Logos Hope sails today; Doulos in Cambodia

Departure of the Logos Hope was delayed to await the arrival of some spare parts needed before it set sail. The ship is now underway and you can watch its journey to the Caribbean on the Logos Hope Voyage Dashboard. The webcams there display still shots from throughout the ship. Images change at different intervals, depending on the time and available bandwidth. Some days you might see outside the ship, other days you'll get glimpses on board, or both. Bookmark the dashboard, but careful -- you might get addicted.


Doulos got a warm welcome in Cambodia. His Excellency So Mara, Minister of Tourism, greeted the male crew members with a traditional scarf and the female crew members with a flower garland on their head. “Thank you for the return of MV Doulos to the Kingdom of Cambodia!” said His Excellency. “We wish to have you again and again!” was the sincere wish of His Excellency. Here, dancers from Ta Yarm greet the dignitaries and crew with a shower of colorful petals.

They put the OM in Rome...

Want to go? Check out long-term options in Italy!

Looking for someone to fill your pulpit?

OM USA has its own Christian speakers' bureau, filled with motivational and inspirational speakers who could be the keynote at your next event, or give your pastor the day off. These leaders have ministered around the world and will bring their global perspective to your meeting. Read their bios and choose your next speaker at the OM USA website.

Motivational speaker Richard Sharp addressing a group in Latin America.

Praying for the G8 Summit

The G8 Summit in Rome will be finishing up its meetings tomorrow. An OM team has been in Rome praying over the summit this week, asking the Lord for economic breakthrough worldwide. Please join this team in prayer. Remember the world leaders involved and ask that the Lord would work through them to turn the global economy around.


If you would like something more visual to pray over, a site called Gap Minder offers dynamic charts and maps for a variety of indicators. In keeping with the G8 summit, here is the Individual Income map. Click play and see how income has grown over time (and mind the gap between rich and poor, something else to pray about). Use the drop-down list in the top right to find more indicators and categorizations. Thanks for praying.

The Women in Las Tablas

"Thank you for coming. You provide such a wonderful break from our reality. I hope you never get tired of coming," said Candy, a young mother attending OM Costa Rica's women's ministry in Las Tablas. The reality of Las Tablas includes families dealing with poverty, drug and alcohol abuse, commercial sex work and domestic violence against women and children.

So women of the OM Costa Rica team began a new ministry two months ago in partnership with a local church. Fifteen to twenty-five local women, mostly young mothers, meet two afternoons a month. Fellowship begins with ice-breakers and crafts: learning how to make cookies, cards and bookmarks.

But it is the time spent in the Word of God that is truly making a difference for the local women. Through these studies they are receiving truth that is applicable to their reality, and their lives are slowly transforming. The OM Costa Rica women are also being blessed by the relationships they have already formed with these ladies.

Please pray for the time that these women spend together, that God's presence would transform more lives. Pray for the women of OM Costa Rica and for this ongoing ministry in Las Tablas.

Hope from the Ashes: Kids Club Bangladesh

An OM outreach in Bangladesh is rebuilding after a neighborhood-wide fire this April. Over the last five years, a Kid's Club has become increasingly popular among local residents. All 150 children who attend the club live in the same poor neighborhood and all suffered loss in this recent disaster.

The blaze started during lunch when a local lady was cooking over a wood fire, as is the local custom. A gust of wind blew the flames, igniting the wall of a nearby shack. Every building in the area was made of bamboo and wood, so the fire spread quickly. Residents fled for their lives, a few badly hurt, though thankfully no one was killed. More than 200 families lost everything they owned. Even the tin roofs were so warped they could only be used for scrap. Some of these families follow God, and many other families’ children attend the kids’ clubs.

The local OM team is working with two other organizations to form a coordinated response. They have started by offering clothes and money to a number of families for food and essentials, and plan to help some of the families set up home again. Please pray for all the families in this neighborhood as they continue to recover from the fire.

Verwer hails Winter as "a person with one arrow--the unreached peoples of the world"

In a recent article by Mission Network News, Christian leaders share their thoughts on the late Dr. Ralph Winter, founder of the Perspectives class and the US Center for World Mission. Dr. Winter also introduced the idea of unreached people groups and started the magazine Mission Frontiers. One of the leaders interviewed is our own founder George Verwer, who met Dr. Winter over forty years ago.

