WD FALL2011 P3

foreword

By Rick Postma

Hunger in the Horn of Africa

I

In This Issue

n normal times, when Somalis meet on the road, they don’t ask each other where they come from but to whom they are related. Allegiance starts with immediate family and then moves to extended family, sub-clans and ultimately to a clan family (there are five clan families in all of Somalia). Children as young as eight years of age are expected to recite the family’s male genealogy at least 10 generations back. But these aren’t normal times.

In the not too distant past, what stood out about Somalis were their common culture, common language and love for camels and poetry. That was before their country was split into five sections by colonial powers, two of which (British Somaliland and Italian Somalia) joined at independence in 1960. After independence the struggle to regain their lost territories from Ethiopia and Kenya, where they had been rather summarily allotted, united the Somali clans. But embarrassing defeats and rivalries turned present day Somalia into an armed camp. Attempts by the UN and the failed intervention of the USA and other supporting countries, aptly summarized by the term “Blackhawk down” referring to the embarrassing defeat of US army Rangers at the hands of a ragtag Somali militia, only made things worse. Armed clans and Foreword: Rick Postma - Hunger in the Horn of Africa ........ 2 sub-clans then continued to fight each other for control, leaving Meditation: Dr. A. J. deVisser - Breakthrough for Africa .......... 3 a wasted country. Young men either joined armed groups using Guatemala: Ken Herfst - Post-Agatha Reconstruction ........ 4 their power to pillage fellow Somalis or joined pirate groups on the coasts, wreaking havoc on international shipping. malawi: Manuel Kamnkhwani - Partnering in the Field ........... 6 colombia: John Otten - The Struggles of Change .................. 8 Nigeria: Daniel Pever - Like a Mustard Seed ...................... 10 Fundraising: Kerri Radsma - Bike-A-Thon Blues .................. 12 Haiti: Hanna Luong - Going Home ........................................... 14 young@heart: Tanya Byl ...................................................... 15 Impact: Tanya Byl .................................................................... 16

In a country with broken infrastructure, no effective government, and armed gangs where aid organizations understandably fear to send their personnel – knowing they will likely have supplies stolen and held for ransom, and put the lives of their personnel in danger – an extended drought turning to dread famine is almost inevitable.

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Today when hungry Somalis meet each other on the road they are likely much more worried about where to find food than what clan they belong to. Many are walking for many days to reach refugee camps in Kenya and Ethopia – ironically enough located in areas that were formerly part of their country. While Word & Deed does not have partners in the suffering areas, Word & Deed Holland is working with several partners there. Funds received will be used to support their projects there. Please see our website (http://www.wordanddeed.org) for updates on what is being done.

In this issue of the magazine Daniel Pever highlights the progress being made by the Christian schools in Nigeria, John Otten informs us about Colombia, another country which struggles with refugees due to armed conflict, Manuel Kamnkhwani tells us about the important Logos Ministries project in Malawi, Hanna Luong provides a brief update on Haiti, and Pastor Ken Herfst celebrates the completion of a home rebuilding project in Guatemala. In the meditation, Dr. Arjan de Visser underlines God’s prophecy concerning Cush, present day Ethiopia and Sudan. Let us pray that countless Somalis will soon be asking each other whether they have been adopted into the family of God, through Christ, when they meet each other on the road even as we pray for and support efforts to bring relief to those suffering so much from hunger.

Note: “The Fate of Africa”, by Martin Meredith, loaned to me some time ago by my good friend Pastor Christo Heiberg, provided the background on Somalia above. While thick and rather depressing, the book is recommended for those who want to understand more about the history of African countries in the 50 years since independence.

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

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Breakthrough for Africa

meditation WORD & DEED

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF WORD & DEED AN INTERNATIONAL REFORMED RELIEF MINISTRY

Free for sponsors and friends

By Dr. A. J. deVisser

Cush shall hasten to stretch out her hands to God. (Psalm 68:31b)

A

unique passage in the book of Acts is the report about the conversion of the man from Africa (Acts 8:2640). He was an important official in his country. He was the minister of finance, serving under Candace, the queen of the Ethiopians. Although the man had a powerful position in his home country, he was also a bit of a tragic figure: he was a eunuch, which meant that he was unable to marry and have children. More importantly, however, this man was a worshiper of God. He had come to Jerusalem to worship the God of the Jews (Acts 8:27).

