NEWS FROM THE FRONTLINES

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.