W&d spring2013 web 1

INSIDE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

A Hospital in the Making

GUATEMALA History of Salvation Spreads

NICARAGUA An Open Door

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>foreword

By Rick Postma

Geographical Challenges Panic! Our national newspaper recently highlighted a university sociology professor in Halifax, Nova Scotia, who, suspecting her students only had a vague notion of what she was talking about, administered a very simple geography test asking them to identify several countries in Europe including England and France. They failed miserably. She then simplified the test asking them to identify continents such as Africa, the ocean east of North America and the easily recognizable boot shaped Italy. Alas, three quarters still failed. Education departments dove for cover and have not been responding to phone calls from reporters.

The professor suggested that resolution of the geographic void apparently occupying the headquarters of many of our young people begins in the home. So it’s time to bring out the old globe and haul out your shoebox full of maps. As you read through this first issue of a brand new year, why not challenge your loved ones to find the countries highlighted on a globe or map? Then use IMPACT on the back page to test what you and your loved ones have learned. In this issue we visit: The Dominican Republic, where we are introduced to a hospital building project by Rick & Jackie Elgersma; Guatemala, where Nico Kattenberg celebrates the growing impact of the teacher’s Bible story commentary; Nicaragua, where Lyle Ypma encourages us by relating the growing benefits of our close working relationship with MINTS in that country; and Haiti, where Randy Lodder looks back on the shattering earthquake of three years ago.

We’d like to thank Tanya Byl for her dedicated service in preparing the Young At Heart (YAH) and IMPACT pages for each issue of the magazine. Given the many publications competing for, and even dedicated to, our very young readers, we have decided to put YAH on hold for now. If you would like to see it continue, please let us know!

As we improve our knowledge of where countries are located, it is also good to think about citizenship.

Citizenship is about privileges but also responsibilities.

God’s Word calls us to be citizens of God’s Kingdom, a nation without borders. Along with its awesome privileges, citizenship in God’s Kingdom includes the responsibility of reflecting God’s image in our home, workplace, church family and communities. It means speaking up for the unborn, for example, even when this costs us dearly. It also means loving our neighbor – both those we interact with as well as those in distant lands. The beginning of a new year is a good time to confess shortcomings in these areas and put on a new resolve, in dependence on the Lord, to be a truer reflection of Him. Pastor Kelderman picks up on this theme in his meditation. Please pray for the projects highlighted in this magazine and learn more about them by visiting our website at wordanddeed.org and clicking on the country in question. W&D Rick Postma is Director of Public Relations for Word & Deed Ministries.

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WORD&DEED

meditation

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

By Pastor Mark Kelderman

SPRING2013 Editor Rick Postma

Assistant Editor Hanna Korvemaker

Young at Heart/IMPACT Tanya Byl

Graphic Design Knor Graphic Design Solutions Copy Editors Tanya Byl, Martha Markwat In response to Jesus’ command to love others, Word & Deed is an international, evangelical relief and development ministry that provides funding to meet spiritual and physical needs among people in developing countries.

With cooperating offices in St. Thomas, Ontario, and Hudsonville, Michigan, Word & Deed partners with Christian agencies in Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Myanmar, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Nicaragua, Malawi, South Africa, and Nigeria.

Canada Office PO Box 20100 St. Thomas, ON N5P 4H4 Ph 519.633.2333 Fax 519.633.7181 Toll free 877.375.9673 office@wordanddeed.org Administration Director John Otten Project Director Bernie Pennings Public Relations Director Rick Postma Support Staff John Kottelenberg Hanna Korvemaker Kara Luiting Heather VanMeppelen-Scheppink Board of Directors President - John Vangameren Vice President - Corney Les Secretary - Dave Wielinga Treasurer - Henry de Waal Rev. T. Bergsma Klaas Jan Buist Rev. C. Heiberg Jake Sinke Advisory Committee Mr. Jim Beeke – International Educational Consultant

Dr. Gerald M. Bilkes – Professor of

Old & New Testament, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary Dr. Arjan J. deVisser – Professor of Ecclesiology and Diaconology, Canadian Reformed Theological Seminary Rev. Danny Hyde – Pastor, Oceanside United Reformed Church

Dr. Nelson D. Kloosterman –

Executive Director and Ethics Consultant for Worldview Resources International.

Rev. Frank Van Dalen – Executive Director of the Foreign Missions Board of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church

United States Office PO Box 157, Hudsonville, MI 49426 Ph 616.896.3160 Toll free 866.391.5728 Fax 616.896.9219 usoffice@wordanddeed.org

Office Administrator Heidi Pronk Public Relations & Projects Norlan De Groot Ph 712.441.7112 uspromotions@wordanddeed.org Board of Directors President - Peter Van Kempen Vice President - Pete Vander Stel Secretary - Harry Kooistra Treasurer - Karen Vander Sloot Eric Brandt Dave Byker Mary Cogbill Anita Sikkema

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Bought TO Serve For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. 1 Cor. 6:20 You get what you pay for! Many times over I have experienced this to be true in life.

