For the week of November 3 2008
Vol. 12 No. 41
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” — John 1:1
Answers to Prayer
PHILIPPINES. Jerry and Donna Layton.(Creation Science Evangelism). In September, Jerry and Victor traveled to the island of Bohol where they partnered with the Bohol chapter of the Student Movement for Christ International (SMCI) to reach five campuses. The dedicated campus workers did a fantastic job of planning, assisting, and then gathering the students into small groups for immediate follow-up Bible study after each symposium. Out of the estimated 1,000 students who heard the gospel through the creation science message, 428 responded with a profession of faith! After one seminar, the principal was in tears, telling Jerry they were the answer to her prayers, and in another school the head science teacher and science supervisor became excited about starting a Science Bible club. At the National Science High School, the students stayed so long in Bible studies afterwards that the teachers came to us concerned that they were missing their lunch.
Africa
SOUTH AFRICA
David and Virginia Morris. On October 12, Grace Baptist church installed their new pastor, and the church was declared autonomous and fully independent of ABWE. The chairman of the fellowship challenged Grace to consider starting a daughter church now that it has reached maturity. David is teaching New Testament survey this term at the Bible college. The teaching staff are meeting for three hours a week to develop the course objectives and assessment standards for the school’s curriculum. David had the opportunity to speak at a conference of thirty administrators and finance directors of the Department of Justice for KwaZulu Natal (their province). Both sessions were very well received. Pray that this will open the door for future ministry to this important department of their provincial government.
Bobby and Sarah Hile. On November 2, the Community Connection Church will be three years old. They celebrated with a testimony Sunday, birthday party picnic at Sunbury Christian Camp, and a baptism service. They started with about seven people. Now they are averaging about 110 people on Sunday morning. They also have a number of growing ministries with two mid-week community groups.
TOGO
Annette Williams. Ten nursing students are involved in their internship at the hospital and will take their final exam this month. Graduation will be held December 13. Annette will begin a three-month furlough following graduation. Annette is in need of new tires for her car. Last week she drove members of the ABWE International Healthcare Medical team (Drs. Jack Sorg, Stan Haegert, and Becky Davey) to Mango where the hospital will be built. They talked with missionaries, local officials, and local residents about how healthcare will help in Mango. They will be giving advice to the Mango team and to the entire Togo team as they plan for healthcare ministries in Northern Togo.
Caribbean, Central America, and Mexico
TRINIDAD
Peter and Bibiana Morgan. Peter and Pastor Eugene are trying to help a girl that has been traumatized by three witch doctors her mother took her to see. Pray God would grant them wisdom as they deal with Tyla and her family and share the gospel. Pray for her deliverance from the paralyzing fear the witch doctors orchestrated.
TRINIDAD
Tim and Jane Bahula. A donated pastor’s library is being shipped to Trinidad without charge. Pray for funds to clear these books thorough customs when they arrive. Twenty-four students are enrolled in the Bible college (BSWI). Last week, Dr. Dennis Bellew taught a seminar at the Bible college called, Revitalizing Your Sunday School. He challenged over 40 pastors and Sunday School superintendents and teachers to commit themselves to this vital ministry. Please pray that their Sunday School ministries will be revitalized and that BSWI will have further opportunity to provide training for them.
Eastern Europe
HUNGARY
Steve and Cheryl Winget were awoken by an early-morning break-in and robbery on October 12. Two laptops and Cheryl’s wallet were stolen. They thank the Lord that no one was hurt, and that the thieves didn’t take more. Steve is teaching at the Greek Bible Institute in Athens, Greece this week. Cheryl is involved with responsibilities at the International Christian School of Budapest.
Europe
SPAIN
Keith and Jody Hudak. Keith is coaching baseball again this fall. They are able to get to know the baseball families and creates bonds of friendship that allow them to share their love for Christ. Please pray that God will continue to open up opportunities to share the gospel with these dear people. Jody has begun her ladies craft class again. Seven ladies attended the last meeting, including their neighbor Eva who has not attended before. Please pray that God would use this simple outreach to draw those who attend to Himself. They are also developing relationships with others through teaching English.
