live magazine May - June 2021

live A Baptist resource for women on a mission May - June 2021 · $3.50

GOD’S PROMISES TODAY Fighting Anti-Asian Racism (p16)

Knowing the Promiser (p8)

Empowering Soura Widows (p19)

live

in this issue

cONNECTING

COLUMNS 2 CONNECTING 13 We Remember BIBLE STUDY 5 Believing the Promises of God

features NEWS 3 Ministry Change Rev. Diane McBeth 4 Welcome Clover Jane Matthews CONNECT TO GOD 8 Knowing God

10 A Fresh Start on an Old Promise

12 Tested by the Promise

14 Deep Inside Words in my heart connect to mission 16 Reflections on facing racism as Asians 19 Strategic Giving 2021 Fulfilling God’s promises and empowering Soura widows 21 Community Engagement During the Pandemic Oasis-Dufferin Community Centre 22 A Window on Latin America 23 A History Moment: Remembering Muriel Harrington

Cover photo: Unsplash.com/DanielOberg

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On the first Sunday in 2020, Jeff and I wedged our way into the hard pew at Open Bible Church in San Fernando, Trinidad. The service was packed. I wondered if my clothes looked as wilted as I felt.

Pastor Cecil interrupted my train of thought.

“I believe God is telling us that this is the year we take territory,” he proclaimed from the pulpit. He then preached on Joshua 1:1–9, God’s words to Joshua on moving the Israelites across the Jordan into their promised land. To take territory, we must understand the season we’re in; know God’s promises to us, expect resistance and never forget that God Himself goes with us.

As Cecil spoke, the Spirit reminded me of some specific territory God had given me some years earlier. The Scripture promises God had given me about that territory though —they didn’t surface as quickly.

‘If you can lie in faith on a promise, and take your rest on it, it is yours,” writes C. H. Spurgeon.

Until that Sunday morning, I hadn’t truly taken my rest on the promises God had given me.

In fact, I’d allowed unexpected resistance to immobilize me for months. Nor had I catalogued or memorized all those promises well. That has changed.

We’ve lived pandemic-shaped lives for the last 14 months. This is a season where we need to know God’s promises to us and invite the Spirit to help us lie in faith on them. Enlarging God’s Kingdom—taking territory in His name and for His glory—requires no less of us.

RJ 

VOLUME 94, NUMBER 3

live (formerly The Link & Visitor) began as The Canadian Missionary Link (1878) and Baptist Visitor (1890). Published bi-monthly by Canadian Baptist Women of Ontario and Quebec 5 International Blvd., Etobicoke, ON M9W 6H3 416-620-2954 Fax 416-622-2308 bwoq@baptist.ca baptistwomen.com Executive director Rev. Diane McBeth Editor and communications director Renée James 416-651-8967 rsejames@gmail.com Art director Donna Lee Pancorvo of GEPM Group Inc. (gepmgroup.com) Contributors Kathy Bousquet, Linda Ellsworth, Kathy Gust, Alicia Jung, Rev. Diane McBeth, Victoria Mok, Morgan Wolf Circulation and subscriptions Subscriptions 416-620-2954 live@baptist.ca Subscriptions Individual: $20* (direct or through promoters) US & overseas: $39 All currency in $C unless otherwise noted.

The publication of comments, opinions or advertising does not necessarily imply CBWOQ agreement or endorsement. All material is copyrighted and may not be reproduced in print or on websites without permission. Advertising inquiries and freelance submissions should be addressed to the editor.

Member, Canadian Church Press.

ISSN 2293-5096.

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We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada for our publishing activities. *includes HST

NEWS

Ministry Change Diane McBeth shares about her transition out of Baptist Women

q Chosen Holy Called: Diane with her First Baptist Church, Fort Erie community at Baptist Women’s Spring 2019 Conference

Lately, I have been thinking about all the blessings of God. Do you know that by this summer I will have been executive director for seven years? If you add my time as Legacy for Ministry Coordinator, that is almost 10 years with Baptist Women. I have learned so much from all of you and from our great staff—Renée, Abby, Keisha and Laura—who is on maternity leave after welcoming a beautiful baby girl. We have amazing board members who are so dedicated to you, and a whole network of partner organizations.

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I feel like the person in Psalm 113:7 and 8: “[God] raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes, with the princes of His people.”

This year the ministry has made a really significant advance. We now have excellent volunteer teams to facilitate our leadership development programs of Uptick and Complete as well as our spiritual formation programs of Soul Sisters and The Prayer Network. We also have a team for our anti-racism advocacy. This greatly multiplies our resources and will let us reach more and more people. God has great things planned for CBWOQ. I know it is His heart that you grow closer to Him and to mission.

However, over the last few months, God has made it clear to me that I am not the person He plans to lead you into this next phase. So, I will be stepping down as your executive director by September 1.

Therefore, your board and I have been considering how to make this transition as positive as possible. By the time you receive the next issue, we hope to have some information on the next steps. If you are curious before that, please check our website (www.baptistwomen.com) for major announcements, or join our Facebook group (search Canadian Baptist Women of Ontario & Quebec and send us a friend request) to follow the steps along the way. Your prayers will be especially important during these next few months.

