Great Lakes District | The Christian Missionary Alliance

{Sarah}: Working in Berlin can be very slow and patience-testing, but God’s timing is always perfect.  Then moments like these come along:  “Can I come to church with you in the morning? I’ve never experienced or heard about God’s love like this before!”…It’s been encouraging as we come together, showing the women what it is to be delicate and treasured, to see how God has been working through these new relationships.  He reminds me: be yourself, be bold, have fun, allow me to work in and through your gifts and talents – trust me for fruit!

To read more about how God is using Ben and Sarah to build his Kingdom in Germany please click here!

On February 20 we passed a small milestone—we’ve been in Macedonia for 6 months!  

• Please pray that God would give each member of our family at least one good friendship here, and that we’d be “salt and light” among the other internationals we’ve met here.
• Pray for continued grace from God in the ongoing trial (postponed AGAIN in February) from the building collapse in late 2007. We want God to be glorified by a fair trial and justice for Pastor Sasho and the Kumanovo church.
• Pray for God’s Spirit to move here!

We continue to progress in learning the language, and are able to get a lot of basic things done using only Macedonian. However, being able to “get around” Macedonia has not just meant that we’ve needed to learn how to talk here, but we’ve also needed to learn how to drive! Unlike in the U.S., the vast majority of cars here, including the vehicles the C&MA has purchased for use here in Macedonia and Kosovo, have manual transmissions. We came not knowing how to drive a “stick,” therefore I (Rob) went back to school—Auto School!…..Read more!

The following is from Alliance missionary Dave Woerner in Chile: 

The situation has evolved quickly over the past three days.  Saturday there was very little communication except by battery operated radio, for the majority of Chile’s population.  By Sunday we were becoming more aware of the damage in our own areas, some 200 miles north of the epicenter, and only on Monday was information beginning to flow regarding the extent of the damage in the Concepción area.

Church Damage:

We are aware of several churches with minor damage and two with significant damage in Chillán and Talca.  There is a Facebook report that the church and parsonage in Curicó have fallen.  The tsunami reached the door of the church in Constitucion and there is nothing left but piles of destruction from the church to the ocean.  There are still a dozen or so churches in the Concepción and Arauco areas from which there has been no word.  National church leaders are traveling today to see their needs.  In a day or two we should know more.  There are no reports of injuries to pastors or their families at this time.

First Responses:

The Chilean Alliance church has called for a national relief offering and the C&MA of the US is also receiving relief funds.  The Cordillera Church in Santiago has sent a truck load of supplies to Constitucion and continues to receive help for that area.  In the southern city of Puerto Montt, the First Alliance Church is collecting goods to send the quake zone.

Good News:

There are thousands of people in the most affected areas who have not been able to make contact with the outside still.  One of our seminary professors, Santiago Garros was teaching at a camp near the beach in Constitucion when the quake and tsunami struck.  Until Monday there was no information about his condition.  We have since learned that he is well.

A Testimony of Miraculous Protection:

Our church in Reñaca was concerned for one of our families who had recently moved to Concepción.  They had only been their two weeks when the catastrophe struck.  Despite all efforts to learn of their condition, we knew nothing until yesterday.  Alex and Rosa Maria were living in a new 15 story high rise near the coast in Concepción, on the sixth floor.  They were asleep when the building began to shake violently.  They ran to their children and we hugging five year old Doménica and one year old Alex when the building fell sideways, crashing to the ground.  They were on the sixth floor of the building that has been seen in news reports around the world.  In total darkness, Alex felt his way through a maze of broken walls and furniture, climbing and descending until he felt fresh air and discovered a rupture in the wall for their escape.  He returned to find his family and a neighbor family to lead them to escape.  His help was also essential for rescue workers to locate other survivors.  ”I thank God I am alive.  It is a miracle of God for my family” were the words we heard from him on national television. We have still not been able to contact them and would know nothing of their miraculous salvation if not for the news report.  In the background of this capture from the TV interview, you can see the openings made by rescuers to search for more survivors.  The numbers by the holes mark the number of the floor.

