2018 - FRIENDSMISSION.COM

December 2018 Prayer Letter

Kimberly Mer — Tue, 04 Dec 2018 20:17:07 +0000

Rosa is a new believer. Her husband and she just converted to Christ a few months ago. Her passion and love for the Lord is so noticeable; she never lets an opportunity pass by without talking to people about salvation. Rosa’s mother, being a very strong follower of the traditional religion and faithful follower of many idols, was very upset at Rosa for her decision to convert to Christ and so the mother also hated to even hear about our names (Edwin and Maria Giron). Of course, she blamed us for changing her daughter to “another religion” (that is how she said it).

Suddenly, the Lord worked a wonderful miracle. Rosa has ten siblings and one of her brothers, Martin, came to Rosa asking for help. He was desperately deep in alcohol and depression. He told Rosa that he wanted the same happiness and the changes in marriage just like she was having. Rosa then invited Martin to our house for a Bible Study. That same night, Martin converted to Christ and from that day to now he has stopped drinking. We have seen his true transformation; he has a different face and different way to see life. Praise God!

After seeing the changes on her daughter and now on her son’s life, Rosa’s mother asked Rosa if it was possible to bring us (missionaries) to her house to have Bible studies, so that she could gather her other sons and daughters together to hear about the Word of God too. The Mother wanted the rest of her family to have a transformation just like Rosa and Martin experienced. Praise the Lord! We were so amazed and happy to hear that the mother was now willing to host us in her house to introduce Jesus Christ to the whole family! We started three months ago and now there is a house church with a group of 18-20 people faithfully attending the meetings every week. Glory to God! What is happening in this family can only be possible because the Holy Spirit is working on these people’s hearts. Rosa’s mother is 83 years old; it is still a bit difficult for her to renounce her religion, but we trust that the Holy Spirit will touch her heart and revel the truth about Jesus as our only Lord and Savior.

Please pray for this wonderful group. That we would see many become strong and committed disciples that will continue expanding God’s kingdom in Aguascalientes and beyond.

November 2018 Prayer Letter

Kimberly Mer — Fri, 02 Nov 2018 17:51:10 +0000

We are so thankful for all the many blessings God has given us and the many ways He provides. Often for us, His provision looks like strength and wisdom to face the challenges of everyday life. We are learning more and more what it looks like to obey God, even when sometimes what He asks of us doesn’t make sense from our standpoint.

Some days this looks like going to a friend’s house for dinner, who is making us a special dish, even though our stomachs are protesting eating anything (and the food doesn’t come until after our kids’ bedtime). Sometimes it looks like inviting the little girls to come in to play, even though we were just sitting down for dinner. Or maybe it looks like trying to figure out if we should go on a four-hour trip with a friend the next morning after being asked at 9 o’clock at night. And some days it is getting a phone call from another foreign worker who isn’t being allowed to exit the country because of a new law that all foreigners need to navigate but are just finding out about! Obedience looks so different every day. We feel like this life that we live is constantly throwing us curve balls, loops, or sometimes broken roads because of a massive rainstorm. But, we are so thankful that we don’t have to know ahead of time, or figure out on our own, which way to turn, which road to take, or even the amount of vehicle changing that the road will demand. We praise God for being with us each step of the way, for leading us and us giving what we need when we need it…not a moment too soon, or a moment too late. He is such a good God!

We have had a good and busy last few months. It has been a good time in our village and living life with those around us. We feel more and more part of this community and are so thankful that they continue to think of us as part of their family! Just a few weeks ago we were going to take a picture of our kids with the landlord’s mother (they call her grandma and she calls them grandkids), and before the picture she went and rounded up the rest of her grandkids to have them all in the same picture. For us, it was a special moment and showed us just how much she cared to have all of the children she calls grandkids in one picture with her. God continues to work here, and we are trusting and obeying in the small steps that we get to take daily to bring the Good News of Jesus!

M. and K. L.

Twaddell October 2018 News Update

Kimberly Mer — Fri, 19 Oct 2018 21:57:27 +0000

Greetings Prayer Warriors!

Thank you for your Praying for us in the work of the Lord.

September and October were busy month with storms, FEAST, ESL classes and travel. But we were also confronted with the everyday realities of life, immigration paperwork, vehicle licensing, and doctor’s appointments. Through it all, Christ was there along with your prayers. Thank You!

