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Missions Alive! Asia & Australia Study for Grades 1-6

Australia, Cambodia, Creative Access, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, the Philippines, , Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam

Free Methodist World Missions Fall 2010 - Spring 2011

page 1 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 How to use Missions Alive!

Put this curriculum in a three-ring binder for easy use. In order to fi nd the sections quickly, you might want to make index tabs to separate them. A sticky note on the fi rst page of each sec- tion might even do the trick. Feel free to make as many copies of the curriculum as you need for each teacher and student. You may also download the curriculum from our Web site, www.fmwm.org. We hope you fi nd this curriculum user-friendly. Drop us a line and let us know what you think about Missions Alive! - Paula Gillespie, editor

Free Methodist World Missions - PO Box 535002, Indianapolis, IN 46253-5002

Missions Alive! staff editor: Paula J. Gillespie consultants: missionary team to Asia, Sherrill Yardy, Judy Litsey proofreaders: Linda Sanders, Jennifer Veldman artist: Lynn Hartzell

Missions Alive! is a product of Free Methodist World Missions

Missions Alive! © 2010 by Free Methodist World Missions NA Indianapolis, IN 46253-5002 Printed in the U.S.A.

Permission is granted to copy this leader’s guide for use by local children’s leaders and educa- tors only. Please note, however, that Missions Alive! materials are copyrighted by Free Method- ist World Missions, which owns all material and illustrations. It is against the law to copy any of these materials for any commercial promotion, advertising or sale of a product or service. Note some materials in this curriculum are reprinted with permission from other publishers and are owned by those individual publishers. We appreciate their allowing us to reprint these ideas to expand your students’ cultural experience.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society.

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 2 Welcome to Asia, the birthplace of civilization, religion and culture. Asia is home of the world’s fastest growing economies and its largest slums. Two-thirds of the people in the world live in Asia, and most likely someone from Asia lives in your neighborhood. Islam, Buddhism, Hindu- ism and Christianity – all the major world religions have their roots in Asia. Even though many are searching for God and meaning in their lives, 80 percent of the people of Asia are unreached by the gospel of Jesus Christ. In some Asian countries, Christians are persecuted for their faith and suffer daily for following Jesus.

The Free Methodist Church has been working in Asia for more than 100 years. In the past 20 years, membership has grown from 40,000 to 320,000. Seventeen nations have FM ministries: churches, ministry centers, schools ranging from kindergarten to Bible school and seminary, and creative ministries, such as teaching English as a second language and frog and fi sh farms in countries that do not welcome Christianity. A Free Methodist hospital in central India of- fers hope and healing to the poor. International Child Care Ministries sponsors more than 2,000 children in Asia, with programs for pastors’ children, street children and tribal children. Free Methodists are often among the fi rst to bring relief when natural disasters strike.

We trust you will enjoy sharing with your students about the Free Methodist Church in Asia through Missions Alive!

— David and Sherrill Yardy

page 3 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 Contents

Introductory Material teacher’s notes ...... page 5 suggested lesson plan ...... pages 6-8 postcard invitation ...... page 9 missions fair ideas ...... pages 10-11 teacher’s notes ...... page 12 goals, teaching tips ...... pages 13-14 details that make a difference ...... pages 14-17 world religions ...... pages 18-19 Parents’ Partner ...... pages 20-21 passport ...... pages 22-23 memory verse materials ...... pages 24-26 prayer resources ...... pages 27-34 Christian Life Club requirements ...... pages 35-36 leading children to Christ ...... page 37 name tags ...... page 38

Features stories from Asia and Australia, Explore class activities ...... pages 39-72

Facts introduction to country fact information ...... page 73 continent maps ...... pages 74-75 country profi le pages ...... pages 76-77 country facts (includes fl ags and country map) ...... pages 78-122 missionary information ...... pages 123-135 missionary address book ...... page 136 MK letters and cards ...... pages 137-142 country profi le answers ...... page 143 lesson in chopsticks ...... page 144 teacher’s notes ...... page 145

Fun culture introduction ...... page 146 games ...... pages 147-151 crafts ...... pages 152-163 care ticket ...... page 164 word puzzles and activity pages ...... pages 165-175 songs ...... pages 176-182 recipes ...... pages 183-189 suggested resources and suggested reading ...... pages 190-192 bibliography ...... page 193 evaluation ...... page 194

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 4 Teacher‛s Notes

(things to do - resources to review - items to collect - people to contact)

page 5 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 Suggested Lesson Plan

This lesson plan can be easily tailored to fi t your church’s needs. This material can be adapted to be used monthly instead of weekly. Make allowances for your class schedule, methods, age of students represented, etc. This is a 17-week lesson plan covering the countries where we have Free Methodist work. Additional lesson formats include: study two countries a week; study the mission- ary families and the countries where they minister; or for a four-week focus consider a continent overview and then study three countries from Asia and Australia (see page 8). Choose the stories and activities you feel will be most benefi cial for your students. Not all the stories in the Features section are outlined for use in the suggested lesson plan. Consider substituting an unused story anytime or using it later in the year to refresh students’ memories about Asia and Australia. You may also consider providing any unused stories as extra reading for your students.

Weekly:  As a class read and act out skit “To Asia  Complete attendance chart (stamp in pass- and Back Again,” pgs. 68-69. port or fill in map).  Review the information about missionaries  Learn/review verse(s). serving in Cambodia, pg. 131.  Take offering for a missions project.  Do a word puzzle or activity page,  Sing missions songs, pgs. 176-182. pgs. 165-175.  Share a snack together, pgs. 183-189.  Make an Asian treat as a class using the  Have a special prayer time. recipe section, pgs. 183-189.

Week One: Week Four:  Tell “Strange Ideas to Our Ears” story/  Tell “Air Jordan Versus Abe Lincoln” Explore, pgs. 40-41. story/Explore, pgs. 58-59.  Make the care ticket, pg. 164.  Study about Creative Access Ministries, Learn about the North American mission- pgs. 84-86. aries (missionary info, pgs. 123-135).  Review the information about creative  Study the Asia area map, pg. 74. A map access workers, pg. 135. activity will help students become familiar  Study about different world religions, with this part of the world, pg. 75. pgs. 18-19.  Play an Asian game, pgs. 147-151.  Do a prayer activity, pgs. 27-29.  Send “Parents’ Partner” home with stu- dents, pgs. 20-21. Week Five:  Tell “Bandages in the Rain” story/Explore, Week Two: pg. 46.  Tell “Finding Family” story/Explore, pg.  Study about Hong Kong, pgs. 87-89. 44-45.  Play an Asian game, pgs. 147-151.  Study about Australia, pgs. 78-80.  Use Prayer Calendar, pgs. 32-33.  Complete a craft, pgs. 152-163.  Make and use the Prayer Wheel, pgs. Week Six: 29-31.  Tell “Trouble in School” story/Explore, pg. 47. Week Three:  Study about India, pgs. 90-92.  Tell “Seng’s Story”/Explore pg. 42.  Complete a craft, pgs. 152-163.  Study about Cambodia, pgs. 81-83.  Review map locations of all countries studied up to this week.

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 6 Week Seven: Week Thirteen:  Tell “The Missionary Marika” story/  Tell “Miracle in the Making” story/ Explore, pg. 48-49. Explore, pgs. 66-67.  Study about Japan, pgs. 93-95.  Study about Sri Lanka, pgs. 111-113.  Make posters depicting Asia using the cul-  Do a word puzzle or activity page, ture information, flags and maps, pgs. 165-175. pgs. 73-122.  Review map locations of all countries  Use the Prayer Wheel, pgs. 29-31. studied up to this week.

Week Eight: Week Fourteen:  Tell “The Lens Cap” story/Explore,  Tell “Easter Earthquake” story/Explore, pgs. 43. pgs. 54-55.  Study about Malaysia, pgs. 96-98.  Study about Taiwan, pgs. 114-116.  Distribute MK cards and letters, pgs. 137-  Review information about missionaries, 142. pgs. 125-127 and 134.  Do a prayer activity, pgs. 27-29.  Complete a craft, pgs. 152-163.  Do a word puzzle or activity page, pgs. 165-175. Week Fifteen:  Tell “It Pays” story/Explore, pgs. 62-63. Week Nine:  Study about Thailand, pgs. 117-119.  Tell “Reading Einstein” story/Explore,  Review information about missionaries, pg. 51. pgs. 129 and 132.  Study about Myanmar, pgs. 99-101. Make an audio or video recording for the  Make an Asian treat, pgs. 183-189. missionaries you learned about, or for a Make a poster describing the career of a shut-in from the congregation. Tell some- missionary. thing about the class, sing one of the songs Use Prayer Calendar, pgs. 32-33. learned, etc.  Do a prayer activity, pgs. 27-29. Week Ten:  Tell “Tomb Trip” story/Explore, pg. 60. Week Sixteen:  Study about Nepal, pgs. 102-104.  Tell “Yuko and Laura: Sisters Ages Apart”  Complete a craft, pgs. 152-163. story/Explore, pgs. 56-57.  Do a prayer activity, pgs. 27-29.  Study about Vietnam, pgs. 120-123.  Review map locations of all countries  Finish any activies not completed. studied up to this week. Use Prayer Calendar, pgs. 32-33.

Week Eleven: Week Seventeen:  Tell “God is Always There” story/Explore,  Hold a public service. pgs. 64-65.  Display crafts and posters.  Study about the Philippines, pgs. 105-107.  Make Asian snacks to share.  Review information about missionaries,  Distribute a prayer reminder. pgs. 124, 130 and 133. See page 16 for more ideas.  Play an Asian game, pgs. 147-151.  Use the Prayer Wheel, pgs. 29-31.

Week Twelve: Turn the page for a four-week  Tell “Ice Cream” story/Explore, pg. 50. suggested lesson plan.  Study about South Korea, pgs. 108-110.  Share a “Lesson in Chopsticks,” pg. 144.  Make an Asian treat, pgs. 183-189.

page 7 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 4-week focus

Weekly: Week Three:  Complete attendance chart (stamp in pass-  Tell “Yuko and Laura: Sisters Ages port or fill in map). Apart” story/Explore, pgs. 56-57.  Learn/review verse(s).  Study about Malaysia, pgs. 96-98.  Take offering for a missions project. Do a prayer activity, pgs. 27-29.  Sing missions songs, pgs. 176-182.  Do a word puzzle or activity page,  Share a snack together, pgs. 183-189. pgs. 165-175.  Have a special prayer time. Week Four:  Tell “Trouble in School” story/Explore, Week One: pg. 47.  Tell “Strange Ideas to Our Ears” story/  Study about India, pgs. 90-92. Explore, pgs. 40-41. Make a treat as a class using the recipe  Make the care ticket, pg. 164. section, pgs. 183-189. Learn about the North American mission- Make and use the Prayer Wheel, pgs. aries (missionary info, pgs. 123-135). 29-31.  Study the Asia area map, pg. 74. A map Make a poster describing the career of a activity will help students become familiar missionary or about the countries you’ve with this part of the world, pg. 75. studied.  Play an Asian game, pgs. 147-151.  Send “Parents’ Partner” home with stu- If you choose to hold a public service for dents, pgs. 20-21. week four or the following week:  Week Two: Display crafts and posters.  Make snacks to share.  Tell “God is Always There” story/  Distribute a prayer reminder. Explore, pgs. 64-65. See page 16 for more ideas.  Study about the Philippines, pgs. 105-107.  Review information about missionaries, pgs. 124, 130 and 133.  Distribute MK cards and letters for those in the Philippines with their parents, pgs. 138 and 140.  Complete a craft, pgs. 152-163.  Use Prayer Calendar, pgs. 32-33.

Special Notes for Teachers:

See page 9 for a special postcard invitation you can use. A missions fair or activity centers suggestion is located on pages 10-11. If you need a review of the Christian Life Club requirements, see pages 35-36. Tell us what you think of this curriculum. Please mail in the evaluation you will find on page 194.

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 8 Postcard Invitations Consider using this postcard invitation to encour- age students to attend your missions focus, or have students color and send to their friends. Make copies on card stock to meet postal requirements. Huan ying (whone ying) means “welcome” in Chinese.

huan ying “welcome” (whone ying) “welcome” (whone ying) You will receive a rich welcome into Youthe will eternal receive kingdom a rich welcomeof our Lord into the eternaland Savior kingdom Jesus ofChrist. our Lord and Savior2 Peter Jesus 1:11 Christ. 2 Peter 1:11

huan ying

“welcome” (whone ying) You will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:11

page 9 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 MISSIONSFAIR Missions MISSIONS Fair FAIR

Activity Centers

You can be very creative with your missions fair. Use whatever centers are best for the age level of your students.

Tips:  Recruit volunteers for each activity center and appoint another adult to lead a group to each center. Ask volunteers to arrive 10-15 minutes early to set up their center and receive any last-minute instructions.  Allow about 20 minutes for each center.  Check the Resources List (pages 190-192) for organizations that sell prizes, gifts and decorations.

Hints:  Provide a “passport” that can be stamped at each center (see pages 22-23).  In order to keep students’ hands free for activities, punch a hole in one corner of the passports. Pull yarn through the hole and tie so the passports hang freely around the students’ necks.  Consider giving each student a travel bag to collect items at each center or station to remind them of the story or activity. Opening Time Open the time in a combined session. Talk about Asia and Australia in general terms for about 10 minutes. Briefly introduce the study countries. See the Facts section beginning on page 73. After discussion time divide into groups. Food Center Children will taste various foods typically grown and eaten in these countries. If your stu- dents are old enough, allow them to make one of the recipes on pages 183-189. Check the Recipes section for your specific ingredient needs. Also provide napkins, plates and toothpicks to spear food.

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 10 Story Center Children will learn about culture and God’s love for the people of Asia and Australia. This section begins on page 39. The volunteer overseeing this center will want to practice the story until they are very com- fortable telling it and can relate it with expression and enthusiasm. If you use a skit, make sure you distribute the script to the participants ahead of time so they can be prepared. Also have appropriate props to make the actors’ roles come alive. Culture Center Children will learn facts about the countries in this study of Asia and Australia. Use the Facts section of the leader’s guide (begins on page 73) to help you plan this activ- ity. Younger students may color flags and draw maps as you talk about some of the interesting Asian culture. For older students, provide file folders for each of the countries containing the flag, map, facts, etc. Have the students research one of the countries and complete a Country Profile Sheet (pages 76-77). Prayer Center Children will be reminded how prayer makes a difference. Make sure the students know about the Free Methodist missionaries and ministries in Asia and Australia. Talk about the importance of prayer and give opportunity for students to pray for several requests, including the growth of the church in Asia and Australia and for children their own age in these countries who need to accept Jesus as Savior. Consult the prayer resources (pages 27-34) in this leader’s manual and consider using some of the activities and games men- tioned. Pass out a prayer reminder or a missionary prayer card for students to take home. Craft Center Children will make a craft. Choose a project that is suitable for the ages and the time frame you have. Check the craft section beginning on page 152 for the specific supplies needed. NOTE: It is best to cover your work area to protect the tabletop. Music Center Children will learn one or two mission choruses or songs. Use the song words printed on pages 176-182 in the Fun section of this material. You could use media projection or a song booklet. Use rhythm instruments to accompany the singing.

page 11 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 Teacher‛s Notes

(things to do - resources to review - items to collect - people to contact)

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 12 Introductory Material

Goals Teaching

The goals of this curriculum are to help chil- dren: Tips  learn about God’s work around the world; This curriculum can be adapted to be used in  discover how God is using the Free a variety of ways. An outline is provided for Methodist Church to help build His king- step-by-step lesson plans (pages 6-8), as well dom; as a guide for a missions fair (pages 10-11).  gain a new appreciation and under- 15 world areas are included in this study; standing of people wherever they live; you may want to make adjustments to the  understand God’s desire to reach the suggested lesson plan to fit your own time people of Asia and Australia with His love. frame. Choose the stories and activities you feel will be most beneficial for your students. Students will participate in activities to help them: 1. Skim through each of the sessions to  realize some people don’t know about God’s love for them; allow for advance preparation.  see how they can help the less fortu- nate; 2. Before each session, pray for the children  realize their prayers make a difference who will be present and the countries you in God’s work. will study. Prepare yourself to participate in the blessing God gives to those involved with Perhaps you will want to add your own goals fulfilling the Great Commission. for this missions focus. 3. Decorate your room attractively with pic- My goals: tures and artifacts from the study countries. ______Encourage the children to bring items they find that relate to the study area. National ______Geographic, Free Methodist World Mission ______People magazines, the Internet and local ______travel agencies are excellent picture and information resources. Also see the room

page 13 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 decoration ideas (page 17) and crafts section beginning on page 152. Details 4. Involve others. Find individuals who will take charge of the activities, offering project, that make a songs and scripture, and/or the story time. Difference 5. Take adequate time to prepare well.

6. Keep the sessions moving. Watch the Dress the part clock and avoid letting things drag. Observe The majority of people in Asia dress like your students to make sure you have their we do in North America. There are occasions attention. when they dress in traditional clothing. Women in India wear saris. The men 7. Use additional resources. Libraries are sometimes wear a turban. valuable resources for detailed books on these When working outdoors Cambodian countries and may have good color photos women and girls wear a krama (krah-mah), or maps. Your church library may also have a large scarf, to protect their head and neck additional missions story books. from the sun. In countries including Japan and Taiwan, Involve international students, former kimonos are brought out on special occa- extended-term or Volunteers In Service sions. Different types of kimonos are worn Abroad (VISA) missionaries, and persons for different occasions. Generally a kimono who have traveled in other coun- is a long robe made of silk or cotton and has tries. a wide sash called an obi (oh-bee). Other resources include the (Underneath a kimo- Kids Fun Fact pages on the Free no is a cotton robe.) Methodist World Missions Web The outer kimono site, www.fmwm.org. God to goes on top and the “Resources,” then “Missions Alive! obi is wrapped to children’s Curriculum.” Also look secure the kimono. over the Networking Agencies list Men wear a on pages 190-191. short kimono over wide, pleated pants. This is called a haka- 8. Get excited! God’s blessing is overflowing ma (hah-kah-mah). Blue, black and gray are as people come to Christ around the world. common colors. This is exciting! Learn more about missions In South Korea traditional clothing is and pass on your enthusiasm. When you are worn during festivals. The hanbok (hun- excited, your students will get excited. bokh) is often white and always loose fitting. The men wear bloomer-like pants called (bah-gee) and a short sleeveless jacket or vest and a coat, called a turumagi. Women wear a long, full skirt called a chima and a short jacket or blouse, called a chogori which has a long sash tied in a bow on the side.

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 14 Greetings Greetings ... Address each other as “Sandra-San” Here are several Japanese words (shon) or “Kevin-San,” a Japanese custom. you may want to use: As teacher use the name of “Sen-sei,” (Sen- say) added to your first or last name (Sen-sei Hello (kohn-NEE-chee-wah) Nelson, Sen-sei Margaret). The term “Sen” is Thank you (a-REE-gah-toh) somewhat equivalent to Miss or Mr. and the Good-bye (sigh-o-NAH-rah) “Sen-sei” is the more honorable term for Here are several Filipino words of addressing a teacher. greeting you may want to use: If your students are young children, they Hello (koo-moos-TAH) kumustah are referred to as Thank you (sah-LAH-mat) salamat “Chan” (chaan)as in Goodbye (pah-ah-LAHM) paalam “Susie-Chan.”

Offering Project - A Bible for Every When the offering goal is reached or Believer at the conclusion of your study, make your At their baptism, many new believers on check payable to Free Methodist World the mission field are presented with a copy of Missions. Be sure to include the project name the Bible in their own language. Funds raised on the memo line: “Bible for Every Believer through this children’s missions offering will # WE350284.” Send to FMWM, PO Box be used to purchase Bibles in Asia. A chil- 535002, Indianapolis, IN 46253-5002. dren’s take-home page has been provided to learn more about this need. Passport Take the offering using a The passport on pages 22-23 can be used paper lantern (instructions on as a weekly attendance chart or as an achieve- page 163). Another idea is to put ment chart. It can also be used in a missions a container on a scale and weigh fair setting where it is stamped at each sta- the amount as well as tion. Students might earn additional stick- count it. ers or stamps by learning extra verses, being Set an offering helpers in class or bringing goal and make a chart missions information from to show the children’s progress on a other sources. Several ideas weekly basis. You might use a cut- are given throughout the out shape of a Bible, a child, or a curriculum, including the country shape to represent the dol- “Parents’ Partner.” lars raised. Use this shape as a visual reminder to gauge progress toward Parents’ Partner your goal. Send the “Parents’ Partner” (pages 20-21) home with your stu- Let’s Say ... dents. This will help reinforce what they are Hello in Mandarin is Ni hao (NEE learning in class and, hopefully, encourage how). parents to consider ways the entire family can be involved in missions. Make note of In India you press your palms togth- the facts parents may share with their child er, fingers up, below your chin and to help the students earn extra points or pass- say the Hindi word Namaste (na-MAH- port stamps. stay).

page 15 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 Public Service Point System In a public service, share with your entire church what the students have learned Consider implementing a point about missions. Display crafts and posters, system to encourage your sing songs and recite memory verses. Have students’ learning and good a parade of national flags and costumes. For behavior. Use the passport the main part of the service, put together a skit, conduct a talk show with a missionary provided or consider anoth- speaker, or pretend one of the students is a er type of achievement chart. missionary. Combine all of the information Students might earn points for you have learned. At the close of the service, learning extra verses, being pray for the ministry of the FM Church in helpers in class, or bringing Asia and Australia. Use prayer reminders missions information from in the curriculum or create a personalized reminder from the class to distribute to the other sources. congregation.

Christian Life Club (CLC) Badges If you choose an offering project different If you follow the CLC study cycle, see pages from what is suggested in this curriculum, 35-36 for specific instruc- Bible for Every Believer, place your offering tions. If a child misses a project details over the information pro- Discovery Time, check the age- vided before you make copies of the Parents’ level handbook for the Pace Partner. Yourself requirement.

Classroom Activities

 Have a missions sword drill. This activity encourages students to bring their Bibles. Some suggested verses are: John 3:16; 2 Corinthians 4:3; Romans 3:23; John 4:42; Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:15; Psalms 22:27; Isaiah 49:6; Luke 24:47; Isaiah 6:8; Colossians 1:23; John 15:16; Isaiah 52:10; Romans 10:13; Colossians 1:6; Matthew 1:21; Romans 1:16; John 6:33.

 Have students try doing some calligraphy. The library might be a helpful resource to get you started. You’ll need brushes and paint.

 This study covers countries that have desert and mountainous peace terrain. Have students research the countries’ differences including climate, animal habitats, etc.

 Haiku is a form of poetry popular in Japan. The poems haiku sample can be on any topic — many cover nature — but you might try something about God such as the haiku sample. The impor- Jesus loves children tant thing to remember about this type of poetry is it uses no He created every thing more than 17 syllables total. A common way to arrange the He is life to me three lines is to use 5 syllables in the first line, 7 in the sec- ond and 5 syllables again in the last line.

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 16 Room Decoration Ideas Check the Resources List (page 190) for Say in Mandarin Chinese ... suggested places where you can order decora- Here are several greetings you tions. might say at certain celebration times: To help get an Asian feel in your room, Birthday greeting choose colorful wall hangings, and add many Sheng ri Kuai Le silk or real plants and flowers. Hang paper (Shung er Kwai Luh) lanterns and fish kites. Place woven mats on the floor. Christmas greeting Sheng Dan Kuai Le Balloon Globes: Color the shapes of the (Shung Dahn Kwai Luh) continents from a world map. Cut out the New Years greeting shapes and glue on a blue balloon. The bal- Xin Nian Kwai Le loon becomes the water. Hang from a string. (Sheen Ne-en Kwai Luh) Stuffed Animals: Use 8 1/2” x 11” bright- ly colored paper. Cut around enlarged animal shapes — kangaroo, koala bear, emu, tiger, Backdrop: Make a backdrop to bring to elephant, wolf, bear, water buffalo, pheasant, life culture and add atmosphere in any room. hornbill, gecko, crane, crocodile — making Enlarge a scene — a mountain scene, a mar- two of each shape. Glue bottom and two sides ket scene, a schoolroom scene, etc. You can together. Have students stuff with newspaper even make the scene 3-D by adding a table strips and tape the top. Punch a hole in the and items for an appropriate setting such as top and hang from the ceiling with yarn. silk greenery, marketplace items, or a small table. This might be the designated place Flower Filled Cones: Fold a piece of from which you tell the story weekly. paper into a cone shape. If curled just right, the edges will meet. Then staple or tape the Mailing Instructions edges together. You may fill with silk, dried If you’d like to write to the missionary or fresh flowers. If using fresh flowers, be families listed in this curriculum, or the mis- sure to wrap them in some wet paper towels sionaries your church knows, contact Free and place in a plastic sandwich bag before Methodist World Missions (800-342-5531) using them to fill the cone. This will keep the for the most up-to-date addresses. flowers fresh for a longer time. Attach the cones to the wall with tape or a thumb tack, or a hole in the top of the cone and hang it onto a nail.

Folded Fan Decoration: Take a rect- angular sheet of brightly colored paper and fold the entire sheet longways like you would fold it for a fan. Staple the folded sheet in the middle. Open the fan on both sides and sta- ple the sides together. You can hang the fan from the ceiling or wall. Also by putting two or three of the fans together you can make a if you see this symbol you’re larger circle. The larger the paper you use, the probably at a post office in Japan larger your decoration will be.

page 17 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 World Religions

You may want to present some basic ideas Buddhism was born out of the Hindu reli- about world religions and how they differ from gion, so there are similarities, including a belief Christianity. This can help students have a better in reincarnation. Buddhists believe they can understanding about what they accept as truth come back again and again after they die, each and may well prevent them from being confused time attaining more “enlightenment,” thus about Christianity. becoming a better person. Buddhists believe that when a person dies they enter a state of nirvana, as in blowing out the flame of a candle. That per- Buddhists son no longer exists.

There are many different forms of Buddhism and many different teachers (lamas). Buddhists Hindus follow the Noble Eightfold Path. They must be kind, not harm any living thing, live in a right Hindus believe in many gods, as many as 350 way, tell the truth, not think of self, think about million, who are all different others, understand suffering, and meditate. forms of one supreme god. Buddhists believe there are many paths to There are many rituals in God. Meditation, thinking deeply while sitting the Hindu religion. Hindus still, is an important religious practice. People are burn incense at home or in trying to get “enlightened” through meditation the temple as a part of their by finding the Buddha-nature, or god, within worship. Festivals to the dif- themselves. ferent gods are held many times a year. Parades One of the Buddhists’ holy books is 70 times are held and people go to the temples. Even in larger than the Bible! the temples people worship individually; it is not Many times, young like going to a Christian church service. men will become Twice a day Hindus pray and offer gifts to monks, either for their gods, believing that by doing so, bad things life or for short will not happen to them. They believe their gifts periods of time. of food must be perfect to be accepted by their Monks wear robes, gods. They might ring a bell to get the attention shave their heads of their god or gods when they pray. They believe and live in poverty, their gods hear only one person at a time. relying on others to Most Hindus do not eat any kind of supply their needs. meat because they believe in reincarnation. The concept of Reincarnation is the belief that when a person works comes into dies they will come back in the next life as anoth- the Buddhist beliefs. If people give to the monks, er person, an animal or bug. The better a person they are gaining points with God. lived, the better being they become in the next Buddhists might pray to an ancestor who has life. Hindus never kill any bug or animal for fear died, believing this dead relative can help them they may be killing some relative or friend who in this life. Buddhists practice their religion indi- has died. vidually and by going to the temple or shrine. Many times there will be a statue of Buddha in their home or in the temple.

NOTE: The ideas presented here have been adapted with permission from the The Teacher’s Manual for “Top Line - Bottom Line,” by Jill Harris and Bob Sjogren, Unveilinglory, 4663 Crown Hill Rd., Mechanicsville, VA 23111 www.UnveilinGLORY.com www.HisGlobalGlory.com

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 18 like Moses and Daniel. They do not believe Jesus Muslims was crucified and rose from the dead. The Koran is the holy book the Muslims follow, but they People who follow the Islamic religion are also use the first five books of the Bible and con- called Muslims. Muslims make up one-fifth of sider Matthew, Mark, Luke and John of the New the world’s population. Their god is called Allah, Testament to be holy books. and they believe Mohammed was the last and Muslims consider the United States (North final prophet from God. They believe that first America) to be a Christian country, so everything there were Jews, then the Christians, and now in the U.S. is what Christianity is all about. A Muslims. The word Muslim cannot separate who they are from their Muslim means “one who religion. To be a Pakistani is to be a Muslim; submits.” there is no difference. Therefore, any North Muslims must follow American they meet is assumed to be a Christian. the “Five Pillars of the Faith.” These pillars, or duties, include: Tribals or Animists 1. Reciting the man- tra, “There is no God but Tribal people have varied beliefs depending Allah, and Mohammed is his prophet.” upon where they are located. They live in small 2. Praying five times a day facing in the groups so there are many different beliefs and direction of Mecca, . Before they practices adopted from other religions, along pray they wash parts of the body to make them with their tribal beliefs. Fear often controls tribal “clean” before God. people’s lives. They want to have a right relation- 3. Giving alms, 2.5 percent of their income, ship with the many spirits they believe in. They to the poor. feel that disasters such as drought, famine, sick- 4. Keeping the 28-day fast of Ramadan. ness, earthquakes and floods are the work of evil Muslims do not eat from sunrise to sunset during spirits. They worship things in nature like rocks, this time of purification and seeking holiness. trees or the sun, and sometimes make special 5. Making the trip (Hajj) to Mecca once in offerings and sacrifices to them. Worshiping the their lifetime. Mecca is the holiest of holy places many different spirits is done individually or by to a Muslim. families. Tribal people usually have faith in witch The Muslim religion is one of works. doctors or a medicine man, sometimes called a Muslims believe at the end of a person’s life, shaman, for healing. They also believe in potions, Allah will decide if their deeds were good and magic stones and evil and good spirits. Tribal they should be allowed into paradise or if they people might wear amulets or charms they think did more bad deeds and should go to hell. To a can protect them from evil spirits. Often tribal faithful Muslim, keeping all the pillars is impor- groups believe when a person dies, he comes tant so they can go to paradise. back as a spirit. Because the people think this Muslims worship in buildings called ancestor can protect them from bad things, they mosques. Muslims believe Jesus was a prophet make offerings to him, too.

page 19 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 Help your kids be world Christians. Parents’ Partner Help your kids be world Christians. Parents’ Partner

* Become a World Christian * Parents’ 10 things to implement at home 1 - View the quarterly magazine Partner World Mission People online. Use the prayer calendar in fam- ily devotions. Welcome to Asia, the birthplace 2 - Check out the Free of civilization, religion and culture. Methodist World Missions Web site: www.fmwm.org - you‛ll find Two-thirds of the people in the world Fun Fact pages for kids & the live in Asia, and most likely someone Missions Hotline. from Asia lives in your neighborhood. 3 - Pray through the Hotline Four major world religions have their weekly prayer requests in your roots in Asia. Even though many are family devotions. artner Help your kids be world Christians. Parents’ Partner artner Help your kids be world Christians. Parents’ Partner searching for God and meaning in their 4 - Have a globe or large world lives, 80 percent of the people of Asia map for reference. Turn social are unreached by the gospel of Jesus studies homework into a dis- cussion on missions. Mark the Christ. In some Asian countries, Chris- locations of missionaries on the tians are persecuted for their faith and map. suffer daily for following Jesus. 5 - Discuss newscasts or arti- The Free Methodist Church has cles about other countries. been working in Asia for more than 6 - Read letters from mission- 100 years. Seventeen nations have FM aries as personal letters to your ministries: churches, ministry centers, family. schools ranging from kindergarten 7 - Put missionary pictures on a bulletin board, refrigerator to Bible school and seminary, and or in picture frames alongside creative ministries, such as teaching family, relatives & friends. English as a second language and frog 8 - Check books out of the and fi sh farms in countries that do not library about countries or welcome Christianity. International regions of the world where you Child Care Ministries sponsors more have friends or special inter- than 2,000 children in Asia. We trust ests. Read aloud missionary you will enjoy learning about the Free biographies & stories set in foreign places. Methodist Church in Asia. 9 - Try ethnic restaurants or recipes. — David and Sherrill Yardy 10 - Take opportunities to hear Help your kids be world Christians. Parents’ Partner P (Asia Area Director) & learn different languages.

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 20 Help your kids be world Christians. Parents’ Partner Help your kids be world Christians. Parents’ Partner Help your kids be world Christians. Parents’ Partner P People all over the world To Do At Home: are searching for the truth.  Role play a day in the life of a missionary. A Bible  Read John 13:1-17. Talk about what it means to be a for Every servant and how your family Funds raised Believer can have this attitude toward through this one another, friends and neighbors. children’s missions  Look for articles in maga- offering will be used to purchase zines, the newspaper, or Bibles in Asia. $5 will provide a broadcast information about new believer in another country with kids who are making a dif- a Bible in their own language. ference for God. Discuss how God must feel about the impact they are making for Know the Questions to Ask: Him. What country are you studying? Tell some-  Talk about choices you thing interesting about that country or the cul- ture. make as a family or in your Describe the flag you like the best of the job and how to please God countries you’ve studied. through making wise deci- How is the Bible story of Paul in Acts 2 a sions. missions story?

Make a list of Facts for you to share with your child: (These can help your child earn extra points in class) family activities and attitudes

Australia: A didgeridoo (dij-ur-ree-DOO) is a that please God artner Help your kids be world Christians. Parents’ Partner type of horn made from a tree branch hollowed ______out by termites. Japan: Japanese beetles were ______accidentially imported to America in 1916. A swarm of Japanese beetles ______can strip a peach tree in 15 minutes ______leaving only branches and pits. India: The sunbird, found in India, ______is about the size of a butterfly. The Philippines: Abaca is a ______banana-like plant. The trunk is ripped lengthwise and made into rope. Taiwan: It’s likely the first cook Challenge your child to learn all book was published in the 4th cen- six memory verses with you: Isaiah 6:8, Mark 16:15, Psalms 22:27, Acts tury in Taiwan. It was called Shih-Chin. 1:8, Joshua 4:23-24 and Matthew Thailand: Wood from a teak tree, found in 28:18-20. Your child may be able Thailand, is used to build ship decks, houses to earn more points in his class by and furniture, but logging has now been banned learning these verses. In addition, in the country. Teak wood is resistant to rot and make it a family project to search attack from insects. through your Bible for more “mis- sions” verses.

page 21 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 (church name) Official Passport Where Issued: ______Date: ______Country: ______

Instructions to teachers: Cover these instructions before you make photocopies.

Use these pages to make a two-sided passport for each child. Have the student fold on the dotted line, complete the informa- tion and sign the passport. If student photo is not available, have the child draw his or her picture.