(prepared by Bob Hepokoski as I don’t have electric internet or phone.)

“Recently a friend of ours, the former community leader, was telling us all kinds of interesting stories of the history of this area.  One of the common denominators in his stories was the fear he (and his family and friends) had of the dark and darkness.  There is a spiritual oppression of fear that is very keenly felt by the people of our area and it spoke much to us of their need of the Light…. read the whole update here !

Friends, we are need of ‘family’ to be standing in ‘prayer’ for us.
 
Here are the items that are on our heart… 

Great Door of Opportunity:  Non-Formal Educators Conference

     In light of the 12,000 new believers that have been ushered into the Kingdom through the Billy Graham “My Hope” project, there is a movement within the Church Body, that we need to train up these young believers, but also the next generation of Leaders within the Church.  A handful of the leaders already in place have all expressed a desire to come together and share what they are doing, and to explore new networks of partnership.  They want to learn from one another, to build upon each others work, and to reduce areas where there might be duplication, and if possible, identify areas of training that have been overlooked.  We are presently seeking out these Leaders with the hope of having a meeting either late April or early June.  God seems to be telling us that “This is the time to set aside our difference and look for areas where we can build up each other.”  

Critical time for Thailand

     On the 26th of Feb. the upper court of the land will be making their decision known regarding $2.5 billion ($US) of assets of a previous Prime Minister that have been frozen.  He still has a very strong following (many of which have been blessed by these assets in the past) that have been preparing for the six months to make noise in the event that the courts ruling is unfavorable.  The present government is doing all they can to assure peace in the country and are trying to limit the amount of damage or disruption.  Many tour companies have been advised to make alternative plans for their tourist, instead of bringing them to Bangkok.
    As one of the Elders in our Church spoke up (a veteran of 45 years of serving in country) – This ‘test’ will be one of the most significant that the country has ever faced.  If the present Government can get through this week, it will stand a good chance of reuniting the country.  If they can not there will be ever greater chances of further rifts within the population.
    I do want to add that there is no concern for our well-being.  Thai people are gracious in nature and would not take revenge out on their westerners or tourist.  Please be praying with us that God will be using this to ‘open their hearts’ to seek “HOPE” in Him and Him alone.  May the Thai Church be prepared to stand up and proclaim Peace and Hope, and Reconciliation.

Have a blessed day, and please be praying for the people of Thailand throughout this week!
  
Bruce & Lori

[Paraphrased]

Greetings from Wonderful-Incredible ChiangMai Thailand…

 We have some exciting news to share with you… and a very special Prayer Request….  read on!

Before I start, let me be the first one to ask God to Bless you with a prayer from Paul…

A Prayer for the Ephesians  (Chapter 4:14-19)

14For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15from whom his whole family^a in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Blessed Valentines Day – May we be people that over-flow with the Father’s Love….To read more please click here!

Dear Ones!

Greetings from a warming Mali!  We are so happy to be back in Koutiala.  We were barely back from the States when we left again for Senegal and the workshop on leadership training.  It was a busy two weeks but we felt that it was very much worth the time investment we made.  We felt that we learned alot that we need to apply in our personal lives as well as in the hospital work.  Thanks for praying for our Field leadership meetings too, they went very well.

What a colorful place we live!  Colorful, not because of a multitude of flowers or grass, for truly this dry time of year is rather dull in that department.  It is the unique life we have that makes it interesting.  Leaving our gate, it is not unusual to see sheep, donkeys, cattle or pigs.  The unpaved roads are drying up and becoming quite sandy.  Driving through town is not in a straight line but weaving around donkey carts, push carts, bicycles and motor bikes.  Oh yes and an occasional car or semi.  The women are the “flowers” as they wear their bright colored African dresses.  A smile makes the “flower” really beautiful!

