Mission Partners International

Worst in Europe

2008-05-09T10:25:00.003-04:00

In recent years, some of the highest new infection rates for HIV/AIDS has been in Russia and Ukraine. There are several reasons for this: poor (non-existent) sex education and drug use are among the top reasons. This, along with alcoholism has contributed to a high death rate, which along with a low birth rate results in declining population totals. These are very serious problems for any state, especially for those wanting to take their place among the world's leading nations.

Russia has finally begun to pay attention to the HIV/AIDS epidemic and is now devoting serious money to combat it. Their rate of new infections is starting to come down. But Ukraine still has a long way to go. Despite major international aid to combat the problem, Ukraine still has the highest infection rate in Europe and it is still increasing. Here is an excerpt from a report from the Kyiv Post (May 7)

Ukraine’s HIV/AIDS epidemic is a threat to Europe, according to UNAIDS, while international experts said the Ukrainian government is failing to curb the disease’s growth rate, which is the highest in Europe.

About 1.63 percent of Ukrainians, or about 756,300 citizens, were estimated to be living with HIV/AIDS in 2007, up from 1.46 percent of the population in 2005, or 685,600 citizens, according to UNAIDS. The statistics only reflect official cases, while those infected is likely higher, officials said.

“The current efforts of national and local authorities, the public and donors to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS have failed to have a due impact on the epidemic,” said UN Resident Coordinator in Ukraine Francis O’Donnell.

The report cites inadequate implementation of the proper strategies and corruption as major factors in the failure to get the rates down. Some funding agencies have withheld funds or directed them to other, non-governmental bodies.

A lot of progress is being made in Ukraine in developing the economy. Church leaders there tell us that there is more money in Ukraine, so they have been able to fund ministry initiatives with local money that would have been impossible a few years ago. But, there are still massive social problems that seem to overwhelm the government. People are suffering and dying. The evangelical church makes a disproportionately large contribution to social welfare. For example, Pastor Valery and his union of churches with which MPI works has 25 drug rehab centres throughout the country. We are told that about half of the rehabilitants in the centres are HIV+.

Don't think that Ukraine, on the verge of joining the European Union and NATO, is like the rest of Europe in all respects.

You can read the full news report from the Kyiv Post here, until they archive it.

Change in Russia?

2008-05-08T11:20:00.003-04:00

New Russian President, Dmitry Medvedev, (left) was sworn into office on Wednesday, and 3 hours later nominated outgoing President, Vladimir Putin as Prime Minister. Since their party, United Russia has two-thirds of the seats in the Duma, his confirmation is a foregone conclusion.

Putin surprised everyone by hand-picking his successor and then saying he would serve as PM. Many observers had wondered if he would stick with the 2 term Presidential limit or find a way around it. It appears he found a way without changing or violating the Constitution. In Russia, the President has the larger share of power, so it will be fascinating to see how the government will actually work. It appears the whole process was designed so that Putin remains in power.

Putin is popular in Russia. He was active, in office when rising oil prices swelled government tax coffers and he effectively postured against the West. But he also consolidated almost all power into his own hands, imprisoning some rivals and threatening others. The new President spoke in his inauguration speech about championing the rule of law, just as Putin did when he took office. It remains to be seen what that means.

Russia has a history of power based on individuals rather than on institutions. It is power based on the later that makes for open, free societies. The attraction of the former is stability - but only for a time, until the individual passes. Then troubles can quickly come.

The Moscow Times has an interesting editorial along these lines. You can read it here. And keep praying for Russia!

Hungry People

2008-05-07T11:46:00.003-04:00

Food has become a newsworthy topic of late. Although we can grow enough food to feed everybody on the planet, there is a distribution problem and frankly, some of us waste a lot of it. The bitterly ironic thing about food is that while some people are dying for lack of it, here in North America some people are dying from too much of it.

CBC Television featured a story last night about a Canadian family attempting to live for 3 days on rations the UN distributes to hungry people. It is interesting, to say the least. You can watch it here.

As it happens, April and May are the months of MPI's food campaign. We support several ministries that have at least some component of feeding people and that is what we are raising funds for. For example, MPI is committed to $6000 per year towards the food budget at Children's Hope Orphanage in Kiev. Check our recent newsletter for some insightful information about what people live on in Ukraine.

