Issuu

Fall 2026

INSIDE Ecuador

Seminary on a Mission

Nicaragua The Good Ground

Indonesia

Putting Faith into Practice Through Education

Sponsorship Class Sponsorship in Indonesia

THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF WORD & DEED, AN INTERNATIONAL REFORMED RELIEF AND DEVELOPMENT MINISTRY

Foreword RICK POSTMA

The Problem is Sin and the Solution is Christ Word & Deed doesn’t work in a vacuum. We partner with numerous churches and organizations in the developing world as well as the mission work of a large number of North American denominations. What a privilege it is to work together to bring hope in terms of the daily and eternal needs of countless precious individuals! One unique example of this is my opportunity over the last decade to serve on the diaconal committee of the International Conference of Reformed Churches (ICRC).* Many of Word & Deed’s supporting churches, as well as five of our partners, are members of this conference. Members of the diaconal committee come from seven different countries. Our committee recently wrote a 55-page booklet titled “The Deacon’s Toolbox.” In addition to the role and qualifications of the deacon, the main section of the booklet helps prepare the deacon for a wide range of visits, including the deathbed, poverty, the elderly, and many more–29 in all. In each scenario, guidance is given on what questions to ask, what scripture passages may be helpful, and what to pray for. Various forms of suffering, whether from personal sin, the sins of others, or the curse brought about by Adam & Eve’s rebellion, are manifest everywhere, and the Word of God, as well as the experience of those who have gone before us, provides much wise and loving guidance.

Cover Photo: A student at Adoration Christian School in Haiti.

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Ultimately, the problem is sin and the solution is Christ. This lens needs to be worked out and applied in each situation. In the meditation of this issue, Dr. Aaron Bae, a fellow member of the ICRC diaconal committee, cautions us not to carry out our acts of charity for the wrong reasons. Pastor Yonson Dethan informs us on the care taken to ensure that the Reformasi education program is biblical and how this is blessed by the Lord. There are two articles related to the blessings of our partnership with MINTS (Miami International Seminary), an organization that trains men for the ministry in their home countries. As the foreword of “The Deacon’s Toolbox” notes, “the calling of the deacon is one of deep compassion, wisdom, and faithful service.” It further points out that deacons are called to equip and mobilize the body of Christ to carry this out both in their churches and their communities. May the Lord graciously enable us to faithfully serve in this way. W&D Rick Postma is the Director of Public Relations for Word & Deed Ministries. *The 38 denominations that make up the ICRC meet every 4 years. Their next meeting is planned for this fall in South Korea.

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

Meditation DR. AARON BAE

FALL 2026 Editor Rick Postma Assistant Editors Scott Koopman, Kara Luiting Graphic Design Knor Graphic Design Solutions Copy Editor Hanna Korvemaker

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. Executive Team Rick Postma, Heidi Pronk Staff Scott Dekorte, Scott Koopman, Kara Luiting, Dave Vander Meer, Kasper Van Veen, Nikki Veurink, Laurenne Wattel Canadian Board of Directors Chairman – Corney Les Vice-Chairman – Lyle Ypma Secretary – Dave Wielinga Treasurer – Clarence Jonker Wilf Bout, Tom Jansen, Bert Mulder, James Neven, Paul Wagenaar USA Board of Directors President – Paul Laman Vice President – Jay Van Voorst Secretary – Harry Kooistra Treasurer – Karen Vander Sloot, Paul Beezhold, Eric Brandt, Martin Faasse, Eric Greendyk Advisory Committee Mr. Jim Beeke –

International Educational Consultant Dr. Gerald M. Bilkes – Professor of Old & New Testament, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary

Pastor Richard Bout –

URCNA Missions Coordinator

Dr. Arjan de Visser –

Emeritus Professor of Ministry and Mission, Canadian Reformed Theological Seminary

Rev. William Godfrey –

Senior Pastor of Christ United Reformed Church in Santee, CA Pastor Danny Hyde – Pastor, Oceanside United Reformed Church

Pastor Mark Vander Hart –

Emeritus Professor at Mid-America Reformed Seminary

Pastor Frank Van Dalen –

Former Executive Director of the Foreign Missions Board of the ARP.

