Vol. 9: No. 1
January 15, 2020

Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread

The New Year has come with the joy of looking ahead to a fresh start and new opportunities, but also with the sad realities of this lost world.
     Just halfway into January, we are faced with more destruction for Puerto Rico. The already taxed and delicate infrastructure of Puerto Rico is faced with more power outages, damage and interrupted communication. (See our updates below.)
     As we keep an eye on what the physical needs of the three OP Churches may be, please consider prayer as our first response. Thoughts of daily bread come to mind as we reflect on the basic needs, both spiritual and physical. Pray in earnest for Puerto Rico as they fear aftershocks and more damage, and that we might know how to best aid them.

Earthquakes in Puerto Rico

Please be in prayer for the saints in Puerto Rico. This island has suffered a series of significant earthquakes in the past week, culminating with a 6.4 on January 7. According to news sources, Puerto Rico has been experiencing tremors since December 28, 2019, and many are afraid to go inside a structure and are sleeping outdoors.

The following are some recent messages from our churches in Puerto Rico:

Jonathan Layana, Ruling Elder in Arroyo, PR reports on January 7:

Dear Brothers and Sisters, 
We have had several earthquakes in these past couple of days. Today we had two (6.6 and 6). Please pray for us all in PR as we deal with the aftermath of the last earthquakes and try to keep calm.
     We heard in the news that the south side of the island should be expecting more aftershocks similar or stronger than the previous for a few days. As you can imagine, there is no power. The systems are too weak and the biggest power plants are the ones more affected by the aftershocks we are experiencing.
     For the grace of God we, the Church Arroyo, are well, just a little shaken up. Thank you in advance, as we are confident we will be in your prayers. 

Love in Christ 
Jonathan and Sabrina

Faith OPC, Elmer, NJ Pastor, Dick Ellis reports on January 7:

I’ve been in contact with Bradney Lopez this morning and have learned that he and his family are safe. Their home and Arroyo itself do not appear to be physically affected by the earthquake or by any resultant tsunami off the southern coast. While they are still without power, the Internet just came back on.
     He had been in touch with Carlos minutes after the quake; their call was was cut off. He does not know about San Sebastian; he reports that the epicenter was near there.
     Remember to pray for our dear friends there who have endured much, but whose spirits remain undaunted.

From Sabrina Layana in Arroyo, Puerto Rico on January 10:

Dear Brothers and Sisters:
God bless you all. We are well! For now, the Church of Arroyo has power and water, though we expect blackouts. The island is only working mostly on one power plant. The North and the Southeast of the island hardly feels what the people from the Southwest are feeling. The seismic activity is nonstop! For now, the magnitudes range in between 2 and 4.6 MANY times a day. In our home we have an earthquake detector and when they have had earthquakes of 3+ it detects it. It makes me skip few heart beats when we hear the alarm. Can you imagine how does it feel to have the earth constantly shaking under your feet?! Houses, buildings, schools get weaker each time (if not already destroyed) and people are scared to be under roofs. They prefer to camp outside, and they don't have water or power (Much of the island doesn't) Please pray for the whole island! For those in the Southwest can rest and find refuge in the Lord and that the Lord would give the rest of us the wanting and the doing and be courageous to help our fellow Puerto Ricans in this time of need.

In Christ love,
Sabrina

Have you seen the Disaster Response video? 

The Disaster Response office created this video in order to capture the essence of the amazing opportunities for service and witness. As you watch, consider placing yourself on our list of volunteers, so that when the time comes, you can stand ready to come to another's aid. After watching, if you have any questions, please contact the OPC's Disaster Response Coordinator, David Nakhla. You might also ask the leadership at your church to consider showing it to your congregation!

Current OPC Short-Term
Missions Opportunities

UGANDA

• Missionary Associate:  Nanny--Immediate Need!

