MAGAZINE ISSUE 1, 2012 Called to Serve Includes: Field workers wanted Who wants to be a missionary? Never too old to go!
Editorial Issue 1, 2012 Field Workers Wanted One of the churches I served in was in a farming community. As a result I had my share of rounding up cattle on horseback, helping with lambing and docking sheep. Richard Coombs, MECO s Australasian Director, challenges us about the many needs and opportunities there are in the Middle East. The hardest work I ever did was helping bring in the harvest. We worked from late afternoon until two in the morning, three days in a row! Until then, I hadn t known what hard work was. In Matthew 9:37-38, Jesus hangs out a Help Wanted sign. There is a harvest to be brought in. He says the harvest is plentiful and it is a good harvest but workers are needed. NT Wright, the British theologian and scholar, comments on these verses: Outside the Lord s Prayer itself, Jesus doesn t often tell his followers what to pray for, but this time he does. Go to the farmer, he says, and beg him to send workers to bring in the harvest. And, as his followers pray that prayer, the answer comes back worryingly quickly: You yourselves are to be the answer to your own prayer. How diligent and persistent are we in praying for workers to help with the harvest in the Middle East? If statistics are to be believed, it is often quoted that there are more Middle Eastern Muslims coming to faith in Jesus than ever before in the history of the Church - the harvest is indeed plentiful! If other statistics are to be believed, there is only one worker for every five million people in the Middle East. So many people! So many opportunities! Will you pray and ask that more workers be sent to bring in the harvest? Richard Coombs Australasian Director Stop Press! At February leadership meeting in Lebanon, no appointment of an International Director was made. Your prayers are valued as we seek God s will for the future. international 03
Who wants to be a missionary? At the beginning of his book, God s New Envoys, mission strategist Tesunao Yamamori presented the following advertisement: Wanted: 1000,000 new envoys to serve in countries closed to missionaries. No salary. No security. Hardship, danger expected. Special training, new strategies required. Immediate Need! Jason and Sara, workers with MECO, explore the challenges and rewards of mission service. As extreme as his ad may seem there is truth in it, which begs the question: Why does anyone want to be a missionary? Jason and Sara are new recruits for MECO and have no qualms about serving in the Middle East. Their decision has been influenced by the statistics that show that the global Church has put very little effort into reaching the least reached people of the Middle East. We cannot even imagine focussing our attention anywhere else, they say. We are eager to be a part of God s eternal plan for the people of the region. We are eager to serve the Church in the Middle East in the field of theological education. The American couple add that they have been preparing their two children, who are ten and seven, for this venture since the day they were born. We have told them that our citizenship is in heaven and that we do not belong to this world. We have taught them that God has an eternal plan to bring His salvation to all nations and that the church is the means by which this salvation would be proclaimed throughout the earth. We have travelled with our children since they were infants and have continuously exposed them to other cultures. More than all of this, though, we have taught and will always continue to teach them to be eager for the return of Christ and that the gospel being preached throughout the earth is the thing that will usher in Christ s return. Despite their readiness to serve the Lord in the Middle East, Jason and Sara say the reaction of family and friends to their decision has been mixed. Most friends are supportive, although many say they would never do such a thing. We are blessed to have the support of many family members. However, the pervasive lack of understanding regarding the politics, history and religion of the region cause even our staunchest supporters anxiety over our move. The couple also recognize that a general lack of understanding in the evangelical community about missions being part of God s plan for mankind, plants seeds of reluctance in the hearts of family members and friends. These are all barriers that God has and will continue to overcome. Although Jason and Sara had hoped to be in the Middle East more than a year ago, the financial support they need is still outstanding. They describe their fundraising experience as slow but joyful. We say it has been slow only because it hasn t happened as quickly as we would have liked. However, we recognize that it has gone as quickly as God has liked. They add that it has been joyful because of the relationships it has fostered. We have reconnected with old friends and made many more new ones through this process. This fellowship will continue as we move to the field. m Please pray: For the language acquisition process. For the transition process for our children and for their continued maturation in Christ once we are in the field For our family and friends back home, particularly those with anxiety about our move Most of all, pray that Christ would be glorified in us. We want nothing more than for Christ to be exalted high and for the nations to exult with us in the exaltation of Christ. 04 meco international 05