Independence Day

This weekend as we celebrate our freedom here in the States, we can remember those who are enslaved and persecuted all over the world. The Lord wants us to "let the oppressed go free and break every yoke." (Isaiah 58:6 NLT) Only people who are already free can respond to this call. Will we?



Bill Drake is OM's International Music Minister.

OM's Ship Ministry: Launching Logos Hope

International Night on Doulos

Recent coverage of the Logos Hope may have overshadowed the fact that OM actually has two ships. The more seasoned one, Doulos, is currently in Hong Kong where it hosted International Night on board. Part of the festivities included a performance by the Doulos Taekwondo team.

Studies Show: Short-term Mission Trips Can Change Your Heart

Did you know that The Barna Group...

...pioneered the discipline of faith-related statistics?
...has studied the effects of short-term mission trips?

Did you know that OM...

...pioneered the short-term mission movement?
...would love for you to read the Barna study?
...can customize a short-term mission trip for your small group?

You can be a statistic!

Be one of the few who have shared God's love in another culture. Go, and keep taking friends with you until the next Barna study shows that you are in the majority.

Cyber Sea Voyage

The Logos Hope had a successful launch in London this weekend. The ship is now sailing and you can track its trip online via the Logos Hope Voyage Dashboard. You'll find a GPS map and a Google Earth map, as well as three webcams. The webcams are still images which change at regular intervals. Frequency of uploads depends on what is going on at the time and also how much bandwidth is available to the ship.

Here's a screen shot from the only outside webcam. This is the view from the Port Bridge Wing. The crew is scheduled to land at Cork, Ireland on July 1st. If you are close by, go see them!

Verwer on praying through mission news

This week, ASSIST news service has been covering preparations for the London launch of Logos Hope. ASSIST stands for Aid to Special Saints in Strategic Times. OM founder George Verwer talks about how ASSIST has been a resource for his own prayer life.

Meet the Captain

From the bridge of Logos Hope, Captain Dirk Colenbrander talks about his calling with ASSIST News Reporter Peter Wooding:

Verwer interviewed about Logos Hope launch

ASSIST News Service (ANS) is on hand for the London launch of Logos Hope scheduled tomorrow. ANS reporter Peter Wooding took a few minutes with OM founder George Verwer to talk about plans for the new ship.

Notes from an OM trekker...

The Richness of God in Nepal

I've been in Nepal for just over three months; days rich with experiences of God's goodness.

One of the major ministries in Nepal is trekking, in which we sell books in remote areas where people often have never heard of God's Son. The time is an amazing experience, as you depend on God to provide for all your needs, including food and a place to stay each night.

I went on my second trek a few weeks ago, this time as the leader. I was uncomfortable with that position for many reasons, not the least of which is my still limited Nepali. Continually God assured me He would take care of everything we needed, and I saw this in wonderful ways.

On the top of a mountain in a tiny village, my friend and I were talking with a group of women. They seemed interested, but we had shared everything we could in Nepali. At that time, a man came who told us he was a Nepali believer. He bought one of the books and started sharing its truths with one woman. He suggested she buy the book and read for herself, and when she said she had no money, he gave her his copy and bought another!

Every time, God sent someone to share when we couldn't. Plus, every night, He provided us with a place to stay. Twice we slept outside, and when the storms came, He provided a shelter. God provided exactly what we needed at every moment.

[Would you like to see firsthand the richness of God in Nepal? The next trek starts in November. Get more information.]

"World's Largest Floating Book Fair"

The largest ship in the history of the OM fleet, Logos Hope, will be officially launched in London this weekend. ASSIST News has a great article about the scope of this new ship's ministry, as well as a rare photo of OM founder George Verwer in a suit.

You're invited to the party!

The Logos Hope first set sail on February 19 but its official UK launch is this weekend. London is the home of OM International and founder George Verwer.

