A word from CEO John Cook – As the global COVID-19 pandemic crisis continues to ramp up, I have watched our national pastors step up in ways that so impress me. Men who have given their hearts in service to shepherd God’s people are helping them find spiritual and physical shelter in the time of this COVID-19 storm.

Just before the COVID-19 took over Iraq, shuttering business, refugee camps and streets, I was talking with one of our pastors, pictured here with me, who said, “It is not good for a Christian who is not in some way going through testing.” Interesting words from this man, himself a refugee and war veteran. Just a few days later, Dee and I were winding our way home through the Middle East on emergency flights as borders closed behind us.

As we said a tearful goodby at the airport, Fadi, our young ministry staff manager said, “Don’t worry Pastor, go back and share with everyone, that we have this. This is our time to care for the people.” I was so touched. Since that afternoon, our ministry teams have been praying and encouraging those who are overwhelmed with fear, isolation, dread, and uncertainty for what is taking place. Imagine if you as a refugee were leading your family through yet another crisis, how important it would be to have someone, anyone, say “We’re with you! God is with you! You are not alone! We also have some food for your family.”

Our teams are seen in the eyes of the government as “First Responders” because of the massive need for food. As the result of your continued financial support, they’ve been delivering food and the love of Christ. Some Muslims have been so impressed with the confidence they see our staff has in the Lord that they are asking questions wanting to know more about this relationship with Christ.

Each Sunday our pastors and churches are online sharing praise music and messages from the Word and many are hearing the Gospel in the privacy of their own homes. In the midst of all this difficulty and disconnection, the Church is that foundation for isolated people who need the encouragement of the Word of God. I think of that old hymn, “How firm a foundation you saints of the Lord, is laid for your faith in His excellent Word.” It is this confidence in the Lord that is making such a difference in the lives of people!

As our own country begins to open up, I have a renewed sense of the blessings that are coming; deepening friendships and closer marriages. We have the choice to treasure the bonds of relationships we will hold even more dearly.

We may have received orders to shelter in our homes from governments, but God has a special call for us to shelter in His arms, close to his heart and to find the protection and courage we need from him during the storms of life. No matter what challenges you are facing today, my prayer is that you would lean into the Lord and draw from his strength. May the Lord bless you and your family in these days.

I’d like to encourage you from the Word of God in these days of storms:

The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you or forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Deuteronomy 31:8. NIV

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:26-28 NIV

For you are a refuge for me, a strong tower against the enemy. Psalm 61:3 NRSV

We need your help!
Annual Backpack/School Supplies Fundraiser

COVID-19 won’t stop the children from going to school in a few months UNLESS they don’t have the supplies and uniforms they need. You easily can make a difference in a needy child’s life.

Cost for the gift of education: $85/child

(Backpack, school supplies & uniform)

Pastors, this is a great online cause for your congregation, Awana or Sunday School classes to raise money for. Any amount helps. Goal: $70,000; amount raised so far: $3574. 

Donate Backpack Here

COVID-19 has greatly impacted the lives of people in the Middle East, but specifically, how is this pandemic impacting the lives of Coptic Christians in Egypt? For the first time in their 2000 year history, Christian Coptic churches are closed.

Weddings, which, although important world-wide, are celebrated in special ways in Egypt. Generally for a few days people celebrate a wedding with decorations and lights in their homes and in the streets. Thousands come together for the official wedding led only by the priest or pastor in the church; this has been the standard for thousands of years with no deviation allowed. Afterwards, of course, the parties begin with people celebrating the wedding until the early hours of the next day with famous Egyptian food and music.

In March and April 2020, the Egyptian government stopped all weddings for the first time in this country’s history. Now, in May, weddings are allowed again, but only six people can attend the official wedding in the church. The Coptic Church is now allowing for the first time that the weddings can also be in homes. The priest and one deacon can lead the ceremony and again, only six people can attend.

