W&D Magazine Winter 2019/20

Winter 2019/20

INSIDE

The Official Publication of Word & Deed An International Reformed Relief Ministry

Colombia

Reflecting on 25 Years of Partnership with Word & Deed

Guatemala

Coming Alongside in Guatemala

Malawi

Fourteen Years of Word & Deed in Malawi

Giving Hope christmas catalog 2019 PAGE 11

YEARs

celebrating

god’s

faithfulness

>foreword By rick postma

Global Unrest, Kanye West, and the Gospel As I sit down to write this article, many things are happening in our world. Fires are raging in California along with lots of finger pointing. Climate activists have skipped classes to follow young Greta from Sweden.

An attempted impeachment of President Trump by his foes lumbers along dominating the news and agendas of Washington politicians, and western Canadians feel increasingly alienated by a Prime Minister who, in their opinion, has squeaked back into power by ridiculing their biggest asset—oil.

Still, this is nothing compared to rising unrest in many other parts of the world. Hong Kong protestors are trying to keep China from inevitably curtailing their freedoms; aggressive rioters in Ecuador have forced the government there to once again subsidize their fuel costs; other protests in Chile, Spain, Iraq, and Indonesia reflect growing populations wrestling with poverty, government corruption, and crime. Of special concern for us, are the ongoing protests in Haiti which have brought that already impoverished country to a standstill. Adoration Christian School has been unable to begin classes since June. Teachers are bringing school work to students in their homes with obvious limitations.

Yet, in the middle of lots of disturbing news, we have famous hip-hop artist Kanye West proclaiming that he is born again with his new album Jesus is King. Given that my musical tastes mostly hail from the 18th century, I had to look up the definition of hip-hop just now and my one-word summary is “huh?”. Is he for real?

I hope so.

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Is God making use of him? I think so. In interviews, Kanye has pledged his considerable resources and apparent talent to sharing the Gospel. The pastor that is preaching for him at his “church services” is a Calvinist graduate of The Master’s Seminary closely associated with Pastor John MacArthur. That’s encouraging. The Lord can use him to reach millions of fans who otherwise are unlikely to hear the Gospel.

The same God who used Paul in mighty ways, to the surprise of the early church, can use Kanye West. Should we be surprised by this? No. As one person reminded me yesterday while discussing this, James writes, “You don’t have because you don’t ask” (James 4:2b). Are we asking for God to do great things in our day? To cause his church to multiply? To convert the Kanyes, Donald Trumps, and Jordan Petersons of the world? To bring world leaders to their senses?

We need to pray with expectation and confidence. We know how the history of the world ends—with Christ as King, with everyone, and that means everyone, on bended knee before Him, and with the raging and inextinguishable fire of God’s wrath poured out on all those not covered in the blood of Christ, the Savior. As we celebrate this season of special remembrance of Christ’s birth, let’s pray that the Holy Spirit will apply the good news of the Gospel to rich and poor, famous and obscure, old and young, and then let’s go out and tell others about Him. W&D Rick Postma is the 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

Winter 2019/20 Editor Rick Postma Assistant Editor Scott Koopman Graphic Design Knor Graphic Design Solutions Copy Editors Shelly Crites, Hanna Korvemaker, Kara Luiting, Susan Trentacosti Word & Deed North America is an evangelical and Reformed humanitarian relief and development organization. Our aim is to help meet the physical and spiritual needs of people in the developing world in accordance with biblical principles for the glory of God. With cooperating offices in St. Thomas, Ontario, and Hudsonville, Michigan, Word & Deed partners with Christian agencies in Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Myanmar, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Nicaragua, Malawi, and South Africa.

Director of Projects John Otten Director of Public Relations Rick Postma Director Heidi Pronk Support Staff Scott Dekorte, Scott Koopman, John Kottelenberg, Kara Luiting Dave Vander Meer Canadian Board of Directors Chairman – Harold Leyenhorst Vice-Chairman – John Vangameren Secretary – Dave Wielinga Treasurer – Henry de Waal Wilf Bout, Dr Arjan de Visser, Pastor Christo Heiberg, John Jagersma, Corney Les, Bert Mulder, Lyle Ypma USA Board of Directors President – Paul Laman Vice President - Jay Van Voorst Secretary – Harry Kooistra Treasurer – Karen Vander Sloot Paul Beezhold, Eric Brandt, Eric Greendyk, Pete Vander Stel, Peter Van Kempen Advisory Committee Mr. Jim Beeke – International Educational Consultant

