31 Oct Praying for the World: A Great Tool

Jeff Bleijerveld, Director of Global Ministries

I just recently found this great prayer resource from Operation World. Biblica sends out a daily prayer reminder based on the Operation World Prayer Calendar so that you can pray for a different country or need somewhere in the world every day. If you happen to have the book edition, it’s a great help; but for those on the go (like me), it’s nice to have it in electronic form.

If you want to give it a try, there’s even a 60-day Prayer Challenge. You can sign up for it here.

In addition to giving you the opportunity to pray for every nation of the world at least once per year, it also devotes multiple days of prayer to the larger countries and regions. Some countries even offer “Prayercast” videos.

28 Oct Jen Blandin Prepares to Return to Macau

Jennifer Blandin, UB staff in Macau, has been on extended educational leave for most of this year. This summer, she received her Master’s degree from Winebrenner Theological Seminary in Findlay, Ohio. In November, she will return to Macau. Here is an excerpt from her most recent newsletter.

Jennifer Blandin

September was a month of rest. After a year of studying, speaking, and working, I was able to take some time to slow down and recover from always being on the go.

I must admit that slowing down took some time to adjust to. The best way I can describe the feeling is like detoxing from something that we are addicted to. I was addicted to busyness. Thankfully, I was given a chance to detox from it and settle into a period of time to rest.

To help with detox, I was able to enjoy time with my nieces and nephews, take a couple of relaxing trips to visit family who live in other cities, sleep in later than 6 am, have leisurely lunches with family and friends, read the newspaper, and take walks where I could enjoy time with God in His creation and not have to worry about what needed to be done that day. September was just the kind of month I needed!

In a few weeks I will return to Macau. I am really excited about being able to return to Macau and walk the path God is laying out for me! It will be fun to reunite with friends as well as meet new people. But in order to do so, it means saying goodbye to family and friends here in the States. I would really appreciate your prayers concerning the transition period that is underway. Not just with goodbyes and hellos, but also with finding a place to live in Macau, settling into life there, and getting involved at Living Water Church and other ministries. I am excited to see what God has planned!

26 Oct Turkey: Earthquake Relief

We are partnering with IN Network to begin ministry in Turkey. We received the following from Rody Rodeheaver of IN Network regarding the recent earthquake. If you would like to help, gifts can also be sent to Global Ministries, and we’ll forward 100% to IN Network.–Jeff Bleijerveld

Rody Rodeheaver

As you saw in the news and heard on Mission Network News, there was a 7.2 magnitude earthquake Sunday that struck the city of Van and the town, Ercis, located in the northeastern part of Turkey. News reports are reporting a death toll of around 300 with another 1,300 injured; over 950 buildings are demolished.

A health services building along with part of the hospital collapsed and the injured were being treated in the hospital’s garden. Two make-shift tent hospitals were being erected on Sunday. Rescuers and survivors are contending with near-freezing temperatures and some people are burning wood from collapsed buildings for warmth.

Behnan shared with me that there is a new Protestant church of about 150 people in the city of Van, and miraculously the church structures were unharmed in the earthquake. The church leadership is not only reaching out to their own people affected by the quake, but are organizing efforts to meet the tremendous needs throughout the area. People are in need of blankets, drinking water, food, and clothing. I.N. Turkey will be working side by side with the pastor and congregation to get the staples needed to the people in that area.

International Needs USA will be working through our staff in Turkey to provide funds to purchase needed items like blankets, clothes and food for the people most affected in this terrible disaster.

24 Oct Off to the Philippines

Global Ministries director Jeff Bleijerveld (right) and Bishop Brian Magnus of the UB Church in Canada are on their way to the Philippines. They leave today, October 24, 2011, and will return October 31. They will attend the Philippines National Conference. Brian is chairman of the UB International Executive Committee.

21 Oct A Chinese Team in Poland

Donna Delik, UB endorsed staff in Poland (sent October 16)

We are very thankful for the Hong Kong Chinese mission team that has come to minister with us in Poland. We have done meetings in different places like school, church, and community center meetings, and got very positive response. Rev. Chan from Zion Church (my home church) has presented the gospel very clearly with the teaching of Taoism and Chinese character. We pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to work in people hearts.

One more day to go and I will take the team to Krakow. After the service this afternoon, Arek left to see his parents, as his father’s condition is getting very critical.

We will appreciate your prayers:

• For Arek, who is going to take care of his parents, especially dad, and try to find someone to take care of them.
• We still have one more school meeting on Monday. I will be taking care of the team all on my own. Thanks God that there are 2 Polish girls help me out, but when we travel to Krakow, I will be all on my own. A whole van of Chinese with an American driver, who has come with the team. It will be challenging. And we still haven’t found someone to bring me and the van back to Kutno.

19 Oct Heavy Flooding Affects Caluco Church in El Salvador

Heavy rainfall in El Salvador has caused severe flooding, as rivers overflow and mountain slopes fall apart.

Rev. Gonzalo Alas (right), who heads up our work there, wrote:

“In the Caluco church, where the pastor is Isaiah Reyes, all the brothers have had to leave their homes because the river ran through this place and flooded their homes and the church. The church is now being used to house neighbors from the community.

“We have 17 members of the church people affected, and 81 people in the community are now staying in the church.

“We have some problems regarding food, blankets, and medicine. They are forecasting that rain will continue for the rest of this week.

“The municipal government of Caluco has been providing small grants, but given the extent of the emergency in different places it does not keep up with the needs.

“Please pray for us in this difficult time. If you have opportunity to help us it would be a blessing for these families.”

12 Oct Prayer for Arek Delik’s Father

Arek and Donna Delik (right) are endorsed UB missionaries serving in Poland. Donna wrote on October 10:

“Arek just talked to his father on the phone, and his father’s condition has worsened. He got very severe diarrhea and became very weak. They had to call the doctor to see dad at home. After the visit, the doctor referred him to the hospice. That means we have to prepare for the worst.

“We will really appreciate your prayers Arek’s dad and for us as well, especially for these 2 weeks (10/10 to 21/10) when we are having our Hong Kong mission team for the Chinese Culture Week. We pray that dad will get better and there won’t be anything happen to him during this time, otherwise Arek has to rush to Slupsk. We really feel that our enemy is trying to distract us from this particular time of ministry. Please stand with us in prayer.”

05 Oct The New Media Moves Fast

Doug Weber, UB endorsed missionary with HCJB Radio in Quito, Ecuador, posted on his blog a piece about his role with new media, particularly Facebook, to reach Latin American youth.

22 Sep Chinese-Language Church Plant in Thailand

Pastor HM Lee preaching.

Our two churches in Thailand are located just south of the Chinese border. Many persons living in these mountain villages speak either Akha or Mandarin Chinese, but not Thai. While learning to speak English may be popular in some places, most people in northern Thailand want to learn Chinese.

Rev. H.M. Lee recently started a United Brethren Chinese-language church plant. This third church will strengthen the efforts of our two existing Akha-language churches planted in the past 15 years.