Global Magazine - Issue 2 - 2014 [extract]

global operation mobilisation magazine 2014 • Issue No.2

Exclusive Arab World story inside

transforming lives and communities

Relief & Development

Running the relief marathon “Relief and development is not a sprint, it’s a marathon,” confirms OM Philippines field leader, Sally Ababa.

This same sentiment has been echoed across almost every continent this past year as natural, political and economic disasters have shaken many countries, affecting several OM teams around the world. Through acts of love and grace, OM teams have worked together to support those affected – to administer emergency relief, but also to provide on-going care and development. Each act is fuelled by a desire to reflect God’s love and to honour his Word; ‘to proclaim freedom for prisoners; to recover the sight of the blind; to set the oppressed free and to bring Good News to the poor.’ This need is never-ending. In this edition of Global, we look at the various relief and development projects being implemented throughout the OM World.

Hope at the epicentre In the February edition of Global we took an insight into the work of OM Philippines, following last year’s typhoon disaster. Now, six months later, in a country still recuperating, OM teams are witnessing a proactive Church that is at the centre of it all.

In Cebu, there is a network of churches burdened by the desire to minister to the area’s stricken people. “People say to me, this is a bad time to be in office. But I think it’s the best time!” insists Tacloban’s Vice-Mayor, Jerry Yaokasin. “I strongly feel I’ve been put in this position for such a time as this. We Christians are instruments of God, put here to make a change and to speak for Jesus Christ. I think this situation has opened doors to the Gospel. Christians have to unite and show that it makes a difference to follow Him!” The efforts of local churches are relentless, with one community church transforming its auditorium into a tent filled shelter for a team undertaking medical work – dismantling the settlement on a weekly basis for the Sunday service. Despite these exhausting efforts, the teams are willing to continue. “God is doing great things

in people’s lives,” affirms Pastor Nilo. “An OM social worker did 277 case studies of families living in the nearby communities – the poorest of the poor – who we are now helping. Now three-fourths of the people who come to the church are new!”

The pastors and their churches, however, have also felt the effects, and are themselves victims of the typhoon. After much assessment, this is where Sally Ababa recognised the best outpouring of OM’s resources to be - to empower, train and sustain God’s people so they could carry on with their strategic work. During March, OM hosted a physical and spiritual retreat for the 30 pastors and families who have been in the thick of relief efforts over the past months.

“We want to give them some space and time to process and get debriefed from their traumatic experience,” explains Sally, “so that their need for inner healing and spiritual formation can also be addressed, and they can anchor their hope in Jesus Christ alone.”

Fire burns in Chile Only a fortnight after a severe 7.8 magnitude earthquake shook the northern areas of Chile; a huge fire spread through the port city of Valparaíso, 70 miles from Santiago. With more than 10,000 people evacuated, the fire tore quickly throughout the city creating severe chaos and destruction.

OM workers were quick to respond, calling contacts in Valparaíso to offer assistance before opening the OM office as a base for collecting food donations and essentials from supporters. The following day, a team of seven travelled to Valparaíso to assess the situation, making contacts with local churches. OM Chile worker, Rob, describes the experience as “stepping into a real-time disaster movie: many houses had burned literally to the ground; the military and police were everywhere, trucks were busy carrying off all the rubble.”

The fire spread quickly due to weather conditions and materials used for construction. The fire ignited in the poorest area of the city and those that are now homeless are literally left with nothing. Thanks to the basic provisions collected in Santiago, the team were able to assist some of those in need as well as help some local churches already heavily involved in the relief effort.

The on-going, challenging task is to discern the best path to pursue.

The desire of the OM team is to work through a number of local churches with good contacts and knowledge to provide appropriate help to where it is needed most.

Your gifts to OM UK’s Mercy Appeal have helped us respond to both these cries of help. To continue giving, visit www.uk.om.org/mercy or use the stitched response card. Thank you.

