I wanted to share an exciting update about how God has been moving and working in my life. Thank you so much for your prayer and financial support. I am currently at 41% of my fundraising goal! Praise the Lord!

For the past couple of months, it has been my joy to connect with amazing churches, friends, family, and community members to share with them the calling God has placed on my life to move to Rwanda, Africa. I will be teaching at a Christian International School this fall that disciples students in the way of Christ for the sake of the gospel! I will be in Rwanda for the 2026-2027 school year, and potentially 2027-2028 as well. The end of July is my planned move-by date, and I am prayerfully trusting the Lord through all of the upcoming life transitions.

This spring has been one filled with growth as God has been teaching me to rely more and more on Him. Right now, I am finishing up school with my current students, enjoying times of field trips, novel studies, school greenhouse projects, students’ soccer and track events, and classroom relationship building. I look forward to soaking up as much time with them as I can in our last couple of weeks of school. When the school year is over, I can’t wait to attend the Future Missionary Retreat in Colorado at the end of May where I will continue learning, worshipping our Lord, and leaning into Christian community!

Even when times are busy, God is our sustainer. I have been encouraged in my scripture reading and worship times to continue to abide in Christ and gain strength through his presence. My recent reading has been in Joshua, where the nation of Israel was going through a transition of its own after Moses’ death. God’s presence was the equipping they needed. God said to Joshua in Joshua 1:9, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” (NIV)

One last note: I could not do this without you, and God is using you in big ways! If anyone you know might be interested in hearing what God is doing in Rwanda or in my life, I would love to share more with them.

Blessings, Vivian

There are two ways to partner with me:

Praying: I would love for you to be part of my prayer team and have a goal to reach 150 prayer partners. You can sign up aquí.

Financially Partnering: 

• Online: Visit https://friendsmission.givevirtuous.org/donate/efm-short-term-missionaries. You will find my name on the page, where you can choose to give monthly or make a one-time gift.
• Automatic Bank Transfer: Download the form at friendsmission.com/give and email it Debby McElroy (EFM Bookkeeper) at debby@friendsmission.com. Please note that ACH payments are processed on the 10th or 25th of the month.
• By Check: Make checks out to EFM with “Titus Support” in the memo and note if you will be giving on a recurring basis (monthly, quarterly, etc.). Mail to EFM, PO Box 771139, Wichita, KS 67277.
• By Phone: Call EFM at 303-421-8100.

Prayer Requests:

• To finish out the school year well and show Christ’s love to my students.
• To rely on the Lord in the midst of transition times.
• For safe travels and good health as I continue meeting with churches and individuals.
• To be strengthened through God’s presence.

The post Vivian Titus | Partner With Me as I Prepare for Rwanda first appeared on FRIENDSMISSION.COM.

Dear Prayer Partners,

We are so thankful for your prayers!  We are amazed at how God helps us in the little everyday things as well as the big things, and we know your partnership in prayer affects it all.

We want to let you know about our U.S. trip coming up.  It started as two of us wanting to attend our niece’s graduation in Kansas, but we added the other three when we heard about our nephew’s wedding in Wisconsin, then realized in prayer and talking with doctors, that this is the time for Brad to have surgery to address his stomach issues.

So this will be a relatively short trip for family events, medical appointments, surgery, and recovery.  We may see a few of you in Wichita, which will be great, but we will not plan to do any speaking or traveling to churches while we are there.

Being able to take this trip to be with family during this time and get medical care is a huge blessing that we’re thanking God for every day!

Here are some important dates:

• May 13-14: Fly from Rwanda to the US
• June 5: Brad’s surgery
• July 15-17: Fly from the US to Rwanda

 Will you please praise Him with us for this opportunity?

Please pray for…

• Healing and peace for Brad and his body.
• Logistics of getting everything ready and finishing up ministry here in Rwanda.
• For us to be depending on and listening to the Lord throughout all of this – in family time, when Sarai and Gideon go to camp, in the medical things, in the travels, etc.
• Safety and peace in travels.

Thank you so much!

Love in Him, Brad & Chelsea, Sarai, Gideon, and Ian

The post Brad & Chelsea Carpenter | May Update first appeared on FRIENDSMISSION.COM.

I have a countdown app on my phone, and today it tells me that I will fly to the US in 24 days – May 18th. I have long lists of things that need to be taken care of in Ireland before I go. And I have long lists of things that need to be scheduled and organized for my time in the States. It is hard to stop my brain from spinning!

