For 50 years, the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (now known as World Renew) has worked on behalf of the Christian Reformed Church and others to serve those in most in need all over the world. Often, this places World Renew staff in situations of hardship, risk, and even danger. Yet despite these dangers, World Renew remains confident in the protection and security of our God and Father.
On the Road
While North Americans may occasionally experience traffic accidents, transportation carries far greater risks in many developing countries. Roads may be poorly lit and in disrepair. Vehicles often share tight spaces with pedestrians, bicycles, and livestock. And traffic safety measures such as speed limits, traffic lights, and defined lanes may be non-existent.
The World Health Organization estimates that road traffic injuries are responsible for 1.2 million deaths every year, with 90% of those deaths occurring in low and middle-income countries. Over World Renew’s 50-year history, however, while there have been several accidents only two have been fatal to World Renew staff: Hank Abma in Senegal in 1996, and John Hooyer in Uganda in 1990.
“One memorable night, I travelled from Kampala to the east side of the Nile River expecting to meet John coming from the other side of the river in a canoe so that we could go to a team meeting,” recalls World Renew Canada Director, Ida Kaastra Mutoigo. “But when the canoe came, there was no John. Only a man with a note that said: ‘John has died in a motor accident. Ihla [John’s wife] is injured. Go back to Kampala.’”
The experience came as a shock, and cut short a ministry that was reaching Ugandan church leaders on principles of servant leadership. Ihla survived the accident and returned to the United States.
Similarly, Hank Abma died in a tragic car accident in the mid-1990’s, ending his selfless ministry to those in need. His wife, Bev, returned to North America and later served as Director of World Renew’s Disaster Response Services and today head’s up the Foods Resource Bank.
“I am blessed to continue learning from those Hank had such a passion for – those poor in material wealth but rich in spirit in so many contexts of the world,” Bev said.
Violent Uprisings
But traffic accidents aren’t the only risk that World Renew staff members face. All too often, struggles for political command, clashes between ethnic groups, and violent grabs for resources and power have wreaked havoc on impoverished countries. World Renew staff often find themselves in the crosshairs.
All too often, struggles for political command, clashes between ethnic groups, and violent grabs for resources and power have wreaked havoc on impoverished countries. World Renew staff often find themselves in the crosshairs.
While World Renew monitors these situations and evacuates its staff to safety when possible, there have been several times where staff members have lived through harrowing experiences.
“One of the biggest tests to my faith in God and my commitment to the Iteso people came when insecurity started to increase due to rebels and cattle raiders coming down from the northern parts of Uganda,” recalls Mutoigo, who was living and working for World Renew in Uganda in the 1980’s.
One hot October night in 1987, there were rumors that the Karamajong cattle raiders might be coming to the village where Mutoigo lived. At around 9 pm, the sounds of an AK47 began to fill the air.
“As the shooting came closer, I started praying fervently with sweat and tears. I dove into the corner of the room and laid flat during the shooting sprees, even though I had a terrible urge to run and use the latrine outside,” said Mutoigo.
“Shrills of anguish from my neighbors pierced the night air as their loved ones were beaten or killed. Their small, thatched huts burned with a fiery glow in the skyline and the stench of burnt grass was everywhere. I heard cattle hooves frantically pounding the ground as people scurried to escape with their cows.”
A couple hours later, Mutoigo heard voices speaking the Karamajong language outside her window. The raiders were debating whether or not to attack her home, but one of them argued that a muzungu (foreigner) probably lived there and if they attacked a visitor to their country they would be cursed.
Mutoigo’s conversations with God that night became pivotal for her life and service with World Renew. She was confronted with two fundamental, direction-setting questions: Did she really believe God was her comfort even in death? Did she really love God’s people in Uganda so much that she was willing to die with them?
“As the first rays of dawn appeared the next day, I rushed to see the Vision Terudo staff and we hugged each other in a deeper sense of community. Even though we knew there could be stormy times ahead, we agreed to serve with promise and hope because we trusted God’s grace and love alone,” she said.
“Our faith and conviction was that of Romans 8: that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus.”
Kidnappings
Jim Boldenow took similar comfort when he was kidnapped and tortured while serving as a World Renew staff member in Guatemala in 1982. At the time, the country of Guatemala was in political turmoil following a military coup. In a case of mistaken identity, Jim was abducted and tortured for more than 24 hours before being released.
“Three vehicles forced us off the road. Two men armed with fully automatic M-16 rifles jumped out of a dark Suburban. They opened my door and pulled me out, yelling that they would kill me if I resisted,” recalls Boldenow, who was blindfolded, tied, and transported to the edge of a gully. “Even though my vision was restricted, I could see the ground in front of me. A stench came from below, where I could see bodies in what appeared to be a mass grave. I assumed I was at an execution site and that I would soon join those bodies.”
Waiting for the bullet, Jim found himself reciting question and answer one from the Heidelberg Catechism
Waiting for the bullet, Jim found himself reciting question and answer one from the Heidelberg Catechism, “That I, body and soul, both in life and death, am not my own, but belong to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ;…that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can be blown from my head…he assures me of eternal life.”
Boldenow was released 24 hours later after colleagues contacted the US government, who in turn contacted the President of Guatemala who issued the command for Jim's release. However, several other World Renew staff members living in Latin America in those years experienced death threats. Some of them (such as Peter Limburg and Stan DeVoogd) were forced to leave the countries in which they worked in order to keep them safe.
This has a profound impact on those who lived through these experiences.
“The prayer that I uttered when I expected to die was a form of communion with God,” said Boldenow. “Though in mortal terror, I was completely at peace, anticipating eternity. This on-going intimacy with God in prayer is a gift I continue to receive."
Disease
Perhaps the most common threat to World Renew staff around the world, however, is illness. Unsafe drinking water, contaminated food, disease-carrying mosquitos, and other factors can lead to various illnesses.
For many in the developing world, this can be a death sentence. The World Health Organization estimates that 13% of deaths in low-income countries are caused by diarrheal diseases and another 8% by malaria.
While instances of malaria, diarrhea and other ailments have been frequent in World Renew’s 50 year history, staff members have had the benefit of a nutritious diet, access to medication, and even medical evacuation transportation in times of urgent need. Through God’s grace, World Renew has experienced very few health-related deaths.
Each of these people served God whole-heartedly and was committed to helping their neighbors in need around the world.
Those that we have experienced as a result of cancer, infection and heart attacks, and have been felt deeply. This includes:
- Bob Comer (1994)
- Al Besselsen (2003)
- Joetique Lamigo (2009)
- Bob Reed (2010)
- Zakka Chomock (2011)
- John Orkar (2012)
- Phil Westra (2012)
God’s Grace is Sufficient
Yes, there have been some dark and hard times in the five decades of World Renew’s ministry. Partner staff have died. Natural disasters have wiped out community successes. Our own staff have had to pull out of dangerous situations and leave friends and colleagues behind. Yet, through all of these dark and harrowing experiences, God has been faithful.
“Time and again, God’s comfort has come through like a bright moon radiating its light,” said Mutoigo. “We’ve felt assured of His protection and have taken comfort in Bible verses such as John 8:12 where Jesus said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life’ and Matthew 5:16 that says ‘In the same way, let your light shine before men that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.’ I praise God for people like John, Hank, Bob, Al, Joe, Bob, Zakka, John, and Phil who reflected the light of Christ’s love during their lives, and whose legacy lives on in the communities they served. I also thank God for the amazing way He continues to protect all of our staff all over the world.”