Issuu

Spring 2026

INSIDE Costa Rica

A Focus on Covenantal Education

Malawi

Strengthening Theological Training: New Logos Ministries Building

South Sudan Returning Home

Uganda

El-Shaddai: In the Eye of the Storm

Indonesia Transformed Lives

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

Foreword RICK POSTMA

Relationship is Key Are we the end product of an amoral, impersonal, chancedriven process that didn’t have us in mind? For those who hold to this faith, how do they answer questions about the origin of morality, reason, purpose, let alone love? In the end, their “Here I stand!” cry is based on a rejection of God—the God who is there and is not silent, as Francis Schaeffer proclaims. Romans 1:19 leaves them without excuse, “because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.” But thanks be to God, His purpose was to have the love shared among the members of the Trinity from eternity past overflow into the lives of His people throughout time. Likewise, His people have received a God-given mandate to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind and to love our neighbor as ourselves. In other words, God’s design was to have a relationship with His people and for them to live in relationship with one another. Relationship. Arguably, that is the heart of our calling, isn’t it? First, to have a transformed relationship with God through the finished work of His Son. Then, to be busy bringing the good news that relationships are key and that God has set in motion a rescue plan to restore the relationships of countless sinners with Himself and with their neighbors. He takes initiative with us and we are called, out of thankfulness, to take initiative with our neighbors. The importance of relationship is something we talk about quite often at Word & Deed. We have regular calls and visits with our 27 partners in the developing world because we believe strong relationships are a biblical necessity to ensure the projects we support through these partners bring God glory and serve as a means to the extension of His Kingdom with His indispensable blessing. We also treasure our relationship with you as our supporters. Our goal is to connect you with the work as well as we can—

through church presentations, speaker tours, business and stewardship groups, and more—so that you can pray for the work and give as the Lord enables. The magazine you are now reading is another means of developing our relationship with you! In this issue we learn about a young girl in India who, after hearing about Jesus, is highly motivated to tell her family about Him. Lester Martinez tells us about CLIR in Costa Rica, whose mandate is to provide theological resources throughout Latin America. We read of YKW in Papua, Indonesia, and their urgent message that a relationship

with Jesus is much more important than their biological lineage. We celebrate the completion of a building in Malawi and learn about a “Pigs for Pastors” program in Kenya. Sadly, Muslim persecution is rising in many otherwise Christian countries, such as Uganda, but we are thankful to be informed of a successful repatriation of many Internally Displaced People from camps in Juba, South Sudan, back to their villages, albeit in a country with rising tensions. In all this, we rest in the knowledge that this is God’s work—and are encouraged! W&D Rick Postma is the Director of Public Relations for Word & Deed Ministries.

Cover Photo: Faculty members at the 2025 YKW Teachers’ College graduation ceremony in Papua, Indonesia.

WORD&DEED I SPRING 2026

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

SPRING 2026 Editor Rick Postma Assistant Editors Scott Koopman, Kara Luiting Graphic Design Knor Graphic Design Solutions Copy Editors Hanna Korvemaker, 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. Executive Team John Otten, 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 – John Jagersma Vice-Chairman – Corney Les Secretary – Dave Wielinga Treasurer – Clarence Jonker Wilf Bout, Tom Jansen, Bert Mulder, James Neven, Paul Wagenaar, 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, 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.

Meditation

An Invitation to be Peacemakers James 3:18 gently reminds us that “the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” It’s a heartfelt invitation to ponder whether we are actively planting peace. Let’s take a moment to meditate on meaningful biblical peace. Biblical peacemaking begins with God Himself. Numbers 6:26 declares: “The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.” This peace is not merely the absence of conflict, but the presence of the Messiah, for Isaiah 9:6-7 says: “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end…” Such peace first transforms relationships. Jesus commands active reconciliation in Matthew 5:23-24: “Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way.” Paul adds the moral urgency in Romans 12:18: “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” Peace also has civic dimensions, as Jeremiah 29:7 instructs: “And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the Lord for it; for in its peace you will have peace.” Yet Scripture teaches a deeper, permanent peace rooted in redemption. Romans 5:1 proclaims: “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Colossians 1:20 explains Christ’s reconciling work: “And by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.” This peace will be consummated in the New Creation (Isaiah 2:4; Isaiah 11:6-9; Revelation 21:1-4). Until that consummation, the church participates in peacemaking. Second Corinthians 5:18-20 states: “Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation… Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us...” The gospel itself is peace, for Ephesians 2:17 says: “And he came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near.” Globally, this mission fosters cross-cultural reconciliation, humanitarian mercy, and advocacy for justice (Romans 10:15; Isaiah 52:7). In India, it requires non-coercive witness during anti-conversion debates, neighborly service in education and healthcare, and public integrity before the state, fulfilling Matthew 18:15-20 and 1 Peter 2:12. Jesus blesses His peacemakers even under pressure. Matthew 5:9 promises: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God,” while Matthew 5:10-12 assures reward amid persecution. We endure because Christ reconciled His enemies (Romans 5:10) and made foreigners fellow citizens (Ephesians 2:19). True peace belongs to Christians alone. Amen. W&D

