W&D Magazine Spring 2017

INSIDE

SPRING 2017

Colombia Zhoar’s Story

Haiti

Santanette’s Story

Malawi

Faithful Stewardship at Chibulika

>foreword

By Rick Postma

Speaking Out, Stepping Forward University students have demonstrated an increasingly rabid reaction to anyone who disagrees with their point of view in recent years. Speakers invited by universitysanctioned campus groups, often representing a more biblical perspective on life, are shouted down or even violently resisted and chased off campus by the indignant “righteous progressives.” I am often reminded by these developments of how significant a role the Hitler youth movement played in his rise to power.

urgent discussions with this young man after the meeting.

Wow, how encouraging!

Ravi grew up in India. While he now lives in the USA, in a certain sense he represents the Christians of the developing world coming to boldly proclaim the Gospel among us. He must have faced similar fears to Jacob when he traveled to Egypt at his son’s invitation (see Meditation on the facing page). Should he step on that campus or shouldn’t he? The question comes to us as well—should I was pleasantly surprised, however, to hear from my we speak up for Christ, or shouldn’t we? Our partners have colleague Heidi Pronk about a very positive experience surely wrestled with similar questions, especially those involving a Ravi Zacharias speech and discussion at located in countries that are much more hostile to the Michigan State University recently which she attended Gospel than ours. In this issue, we read about the work in along with her daughter. Thousands of students gathered Colombia, Haiti, and Malawi where violence, brokenness, in the basketball arena for this event with the full approval and hunger could all have been used as a reason not to of the administration. The students listened respectfully engage. Yet they persisted and now we can read firsthand accounts, with thankfulness, of how the to a clear presentation of the Gospel Lord has blessed the work. May the Lord and then lined up to ask lots of carefully Ravi was seen in strengthen us to step forward boldly in thought-out questions. “Thank you for His Name both locally and, through the your presentation. I’m an atheist and I with this young man hands and feet of our fellow believers, wonder . . . .” One person said that he after the meeting. in the developing world. W&D had been brought up as a Muslim, was

urgent discussions

now agnostic, but was also convicted by the case for God presented but needed some more convincing. Ravi was seen in

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Wow, how encouraging!

Rick Postma is the Director of Public Relations for Word & Deed Ministries.

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

meditation

SPRING 2017

By Pastor Carl A. Schouls

Editor Rick Postma

Assistant Editor Hanna Korvemaker

Graphic Design Knor Graphic Design Solutions Copy Editors Shelly Crites Susan Trentacosti

<

Border Anxiety

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, and South Africa.

Canada Office PO Box 20100 St. Thomas, ON N5P 4H4 Toll free 877.375.9673 office@wordanddeed.org Director of Projects John Otten Director of Promotion Rick Postma Office Administrator Scott Koopman Support Staff Hanna Korvemaker John Kottelenberg Kara Luiting Nancy Sinke Board of Directors President - Corney Les Vice President - Jake Sinke Secretary - Dave Wielinga Treasurer - Henry de Waal Dr. Arjan de Visser Rev. C. Heiberg Harold Leyenhorst Bert Mulder Dick Naves John Vangameren Lyle Ypma Advisory Committee Mr. Jim Beeke –

International Educational Consultant

Dr. Gerald M. Bilkes – Professor of

Old & New Testament, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary Rev. Richard Bout URCNA Missions Coordinator Rev. Danny Hyde – Pastor, Oceanside United Reformed Church

Rev. Mark Vander Hart –

Associate Professor of Old Testament Studies, Mid-America Reformed Seminary Rev. Frank Van Dalen – Former Executive Director of the Foreign Missions Board of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church

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

Office Administrator Heidi Pronk Board of Directors President - Pete Vander Stel Vice President - Paul Laman Secretary - Harry Kooistra Treasurer - Karen Vander Sloot Eric Brandt Dave Byker Anita Sikkema Peter Van Kempen Registered Charity Number (Canada) 89 120 0941 RR0001 EIN Non-profit Number (USA) 37-1429283 Bible quotations are from the NKJV unless otherwise noted.