Dr. Gerald M. Bilkes – Professor of

Old & New Testament, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary

Rev. Richard Bout –

URCNA Missions Coordinator Rev. Danny Hyde – Pastor, Oceanside United Reformed Church

Rev. Mark Vander Hart –

Associate Professor of Old Testament Studies, Mid-America Reformed Seminary

Rev. Frank Van Dalen –

Former Executive Director of the Foreign Missions Board of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church

Canada Office PO Box 20100 St. Thomas, ON N5P 4H4 Toll free 877.375.9673 office@wordanddeed.org United States Office PO Box 157, Hudsonville, MI 49426 Toll free 866.391.5728 usoffice@wordanddeed.org

Registered Charity Number (Canada) 89 120 0941 RR0001 EIN Non-profit Number (USA) 37-1429283

Bible quotations are from the NKJV unless otherwise noted.

By Pastor MARC JAGT

>

Living Fruitful Lives

In Santa Barbara, California, there was a famous grapevine: The Mammoth Grape Vine of Montecito. In the 1800s, a young girl planted a little seedling close to a spring—perhaps that’s why it grew so well. Its base was eight feet, three inches wide.

It covered about 12,000 square feet. In its heyday it produced 6 to 12 tons of grapes per year.

In creation, you can find examples of amazing fruitfulness. God has made the world to teem with life. In the words of Psalm 104, our God faithfully sends out his Spirit every year to renew the face of the earth. And there is life in such abundance.

It is no different with God’s re-creation.

Jesus Christ has come, and in his own words, “I am the true vine” (John 15:1). Christ is the root for a whole new humanity to bear fruit into eternity, to the glory of God. That mammoth vine in California doesn’t even compare!

This was why he came. Not just to die, but to take away our sins; to make us bear fruit!

What’s special about the image of a vine? Why this image and not even something like a fruit tree, a “tree of the field” in Old Testament language?

You do not grow vines for their looks. A fruit tree still has nice flowers, but vines do not. You only grow vines for their fruit. That’s what our God, our Savior, wants. “I chose you and appointed you.”

Why? “that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain” (John 15:16).

Paul prays over the Colossians that they might please God in every way, “being fruitful in every good work” (Colossians 1:10). Not just a few good works, but in every kind of good work.

In Micah 7, we hear God saying, “Woe is me!

For I am like those who gather summer fruits, like those who glean vintage grapes; there is no cluster to eat of the first-ripe fruit which my soul desires” (Micah 7:1). Israel is a vine, and the LORD God is looking for fruit in his people— something to enjoy, like grapes or figs. But there is none. His people are mired in sin. And sin means barrenness, fruitlessness.

But now we have John 15. Christ, the second Adam, has come! He is the vine the people of God could never be on their own.

Let us look to him, be rooted in him, be like our Savior.

He will make our lives fruitful, in word and deed, to the blessing of others, to the glory and joy of our God! W&D Pastor Marc Jagt is the Pastor at the Canadian Reformed Church of Fergus North (Ontario).

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>CoLoMBia Reflections on 25 Years of Partnership with Word & Deed

Education of the new generations is one of the key pieces in the development of a country. In Colombia, through the support of Word & Deed, Conviventia has delivered education services to thousands of boys and girls who live in conditions of vulnerability, giving them the opportunity to study at the God is Love schools where they not only receive education according to the regulations of the Ministry of Education, but also education on principles and values of the Christian faith, advancing both the cognitive and spiritual development of these children.

Our education projects enable us to demonstrate God’s love in both words and deeds to our students, their families, and the broader communities that we serve. This enables us to fulfill the Great Commission through education, as a catalyst for personal and social sustainable transformation. We are very grateful to all donors that make it possible for more Colombian families to know the love and purpose of God for their lives.

Liliana Giraldo Child and Youth Officer

Diane Postma with students in Colombia.

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reflections on 25 years of

It is evident that, for many years, Word & Deed has partnered with local organizations in order to meet the physical and emotional needs of families and to bring God’s Word to many people around the world. I want to take this opportunity to thank Word & Deed for blessing our country with such commitment and dedication. I honor your commitment to the holistic well-being of those we serve in our projects, to the protection of children and youths, and to the strengthening of families.

In Colombia, the Family Strengthening Program has provided help to hundreds of families through tools and strategies that support their development and enable them to walk out of crises and overcome psychosocial risks that affect them.

conviventia Word & Deed partners with Conviventia to fund a number of projects in Colombia, including the School of Practical Ministries, the Nutritional Supplement Program, and the School of Infant Development. Through the hope of the Gospel, these projects are making a difference in this country that often struggles with violence and corruption which has the largest effect on those who live in poverty.

