March 31, 2010
By Dr. Keir Thelander, serving in Gabon
As many of you know, a few months ago God provided an air ambulance service to the Gabonese people through Air Calvary.
During the last few months they have been making flights between Bongolo Hospital (in Lebamba) and Gabon’s capital city, Libreville. As a result, many people have been spared the long, 10-hour drive between the two communities. Below is breaking news from Air Calvary’s pilot, Alliance pastor Steve Straw:
Air Calvary’s Cessna 207 aircraft, based in Gabon, Africa, experienced a loss in engine power and made a forced landing in the village of Owendo, just south of the city of Libreville. No one on the ground was injured; neither were the two pilots and one passenger who were participating in a training flight. Minor property damage was sustained, and the aircraft also incurred structural damage. A detailed report will follow.
What You Can Do
Please thank God that no one was injured in this unfortunate event!
Pray for all who were involved in this incident; pray also for the people assessing the damage and that repairs can be made as soon as possible.
Please pray that even through this difficult circumstance, God would be glorified.
Learn More
Read about our work at Bongolo Hospital in Gabon.
(Note: clicking on the above link will take you off of the C&MA Web site.)
March 30, 2010
On April 18, 2010, join people from around the world in crying out to God for the Isaan people.
By Team Isaan
Editor’s Note: Team Isaan is an Alliance church-planting initiative among the largely unreached Isaan people of northeast Thailand. A prison ministry has introduced many incarcerated people to the gospel, and they have evangelized their home villages upon their release.
For decades, Alliance international workers have shared the gospel among the Isaan, and we have reaped some of the fruit of their labors. Men and women from our prison church groups have been released from jail with a passion to proclaim the good news and plant churches in their home villages.
Six years ago, we held our first annual International Day of Prayer (IDOP) for the Isaan. Today, we stand amazed at all that God has done—and we are confident that this is just the beginning of even greater things to come.
From Gangs to the Gospel
Here is the story of how salvation came to EQ, a former gang member who led his family to Christ and is training other believers to evangelize their neighbors:
It wasn’t until I was in prison that I began to realize what a mess my life had become. I had grown up in a family that tried to care for me. We didn’t have much, just rice fields and farm animals. My dad even worked overseas to send money back to the family.
Despite how much my parents sacrificed, I selfishly wasted their money and my life. After a confrontation with some other gang members, I was imprisoned for assault. With nothing else to do, I studied about Jesus when Team Isaan members came to minister in the prison in August 2007. Even after hearing all the stories about God, I turned my back on the truth.
Over the next few months, I continued to study with Montri, another inmate, and finally surrendered my life to Christ. When I was released from prison, I left with the vision that Team Isaan taught me. I returned home to share Jesus Christ with my family.
Six months later, I saw 12 men and women baptized in my village. We didn’t stop there-we took Christ’s message to another village and a different prison, and in June 2009, 20 more people were baptized and two more churches started. I praise God that He chose me, a former gang member, to share His truth with the Isaan. I look forward to continuing to serve Him.
We Need You!
We cannot stress enough the importance of your partnership with us in reaching the Isaan with His truth. Your commitment to pray is the very means God is using to reach the Isaan people with the light of Jesus. Thank you for your faithfulness!
For more information or to download IDOP resources, go to www.isaan.org.
Learn More
Check out our Alliance work in Thailand.
What You Can Do
Pray that Team Isaan’s ministry will continue to bear fruit for God’s Kingdom.
Impact your world: Give to Alliance Great Commission Ministries to ensure that our international workers can continue setting prisoners free through a relationship with Jesus.
March 29, 2010
By Leah Long, missionary appointee to Mali
Appointed to be church planters, Leah and Mark Long are headed to Albertville, France, in August 2010, where they will attend French language study for a year before traveling to Ségou, Mali, in summer 2011. Their daughter, Anastasia (Ana), will accompany them.
Children: their smiles, their ability to make instant friends, their curiosity tempered by shyness, and the way the world is open before them. Adults have a big calling on their lives to influence these small ones.
On March 7 we met our daughter Ana’s adoptive church, Campbellsport Alliance, in Wisconsin. Church congregants have generously, lovingly committed to support our family in ministry by giving Ana a very special place in their hearts.
She will be blessed by the people of Campbellsport with specific prayers, pen-pals, and thoughtful ways to show her that her place on the field with her parents is an important and extraordinary one. They will reinforce to her that God also has a calling-a particular story-for her life as a third culture kid.
