Africa:
Eurasia:
Mesoamerica:
South America:
USA / Canada:
- TEACH 2016 Coming this August
- The Wesleyan Church Elects General Superintendent
- 2016 USA/Canada Commencement Report
- Nazarenes in the News
- MNU Appoints New Chaplain
- NNU Announces Dean for School of Theology and Christian Ministries
- Original ENC Play Accepted into New York Theater Festival
- PALCON Reignites Call for pastors, Leaders at MVNU
- Lay Leaders: May 2016
- World Mission Broadcast Provides Personalized Audio Greetings
- General Assembly 2017 Website Now Available
- GMC Employment Opportunities
- Stories Volume 1 - 2016 Now Available
- Moving Ministers: May 2016
- Global Praise Reports and Prayer Requests
- In Memoriam
- District, Church Mourn Loss of Florida Pastor
- Pastor, Educator Gordon Wetmore Passes Away
- NMI Highlight
For more than 70 years World Mission Broadcast has been sending the message of hope over the airwaves.
We have been broadcasting the Gospel into 6 world regions through multiple platforms utilizing both the advancements in technology and the Internet as well as traditional methods of broadcasting.
God is doing far more than we can imagine as WMB programs reach millions of people, transforming lives and pushing back barriers for His Kingdom.
You can request a greeting personalized for your church or group, that gives an update on what God is doing. These are exciting clips that can be used as a service opener to help promote WMB. Just click on the blue link below to order.
Positive thinking people choose an attitude of joy. They are eager for every day, and make the most of it- whether it turns out as they'd planned or not. They aren't afraid to smile, to delight in others, or to take a day off. They enjoy relationships.
The opposite of joy is drudgery, seeing life as an endless series of meaningless tasks. Sadly, that's the way many people choose to live.
Your outlook on life is a choice you make. The simplest thing you can do to improve your circumstances is to change your attitude toward them. And that's completely within your power to do!
You Really Can Choose Joy
Everyone has been given by God the power to choose joy. But don't take my word alone. Listen to what Kay Warren, cofounder with her husband, Rick Warren, of the well-known Saddleback Church, has to say about it: "Joy is a choice. The level of joy you experience is completely and totally up to you. It is not dependent on anyone else-what they do or don't do, how they behave or don't behave."[1]
Not long after those words were written they were put to the test as the Warrens' adult son took his own life after a long battle with mental illness. The family grieved deeply, of course, and shared those emotions with the world. But Kay Warren's positive outlook was not diminished.
If her joy had been based on circumstances, it certainly would have evaporated in the face of overwhelming grief. But it didn't disappear because it was based on a positive outlook and a complete faith in God.
There's Proof!
Research in the field of positive psychology has shown that adults can adjust their own feelings of happiness. "Antidepressants don't make people happier, they just decrease negative emotions," according to psychologist Sonja Lyubomirsky of the University of California-Riverside. She argues that up to 40 percent of our happiness "is left for the intentional activities that we can choose to engage in- the things that we do and think every day of our lives."
Lyubomirsky has found that people can actually force themselves to feel joy. While it is true that about half of our feelings of happiness or unhappiness results from our genetic makeup, most of the rest can be controlled through our daily thoughts and actions. "Research is showing pretty convincingly now that happiness is really within us, it's not outside of us," said Lyubomirsky. "It's in what we do. It's sort of how we act, how we think every day of our lives."[2]
"The greatest discovery of any generation," said psychologist William James, "is that a human can alter his life by altering his attitude." You can make a choice for joy in your life. And I would quickly add that the greatest joy is the joy of sins forgiven by our Lord and Savior.
What about you? How do you rise above your circumstances and choose to have a positive outlook? I'd love to hear your answer on Facebook or Twitter.[Stan Toler]
Share The Story!
Asia-Pacific Region
BLOG, MELANESIA SOUTH PACIFIC, NEWS, PHILIPPINE-MICRONESIA, URGENT PRAYER REQUESTS
PRAYER REQUESTED FOR FORMER ASIA-PACIFIC MISSIONARIES, THE MILLERS!
Please keep George and Nancy Miller in your prayer as they settle back into life in the USA. They served nearly 27 years on the Asia-Pacific Region; 10 in Papua New Guinea, 15 in the Solomon Islands and the last 1 ½ years in the Philippines. Nancy was diagnosed with Pulmonary Hypertension while living in the Philippines, and has been on the prayer page several times. Although she had shown signs of improvement after returning to the USA, she recently was taken to the ER with Tachycardia and Atrial Fibrillation. They are attempting to readjust her medications to see if that will help.
George and Nancy just closed on a house this past week, amidst their speaking schedule, but the house needs some work before they can move in. With Nancy’s frail health, this is not going quite as fast as hoped.
Please pray that Nancy will gain strength and that the heart issues will improve so that she can continue the speaking schedule with George through the summer months. Please pray for peace and wisdom for George as he cares for Nancy and works on the house in between speaking engagements.[Download Prayer Requested for Former Asia-Pacific Missionaries, the Millers! as PDF
Prayer Needed for Missionary Family in Papua New Guinea - *** Answered Prayer!!]
BLOG, CURRENT, FEATURE, MEMBER CARE, NEWS, SOUTHEAST ASIA, URGENT PRAYER REQUESTS
PRAYER REQUESTED FOR TEAM MEMBER SUFFERING FROM DANGEROUS FLU! *** UPDATE
Southeast Asia: Prayer is being requested for team member, Lumae Yangmi, wife of Sam Yangmi (District Superintendent in one of our SE Asia Districts).
Lumae was recently diagnosed with a very serious flu and is now home resting with at least 3 more days of medication.
Please pray that the local community takes appropriate precautions to prevent further spread of the virus to the children of the area.
*** Update 10-June-2016
The following update was received from Sam Yangmai tonight.
Lumae is almost completely recovered due to all your prayers. THANK YOU for checking up on her well being.
We are thankful that she got proper treatment and by this she is better immunized ftom this particular influenza than most of us.
Again THANK YOU.
Sam and Lumae
Visit this link for the Yangmi’s profile page.[Download Prayer Requested for Team Member Suffering from Dangerous Flu! *** Update as PDF]
BLOG, CURRENT, FEATURE, MELANESIA SOUTH PACIFIC, URGENT PRAYER REQUESTS
PLEASE PRAY FOR THE RADCLIFFES AND THEIR RETURN TO PNG. *** PRAISE UPDATE! THEY MADE IT!
Drs. Ben and Katherine Radcliffe and family are in the United States waiting to return to Papua New Guinea (PNG) pending the visas for their newborn twins. Please pray for these to be processed quickly. They have already had to reschedule their return to PNG and are now hoping to leave on June 6th.
Ben and Katherine serve at Kudjip Nazarene Hospital with their four children and alongside Ben’s parents, Jim and Kathy Radcliffe, as well as many other dedicated medical missionaries and national workers.
*** Update 29-May-2016
BLOG, MELANESIA SOUTH PACIFIC, NEWS, PHILIPPINE-MICRONESIA, URGENT PRAYER REQUESTS
PRAYER REQUESTED FOR FORMER ASIA-PACIFIC MISSIONARIES, THE MILLERS!
Please keep George and Nancy Miller in your prayer as they settle back into life in the USA. They served nearly 27 years on the Asia-Pacific Region; 10 in Papua New Guinea, 15 in the Solomon Islands and the last 1 ½ years in the Philippines. Nancy was diagnosed with Pulmonary Hypertension while living in the Philippines, and has been on the prayer page several times. Although she had shown signs of improvement after returning to the USA, she recently was taken to the ER with Tachycardia and Atrial Fibrillation. They are attempting to readjust her medications to see if that will help.
George and Nancy just closed on a house this past week, amidst their speaking schedule, but the house needs some work before they can move in. With Nancy’s frail health, this is not going quite as fast as hoped.
