Transcript International Initiatives

International Initiatives
Where We’ve Been—Where We Are
Close your eyes and point to any
location on a map . . .
Any country you pick will be
filled to the brim with lost
souls awaiting the comfort
of a Savior whose name . . .
no one has
mentioned.
Do you want to
change the
world?
Change happens, one soul at a
time, when someone like you
takes the initiative to unveil the
mystery of the ages.
What It’s About . . .
You can do that through International
InitiativesSM, a ministry that provides
men and women with the opportunity
to be a part of international missions.
Defining Its Purpose . . .
International Initiatives addresses
issues affecting women and children
through international partnerships.
Where We’ve Been
Moldova
Croatia
Greece
Ghana
Paris
Jamaica
Olympics
Sri Lanka
Moldova
Meeting the Need
The first Moldovan partnership focused on
the development of Girls in Action® and
Acteens®. These provided forums for girls to
learn about God’s call on their lives and to
reach out to others, including orphans and
disabled people.
Croatia
Social Issue:
Restorative Justice
Forgiveness
In the 1990s, Croatians turned on each other with
violence, resulting in a war that tore the country apart.
Villages exist where the men are all dead or maimed
from the fighting, and farming is not possible. Many
women in Croatia lost family members and are unable
to properly care for remaining family members.
Croatia
Missionaries in Croatia focused on
community development through
ProjectMOST, a ministry of
International Initiatives that provided
animals such as sheep or goats.
The recipient received the
immediate benefits of the
animal and learned how to
manage a farm. In this way,
Croatian men and women
learned self-sufficiency.
Paris
Social Issues:
Discrimination/Poverty/Violence
The Paris partnership focused on immigrants
who are isolated, poor, and angry. The area
adopted by WMU is an “inner-city” type
environment where Taliban-trained men
terrorize city dwellers. Muslim girls are also
being sodomized by Muslim boys who have
started gangs.
Understanding the
Situation
● Over 1 million Muslims live and work
in greater Paris.
● That’s more than practicing Protestants
and Catholics combined.
● Paris is considered a gateway city to
spread Christian influence.
Paris
Olympics
Social Issue:
Evangelism
Olympics are held all over the
world. WMU teams partner
with volunteers from around
the world and More Than Gold
to share Christ in Greece, Italy,
China, and Canada.
Where We Are
Jordan
Liberia
China
Moldova
Jamaica
North
Korea
Olympics
Global Resource Services - Hunger
The mission of GRS is to go to
regions challenged by conflict,
looking beyond charity to find
real solutions where peace and
security are in jeopardy.
*Education
*Medical Clinics
*Water projects
North Korea – Community
Development
“WMU has helped
us drill 4 wells
for 100,000 who
have no running
water and helped
us produce 200
tons of soy
products to feed
1500 children
daily in North
Korea.” – Rob
Springs, CEO
Jordan—Arab Woman Today
Social Issue:
Women’s Ministry
Jordan—What AWT is Doing . . .
Arab Woman Today is a media
ministry in Jordan. It reaches into 22
Arab countries through several
media:
●Radio—Teaches moral and spiritual
principles, provides information about
topics relevant to health, marriage and
childcare, etc. These programs air four
times/week in 15-minute segments.
●Web site—Geared to younger, literate
women who discuss problems through an
online forum, engage in Bible study, and
discuss their needs with other women.
●Broadcast
Jordan—What AWT Is Saying . . .
“We feel a great responsibility for turning the face of our
dear Arab women toward the Savior, especially the women
of the Arab Middle East. [Through AWT] they have the
opportunity to hear the gospel message twice a week at
their own convenience, while they are performing their
traditional role according to their own culture.”
–Ruba Abbassi, founder & director, AWT Ministries
China- Poverty
China- Education
WMU teams work with elementary students
and college students, teaching and
practicing English.
Liberia—Ricks Institute
Social Issue: War Recovery
Liberia—Offering a
“Project: MOST” Experience
The Ricks Institute is a K-12
school for children in wartorn Liberia. Similar to
Project MOST, Ricks teaches
animal husbandry skills to
children and families. This
enables families to earn a
living and escape the effects
of war and poverty in their
country.
Ricks also purchases animals
for students, who then
receive the immediate
benefits (i.e. milk or meat
from the offspring).
Liberia—What They’re Learning
Liberians are learning to
use their God-given gifts
to feed themselves.
They’re learning to move
beyond years of distrust
and anguish. And, they’re
learning the truth of God’s
love within a community
of believers.
Liberia—What They’re Leaving Behind . .
.
In Liberia, men and women
are not only learning
animal husbandry skills.
They’re also learning
leadership and Bible study
skills through WMU’s
Christian Men’s Job Corps®
and Christian Women’s Job
Corps® ministries. These
leaders will carry what
they’ve learned to the next
generation.
Moldova
Beginning of Life Foundation
Social Issue:
Human Trafficking
*Second partnership with Moldova
Moldova
Social Issue: Human Trafficking
Human trafficking is a global industry that exports
people into forced prostitution. In many cultures, honor
and shame prevent victims from being received back
into their families after rescue. The perceived “stain” on
the family name often precludes victims from returning
home.
Moldova is a major train station in the human
trafficking industry. Each day, 40 to 50 Moldovan
women and girls are sold into forced prostitution.
Beginning of Life Foundation
Beginning of Life Foundation
provides:
●Job Skills Training
●Safe accommodations
●Bible study
●Education
More importantly, Beginning of Life Foundation
is about
Redemption.
Beginning of Life Foundation
Redemption is the process of buying a
person back for her original purpose. That is
the heartbeat of Beginning of Life. By
redeeming a woman out of the human
trafficking industry, we begin to heal the 40
to 50 women and children who are sold into
human trafficking every day in Moldova.
Bringing It Full Circle . . .
Close your eyes
and imagine . . .
Healing for women in
Moldova through
Beginning of Life
Liberians
Foundation . . .
learning skills
that will support
their families . . .
Women in
the Arab
world
coming to
Christ
through
AWT . . .
You’ve seen where we’ve been and
where we are. Your prayers, knowledge
about the issues, and gifts to the
International Initiatives Fund can
help us move into the future.
Send your gift to:
WMU Foundation
International Initiatives
Fund
100 Missionary Ridge
Birmingham, AL 35242