Roy’s traveled to Samar to be with Ptr Chito and the Malvar church went well. We were able to help with some Sunday School teacher training and materials and get Ptr Chito setup in the FEAST Distance Learning program. They are all eagerly applying what they are learning with the church there.

Our First Official Semester of FEAST is coming to a close. What an exciting time to be with such wonderful students of all ages. Their commitment to come to class, study and absorb the Word of God powerful. The students have surprised me with their Testimonies and their papers outlining a book of the Old Testament. We started with 12 students and have finished strong with 9 completing the courses. All 9 have signed up for the next semester.

Please Pray for Ptr Cris, Ptra Hildegarde and myself as we prepare for the next semester. We are having our next meeting to discuss what worked and didn’t work as well as other logistical and practical issues. We have moved our library into its new location, we are praying for more good Christian books in all areas.

Our outreach to Purok Uno with the ESL classes is also finishing the Semester. We have had a great group of 14 Children who have stayed the course and not even missed a class. God has provided us with a great team from Silangan Friends Church and a wonderful host from the community who lets us use his house for a classroom. Please Pray for Sis Cherry, Brother Alan and myself as we plan for the next semester.

Jinky is moving forward with the sewing machine livelihood project. She has now completed the purchase of three more machines and planning with our Church in Taguig. One of the leaders of this project is also a student in FEAST. She plans to finish the project this month by purchasing one more sewing machine for the Women’s project in Silangan Friends Church. All of the projects are planned with the Friends Women of each church to employ members in the church. We have provided business planning and stewardship training for each group. Each group has specific plans designed to market and sell their products. Two groups will manufacture floor type throw carpets and hand towels and one group is manufacturing various types of handbags.

Jinky is also preparing for the last dental outreach for the year at Friends Lighthouse Evangelical Church in Antipolo. This is done just before Christmas and is always a big event in the community.

Please pray for Jinky and the Women from all our Friends Church as they move forward in these works of love and ministry.

Shortly after returning we had a Typhoon, which caused huge damage up north but spared most of the country. So far we have not had much of a Typhoon season this year.

Roy has to renew is immigration status one last time in Nov. Please pray for favor and not too many issues in this process. Because we changed addresses he had to get a local certificate of residency, adding to the pile of paperwork needed. Once this is all completed Roy we retain his permanent residency.

Please also pray with us as the year winds down. We have several year reports and planning meetings that will take of our schedules. Please also pray as we finalize our EFM budget for the next year.

In Christ’s Service Together

Roy and Jinky

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October 2018 Prayer Letter

Kimberly Mer — Tue, 02 Oct 2018 18:50:30 +0000

I have been watching “Chef’s Table: France” on Netflix. In the first episode, a Michelin starred chef decides to stop serving meat. He says, “It’s complicated? Yes. It’s not easy? yes.” He sighs, “But…What do you feast on? What do you feast on? What a pleasure! I have chills every day because sometimes I’m afraid.” I’ve watched this episode quite a few times, and this resonates with me. Is it complicated – the work I do? Yes. Is it difficult? Yes. Sometimes am I afraid? yes. But today – what do I feast on? What gives me chills and makes this a pleasure and a privilege?

On the first Sunday of the month, we gather for “Little Friends and Family”. When I see this photo, from a gathering in February, I think “A photo of me, loving my life”. What do I feast on? Well, on this day, using Godly Play, I told the story of Jesus being tempted in the desert. I said to the children, “I wonder what Jesus and God talked about in the desert.” And one little boy answered, “I think they talked about ALL the people.” Yes. I think you are right.

In our Bible Study one week we talked about the women that traveled with Jesus. We talked about what it means to be a disciple – to be called to intimate fellowship; to be an imitator of the one who called and teaches you; to be an adherent, a student; to take on the values and reproduce the teaching of the one at whose feet you sit… To know Christ, follow him, make disciples. I said to them, how does this teaching change for you if I list the disciples this way? Peter, John, Mary Magdalene, James, Phillip, Joanna, Nathaniel, Matthew, Susanna…

And one woman replied, “It just makes you think that you could be included…” Yes. You are included, dear one. What a pleasure!

Following our Advent stories, using Godly Play, a 4-year-old boy found a candle and carried it to his mum. She asked, “What is that?” He replied, “This is the light of the prophets….” Chills.

