2013 Mid Year UPDATE

Cathy and I wanted to take this time to give you a brief update on the ministry work we are involved in. We desire your partnership, financially and through prayer, as we continue to build present and new initiatives. The potential to set many thousands in motion for the Kingdom of God is happening and as we continue with new opportunities we know we will face obstacles so we will need your encouragement.  THANK YOU… Mark & Cathy Szymanski

1.     We continue to work with several United World Mission teams to develop partnerships that advance nationally led movements. One in particular is a mobile leadership and church planting training cooperative across 29 denominations in Cuba. The next phase will now include starting a Cuban missionary training center to send Cubans into other nations of the world. Much of this relies on developing Cuban businesses that will fund these movements.

2.     I am part of an initiative that has identified 142 unengaged Islamic groups located in Europe. We know how many live in each country but are not sure what cities or better yet what areas of the city they live in. We are talking about hundreds of thousands of diaspora peoples some who have fled their home country while others simple moved for other reasons. We do know God has brought them to a free Europe for a purpose. It would take massive amounts of money to send people physically to the country to research each group so we are working to develop a methodology using social media to identify these unreached groups. If successful a paper will be presented at a national mission conference in 2014.

3.     I will be the Conference Director for the Justice Conference, which will be help in Charlotte NC February 2014. After a successful 2013 conference where we attracted more than 500 people from five states and several countries we are taking it a step further. Every week since the conference we receive stories of how those who attended are touching lives, it’s truly amazing. After discussions with the national justice movement we will merge the strengths of each into a new model. The power of mobilizing masses of local people will be combined with the power of a national voice and group passion. This new model will be held in 20 cities across the United States on February 21-22, 2014. There is a lot of work a head so please pray. The look will change soon but for now PLEASE LIKE US on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/IgniteJusticeConference

4.      I have been asked to serve on MEDIC (Mercy and Economic Development International Concern’s Advisory Board. This is a honor as I have built a partnership between MEDIC and United World Mission to establish several micro banks in North India. This has opened many doors to several unreached groups who live in extreme poverty. This relationship has also grown to see church planting training in several countries in West Africa. We have over 120 banks in place and more than 5000 loans on the books.

Lastly I want to share with you that I need to grow in my business knowledge and application. Establishing self-sustaining Christian groups in countries that are very impoverished often requires economic development, business. The church grows when it is funded. It is sustainable when its own people fund it. Our challenge is to create the tools necessary for this to happen. I would love to have a mentor in this area.

The church is very alive and growing around the world. Check out our web site for the amazing stories of what God is doing at www.mszymanski.com.

This is your investment. This is your joy.

Mark Szymanski
www.mszymanski.com
mski1957@gmail.com

Won’t you please consider joining our financial support team? You can send contributions to: United World Mission, PO Box 602002, Charlotte NC 28260-2002 and write ACCT# 11013 in the memo line. Further info about on-line giving and other programs see www.uwm.org. Thank you to our present supports that allow us to impact the many lives across the planet. Again, THANKS!

Numb3rs – Swedish Partnership UPDATE

In 2008 a Three Way Partnership was initiated between EFK – Korskyrkan, Riverbend Church (SC), and United World Mission in Lulea, Sweden.

You might be wondering, Sweden? You might have thought that this nation is a Christian nation but this is far from the facts. The truth is that less than one percent of the nation calls themselves evangelical. “Though Sweden has a deep historical Christian experience the last several generations have lost the story and today’s population know virtually nothing about the living God,” says Richard Hultmar, EFK – Korskyrkan  church planter in northern Sweden.

With some of the highest suicide, abortion and singleness rates relationships are hard. People tend to congregate in pubs and clubs from Friday evening to Sunday. This is an enlightened population who pride themselves in knowledge and independence. “Life is good here so why would any intelligent person believe in or need something called God,” said Lars. I had a long conversation with him in a bar one night and found he never heard of the Christmas story or Easter. He knew of St. Nicholas and heard of Jesus but didn’t know what He was all about.

