Declaring His Glory Among the Nations in 2004

"Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous deeds among all peoples." (Ps. 96:3 NIV); "But if I say,’I will not mention Him or speak anymore in His name,’ His word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot." (Jer. 20:9 NIV); "And the gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come." (Matt. 24:14 NIV); "But thanks be to God, who always leads us in victory through Christ. God uses us to spread His knowledge everywhere like a sweet smelling perfume." (2 Cor. 2:14 ERV). "Then He said to His disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field.’" (Matt. 9:37, 38 NIV)

SEASONS GREETINGS! And may 2005 bring us into a closer relationship with God as He helps us reach out to the lost to bring them into His Family. He would just love that!!!

NOW INTO ALL THE WORLD: KENYA, Eldoret: A young man named Noah Too found the web site of the University Church of Christ in Abilene, TX., and read that the members were being asked to pray for the sick of the congregation. He emailed the Church and said he did not know the sick listed, but he would pray for them. This message was sent to the church list of emails. The writer thought he may be a good contact for the Lord’s message. She wrote him thanking him for his thoughtfulness. For a number of months they emailed each other. She sent him tapes of sermons from Bro. Loy Mitchell and other Biblical material for his consideration. (He wrote of a missionary of the Church by the name of Larry Conway who had brought his family a bag of maize when he was a child.) He had longed to come to the States to get a college education, hoping to get a scholarship on his athletic ability in running. A coach in Jacksonville, AL., invited him to come stay with him and check with various universities. He also ran some races and won them. But he learned he was too old for the University teams. Upon arriving in Jacksonville, he found the Lord’s church and started attending. The kindness of the Christians overwhelmed him. After several weeks, he sent the writer the following message: "Hi Mum, Today I am not writing to inform you of how far I have gone concerning getting a school. Neither am I writing to tell you how nice people have been to me here. I am writing to give you very good news concerning my life. Yesterday night at 7.10 PM, after the preacher had finished preaching, I walked to the front and made an announcement that I have heard the Word, Believed in the Word, Repent my sins, and confessed that Jesus Christ is the son of God. Then I said ‘ I want to be baptized.’ And I was baptized by the preacher yesterday at Jacksonville Church of Christ. I believe this is the reason God brought me to America. Now Mum I am your brother in Christ wherever I go. I thank God for changing my life and I pray that He sustains me till the day I meet Him. Please put me in your prayers today and this coming Sunday. I love you Mum and God bless you. Noah Too. " There are many in heaven and on earth rejoicing over this occasion!

FROM THE ISLAMIC WORLD: There have been many reports from various places that some Muslims are wanting a Bible. This seemed to especially occur after viewing The Passion of the Christ movie. Richard Kruse, Toronto, Canada, director of the International Bible Correspondence School, wrote of a Mr. G. who is employed in an Islamic school. "He is a Muslim who has come to faith in Jesus through studying our courses. He is prepared to make a declaration of his faith by being baptized even though it will cost him his job. It could result in his wife leaving him and it could also cost him his life. " Names and nations cannot be given in these stories. In another part of the world, a Muslim family left their home for another country. and while there wanted to learn more about Christianity. They met a preacher from Kenya who knows a brother in Washington who could send this family some English/Bible studies. They did not wait until they had finished the course, but shared it with friends in yet another country. The husband, wife and oldest child were baptized into our Lord. They then went to the country where they had sent the course ahead of them. From that point in time, in about 6 to 7 months, 1,200 people in 4 nearby countries had entered God’s Family!!! But, like in the first century, many of the Christians (all Muslims) have been imprisoned, beaten, threatened, and/or killed. (A grandfather hired men to kill his grandson who had been sent to another country for safekeeping!) The one who started spreading the Word said that if he stopped teaching our of fear, then the Word could not be spread. And that if he is killed, so be it, for it may strengthen the brethren. He was imprisoned, beaten and left for dead. In pain from fractures to his body, he made it home only to be kidnapped, and his left eye removed! Before they had removed his right eye, so he could no longer read the Bible, his wife found him and paid the evil ones to get her husband back. They went to another country where the brethren put him in the hospital. He was so loved by all the brothers and sisters. Upon returning home for recovery, the men, believed to be the ones who killed the young man earlier, killed him, mutilating his body. The one writing said they have all been threatened. Last word is that all the congregations are faithful and growing. PLEASE PRAY FOR ALL OUR MUSLIM BRETHREN WHEREVER THEY ARE!

