November 22, 2011
By Peggy Drake, RN, serving in Burkina Faso
It was an ordinary day at the clinic here in Bobo-Dioulasso. Around 10 a.m., I was between the waiting room and the pharmacy when I heard an old taxi pull up along with another much less noisy car.
I decided to walk out to the street, thinking someone in the taxi might need help getting into the clinic. To my surprise, the man in the taxi hopped out and went on into the waiting room. I then looked over and saw a beautiful black BMW! The driver, a well-dressed African woman, was looking straight at me and waving for me to come help her. Through the window, she explained that in the back seat was her neighbor, whom she had found crying and who had pled with her to please take her to the clinic.
“Please Pray for Me!”
When I opened the door, I realized that I knew this woman. She was a patient of ours! She looked up at me with tears streaming down her face and said: “Peggy, can you please pray for me!” That I can do, I thought!
This woman (we will call her Sali) is not a Christian but is of the majority religion here in Burkina. She told me that she had learned that her husband was in the United States with another wife and their children; he also had another wife and child in a different African country. She was obviously devastated. Sali told me that she was filled with sadness and fear when she was alone with her children in their family courtyard.
What a joy to be able to pray with this woman!
A few days later when I walked into the clinic, Sali was standing by the door. She came over and hugged me (this is not African, but she was so happy). She said that things were so much better in the courtyard and that her husband was now back and was being very kind to her. God is so good!
You see, it does not matter if people come to the clinic on foot, bicycles, motorcycles, or in taxis or BMWs. What does matter is that our patients learn about our Lord Jesus and see Him in us! That is why we are here—Living the Call together!
Thank you for giving to The Great Commission Fund so we can do what we do—shine the light of Christ among those living in spiritual darkness, desperate for the true hope only He offers!
What You Can Do
Pray for Alliance workers around the world who are being Christ’s light in some of the world’s most spiritually dark places.
Give to The Great Commission Fund—partner in Living the Call together with Alliance workers like Peggy!
By Evan and Jewel Evans, serving at Dakar Academy, Senegal
The following is an excerpt from a recent update by the Evanses who serve at Dakar Academy—a boarding and day-school program (K-12) largely for the children of international workers. School chaplains, the Evanses head up outreach programs and discipleship ministries; they also serve as dorm administrators.
We are up to our eyeballs in preparations for our Thanksgiving outreach weekend. It is going to be a big group again this year—about 140 of us, including 15 students from Faith Christian Academy in Colorado Springs. There will also be 10–15 Senegalese pastors and laypeople who will join us in ministry when we arrive in the area.
We will be busy with a number of team ministries during daylight hours, including:
- A drama team and children’s ministry team that will travel to a number of villages
- One work team that will paint a church in Bikol (the church for which we laid the foundation and made bricks by hand in January).
- A team that will paint a mural on the front wall of a church in Diofane (the church we built in November 2010).
- Our medical team, which will include three nurses and a doctor who will minister in Diakhao; they will be joined by a team that will dig and lay a foundation as well as make bricks by hand.
- A small team that will build 20 benches for the new church.
In the evenings, we will be holding evangelism campaigns in the following villages:
- Fri., Nov. 25: Diakhao, Gandiaye, Poukham Tok
- Sat., Nov. 26: Mbelakadio, Ngouloul Peul, Mbouscene
On our way home Sunday morning, we plan to worship in the church that we helped build in Diofane during the fall of 2010. We’re looking forward to the blessing of worshipping with our African brothers and sisters and seeing the results of our labors there last year.
Please Pray
We will be serving in an area that is populated by followers of the predominant religion here and ministering in villages that have just begun to hear about Jesus. Please pray for open doors and open hearts. Pray against spiritual resistance and that God will prepare the way for us. Pray for protection in travel and at all the ministry sites.
