International Teams Canada - Newswire

A Strong Sense of Place

canada@iteams.org (International Teams Canada)

February 1, 2010:

Enoka Dumo (50) was born to Sudanese parents in the Adjumani refugee camp in northern Uganda during the war. When Enoka's children grew up, they applied for refugee status in Australia and escaped the camp. Enoka, however, turned down the offer. He believes he is called to lead his people.

Enoka is the national leader of Impact Southern Sudan and the Director of SERM, an International Teams partner organization that equips and trains pastors. International Teams provided SERM with bicycles that they use to deliver the gospel to neighbouring villages and tribes. In addition, with the help of International Teams, Enoka is building schools for his people in Kajo Keji, Southern Sudan.

In thousands of villages across Africa, children fortunate enough to afford uniforms attend mud-walled schools with straw roofs. Every year during the rainy season the entire structure is weakened or often washed away and must be rebuilt.

With the help of International Teams, Enoka is rebuilding schools out of solid brick with galvanized steel roofs.

The government and local leaders have even started to take notice. Nevertheless, in spite of being a respected elder in his community, every weekend Enoka crosses the border back into Uganda to his home in the Adjumani refugee camp. Enoka's strong sense of place and commitment to his people keeps him in Kajo Keji and Adjumani building schools, preaching the gospel and leading his people.

You can help Enoka build schools in Southern Sudan. To donate to this great program, go to https://secure.e2rm.com/registrant/donate.aspx?EventID=26061&LangPref=en-CA.

International Teams Intern: 'It's a Great Life'

canada@iteams.org (International Teams Canada)

January 12, 2010:

"Being an intern with International Teams has changed me in a million ways," said Intern, Julia Clark. "I'm more thankful for the great way that I was raised. I see things that I took for granted. I have more of a desire to get involved with God's kingdom work globally."

Julia has worked with refugees in Kenya since 2006 as part of a multi-national team composed of Canadian, Kenyan, Filipina, Nigerian, and American workers.

Julia's team conducts literacy, ESL, Bible studies and sewing classes. They offer counseling, organize community development projects and advocate on behalf of refugees, primarily women and children. They raise money for student scholarships, uniforms, books and lunches. The team serves refugees from Ethiopia, Sudan, Eritrea, Congo and the Great Lakes region of eastern Africa.

"I feel very blessed to be able to work as an intern in Kenya. To go where God leads is the beginning of a great adventure and the best place you could be in. I'm a relational person so working in Kenya and meeting people--it's a great life."

Grindstone Church Team to Visit Uganda

canada@iteams.org (International Teams Canada)

January 5, 2010: Impact Uganda Leader Dave Adams will lead a team of 6 from Grindstone Church in Waterdown on their first ITCA missions trip to Uganda departing January 11.

The team will consist of Associate Pastor of Discipleship and Teaching, Matt Pamplin; Elder, Doug Veenstra; Paul Dear; Judi Martin; Irene Boonstra and Dave Adam's wife, Jennifer Adams. Gary Sharpe, Director of International Programs will also accompany the team. The Grindstone team will explore the possibility of a strategic partnership with Impact Uganda's national leader, Anne Mwangi.

During their inaugural visit, the Grindstone team will meet Anne for the first time and participate in the ministries she leads. They will teach at the ILTP (International Leadership Training Program) school, minister at the refugee ministry women's group, and serve in the children's feeding program.

A large amount of donated clothing will be distributed including 100 soccer uniforms. In addition, 25 backpacks and a digital camera have also been donated.

Two of the team members with construction experience will work on renovations and general repair in the ILTP building.

"This is a wonderful example of how International Teams helps churches help the poor," Adams said. "International Teams is brokering the relationship between a well-resourced Canadian church and a fledgling ministry to marginalized people in Uganda."

Donations to Impact Uganda can be made by visiting http://bit.ly/3Dy4qs.

Merry Christmas

canada@iteams.org (International Teams Canada)

December 27, 2009: Merry Christmas and best wishes for a peaceful, holy New Year.

In Pope Benedict XVI's Christmas message this year, he specifically mentioned the "little flock of Christians" who live in Iraq.

At just 3% of the overall population, Christians in Iraq suffer great persecution from fellow Iraqis who see Christianity as a western, foreign religion.

For example, recently, a Christian doctor in Iraq was kidnapped by an unidentified group. For a month, he was tied blindfolded to a pole and unable to use a washroom or take a shower. Finally, he was released to his family after they paid a ransom for him. This is just one example of the kind of treatment Christians are suffering in Iraq.

We would like to join with Pope Benedict and call all Christians to pray for our Iraqi brothers and sisters in the Lord. For we know that Christ, the Savior of the world, though born in the middle east, sees no boundaries on the Earth that God created.

This fall, International Teams established a new program in Iraq, led by Iraqi-Canadian, Insaf Safou. Impact Iraq is a compassion ministry that cares for refugees and internally displaced people by partnering with home churches, encouraging pastors and Christian workers in existing Iraqi churches, building up marginalized women, and developing income-generating projects for impoverished people.

