Page 14 - PC Issue 14 Summer 2020
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14
PRESBYTERIAN
SUMMER 2020
presbyterian.ca
Connection
INTERNATIONAL
The Rev. Dr. Paul McLean
     The Rev. Jeanie Lee
Nora Martin and Steve McInnis
Mission Staff in 2020
By the Rev. Glynis Williams, International Ministries
We call them the “living links,” the individuals and families who sense an urge to leave home and discover God’s realm outside Canada. They experience the Spirit calling them to learn what faith and life are like in a different environment. They share their skills and learn new ways of worshipping and being the church. Most often, friendships form that continue long after leaving. And the astonishing diversity of the body of Christ is revealed.
Who would have imagined that the lives of most of the Presbyterian mission staff—serving in Hungary, Malawi, Taiwan and Japan—would be abruptly uprooted by a global pan- demic? Below is an update of their situations in the time of COVID-19.
The Rev. Jeanie Lee was serving in Budapest, Hungary, in a refugee ministry called Kalunba Social Ser- vices, the implementing par tner of the Reformed Church in Hungary. Jeanie had only arrived in November 2019 and was just starting to find her role in this often unpredictable environ- ment. As a former fashion designer, she was teaching tailoring skills to refugees, but Jeanie noticed that they
were eager to talk and be listened to as well, even with the language bar- rier. Her pastoral presence drew many refugees to her. Jeanie also wor- shipped with many of the refugees at the Scottish Mission Church, where they feel welcomed. Jeanie was given only two days’ notice that she was to return to Canada. On March 21, she left Hungary and presently lives in the PCC mission residence. She has been spending her time there making face masks. She is worried about her refu- gee friends in Hungary as they face discrimination toward “foreigners,” but she looks forward to reuniting with them in Budapest.
Nora Martin and Steve McIn- nis arrived in Toronto after leaving Blantyre, Malawi, on March 23. Their 11-month volunteer assignment as teachers officially began in January 2020. They are the first international couple appointed to teach at the Chichiri Prison school, an initiative endorsed by the prison wardens. Nora taught English and Steve taught mathematics and chemistry.
Nora and Steve were supported by three dedicated volunteers of the Friends of Prisons, who visit 20 prisons weekly. The majority of the teachers at the prison school are in- mates, some of whom are well edu-
cated, raising the question of why so many are imprisoned. To this, Steve was told that prisons are crowded because even a minor offense such as stealing a cell phone can result in a long-term sentence, and few peo- ple are able to afford a lawyer. Nora and Steve had just begun to under- stand the challenges of this deeply religious country before having to leave, and hope that they can return someday.
The Rev. Dr. Blair and Vivian Bertrand, and their three children, were appointed in September 2017, to the Blantyre Synod of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian. They were scheduled to return to Canada in August 2020, but when the presi- dent closed the borders of Malawi abruptly, they were required to leave within two days, on March 29. For al- most three years, Blair has taught at the Zomba Theological College, pre- paring women and men for congre- gational ministry and supporting PhD candidates, who are also lecturers at the college. Blair worked with Theo- logical Education by Extension in Malawi, offering education for school teachers, prisoners, elders and oth- ers who are eager to understand the Bible. Blair also supported the work of the Synod Youth Department. Viv-
ian worked with Churches Action in Relief and Development. When Cy- clone Idai hit Malawi in March 2019, Vivian’s relief and fundraising efforts and first-hand stories were greatly valued. Blair and Vivian maintain close contact with their partners. They will not be returning to full-time work in Malawi, but other options are being considered.
The Rev. Dr. Paul McLean is a Bible Translation Adviser based in Canada, who travels to Taiwan quarterly. He works with nine dedi- cated Indigenous teams, translat- ing the Bible into their Indigenous languages. Paul returned to Canada from his first five-week trip in 2020 on March 7, and voluntarily went into quarantine at home. Paul noted that there has been a marked contrast in the spread of coronavirus in China, Japan and Korea compared to that of Taiwan and its successful protec- tion of citizens against the spread. He maintains regular contact with the teams in Taiwan, using special- ized software. The Bible Society in Taiwan and the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan, together with the PCC, will make decisions concerning upcom- ing travel to Taiwan.
Louise Gamble is safe in Taiwan, working with her colleague, Chen
The Rev. Dr. Blair and Vivian Bertrand
Louise Gamble
David McIntosh
Kuan-chou (James Chen) on tran- scribing and translating the reports and correspondence of the Canadian Presbyterian North Formosa (Taiwan) Mission. This includes over 7,000 documents from 1868 to 1923. Hav- ing completed this enormous task requiring many years, Louise will re- turn to Canada this summer.
David McIntosh serves the Kore- an Christian Church in Japan (KCCJ), as the co-director of the Center for Minority Issues and Mission (CMIM). This mission is jointly supported by The Presbyterian Church in Canada and The United Church of Canada. His home is in Japan.
The mission staff are safe in Can- ada, which is not the reality in every country, particularly Malawi. Please pray for their friends and colleagues, so we can all be the living links.
To learn more about PCC mission staff, please read their blogs at pccweb.ca/missionblog.
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