Missions Update: June
Here is the latest from PRC’ers involved around the world from our June 5 IMT Meeting.
Don Volle – Resources Exchange International (REI)
REI’s mission is to encourage, equip and empower people in developing nations who can strengthen the strategic sectors of their countries. Don’s role is supporting and assisting leaders on the field and their teams to be successful.
REI focuses on poorer nations that are closed or restricted. They identify a need in a strategic sector like agriculture, education, or micro business enterprises and make a contribution in that area. Their people bring a combination of development to equip with skills those in the countries they serve but also seek to give them hope. They are involved in two countries in Central Asia and one in Southeast Asia.
Steve and Nancy Brown – SIM in Niger
Steve is a water specialist. Nancy is a nurse. They have been working with the Fulani in Niger for the past ten years. Niger is the poorest country in Africa with 11 million people and only 70,000 jobs. The literacy rate is less than 1%. It is largely Muslim but despite that they are very open to the gospel. This term Steve was able to install seven wells in three villages.
During the 2005 famine Steve helped distribute food to remote villages which was a strong witness. He also helped build a grain bank to store grain when it is plentiful for distribution in times of need. Another project was expanding a youth center and redoing the basketball court which attracts a lot of young people.
Nancy has been home schooling the boys as well as giving some medical care and medicines to the Fulani. Now that the boys are 14 and 16 they will switch to correspondence courses. With less home schooling to do, Nancy will have more time for ministry and needs wisdom to know where to put her efforts. Pray for the adjustments as they return to Niger the end of July after having been in the States since last December.