March 2009
I've been reading an interesting book called "Three Cups of Tea" which tells the true story of the community development work of Greg Mortenson in Northern Pakistan and Afghanistan. Greg's attempt to climb K2, the world's second-highest mountain, with a team was hampered by bad weather near the summit.I've been reading an interesting book called "Three Cups of Tea" which tells the true story of the community development work of Greg Mortenson in Northern Pakistan and Afghanistan. Greg's attempt to climb K2, the world's second-highest mountain, with a team was hampered by bad weather near the summit. Unable to summit they retraced their steps down the glacier and became separated. Greg found his way down to a village where he was nursed back to health. During his stay with the village chief he asked about their school and was shocked to learn they had no school building. The children squatted on a level area outside and scratched in the dirt while a teacher instructed them 1 or 2 days a week.
Greg saved his meager earnings as a night nurse in San Francisco to build a school for this village. In the 15 years since then Greg has built over 78 schools in one of the most challenging physical and spiritual environments in the world. When 9/11 occurred, Greg was on the Pakistan/Afghanistan border where the locals went out of their way to shield him from danger. When local mullahs, jealous of the community support this "infidel" was receiving for his school projects, pronounced a "fatweh" (death) ruling against him, Greg submitted his claim to regional Islamic Sharia courts. After investigation they declared him to be more righteous than the rulers who had opposed him and gave a ringing endorsement to his projects.
As I read this story I was reminded that Jesus calls us "salt and light" in this world. The "least reached" regions of the world need to see more demonstrations of love and risk-taking obedience like Greg Mortenson's. "'If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this you will heap burning coals on his head.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:20-21)
We are currently sending teams into regions similar to where Greg served. Light always overcomes darkness!
Ministry Highlights
o The Klassens, missionaries in South Asia, are surrounded by people from a variety of faith traditions. Active participation in their community through sports, events and service has given them many opportunities to dialogue with their neighbors about what it means to be a Christian. Pray that the Lord will continue to give them courage and opportunity to testify about Him.
o Jim & Marilou Nightingale, missionaries in Sao Paolo, Brazil, hosted a variety of short term teams recently as they continue to develop the Barnabas Centre. Praise God for the work they were able to accomplish, and for the infusion of energy brought by an intercession team, an ACTION team, and a TREK team.
Items for Prayer
o Pray for Richard & Hazel Funk as they minister in Austria. Over the next two months, their church in Salzburg will be going through a sermon series about what it means to follow Jesus in the midst of various situations and struggles. Pray that the congregation will be encouraged to press on, and pray that new people will come, hear, and decide to follow Jesus.
o The Durban MB Church, pastored by missionaries Baudouin & Marie-Brigette Nsulunka, opened a day-care last month. Pray that the day-care will be a bridge between the church and the community, and that through this ministry, many families will be blessed and will be introduced to Jesus.www.mbmsi.org/bmnsulunka
Until all have heard,
Randy Friesen
Vision for Mission