Some of you are wondering, “What on earth is Diane going to do?” Recently, I started volunteering with Baptist World Alliance Women to introduce spiritual formation resources in other parts of the world. So far, we have adapted Soul Sisters and I am meeting with leaders in Africa and India to organize online training. We expect to expand that. Our hope is that COVID restrictions will end in 2022, so I can travel to start in-person training in various countries.

I know that change in leadership can be unsettling.

Let me assure you, you are in great hands. You have a caring, conscientious board. You have expert staff and a whole roster of volunteer leaders. Most importantly, I have seen God orchestrating all this—over and over—and He is absolutely dependable and secure.

Over these seven years I have felt so supported by our previous executive directors—Brenda, Nancy, Audrey, and Elizabeth. I plan to join them in giving my full support to your next executive director. God has great things in store for you.

Diane McBeth 

Current Volunteer Leaders Complete – Hilary Vanderwater Soul Sisters – Cathy Newton, Abby Lambshead, Katherine Jongsma The Prayer Network – Shelley Neal, Carolyn Vanderheide Racial Justice – Darlene Lucas, Carol Parsons, Jemell Moriah Please remember these leaders in prayer as they help shape our resources and give leadership to our ongoing programs.

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Welcome Clover Jane Matthews Laura and Greg Matthews welcomed their sweet baby girl, Clover Jane Matthews, on February 20, 2021.

They are loving getting to know Clover and know for certain that she is the most abundant blessing they’ve ever known.

BIBLE STUDY

Believing the Promises of God Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works. Hebrews 10:23-24 (ESV)

While researching this topic, I came across an excellent paper—Promise and Fulfillment: Believing the Promises of God by Victor Knowles.* The title of this study comes from that paper, and I adapted a section of the paper into Bible study format for this issue. Walk with me through these great and precious promises.

“The genius of the gospel is that everyone can share in the promise—in Christ.”

*Cf: VICTOR KNOWLES; President, Peace on Earth Ministries; Promise and Fulfillment: Believing the Promises of God; published by Pepperdine University-- Pepperdine Digital Commons, 1998; Joplin, Missouri; Vol. 6, Issue 3, Art. 4.

The Basis of God’s Promise— redemption from sin inherited at the fall The promises of God are unfailing READ Joshua 23; I Kings 8:54-66 Joshua and Solomon agree that not one word of God’s promises ever failed to come true. Joshua is at the end of his life in this chapter.

What is his reminder to the people in verse 14? _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ However, describe the CONTEXT in which this reminder is set. _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ Solomon, in verse 56 of I Kings 8, also gives the people a beautiful reminder of God’s faithfulness,

yet the setting is completely different. Describe the CONTEXT of Solomon’s words. _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ The promises are upheld by God’s oath READ Hebrews 6:12-20. It is impossible for God to lie.

What is the connection between the Old and New Testaments as given to us in these verses? _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ The promises originally belonged to Israel READ Romans 9:1-5 (these would include the promises of land) READ Acts 7:5 (about the Davidic

by Linda Ellsworth Linda is the member care coordinator for Christian Camping International, Canada. live • May - June 2021

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kingship) READ 2 Chronicles 6:10-16 (the coming of the Messiah) READ Acts 13:22 and 23 READ Jeremiah 31:31-34 (the promise of a new heart for Israel) How might these passages affect your view of Israel today, and of people of Jewish descent? Why? _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ What do these passages say to you? _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ The promises of God were always fulfilled on schedule READ Galatians 4:4-5 God’s timing is always perfect, even through the 400 “silent years” of waiting between the writing of the Old and the New Testaments.

What is one way God has proven this to be true in your life? _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ The Fulfilment of God’s Promise—The Messiah, the Christ The promises are centered in Christ READ 2 Corinthians 1:19-20 Jesus Christ is the theme of the law, the prophets, the Psalms—indeed, all of Scripture!

Can you cite other verses that tie the promise of the Messiah through the Old and New 6

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Testaments? _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ The promises were also confirmed

by Christ READ Romans 15:7-13 Verse 9: is [Christ’s] own interpretation and application and is for both Jew and Gentile alike!

God’s wonderful promises are obtained through patience READ Hebrews 6:12-15 and 11:8-12 Abraham had to wait many long years before realizing the fulfillment of God’s promise . . . WHICH IS STILL BEING FULFILLED TO THIS DAY. How has God tested you by requiring patience in a situation that marked your walk with Him? _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ The promises are also kept by faith READ Romans 4:13-22 Abraham “against hope believed in hope,” absolutely refusing to stagger at the promise of God. Share some situations in your life that test (or have tested) your faith. _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ God’s promises are described as exceedingly great and precious READ 2 Peter 1:1-4 Dwight L. Moody said, “Let a man feed for a month on the promises

of God, and he will not talk about how poor he is.”

State your favourite “precious promise” from Scripture. How has it influenced your life? _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ The Hope of the Promise – eternal life now and forever through the Holy Spirit The believer is also promised the Holy Spirit READ Luke 24:49 Jesus called him “the Promise of My Father.”

READ Acts 2:32-39 The forgiveness of sins and the Holy Spirit are linked here. God takes away our sins and fills us with the Holy Spirit. How does this impact you? _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ Eternal life is promised to believers in Christ READ Titus 1:1-2 Hope of eternal life is promised through Christ from “before time began” by a God who cannot lie.

READ Romans 8:10 and 11:35-39.

