UIM Connection

Do you remember the "old" Polaroid^TM camera? It was a remarkable breakthrough in the photographic industry more than 60 years ago. It made picture-taking instant and personal. You could take a picture and, on the spot, capture a moment and watch it develop and be preserved right before your eyes! There was personal power photography in the hands of the common man.

But with the advent of digital photography, the future of the"old fashion" Polaroid^TM camera was doomed ... passé ... a relic of the past. It was the way we "used to do things," but we have "better" ways and means now. Or do we?

Low and behold, the "old" Polaroid^TM camera is making a comeback, of sorts. In the form of the new Polaroid^TM 300 Instant Camera, you can now have digital technology with the fascination of the "on-the-spot-development" of your captured moment.

It sort of reminds me of the power of prayer. In a moment, we can capture a need and a cause for praise and bring them before the Throne of Grace, petitioning and interceding on behalf of others. Instantly, we can see God at work bringing about all things for our good and His glory.

Sadly, some have concluded that prayer is out of date and passé. We have "better" resources and "better" technologies with which to "get the work done." Sadly, many have ceased to pray faithfully for their missionaries because they can no longer financially support them. How sad!

Let me encourage you to pick up the "old fashion" power of prayer again. Even if you cannot give as much as or as regularly as you would like or once did, you certainly can remain faithful to pray!

Instantly, you can capture the moments of need on behalf of your missionary. You can have a part in the development of their ministry as you pray for them. You can connect effectively with your missionaries and the Throne of Grace through prayer!

UIM International is committed to prayer. We value "Polaroid^TM praying" as the best way to continue to connect with and support your rmissionary.

UIM Connection! is our way of assisting you in praying effectively for the indigenous peoples of North America. We want to bring you snap shots of people being reached with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Thank you for remaining connected to UIM International. Thank you for your financial support as the Lord gives opportunity. Thank you for your faithful prayer support. It appears the Polaroid^TM is not outdated after all. Perhaps it is time to gring back effectual praying as well!

Everybody say, "Pray!" Now, that's a great picture.

In Jesus Christ,

Dan Fredericks, Executive Director
UIM International

Mentoring in Terrace, British Columbia

When Stan and Suzanne Nicklie moved to Terrace, British Columbia, they looked for organizations with which they could volunteer in order to meet new people. Suzanne found a newspaper ad asking for "In-School Mentors" (ISM) with the Big Brothers and Big Sisters Society, a program that matches an adult with an elementary school child for the purpose of spending one-on-one time. Although the children are not troublemakers, they are "at risk" and would benefit from the extra attention. Interested, the Nicklies went through the training and requested to be paired with First Nations children. Both were assigned to a school cose to their home. Stan started with a 4th-grade child and met with him until he started high school. They played board games together and also soccer when the weather permitted. Stan found the boy easy to talk to because they shared a common interest in NASCAR. They had fun discussing the race each week. Stan enjoyed the time but, unfortunately, was not permitted to talk about "religion" unless asked a direct question.

Suzanne met with two different girls during her time as a mentor. The first did not stay in the program long, but Suzanne met with the second one for several years. They met in school for awhile and then switched to the regular mentoring program where they could do activities together. once a week outside of school Usually they liked to go to the pool or playground. In the winter they enjoyed baking cupcakes and cookies, crafts, and sledding. Suzanne learned to know the family during that time and discovered that the mother had a Christian background. When this girl left the program two years ago, they lost contact, but recently Stan saw her when he was preaching at a local church. That she was still interested in attending church even as a tennager was encouraging.

Stan will be matched to another child this fall and hopes that it goes as well as the first one. Many First Nations children in Terrace do not receive enough attention or love at home; this is a good way to connect with them. Encouraging a young child that is struggling in school and seeing them move on to bigger and better things is rewarding. Even though the Nicklies cannot share Christ verbally, they can by their actions, and "actions can speak louder than words." They pray that the Lord will direct in the conversations and that ultimately they can be a testimony for Him.

Stan, Suzanne and Erilyn Nicklie