Indigenous Ministries

Indigenous Ministries

Beyond the Map

Christmas Parties in Iraq

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Throughout Iraq in December, many children had a wonderful Christmas because of our amazing teams there and in Colorado Springs, and because of our gracious sponsors here in the US! All this was happening in the middle of the Iraqi revolution…we love and admire our ministry teams who are doing a great job of keeping the kids focused on God, standing together in the storm, and having fun! Below are a sampling of pics from some of these celebrations honoring the birth of Jesus Christ.  You can find videos of these special times on our YouTube channel:  Indigenous Ministries International. 

 

Christmas Parties in Egypt

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Thank you to our Indigenous Ministries family who so generously gave so that the children in Egypt and Iraq in IM’s Child Sponsorship Program might enjoy a special Christmas.  The children look forward to these events all year long and these events bring the families together with staff.  

Christmas is a precious time to share the Gospel; God’s greatest gift of his son, Jesus Christ, to a lost and hurting world. Christmas celebration in the Middle East is a tradition culminating on January 7 for many orthodox, or “background” Christians.  You helped our teams give joy and the gospel to hundreds of families in Iraq and Egypt. Thank you!

Food, music, guests and gifts marked these very special parties and you helped bring it about.  In 2020, we are asking the Lord for more of children to be sponsored in order that we might be the hands and feet of Jesus to their families.  You can visit our website to begin a sponsorship, or use the form on page four.  Sponsorships are $39/month.  

SCHOOL UNIFORMS SIGNAL 1 OF 3 GOOD THINGS!

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“You’re growing so fast…we’ll need to make sure those sleeves are long enough to last all school year!” Those words could be said by any mother anywhere in the world holding school clothes up.  But as this refugee mom said them to her son in a refugee camp on September 27 in Kurdistan, Iraq, three things about her words had very special meaning to me and each of them good. 


First good thing: her son is growing fast…we all know that means he’s been eating!  Nutritious food is there for him; much of which comes from the food bags the Child Sponsorships provide.  Second good thing: he’s back in school!  The third good thing wasn’t discussed, as parents stood in line talking with each other.  But it’s an undercurrent they all feel… for now, the kids are safe.  For children from the Ninevah Plain, these three were impossibilities until recently. 


A very special word of thanks to our child sponsors and many others who gave generously a total of $23,700 to make this year’s Backpack/School Supplies Campaign a huge success!  Open from March to July every year, this fund is the engine helping those kids receive an education. 


All this September, IM staff has been buying backpacks, school supplies and uniforms  (can you imagine the thousands of tops, pants and dresses?) to give to these kids in many areas in and around the Ninevah Plain that ISIS radical soldiers roamed not too long ago. They stole everything from these families but not any more. 


As far as we have come, though, we have a long, long way to go…there are millions of children in need…in fact, the UNHCR states that 6.7 million people in Iraq are in need of humanitarian assistance (see source noted below).  None of us can fold up and go home…the real work is just beginning, and God has us here “for such a time as this.” 


The persecuted Christians of the Ninevah Plain are in the news this month as one of the groups President Trump mentioned on 9/23/19 as he called on the nations of the world to end religious persecution.  


My heart was really torn as I watched some parents and children turned away in tears without uniforms, “what about my son or daughter?”  Because they aren’t sponsored, we are unable to provide these basics for them.  These are the children who are registered in our program but who are as yet unsponsored.  Honestly, this is wrong and we need to help these kids! There is a simple way to change this from bad to good. 


If 56 people sponsor five kids each today and then help out with the expenses of their uniforms, we can take care of everyone in our program this month! 


Will you sponsor refugee children today?


Better than Starbucks: here’s the deal…for the price of 8 Starbucks Venti White Chocolate Mochas ($4.75 in Denver + 4 % tax = $39.52), you can help transform a life and bring love and hope to an entire family.  Our teams are Believers, trained, efficient and accountable. 