You can contribute to our food campaign at http://www.missionpartners.org/donate.html

This week's prayer requests

2008-05-06T14:19:00.002-04:00

The container shipped to Ukraine has still not been released. The port is apparently contacting our Canadian shipper demanding storage fees, when in fact it is illegal for them to charge such fees. Please continue to pray that this is resolved soon and that the container is released without additional charges.

The Mercy Team to Kiev, to be led by Marilyn is now just over a month away. Please pray for the team members as they prepare to go and visit Mercy Ministry clients.

Pray for MPI's staff and Board as they as they work on plans for the ministry's future.

Brief Conference Report

2008-05-02T10:03:00.004-04:00

Pastor Yura, Ron and Valentin, recovered addict and prisoner

On April 16-17, MPI facilitated and participated in a leadership conference for Ukrainian pastors and church leaders of the Ukrainian Missionary Church. The conference was held in Evpatoria, Crimea, a 2500 year old town on the Black Sea. Along with Ron, Heather and Doug, was Doug's wife Gloria and Toronto pastor, Rev. David DiStaulo. The theme of the conference was "Searching for the Depths." Topics covered included, "Your Personal Life: Be fervent and faithful in prayer," "Do you love and trust me?", "8 characteristics of a healthy church," "Challenges to ministry families," and a session for women only, led by Gloria. Last year was the first time this particular union of Ukrainian churches had ever had a session specifically for women and they requested we provide such a session again this year. Family life and gender relations have recently become hot topics in Ukrainian churches, so our seminars on families and for women were very timely and we received very positive feedback.

We were also able to spend a few days getting acquainted with the church in Crimea. It is still relatively small, whereas in some places, half of the population is Muslim. Yet the church is going forward, reaching out in practical ways to show the love of Christ. We visited 2 drug rehab houses. On Sunday, one of them was packed full of people from the village for the Sunday service, and a new deacon, a former homeless drug addict, now married with a family was commissioned. Pastor Yura from Saki took us to a residential school with 148 students, most of whom had developmental or physical challenges. It is a government supported school but the buildings are old and funding is inadequate. When asked who helped the school, the director, Victoria, said, no one except Pastor Yura, and he can't say no! The church had helped with the computer room, put a new roof on part of a building, and brought Samaritan's Purse shoe boxes so each kid would have a birthday present. Specific evangelistic efforts toward the Tatar people are also being made, where we met a missionary from Siberia who is believing God for the first Tatarian church in history!

There are great needs and great opportunities in the Ukrainian church and the church in Crimea particularly. The people there are getting on with the job, believing God for the strength and resources. Although they need our help, they are not waiting for it. Although they are stretched to the limit, the Ukrainian Missionary Church sees great opportunities for mission in central Asia, where Russian is spoken and everybody likes Ukrainians (sort of like Canadians!). So much missionary effort from the West is directed to Ukraine because it is open and responsive. But the church there sees that they must not simply be a missions receiving church, they must be a sending church. It is great to work with people like that!

Click this link to see photos from the conference and trip.

This week's prayer requests

2008-04-29T13:34:00.002-04:00

Our container in Kiev is still being held because the port is demanding storage charges. However, we have just learned there is a new law that prevents such charges for containers of humanitarian aid. Svetlana, who is clearing the container for Christian Hope Church is confident we will get the container without additional funds. Please continue to pray to that end.

Fund-raising efforts are underway for the next container, to be shipped to New Life Drug Rehab Centre, St. Petersburg. Please pray that enough funds are raised that we can ship by the summer. The warehouse is filling up!

Children's Hope Orphanage, Kiev, is undergoing a major structural re-organization (both physically and administratively), due to government regulations. This is good, but expensive. Please pray for those involved and that funds become available to complete required renovations before fall.

This week's prayer requests

2008-04-24T13:49:00.006-04:00

Doug and his wife Gloria returned early this week from the Leadership Conference Team in Crimea. Ron and Heather return at week's end. Pray for their safe return and that the team's teaching and fellowship will have lasting impact.

The recent container is in Kiev and is due to be released shortly. Pray that all goes well and that the contents are distributed to just the right people who need each item.

