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August 2023 Prayer Letter

Kimberly Mer — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 17:36:51 +0000

Molly Morton | Serving in Ireland

Each day at lunch I try to open my Lectio 365 app and listen to the Scripture and thoughts offered there. I call it Lectio Lunch. Today the Scripture was Matthew 15:32-36, a shorter description of Jesus feeding the five thousand. At one point in the story, Jesus asked his disciples, “How many loaves do you have?” It struck me that Jesus was not only asking a practical question but also a relational one. He is asking, what do you have, what are your gifts, what are your skills, what do you bring to the table? Jesus asks because he wants to know what he’s working with, but I think he also asks because he wants the disciples and the thousands that have been following to act outside of their known capacities, to go outside their comfort zone.

In the last few weeks, God has been making evident to me that one of the loaves I have is presence. I work on a church staff with two married men who each have three children under the age of ten. I am not married, I do not have children, but I do have time and space to be present. As I’ve learned over the last few years, presence can be all I bring to the table. I don’t have to bring skills, gifts, and talents, even though I do have those, many times what a situation needs is presence. As an introvert and a chronic helper, just being with someone can seem like not enough to me. But I’ve realized that I get to be present. I have the time, the space, and the margin to be present in a way that my colleagues can’t be due to their own family obligations.

One of my favorite ways to do this is to host people in my home. I was blessed with my home in the center of Greystones, in a bustling neighborhood and within walking distance of the church. I have been making it a point to have more people in my home for dinner, coffee, etc. Yesterday morning, I hosted my Thursday morning Bible study ladies and their kids (see the photo above). We drank good coffee, ate good pastries, chatted, laughed, planned trips, prayed for each other, and were generally present for each other. It lasted for four hours! It was a dream for me. When I first viewed this home, this is what I envisioned. As some of you know, I have been praying specifically for friendships with other women, close and deep friendships. The women in this group are beginning to give me the answer to that prayer.

Thank you for praying with me and for my ministry here in Ireland.

Molly

Alabado sea el Señor

We had a fantastic group of Michiganders at the end of June with us in Greystones. They learned so much about our ministry context and helped us with some big projects.
My sister, Amy came for a visit for two weeks in July. It was an amazing time for just the two of us!
We have successfully submitted our application for planning permission for the rebuilding of our church property. Please continue praying for favor with the government bodies who approve these applications.

Por favor, oren...

We will be hosting a small group from Gateway Friends Church this month. I am so excited to have my church family in Ireland. Pray for the final planning stages before they arrive. Pray for details and logistics to be easily sorted out.
I’ve been given an opportunity to travel to Florida with some of our church members from Peace Haven, a home for adults with disabilities, at the end of August. Please pray for this precious time with these friends. Also please pray for my stamina at theme parks for several weeks.
For homesickness and loneliness following my sister, Amy’s visit. I love having family visit, but it also means that I have to watch them leave too.

Download this month’s prayer letter aquí...

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Molly Morton August Update

Kimberly Mer — Mon, 29 Aug 2022 20:35:32 +0000

Dear Prayer Partners,

Last weekend, I preached my first sermon in the Church of the Nazarene here in Greystones and it went really well. I looked back at my last update and remembered how nervous and scared I was to preach and then I realized that I had none of those emotions last Sunday. It was none of my own doing, God worked through me. Also, I had prepared for close to six weeks to preach for a little less than twenty minutes, so there was that too. But mostly divinely given calm and confidence.

As I prepared and gave my sermon last week, I learned a few things that I wanted to share with you. First of all, you need to repeat words and phrases a great deal more in preaching than in writing. It was some of the first notes I got when I started asking for feedback on my manuscript. In writing, repeating yourself is frowned upon and seen as redundant. But in preaching, repeating is encouraged and required in order for your audience to literally get the point. It made me think that good and truthful information and feedback bears repeating, no matter how many times it’s already been said.

