A Review of Christ's

Ambassadors' Labors in 1996

2 Cor. 5:20: "We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us." 1 Cor. 15:58: "Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." 1 Peter 4:11: "If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ." (NIV)

I am busy with usual activities of Bible and English teaching to Chinese students, WBS students, Power for Today devotions, and keeping in touch monthly with some of you.

WORLD-WIDE EFFORTS OF SOME OF CHRIST'S AMBASSADORS: They have experienced struggles and successes in going about our Father's business, being made aware of God's presence in their efforts with Him to restore the New Testament Church and Way of life for which our Lord was crucified. I trust that each of us is aware that anyone who has not been baptized into Christ [Gal. 3:27], [where grace and salvation are, Eph. 1:6, 7], have no hope for salvation. Our mission to others is as great as those in far away places. Let's be as diligent as they.

GERMAN RADIO MINISTRY celebrated its 31st anniversary June 7; targeted 120 million German speaking people; responses from 30 nations on 4 continents by mail 52,000 times; hundreds completed different Bible courses; over 500 known baptisms into Christ; New Testament churches established in East/West Germany. Gottfried Reichel, speaker, tells of George Schmidt, Fulda, a listener who found what he sought: George, a Catholic, read of the Lord's church in a Lutheran publication describing various churches, giving Gottfried's name as the source. He saw an ad about the radio program and wrote for more information. Gottfried suggested he take a 27 lesson course. He took it, asking questions on lessons returned for grading and phoning G.R.. After completing the course, he called G.R., asking to be baptized. G.R. met George at Fulda, drove 1 1/2 hours to Frankfurt, the nearest congregation, and immersed George into Christ. George now travels to Frankfurt with his wife and 8 year-old daughter for worship.

CHINA: As previously reported, Paul has been in prison for 5 years for preaching. He has now been imprisoned for the 4th time. Pray for him and others who have been imprisoned and beaten for believing as we do. Shanghai: A Christian daughter, Alice, wrote she sent her mother, Esther, money for support who used it to buy Bibles and mailed them to 100 people. She fears for her mother as Esther had once been sent to a "re-education camp," for 5 years, for mailing 500 Bibles! (We can send Bibles, without fear, through Eastern European Mission, Box 90755, Houston, TX 77290.)

MALAWI/MOZAMBIQUE, AFRICA: The Church began in 1989 with one man and family and has grown to 50 congregations of over 2,000 members by use of WBS courses. Among these were denominational churches who became N.T. churches by giving up their man-made creeds. Some who fled during war from Mozambique to Malawi became Christians and returned after the war taking the gospel with them. (This is happening in refugee camps in other countries too.)

HAITI, Center for Biblical Studies: With a donation of $500 came this note: "I challenge other seniors to do the same, as the Lord will give us better interest for our money than any bank!" (Lk 6:38.). Near the school is a voodoo shrine. Bob Grigg, Jr., was at the school as a summer intern. On one of his visits to the shrine, he was given a tour and invited to preach to the voodoo worshippers! His sermon was similar to Paul's in Acts 17.

BENIN, AFRICA: A newly elected president declared Voodoo as the official national religion!

TERNOPIL, UKRAINE: Stephan Bilak's brother, Vladimir, Toronto, Canada, after much Bible study, flew to the annual encampment in Ternopil to be baptized by Stephan. Oh, happy day!

EL RENO, OKLAHOMA PRISON: Carl James visited the Church behind the walls and learned the inmates sell aluminum cans for recycling. In ten years they have, by this means, sent $27,500 to support orphans! They have a 'can stomping' and brethren outside carry the cans for sale.

RIVERHEAD, L.I., N.Y.: Timothy Hill Children's Ranch: Jerry Hill met Jack Van de Wetering, who came from Holland 25 years ago and built a multi-million dollar green house from scratch. He offered to help Jerry and the children build and operate a profitable greenhouse on their ranch in order to train the young men for an occupation. Funds are being raised and plans drawn -- a great gift!

MANILA, PHILIPPINES: Jay, a former drug and gun runner, decided to "look for God." He went to a mountain to pray and ask direction. He began his search through a stack of books on philosophy, psychology, religious and non-religious. The book of Proverbs was one he had stolen. After reading it, he believed it was talking about him -- he was the fool. He ended up at the WBS office in Manila. He studied with Gary Reding and found God Who is now his Father!

ROSTOV-OM-DOM, RUSSIA: Seventh grader Kathryn, in Russian, helps her mother Beverly Whidden put on puppet shows, telling Bible stories to the children. Clayteaches Conversational English and the History of Christianity in a World Culture in a local business university. It is the first time many hear about Biblical Christianity.

ZAMBIA, AFRICA/ABILENE,TX: Drs. John Estes, Roy Willingham, with their grandsons and others, paying their own way, treated 2,000 medical patients, 200 dental patients, taking $2,000 worth of medicines in July. They have also been on 4 mission trips to Russia and once to Ethiopia. Such gives many opportunities to tell about our Great Physician!

TANZANIA, E. AFRICA: Heath Stapleton is teaching 5 classes in the Chimala Secondary School. He has secured permission to teach the Bible to Form one students and can continue with them till they finish school. Each year he will pick up 50 more students. The headmaster asked to study with him about the Church. The second headmaster wants to learn more too by attending the local congregation. He has often expressed his amazement that some would leave the land of plenty to come to desolate Tanzania. Heath hopes it will not be long before he understands why.

