Dave and Wendy Mark
September 2010
Regional Coordinators for Latin America and the Caribbean
Covenant World Mission
2010 GLOBAL DIALOGUE, JUNE 21-22
Covenant World Mission sponsored a Global Dialogue among many of the leaders of our partners in mission around the world. It was an outstanding event. Most of our guests were also able to attend the 125th Covenant Annual Meeting in St. Paul, Minnesota. The combined membership of our partner churches far outnumber our own, and it was deeply moving to see their leaders and hear their testimonies of God's power and grace among them. Representatives came from Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe. From the part of the world that we serve - Latin America - leaders came from Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Uruguay (the Mexico representative had to cancel at the last minute). All said that they were challenged and encouraged by the energetic and innovative ministries of each continent. Good groundwork was laid for further consultation between the nations, particularly on similar and significant ministries.
The life experience of the Church in each context had a profound effect on all of us. It was particularly moving to hear from women who are gifted leaders in Sudan and Ethiopia, and one who lists her home as a refugee camp. We were blessed by Sunil Sardar of TruthSeekers in India, who started over 400 churches within ten years and then by hearing reports of the amazing ministries of Hindustani Covenant Church. From Latin America, we heard about highly effective ministries among prisoners, drug addicts, prostitutes and victims of human trafficking. We could add much more about the Church in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Covenant Church in Taiwan and the churches and foundations in Thailand. To hear their stories was simply breathtaking! It was cause for praise, rejoicing and renewed intercession for those who serve in the context of difficult human suffering. We felt deeply honored to be able to accompany these outstanding people, "...of whom the world is not worthy". Hebrews 11: 38.
THE JULY/AUGUST "BUMP IN THE ROAD"
Life is messy and often fragile. Our best laid plans can go all cattywumpus (or "topsy-turvy" - we love getting a chance to use those words!) when we least expect it. Around mid-July, Wendy had an "event" that sent her to a hospital emergency room. (I'm pretty sure she would rather I NOT try to be descriptive about it.) The resulting studies led to major surgery on the 3rd of August, and then several weeks of recuperation. She is doing very well now but we did have to reschedule quite a few things. We are certainly grateful to God for all the excellent medical care available in the Miami area. While the surgical intervention was necessary and very important, it was not so urgent as to cancel everything, so the Drs gave Wendy permission to attend the Covenant Women Ministries Triennial in Washington D.C. in July - provided she was "careful." She had a great time at the Triennial. It was a refreshing experience and likely helped her to go into the surgery rested and ready for it - as ready as anyone can be for that sort of thing.
MONTERREY, MEXICO
August 19-24, we visited Patricia and Lisandro Restrepo and Nils and Erika Clauson (and their children) in Monterrey. We had been invited by the Foundation that they serve to participate in a planning retreat, but also to review security issues and matters pertaining to Covenant World Mission's partnership with the Foundation and its ministries. Our primary concern was to see first-hand how our folks were doing in the midst of an unstable environment. We are pleased to report that everyone is doing very well. The Foundation and missionaries have put excellent security reviews and contingency plans in place and are very "wired in" to the best sources of real-time information. Certainly, things are difficult in Monterrey. If you follow the news at all or the State Department's Security Advisories, you will understand our ongoing concern for the safety and well-being of missionaries and Foundation staff. For the time being, however, we believe that it remains possible for them to live and serve in their location - taking the necessary precautions - with minimal risk. We are not complacent about this and will continue to monitor events very closely.
QUITO, ECUADOR
August 31 to September 4, we travelled to Ecuador to meet with the missionaries and the leaders of IPEE, the Ecuador Covenant Church. When we arrived, we were very pleased to receive copies of the newly published book written by our late and beloved Consuelo Ron, Proof of Life, Learning to Live with Pain, Multiple Sclerosis. We are grateful to those of you who contributed to make this publication possible and excited to see it available in Latin America. We think it will bless many people. This is a great time in our relationship with Ecuador. Cheryll Anderson Clark is providing capable leadership on the legal matters that we are working to resolve. It was exciting to actually meet with a full team of US Covenant missionaries after a long time of reduced staff. Cheryll Clark, Chris and Jenny Hoskins, Joel and Kim Delp and Josh Swenson - what a crew! Around January, they will be joined by one more person, Mandy Hjelm. Those present are moving forward well and forming strong relationships with Ecuadorian Covenanters. We think great things are yet to come!
PRAYER REQUESTS
Our good friend of many years, Laura Smalley, told us that we should start putting prayer requests in our newsletters. We do appreciate all of your prayers on our behalf and for those we serve. Please pray for: The safety and peace of heart and mind of those serving in Monterrey. We invite you to pray about the problem of our world's widespread use of illicit drugs. Political, military, police and educational solutions are hardly making a dent in this practice and its attendant evils. We wonder whether we have made prayer our last resort rather than the first. Financial support for new missionaries. (Andrew and Christy Mark heading to Tlalpan, Mexico, for example) Good health and stamina for Wendy and me for our upcoming trip to Chile, Argentina and Uruguay. Please continue to pray for Haiti, for the work of World Relief and Medical Teams International, for local Covenant Church initiatives in the country and particularly for Tammi Biggs as she explores potential areas of service there and elsewhere in the Caribbean.
PLEASE REMEMBER THAT WE ENJOY HEARING FROM YOU
You can reach us at [email protected] STAY IN TOUCH!