Genesis 46:1–3

Old Father Jacob is in a difficult spot, between yes, no. Joseph is alive, flourishing in Egypt. Jacob has decided to go to his son, but at the border with Egypt he is afraid. We know this from God’s own Word, “Fear not.” We wonder what could cause fear? Joseph will surely protect him. Are there some “gut feelings”? That happens to us sometimes. We have said “Yes,” but when push comes to shove we hesitate. Sometimes we cannot even put it into words but we sense something wrong. We hesitate; we ask, “Should this be done? Is it right, and permitted?”

We have crossed the longest undefended (but certainly not unguarded) border in the world countless times in the last 50 years. Many years ago, when we moved to Grand Rapids, MI, to study for the ministry, there was anxiety. Was it right? Was it of the Lord? And still, each time, although we approach with clear conscience, there is always a little anxiety, yet not in the nature of that visit of 45 years ago.

What is it that gives rise to anxiety, raises questions? Questions should be there whenever we undertake anything. Questions should also be faced at the start of any undertaking, whether it be a calendar year or a jungle building. No question means no fear and no fear means no understanding of life. This is not to imply that every moment should be taken up with struggles arising from an uncertain mindset; no, our entire life should be open to the Lord and we may live assured of His direction. But at certain times, in some circumstances, questions are good, even vital.

Sometimes, when we must consider options, it seems there is as much good on one side as on the other and we feel like a ping pong ball, batted back, forth “Yes–No.” Is this happening to Jacob?

Jacob offers a sacrifice and by doing this he expresses his need for close fellowship with God. His fear is not just something negative—it is an aspect of true fear of the Lord—thus, positive. Jacob is concerned about communion with God in a most positive way.

God answers: “I am God, the God of your father.” God’s work covers generations. God’s work continues even after the fathers have gone. How necessary it is that children continue in the line in which God has worked in the past. This is particularly so in “kingdom work” such as that of Word & Deed. Farreaching decisions must be made; long-enduring support must be garnered. How will we do?

God is the same. Our work is not finished. He will supply. We pray “Establish the work of our hands” (Ps. 90). If our work is His work, we need not be anxious about the future. We need not be afraid to take on “impossible” tasks. And border anxiety melts away when we focus on the goal of the journey!

May our faithful Lord bless all in Anno Domini 2017. W&D Rev. Carl Schouls is emeritus pastor of the Grace Free Reformed Church in Brantford, Ontario.

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>COLOMBia By liliana giraldo

Zhoar’s Story

Students at John Calvin Christian School, the CDA school in Barranquilla, Colombia.

Zhoar

“The work of CDA is important; it makes the difference among all the other schools in Cartagena. They are very engaged in the positive transformation of people’s lives through the Gospel.” These are 18-year-old Zhoar’s words when asked about his thoughts for the CDA school. Zhoar has been linked to the God Is Love School of CDA in El Pozón Cartagena since he was in first grade. He graduated in 2015 and is currently receiving sponsorship for higher education.

Zhoar grew up in a Christian family; his family consists of his mother, father, and his two younger siblings who have also studied in the CDA school; one of his siblings just graduated from there. Zhoar’s parents always wanted to raise him and his siblings in the Christian faith with principles and values; they have attended church for several years, growing in knowledge and faith. Being part of the family of believers has greatly blessed Zhoar’s life. In this endeavor, they found all the support they needed at CDA. The area where the school is located has been ravaged by all sorts of risks for children and teenagers. Zhoar and his siblings have had to learn how to face those risks when their parents are out working.

After spending 11 years in the school campus, Zhoar can see how he has grown from a small kid to a young man who matures, just like the Scriptures state, with ever-increasing wisdom, strength, and grace before God and men. He

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BELOW: There is a stark contrast for CDA students between the safe environment within the walls of the school and the dangerous neighborhoods just outside.

Corporación Dios es Amor (CDA)

Colombia is a country that struggles with violence and corruption.

The violence is initiated by drug cartels, the FARQ (a Marxist rebel group), and other paramilitary groups. Faced with the prospect of being caught in the violence or of having their teenage children forced to join one of these groups, fleeing IDPs (internally displaced people) are settling around the major cities of Colombia. In IDP zones, the effects of sin are often magnified. It is in these impoverished areas that our partner CDA is operating.