In Crimea, Doug and Gloria visited two small drug rehab houses. Alcoholism and addiction are major problems. Most of the leaders of local churches and those leading the rehab ministries are themselves recovered addicts. Give thanks to God for his saving grace and pray for these vital ministries.

Online Suicide Chat Rooms in Russia

2008-04-16T15:26:00.002-04:00

In Russia 15 to 20 teenagers commit suicide monthly. Surprisingly enough, a few of them do this secretly. All over Russia there are hundreds of websites that will gladly help you to lay hands on yourself. At first glance they seem to be nothing but somebody’s stupid game: more than a thousand peers of 11 to 25 years old spend hours discussing several ways to suicide themselves. This, however, is not a game: all these people are dead serious. More...

This Week's Prayer Requests

2008-04-14T14:29:00.003-04:00

From Marilyn...

While Doug is in Ukraine for the Leadership conference, he has asked me to monitor the blog. Thank you for your prayers.

Pray for Doug and Gloria, Ron and Heather and David Distaulo as they are in Ukraine and travelling to Saki for the Leadership conference. Pray that their words would be annointed to encourage the many pastors in attendance. Pray also for Andrei Shander and Andrei Shaitar as they translate for the team.

Pray for operations at the Canadian office as we run short staffed during this time.

Pray for the summer camps coming up for the Together Camping Ministry in Minsk, Belarus. Many children want to go to camp this summer and have a life changing experience with Jesus there. Pray for sponsorship for the children who cannot afford to go.

Spring Leadership Team Ministry

2008-04-10T10:39:00.003-04:00

For the past several years, MPI has facilitated a leadership seminar for pastors and workers with our partners in Ukraine. One or two experienced Canadian pastors have been invited to lend a hand and to experience first-hand what God is doing in Ukraine, the Bible-belt of the former Soviet Union (the vast majority of missionaries and church planters throughout the Commonwealth of Independent States are Ukrainian). Since the collapse of Communism more than 15 years ago, there has been a church planting frenzy. Under new, young leadership, the church emerged from seventy plus years of oppression and did what it naturally does - grow. These evangelists and churches are passionate about their love and service for God. But, there are few resources and little training.

MPI recognized the need and opportunity to address these needs and to assist the young church in a new way. Because of relationships established in the early years of freedom, MPI is trusted and welcome to provide leadership training and ministry to nation-wide fellowships. Doing so also provides a wonderful way to acquaint Canadian churches and pastors with the Ukrainian church. Without exception, those who have gone with MPI to assist at these conferences have returned home determined to do more to help the Ukrainian church at this strategic time.

This year, about 120 pastors and workers from all over Ukraine will be convening at a resort (in the off-season, so rates are reasonable) in Crimea for several days of teaching and fellowship. We have shipped some humanitarian aid ahead and are carrying with us as much as we can. We anticipate that everyone will get some items of clothing for themselves and/or their families. MPI has also purchased enough copies of a pastors manual for each participant to receive one. Last year there was great excitement as each person sought out the suit jacket that fit him and picked up his books. We anticipate the same response this year.

The Conference takes place April 15-18 and there will be further ministry in Crimea on the following weekend. Please remember us in prayer!

This week's prayer requests

2008-04-07T13:41:00.004-04:00

This week, Ron, Heather and Doug, along with Pastor David DiStaulo and Doug's wife, Gloria leave for the Leadership Conference to be held in Saki, Crimea. Please pray for safe travel, health and a great conference!

April and May are our Food Campaign months. With the newsletter just out, we are already receiving a good response. Since the campaign's success determines if we can meet our commitments to help feed the kids at Children's Hope Orphanage and provide food subsidies to Mercy Ministry recipients, please pray for the Campaign's success.

Efforts to secure funds for our next container, hopefully to be shipped mid-year, are now underway. Pray for the provision of those funds - about $5000 to send about a quarter million dollars worth of aid to New Life Drug Rehab Centre in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Is God to Blame?

