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.

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.