among the nations - volume 5, issue 1

Changing Faces Changing Perceptions 4

Kingdom Business 6

Sowers of the Seeds 8

The Nations Come to Lithuania 12

AMONGChristian Reformed World Missions

2016 • Volume 5 • No. 1 • www.CRWM.org

2 • AMONG THE NATIONS

A publication of Christian Reformed World Missions

Christian Reformed World Missions (CRWM) exists to glorify God by leading the CRC to respond obediently to our Lord’s commission to witness to the Good News of God’s Kingdom and make disciples of all nations.

For more stories and videos about the work of CRWM, visit us at:www.CRWM.org

Cover Photo:A couple proudly stand in a field in West Africa

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AMONG

God’s faithfulness can take many forms, and in times of trouble it may be difficult to recognize. This can be especially true in the world of missions, where God’s timeline often does not align with our own. Still, our Lord reminds us daily of His enduring love.

As you read through this Among the Nations newsletter, you’ll gain a glimpse of what ministry looks like over many years of God’s faithfulness.

On page 12, you’ll see how God has been faithful to a small but effective school in Lithuania—faithful in both sustaining the mission of this school and in providing teachers who serve students during some of their most formative years.

God has also been working faithfully through volunteer teams who travel to the Dominican Republic (p. 4). While much of the history of this particular area of the world is troubling for Haitian immigrants, God has been making their struggles known to volunteer teams and missionaries serving in the region.

In West Africa, God has allowed Tom and Deb de Ruiter to serve for 18 years. But His faithfulness hardly ends there. You will see how the de Ruiters’ service has paved the way for future ministry in this area by national leaders. (p.8)

Similarly, God has continued to work at the Nehemiah Center in Nicaragua, a ministry center with a rich history of CRWM ministry work that is now led by local leaders like Freddy Mendez (p. 6).

Thank you for your faithful support of ministries like those highlighted in this issue. Whether you are a missionary alumni, part of CRWM’s network of prayer support, or someone who has given a financial gift, your partnership has made each of these stories possible.

Gary J BekkerExecutive Director

Volume 5 • No. 1 • 3

How far would you go to say thank-you?

For Cao Zhenhuan it took more than 80 years, but the wait was worthwhile.

Born in China in the early 1930s, Cao never met her older sibling, who passed away before she was born. When Cao was three years old, her parents nearly gave up on her too, because she had a severe chest infection. But then someone advised her parents to “go see the missionary doctor.”

The missionary doctor was Lee Huizinga, who served in China from 1920-1946 as one of the CRC’s first in-ternational missionaries. He had also served among the Native americans in New Mexico. One of his many pa-tients was Cao, whom he was able to help heal.

From that time forward, Cao was reminded often by her parents that “her life had been saved by a missionary”—and because of this she had a deep sense of gratitude.

She passed this information along to her four children as well, adding that she wanted to find a way to thank this mysterious missionary someday—an especially dif-ficult task because Huizinga had used a Chinese name while serving in China.

Cao’s daughter, Xiantong, never forgot this family story and began searching in more detail when she moved to New York. Finally she found out who the missionary doctor was, and she contacted his son, Phil Huizinga.

Phil and his wife, Marie, were surprised when they re-ceived their first call from Xiantong.

“We were overwhelmed,” said Marie. “We felt the provi-dence of God and His faithfulness through the genera-tions.”

“You just never expect anything like that to happen,” added Phil, “to have somebody have it on their mind for 80 years that they need to thank the family.”

Xiantong said that she and her brother, who also lives with his wife and children in North America, would love to meet Phil and Marie and learn more about Dr. Huizinga’s ministry. This led to a trip to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where they visited Calvin College’s Huizinga dorm, a memorial site for Dr. Huizinga, and also met Kurt Selles, who served with CRWM in China in the 1990s.

While in the Grand Rapids area they also attended La-Grave Avenue CRC, where they learned more about the history of CRC missions in China.