The Coptic Pope (not the same as the Roman Catholic Pope) has also given permission for the people to pray at home. For Egyptian Coptic Christians, this is abnormal because they are used to attending mass every Friday and Sunday to confess their sins to the priest and have communion.

The week of Easter was very difficult for Egyptian Coptic Christians, because they were accustomed to a daily mass beginning with Palm Sunday through to the Resurrection Sunday to celebrate the journey of the Cross. With COVID-19 restrictions in place, there was a great sense of loss to Egyptian Christians.

Now many Evangelical pastors and Christian leaders are having online services. The good side of it is that these services can reach more people even in their homes. Family members are close to each other and growing in faith. Some of the Egyptian Christians have been saying, “We used to have churches but we didn’t have time to go. Now we have time but we can’t go to the churches.”

How is COVID-19 impacting the lives of Muslims, which are over 85% of Egypt’s population? For the first time in their 1400 year history, the mosques are closed and the government has ordered the people to pray at home. Special to note is that during Ramadan, the fasting month (this year in May), millions of Egyptian Muslims have, for centuries, have continued certain practices which this year have stopped including daily prayers all month five times a day in the streets. During this month in other years, families and friends meet at 6 pm for a meal to break the fast of the day (“breakfast”). Snacks, treats and covered dishes are shared throughout neighborhoods in the evenings for a month. Not this year. The four day feast celebrated at the end of Ramadan begins on May 23 or 24 depending on the cycle of the moon. The Egyptian government has put more restrictions in place during this time especially with public transportation to stop gatherings.

In Saudi Arabia, each year two to three million Muslims make the pilgrimage to worship, but not this year. It is not easy for Muslims to change all of their habits so quickly.

To travel into Egypt now is permissible but with a quarantine of 14 days in a hotel or resort (that guests pay for) before going anywhere else. Wearing masks is required at all times in public places, but for many people it is hard to afford buying masks. Many people have lost their jobs and income and cannot find work. COVID-19 numbers are climbing in Egypt and many are fearful. This is a difficult time in Egypt.
So pray that God will open the eyes of people to know Him and accept His salvation. Pray for the families in Egypt, their needs, for the Christians to use this time wisely. Pray for our ministry teams there, who are very busy with ministry (see pictures below). We know that God will use all of this for good. I’d like to share some verses with you to encourage your heart in the Lord. – Reda Khalil, Middle East Coordinator

The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. Psalm 9:9

The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.  Proverbs 18:10

In March, just before COVID-19 shut the IM N. Iraq office down, Dee, Mryana, Lina and Hiba, pictured left, began preparing flannel pictures for the women to use this summer teaching and discipling refugee children in IM’s Sponsor a Child Program. Now the women continue to prepare lessons and materials.  Would you pray with us for a special time of ministry with the children this summer?

SPONSORSHIPS – Would you sponsor a refugee child like Tania, pictured left, in Iraq or a child in Egypt today? We have 158 children waiting for a sponsor!

Most days our office receives 25 or more calls a day asking if IM would take their child into the Sponsor a Child Program because they have no food. The need is enormous and urgent; we are asking for help to get these children sponsored immediately. Would you help?

You can be guaranteed that you will help change the life of a boy or girl with your prayers and financial help of $39 a month. Your child and family will receive regular food – which is significant need right now. To sponsor, go to this link.

A word from CEO John Cook – Food is reaching refugees, but the those most exposed to COVID-19’s health and economic fallout will face unprecedented hardships in months to come. COVID-19 has taken a parade of Who’s Who very much by surprise including presidents, lawmakers and health organizations revealing a staggering level of unpreparedness. As we try to fathom the effects and impact of the COVID-19 virus, only One has not been surprised by this crisis: God is in control even over COVID-19!

Before I share about the ministry, how are you and your family doing? I pray the Lord encourages and strengthens you, that your needs are being met, and you’re leaning closer to the Lord and loved ones.