Another thing about our town of Koutiala is this wonderful medical work that God has started here.  The Koutiala Hospital for Women and Children is a place where God is glorifying Himself. Daily women and some children come here looking for quality care.  The complex of buildings has been steadily growing since its opening in 2006.    We are waiting for our 5th team since Jan 1.  We have had some great groups that have moved us forward on the buildings and now we are on the edge of moving into the first of the three buildings of the maternity complex.  That 5th team arrives on the 15th to put the roof on the second building and before the end of the month we should be hard at work on the foundation of the third building (the one with the roof already up.)  We ask your prayer for these work teams and for Bob and Doug who direct their work and work with them.  In just 5 months Bob, our head builder, and his family will be leaving to return to the USA and so they are pushing to get the maximum of the work done before he leaves.

We have 4 people in France right now on the way to work at the hospital.  Dr. John and Carol Gililland started in January, Dr. Jason Foster just arrived this month, and Kristen House has been studying since September 09.  Pray that they will quickly pick up this crucial language which will allow them to work not only in Mali but be understood anywhere in W. Africa.  We are waiting for them to arrive as this will enable us to move forward towards opening Pediatrics and Dental services as well as enhance our maternity department. 

We still are very short of Malian nurses to work alongside our missionary staff.  Keep praying that God will bring us believers who want to serve God through the health profession. 

We are holding interviews and tests on Feb 26th to chose 8-10 people to be sent to school to become nurses aids.  We need God’s guidance to chose the right ones.  Please hold us up in prayer for this!

This month has been pretty stressful as we have been trying to deal with some complicated issues.  Without going into great detail we would ask you to be praying for decisions concerning housing for the next year for our Koutiala team.  And also for us as we seek to determine the best time and length for us to take our often delayed home assignment.   Another item of concern is a nurse who was fired for immorality and insubordination.  He is now suing the Hospital and so Feb 22 there is a court hearing on this.  Would you pray that there would be justice in this!  (Often in Africa even when you follow all the correct procedures and have acted correctly you still can be declared at fault.  Pray!)

We are rejoicing in the provision of two crucial pieces of equipment for the hospital.  The first of two sterilizers was purchased and has arrived in Koutiala and the first Anesthesia machine is being purchased this month!  We have partial funding for the second sterilizer and the second Anesthesia machine. (If you would like any further information on these machines please feel free to write us!)

There is one patient that we would like to ask prayer for.  She is three years old and fell into a pot of hot oil last November.  We call her the burn girl.  She needs healing, faster good healing.  Also pray for her parents who are hearing the Gospel message.

We need continual covering for all of us.  We represent Christ here.  Our desire is that every worker at the hospital and the clinics recognize the importance of not only their medical role…but also that they represent HIM.

We are so grateful for all of you!  It is your love for the Lord and us along with gifts and prayers that makes this able to go forward.

As we begin looking towards Easter, may we all keep our eyes on Him, “who for the joy set before him…” 

Partners with you,

Craig and Marilyn Hanscome
BP 19
Koutiala, Mali

Brothers and sisters,

Attached is our “Christmas in January” edition!  It’s 2 pages, with several photos.  Macedonia’s cultural roots are Eastern Orthodox, and several Orthodox countries celebrate Christmas on January 6, so the holiday season stretches through for most of the whole month.  Pray that Macedonians would come to really know and serve the One who was born to save us and give us hope!

Burns Bulletin February

Thank you for your praises, prayers, and support. 

In Him
Rob and Lisa

Over the last month or so, I (Ben) have been mulling over the theme of perspective – my perspective on everyday life in general, how that makes me act, react and interact. And I think,

does it all boil down to the matter of perspective, or is that just my perspective?  To read more about what is happening in the lives of Ben and Sarah please click here! 

February Newsletter from the Carey’s -- Germany

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Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, praise the Lord…….to read more about what is happening in the life of the Rowe family in Thailand simply click on their update to catch up on all that God is doing (Rowe Family Update)

King Herod