International Initiatives Where We’ve Been—Where We Are

Close your eyes and point to any location on a map...

A ny country you pick will be filled to the brim with lost souls awaiting the comfort of a Savior whose name... no one has mentioned.

Do you want to change the world?

Change happens, one soul at a time, when someone like you takes the initiative to unveil the mystery of the ages.

What It’s About... You can do that through International Initiatives SM, a ministry that provides men and women with the opportunity to be a part of international missions.

Defining Its Purpose... International Initiatives addresses issues affecting women and children through international partnerships.

Where We’ve Been MoldovaCroatia Paris Sri Lanka Olympics Greece Ghana Jamaica

Moldova The first Moldovan partnership focused on the development of Girls in Action ® and Acteens ®. These provided forums for girls to learn about God’s call on their lives and to reach out to others, including orphans and disabled people. Meeting the Need

Croatia Social Issue: Restorative Justice Forgiveness In the 1990s, Croatians turned on each other with violence, resulting in a war that tore the country apart. Villages exist where the men are all dead or maimed from the fighting, and farming is not possible. Many women in Croatia lost family members and are unable to properly care for remaining family members.

Croatia Missionaries in Croatia focused on community development through ProjectMOST, a ministry of International Initiatives that provided animals such as sheep or goats. The recipient received the immediate benefits of the animal and learned how to manage a farm. In this way, Croatian men and women learned self-sufficiency.

Paris Social Issues: Discrimination/Poverty/Violence The Paris partnership focused on immigrants who are isolated, poor, and angry. The area adopted by WMU is an “inner-city” type environment where Taliban-trained men terrorize city dwellers. Muslim girls are also being sodomized by Muslim boys who have started gangs.

● Over 1 million Muslims live and work in greater Paris. ● That’s more than practicing Protestants and Catholics combined. ● Paris is considered a gateway city to spread Christian influence. Paris Understanding the Situation

Olympics Social Issue: Evangelism Olympics are held all over the world. WMU teams partner with volunteers from around the world and More Than Gold to share Christ in Greece, Italy, China, and Canada.

Where We Are Moldova Liberia Jordan Olympics China Jamaica North Korea

Global Resource Services - Hunger The mission of GRS is to go to regions challenged by conflict, looking beyond charity to find real solutions where peace and security are in jeopardy. *Education *Medical Clinics *Water projects

North Korea – Community Development “WMU has helped us drill 4 wells for 100,000 who have no running water and helped us produce 200 tons of soy products to feed 1500 children daily in North Korea.” – Rob Springs, CEO

Jordan—Arab Woman Today Social Issue: Women’s Ministry

Jordan—What AWT is Doing... ●Radio—Teaches moral and spiritual principles, provides information about topics relevant to health, marriage and childcare, etc. These programs air four times/week in 15-minute segments. ●Web site—Geared to younger, literate women who discuss problems through an online forum, engage in Bible study, and discuss their needs with other women. ●Broadcast Arab Woman Today is a media ministry in Jordan. It reaches into 22 Arab countries through several media:

Jordan—What AWT Is Saying... “We feel a great responsibility for turning the face of our dear Arab women toward the Savior, especially the women of the Arab Middle East. [Through AWT] they have the opportunity to hear the gospel message twice a week at their own convenience, while they are performing their traditional role according to their own culture.” –Ruba Abbassi, founder & director, AWT Ministries

China- Poverty

China- Education WMU teams work with elementary students and college students, teaching and practicing English.

Liberia—Ricks Institute Social Issue: War Recovery

Liberia—Offering a “Project: MOST” Experience The Ricks Institute is a K-12 school for children in war- torn Liberia. Similar to Project MOST, Ricks teaches animal husbandry skills to children and families. This enables families to earn a living and escape the effects of war and poverty in their country. Ricks also purchases animals for students, who then receive the immediate benefits (i.e. milk or meat from the offspring).

Liberia—What They’re Learning Liberians are learning to use their God-given gifts to feed themselves. They’re learning to move beyond years of distrust and anguish. And, they’re learning the truth of God’s love within a community of believers.

Liberia—What They’re Leaving Behind... In Liberia, men and women are not only learning animal husbandry skills. They’re also learning leadership and Bible study skills through WMU’s Christian Men’s Job Corps ® and Christian Women’s Job Corps ® ministries. These leaders will carry what they’ve learned to the next generation.

Moldova Beginning of Life Foundation Social Issue: Human Trafficking *Second partnership with Moldova

Social Issue: Human Trafficking Human trafficking is a global industry that exports people into forced prostitution. In many cultures, honor and shame prevent victims from being received back into their families after rescue. The perceived “stain” on the family name often precludes victims from returning home. Moldova is a major train station in the human trafficking industry. Each day, 40 to 50 Moldovan women and girls are sold into forced prostitution. Moldova

Beginning of Life Foundation Beginning of Life Foundation provides: ●Job Skills Training ●Safe accommodations ●Bible study ●Education More importantly, Beginning of Life Foundation is about Redemption.

Beginning of Life Foundation R edemption is the process of buying a person back for her original purpose. That is the heartbeat of Beginning of Life. By redeeming a woman out of the human trafficking industry, we begin to heal the 40 to 50 women and children who are sold into human trafficking every day in Moldova.

Bringing It Full Circle...

Close your eyes and imagine...

Liberians learning skills that will support their families... Women in the Arab world coming to Christ through AWT... Healing for women in Moldova through Beginning of Life Foundation...

You’ve seen where we’ve been and where we are. Your prayers, knowledge about the issues, and gifts to the International Initiatives Fund can help us move into the future.

Send your gift to: WMU Foundation International Initiatives Fund 100 Missionary Ridge Birmingham, AL 35242