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.

THE FATHER WHO SEES IN SECRET:

Stepping Off the Stage

In Matthew 6, Jesus addresses the three pillars of Jewish piety: giving, praying, and fasting. It is no coincidence that He begins with giving to the poor. Here, our Lord deconstructs the standard metrics of devotion held by the religious leaders of His day and reconstructs true discipleship for the Kingdom of God. His very first words are a piercing warning: “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them.” Are we living and serving in ministry strictly Coram Deo—before the face of God? The Seduction of Hypocrisy: Ministry as a Performance Jesus commands us not to sound a trumpet when we give, like the “hypocrites” do. The Greek word hypokritēs originally referred to an actor on a theater stage. When we lose our absolute trust in the unseen God, we quickly devolve into actors on a stage, desperately seeking the applause, recognition, and validation of people, our peers, and the world. We must critically examine our hearts. Do our ministries, our relief efforts, and our church programs subtly become tools to build our own kingdom? This is not merely a moral failure; it is fatal spiritual idolatry where we hijack the glory that belongs to God alone under the guise of holy work. Secret Giving: A Missional Liturgy in the Public Square What, then, is the giving that the Lord desires? It is the secret giving where “your left hand does not know what your right hand is doing” (v. 3). This is far more than a literal instruction to give anonymously. It requires a profound, critical contextualization of our very motives. In the modern church, especially as we seek to be a missional presence in the center of our cities, our outreach cannot be reduced to a marketing strategy or cheap sympathy. When we cross cultural boundaries to serve immigrants, multicultural families, and the marginalized in our communities, it must be a genuine, missional embodiment of the truth of the Gospel. Conclusion: The Comfort of the Unseen Father Verse 4 says: “Your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you.” It is perfectly fine if our good work is not exalted. It is fine if our personal efforts are forgotten by men. What matters is that our eyes are fixed firmly on the Father who dwells in the secret places. Today, may we have the courage to step off the glittering stage of performance-driven Christianity, and walk quietly, faithfully, and secretly on the path of the cross. W&D Dr. Aaron Bae is a professor at Kosin University in South Korea and a member of the ICRC Diaconal Committee. FALL 2026 I WORD&DEED

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Ecuador LUIS CARLOS MORENO

Seminary on a Mission

ECUADOR

Ecuador’s often stunning scenery stands in stark contrast to the physical, emotional, and spiritual landscape of many homes in Ecuador. Although urban centers are more characterized by wealth, poverty is still rampant, especially among rural, indigenous people groups. Children often live in unimaginable conditions and are at high risk for physical and sexual abuse. Gang violence has become rampant in parts of the country, causing an increase in drug trafficking and substance abuse. It is in this context that Word & Deed partners with Mision San Lucas in Quininde, a town of around 100,000 people in the tropical region of Ecuador. In 2005, just five years after the Miami International Seminary (MINTS) began its ministry in Florida, the seminary started its operations in Quito, Ecuador. Under the initiative of mission workers Fred and Arlene Jonkman, brother Cornelius Hegeman was asked to establish a MINTS campus and offer courses to churches in Quito. This request was primarily driven by the lack of theological education among church leaders and pastors in Ecuador.

Although Presbyterian and Reformed churches had been present in the country for a couple of decades, their impact was minimal, theological education was neglected, and the churches lacked the capacity to multiply or educate new leadership. As a result, the first MINTS study group was established, which included students from various denominations. Starting in 2010, thanks to the support of Word & Deed,

One of the many MINTS Ecuador graduating classes.

A STUDENT TESTIMONY: Esteban is a Bachelor’s degree student at MINTS Ecuador. He is an Electrical Engineer, married to Natalia, and has a two-year-old son. He says: “MINTS courses have allowed me to understand God’s wisdom in a profound way and have inspired me to keep learning. The lessons and wisdom that our good God provides to our teachers cause the Word to build us up. Thanks to MINTS, I have delved

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deep into the Scriptures and have come to know the central purpose of the Bible, which is Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.” Recently, Esteban was called, examined, and will soon be ordained as an Elder of La Gracia Church.