MADRID, SPAIN: CUBA: Juan Monroy was given authorization by Cuba to bring in 10,000 N.T.'s. Christians in Spain paid $6,000 and Herald of Truth in Abilene, Tx, donated $4,000 for the cost of printing in Columbia, SA, and shipping. Juan said God is using him to bring many Communists to Christ and to establish churches in Cuba.

PAPUA, NEW GUINEA: Jim Free, 27, was crippled at 8 years of age by polio. His handicap hasn't kept him from being an ardent church worker. He works in Madang Province of 300,000 people. He attended Melanesian Bible College and has been teaching in the college and preaching since he graduated in 1985. He limps along with crutches as he works 2 weeks out of every month teaching scattered church members. He also follows up on his 500 Bible course students. Joe Cannon in 1971, began the work in P. He tells this story about Yusi who threatened to kill him if he were still around. Joe had said he would not leave until he had preached to the Sina people. With ax in hand, and a shout of the war cry of the Sina Sina, he charged at Joe. The 400 tribes people scattered, leaving him standing alone. When Yusi was within 8 feet, Simon Gerel dashed up and grabbed Yusi around the waist, shouting: "Kill me first, Joe is my brother. If you want to kill someone, kill me first." Everyone grew silent at such a demonstration of brotherly love. Eventually, Yusi's whole clan became Christians and many became preachers of the Gospel. The nephew and namesake of Yusi has been preaching for the Lae church for 10 years!

CONSTANTA, ROMANIA: Tom Langley had heart rhythm problems. His doctor sent him to Bucharestwhere Dr. Constine Carp heads the national cardiology center. His problem was quickly diagnosed and treated. After 5 days in the hospital, he went back to work in C. When he was dismissed, his bill was canceled! He was told that was a small favor considering all that churches of Christ (primarily through Partners in Progress medical mission) had done for the hospital.

PENHRYN ISLAND of the COOK ISLANDS: Tom Tune had not yet been to P. I. to fit glasses, so when learning of the disaster of the island, he realized he could do more for these people than just fit glasses. A supply ship had to take food, fuel and medical supplies. The supply ship had sunk. Tom offered to take supplies and fuel on his Dorcas Sue if the harbor master in Rarotonga would go with him. The harbor master could return by plane with the fuel they would carry. A plane could fly in later with more supplies and then have a way to fly back. Since the situation in P. was quite desperate, he agreed to go. This act of love made a lot of friends for Tom and made for countless hours of Bible studies. He spent a month on P. I.. Every person he fit with glasses was asked to take a Bible course. Many now could see to study and walk without help! He gave each a Bible Advocate and made a list of names and addresses for further issues. One family visited him after dark on Sunday. They had a Bible study, and he told them about communion, showing them how it is done. They are close to obeying the gospel.

RIO de JANEIRO, BRAZIL: Alma Smith, director of Brazil Christian Children's Home, tells of the poor people living in small self-built shelters behind the children's home. Two of Alma's boys became acquainted with the children of one of these families. They came to the Bible class. Two of them said they had no food to eat and were invited to eat at the Home. The two visitors asked if they could live there, but there was no more room. However, they were invited to eat with them. The boys brought two sisters with them the next day. Alma learned there were 9 children in the family with one on the way. The father had left. She visited the mother taking much needed clothes for the children. They all lived in one room with a small stove. They all slept on the floor. The older boy, 17, started coming to church. He studied with one of the men and was baptized. He now helps one of the Christians clean water storage tanks which are on the roofs of every house.

VIENTIANE, LAOS: The Ken Fox family serves here even though no missionaries are permitted and it is illegal to distribute religious material or proselyte. Since 1992 they have tried to open the door and help the small Laotian congregation. Every year Christian doctors, nurses, translators, teachers and other workers from Bangkok, Thailand, volunteer to work in Laos. After 4 years of effort by many, the authorities have verbally approved our going there. A major factor has been Partners in Progress medical missions. They were well received in 1995, and plans were made for 1996 to return. The Thai Angels (Partinha Thitathan, Larry Henderson, Kelly Davidson, workers in Bangkok, and the church staff have worked in Laos also.) They have a one-year project with the medical staff at the hospital, and have been asked to teach English using WBS and Friends Speak material. (Even when it is illegal, God finds a way for those prepared to do His work!)

FT. WORTH, TX: Because of the scriptures Matt. 25:35-45, Luke 14:16-24, concerning the Judgment and the king's banquet which included the poor, maimed, blind and lame, Adair and Forrest Chapmango into the highways and hedges trying to meet spiritual needs of thousands of lost, hurting and dying people. Once they ventured into a small crime-ridden community in Louisiana and tried to gain admission in a few dilapidated dwellings. As clothes and toys were given to children, an elderly lady asked: "Mister, who are you and why are you in our part of town?" Adair explained that he had some things to share with the children and a few words about the Lord. There was a long silence. Then with her tear-glistened eyes meeting his, she slowly and sadly said: "Mister,nobody ever comes on this side of the river to talk about the Lord." Don't you agree that we need more trips across the rivers in our own neighborhoods?

Always remember that God and Jesus love you, and so do I! May God give you a blessed 1997!