September 8, 2009
By Donnie Mason, serving in Russia
Excerpts here from Blythe and Donnie Mason’s September 2009 prayer letter describe frustrating cultural challenges similar to what many Alliance overseas workers daily face. However, the Masons report, ministry partners who “pray that we’ll stay inspired and focused and close to our God” are key to sustained, loving service among the lost.
For anyone who knows us well, what I’m about to say will not come as a shock. For others of you, it may be surprising. Here it is: Missionaries are imperfect people with normal weaknesses, frustrations, and failures.
Before I became a missionary, I think I really believed that somehow there was something inherently different about missionaries that made them never yell at their spouses, never worry over trivial matters, never resent the inconveniences of life, never get disappointed with God. Well, I was wrong.
Everyday Struggles
Missionaries struggle with the same big and little shortcomings you have. In fact, some days we may struggle more.
We deal with life frustrations accentuated by being in a different culture and language context. Additionally, missionaries live in cultures where individual rights are not catered to or protected like they are in the United States. Basic services/conveniences we take for granted in the U.S. are inefficient or non-existent, which ups the stress level.
This past week was “one of those weeks” for us. A simple fender bender (not our fault) led to literally days of running around the city to maneuver our way through a confusing insurance system. A mistake made by a drugstore employee (who then refused to correct it) left us out $100. A run-in with local traffic police left us feeling violated and controlled.
Daily Ministry Choices
In each situation, we are faced with choices:
- Judge and resent this culture, or recognize it as sinful and fallen, just like every other, but has points of beauty there for those who choose to see them
- Respond to unfair treatment with resentment and anger, or return it with kindness and mercy
- Cultivate a negative attitude toward Russians, or gain empathy for the things Russians have to deal with daily
- End the day feeling beaten down and discouraged, or allow God to fill us with renewed strength and inspiration
- Long for the good ‘ole familiar U.S., or embrace even more strongly the calling God has given us to reach the lost.
I would LOVE to say that we always choose the second options, but it’s just not true. Because, remember, we’re imperfect people. We’re not super-Christians!
Secret to Faithful Service
But there is something that makes us different. It’s you! It’s the fact that we, unlike many Christians in the United States and across the world, have a large group of people praying regularly for us, praying that we’ll choose those second options, praying that we won’t lose heart, praying that we’ll stay inspired and focused and close to our God.
You and your prayers help to keep us faithful in serving Russia with love! (By the way, even if you’re not in full-time ministry, there’s no reason why you can’t raise up your own group of prayer supporters!) Thank you for your part in our ministry-keep it coming!
Learn More
Learn more about why prayer is central to The Alliance in all we do.
Watch a video of Blythe Mason describing what it means to be The Alliance in her community. (Produced in 2006)
August 26, 2009
By Bruce and Stephanie Beers, serving in Ecuador
We have experienced God’s faithfulness in many ways in our lifetime, and recently we had the opportunity to look back at His faithfulness in the country of Ecuador. We had the privilege of being part of a “thanksgiving service,” initiated by the national church, as the mission officially “passed the torch” to our national brethren. It was gratifying to see many of our seminary students, now in full-time ministry, and listen to testimonies of God’s steadfast love throughout the years.
A Fruitful Harvest
The Alliance entered Ecuador in 1897. Over the past 112 years, His faithfulness has been amazing. Thousands of people have come to the Lord, and 300 Alliance churches have been established throughout the country. Those of us on the platform that night felt humbled and unworthy to be standing there. The real heroes were the first missionaries who came in those early years, suffered persecution, or laid down their lives for the sake of the gospel. We have been reaping what they sowed.
Fishers of Men
Last month we spent most of the day in a boat with a group of friends, some of whom would never walk through a church door. We visited an island in the Gulf of Guayaquil, and I was reminded of a fishing analogy. A fisherman once told us that they always have to wash their nets really well after they haul in a catch; if they don’t, the fish can smell “death” in the net and will swim away as fast as they can.