Please consider helping us as we seek to support and encourage Christians in Iraq. To learn more about Impact Iraq go to http://www.iteams.ca/impact_iraq.php.

May the Savior of the world, grant you a peaceful, holy New Year.

ITCA Establishes New Program In Iraq

canada@iteams.org (International Teams Canada)

December 11, 2009: International Teams is pleased to announce the establishment of a new program, Impact Iraq, led by Iraqi-Canadian Insaf Safou. Impact Iraq is a compassion ministry that helps refugees and internally displaced people by partnering with home churches, encouraging pastors and Christian workers, building up marginalized women, and developing income-generating projects for impoverished people.

As a former refugee, Insaf understands the extreme hardship her people face as IDPs in northern Iraq and in refugee camps in Turkey and surrounding countries.

"I have visited Christians living in the worst possible conditions - with rat holes in the wall and plastic on the roof and yet these people never stop thanking Jesus for what they have. A smile never leaves their faces."

Insaf visits poor Iraqi families door-to-door offering prayer, encouragement, and emotional, spiritual and financial help including delivering baskets of food, clothing and money for medical care. Often Insaf works alongside a small group of Catholic nuns in the Ninevah Plain.

"My goal is to encourage Iraqi Christians that God hasn't forgotten about them. I can't meet everyone's needs but I can do my part. I work to build bridges between North American Iraqi Christians and those still in Iraq."

To learn more click here http://www.iteams.ca/impact_iraq.php.

Impact Philippines Becomes New ITCA Program

canada@iteams.org (International Teams Canada)

October 27, 2009: International Teams is pleased to announce the formation of a new program, Impact Philippines. Led by native Filipino, Andy Busa, this program develops and empowers homeless street children, youth with addictions, and marginalized families to become productive members of society.

In partnership with a local church, Impact Philippines will work with the desperately poor building relationships, encouraging literacy, promoting hygiene and nutrition, establishing income-generating projects and facilitating drop-in centres.

With 80% of the population surviving on less than $2 per day, the average Filipino lives in desperate poverty. Impact Philippines initiates projects that build self-esteem and create hope for children and families who would otherwise despair.

"I believe that Impact Philippines will make a big difference to the urban poor," said Andy Busa, "because our projects are designed to promote empowerment and self-reliance. Not only are we helping alleviate poverty but we are also emphasizing the spiritual and social transformation of Filipinos in order to encourage them to become productive contributors to their communities."

In the Cavite City dumpsite, for example, where 1000 people make their living scrounging through the refuse, International Teams feeds children and offers a literacy program. Women may join a sewing class so that they may become more employable.

"My goal is to partner with churches and other organizations in Canada so that together we can help build the lives of marginalized Filipinos who are living in the most economically depressed communities in the country."

Tragedy in the Philippines

canada@iteams.org (International Teams Canada)

October 9, 2009:

A typhoon recently ripped through the Philippines - devastating the city of Manila by bringing over a month's worth of rain in 12 hours. Some have reported that it is the worst flooding in 50 years.

Our International Teams (ITeams) Philippines National Leader, Pastor Gani, reports the following:

"The floods have subsided but our house looks like a wreck. We have lost all of our appliances and personal belongings. Tons of 'precious garbage' are piling up but the garbage trucks are not coming... What was painful was seeing my cabinet of memorabilia washed up. All my preaching outlines and manuscripts for the past 20 years are gone. My prayer journals that contain a detailed list of my personal prayers and ANSWERS to prayers (details of miracles) were destroyed. Even legal documents were not spared... Fortunately our family is safe and we feel blessed that we have been spared from a possible bigger disaster. But our hearts are broken for the plight of many of our people who lost more from this calamity."

Many of our co-workers have suffered significant property damage. Therefore, we want to respond in their time of urgent need!

We have opened a PHILIPPINES EMERGENCY RELIEF fund to help ITeams workers in the Philippines. All donations will be sent to our ITeams Philippines office, where Pastor Gani and his team will quickly direct funds to those in need.

So many people are desperate for help. Would you be willing to help Pastor Gani begin a new chapter in his prayer journal by being an ANSWER to prayer? We may not be able to prevent such natural disasters, but together we can help alleviate the suffering they cause.

You can help by:

Giving a gift to our PHILIPPINES EMERGENCY RELIEF fund
Praying for our friends and fellow laborers in Manila as they reach out to many while dealing with loss in their own lives
Spread the word about this opportunity to help by forwarding on this email

Listen to Learn Institute and Knox Presbyterian Team Up

canada@iteams.org (International Teams Canada)

June 20, 2009: In downtown Toronto stands a historic and well known city landmark - the large home of the community of Christians who gather together as Knox Presbyterian Church. Established in 1820, Knox has been a dominant voice supporting both a faithful commitment to Biblical teaching and, providing leadership and support to world missions.

International Teams Canada had no formal connection to Knox until 2004 when Bill Fitch introduced and successfully launched Listen to Learn Institute with ITCA. Through our relationship with Bill we came to learn of his deep roots with Knox - and roots there are. From 1955 - 1972 Bill's father, Dr. William Fitch, served as Sr. Pastor of Knox. During his term there Knox World Mission was launched and with it dozens of Knox missionaries were sent around the world.

