Around The Region News...of Asia Pacific Region of The Global Church of the Nazarene Flash Celebration as Radcliffes Return to PNG (unbelievable), Nurses Needed, 7 Ways to Get More out of 2015, and Much More! for Friday, 2 January 2015
25-Dec-2014 Prayer requested - wife of lay pastor in Myanmar passed away Christmas Eve leaving her husband and 3 children. LINK
20-Dec-2014 Prayer requested for Rendezvous. In early January, high school students serving cross-culturally with their parents on the Asia-Pacific Region will participate in a special gathering. LINK 20-Dec-2014 Papua New Guinea - Kingdom impact is being made, but the spiritual battle is intense. Your prayers are needed specifically December 22-26 as crusades continue. LINK 16-Dec-2014 Praise! Pastor's newborn daughter was in desperate need of a blood transfusion, non type-specific blood was available in her country. A relative was located who could be a donor. Baby is doing much better. LINK 11-Dec-2014 Praise! Nazarene teacher who was in serious motorcycle accident, and for whom Nazarenes around the globe prayed, has been discharged from the hospital and is recovering well. LINK
There they are, right at your door: 365 more days to get the job done-one whole year to put your prints on the months, minutes and methods. Who could ask for anything more? Actually, many of last year's survivors have a lot more to ask. Some wish for a Rewind, while others hit Delete.
Do you want to get the most out of the better or worse of the New Year? Here are 7 suggestions. They aren't the last words, but they may give you a few more hits or home runs instead of strikeouts. 1. LIVE MORE. Put more LIFE in your WORK. Work the system instead of letting the system work you. Lengthen your leash to the digital stuff. Silence your Smartphone once in a while. Include some "Me time" in your calendar. Live in the moment rather than in the past or future. Strengthen family and friend ties. Work ON PURPOSE instead of ON DEMAND. 2. PLAY MORE. If your life is your job, your job has you. Periodically take a "barefoot day." Plan a day trip-a fun one. Resurrect a buried hobby. Find a hideaway booth in a coffee shop and read a book. Go shopping without a shopping list. Walk. Run. Practice "GLUM" CONTROL. 3. GIVE MORE. Giving includes dollars, but if it's just limited to money, it's not as fulfilling. Expand your giving base. Mentor someone. Use your talents to help the less knowledgeable in areas like technology or finance. Get involved in a community service project. 4. DREAM MORE. Idle time isn't down time; it's time to think about upward motion. Let your mind wander through the field of dreams. But don't trip over the weeds of the past or wander through the blossoms. Think constructively. Formulate workable plans. Keep good notes. 5. SAVE MORE. This is the year to invest some serious cash in your intentions. Start that "rainy day" fund. Save regularly. Spend smarter. Make sure your legal and financial umbrellas are opened. You'll get more out of life when you get a handle on the "haves" and "needs." 6. REST MORE. There were at least two reasons you had nap time in kindergarten. First, your teacher needed it to survive until lunch time. Second, you needed it to keep your mind and body alert. It's the same now. Your heart has been pumping blood since birth. Your brain cells have been on overload from day one of your career. Your patience is at the borders. You deserve a break today! 7. DELEGATE MORE. Carly Simon sang what has become a theme for modern leaders, "Nobody Does it Better." The fact is someone can do your job, with just as much dedication and skill. Look around. True leadership doesn't hog duties; it shares them with trained team members. Yep, 365 new days are just hours away. Bathe them in prayer, and then use them to make your world a better-and more enjoyable-environment.[Stan Toler]
missions are increasing every year, as well as the
number of people who are going. We are also seeing an increase in the length of service by people who are committing to three months, six months, or a year or longer.
As we go into more countries and expand ministries
around the globe, our regions are depending on both
long- and short-term volunteers to fill the ever-expanding needs. As our finances become tighter and the expenses of missionaries living overseas increases, it is becoming a necessity to look for new ways to increase our missionary force. Mission Corps (self-funded volunteers) has been the avenue for the Church of the Nazarene to complement our mission work around the world. LINK
For NMI, the November, December and January focuses on Thanksgiving
Offering, Nazarene Compassionate Ministries (NCM), and Volunteer Ministries respectively. Sure, NMI is concerned with the raising of funds for World Evangelism Fund through the Thanksgiving Offering. There is, however, more to "Giving" in NMI than finance.