November 16, 2011
Former Gangster Introduces Ex-Con to the Light
By Mark Edwards, serving in Taiwan
I didn’t think it likely that Jonathan would ever follow Christ! Entrenched in a mixture of Buddhist and Taiwanese folk religion beliefs from an early age, the 30-something car mechanic was involved in a motorcycle accident that left him hospitalized in a coma—and also resulted in the death of the man he had hit.
The police deemed Jonathan to be at fault. Unable to pay the heavy fine to the victim’s family, he chose a six-month prison sentence instead. It was after Jonathan was released, in spring 2010, that Taiwan team leader Don Kramer introduced me to him.
The very next week, I arranged for Jonathan to meet Peter, an intern from the Taiwan Alliance Theological College who was working with us on weekends. Previously, Peter had been a gangster involved in drugs. He had served a short prison sentence prior to coming to know Christ through Operation Dawn, a gospel-based drug rehabilitation program. Partly because of their shared background, Peter and Jonathan got along well together. Peter visited Jonathan almost every weekend for a year; I also visited him, on weekends and during the week.
Before the motorcycle accident, Jonathan had been involved in a bad car accident when he was 19. As he lay there on the ground, he had what he could only describe later as an “out of body” experience, in which he was looking down at himself from above. Because of his car accidents and his time in prison, Jonathan was now more open than the average person in our community to talk with our team about issues of faith. Nonetheless, in every conversation the focus quickly moved off of Jesus and onto Jonathan’s own accomplishments, abilities, good deeds, qualifications, and wisdom. Much to his credit, Peter never gave up on Jonathan—visiting, calling on the phone, and encouraging him to come every Sunday morning to our informal meeting.
A String of “Coincidences”
During summer 2010, while Peter was away on a summer missions trip, I hosted a short-term team from an Alliance church in northern Taiwan. One day I brought the pastor’s wife over to visit Jonathan. She told him that he was a “child of God.” She also counseled him to watch the Christian TV cable station to learn more about Christianity.
Just as she said this, I made a passing reference that our Bible student intern was away on a short-term trip. At that exact moment, Jonathan flipped the TV channel over to the Christian station. The person who appeared on the screen was none other than Peter, our Bible school intern! The station had put together a short program that shared how he and another person had turned from drugs to follow Jesus Christ.
The following week I visited Jonathan again. We laughed about how the previous week Peter had suddenly appeared on the TV precisely when we had been talking about him. At that moment, Jonathan flipped the channel to the local cable channel (not the Christian station), only to see a “Say No to Drugs” documentary featuring—you guessed it—our intern! Jonathan had the same experience a total of three times during that one-week period. God’s timing was impeccable.
No Longer Omnipotent
Jonathan’s attendance at meetings became more regular as we slowly made our way through the Book of Mark. Along the way, however, there were some serious theological misunderstandings. While the concept of “sin” had slowly sunk in, for a few weeks Jonathan mistakenly took the earlier admonition from the pastor’s wife that he was a “child of God” to mean that he himself was omnipotent!
A few weeks later, the Lord set the record straight: Jonathan was involved in yet another accident. Swerving to miss an old man who had pulled his scooter out onto the road without looking, Jonathan intentionally drove his car into a field. The car, a Mercedes belonging to Jonathan’s brother, rolled over and over again as it crashed through the field. The car was totaled. A building in the farmer’s field was also badly damaged. However, Jonathan himself emerged with only a few minor cuts and bruises on his arms. Most importantly, he no longer thought of himself as being omnipotent!
There were other semi-miraculous happenings that occurred along the way, and Jonathan decided soon after that he wanted to follow Jesus. I spent eight weeks helping Jonathan prepare for baptism. We baptized him on September 4.
Over the year and a half that Jonathan has been coming to our small group, Jonathan’s wife, sister, her husband and their three children, mother-in-law, and, more recently, Jonathan’s father and another relation have come to the group once or twice to check us out. In spite of their curiosity, they have yet to be drawn by the Holy Spirit to know God personally. Jonathan’s father and family members continue to be involved in temple activities, parades in the community and elsewhere that honor other gods, and the I-Kuan Tao “Pervasive Truth” religion, which incorporates elements from Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism.