When you have a choice between a $5 wrench and a $1 one, you will likely experience the difference after you try to turn your first tight bolt. Of course, we are speaking of monetary things and it may be that we have limited resources and cannot buy the best.

However, when it comes to spiritual resources and our God, we are talking about limitless resources in Christ. God has purchased His people with a price in order that they would live to His glory and so Paul’s admonition needs to be taken to heart.

Paul, in writing to the Corinthian believers, who had been rescued from spiritual death, explains that their salvation had been purchased at a cost: “for ye are bought with a price.”

We know from the rest of Scripture that the cost associated with rescuing sinners was no less than the perfect life and death, and the precious blood of Jesus Christ. There are many who highlight this cost when they call sinners to repentance and faith.

They speak of this cost in light of what was needed to save us. However, Paul is addressing another issue here. He is speaking about what effect this purchase should have in our daily lives when he says, “therefore, glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” Here we see the radical nature of lifelong conversion, not simply in our coming to faith, but in our living by faith. If you confess faith in Jesus Christ you are to show it, body and soul. Christ has paid for you; your total being belongs to Him. He paid for your sanctification too.

Paul’s conclusion is, live for Him body and soul. Whatever you do with your bodies, your energy, your mind, your soul, do it all in gratitude to Him. Your body and soul are to be an instrument of righteousness and holiness, not uncleanness and selfish pleasures.

We are called to live as Christ, to minister to those who are in need. We should ask ourselves, are we glorifying God in our body and in our spirit? Does our neighbor know, does the world know, that we serve the Lord Jesus Christ? If we do, it cannot but be displayed. But perhaps you have fallen into the habit of saying, “As the Lord enables us, we will do such and such.”

Although true, do not let this become an excuse for inactivity, because the call is clear: “therefore, glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” As we read about the work of Word & Deed, may we in body and spirit, in prayer and work, in giving and receiving, glorify God. W&D Pastor Mark Kelderman is the Dean of Students and Spiritual Formation at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

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>DOMinicaN republic

By Rick & Jackie Elgersma

A

Hospital

in the

* GOOGLE MAPS

Making

For the last eight years, Rick and Jackie Elgersma have been involved with the building of a hospital in the Dominican Republic. This hospital consists of two floors.

The first floor will operate as an advanced clinic. The second floor will eventually provide surgery and hospital beds. Once complete, it will include a pharmacy, lab centre, emergency services, semi-private rooms and rooms for ultrasounds, examinations, dentistry, operations and labour and delivery.

W&D: Tell us a little more about the hospital. Who is behind it and why is it important?

R&J: The hospital is located in the community of Hato Nuevo on the outskirts of Santo Domingo. This hospital began with the desire of Dr. Silvia Martinez, Director of the Luke Society and missionary in her own country, to build a hospital for a community of people who couldn’t afford medical services and the staples of life. But more importantly, it was to share the gospel of Christ to those who enter these hospital doors.

W&D: How did you get involved in this project?

R&J: In July 2005, we went to the Dominican Republic on a

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Rick and Jackie Elgersma and Bernie Pennings, pictured with the Board of Directors of the Sociedad Lucas in the Dominican Republic.

Back Row: Pastor Ramon Liburd, Pastor Salvador Montilla, Carmen Luisa Vasquez, Pastor Domingo Rodriguez, Muriel Stehouwer (not on the BOD), Bernie Pennings, Rick Elgersma, Jackie Elgersma, Dr. Silvia Martinez. Front Row: Co-Pastor Guido Pena, Samuel Martinez

*Search for “Hato Nuevo, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic” on Google Maps or Google Earth to view the location of the hospital.

The Grassroots Committee from left to right: Bernie Pennings, Peter Wright, Jackie Elgersma, Rick Elgersma, Monique Lindeboom, John Bakker, Henry Brouwer, Josh Mulder, Dan Wassenaar. Members not pictured here: Mark Bruining, Lou Douma, Matthew Houweling, Skip Thompson, Greg Nichols, Chuck Mobley. mission trip with the young people from our church, to work on the construction of this hospital. Little did we realize that eight years later we would still be actively involved with the hospital, which is now nearing completion.

W&D:

What challenges have you faced along the

way?

R&J: With the closing of the mission agency that the Luke Society had been working with, they lost the support and funds needed to finish the hospital. However, even before the mission agency closed there were some concerns. We were not getting the support and expertise from them that we needed. After eight years of work teams working towards the completion of the hospital, we could see that the “steam” was running out.

