Read or download the entire issue here.

In this issue:

• Training for Russia Ministry ~ Judy Maurer
• Children in Africa ~ Raelene Fendall
• Earthquake Relief
• MK Teachers Needed in Africa
• Presidents’ Letters
• SW Missionary Accident
• 2007-08 Projects
• YM Banquet Plans ~ Rachel Vanden Hoek

Read or download the entire issue here.

Download or read the March 2008 GO! Newsletter here (in PDF format)

Articles in this newsletter are:

• “We’re In Mexico” by Edwin and Maria Girzon
• “Deputation: Our First Step as Missionaries” by Faviola Giron
• “Meet our Aguascalientes Team”
• “Yum Yum! Delicioso! Making Bunuelos”

Download or read the March Keeping Current here.

It is also available in Spanish.

Articles in this issue are:

• • Checking in with Friends in Peru by Dan Cammack
  • A farewell message from Missions Administrator, Duane Comfort
  • Prayer and Praise notes

March 2008

Scoffing at believers has become a spectator sport in some circles. The press gleefully gibes at evangelical foibles– like multi-dyed hairdos on televangelists or churchy glitz, and, more hurtfully, heaps scorn upon Christianity whenever well-known leaders get snared in sexual or financial sins. In contrast, media often eulogize pop stars whose heralded infidelities they cloak in indulgent adulation. Tolerance for evil can be an effective social tool.

Thankfully, media taunting has temporal limits. Continue reading …

Out of my mind…

This summer during our Yearly Meeting sessions, we will gather under the theme of “Bring Forth the Kingdom!” It is our call and will be our reminder to be about the agenda of Jesus, aligning our individual and communal life with the values of God’s Kingdom.

During a recent staff meeting, we invited Hal Thomas—who serves with his wife Nancy as NWYM ministers in Bolivia —to lead us in our time of worship. Hal chose to reflect on a similar Kingdom theme. During his devotional, Hal articulated a key insight that I think captures something important about living as Kingdom people. What Hal basically said is that the Kingdom life is the “normalness of God faithfully lived in the abnormality of this world.” Continue reading …

Articles in this issue are:

• “And Away We Go!” by Sherry Macy

You’ve probably noticed some hubbub as our yearly meeting implements the reorganization of its structure. We’re off! Queries and job descriptions and interviews and above all seeking God’s guidance have resulted in the influx of fresh faces and ideas at Northwest Yearly Meeting’s office. At midyear board meetings in February, General Superintendent Colin Saxton introduced our five new staff members. As I met them individually, here’s the heart of what they shared…

• “One More Thought” by Laura Goodfellow

Several times lately I’ve found myself asking my nephew not to do something because it was too messy. Most recently it was “Please don’t take the plastic off the winter squash to explore the icky neat feeling that the seeds and innards make on your fingers because it will make a mess in the car.”

Continue to read or download the March 2008 Connection here in the PDF format.

The Connection is also available in Spanish! Get it here.

Out of my Mind…

Exploring the Kingdom

II Corinthians 5:17: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

In case you haven’t noticed, I am not perfect. If this at all seems a surprising revelation to any of you, simply ask my children, wife and/or co-workers. They will confirm my report.

Most days, I find myself liberated rather than defeated by this reality. No longer am I crushed and dispirited by my own imperfection. Instead, I think I have truly come to treasure and rely on the grace that both saves us and, in the end, transforms us when we can do neither on our own power or merit.

Paradoxically…

Continue reading …

Download or read the February Keeping Current here.

Articles in this issue include:

• Garbage Dump Baby - Sarah Probst

“Gospel Teams” February 2008

Sometimes for valid reasons we abandon useful things and effective practices, i.e., they’ve become dysfunctional, we lack resources, or we find something better. Sometimes for invalid reasons we abandon useful things and effective practices, i.e., we’ve misused them, we don’t want to put forth the effort, we accommodate uncritically to cultural fads. Fortunately, old things often get refurbished and function effectively again, like the oak chairs from which I scrape off gobs of green paint, restore luster, and make useful again. I’m not sure why “Gospel team” ministry declined. Continue reading …

Rex wears shiny dark brown cowboy boots with jagged stripes of lighter leather around the tops. His handlebar mustache, red and yellow western shirt, and blue jeans complete his outfit. He makes and repairs cowboy footwear. In our meetinghouse he usually sits over on the right side of the circle of benches. I had little realized the depth of experience and extent of his spiritual journey.

Continue to read or download the February 2008 Connection here in the PDF format.