2008-04-04T11:38:00.002-04:00

The title of this entry is the title of a book by Gregory Boyd, published by Inter-Varsity. The introductory chapter is published in Mission Frontiers Magazine (well worth reading!). The book challenges the theology that says all things, both good and bad, come from God: if something bad happens to you, you must receive it as from God and try to figure out the lesson God intends you to learn. Instead of this fatalistic perspective, Boyd asserts a Christological understanding of God. That is, Jesus is the fullest revelation of God that we have, and whenever he met suffering people, he helped them.

Working in missions, one is constantly confronted with the problem of suffering. Its as simple as this: where you are born will largely determine how long you will live, and how healthily. North American popular theology likes to say that God has a wonderful plan for your life. Easy to say when you have everything! Think about it: God created humankind, and until say, the last 100 years or so, infant mortality was high, maternal mortality was high, childhood diseases took at least one child from most families, and the average life expectancy was somewhere in the 40s. And those conditions still exist in many parts of the world. So, yes, God loves us, but that love is not simply expressed in solving all our problems and making life as comfortable as possible.

Boyd is on to something. Jesus came to a suffering world and suffered with us. God neither sends evil or ignores the human plight. The calamity on creation that sin wreaks is still with us. Jesus shows that that is not God's desire. His presence is remedial and redemptive. But, we still live in that broken world. Believers are called to live out the life of Jesus - to be agents of redemption and restoration. Christian faith is not about living in comfort and blessing (although God graciously gives those) but to find and help suffering people. We may not be able to help everybody, but we can help some. God deserve the credit, not the blame!

Check out our newest video

2008-03-31T10:44:00.004-04:00

It is time for our newest video. It features Together Camping Ministry. Many will recall meeting Andrei Shaitar last fall, and that during his time in Canada, we raised enough money to complete the purchase of the bus needed for the camping ministry. This video introduces the Camping Ministry - its objectives and what it has accomplished over the last several years. Click the title of this blog entry to go directly to the video. Don't forget to check out the other MPI videos if you have not already enjoyed them.

The April newsletter is also posted online. From the MPI homepage, click the link on the right side, "View Newsletters", or simply click right here. In addition to Ron's challenging article, it has the story of a Mercy Ministry recipient and a little about our food ministry. It also has a reminder that time is running out to join Wayde's team to New Life Drug Rehab Centre, St. Petersburg in October.

We love to hear from you. Post a comment to this blog, send an email or call the office.

This week's prayer requests

2008-03-31T10:15:00.005-04:00

Continue to pray for the container we shipped to Christian Hope Church in Kiev in February. It should have arrived and cleared customs, but we have not heard any news of it. Pray that its contents are quickly distributed to just the people who need it most.

It is less than 2 weeks to the Leadership Conference for the Ukraine Missionary Union pastors and workers, to be held in Saky, Crimea. Please pray for all those planning to attend, that plans would all work out and that the conference will be a great blessing.

Our newest quarterly video has just been released (you can see it from our video page). It features Together Camping Ministry with which Andrei Shaitar works. Camping season is fast approaching. Please pray for the Camp Committee as they prepare for the summer and that we will be able to provide funds to sponsor kids who otherwise could not go to camp this summer.

Garbage In, Garbage Out

2008-03-27T16:02:00.004-04:00

With all the talk of the environment and the necessity of 'going green,' most of us are aware that we need to change how we live. This weekend features 'Earth Day' when we are all supposed to turn off all the lights for an hour, or something like that. I don't mean to be flippant about it - just ask my daughter how I chase her around the house turning off the lights she constantly leaves on. No question about it: we are consuming way too many precious natural resources and we all need to simply and reduce our consumption. It needs to start with you and me.

But we also need to re-do our whole economic system. Right now, in our warehouse, we have clothes that were made in China, shipped to Canada, and when they did not sell in the proper season, were about to be thrown out if not for some intrepid donors who either purchased them for next to nothing or literally rescued them from the dumpster. Now they await shipping halfway back to China, to some needy family somewhere in the former Soviet Union. Think of the energy costs to produce what in effect were excess goods and then transport them around the world to end up in landfill, there to decompose over the next several decades. Crazy! Unfortunately, organizations like MPI are able to rescue only a fraction of perfectly good items from being thrown out. And we have not even started talking about food, some of which has passed an arbitrary best-before date but which is perfectly good and certainly better than what about a billion people are going to eat tonight.

