W&D Magazine Fall 2020

Fall 2020

INSIDE

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

Covid-19 Update The Lord’s Provision

Ecuador

The Eternal God Is with Us

Malawi

Testimony of an Alumnus

>foreword By rick postma

All Created Equal

My thoughtful pastor, who knows my love for good books, recently lent me a fascinating one, Dominion: How the Christian Revolution Remade the World by well-known secular British historian Tom Holland, in which he argues that Christianity shaped and continues to shape much of our Western thought and culture. The idea that all mankind, even the lowliest slave, is created equal was a Christian idea that was scorned by the Romans during the time of the early Church. Today, those who shout their disapproval of racism are acting, at least in part, in a consistent way with a Christian worldview whether they like it or not.

During a debate on YouTube channel, “Unbelievable” Holland stated that “The astonishing idea that a crucified criminal who suffered the death of a slave is in some way a part of the one God who created the heavens and the earth” was a blasphemy to the Romans. He further argues that the cult of Caesar Augustus as the Son of God was in fact the most rapidly growing religion of the first century. But who ultimately won out, Caesar or a crucified criminal? While at times very critical of the history of Christendom, and often rightly so, Holland goes on to describe how Christianity was instrumental in ending infanticide (all too common in Roman times), establishing the first hospital (Bishop Basil of Caesarea in the fourth century), caring for the poor rather than leaving them to suffer, and much more.

During the early church, Christians ran to help those infected with plague even as just about everyone else sprinted the other way. This was noted by the historians of the day with admiration and often was used by God as a means to draw sinners to Christ through believers who faithfully reflected His image in this way.

What does a Christian response to COVID-19 look like in

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our day? In the West, the state has taken over many of the institutions started by Christians and along with it an opportunity for believers to address the sin virus, for which we all test positive, with the Gospel. In a recent interview, Tom Holland points out that the church should not simply parrot health messages, but should engage our communities with answers to urgent questions they are asking such as “why is this happening?” To borrow from Pastor Heiberg’s meditation, are we bearing fruit according to the flesh or according to the Spirit?

In the developing world, believers are responding to the needs of their fellow believers as well as their unbelieving neighbors with desperately needed food for the body as well as for the soul. At Word & Deed, we have the privilege of coming alongside of partners in 11 countries with your sacrificial support in dependence on the Lord. Dave Vander Meer provides an update on these efforts. In these pages, you will also read a firsthand account of how the church is reaching out to the homeless at this time of great need in India and how the Lord preserved the life of a key leader of the children’s ministry in Quinindé, Ecuador. Meanwhile, most regular projects continue to operate although in modified form due to the pandemic. We will travel to Egypt and South Sudan with Corney Les as our guide as we see what the Lord is doing there.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, many fundraisers and business group annual meetings were put on hold. This fall, we hope to still run many of these meetings and events as we strive to recover from the inevitable dip in funding we’ve experienced so far this year. Will you join us? Read on! 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

Fall 2020 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, Rev. Adrian Dieleman 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

By Pastor Christo Heiberg

why

Bother

Jesus said, “I chose you… that you should go and bear fruit” (John 15:16). He meant fruit that will abide, bringing glory to his Father. Paul taught something similar. He spoke of the fruit of the Spirit, or faith working through love—the polar opposite of the works of the flesh. In both cases the idea is obvious. Fruit is the natural, beautiful, and delicious result of a healthy tree.

They are the very reason for the tree’s existence. They are meant to bring health and joy to all, even to those who don’t yet desire them.

When we were small we never grew tired asking “Why?” “Why should I be kind to her, mom?” we can hear a toddler ask. I still recall how upset our young boys were, as new immigrants to Canada, learning that some would think twice about giving for a good cause if no tax receipt was forthcoming! It did not make sense in light of the Gospel.

Let’s first hear what others say about caring and doing good. We begin with the worst.

Marxists seem to care for the “have-nots” of society, but only insofar as they cooperate to bring about the revolution! Beyond that they have no use for them, as history plainly shows. The Quran repeatedly commands compassion toward fellow Muslims (zakat is one of the five pillars), but the motivation is exclusively rooted in the fear of hellfire or of missing out on a sensual paradise.

The Dalai Lama teaches his followers that doing good impartially to all is the path toward enlightenment. It will bring about

doing

>

Good?

inner peace, curb fleshly desires, and eventually help us to break out of our cyclical existence of reincarnation. Traditional Africans promote ubuntu to preserve communal harmony and to please the wishes of the ancestors. The focus is, however, on their own tribe.

