Letting God's Light Shine in 1999

Jesus said, "I am the light of the world. The person who follows me will never live in darkness. That person will have the light that gives life." (John 8:12) Jesus said to him, ". . . You must go and tell about the kingdom of God." (Luke 9:60b) . . . You are people who belong to God. God chose you to tell about the wonderful things He has done. (I Peter 2:9b). Every place the believers went they told the Good News (Acts 8:4c).

The Lord has shone His Light through the following soldiers in His Army of Peace throughout the world. Sources: E-mail, newsletters, Christian Chronicle, Action, CrossView, and speeches.

GUYAMA: Patrick Mead tells this story of his father, Bill (68), and his son, Duncan (9). When Hurricane Mitch arrived, Bill thought he should go and help the people. Many times he and his wife, Catherine, a nurse, had gone into the jungles of Africa to help the people, physically and spiritually. But Catherine had a hip injury and could not go. The trip seemed doomed until Duncan spoke up: "I'll go." Patrick cautioned him about the reality of such a trip into the jungle during such a powerful storm. But he insisted. So Grandpa and Duncan, with 400 pounds of medicine, several crates of food and clothing, left for G. (Bill had always gone where no missionaries had been.) So they, with a team, went into the highlands of G., near the Venezuelan border. They traveled by river when the swollen rivers allowed, dragging litters of medicines, food and clothes through the jungle, being pummeled by wind and rain. They treated up to 300 people a day, and held classes to teach them of our Savior. When the supplies were used up, the team returned to the coast and called Patrick. He asked to speak to Duncan, and they said: "Oh, they're not with us. There wasn't enough room on the last plane out, so your dad sent us and told us they would find their own way out, overland." To Patrick and Kami, the next 48 hours were the longest in history! They prayed while Bill and Duncan made it through the jungle to the coast. They had given away all their clothes, money, cases, etc. They had only their passports and the clothes on their backs. Patrick wired tickets. They arrived skinnier, pale, and insect bitten (over 100 bites counted on Duncan!). New clothes were purchased at the airport, and while changing into them, Duncan said: "Daddy, I have to go back. There is so much to do there." And back they went in April 1999. At one village the Chief would not allow them to preach on his territory. Grandpa asked where the borders were. The Chief indicated a stream. They stepped across it and Bill began to preach. There were six conversions during the next week. They hired a man to build a boat, bought a motor, and gave it to the nearest preacher, 4 hours away by river. He travels each week to the new church and teaches them, taking several members from up river with him to encourage the new believers. Upon Duncan's return, he left with his father to the Highlands of SCOTLAND, and the Western Isles, encouraging the believers whose first language is Gaelic (known by the Meads), leaving materials for them to read and use in worship, and checking on preachers they helped train back in the 80's. Duncan is scheduled this year to travel with his Dad into INDONESIA and MALAYSIA, and a return trip to SCOTLAND, and next August with his grandparents back to GUYANA, the Lord willing. Patrick proudly says, "Duncan is just a 10 year old . . . , but his heart drives him to tell others the good news, so he finds himself in jungles helping suture, give shots, and holds babies while all the time they are telling the good news of Jesus." {The grandparents have done mission work extensively in West Africa, Siberia, Republic of Georgia, the Ukraine and Guyana.)

VIENTAINE, LAOS: PRAISE GOD, Ken and Jean Fox wrote. After 1l/2 years, on June 7, 1999, the last 8 prisoners were free! Bumlert, one of the prisoners said, "We are so full of joy, we don't know how to express it. We are so thankful to God for his bountiful blessings." They were warned by the officials to be careful in their future religious activities. Their faith has been strengthened through this ordeal. The contract between the Laotian government and Partners in Progress was not renewed. The unfinished work of providing clean water for the schools, and latrines as well, hinder improvement of conditions for the children. How sad! Continue to pray for our brethren there.

WICHITA FALLS, TX.: Faith Village congregation: The lady showed up one Sunday and responded to the invitation. She requested baptism. Since the minister wanted to be sure he understood the purpose of baptism, he asked her. He also asked how she learned the gospel. Seeing she was well taught, he took her confession and baptized her into Christ. (She had explained that she purchased 5 film strips and tapes at a garage sale for $3 and studied them. They were the Jule Miller film strips which tell the story of God and His people from Genesis to Revelation!)

