December 22, 2009
Phase I of the Cinderella’s House Project-caring for Spain’s sex trafficking and prostitution survivors-is complete, Betsy Blanchard reported in her December newsletter.
Betsy submitted a 50-plus page Cinderella’s House needs assessment to Spain field leaders earlier this month. “While the research and networking [were] very beneficial and a wonderful process in many ways,” she said, “writing such a report has been quite a daunting task for me . . . way out of my range of experience. But my loving Father knew this and sent people into my life to help me in this process.”
Betsy’s next step is to build a team that will begin connecting with those they hope to reach with the freedom of Christ. Outreaches in the New Year will include distributing small gift packs to some of young, prostituted women on Granada’s streets, most of whom are poor immigrants.
“This time of year is especially painful and difficult for these women, since they are so far from home and family,” she wrote. “Please pray for traffic victims all over Spain during these days!”
Advent Outreach
The veteran Alliance worker also said she is enjoying participating in a bridge-building outreach-directing a community children’s choir at a facility in Granada where church services are held. The choir is made up of about 25 local school children who have come to the center to learn Christmas carols in English. Parents have been invited to attend the choir’s public performance December 22.
Betsy asks for prayer that the outreach will open many eyes to the true meaning of Christmas, open doors for building friendships, and create community awareness about the Christian services that are held in the facility. “One of the mothers asked, after one of our practices, if she could come to the services!” Betsy exclaimed.
“These are generally wonderful days in which there is more openness to talking about the reason for the celebrations,” she concluded. “Many Spanish families have extravagant manger scenes and other religious decoration on display, but they often have no meaningful relationship with Christ.”
What You Can Do
Pray for . . .
- All of the provision necessary for Cinderella’s House to begin its full scope of ministry in a timely and God-honoring fashion.
- Opportunities during the Christmas season to share about the real reason for celebrating-the birth of the Prince of Peace!
- The many thousands of women caught in sexual slavery in Spain. And for Spanish men who regularly seek out prostitutes, most often with trafficking victims. Sexual addictions, including pornography, in this country are largely considered normal behavior.
Help keep Alliance workers like Betsy Blanchard on the field. Consider a year-end Christmas gift to Alliance Great Commission Ministries.
Learn More
Read Betsy’s latest update or comment on the topic in MyCMA
December 21, 2009
By Bernie and Reneé Anderson, serving in Mongolia
Editor’s Note: The following is an adaptation of a Christmas letter from Bernie and Reneé Anderson, Alliance international workers who live and work in Mongolia’s capital, Ulaanbaatar.
We have the privilege of living right smack in the middle of the city. Our apartment is close to the busiest road in town, which makes it the busiest street in the entire country. If we open a window, we’re greeted by the sounds of car horns, ambulance sirens, buses, and the annoying repetitive chimes of the trash truck (it sounds just like an ice cream truck, but it is definitely not an ice cream truck).
We don’t even have to open our window to hear the sounds of repairs being done somewhere in our building; our concrete walls reverberate from hammer drills whacking holes in the walls. From within, there is the sound of our dogs barking at all the other noises around us.
City Sidewalks, Busy Sidewalks
But for all the noises bombarding us, our Christmas does seem a little quieter than what it should be. We don’t hear the “sounds of Christmas,” other than the Christmas music we play in our own home. Our sidewalks are always busy, but they certainly aren’t dressed in holiday style. With the exception of a few stores decorated for New Year’s, there is no indication this is any different from any other time of year. We certainly can’t count on our surroundings to induce any “feelings of Christmas.” However, within these realities, there is comfort in knowing why we are actually celebrating this holiday.
Recently, Reneé had a conversation with a couple of girls she is discipling. They were asking her questions about Christmas: why and how we celebrate? One girl commented that she thought Christmas was about family. She got this impression from watching American Christmas shows and movies. Reneé took the opportunity to explain that this is not what Christmas is all about at all. Family is important, and we miss our family deeply this time of the year. But all too often, family is what many people use to fill the hole that is left when they remove Christ from their lives, especially at Christmastime.
Redeeming the Season
Our children were surprised recently when we told them that their parents have both (at different times) considered rejecting Christmas celebrations altogether. The celebration of Christmas anywhere can easily become nothing but noise. Even many churches are choosing to forgo celebrating together and have prioritized “family” time over worshipping together as the Body of Christ. Our Mongolian friends, as new as Christmas is to them, were shocked by this.
It is so easy in America (and even in Mongolia) to drown out the silence that is probably the real sound of Christmas. Rather than reject the entire holiday, our family has chosen to redeem the opportunity to quiet our hearts to hear the sounds of God speaking to us through the Christ Child.