To help with the working out of challenges, a grassroots committee was formed, consisting of others from North America who also want to see this hospital completed.

W&D: Why did your committee approach Word & Deed to get involved?

R&J: Due to the ongoing concerns we were facing with the mission agency mentioned above, we were seeking a credible and experienced Reformed relief agency that would adopt this project.

After consulting with concerned individuals who were involved with the project, we contacted Word & Deed in March 2011.

After a number of initial meetings, in February 2012 we met with Bernie Pennings and the Luke Society to discuss possible partnership. In April 2012 the partnership was confirmed.

We clearly saw the Lord’s hand in all of this as the previous supporting agency closed February 2012, just weeks before Word & Deed partnered with the Luke Society.

W&D: What needs to happen in order to complete the hospital project?

R&J: We need help with the completion of various items: bringing in the electrical, oxygen system, floors, doors and cabinetry. Our first goal is to raise $150,000 by April 2013,

in order to complete the actual structure of the hospital

by September 2013. We will raise funds for equipment, furnishings and operational costs in subsequent phases.

Above all, we need churches and individuals to embrace this hospital prayerfully and financially so that it may be completed and used to His honor and glory. W&D Rick and Jackie Elgersma are members of the Grace Reformed Church in Dunnville, Ontario, and for the last eight years have been involved in the building of a hospital in the Dominican Republic.

presents Sing to the Lord a New Song Friday, April 12th, 7:30 pm

East Congregational United Church 1005 Giddings Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan

Free will oFFering

for word & deed in support of the Girls’ Home in Tenjo, Colombia

musicasacrachorus.com SPRING 2013 I Word&Deed

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>GUaTEMaLa

* GOOGLE MAPS

By Nico Kattenberg

The History of Salvation:

Now Available Perhaps many of the readers of Word & Deed magazine are familiar with some of the work that mission workers Fred and Arlene Jonkman have been doing in Ecuador. One of the largest parts of their work has to do with a Bible story curriculum (La Historia de la Salvación) that they translated into Spanish to help Latin American churches.

The History: When the Jonkmans went to Ecuador as missionaries, the task of translating a Bible story curriculum from English into Spanish was not part of the plan. But it was not long after they started working with the local church that they realized there was a real weakness in the Sunday school program. Their children complained to them that they did not enjoy attending Sunday school. They soon saw that classes were unorganized and unstructured because the teachers often did not have proper materials to guide them.

Realizing they could help the church in this area, they asked church leaders’ permission to help with the Sunday school program. The leaders agreed, so Fred and Arlene started translating a Bible story curriculum that was used BELOW: Fred Jonkman presenting the Bible Story Curriculum in Guatemala.

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in

Guatemala!

in the Free Reformed Churches in North America – one that Ricky Pronk had translated from Dutch into English. As they translated each lesson, interest grew, not only from their church but also from other churches.

Soon these churches started requesting copies and asking for workshops on how to organize a good Sunday school program. As the demand grew, the Jonkmans realized that it would be better and cheaper to have the curriculum printed formally into two separate books (Old Testament and New Testament). It was at this moment that Word & Deed came into the picture and provided the funding for the printing of these books.

The Guatemalan Connection: What is the Guatemalan connection in all of this? Well, as the “fame” of the material grew, so did the demand for workshops. Initially, the demands came from churches in Ecuador, but eventually word spread to other Latin American countries and the Jonkmans started receiving requests from churches in countries like Peru, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica and Mexico. They visited many of these churches, leading workshops and promoting the materials. Eventually a request also came from Guatemala through Word & Deed and the Free Reformed Missions work in Guatemala. The material was already being used

*Search for “Monjas, Jalapa, Guatemala” on Google Maps or Google Earth to view the location of the La Palabra school.

to some degree in Guatemala by the Free Reformed Missions project in Cubulco and two projects that Word & Deed supports – the radio program of the AMG hospital in Cubulco and the AMG-run “la Palabra” Christian school in Monjas.

We arranged to have Fred and Arlene come in April and May of 2011 and do seven workshops in different parts of the country from Guatemala City to Monjas, Coban, Cubulco, San Felipe, and Xela. Several of the workshops were done with AMG teachers and staff and the rest were done with various Presbyterian churches and seminaries.

Many hours of driving from place to place made the trip tiring, but it was fruitful, resulting in close to one hundred requests for the material.

Now Available in Guatemala: The result of the tremendous interest shown in the curriculum was a decision made together with Word & Deed to have 1000 books printed in Guatemala and made available for distribution in February 2013.

An exciting development in recent months has been that AMG has decided to use the curriculum in all of their 28 schools (7600 students!) and formation centers in 2013. I will be teaching several workshops on the use of the books in the months of January and February of 2013. Also, the Word & Deed supported school in Monjas (La Palabra), that has been using the curriculum has given glowing

ABOVE: Preparing the books for binding at the print shop in Guatemala.