It is impressive to read how the Lord arranged for this man to hear the gospel of salvation in Jesus Christ. An angel of the Lord told the evangelist Philip to go south to the road between Jerusalem and Gaza (Acts 8:26).

When the Ethiopian man passed through in his chariot, the Holy Spirit told Philip to approach him. The Lord had already set things up for the meeting by having the man read a passage from Isaiah 53, a passage which he did not understand. The Lord’s purpose was that this official would enter his Kingdom and that through him the gospel would get a breakthrough in the kingdom of Cush (which is Ethiopia and present day Sudan). By doing this, the Lord fulfilled his promise that “Cush shall hasten to stretch out her hands to God” (Psalm 68:31b).

If we reflect on this remarkable event, we are impressed with at least two things: first, that the Lord is faithful to his promises to the Gentiles; second, that the Lord can use so-called “chance encounters” to work out his plan of redemption. Perhaps there is even a third lesson – that one person can be used as a key person for the conversion of a whole tribe or nation.

There is more to be learned from this event. When the African man was unable to understand the meaning of Isaiah 53, the passage about the servant of the Lord who was led like a sheep to the slaughter, the Lord provided someone who was able to explain the meaning. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked the man. And he admitted, “How can I, unless someone explains it to me?” In what follows, we see a prime example of an evangelistic conversation: the two men read Isaiah’s prophecy, and “Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus.” (Acts 8:35).

If we reflect on this, there are again important lessons to be learned. First, we know for sure that Isaiah 53 indeed speaks about the suffering of the Lord Jesus Christ. Second, if we are looking for a good approach to doing evangelism, we will do well to follow Philip’s example: use the Scriptures, show how the Scriptures talk about Jesus, and show how this is good news for the person whom you are talking to.

The story ends with the Ethiopian eunuch being baptized and going home rejoicing in his new-found salvation. With this event in his life, another prophecy was being fulfilled, the prophecy of foreigners and eunuchs being accepted and included among God’s people (Isaiah 56:3-8). It is a wonderful story indeed.

Dr. A. J. de Visser is Professor of Ecclesiology and Diaconiology at Canadian Reformed Theological Seminary in Hamilton, Ontario. Professor de Visser has worked as a missionary in Soshanguve, close to Pretoria (South Africa) from 1989 to 2004. He also worked as a part-time lecturer at Mukhanyo Theological College in KwaNdebele, South Africa from 1997 to 2004.

www.wordanddeed.org

Editor Rick Postma 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 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, 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 www.wordanddeed.org

Project Director Bernie Pennings bpennings@rogers.com Toll free 877.375.9673

Public Relations Director Rick Postma Toll free 877.375.9673 publicrelations@wordanddeed.org Office Administrator John Otten Administrative Support Hanna Luong Heather VanMeppelen-Scheppink Board of Directors President - Jake Sinke Vice President - Dick Naves Secretary - Dave Wielinga Treasurer - Henry de Waal Klaas Jan Buist Rev. Cornelis Pronk Rev. C. Heiberg Corney Les John Vangameren New 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 www.wordanddeed.org

Executive Director Heidi Pronk Ph 616.896.3160 usoffice@wordanddeed.org Board of Directors President - Peter Van Kempen Vice President - Pete Vander Stel Secretary - Harry Kooistra Treasurer - Karen Vander Sloot Mary Cogbill Eric Brandt Dave Byker

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Today, as we hear reports about the amazing growth of the church in Africa, let us remember the prophecy of Psalm 68: “Cush shall hasten to stretch out her hands to God.” The Lord started it with the meeting between Philip and the man from Ethiopia. The Lord is still working on the completion of the prophecy today.