For less than $200 a month, ($195), you can sponsor five refugee kids!  Give them love, give them hope, give them Jesus.  Click on the Sponsor a Child on the right hand banner


A HUGE, HUGE word of thanks to our staff for their tireless efforts to take care of these precious children!  We couldn’t do any of this if it weren’t for them. Their sentiment is, “we do it because we love Jesus and we love the children; it is a privilege to serve Jesus and these families this way.”   – Dee A. Cook 


Ephesians 2:10 – لاننا نحن عمله مخلوقين في المسيح يسوع لاعمال صالحة قد سبق الله فاعدها لكي نسلك فيها (.   Translation: For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.


Source:  https://data2.unhcr.org/en/documents/download/67416


Note about the pictures…the blouses look pink stained because of the light, but they weren’t. Every uniform was new and in pristine condition for the kids! 

Two Brothers and Two Soccer Balls on the Ninevah Plain

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Northern Iraq – The ball was the key to his happiness.  As we walked in the room, Aram was dressed in exceptionally fancy boots.  And his hair was newly coiffured.  He and his brother had just been to the barber and their heads reflected exceptional preparation for something special.  Turns out, their aunt was getting married that night, and mother was gone, already deeply engrossed with preparations.   

Jerry and Cathy, our guests this trip from California, sat down on a small couch and Aram looked up at them as they settled. He hoped our visit meant something good would come his way.  His gaze quickly went to the bag Jerry was holding which contained what looked like spectacular, white and black soccer balls.  A second later, at their father’s calling, his brother Yousif, 10, came into the room to greet us.  He was just as prepared for a wedding.  

Impressively, they greeted us one at a time; John, our guest John Davidson, Jerry and Cathy and myself.  But then, no Iraqi boy or girl would think of not greeting someone in their home especially at their father’s request.  The brothers quickly exchanged looks and glanced at the bag.  It was glorious!  There were TWO balls and they could only dream and hope that they might be for them! They nudged each other and giggled as anticipation ran through their bodies.

Patiently they nodded and greeted as the adults’ voices bombinated on.  Go get the water and juice, their father nudged.  They darted into the kitchen, bringing back drinks for us.  How much longer, they wondered?  

Finally, Jerry reached down into the bag and gently announced that the men’s Bible study from their church in Madera, California, was sponsoring them and he and Cathy wanted to give them each a gift.  Squirms.  

Out came the first ball.  Then the second one.  Delighted grins.  Their names were even written on each one!  Next, very patiently and dutifully, they sat and posed for pictures holding their prize so their names would face the cameras.  More tortuous waiting. 

Thankfully, our adult conversations swerved away from the balls and the boys into topics like did the father have a job?  Yes but he worked only a few days a week.  How was life for them now after ISIS had destroyed this town?  While they were glad to be out of the refugee camp, their life resettling in their old town was very difficult. There are no good jobs. A former policeman, after months of no pay, he was discouraged with a much lower paying job and then, only part time.  Was he concerned that ISIS might return?  A shadow crossed his eyes, as he quickly nodded.  There are no guarantees that this won’t happen again. 

The brothers heard this talk all the time, it was boring and always made their parents anxious.  They snapped up this opportunity and in an instant slipped around the corner. I watched as joy filled a room in their home.  Walls that had been burned by ISIS tire fires only months ago, now stood strong and clean again for this family. 

They both looked at their prizes, talked, compared, and then bounced the balls.  In an instant, they were kicking them up in the air with their feet as if they were on the soccer field, balls rarely touching the floor.  They were in complete control and were quite good.  I was mesmerized to see these them enjoying these balls…I am sure there are other balls they use in the neighborhood, but none like these, and they belonged solely to them.  

Later that night, after the sun went down, the patched streets of this former war zone faded into the blackness of night and dazzling wedding lights replaced the hot sun, greeting the guests.  The family wedding was held in a makeshift venue on a dusty corner of town surrounded by fresh white fabric walls and inside the walls were thousands of strung white lights.  Tables with white linens and chairs held the best feast their families could afford.  