RIGHT: Front cover of the “La Historia de la Salvación” translated into Spanish by Fred and Arlene Jonkman. reports of the impact that the curriculum has made in their community. May God bless the use of these books for the growth of the church in Guatemala and other Latin American countries! W&D Nico Kattenberg has been serving in Guatemala for the past 13 years with Free Reformed Missions International and in recent years with AMG International as well. He is a member of the Free Reformed Church of Chilliwack, BC, Canada.

Duplicate Magazines

Please contact our Canadian or US office if you are getting two copies of the same magazine.

> INSID

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> INSIDE

COLO Microloans MBIA Through CDA Forjar GUATEM Sowing the Seeds ALA of the MALAWI Gospel a

COLOMBIA

Microloans Through CDA Forjar

GUATEMALA

Sowing the Seeds of the Gospel

It Takes

MALAWI

Village

It Takes a Village

WINTER 2012

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>HaiTi

By Randy lodder

Finding Opportunity

IN Suffering

Students during the Remembrance Chapel held at Adoration Christian Centre on January 11, 2013.

January 12, 2013 marks the third anniversary of the devastating Haitian earthquake when over 200,000 people lost their lives and swaths of the country were left in ruins.

Over 300,000 people were injured and needed medical attention and at the peak of the repercussions, one and a half million people were living in camps. After three years of recovery efforts, small improvements can be seen, but much work still needs to be done.

Those of us who felt this tragedy have been marked for life.

Many today are still greatly affected by this event - trying to pick up the pieces of their lives and livelihoods. We began 2013 with much hope and anticipation, but also with solemn reflection. On January 11, a special Remembrance Chapel was held at Adoration Christian Centre, to take time to reflect, grieve and turn our attention to the LORD. It is these moments that we do not want to waste – moments of grief are opportunities to turn to the throne of the Lord Almighty, the One who knows our suffering and pain.

On the same day and during that week, riots were planned throughout Port-au-Prince to demonstrate against the lack of progress that has been made in rebuilding Haiti.

This is the other type of response which is so prevalent: responding to our pain in anger, violence and ingratitude, as opposed to humbly fixing our hope on Jesus Christ. Only one response brings life and peace. Only one will help build up community and help alleviate and break the cycle of poverty that is here.

This was one of the many very important lessons that God demonstrated and taught us in the power and destruction of the earthquake, a lesson which we do not want to waste. Our work is not about bricks and mortar or erecting

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big buildings, which are so temporary (it took about 30 seconds for our school building to collapse and for the city to be destroyed). This work is about investing in people, and desiring to love them, build them up, work together with them, and share with them for the sake of the gospel and the transformation of their community.

We pray that as we develop the school and education programs, finish our housing programs, provide food for children, and focus on leadership development, this would all result in people bringing adoration to our Lord and King.

To Him be the glory. W&D Randy Lodder is the Director of Adoration Christian Centre in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and is a member of L’Eglise Presbytériane Réformée de Delmas, Port-au-Prince. haiti

adoration christian centre Adoration Christian Centre is a holistic, Christian, social mission serving and discipling Haitians in Port-au-Prince through their school, partnerships with the local church, and a medical clinic.

They train teachers and educate students through the glasses of the gospel and they partner with and support the local church, discipling future leaders who will one day stand on their own and take up the same tasks. Please pray that God would bless the work of Adoration and that through the presentation of the Gospel lives would be transformed.

Operating costs in 2013:

$483,000

>NiCaRaGua

By Lyle Ypma

Reflections

on my

Trip

An Open Door:

to

Nicaragua

In the first week of December, I left the cold weather of Southern Alberta and went on a trip to Nicaragua with John Otten and John Kottelenberg. (I want to extend my thanks to John Otten, who organized the trip and made sure that we were well- taken care of. We ate shrimp and lobster every day. What a treat for us prairie dwellers!) This trip has given me a new respect for the people who work in the field as missionaries and the work that Word & Deed is striving to do.

Carlos told me that only last year, through the training of MINTS (Miami International Seminary), he learned a wonderful truth. He said, “We have always been told that we are saved because God loves us. Now I know that we are saved for God’s glory. That changes everything!”

Carlos said that he would like Word & Deed Nicaragua to be a model Christian organization that others can learn from. What a witness to myself and to all those with whom he works!

In Nicaragua, I met Carlos Coffin, the Director of Word & Deed Nicaragua. God has placed in his heart a burden to help change the lives of the poorest people living in that country. Through his leadership, we can see gradual change happening. The people of Nicaragua need knowledge more than anything else. Knowledge of God’s Word leads to a biblical worldview that makes us see everything as a matter of serving and praising God.