Indeed, God lets none of his words fall to the ground.

Fall 2011

Guatemala

By Ken Herfst

Post-Agatha

Reconstruction The Lopez’ original home.

ABOVE: The new home in the final stage of construction.

F

or those living in a vulnerable place like Guatemala, natural disasters, poverty and violence are not only regular themes in the newspapers; they affect the lives of millions of Guatemalans each and every day. It was during late May of 2010 that Guatemala again experienced torrential rains that destroyed roads, bridges and homes. Subsequent rains caused numerous mud slides, and in one occasion, not far from Quetzaltenango, a team of volunteer rescuers were buried by a second landslide.

An entire community was plunged into mourning.

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Don Manuel and his son helping with the construction of their new home.

One of the dangers of relief work is that people become statistics; they lose their human face. However, in the case of José Manuel López and his wife Rosa, things were different. They live in a community called Xuva (Shuva), near Colomba, Quetzaltenango. About halfway up the mountains, this very hilly region of Western Guatemala is a prime coffee-producing area. Most people earn their living through employment on coffee farms. Xuva has a temperate climate and is blessed with abundant rain. When Agatha struck, that abundant rain became a destructive force. In three days the equivalent of a year’s normal rainfall wreaked havoc. José Manuel’s house was already in poor shape and the winds and rain simply finished it off. The house collapsed and José Manuel and Rosa looked for temporary shelter with their children.

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Members of the local church attended the dedication service of the Lopez’ new home.

Through a mutual friend, we learned of their plight and visited them. They had a piece of property in another community and we agreed to explore the possibility of reconstruction. Thankfully, Word & Deed responded to our request, and in June 2011, we joined José Manuel and Rosa for the dedication of their house. Their local congregation accompanied us at this important event.

As we recognized the LORD’s provision and thanked Him for those who played a part in this project, we could see the gratitude in José Manuel and Rosa’s faces. As they stood up to express their thankfulness, tears welled up in their eyes. The house they received was more than they ever dreamed of.

Pastor Ken Herfst is president of Asociación SAQ B’E. In partnership with Word & Deed, this association seeks to bring about lasting solutions to the problems facing the poor in Western Guatemala.

www.wordanddeed.org

We currently plan to highlight Haiti for the fall dinner tour.

• Jordan, ON – October 22 • Chilliwack, BC – October 14 • Grand Rapids, MI – October 25 • Aldergrove, BC – October 15 • Pompton Plains, NJ – October 28 • Smithers, BC – October 17 • London, ON - November 11 • Calgary, AB – October 19 • Burlington, ON - November 18 • Hamilton, ON – October 21 • Orangeville, ON - November 19

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Psalm 127 reminds us that “unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it.” A house is more than a building; it is a home. It provides protection and security as well as a space to be a family, to live in relationships that honor God and bless not only our lives, but our communities.

José Manuel and Rosa are committed to celebrating God’s goodness and expressed the desire that their home continue to witness to the presence of God, the God who can use storms to bring people together from different parts of the world to work together. On their behalf, we wish to thank Word & Deed for blessing José Manuel and Rosa with a safe and secure house.

We are currently looking for graphic design volunteers to help with our web page. Please contact our office if you are able to serve in this capacity!

Malawi

By Manuel Kamnkhwani

Partnering inLogos the Field Ministries

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n February 18, 2011 when the Logos Ministries lay training program clocked five years, I took out my calculator and tried to count the number of people that we have reached with our training programs, both the laity and the clergy, and I came up with 7800 church leaders. Honestly, I was disappointed with the number, considering the period that we have been operating as a ministry. I believe in the North American context, where numbers matter, that would be considered a total flop.

Recently I was encouraged by a statement that one of the pastors made to a visiting facilitator, David Hopkins, at the end of an in-service training seminar that we had jointly organized with African Bible College. He said, “David, we may be only fifteen participants here, but you should know that your teaching has reached more than 65,000 people already.”