Sometimes I think that if we use the same old methods while “fishing for men,” the people can smell us a mile away and will run for the hills. The Lord has been challenging us to use creative means to reach others who really have no plans for being “caught.”
We are aware that over the years, not only has God been faithful, but all of you also have been faithful in praying for us, and we are so thankful for that. Please keep up the great work! We wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for your prayers and giving to Alliance Great Commission Ministries. Many people have met the Great Fisherman and lives have been transformed as a result of your sacrifice.
We will finish out our four-year term next year and expect to be reassigned to another Latin American country after home assignment. We can transition from there, knowing that God’s faithfulness will continue, that He will continue to build His Church, and that the gates of hell will not prevail against it.
Thanks again for being our fishing buddies.
Learn More
Check out Alliance work in Ecuador.
What You Can Do
- Praise God for His faithfulness to Alliance missionaries and their national colleagues in Ecuador.
- Rejoice with them for a strong national church that is fully committed to completing the Great Commission.
- Pray for God’s continued blessing on the Ecuador national church.
Donate now to Alliance Great Commission Ministries.
August 20, 2009
By Sarah Rowley, serving in Russia
Missions experts claim 84 percent of those who accept Christ do so between the ages of four and 14, making this group one of the world’s most strategic mission fields. Sarah understands God’s love for children and the urgency of reaching them with the gospel, as evidenced in this adaptation of her recent prayer letter.
As God promises in Jeremiah 29:11-12, He has a plan and it is for our good.
While preparing for youth camp in June, I was told the children from the orphanage in Nizhniy Novgorod would not be allowed to attend. Discouraged, but still trusting, our team stepped out in faith and held camp for only 11 kids.
No Joke!
Camp with just 11 children might sound a bit like a joke. In retrospect, it was great for our church. We have never held a camp before, and most of our workers had never been to a Christian camp. It became a year of learning for the adults as much as for the children.
As I have already stated, we were blessed with 11 children, six of whom attend church regularly, two who have attended a few times, and three who had never been to church and had never even heard of the Name of Jesus. These youth spent a week learning about and experiencing God’s love for them.
Campers’ Needs
Brahim,* 12, is out of control at home. He is already smoking and drinking. Although I was concerned when he was put in my group, I quickly found a great kid who just needs love and attention.
Galena* and Lena,* also 12, arrived at camp not knowing anything about God. They come from alcoholic homes, and you could see them relaxing more each day, realizing nothing bad was going to happen.
On the day we talked about sin and its consequences, I took them aside to see if they understood. When I realized they didn’t, I sat down and talked with them about sin and forgiveness. It was the first time I had really shared so deeply in Russian-I was sharing the gospel with two girls who had a foundation of zero.
The final day of camp, two girls, Natasha and Inneta, prayed to receive Christ! They both attend our church regularly and come from great Christian homes, but that does not lessen my joy. I believe too often we take the salvation of children in our churches for granted.
Children’s Ministry Plans
School begins September 1. So, the first Saturday in September we have scheduled a camp reunion-a party. We really want to encourage Akmal, Katya, and Anya to join us. They are each 12 years old, and last year that was the cut-off for our Kidz Club. We are making changes so they can join us; they want to, but their parents need to give approval.
We haven’t seen the children from the orphanage for two months. The last half of July and all of August they were at a state camp for orphans. This does not mean our ministry to them has ended. We just received a phone call from the orphanage director asking for help.
In years past, the Russian government provided orphans with basic school supplies. Due to the financial crisis this year, they are unable to help at all. So Anya and I get to go on a huge shopping spree for the kids tomorrow. I’m sure we’ll have fun.
God is at work in Nizhniy Novgorod, and you are a part of it. Thank you for your prayers and your support of the Great Commission Fund. Without you I could not be here.
* Names have been changed.
What You Can Do
Praise God! “Kids camp was great,” says Sarah, “and Natasha and Inneta prayed to receive Christ.” Pray that the three youth at summer camp who just learned about Christ will be allowed to attend Kidz Club this fall to learn more about Him.