These two young refugees had found love in the aftermath of war and now they embraced their lives together.  They danced that night, as the ancient dust of the Nineveh plain swirled around their feet welcoming them, as it has for thousands of years, to their future which they hoped was a better one than what their parents’ lived through. 

Hope is a powerful thing; hope for a new soccer ball, hope for newlyweds, and finally, hope for something to be better after this life ends.  

Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”  John 10:10.  

Prayer Points: As IM’s ministers to refugees in Northern Iraq in communities like this one, pray with us that their hearts would be open to the Truth of what Jesus said and did less than 600 miles away to the southwest.  Religion is abundant here…the Truth of what Jesus said and did isn’t generally included. 

Pray for a thirst for the Word of God, and an understanding of the Word, pray that God would continue to draw both nominal Christians and Muslims to himself.  Pray for our Iraqi teams as they work diligently with these families both in refugee camps and in resettlement areas with aid and the Gospel. Pray for sponsors for waiting refugee children.

“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this; to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” James 1:27

Bible Camp for Egypt Kids Brings Joy

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Last month, the children in our Egypt Sponsorship Program met for a Bible Camp which included a visit from The Big Mouse himself!  

The Theme was “Walk the Talk, Youth!”  Leaders creatively shared several ways the children can live a powerful, healthy and authentic Christ-centered life. 

The 76 children were brought in by bus from different villages; some taking as long as an hour to travel to the event.  You can bet that every boy and girl was excited for this very special time.  Eight IM Egypt Team members were there with them first welcoming them and then the children began singing praise and worship songs.  You should hear them sing!  A special guest speaker, Dr. Amal Nadi, spoke to the kids about boundaries in their lives and how to use these in living a healthy emotional life.  Pastor Medgi and Pastor Emad led the Bible lessons. 

There was a very special guest team of six young people dressed in costumes, the Smile Team, (we work together with a Smile Team in northern Iraq) entertained the children with songs, skits and games.  

The children ate well, played a lot, and swam in a big pool, which made it a very special time!  Each child received small personal gifts to take home. 

The leadership team had this to say, “The time was wonderful and we were touched by the presence of the Lord in spiritual time, fellowship and entertainment.”  

Thank you to each one in the team in Egypt for all the efforts for the children, and for their faithful, continual loving ministry to these children.  Special thanks to our child sponsors who enable us to continue this minister to these precious kids. 

John and Dee and our US team will be there in September to hand out the backpacks and school supplies so many here raised funds for so they will be ready when school begins, the end of September.  Together, the Lord is using us to raise up a group of Egyptian children who know the Lord and are growing in His truth.  

Persecution & The Worst Countries for Christians

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Christian persecution is on the rise worldwide. Some 245 million Christians around the world experiencing a high level of persecution. As this disturbing number settles into your mind, it gets worse; certain countries rise to the “top” with regards to persecution for Christians.  

North Korea, Syria, Nigeria and Iraq are listed as the some of the worst places for Christians according to the International Christian Concern (ICC) and their published “2016 Hall of Shame Report” which identifies 12 countries detrimental to Christians. 

Most of us are familiar with the chilling stories from North Korea; unusually tight state control over any freedom of religion at all; horrific torture methods including former prisoners who have reported having to watch other prisoners being forced to stone each other to death.  Any loyalty and devotion is to go to Kim Jong-un, not God or any other religious deity or beliefs. 

Nigeria’s Christians are being continually pummeled and their numbers dwindling.  You may have seen Rebecca Sharibu, a Nigerian mother whose 14 year old daughter, Leah, was kidnapped by Boko Haram militants, on Fox News.  She brought her story to the US earlier this year pleading with US government to put pressure on the Nigerian government to locate and release her daughter and others like her being held by militants. 

