RMM News Bulletin

(From July 2006 Mosaic) The annual conference of Conservative Mennonite Conference, which will be held July 27-30 in Plain City, Ohio, will include several RMM-planned events.
Taste of Missions (Thursday, July 27, 7:00 p.m.) This program is a great chance to hear testimonies of God’s work around the world as RMM missionaries share stories from their ministries. The tentative schedule includes an introduction of new RMM workers, a testimony from a Costa Rican man who found Jesus through the ministry of RMM workers, and an update on an exciting partnership between RMM and the Latin American conferences to send workers to Thailand.
Missions Day (Sunday, July 30, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.) This Sunday-morning service will focus on our involvement in bringing glory to God through the spread of the gospel. It will include worship, a two-part missions sermon from Henry Mulandi (Director of African Christian Missions International in Thika, Kenya), the 2006 Missions Day Offering, and a commissioning service for new and reappointed workers.

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(From the July 2006 Mosaic) An RMM missionary family and a single missionary intern have been forced to leave Uzbekistan as part of that country’s increased crackdown on religious activity and western non-governmental organizations. The workers were employees of a community-development organization. The family had lived in the country since 2000 and the intern had joined them in September 2005. In early June the legality of the organization was challenged in court by the Uzbek government. The family made plans to leave the country by the end of the month and will return to North America to evaluate their options for continued ministry with RMM.

In May of this year the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom once again included Uzbekistan in its list of countries that “have engaged in or tolerated particularly severe violations of religious freedom” in the past year. In the commission’s annual report, which is sent to the U.S. Secretary of State, they noted an Uzbek law that “severely limits the ability of religious communities to function.”

The RMM workers leave behind a small group of believers who have been meeting regularly for Bible study and worship.

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(From the July 2006 Mosaic) May and June were months of transition for RMM as a number of workers completed their assignments and new staff were hired:

• The North Africa and Gambia REACH teams returned from their outreach locations.
• Rufus and Jeanette Miller and their four daughters completed seven years of service in Manta, Ecuador, working with the Shekinah Foundation.
• Sheila Nolt returned from a missionary intern assignment in Ecuador.
• Adam Maust returned from a missionary intern assignment in East Asia.
• Anthony Fisher returned from a missionary intern assignment in Central Asia.
• Elmer Lehman retired from his part-time position in RMM’s Human Resources department. He had served a total of 45 years with RMM beginning as a church-planter in Costa Rica and then in various administrative positions.
• Ben Ryan began a one-year missionary intern assignment in Thailand.
• Chris Skinner (from Springfield, Ohio) was hired as Creative Director for the Communications Department and administrative assistant to the president.

Posted by RMM Blog Administrator at 01:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

(From the June 2006 Mosaic) RMM has released the annual list of “Special Projects” – specific ministry needs that are funded outside of RMM’s operating budget. These projects provide opportunities for individuals, small groups, Sunday school classes, etc. to contribute towards a very practical and specific need at an RMM ministry location. This year’s list includes evangelistic outreach in Bangladesh, building projects in Latin America, and funding for an exploratory trip to Nepal. Check out the online version of Special Projects 2006.

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(From the May 2006 Mosaic) Increase your family’s world awareness as you prepare and eat this Ecuadorian meal. These recipes from RMM missionary Sheila Nolt, for Pollo en Salsa de Tomate, Ensalada Rusa, Ensalada de Fruta and Dulce Tres Leches, are easy to prepare and use readily available ingredients. Download the recipes (in PDF format).

If you've tried making any of these dishes leave a comment and let us know what you thought.

Posted by Tom & Candice Mast at 03:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)