14 Dec Klines Receive Macau Work Permits

David and Melissa Kline report that they have received work permits for Macau, which means they can now begin teaching in the English Language Program. They will begin teaching in January, and may also have the chance to teach at a middle school.

They held a Thanksgiving Party, which went very well. “Normally we have a program including a speaker, singing, and maybe some games or group discussion. This time, we very intentionally kept the program to a prayer for the food and a short story about what Thanksgiving means to us. Everyone seemed very relaxed and stayed for a couple hours talking. Our entire team had many opportunities to build deeper relationships that night. Yeah God!

“As an advertisement for that dinner, Melissa made apple and pumpkin pie for English class. Some of the women liked the apple so much they set-up a time to come to our home to make it. Five ladies came over and we had a great time baking and eating lunch. Cooking seems to be a way into peoples lives lately.”

David and Melissa are currently in the States for the wedding of Melissa’s brother. They will return to Macau before Christmas so they can participate in the ELP holiday activities.

08 Dec Good News from Linda Neely

Linda Neely, a UB endorsed missionary with Wycliffe Bible Translators, reports: “Great news! In October I received an invitation to be a language survey specialist in Indonesia! This invitation came after I expressed interest in working in that part of the world. It is exciting to have an official assignment!

“My first year in Indonesia will be spent in language school studying Bahasa Indonesia (or Indonesian) in the capital city of Jakarta. A city of over 10 million people, Jakarta is located on the island of Java. I am planning to arrive there in July of 2005 for a field-training course before starting Indonesian classes in August.

“Since I will not be going overseas until July, it will be beneficial for me to stay here in Dallas until April to take an advanced survey course. During this time I will also learn how to write profiles of people groups, a skill that will be very useful on the survey team in Indonesia.

“Here’s some more great news: almost all of the monthly financial support that I will need for my assignment in Indonesia has been pledged! There will still be some additional expenses for airfare, moving, and setting up.”

08 Dec Death of Toma K. Fogbawah

The first African maintenance officer of the United Brethren Church, Sierra Leone, Mr. Toma K. Fogbawah, the first African maintenance office of the UB church in Sierra Leone, passed away on December 11. He was 69. Mr. Fogbawah is survived by his wife, Mrs. Dinah Fogbawah, and seven children. Cards to the family can be sent through Mrs. Fogbawah, Andrew, and Tom, all of whom reside at: 3017 4th Avenue, Claymont, DE 19703.

• Hong Kong. Hong Kong Conference held a missions conference in early December. Here are some items from that conference, plus news from the work of several persons affiliated with Hong Kong Conference:
• There were 380 participants in the conference. Attendees donated $1,232, and made a faith offering of $29,788. Several members indicated that they would participate in short-term mission opportunities.
• Poland. Arek Delik, serving in Poland, attended a conference with 200 preachers from eight different denominations; they discussed the vision of planting new churches. Arek and Donna have a new female coworker in Poland, Alina Kozlowska. Donna is teaching 86 students in English classes; it is a way to establish relationshipos with unchurched people.
• Myanmar. The Go Chin family returned safely to Myanmar on December 7. They have 180 students in English classes. Carmen has started a kindergarten; she needs a schoolbus to provide transportation for students. Bridget Ho is busily making preparations for a Christmas evangelistic gathering for the students in the English classes.
• Thailand. In Thailand, 40 persons will be baptized over Christmas. Rev. H. M. Lee is the pastor.

18 Nov News from Macau

Jana sent the following on November 13.

• Our part-time secretary, Wing, has decided to join our staff full-time. This will be a big help to us. Thank the Lord for bringing Wing to our center. She’s very creative and a lot of fun to be with.
• On Saturday, November 20, we’ll hold a Thanksgiving party for Kids’ Klub. We’ll be giving a gospel invitation. Pray that God will be working in the hearts of the children this week to prepare them for responding to the gospel. Pray for Michael and I as we counsel children who respond to the invitation.
• On Sunday, November 21, we’re holding a Thanksgiving Pie Social for everyone who attends our English Bible Studies. We’ll be giving a gospel invitation at this event, as well. Several of these adults have been studying the Bible with us for over a year. Pray that their hearts will be touched and that they’ll take the step of faith for salvation. Pray for Michael, Jennifer, and Airy as they prepare to share testimonies of how God has worked in their lives. Pray for Michael, Jennifer, David, Melissa, and I as we counsel with those in our small groups.

Jennifer Blandin, missionary to Macau, will return to the United States for a time of furlough beginning in January of 2005. During that time, Jennifer will continue working on her graduate degree at Winebrenner University in Findlay, Ohio.

11 Nov $59,000 Given for Hurricane Relief

As of October 31, people had contributed nearly $59,000 to the three hurricane relief funds we created in September.

• Jamaica: $25,193
• Haiti: $9,217
• Florida: $24,503

11 Nov A World of New Regulations

David and Melissa Kline continue to await word from Macau governmental authorities concerning their status for long-term service in Macau. With the new regulations, one of the sticking points is getting permission from the Education Department, the Labor Department, as well as the Immigration Department to be an “English teacher.” We continue to seek your prayer for God’s sovereign hand over this process.

The Klines are not alone. In a changing world, many mission agencies in many countries are facing the increased challenge of getting immigration visas for missionaries, as well as work permits. Wes and Jean Bell, Wycliffe missionaries to Brazil (also UB endorsed missionaries), are struggling with Brazilian immigration as they seek to recruit needed missionary teachers to their school.

28 Oct Hurricane Relief Funds

As of October 25, people had contributed over $55,000 to the three hurricane relief funds we created in September.

• Jamaica: $24,541
• Haiti: $7,026
• Florida: $23,512

In addition, some people have contributed directly to these places. The figures above reflect only the money channelled through the United Brethren Headquarters and Global Ministries.

20 Oct Klines Still Awaiting Work Permits

David and Melissa Kline are still trying to obtain work permits so they can teach in the Macau English Language Program. In the meantime, they are finding other ways to serve the Macau people, while Jana and Jennifer Blandin carry the bulk of the teaching responsibilities.

20 Oct Updates from Macau

Jana sends these notes from Macau.

• Several new students have attended at least one English Bible Study. Praise the Lord for these young adults who are open to learning more about God. Pray that their lives will be changed by the Truth of God’s Word.
• Please continue to pray that David and Melissa will be granted work permits so that they can begin teaching. Pray for them, too, as they look for useful ways to use this time. Waiting is never easy. They’re anxious to jump into ministry here.
• This Friday night we’re having a Chinese friend of ours over for dinner. She isn’t a Christian, but she’s facing some difficult things this month, and we want her to know we care.

20 Oct 5 UBs Serving Short-Term in Jamaica

Five UBs are currently serving short-term in Jamaica: Bishop Emeritus Wilber and Mossie Sites (from Pennsylvania) and Angela Oesterle (Michigan) at Jamaica Bible College, and Kent and Carol Maxwell (Indiana) at Jamaica Theological Seminary.