summer 2012

foreword

By Rick Postma

Volunteering

O

n a recent trip to Iowa, I experienced the warm hospitality of William & Brenda Laman, and Pastor Doug Barnes and his wife Grace. As we highlight the wonderful contributions made by volunteers across North America for Word & Deed Ministries, I’d like to also recognize the many families who provide a home away from home in a warm, loving and, shall I say, “long-suffering” way. What a delight and privilege to get to know these fellow pilgrims who serve the same Lord and who wrestle with many of the same questions we all do.

While in Rock Valley, William Laman took me on a tour of the local fire department station, which has over the past year moved into a brand new building. William is assistant fire chief and his passion is evident as he takes me on a tour of the department’s shiny fire trucks, each of which has a well-defined purpose. Equipment and trucks are ready to go on a moment’s notice and by extension, the team of firemen, each carrying pagers, is prepared to rush to the fire station, gear up and be on their way to an emergency within, as I recall, a matter of minutes from first receiving the beckoning page. Why do I bring this up? Well, William and his team are all volunteers. In a society characterized by a growing sense of entitlement, a decreasing sense of personal responsibility, and a viral movement to tax the rich (with the implied assumption that if you are well off you have stolen from “the 99%”), what a refreshing picture!

We all know that there are many volunteer fire fighters across North America, and if you are one, thank you for your service. The work is dangerous and can be demanding. Volunteerism is a wonderful way of carrying out our mandate to “love our neighbor” and many, perhaps you included, volunteer in some way. I hope and pray that along the way there are many opportunities for you to share the Gospel. If you aren’t experiencing these opportunities, try asking the Lord to bring them to you – you will likely be surprised by how quickly He answers that prayer!

At Word & Deed, in addition to many people opening their homes to us, we have countless others who are involved in organizing local events (dinners, desserts, softball tournaments, bike-a-thons, hunger awareness campaigns, choir concerts and much more). Other volunteers play critical roles on the US and Canadian Boards, our Advisory Committee, our magazine and as coordinators for our business groups. Still others volunteer to go on mission (work) teams to various parts of the Foreword: Rick Postma - Volunteering ....................... 2 world. Some of our volunteers are profiled in this Meditation: Rev. C. Heiberg - What Is Your Calling? ....... 3 issue of our magazine, along with project updates COLOMBIA: Jessica Cheesman - You Want To Go Where?! ... 4 and testimonies from a number of our projects. malawi: Ina Pennings /Hanna Korvemaker - Safe Places ... 6 To all of you, on behalf of Word & Deed, I offer nigeria: Attu Aondoakura - Leading By Example ............ 8 a heartfelt thank you. I am constantly amazed by South Africa: Jane Korevaar - Distance Education .......... 9 how the Lord stirs hearts to help our ministry.

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In This Issue

Volunteer profile: Heidi Pronk and Hanna Korvemaker Meet The VanderSloots, Corney Les and Helen Vandyk ........ 10 Sponsorship: “Uplifting” Tribal Children in India ...... 13 Business Groups: Rick Postma - New Growth ....... 14 young@heart: Tanya Byl ............................................. 15

Thank you as well to our thousands of supporters who voluntarily and generously give of their income to the projects of Word & Deed. We are humbled by your confidence in us and ask that you regularly pray for the Lord’s indispensable guidance in our work – that of our board and that of our partners in an increasing number of countries of the world. Where the light of the Gospel is shining, there too the forces of evil gather to redirect it into sin. But even as we fall short, we may look to the Ultimate Volunteer, the Lord Jesus Christ and the loving Father who sent Him. Rick Postma is Director of Public Relations for Word & Deed Ministries.

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

meditation

What is Your Calling

WORD & DEED

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF WORD & DEED AN INTERNATIONAL REFORMED RELIEF MINISTRY

Free for sponsors and friends

By Rev. Christo Heiberg

SUMMER 2012 Editor Rick Postma

“For consider your calling brothers…”

I Corinthians 1:26

The first thing a risen Jesus told a smitten Saul, as the latter lay there on the Damascus road, was what this unexpected convert was supposed to do for His heavenly Lord, all his life.

What are we here for? Why has God placed you and me on this earth after all? The Bible gives an answer which is meant for every Christian, but seldom mentioned anymore.

Maybe it is because a clear sense of the call of God can make life uncomfortable for us. Think of the young man who was so faithfully sending out Morse code distress signals from the Titanic’s sinking stern, with the water coming up his knees and everybody rushing to the deck. He understood something many Christians fail to grasp anymore. Duty first!

Someone who was deeply conscious of his call was Simon Peter. He once heard Christ’s call. It was so compelling that he could not resist. There by the Sea of Galilee, he fell down at the feet of Jesus, utterly unworthy even to be in His holy presence. And yet Jesus’ first words to him were: “Do not be afraid Simon, from now on you will be catching men.” He got his call.