Date stamp the passport or add official seals and stickers for each station visited or task completed. 800-342-5531 PO Box 535002 Missions Alive! Indianapolis, IN 46253-5002 Free Methodist World Missions

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 22 Student Photo Name: ______Address: ______Age: ______Birth Date: ______Hair Color: ______Eye Height: ______Shoe Size: ______Bearer’s Signature: ______Official Stamps:

page 23 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 Mark 16:15 - He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all cre- Memory ation.” Psalms 22:27 - All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him. Verses Acts 1:8 - “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be Scripture memorization is an important part of my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and your students’ understanding of God’s heart. Be Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” sure to explain the memory verse so your stu- Joshua 4:23-24 - “For the LORD your dents understand the meaning of the verse. It is God dried up the Jordan before you until you also important for them to know that the verse is had crossed over. The LORD your God did to part of God’s message to us. Read the verse from the Jordan just what he had done to the Red the Bible. Sea when he dried it up before us until we had crossed over. He did this so that all the peoples of These are the suggested memory verses for the earth might know that the hand of the LORD Missions Alive! There are additional references is powerful and so that you might always fear the for the Christian Life Club requirements. Choose LORD your God.” the verse(s) for your class to learn. Make copies Matthew 28:18-20 - Then Jesus came to of the memory verse shapes (pages 24-26). Give them and said, “All authority in heaven and on them to each child to take home as a memori- earth has been given to me. Therefore go and zation aid. You can also enlarge the shapes on make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in poster board, write the verses inside and display the name of the Father and of the Son and of the them in your room. Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey every- thing I have commanded you. And surely I am Use several of the ideas on the following pages to with you always, to the very end of the age.” assist your students in memorization. Isaiah 6:8 - I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 24 Memory Verse Activites

Disappearing Verse Write the memory verse on the chalkboard. Read through it with the children. Erase one or two words and say the verse, allowing the children to provide the erased words. Repeat until the board is completely erased. Popcorn Verses Prepare index cards ahead of time with one or two words of the memory verse on each. Mix up the cards and pass them out to the children. Write the verse on the board and have the children come up to the front of the room with their cards in order. Go through the verse by having the children say the word or words they are holding. Mix the cards and repeat. Verse Match Up Write 2-3 words of the verse on a verse shape. Hide the shapes around the room. Students must find the shape and work together to put the words in the correct order. For younger students, have the verse shapes traced in order on a posterboard using two or three shapes, duplicating as needed. The students can match up the shapes and then see if the verse makes sense. If it doesn’t they may have to rearrange the words until it reads correctly. Draw in the Blank Write the verse on the chalkboard, leaving out some words and leaving enough space so a simple picture can be drawn to represent each missing word. Have chil- dren suggest pictures to fill in the spaces as you review the verse together.

Ball Toss After reviewing the verse several times, use an inflatable beach ball, inflatable globe, or soft foam ball for a memory verse drill. Say the reference of the verse and toss the ball to a child. (For younger students, sit in a circle on the floor and roll the ball.) The child who catches it must respond with the first word of the verse and toss the ball back to you. Say the second word. Then toss the ball to another student, who responds with the third word. Continue tossing the ball back and forth between teacher and students until each word of the verse has been said. Include the reference at the beginning and the end.

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20

page 25 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 For the LORD your God dried up the Jordan before you until you had crossed over. The LORD your God did to the Jordan just what he had done to the Red Sea when he dried it up before

us until we had crossed over. He did this Mark 16:15 to all creation.” so that all the peoples of the earth might He said to them,

know that the hand of the LORD is preach the good news powerful and so that you might always “Go into all the world and fear the LORD your God.” Joshua 4:23-24

All the ends of the earth

will remember andbefore turn tohim. the nations will bow down I heard LORD, and all the familiesPsalms 22:27of the Isaiah 6:8 go for us?” And I said, go for us?” “Here am I, Send me!” the voice of Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will “Whom shall I send?

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 26 Prayer

Make your prayer time an important part of class. Remind students that prayer is talking to God, and they need to show Him respect. Know specific missions needs and praises when you pray with your students. Make and distribute prayer reminders. Contact your missionary for their current prayer requests. Consult the prayer calendar in the current issue of Free Methodist World Mission People magazine. Call to hear the Missions Hotline recording (800-342-5531, toll-free) or log on to the FM World Missions Web site, www.fmwm.org, to find the weekly Hotline requests. Focus your prayers on the study countries and the Christians living there. Challenge everyone to pray for missionaries, but also for national leaders and church people. Remind students that in many countries pastors and Christian leaders face political unrest, violence, sickness, dangerous traveling conditions and spiritual warfare. Pray for them.

Prayer Activities

Back a map showing Asia and students one at a time locate the study Australia with flannel and place it in the countries. Have them place their hands middle of a flannel board. Make star on these areas as they pray out loud. shapes, back with flannel and cut out. Instruct students to pray for increased Attach a long piece of yarn to each star. Christian witness in a certain city, stu- Place the stars on the board with the dents in a school, sick people and medi- yarn running to each country where there cal staff in a hospital, the children of mis- is Free Methodist missions work. You sionaries and pastors in that area or all can mount the map on a bulletin board the unsaved children in a particular city and staple the yarn to the countries if or nation. you don’t have a flannel board. Have stu- dents place their hands on a country and Order missionary prayer cards repre- pray for its needs out loud. senting the study countries from World Missions at 800-342-5531. During your Some students may feel uncomfort- prayer time, ask each child to pray for a able praying out loud. To help them different family. get some experience, try a “call and response” prayer. Lead in prayer, keep- Ask students to volunteer to pray for ing the phrases short so students can the children of the study countries who repeat after you. (an example: You say attend Sunday school, kids clubs and — “God, guide the missionary team in other activities. Asia and Australia.” Students repeat — “God, guide the missionary team in Asia Tell the students to listen for names of and Australia.”) these nations’ government leaders and other famous people mentioned in news On a large world map or globe have reports and pray for them specifically.

page 27 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 Prayer Games A to Z Toss

Checklist:  inflatable globe  books on countries around the world. Several suggestions are From Arapesh to Zuni, From Akebu to Zapotec, Window on the World, and You Can Change the World, Vol. 1 or Vol. 2 (See Resource List)

Have the children stand in a circle. The teacher stands with the book and the globe at the edge of the circle. To begin, the teacher calls out a criterion (such as the children with red name tags or blonde hair). Only those children will go after the ball as the teacher throws it in the air. Whoever catches the ball will call out a letter of the alphabet as the rest of the children go back to their positions. Then...

If playing with From Arapesh to Zuni, the teacher looks up that letter in the book and reads the page as she walks around the circle to show the picture. The child who caught the ball must find the location of the “Bibleless people group” on the globe. Have a brief time of prayer for that people group.

If playing with You Can Change the World, the teacher goes to the selected page. Either one of the shorter stories in a box may be read or a paragraph or two of the main text. Follow this with one of the prayer requests, having the child who caught the ball pray, if willing. If using Vol. 2, the child has to tell the teacher not only what letter of the alphabet they want but whether to choose a people group or a country.

Point and Pray Children around the world need: health safety Checklist: food good schooling  world map Bibles clean drinking water healthy relationships with others  blindfold

This prayer game is much like “Pin the Tail on the Donkey.” You will need a world map (preferably without the United States in the center) and a blindfold for this game. Have the children sit in a semi-circle in front of the map. (Be sure it’s adjusted for their height.)

Following a discussion of how to pray for children around the world, blindfold and spin the first child around, and then have him point to a location on the map. After he removes the blindfold, have that child then lead out in prayer for the children of that country or region.

NOTE: The ideas presented here have been adapted with permission from the The Teacher’s Manual for “Top Line - Bottom Line,” by Jill Harris and Bob Sjogren, Unveilinglory, 4663 Crown Hill Rd., Mechanicsville, VA 23111 www.UnveilinGLORY.com www.HisGlobalGlory.com

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 28 Prayer Toss Game

Checklist:  inflatable globe

Have the children stand or sit in a circle. Discuss the kinds of needs you can pray about for children around the world. Toss the globe to the first child. After he has caught it, have him pray for the children of the country where his hand or finger is touching. (This is also a great time to teach some geography.) After that child has led in prayer, let him gently toss the globe to another person.

If you want to have the game move faster, have the kids throw it to each other quickly. When you yell “Stop!” whoever has the ball prays for the country where one of their hands or fingers is touching.

The children’s prayers need not be long, but this gives an opportunity for children to grow more comfortable praying aloud to God in the presence of others. If you have missionaries in a country that the child is going to pray for, be sure to mention that as well.

Prayer Wheel

Checklist:  wheels (pages 30-31), duplicate each side separately  paper fastener  markers/crayons  scissors

Be sure to write the student’s name on the back of the wheel before beginning. Have the children color both sections of the wheel, cut wheels out and fasten together.

Use of Prayer Wheels You may want to mention a few key points to help students as they use the prayer wheel. Have them think of one person they know who is not a Christian who they can pray for in the “friends” category. Divide the children into groups of six to eight students, with a helper for each group. Have them take turns using their wheels to pray.

Prayer Bag

Take a large brown grocery bag and fill it with items from around the world (air mail enve- lope, foreign stamps, artifact from another country, chopsticks or something that might represent another culture, etc.), as well as practical things (a bottle of medicine, a bottle of water, a piece of fruit or a vegetable, a used plane ticket, a letter or postcard, money, etc.). Have the children come forward one at a time and pull something out of the bag. Explain where the item is from or what it represents (medicine represents doctors and nurses who help the sick, bottle of water represents children around the world who do not have safe drinking water, etc.) and then have the child pray accordingly.

page 29 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 Cut on dotted lines. This is the window that will indicate what the students are to pray for.

This is the front of the prayer wheel. Students will color and fasten to back.

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 30

in Asia and Australia and Asia in

Pray for church leaders leaders church for Pray

Australia who need to hear hear to need who Australia

Pray for people in Asia and and Asia in people for Pray

about Jesus about

in Asia and Australia and Asia in

Yardy

Pray for missionaries missionaries for Pray

Wilson

Adam & Rebecca & Adam

Keith & Julie & Keith Wilkins

Stone Marie

ClementeAdams Rebecca Mark & Lena Kinkead Pray for missionaries in Nelson Asia and AustraliaPersing

Pray forare people sick or who poor

Pray for children who are just like me

This is the back of the prayer wheel. Students will color and fasten to the front.

page 31 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 missionary prayer calendar

SUPPLIES: calendar grid, pens or pencils, 9” x 12” construction paper, glue.

PREPARATION: Photocopy one calendar (page 33) for each student. Gather as much information as you can about your church’s missionary families or individ- uals (newsletters, blog updates, prayer cards, etc.).

Explain that missionaries need our prayers. Remind the children the missionaries’ ministry is exciting, but sometimes it is hard work, too. It is important for us to ask God to help them. He will answer our prayers.

The calendar is a tool to pray daily for a different need that a missionary (family) has. Have students look at the missionary information to find specific needs.

PRAYER CALENDAR DIRECTIONS: 1: Have each student choose a missionary they want to pray for. 2: Glue the calendar grid to a piece of construction paper. 3: Use the information about your missionary (and family) to write in a prayer request for each day of the week. Here are some general requests that can be used, if needed: * Help in growing close to God, including regular Bible reading and prayer. * Physical strength and health. * Adjustment to a different culture. * Good relationships with the country’s church leaders. * Help with communicating — speaking or writing the language of their ministry country. * Help through lonely times and separation from family members in home country. * Effective teaching, preaching and witnessing.

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 32 Luke 11:1 thursday Lord, teach us to pray. sunday wednesday tuesday saturday friday monday missionary prayer calendar

page 33 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 Prayer Reminders: Copy these shapes. Cut out and give to students to remind them to pray through the week for God’s work around the world. Allow students to color the shapes. Make sure their name is on the back.

God, Jesus, help me let your love blossom in to grow in you so people who need to leave their past others will behind them. become your vessels. clothed with your love and grace. God, help me to learn about you. to fan others’ desire God, help missionaries to be

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 34 If you follow the Christian Life Club (CLC) requirements for missions month, the information on pages 35-36 may be of help to you. Missions Alive! is designed to teach about Free Methodist World Missions and its missionaries. If you are not Free Methodist, contact your denomina- tional office to inform students about the missionaries in your own church.

PathFinder Year 1 Learn About Missions Badge Memory Verse - Mark 16:15

Requirements  Listen to and act out the story of Philip and the Ethiopian (Acts 8:26-40). Tell what this story teaches about telling others about Jesus. Make a prayer list of people you know who need to hear about Jesus.  Make a card for one of the friends for whom you have been praying, inviting him or her to a church event or service.

PathFinder Year 2 Learn About Missions Badge Memory Verse - Psalms 96:3

Requirements  Learn about some of the missionaries who work in mission fields around the world. Post their pictures on a map to show the country where each missionary works.  Make an audio or video greeting for the missionaries you learned about. Tell something about yourself, sing a song, and pray for the missionaries.

page 35 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 TrailBlazer Year 1 Reach Out Badge Memory Verse - Acts 1:8

Requirements  Make a small gift to give to a child with whom you want to share Christ. Deliver the gift and tell the child the plan of salvation. Pray for the child who will receive your gift.  Learn about and pray for a missionary family who works on the mis- sion field you are studying. Write a letter to a missionary child.

TrailBlazer Year 2 Reach Out Badge Memory Verses - Romans 10:13-14

Requirements  Help prepare at least two foods using recipes from other countries. Share them with Christian Life Club friends.  On a map, locate some countries in which your church has missionaries. Discuss information about the climate, languages, natural resources and people in those countries. Tell some things you learned about how the people live.

PaceSetter Year 1 The Great Commission Badge Memory Verses - Matthew 28:19-20

Requirements  Identify some of the special challenges and joys missionaries experience. Tell how our prayers can help in these situations. Contact three missionaries and ask them to tell their favorite part of being a missionary.  Discover why missionaries need our financial support. Contribute some money to support our missionaries.

PaceSetter Year 2 The Great Commission Badge Memory Verse - 1 Peter 3:15

Requirements  Make a bulletin board, table or cabinet display showing the various jobs that missionaries do in the countries where they are serving God.  Learn about what influences people to choose their careers. Make a list of your interests and abilities. Tell how each might be used in a missions setting. Pray, asking God to lead you in the decision you will make about your career.

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 36 Leading Children to Christ

God has given us the exciting privilege of you. (1 John 1:9) (The child needs to know/ working with the Holy Spirit to bring children admit he has sinned in order to be ready to ask to Himself. From the earliest moment of influ- Jesus to forgive.) Ask, Have you ever sinned? ence on children’s lives, we are responsible for 6. When you believe God loves you and encouraging them to have faith in Christ. We Jesus died for you, ask for forgiveness and build a foundation for intelligent faith when we decide to live for Jesus (try to quit sinning). show kids Christlike love and provide sound Know you are in God’s family and have Christian teaching. We help them to under- everlasting life! (John 1:12) stand that God loves them and wants them to respond personally to Him. When your students make a definite deci- Even without frequent evangelistic appeals, sion for Christ, cel- the Holy Spirit uses many influences to sensi- ebrate with them. tize children to their need for Christ and bring Write the date of them to a point of decision. (For example: the the commitment consistent teaching of God’s Word; prayer on a certificate or anointed by the Holy Spirit; the Christlike love on a card with the shown in a person’s behavior toward the child; child’s name. Give and the singing of songs expressing Christian it to him or her to keep. Let the child thank faith.) Jesus in prayer. Then give him or her a disciple- As you interact with the students, be ready ship booklet or devotional book to take home. to talk openly about Jesus and what it means to Give the child’s name to your CLC director, walk with Him each day. Be alert to questions dhildren’s ministry director or pastor so that about spiritual things. Your task is to point follow-up can be done. children to a loving Christ, encouraging every response they make to Him. Learn to recognize the moment when an activity is causing a child *Leaders, be sure you understand sin is both an to think about his relationship to Christ. You attitude of rebellion toward God and any act of may have the joyful privilege of praying with a disobedience to His will. Every person is born with child to receive Christ. this heart attitude, which leads to acts of sin. All When you feel the Holy Spirit leading you sin must be confessed. Although younger children do not grasp this concept, your foundation of right- to provide an opportunity for a student to thinking must be in place as you guide your stu- receive Christ, use these guidelines to help you dents toward Christ. explain the plan of salvation. 1. God loves you. (John 3:16) 2. God wants you to really live. (John 10:10) 3. But you have sin in your life. (Romans 3:23) You cannot get rid of that sin by yourself. (Make sure the child knows what sin Note: All Light and Life Communication prod- ucts are available through Wesleyan Publishing is.*) Ask, What is an action you might do or House customer service —1-800-493-7539 or a thought you might have that would not order online at www.wphonline.com. please God? 4. God loves you so much that He sent Adapted with permission from Christian Life Jesus Who died to take away your (His Son) Club curriculum, copyright 2000, Light and Life sins. (Romans 5:8) Communications, PO Box 535002, Indianapolis, 5. You need to admit you have sinned, feel IN 46253-5002. sorry for your sins, and ask God to forgive

page 37 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 Student Name Tags: These can be especially useful if you have a missions fair/activity center format. Copy and allow students to color the shapes after writing their name. These rect- angles can also be used as prayer reminders.

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 38 Features

Stories

There’s no better way to convey God’s Missions Story Books love for the people of Asia and Australia than Missions story books are available on several through stories about the people who live countries where there is Free Methodist mis- there. sions work. These books can be used in many ways: Tell these stories with excitement and as 1 - Have several copies of each and let the much imagination as possible. Use props if children sign them out to read. you’d like. Rehearse ahead of time to be able 2 - Give as gifts for student achievement. to hold the children’s attention, but don’t try 3 - Give them as prizes. to memorize the story word-for-word. If it helps, make an outline. As you tell the story, Exploring the World with Jesus, a be enthusiastic and maintain good eye con- Missions Alive! story book, invites children tact with the students. to read one missions story each week of the year. This book and the missions story books Adapt these stories for your needs. Some are available from Wesleyan Publishing could be used in children’s moments on House (800-493-7539; www.wphonline.com). Sunday morning. Some could be adapted (Also see Resources and Suggested Reading as dramas with simple props, or a narrator sections, pages 190-193.) could be used with students acting out the characters in the stories. EXPLORE . . . Activities, ideas and ques- tions conclude several of the stories in this section. Use these with your students if time and situation allow.

page 39 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 Strange Ideas to Our Ears Acts 17:16-34

“We want to hear you again on this subject.” Acts 17:32

To get you thinking: The Story The Bible isn’t many stories; it is one. In preparation for this lesson, read this God is the main character of the book. We story about Paul in Athens (Acts 17:16-34). were created to honor and please Him by Be prepared to tell it to the class. being in a relationship with the Father. If you choose to read the story aloud in Because of His love and goodness to us, we class, the New International Version or the want to worship Him and tell others all about New Living Translation are good versions for who He is. youth to understand. When God made His covenant with Abraham in Genesis 12:2-3, He said, “I will Something important to highlight in make you into a great nation and I will bless the story: you; I will make your name great, and you God was glorified in Paul’s obedience will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless and some believed in God because of this you, and whoever curses you, I will curse; message. and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” This covenant can be broken As a class, review the Explore activity to down into two parts. The first part — the see the Bottom Line Lesson and how Paul’s “Top Line” — deals with the fact that God experience is a missions story. wants to bless us. The second part — the “Bottom Line” — deals with the fact that God wants us to be a blessing. Because God uses the word “all” in His covenant, what we really have here is the Great Commission. The word “peoples” refers to nations, families, tongues, tribes and ethnic groups. They are all synonyms for the same idea — people bound together by a common language. Keep these thoughts in mind as you con- sider the story of Paul in Athens. Perhaps you and your students can think of other Bible stories where the result is our role as a blessing.

NOTE: The ideas presented here have been adapted with permission from the The Teacher’s Manual for “Top Line - Bottom Line,” by Jill Harris and Bob Sjogren, Unveilinglory, 4663 Crown Hill Rd., Mechanicsville, VA 23111 www.UnveilinGLORY.com www.HisGlobalGlory.com

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 40 EXPLORE . . . Top Line Lesson Paul had heard the good news about Jesus and how He was raised from the dead. Paul also knew that the love of God had created him and blessed him in many ways. But that is not the whole story. Now Paul wanted to share his blessings with the people in Athens.

Bottom Line Lesson Who was blessed in this story? (Paul, Dionysius, Damaris, others in Athens who believed) How were they blessed? (saw God at work) Why was God able to bless these people? (they were obedient, sought His will) How was God glorified? (People believed in God.) How did He reveal Himself to the peoples of the world? (People all over Athens heard about Paul‛s message.) What does God get out of this? (The story is recorded for future generations to see His victory and love for all.) The Bottom Line Lesson includes God‛s desire for all people to know Him. When the boy was healed, many people saw God‛s healing in a tangible way and became believers.

Additional Activity Consider having students draw a picture, maybe even a comic-strip type story of Paul‛s experience. Consider using the “care ticket” on page 164 to encourage students to make a difference in someone‛s life this week. This is a ticket students can color in, fill out and give to someone on their own as a commitment to make a difference for Jesus.

page 41 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 Seng’s Story by Paula Guazon, as told to Margaret Nelson a story about Cambodia

“And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” Romans 5:5

Seng was still very young when his learn about Jesus when they go to church on mother died. A few years later, his father also Sundays, and in Bible classes at the House of passed away. The relatives then had to decide Love. what to do with Seng and his four siblings, This sounded like a good deal, so Seng as none of the relatives could afford to pro- decided to leave the temple and join his vide for the whole family. Seng’s two older brothers. After he arrived in Prek Thei and brothers were taken to a village far away, became one of the sponsored children in the called Prek Thei, to live with their mother’s House of Love, Seng’s life changed! Besides relatives. The older sister worked in a factory being very healthy and very happy now, Seng and got married at a very young age. Seng’s has accepted Jesus as his Savior. He eagerly youngest sister stayed with his grandmother plays the guitar and the keyboard as part of in their home village. the church worship team. His father’s relatives decided that Seng In 2010 International Child Care should be offered to the temple in order to Ministries workers reported Seng is still in become a monk. So, one day they shaved his Prek Thei and studying 12th grade. He still head and eyebrows and he went to live in the participates on the church worship team Buddhist temple. After that, he never had any every Sunday. more opportunities to go to school. By the Seng said there is a very big difference time he was 15 years old, Seng had only com- in his life since the days when he was in the pleted third grade! Young monks support Buddhist temple. Now he knows that he has themselves by going from house to house hope in Christ and that hope will not disap- and begging for food. The Cambodian people point him. believe that giving food to a monk will earn them merit in the afterlife, so even though they may be very poor themselves, they’re EXPLORE . . .  always willing to give a little to the monks Who was blessed in this that come by. story? (Seng, his family)  How were they blessed? One day Seng heard that his two older (through caring people at the House brothers were doing well, going to school, of Love) and were being cared for in a place called  Why was God able to bless the “House of Love.” Seng’s two brothers them? (Seng turned his back on lived in a little hut across the path from the Buddhism and believed in God.) House of Love. What in the world was a  How was God glorified? (Seng “House of Love”? He eventually found out is using his musical gifts for God.) people in other countries send money each  How did He reveal Himself? month to sponsor children like his brothers (God rescued Seng from his past.) so they’d be able to go to school, get extra  What does God get out of this? tutoring after class, have yearly medical (Praise for being victorious over check-ups, and eat two meals a day in the everything — because Seng‛s testi- House of Love. They also have the chance to mony is being told to others.)

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 42 The Lens Cap by Chris Wilkins, a story about Cambodia

“What is impossible with men is possible with God.” Luke 18:27

“Where are they?” I asked myself again. each other. I realized God could help me find Going to foreign countries is something I the missionaries. Do you know why I finally always enjoy doing. This time I was visit- understood this after worrying about it? ing Thailand, Laos and Cambodia. The Because floating between my size five and a problem was that at the third country of my half sneakers was … my camera lens cap! tour I hoped to meet some missionaries. It When I went to Laos, a country where was important that I find them there is a lot of jungle and because I was thinking about very few telephones, I was being a missionary. I wanted able to get my first personal to see their work. Knowing the e-mail address. I was very name of only one of them and not surprised, because the very knowing their addresses or tele- first message I received phone numbers had me worried. was a list of addresses and The first country I went to was phone numbers including Thailand. There I had a three-day the missionaries I needed to adventure in the mountains. Our tour group find! hiked, rode elephants, stayed at a couple of Today, my wife Yuko and I serve the villages and rode bamboo rafts. One day just Lord in Cambodia. He is able to lead our before taking a several-hour elephant ride, I lives. Nothing is impossible with God! went swimming with some children in a shal- low but fast-moving stream. The stream was so strong that the water emptied my pockets. I had my camera lens cap in my pocket and it got washed out. I couldn’t find it anywhere. I had to stop my search since it was gone. EXPLORE . . . It was then time to ride our elephants to the Select and read one of the next village where we would spend the night. parables from Luke 15. Talk We put up our mosquito nets so we wouldn’t with the students about get a lot of bites, and ate some dinner. There what it‛s like when they lose some- was no electricity, only our flashlights, so we thing and when it‛s found again. Ask the students to think of how they were all in bed early. can be a witness this week to a Although I was concerned about my lens friend who doesn‛t know about God. cap, I prayed that night for God’s help to find the missionaries when I arrived in Cambodia. Give every student 5 stickers — The next day we were returning to the maybe a butterfly sticker to rep- city by raft. I stood on the raft wondering resent new life in Christ — one about finding the missionaries. I realized the for each day they will be going to raft was low in the water so I looked down school next week. Ask them to wear to make sure my feet weren’t under water. It a sticker and when people ask them was then I realized the missionaries weren’t why they are wearing it, they will lost, nor was I lost. God knew where we all have an opportunity to tell someone were even if we didn’t know how to find about God‛s love for them.

page 43 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 Finding Family by Grace Margin, as told to Margaret Nelson a story about Cambodia

“But we had to celebrate and be glad ... he was lost and is found.” Luke 15:32

Sopheap was born in Kampot Province, where the family had eventually settled. Cambodia, nearly 50 years ago. She lived In 1992, one of Broh’s drinking buddies, with her parents, brothers and sisters near Joshua, heard about Jesus, and accepted Him a market area. When Sopheap was about 12 as his Savior. Joshua’s life was transformed, years old, the Communist Khmer Rouge took but Broh wasn’t at all interested in this new over the country under the leadership of Pol religion. However, Sopheap and the children Pot, and began to systematically cleanse the started attending church, and soon came to country of those who were educated or reli- know Jesus personally, too. gious, who had ties with Western countries, It took a long time, but their prayers for or who disagreed with their politics. They Broh finally were answered when he turned emptied the cities by deceiving the people, to Christ in the midst of a life-threatening saying that everyone needed to leave for illness. He was baptized in 2001 and took the three days while the enemies of the people Christian name of Barnabas. In all this time, were taken care of. In reality, all the city Sopheap still did not try to find her family. dwellers were forced to move to the country- At the beginning of 2003, however, the side and learn how to farm, dig ditches, or Free Methodist mission in Cambodia chose build roads. They were looked down upon by Kampot as a place to start planting a church. the people who had lived in the countryside A new believer in Phnom Penh had relatives all their lives. No one had enough to eat, as in a village there, and introduced missionar- the Khmer Rouge hoarded all the food for ies to his uncle. Bible studies were started in themselves and their army. the uncle’s home, and people began respond- In the midst of all this turmoil, Sopheap ing to the good news of the gospel. The first became separated from the rest of her fam- missionary who had been making trips to ily. She fled to the border area near Thailand, and eventually met a soldier fighting against the Khmer Rouge named Broh. They married and started a family. After the Vietnamese army helped force the Khmer Rouge from power and life returned to some semblance of normality, Sopheap did not try to go back to Kampot and find her family. She was busy raising her five children, and trying to keep food on the table. Broh became a motorcycle taxi driver, but spent most of his earnings drinking and carousing with friends in Prek Thei village,

Sopheap (pictured on left) and her two sisters.

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 44 Kampot went back to the U.S. for a few back to Prek Thei village with Sopheap and months, so another one took over the church stayed for a week. Sopheap was so excited to plant. He began taking Barnabas along on introduce her sister to all her friends there, each trip to help in leading the Bible studies, and also to have the chance to tell her about and sometimes Sopheap was able to go along Jesus. She is praising God for answering her too. prayers to help her find her family. As the church plant grew, Sopheap began thinking about her family in the same area, 2010 update: and began praying that God would some- Sopheap has been able to visit several of how work it out to find her brothers and her sisters, and they are eager to learn more sisters again. She had no idea if her parents about Jesus. At least one of the sisters has were still alive or not. After all, it had been believed in Jesus. They all want someone 28 years since she’d seen any of them. Since to come to their village regularly and lead a she’d been so young when they were sepa- Bible study. However, their village is a long rated, she no longer remembered how to get way from any of our Free Methodist church- to the place they’d lived. She could remem- es, and the roads to that village are bad, so it ber it was near a market, but that was all. She takes a long time to get there. Will you pray could remember her parents’ names too, but that one of our young Bible school graduates had forgotten those of her brothers and sis- will catch a vision from God to go to this vil- ters. (Asians often in daily use just call their lage and teach the people about Jesus? siblings “Older Brother” or “Younger Sister,” rather than using their personal names.) One day a new woman came to the Saturday meetings at the new church plant in Kampot. She soon accepted Christ as her Savior, and became active in the fellowship. The next time Sopheap went there, the lady looked at her and said, “I know you! I know your parents.” Sopheap could hardly believe EXPLORE . . . her ears. She has a large birthmark on her Plan ways to encourage some- face, and because of that, the lady remem- one in your church or commu- bered having seen her as a child! As Sopheap nity who is in a difficult situ- questioned the lady more, she found out the ation. Your pastor may offer sugges- lady knew where her family lived — about 12 tions of families or individuals your miles away from where the Free Methodist class can comfort. church plant was meeting. The next time Sopheap went to Kampot, Review the story again and consider the lady was there and ready to take her the Top Line/Bottom Line questions:  Who was blessed in this story? to meet her older sister. The sister came  How were they blessed?  Why was God able to bless them?  How was God glorified?  How did He reveal Himself?  What does God get out of this?

page 45 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 Bandages in the Rain by Martha Evoy, a story about Hong Kong

“And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.” Matthew 18:5

One night Gordon and I took a walk in notice them until much later. I only focused the city. A cool rain — no, it was more of a on this little one. I gathered some extra ban- drizzle — was falling. Few people were out- dages and instructed the child in how to keep side. A covered walkway which ran the full her scrapes clean so they would heal. length of the buildings provided us some When finished I couldn’t help but reach protection from the rain. out and stroke her dirty little face, cupping As we neared the end her tear-stained cheeks in my hand. As I did of the walkway, we caught this, I quietly and lovingly told her “Heih sight of a little girl, about hou leng,” which 8 years old, sitting on the means, “you are sidewalk, leaning against very pretty.” Tears a pillar. She sobbed qui- welled up in my eyes etly as she held one of her as I repeated the knees close to her body. It was words and smiled bleeding from where she had at her. The little girl skinned it. responded with a The “grandmother” heart in beautiful smile. me was touched at the sight of In only a mat- the young girl looking so alone ter of minutes, an and hurt. Reaching into my purse act of kindness was I pulled out some bandages and shared. A little child, tissues. I quickly moved toward without a mother the little girl and knelt in front nearby, was met of her. I spoke quietly to her in by a grandmother. Cantonese. She was surprised this Meeting ... touching “white faced” lady would speak in her lan- ... smiling .... guage. And Jesus said, “And whoever welcomes I gently wiped the injured knee and a little child like this in my name welcomes placed a bandage over the wound. Not want- me” (Matthew 18:5). ing to frighten the girl, I decided against using some medicine to cleanse the wound since the “sting” would likely startle her. As I finished applying the bandage to the girl’s EXPLORE . . . knee, the girl pointed to her foot where there Talk about compassion — was another scrape, bleeding slightly. She had research different passages in the Bible where people had probably tripped and fallen in the rain. compassion for others. Talk about We were quite sure this waif was one of ways as a class and as individuals the beggar girls that often appear on Asian you can show compassion to oth- city streets. A crowd of curious onlookers ers. Discuss how your actions might gathered around the three of us, but I didn’t impact others and honor God.

