INTERNATIONAL UPDATE JUNE 2008OM InternationalBy Peter Maiden, International CoordinatorDear partners in prayer, Greetings again in our Lord Jesus. Dave Thomas from the UK died suddenly on board Logos II on Monday 19th May following a heart attack. He was serving as Chief Engineer during the final visit of Logos II to ports in the Caribbean. His wife, Joy, was with him on board. During the week, family members came to the ship to be with her. Dave was one of our longest-serving members with OM Ships, joining in 1969 when the ministry was still at the vision stage. Over the years he has served on Logos, Doulos and Logos II as well as at the headquarters of OM in the UK and in the ships head office. He had huge passion for the ministry and was a dedicated and loyal co-worker. Please pray for Joy and the children at this time. I have just enjoyed the marvellous experience of cycling from Land's End to John O'Groats to celebrate my 60th birthday. It is a distance of almost 1,000 miles, and I managed to average 110 miles each day, getting there in eight and a half days. To all those who sponsored me for the Bible translation and distribution-a big thank you. As OM further develops each Key Focus Area of ministry, the web is proving to be an essential tool in how we communicate. This brings into light our desperate situation as far as web personnel. We currently only have two and our current web manager is leaving. Do you know of an International Web manager, web designers, programmers, and content managers who would like to dedicate one, two or more years to help in this vital area? If so, please contact us immediately at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Relief & developmentMyanmar: On Saturday 10 May, Myanmar (Burma) was hit by the worst cyclone Asia has seen for 17 years, causing tidal waves over 4m high. Five regions have been declared disaster zones with over 50,000 people confirmed dead and tens of thousands still missing. The death toll is expected to reach 100,000; millions are homeless. In light of this tragedy OM is supporting trusted aid partners to bring immediate relief and long-term help to the people of Myanmar. Financial gifts will be used to purchase immediate relief supplies. Doctors, nurses and skilled medical personnel will also be needed to join an emergency medical team. Please contact your local OM office to get involved. This week, a team plans to bring a truckload of aid, including blankets, water purification tablets and other medicines and empty plastic drums to hold water. Cholera is also spreading; please pray for safety for our relief workers. Please pray for the team as they see and hear many distressing things. Pray for more funds to come in for the longer-term rebuilding needs. The neighbouring ASEAN countries and the UN are negotiating with the Myanmar government regarding aid for the delta region. Pray for the release of visas for NGOS and others. Mercy Teams International (MTI) has re-established contact with all its staff and co-workers. The Litehouse, MTI's village pre-school suffered no damage and re-opened three days after the cyclone with 27 children in attendance. MTI's Project Coordinator and other co-workers are distributing emergency food parcels. Food and shelter are the most urgent assistance required. Candles have been distributed as there is still no electricity. Some poorer families have been assisted to rebuild their shelter. Dead bodies are floating in the river and many family members suffer from mental trauma. As hundreds of food parcels are given to neighbours and families in need, our workers have been sharing the love of Jesus in these dark times, through gospel leaflets. China: A 7.9-maginitude earthquake struck China's western provinces, causing a death toll that is expected to top 50,000. Tens of thousands of homeless survivors who fled from the mountains have taken refuge at camps set up by the government and relief organisations. These people face conditions that still threaten their lives. Clean drinking water, adequate food and proper sanitation are some of the many challenges. We have a team of 12 people based in the city of C. Two of our brothers were actually in Beichuan, one of the counties hardest hit by the earthquake. 80% of the city's buildings were flattened, including the apartment they rented. Within three days, the team leader was in the disaster area and brought relief items for the two brothers. One of them remained to help find the bodies of their landlord and other friends who are still buried under rubble. This week, relief organisations will be in C to determine our response and role. We are looking at a commitment that will take many years to help these people rebuild their homes, schools, lives and hope. Please pray for us.