Please pray that Nancy will gain strength and that the heart issues will improve so that she can continue the speaking schedule with George through the summer months. Please pray for peace and wisdom for George as he cares for Nancy and works on the house in between speaking engagements.[Download Prayer Requested for Former Asia-Pacific Missionaries, the Millers! as PDF
Prayer Needed for Missionary Family in Papua New Guinea - *** Answered Prayer!!]
BLOG, CURRENT, FEATURE, MEMBER CARE, NEWS, SOUTHEAST ASIA, URGENT PRAYER REQUESTS
PRAYER REQUESTED FOR TEAM MEMBER SUFFERING FROM DANGEROUS FLU! *** UPDATE
Southeast Asia: Prayer is being requested for team member, Lumae Yangmi, wife of Sam Yangmi (District Superintendent in one of our SE Asia Districts).
Lumae was recently diagnosed with a very serious flu and is now home resting with at least 3 more days of medication.
Please pray that the local community takes appropriate precautions to prevent further spread of the virus to the children of the area.
*** Update 10-June-2016
The following update was received from Sam Yangmai tonight.
Lumae is almost completely recovered due to all your prayers. THANK YOU for checking up on her well being.
We are thankful that she got proper treatment and by this she is better immunized ftom this particular influenza than most of us.
Again THANK YOU.
Sam and Lumae
Visit this link for the Yangmi’s profile page.[Download Prayer Requested for Team Member Suffering from Dangerous Flu! *** Update as PDF]
BLOG, CURRENT, FEATURE, MELANESIA SOUTH PACIFIC, URGENT PRAYER REQUESTS
PLEASE PRAY FOR THE RADCLIFFES AND THEIR RETURN TO PNG. *** PRAISE UPDATE! THEY MADE IT!
Drs. Ben and Katherine Radcliffe and family are in the United States waiting to return to Papua New Guinea (PNG) pending the visas for their newborn twins. Please pray for these to be processed quickly. They have already had to reschedule their return to PNG and are now hoping to leave on June 6th.
Ben and Katherine serve at Kudjip Nazarene Hospital with their four children and alongside Ben’s parents, Jim and Kathy Radcliffe, as well as many other dedicated medical missionaries and national workers.
*** Update 29-May-2016
Ben and Katherine posted the following to their Facebook page: “Finally!! We have all the necessary documents. We will be headed back to PNG on June 6th. Can’t Wait!!!” Praise God!
*** Update 10 -June-2016
*** Update 10 -June-2016
“Wasn’t it nice of us to bring one for each?! We’re here!!! We’re here!!! After 54 hours of travels starting in Mount Vernon, we’ve finally arrived at our home in PNG”
Thank you for your continued prayers! The Lord hears and answers![Download Please Pray for the Radcliffes and Their Return to PNG. *** Praise Update! They Made It! as PDF]
Myanmar, Southeast Asia
Work and Witness is all about building God's Kingdom through personal involvement, but for those who participate in these mission experiences, they find out it is so much more! They return forever changed!
In Mathew Chapter 14 and again in Luke chapter 9, there are parallel versions of Jesus feeding 5,000 people from two loaves and 5 fishes. It was reportedly a young boy's lunch. In Mark chapter 8 there is a similar story of Jesus feeding 4,000 with 7 loaves. Whether 4,000 or 5,000, 2 loaves or 7, when Jesus blesses, there is always an abundance left over.
You don't want to miss this story, how a team that came from Nampa, Idaho in the USA traveled to Myanmar and witnessed a modern day multiplication miracle!
Starting out with a 5 day Vacation Bible School (VBS), as well as working on the church building, tiling the platform and showing the JESUS Film. The team had brought with them from Nampa, 100 pairs of the Shoes That Grow from Because International.
BLOG, CURRENT, FEATURE, NEWS, SOUTHEAST ASIA, WORK AND WITNESS
MIRACLE OF THE SHOES FOR THE CHILDREN OF MYITKYINA. ONE WORK AND WITNESS TEAM WILL NEVER FORGET!
Myanmar, Southeast Asia: Work and Witness is all about building God’s Kingdom through personal involvement, but for those who participate in these mission experiences, they find out it is so much more! They return forever changed!
On May 21st, a Work and Witness team from Bethel Church of the Nazarene (Nampa, Idaho, U.S.A.) arrived in Myanmar. Shortly after reaching their destination of Myitkyina (pronounced Mitchina) in the northern part of the country, the team began engaging with the local people and their incredible experience began.
More than 100 children showed up daily for the Vacation Bible School
Each day around 100 children came from surrounding Nazarene churches and communities to participate in the 5-day Vacation Bible School (VBS) that the team had prepared.
The kids enjoyed games, lessons, and interaction with the team members, eagerly awaiting for the team to arrive each morning.
Each day around 100 children came from surrounding Nazarene churches and communities to participate in the 5-day Vacation Bible School (VBS) that the team had prepared.
The kids enjoyed games, lessons, and interaction with the team members, eagerly awaiting for the team to arrive each morning.
Tiling the platform of the church
In addition to the VBS, the team of 11, along with about 8 men from the Rambu Church of the Nazarene, began painting the church and tiling the floor of the platform.
In addition to the VBS, the team of 11, along with about 8 men from the Rambu Church of the Nazarene, began painting the church and tiling the floor of the platform.
Painting the Inside
And the outside
Training in how to use the JESUS Film equipment
The team was also able to partner with JESUS Film Harvest Partners in bringing in a set of JESUS Film equipment. Three young men from the local church were trained in how to use the equipment. During showing of the film, more than 50 young people prayed to accept Jesus as their personal Savior! Praise God!!
The team was also able to partner with JESUS Film Harvest Partners in bringing in a set of JESUS Film equipment. Three young men from the local church were trained in how to use the equipment. During showing of the film, more than 50 young people prayed to accept Jesus as their personal Savior! Praise God!!
Learning to set up the portable screen
Included with the equipment were solar panels, which according to the local leadership, will be very useful as most villages where the film will be shown have no electricity.
As the stories began to come in from the team, one experience will most likely never be forgotten and that was the miracle of multiplication.
The team brought with them 100 pairs of The Shoe That Grows to be handed out to local children. These amazing shoes have tire rubber for soles and can last years for children because they can continue to be adjusted for up to about 5 years of growth and change in foot size.
Included with the equipment were solar panels, which according to the local leadership, will be very useful as most villages where the film will be shown have no electricity.
As the stories began to come in from the team, one experience will most likely never be forgotten and that was the miracle of multiplication.
The team brought with them 100 pairs of The Shoe That Grows to be handed out to local children. These amazing shoes have tire rubber for soles and can last years for children because they can continue to be adjusted for up to about 5 years of growth and change in foot size.
Overwhelmed with the number of children who came to receive the shoes, the team will never forget how God responded.
“We brought 100 pairs of these shoes from the states. Since the shoes come in small and large the team members handling the VBS had been sizing up the feet of the kids in attendance during the week as well as counting the number of attendees.
The packs [with goodies, toys and the Shoes That Grow] were prepared, counted and places were readied for handing out these bags.
After the start of the JESUS Film, additional kids found there way into the church to watch….we lost count of how many to expect. The JESUS Film ended and Sam [missionary DS] spoke to the kids (he is very good with all groups and has deep respect from all of these people) asking how many had made a decision for Jesus for the first time. We estimate that over 80% of the crowd raised their hands! Praise Jesus!
Sam then showed the kids a pair of the shoes and explained how these shoes would grow with their feet. He then asked the children to line up by size. It becomes obvious very quickly that we are going to be short some bags and shoes, especially for the smaller sized feet. So we manage the kids as best we can by looking at shoe size and shift some to the larger group and we start handing out the packs with the shoes.
