Niger – We may not have ever seen one so full of joy as Papa Gida, which means “father of the house.” He invited around 50 to join the training in Maradi, and among the 49 who showed up, 14 of them were from a tribal group. What a joy to hear the testimonies of how God is moving among this tribe. There were many challenges we had to confront, but God granted much grace. Our introduction of GPHC is restoring a biblical model of ministry in place of one that came from the culture years ago.
Uganda – Over three days, Randy met with three leaders with whom he had worked years ago. Division and misuse of money had stopped the work from going forward, but in these three days God granted repentance, reconciliation, and restoration. What an answer to prayer! We developed a new strategy, so please pray that God will revive this work! (Picture: Uganda leaders meeting to renew the work of training leaders). Reports from Randy
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Some of our readers were very kind in providing donations when we expressed the need of pastors and believers in The Congo who had no Bibles. As you can see from this picture, Bibles were purchased, and they have already been delivered. These brothers represent many who will receive their own copy of God’s precious Word. For those of us that have multiple copies of the Bible, it is hard for us to put ourselves in the shoes of persons who are too poor to have their own Bible, or they are just not available. In another place where it is dangerous to even own a Bible because of persecution, digital Bibles are being provided. We need to pray for such Christians, especially the leaders. All this reminds me of God’s promise through the Prophet Isaiah, “My word…that goes out from My mouth; it shall not return to Me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11). WHAT A PROMISE! When was the last time you meditated on the faithfulness of God? Take a few minutes to carefully read these Scriptures and think about how they apply specifically to your live.
“The Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one” (2 Thessalonians 3:3). “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23). “God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:9). None of these references, and many more, never put a qualification on God’s faithfulness. This is His character that cannot change and is not dependent on us. Let these verses strengthen your trust in Him and build a stronger commitment to be faithful to the Lord. I am constantly amazed every time God reveals how He has been working to connect His people at the right time and place, so His Word advances in very difficult places. Several years ago, a friend we know was traveling in the Middle East and made this observation; “I have never seen people so hungry for the Word of God.” This prompted us to find someone who was willing to translate God’s Plan for His Disciples (GPHD) and God’s Plan for His Church (GPHC) into the Farsi language.
About this time, COVID hit the world and our training and travel stopped. But God had not stopped working in secret ways and places. We recently learned that someone who left a ‘closed country’ came to the US and learned about the GPHD and GPHC training. Where this person comes from, it is very difficult to get Bibles or any kind of Christian training. Since being here, he is working through GPHD as quickly as possible so he can proceed to GPHC. As a result of these developments, resources are being put together so that 250 leaders in this restricted area can receive electronic copies of a Bible, GPHD, GPHC, and other helpful material in their language. This is clearly God’s unseen hand orchestrating timing, people, and resources. Many believers in many parts of the world are experiencing similar conditions and events like this can only be the hand of God. Because of His purpose and plan for the nations, we must be praying that these events happen more and more. It is all for His glory and praise! We continue to bring you exciting new from Randy’s time in Africa. Benin – “We traveled across the border to Cotonou, the largest city in Benin. Sodji (pronounced Sergie) and his wife, Comfort, are new emerging servant-leaders who worked day and night for us and the 31 leaders who attended. Comfort did all the cooking, and we often laughed at how much comfort we received from Comfort’s cooking. We sensed God doing something special in reviving and renewing these leaders through the introduction of GPHC and special worship and prayer times.” Mali – “Solomon 31, and his wife Rehila, have been seeing a movement of establishing disciples. Our training in GPHC gave them and 31 leaders the tools to spread the gospel even further. As in Togo, they have moved forward even through personal pain. A few years ago, their older daughter suddenly died in the arms of their other daughter Juliana, who has battled depression ever since. We spent time praying for Juliana and trying to find her more help. Please keep her and her parents in your prayers. Our Interpreter, Hamidou, is a former Muslim whom God saved a few years ago. Pray that Mali becomes a great mission-sending place.” Though Togo is a small nation in Africa, it is not overlooked by God. Randy’s son Ryan, joined him and Pat for the first ever introduction in Togo. Here is Randy’s brief summary of their visit. “As we met with 32 leaders, we quickly learned that much of their lives could be described with the words Suffering and Servanthood. The key leader, a missionary from Nigeria, had faced such opposition over the 1½ years there that his health had broken down; yet his assistant Jeremy served us and all the people with much grace. An American missionary who had been in Togo for 27 years did a lot of our interpreting even though he too was recovering from a breakdown. Please pray for these faithful leaders who face many difficult challenges. We introduced GPHC (God’s Plan for His Church) and these leaders were hungry for more.” Looking ahead, let is pray for a return visit and follow-up training. From small seeds planted in the heart, God can produce a harvest that brings Him great glory! As Randy completes his training tour through five countries in Africa, reports are coming in of what God is doing, sometimes under the harsh conditions of persecution. His first time in Niger was wonderful, but also exposed deep needs for our prayer support. Here is Randy’s brief report: “We may not have ever seen one so full of joy as Papa "G", which means “father of the house.” He invited around 50 to join the training in Maradi, and among the 49 who showed up, 14 of them were Fulani. What a joy to hear the testimonies of how God is moving among the Fulani. There were many challenges we had to confront, but God granted much grace. Our introduction of GPHC is restoring a biblical model of ministry in place of one that came from their culture years ago.” (Picture: Joshua on left in traditional Fulani headdress next to the main Fulani leader in Niger). How thankful we are that God has opened this door of opportunity. We are praying for the Spirit to use this introduction to start a revival of God’s Word among these believers, to empower their witness with His truth and the Holy Spirit. We received a note from a dear Brother in Myanmar (Burma) that gives an insight into what has happened since we printed God’s Plan for Young Disciples (GPYD) a few months ago. “It is favorite book, especially to the Zomi ministers. Yesterday, I sent out over 300 GPYD - Student Workbook and 30 books Teachers Handbooks to Kalaymyo. The President of Bethel Evangelical Baptist Church in Tulsa, OK, asked me to send a copy for their Church, so I sent a soft copy for them. Due to the situation in this country, everyone has a hard time holding big training meetings as we did before. But they wish to train young believers with this resource in small groups. A Pastor told me that the book will be used for Sunday School as their textbook. We have been praying from a year ago to hold a training in Chin State in 2023.” Will you pray with us for these believers who persevere in very difficult circumstances. Many have lost their homes, and some have lost loved ones in the unrest. How thankful we are for their faithfulness. Some of us were challenged yesterday with our attitudes and approach to serving the Lord and others. I will let Scripture speak to you as it did to us.
“Serve the Lord with gladness!” (Psalm 100:2). “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love” (Ephesians 4:1–2). “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full” (John 15:11). “Have the same love, being in full accord and of one mind” (Philippians 2:2). “In your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Psalm 16:1). “And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). “And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”” (Romans 10:15). This picture and verse tell a story worth a thousand words. Our Timothy serving in S. E. Asia is reaching a people group that is both persecuted and living in difficult circumstances. Traveling by motorcycle and foot is sometimes the only means of transportation. Even though these conditions are challenging, God is doing a special work among these people. Carrying the gospel of pure grace and reviving a love for the authority and sufficiency of God’s Word and the Holy Spirit, make the feet of this brother very beautiful! He thinks nothing of the sacrifice. His reward is the spiritual growth and rekindled passion for spreading the gospel in those he serves. We could learn so much from persons like this who deny themselves ordinary comforts for the sake of Jesus and His message. |
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