Studying Galatians with this wonderful group of women, we talked about the Holy Spirit acting within us, and the result being the fruit of the spirit. And then Paul says, “If a brother or sister falls into sin, you who are spiritual should restore that person gently.” What does this mean? What does it mean to “fall into sin”? How do we restore them “gently”? And then I asked, “Are there people in your life that you trust to do this? Has this happened to you?”

And one woman says, “You have done this for me, Kathi.” (I’m thinking as fast as I can… when did I do this? When did I ever approach her about “falling into sin?”) She said, “I had given up on God. I didn’t go to Mass any more. I didn’t see a point. I had given up on Christian people. You showed me that there is still something important in this and something beautiful and meaningful.” And another woman said, “Yeah. Me too.” And a third woman said, “Yeah. Me too.” Complicated and difficult – yes. A feast and a pleasure – absolutely.

It’s midnight and that might be making me a little more poetical than I would be earlier in the evening… yet, I am so thankful once again, that God has brought me here. It’s complicated? Yes. It’s not easy? Yes. What a pleasure!

September 2018 Prayer Letter

Kimberly Mer — Mon, 17 Sep 2018 20:48:18 +0000

Asha Rai our CHE Trainer says, “The men are slowly changing a lot spiritually. Before we were trained in Women’s Cycle of Life (WCL), our husbands would never allow us to go out of the home alone, even to a meeting at church. They didn’t trust us. Now they say, ‘Today you go to the women’s group. I’ll watch the children or wash the clothes.’ This never happened in our own lives before!” She goes on to say, “The lesson on the worth of women in God’s eyes helped me to know myself. It changed how I talk, how I walk, how I respond to people and how I respond to my husband. Knowing my worth helped me have a kind, helping heart.”

In Cha’pur the first group of 17 women went through the WCL training. It was so well received that another 23 went to the next one. Our Women CHE Trainers doubled as Facilitator, says that these first groups of women have taught at least one lesson to 1678 other women. This was eight years ago, and Asha was one of those teachers.

Kiran, another CHE Trainer says, “Women ask me how they should respond to their husbands when they don’t show respect for them. I tell them, ‘You can respond as if you are trash, or you can respond with self-respect, as a worthy person. Then your husband will learn to respect you too.’ The spiritual impact is transforming when women who feel they are unworthy learn that God loves them. I know now that I’m a daughter of the King of Kings! Such knowledge lifts my head. I can walk proudly like a lioness now!”

The post September 2018 Prayer Letter first appeared on FRIENDSMISSION.COM.

August 2018 Prayer Letter

Kimberly Mer — Mon, 17 Sep 2018 20:39:14 +0000

Barangay Bongbongon was a two-hour drive south of Roxas, Capiz on the Island of Panay. The highway there was only partial paved, so at least half the trip was a narrow muddy dirt road. But the trip was well worth the trials of the journey.

The people of the community were eagerly awaiting our arrival. There are very few health care services, so Doctor Jinky’s arrival was a great blessing. For two days, Jinky and Memma taught basic hygiene, handed out dental kits, and performed basic dentistry. One of the highlights was being able to pray for each child by name and letting them know that Jesus was there with them.

The team also brought a Vacation Bible School for the children of the community as part of our Church Plant. We were able to finalize the Sewing Machine livelihood project. We also purchased two sewing machines for two church families who will make various backpacks, bags, and purses.

All in all, we felt like Paul and Barnabas and Silas, traveling dusty and muddy roads bringing healing, helping, and the Good News of Jesus Christ. Please continue to pray for the dear souls of the families in Bongbongan as we continue to teach and train and share the Love of Christ and the Good News of Salvation.

Roy and Jinky Twaddell

The post August 2018 Prayer Letter first appeared on FRIENDSMISSION.COM.

