of God while also having them ponder their relationship with the Lord.

Problem Solving: Develop problem solving skills in response to problems presented in the articles.

Awareness: Dramatically raise students’ awareness of what people in the developing world face on a daily basis. It will shape them for life.

Compassion: Elicit compassion when students come face to face with the very difficult lives of their peers in the developing world.

Thankfulness: Encourage thankfulness for God’s blessings in their lives.

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