The disciples left everything and followed Jesus. Sometime later Jesus took them far north, away from all the people. Having arrived there, Jesus asked his disciples, point blank, the most crucial question any human being can ever face: “What do you say? Who am I?” Peter was ready to respond on behalf of them all: “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” At that very moment Jesus added something which nobody wanted to hear: His sufferings. Simon was outraged: “God forbid, this will never happen.” He and Jesus had two entirely different ideas as to what is good for God’s Kingdom.

Peter then heard words that he never thought he would ever hear: “Get behind me Satan!” He was running the risk of messing up his calling very badly. Even with our very best and sincere intentions, we can stand in God’s way. It happens when our own dreams and expectations get all mixed up with His plans and purposes, or worse, when our own sense of pride and importance enter into our holiest ideals.

Our dear brother Simon Peter continued to follow … by grace alone. But he still had to learn many lessons, and the same is true of you and me. Those who sincerely follow are going to stumble along the way. And the most painful failures are those closely related to our calling. Remember what happened to him that morning before the rooster crowed, and how he wept! And even there in Antioch!

Amazing though, the first word that got around on that first day of the new creation was this: “The Lord has risen indeed and He has appeared to Simon!” Jesus sought him out first of all to confirm his calling. There on the beach He asked him one simple question … three times: “Do you love Me?”

Is this not the main reason why our world is in such a mess? There are so few who passionately live out their calling, even if they have to die a thousand deaths! But on the other hand, is there any life more exciting and rewarding to live?

Christo Heiberg is pastor of the Zion United Reformed Church in Sheffield, ON.

www.wordanddeed.org

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 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

Public Relations Director Rick Postma (Director) John Kottelenberg Hanna Korvemaker Administrative Director John Otten Administrative Support Kara Luiting Heather VanMeppelen-Scheppink Board of Directors President - John Vangameren Vice President - Corney Les Secretary - Dave Wielinga Treasurer - Henry de Waal 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 www.wordanddeed.org

Office Administrator 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

SUMMER2012 Word&Deed 3

When Peter answered, all his bravado was gone! He used no big words anymore. Peter confessed the love of his poor heart for his Savior. Christ then told him: “Feed my sheep!” His calling was confirmed! And when Pentecost came he rose to the occasion like few would expect, on the wings of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. Indeed, Christ built his church on this man’s bold preaching and passionate leadership.

Colombia

By Jessica Cheesman

You Want to Go Where?! “

W

ord & Deed invited me to go on a trip to Colombia and I think I’m going to go.”

My husband casually mentioned this as I was wrestling our three toddlers to bed. I waited until we had a moment alone to say, “WHAT!?” He told me about the opportunity and said that a group of supporters would be going for a week in February 2012 to tour projects that Word & Deed supports through CDA (Corporacion Dios es Amor), or “God is Love.” I thought immediately of the danger, crime, and drugs in Colombia, never mind the fact that this trip would happen over Valentine’s Day and our eighth wedding anniversary. “

“I really think it would be great to see how our donations are being used. But … I don’t think we should both go because it’s pretty dangerous there and what if something happened to both of us and the kids were left alone,” he said sheepishly.

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“What if something happens to YOU without me!” I said, as I envisioned him sitting in a jungle with a burlap sack tied over his head surrounded by a drug cartel with machine guns while I sat at home with our kids, trying to raise money for his kidnappers.

Well, after a reality check, some rational thinking, many prayers, and my parents offering to take care of our children, it was settled. We would both go to Colombia along with John Otten, Word & Deed Administrator and Projects Manager of Colombia, and seven other supporters from across Canada. We were excited to see what God was doing in Colombia. We have always had a heart for South America, and felt like God was calling us to embark on this short journey together.

Jessica becoming fast friends with some of girls at the Tenjo Girls’ Home.

Within hours of arriving in Bogota, we realized that we had to let go of the anxiety of leaving our kids behind so that we could fully absorb and experience what lay ahead. To be honest, I like North American “creature comforts” and I prayed that God would keep my heart open so that fear and judgemental attitudes would not get in the way of seeing Colombia

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the way He wanted me to see it.

Even though my husband and I have been involved with Word & Deed for many years (he as a member of the Calgary business group and I as a member of the local fundraising team), we realized that we didn’t fully appreciate how Word & Deed operates. It partners with organizations in the developing world by sharing funds and ideas, but Word & Deed doesn’t have any staff on the ground, or “bricks and mortar,” as they like to say.

They let local Christian organizations, like CDA in Colombia, do what they do best while Word & Deed focuses on connecting North American donors to these projects.