Christian schools filled with sponsor children are integrated with school health, parenting, and continuing education programs (etc.) with the intention of transforming entire families and communities. Since the golden thread of the Gospel runs through each of these projects, many also come to know Christ as their Lord and Savior.

feels that having gone to a school that teaches principles and values from the Christian faith has directed his life to what he is today. He is a young man with many dreams, who loves and serves God. For him, God is a friend who guides and walks with him always. He remembers all the love and patience he received at school and the teachers’ commitment to making him a better man. In his own words, “teachers from other schools seem to just focus on their teachings, but at CDA teachers really care about their students, their lives, their families, and the transformation the Word of God can make in them. The difference between a student from a secular school and one from CDA is evident.”

Zhoar’s parents found in the school and its teachers everything they wanted for the upbringing of their children—all the support and values necessary to teach their children the meaning of a successful and blessed life. Zhoar has understood that God is the center of his life. It is exciting to hear him say that God is his friend and that he has felt God’s presence and protection in all the stages of his life. When he finished school he wanted to go to college, but it was not possible for his parents to pay for it. While he was in 10th and 11th grades, he simultaneously completed a course with SENA (National

Learning System for Technical Training) with which CDA has articulated strongly over the past years. This kept him motivated to continue to pursue higher education.

Furthermore, he obtained a letter of reference from the school that acknowledged him as a highly disciplined and committed student. This letter helped him obtain a scholarship that would cover part of the university costs and, additionally, the school put him in the program of scholarships for higher education. All this shows how committed the institution has been to the development of students like Zhoar. He and his family count all this as a demonstration of the faithfulness and love of God for them. He is currently studying public accounting in a private university in Cartagena. At the same time, he is taking an English course and still today he sees the school as an extended part of his own family in which he grew up and learned how real God is in his life.

Stories like this inspire us at CDA, and we hope they inspire our sponsors and donors too, to keep on believing that it is possible to transform the life of a child and his or her family through education and the practical teachings of the love of God and the plans He has for mankind. W&D Liliana is the Infancy and Youth Programs Officer at Corporación Dios es Amor in Colombia.

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>HAiTi

By Denso and Santanette Gai

Santanette’s Story My name is Santanette Gai, I’m 20 years old, in the 12th grade, and was born in the countryside town called Belle-Anse, in southeast Haiti. My parents were farmers and cultivators; they decided to move our family to Port-au-Prince in 2003 to continue our education when my older brother, Denso, had completed his primary school. It was because so many young people the same age as us were involved in bad things, such as gangs, violence, and robbing people. For this reason, my parents said they would not send us to grow up anywhere without someone to watch over us. This decision was difficult, because we all grew up in Belle-Anse and had never been to a different city before, and we were leaving our entire heritage behind. There was much political turbulence in the country at the time, especially in Port-au-Prince; there were kidnappings and killings. We all were obliged to stay hiding inside of our house all the time because we feared that if we went out gangs would catch us and kill us.

My parents did not go to Port-au-Prince with much money to take care of seven children plus themselves. Those were hard times when there was nothing left from what

ADORATION christian school Adoration Christian Centre is Word & Deed’s partner in Haiti.

They are a holistic, Christian development foundation serving and discipling Haitians in Port-au-Prince. They focus on poverty relief and supporting at-risk families through community development and education through the Adoration Christian School. Their vision is to see a new generation of Christian leaders prepared and equipped to serve and impact their communities for the glory of Jesus Christ. Randy & Karen Lodder are the Directors of Adoration Christian Centre..

Needed in 2017: $335,000 CAD / $250,000 USD

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we had carried with us. My dad had not found any job yet, so until he was able to get some food we would eat one time a day, and then at night have some water with salt to sleep.

One day my parents decided to send me to live with their friend, where I stayed for over a year. However, I returned home because I was treated badly as a “restavek” (a child in Haiti who is a domestic servant, often at risk for abuse).

Since 2008, my sister, Seliane, and I have attended Adoration Christian School. At that time I was eleven and in fourth grade and Seliane was nine. Currently, it has been nine years since I have been supported through Adoration. At Adoration, we received both food and education. My dream is to become a pediatrician because I love kids and I do not like to see them suffering. They must have someone who cares for them and treats their illness. And I also want to open an orphanage to take care of children, as Haiti is the poorest country in the hemisphere, and we need help to decrease the

number of children who are living in a bad situation (as a restavek, for example) or living on the streets with no parents. Those who are treated badly due to lack of their parents’ or relatives’ education must know that they are not forgotten, that there is someone who cares for them.

