today today IN COVENANT WORLD MISSION
God is moving powerfully around the world
and is allowing Covenant missionaries to be
part of this movement.
Serving the
Marginalized in
Thailand
Bob Shim, a doctor and Covenant mission-
ary to Thailand, is working among those that
have been stigmatized by society.
T T
hree years ago, W. had full-blown
AIDS and was sick to the point that
he bought his own coffin and was
waiting for death to come. Just as well, he
thought, because he felt he had no reason
to live with no livelihood, no community,
and no family. He had been separated
from his family and friends due to his
illness.
Yet when W. discovered new life in
Jesus, his life was transformed. Today,
he not only has physical health but a
spiritual joy that many would envy. What
is more amazing, is that he and his wife
S., have provided leadership for an at-
risk community that has now grown to
nearly 500 people in eight regions — all
of whom are HIV-positive.
Covenant missionary Bob Shim is
using his medical training and skills in
community development, to work along-
side this marginalized and impoverished
at-risk community. Through the develop-
Global mission. Local vision.
SPRING2011
A baptism in the at-risk community.
ment work, Bob is building relationships
with several communities. He sees the
public health programs and agricultural
projects as very tangible ways of living
out the gospel and unconditionally dem-
onstrating Jesus’ love.
As basic physical and social needs
are met, a level of trust is established that
gives him and other missionaries access
to deeper, spiritual needs. This becomes
an open door for the Holy Spirit to bring
about a more profound and holistic trans-
formation in the lives of individuals and
a number of communities.
God is working in Thailand today.
Already, over 200 people from the
at-risk community have been baptized
and many more are coming to faith. Bob
says, “We have a strong sense that God is
driving all that is happening. Our role is
to be obedient and sensitive to what He is
already doing.”
IN COVENANT WORLD MISSION
God is moving powerfully around the world
and is allowing Covenant missionaries to be
part of this movement.
Serving the
Marginalized in
Thailand
Bob Shim, a doctor and Covenant mission-
ary to Thailand, is working among those that
have been stigmatized by society.
hree years ago, W. had full-blown
AIDS and was sick to the point that
he bought his own coffin and was
waiting for death to come. Just as well, he
thought, because he felt he had no reason
to live with no livelihood, no community,
and no family. He had been separated
from his family and friends due to his
illness.
Yet when W. discovered new life in
Jesus, his life was transformed. Today,
he not only has physical health but a
spiritual joy that many would envy. What
is more amazing, is that he and his wife
S., have provided leadership for an at-
risk community that has now grown to
nearly 500 people in eight regions — all
of whom are HIV-positive.
Covenant missionary Bob Shim is
using his medical training and skills in
community development, to work along-
side this marginalized and impoverished
at-risk community. Through the develop-
Global mission. Local vision.
SPRING2011
A baptism in the at-risk community.
ment work, Bob is building relationships
with several communities. He sees the
public health programs and agricultural
projects as very tangible ways of living
out the gospel and unconditionally dem-
onstrating Jesus’ love.
As basic physical and social needs
are met, a level of trust is established that
gives him and other missionaries access
to deeper, spiritual needs. This becomes
an open door for the Holy Spirit to bring
about a more profound and holistic trans-
formation in the lives of individuals and
a number of communities.
God is working in Thailand today.
Already, over 200 people from the
at-risk community have been baptized
and many more are coming to faith. Bob
says, “We have a strong sense that God is
driving all that is happening. Our role is
to be obedient and sensitive to what He is
already doing.”
Mentoring Youth
in Mexico
Nils and Erika Clauson are Covenant mis-
sionaries serving at the Foundation for Family
Development (FFD), reaching out to teenagers
in the surrounding communities.
C C
arolina has an alcoholic father
who is physically abusive. David
grew up without a dad and ran
away from home a year ago. David’s
back now, but who knows for how long.  her faith. Erika Clauson has also been
Lucia’s best friend is dating a guy who
is involved in a drug gang. Francisco
has been faithfully attending the youth
club, but will not be able to attend soon
because of work.
These are just some of the teenagers
participating in the youth club at FFD.
Most of the 25 teens in the group live in
the midst of violence and uncertainty in
their communities and lives.
Yet, God is using this ministry to be
a light in the darkness and to offer hope
when there is no reason to believe.