Our great hope is that through this unique relationship, the children of Campbellsport Alliance Church will grow up understanding what life is like on the mission field and, perhaps, one day become international workers themselves!
Ana arrived at Campbellsport Alliance Church ready to roll. She’s the youngest baby the church has seen in awhile, and all the kids surrounded her with smiles and giggles, which she devoured. Throughout the service, one little boy flirted with her from two pews back while her daddy preached about faithfulness to God. He taught from the story of Elijah about that powerful “contest” on Mount Carmel between God and Baal in 1Kings 18.
After-service Sunday school time was casual enough that Ana was allowed to drive the nursery’s dollhouse camper van all over the front of the sanctuary. Meanwhile, mom shared with the group about community health evangelism-a creative method to reach those of the predominant religion in Mali.
Since this visit put Ana-and all children-in the forefront of everyone’s minds, our conversations that day tended to gravitate toward the spiritual formation of children. Appleton Alliance Church (AAC), where we currently serve, has a children’s program that can be described as enormous.
Seven hundred (that’s 700!) children are involved in the various activities at AAC. Some Campbellsport folks had recently visited the church to attend a regional Bible quiz competition, and others talked about the Awana (children’s Bible memory and learning) program, which sees hundreds of children each week.
But I found it impossible to contrast AAC’s children’s programs with those of Campbellsport or other churches in rural communities. That’s because the common theme in each-and this is crucial-is the spiritual formation of children through the Word of God, godly example, and the commitment of their parents, and other godly adults.
I grew up in a tiny church in Idaho, and Christians were a small minority in my town. But I have vivid childhood memories of vacation Bible school, missionary visits, Sunday school, children’s messages during the “grown up” service, and sitting beside my family week after week listening to teaching from the Bible. None of these things would have meant anything to me were it not for the consistent, loving, disciplined, and wise application of these tools to my life by my parents, grandparents, and other important adults.
So whether you know a child in a tiny rural church, one of several hundred kids at a huge church’s Awana night, or the lone white, flip-flop sporting missionary kid in an African country, YOU may be the most important tool God will use in that child’s life.
You-above any program, curriculum, video series, or workbook-are the key, and this is no small calling! We are so grateful to our family, close friends, and our new adoptive family at Campbellsport for your involvement in Ana’s life and spiritual formation!
What You Can Do
“Pray for wisdom for leadership in vision-casting for our ministry in Ségou, Mali,” Leah asks. “Please also pray for the formation and preparation of our intercultural team.”
Your financial partnership through Alliance Great Commission Ministries is an extension of God’s love to lost people in Mali and around the world.
By Chuck and Betty Ostlie, serving in Chile
Editor’s Note: Many people in Chile are still in desperate need after February’s devastating earthquake. The Alliance family has responded generously through Compassion and Mercy Associates (CAMA), the relief and development arm of the C&MA. Yet the scope of the recovery task is “staggering,” write Chuck and Betty Ostlie. Read about the progress being made and how to pray for Alliance churches as they reach out to their countrymen with the love of Jesus during these difficult days.
You may receive little information these days on CNN concerning the reconstruction after the 8.8 earthquake in Central Chile. Therefore, we would like to give an update on the needs around the country as well as in our churches after international worker Bob Hepokoski and a team traveled south to evaluate the present situation.
Cost of Repairs
The emergency relief goal has been primarily achieved, and the recovery stage is in full swing. But the size of the task is staggering. It will cost $3.6 billion USD to repair hospitals and $3 billion USD to rebuild schools. Crops will be lost in the central region due to damaged irrigation systems; jobs have been lost to damaged businesses.
Much of the fishing industry suffered the loss of boats, docks, and processing plants. Unemployment, housing shortages, and infrastructure damage will affect local economies for some time.
Many of our churches were seriously damaged including several in Santiago. Thankfully, our church in Reñaca had no damage.
Talca
Damage is great. Driving is complicated due to the rubble in many streets and demolition vehicles removing fallen buildings.
The church’s sanctuary is standing, but very unstable. The front wall has partly fallen, and the remaining walls could collapse at any time.
Curico
More than half of the older buildings are unreinforced adobe, and the majority were seriously damaged or collapsed.
