Reaching the Lost in the Year 2000
Easy to Read Version: 1 Tim. 2:4, 6a: "God wants all people to be saved. And He wants all people to know the truth." "Jesus gave Himself to pay for the sins of all people." Ps. 78:4b: "We all will praise the Lord, and tell about the amazing things He did." 1 John 1:4: "We write these things to you so that you can be full of joy with us."
Greetings of the Season!! And Wishing Each of You God’s Daily Presence in 2001!! He was there in the following stories.
ZAMBIA: This is the story of how Dr. John Estes, Jr., a dentist, began his medical missions to Z. He met Dr. Kelly Hamby, a professor at ACU, at the gas pumps at a Superette in 1994. Dr. E asked Dr. H if he had been a missionary in Africa. He said, "Yes." Dr. E then said: "That’s funny, my wife has always wanted to see the birds in Africa." Dr. H replied: "That’s funny, I’ve always wanted a dentist to go to Zambia." (Dr. E believes that God can take ordinary people and do extraordinary things with them.) So John and Kelly, with their wives, two girls from Dr. E’s office and a physical therapist, in July 1995, met two veterinary medical people in Zambia, and went to the Namwianga Mission. They visited 5 villages, worked on a few people and taught Bible lessons. From this small beginning, each following summer, this work grew to a group of 4 doctors, 7 dentists, 10 nurses, 10 first aid people, and 50 workers, for July 2000. Some of the people that met them in 6 villages had walked 40 or 50 miles and slept in line, waiting for two days and nights. The group treated and ministered to 15,000 people or about 1/3 of those waiting. The rest will have to wait until next year. Dr. E said because of this dilemma, he had been caught up in a dream to expand the clinic at the mission in order to have dentists, nurses and doctors year around and teachers to teach. He added that God has blessed these efforts tremendously. 300,000 bricks have been paid for and 200,000 have been ordered on faith. He said that when God created the earth, He knew His Son would die to save man. He chose men to lead (i.e., Moses) and men to teach (i.e., Paul), and a West Texas dentist to go to Africa to teach them about Him, and He would bless his efforts. God also had in mind the need for bricks. So, in creating the soils, He created ants and termites to go down into the earth and bring these elements to the surface to form large ant hills. Then He created the need for building materials and the craftsmen who would mix the materials with water, put them in brick form, sun dry them and make large stacks of bricks and fire them with hard wood. Then this dentist would bring the first brick to America and tell this story. He raised $350,000 to expand the Zambia medical clinic. One brick costs $1. To help, please send donations to the Zambia Mission Fund, 658 E.N. 21st, Abilene, TX 79601. The dream of the project was told by a dying native preacher and missionary to Dr. Hamby. Out of respect for them, Dr. E and his wife June want to see this dream come true. As they removed teeth and treated the sick, they saw the changes in the lives of the natives and were encouraged. Here are a few stories from this year’s work: 1. A man went through the village showing where a front tooth had been removed, saying: "footprints of Jesus." 2. Carrying her baby, a lady, suffering with a toothache, walked two days and nights. She was too far back in line to be treated. Someone brought her to the front for treatment. 3. Jim Bartee learned abut an infant with a compound fracture that was carried back into the bush, probably to die. 4. Last year, an incoherent young man of about 25, was brought by two friends to get help for a foot severely damaged by fire. He is epileptic and had fallen into a fire. It nearly burned his foot off. The foot was so infected, it was dripping from the bandage. Dr. Cleddy Varner, ACU professor, removed the rotten tissue, treated, bandaged and sent him to the hospital for a supply of bandages, and medicine for the foot and epilepsy. Dr. V thought the foot could not be saved. In July, the young man returned to see Dr. V to tell him he had become a Christian. He came with a grateful smile, and was quite coherent. His foot was almost healed. Tears of joy filled Dr. V’s eyes. There was another incident of an epileptic that had fallen into a fire with burn injuries on a hand and arm. He was treated by Dr. V and sent to the clinic for a 3 month supply of medicine and bandages . Dr. Estes concludes his report with 3 points: "l. This program was started at a gas pump by two ordinary men. 2. God is in control. His knowledge is past understanding, but I know that He has a plan for you, and please let Him have control of your life. 3. I solicit your prayers and your financial assistance, . . ."
