Update from Pastor Vlad
My heart continues to break when I think of the war that is raging on in Ukraine. It has been over two years since Russia launched the invasion and there are no signs of letting up. Supplies and resources are being depleted and some believe that Ukraine will lose because it just doesn’t have the manpower or the resources to match Russia. Through the “Mercy in the Midst of Turmoil” campaign when Pastor Vasya and Pastor Vlad visited Canada, we were able to raise close to $70 000 Canadian. However, the money has been used up in providing the necessities to those on the ground and on the battlefield. The Romas are also suffering during this war. It has been a very tough year for one of our supported Roma pastors, Pastor Ruslan. His daughter passed away from cancer late last year and currently he is in Germany, leaving the Roma church in Piragova without a pastor. But through it all, the Lord is at work. Earlier this month, Pastor Vlad wrote the following update.
First of all, I want to sincerely thank you for praying for us and supporting us every month!
We do not know why, but the Lord still allows us to live and serve in difficult conditions. The longer the war drags on, the more desperate people become. Due to the increase in the number of shelling, people are losing their relatives.
In order to encourage and not lose hope in God, that He reigns and with faith in victory to continue to beg for His mercy, we held an evening of praise and prayer for the churches of the entire Uzhhorod region. Roma leaders and churches were also invited. We praised the Lord and prayed for peace and victory from the Lord.
And of course we have a big challenge in the church in Piragova. Pastor Ruslan went abroad in connection with the mobilization and it is not known when he will return. Therefore, the church was left without a pastor, although Valera serves the church. Therefore, I decided to visit this church more often now, since they were left without a pastor. Together with other leaders, we plan to make a visiting schedule so that each leader can also visit the church on Piragova.
Continue to pray for us, for my family, that we may continue to be consecrated to serve the Roma population.
Pastor Vlad
Our International Worker, Janice returned to Ghana in February after her maternity leave in Canada. She was excited to go back and introduce Baby Lucy to her cousins and the rest of her family. Janice writes monthly updates which may be accessed on our website.
https://www.cimcanada.org/janice-ministry-updates
Rev. Isaac Quan
Executive Director for CIM Ministries
As our funding has been decreasing, Olivia Luong has written a few articles to bring awareness of simple estate planning ideas to CIM donors. The goal is that donors will consider some or all of the strategies in addition to their regular giving.
GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO WILLS AND ESTATE
In Canada, 51% of Canadians do not have a will in place. Of the 49% who do, 31% of them do not have an up-to-date will.
Each province has laws that help those who died intestate by dividing their assets according to a formula and with fixed proportions. There will be no opportunity to gift to loved ones, no systematic releasing of money to children as they move into adulthood, and to give to cherished charitable causes. Sometimes, it will put the spouse and children into financial hardship as it takes months for the appointment of an executor to move through the probate process while the estate remains frozen.
Forbes magazine reports that most estate plans fail due to lack of follow through. People think that their will is done after a quick visit to the lawyers’ office. They did not take the time to ensure the house is under the right kind of ownership (Joint tenant with right of survivorship vs tenant in common), the beneficiaries of their registered accounts and life insurance policies are up to date, and to review the will after every major life event such as marriage, birth of first child and being empty nest.
In the coming months, different topics on effective estate planning. Stay tuned.
March Financials 2024
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:
Pray for guidance and direction in our ministries in Togo. Pray for Pastor Matthieu’s family as he embarks on the next chapter of his life.
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 for Pastor Vlad as he ministers to the Romas.
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 the formation of STM teams in 2024.
Pray for Janice in Ghana and the relaunch of the kid’s club in Nyankpala after her maternity leave.
Pray for the finances of CIM Ministries. Pray for new donors and a healthy general fund to run our ministries. In order to run our ministries effectively, we are currently seeking monthly donors. Click here to donate.
Pray for CIM USA as they are still looking an Executive Director and Director of Ministry.