In a society where people are known as 'consumers,' we are going to have to change. We will have to live with less, so it is better to get used to it voluntarily. But that opens up possibilities to be rich in all kinds of ways we have neglected, in things that really matter, simple things, like relationships with God and people. Taking out the garbage leaves room for other things.

This week's prayer requests

2008-03-25T14:45:00.002-04:00

Our most recent container should have arrived in Kiev, so our people are looking for it! Please pray that it would clear customs quickly, not incur any additonal charges and that its contents would be distributed to just the right people.

The annual Leadership Team is less than 3 weeks away. Pray for the team as it prepares material to share with approximately 120 pastors and leaders from all over Ukraine.

Thanks for praying for finances this winter. There has been some improvement, but it is difficult to catch up. We are especially grateful to those who have responded with an extra gift. Of course, we appreciate those who pray, so, don't give up!

Happy Easter

2008-03-20T14:05:00.003-04:00

Easter is here already! Somehow, with snow still on the ground, it does not feel like Passion Week. But then, Good Friday comes before Resurrection morning. Not the way we usually think of it: death before life. But, Jesus did say, he who wishes to find his life must lose it. Nothing was ever the same after Easter. Life has new meaning. The open grave means the possibilities are unlimited for those who know God's power.

From all of us at MPI, we trust you have a blessed Easter. In order to enjoy a long weekend, when so many of our weekends are taken up with ministry, the office will be closed not only on Good Friday but on Easter Monday as well. After that, it is less than 3 weeks until our next overseas trip. I think it is already spring in Ukraine!

The Love of What?

2008-03-19T13:19:00.003-04:00

My daughter works part-time at a bank while she attends university. Recently she had a performance review, during which her supervisor asked her what she was studying. She answered, 'Fine Arts,' (it is actually cultural studies from a fine arts perspective - she considers Africa, where she spent many of her formative years to be home), but her supervisor, whose first language is not English, must have heard, 'Finance,' because she immediately began advising Diane to think about getting into the wealth management division, where you can make serious money. Finally, Diane told her she wasn't interested in that sort of thing, and in response to the question of what she was interested in doing, she answered, 'Humanitarian Aid.' "Oh," her supervisor said, "you are not interested in making money."

Interesting conversation, given recent events. It was people in the banking sector, wanting to make lots of money that have recently brought all kinds of ruin. People are losing homes, many of whom could never afford to pay for one anyway, but now credit is being squeezed so that legitimate businesses and individuals can't get what they need. Think how much shareholder value was erased just from one company, Bear Stearns, which was sold over the weekend for just $2 per share. Apparently there is more to come.

The Bible says love of money is the root of all kinds of evil, and that those who love money fall into many foolish traps. Of course, it takes money to live and poverty can be soul destroying. But by now, in the rich West we should have learned that wealth can be soul destroying, too. Quite literally, our wealth is killing us: bored kids who already have everything blowing their minds with drugs; out of control consumption of the earth's resources polluting the environment so that we cannot safely enjoy a summer day; families so busy working and playing with all their toys there is no time to get to know and enjoy one another; life expectancy for the first time projected to go down because of unhealthy lifestyle choices; billions spent on pet food while people in our own communities depend on food banks. I could go on ...

Thankfully, some people get it. The secret of happiness is not in getting, but in giving. Joy comes in serving, not consuming. The life that is remembered is the life that is invested in others. Easter surely serves as a great counterpoint to current events. In losing his life, Jesus conquered death for all. That's our model. I'm pleased with my daughter's values. She can make a bigger impact with her life eradicating poverty than in amassing a fortune. It might be a challenge for her co-workers to understand her, but deep down, many of them wish they could get out of the rat race and do something meaningful. I know, because people say that to me all the time. They just need the courage, or faith, to begin.

This week's prayer requests

2008-03-17T11:03:00.003-04:00

Please pray for Marilyn, who is off sick. Her husband had the flu for well over a week, and now it seems she has it.

We have not received word about our latest container, but it should be in Kiev proceeding through clearance. Please pray that all goes well and that it does not incur extra storage charges.

