Exciting new initiatives are in progress with our partners around the world. Because of your faithfulness, we are able to reach farther and more strategically to bring hope for a better future.

THAILAND – OPERATION DAWN

CBM has worked peripherally with Operation Dawn in the past, a Gospel-based drug rehabilitation ministry in Thailand. We are pleased to be formalizing a partnership to help with existing services.

The Golden Triangle is an area in Southeast Asia that encompasses regions bordering Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar. It is widely known for being one of the world’s leading producers of opium and heroin. As a result, drug addiction is a major issue in this region. The support and ministry Operation Dawn provides includes drug rehabilitation, discipleship training, vocational training for recovered addicts, and a place to house and feed addicted women and their children (Samuel’s Home).

Those who are rehabilitated have an opportunity to grow in their faith and obtain employable skills towards a productive future. Some attend Thailand Bethel

Theological Institute (TBTI) and may go on to serve in local churches or drug rehabilitation ministries, sharing from their own experiences. Your support helps ensure textbooks are provided, student scholarships are available, as well as farming tools and seeds to supply food and a means of income.

TOGO – BAPTIST CONVENTION

In Togo, we are partnering with the Togo Baptist Convention to provide capacity building to staff, directors and missionary pastors. These leaders will learn more about field evangelism and integral mission with the hopes of bringing more people to faith and transform local communities through biblical faith in action.Associated activities include evangelism campaigns and improving the living conditions of new Christians in local communities.

INDIA – TRANSFORMING THE LIVES OF WIDOWS

Many women in the Mokokchung District have lost their husbands to political violence, alcoholism, substance abuse and other health issues, particularly cancer.
As widows, they face social stigma and discrimination, and are often unwelcome in cultural activities. Without rights they are not able to access resources left by their husbands (property and inheritance). These women have very few prospects for their future. Without being able to afford sending their children to school, these kids end up participating in activities that later result in anti-social behaviours within society.

The pandemic was especially hard on this community. An imposed curfew, meager harvests and struggles with mental health negatively impacted many widows and their families.

With your help, CBM seeks to bring transformation into the lives of these widows and their children by sharing the Gospel and instilling a new hope for their future. Working alongside our partner, spiritual, economic and social issues will be addressed so that children can get an education and women are able to sufficiently provide for them.

LEBANON – CHILD FRIENDLY SPACES

Over the course of the civil war in Syria, Lebanon has been a place of refuge for those fleeing the violence. According to the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees), Lebanon houses the most refugees per capita with 1.5 million Syrian refugees making up the bulk of that number. Children are the most vulnerable as they deal with trauma and uncertainty in their lives among a host of other issues.

CBM is investing in Child Friendly Spaces (CFS) with our partner, the Lebanese Society for Social and Economic Development (LSESD), so children can have a physical space that offers protection where they can learn, play and socialize with one another. Rented from the local community, such as a church, this space will
help improve their psycho-social well-being by encouraging a sense of routine and normalcy where they can process difficult experiences within a secure environment. It will also help reduce the risk of abuse through child labour, early marriage or sexual exploitation.

In the midst of an unrelenting crisis, this space will allow children to be children. They will be able to participate in games, arts and crafts, music, sports and drama. The CFS team will also help parents support their children with proven curriculum and resources.

TÜRKIYE/SYRIA – EARTHQUAKE RELIEF

Millions have been displaced and an estimated 50,000 have lost their lives in the wake of the destructive earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria. The damage is catastrophic as people have lost their homes, livelihoods, and loved ones beneath the rubble.

Even before the earthquakes in this region, Syrians had already been in a precarious humanitarian situation with millions fleeing from the ruinous civil war. CBM works in partnership with the LSESD’s Middle East Revive and Thrive (MERATH) community and development arm to provide much needed aid. Strategically positioned with a

network of churches and organizations through the main local implementing partner, shelter has been offered in local churches and larger venues like schools and stadiums where assistance is provided. One staff member stated, “The situation is horrific. There is way more need than resources available.”

Your quick response to this disaster has enabled us to support our partners in providing much needed resources to those in need. Your generosity has ensured that emergency food baskets, blankets, warm clothes, diapers and emergency hygiene kits are distributed. The needs will continue beyond the initial crisis, and we will be present with our partners on the ground to supply as much support as possible.

UKRAINE – ONGOING SUPPORT IN THE MIDST OF CRISIS

CBM has been working with the European Baptist Federation (EBF) to provide much needed support for Ukrainian refugees. 600 Ukrainian Baptist churches have housed the internally displaced, channelled aid to those in need and ferried people to safety.

Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, millions of refugees have fled to neighbouring countries. Millions more are internally displaced as infrastructure continues to be destroyed and ongoing bombardment threatens lives, as well as disrupts routine and recovery efforts.

Your help has ensured that the most basic needs of shelter, food and winterization to get through the cold months have been provided. Refugees and the internally displaced are too often victims of violence or exploitation. Your support includes finding ways to combat these risks with adequate coping mechanisms as well as a means to sustain themselves without compromising their human dignity. You have helped them know they are not alone in these difficult times.

We know we can only continue our work and bring greater impact through partnerships with faithful churches and individuals, like you. Thank you for trusting us to be your mission partner as we embrace a broken world through word and deed.