A Lesson in Silence
Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, spent the nine months leading up to the birth of his son in silence. He couldn’t speak (and probably couldn’t hear as well). This was the result of a rather arrogant, unbelieving request for more proof from an angel who had just told him that he and his aged wife would soon be with child. God’s reply was simple. He provided evidence by striking Zechariah mute until all that the angel had foretold would come to pass.
In the silence, Zechariah thought and learned and-in time-understood.
Often, for our family, God will speak through the words of a carol to highlight an important truth on which to meditate throughout the season. This year, it is the following:
What kind of king would leave his throne
In heaven to make this earth his home?
While men seek fame and great renown
In lowliness our King comes down.
The humility of God is absolutely mind blowing. The God of eternity humbled Himself to the point that He could be held in the arms a teenage girl. The calloused hands of a carpenter counted the fingers of God Himself in the form of a newborn. How can the God who spoke a word and flung the stars into place be the same One who “made himself nothing” and was born in the likeness of man (Philippians 2:7)?
After nine months of silence, Zechariah saw the truth. When his mute lips spoke again, he didn’t spend much time talking about his own son (Luke 1:76). Rather, he prophesied about the One who was coming “to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, . . . to guide our feet into the path of peace” (Luke 1:77-79).
In the silence God spoke, Zechariah believed and saw the promise, and soon the King was born in a manger throne.
You left the sound of angel’s praise
To come for men with unkind ways
And by this baby’s helplessness
The power of nations is laid to rest.
So join us this Christmas and in the coming year in making this King central, not only in our celebrations, but also in our lives by helping others to see Him as the King as well. Join us in listening for His voice, not just in the busyness, but in the quiet. Join us as we seek to turn our hearts back to the One who was born to die.
For His Renown,
Bernie, Reneé, Jonathan, and Cori
Learn More
Check out the work in Mongolia.
Watch the story of Onon, a student from the city where Reneé and Bernie minister, who encountered Christ through the medical outreach of Alliance workers.
What You Can Do
Pray for Bernie and Reneé as they reach out to the people of Mongolia with the love of the Christ Child. Pray that God will draw many Mongolians to Himself during this Christmas season.
Help keep Alliance workers such as Bernie and Reneé on the field. Consider a year-end Christmas gift to Alliance Great Commission Ministries.
December 18, 2009
By Brad and Tina Reynolds, serving in France
Alliance international workers Brad and Tina Reynolds help to lead Eglise Protestante Internationale. Inaugurated in May 2009, it is the first new church in Léguevin, France, since the 12th century. God is moving in this international body of French-speaking believers, evidenced in the following article that is adapted from Brad’s December 2009 newsletter.
Jesus is come! This morning (December 13), we had our Christmas celebration. Each of the Sunday school classes did a presentation about the season being more than the gifts that we receive. Two presentations were particularly moving.
One of our teenaged girls who performed the part of Mary described how she felt, how bewildering it was for her to be chosen to bear the Son of God. A young man in his late 20s shared Joseph’s perspective, describing his efforts to understand what God was doing before that first Christmas.
Gifts Honor the Christ Child
Once the dramatic readings were finished, a young family performed a live nativity. The wife played the part of Mary, her husband portrayed Joseph, and their little baby boy represented Jesus. Their two little girls portrayed an angel and a lamb, respectively. While two of our members sang a Congolese Christmas song to the beat of an African drum, church members brought forward items for babies and young children to be given to a local organization that helps people in need.
After the morning celebration we enjoyed a lunch together, the room filled with the people God has sent to us during the past months. It was powerful to ponder how the Lord has blessed us, that just a few months ago our group was smaller. How grateful we are to Him.
What You Can Do
Brad and Tina ask for prayer that Eglise Protestante Internationale will be faithful to communicate the joy of Jesus’ birth to all who come in contact with the church.
Help keep Alliance workers on the field, like Brad and Tina, who are doing cutting-edge ministry so those living in darkness will see the light of Christ. Consider a year-end Christmas gift to Alliance Great Commission Ministries.
Learn More
Read about Eglise Protestante Internationale’s exciting May 2009 inauguration.
Check out our work in France.
December 16, 2009
Gabon is about to have its first-ever medical air transport service-just in time for Christmas.
Sponsored by Air Calvary and the Christian and Missionary Alliance in partnership with Bongolo Hospital, pilot Steve Straw is spearheading the life-saving service for this West African nation, one of the poorest in the world.
“Our Cessna 207 is flying eastbound at 9,000 feet, just south of Gary, Indiana!” Steve wrote on December 15. “It will spend the night in Burlington, Vermont, and then head to St. Johns, Newfoundland (Canada), the Azores, the Canary Islands, West Africa, and finally reach its destination-Gabon! We can hardly believe it-praise God for this progress!”
Arrival is expected by December 20 or 21, Steve concluded. ”What a great Christmas gift!”
Learn More
Read more about our current work in Gabon at Bongolo Hospital.