ABILENE, TEXAS: In 1984 Dr. John Estes, "discovered my evangelistic efforts were - not being satisfied in my personal life, nor in the congregation I was attending were they sufficient nor rewarding to me. Through the advice of my daughter, Dr. Jan Estes Tindol, I then turned to short term medical missions trips to third world countries and the poor. My reason being that Jesus' ministry was healing and teaching among the poor. June and I began our medical mission trips (about 3 weeks to a month) to the Navajo reservation, sponsored by the Richland Hills congregation, Ft. Worth, Texas." Next, they went to GUATEMALA, HONDURAS, HAITI and ZAMBIA, AFRICA. Dr. John believes that God takes ordinary people to do great things; and takes ordinary things to make big things happen. Among those who have gone with the Esteses on these medical missions, from the University congregation, are their daughter, Jane, also a dentist, Dr. Roy Willingham, a medical doctor, Elaine Green, and several grandchildren. In Zambia Dr. John pulled a man's tooth who asked him why he would come from America and help the people for free. Dr. John said he worked for a carpenter by the name of Jesus, and told him more of his 'employer.' The man went throughout his village telling others what Jesus had done for them. In Zambia he saw people who needed more help than the team of doctors could do with no proper facilities. This urged him on to raise funds for a hospital there. In HAITI he saw the need to train ministers to go all over Haiti to tell the Good News to the many lost people. Eventually, with the help of other good people, a foundation was organized and a Bible school has been built to train young men to preach. This year 20 young men were graduated from this school. The church is now known as the fastest growing religious group in all of Haiti. CAP-HAITIAN, HAITI: Tim Mastenbrook reported that an evangelistic campaign, Aug. 8-15, drew 2,000-2,500; that nothing like it had ever happened in Haiti. A Christian sister gave her inheritance from her father to support this effort! People came from as far away as Port-au-Prince and the Dominican Republic border. Plans are to have another such effort next year at Port-au-Prince.

CAPETOWN, S. AFRICA: Brian and Sandra Davis had a 'welcome problem.' Due to increased attendance, they needed a larger place, which was not easy to find. Since other religious groups met at the schools, their instruments of music were too noisy. They learned of a meeting place at the Cape Flatt Community Development Center. The reason it was available was the Pentecostal group caused excessive noise and were asked to leave by the owner. When the owner learned that the Lord's Church did not use instrumental music in worship, they were welcomed as new renters!

JERUSALEM, ISRAEL: Joseph Shulam. minister, tells of the continued persecution of the Jews who have accepted Jesus as the Messiah, who was promised through the prophets of God. On 3-21, at 3:45 a.m., Joseph was awakened to 3 strong 'bangs.' He went to the living room and saw fire on the window. He opened it and saw a 'Molotov Cocktail.' He took the burning bottle to the sink and drowned it in a pot full of water Their home had been firebombed! He called the police. There were 28 apartments in the 8 floor building. If the fire had entered the living room, no one could have stopped the fire - it would have been a disaster. Joseph is sure God protected him and all in the building. The newspapers in all of Israel reported it. Some explained who the Messianic Jews are and why the violent action of the Orthodox community was unacceptable. The local Jerusalem TV interviewed Joseph and took pictures of his home and congregation and gave him a chance to explain about what he believes about Jesus and the N. T.. God will receive the glory from the persecutions.

SOFIA, BULGARIA: In many countries of eastern Europe the economy is in bad shape and jobs hard to find. Christians often have difficulties in living as Christians. Some lose their jobs. This happened to Peter. Tom and Sheryl Black wrote of Peter's not being paid for 4 days wages. His employer was trying to force him to do illegal things like passing counterfeit $100 bills to the Blacks. Peter refused and was fired. A problem often met by shoppers is some would cut the shopping bags and take some of the contents. Tom had gotten his bag slit the third time by gypsies in the streetcar. They did not get anything that time. "We keep getting it sewed up," Sheryl wrote. Some are in such dire circumstances that they try anything to survive.

YENDI, GHANA: Due to no rain in the usually rainy season, the Chief of the area insisted that all subjects contribute to buy animal sacrifices. All agreed except the 47 congregations of the church of Christ. John Tilabi, minister, and 4 brethren were put on trial before the Chief. 100's were there. The five were made to sit in uncomfortable positions, enduring insults and threats of violence. Accusations that they did not want the good of the tribe or the land. The brethren argued patiently that it was a matter of faith not to sacrifice to gods. They never gave in. They were dismissed and threatened with violence while preparations were made for the sacrifices. John and others strengthened the brethren to resist the pressure brought on them. The people boasted their gods were faithful and would rain during the sacrifices, which would wash the blood away. The Christians prayed that God show His power and do what is best. Heavy clouds gathered but NO rain fell for four weeks. Negative views toward the Christians changed. They even feared their God as a truly powerful One, and whoever threatens His children is asking for trouble! Many people came to be followers of Jesus. Some denominational churches who gave in to the sacrifices said that John and the saints did the right thing, and apologized for not standing with them. Christ has been glorified, and closed doors are now open. Praise God!