“While some see the entire venture of the CRC in China as a failure because a church wasn’t established, [this visit] helped us see how God keeps working in people there,” said Marie..

Phil and Marie plan to continue their communication with Xiantong and say that they may go to visit them in New York someday.

ALUMNI CORNER

Phil Huizinga serving and traveling in China.


DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Duane Postma enjoys being the first to arrive at the worksite each day in the Dominican Republic (DR). That way he can watch the faces of volunteers as they step out of the 16-passenger van each morning.

As a volunteer coordinator in the DR, Duane has wit-nessed groups of North Americans and Dominicans bridging cultural gaps again and again, and he can see changes taking place just by watching their first interac-tions each day.

“On the first few days [the North Americans’] faces are usually timid and unsure,” Duane said, “but by the fourth or fifth day they smile and immediately start shaking hands, and you can see the friendships that have formed.”

Serving and LearningEach year, Duane works with about five such groups to build pastors’ homes, churches, and occasionally schools alongside members of the Christian Reformed Church in the Dominican Republic (ICRRD).

“Our service is two-pronged. We are learning to adopt a servant attitude. But we are also serving to learn from the experience.”

One of the learning outcomes for volunteers is a better understanding of the history of Haitian immigrants in the DR—who make up the majority of the ICRRD—and how it relates to the work they are doing now.

Many of the churches, pastors’ homes, and schools built by the work teams replace rented buildings or areas of land that were on sugarcane plantations where many of these Haitian immigrants worked.

Now the building projects are a one-time gift from the volunteer work teams and from those who have supported their service trips.

“When your friend is in the hospi-tal, it’s always more meaningful if you can bring them flowers in per-

son rather than sending them in the mail,” said Duane. “It’s the same way when we raise money for building these churches.”

Duane noted that he sees an immediate benefit for the North American volunteers as well—a deeper sense of understanding.

“I see volunteers becoming more responsive to needs in their own immediate areas but also in worldwide minis-try.”

ChangingFaces

ChangingPerceptions

“I see volunteers becoming more responsive to needs in their own

immediate areas but also in worldwide ministry.”

Duane Postma helps volunteer groups find deeper connections with ministry in the Dominican Republic


Lessons LearnedDuane notices this is in his own community in North America, where there is also a large Hispanic population. He says that his home church displays a deeper under-standing for this population and has a true appreciation for their culture.

In February 2016, members of Talbot Street CRC (Lon-don, Ont.) came to work alongside the members of Jobo Grande CRC in the DR. Talbot Street CRC holds the record in the DR for the longest-running ministry there, having sent work teams for 17 years in a row.

“It seems like the ‘DR bug’ has bitten,” said Stephen Brauning, a CRWM missionary in the DR who has helped to coordinate the team. “The joy, the satisfaction, and the deep sense of being part of God’s Kingdom that comes with serving alongside the local believers are priceless.”

A Unique Service TeamWhile the majority of teams that have served in the DR are from churches, there have also been teams made up of members of the business community in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, among other areas, serving each year since 2012.

These teams are unique in that they are funded by the employers themselves, and employees often do not have to use vacation days to serve. As Paul Ten Haken, one of the Christian business leaders to help fund these trips, says, the service abroad has “created a ripple effect of service.”

“I’ve seen other employees get energized with a desire to serve at home and abroad based on what they see and hear from our Do-minican trip participants,” said Paul. “I’ve also seen their aware-ness of international issues, poverty, and injustice grow along with their desire to help.”

ChangingFaces

ChangingPerceptions

Duane Postma (center in both photos) loves seeing cross-cultural relationships develop


When Freddy Mendez was growing up in the church in Nicaragua, he heard more sermons, messages, and other lessons than he could count, he says. Still, he doesn’t re-member a single one that talked about why God created business or money.

“What I can remember are phrases such as ‘Businesses are not from God, they are from the world’; ‘You can not serve God and at the same time have money’; and ‘God does not love the rich.’”