Nothing shall separate us from the love of Christ. How does this impact you? _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ Jesus Christ promised believers an

BIBLE STUDY

abundant life READ John 10:10 His precious promises and divine power have given to us “all things that pertain to life and godliness.”

READ Romans 8:26-27 The promise here: the Holy Spirit— an advocate with the Father.

READ 2 Peter 1:3-4 Those who show confidence in Christ are assured of answers to prayer.

READ 1 John 5:14 If we pray in accordance with his will . . . How does this impact you? _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ The crown of life is promised to the believer who loves God and endures trials READ James 1:12; Revelation 2:10 How can you apply this promise to your life? _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ Another promise to the believer is that of new heavens and a new earth.

READ 2 Peter 3:13-14 It will be nothing like we have ever seen or dreamed of here, because only righteousness will dwell in this new “Promised Land.” How does this impact you? _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ Finally . . . God promises the believer Unsplash.com/MehrshadRajabi

a home in heaven READ John 14:1-3 We have Christ’s own word on it: “If that weren’t so, would I have told you that I’m on my way to get a room ready for you?” John 14:2 (The Message) Taking Hold of the Promise— work it out in calling and mission With promise comes privilege and responsibility.

READ Romans 8:14-17 As believers, what is the greatest privilege offered us? _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ How does that affect you? _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ READ John 3:16-21 We are to live and walk in the light of the Good News of Christ. Why? (verse 21) _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ With promise comes calling “Calling: a strong inner impulse toward a particular course of action especially when accompanied by conviction of divine influence” ~Merriam-Webster READ Romans 8:28-31 Called from sin. Called to Christ.

READ Romans 12: 9-21 Called to live in love. How does my life presently measure up to

this “calling?” _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ With promise comes mission READ Mattew 28:18-20 The Great Commission—not the Great Suggestion!

As a follower of Jesus, what is He telling me to do? _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ READ Acts 1:7-8 Empowered by the Spirit, where is Christ telling YOU to go? What is your Jerusalem? (immediate area) _________________________ What is your Samaria? (most dreaded situation) _________________________ Where, for you, is the end of the earth? (the furthest distance you can reach) _________________________ READ I John 3:-16-23 and 4:7-11 And the greatest of these is love . . . How are you doing in the “love your neighbour as yourself” department? _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ What do you need to change? _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ What steps can you take right now, in order to effect that change? _________________________ _________________________ ________________________  live • May - June 2021

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Knowing God Seeking promise

God’s promises are true.

I don’t know where you find yourself today or what response that statement evokes: “Amen!” “Yeah, right.” “Yawn.” What I do know is that it’s very difficult to believe a promise if we don’t know or trust the one making it.

The greatest promise we have from God is that He is with us.

That promise doesn’t mean much if we don’t know what God is like. Who would care to have someone with them all the time if that person was untrustworthy, intrusive or always nitpicking at everything they did? If that were the case, the promise of their abiding presence would surely be bad news!

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart” Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV).

This verse helped me realize that while I knew a lot about God, I didn’t really know God. This bothered me and part of my response was to begin asking the question, “God, who are You?” every time I read my Bible. When I ran across something I didn’t understand or believe, I talked to God about it: ”Am I understanding

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this right? What does this mean?

I’m having a hard time believing this . . . will You help me?”

I read commentaries, looked up Greek and Hebrew words, went to church, talked to friends and paid attention to the circumstances of my life, seeking to know God as He is. I prayed the Scriptures, especially drawn to Psalm 27:8 (NIV): “My heart says of you, ‘seek His face!’ Your face, Lord, I will seek.”

When my heart didn’t connect with what I was praying, I asked God to transform me and help me understand what would make someone say things like, “Your love is better than life,” or “I think of You through the watches of the night” (Psalm 63).

Steadily and surely, gently and patiently, God responded. With Himself. I’ve often been surprised, delighted and amazed. I’ve sometimes been disappointed as I’ve had to lay down my ideals of perfectionism and my insistence that God end all suffering and pain

—now. Even so, I’ve experienced God’s promise is true: If you seek Him, you will find Him. “How do you know me”?

Nathaniel asked.

Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree . . .” John 1:48 (NIV).

God creatively connects with me in regular life, consistently letting me know: “I see you, I know you.” The connections sometimes look simple and sometimes spectacular. Whether it be through circumstances, prayer, other people, His still small voice, teaching, Scripture, music, miracles or something else, the result is an ever-deepening knowledge and understanding that God really does love me and really is with me.

“God, who are you?”

This question is so important. It’s why we study the life of Jesus, the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15). It’s why we pray,

I asked God to help me understand… reaching out for connection. It’s why we take steps of faith as God uses circumstances in our lives to draw us closer to Him. It’s why we get together and share our stories with one another, learning, gaining strength, wisdom and faith as together we find a clearer picture.

I can tell you that in my experience God is gentle, kind, patient, forgiving, compassionate. He’s surprising and mysterious. He meets me exactly where I am, not waiting for me to be “better.” He offers Himself and invites me to respond. He offers a depth of belonging, joy, peace, purpose, love and freedom that takes my breath away. He is One who is with me, and because of who He is, that is very good news. 

Practice Have you noticed the questions that Jesus asks others in the Bible?

These questions make it clear that Jesus doesn’t just reveal Himself to us. He also invites us to reveal ourselves to Him. He desires true relationship.