Groups like Save the Persecuted Christians, who claim over 6,000 Christians were killed in Nigeria in the first half of 2018 alone, are speaking out on behalf of the persecuted in many other countries as well. According to the  Washington Times report of July 10, 2019, STPC is also pressuring businesses like international law firm, Squire Patton Boggs, whose clients include influentials within Nigeria and countries like China, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Cameroon and the Palestinian Authority.  They are pressuring SPB to drop these clients who routinely and systematically persecute Christians.  

Syria’s Civil War, which began in 2011, has left hundreds of thousands of casualties in its wake; militant radical Islamic groups like ISIS continue to isolate Christians and seek their deaths. 

ISIS, previous to 2010 was a relatively obscure militant group and not heavily engaged in Syria. In 2016, this former lesser Islamic terrorist group emerged into Syria through the guidance and support of high power international leaders.  The results on Christian and even Shia Muslims has been devastating. 

Many, Christians and Muslims alike have lost their businesses and homes. For those who have been able to escape, many have (and continue to) fled to the relative safety of Kurdistan in Northern Iraq.  Some before 2014 and many afterwards.  Imagine having fled for safety in 2012 or 2013 to Mosul after persecution in Syria only to have ISIS militants storm Christian homes in 2014 – your home – killing your neighbors and possibly family members.  

Iraq is also on the list of worst countries for Christians. In a country of just over 39 million, there are only approximately 225,000 Christians left.  According to a BBC News article of May 23, 2019, the Christian population in Iraq was 1,500,000 in 2003 prior to the US-led invasion which took down the Saddam Hussein government. Many Christians have fled, and now live abroad.  Many others were killed.  Those who are left feel very much abandoned. 

After 1,400 years of persecution, many believe the Christians in Iraq are on the verge of extinction.  ISIS and other militant Islamic groups have recently claimed that the killings of Christians and Yazidis in Mosul actually helped spread Islam.  

The UNHCR (United Nations High Council for Refugees) states that currently there are 4.1 million internally displaced peoples in Iraq who have “significant needs.”   This, in a country with a population of 39 million.  That’s over 10 percent of the population!  In comparison, that would be as if 33 million Americans were displaced and in significant need of food, homes, clothing and medical care; many jobless.  We would be incensed!  But the world seemingly watches quietly as Iraqi Christians stumble through this unparalleled crisis.  

The Rt. Reverend Bashar Warda, the Archbishop of the Chaldean Catholic Church in Erbil, Iraq recently spoke in London.  (refer to the BBC News May 23, 2019 article):

“ ‘Christianity in Iraq,’he said, ‘one of the oldest Churches, if not the oldest Church in the world, is perilously close to extinction. Those of us who remain must be ready to face martyrdom.’

He referred to the current, pressing threat from Islamic State (IS) jihadists as a ‘final, existential struggle’, following the group’s initial assault in 2014 that displaced more than 125,000 Christians from their historic homelands.

‘Our tormentors confiscated our present,’he said, ‘while seeking to wipe out our history and destroy our future. In Iraq there is no redress for those who have lost properties, homes and businesses. Tens of thousands of Christians have nothing to show for their life’s work, for generations of work, in places where their families have lived, maybe, for thousands of years.’ 

He concluded his talk with these chilling words, ‘Friends, we may be facing our end in the land of our ancestors. We acknowledge this. In our end, the entire world faces a moment of truth.

Will a peaceful and innocent people be allowed to be persecuted and eliminated because of their faith? And, for the sake of not wanting to speak the truth to the persecutors, will the world be complicit in our elimination?’ ”

Our Indigenous Ministries’ teams in Iraq work tirelessly as do others in Christian ministry in persecuted countries.  We spend hours weekly on the phone with them, sharing information, pictures and feverishly working to accurately take information about the refugee children who are entered into our Refugee Child Sponsorship Program – our attempt to work within this 4.1 million IDPs and help meet their physical needs as well as share Christ with them.  