Please pray for the seed of the gospel to take root in the hearts of Jonathan’s father and other family members. Pray also that the Holy Spirit would empower Jonathan daily to continue following Jesus—and Jesus alone. Pray, too, that God will bless Jonathan’s business so that he will be able to support his family as a faithful follower of Christ.
What You Can Do
Give to the Great Commission Fund. In doing so, you partner with Alliance workers, like Mark Edwards, who are lighting the way for people trapped in spiritual darkness.
Pray for Alliance workers around the world.
Check out how your church can begin a Ministry Partnership with overseas Alliance workers.
A “random” encounter leads to a heavenly selection
By Rob Burns, serving in Macedonia
I passed some hitchhikers on my way to Kochani to pick up Zoki, a national Christian who has a gift for evangelism, before going on to Berovo, a town of 7,500 near the Bulgarian border where we regularly visit believers and seekers. As I approached the city of Shtip, I saw more hitchhikers. After some deliberation, I “randomly” stopped next to a couple young guys, and asked them where they were going. They said, “Kochani, and then on.”
The boys, Noel and Victor,* hopped in the car and said they were high school students, studying in another town. They asked, “What are you doing in Macedonia?” I explained that I was here to work with the Evangelical Church of Macedonia (the national partner church) and to be a blessing to the people and country of Macedonia. I told them that regardless of whether someone calls himself Orthodox, Catholic, or Protestant, the most important thing in life is to have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
Coincidence?
When we came to Kochani, I asked if they were stopping here, telling them I was going on to Berovo. They were excited, as “coincidentally,” their real destination was Berovo, too, and now they had a ride as far as their town. Perhaps I was even more excited, however, as I thought, “Good, they will meet Zoki.”
Zoki got in the car, and, after learning my companions were students, discussed what it means to get an “excellent” grade in life. He asked them if they believed that was possible without God, to which both replied that they felt it was impossible. Zoki began to share the gospel with them, asking from time to time if they wanted him to continue or if he was boring them. Each time, the students said, “No, please continue!” Zoki shared his own story, the gospel, and the need for repentance.
Divine Appointment
I prayed silently as I drove. Zoki asked his listeners if they wanted to pray a prayer of repentance and begin a relationship with God. They said yes! We still had several minutes before arriving in Berovo, which was invaluable time as the young men prayed with Zoki, who stressed the importance of fellowship. I related my testimony as well. The two guys, Noel and Victor, gave us their phone numbers, and we promised to be in contact with them. They both seemed interested in that. Zoki said to me, “Shame on me and shame on you for not having any New Testaments to give them!”
“How often does this happen?” I asked my coworker as we allowed the moment to sink in. Zoki said that he was surprised to see so much spiritual openness and warmth, particularly in teenagers. He was excited that they agreed to pray with him a prayer of repentance in the car and then also to give us their phone numbers. Had they not been interested, or just humoring us, they would not have given their numbers.
The following Friday, Zoki and I picked up Noel and gave him a New Testament, which we obtained through someone in his village. We told him many important basics about having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Zoki and I look forward to meeting again with Victor and Noel, who continue to show an interest in learning about Jesus.
Our first Alliance Core Value states, “Lost people matter to God; He wants them found.” In the case of Noel and Victor, I refer to Jesus’ parable of the lost sheep; we could also say that He wants them brought home. God chose us to give them a ride to their physical home to lead them to their spiritual home.
Please pray for Victor and Noel! I have been encouraged by the warm reception we have received in Noel’s village. I have to wonder if God is preparing this village for spiritual fruit and Noel is just a part of that. Pray that the seed that has begun to bear fruit will result in many people knowing Jesus as their Savior.