Additionally, it is highly significant to be able to count on partners such as Word & Deed for the delivery of programs such as the School of Practical Ministries, through which Christian leaders are trained and strengthened to teach and instruct people about the truth of God’s Word, for the extension of the Kingdom of God and His Great Commission.

Word & Deed as an organization is very consistent with its name by fulfilling the divine mandate to be a demonstration of the love of God in words and deeds. All glory and honor to the King of Kings, our Savior.

Carlos Figueroa

Family Protection Program Officer

Through the Basic Needs and Humanitarian Assistance Program, Conviventia has been able to significantly improve the health and overall nutritional, environmental, and living conditions of families, children, and communities for several years. The work of this program is grounded on the Word of God, supported by partner organizations such as Word & Deed, which contribute to the improvement of many people’s lifestyles in sustainable ways, so that their dignity is restored and their relationship with God is strengthened. For many years, Word & Deed has supported the delivery of medical outreaches aimed at vulnerable communities that receive medical assistance, but more importantly, they receive the message of hope, salvation, and everlasting life. We are so very thankful for the work of Word & Deed in Colombia and celebrate their 25th anniversary with them. Thank you for making a difference with Conviventia in Colombia, by demonstrating God’s love with words and deeds.

Diana Rocio Piñeros

partnership with Word & Deed

Basic Needs Officer

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>GuaTemaLa

By Rick Postma

Coming Alongside in Guatemala

When I think of Guatemala, on the one hand I picture mountainous beauty, short, colorfully dressed people, warm smiles, roosters that can’t tell time, traffic-jammed urban centers, fireworks at all hours, and remote clusters of homes perched on cliffs. On the other hand, I picture poverty, gangs, guns, natural disasters of every kind, hunger, corruption, and desperation.

As an organization, Word & Deed has the privilege of coming alongside indigenous Christian churches and organizations in many countries of the developing world, as well as the missions or missions-related initiatives of many of our supporting churches.

Countries where the latter is true include Costa Rica, Ecuador, Haiti, Indonesia, South Africa, South Sudan, and, yes, Guatemala.

Our very first project, 25 years ago, was to sponsor John Otten, now our Project Director, as the administrator of a small hospital in a small town named Cubulco. Along with John, Free Reformed Missions sent Pastor Ken Herfst to plant churches among the Mayan Achi in Cubulco and the surrounding mountainous aldeas (villages). They also sent Gary Desterke to begin the work of translating the Bible into Cubulco Achi and Mary Overduin to work with women and children.

I was working for IBM at the time and remember while on a trip to a Dallas-area PCA church that I was told by a brother there, experienced in missions, that working with indigenous populations such as the Mayan people group represented some of the most difficult work “out there.” Indeed, it was. But yet, the Lord has established a cluster of churches with ordained Mayan pastors and, this past September, the local Cubulcoarea churches and population, along with the Free Reformed churches, could celebrate the translation and printing of God’s Word into the Cubulco Achi language after more than 25 years of work.

BELOW: A street in Cubulco, Guatemala.

AMG Guatemala AMG stands for “Advancing Ministries of the Gospel.” Its goal is to “meet people at their point of need, whether it be hunger, sickness, or hopelessness, and to show them Jesus as the only answer to the problems of this life and the only hope for eternal life.” Word & Deed and AMG’s partnership has grown since 1994 to include collaboration on several projects today:

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So how was Word & Deed able to come alongside? In addition to funding John, during the last 10 years Word & Deed has had the opportunity to be involved in several different projects in Guatemala. We have taken over the funding of the hospital from Woord en Daad in the Netherlands (the hospital is approximately 80% locally funded, with 20% provided by Word & Deed), funded a major expansion of the hospital, and have also been supporting an after- school project in Cubulco for a number of years now using child sponsorship.

hospital operations, a recent renovation/addition and hospital equipment, sponsorship through La Palabra Christian School, a Christian radio program, Camp Canaan, after-school programs in Cubulco and Yalu, and, more recently, the Patuy After-School Program.

May God continue to bless the work of AMG Guatemala and our partnership with them!

Why an after-school program?