We often take for granted the knowledge and the tools that we have. My wife and daughters grow a garden every year.

We have never considered the fact that there are people who do not know how to do this. We go to the nearest store and pick up seeds of any variety for only a few dollars. We know how to prepare the soil. If we don’t know something, Google is just a few clicks away. In Nicaragua, they spend many days and months trying to locate seed and then just as much time trying to transport the seed to the people that need it. For many of the people living in Nicaragua, these are the first times that they have planted

BELOW: In Santa Marta. The woman in the blue shirt planted half an acre of tomatoes and peppers and from the profits sent two children to higher education for a year.

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a garden, and it is often the difference between hunger and enough to eat. The look on the faces of the people who have planted these gardens shows the joy that they have in the fruit of their labor.

While on my trip I also met Jerry and Santiago, an agronomist and a pastor, respectively. Their job is to help Nicaraguans grow the gardens and bring God’s Word to them at the same time. Both of these men have a good understanding of agriculture and the challenges that face the people there. As a farmer myself, I was very impressed by their knowledge and understanding of agriculture.

Jerry and Santiago are also enrolled in MINTS programs, where they are learning the historic Christian faith. Jerry and Santiago showed good interaction with the locals and an ability to relate to the people on a level that they can understand. They also have a love for spreading God’s Word. This is a perfect combination because agronomy can be an open door through which we can teach the Nicaraguans about our great and awesome God. As I came home, I reflected on what I had seen and learned. It was made clear to me again that we must never take for granted what we know and to always be thankful for those who have taught it to us. God has put all of us in our own unique areas of His kingdom. He has taught us and prepared us to do many different jobs and tasks and

LEFT to RIGHT: John Otten, Lyle Ypma and John Kottelenberg enjoying coconut juice during a meeting. will continue to teach us until He calls us home.

As we look for the best seeds to grow in Nicaraguan soil, may we also prepare ourselves to be the best possible seed that will be planted until Christ’s glorious return. May everything that we do at home and abroad be to the best of our ability and to the glory of God. W&D Lyle Ypma is a potato farmer in Southern Alberta and is a member of the Lethbridge United Reformed Church.

Nicaragua

Agricultural Commercialization Word & Deed is currently supporting an Agricultural Commercialization project which will train locals in eight communities in sustainable production of rice, bananas and beans. Over the next 10 years, the project will involve microcredits, training in family business development, pork and poultry production and the development of Christian leaders. Please pray that this ongoing effort will be used by God to uplift these impoverished communities and to bring many to a saving knowledge of Him. Still needed in 2013: $75,000

Praying with a group of participants after discussing plans.

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>India

* GOOGLE MAPS

By Rev. Ragola Manupati Elisha

The

Lord

Has Done

In 1969 my mother passed away; I was five years old. When my father remarried, about four years later, I came under the care of my grandparents. My life took a turn for good when I was seven. One of my distant aunts became a Christian. She played a significant role in convincing my grandparents that Christian discipline and education would pave the way for a good future for me and that they must let me go with her.

With my grandparent’s permission, my aunt brought me into the home of John Gollapalli and his wife Theeba, the founders of COUNT Ministries. Here, I witnessed the love of Christ. I received everything freely and was nurtured spiritually through devotions and teachings from the Bible. The concern and passion of Rev. John and his wife to reach the poor with the gospel made a deep impact in my life. I decided that I would also lead other needy children like me into the faith of our Lord.

After my graduation in theology, Rev. John entrusted me with the child-care ministry in the state of Gujarat. I was an enthusiastic young man and took up the challenge. But, little did I know that this was the beginning of my struggles in the ministry.

I faced opposition from anti-Christian groups and lived in fear for several years as they threatened to kill me and to burn our home. They would shout slogans throughout the villages and near our children’s homes that “Christian missionaries should be thrown out of Gujarat.” Although I was afraid, I never wanted to leave, and the Lord strengthened my conviction and “delivered me from all my fears.”

Wonderful Things!

me out of each false accusation.

During these tests of faith, I had, humanly speaking, given up several times. My wife, Pauline, suffers severely from Lupus Arthritis. Most times, she cannot use her hands and feet. Although the doctors advised us to go back to our native place, the Lord helped us to hold onto the promises from His Word.

Through the last 23 years of joys and sorrows, the Lord has done numerous wonderful things! I am alive and able to carry on the ministry in spite of many threats and He has enabled me to build the lives of several young boys and girls.

Praise and glory be to our Lord!

W&D

Rev. R. M. Elisha was the first child to be supported and nurtured by Rev. John Gollapalli and his wife, Theeba, through their children’s ministry. He and his wife, Pauline, now work as house parents for the Gilead and Crystal Agape homes in Gujarat. They have a son, Moses Pradeep (12).

