with the Help of the Lord, in 1998
"Thanks be to God who leads us in His triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the knowledge of Him in every place." II Cor. 2:14. "The Lord is . . . not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance." II Peter 3:9b. "Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land." Proverbs 25:25.
The sources of my news are: e-mail messages, letters, church bulletins, and various Newsletters of certain missions.
LAOS, VIENTIANE: Jan. 30, 39 Lao Christians and 5 foreign nationals (3 U.S. missionaries) were arrested for having a Bible study in a private home. Some of these had been workers with the Partners in Progress program. They dug wells and made latrines at several schools for children. The foreigners were released after 3 days, and all but 13 Laotians were later released. Ken and Jean Fox and Jerry and Meg Canfield were expelled. The prisoners were told by a guard that their God was only a myth or else they wouldn't be in jail. He also said: "the only god in this jail is us. Your God can't help you." Their meals consist of a fist size amount of rice. Relatives are allowed to bring other food. (One wife added grape juice and unleavened bread so they could observe the Lord's Supper!) When the news went around the world, letters poured in from 25 countries: U.S., Portugal, China, Ethiopia, Ukraine, Canada, Italy, Madagascar, Australia, Philippines, Russia, Vietnam, Romania, Mexico, Brazil, Germany, Burma, Thailand, Holland, New Zealand, Guyana, Estonia, Bulgaria, Kenya and Scotland. This outpouring of concern has strengthened the prisoners, their families, and the missionaries.
Brother Behailu in ETHIOPIA wrote:
"Brothers and Sisters in Laos, I greet you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ who died to save all man kind. When we first heard about your arrest, we knew that it would be very hard on you and your families until God freed you again. We understand your situation more because we were once under a Communist dictatorship for well over 17 years. We are free people now after many years of revolutions, persecutions and trials. I want to encourage you to stick to God and remain faithful. Do not forget that God is in control. Sometimes we do not understand why such things happen to the children of God. I want to tell you that we have an enemy that fights us at all times. Satan wants us to go with him to hell but as children of God we must fight him back with the Word of God. Brothers, we are more than conquerors. I would like for you to read the scripture from Romans 8:28-37.
Brethren,
I would like to tell you that I have gone through many troubles and persecutions. I have been in jail three times and my faith has been tested. But with the help of almighty God, I was able to overcome that situation. The reason for my arrest was simply I was preaching the Word of God. You know, while I was in jail, I had plenty of time to talk to my God in prayers daily. A sister in Christ who was put to jail because she was carrying a Bible in her hand, was able to teach others also while she was in jail. When we were released, I was able to baptize them. No one can stop the Word of God from spreading. I encourage you to remain calm and steadfast in prayers. The good Lord will free you one day. Don't forget our Lord has been accused falsely. Think of the Apostles and the first century Christians - they were beaten, arrested and some had to die for what they believed. We believe that the Lord is with you and He will give you strength and the faith to overcome your trials and afflictions. I would like to tell you that the church of Christ in Ethiopia - over 625 congregations - is fasting and praying in your behalf. God is still able to do immeasurably more than what we ask or imagine. Be faithful unto death. We love you and think of you daily. Yours in Christ." What a strengthening letter to the young Christians in Vientiane!.
In a second letter signed by 36 House of Representatives was quoted:
"Article 30 of the Constitution of Laos that 'Lao citizens have the right to freedom of religious belief.'"
Release has been promised but only 3 elderly women have been. One of those told of the crowded conditions, men sleeping 'like a bunch of bananas.' Because of their good behavior, one was chosen as 'warden' with assistants from the Lao 10, to look after the prisoners. They make baskets to sell. Some wove "Christ Only" into the bamboo baskets! The Christian 'warden' wears a shirt with "Preach the Word - 2 Tim. 4:2." What faith and courage! One of the wives, taking food to her husband, saw the Christian 'warden,' who records the food, with a song book, singing praises by himself!
Excerpts of their letters: "We are very proud that God gives us the opportunity to use our lives to shine the light to the prisoners with us and even to the officers. We have the opportunity to talk to the people, and that causes us to mix the gospel in our conversations." To Tommy and Mary Alice Allison, taking the pace of those expelled, one prisoner wrote: "We want our lives to be such that we can take the good news to the lost and that we can lead the poor, the sick and those who no one cares for to Christ." They miss their wives and children and thank the Allisons for looking out for them. Please pray for the efforts being made for their release.