Learn More
Read more stories about Alliance work in the Balkans.
Read additional stories of the worldwide work Alliance ministries supported by the Great Commission Fund.
What You Can Do
Give to the Great Commission Fund. In doing so, you partner with Alliance workers, like Rob Burns, who are lighting the way for people trapped in spiritual darkness.
Pray for Alliance workers around the world.
Check out how your church can begin a Ministry Partnership with overseas Alliance workers.
October 14, 2011
The following is an adapted excerpt from Louisa Spagnolo, serving in Thailand.
For months I’ve been praying for a way to connect with my neighbors. I have greeted them, baked for them, let my dog play with their dogs in the park, yet somehow there was always a wall between us.
Several weeks ago I went to my colleagues’ house a few blocks away. (They are on home assignment, and I was working on their computer.) Upon entering the house, I noticed the office lights were on. I didn’t remember leaving them on last time I was there. I didn’t think much of it and began my work on the computer, which was also on.
I heard a banging noise at the back of the house but thought it was coming from a neighboring home (the buildings are so close to each other that something happening at the neighbors’ often sounds like it is happening in your own home). About 10 minutes later I went to get something from the kitchen.
Masked Man
As I came out of the office, I saw a man with a mask over his head, his arm raised as if to strike me with the handle of the machete he was holding. I tried to scream, but my voice wouldn’t come. When I turned to run, he grabbed me from behind.
“Be quiet,” he said, “I’m not going to hurt you.” And he didn’t. He took 2,300 baht and my ATM card from my wallet. He left my laptop computer and my cell phone; he also disabled the phone so I couldn’t make any calls. While he was there, I shared with him that I am an international worker who came to his country to help people like him. I told him that I wanted him to have joy and peace in his life. I urged him to make better choices, as the things he was doing now would not bring him happiness. After I had talked with him for 30 minutes, he tied my hands to the foot of a bed and left.
Several minutes later, I easily freed myself and came out of the house, crying. Some women were standing in front of a nearby home. I stopped and asked them for help, explaining what had happened. Before long, other neighbors heard the story. That afternoon I went door to door, asking people to be careful and to watch out for each other.
Making a Connection
For the first time since moving to this area six months ago, I made a deep connection with my neighbors. They were amazed that I wasn’t hurt-as well as sympathetic and thankful to me for coming and warning them. Most of all, they were surprised that I didn’t want to run home to America and hide.
You and I know who protected me. Praise God for keeping me safe and for giving me the presence of mind to speak grace to another in a moment of distress. I also thank Him for this unique opportunity to connect with my neighbors.
Pray that the Lord will continue to work through my relationships with these people—and that I will have boldness to seek them out. Pray, too, for my peace of mind. I love my home here and my neighborhood. I do not want to move, but I have more trouble feeling safe here. It is hard for me to go out and walk around the neighborhood like I used to. Pray that the Lord will restore my sense of security.
Also, pray that God will work in the heart of the young man who robbed me. Pray that as he reflects upon the things I told him, he will have no peace until he comes to know Jesus. Pray that other Christians will come into his life to explain more of what I was trying to tell him that day.
What You Can Do
Give to the Great Commission Fund. In doing so, you partner with Alliance workers, like Louisa Spagnolo, to be light to those who are walking in darkness, desperate for hope.
Pray for Alliance workers around the world.
By Brad Reynolds, serving in Léguevin, France
Over the course of the week, the enemy has waged a battle at Eglise Protestante Internationale (EPI) as we prepared for three baptisms and a child dedication. Two of our young boys have been hurt in accidents; one wears a cast on his arm, and another has a cast on his leg. A mother of four is now in the hospital due to blood clots in her lungs. Two families in our church discovered snakes (yes, even in France) in their kitchens. Then Tina came home the night before our service and said, “The pool is leaking, and it’s bad.”