Business in God’s KingdomFor this reason, Freddy grew up believing that Christians are not called to take part in businesses, and many other Christians in his area had the same understanding.

Today Freddy sees business in a much different light, and he even leads others to start their own businesses with his work at the Nehemiah Center—a transformation center

that began with the collaboration of Christian Reformed World Missions, World Renew, and other organizations.

One of the Nehemiah Center’s many programs seeks to demonstrate how God can use businesses to further His Kingdom. Participants in the Kingdom Business Program study values like integrity and stewardship and learn how to apply these values to their own businesses.

Through the Kingdom Business Program, God has shown Freddy that businesses are an important part of His Kingdom.

“The program is helping participants understand that busi-ness is part of God’s plan and should also serve the King-dom of God,” said Freddy.

Freddy visited business owners in nearby cities and heard their stories of how the Nehemiah Center had helped them

NICARAGUA

KingdomBusiness Freddy Mendez is helping

people in Managua to grow their businesses and glorify God at the same time.

Freddy Mendez (right) has been serving with the Nehemiah Center since it s beginning


start their businesses, which in turn, are transforming their communities.

“One of the first things that God reaffirmed in my life is that everything belongs to Him,” added Freddy.

Shifting MentalitiesFreddy also says that he has witnessed how the program empowers people to see their own value.

“We live in a country of many contrasts, surrounded with poverty and scarcity but, at the same time, abundance and opportunities. The majority of the people see only the side of scarcity, and we enclose ourselves in this mentality.”

“God empowered man and woman to be multipliers of the abundance of creation. In the Kingdom business pro-gram we propose to rediscover these truths with people who have been called to business and companies, in a way that we can convert our businesses in accordance with God’s heart.”

So far, more than 500 people have taken part in the King-dom Business program, the majority of whom are from Chinandega and León.

Freddy coordinates business networks in both of these areas for participants who have gone through the program and who want to encourage one another in their small business efforts. Together they explore best practices and ways they can adapt to change in the quickly growing busi-ness environment in Latin America.

Pray that members of the Kingdom Business program can continue to address the needs of their communities with one another. Pray that Nicaraguans who grew up with a distrust for business will begin to see how it can be used in God’s Kingdom.

Members of the Kingdon Business Program enjoy learning and collaborating with one another.

“The program is helping participants understand that business is part of

God’s plan and should also serve the Kingdom of God.”


After 18 years of ministry, Tom and Deb de Ruiter see their ministry continuing through the people they discipled.

WEST AFRICA

Having retired in September 2015 after 18 years of minis-try in West Africa, Tom and Deb de Ruiter have received many questions about their greatest joys over the years. They are quick with a response.

“Seeing Fulani come to know Jesus and then seeing them evangelizing among their friends and family, sharing their assurance of salvation and joy in faith.”

Although Tom and Deb encountered many challenges throughout their years of living with, learning from, and ministering to Fulani nomadic communities, their hard work is still bearing fruit today.

Initial MinistryThe de Ruiters first arrived in West Africa in August 1997 and began a whirlwind study of Fulani culture along with training in language and in the beliefs and practices of Islam (the religion of nearly all Fulani people).

They soon began visiting villages where other CRWM missionaries had served, and that gave them a sense of what daily life in this region entailed—including living in grass huts, taking hours to cook meals over a fire, and navigating bumpy roads.

“We concluded our first term with a team record of 31 flat tires in one term,” they reflected. “The record still stands!”

Calling to Another AreaThe de Ruiters’ ministry changed in 2001 when partners at the Christian Missionary Alliance (CMA) decided to hand their ministry over to CRWM. After much prayer, the de Ruiters sensed that God was calling them to help with this ministry transition.

“This was frightening and exciting at the same time,” they reflected, “new people to meet and a new dialect of Ful-fulde to learn. There was a handful of Fulani believers” who had come to faith through the work of the CMA missionaries.