As difficult as this crisis is, I want you to know that just by your participation with Indigenous Ministries with prayers and financial gifts, you have been making an impact in the lives of thousands of people in places hit very hard by this pandemic. This month we’re sharing updates with you on food reaching refugees in the midst of COVID-19’s fallout, which I believe is just beginning. We are in a race against time.

My heart has been especially concerned for those we minister to who already live in poverty. The weakened, abused and forgotten. God has given us a special ability to be His hands and feet to them. The first question on many of their hearts is, “will you leave us now?” No, we won’t, because we are confident we are right where God has us for His purposes.

What’s particularly tough is that refugees who were just beginning to get on their feet have been knocked down once again as the shattered global economies and shelter in place orders which have brought a the lockdown of laborers has stripped away their daily wages.

Certainly news EVERYWHERE seems most grim. At this point, we simply cannot digest more bad news. We need to know SOMETHING besides COVID-19 is at work. God is at work! His people are too.

So let me share with you GOOD NEWS!! HOPEFUL news that means we together CAN and ARE making a global impact sharing Christ, and assisting people literally on the ragged edge of survival. Because of your giving, because of your CARING HEART, you’re bringing a measure of comfort which is not lost on the families in our program.

Additionally, this month, because of your gifts to our Rapid Response Fund, EVEN MORE families have had food; again, these are the families extremely challenged in this crisis. But with the clock ticking, and families not able to work, the need to get food into the right hands grows by the hour.

Families also received additional soaps and cleaning resources included in distributions which has helped with cleaner hands and homes against COVID-19.

Are you sponsoring a child (or children)? If so, you are on the front lines with our teams helping the vulnerable deal once again with catastrophic events. Because of your faithfulness in sponsoring your child, these families have received food this month.

This has eased the burden of many both those in our “Sponsor a Child” program and one time gifts to families who have been waiting to be sponsored.

US team in the Colorado Springs home office:

We’ve all been working from home, having online meetings and checking into the office weekly. Reda and Samira and family are well – we are waiting on his R-1 visa renewal and ask for your prayers, as these US government offices are closed. Star and her family are keeping busy and healthy. Melanie and her family will have a new baby soon, and she has decided to be a stay at home mom for this season of her life, so this month we say farewell. We will really miss her! Dee and John are well, and keeping busy with tracking family, staying healthy and monitoring overseas teams. They evacuated out of Iraq on Friday, March 13, just hours before all roads closed. God is good. Looking to reach our team? We’d love to receive your email at [email protected] or call the office, 719-302-3028.

EGYPT team:

Although two of our pastors battled upper respiratory illnesses last month, they are better now. Actually John contracted that same illness (whatever it was) while in Egypt in March, recovered from it while he and Dee were in Iraq. The villages IM teams work with in Egypt are still on lockdown. Seems it has prevented a lot of people contracting COVID19, but case numbers are hard to come by. From what our teams know to this point, the children and mothers in the child sponsorship program and in the churches there are well. This month our teams in Egypt were able to give larger amounts of food including additional home cleaning supplies, and a laminated sheet, pictured left, with hand washing tips for health. Great idea, team!

The response has been very heart warming as the mothers shared how much they appreciated the care of the families who sponsor their children. Our teams have been praying with many, and shared that they are seeing people coming to faith in Christ during this challenging and unsettling time.

IRAQ team:

Our Kurdistan teams have been in lockdown since early March when John and Dee were there. The lockdown was lifted for US NGOS (non government organizations like IM) April 18 and the team is back in Indigenous Ministries’ office! That’s a real praise.  We’re so glad everyone is healthy.

 

Pictures on the left: All three of IM’s teams in Iraq were able to hold food distributions for refugees this month, two of which were regularly scheduled; one was because of generous gifts to the Rapid Response Fund. Thank you, donors!Your gifts allowed us to send in $3000 in April for additional food.

The impact you are having in the lives of these children is building a life long memory of God’s love and care. These families are severely impacted and are extremely grateful for the aid. Thank you, IM team Iraq!

