Ministry Projects

North Pacific Conference Women Ministries 2008 Ministry Project: Mongolia Ministry with the Sedores

We are honored to support Jim and Liz Sedore's ministry to Mongolia as the NPC WM 2008 Annual Ministry Project. You may have heard Liz speak at Triennial XII in Chicago and at the 2007 NPC WM Retreat at Cascades Camp.We admire and support her commitment to work with women in Mongolia in the areas of discipleship and recovery.
As you will read in the Sedore update below, Liz and Jim are very busy speaking to Covenant churches, offering the opportunity to help them reach their require support goal. May we encourage each WM group to adopt the NPC WM 2008 Annual Ministry Project: Mongolia Ministry with the Sedores with your prayer and financial support.

Update 2008 May 07

Dear friends:

Wear the world like a loose garment, which touches us in a few places and there lightly.Saint Francis of Assisi

When we die, we leave everything behind (except our saved family and friends). Last week I retired from the WA State Dept of Natural Resources. The DNR has been a big part of my “world” for the last 33 years. Sometimes I made my job my first priority. In many cases, that was foolish. Fortunately my last job was all about keeping people safe and that is a worthy priority. But someone else will do that now and could have done that job in the past. So what is my priority now?

Some of the last words Jesus said to his disciples were, “you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." This should always be our priority (“you will be my witnesses”). Now Liz & I have a different target audience (Mongolia).

Follow up on prayers requests from 2008.04.08. Thanks for praying:

	Jim had many opportunities to share what God is doing during his last month at the DNR.
	Liz and I continue to make Bible study a priority. Liz is focusing on Andrew Murray’s book “Humility & Absolute Surrender.” Jim is reading Dallas Willard’s book “Revolution of Character” and studying Romans 5.
	The 1June Send-Off service will focus on what Jesus is doing thru his people in more than a dozen countries.
	Through a supporter, we reserved standby plane tickets to Colorado for language training. We also bought two 1-way tickets to Mongolia for $2800. We leave on 11 June.
	Liz had one last blood test on 28May and it was good. Now we need to find a safe clinic in Mongolia or Beijing for follow up tests every 6 months.
	In April, we had wonderful times celebrating what God is doing in Mongolia and here. Olympia – April 5, 13, 27. Tacoma – April 25. Richland – Apr 27.

Logistics:

	We have updated our wills and power of attorney.
	JCS has arranged for us to move into the apartment of a missionary who will be away from Mongolia for 2 months. We can stay there while we find our own apartment and furnish it.
	We have enrolled in Mongolian language school. We begin classes 3 days after we arrive.
	Covenant has enrolled us in the mission’s medical plan and they promise to start sending us support by the end of May.

Prayer Requests:

	Keeping Jesus kingdom as our first priority.
	Dust Storms in Mongolia have damaged homes, schools and power lines.
	Visas – We do not have our student visas yet and the recent terrible wind storms in Asia have delayed things. We must have the visas before we leave.
	12-23May - Language acquisition training in Colorado.
	Faithful prayer and financial support from people and churches who have pledged to support us.
	Learning to “wear the world loosely” as we let go of our daughter, our extended family, our church, our home, our job and our routines. (Too many “ours") We need to figure out how much stuff we must take and how to get it there if it exceeds the flight baggage limitations.

Coming up. Join us if you can:

	12-23 May – Language school in Colorado
	01Jun – Sunday at 3pm – Send off service at Grace Community Covenant, Olympia, WA
	11Jun – Fly to Mongolia

Check out our blog at http://www.LJMonGO.blogspot.com for some AMAZING STORIES.