Rev. Elisha and his wife, Pauline, with their son, Moses.

India

COUNT Homes Although India is quickly developing, in many rural parts of this diverse country a large number of the

I was heartbroken many times, as I was wrongly accused, sometimes even by those near and dear to me. Police complaints were lodged against me, but after thorough investigation, I was proved innocent. The Lord, indeed, led *Search for “Gujarat, India” on Google Maps or Google Earth to view the location of Rev. Elisha’s COUNT Homes.

population is still poor and illiterate. Many tribal people and Dalits (“untouchables”) live separate from civilization and development with little money to provide for their families or to send their children to school.

COUNT Ministries provides these families with an alternative.

They select children from needy homes to provide them with boarding, food, medical care, school fees for public education and Bible study in the homes.

Please pray for COUNT and those they serve. Pray that their faith will grow and that the gospel will continue to spread. Five children are still waiting for sponsorship in India.

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Education

By John Otten

Fundraiser

Ideologies

in

Practice

It is good to have ideologies, but how do we put them into practice? In the last magazine we wrote about how important it is for a project to be run indigenously and to be travelling toward self-sufficiency. In this article, I’d like to present an example of how these principles are being implemented. The benefits of this approach were clearly seen on a recent trip to Nicaragua, where various agricultural projects are being run.

Our partners were struggling to get seeds locally for several crops, including rice, but they had come up with a future solution to this problem: maintaining seed banks.

To us, selecting and preserving seeds from year to year seemed inefficient, and we questioned their decision. Importing seeds was our suggested alternative, as it would guarantee them both quality and quantity of seed. However, by importing seeds each year, the farmers would have to deal with customs regularly; a daunting task for these small farmers, who have little experience with bureaucracy.

Firmly believing that teaching the farmers to select and preserve good seeds would be a more manageable task, our partners insisted that taking steps toward managing seed banks would result in a better project in the long run.

After more discussion,

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Support a “Word” project

we agreed that seed banks were the preferred route. Importing seeds may have brought money into the community more quickly, but it would have extended the road to self-sufficiency. The farmers may not have been ready to rise to the unfamiliar challenge of importing seeds, meaning that the project would not continue or that it would always rely on our help to import the seeds. As the farmers gain confidence as “entrepreneurs” they may, in time, go on to the next step of importing seeds.

Please consider raising funds for one of our “Word” oriented projects in 2013. Each of our projects include a strong Gospel focus, but there are some that focus exclusively on the spread of the Gospel and biblical education. God’s Word is the only hope for those facing spiritual death and these projects are crucially important for the salvation of many.

Once again, we have come to see that the local staff had much keener insight into their own communities than we did, and that smaller steps towards self- sufficiency are better than large leaps towards a “productive”, but dependent project.

In many different countries and situations, the same principles you see here are at work. We pray that God will bless our efforts to honor Him in the administration of these projects, ultimately relying on His blessing and His timing for their success.

Most importantly, we rely on God to bless our efforts to proclaim the good news of the Gospel; that in spite of all else, many would hear and respond to His Word. W&D John Otten is the Director of Administration as well as Project Manager for Colombia, Nicaragua and Ecuador at Word & Deed Ministries.

Logos Ministries:

In Malawi, many church leaders do not have access to biblical education at the high school level, let alone at the seminary level. This has resulted in leaders and churches that are weak in biblical knowledge, worship and godliness. Word & Deed partners with Logos Ministries to provide these local church leaders with training in theology and Christian living. Still needed in 2013: $108,000 Please contact us if you would like more information about Logos Ministries or about our other “Word” projects (School of Practical Ministries in Colombia; Leadership Training in Ecuador; Long Distance Training in South Africa).

sponsorship Make a World of Difference by Sponsoring a

Tabitha

Manasse and John

Manasse

: Manasse is nine years old and John is seven. Their father, Benjimen, used to work as a government teacher. Due to illness he was relieved of his job and now their mother, Devenarani, bears the burdens of the family. She works as a helper in a private school. John is active and Manasse is obedient; they both like to go to school.

John

Divya: Divya is nine years old. Her

C

Divya

Child in India

father, Samson, serves as a pastor among their own tribe. Her mother, Bhulaxmi, stays at home and takes care of the house.

Samson wishes to educate his children, but his income is not enough to meet their educational needs.

: Tabitha is three years old and comes from a poor family.

Her father, Sudharsan, is a field worker among their own tribal people. His monthly income is not enough to meet the needs of his family.

Tabitha

C C Sponsorship Monthly Rate Increase The cost of living increases significantly in the developing world from year to year. Because of these rising costs, Word & Deedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s monthly sponsorship rate is increasing

C

this year. We hope that you will continue to support your sponsor child(ren) at the new monthly rate, per child, of $38 in Canada and $35 in the US.