Read these questions over slowly. Deeply consider how you would respond if Jesus were to address you with one or more of them today.

• What do you want me to do for you? (Matthew 20:32) • What are you looking for? (John 1:38) • Do you truly love me? (John 21:16) • Who do you say I am? (Matthew 16:15) Notice what these questions stir in you: Other questions? Joy? Disappointment? Longing?

Share your response with God.

by Kathy Gust Kathy is a spiritual director and led a workshop on different types of prayer at our 2020 Women’s Conference.

You’ll find the video on Baptist Women’s YouTube channel. live • May - June 2021

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A Fresh Start on an Old Promise He makes all things new

I will love this city together with my Lord

Unsplash.com/BradKillen

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God showed me His audacious promises on board a public bus.

When I was in graduate school, I made a twoand-a-half-hour trek several days a week from home to school, and I loved staring out the bus window, watching the scenery go by. In those days, the words of Isaiah 58 rang loud in my heart, and I wondered how God would repair the broken walls and restore the streets with dwellings I saw rolling past me.

On one particular bus ride, God overwhelmed me with His love for the sleepy suburb that I called home. He wanted to loose the chains of injustice in the streets I saw before me. He wanted the vulnerable to be fed and clothed. He wanted to rebuild, raise up, repair and restore this broken place. I was so stirred by these thoughts that I cried on the bus. This dull suburbia come to life? I wanted to be a part of what God was about to do.

Twelve years later and I’m hiding in the bedroom of my low-income apartment, tired and confused.

Five years prior, I had moved in with great intentions to fulfill the vision of bringing life into this suburban neighbourhood. I had met orphans, widows and foreigners in the hallways of my apartment, and I had gladly invited them in to share food and friendship. I had spent myself on behalf of those hungry for love, visiting neighbours into the late hours. But with time, my teammates had moved on. Balancing a full-time job with church ministries and intentional neighbouring had become draining. I grew weary every time the phone rang with one neighbour request or another.

by Victoria Mok Victoria continues to learn how to love her city through the lens of Isaiah 58. She worships at Mississauga Chinese Baptist Church.

This fulfillment of my calling, which took years to achieve, seemed to have faded into a blur. I still wanted to love my neighbours well, but I felt like I was scraping the bottom of the barrel to give my last dregs of love. It was an uncomfortable place to be.

Recently, I was reminded of an audacious promise God made to Abram many years ago. God told Abram that he would have a son of his own flesh who would become his heir. Abram believed God, but he and Sarai took this promise and made it happen on their own terms. They had a son through Hagar, but I’m not sure anyone felt quite at peace about that arrangement. What surprises here is that God doesn’t berate them. Rather, He refreshes Abram’s identity by changing his name to Abraham, and reaffirms the same promise, now grown even more audacious with age. And we all know the rest of the story—how our promise-keeping God delivers Isaac to them.

In the same way, God has brought me into a season of refreshing the audacious promise He gave me about the suburban city that I still call home. God has called me out of my old neighbourhood and planted me in a new place with a view that has sparked the same kind of excitement I had on the bus all those years ago. I’m rediscovering a passion for the vision in Isaiah 58, longing for it to take on flesh in my city.

This time around, though, I want to do things on God’s terms. Where my self-promises demand and tire, God’s promises endure and give life. Instead of taking His promises and adding my own burdensome expectations, I want to follow in His lead through ample prayer and listening. Whether I am called to continue investing in my neighbours’ lives, or do something still unimagined, I am learning to sit still first and ask God for what He desires me to do. I love Mississauga, and now I will love this city together with my Lord.

Like Abraham, I get a fresh start on an old promise.  live • May - June 2021

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Tested by the Promise “. . . Then we’ll see what comes of his dreams.” Genesis 37:20 (NIV)

Unsplash.com/BenNeale

I woke up feeling different

by Morgan Wolf Morgan is a writer from Calgary. She blogs about her faith and writing at anothergratuitousmdash.blogspot. ca. Morgan has just published her book, Altruism in Gophers.

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Time and disappointed hopes have a sting like little else. Like calloused skin cracking deep, they shock you breathless once again long after you’d changed the subject. A false step and suddenly you’re hobbled by the stab of a remembered promise that hasn’t come to pass.

I was 25 when I received a promise from God—one that caused both joy and struggle. What was I supposed to do with it? I wrestled for a week asking God to show unequivocally that this was from Him, and not some wild flight of fancy on my part. Then, when confirmation came, I jumped.

I believed the promise. I figured if I was going to err, I’d rather do it on the side of faith.

For the next several weeks or months (who can remember now?) I did my best to steward the promise that God had given. I even felt like I needed to be unashamed about the word and share it—an encouraging testimony of God’s goodness that would be coming to pass. But then one morning I woke up feeling different. Instead of the carbonated faith I’d been living on, I had a heavy sense of dread. “Vindicate me, God.” I found myself praying throughout the day without knowing why.

Within hours, harsh revelation had cut my promise down to the root.

I railed and wailed at God, asking if He was really just some big cosmic joker who had pulled the rug out from under my faith for no reason. My thoughts grew bleak and embittered. Why had God allowed me to be

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put to shame for believing Him? I wonder if that is how Joseph felt while he lay shackled in prison. Joseph—who had the world by the tail with his colourful coat and expansive dreams—who was brought so low; taunted by the promise of a wellremembered dream.