“Christians have to unite and show that it makes a difference to follow Him!” SCAN FOR MORE

To watch a short video about OM Philippines Relief and Development work, please scan the QR code, or visit www.uk.om.org/philippines

INDIA

Our Just Christmas Appeal in 2013 helped to buy buffalo for India’s poorest of the poor – the Dalits. A buffalo can truly transform the life of a Dalit family, by giving them something that will have a lasting impact on their lives, helping them break free from poverty and exploitation.

We are encouraged when we see God at work in India, and not only through the explosive growth of the Church. He is passionate about bringing justice and freedom to the oppressed and we are privileged to play a part through our annual Just Christmas Appeal.

We appreciate the amazing generosity and support of our partners towards the Just Christmas Appeal. Numerous families across India have been given the means with which to change their lives - a buffalo. One of our church partners alone raised enough to buy 73 buffalo! – Thank you!

The wide-reaching impact of owning a buffalo for a Dalit family is, in many ways, immeasurable. They are no longer bound in poverty but have been given something that instils worth and dignity into the fibre of their very being, as well as providing a sustainable income and the opportunity to send their children to school.

The following story is an insight into the ways in which a buffalo can make a difference:

Good News Buffalo at work Ramesh Ram is from the Dalit Caste. He is 45 years old and is married with four children. His work is considered a ‘dirty job’ as it involves skinning and disposing of dead cattle. He lives in a small mud hut in a village near Lucknow. Its thatched roof was coming apart but unfortunately Ramesh did not have enough money to get it fixed. He does not have a regular income to feed the family and none of the four children go to school. He and his family usually have just two meals a day.

Last year he heard about our self-help groups, part of our economic development programme, and showed a keen interest in joining the group in his village. He approached us to provide a loan to start a small business. We granted him a loan to buy a buffalo.

Ramesh and his wife have taken good care of the buffalo. They are now earning around 150 Rupees a day by selling its milk.

Ramesh saved some of this income and has used it to fix his roof.

He is also thinking through the possibility of sending his children to school. As well as this, they are able to have three healthy meals a day, including a nutritious cup of milk. Ramesh’s buffalo has truly transformed this family’s life.

Thanks again for your support. With your help we are bringing transformation and hope to the Dalits of India.

A buffalo is not just for Christmas Due to the overwhelming support from churches getting involved – the Good News Buffalo has returned for the remainder of the year! Interested in getting involved? See the stitched card for more information, or visit www.uk.om.org/buffalo

Latin America

pearl

By Debbie Meroff

Visitors to the OM office in Costa Rica should be prepared to find themselves in the heart of San José’s notorious red zone. During the day it’s not unusual to walk by a homeless person stretched on a piece of cardboard. At night, the area crawls with sex workers and transvestites, many of them underage.

About five years ago, OM set out to help some of the women caught up in poverty, trafficking, forced labour and domestic abuse.

Their quest led them to partner with a church in the dangerous slum area, Las Tablas.

“The pastor of the church wanted our help in starting a women’s group,” relates Julie, dynamic wife of Field Leader Alex Paniagua, “so we went every other week for a Bible study followed by arts and crafts classes. At first the women weren’t interested in the Bible—they walked out or fell asleep!—but they loved the arts and crafts. However, after a year’s perseverance, they told us they’d rather have Bible study than do crafts! Because these women came from abusive homes and had all kinds of needs, we wanted to be more holistic in our ministry, so we brought in practical speakers like psychologists and child-rearing counsellors. We also wanted to teach them a business so they could have some kind of selfsustaining income.”

“When I asked the women what they’d like to do, half said sewing and the other half said craft work. I told them to pray because I couldn’t do either one!” exclaimed Julie. “Eventually I was able to find a tutor willing to teach glass staining and soon after, God even provided a professional seamstress who wanted to help too!”

