April 2010
Several weeks ago I had the opportunity to serve and encourage a group of North Afr*can house church leaders. Their stories of life transformation and their vision for their nations were inspiring. They reflected on the price of regular police harassment and family opposition and declared that it was insignificant in comparison to knowing and serving Jesus.
Several days after our time together the police interrogated national believers and expelled a number of western mission workers. Some of these foreign workers who were given 48 hours to leave the country had established homes for orphans and had lived there for more than 20 years.
In spite of these challenges the Church is growing in this region! A m*sque leader recently found Christ through reading the New Testament and watching programs on satellite TV. He has been including references to the teachings of Jesus in his m*sque sermons. His wife also began reading the New Testament and noticed the dramatically different ways that Jesus treated women as compared to the teachings of the K*r*n. She informed her husband that she would no longer be attending the m*sque and was recently baptized.
As we serve new believers like this we are aware that only Jesus can give the courage, strength and peace they need to grow and influence their families and friends. Please pray for our Oasis team as they provide video and discipleship resources in a region thirsty for streams of living water!
Ministry Highlights
The third annual women’s retreat in Burkina Faso recently took place with double the attendance of last year – over 200 women! Praise God for the refreshing times of worship and teaching that these women experienced and pray for them as they reach out and share the love of Christ with friends and family. www.mbmission.org/burkinafaso
A new year of classes has started at the Indian Bible Institute (IBI) in Paraguay with the enrollment of 33 students that represent 8 tribal groups. Some of them have sacrificed good jobs to attend IBI. Praise God for calling these students to study His word, and pray they be well equipped for future ministry. Pray that God will place a desire in their hearts to share the good news with the people in their home communities. www.mbmission.org/paraguay
Items for Prayer
Pray for MB Mission workers Doris Goertz and Amberly Hulzebos who are serving in Japan through teaching English and Bible classes. They are also involved with relational evangelism and discipleship, and helping with various ministry and outreach programs. Pray that they will be an encouragement to the churches and that many people will be drawn to Christ through their ministry. www.mbmission.org/japan
In the beginning of this year, a church planting team travelled to India to explore future ministry opportunities. Pray that God will give them passion and vision as they raise support in North America and prepare to serve in a new culture. Pray that God will fill them with His love and compassion for the people of India. www.mbmission.org/india
Randy Friesen
Vision for Misison