“His feet were hurt with fetters; his neck put in a collar of iron; until what he had said came to pass, the word of the Lord tested him” (Psalm 105:18-19).

God’s promises can be painful, even—and perhaps, especially—when they’re good. They test us, revealing the quality of our faith; exposing what we believe about the Promiser. Is God the supreme mocker, giving dreams of honour to those destined for the degradation of a prison? If I were giving a sermon, I’d probably be tempted to throw in something about Joseph’s character being formed in the humility of slavery, false accusation and wrongful imprisonment, so that he could withstand the high position God was going to give him. That’s probably true and is easy to say and believe when you already have the end of the story.

But what does it look like when the end hasn’t come out happy? When the promise is further away

than it has ever been and feels like such foolishness that you can’t—that I can’t—bear to utter it? While others have forgotten my humiliation in the passing years, I haven’t. It sits in the back of my thoughts like a petrified tree stump, too heavy to move; too hard to be transformed by a cheerful perspective. It sits there like stone . . . waiting for me to stumble over it late at night and wonder.

And honestly, I’m not sure if I’m being tested like Joseph, or if I should have drawn a different conclusion a long time ago. Will that petrified stump of a promise sprout a green shoot of hope? Or, will it be one of those questions I’ll only get an answer to in Heaven? In some irony though, the more I muse on it, the more I find myself back where I was when my dream still seemed possible.

Painful though it may be, I think I’d rather err on the side of faith. 

WE REMEMBER Each generation has the opportunity to fuel mission for the next. We are thankful for the following gifts:

In Memory of Betty Card, Dresden Alice Castle, Cornwall Norma Collett, Milton Muriel Harrington, Brantford Nora Visser, New Liskeard Jean Whittle, Haileybury IN HONOUR OF Abby Davidson, Toronto Elsie Johns, Sault Ste. Marie, anticipating her 101st birthday

Global Conference of Baptist Women will now be online Wednesday, July 7, 2021 Registration $20 USD per woman (includes plenary sessions and workshop) This is a great opportunity to enjoy worship, powerful speakers, relevant workshops and conversations with your sisters around the world . . . all from the comfort of your home.

Theme speakers include Karen Wilson, president of Baptist World Alliance Women and Asha Sanchu from Nagaland, India.

Visit bwawd.org to register. 

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Deep Inside Words in my heart When God whispered to me, “I want you to memorize My Word,“ I laughed. “Lord, you know I’ve tried, but with little success. Now I’m getting too old!” Still He insisted and still I questioned, “Why this is so important, especially in my latter years?”

I searched the Scriptures and read this compelling admonition: “Place these words on your hearts. Get them deep inside you. Tie them on your hands and foreheads as a reminder. Teach them to your children. Talk about them wherever you are, sitting at home or walking in the street; talk about them from the time you get up in the morning until you fall into bed at night”

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(Deuteronomy 11:18, The Message).

Missionary Darlene Deibler Rose was arrested for her faith and incarcerated in a Japanese cell on death row. In her book Evidence Not Seen* she tells of a night spent in the terrifying expectation of being beaten and killed by a mob of drunkards. Thankfully, she had learned the necessity of having God’s Word deep inside her. She wrote: “I sank to the floor and quietly and purposefully began to search the scriptures hidden in my heart.” What ensued was a lengthy recitation of verse after verse, beginning with heart-searching and confession, followed by fear-vanquishing, faith-building, devil-defeating, overcoming declarations from

GEPMGroup.com

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God’s Word. She encouraged herself in the Lord, and 2 Corinthians 1:9-10 sealed it: “Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves . . . but (God) who delivered us from so great a death . . . will still deliver us . . . ” She found victory, and the drunken mob never materialized.

I am now convinced: We must, regardless of age, have God’s Word deep inside us and ready on our lips in these perilous days and turbulent times. His Word can decimate arguments, defeat sin and vanquish the enemy. His promises can take us, and those to whom we minister, through today’s trial, and whatever lies ahead.

Even so, I still stumbled along in the memorization process until, one day, I was reunited with an old friend. Even with the loss of hearing and eyesight, 88-yearold Maggie’s love for the Lord and passion for His Word had not diminished. She amazed me with the number of Scriptures she could quote verbatim.

Her secret? Plagued by insomnia, she endured sleepless nights by repeatedly reciting all the Scripture verses and passages she had retained in memory since childhood. This soon became mechanical rather than inspirational.

So, drawing on friends to provide more Scriptures, she recited and then memorized verses by placing

by Kathy Bousquet Kathy attends Heron Park Baptist Church in Scarborough, Ontario

The Holy Spirit can help us each one in alphabetical order in her memory, according to first letters. For example: Arise, shine, for your light . . .

(Isaiah 60:1-3) Be of good courage . . .

(Psalm 31:24) Cause me to hear your loving kindness . . .

(Psalm 143:8) Once she could recite them all from A to Z without stumbling, she began the process again, memorizing and filing away more verses under each letter.

This memory aid resonated with me, and since putting it into practice it has been incredibly profitable. Ultimately though, it matters not which memorization process we use, as long as it works. We never know when we may find ourselves in a situation without a Bible and yet needing the strength of the Word of God on which to stand. The reality is that once our minds are full of memorized Scripture, the Holy Spirit can help us in bringing forth God’s living and powerful Word in any time of need. *Evidence not Seen 1988, Darlene Rose, HarperOne, Chapter 8, page 155. 