I had the privilege to grow up in a Christian family; there was talk about God’s Word all the time and also my father was a church leader who always gave speeches about the Christian faith. After the earthquake devastated Haiti in 2010, many homes and churches collapsed. After that, my siblings and I decided to join the Église Presbytérienne Réformee de Delmas (Reformed Presbyterian Church in Delmas) to walk with them. It was there that I decided to profess my faith and get involved in the service within God’s church. My first responsibility was to welcome people who came to church. Soon I got involved with the Christmas gala, organized by the church’s administration, where I was training groups of children to dance, sing, and recite poetry.

I also organized a summer competition for the children.

What I like about my country is that it is a place where people can do business, it is a country of arts, and has almost 12 months of activities; I love the Haitian culture. I faced a lot of difficulties when I was growing up—political issues, shootings almost everywhere, and I did not feel safe walking by myself. However, Adoration showed me how to work as a team member and helped me become a good leader, since I was in charge of making sure the children came to do their volunteer service work at the school (such as cleaning) and within the community. I learned so much from Adoration.

Santanette helping to prepare food for VBS.

and I can plan for a better future. This is something many youths of my age do not get. God bless you!” W&D Santanette Gai is a high school student in Haiti supported

by Adoration. Her brother, Denso, helped her to write this testimony.

My special word to my sponsor is: “I thank you for your kindness and may your generosity be multiplied. Thanks to you, today I can say my education is guaranteed

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>MALAWi

Faithful Stewardship AT Chibulika

By Heidi Pronk

Chibulika

Orphan Care Center Do you know that feeling you get when you see old friends after a long absence? That is what it feels like when we visit Chibulika Orphan Care Center. Although the smallest of the five orphan care centers that we support in Malawi, it is in many ways the most stable. The board consists of mostly elderly but very committed volunteers dedicated to the children.

One of those board members is an elder in the local Presbyterian church and each month he rides his bike to the six villages where Chibulika works to share the Gospel. He always takes a soccer ball with him to ensure a good turnout! But then he spends time with the children, building relationships and sharing the hope that is found in Jesus Christ. The children love his visits and the parents and guardians have come to know and respect him.

Chibulika Orphan Care is located in the lakeshore region of Malawi, about two hours north of Salima.

Chibulika serves about 60 orphans and 150 vulnerable children in six villages, mainly of preschool age.

Most of these villages are quite remote and access to medical care, schools, and public services is difficult. Chibulika Orphan Care provides nutrition, education, evangelism, and basic necessities to vulnerable children.

Needed in 2017: $12,000 CAD / $9000 USD

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Each year we visit, the same teachers are in the same classrooms. The teachers know the needs of the children individually, sharing specific gifts and concerns with us. The classes are organized and disciplined and it’s clear that the rambunctious ones don’t get away with much. Love for the children shines through all of the program leaders.

Of the 210 children registered, most are preschool age. Sixty of those are full orphans and the others have one parent or a legal guardian but live in such poverty that intervention is necessary. Chibulika has a simple program which consists of preschool lessons, Bible stories, and a meal at least three times each week. The older children are involved through the evangelism activities and the board is working on developing a scholarship program for some of the older children since opportunities here are few.

Chibulika is located in an area where the most basic requirements for human flourishing are limited—food, education, jobs, and medical care. But Chibulika has shown a commitment to stepping in and trying to meet some of these needs as enabled. They have also been very effective at mobilizing the local churches and communities to make contributions. The local pastors take turns leading monthly “chapel” services at the orphan care centers, the local communities contribute bags of maize to the feeding programs, and three local chiefs have donated their land for classrooms. It reminds us of the parable of the talents—even when we are given little, God still requires faithfulness. Chibulika Orphan Care demonstrates a God-glorifying commitment to stewarding their small corner of creation. W&D Heidi Pronk is the Administrator for Word & Deed USA and the Project Manager for Malawi and South Africa.