Wayde is working on plans for the next container, intended for New Life Drug Rehab Centre near St. Petersburg. We are also working on raising funds to pay for its shipping. One former team member to the Centre has agreed to raise some funds, and we are asking others to do the same. Please pray that we will have the necessary funds and the container can be shipped some time around mid-year.

Fear Not!

2008-03-14T10:26:00.005-04:00

Have you noticed how much of our culture is now built around fear? Things we formerly took no notice of are now too dangerous to touch! Promos for the upcoming nightly news shows almost always have some tidbit designed to create fear to entice you to watch. One of the most hilarious ones I saw recently went something like this, "Why your big screen TV is already obsolete!" I guess nothing too drastic happened in the world that day if the only thing they could come up with is that somebody else has a better gadget than you, if you have it at all (I don't).

To be sure, some things we did in the past were not all that safe. My father's first car had two doors, a front seat that flopped forward, and no seat belts. It was great fun to stand up and wait for the application of the brakes to throw you over the seat back. I've ridden in the back of pick-up trucks, walked a mile and a half to grade one by myself, and stood on the side of the road watching the approaching school bus slide toward me on a pure sheet of ice. Not good. Some things were not safe and I guess we were just too dumb to know it!

But wow, has the pendulum ever swung. Whole industries have sprung up to both create fear and then relieve us of it. If you listened to it all, you really would go crazy. Of course, the world is a dangerous place and eventually something really will kill you. But we have to live and sometimes the measures we take to reduce risk actually increase vulnerability. Our youngest daughter was born in Africa, and it was only natural to wonder how her health might be effected growing up in the developing world. Turns out, she is remarkably healthy, with no discernible allergies. Research shows that living in too clean a world prevents the body's immune system from developing as it should. Caution is killing us!

So, bring on life, and all its risks and rewards. I don't mean to do stupid or unnecessarily risky things. But, let's not live in fear. The Bible says, love casts out fear. If we believe God loves us, and we trust him, we can get on with life without fear. Even if that means traveling to 'dangerous' places, eating less than pristine food and living in 'dirty' conditions. What is life for, anyway? To live in a safe little bubble with no risk or reward?

I think it was Tony Campolo who said, "Missions is dangerous, but everything else is boring." Right on! But, it is OK to fear snakes.

This week's prayer requests

2008-03-12T15:30:00.003-04:00

As noted in the past couple of weeks, finances this winter have been unusally low. Other charities and churches are also reporting this. This week we are seeing some improvement and we are working to address the issue. Please pray that God supplies.

Wayde and Marilyn had some great conversations with some people at last week's MissionFest Toronto. In spite of the weather, there were some very keen folk there to learn about missions. Pray that God would use their words to change lives - and the world!

Marilyn's husband, Shaun, has been suffering with flu for more than a week. Ron has also had it for several days. Please pray for their recovery.

Let me count the ways

2008-03-06T10:53:00.002-05:00

This weekend is MissionFest Toronto. From Thursday evening to Saturday night, at the Toronto Congress Centre on Dixon Rd., MissionFest is a showcase of the variety of ministries that all aim to serve the Church and reach the world with the Gospel. About 350 exhibitors will be there. Think of it as a Gospel trade show. The unvaried reaction of first-timers is that they are overwhelmed. Most people have no idea that there are so many different missions and ministries. From every corner of the world to every approach imaginable, somebody, somewhere has a passion to do something for God that you have probably never even thought about.

There are MissionFests across the country. MPI tries to attend two each year. This year we were in Winnipeg (where the welcome is warmer than the weather) and will be in Toronto. We go to connect with existing supporters, and hopefully find some new ones. Out of all the conversations, usually one or two stand out as being particularly penetrating. You just never know which conversation you strike up during the long days on your feet, that God will use to change the direction of a life. For example, in Winnipeg, Wayde had a good chat with a young couple. The next day, they returned, just before the exhibits closed. The young man said he could not stop thinking about what Wayde had said. They chatted further, and we left them in God's hands.

We also go looking for a couple of other things. One, we look for other good ideas, some that we might use and some that are just inspiring. In Winnipeg we saw the world's first wind up digitial MP3 player, designed to play a Bible reading or Gospel story for oral learners in rural areas without electricity. It was pretty cool. Sometimes we have found ideas that we have been able to adapt and use ourselves. And, we like to think that we have one or two ideas of our own that others go home to use.