UGANDA, Ft. Portal: Jeff Cash, was a very busy man during the summer: 3 college interns spent several weeks; a successful 5 week WEI campaign; 2 visits with doctors to refugee camps, bringing physical and spiritual healing; hundreds of people in small villages and Ft. Portal viewed the Jesus film; a new teacher for the church of Christ Orphans’ School had been hired; arrangements had been made for the interns to interview a cult leader who said he is God; a fact-finding visit to the ‘holocaust’ areas in Rawanda; Jeff’s parents visited for 5 weeks; 15 doctors, plus helpers, spent a week in a small village, treating all kinds of physical problems. (Jeff was taught how to pull teeth!) The new Police Commissioner sent a message to Jeff for him to come to his office. Jeff thought, "Oh no, who is complaining now?" What is the problem? (People bring complaints against westerners, hoping to get money to drop the complaint.) He figured it must be important as this man was responsible for all of the police activities in the district. Being nervous as he entered the commissioner’s office, he was surprised at how friendly the commissioner was. Jeff thought it may be because of a gift of a Bible to him earlier. "I have been watching you," the man said. A lump formed in Jeff’s throat. He said that he had read an article about the medical clinic in the village, was aware of the showing of the Jesus film on the soccer field, overlooking the Hindu and Moslem temples, and that some of his men had attended the WEI campaign. (Two were baptized.) These men had been talking with him. He said that this is the kind of church he wanted to be associated with, and would Jeff come and teach him; and, also, would he consider showing the Jesus film to his entire police force, and teach them also!!! Jeff was shaking as he left the police station, not because he had not been charged with a crime, but because he had been challenged with an opportunity, and God had been glorified. (Lloyd Deal and Bill McDonough sent me Jeff’s story.
CAMEROON: Vonda Smith, Abilene, TX,
wrote of her work among the women.
(She has made several trips over the years to share Jesus’ message in The
Cameroons.) Her interpreter, in Kumba, was a sister named Gladys. She
walked several miles to meet Vonda everyday to have prayer together before the
class began. She explained: "We must do our part on our knees before we
stand to teach." She helped the class understand Vonda’s words and she
helped Vonda understand more clearly the power of prayer. Vonda was invited to
meet with the Saturday afternoon Bible class near Gladys’ one room home. About
60 children came, bringing their stools, chairs or benches with them. Gladys
leaned a rough board against a tree, and with chalk, wrote Bible verses on it
for the children to read and memorize. This dear sister, who has virtually no
earthly possessions, uses what she has to accomplish much. What an example she
is! At the close of Vonda’s seminar in Doula, the women gave her ‘the
most precious of gifts.’ The blue bag in which Vonda had carried her handouts
was empty. An elderly lady walked to the front, took the blue bag, and said that
the ladies did not have money to buy a gift for Vonda, so they wanted to fill
the bag with kisses and hugs for the family. She pulled the bag to her mouth and
put her kiss inside. She carried the bag around the room for others to do the
same. Tears filled Vonda’s eyes as each lady dropped in her kiss. She wrote:
"What little I had given was repaid a hundredfold."
TEXAS, Ft. Worth, Southside congregation: Several years ago Wyatt
Sawyer encouraged his Bible class to begin saving pennies for "Bibles
for Russia," to be joined by other classes. Recently, Jerry and Chloe Carter
placed a quart Miracle Whip jar FULL of pennies on his desk. Later, Jerry asked
Wyatt, "How many pennies were in the quart jar?" The count was 1,263
(9 lb, 2 oz). With other classes pennies, the total came to $105.53. $100 was
sent to WCB in Franklin, TN. This contribution brought the total
purchased by Southside to 11,300 Bibles for those who have listened to KNLS in
RUSSIA from Anchor Point, ALASKA. God’s Message will go beyond the
11,300 in most cases, as they will be shared with families and friends. May God
bless the readers and pray that they will respond to the Message! Perhaps, this
will encourage others to go and do likewise.
CALIFORNIA, San Francisco: Daniel Hung, minister to the Chinese congregation, prayed for years that God would start a Cantonese radio broadcast in California. There are many Cantonese speaking people in North America. After a trip to friends in China, to whom he took Bibles requested of them, God said ‘yes’ to Daniel. A friend came to him with funds for necessary equipment, wanting him to start a radio program in Cantonese!