The NMI objective of Giving is based on giving from our resources. Our resources extend beyond finance. It is therefore appropriate that the three areas of Thanksgiving Offering, NCM, and Volunteer Ministries are sequential in our calendar. As we bring from our financial resources, we are also encouraged to consider giving of other resources-time, gifts, skills, and talents. LINK
As NMI celebrates 100 years on October 8, 2015, we know you're ready to party during the year on your district. NMI has gathered a 100th Anniversary committee that is currently working on resources you can use. Be watching future issues of HeartLine and your inbox. And if you have ideas you'd like to share, contact Ann Baldwin. If you have any question contact the Asia-Pacific Regional NMI Coordinator.
Don't Miss The Action
~ Asia-Pacific Regional Event. October 21-25, 2015 Yogyakarta, Indonesia ~ District Assemblies October 26, 2014 to March 18, 2015 ~
May You Receive the Hope of Christ for This New Year. A Special Message!
Warmest New Year's greetings to you from the WMC-AP Team! We want to thank you for your partnership in sharing the story of the great things that God has been and is continuing to do, on the Asia-Pacific Region, and for partnering with us as we work to share the Gospel by all means! Looking forward to what 2015 will hold, I would like to share with you some thoughts from Jeremiah 29:11-13, "For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord, plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope..." (RSV) Lloyd John Olgilvie shares that, "The sure sign that we have an authentic relationship with God is that we believe more in the future than in the past. The past can be neither a source of confidence nor a condemnation. God graciously divided our life into days and years so that we could let go of our yesterdays and anticipate our tomorrows. For the past mistakes, He offers forgiveness and an ability to forget. For our tomorrows, He gives us the gift of expectation and excitement." He continues, "What the Lord said to the people of Israel languishing in the Babylonian exile is for any of us who are exiled from Him and hope for the future. He has plans for each of us - good plans for our growth in His grace - so that we can have a future with hope." Truly hope enables a vital quality of life; it sets us free to dare, gives us confidence for daily frustrations, and the courage to live adventuresomely. The gift of hope for the future is the key entrusted to us which opens the floodgates of the Lord's power and unlocks the flow of His amazing, unlimited possibilities. As we look to 2015 and contemplate the fact that we are reaching out to nearly 40% of the world's population, the task at hand seems absolutely overwhelming. It would be in fact overwhelming, were it not for our Lord, through whom all things are possible, and through whom we have such incredible hope for the future! Our prayer for 2015, not just for our own ministry here at WMC-AP but for each of you, our fellow ministers of the Gospel around the world, is that we will pray for sensitivity to God's plans, listen to His voice, embrace the incredible Hope that he gives for the future, and commit to be His hands and feet, WHEREVER, WHENEVER, and HOWEVER! May you experience a 2015 that is filled with hope and is On Mission with our Lord and Savior! Yours and His for the harvest, Todd Aebischer - Regional Communications Coordinator and the World Mission Communications Asia-Pacific Team.
Earlier this year, Jim and Kathy Radcliffe (longtime medical missionaries to PNG) left for home assignment with very serious concerns about Dr. Jim's health.
When it was found that indeed, there were serious issues requiring open heart surgery, the people of the Highlands began to pour out their hearts and prayers for "their doctor." God answered those prayers! On December 31st, Jim, Kathy, and Lydia Radcliffe returned to Nazarene Hospital at Kudjip. The welcoming celebration was absolutely unbelievable!
Kudjip Nazarene Hospital, Papua New Guinea: On December 31st, Jim and Kathy Radcliffe and their daughter Lydia, returned from their home assignment in the U.S. to Nazarene Hospital in Kudjip, Papua New Guinea (PNG).
The Radcliffes left PNG for their home assignment earlier than scheduled this year, as a result of Dr. Jim’s health.
Lydia and some of her fellow MKs who welcomed her “home.”
After returning to the US, they learned that Jim had a defective heart valve, and an enlarged aorta that required surgery. In the course of getting ready for the heart surgery, a tumor was found on his adrenal gland.
When the people of the Highlands of PNG heard about Dr. Jim’s serious health concerns, there was a great outpouring of support, through prayer and finances. Money was raised to cover all the expenses not covered by insurance. This was entirely the idea of the local people, and involved several communities.
Emotional homecoming for Kathy, Jim, and Lydia Radcliffe.
The news of the success of Jim’s heart surgery, and the report that the adrenal tumor was benign, brought great rejoicing to the Highlands. The news that he would return brought more. But the really big celebration was reserved for December 31st, the day that they actually arrived back at Kudjip Nazarene Hospital.
