We Give Praise
It is hard to believe, but we are already in the second month of 2023. It seems like only yesterday that we were celebrating the New Year and also the year of the Rabbit. In this month’s newsletter, we want to look back at 2022 and what has happened at CIM Ministries.
As Pastor Kenny shared in the last newsletter, the year 2022 started with a wedding in Ghana. Our international worker, Janice Wong, got married to Enoch Jabab on January 1, 2022. Along with Pastor Kenny (father of bride), his family, and Tomson Chan (CIM Board of Directors Chairperson), we were able to attend the wedding in Nyankpala, Ghana. It was a simple, yet beautiful outdoor wedding, which combined aspects of a Ghanaian, Western, and even Chinese wedding. There was even a tea pouring ceremony. As this was Tomson’s first trip to Ghana, after the wedding, we had meetings with the Evangelical Church of Ghana’s leadership, visited all nine of our supported church planters, and three village schools. It was a very busy trip, and for myself, an extended trip for I tested positive for COVID-19 and had to stay in Accra for an additional 5 days in quarantine.
With ECG leadership in January, 2022
Receiving a goat and yams after sharing in a village in January, 2022
Receiving a turkey and yams after sharing in a village in January, 2022
Though travel restrictions have been lifted in most parts of the world, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect our ministries. Originally, we were hoping to send STM teams overseas again, but all of our STM trips continue to be on hold in 2022. Our plan, if the Lord permits, is to start sending teams again in 2023. Because of the pandemic, we have also been forced to explore other avenues to be effective in our ministries. Through technology, we have been holding more Zoom meetings for training purposes and looking forward, more emphasis will be on the support, training, and sending out of local pastors in partnership with our local organizations in Ghana, Togo, and Ukraine. Though it has been a different time for ministry for us, we continue to trust God, as we know that He is still in control.
Our international worker, Janice Wong (Jabab), is adjusting to married life and continues her ministries in Ghana. She invests her time discipling and training students, while sharing the gospel with them. She has also purchased a vehicle so it is easier for her to visit our supported church planters and village schools.
Our Togo director, Pastor Matthieu Ayena, travelled to Togo in September-October. One of the main reasons of the trip was to hold a celebration of life for his mother who passed away earlier this year. I also made the trip to Togo to meet with the EGCT leadership to discuss our partnership moving forward. Because of the pandemic it has been hard to be in communication with our Togo partner, EGCT. On this trip, Pastor Matthieu met with local church leadership and helped in the training of pastors.
With Pastor Emmanuel in Nyankpala, Ghana in January 2022
With ECG leadership in Accra, Ghana in October, 2022
With EGCT leadership in Atakpame, Togo in October, 2022
Visitation in Togo
In Ukraine, Pastor Vlad, continues to be in charge of the Roma ministries through House of Mercy. It has been a very difficult year in Ukraine. On February 24, Russia invaded the country. Because of this, thousands of people have died, and millions have fled the country as refugees. CIM has been able to help some of the relief efforts by collecting donations from around the world. Our partners, House of Mercy, has been helping the refugees by providing shelter and meals. They have also been sharing the gospel. Praise God that many of the refugees have accepted Jesus Christ as their Saviour and even got baptized. Because of the war, we have not been able to travel to Ukraine. Travel insurance will not cover areas that are in a war or invasion. Also, it has been very difficult to meet the Roma pastors over Zoom as we did last year. The church where we held the Zoom meetings is now being used to house refugees and it has been difficult to find a venue with stable internet. Despite the invasion, all the pastors whom we support have decided to stay in the country and serve. However, many of leaders of the churches have left as refugees. In the Roma communities that we support, many have also left the country, but they have been replaced by other Romas who have traveled west from regions where the war is more intense. We do not know how long this invasion will continue on for, so we pray for peace in the country and also protection for our House of Mercy friends. We will also explore different ways to enhance our Roma ministries there and possibly other Roma locations we can travel to. As reported in our December, 2022 newsletter, Tomson Chan, along with his wife Lisa traveled to Ukraine in November-December to encourage the House of Mercy staff, help with the refugees where they could and also share the gospel. Praise God that the trip went relatively smooth and they returned safely. Continue to pray for peace in Ukraine as the war continues. It is hard to believe that it has now been one year since the invasion began.
Currently we are supporting 9 pastors and 3 village schools in Ghana and a ministry worker and 5 Roma pastors in Ukraine.
With the ongoing pandemic, and the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, we will continue our emphasis on cross-cultural missions. We have always placed an importance on the training and support of local pastors by sending pastors to teach in Bible school settings, supporting local pastors through scholarships and helping to finance Bible School training courses. Our emphasis will be in the training of these pastors and teachers through various funds and teaching opportunities online through platforms like Zoom.
We look forward to 2023 to see how God will work through us. There are many uncertainties, but one thing never changes. God is in control and for that, we give praise.
Rev. Isaac Quan
Executive Director
CIM Ministries
January Financials
1. General Fund - for general and administrative purposes, such as staff salaries
2. Designated Fund - for specific ministries in different field locations as designated (cannot be transferred between funds)
*All financial figures are in Canadian dollars and rounded to the nearest dollar
Pray With Us:
Please continue to pray for peace in Ukraine. The invasion rages on and innocent lives are lost each day. Pray for House of Mercy as they take care of refugees, physically and spiritually. Pray that there will be donors for our Ukraine Crisis Fund as there are tremendous needs for the refugees.
Pray for the pastors and teachers that we support in Ghana and Togo. Inflation is still greatly affecting their lives. Pray that there will be donors for our benevolent fund so we can help with some of their physical needs.
Pray for CIM USA as they are still looking for an Executive Director as well as a Director of Ministry.