As the de Ruiters settled into a different part of rural West Africa, they discovered, as other CRWM missionar-ies have found, that this work could be challenging and that they needed to develop deep relationships with the people before they could begin sharing their faith.

“We began to see ourselves as sowers of the seeds of the Good News” just as Jesus described in the parable of the sower (Luke 8:1-15). Some seed would fall on hard hearts and would not sprout. Some would fall on troubled hearts and would grow for a while but then wither. Some other seed would fall on expectant hearts and ripen.”

Contextualizing the FaithMany of the traditions and customs that the de Ruiters once saw as essential to being followers of Christ began to seem less important when they realized those customs did not have the same significance to people from a dif-ferent background.

“We learned to try not to prescribe how something is supposed to be done,” said Tom. “We taught baptism and the Lord’s Supper, but we left it up to the Fulani believers how they would administer these sacraments, bringing their cultural perspective into them.”

Contextualizing the faith also meant discovering what messages from the Gospel would resonate with people in West Africa. The de Ruiters found that God’s love and willingness to send His son was a great way to open up discussions, because the Fulani knew God only as some-one who judges and demands human effort.

Slowly, one by one, the number of believers and baptisms increased over the years of teaching, visiting, and gaining the trust of more Fulani people.


Tom and Deb in a typical Fulani home

AlikoOne of the many people who came to Christ was Aliko (name changed), a gentle, quiet man who attended one of the very first conferences the de Ruiters held for Fulani who desired to know more about following Christ.

Over the years, the de Ruiters watched as Aliko grew in his understanding of and his relationship with Christ. After the second conference that he attend-ed, Aliko expressed his desire to give up some of his amulets, recognizing that they had no spiritual value.

As the de Ruiters and their CRWM colleagues discipled Aliko, he began to take other big steps, reading and studying God’s Word and eventually professing his faith.

Many years later, the de Ruiters talked with Aliko about these first steps that he took as a believer, and they were reaffirmed in their calling to serve through what they called “friendship evangelism.”

“Aliko told us he and the other believers were very thank-ful for our strategy of reaching out to them,” said the de Ruiters. “We were patient with them, letting them discover the truths in Scripture in their own way, letting them adapt their lifestyles as new members of the family of God to their culture.”

Continuation of the MinistryAliko, along with many other Fulani believers, has since moved away from the region where he and the de Ruiters first met. He and others have brought the Good News to other parts of their region.

“As new believers grow in their faith, they express a real desire to be baptized and share their faith in a sensitive

way with their Muslim neighbors and family,” said Tom. “This form of ministry has been bearing much fruit.”

Not long ago, another believer moved with his wife to an area where there had been very little wit-

ness for Christ among the Fulani. This was exciting news for Tom and Deb, as they were the first couple from the group of believers that they had been discipling to dedi-cate their life to evangelism.

While the de Ruiters will miss celebrating baptisms and other milestones in people’s faith, they left knowing that many great faith leaders have emerged who will keep their ministry going in new ways.

Pray that the Fulani leaders will continue to find ways to help others in their community seek Jesus.


“As new believers grow in their faith, they express a real

desire to be baptized and to share their faith...”

“Living among the Fulani wasn’t always easy, but it was very rewarding.” say Tom & Deb

Volume 5 • No. 1 • 11

Liberia: CEFL Theological Education by ExtensionWhen the Bassa-language Bible became available in 2005, it not only opened doors for more people in Liberia to hear the Good News but also allowed for more opportunities for distance learning programs for seminary students. CRWM helps support 24 local theological trainers who travel to reach students near their own communities. Your financial gift to this project will allow students to remain home, supporting their families, while they receive theological training.

Nicaragua: Nehemiah CenterCRWM has been partnering with the Nehemiah Center since its beginning and today it is entirely led by local leadership—leaders like Freddy Mendez (page 6). Still, CRWM comes alongside these leaders by sending a few missionaries who play a supporting role and a grant for the program. Your gift to this project will continue allow this transformative ministry to continue taking place through local leaders.