Several partnership surveys demonstrated that on the campus of Lulea Technical University there were 5000 students and 9 Christians.

Starting with this small group Riverbend began a campus discipleship ministry with hopes of sending out graduates into the whole of Northern Europe that were capable of multiplying themselves.

The initial year was slow with three new believers but we knew a focus of relationship building would create a solid foundation. These last four years Riverbend sent teams to Lulea to perform research, encourage believers in two local churches, gave confidence to this fledgling campus ministry and their leaders, as well as helped with outreach activities.

Progress saw more believers and leaders grow. The leadership team is 2^nd and 3^rd generation today. When asked about what they want to see God do, their response was, “Every student, faculty and staff has an opportunity to hear and respond to the gospel of Jesus Christ.”  It’s exciting to see their heart for those far from God grow.  Our desire is implement more equipping so that as students graduate, they are confident in making disciples and starting simple churches wherever God takes them.  We have a goal to start 2 to 3 new groups focused on making disciples.

 As a part of more intentional training, we are planning a 10-day LINC (Laborers Impacting the Nations for Christ) during Welcome Week at the end of August.  We hope to recruit recent graduates who have all been through LINC in the states to help out!

Speaking of recent grads, there are now six new locations in Sweden and Norway where graduates live (check out the Google map). We desire to learn more about the spiritual climates of these cities and towns and see if there is a desire to be more equipped with tools for disciple making.

Our desire to see graduates equipped as workers for the Kingdom of God is becoming a reality.  Now we want to see the heart to own the Great Commission not just for Sweden but also to the ends of the earth.  We can already identify about four countries where Americans can’t gain access, but there are already Swedes on the grounding with professional careers.  We can equip Swedes to go places we can’t consider to expand the Kingdom of God to see the unreached reached!  We would love to see a short-term missions trip planned this year to explore at least one location. 

This is your investment. This is your joy.

Mark Szymanski

www.mszymanski.com

mski1957@gmail.com

Won’t you please consider joining our financial support team? You can send contributions to: United World Mission, PO Box 602002, Charlotte NC 28260-2002 and write ACCT# 11013 in the memo line. Further info about on-line giving and other programs see www.uwm.org. Thank you to our present supports that allow us to impact the many lives across the planet. Again, THANKS!

MIS Partnership: Celebrating in the Sand – Part 2 – The Baptism

The partnership creates collaboration between churches, businesses and this national work located in West Africa. As I mentioned before it has established an area in which there are 400 unreached “M” villages. Partners work together to create friendship and trust and together with village leadership they tackle difficult holistic issues associated with life in the rural interior of Senegal. A Senegalese church planter develops relationships and discipleship starting with village leadership and leads all work. So here is the rest of the story described by Matt Paschall...

Celebrating in the Sand

Fifty-eight Lives Changed  -  The Baptism

Ngor Sarr looked to me like a college football lineman - tall, muscular, barrel chested.  As he approached the front of the church, 300 people whispered, "That guy is a champion wrestler in our town".  He was the next candidate for baptism.  His two year old son followed and bellied himself up onto the concrete platform.  The young father picked up his toddler in his huge arms and started his story.

"I have never been baptized before.  If you would have told me that I would be standing here in front of you like this, I would have told you that you were crazy.  Most of you know that I am a cattle man and in order to protect the animals we have to be strong, carry weapons and wear amulets for spiritual protection."  

Ngor went on to say how his wife had become a Christian and how her life changed.  One day she removed all of the magic fetishes from their children.  "At first, I didn't think it was a good idea.  But I decided to see if Jesus was strong enough to protect my family.  When I saw that He had the power to protect us, I began to trust Him.  Now I stand here today ready to follow Christ and lead my family."

Later when Ngor went into the water for baptism, it took two pastors to submerge him.  When he emerged, there was a huge grin.  He came out dripping wet and then did a spontaneous dance of celebration.  I tried my best to capture the day in this short video. 

This is your investment. This is your joy.