“Last year, I was invited to speak at OM’s Freedom Climb conference in Colorado and to sell some of our products. Eight of them worked non-stop to produce items to sell. Unbelievably, we sold everything we brought to the conference! And orders were placed for more.”

“Back in Costa Rica we paid the women for their products and they were overwhelmed. It was three times more than they expected, such a moment of affirmation and accomplishment for them! One lady, Lucy, said, ‘I thought these hands of mine could only clean toilets. I can’t believe they made something so beautiful!’”

Pearl Process Since then, the ministry has expanded. One important goal of the Pearl Process is to train and equip women to develop sewing skills so they can establish a sustainable income for themselves and their

families. Those who want to go further can apply for the ‘Pearl Process’ mosaics business, making items from stained glass that will be marketed more widely.

The name Pearl Process reflects the fact that pearls are the symbol of something very precious and beautiful. Pearl cultivation takes time. Julie and her team understand that the personal transformation of hurt and oppressed women also requires much patience. The process involves the study of God’s Word, skills training, input from professionals, legal aid for specific cases and caring for their children.

Will you join with OM’s Costa Rica team in asking God for miracles of transformation? Through preserving prayer, they hope to see the women of this ministry gradually take on a reflection of their Saviour, shining with the iridescence of the very best pearls.

SCAN FOR MORE

To see the Pearl Process ministry in action, please scan the QR code, or visit www.uk.om.org/pearl

TRANSFORM LIVES AND COMMUNITIES....

Here are JUST some of our EXCITING opportunities for 2015 UK opportunities Be part of Lifehope’s varied training and community outreach programmes throughout the UK.

Hope 2 Europe Take part in five months’ training with OM Lifehope in Birmingham, before joining a three or six month outreach in Belgium, Finland, Italy, Sweden or Switzerland.

France Be part of a church-planting team in the Loire Valley or reaching out to North African Muslims in Paris.

Switzerland Work amongst some of the deprived communities in inner-city Zurich.

Asia Challenge Team After a three week training programme in the UK, join an evangelistic team in Thailand, Myanmar or Laos.

www.uk.om.org/Go 16

Operation Mobilisation. Registered office The Quinta, Weston Rhyn, Oswestry, Shropshire, SY10 7LT. Registered as a company limited by guarantee no. 2564320 and charity no.1008196 (England and Wales), and SCO40988 (Scotland).

Middle East & North Africa Spend your year on a travelling team in North Africa making friends with locals and sharing your faith in Christ.

Ireland Our team is active in church-planting, short-term missions and outreach to children and teens with the ‘Big Red Bus’.

“ Beautiful are the feet of those who bring Good News.”

ROMANS 10:15 (NIV)

...AND SEE THE WORLD A Gap Year with OM means just one thing – bringing Good News.

From engaging European communities on the Transit Challenge, to sharing God’s Word whilst absorbing Middle Eastern cultures, each tailor-made Gap Year opportunity will enable you to see and serve throughout God’s perfect creation. From 2-12 months, this experience has the potential of transforming the lives of those you meet, and then maybe even yours along with it.

Apply by October Near East Gain experience of Middle Eastern life & culture. If you are considering working or living anywhere in the Arab world in the future, this is an ideal starting place.

Moldova Work alongside local Churches and Christians in evangelistic ministry, youth and children’s work.

Join in January Nepal Trek to mountain villages with Christian literature, or provide friendship evangelism along the Kathmandu Valley.

facebook.com/OMUnitedKingdom

South Africa A five-month training programme offers a mix of classroom teaching and evangelism experience in both rural and urban areas of the country.

Chile This 5-12 month programme combines classroom training with experience in a variety of outreach activities, ministry in local churches and ‘adventure’ activities.

@OMUnitedKingdom

TRANSIT CHALLENGE Travel Europe for five months in a Ford Transit Van, experiencing diverse cultures whilst bringing Good News.

SOUTHERN AFRICA This three-month trek combines a Discipleship journey and Missions outreach.

