In this
issue:
i) Mission Fields
ii) Gospel Missions of
India (GMI)
iii) Mrs. Charles Wigg -
Special Request
Mission
Fields
AFRICA
ZAMBIA: Dorothy
Woodside: "In addition to the established classes, I have been asked to
start classes at another 16 sites. It really is exciting that so many want to
learn to read and that they are willing to learn by using God's Word. Please
continue to pray for the local teachers and for the students."
[MSC]
AMERICAS
JAMAICA: Winston and Nurkle Litchmore advise that
the assembly will be starting a series of monthly open-air meetings in May Pen,
commencing on 18th June. The first meeting will take place outside the home of a
Christian widow in the assembly who has been persecuted by some people in her
neighbourhood. A group of ladies have been praying with her, and they believe
they should try to reach out to this community with the gospel.
[EoS]
ASIA
INDIA: Bengal Bible Training Institute (BBTI), Jamthara,
will commence (God willing) its new academic year in the first week of
July. Fifteen local students have been selected for the 2-year Bible
Training. BBTI, which is a faith ministry, has been effectively
used by the Lord over the years to train and equip many local/tribal brethren in
ministry, a majority of whom are in the North Indian mission fields sharing the
Gospel among their own people. Please continue to pray for this
ministry, so that its needs are met [sanbbti@hotmail.com].
[MV]
INDIA: Ron and Lilo Penny are rejoicing that they
have finally received written permission to start their English Medium School in
Kollegal. This is a real answer to prayer, as it is very difficult to obtain
permission without bribing. Give thanks to the Lord for this victory, and pray
for the staff and students as they make the transition to working in an
unfamiliar language. [EoS]
INDIA:
Joy Tilsley advises that the Holland
Wharf Girls’ schools and hostel recommence on 12th June, and a staff retreat is
being held on 11th June, with Mr and Mrs Satyanarayana. Please pray for the
children as they return to their studies, and for the staff who teach and care
for these young people. [EoS]
INDIA: BIHAR: Benny Chackochen's wife Priscila
Ben underwent a surgery to remove the malignant cyst on Wednesday, the
14th at Perumthalmannu, Kerala. Thanks for the prayers of the saints - the
surgery went on without any complications despite her poor health
conditions. Continued prayers are solicited for Priscila Ben returning to
normalacy so that they could return to Bihar and resume the Lord's work.
[Phone]
INDONESIA: We have received a report from the Barnabas
Fund on the situation in Indonesia. It is estimated that hundreds, if not
thousands, of churches have been destroyed, as well as houses, government
buildings and shopping centres. Barnabas Fund are in direct contact with many
believers and churches that have been affected, and we have sent funds to them
for distribution. [EoS]
JAPAN: Ken and Christine Cowell
request prayer for a special outreach being held on 13th June. It will take the
form of a concert, after which a Japanese evangelist will preach the gospel.
Please pray that many unsaved will attend and that some may come to know the
Lord. [EoS]
EUROPE
BELGIUM: Anne
Dryburgh asks us to pray for five non-Christians who have been
attending a series of evangelistic Bible studies led by Canadian missionary
Richard Haverkamp. He speaks on a topic for the first half of the meeting, and
the second half is for questions from the audience. Pray for strength for
Richard, as his health is quite poor, and also for the couple hosting the
studies, Luc and Karolien. Anne would also appreciate prayer as she tries to get
to know the ladies in a small assembly in a town called Maldegem. She hopes to
be more involved with this assembly in the future, helping with evangelism,
discipleship and pastoral care, and has already been able to discuss
possibilities for future outreach with a group of keen young people there.
[EoS]
FRANCE: David and Brigitte Sutherland advise
that on 21st June, the Fete de la Musique will be held in Arras, an event in
which 40 groups and choirs take part, which is a good opportunity for gospel
outreach. The church in Arras will be involved in singing and performing with
puppets. Please pray for a response to the gospel message. On the same evening,
Derek Sutherland and another teenager from the church in Arras will be in Paris,
where they have been invited to sing songs that they have written in order to
attract young Parisiens to the gospel. Please pray for Derek and Henry as they
prepare for and take part in this special time of outreach.
[EoS]
FRANCE: Garry Blair is starting a government
training course in youth work this month, which is a requirement for leading
youth camps. He anticipates it will take him four or five years to complete, but
says it is fundamental to their work in France. Pray for him, and also for his
wife Kim and daughter Amy, as he will be absent from home for parts of June and
July. [EoS]
FRANCE: Mike and Alison Packer report that their
friends’ 7 year-old daughter Lara, who has a brain tumour, is to have her last
dose of chemotherapy today (12th). She will have a scan at the end of the month,
and if it is found that the treatment has not been effective, it will be
stopped. Please pray for a miracle for this little girl.
[EoS]
FRANCE: Yannick and Margaret Ollivier have started
tract distribution in Quimper, and have been encouraged to see families in the
church also taking bundles of tracts to distribute in their respective areas.
Pray for a good response – the average is about 1 reply for every 1,000 tracts.