In late May International Teams Canada began discussions with Knox seeking their partnership with Listen to Learn Institute and last week Knox World Missions confirmed their very generous monthly leadership gift.

Neil Ostrander, CEO of International Teams Canada responded to this announcement in a recent email. "Our commitment to the church is central to our calling and identity as an organization. So, to be partnered with one of Canada's leading evangelical voices and to gain their support for this critical commitment to pastoral training is both a great encouragment and a great honour. We are thankful to the Lord for their timely decision".

Listen to Learn recently celebrated the successful launch of a new student cohort in Mutunda, Kenya when 45 pastors were registered for the two year program of biblical studies. In the next three years and estimated 1200 pastors will be enrolled in the program. bc

Ride for Refugees to offer 'Spring RIDE Date" in 2010

canada@iteams.org (International Teams Canada)

May 16, 2009: May 16, 2009 - For cities in Canada, USA and Australia who prefer to host the Ride for Refugees event earlier in the year, International Teams Canada recently announced a May 15th, 2010 Spring RIDE date.

Mika Takamaki, Director of RIDE site development commented on the new offering in a recent phone discussion:

"The RIDE date in October has worked very well and many of our site locations prefer that timing. But, this May 15th date will give more cities the flexibility to chose a date that works best for them. Fall or Spring - they can choose. Cities like Winnipeg, Edmonton and Calgary will embrace the warmer weather I'm sure."

For 2009 the RIDE changed its date from the third to first Saturday in October. For a number of years the event had skirted some bad weather issues and organizers didn't want to wake up to the snow they faced during the 2006 RIDE or the cold wind during the 2007 event.

Takamaki talked about the decision to move the date this year:

"I was talking to Brian, our RIDE Chair and I said to him, 'The fact is, if there is bad weather on October 3rd most people will shrug it off and chalk it up to poor timing; but if the weather is bad on October 18th, they'll look at us and ask what were we thinking!' "

For more information go to www.rideforrefugees.com

Six Month Reports Now Online

canada@iteams.org (International Teams Canada)

May 7, 2009: May 7, 2009: Six month reports ending December 31, 2008 are now available for most International Teams Canada Impact Program. Friends and partners of ITCA are encouraged to enjoy reading the activity highlights, transformation stories and financial summaries included in each. To locate please click on your international program of choice and scroll down left hand column till you view large icon titled 'reports'.

International Teams Canada is a Christian mission organization that has a program and project approach to serving the poor, disadvantaged and vulnerable in our host countries: Canada, Ecuador, Romania, the Philippines, Rwanda, Uganda, Southern Sudan and Kenya. We focus on refugees, street children and orphans, along with marginalized women. We operate by partnering with local churches who get involved by sending short term teams and by going deeper with a 3-5 year commitment to become engaged in a program. The programs are led by host country program leaders who are involved in all decision making.

For more information please email canada@iteams.org

Ron Johnston Becomes Program Leader

canada@iteams.org (International Teams Canada)

March 12, 2009: Ron Johnston Becomes Program Leader for the new Leadership Development Program in East Africa - International Teams is pleased to announce that Ron Johnston has accepted the position of Program Leader for the new Leadership Development Program in East Africa.

"Ron brings 20 years experience as a pastor, missionary, teacher, trainer and team builder to this new role," CEO Neil Ostrander said.

This cross-regional umbrella program trains and educates Christian leaders by combining conferences with recorded teaching. Ron will develop this program by building on pre-existing ITCA leadership projects: Listen to Learn, the Vivante Pastoral Training in Rwanda, the International Leadership Training Program (ILTP) in Uganda, and leadership training in Southern Sudan.

International Teams Canada Leadership Prepare for Africa Vision Trip

canada@iteams.org (International Teams Canada)

January 28, 2009: International Teams Canada CEO, Neil Ostrander; Chairman of the Board, Gerry Fowler; and Director of Development, Brian Carney, part of a team of 10, will visit four East African program sites, new potential refugee ministry sites, and Listen to Learn's expansive East Africa network. During their travels the team will be capturing footage for the 2009 RIDE for Refugees DVD and for an upcoming 30-minute CTV documentary about the RIDE for Refugees.

Dave Adams Becomes Program Leader for Impact Uganda

canada@iteams.org (International Teams Canada)

January 12, 2009: International Teams Canada is pleased to announce that Senior Pastor of Grindstone Church, Dave Adams, has accepted the position of Program Leader for Impact Uganda.

Dave believes that the Gospel of the Kingdom has a life altering impact everywhere it is shared and received.

"The opportunity for impact in Uganda is huge, partnering together is not just an opportunity it's a must," Pastor Adams said. "Coming alongside fellow pastors through training and support and getting involved with church workers in Uganda by helping the marginalized is our privilege and responsibility."

Based on his own experiences in East Africa, Adams is convinced that involvement in this ministry will be life changing.

"Whether Canadian or Ugandan, the ministry of International Teams in this East African nation is seeing lives transformed as people serve together."