Education

By Hanna Korvemaker

Rethinking Poverty In recently years, traditional Western aid has come under criticism, and the documentary Poverty, Inc. powerfully shows how it is failing to address poverty in any meaningful way. More than that, it shows how, in many ways, traditional Western aid actually exacerbates the very problems it sets out to solve.

business, how one church’s well-intentioned effort to supply eggs to a church in Rwanda drove the local egg-producer out of business, and how free shoes from the West impacted local cobblers.

In all of these cases, Western aid . . .

• Sees the poor as helpless, without resources, and What’s so bad about Western aid? How can we criticize without the capacity to be partners in the solution to non-government organizations (NGOs), churches, and their circumstances. entrepreneurs with genuinely compassionate • Sees Western aid workers/donors as hearts for sending rice to the hungry, or shoes what’s so superheroes with answers and resources. and clothing to the needy? bad about • Does not engage local people in conversation Consider Enersa. This company was founded to discuss the problem or the solution. by two young Haitian men who wondered • Gives handouts that damage the local if Haiti’s abundance of sunshine could be an economy and promote dependency. answer to Haiti’s energy problem. They began in a garage, experimenting with solar panels. They wanted to create • Applies Band-aid solutions that provide quick relief (often very necessary in the short-term in times of crisis solar panels to power streetlights. It was a new idea. At and disaster), but fails to partner with local people to first, people thought they were crazy, but $500 contracts seek long-term solutions that ultimately result in selfhad them ecstatic. Soon they had big contracts, and at the sufficiency and the exit of NGOs from the scene. time that they were interviewed for this documentary they

Western aid?

had 16 employees—most from shantytowns, at risk for gang membership, and lifelong poverty. Thanks to Enersa, they were trained and employed, and are now able to care for their young families.

After the earthquake of 2010, the power was out in Port-auPrince, so there was an urgent need for it. NGOs who had flooded the city looked first to their donors abroad to send solar equipment. This meant that by the time Enersa was back on its feet and ready to produce more solar-powered streetlights to supply the need, they found that there was none. “It’s hard to compete with free.” The NGOs assumed there was no solar equipment available locally. They “had this conception that ‘In Haiti, there’s nothing. So I have to come with everything.’ We really suffered from that conception.”

Before the earthquake they averaged 50 streetlights a month.

From January through June 2010 they sold five streetlights.

They competed mostly with NGOs. Enersa’s story is one of several highlighted in Poverty, Inc. This documentary also tells the story of how the impact of second-hand Western clothing dumping in Kenya has caused many factories and local cotton farmers to go out of

Incorrect assumptions about the poor and poor countries is just one of several reasons that Poverty, Inc. gives for the ineffectiveness of Western aid, but it’s not all doom and gloom. Several interviewees confirmed that a shift in aid is taking place, and several uplifting stories of NGOs who are doing things right are also highlighted (Google “The Apparent Project” for one example).

Although nobody from Word & Deed makes a cameo appearance, we are mindful of the pitfalls of Western aid, and it’s our constant prayer and goal that we would “have a mind for the poor,” and that we would be used by God as an NGO that provides aid that helps, and does not hurt, in the long-term. We seek to address what is at the very heart of all poverty (something that the producers of Poverty, Inc. overlooked): broken relationships with God, ourselves, our neighbors, and creation. By acknowledging this, and

by God’s grace, we are poised to offer holistic solutions which minister compassionately to both temporal, physical needs, as well as eternal, spiritual needs. W&D Hanna Korvemaker works part-time in Public Relations for Word & Deed Ministries.

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BENEFIT CONCERT for

WORD & DEED MINISTRIES’ Children’s Project in Ecuador ANDRÉ KNEVEL Organ

LISELOTTE ROKYTA Panflute

Wednesday, April 5, 2017 7:30 PM B.J. HAAN AUDITORIUM

Dordt College 498 4th Ave. NE, Sioux Center, IA 51250 FREE ADMISSION* *A FREE-WILL COLLECTION WILL BE TAKEN DURING THE CONCERT. Thanks to local businessmen all concert-related expenses have been covered.

100% of the funds collected will be donated to Word & Deed Ministries

Join us at the 2nd Annual

COLOUR RUN Saturday, May 6th Gage Park, Hamilton

Help make a difference in the lives of Adoration students by participating in our 2nd annual 5K Adoration Colour Run!