Rick Hicks, OM's North American Area Director says, "We're excited about the launch of this ship. We've been praying toward this weekend a long time and rejoice with everyone who has had a part in getting Logos Hope ready to serve the nations." Rick and his wife Kathy will attend the celebration along with the chairman of the OM USA board and his wife, and several pastors. If you are in London this weekend you may also attend! See the invitation and event schedule schedule from OM Ships International.

Another free book from George (!) and a chance to get involved

George Verwer talks about Transform 2010, a short-term mission focus on the Mediterranean, with leader Witherall. At the end he tells you about a special book offer.

World Refuge Sunday

Today we remember in prayer our brothers and sisters left without a home. This video may help you focus your prayers as you listen to the words of the song "Hold On".

Orphan, Widow, and Alien

Sunday is World Refugee Sunday. Let's remember those who are being oppressed and forced from their homelands.

First Dalit Graduation

We rejoice with OM India over the first graduating class from their Dalit Education Centers. Dalit [pronounced Dah-LEET] means "untouchable" and is used to describe those in the lowest part of the Indian caste system. To see an entire class of 17 Dalit children empowered by education is a real kingdom moment. Praise the Lord for those at OM India who made this happen. Read more on this story and continue to pray for the Dalits and for the end of the caste system in our lifetime.

Pray for Hungary short-term mission teams

Please remember the Bill Drake worship team as they leave for Hungary Saturday. And please continue praying for the Dancelink team already there.

OM has many opportunities to serve through the arts, sports, or administration. See our upcoming short-term mission trips and long-term options, keep watching for those in your own area of interest.

Worship with the Tonga of Malawi

OM Heartsounds encourages indigenous praise music worldwide. Here is a worship service among the Tonga people of Malawi. According to the Heartsounds YouTube channel, "The Tonga language is one of 7 primary languages of Malawi and, as is characteristic of each language group, specific dance movements accompany its music. What you view here is just a small segment of a longer worship time, which we were both pleased and honored to experience together with them."

“I now only speak about 300 times a year"

How did OM founder George Verwer meet his wife Drena?

What's the story behind his famed global jacket?

And when does this mission visionary plan to retire?

Find out in this new article by ASSIST News. In it, George candidly recalls moments from his OM story with his usual humor and passion. It's a great read.

Hungary has opportunities for athletes

Local church planters in Hungary are looking for baseball, softball, and (American) football players interested in short-term outreach. Anyone who’s at least 18 years old and willing to commit 6 months – 2 years is welcome to apply. For more information, see the Sportslink page.

Verwer in Lebanon

George Verwer gives us a view of Lebanon in this recent post on his site:

We love volunteers!

Looking for a stateside ministry with worldwide impact? Consider volunteering at our corporate office in Tyrone, Georgia. Many positions have just been posted to the OM site.

Christian bookstore in Thailand

Thanks to the efforts of the OM team in Northeast Thailand, a well-stocked Christian bookstore has now opened—the only one of its kind within 100 miles in any direction! The shop is in a good downtown location and offers literature in both Thai and Lao. Recently, a volunteer team came from a church in New Mexico, USA, bringing hundreds of books, Christian t-shirts, bookmarks, and other items for the new bookstore. The group also visited orphanages and worked alongside small rural churches, performing puppet skits, dancing, and singing Gospel songs in rural schools, shopping centers, and orphanages. One team member provided a year's supply of nutritional supplements for the children in a small Christian orphanage that was in much need of that kind of help.

Praise God that these visitors were able to share the Gospel with hundreds, leaving an eternal mark of encouragement on the lives of so many local believers simply by working alongside them. Pray for other international groups that are coming to leave their mark, and for the permanent team to be able to follow up new opportunities.

Dancers headed to Hungary

A team from OM's DanceLink will be in Budapest this summer for a two-week outreach. Please be in prayer for them as they make their preparations. Pray for travel safety and for favor among the local people. We believe the Lord is doing something new through this ministry and trust He will draw many to Him during this time. Praise God that the team found a local photographer who will be capturing some of their performances on film. Watch for updates here!

Free book download

George Verwer's new book is available in PDF format.

Download your copy here!