Secondly, I talk really fast when I get up on a stage and am given a microphone. Mostly this happens because I stop breathing. In my sermon manuscript, I literally wrote notes to myself reminding me to breath. I wrote notes in my manuscript reminding myself to look up at my audience, at my church family. If I hadn’t looked up, I would have missed a new friend proudly watching me with tears rolling down her cheeks. Most of the time in my life, there is a moment where I need to look up and take a deep breath.

Lastly, I realized that I might not ever know how this sermon spoke to people in that room last Sunday. I might not ever know what seeds were planted that morning. But God does and that’s okay.

If you’d like to watch my sermon, there is a link in this email. Please enjoy it.

Preaching at Church of the Nazarene

What Am I Reading, Listening, and Watching?

I’m Reading…

Preaching in Pictures: Using Images for Sermon that Connect- Peter Jonker
This was the most helpful book I read during my sermon prep. It gave me a structure for my manuscript and helped me find where to put the “run and jump” story.

I’m Watching…

One of my favorite podcasts deep dived the pilot of ER, which made me want to re-watch it. It still holds up, such a good show.

I’m Listening To:

Dermot Kennedy: Sonder

Pray with Me

Praises:

The Naz held our Cookery and Craft camp last week and it was a huge success. We had a packed hall each and every day. Some of those families came to church on Sunday. It was a wonderful picture of the kingdom working together to hold presence and show love to our community.
From what I’ve heard so far, preaching went really well on Sunday. Thank you to all of you that were praying.
We partnered with the local Youth Life group to offer a Youth Drop In on Friday evenings in August to fill the gap between summer camps and the beginning of fall programming. It is going well and well attended.

Requests:

Please pray for how we might move forward with the momentum we have from the Youth Drop In. We have a handful of teenagers and young adults at the Naz that we would like to be serving better.
My oldest nephew, Dominic leaves for college at Grand Canyon University next week. Please pray for my brother, Mark and his family as they experience this huge milestone and also miss him very much. Please pray for me as I observe and experience this milestone from afar.
The Naz will be hosting a team from the States at the beginning of October. Please pray for the logistics, details and communication that need to fall into place.

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August 2022 Prayer Letter

Kimberly Mer — Thu, 28 Jul 2022 17:00:01 +0000

D.K. and Choity Sarkar | West Bengal, India

Dear Praying Friends,

Greetings in his precious name. By his grace and because of your ceaseless prayers, the ministry of EFM Kolkata has grown up. We are grateful to God for all his mercy, and we are also grateful to you all for your prayers and support. God bless each one of you. There are a few areas, in which our ministry has grown.

Muslim Ministry – Murshidabad is an unreached district. Seventy-two percent of the population is Muslim. We have been working there for a few years but did not get good results. In 2021, we held a program praying especially for the Muslim community. The title is “How to Reach the Muslim People.” It was a one-year program. We targeted for ten young people to come to the Lord from the Muslim community, who were willing to work voluntarily for one year. Seven young people committed their lives for one year. We trained them and sent them in the district of Murshidabad and Nadia where most of the people are Muslim. By God’s grace, we got good results. Sixteen people from the Muslim community came and accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior. They made a public testimony of baptism on May 6 Kolkata. There are few more who are waiting to do this. Sixteen house churches were started by these people. Praise the Lord. Please pray for this ministry.

Moarjem Ali, a leader (on the left)

North Bengal Ministry – After much prayer, God opened a door in the North Part of West Bengal. We got a good couple from Siliguri which is the gateway of Northeast India. Their names are Asis Tinku Lal and his wife Dorji Lal. They live in Siliguri, and they will work in the entire district of Darjeeling. They have two kids. They have started a church in the city of Siliguri. Please pray for them.

Left: Moarjem Ali, Niamuddin Shaik, Morlem Shaik, Nurhaque Shaik, Rahim Box, Subarna Mondal and Kamrul Islam. Seven workers for Muslim Community. Middle and Right: Asis Tinku Lal is preaching in his fellowship named Siliguri Friends Church and then after the meeting food is ready for the believers.