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Costa Rica

A Focus on Covenantal Education Costa Rica benefits from the tourism industry and is more stable than many neighboring countries; however, there remain large gaps between the rich and the poor. Costa Rica has had many migrants come from other countries and the majority of these people ended up in shantytowns that struggle with poverty, crime, drugs, violence, gangs, and poor family conditions. A large portion of the population is nominal Roman Catholic. Editor’s Note: CLIR (Comisión de Literatura Reformada) is an organization based in Costa Rica whose mission is to support Reformed churches and believers in Latin America by providing theological resources. Pastor Bill Greene, URCNA missionary, is involved in this work. Word & Deed has been privileged to partner with them on several initiatives, including the one outlined in this article. Deuteronomy 6:1 reminds us of the importance of teaching the Lord’s commands, which is deeply linked to our covenantal relationship with God and creates in us a duty to heed this mandate. In recent years, CLIR has worked with CECRE (Centro Educativo Cristiano Reformado), a Christian school in Costa Rica, responding to their need for teaching materials for their Bible classes. We provide resources for pre-

school, grade school, and high school levels. For years, we have focused on translating and adapting existing materials, however, it recently became clear to us that we needed to focus not only on translating materials, but also on designing them for school use. At this same time, we had been working with several other educational centers in Latin America who also identified the need to have a Bible curriculum available for their schools. We became even more convinced of the necessity of this project after speaking with Word & Deed, who expressed that they also saw a great desire from their Spanish-speaking partners for biblical materials designed specifically for grade school and high school students. In the providence of God, not only did various aspirations from different ministries coincide, but RP Radio (A

Members of the publishing group.

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Costa Rica

Reformed YouTube program) and the Juan Calvino Institute of Colombia agreed to partner together to take care of the editing, design, and translation work of the curriculum once CLIR had put together the content. It was encouraging to see pastors, elders, and teachers working together to develop biblically sound materials in this way. From the beginning of our collaboration, the covenant was determined to be an important focal point of the curriculum. Our educational materials must not forget the covenantal dimension of our relationship with God—communicating the redemptive plan of our God in terms of the covenantal relationship between God and his people.

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Lorena, a CLIR employee, working on the curriculum. In addition to establishing a covenantal approach, we used one of the most traditional and well-loved forms of memorization and doctrinal formation of children: catechisms. To this end, we relied on the Heidelberg Catechism and the Westminster Catechism, incorporating questions and answers as a section within each lesson of the curriculum. It is our hope that these materials will strengthen teachers in their covenantal educational efforts, reminding them that teaching is God’s mandate and that His Word must be kept in the hearts of both the teacher and the children. May God continue to give us encouragement and resources to persevere in this task. W&D Lester Martinez is the Administrator for CLIR in San Jose, Costa Rica. SPRING 2026 I WORD&DEED

Malawi BY CHIYEMBEKEZO LYSON

STRENGTHENING THEOLOGICAL TRAINING:

New Logos Ministries Building Malawi

Malawi is a beautiful country with rolling hills, brilliant skies and sparkling lakes. However, as is so often the case in the developing world, this beauty is only skin deep. Millions of orphans have lost one or both parents to the HIV/AIDS virus and many others are abandoned. Although Malawi is considered a largely Christian nation, polygamy, unconcerned fathers, witchcraft, and prostitution have all left their mark on this country.

Inside the new Logos building.