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 46 Trouble in School a story about India “The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; ...” Romans 8:6

Do you have a school in the town where you live? My town in India doesn’t. It’s just a little village, far from any cities. There are many villages in India with no schools. Lots of kids live in these villages, and most of them don’t know how to read or write. They will probably never learn how. How can they with no schools? I’m one of the fortunate ones. A family that week that made me excited, too. I gave in North America pays money to sponsor me my life to Jesus. I told Jesus He could have so I can go to school at Umri (OOM-ree). My control of everything — my eyes, ears, tongue school is a day’s walk from my hometown. I and hands. I asked Jesus to help me want to live in the hostel and attend Umri Christian stop stealing. And He has. school. Now, I’m making friends with the others The hostel is like a dormitory with about in my hostel and school. They aren’t afraid 125 students. The money my sponsor sends I’ll take their things anymore. My parents are pays for my books, notebooks, pencils, school happy, too. Everything’s nice now that Jesus is uniforms and food. That’s everything I need. in control of my life. This helps because my family doesn’t have Won’t you pray for me and all the stu- much money. dents at Umri Christian School and Hostel? You would think that I’d be happy here. Thanks! We’ll remember to pray for you, too. Well, I wasn’t until just recently. I wasn’t happy at home either. I gave my family a lot of trouble. I told lies and stole things I wanted. My parents are Christians and they EXPLORE . . . couldn’t understand why I acted the way I Pray for the children in your did. neighborhoods and in Asia Even going away to school didn’t change who have not heard about me. I got in trouble there, too. I took things God‛s love for them. Encourage your like pencils and books. I thought maybe I students to invite someone new to could sell them to make money. Somehow, I church this next week. always got caught. A few months ago, some students from As a class you might con- the Bible college in Yavatmal came to our sider sponsoring a child through school to hold a Bible retreat. Many people International Child Care Ministries. were excited about it. Investigate how to sponsor a child by calling their toll-free number (1-800- Something wonderful happened to me 342-5531) or go to www.childcaremi- nistries.org. Make sure you discuss NOTE: This story is one of the 52 sto- with your students what they can ries from Exploring the World With Jesus Storybook, published by Light and Life do to earn money as their gift for Communications and available from another child in need. Wesleyan Publishing House.

page 47 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 The Missionary, Marika by Lois Snider, a story about Japan

“... unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3

Mariko (ma-REE-ko) was a happy little girl. Buddhists. We do not believe in Jesus. Our peo- Life was good; she had loving parents and a ple have worshiped many gods for hundreds of comfortable home. She had her own room even years. And besides, this Sunday is the day of a though their house was very small. Every day special Shinto ceremony and we must go to the she looked forward to going to school. shrine to pray for your future.” Mariko knew One day a friend told her about Sunday that it would be no use to ask further about it. school. This was new to Mariko because she She thanked her mother for the had only known about regular school. meal and said, “It was deli- “What do you do there?” she asked. cious.” Then she hurried “We sing songs, hear sto- upstairs to her room. ries from the Bible, and When Sunday came, pray. Ask your mother if Mariko dressed in the new you can go with me next kimono that Mother had Sunday,” her friend replied. bought for the occasion. Mariko’s curiosity had turned At the shrine they threw to real interest, but she wasn’t an offering into the box sure her mother would give permission. So she and clapped their hands while they prayed for hurried home, and as usual called out as she Mariko’s future health and happiness. Her fam- entered, “I’m home!” Quickly she removed her ily took pictures, and Mother bought a sacred shoes and put on her slippers. From the kitch- charm for her. Outside the shrine gate they en she heard her mother’s voice answering, bought special candy. But all the time, Mariko “Welcome home!” The wonderful smell com- was thinking about Sunday school. How could ing from the kitchen told her that Mother was she be happy without finding out about who preparing something good to eat for supper. Jesus was? While her mother was busy getting sup- Mariko asked her mother again for permis- per ready, Mariko wanted to ask about Sunday sion to go to Sunday school, but always Mother school but was afraid. But she couldn’t get it had plans for Sunday. However, Mariko was out of her mind while she did her homework. not about to give up. Finally, one week, Mother Wouldn’t it be fun to see what they did in agreed that she could go once with her friend. Sunday school! And who was this person Jesus How excited Mariko was! Now she could find that her friend talked about? She had never out who this person called Jesus was. heard that name before. Sunday school proved to be exciting for “Supper’s ready, dear,” her mother called. Mariko. She didn’t know the choruses but she That, too, was good news since Mariko hadn’t hummed along. Best of all, she heard about eaten all her school lunch and was very hungry. Jesus. She learned that He was no ordinary After the usual phrase, “Let us receive,” was person as she had thought at first. Instead, she said, she began to eat. Politely she answered found out that He was God’s Son and that He Mother’s questions about school activities. had died on a cross for her sins. Mariko didn’t Mariko waited for the right time to ask about fully understand what sin was all about, but she going to Sunday school. Finally, gathering up knew she would if only Mother let her go again. her courage, she told her mother about the Just as she had promised, Mariko hurried invitation. “May I go, Mama? It’s nearby and right home as soon as Sunday school was over. I’ll come straight home as soon as it’s over.” Excitedly she told her mother all about what “You don’t understand, dear,” her mother she had done and heard. She showed her moth- replied. “That is a Christian meeting and we are er the little card that she had received. Written

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 48 on it were the words, “Unless a man is born Those were the same words that were on the again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” card Mariko had brought home the first time Mother read the strange words and wondered she went to Sunday school! what they could mean. During the next few days, Mother tried to Mariko’s enthusiasm for Sunday was so dismiss those words from her mind. She didn’t great that Mother couldn’t think up enough think she was a sinner because she hadn’t reasons to keep her daughter home. So robbed a bank or killed someone. Surely those Mariko got to go with her friend more often. words did not apply to her. Mother learned However, it worried her mother. Since Mariko from a church brochure that there were English was an only child, it meant that she would language classes meeting at the church. She have to carry on the family line. She would was interested in learning English. But when be the one to pray for the ancestors. Mother she went, even there the foreign teacher talked thought, “I mustn’t let her continue attending about God and the Bible. Mariko’s mother was the Christian church! What if she becomes a confused. She longed to know this God, but Christian?” how could she stop worshiping the gods as she The next time Mariko went to Sunday had been taught? school she brought home an invitation for One day soon after this, the pastor visited her parents to attend a special service. The Mariko’s home. He praised Mariko which children were going to sing and there would pleased Mother very much. He said how won- be a special speaker. “Will you go to hear me derful it would be if both mother and daughter sing, Mother?” asked Mariko. She knew there together would worship the true and living was little hope of getting her father to go God. The following Sunday, both of them went because each Sunday he either slept or played to church together. After several weeks went golf with his friend from the company where by, the pastor announced that he would be - he worked. tizing people the next week. Mariko thought, “I Now Mother was really upset. She knew wonder what Mother will decide to do.” that she had done wrong in let- The next week Mariko was so happy to ting her daughter attend the see her mother baptized along with Christian meetings. But other people. Now they would be how could she disappoint going to Sunday school and church the daughter who was so every Sunday together. She remem- dear to her? Maybe she bered hearing her Sunday school could go just this once. After teacher read from the Bible some- all, she really ought to see thing about how “A little child will for herself just what this lead them.” Sunday school business was all about. The next Sunday, Mother timidly entered EXPLORE . . . the hall with Mariko. When people greeted If you have not already done them, she thought, “How friendly everyone so, take time to invite the chil- is!” The children sang very well, and then the dren to ask Jesus into their speaker was introduced. “I’m going to tell you hearts if they don‛t know Him a story from the Bible,” he said. “It is a story as their Savior. about a man called Nicodemus.” Mother lis- tened intently, especially when the speaker This would be a good opportunity to talk recited Jesus’ words, “Unless a man is born about how to witness or how to share a again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” testimony. Invite any students who are Christians to tell the class how they became a Christian. You might also dis- NOTE: This story is one of the 52 sto- cuss John 3:3 and what it means to be ries from Exploring the World With Jesus Storybook, published by Light and Life born again. Communications and available from Wesleyan Publishing House. page 49 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 Ice Cream by Pete and Jan Mills, a story about South Korea

“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.” Colossians 4:5

Do you ever procrastinate — put off some- push we needed to get it thing until later? Do you ever know that the started. Lord wants you to do something, but you are In this group we learned so busy that you put it off until you have more hymns and Christian songs, time? watched parts of various videos Early in our missionary service in South on the Holy Land, worked on Korea between 1998 and 2005, we were busy word puzzles and studied with lessons for the Bible school and seminary. the Gospel of Mark. Pete had the administrative responsibilities Over the months our group changed; for these. Jan was teaching various subjects students moved or graduated. Some brought there, as well as English at several different relatives or school friends — classmates who churches. We were also studying the Korean wanted to improve their own English ability. language. Studying a foreign language involves An English teacher often brought students. classroom time, homework, working with a We had a wide range of ages, as well as speak- language partner, listening to tapes, watch- ing and reading abilities. Not all the students ing TV programs, and trying to grasp what is who attended were Christians, so it was also happening. It means using every opportunity an opportunity to share God’s love. Some stu- to improve your language skill. When you use dents came from Buddhist homes or homes something in a conversation and you’re under- where no faith was practiced. It was so great to stood it’s great, but when you try using some- see one of the students who didn’t know Jesus thing you think you know and you haven’t eagerly reading passages from the Korean really understood it completely, then it sounds Bible. strange to the native speaker. We knew the If you procrastinate when you eat ice Lord wanted us to begin an English Bible study cream, your melts. If you procrastinate in our home, but we just didn’t see how we when God prompts you to do something, the had time to add anything to our full schedule. opportunity may slip past and never come Jin Hee Kim Is, one of the translators who again. helped us, loves Baskin Robbins ice cream. So The next time you eat ice cream, pray for a we often went to get ice cream after a service missionary you have learned about, or a min- or class Jin translated for us. istry in a foreign country. Also pray you’ll be One Sunday after Pete had preached and ready when God prompts you to do something Jin translated for him, we were once again for Him. in Baskin Robbins for ice cream. Two young Korean women in their early 20s came in with their boyfriends and began talking to us. They found out we were missionaries from North America. They asked if we had an English EXPLORE . . . Bible study group. Consider the Bible story of We said, “No, but we are starting one in Jonah as a class. Talk about two weeks.” That was the beginning of our the consequences when he put Sunday afternoon English Bible study group. off his task. Make a list of “pros” and This wasn’t really something we had planned “cons” to doing what God asks you to to do right then, but something we knew God do. wanted us to do. Their question was just the

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 50 Reading Einstein by Rebecca, a story about Taiwan

“For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” Luke 11:10

The miracle began in my first year in him choose from my abundant English books. Taiwan as a career missionary. A father, the Often he chose the National Geographic a brother of one of the deacons at my church, friend sent me. Then he asked to read a story asked me to help his son read a book — an from the Bible. We read about Jesus’ birth English book. I responded that I do not teach because it was near Christmas. Another time, English. I gave lots of he asked to read the Bible again. We read the excuses: I am too often Ten Commandments and the story of Jesus’ out of the country, I baptism. cannot hold regular I kept praying for Albert. I asked God to classes because of visa open the door to share the gospel with him. restrictions, I am very As Albert left one night he accepted a Bible in busy and I do not have which I wrote his name and a blessing from the time to take on an book of Romans. English class … just One night when he came to study, Albert to name a few. But the was wearing a crystal cross. When I asked him father was very insis- where he got it, Albert replied a friend gave it tent that he could think of no one else to help to him. his son. I suggested he and his son come to my I asked “Why?” home. I could meet the boy and look at the He said because his friend thought he was a book. I agreed that I would help them find the Christian. right teacher. I asked Albert, “Are you?” I had many questions. Was the book a “Sometimes yes, sometimes not,” was his grammar book? Was it something with which reply. I could ask a friend to help? How old was Pray for this young man and many others this lad — 10 years, 12 years? Did he want to like him who are growing in their understand- learn English? ing of the world and finding friendship with When they came over, I met a young man Christian friends. May the Holy Spirit water of about 15 years carrying a book titled, The the seeds that have been planted. May this Autobiography of Albert Einstein, written by a young man desire to know the God who has man named Bernstein. It was the son himself created the universe that fascinated Albert who was looking for a teacher. He was not Einstein. May the Lord touch his family — he a young lad who was being forced to learn has an older sister; his mother is Buddhist; his English for his own good. Also, the reason father grew up in a Christian family. May God he wanted a teacher was because he desired grant them a hunger for truth and righteous- to understand physics better, and he had this ness. The harvest is ripe. English book on the subject of his interest. I realized this was no ordinary book and no ordinary lad. God said, “Becca, you are the one EXPLORE . . . whom I have chosen.” So I said, “Yes.” Take this opportunity to talk At first Albert (that is the English name about how to witness or how that I have given him because he likes Einstein) to share a testimony. Invite practiced English, and I learned physics! But any student who is a Christian to tell there were times he made an appointment to the class what a difference Jesus come over and forgot his book. In this case I let has made in his or her life.

page 51 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 Extreme Pyrotechnics in Taiwan by Angela Peterson, a story about Taiwan “You shall have no other gods before me.” Exodus 20:3

The biggest fireworks show in Taiwan cheting at comes in February. You can experience them their feet, up close in the village of Yenshui (Yen-shway). burning into Some people may think you’re crazy to go, but their clothes, it is the experience of a lifetime. Why? Let me the people explain. begin screaming The fireworks are part of the annual re- and turning. enactment of an event that happened more Most people who attend go for the thrill, than 100 years ago. At that time, an epi- the excitement, even though it is risky. Each demic of cholera had caused the deaths of year, between 80 to 100 people are injured many people in Yenshui. So, those remaining in the event. This is one evidence of the idol alive in the town tried to appease their god, worship still widely practiced throughout the Kuankang, by setting off fireworks. Soon after villages of Taiwan. While this annual event in doing this, the incidence of cholera declined Yenshui offers cheap thrills for the spectators, sharply. Since then, the villagers have com- it is a serious religious observance for the local memorated the event with a fireworks show people whose lives are held in bondage by the each year. spirits of death and hell. Thrill-seekers from all over attend this Many of these native Taiwanese do not event. It has become a popular attraction. The know who Jesus is. Their idea of ‘god’ is fear- main draw to the Yenshui fireworks display some, selfish spirits demanding their devotion is the bottle rocket fireworks that are shot and offerings. These evil spirits are real and directly into the crowd of spectators. If you able to harm the people of Yenshui, but only think that’s dangerous, you’re right! Most as long as they do not pray to the One True people who come know to wear protective God, Who loves them and has limitless power gear. Many wear their motorcycle helmets to free them. That’s why Christian missionar- and several layers of old clothing, which will ies go to Asia: to tell the people held “in the get singed with fire. My friend Linda and her ignorance of sin” that God loves them and teenage son went. She took a spray bottle that His Son Jesus can set them free from the filled with water to dampen her clothes. Good awful spirits of death and hell. thing, too! She was hit with a bottle rocket that burned a hole through the towel she’d **For further information, go to google.com and wrapped around her neck. Better the towel search under Yenshui and Kuankang. than her skin! One thing you can observe is that the explosion of fireworks happens only in the EXPLORE . . . presence of Kuankung’s statues. These idols Take a look at the “World are paraded along the streets in palanquins, Religions” section in this Plexiglas-covered wheeled carts pushed by book. Talk about these reli- devotees. They stop the carts in front of bee- gions with your students. Then, as hive-shaped forms containing thousands of a class, make a list of things people fireworks, mostly bottle rockets. After paper put before God. This might include: spirit money is burned between the hive and money, success, video games, technol- the idol, the carts begin bouncing up and ogy, family, work. Give time for each down. The fuses of the hives are lit, then fiery student to silently commit themselves rockets begin flying. Over their heads, rico- to put God first in their lives.

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 52 T.V. Teacher by Angela Peterson, a story about Taiwan

“... God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.” 1 Corinthians 12:18

Watching television in Taiwan is an Sometimes I wonder if this kind of real- interesting pastime that some foreigners ization also happens in real life between real appreciate. Most newcomers, of course, don’t people. The Taiwanese have certain assump- understand anything that’s spoken, but they tions and stereotypes they attach to foreign- can have fun taking turns “translating” for ers. When they find out that we can’t live up each other as they watch the action. to these assumptions, there is a measure of Two short-term workers, Sue and Kate, disappointment that comes. tried this just for fun. If the show was a sappy A woman asked if I could play the piano. Chinese drama featuring a tragic-looking Apologetically, I answered, “No.” She was man and a tearful woman surprised. She thought that over-acting their parts, Sue every pastor’s wife must might say, “He’s break- be able to play the piano, ing up with her because especially the missionary’s she flushed his favorite wife. McDonald’s toy down the We constantly sur- toilet.” prised Taiwan friends with If they were watch- the different strengths and ing a news broadcast with just as He weaknesses that we have. few live-action features wanted them As we gradually broke to help them guess at the to be down cultural assump- news, Kate might say, tions we made about each “The President of Taiwan other and got to know the has declared tomorrow unique person God had National Pogo-Stick Day. custom-designed each of Everyone has to pogo-stick hop to work us to be, we were blessed to catch a glimpse tomorrow.” This “look and guess” kept them of God’s wide range of creativity. In this dis- guessing at what was REALLY being said. covery, the joy far outweighs the disappoint- Then the day came when Sue and Kate ment. were watching a program, listening but not “translating.” In amazement they looked at each other. In surprise both exclaimed, “I understand that!” Months of Mandarin EXPLORE . . . Everyone has a contribution to language classes had paid off. They could make. Every gift and ability is watch a sappy Chinese drama and catch the important, but not everyone gist of what was being said. News was more has every gift. Have each student make difficult, but the popular culture of Taiwan a list of talents they might have and began to open up to them. Sue and Kate were connect it with a ministry they could a bit disappointed. They discovered that their do for someone else. This might get “translations” of the dramas were more inter- them started: esting than the boring, unoriginal, uncon- - read to someone who is ill vincing plots of the series — not to mention - make a sandwich for little brother how bad they thought the acting was. - play instrument at nursing home

page 53 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 Easter Earthquake by Angela Peterson, a story about Taiwan

“There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it.” Matthew 28:2

Easter Sunday 2002 was on March 30. in self-pity like this, but the temptation over- Our family attended morning worship with came me. I knew it was wrong, but I went a local congregation then went to the pas- ahead and did it anyway. tor’s home with a dozen or so others to enjoy “That afternoon I decided to go for a Sunday dinner together. We 15 were together walk and try to familiarize myself with the in that home for the “Earthquake of the Year” city, which was still new to me. I walked for in Taipei that afternoon. a good half an hour, looking around, enjoy- More than six million people live in the ing the bustle of the city, but always thinking Taipei metropolitan area. Every one of them about the things I had to get done, the things has a story about where he or she was during that I had to learn how to do, the things I the earthquake. A young American woman, had to learn how to say in Chinese, and so Jay, who was in Taiwan as an English teacher, on. Then, as I was walking along, my knees had this to report; “On Easter Sunday, I suddenly buckled and I staggered. At first was not in a very I thought there was good mood. I am something wrong with ashamed to admit me, but then I saw that that Jesus’ resur- everyone else was stag- rection and victory gering, too. It hit me — were not foremost this is an earthquake! in my thoughts as “I had no idea what I got ready to go to do. At home in the to church. On this eastern U.S., I had day when I should never experienced an have been power- earthquake. Should I fully reminded of run into a building? my reason for joy, Stay on the sidewalk? I was mentally Do what? As the checking off all the ground underneath reasons I thought continued its shak- I had to be angry. ing, people around In my heart I knew me began running in it was Easter, that all directions. I stood it was absolutely disgusting to be wallowing unsteadily, trying to decide what to do. A

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 54 chunk of tile clunked me on the head. Ouch, quake, which served as a reminder to me of I clapped my hands over the top of my head His love.” as smaller pieces of hard debris fell and cut For Jay, this earthquake was a powerful my hands. Standing where I was obviously reminder of God’s power and love. For our was not a good idea, so I ran out into the family and the dozen or so friends at the pas- wide boulevard. By this time, the earthquake tor’s home, we praised God, too, for the cel- had finished its worst. ebration of Christ’s resurrection. Easter and “This wasn’t exactly a life-threatening earthquakes are together in scripture, aren’t experience for me, though later I learned that they? Read the gospel account again from four people downtown had been killed when Matthew 28 and see for yourself. construction equipment was shaken loose from the frame of Taipei 101, one of the world’s highest skyscrapers, and fell on them. But this was my first earthquake, and it was quite unnerving for me. “As I walked back to my apartment, I thanked God in prayer for keeping me safe. I was reminded of the Old Testament verse, “When the people of Israel saw the mighty power that the LORD had displayed against the Egyptians, they feared the LORD and EXPLORE . . . put their faith in him and his servant Moses” As a class, make a list of (Exodus 14:31). I knew exactly how the peo- people who don‛t know Jesus. ple of Israel felt! I had just seen God’s power Encourage each student to in the earthquake and I feared Him, too! spend time in prayer this week for Worry and anger can lead to doubting God. their salvation. Also, pray that people I understood then that if I doubt Him, He in Asia will have opportunities to hear can reveal His presence in a way that I won’t about Jesus and His resurrection. enjoy very much. “I was suddenly stung with shame at my Take time to make invitations to invite selfishness. Jesus died and rose again to save someone to church and have students me from my sin and I didn’t appreciate it. deliver them. But instead of condemning me, God decided to save me again — this time from an earth-

page 55 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 Yuko and Laura: Sisters Ages Apart by Chris Wilkins with Yuko Wilkins, a missionary testimony

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. Isaiah 55:8

Yuko was born in 1968, in Kusuu, on her sister so she could attend a good school. the island of Kyushyuu, one of Japan’s Every week Setsuko, her friend, invited Yuko four major islands. Her father’s name is to church. Yuko’s excuses held out for sev- Katsutoshi. His name means Victory. eral months until Advent season. With the When Yuko entered 5th or 6th grade arrival of December, Yuko thought about there was an American TV show that caught the American-style Christmas she’d seen on her interest — “Daisougen no Chiisa Na television. She decided to go to church with Ie;” you would know it as “Little House on Setsuko. Her first visit was to the candlelight the Prairie.” (The translation is “big grass service. The people, the atmosphere, it all left little house.” The word for big grass actu- a good impression on Yuko and she contin- ally means prairie, so the title is the same in ued attending that church. Two years later, English and Japanese. Most foreign shows in Yuko’s father, after giving the admonition Japan have their titles changed.) “Don’t get radical,” gave her permission to Yuko loved the show about a past age in get baptized. Years later he would resist when America, especially the Christmas episodes. she decided to attend seminary, but times and She was impressed with the members of the hearts change. Sunday mornings you will find poor, pioneer families. They showed love to him going to the very same church that Yuko each other and attended church to worship went to 25 years ago with Yuko’s mother, God on Sundays. Yuko’s traditional Japanese Chieko. They are not believers, but are seek- family was nominally Buddhist and only ing the way of God. involved in a couple of traditional ceremo- After graduating from Tokyo Biblical nies a year. Seminary, Yuko became a pastor in 1998. Yuko liked something else about the pro- She enjoyed the ministry and her relation- gram. She felt close to Laura. They were both ships with the church family. In 2001 a pastor the middle of three sisters. In addition, Laura introduced Yuko and me. I taught English liked sports and was a bit of a tomboy, just at his church on Sundays. I’d been serving like Yuko. in Japan as a short-term volunteer, but was Years later Yuko entered high school. planning to go to Cambodia as a career mis- She moved away from home and lived with sionary. Yuko and I married six months after

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 56 we met and were in Cambodia in October future hopes, she would like to work with the 2002. ladies group and encourage them more in Today, Yuko is the treasurer of the work matters of the Spirit. in Cambodia. She is also involved in the Some of Yuko’s favorite things are wor- Reaksmei* development work. She helps ship music, reading, ministering in small develop new products, teaches sewing, groups, hand held electronic games and her inspects products, assists with purchasing family. Oh, yes, she does have a collection materials and sells projects, among other of Little House on the Prairie books and a things. Last year Yuko developed a new prod- complete DVD collection that will give her uct, a Nativity basket containing the Holy enough episodes to view until she retires and family. It’s sewn by villagers at Koachaslea then some. Kang Gaot, a village on an island in a Mekong River tributary where Yuko makes visits to teach sewing projects and conducts * Reaksmei means “shining light.” a Bible study. The Free Methodist Cambodia Mission has a church and International Child This story first appeared in the October- Care Ministries facility there. She also hosts December 2010 issue of World Mission People a monthly Japanese fellowship that gives her magazine. a chance to hear her native tongue. As for

Nativity baskets like the one pictured here are sewn in Cambodia.

EXPLORE . . . Take time in class for each student to write a letter or note to someone who has made a difference in their Christian walk. It might be a teacher, pastor, friend who invited them to church, or their par- ents.

page 57 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 Air Jordan Versus Abe Lincoln by Jim Hawthorne, a story about Taiwan

“... I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord ...” Philippians 3:8a

“Abraham Lincoln is the richest one!” And the mystery was solved. Chiang declared one of Pat’s kindergarten math stu- Kai Shek, founding father of the Republic dents. of China on Taiwan, stamped on a variety “No way. Michael Jordan is richer,” of coins and bills and as bald as any shaved another insisted. basketball hero, was anonymous. “But Abraham Lincoln Michael Jordan, however, rich is a president,” offered a girl and famous, was in everyone’s in the back. To most kin- pocket and certainly richer than dergartners, history is in the Abraham Lincoln on a mere present tense. penny. “Abraham Lincoln is on Some heroes in Taiwan are this penny. He must be the bald and soar through a forest of richest one.” Logic is still in limbs toward basketball hoops. the developmental stages for Others, like runner Michael a 5-year-old. Johnson, fly around tracks in The discussion deterio- gold shoes to come in first at the rated into an argument. Olympic winner’s tape. “Michael Jordan is rich- Michael Johnson didn’t come er.” to our school’s kindergarten, but “Is not!” his shoe did. “Teacher, which one of Nike in Taiwan produced these is more money?” asked the gold track shoes in which the class peacemaker. Johnson won gold medals in “Well, this Taiwan dollar the 1996 Olympics. One of their is worth four pennies.” designers, a worship leader from “See, I told you,” triumphed the Jordan a local church, developed the winner’s shoes fan. “Michael Jordan is the richest man in the and a back-up pair. When his son Micah world.” brought one of the shoes for the kindergar- “How do you know?” Teacher inter- ten show and tell, the world of international vened. sports heroes became just a little more real “Whose picture is on this Taiwan dollar?” for the class. “Michael Jordan,” came the confident And when basketball star Shaquille replies. O’Neal and his traveling off-season exhibi- “Michael Jordan! Why do you say that?” tion team used the school gym for an open “Look. He’s bald. That’s Michael Jordan!” practice session, heroes came even closer.

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 58 “Look at those feet! They must be size 18!” different type — a kind, gentle teacher who Taichung’s young students are visited majors in bonding relationships between regularly by Kolbie and Karsen’s father, God and man, rich and poor, Asian and Mark — the top pitcher of the China Westerner. Professional Baseball league. Mark was Among the championship contests of featured in the center of Taiwan Baseball all time — greater than the Super Bowl, the Magazine, appears on Channel 4 Sports, and World Series, the NCAA (college), the NBA, is interviewed by reporters after each win. the Olympics, the Premier League, the World More important to the students, though, Mr. Cup, the Masters Tournament, and the Mark Keifer is their friends’ daddy — hus- Stanley Cup all rolled into one — Jesus came band of mother-helper Monica. It is refresh- out the winner. ing to find a hero who attends church, loves What was the score? Jesus 1, Death 0. his family, and volunteers at school when he Who is your hero? can. Usually big and fast, unimaginably rich, often radical in behavior — many of today’s This story is from “Goat’s Head with Dog Meat, heroes have money, power and fame. Thirty-two More Devotionals from the Pacific Followers of Jesus choose a hero of a Rim,” by Jim Hawthorne with Krista Ely (1999). It is reprinted with permission.

EXPLORE . . . Have students make a list of people they respect and honor, people they admire. Pretend that person will be coming to your church as a guest and your class has been asked to introduce them. Work together to write a brief paragraph why this historical or contemporary person is a hero.

page 59 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 This story talks about Tomb Trip ancestor worship. by Jim Hawthorne, a story about Taiwan

“Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.” 1 John 5:21

“Do you have everything we need?” “How long do you think it will take to get “Let’s check. Here’s the scythe and the all the tombs cleaned and swept this year?” spade and clippers. Maybe we’d better take the “I hope we can be done by noon, but we had saw too. Last year some of the bushes by great heavy rain this winter so there will be a lot of great grandpa’s grave were really thick.” grass and weeds to trim.” “Good idea. Here are the incense sticks and “Well, the Mongolian Barbecue serves until 10 bundles of god money.” 2:00 so we should have enough time to get there “Do you think that’s enough? You know for the family dinner.” Auntie Chen’s spirit is there too now.” “Uncle’s plane leaves at 7:00. We’ll have to “Right. We’ll stop and buy some more on leave right after lunch to get him to the airport the way to the cemetery.” since the freeway will be jammed. Everybody in “She always enjoyed a glass of wine with her Taiwan will be out this evening.” dinner. I have a bottle in the basket here for her “I’m sure his wife’s spirit will help us get spirit and some guavas and peaches for grand- through the traffic. She must really appreciate pa’s spirit and some ginger flowers and orchids his coming all the way from Hawaii every year for grandma’s.” to worship her.” “I’ll bet Uncle Tai’s spirit would like some “Ready kids? Let’s jump in the Mercedes and squid. If we don’t keep him happy, and be on our way.” we’ll start losing customers again at the store.” The scene is repeated with only slight varia- “We can stop at the ben dong cafeteria tions in millions of households each April 5 (or and get a few box lunches to leave at his grave. on April 4 in leap years). From early ages, chil- Don’t let me forget to pick up the free chop- dren learn not only to respect, but also to wor- sticks. I wouldn’t want Uncle Tai to think we ship their ancestors. aren’t showing the most possible respect.” “Honor your father and mother” is a “Good. I have the matches so we can burn Christian commandment that Asians under- the debris and then have our family bai bai stand. “Worship the Lord your God and serve with the god money and the incense.” him only” the Asian culture as a whole rejects. “I feel so sorry for Grandma Ching. Her Worship of ancestors is one of the greatest hin- only daughter has become a Christian so she drances to following Christ in Asia. has no one to worship her. Kids, don’t you ever Biblical truth must be carried to the human do that to me. If there’s no one to worship me heart by the Holy Spirit and His missionary when I die, I’ll just have a fit.” messengers — overseas or next door. “We promise, Mommie.” Are you one of them? “Do you think we can find the right area This story is from “Please Pass the Pickled Duck’s this year? Last year I thought we’d never find Feet, Thirty-one Devotionals from the Pacific our plot among the thousands of mounds. Rim,” by Jim Hawthorne (1997). It is reprinted Everything was so overgrown.” with permission. “Oh, Mother. It’s always that way, and we always find it. Grandpa’s spirit won’t let us get lost.” “Are the kids ready? I just called Big Sis and EXPLORE . . . Little Sis on the cell phone. They’re already on Research different Bible pas- Chung Da Road. Big Sis picked up Uncle Hsieh sages where people worshiped at the airport this morning so I think the whole God and where they wor- family will be there again this year.” shiped idols. Talk about ways students can praise God and how their worship impacts others.

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 60 Safe in Her Father’s Arms by Jim Wilson, a story about the Philippines

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, ...” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 It was 5 a.m. and still dark out. Pastora came to a sudden halt, its right engine buried Diane Aquino (AH-keen-oh) fastened her in the dirt, tail up in the air. seat belt and prayed the same prayer she Sliding down the emergency chutes, the had uttered many times before: “Lord, your passengers nursed their bruised ribs, strain- daughter is on this plane. Please let it arrive ing to get away in case of an explosion. safely.” Meanwhile, the lone fire engine looked on Pastora Diane serves at the Kamuning from the runway, unable to travel the rough FMC, located in Quezon City, Philippines, terrain to the actual plane. the first established church in Manila. Had God forgotten about His daughter on Leaving Manila, the plane headed for Butuan board? No, He had never left her. Although a City, an hour and 20 minute flight. General little bruised, Diane was safe in God’s care. As Conference would start in a few days, and people prayed for General Conference, God Diane was arriving early to visit family. was answering prayer before the sessions even As the plane prepared to touch down, started. Diane noticed the airport terminal to her right. That meant they were landing halfway This story first appeared in the April-June 2008 down the runway instead of at the begin- issue of World Mission People magazine. ning. Seconds later, the plane skidded off the runway and traveled cross-country. Two feet away from some coconut trees, the plane

This plane crash took place in Pastora Diane with Deb Wilson. October 2007.

EXPLORE . . .

Remind students it is impor- tant to pray for others, even if we do not know what they are facing. Use several of the prayer activities for this session.

page 61 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 It Pays by Jim Wilson, a story about the Philippines

“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21

Does it pay to serve Jesus? Pastor Gani listened to the gospel for the first time, he De Guzman says absolutely. Born and raised realized he was hearing the truth, and gave in the metropolis of Manila, Philippines, his heart to the Lord during that very first Gani was child number eight. His mother Bible study. For the next year, he contin- was already past the age of 40 when he was ued the Bible study every day. His neighbor born, so Gani found himself not only unex- attended church out of town so Gani did not pected, but unwanted. Even so, his childhood go with him, but his knowledge of the truth was full of many happy days. His father was continued to increase. a barber. This did not make them rich, but at Then, one night the Free Methodist least there was a steady income. church announced they were going to show When Gani entered third grade, his life slides of Israel. Knowing of Gani’s interest changed forever because he discovered the in geography, his neighbor suggested that world of books. He would attend classes from he attend one of the services. The church 6 a.m. until noon, eat his lunch, and then did not have their own building, but it was go to the library. While his friends were out easy to get to the service because they were playing ball in the streets, Gani found him- meeting in the school across the street from self immersed in books on astronomy and Gani’s house. As it turned out, Gani not only geography, as well as the local newspaper. enjoyed the slides, but also enjoyed meeting Later, he would return home to do household the members and their American pastor, Ray chores. As the youngest member of the fam- Streuker. He began to attend full-time and ily, he was considered too young to learn a continued his discipleship there. trade, so cleaning fell upon his shoulders. Unfortunately, Gani’s family did not On Sundays, Gani would go to the local approve of his decision. Attending a Bible Catholic church by himself. In time, he even study was fine. Attending a protestant church became an assistant to the priest, doing such was shameful to the family. They began to things as holding the Bible while the priest accuse Rev. Streuker of having brainwashed read it and holding the communion cup dur- Gani. ing mass. While his family approved of his Persecution from his family became a faithful attendance, they only attended spe- daily occurrence for Gani. His brothers and cial events like Christmas and Easter them- sisters offered to pay for his college course- selves. As Gani continued in the church, he work with only one condition; he give up this even began to consider becoming a priest. idea of being a protestant pastor. For Gani All that changed one summer during though, there was no turning back. Once he high school, though. Their next door neigh- knew the truth, he had to serve Jesus no mat- bor attended a Lutheran church and he ter what the consequences. invited Gani over for a Bible study. As Gani Today, Gani is a pastor, and God has not

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 62 stopped speaking to him. Just as he spoke when Gani was very young and he listened, so today Pastor Gani has lis- tened to God’s call for him to consider becoming a mission- ary, maybe even in Australia. There are multi-cultural churches there in need of help. His family still opposes his faith, but Gani learned his lesson early, it pays to serve Jesus no matter what the cost.

Lessons learned: 1) Even if you are young, you can still serve the Lord in the church. 2) If God is calling you, listen and do what He asks you to do. 3) If God has provided for your needs, consider other children around the world. Find ways to give that will help meet both their material and spiritual needs. 4) You may be small, but God can use you to help change the world. EXPLORE . . . We all have a special task. Encourage students to con- sider what their task is right now in their lives. Make a list of things you can do as a class to impact oth- ers for Jesus. Some suggestions might include: make “get well” or “thinking of you” cards for shut ins, pass out bul- letins, etc. Then make a list of things students can do on their own: help with chores around home, help elderly neighbor, etc.

page 63 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 God is Always There by Jim Wilson, a story about the Philippines

“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1

A jeepney. This is one of Pastora Diane both work and take care of them at the same Aquino’s earliest memories. Her father was time. After several years of this though, the a jeepney driver and he named his jeepney pace of their lifestyle caught up with Diane’s “Diane” after her. Holding 30 or more mom. She became ill, so Diane and her people, jeepneys were, and still are, the most brother were brought to town. Her cousin widely used public transportation vehicles in lived next door so Diane often spent the the Philippines. The youngest of seven chil- night there because her mom was unable to dren, Diane can still see her sisters standing take care of her. The next year, while Diane on the back of the jeepney, acting as conduc- was in the fifth grade, her mom died. tors and collecting fares. For her, those were Unable to keep the restaurant open by happy days. Their yard was filled with fruit himself, Diane’s father became a fireman in trees. Besides making good snacks, she would a neighboring community. Once a month take the fruit to school to sell so she could the children would make a trip to see him, buy games. but the rest of the time the younger children In second grade, however, Diane’s life were transferred from one sister’s family to changed. Her parents opened a “carende- another. During this time, Diane began to ria,” a small restaurant in the nearby city question God. Her mom had been her only of Butuan. Everyone moved there except source of comfort when she was afraid and Diane and her brother. They were left with now she was gone. She found herself angry a nanny who they soon learned had a drink- with her sisters and father because they had ing problem. Diane and her brother started allowed her mother to become overworked skipping school and sickly. with no one being While Diane the wiser. Sundays still attended brought some relief church, it was because her parents only as her sis- would come home on ters directed, Saturday night and not because take them to the Free she wanted to Methodist church on go to church. Sunday. But Monday Later, after mornings brought finishing high back the reality that school, Diane her parents could not transferred to

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 64 yet another sister’s home. Here she started fears to the Lord. After that, the evil presence attending the local college and became never returned. involved in the Surigao Free Methodist As she continued her studies, Diane Church. was able to forgive her sisters one by one. One evening, Diane went out to buy Forgiveness for her father took much longer, some vinegar. Somehow she became lost and but eventually healing came. Today, fear no suddenly found herself standing on a high- longer controls Diane’s life. Diane, a pastor, way with a car coming at her full speed. She has learned there is only one true source of was able to get off the highway and return comfort. Friends and family may let us down, home, but later that night, she woke up and but God is always there. heard footsteps outside her door. As she lis- tened, she suddenly had the impression that a presence was inside her room. Physically EXPLORE . . . she felt as if the spirit was trying to remove Give each student an 8-1/2 x her soul. She struggled and began to pray 11-inch sheet of paper. Have and eventually the presence left. This hap- them fold it in half. On the top pened for the next two nights. As a result, half, have students draw a picture of Diane began to write out Bible verses and Diane before she knew Jesus. Was she place them around her room. Her Bible read- sad or happy, depressed or mean, etc.? ing suddenly took on new enthusiasm. She How did she behave? On the bottom half of the page, have students draw also talked to her pastor to help make sense a picture of Diane after she accepted of the experience. Jesus as her Savior and had forgiven Answers did not come immediately, but her family. over a period of months, Diane began to sense that God was calling her to become You might also discuss fear and spir- a pastor. She enrolled at Light and Life its, reminding students that Satan Bible College, choosing to stay in the dorm. tries every avenue to get us away from Suddenly, during a storm one night, the evil Jesus. Also remind them that Jesus presence returned, again trying to remove is much stronger than Satan, and can Diane’s soul. Evil faces filled her heart and keep them safe from spirits. mind. A faculty member prayed with Diane Forgiveness is another related topic that night which brought temporary peace, in Diane‛s story. You might discuss but it was not until missionary Fred Adams how important forgiveness is with visited from another city and prayed over one another and with God. You might her that Diane was finally able to give her do some role playing where a student needs to ask forgiveness of another.

page 65 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 Miracle in the Making a story about the Philippines

“I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.” John 5:24

They live in the mountains above Davao come into his village with the promised Black City in the Philippines. The Ata Matigsalug Book, he immediately accepted Jesus as his people are illiterate and have very little con- Lord and Savior. Not knowing what God tact with the outside world. God brought could or could not do, the chief simply said, the gospel to them, however, in an unusual, ‘God, I need to be able to read this book you seemingly miraculous way through the leg- have sent, so I am expecting that you will end of the Black Book and one man’s faith. allow me to read right now!’ God graciously heard his request, and instantly he could! The legend of the Black Book “Since that time, the tribal chief has been Missionary Fred Adams tells the legend used of God as an outstanding pastor and related to him by the tribal chieftain: evangelist. He preached with great power “After the fall of Adam and Eve, the Lord and conviction and has led many people to a God came to earth when the tribes began to saving knowledge of Jesus. We bought him a form. The chief of the Ata Matigsalug people, horse so he could reach the outlying villages Chief Apo, was also there. The Lord gave who wanted him to preach to them about each of the leaders a Black Book containing Jesus.” the laws which would keep the people walk- ing in righteousness. The next step: Education “Soon after God returned to heaven, a The Ata Matigsalug tribal people suf- huge downpour came. To keep from get- fer from poverty and malnutrition. Some ting wet, the chief ran for cover using the may not be able to read, but many are open Black Book as a hat. Unfortunately the pages to the gospel. In 1998, God led Rudolfo and became drenched. In the process of drying, Ruth Cubos to reach out to these unreached the pages of the book were destroyed. Chief peoples and led them to a place called Betan Apo was distraught. He beseeched the Lord where many were converted. The work has God for another copy of the book, but none grown to more than nine villages and some was given. Instead, the Lord God said, ‘In literacy programs have begun among adults. later years I will send a man to you who will The children, however, have remained bring another copy of the book. Within its largely uneducated, because the available pages will be the account of the Savior who is schools are far from where they live. The chil- Truth.’ dren of Kapatagan live nearly four miles from “Thus, in 1998 when the tribal chief saw the nearest school, which is at Betan. They Rev. Dodong Rudolfo Cubos, a lay pastor of cannot walk to school because they would the Southern Mindanao Annual Conference have to cross rivers that are very dangerous in of the Philippine Free Methodist Church, the rainy season.

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 66 International Child Care Ministries has established both elementary and high schools with a dormitory for the children who live too far to make the daily walk. They are the first children of this tribe ever to go to school! They’re learning to read, write and do math, and they’re teaching their parents what they learn at school. A large garden helps provide food and a microenterprise to raise pigs and goats has been started. Bishop Jim Tuan of the Philippines General Conference stated after visiting the community: “Since the start of this minis- try in 1998, we are seeing God’s hand move in mighty ways to change the lives of these people. You feel the presence of God in their midst. Some lay leaders had to hike for seven hours on the mountain trail just to attend the meeting.” Pastor Cubos states: “Prayer has always been the power that gives strength and moti- vation to fulfill the plan of God for this min- istry. The people meet regularly for a whole day of prayer and fasting.” God is leading to replace the cycle of illit- eracy and poverty with education and life in Christ. EXPLORE . . . Have students do Internet research on a people group. If your class is big enough, divide them and study more than one people group. Come together and report your findings.

Some places to start research include: - www.joshuaproject.net - www.uscwm.org - peoplegroups.org

page 67 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 To Asia and Back Again: Culture and Religions in Asia a skit by Margaret Nelson

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.” Ephesians 6:18

How to use: Use “To Asia and Back Again” as a part of a public service or present it to other chil- dren‛s classes. This skit calls for four speakers. Elaborate props are not required. Students who are reading should be given a complete script with their part highlight- ed or underlined. Readers should feel comfortable speaking in front of others so no one is embarrassed.

Suggested props: Props could include: maps, chopsticks, travel brochures and luggage

Stage: This might be staged at an “airport” or in a home — a living room or dining room

Bob: Aunt Barbara! Uncle Pete! You’re back Aunt Barb: Oh, they are normal children and from your trip to Asia! enjoy playing just like you do. In the crowded cities, they still find places to play basketball, Aunt Barb: Yes, we are. There’s lots to tell badminton, ping pong and soccer. you about all the things we saw and learned. Uncle Pete: Watching T.V. and playing video Brittany: Did you get to meet any children games are popular too. When we rode on the our age? Did you visit any schools? Tell us subway trains, there were usually several kids please! playing with their handheld video games.

Uncle Pete: Slow down! Yes, we met quite Brittany: Did you eat lots of strange foods? a few children and visited their schools. You would not like the fact, however, that most of Aunt Barb: Yes, we tried quite a few new them have to go to school on Saturdays. foods. It was hard to learn how to use chop- sticks though! I never did figure out how to eat Aunt Barb: Education is very important in barbecued chicken feet with chopsticks, and Asian cultures, and children are expected to the steamed pork buns kept falling back into spend most of their free time studying. my bowl.

Uncle Pete: In Hong Kong, we visited several Uncle Pete: You should have seen Aunt study centers that are operated by our church- Barbara when they brought out the deep-fried es. The students go there to study where it’s octopus tentacles! They actually turned out to quiet. They often want to study even on holi- be quite tasty, but she wouldn’t even try them. days like Christmas and New Year’s Day. Bob: I think I would have starved. Don’t they Bob: Don’t they ever play? It sounds boring to have McDonald’s? me to study all the time.

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 68 Aunt Barb: Yes, there are McDonald’s and the schools, many students will go to the tem- other familiar fast food restaurants all over ples to pray for good grades. They burn incense Asia, and the children often prefer to eat there so that their god will be in a good mood, and instead of having the foods their parents like. some students pay to have their fortune told. But when you’re in another country you should try some of their traditional foods. Uncle Pete: Many young people, though, say that they don’t believe in anything. When they Brittany: What were their church services hear about Jesus and that He can forgive sins like? Are there many Christians in Asia? and bring them freedom, they are eager to believe in Him. Uncle Pete: We met lots of Christians and heard many exciting stories of people across Aunt Barb: Their families usually don’t mind Asia putting their faith in Jesus Christ. The if they believe in Jesus, but if the young person church services were quite similar to what you wants to be baptized, their parents may forbid are used to: singing, a sermon, announcements, it. offering, etc. Uncle Pete: In Asian cultures, children are Aunt Barb: However, the “buildings” they taught their parents must be obeyed, so it takes meet in are often very different from our a lot of courage for a young Christian to take a churches in North America. Some of the con- stand for Christ. gregations in Cambodia and Myanmar just meet under a large tree since they can’t afford a Bob: Let’s pray for the people in Asia that they building yet. When it rains, the people get wet! will be open to God’s message of love for them.

Uncle Pete: In the big cities of Japan, South Brittany: Yes, let’s pray for our missionaries Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan, property is too. very expensive, so churches often meet in small apartments in tall buildings. If there isn’t an elevator, the people have to hike up many flights of stairs to get to church each week.

Aunt Barb: In South Korea you can tell where the churches are located because each one has a large cross on the top of the building. At night they are lit up so you can see them from any- where in the city.

Bob: What about the people who don’t believe in Jesus?

Uncle Pete: We did visit some of their temples. Many people in Asia are Buddhists. They don’t go to the temple every week for a worship ser- EXPLORE . . . vice like Christians do, however. They only go Take time to pray for mission- to the temple if it is a special holiday, or if they aries who are involved in many need something. different types of work. Pray not only for the missionaries in Asia, Aunt Barb: Just before examination time in but also the missionaries your church supports.

page 69 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 Because You Shared Jesus a skit

How to use: Leader: Free Methodist missionaries have Use “Because You Shared Jesus” as been faithfully telling the good news about a part of a public service or present it to Jesus around the world for over a hundred other children‛s classes. This skit calls for years. Lives have been changed. If some of six to 16 speakers. Elaborate props are these changed people could tell the missionar- not required. ies “thank you,” this is what it might sound like These children‛s testimonies should from the Philippines. follow each other without the leader announcing them. Child 1 (with a bunch of bananas): Thank Students who are reading should be you for the International Child Care Ministries given a complete script with their part program. Thanks for teaching me how to grow highlighted or underlined. Readers should bananas and pineapple plants. Thanks for feel comfortable speaking in front of oth- teaching me how to raise goats and chickens. ers so no one is embarrassed. Now I can help support my family.

Suggested props: Props should include: bananas, ban- Child 2 (with a bandage): Thanks for teach- dage, books, hammer, Sunday school ing my mom the importance of keeping sores paper, radio, bed sheet, paper and pencil, clean. Maybe I will not be as sick as my broth- medicine, Bible. ers and sisters were when they were my age. I Also if you choose to light the Christ want to be a doctor when I grow up. candle at the close of the skit, you‛ll need a large candle. Have an older child or adult Child 3 (with books): Thanks for teaching my light the candle. dad at the Light and Life Bible College. I’m glad he wants to be a pastor and tell other Filipinos Stage: about Jesus. This could be staged in three sec- tions of the platform representing the Child 4 (with hammer): Thank you for help- three countries: the Philippines, India and ing us build a new church after the hurricane Cambodia. You could have the maps and destroyed our other one. I love my church and flags the students have prepared as a Jesus. I think I would like to pastor a church mural backdrop. someday.

Child 5 (holding a Sunday school paper): Thanks for telling me about Jesus. I asked Him into my heart last Sunday.

Leader: Now we’ll hear what those from the country of India might say.

Child 1 (with a radio): Thanks for the radio program about Jesus. Everyone in my family gave their hearts to Jesus because of what we heard. We are the only ones in our village who know Jesus.

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 70 Child 2 (with a bed sheet): Thank you for the Child 5 (holding Bible study book): Thanks for hostel where I stay. I was afraid when I had to helping my mom grow in God. Because of the sleep on the sidewalk. Now I have a safe place quarterly retreats, she and the other women of to sleep at night. our Cambodian church are learning how to be like Jesus. I want to follow Mom’s example. Child 3 (with paper and pencil): Thank you for the opportunity to go to school. I want to Leader: We are thankful for home missionar- be a pastor and teach others about Jesus. ies and foreign missionaries who are working diligently to bring God’s light to the world. Child 4 (with medicine): When I came to India has an exciting celebration called Umri Hospital, my parents thought I would Divali, which means Festival of Lights. Each die because I was very sick. Now I am well and home is flooded with lamps that glow from have a chance to live. Thanks a lot! roof edges, window sills and doorways. Public buildings are outlined by hundreds of electric Child 5 (with Bible): Thank you for the Bible light bulbs. There are fireworks at night. The students at Yavatmal College and Leadership poorest homes will have at least one clay saucer Training. One came to our village and told us with oil and a rag wick. Often young girls float about Jesus. Several families like mine prayed their lamps on tiny rafts down streams. If the to invite Jesus into their lives. Now we are light burns as long as its owner can see it, that building a church. means good luck for the coming year. People carefully clean their lighted homes because they Leader: Now we’ll hear what children from believe a goddess will bring good luck to homes the country of Cambodia might say to mission- that are properly cleaned. Although Divali is aries. not a Christian holiday, it has been used by Christians to proclaim Jesus, the Light of the Child 1 (with a piece of folded paper): Thanks World. If we let Jesus cleanse the sin from our for writing the Bible in my language. I hope hearts and let His light shine in our lives, we to be a missionary someday and translate the will be a blessing and that’s better than having Bible. good luck! We want to close our missions study with Child 2 (with Bible): Thanks for coming to a celebration of the Light of the World. We’re our house and telling my family about Jesus. going to sing a song that was first sung in the Now that my dad and mom have asked Jesus Hindi language in 1939. The Holy Spirit used into their hearts, they do not fight anymore. this song in a great way to speak to people. When that song was translated into English Child 3 (with books): Thanks for the House and sung in America, the Holy Spirit used of Love which provides tutoring in my school this song again in a great way to speak to subjects and gives me a place to go when my hearts. That song is “I Have Decided to Follow parents are working. Since school is only in Jesus.” (Light the Christ Candle, form a big session for half a day, I have a safe place to go. circle and sing “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus.” Remain standing. Give the following Child 4 (with hands outstretched): Thank blessing from Thailand: Pra-chow uway pahn you for sharing the light of Jesus’ love with (which means “God bless you.). my family. In our village, Prek Thei, people have only two choices: be a Buddhist or Free Methodist. My family has chosen to be Free Methodists. EXPLORE . . . Make posters using pictures from magazines or drawings of the types of jobs missionaries are doing around the world.

page 71 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 Meet the Story Authors:

Martha Evoy is a retired Free Methodist missionary. She served in Hong Kong for 11 years. She was a teacher and worked in evangelism ministries. Mrs. Evoy now lives in Michigan.

Paula Guazon, a pastor in the Philippines, was a mission- ary to Cambodia for several years.

Jim Hawthorne was a short-term Free Methodist mis- sionary who ministered in Taiwan for 10 years. He and his wife, Pat, taught at Morrison Academy, a school for missionary kids, but returned to the U.S. in 2004. The Hawthornes are originally from Illinois.

Grace Margin is a missionary to Cambodia from the Philippines.

Pete and Jan Mills were missionaries in South Korea and the Philippines for nearly nine years. They were involved in education and leadership development. They currently pastor Living Faith FMC, Lincoln, Nebraska.

Angela Peterson is a former Free Methodist mission- ary. She served in Taiwan for 18 years. She and her husband, Troy, partnered with Overseas Radio and Television using English to reach people with the gospel. Mrs. Peterson now lives in Michigan.

Lois Snider is a retired Free Methodist missionary. She served in Japan for 35 years. She was a teacher and worked in evangelism ministries. Mrs. Snider now lives in Ontario, Canada.

Information about the other story authors can be found on the missionary information pages beginning on page 123.

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 72 Facts

Asia & Australia

Perhaps you can use this section to share Make posters of each country. Collect interesting facts that help students photos from news magazines, National have a better understanding of Asia and Geographic and World Mission People mag- Australia. azine. Display the posters for your church to see what your students are learning. Suggestions: Flags for each of the countries are pro- Post the maps included and give students vided in this section. Have students color a chance to color in the countries as you them with the appropriate colors. Also con- study them. Find other maps of Asia and sider attaching the flags to dowel rods and Australia to hang in your room. use as centerpieces for your classroom table A Country Profile Page can be completed or use during a public service or at an inter- for all the study countries (see page 77). For national dinner. younger students, the profile on page 76 cov- Specific information on Free Methodist ers three countries. The answers are on page missionaries serving in these Asian countries 143. If students complete a profile for at least and their children is included in this section. three different countries, give them an extra Consider having students make “Missionary sticker in their passport. Fact Files” or flash cards based on the infor- The country facts are designed for you to mation in this section. If you are not in a share with your class. Some facts and country Free Methodist church, you may want to information pages included in this section supplement this information with facts about may be helpful in completing the word puz- missionaries from your own denomination. zles (pages 165-175).

page 73 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 Free Methodist World Missions Focus Asia and Australia

Nepal South Hong Kong, Korea China Japan India Taiwan Vietnam Myanmar the Philippines Thailand Cambodia Malaysia Sri Lanka

Australia

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 74 Asia and Australia

Suggestions for classroom use: - Use this map as a weekly attendance chart, coloring in or completing the details of the country you study that week. - After covering all the country information, test your students’ knowledge of the major cities and country locations by having them fill in this blank map. - Make a matching game from the map. On slips of paper provide the country names and any other map features your students know. It can be as detailed as you wish. Have students work as teams to glue the slips of paper (country names, cities, etc.) to fill in the Asia and Australia map.

page 75 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 For the country of India Circle the objects or names of the people or items that can be found in this country.  Malaysia Jim & Deb Wilson the Philippines

Mt. Kinabalu Choose the correct flag chess for the country and color it in: tarsier lotus monkey

Manila hornbill cows

Mt. Mayon kite- flying

88-story building Hindi language

7,000 islands Connect the country name with the right country. Then color in the correct country narra tree shape on the map below.

Fred & Barb exports Adams bananas Ganges River mouse deer Roger Stone Malaysia

the Philippines India

Answers on page 143 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 76 page 77 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 Capital: Canberra Population: 21,262,641 Australia Area: 4,773,533 square miles, slightly smaller than the US contiguous 48 states

Climate/Terrain: generally arid to semi- arid, temperate in south and east, tropical in north / mostly low plateau with deserts, fertile plain in southeast

Language: English, native languages

Industries: mining, industrial and trans- portation equipment, food processing, chemicals, steel

Natural Resources: gold, coal, iron ore, copper, nickel, natural gas, diamonds, tin

Religion: Christian The Work of the FM Church in Interesting Facts: AUSTRALIA: ∗ Australia is the only country that is also a continent. ∗ More than half of this country is desert. ∗ Australia is an immigrant country — that Status: Church-in-Formation means many people were born some- Organized Free Methodist Churches: 1* where else and moved there. Ecclesiastical Accountability: FMWM ∗ Australia is a large wool-producing coun- through the Philippine General Conference try. *current statistics not available ∗ The national tree of Australia is the gum tree, or eucalyptus. Origins ∗ The Great Barrier Reef, which Pastora Emma Agarao, a Filipino pastora, Australians call “The Reef,” is the number registered the Free Methodist Church in one tourist attraction in Queensland. It is Darwin, Australia, in 2001. not one reef but many built up by coral skeletons over many years. Present Ministries ∗ In 1801 Matthew Flinders, an English The Darwin congregation has French, explorer, sailed all the way around Australian, Aborigine, Malaysian and Australia, proving it was one land mass. At Filipino attendees. that time the country was known as New The first ordained Iraqi pastor emigrated Holland. Flinders suggested a new name, from the Middle East to Australia’s west Australia, from the Latin word australis, coast in 2005. He began a Free Methodist meaning “southern.” house church in his home. His son now gives ∗ The remote interior of the country is leadership to this fellowship in Perth. Later known as the outback. It is hot, dry and in 2005, another Iraqi FM leader relocated to much of the land is used by large cattle the east coast of Australia and began a simi- and sheep stations. lar house fellowship.

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 78 Country Information Australia Country Information Australia Country Information Australia

A Closer Look National Symbols Flower: the golden wattle has gold flowers and green leaves (gold and green are colors worn at sporting events) Tree: gum tree, or eucalyptus Animals: The emu, a bird that can’t fly, and the kangaroo both appear on the country’s coat of arms.

Amazing Animals Some kangaroos can jump a distance of more than 30 feet and run up to 30 miles per hour. They eat plants and live in forests and grasslands. Baby kangaroos are called joeys. They are only about one inch long when they’re born. They stay in their mother’s pouch until they are 7 to 10 months old. Koalas aren’t really bears. These marsupials are pretty picky about what they eat — only eucalyptus leaves. Kangaroos and opossums are also marsupials found in Australia. A mar- supial means the mother carries the babies in her pouch. Other animals you can also find include camels, wombats and the duck-billed platypus — an animal that has a duck bill, webbed feet, a furry body and a beaver-like tail.

Beginnings Australia’s original settlers were aborigines. They used boomerangs to hunt — curved weapons that return to the hunter if the target is missed — to hunt. In 1788 the first British ship arrived with convicts, people who had broken the law in . The convict ships continued to arrive until about 1840. However, many other immigrants arrived in Australia to take advantage of the new opportunities there. January 26 is the day the people celebrate Australia Day, marking the first day immigrants arrived. They sing the national anthem, set off fireworks and conduct re-enactments. The University of Sydney was established in 1850. It is the oldest institution in Australia.

page 79 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 Country Information Australia Country Information Australia Country Information Australia blue red cross white stars, The flag of AUSTRALIA was adopted in 1901 when the commonwealth of Australia declared themselves independent of Britain. The Union Jack repre- sents the United Kingdom. The bottom left 7-pointed star represents the six states plus one territory. The right half of the flag shows the constellation of the southern cross which can only be seen in the skies of the Southern Hemisphere.

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 80 Country Information Cambodia Country Information Cambodia Country Information Cambodia

This flag design was adopted for CAMBODIA in 1993. The building is the temple of Angkor Wat, an important symbol of Khmer culture. The blue stands for royalty, red for the nation and white for Buddhism. the bands at top and bottom are blue, the center band is red but behind the temple is white

page 81 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 Cambodia Capital: Phnom Penh

Population: 14,494,293 The Work of the FMC in CAMBODIA: Area: 112,426 square miles, slightly smaller than Oklahoma Status: Mission District Organized Free Methodist Churches: 5 Climate/Terrain: tropical / mostly low FMC Membership: 740 flat plains; mountains in southwest and Ordained Ministers: 6 north Ministerial Candidates: 2 Missionaries: Chris & Yuko Wilkins Language: Khmer, French, English Ecclesiastical Accountability: Hong Kong Annual Conference Industries: tourism, garments, rice mill- ing, fishing, wood and wood products, Origins Rev. Sok Em and his wife, Savy, became rubber, cement, gem mining, textiles Christians while they were living in a refugee camp in Thailand. Sok received Bible training timber, gemstones Natural Resources: while there. In the late 1980s, the Ems and their three children immigrated to Canada. In 1992 Religion: Buddhist Rev. Em, an ordained member of the Canadian General Conference and supported by the Interesting Facts: Canadian Free Methodist Church, returned to ∗ November 9 Cambodia celebrates its his village of Prek Thei to begin the work in independence from French rule. Cambodia. The Cambodian Free Methodist ∗ Angkor Wat is a famous monument Church officially began in 1994 as a project built by the Khmer kings. It took 37 years of the Asia Pacific Free Methodist Missions to build it. Association (APFMMA), with the Hong Kong ∗ Cyclos, or bicycle rickshaws, are inex- Free Methodist Church responsible for super- pensive forms of transportation. vision. ∗ The Mekong River flows through Cambodia and the Tonle Sap forms the Present Ministries largest inland lake. Seven missionaries have been assigned to ∗ Cambodia’s wildlife includes tigers, Cambodia by APFMMA, including missionar- clouded leopards, elephants, monkeys ies from the Philippines and Hong Kong. The and bears. multicultural missionary team also includes ∗ The sun bear is endangered and has a those from Japan and North America. Teams yellow crescent on its chest. from Free Methodist churches in Hong Kong, ∗ The Khmer alphabet has 33 conso- the Philippines and the U.S. have made many medical and evangelistic trips to Cambodia. nants and 23 vowels. It’s written left Most current members have been convert- to right, sometimes with no spacing ed from Buddhism. Thriving ministries include between words. There are as many as three International Child Care Ministries 100 words for “rice”. hostels, church planting through community ∗ Cambodians have dessert only for spe- health education/evangelism, and microeco- cial occasions. nomic projects to support pastors and provide income for church members.

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 82 Country Information Cambodia Country Information Cambodia Country Information Cambodia

Houses of Love, Joy and Peace

Located on Garcholiah Island, a tiny plot of land in the middle of a wide river, International Child Care Ministries’ House of Joy provides a loving shelter and study center for children before and after school each day. No cars are allowed on the island; bicycles and motorcycles can be ferried across with passengers on a wooden raft with an outboard motor. The children in House of Joy enjoy helping to care for farm animals — pigs, chickens, roost- ers and turkeys. International Child Care Ministries sponsors kids in three houses like this — House of Love, House of Joy and House of Peace. Public schools in Cambodia meet on a half-day schedule. The children who go to school in the afternoon come to the House of Love, Joy or Peace in the morning. They are tutored in their school subjects, learn and sing about Jesus, play games, do some chores, and have a hot lunch before they depart to their school. The children who have been in school in the morning come to the house in the afternoon, begin with a hot lunch, and follow the same program, eating dinner before they leave. This “latch-key” program for kids meets many needs in their lives. The house teachers minister to the children through Bible lessons, tutoring and vacation Bible schools. What do these Cambodian kids like to do? They would tell you: singing, studying the Bible, learning English, and playing volleyball, football (soccer) and ping pong. They also think it’s fun to learn traditional dances. They do many things in small groups because they love to be together. The children are active in the church and some are involved in outreach ministry, teach- ing other children or leading worship. Some of the teens in House of Love play in a worship band at church. Sponsoring a child in Cambodia can be a rewarding experience!

— Rev. Linda Adams, Director of International Child Care Ministries

page 83 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 Creative Creative Access Ministries:

There are countries where it is not pos- Access sible for an expatriate (or foreign) mis- sionary to get a visa. There are countries where church activities are greatly restrict- Ministries ed. There are some countries in the world where open evangelism by Christians is unlawful. Some people have been tempt- ed to think that these countries -- many of which have Islamic or communist govern- ments -- are unreachable. While fulfilling the Great Commission in these countries can be challenging, it is not impossible. Closed to missionar- ies does not mean closed to the gospel. That’s where the use of the phrase “cre- ative access” comes in. Because the good news spreads most easily through relationships, there are opportunities for The Work of the FMC in : evangelism in even the most difficult of CREATIVE ACCESS MINISTRIES circumstances. Relationships in which the gospel can be shared may be developed Free Methodists are serving in “creative access” by: countries, places which limit or forbid the ∗ Students from those countries who go entry of Christian missionaries and for which to study in another country alternative legal means of entry are required. ∗ Christian business people or workers Countries: whose job has taken them to those coun- • Creative Access Country #1 tries Entered in 1904 ∗ Teachers whose particular specialty is in demand in those countries • Creative Access Country #3 ∗ Christian students who go to those Entered in 2004 countries to study • Creative Access Country #6 ∗ Tourists who are able to develop con- Entered in 2008 tacts during brief trips to those countries ∗ Internet contacts • Creative Access Country #7 Entered in 2008 ∗ Literature ∗ Christian radio and television broad- Workers: casting from nearby countries Extended-Term: 3 families, 1 individual Short-Term: 3 couples, 7 individuals Howard Culbertson at: http://home.snu. edu/~HCULBERT/access.htm

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 84 Country Information Creative Access Ministries Country Information Creative Access Ministries

Our Friends

Creative access workers are normal people, like individuals and families in your church. They love God and want to serve Him in special ways. As creative access workers they are missionaries, but they have regular jobs like teaching or medical work. In some countries, they must be careful that they are not identifi ed as people who are trying to bring others to Jesus, even though that is the ultimate goal.

Communicating with Workers in Creative Access Areas

* Telephone conversations, faxes, non-hand-carried mail and e-mail may be intercepted and reviewed by local authorities. Please use caution in all communications. * Avoid references to other Christian workers, nationals and organizations. * Avoid any questions or references to the spiritual aspect of their work. However, feel free to talk about your personal faith. * Avoid Christian vocabulary. Use substitute terms for words like “God,” “church,” “Chris- tians,” “missionary,” “praying for you,” etc. * Do not use Christian e-mail addresses (example: [email protected]). * Do not use e-mail signatures with a ministry name. * Avoid references to politics, human rights abuses, etc. * Avoid references to spiritual warfare, the kingdom, the enemy, etc., as these words can be eas- ily misconstrued. * Do not include their name and e-mail address on any of your e-mail group lists. Please limit your e-mail to personal correspondence only. * If you are unclear about communication of any kind, contact the Communications Offi ce of Free Methodist World Missions.

PLEASE NOTE: Missionaries really do want to hear from you. Following these guidelines will protect their personal safety and the work they do with others.

page 85 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 Country Information Creative Access Ministries Country Information Creative Access Ministry

Draw the shape of a country where you think CREATIVE ACCESS MINISTRY probably takes place.

Make your own flag representing CREATIVE ACCESS MINISTRIES.

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 86 Country Information Hong Kong Country Information Hong Kong Country Information

(Hong Kong is represented on this map by the dot at the bottom right of the nation of China.) red

The emblem on the HONG KONG’s flag shows the lotus blossom. red stars on white flower

page 87 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 Hong Kong, Population: 7,055,071

Area: 678 square miles, six times the size China of Washington, DC

Climate/Terrain: tropical monsoon / hilly to mountainous with steep slopes; low- lands in north The Work of the FM Church in HONG KONG: Language: Chinese (Cantonese), English Status: Annual Conference Industries: textiles, clothing, tourism, Organized Free Methodist Churches: 15 banking, shipping, electronics, plastics, FMC Membership: 2,300 toys, watches, clocks Ordained Ministers: 16 Ministerial Candidates: 16 Natural Resources: outstanding deepwa- Ecclesiastical Accountability: FMCNA ter harbor, feldspar through Bishop Matthew Thomas

Religion: local religions Origins Some missionaries to China, displaced by the Interesting Facts: communist takeover, felt the call of God to ∗ Hong Kong is a Special Administrative follow the hundreds of thousands of refugees Region (SAR) of the People’s Republic of pouring into Hong Kong. Free Methodist mis- China. This means China has agreed a sionary I.S.W. Ryding opened a chapel in 1951. “one country, two systems” formula. China Alton Gould, missionary to China under the remains a socialist economic system and Canadian Holiness Movement Church, arrived Hong Kong enjoys independence in most in Hong Kong in 1954 and planted the Cheung areas of governing for the next 50 years. Wah Church. In 1959 the two denominations ∗ Chinese is spoken by most of Hong merged. Kong’s population. English is also an offi- cial language. Present Ministries ∗ All children are required to attend school The scarcity of real estate, and its subse- between the ages of 6 and 15. quent high cost, shapes the type of outreach ∗ The British East Indian Company made ministries the conference has developed. the first successful sea voyage to China in Government-approved centers for the elderly 1699, and Hong Kong’s trade with British and for youth provide an opportunity for wit- merchants began soon after that. ness and service, as well as a meeting place for ∗ The green and white Star Ferry has several churches. been in operation for more than 100 years. Hong Kong became a self-supporting, full The trip between Kowloon and Hong Kong annual conference in June 1985. Island doesn’t take long. ∗ Four percent of Hong Kong’s land is set Outreach to the World aside for natural habitat including beaches, The conference began outreach minis- woods and mountains. tries to Filipinos in 1992. The conference is ∗ Public transportation in Hong Kong also responsible for opening mission work in includes: subway, double-decker bus, tram Cambodia and sending out several missionaries and ferries. to other parts of Asia.

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 88 Country Information Hong Kong Country Information Hong Kong Country Information

A Closer Look

Hong Kong has 236 islands — some of them are just a small pile of rocks. Since there is so little land for so many people, Hong Kong is a city that grows upward instead of spreading out. Land is so expensive and so scarce that the Free Methodist churches in Hong Kong do not nec- essarily own their own buildings. Instead, they rent an apartment in one of the high rise build- ings and make that into a church. Some of the churches even rent a whole floor and make it into space for both a church and school. The church might be located on the 20th or 40th floor. The Free Methodist churches in Hong Kong care about missions around the world. They sponsor several missionaries in Cambodia. Although none are currently in Hong Kong, North American missionaries have served in Hong Kong through translation, preparing and distribut- ing Bible study materials, and medical work. Some churches in Hong Kong provide day care for elderly people. The senior citizens come to the center where people read to them and provide activities and programs. The center also serves a meal. It is exciting to see what happens when these elderly people in their 70s and 80s hear about Jesus for the first time! Some of the churches have centers for children and youth. These centers offer a safe place for troubled young people to stay for a while. The center offers students a desk to work at, library books to read and a quiet place to study.

page 89 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 India

The Work of the FM Church in Capital: New Delhi INDIA:

Population: 1,156,897,766 Status: Provisional General Conference Organized Free Methodist Churches: 1,316 2,041,593 square miles, slightly Area: FMC Membership: 128,671 more than one-third the size of the U.S. Ordained Ministers: 220 Suffragan Bishops: John Gollapalli, Narendra varies from tropical Climate/Terrain: John and Joab Lohara monsoon to temperate / plains, desert, Ecclesiastical Accountability: Free Methodist mountains World Conference

Language: Hindi and 14 other official Origins languages In 1881, several years before the mission board was organized, Ernest and Phebe Ward textiles, chemicals, food Industries: went to India backed by the prayers and occasion- processing, steel, transportation, equip- al financial support of the home church. Ten years ment, cement, mining, machinery, soft- later, a board-appointed missionary, Miss Ceila ware Ferries, arrived. The Free Methodist Church was assigned Natural Resources: coal, iron ore, man- to minister in central India in the state of ganese, bauxite, natural gas, diamonds Maharashtra. The work was difficult and slow. In 1939, a Bible college was opened which Religion: Hindu, Muslim, Christian became Union Biblical Seminary (UBS), one of the first evangelical seminaries in Asia. Umri

Interesting Facts: Christian Hospital opened in 1951. ∗ India is the seventh largest country in the world. Present Ministries ∗ The Himalaya mountains are the larg- In the 1980s ministries were extended to est in the world. Himalaya means “home Mumbai (Bombay). This ministry in western India of the snow.” flourished, and by 1994 work expanded to other ∗ The game of chess originated in India. states in the cities of Bangalore and Mysore. ∗ India’s national flower is the lotus, or From the late 1970s, indigenous movements water lily. to Christ among Indian tribal groups have grown rapidly. Two of these, Agape Fellowship and ∗ Some animals you might find in India Immanuel Fellowship, joined the Free Methodist include: snakes, elephants, tigers, snow family, adding nearly 100,000 members and 1,000 leopards, wolves, bears, rhinocerous, churches. bison and wild buffalo. Umri Christian Hospital has expanded its ∗ Cows are considered special animals. ministries to include an English school and nurs- They’re not kept on farms but allowed to ing school. Through International Child Care roam whever they want — including city Ministries, hundreds of children are being cared streets. for in hostels. Many sponsored children have ∗ The Ganges River is surrounded by become pastors and church leaders. The courage of Free Methodists in Orissa rich farmland. It is one of the world’s lon- state who experienced severe persecution in gest rivers — 1,560 miles long! August 2008 has resulted in more than 1,000 com- ing to Christ.

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 90 Country Information India Country Information India Country Information India

Living and Learning Together in India

Can you imagine what it would be like to live outdoors in a city, with no parents to protect you, no house for shelter, no bed to sleep in and no food that’s yours to eat? Millions of children in India experience this kind of life every day. They don’t have any hope of going to school. They don’t have an address. Sometimes they don’t even know their families. International Child Care Ministries partners with the Free Methodist Church in India to provide homes for more than 1,000 children. These homes are called “hostels.” They provide a safe place with Christian house parents, nutritious food, a chance to go to school and a regular routine for the children’s day. They childrenget up very early in the morning — usually by 5:00 a.m.! They begin with a time of Bible reading and prayer and then roll up their bedroll (kind of like a lightweight sleeping bag), sweep their room, get dressed and comb their hair before breakfast. For breakfast, they sit cross-legged on the floor to eat a meal of rice and “dal” (sort of like lentil soup). After they eat, they each wash their own stainless steel plate and turn it upside down to dry in the sun. They line up in a long line and walk to school in this formation. After school, they do their homework, play for a while, eat dinner, have devotions together, and then go to bed at dark. Some of the children do have families, but the families are too poor to afford to pay for school fees, books, uniforms or even food. Sometimes the children come from areas where there are no schools, so they need to live in a hostel near a school. All of the children in the hostels learn about Jesus. They love to sing to Him, and they often make up dances or motions to accompany their worship songs. Many of the children’s families do not know about God’s love or the gift of salva- tion through Jesus, so the children are eager to tell their parents the good news. Many parents have come to know Jesus for themselves because of the witness of their children. Sponsoring a child in India can give them the chance of a lifetime!

— Rev. Linda Adams, Director of International Child Care Ministries

page 91 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 Country Information India Country Information India Country Information India white orange green

The flag of INDIA was first flown and recognized in 1942. The wheel in the center stands for the laws.

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 92 Country Information Japan Country Information Japan Country Information Japan red

The circle at the center of JAPAN’s flag has been the state symbol of Japan for centuries. It represents the sun. white

page 93 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 Japan

Capital: Tokyo

Population: 127,078,679

Area: 234,635 square miles, slightly smaller than California The Work of the FM Church in JAPAN:

Climate/Terrain: varies from tropical in Status: General Conference south to cool temperate in north / mostly Organized Free Methodist Churches: 26* rugged and mountainous FMC Membership: 2,408* Ordained Ministers: 35* Language: Japanese Bishop: Hiromichi Oshima Ecclesiastical Accountability: Free Methodist Industries: motor vehicles, electronic World Conference equipment, machine tools, steel, ships, * current statistics not available chemicals, textiles, processed foods Origins Natural Resources: limestone, coal, Paul Kakihara, a young man from Japan copper, lead, zinc, fish who attended Greenville College in Illinois, pioneered Free Methodist missions in Japan in Religion: Shinto, Buddhist 1895. Mr. Teikichi Kawabe became the leader in laying the foundation for the Japanese Free Methodist Church. The first North American Interesting Facts: ∗ Japan consists of 3,600 islands. Four missionaries arrived in 1903. Mr. Kawabe founded Osaka First Church, are big enough for cities. at one time Free Methodism’s largest congre- ∗ All together, Japan has a total of gation. He began Bible classes that grew into 18,020 miles of coastline — about three- Osaka Theological Seminary. quarters the length of the equator. The church became a general conference in ∗ It often rains in Japan, so it’s a good 1961, then was reorganized in 1984 to include idea to carry an umbrella. only those congregations firmly committed to ∗ Cherry blossoms are a sign of spring, the evangelical faith. and the entire nation celebrates their blooming. The blossoms only last about Present Ministries three days before they fall. The conference senses a new call to church ∗ Japan’s nickname is “Land of the planting in this country where only 1 to 2 per- Rising Sun.” cent are Christians. The conference has set a ∗ The national bird is the pheasant. goal to double church membership in 10 years. ∗ Japan’s schools are very competitive. Plans include planting churches in large cities Students learn math, science, social from which satellite units will be launched. studies, art, music, morals and calligra- A pastoral training program at both gradu- phy. Students also clean the classroom, ate and undergraduate levels is available at halls, and restrooms and tend the gar- Osaka Theological Seminary. The Osaka cam- den. pus also includes Osaka Christian College, a junior college with a strong Christian witness.

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 94 Country Information Japan Country Information Japan Country Information Japan

A Closer Look National Symbols Flower: cherry blossom Bird: pheasant

The People Favorite pasttimes include judo, karate and video games, which all originated in Japan. People enjoy besuboru (beh-soo-bow-roo), which in English is baseball. They also enjoy volley- ball, tennis, golf and soccer. Even grown ups enjoy manga (man-guh), or comic books. About 2 billion manga are print- ed per year. Karaoke was invented in the city of Kobe in the 1970s. The word karaoke means “empty orchestra.” In 1637 the Japanese people were not allowed by their leaders to travel overseas, and no foreigners were allowed to visit the nation of Japan. Japan was isolated from the world. In 1854 American ships arrived to trade. Today a Japanese man or woman may have to take a bus and a train to get to work. A facto- ry worker might wear a uniform and begin their day exercising and singing the company song.

The Land Japan is one of the most forested countries in the world. Two-thirds of the country is cov- ered with forests. Only 13 percent of the land can be farmed on the hills and valleys. Japan is about the size of the state of California and yet continues to need space for all the people that live in this country. To provide more space, Japanes are taking soil from a mountain and plac- ing in the sea to extend coastlines or create an island. This is called land reclamation. The Kansai International Airport near Osaka is built on an artificial island the size of 500 football fields. There are problems with land reclamation because it destroys plant and animal habitats; landscapes are lost; it stirs up soil and sand in the sea, which can smother sea life and coral. Japan has more than 200 volcanoes and 83 are active. Earthquakes also happen in Japan. Many are small and go unnoticed. Some are huge and destructive. There are about 1,000 earth- quakes or tremors every year.

page 95 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 Capital: Kuala Lumpur Population: 25,715,819 Area: 204,774 square miles, slightly Malaysia larger than New

Climate/Terrain: tropical / coastal plains rising to hills and mountains

Language: Bahasa Melayu Industries: rubber and oil palm pro- cessing and manufacturing, light manu- facturing industry, electronics The Work of the FM Church in MALAYSIA: Natural Resources: tin, petroleum, tim- ber, copper, iron ore, natural gas, baux- Status: Mission District ite Organized Free Methodist Churches: 3* Religion: Muslim, Buddhist FMC Membership: 123* Ordained Ministers: 1* Interesting Facts: Ecclesiastical Accountability: FMWM ∗ Malaysia was formed in 1963, bring- through Area Director David Yardy in ing the British colonies of Malay and partnership with the Pacific Coast Japanese Singapore and the East Malaysian states Conference of Sabah and Sarawak on the northern *current statistics not available coast of Borneo into one nation. In 1965, Singapore decided to become its own Origins country. The Free Methodist Church in Malaysia was ∗ The hornbill is the national bird of dedicated in February 2002. The work there Malaysia. is led by Rev. Henry Ng and his wife, Jessica, ∗ Kite flying is a national pastime. The who are Malaysian. “wan bulan” is a popular moon kite. ∗ Mt. Kinabalu is the highest mountain Present Ministries in southeast Asia. It’s 13,445 feet high. In 2008 the Malaysia Free Methodist Church If you climb the mountain you’ll see the celebrated its sixth anniversary and was carnivorous pitcher plant, also called the recognized as a mission district. The main Mepenthe. Insects are attracted by a church in Ipoh has English, Chinese and sweet nectar from the plant and get stuck Bahasa Malaysian speaking congregations. on the sweet ooze. ∗ The Petronas Twin Towers is one of the Outreach to the World tallest buildings in the world. The glass and steel building is 88 stories high and From the beginning, 20 percent of the has a skybridge that connects the two Malaysia FMC’s income has gone to mis- towers. sions. Current areas of assistance include: ∗ The world’s smallest deer, the mouse church planter support and church construc- deer, can be found in Malaysia. It looks tion in India, child sponsorship through about the size of a large bunny. International Child Care Ministries, mis- ∗ Agricultural products grown in Malaysia sion work with tribal peoples in Sabah (East include: rubber, palm oil, cocoa, rice, Malaysia), and support for Thailand and a coconuts, pepper and timber. creative access country.

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 96 Country Information Malaysia Country Information Malaysia Country Information Malaysia Weather Watch

Monsoon The word “monsoon” comes from an Arabic word, “mausim,” that means season. It describes a system of alternate winds that change direction between seasons. The Southwest Monsoon hits Malaysia from late May to September and the Northeast Monsoon season is from November to March. The Northeast Monsoon brings the heaviest rainfall. During the intermonsoon periods (the time between the monsoons), the winds are light and variable. Morning skies are often clear and this favors thunderstorm development in the afternoon.

Weather Advisories and Warnings The Malaysian Meteorological Service monitors the changing weather situations and issues advisories and warnings as needed. The different categories of monsoon advisories and warnings are: Heavy Rainfall Advisories — issued when there is a possibility of heavy rainfall expected within 24 to 48 hours. Heavy Rainfall Warnings — issued when latest information received indicates heavy rain- fall is expected. Strong Wind and Rough Seas Advisories — issued when there is a possibility of strong wind and rough seas within the Malaysian waters within 24 to 48 hours. Strong Wind and Rough Seas Warnings — issued when latest information received indi- cates strong wind and rough seas are expected.

Prepare for the Monsoon Season Before the monsoon season begins * listen to the radio and television for warnings of strong wind and rough seas; * be sure you have sufficient non-perishable food and water supplies; * clear loose drains and clogged drains and rain gutters.

During the monsoon season * stay on firm ground and away from fast flowing drains, rivers and flooded areas; * do not drive into flooded areas — avoid weak bridges and washed out roads; * follow directions given by the local disaster preparedness council; * prepare to evacuate your home if you live along a coastline, near a river or in a low-lying area; * make sure your vehicle is parked on higher ground and your property is securely pro- tected from loss and damage by flood waters; * avoid going out to sea in small vessels and fishing boats.

page 97 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 Country Information Malaysia Country Information Malaysia Country Information Malaysia red then white alternate beginning with crescent and star, stripes blue rectangle with a gold

The flag of MALAYSIA is a combination of traditional Islamic symbols. The dark blue stands for the unity of the people. The 14 stripes represent the 14 states.

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 98 Country Information Myanmar Country Information Myanmar Country Information Myanmar the emblem in top left is white red

The flag of MYANMAR has 14 stars representing the 14 states. The emblem in the top is a cog wheel and rice, representing industry and agriculture. Red blue signifies courage and decisiveness; white represents purity and virtue. The dark blue signifies peace and integrity.

page 99 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 Myanmar Capital: Yangon

Population: 48,137,741

Area: 421,348 square miles, slightly The Work of the FM Church in smaller than Texas MYANMAR:

Climate/Terrain: tropical monsoon / Status: Mission District central lowlands ringed by steep, rugged Organized Free Methodist Churches: 17* highlands FMC Membership: 473 Ordained Ministers: 6* Language: Burmese Ministerial Candidates: 1* Ecclesiastical Accountability: Taiwan Industries: agricultural process, knit Annual Conference and woven apparel, wood and wood *current statistics not available products, copper, tin, construction mate- rials, pharmaceuticals Origins The first Free Methodist work was begun in Natural Resources: petroleum, timber, Yangon among the Chinese by a Burmese tin, zinc, copper, lead, coal student who studied at Holy Light Seminary in Taiwan and returned to his own country Religion: Buddhist to plant a church. At about the same time, several churches among the Chin in the Interesting Facts: northwest of the country expressed inter- ∗ Myanmar’s highest mountain is est in affiliating with the FMC. The Asia Hkakabo Razi at 19,296 feet. Pacific Free Methodist Missions Association ∗ April is the month the people celebrate (APFMMA) appointed the Taiwan Free the water festival. Methodist Church to offer continued assis- ∗ Until 1989, the country was known as tance to the developing church in 1994, Burma. The capital was called Rangoon. which has since been registered with the gov- ∗ Britain ruled over Myanmar for 62 ernment. years, and then it was a province of India until 1937, when it became a self-govern- Present Ministries ing colony. Free Methodist ministries include work ∗ Myanmar celebrates its independence among the Chinese and the Chin tribal on January 4. people. The Chinese church plant in Yangon ∗ Myanmar’s agricultural products offers ministry to youth who come to the city include: rice, beans, sesame, ground- for education. nuts, sugarcane, fish and fish products. Most of the Chin churches are located ∗ A resource-rich country, Myanmar has in the mountains, with one church plant in a stong agricultural base. In addition, it Yangon. Ministries in Yangon include a child has vast timber and fishery reserves and care center, boarding school for high school is a leading source of gems and jade. students and Bible college, which are man- ∗ The currency used in Myanmar is aged by the Yangon Chin church plant. called the kyat.

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 100 Country Information Myanmar Country Information Myanmar Country Information Myanmar

A Closer Look

See the Land Myanmar is southeast Asia’s largest country. It shares borders with China, Laos, Thailand, Bangladesh and India, as well as the Indian Ocean. Forest covers more than 50 percent of Myanmar’s land. Fruit, vegetables and citrus crops grow in the Shan Plateau.

Greet the People Names are preceded by different titles. For a man, “Ko” might come before his name. “U” (pronounced oo) precedes an older or well-respected man’s name. “Aung” is used for a young man. “Day” precedes a woman’s name. People in Myanmar greet one another with a handshake. Shoes are usually removed before entering a traditional home; however, in modern city residences this is not expected. Displaying the soles of your feet is considered impolite. So is pointing feet at people or objects. Also touching people on the head is considered impolite in Myanmar.

page 101 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 Nepal

Capital: Kathmandu

Population: 28,563,377

Area: 56,136 square miles, about the size and shape of Tennessee

Climate/Terrain: subtropical in south to cool summers and severe winters The Work of the FM Church in in northern mountains / flat river plain NEPAL: in south, central hill region, rugged Himalayas in north Status: Church-in-Formation Organized FM Churches: 35 Language: Nepali FMC Membership: 2,484 Ordained Ministers: 2 Industries: tourism, carpet, textile, Conference Ministerial Candidates: 5 cement and brick production Ecclesiastical Accountability: The Alpha Conference of the India Free Methodist Natural Resources: quartz, timber, Porvisional General Conference hydropower, copper, cobalt, iron ore Present Ministries Religion: Hindu The Free Methodist Church has two avenues of outreach into Nepal, serving Interesting Facts: two different regions. The India Immanuel ∗ Nepal is a landlocked country nestled Annual Conference has begun ministry in between China and India. very remote and isolated valleys in eastern ∗ Nepal contains eight of the world’s 10 Nepal among quite primitive tribes that highest mountain peaks, including Mount have never heard the gospel. The India Everest, which it shares with the border Alpha Conference, in partnership with of China. Free Methodist World Missions, supports ∗ Nepal is 10 hours and 45 minutes and oversees the growth of an innovative ahead of Eastern Standard Time and church planting movement in the isolated does not observe daylight-saving time. Himalayan border area between Nepal and ∗ The Nepalese are descendants of three Tibet. Steve Evoy, who helped found this major migrations of people from India, second work as a VISA missionary, is now Tibet and Central Asia. the pastor of the Wolverine, Michigan FMC, ∗ Religion is important in Nepal. which is engaged in a sister church relation- Kathmandu Valley has more than 2,700 ship with the Nepal Free Methodist Church. religious shrines alone. In the last two years, 15 churches have ∗ The Nepali language is related to Hindi, been added to the fellowship of 24 churches. a language of India. The small house churches are scattered in the ∗ The cow is the national animal of foothills around Pokhara. Nepal.

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 102 Country Information Nepal Country Information Nepal Country Information Nepal

A Closer Look

The highest mountain on earth is located in the country of Nepal. It used to be called Peak XV, but now everyone knows it by the name Mount Everest. The mountain was given that name in 1865, in honor of Sir George Everest, a British surveyor, who thought it should have a Tibetan or Nepalese name. The mountain is part of the Himalayan mountain range and stands at 29,035 feet above sea level. The Everest View Hotel is a Japanese hotel. It’s the highest hotel in the world at 12,779 feet. Guests fly to an airstrip in the Ihymbu region of the Himalayas and then travel by yak to the luxury hotel. Mount Everest can be seen as long as the weather is clear. The white plume blowing off the top of Everest is the jet stream — a wind current that reaches speeds of up to 250 mph. To someone climbing the mountain, it sounds like a 747 air- plane taking off.

page 103 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 Country Information Nepal Country Information Nepal Country Information Nepal are white the symbols red blue

The flag of NEPAL is the only national flag not rectangular in shape. It’s based on two pennants which belonged to rival branches of the Tana dynasty. This flag was offically adopted in 1962.

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 104 Country Information Philippines Country Information Philippines Country Information Philippines triangle is white with yellow stars and sun blue red

The flag of the PHILIPPINES was first designed in 1897. The sun stands for liberty, the stars for the country’s regions. Blue represents noble ideas, red courage, white struggle against colonial .

page 105 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 Capital: Manila the Philippines Population: 97,976,603 Area: 186,300 square miles, slightly larger than Arizona The Work of the FM Church in the Philippines: Climate/Terrain: tropical marine / most- ly mountains with narrow to extensive Status: General Conference coastal lowlands Organized Free Methodist Churches: 243 FMC Membership: 23,447 Language: Filipino (based on Tagalog), Ordained Ministers: 221 English, other dialects Bishop: Jim Tuan Missionaries: Fred & Barbara Adams, Roger Industries: textiles, pharmaceuticals, Stone, Jim & Deb Wilson chemicals, wood products, food process- VISA—Jonathan & Kristin Bergman, Darin & Jill ing, electronics assembly, petroleum Land refining, fishing Ecclesiastical Accountability: Free Methodist World Conference Natural Resources: timber, petroleum, nickel, cobal, silver, gold, salt, copper Origins In 1949 missionaries Walter and Gertrude Religion: Roman Catholic Groesbeck and John and Ruby Schlosser trans- ferred from China to the Philippines. They Interesting Facts: ∗ settled on the island of Mindanao. The first Free The Philippines consists of more than Methodist church was constructed at Bunawan. 7,000 islands. Most people live on 11 A Bible school was begun in 1955. of the islands. Only 2,773 of the islands have been named. Present Ministries ∗ Spain ruled the Philippines for nearly The four Philippine annual conferences 400 years. The U.S. then ruled. After became a provisional general conference in 1994 World War II, on July 4, 1946, they and inaugurated Rev. Jim Tuan as their first bish- became their own country. op. The conferences became a full general con- ∗ Mount Mayon (means “beautiful”) still ference in November 2003, which now has five has its perfect cone shape after erupting annual conferences, an urban missions district 33 times in the last 150 years. movement called Oceans of Life Ministries and a church-in-formation among a tribal group. ∗ You might find a gecko in people’s Each conference has an aggressive plan of homes. It keeps the house free of outreach. Light and Life Bible College in Butuan insects. City and John Wesley Bible Institute in Manila ∗ The tarsier monkey is the world’s small- train workers. Light and Life Graduate School est monkey. It has large eyes so it can of Theology, which offers a master’s degree pro- see at night. It eats insects. gram in ministry for experienced pastors, meets ∗ Half of the banana crop in the in Bancasi. Churches reach out through kinder- Philippines is exported. garten and primary schools. ∗ The Philippine Islands were named in honor of Prince Felipe who was later Outreach to the World King Philip II of Spain. The FMC in the Philippines has missionaries ∗ The narra tree is the national tree. It in Hong Kong, Cambodia, Pakistan and among has yellow flowers. Its wood is used to tribal groups in the Philippines. make furniture and wood carvings.

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 106 Country Information Philippines Country Information Philippines Country Information Philippines

A Closer Look The Land The more than 7,000 islands that make up the nation of the Philippines kind of look like a jigsaw puzzle. Only 11 of the islands are large enough for people to live on. About 6,000 of the islands do not have any people living on them. Some islands are so small, they disappear under the sea at high tide. Then at low tide, they reappear. Off the island of Mindanao is the Philippine Trench, a huge gash in the floor of the Philippine Sea. It’s 33,000 feet deep. That is deep enough that you could drop in the world’s tall- est mountain, Mount Everest, and it would disappear.

Animals The Philippine rainforest is home to animals such as monkeys, small deer, snakes, lizards, crocodiles and 800 species of birds, including the world’s largest eagle — the monkey eating eagle. The tarsier monkey is a nocturnal animal — it sleeps during the day and is awake at night. It has huge eyes, legs like a frog, hands like a monkey and a silky grayish-brown coat. The tar- sier monkey’s head can spin around 180 degrees. It is about the size of a squirrel and can jump about 20 feet.

More to Know The Jeepney is a popular way to get around in the Philippines. The Filipinos took old American Jeeps that were used during World War II (1939-1945) and turned them into minibus taxis. They decorate the rebuilt Jeep with tassels, silver foil, small animals and folk and religious art.

page 107 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 South Capital: Seoul

Population: 48,508,972 Korea

Area: 61,156 square miles, slightly larg- er than Indiana

Climate/Terrain: temperate / mostly hills and mountains, wide coastal plains in west and south

Language: Korean The Work of the FM Church in Industries: electronics, automobile pro- SOUTH KOREA: duction, chemicals, shipbuilding, steel, textiles, clothing, footwear, food process- Status: Church-in-Formation ing Organized Free Methodist Churches: 1* FMC Membership: 36* Natural Resources: coal, graphite, lead Ordained Ministers: 3* Ecclesiastical Accountability: FMWM Religion: Christian, Buddhism through Area Director David Yardy *current statistics not available Interesting Facts: ∗ August 15 is South Korea’s indepen- Origins dence day. ∗ In 1985 a group of churches left the Methodist South Korea’s oldest export is insam denomination to develop a reform move- (in-SUM) or ginseng. Today South Korea ment in both theology and organization. They is the leading producer of ginseng root. established a new denomination, calling it the ∗ Kimchi (KIM-chee) is a traditional Reformed Methodist Church of Korea, and Korean vegetable dish that is high in elected Rev. Yong Suk Park as their superin- vitamins and nutrients. It often includes tendent. Several years later, the Reverend Eung cabbage, cucumbers, turnips, radishes Soon Yo, pastor of the Korean church that and always red pepper, garlic, scallions, meets in Wesley Chapel, Toronto, Ontario, ginger root and salt. It’s considered a learned of this group’s desire to belong to an national treasure. There’s even a kimchi evangelical Wesleyan denomination and told museum in Seoul. them of the Free Methodist Church. An initial ∗ South Korea’s national flower is the visit was made by the Asia Area Director in Rose of Sharon — a hardy hibiscus that June 1989, and the group affiliated with the grows right back when it’s cut down. It’s Free Methodist Church. a symbol of strength in adversity. ∗ Farmers in South Korea grow rice, Present Ministries sweet potatoes, corn, cotton and wheat. Free Methodist work here serves as a base to ∗ Korea means “high and clear.” It is a enter one of the most restricted nations. good description of the mountains and springs found in this country. Outreach to the World ∗ The Korean alphabet has 24 letters and South Korea has sent two missionaries to a cre- is called hangul (HAHN-gool). ative access country.

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 108 Country Information South Korea Country Information South Korea Country Information South Kor A Closer Look Plants and Animals There are many trees in South Korea that are similar to what is found in North America, including maple, elm and fir trees. There are also bamboo trees and tropical plants. Flowers include lilac, forsythia, chrysanthemum and rose. The azalea is depicted in a lot of art and poet- ry, but the national flower is the Rose of Sharon. You can also find many fruit trees — apple, pear, peach, tangerine, persimmon, fig and cherry. Animals you’d find in South Korea include deer, mice, bear, wildcat, wolf, weasel, badger, leopard and wild pigs, which live in the mountains, as well as fish and other water creatures. Birds include crow, heron, swallow, robin, oriole, magpie and the crane, which is considered a good luck symbol.

Celebrations The Cherry Blossom Festival is celebrated each spring. Arbor Day is celebrated April 5. The people take time to plant trees. Children’s Day is May 5. Children receive gifts from their parents and are often allowed to choose the activities of the day. They might wear traditional clothes when they visit pageants or martial arts demonstrations in their honor. Paekil is the celebration of a baby’s 100th day of life. Guests bring a gift for the baby and the family gives away 100 rice cakes to friends and neighbors. Tol is the baby’s first real birthday. (Koreans say the baby is two years old — tradition says a baby is one year old when born.)

Unity for North Korea and South Korea For many years North Korea and South Korea have had different political systems. The North is under Communism, and the South is a republic system with an elected leader. The peninsula is divided at the 38th parallel. Many Koreans hope the North and South might be unified one day.

page 109 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 Country Information South Korea Country Information South Korea Country Information South Kor white red blue

The white background of SOUTH KOREA’s flag represents purity. The red and blue circle stands for cooperation and togetherness. The bars represent the four seasons and four directions.

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 110 Country Information Sri Lanka Country Information Sri Lanka Country Information Sri Lanka dark red yellow

orange green

The flag of SRI LANKA has a yellow lion holding a sword in the center. This is also on the coat of arms. There are yellow bo leaves in each corner of the flag. the lion and leaves are yellow

page 111 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 Sri Lanka Capital: Colombo

Population: 21,324,791

Area: 25,332 square miles, about the size of West Virginia

Climate/Terrain: tropical monsoon / mostly low, flat to rolling plain; mountains in south-central interior

Language: Sinhala, Tamil

Industries: rubber processing, tea, coconuts and other agricultural com- modities, clothing, cement, petroleum The Work of the FM Church in : refining, textiles SRI LANKA

Natural Resources: limestone, graphite, Status: Mission District mineral sands, gems, phosphates, clay, Organized Free Methodist Churches: 10 hydropower FMC Membership: 589 Ordained Ministers: 12 Religion: Buddhism Ministerial Candidates: 4 Ecclesiastical Accountability: the Free Interesting Facts: Methodist Church in Canada ∗ In 1948 the country of Ceylon became independent and eventually changed its Origins name to Sri Lanka. In 2002, Tamil (with Sri Lankan background) ∗ For a time the Dutch traded with Sri Free Methodist pastors in Toronto, Canada, Lanka. Dutch law remains important inquired about building relationships with a collection of independent pastors and churches here. in Sri Lanka. Following an exploratory visit by ∗ Animals that can be found in Sri Lanka a Canadian FM team in early 2003, a process include bear, crocodile, elephant, monkey was initiated to provide leadership develop- and snakes. ∗ ment to a group of pastors with a view to draw Sri Lanka is a stopping place for many these pastors into the Free Methodist Church. kinds of birds who spend the winter Both Sinhala and Tamil peoples were repre- months here. There is a need to protect sented in the founding group. the many rare and endangered species. ∗ Sri Lanka has many national parks and Present Ministries animal sanctuaries. Ruhuna, a famous Ministry teams from the Free Methodist park in southeastern Sri Lanka, is home Church in Canada travel to Sri Lanka twice to elephants, deer and peafowl. each year to provide training programs and ∗ One of the minerals found in Sri Lanka, organizational support. Existing churches are graphite, is used in making electric located in Colombo, the capital, and in the motors. mountainous tea-production areas in the cen- ∗ Sri Lanka means “resplendent land.” ter of the island.

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 112 Country Information Sri Lanka Country Information Sri Lanka Country Information Sri Lanka A Closer Look

Sri Lankan elephants roam through the country except in the high mountains and the west- ern part of the country where lots of people live. Early in the morning you can see large herds in the grassy plains of the Uda Walawe National Park. Sometimes at the water holes you can watch them along with the crocodiles and deer. Pinnawela, near the town of Kegalle, is an elephant orphanage run by the National Zoological Gardens. What started as a refuge for lost and abandoned baby elephants is now a herd of more than 60 animals. These elephants have grown up in human care, starting out by drinking bottled milk. Eventually the young elephants are introduced to the herd.

page 113 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 Capital: Taipei Taiwan Population: 22,974,347

Area: 22,343 square miles, slightly The Work of the FM Church in smaller than Maryland and Delaware TAIWAN: combined Status: Annual Conference Climate/Terrain: mild and warm / Organized Free Methodist Churches: 60 mountains, bamboo forests, beaches, FMC Membership: 6,279 hills and rocky gorges Ordained Ministers: 83 Ministerial Candidates: 20 : Mandarin Chinese, Language Missionaries: David & Sarah Clemente, Taiwanese, Kuo yu (KWOH-yui) Rebecca, Tim Kinkead, Susan Yu VISA—Barnabas, Tam electronics, petroleum refin- Industries: Ecclesiastical Accountability: FMCNA ing, chemicals, textiles, iron and steel through Bishop Matthew Thomas machinery, cement, food processing Origins Natural Resources: small deposits of Free Methodist work began in the late 1940s coal, natural gas, limestone, marble when missionaries joined the massive migra- tion from China as Communist forces over- Religion: Buddhist, Confucianist, Taoist, took the mainland. Taiwan is an evangelistic, Christian church-planting conference, dynamic and well- organized. The standard of living in Taiwan, Interesting Facts: however, deters from a commitment to a non- ∗ Almost two-thirds of Taiwan is covered materialistic lifestyle. with mountains. ∗ The mei, or plum blossom, the national Present Ministries flower, is shades of pink and white. It While experiencing membership growth within blooms in winter and is a symbol of per- its boundaries, the Free Methodist Church in severance and courage. Taiwan has also been exercising vigorous mis- ∗ There are more than 450 resident birds sionary vision outside its borders. The evan- that live in Taiwan. It’s also a stop-over gelistic challenge is still great within Taiwan, for many migratory birds from Japan. and it is hoped that well-placed and focused ∗ Calligraphy is the art of writing and missionaries will complement the goals of the has been part of Chinese linguistic and Taiwan FMC as well as oversee its outreach in artistic history for more than 2,000 years. Myanmar. Holy Light Theological Seminary To do calligraphy you need a brush pen, and China Evangelical Seminary are training paper, inkstick and inkstone. centers for church leaders and missionaries. The ∗ Schools in Taiwan cover subjects such first Free Methodist Vietnamese church was launched in Taipei on Easter Sunday 2008. as language, science, arithmetic, civics, art, music, and physical education. In Outreach to the World junior high they also study a foreign lan- Free Methodists in Taiwan support and super- guage, sometimes English. vise ministries among the Chinese and the Chin ∗ The people of Taiwan enjoy going to tribal people in Myanmar’s capital city, Yangon. the local parks. Sometimes they exer- Taiwan also oversees leadership development in cise, play games of chess, join singing creative access areas. sessions and spend time with family.

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 114 Country Information Taiwan Country Information Taiwan Country Information Taiwan A Closer Look The Nation The name of the capital, Taipei, means north Taiwan in Mandarin. It is the political, cul- tural and economic center of the country. Kaohsiung is the second largest city and the biggest seaport in the nation. The Taroko Gorge is a ravine in the Central Mountain Range. It is the top scenic attraction in the country. It was created by a river cutting through the mountain. Yu Shan (YOO-shahn) is the highest mountain peak. It means Jade Mountain. Crops in Taiwan include rice, fruit, vegetables, sugar cane, corn, tea and peanuts.

Language Mandarin Chinese is one of Taiwan’s official languages. It uses tones to distinguish between meanings of words. Each syllable has a different meaning. There are 1,200 different syllables. The Chinese were the first to invent paper and printing. All Chinese characters are written exactly the same way regardless of the dialect.

page 115 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 Country Information Taiwan Country Information Taiwan Country Information Taiwan blue red white star

TAIWAN’s flag was first used in 1928. The 12 points of the sun represent 12 two-hour periods of the 24 hour day and unceasing progress. Blue, white and red stand for nationalism, democracy and social well-being.

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 116 Country Information Thailand Country Information Thailand Country Information Thailand blue white white red red

Red on THAILAND’s flag represents the nation. White represents religion, and blue is used out of respect for the king.

page 117 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 Capital: Bangkok

Population: 65,998,436 Thailand

Area: 319,194 square miles, slightly more than twice the size of Wyoming The Work of the FM Church in Climate/Terrain: tropical / farmland, THAILAND: some beaches and tropical jungle, swamps and forest Status: Mission District Organized Free Methodist Churches: 3* Language: Thai, regional dialects FMC Membership: 163* Ordained Ministers: 5* Industries: tourism, textiles and gar- Ministerial Candidates: 2* ments, agricultural processing, beverag- Missionaries: Don & Kathy Williams, Corey es, cement, light manufacturing, electric & Connie Persing appliances, computers, furniture, plastics Ecclesiastical Accountability: FMWM through Area Director David Yardy in Natural Resources: tin, rubber, natural partnership with the Pacific Northwest gas, tungsten, timber, lead, fish, gypsum Conference *current statistics not available Religion: Buddhist, Muslim, Christian Origins Interesting Facts: In July 2000, Art and Pat Chutong began ∗ Thailand was known as Siam until Free Methodist missions work in Thailand 1939. in cooperation with the Pacific Northwest ∗ Thailand is the world’s largest exporter Conference of the Free Methodist Church of of rice, the country’s most important crop. North America. Rice fields, or paddies, need to be kept wet. Present Ministries ∗ Thailand is the only Southeast Asian This work has grown to include Zion country never controlled by a foreign Land, a church camp in Suphan Buri, power. ∗ The city of Surin is the elephant capital organized churches in Chiang Mai and of Thailand and the site of the annual Bangkok, and several church planting proj- Elephant Round Up Festival. ects in Chiang Rai, Chaiyapum and areas of ∗ Christian missionaries helped build Bangkok — reaching two distinct areas of some of Thailand’s first hospitals in the Thailand and four people groups. The two mid-1800s. Bangkok churches, located only a kilometer ∗ Thailand is known for its beautiful silk apart, are planning a joint church planting cloths, silverwork and pottery. effort in a large subsidized housing complex ∗ Durian fruit is a creamy white or yellow about a mile from both. fruit in a prickly green shell, but it has The churches in Thailand are actively a terrible smell. Sometimes it’s banned reaching out to the lost with the hope of from public places. Jesus and endeavoring to meet the needs ∗ Kite flying is a sport in Thailand. of the poor as well. A variety of means are Competitions are held February through used: teaching English as a Second Language, April when the monsoon winds are friendship evangelism, planting churches and strong. standing strong in the midst of opposition.

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 118 Country Information Thailand Country Information Thailand Country Information Thailand Religion in Thailand

Most people who live in Thailand are Buddhists and follow the teachings of Buddha to dif- ferent extents. Buddhist monks shave their heads and wear saffron (orange) colored robes. They only eat two meals a day and leave their temples in the early morning to collect food and dona- tions from people making merit. People make merit to earn a better life when they are reincar- nated. Aisles at the grocery stores are filled with items that are saffron colored (buckets with toi- letries, candles, towels, mats, etc.) people can buy “pre-packaged” to give to a monk. I (Natelle) used to pass from two to 20 monks every morning when I went for my 6:00 a.m. run. They walk all over the city every day to collect the food they will eat that morning and to let people make merit. Many of the young boys in Thailand become monks for their summer vacation. Boys 6 years old and older will have their heads and eyebrows shaved, and follow in a line to receive collections. They will live at the temple all during their vacation to earn merit for their families. One of the most common sights in front of a house or store is a spirit house. It looks like a small doll house raised up on a pedestal. While most of the Thai population is Buddhist, most of them are also very afraid of spirits and ghosts. (When my husband Kevin asked his English class of 45 16-year-olds what they were afraid of, 95 percent answered they were afraid of ghosts.) A spirit house is built because the people believe that when land is cleared for a build- ing, the spirit of who lives there might become angry, so they build a little house to make the spirit feel better. By doing this, the Thai people believe the spirit might even bless them with peace and prosperity. The Thai people then give fresh food and drink to the “spirits” quite frequently to keep the spirit happy. Most of the people we met had never heard anything about Jesus Christ. They had no idea there are options for them other than Buddhism. Most people we met believed that Thai people can only be Buddhist.

— Natelle Austin, former missionary in Thailand

page 119 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 Capital: Hanoi Population: 88,576,758 Vietnam Area: 205,681 square miles, slightly larger than New Mexico

Climate/Terrain: tropical in south; mon- soons in north with a hot, rainy season (May-September) and a warm, dry sea- son (October-March) / low, flat delta in south and north; central highlands; hilly The Work of the FM Church in and mountainous in far north and north- VIETNAM: west Status: Church-in-Formation Language: Vietnamese, English, some Organized Free Methodist Churches: 66 French, Chinese and Khmer FMC Membership: 3,000 Ordained Ministers: 4 Industries: food processing, garments, Ministerial Candidates: 6 shoes, machine building, coal and min- Ecclesiastical Accountability: FMWM ing, cement, chemical fertilizer, glass, through Area Director David Yardy tires, oil, paper Origins Natural Resources: phosphates, coal, In March 2009, the Free Methodist Church manganese, bauxite, offshore oil and was officially organized in Vietnam. FM min- gas deposits, timber, hydropower istry in this country began through Barnabas, a Vietnamese refugee living in the U.S. Religion: none, Buddhist Building a relationship with the Living Water Interesting Facts: FMC in Dalton, OH, Barnabas was sent ∗ Vietnam’s independence day is cel- from the church to Asia. There he planted a ebrated September 2. They gained their Vietnamese church in Taipei, Taiwan, while independence from in 1945. following up with contacts in his homeland. ∗ Vietnam is one of the world’s largest Meetings and training with these contacts exporters of rice. Other exports include resulted in the birth of the Free Methodist coffee, rubber, cotton, tea, pepper, soy- Church in Vietnam. beans, cashews, peanuts and bananas. ∗ The country is shaped like the letter “s.” Present Ministries At the thinnest point, the nation is about Members meet in house churches in 30 miles across. the lowlands and tribal churches along the ∗ Most Vietnamese writing looks a little border with Cambodia. The tribal churches like English, because it uses the same would like to extend their ministries to their alphabet. Most other Asian languages Cambodian neighbors. use characters. Leaders are developing a strategic five- ∗ Most people in Vietnam do not own year plan. From the ministry clusters around cars. They take taxis, minibuses and Danang, they plan to establish a ministry bicycles to work. center and extend from there to Ho Chi ∗ The Notre Dame Cathedral in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. Returning contract Minh City is an important landmark. It workers from Taipei, Taiwan, are already was built in the 1870s using materials planting house churches around Hanoi. shipped from France. Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 120 Country Information Vietnam Country Information Vietnam Country Information Vietnam A Closer Look

Story of Urban Pastor in Vietnam

Most who attempted the journey did not survive, but after six days at sea, Lee* successfully escaped his homeland - Vietnam. Just 18 years old at the time, he had fled persecution and oppression only to join thousands of other Vietnamese refugees in the miserable conditions of a Hong Kong refugee camp from 1991 to 1994. When moved to another camp, Lee went on a hunger strike and, as a result, was sent to prison. He cried out to the Lord in his prison cell after attempting to take his life. He was released and sent back to the camp. He started to attend church there. He found Christ as his Savior and began Bible training. In 1994, Lee was forced to return to Vietnam. Even though his family rejected him because of his new faith, Lee began to teach children about Jesus in his home. The government accused him of being in the CIA. Moving to a rural area with his wife and two children, he continued to work as a missionary. He bought land and started a home church. Even in the country, he could not escape the watchful eyes of government officials. He was interrogated and forced to sign a confession that he was preaching the gospel. He is still being watched, but that does not stop Lee from being determined to introduce his fellow countrymen to Jesus and to plant Free Methodist house churches.

