May 2009
I was recently with our media team in C*iro and spent some time with a poor garbage collector I met in a "cave church" that had been featured on one of our satellite programs. This garbage collector shared how Jesus had freed him from addictions and given him something to live for.I was recently with our media team in C*iro and spent some time with a poor garbage collector I met in a "cave church" that had been featured on one of our satellite programs. This garbage collector shared how Jesus had freed him from addictions and given him something to live for. He then shared many stories of transformed lives at this very poor church, including the deliverance, healing and salvation of a prominent leader from a nearby country. This man was wealthy by the worlds standards, but was paralyzed in one leg and looking for Life. He had flown in from another Gulf state because he had heard that Jesus still healed people today. Only Jesus could use a poor garbage collector to share that gift of life and healing with him.
"For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich." (2 Corinthians 8:9)
In the current economic challenges of our world, I am encouraged that Christ‚s poverty is still offering the world true riches! In a season when many people are focusing on what they have lost ˆ we have an opportunity to share what we have found. The riches of the Kingdom of God is still good news!
Ministry Highlights
-Ten believers were baptized in Chachoengsao, Thailand on Sunday, April 5th. This was the second baptism service at the new Bethel Sala Church plant- praise God! Pray that many more will seek and find Jesus Christ through these believers, and through the ministry of Dave & Louise Sinclair-Peters and Bob & Christine Davis.
-Laurence & Leona Hiebert also celebrated a baptism on Easter Sunday at the Toyota MB Church in Japan! 70 people attended the Easter service, including faithful church members, their family members, past & present ESL students, and others from the community. Easter events provided many opportunities for meaningful conversations that encouraged believers and invited non-believers to know the risen Lord.
Items for Prayer
-Phil & Carol Bergen, missionaries in Burkina Faso, recently wrote that Maliki, the man who helps them translate the Bible into Nanerige, „has been very burdened with wanting to share his faith with his mother in recent months. Just before Easter he had a really good talk with his mother and brother, calming their fears of converting by explaining relevant Bible passages. They both seem to sincerely want what Maliki has! Pray that God continues to touch them with the truth about Jesus!
-Construction has begun on the Changed Life Center, a facility in northern Thailand for evangelism and leadership training. Pray for the Khmu construction team as they break ground. Pray that a sense of community and belonging will grow and that this phase in development will provide many opportunities to talk about the life-changing power of God.
Until all have heard,
Randy Friesen
Vision for Mission