BERAT, ALBANIA: Enida Allejbeu is now a freshman at ACU. The first time she heard the word Bible was at 14 years of age. Two Jehovah's Witnesses stopped at her Muslim home, talked to her of Jesus and gave her her first Bible. She hid it under her bed and read it secretly whenever she could. For five years she became very familiar with the New Testament. The power of the Word convicted her and she wanted to become a Christian. She told her parents and they did not object. While at a Turkish college, she was persecuted by fellow students which caused her to come to the States. All five of the universities she applied to accepted her. She chose ACU as it has "Christian" in the name. A few days before leaving home for Texas she asked a denominational preacher to baptize her. He told her to wait a couple of weeks when he would have a baptismal service. She was scheduled to leave before that so could not be baptized before leaving. After arriving at ACU, she discussed God's Word with a Biology professor and other friends and was immersed into Christ. She is so happy now that she is among Christians, and looks forward to the time she can share her faith in her homeland.

GRAFRATH, GERMANY: Gottfried Reichel, continues the German Radio Ministry. Jens Baumgart, while an atheist, got hold of a Bible, and started attending a Lutheran church. He also listened to Gottfried's broadcasts from which he learned that Bible baptism is immersion. When he learned Gottfried was to hold a gospel meeting in Chemnitz on June 6, he asked that Gottfried and Hannelore come to see him in Klingenberg. They found Jens and his family in their garden. While Jens' wife prepared their meal, Gottfried answered Jens' questions with Scripture. After their discussion, Jens said he would be at the services the next day at Chemnitz, and that he wanted to obey Christ in baptism. Klingenberg to Chemnitz is a two hour trip. Jens was waiting at the church building when the Reichels arrived. Gottfried preached on the 'New Birth.' Jens was immersed into his Lord. In a letter of gratitude, he wrote: "During the last two weeks I prayed often to almighty God to lead me on the right path. He led me out of darkness which surrounded me through your visit on Sat. again to the light of our Savior Jesus Christ . . . The joy and heartiness of all the brothers and sisters (in Chemnitz) on Sun. was so wonderful that I would love to see them again as soon as possible. Thanks be to God, our Father, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

MUNICH, GERMANY: Reiner Kallus told of how God's Word from East Germany influenced a man in Trier, in far West Germany, via e-mail. This man interested some of his friends. More material was sent to help them study the Word of God. Then word came by e-mail: "We are going to begin a church of Christ in our city." Two of the men were to meet the brethren at the men's fall retreat and discuss the matter. ^^ Due to the needs of the Kosovo refugees in Albania, Reiner encouraged the raising of funds for helping through Partners in Progress, 6th and Izzard congregation in Little Rock, AR.. The German Christians sent $30,000 for this need. ^^ Reiner and other German brethren are seeking a way to begin another Bible school for preparing the younger generation to continue spreading God's Word. His son, Stephan, is already a minister of the Word.

ROCHESTER HILLS, MI: Brother Otis Gatewood, who spent 75 years in various mission fields, passed away at age 88, Sep. 16, 1999. He probably inspired more people to go into all the world to teach the lost, and inspired more people t o give funds needed to plant the Seed, than any other person in the Lord's Church in the 20th Century. He has been called the "Father of Missions." That was God's gift to Otis and Otis used the gift to glorify God. Otis spent most of his years with his family in Germany and Austria, making trips into Iron Curtain countries at risk of imprisonment, to teach the Good News of Christ. On Aug. 5, 1970, he penned his "last prayer." When his daughter, Darlene took a leave of absence from her job to come to care for Otis in his illness, he told her where the prayer was and she was to read it at his death. Here are excerpts from it. "My Father, Creator, Sovereign, and Redeemer. Through Christ my Lord, I come to thee to pen a prayer that I wish for you to hear when the hour of death for me has come and my senses are too dull to pray as I would like. I pray that you will accept this as my parting petition. Thou knowest that I am unworthy of thy love . . . I have sinned so often . . . I do not despair because you have, because of thy Son, promised to forgive and cleanse me by thy mercy again and again. . . . . May I praise thee not only with my tongue but with my actions, work and attitude. . . . You have blessed me so abundantly and I thank thee in every way I know how. Thank you for allowing me to preach the word these many ways. Thank you for the wonderful ways you have blessed my feeble efforts. You have forgiven me abundantly and have blessed me far above my desserts. I know I have failed you in so many ways, but thank you that you have over-ruled my failures to good. . . Protect and redeem me to the end and use my efforts to thy names's glory and honor."