“We had counted, numerous times. We only had 100 sets of shoes. We were going to be short!”- Kirk Bartlow - Team Member
In Mathew Chapter 14 and again in Luke chapter 9, there are parallel versions of Jesus feeding 5,000 people from two loaves and 5 fishes. It was reportedly a young boy’s lunch. In Mark chapter 8 there is a similar story of Jesus feeding 4,000 with 7 loaves. Whether 4,000 or 5,000, 2 loaves or 7, when Jesus blesses, there is always an abundance left over.
As the children were given back packs with shoes it began to become obvious that we were going to be short. We had counted, numerous times. Team members Eric and Shane counted together. Melinda and Katie counted separately. Those leading VBS, prior to sending the kids to the JESUS Film, calculated that we had 71 large sized feet and 33 small. Do the math. We only had 100 sets of shoes. We were going to be short! There was an old man, most likely a grandpa holding a young girl wanting a bag for this precious little girl and we were out…none left.
We were trying to explain that she was really too little to wear the shoes anyway. Remember we brought 100 pairs. We had only 90 backpacks prepared. We had kids still standing in line waiting for a backpack and shoes. And we had none. Then Katie (team member) for who knows whatever reason, looked again at the bags we had used to carry the prepared shoes and packs to be distributed. She found more, including the smaller sized shoes! We re-stocked our distribution locations and continued to give until all had received including the little girl being held by her grandfather.
Stunned, Katie and Melinda counted the remaining shoes… 21 extra pairs of shoes!!! We don’t know for sure how many we gave out, perhaps 120 or so. Remember, multiple people counted, multiple times. We only brought 100 pairs from the states. Only 90 backpacks. And we have extra. LEFTOVERS!
Jesus still blesses today in miraculous ways! And I am witness to his blessing and miracle of the shoes for these children of Myitkyina.” – Kirk Bartlow – Team Member
This team has returned and will be forever changed. Remember the words of Paul in Acts 20:35 (NIV)
“In everything, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus Himself: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
In going and giving, time and time again, team members return stating that it is they who have received the greater blessing.
The Nazarene church people in Myitkyna were incredible. Their hard work, self-sacrifice, feeding us, putting tree-ground makeup on the ladies, laughter, smiles, handshakes, colorful clothing, and serious commitment to the task of reaching people for Christ was an inspiration… it humbled us and gave us a deep love for these special people in both Yangon and Myanmar. The vests they made for each team member at the dedication was a bit overwhelming to the team. Truly, we can never outgive God. – Pastor Jim Franklin – Team Leader.
Dedication of the finished church!
On the 31st of May, a community dedication of the new church building was held. Hundreds attended from inter denominational congregations and celebrated the opening of the new Rambu Church of the Nazarene.
To God be all the glory and great thanks to the Bethel Church of the Nazarene for coming and partnering with the Rambu Church, helping to establish a beautiful place of worship!
Are you ready to experience the life-changing experience of Work and Witness? Connect with us and let the journey begin!
On the 31st of May, a community dedication of the new church building was held. Hundreds attended from inter denominational congregations and celebrated the opening of the new Rambu Church of the Nazarene.
To God be all the glory and great thanks to the Bethel Church of the Nazarene for coming and partnering with the Rambu Church, helping to establish a beautiful place of worship!
Are you ready to experience the life-changing experience of Work and Witness? Connect with us and let the journey begin!
Click here to read how God multiplied the gift they brought, for His glory!
Papua New Guinea
Please pray for missionaries Jeff and Susan Myers who are scheduled to fly to the U.S.A. for home assignment on June 15. There has been unrest in Papua New Guinea where the Myers serve and this has caused many offices to close, including the office that is processing the documents they need to travel. It is scheduled to be closed until June 14.
God is good! Jeff sends us wonderful news as of June 14.
BLOG, CURRENT, FEATURE, MELANESIA SOUTH PACIFIC, NEWS, URGENT PRAYER REQUESTSPapua New Guinea
Please pray for missionaries Jeff and Susan Myers who are scheduled to fly to the U.S.A. for home assignment on June 15. There has been unrest in Papua New Guinea where the Myers serve and this has caused many offices to close, including the office that is processing the documents they need to travel. It is scheduled to be closed until June 14.
God is good! Jeff sends us wonderful news as of June 14.
PRAYER NEEDED FOR MISSIONARY FAMILY IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA – *** ANSWERED PRAYER!!
Papua New Guinea: Please pray for missionaries Jeff and Susan Myers who are scheduled to fly to the U.S.A. for home assignment on June 15. There has been unrest in Papua New Guinea where the Myers serve and this has caused many offices to close, including the office that is processing the documents they need to travel. It is scheduled to be closed until June. 14.
Read: Tensions running high in Papua New Guinea... Please Pray
Pray that Jeff and Susan will receive their paperwork and can fly out as planned on June 15. Pray also that as they wait, the Lord will give them extraordinary peace.
Who are the Myers…
Jeffrey and Susan Myers are missionaries for the Church of the Nazarene assigned to Kudjip, Papua New Guinea, where they have served since June 2001.
Jeffrey graduated from Olivet Nazarene University in 1987 with a B.A. in communications. He is an Ordained Elder in the Church of the Nazarene. His early years in PNG were involved in developing Nazarene Radio Ministry which is now completely run by one of our National pastors. Jeff is currently serving as the Melanesia and South Pacific Fields Church Development Coordinator. His role focuses on further developing the church in PNG specifically working with our church leaders and assisting the Field Strategy Coordinator.
Susan graduated from Mount Vernon Nazarene University in 1989 with a B.A. in biology. She received her Medical degree from The Medical College of Ohio at Toledo in 1993 and completed a pediatric residency at Children’s Hospital Medical Center of Akron in 1996. Susan serves as a physician at Nazarene Hospital in Kudjip. She cares for patients of all ages in the pediatric ward, outpatient department and the emergency room. She has specific interests in identifying and caring for children with various forms of heart disease and in diagnosing and treating the many women in PNG with cervical cancer.
Jeffrey and Susan have two children, Jessica and Ethan. Jessica is a student at Mt Vernon Nazarene University. Ethan is nearing the end of his high school career and intends to join his sister at MVNU.
Online Nazarene Profile
ANSWERED PRAYER!!! 14-JUNE-2016
Jeff Myers sent in the following update this morning!
“I am back from immigrations now and sitting at the missionary guest house where I am staying while in Port Moresby (POM). God is good and with the help of our liaison and an old friend we met while waiting at the immigration office, God worked and I now have our passports in my possession! We are good to go! We are very grateful to all who have been praying for the success of getting our completed passports and visas before we were scheduled to leave tomorrow. I thank the Lord for leading the way in getting them. I thought about the song, “The Lord knows the way through the wilderness, all we have to do is follow.”
Thank you all for your prayers! To God Be The Glory!!!![ Download Prayer Needed for Missionary Family in Papua New Guinea - *** Answered Prayer!! as PDF]
Rev. Harmon Schmelzenbach, Field Strategy Coordinator, Melanesia South Pacific Field, on “boundaries.”
What Can I Do About It?
Values Clarification: Boundaries reflect our core values. So the first step in creating boundaries is to clarify our values so we can identify what we want to protect by setting healthy boundaries. Here’s a “Values Clarification” activity to help you get started on the work of values identification. Sometimes, just a transparent and intentional conversation with God, our spouse, or a trusted friend can bring the clarity we need.[http://www.thecoaches.com/docs/resources/toolkit/pdfs/30-Values-Clarification-Exercise.pdf]
Alignment: Once we’ve done the work of clarifying our values, we can then identify where we need to make changes by setting healthy boundaries. What will those boundaries look like? What conversations will I need to have? How much flexibility do I have to set the boundaries I need? How much flexibility do I want to allow? What keeps me from saying ‘no’ when I wish I could? How can I keep my ‘yes’ in sight so I know what my boundaries are protecting? When we fail to do the work of values clarification and alignment, we feel it’s just being selfish to say no and then we can’t figure out why we are resentful.