As the hospital van carrying the Radcliffes approached Nazarene Hospital, there was absolutely no doubt about the love of this community for a family who has served as the hands and feet of Christ for so many years.
The rural road was lined with well wishers. Others joined in and made an impromptu parade of vehicles. Others had borrowed the local road grader and graded the normally “challenging” road that approaches the hospital. It was estimated that around 800 people showed up to welcome the Radcliffes back “home.”
Dr. Jim takes a moment to greet the crowds who gathered to welcome them home!
Although tired from the long trip, the Radcliffes spent much time, greeting and loving on these dear friends from the highlands who had prayed and sacrificed on their behalf.
Jim and Kathy Radcliffe and family have been serving as missionary surgeon at Kudjip Nazarene Hospital since 1985. For more on the Radcliffes you can visit their profile by following this link.
Kudjip Nazarene Hospital, in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea, is a mission hospital operated by the Church of the Nazarene, serving the people of PNG since 1967. They have nearly 200 staff from all areas of PNG serving as missionaries along side the 7 missionary doctors and other missionaries involved in various aspects of the work there in the Highlands. The hospital on average sees more than 52,000 outpatients each year, and yearly completes more than 600 major surgeries, not including the many c-sections. For more information on Kudjip Nazarene Hospital, visit this link.
Please continue to pray for all of those, nationals and missionaries alike, who minister and continue to share the love of Christ to those in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea.[Submission: Dr. Andy and Judy Bennett and PNG Team]
Nazarene College of Nursing, Kudjip, Jiwaka Province, Papua New Guinea: From Illinois to Papua New Guinea: “Just One Step at a Time”
An interview with missionary Staci Rutledge, Nursing Instructor at Nazarene College of Nursing.
Please give us some background information about yourself.
My name is Staci Rutledge. I grew up in Illinois, and gave my life to Christ at 5. I then felt a call to missions at 16 when I went to a Nazarene Youth Congress.
Unsure of where God wanted me to go at that time, I pursued my other calling of nursing and graduated from Olivet Nazarene University in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). My first “mission field” was the Army, where I served as an officer in the Nurse Corps for 4 ½ years and then returned home.
It was during this time back in Bloomington/Normal, IL, that God was really working in the life of our church and the Northwest Illinois District. A lot of emphasis was being given to prayer, discipleship and church planting. It was then that God called me to come to Papua New Guinea (PNG). After 8 months of preparation, I came to PNG in January of 2013. I have just finished my second year of nursing instruction at Nazarene College of Nursing with plans to stay for at least another year.
How did God lead you to this assignment?
At 16, God had just told me to “Go”, and did not say where specifically. The path He laid out for me since then has mainly been just one more step at a time, each of them preparing me to say “yes.”
Students on the Ward at Kudjip Nazarene Hospital.
One night in 2012, He woke me up early in the morning after an evening prayer meeting and brought to mind many pictures I had seen at a recent mission night. The Thompsons (current missionaries to PNG) had visited my church. I wasn’t really sure what all of that meant but I got online at 2am, and went to the Website of the Nazarene Hospital in PNG. There, on the Nursing College page, was a little notice that “tutors” where needed and to contact the college president. I sent off an email to him and was then able to fall back to sleep. Waking up 3 hours later I had a reply and a clear leading that PNG was where God wanted me to go.
What has been most rewarding part of this assignment? When have you felt most energized?
Serving and “tutoring” on the wards.
The most rewarding times are with the students, anything from our Wednesday night fellowship worship times, to being with the students on the wards, helping them do procedures for the first time; and I’ve been with them for a LOT of procedures! From taking vital signs to delivering numerous babies, it’s their enthusiasm or sometimes their nervousness that inspires me to keep going. I also love classroom instruction times, especially when we can do hands on things and I am able to see the students really understand the information.
Tell us about one situation that has impacted you greatly since you have been in this assignment.
Placing towels around the students after their baptism.
I was asked to place the towels on the students who were baptized this year after they came up out of the river at our special Independence Day baptism service.
In all, 11 students were baptized and 13 joined the church that day (out of our 92 students).
Celebrating with the students after the baptism service.
Having this bird’s eye view of their baptisms and hearing their testimonies of God’s work in their lives blessed my heart so much that day. It is now a memory I go back to when the challenges seem overwhelming. These students have overcome so much more than I can even imagine.