September 2010
Regional Coordinators for Latin America and the Caribbean
Covenant World Mission
2010 GLOBAL DIALOGUE, JUNE 21-22
Covenant World Mission sponsored a Global Dialogue among many of the leaders of our partners in mission around the world. It was an outstanding event. Most of our guests were also able to attend the 125th Covenant Annual Meeting in St. Paul, Minnesota. The combined membership of our partner churches far outnumber our own, and it was deeply moving to see their leaders and hear their testimonies of God's power and grace among them. Representatives came from Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe. From the part of the world that we serve - Latin America - leaders came from Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Uruguay (the Mexico representative had to cancel at the last minute). All said that they were challenged and encouraged by the energetic and innovative ministries of each continent. Good groundwork was laid for further consultation between the nations, particularly on similar and significant ministries.
The life experience of the Church in each context had a profound effect on all of us. It was particularly moving to hear from women who are gifted leaders in Sudan and Ethiopia, and one who lists her home as a refugee camp. We were blessed by Sunil Sardar of TruthSeekers in India, who started over 400 churches within ten years and then by hearing reports of the amazing ministries of Hindustani Covenant Church. From Latin America, we heard about highly effective ministries among prisoners, drug addicts, prostitutes and victims of human trafficking. We could add much more about the Church in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Covenant Church in Taiwan and the churches and foundations in Thailand. To hear their stories was simply breathtaking! It was cause for praise, rejoicing and renewed intercession for those who serve in the context of difficult human suffering. We felt deeply honored to be able to accompany these outstanding people, "...of whom the world is not worthy". Hebrews 11: 38.
THE JULY/AUGUST "BUMP IN THE ROAD"
Life is messy and often fragile. Our best laid plans can go all cattywumpus (or "topsy-turvy" - we love getting a chance to use those words!) when we least expect it. Around mid-July, Wendy had an "event" that sent her to a hospital emergency room. (I'm pretty sure she would rather I NOT try to be descriptive about it.) The resulting studies led to major surgery on the 3rd of August, and then several weeks of recuperation. She is doing very well now but we did have to reschedule quite a few things. We are certainly grateful to God for all the excellent medical care available in the Miami area. While the surgical intervention was necessary and very important, it was not so urgent as to cancel everything, so the Drs gave Wendy permission to attend the Covenant Women Ministries Triennial in Washington D.C. in July - provided she was "careful." She had a great time at the Triennial. It was a refreshing experience and likely helped her to go into the surgery rested and ready for it - as ready as anyone can be for that sort of thing.
MONTERREY, MEXICO
August 19-24, we visited Patricia and Lisandro Restrepo and Nils and Erika Clauson (and their children) in Monterrey. We had been invited by the Foundation that they serve to participate in a planning retreat, but also to review security issues and matters pertaining to Covenant World Mission's partnership with the Foundation and its ministries. Our primary concern was to see first-hand how our folks were doing in the midst of an unstable environment. We are pleased to report that everyone is doing very well. The Foundation and missionaries have put excellent security reviews and contingency plans in place and are very "wired in" to the best sources of real-time information. Certainly, things are difficult in Monterrey. If you follow the news at all or the State Department's Security Advisories, you will understand our ongoing concern for the safety and well-being of missionaries and Foundation staff. For the time being, however, we believe that it remains possible for them to live and serve in their location - taking the necessary precautions - with minimal risk. We are not complacent about this and will continue to monitor events very closely.
QUITO, ECUADOR
August 31 to September 4, we travelled to Ecuador to meet with the missionaries and the leaders of IPEE, the Ecuador Covenant Church. When we arrived, we were very pleased to receive copies of the newly published book written by our late and beloved Consuelo Ron, Proof of Life, Learning to Live with Pain, Multiple Sclerosis. We are grateful to those of you who contributed to make this publication possible and excited to see it available in Latin America. We think it will bless many people. This is a great time in our relationship with Ecuador. Cheryll Anderson Clark is providing capable leadership on the legal matters that we are working to resolve. It was exciting to actually meet with a full team of US Covenant missionaries after a long time of reduced staff. Cheryll Clark, Chris and Jenny Hoskins, Joel and Kim Delp and Josh Swenson - what a crew! Around January, they will be joined by one more person, Mandy Hjelm. Those present are moving forward well and forming strong relationships with Ecuadorian Covenanters. We think great things are yet to come!
PRAYER REQUESTS
Our good friend of many years, Laura Smalley, told us that we should start putting prayer requests in our newsletters. We do appreciate all of your prayers on our behalf and for those we serve. Please pray for: The safety and peace of heart and mind of those serving in Monterrey. We invite you to pray about the problem of our world's widespread use of illicit drugs. Political, military, police and educational solutions are hardly making a dent in this practice and its attendant evils. We wonder whether we have made prayer our last resort rather than the first. Financial support for new missionaries. (Andrew and Christy Mark heading to Tlalpan, Mexico, for example) Good health and stamina for Wendy and me for our upcoming trip to Chile, Argentina and Uruguay. Please continue to pray for Haiti, for the work of World Relief and Medical Teams International, for local Covenant Church initiatives in the country and particularly for Tammi Biggs as she explores potential areas of service there and elsewhere in the Caribbean.
PLEASE REMEMBER THAT WE ENJOY HEARING FROM YOU
You can reach us at [email protected] STAY IN TOUCH!
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