Do we now realize the beauty and the glory of what Jesus and Paul taught us? It goes far deeper than our traditional motive of “showing gratitude.” There is something natural, free, spontaneous, generous, beautiful, and nourishing in healthy fruit, isn’t there? The branches might sometimes hang low, but the fruit is always inviting! Little wonder the young Messianic movement in Jerusalem did not look kindly upon the “fruit-bearing” of Ananias and Sapphira, while they wept standing around the body of beloved Dorcas.

The metaphor of fruit-bearing emphasizes at least two crucial things. First, you must be grafted into the Vine: that is, you must be born from God. Mere religion won’t bring it about. Second, you must abide in the Vine: who is Christ.

You and I need nourishment. The sap of the Holy Spirit comes only through God’s Word, prayer, and the love of His people. For without Jesus, we can do nothing! W&D Pastor Christo Heiberg serves on the Board of Directors for Word & Deed Canada and as the Assistant Pastor for Providence Community Church in St. Catharines, Ontario, which is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA).

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

Bible quotations are from the NKJV unless otherwise noted.

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>COVID-19 UPdate

By Dave Vander Meer

the

Lord’s Provision

are providing aid to Christians in Kenya and Uganda due to flooding in their countries.

First of all, thank you! We are once again humbled by your response and generous support for the worldwide crisis that has affected so many. Philippians 2:4 says, “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” Word & Deed supporters have done this during these difficult times as we are helping to feed thousands of people around the world. We have already sent out $340,000 CAD/$255,000 USD with expectations of more requests to come. In a normal year, we are used to one or two partners needing help during a time of natural disaster. Today we have 11 countries including 14 partners going through a COVID-19 crisis. We are also helping with food relief for the Sudanese Reformed Church and

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Some of the benefits for our partners are that they are able to share the Gospel message while distributing food, pointing the recipients to Jesus. In some areas, whole families are doing Bible lessons together where in the past maybe only a child would do the lesson. It is a blessing when God’s people come together for the united purpose of caring for fellow believers and their neighbors around the world as in the times of the early church (Romans 15:25–27).

One of the advantages of working with indigenous leadership is that they can adapt quickly to their local situation.

In India, COUNT Ministries was recently able to reopen their rural after-school program that impacts around 1,900 children. Because the program is rural, the leader-

1st Annual Word & Deed Coast to Coast

BIKE-A-THON SAT . S E PT . 2 6 , 2 0 2 0 Join hundreds of bicyclists across North America in raising funds for the Nakekela HIV/AIDS Clinic in South Africa.

ship was able to create “bubbles” around the program in each village and now it can function practically as it once did.

When you read Mariela’s story in this issue you will see a renewed passion for prayer, Bible study, and a father coming to know the Lord. Ecuador and Costa Rica are examples of where whole families are going through the children’s Bible studies together.

Many of our partner countries are still in a variety of lockdown situations. Some are loosening restrictions for a little while and then tightening them again. Most people have not been able to work, many of whom are day laborers who depend on today’s income to feed their families tomorrow. Some are forced to make decisions to sneak out to work in order to earn a minimal income. They are literally praying for their daily bread.

But in the midst of these stories of desperation, we also hear stories of joy. Pastor Tav in Haiti described the food relief for the families of Adoration Christian School as “an oasis in the middle of the wilderness.” The ways of God are great as He supplies for the needs of many through broken instruments. “He turns a wilderness into pools of water, And dry land into water springs.

There He makes the hungry dwell.” (Psalm 107:35,36a) W&D Dave Vander Meer works for Word & Deed USA in the Public Relations and Projects Departments. He lives in Hudsonville, Michigan, with his family.

Gather family and friends in your local area for a bike ride anytime on Saturday, September 26th. Please follow your local guidelines in regards to group gatherings.

Our goal is to raise $150,000 for medical care among biking teams throughout Canada and the United States.

For more information and to register, visit: wordanddeed.org/bikeathon-canada wordanddeed.org/bikeathon-usa Fall 2020 I Word&Deed

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>ECuaDOR

By Mariela Narsisa Ganchozo

the

Eternal God Is with Us!

Editor’s Note: Some of you may have heard of Mariela from Quinindé, Ecuador. She was one of the bullies of her neighborhood who came to one of Dr. Yeny’s Bible studies to rob the women. She instead listened. By God’s grace she came to know Jesus as her Lord and Savior. She now is the director of the three children’s After-School Programs in Quinindé. This is her story of hope.