The figure that the pastor mentioned, was a quick calculation that he did based on the 4000 average membership of a typical CCAP church in Malawi. In essence, the pastor meant that the effects of our small efforts are far reaching because we target shepherds that are responsible for thousands of souls in their flock. According to this pastor, the role that both our lay (elders and deacons) and in-service (pastors) training serves is that of water to a plant; breaking down the Word of God into edible particles for the church in Malawi.

Besides being encouraged by the observation made by this pastor, I was equally appalled by the realization that a good percentage of the numbers that we reach are either illiterate or semi- literate. Even the literate ones, including the clergy, do not have access to good books that could increase their understanding of God’s Word. Like a plant, one’s Christian walk requires watering with God’s Word and good literature that agrees with God’s Word. The lack of such literature was one of the issues that prompted the need for Logos Ministries

Pastor Christo Heiberg (center), Manuel Kamnkhwani (ri

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Pastor Christo Heiberg teaching a group of pastors.

PROJECT UPDATE

Logos Ministries

Trains local leaders of the CCAP in theology and Christian living for $76,000 annually. $55,000 is still needed.

to provide both in-service and lay theological training to the church and also establish a resource center, where the thirst for scriptural truth could be quenched. A resource center has just been completed, awaiting a few touch ups to make it useable. In it, we hope to be able to hold more intensive theological training workshops for both the laity and the clergy in the city of Lilongwe.

Please pray for Logos Ministries as we strive to build up the church here in Malawi.

ight) with several pastors.

www.wordanddeed.org

Manuel Kamnkhwani is Word & Deed Project Director in Malawi and is directly involved in the Logos Ministries Project.

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The concepts of partnership and networking, have played a very big role in the growth of Logos Ministries programs. We have grown from strength to strength over the years because we have worked together with our fellow laborers in the field. Locally, Logos Ministries has partnered with the CCAP Nkhoma Synod’s theological seminary, known as Josophat Mwale Theological Institute, to run the in-service training program for pastors. Recently, we have started partnering with the African Bible College in the same initiative. We have also been privileged to have garnered a lot of interest on the international scene. While lay theological training is carried about by a local team of which I am a part, for in-service training we have relied primarily on speakers from other countries, like Rev. Christo Heiberg from Canada, Rev. David Hopkins from the US, Dr. Tim Monsma from the US, Dr. Reimer from Scotland and many others. In the year 2008 when I visited Grand Rapids, Michigan, the Word & Deed president, Peter Van Kempen, instead of taking me skiing, took me to a large warehouse of an organization called Theological Book Network. Less than a year later, I had a 40-foot container delivered to my office full of books and shelving. By partnering with the Theological Book Network, we have managed to provide a very important resource for the church in Malawi; books.

Colombia

By John Otten

The Struggles

of Change

Harsh living conditions are a reality for many Colombians.

W

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ord & Deed has been partnering with the Colombian organization Corporacion Dios es Amor (CDA) for over 15 years now. It is exciting to work with our Colombian partners as they develop their organizational and local leadership. In March, my wife, Connie and I had the opportunity to see how CDA is working to educate people and change their hearts and attitudes with God’s Word.

On our first day in Colombia, we attended a weekly session on staff motivation. Willie, one of the directors, discussed the Christian view of poverty with the staff, and how our understanding of poverty will give us direction in working with it. If, as the pagans believe, poverty is the will or anger of the gods, we could not do anything to improve our condition. On the other hand, many churches teach a prosperity gospel of health and wealth where people are promised wealth if they accept Christ, and especially if they give lots of money to the church. So some pastors can attest to prosperity, but the poor get poorer and wonder if they are saved. Beatriz, a project director for CDA, pointed out that many

people do nothing, thinking they are too poor to do anything. She gave the perspective that we must minister as Jesus did, walking among the people, and using what they have to help them: Jesus used the water pots in Cana to make wine, and he multiplied a boy’s five loaves and two fish to feed the multitude. If we see ourselves as people created in God’s image to live for him, we will seek ways to use what we have been given to help our fellow image bearers.