ZAMBIA: Namwianga and surrounding villages: 18,350 received medical attention and 110 were baptized during the 10th annual medical mission. From the report by LaDanna Armstrong of Surprise, AZ, we learn that 208 hard working team members (123 Americans and 85 Zambians) treated suffering individuals. Medical doctors, dentists, eye doctors, nurses, Bible teachers, some bringing their children, worked many hours in this effort to save body and soul of over 18,000. It was done between July 9 - 24. The ten year record shows that they have helped 95,000 people! This year the team traveled to 4 places in the Bush where they held clinics and then the fifth was held at the new Namwianga Rural Health Center. The retail value of the medicine taken was $3 million! Star Ferguson of Abilene, TX, was the Pharmacy Director. They filled 69,745 prescriptions! Dr. Craig Peterson from Springfield, Mo., saw over 2,700 patients. He treated eye infections, dry eyes, allergies and glaucoma. A man was given a pair of glasses to correct his vision. He had a huge smile on his face as it was the first time he could see clearly. He hesitatingly gave them back as he did not understand he could keep them. The workers kindly said that the glasses were given freely to him in the name of Jesus. With tears streaming down his cheeks, he asked: "Are these really mine to keep?" He could now see his children clearly and also God’s love through the compassion given by the medical mission team. Many stories could be told about the horrible physical problems caused by fire, accidents, diseases, etc.. Some could only be temporarily helped as surgery was needed. While the people are lined up for help, Bible teachers talk to them about the Lord and His will for them. Some had walked for many miles and some for days to get help.

RUSSIA: EASTERN EUROPEAN MISSION (EEM), Houston, TX.: Frank Farr, Pres., EEM, has been in contact with Dr. Vladimir S. in Barnaul, Russia about providing Bibles and Biblical libraries to 1,600 schools of that region. This will be the third region in Siberia where EEM has provided these materials for the students. The total number of students having access to God’s Word will be over one million! Praise God! Dr. Mike Armour, author of "A Newcomer’s Guide to the Bible," led over 100 teachers in Barnaul through a one-week training seminar to help them use his book for teaching children. And he did the same in Donetsk, Ukraine. Alexander P., Director of Youth Camps in Ukraine, overseas 820 summer camps in Ukraine where over 2 million children enjoy recreation and training. He has personally invited members of the Church to use EEM’s Beginner’s Bible to teach the children of Ukraine. Gregg Perry, Nashville, TN., and others have spent many years directing such youth camps there. (Contributions to help EEM in this work can be sent to P.O. Box 90755, Houston, TX 77290.) EEM sent 20 large print Russian Bibles to Ron Warpole, Tallinn, Estonia. He emailed EEM: "I presented 6 of them to the women who squint and struggle to read along in the Ladies Bible Class. They were thrilled and beamed their semi-toothless grins from ear to ear. I was nearly kissed and hugged to death. So from them (and others who will receive these large print Bibles) . . thank you to EEM and to all those who contribute so that even the older folks can open God’s Word and read, not only in their own language, but in print suitable for eyesight that is growing dim."

MALAWI NEWS: Lubagha Mission, Bob and Flo Calderwood, missionaries. Too often in some African countries lack of rain causes poor Maize crops. Flo taught groups of ladies last year how to cook a nutritional meal without Maize. Due to lack of rain and no Maize this year, her lessons paid off. She plans more such classes to help others to learn the same lessons and plans to add new recipes this year. On the mission field one never knows what new need will appear needing another solution! Bob and others teach at the International Biblical Institute at Lubagha. Bob prepares the lessons which are translated for use in their classes; preparing them a year in advance. From MALAWI MISSIONS NEWSLETTERS: LUMBADZI, Richard Stephens, Suzi Stephens, RN, missionaries. Suzi tells about the day a container of clothing was being off loaded and a blind couple arrive on a mini bus to ask for help. A box was filled with clothes:"2 sets of clothes, jackets, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, lotion, shoes and supplies as they came off the container. They simply could not understand how people in America could love them so much to send such good things to Malawi for them. They held the clothes up to their cheeks to feel the new clothes and "see" with their hands and face. It was such a joy to be able to receive and distribute some supplies all in the same day." Napoleon D., a church leader from the central district of M. told of a recent trip by 12 Malawi preachers to Mozambique where they taught and preached. Some of the preachers were from the Preacher Training School in Mponela, Malawi. A number of Bibles sent by the Green Valley church in Noblesville, Ind., were distributed to those in attendance. Near the Blessings Hospital the Madalitso Food Plant in Lumbadzi was built. They can produce food products to feed 24,000 children a day! On Nov. 3 it was opened. People came from the far north, up from the south, by plane, by bus, by car, by bicycle, but most came walking to the big event. There were political figures from all three administrations of the M. government. and Members of the M. Parliament came from many regions. Traditional African chiefs came in order to speak and to be in attendance for the event. Business leaders came as did media from America! The main room filled; then the side room all the way to the doors, as the people pressed in closer and closer. One political figure said, "It is the first time in the history of Malawi that a production facility of such caliber has ever been built in a village area outside of the cities."