CDA has approximately 300 Colombian Christian people on staff – directors, teachers, social workers, psychologists, translators, sponsorship coordinators, doctors, dentists, business educators and many more. Despite all the poverty and injustice we witnessed, we also saw CDA showing that God IS Love. Of course I knew this, but the people we met from CDA just beamed with God’s love. They do their jobs with love because He first loved them. I spent Valentine’s Day seeing God’s love in a way I had never seen it before. CDA staff bring love by bringing the hope of the gospel (by word), and by helping to meet the physical needs of the people of Colombia (by deed).

CDA operates under three main branches – Education, Health and Forjar (the business development arm of CDA, literally meaning “to forge ahead”). Being a mom and a former preschool worker, I was thrilled to be able to visit three schools in three cities across the country.

Altogether, these schools have a total of almost 4000 students, and each student is part of a

David Cheesman with sponsor child, Helen, enjoying the farm animals at the Tenjo Girls’ Home.

sponsorship program (850 children at the CDA schools are supported through Word & Deed’s sponsorship program). The schools are a safe haven and oasis for the children living in these neighborhood slums.

One of the many highlights of this trip was visiting the Tenjo girls’ home, a project in the countryside outside of Bogota. forty-four girls who have suffered abuse, neglect, and tragic living situations are given a safe, loving, rehabilitative home in a farm-like setting. It is here that we met Helen, our four year-old sponsor child. Seeing her within minutes of arriving at the home took my breath away, much like meeting one of my own children for the first time. I still cry thinking about her, but because of CDA, her situation is not hopeless. God is her hope and God is love.

It is true that Colombia is a country with many problems. Thankfully, unlike the images conjured up by my vivid imagination prior to my trip, I never saw any burlap sacks, no one pointed a gun at my head, and we didn’t leave our children parentless.

Sadly, however, these situations do happen for many of the people of Colombia. Praise God for organizations like Word & Deed and CDA, bringing the hope of Christ, and impacting the lives of many. I am so thankful we were able to witness God’s love in new ways and we can continue to support this ministry with a new sense of urgency.

Our trip made us even more confident that the funds being collected by Word & Deed are being used to bring God’s love to the people of Colombia.

Jessica Cheesman is married to David Cheesman and they have three children. They are long time supporters of Word & Deed and attend the Bethel URC of Calgary.

School of Infant Development Often parents and/ or caregivers in impoverished situations in Colombia do not understand how crucial their actions are for the emotional and social development of their children. This program supports the proper physical, social and spiritual development of 100 children in their earliest years of life by training and educating their parents and/ or caregivers to appropriately participate in the children’s upbringing.

$21,000

needed.

Helping Hands

Word&Deed SUMMER2012 5

In addition to bringing Christian education, uniforms, medical support and a nutritious meal each school day, Christian social workers from CDA regularly visit the homes of the sponsor children to help the parents deal with the difficult challenges they face. Many homes are “femaleheaded”, having been abandoned by the father. If a family hits “rock bottom” and has no food, no job and nowhere to turn, this program is in place to provide families in Cartagena and Bogota with the essentials that are needed for a period of three months. $85,000 needed.

Malawi

By Ina Pennings

Safe Places The Blantyre Girls’ Home

D

o you know where your daughter is? Is she really at school? Has she really gone to a friend’s house? Is she really in her own bed at night? These are not things that we worry about as parents. Reassurance of our daughter’s whereabouts is as close as a simple phone call to the school or to the home of their friend. We can be thankful that we live in countries such as Canada or the USA. We can be thankful that we live in safe communities.

deal with society around them. Yes, life has many hardships that need to be dealt with, not only in Malawi, but in each country throughout the world. Hearing the stories of these girls reminds us of our fall into sin and how it affects each of us every day of our life. Satan continues to deceive people today, the same way that he deceived Adam and Eve in the beginning.

6 Word&Deed SUMMER2012

The door of the Blantyre Girls’ Home is open for these girls to come in, but it does not force them In Malawi, Word & Deed has a shelter for girls to stay. The girls in this home stay because they who have run away from their homes, who don’t Ina Pennings with Pelekani, who is want to, because at this home they receive love, a have a home to go to, or whose parents have currently living at the Girls’ Home in safe bed to sleep in, food, clothing, and school fees abandoned them. This is hard for us to believe, Blantyre. for high school. They stay because they have been but it is happening in many places throughout taught to glorify God. Many of the girls express the world. Girls who do not have a home in Malawi have few great joy at being in this home because they know where they would options. Most of them end up on the streets. In many cases, they be if they have not been given this chance to live a life pleasing in turn to prostitution in order to feed, clothe, and educate themselves God’s sight. On a recent trip to Malawi, these girls thanked us with (high school in Malawi is not free). Can you imagine your daughter their smiles, songs and words, for your generosity to them. running away from home, living on the street and giving her body to prostitution? Some girls as young as 11 years old are doing just that Ina Pennings is married to Bernie Pennings (Projects Director for in Malawi. We would say that they are still small girls! These girls Word & Deed). She is a long-time volunteer at Word & Deed, and need help, and the Blantyre Girls’ Home of Malawi is reaching out traveled to Malawi in August 2011. to them.