The Uganda mission has an immediate opening for a missionary associate to aid Mr. and Mrs. Mark and Carla Van Essendelft with the care of the Van Essendelft’s nine children. The MA would be expected to help with the day-to-day activities of the family with love and discipline. Some common needs are caring for the sick, educational play with little ones, cooking, cleaning, babysitting, etc.. Uganda is a beautiful place but has its challenges, so someone with foreign missions experience is highly recommended. This MA position is an immediate need and would run until at least July of 2020. The applicant must be at least 21 years old.

Contact Carla Van Essendelft: carlavanessendelft@yahoo.com

• Missionary Associates:  Book Room, Childcare, Maintenance Workers

In addition to the need for a nanny for the Van Essendelfts, the Uganda Mission has openings for Missionary Associates to serve in the following capacities in Mbale and Karamoja:

• Working in the Reformation Book Room in Mbale
• Provide childcare and homeschooling for missionary kids in Karamoja
• Participating in skilled maintenance work

Learn More about the OP Uganda Mission (OPUM):

• OPUM Website
• Video about OPUM

Contact Douglas Clawson: douglas.clawson@opc.org

• Team Uganda Summer 2020--NEW!

Karamoja, the northeastern region of Uganda, is a very needy region where locals work hard to live on little. The OPC has been laboring there since 2000, seeking to bring to Karamoja the love of Christ in both Word and deed.  The OP Uganda Mission invites a select team to come live and work with them for a month this summer.

The Uganda 2020 Team will serve in Uganda for four weeks. This five-person team (including one leader) will be helping the mission with Vacation Bible School, focusing on both missionary children and outreach to the children of the villages around them.  The team will also have the opportunity to carry out some light maintenance on and around the property. There is always something that needs to be fixed! It is truly a ministry to the missionaries to have these facilities and to maintain them in working condition to free them for other labors.

This opportunity is for those who are 19 years and older with some foreign missions experience. The team will serve for a short time in Mbale, but spend the majority of their time in Karamoja. You will need to raise your own support for this trip.

Applications will be accepted until March 15, 2020.

Contact Short-Term Missions Coordinator, David Nakhla:  david.nakhla@opc.org

• Year-Round Needs in Uganda--Come On Your Schedule

There are many different ways to serve on a short-term basis with the OP Uganda Mission year-round! 

• Farm projects
• Pre-primary education program – Karamoja Education Outreach (KEO) 
• Village evangelism
• Construction and repair projects
• Administration
• Helping out in the homes of missionaries

Contact volunteer coordinator, Chloe Verdick: chloeverdick@gmail.com.

URUGUAY

• Missionary Associates Needed

The OP Uruguay Mission in Montevideo, Uruguay, is seeking Missionary Associates to assist with outreach, evangelism, and music in the worship service. Applicants must possess at least a "Limited Working Proficiency" in Spanish. Length of Term: 3 months or longer. 

Contact Rev. Douglas Clawson: douglas.clawson@opc.org

ASIA

• Missionary Associates Needed

Associates needed to serve as full-time instructors of interactive English conversation at a university near our missionaries in Asia. This is an exciting opportunity to invest in the lives of students who are uniquely positioned to impact this region of the world!

Current Openings:
Begin September 2020
Deadline to Apply: May 31, 2020

Basic Requirements:

• Age range: two-years post-graduation to 64 years of age
• At least a Bachelor’s degree from a liberal arts or science discipline
• Two years of teaching experience
• Able to make a commitment of 1 to 2 years
• Willing to accept a teaching contract at the university
• Able to raise one’s own support/living expenses
• Native/near-native English speaker

• Team "English House" in Asia --July 2020

“English House” is an opportunity to teach English Conversation in a university classroom and live in a university student residence in Asia for the month of July this summer! You will be part of a team that often consists of volunteers from around the world. This is a great way to invest in the lives of students who are uniquely positioned to impact this region of the world!

For either of these opportunities in Asia, contact Rev. Douglas Clawson: douglas.clawson@opc.org

QUEBEC

• Summer 2020: "English for Kids" Bible Camp in Quebec City

Three weeks of "English for Kids" Bible Camp are held at St-Marc's Reformed Church in Quebec City, and directed by OP Missionary Ben Westerveld who serves there as Pastor.