I’m coming back to the States with my monthly support as low as it has ever been. It is, of course, natural that support drops off between visits to the U.S.

Changes in situation and life circumstances can impact a supporter’s ability to continue to help financially. This is completely understandable, and we build into our support raising a margin for these changes.

The greatest impact on my monthly support has been an increase in housing costs, as well as an increase in the Irish tax burden I need pay each year. Three years ago, my landlord decided to sell the house I had been living in for eight years, and I lost the “rent protection” that I had there. When I moved, my rent increased significantly. This triggered an increase in my “income” for my Irish taxes.

These two things together have created a much larger gap than what was originally planned for. I am tempted to feel overwhelmed by the fund-raising goal before me.

There is a phrase that comes to mind when I am tempted to worry about funding (or anything else!). It comes from 1 Samuel 7:12. God has rescued the Israelites from the Philistines and Samuel sets up a stone and calls it “Ebenezer”, for he said, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.”

Thus far the Lord has helped me. For 25 years (and for 63 years) the Lord has helped me, and the Lord has used faithful people (you) to meet these needs.

I’m looking ahead to what will be my final years serving with EFM in Ireland. My plan is to retire at 70 – which will happen in 2032! Ministry focus has shifted in the past year from Mother and Toddler groups (which are now plentiful every day of the week) to grief work.

I am excited to share these things with you! And my hope is that I can build a ministry that will continue to reach out to those who are hurting, with support and hope that comes from our loving God, even after I retire.

This summer I will be at Yearly Meeting/Annual Conference for Rocky Mountain Yearly Meeting, Evangelical Friends – Mid-America, and Northwest Yearly Meeting of Friends. I will also be in CO, KS, and OR for some time around those gatherings. I plan to be in Friends Southwest YM (CA) in August.

For more than 25 years I have had the privilege of sharing my heart, my calling, my love for Ireland with you. I have been the recipient of generous hospitality as I have travelled through different regions, and I am so grateful for enduring friendships formed. I look forward to visiting again, catching up with you, and sharing what God is doing in Ireland through your prayers and generosity.

To schedule a time for us to meet or for me to speak at your church, please email me at kathip@friendsmission.com.

My hope is to return to Ireland on September 13th. However, I cannot return until my financial support is back to 100%. I am currently at 64% and trusting God to raise the remaining 36% in monthly commitments. As I look ahead to this next step, there are two important ways you can partner with me: through prayer and through financial support. I truly need both.

Prayer Partnership

The first way that you can support me is through prayer. Your prayers are worth everything. I currently have 939 prayer partners with a goal of raising it to 1,200. If you know anyone who would like to pray for my ministry, please send them this link: https://friendsmission.com/kathi-perry.

Financial Partnership

If you are a current financial supporter, would you be able to increase your giving? I’m asking boldly. Could you even double it? I know that not everyone can (and I am grateful for every/any amount)! Some of you already have increased your giving, for which I am very grateful. If you are not part of my financial support team, would you consider partnering with me in Ireland? You can start a new gift or make changes to your current giving using this link: https://friendsmission.givevirtuous.org/donate/perry. You can also contact the EFM office at efmspanish@friendsmission.com.

Would your church like to take on another missionary?

I would be happy to talk with you about this.

My Missionary Care Team has set a goal for me – to be fully funded by my 64th birthday, August 30th. That would be a lovely birthday gift. Above all, as I look back at the years I have spent in Ireland and in relationship with all of you, as I’ve served, I feel privileged and grateful and humbled.

Thank you. Thank you.
Kathi Perry

The post Kathi Perry | April 2026 Update first appeared on FRIENDSMISSION.COM.

In recent months, due to family needs and changing circumstances, the Swards have sensed the Lord leading them to return to the United States. While this transition comes with the sadness of leaving a place and people they deeply love, it also comes with a clear sense that God is opening a new door for ministry.

After much prayer and discernment, we are grateful to share that the EFM Board has approved a new role for Scott and Andrea: EFM Great Commission Mobilizers.

In this new season, the Swards will continue their calling to cross-cultural ministry by focusing on three key areas:

• Engaging unreached people groups in diaspora communities here in the U.S., particularly among Muslim populations
• Mobilizing and equipping Friends churches to rekindle a passion for the Great Commission and send workers into the harvest
• Continuing to mentor and invest in emerging leaders in Cambodia

This is not an ending, but a continuation of the same calling in a new context. We believe this role uniquely aligns with the Luke 10 vision God has given EFM, as we seek to send workers into the harvest and participate in what he is doing among the nations.