Learn more
Read “A Crack in the Door,” an article in the March 2009 issue of alife about another successful summer youth camp in Russia.
Familiarize yourself with important Alliance youth ministry resources.
Check out our Russia team’s Web page.
View several videos about The Alliance in Russia.
August 13, 2009
By Jill and Alan Kropp, serving in Japan
The language school I (Jill) attend in Tokyo is highly relational and conversationally oriented. From ambassadors to housewives to businessmen, the school draws students from all walks of life, Christian and non-Christian.
One aspect of the class that I really enjoy is giving three-minute impromptu speeches, something we do nearly every session. This exercise is designed to force us to use what we have assimilated during the formal lecture component of the class. Immediately following our three-minute speech, the teacher gives critical feedback concerning word choice and grammar structure.
Because You Prayed
Recently after one of my speeches, I was able to share my faith. During one-on-one instruction time with a non-Christian teacher, I asked a question that led to a discussion about the Bible and the gospel. I had this opportunity because you prayed!
Keep praying for the Lord to use us to share the gospel with our non-Christian teachers, neighbors, and friends.
Please Pray . . .
- For continued perseverance and motivation during language study
- For more opportunities to introduce Japanese people to Jesus
- That the Holy Spirit’s sweet presence would rain down on the people of Japan
What You Can Do
Donate now to Alliance Great Commission Ministries to support God’s work around the world, including in Japan.
Learn More
Check out our Alliance work in Japan.
August 6, 2009
By Andrew Schaeffer,
Serving in Burkina Faso
A few months ago Nicodemus, the director of the Alliance Bookstore in Bobo Dioulasso, asked me to help order 4,000 Jula songbooks from China Alliance Press in Hong Kong. (Jula is the local dialect in Bobo and surrounding western Burkina Faso.) Nicodemus’ songbook stock was depleted; China Alliance Press still had the songbook stencils from a previous printing-and the best price.
Songbooks Arrive in Burkina
Songbooks are still in great demand among Christians in Burkina Faso. Pastors encourage their members to come to church with their Bible and songbook in hand so that they can fully participate in worship.
Two weeks ago we received word that the 4,000 Jula songbooks had arrived at customs in Ouagadougou, Burkina’s capitol. Please pray that they will clear customs without expense and will be a great blessing to Jula-speaking believers throughout Burkina Faso.
2,200 Pairs of Shoes
A friend from Grace Church in Cleveland is responsible for screening brand name shoes, pulling them off of the market if they aren’t authentic. Since these imitations can’t be sold, he is able to donate them to Grace Church for distribution in impoverished countries through a partnership between Grace Church and World Vision.
Two years ago, we received 1,450 pairs of shoes-each pair carefully tied together and lovingly bagged by Grace Church volunteers. Another church member who works for a transport company shipped the shoes to port at no cost [to us]. As a result, each Alliance pastor and Bible school student in Burkina Faso received at least one pair of shoes.
This summer Grace Church blessed us with another 2,200 pairs of shoes, enough for each student at our three Christian secondary schools to receive a pair. What joy these free shoes are going to bring to these students!
100 Computers
Two years ago, we also received 20 refurbished computers for our new library at Maranatha Bible Institute, thanks to Stephen Beck at Global Tech Ministries. This year, he helped us obtain 100 more computers to update and replenish the computer labs at each of our three Christian secondary schools in Burkina.
Last week the container left port and is now en route to Burkina Faso. Please pray that the container arrives safely and will pass through customs easily.
Andrew and Esther Schaeffer are on a one-year home assignment, living in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
July 22, 2009
By JJ Spurling
Editor’s Note: The following is an adaptation of a recent prayer letter by JJ Spurling, who serves with The Alliance in Paraguay.
A friend and I were talking, and he told me he was struggling again with “holy jealousy” (envidia santa). When you hear something new in a new language, it takes some time to process what has been said. While he continued to explain his struggle, I was thinking: “‘Envidia’ means jealousy, and ’santa’ means holy. I must not have heard him correctly because these two things do not go together.”