Sending Missionaries – In our last Annual General Meeting, we took a decision that EFM Kolkata will send missionaries beyond West Bengal. Our churches will contribute as per their strength. A few churches will contribute 500.00 Rupees per month and most of the churches will contribute 1000.00 per month. From July to December 2022, the money will be gathered and in January 2023, a new missionary will be appointed. There are two places – Tamil Nādu and Nagaland. Please pray for God’s guidance so that we may choose the right place and right person.

We are preparing ourselves to visit America. May God bless us to get visa, tickets etc.

Thank you very much for your support and prayers. Let the Holy Spirit bless us, strengthen us, and guide us. God bless you all.

D. K. Sarkar

Click here to download the full prayer letter…

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Update on Haiti

Kimberly Mer — Mon, 30 Aug 2021 18:15:45 +0000

Dear Evangelical Friends,

You have probably seen in the world news that the southern part of Haiti experienced a powerful earthquake on Saturday, August 14, and that there are thousands of people who died and thousands more injured. Many buildings and roads were either destroyed or badly damaged. It has been very difficult for relief efforts and medical aid to reach those who need help.

We have received inquiries from Friends in the United States about Friends in Haiti and our missionaries, William and Marie Bertrand. We are glad to report that they are all safe. There are no Friends churches in the area where the earthquake struck. Nevertheless, they are deeply concerned about what is happening in their country and are doing what they can to help, especially through prayer.

At this point EFM is not raising funds for relief efforts in Haiti, but we will definitely let you know if that changes. In the meantime, let’s continue to pray for Haiti. This country has suffered so much for so long. May the Lord have mercy and bring order out of chaos. And may his people be on the front lines of what he is doing.

Thank you for praying.

Your fellow servant in Christ,

Dan Cammack

Field Director

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Donation Opportunity for Jinky Twaddell Hospital Costs

Kimberly Mer — Thu, 12 Aug 2021 19:46:09 +0000

Thank you for praying for Jinky Twaddell while she recently fought COVID-19 and was hospitalized in the Philippines, where Roy and Jinky are serving. We at EFM are praising the Lord that Jinky improved and was released from the hospital. Her oxygen levels have not yet returned to normal. She is doing physical therapy to gain strength and lung capacity and she is using a little bit of oxygen when she sleeps from an oxygen concentrator. Also, our condolences go to Roy and Jinky and family, as Jinky’s mother passed away with COVID-19. Please pray for Roy and Jinky during these challenging days for them!

The total out of pocket cost to the Twaddells for her hospitalization was over $35,000. EFM would like to invite you to make a donation to help cover these costs.

Thank you for your prayers,
EFM Office

If you would like to donate to help cover the Twaddell’s medical needs, you can do so one of three ways:

Donate online aquí on Twaddell’s personal EFM donation page. Make sure to select Twaddell Medical Needs.
Donate by credit card over the phone at 303-421-8100.
Mail a check marked with “Twaddell Medical Need” to EFM, PO Box 771139, Wichita, KS 67277.

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August B. and D. A. Update

Kimberly Mer — Mon, 09 Aug 2021 20:20:48 +0000

Queridos amigos,

Thank you so much for your prayers and your faithful support. We truly appreciate it with all of our hearts.

F***** had gone to Maldives to work from Nepal. After he was there a while he had a stroke and he was paralyzed on his left side and he could not talk. His work place had insurance so he was admitted to the hospital.

While this was going on in Maldives, in Nepal F*****’s father in law came to repair his motorbike in one of our believers workshop. Our brother in Christ shared Christ with F*****’s father in law and also shared about the healing power of Christ. The father in law wanted him to call Maldives right then and pray for healing for him. Our believer did that right then and on the other side of the phone F***** started to talk for the first time and could move his left hand. After that prayer F***** little by little started to get healed. He got out of the hospital and then finished his remaining time in Maldives and returned to Nepal. He then started coming to our church each week and now he is taking our preachers to his home so that his whole family can hear the gospel.