Constitucion
The lower part of the town was totally devastated by the tsunami. Hundreds of homes were destroyed, and more than a 100 lives were lost. The town lost its wood pulp plant along with 600 jobs. Recovery will be long term.
The pastor officiated at the funerals of three firemen who were killed. Three families from the church lost everything, and one family of six is currently living in the church’s Sunday school rooms.
Hualpen
The CAMA team took 50 high quality water filters for distribution into needy areas.
Relief Ministry
Santiago churches sent several tons of emergency relief supplies to Curico, Talca, and Constitución.
The Concepcion area churches received an even greater amount of relief from the south. Church members received food and supplies, and it appears that all have had their immediate needs met. Most of the churches have been able to serve others in their community with basic supplies.
The churches still have goods on hand. The Alliance national church is continuing to ask for food and relief aid for those affected. The supplies were the result of an organized campaign for local church giving and a $15,000 USD gift from CAMA.
Needs of the Churches
Although life is returning to some semblance of normalcy, even in the worst damaged areas, there are great needs that will not be overcome quickly. At least two Alliance churches need to be demolished and rebuilt. Unlike schools and hospitals, they will receive no government help. The national church has received an offering in all the churches, and the amount will probably come to more than $20,000 USD. That is a significant amount, but it will not be enough to rebuild the affected churches.
Local pastors have been through a difficult ordeal yet have been called upon to minister to hurting churches and communities. They have given with sacrifice, but they need support and training to deal with their own trauma and that of their communities. This is especially true in Constitucion.
It is important that the national church continues to develop a coordinated plan. Long-term assistance to some churches will be important. Some were small and economically fragile before the quake, and they will be tested even more afterward.
Even with help from the national church and local funding, the churches in Curico and Talca will need significant economic assistance to repair their facilities if they are to recover quickly. From experience, one great opportunity could be to link them with U.S. Alliance churches that will partner in the recovery task.
Prayer Mobilization
When I asked one pastor what he needed, he answered, “Just prayer.” There are many needs that he faced, but he realizes the great need for prayer. The mission should continue to communicate this need so that our churches in the United States will remember the Chilean church and Chileans outside of Christ in their prayers.
Help with Training pastors in Post Traumatic Counseling
Many of these pastors are dealing with people who have suffered severe losses. They have shown and will show signs of depression, anxiety, and fear for some time. It is important that pastors be given tools to help their churches and communities to overcome the trauma. With CAMA’s help, we could seek resources or people who could come alongside the pastors in meeting this need.
Thank you for remembering the needs in Chile during these difficult days. We are praying that many will come to know Jesus as a result of their trials. Jeremiah says, “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know” (Jeremiah 33:3).
What You Can Do
Impact your world and make a donation today.
Give to Chile Earthquake relief»
Ten cents of every dollar given to this project will be divided between the CAMA Advance Fund and the Great Commission Fund to cover travel, administrative, and logistical costs of ministering to the needs of those affected by this disaster. As far as possible, the expressed preference of a donor will be respected and followed. In the event that this gift is oversubscribed, any remaining funds will be used for future disaster relief efforts.
March 26, 2010
By Adriaan Overbeeke, pastor, Cody Alliance Church, Wyoming, and LIFE sponsor
Youth groups in Alliance churches across the United States are ramping up fund-raising efforts so that they can join thousands who will attend LIFE 2010 in Louisville, Kentucky, July 6-10.
I will never forget the incredible giving that took place to bless ministries in Africa at LIFE 2007 in Orlando. An entire shipping container was filled with helpful supplies, while the offering of more than $100,000 included iPods, engagement rings, and other gifts that spoke loudly of the deep-hearted commitment to the cause of Christ.
Many MKs (missionary kids) would love to attend LIFE 2010 but face overwhelming obstacles because of where they live. Your district or church youth group can help remove those financial challenges for the teens of our global C&MA staff. How about adopting a couple of MKs to come with your church youth group so they can make some friends for life?
That’s what the Rocky Mountain District is already doing on behalf of several MKs and their families. This is the opportunity of a lifetime to connect MKs with their peers at home. We want to do all that we can to help them get to LIFE 2010.
Sponsoring MKs for Years
“Community Alliance Church (CAC) has been privileged to actively participate in bringing MKs to LIFE since the 2001 conference,” says Pastor Denny Kracijcik, whose wife, Connie, was the force behind the original idea. “Connie is an Alliance official worker and CAC’s children’s pastor. As we have served over the past 30 years with the LIFE Conference, we have seen the impact it has had with teens.