EuropeItaly: OM is waiting to receive official recognition as a Religious Entity, which will solve visa problems and lower taxes that take 40% of our workers' support. Please pray for the audience scheduled in Rome at the end of this month; the process has already taken three years. Pray for favour with authorities and a speedy end to this important process. France: 83 teenagers attended the second inter-denominational youth event organised in Nantes. Linkup is meeting deep needs in the lives of Christian teens, offering worship, fellowship and fun in a large group of young people. The next LinkUp is on 7 June. J'AIME PARIS: Spring outreaches in Elancourt and Vigneuxsur-Seine in Paris brought participants from across the globe to support French churches in reaching their communities. Vira (UK) shared, "Before our last open-air outreach, I asked God to save even one person through my sketchboard. When I finished speaking, a young man took the Gospel of John and a team member explained the message to him." Jessica (Germany) wrote, "Our team was a mix of nationalities and personalities, but it was extraordinary...that even if someone is not well-educated or young in their faith or if they can't speak the language perfectly, God can still use every one of us!" UK: Along with several other Christian organisations, OM is at the forefront of a new initiative called Hope for Justice which focuses on slavery and human trafficking. The first flagship event, The Stand, is scheduled for 8 November in Birmingham and will feature performances from a number of international Christian music artists. Joseph D'Souza, representing India's Dalit community, will be a keynote speaker presenting slavery in the 21st Century. Hope for Justice Founder Ben Cooley is co-ordinating the preparations and hopes the programme will draw attention to human rights abuses around the world. "It isn't just a problem," states Ben, "it's our problem." OM UK Director Gary Sloan stresses that Jesus' teaching in Luke 4:18 is a call to help those living in slavery and oppression. "This is an issue for all right-minded people on this planet," explains Gary. "We as Christians should be leading this." For more information on The Stand visit: www.hopeforjustice.org.uk/thestand/ Greece: 'Healing Clinics' is the literal translation of the Greek for psychiatric clinics attended by the mentally handicapped, old people unable to take care of themselves, people suffering from depression, drug and alcohol addicts and people with illnesses such as MS. An OM worker wrote, "I have known some of these people for seven years. Many will stay here until they die. People created in the image of God are sent far away from society, put on drugs to keep them quiet." Although Rita suffers from chronic back pain, she invited us to organize an Easter programme for these people. Along with ten people from our church we shared the Easter message through songs that speak of love and hope. We watched the people smile, clap their hands or move to the rhythm of the songs. We shared a few words for those who understood and handed out cake to all with the traditional Greek wish, "Kali anastasi!" (Happy resurrection). Pray for Rita and others like her who bring love and light into the Healing Clinics. Bosnia: On 16th May, the OM team in Sarajevo witnessed God's power in an extraordinary way. Trevor writes: "Today I received my first death threat. Jasko (name changed), a man well known to the team in Dobrinja, told me that he had finished a month in prison for Mafia involvement. Needing money for lawyers, he was extending his scheme of 'protection' to include the (OM) reading room. If we pay him a sum every month, he ensures that nothing happens to our place. If not, he sends his boys in. Without saying yes or no, I told him that God is my protection. I quoted "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God" (Psalm 20:7). He gave me until 5pm to think further about it and left saying "I'll be waiting".
I was fully confident that the Lord would handle this. We agreed that we would not give in to his demands but, since the need was for a lawyer, we could offer a non-financial alternative such as legal aid through our contacts. Jasko refused the offer, explaining again the consequences of non-payment. We wanted to be diplomatic but avoid a 'yes' or 'no' answer. Sean said we should pray for God to provide an answer. We put our hands on Jasko's shoulders and prayed for him. We stood, half-praying, half-prophesying God's word and love over him. As we prayed God broke my heart and I began to weep. Jasko hugged me so tightly it was hard to breathe. He kissed my cheek and pressed his face against mine, wiping my tears onto his face. His eyes were red and welled up, but he would not let himself cry. He hugged Sean and, with a completely changed countenance, told us that nothing bad would happen to us on his account. We invited him to pray but he wouldn't. We departed with Jesus' words: "You are not far from the Kingdom of God" (Mark 12:34). Praise God for his power in changing men's hearts. Please pray with us for Jasko's heart. Thank Him for being strong in our weakness, and pray for us that we are able to continue to show God's love to Jasko despite the Spiritual darkness that surrounds him."
