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.

20 Oct Hurricane Relief

The disastrous hurricanes in September prompted us to create relief funds for Haiti, Jamaica, and Florida. Some people and churches contributed directly. Here is a summary of the money channeled through the United Brethren offices as of early October:

• Haiti: $4,700.
• Jamaica: $6,820.
• Florida: $14,407.

Work crews will go to Jamaica in early 2005 and possibly to Haiti. Haiti, struck by two hurricanes, suffered grave damage. Several UB churches were destroyed, some UB people were killed, and other UBs lost their homes and possessions. Charley wiped out the entire village where one of our churches was located, and the whole population must relocate.

In Jamaica, several of our churches lost parts of their roofs, as did several parsonages. Seven buildings at Jamaica Bible College suffered roof damage.

01 Oct Winston Smith Reports After Ivan

On September 17, Rev. Winston Smith, Superintendent of Jamaica Conference, wrote, “I visited most of the worse hit areas (Clarendon, Manchester and St. Andrew) and here is an update of the damages done to our people and churches:

• Pastors Donald Dacres and Trevor Williams have lost their roofs.
• Approximately six members from New Green, Battersea, Halse Hall and Mount Prospect churches either lost their roofs or had their roofs partially damaged.
• A member of the Mount Pleasant church lost his house because of land-slide.
• New Green and New Bowens churches had their roofs partially damaged.
• The New Gardens church lost its roof.

01 Oct News from Jamaica After Hurricane Ivan

Scenes from Jamaica Bible College. The bottom picture shows Frances Gordon, wife of JBC President Owen Gordon.

Owen Gordon, a UB minister and president of Jamaica Bible College, sent this information on September 28:

“Our first week of classes went well without electricity and water. Thankfully, we got back electricity and water over the weekend. These, along with telephone. occasionally go off, but we are grateful. We are slowly rising again! Three friends are here from Canada to help us with general clean up. We hope to try to start putting back the library roof sometime next week.

“Special request: Prayer for our students who are exhibiting signs of the effect of post hurricane trauma. One young lady broke down in tears yesterday as her dream of coming to school has been shattered when the hurricane took away everything. Continue to keep us close in prayer and thanks for the many expressions of help.”

“This is my first attempt to send some information since Ivan’s passage. First, thank God for His protection! Thank you all for your loving concern and your earnest and effectual prayers. We are battered, bruised, but thankfully alive!

Bishop Emeritus Wilber and Mossie Sites are also at Jamaica Bible College, serving as volunteers this fall. Bishop Sites wrote the following on September 27:

“Things are slowly returning to normal. We now have all our utilities back, but every day we lose electricity from a few minutes to four to six hours. We had a three-man team come from Southridge Community Church last Tuesday and they have been using power saws to clean up trees, etc. Before they arrived some of the workmen worked several days doing the dame thing. Another team from the same church is to come on Saturday, if we have gotten the roofing materials. The supplier promised to have it to us on Friday. Other teams have volunteered to come later in October and will probably work on the interior of the damaged buildings.”

“Our first week of classes went well without electricity and water. Thankfully, we got back electricity and water over the weekend. These, along with telephone, occasionally go off, but we are grateful. We are slowly rising again! Three friends are here from Canada to help us with general clean up. We hope to try to start putting back the library roof sometime next week.

“Special request: Prayer for our students who are exhibiting signs of the effect of post hurricane trauma. One young lady broke down in tears yesterday as her dream of coming to school has been shattered when the hurricane took away everything. Continue to keep us close in prayer and thanks for the many expressions of help.”

22 Sep Update from Macau

Jana sent the following information from Macau on September 22.

• Last week 25 children came to Kids’ Klub. We’re excited that this many children are attending. A few had learned their memory verses. Praise the Lord for this opportunity to reach children for Christ.
• More women came back to English Bible Study last Friday. I’m thankful for their friendships and their desire to learn more about the Bible. Pray that new students will feel welcome and accepted as we work to bring them into the group.
• Pray for a Chinese Christian friend of mine who is facing a lot of negative pressure from her family. Pray for wisdom as I reach out to her.
• Continue to pray that David and Melissa Kline will be granted work permits so that they can teach in the ELP and at Pui Va Middle School.

20 Sep Karen Crumbley Undergoes Surgery

Former UB missionary Karen Crumbley underwent surgery on Thursday, September 16. The operation went well, though they ended up removing two-thirds of her lung, instead of the one-third they had anticipated. Fortunately, no cancer cells were found. Karen is now doing well. She was moved from Intensive Care to a private room on Sunday night, September 19. If all goes well, she should be able to return home sometime this week.