What began as a simple idea more than a decade ago finally came to fruition on the beautiful morning of June 20, 2025. With the winter sun shining brightly, Logos staff, board members, students, and other invited guests gathered at Logos Ministries’ campus to witness the official dedication of the newly constructed building. For many, this moment was nothing short of a dream come true. Those who, for years, had looked at a lone foundation slab with hope and longing, finally saw a building standing upon it. Truly, our hearts were filled with praise and thanksgiving to God Almighty. The spirit of celebration was further echoed in the preaching of the Word from Psalm 100 by the Central Region Coordinator, Pastor Edwin Mwale. Drawing from the psalm, he called the gathering to join the psalmist in joyful praise, reflecting on God’s steadfast love toward Logos Ministries. He emphasized that this joyful occasion was an opportunity to thank God for His faithfulness.

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The new building includes two spacious classrooms and a hall with a seating capacity of 100 people. Its impact on the ministry cannot be overstated. It will serve as a key venue for Lay Theological Trainings and Diploma in Theology classes. In addition, the hall will be used to host seminars, workshops, and graduation ceremonies. Already, the facility has been put to good use. Two seminars have been hosted there—”Reflecting Christ in Life and Ministry,” led by Rev. Nicodemus Ude, and “Christian Apologetics,” led by brother Kennedy Gondwe and Rev. Atwebembeire for Centers for Apologetics Research (CFAR). The hall also hosted our 2025 graduation ceremony in December. Looking ahead, Logos Ministries intends to resume Reformed Sunday afternoon services for Christians whose churches do not host afternoon/evening Sunday services. Furthermore, this building fulfils one of the key infrastructural requirements for registration with the National Council

The exterior of the new Logos building.

for Higher Education (NCHE), for which Logos Ministries is currently applying. There is no doubt that this development will significantly contribute to the successful registration of the Diploma in Theology program. As we look ahead, this building stands as a visible testimony of God’s faithfulness and a reminder that what He begins, He brings to completion. It is our prayer that this facility will continue to be used for the training and equipping of faithful servants of Christ, for the strengthening of the church in Malawi, and for the glory of God alone. To Him be all the praise! W&D Chiyembekezo Lyson is the Programs and Training Manager at Logos Ministries in Malawi.

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South Sudan BY KARA LUITING

Returning Home

SOUTH SUDAN South Sudan is located in central Africa and is a country that has suffered severely over the years due to ethnic violence and civil war. The country’s economy is largely dependent on oil and agriculture and so seasons of drought are detrimental to the people’s well-being. South Sudan is also known to be one of the most illiterate, poor, and undeveloped countries in the entire world, with little access to proper medical care.

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Last fall, Word & Deed Canada had the privilege of welcoming Pastor Patrick Jok from South Sudan as the keynote speaker for our Fall Dinner Tour. Many of you who attended will recall how Pastor Patrick recounted the difficult realities faced by millions of people in South Sudan—one of the poorest countries in the world. Estimates say that over two million Sudanese people are living as IDPs (Internally Displaced People), meaning that they are essentially refugees within their own country, having been forced to flee their home villages to live in UN camps that provide inadequate food and shelter. On a visit to one of these camps in early 2020, Word & Deed board member Corney Les described the living conditions of these camps in the following way: “We visited a UN refugee camp on the outskirts of Juba where 17,000 people live in dirty UN tents packed closely together. The latrines overflow into open sewers, food is distributed just once a month, and UN forces surround the camp at night to protect the inhabitants…having been to many countries where Word & Deed serves, these are the worst living conditions that I have ever seen.” Sadly, those conditions have only worsened in recent years. Major international funding has been withdrawn from South Sudan, and the political climate in the country continues to deteriorate, resulting in ongoing violence and much poverty. Word & Deed is thankful to partner with the Sudanese Reformed Churches (SRC), of which Pastor Jok is the General Secretary. Over the years, we have helped this denomination provide food and other supplies to Christians living in these IDP camps. The SRC has also faithfully brought the IDPs the message of the Gospel and operate schools for the children living in these camps to attend. In 2024, the SRC brought a new request for funding to Word & Deed. They proposed a plan to help repatriate 200 Christian IDPs. The plan included helping to fund the recipients’ return back to their home villages and to ensure that they were provided with the necessary resources to get back on their feet. Word & Deed was glad to help fund this project.

As of today, 160 people who were formally living in IDP camps have been successfully repatriated and provided with a blanket, mosquito net, soap, cash for food, and other supplies. As IDPs, they were not recognized as citizens of the country and many of them began to realize that they would rather live in danger in their home villages than to live day after day in the squalid confines of the camps, with little hope for a better future. However, with little to no income, the people did not have the means to cover the costs of returning to their villages—some would have to travel by boat or plane, which is very expensive.