To follow the Cessna’s flight path live before it reaches St. Johns, Newfoundland, go to FlightAware.com. In the left-hand column, under the section entitled “Flight Tracker,” enter “N207FD” next to “Flight/Tail#” to view the aircraft’s location along with its altitude and speed.
After the Cessna departs from Canada for the Azores, log on to share.findmespot.com to follow the aircraft’s progress all the way to Libreville.
Note: Clicking on either of the above two links will take you off of the C&MA Web site.
What You Can Do
In your prayers, give thanks to God for this first-ever air ambulance service to the Gabonese people. Pray that the aircraft will have a safe flight and for the brand-new air ambulance program’s success.
Because of your gifts to the Great Commission Fund, Alliance workers are able to provide life-giving care to many lost people in Gabon and around the world. Please consider giving a donation today.
December 15, 2009
By Don and Hazel Schaeffer, serving in Japan
Editor’s Note: The Tokyo Journal reports that “thousands of Japanese [are] flocking to gospel singing workshops to clap their hands and sing praise to Jesus. According to industry insiders, gospel singing workshops are springing up across the U.S. and Japan in record numbers.” The phenomenon has inspired a new outreach by Kawaguchi Church, an Alliance congregation in Japan.
The congregation we pastor, Kawaguchi Church, is conducting a gospel workshop led by Alliance missionary David Kindervater. African-American gospel music has become very popular in Japan, and we hope to draw new people into the church through this evangelistic effort. In addition, we are praying for contacts to start a new church plant. This outreach will continue again next spring with a new series of workshops.
Our first session got off to a great start. About 20 people have joined this group, several of them non-Christians. This outreach ran through mid-December, culminating in a concert at our church, a workshop at a new church plant, and a joint concert with other choirs.
We placed an advertisement for the workshop in 10,000 newspapers. On one side, the flyer gave details about the workshop, and the other side provided information about the church. We have had visitors as a result!
Thirsty for God
Last Wednesday, a woman called and came to Bible study. Her parents had taken her to studies on Buddhism when she was younger, but she felt like something was wrong. She then went to a Bible study with a friend for two years.
Now, years later, she feels like God has been pulling at her heart. She listened as we prayed during our study, and she had tears in her eyes when we were finished. She wants to come again. Pray that God will continue to draw this woman to Himself.
Learn More
Check out our Alliance work in Japan.
What You Can Do
Pray that the gospel workshop will have a life-changing impact and that many people will come to faith in Jesus through this outreach.
Donate now to Alliance Great Commission Ministries to ensure that our worldwide team of workers can continue to faithfully serve the Lord.
December 9, 2009
by John and Lorraine Young, serving in Spain
John and Lorraine serve with The Alliance in Spain. The following is an adapted excerpt from their December 2009 newsletter.
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).
“Palpable Anxiety”
In a blink of an eye, we are in another December! Christmas decorations and lights have been hung in Madrid’s department stores and on the main streets of countless small towns around the country. Yet festive facades do not contain the palpable anxiety that lies beneath.
It’s been a tough year here economically. Small businesses have been hit particularly hard. Walking through the streets, we see a lot of storefronts that have recently gone out of business. Those still plying their trade hope that this holiday season will close some of the gap in their losses. So far the news hasn’t been encouraging.
Already physically and emotionally stretched, a number of church members are growing fainthearted, reflected in dwindling church attendance since the summer.
Thanksgiving
Regardless, we felt burdened to open the pulpit to the body to give thanks on November 29. It is our tradition to hold a Thanksgiving service the last Sunday of November; this year it was also the first Advent Sunday. Only a couple of bold souls initially signed up, but once the service began, one after another without pause went up to the mike to share.
Some had tears in their eyes as they talked about the struggles they’ve had, yet all wanted to give thanks. Their testimonies demonstrated that our Lord is active and continues to work in touching and changing lives even in the midst of trials and difficult times.
For us, it was uplifting and a great encouragement to be reminded that we work for an amazing God!
Learn More
Check out our work in Spain.
December 7, 2009
In the following adaptation of a recent update from one of our international workers who serves in Guinea, learn how God is on the move. During this holiday season please continue to pray for the children and families, as well as Alliance workers, who reside in this West African nation that is one of the poorest in the world.
God is at work in Guinea. I visited a young man who is excited to be baptized. His enthusiasm reflects that of many Guineans who are learning about who Jesus really is.
Each week people are coming to Christ through vibrant church ministries. Though Guinea remains largely unreached, God is working and these days promise to be some of the most exciting where new life in Christ is concerned.
Ongoing Crisis
Yet Guinea remains in crisis. International workers could be forced to leave in a moment’s notice. But our plan is to remain in Guinea as long as it is safe and we are able to minister.
