 |
|
*** 25-May Update: Fighting Breaks Out in Southern Philippines City – Please Pray!
Thousands are fleeing the fighting in Marawi City, Central Philippines. (Photo credit: Ted Aljibe/AFP/Getty Images)
Marawi City, Southern Philippines: On Tuesday, May 23rd, fighting broke out in the Southern Philippines city of Marawi. It has been reported that thousands of Filipinos are fleeing their homes amid reports of public buildings being burned and many injuries and fatalities.
Please be in prayer for those who have been impacted by this fighting and that there would be peaceful resolution.
More details will be forthcoming with regard to any impact on local Nazarene churches.
Updated details related to the nature of the fighting can be obtained through various news agencies by searching for “Philippine News Marawi City” through your preferred search engine.
25-May-2016 Update:
Philippine- Micronesia Field Strategy Coordinator (FSC) Stephen Gualberto confirmed that while we do not have Nazarene churches in Marawi, we have 2 churches in Iligan City, more or less 35 kilometers away from Marawi.
Leody Echavez III, Philippine-Micronesia Field Coordinator for Anti-Human Trafficking, thanks everyone for the prayers. Their local church in Iligan are assessing the condition of the evacuation centers in their area to check for immediate needs. He will give us updates from time to time.
Please continue to pray for peace and safety.
***UPDATE- Prayers for Team Member in Mango Tree Centre!Kingdom of Tonga: We received an urgent prayer request from Mango Tree Respite Center administrator, In-Kwon Kim:
“Please pray for Luva, an Occupational Therapist, who works with Mango Tree Centre.”
A doctor discovered a fibroid, and the CT scan revealed that Luva will need to undergo surgery. Her surgery is scheduled on May 17 (Wednesday.)
Please pray for the success of Luva’s surgery and for her smooth recovery.
*** 19-May 2017 Update:
We were informed by In-Kwon Kim that the surgery of Luva went well and she is now recovering.
Please continue to pray for her continuous recovery, and that she could go back home from the hospital soon.
Your prayers are truly appreciated!
|
|
| |
| Thousands are fleeing the fighting in Marawi, City Central Philippines. (Photo credit: Ted Aljibe/AFP/Getty Images) | |
Marawi City, Southern Philippines: On Tuesday, May 23rd, fighting broke out in the Southern Philippines city of Marawi. It has been reported that thousands of Filipinos are fleeing their homes amid reports of public buildings being burned and many injuries and fatalities.
Please be in prayer for those who have been impacted by this fighting and that there would be peaceful resolution.
Leaders from the Philippine-Micronesia Field gave us an update on local Nazarene churches.
|
|
|
Taytay, Philippines: On Thursday, May 25th, a major storm rolled through the area of the Asia-Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary.
The storm resulted in a lightning strike on the campus that led to significant disruption to the networks on campus.
Major Network Disruption After Lightning Strike at Asia-Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary.
 APNTS, Manila: The season for rain and storms has started in the Philippines, evidenced by a tremendous storm that rolled through the area surrounding the Asia-Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary this past Thursday, May 25th, resulting in a lightning strike and associated major power surge. For those of you who know the campus, after speaking with numerous witnesses, it is believed that the strike came between the NCEE building and Nazareth Hall.
Asia-Pacific Resource Center Information Technology Supervisor, Sean Tinio, indicated that multiple systems were initially affected, including the Voice Over Internet campus-wide phone system and Wifi and internet access across the campus. The team has been working diligently to identify the failed components throughout the campus and take appropriate measures to bring systems back online.
Please pray for the team and for the necessary resources. In addition to the Seminary, the campus is also home to the Philippine Micronesia Field Office, World Mission Communications Center, Nazarene Compassionate Ministries Manila, and the Asia-Pacific Resource Center.
While budgets are maintained for covering ongoing equipment repairs and replacement, a catastrophic event such as this stretches the limits. The report as of Friday is that several system switches and other components need to be replaced. If you could help financially – it would be so greatly appreciated. A approved 10% Missions Special for the APNTS IT Systems can be found by following this link.
|
|
Papua New Guinea: For the last 50 years, Kudjip Nazarene Hospital has been serving the Highlands of Papua New Guinea, including the people in Jiwaka Province.
This ministry has become even more blessed as the Jiwaka government has officially declared the Kudjip Nazarene Hospital as the Nazarene General Hospital, the provincial hospital in the area!
It was a great achievement for Nazarene General Hospital and Church of the Nazarene in the Highlands!
Kudjip Nazarene Hospital is Declared by the PNG Government as the Nazarene General Hospital, the Provincial Hospital for Jiwaka Province!
Papua New Guinea: For the last 50 years, Kudjip Nazarene Hospital has been serving the Highlands of Papua New Guinea, including the people in Jiwaka Province. This ministry has become even more blessed as Jiwaka government declared them as the Nazarene General Hospital, the provincial hospital in the area!
