Heiderich News Brief - February, 2008
posted in Missions, South America |Heiderich News Brief - February, 2008
Family Institute of Latin America Website
Can you help us?
On the other end of the line was Hebert Palomino, responsible for Baptist missionary care in all of South America. He was calling from Chile where he was attending his brother’s funeral and would leave the next day for the US. He shared with me the need for immediate help with one of their missionary families in Brazil. Two assailants had held a family of four hostage in their own home, at gunpoint. For three hours they were bound, threatened, and pistol-whipped as the gunmen tried in vain to get them to tell where all their money was hidden (they had none!). The son had several wounds on his head and the father had suffered a concussion. Dr. Palomina asked if we could help this family deal with this traumatic event.
We were referred to him by friends of ours, Mark and Caron Johnson, regional supervisors for Baptist missionaries in southern Brazil. The family was flown to Curitiba where we spent two intense days with them and the Johnsons administering Critical Incident Debriefing. We had used this type of counseling before with mission teams and had learned how to do it from the staff of Resources for Living, headquarted in Austin, Texas.
We recently received reports from the family that they are recovering well, spiritually, emotionally and physically.
“Can you help us?” Three weeks later it was the Johnsons who called, asking for assistance. Their daughter had been sequestered, along with a friend, by two armed bandits while on vacation. The captors drove their car, with the two teenage girls in the back seat, outside of the city and dropped them off on an abandoned road, physically unharmed. After walking for about 45 minutes the girls happened upon a house and after some time convinced the owners that they needed help.
Once again we gathered at the Johnson’s home where Gail counseled with the daughter while Jerry met with the parents and brother. Ministering to those who minister is a vital aspect of the Lord’s work in Latin America. We are passing on what so many have done for us in nearly 30 years of mission work. We include a letter of gratitude from the Johnsons to all of those who are our partners. Not just financial partners, but those who have trained, supervised and mentored us, with a special nod to so many at Abilene Christian University and Continent of Great Cities.
Thank You:
Dear Jerry & Gail,
Words cannot express how thankful we are for your recent support, encouragement, and assistance in dealing with the two traumatic events within the lives of our missionary colleagues and in our life personally.
The immediate counsel that you two provided within hours of these two different events involving armed robbery, battery and assault, and kidnapping were vital in the healing process for all parties involved. There are very few people such as you who are both professionally qualified and God called and empowered to minister in this way.
We thank God for you and the friendship you have extended to us over the years. And we also wish to thank your support network for recognizing this unique gifting you have and providing you with the resources you need to accomplish this important task. May God continue to richly bless you as you minister here in Brazil.
Mark & Caron Johnson
Southern Baptist Missionaries in Curitiba, Brazil
Other News:
In January we were contracted by Continent of Great Cities to counsel at the annual Missionary Conference held in Canela, Rio Grande do Sul. Dr. John Willis was our speaker and Jerry led two devotionals each day. Angela and Joel have bought a house in Garland (suburb of Dallas) and Gail will be traveling to the US March 4-18 to help with the move. Kris is enjoying his time in Europe and we are all jealous! He has been to Scotland and this weekend will be exploring Spain.