The Blantyre Girls’ Home houses 14 girls that have been taken out of prostitution. These girls want to be in this home because they feel the love of the house mother and the workers at the home. They need a place to stay, and in many cases, they come to love the teachings of God’s Word. They attend devotions every morning and night and attend church services every Sunday and Wednesday morning. They are taught social skills and life skills for their future. They are also given the opportunity to go to school, so they can gain an education and eventually, proper employment for the years ahead of them. With the help of counselors, they are able to deal with their past life, their families and friends. They are taught how to build relationships and to

Blantyre Girls’ Home

The Blantyre Girls’ Home project was put in place to rescue young girls from prostitution. These girls stay in a home under the care of a Christian couple. Bible lessons, counseling and role modeling are used to help the girls reintegrate into society. The home has the capacity to house ten girls. This home is regularly supported by the Salem URC in Bowmanville, ON and the Hope Reformed Church in Toronto, ON.

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

By Hanna Korvemaker

The Manja Safe House

T

he road to the Manja Safe House is a bumpy one. The home that was chosen as the Safe House for children suspected of being “witches” had to be a rural site, because of the nature of the project. Malawian society does not look kindly on children who are involved in witchcraft. Some methods of punishment include stoning, beating, starving and burning alive. For the same reason, nobody in the Manja community is aware that this house is being used as a haven for girls who have suffered abuse for their involvement, suspected or real, with witchcraft.

There are currently eight girls living in the home. They range in age from 10 to 17 and have been living there since the advent of the project in October 2010.

Four of them were merely accused of practicing witchcraft and four of them actually were practicing witchcraft. Through prayer and counseling, all four of the practicing witches have rejected what is, for them, a type of religion.

This home provides these girls with a safe haven from abuse, counseling, an introduction to biblical truth, and reintegration into society.

Although Frank Phiri, manager of this project, foresees these girls remaining in the project for a few years, he feels that they have made great strides. Frank and the other counselor on staff, Pastor Goliat, have counseled and educated the girls’ families, and are facilitating short visits between the girls and their families. It is their hope that eventually they will be able to launch an awareness campaign that will educate the broader Malawian community.

Please pray for our girls’ homes in Malawi!

Pray that:

• The Holy Spirit will work repentance in the hearts of the girls at the homes through the presentation of God’s Word to them • The emotional and physical hurts of the girls would be healed • Reconciliation with the girls’ families would be possible • The projects will be a means of witnessing to the girls’ families and that God will bless those efforts • Wisdom will be given to Frank Phiri, administrator of these projects, and to the “matrons” of both homes • There will be camaraderie in the homes • There will be safety at the homes

Hanna Korvemaker works as Public Relations Support at Word & Deed Ministries.

www.wordanddeed.org

The True Friends Orphan Care project provides 350 orphans living in caregiver homes with their basic physical and spiritual necessities. For $7 CDN (5 for $35) per month or $6 US (5 for $30) you will receive a group picture of the orphans as well as an annual update of the True Friends project. Thirty-five children are still waiting – can you help?

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Orphan Sponsors Needed

Nigeria

By Attu Aondoakura

Leading By Example Attu Aondoakura

I

8 Word&Deed SUMMER2012

n every society, leaders encounter a lot of difficulties during their leadership.

My leadership as Head Boy at Cornerstone Academy Makurdi is not left out of that fact. The day I was appointed as Head Boy from among the prefects in my school was May 4, 2010. When I heard my name called as the Head Boy of this great school (Cornerstone Academy MKD), at first I thought I was dreaming, only to discover that it was not a dream but a reality. I was surprised at this, since I cannot boast of being the best student in my school. I wonder what the school saw in me that made them think I was equal to the task?

It was so difficult co-operating with my classmates in Secondary School Level 1.

From experience, I discovered that most students do things that are evil or wrong in order to find favor from others. It is good to let the students know that doing wrong to have an advantage will only terminate or destroy our future. You are God’s property, therefore, do not let King Ahab, the devil, steal it from you.

I came to understand that a leader must live by example. It wasn’t easy to do that, but, thank God, it has become part of my life.

Coming into Secondary School Level II, I was still announced to be the Head Boy

of the school. I had to double my work, coordinating the school activities and at the same time working hard on my academics.

I feel upright and serious in carrying on this service for the school, and I believe that God will surely help me to handle this work He has given me to finish.

I sincerely thank my teachers for what they have and are still doing by standing by me. If not for their advice, I would have been frustrated by the challenges of the school. I thank the other prefects, who serve the school with me. I also appreciate Mr. Elijah and Mr. Kelvin, the disciplinary master, who work hard for the school. It is my fervent prayer that God will continue to bless and help them.