It was a great achievement for Nazarene General Hospital and Church of the Nazarene in the Highlands! It was an historic moment as the government of Papua New Guinea issued and signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to partner with a church health service. The signing took place at the Provincial Headquarters office between the National Department of Health, Jiwaka Provincial Government, and Nazarene General Hospital, with the presence of Nazarene District Superintendent Rev. Peter Degene as one of the witnesses.
The MOA declared Nazarene General Hospital- Jiwaka to be listed as the provincial hospital, rather than just a health centre or district hospital, as it has been in the past. Nazarene Health Ministries hopes that this improved partnership will open up new opportunities for further ministry, and to particularly increase training for Papua New Guinean doctors.
Provincial Administrator Mr. Wandil made a public statement that Nazarene General Hospital will continue to run its operations as an independent institution, adhering to its own Church constitution and administrative policies. No political or public entity will interfere with its management, policies, and ministries.
Thousands of people, including the hospital staff, turned up to witness the signing and praised God for this great achievement in christian health service in Papua New Guinea. Nazarene General Hospital Administrator, Dr. Scott Dooley, praised God and thanked the Government for recognizing what the church is doing through health ministries and services in the Highlands. He also expressed his gratitude and appreciation to all the nurses, doctors, and support staff from the hospital for their commitment, dedication, and hearts to serve in this ministry. He also thanked the Kuma and Sekeng tribes surrounding the station for taking good care of the properties over the many years of operations.
Let us continue to pray for Nazarene Health Ministries in Papua New Guinea. May it continue to flourish by touching more lives through their passion to serve God.
|
|
Myanmar: The Myanmar district celebrated an important milestone as they successfully hosted their first pastors and spouses retreat from May 15-18, 2017.
The event was held at the Methodist Church, Upper Myanmar in Pynn Oo Lwin, which is 2 hours away from Mandalay. 46 participants came from the Tahan, Karen, Mon, and Yangon areas.
It was indeed a Spirit-filled event! May the Lord continue to bless the district of Myanmar as they continue to make Christlike disciples!
Myanmar Hosts 1st Retreat for Pastors and their Spouses
 Myanmar: The Myanmar district celebrated an important milestone as they successfully hosted their first pastors and spouses retreat from May 15-18, 2017.
The event was held at the Methodist Church, Upper Myanmar in Pynn Oo Lwin, which is 2 hours away from Mandalay. 46 participants came from Tahan, Karen, Mon, and the Yangon areas. There was a real spirit of joy as participants came together as a family of God.
The retreat had the privilege of having for their main speaker Dr. Min Gyoo Shin, senior pastor of Sangamdong Church of the Nazarene in South Korea. He shared the history of the church planting movement in the early Korean church, and urged pastors to continue discipling people and planting churches in Myanmar. On the second day, he shared his 17 years of ministry experience in Sangamdong church. It was an encouraging time to hear his insight and to learn from his experiences!
On the last night of the retreat, Myanmar District Superintendent (DS) Dr. Bill Kwon, preached about the 5 stones in David’s hand from 1 Sam 17:45-51. He challenged Myanmar pastors to hold the stones in their ministry and put them into practice daily.
The event was the first pastors and spouses retreat in the 33 years of district history. Because of its success, the Myanmar district has committed to hosting more pastors and spouses retreats in the years to come. The participants also promised to invite more pastors (with their spouses) next year, with the goal of bringing 200 pastors by the year 2020. [Submitted by: Dr. Bill Kwon]
|
|
|
Vault noun \ˈvȯlt\ - a room or compartment for the safekeeping of valuables.
Whereas a 'safe' connotes something smaller than a vault, and may be movable, a vault is generally built in-place and would be torn down rather than moved.
For this month's Member Care Article, Regional Coordinator Cindy Schmelzenbach tackles "V" of B-R-A-V-I-N-G. Find out how it relates to trust, and what we can do about it!
BRAVING Trust… V is for Vault
 B is for Boundaries.
R is for Reliable.
A is for Accountable
This is # 4 in a seven part series we’re working through on TRUST. We’ve been taking a look at sociologist and thought leader, Dr. Brene Brown’s acronym, B-R-A-V-I-N-G in her teaching on the Anatomy of Trust:
Because Trust is Braving Relationships.
We’ve talked about how Trust is vital for all of our Member Care Priorities: Trauma Awareness, Resilience, Fulfillment, Engagement, and Family relationships.
When working to build trust in relationships, or repair a relationship where trust has been broken, we can go through this acronym like an inventory, identify the broken places, and bring intentional and effective healing.
V is for Vault
What is it?
Vault noun \ˈvȯlt\
- A room or compartment for the safekeeping of valuables.