Merry Davey has completed writing a Spanish history textbook. She is now working on a teachers’ manual. She is teaching four classes at the Christian high school. The church has outgrown their meeting place with a regular attendance of 100.
Far East
RESTRICTED ACCESS NATION
A missionary doctor on prefield ministry is urgently needed at a mission hospital. Pray for God’s speed in raising his support. A church started by missionaries has been burned. It was a simple bamboo structure. A Christian has been accused, but it is complicated, and someone from the majority community is involved. Pray God would give wisdom to those in authority. Pray also for the young pastor there and for funds for a new church building.
A missionary wife is teaching three ladies to read and write in their own language using a translation of Genesis. Other opportunities for evangelism are opening through teaching English as a second language. A class on the book of Revelation will be taught to believers November 3-7. Later this month a seminar will be held for 25 pastors.
AUSTRALIA
Steve and Sue Mayo’s church will host a Café Cornerstone outreach on November 14. A sister of one of the church members, who has long been antagonistic towards the gospel, has promised to come. A classroom teacher at the public school where Sue teaches Scripture wants to come to a Sunday service as well as the cafe event. The church will also hold a child dedication on November 9. Pray for the family and friends who will be attending that need to hear the gospel.
HONG KONG
Sue Farley. The church Sue is assisting held a baptism last week. The church is meeting in the Hartwicks’ home, and Chris built a temporary baptistery on their flat rooftop. The church is looking for a rental location that will be closer to Nepalese and other minority group families. On November 5, a tour group of 10 college representatives are visiting various Christian schools in Asia, and they will be making a short stop at International Christian School. Sue is praying that the students and their parents will be more open to the possibility of attending a Christian college. Sue’s doctor is putting her on a medicine that is not available in Hong Kong. Pray that it arrives in a timely manner and that it will be effective.
PHILIPPINES
Jerry and Donna Layton. Jerry and his national partner, Victor, are in Singapore this week to speak about Creation Science in a local church. Jerry will also be traveling with Pastor Escobar of Doane Baptist church to attend a missions summit in the southern Philippines November 13-15. Continue to pray for their choice of a Filipino national director for the creation evangelism ministry in the months ahead. Also pray for a church-based creation evangelist in Iloilo to help them with local seminars and resource development.
THAILAND
Ken and Alice Cole (furlough). On Wednesday, October 29, Alice’s father, Kenneth Augsburger, went home to be with His Lord and Savior. His wife Helen, his two daughters (Shauna and Alice) and their husbands (Neil Habegger and Ken Cole) were with him as he peacefully entered heaven.
North America
OHIO
Earl and Marilyn Shaffer. Earl is beginning a discipleship study with a young man who attends their church. Pray that the Holy Spirit grants him assurance and that he answers the Lord in baptism. Sheila has returned to church. She desires to follow Christ, but allows the “green card syndrome” to take over and is working several jobs to make ends meet. Earl has discovered that although she speaks and reads English well, she just doesn’t comprehend the simple things of Scripture. She readily agreed to begin meeting with Barb Taylor, who is fluent in Portuguese, for discipleship. Pray that Sheila clearly breaks with past sin and follows Christ through the waters of baptism.
South America
BRAZIL
Jerry and Lynda Neuman. Seven believers will be baptized on November 15. They have been involved in preparation classes and will give their testimonies to the church on November 9. Pray that many friends and family members will be influenced by the changes God is making in the lives of these new believers. The Bible college is remodeling their recently purchased building with a goal of being ready for classes the first semester of 2009. It is located near a major bus terminal and a train station.
PERU
Dave and Melanie Woodard are grateful for the Lord’s quick provision of another rental house.
They have already had opportunities to witness to their new neighbors. Two couples are coming to church regularly as a result of the medical clinic. They continue to do follow-up visits and are praying that others will come.
Home Office
The CEIM is hosting a Good Soil Evangelism Seminar and Training Certification this week.
Update
Gil and Denise Thomas (furlough, Portugal). Andrea’s doctors have put her on another medication to control her arrhythmia. If this medication doesn't help, they will be changing the new pacemaker for a pacemaker/defibrillator.
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