Never to old to go! If you think missionary work is for the young, you haven t met John and Judy. John and Judy, explain how God used them with MECO despite their age. For the last three years, the Canadian couple have been volunteering in a school, helping young students with English homework, leading devotionals in the primary grades, organizing sports, helping wherever they are needed. Always interested in overseas service, their plan was to go to a mission field when they retired. We had been involved in short term mission trips since we had come to know the Lord 20 years ago, explains Judy. We had thought that John would work until he was 60, to provide for our financial needs and then we would go full-time. However, in the fall of 2007 we took the Perspectives Course (created to help people understand God s worldview and offered in either a classroom setting or online) which turned out to be a life changing experience for both of us. Through the course we realized there was no reason not to go overseas now. We also learned of the great need for people to serve in the Middle East. Trusting that God would provide for our financial needs we began to pray about where He would send us and to begin to make preparations for early retirement. Those preparations including downsizing - moving from a 2400 square foot house to a 1100 square foot bungalow that they renovated. It has turned out to be Judy s favourite home. We gave away a lot of furniture when we downsized, she says. We sold John s car and gave mine to our son. We found all of these actions to be very freeing and we have never looked back with any regret. Currently our two adult children are living in our home, which has worked out well for all of us. As they prayed about where they would go and what they would do, they were introduced to MECO s opportunities for service in Lebanon. Initially touched by the work going on at an orphanage, John and Judy went through the process of applying to MECO as short-term workers with the idea of serving there. Then, to their surprise, everything came to a halt when it became apparent that the orphanage would not be a suitable placement for them. Disappointed but not discouraged, the couple prayed and urged family and friends to pray with them. A few weeks later, MECO presented them with the opportunity to serve at the school. Although neither of us is a professional teacher (Judy is a secretary, John a stationary engineer) we have felt that this placement has been a good fit for our skills and abilities. We both had some concerns about what we could do overseas, considering what we had to offer, says John. But the Lord has definitely shown us that He can use even us. As short-term workers the couple weren t required to do language study. Although they are limited to friendly greetings when speaking to older people, most of the young people in their community speak English to some degree. John and Judy admit that it took a few months to adjust to life in the Middle East, especially for Judy, who continues to find scheduled electrical blackouts a challenge. And they still miss their family, friends and church family. The hard times for both of us are holidays and not being home for our children s birthdays. These times will always be a challenge but it definitely makes our time spent at home extra special and we really look forward to being with our family. They add that what keeps them going is the desire to follow the Lord and be where He wants them to be. We d advise anyone thinking of serving later in life not to delay. We would highly recommend people take the Perspectives Course and then start moving in the direction they believe God wants them to go. m Please pray: That John and Judy will sense the Lord s leading with regards to the children they are working with That they would be able to develop meaningful relationships with their neighbours For encouragement from the Lord for them when they miss their children and extended families That the Lord of the Harvest will send out more Finishers (mature people) to serve in the fields 06 meco international 07
Called to stay in difficult times Anyone who has read biographies or autobiographies of missionaries knows that life on the field can be very difficult. Adam and Sonia *, workers with MECO, share some of the difficulties they ve faced while serving in mission. * Names changed for security. Sometimes the difficulties can arise because of health issues. Sometimes they can arise because of conflicts with others. The following is the story of how one of our missionary families endured a trying experience and how God worked in the midst of that hardship. In recent years my wife has suffered poor health due to a neck injury. At one point she returned to our home country for two months of intense treatment, followed by a long road to recovery. For the next year she spent more time lying down than sitting and standing. Gradually she began doing more and more, including going out to visit local friends. Four years later, she is now free to do almost everything she could do before. Some may think that my wife s time of recovery would have given her freedom to focus on things like writing letters and home schooling our children but with her immobility, and loss of freedom, came depression. Even when she was able to visit a friend and had enjoyed a wonderful time, she would return home drained of emotional energy and unable to go out visiting for several weeks. At the time, I had increasing stress at work due to financial pressures and a conflict with a local person involved with our work. However, as we were struggling along and finding life tough, God was able to work through this as a witness. The local people were able to see that our lives were similar to theirs. They saw that as Westerners we didn t have trouble-free lives. Being rich, in comparison to them, didn t make us immune to sickness and depression. They also saw how we pulled together as a Christian family. When my wife first returned from treatment my new role was chief cook. While the local custom was for men to stay out with friends or at work until after 10.00 pm, I would be home early. When local employees would question why, I would simply tell them I needed to help my wife at home. As a result, they could see how we, as a Christian family, loved and cared for each other and they were incredulous. I wasn t aware of this until one of the female staff