Short-Term Missions with a Long-Term Commitment
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Volume 9 No. 4: April 22, 2020
by Trish Duggan,
Communications Coordinator,
OPC Short-Term Missions and Disaster Response
Our usual April issue of conveying the plans and excitement for short-term mission trips are in many ways, not the same this year; it just can't be. Although some teams are still prayerfully planning summer work, some have made the very tough decision to postpone.
With all the restrictions we have right now, perhaps this is our chance to look with a more long-term focus of commitment. Here are a some thoughts to consider:
- Get to know your missionaries.
Learn about a missionary family in a field you may have wanted to visit. Write to them to see what their life is like, what struggles they have, and perhaps become pen pals (by e-mail, Facebook, other social media, or snail mail). - Let your missionaries get to know you.
Missionaries can sometimes feel isolated and left "out of the loop" of everyday life back home. Share photos and stories from your life with our missionaries the way they share theirs with us. - Raise support.
You can still raise money and support short-term missions by hosting a car wash, bake sale or yard sale (online sales are great with no set-up!) Funds can also be donated to the OPC COVID-19 Pandemic Response (CPR) Fund, set up to help OPC deacons as they assist their congregations. - Change your focus.
If you had planned to go overseas for a missions trip, maybe you could look a little closer to home. The Boardwalk Chapel and Quebec City missions are still hoping that they can hold their usual summer programs. You can find out more at our website: opcstm.org. - Be a missionary in your neighborhood.
Is there someone you could help during the pandemic: an elderly or handicapped neighbor that needs help taking care of their yard or getting groceries? Calling people you know who may feel especially lonely or anxious? Helping with neighborhood children's schoolwork via the internet? - Check-in with your local deacons.
Call a deacon in your church to find out what needs there may be and how you can help. - Pray.
Commit to praying for a neighbor, church member, your pastor, elders and deacons, missionaries (perhaps those you planned to visit), or those affected by this virus. - Register to be an OPC Disaster Response volunteer.
By registering as a volunteer, you are letting us know you are willing to take the time, when you can, to help with the physical and spiritual needs of someone who is struggling. Find out more by going to the OPC Disaster Response website.
These are just a few ideas of how we can broaden our focus for short-term missions and disaster response in these unusual times. COVID-19 is giving us an opportunity to step back and look at the larger picture in order to make a long-term commitment to the Lord's work. Please pray for OPC Short-Term Missions and OPC Disaster Response as we plan for a different looking summer of mission work.
2020 Short-Term Missions Updates
With the current COVID-19 situation, some of our fields have had to cancel their summer plans for OPC Short-Term Missions trips. You can stay up-to-date on our website,
OPCSTM.org and follow us on social media, OPCShorttermmissions and @OPCSTM.
Asia
English House
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, English House (for overseas visitors) is likely cancelled this summer.
Missionary Associates
Missionary Associates needed to serve as full-time instructors of interactive English conversation at a university near our missionaries in Asia, as travel is permitted.
Dates and details may change, so check our website to stay up-to-date.
Questions? Contact Rev. Douglas Clawson
Czech Republic
Our missionaries in Czech Republic have had to cancel both Team Praha and English Camp for Kids due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Japan
Working in conjunction with RP Missions, this team will be laboring with OPC missionaries in Sendai, as well as ministering in three other mission fields within Japan. If you are 18 to 25 years old and have a desire to come alongside those who have been diligently laboring over the past five years to attend to the abundant needs in Sendai, please apply today.
Contact: ProclaimChrist@
rpmissions.org
Key West, FL
Year-round opportunity:
For over 30 years, OPC Pastor Bill Welzien has been presenting the gospel in an engaging, open-air fashion three times a week at the famous Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square in Key West, Florida.
Bill invites you to bring your team to Key West to receive classroom training and practical experience in evangelism!
Wildwood, NJ
The Boardwalk Chapel still has openings this summer for the training weeks and regular staff!
Schedule for Summer 2020
- May Weekends: Work and Prep
- Week One: June 1-5
- Week Two: June 8-12
- Week Three: June 15-19
- [Program weeks are full!]
- Week Ten: Aug. 22-29
Contact Elizabeth with any questions.
Quebec City
English for Kids
There are still 8 slots open to serve during the last week of English Camp: July 13-17, 2020.
English Cafe in Quebec
City
St-Marc’s Reformed Church in Québec City welcomes your church group to come to Quebec and do friendship evangelism by hosting a “Café Anglais” (English Café) for French-speaking citizens.
Contact Pastor Ben Westerveld
Uganda
- Nanny for the VanEssendelfts
- Clinic Database Designer
- Missionary Associates
- Preschool Teachers & Assistants for KEO
Check our website for contact information.
PLEASE NOTE:
The Uganda mission has canceled their summer team opportunities for 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Uruguay
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.
How Can You Pray for Our Missionaries?
Check out our Short-Term Missions’ prayer calendar on our website. We encourage you to take the time to look at the requests from our fields and include them during your prayer time. As some of our fields anticipate not being able to welcome teams and friends this summer as they normally do, would you commit to pray?
Use the prayer calendar on our website, if you find it helpful.
OPC Disaster Response Update
The Love of Christ Shown
Nearly a month ago, before COVID-19 had been known in the States, we attempted to send masks to our brothers and sisters in Asia but weren't able to because of supply issues. Now, with the virus sweeping through the United States, our brothers and sisters in Asia are sending masks to us! There are currently 7,300 masks coming to us! What a wonderful testimony, not just of the global nature of this pandemic, but of the global nature of Christ's church as one body.
If you need a mask or would like to distribute them to your neighbors, please speak to one of your deacons and ask them to contact OPC Disaster Response Coordinator, David Nakhla for more information.
Opportunity Amid the Pandemic
Pastor Zecharias Weldeyesus from Redeemer OPC, Clarkston, GA sends this update regarding an opportunity for reaching out to the Eritrean refugee community in his area:
"Please rejoice with us and give praise to God! He has turned the Coronavirus crisis in to an opportunity to show the love of Christ to all we helped so far through food distribution and pray that the Lord would use the gospel declaration that we have been putting in each box for delivery to point them to Jesus Christ who is the bread of eternal life and draw them to the Worship of God at Redeemer.
Get a printable summary of this S.T.O.R.M. Report (poster and bulletin insert available):
OPC Short-Term Missions and Disaster Response is on Instagram and Twitter.
Our Websites:
Check out our websites where you can find previous issues of our newsletters, "S.T.O.R.M. Report", and "The Mercy Minute." Sign up to be added to the OPC Disaster Response Registry and you'll receive "The Disaster Response Insider Post".
Short-Term Missions
OPC Disaster Response
Committee on Diaconal Ministries
David P. Nakhla
Short-Term Missions and
Disaster Response Coordinator
215-935-1007
david.nakhla@opc.org
Trish Duggan
Communications Coordinator,
Short-Term Missions and Disaster Response
Trish.duggan@opc.org
Sarah Klazinga
Administrative Assistant
Short-Term Missions and Disaster Response
Sarah.klazinga@opc.org