“Every C&MA church that sends missionaries to the field needs to include their MKs in their LIFE fund-raising efforts. The investment may be somewhat significant, but the dividends far outweigh the expense. Watching the interactions of the largest contingency of MKs at LIFE 2007 in Orlando was a picture we’ll forever retain in our minds and hearts and so will many of them.”
Forever Grateful
An MK from Asia, who was sponsored by an Alliance church in Indiana, says his life was changed forever at LIFE 2007. “God was able to speak to me in a way that was more profound and impacting than anything I have ever experienced. This was possible because of the [gift] that was provided, and for that I am forever grateful.”
While only eternity will show the full impact of this investment, we believe that we can help these teens experience the joy of building lifelong friendships as they engage in the activities of LIFE 2010. I hope your district and church will step up to the challenge of opening the door to impact teens for LIFE.
Learn More
Read about a LIFE 1998 church plant that is a thriving congregation today.
What You Can Do
If your church would like to sponsor an MK for LIFE 2010, contact Edna Mapstone, Life Impact Ministries, at emapstone@lifeimpactcma.org.
Pray for LIFE organizers and youth leaders as they oversee nearly 5,000 teenagers for five days. Pray that God will pour out His Spirit on the young people, and that they will commit their lives to serve Him faithfully.
By Stephen and Robin Boda
Stephen and Robin Boda planted Bridge of Hope Community (Alliance) Church in the heart of St. Louis, Missouri. Robin works full time as an education director for a local learning center. Stephen-who is full-time pastor, teacher, mentor, and outreach director- also works part-time as a janitor.
Growing up in poverty in America can be compared to growing up in a third world country in some cases. Actually, some third world countries are safer.
We have been doing inner city ministry for nearly 18 years. Breaking the cycles of addiction, poverty, and violence takes time. Bridge of Hope was planted with a desire to develop an urban ministry plan to reach our neighbors, beginning as a small group in our living room in 2002, which we quickly outgrew.
We planted Bridge of Hope in 2003, along with Robin’s aunt and uncle, Linda and Gil Carlson, who attended an Alliance church in North Carolina. Knowing that the complicated issues of inner-city life necessitate a multifaceted ministry approach in order to nurture change, we wasted no time in reaching out to our community.
Love Your Neighbor
Serving in any way possible, we simply loved our neighbors-through kids clubs in our backyard, helping with the annual block party, as well as an open invitation to the neighborhood on Friday nights for Gil’s famous barbecue.
Gradually, people started coming to us for answers, and many joined our church. We grew out of our living room and moved into the apartment downstairs. Gil and Linda moved out of their apartment to make room for us. Finally, God provided for us to purchase a building. We began Sunday morning services in 2003.
Our goal is to connect newcomers to Jesus and His people, so we tend not to measure our success by the number of people attending on Sunday mornings. Stephen often says that church can happen anywhere-on a park bench, while riding the bus, eating breakfast with friends, or at the building. We reach out to more than 100 people in the course of a month. Sunday morning attendance ranges from 25 to 50.
Searching for Connection
Stephen hosts a weekly men’s breakfast at Bridge of Hope. This is one of our most well-attended outreaches. It draws 30-50 men each week; some are from other churches, but many are homeless and are searching for connection with other guys and answers for life.
Recently, a homeless man with a crack addiction accepted Jesus. He said, “Everything was fighting against me, and then I realized it was Jesus I didn’t have. I need Jesus.”
When these guys come to the Lord, they have nothing but Christ. Like the demoniac whom Jesus healed and told to go and tell others, we affirm their priesthood the moment someone receives Christ as Savior and encourage them to tell others about their newfound faith.
Bridge of Hope also partners with Job Alliance of St. Louis, which provides jobs for unemployed, including lawn care, construction, and home repairs for people cited for code violations because of broken windows or damaged roofs. The church partners with Habitat for Humanity as well and its sister organization, Rebuilding Together, to train men and women and provide them with job skills.
The homeless men who come to the breakfast and express the need for employment can borrow tools each day from the church, which provides tools to some homeless men who have handyman skills but have no tools of their own. They can borrow a nail gun, head over to a job, begin to earn some money, and return the borrowed tool before going to their shelter for the evening.