Boundary Repair: Elizabeth Scott gives some great guidelines to help us know when we need to do some ‘boundary repair.’
We invite your thoughts on boundaries. What do you think? Comment below.
More on Boundaries:
http://www.soulshepherding.org/1998/07/jesus-set-boundaries/
https://www.verywell.com/setting-boundaries-for-stress-management-3144985[Cindy Schmelzenbach – Regional Member Care Coordinator][Download Breathing Deep... Boundaries as PDF]
SERVING OVERSEAS? 3 KINDS OF SELFIES YOU SHOULD NEVER TAKE!
You see, a selfie photo generally has one purpose – to capture an image that will then be posted on Facebook or Instagram for the digital applause of our friends.
It’s the 2016 version of a postcard home – a modern way of communicating something about our identity to our circle of friends. But when used in the context of mission among the poor, it has the power to undermine our best efforts to serve.
We can all laugh at the worst excesses of this trend, as captured by Humanitarians of Tinder and Barbie Savior. But if truth be told, we’re ALL susceptible to the subtle pitfall of wanting to serve in a way that looks good online. I know I’ve gone there. And maybe you have too.
The problem is, the situations that make for the best photos – are usually the very situations that make for the WORST kind of service.
So, here are 3 Selfie Scenarios that might look awesome on Facebook, but are dis-empowering, dignity-stripping or dangerous for local people.
I’m offering these observations to you along with some alternative suggestions that are definitely LESS sexy, but ultimately MORE helpful…
1. The Dis-empowering Selfie
It’s so sad that they don’t have enough trained teachers here. I’m not trained either, but I’m from the West, so it all works out. Good morning, class!!
[source: Barbie Savior]
One of most common missteps in short term mission trips is for outsiders to do things that can and should be done by local people.
We routinely break the Golden Rule of Community Development: “Never do something for someone that they can do for themselves.”
Selfies encourage us to flout this Golden Rule, because we are tempted to capture photos of our practical actions for the poor to show people back home.
Orphanage needs repainting? Houses need to be built? Let’s roll up our sleeves!
Dental care? Medical care? – no need to train up local people, we’ll come back with a team of outsiders every year!
These photos communicate something about our identity as “good citizens” to the wider world. But they do little to strengthen and empower those we are supposed to be serving.
Alternative Suggestion: Instead of featuring your own efforts to help, take photos (with permission) and celebrate LOCAL people who are faithfully working for change in their own neighborhoods over the long haul. Go simply to learn and communicate rather than to portray yourself as part of the solution. They were there long before you came, and they will be there long after you leave. Remember the Cambodian proverb, “It takes a spider to repair its own web” – and use that principle to underpin the stories you tell about what is happening in that community.
2. The Dignity-Stripping Selfie
Orphans take the best pictures! Their sadness is so inspiring!
[source: Barbie Savior]
Selfies too often communicate a single characteristic about the people we meet. “Here’s a photo of me with a miserable beggar,” or “Here’s a photo of me with a prostitute we rescued from sex slavery.”
Selfies that portray us as the humanitarian hero with our arm draped around some impoverished victim – do a disservice to the dignity of local people and tell a false story about their humanity.
When we present local people in a one dimensional way, emphasizing only their helplessness and victimhood – rather than their resilience, we contribute to the myth that they can do nothing but wait for an outside savior… us!
We fail to portray them as people made in the image of God.
Even the angle you use for the photo communicates something about the subject. A photo taken looking down on a local person, communicates that they are small and helpless. While a photo angled upwards towards the subject emphasizes their strength and power.
Alternative Suggestion – As I outlined in this blog post, we need to take care to name both the tragedy AND the resilience in any situation – the fragility of a local person, as well as their assets and skills. Both angles are true. Both presented together will more fully represent who a person is. A person’s story can be told in multiple ways – but how you tell it makes a big difference to everyone’s understanding of the truth.
3. The Dangerous Selfie
Come little children. Gather unto me. I will be your mother figure, for the next 2 weeks.
[source: Barbie Savior]
Finally, the temptation to get good selfie photos, can lead us to serve in ways that are not only unhelpful, but harmful.
For example, orphanage voluntourism can be deeply meaningful to those who engage in it, but it’s also intrinsically damaging for the children in the orphanage. I’ve written in more depth on the problem of orphanages here.
What could possibly be wrong with spending time playing with children in an orphanage and taking a few fun selfies along the way?
But children can and do form close attachments to volunteers, only to lose them when their stint ends. This cycle of short term care-givers causes further emotional damage in children who already suffer abandonment and attachment issues. (Learn more about this issue and join the fight to stop orphanage tourism by signing this Avaaz Petition here.)
Selfie culture emphasizes adventurous, hands-on experiences that place foreigners at the center of the action instead of in support roles at the periphery.
It’s time to challenge that and find a more Biblical role as outsiders.
Alternative Suggestion: Do you have the humility to serve behind the scenes? Then consider how you can serve in more appropriate, but less sexy ways. Grant writing, responsible fundraising and even plain office work are areas that local people who don’t speak English fluently might be able to use your help. A selfie with a laptop won’t look as cool on Facebook, but it is probably a lot more responsible in the long run.
I experienced the Selfie Phenomenon myself last Sunday. I’m sitting there in my seat at church, and the time comes for us to make our way to the front to receive communion.
One of the members of our church happens to be a Cambodian guy with one leg, who makes a living by begging at the traffic lights downtown. He’s a nice guy with a wife and kids and we usually have a chat whenever we run into each other.
So, as usual he works his way up the front with his crutch under one arm to receive communion. He’s surprisingly agile, for someone who is missing a leg.
Suddenly, a short term foreign visitor, elbows his way forward and puts his arm patronizingly around my friend’s shoulders. The visitor points to his cell phone with a big grin and raises it above their heads for a quick selfie.
Ugh.
Don’t be that ugly foreigner.
Lose the selfie stick. Consider carefully the type of photos you take, where and when you take them, and the story you are telling with each image. Together we can do a better job of serving cross-culturally. Isn’t this what it means to love our neighbors?
We’ve all made mistakes in this area. I’d love to hear your thoughts, ideas and horror stories in the comments below.[Thank you to Craig Greenfield for allowing us to share this content. You can visit his blog by following this link.][Click here to read more about the dangerous selfie!]
Pray that Jeff and Susan will receive their paperwork and can fly out as planned on June 15. Pray also that as they wait, the Lord will give them extraordinary peace.
Who are the Myers…
Jeffrey and Susan Myers are missionaries for the Church of the Nazarene assigned to Kudjip, Papua New Guinea, where they have served since June 2001.
Jeffrey graduated from Olivet Nazarene University in 1987 with a B.A. in communications. He is an Ordained Elder in the Church of the Nazarene. His early years in PNG were involved in developing Nazarene Radio Ministry which is now completely run by one of our National pastors. Jeff is currently serving as the Melanesia and South Pacific Fields Church Development Coordinator. His role focuses on further developing the church in PNG specifically working with our church leaders and assisting the Field Strategy Coordinator.
Susan graduated from Mount Vernon Nazarene University in 1989 with a B.A. in biology. She received her Medical degree from The Medical College of Ohio at Toledo in 1993 and completed a pediatric residency at Children’s Hospital Medical Center of Akron in 1996. Susan serves as a physician at Nazarene Hospital in Kudjip. She cares for patients of all ages in the pediatric ward, outpatient department and the emergency room. She has specific interests in identifying and caring for children with various forms of heart disease and in diagnosing and treating the many women in PNG with cervical cancer.
