{"id":6983,"date":"2025-10-24T12:52:47","date_gmt":"2025-10-24T17:52:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/?p=6983"},"modified":"2025-10-24T12:52:48","modified_gmt":"2025-10-24T17:52:48","slug":"crook-newsletter-october-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/crook-newsletter-october-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Crook Newsletter: October 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Greetings!<\/strong><\/p>\n

In September, I participated in a medical outreach in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. It was a wonderful time of ministry with people from the United States, the Philippines, Japan, and our missionaries in Bangladesh.<\/p>\n

Bangladesh<\/strong><\/p>\n

We held three clinics during our time there. On our first day, we traveled for a few hours to an area where they are planning to build a worship hall. I love these opportunities for the community to experience Jesus\u2019 compassion and concern in practical ways. As usual, the most popular table was for reading glasses, which makes you think the ones doing it are some celebrities. We had to laugh because the task required crowd control.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>

The clinic was busy with five stations and patients waiting.<\/p><\/div>\n

\"A<\/a>

A patient testing out his new glasses.<\/p><\/div>\n

\"The<\/a>

The pharmacy table with faithful pill counters.<\/p><\/div>\n

The following two days were spent at Holiness Academy on the outskirts of Dhaka. This is such a beautiful facility that has grown through the years and has easily changed the landscape of the area. Missionaries Vijay and Apa Balla\u2019s vision is ever-expanding. It\u2019s not just a boarding school for pastors' children from remote areas, but also meets the educational needs of Muslim families in the area. People to People (PTP) continues to provide sponsorships for students there. Whenever we visit, the children always treat us to special presentations. Even if it\u2019s a small audience, they pour their hearts and souls into their presentations. As the program was concluding, Vijay shared that the kids had been trained to do evangelism when they accompanied them to visit churches, etc. Many of the areas they visit are counted among unreached people groups, and when the children are on vacation, they actively engage with their communities, sharing Jesus.<\/p>\n

\"Children's<\/a>

Children's presentation at the Dhaka Holiness Academy.<\/p><\/div>\n

Sri Lanka<\/strong><\/p>\n

Arriving in Colombo, we were pleasantly surprised as we drove to Hatton for our stop. Suddenly, on each side of the van, were rolling hills of tea plantations. Intermittent rain added to the spectacular view, and a few tea leaf pickers carried colorful bags of their harvest.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>

The medical team posed for a group picture in Sri Lanka.<\/p><\/div>\n

Our clinics were hosted by House of Praise, which had recently joined IPHC Sri Lanka. It was a joy to be a part of their pastor and the assistant pastor\u2019s credentialing ceremony. The clinics ministered to a variety of people. I am anticipating what God has planned for the growth of His church there.<\/p>\n

\"Sunday<\/a>

Sunday service at House of Praise.<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Debra<\/a>

Debra being blessed by a congregant at House of Praise.<\/p><\/div>\n

Nation Changers<\/strong><\/p>\n

I frequently say that the PTP Child Sponsorship Program is raising a generation that is impacting their nations. During our time at the Holiness Academy, Vijay pointed out one young man who has graduated and remains at the school as he looks for work. He was a part of the presentation, and you can see his influence on the others. I greatly anticipate the future God has for him.<\/p>\n

The first sentence of IPHC\u2019s 7th Core Value states: \u201cWe celebrate all generations and acknowledge that each is essential in the body of Christ.\u201d People to People has never lost sight of the fact that the children among the nations are valued and essential. We do know the foundations laid in their lives will impact the countries where they reside. Visit iphc.org\/ptp\/<\/a> or call 405-792-7128 to find out how you can get involved.<\/p>\n

Beyond Partnership<\/strong><\/p>\n

This recent trip amplified how God weaves so many intricate threads together to accomplish His purposes. I watched the multiple steps freshly picked tea leaves go through to bring us a satisfying cup of tea, and all the unseen labor it takes. One Bible commentary I\u2019ve read recently states that fellowship is first the sharing of a common life with each other through a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Much like those tea leaves go through a process and come together to make a beautiful cup of tea, we were individuals with little in common until the Father\u2019s calling allowed our lives to intertwine to fulfill God\u2019s will and glorify Him. I am so grateful!<\/p>\n

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

Greetings! In September, I participated in a medical outreach in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. It was a wonderful time of ministry with people from the United States, the Philippines, Japan,…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":38,"featured_media":6989,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","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":[173,174,31,600],"class_list":{"0":"post-6983","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-october-2025","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\/2025\/10\/Left-is-our-Sri-Lankan-country-director-along-with-Teams-and-friends.--e1761328073272.png","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pb62Ar-1OD","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6983","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=6983"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6983\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6989"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6983"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6983"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6983"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}