The overall refugee situation, however, continues to be grim with lack of money to buy food. John has been asked by our team and gov’t officials in northern Iraq to help Syrian and Iraqi refugees (YouTube: https://youtu.be/glIgQwMeHpM).

With a goal of raising $12,000 in May, donations given to the Rapid Response Fund will go towards this purpose. What sets IM apart: Funds go directly to the need (not through larger organizations) and are fully accounted for. IM operates in cooperation with the Kurdish government as a registered NGO (non-government organization). IM teams are all local and can respond quickly to needs.

Our Baghdad team is also working with refugees who are in great need in the south. They have also held a food distribution this month. Maryam reports that the children are calling her saying they really miss the children’s meetings and asking when they can start coming to church again.

 

 

PHILIPPINES team:

Resty and Mel Enguerra returned to the US several months ago in a permanent move home. They will travel back and forth to manage the work there, as much of the work is being handled by the team there. We’re thankful for God’s timing!

The children were all sent home and the school is closed. Philippines, as India, is on a particularly strict lockdown. Read their newsletter at indigenousministries.org.

INDIA team:

As the warnings over COVID-19 started to go out over the Indian countryside in March, Prime Minister Modi announced that a travel lockdown was being considered along with the decision to close all schools and colleges. With two weeks’ preparation time, the 1st and 2nd year GBC students were immediately sent home. The third year students stayed on campus to complete their exams.

When the travel ban was put into place on March 25, within three hours all mass transportation and businesses screeched to a massive halt causing an absolute national panic. Millions of people were stranded along with our GBC third year students. Fast forward a few weeks, and Principal Pramod reports the students and staff are doing well sheltering, or rather, sweltering in place; it’s hot in India!

The ministry has been on standby as GBC as a possible quarantine ward if the pandemic deepens, also a possible refugee center for those stranded by the lockdown. One of our teachers has been stranded in his travel and sheltered in a ministry that is helping feed needy people. Pray for GBC staff as school is scheduled to re-open the first week of July.

Iraq – On March 12, Dee and I found ourselves in an emergency evacuation situation having to leave Iraq. We didn’t want to leave at that time, but felt it prudent, as President Trump announced the closure of European borders. We purchased new tickets and flew through Dubai/JFK/DIA. Twelve hours later, the local government closed all roads and soon after, the airport, making God’s timing obvious. We’re both well by God’s grace. Thanks for your prayers. – John & Dee

The Iraq teams are well. The government(s) are in full lockdown (Iraq Federal and Kurdistan) with churches, schools, businesses and refuge camps closed. N. Iraq began early March. Reported cases of COVID19 are low, although not all refugees have been able to check in. There are heavy fines for driving in areas of Iraq in an effort to keep COVID19’s influx from Iran at bay. The stories of needs from the refugees are heartbreaking and we will share them in a different update.

Baghdad – From Pastor Ara: Praise the Lord, we’re doing well, and all the congregation of the church are safe. In fact we canceled all the events that we had since 4 weeks ago, and stopped also the Sunday worship services since last week.
Actually, it is not easy to stop Sunday worship meetings in such a context, and we worry that maybe we will cancel the services of the Holy Week and Easter. We arranged to distribute the food bags (to refugee families in the child sponsorship program) next week, but we expect that the government will extend the lockdown (For a special blessing, be sure to read his full interview here).

Philippines – Resty reports that the PI is also in full lockdown with fines for movement on roads. The children in the child sponsorship program are home and the school is closed. It’s difficult to say whether there are COVID19 cases because tests are not readily available. Again, economically, the toll is especially heavy for the poorest.

Egypt – The churches and schools are closed and the government has taken precautions to prevent the spread of the virus. With little/no testing available, it’s difficult to say how many have been infected, but the government claims numbers are low. Pastor Emad’s mother in law passed away from a heart attack earlier this month, and the family asked for special prayers during this time of their loss. John was there in early March with the team and they filmed this video:

Click here for a very special video field update from John Cook and part of the Egypt team on the IM Child Sponsorship Program.