Jeffrey and Susan have two children, Jessica and Ethan. Jessica is a student at Mt Vernon Nazarene University. Ethan is nearing the end of his high school career and intends to join his sister at MVNU.
Online Nazarene Profile
ANSWERED PRAYER!!! 14-JUNE-2016
Jeff Myers sent in the following update this morning!
“I am back from immigrations now and sitting at the missionary guest house where I am staying while in Port Moresby (POM). God is good and with the help of our liaison and an old friend we met while waiting at the immigration office, God worked and I now have our passports in my possession! We are good to go! We are very grateful to all who have been praying for the success of getting our completed passports and visas before we were scheduled to leave tomorrow. I thank the Lord for leading the way in getting them. I thought about the song, “The Lord knows the way through the wilderness, all we have to do is follow.”
Thank you all for your prayers! To God Be The Glory!!!![ Download Prayer Needed for Missionary Family in Papua New Guinea - *** Answered Prayer!! as PDF]
Engage Magazine
Twenty minutes, that's all. Only 20 minutes to fly from the Mission Aviation Fellowship hangar at Kagamuga Airport in Mt. Hagen, Papua New Guinea, to the Dusin Airstrip, on the side of a mountain at 6,100 feet. The flight itself is good for the soul on two counts: one being the weeks it may have taken us to walk over the sharp jutting hills that stretch over two huge valleys; and two, the scenery itself, as we fly about 300 feet above the jungle canopy, up and over the natural passes that end in a box canyon at Dusin.
May 7 was a beautiful day, with only a few clouds. It is not unusual to see the airstrip fence lined with expectant faces to greet the people getting off the plane. In fact, it is always quite an attraction to see what will be unloaded from a plane, but today many people had come to see the doctor.
Dr. Imelda is part of the Church of the Nazarene's partnership with the University of PNG Masters in Rural and Remote Health Program, which is raising up and training the best and the brightest in PNG, to become doctors here. The Rural Health Program includes electrical, plumbing and solar training. These skills and Dr. Imelda's medical expertise are truly needed in a rural setting at the many hospitals all over the country.
BLOG, CURRENT, FEATURE, MEDICAL MINISTRY, MELANESIA SOUTH PACIFIC, NEWS
DOCTOR MAKES FIRST VISIT TO NEW CLINIC IN REMOTE HIGHLANDS OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA!
Twenty minutes, that's all. Only 20 minutes to fly from the Mission Aviation Fellowship hangar at Kagamuga Airport in Mt. Hagen, Papua New Guinea, to the Dusin Airstrip, on the side of a mountain at 6,100 feet. The flight itself is good for the soul on two counts: one being the weeks it may have taken us to walk over the sharp jutting hills that stretch over two huge valleys; and two, the scenery itself, as we fly about 300 feet above the jungle canopy, up and over the natural passes that end in a box canyon at Dusin.
May 7 was a beautiful day, with only a few clouds. It is not unusual to see the airstrip fence lined with expectant faces to greet the people getting off the plane. In fact, it is always quite an attraction to see what will be unloaded from a plane, but today many people had come to see the doctor.
BLOG, CURRENT, FEATURE, MEDICAL MINISTRY, MELANESIA SOUTH PACIFIC, NEWS
DOCTOR MAKES FIRST VISIT TO NEW CLINIC IN REMOTE HIGHLANDS OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA!
Flying over the highlands of Papua New Guinea from Mount Hagen to Dusin airstrip.
Papua New Guinea, Melanesia South Pacific: Twenty minutes, that’s all. Only 20 minutes to fly from the Mission Aviation Fellowship hangar at Kagamuga Airport in Mt. Hagen, Papua New Guinea, to the Dusin Airstrip, on the side of a mountain at 6,100 feet. The flight itself is good for the soul on two counts: one being the weeks it may have taken us to walk over the sharp jutting hills that stretch over two huge valleys; and two, the scenery itself, as we fly about 300 feet above the jungle canopy, up and over the natural passes that end in a box canyon at Dusin.
Papua New Guinea, Melanesia South Pacific: Twenty minutes, that’s all. Only 20 minutes to fly from the Mission Aviation Fellowship hangar at Kagamuga Airport in Mt. Hagen, Papua New Guinea, to the Dusin Airstrip, on the side of a mountain at 6,100 feet. The flight itself is good for the soul on two counts: one being the weeks it may have taken us to walk over the sharp jutting hills that stretch over two huge valleys; and two, the scenery itself, as we fly about 300 feet above the jungle canopy, up and over the natural passes that end in a box canyon at Dusin.
Landing at the remote Dusin airstrip which actually runs up a mountain, as seen from the cockpit of the MAF plane.
The remote airstrip was hand dug in 1970 by the Koban people, one of many previously unreached people groups in Papua New Guinea who were contacted in the 1960s by the Nazarene church.
The dry season had just started in the Highlands, but the first-ever plans to fly a doctor to work in the new, three-month-old clinic had taken many years, even decades, if you count the prayers of the first missionaries who brought the Gospel to the Middle Ramu Province.
The dry season had just started in the Highlands, but the first-ever plans to fly a doctor to work in the new, three-month-old clinic had taken many years, even decades, if you count the prayers of the first missionaries who brought the Gospel to the Middle Ramu Province.
People line the fence in anticipation of the arrival of the MAF plane.
May 7 was a beautiful day, with only a few clouds. It is not unusual to see the airstrip fence lined with expectant faces to greet the people getting off the plane. In fact, it is always quite an attraction to see what will be unloaded from a plane, but today many people had come to see the doctor.
May 7 was a beautiful day, with only a few clouds. It is not unusual to see the airstrip fence lined with expectant faces to greet the people getting off the plane. In fact, it is always quite an attraction to see what will be unloaded from a plane, but today many people had come to see the doctor.
Dr. Imelda Assaigo, getting a cockpit view of the flight to Dusin.
Dr. Imelda Assaigo, a South Pacific Islander originally from Fiji, would be in Dusin only a few days, but the people knew what an honor it was to have her visit. Joel Funfun, one of their own Dusin people, is a nurse in the new local clinic that features solar power and running water. Joel sees about 70 patients a day, some who walk three days for help.
Dr. Imelda Assaigo, a South Pacific Islander originally from Fiji, would be in Dusin only a few days, but the people knew what an honor it was to have her visit. Joel Funfun, one of their own Dusin people, is a nurse in the new local clinic that features solar power and running water. Joel sees about 70 patients a day, some who walk three days for help.
Dr. Imelda seeing a patient at the new Dusin Clinic.
The clinic in Dusin was built because of the tireless efforts under the Nazarene Rural Health Services Administrator Gabriel Mahisu. Dr. Imelda is part of the Church of the Nazarene’s partnership with theUniversity of PNG Masters in Rural and Remote Health Program, which is raising up and training the best and the brightest in PNG, to become doctors here. The Rural Health Program includes electrical, plumbing and solar training. These skills and Dr. Imelda’s medical expertise are truly needed in a rural setting at the many hospitals all over the country.
My husband, missionary Tim Deuel, and I (Karla) were available to accompany Dr. Imelda on the trip, and Tim happily agreed to help train her to install solar power, including the framework for the panels, connections to the electrical system, and water supply for the clinic and patients. Dr. Imelda was herself encouraged “to be in Dusin and given the opportunity to work with Joel and understand His loving heart for the Koban and Middle Ramu people.” Dr. Imelda also commented on the Nazarene pastors who were present and praying for her, Joel and the people at the clinic. She was pleasantly surprised and said ”it was not awkward but nice to see the spiritual side presented with the physical aspect of health ministry.
The small plane and its pilot, Remy, who flew us out and back to Mt. Hagen, was also able to bring out one of the Nazarene pastor’s wives and their daughter to be with her husband in the Nazarene Hospital at Kudjip – one more blessing orchestrated by our faithful God through a global church family who love and believe Him.