Definitions: Prefect: In some British and Australian schools, a prefect is an older student who is given some authority and helps to control the younger students.

Head Boy: A senior boy in a school, who is the leader of the students and who represents the school on official occasions.

Attu Aondoakura is 18 years old and is Head Boy at Cornerstone Academy in Makurdi, Nigeria.

Student Testimony

By Oghene Success My name is Oghene Success. I am from Delta State, Nigeria. I was born on the 19th of November in 1997. I am the second child out of three girls.

My mother is a tailor and my father died when I was three years old. Ever since, I have encountered the Lord Jesus Christ; He has been so faithful to me and my family. He has been providing for, guiding, and protecting me and my family. He has also made me to excel above my age in my education.

I am in Senior Secondary School Level II and I attend a Christian missionary school called Cornerstone Academy Markurdi. I am the smallest and among the intelligent students in my class because of the mercy of the Lord in my life. I like my school because it is a Christian missionary school that teaches a child the way he will go so that when he is old he will not depart from it.

My advice to teenagers is to tell them to love righteousness and hate iniquities and not to depend on man because man can fail you, but to depend on God because He is the “Rock of Ages.”

Oghene Success is a 14-year-old student at Cornerstone Academy in Makurdi, Nigeria.

South Africa

By Jane Korevaar LEFT: A Distance Group in Olievenhoutbosch at a typical Saturday class. They are currently completing the Old Testament I module by Pastor Malwande Mdonga.

Distance Education

G

od’s ways are amazing. His plan for all the details in our lives demonstrates His magnificence in the way He leads and calls us to follow Him. In March 2010, I arrived in South Africa to volunteer at Mukhanyo Theological College. In November 2011, I became a missionary of the Heritage Reformed Congregations. God sent me to use the skills He had provided: many years of experience with store operations, training and development, project management, administration, and process improvement.

My main role was to develop and roll out the Mukhanyo Distance program to Southern Africa. This way the theological training at the college could extend far beyond any campus. We currently have 11 modules (courses) developed, and they are being used in 17 distance groups.

It is uplifting to see the Lord using the resources He provides to lead people to know His Word and equip them to evangelize and teach others.

www.wordanddeed.org

Course is accredited by the Council of Higher Education and registered with the Department of Education in South Africa.

The marketing and promotion of distance groups is mainly done by passing out brochures and doing presentations to various churches who are interested in equipping pastors, elders, deacons, Sunday School teachers, and other church leaders.

Approximately 90% of pastors in Africa do not have a theological education. This lack can result in error and heresy, including church leaders serving as mediators for socalled Christians also practicing ancestral worship, witchcraft, and animal sacrifices.

The material is used as a visual aid in distance groups led by suitably qualified facilitators who organize the students.

Classes can be held at any time and as frequently as the students are available. The requirements are electricity, a television, a DVD player, and a room suitable for student learning. The cost of each module is approximately $25/student/module.

Being in a group encourages the students, allows discussion and debate, enriches learning, and builds church unity and cooperation in the community.

In South Africa, a country which has the highest percent of people in the world living with HIV/AIDS and where 43% of the deaths are HIV/AIDS related1, the average age is 49. Hell is a reality that is faced by all that do not come to know the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior.

Please pray that this program will reach out to many church leaders and enable them to bring the whole counsel of God with the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to all of their hearers.

1

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/ the-world-factbook/geos/sf.html

Jane Korevaar is a missionary for the Heritage Reformed Congregations.

She is also a member of the Bradford, Ontario congregation and the Distance Coordinator at Mukhanyo Theological College (mukhanyo.co.za).

Mukhanyo Distance

Word & Deed recently approved a donation to Mukhanyo Theological College to develop the following three modules at the Diploma level: Church Planting, African Spirituality and Christian Missions, Missional Churches. The cost to develop one module (before overhead) is approximately $6,500. The Business Group of Illiana, Illinois is generously supporting this project.

SUMMER2012 Word&Deed 9

At Mukhanyo Theological College we are videotaping all lectures in the classroom at the diploma and certificate level. After videotaping lectures, we edit them and make DVD packages of each module along with a study guide that contains all of the lecturer’s notes and reference material. Finally, the material is shipped out to the various groups within South Africa and beyond. The Diploma

ABOVE: A Distance Group in Diepsloot watching the Systematic Theology II module by Dr. Brian DeVries.

Paul & Laurina VanderSloot:

Veteran Volunteers

By Heidi Pronk

10 10 Word&Deed Word&DeedSUMMER2012 FALL 2009

If there was ever a couple who qualified as mission trip “veterans,” it would have to be Paul and Laurina VanderSloot. Between the two of them, they have been on a combined 31 mission trips to Guatemala and Colombia! This begs the question: What prompts a couple – retired (mostly), married almost 49 years with four children and eight grandchildren – to devote this kind of time and energy to missions? Laurina sums it up simply: “It’s a heart thing.”

