Pray for Josiah by Natasha Chlikina

Josiah needs our prayers. God provided ALL the money, accomodations, permissions, and visas needed for Josiah and his mother, Janet, to travel to Germany where a clinic promised to surgically close the hole in his heart free of charge.

Yesterday the airlines refused to allow them on board without a nurse, even though the doctor signed a relaese for Josiah to travel. That meant Janet and William had to find enough money for the nurse's airfare. Thankfully, God moved on the heart of  German nurse to travel with them and covered the cost of the flight; however this delayed thier trip until Wednesday or Thursday.

Every day Josiah has to live with that hole is a risk. Please pray God will clear the way for this precious baby to be treated in Germany!

The Easthams: Rental Houses & Land Brokers

Eastham Family's Experiences with Rental Houses & Land Brokers. Caveat Emptor. We have been in Uganda for almost a month now.  This blog post continues in a theme of our settling and adapting to life here. ---------------  Now that we have found a rental house, there is some time for me to reflect on our experiences of looking at houses.  In Uganda, "land brokers" take you to the available houses and then introduce you to the landowner. I've asked several Ugandan friends about land brokers.  Suffice it to say that brokers are loathed for their lack of ethics, dishonesty, and corruption.  Brokers said to only focus on making their commissions as large as possible.  My own experience has been similar. Our first broker was very professional.  My mistake was telling him our actual budget.  After finding a house that met our needs, the broker told the owner our budget amount.  From that point forward we were unable to negotiate a lower monthly payment than what I had told the broker.  The broker was sure that we would take that house.  If we negotiated a lower monthly payment, that would mean a lower commission for him. During the tour of another promising house, I asked the broker where the nearest mosque was.  He said it was far away, and that we could definitely not hear the pre-dawn (5 am) call to worship.  He must have meant, "You won't we woken up if you have all the windows shut and have a fan blowing in your ear."  About two minutes later we all heard the afternoon call blaring from the mosque's loudspeakers.  I realized I could not rely on the broker for accurate information.  Caveat emptor ("Let the buyer beware"). Our second broker was from a very reputable company.  They even had a nicely organized website, and the homepage featured a nice house that matched our budget.  After we began discussions with the landlady, we realized that the monthly rent quoted on the broker's homepage was an outright lie.  He had listed the monthly rent as 20% lower than what the landlady was asking.  I was alarmed at the wanton dishonesty.  Later a friend told us, "All the brokers do that." We are needed here.  Romans 10:16-17 reads, "But they have not all obeyed the gospel.  For Isaiah says, "LORD, who has believed our report?"  So then faith [comes] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."  We are here because the word of God needs to be spoken. John Eastham, New Missionary to Uganda

Fear can't hold her back....

Faith (not her real name) narrowly escaped being trafficked. We spent all day yesterday and today confronting the recruiters. We have tried to reason with them face to face, filed a police case, hired an advocate, contacted the media, and made an appointment with the local Human Rights commission…but still Faith’s tears come the moment she leaves an office, as waves of fear wash over her.

Today my friend said, “Faith, look into my face for a minute,” as Faith dried her tears and looked up she went on, “Are you born again? Does Jesus live in your heart?” Faith said, “Yes, Jesus is in my heart and I am born again.” My friend replied, “Then He will NEVER leave you, NEVER forsake you and He will deal with anyone who rises against you.” As I looked back from the car, I saw them walking together and Faith tried again to smile.

Faith is bravely standing up to a system so wicked and so ruthless they thought nothing of even assaulting my friend and I ~ and we are foreigners in this place. She has a reason to be afraid of them…but my prayer is that GOD will make her oppressors afraid….so afraid they will shrink back in fear when her name is mentioned…

If my daughter or granddaughter were taken by traffickers I could liquidate everything I own and go searching for them…in most of the other countries of the world poverty renders families incapable of reaching out for their loved one. Please, join us in prayer that trafficking will be abolished. Pray that victims like Faith will take courage and TELL their story and EXPOSE the perpetrators.

