On May 2, 2024, we hosted the Opening Day for the new Mission Office building. We had tents set up on the slab behind the Event Center with tables and chairs along with tables and chairs inside the Event Center (which is not yet finished inside). Around 350 were in attendance. We catered in a great meal and then had a short ceremony giving thanks to God first and then those involved in the building process. Following that we moved to the new building and the Chamber of Commerce brought a ribbon and scissors for our ribbon-cutting ceremony. There was a lot of excitement as we opened the office building, and everyone could walk in and meet our staff at their respective offices and work areas. Everyone loved the new facilities. Glory to God!

The next week we hosted the 12^th Annual Missionary Care Golf Tournament. It was a success. We had the most teams ever participate. We even had to turn a few teams away because the course did not have enough carts for so many players. We raised a little over $30,000. Praise the Lord!

For those on our IMG medical plan, your new ID cards were mailed out by May 20 with the exception being those on hold mail. Please begin using the new ID Cards with the UnitedHealthcare (UHC) logo, effective June 1, 2024. Please remember to destroy and discontinue using the old First Health cards. 

There are no changes to your medical benefits, only the network changed. UHC has one of the largest networks in the United States along with great brand recognition. This change should provide you more healthcare options when looking for providers in the US. 

To those who are stateside, remember to update all your providers and pharmacies the first time you utilize services June 1, 2024, or after. 

For those on the field, filing claims online for reimbursement remains the same. The new ID cards have our IMG direct line available 24/7 along with the Emergency/Evacuation number.

Should you have any questions, or you do not receive you ID cards, reach out to Nancy Gaines in our office for assistance.

We are looking into options for handling your mail that comes through our office. Because of the rising cost to you and to the office, we are looking into possibly scanning most of the mail and emailing it to you. Now, I know some will like this and some will not. There might be some sensitive mail, like bank statements or other things that you want to keep private. So, we are considering multiple ways of handling this. If you have any questions, suggestions, or comments, let me know. Thanks!

I have been reading through Matthew 5 recently. As I came across Matthew 5:11-12, I thought about various issues, attacks, and concerns that many of our missionaries are facing.

Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

My mind went to the thought that the sacrifices you are making and the attacks you are facing will be greatly rewarded in heaven. That is what God promises in these verses. In addition, in Matthew 19:29 Jesus said:

And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

Also, according to Matthew 5:12, we are like those early prophets. They suffered hardships for proclaiming God’s message just like many of you. That’s a pretty good group to be identified with.

Then, I like in Matthew 5:11 where Jesus said, “Blessed are ye, when…” The Greek word translated “when” means “whenever.” So, we won’t always be persecuted, but whenever we are, we will be blessed. Remember, whatever comes our way, God enables us to bear it. (1 Cor. 10:13). He knows our weaknesses and will provide the needed grace and peace for us to endure whatever and whenever.

I admire your steadfast spirit to sacrifice and endure persecution in the present for the sake of eternal blessings in the future. And it is a joy to do so in order that others might experience the same forgiveness of sins and hope of eternity in heaven. Stand strong in the Lord! God is always there with you.

Your friend,

Jon