I invite you to hear directly from Scott and Andrea as they share how God has been guiding them into this next chapter:

Last year, Andrea and I sensed a shift coming. We assumed it meant staying in Cambodia and redirecting our focus to another unreached people group. But God had a different plan. Months later, we realized we were being called back to the US—a move that left us confused and uncertain.

In time, the Lord made his direction clear: our calling to serve unreached people groups (UPGs) hasn’t changed—only the place and the approach. While remaining connected to Cambodia, we’re now excited to serve diaspora UPGs in the US, and to help mobilize others to join God’s work among the world’s 7,000+ remaining people groups with little to no knowledge of Jesus. God is faithful, and we’re eager to see what he has in store in this next season.

As the Swards step into this new season, we invite you to prayerfully consider partnering with them in a few meaningful ways:

Become or Continue as a Financial Partner
Ongoing monthly support will sustain their ministry as they establish this new work in the U.S. and continue investing globally.

• If you are a new financial partner, you can set up your gift here:
  https://friendsmission.givevirtuous.org/donate/sward. Click on the “Donate Now” button and select “Sward Support Great Commission Mobilizers” from the dropdown. You will be given the opportunity to make a monthly or one-time gift.
• If you are already a financial partner and would like to continue at your current amount, no action is needed. Your giving will continue as is.
• If you would like to increase your support, you can either cancel your current gift and set up a new one or contact the EFM office at efmspanish@friendsmission.com and we’re happy to assist.
• If you need to stop your giving, please reach out to the EFM office so we can take care of that for you.
• If we do not hear from you, your current giving will continue uninterrupted.

Become a Prayer Partner
Commit to praying regularly for the Swards as they transition, build new relationships, and step into this calling. Your prayers are a vital part of their ministry.

• Fill out the form at https://friendsmission.com/sward/ to receive news and updates from the Swards.

Give a Transition Gift
A one-time gift will help cover the significant costs of relocation, reestablishing life in the U.S., and launching into this new ministry season.

• Go to https://friendsmission.givevirtuous.org/donate/sward. Click on the “Donate Now” button and select “Sward Transition Gift” on the dropdown menu and select one-time gift.

Your partnership has been vital to the Swards’ ministry over the years, and we are deeply grateful. We are confident that God will continue to use them in powerful ways as they follow his leading.

Thank you for being part of this journey.

In him,

Stanley David Leach
Executive Director

The post A New Season for the Swards first appeared on FRIENDSMISSION.COM.

Dear Prayer Partners,

Thank you for continuing to pray with us as we walk and serve with Jesus in Central/East Africa. We are thankful for your partnership over all these years.

Brad has now been living in Rwanda for 20 years, and in June, Chelsea will have been here for 17 years. We praise God for the many ways that He has helped and empowered us to be a part of what He is doing!

Much has happened since we last wrote.

Thank you for praying for the trip to Burundi and South Sudan in December. The trip was great. It is exciting to see how God is leading Burundi Friends in preparing a plan to send missionaries to unreached people in Tanzania, and Rwanda Friends preparing to send missionaries to South Sudan in May.

In January, our EFC-Rwanda Friends hosted a team from EFM who led a 5-day Small Business Development training that we believe will be an important part of how God wants to give Rwanda Friends new ways to do His mission here in Rwanda and beyond. Mission through businesses is exciting and will open many opportunities for ministry in the communities.

On January 29–30, the Administrative Council of EFC-Rwanda met to discern the Lord’s plan for who the next executive leaders of EFC-Rwanda are to be. We believe that the Lord helped the group make wise decisions.

On February 14–16, we will have some important D4D meetings with David Thomas, one of our D4D coaches.

On February 17–18, there will be an important Pastors’ retreat. On February 19–20, there will be Yearly Meeting sessions to fill several other leadership roles for the coming years. Please pray for God’s blessing and help in those days of discernment and decision.

Please also pray for a retreat that Brad will attend in Kenya from February 19–24 with others working in Disciple-making movements. Pray for good connections with God and others who are doing similar work. Please pray for Brad to have special times that are renewing and refreshing with the Lord. Also, please pray for Chelsea and the kids, who will be home in Musanze.

