Curitiba, Brazil

“My life has been greatly enriched by my dear friends and Project Hannah team members as we have worked together to bring Hope to suffering women around the world. Looking back on my own life, I can see God’s plan and purposes being fulfilled behind every experience, every season of my journey. Indeed, His grace never ceases to amaze me!”  

Those words were written by TWR’s Project Hannah (PH) Founder and Global Ministry Director Marli Spieker in her recently published book, “When Hope Wins.” Envision her excitement this past Monday, August 31, when she greeted 45 women from five countries gathered in her hometown of Curitiba, Brazil for the start of the first PH Inter-Americas Forum. The forum continues through Saturday, September 4.  

She has dreamed of this forum for years, and as she addressed the group, she said, “Though there is a language barrier, the Lord understands every word that is spoken. Let’s see what God has in mind for us this week.” The women attending are part of PH’s Women of Hope Portuguese, Spanish and English production teams, and they’ve come together to receive training, encouragement and PH updates. The countries represented include: Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Bolivia and the United States.  

Marli and Edmund Spieker (left front) with Pastor José Carlos of São Paulo, Brazil

Marli introduced her husband Edmund as the “midwife” of Project Hannah. He spoke with great conviction about how very difficult circumstances refine our spiritual walks, and though now some may sow in tears, they will ultimately reap in joy. He will continue to encourage the participants daily with the hope-inspiring message of our identity in Christ as His followers. This is a major emphasis of PH!  

You can follow the sights and activities of the PH Forum in Brazil on TWR’s Facebook page and Project Hannah’s website.  

Photo Credit: TWR Magazine and Web Content Editor Katie Burke

Prior to his 2009 TWR internship opportunity, Ryan Jensen said to me, “I’m excited to expand my knowledge in my vocation, learn about new cultures and the ministry of TWR, and serve the Lord with the abilities He’s given me” (read JudyBlog post: “From Nebraska to the World”). I personally believe his statement was somewhat prophetic. 

Ryan in China

Fast-forward to June, 2010 and Ryan returns as a summer intern with TWR’s Marketing & Communications Department in Cary, North Carolina. His assignment: Create a video which communicates the far-reaching impact of TWR’s Asia ministry from Guam to China and beyond. Along with his sidekick and sweetheart Ansley James (read blog post: “What an Adventure!”), they traveled to Asia in search of a story. As a result, the compelling video Love Asia by Radio was created. Its meaningful message speaks for itself. 

Along the way, the Lord used these experiences mightily in Ryan’s heart and life. Why does this not surprise me? Ryan explains: 

We were so privileged to meet and interview TWR’s listeners in Asia. It was so encouraging to see their faith and how they have remained steadfast despite their persecution. They’re not afraid to let the world know that they’re Christians, and they’re eager for the Word of God. It helped me not to feel as insecure in sharing my faith with others, when these people do it every day despite real persecution. 

Ryan on Guam

It was neat to see the impact that the radio towers in Guam were having on the Asian listeners. Even though we were thousands of miles away, it was amazing to see both the listener end and the broadcasting end of TWR’s ministry content. Through our trips, the real need of these transmitters [two 250,000-watt Thomson transmitters] became evident in the lives of the listeners.

This trip made us rely heavily upon God and His timing, His way of doing things. It brought Ansley and I closer together and gave us the encouragement to live out our faith proudly back home in the States.  

As a senior at Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach, Florida, Ryan will have plenty of opportunities to share what the Lord has been doing in his life. By God’s grace, and through this summer internship, he’s broadened his skills as a videographer, experienced life cross-culturally and learned more about how God reaches the world through TWR. See, his initial comment was prophetic. That sounds like a win-win situation to me! 

Want to set up a “win-win” opportunity for yourself? Start here.

Photo Credits: Ansley James

Charia (rt) and Young Cambodian Girl

TWR missionaries Paul and Kathy Gregowske recently visited a Cambodian orphanage with a group of Sunday school teachers-in-training, accompanied by TWR Cambodia Children’s Ministry Coordinator Charia You. Toward the end of their visit, Charia came to Kathy teary-eyed, but with excitement in her voice. She had just spoken with a young girl whose story she related:

“At the orphanage, a girl ran up to me and hugged me tightly. In tears, the girl said, ‘Sister, I remember you and your team when you came to my village six years ago and taught a Bible story to the children there. After you left that day, I accepted Jesus as my Savior. If you had not been there that day, I would never be here today. I never thought that I would see you again. I’m so happy that the Lord opened the door for you to come to the orphanage today, so that I could meet you and thank you. My parents passed away three years ago, so I was moved to live here in this orphanage. I always thank God for you.’” 

Since 2000, Charia has been working with TWR Cambodia’s children’s ministry. She’s involved in the production of the highly successful, weekly 15-minute children’s program Happy Children’s Garden. More than 1,000 letters are received each month from listeners. In addition, Charia and her team lead a significant outreach ministry to the Cambodian children in the villages. 