KORAT, THAILAND: Two Christian women, April, 27, an Ameriasian, and Than, 33, with two children ach, are being threatened and persecuted by their husbands and relatives. Than's husband tried to chop her with a sword and threatened to kill her with a gun. Although the situation has proved, he still forbids her to come to worship, but she comes anyway. Recently, April's husband beat her on her back with a 3 x 1" stick, like beating a snake. Both are still faithful. What at faith! Please pray for them.

Bob Thomas, CFP, reports that NEW GUINEA, in the SOUTH PACIFIC, is the last place to have unexplored territory. Irian Jaya, according to Nat'l Geographic, is the size of California and has 14 areas not yet mapped or fully explored. It is mountainous, covered with dense jungle, few roads and largely inaccessible. Bob is coordinating a missionary outreach to the inhabitants. Bob and Duane Morgan have made several trips into the uncharted regions using a 13 foot inflatable boat. David Buskirk, missionary stationed in Irian Jaya, and Bob are using a helicopter to explore and evangelize these vast areas. In Nov., 2001, he and David, "the Lord willing, will again enter Waropen in search of the lost still dwelling in the stone age." The jungles are thought to conceal as many as 20,000 souls and at least a dozen languages that have never been heard by the outside world. Cannibalism is part of their culture. The government of the largest island nation has allowed the churches of Christ to establish a coastal Bible School. 11 classes have been graduated and 15 churches established, all but one self-supporting. All done through the efforts of David and Duane, prayers and supporters, with God's help!

SIBERIA, RUSSIA: Mike Armour, Dallas, TX, baptized Dr. Vladimir Skovorodnikov, former minister of Ed. For the Altai region of Siberia, (size of Texas), directing 3,500 schools, orphanages and colleges. In 1992 in Barnaul he learned of Jesus during a mission effort of the Lord's Church. He came to see the Bible as a basis for developing values, ethics and character and wanted that for the children in his schools. He asked the Church to provide material to use in their schools. Also he wanted his teachers trained in the material. Dr. Nat Cooper, of SIBI, Lubbock, prepared a 24 lesson student curriculum, "History of Christianity in a World Culture," translated printed by EEM, Vienna. More than 1,000 teachers have been trained to tech these lessons. 50,000 copies of the native Syndale Bible were printed in Novosibirsk, 15,000 intermediate children's Bibles printed in Moscow, and 20,000 children's Beginner's Bibles printed in Vienna - delivered in Sep., assisted by Jerry Sizemore, missionary in Barnaul. Bro. Armour prepared "A Newcomer's Guide to the Bible." Before Dr. S. was replaced by a new communist governor, because of his new concepts, he authorized legislation which allows for character development in Russian schools. (Some of the trained teachers have obeyed the Gospel!)

ELSALVADOR, CA: Jose was 42 when he got his first Bible. He lived in a remote area of El S. in a tiny two room mud hut with his family. He was worshiping with a mix of deism, pagan and Catholic philosophies - very confusing. He wanted so to understand the Bible, so he used it to learn to read, memorizing stories and verses, and read it through several times. This new knowledge showed him the groups he met with were not the one he read about in the Bible. Today he and his family walk 2 hours every week to worship. On Juan Monroy's (MADRID, SPAIN), recent visit to El S., Jose showed Juan the Bible where he learned to read and learned God's Will. (Juan travels to Cuba and several Central American countries annually to hold gospel meetings.)

GUATEMALA, CA: The First Lady of G., Patricia Escoborde Arzu, is waging a nationwide effort to spread God's Word. After 36 years of civil war, she knows her people need the Bible to maintain peace. Pres. Arzu negotiated a tentative peace treat between military and rebel leaders. In the schools, the First Lady sponsored a program to reach an entire generation with the principles of the Gospel. Ethics workshops were given for 1,400 new police cadets. 800 of them decided to live by Biblical principles! She now wants to reach the military and needs 100,000 Bibles. The Herald of Truth, Abilene, TX. are raising funds for providing Bibles in C.A. Church leaders are in great need of Bibles to spread the Word.

There are so many more stories I wish I could tell, like the great work in MAGADAN, RUSSIA, by David and Galina Binkley, ALBANIA AND KOSOVO, by Bill McDonough, Doug Smith are going great things with many others, and on and on wonderful things GOD is doing through his wonderful Children.

Please pray for all. Always remember God and Jesus love you and so does Kay. Do keep in touch. May God bless you all as you let His light shine to others.