Thank you for your continued prayers for Nazarene Health Ministries in Papua New Guinea.[Submitted: Karla Deuel and Gina Pottenger (Engage Magazine).][Download Doctor Makes First Visit to New Clinic in Remote Highlands of Papua New Guinea! as PDF]
The clinic in Dusin was built because of the tireless efforts under the Nazarene Rural Health Services Administrator Gabriel Mahisu. Dr. Imelda is part of the Church of the Nazarene’s partnership with theUniversity of PNG Masters in Rural and Remote Health Program, which is raising up and training the best and the brightest in PNG, to become doctors here. The Rural Health Program includes electrical, plumbing and solar training. These skills and Dr. Imelda’s medical expertise are truly needed in a rural setting at the many hospitals all over the country.
My husband, missionary Tim Deuel, and I (Karla) were available to accompany Dr. Imelda on the trip, and Tim happily agreed to help train her to install solar power, including the framework for the panels, connections to the electrical system, and water supply for the clinic and patients. Dr. Imelda was herself encouraged “to be in Dusin and given the opportunity to work with Joel and understand His loving heart for the Koban and Middle Ramu people.” Dr. Imelda also commented on the Nazarene pastors who were present and praying for her, Joel and the people at the clinic. She was pleasantly surprised and said ”it was not awkward but nice to see the spiritual side presented with the physical aspect of health ministry.
The small plane and its pilot, Remy, who flew us out and back to Mt. Hagen, was also able to bring out one of the Nazarene pastor’s wives and their daughter to be with her husband in the Nazarene Hospital at Kudjip – one more blessing orchestrated by our faithful God through a global church family who love and believe Him.
Thank you for your continued prayers for Nazarene Health Ministries in Papua New Guinea.[Submitted: Karla Deuel and Gina Pottenger (Engage Magazine).][Download Doctor Makes First Visit to New Clinic in Remote Highlands of Papua New Guinea! as PDF]
Global Ministry Center
Our hearts are grieved and saddened by another act of hatred and violence. We extend our sympathy, thoughts, and prayers to the families and friends of those who lost their lives in the Orlando, Florida, USA, shooting and to those injured in this incident. We urge our people to reach out in tangible ways to share the love of our Lord with all who are suffering loss in these days.
May the words of Jesus spur us to exemplify His desire for all His children, "A new command I give you: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" (John 13:34-35). In this crisis and others like it, may all we do and say reflect God's love and compassion.
Serving in Christ's love,
The Board of General Superintendents
Church of the Nazarene
Click here to read on our website.
Breathing Deep... Boundaries
A-P Region - Member Care
Boundary noun, bound·ary \ˈbau̇n-d(ə-)rē\
1. : something that shows where an area ends and another area begins.
2. : a point or limit that indicates where two things become different.
What is it?
A boundary, defined by Dr. Brene Brown is, "what's ok and what's not ok." I like to think of boundaries as that which I say "no" to in order to protect what I've said "yes" to. It's a place of accountability that tests my integrity to my core values. Boundaries are proactive, not reactive.
Boundaries allow us to direct our energy and attention toward that which we've identified as our core values and purpose.
The article goes on to offer helpful ideas about how to clarify our core values. And once we have done this, we can can see what changes may need to be made to set healthy boundaries.
Some excellent insights and tools for healthy ministry and life!
BLOG, CURRENT, FEATURE, MEMBER CARE, REGIONAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
BREATHING DEEP… BOUNDARIES
Boundary noun, bound·ary \ˈbau̇n-d(ə-)rē\
: something that shows where an area ends and another area begins .
: a point or limit that indicates where two things become different.
What is it?
A boundary, defined by Dr. Brene Brown is, “what’s ok and what’s not ok.” I like to think of boundaries as that which I say “no” to in order to protect what I’ve said “yes” to. It’s a place of accountability that tests my integrity to my core values. Boundaries are proactive, not reactive.
Why does it matter?
Our hearts are grieved and saddened by another act of hatred and violence. We extend our sympathy, thoughts, and prayers to the families and friends of those who lost their lives in the Orlando, Florida, USA, shooting and to those injured in this incident. We urge our people to reach out in tangible ways to share the love of our Lord with all who are suffering loss in these days.
May the words of Jesus spur us to exemplify His desire for all His children, "A new command I give you: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" (John 13:34-35). In this crisis and others like it, may all we do and say reflect God's love and compassion.
Serving in Christ's love,
The Board of General Superintendents
Church of the Nazarene
Click here to read on our website.
Breathing Deep... Boundaries
A-P Region - Member Care
Boundary noun, bound·ary \ˈbau̇n-d(ə-)rē\
1. : something that shows where an area ends and another area begins.
2. : a point or limit that indicates where two things become different.
What is it?
A boundary, defined by Dr. Brene Brown is, "what's ok and what's not ok." I like to think of boundaries as that which I say "no" to in order to protect what I've said "yes" to. It's a place of accountability that tests my integrity to my core values. Boundaries are proactive, not reactive.
Boundaries allow us to direct our energy and attention toward that which we've identified as our core values and purpose.
The article goes on to offer helpful ideas about how to clarify our core values. And once we have done this, we can can see what changes may need to be made to set healthy boundaries.
Some excellent insights and tools for healthy ministry and life!
BLOG, CURRENT, FEATURE, MEMBER CARE, REGIONAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
BREATHING DEEP… BOUNDARIES
Boundary noun, bound·ary \ˈbau̇n-d(ə-)rē\
: something that shows where an area ends and another area begins .
: a point or limit that indicates where two things become different.
What is it?
A boundary, defined by Dr. Brene Brown is, “what’s ok and what’s not ok.” I like to think of boundaries as that which I say “no” to in order to protect what I’ve said “yes” to. It’s a place of accountability that tests my integrity to my core values. Boundaries are proactive, not reactive.
Why does it matter?
http://study.com/academy/lesson/long-term-stress-symptoms-effects-lesson.html
Personal holistic health: One of the most effective ways to reduce overall stress is to set boundaries. Stress is our body’s automatic response when we perceive a situation to be threatening or highly demanding. So when there is unrestricted access to our time, our emotions, our energy, etc., we are constantly in a situation of threat and demand assessment. This results in chronic stress, which has been directly linked to negative physical, mental, emotional, relational, behavioral, and spiritual consequences. The security that comes from knowing there is a boundary in place to protect me from constant unfiltered threat or high demand is a significant stress reducer!
Effectiveness in our calling: In a spontaneous discussion I had with Harmon recently about boundaries, he says that, for him, boundaries replace ‘busy-ness’ with ‘focused intentionality.’ Boundaries allow us to direct our energy and attention toward that which we’ve identified as our core values and purpose.
Compassion: “Compassionate people are boundaried people ” (Dr. Brene Brown). Dr. Brown’s research has revealed a striking connection between compassion and boundaries. Boundaries give me security and in that security, differing perspectives or opinions are not threatening to me, even if I disagree. When we don’t have healthy boundaries in place, we tend to resort to blame and judgment for our self-protection, leading us to become resentful, cynical, and judgmental. Brown’s research shows that “Setting boundaries and holding people accountable is a lot more work than shaming and blaming… but it’s more effective”… and this creates a safe space for us to cultivate compassion. She goes on to say that empathy and compassion are infinitely available to us – they are not commodities that we risk running out of – as long as we’ve done the work of creating boundaries. This has huge implications when we talk about BurnOut (but that’s another article).
Relationships: Regarding boundaries, probably the most significant implication to me has to do with my relationships. Usually, those who are most important to us are the ones that suffer most when we fail to keep healthy boundaries in place. Even with the best of intentions, without boundaries, we slowly carve away at the time and attention we give to God, our family, and our most meaningful friendships. Without boundaries in the ways that we allow others to emotionally impact us, we are only able to offer tired, stressed, depleted attention to our most precious relationships.