Please pray for F***** and his whole family that they will accept Christ. They are being very much drawn by the Holy Spirit.

Thank you for praying.

Blessings,

B. and D. A.

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August 2021 Prayer Letter

Kimberly Mer — Wed, 28 Jul 2021 21:00:32 +0000

Two of the most powerful words you can ever use or hear are simply, “Thank you.” Recently I received a note that said just that. The author recalled a conversation that we had several years ago under an oak tree. That conversation had proved particularly powerful in their present circumstances. They commented how a simple phrase spoken at that time had proved life changing today. They wanted to reach out and share how important that was for them and to simply say thank you for taking the time to talk.

I must admit, so many times, I fail to fully grasp the way that God has been using and blessing our ministry in Ireland. At times it may seem so subtle that it is easily overlooked. It might simply be a precious moment of vulnerability that we are invited to share with someone and in that space, we share the Father’s love for them. This note was a powerful illustration of this.

I sometimes ponder the different interactions that Jesus had when he was on the earth. How would you choose these specific people, with all of the significant needs that would have surrounded him? For me, I imagine it was the Father’s heart, beating strong in his Son, Jesus, leading and guiding him. A Father’s heart, who sees the pain that his children are dealing with and will stop at nothing to get alongside them, to love them, lift them, and to carry them. I imagine this was the passion that drove Jesus as well. Without being too dramatic, this is the challenge for each of us as we see the people around us. Can we hear and feel the Father’s heart beating strong within, propelling us forward in love?

As we have been obedient, God has moved in simple and powerful ways. We have been blessed to hear these words: “Thank you for being there for me when no one else was. Thank you for all that you have taught me and helped me grow in my faith. Thank you for being a voice of truth. Thank you for loving me as I am. Thank you for being here in Ireland.” Face to face, heart to heart, one to one, family to family, God’s heart for his people is proclaimed. In light of the global pandemic, these words of life and love are even more vital.

As we took time to process each of these moments, you dear reader, were at the center of it all. Without you, none of this could have happened. Thank you to each and every one of you. Thank you for praying for all of us. Thank you for supporting us financially. Thank you for your words of encouragement. Thank you for responding to the Father’s heart within you, reaching out to impact the world. Thank you all so very much. May God bless you and keep you.

Praise God..

For the new relationships that have grown out of the COVID-19 lockdown. Ireland has had an extremely restrictive approach to the pandemic. It has been difficult to gather in any form until fairly recently. As I look back at this time, it is encouraging to see new relationships being formed despite the lockdowns.
For Moriah graduating high school and preparing for the next step in her life.
For daily reminders and conversations of the impact that EFM-Ireland has had. Even this evening, I was shopping and a young man I knew stopped me and we ended up talking about life, faith, camps, the book of Revelations, prophecy, what a daily walk with God looks like and more. All of this was made possible from a camp we helped with six or seven years ago. God is at work, even when we don’t see it.

Por favor oren…

For our naturalization paperwork that has been in the government’s office since Oct. 2020. Please pray that David, Jonathan, and Moriah will be granted dual citizenship. (Tricia’s was granted in March of 2020.)
For a new home to rent. The current home that we are in will be sold at the end of this year. As such, we will need to move this summer. We have been searching for a home that meets our needs and is within our budget for months already and have found nothing. Please pray with us.
Please keep our health and safety in your prayers. This has been a difficult year for us both physically and mentally. Pray that we will continue to be strengthened in the Father’s love and find rest in him.

Click Here to Download Full Prayer Letter…

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August 2020 Prayer Letter

Kimberly Mer — Sat, 01 Aug 2020 16:00:30 +0000

This Story of Transformation comes from Tony and Agi Frei, who serve in Hungary. Their friend (and spiritual daughter), Kinga, has responded to a request for our women missionaries to participate in the Mid America Friends Women’s Prayer Breakfast that happened on July 25.