Sadly, the quality of education in many countries in the developing world is very low. This is especially true in more rural areas that tend to be an afterthought for central urban governments. Since school usually only runs in the morning, starting quite early, and children are often Nico Kattenberg, Garry Postma, Pastor Eric Moerdyk, Pastor Carl Schouls, and Brian Dennett left on their own for the afternoon, (l-r) at the Achi language Bible celebration. there is a wonderful opportunity to minister to the children by helping them with their homework (sometimes reteaching what should have been taught in the morning), providing a safe place for them to stay, developing relationships, and sharing God’s Word with them. Poor nutrition is also often a challenge in these areas, so a meal or nutritious snack is provided. While running a Christian school is often preferred, an after-school program is also a good solution at a reduced cost and with minimal “red tape.” Word & Deed supports afterschool programs in Ecuador, Guatemala, and India.

Recently, our board agreed to take over the funding of an after-school program in Patuy (Pa-too-ee) from Free Reformed Missions. More than 25 years ago, Pastor Ken Herfst planted a church there in a small aldea perched on a cliff in the mountains, largely pagan in beliefs and practice. Today, that church is doing quite well with an ordained pastor, established consistory, and many of her children greatly benefitting from the after-school program under the oversight of our partner, AMG Guatemala.

Pray that the Lord will bless these passionate teachers as they give their precious charges spiritual, academic, and literal food. W&D Rick Postma is the Director of Public Relations and the Project Manager for Guatemala for Word & Deed Ministries.

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>MalaWi

By Manuel Kamnkhwani

Fourteen Years

of

Word

&

Deed

in

Malawi

Since 2005, Word & Deed has become a household name in several rural communities and the Presbyterian church community in the central region of Malawi. Over the years, the name has been synonymous with orphan care and rehabilitation and also lay leadership training. Beginning in 2005, Word & Deed has sponsored an average of six orphan care programs and two theological and Bible teaching programs. Currently, there are six main programs in total that are receiving support from Word & Deed, three of which were among the pioneer projects in 2005.

school support, and medical care. In a few cases, some of the orphan care programs have occasionally cared for elderly people, especially those taking care of orphans.

Those people would receive food rations, medical care, and sometimes clothing and maintenance of their homes. On the other hand, the lay leadership training programs run by Logos Ministries have so far been made available to more than 21,000 church leaders, while the recently introduced Christian Education Program has already trained more than 6,000 Sunday School teachers over the past five years.

The two types of projects that Word & Deed supports naturally complement each other and fulfill a holistic ministry to the communities they are serving. The orphan care projects help rural churches implement mercy ministries, while the lay leadership projects provide the same communities with sound Reformed biblical knowledge.

In the last two years, the helping arm of Word & Deed in Malawi has been extended beyond the central region and gone on to both the northern and southern parts of the country, and a bit beyond the border into Mozambique.

This extension began with the Logos Leadership Training Program. In the last two years it has gone on to include relief and rehabilitation initiatives, especially in the Lower Shire region that is prone to flooding. Disaster struck in December 2018 and again in March 2019 when the region was hit by Cyclone Idai

To date, the orphan care programs have reached out to more than 15,000 orphaned and vulnerable children with basic support such as porridge, clothing,

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Orphan Care and Logos Ministries

which affected most of the churches that we have been working with for more than two years. When we contacted Word & Deed, a temporary relief program was put in place to provide maize and other basic necessities for the church communities. In April and May, the same communities were provided with seeds to plant in the valleys as the floods receded. In July, a consignment of plastic sheeting was delivered to some of the communities on the southern tip of Lake Malawi and beyond the border in Mozambique.

Word & Deed partners with the Church of Central Africa, Presbyterian (CCAP) to provide pastors, elders, and leaders with the practical and doctrinal tools they need to better serve their congregations (which often number in the thousands). They offer training seminars to church leaders to equip men in CCAP churches to lead and instruct their flocks. Word & Deed also partners with four different organizations to care for over 1,000 orphans and other vulnerable children.

As we look back to the humble beginnings of the work of Word & Deed in Malawi and compare it with the impact that the work has made in the communities that we are working with, we are brought to our knees in awe of the way the Lord has used the organization to act as a bridge between the Christians in Malawi and those in North America. Whenever I go to the communities that we are working with to bring relief, we recite the Apostles’ Creed in which I go on and emphasize “the communion of saints.” We view the support from North America as a modern-day repeat of Acts 2:42–46. It is our prayer that such communion will continue for ages to come. W&D Manuel Kamnkhwani has been serving with Logos Ministries in Lilongwe, Malawi, for the past 14 years.

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> message

The Lord willing...