Youth on Mission
Besides the homeless outreach, Bridge of Hope offers an after school ministry to kids. Our First Robotics team-poor, inner-city kids-took first place in research at the national competition.
Ridiculously Changed-Heather and Darnell
Heather was living in a boarding house across the street from us when she began attending the living-room meetings. She was struggling with multiple addictions and wanted help. She attended Bridge of Hope, spent a few days with our family, and watched us in action. Heather heard our dreams for the community, and God convicted her to return to Idaho to care for her son, Brenton, who was born when she was just 13. Her mother was caring for him at the time.
Darnell followed Heather to Idaho. He has his own story of selling drugs, making a lot of money, getting shot, and playing “minister” in church. Heather told Darnell that the only way they could be together was to do it God’s way. They ended up getting married and having a couple of kids up there, and then moved back to St. Louis three years ago.
The couple, now with four children, are some of our closest friends. God has used them in more ways than we can count, but the change is “ridiculous.” During our first cell group meeting at their house a couple of years ago, they were threatening to leave each other. Heather was ready to move back to Idaho, and Darnell was ready to walk away from the marriage.
We heard the couple’s arguments and prayed. Heather and Darnell chose to work at their marriage in submission to God and are really in love. We are so proud of them. Life is hard with four kids and no job right now, but God is their Provider, and they are listening to His voice. They are living more frugally, attending classes, and using spare minutes to serve the church. Heather was the one to make sure that toy donations that came in just days before Christmas were distributed to more than 20 families!
C&MA DNA
I am an Alliance guy. My heart beats for missions. I clearly identify with what our overseas missionaries are doing. Our church members have a passion for missions, too, and they love to give. The goal we set to raise funds for the GCF (Great Commission Fund) last year was surpassed half way through the year.
We’ve also established the Urban Ministry Institute to provide leadership training for poor people who feel called to ministry but cannot afford traditional schooling. Currently, 20 men are enrolled, with their focus on inner city ministry.
Our desire is for the institute, a preparation ground for ordination training, to be a model for the MidAmerica District and to reproduce this model in other big cities within the district. I’m spending every moment possible mentoring and training future church leaders.
It’s a challenge. As ministry grows, the financial support dwindles. When you do the math, it doesn’t work. It causes us to stay on our knees and trust the Lord, because we know He has the answer.
Simple Ministry
But sometimes the answer to ministry is simpler than budgets, meetings, and projects. Recently at our weekly breakfast, a man who was listening to some of us talk about ministry said, “Can I interrupt? I would like to pray.” Not wanting to interrupt the Holy Spirit’s work, we asked the man to continue, and he began to pray.
“I’ve been listening, God, and these men have what I need. I have been running. I give up. I give my life to you, Jesus.”
It was a simple, heartfelt prayer. As the man asked Jesus into his heart, I thought, We’re all so busy seeking opportunities to reach out, but when we live as we are supposed to, people will recognize the difference, and they will come.
Learn More
If you would like more information about Bridge of Hope ministry, contact the Bodas at robinboda@gmail.com. Read about other Alliance churches implementing innovative strategies to reach their communities for Christ
What You Can Do
Pray that God will provide for the needs of U.S. Alliance workers. Give to Alliance Great Commission Ministries
March 23, 2010
Mongolia’s worst winter in some 20 years has caused disaster conditions in parts of this vast nation tucked between Russia and China.
“Many herders in Mongolia’s western regions have lost most, or all of their livestock and, thus, their livelihoods,” says Brent Liberda, who serves with The Alliance in Mongolia. “In many areas, animal losses average 90 percent.”
Brent is joining an assessment team headed to western Mongolia’s Hovd area (March 23-30) on behalf of Compassion and Missionary Associates (CAMA), the relief and development arm of the C&MA. Plans are to evaluate losses in this hard-hit area and distribute aid to the families and communities with the greatest needs.
“Now with the thaw, there is danger of losing homes to flash floods,” says Jeremy Fields, who serves with CAMA in Mongolia.
Team members include Brent Liberda, Jeremy Fields, Dawaa (a Mongolian pastor/CAMA worker in Darhan), and Suhee (Brent’s former language teacher).
Brent is traveling with Suhee to help meet the needs in Suhee’s hometown, Zereg. “His contacts and knowledge of the area will greatly benefit in navigating the terrain and reaching the families who are most in need,” says Brent. Suhee has served as a representative for his home region in the Darhan urban area, coordinating relief efforts among national and foreign aid organizations.