URGENT prayer for Europe this week

Today we turn from joyful prayers to more serious intercession. OM USA's prayer leader Graham Wells would like us to join the 24/7 prayer movement in praying for Europe over the next few days. Here is 24/7's co-founder Pete Greig with the specifics -- thanks for praying:

Click here to
learn more about
the needs in Europe.

"It increases your prayer life!"

Something fun for the weekend: OM founder George Verwer on a roller coaster in Copenhagen (with subtitles):

OM USA news

Have you read the latest on the OM USA website? New additions include a link to a virtual ship tour, and a story about the impact of God's Word in Thailand. Check it out!

GOING: on foot...

Run for the World (R4TW) is an annual event to raise funds for OM projects worldwide. This year, R4TW events in 10 countries were held on May 9. Money was raised for three projects:

• AidsLink in Nepal
• Tariro Day Care Centre in Zimbabwe and
  
• SportsLink camps worldwide.

Can't wait 'til next year's event? Take your passion for the road...on the road. Go on a winter trek in Nepal. This is a short-term ministry outreach to various villages in the country. Pray and see if God would have you join us there!

GOING: by bus

How do you adapt the ships' literature ministry to reach those father inland? In Europe, it's being done by bus. Bus4Life is a ministry of OM Central Europe whose goal is to equip and serve local churches. You can read more about their current outreaches on their blog. In Baja (Hungary) over Easter, participants were thrilled with Bus4Life:

Matt: To hear that this was the first time that the local youth had proclaimed the gospel on the streets of their city was a real encouragement and I definitely got the sense that this was the beginning of something great in Baja.

Beth: The Bus4Life helped provide a focal point in the local community for people to gather together to hear the gospel...

If Paul had had a bus,
he would surely have used it!

Ireland has its own traveling ministry called The Big Red Bus. Their bus is less library, more meet-n-greet. Team members take their double-decker event center to all types of gatherings, using the bus as everything from a puppet stage to a coffeehouse. See them in action below, as founder Mike Mullins gives you a tour. And read how this ministry started at the OM Ireland website.

GOING: by ship

Nothing says OM like the iconic ships ministry. The ships Doulos and Logos Hope sail to ports around the globe offering reading materials, relief services, and most importantly, relationships. Currently, the ships have several openings for accountants. Would you consider using your finance skills in this vital role? Read more about this niche opportunity.

Dan Lagasse: Hero of Hope

Career OMer Dan Lagasse was recognized earlier this year as one of the Heroes of Hope Living with CF. This is an honor given by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation to individuals living positively with a CF diagnosis. Most recently, Dan and his wife Deanna have been representing OM on the west coast. You can read more of Dan's inspiring story at the Heroes of Hope site.

Pentecost and the Global Day of Prayer

Enjoy this day of prayer as you celebrate with believers worldwide. We hope these 10 Days of 24/7 prayer have been an encouragement. May we all see the Lord's power.

Day 10: going forward

After they watched Jesus ascend into heaven, the disciples gathered in the upper room of the place they were staying in Jerusalem. The Bible says, "They all joined together constantly in prayer." Their time together ended on Pentecost, and our time of constant prayer will also end on Pentecost. The disciples left their upper room and "turned the world upside down". Will we?

Dr. George Verwer's Biola commencement speech (with introduction)

Our own George Verwer, founder of OM and the father of short-term missions, gave the commencement address at Biola University last weekend. The school honored George with an honorary doctorate of divinity last weekend. George was the speaker at both Biola commencement services. Here's his Saturday morning address.

DAY 9: Looking toward the Global Day of Prayer

This Sunday, May 31 is Pentecost and the Global Day of Prayer (GDOP). As we wind down our own 10 Days of prayer and preparation, here's a brief overview of the GDOP. You may want to pass this on to your church and register your own GDOP gathering, where you can join in prayer with the 220 countries participating this year.

Day 8: five missionaries

Focus today on your five missionaries. Lift up any needs they might have and ask the Lord for ways you may help meet those needs.

And remember to keep praying for your 5 missionaries, 5 cities, and 5 countries. Thanks for joining us in prayer.