BRIDGING THE GAP

Stories for Young Readers BY SCOTT DEKORTE

FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT In Indonesia, a country filled with thick forests, winding rivers, and hidden caves, there lives a creature that might surprise you: the giant huntsman spider whose legs can stretch as long as a school ruler! Deep inside dark caves where sunlight never reaches, these spiders crawl along the walls, using their ultraspeedy, long legs to catch prey. They move so quickly and quietly that other cave creatures hardly notice them until it is too late. Solomon is a young boy who lives on Timor, one of the 17,000 islands in Indonesia. The island is surrounded by ocean waves, lush hills, and villages full of people. One afternoon, Solomon held up his ruler in class and tried to imagine a spider that big and it made him wonder what it would be like to live without light, never feeling the warmth of the sun on his face. Did the spiders even know that they lived in darkness?

Luis Carlos addressing the 2025 graduates. there was a better organizational capacity (offices, a library, and both local and international professors). This allowed the seminary to start study groups in several cities, including an initiative in prisons. Prior to COVID-19, MINTS formed a group of Reformed and Presbyterian churches, which implemented a formal theological education program for five churches, aiming to prepare their future leaders. When the pandemic hit, MINTS Ecuador continued their programs using online technology. Today, the programs are offered in a mix of online and offline sessions. This approach has had a positive outcome, as the seminary’s capacity has increased and many new groups have been formed. Currently, there are 10 active study groups and a total of 107 students registered in seven different cities around Ecuador. Faithful to its calling, MINTS takes on the missionary challenge by bringing theological education to believers, so that the Kingdom of God may expand and the Lord may receive the glory. W&D Luis Carlos Moreno is the Associate Dean for MINTS in Quito, Ecuador.

When he was talking to his grandfather about this, he explained to Solomon that many people live their whole lives in darkness and will never know what they are missing. Then his grandfather shared something important with him. They live in a part of the world that is often called the 10/40 Window, where about 3.5 billion people have little or no access to the Gospel. This means many children have never heard about God’s love and the hope found in Jesus Christ. In Indonesia, most people are Muslim and have not come to know that Jesus is the Light of the world. Like the giant huntsman spiders that spend their whole lives in dark caves, many people have hearts that remain in darkness. Solomon looked toward the hills where the caves were, realizing that unlike the spider, people were made to know the Light. That night, when he lit a small lamp in his room and saw how even a tiny glow pushed back the darkness, he began to understand that even a small light can make a big difference! And though he was just a boy, he could pray, learn, and one day help others see the Light too, sharing what he knows about God with kindness and courage. W&D Scott Dekorte works in Public Relations with Word & Deed and is also the Project Manager for Nicaragua and Colombia.

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Nicaragua SCOTT DEKORTE

The Good Ground

NICARAGUA

Nicaragua is known for its stunning tropical landscapes, warm climate, and the beautiful waters of both the Pacific and Caribbean Oceans. However, the country has faced a difficult political climate, which has contributed to widespread social and economic challenges. Our partner serves the Miskitu people, an indigenous group located on Nicaragua’s Caribbean coast, often referred to as the country’s remote “back corner.” While the majority of Nicaraguans identify as Catholic, our local partner recognizes the growing need for the Gospel to address deeply-rooted animistic (spirit worship) beliefs within the Miskitu culture. In the 1800s, Moravian missionaries evangelized the Miskitu by developing a written language and translating the Bible into their native tongue. Most Miskitu people live in small communities, relying on subsistence farming for their livelihoods.

LEFT: Pastor Brandan & wife. ABOVE: Biblical Principles of Development. In the parable of the sower (Luke 8:4-15), Jesus describes four kinds of hearts that receive the Word of God. The good ground is “those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience” (v. 15). The fruit evident in the Reformed church on Nicaragua’s Caribbean coast gives proof of the Holy Spirit’s preparation of the good ground. In Nicaragua, the indigenous Miskitu people first heard the Gospel through zealous Moravian missionaries from Germany in 1849. These missionaries learned the language, developed a written form of Miskitu, translated the Gospels and Acts by 1889, and eventually completed the entire Bible in 1999. Many Miskitu people embraced the Christian faith and churches were established throughout the region. Today, the majority of villages have a Moravian or Catholic church at its center. In larger towns, Pentecostal, Seventh-day Adventist, Baptist, or other charismatic churches can also be identified. Yet the soil that received the Word also contained weeds. For generations, Miskitu culture has been shaped by animism—the worship of creation rather than the Creator. Many still seek healing from shamans, fear curses, and allow traditional spiritual beliefs to shape daily life.