How has this assignment changed your view of our mission to make Christlike Disciples in the nations?
Being here has enhanced my feelings of what discipleship is all about. After a study on Daniel my first year here, one idea that really stood out to me was “influence the influential.”
Serving to influence the influential.
There are PNG nursing leaders, administrators and pastors here that have been influenced by one or two prior missionaries or Christians and they have gone on to build churches, to build up the college of nursing, to send Christian nurses out all over the country, and many other things. I don’t know if their predecessors saw them as the “influential” or not at the time, but they certainly have become so.
These nursing students are all going to be influential. It’s the nature of their job, and getting to influence them for Christ on a daily basis has been my goal. It doesn’t have to be hard work (as some would view discipleship), but it is often intentional. Building relationships, asking the hard questions in love, being fair with rules and standards, but also extending grace when needed – all of these things have become means of discipleship for me.
What is one challenge God has helped you to overcome?
When I came here I thought I was going to be a tutor, in the US version of that word, meaning someone who helps small groups of people in an area where they need additional help, and in a sense, coaches them. So, I had quite a big surprise that first day when they began to explain I was not going to be assisting another teacher but becoming the PNG version of the word “tutor!”
Learning what the word “tutor” means in PNG.
Here tutor means instructor, professor, the one in charge of 45 first-year students for 10 hours a week, with lessons to create in the remaining hours! I’ve never been much for public speaking, but loved one-on-one and small group interactions. God helped me through creating and giving each one of those lessons these past 2 years. Now I actually can say I prefer the classroom time with the students (on most days) to being on the ward supervising students. Both give me joy, but on the classroom days, I’m with all the students, not just a few.
What would you tell someone who is considering a mission assignment?
Make sure wherever or whatever it is, it is what God wants for you. You will have challenges, you will have joys, you will experience hardships and frustrations, you will see many things that change your perspective for the better. You will not feel qualified for some things required of you, you will have wonderful days, and days you wish you could forget. You will mess up the language, you will make people laugh (hopefully you can laugh too).
But as long as you have a clear sense that this place is where God has called you to, or the task He has for you, you can rest assured and face the day with Him, having faith He will help you through.
The Children's Minister in a small North Oregon Coastal Town (Astoria) was part of a Sunday evening mission service. There weren't huge numbers there, but God knew who needed to be there. Youth were challenged, vision caught, and as a result, the fire is spreading in Astoria and impacting Africa. Together, by all means, we are reaching the world for Christ. See how including your youth in mission services can make Kingdom impact!
Oregon, USA: Just recently, an email was received at the World Mission Communications Asia-Pacific office from the Children’s Ministry Director at a small North Coast Church of the Nazarene.
It was wonderful having [a missionary from your region] visit our church here in Oregon last fall.
I serve as the Children’s Ministry Director. The visit inspired me to tell the children about the work that our mission teams are doing for the people in the Asia-Pacific countries.
Our church missionary president, challenged the congregation to “buy wells” for African villages. I presented the same challenge to our Wednesday night kids on September 24th. They were to do little jobs to earn money, turn in pop cans or even give from their allowance. The rule was that it had to come from them personally. They weren’t to ask their parents for money. Our goal was to raise $100. by Christmas, as a gift to give fresh water to children in Africa.
I used the book that was produced by the Asia-Pacific World Mission Communications Team, (featuring the Philippines) for the Children to see, along with other pictures. The children took the challenge very seriously.
We made a little well for them to put their money in and by October 29th, they had given a little over $100. Wednesday, December 17th, was our last Odyssey meeting until January. The children continued to bring their money and often in their prayers they remembered the children of Africa who are less fortunate than themselves and prayed that they will come to know Jesus.
What a blessing. I talk to them about our missionaries and show them pictures of our missionaries so that they can have a visual of people who dedicate themselves to serve Jesus by telling people in foreign lands about His love.
As of the end of December, we were up to $159 and a few cents. We made our Christmas goal!
Many of these children come from unchurched homes and very difficult situations. Our goal is to not just reach these children and give them a passion for missions, but to reach out to their families as well.
Thank you to our churches around the world that are capturing the vision for mission and who are instilling that passion in the hearts of their young people.[Submission: Barbara Thompson]
There they are, right at your door: 365 more days to get the job done-one whole year to put your prints on the months, minutes and methods. Who could ask for anything more? 
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