Day 7: five cities

Which 5 cities did you choose to pray over this week? Remember them now with any Scripture the Lord lays on your heart.

Day 6: five countries

Have you been praying for your five countries this week? Today we remember those and ask for God's spirit to move in each one.

Day 5: remembering

It's Memorial Day here in the States, a day to honor those who have gone before us to give us our freedom. Let us also remember the heroes of the faith who brought the word of God to us and shared with us His sacrificial love.

Day 4: rest

Enjoy this day of worship wherever you are. We offer you this song of praise from South Africa called "I Sikulu", or "God Is Great".



See more international praise music on OM's Heartsounds YouTube channel.

Day 3: confession

We are praying through the Sermon on the Mount during our 10 days of 24/7 prayer. So today, let's read these words of Jesus in Matthew 5:21-48. Then we can ask the Lord to search our hearts and show us where we may have put our own "holiness" over His love for the people around us. Let's confess what He reveals and continue to pray through Matthew 5-7.

That's DOCTOR George Verwer

OM founder George Verwer will be receiving an Honorary Doctor of Divinity tonight and tomorrow from Biola University. You can watch the commencement services live at Biola's site. Tonight's ceremony is for those earning graduate degrees (6pm PDT), tomorrow morning's is for undergrads (9am PDT). George will be the commencement speaker at both ceremonies.

Biola announced they are honoring George Verwer "for his work as a leader in global missions". Honorary degrees at Biola "are awarded by formal action of the Board of Trustees on recommendation by the university president to recognize individuals who have a clear evangelical Christian testimony and have demonstrated significant service and achievement over an extended period of time, which is national or international in nature and is relevant to the mission of Biola University".

That certainly defines our founder's legacy, and we are thrilled to see him honored in this way. However, we're positive that the newly titled Dr. Verwer will still insist you call him George.

Day 2: start with praise

As you enter the 10 days of 24/7 prayer with us, begin by focusing on the Lord and your relationship with Him. Toward that purpose we'd like to share this devotional video which we saw in our Thursday chapel. It's a song called "Awaken Me" from Misty Edwards of the International House of Prayer (IHOP). In the video, she is creating the song spontaneously while leading worship in the IHOP prayer room. It is a beautiful prayer of preparation.

Dr. Ralph Winter

Missiologist Ralph Winter passed away on Wednesday. Dr. Winter was known as an enterprising visionary who began the US Center for World Mission, a campus of sending agencies in Pasadena, California. The Center produces many valuable resources including Mission Frontiers magazine and the International Journal of Frontier Missions. Dr. Winter frequently contributed his insights to both publications, posing great questions for the mission community to answer with their actions. He also started the Perspectives course, an intensive training program that has mobilized many for missions worldwide.

Like OM founder George Verwer, Dr. Winter has always had a heart for mobilization. He often compared the cause of world evangelization to a burning building. Dr. Winter would ask, "which would you rather do -- pour a bucket of water on the fire, or wake up 100 sleeping firemen?" He knew how to wake up firemen. He knew how to mentor and challenge and motivate believers to become global disciple-makers. The kingdom is richer for his life, both here and in eternity.



above: Dr. Ralph Winter talks about the kingdom in a video for the Lausanne Movement.

below:OM founder George Verwer met with Ralph Winter in 2007 and posted this brief interview on his blog.

Day 1: opening prayer walk

This morning we launched our ten days of 24/7 prayer, a time of focusing on the Lord leading up to Pentecost and the Global Day of Prayer on May 31. In today's chapel, musicians, dancers, and worshipers gathered and spent some time praising the Lord together before leaving on a corporate prayer walk.



Ten prayer stations have been set up along the OM USA walking trail for anyone who wants to visit and pray along with us.

Graham Wells, head of OM USA's Global Prayer Ministries, offered a few challenges for this 10-day season of prayer:

• Read Matthew 5-7 daily and pray through it. This is Jesus' Sermon on the Mount and it will be our focus. Look for the kingdom principles Jesus gives.
  
• Tithe your time. There are 210 hours in these 10 days. Graham asks if we can "extravagantly give...a portion of our time to seek Him?"
• Pray daily for 5 nations, 5 cities, and 5 missionaries. Choose any the Lord lays on your heart and commit to those during this prayer time. You may pray through these at the stations on the prayer walk or from your home if you are not here locally.
  