Mark Szymanski
www.mszymanski.com
mski1957@gmail.com

Won’t you please consider joining our financial support team? You can send contributions to: United World Mission, PO Box 602002, Charlotte NC 28260-2002 and write ACCT# 11013 in the memo line. Further info about on-line giving and other programs see www.uwm.org. Thank you to our present supports that allow us to impact the many lives across the planet. Again, THANKS!
 

Celebrating in the Sand By Matt Paschall, Senegal Partnership

Matt and I have worked together for nearly 15 years and I have enjoyed our times of training people for short term trips, working toward their fielding to West Africa and the partnership. This is part one of a two part short series. I'll send the next one in a week so you don't feel disconnected.

This partnership creates collaboration between churches, businesses and the ministry in Senegal. The goal is to reach 400 unreached villages. Partners work together with to create friendship
and trust and together with village leadership they tackle difficult holistic issues associated with life in the rural interior of Senegal. A Senegalese church planter develops relationships and discipleship starting with village leadership and leads all work. My numbers may be a little out of date but MIS is working in nearly 70 villages with churches established in approximately 40. Matt Paschall describes some of the process in the story and video.

Saturday, March 16th, was an exciting day in Kotiokh (pronounced "ko-cho") where 58 new believers from five nearby villages came together to celebrate their new life in Christ. A big tent was set up with a sound system and over 300 people came from miles away to witness the event. This was also a community wide celebration of the newly completed church building.

Eight years ago, I still remember ministering in this village for several days and gathering with all of the believers under a large neem tree in front of Wally Senghor's house. Before we left, Wally and his brother told us that they would donate part of their field for space to build a church. We continued to pray for them and seek how God might provide the funds for the cement and raw materials.

When I visited Kotiokh back in the summer of 2011 with a short-term team from Peekskill, New York. We stood inside the unfinished church walls on a dirt foundation with about 100 people and the youth choir lead in worship, "This is the Day that the Lord Has Made" in Serere, Wolof, French and English. Pastor Corby Angle prayed to dedicate the building which was 75% finished.

Now the church has a new tin roof, metal doors and windows. In January, we took my in-laws out to see the completed church construction. Now just two weeks before Easter, what a joy it was to see the fruit from so many years continue to grow and multiply. Then standing outside at the baptismal basin, the powerful message of Easter resurrection enacted before imams and moms, as people gave public testimony of their faith in Christ!With my shoes still wet from the splash of several immersions and my pant legs splattered in sandy mud from standing in the front row, there is no place I would rather be to celebrate the resurrection and there is no greater joy than seeing new lives forever changed.

Our God is Mighty to Save!

This is your investment. This is your joy.

Mark Szymanski
www.mszymanski.com
mski1957@gmail.com

Won’t you please consider joining our financial support team? You can send contributions to: United World Mission, PO Box 602002, Charlotte NC 28260-2002 and write ACCT# 11013 in the memo line. Further info about on-line giving and other programs see www.uwm.org. Thank you to our present supports that allow us to impact the many lives across the planet. Again, THANKS!


Next week, part 2, The Baptism!

I'm Changing, It's Weird By Lorenzo Monge, France

The snow was here once again. This winter seems very long and pretty tiring! But even with all the crazy weather lives are being changed and we celebrate many encouraging things God is doing in January and February. There are so many great things that have happened since this partnership began in 2008. Some newsworthy updates are:

Building authorizations: It's official!  We now exist as a church. It's such a relief that we received those very last authorizations. Now we have officially the right to open our doors, to do all the work we have to do; a parking lot (ours is already full), 30 more spots... Come on!

Four recent baptisms: We were full of joy when we baptized two women in January and 2 men in February. These were our first baptisms and they were great events for us, the church, the team, but also for all families and friends who shown up. For many of them, it was the very first time they've seen adult baptisms.

There is more organization to do with all different volunteers, so another step of faith. For now, we feel quite tired, especially with the baptisms, the weather and the number of guests who show up, but in the long term, having two celebrations will help everybody as they attend and learn more about the love of God.