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It was in this setting that Miami International Seminary (MINTS) began offering theological training in Puerto Cabezas in 2005 through Rev. Eric Pennings and local leaders. Among the students was Carlos Coffin, who was introduced to the doctrines of grace while attending a Pentecostal church led by Pastor Brandan, who was also studying through MINTS. As they searched the Scriptures together, both men became convinced that their church was not faithfully proclaiming God’s Word. After years of study and prayer, they planted Senda de Vida (Path of Life) Reformed Church in 2017. The early years were not easy as many families joined with enthusiasm but soon left when confronted with the realities of expositional preaching and metrical hymn singing. A small group of families persevered, gathering in a large school classroom to worship. Week-by-week they studied the Westminster Confession of Faith, eventually adopting it as their doctrinal standard. They also developed a bilingual Spanish-Miskitu hymnbook containing 120 hymns. God was also opening doors beyond the local congregation. Following Hurricane Felix in 2007, which devastated Nicaragua’s Caribbean coast, Carlos and a small team partnered with Word & Deed North America to disinfect 140 contaminated wells and help rebuild 200 homes. That partnership became the beginnings of the local organization Palabra y Hecho (Word & Deed) Nicaragua. Over the past two decades, Palabra y Hecho’s team has combined practical training with biblical discipleship. Agricultural training in rice, beans, coffee, and cocoa, along

Carlos Coffin teaching a group of farmers. with small business development, has opened doors into more than 20 communities. Through these relationships, approximately 400 community leaders have also received theological and development training through the use of simplified MINTS courses and a course entitled “Biblical View of Poverty.” They are also helping 28 MINTS students obtain their bachelor’s degrees. What often appears to be slow, unseen work continues to bear fruit through the faithful sowing of God’s Word. The congregation of 40 members has patiently grown in its understanding of the Reformed faith. Many have learned to love the Reformed faith, demonstrating that lasting fruit often matures slowly. After years of sacrificial giving, the church raised half the funds needed for its own building, while Word & Deed provided the remaining support in 2024. The building now serves not only the congregation but also as a center for MINTS training, annual pastors conferences, and a place where Palabra y Hecho can help train students. The church prays for greater boldness in evangelism, strength for its leaders, and grace to see young people remain faithful amid increasing secularism. The seed continues to be sown, and though much of the eternal harvest remains unseen, God is faithful to bring forth fruit in His perfect time. “‘But others fell on good ground, sprang up, and yielded a crop a hundredfold.’ When He had said these things He cried, ‘He who has ears to hear, let him hear!’” (Luke 8:8). W&D

The restoration of a well in response to a hurricane that caused damage in 2020.

Scott Dekorte works in Public Relations with Word & Deed and is also the Project Manager for Nicaragua and Colombia. FALL 2026 I WORD&DEED

Indonesia PASTOR YONSON DETHAN

Putting Faith into Practice Through Education Reformasi high school students.

INDONESIA

On June 29, 2002 (24 years ago), Yayasan Pendidikan Reformasi Noelbaki (YPRN) was established as a legal foundation for Reformed education in Indonesia, providing the basis for schools to be recognized by, and legally registered with, the Indonesian government. It is on this foundation that we have been able to establish a network of schools for over 1,800 students across various islands in Indonesia. These schools provide education ranging from kindergarten to high school along with vocational centers to emphasize life skills, based on the Word of God and the Reformed faith. All of the schools focus on providing an education that includes honesty, service to others, and viewing knowledge as a means of glorifying God (Soli Deo gloria). Our aim is to prepare students for academic success, equipping them for a practical life of service to God and community. In order to ensure strong and faithful biblical teaching, our board regularly evaluates teachers’ lesson plans and classroom instruction to ensure alignment with Christcentered and biblical principles. In addition to monthly progress reports from teachers and principals, board members have daily after-school meetings with the staff,