SOME Aids to Scripture Memorization • Use only one Bible translation.

• Learn all or part of a chapter in order.

• Write verses on cards you carry with you to review in spare moments.

• Follow Maggie’s example.

• Group verses by category— e.g., God’s promises.

• During devotional times, take note of and memorize meaningful Scriptures.

• Record all verses in a notebook, but also write them out repeatedly until you have them memorized.

• Recite each Scripture aloud every day, perhaps on waking in the morning, or before sleeping at night.

Enjoy Conference Sessions!

Find videos of conference sessions and handouts on our website at baptistwomen.com/ resources.

You’ll also find them in our Facebook Group and on our YouTube channel.

Reports to come in the July-August issue of live magazine.

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reflections on facing racism as asians Finding goodness in the land of the living

we are slowly turning up the volume. We Asians have become more vocal. The recent tragic incidents of racial violence perpetrated against Asians are by no means a new phenomenon but there is a freshness to the fact that our voices are rising up out of a once private grief.

As a Chinese Canadian woman, my initial reaction to these incidents was mild. While I was horrified by the recent blatant attacks on Asian women particularly in the United States, I felt an innate sense to brush these things under the carpet and move on.

Wanting to understand my own reaction to these events, I spoke to a small group of Chinese Canadian Christians—some of our Asian sisters and brothers—to gather some collective understanding of these events. What follows are the questions I asked and the answers and insights I gleaned.

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by Victoria Mok with special thanks to Ruth Mak, Tabitha Mui, Rev. Dr. Timothy LiHui Tang and two other women who choose to remain anonymous. They generously gave their insights for this article.

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How are you feeling as you see the escalating racial violence against Asians?

A slow, thoughtful pause began each conversation when I asked this question. We are not used to being asked about our experiences of racism. This hesitancy can be attributed to the Chinese culture being an honour-shame culture, an orientation that is key to understanding the Asian experience of racism.

In the book The 3D Gospel, author Jayson Georges writes that members of the honour-shame culture value relational harmony, and aim “to avoid bringing shame upon his or her family, village, and even nation” (page 21). For East Asians in particular, Georges says that shame is masked by withdrawing . . . to keep the honour of the group.

From this worldview, there is a collective understanding that it is completely normal not to make a fuss about any experiences with racism. These things are shameful and are not to be shared.

One sister who immigrated to Toronto in the 1970s spoke about how racism was quite evident in her early days here, but the need to take care of her family meant she simply endured it. Yet there was also a collective sense among all the interviewees that we belong in Canada and that racism towards us is unjust.

A few pointed out that the recent racially-charged political rhetoric, particularly regarding COVID-19, has done much harm to the Asian community. All of us want to hold the world governments accountable for their words and policies. As well, we want to learn how to boldly speak up for ourselves without shame.

What are the promises of God in the context of these events?

The first promise that we cling to is as simple as John 3:16. “For God so loved the world.” There is a deep sense of God’s love for us as Asians in a world of many ethnicities. One sister shared that although the world perpetuates the evil of racism, her experiences worshipping as a visitor in churches were always positive.

Even though she may have been one of few Chinese people inside a church, she felt like she was an honoured member in the Body of Christ. We recognize

that God loves us deeply and that the Church is also living out that love for Asians.

The second promise is found in Psalm 27:13. “I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” This promise emerged from the sharing of the younger voices in this interview, both Canadian-born and newcomer. The younger generation is beginning to experiment with breaking out from under the cover of racial shame with a longing to experience God’s goodness in the here and now.

One sister explained that, anchored in love, we need to prepare ourselves to face racism and learn to fight back, not with might, but through dialogue and confronting the reasons behind the hurtful behaviours. Through active participation as peacemakers, the hope is that harmful cultural attitudes can change for the better.

More broadly, a brother admonished that we must all become anti-racist, anti-violence and anti-oppressive, remembering Black and Indigenous communities who also struggle greatly with racism in Canada.

What are some steps live magazine readers can take in response to the racial violence against Asians?

One step is to take time to understand Asian culture.

We want to be understood at a deeper level, but the honour-shame worldview means that this process will require patience, understanding, and love.

Several sisters also expressed reservations to open up because of language ability. Another shared that it would be helpful to realize that vulnerability is not easy for Asians, as our personal experiences affect the “face” or reputation of our families and communities.

Rather than asking us directly about our experiences regarding racism, another sister spoke about encouraging us through simple things like sending flowers or treating us to a meal. Asians are receptive to these indirect types of inclusion and love, and these gestures circumvent the language issue which will save some from the shame of not being able to communicate in English. These acts will also help break the ice and build trust for deeper relationships to flourish which then allows the painful stories to be live • May - June 2021

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shared and heard.

Another step is to not close your eyes to the issue of racism.

To fellow Asians: Don’t be insular anymore. Be bold to speak up about the experiences you have faced, knowing that God loves

you and honours you. And to all of us: Let us identify the areas of privilege and discrimination in our lives. If we find ourselves in the company of people who hold harmful racial attitudes, ask God for courage to both confront these

views with humility and to transform hardened hearts to embrace all the cultures that He so lovingly created.

Together, we will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. 

The Asian Experience in Canada 1885: The Canadian government imposes a head tax on Chinese migrants as a way to deter entry.