A teenager environment: "Jump". Since September we separated the junior high teens from the youngest teens. In the beginning it was pretty slow. On the other hands, a 15-year-old girl gave her life to the Lord. In January and February few more guys came after the first evening together talking and playing bowling. A few of them never heard anything about God, but they all want to see each other again. Let's see what happens. Pray with us. Kids are giving their lives to the God. A 9 years old girl who composed and wrote a worship song, kids who are following the Lord, It’s great. If we invest so much energy in our After'Dul and Kiddiboum (2 of our kids environment) it's because we're so convinced that those kids want to know the Lord and even if the parents are non-believers every one likes this work.

One women said, “It is just incredible, the Bible, it is something that gives me peace". This is her first time she ever read the bible. She went onto say, “I'm changing, it's weird”.

Read more about Lorenzo & Marie Alice Monge at: eglisedelabrie.

Ignite Justice

January found me helping to facilitate a Charlotte based Ignite Justice Conference with a local and global in focus. The update is that it was “over the top” and you all played a role in it as I tweeted and used Facebook update the progress and impact, so thank you for your prayers and partnership in the gospel.

Though we hoped for 1000 we ended up at over 450 in attendance. This was the first year and I don't think anyone really knew what to expect but everyone felt it was hugely (is that a word) successful. People were very engaged concerning and learning about injustice issues both here and around the world. Many made commitments to become involved. I think next year (this was the first year) will be even greater impact. 

From the start, Derwin Grey from Transformation Church called us to embrace the challenge that Jesus mandated. Things went from good to great as, Stephan Bauman of World Relief shared. Then the group went off to breakout sessions with offering such as: Be the Answer, Prayer & The Persecuted Church, Sex Trafficking, and several others like, Missions at Our Doorstep and Justice in the Neighborhood. The youth had a track called, Justice in the Hallways revolving around bullying. 

I had the chance to host a breakout on healthy partnerships and I will have several appointments flowing out of it for consultation. I already have a couple emails from people wanting to schedule times to discuss their situations. 

I helped to bring in Jonathan Shaw, UWMer headed to DR Congo and serving with Congo Initiative, from Ann Arbor and his time went well. Jonathan and Kate want to transition to DR Congo in July so please pray of that. I know he got one new supporter and he went home with a fist full of names to follow up on. This conference had both a local focus and international focus with the international side being dominated by Africa injustice so UWM's history and Jonathan Shaw's connection made a great platform for discussion and engagement. 

Arlesia Hill, owner of GOGREEGTOURS and a volunteer I recruited to become a local advocate for Congo Initiative, was really energized as she is working toward building for a Charlotte based David Kasali (Congo Initiative Founder) meeting the end of February, called Arts for Congo. So I think I may have Jonathan Shaw come back to attend this "Art for Congo" event in order to help gather more supporters for their ministry. Very cool stuff here.

I was able to sit and have an extended conversation with Lauri Elliott, Executive Director of The Afribiz Foundation. She authored a book, Create Wealth in Africa and is very accomplish. Her network is very interested in making a trip to see Beni, DR Congo for investigative purposes around development of a business energizer (she describes this as bigger than a business incubator). This is exciting as this is a much needed ingredient for the church in east Africa to expand and multiply resulting in their people realizing stability and staging to effect the surrounding nations on the continent.

You may know that DRC is the center of Africa and this nation has the potential to impact many surrounding nations. Congo Initiative's Bilingual University, that the Shaws will help lead (they will be the third PhD resident), is training new leaders with a biblical world view, bilingual capacity, and market (applied science, business, communication, etc), church (theological track), and leadership skills (critical thinking and a new pedagogy). Last year they graduated about 350 people! Lauri's economic impact and work and network has already been felt in other nations and she has started to explore DRC and was looking for a national partners. Congo Initiative may be that partner.