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Indonesia is the largest island country in the world, made up of 17,504 different islands. It also boasts the title of being the fourth most populous country in the world with close to 288 million people living there. Indonesia is also very diverse with over 700 languages spoken throughout the country. While around 90% of the population are Islamic with animistic and cultural traditions embraced, there are growing pockets of Christianity scattered throughout the islands. Word & Deed continues to work with our partners there to spread the good news of the Gospel.

providing a platform to review lesson plans and to address any classroom challenges. Our board members and staff are the vital resources to connect school programs with the Bible and Reformed teaching. To help achieve our goals, we use our KUDIC and PROSADAR programs and curriculum. KUDIC is an acronym for knowing, understanding, doing, innovation, and character, while the PROSADAR program is inspired by Psalm 139:14, which teaches that every individual is fearfully and wonderfully made by God. This philosophy encourages teachers to recognize and sharpen the God-given intelligence and talents of each student. Devotions are a critical part of our routine with daily prayers, worship, and Bible reading sessions led by students or pastors from GGRCI (Calvinist Reformed Churches of Indonesia). Over the years, we also introduced a monthly “Inspiration Class” to support the main programs,

encouraging students to fruitfully grow and influence others positively. Saturday mornings include 20-minute innovation and inspiration sessions where students present their creative ideas, fostering growth in a mindset based on Scripture. As a result, our curriculum stands apart from other Indonesian public and private schools by being deeply Christ-centered, and we are open to sharing these methods with others, including local government. We are deeply grateful for, and appreciate the dedication of, our teachers, principals, and board members who are committed to transforming lives by harmonizing their daily lessons with a biblical foundation and the Reformed faith. By aligning our curriculum to government standards while maintaining our Christ-centered approach, we ensure that our schools are both compliant and spiritually grounded— ready to serve students with Christian excellence. While this approach requires significant time and training, we have witnessed the beautiful impact it has on the lives of the students. We thank all of our supporters at Word & Deed, sponsors, parents, teachers, and community members for their ongoing support and prayers. May God continue to bless our schools, students, and community as we serve Him together. W&D Pastor Yonson Dethan serves as the board chairman for Reformasi in Indonesia.

A STUDENT

TESTIMONY: My name is Adma and I am 18 years old and in Grade 12. I come from a remote village in Indonesia that is a beautiful and peaceful place surrounded by unspoiled nature. I completed my middle school at Reformasi and truly enjoyed my time there, which is why I continue my studies at the Reformasi High School. The teachers here are kind, dedicated, and always eager to teach us new things. Thanks to their guidance and encouragement, I became more motivated to study and continuously improve myself. In school we do not just learn about academics but also about how to love God. We start our day with worship together, singing and reading the Bible. I hope to continue my studies at university, taking an IT program. Please keep praying for us here. I hope that I can come back and serve in Reformasi School at the end of my studies.

2025

Financial Recap Word & Deed is committed to being good stewards of the finances entrusted to us. In 2025, Word & Deed North America supporters donated a total of $11,443,000 CAD / $8,575,000 USD. Funds are allocated as follows:

Projects: 91% • Partners: 87% These are the funds that go directly to our partners and the projects that they operate. • W&D Project Oversight: 4% As we work alongside our indigenous partners, Word & Deed’s staff have these important tasks: • Establish key partnerships and steward resources wisely • Ensure regular accountability and trust (agreements, reporting, regular calls, visiting) • Plan strategically with partners • Build local leadership capacity • Leverage and share 30 years of experience

Overhead: 9% • Promotion: 5% These are donor-facing expenses related to staff organizing and leading annual Business/Stewardship Group meetings and fundraisers, putting together and giving presentations at churches and schools, donor visits, maintaining our online presence, and creating printed and digital media. • Administration: 4% This category includes the handling of financials, legal and HR-related matters, expenses related to our office building, and any other miscellaneous items. We are grateful for the way in which you entrust us with your donations! If you ever have any questions about how we distribute the funds that we receive, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.