Blessed by Him & you,
Jim & Liz Sedore LizardGym@ReachOne.com 360.754.7902<.p>

Update: 2008 April 10

Dear friends: We

may get the impression that ‘counting the cost’ of following Jesus is discovering how terrible and painful that cost is. But to count the cost is to take in consideration both the losses and the gains of all possible courses of action and to see which is most beneficial. …discipleship would appear to be the only reasonable path.” Revolution of Character by Dallas Willard

How quickly I forget the “gains” which significantly surpass the losses. This month:

	Liz’s sister, DeeAnna, had an emergency hysterectomy and they found no cancer. She is
	recovering well.
	JoAnn, a new friend from church, met with Liz & DeeAnna and offered to help care for their mother, Delores. JoAnn has a lot of experience caring for disabled people and Delores is looking forward to the new relationship. This is a big answer to prayer.
	And all of you have been so encouraging and supportive. Still more people and 1 more church have told us they want to partner with us.

Follow up on prayers requests from 2008.03.10:

	DeeAnna’s surgery on 18Mar was successful with no sign of cancer.
	Liz, has been healthy while caring for DeeAnna & Delores.
	Raina was hired as Adult Services fulltime librarian in Shelton and she began this work on 1April.
	We spoke to 6 groups since our last newsletter.
	We had a wonderful Easter celebration with Jim’s family in Richland, WA and Central United Protestant where they interviewed us at all 3 Easter services. The congregation bought a Mongolian flag for the front of the worship area.

Prayer requests:

	That Jim will demonstrate Christ-like servant-leadership as he retires from the DNR this month.
	That we will put Jesus and others first as we complete the long list of tasks to be done before we leave.
	That the planning for the 1June Send-Off service would focus on Jesus and not us.
	For cheap plane tickets to Colorado for language training and two 1-way tickets to Mongolia.
	For the new Executive Director of Joint Christian Services (JCS) Mongolia, Dr. Kwai Lin Stephens (OMF) as she begins leading JCS on 1June. Kwai Lin and her husband, Bill, have served with JCS in Mongolia for quite a few years. Kwai Lin was the president of Union Bible Training Centre (now Union Bible Theological College) for a number of years.

Coming up. Join us if you can:

	25Apr – Liz speaks to North Pacific Covenant Women at the Annual conference luncheon in Tacoma, WA.
	25Apr – The WA State Dept of Natural Resources hosts a retirement open house from 2-4 for Jim.
	27Apr – At 9 & 11am, Jim & Liz celebrate with Central United Protestant of Richland, WA as they adopt Mongolia as one of their mission fields.
	27Apr – At 6pm we accept a mission support gift from Good Shepherd Lutheran – Olympia WA.
	30Apr – J’s last work day at DNR.
	12-23 May – Language school in Colorado
	01Jun – Sunday at 3pm – Send off service at Grace Community Covenant, Olympia, WA
	12Jun? – Fly to Mongolia

Check out our blog at http://www.LJMonGO.blogspot.com for some AMAZING STORIES.

Blessed by Him & you, Jim & Liz Sedore LizardGym@ReachOne.com 360.754.7902

Dear friends: 2008 February01 – Sedore/Mongolia

I have found that there are three stages in every great work of God:
First, it is impossible.
Then, it is difficult.
Then, it is done.”
Hudson Taylor http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Hudson_Taylor

A few years ago, the likelihood that we would move to Mongolia was impossible. We’re not equipped. What would we do? How could we afford it? What about our daughter, parents, home, health and language?And it has been difficult. We never expected Liz to become sick or Jim’s siblings to die or the amount of work it takes to raise support, attend required training, complete applications and prepare to leave the country for 6+ years. And when we falter or doubt, it is not because God is too weak or insufficient. In fact, we re-learn that God is in control. He reminds me that “It’s not about me.”

Follow up on prayers requests from 2008.01.06:

	Jim’s interview w/ JCS on 18-19Jan See our blog for stories about surprises that weekend http://www.ljmongo.blogspot.com. The interview was good. I am very impressed by the Search Committee for JCS, even by conference-call between Colorado and Mongolia. We will hear their decision around 21Feb. Tonight the chairperson emailed me and said, We were impressed with your qualifications, passion, stance of humility and willingness to learn, and with the valuable contribution that Liz brings to your ministry as a couple.”
	Liz’s mother, Delores. Liz spent extra time with her mother this month and we are so grateful for Dee Anna, Liz’s sister, who is doing a great job of helping her mother.
	Fresh inspiration. We struggled while preparing to speak on 17Jan at Grace Covenant, but we were blessed. Many friends prayed for us and we celebrated what God has done by telling everyone about His faithfulness. Sharing becomes a time to remember. (Joshua 4: 6)