Michele Dudley who led this event was extremely encouraged and tired but saw her vision to mobilize people to engage injustice issues realize. Michele and Celeste Bundy in 2012 started a free trade fashion business, Fashion & Compassion and you should visit the online store. This was very cool to help her succeed and see her vision grow larger.

Lastly I spoke with another group who wanted our Sembradores training materials that we use in Cuba for a Dominican Republic partnership they are in for evaluation and possible implementation. I sent them to him but will follow up with a proposal that our Cuban trainers go to the Dominican Republic to perform the initial "train the trainers" session. My colleague, Joe Milioni and I want to build a missionary vision in the hearts of the Cuban brothers so as our Sembradores partnership develops a cross-cultural training center in Cuba the can pass this vision onto Cuban who are being called to leave the island and serve in other places. I think this experience will help expand their vision as they realize that they have tangible offerings to the missionary world beyond Cuba. 

This is your investment. This is your joy.

Mark Szymanski
www.mszymanski.com 
mski1957@gmail.com
 
Won’t you please consider joining our financial support team? You can send contributions to: United World Mission, PO Box 602002, Charlotte NC 28260-2002 and write ACCT# 11013 in the memo line. Further info about on-line giving and other programs see www.uwm.org. Thank you to our present supports that allow us to impact the many lives across the planet. Again, THANKS!

 

December 2012 Update ANNUAL REPORT

Working Together Brings Results...

As the end of the year approaches my mind turns to holidays, family and of course stopping and reviewing our work in order to share with you how together we have effectively increased the Kingdom of God. As I do this it is my intention to share with you in hopes that you as friends and supporters will sense God’s hand in our work and how valuable your partnership with us has been.

As you take time to read through this report please know that it would be impossible without you joining with us to accomplish these results. Together, we have been used by God to expand his kingdom, see hope come to thousands, and new futures created for many, many lives.

Personal: This year has been exceptionally hard, as we have arrived at a ministry place where many activities have been divested to others. That’s right we have grown the ministry to the place where we have giving many duties to other people at United World Mission. This transition, though great, was hard. I’ll explain more throughout the report on the deeper steps we are taking post transition.

For many of you who have walked this road (over 14 years as a missionary) with us you know we have three adult kids (two married and one single mom) and five grandchildren. There are several prayer points here as Kristen has been diagnosed with a debilitating disease called Ankylosing spondylitis and Lupus. She is still figuring out what her limitations are and how she will move forward but we as a family are committed to her and Bailey, now 13. 

Recently Matt’s wife, Devon went through successful spinal surgery and is recovering and doing a lot better. Their two kids, Lilly and Scarlett, are now 9 and 3 years old. Matt is working part-time to repair scientific robotic instrumentation and would love full time employment but the economy seems to have dampened this industry sector.  

Jason and Laura have survived the downturn in the economy and their business continues to move forward. Their children, Hannah (9) and Christian (7) love the outdoors and NASCAR. 

Cathy and I have celebrated 35 years of marriage this past July and miss each other more than ever when I travel. It’s great to have all the kids and grandchildren living around us.

Financially: Our ministry account could use some bolstering and this coming year we will have to take time to strengthen it. We have about 60 supporters and are looking for another 25 or so that will allow us to continue strong into the future. If you want to consider this you can email or call me and I will give you specifics about our needs.

Our annual budget is $87,000, which includes salary, taxes, medical, administrative service fees, ministry expenses, travel, etc. We normally have commitments for $50,000 per year and then I find other income like church consultations, etc. to fill in the gap. The $87,000 may sound like a lot but for those of you in business for yourself you know that as a self-employed person (which missionaries technically are) you must pay for everything thus you have both the employers costs as well as the employees cost for taxes, etc. This is the practical reality of being a missionary in today’s world and one the IRS watches.

Ministry: Off loading some responsibilities to other fellow workers allows us to expand and drill down into other areas such as building partnerships between churches, businesses, and talented individuals and international leaders and believers around the world. We have assisted in developing 15 working partnerships from Latin America to Asia. Kevin Mason  and Billy Dempsey are two great colleagues that are very capable and talented.So the team is growing and we are adding a few new faces in 2013 too.

