Staff Missionary Reports
Reports and Experiences of the Godspeed
Staff
On the road, Fall 2002
"Where, What, and When?"
| …Hungary, August: We respond to a request
for a consultation with a missionary couple. The wife has
been suffering from depression, and there are complicating
medical issues, as well as evidence of marital stress. There
are no English-speaking Christian psychiatrists in their area
and circumstances prohibited their coming to the U.S, so we
go to them. |
 |
 |
…South Africa, September: Fifty three members
of three different missionary teams, one from South Africa
and two from Mozambique, gather for a four day retreat. We
were asked to give presentations on missionary stress and
conflict resolution, as well as spend time with individuals
who sought counsel there and during our time in Mozambique
following the meeting in South Africa. |
| …Ukraine, October: A team of Ukrainian
nationals we have been working with for three years has asked
us to return to give separate presentations on Marriage, Singleness,
and Conflict Resolution, to the twenty new members who need
the same information we had previously given to others. We
will participate in six days of conferences in Kiev, then
travel to Kharkov and Kherson to meet with missionary families
in those cities. |
 |
 |
…upcoming: Chiang Mai, Thailand, February:
Barney has been asked to give a series of talks on depression,
anxiety, and care of the missionary to 150 missionary physicians
serving in Central and East Asia. The eventual impact on missionaries
those doctors themselves will serve is larger than can be
estimated. |
...and, in between international trips: Karen and Barney will
give two presentations at the national Medical Missions Conference
in Kentucky in early November. We are also to be part of the training
program for a mission agency in Indiana in January, where we will
present on medical issues and missionary stress to a group of
10 missionaries in training prior to their going to their fields
of service.
How are things going with the ministry?
| …the
financial situation: |
|
- The economic climate of the past year has made
it much more difficult for non-profit organizations to survive.
Therefore, it is noteworthy that our 2002 financial YTD
picture is ahead of 2001, which we see as evidence that
the ministry still has God's blessing. We thank Him, and
all of you who faithfully give.
|
 |
| …the
directions: |
 |
- We may find ourselves in one opportunity speaking
with a missionary alone, next with a married couple, or
at another time with a team, then giving a presentation
to a room full of missionaries. General medical care and
psychiatric consultation issues intertwine with Biblically
based counseling, as we respond to both acute needs and
potential problems. This is an exciting and challenging
work, and we are grateful to God that He has allowed us
to be part of it. We ask for your prayers that we will ourselves
be kept healthy and able to respond to the ever-changing
faces, places, and expectations.
|
| …current
wish list: |
|
- Travel expenses for the trip
to Thailand in February are our responsibility and at this
point are unmet.
- Our web page is increasing in utilization and importance
as a means to communicate with missionaries around the world.
We need to upgrade our input with pictures of places and
people. A small digital camera would make this possible.
- Most of all, we need to know that you are praying
for us and keeping the needs of the missionaries we serve
before the Lord. Your letters and e-mails are particularly
encouraging, and we look forward to hearing from you.
|
Godspeed,
Barney, for Karen and the rest of the Godspeed Team
|