July 2018 Prayer Letter

Kimberly Mer — Mon, 17 Sep 2018 20:36:19 +0000

After goodbyes in Boise, North Washington, and Portland area, we made it back to Ecuador via Quito airport on February 15th, 2018, with one dog and a passel of luggage! Emma’s dog Kassie made it just fine – thanks for the prayers. We made our way down via van to our town of residence, Macas, and settled into a friend’s guest house for the first month. Some highlights of the first month: we brushed up on our previous Spanish learning, set up household, purchased kitchen items, searched for a house and car, and reconnected with folks in the church and community. Many people delighted with us in our new baby and would ask if Matthew would be born here, as they’d stroke, kiss, and talk to my belly. I, Sarah, had the opportunity to connect with other pregnant moms: two young girls and a married woman. All three were in health crisis. But, with serious nutritional work on their part and the grace of God, all are doing well now. In a quick order, we found a home with help from our friend Marcia, and were able to move in at the one month mark. Then we were off to a bigger city (100,000 people) for a 3-day shopping trip to buy and ship more affordable furniture for the bedroom, living room, and needed major appliances. We got it all home and put furniture together before Emma’s bladder infection progressed into a severe and risky kidney infection. A month later she was fully recovered, but Russ and I got a 3-4 week lung infection and I had preterm labor pains at 28 weeks. Four weeks of light-duty and bed rest allowed me to defer labor again.

During a trip to purchase a car in the town of Riobamba, I went into labor again. Every one to three days, in the wee hours of the morning, I was back in the hospital and on labor-stopping medication. After two days in a hospital in Riobamba, I was transported to a more advanced hospital in Quito. After two weeks of troubles, delayed labor, and steroids to mature baby’s lungs, our sweet Matthew was born at 34 weeks gestation. While he is the delight of his parents and siblings, he had a rough start after discharge. At 6 days old he began having problems with low oxygen and apnea. After three nights of hospitalization in the NICU, he was sent home with oxygen. We used an oxygen monitor that our dear friend and her family sent us and daily caught an apnea or low oxygen event in the first several weeks. We are glad to report we are seeing a good recovery in Matthew and only have evening and night colic to work through now. In the mix of all this, two days after we arrived home, Ruth fell from high up in a tree at our neighbor’s house and was hospitalized in the government hospital here in Macas. We are thankful to God that she came away from it without broken bones or internal injuries.

After returning home from Quito, we worked on our car search again. Finally, we were able to find the right car for the long-term needs of our family and ministry. It is a four-wheel drive 2008 Land Cruiser Prado with seat belts for 8 persons. It is very clean and in good shape and should last us a long time.

We are now trying to settle into a routine with a newborn as the older kids are finishing their homeschooling for the year. Thank you all for your prayers and support through this time.

The Badgelys

The post July 2018 Prayer Letter first appeared on FRIENDSMISSION.COM.

June 2018 Prayer Letter

Kimberly Mer — Mon, 17 Sep 2018 20:32:42 +0000

May was a busy month for a yearly meeting in Nepal called “Evangelical Friends Church-Nepal.” This is the yearly meeting that EFM missionaries John and Sangi Vanlal established along with many Nepali Friends leaders. Today, it has more than 40 established churches and an average attendance of around 3,000. A year and a half ago, John and Sangi retired and returned to their home in India. EFC-Nepal continues to move forward under the leadership of Pastor Amen Thapa and an executive committee.

Pastor Amen recently reported that in the months of April and May, 130 new believers declared publicly their decision to follow Jesus Christ by taking water baptism. That is a huge step in a country like Nepal where Christianity is not legally recognized and where the government has anti-conversion laws in place. Persecution is pretty much guaranteed for these new believers.

On May 24, there were nine students who graduated from three months of training at EFC-Nepal’s Bible school in Kathmandu. There will be another group of students who will receive training in the second half of this year. These students go back to their churches and communities in order to help with pastoral and evangelistic work.

In May, several from EFC-Nepal also did a Luke 10 trip to the Far West of Nepal where the need is great for the gospel. Along with EFM missionary Samson Retnaraj, they are exploring ways to plant churches in this vast area using CHE (Community Health Evangelism) methods. We look forward to hearing more details about how this trip went. Pastor Amen simply said, “It was an awesome mission trip.”

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May 2018 Prayer Letter

Kimberly Mer — Mon, 17 Sep 2018 20:28:45 +0000

It’s amazing how a certain place brings up memories long forgotten. Moriah and I (Dave Howell) recently flew into the San Francisco airport. As we were deplaning, we came out of the walkway, into one of the gates. I was immediately transported back ten years. I saw not the fifteen-year-old young woman next to me, but the five-year-old girl running around, trying to burn off the excess energy before we boarded our flight to Ireland. I remembered the smell of the clam chowder that eight-year-old Jonathan was eating. As we continued walking through the gate to get on with our day, I became very aware of the blessing of serving in ministry over these last ten years.