- Whereas a ‘safe’ connotes something smaller than a vault, and may be movable, a vault is generally built in-place and would be torn down rather than moved.
“Vault” is the term Brene Brown uses for a picture of confidentiality, which is an essential component of Trust. According to the definitions here, I think it works. A place of safekeeping for the valuable stories that are shared with us… a built-in place of shared honor that would be torn down, rather than moved.
What does it have to do with trust
In order for trust to be built, someone has to take a risk. That risk is either honored and a brick of trust is laid into the foundation of trust.
Or…
Ah.. the heartbreak of the “or”….
… the risk is proven to have been miscalculated, and the foundation of trust is damaged.
One of the greatest ways a person demonstrates their desire to build trust into a relationship is by taking that risk… by sharing his or her sacred stories. These are the treasures that are tentatively offered, at risk… stories of celebration, stories of pain, stories of history, stories that make us vulnerable in our authenticity. When our stories are honored, we are honored. When our stories are held in confidence — not because they are secret, but because they are ours; our stories to tell to whom we wish, the way we wish and when we wish — when our stories are honored this way, we are honored.. and we will trust the one who has honored us this way.
The flip side of this is when someone shares with us a story that confidentially only belongs to another person. In that moment, we are witnessing the betrayal of someone’s trust. And whether we realize it or not, no matter how intriguing the story may be, we lose trust in the person who is talking. Why would they not also share with someone else a story about me?
What can we do about it?
We can be honest.
- Honest about admitting that we feel important when we hear, or share something confidential.
- How likely are we to back away from a situation where someone else’s story is being shared inappropriately?
- How tempted am I to share someone else’s story because it might make me look good.
- Honest about how we can just be careless sometimes.
- What would it take for me to stop and check before I tell a story about someone else?
- How does our culture break down boundaries about sharing stories that shouldn’t be shared?
- Honest about how we compromise confidentiality under the cover of ‘shared concern’.
- How much information really needs to be shared when we are partnering in prayer for someone else?
- How willing are we to hold in a ‘vault’ the personal stories we hear and allow them to be told only by the people that own them?
- Honest about the real limits of confidentiality.
- How well do we know and understand what the limits of the law are in regard to confidentiality? What about organizational confidentiality guidelines?
- What kind of confidentiality can we really offer in ministry settings?
- What can we do to make sure we don’t compromise the trust placed in us when we bear witness to those sacred stories that others share with us?
- Honest about letting people know what they can expect regarding confidentiality in organizations or ministry roles. Most Member Care and Ministry Organizations agree that the most important thing about confidentiality is letting people know what they can and cannot expect.
- How do our professional roles impact what we can keep confidential?
- What might be the value in crafting a personal statement regarding confidentiality limits in regard to our ministry role?
- How might we let people know what these boundaries are?
- Honest about holding things in confidence whether they were shared as confidential or not.
- Can we take time to ask ourselves, “what is the value of my sharing this story here and now?”
- Would the person I’m talking about be pleased that I am sharing his or her story?
- Who looks good in this story? Who looks bad?
- What are the implications of my sharing specifics such as names and personal details, etc. Or might my illustration be just as effective if I share only the principles and leave out the personal details?
Proverbs 11:13
A gadabout gossip can’t be trusted with a secret,
but someone of integrity won’t violate a confidence. (The Message) [Submitted by: Cindy Schmelzenbach]
|
|
Global Ministry Center: God has worked powerfully through the recent Easter Offering for the World Evangelism Fund. Nazarenes everywhere have sacrificially given of their time, talents, and funds to make Christlike disciples in the nations. These gifts are now blessing people in 162 world areas.
This offering has once more shown us that when we pray, give, and serve together, God uses our humble offerings to turn hearts toward Christ. Your passion for sharing the gospel is evident. More than US$1.2 million has already been received to bring the gospel and compassionate help worldwide. Through the opportunities these gifts provide, the Word will be preached, heard, and believed.
Thank you for your faithfulness to the Lord of All.
With gratitude,
The Board of General Superintendents
|
|
Malaysia: Dynamic Language Centre is accepting applications for full-time language teachers in their English language center in Penang, Malaysia.
The newly renovated center has been in operation for over 15 years. While they teach many languages, children's and adult English are their main focus.
If you are an experienced children's teacher, enjoy a wide mix of cultures from Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa, and are looking for a rewarding career- we have an opportunity for you!
|
|
Here are the stories featured in the latest WMC News:
Church Builds School
Blessed to Bless
Serving the Needy
Photos linked to Youtube / Descriptions linked to Vimeo for easy download!
WMC News 134: Iglesia Construye Escuela, Bendecidos para Bendecir, Sirviendo al Necesitado
Thanks so much for watching our news videos! Your feedback is greatly appreciated!
|
|
Links You Might Like! (More coming weekly)
Articles
Selected Nazarene Resources
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
No comments:
Post a Comment