She says that their main motivation is the opportunity to show the love of Jesus to the children in the places they visit. “These children are so poor but they can get by on nothing and still be happy.

Their homes are often very rough but it is a real blessing to us to be able to send them home with love.” Paul echoes that sentiment by saying that when we share what we have, we are also “sharing the love of Jesus – even if we speak a different language.”

When asked to share a highlight of their trips, they both mentioned the rewards of meeting the children they sponsor. They have had the opportunity to sponsor three of their children from kindergarten through secondary school graduation. One child in particular captured their hearts. On one of their trips to Guatemala, a young boy would show up every day at the job site where Paul was working and ask to help. At the end of the two weeks, the little boy left a note that read “I hope that someday I can have a sponsor like you.” They immediately inquired as to whether the boy was sponsored and since he was not, Paul and Laurina became sponsors to little Marlon. Every year they’d return to visit Marlon and after he graduated and got a job in a bank, he’d still come to the project if he knew Paul and Laurina would be there. They still stay in touch with Marlon via Facebook! The sponsorship program has provided something far more valuable than just financial resources – it has provided an opportunity to establish wonderful relationships. (At this point, Paul wanted to tell more stories but Laurina reminded him this was a brief article not a sermon. Perhaps the other stories will have to wait for another magazine edition!)

Paul and Laurina are just as dedicated at home as they are abroad.

They help with each Word & Deed quarterly magazine mailing, stuffing envelopes, sticking labels, and taping packages (although the tape dispenser still gets the best of Paul occasionally). They have helped with securing donations for the auctions we’ve held in the west Michigan area, and Laurina has crafted and donated many of her highly coveted covered casserole sets. They recently gave a presentation at their grandchildren’s school about their mission trips. They have helped with food preparation and tickets sales,

made phone calls and worked the softball tournaments. They’ve assembled school kits, craft kits and hygiene kits to take to the field. They have even spent hours unsealing new envelopes that had accidentally been exposed to moisture in storage! In 2010, they became founding members of the Grand Rapids area Business Group and Paul went to Colombia this year as an ambassador for the group. Basically, they’ve done everything and anything we’ve ever asked them to do, and they’ve done it willingly and cheerfully.

Paul and Laurina say that their lives have been enriched by the relationships they’ve established, the fellowship that they’ve had and the love that they’ve experienced. Their work with Word & Deed has enabled them to be connected to the people who are receiving the benefits of the project efforts. But ultimately, as Paul reminds us, all the praise and honor goes to the Lord.

“If the Lord hadn’t put this in our hearts from the beginning, none of this would have happened. It’s all about Him, not about us.”

Heidi Pronk is the Office Administrator for Word & Deed USA.

Paul & Laurina in Guatemala with one of their previous sponsor children, Shirley.

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

Corney Les:

The Motivating Power of Love

By Hanna Korvemaker

Corney Les’ history with Word & Deed began … well, further than his memory reaches back. Corney figures that he’s been a supporter for the last seven or eight years (maybe longer), but it wasn’t until 2008 that he got really involved, when he began observing the activities of the board for eventual board membership.

Since those early days, Corney’s role has steadily grown. He continues as a Director on the Canadian Board, but has also become an avid ambassador for fundraisers, a Business Group Coordinator, and a member of the Word & Deed Public Relations Subcommittee. The hours that he spends researching new fundraising ideas, helping organize fundraisers, setting up meetings, attending meetings, making presentations and writing articles make him feel more like staff than anything else. Corney has gone above and beyond the “call of duty”, and he does it all from his hometown of Chilliwack, British Columbia.

In spite of the fact that he is the only member of the Canadian Board of Directors who doesn’t live in Ontario, Corney says that he feels very connected to the Word & Deed office. Being on “mountain time” (three hours behind the staff and board members in Ontario) and living on the other side of Canada hasn’t kept him from speaking to somebody from Word & Deed at least one or twice a week, and he rarely misses a board meeting.

Although each of his trips have had a significant impact on him, the sights he saw on the first field visit he ever made, to Nicaragua, have stuck with him all these years. For him, it was amazing to see how people could survive in such desperately impoverished conditions. Even more powerful was the knowledge that this outward impoverishment is only a hint at the impoverishment of a life without God. Trips to the field are rewarding for Corney, but he feels that they also represent one of the greatest challenges of volunteering for Word & Deed. He knows, firsthand, that it’s difficult “to understand each individual culture so that … our presentation of the Gospel is culturally appropriate … [and] so that we come alongside indigenous

Corney makes the extra effort because he believes in the work of Word & Deed. He has had the opportunity to visit Word & Deed supported projects in Malawi, South Africa, Colombia, Nicaragua and Haiti, and seeing the final destination of Word & Deed donations in each of these countries make his promotional efforts in North America a pleasure.