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FROM THE BOARD

Board & Staff Retreat 2026 CORNEY LES

Once a year, Word & Deed’s Canadian and American board and staff gather for several days of retreat to consider policy, interact with some partners, review past actions, and determine the future course for Word & Deed Ministries. This year we came together at the Lake Huron Retreat Center in Michigan. The event began with a devotional and prayer led by Canadian board member John Jagersma, followed by a presentation from Mike Cloy from the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. Mike spoke about the Disaster Relief Program of the OPC. They were active in helping after major flooding and storms affected the Landis, North Carolina, area. The OPC has a robust relief program to help with disaster relief in North America, and Mike explained what they did and how the Gospel message was spread throughout the neighborhood around Landis as a result of their work. Mike’s theme, taken from Galatians 6:9-11, was “Boundless Mercy— Let Us Do Good to Everyone.”

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Video calls were held with Word & Deed partner Pak Onni from Yayasan Kristen Wamena (YKW) Teacher’s College in Indonesia and with William Wol from Street Children Ministry in South Sudan. Pak Onni shared some of his experiences and challenges at the teacher training school in Papua. Tribal conflicts remain a huge issue there, and we pray that the Gospel will continue to find root in the hearts of the people so that peace will prevail. William Wol has seen some success in working with the street children in Juba. These children have often been neglected by their families and end up on the streets. They fall into various sins and are drawn into sniffing glue or using other chemicals. Street Children Ministry’s program trains these children to learn trade skills that they can use to earn a living, with the goal to share the Gospel and reunite them with their families. Updates on various other partners that we work with in the 17 countries where we are privileged to serve were provided by the Project Managers. It is always

LATESTNEWS Venezuela: Earthquakes interesting to hear how the Word of God impacts various communities and has a profound effect on the people. Through many challenges with adverse weather and religious persecution, the Gospel message continues to go to remote areas of the world and bears fruit. God’s people are not shaken even when storms and trials come (Luke 6:48). The Projects Committee, the Public Relations Committee, and Canadian and American board meetings were held. There was a robust discussion regarding shortterm missions. A pilot program was recently run with a group of young people serving in Guatemala. This program provided good insight as to how short-term missions can be done so that they best benefit both the team going out to serve as well as the people whom they are serving. There were good times of discussion, fellowship, singing, and interaction among the more than 40 people who attended. We deeply missed our longtime friend and co-laborer John Otten. His recent passing is a significant loss for Word & Deed, and we continue to feel his absence. Yet we are grateful that the Lord, who has always sustained this ministry, continues to guide and strengthen us as we carry on the work entrusted to us. We pray that the Lord will continue to comfort Connie and the entire Otten family both now and in the coming years.

Two powerful earthquakes struck northern Venezuela on June 24, devastating Caracas and the northern coastline. Already facing years of economic hardship and failing infrastructure, the country has suffered widespread building collapses, significant loss of life, and thousands of people remain missing. Through a church partner, Word & Deed is assisting national and international rescue teams by providing rehydration and nutrition kits. Through another network of local churches, we are helping affected member families with essential supplies, including temporary shelter, mattresses, medicine, and food. Please continue to pray for our Venezuelan brothers and sisters and our partners. For up-to-date information about this disaster relief initiative, please visit wordanddeed.org.

Kenya: Well Drilling with RTS Over the years, Word & Deed has partnered with the Reformed Theological Seminary (RTS) in Kenya to drill ten borewells. One of the wells drilled this year is in a rural settlement whose families procure their water from streams and shallow wells. A local mosque drilled a well but only gave access to Muslims. As the new well was being drilled, the Muslim well was struck by lightning. The new well is accessible to all who need it. Another well was drilled in a village that is the birthplace of former President Barack Obama’s father. Girls had to walk for miles to gather water from a contaminated water source. A Reformed church plant was started in conjunction with this well drilling. Signs by all of the wells state: “Jesus answered, ‘Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst’” (John 4:13-14).

Uganda: New Classroom Block Word & Deed recently partnered with El Shaddai in Uganda to build a block of seven classrooms. Each classroom will be 12x11 meters and will be constructed of brick walls, cement floors, and timber and iron sheeting for the roof. These classrooms are being built in response to the insufficiency of the current school structure which is made of wooden slats and a dirt floor. The new classrooms will also allow for enrollment to increase from 300 to 500 children and will increase the state of hygiene for the children. A well is also being drilled on the property.