Register today at adorationcolourrun.net

In association with:

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wordanddeed.org/ways-to-give/child-sponsor

Organ & Panflute

sponsors n

CHILD SPONSORSHIP

$38CAD / $35USD PER MONTH

needed!

Daniel Birthday: September 15, 2006

Daniel is a loving and intelligent child. In his spare time he enjoys reading, watching TV, going to church, playing with his brother, and drawing. Daniel dreams of being a motorcycle entrepreneur.

Danna Birthday: May 26, 2004

Danna is a smart, affectionate, and cheerful girl. In her free time she enjoys watching childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s movies, going out to eat ice cream with her family, and playing dolls with her sister. Danna loves hugging her family; she brings joy to all her family members. Danna dreams of becoming a doctor to heal children.

Yanci Birthday: October 16, 1998

For $38 CAD / $35 USD per month you will make a

life-changing impact on your sponsor child!

Yanci is a studious, collaborative, and understanding girl. In her spare time she likes to read, listen to music, and share with her friends.

Yanci´s dream is to study psychology.

Miguel Birthday: October 15, 2013

Miguel is a happy, intelligent, obedient, and friendly boy. In his free time he enjoys sleeping, eating, playing with his little sister, and playing football at the park.

Julio Birthday: April 17, 2002

Julio is a respectful, cheerful, affectionate, intelligent, collaborative, and sociable boy. In his free time he likes to play soccer, work at home, and do homework.

Julio dreams of finishing high school and becoming a professional in tourism.

Email Kara at office@wordanddeed.org to get started, or visit our website to view more waiting children.

Jose Birthday: July 11, 2012

Jose is a happy, loving, social, intelligent, and generous boy. In his spare time he likes to sleep, play with his toy cars, and play football.

Keren Birthday: January 21, 2012

Keren is a caring, loving, friendly, cooperative, and cheerful girl. In her spare time she likes to play with dolls and watch TV. The dream of her parents is that their child becomes a great professional when she completes her high school degree.

Andriux Birthday: November 17, 2012

Andriux is a loving, fun, thoughtful, happy, intelligent, and helpful child. In his spare time he likes to play with his toy cars and play football.

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prayerrequests Disaster Relief • Pray for the hundreds of thousands of people who are affected by disasters/crises in Philippines, Nepal, Ecuador, Haiti, Malawi, and Turkey. Pray that the physical aid provided will be effective and timely, ministering meaningfully to the many desperate needs of people in those countries.

• Pray that this aid, brought in the name of Christ, will provide a compelling picture of the beauty of the Gospel, turning many hearts to worship the Lord.

Haiti: Santanette’s story • Praise God for the work that he has done in Santanette’s life through Adoration and the Reformed Presbyterian Church in Delmas. Pray that she will continue to do well in her studies, and that in due time she will find stable employment.

• Pray that the Lord will continue to bless the work of Adoration, and to strengthen and uphold Adoration staff as they seek to teach and minister to children there, many of whom come from difficult circumstances.

Colombia: Zhoar’s story • Praise God for the work that he has done in Zhoar’s

Malawi: Faithful Stewardship at Chibulika • Praise God for providing faithful board members to

life through CDA. Pray that he will continue to do well in his studies, and that in due time he will find stable employment.

• Pray that the Lord will continue to bless the work of CDA, and to strengthen and uphold CDA staff as they seek to teach and minister to children there, many of whom come from difficult circumstances.

oversee the work at the Chibulika Orphan Care Center, faithful teachers for the children in the program, and local churches and communities who are willing to get involved.

• Pray that He will continue to provide everything that is needed so that Chibulika will continue to flourish, for His glory.

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Upcoming

events

Hamilton, ON

Adoration Colour Run May 6

Niagara, ON

Bike-a-thon June 3

Lethbridge, AB

Softball Tournament June 17

Grand Rapids, MI

Softball Tournament July 15

Upcoming Business Group

Meetings Please visit

www.wordanddeed.org

for confirmed dates and locations

April 2017 Bulkley Valley, BC Tri-State, IA/MN/SD

May 2017 Word & Deed North America â&#x20AC;˘ Praise God for the generosity of the many child sponsors who are making a difference in lives of children like Zhoar and Santanette. â&#x20AC;˘ Pray that in each of our projects our three areas of focus (Gospel centrality, self-sufficiency, and a reliance on the skills and assets of our local partners) will continue to be applied effectively.