My name is Kinga Horváth. I’m from Hungary and a member of Evangelical Friends Church Hungary since I was born. Pastor Tony, his wife Agi, and my mom planted this church 22 years ago in my hometown Tolna. I’m very thankful to God because I belong to this community and that I have lots of kind brothers and sisters in Him.

Now, I’m a 22-year-old kindergarten teacher. I got my degree two weeks ago and my wedding will be soon on the 18 of July. So, unfortunately, I can’t participate on the online prayer meeting on the 25 of July, because I will be on honeymoon with my future husband. I’m very sorry! But, I will pray for you and for your ministries with my full heart!

I know that our God will be with you and you will have a very blessed event, because:

“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:19-20

Sorry again, that I can’t participate, but I will respond to the following:

On an ordinary day, who knocks on your door?

Now, I live with my nuclear family. Physically, on an ordinary day, the postman, or the courier knocks on our door, but sometimes somebody of our neighborhood, or one of my friends.

How do you respond?

I open the door for them, and I greet them with a smile. If the person who knocks is close to me and I know him/her well, I give a hug or a handshake.

How do you show Jesus to them?

I show Jesus to them with my manifestations: with my kind words, with my lovely smile, and with my love. I think we, as Christians, are lights so we must shine in this dark world with our acts. Jesus, who lives in us, can help with that.

How does meeting each need minister to you?

I think it’s important to see the members of the other ministries.

Even if people don’t physically knock on your door, how is hospitality a part of your everyday life and ministry?

I just share what I see in our mission/ministry. Hospitality is very important for us. We remember Hebrews 13:2: “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.”

In the ministry, when we have believers and unbelievers as guests from abroad, they always say that they like our church, our town, and our country because people are hospitable here. For example, we introduce special Hungarian food, we talk with them a lot, we listen to them, and we organize programs for them. We surround them with love and care! But, it isn’t our glory – it is the glory of the Lord!

In everyday life, we can show our hospitality to our family members, to the church members, and to our friends. When they are in our home it is important to make them feel that Jesus is the Lord of our house. He can make peace and love. If we can forward God’s love in the hospitality, people can see that we are special.

With love,

Kinga

August 2019 Giron Update

Kimberly Mer — Mon, 19 Aug 2019 18:23:30 +0000

Edwin and Maria Giron, along with their children, Faviola and Edwin Isaac, joined EFM in 2007 and moved shortly thereafter to Aguascalientes, Mexico, to join church planting efforts that were already underway. During the last decade the Girons have seen a strong church established in Aguascalientes, leaders trained for that church through Mexico Yearly Meeting’s Bible institute, the yearly meeting’s first missions board formed and the first missionary couple, Jaime and Lupita Leon, sent to Sinaloa in the northwest part of Mexico. The Girons have been very much involved in all of these things while constantly reaching out to people who came across their path with the Good News of Jesus Christ. Many of those people responded to the Gospel and are now part of the body of Christ. Praise the Lord!

For some time, Edwin and Maria have been sensing that it would be good for the church in Aguascalientes not to have a constant missionary presence so that it can continue to develop under the leadership that has been raised up. When an opportunity arose in Yorba Linda, California, to join the pastoral staff of the Hispanic congregation called “Amigos” (Friends), they felt led to accept the invitation. Their first “official” Sunday is August 4, 2019, and they are already getting settled in the Yorba Linda area. But in taking this step they are not leaving missions behind. Their vision is to mobilize Hispanic Friends for carrying out the Great Commission of Jesus Christ; Friends in Yorba Linda, Mexcio, the United States, and Latin America. They are currently exploring ways to do that in partnership with EFM.

Their current relationship with EFM as full-time missionaries came to an end on July 31 of this year. EFM is encouraging the Giron’s supporters to continue their giving through November of this year so that we can provide the Girons with a “love gift” which will help them cover the costs of getting settled in the United States. Those of us who have served as missionaries know how expensive it is to settle in the U.S. and the extra financial help is deeply appreciated. Furthermore, ongoing giving until November helps to cover the ministry expenses in Aguascalientes that EFM committed to for 2019.