And please tell us how you are praying in the comments section below. What are your 5? Or what insights has the Lord given you in His Word (wherever you are reading). How did it go when you tithed your time? Let us know.

Thanks for praying with us. We are lifting you up as well.

Praying toward Pentecost

Will you pray with us? Tomorrow OM USA is starting 10 days of 24/7 prayer. Our prayer room will be open around the clock through Pentecost, May 31. Come pray for OM, pray for your church or the nations, or just draw nearer to the Lord. We welcome you to join us for chapel Thursday morning from 8:30 - 10:30 for the opening of our 10 day focus, ending in a prayer walk around the campus.

Help us to spread the word!

By adding a simple link to OM USA from your personal blog, your church or organization’s website, you can provide your students, your church members, your friends and family with a direct opportunity to get involved in what God is doing around the globe through OM. Also, by linking to our web page, you are helping us to reach even more Christians and challenging them to participate in the Greatest Commission.

Choose the area that fits best with your organization: short-term missions, long-term opportunities, prayer and more. We've given you the code, below. Thank you for helping us by linking to our site!


<a href="http://omusa.org/go/short-term/">Short term mission trips: OM USA</a>
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Short term mission trips: OM USA

<a href="http://omusa.org/go/long-term/">Long term missions: OM USA</a>
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Long term missions: OM USA

<a href="http://omusa.org/volunteer/">Christian volunteer opportunities: OM USA</a>
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Christian volunteer opportunities: OM USA

<a href="http://omusa.org/pray/">Pray for the world: OM USA</a>
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Pray for the world: OM USA

<a href="http://omusa.org/give/">Give to world missions: OM USA</a>
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Give to world missions: OM USA

<a href="http://omusa.org/go/custom-trips/">Christian internships: OM USA</a>
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Christian internships: OM USA

<a href="http://omusa.org/">Operation Mobilization: OM USA</a>
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Operation Mobilization: OM USA

Approximate 2002 AD Global Mission Statistics

(IN PROCESS 07-17-'02)

(1) World Population: 6.204 BILLION PEOPLE

33% of earth's people include Christians of all kinds.
40% of earth's people are reached (or evangelized) non-Christians.
27% of earth's people are unreached (i.e.unevangelized) non-Christians.

(2) Population of Major Religions Plus Subgroups of Special Interest to Christians

2.05 BILLION - Christians of all kinds
1.24 BILLION - Muslims
932 million - Nonreligious and Atheists
837 million - Hindus
368 million - Buddhists
234 million - Tribals
340 million - Chinese Folk Religionists
259 million - 0ther Religions
104 million - New Religionists

(3) World Population Growth, 1.22%, Compared with Muslims & Christian Subgroups

Muslims 2.11%, All "Christians" 1.27%, Roman Catholics 1.24%, Evangelicals 1.72%, Protestants 1.36%, "Gt.Com. Christians" 1.44%, Pentecostals and Charismatics 1.87%.

(4) Missionaries

429,000 Missionaries from all branches of Christendom
(Only between 2 and 3% of those missionaries work among unreached peoples.)
140,000 Protestant Missionaries
64,000 Protestant Missionaries From USA

(5) Distribution of Protestant Missionary Funds for Support of Both Foreign Missionaries and the Home Staff who Support the Field Missionaries in the Major Religious Blocks

74% Among Nominal Christians
8% Among Tribal Peoples
6% Among Muslims
4% Among Non-Religious/Atheists
3% Among Buddihists
2% Among Hindus
2% Among Chinese Folk Religions
1% Among Jewish Peoples

(6) Annual Global Church Finance in US Dollars

15,500 Billion - Total Annual Income
300 Billion - Giving to Christian Causes (1.8% of total income)
17 Billion - To Foreign Missions (5.7% of Giving to all Christian causes)
18 Billion - Eccliastical Crime

Target Groups Where Foreign Mission Funds are Spent
~87% goes for work among those already Christian, World C.
~12% for work among already Evangelized but Non-Christian, World B.
~1% for work among still Unevangelized and Unreached people groups, World C.
(or less than 1 penny of every $1,000 earned.)