Jeremy and Dawaa (the latter is originally from near the town of Hovd) will remain in Hovd to coordinate supplies and relief efforts. Both hope to travel to a nearby town to establish relationships-through the relief efforts-among individuals and families with whom they can follow-up. The Alliance plans to begin new ministries in this area in summer 2010.
“This project has emerged rather quickly, and we are embarking with little time for planning, so please pray for us as we go!” Brent concludes.
Watch the inspiring video, “A Two-Handed Gospel” [duration, 4:14], which includes Jeremy Fields introducing Dawaa and his powerful ministry among the poor in Darhan, Mongolia.
Learn More
Read the article “Mongolian Winter Worst in Two Decades,” for more about the dire situation in Mongolia and the needs of the poor.
Check out CAMA.
What You Can Do
Donate to Mongolian relief efforts.
Pray also for . . .
- Wisdom and discernment among team members making plans and decisions prior to, and during, their time in the Hovd area
- Beneficial connections with families in need and that the team can be a blessing to them; also for the team members’ families while they are away
March 19, 2010
Chile earthquake survivor shares his family’s harrowing tale
by Alex Tapia, as told to Alliance international worker Chuck Ostlie
Editor’s Note: Alex and his wife, Rosa Maria, are faithful members of the Alliance church in Reñaca, Chile, where Alex is part of the men’s ministry. During the February 27 earthquake that devastated parts of Chile, their 15-story high-rise in Concepcion collapsed and split in two, right near their apartment. Alex believes that that is where they found the exit. The following is a firsthand account of their miraculous escape from their sixth-floor dwelling.
Just weeks before the 8.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Chile, my family and I leased an apartment on the sixth floor of the Rio Alto building in the city of Concepcion. On the night of February 27, after having celebrated my birthday, my wife and I were sleeping in our bedroom when we felt a strong movement. We immediately ran to the bedroom where our two children—Domenica, five, and Alex, two— were sleeping. We embraced them as the building began to fall.
“God, Protect Us!”
We were not concerned about any of our material things as we prayed, “God, protect us!” I closed my eyes. From this moment lying on the bedroom floor until we hit the ground, I don’t remember anything—only that I had given my family to our heavenly Father.
When I regained consciousness, I realized that the mattress had turned around and covered us up, protecting us from the falling debris. One of the concrete walls had collapsed but fell in the opposite direction. I could see that my wife and daughter were fine, but with great alarm, we could not find Alex in the dark.
Finally, in the midst of the darkness, Rosa Maria reached out and found our son. She held him tightly, but it was a while before he could respond. At that time, my wife told me that she saw a light and felt a breeze. I took her hand and had her point to where she saw the moonlight (there was a full moon). Our daughter was screaming, saying she couldn’t breathe. I immediately began to search for a way out.
A Desperate Escape
Amid cries for help from other residents of the building, I climbed up by a fallen wall and through some of the steel of the structure and was able to find a tunnel. Returning to my family, I was concerned that I would not be able to remember where the exit was. The time seemed endless as I scraped and dug with my bare hands, afraid I might cut myself with some glass. Thank God I was able to locate the way out!
We left the fallen building to seek help for our son, who had cut his head. To our great relief, we were told that his injury was not serious when we arrived at the hospital.
The Hand of God
Despite our family’s ordeal, I could still see the hand of God in our lives that night. My entire family had been in pajamas, barefoot, and very cold. We received slippers and a few blankets for the night. The next day a coworker opened up his home to us, where we remained for several days.
In this situation of adversity, God has increased my faith and hope in him. Although there are things that I do not understand, I know that my God is real. I know that He answered my prayers. I had always asked God to protect my family if I ever had to pass through a major trial in my life. The Lord did a miracle as he used me as an instrument to help my family escape the building alive. Now I know what it means to speak of a loving God while in crisis, yet I also know what it means to lose everything.
What You Can Do
Praise God for the miraculous escape of the Tapia family. Having lost all of their earthly possessions, they would appreciate prayers for God’s mighty provision. Please pray that He will meet all of their needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).
Impact your world and make a donation today.