1907: Vancouver experiences an anti-Asian riot which damages Chinese and Japanese businesses. Canada bans immigration from India and other South Asian countries which is relaxed only in the 1940s.

1914: The Komagata Maru, carrying many passengers from India who were seeking a life in Canada, is turned back after a two-month confrontation.

1923-1947: The Chinese Immigration Act is imposed, prohibiting Chinese immigrants from entering Canada.

1942-1949: Japanese Canadians are rounded up and moved to internment camps and their property sold by the Canadian government.

1986: The UNHCR recognizes the people of Canada for the contribution to the cause of refugees, particularly for accepting refugees from Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.

1988: The Canadian government offers a formal apology and compensation to Japanese Canadians who were interned in the 1940s.

2006: The Canadian government offers a formal apology and compensation to Chinese Canadians who faced the discriminatory head tax.

2021: The Vancouver Police Department reports an increase of 717 per cent in anti-Asian attacks in midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sources: The Canadian Encyclopedia, explorASIAN, and CBC News.

Specific sites:

https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/japanese-canadians https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/koreans https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/timeline/asia-canada https://explorasian.org/learn/education/chinese-canadian/ https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/asian-racism-hate-canada-pandemic-1.5959788 18 live • May - June 2021

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Photo courtesy CBM

strategic giving 2021 Fulfilling God’s promises and empowering Soura widows*

Photo: Jukebul (centre) with her children, Nepolita and Mohipal

by Alicia Jung, Canadian Baptist Ministries *CBWOQ has committed to fund this entire project for $13,000.

CBM’s Empowerment of Soura Widows project equips widows like Jukebul Gomango to find ways to break the cycle of poverty and better care for their children while earning an income. By using locally available resources, widows receive the tools and training to begin small business enterprises such as purchasing and selling local goods. Microenterprise, savings support and training are provided for up to 40 widows a year, many women often under the age of 40.

Jukebul is a 38-year-old widow who lives in Gajapati, a district in Odisha in eastern India. She is a Soura woman. The Soura people are one of the oldest tribes in India. They live in remote, mountainous regions that means they rely on hard labour and agriculture to make a living. In the early 1900s in Odisha, the Souras were viewed as lower even than the lowest caste, the “untouchables.” They were rejected from society and treated as unclean, facing poverty, malnutrition and illiteracy.

Jukebul has two children, Mohipal and Nepolita. The family owns a half acre of land to run a cashew plantation, which only brings in the live • May - June 2021

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equivalent of CAD $200 a month. In one year, they would earn the equivalent of $2,400 CAD—not enough to live on.

In 2016, Jukebul’s husband became sick, so she took him to a nearby private health centre. Though he needed urgent care, the resident doctor there refused to admit him. Jukebul quickly took her husband to a state-run hospital in the same town, which readily admitted him as a patient. However, after treatment, his condition worsened. Doctors then advised Jukebul to transfer him to yet another state-run hospital, farther along the eastern coast.

Unfortunately, the family could not afford to take him for further treatment. The current treatments had already cost them all that they could manage. Jukebul and her family decided to bring her husband back to their village, where he died from malaria the next day.

Jukebul’s family went into mourning. Left with two children on her own and limited resources, she did not know how to manage her new circumstances.

As is the plight of many widows, it became an even greater struggle for Jukebul to support her family through subsistence farming.

The local church enrolled Jukebul in a program called the Empowerment of Soura Widows, funded

by CBWOQ and Canadian Baptist Ministries (CBM) in partnership with Soura Baptist Christian Mandali Sommilani churches (SBCMS).

Immediately, Jukebul began receiving financial assistance. In 2017, she was able to purchase her first goat. Goats are an excellent source of income for mountainous communities, as they adapt well to the environment and find grass to eat without any issue.

“My goat gave birth to three baby goats. I am hoping to sell them later. I thank CBM for coming to my rescue and placing a sense of security in my life,” Jukebul shares. She continues to work for daily wages to support her family.

The program also supports the children of widows, who often don’t pursue an education as they must work to support the family. Mohipal had to drop out of school, moving to Mumbai to find work as an unskilled labourer so Nepolita could continue 20 live • May - June 2021

her studies. However, with the program’s support, Jukebul hopes to enrol Mohipal in a driving course.

This will allow him to pursue a vocation if a skills training course becomes a possibility one day.

In 2020, the program had to pivot in response to COVID-19 as many activities were put on hold. For example, the SBCMS church with CBM-assisted relief, including $2,500 CAD from CBWOQ, provided soap for personal hygiene as well as laundry soap for over 2,000 families in Odisha. Additional aid was included in this crisis response as well, ensuring that widows like Jukebul and their families are being provided for.

Please pray for widows in India who face marginalization and stigma within their communities. As they seek to improve their living conditions and better care for their children, pray that communities embrace and support their efforts to rebuild their lives. 

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by Dr. Robert Jeffress $10 Think Act Believe Like Jesus: Becoming a new person in Christ

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Order online, call or email.

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Etobicoke, ON M9W 6H3 Tel: 416-620-2934 Fax: 416-234-8840 E-mail: books@readon.ca readon.ca

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From this . . . . . . to this.