Networking is another aspect of MissionFest. Some missions work in the same part of the world and perhaps we can find ways to help each other (MPI's warehouse of new humanitarian aid is one of our tools for that). Other missions produce resources that we can use to bless our overseas partners. It is amazing what is out there!

You meet the neatest people in missions. They have passion, they have traveled, they have seen and done things most people never dream. We get inspired ourselves by hanging around with these folks. You will, too. Check out www.missionfest.org and if you are within driving distance of the GTA, drop in at the MPI booth.

This week's prayer requests

2008-03-03T11:08:00.003-05:00

For some reason, perhaps uncertainty regarding the strength of the economy, many charities are experiencing a decline in income this winter. Please pray that God's people realize their security is in God, and that the causes they care for need steady income.

Lydia, the accountant at Christian Hope Church in Kiev, has pneumonia. Lydia is one of the three key leaders of all the church's ministries and handles a lot of MPI business as well. Please pray for her recovery.

The container we shipped to Kiev just a month ago is due to arrive at its destination any time now. Please pray for its quick clearance so that it does not incur extra storage charges and so that its contents can quickly get into the hands of people who need it.

The other presidential election

2008-02-29T11:07:00.002-05:00

It's pretty hard not to know more than you need to know about the ups and downs of the upcoming US presidential election. At least this year's edition has a little more unpredictability than some. But Russia is also holding a presidential election, which of course has significance for the whole world, because their policy of late is to more or less re-create the tensions of the Cold War for the sake of nationalist fervor at home. President Putin concludes his term with high approval ratings, unlike his American counterpart. He had the good fortune of ruling during a period of rising energy prices, and Russia is a net exporter of energy. Royalties and taxes have poured into government coffers. Some, but not enough, has trickled down to the populace. But more billionaires were made than anything else!

Since the main policy of Putin's regime was to consolidate power in the president's hand, there was much speculation that Putin would find some way around the two-term limit. He surprised everyone when he picked his successor, who seems a shoe-in, and then agreed to serve as prime minister. As far as the election goes, the only question seems to be the degree of voter turn-out and the percentage of the popular vote. Anemic numbers there will be an implied dissatisfaction, but will not, of course, change the result. It has yet to be seen how power will be shared between the new president and the new prime minister. Some speculate that after a short interval, the president will resign, thus allowing Putin to run again (the constitution prevents a third consecutive term, not a third term per se).

The majority of Russians seem content with these arrangements. But it does not bode well for democracy, unlike Ukraine, which has had three consecutive national elections, with ambiguous results, but were at least pretty fair. Russia is eroding whatever democracy they had. That is a concern for the whole world, even if Russians themselves acquiesce in it.

The election takes place this Sunday. Pray for Russia!

How to change everything in two weeks

2008-02-26T11:05:00.004-05:00

Clicking on the title above will take you to an article by Peter Bush, published in Faith Today, entitled 'Two Weeks Overseas.' There he points out that something like $300 million dollars are spent yearly by Canadians participating on short term missions trips. That's a lot of money! That much money spent on anything is bound to raise questions. In this case, the main one is, 'Is it worth it?'

MPI believes it is, if the short term mission experience is well planned and actually engages in meaningful ministry. As the article points out, although building-project teams are popular because they leave the participants with the sense of having achieved something, even more important is relationship building. Last year MPI helped a church based team go to a restricted country. Their feedback: 'the people there are starving for fellowship; they just want us.' What price can you put on a relationship?

The article also makes another point that MPI likes to emphasize. Missions is not simply one program among a church's many others. Done properly, it will propel all other ministry. For example, as a result of doing short term missions, members of one church came home and started asking, 'Who has the same needs in our own community.' Focus and drive for local ministry comes from missions and one of the best ways to get those is by going on a short term team.

It is not too late for this year's teams. MPI has one going to Kiev in June and another to St. Petersburg in October. Information, including application forms is on the website. I encourage you to read the full article, think and pray about it, and then get involved. If you can't go yourself, help someone else to go. There is nothing else like two weeks overseas!