In early 2019, I became the president of the US Board of Directors for Word & Deed. The board would like to thank Pete Vander Stel for his years of service as the previous US Board president. Also, in 2019, the US Board achieved a full slate of board members, something we had been working toward over the last several years. Our board members have a good variety of skill sets including legal, pastoral, business, technical, financial, industrial, and public service. We have board members from the Heritage Reformed, United Reformed, and Free Reformed churches who live in various states including California, New Jersey, South Dakota, Indiana, and Michigan.

We are a like-minded body and work well together; the Lord has provided His blessing. “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity” (Psalm 133:1)!

Upcoming Business Group

Meetings Please visit

www.wordanddeed.org

first quarter 2020 dufferin, Ontario hamilton, Ontario thunder bay, Ontario ancaster, Ontario Weatherford, Texas Please see our website for new events and for dates and locations as they are determined.

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FROM The president

By Paul Laman

Paul visiting Colombia in 2006.

The US and Canadian boards are also working together well, especially considering that the Public Relations and Project Committees have members from both countries and regularly interact. We also have one or more joint board meetings per year, plus our annual Policy Day conference where most of us meet in person. Recently we set up a social media group chat so that both boards and staff can communicate in a very timely manner when needed. This medium also facilitates getting updates, photos, and videos from the field when one of us is on a project visit or evaluation trip.

Both boards are very thankful for our talented staff and for all of you, our supporters and donors, who commit time, resources, and prayers for Word & Deed and our 22 partners in 13 countries. But we are most thankful that we can bring the Gospel and a cup of cold water to the spiritually and physically needy in Jesus’ name! W&D Paul Laman is the president of the Board of Directors for Word & Deed USA. He lives with his wife and three children in Pompton Plains, New Jersey.

credit card donations wordanddeed.org/donate-canada I wordanddeed.org/donate-usa Did you know that you can set up recurring credit card donations to Word & Deed or make one-time donations very easily via our website? You can also call the office to make credit card donations in both the U.S. and Canada.

Giving Hope

christmas catalog 2019

Are you considering meaningful Christmas giving ideas?

Consider purchasing a gift from our catalog this year as a means of blessing those in need.

Donation Options: Online: Visit the Giving Hope web page to view the full catalog, to place your order, and to make your donation via credit card.

Phone: Call 1.877.375.9673 (Canada) or 1.866.391.5728 (USA) to place your order. Payment can be made via credit card or mailed check. wordanddeed.org/givinghope Acknowledgement cards are available for those who wish to purchase a gift from our catalog on someone’s behalf.

Please note that cards will be mailed within seven days of receiving your donation.

Bibles — $6 CAD / $5 USD Provide a Bible to be distributed at projects in various countries. Distribution of Bibles forms a key part of the Word aspect of many of our projects around the world. “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).

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Bundles of Love — $18 CAD / $14 USD A Christmas gift (a toy and a practical item) for a student at Christian schools in Colombia or Guatemala. The gifts are presented at an event celebrating Christmas with a clear Gospel message, which reinforces the Christian education provided throughout the year.

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Giving Hope Haiti — School Supplies $20 CAD / $15 USD School supplies for one student for one year at Adoration Christian School. Adoration serves 400+ students from Kindergarten to Grade 13. This Christian education provides the children and young people with hope to escape extreme poverty in this life and with hope for their eternal salvation through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

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Haiti — Microloan - $150 CAD / $115 USD Provide the capital for a microloan for a small business in the south of Haiti. A biblical worldview of work and business training are also taught. This program enables many people living in extreme poverty to start businesses to provide for themselves and their families. As the loan is paid back, keeping savings is also encouraged so that the business owners do not have to depend on loans in the future.

South Africa — Home-Based Care Program - $150 CAD / $115 USD

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Staff time for home-based care for one patient for one year through the Nakekela HIV/AIDS Clinic. The homebased care teams visit HIV and cancer patients in their homes to provide basic medical and social care. This can include wound care, physiotherapy, medication management, nutrition counseling, specialist referrals, and helping patients apply for social service grants. All of these services are provided on an individual basis and are accompanied by devotions and prayer as the teams seek to minister in both Word and in deed.

christmas catalog 2019

Malawi — Logos Ministries Resource Center $350 CAD / $265 USD Provide a month of utilities for Logos Ministries. This center is located in the heart of Malawi’s capital city, Lilongwe. The building houses a large library and is used to host theological and leadership training courses. These courses are offered at three different levels: in-service training to pastors and elders, basic theology classes taught in the native language, and theology diploma classes which are offered in English through the Mukhanyo Distance Program based in South Africa. Utilities for the center are expensive since water, electricity, and internet are at a premium in the city.

