08 Oct Two Shipments Headed to Sierra Leone

Jeff Bleijerveld, Director of Global Ministries

When we announced last week that we had opportunity to send a pallet of food items to our United Brethren churches in Sierra Leone, we did not inform you that another shipment was already being prepared.

The Mount Zion United African Church in Philadelphia, pastored by Rev. Joe Abu, has been working with UB churches in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Maryland to send a 20-foot container later in October. Among the items collected are 3000 surgical gloves, 1300 fluid-resistant surgical masks, 400 disposable isolation gowns, 64 Bibles, and an oxygen concentrator. Their container is nearly full and ready to send out.

Just this week, Rev. John Pessima, bishop of Sierra Leone National Conference, expressed concern regarding the lack of medical supplies on hand at our Mattru Hospital to deal with Ebola patients. The shipment Mount Zion UB is sending will be an answer to prayer.

Many of the contributing churches have already donated money to help pay for the shipping costs, but your gift would be welcome. If you would like to assist with the shipping cost of this or other shipments going out to West Africa, send your gift to Global Ministries and indicate that it is to be used for West Africa Ebola Relief.

03 Oct March 2015: Youth Work Team for El Salvador

We need 6-8 youth to participate in a short-term mission trip to El Salvador March 13-21, 2015. This is over Huntington University’s spring break. HU is sponsoring this trip. An HU student will lead the team. We need at least one other adult chaperone to accompany the group.

The team will complete work on a church building and do finishing work, and will also do ministry within the community.

Cost: $1400 per person. That includes airfare, supplemental insurance, all in-country travel, food, lodging, entry fee, and some cost of materials.

03 Oct Help Us Send Food to Sierra Leone

Jeff Bleijerveld, Director of Global Ministries

With the Ebola epidemic raging in Sierra Leone, many have been asking what more can be done to help the United Brethren people living there. The outbreak is centered in the part of the country where we have churches.

People responded overwhelmingly to our request to help fund the Ebola prevention and awareness project, which you can read about on UBCentral. In fact, we exceeded the $15,000 goal. That enabled us to fund further programming in other areas where Ebola is advancing. Today (October 3) Global Ministries is sending $3,300 received above what we needed. This will enable Sierra Leone Conference to expand training to Bo, Freetown, and other areas where we have UB churches, but which haven’t yet been seriously affected by Ebola.

Food for Sierra Leone
Commerce in Sierra Leone is at a standstill. Airlines, shipping, local markets, imports, exports, development projects, investments—every part of the economy is affected. The World Bank predicts that Ebola could be a “catastrophic blow” to the economies of Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Liberia. Food is scarce, and what is available is dramatically inflated in price.

Late this week we learned of an opportunity to send food to Sierra Leone for our United Brethren people. Shipping containers are being sent through a Christian ministry called Brothers Brother, in Pittsburgh, Pa. A few years ago, this group donated 80 hospital beds and shipped them for us to the Mattru Hospital.

A 40-foot container is being packed right now with medical and relief supplies for various churches and medical centers. They have room for one 4x4x6-foot pallet for the United Brethren.

Pastor Steve Clulow (left) and his folks at the Cochranton United Brethren Church (Cochranton, Pa.) have graciously offered to receive all donations and ready the pallet for delivery to Pittsburgh. Here is how you can become part of project.

Where to Send Food
Send the following items ASAP, by Oct 15, to the Cochranton UB Church:

• Small bags of rice (half-pound to one-pound only).
• Dried beans (half-pound to one-pound only).
• Small cans of tomato paste.
• Containers of dehydrated onion.
• Canned chicken (good sources include Gordon’s, Sam’s, and Costco).

Please do NOT send large bags (i.e. 40 lb.) or expired items.

Our goal is to have everything at the Cochranton Church no later than October 15. That means you’ll need to ship or deliver your items by Monday, October 13.

If you can’t make that date, don’t worry. We plan to send more in an upcoming shipment.

Here is the address for the church:

Cochranton Community Church
3993 E. Church Street
Cochranton PA 16314
Phone: (814) 425-2905

Cost for a Future Container
It costs $11,000 to send a container. A Baptist denomination is funding this current container, so we get a free ride. Other denominations have paid for six previous containers.