Yannick and Margaret also mention that they will be involved in the family camp
at St Lunaire this summer. The camps will soon be starting and there is an
urgent need for a cook, so pray that this vacancy will be filled shortly.
[EoS]
FRANCE: Gérard & Anne Chalvet: "In the fall of
2006, a group of believers are looking to the Lord for the opening of a
Christian Kindergarten, in view of progressively adding a grade each year . . .
Pray for a vision for Christian education that is very lacking in our churches
here and for wisdom in establishing this school."
[MSC]
FRANCE: Jonathan
& Rachel Ward: "The building permit is still needed for the
on-going renovations at Entrepierres. The process has been far from quick,
hassle-free and straightforward . . . This is a wonderful opportunity to
exercise patience and rest in the truth that all things work together for
good." [MSC]
FRANCE: Gerry
Seed: "The Lord is patiently accomplishing His work here in our region
of France. The assembly in Nantes West continues to progress. New people are
coming regularly and the next baptisms are planned for the 11th of June.
Dorothy, along with another sister, has been able to start up a regular monthly
woman's meeting. Nantes East has now become a reality. Since the beginning of
the year we have been able to have a monthly worship service in a hotel just ten
minutes on foot from where we live.
After ten years of
preparation we have been able to start a new work in this part of the city which
has enormous needs and great potential. It is the area which at the moment is
experiencing the most rapid growth (4000 new residents over the next few
years!). We are encouraged to see a good core group of 10 families
committed to this project. The current need is to find a suitable solution for a
building which will enable us to grow and reach out to the community. A
couple of neighbours are currently studying the Bible with us. Pray with
us for the witness in this area."
In La Roche-sur-Yon the
Tuesday afternoon Bible studies are a source of encouragement. A calmer
spirit in the assembly and a desire to move forward are new assets in the
work. The most urgent need continues to be a couple who will commit
themselves to the development of the work in that county."
[MSC]
IRELAND: David
& Beth Wilson: "We have been involved with several brethren in
trying to organise an elders' and workers' conference for later this year. Some
of the assemblies are struggling and need a fresh vision for reaching out with
the unchanging Gospel in appropriate ways." [MSC]
ITALY: Christopher & Virginie Zito: "We have
set up a book table in a square down the road from the church. Not many people
have stopped so far, but it seems that the Lord is moving in unexpected ways
through personal evangelism. In the last month or so we have made some good
contacts and have seen new faces in church." [MSC]
SPAIN: Ken and
Alison Barrett request prayer for some activities that have been
planned around the extension of the Alcala church at Azuqueca de Henares, to
coincide with the visit of a group of American believers from the 15th to the
22nd June. A special Cultural Association has been set up in Azuqueca separately
from the church, but the local council will not allow it to use the town’s
cultural facilities for these activities, even though there is no legal basis
for this action. A series of alternative, non-confrontational events have been
planned in their stead. Pray that the gospel will win through.
[EoS]
SLOVAKIA: Alan
& Caulene Bussard: "There is a new project to minister to the
thousands of 'women at risk' in Moscow. In Russia, domestic violence, often
resulting in hospitalisation or even murder, is an increasingly common reality
for women. We aim to serve these women by offering practical support, as well as
hope for the future." [MSC]
SPECIAL
AREAS: Please remember
the following GLO Teams which are involved in evangelistic outreach activities
this coming week: Tanzania (Moshi); France (Marseille University Campus). Please
pray that the team members will enjoy safety of travel and good health during
this time. In addition, please pray for a good working relationship within the
team, that meaningful contacts will be made, and for lives to be touched by the
gospel. [EoS]
Gospel
Missions of India (GMI)
New website
launched
Gospel Missions of India (GMI), which is an
IRS approved 501(c)(3) non-profit, tax exempt, religious organization based in
Michigan, USA and supports Christian workers and ministries in India associated
with the Brethren assemblies, has launched a new website at www.gospelmissionsofindia.org. Their
new email address is: gospelmi@wowway.com.
GMI is administered by a Board of Directors
comprised of Indian and American brethren. All board members work in an honorary
capacity and do not take a salary or any other compensation. GMI is a member of
the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) and Christian
Ministries Management Association, both of which stand for financial
integrity and public accountability.
GMI accepts both designated and
undesignated gifts, wills and grants from private religious foundations.
90% of the funds raised by GMI goes to support the gospel work in India.
Administrative expenses do not exceed 10%. All donations are
tax-deductible.
GMI stays abreast of the work of the
missionaries and ministries in India to ensure that gifts are faithfully
invested for the Lord's work.
Mrs. Charles
Wigg - Special Request
Bro. Charles Wigg's wife has been
bed-ridden for sometime in Tasmania, Australia. On 3rd June, she was found
fallen from the couch where she used to sleep and spend her days. She was
taken to the nearby hospital and admitted and she has been there since.
After her recovery, she has consented to be taken to Umina Park Nursing Home
where she could be looked after and cared better and at the same time, Bro. Wigg
could move about again in ministry. He has sent this request:
"Please pray that the will of the Lord might be done, because experience
has taught me that His will is always best." [eMail]