We quickly gathered up towels and a bucket and headed back to the church, fearing the worst. As we emptied the pool, we wondered what we were going to do the next morning. Now a leaking pool is not a reason to be too upset, but, in addition to the previous events of the week, we were both troubled. As the night approached, the darkness seemed strong. After a sleep, I went into our garden to pray. It was time to do battle with the enemy. Because Jesus is the Victor, I was able to tell the “unwelcome guest” to go to the feet of Jesus.
The Battle Is the Lord’s
At the worship service, the Lord’s hand was evident. The sanctuary was full. It was so encouraging to pray for little Eloise, whose parents and six brothers and sisters stand committed to raising her with the Lord. And the three people who were baptized gave testimony to what God had done in their lives.
Pascale grew up in a difficult home and is going through a divorce. She came to know Jesus 20 years ago, while living in England, but it was only when she decided to become a member of EPI that she had to address baptism because of her fear of going under water. Emily, the sister of Eloise, made the choice recently that her mom’s faith wasn’t good enough; she needed to make it her own. Patrick, Emily’s younger brother, just turned 18. Over the past year, he has begun leading worship at EPI, and God has been speaking to his heart about making Jesus first in his life.
We rejoiced with applause as the baptized came up from the water, honoring Jesus. And, yes, Pascale trusted God as she allowed herself to be submerged under water. It was only after her baptism that she told everyone of her fear. Once again, applause came for her courage and her determination to follow Jesus even in the hard place.
This Battle Has Been Won
EPI is Jesus’ church, and we raise up His banners. Our worship was enthusiastic as we celebrated the Lord of all. Please pray for little Eloise who was dedicated to Jesus, as well as for Pascale, Emily, and Patrick to walk courageously and boldly in a society that is often indifferent to their faith. Among those present was a woman visiting for the first time. After 22 years in a cult, she recently walked out and gave her heart to Jesus. We praise God for her decision—redeemed fruit from the enemy’s camp. Though our adversary, the devil, tried to distract us, he did not succeed in keeping us from declaring God’s might works in our midst.
What You Can Do
Give to the Great Commission Fund. In doing so, you partner with workers overseas, like the Reynoldses, to ensure that the Light of the World is reflected in regions where steep challenges—spiritual and financial—hinder unreached people from receiving the good news.
Check out how your church can begin a Ministry Partnership.
Dig deeper—read more about our work in France.
Pray for Alliance workers around the world.
October 4, 2011
By Larry Wolters, serving in Burkina Faso
Gaoua is a village located in the smallest Alliance district in Burkina Faso. This region is inhabited by the Lobi, who have a reputation for being one of the most difficult people groups in Burkina to reach with the good news.
This summer, two short-term outreach teams from Alliance churches in the United States helped to build a worship center, an outdoor shelter, for a congregation in Gaoua. A team from South Hills Church Community in Henderson, Nevada, set the new structure’s posts; later, a team comprised of members from several Franklin, North Carolina, churches nailed on the roof to complete the project. Our interns took on a major project-management role with logistics.
Outreach with a Light Show
On the day we were finishing the roof’s installation, the skies grew dark—rain was on its way. The pastor asked to borrow our generator so the congregation could hold an evangelistic service.
As lightning flashed all around us and the rain began to fall, everyone ran for cover under the new shelter. The pastor, the only Alliance pastor in this district, then preached a bold message about new life in Christ in this corner of Burkina known for its opposition to the good news. Church members sang and danced with joy all night long.
When the service was over, the pastor sat under the new shelter the rest of the night, making himself available to anyone who wanted to know more about the joy and freedom found in Christ.
Worship Centers Needed
When I talked with the pastor, I learned that he had pleaded with the national Alliance church president for two shelters to be installed under which to hold church services. But only one was granted. When I met with the national church president the following week, I learned the reason: two such structures were desperately needed in the north for additional outreach to unreached people groups.
Please pray for the church in Burkina to be blessed with every means to reach all who are in desperate need of the Light.