To learn more about the Cambodia children’s ministry, click here.

A few days ago, a fellow colleague and friend presented me with a significant gift: the NIV Stewardship Study Bible. Her thought was that this would be a valuable resource in my role as a ministry partner liaison with TWR. After all, I interact on a daily basis with friends of the ministry like you. While perusing its pages, I discovered treasured insights from God’s Word as well as theological resources to encourage me to reflect deeply and act biblically about stewardship, not just in my position at TWR, but in all of life. That’s the key, isn’t it? 

Stewardship is biblical. From Genesis to Revelation, the concepts of ownership, management and responsibility of resources are declared and illustrated. There are rewards for wise management and negative consequences for poor handling, slothfulness and irresponsibility. I realized that I only had to look at Jesus’ parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30 to discover that relationship. 

In a similar parable in Luke 19:12-27, a root issue is revealed in verse 14: “We do not want this man to reign over us.” I asked myself, “Isn’t this my real struggle with stewardship?” I’m unwilling to acknowledge that my Creator and the Sovereign Lord of the universe has a right to hold me accountable for my use of all He has provided for me. As a child of God, I have been entrusted by God with life and resources, and sometimes I think it’s mine to do with as I see fit, at least partially anyway. “At no time in Scripture do we ever read about God relinquishing His ownership of anything He created,” wrote the Study Bible editor. 

I’m grateful for this concluding introductory comment, “Stewardship, in the end, is not just about what we do; it is ultimately about who God is and who he desires us to become. Effective, biblical stewardship is not like a destination on a map, it is rather more like a journey.” So, what are your thoughts about biblical stewardship? How should these Bible-based concepts affect the way we utilize the resources we’ve been given?

Photo Credit: Sufi Nawaz

“I’ve really come to grips with the fact that knowing God and making Him known is the only, the only, thing that matters in this life,” said TWR Marketing & Communications Intern Claire Riss who served this summer with TWR Europe in Vienna, Austria. 

TWR Intern Claire Riss (center) with Friends in Lithuania

Not only am I impressed with Claire’s writing talent (she contributed the July 28, 2010 post to the JudyBlog), her weighty comment reveals an admirable level of spiritual maturity. Her remark was in response to one of the questions I asked her about her summer intern experience: 

What has impressed you the most? 

I think the deepest impression that I’ve taken away from this experience is my new perspective of missions. I’ve always seen missions as this noble “thing” that only the most spiritual people do. Living in the wilderness, leaving friends and family behind—yes, they’re a part of God’s plan for some people and it should never be downplayed, but they’re not the superlative that defines the rest of missions work. The missionaries I’ve met so far are hard-working, faithful, down-to-earth people that have a vision to tell others about our all-loving Father by doing whatever they can to spread that message—whether it’s through technical maintenance, language editing or helping others to raise funds so they, in turn, can help with the vision. All of these areas play an interdependent role to make missions work possible, which is a good reminder for me when I question the value of my work as a “mere journalist.” 

Serving in Europe and working with the people here has been, what I consider, the chance of a lifetime. The Lord has enlightened my heart in so many areas through the relationships I’ve made and the work I’ve seen Him do all around the world. I’ve especially cherished the time I’ve spent with the TWR family in Vienna [Austria] and Bratislava [Slovakia].  

How has the Lord worked in your life through this experience? 

I’ve been reflecting on 1 Corinthians 3:11-15 and really evaluating whether my work will stand the test. That passage kind of makes me sit at my computer screen with my mouth open and my eyes bulging. I’m a visual learner and those words paint a clear picture for me. God is so good and so holy and His work is the only thing worth investing in! 

What would you say to others who are considering an internship with TWR? 

If you think that the Lord may be leading you to work with TWR, then I can tell you that you have an amazing experience ahead of you. You will be refreshed, you will be challenged and you will get to see God’s love in action! Never be afraid to follow after God’s will for your life, no matter what circumstances He calls you to. Many times I have to ask myself, “Claire, why would you be afraid to follow Him? Hasn’t He proven His grace and sovereignty to you? Don’t you know by now that He causes everything to work for the good of those who love Him and to those He calls?” His way is the best and there is no other comparison outside of His will. 

This past May Claire received her B.S. degree from Liberty University in Communications with a specialization in print journalism, so I asked her about her future plans? 

I joke that I tell God He’s lucky that I don’t have big ambitions of my own because it’s easier for Him to use me. But in all sincerity, my future is completely open, which is both terrifying and exciting. I’m terrified that my future is unclear, but excited that I can experience and see God’s will unfold in front of me. I’ve learned not to hold tightly to my plans because they never seem to be as good as God’s…  

Claire has given us much food for thought, wouldn’t you agree? Do you believe God is calling you as He did Claire to consider missions? To explore further, click here.