Grow in faith, plus reach communities and churches in at least four African countries.

vimeo.com/OMUnitedKingdom

17

Face to Face

fully rely on

God Ruth Moore, a Physics and Astronomy teacher in Newtownards, Northern Ireland has spent this past year on a career break serving with OM Moldova. GLOBAL editor, Kris, speaks to Ruth about her year so far. > why Moldova?

RM I first came to Moldova in 2009 because I wanted to do a summer mission trip somewhere different. Those first two weeks were amazing and I learnt a lot about trusting God and understanding that He will provide for me wherever I go.

> you obtained a career break from your school – weren’t you worried it would affect your career?

RM If I had to leave my job, then the decision to join OM Moldova would have been much more difficult. I really love teaching and I believe that is what God wants me to do with my life. But I also knew that it was time for a break and to experience new things. When I spoke with my headmaster, he was very supportive and even offered me the opportunity to further extend my break if I really enjoyed it. So for me, this was just confirmation that going to Moldova for a year was the right thing to do.

Ruth (right) at Orhei Vechi.

> how has the relationship with your church been throughout the process?

RM Right from the very beginning my church (Bloomfield Presbyterian Church, Belfast) has been very supportive – helping me to raise the financial support and supporting me in prayer. Many have kept in touch with me throughout the year and a small group even came out to visit at the end of March.

It’s so important to have the support of your church, even on a short mission.

> did you receive any training?

RM I went to OM UK’s GiG (‘Getting into Gear’) weekend, which gives prospective participants advice on practical things – like how to raise support.

Prior to arriving in Moldova, I also went to the GO Conference (Global Orientation) in Holland, with all the other new participants from around the world. It involved Bible teaching, as well as many practical sessions for missions and adapting to new cultures.

> what surprised you most about Moldova?

RM Well, the most obvious thing that is different about Moldova is the toilets – or the holes in the ground. But that is only really in the villages. In Chisinau, where I am living, life isn’t really a whole lot different from the UK. People here are very open to talk – everyone wants to have a conversation with you – which is great for practicing Romanian and allows plenty of opportunities for talking about Jesus. Everyone is friendly and welcoming, even those who don’t have much want to share what they have.

> what have you been involved in?

RM I currently work in the Relief Department in OM Moldova, helping to facilitate some of our community projects. Currently, we support 18 day-centres for children and 17 elderly care projects in villages all over Moldova. Through these projects, underprivileged Moldovans receive a hot meal every day and have an opportunity to learn about Jesus. I’ve really enjoyed visiting some of these centres and seeing how funds from OM UK’s Mercy Appeal get put to use.

> what has God done in your life?

RM I am learning to fully rely on God. To understand that He is in control and that sometimes I just have to wait and trust in Him. My outlook on life has changed, I think I will return a different person and I’m excited to see how that is going to work out when I get home in September.

> what do your remaining months in Moldova look like?

RM May is going to be busy with visiting centres and preparing final reports for financial sponsors. Then each summer we have ‘Love Moldova’ – our international short-term missions programme. This year, we are introducing a horse and cart outreach, which will travel from village to village putting on activities and children’s programmes.

> what advice would you give to anybody considering missions?

RM If God has put it on your heart to go, just do it. Take the first step and He will guide you the rest of the way. He gives us desires and expects us to use them. It is better to regret something you have done, than something you never got around to doing.

But I would also say, mission starts at home. One thing God has taught me this year is that it doesn’t matter where you are – if you are following Him and you share your faith through actions and words – then you are a part of His mission. Go into the world, yes, but start at home.

If you are interested in joining a short-term mission, taking a gap year or even a career break, then visit www.uk.om.org/go

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free.”

LUKE 4:18 (NLT)

Even in the remotest parts of the world where Christ is least known, we motivate and equip Christians to share God’s love with the people they meet.