These English-immersion camps seek to share the gospel with non-believing, French-speaking families who seek opportunities for their children to learn and practice speaking English.

Quebec City Camp Teams:
We will be needing one or two more teams for the "English for Kids" camps this coming summer. The teams can likely choose between the following weeks:

• June 29-July 3
• July 6-10
• July 13-17

• Year-Round Opportunity to Evangelize in Quebec City

Join in a "Cafe Anglais" (English Cafe), reaching out to French-speaking citizens in the parks and malls of Quebec City!

For either of these opportunities in Quebec, contact Pastor Ben Westerveld: westerveld.2@opc.org

CZECH REPUBLIC

• "English Camp" in the Czech Republic--Spots Still Available!

The entire experience is advertised to families as an English Camp run by Christians. Families are invited to a hotel/resort for one week to attend classes, go on day trips, enjoy sporting activities, and put on skits and talent shows (of which they are particularly fond). Some people respond because they are Christians desirous of fellowship in a land where there are few Christians, but most are just anxious to learn the English language, and so come with little or no interest in the Word of God. The Czechs are familiar with summer camps, but the concept of a camp where the entire family can participate and enjoy a week together is rare, which makes our format all the more appealing. There are still spots available for this year's English Camp July 8-20, 2020! Interested? Please contact Sherry soon!

Contact Sherry Wagner: sherrylwagner@me.com

WILDWOOD, NJ

• Boardwalk Chapel

We are truly grateful for the ministry teams (aka, church groups) that have come to the Chapel over the years to assist our staff in the Lord’s work! 

Open Weeks for Summer 2020

• May Weekends for Work and Prep
• Training Week One: June 1-5
• Training Week Two: June 8-12
• Training Week Three: June 15-19
• [All program weeks are full!]
• Training Week Ten: August 22-29
• Training Week Eleven: August 29-Sept 5

Contact us today with any questions or comments and to tentatively make a reservation to Director, Rev. Jim Zozzaro Phone: 609-522-8489
Email: boardwalkchapel@gmail.com

KEY WEST, FL

• Evangelism Training in Key West, Florida

Where Should You Serve?

Interesting in serving, but not sure where? Go to our website and check out all of our current opportunities in more detail.

Churches Helping Other Churches

OP churches are challenged to consider creating a short-term missions opportunity!

Is there a local outreach event (such as a VBS), community service project, church ministry program, or facility improvement scheme, that you could take on if you had the help of a team from another church or presbytery?

We are told to use our gifts in serving one another (1 Peter 4:10). If you request a team to help out at your church, you will be creating an opportunity for those who desire to give of their time and gifts in short-term service.

When churches make their needs known, and individuals or groups from other churches respond to the call, the collaboration results in thanksgiving for an accomplishment enjoyed by both the team participants and the recipients of the help!

​For more information, contact David Nakhla: david.nakhla@opc.org.

The Boardwalk Chapel Band Finishes Up Its 2020 Tour

photo by Joshua Rodriguez, member, New Hope OPC, Bridgeton, NJ

Seth Jernigan and Emily Learn, the organizers of The Boardwalk Chapel Band Tour, comment on their recently completed tour:

 "The Boardwalk Chapel Band Tour was such an amazing experience, as we were able to see it grow from just an idea into a seven-concert tour. It was a blessing to see God work in it and through it. We loved being able to use our gifts with the family that we made this past summer at the Boardwalk Chapel. We were able to go to so many churches who know and love the Boardwalk Chapel and share about the ministry. We were told over and over again how the audience felt blessed by the concerts and their faith was strengthened through the music. We learned a lot of planning, organization, and how to put on concerts outside of the Boardwalk Chapel Programs. Lord willing, we will be able to do this again next year with improvements, new churches, and an even longer tour!" Go to their Facebook page to see more pictures and videos!

We are now on Instagram! Keep up with OPC
Short-Term Missions current opportunities: @opcstm

Visit our websites to find out more about everything you've seen here!