"There will be a booth for shade by day from the heat, and for a refuge and a shelter
from the storm and rain." Isaiah 4:6

Volume 9 No. 5
May 21, 2020

• The Latest

Flooding in Central Michigan

Reports are just coming into the OPC Disaster Response office regarding the damage in Midland, Michigan due to the flooding from recently broken dams. We are in contact with Pastor Dave Sarafolean of Christ Covenant OPC in Midland and Doug Vos, Diaconal Committee Chairman of the Presbytery of Michigan and Ontario. Pastor Sarafolean reports severe flooding and already knows of heavy damage to homes of a few members of the church. Assessments are being made as to further damage and any potential needs. The Michigan and Ontario PDC plans to meet to discuss how to proceed. Disaster Response volunteers will be notified once the needs are known and a plan is in place. Please pray for the members of Christ Covenant OPC as well as for opportunities for aid in the name of Christ.

The Quebec Mission Has Made the Tough Decision

The decision has been made. As so many around the world have had to do, the Quebec mission has had to prayerfully take into consideration all of the limitations that now dictate face-to-face gatherings in today's climate and come to a conclusion--there will be no "in-person" English for Kids this year. The Lord has other plans.

Three weeks of "E4K" Bible Camp are held yearly at St-Marc's Reformed Church in Quebec City. These English-immersion camps seek to share the gospel with non-believing, French-speaking families who look for opportunities for their children to learn and practice speaking English. This "light in the darkness" is sure to be missed, not only by the children who would have attended but by the volunteers who lovingly develop friendships with the families they minister to. 

Pastor Westerveld is fiercely committed to the well-prepared outreach to children and has decided to explore the possibility of an online version of the English conversation experience. With some creativity and willing help, they may be able to offer children a few hours of instruction and interaction via the internet. 

Please pray that Pastor Westerveld's new vision would result in fruitful outreach through this unconventional means. Pray also for the volunteers who have gone through the process of making plans and raising funds in anticipation of the fellowship and outreach of this ministry.

OPC Disaster Response CPR Fund

The Committee on Diaconal Ministries' COVID-19 Pandemic Response (CPR) Fund has nearly $20,000 in generous donations to date! With these gifts, the Committee on Diaconal Ministries has already been able to respond to requests for financial assistance. 

In response to their request, a gift was sent to our brothers and sisters in the Africa Evangelical Presbyterian Church (AEPC) in Kenya, a denomination with whom the OPC has fraternal ties, where they have been in coronavirus lockdown since mid-March. 

Much-needed aid also went to our missionaries in Mbale, Uganda to distribute food as hunger seems to be a significant impact on the developing world. Missionary Charles Jackson relays thanks in this note, 

"Blessings from Mbale. Thanks so much for the quick response to our request. I sent out a truck full of posho and beans to the churches in the Mbale presbytery this past Saturday. I appreciate it and at almost every stop the churches told us to communicate their heartfelt thanks to the OPC for sending this for them. It is a kind relief in the middle of a pretty serious lockdown here so thank you very much. Please communicate our thanks to the CDM for helping with food relief here in Mbale. Blessings, Charles"

Please consider a donation to your local deacons or presbytery first before contributing to this fund.

• Snapshots

News From the Short-Term Mission Fields

Some of our other mission fields are still prayerfully and cautiously continuing their preparations, unsure of what the summer will look like and whether restrictions due to COVID-19 will change plans. 

• Japan: There are a few slots still open for the six-week trip! Matt Filbert from RP Missions reports, “We are still in a holding pattern. I have been in contact with the OP Mission and the trip is still proceeding, but we anticipate it will be mid-to-late July through early-to-mid August (that will allow more time for travel restrictions to be eased and helps to ensure that we won't face quarantines on either end.) Please continue to pray that God will grant wisdom to those making the final decision and for patience for the team members as they faithfully give themselves to weekly training in order to serve here as the Lord directs.”
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• Boardwalk Chapel: We're still a GO! It's our 76th year! Training weeks have openings (schedule is tentative), as do the regular staff and weekly visitors. Training weeks include Evangelism Training and Practical Evangelism. Pray for safety and for the staff to be able to minister in the ways that the Lord allows to the people in Wildwood. 
   
• Praise from Uganda: As you'll remember from our previous reports, the Uganda mission has been prayerfully searching for a way to find or develop software for the Uganda clinic. With thanksgiving, Chris Verdick, Administrator, Akisyon a Yesu Presbyterian Clinic, reports,
  "I’ve had a number of responses on the database ad. At the same time, I’ve found several potentially viable options already available or in development. Our accrediting organization, Uganda Protestant Medical Bureau, is encouraging all of its member facilities to get on one of two Uganda-based systems, so we are looking into that as well. It seems like most people in the US are looking for something to do while they are forced to quarantine, which is great, but also unfortunately not the best timing for us as we are quite busy and I haven’t had much time to think about some of these ideas recently. [My plan is to] hit up some of the people who have responded when we’re ready to get back to the project."

Get the print version and bulletin insert.

Sarah Klazinga
Administrative Assistant
Short-Term Missions and Disaster Response
Sarah.klazinga@opc.org