As we toured the school at Lucero Alto, Carlos, the CDA chaplain told us of their School of Practical Ministries (SPM) that CDA is developing. It teaches Christian values and helps prepare students to live in this world as Christians. Mature students from grades 7-11 who are active in their church are chosen to form this class. We participated in a class where they learned about trust, and that God is the only one we can always trust. The school’s chaplain asked how the students felt when they were in danger or assaulted, and several

responded, indicating they have had traumatic experiences. In the group activities the children took leadership in discussion.

Recently, the grade 11 students in the SPM went to Tenjo, the girls’ home, for a retreat.

They had been learning about prayer, and went to the CDA girls’ home to pray with the girls there. As they spent time with them they realized there are children worse off than themselves. The chaplain plans to have the students do community service at the girls’ home, helping with painting and repairs.

There is an attitude in Colombia of just receiving and they want to teach the students to give and serve.

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School of Practical Ministries

PROJECT UPDATE

SPM students at a meeting.

This project trains 150 individuals within the CDA community in basic doctrine and practical evangelism for $21,000 each year.

Are you interested in supporting this project?

Please call

Canada: 877.375.9673 or USA: 866.3191.5728

This change in attitude in the students could be seen one day when a government diplomat came to the school to raise support for his party. He was telling the kids how deprived and poor they are. A grade 8 student stood up to say that they are not poor, though they might have some needs, and they are not deprived just because they don’t have everything.

John Otten interviewing two SPM students.

The School of Practical Ministries also has classes open to the community. They invite local pastors and parents to attend the classes. Individuals usually attend to be trained as community leaders, but some also attend to be trained as Sunday school teachers or for their personal edification. In Cartagena, the SPM uses a lot of Scripture and material from Bible League International, which goes through Bible passages asking specific questions and then making practical applications. At the school in Barranquilla the teachers proudly showed us the materials they are using – the Sunday school curriculum produced by the Jonkmans in Ecuador.

Colombia is a country struggling to change, and the efforts of our partner, CDA, to effect change among the youth are commendable. A change of heart, attitude and understanding, governed by the principles of God’s Word, are vital to bringing hope to this torn country.

John Otten is the Project Manager of Colombia and Nicaragua and the Director of Administration at Word & Deed.

www.wordanddeed.org

This project provides caregivers with the practical and biblical parenting skills that they need to raise their children safely and lovingly in the midst of difficult realities. $21,000 is still needed.

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The southern Colombian border is home to tropical rain forests, guerrillas, and around 60,000 Indians. While many Colombians fled when the guerrillas came, the Indians refused to leave the land of their fathers. The guerrillas decided to get the Indians to work for them. Now some of the Indians are becoming Christian and realizing that growing cocaine and marijuana is not right.

Some of them studied in the city of Bogotá and somehow became involved in a School of Practical Ministries. Not long ago they asked Carlos, the CDA chaplain, if they could bring these studies to their tribe in the south. Because of the dangers involved, Carlos might go once or twice a year to work with them and help them.

School of Infant Development

Nigeria Like a Mustard Seed

T

he projects that have been sponsored

by Word & Deed Ministries in Nigeria are not and shall not be in vain.

This huge financial investment is bearing fruits. These projects are not barren, like the cursed fig tree of Matthew 21. The partnership between Cornerstone Academy and Word & Deed started in the year 2000 and has been growing steadily. This work started very small, like a mustard seed, but today it has

By Daniel Pever

recorded great success stories and has impacted many people.

able to change and develop them for a better society and for Christ.

The ministry’s primary focus is to provide education, especially to underprivileged children. The choice to minister to people through education is borne out of the fact that Christian education is biblical (Proverbs 22:6), and because we believe that education is the best medium for change and development. Through education we believe we can catch children young and be

With support from Word & Deed, we run two primary schools and two secondary schools under the name Cornerstone Academy. The primary schools have graduated about 300 students. Most of them have gained admission into various secondary schools and are doing well academically, morally and spiritually. The secondary schools offer up to the 11th grade so

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Students at Koti-Yough.