Cambodia: Transformational Network DevelopmentMany of the ministry connections among local leaders that formed over the years at the Nehemiah Center in Nicaragua are not fully established yet in Cambodia. We need your help to equip, empower, and train Cambodian leaders to become more effective in their min-istries and to explore biblically sound and culturally relevant ways to do mission together.

Russia: Travel Assistance for Church PlantersCRWM works alongside Russian church planters who have a passion for growing healthy, vibrant churches in their own country and for Russian immigrants in the neighboring Baltic states. Your support for this project will help these church planters travel to church planter training events led by CRWM missionaries.

GET INVOLVEDThank you for your gifts that have made many of the stories that you are reading about in this issue of Among the Nations possible. As you continue to look for ways to support God’s global ministry work, here are some CRWM projects that still need funding for this fiscal year.


LITHUANIA

As the Soviet Union began to disintegrate in the early 1990s, three Christian foundations from three different countries—Lithuania, Canada, and the United States—developed a vision to reintroduce Christian education to Eastern Europe. They faced a unique challenge: for years, solving problems by means of critical thinking, teamwork, and a biblical worldview had been discour-aged and even sanctioned.

A quarter century later, much has changed! More than 500 students from 28 countries are studying at LCC In-ternational University in Klaipėda, Lithuania.

“Many students arrive never having experienced dy-namic, articulate Christian faith before. For some, it’s life-changing,” said Steve Van Zanen.

Steve and his wife, Chris, are one of three CRWM mis-sionary couples joining the exciting work taking place at this small outpost of God’s Kingdom. The Van Zanens are joined by Scott and Lisa Neumann and Adam and Laura Rodeheaver-Van Gelder.

While the makeup of the student body has changed dramatically since the school opened—as 60 percent of LCC’s students now come from outside Lithuania—the school’s mission to provide Christian education through a biblical worldview remains the same.

“Every year students from nominal and non-Christian backgrounds discover that there is a Person at the cen-ter of the university who provides meaning to life and hope for the future,” said Steve.

“Others, who arrived as Christians, discover that being a follower of Jesus does not mean checking your brains at the door but engaging fully in the world that God made.”

Here are just a few stories of these students shared by the CRWM missionaries who serve at the university.

The Nations Come to LithuaniaStudents from around the world are being changed at LCC University

(From top down) 1. LCC students hold flags representing their countries;2. Chris Van Zanen (right center) meets with LCC students;

3. a worship service at LCC

Volume 5 • No. 1 • 13

Like many Lithuanians, Petras grew up in a family that went to church occasionally, but faith wasn’t a huge part of his upbringing. When he came to LCC, he didn’t doubt God’s existence, but he didn’t see much need for a God either. In his second year Petras joined other students in the required Bible classes, and things began to change. Petras found himself really interested in the questions the professor asked. The readings and lectures provoked a strong curiosity. By the spring semester, Petras was not only interested in God but also in Jesus as the Son of God.

Petras is now in his third year and trying to figure out what it means to be a faithful follower of Jesus. He finds himself wanting to live a new life but often draws into old habits with friends. He’s being changed by God’s Spirit, little by little, and he’s discovering that walking with Jesus isn’t always easy. But he’s committed.

Viktor grew up in the neighboring country of Belarus. An only child, he carries with him the hopes and dreams of a family that has been through a lot. During World War II, 25 percent of the population of Belarus died. Viktor’s grandparents survived the war but lived most of their lives under the Soviet system. Strangely, many LCC students now look back on that era with some nostalgia. The dog-eat-dog world of capitalism provides few guarantees, and living standards have not improved for many. The forced labor camps are distant memories, while the security of a state that provided employment and housing sounds com-forting in comparison to today’s challenges.