Personal holistic health: One of the most effective ways to reduce overall stress is to set boundaries. Stress is our body’s automatic response when we perceive a situation to be threatening or highly demanding. So when there is unrestricted access to our time, our emotions, our energy, etc., we are constantly in a situation of threat and demand assessment. This results in chronic stress, which has been directly linked to negative physical, mental, emotional, relational, behavioral, and spiritual consequences. The security that comes from knowing there is a boundary in place to protect me from constant unfiltered threat or high demand is a significant stress reducer!
Effectiveness in our calling: In a spontaneous discussion I had with Harmon recently about boundaries, he says that, for him, boundaries replace ‘busy-ness’ with ‘focused intentionality.’ Boundaries allow us to direct our energy and attention toward that which we’ve identified as our core values and purpose.
Compassion: “Compassionate people are boundaried people ” (Dr. Brene Brown). Dr. Brown’s research has revealed a striking connection between compassion and boundaries. Boundaries give me security and in that security, differing perspectives or opinions are not threatening to me, even if I disagree. When we don’t have healthy boundaries in place, we tend to resort to blame and judgment for our self-protection, leading us to become resentful, cynical, and judgmental. Brown’s research shows that “Setting boundaries and holding people accountable is a lot more work than shaming and blaming… but it’s more effective”… and this creates a safe space for us to cultivate compassion. She goes on to say that empathy and compassion are infinitely available to us – they are not commodities that we risk running out of – as long as we’ve done the work of creating boundaries. This has huge implications when we talk about BurnOut (but that’s another article).
Relationships: Regarding boundaries, probably the most significant implication to me has to do with my relationships. Usually, those who are most important to us are the ones that suffer most when we fail to keep healthy boundaries in place. Even with the best of intentions, without boundaries, we slowly carve away at the time and attention we give to God, our family, and our most meaningful friendships. Without boundaries in the ways that we allow others to emotionally impact us, we are only able to offer tired, stressed, depleted attention to our most precious relationships.
Rev. Harmon Schmelzenbach, Field Strategy Coordinator, Melanesia South Pacific Field, on “boundaries.” What Can I Do About It?
Values Clarification: Boundaries reflect our core values. So the first step in creating boundaries is to clarify our values so we can identify what we want to protect by setting healthy boundaries. Here’s a “Values Clarification” activity to help you get started on the work of values identification. Sometimes, just a transparent and intentional conversation with God, our spouse, or a trusted friend can bring the clarity we need.[http://www.thecoaches.com/docs/resources/toolkit/pdfs/30-Values-Clarification-Exercise.pdf]
Alignment: Once we’ve done the work of clarifying our values, we can then identify where we need to make changes by setting healthy boundaries. What will those boundaries look like? What conversations will I need to have? How much flexibility do I have to set the boundaries I need? How much flexibility do I want to allow? What keeps me from saying ‘no’ when I wish I could? How can I keep my ‘yes’ in sight so I know what my boundaries are protecting? When we fail to do the work of values clarification and alignment, we feel it’s just being selfish to say no and then we can’t figure out why we are resentful.
Boundary Repair: Elizabeth Scott gives some great guidelines to help us know when we need to do some ‘boundary repair.’
- I feel resentful of people asking too much of me.
- I find myself saying yes to things I’d rather not do, just to avoid upsetting or disappointing others.
- I find myself feeling resentful because it feels I am doing more for others than they are doing for me.
- I tend to keep people at an arm’s length because I am afraid of letting them get too close and overwhelming me.
- The stress I feel from disappointing others is greater than the stress of doing things that inconvenience or drain me in an effort to please them.
- When I think of someone I feel has very healthy boundaries—the kind I would like to emulate, how do I think they would respond in my situation?
We invite your thoughts on boundaries. What do you think? Comment below.
More on Boundaries:
http://www.soulshepherding.org/1998/07/jesus-set-boundaries/
https://www.verywell.com/setting-boundaries-for-stress-management-3144985[Cindy Schmelzenbach – Regional Member Care Coordinator][Download Breathing Deep... Boundaries as PDF]
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Gambella Crisis
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Serving Overseas? 3 Kinds Of Selfies You Should Never Take.
Craig Greenfield's Blog
This summer, church teams of young and old will don matching t-shirts and board planes to some far-off place. But whether you are building houses in Mexico or volunteering at an orphanage in Guatemala - there is one item in your backpack that is GUARANTEED to undermine your ability to serve responsibly...
The selfie stick.
Or rather, all that it represents.
You see, a selfie photo generally has one purpose - to capture an image that will then be posted on Facebook or Instagram for the digital applause of our friends.
It's the 2016 version of a postcard home - a modern way of communicating something about our identity to our circle of friends. But when used in the context of mission among the poor, it has the power to undermine our best efforts to serve.
The problem is, the situations that make for the best photos - are usually the very situations that make for the WORST kind of service.
Craig Greenfield really articulates this well. The whole article is very enlightening with useful suggestions of ways to portray both the tragedy and the resilience in any situation.
As we go out in short-term missions this summer, let's remember to glorify God in all that we do and honor those who have been created in His image!
BLOG, CURRENT, EDITORIAL, FEATUREGambella Crisis
Child Sponsorship Sunday
Call to Prayer!
Great Missions Moment Service Opener
Download now - click here
Serving Overseas? 3 Kinds Of Selfies You Should Never Take.
Craig Greenfield's Blog
This summer, church teams of young and old will don matching t-shirts and board planes to some far-off place. But whether you are building houses in Mexico or volunteering at an orphanage in Guatemala - there is one item in your backpack that is GUARANTEED to undermine your ability to serve responsibly...
The selfie stick.
Or rather, all that it represents.
You see, a selfie photo generally has one purpose - to capture an image that will then be posted on Facebook or Instagram for the digital applause of our friends.
It's the 2016 version of a postcard home - a modern way of communicating something about our identity to our circle of friends. But when used in the context of mission among the poor, it has the power to undermine our best efforts to serve.
The problem is, the situations that make for the best photos - are usually the very situations that make for the WORST kind of service.
Craig Greenfield really articulates this well. The whole article is very enlightening with useful suggestions of ways to portray both the tragedy and the resilience in any situation.
As we go out in short-term missions this summer, let's remember to glorify God in all that we do and honor those who have been created in His image!
SERVING OVERSEAS? 3 KINDS OF SELFIES YOU SHOULD NEVER TAKE!
You see, a selfie photo generally has one purpose – to capture an image that will then be posted on Facebook or Instagram for the digital applause of our friends.
It’s the 2016 version of a postcard home – a modern way of communicating something about our identity to our circle of friends. But when used in the context of mission among the poor, it has the power to undermine our best efforts to serve.
We can all laugh at the worst excesses of this trend, as captured by Humanitarians of Tinder and Barbie Savior. But if truth be told, we’re ALL susceptible to the subtle pitfall of wanting to serve in a way that looks good online. I know I’ve gone there. And maybe you have too.
The problem is, the situations that make for the best photos – are usually the very situations that make for the WORST kind of service.
So, here are 3 Selfie Scenarios that might look awesome on Facebook, but are dis-empowering, dignity-stripping or dangerous for local people.
I’m offering these observations to you along with some alternative suggestions that are definitely LESS sexy, but ultimately MORE helpful…
1. The Dis-empowering Selfie
It’s so sad that they don’t have enough trained teachers here. I’m not trained either, but I’m from the West, so it all works out. Good morning, class!!
[source: Barbie Savior]
One of most common missteps in short term mission trips is for outsiders to do things that can and should be done by local people.