Prayer requests - Please pray for:

	Liz’s oncology exam – 12Feb
	Close times with our daughter Raina – It is going to be difficult for us to separate.
	Many presentations (see “Coming up” below)
	Support – We are at 70% now and we need 100% before we leave
	“Finishing the (work) race” – Preparing to retire from the DNR with a strong witness
	JCS Search Committee selection of a volunteer Executive Director

Coming up. Join us if you can:

	13Feb – Liz speaks at the Grace Women’s fellowship in Olympia, WA
	14Feb – Speak to the Seniors fellowship at Olympia, WA
	17Feb – Speak at Harbor Covenant – Gig Harbor, WA
	24Feb – Speak at Arlington Covenant – Arlington, WA
	1Mar – Speak at the Covenant North Pacific Conference Missions Conference “Crossing Borders” at First Covenant in Seattle, WA
	2Mar – Speak at Irvington Covenant – Portland, OR
	9Mar – Speak at Crossroads Covenant – Yelm, WA
	16Mar – Speak at Praise Covenant – Tacoma, WA
	23Mar (Easter) – Speak at Central United Protestant – Richland, WA
	28Mar – J’s last day at work (DNR)
	29Mar – Fly to Colorado Springs, CO
	30Mar – Speak at Castle Rock, CO or Arvada, CO
	31Mar – Begin language acquisition training in Palmer Lake, CO
	6Apr – Speak at Castle Rock, CO or Arvada, CO
	11Apr – Fly home to Olympia, WA
	27Apr afternoon – Send off service at Grace, Olympia, WA
	29Apr? – Fly to Mongolia

Check out our blog at http://www.LJMonGO.blogspot.com for pictures and updated news.


Jim with Camels	The Trio in their hats	Sedores in Mongolia

	Liz with girls and Cashmere goat

Blessed by Him & you,
Jim & Liz Sedore
LizardGym@ReachOne.com
360.754.7902

Project 2008 "Break the Chains" A partnership addressing human trafficking.

"This is the kind of fast day I'm after: to break the chains of injustice, get rid of exploitation in the workplace, free the oppressed, cancel debts."

(Isaiah 8:6 The Msg.)

Two suggested resources available by going to this link:

The Women Ministries Human Trafficking calendar provides month by month suggestions for becoming more informed and involved in the fight against human trafficking. Consider committing yourself or small group to following the calendar for one year.

"Love's Not For Sale" bookmark.

SLAVERY did not end in the 19th century - it still thrives in the 21st century. The most heinous form of modern-day slavery is commercial sex exploitation. Young women - even very young girls - are imprisoned every year. Forced, coerced or deceived into sex slavery, these women experience the ultimate form of abuse every day.

Human trafficking is growing every year. Of the 600,000-800,000 people who are trafficked across international borders each year, 80% are women and girls. 60% are minors. The majority are enslaved in the sex trade.

How can we engage human trafficking? There are two ways people can respond. The first is through studying the Covenant's web site on human trafficking and becoming aware of the issue. Then read the page entitled "How Can We Be Engaged?" and learn ways to become involved. The second way to respond is through our partnership with two anti-trafficking ministries in India, a notorious center for sex slavery.

	Hindustani Covenant Church is directly ministering to prostitutes in Pune, India, through sharing the love of Christ to those shunned by all.
	International Justice Mission (IJM) is actively rescuing and restoring trafficked people through the judicial system. 100% of our donations to IJM will go to five IJM bureaus freeing slaves in India. Currently it takes approximately $1,000 to free one slave.

Together we can make a difference in the lives of young women in India. Donations may be made payable and sent to: Women Ministries, 5101 N. Francisco Ave., Chicago, IL 60625. Donation brochures may be obtained through the Covenant Bookstore

05/08/08