Viktor’s experience at LCC has already made a deep impact on him. His sharp mind and strong work ethic have impressed his professors. He has taken advantage of encouragement to innovate by starting a new student organization. He asks thoughtful questions about mat-ters of worldview and faith. He sees something in his teachers that is different and understands that it has to do with their relationship with Jesus. Viktor hasn’t put it all together yet, but he is searching.

Olya grew up in what is now the war zone of eastern Ukraine. Her family has left their home for another part of the country. Prospects of eventual return are bleak. Olya is a brilliant student and a campus leader. A few min-utes of conversation will convince you that this woman will make a significant impact wherever she goes. Her geographic future is uncertain. But her goal is more than personal security and prosperity. She wants to make a con-tribution to the region and to the world.

An attitude of service to community among LCC students and alumni may be tied to the process of coming to faith,

but not necessarily. Many graduates leave without having embraced Jesus, and yet they have significantly different priorities than when they came. They see faculty and staff who are making a sacrifice to contribute to their educa-tion. They hear about donors who give generously to fund scholarships, which is not common in Europe. Many are grateful. Still, it is our prayer that the seeds sown here will sprout in the years ahead, leading to a life of Christian discipleship for LCC graduates.

Victor

Petras

Olya


UPDATESPrayer SafariThe annual Global Prayer Safari took place in Kenya and included more than 40 participants from eight countries. The participants prayed for families, national and county governments, organizations, schools, and churches.

“We were visibly demonstrating that God is active everywhere in ev-ery field of endeavor and every area of life,” said Joyce Suh, CRWM missionary in Cambodia.

Refugee Ministry in GermanyIn February CRWM’s Steve and Chris Van Zanen, missionaries in Lithuania, began searching for potential ministry partners for ministry in Germany. The outreach will be geared toward coming alongside ministry leaders serving the rising number of refugees from the Middle East.

“Our time there [in Germany] demonstrated the need and the oppor-tunity,” said Steve. “We met some of the refugees, both Muslims and Christians, who are bearing up under very difficult circumstances.”

CRCSL PastorsAs the Christian Reformed Church in Sierra Leone (CRCSL) con-tinues to grow, so does the need for pastors and church leaders. In February six pastors were ordained for ministry in the CRCSL. Before these new leaders were added, the church had only four ordained pas-tors, including Rev. Istifanus Bahago, who serves in partnership with CRWM.

Eye Care Team in Mexico“Puede ver todo” (“I can see everything”) were the words heard re-peatedly by Calvin College’s volunteer team serving at eye-care clin-ics in Tijuana, Mexico. The team was hosted by CRWM’s James and Barbarita Lee.

The clinics took place at six different churches, a community center, and a home for elderly men—all places in Tijuana where the Lees have been working alongside local leaders and sharing the Good News.

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IN MEMORIAMWilliam C. Schultze passed away on November 17, 2015. Bill served in the Grand Rapids, Michigan office as the Church Relations Director for 28 years, from 1960-1988. He is survived by his wife, Mary, five children, 13 grandchildren, six great grandchildren, and three step great grandchildren.

Elizabeth J Smit passed away on February 12, 2016. Elizabeth was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Henry N. Smit. They served in Nigeria from 1960-1968 at the hospitals in Takum and Mkar. Mrs. Smit was sur-vived by their six children, 18 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, 4 step grandchildren, and 10 step great grandchildren.

Mrs. Lillian Grissen passed away on October 31, 2015. Their family lived in Nigeria, where her husband, Ray-mond, served as a builder from 1952-1954. She was pre-ceded in death by Raymond, and survived by their four children, 13 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren and five great, great grandchildren.

Mrs. Letje (Ineke) Ubels passed away on November 18, 2015. She and her husband, Engbert, served in Nige-ria from 1970-1972 as houseparents, and then taught at Mkar Teachers College until 1978. She is survived by her husband, Bert, and their two children.

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