We continue to be so thankful for the ways the Lord helps us stay healthy in general, and the ways He heals us when we do get sick. We are still praying for Brad’s stomach issues that interfere with his sleep. Our kindergartner, 4th grader, and 7th grader continue to show diligence and kindness at school, and we also all enjoy the school events that help us feel like a community. We are thankful to have rhythms of hosting special visitors and everyday home life—normal days and exciting days, work and rest. We pray the Lord blesses you with these things as well!

Brad, Chelsea, Sarai, Gideon, and Ian

The post Brad & Chelsea Carpenter | February Update first appeared on FRIENDSMISSION.COM.

Amados Familia y Amigos,

Estamos seguros de que también ustedes como nosotros han experimentado el amor, la misericordia, y la bondad de Dios múltiples veces. Los últimos tres meses del año 2025, para nosotros fueron de grandes cambios, noticias, y también de oportunidades intencionales de descanso y renovación. En medio de tantos sentimientos encontrados y transición es muy hermoso ver las manifestaciones de amor y gracia de nuestro Señor.
Dios nos permite seguir sirviéndole a Él con pasión y emoción haciendo nuestra tarea de movilización de misiones con EFM. Prontamente nuestro calendario se está llenando con invitaciones de varias Juntas Anuales de Latinoamérica para llegar a motivar y movilizar a las iglesias para que crezcan en su involucramiento en el envío de más misioneros y apertura de nuevas obras. Alabado sea el Señor por todas las oportunidades que El nos está permitiendo.
Para empezar, del 20 de enero al 7 de marzo estaremos participando en las sesiones de la Junta Anual de Honduras, visitando iglesias en El Salvador, y estar presentes y participar en las sesiones de la Junta Anual de México, para seguir ayudando en el avance de VM32 y promover misiones.
Como mentores, estamos trabajando uno a uno con varios jóvenes de Latinoamérica que se están sintiendo retados por Dios con un llamado misionero o plantadores de nuevas obras y están dando pasos hacia el discernimiento y confirmación del su llamado. Por favor apóyennos a orar por Ana de Guatemala, Daniel de Bolivia, Angélica de México, Maribel de Philadelphia, Luke y Ximena de Kansas, y Grace de Oregón. Oren para que nosotros seamos efectivos en nuestro trabajo y Dios nos use para animar y ser mentores para caminar con ellos en el proceso hasta un día verlos salir al campo donde Dios los envíe.
Seguimos sirviendo de Coach para el misionero José Olivas, él ya está de regreso en Ecuador ahora con su visa de residencia, ¡sirviendo y viviendo entre el pueblo Shuar en el Amazonas! Vemos muy obviamente la unción y respaldo de Dios en la vida y ministerio de José. ¡Gloria a Dios!
Estas diferentes tareas que Dios nos ha dado para desarrollar vienen con sus retos, pero también nos sentimos bendecidos y emocionados. Y también agradecidos por todos ustedes que son parte de nuestro equipo con su apoyo, su amor, y sobre todo sus preciosas oraciones que apreciamos y valoramos grandemente.

Noticias de nuestra familia

¡Una de las noticias que queremos compartir con ustedes es que nuestros hijo Edwin Isaac entregó el anillo e hizo la pregunta y su linda novia Jessica Grace dijo que si!! entonces estaremos celebrando su boda en el verano de este año. Increíble que Edwin Isaac solo tenía 3 añitos cuando Dios nos llamó a las misiones, y ahora está por casarse. Oren por la bendición de esta unión y que Dios los use para que ellos sean ejemplo de un matrimonio y familia bajo la voluntad de Dios.
Nuestra hija Faviola está disfrutando mucho su trabajo como terapeuta en comportamiento para niños con autismo. A nosotros nos encanta cuando ella nos cuenta del avance de sus pacientes. Damos gracias a Dios por que ella tiene la maravillosa oportunidad de ser las manos de Jesús para estos hermosos niños y sus familias.
Otra de las noticias es que nosotros nos mudamos y ahora nuestra base de residencia es el sur de Houston. Dios siendo tan increíble nos ha proveído, nos ha abierto puertas y oportunidades expandiendo ministerio para nosotros servir e impactar el reino. Estamos inmensamente agradecidos por la Iglesia de Bayshore Friends quienes nos han adoptado con tanta generosidad y nos han recibido proveyendo una casa transicional mientras buscamos la que será nuestra nueva casa permanente. Pedimos a Dios que pronto podamos tener la casa adecuada que sea donde lleguemos a renovarnos y restaurar nuestros espíritus, mentes, y cuerpos en la presencia de Dios después de cada viaje, y que sea de mucha bendición para la familia y amigos que desean llegar a visitarnos.
Una de las muchas razones que nos emocionan de este cambio es nuestro involucramiento y colaboración con la Junta Anual de MidAmerica, a la cual pertenecemos ahora. Soñamos y pedimos a Dios que nos use para ver ánimo y crecimiento para seguir la expansión de su reino. Algunas de nuestras pasiones es ayudar a levantar nuevas obras, capacitación de liderazgo y desarrollo de discípulos. Deseamos y pedimos a Dios que para su honra y gloria use, nuestras experiencias, talentos, dones, y pasiones para ser de bendición a MAYM.