If you are not a regular financial supporter of the Girons but would like to be part of this “love gift,” you can contribute to it by:

Donating online aquí
Donating by credit card over the phone at 303-421-8100
Mailing a check marked with Giron designation to EFM, PO Box 771139, Wichita KS 67277

Please stay tuned for further news on how EFM and the Girons might partner together to mobilize Hispanic Friends for missions. We should know no later than November of this year what that partnership will look like. It is very likely that the partnership will require some level of financial support, and many of you may want to be a part of that. Please pray for the Lord’s guidance in the conversations that are happening.

Finally, here is a note from Edwin and Maria for you: Our hearts are immensely grateful. We praise the Lord for the experiences we have lived all these years of ministry in Mexico. We are thankful to have been able to witness the power of the Holy Spirit to transform lives, grateful for the extreme and integral care we received from our beloved EFM family, and grateful to each of you our dear partners for lifting us up constantly with your precious prayers and support so that we could carry out the tasks and overcome all the challenges of ministry in Mexico during these 11 years. We are deeply grateful that God is allowing us to complete this chapter of our life and our ministry with much grace, blessings, and peace.

We are looking forward to seeing the ways in which God will allow us in the near future to remain connected with missions through EFM. We pray that God continues to bless the generous heart of each one of you.

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August 2019 Prayer Letter

Kimberly Mer — Fri, 26 Jul 2019 21:48:29 +0000

On the Journey…and back in Ecuador!
by Russ and Sarah Badgley

Our family arrived in Quito early morning of the 4th of July after spending several days in Idaho and Washington with churches, family and friends. After staying a night in Quito, we collected our vehicle from an organization that safely stored it for us, and in the early evening, headed southerly toward Macas. We had a short-term housing arrangement awaiting us.

Our travels were not uneventful however. Before we left the U.S., Russell ended up with a broken nose (church softball), Sarah with a kidney infection, and once arriving in Ecuador we encountered a landslide late in the evening that forced a retracing of travel and rerouting, costing us about 3 extra hours and an overnight stay in a hostel. Despite these bumps, we made it safe and sound!

Since arriving in Macas, we’ve been enjoying reuniting with friends and acquaintances one-by-one. It’s been fun to see people’s reaction to Matthew’s growth and express their love and care for him, and yet they always ask where the rest of the kids are and want to see them as well.

Joseph and Ruth hit the ground running and have been volunteering at a local school with vacation Bible school and English camps. They’re partnering with several short-term mission groups from the states who come each year. Emma has resumed training with her basketball team in Macas. She has one to two months of strength training to complete before she starts modified regular practice.

Russell and I have spent much time searching for housing and getting the kids needs met, as well as providing rides to the kids as they volunteer and have evening activities with the short-term mission groups.

We’re thankful to have found a nice, comfortable and affordable house in town, near our language route areas, and in only one week into our time here. The landlord offered it up to us for the same price as several of the three bedroom apartments have been asking, and without carrying the risk of structural integrity issues during a time of heightened earthquakes here. The house also has a yard area for the baby and Emma’s dog. God has blessed us for sure.

During our host church’s men’s group, Russ mentioned moving to our new place in a few days, and six or so men volunteered to move us. They brought a pickup and a large commercial truck and got the job done in a day. Gotta love South American hospitality and relationships!

Joe and Ruth are thinking they’ll resume basketball and swimming once school begins.

Matthew Health Update

Six months of good health, without any paralysis issues! Sometimes it’s hard to process those words: “our baby” and “paralysis events.” His neurologist initially thought he possibly had a genetic condition and would severely decline in the months to come. We’ve seen great progress and normal development in in Matthew. Additionally, we recently learned that when Matthew had his lip tie cut as a newborn, he was severely overdosed with lidocaine. The words we were told were “near euthanasia.” It seems his brain may have needed time to bounce back and “rewire” from that damage. But God has been good to us to spare and restore our boy, and we are grateful for your prayers in this matter. Thank you for your ongoing prayers.