Most of you know that world has changed dramatically from a North American mission movement where the United States was the primary sender of missionaries to a global movement where people from every nation are entering the missionary work force. An example of this is that this year I spent time training a Venezuelan mission director for their denomination. They intend to send people to Panama and Cuba next year and are praying about India in the future. I also bought gas in Venezuela for $.09 a gallon. That's right, 9 cents per gallon!

I will be collaborating on a project to develop a training center in Panama to train Latin American missionaries for the world. We are in discussions with several partners and hope to get started in the fall of 2013. 

In this new era building collaborating partnerships and networks are essential. These collaborative efforts catapult God’s desires for a global church impacting the world to new heights. God’s church is one that is expanding as it worships Him and reaches neighbors with the gospel and holistic needs that confront injustice, poverty, health and educational challenges. We must connect, coordinate, and integrate movements of many people from several nations and organizations across cross-cultural visions and understandings. Each one is like creating a small merger between companies. It takes patience and skill. Here are a few church planting and expansion initiatives we have been working on:

1. Micro Bank: Helping Indian partners institute a micro bank that is lending to the poorest of the poor resulting in families lives and futures being changed, an income stream for their evangelist/church planters, and providing improvements to communities like clean water and education. When you look into the eyes of a person who has been drinking clean water for a month you see the difference. When it is a church that supplies that water your see salvation! The group we partnered with, MEDIC, has more than 250 banks worldwide with 5000 loans in place. I want to help them expand their base of capital in order to continue their holistic church planting efforts. If you want to make an investment in this type of work please let me know.

    2. Church Planter/Leadership Training: The only way the church can grow is through the deliberate development of leaders at every level. In Cuba we have establish a multi-denominational training initiative across  24 denominations. Imagine as you read this new churches are being planted in small homes even though the government tries to stamp out the gospel. Though leaders are harassed, sometimes jailed, and often denied basic needs these courageous leaders continue to build the church. I’m actually looking for more US based businesses, churches and talented individuals to join this partnership as we expand the network… interested? 

     3. Islamification of Europe: This is a term, which refers to the changes we see in Europe. With Muslims moving into Europe in greater numbers they will congregate in communities of like-mindedness. Just as the United States experiences immigration, which produces ethnic communities Europe is made up of the same ethnic community structures but at a much more alarming rate. Several countries soon will teeter on the edge of becoming an Islamic nation (where the Muslim population exceeds the indigenous population) within the next few decades.

This new initiative, which is so sensitive I can’t name it here, is on the move. We have built a database of Islamic groups numbering hundreds of thousands, where they live and whether or not there are any ministries, mission efforts or European national churches engaging them. We are at the point of building profiles and advocating for groups to adopt them for prayer and placement of believers that will live in their communities living out the gospel of Jesus to them and starting new churches. If you or your group want to be an advocate, prayer partner, or perhaps what to move to Europe to live in an Islamic community please, let’s talk.

As I mentioned these partnerships take a lot of time, travel, and ingenuity. As a facilitator I am working across many cultures creating collaboration, mutual respect and genuine relationships. All this effort rises and falls on prayer. Please join us in praying for these efforts. The enemy is real. We have experienced his attacks, but it is worth it.

Cathy and I need you. Please hear that. CATHY AND I NEED YOU. We have enjoyed 14 years of relationship and partnership in the gospel. We have seen thousands of new churches planted each filled with people like Toi, Jose, Angelica, Mohammad, and Tonkunda. We have seen clean water brought to villages, medical care provided and people healed, new futures built by helping establish family and small businesses and helping national churches creating income in order to allow for greater growth. All these efforts result in people finding Jesus, hope and new life. You are a critical part of this effort.

Ever month I tell a story of the work we do on our blog; www.mszymanski.com. This seems to be the most effective way to keep everyone updated. You’ll also note that these updated get posted on Facebook. If you are not getting them just call me, drop me a text (7045170255) or email me at: mski1957@gmail.com.

