PAT JANKE IN BOLIVIA
Marie-Esther Dumond: Toronto North-Central
Next appointee: Western
The VitaLink program of Baptist Women of Ontario and Quebec links each VitaLink with women in a given Association (BCOQ churches within a geographical area). It’s like having a secret sister without the secret. Your BWOQ group learns about your VitaLink, her family, and her work, so you can uphold her with prayer and encourage her with cards, e-mails, letters, and occasional small gifts.You share your own prayer concerns with her. There is no financial obligation apart from your regular support of BWOQ.
HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS IN BWOQ GROUPS:
1. Ask Anne Drost at Canadian Baptist Ministries (905-821-3533 or adrost@cbmin.org) for free prayer cards and a bio sheet for your VitaLink. You can also get photos and bios from the CBM website.
2. Appoint a woman in your church (not necessarily a member of your women's group) to be your VitaLink correspondent. If possible, choose someone with e-mail access, since all VitaLinks use e-mail. Have your correspondent sign up with your VitaLink to receive her prayer letters by mail or e-mail.
3. Send cards (with a note) to your VitaLink and her family on special occasions (birthdays, wedding anniversaries, children's birthdays, "thinking of you", etc.). When you write, let her know what is happening in your church and how she can pray for you.
4. Look for prayer requests relating to your VitaLink and her country of service in The Link & Visitor, CBM PrayerLine, Mosaic, etc., as well as the secular media. Keep your group informed of these prayer needs.
5. Seek opportunities to meet your VitaLink. Ask Anne Drost when your VitaLink is likely to be in your area. Ask your Women's Ministry Link (the BWOQ representative in your Association) if your Association is planning any events with your VitaLink. Arrange for your VitaLink to meet women of your church—perhaps at a Saturday brunch, a mother-daughter supper, Bible study, or an informal gathering in a home. Consider planning an event with women of other nearby BCOQ churches. There may be something in your community that your VitaLink would like to visit in order to pick up ideas that she could use in her work.
6. You may wish to send small gifts, such as CDs, craft supplies, books, and magazines, to your VitaLink or her family. Please check with your VitaLink before sending them.
7. Be faithful in your support of Baptist Women of Ontario and Quebec, so we can meet our financial commitment to mission.
8. Let the BWOQ office (bwoq@baptist.ca) know what VitaLink ideas have worked for you.
Comments or questions? Contact webweaver@baptistwomen.com. Copyright 2007, Baptist Women of Ontario and Quebec.