*Please note that sponsors who are currently supporting students through Adoration Christian Centre in Haiti are not being requested to increase their monthly sponsorship amount at this time, due to the fact that a rate increase was recently undergone.

Those who would like to volunteer as participants in the rate increase are more than welcome to. As of March 1, new sponsorships through Adoration Christian Centre will begin at the new rate of $38 per month.

q Yes! I will increase my monthly commitment to $38 CAD / $35 USD per child as of

DD / MM / YYYY Name:

Address:

City: Prov/State: Postal /Zip Code:

Email: Phone:

Church affiliation:

payment method Return to: Canadian Office: q Check / Credit Card / Other (Please sign in to your Canadahelps, JustGive or Paypal acount to make PO Box 20100, St. Thomas, ON adjustments to your recurring payments.)

N5P 4H4 Canada q I would like to continue making contributions by Pre Authorized Payment (Canada) / Electronic Funds e: office@wordanddeed.org Transfer (US). Please sign below to indicate the following: I hereby authorize Word & Deed to continue making automatic withdrawals from my bank account at the new rate according to the specifications I have f: 519.633.7181

given in the past. I understand that I may cancel the authorization at any time by notifying Word & Deed in US Office: writing.

PO Box 157, Hudsonville, MI q I would like to begin making contributions by Pre Authorized Payment (Canada) / Electronic Funds 49426 USA Transfer (US). Please sign below to indicate the following: I hereby authorize Word & Deed to make e: usoffice@wordanddeed.org automatic withdrawals from my bank account on the first of each month in the amount of $38 CAD / $35 USD per child. I understand that I may cancel the authorization at any time by notifying Word & Deed in f: 616-896-9219 To obtain more information about your recourse rights please contact your financial institution.

writing. (Please provide Word & Deed with a void check.)

Account Type: Signature:

q

Business

q

Personal

Date:

SPRING 2013 I Word&Deed

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Fundraisers Make a

Business Group

World of Difference

Meetings

Since 2008, our key fundraising events have raised $1,178,490.47 - God is good!

Number of Events held: 5 Amount Raised:

Our fundraising volunteers play an important role in helping us to raise the resources we need to support dozens of projects in twelve different countries around the world. Have you considered coordinating a fundraiser in your area? Contact us for information about getting started with any of the events below or if you are envisioning Word & Deed’s newest event! (Hockey Tournament? Bake Sale? Garage Sale?)

$243,265.78

Bulkley Valley (BC): April 22

Number of Events held: 16 Amount Raised:

$199,593.97

Dinners/Dessert Evenings >

$631,537.75

>

$83,769.39

richard brouwer!

After five years of spearheading our annual Bike-a-thon in Niagara, Richard Brouwer is stepping down from his role as our key coordinator of the event.

His volunteer efforts on behalf of Word & Deed in organizing this event have been a huge blessing from the Lord. During the time of his involvement, Richard and his team raised close to $250,000 for the Nakekela Clinic in South Africa. During that time, hundreds of people suffering from AIDS have received much needed medical help and have heard the good news that Jesus Christ died for sinners and is delighted to save all those who cry out to Him for forgiveness, even those at death’s very door step. We thank Richard for using his time and talents to this end. His enthusiastic involvement will be missed.

Are you willing to step forward and volunteer your time once a year to spearhead this wonderful family oriented fundraiser? If so, please contact us!

We are seeking an individual who is self-motivated, organized, outgoing and enthusiastic about touching lives across the globe!

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Calgary SIG (AB): April 23 Edmonton (AB): April 24 Central Alberta (AB): April 25

Rehoboth Hunger Awareness Campaign (Copetown, ON) April 12

Number of Events held: 13 Amount Raised:

Hunger Awareness Campaigns

Southern Alberta (AB): April 22

Upcoming Events

Number of Events held: 40 Amount Raised:

14

Sheffield (ON): March 27 Burlington (ON): March 22

Bike•a•thon

Thank you,

Illiana (IL/IN): March 18

Softball

Musica Sacra Concert (Grand Rapids, MI) April 12 Shred-it Fundraiser (Chilliwack, BC) April 27 Bike-a-thon (Niagara Falls, ON) June 1 Chilliwack Softball Tournament (Chilliwack, BC) September 7 Auction (Grand Rapids, MI) September 21 (Proceeds to benefit the Nakekela Clinic in South Africa)

>VoLunteeR profile

By Hanna Korvemaker

Rising to the Challenge:

A

Profile of Willetta Les

The first Word & Deed Softball Tournament of Chilliwack was held in September 2010, and it remains one of Willetta’s most memorable experiences as a Word & Deed volunteer.

Our first-time event organizers were nervous as they gathered supplies to the sound of pounding rain the night before the tournament – would they be able to play?

