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by Leslie Erickson
From seven different states,175 people gathered together on April 19 -20 for one purpose
– to learn how to better care for their missionaries.
 The Care ConneXion conference, in its fourth year, had the highest attendance so far. Counselors, Agency Representatives, Pastors, Church Lay People, Missionaries, and Educators were encouraged and challenged by messages from keynote speakers, Scott Shaum from Barnabas International and Pastor Mark Hanke from Salem First Baptist Church.
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The Writing ConneXion
 by Betsy Rouse, Intern Writer
After spending a year in the UK serving with Operation Mobilization as a journalist, I welcomed the opportunity in October 2012 to continue using my skills for missions. Over the last several months, I have heard and recorded amazing stories, and participated with a team of people who are truly committed to seeing the church mobilized for mission.
But we need more writers--writers to share stories from the field, stories of those leaving for the unknown, and stories of those returning on home assignment. The work that God is doing through Mission ConneXion needs more voices, and one of them could be yours.
Are you a writer? Are you passionate about the power of story to inspire and mobilize individuals? Do you have a heart for missions? If so, contact Mission ConneXion at
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by Kaytie Fiedler, Mission ConneXion Events Coordinator and India Partners Team Leader
 India Partners takes teams to India 3-4 times a year, serving various needs across the country. Each team is comprised of volunteers with a variety of skills--some use their state side professions in the field and others are stretched and grow into new found skills!
An India Partners team left the US February 22, returning March 9. Working with two partner agencies, we visited the red light areas of Mumbai, serving our partners who rescue women and children from the horrors of human trafficking. Of an estimated 200,000 commercial sex workers in Mumbai, approximately one third of those are children under 12 years old.
It's never easy to work with trafficked women and children. One would think a woman would take any help offered to leave the trade. But because they are kept under the bondage of fear, they do not see a way out.
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By Betsy Rouse
With nearly two billion Muslims in the world today, the question of how to engage and reach out to our Muslim neighbors around us is a relevant one. May 17-18, Dr. Don McCurry, founder and director of Ministries to Muslims, will be speaking at Muslim ConneXion in Beaverton. Dr. McCurry will stress that when reaching out to Muslims, relationship is essential, as demonstrated by the testimony of John and Anne below:
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by Ted and Brenda Whiteman, with Betsy Rouse
 Ted and Brenda had a heart for missions. They had been involved in mission trips through their local church for many years. Having traveled to Honduras seven times, Mexico twice, and also spending time serving in local organizations like Bridgetown, the couple knew, as retirement approached, missions was in their future.
"We began discussing our options," says Ted, "and every conversation seemed to lead us to Honduras. It was in Honduras that we were first exposed to cross-cultural missions. "Yet they couldn't seem to find an ideal match for their skills and passions in that country. "As we were working through this process, our missions pastor told us about Mission ConneXion Northwest." Their pastor urged them to go and explore other possible mission opportunities at the event.
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High school mission trip team from Greater Portland Bible Church
on our trip to Nicoya, Costa Rica.
By Crystal Livingstone
 Flat Bill with Tim, Mahia, Sierra,
Ethan, John, Leslie, and RayFlat Bill, who is Mission Connexion’s volunteer “ambassador“ that travels with missions teams on overseas adventures (Get your own Flat Bill), joined my high school mission trip team from Greater Portland Bible Church on our trip to Nicoya, Costa Rica. Our venture was made possible by an organization called Youth Mark. Our first stop was a YWAM base in the Guanacaste Region. Diego and Salla Silva were our base leaders.They have been head of the base since 2005 and their goal is to have a bible in every home in the Guanacaste Region. Our mission was to help them them fulfill that goal by going to the town of Camatil to hand out Bibles.
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By George Verwer, Founder and World Missions Advocate, Operation Mobilization (OM)