*Name has been changed

Tribal Pastor Offers Thanks

“There were no believers in my tribe until 1996. The government forbade people to accept Jesus, but I had two sisters who put their faith in Jesus. They were arrested, put in jail and when released strictly told not to follow Jesus. They came home testifying of Him. “About this time my wife got sick and became blind. We called for the witch doctor. The witch doctor sacrificed our chicken, but my wife did not get well. We sacrificed a pig and my wife did not get well. We killed our cow and she still did not get well. It was at that time I accepted Jesus. We prayed and my wife was healed. Thank you, Jesus. “Since then I have lived in God’s power. I rejected being the village ‘big brother’ (godfather) and opened my home for a church. I was arrested and told not to follow Jesus. But I continued and nearly 100 were saved. Thank you, Jesus. The police arrested the believers and burned my house. “So I testified in another district. The police burned down the new believers’ houses and kicked them out of the district. They came to my district and because there were so many, we put up a meeting place. Police from other districts collaborated and burned it down. I took pic- tures of the action and they offered me much money for those pictures. I would not give in to them. “Now we have more peace, but because I am Christian the government will not give tribal benefits such as free education for my children. I oversee five FM churches and will plant more. Thank you, Jesus.”

page 121 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 Country Information Vietnam Country Information Vietnam Country Information Vietnam red yellow

The yellow star on the flag for VIETNAM represents workers, farmers, sol- diers, teachers and young people working together. The red background represents the blood of soldiers who fought for independence.

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 122 Serving as: Missionary Information Area Director David and Sherrill Yardy

David Yardy grew up in India, the son of missionary parents. After his high school grad- uation from a boarding school in south India, he spent a year at Umri (in central India) with his parents. It was there he sensed God's call to pastoral ministry. At age 7, David gave his life to the Lord, but his commitment to the Lord at age 18 required a willingness to serve in the United States. He returned to the U.S. with his par- ents and entered Greenville College, Illinois. After graduation he continued his studies at Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, Kentucky, and pastored a church in Illinois. After David felt called to the mission field, he furthered his education at Fuller Theological Seminary School of World Mission in California, where he earned his master's degree in cross-cultural studies. Sherrill grew up in Danville, Virginia. Her parents encouraged her to attend Sunday school and worship services at a nearby Methodist church, even though they did not attend regularly. Four days after her 15th birthday, Sherrill gave her heart to Jesus in a revival service. One of her pastors later encouraged Sherrill to go to Asbury College. She attended mission prayer meetings there and developed an interest in missions. While working at a Methodist children's home in Illinois, Sherrill attended a Free Methodist church and became acquainted with the Yardy family. When David came to visit his parents, he and Sherrill met. Marriage soon followed. Together the Yardys pastored churches in Pennsylvania and California. From time to time, Sherrill would ask David, “Are you sure you don’t feel you should go back to India?” At first his reply was “no,” but he then began to feel differently. He was asked by Free Methodist World Missions to work in India. On the flight from California to Indiana to meet with missions leaders, David was assigned a seat next to a Hindu guru. David was able to witness to him about Jesus. This was David’s confirmation that God was calling him to return to India. In 1981 the Yardys were commissioned as career missionaries. However, they, as well as other missionaries, were denied visas to live and work in India. The Yardys then accepted an assignment to the Philippines in 1982, where they lived and ministered for 20 years. They now live in Indiana, but when they travel to Asia, they base their ministry out of Thailand. David’s current ministry focus is leadership development. He has served as Asia Area Director since 1995. This job requires administrative leadership and extensive travel throughout Asia. Sherrill, a trained teacher, gives active support to David’s ministry and assists with SEED (Serving, Equipping, Encouraging, Discipling) in Asia. David and Sherrill both enjoy reading, listening to music and games. Sherrill also enjoys jigsaw puzzles and handwork, such as crocheting and cross-stitching. They have three grown children and several grandchildren.

page 123 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 Missionary Information Serving in: the Philippines Fred and Barb Adams

Fred was born on the island of Ketchikan, Alaska. His father had to clear the land of logs. It was a natural step for Fred to go into logging, and pay his way through school. Although his home was a non-Christian one, Fred attended the evangelical church beside his house. Many times he accepted the invitation to seek the Lord at the altar but never felt the assurance of salvation. When he was 23, Fred decided to make a commitment to God. After graduating with a degree in anthro- pology-geology from the University of Alaska at Fairbanks, Fred went to Bible school in New York. Discovering that he needed only a few more credit hours to earn a secondary teaching degree, he transferred to nearby Roberts Wesleyan College. He joined the Free Methodist Church there. The next step was to attend seminary. His roommate was a student from Africa and a matchmaker! He encouraged Fred to date missionary-on-furlough Barbara Dunkel, for whom the roommate had served as interpreter in Kenya. Fred and Barbara were soon married. Barbara grew up on a farm in Lagrange, Indiana. Converted at a youth camp when she was 14, Barbara received a call to missions at the same time. Following graduation from Indiana's Taylor University and a year in seminary, Barbara spent four years in Kenya as a director of Christian education under an independent mission. After seminary graduation in 1979, the Adamses were appointed to the Milan FMC in Michigan. Fred served as assistant pastor and Barbara as director of Christian education. In 1981 they were commissioned as career missionaries to the Philippines. Learning the Cebuano (see-bway-no) language was the first step for the new missionaries. The birth of a second son, Caleb, and suffering with tropical diseases followed during that first year. However, they were encouraged by the Filipino people's response to the gospel. Today both Fred and Barbara serve as pastors and church planters. They have seen many people come to know God through evangelistic crusades, home Bible studies and Bible classes in the public schools. Barbara helps pastors continue their education. In addi- tion, she coordinates International Child Care Ministries (ICCM) for the Southern Mindanao Annual Conference and serves on the board for Davao City’s Hope Street School project. Since early 2001, Barbara and Fred have been church planting among urban professionals at the Oceans of Life Ministries, a Free Methodist church in Davao City. Fred is involved in Light and Life Development Foundation, Inc., which brings in funds to purchase property for urban church planting in order to send out Asian missionaries and to expand micro-livelihood projects. In addition to her degree from Taylor University, Barbara also earned a Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary, Kentucky. Fred, also an ordained elder, holds a diploma in Bible from Elim Bible Institute, New York; a bachelor's degree in science from Roberts Wesleyan College, NY; a Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary; and a Doctorate in missiology from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Illinois. The Adamses have three grown children and several grandchildren.

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 124 Missionary Information Serving in: Taiwan David and Sarah Clemente Carmen, Jacob

During college, Sarah remembers sign- ing up to sponsor a child in another coun- try. Monthly she would write letters and send money thinking she would love to be involved in a ministry like that – only she wanted to actually work with the children in their country. But she didn’t have the slight- est idea how to do that. David grew up in the Philippines as a second-generation Free Methodist. That means his parents believed in God and were also Free Methodist. When David was 5 years old, he was diagnosed with an unknown disease. His body was paralyzed from the neck down. When his parents realized how serious the situation was, they gath- ered the church leaders and dedicated David to God. About two weeks after the leaders had prayed, God healed David. Since then, David knew he would serve God with his life. David attended college and seminary in the Philippines with a plan to someday pastor a church. David’s teaching duties at John Wesley Bible College in Manila gave him the opportunity to become familiar with cross-cultural ministries. The familiarity grew into a calling. David realized God could use him as a cross-cultural pastor. He came to Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky, for further studies. There he met Sarah. Sarah grew up in Avon, Illinois, a small town where the people seemed like a second family to her. Church camps played an important role in Sarah’s spiritual journey. She made a serious decision to accept Christ at junior high summer church camp, and felt God calling her into ministry at age 16. She spent several summers as a counselor and discovered that she enjoyed working with children and felt important in service, no matter how small the task. After earning a degree in psychology at college, Sarah attended Asbury Theological Seminary. Two cross-cultural ministry trips (Argentina and Kenya) and her classes helped change Sarah’s perspective on life and ministry. She felt that she had been molded into a global Christian who was ready to serve wherever God wanted her to, even if it was halfway around the world. Sarah especially felt she could encourage and support national leaders in cross-cultural work. Sarah and David were married in 1995. Today David and Sarah live in Kaohsiung, Taiwan’s second-largest city. David teaches at Holy Light Theological Seminary and is helping the seminary develop its missions pro- gram. He also helps local churches as they participate in the cross-cultural ministry of the Taiwan Annual Conference. Sarah provides administrative support to the missions team in Taiwan. They have two children, Carmen and Jacob.

page 125 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 Serving in: Missionary Information Taiwan Rebecca

Rebecca has been a farmhand and a waitress. She’s driven a school bus and sheared sheep, but the jobs she likes best are teacher and pastor. Her current missionary assignment in education/ leadership development includes teaching at Holy Light Theological Seminary in Taiwan. Holy Light is a Free Methodist seminary but prepares students from 34 denominations. Rebecca is working to train leaders who can be involved in church planting and evangelism min- istries to others. Rebecca teaches Old Testament Bible, Hebrew and several other classes. She teaches all of these classes using Mandarin Chinese. Sometimes she translates from English to Chinese or Chinese to English when guests from the United States come to teach or visit. Also Rebecca works with the Rukai, who are an aborig- inal group in southern Taiwan. She lives in the moun- tains with them on the weekends. She preaches, teaches classes, attends the youth meet- ings and sometimes discipleship groups. She is also trying to learn their language. “Thank you” is said “me-la-ne-nga.” God has been using Rebecca for ministry to the Chinese for several years. She served in the Portland, Oregon, Chinese Free Methodist Church while completing seminary stud- ies. Rebecca then served as a short-term missionary for two and a half years, 1988 to 1991, in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, through the VISA Ministries (Volunteers In Service Abroad) program. She taught theological English and Hebrew. She also led Bible studies, in English, and discipleship classes which were in Chinese. Some of those Rebecca began discipling followed her example and discipled others. She saw 10 people come to Christ as Savior during her short-term service. Six were baptized in the Kaohsiung FMC. While she was studying in England, Rebecca became involved in the Sheffield Chinese Christian Church. You can call Rebecca a doctor, but she’s not a medical doctor. There are other kinds of doctors. She earned her doctoral degree in biblical studies from the University of Sheffield, England. She was awarded master’s degrees in theology and in Christian education from Western Evangelical Seminary, Portland, Oregon, and her bachelor’s degree from Gordon College in Wenham, Massachusetts. Her dog’s name is YaLuen (yah-loo-en), which means “second mountain peak.” In January 2010, YaLuen was 11 years old. He is the kind of dog the Taiwanese aboriginal people use for hunting wild boar. Rebecca enjoys being outdoors, cross-country skiing (even though there is practically no snow in Taiwan, she still dreams about skiing), and hiking, as well as spinning wool and knitting. Recently she has been learning cross-stitch- ing and beading like the Rukai do.

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 126 Missionary Information Serving in: Taiwan Tim and Lily Kinkead

In high school Tim Kinkead lived for the weekends. He thought the best way to have friends and fit in was to drink, smoke and do drugs. When he decided to go Malone College in Canton, Ohio, it was a Christian school, which meant he had to sign a commitment to follow their rules — no drinking, smoking or drugs. Chapel attendance was also required. Early in his college career, he didn't show much interest in chapel. He arrived late, always looking for a seat in the back of the auditorium. Because neither of Tim's retinas developed, he is considered legally blind. He can see there is a picture on the wall but cannot tell any of its details. In college he needed note-takers to give him their notes of what the professors were writing on the board. One day one of his note-takers gave Tim his notes around 6 p.m. and asked if he had any plans for the evening. The friend invited Tim to his church. He didn't make a decision for Jesus that night, but Tim thought about the youth's sto- ries of their conversion experiences a lot. A few weeks later, Oct. 9, 1979, the chapel speaker was an army officer. The speaker shared his testimony. He said: “You can try a lot of things to fill you but they won’t work. The only way is through the person of Jesus Christ and having a personal relationship with Him.” The officer asked those who wanted to make a decision for Jesus Christ to stand. Tim couldn’t stay seated. The officer walked over to him and led him in prayer to accept Jesus that very day. The dean of students gave Tim a Bible, and he had several people volunteer to read to him. The discipleship he received from these fellow students made a difference in Tim’s faith. When Tim went back home, his change was so radical and immediate, his family and friends thought he’d joined a cult. Tim’s family and about 10 friends remain on his prayer list. His father became a Christian about a year and a half before he died in 1998. Only two people have become believers; however, his family has been impacted by Tim's decision to become a mis- sionary. While studying at Malone College, Tim developed some very good friendships with interna- tional students. One commented that missionaries were needed in Asia. Tim thought he could be a sender but not a goer. His pastor encouraged Tim to try. He said, “You'll never know unless you try.” Although some people thought Tim wouldn’t be able to navigate his way through the intense traffic because of his limited vision, he went to Taiwan on a trial basis. Tim started as a short- term missionary for four years and has been a career missionary since 1990. In all the teaching and discipleship Tim has done, people who see his disability ask, “Why did you come?” His answer is always, “Right now in my life, I can’t be anywhere else. I love the Chinese people and no disability can stop the power of the gospel.” Tim is currently assisting a Free Methodist church plant in Kaohsiung as director of English ministries. He teaches English classes, assists with discipleship training, makes visits with the pastor, preaches once a month and leads Communion. In September 2001, Tim married Lily Chang, senior pastor of the church where he serves.

page 127 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 Serving in: Missionary Information Asia Jim and Margaret Nelson

While in the Air Force, Jim Nelson was asked to study the Mandarin language. He thought German or Russian would be more useful in future full-time Christian work. The Air Force asked again and Jim decided that this must be the language God wanted him to learn. He studied Mandarin for eight months before he was sent to Korea for nine months, and then spent almost a year in Taiwan. During those months, January to November 1974, Jim and Margaret became active in the Taipei Free Methodist Church. God’s plan had begun to unfold for the Nelsons’ future ministry in Asia. Jim grew up in a Lutheran family in Orangevale, California. A friend invited him to youth meetings at the Free Methodist church. There Jim really felt for the first time how Jesus died for Jim’s own sins. He had known and believed that the Lord was his Savior before, but now Jim welcomed Jesus into his heart as well. Jim became interested in missions while he was a student at the University of California, Berkley. He thought he could use his engineering training overseas. He also became involved in Campus Crusade for Christ. Margaret’s family was very missions-minded. When she was a teenager, Margaret felt the Lord asking her if she was willing to be a missionary. A few years later, Margaret, her parents and younger sister left home for a short-term assignment in Burundi. A telegram stopped them in New York. Political conditions in Burundi were uncertain. In the summer of 1970, between Margaret’s junior and senior years of college, her parents gave her the money saved from their cancelled trip so she could see missions firsthand. Her two- month experience in central Africa was very worthwhile. Jim and Margaret met at a Bible study in her parents’ home while Jim was studying in California. At that time Margaret was in college studying English at Seattle Pacific University, Washington. Most of Jim and Margaret’s courtship was by correspondence and telephone. They became engaged over the phone with the help of a ham radio phone patch. It was December 10 for Margaret, but it was already December 11 for Jim in Korea. They were married in 1973. The Nelsons went to seminary after Jim completed his military service. Then they pastored for three years at the Hayward FMC, California. In 1981 the Nelsons found themselves as missionaries in Hong Kong and involved in a variety of tasks. First, they had to learn another language, Cantonese. Jim pastored a church, mentored young pastors, served on conference boards and helped with administration for the Hong Kong Mission. Margaret held many responsibilities in their local churches. She was the mission secretary and bookkeeper, led Bible studies and taught a variety of English classes, as well. In 2000, Jim and Margaret realized they had done what they went to Hong Kong to do. The conference and churches were maturing and could continue without direct missionary involvement. But God was not finished using them for His work. In October 2002 Jim and Margaret became part of a multi-national ministry team, a first for Free Methodist World Missions, in Cambodia. Their roles included assisting in the areas of pastoral training, teaching English as an outreach, and training nationals to take over various administrative responsibilities. The multi-national team included missionaries from the Philippines, Japan and Hong Kong. Jim and Margaret now live in California while assisting the Asia area director and making short trips overseas each year. Their duties include maintaining the financial reports for all of the Asia FMWM ministries and coordinating the Global Asian Network and the Global Chinese Ministries church-planting network. Jim serves on the Asia Leadership Team. Jim and Margaret are animal lovers. They have two cats.

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 128 Information Plan to serve in: Missionary Interns Thailand

Corey and Connie Persing Nathanial, Gabrialla, Ikaiasha

Corey and Connie were approved in October 2009 as FMWM’s first devel- opmental missionary interns, a new program at the time. The Persings plan to begin a two-year term in Chiang Mai, Thailand, once their support is raised. Corey will teach math and com- puter classes at Grace International School (GIS). Connie will have oppor- tunities to volunteer at GIS in support- ing roles. Both Corey and Connie will assist with the ministries of the local Free Methodist Church. The new internship program features mentoring, training and accountability for the development of effective cross-cultural workers. The Persing family spent the 2007-2008 school year serving in Thailand under VISA Ministries. Since 2003, God has asked Corey to look at his future the way God would see it. Corey desires to follow God’s path. Corey is currently a high school math teacher in Pennsylvania. He graduated from Roberts Wesleyan College, North Chili, New York in 1992. Corey enjoys outdoor activities including hunting, fishing and hiking. He also enjoys computers and reading. Connie enjoys reading, boating, fishing and relaxing in the water. The Persings have three children, Nathanial, Gabrialla, Ikaiasha.

page 129 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 Serving in: Missionary Information the Philippines Roger and Vangie Stone Mika and Daniel

Roger grew up in a Christian home and at the young age of 4, asked Jesus into his heart when he heard an invitation on TV. But it wasn’t until he was in fi fth grade that Roger made a personal decision to accept Christ as Savior. Roger believes his life has been shaped by his mother’s faith in God and his father’s faithfulness to begin every day with prayer and Scripture reading. Roger believes the most important activity in his Christian growth was Bible quizzing. He memorized large portions of Scripture and learned many insights and healthy attitudes toward God’s Word from his quiz coaches. They reminded quizzers of the importance of understanding what the Scriptures actually mean, as opposed to just competing for awards. Three things brought missions all together as a focus for Roger. First his pastor shared a series of messages related to missions. Also, it just so happened that the study for quizzing that year covered Romans, where Paul talks about his desire to preach the gospel where Christ is not known. The third missions focus came when Roger attended not one, but three Christian concerts that had missions-focused songs. Roger real- ized it was not all by accident, but God was calling him to make a decision about whether he would be willing to serve in missions. He said “yes” even though he had no idea at that time what road that would lead him down. Roger attended MidAmerica Nazarene College, Olathe, Kansas, and earned a degree in computer science. After graduation, Roger took a job as a computer programmer, but knew this was not his fi nal calling. After one and a half years, Roger applied to Wycliffe Bible Translators as a computer support worker. Roger realized it is not a requirement that a Bible translator be an outgoing person. Roger fi rst went to the Philippines in 1996. He met Vangie, who was working as an employee with SIL International. Vangie grew up in a Christian home and felt the call to mis- sions at a young age when she saw the diffi culties of some of her neighbors who were from minority groups. Roger and Vangie were married in 2000, and they have two children, Mika and Daniel. Roger can speak three Filipino languages - Cebuano, Tagalog and Ayta Abellen. He was a short-term VISA affi liate for seven years, but was approved as an extended-term mission- ary in April 2008. Roger is currently involved in training and consulting with the local Bible translation committees for the Ayta Abellen, Ayta Ambala and Ayta MagIndi people. Roger is also an advisor for Free Methodist youth Bible quizzing in the Philippines, and both Roger and Vangie help coordinate fi eld orientation for new Free Methodist missionaries in the Phil- ippines. When not involved in ministry, Roger enjoys basketball, tennis, computers, linguistics and the Bible. Vangie enjoys cooking, reading and cross-stitch. She is involved in helping with basic fi rst aid when in the Ayta Abellen village. Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 130 Missionary Information Serving in: Cambodia Chris and Yuko Wilkins Caleb and Corey

While growing up, Chris Wilkins’ parents encouraged him to pursue God. As a youth, faith was important to Chris; however, in college he walked away from God. Although Chris had met many Christians in his life, the “soil” of his heart wasn’t ready until 1972, when a friend shared the Word of God with Chris. Chris met many Japanese tourists while he lived in Hawaii for three years. He wit- nessed to some and felt called to be involved in missions. He saw a movie, “Shiokari Pass,” written by a Japanese Christian and felt he must be involved in evangelism, specifically in Japan. Chris began his work with VISA Ministries, the short-term missions pro- gram of Free Methodist World Missions, in 1989. During his 11 years in Japan, he was involved in evangelism ministries, taught English Bible studies and served with four different churches. Chris says the experience convinced him of his call to missions. Chris graduated from Roberts Wesleyan College, North Chili, New York, with a Bachelor of Arts in English education. He earned his Master of English at the State University of New York, Brockport, and also his Master of Missiology from Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, Kentucky. Chris met his wife, Yuko (you-koh), during his VISA assignment and they were mar- ried in April 2002. Yuko graduated from Tokyo Biblical Seminary in 1999. She pastored a church in Japan for three years and is an ordained member of the Japan General Conference of the Free Methodist Church. The Wilkins family was invited to help in Cambodia, arriving in October 2003. Their first assignment was to study the Khmer language. Chris says the first six months left them speechless, at least in regard to the local people. Yuko enjoyed shopping because it gave her opportunities to meet people and try out the language. In an English class, Chris was allowed to use half of the class for teaching the Bible. Chris currently pastors the Phnom Penh church and is the field supervisor for the FM Cambodia work. Yuko works with finances for missionaries serving in Cambodia, from both the U.S. and Asia Pacific FM Missions Association (APFMMA). She also develops new products for Reaksmei, the Cambodian Free Methodist micro-enterprise group. In 2007 Yuko was appointed as an FMWM missionary. Chris and Yuko have two sons, Caleb and Corey.

page 131 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 Serving in: Missionary Information Thailand Don and Kathy Williams

Don and Kathy Williams are children of God! Their heart’s desire is for all people to have the same choice they did to trust and believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior and friend. Don asked Jesus into his heart through a neighborhood Good News Club when he was 6 years old. He knew as he became a teenager that he needed to make his faith his own and not depend on his parents’ faith. Kathy grew up going to church and always tried to do the right thing. As a college student, a friend asked Kathy, “Are you going to heaven when you die?” Kathy hoped so but was afraid she might do something wrong and not go to heaven. The friend opened the Bible to 1 John 5:11-13. From then on Kathy read her Bible and wanted others to know the truth of God’s Word. She wanted to obey Jesus. Now she knew it did not depend on what she did, but on what Jesus did. God gave His Son, Jesus, so that His lifeblood could take away her sins and the sins of the whole world. Don completed his college education at Bethany College, Santa Cruz, California, with a degree in education. He became an elementary teacher and a principal. Kathy earned her Bachelor of Science degrees in microbiology and medical technology from Idaho State University, Pocatello, Idaho. While working for his uncle in construction, Don met Kathy at a Bible study that met in his parents’ home. They were married in 1981. Don and Kathy are missionaries to share God’s love. They serve FMWM in Chiang Mai, Thailand, where less than one percent of the people know Jesus Christ. Don is the superintendent of Grace International School (GIS), as well as a member of Mission Thailand’s Board of Administration and the Asia Leadership Team. GIS stu- dents include 530 children from 26 different countries in K-12th grade. Most of the stu- dents’ parents are missionaries who are also teaching people the truth of Jesus Christ all over Asia (in Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, China, Taiwan, Thailand, and more). By serving at the school many more people are able to hear about Jesus and are making choices to be God’s children. Kathy is a teaching leader for Community Bible Study International. Overseas ministry is not new to Don and Kathy. They previously served in the Philippines for four years. As they support others in ministry, they multiply many times over the work of making disciples of Jesus among the world. Don and Kathy have five children: Seth (born 1984), Thaddaeus (born 1986), Josiah (born 1990), Katelyn (born 1992) and Michaela (1994).

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 132 Missionary Information Serving in: the Philippines Jim and Deb Wilson Christie and John

Deb Wilson felt a call to missions when she was 5 years old. “Never have I doubted this to be the Lord’s will for my life, or desired anything else,” Deb said. While friends dreams jumped from one occupation to another, all of Deb’s major decisions and life patterns focused on becoming a missionary. She grew up on a small farm in Wisconsin. Although there was plenty of work to do, Deb also enjoyed horseback riding, climbing hills and other family activities. Deb enrolled at Oakdale Christian High School in Jackson, Kentucky, for her last two years of high school. She believes this is a time when her faith was firmly ground- ed. Deb also met Jim there, but since the Lord had not called him to be a missionary, they parted for college as friends. She then attended Olivet Nazarene University, Illinois. Jim grew up in a Christian home in Letts, Iowa. He became a Christian while attending a Good News Club at a local church. After hearing the testimony of the pastor’s daughter’s experiences at Oakdale Christian High School, Jim convinced his parents to attend his last two years of high school there, too. It was at Oakdale that Jim learned to have a daily quiet time with God. Jim enrolled at Roberts Wesleyan College, North Chili, New York, and studied to become a pastor. He became involved in a group that supported short-term missionaries. After helping raise money for others to go, the next summer Jim actually went on an evangelism trip to São Paulo, Brazil. It was a positive experience for Jim, one in which he realized the need outside of the U.S. for people to learn about God. Later that year while attending a special missions con- ference in Illinois, Jim felt settled enough to say, “I believe God has missions in mind for me.” Jim and Deb renewed their friendship and in 1981 were married. Deb then completed a nursing degree at the University of Iowa. During that time Jim sold advertising and was remind- ed how easy it is to invest our lives in things that have no heavenly significance. The Wilsons attended the Iowa City Free Methodist Church. Jim directed the Christian Life Club program. They also focused on their own discipleship. Then it was Jim’s turn to finish his degree. He majored in missions in conjunction with his master’s of divinity at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. The school required an internship, so in 1986 they went to teach in the Philippines at Light and Life Bible College for one semester. After that semester they were in love with these Asian islands and their people. After completing his schooling, Jim served two years as assistant pastor of the Moundford FMC in Decatur, Illinois. In 1986 they served as short-term missionaries to the Philippines and returned as career missionaries in 1989. They have had a variety of roles as missionaries, including evangelism, church planting and education. Deb has also taught health in medical clinics and served as school nurse for Light and Life Bible College. After spending 13 years in southern Philippines, the Wilson family moved to Manila in July 2003. Their job is to help prepare future pastors for the current church and to help in a new church planting effort to professionals. They have been studying the local dialect, Tagalog. The Wilsons have two children, Christie and John. Jim enjoys reading and snorkeling. Deb enjoys oil painting but she doesn’t get much opportunity to do it.

page 133 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 Missionary Information Serving in: Taiwan Susan Yu

Susan was born in the Philippines to a Buddhist family. Her parents were originally from China but moved to the Philippines 11 years before the Communists took over China. When Susan was school-aged, her mother sent her to a Christian school; her father had passed away. When she was 6 years old, Susan came to know about Jesus through Sunday school. When she was 11, Susan was very sick. No one knew what kind of sickness she had. After being in bed for more than a month, Susan was healed. She knew that God healed her and felt that He had a special purpose for her life. A few months later, Susan and her mother traveled to the United States, to visit brothers who had moved tthere. Susan says from then on, the United States was her second home. She even graduated from high school in Virginia. Susan returned to the Philippines for college and became very active in her church’s youth fellowship. At a youth camp, Susan received a vision for lost souls – not only for her family, but also for all the people in the world. Susan com- mitted her future to God and He surprisingly led her to study library science. She was not sure how she would serve God through this field but she trusted Him. Right after graduation, Susan traveled to Taiwan to visit her sister for a few weeks. At a Christmas Eve service, Susan learned of an opportunity to serve as a librarian at Holy Light Theological Seminary, a place she actually wanted to attend as a student. Oh for God’s miracles, who called Susan to work with the Chinese people in Taiwan! For 20 years Susan served as a Free Methodist missionary in Taiwan. Her primary role was librarian/teacher at the seminary. From 1992 to 1995, she was acting dean of administration. After returning to the U.S. in 1995, Susan served the Free Methodist Church in a variety of roles, including administrative assistant to two bishops, mis- sionary support coordinator for Free Methodist World Missions and more recently as VISA Ministries assistant, placing short-term mission volunteers. Susan returned to missionary service in August 2009 to serve as vice president of Taiwan’s Holy Light Theological Seminary. Susan was one of the leaders involved in founding the Asia Pacific Free Methodist Missions Association (APFMMA), an organization that promotes, supports and sends national missionaries to new mission fields in Asia and the Pacific. In 1994, she helped coordinate work that opened Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) as a new Free Methodist mission field. Myanmar has since become a mission district under the sup- port and supervision of the Taiwan Free Methodist Church. Susan also had the oppor- tunity to serve as a library consultant to seminary libraries in several countries.

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 134 Worker Information Serving in: Creative Access Countries

Mark and Lena’s Family

Mark and Lena teach English. They have two children, Micah and Shalom.

Marie

Marie teaches English. She has four grown children and one grandchild.

Adam and Rebecca’s Family

Adam and Rebecca teach English. They have two children, Kaiden and Risa.

Keith and Julie’s Family

Keith and Julie mentor leaders. They have three children, Josiah, Caleb and Hannah.

page 135 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 Missionary Address Book

Yardy, David & Sherrill Stone, Roger & Vangie Call 800-342-5531 SIL Manila for current contact information PO Box 2270 CPO e-mail: [email protected] 1099 Manila Philippines Adams, Fred & Barb e-mail: [email protected] PO Box 80405 [email protected] 8000 Davao City Philippines Wilkins, Chris & Yuko e-mail: [email protected] PO Box 602 Phnom Penh Clemente, David & Sarah Kingdom of Cambodia P.O. Box 450 e-mail: [email protected] Kaohsiung 800 [email protected] TAIWAN e-mail: [email protected] Williams, Don & Kathy c/o Grace International School Rebecca P.O. Box 32, Hang Dong P.O. Box 450 Chiang Mai 50230 Kaohsiung 800 THAILAND TAIWAN e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] [email protected]

Kinkead, Tim & Lily Wilson, Jim & Deb 7 Fl. No. 13, Chung-Lun 4th Rd, c/o Faith Academy Feng-Shan City Kaohsiung County MCPO Box 2016 Taiwan 0706, Makati City e-mail: [email protected] Philippines e-mail: [email protected] Nelson, Jim & Margaret 600 Lockewood Lane Yu, Susan Scotts Valley, CA 95066 2 Henan Second Road e-mail: [email protected] Kaohsiung Taiwan Persing, Corey & Connie e-mail: [email protected] 122 Hickory View Drive New Castle, PA 16102 e-mail: [email protected]

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 136 MK LETTERS

Copy these missionary kids’ letters and use in class. You might put each letter in a separate envelope and have a student read them out loud one at a time, like they are letters addressed to your class. The information in these letters can help familiarize your students with the kids who are serving with their missionary parents. Find prayer items in the letters, or use them in other creative ways.

Dear Friends, First, let me tell you about me. My name is Carmen. I’m 8 years old. My birthday is on November 18. My family is my mom and dad. Oh, and also my little brother, Jacob. (He’s writing a letter to you, too.) He’s 5 years old. My school is an English school called Morrison Academy. I have a lot of friends there. Oh, and I’m in 3rd grade now. (Jacob is in Kindergarten.) My teacher is Ms. Christina Yang. I have 18 friends, plus me is 19 people in my class. My friends are Lauren, Jobina, Anna, Allison, Jasmin, Karin, Joseph, Ian, Vince, Parker, Andrew, Francis, William, Graeme, Allen, Julian, Nathan, and Edward. It is always fun in Taiwan. It’s amazing! Incredible! Well, I think it is almost time for my supper or dinner. Sometime write back to me. Your friend forever, ever, after, ever, forever, Carmen Clemente

page 137 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 Dear Friends, My name is Jacob. I am 5 years old. I like to play hide and seek. I have toys. One is a flying car. I go to school. I eat, play hula hoop, do some work, and then I take a nap. My favorite food is a smiley- face chocolate cookie. Love, Jacob

Hi, Kids. My name is John Wilson and I am a missionary kid (MK). I have lived in the Philippines since I was 9 months old. Presently I live in the city of Manila (the biggest one in the Philippines). There are enough Americans in the city that they are somewhat common, but life in the Philippines is both similar and different to the U.S.A. Where I am right now, there are enough Americans that they are common, but when I walk down the street in rural areas, everyone stares at me like my skin is the color purple. I enjoy it here very much; it has become home to me. The thing I miss the most about the U.S. is the snow. It is always very hot here. A big difference between the U.S. and here is the food. Where you live you have a lots of different foods, but here people eat plain rice with a little meat or vegetables three times a day. Since I have lived here so long my most favor- ite food is rice. I hope this letter helps you learn a little more about me and the Philippines. John Wilson

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 138 Hello my name is Nathanial. I am 16 years old. We will soon be living in Chang Mai, Thailand, where I will attend Grace International School. There are 26 different coun- tries represented at Grace, so I will have friends from around the world. There is a pool behind the school so swimming is a part of gym class. Thai food is very hot. The spiciness of the food is some- thing that you slowly get used to. My favorite Thai dish is Kao Soi - a very hot red curry soup, that has chicken and in it. In Thailand’s restaurants, you have to pay for each drink refill. One thing we won’t see in Thailand is the changing of the seasons. I especially enjoy autumn and winter. In my spare time, I like to hang out with my friends and participate in recreational activities. Playing video games or having paintball/air soft (plastic BB guns) wars are things we like to do together. Nathanial

Hi my name is Gabrialla Persing. I am 14 years old. While I am not currently living in Thailand, we were there with our parents to visit for almost a year. Thailand’s three seasons are: hot and humid, hot and rainy, and hot and dry. It is basically hot all year long. Talk about hot, Thai food is very hot. Besides being cooked hot, it’s spicy hot. But I think it is delicious. If you don’t like spicy food, you can eat Kao Phat Gai (chicken ), or Kao Phat Seperot (fried rice with pineapple). Thailand does have some fast food restaurants including some you might see in the U.S. - McDonald’s and Burger King. Thai- land also has ice cream and pizza places. Entertainment is not hard to find in Thailand. You could go to a movie or a walking market. Some of the markets are called “night bizarre.” In a walking market/night bazaar, venders come out on the street to sell their wares, many of which are hand made. Thailand has great tourists spots. We went to a waterfall that we could climb up. It is made completely of sandstone. Something else to do is to go to an elephant camp. I watched elephants paint! Also, I rode in an ox cart. Finally, I was able to go on a bamboo raft. The raft took us partway down the river to the vans that we took to the elephant camp. I liked living in Thailand. It was a lot of fun. Gabrialla

page 139 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 Hi, my name is Ikaiasha (pronounced (I•kee•sha). I am 12 years old. Grace International School is an English-speaking school. My dad will be a teacher there. Most of the students are missionary children like me. I like learning in school and I like school activities. I love different food. My favorite food is Kao Phat Gai. I like adventures including caving, elephant riding, rafting and visiting waterfalls. I like swimming. I love rainbows. I love my friends and family. One favorite memory of Thailand when we lived there (2007-2008) was going to the beach for Christmas. We ate cheeseburgers and drank Coca-Cola. There are lots of reasons to love Thailand. Ikaiasha

MK CARDS

Copy these missionary kid cards. Cut out and fold in half for a baseball-type trading card. These cards can also be used in a matching or concentration game, as a prayer reminder, or in any creative way to familiarize your students with the kids who are serving with their missionary parents.

Name: John Wilson Birthday: 6/10/1992 Favorite Classes: P.E., Bible Friends: Uno, Jaime, Julio, Jan, Micah, Logan Favorite Foods: bicol express, ice cream, pizza, rice Favorite Color: dark blue, red, purple Hidden Talent: stage crew for dramas Considering Career: under- water welding Likes to: scuba dive, play paint ball & computer games - Philippines -

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 140 Name: Carmen Clemente Birthday: 11/18/2001 Grade: 3rd Favorite Classes: library, science Friends: Jobina, Joseph, Andrew, Anna Favorite Foods: rice, chicken adobo (Filipino chicken), soup Favorite Color: pink, purple, blue Hidden Talent: playing piano Considering Career: kindergar- ten teacher, zoo keeper Likes to: play sports, read - Taiwan -

Name: Jacob Clemente Birthday: 1/6/2005 Grade: Kindergarten Favorite Classes: English, exercise Friends: Stephanie, Dee, Yi Jer Favorite Foods: rice, ice cream, peanut butter toast Favorite Color: all colors Hidden Talent: drawing Considering Career: teacher Likes to: write stories, play computer games - Taiwan -

Name: Gabrialla Persing Birthday: 5/23/1993 Grade: 9th Favorite Classes: algebra, reading, swimming, art Friends: Chelsea, Karis, Fa, Fon Favorite Foods: spaghetti, Kao Phat Seperot (fried rice with pineapple) Favorite Color: blue, green Hidden Talent: acting, playing trumpet Considering Career: teacher, veterinarian Likes to: bike, read, swim - Thailand -

page 141 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 Name: Nathanial Persing Birthday: 11/10/1994 Grade: 10th Favorite Classes: math, P.E., science, Friends: Ryan, Matt, Kayla, Jessica Favorite Foods: steak, brownies, fruit, Kao Soi Favorite Color: orange Hidden Talent: markmanship, Ping-Pong Considering Career: U.S. military and skilled trades Likes to: hunt, fish, swim - Thailand -

Name: Ikaiasha Persing Birthday: 1/2/1998 Grade: 7th Favorite Classes: math, science Friends: Ashton, Julie, Elizabeth, Nette Favorite Foods: Kao phat gai (chicken fried rice) Favorite Color: purple Hidden Talent: playing clarinet Considering Career: unknown Likes to: swim, explore

- Thailand -

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 142 Answers to Country Profile page 76 Teachers: The profile page (page 76) is designed for younger elementary students to use in three class times. The information can be gleaned from the country information: see India pages 90-92, Malaysia pages 96-98, and the Philippines pages 105-107.

India Malaysia the Philippines Mt. Kinabalu Jim & Deb Wilson

lotus tarsier Mt. Mayon monkey chess Manila hornbill 7,000 narra tree cows 88-story islands building Hindi language kite- Fred & Barb exports flying Adams bananas Ganges mouse River Roger deer Stone

The flag of Malaysia: The flag of the Philippines: The flag of India:

Malaysia

the Philippines India

page 143 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 LESSON IN CHOPSTICKS

The three cultures that use chopsticks each have their own unique type. Chinese chopsticks are thick and have a blunt end; Japanese chopsticks are slender and slightly pointed; Korean chopsticks are thin and are the only kind made from metal. If you don't have chopsticks you can practice with two unsharpened pencils. Place one chopstick in your hand at a time. Keep the first steady by putting pressure on it with the tip of your ring finger. Hold the other chopstick between your first two fingers and thumb. Hold it so the tip extends slightly beyond the other one. Move the second chopstick up and down to pick up small bits of food from your plate. Chopsticks are used for more than just eating. They are used to clean house. If each student receives chopsticks suggest they practice by picking up small toys, paper clips, erasers, cotton balls.

OBJECT LESSON One missionary won't be able to do as much work for God. The second chopstick might Before giving the following spiritual be money - it takes money to do God’s work. application, demonstrate how to hold chop- Or the other chopstick might also be the sticks with the fingers and thumb of one prayers of other Christians. The other chop- hand. Show how easily they can be used to stick might represent missionaries working pick up bites of food. You may also want to together with the Christian workers and pas- have for display some small dishes and tors of that country. Mission work is a a wok. partnership between people who share Chopsticks can teach us interest- the load. ing lessons about missions work. Let’s This partnership is held all the time examine a pair and see if we can learn in God's hands. The chopsticks of their secrets. As you can see, chopsticks prayer and missionaries, or money and are two very thin rods, often made of missionaries, and missionaries with bamboo or wood. They are used by that country’s pastors and Christian people in oriental countries as eating workers are all held securely in God's utensils to take food from a dish into hands. Just as I hold these chopsticks their mouth. Chopsticks are also used and move them as I need to, so God to stir food while it is cooking. For guides, leads and controls. example, when people are stir frying Just to look at, most chopsticks are vegetables in a wok, chopsticks are the very ordinary pieces of wood or bam- best tool to do the stirring with. Finally, boo. Most of us are very ordinary chopsticks are always used in pairs. people. But in God's hands we can Why does this information remind feed hungry people, care for those in us of missions? God’s work is always need, and share His love with hurting done as a partnership. Just as people people. There are lots of people who have to have two chopsticks to eat with, so are hungry to know God. They long each of us must help carry each other’s load. to know that He loves them. Some of these Missions is people working together with people live in places like Japan, Taiwan and God. If you only have one chopstick, you Hong Kong. But there are also lots of people won’t be able to get as much food in your from Asia who live in neighborhoods like mouth as if you had a pair of chopsticks. ours who need Jesus.

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 144 Teacher‛s Notes

(things to do - resources to review - items to collect - people to contact)

page 145 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 Culture in FUN games, crafts, Asia & word puzzles, songs, recipes Australia

This section is likely the most hands-on for the answers and tape them on the wall or chalk- your students. Have fun with it! In Thailand, board. Students must give the correct question the people will tell you to have sanuk, which to the answer on the card. means fun. Children in Asia and Australia sometimes CRAFTS make their own toys out of what they can find Pottery, weaving baskets and clothing, — tin cans, old boxes, tires, etc. See how clever wood carving, calligraphy and shell crafts are your students can be with creating their own just a few of the crafts that are popular in the toys. study countries. Try some of the craft ideas printed in this section. GAMES Many children in other countries have no WORD PUZZLES and ACTIVITY PAGES toys from the store but play a lot of games with A variety of word puzzles and activity stones and sticks. They play in or along the pages to meet various age levels are included in streets — there is no other place to play. this curriculum. Don’t let the puzzles get you Kids in India play marbles. Backgammon stumped; the answers are provided on pages and Mah Jongg originated in Asia. In Malysia 174-175. children spin tops. Jan-ken-pon is the Japanese version of rock-paper-scissors. Leap frog is MUSIC called tobi kosh. Make your music time fun by using instru- Takraw is played in Thailand with a ball ments including flute, mouth organ, drum, made out of hollow reeds. Any part of the body gong, cymbals, xylophone, lute, gong chimes, can be used to hit the ball but the ball cannot harp, rattle and bells. Try songs in several Asian touch the ground. languages. You may recognize the English Have a cotton ball relay, but students have songs, but make note of the global emphasis. to carry a cotton ball from one end of the room to the other using chopsticks. Another idea — RECIPES use marshmallows. Help your students become familiar with You could make up your own version of some of the tastes of Asia and Australia. Going Missions Alive! Jeopardy to reinforce the infor- to the ethnic section of your local grocery store mation your students have learned about Asia may be a big help in this area. If your students and Australia. Some category options might are old enough, allow them to make one of the be: countries, food, facts, geography and mis- recipes in this section. Encourage your students sionaries, depending upon what areas you have to sample foods that are new to them. covered with them. Use 3 x 5 inch cards to list

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 146 Games

Rice Relay player. Punch a hole in the head of each What you need: 2 bags of rice fish. Next, cut a piece of string about 10 feet long for each player, tying one end How you play: to a chair. Set the chairs in a line about Divide the players into two teams, a foot apart with the strings stretched out with the same number of people on straight. Thread the loose end of each each team. Each team should stand in piece of string through the hole in a fish a straight line. Give a bag of rice to the head and push the fish up the string to first player on each team. At the starting the top of the chair. At the starting signal, signal, the team passes the bag from one each player jiggles the end of the string person to the next between the players’ carefully to get the fish to move toward legs. When the bag reaches the last per- the player. The first person to land the son it is passed back to the first player fish is the winner. from one person to the next over the tops of their heads. The winner is the team Crab Race whose first player gets the bag back first. How you play: Option: Pass the bag through the first Divide the players into two teams. person’s legs and over the second per- Mark a goal line, with the players lined up son’s head, alternating until the bag has a certain distance from it in two lines, one been passed down the line and back to for each team. Make sure there are the the first player again. same number of people in each line. One person from each team begins the race Fish on a String by crabwalking to the goal and back. What you need: cardboard fish, about To crabwalk, lean back on hands and six inches long, one for each player; feet and then “walk.” Each team mem- string, 10 feet long ber crabwalks to the goal and back, and touches the next person in line. The first How you play: team to finish is the winner. Using cardboard or heavy paper, cut out a fish about six inches long for each

page 147 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 Flip-Flop Throw Play Dragon’s Tail What you need: an old flip-flop, prefer- What you need: small towel or rag ably a big one How you play: How you play: Make a line with nine or more play- Draw a line on the ground. Each per- ers. The players put their arms around son puts the flip-flop on and stands on the waist of the person in front of them. this line to kick. The object of the game Pretend that the first person in the line is to see how far each person can kick is the dragon’s head, the people in the it. Measure how far it goes. Let this be a middle are the body, and the last person non-competitive game in which each per- is the tail. Give the tail person a small son’s score is the best kick out of three towel or rag to tuck in a pocket, belt or tries. waistband. The head tries to swing the line around and catch the tail by grab- Unravel the Cocoon bing the towel without breaking the body What you need: apart. Then the person who was the tail ball of drops out. When the players change yarn or places to make the former head the string, one new tail, the person who was second for each in line becomes the new head. Play team until the dragon becomes too small to move around or until just the head How you and tail remain. play: Divide the play- Pick-Up Chopsticks ers into How you play: two even teams. Have the players line There are two variations for this up, one behind the other. Give the first game. The first one is played the same player on each team a ball of yarn. After way you play “jacks” except using chop- wrapping the yarn around himself/herself sticks instead of jacks. Lay the chop- once, he/she should pass the ball to the sticks on the floor in a straight line. next player, who does the same thing. Throw the ball in the air and pick up one Continue unwinding the ball of yarn to stick. Catch the ball in the same hand the end of each team. After first wrapping after you let it bounce. Keeping the stick the yarn around himself/herself once, in your hand, pick up another the same the last player then reverses and begins way. Make sure the ball doesn’t bounce rewinding the yarn on the ball. He or she more than once. Try to pick up one more passes it to the player in front, who does stick each time until you have all 10. the same, and so on back to the first In the other variation, you allow the player on the team. The first team to go chopsticks to fall randomly in a pile and through the whole process wins. try to remove them one at a time from the pile without disturbing the rest. If you disturb the pile, your turn is over and the next person gets to try.

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 148 Cheetal, Cheetah (India) resume the chase. Any runners who are How you play: tagged must sit out on the sidelines until This can be played indoors or out- the end of the game. (Three minutes doors. In the center of a large area, draw would be long enough.) At the end of the two lines five feet apart. Then establish a game, the teams change sides and the home line at the end of the playing area. water pots become runners. Divide the children into two teams, the cheetals and the cheetahs. The Puta at Aso (Philippines) cheetals, the lovely spotted deer, are What you need: found in India, as are the hunting leop- “bones” (sticks, slippers, sock) ards known as cheetahs. The players stand along the two center lines with their How you play: backs to each other, facing their home The children form a large circle. One lines. child is chosen to be the dog. The dog A leader stands between the lines at goes to the center of the circle, where the side and calls, “Che-ee-ee-ee,” then several items (bones) are placed. The finishes with either “tal” or “tah.” If cheetal bones can be sticks, is called the cheetals must race to their a slipper, a sock or home line while being pursued by the other things. The dog cheetahs. If cheetah is called, the chee- sits next to the bones tahs dash to their home line, avoiding a to guard them from tag by a cheetal. Anyone being tagged the other players (the is out until the game is over. (You may cats). The cats try to decide to have the tagged children join take the bones from the other team.) Play until there are only the dog while the dog two children left on one team. tries to tag the cats. However, the dog If you have limited space, you may must tag the cats with his hands or feet, have the children sit on the center lines never standing upright. If tagged, a cat and walk on all fours to the home line. must sit out until the game is complete. A cat may tease the dog by Water Pots (India) approaching him while another cat tries How you play: to steal a bone. After two minutes, the Divide the children in half, one group game should be stopped and another being the runners, the other the water dog chosen. Play the game several pots. All the water pots must stand in times, giving many children the chance to a vertical line about two feet from each be in the center. other and squat. Select one of the run- ners to be It. It chases and tries to tag the other runners. The other runners may dart in and out of the water pots, but It may not. He or she must run all the way around either end to go to the other side to tag a runner. However, at any time It may squat next to a water pot. If he or she does, that water pot is It and must

page 149 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 Rubber Band Blow How you play: Sipa is a Filipino game in which play- (Philippines) ers use their feet to kick the “ball” to their What you need: opponent. You can make a “ball” like five rubber bands for each player, a dif- Filipino children do and practice throw- ferent color for each set of five ing it in the air and kicking it with your foot. See how many times you can hit it. How you play: Practice kicking it back and forth with a This is a game for two people that friend. can be played on the floor or a table. Each person is given five rubber bands. Taking turns of 30 seconds each to blow, Powder Game (Cambodia) they try to blow their rubber bands, one This is a favorite at Khmer New Year, at a time, from in front of them to their and other times during the year when goal, in front of the other person. Players there’s a group celebration. can lose their rubber bands to their oppo- What you need: nent by touching his opponent’s rubber one or more cans of face powder, band. After 10 minutes, the team with the baby powder or corn starch (use more most rubber bands in their possession, cans if a large group) both their own color and their opponent’s, music (someone can play an instru- is the winner. ment or play recorded music)

How you play: Sipa (see-pah) (Philippines) All the participants sit in a circle. What you need: Start the music. Begin passing the cans - sheet of brightly colored art paper (con- of powder around as the music plays (if struction paper is too heavy) using more than one can, start the cans - coins or pebbles at different places in the circle). When - a rubber band or piece of string the music stops, the person holding the Fold the paper in half. Along the side can of powder shakes some into one opposite of the fold, cut through the two hand, and then chooses a person of the layers, making strips. Unfold the paper opposite sex to “anoint” with the powder, and put the coins in the center. Gather anywhere on the face. When the music the paper around the coins or pebble and starts again, the powder starts going tie with the rubber band or string. Now around again. Play until everyone has you are ready to play sipa! had a chance to get powdered.

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 150 Chasing Game (Cambodia) How you play: Make a large circle, alternating boy, girl, boy, girl. Everyone in the circle holds hands. One pair (boy and girl) remains outside the circle. They walk around the outside, holding hands, until they choose a pair in the circle. They lightly hit the pairs’ hands and then run quickly around the circle in one direction, still holding hands. The pair that were tapped must run in the opposite direction around the circle, holding hands. Whoever gets back to the empty space first becomes part of the circle, and the pair left out continues the game.

Phong Phang (Thailand) How you play: Any number of students can play. Select someone to be the “fish.” The fish is blindfolded and made to turn around three times. The other players hold hands and walk around him starting a question and answer rhyme: “Catch me if you can. The fish swims by. The fish is blind. Catch me dead or alive. What will it be, a dead or a live fish?” At the end of the rhyme, everyone must freeze. The fish touches one of the other players. The fish must guess who the person is and if he is correct, he will be replaced by the person he caught.

page 151 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 All Crafts Ages

* STORY BANNER supplies: newspaper or newsprint markers, pencils, crayons scissors tape fabric or felt scraps and fabric banner, about 12” x 14’ fabric glue needle, thread and embroidery floss, optional Tape the shapes in place. Glue or sew them onto the fabric banner. If glue is used, dry overnight. directions: Write words on the banner with markers On the newspaper or newsprint draw a to help tell the story, if desired. Embroider story with large, simple shapes. Draw about over the words and letters, if desired. something real or something imaginary. Hang the banner to enjoy the design and Cut out the largest shapes. story. Tell a story out loud about the shapes Tape each of these shapes on a fabric on the banner. scrap or felt square in a color that goes well with the shapes. Trace the shapes with a * Story banner craft is reprinted by permission marker. Then remove the tape. from the book GLOBAL ART Activities, Projects Cut out the shapes with scissors. Place and Inventions from Around the World, copyright the shapes on the larger piece of fabric or 1998, by MaryAnn F. Kohl and Jean Potter, ISBN banner in a design or in an order that helps 9780876591901, published by Gryphon House, Inc., 10770 Columbia Pike, Suite 201, Silver tell a story. Spring, MD, 20901; 800-638-0938, 301-595- 5100 (fax).

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 152 All Ages

* HANDMADE PAPER supplies: white scrap paper blender (with adult supervision) and water pine needles, leaves (broken into tiny piec- es), flower petals, blades of grass pan and 2 screens old towel and newspapers can pressing cloth heavy book iron, optional directions: Tear the scrap paper into small pieces and pers. Carefully lift the pulp-covered screen and put them into the blender so it is half full. put it on the towel. Put another piece of screen Fill the blender with enough water to on top of the pulp and roll the water out with make it three-fourths full. Turn the blender on the can. The can be done by rolling the can medium speed until the paper is blended into a with the palm of the hand. pulp. Lift the screen, then flip it over onto the Add the pine needles, leaves and other pressing cloth. Peel the screen off the set paper small materials to the pulp. Blend for one or very carefully. two seconds more. Fold the pressing cloth over the wet paper Place a screen over the pan. Pour the and press until almost dry. watery pulp over the screen, spreading the pulp Put a heavy book on it overnight to flatten. out in a square shape. Let the water drain off Iron to flatten and help dry, if desired. into the pan for 30 minutes. Note: The dry paper will be a pretty art To drain the water from the pulp further, paper to look at, but too thick and soft for put an old towel on top of a stack of newspa- everyday letter writing or picture drawing.

* Handmade paper craft is reprinted by permis- sion from the book GLOBAL ART Activities, Projects and Inventions from Around the World, copyright 1998, by MaryAnn F. Kohl and Jean Potter, ISBN 9780876591901, published by Gryphon House, Inc., 10770 Columbia Pike, Suite 201, Silver Spring, MD, 20901; 800-638- 0938, 301-595-5100 (fax).

page 153 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 * WIND CHIMES All supplies: Ages 1 12-inch bamboo stick or wooden dowel fishing line or very fine thread at least 5 items to hang from the wind chime such as: seashells, metal tubes, old sil- verware, ceramic tiles directions: Tie at least five pieces of fishing line, cut to equal lengths, to the bamboo dowel rod. Attach the five chosen items to the fishing line. Cut an additional piece of fishing line to attach to each end of the bamboo dowel rod to make a hanger. *The wind chime craft is adapted with permis- Hang outside of your window and enjoy sion from More Fun Around the World, com- the wonderful sounds as the wind dances piled by Jackie Faughn (Birmingham, New with the chimes. Hope Publishers, 1999).

All Ages India is known for the art * STONE INLAY of beautiful stone inlay. Artisans make designs by supplies: cutting semiprecious stones self-hardening clay and then setting them in multicolored pebbles marble or soapstone. hobby gemstones directions: Mold the clay into a box shape. Make a clay lid for the box too. The box can be round, square, rectangular or even triangu- lar. When the box is complete but while the clay is still moist, gently press the stones and gems into the clay, making designs and pat- terns. Let the clay dry thoroughly. * Stone Inlay craft is reprinted by permission from the book GLOBAL ART Activities, Projects and Inventions from Around the World, copy- right 1998, by MaryAnn F. Kohl and Jean Potter, ISBN 9780876591901, published by Gryphon House, Inc., 10770 Columbia Pike, Suite 201, Silver Spring, MD, 20901; 800-638-0938, 301- 595-5100 (fax). Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 154 DRAGON HAND PUPPET All supplies: Ages 2 gelatin or pudding boxes (2 for each student) tempera paint, green white rick-rack (sample in photos show paper — 12 inches) red yarn, wide is better, 12 inches felt — red, green and black masking tape googly eyes, 2 for each student red pom poms (sample in photos show felt) crepe paper streamers, green (about 8 streamers, cut to 18-24 inches) glue scissors stapler or hot glue gun directions: in place. (Note: all-purpose glue has a ten- Remove flaps from one end of each box. dency to not stick the felt to itself.) These become upper and lower jaws. Paint Glue googly eyes on red pom poms and boxes. glue in place. When paint dries, glue rick-rack around Cut and glue nostrils from black felt. three closed edges of each box. These are the (note: Paint was too dark on sample dragon, teeth. To have room for lips and nostrils, but we lightened it up with light green paper keep teeth close to edge. underneath.) Then add red yarn for lips. Glue green crepe paper streamers just Cut a tongue from red felt (see pattern) inside both open box ends. and glue felt between the teeth of one box. This will be the bottom jaw. Set the second box on top of the bottom jaw, place teeth together. Tape together with masking tape to hinge. Cut out two ears from green felt. Fold in half at the bottom and staple or use glue gun to hold

pattern for tongue and ears

page 155 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 CARP KITE All supplies: Ages paper bag (size doesn’t matter) stapler paint tissue paper yarn directions: Fold the corners of the bottom of the paper bag and cut a V out of the middle for the fish mouth. Paint ripples for scales and a fish eye. Glue strips of colored tissue paper to the inside of the opening so that they look like streamers. Punch a hole on the upper face and thread yarn through it.

PAPER SCRIPTURE COOKIE supplies: paper cupcake baking liner slips of paper with scriptures written on them glue directions: Fold a paper cupcake baking liner in half so the outside bottom touches. Slip the note inside. Apply a dot of craft glue to the bot- tom of the liner to secure it in place.

Samples of scripture, also see page 16 under “sword drill”: Isaiah 6:8 - And I said, “Here am I. Send me!

Mark 16:15 - “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.”

Psalms 22:27 - All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD, and all the fami- lies of the nations will bow down before him.

Acts 1:8b - “... you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Joshua 4:24 - “He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the LORD is powerful and so that you might always fear the LORD your God.”

Matthew 28:19-20a - Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 156 All JAPANESE FAN Ages

The Japanese people use paper fans called uchiwa (OO-chee-wah). These are made with split bamboo and washi (WASH-ee), Japanese paper. Stenciled designs decorate the uchiwa. preparation: Photocopy pattern, one for each child. supplies: fan pattern Have students plan a design for their fan. poster board, light-colored or white They might use flowers, fish or shapes or scrap paper characters on page 158. one large wooden craft stick, for each child directions: pencil Trace pattern onto the poster board. markers, paint or colored pencils Cut out fan. paint brushes Using markers, paints or colored pencils, scissors decorate fan. stapler or glue Staple or glue craft stick to the fan. ruler

page 157 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 The characters on this page Older Elementary are Japanese. SILK PAINTINGS

supplies: fabric 14” x 20” (floral or dark print) fabric 10” x 15” (white or light color) peace 1/4” dowel 16" long fabric glue yarn or string 20” long All tempera or water-based paints Ages happiness permanent markers paint brushes

CHARACTER WRITING directions: Spread layers of newspaper to protect the supplies: area where children will work. Use smocks to paper protect children’s clothing. watercolor brushes On the white or light fabric have the ink children paint a typical Oriental scene. You might find some library books helpful as directions: samples. These scenes could be mountains, Practice making characters with pencil trees, birds or animals. on plain white paper. Have children write their names verti- On heavy paper with ink and paint cally in one corner with permanent markers. brush, copy words you want to use. For example: Set aside to dry. M A R Y

Help each child attach the painting to the larger background fabric with glue. Loop the top of the background piece over the dowel and glue or staple into place so that the fabric spring will hang from the dowel. Tie yarn or string to both ends of the dowel and hang the fin- ished art to dry (away from walls and cabi- summer nets).

Pat Hawthorne explains that everyone hangs a red banner on their door for Chinese New Year and often, the banner fall stays up all year. In addition to “Happy New Year,” a banner hanging in a Chris- tian’s home might say: “Zuh Gei ping an” winter (Lord gives peace).

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 158 ELEPHANT directions: Younger Cut out elephant shape. Elementary supplies: Cut out pink ear and glue onto elephant. elephant pattern on white Decorate with markers and sequins. posterboard ear on pink posterboard scissors glue sequins markers

page 159 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 ANKLE BELLS All supplies: Ages 10” piece of elastic 5 small bells 5 small safety pins needle and thread directions: Tie a single knot on each end of the elas- make an ankle brace- tic. Be sure to leave a short piece on each end let. to be sewn together. Pin one bell at the end You could also of the elastic. thread bells and Find the center of your elastic by folding beads on to bumpy it in half. Pin one bell here. pipe cleaner for the Now, pin one bell at the end, near the same kind of craft. Loop the ends of the pipe knot. cleaner together to clasp the bracelet. You should now have 2 bells left to cen- Wear your ankle bracelet and “play” it in ter in between your three bells. rhythm to music. Sew the ends of the elastic together to

Flag Activities

Provide students with copies of the flags from the study countries. Using crayons or col- ored pencils, have the students color in the correct colors from the instructions provid- ed in the fact section. Attach the flags to straws or wooden dowels so they can be placed in a stand. Display the flags in your classroom.

Make flags out of felt, any size, for your classroom and display during a public service. Use the flags in the fact section as patterns. Make copies of flags that have emblems, cut around shape and glue or stitch on your felt flag.

Use craft sticks and paint for another flag activity. supplies: cardboard - cut to 4 1/4 x 6 inches paper punch jumbo craft sticks - 5 for each flag pencil acrylic or tempera paint markers glue yarn or ribbon

directions: After cutting the cardboard pieces, punch two holes about 1/4 inch from the top and 1/2 inch from the side. Glue five craft sticks on cardboard side by side. Use a pencil to lightly sketch the flag design. A marker might be helpful to fill in the fine details of an emblem or lines. Otherwise use paints to color the country flags. When the flags are dry, tie small pieces of yarn or ribbon to hang your flags.

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 160 BOOMERANG All supplies: Ages boomerang pattern tag board or cereal box scissors Bend a smooth upward curve in the top markers of each “arm.” (This will hold it upright and keep it moving steadily.) directions: Throw the boomerang like a Frisbee. Cut out the boomerang pattern. Trace Remember, practice makes perfect. pattern on the plain side of cutout cereal box or tag board. Cut it out.

Boomerang Pattern

page 161 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 BOOMERANG All supplies: Ages 2 small craft sticks, for each student thread, rubber band or hot glue gun directions: Cross two craft sticks so they intersect just about 1-inch from an end. They should look like a capital letter “L.” Tie them in this position with thread or a rubber band. If you’d rather, try hot glue gun, but students should not handle the glue gun alone. To use, students toss the boomerang with a flick of their wrist so that it spins. It will come back to them.

Older Elementary * ERASER SIGNATURE supplies: large pink eraser pencil straightened heavy paper clip or other digging tool si doG red ink pad (or food coloring on a folded paper towel) artwork directions: Write the initial or initials of your name the corner of the artwork. Note: If an ink on the large pink eraser. Note: make letters pad is not available, fold a paper towel into a backwards so they will turn out right when square and dampen it with a little water. Set printed. it on a piece of aluminum foil or a Styrofoam With a heavy paper clip that has been tray. Squeeze some red food coloring on the straightened, gouge the initials into the damp paper towel. Use this instead of an ink eraser, scraping away eraser bit by bit. Other pad. Red tempera paint or water color paint tools from around the kitchen may also will also work fine. work, such as a poultry skewer or the point of a knife. Adult help will be needed for * Eraser Signature craft is reprinted by permis- sharp tools. sion from the book GLOBAL ART Activities, To sign and seal the artwork with the art- Projects and Inventions from Around the World, ist’s initials, press the eraser into the ink of a copyright 1998, by MaryAnn F. Kohl and Jean Potter, ISBN 9780876591901, published by red ink pad. Then press the inked eraser onto Gryphon House, Inc., 10770 Columbia Pike, Suite 201, Silver Spring, MD, 20901; 800-638- 0938, 301-595-5100 (fax). Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 162 PAPER LANTERN All supplies: Ages 9”x12” colored construction paper scissors tape, paste, or glue thread or string paper cup directions: Fold a 9”x12” piece of construction paper in half to make a 6” x 9” folded piece. Cut from the folded edge to within one inch of the other edge. Make the cuts even and parallel. Open the paper, and holding it lengthwise, overlap the two 12" edges. Tape or paste them together to form a tube shape. The fold will give the tube its lantern shape. Attach a 6” strip of paper, thread, or string for a handle. To make offering container, insert a paper cup.

All TET TRUNG THU Ages LANTERN (Vietnam) supplies: construction paper rect- near the edges of the rect- angle, approximately 8”x angle, only the center areas. 14” Cut pieces of tissue small paper plate for paper and tape or glue them base on the back of the construc- scissors tion paper to cover the tape and glue holes. Use as many colors as colorful art tissue paper desired. hole punch Roll the construction string paper into a cylinder and dowel tape the long edge. Next glow-stick or small flashlight tape it to the paper plate base. With the hole punch, go around the top directions: edge of the lantern and make four holes, Measure a piece of construction paper spacing them evenly around the lantern. about 8” tall, and long enough to go around Tie an equal length of string through each the diameter of the paper plate (See illustra- of the holes. Gather the four strings above the tion.) Trim the rectangle to form a cylinder lantern and tie them to the dowel. that will be the paper lantern. Place a glow-stick (from camping or Cut shapes from the construction paper, hardware stores) or a small flashlight in the such as moons and stars, geometric shapes, lantern. Have a lantern parade in the evening animal shapes or other designs. Do not cut or in a darkened room.

page 163 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 This “care ticket” can be used with the story on pages 40-41 or anytime during your missions study. Care Ticket I will ______(what you will do)

to help ______(name person) this week.

Signed ______(your name)

Care Ticket I will ______(what you will do)

to help ______(name person) this week.

Signed ______(your name)

Care Ticket I will ______(what you will do)

to help ______(name person) this week.

Signed ______(your name)

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 164 Word National Puzzles & Symbol Activity Pages Match-Up

Draw a line from the national symbol to the correct country it represents.

plum blossom Australia represents perseverance & courage

gum tree (eucalyptus) India

narra tree Japan

rose of Sharon Malaysia grows right back when cut down

pheasant the Philippines

lotus South Korea also called water lily

horn bill Taiwan

Answers on page 174

page 165 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 Younger Kite Kaper Elementary Circle the two kites that match.

Answers on page 174 Kite flying is a national past time in Malaysia. The “wan bulan” is a popular moon kite. February through April, kite flying competitions are held in Thailand.

123

45 6

78 9

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 166 Kite All Ages Maze Find your way through the kite.

start here

finish here

Answers on page 174

page 167 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 All Answers on page 174 Ages Boomerang Blitz Read the statement beside each boomerang. If the statement is true, color the boomerang red. If the statement is false, color the boomerang yellow.

The The country Australia is a people of of Sri Lanka country and Cambodia used to be a continent. always eat known as dessert - even Colombo. at breakfast.

Mandarin Japan is Cows are Chinese is not called the kept on an official Land of the many of language of Falling Moon. India’s farms. Taiwan.

A carnivorous Kimchi, a plant found Durian is in Malaysia’s type of food, mountains a smelly has its own attracts insects fruit you museum in with its sweet might find in South Korea. nectar. Thailand.

Wood The Nepal is an from the currency in island Philippines Myanmar is country. narra tree is called kyat. used to make furniture.

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 168 All How to get Ages there

Using the letters to the left, unscramble the types of transportation you might use in Asia and Australia.

1. reFyr ______

2. wuabyS ______

3. cwaiRhks ______

4. mraT ______

5. eneJepy ______

6. lenPa ______

7. torecoS ______

8. clBecyi ______

9. eeedDocrklbu usB ______

______

Answers on page 175

This is a rickshaw.

page 169 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 Younger Coloring Page Elementary

The peacock is the national bird of India. The male bird’s feathers have an “eye” design with colors of orange and blue-green you see when he raises his train of feathers. The female, properly known as a peahen, does not have the colorful tail feathers. Peacocks build their nests on the ground or in low branches of trees. They live in the jungle near water and are found wild in India, but also are found tame in villages. Peacocks eat worms, insects, small snakes and seeds.

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 170 Upper Decipher the Code Elementary

Solve the math equations. Then use the code to decipher what God’s Word says in Deuteronomy 15:11 (write the answer below the equation box).

5 + 0 6 - 2 8 + 4 12 - 2

1 + 1 6 + 1 9 + 2 15 - 2

6 - 3 1 + 0 14 - 3 6 + 3

10 - 2 6 - 5 4 +2

math code: 1 = and 2 = be 3 = brothers 4 = command 5 = I 6 = needy 7 = openhanded 8 = poor 9 = the 10 = to 11 = toward 12 = you 13 = your

Answers on page 175

page 171 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 Upper Elementary Search for Asia S O U T H K O R E A I Y A T K W M S O G F A A R C D S H I H B I S U E L N M U A B E N P S A U L M R A C N O M S N S A A Y I T S A G I A C B K I T E W R A L T O I N Y L O A P G I R I G L A E N L M A D A P E N N T A I A N R M L T I N I N I V D O T L M D F A I A L L A A K T I V H L I L L N W T I R T B L A A T N A N A Y T M H T N A H P E L E A C L P A E P X U E T N E M E L C E N E R I Z O R E L I G I O N Q L R N D V M W I L K I N S A D A M S C Y U T B A D A E K N I K J A P A N S S T O N E X N O S L E N O O P J K J P E R S I N G M O N S O O N

Circle the words hidden up, down, backwards, forwards and diagonally. An example has been done for you. Adams Creative Access Kinkead Persing Thailand Australia desert Malaysia Philippines Vietnam banana elephant monsoon religion Wilkins butterfly flag mountain South Korea Williams calligraphy Hong Kong Myanmar Sri Lanka Wilson Cambodia India Nelson Stone Yardy

Clemente Japan Nepal Taiwan Yu Answers on page 175

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 172 bookmarks to color

Cebuano is spoken in the Philippines. Hindi is spoken in India.

page 173 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 Answers to Word Puzzles Boomerang Blitz National Symbol (page 168 - answers given left to right) Match Up True - (red) Australia is a (page 165) country and a continent. plum blossom - Taiwan False - (yellow) The coun- gum tree - Australia narra tree - the Philippines try of Sri Lanka used to rose of sharon - South Korea be known as Ceylon. pheasant - Japan Colombo is the capital. lotus - India False - (yellow) The hornbill - Malaysia people of Cambodia rarely eat des- sert. Kite Kaper False - (yellow) Cows are not kept on many of India’s farms. They roam the (page 166) streets. Kites 3 and 5 match. False - (yellow) Mandarin Chinese is an official language of Taiwan. False - (yellow) Japan is called the Land of the Rising Sun. True - (red) A carnivorous plant found in Malaysia’s mountains attracts insects with its sweet nectar. True - (red) Durian is a smelly fruit you might find in Thailand. Kite Maze True - (red) Kimchi, a type of food, (page 167) has its own museum in South Korea. False - (yellow) Nepal is not an island country. It is landlocked. True - (red) The currency in Myanmar is called kyat. True - (red) Wood from the Philippines narra tree is used to make furniture.

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 174 Answers to Word Puzzles

How to get there Decipher the Code (page 169) (page 171) 1. Ferry 2. Subway ... I command you to be 3. Rickshaw 4. Tram openhanded toward your 5. Jeepney 6. Plane brothers and toward the 7. Scooter 8. Bicycle poor and needy. 9. Doubledecker Bus (found in: Deuteronomy 15:11)

Word Search (page 172)

page 175 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 Songs

Begin with these missions songs in English. You probably know some additional songs that talk about God’s love for the whole world. Songs in other languages can be found on the following pages.