Corney in Malawi.

populations and help them up [instead of acting like we] have all the answers.”

The best part of it all? “[Hearing] the testimony of a young person who has come to know the Lord … the amazing power of Christ is good for us to hear.”

Corney and Janet Les.

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Hanna Korvemaker works as Public Relations Support at Word & Deed Ministries.

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The challenges are no obstacle to Corney. On the field and at home, his desire to promote the care of the poor and the spread of the Gospel is motivated by a love for Christ and by the belief that “we need to look after the poor; because that is what Jesus Christ asks of us. If it wasn’t for love of Him, we wouldn’t do any of these things.”

Helen Vandyk:

Glad Service

By Hanna Korvemaker

Word & Deed has volunteers all over North America. Their tasks are many and varied, and their efforts are tireless. But there are a few tasks that only a select few of our volunteers can do.

Helen with some of her grandchildren.

Helen Vandyk is one of the select few volunteers that live close enough to the Word & Deed office in Talbotville, Ontario, to help with the overflow of administrative duties that need attention on a regular basis. Willingly and cheerfully, she comes into the office, often bearing coffee-time treats, to help with all manner of administrative duties. Most often, we call Helen for filing, mailing, and labeling, but she has always been readily available to fill whatever need exists. As a testament to that fact, in the days when

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Her commitment to Word & Deed has been long-term, and she always finds time for volunteering at the office, but it’s certainly not for lack of busyness in her own life.

In between volunteering at Word & Deed and her hobbies of walking, reading, sailing and scrabble, she also enjoys working with her husband, Arie, in landscaping (she’s the “go-fer” girl) and catering. They also enjoy being the parents of six married children and the grandparents of 22 grandchildren who are often at their home (although, usually not all at one time)!

and see all the latest updates on: • How you can get involved • Projects • Events • Ways to give • Sponsorship Programs etc.

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12 Word&Deed SUMMER2012

the Word & Deed office moved to its current location in Talbotville (2004) she was even willing to help paint the new office.

Have a gift for Web design?

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!

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Though her life is full, Helen says that she continues to find time for helping with the administrative duties at Word & Deed because, although she occasionally has to jockey her regular work with Arie to find the time to come in, she knows there is a need for this type of volunteer at the office.

Helen sees that being a part of the administrative effort is also being a part of an “outreach that seeks to [provide] the needy with the Word of God and concrete help in the form of food, education and loving care.” For her, working in the office “brings to mind again and again the abundant blessings we enjoy…and the great need in so much of the world. What we have is all given by a gracious God, not deserved or merited.” In her eyes, this is reward enough for her labors.

Hanna Korvemaker works as Public Relations Support at Word & Deed Ministries.

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

Sponsorship

“Uplifting”

Tribal Children in India

A

lthough India is a fast developing country, in many rural parts of this diverse country a large number of the rural population is still poor and illiterate. They live in mud huts, separate from civilization and development (no electricity, plumbing, roads, access to medical care, etc.) and have a unique cultural identity that is strongly rooted in traditional, tribal living and animistic religious beliefs. Social norms keep members of the lowest castes in these rural populations from having the opportunity to go to school, making it impossible for these children to progress in their lives.

100 of these children are waiting for sponsors – can you help?

Jitendra: Jitendra is 8 years old. His father is a bonded laborer and his wages are insufficient to meet the needs of his family. Though he desires to see his children get

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interested in the opportunity to go to school.

Ajith: Ajith is 12 years old.

His parents own a little bit of land on which they cultivate maize. The rainfall has been sporadic and is affecting the yield of the land. Their financial position is critical and educating their children is an added burden.

Asvin: Asvin is 7 years old.

He comes from a small village which is isolated and surrounded by forest. His parents are agricultural laborers who work hard all day long, but earn very little money. They can barely afford to give their children food and clothing. With such a difficult life, providing an education for their children is an extra burden, so they have requested admission into the COUNT Agape Home. Asvin is an active child and looks forward to the possibility of going to school.

Lukesh: Lukesh is 10 years old. His parents own a small piece of land which produces a minimal harvest. His mother stays at home and takes care of Lukesh and his two siblings.

Their income is not enough to afford an education for their children, but his parents would like their children to grow in good discipline. Lukesh is an active child and is very interested in going to school.

Vijay: Vijay is 10 years old.

He belongs to a poor family.

His father is a pastor and his income is very little. Since he cannot afford to educate his children, he has decided to enroll them in the COUNT Agape Home. Vijay is an active child and is

Prakash: Prakash is 10 years old. His father is an evangelist and is working as a pastor among his own tribal people. They live in a small village which does not have access to proper facilities. Though there are small schools around their village, they do not function properly. Prakash’s father’s earnings are very little and he can barely afford to provide his family with their most basic needs. He desires to give his children the opportunity for a good education, but cannot afford to do so.