The program has been met with great thankfulness and courage from the recipients. Once settled into their home villages, local pastors and church leaders ensure that they are reintegrating back into their villages well and offer counseling and encouragement. A recipient named Mary expressed her thanks in this way: “I don’t have much else to say but to communicate my thanks for helping me to go back home. My going back home is God in action.” Mary’s inspiring testimony proves her deep trust in God’s care and provision over her life, despite many years of suffering. The political climate in South Sudan continues to be volatile and the end of the conflict in South Sudan is not yet in sight. Many regions are very dangerous, and because of this, the SRC has had to put a hold on repatriating the last 40 people in this program until things become more stable. What a beautiful representation this project is of the restoration that is found when we turn to Christ for deliverance from this world. Indeed, one day soon He too

SHORT UPDATE

Pigs for Pastors Generation #3 BY DAVE VANDER MEER

Pigs for Pastors is a program in Kenya that Word & Deed helped initiate in 2023. Many pastors in Kenya do not make enough money from their ministry work to support their families. The Pigs for Pastors program is meant to supplement their income so they can continue in their work. Pastors receive a pregnant pig through our partner, Reformed Theological Seminary, in Bumala, Kenya. The pastors then raise the litter for meat to sell and in turn are able to raise more pigs. These pastors promise to pass on one piglet from their first litter to another pastor. On a recent visit, Word & Deed staff were able to witness a third generation of “the passing of a pig.” We give thanks to the Lord that this initiative continues to flourish. W&D

will welcome His people home. “And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with singing, with everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away” (Isaiah 35:10). Even so, come, Lord Jesus! W&D Kara Luiting works in Administration and Public Relations out of the Word & Deed office in St. Thomas, ON. SPRING 2026 I WORD&DEED

Uganda BY DAVE VANDER MEER

EL-SHADDAI:

UGANDA

In the Eye of the Storm Uganda is a landlocked country located in eastern Africa. It is one of the poorest countries in the world with close to 40% of the population living on less than $1.25/day and close to 85% of the total population living in rural areas. Uganda has a constitution but no political parties. The population identifies overwhelmingly as Christian. However, there has been a movement by Muslims to put a mosque in every town in the country. There is also persecution of Christians in some places in Uganda.

The father of these children was killed after converting to Christianity. The children now attend the El-Shaddai school. There is a spiritual battle that rages on in many parts of the developing world that we in the West may recognize, but rarely, if ever, experience. This battle is the experience of living among a population that is not only pagan, but among people who persecute you because you are a Christian. These people don’t treat Christians poorly because of what they say or do, but because of the simple fact that they are Christians. Uganda is considered a Christian country, with about 80% of the population identifying as Christian, although some areas have a high concentration of Muslims. On a recent visit to our partners in Western Uganda, we witnessed a small example of what many Christian Ugandans experience each day. On a visit to the home of a Christian family of six, we learned that the mother lost the lower portion of her legs to disease shortly after her first child was born. The father later lost a leg after stepping on a land mine while searching for food. Their oldest daughter also has a disability that leaves her unable to walk without assistance, and during our visit, we suspected she was malnourished. However, there is more to this family’s story. The mother converted from Islam, and as a result, her relatives sent other Muslims to monitor and harass her family. As soon as we arrived at their home, two Muslim men walked over and were watching us and trying to listen in on our conversation. Our host, Pastor Johnckson, shooed them away. This is normal life for them. On our trip, we also met former imams who converted to Christianity, were forced to flee their homes, and have since brought many people to Christ. We were told about daughters who are no longer permitted to speak to their parents. One lady we saw (pictured to the right) gave thanks to the Lord

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for the fact that Muslims burned down her house, because, as a result, she moved to where our partner is located and now her five children attend a Christian school, which makes her very happy. We also met a man who had originally persecuted his family for converting to Christianity, but because of their perseverance and love, he became a Christian too. We were also told of a young boy who wiped blood from his mother’s dead body and put it on himself so that his mother’s Muslim attackers would think he was dead. These are just a few of the traumatic stories that we heard on our visit. Besides being a rescue ministry for Christian converts (referred to as MBBs—Muslim Background Believers), El-Shaddai, our partner, operates a medical clinic on the Uganda/Congo border, serving both Christians and Muslims alike. Everyone who comes through the clinic’s doors hears the Gospel either through a local pastor who volunteers or from the pharmacist as patients get their medicine on their way out of the building. They also have a Christian school that has been in operation for two years now with a sizeable MBB and vulnerable children population. El-Shaddai also provides vocational training for converts who don’t have the skills to make a living for themselves. They provide training in sewing, haircare, and welding. The students are discipled while they receive skills training.

