Important Meetings Coming Up
November 28, 2008 by Communications
Filed under EFCCM, behind-the-scenes
We’re working on some pretty significant stuff in next week’s meetings as the EFCCM directors connect at Home Office. This important powwow is going to raise some issues that need to be addressed, and hopefully bring clarity to the transition we’ve been going through.
Please pray for each of us to voice the issues well, to listen carefully to each other, and that the Lord’s wisdom would be present as we make decisions together.
Have a great weekend, everyone!
The Boiling Point
November 27, 2008 by Communications
Filed under Asia, Bolivia, EFCCM, Latin America, Thailand
If you’ve missed it, Thailand has been in the news recently as protestors have shut down two major airports, stranding thousands of passengers. This is a significant move, threatening to cripple the country’s economy, and is being taken very seriously by the government and authorities. Missionaries there report that at this point it is hard to get a sense of who is doing what. They are safe so far, but having airports blocked is certainly a concern.
The First Return!
November 25, 2008 by Communications
Filed under EFCCM, a World of Hope
Lisa just announced that we have our first a World of Hope ’08 donation this morning! Hurray! Thanks for your continued prayers: we’re trusting God for this to offer a major boost to His work around the world!
BuzZ Online 20 Nov 2008
November 20, 2008 by Communications
Filed under EFCCM, Europe, Ukraine, podcast
Click here to listen to this audio file.
Out, Out and Away!
November 19, 2008 by Communications
Filed under EFCCM, a World of Hope
Some are already starting to receive their World of Hope brochures! Please join us in praying and trusting that the response to this year’s effort would be substantial.
But to me, what’s more important than the financial response, is that we would be able to convey what God is doing through these ministries. I want to share how lives are changing around the world, through committed Canadians giving to missions. Please pray that God would be able to tell this part of His story through us!
Earthquake, 7 Months Later
November 14, 2008 by Communications
Filed under Asia, China, EFCCM
Do you remember the earthquake in China that happened earlier this year? I posted something about it here and here. I recently received an update which is both heart-wrenching and uplifting at once.
L. is a 24 year-old Chinese representative that’s working directly with the victims of the earthquake, and intends to for years to come. These two stories come from her.
When L. first saw ZC. he was like an ADD child (13yrs) who could not stop running and teasing other kids and his brother (9yrs). Their father died in the quake and the mother farms in the nearby fields most of the time. When L. initially visited his home he would not talk at all. L. eventually was able share with him and asked if the “earthquake shadow” and “father death” were still in his heart (local meaning for fear of quakes and dying). She mentioned that if it was true, he didn’t need to face them by himself. He started talking more with her as she expressed concern and interest to listen. Then he started to sob and talk about the hurt in his heart. He thought that it was now his responsibility to take care for his mother and brother even though he felt he was nothing. Then L. hugged him from the back and he started crying out loud.
S. lost both parents in the earthquake. The mixed up feelings in her heart sometimes lead her to fight with other children. She lives with her uncle now who is disabled but wants to go out to work. When L. visited the home she met the S. who generally doesn’t talk too much. At that time L. and S. went for a long walk along the river bank. As the conversation grew S. started to feel more comfortable with L. and started to show her deep hidden feelings about what she experienced in the quake. Now L. & S. are close friends and L. continues to regularly follow up with her and the uncle.
Pray for healing and strength for victims, and for wisdom and safety of the people working within this situation.
There are ways that you can get involved. You can sponsor a child for $1/day. Or you could send a team to the area to lead camp-type events. Or you can assist with creating a temporary library. Drop us a line if you’d like to know more.
BuzZ Online 14 Nov 2008
November 13, 2008 by Communications
Filed under Asia, EFCCM, Thailand, a World of Hope, podcast
Click here to listen to this podcast.
It’s a pleasure to welcome Larry and Diane to the EFCCM’s studio. (Which is really just an office with some audio equipment thrown in. But doesn’t “studio” sound better?) They have served in Thailand for a number of years, and in this edition they share about the ministries they are involved in, and their future directions.
In this podcast, Larry mentions animism. If you’re not familiar with the term, it’s the belief that spirits — particularly the spirits of ancestors — have unpredictable influence in daily life. They must be placated by performing certain rites, or consulting witch doctors. (An internet search will provide more info.) When Larry says that people are told to kill their animals, recognise that an animal may be the only livelihood for a whole family. It’s a steep price!
There are a few references in here to a World of Hope. It’s inspiring to me how it’s catching on! (The new one should be in the mail by the end of today!) Larry shares an update about last year’s Thailand project, and offers some new ones for this year. If you want to see the projects highlighted for a World of Hope ’08, please take a look at this pdf, and look for Asia.
There are people that are getting involved in a number of ways, from giving to going. If you’re keen on going to help, you can e-mail Rich, our Personnel Director. And if you’re interested in partnering directly with Larry and Diane as they follow God’s call, you can e-mail them by clicking here.
Missions Gala Night in Langley
November 5, 2008 by Communications
Filed under EFCC connections, EFCCM
Recently several of us from Home Office accepted an invitation to Langley EFC’s 2009 Faith Promise Gala evening. This is the night that the church tells the story of its mission involvement around the world. It was very well attended, and the passion level was high!
All of the pews were removed from the sanctuary(!), turning it into a commodious banquet hall. At each table there was a person chosen to represent the church’s international ministry. During dessert, they were given 5 minutes to speak, and then they were rotated to two more tables for 5-minute sessions.
When that part of the evening was over, Crystal took to the stage. She heads up Worship Ministries at Abbostford EFC. What a voice! And what a passion!
Finally Pastor Darren got up to address the assembly, and to inspire people to get involved with missions. One of the church’s most important sentiments is “We don’t give where we don’t go.” That’s an important statement. Serving personally, and building connections with ministry are far more important than giving money.
Faith promise has revolutionised the church’s giving. People give strategically and consistently — in some cases even if they’ve moved away! I’m going to work on having someone from Langley EFC explain more about it on this blog. There’s a chance it could work for your church too!
Everything You Need for A World of Hope ’08!
November 4, 2008 by Communications
Filed under EFCCM, a World of Hope, behind-the-scenes
Home Office generates quite a bit of material. It’s been commented that our stuff doesn’t always fit in the context of the local churches it’s aimed at. That’s true all the way from conceptual (our ideas don’t fit your framework) to nuts-and-bolts stuff (our bulletin inserts don’t fit your bulletins).
I am trying to develop ways of addressing that, and trust me, I’m not alone. We’re all on board! So as we dive head-first into a World of Hope ’08, I think this would be a great place to start. Please use the comments below to let me know if any of the following is helpful. Or if you have other ideas you want to see included!
Let’s start with the whole brochure. This is currently being printed and will be mailed out shortly. You can download a sneak peek pdf by clicking on the graphic below:
This is the second year I’ve used my little jumping guy and the text (well, the ’08 is new…). Click below for this also as a pdf file.
I’ve assembled a 8.5×11 poster for your bulletin board, or fridge, if you would like. You can download that by clicking on the graphic below:
The font I’ve used is Ravie which should be available by clicking here.
I’m not sure if this would be helpful, but I thought I’d also provide the pictures that I used as the background for the brochure. I took these of an authentic Mexican blanket — click on either small graphic below to get a full-res version:
