{"id":5759,"date":"2023-09-01T12:23:04","date_gmt":"2023-09-01T17:23:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/?p=5759"},"modified":"2023-09-01T12:36:30","modified_gmt":"2023-09-01T17:36:30","slug":"crook-newsletter-september-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/crook-newsletter-september-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"Crook Newsletter: September 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"

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CAMBODIA!<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

In September 2019 I stayed a few days after a TEAMS outreach to enjoy some extra time with our missionary Merlen Lamanilao and daughter Kezia. After many visits through the years, they know I need to have some important stops at our favorite, off-the-beaten-path restaurants, serving flavorful food not found anywhere else. As we left a few days later the departure was filled with the usual hugs and comment, \u201cSee you next year.\u201d Then the pandemic in 2020 happened. Now, that seems like a lifetime ago, but wow did it put a pause on many of our usual plans.<\/p>\n

After almost four years I was able to visit my dear friends again. Now we know every opportunity is such a gift from God, and this was truly a gift as I was traveling on my birthday. Merlen, Kezia (on vacation from university in Australia), and Merlen\u2019s sister met us with smiling faces and plenty of hugs. Upon arriving at their home, I was surprised to see birthday decor and a cake. It was 2 a.m. and yes, we enjoyed the cake. And I didn\u2019t insist on coffee. For those who know me, that\u2019s major. One more thing, Merlen has a coffee maker that only comes out of storage for my visit. That is pretty special!<\/p>\n

\"Our<\/a>

Our 2 a.m. birthday celebration; and yes, we have glazed eyes.<\/p><\/div>\n

Before the trip, I was told we would be limited in traveling because national elections had just concluded. I was sort of disappointed we wouldn\u2019t be able to visit the churches. Even with that news, I still knew there would be God opportunities.<\/p>\n

\"People<\/a>

People to People's feeding program is a wonderful opportunity to express His love.<\/p><\/div>\n

One of those wonderful surprises was that a few leaders had come to Phnom Penh to vote. I was especially glad to hear of one lady, Leng Sok An, who hadn\u2019t returned to the province yet. When she became a Christian in her late 60\u2019s she was determined to attend the School of Ministry. In many Asian cultures, women that age are expected to be babysitters for their grandchildren. Upon graduation, she insisted on being allowed to assist in pioneering work in a remote area several hours from the city. Seven years later, there\u2019s a thriving church. At 75 years old, she is still passionate about riding her bicycle through nearby villages, praying for their salvation.<\/p>\n

\"Leng<\/a>

Leng Sok An with her bike\u2014ready to evangelize in the
next village.<\/p><\/div>\n

The Power of Testimonies<\/strong>
\nIn one of Dutch Sheets\u2019 daily podcasts, Give Him 15<\/em>, he shared a comment from a Messianic Jewish Rabbi regarding the Hebrew meaning of the root word \u201ctestimony.\u201d The rabbi said it means, \u201cto repeat; to do again,\u201d or \u201cdo time again\u201d. It does not mean only to \u201ctell about or give witness of something\u201d. The Everlasting God places the power to do or accomplish something into time, and it is forever there. His words are eternal, alive, and powerful (Ps 119:89; Heb. 4:12). Through His laws, principles, and Word, we can tap into this power. \u201cSo, we believe that when one declares God\u2019s Word or shares what He did in the past\u2014a testimony\u2014the same power is released to \u2018do it again today.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

During this visit I've been grateful for the times of prayer I've had with individuals and couples I knew as young people\u2014born again during the first years of Lamanilao\u2019s ministry. The Rabbi\u2019s explanation was a confirmation to remind them of their testimonies from their youth, occasions when they had received specific words and promises about their future. It was encouraging for them to know God still wanted to empower those words. He had not changed His plans just because they were not yet fulfilled. I believe we will soon be hearing their new testimonies, because His power was released to believe He would \u201cdo it again today.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mission Impossible?<\/strong>
\nThis scripture describes what is obvious about each of you, \u201cAs water reflects a face, so one\u2019s life reflects the heart\u201d (Proverbs 27:19). Today I can say that your heart for the world is truly reflected in your giving and prayers. What would be \"Mission Impossible\" becomes \"Mission Possible\" through this ministry partnership\u2014an incredible testimony of His faithfulness to fulfill His word. Thank you so much.<\/p>\n

Many Blessings,<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Debra Crook<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

CAMBODIA! In September 2019 I stayed a few days after a TEAMS outreach to enjoy some extra time with our missionary Merlen Lamanilao and daughter Kezia. After many visits through…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":38,"featured_media":5761,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[29,1,4],"tags":[173,174,31,522],"class_list":{"0":"post-5759","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-missionary-newsletters","8":"category-uncategorized","9":"category-world-missions","10":"tag-crook","11":"tag-debra-crook","12":"tag-missionary-newsletter","13":"tag-september-2023","14":"entry"},"title_es":"Crook Newsletter: junio de 2019","content_es":"

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\u00a1Saludos!<\/span><\/h2>\r\nEstamos a mediados de 2019, y estoy muy agradecido de ser parte de lo que Dios est\u00e1 haciendo a trav\u00e9s de la Iglesia Vida en Jes\u00fas en la ciudad de Baguio y Asia con los Ministerios People to People. Disfruta leyendo estos testimonios.<\/span>\r\n

Signos de vida<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\r\n\"Se\u00f1ales de vida\" es el ministerio sordo a trav\u00e9s de la Iglesia Vida en Jes\u00fas que comenz\u00f3 hace varios a\u00f1os. Los domingos por la ma\u00f1ana, sus sillas est\u00e1n dispuestas en una secci\u00f3n espec\u00edfica de la iglesia. Como con cualquier ministerio, hay altibajos; la excitaci\u00f3n alcanza su punto m\u00e1ximo y se disipa y la asistencia disminuye. Este ha sido el caso con este ministerio durante los \u00faltimos a\u00f1os. Esa secci\u00f3n puede tener uno o dos sordos y, los domingos, los \u00fanicos son los int\u00e9rpretes.<\/span>\r\n\r\nLa parte sorprendente de este ministerio es que la iglesia siempre ha tenido miembros dispuestos a aprender el lenguaje de se\u00f1as, incluso si no ven\u00eda nadie. Despu\u00e9s de uno de los servicios dominicales, en la primera parte del a\u00f1o, sent\u00ed que el Se\u00f1or dec\u00eda \"re\u00fana a los int\u00e9rpretes y ore\". Les pregunt\u00e9 qu\u00e9 esperaban y por qu\u00e9 estaban all\u00ed. Cada uno comparti\u00f3 que cre\u00edan que Dios estaba haciendo y har\u00eda algo en la comunidad sorda. Nuestra oraci\u00f3n fue: \"Dios, si necesitas dejar morir este ministerio, si necesitas hacer algo totalmente diferente, no nos importa, pero reconocemos que este ministerio es tuyo. Entonces, depende de usted resucitarlo y darle vida \".<\/span>\r\n\r\nUnas semanas despu\u00e9s, una de las ex asistentes y su prometido se presentaron en nuestra oficina pidiendo asesoramiento prematrimonial. A trav\u00e9s de esa sesi\u00f3n, se restableci\u00f3 una relaci\u00f3n anterior que tuvimos con una escuela para sordos. En los \u00faltimos dos meses, 15 han aceptado a Jes\u00fas como su Salvador y son fieles a su estudio b\u00edblico a mitad de semana. Dios est\u00e1 dando vida nuevamente a este ministerio.<\/span>\r\n

Myanmar: marcando la diferencia<\/span><\/h3>\r\nDurante un viaje a Myanmar en mayo, TEAMS, uno de los ministerios de People to People, se uni\u00f3 a un grupo de estudiantes de Emmanuel College. Siempre es divertido ser parte del primer viaje misionero de alguien. Algunos est\u00e1n buscando t\u00edtulos m\u00e9dicos, por lo que ser parte de una extensi\u00f3n m\u00e9dica tuvo un impacto significativo en sus vidas. Nos encontramos con tantos pacientes que, al final de cada d\u00eda, sab\u00edamos que se satisfac\u00edan las necesidades personales y que la vida se ve\u00eda afectada por el amor mostrado.<\/span>\r\n\r\nLas iglesias albergan las cl\u00ednicas. Esta es una manera maravillosa no solo de alentarlos, sino tambi\u00e9n de impactar y fortalecer la comunidad a la que sirven. Por supuesto, estos eventos atraen multitudes y una gran cantidad de ni\u00f1os curiosos. Como los ni\u00f1os est\u00e1n de vacaciones de verano, se quedar\u00e1n todo el d\u00eda. Otros estudiantes de EC aprovecharon esta oportunidad para ministrar y jugar con ellos. S\u00e9 que estos ni\u00f1os tuvieron una experiencia que nunca olvidar\u00e1n, y rezamos para que las semillas sembradas en sus vidas florezcan e influyan en ellos a diario.<\/span>\r\n\r\nEn una esquina de la habitaci\u00f3n hab\u00eda una mesa muy popular, apodada \"La mesa feliz\". \u00bfPor qu\u00e9 esta mesa era tan diferente? Mientras revisaban una serie de preguntas y ofrec\u00edan una soluci\u00f3n a su problema, sus rostros brillaban. \u00bfQu\u00e9 era este portador de alegr\u00eda? \u00a1Un simple par de anteojos para leer sin receta!<\/span>\r\n\r\nMayo es un mes extremadamente caluroso en Myanmar y, en varios d\u00edas, las temperaturas rondaron los 105 grados. En habitaciones congestionadas, esperar\u00edamos fan\u00e1ticos pero, sin electricidad, pensamos que esto no podr\u00eda suceder. Ahora he descubierto mi uso favorito de la bater\u00eda de un autom\u00f3vil; atar un ventilador y obtener alivio. Con la cantidad de ventiladores configurados cada d\u00eda, estoy agradecido por las personas que conozco que nos prestaron sus ventiladores y bater\u00edas.<\/span>\r\n

Estar involucrado<\/span><\/h3>\r\nLos testimonios no solo nos animan, sino que tambi\u00e9n encienden el Esp\u00edritu de Dios en nosotros para que participemos. El privilegio de servir a los Ministerios People to People, los l\u00edderes de los pa\u00edses de Asia y ser enviado por usted es una experiencia muy humillante. Necesito su colaboraci\u00f3n en apoyo y oraci\u00f3n; a continuaci\u00f3n se muestra la informaci\u00f3n que necesita para hacerlo. \u00a1Sigamos dando testimonio de su bondad!<\/span>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
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<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>","author_name":"Debra Crook","jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/09\/2-a.m.-birthday-and-yes-we-have-glazed-eyes-e1693588972684.jpeg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pb62Ar-1uT","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5759","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/38"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5759"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5759\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5761"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5759"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5759"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5759"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}