Willetta recalls how blessed they felt the next morning as the clouds broke up. The sunshine lasted for exactly the duration of the tournament, and the rain began again shortly after they had packed up and left the ballpark.

Willetta, pictured with her nieces. She lives in Chilliwack, BC and attends the Chilliwack HRC. She is the Office Manager at Denbow, and operates a side business, Sister Made, with her sister, Leanne Maljaars. She loves to relax, travel, craft, cook and play games with her family and friends.

Since organizing that first tournament at the suggestion of her father, Corney (Word & Deed board member and volunteer), Willetta has continued to spearhead the tournament each year since with the help of Jon Van Huigenbos. Her love of organizing, planning and marketing has made her a perfect fit for this event and many others.

Willetta has also been involved with a Hunger Awareness Campaign at her church (Chilliwack HRC), a choir benefit concert, the annual Dinner Tour and is currently organizing a Paper Shredding Fundraiser.

Out of all of these events, the choir concert fundraiser that was held in 2011 was the most fun for her to be involved in. “It was a special circumstance…my former choir director, Gord Maljaars, was temporarily back in Chilliwack. When I was a teen, we had two benefit concerts annually, so it was like old times to be singing, praising God, and raising money!”

changes to the

Word&deed canada board After many years of service, Pastor Cornelius Pronk and Dick Naves have retired from the Word & Deed Board. Dick served for 12 years and has been a member of the Membership Committee and the Public Relations Committee. Pastor Pronk was a founding member of the board, and has served for 18 years. He was a member of the Spiritual Advisory Committee.

C. Pronk

D. Naves

We look forward to their continued involvement at the committee level. Their participation in the faithful leadership of Word & Deed has been deeply appreciated. We thank them and wish them God’s blessings.

We heartily welcome Pastor Tim Bergsma to the board and look forward to his input and participation. May God bless Pastor Bergsma as he is a blessing to us!

It’s obvious that Willetta enjoys putting her time and talents to work for Word & Deed (among other organizations that she volunteers for). She points back to her parents as the reason why “volunteering is part of [her] regular, daily life.” Not only were they great examples of volunteerism, but her mother’s organizational skills were instilled into her early.

Now, Willetta can’t imagine her life without spending time volunteering. As much as she enjoys organizing the events, she also loves the sense of community that comes from working together to impact lives across the globe. While it can be difficult to find time in her day, her love of the work keeps her saying “yes” to new opportunities and challenges. W&D Hanna Korvemaker works as Public Relations Assistant at Word & Deed Ministries.

T. Bergsma SPRING 2013 I Word&Deed

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NON-PROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID HUDSONVILLE, MI PERMIT #204

Publications Agreement # 40595030

Meditation 1. If Christian believers are “bought with a price” and rescued from sin, how are they to show their gratitude?

2. While it is true that we cannot do anything without God’s will, how can that principle become a negative excuse for not doing anything? At what point does this thought become unbiblical?

Eight Years in the Making 1. Find Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, on a map.

2. Where is the hospital in question, and why was it built?

3. How did the Elgersmas become involved with the construction of the hospital?

4. Why did Word & Deed become involved with this hospital?

Ideologies in Practice 1. What is the definition of “self-sufficient”?

2. What example does the article give of indigenous people knowing what is best for a particular project in their country?

3. What kind of limitations does dependency on Word & Deed put on projects like this one?

4. Give five different Bible references that connect to the topic of growing plants or food.

Feedback Requested

We are currently evaluating the role of both YAH and IMPACT in our magazine. They are meant to help elementary and high school students, respectively, relate to their peers in the developing world. If you have found them helpful and want to see them stay, let us know at publicrelations@wordanddeed.org.

The Lord Has Done Wonderful Things!

1. Find the state of Gujarat, India on a map.

2. Rev. Elisha’s article shows how real Christian behavior can soften hearts for the Gospel. What are the characteristics of Christians that he mentions in his article? Give other biblical qualities that Christians should demonstrate.

3. Read the parable of the sower and the seed. Which soil does Rev. Elisha’s life most resemble? Why? Finding Opportunity in Suffering 1. Find Haiti on a map.

2. While the Adoration Christian Centre held a special chapel service to meditate on the effects of the earthquake, riots were planned to demonstrate against the lack of progress made in post-earthquake reconstruction. Make a chart comparing the two strategies of commemorating the anniversary of the earthquake.

An Open Door 1. Find Nicaragua on a map.

2. Carlos Coffin says, “We have always been told that we are saved because God loves us. Now I know that we are saved for God’s glory. That changes everything!” What exactly does it change?

3. This article also deals with the fact that the people indigenous to a country are the best equipped to run development projects in that country. What example is given to prove that point?

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.

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