members mentioned it to my wife. During this time, they also came to see our love for them; that we stayed on and were committed to them and our work. When difficulties arise we sometimes forget there are those at home praying for us. We can become a little self-obsessed and busy as we try to sort out our problems. However it is when we look back, and communicate with friends and family, that we realise the importance of the link with them. I am often humbled when we return to our supporters and find that an elderly woman, who has trouble with her joints and difficulty walking, has been faithfully praying for us. It makes me feel inadequate that I don t know the needs of each of our supporters to bring before the Lord. It is also somewhat sobering to hear that some of them have been through tougher times at home than we have had on the field. The one thing we have learned through our times of difficulty is that God can use any situation to glorify Himself. m 08 meco international 09
Praying for light in the darkness John and Carrick, Judy, text MECO s to go Director, here... shares about some of the challenges in the Middle East and how we can pray. Hope is fading that last year s Arab Spring would bring democracy and religious freedom. As 2011 drew to a close, concern for the Church across the Middle East was growing, especially in Egypt, where Islamist groups were successful in government elections. Yet ironically, the roots of the Arab Spring were not in religion. The demand for change stemmed from the desire for government accountability, open politics and equal citizenship. The call was for an end to repression of opinion, bullying and torture, all of which would have meant greater freedom for the Church. Since the fall of former president Hosni Mubarak s government, Christians in Egypt have witnessed increasing attacks on churches, Christian businesses and individuals. Many endeavour to leave. How then should Christians in the West respond? Middle East church leaders ask us to raise a tsunami of prayer for the region. They have four key requests. 1 Pray for courage and fortitude for Christians in the region. We cry to God for religious liberty for all, not least converts to Christianity. But where there is no liberty they need multiplied grace in their suffering. Pray that the light of Christ will shine through those, who share Jesus suffering. 2 Pray that Christians in the region and the West will have the vision of fields white to harvest. Egypt has the highest uptake of Bibles in the world. Iraqis are more open to the gospel than ever before, while Iran is witnessing its greatest church growth in centuries, despite the death penalty for Muslims who become Christians. Pray that Christians across the region will have opportunities to share the good news with their neighbours and colleagues and that God will equip them accordingly. 3 Pray for pastors and church leaders, who are often targeted by those opposed to Christianity. Pray they make a clear gospel stand. Pray that Christians will have a role to play in shaping new governments and uphold those involved in politics. We give thanks for people like Canon Andrew White working in Iraq, who has brought together Sunni, Shiite and Christian leaders. As a result, joint statements have been issued urging the end to the persecution of Christians. 4 Pray western governments will speak out against persecution and for Christian lobbying groups, who advise them. The Archbishop of Canterbury addressing the UK House of Lords, moved that This House takes note of the situation of Christians in the Middle East. Pray that new Arab governments will listen and work to establish human rights for all. Rejoice in Christ s victory. We have no idea what the future holds but we know who holds the future, says Ramez Atallah, Director of the Egyptian Bible Society. Let us pray! m Could God use you to change lives in the Middle East? MECO is looking for people to serve with us as: MECO International Director MECO is seeking an International Director to lead its ministry. MECO has 150 years experience of service in the Middle East and currently numbers 50 members. The appointee will have previous senior leadership experience and will be willing to raise his/her own financial support. Location: Negotiable. For further information please contact Chris Grantham, Search Committee chair: chris@meco.org.nz Teacher - Mountain Village, Lebanon Description: Serving in a Christian village school with mainly non-christian Druze students aged 3-18 years. Length: 1+ years Language: English. Qualifications: Qualified teacher (Nursery, elementary/junior and secondary). Teacher - Iraqi Kurdistan Description: Working with ex-pat kids in a home school situation. Developing adult education, especially literacy projects. Length: 1 month - 2+ years Language: English. Qualifications: Hold appropriate qualifications. Female doctors and midwives - Arabian Gulf Description: A Christian gynaecological delivery hospital Length: 2+ years. Language: English, some Arabic desirable Qualifications: Experienced doctor or midwifery qualification plus 3yrs experience, from America, Europe, Australia, or S Africa. Refugee Worker - Cairo, Egypt Description: Serving Sudanese refugees in a local church. Length: 1+ years. Language: English, Arabic is desirable. Theological Trainer - Jordan Length: 3+ years Language: English. Arabic required if involved in tutoring. Qualifications: MA or PhD in theology. For more exciting opportunities and information, visit www.aboutmeco.org/opportunities 10 meco international 11
Help someone help others! Could you help someone do something amazing this summer? Encouraging them to go may be all it takes! Encounter Team in Jordan this summer! 28 June - 25 July 2012 (Amman, Jordan) Help provide a 3 week children s programme at a local church focusing on teaching English and sharing the love of Christ. Find out more by visiting www.aboutmeco.org/encounter or by emailing info@aboutmeco.org