Call Toll Free in Canada 877.375.9673 or U.S.A. 866.391.5728

Students at Makurdi in their new classroom.

Inset: The school chaplain at Koti-Yough (left) and Daniel Pever (right).

far, but the demand for admission is more than we can handle. People have seen the great value of this ministry.

The school construction projects have also broadened the impact of Cornerstone.

Due to the ongoing construction, job opportunities have been provided to many people in different ways. Small children gather sand and stones to make money to buy slippers, clothes and books. Some women sell food to the workers on site. Men work as masons, laborers, architects, carpenters, iron benders, or roofers.

Other people supply materials in small and large scale quantities. Every worker is being paid accordingly and this has helped tremendously in the economic

welfare of the people. This, in turn, helps to reduce crime as well.

It is not difficult to find workers, as many laborers like working for us. The workers have said that the regular and prompt payment of their wages have spoken volumes about the ministry. It is not uncommon for an employer to take weeks or months to pay their employee; sometimes payment is never received at all.

As a ministry, we try to find out what our employees use their money for. The result is positive. Some take care of their families; others pay their school fees, buy clothes or pay hospital bills. One boy bought a mattress with his wages. He came to thank me for that, saying, “Thank you, sir. Without you I could not have afforded to buy this mat-

Nigeria Christian School Building Expansion

Add four classrooms to each school for a total of $89,000 with $4,500 remaining to be raised. www.wordanddeed.org

Generally, there has been great impact both morally, spiritually, socially, economically and otherwise on many people that have come in contact with us. I am pleased with everything and encouraged to keep on with the ministry.

It’s good to make a difference in the lives of many people through God’s work.

Daniel Pever is the Director of Faith And Freedom Ministies, which oversees Word & Deed sponsored projects in Nigeria.

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PROJECT UPDATE

tress.” In return, I would like to say, “Thank you, Word & Deed. Without your support this boy could not have afforded to buy the mattress.” In the few cases where we have noted that one of our employees is making seriously unethical decisions, they have been let go. We do not want this ministry to support those leading immoral lives.

Bike-a-thon Blues

By Kerri Radsma

A Personal Anecdote

From left to right, Elaine Talsma, Joel Bergsma, Corine Koonstra, Colin Postma.

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rowned rats. That’s what we looked like at the Word & Deed Bike-a-thon on June 4. Almost three hundred people woke up early that morning, applied sunscreen, and headed out to Niagara Falls to do the 52 km (34 miles) bike-athon to raise support for those suffering from AIDS in South Africa. The Nakekela Clinic is a very worthwhile cause that Word & Deed sponsors.

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Frank Radsma and son, Adam, cooking up a storm.

The forecast called for isolated showers; instead, we experienced an extreme torrential downpour soon after the bikers took off. Biking along the beautiful Niagara River became a nightmare. The wind was so fierce that the white caps were spraying onto the bike path. Thunder and lightning shook the sky, causing riders to grip their rubber handle bars. Parents were trying to downplay the severity of the nasty storm to their children, hoping that it would spur them on, but inside they were thinking “HELP, this is awful!” Although a few brave riders pressed on as bolts of lightning filled the sky, many huddled together, taking refuge under trees.

Drivers came along and crammed many, many people into vans. Bikes were thrown onto whatever could transport them. Buses were filled to the max.

People were beyond wet. Wet clothes, soaked shoes, dripping hair, running mascara and shivering lips were the sights of the day. At one point, people were gathered under a pavilion designed to facilitate a nice cross breeze during a summer day. The wind was slicing through there, causing those already wet to the bone to become even colder. Drivers and buses came to rescue these poor people and organizers were yelling, “Get on the bus! Women and children first.” It was like an evacuation order. I could hardly get any pictures because there was that much rain.

I am trying to describe the day, but it is almost impossible. You had to be there.

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WANTED

Word & Deed is seeking a qualified individual (or individuals) who can assist with public relations functions in various regions of the U.S., particularly CA, IA/IL, and NJ. The successful candidate(s) will be expected to establish and maintain relationships with churches, individuals, and businesses to further the objectives of the organization. A love for and understanding of missions, an ability to work independently, a willingness to travel, and excellent interpersonal and communication skills are requirements.