“Excuse me,” I said, “but did you say ‘envidia santa’?”
“Yes,” he replied.
“You will have to explain this one to me because this is the first time I’m hearing of it.”
My friend told me that holy jealousy is a term that he believes to be popular throughout Latin America and is not unlike a white lie. “Many people believe that white lies are acceptable, even though you and I know that they are not,” he explained. And apparently, “holy jealousy” is viewed similarly. He continued by relating an example:
“Let’s say that someone has a spiritual gifting that I desire, such as the ability to lead worship. When I question the Lord as to why I don’t have that gift and even resent my sister because she has it and I don’t, this is holy jealousy.”
The struggle my friend is having reminded me of a conversation that I had in our youth group one evening when discussing Romans 12. In verse 15, Paul writes the following: “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” The group told me that it is easy to mourn with those who mourn, but it is difficult to rejoice with those who are rejoicing. Because this perspective is the opposite of my experience, I asked them to explain.
One of the young people shared an example of a friend receiving a new bicycle. Although the friend is rejoicing because of his great fortune, it would be difficult for the young person to rejoice because he does not have a bicycle.
This discussion has provoked a lot of thought over the past several months. Why can I rejoice so easily over the good fortune of others? And why is it not as natural for me to mourn with others?
I believe that I rejoice over the successes and blessings of others because my cultural context has programmed me to believe that I, too, can be successful and blessed if I work hard for it. For example, my boss here in Paraguay is receiving a new Mac laptop today, and I am genuinely excited for him. I want one too, but I’m not jealous. To be completely honest, in the back of my mind I’m thinking, “I’m going to get me one of those when I get back to the States.”
The Paraguayan does not have the same opportunity. I have learned that the blessings we have in the States are not the reality everywhere. There is not always a reward for hard work. At the end of a hard day’s work, it is possible (I almost want to say probable for those of a lower economic station) that you will not receive the reward that is due and oftentimes promised. Would I struggle with jealousy if I grew up in a culture like that?
The Paraguayan has been formed in a culture of hard knocks. Most have experienced great disappointments. And I believe that because of this, they are a compassionate and empathetic culture. They don’t find it hard to mourn with others. I will mourn with others, but it is definitely more uncomfortable than rejoicing.
Which culture is better?
It’s not a question of either/or-it’s both/and. What can I take away from my Paraguayan experience? What can I learn, and how can I grow? I hope that part of it is a greater compassion and sensitivity for those around me. Hopefully, one thing I will have instilled in the Paraguayans is a joy for the successes of their brothers and sisters in Christ, because God is the giver of all that is good.
The Holy Spirit is using my cross-cultural experience to further form me. My prayer is that I will rejoice because God is the source of all that is good in my life and I will mourn because He has given me His perfect love. My contentment or sorrow is not dependent upon how hard I can work or how much I’ve been disappointed in the past. I am now programmed by a new culture: Kingdom culture.
I prayed with my friend about his struggle and explained the interdependent plan that God has for the church-how the gifting of every believer will help us accomplish the good works that the Lord has given us as a unified whole.
Learn More
Check out our Alliance work in Paraguay.
What You Can Do
Join JJ Spurling in praising God as the source of all goodness. Pray that Alliance missionaries in Paraguay and around the world will convey Christ’s love and compassion for those who mourn.
Donate now to Alliance Great Commission Ministries to support God’s work around the world.
July 10, 2009
By an Alliance worker
The following is an adaptation of an Alliance worker’s recent article, illustrating how the Great Physician is drawing Kosovars to Himself.
God’s at work here. I want to share about His healing power in the life of Fasul.*
Last year Fasul broke his leg while in the mountains cutting timber. Because it was a compound fracture, with spurting arterial bleeding, he almost bled to death riding on horseback down the mountain and then taking a taxi to the hospital.
Fasul’s story is long. He nearly died from an infection in the hospital and then crossed the mountains on crutches into Macedonia to seek additional medical care. We first met him last fall when he came to our community center in southeastern Kosovo seeking help.
