Uncategorized Archives - Indigenous Ministries

Refugee Family Starts Life Over for the 2nd Time

Kurdistan – One of our families whose children are in our Refugee Child Sponsorship Program in Iraq shared their story with our visitation team this week.
In 2014, they considered themselves to have a comfortable life in the small town they lived in on the outskirts of Mosul, Iraq. When ISIS, or, ISIL, began intervening in the area, they had took quick action and were able to sell everything they had and flee to Lebanon, where they stayed for several years waiting for permission to emigrate to another country. After repeated attempts, and repeatedly being denied, last year they returned to Iraq with nothing. All their hopes and dreams crushed, the resources they sold near Mosul with the hopes of using this money to start a new life had all been spent on survival. Now back in Kurdistan, they have had to start from nothing one more time. The UNHCR (United Nations High Council for Refugees) reports that in 2018 there were 4.1 million refugees just like this family trying to re-settle. Most have “significant needs” as the UNHCR put it, in this historic time in the Middle East.
They are also hungry for hope, any encouragement and are anxious for good news. And that’s where our teams step in. And that’s where you make a difference. The food that this second time refugee family receives from the Chid Sponsorship Program is a very big help. With the provision of the basic things this food packet provides, their life is a little bit easier, not harder. They wanted to be sure the team shared with Indigenous Ministries how very grateful they are for this assistance.
The family has also been attending church with our ministry team because they find comfort and encouragement not only from the messages, but from other refugees who are also struggling through this re-settling issue. Thank you for your prayers and financial sponsorship of the children in this program. Yes, together, we are making a difference!

Two kids (not from the family in the article) in the program receiving their family’s food packet in June near Mosul. The food they receive (in front of them) is about 40 pounds.

Prayer Points: Pray that the refugee children would study well in school this fall, and that they will have a sense of security and peace. Pray for the marriages of the refugees, for the spiritual journey they are on. Pray for their ears to hear the Scriptures shared. Pray for our pastor and his wife as they lead this church filled with refugees.

Annual Backpack & School Supplies Campaign

By Star Cochran Leave a Comment Mar 26

Last month we announced the launch of this fundraiser to provide backpacks, school supplies, uniform and socks and shoes for all the children in our sponsorship programs in Iraq, Egypt and The Philippines.

The cost is $83.00. Any amount sent in for this project will be cheerfully used for these children. It’s our prayer that many of you will engage and chip in to help these children.

Helping Women Find Their Future & Joy in Christ

By Dee Cook Leave a Comment Jun 15

Ladies – check out these great ways to help women!

Two Yazidi women in Iraq

English classes in Iraq – We’re starting these classes with 100 Yazidi widows in northern Iraq, and $75 provides English classes and counseling for one widow. Thank you for your prayers as our team shares hope in Christ with them!!

Fall 2017 & Winter 2018 Women’s Conferences – We’re gearing up for our annual meetings which build into the lives of leaders who in turn affect the lives of thousands of women. Upcoming meetings will be in The Philippines, Egypt, Iraq and India.

Woman praying in a Mosque in Cairo

Here are four easy ways to get involved and help:

Donate so women can attend – your generous gifts to Beautiful make these vital gatherings possible!
Pray for Dee, the teams and women attending the conferences.
Prepare the craft kits – there are hundreds of craft kits needing to be assembled to bless the women.
Travel and help! There are openings for women who want to travel with Dee to the conferences and bless women’s lives through prayer, teaching and crafts. Call the office for the dates. Cost: $3,850.

Donate on IndigenousMinistries.org, and select Beautiful International Women’s Ministry.

Update – John & Dee Cook from the Middle East

By Dee Cook Leave a Comment Nov 8

Today John and I had the privilege of being back in a special medical clinic in the Middle East. In 2007 we were here just as they were opening it for the first time.

The clinic is a ministry of a local church, and for years the pastor and people ministered “behind the walls.” But last year they said “we have to take the bold step and minister to those outside of these walls.” This is a very resistant Muslim city and there are definite risks to this kind of work yet the Lord continues to use and bless this work.

The clinic opens each day at 3 pm giving free medical care and assistance primarily to Syrian and Iraqi refugees. It was a busy day with lots of women and even more beautiful children.

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The staff volunteers their time and just before it opened today John led the staff in prayer. It was really special to be there as the waiting room filled up. Before the war, they saw up to 200 people per month. Now they see 120-140 each day.

The need is enormous and with limited resources they continue to keep their doors open.

Several years ago Indigenous Ministries shipped a donated ultrasound machine to this clinic which helped many women.

Beautiful International also sent funds earlier this year for the women’s center which is a new expansion of the clinic. We are praying for next steps of standing with them.

Thank you for your partnership which enables partnering with effective national ministries like this one.

Israel May 1-12, 2017

By John Cook Leave a Comment Sep 12

Your Bible will come alive as you tour Israel with Indigenous Ministries for 12 days in 2017! The cost is $4,395. Register at www.IndigenousMinistries.org on the righthand side. Please visit our website for a complete itinerary as well as videos with testimonials from some of our guests last year.

Children’s Home & Director Share #50

By John Cook Leave a Comment Jul 13

Rev. Himmat and Mercy Mohod, Director of the Children’s Home. We thank the Lord for their loving hard work and care for the children.

Our Children’s Home in India and director Rev. Himmat Mohod have both reached the 50 mark. Early this month we called to wish him a happy 50th birthday and coincidentally, the enrollment in the home has also reached 50; we’re so excited! Here’s how we’re helping more orphans with hope and help:

In May’s issue of The Liaison, I wrote that 13 additional children, most of whom are orphans, were coming to the Home, then in late June Dr. Cook was asked to take in 10 more orphaned and needy girls from a nearby sister ministry that sadly has closed its doors due to lack of financial resources. Our team in India and here in the Colorado Springs office prayerfully felt we couldn’t turn the girls away and now with everyone back for school, there is a much busier campus: we’ve gone from 27 to 50 children! We’re trusting the Lord to bring in resources needed to care for these children, first for sponsors for the new children ($35/month) and then for the additional housekeeping items needed.

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Items Needed:

Bunkbeds(15): $120.00 ea.

Mattress (15): $26.00 ea.

Bedding (15): $4.00 ea.

Blankets (20): $5.50 ea.

Towels (20): $1.50 ea.

Dishes (20): $4.50 ea.

Tables (8): $31.00 ea.

Battery & Inverter (1): $272

The total need is $3,000, or, about $130 to get each new child “set up,” which 10 people partnering at $300 each would meet. Gifts of all amounts are appreciated and will be used to ensure each child is well cared for.

Click on the donate button and in the dropdown menu choose “Children’s Home Repair & Housekeeping Items,” and if you’d like to sponsor one of the children kindly choose “Children Sponsorships.” Thank you!

New Board Member, Craig Miller

By John Cook Leave a Comment Jul 16

It’s an honor to introduce Dr. Craig Miller, senior pastor of Grace Baptist Church, Cedarville, Ohio. He and his wife, Kathy, have three grown children and one grandchild. Pastor Craig has a deep heart for the Bride of Christ and the global outreach of Indigenous Ministries. He has visited GBC in India and Grace in Cedarville has stood in partnership with us of GBC for many years. We warmly welcome him and look forward to many fruitful years of ministry together.