|
From the Founder, Len RodgersDear Friends, This is probably the most important letter I have ever written in regard to the ministry of Venture International. On March 20, 2003, I was diagnosed with a fatal form of cancer. It also happened to be the same day the war in Iraq started. Obviously, I can’t forget that date. Knowing the gravity of my disease, the board of directors of Venture International made a decision, after prayer and by unanimous vote and affirmation: with or without me, Venture International would continue on. Following the diagnosis of multiple myeloma (only 1 percent of all cancer patients have this deadly form of cancer), I entered a clinical trial at Mayo Clinic; in essence I became a scientific guinea pig along with 98 other people in the United States. Some of us in the trial thought about it this way: If what they say about this mortal disease is true, then we might as well contribute something to science on our way out.
Twenty-seven years ago during another war, this time in Lebanon, another piece of this story took place. It was 1982 and I was director of World Vision for the Middle East. World Vision was doing some dangerous relief work in the aftermath of the Israeli invasion of Lebanon. Because we needed extra help, World Vision offered to send me a temporary staff person, a young intern from California, to assist our Lebanese national relief staff. His name was Bruce Menser. It was Bruce’s first relief assignment in a war zone. He had completed a one-year training program in Thailand, which included work among refugees from the Southeast Asia conflict. Bruce, an avid basketball player, won the hearts of young and old as he worked with local Lebanese staff to provide food, shelter and comfort to people of all ages who were suffering the ravages of war. At a certain point the fighting became so fierce that I decided Bruce (a big guy and obviously American) was too visible and should leave Lebanon for safety reasons. In the first year of the war alone, an estimated 17,825 Lebanese were killed. As it turned out, the war lasted 15 years, taking a horrible toll on all the people of Lebanon. Later I heard from Bruce’s parents, Joe and Kay Menser of San Diego, California, who thanked me for looking after their son. In time I became better acquainted with Joe and Kay through phone calls and letters, and they became regular supporters of Venture International with their gifts and prayers. And as moms are prone to do, Kay often recalls our "looking after Bruce during the war in Lebanon." From 1984 to 1998 Bruce provided leadership to World Vision programs in Africa – in Zaire, Mozambique, Sudan and Somalia. Then in 1999 he became director of World Vision Lebanon, leading their ministry in Lebanon until 2007. When World Vision Lebanon celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2005, Bruce invited me to celebrate the event along with many civic and religious leaders. My delight was to visit World Vision projects in Lebanon and see how God had used the earliest work that Bruce and I and others had done together in the midst of war, at a time when we and everyone else wondered if there would be any future for Lebanon. In 2007 Bruce returned to the U.S. with his lovely wife, Elzbieta, whom he had married in 1984 in Poland, and their college-age daughter, Natalie. It was time for Bruce to be closer to family and to give support to his aging parents. Bruce’s dad passed away in November 2008. For the past year and a half, Bruce has worked at World Vision International in Monrovia, California, on several special assignments. The Bible often refers to the "laying on of hands." God’s work is characterized and passed on symbolically by laying hands on the next generation. Timothy reminds us to "not be hasty in the laying on of hands" and again "fan into flame the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands." After six years of prayer and searching, the Venture International board of directors, under the leadership of Chairman Dick Hatfield, has now "laid hands" on Bruce Menser to lead the work of Venture International beginning July 1, 2009. The time is right. Pauline and I have always dreamed of this day and prayed that God would bring the person of His choice to carry on the work of Venture International that was started 23 years ago. As you may know, replacing a "founder" is always difficult for any organization. I am not retiring. I am simply handing over the reins of leadership of Venture International to Bruce Menser. I will be deeply involved over the next six months, introducing Bruce to our supporters and making the transition in a timely and orderly manner – passing on the torch. Then, beginning in January of next year, Pauline and I will give our full time to Evangelicals for Middle East Understanding. EMEU is an affiliation of Christian churches, agencies and individuals that seeks to provide encouragement to, advocacy for, and fellowship with Christians and churches in the Middle East by sponsoring conferences, facilitating partnerships, and creating friendships in order to bridge the geographic and cultural divide. This letter is to ask that you symbolically "lay hands" on Bruce and his family and on the hard-working and dedicated staff of Venture International here and abroad. We could never have guessed that this change of leadership would take place now – in the midst of a national and international economic meltdown. Yet we are asking God for an additional $100,000, over and above our regular budget, between now and the end of the year. These development funds will be used to seed Venture International’s future and to advance and grow the important work we are already doing in Egypt, Jordan, Israel, Palestine, Iraq, Lebanon and the Central Asian Republic of Kyrgyzstan. Will you pray about this passing of the torch? So much money is being spent these days –people talk of millions, billions and trillions. We need so little in comparison – and not to build cars, skyscrapers or weapons. With you and God as our guide, we are investing in His great Kingdom in one of the most formidable areas of the world, the Middle East. We have never needed you to reach so deep. Even after you have given and while you are being asked to contribute to so many valuable people and ministries, I am asking you to dig deeper than ever and to trust God like never before. You might also share this news with relatives or friends who could help. What would God have you do?  Leonard Rodgers Please consider giving a financial gift to help support Venture International during this time of transistion by donating through this webstite by clicking Here. |
While all this was happening, a number of people started praying for me and for Pauline, my wife and primary caregiver. As a result of prayer, God gave us His peace and added years to my life with the kind of good health that shocked even the people at Mayo Clinic; they eventually referred to me as their "poster patient." The treatment I received during the clinical trial has now become the standard treatment for multiple myeloma, a cancer of the plasma cells.