Needed: $10,000
His leg was sheathed in an external cage; his shin was pinned together. Fasul’s dressings were changed at the hospital weekly; the doctors were working to disinfect the protruding, jagged ends of his shin bones. He told us he needed about $10,000 to return to Macedonia and have the surgery completed.
We didn’t have $10,000. But we prayed and also took Fasul to a private hospital for treatment and a second opinion in Prishtina, Kosovo’s capital city. The doctor said he would probably lose the leg. His open wound was not, surprisingly, infected. But the chances of a bone graft taking to the dead bone tissue were almost zero.
God had the last word, however.
Over the past nine months since meeting Fasul, our church has prayed and ministered to him and his family-relentlessly. He and his sister in-law, he claims, are now believers.
“God at Work”
Much to our amazement, about a month ago the doctor said that the bones in Fasul’s leg were beginning to show signs of life. Last week, the doctor removed the pins from his leg and put him in a walking cast-he was careful to say that this was not his doing, not the result of his treatment, but that God was at work.
Sunday night Fasul testified to God’s healing power. He stood before the church and then set aside his crutches to show that, with the cast, his broken leg could take the weight of his body.
Fasul still has a long way to go in the healing process, but he now has so much hope, not just for a healed leg, but in the power of God. This miracle couldn’t have been purchased with $10,000 from the “wealthy” missionaries, but it was given by God’s sovereign hand.
There are so many other things to tell you, ways in which God is moving among His people in Kosovo, but there isn’t time or space. They’ll have to wait for future updates.
*Name changed
What You Can Do
In your prayers, praise God for the miracle of Fasul’s continued healing. Continue to pray that he will grow in his faith, and that others in his circle of family and friends will come to personally know Jesus, the Great Physician.
Donate now to support the work of Alliance churches and staff around the world, including dedicated workers in Kosovo.
July 8, 2009
By Tim and Penny Iverson, serving in Taiwan
In the region of Taiwan where we minister, Christians make up 0.1 percent of the population. YuanChang consists of several small villages with a total population of 32,000, yet it has only one small Christian congregation. This is one of the least-reached areas of Taiwan; and working-class people, like the majority of those living in our township, have been the hardest to reach with the gospel. It is a spiritually dark place.
We are seeking to show God’s love in this community through teaching English in the public schools and through The Lighthouse, a coffeehouse ministry. Through our work here, we became friends with Ming-Ming, an elementary school nurse.
Last week, Tim brought our field forum speaker, Rev. Rob Douglas, to visit the school and meet some of our friends there. Ming-Ming shared with them a dream she recently had. She told them that in the dream, she was singing a song in English. When she awoke, she was crying. She hummed a bit of the tune and asked them if they knew the song. It was “Amazing Grace.”
God used a dream to open the door to share with Ming-Ming the words and significance of that famous hymn we all know so well. Several others were there who also heard the message. Other than being a friend, Ming-Ming hadn’t even been on our “radar” yet, but God pointed out clearly that day where He is at work.
Recently, Ming-Ming shared that she has an important test related to her nursing license on August 1. She asked us to pray for her and said that if she passes the test, she will begin going to church.
Please join us in praying for Ming-Ming. Pray that God, in His power and mercy, will demonstrate His love to her by helping her to pass her test. Praythat Ming-Ming will soon receive Christ’s amazing grace.
Also, pray for a powerful breakthrough in our ministry in YuanChang. Pray especially for men to give their hearts and lives to Christ. Pray for entire families to turn to Him. We recognize that there is nothing we can do without the power of the Holy Spirit at work in us and at work in the people around us. Please ask God to pour out His Spirit.
Learn More
Check out our Alliance work in Taiwan.
What You Can Do
Praise God for His amazing work in drawing Ming-Ming to Himself. Pray that she will recognize Christ’s power to save and that she will respond to His grace.
Donate now to Alliance Great Commission Ministries to support God’s work around the world.
