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"Share each other's troubles and problems, and in this way we obey the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2 (NLT)
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Angel Co-Op Newsletter
Greetings dear Sister!
How is 2004 unfolding for
you? My prayer is that you are experiencing improved health, increased
energy, and recharged commitment to serving God in the fields where you
are directed by Him to work! I hope this is the most exciting and
purposeful year of ministry in your life to date! Please let us know
about your adventures, challenges, and blessings so we can pray for, and
rejoice with, you!
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Over this past week I have
been ministered to in a powerful way by two young women, spiritual
"daughters". I would like to share how God has worked in their lives to
impact my life:
Thinh Thinh went off
to Thailand on a mission trip for three weeks over Christmas. Ed and I
looked after her children (with lots of help from other church
members). She returned with a sunny radiance and a peace that "passeth
all understanding". On Friday morning she dropped into my workplace
with pictures, brochures, magazines, and other literature gleaned on the
trip.
Part of the time they were
billeted at the beautiful site of the Adventist Mission College just
outside of Bangkok. Thinh Thinh was able to go as far
as about third grade in her Karen (Burma) village as a child. She is
currently struggling in Saskatoon to get a high school education. Each
day they were at the Mission College, a group of them went to work in a
nearby Thai Buddhist elementary school. With these children, who
reminded Thinh Thinh of her own three back in Saskatoon, she
participated in her first games of soccer and volleyball-- ever. She
marveled at the childlike joy that filled her. God reminded her that
she had once rebuked Him for not giving her opportunities for an
education as a child, and had more or less demanded that she be given
those opportunities as an adult. She thanked Him for answering those
prayers. She was in awe of His response to the angry, resentful,
unhappy young woman that had prayed those prayers.
Another time she was out
cutting grass with a number of other fellow mission folks. She had a
dull knife, and the grass blades were double-edged sharp, painfully
slashing her arms up as she went. In the midst of a disgusted cry she
had a revelation of this, too, being a wonderful answer to prayer. Here
she was, a penniless single mom, on a mission trip!! Joy and wonder
brimmed over for her. She beamed broadly at the doctor next to her who
was just as diligently whacking at the monster grasses.
One of her dreams at the
outset of the trip was that she would find her mother, who she believes
may be in one of the refugee camps on the border of Thailand and Myanmar
(Burma). That did not happen. But she did meet a young Karen Pastor
who frequently visits the border camps, and has committed to helping
find out what he can about her mother. This young Pastor has taken it
upon himself to minister to the Karen children in the camps.... some are
orphans, many are not. All are without a school, and hungry. There is
no medicine or medical personnel. Thinh Thinh's heart was pierced by
the pictures he showed her, and the stories he told about these
children. She believes that this is the reason God flew her back to
where she found Him in the first place. I will tell you more about
these children in future newsletters.
Marilyn (Malyn) is
my son's lovely girlfriend in Manila, Philippines. Earlier in January
there was a fire in the squatters' community at Baseco (a neighborhood
of Manila, a manmade island shantytown), and about 20,000 people lost
everything. As part of her job Marilyn visits the squatters' community
weekly. Early this morning (it is tonight there) she and I talked on
the internet, and I saw her tears on the webcam image of her face. The
people are lucky if there is food for them each day. Of course, the
ambitious local politicians are making hay, impeding the work that had
already been going on-- not only impeding, but posing a very real
danger to volunteers who "get in the way" of their agendas for
self-aggrandizement and power. This is all very overwhelming for Malyn.
She has an active, strong faith and a commitment to this ministry. I
knew, before she told me, that one of her role models is Mother Teresa.
She told me, "I come from a poor family. Except for my education, I
would be in the same circumstances of these people". Please pray for
Malyn and the people of Baseco. If you would like to make a
contribution, let me know and I will give you the details on how this
can happen. To attend school, children need uniforms, a bag, books and
shoes. At some point, going to school may be a possibility. At this
time, the basics of life (food, water, rudimentary shelter) are in the
forefront of need. Permanent housing doesn't appear to be a huge
priority for the government.
So, here I am, well-nurished,
spending money on doodads and whatnots. Until now. These are my
wake-up calls. Has God called you yet this year?
God bless you this week! In
Christ's love, Cynthia.
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