What You Can Do
Give to the Great Commission Fund. In doing so, you partner with workers overseas, like the Wolterses, to ensure that the Light of the World is reflected in regions where steep challenges—spiritual and financial—hinder unreached people from receiving the good news.
Check out how your church can begin a Ministry Partnership with overseas Alliance workers.
Dig deeper—read more about our work in Burkina Faso.
September 22, 2011
By Dr. Randall (Randy) and Deanna Harrison, serving at West Africa Alliance Theological Seminary (FATEAC), Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
The following is an adapted excerpt from the Harrison’s recent update.
Every one of our precious FATEAC students has a story. We wish you could get to know them all. Since that’s not possible, we’d like to share one couple’s story to give you a better idea of the exceptional men and women training here to minister throughout French-speaking Africa.
The Best Laid Plans . . .
Around 20 years ago a young Burkinabe boy was enrolled in a school for the followers of his country’s majority religion. The boy’s father had high hopes that his son, Fabé, would eventually become a great leader for their faith. But God had other plans.
A strong-willed uncle had more down-to-earth ideas for the promising young student; he transferred him to another school that offered a more general education. Fabé continued his studies and grew up a devout follower of his family’s faith.
Because of his excellent understanding of the French language and his community’s ethnic Dzuundo (a dialect of the Mande language), Fabé was later hired by a team of Mennonite missionaries who were translating the Bible into Dzuundo. He ended up studying the Bible for a living.
New Life
Between innumerable hours spent in the Word, the testimony of his Mennonite colleagues, and the drawing of the Holy Spirit, Fabé found the Lord and his life was changed forever. He entered the ministry and began serving the Lord with zeal and humility. And he married a lovely young woman, Rebecca—daughter of the first known evangelical believer among the Sicite people in Burkina Faso’s Kenedougou province.
Fabé and Rebecca left their native Burkina to attend FATEAC in Côte d’Ivoire. They showed up with their small family, a little shy and overwhelmed. Fabé worked hard in the master’s program, and Rebecca entered the Women’s Academy.
A head taller than most of his classmates, Fabé became known for his humble service to others. I remember the first time I (Deanna) had Rebecca in class. She wasn’t confident in her reading and writing skills. But by her senior year she was a leader on campus and chosen to be class president of the Women’s Academy.
At the close of this academic year, Fabé defended his master’s thesis. (This is an in-depth research project culminating four years of studying on a theological, biblical, pastoral, or translation subject.) Thesis defense is done in public, before a jury, with invited friends, professors, fellow students, family members and pastors present. Denomination leaders often show up.
Senior Year and a Civil War
Some students invite their (African-style) church choirs. It’s quite the experience. (We should also mention that this has been a particularly challenging year for the seniors because they had to write their master’s theses during a civil war!) Defenses can last more than four hours.
Fabé did a study on the word “covenant” in the Old Testament and its meaning for his ethnic group in Burkina Faso to suggest guidelines for translating this important biblical concept into his native language.
It’s so amazing to witness what comes up in biblical studies in Africa. For example, when you’ve heard teaching on the concept of “covenant”, have you ever been given an example of two families drinking their co-mingled blood to seal a covenant!? Fabé shared this scenario to illustrate his ethnic group’s understanding of that word. He got through his thesis defense with flying colors.
Now he and Rebecca are back in Burkina, continuing in Bible translation and church ministry. We miss them.
We could go on and on, sharing stories about other students. But we’ll just ask you to pray for all of them. While you’re at it, pray for us as we teach and learn from these brothers and sisters in the Lord. God is doing great things in Africa, and we are grateful to be a part of it.
One More Thing You Can Do
Give to Alliance Great Commission Ministries. In doing so you partner with Alliance workers, like the Harrisons, to spread the good news in regions of the world where many people are desperate for the good news, including French-speaking West Africa.