As the pandemic drags on, we continue to have many COVID-19 cases and deaths in Ecuador. The strict quarantine continues, though many people have not been adhering to the lockdown because they must go out and work to feed their families. This has contributed to us being among one

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of the hardest hit countries in the world. Fear, sorrow, and anxiety dominate the mood as many have lost loved ones and their source of income. Their hope is shattered.

When the first case of COVID-19 was diagnosed in Quinindé my heart sank. We have no respirators, an unequipped hospital with little oxygen, medicine, and medical staff. It seemed the world was closing in on me.

March 12 was one of the saddest days of my life. I had to lock the project doors and try to console the crying mothers and children who wanted the projects open. For many this was the only place where they found love, food, and security.

And then it happened! I woke up with body aches, a sore throat, and fever. I am used to many tropical diseases. But COVID-19 affected me far worse than I had ever experienced. The virus filled my whole body with pain. The loneliness of being completely isolated from everyone else intensified the suffering. I felt like each breath was the last, and no one was around to hold my hand as I left this life behind.

Many people began to pray for me, and God graciously plucked me from the brink of death, healed the fever, and enabled me to breath again. My body felt exhausted, but peaceful. Each day I felt stronger. On day 10, I suddenly had severe chest pains and shortness of breath; again, I called my family to say goodbye to them. But it was not my time yet and once more God brought me through this crisis displaying that He reigns over life and death.

COVID-19 is far more than pain and sadness. It is a time in which our Sovereign God powerfully presents himself in each of his names: Jehovah Rappa (the healer), Jehovah Sabaoth (watchful defender), Adonai (loving master), Elohim (God

all-powerful), El Shaddai (all-sufficient), El Roi (all-knowing, ever-present). And our faith grows as we see how Jehovah Jireh (faithful provider) has provided our families with food through the generosity of others around the world. We have no human resources here to fight this enemy COVID-19, nor the enemy of sin. We have someone greater than all these: Emmanuel, the Eternal God is with us.

This pandemic has been the beginning of something incredibly beautiful in Quinindé. Before COVID-19, our staff had a weekly Bible study, but at times we felt this was an inconvenience. Now we have a daily time of prayer and devotion as we meet Jesus, together at 5 a.m. each morning. Before COVID-19 we had weekly Bible studies in our projects for the caregivers, but only one member of the family usually came and sometimes none. Now with the quarantine, the whole family is home and our staff are doing daily Bible studies by phone with each entire family. Many who showed no interest in God before are now bowing their knees before God. Among those God has saved through COVID-19 is my 78-year-old father. God had to bring him to the precipice of hell to soften his rebellious heart. If there is anything that has given me hope and strength it is witnessing God’s work in the middle of this desperate situation, and to be able to experience firsthand His power, mercy, and grace. God has encouraged me with Isaiah 40:31, “Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”

Thank you for your prayers, love, and support. Please continue to pray that the Lord will keep the fires in our hearts burning and that we would be instruments in the Redeemer’s hands. Pray that God will have mercy upon Quinindé, and that He will send spiritual revival to our land. W&D Mariela Narsisa Ganchozo is the director of the children’s projects in Quinindé, Ecuador.

“Growing with Hope” Sponsorship Program This program focuses on the holistic care of children in the neighborhoods of Cesar Proaño, Malecón, and Dos de Mayo, and supports over 100 children in each one of these neighborhoods. It offers three nutritious meals a week, academic enrichment, medical attention, dental care, workshops for parents and caregivers, and Bible studies.

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>MaLaWi

By Stanley Thomason Nyoni

Testimony of an alumnus of

Lizulu Orphan Care project I am Stanley Thomson Nyoni, age 27 from Pilirani village, T/A Chakhumbira, Ntcheu District, Malawi.

I lost my mother in 1996 and my father in 2006. As orphans, my grandmother who had also lost her husband in 2004 took custody of me and my brother. Throughout the years, we survived on her small business. My grandmother was selling a locally brewed beverage which is called thobwa (a fermented beverage made from maize). Due to her old age, it was hard for her to consistently support us so she registered us with Lizulu Orphan Care Project. This is where I was nurtured and being supported holistically.

I graduated from Primary School in 2009 and thereafter I was sent to a CCAP Mission National Boarding Secondary School. Upon graduating from Secondary School, I wanted to pursue pastoral training in response to the Lord’s call to serve Him as a pastor in the CCAP Nkhoma Synod. Due to my young age, I was not accepted because by then I did not reach the required age for pastoral admission. Alternatively, I enrolled with Lilongwe Technical College where I studied an advanced diploma course in Shipping & Logistics. After

Logos Ministries Pastoral Training & Education 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. What an amazing opportunity to impact a onemillion-member denomination!