It does, at times, feel fruitless and unbelievably overwhelming at times but oddly no one on our teams either in the US or in Iraq voices this.  Instead, we feel privileged to be used of the Lord to minister in this small way to the Church in Iraq, to the Believers, and to those seeking, both nominal Christians and Muslims alike.  

While this article regrettably only touches the tip of the iceberg on this topic of Christian persecution, we pray that it stirs within you the desire to pray and to engage in doing something for our brothers and sisters in Christ. 

One way you can do something is to change the future of a young boy or girl.  Sponsor one or five refugee children through our program today.  We promote this program because its working.  The children and families receive practical aid, care and spiritual food.  God has given us today; and to look away during the worst time in history of Christian persecution is unthinkable.  

Rebecca Sharibu, the grieving from Nigeria, said, “I have brought my cry here…” Her hope is in the Lord and in the Christians in the US.  While we see our own country as post-Christian, billions view our  country as non-Muslim, therefore, Christian. We’re a super-power.  It’s God’s blessing that brought us to where we are.  As a nation with a currency claiming, “In God we Trust,” we appear to do so.  Therefore, in the eyes of the world, are we not under some moral obligation to engage?  True, as a whole, we are not a God-fearing nation; but for those who name the name of Jesus, how can our response be indifferent silence to the slaughter of our brothers and sisters. 

More Muslims have come to faith in Christ in the last 5 years than in the last 15 years, and more Muslims have come to faith in Christ in the last 15 years than in the last 1,400 years.  

Iraqi Christians are saying, “This is our time and our opportunity to stand in the gap and reach these people for Christ as never before in our lifetime.”  This is why we must stand with them to help them reach their people for Christ.  

For the discerning Believer, guilt has long ago been seen as a useless tool on left the side of life’s path. Instead, crystal clear motives, intentional living and the Holy Spirit’s prompting should define which burdens we gladly bear and act upon.  These life and death decisions we make may one day be that of defending our own American brothers and sisters as persecution creeps closer and closer to our shores.  It’s not too late for us to act, and the evil one trembles in fear at this knowledge and possibility.    

To receive a free PDF listing actionable items you or your church can engage in to help persecuted Christians, click here. 
   

Child Sponsorship Ambassadors Bring Critical Support

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“I want to help 100 refugee children find their sponsors and today we helped seven!” These are CSA Shannon Trujillo’s words  as she helped people connect with their child‘s profile in Collbran, CO this weekend.  Each child sponsored means food and help for their family, helping them settle after horrific wars – ISIS (or, ISIL, as some refer to this militant group) in Iraq and the Syrian Civil War conflict. For about 6 hours every 6 months, you can seriously impact the lives of refugee children for eternity!

It’s easy, easy, easy.  We supply everything except the table and your smile!  Call our office today to learn more.  719-302-3028.

Volunteer to Make a Difference in Refugee Kids’ Lives

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For just a few hours’ work, you’ll be amazed at the impact you will make. It’s called the Refugee Child Sponsorship Ambassador (CSA) Program. We have everything you need online and in a kit. You’ll need your church leadership’s approval, a table and two other volunteers to help you. Our teams have been busy helping refugee kids find sponsors in California and Colorado in April and May. Call our office today and help refugee kids hear the Gospel. 

Volunteering Just Got Easier!

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How’d you like to help a bunch of refugee kids?

It’s incredibly easy and free! For just a few hours’ work, you’ll be amazed at the impact you will make. It’s called our Refugee Child Sponsorship Ambassador (CSA) Program. We have everything you need online and in a kit. You’ll need your church leadership’s approval, a table and two other volunteers to help you.

Last month we launched our Refugee Child Sponsorship Ambassador Program at Grace Community Church in Madera, CA and they saw 15 more children sponsored!  Pictured, below, is the team  Star and Dee trained on March 31. Great job, Grace Team!!


L-R, Rod, Dee, Geoff, Caleb, Cathy, Jerry & Nick.
Front , Doreen, Tammy, Star, Pat, Richelle & Robin

Email our office today and we’ll get you started. Watch for Indigenous Ministries’ Child Sponsorship Ambassador training events in your area.  Every day counts for these waiting children.