Prakesh is eager to continue his studies.

Word&Deed SUMMER2012 13

Our partners at COUNT (Christian Outreach Uplifting New Tribes) India are reaching out to the children of this vulnerable people group by providing them with their basic needs: boarding, lodging, food, education, medical care and an introduction to the Gospel.

an education, his low caste status keeps him from attempting it.

Business Groups

New Growth Since the Business Group Program was launched in 2008 it has continued to grow. This year, five new groups (Smithers, BC; Burlington, ON; Thunder Bay, ON; Ripon, CA; Lansing, IL) were launched or are scheduled to launch. This raises the number of Business Groups to 18 - God is good!

Top: The Illiana business group launch held at the Lansing, Illinois URC. ABOVE: The Burington business group launch held at the West Plains Bistro in Burlington, Ontario.

Through this initiative, $1.8 million dollars have been raised, projects in seven countries have benefited and countless lives have been touched.

If you would like to join the growing number of businessmen who are banding together to make a lasting difference, please contact Rick Postma (publicrelations@wordanddeed. org) or John Kottelenberg (jkottelenberg@ wordanddeed.org) for information about the next meeting in your area or for information about launching a new group.

As generation gives way to generation in

A Living Legacy

14 Word&Deed SUMMER2012

North America, billions of dollars change hands. Who will benefit? Consider adding a child named “Charity” to your will and leave a legacy that lives on through the work of the Lord on this earth.

Through your planned gift, you can make a significant impact on the future!

Please contact the Word & Deed office or visit our website for more information on Planned Giving.

Go to wordanddeed.org, click on “Ways to Give” and select “Planned Giving”.

Meetings for the fall include: Hamilton, ON Niagara, ON Norwich, ON Grand Rapids, MI Information about dates and locations for these meetings will be posted on our website as available.

Audited Statements Our audited financial statements for 2011 are now available. We welcome you to contact our US or Canadian office for a copy of our respective statements.

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

young@heart

Please mail to: Tanya Byl, 28 German School Rd., Paris, ON N3L 3E1 tanyabyl@yahoo.ca

Bright Idea

Thanks to students from Mrs. Piersma’s Grade 6 class at RCS in Copetown, ON, for sending in their completed Bible puzzles: Julia Byl, William Sinke, Nate Neven, Cassandra deHaan, Joel Naves, Sam Kranendonk, Arthur Ruijmschoot, Elizabeth Wolfe.

Kudos, fist bumps, and a big thank-you to the Grade 7 students at Rehoboth Christian School in Copetown, ON, brand new sponsors of a Word & Deed child!

Four students approached their teacher for permission to continue with their idea of sponsoring a child. They researched the possibilities with Word & Deed, made a poster to present their idea, and finally, gained unanimous support from their classmates.

Way to show There are children who initiative, need sponsors. (Check out the Grade details in this issue of Word & Deed.) responsible for bringing in $1.50 per month to fund the sponsorship, and Seven!!

Do you think you could convince some students have already paid for their entire year. To earn the money This class your class to sponsor a child? for the sponsorship, students are emptying the dishwasher at home, will support Have you started something babysitting, cleaning, making cardboard boxes, cutting grass, doing yard their new similar at your school? work, helping neighbors, and working at greenhouses, dairy farms, and classmate until Send me an email with horse farms. they graduate, all the details.

You have been given every good thing, and we are thankful to see you giving of five years from your blessings to others. now. Every student is

child sponsorship

Join a

Softball Tournament in Your Area Lethbridge, AB– July 7 Grand Rapids, MI – July 28 Chilliwack, BC – September 8 Calgary, AB – September 15

www.wordanddeed.org • WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/WORD.DEEDNA

SUMMER2012 Word&Deed 15

See our website or Facebook page for more details.

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

Publications Agreement # 40595030

Fall Dinner Tour 2 Chilliwack, BC – October 12 2 Abbotsford, BC – October 13 2 Hamilton, ON – October 19 2 Jordan, ON – October 20 2 London, ON – TBA Our keynote speaker and additional dinner locations will be announced on our website. Please stay tuned for details!

Wanted:

Mission Team Members!

Do you desire to see others know Christ and to grow spiritually? Are you able to work patiently, closely and lovingly with those of a different cultural background? Are you willing to use your skills and interests for the good of others?

With our partners at the Saint Luke Society in Ecuador, Word & Deed will be sending a mission team to Ecuador from August 27 to September 7, 2012. The majority of the work will consist of coming alongside local volunteers as they lay blocks for a security wall being built around the property of a meeting center for sponsor children, but there will also be opportunities to be involved with the daily activities of the sponsorship program. Estimated cost: $2,000 - $2,500. To begin the application process, please contact us at missionteam@wordanddeed.org ***Please note that tax receipts will be issued for the cost of your flights and accommodations.