All of us are human and deal with life situations that are hard but in spite of those we sense the overwhelming hand of God in our lives. Proverbs 17:17 expresses it well; “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” Another verse that I love is Ecclesiastes 4:10; “If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!”

Please know that we are very thankful for your love, friendship, prayer, and support. We are proud to serve with each of you. Please accept this annual report with all our love.

This is your investment. This is your joy. Merry Christmas!

Mark Szymanski
www.mszymanski.com
mski1957@gmail.com

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Won’t you please consider joining our financial support team? You can send contributions to: United World Mission, PO Box 602002, Charlotte NC 28260-2002 and write ACCT# 11013 in the memo line. Further info about on-line giving and other programs see www.uwm.org. Thank you to our present supports that allow us to impact the many lives across the planet. Again, THANKS!

SPECIAL EDITION: CUBA - HURRICANE SANDY RESPONCE

United World Mission is mounting a swift response to the deadly hurricane that struck not only the eastern United States but our partner churches and the people of Cuba.

Many of us personally know family and friends who have suffered devastating losses. Lending a hand is what we are all about as believers. As we help those within our own communities, we are asking that you consider helping our fellow brothers, sisters and their families rebuild their homes and lives as well as reach out to unbelieving Cuban families.

With at least 69 people dead across the Caribbean and thousands displaced from their homes, an immediate response is needed from the Christian community.
Our Cuban partnership network extends across 24 denominations and several of the leaders have lost their homes.   Despite the loss, they are asking if we can partner together to be a witness to the community.

United World Mission desires to deliver $10,000 to our Cuban Partners in order to assist their humanitarian outreach efforts demonstrating Christ’s love and compassion to those far from God in eastern Cuba.

We need your help to empower our Cuban leaders as they aid these disaster victims. We are asking for financial donations as material imports violate US embargo regulations. Please consider making a special disaster response donation on our secure website, here. Please select "Projects" and then "Cuba: Disaster Relief - 63725."

Also would you consider tweeting this request out to your friends? Click the link below.

	Please select "Projects" and then "Cuba: Disaster Relief - 63725."

More information on our Cuban Partnership Network
Thank you for your sacrifice. Please remember the people of the Cuba in your prayers.

Joe Milioni & Mark Szymanski
Cuba Partnership Coordinators
United World Mission

The Rearview Mirror

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For those who know me I love history, old things and nostalgia. Recently I was driving my 1986 Ford F150 (four speed with no A/C) short bed though the old town of Matthews North Carolina past the hardware store, which has been in business since 1900. The truck is Ford white, an old farm truck with 53,000 miles, cracked vinyl seats with a loose spring, a little loud, big mud tires… some would say it is only missing a gun rack in the back window and it would be pure southern!

As I went over the railroad tracks my rearview mirror fell of the front windshield. I didn’t use it much as I also have two large side mirrors but I got to thinking about the importance of a rearview mirror. As I reflected I began to think back…

Over the years I have met many highly passionate and skilled people whose hard work and love for God has impacted many lives. In September I highlighted FollowOne and this month, November, I want to highlight another, Rightnow.org.

At Rightnow.org, this group of men and women has literally mobilized thousands of people into discovering their place in God’s work by helping them fuse their passion and work together. I can’t recommend them highly enough and right now (no pun intended) you should check them out at Rightnow.org. Since early 2000s we have developed a relationship, which I have enjoyed immensely. We have worked and prayed for significantly impact together over the years.

With much of my recent work focused on helping national believers and organizations set up income generating opportunities within their own country, which fuels their kingdom work. This can only be accomplished as mindsets about business and mission being fused together changes. Rightnow.org has been one of the leaders in this movement. A movement which redefines your work as worship. I invite you to watch the video below.