We want to cover the cost of the next container. If you’d like to make a donation toward that $11,000 expense, make your check out to Global Ministries and send it to:

Global Ministries
302 Lake Street
Huntington IN 46750

Be sure to indicate that your gift is for “West Africa Relief.”

If you have questions, feel free to contact us at: (260) 356-2312.

22 Sep Sierra Leonean UBs Respond to Ebola

John Pessima (right), Bishop of Sierra Leone Conference

It all started in May this year when Ebola entered Sierra Leone through Guinea and Liberia. We appealed to Global Ministries for help, so we could do sensitization and prevention training in the Sierra Rutile and Mattru communities, where the majority of the United Brethren schools and churches are located. We targeted our pastors, teachers, and medical practitioners—persons who have large constituencies. We knew that if they stood before their congregations or students and talked about the disease, the information would get around quickly.

We thank God that Global Ministries responded immediately to our cry.

We put together a team of professionals who conducted a workshop on sensitization and prevention of Ebola. This occurred September 15 in Sierra Rutile, and September 16 in Mattru. Altogether, we trained 165 people, who were then instructed to train others in their own communities.

After the two days of training of trainers, participants were provided with a T-shirt, materials on the causes and prevention of Ebola, and a bucket containing medicated soap for their schools and churches (it is now a routine to wash hands with either soap or chlorine before entering homes and public places, including churches). The programs were successful. Participants returned home fully aware of what to do to prevent this virus.

Bonthe district is the location of Mattru Hospital, a nursing school with over 450 students, two high schools, and many primary schools. This district is not too affected for now. As a precautionary measure, the tuberculosis ward at Mattru Hospital has been prepared in the event that it is needed to treat Ebola patients. On September 18, there were 29 current cases of Ebola in the district. However, this only reflects confirmed cases. Many more may exist but have been kept hidden.

The total number of deaths for the whole country is 483, an alarming number that rises each day. We have a moral responsibility as a church to continue with the intervention and to help our people with food and other relief items. Businesses have closed temporarily, churches have suspended services, and schools have suspended classes. Imports and exports have been halted. The crisis is far from over.

Kenema is still quarantined. They need food and other related items which they cannot easily get.

We want to conduct similar sensitization and prevention programs for the members of our various churches in Bo and Freetown, the country’s two largest cities. The virus is spreading quickly because of the influx of people from Port Loko in the north. We are still continuing with our appeal and prayer request for these two conference districts.

We also keep getting requests from our brethren in Liberia. Please don’t forget to keep them in your prayers, as this is a new congregation that is also suffering from Ebola.

As a church, we believe in reaching out to people in need just as our Lord Christ Jesus went out preaching the Good News, giving hope to the hopeless while also healing the sick and feeding the hungry.

Sierra Leone’s economy is down, but we still have hope in the Lord that He will bring this to an end very soon.

17 Sep January 2015: Jamaica Work Trip

Global Ministries is sponsoring a trip to Jamaica during January to work at the Malvern Camp. The team will continue work on the new dormitory at the camp. The first floor is completed, but work needs to begin on the second floor.

Dates: January 3-10, 2015.
Team Leader: Dwight Kuntz (right).
Cost: $750 per person, plus airfare.

The $750 includes in-country travel, food, lodging, supplemental health insurance, and cost of materials.

17 Sep Day 11 Update on Reina Casco

Denis Casco, Bishop of Mexico Conference, provided this “Day 11” update on his wife, Reina, who suffered a brain aneurysm. She is hospitalized in the Los Angeles area, where they live.

“Reina is out of ICU to start recovery for a few days more in the hospital. She started walking, small steps, with the help of the physical therapist. Reina is a very strong woman and very soon she will be back to her normal life and her pastoral work, which she has always done with dedication and devotion to God.

“I thank everyone for your prayers and support in this very difficult time of our life. We’ve been feeling much strength when we read your letters and many messages of solidarity.”

Reina is pastor of a church in Glendale, Calif.