When they graduate, they receive a sewing machine, a hair care set, or a welder. Pastor Johnckson has also taken 36 children into his own home. The children have either been orphaned due to persecution, or their parents are afraid that Muslims may come and kill them. Pastor Johnckson told me that “without sacrifice, you will not see God. Not on a flat carpet.” This is imagery of a life of ease, which is not good for the Christian. There needs to be that struggle to keep our focus on the most important thing in this life—Christ. Trial forces us to trust Christ in all things. Pastor Johnckson reminded me of the widow of Zarephath, who had to trust Elijah as the mouthpiece for God, to get her through the troubles she faced. El‑Shaddai uses a discipleship and trauma‑healing book called “Standing Strong Through the Storm” when working with new converts. The book talks about how when you are in the eye of the storm, you need God, His Word, and other Christians to get you through. It is inspiring to see how God continues to use El-Shaddai to gather His people and to care for them. W&D Dave Vander Meer works for Word & Deed in Public Relations and as Project Manager for Uganda, Kenya, Ecuador, and Costa Rica.

PRAYER

REQUESTS

Costa Rica

South Sudan

developed will bless the teachers and students who study it. 2 Thank the Lord for organizations like CLIR who seek to make good biblical materials available in multiple languages, for God’s glory.

that many more displaced people will be able to return to their homes. 2 Pray that the Sudanese Reformed Churches would persevere in their ministry and be bold in sharing the Gospel with the Sudanese people.

1 Pray that the curriculum that has been

Malawi

1 Thank the Lord for the blessing of the new

building for Logos Ministries. Pray that this building will be a blessing to many people who enter its doors and that the knowledge of the Lord would be faithfully expounded in that place.

Indonesia

1 Pray for political stability in South Sudan so

Uganda

1 Pray for continued strength and wisdom for El-Shaddai leadership and all involved in this ministry.

1 Pray for the people of

Papua, the staff of YKW Teachers’ College and for the students at the school. Thank the Lord for the college and pray that their efforts would positively impact many children’s education and spiritual lives.

2 Pray that many Muslim Background Believers

in Uganda would find refuge at El-Shaddai and be given boldness to persevere in their newfound faith, despite the severe challenges that they face.

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Indonesia BY KASPER VAN VEEN

Transformed Lives

INDONESIA 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 274 million people living there. Indonesia is also very diverse with over 700 different languages spoken throughout the country. While around 90% of the population are Islamic, there are pockets of Christianity scattered throughout the islands.

Although modern travel has shortened the perspective of distance in this world, there still remain remote areas that are difficult to reach. Deep in the remote highlands of the Indonesian province of Papua (the western half of the island shared with Papua New Guinea) is the city of Wamena where Word & Deed’s partner Yayasan Kristen Wamena (YKW) is active. (Yayasan Kristen Wamena translates to Wamena Christian Foundation in English.) To provide a bit of perspective, Indonesia consists of over 17,000 islands and almost every island is a culture to themselves. Within this diversity is the province of Papua;

YKW students enjoying a meal together.

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extremely rich in natural resources and precious metals, hosting one of the largest gold mines in the world. However, in spite of the province’s potential, the people of Papua are held in low esteem within Indonesian society with unfamiliar traditions and practices that are often scorned. In an effort to maintain control of the land and placate the Papuans, the Indonesian government provides basic financial aid to their citizens resulting in a very sedentary lifestyle and widely adopted sense of indifference. This apathy also impacts the public school system where there is very little oversight and minimal attention paid to the education of the children. Without verification and oversight, teachers lack care, parents disconnect, and students are not educated. The cycle of apathy is fueled. Admittedly, this paints a somewhat gloomy and dark picture; however, in the midst of that culture, YKW shines forth with a fully accredited, post-secondary college that does not only train minds in classical education, but also facilitates a transformative experience for future teachers. Through a Christ-centered, dormitory style educational environment, YKW seeks to transform individuals to become energetic, dedicated, and committed teachers in their communities and, in turn, transform the lives of the families around them. The students are not only taught from a Christ-centered curriculum, they also live and breathe in a Christ-centered environment. Personal and corporate

“

Here, we are educated not only to become graduates, but also to become teachers with Christ-like character. I feel that every course, every lecturer’s guidance, the presence of lecturers in class, and even every life experience on campus shapes us to be ready to be light and salt in society. This campus teaches us the meaning of brotherhood, sacrifice, and hard work.