July 1, 2009
Alliance worker Brad Reynolds wrote in May 2009 about the inauguration of Eglise Protestante Internationale (EPI)-the first new church in Léguevin, France, since the 12th century. God is moving in this new international body of French-speaking believers(the church project address is Harvest Promise Toulouse). The following is an adaptation of two June updates from Brad about the harvest at EPI, French for grain of wheat.
New Believers Baptized
This morning’s baptism service ( June 21) was fantastic. The room was full, with the majority of our church present as well as friends and family. The testimonies were clear. One young man told how the faith of mother, our church’s prayer leader, had influenced him. He now has a deep desire to follow Jesus.
It was in the Toulouse International Church (EPI’s sending church) prayer room that William, 18, came to understand the gravity of the cross, where the faith he had always heard about truly became his.
Daniela told of her search for faith and how she had heard about Jesus during a time of depression and uncertainty. A few years later, a friend led Daniela to commit her heart to Jesus; the following day, a member of our church invited her to the Alpha course, an eleven-week practical introduction to the Christian faith.
During the past two years, she has learned much about the Lord and the family called the Church. In addition, her husband came to faith in Jesus last November through the Alpha course.
The Value of Children
Jesus said: “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these” (Mark 10.14).
This morning at our worship service (June 28) we celebrated the families and children with whom God has so generously blessed us. Two of our young families dedicated their little daughters to Jesus, giving us the opportunity to talk about our Savior’s love for children. It was also a day for us to proclaim the gospel to between 80 and 90 adults and children who crowded our little worship space to witness this special commitment.
We heard many stories after the service. One family had come with three little children because they knew that we had recently moved into the area; they were surprised to see so many families with children. Another young university student said that he regularly attends a church in Toulouse, but he had overslept and decided to try out our church, not far from where he lives.
Another couple was surprised to see so many young people. He had attended our first Alpha Course in 2001 and had come to faith in Christ. Now he and his wife attend another church on the other side of Toulouse.
A Pastor’s Heart
Please pray for this new congregation to remain faithful in proclaiming Christ. Pray that we will be able to reach other families in our area. May Jesus use us to reach people of all ages and social positions for His honor and glory.
The desire of my heart is best summed up in a quote from Alliance founder A. B. Simpson, “My most important work has usually been to take myself and my shadow out of people’s way and set Jesus fully in their view.”
Learn More
Watch a video of Brad and Tina Reynolds describing their ministry vision for postmodern France. Produced in 2008.
Check out the Reynolds’s Web page.
What You Can Do
The theme verse at EPI is Mark 11:17, “My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.” In your prayers, thank God for William and Daniela who were recently baptized at EPI. Pray that their testimonies, as well as their baptisms, will speak deeply to friends and family.
Pray for the two families who dedicated their children recently. Pray also for the many who visited this new church plant on June 28 for the first time, who Brad hopes “will respond to the words of the Savior and be drawn by His deep love for them.”
Donate to Harvest Promise Toulouse to help purchase the rented building in which EPI is harvesting a fresh crop of sold-out believers.
June 24, 2009
By Sarah Roney, Global Ventures participant
A gang of Americans roaming the streets
Of the Mexican barrios, neighborhoods
These streets are more like paths
Brown, dusty, meandering, rut-filled
No longer are these just any streets to me
I have come to love these paths
They lead us to houses
To children
Who stand in the open doorways
Two, three, four of them
Stained clothes, bare feet
Deep, brown eyes silently staring
The fence keeps us at a distance
They don’t trust me
My face
My smile
My skin
My accent
My clothes
There is more than a fence that separates us
We invite them to church
To sing
To play
To listen
To create
To dance
To laugh
To eat
To be kids
It is there that they begin to trust
Their faces change
The eyes that once stared
At the strangers outside the fence
Are now crinkled with laughter
Worlds collide
If just for a day
I will continue to walk these paths
With dust-covered feet
Looking beyond the fences
To meet that unknowing look of a child
With Love
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