The number of hours worked per week would be negotiable.

Please send your resume to:

Word & Deed Ministries • c/o Heidi Pronk P. O. Box 157 • Hudsonville, MI • 49426 USA Mieke Beeke with three of her grandchildren, from left to right, Sarah, James and Emily.

When we arrived at the finish line, the sun made an appearance, allowing us to dry off. It started to pour again just as we were trying to find our bikes and load up to go home. (Of course.)

Taking Care of Business....

Instead of bike riders trickling in at the end of their route, busloads of soaked, hungry people all arrived at the same time. They all wanted to stay around the hot grill so that they could dry off and warm up!

Actually, there is much to be thankful for: • $50,183 was raised for the AIDS clinic in Africa. That is just wonderful!

• Besides a few cases of mild hypothermia, no one got hurt.

• Everyone remained in good spirits, helping out where help was needed.

• We have many cases of leftover water.

• People who hardly knew one another got to know each other really quick when they were squished into a van together.

This article was writen by Kerri Radsma, long time Word & Deed supporter, volunteer and Bike-a-thon attendee, and was originally posted on her personal blog, “Kerri’s Korner”. Kerri lives in Beamsville, Ontario, where she attends Vineland Free Reformed Church.

www.wordanddeed.org

If you are interested in joining a group or starting one in your area please contact Rick Postma or John Kottelenberg by calling the office (877.375.9673) or via email (publicrelations@wordanddeed.org for Rick and jkottelenberg@wordanddeed.org for John).

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We are already looking forward to next year!

Fall annual meetings are being planned for Word & Deed Business Groups in Ancaster (ON), Grand Rapids (MI), Hamilton (ON), Niagara (ON) and Norwich (ON). New groups are being planned for Burlington (ON), Fergus (ON), Lincoln (ON), Orangeville (ON), Lansing (IL), Winnipeg (MB), Carman (MB) and Smithers (BC). You need not be a business owner to join a group in your area.

Haiti

By Hanna Luong

Going Home

200-Home Rebuilding Project

Damaged home deemed repairable.

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ntil recent months, many of the Haitians living in tent cities were nervous about leaving them. After experiencing the death of loved ones, and perhaps their own narrow escapes, many were fearful that their damaged homes would collapse on top of them or that another earthquake would result in a repeat of that traumatic afternoon on January 12, 2010. As time has passed, these fears are now beginning to subside and Adoration Christian Centre is taking steps to provide the option of a safe residence to families in Cité-aux-Cayes and Cité Jeremie. Two hundred families whose homes were badly damaged by the earthquake in early 2010, many of whom are currently living in tent cities, will be going home.

A partnership between Adoration Christian Centre and Miyamoto, a “global earthquake and structural engineering firm,” began in recent months. The engineers of Miyamoto have developed a method which allows badly damaged homes in Haiti to be repaired using various reinforcement techniques (beams, block replacement, roof repair or replacement). Once Miyamoto has determined which homes need repair (“yellow” homes, as opposed to “red” homes which are beyond repair, and “green” homes which don’t need any repair), the owners and landlords of these homes are provided with the training and materials they need to make their homes safe again. Once the repairs are made, Miyamoto’s engineers confirm that the home is safe and structurally sound and then leave the homeowners to put the doors and windows back in place and to plaster the inside of the homes as they are able.

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Masonry students in training.

Within a tented city.

Because Miyamoto’s strategy utilizes the skills and assets of local Haitians, they are a good fit for partnership with Word & Deed. They are as concerned about sustainable development and the encouragement of the skills and assets of indigenous Haitians as we are. In addition, the Yellow Housing Project Re-building Committee, comprised of church leaders and Adoration Christian School staff, are directing this initiative. Through their efforts they are encouraging active community involvement and, as representatives of the church, they are also building important relationships within the community in order to set the stage for the spreading of the Gospel.