Calgary, AB Cambridge, ON Central Alberta Edmonton, AB Neerlandia, AB Southern Alberta

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Word & Deed Ministries

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

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

Publications Agreement # 40595030

programmatic areas would be of benefit for each case Meditation: Border Anxiety (there may be more than one).

1. Think of a time when you felt anxious about a decision you had to make. How did you resolve it?

Lives and for Eternity 2. How does Pastor SchoulsTransforming suggest we deal with theseNow difficult decisions?

1.

Consider the hardships that Sender has does faced growing up 3. “No question means no fear and no fear means no understanding of life.” What Pastor Schouls in Guatemala.

In what ways has enrollment at La Palabra mean by this? Consider Proverbs 10:17, 11:14, 14:8, and 21:25.

Christian School in Guatemala transformed his life?

2. “Empty stomachs don’t have ears.” Explain this Disaster Relief statement in your own words.

1. Put yourself in the shoes of somebody who has experienced a natural disaster in their area. Try to imagine that you are living in Ecuador and an earthquake has damaged and destroyed most of New Beginnings at Nakekela the homes and buildings1. in your neighborhood, and website many people are injured, unaccountedtofor,read or Visit the Nakekela (www.nakekela.co.za) have died. How would you feelabout and what youof do?the What would your most urgent needs be? thewould history organization on the main page.

How has Nakekela grown since its inception in 2004?

Colombia: Zhoar’s Story Mercy and Glory the Nakekela Step Down Facility 1. How does Zhoar’s life at seem different than your own?

How does it seem 1.the Put yourself in the shoes of somebody living in the same?

How you feel about 2. List KwaMhlanga the benefits that community.

Zhoar has received as would a student at CDA. the opening of the HIV/AIDS Clinic and why?

2. How has the community perception of the Nakekela Haiti: Santanette’s Story Clinic changed since its inception?

Whyown? hasHow it changed?

1. How does Santanette’s life seem different than your does it seem the same?

Introducing: Children of Light 2. “The restavek system tolerated Haitian culture, but considered 1. “Families whoisdid sendintheir children to not school were to be preferable. ” After reading Santanette’s story and doing some a often sacrificing heavily to do so, suffering from research “restavek ” can youto listprovide the reasons why children lackon ofthe food, andsystem, an inability their children maywith become “restaveks”?

Whatand are some changes in HaitianList society proper clothing school supplies.” fivethat could lead to the elimination of this system? reasons that Christian education is so valuable, in

Join or Die? 1. “Corporate worship is . . . the centerpiece of the Christian life.” Explain how this is true using scripture. Here is one passage to get you started: Hebrews 10:24-25 2. Explain what Pastor Boekestein means when he compares church membership to parents making their children eat their dessert.

CDA: A Transformational Approach to Poverty 1. The mission of CDA is carried out through projects in five main “programmatic areas.” List those areas and do some research to understand what they entail if you’re not sure.

2. Re-read the stories of Andrea, Shirley, Juan David, Genaro and Briceida. List which of the five CDA

the developing world and in North America.

Malawi: Faithful at to Chibulika 2. Aren BulanStewardship is motivated become a doctor because 1. “Even we areofgiven little, God stillon requires faithfulness. ” What ofwhen the lack medical care his home island of does the Rote. author mean doesneeds this principle applyaround to your own Makebyathis? listHow of the you see youlife? (at home, at school, among friends or otherwise).

Education: What Rethinking can you doPoverty now to make a difference?

1. Describe “traditional Western aid.”

Serving the Written 2. How doesThrough traditional Western aid oftenWord exacerbate the very problems it 1.setsDiscuss the following statement: “The written word out to solve? is article, powerful and should betraditional handledWestern carefully.”

3. In this several problems with aid are listed.

2.AfterMartha the different talents reading mentions the other articles in this issue, how doand Wordprivileges & Deed thatmeasure each ofup? usAre arewegiven

by God. to students projects exacerbating theCompared problem of poverty, or in the developing world, what have are we applying meaningful solutions thatunique will reapprivileges results of long-term youand been given? How can you use them for God’s glory? stability self-sufficiency?

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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Word&deed I

winter 2013