FROM THE

BOARD

Thank You, Pete Vander Stel BY PAUL LAMAN, US BOARD PRESIDENT

“

- YKW Class of 2025 Valedictorian devotions take place each day, prayer is a consistent occurrence, and weekly communal devotions and worship are part of the standing schedule. When students graduate, they will have been immersed in Christ-centered education and a Christian culture for three years. The result is truly remarkable! The most recent valedictorian spoke of how she was also changed by her experience at YKW. At first, she was reluctant to even become a teacher, but over the years she realized that the Lord had called her to this role with a passion she never knew she had. The graduates develop a desire to impact children’s lives as well, transforming schools by their involvement. As an example, an alumnus of YKW is now the principal of a local school near Wamena and over time has hired other alumni of YKW as teachers. As a result, their students now arrive at school with enthusiasm knowing that their teachers care for them and desire that they learn. That enthusiasm overflows into the homes and the parents witness a change in their children. Through the students, the teachers have a connection into the home and that transformative effect has an opportunity to continue. The director of the college, Onni Tabuni (featured on the cover of this issue), continues to rejoice in the commitment of the faculty and shares a deep trust in the Lord with them. They know they live in a sinful world, but they also know that the Lord is using them to impact their community. In a recent social media update, Onni showed the heart of YKW and how it stands as light in the prevailing culture of Papua: “Our identity as children of God is not determined by our status or lineage, but by the extent to which our hearts love Jesus and live in obedience to His word (John 8:37-47).” Please pray for the people of Papua, pray for the leadership, staff, and faculty of our partner YKW, and pray for the children and families that they impact. May the Holy Spirit continue to use this partner to bring grace, love, and value to the people of Papua. W&D Kasper Van Veen works for Word & Deed in Public Relations and as the Project Manager for Indonesia, Myanmar, and Haiti.

L-R: Rick Postma, Pete Vander Stel, and former US board member Pete Van Kempen visiting the Nakekela Clinic in South Africa, 2006. We would like to offer our heartfelt thanks to Pete Vander Stel as he retires after many years of faithful service on the US Board of Word & Deed. Pete joined the board in 2004 and brought a steady, humble, and Gospel-centered commitment to the ministry. His gentle and consistent leadership helped guide Word & Deed through a significant period of growth and maturity over the past two decades. Pete faithfully volunteered each year at the Grand Rapids softball tournament, a successful fundraising event that both strengthens community support and advances awareness of Word & Deed’s work. He also generously gave his time and insight by traveling to South Africa and Malawi to evaluate projects firsthand, gaining a deeper understanding of local needs and witnessing the ministry’s impact in person. I am grateful that we were able to serve together on the board for fourteen years, as well as attend the annual Board & Staff Retreat with Pete and his wife, Lois. Throughout that time, Pete consistently demonstrated a gentle spirit grounded in conviction, along with compassion for meeting both the spiritual and physical needs of people in the developing world, all for the glory of God. Thank you, Pete, for your faithful service and for the gentle example you have set. W&D

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LATEST NEWS Nicaragua • This year our partner Palabra y Hecho plans to respond to local requests by equipping 50 additional village leaders with “Principles of Development” training. This training consists of six core conferences addressing sin, God’s plan of redemption, and the restoration of family and work, all grounded in a biblical Christian worldview and taught within an animistic cultural context.

Colombia • We are working with our partner, Conviventia, to initiate 24

different savings clubs for children aged 9-12 who attend schools in northern Colombia. Students will learn basic savings techniques and entrepreneurial skills that are rooted in scripture. Our prayer is that these children will learn valuable skills that result in them seeking to responsibly manage the funds that the Lord entrusts them with in the future.

Haiti • Many families connected to Adoration Christian School struggle to provide adequate food for their families, some of whom have been forced to abandon their homes due to intensified gang activity. In response to the increased poverty and a need for food, Word & Deed partnered with Adoration to provide 400 families with monthly food rations that include rice, noodles, beans, corn, salmon, and cooking oil. This support continues to be a lifeline for many families during this time of instability. Please remember this country in prayer.

Malawi • Word & Deed partnered with Logos Ministries to provide 1,378 graduates of their theological programs with a Bible in their native language of Chichewa. Many of the graduates did not already have a copy of the full Bible in their language so this was a blessing for them to receive. We pray that these Bibles will encourage these graduates to continue studying God’s Word on their own.

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