Carolina, her mother, and sisters
have been part of the FFD ministry for
several years. She feels that the youth
group is part of her family. This has
allowed Carolina and her mother to
open up to leaders and friends about the
abuse. The team has prayed with them
and has helped them put together a
safety plan and a place to stay when they
need to be safe.
Since his return after running away,
David has been very active in the youth
club. His aunt was shocked to see him in
the Christmas play, especially because he
was playing the role of a father. Her reac-
tion was due to the fact that David has
lived his whole life being ignored by a
father who abandoned his family.  love of Christ.
Lucia is on fire for God! It is exciting
COVENANT WORLD MISSION
Please consider how you might engage in world mission. Visit CovChurch.org/mission,
email world.mission@covchurch.org or call (773) 784-3000 for more information.
The youth gather for an activity.
for our missionaries to see how she is
learning to pray, read her Bible, and share
discipling her. Although Lucia is so close
to the temptations of power, popularity,
and quick money offered by drug gangs,
this young woman is sharing her faith in
Christ with her friends.
Then there is Francisco, who has
been part of the youth club for three
years. He tried to hold back his disap-
pointment when the meeting time was
changed. He knew he would no longer be
able to attend because he had to work.
This made the ministry team think
creatively about how to keep youth like
Francisco involved. Erika Clauson shares,
“the thought of losing even just one
breaks my heart, as I’m sure it does God’s
as well.”
Please pray for these teenagers and
all the ministries of the FFD. Pray that
the Prince of Peace will continue to bring
hope to the communities and lives of
these young people.
COVENANT MISSIONARY FACTS
129 Covenant missionaries are serving
in 23 countries.
Missionaries participate in a variety of
ministries including community develop-
ment and evangelism, as well as many
other ministries that demonstrate the
Mentoring Youth
in Mexico
Nils and Erika Clauson are Covenant mis-
sionaries serving at the Foundation for Family
Development (FFD), reaching out to teenagers
in the surrounding communities.
arolina has an alcoholic father
who is physically abusive. David
grew up without a dad and ran
away from home a year ago. David’s
back now, but who knows for how long.  her faith. Erika Clauson has also been
Lucia’s best friend is dating a guy who
is involved in a drug gang. Francisco
has been faithfully attending the youth
club, but will not be able to attend soon
because of work.
These are just some of the teenagers
participating in the youth club at FFD.
Most of the 25 teens in the group live in
the midst of violence and uncertainty in
their communities and lives.
Yet, God is using this ministry to be
a light in the darkness and to offer hope
when there is no reason to believe.
Carolina, her mother, and sisters
have been part of the FFD ministry for
several years. She feels that the youth
group is part of her family. This has
allowed Carolina and her mother to
open up to leaders and friends about the
abuse. The team has prayed with them
and has helped them put together a
safety plan and a place to stay when they
need to be safe.
Since his return after running away,
David has been very active in the youth
club. His aunt was shocked to see him in
the Christmas play, especially because he
was playing the role of a father. Her reac-
tion was due to the fact that David has
lived his whole life being ignored by a
father who abandoned his family.  love of Christ.
Lucia is on fire for God! It is exciting
COVENANT WORLD MISSION
Please consider how you might engage in world mission. Visit CovChurch.org/mission,
email world.mission@covchurch.org or call (773) 784-3000 for more information.
The youth gather for an activity.
for our missionaries to see how she is
learning to pray, read her Bible, and share
discipling her. Although Lucia is so close
to the temptations of power, popularity,
and quick money offered by drug gangs,
this young woman is sharing her faith in
Christ with her friends.
Then there is Francisco, who has
been part of the youth club for three
years. He tried to hold back his disap-
pointment when the meeting time was
changed. He knew he would no longer be
able to attend because he had to work.
This made the ministry team think
creatively about how to keep youth like
Francisco involved. Erika Clauson shares,
“the thought of losing even just one
breaks my heart, as I’m sure it does God’s
as well.”
Please pray for these teenagers and
all the ministries of the FFD. Pray that
the Prince of Peace will continue to bring
hope to the communities and lives of
these young people.
COVENANT MISSIONARY FACTS
129 Covenant missionaries are serving
in 23 countries.
Missionaries participate in a variety of
ministries including community develop-
ment and evangelism, as well as many
other ministries that demonstrate the