COLOMBIA, S.A., Bogota: Rafael Serrano, at an early age left the faith of his parents and committed himself to God. Upon his decision to do this, he found his bags packed and heard his mother say, "I no longer consider you a member of the family." He had taught himself from the Scriptures and saw the need for baptism for the remission of his sins. In the Providence of God, Rafael brought his wife and children to the United States in 1992 to prepare himself to preach at the Center for Christian Education, Irving, TX. Upon graduation, the Sorrano family returned to Bogota with support of the Webb Chapel congregation in Dallas, TX., Rafael started his ministry in earnest. With the opposition of the Catholic culture and the leftist guerillas, his faith and perseverance have resulted in growing a congregation from 15 to more than 100. Rafael’s mother, who had kicked him out of the house, is now his sister in Christ! The Church now averages 1 baptism a week. In Christ, all things are possible! Recently, while he was in the Metroplex to assist in a better translation of the New Testament into Spanish, Ronnie Wiggins, asked him what he would like to say to U.S. Christians. Ronnie said his comments convicted him, and, perhaps, some of you will likewise respond. Rafael said: "The U.S. is a blessed nation, but you have problems. You hide the gospel. The gospel is for sharing. It’s for all nations. The gospel is not just about going to church, but to proclaim to every nation because God wants you to help Him save people." The Center honored Rafael as their Alumnus of the Year 2000. How appropriate!
SOUTH PACIFIC, REPUBLIC OF VANUATU, Port Villa: Tobey Huff reports about a man named John, a Sunday visitor from the island of Tanna. He had met Yusi at a bus stop. Their conversation led to talking about Jesus. John was a worker for a Pentecostal church in Tanna from which he and others had recently split from the mother church over a pastor power struggle. This group calls themselves "The Christian Group," and had been praying for God to show the proper way He would have them serve Him! Shem, Sombo and Yusi spent several days of study with him before his return to Tanna. John had graduated from the Assembly of God Bible College in Vanuatu. After the study with the brethren, he said he had not been taught anything Biblical at the college, and that he felt God was answering their prayers. He has returned home, and is to call back after he has talked to the group he meets with. There is a potential of several thousands who could be reached. Tobey said they promised to send someone for a week or so to teach when they are ready.
ZAMBIA, Kalomo: Roy Merritt sent this story to the Christian Chronicle: Botias dropped out of school after the 6th grade. Several years later he listened to the messages of preachers and told his wife that he wanted to learn to preach. He walked 20 miles to the best preacher he knew, Bicycle Seanjina. He demanded: "Teach me how to preach!" Bicycle said: "It is planting season. What’s the panic? Wait until after harvest." "I’ll help you plough. Teach me as we walk behind the oxen." Botias stayed with Bicycle for 3 months working the fields and listening. Holy fire kindled. Soon he began a new congregation under a tree in his village, the first of many in that region.
AMERICAN SAMOA: Tom Tune, who sails the seas in his Dorcas Sue from island to island fitting glasses, teaching about Jesus; publishes Biblical lessons, which are sent to a mailing list; preaches often to the Church in A.S., tells this story: Of those baptized in the first part of the year, was a visitor who was looking for a church home for her 7 year old granddaughter. They had visited other religious groups, and the little girl told her grandmother: "I don’t think God is in those churches." So they kept going to the Lord’s church. Tom learned of the girl’s e-mail address, and wrote her a line or two at a time. She would reply with a few words. The grandmother and little girl came regularly to worship. Tom had a picture made with the little girl and she took it to her school to show the other children her Christian friend. One Sunday, the grandmother decided they would go visit a Catholic church. The little girl said she did not want to go there but to that church where Christ is. So they came back to ‘where Christ is.’ Tom began a study with the Grandmother who committed herself to Jesus and was baptized into Him, where salvation is (Acts 4:12). And a little child led her!!
GERMANY, Chemnitz: Reiner Kallus says, "Don’t give up too soon!" After the fall of the wall in 1989, ads were placed in the newspapers; responders received brochures; a monthly publication, "Das Feste Fundament’ (The Firm Foundation) was written for this mailing list. Bernd Hoefer, late 40's, a Lutheran, read the material sent, and he often sent substantial contributions. He never responded to the invitations to visit the Chemnitz congregation until this summer. Reiner was holding a meeting in June and Bernd attended several nights. But he was not yet convinced. He wrote Karl, Reiner’s brother, who edits the magazine. He asked for two tracts on Baptism. They were "What the Bible says on Baptism," and "What the Bible says on Infant Baptism." The first one is filled with Scripture, while the other had only blank pages! After studying these tracts, he was baptized in the Oelsnitz church building, July 27. Reiner learned of two other baptisms in Graz, AUSTRIA, where he preached for 8 years.
What joy after so many years of planting the Seed! ~~ Not out of stories, but out of space. My wish is that you have been made to rejoice from these reports. . . and GOD WAS THERE!