(7) Of the World's 24,000 Unimax (#)People Groups 10,000 are Still Unreached

3700 Muslim 2700 Hindu 2000 Tribal 1000 Buddhist
400 Other 150 Chinese Folk Religions 50 Non-Religious/Atheist
(1600 have each more than 10,000 persons; 8,400 fewer than 10,000 persons each.)
(A large number of these Unreached Groups live in so called closed countries.)

(8) Average Ministry Cost in U.S. Dollars for Each Convert's Baptism

Mozambique - $1400 (least)
Ethiopia - $2700 (2nd)
Nepal - $3700 (5th)
Cambodia - $4300 (8th)
Average cost for World A - $32,000
for World B ............. $48,000
for World C ............. $490,000
Africa ................... $14,000
Asia ..................... $61,000
Lat. Amer ............... $145,000
Oceania .................. $634,000
Europe ................... $993,000
USA ...................... $1.5 Million!

# A Unimax People is a largest group within which the Gospel can spread as a church planting movement without encountering barriers to understanding or acceptance.

Main Sources:

World Christian Encyclopedia, 2001 and World Evangelization Resource Center, 2002.

—Prepared by Mobilization Division, U.S. Center for World Mission, Pasadena, CA.—

Bryan College short term missions trip

At OM USA we coordinate short term college groups that want to go on a missions trip. One of the groups was a team from Bryan College (Dayton, TN). Over Spring Break they went to Birmingham (UK). OM has a ministry there called LifeHope.
The team served with different churches in the city and worked with children and the elderly. They also visited 1000 homes door-to-door, inviting people for local Easter events.

It is encouraging to read the report from the team and see some of the pictures.

Luther Rice University

This week is the missions conference at Luther Rice Seminary, just outside Atlanta. I have been here before and it is a very special university/seminary. The speakers at their conference are quite often graduates. They are pastors of mission minded churches or are serving on the mission field.

I had the opportunity to speak at a class this morning. It was the Greek class (6 students + 1 prof). I shared stories of what God is doing around the world. The students and the professor asked questions about the work of OM and missions in general.

For the lunch we were invited for a Taste of the Nations. Students and faculty brought home made dishes in to share with everyone. There was food from The South (of the USA), Romania, Nigeria, Japan, Haiti, Scotland and India. Here a look at my plate before I got a Taste of the Nations.

Colorado Christian University

The campus of CCU is not huge, but they've got great energy. I attended CCU's missions week. I also hung out in the Student Union and talked with students. 2 conversations of note: I met a girl who came up to me and asked, "How do you know you are called?" We then talked for 20 minutes on calling, fears, and missions in general. I talked with another guy about miracles. He asked, "Why don't we as Americans see or perform miracles on a more regular basis." Very interesting conversations. I told some of my stories of my time overseas, and it is true that in general, miracles are not common in our American Christianity.




I attended a midnight bowling turnament to raise money for the CCU summer mission trips, then I was invited to tag along with a group going skiing at Copper Mountain. Yippee!

Liberty University

Nat and I visited America's largest Christian University - Liberty. 10,000 students attend. The academic center is huge. Thus far they only use part of the 3rd floor and none of the 4th yet. Nat and I had a good time. My highlights were meeting a Malaysian girl who visited the Doulos as a girl and even had a team come to her 11th birthday party. Her brother was also a STEPer. It's not often that I meet knows all about our ships, is excited about them, yet never served on board. OM Ships just are not well known in the USA.

I also shared in a dorm one night. I shared my testimony and some devotional thoughts. They seemed to be paying attention to me quite well. Even the dorm chaplain said so.

Also I discovered some of the IDAHOANS at Liberty. In fact there are 6 students who graduated from my High School. One had my mom as a teacher and I had his dad as a teacher.