IndiaFrom 11-17 May, OM AIDSLink conducted an HIV/AIDS training course to provide an indepth knowledge of HIV and AIDS, and equip workers to conduct workshops focussed on educating and mobilising Christian leaders. Thirty participants and six trainers came from 18 nations and work in 16 different countries with six different organizations. Please pray that those attending will make effective use of the material.
Emerging Mission MovementsChile: Two or three times a week Yerko Clavero heads for a popular Santiago park where, if it's a Friday night, he'll find 150-200 BMX bikers and skateboarders, just like himself. Skateboarding is ranked #6 of all of sports in terms of participants and popularity worldwide; in Santiago, over 6,000 youth are surfing on wheels. Yerko got hooked on street skating even before he could afford to buy his own board. Two and a half years ago, at age 29, he was back riding the concrete waves but, this time, he had another reason. Spiritually, skateboarders have remained an unreached people group. "Most churches aren't ready to reach out to them," notes Yerko. "Youth leaders see the sport growing, but don't know how to reach skaters...When pastors see us (OM) working with skateboarders they know we are interested in reaching out locally, too." Partnering with one church OM's Intensive Training team also takes part in the ministry. "We've started having Bible studies with the friends we've made." www.prodigoriders.com Argentina: The neighbourhood, Las Violetas (The Violets), in Cordoba has been referred to as a different country. Despite its inviting name, streets are overrun with poverty, crime and drugs. In response, OM purchased a house in the neighbourhood with the vision to provide a safe haven and a brighter future for its teens. "A friend once told me that poverty is the lack of options," explained OM leader Samuel Meza. "You can see that clearly in Las Violetas: people don't have options. We want to offer them a choice to do something different with their lives." The house, which teenagers have affectionately named El Refugio (The Refuge), has become more than a safe place to hang out; it's also a centre for learning. OM offers lessons in computer skills, English, mathematics, sports and Bible studies. The team also set up a business microenterprise, baking and selling pastries so that the young people can earn money while learning the value of hard work. OM staff have witnessed lives changed through the Gospel as a few of the teenagers have accepted the Lord.
Pioneering InitiativesHeart Sounds International: John* is the leader of a very effective ministry in North Africa. Five years ago, Frank Fortunato and Chuck Oakley of HSI, a ministry of OM, were invited to assess the possibility of setting up an audio and video studio there. A mission agency then funded the first phase of the studio. Later Chuck returned with a team from his church to set up a video editing studio at this training base and mentor the staff. The video ministry has now produced and aired 150 programmes and recently completed 52 testimony-oriented audio programmes, with more in production. As a result of these broadcasts their team has planted 15 new churches! They now have 12 full-time and eight part-time people doing follow-up of responses to the programmes. The video ministry is now officially registered with the government as a legitimate business. Pray for this effective ministry as it reaches into isolated homes in North Africa, and give thanks for the ongoing work of Heart Sounds International that enables nations to produce their own Christian media. In the next months, teams plan to participate in worship and recording projects in India, Myanmar, Siberia, Malawi, Philippines and Mongolia. For more information about these projects contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it *Name changed for security reasons
ShipsLogos Hope: Crewmembers are rejoicing over the news of a significant loan which has been given to the project which will enable many works to progress which had been on hold due to lack of funding. The heart's desire of the donor is to fund the outfitting of the public visitor areas. The donor is also providing a donation set up as a matching gift fund to encourage others to help launch Logos Hope. For more details about how you could contribute to this, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it However, the loan cannot be applied to other urgent work such as the cost of the upcoming dry dock, and projects related to obtaining the Passenger Ship Safety Certificate, without which the ship cannot sail. Please continue to pray with us to see the necessary funding released for these urgent needs. Vanuatu: Doulos crewmembers invited locals to join in