Jamaica's economy has deteriorated in recent years, in part due to the effects of the global economic crisis. In addition, an unemployment rate around 14.5 percent and mounting government debt are adding to the extreme stress that has the society living on the edge. As a result, the number of suicides and attempted suicides in Jamaica is on the increase. Dr. Donovan Thomas and his wife, Faith, a Master's graduate of the Caribbean Graduate School of Theology (CGST) in Jamaica, launched Choose Life International (CLI), a ministry that focuses on suicide prevention, grief counseling and helping people to rise above their past hurts and pains to live fulfilled lives.

Catastrophic events like the economic crisis can push people over the edge, seeing suicide as the only way out. Donovan says, "In our Jamaican context, almost every week, I receive at least one call from a person who has experienced financial loss and is on the verge of taking his or her own life." He says it is critical to be proactive and respond to the signs of vulnerability in people, such as depression, that can lead to suicide. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that suicide is a major public health problem and is one of the leading causes of death among people aged 15-44.

CLI "exists to help fulfill the purpose for Jesus' coming into this world as He stated in John 10:10b (KJV), ‘I have come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.'" Donovan and Faith say, "There are too many people who just exist, going through the motions of life without peace, fulfillment and purpose. CLI exists in order to help people live!" In addition to suicide prevention and grief counseling, CLI helps churches to develop structure and strategy in their missions work, and the couple's sons, Daniel and Josef, lead string evangelism demonstrations to share the Gospel story with teens and young adults. Several local churches and private sector firms have been calling CLI for help during these difficult times in Jamaica.

Testimonials from those around the world who have been helped by the ministry:

• "A 20 year burden I have carried is finally lifted."
• "I was able to forgive the man who raped me. Now I even pray for him."
• "After 40 years of living with burdens that I thought would last for a lifetime, I was delivered from those burdens through a time of ministry with Faith and Donovan Thomas."
• "Thanks to CLI for the help following my [teenage] daughter's suicide attempt. After two sessions, my daughter and I are doing much better."
• "I have been my own prisoner. Today I am set free. I am happy."
• "I could see the rope burns around his neck," says one employer about an employee who had attempted suicide, but after counseling sessions with CLI, "he was a new person."

If you would like to support the training of future ministry leaders around the world like Donovan and Faith, please click here.

Jorge visiting a child and her mother in the hospital

Gloria (left) and others visiting a poor neighborhood with toys

Dental unit in use at the clinic sponsored by The Good Samaritan ministry

“Nobody comes through the clinic doors without…[receiving] the message of Christ's love”

Graduates Jorge Alzate and Gloria Rios work with a hospital ministry called The Good Samaritan in Medellín, Colombia. For 15 years, the ministry has offered health services, counseling, disease prevention and hospital visitation and sends health teams into poor neighborhoods, all while bringing the presence of God to people who need assistance. "Giving the message of salvation has always been the principle reason for this ministry, showing how Christ can bring physical, emotional and spiritual health."

The Good Samaritan ministry runs a medical clinic within one of the city's major churches, offering doctor consultations, dental assistance, lab work and a pharmacy. Visitors are always introduced to Christ as the solution to their deepest problems. "Nobody comes through the clinic doors without having an opportunity to receive the message of Christ's love and His offer of forgiveness." Jorge and Gloria want to build more clinics in the poorest neighborhoods, so medical and dental services can be provided with the message of Christ's love.

For those who cannot make it to the clinic, health teams travel to poor neighborhoods, offering medical and dental services and toys for the children. In addition, nearly 150 volunteers carry out the visitation ministry in hospitals around the city. Each month, approximately 1,200 people are evangelized in hospital visitations; 900 patients have their physical and spiritual needs attended to in the local clinic or by the neighborhood health teams; and 260 children receive medical and social assistance. In 15 years, thousands of people have received the message of salvation, as well as counseling and emotional support from Jorge, Gloria and the ministry team.

"The couple has used the theological and Bible training they received at the University Foundation Biblical Seminary of Colombia (BSC), as well as methods of Christian education and counseling, to reach out to those most needy in a time of physical and mental pain," says the seminary. Jorge and Gloria ask for prayer to find more people to help as the fields "are ripe for harvest" (John 4:35b); for economic provision to continue and expand their outreach to others; and for God's protection and direction as they help people every day.

If you would like to support the training of future ministry leaders around the world like Jorge and Gloria, please click here.

Praise God for these recent highlights in Latin America.

• "Caring for Pastors" is a monthly gathering taking place at the Escola de Pastores (School of Shepherds) in Niterói, Rio de Janeiro. What started as a small group has grown to 45 in attendance each month and continues to grow. It is a great time of fellowship, prayer, meditation and breakfast offered by the school to all the pastors in the city of Niterói.
  
• Schools in Ecuador, Chile, Bolivia, Venezuela, Brazil and Uruguay are developing curriculum for their Holistic Child Development (HCD) programs, a critical need in Latin America and around the world. Almost one third of the world's population is under the age of 18, and many of these youth are at risk, suffering, unwanted and exploited, according to The Global Alliance for Advancing Holistic Child Development. HCD programs offer the special training needed to address every aspect of a child's development, coupled with evangelistic outreach.
  
• A mini Institute for Excellence in Christian Leadership Development took place in São Paulo, the largest city in Brazil and in the southern hemisphere, with 25 leaders gathering to discuss how to be more effective professors, including teaching strategies and practice. "I think this is one of the most impactful things we are doing in terms of reaching out to many schools in such a critical city," says OC Regional Director Josué Fernández.
  
• Another critical mini Institute for Excellence in Christian Leadership Development took place September 7-10 in João Pessoa, a city in Northeast Brazil and the poorest part of the country. The area also has one of the lowest percentages of Christians in all of Latin America. OC Regional Director Josué Fernández said, "We heard many words of appreciation for what OC has done in terms of organizing this mini Institute. Some expressed with tears that this is historic for Northeast Brazil [because] it is the first time that all of these institutions are together...We are not just organizing a gathering of schools leaders; we are making history in the Northeast of Brazil."
• OC is partnering with the NET Foundation to develop and offer access to online education for leaders of the Church at theological schools in the Majority World.

If you would like to support the training of future ministry leaders at schools around the world, please click here.

The third and fourth 2010 Institutes for Excellence in Christian Leadership Development took place June 29-July 2 in Novi Sad, Serbia, and August 9-13 in Kandy, Sri Lanka. During the four-day Institutes themed "Re-envisioning Seminary-Church Relationships," 56 church and seminary leaders interacted with each other in order to build partnerships and be mutually beneficial in meeting each other's needs. Click here to read more about the Novi Sad Institute, and click here to read more about the Kandy Institute. The final 2010 Institutes for Excellence will take place in Ghana, Ukraine and Indonesia. Click here for the 2010 schedule.

Please join Overseas Council in prayer and praise for Latin America:

• For wisdom for the leaders of our partner school in Haiti, the Evangelical Theological Seminary of Port-au-Prince, as they decide if they will rebuild their current campus or move to a new location to build
• For the school leaders who attended the mini Institutes for Excellence in Christian Leadership Development in São Paulo and João Pessoa and all they learned to take back to their schools in these critical areas of Brazil
• For the transition at five Latin American partner schools where the current presidents' terms are coming to an end and new presidents are beginning to serve
• For the transportation issues that many in the Master's program at New Pines Seminary in Cuba are having, where commutes are exceedingly long and affecting attendance
• For God's special protection for students, faculty and graduates as they minister in Latin America, sometimes amidst dangerous persecution
• Praise for the Lord's provision at partner schools during the recession