Give to Chile Earthquake relief»
Ten cents of every dollar given to this project will be divided between the CAMA Advance Fund and the Great Commission Fund to cover travel, administrative, and logistical costs of ministering to the needs of those affected by this disaster. As far as possible, the expressed preference of a donor will be respected and followed. In the event that this gift is oversubscribed, any remaining funds will be used for future disaster relief efforts.
March 17, 2010
by Bernie Anderson, serving in Mongolia
On February 26, 2010, the Grain of Wheat Student Center celebrated one year of serving university students in Mongolia’s capital city, Ulaanbaatar.
After months of renovations, a burst radiator that caused water damage-and more renovations-the center opened in late February 2009. Since then we have seen a steady stream of students enrolling in the Grain of Wheat’s English, Korean, and Japanese language classes; others have enjoyed music lessons (guitar, piano, drums). Relaxing in the cafe with a hot drink and friends is another favorite pastime.
Because of the kindness of Alliance people across the United States, the center has added additional student services during the past year, including a computer lab, a quiet study room, and a bakery.
Sharing Christ’s Love
Each year, more than 250,000 students from across Mongolia arrive in Ulaanbaatar to attend its 300-plus universities and professional schools. Many of these students are leaving home for the first time; most don’t know Jesus.
Great Potential
Haliuna is a young student who traveled to Ulaanbaatar from a small, countryside village. She began to follow Jesus two years ago and has been coming to the center for some time. Haliuna is the only believer in her family, and she is hungry and eager to learn.
Every week she attends the student church-which meets on Saturday evenings at the center-and asks questions. Her face lights up when she grasps a new truth or a principle from God’s Word. She desires to see her family also come to know the hope that she has found.
Haliuna is just one example of the potential impact the Grain of Wheat Student Center can have on reaching Mongolia’s large student population for Christ.
Learn More
Watch “Door of Hope,” [duration, 5:24] an Alliance video that tells the story behind the Grain of Wheat’s opening last year.
Check out Bernie’s blog about the Grain of Wheat’s one-year anniversary celebration.
(Note: clicking on this link will take you off of the C&MA Web site.)
By Kathy Sappia, serving in Thailand with Team Isaan
Editor’s Note: Team Isaan, an Alliance church-planting initiative among the Isaan people of northeast Thailand, was mobilized to help bring Christ’s message of salvation to the 2.5 million people among this group who have not yet heard. A prison ministry has introduced many incarcerated people to the gospel-including Montri and EQ—and they are evangelizing their home villages upon their release.
Over a year ago, Montri began sharing the story of God with a family in the village of Baan That (pronounced “Bon Tot”). After hearing God’s truth, they all believed and prayed to ask Jesus to be the Lord of their lives. One member of the family had been known as the “village drunk.” Through the transforming power of God, she is slowly winning the battle over alcoholism but still needs prayers for true victory.
Fishers of Men
Now, two more families within this village received Jesus after studying the story of God. When Montri asked them if they were ready to accept Him, they responded, “We were ready last week!”
Boon, the son in the first family, is being trained to share the story with these new families. It is our desire to have Montri and EQ train others who can then lead the groups without their help-to make disciples who make disciples who make disciples. It is beginning!
Praise God with us that He is moving and bringing more and more people to Him. Pray that these families will continue to grow in their faith and meet as a church together.
A Life Transformed
Saa, who received Christ in the Sawang Daen Din women’s prison, was released recently. She called me as soon as she left the courthouse, saying “You were the first person I wanted to talk to!” Saa was once very shy and had also struggled with being easily angered. But over the year and a half that she studied God’s Word with the women’s group, she became bolder in sharing her insights about the passages with us.
Saa was so excited to share how God had enabled her to forgive some people in her life and how she now has patience. Pray for her as she transitions to life outside of prison. Please pray for her to be able to mend past relationships, for her family to see how God truly has transformed her-and that they will desire to know this God who has changed her life. Pray for restoration between Saa and her family.
Learn More
Check out our Alliance work in Thailand.
Read more about Team Isaan in the article “Prisoners of Hope” in the July 2008 issue of Alliance Life magazine.
What You Can Do
Join Team Isaan on April 18, 2010, for the sixth annual International Day of Prayer (IDOP) for the Isaan people. For more information or to download IDOP resources, click here. (Note: Clicking this link will take you off of the Alliance Web site.)
Impact your world: Give to Alliance Great Commission Ministries to ensure that dedicated workers like the Sappias can remain on the field introducing lost people to Jesus.
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