We can truly testify that while one man plants and another waters, it is God who gives the increase. We praise the Lord for providing good fellowship and for a great team working together to honor His name through serving the needy. He continues to bring people to Himself, even through our meager efforts. Soli Deo gloria. W&D Corney Les is the board chairman for Word & Deed’s Canadian Board of Directors. He is a retired realtor and attends the Heritage Reformed Church in Chilliwack, B.C.

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Sponsorship

I N D O N E S I A

Are you interested in sponsoring a class from Indonesia? We have several classes that are in need of sponsors. You can read more about Reformasi, the organization that operates the school in Indonesia that these classes are from, by flipping to the Indonesia article found in this magazine. Class sponsorship is similar to individual student sponsorship, as the students receive all of the same benefits: A Christian education, a nutritionally-supplemented diet when needed, clothing, medical care, counseling, and emergency assistance. When you sponsor a class, you can expect to receive a class photo along with four pieces of correspondence throughout the year. You are also welcome to write letters to your class. W&D If you are interested in helping to sponsor a class for $43 CAD/$35 USD per month, please contact Laurenne at office@wordanddeed.org.

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PRAYER REQUESTS Nicaragua

1 Thank the Lord

for the evidence of fruit found in faithful believers in Nicaragua. 2 Ask the Lord to continue to bless the work of Palabra Y Hecho Nicaragua, for His glory.

Indonesia

1 Pray that the Lord would

continue to bless the efforts of the staff and board at Reformasi, and that they would be encouraged in their work. 2 Thank the Lord for the many families who enroll their students in Reformasi schools. Pray for a blessing over their lives, that they may learn to live for the Lord.

Ecuador

1 Thank the Lord for the

way in which he stirred hearts to establish a MINTS campus in Quito, Ecuador, over 20 years ago. 2 Pray that the Lord would bless all of the professors and staff at MINTS Ecuador with wisdom and joy as they lead many individuals in their spiritual studies.

Bridging the Gap

1 Pray that the Gospel message would be

brought to those who have not yet heard it.

2 Thank the Lord for the means that He uses to spread His light throughout the world. Ask Him to help you shine as a bright light in the midst of darkness.

Word & Deed

1 Thank the Lord for our faithful Board of

Directors and for the unity of vision that is shared by all. 2 Thank the Lord for blessing Word & Deed financially again in 2025. Pray for continued wisdom in stewarding the funds that He has entrusted to us for His glory and for the furtherance of His Kingdom.

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Word & Deed USA

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Dinner Tour 2026: Canada KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Pastor Patrick Jok FROM SOUTH SUDAN Pastor Jok is a pastor in the Sudanese Reformed Churches (SRC). The SRC was formally organized as a denomination in 2005 and operates multiple Christian schools. Word & Deed has been privileged to partner with them in the construction of several of these schools which operate on local income, despite being in one of the world’s poorest countries. The SRC is a member of the International Conference of Reformed Churches (ICRC).

Alberta Tour Thursday, October 22 – EDMONTON Friday, October 23 – NEERLANDIA Monday, October 26 – CALGARY Wednesday, October 28 – LETHBRIDGE

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Pastor Uk Van Bawi FROM BROTHER’S KEEPER ORGANIZATION (BKO) IN MYANMAR Pastor Uk Van Bawi is the Chairman of BKO, the local leadership of Reformed churches. Children’s homes are prevalent in Myanmar and were initially supported by Word & Deed, but, together with BKO, schools have now been started in remote villages so that children can stay home and be nurtured by their parents instead of having to go to the big cities for schooling. Support continues for post-secondary students who have a desire to obtain an academic degree and who are willing to return to their village when their studies are complete to assist in the local schools and economic development of their village.

Ontario/British Columbia Tour Thursday, November 12 – GUELPH, ON Friday, November 13 – HAMILTON, ON Saturday, November 14 – JORDAN, ON Wednesday, November 18 – LONDON, ON Friday, November 20 – CHILLIWACK, BC Saturday, November 21 – ALDERGROVE, BC