 

As supporters with Cathy and I over the last several years your partnership has helped establish a banking system in unreached North India with a partnership with MEDIC, which is lending to the poorest of the poor allowing them to redeem not only their souls but also their family’s future. You have also helped to give more than 10 Christian Cubans a chance at expanding the Kingdom of God by allowing them to create greater resources as they started their own businesses.

Together we have helped see churches planted in Vietnam among many minority groups by funding this kingdom expansion though initiating small and medium size business startups.

In the years ahead I hope to tell you more stories as people’s lives are being changed and through collaboration with groups like MEDIC, FollowOne and Rightnow as well as others located in countries like India, Vietnam, Cuba. Heaven will have so many more people in it. You are a part of all this.

This is your investment. This is your joy.

Mark Szymanski
www.mszymanski.com
mski1957@gmail.com

Won’t you please consider joining our financial support team? You can send contributions to: United World Mission, PO Box 602002, Charlotte NC 28260-2002 and write ACCT# 11013 in the memo line. Further info about on-line giving and other programs see www.uwm.org. Thank you to our present supports that allow us to impact the many lives across the planet. Again, THANKS!

A Brief Moment… A brief Opportunity

Opportunities abound to prepare the soil, sow, water, and reap God’s increase. Whether I am in Vietnam, Thailand, Congo, Morocco, England or Chile, it’s about people.

When I was a young believer I felt ministry was something I did. Sometimes it was a place I had to go to in order to do something, sometimes it was a position or job I had to occupy in order to be considered doing real ministry. But as I as I have grown and progressed in life and maturity I have found that what flows out of what I was becoming ministers to people. I don’t have to try to do something or even have to be hired to a role or appointed to a position… I was and am still becoming the image of God on earth to people I meet. Who I am is ministry whether I am far away in another place of the world or right back in Charlotte North Carolina.

This became more real to me recently while I was home between trips. I was working at my daughter’s house installing a ceramic tile floor and had to run to Lowe’s to grab something.

I was near the store when I noticed an elderly woman in a car on the other side of the road with her flashers on. I drove through a parking lot to turn around so I could pull up on her side of the road. Putting on my parking brake I got out of my truck and walked to the car in order to ask if I could help.

As I approached the car my investigative instincts kicked in. A quick look told me something was really wrong. I noticed that the elderly driver was on the cell phone in the driver’s seat and another elderly woman laying in the back seat with an oxygen mask on. When the driver saw me she put the cell phone down and I ask her if she needed help and if the woman laying in the back seat was okay.

The driver (Edie) told me that the lady in the back seat (Carolyn) was her older sister who was in the final stages of cancer and she couldn't take the pain any more. Carolyn begged Edie to take her to the hospital. They got half way and Carolyn couldn’t stand the pain anymore so they pulled over and started calling 911 hoping to get transport the rest of the way to the hospital. They had been sitting there for ten minutes and nobody had stopped and no ambulance had arrived.

Edie was tired and you could see the fear on her face. It was already ten minutes and nobody had come yet. So we called and gave better directions where the car was. As we waited together I was able to pray for them both and stay with them until the ambulance arrived.

This was all so very sad. My heart broke. This was so hard. I was so very glad that God placed me there. As the paramedics transferred Carolyn from the car to the ambulance Carolyn never once complained and even apologized to the paramedics for making them work too hard - she was more concerned for them than herself. She demonstrated grace in a time when she obviously was experiencing pain. 

Just that brief interaction allowed me to sense that God seems to put people together that need each other. This brief interaction helped me to choose to be less selfish and more other centric. I again realized that the opportunities abound all around us all to participate in the harvest.

I am learning that each day is an adventure with God. Because He doesn’t want anyone to be separated from Himself and because He is not physically on this earth, I can wake up every day expecting God to use me. In fact I should live expectantly, in anticipation that He will create a scenario that requires my participation for His glory.

On Tuesday September 4, 2012 I received a note from the family that Carolyn passed. I brief meeting, a brief chance to impact eternity. Live expectantly!

This is your investment. This is your joy.

Mark Szymanski
www.mszymanski.com
mski1957@gmail.com

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