Peticiones de Oración

• Para que Dios nos permita seguir con buena salud, energía y ánimo para llevar a cabo nuestros diferentes roles siendo efectivos y productivos.
• Por nuestra adaptación a nuestra nueva base en Texas. Para que pronto podamos tener nuestra propia casa de descanso y restauración.
• Por su unción, gracia y sabiduría en cada presentación, taller, capacitación, etc. en donde tengamos la oportunidad de compartir. ¡Toda la honra y gloria sea a El!

The post Actualización de Giron | Celebrando juntos la fidelidad de Dios first appeared on FRIENDSMISSION.COM.

Beloved Family and Friends,

We are certain that you, like us, have experienced God’s love, mercy, and goodness many times. The last three months of 2025 were filled with significant changes, news, and intentional opportunities for rest and renewal for us. Amidst so many mixed emotions and transitions, it is truly beautiful to witness the manifestations of our Lord’s love and grace.

God allows us to continue serving Him with passion and enthusiasm, carrying out our Missions Mobilization ministry with EFM. Our calendar is soon filling up with invitations to various Yearly Meetings in Latin America, where we will travel to motivate and mobilize churches to increase their involvement in sending more missionaries and establishing new ministries. Praise the Lord for all the opportunities He is providing us.

To begin, from January 20th to March 7th, we will be participating in the Honduras Yearly Meeting sessions, visiting churches in El Salvador, also attending and participating in the Yearly Meeting sessions in Mexico, to continue supporting the advancement of VM32 and promoting missions.

As mentors, we are working one-on-one with several young people from Latin America and the U.S. who feel challenged by God with a missionary calling or a call to plant new churches and are taking steps toward discerning and confirming their calling. Please join us in praying for Ana from Guatemala, Daniel from Bolivia, Angélica from Mexico, Maribel from Philadelphia, Luke and Ximena from Kansas, and Grace from Oregon. Pray that we will be effective in our work and that God will use us to encourage and mentor them, walking alongside them in the process until one day we see them go out into the field where God sends them.

We continue to coach missionary José Olivas, who is now back in Ecuador with his residency visa, serving and living among the Shuar people in the Amazon! We clearly see God’s anointing and support in José’s life and ministry. Glory to God!

These different tasks that God has given us to carry out come with their challenges, but we also feel blessed and excited. And we are also grateful for all of you who are part of our team, for your support, your love, and above all, your precious prayers, which we greatly appreciate and value.

Family News

One of the pieces of news we want to share with you is that our son Edwin Isaac proposed to his lovely girlfriend Jessica Grace and she said yes!! So, we’ll be celebrating their wedding this summer. It’s incredible that Edwin Isaac was only 3 years old when God called us to missions, and now he’s about to get married. Please pray for the blessing of this union and that God will use them to be an example of a marriage and family according to His will.

Our daughter Faviola is really enjoying her work as a behavioral therapist for children with autism. We love it when she tells us about her patients’ progress. We thank God that she has the wonderful opportunity to be the hands of Jesus for these beautiful children and their families.

Another piece of news is that we’ve moved, and our home base is now in South Houston. God, being so incredible, has provided for us, opened doors and opportunities, and expanded our ministry so we can serve and impact His Kingdom. We are immensely grateful to Bayshore Friends Church, who have so generously adopted us and provided us with a temporary home while we search for our permanent residence. We pray that we will soon have the right home, a place where we can come to renew and restore our spirits, minds, and bodies in God’s presence after each trip, and that it will be a great blessing to family and friends who wish to visit us.