Oasis staff and volunteer serving food bank guests before . . . and during the pandemic. Photos courtesy Erika Abele

Community Engagement During the Pandemic An update from Oasis-Dufferin Community Centre, Toronto Did you know that Canadian Baptist Women of Ontario and Quebec was a founding supporter of the Oasis-Dufferin Community Centre (Oasis)? live magazine spoke at length with Erika Abele, director of women’s programs at Oasis, who expressed gratitude for your support and spoke fondly of past executive directors who have personally encouraged her leadership over the years. In our conversation, Erika shared how Oasis has adapted some of its core ministries during COVID-19. Here are some highlights.

Food bank For those who had phones and ability, appointments were set up and with the help of ministry partners, Oasis began delivering food to several seniors and guests with disabilities.

With social distancing rules in effect, food drop-ins were now scheduled for three hours at a time. This was no small feat: Oasis’ food bank serves 190 families a week and the socially-distanced line often extended for over a block.

Several needs surfaced among food bank guests— all taken care of

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drive for women’s hygiene products and tucked pamphlets on domestic violence inside food bags. Weekly Tuesday night dinners switched to become take-out meals.

Counselling Counselling continued via phone and secure online appointments. Oasis’ counselling outreach serves an already stressed population including refugees who have suffered trauma and COVID-19 has increased mental health challenges.

Erika has discovered that retention has actually been higher online—as fewer appointments were cancelled because of babysitting issues or needing public transportation. Erika plans to continue at least some sessions online, even after COVID. As Erika notes, there is a mercy in God’s timing. Just last year, she finished a masters degree in social work and additional specialized training for treating anxiety and depression. 

A WINDOW ON latin america A prayer for peace in Latin America We continue to pray for our prayer partners, the Latin American Baptist Women Union (UFBAL): Argentina Bolivia, Brazil Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica Cuba (Occidental), Cuba (Oriental) Dominican Republic Ecuador, El Salvador Guatemala Honduras Mexico Nicaragua Panama, Paraguay, Peru Uruguay Venezuela Hispanic Baptist women in New Jersey, New York and Hispanic Baptist women of Texas.

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O God of justice We pray for safety, wisdom and peace of mind for migrants who are fleeing from intimidation, threats and violence in El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala.

O God of abundance We pray for creativity, resourcefulness and opportunity for migrants who are leaving their homes in Mexico because their lands and traditional ways of life can no longer sustain them.

O God of hospitality Give us a willingness to accompany our brothers and sisters, walking with them in their joys and struggles and committing ourselves to sharing your love, justice and shalom with all those we encounter.

Amen.  Sourced from mcccanada.ca/stories

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a history moment “Know How To Love. Know How To Serve.”

A personal reflection on Muriel Harrington

In the middle of interviewing the late Muriel Harrington in 2009 for The Link & Visitor (now live magazine), I heard a crashing sound. I realized it was the sound of the older female missionary stereotype I’d carted 3,000 nautical miles from Trinidad to Toronto toppling in a cloud of damp dust, levelled by the sheer weight of Muriel’s character and the integrity with which she had served in Bolivia for 40 years. Muriel’s passing several weeks ago gave me an opportunity to remember two insights from that conversation.

Sunday morning before a Haitian congregation in Les Cayes, Haiti, invited by the pastor, on the spur of the moment, to deliver the benediction.)

Muriel became my first example of a North American missionary whose ministry was marked by generosity; a truly inclusive “we.” Yes, she served and led. But she also learned from, and valued, her Bolivian friendships.

Humility From directing programs at Southern Cross Radio in La Paz to helping run the Baptist women’s ministry work nationally. From starting a music school at the theological seminary in Cochabamba to teaching English. Muriel created, taught, equipped and led on a local and national scale. She travelled extensively.

I asked her what God was teaching her during those years. “Getting along with all my missionary companions—there were lots of them throughout the years!’ she replied. “I learned how to get along with people. I had to know how to forgive, how to accept counselling and how to counsel others.”

In our conversation, Muriel attributed her longevity in missionary work in part to her ability to get along with people, her communication skills, especially with young people, and her dedication.

Let me add this to her list: Muriel loved well.

Language “I had to learn Spanish really well,” Muriel shared.

“And that helped me communicate with Bolivian friends and co-workers.” That Muriel would take the time to learn Spanish well; that she called Bolivians friends and co-workers; that she understood the importance of language in building bridges of truth . . . I’d never heard this from a missionary. It was nothing short of revolutionary for me, a young woman whose church–planting grandfather, aunts and uncles had come to faith in Trinidad through the ministry of foreign missionaries, and who had co-opted North American church culture and norms as sacrosanct.

“Renée, you know you’ve arrived in a language when you can pray in that language —at the end of a service,” she admitted. Complimented on her language skills when praying— that pleased Muriel. “That was special to me,” she recalls. (I remembered this as I stood one Muriel in La Paz. Photo courtesy Muriel Harrington

Muriel Wilma Harrington, Canadian Baptist missionary born July 11, 1923 died March 17, 2021.

RJ

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“Gather the riches of God’s promises. Nobody can take away from you those texts from the Bible which you have learned by heart.” attributed to Corrie Ten Boom

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How we connect with each other has had to change, but live magazine keeps our bonds lively and strong. Let a woman in your community know about live magazine. A subscription costs just $20. Pay at baptistwomen.com or call the editor, Renée James. Choose from three formats: print, audio (CD) or online.

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