September 16, 2011
The following is an adapted excerpt from an update by Jane and Harry Landaw, serving as church-planting team coordinators in the tsunami-stricken area of Japan.
Recently, God used a “chance” encounter to accomplish a remarkable opportunity to show the love of Jesus to business owners and residents of Ishinomaki, a seaside city along the northeastern coast of Japan that was hit hard by the tsunami.
A few weeks ago in the Tokyo area, Mr. Doi, a non-Christian businessman, had been walking by the CRASH (Christian Relief, Assistance, Support, and Hope) Japan headquarters. He stopped by to see what the organization was doing to help out with relief and recovery efforts. Mr. Doi learned that CRASH had a large supply of rice cookers in storage but had run out of opportunities to distribute them. Because of his business contacts in Ishinomaki, Mr. Doi knew of shop owners near the train station who had lost all their kitchen goods in the disaster. He negotiated an opportunity for CRASH Japan to distribute this stock of new rice cookers to anyone who needed one.
When we arrived with the truckload of rice cookers, about 80 people were standing there, waiting to receive a new cooker. TV crews were also on the scene filming the entire event. We formed a “bucket brigade” with the local businesspeople and carried the heavy boxes into the little shop. We all crowded into the store where the local business leader explained what CRASH Japan was and that we had come to help them with this need. Along with the rice cookers, they allowed us to pass out tracts and an advertisement for a church that is located on the opposite side of the train station.
Many of the shop owners said, “Oh yes, we know about that church.” (You might have seen some youtube videos of this church and its food ministry after the tsunami.) We were able to distribute 150 rice cookers. Praise God! Everyone was so pleased and expressed genuine appreciation to us. In the process of distributing the rice cookers, we also had special opportunities to listen to individuals as they shared their stories, and we encouraged them and let them know that we cared deeply about their situation.
Later, we drove over to the church and helped the local pastor set up for a “Snow Cone Festival.” It was very hot, so we set up a large tent in front of the church, along with some benches, and made snow cones (“kakigori” in Japanese) for those who were passing by. Between 50 and 80 people stopped by to take a break from the scorching heat and enjoy the refreshing shaved ice with flavored toppings. Many people said, “This is the first kakigori I’ve had all summer. We have been so busy just trying to make it through the difficulties.” Along with the other Japanese volunteers, we had many opportunities to sit and listen to these special people tell their stories and to encourage them.
Among those who shared was a mother with two boys who had been at the beach on the day of the tsunami. They had tried to drive away but couldn’t get away fast enough, so they jumped out of the car and ran up a mountain, where they found safety. Then, they stayed in an evacuation center with 2,000 others for 10 days. The mother said that the little boys thought it was fun because it was like camping. What a precious family. (The father was not with them, though, and we wondered if he had survived.)
Then there was the woman who wept and wept, saying, “Would it have been better if I had died with everyone else? Was it better that I lived?” She kept going over those two questions. We told her that God had a plan for her and that her family needs her. Another woman’s husband made it through the tsunami, but because of an illness, he died at the end of July.
We pray for a mighty moving of the Holy Spirit, as so many are very open to Jesus. Also, we pray that many will return to ongoing outreach ministries at the church.
What You Can Do
Give to Alliance Great Commission Ministries. In doing so, you partner with Alliance workers, like the Landaws, to share the light of Christ with those who are desperate for hope.
Learn More
Read another story by Harry Landaw about relief efforts in the tsunami-affected area.
September 15, 2011
By an Alliance international worker in Kosovo
“I have been a believer for 18 years and have served in the church most of that time,” says Beki*, a young pastor’s wife whose ministry has impacted hundreds of people in Kosovo. “This is the first time I have had the opportunity to receive training for the things that I do.” Beki is a passionate, gifted, and effective leader. She not only leads the women’s ministry in her church but also serves on the national women’s commission. As my teammate and I heard her words, we were struck anew with the urgency to offer her, and women like her, the opportunity to receive training in a way that is accessible to them.