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this course, I went for another course at Nation Christian University for a bachelor’s degree program in Biblical Studies.

After college, I was employed by Jubilee University to work as a Registry Clerk. While working at Jubilee University, I was again invited for pastoral interviews by the CCAP Nkhoma Synod and I was successful. I started my pastoral training course in September 2019.

I thank the Lord Almighty for His grace and love which He has shown me through Lizulu Orphan Care Project. Without Lizulu Orphan Care Project, I don’t know where I would be by this time. It is my prayer that God should continue blessing Lizulu Orphan Care Project, its leadership, and the supporters of the Orphan Care Project so that the manifestation of His love can continue to other helpless children both spiritually and physically. W&D Stanley Thomson Nyoni is a graduate of the Lizulu Orphan Care Project and is a student at Josophat Mwale Theological Institute.

>MaLaWi ORpHan Care

sponsors Needed for

700 Children in Malawi Word & Deed supports 2,100 orphans and vulnerable children in Malawi, Africa. Each of these children live with extended family members or guardians in their village and attend an after-school program. Some of these children have lost both parents through either death or abandonment. Others may have a living parent, but due to extreme poverty, food insecurity, chronic health needs, or some other life circumstance are considered particularly vulnerable. All are living in poverty. Some benefits that the children involved in the Orphan Care Program receive are: • Meals 3–5 times per week • The provision of school supplies and uniforms • Help with homework • The provision of secondary school fees when needed • Biblical instruction • Family support It is our prayer that these efforts will produce godly leaders who will one day be instrumental in transforming Malawi for God’s glory.

You can sponsor one or more of these children for $8 CAD (5 children for $40) or $6 USD (5 children for $30) per month. You will receive an update of the Orphan Care Program once per year. Contact Kara at office@wordanddeed. org or by calling 1.877.375.9673 to set up your sponsorship. W&D

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PrayerRequestS 1

Praise God for the generosity of Word & Deed donors who are enabling COVID-19 response in many countries around the world.

3

Praise God for working grace in the hearts of many in Ecuador during COVID-19.

Pray that this spiritual awakening would continue and spread.

2

Pray for many suffering hunger due to COVID-19 lockdowns and for Word & Deed’s partners who are providing food relief in many places.

May the Gospel that accompanies this relief be blessed.

4

Praise God for the faithful work of Lizulu Orphan Care in the life of many including Stanley and pray that Stanley would be a faithful minister of the Gospel.

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Upcoming Business Group

Meetings Come and join a Business Group in your area as they meet in Fall of 2020, the Lord willing!

5

Praise God for saving many in the homeless communities in India. Pray that they would be faithful witnesses to those around them.

6 Please pray for Word & Deed’s fundraising events which have had to be modified due to the pandemic. Pray that the Lord would provide enough funds for Word & Deed’s work to continue.

Wyoming, ON; Abbotsford, BC; Chilliwack, BC; New York / New Jersey; Southern Alberta; Calgary, AB; Edmonton, AB; Neerlandia, AB; Central Alberta; Grand Rapids, MI; Lynden, WA; Ripon, CA; Visalia, CA; West Michigan; and Norwich, ON. Please visit

www.wordanddeed.org

for dates and locations as they are determined.

If you’d like to join one of these Business Groups please contact us at office@ wordanddeed.org or 877.375.9673

Wor d

&

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D i nne r

f ro m

Ho m e

Due to the current pandemic, most Word & Deed dinners won’t proceed in the regular fashion this year.

Plans are being made for Word & Deed Dinner from Home where you can participate with a few family members and friends. A video presentation will be shared about the Lord’s work through Word & Deed which you can enjoy along with some good food and fellowship!

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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 1. What is the contrast that Pastor Heiberg paints between Christianity and other religions? Why is this contrast critically important?

2. What is the source of the good that a Christian does? What should be the motive for us to do good?

Ecuador 1. What are some of the ways that the Lord is using COVID-19 for good in Ecuador? Are there trials in your life that have brought you closer to the Lord?

2. Look up two other names of the Lord than the ones Mariela mentions in her article. What do they mean? What do they teach you about the Lord?

Malawi 1. How did the Lizulu Orphan Care project care for Stanley and his brother? What do you think may have happened to them without the project caring for them?

2. What is the Lord doing with Stanley’s life now? How is this transformation a small picture of the transformation that happens in a human heart by the Gospel?

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.