India – Days before the Indian Gov’t completely shut, Principal Pramod felt led to send the first and second year students home. Good thing he did because the massive railway (with 12,617 trains transporting over 23 million passengers daily), among other transportation systems and businesses, has also been suspended. The third year students are completing their final exams and helping around campus. He reports that all are well and thanks everyone for the prayers and encouragement.

Colorado Springs office – The state of Colorado went into full lockdown on March 27, but our staff began working from home two weeks prior and check in at the office regularly (mail and deposits). Melanie and Star have small children and Melanie is pregnant, so we are being extra careful. Reda, Samira and family are doing well, as are John and Dee.

If you have questions about your donations, you can email Star at: [email protected], or call our office at 719-302-3028. To sponsor a child, GBC student or national pastor, pls visit our website.
James reminds us in Jas 1:27 that “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.”

Thank you for your continued prayers and financial gifts which enable us to continue to minister effectively with nationals sharing the Hope of the gospel of Jesus Christ to the lost.

We don’t need to be overcome by this crisis, rather, draw on the Lord’s strength and we can petition through prayers for those suffering from COVID19, the healthcare workers, our family and friends, and our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world!

Iraq – As the Coronavirus grips many with fear, this week I met with 18 Syrian men, within our church in northern Iraq. They left their country because of the violence and have come to Iraq as a staging ground as refugees in hope for immigration to Australia. Some have their children in our program.

Daily, these men wrestle with the issues of being a refugee in a country that is not their own, trapped in the middle of a conflict that they did not create, walking a path they did not expect. The ground seems to have been leveled globally with uncertainty, but this time it’s an unseen virus bringing many to a sense of panic.

One of the men from Damascus, a chemical engineer, shared how he fled to Homs for safety but when he and his family arrived in this city, found it to have been destroyed. Can you imagine how incredibly difficult this is for them? They are not guaranteed immigration, yet they wait, and in hope they look to the future. I reminded the men that Jesus said, “I will never leave you, never will I forsake you,” and I shared from Heb. 4:14-16. But as I looked into each man’s eyes I asked myself the question, what about today?

 

…we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses,
but One who has been tested in every as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:14-16 Holman

Years ago during a very difficult time in our ministry, one of the men of the church I was pastoring came behind me put his hand upon my shoulder. A big smile came across his face as he asked, “Pastor John, how are you doing?” Those words he shared with me and the memory of his hand on my shoulder resonate with me years later. It made a difference that someone cared.

Worldwide, millions are genuinely terrified of the Coronavirus; medical professionals continue to reassure that much information online is inaccurate. Yet what is accurate, according to the WHO, is what another killer does each year: cardiovascular heart disease claimed 17.9 million lives in 2016, making it the #1 cause of death worldwide. Cancer, terrorism and car accidents also claim millions each year. But this virus is crippling many with fear. Why? because we can’t control or stop it.

Rational or irrational fears? Depends who you talk with. Our response to the Coronavirus, however, has the potential to make us more compassionate to refugees whose fears are rational. But our compassion in potential is only existent in reality through actions.

I reminded the Syrian men of our Father’s care, and that many people are praying for them. Their response? Anger? Fear? Resentment? All refugees struggle with their thoughts in these areas, but these men have worked to keep a focus on God. They also have a deep gratefulness and humility to the Lord for bringing them this far.

IM assists refugee families in Iraq through our Rapid Response Fund. Children and their families in the Child Sponsorship Program receive regular food and assistance.

– John Cook, CEO

Annual Backpack/School Supplies Fundraiser kicks off as John & Dee meet with refugee kids in Iraq!

We’ve been in Iraq enjoying meeting with some of the refugee kids in our Child Sponsorship Program. Look for updates on FB and indigenousministries.org and new videos on Indigenous Ministries International YouTube channel.

This year Indigenous Ministries is helping many children in the Middle East and the Philippines go to school with the supplies and uniforms they need through the Backpack/School Supplies Fundraiser. Donate to this worthy cause on our website.