Equipping Women to Lead
The women of Kosovo are caught between two worlds. Society around them is modernizing at an alarming rate; they are bombarded with western media and its ideas of feminism. Yet they are bound to the traditions of women as sole caretakers of the home and children. Women in the church have embraced their freedom to be involved in work, ministry and leadership, but they do not want to forsake their familial obligations.
Training Kosovar women for ministry requires a program that takes into consideration the unique challenges that women face, balancing responsibilities in and out of the home. A resident program is not an option and an intensive approach would only lead to discouragement and drop out.
In August of 2010 the women of the Alliance Kosovo team launched the first Women to Women Leadership Training (WWLT) site in Prishtina, the capital city. Beki was among the first group of women trained as a facilitator for the WWLT courses that are designed with the unique challenges of women in mind. Immediately, Beki implemented the skills of her recent training as a facilitator on the national women’s commission, resulting in the most effective women’s event the commission has hosted to date.
A Spiritual Journey
For Beki the desire for her people to experience the light of Jesus is the impetus that led her to the Alliance leadership program. Raised in a home of the country’s traditional religion, Beki practiced the rituals and obligations as a child under the tutelage of her father and grandfather, who are respected leaders of their faith.
“Actually, the fact that I had to pray in [the religious language] was an obstacle for me,” says Beki, “as were other doctrinal issues. When I asked questions, I was told, ‘Thus says God, and you should do it, because you are indebted to him.’ Dissatisfied with the reply, I lived with doubt.”
When Beki was 16, she and her brother took a summer job in the State vineyards, where they met some boys noted for their bad reputation. One day, the boys began to sing about Jesus. “I was stunned!” Beki says. “I turned to them and said, ‘Do you know what you are singing? You are not allowed to sing about Jesus!’ They told me that they believed in Jesus as their Savior and Lord and invited me to their church.”
Surprised by the boys’ assurance of salvation, Beki’s interest was sparked to understand more about their faith. “I went to the church service, and for the first time, I heard a sermon about God the Father’s love for His children,” she says.
Beki began reading the New Testament with curiosity and a critical eye, looking for mistruths or contradictions. “At the same time, my brother also read the New Testament, and we discussed the Scriptures,” she recalls. “What we found was Jesus’ love for us. We returned to the church, and after the service, the pastor called for whoever wanted to accept Jesus as the Lord of their life. My brother stood up immediately, and I followed, asking the pastor to lead me in the prayer of salvation.”
So joyful was she about her newfound faith, Beki immediately began to tell family and friends about Jesus. She was met with cynicism and warnings; many criticized her. “The boys of the neighborhood called me Mary and spat on me, but I blessed them. They even began to think I was drugged because I did not respond with anger. After a time, my sisters and brothers accepted Jesus into their lives. My friends began to return to me, and my teachers’ respect for me returned. I thanked God for the time of persecution, because it was a time when I was assured that I am in the truth and that God is alive, working in me. My grief, anger, and desire for revenge were replaced with peace, love, and compassion for others.”
Lighting the Way
Beki’s husband realized the value of her training and agreed to take the responsibility of the home for a week, so that Beki could accompany Alliance international workers to a training event in Switzerland in Spring 2011. I am continually touched by Beki’s enthusiasm and gratefulness. She is a woman gifted by God, and with this training, her gifts will continue to multiply as she serves the women of Kosovo.
*Name changed
What You Can Do
Pray for the Lord’s empowerment for Alliance workers who are involved in training and equipping nationals for leadership.
Give to Alliance Great Commission Ministries. In doing so, you partner with Alliance workers to share the Light of Life with those walking in darkness, desperate for hope.
Learn More
Training believers to be leaders in their countries is essential to building strong national churches. Learn about the C&MA’s role in equipping national believers who are called to lead.
Read about a joint effort between Alliance workers and national believers to reach Kosovo with the light of Jesus.
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