One of the many reasons we are excited about this move is our involvement and collaboration with the MidAmerica Yearly Meeting. We dream and pray that God will use us to see encouragement and growth as we continue the expansion of His Kingdom. Some of our passions include helping to establish new ministries, leadership training, and discipleship development. We desire and pray that God, for His honor and glory, He will use our experiences, talents, gifts, and passions to be a blessing to MAYM.

Prayer Requests

• That God would grant us continued good health, energy, and enthusiasm to fulfill our various roles effectively and productively.
• For our adjustment to our new base in Texas. That we may soon have our own home, where we will go back to after each trip, for rest and restoration.
• For His anointing, grace, and wisdom in every presentation, workshop, training session, etc., where we will have the opportunity to share. All honor and glory be to Him!

The post Giron Update | Celebrating God’s Faithfulness Together first appeared on FRIENDSMISSION.COM.

Preparing to Join God’s Work in Croatia
Please Pray for the Liddell Family

Fred and Jonelle Liddell, along with their children Alex and Jael, are preparing to move to Croatia in early 2026, stepping into a calling shaped by prayer, patience, and deep trust in God’s timing. They are joining God in what he is already doing among the people of Croatia, long before they arrive.

During recent prayer walks through Croatian cities and towns, Jonelle was struck by the image of an old house, weathered, cracked, yet still standing after generations. It became a powerful picture of the spiritual landscape they are entering. In a place where religion often exists as cultural identity rather than living faith, the Liddells are praying that God would do something new and that the knowledge of him would no longer be distant or abstract, but personal, present, and transforming.

Their preparation season has been full and at times heavy. Training, travel, meetings, and international planning have been layered with unexpected health concerns and logistical hurdles. Yet through each interruption, the Liddells have continued to sense God’s steady invitation: Will you notice what I am already doing? Will you join me? With open hands, they are answering yes!

In the midst of transition, family life remains central. Alex eagerly talks about Croatia, while Jael fills their days with songs, coloring, and imaginative play. Together, the family anchors their hearts in simple truths: Jesus is strong and kind, he calms the storm, and is near in seasons of change.

As they look toward their move in early 2026, the Liddells are asking others to join them as supporters and as prayer partners. The work ahead will require language learning, cultural humility, spiritual discernment, and endurance. Above all, it will require listening closely to the Spirit as they seek to walk faithfully among the people God loves.

God is already at work in Croatia. The Liddells are preparing to join him!

Please pray:

• For health, strength, and clarity as ongoing medical needs are addressed.
• For peace and focus as preparations and logistics continue.
• For language learning and cultural understanding once they arrive.
• For open hearts in Croatia, that many would encounter Jesus personally.

The post January 2026 Prayer Letter first appeared on FRIENDSMISSION.COM.

Hi Friends and Family,

I’m writing to you from the Wycliffe compound in Juba, South Sudan and am a little over halfway through my trip. For the past 6 days, I’ve had the opportunity to meet the missionaries and the South Sudanese who work with Wycliffe here, and I have absolutely loved it! I’ve felt so welcomed by various people making sure I have what I need and looking out for me, and several people have had me over for dinner on various nights to get to know me better. Beyond that, I’ve loved being with people who have a love for linguistics and Bible translation. From conversations about the process of Bible translation to Greek and Hebrew to the software tools Wycliffe uses to aid the translation process, I feel very at home here.

But one of my favorite things has been sitting in with a couple of translation teams (the Avokaya team and the Fur team) as they work on translating the Old Testament. The Avokaya team, who I visited on Friday, were checking their draft of Exodus 21 and talking about various exegetical and translation issues that came up. The Fur team, who I visited on Monday, were checking their draft of Joshua 14 and doing the same. I’ve learned a lot by watching them and was able to help out in small ways when they had questions about the original Hebrew text or about the cultural context of the passage they were working on.

Today (Tuesday), I will leave Wycliffe’s compound and have a different focus for the rest of my trip. Pastor Nicodeme, a missionary from Rwanda, has been in South Sudan for the past two and a half months to figure out the logistics of his family and him living here starting sometime next year. The plan is for Nicodeme and his family to be joined by Evangelical Friends Mission (EFM) missionaries in the near future so that we can partner together in planting churches in South Sudan. I, two pastors from Rwanda, an EFM missionary, and an EFM director will spend the rest of the week with Nicodeme to be with him, encourage him, and help him debrief. I’ve already gotten to spend some good quality time with Nicodeme when he’s visited me at the Wycliffe compound and am looking forward to hearing more about what the past few months have looked like for him.

