Praise for the Lord’s surprising new direction for the Linsz family’s future ministry after the door to Paraguay closed due to their traumatic experience while in language school in Costa Rica. Praise that Dan’s gifts and skills are presently needed in Ethiopia to mentor the leaders of the SIM clinic and local school, using English as the desired communication language. Praise that the option of a two-to-three year term is a possibility, with the opportunity then of continuing or returning to the US in light of their boys’ educational needs. Pray for their plans and transition to Ethiopia in early 2018. Pray also for additional support funds needed.
Dick & Sara Hart (Bolivia)
Praise for the opportunity Dick had to attend the COMIBAM missions conference in Bogota, Colombia, as well as a consultation with others leading the missions course “Perspectives on the World Christian Movement.” Pray for the students in Bolivia to whom he has also taught a Perspectives course lesson. Pray for Sara who is leading two Trauma Healing groups in their home every week and spends long hours adapting the material for a South American context. Pray that the local Bolivian Bible society will publish the material after it is adapted. Pray also for a Bolivian doctor couple who have now left to serve as missionaries in a difficult country in Asia.
After the Terror —The Healing Begins
Christians return to their homes in war-torn Nigeria. Christians in northeast Nigeria have been suffering extreme persecution and horrific terror attacks by the Islamist group Boko Haram—often causing them to flee their homes. But because of your support, they’re beginning to return and rebuild their lives! Your giving to support persecuted Christians in Nigeria has helped two communities rebuild their churches that were destroyed, and your gifts are providing food for refugees facing hunger because of the ongoing strife. Binding the unseen wounds The physical impact of war is horrible, but the spiritual and emotional wounds are just as real. Your support of Trauma Healing workshops is helping heal those wounds. Much of the world became aware when Boko Haram cruelly kidnapped 276 schoolgirls in 2014. But more than 2,000 other women and children have already escaped the terrorists’ grip. And there are certainly more being held right now. When … Read More
Briana Busenitz (South Sudan)
Praise that since Briana’s return to the US in March she has experienced God’s healing in remarkable ways, giving her a renewed purpose in overseas ministry to serve children and youth traumatized by war or sexual abuse. Pray that the Lord will reveal the shape of her next 2 ½ year term as she seeks to intern with various SIM children’s ministries overseas and eventually become part of one that offers children a safe place to process and heal. Praise for the prayer and financial support she has received, and pray for her as she continues visiting churches and sharing her vision.
Neil & Sarah Sandoz (Kenya/South Sudan)
Praise that the Sandozes are now back in Kenya from language study in North Africa and have begun Arabic lessons with a South Sudanese friend. Praise for Neil’s opportunity to help with a video project for an organization ministering to teenage girls in the slums. Pray that he can help aspiring film makers learn and use their skills for the Lord. Praise that Sarah had an opportunity to attend training on Psychological First Aid to help South Sudanese people and teammates after traumatic events. Pray as they plan to visit Doro, South Sudan, soon.
My Story: Cries of the Heart
Loud wails rose into the office at Redlight Greenlight from the girls’ residence two stories below. I ran down the uneven stairs to find Manisha trying to force the door open. She was crying, “I want to go home! I want to go home!” Though she was taller and much stronger than me, the look on her face reminded me of a three-year-old, lost and wailing for her mother. Manisha’s wailing soon turned into banging her head against the wall. One of our caregivers appeared, whispered something into her ear, and gently moved her away from both the door and the wall. Her cries continued. This became a pattern with Manisha. She had been with us for almost a year, but her agitation – related to manic depression – suddenly escalated. Her outbursts were causing Redlight Greenlight to become emotionally and physically unsafe for the other girls. She would now … Read More
Dick & Sara Hart (Bolivia)
Praise for a time of vacation that the Harts had, which included taking a tour of the Holy Land. Pray for Sara as she works along with others, including the local Bible Society, to adapt the Trauma Healing course materials for Bolivia. Pray also for her as she carries out her role as a Child Safety Advocate for SIM Bolivia, helping fellow SIM missionaries to apply mission policies to their daily life and work. Pray also for Dick who serves on a committee that is now offering a 15-week Perspectives missions course in several Bolivian cities. Pray for Dick who is one of the instructors of the course in Cochabamba.
Mark & Stacy Conard (USA)
Praise for the many opportunities Mark and Stacy have for chaplaincy ministry to missionaries via skype and phone calls, hosting them in their home when they are on home assignment, and traveling for overseas assignments. Pray for missionaries needing and desiring counseling, lacking funds for a needed family or marriage retreat or because of suffering from a medical condition. Pray for discernment and wisdom in responding to these crises. Pray for Mark as he visits the SIM teams in Malawi July 20 to August 2, then Switzerland and Kenya in September. Pray also for Stacey leading a Trauma Healing Equipping session September 18-22.