Colombia — Nutritional Supplement Program $10 CAD / $7.50 USD Ten meals or high-calorie snacks for a malnourished student. Over the last decade Colombia has developed one of the largest populations of internally displaced people in the world. Consequently, much of Colombia’s population suffers from malnourishment. The Nutritional Supplement Program supplies 400 children or at-risk people with additional nutrition. Medical screenings and spiritual counseling are part of this program.

India — After-School Program - $21 CAD / $15 USD Provide one month of care for a child in an after-school program in rural India.

This program helps to provide children with supplemental education, nutrition, and Bible-based lessons in a structured environment. Parents, day school teachers, and municipal leaders have all expressed their appreciation for the program which has resulted in improved learning, healthier bodies, and much more respectful, well-behaved children.

Guatemala — Camp Canaan $75 CAD / $55 USD Support a child to attend camp for one week. Camp Canaan is a children’s camp that serves about 2,400 children a year. The camp is an opportunity for the children to have spiritual instruction, fun, and rest from the difficult situations that many of them experience.

Children often don’t want to leave after their five days at camp and some end up volunteering when they get older.

Colombia — School of Practical Ministries $165 CAD / $125 USD Train one church leader or Christian school teacher. The spiritually formative trainings take place each month and are a way for the participants to grow in the knowledge of the Lord and in their role in His kingdom. These trainings have a trickle-down effect and positively impact many students and families who are being ministered to by graduates of this program.

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1. Pray that the Holy Spirit will abundantly

produce the fruit of righteousness in Word & Deed staff and partners as we minister to our neighbors in the name of Christ.

2.

Pray that the Christian schools in Colombia and in North America will stay true to their biblical values, so that the next generation will not be swayed by the world around them.

3. Pray that our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world will feel the comfort and encouragement of the Lord, especially for those who are persecuted. Pray that the church will be strengthened and continue to grow.

4.

Give thanks to the Lord for His Word and that it is now available to the Achi people of Guatemala. Pray that God’s people will desire to be in God’s Word every day.

5.

Praise the Lord that together with our partners in Malawi and with you, our donors, Word & Deed can exhibit the communion of the saints to the communities that Logos Ministries serves. Ask the Lord to continue to bless this communion for years to come.

6. Pray that the church would be more uni-

fied around the truth of God’s Word. Give thanks that we can work together as Reformed Christians for the furtherance of God’s kingdom.

PrayerRequestS Saturday, May 23, 2020 Join us for the Annual Word & Deed Bike-a-thon in either Niagara, Ontario, or the Fraser Valley, BC.

SAVE the Date!

If you’d like to host a bike-a-thon in your area please contact us at office@ wordanddeed.org. Help us spread across North America!

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Word & Deed USA

NON-PROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID Grand Rapids, MI PERMIT #1

P. O. Box 157, Hudsonville, MI 49426 USA

Publications Agreement # 40595030

Meditation: Living Fruitful Lives

1. Are you producing the fruit of righteousness every day? What are some examples of your fruit? How would someone else describe your fruit?

2. Read Matthew 7:16-20. What does it mean if you are not bearing fruit?

Colombia: Reflections on 25 Years of Partnership with Word & Deed

1. How does education affect a country? Does it matter whether the education is taught from a Christian perspective as long as people are receiving some kind of education? What values will education be rooted in if not Christian values?

2. Have you taken your education for granted? Have you complained about it? Do you think many children in this world dream of receiving an education like you?

Guatemala: Coming Alongside in Guatemala

1. Can you imagine receiving a Bible in your own language for the very first time right now? What would your reaction be? Do you think you would read it as much as possible? How excited would you be? How many Bibles do you have in your home?

How excited are you to read your Bible?

2. Describe what happens in our after-school programs. What would you change about the program, if anything? If you only went to school for half a day in rural Guatemala, how important would this program be to you?

Malawi: Fourteen Years of Word & Deed in Malawi

1. List a few things that Word & Deed is known for in Malawi. What do the orphans receive as support through the orphan care project? How many orphans, church leaders, and Sunday School teachers have been reached by Word & Deed?

2. What does it mean to have “the communion of the saints”? Is it only available among members of the local church? Can this communion exist among Christians around the world? How?

Message from the President

1. What does unity look like? Why is it important?

Does unity have to mean homogeny? Are you the same as your classmates? If you are working on a group project is it better that all participants have the same idea or different ideas? What do we call this working together as a group in a give-and-take atmosphere?

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.