The cost of this project is $400,000 (an average of $2,000 per home). In addition to disaster relief donations received by Word & Deed and CDIA (before it became Adoration Christian Centre) soon after the earthquake, the Canadian Reformed World Relief Fund (CRWRF) and several Reformed churches in South Africa will also be supporting the project.Your continued prayers and support are needed for this project as well all the Adoration Christian Centre as a whole.

Hanna Luong is the Administrative Assistant for Word & Deed Canada.

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s i Ter s a d

In between writing this, I am packing for our family’s camping trip. As I tossed the tent on the growing pile of stuff in the garage, I thought of the hundreds of families still living in tents in Haiti. Though they are in a very different setting, those tents have the same duty as ours – to provide shelter. The Haitian earthquake is only one disaster for which Word & Deed has collected money. What really happens with the money we give for disaster relief?

Let’s imagine there was a disaster where you live – a hurricane, tornado, earthquake or landslide. The power is out and the phone is dead. There’s no water. You can’t get to a safe place because the roads are blocked or your car is wrecked. You can’t go shopping – the stores have the same problem you do. What would you need? How would you get it?

Disaster relief includes three steps, preparation, rescue, and recovery.

Preparation starts long before any disaster strikes.

gency kit to help you survive for at least three days: water, canned food, candles, matches, and other useful things for your whole family. People who live in risky places should have one of these kits.

RESCUE Next, you hope that by the time your supplies run out, someone will come to rescue you. Your government will have started a rescue mission, which might include organizations like Word & Deed. They will either drive you to a temporary safe place, like a school gym far from the danger, or give you supplies to live (food, water, and fuel). If your house isn’t safe, and there’s no place to go, they might give you a tent. Camping would take on a whole new meaning and take lots of creativity.

RECOVER If the damage can’t be fixed for a year or more, you would either stay in your house or start a new life elsewhere.

If you’d stay in your home for a year without power or water, your life would change a LOT. Somebody would have to bring you bulk supplies of food and water. It wouldn’t be fancy: recovery supplies include whole wheat, beans, dried milk, corn, cooking oil, and vitamins. If you didn’t have a vegetable garden before, you would certainly be happy to start one.

You would also have to build an outhouse.

All this would cost a lot of money, and at first, you wouldn’t be able (or expected) to pay for it yourself. When Word & Deed helps with disaster relief, the money goes to these things involved in rescue and recovery: • travel costs to bring rescuers into a disaster area • supplies to keep victims living – food, water, shelter, medicine • evacuation • supplies to rebuild homes • supplies to rebuild infrastructure (roads, bridges, telephone poles and electrical wires) so that life can return to normal

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FALL2011 Word&Deed 15

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Breakthrough for Africa

1. What are three things we can learn from the story of the Ethiopian in Acts 8?

2. What does Dr. de Visser outline as a good structure for evangelism?

3. What was set in motion by the seemingly insignificant meeting between Philip and the Ethiopian?

Like a Mustard Seed

1. How is the work at Cornerstone Academies in Nigeria like a mustard seed?

2. How is education the force behind the growth of the seed?

3. Give three specific examples of the positive impact school construction projects have had on the surrounding community.

Going Home

1. Consider the Miyamoto home repair strategy described in the article.

How would you rate its likely success? Explain.

2. Why is Miyamoto a good fit with Word & Deed?

Post-Agatha Reconstruction

1. What has been the most recent natural disaster for Guatemala? How did Word & Deed help?

2. “One of the dangers of relief work is that people become statistics; they lose their human face.� What are the dangers? How does meeting the real people involved in a relief project help the workers involved in it?

The Struggles of Change

1. How do both paganism and false Christian views encourage acceptance of poverty?

2. Why do you think someone might think they are too poor to make any improvements to his or her situation in life?

3. According to the article, what is one way to encourage an attitude of service?

4. What is poverty? How does a person become poor? How do they get out of poverty? These are loaded questions, and the answers we give are often laced with prejudice and cultural bias. What are your answers to these questions? Share and discuss them with your class.