Countries are often more open to accepting change during a crisis. We believe that this is true for Guinea. Hearts once hardened to the things of God now seem to grasp the importance of life and faith. This openness is the perfect setting for us to speak the truth of God’s Word-Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
Pray that God will enable us to be bold, appropriate, and passionate in sharing the story of Jesus during this Christmas season in Guinea.
Learn More
For more information about how God is at work here, check out our Guinea Web site.
December 1, 2009
By Soeuth and Syna Lao, serving in Cambodia
Editor’s Note: “Before Cambodia fell into communist hands under Pol Pot, the Name of Jesus was hardly ever heard in most of the country,” said Soeuth and Syna Lao, who fled Cambodia as refugees and later returned to their homeland as Alliance missionaries. “Today, you can go to any remote village and just ask for the ‘Jesus People.’ Someone will surely point you in the right direction.” Through their ministry in the city of Poipet, Soeuth and Syna continue to see God’s hand at work.
There have been very exciting times during these past few weeks. Despite extreme heat, more than 140 young people showed up at a monthly youth event held here. Although the meeting was scheduled for 10 o’clock on a Saturday morning, some began to arrive at 7 a.m.
With much anticipation, participants came from near and far. When it was time for worship, they crammed into the spacious living room, and the seating extended all the way to the front porch; everyone was packed in like sardines. After a wonderful time of worship and testimonies, Pastor Albert, a member of a short-term team from New York City, shared a powerful message about the call of Jeremiah. He challenged the youth to think seriously about how to respond to God’s plan for their lives.
A number of youth and adults have been receiving Christ. One of these new believers, Srey Moum, accepted Jesus as Savior through a relative in America while living in Phnom Penh. For business reasons, she relocated to another city and was desperately searching for a Body of believers with whom to fellowship. Her search led her to the Boeng Beng Church.
Srey Moum was thrilled to be one of the students in a new discipleship class at the church. She has been on fire for the Lord and is passionately sharing her faith with many of her friends. Every Sunday, she has taken a two-and-a-half hour taxi ride over bumpy roads to fellowship with us in Poipet.
Recently, she began renting the taxi so she can bring her relatives and close friends to church. As a result, three of her daughters, some grandchildren, and several of her friends have accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. We appreciate your prayers for Srey Moum and many other new disciples to stand firm in their faith.
Learn More
Check out our Alliance work in Cambodia.
What You Can Do
Praise the Lord for the passion and enthusiasm of young believers in Cambodia. Pray that they will grow strong in their faith and be a powerful witness to others.
Help keep Alliance workers such as Soeuth Lao on the field. Donate now to Alliance Great Commission Ministries.
Five years ago, when a 9.6 earthquake triggered an Indian Ocean tsunami that killed more than 250,000, Compassion and Mercy Associates (CAMA) was there. After years of experience in the area, CAMA workers were able to transcend cultural and language barriers that other agencies could not, gaining credibility with government officials who were leery of outsiders.
CAMA, The Alliance’s relief and development arm, has been helping to rebuild communities that were devastated by the waves. In partnership with other organizations, CAMA rebuilt fishing boats, ice factories, and houses and also established livelihood projects. These practical demonstrations of God’s love have opened doors to building relationships.
Long-Term Assistance
Two CAMA workers, a husband and wife team, were asked to join a community development project, initiated by a group of farmers, that will enable them to turn traditional rice fields into permanent rice paddies. This will allow them to plant two or three crops a year as opposed to one, providing a much needed additional food source-and qualifying them to apply for legal ownership of the land from the government.
“We provide some building materials, agricultural input, and technical assistance,” say our workers, who began their careers individually with CAMA in Mongolia. The couple met on the field, returned to the States to marry, and were reassigned to Southest Asia after the tsunami. “[The nationals] have been quite receptive to our presence and our involvement in the project.”
Bridge Building
The couple is building relationships of trust with their peers that will bear the weight of truth. “We work closely with a national couple, John and Sue,* and their new son,” they say. “Because this particular irrigation project has been a community initiative from the beginning, we’ve been able to play a behind the scenes role from the beginning. On a larger scale, though, our hope is that eventually, we could fill the roles that we are in here in some other place of ministry. We have been intentional about doing things together from the beginning with this goal in mind.”
Currently, the team consists of the CAMA workers and the national couple, but “We trust the Lord for more teammates, both local and international,” they say. “We’ve had many chances to talk of deeper things [with the farmers and their families] and are excited to see friends or ours taking steps toward embracing the One who is the Truth.”
CAMA, one of the first agencies to help with on-site relief efforts after the tsunami struck in December 2004, initially raised more than $2.1 million (US). As the work continues, CAMA personnel rely on the generosity of compassionate supporters through the CAMA Advance Fund-your hands to a hurting world.
*Names changed
Learn More
Visit the CAMA Web site to learn about our priority projects.
What You Can Do
Pray for CAMA workers who are pushing back the darkness in difficult places.
Partner with CAMA by giving toward various humanitarian projects.
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