RUSSIA: ST. PETERSBURG: CHUCK WHITTLE, missionary. The St. Petersburg Institute of Theology and Christian Ministry has admitted its first student, Valery Ermakov, from Perm!! Interview dates for additional students are set for Nov. 29 and Dec. 6. Classes are scheduled to begin on Jan. 10.. This Institute will be a big boost in spreading God’s Word in Russia.

ZAMBIA: Namwianga, Roy Merritt, missionary. Among the many works that goes on in this area is George Benson Christian College. Roy sends this report of GBCC: It is an instrument of evangelism as follows: "We work to train self-supporting Christian workers. About 30 students have ‘bonded’ sponsorships. They sign a contract promising at least 3 years’ work in an unevangelized part of Zambia in exchange for 3 years financial support in college. Living Bupe, the first grad of Northreach’s sponsorship project, has planted more than 20 congregations. Reinforcements are on their way. GBCC third year students finish their public examinations Dec. 8. Dec. 13, 9 grads travel north to hunt for schools. Only 3 of these students are bonded. The other 6 are not obliged, they just –they just WANT to go! All these guys did their teaching practices in Luapula last June, July and Aug. Now they are ready to go back to the churches they planted. . . . These graduates must negotiate jobs with the PTA of whatever school interests them. Most PTAs will offer free accommodations and some food. Desperate schools sometimes offer money - as much as $40 a month. I’ve told these 9 guys, ‘Negotiate your best PTA deal. ‘When we know your needs, I’ll try to find donors willing to ‘top up’ your PTA offer to the standard teacher salary, and ask them to stick with you until you cash in on re-election fever.’ (Election in 2006 promises more pay for teachers!) Can anyone help one of these new kind of missionaries?) It is a great way to evangelize!

MADAGASCAR: Most are aware of KNLS which broadcasts from Alaska to Oriental countries. Now there will be a way to broadcast in Arabic from Madagascar! Officials of World Christian Broadcasting have visited the President and other government officials of M. for permission to build a radio station from which the Lord’s message can reach the Middle East, European Russia, and former republics of Russia. Permission has been granted! Before the radio station can be completed, an Arabic web site will be provided for reaching the Arabic world.

CAMBODIA: Bill McDonough, missionary. Bill has many projects going and constantly needs help. Preachers and Bible teachers go for weeks or months at a time to keep the work going. A boat is being built in Vietnam for use as the Mekong River Clinical Boat Project. Wells are dug for fresh well water. Each new well provides good water for several hundred people. The cost of digging a well is $500 - $1,000. Can you or a congregation pay for a new well? Village Bible training and one on one Bible studies are part of the work. Recently they had a Village Church Leaders Seminar. Missionaries from the Philippines and two from the USA taught 26 brothers from 7 different congregations, 8 hours a day for 2 weeks. The goal was to help developing leaders gain Bible knowledge and leadership skills. 12 workers from France chose Cambodia . They are part of the "Christians With A Mission" group from Marseille, which is made up of young people that devote one year for developing spiritually. They taught the local church about children’s work. In order to help the farmers with their rice crops, the Village Christian Co-op was formed. When the farmers ran out of rice they had to borrow rice from wealthy land owners at 180 to 300 percent interest. With the Co-op, each member donates rice to a Rice Bank. The farmers can borrow from this rice bank at 10% interest. These are only a few of the many things they are doing to spread God’s Word to the lost in Cambodia.

Hopefully, these few of many stories that could be told of going into all the world will inspire us to ‘go and do likewise’ next door, down the street or wherever we can go to tell the saving story.