Your IMB E-Letter
Feb. 19, 2014  VIDEO: Outreach continues in Sochi
“It’s just amazing,” reflects one Engage Sochi member as the team continues reaching out at the Olympics. Whether sharing pins, singing to crowds or just talking with people, Engage Sochi team members are inspired by the openness to the Gospel since they’ve been in Sochi.
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Old Glory to the Gospel
An American symbol is leading to biblical encounters.
Singing obedience
The world responds to The Singing Men of Oklahoma at the Sochi Olympics.
Daily updates from the Sochi Winter Olympics
Check daily for the latest photo, quote and prayer request from the Sochi Olympics.  Iraq marks deadliest month in nearly six years; Christians there ‘feel forgotten’
January 2014 was Iraq’s deadliest month in nearly six years. More than 1,000 people died at the hands of gunmen and bombers, with the total already soaring past 200 for the first week of February. “My heart is broken for the people who have had to live through this for 10 or 11 years – they yearn for peace. …” said a Christian leader in the region.
 Syrian children growing up with ‘the sounds of war’
In the eyes of babes glimmer images of some of the most horrific displays of war. Children have watched as they lost family members and as explosions destroyed their schools. Some have experienced physical wounds themselves. More than 5 million Syrian children are affected by the ongoing conflict. Saving the children of war is a crucial task.
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Cup of coffee
Syrian boy selling coffee to survive goes unnoticed (Video) Making dreams come true: Noora’s story (Photo gallery) No direction home: Syrian street children  Baptist pastor flees conflict in South Sudan, desires to return
The world’s newest country fell into chaos Dec. 15 when fighting broke out in Juba. One of the regions that saw the most violence was Upper Nile, where Baptist pastor John Monychol has worked as a church planter for 14 years, planting 11 churches. Monychol took his family to the Uganda border; there he waits to return to Upper Nile to check on his more than 600 church members in the area. “We are united for the kingdom and praying for each other now,” he said.
 WorldView: Rumors of wars
2014 marks the 100th anniversary of the beginning of World War I – “the war to end all wars.” Some historians believe we are entering a similar era of endings and beginnings. How will Christians continue to go into the world, declare the Gospel and make disciples, as yet another era of upheaval unfolds? There are as many answers as there are nations, cultures and peoples. But retreat is not one of them.
Visit WorldView Conversation, the blog related to this column.
 California pastor finds divine plan through Tanzanian funeral
Our goal for this trip was to pass out Bibles to those who memorized verses, to teach them how to study the Bible and to evangelize. Needless to say, our plans were thwarted by a funeral. My first response was, “God, You are in charge of life and death. Could this really not have waited until the week after we came?” But God’s plans are a whole lot better than our plans.
 AIDS-stricken township receives hope through One Life project
Located on the outskirts of Johannesburg, Tshepisong is home to 50,000 residents. It is a poor area made up of government-built housing and shacks. The township is filled with poverty and crime, and HIV/AIDS plagues much of the community. There are not enough medical supplies within the community to meet patient needs. The ‘One Community’ project brings hope.
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(Video) South Africa’s orphans forced to grow up too fast
(Infographic) U.S. volunteers, local workers impact South Africa township
 In Bangladesh, tornado relief leads to salvation
The relief team distributed enough rice and vegetables to feed 2,300 villagers affected by the tornado for one week. Still, Madan Ghosh (name changed) was upset and told them to get out. But Ghosh, who feared the intervention of “outsiders,” saw the love of Christ in their efforts. Nearly 2,000 people heard the Gospel that day. Ghosh was one of them.
 Long haul recovery in the Philippines
Baptist Global Response is continuing relief efforts in the Philippines, a nation is still recovering from Typhoon Haiyan’s devastating effects last November. Baptist state conventions in the U.S. are adopting islands, provinces and cities. BGR and IMB workers throughout the islands are praying for the nation to heal but they are also praying for heart transformations.
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Rebuilding an island
Volunteers from the Missouri Baptist Convention journeyed to Gibitngil as part of continuing relief efforts. How you can help
Ways you can help: Rebuilding in the Philippines will be a long process. We have three ways that you can be involved. Making a way
Baptist Global Response continues to help islanders in the Philippines rebuild and restore their communities and livelihoods.
 Speak up against human exploitation
Read, hear and see the stories behind the statistics of human exploitation and discover how you can speak up against it.
 Take a virtual prayerwalk for the unengaged, unreached
Unengaged, unreached people groups represent approximately 207 million people globally. Join others in prayer for those untouched by the Gospel. Visit prayerthreads.imb.org and click on the UUPG Virtual Prayerwalk button. Check back often for updates.
 Postcards of NAME peoples
Beautiful images of the faces of Northern African and Middle Eastern peoples are displayed on postcards. Hand them out to your friends, hang them on a wall or pass them out at events. The postcards come in sets of six and include links to learn more.
Also check out these postcards of the Desert peoples.  NAME map
This creatively designed poster-size map includes people group names within the country borders that make up Northern African and Middle Eastern (NAME) peoples. Use the map for personal or group prayer as you hang it in your office, Sunday School classroom or home.
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