13 statistics on child slavery

"Lord, you know the hopes of humble people. Surely you will hear their cries and comfort their hearts by helping them. You will be with the orphans and all who are oppressed, so that mere earthly man will terrify them no longer." Psalm 10:17-18


13 statistics on child slavery (compiled by Action International Ministries)

1. 3000 enslaved Albanian children are used for begging, cleaning windows and cars without wages in Italy and Greece

2. an estimated 496,000 children are in slavery in Bangladesh

3. over 10-20 million people are subjected to debt bondage largely in India, Bolivia, Brazil, Peru and the Philippines

4. of 20 bonded laborers in Pakistan, 7.5 million are children

5. of 35 million soccer balls stitched in Pakistan, children produce 1/4. most of them are bonded servants

6. nearly 500,000 minors work in virtual slavery conditions in Senegal

7. UNICEF estimates that nearly 30,000 children in Haiti (85% girls) serve as unpaid, domestic labor among the affluent

8. nearly 10,000 children aged 6-14 are enslaved in Sri Lankan brothels

9. as many as 300,000 children in India work as bonded labor, just in the carpet industry alone

10. 15 million children around the world are bonded laborers, the majority of whom are Indian Dalits, whose bondage is passed down from generation to generation

11. 90% of 100,000 women in prostitution in Mombai are indentured slaves

12. many Indian boys, some as young as 4 years old, are riders in camel races in West Asia and the Gulf States. girls and women end up either as domestic or sex workers.

13. it takes up to 15 years for girls in India held in prostitution to purchase their freedom

be the change!

pray!
As Christians, we are always saying "God answers prayer." Do we really believe it? Gather with a group of friends once a week to pray for children and adults around the world caught in slavery, prostitution and traffiking. God can change the world through our prayers!

speak up!
Anti-slavery international is the world's oldest international human rights organization working exclusively against slavery at local, national and international levels. For updates and information on how you can help, go to www.antislavery.org.

You can also sign a petition calling for an end to modern day slavery and learn about other action options at:
www.theamazingchange.com
www.stopthetraffik.org

Ministry Hilight: INTERNSHIPS

What are you doing this summer?

Assisting in a hospital in the Middle East? Providing humanitarian aid in Thailand? Leading worship in England? Playing with children in India?

Help build the Kingdom of God in one of more than a hundred countries on a personally customized internship.

You'll not only gain experience in your field of study, but also valuable life-changing experiences. You're life...your outlook...will be challenged, shaped and molded by your time overseas. No matter where you end up after college - business world or overseas - you will be better equipped for life and its challenges.

Anything, Anywhere. Tell us what you want to do, where you want to go, when you want to go, and we'll work to make it happen.
www.ominternships.org

In the Windy City

Moody Bible Institued has a long history of producing men and women of character who have influenced the world for Christ. Our team is here at Moody this week for their missions week. We are having a great time. We are one of about 50 other agencies. Many students have come by asking questions.

I personally have had some unique experiences in meeting old friends. I know some of the other reps in the other agencies. Also my frined Kervy from the Philippines is attending school here and suprised me. Also my "long lost friend" Josh who was on the Logos 2 is also attending. We've talked on the phone and emailed over the years but only met for the first time this week.

Pray for Moody that their emphasis continues to be sending out students into the world.

OM Ships Presentation Team

Greetings from rainy Arkansas. Our team has been out for the summer, but we hope to post more things here this year.

I have been working hard lining up the schedule for our OM Ships Presentation Team. This year myself, a guy from Canada, and 3 girls from Italy, Ukraine, and Hong Kong will travel to the Chicago, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota area to do presentations in several universities on missions, our ships and the work of our Great God around the world. We will travel for a month in Sept. and Oct.

Mission Trip to Mexico

Ministry Highlight: OM SportsLink

On May 26th, 2007 the first Operation Mobilisation SportsLink "Run For The World" will take place, from Auckland to Guatemala and a number of places in between. Over 500 people running and walking on five continents in 11 time zones to raise awareness of world mission and raise funds for sepcific projects around the world. Check out the website: www.r4tw.org

@ Toccoa Falls College

I am visiting Toccoa Falls College from today until Wednesday. The main speaker for chapel is Chip Kirk. Check out his website and find out more about the main topic of his series of messages: Abide in Christ.
Based on John 15.