GREECE, Glyfada-Athens: Bob Evodoxiadis tells of a 70 year old lady who was converted. She was widowed early and raised 3 children in extreme poverty with no help from her town. Being illiterate, she asked her granddaughter to teach her the Greek alphabet so she could read the Bible. Now she studies it most of the day. Bob said he had never seen such a thirsty soul in his life. In southern Athens there are thousands of immigrants from troubled ALBANIA. A minister of the Church in Albania has moved to Athens. He will translate Greek materials into the Albanian language so he and Bob can work among his people there.
TANZANIA, AFRICA: CHIMALA MISSION: Heath Stapleton tells of finding a congregation 2 hours from Chimala that no one knew about. Two years earlier a member of the special forces of Tanzania stopped there one day, baptized a teenage boy and left. This boy has baptized six more and leads the congregation. He came to Chimala to get a Biblical answer to a question. He got his answer and a promise by Heath to visit his small congregation the next weekend. Heath also wrote of some Tanzanian 'Timothys': Amani lives about 4 miles away from his home congregation where Heath held a 10 week Bible study. Amani had perfect attendance. He walked longer than the classes actually lasted. He is only 14! Sikutu left home where there was no congregation, traveling 7 hours, to come to Chimala to learn about Christ and His church. She obeyed her Lord in baptism. Since then a city-wide campaign was held in her home town. She is 16! Sauda is a young married Masai woman, married for 2 years. Her husband said, "Me or God." Since Jesus said, "Me or men," Sauda told her husband, "I do not want to leave you, but I choose Jesus." She is 19!
ETHIOPIA: Tadelle
wrote: "I heard about your school
from two men discussing it on a bus. I asked them why they were discussing this topic on a
bus. They told me about your school and gave me your address, telling me to write. I want
to attend the free course of study." This was received by Richard Kruse of the
International Bible Correspondence School in Toronto, Ont.,CANADA. Much is learned simply
by listening!
ARKANSAS, Little Rock, Bill McDonough, Director of Partners in Progress,
sums up 10 months activities: SO. AMERICA, Guyana, 8 medical mission
teams worked to bring the gospel and health care to more than 13,000 people and more than
200 were baptized. FRANCE: the team conducted 3 seminars on
"Training Infants to Live for Him." MYANMAR (formerly Burma):
The team taught Bible for a month, opened an office in Yangoon to help the church get
governmental recognition. The team of physicians conducted continuing education classes
for staff at Yangoon General Hospital. AFRICA, BURKINA FASSO: the medical
team treated 1,800 patients, sharing the gospel with more than 500 Muslims. 57 were
baptized into Christ. ROMANIA: A week-long spiritual growth seminar with
40 adults from 6 cities, held in August, adding 3 new Christians. The ongoing support of
orphans in Bucharest was secured for another year. HAITI: Medicines were
delivered to assist the work in the northern part of the country where an orphanage and
Bible school are operated by our brethren. Bill says to make plans to be at The World
Evangelism Conference - Jerusalem - 2000. The dates are Aug. 27 to Sep. 3, 2000.
ALBANIA, Tirania: Five years ago the doctor warned her that baptism by
immersion would kill her. Eftalia was baptized anyway. This sweet and gentle one went home
to God May 12...and is alive forever.
CHINA, Province of Guangdong: The University has adopted the contemporary Chinese/English parallel N.T. as a textbook in a literary class! The publishers, World Bible Translation Center, also introduced their 2 new editions of the N.T. at the 7th Beijing Int'l Book Fair. One edition has the Easy-to-Read Chinese with the Old Union Chinese translation, side by side. The fair visitors were excited to find the parallel versions which makes it easier to teach the younger students. Jo Towell told Edward Short of World Christian Broadcasting that one of her students in CHINA wanted to be baptized. Edward went to China and baptized him. With tears in his eyes, he said to Edward: "I can't believe you have come all the way around the world just to help me!"
AMERICAN SAMOA: Tom Tune continues to sail his 'Dorcas Sue' among the Cook Islands out of Samoa fitting needed glasses and teaching the Gospel of Christ. He noticed a need for food in Ratahanga, and started telling of the need. Friends in U.S. sent donations, but not enough. He asked the church in A.S., and only a few responded. "And then God did what God always does." It was his last try one Sunday and no response until, out of the silence, a 10 year old girl said: "I've got $5 in my savings. I want it to go to the starving people on Ratahanga." That did it! The response was overwhelming! Loaded down with tons of rice, flour sugar, powered milk, canned fruit and vegetables, soap, shampoo and hard candy for the kids, and with a new sail and a good weather report, he said: "The Lord and I were on our way across 700 miles of open sea to R. However, there was an unexpected strong wind from the east (not the south as predicted), and he was headed into it. He was half-way there when the boom broke. After repairing it, Tom sailed on until a steel cable holding the mast also broke. The mission had to be aborted. How to get the food to R.? He was walking to town, going a 'different' direction than usual, passed a pier he 'seldom' visited. There he saw a Cook Island patrol boat which 'seldom' came that way. He told the captain about the food, and he agreed to take it to R. "What a blessing!" There was quite a bit of publicity about the efforts to help R. and the government also sent some food! It seems Satan did what he could to stop the shipment, but God saw to it that Tom returned safely and the food was increased and shipped to R.!