Finally, I’m so grateful for all of you! Thank you for how you’ve prayed and are praying for me and for how you’ve given so that I can begin a disciple-making apprenticeship with North County Project in January. Currently, I’m 73% funded! Thank you for your incredible generosity! As a reminder, if you’d like to partner with me through financial gifts, here are the ways you can do it:

• Online: Visit the NCP Apprentice donation page by clicking this link. Once there, scroll to find my name and select your gift amount. You’ll have the opportunity to indicate whether you are giving monthly or as a one-time gift.
• Credit Card: You may give online (as stated above) or by calling the EFM office at (303) 421-8100 to provide your information to a live representative.
• Automatic Bank Transfer: Download the form aquí and email it to Debby McElroy (EFM Bookkeeper) at debby@friendsmission.com. Please note that ACH payments are processed on the 10^th or 25^th of the month.
• Check: Mail a check to EFM, P.O. Box 771139, Wichita, KS 67277. Please mark your check with “Thomas Moore NCP Apprentice Support” and indicate if your gift will be recurring (monthly, quarterly, etc.). Make the check payable to “EFM.”

Thank you again for how you’re coming on this journey with me. I look forward to giving many of you more details about this trip. I’d love to meet with you to tell you more about it if you live in Southern California or talk with you over the phone or video chat if you live elsewhere.

In Him,
Thomas Moore

The post Thomas Moore | December Update first appeared on FRIENDSMISSION.COM.

A 10:2 Prayer Trip is an annual trip to the mission fields where EFM has committed to sending missionaries. Teams are asked to pray for the soil (Matthew 13:1-23) and pray for the workers (Luke 10:2). Teams are sent or guided by sponsoring regions/yearly meetings of the new EFM fields that have been leading exploration. 10:2 Prayer Trips will target appropriate communities for prayer walking and interceding that “the Kingdom come, and God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven” in those places.

In November 2025, a 10:2 Prayer Trip took place in Athens, Greece. The following is a report written by team member Evelyn Portillo.

Who Was On The Trip?

• Kenn Dirrim – Missionary to Greece for almost 20 years (Southwest)
• Matt Macy – EFM staff (MidAmerica)
• Robert Garon – Pastor to Sherwood Community Friends Church (Northwest)
• Alexis Lopez – Canyon Hills Friends Church and Immigration Services Volunteer (Southwest)
• Evelyn Portillo – Friends Southwest Staff and Orange Friends Church (Southwest)

Reflections From The Field

Greece is an entry point for refugees, with the hope of establishing themselves in other countries throughout Europe. As they are on the “go”, so is God pursuing their heart and lives. At this point, some refugees are returning to Greece after months or up to two years of trying to complete their immigration status in other European countries. If their immigration documents have been denied, they need to return to their entry point in Europe. This can be heartbreaking, for their dreams may be shattered but it also provides an opportunity to support them and strengthen their faith. 

Church planting is possible in non-traditional ways: home churches, small groups with a mentor, and a church site. We need to keep in mind that our goal is to form communities of believers and make disciples who will go make other disciples.

How You Can Pray

• Pray for a new team of EFM missionaries to begin a new EFM disciple-making effort with Muslim refugees in Greece.
• The immigration laws and processes continue to change. Pray that people with knowledge in this area will continue to step up.
• Pray for God’s grace and mercy for the refugees as they navigate complex documentation and financial hurdles.
• Pray for the worldwide missionaries who serve in Greece as their hub, that they will continue to work in unity, led by the Holy Spirit. May they continue to experience divine moments.
• Pray that national leaders will continue to develop and step up. Also pray that new believers will continue to take leadership roles with passion and grace.
• Pray for freedom from oppression, and that refugees may be able to fully live a life in Christ.

Are you Feeling Called to Join EFM?

Are you interested in exploring missionary service? Do you know of anyone of any age who might be interested in exploring the idea of serving as a missionary overseas for two or more years?

EFM is currently looking to contact and connect with people about opportunities to explore serving as missionaries with the Friends Church!

To learn more, visit aquí or fill out this interest form!

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