a game of football. When a group gathered, the young men shook hands and split into teams. Showers poured down, but players laughed as they slid along the soggy grass. The teams continued to play into the early evening. After hours of playing, the breathless participants sat together as crewmembers shared. Sverre Blindheimsvik (Norway) spoke about how God set him free from his addictions, and encouraged those present to also look to Him for change and renewal in their lives. Once again, on behalf of over 5400 workers from over 90 countries working in over 110 countries, I thank you deeply for your prayers and support. Your brother in Christ, Peter Maiden --------------------- Think againJust one thingDo you ever ask yourself "what if" questions like "What would you do if you were given a million dollars?" or, "If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?" If you could ask God for one thing and be absolutely certain that he would do what you ask, what would your prayer be? David's one requestIn Psalm 27 David expresses his "one thing I ask" prayer. Reflecting on a time of pursuit by his enemies, considering days when he was far from Jerusalem, David filtered out secondary issues like health, wealth, and power. Focusing on the most basic, he asks God to allow him to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of his life so that he might gaze on his beauty and seek him in his temple. Usually I have imagined David (27:5)-or myself-finding God in a place similar to where Moses and Elijah did: on Mt. Horeb's isolated, rocky crags (Exodus 3; 1 Kings 19), far from enemies, but also far from friends. But something caught my eye recently. David here once speaks of God setting him on a rock, but three times refers to God's temple or tabernacle. Doubtless the Holy Place had an aspect of solemn serenity, but the outer courts would often have been places of boisterous activity: trumpets and singers, animals being prepared for sacrifice, and throngs of people. In that setting, not desert isolation, David expected to see God's beauty and find his protection. Showing Jesus' beautyWe believers are the temple of the living God today. Applying Old Testament promises, Paul says that God lives and walks among us; he is our God and we his people (2 Corinthians 6:16, cf. Leviticus 26:12, Ezekiel 37:27). Since we are his temple, the Church is his dwelling place, what does that suggest about seeing God's beauty and finding his protection? Abraham Durán, reflecting on ministry in the Middle East, observes that Jesus did not simply arrive and declare to legalistic, monotheistic Jews "I am God Almighty fresh from heaven; and if you, right now, will repent and put your trust in my atoning sacrifice, you will be saved." Instead, Durán tells us, especially in ministry among "our monotheistic, legalistic Muslim friends" we should follow Jesus' example, "a gradual approach that will lead people to discern the truth and beauty of Jesus' personality, teachings, and life."1 In his case, showing "the beauty of Jesus" involved a coupling of divine preparation and declaration of biblical truth with "living in joy through suffering, showing peace in times of turmoil, taking the side of justice, serving the poor, healing the sick, educating the ignorant, [and] providing for the needy." A covering of protectionUltimately, protection comes from God, but it is closely linked to his people. For example, we see God's protection in response to the unheralded prayers of a few friends gathered at a local level, but also as hundreds of thousands globally intercede for persecuted Christians. Protection appears in the quiet affirmation of personal worth a small fellowship can offer a member who is rejected at home or under pressure at work. On a larger scale, protection may be provided in the public identification offered by OM's ships when they sail into a port where evangelicals form a tiny minority, or when a post office is deluged by a wave of letters addressed to an imprisoned pastor. God's goodness in the land of the living David had one request, to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of his life. Too often I have seen this as a private thing, just God and me. God's answer to this request is not found in isolation, but in company; his goodness is experienced "in the land of the living" (27:13), among us, his people. 1. The Beauty of Jesus as an Evangelistic Factor, in From the Straight Path to the Narrow Way, Authentic Media and OM Books India, 2005. Dr. David Greenlee is OM's International Research Associate. 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. OM International • Peter Maiden, International Co-ordinator Credit: OM International
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