God uses ordinary people to reach other ordinary people with this One Message of Good News in over 110 countries and in world port cities through OM Ship Logos Hope.

Find out more about how this One Message is transforming lives and communities across the world and how you can get involved.

Instant Messaging.

One character at a time.

Operation Mobilisation.

Registered office The Quinta, Weston Rhyn, Oswestry, Shropshire, SY10 7LT. Registered as a company limited by guarantee no. 2564320 and charity no.1008196 (England and Wales), and SCO40988 (Scotland).

WWW.UK.OM.ORG/UNREACHED

transforming lives and communities

blessings Throughout April this year, Logos Hope underwent annual dry-dock maintenance in the Yiu Lian Shipyard, Hong Kong.

Here, essential mechanical and electrical work was carried out, preserving the legal requirements to keep her sailing. Dry dock can be a costly and sometimes lengthy undertaking, and many people may be under the impression that where technical work starts, ministry stops. After all, what good is a ministry ship that is out of the water?

However, this is simply not the case. During this year’s dry-dock, over 120 crewmembers were given the opportunity to join 22 onshore ‘Challenge Teams’, working in various areas of Southeast Asia, including the Philippines and Hong Kong. These teams assisted in a variety of projects, such as Bible Holiday Clubs and Bible studies alongside local churches.

Of course, not everybody is able to leave dry-dock. With much hard graft to be completed, a core group of specialist workers (including engineers, joiners and electricians) are given the arduous responsibility of staying behind, ensuring the ship is to code and ready to get back in the water as quickly as possible. And even in this environment, ministry goes on.

am in Tacloban,

Te Beth, Challenge

To watch a special Challenge Teams report, please scan the QR code, or visit www.uk.om.org/globalships

www.omships.org

During my challenge team I was placed in the Shalom Learning Centre and Blessed Church in Barangay, Fatima.

Dasmariñas is a suburb of Manila built to rehouse those living in poor slum con ditions.

For some, conditions have imp roved, whilst for others, they are still living below the poverty line.

In the Shalom Learning Centre, I had the opportunity to teach in the Values class, look ing at topics like self-worth, team building and values – what we value in ourselves, in others and what God values. We also par ticipated in the Baccalaureate Graduation Ceremony. We use d this opportunity to share the Gospel through a drama and short Bible study, looking at how we can be more than con querors in Christ. Afterwards, a number of students signed commitment cards, confirming their new decision to live for Jesus.

Philippines

n s going to Tacloba When I heard I wa t), es rd ha hit yian (where Typhoon Ha o see sad people wh to lf se my d I prepare le op pe y pp ha d, I saw had nothing. Instea out It made me think ab ! ng thi no who had when ’s tiny little things, en I moan about life ful joy ll sti how selfish I am wh are t thing, ye ese people have no I have so much. Th ren’s and friendly! ch in hosting a child joined a local chur wever ho n, re One day, my team ild ch cted to see 30 pe ex ly on d ha e W programme. ogramme, but t only loved the pr no ey Th ! up d ne re so at least 70 tur they left. They we receive a book as a ve ha were overjoyed to uld wo ught we book, that we tho s thi If it? ve delighted with this lie be n you All for one book! Ca look en ev n’t riot on our hands. uld wo ildren probably ch ny ma , UK the happened in at blessing! perience was a gre at it. The whole ex

SCAN FOR MORE

Carol-Anne, Challenge Tea m in Dasmariñas, Philippines

Tom Critchley, Electrician on Logos Hope The main thing about dry dock was work.

I was given extra responsibilities to lead project work as opposed to daily routines.

We were often faced with obstacles in some projects that at first glance, seemed impossible to fix. But after praying and brainstorming, the right solution was always apparent.

Over and above the pressures of dry dock, I was apprehensive that there wouldn’t be any opportunity for ministry. However, during dry-dock, local shipyard workers joined us and it was a great opportunity to share the Good News.

SHIPS

dry dock