Melanie Baggao of Placentia, California, was commissioned to serve with American Baptist International Ministries (IM) in the Middle East. Baggao is IM’s third global worker to be serving in this part of the world. She departed for her field of service on October 21, 2015.

While the spread of this highly-contagious disease has now been largely contained, one big question remains: What steps can be taken now to prevent more outbreaks?

As we celebrate Black History Month, I have been struck by the thought of what it means to make history. I don’t believe that many of the civil rights leaders that we celebrate today set out with the intention of having their names in books or being celebrated every February; they merely saw wrongs that needed to be rectified.

It is with much joy that I share with you the great things for which I am so thankful for during this Thanksgiving season.

On Friday, August 29th, American Baptist International Ministries (IM) missionaries, along with faith leaders from the Episcopal, United Methodist, United Church of Christ, Catholic and Jewish traditions, joined in a prayer service for Central American children fleeing violence.

I always thought about what it would be like to go on a mission team, go to another country and work to help make someone’s life a little easier. However, this was just a thought. I never expected it to become a reality.