GERMANY, Island of Ruegen, in the Baltic Sea: Mrs. Elfriede W. wrote Gottfried Reichel, of the German Radio Ministry, "I searched one day for some 'good music' when I heard "You need Christ." Monday 5:15 a.m. she heard Gottfried speak. "Wonderful songs, wonderful for me the teaching, encouragement and comfort which filled my heart every broadcast. That I am writing you . . . has a very fundamental reason: Baptism." She said she was 80, a widow, poor health and could not travel. How, where and from whom could she be baptized? Her conscience would not let her rest. Please answer me, she wrote, and gave her tel. no. G. saw on the map she was closest to the Berlin congregation, 5 hours from the island. A Christian friend in Berlin told him a Christian couple would take him to Ruegen after worship on Dec. 28, which happened to be G.'s 43 wedding anniversary. The security guard at Munich airport stopped him to look for a knife in his bag. Due to the train being late to the airport, he knew he may miss the plane, explained his situation and was allowed to go on. At the gate, the lady told him the bus to the plane had just left; that he had missed his plane. He begged to talk to the lady responsible. He told her that an 80 year old lady was expecting him to baptize her; that he was a minister on RADIO LUXEMBOURG, people were awaiting him in Berlin. that his ticket was non-refundable and he had no money for another ticket. She arrived in a VW and took him to the pane. A place had to be found where he could immerse Elfriede. (She sent a telegram Dec. 23 she could not find a place for the baptism so he should not come. G. told her he would find a place.) In 1996 he had visited a couple on the island, so he contacted them. G. was told he would need to stay at a hotel with a swimming pool that was closed to the public. G. made reservations with the understanding they could have the pool Monday 9 a.m.. After worship Sunday, they left Berlin for the Island. They visited Elfriede and studied the scriptures with her about the need and beauty of baptism. She was to be ready the next morning at 8:00. The next a.m. after picking her up, they sang her choice, "So nimm denn meine Haende" (Take My Hand and Guide Me) and they sang to the Lord asking for His blessings. After the baptism, G. hugged her and said: "Now you are my sister in Christ." She smiled and said: "Now I am ready to die and meet my Lord. I am so happy and grateful!" It is a good thing G. never took NO for an answer when he ran into 'roadblocks' to get there. GOD provided! Elfriede's soul was too precious (as is yours!).
FLASH: 11-30-2 released from That Dam Prison, Vientiane, Laos! Keep praying for the 8 left. Thanks.
RUSSIA, Rostov-on-Don: Clay Whidden met Sergiy 2 years ago at the Institute in Aksay where Clay teaches the History of Christianity. In 1984 Sergiy, a former atheist, secretly purchased a N.T. and read it several times. He became a member of the Roman Orthodox Church (ROC), attended an ROC seminary, became a priest, continued studying, receiving a Ph.D. in religion. He noticed glaring differences between the ROC and the church in the N.T. He attended seminars and courses taught by the Evangelical Baptists, the Pentecostals, Seventh Day Adventists, Jehovah's Witnesses and the Mormons. But did not find what he was looking for. He enrolled in the business university where Clay teaches. The last time Clay talked to Sergiy in 1996, Clay gave him a copy of Eddie Cloer's book, What is the Church? in Russian. Due to Beverly's serious illness in 1997 they were in Abilene. Clay did not see Sergiy. On the first day of the summer sessions ('98) for correspondence students, Sergiy came to Clay asking for baptism. After 2 weeks of intense study, he said he could wait no longer. On June 14th he was baptized into Christ. He returned to his home to inform his superiors in the ROC of his decision and to explain to his family, whom he had brought into the ROC. The ROC condemned Sergiy publicly and daily, saying he was "heretic," "Judas," "seller of Jesus," and "anathema." Except for his mother, all his family rejected him. She now wants to be baptized! Please pray for Sergiy.
I pray these various experiences of others have inspired us all to greater faith and good works to HIS GLORY! May our Father look over each of us as we carry His message to others.