If You’re Blessed To Be A Blessing (tune: If You’re Saved and You Know It)

If you’re blessed to be a blessing, clap your hands. If you’re blessed to be a blessing, clap your hands. If you’re blessed to be a blessing, then your life will surely show it. If you’re blessed to be a blessing, clap your hands. verse 2) ... stomp your feet. verse 3) ... say AMEN! verse 4) ... do all three. The Teacher’s Manual

Awesome God

Our God is an awesome God. He reigns from Heaven above. With wisdom, power and love, Our God is an awesome God.

Our God is a faithful God. He keeps His promises To reach all nations. Our God is a faithful God. www.UnveilinGLORY.com www.HisGlobalGlory.com Jesus Loves Me ,” by Jill Harris and Bob Sjogren, Unveilinglory, 4663 Crown Hill Rd., Jesus loves the nations — Every tongue and every tribe. He wants to use you To reach them to be His Bride.

The ideas presented here have been adapted with permission from the Yes, Jesus loves them, (3 times) for the Bible tells me so. for “Top Line - Bottom Mechanicsville, VA 23111 NOTE:

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 176 I’m A Missions Minded Kid (tune: Toys R Us jingle) words by Linda Davis, Jane Grimes & Carol Osborne Ypsilanti FMC, MI

I’m a missions minded kid And I think it’s lots of fun To go all around the world And tell what God has done.

He offers life to everyone. He’s the greatest God of all!

Be an M&M kid Cause then if you do You can pray for missionaries too!

Jesus Loves the Little Children of the World Japanese words by George F. Root

Pronunciation: Shu Iesu wa kodomo o Shoo Eh-soo wah koh-doh-moh oh Mina ai shi tamo Mee-nah ah-ee shee tah-moh Sekai no kuni no Se-kah-ee noh koo-nee noh Subete no kodomo Soo-beh-teh noh koh-doh-moh Shu Iesu wa hitoshiku ai su. Shoo Eh-soo wah hee-toh-shee-koo ah- ee-soo. Translation: Jesus loves the little children, All the children of the world Red and yellow, black and white; All are precious in His sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world.

page 177 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 Heavenly Sunshine (chorus) Japanese

Pronunciation: Ten no hikari, ten no hikari. Ten noh hee-kahk-ree, ten noh hee-kahk- Afururu yo kokoro ni ree, Ten no hikari, ten no hikari Ah-foo-roo-roo yoh, koh-koh-roh nee-ee Hareruya Iesus kimi. Ten noh hee-kahk-ree, ten noh hee-kahk- ree, Translation: Hah-ray-roo-yah, Eh-soo kee-mee. Heavenly sunshine, heavenly sunshine Flooding my soul with glory divine Heavenly sunshine, heavenly sunshine Hallelujah! Jesus is mine!

Jesus Loves Me Japanese words by Anna B. Warner

Pronunciation: Shu wa re o ai su Shoo way ray oh ahh-ee soo Shu wa tsu yokereba Shoo wa tsoo yoh-keh-ray-bah Ware yowaku tomo Wah-ray yoh-wa-koo toh-moh O sore wa area ji. O So-ray wah ah-rah jee.

(Chorus) Wa ga Shu Iesu (Chorus) Wah gah Shoo Eh-soo Wa ga Shu Iesu Wah gah Shoo Eh-soo Wa ga Shu Iesu Wah gah Shoo Eh-soo Ware o ai su. Wah-ray-oh ah-ee soo.

Translation: Jesus loves me! this I know, For the Bible tells me so; Little ones to Him belong, Asian instruments: They are weak but He is strong. (chorus) Yes, Jesus loves me, Yes, Jesus In India a sitar loves me, Yes, Jesus loves me, is a guitar. The The Bible tells me so. pipa is a lute that is played in Cambodia, Japan and South Korea.

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 178 I Have Decided to Follow Jesus Hindi, a language from India

Translation: Pronunciation: I have decided to follow Jesus. Yee-soo kay pee-chay meh chull-nay luh- I have decided to follow Jesus. gah. I have decided to follow Jesus. Yee-soo kay pee-chay meh chull-nay luh- No turning back. No turning back. gah. Yee-soo kay pee-chay meh chull-nay luh- gah. Nuh low-doo-gah, nuh law-doo-gah.

I Have Decided to Follow Jesus Khmer, a language from Cambodia

Translation: Pronunciation: I have decided to follow Jesus. Knyohm baan somraak jut I have decided to follow Jesus. Daahr daahm Preah Yehso I have decided to follow Jesus. Knyohm baan somraak jut No turning back. No turning back. Daahr daahm Preah Yehso Knyohm baan somraak jut Daahr daahm Preah Yehso Knyohm munn baai grawie Knyohm munn baai grawie

Walking With Jesus Cebuano, a langauge from the Philippines

Pronunciation: Kuyog kang Jesus, Koo-yog (long o) kahng hay-soos Sa tanang adlaw, kuyog Kaniya. Sah tah-nahng odd-lou (lou has the Kuyog kang Jesus, sound like ou in ouch) Mokuyog Kaniya lang Koo-yog kahng hay-soos Moe-koo-yog kah-knee-yah lahng (the Translation: sound of “long” in English) Walking with Jesus Walking every day, all along the way. Walking with Jesus, Walking with Jesus along.

page 179 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 God Is So Good Cebuano, a langauge from the Philippines

Pronunciation: Ang Dios maayo Ahng Jos mah-eye-yoe Ang Dios maayo Ahng Jos mah-eye-yoe Ang Dios maayo Ahng Jos mah-eye-yoe Maayo kanako mah-eye-yoe kah-nah-koe Translation: God is so good Here’s a tip for pronouncing God is so good Cebuano songs on this page: ang God is so good has the sound like a bell makes in He’s so good to me. the belfry ‘bong’ but with no b

Hallelu, Hallelu Cebuano, a langauge from the Philippines

Pronunciation: Allelu, allelu, allelu, alleluia, Ah-lay-loo (3x), Dayga ang Dios! Ah-lay-loo-ya Allelu, allelu, allelu, alleluia Die-gah ahng Jos! Dayga ang Dios! Ah-lay-loo (3x), Dayga ang Dios, alleluia! (3x) Ah-lay-loo-ya Dayga ang Dios! Die-gah ahng Jos! Die-gah ahng Jos, ah-lay-loo-ya Translation: Die-gah ahng Jos! Hallelu, Hallelu, Hallelu, Hallelujah! Praise ye the Lord! (repeat) Praise ye the Lord, hallelujah! Praise ye the Lord, hallelujah! Praise ye the Lord, hallelujah! Praise ye the Lord!

Hallelu, Hallelu Khmer, a langauge from Cambodia Translation: (See above) Sor-sah preah ong, ha-le-lu-jah! Sor-sah preah ong, ha-le-lu-jah! Pronunciation: Sor-sah preah ong, ha-le-lu-jah! Hal-le-lu, (3x) Ha-le-lu-jah! Sor-sah preah ong! Sor-sah preah ong! Hal-le-lu, (3x) Ha-le-lu-jah! Sor-sah preah ong!

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 180 This is the Day words by Les Garrett Translation: This is the day that the Lord has made; This is the day, (echo) I will rejoice and be glad in it. that the Lord has made. (echo) This is the day, this is the day I will rejoice, (echo) that the Lord has made. and be glad in it. (echo) This is the Day Tagalog, a language from the Philippines

Ito ang araw, (echo) Nagawa ng Dios. (echo) Tayo magsaya, (echo) Here are Tagalog pronounciation At purihin Siy. (echo) tips: roll the “r’s” Ee-toe ong (like “song”) ahr-ow Tie-yo mahg-sigh (like “sigh”) -yah. Ito ang araw nagawa ng diyos. Aht (“hot” without the “h”) poor-ee- Tayo magsaya at purihin Siya. heen-Sha. It ang araw, ito ang araw, Nagawa ng Diyos.

This is the Day Khmer, a language spoken in Cambodia

Pronunciation: Nee guh-jee-a tngai. Nee guh-jee-a tngai (echo) Daahl Preah baan bongkaat. Daahl Preah baan bongkaat. (echo) Yerng mee-un omnor Yerng mee-un omnor (echo) Howie yerng aw sup-baai. Howie yerng aw sup-baai. (echo) Nee guh-jee-a tngai (echo) Daahl Preah baan bongkaat.

This is the Day Mandarin, a language spoken in Taiwan

Pronunciation: Zhe shi Yehehua, (echo) Jay shure Ye huh wha, (echo) Suo ding de rizi. (echo) Swo ding de ru zu. (echo) Women zai qizhong, (echo) Woe-men zai chee chong, (echo) Yao gaoxing huanxi. (echo) yow gao shing hwan shee. (echo) Zhe shi Yehehua suo ding de rizi Jay shure Ye huh wha swo ding de ru zu Women zai qizhong yao gaoxing huanxi. Woe-men zai chee chong yow gao shing hwan shee. Zhe shi Yehehua, (echo) Suo ding de rizi. Jay shure Ye huh wha, (echo) Swo ding de ru zu.

page 181 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 Praise Him, Praise Him Mandarin, a language spoken in Taiwan

Pronunciation: Zhu Yesu, Zhu Yesu Jew Yeah sue, Jew Yeahsue Zaochen yao Zhu Yesu Zowchen yow Jew Yeahsue Zhongwu yao Zhu Jesu Chongwoo yow Jew Yeahsue Zhu Yesu, Zhu Yesu Jew Yeah sue, Jew Yeahsue Zhu Yesu zhidao ri luo Jew Yeah sue jurdow re lio

Zanmei Ta, zanmei Ta Zanmay Ta, zanmay Ta Zaochen yao zanmei Ta Zowchen yow zanmay Ta Zhongwu yao zanmei Ta Chongwoo yow zanmay Ta Zanmei Ta zhidwo ri luo Zanmay Ta, jurdow re lio

Translation: Praise Him, Praise Him, Praise Him in the morning, Praise Him at the noon time, Praise Him, Praise Him, Praise Him when the sun goes down.

God Is So Good Mandarin, a language spoken in Taiwan

Pronunciation: Shen zhen meihao, (repeat 2 times) Shen jun mayhow Ta dui wo zhenhao! Shen jun mayhow Shen jun mayhow Ta kanku wo (repeat 2 times) Ta dway wo junhow! Ta dui wo zhenhao! Ta cahngu wo Wo zhen ai Ta (repeat 2 times) Ta cahngu wo Ta dui wo zhenhao! Ta cahngu wo Ta dway wo junhow! Translation: God is so good, (repeat 2 times) Wo jun I Ta He’s so good to me. Wo jun I Ta Wo jun I Ta Ta dway wo junhow! He cares for me. (repeat 2 times) He’s so good to me.

I love Him so. (repeat 2 times) He’s so good to me.

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 182 Recipes

SNACK IDEAS 1 t. of sugar, and eat with chopsticks. (Chopsticks can be purchased at Chinese Your students may be familiar with restaurants.) If your town has oriental some foods enjoyed in Australia and stores, the pre-packaged snacks can Asia. be purchased there. Fried noodles are Pat Hawthorne (former short-term served all three meals of the day. Xifan missionary to Taiwan) writes: “As for (watery rice) is a very common breakfast SNACKS: We just don’t have home- food. This could be made in class. Have made snacks. No one has ovens, only the rice precooked, but use extra water two-burner stoves for stir frying. We have so the rice is very watery — when serving tons of prepackaged snacks, all individu- add peanuts, or crumbly bacon or ham ally wrapped — because of humidity. For (or fish) for a little flavoring.” school or church a bag of rice crackers (many different kinds), or individually SCRIPTURE COOKIES wrapped strips of SEAWEED — the kids, even babies, gobble this up!! Fruit is the Write scriptures on strips of paper dessert of choice. Slices of watermelon, 1/2" x 3". Have them ready before you oranges quartered and eaten right from begin making the cookies — when cook- the peeling, pineapple chunks, guava ies come out of the oven you have to slices — fruit is eaten with little wooden work quickly before they are too cool to forks, or the fingers. shape. “A bowl full of roma tomatoes is con- sidered a snack. The afternoon snack, Ingredients: after school, is instant noodles, eaten 1/2 cup melted butter right from the container — just add a 3 egg whites little hot water and let steam, or eat them 3/4 cup sugar uncooked like chips. 1/8 teaspoon salt “Any flavor of tea is purchased at tea 1/4 teaspoon vanilla stands on about any street corner. We 1 cup flour get strawberry milk tea, black milk tea, 1 teaspoon instant tea powder lavender milk tea, apple tea, lemon tea, 2 tablespoons water asparagus juice, chocolate tea, honey milk tea, rose tea, coffee, latte, mocha — Directions: all in boxes like juice boxes. Melt the butter. Mix unbeaten egg “If a class wanted to cook something whites, sugar and salt in a bowl. Stir in it would be either rice or noodles, pre- vanilla, flour, tea, water, and melted but- cooked at home, then in class a handful ter, one at a time. Chill the batter for 30 of frozen mixed peas, carrots and corn minutes. could be added. Put a little oil in a skillet Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Drop (electric would be fine), stir fry until heat- one rounded teaspoonful of batter on ed thoroughly, add 2 t. of soy sauce and an ungreased cookie sheet and quickly

page 183 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 Sample Scripture Sayings FRIED RICE On white paper cut into thin strips with Though a wok is more fun to work one statement on each piece, write Bible with, this dish can as easily be made in promises, the memory verse for this week’s an electric skillet or on top of the stove. study, Christian challenges, or traditional sayings such as these below. Ingredients: Opportunity knocks only once, so be 1/4 cup oil alert. 2 chopped green onions (or 1/2 cup What is done cannot be undone. diced regular onion) Take time to love and be loved: God- 1/2 cup diced celery given privileges. 3-4 cups cooked (cold) rice Better to be alone than in bad com- 1 small package frozen peas, thawed pany. 1 cup bean sprouts Prayer changes things. 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder Always be ready to witness for Jesus. 3 eggs slightly beaten Bring a friend with you to church. 3 tablespoons soy sauce Sincerity and gentleness add happi- Optional: 1 cup chopped cooked ham, ness to life. roast pork, shrimp, or any other cooked meat spread it in a three inch circle. Bake for 3-5 minutes. In each baking, plan on one Directions: cookie at a time for each child. The cook- Heat the oil in a skillet. Add the ies must be shaped immediately while onion, celery, chopped meat, and stir-fry they're still very hot because when they for about 2 minutes. Make a well in the cool they’re too brittle to bend. Go over center and add rice, peas, bean sprouts the directions with the children before the and garlic powder. Continue stir frying first ones come out of the oven. for about 3 minutes. Again make a well Remove from the oven and slide the in the center and add the eggs. Cook cookie on to the counter. Lay the strip of for 1 minute without stirring, and then 1 paper with the fortune written on it across additional minute stirring constantly. Add the cookie. Fold the cookie in half; place soy sauce and stir all ingredients togeth- the middle of the folded cookie over the er until well blended (about 1 minute). rim of an empty egg carton and bend the Makes 6 servings. ends down. Put the shaped cookie into an egg carton hole to finish cooling.

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 184 STIR-FRIED MIXED sugar, and powdered seasonings (if VEGETABLES using them instead of whole garlic and If you don’t have access to a wok, ginger root). Stir-fry for one minute. use an electric skillet or large (stove top) Make a well in the center. Combine corn- frying pan. Although this recipe is best starch and water, and add to the well. with a combination of several vegetables, Bring to a boil without stirring (about 1 the exact mixture can be varied accord- minute), and then cook 1 minute more or ing to what is available. Be sure to have until thickened. Make a well in the cen- everything ready before you start cook- ter and add canned vegetables such as ing. water chestnuts, bamboo shoots, or bean sprouts. Cook until heated through (1-2 Ingredients: minutes). Serves 6. 2 tablespoons oil 1/2 cup chicken broth 1 teaspoon minced ginger root or 1/2 tea- POLVORON spoon powdered ginger (Powdered Sweet Dessert) 1 clove garlic, minced or 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder Ingredients: 1/2 teaspoon sugar 1 1/2 cups flour 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon lemon or vanilla extract dash of pepper 1/2 pound melted butter or margarine 2 teaspoons cornstarch 1 cup powdered milk 2 teaspoons water 1/2 cup sugar 1 8-ounce can water quick snacks chestnuts, sliced and Directions: drained Try rice cakes - plain or Toast the flour over low heat 5-6 cups sliced mixed spread with peanut butter until light brown, stirring con- vegetables or cream cheese. stantly. Cool. Add sugar, milk, extract, and butter. Mix well. Suggestions to Fix kabobs. Use fresh Roll into balls and wrap in try: include mush- fruit such as bananas, pine- waxed paper. rooms, fresh young apple, apples, etc. green beans, sliced Chinese cabbage or CUCUMBER regular cabbage, car- Large supermarkets sell ginger root in rots, green peppers, broccoli, snow peas, their produce department. bean sprouts, bamboo shoots. Ingredients: Directions: 2 large cucumbers Add oil to the skillet and heat it to 1/3 cup vinegar about 325 degrees F (about 2 minutes). 4 teaspoons sugar Add ginger root, any dense vegetables 1 teaspoon salt you are using (i.e. cabbage, carrots, 2 slices fresh ginger root, finely chopped beans, broccoli), and garlic. Stir-fry for about 30 seconds. Add chicken broth; Directions: cover and cook for one minute. Remove Slice cucumbers very thin. Mix the the cover. Add the other more quick- rest of the ingredients and pour over the cooking vegetables such as mushrooms cucumber slices. Let stand to marinate or snow peas along with salt, pepper, for at least an hour before serving.

page 185 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 SUKIYAKI CRUNCHY SESAME CANDY Make this in an electric skillet at the table and serve it from the pan. Ingredients: 1 cup sesame seeds (about 6 ounces) Ingredients: 3 tablespoons packed light brown sugar 1 pound sirloin tip or other tender cut of 3 tablespoons honey beef (slice into 2” strips as thin as pos- sible, cutting across the grain) Directions: 2 tablespoons butter or margarine Generously coat 2 large sheets of 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder waxed paper with cooking spray. In a 1 medium onion, sliced medium skillet, toast the sesame seeds 2 green peppers cut into thin strips over medium-low heat. Stir often until 1 can bamboo shoots or bean sprouts they are fragrant and golden, or about 5 8-10 green onions cut into 2” pieces to 7 minutes. (stalks and all) In a small saucepan, combine the 8-10 fresh mushrooms (or 1 medium can brown sugar and honey. Cook over low mushrooms) heat, stirring often, until the sugar is melted and the mixture is thick, about 5 1 cup soy sauce mixed with minutes. (This is a good step for adults to 1/2 cup water and do.) Add the sesame seeds to the sugar 1/4 cup sugar and stir together with a wooden spoon. Additional optional vegetables: celery, Place 1 sheet of the waxed paper on cabbage, spinach a work surface, greased side up. Scrape the mixture onto the paper and top with Directions: the remaining sheet of waxed paper. Saute strips of meat in butter, sea- You’ll want to place this one greased side soned with garlic powder. When meat is down. Using a rolling pin, roll the mixture brown, add vegetables and soy sauce into a square about 1/4 inch thick. mixture. Cook and stir for 2-5 minutes. Remove the top sheet of paper and Vegetables should be crisp, not soggy. cut the candy into one-inch squares with Serve over boiled rice. The Japanese a sharp knife. Let the candy cool com- like to break a raw egg in a bowl and dip pletely. Break apart the pieces and store each bite of sukiyaki in it before eating. then in an airtight container at room tem- perature until you’re ready to eat or pack- age them. How to use chopsticks: Makes about 24 1-inch squares. Tuck first chopstick under thumb and brace against fourth finger. Add second chopstick — holding it as you would a pencil. First chopstick remains secure while second chopstick is then mobile.

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 186 ALMOND COOKIES RAITA (an appetizer or drink) (Hong Kong) (India)

Ingredients: Ingredients: 2 cups sugar 4 cups yogurt 1 pound shortening 1/2 cup grated cucumber 2 eggs 1 tomato 6 cups flour 2 pound fresh coriander (an herb) 2 teaspoons baking powder 2 teaspoons salt 3 teaspoons almond flavoring 1 1/2 teaspoons cumin halved almonds Directions: Directions: Chop ingredients into fine pieces. Cream sugar and shortening well. Mix. Chill 1 hour. Add eggs, and mix thoroughly. Add flour, To make a drink, add 1 cup water. baking powder and flavoring and knead well. Roll into small balls and place CHAPATIES BREAD on cookie sheet. Flatten and top with (India) almond halves. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose or wheat flour SESAME SEED COOKIES 1 teaspoon salt (India) 1/4 cup cooking oil 7 Tablespoons water Ingredients: 4 cups all-purpose flour Directions: 1 cup sugar Sift the dry ingredients together. 1 teaspoon baking powder Add oil and water. Mix well with hands. 1 cup sesame seeds (Dough will be very stiff. Knead 5-7 min- 1 cup butter utes until dough has satiny appearance. 2 eggs Pinch off pieces of dough about 1 1/2 corn syrup (to brush on cookies) inches in diameter. Roll out to 6-inch circle. Brown on both sides on lightly Directions: greased hot griddle (as for pancakes). Blend flour and baking powder in a Serve hot with or without butter. mixing bowl. Make a well in center and add butter. Mix well. Beat the eggs with sugar until light and fluffy. Blend into the flour mixture. Knead until smooth. Dilute corn syrup with a little water and brush on cookies, then sprinkle with sesame seeds. Bake in 350 degree oven for 15 min- utes.

page 187 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 BANANA FRITTERS pierced in several places. Bake in a pre- (Philippines) heated oven at 350 degrees for about 35 minutes, until the cake feels firm to the Ingredients: touch. Increase the oven temperature to 2 cups mashed bananas (plantains, if very hot, remove the foil and return the possible) pudding to the oven to brown the top. 2 eggs 1 cup sugar 3/4 undiluted evaporated milk PAVLOVA 2 cups flour (Australia) 4 teaspoons baking powder Pavlova is a crisp meringue shell with a Directions: fruit-topped cream filling that was cre- Boil mashed bananas and set aside. ated in 1926 to honor the visiting world- Mix eggs and sugar, then add the milk famous Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova. and dry ingredients alternately. Add Pavlova quickly became the favorite bananas. Drop mixture by spoonfuls national dessert in Australia. into a deep-fat (or oil) fryer until brown. Sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon while Ingredients: hot. 4 egg whites 1 teaspoon vanilla (Coconut Pudding) 2 kiwi fruit (Philippines) 1 medium to large passion fruit 1 cup white sugar Ingredients: 1 teaspoon vinegar 3/4 cup thick coconut milk carton of fresh whipped cream 1 1/4 thin coconut milk strawberries 1 1/4 cup rice flour 2 large eggs Directions: 3/4 cup soft brown sugar Beat egg whites until stiff. Add 1/2 3/4 teaspoon salt cup sugar. Beat until all sugar is dis- 1/4 teaspoon ground caraway seeds solved. Fold in remaining sugar and beat well. Add vanilla and vinegar and beat. Directions: Pour the mixture into a 9-inch pie plate, Mix the coconut milk and rice flour spread to the edges, and mound in the together, add the salt and eggs and beat center. Bake at 275 degrees for 1 hour. thoroughly. Stir in all but 2 tablespoons After 1 hour, turn off the oven and allow of sugar and continue to beat until the the pavlova to COOL IN THE OVEN. sugar has dissolved. Pour into a thickly After cooling, the pavlova will fall. Top buttered 9-inch round cake pan and with fresh whipped cream, sliced kiwi smooth the top. Sprinkle the remaining and strawberries. Scoop out the insides sugar and caraway seeds over the top, of the passion fruit and spread on top of then cover with buttered aluminum foil, the pavlova. Keep refrigerated until time to serve.

*The recipe for pavlova is adapted with per- mission from More Fun Around the World, compiled by Jackie Faughn (Birmingham, New Hope Publishers, 1999).

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 188 CAMBODIAN DESSERT Mix in the coconut milk and sugar or sweetened condensed milk and shredded Ingredients: coconut. 1 cup large, seed pearl or minute tapioca Add banana slices when ready to 4-5 cups water (depends on how "soupy" serve and enjoy. Tastes best while still you want the finished product) warm. 1 cup coconut milk and ½ cup sugar Store any uneaten dessert in refriger- OR one 14 oz. can sweetened con- ator. (It will get stickier and thicker when densed milk and 1 cup shredded coco- cold.) nut If you can find large or seed slices of banana pearl tapioca, it will be closer to the Cambodian dessert, but will also prob- Directions: ably need to be cooked longer. Boil the tapioca in the water until it has become soft and transparent (approximately 10 min. with minute tapi- In South Korea this is a popular greeting: oca). “Pam-mo-go-sso-yo?” It means “Have you had rice today?”

If you have, you must be OK. If you have not, you should be offered food right away.

In Taiwan people ask, “Chi fan le mei you?” (chuh fahn luh may yoh?)

Tea, or o-cha (oh-chah), is the favorite drink of Japan.

page 189 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 NOTE: All books can be ordered from Wesleyan Publishing House, which serves the distribution and customer service needs of Resources Light & Life Communications - 1-800-493-7539, or order online @ www.wphonline.com.

This is not an exhaustive list of missions education resources. Due to the dynamic and changing nature of the Internet, some Web sites stay current longer than others.

RECOMMENDED Operation World, by Jason Mandryk (Bibliba RESOURCES Publishing) 2010 Books: (author and publisher) The Great Kid Mission, by Mary Gross Exploring the World With Jesus, by Free (Gospel Light Publishers) 1996 Methodist missionaries (Light & Life Communications) 1995 The Kids’ Multicultural Cookbook, Food and Fun Around the World, by Deanna F. Cook You Can Change the World, by Jill (Williamson Publishing) 1995 Johnstone (Zondervan) 1992 The Teacher’s Manual for “Top Line You Can Change the World Volume 2, - Bottom Line,” by Jill Harris and Bob by Daphne Spraggett and Jill Johnstone Sjogren, Unveilinglory, 4663 Crown Hill (Zondervan) 1996 Rd., Mechanicsville, VA 23111, www.UnveilinGLORY.com Window on the World, by Daphne Spraggett www.HisGlobalGlory.com with Jill Johnstone (Paternoster Lifestyle) 2001 My First Music Book, by Helen Drew (Dorling Kindersley) 1993 From Arapesh to Zuni, by Karen Lewis (Wycliffe) 1986 The Great Games Book, by Susan Adams (Dorling Kindersley) 1997 From Akebu to Zapotec, by June Hathersmith (Wycliffe) 2002 A World of Children’s Games, edited by Mary Duckert (Friendship Press) 1993 Global Art — Activities, Projects, and Inventions From Around the World, by MaryAnn F. Kohn and Jean Potter (Gryphon NETWORKING AGENCIES — House) 1998 PUBLISHERS Fun Around the World, by Mary Branson ACSI - Association of Christian Schools (New Hope Publishers) 1992 International PO Box 35097, Colorado Springs, CO Hands Around the World, by Susan Milord 80935-3509, phone - 719-528-6906 (Williamson Publishing) 1992 Gospel Light More Fun Around the World, by Jackie 2300 Knoll Dr., Ventura, CA 93003 Faughn (New Hope Publishers) 1998 www.gospellight.com

Gryphon House

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 190 Box 207, Beltsville, MD 20704-0207 1605 E. Elizabeth, Pasadena, CA 91104 phone - 800-638-0928 phone - 626-720-8210 www.ghbooks.com Ideals Publications / Williamson Publishing New Hope Publishing 535 Metroplex Dr., Suite 250 PO Box 12065, Birmingham, AL 35202-2065 Nashville, TN 37211 phone - 205-991-4933 phone - 615-781-1451 www.newhopepubl.com www.williamsonbooks.com

Oriental Trading Company Zondervan catalog for decorations or prizes www.zondervan.com PO Box 2050, Omaha, NE 68103-2050 phone - 800-228-2269 phone - 800-526-7400 (nonprofit, schools & churches) www.orientaltrading.com

U.S. Center for World Mission phone - 800-MISSION (647-7466) for orders www.uscwm.org William Carey Library (an arm of the U.S. Center for World Mission)

Missions Alive! is produced on a six-year study cycle to assist children’s workers as they help students explore cultures and peoples of the world and to share how the Free Methodist Church is making a global impact. It is our hope that you will take this curriculum and adapt it to fit your needs, whether in a large children’s department or in a small group, in chil- dren’s church, vacation Bible school, a monthly missions focus, or as part of your Christian Life Club (CLC). You may use the curriculum to help students earn the CLC missions badge for their age level.

The study cycle for grades 1-6 includes the following world areas: Asia and Australia Fall 2010 - Spring 2011 South America Fall 2011 - Spring 2012 The Middle East/North Africa & Creative Access Ministries Fall 2012 - Spring 2013 Europe Fall 2013 - Spring 2014 Africa Fall 2014 - Spring 2015 The Caribbean, Central America & Mexico Fall 2015 - Spring 2016

Tracking with Missions! is designed for children ages 4, 5 and 6. Use this two-year missions curriculum (four weeks each year) that includes funtastic activities with teacher helps and reproducibles. (This curriculum is excerpted from Christian Life Club Tracker materials.) The curriculum is $10.00. Call 800-342-5531, ext. 266 to order.

page 191 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 In addition to the books found uggested under the Recommended S Resources section, consider adding these story books to Reading your missions library.

Books: (title and author) Men and Women of Faith Series, Bethany A Circle of Love Around Africa, by Arleta House Publishers (Biographical titles include: Richardson (beginning readers) Gladys Aylward, Amy Carmichael, Hudson Taylor, John and Betty Stam, Luis Palau, A Country for Katie, by Barbara Massey and Mary Slessor and others — ages 12 and up) Sylvia DeLoach (Mongolia — A Child Like Me series — ages 6-10) Mission Adventures in Many Lands, by Lawrence Driskill (53 mission stories) A Heart for God in India, by Arleta Richardson Mission Stories from Around the World, by Lawrence Driskill A Is for Aleeya, by Barbara Massey and Sylvia DeLoach (Pakistan — A Child Like Mthunzi’s Reed Mats, by Janie House (Africa Me series — ages 6-10) — preschool readers)

Broto, by Adele Ellis (Indonesia — young Patti and the Weegors: A Girl in China readers) Discovers the Love of God, by Xiao Ciao (early elementary) Christian Heroes: Then and Now Series, by Janet and Geoff Benge, YWAM Publishing Partners in Peru, by Barbara Massey and (Biographical titles include: Adoniram Sylvia DeLoach (A Child Like Me series — Judson, Amy Carmichael, Cameron ages 6-10) Townsend, Eric Liddell, Gladys Aylward, Hudson Taylor, Jim Elliot, Jonathan Goforth, Pinafores and Pelotas, by Alicia Zorzoli Lottie Moon, Nate Saint, William Carey and (Argentina — preschool readers) others — ages 10 and up) Shoes On, Shoes Off, by Catherine H. Fly Beyond the Mountain, by Elizabeth Compher (Japan — preschool readers) Eastman (18-page coloring book) Treasures of the Orient (six Free Methodist Ian and the Gigantic Leafy Obstacle, by Christians in Japan and Taiwan) Sheila Miller (Thailand) What Language Does God Speak?, by Karen Jesus Is No Secret, by Carolyn Nystrom Lewis and Philip White (16-page coloring (ages 6-9) book telling the story of Bible translation)

Joy’s Discovery, by Jane Chu (ages 6-10) Worldwide Mission Stories for Young People, by Lawrence Driskill

Missions Alive! 2010-2011 page 192 Philippines, by Anne Schraff (Carolrhoda Bibliography Books Inc.) 2001 Thailand A True Book, by David Peterson (Children’s Press) 2001 Books: (author and publisher) The Changing Face of Japan, by Lewis A Child’s Day in a Vietnamese City, by Jim Lansford and Chris Schwarz (Steck-Vaughn Holmes and Tom Morgan (Benchmark Books) Co.) 2003 2003 Vietnam: A Question and Answer Book, by Countries of the World - Australia, by Peter Mary Englar (Capstone Press) 2007 North (Gareth Stevens Publishing) 1998 Welcome to Australia, by Peter North and Su- Countries of the World - Cambodia, by san McKay (Gareth Stevens Publishing) 1999 Dayaneetha De Silva (Gareth Stevens Publishing) 2000 Welcome to Cambodia, by Dora Yip and Dayaneetha De Silva (Gareth Stevens Pub- Country Fact Files (Asia), by Jonathan Rigg lishing) 2001 (Steck-Vaughn Co.) 1995 Welcome to Vietnam, by Yumi Ng and Amy Country Studies - India, by Steve Brace (Reed Condra-Peters (Gareth Stevens Publishing) Educational and Professional Library) 1999 2003

Cultures of the World (South Korea), by Jill Web sites: DuBois (Marshall Cavendish Corp.) 1994 CIA, The World Factbook www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook Cultures of the World (Taiwan), by Azra Moiz (Marshall Cavendish Corp.) 1995 Flags of the World www.crwfl ags.com/fotw Enchantment of the World, by Walter Oleksy (Children’s Press) 2000 Families of the World is a video series you Faces and Places - India, by Patrick Ryan might want to check out of your local library. (The Child’s World) 1999 Geared for kids ages 5 to 12, these 30-minute “documentaries,” covering 12 countries, can Faces and Places - Japan, by Elma take your class on a tour of the culture and daily Schemenaue (The Child’s World) 1998 life of children around the globe. As children walk you through their country, Faces and Places - the Philippines, by Elma you are able to put a face on the culture and peo- Schemenaue (The Child’s World) 2000 ple of Brazil, China, Ghana, India, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Puerto Rico, South Korea, Sweden, Faces and Places - South Korea, by Patrick Thailand and the United States through video. Ryan (The Child’s World) 1999 Take into account that these videos are not produced from a Christian perspective. There may be some cultural or spiritual things you will Faces and Places - Thailand, by Alex Ericson want to discuss with your students. (The Child’s World) 2002 The video series is produced by husband and wife team Mark and Eleanor “Georgi” Marquisee.

page 193 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 Asia & Australia Fall 2010-Spring 2011 MISSIONS ALIVE! Each Missions Alive! teacher, leader or helper is invited to offer suggestions and responses to the curriculum. This survey will be used to help improve Missions Alive! in the future.

Background of Evaluator 1. Role with Missions Alive! curriculum  teacher  helper  leader  other ______2. Grade level worked with  Tracker (ages 4-6)  PathFinder (grades 1-2)  TrailBlazer (grades 3-4)  PaceSetter (grades 5-6)  other ______3. Years you have worked in children’s ministries  less than 1  1-3  4-6  more than 6 4. Meeting time used Missions Alive! curriculum  midweek  Sunday school  missions fair  other ______5. Groupings in your children’s ministries  each grade separate  two grades together  several grades together  one group  other ______

Evaluation of Content Evaluation of Book Structure Circle the number indicating your evaluation Circle the number indicating your evaluation of of each category, 1 is poor and 4 is excellent. each category, 1 is poor and 4 is excellent. 1. Material meets the goal of teaching 1. Artwork 1 2 3 4 children to care about other people of the world 1 2 3 4 2. Layout 1 2 3 4

2. Introduction to other cultures 1 2 3 4 3. Ease of use 1 2 3 4

3. Clarity of instructions for leader 1 2 3 4 4. Reproducibles 1 2 3 4

4. Adaptability of material 1 2 3 4

5. Appropriateness for age 1 2 3 4 Additional Comments ______List any additional resources you found help- ful in your missions study: ______

Evaluation - Missions Alive! focus Asia & Australia, Fall 2010-Spring 2011 FOLLOWING YOUR STUDY PLEASE RETURN EVALUATION TO: Free Methodist World Missions - PO Box 535002, Indianapolis, IN 46253-5002 Missions Alive! 2010-2011 e-mail: page [email protected] fax: 1-371-241-1248