Keeping Church in Baghdad A Tenacious Pastor Addresses Unusual Challenges in this Post-War, Ancient City

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Baghdad – Last month our US team including three guest pastors, Ken Ford, Mike Lundberg and Jon Campbell spent time in Baghdad meeting with our partnering church, her Pastor Ara, Assistant Pastor Mazin and staff. This church continues to grow with a strategic and impactful ministry to hundreds each month. Her ministry is special; many of her former members are all over the world and some only listen to Christian radio which other ministries in Baghdad are doing an excellent job with because of safety reasons. 

Pastor Ara, Pastor Ken Ford, Pastor Mike Lundberg, Pastor Jon Campbell and CEO John Cook at the magnificent National Museum of Iraq, Baghdad

This is a church of movement, and what makes this body of Christ unique is her sending power. People come and go from this church for many reasons.  But they definitely keep coming and going. 

Since 2003, the exodus of Christians from Iraq has been staggering. Estimates vary, but the Christian population in Iraq in 2003 was anywhere from 900,000 to 1.5 million.  Now with some 300,000 Christians left in Iraq, many are scattered all over the world, including the US. The emotional and psychological scars born by both groups are evident; many overseas are homesick and long to return. Yet for those who cannot emigrate or choose not to leave, the sparsely attended wedding celebrations and funerals are stark reminders that nothing will ever be the same. The separation and loneliness from broken families and missing friends is only a conversation over cup of tea and a distant look away. 

Where does this leave the church? For Pastor Ara, pictured here with John and our US team, the situation is complicated and somewhat of a double-edged sword. Many background Christian refugees who fled to Baghdad (or other areas) escaping violence in their villages at the hands of radical Islamists, attend the church. They are welcomed and attendance grows. These same refugees have significant needs for basics of shelter, food, water and clothing and look to relief organizations and the church for help. The church does what it can to help refugees, builds relationships and as a result, many open their hearts to the Gospel and encounter a new journey of faith. This is wonderful and the testimonies are each very dynamic! The church follows up with discipleship, meaning the very difficulties that hurt them are turned into ministry opportunities and in time, prepare those who will leave for their future assignments from the Lord. Think Acts and how persecution spread the Church. 

This church sends her people equipped: some refugees emigrate out of Iraq, others return to their homes. Still others, unable to return home, continue to look to the church for some measure of help. Pastor Ara and the leadership look for ways to care for the poorest families without jobs (elderly, widows, orphans, the handicapped and those in danger) who have very little resources otherwise. Some manage to find jobs. Many become involved in ministry. 

Meanwhile, life in Baghdad and in this church goes on: young couples are getting married and starting families, children attend school and AWANA, and youth groups are in full swing with pizza parties and Bible studies. Women meet weekly for Bible studies and prayer, and 12 to 14 home groups meet weekly to study the Bible and integrate new Believers into the Body. The mercy ministry to refugees sustains life month after month. The church’s bookstore attracts Christians and Muslims alike, with resources for seekers on who Jesus is, what the Bible says and how to come to faith.  

This is a vibrant and growing Body of Christ whose beauty includes her scars, for she has suffered much with bomb attacks, threats, and a number of this body have been killed. This Pastor and Body of Believers are an example of grace and strength in the fire. To the Iraqi reading this in some area of the world who has had to leave your Iraqi homeland, we love you and pray God’s strength, provision and guidance for you.

Since 2004, Indigenous Ministries’ engagement with this church has revolved around helping with ministering to a war-impacted Christian and Muslim community.  We are proud to partner with Pastor Ara and the team in Baghdad.  In a few months watch for next steps in this partnership which we are praying over and believe the Lord is leading us into together for His glory.Please use and share this article as a way to pray with knowledge for this body of Believers in Iraq and the joys and challenges they face and that we are privileged to engage in with them.

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.  James 1:12