We routinely break the Golden Rule of Community Development: “Never do something for someone that they can do for themselves.”
Selfies encourage us to flout this Golden Rule, because we are tempted to capture photos of our practical actions for the poor to show people back home.
Orphanage needs repainting? Houses need to be built? Let’s roll up our sleeves!
Dental care? Medical care? – no need to train up local people, we’ll come back with a team of outsiders every year!
These photos communicate something about our identity as “good citizens” to the wider world. But they do little to strengthen and empower those we are supposed to be serving.
Alternative Suggestion: Instead of featuring your own efforts to help, take photos (with permission) and celebrate LOCAL people who are faithfully working for change in their own neighborhoods over the long haul. Go simply to learn and communicate rather than to portray yourself as part of the solution. They were there long before you came, and they will be there long after you leave. Remember the Cambodian proverb, “It takes a spider to repair its own web” – and use that principle to underpin the stories you tell about what is happening in that community.
2. The Dignity-Stripping Selfie
Orphans take the best pictures! Their sadness is so inspiring!
[source: Barbie Savior]
Selfies too often communicate a single characteristic about the people we meet. “Here’s a photo of me with a miserable beggar,” or “Here’s a photo of me with a prostitute we rescued from sex slavery.”
Selfies that portray us as the humanitarian hero with our arm draped around some impoverished victim – do a disservice to the dignity of local people and tell a false story about their humanity.
When we present local people in a one dimensional way, emphasizing only their helplessness and victimhood – rather than their resilience, we contribute to the myth that they can do nothing but wait for an outside savior… us!
We fail to portray them as people made in the image of God.
Even the angle you use for the photo communicates something about the subject. A photo taken looking down on a local person, communicates that they are small and helpless. While a photo angled upwards towards the subject emphasizes their strength and power.
Alternative Suggestion – As I outlined in this blog post, we need to take care to name both the tragedy AND the resilience in any situation – the fragility of a local person, as well as their assets and skills. Both angles are true. Both presented together will more fully represent who a person is. A person’s story can be told in multiple ways – but how you tell it makes a big difference to everyone’s understanding of the truth.
3. The Dangerous Selfie
Come little children. Gather unto me. I will be your mother figure, for the next 2 weeks.
[source: Barbie Savior]
Finally, the temptation to get good selfie photos, can lead us to serve in ways that are not only unhelpful, but harmful.
For example, orphanage voluntourism can be deeply meaningful to those who engage in it, but it’s also intrinsically damaging for the children in the orphanage. I’ve written in more depth on the problem of orphanages here.
What could possibly be wrong with spending time playing with children in an orphanage and taking a few fun selfies along the way?
But children can and do form close attachments to volunteers, only to lose them when their stint ends. This cycle of short term care-givers causes further emotional damage in children who already suffer abandonment and attachment issues. (Learn more about this issue and join the fight to stop orphanage tourism by signing this Avaaz Petition here.)
Selfie culture emphasizes adventurous, hands-on experiences that place foreigners at the center of the action instead of in support roles at the periphery.
It’s time to challenge that and find a more Biblical role as outsiders.
Alternative Suggestion: Do you have the humility to serve behind the scenes? Then consider how you can serve in more appropriate, but less sexy ways. Grant writing, responsible fundraising and even plain office work are areas that local people who don’t speak English fluently might be able to use your help. A selfie with a laptop won’t look as cool on Facebook, but it is probably a lot more responsible in the long run.
I experienced the Selfie Phenomenon myself last Sunday. I’m sitting there in my seat at church, and the time comes for us to make our way to the front to receive communion.
One of the members of our church happens to be a Cambodian guy with one leg, who makes a living by begging at the traffic lights downtown. He’s a nice guy with a wife and kids and we usually have a chat whenever we run into each other.
So, as usual he works his way up the front with his crutch under one arm to receive communion. He’s surprisingly agile, for someone who is missing a leg.
Suddenly, a short term foreign visitor, elbows his way forward and puts his arm patronizingly around my friend’s shoulders. The visitor points to his cell phone with a big grin and raises it above their heads for a quick selfie.
Ugh.
Don’t be that ugly foreigner.
Lose the selfie stick. Consider carefully the type of photos you take, where and when you take them, and the story you are telling with each image. Together we can do a better job of serving cross-culturally. Isn’t this what it means to love our neighbors?
We’ve all made mistakes in this area. I’d love to hear your thoughts, ideas and horror stories in the comments below.[Thank you to Craig Greenfield for allowing us to share this content. You can visit his blog by following this link.][Click here to read more about the dangerous selfie!]
Asia-Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary
The Asia-Pacific Region would like to congratulate Asia-Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary (APNTS), as they hold their very first Commencement Exercises for the doctorate degree in Holistic Child Development.
The event will be held on June 28, 2016.
Hear Nazarene broadcasters tell your people the latest news, stories of lives transformed, and ways to pray for World Mission Broadcast in a "Personalized WMB Audio Greeting."
The greetings are a perfect way to bring the voice of WMB into the midst of your church service, Faith Promise gathering, or NMI convention.
As General Assembly 2017 draws closer and planning increases by the day, the Church of the Nazarene's General Secretary's Office requests opinions from Nazarenes around the world on their expectations for the event.
The denomination's 29th General Assembly and Conventions are 21-30 June 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.
Asia-Pacific
Do you remember seeing a particular story in one of our weekly newsletters?
Are you wishing you could send a copy of a previous newsletter to a friend? Be sure to check out the Around The Region Weekly Newsletter Archive.
This newsletter is a ministry of your Asia-Pacific Regional Communications Office. Please submit questions or comments to: Regional Communications Coordinator
Connie Aebischer - Editor - Around the Region News
Writers: Laurice Maggay, Rebecca Moisio
World Mission Communications Asia-Pacific
Ortigas Avenue Extension
Taytay, Rizal, Philippines
Around the Region is released each week on Saturday. If you have news to share, please forward to our office by Friday at noon (PHT).
Strategic Partners Ltd
The Asia-Pacific Region would like to congratulate Asia-Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary (APNTS), as they hold their very first Commencement Exercises for the doctorate degree in Holistic Child Development.
The event will be held on June 28, 2016.
- Click here for more information on their website!
- Don't Miss This Opportunity to Have a Free Personal Radio Greeting from World Mission Broadcast!
- Now in Spanish Also!
Hear Nazarene broadcasters tell your people the latest news, stories of lives transformed, and ways to pray for World Mission Broadcast in a "Personalized WMB Audio Greeting."
The greetings are a perfect way to bring the voice of WMB into the midst of your church service, Faith Promise gathering, or NMI convention.
- Order Your Personalized WMB Greeting Today!!
- Click Here!
- General Assembly Just One Year Away. Will You Help Us? We Need to Hear from You!
As General Assembly 2017 draws closer and planning increases by the day, the Church of the Nazarene's General Secretary's Office requests opinions from Nazarenes around the world on their expectations for the event.
The denomination's 29th General Assembly and Conventions are 21-30 June 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.
Asia-Pacific
Do you remember seeing a particular story in one of our weekly newsletters?
Are you wishing you could send a copy of a previous newsletter to a friend? Be sure to check out the Around The Region Weekly Newsletter Archive.
This newsletter is a ministry of your Asia-Pacific Regional Communications Office. Please submit questions or comments to: Regional Communications Coordinator
Connie Aebischer - Editor - Around the Region News
Writers: Laurice Maggay, Rebecca Moisio
World Mission Communications Asia-Pacific
Ortigas Avenue Extension
Taytay, Rizal, Philippines
Around the Region is released each week on Saturday. If you have news to share, please forward to our office by Friday at noon (PHT).
Strategic Partners Ltd
Ortigas Avenue Extension
Kaytikling, Taytay, Rizal, Manila 1920 Philippines
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