Last Sunday, I was preaching at the church in the village of Redcross. My text was Isaiah 35:3-4, “With this news, strengthen those who have tired hands, and encourage those who have weak knees. Say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, and do not fear, for your God is coming to destroy your enemies. He is coming to save you.” This is such an amazing passage that speaks to the heart of why we serve our Irish friends.

Two weeks ago, the community of Tiglin (the drug and alcohol recovery center we partner with) was rocked with a tragedy. During this painful time, Trish and I were able to cry with them and share comfort and support for them. For a group of people who were hurting and weak, the news of a Father who hears and loves them was desperately needed. It was our privilege to have that opportunity to serve.

Not long ago, another friend was struggling with severe issues. As Tricia spent time caring for her and guiding her in this struggle, the news of hope was desperately needed. As Tricia spoke love and healing into her life, she was told how much it meant. She shared that Tricia was often the only source of such news that they heard. This is something that has been repeatedly spoken to us.

The Irish people are some of the most passionate people that you will ever meet. Their joy and exuberance in storytelling or reliving an experience is mesmerizing, except when it comes to faith. As we have lived and shared among them, we have seen this spark fanned and that topic coming back into play. As they hear and see in our lives, the one true living God, it brings with it options. They can know that faith is not dead or irrelevant, they can challenge perceptions of what a religious one would look like, and they can freely wrestle with a God who we don’t understand.

Our prayer is that for the next ten years, we can continue to begin “with this news” and through that to strengthen, encourage, and build up the Irish in their new understanding of Faith. Please continue to pray for us as we minister among them.

Grace and Peace,
Dave

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April 2018 Prayer Letter

Kimberly Mer — Mon, 17 Sep 2018 19:55:50 +0000

I was standing in a lunch line with Paul Morse the other day, and he asked me, “Tell me about Musovu!” “There are a lot of exciting things happening in Musovu,” I replied, but “How do you know about Musovu?” He told me he had received my newsletter from early 2012 with a picture of the Musovu group listing out in leaves all the Discipling for Development lessons they had studied together in the past years. Then he asked me, “So how is Rutikanga?” I exclaimed, “You know Rutikanga! Do you know Ntakirutimana? Kezia? Alphonsine? Ugiriwabo?” He knew their names, although his pronunciation was off on a few. I was able to tell him that they are doing great! There is so much that has happened in their lives since 2012! God has used them in some amazing ways. We no longer coach them every week as a D for D team, but they are still growing in amazing ways! Ntakirutimana is discipling a new group of young men in a nearby town where he moved and opened up a store. Rutikanga and Alphonsine are reconciled with each other and living in harmony. Bosco and some of the others are helping plant a church about half an hour away by bicycle. Pastor Ugiriwabo has led the church and the community at large in partnering with World Vision to build five kindergarten classrooms for the community. They completely paid for all the labor on these projects themselves! They are providing for their families, their kids are going to school, the church is full, and they extended the sanctuary. Seven or more couples have been married. The kingdom of God is growing among them! They are helping mentor other pastors in the Bugesera region who want to learn to disciple their believers and communities holistically.

I asked Paul, “So, how have you been praying for them?” He said, “I pray for them every day, naming each one.” This is wonderful! It is hard to measure the impact of our prayers, but they do have an impact. How much does Musovu’s transformation have to do with Paul’s praying? We will not know until heaven, but I do know that Paul can claim the promise of Psalm 2:8: “Ask of me, and I will give you nations as your inheritance and the ends of the earth as your possession!” I believe in heaven Paul gets to claim the kingdom of God flourishing in the community of Musovu as part of his inheritance!

God’s desire is that people from all nations and all cultures come to know him. Jesus told us that because he has all authority in heaven and on earth, we are to go and disciple all nations. God has called us missionaries to see the kingdom of God flourish in some places of darkness, bondage, and despair. He has called us to serve people in cultures all around the world. We get to join Jesus praying to the Father, “Your kingdom come! Your will be done in this specific place among these specific people just as it is done in heaven!”

Which missionaries are you partnering with? Which cultures, nations, and people? Which communities are you asking to be a part of your inheritance in Christ? Let’s join Christ in his desire to see people set free, to see his kingdom come, to see his reign come in people’s lives, to see his favor, his grace flourish in their lives! Thank you for praying with us! It makes a difference! Keep up the good work!

David Thomas

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