Reina Casco
2427 Rochelle Avenue
Monrovia, CA 91016

15 Sep Day 10 Update on Reina Casco

Denis Casco, bishop of Mexico Conference, reported Monday morning (Sept. 15) that his wife, Reina, is improving steadily from the brain hemorrhage she suffered ten days before. “It’s amazing how God is working in her recuperation day by day. Probably this week her doctor will move her from ICU to a regular room to continue her treatment. All tests show that she is getting better. We are thankful to God for this miracle in Reina’s life and we hope that very soon she will be at home.”

Reina Casco
2427 Rochelle Avenue
Monrovia, CA 91016

11 Sep Day 6 Update on Reina Casco

Denis Casco, Bishop of Mexico Conference, posted the following on Facebook on Thursday morning, September 11. His wife, Reina, is in the Intensive Care Unit of Huntington Memorial Hospital in Pasadena, Calif.

Reina received a dose of morphine at 11:30 pm to calm her severe pain from the the cerebral hemorrhage she suffered five days ago. She looks very vulnerable; her face is like a helpless child that makes me literally shed tears of pain in the bottom of my heart. I know God is with her and that his angels are taking care of Reina.

Tomorrow she’ll probably have a second surgery to put a catheter into her brain to drain and help reduce the severe headache. I am trusted in God that this will help a lot and she will be able to sleep a little more.

Last night I went to church to pray with my brothers and sisters, and also to comfort them because they are also suffering from Reina’s disease. We were helping each other, as God’s Word commands. These have been difficult days, but I felt the support of hundreds of people like my family, pastors, friends, and churches in many countries that are praying for Reina. I have received hundreds of phone calls, messages, emails etc. I have not been able to answer until today.

10 Sep Update on Reina Casco

Reina Casco, wife of Bishop Denis Casco of Mexico Conference, entered a Los Angeles-area hospital on Sunday with an aneurysm. The Cascos live in Monrovia, Calif. Bishop Casco posted the following (with some editing–English is his second language) on Tuesday, September 10.

Bishop Denis Casco, Mexico Conference

Today Reina is talking a little more than yesterday, and that’s a good sign for recovery. I’m counting each day as a gift of life for all my family, because today I learned more clearly that we can die in a second, and that’s what would have happened with Reina. Aneurysm is highly dangerous if not treated immediately. Reina could have died, but God did not allow it because it is He that gives life and takes it away.

Reina is slowly responding. She continues in ICU under strict medical care. Pain will be in her head for a few days, so they have to deliver morphine.

Everyone here in my family is very grateful to all of you for taking care of me with your text messages, phone calls, visits, and especially for your prayers. God has listened carefully and responded to all of you with such love and mercy for Reina. Please keep praying for Reina. This is a very critical period for her.

Address:

Reina Casco
2427 Rochelle Avenue
Monrovia, CA  91016

09 Sep Honduras: Three Days of Fasting and Prayer

Jeff Bleijerveld (right), Director of Global Ministries

Juanita Chavez, superintendent of Honduras Conference, wrote about a conference-wide three days of prayer and fasting. It stretched from 6am-6pm on August 25, 26, and 27.

Some leaders met together during this prayer summit, but all members of their 115 churches were encouraged to join them. They were inspired by the example of Moses, Aaron, and Hur who climbed to the top of a hill in Exodus 17:10-15, and together held up Moses’ hands so that the Israelites would prevail over the Amaleks.

So what did they prayer about?

• A revival throughout the church as a result of hearing and obeying the Word of God.
• Willingness of their leaders to submit to the leading of the Holy Spirit, recognizing the Lordship of Jesus over His church.
• Reestablishment of the “family altar” among their families, so that Christ would be evident in their family lives.
• Bethel School and its financial needs.
• The Retreat Center and the projects underway to complete it.
• Their country and its leaders–that the fear of God would awaken in their hearts.
• Wisdom from God for the difficult decisions and situations that we see around the world in these times of crisis.

They also shared their anticipation in joining with others from September 30 to October 20 for the 21 Days For Global Harvest. This is the first year that Global Ministries has invited our worldwide body to join this prayer campaign for fulfilling the Great Commission in this generation.