…You shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; and from terror it shall not come near you. Indeed they shall surely assemble, but not because of Me. Whoever assembles against you shall fall for your sake. Isaiah 54:14-15

The Scotts: Witnessing For Christ

On Wednesday afternoons the men in the church meet for a weekly outreach in the main park here in Cape Town. We get together at a nice grassy spot and pray for about 30 - 45 minutes and then we go out and share the gospel message with people in the park. There are always hundreds of people there because there is a college and several businesses there too. This is great as we get a chance to meet with people on their lunch break. 

 

 

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to sit and talk with three Muslim men. They belong to the 700,000 plus Muslim population here in Cape Town. One of the men was studying to be a teacher of the Koran and the other two were just members of the mosque. One of the men was very interested in what I had to say, especially when I told him that he could experience full forgiveness with Christ, something that Islam can't offer an assurance of. He agreed that he was hoping for heaven, but couldn't be sure. The aspiring teacher would always come back to Jesus and how God could not have a son. That was an easy enough point to explain, but this was his stumbling block.

 

Out of the three men, one seemed to be hanging on my every word. Asking questions and really soaking it in. The Muslim population here are mainly Muslim because of their upbringing. Once you start talking theology, they are quite lost. This is where the Light of the gospel can really shine through and bring hope to a people who have gone astray.

 

Please pray with me for these three men. I can't say their names, but God knows who you are praying for. Pray that their eyes would see and their ears would hear all the Lord has for them. Please continue to pray for us here in Cape Town. There is a lot of work to do and by God's grace we will be sustained. 

 

Grace and Peace, 

 

Bob, Suzanne and Bobby Scott

Cape Town, South Africa

www.bobandsu.blogspot.com 

Prison Ministry Update

You know God is doing more than we are sending in our reports and more than we can imagine - all the Glory goes to Him! In the above picture, you can see the prisoners.  Most of them have come to understand who Jesus is, they welcome Him into their Life and praise God most of them have trusted in Him now as their Lord. Please keep praying for Chaplains Tia and Kumi and the sisters of Rabuna Fi who visit each week and share!

Easthams in Africa - Bunga House

After about two weeks of looking for a house in Kampala, we signed a rental agreement.  We hope to move into the house in a few days! The house fits out needs. It's a 3 Bedroom, 2 ½  bath, two story house with a nice yard and vegetable garden.  We estimate it to be about 1200 sq feet.   Bunga House   Kitchen (stove and fridge will go on the right)     The house is located about 30 minutes south of downtown.  It's a quiet community (called Bunga) off of Gaba Road.  Here's a hyperlink to a Google map.   The plot is to the upper left of the marker.  There are two houses on the plot.  The smaller house is the "boy's quarters."  We will probably use that for homeschooling our 3 kids later.   The landlady is a project manager at one of the major banks here in Uganda. Thank you for praying for us – we have been receiving a lot of favor from her.  She also liked how well the kids behaved.    There are a few things that need to be done before we move in.  These are generally security-related, such as adding razor wire along one wall. We still need to find a day and night guards and guard dog. Guards are essential before we can move in.    Please pray that the LORD would give us wisdom about and provide us with honest guards.     John Eastham, New missionary to Uganda

 

 

CC Thika Update from Tom and Cheryl Rees

“Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:1-2

 

Sunday Service at Calvary Thika

Tom is on the last chapter of Galatians and taught a wonderful message on what it means to be restored. Restore means to rebuild, return to the original condition or to set a broken bone. As Christians we are called to be restorers, to fix what is broken and restore others over-taken by sin. We are restorers or those who need to be restored. We need to walk side by side, taking the time to love and encourage others thus fulfilling the law of Christ.

Prayer Requests

Pray for Edwin who is newly saved and dealing with peer pressure from unsaved friends. Edwin's brother Samuel has been arrested and his family doesn't know why.

Pray for John and Lucy and their catering business, they haven't had much work this past week.

Pray for people to attend the prayer time on Sunday mornings before the service and timing to begin lunch time devotions during the week.

Calling Prayer Warriors... by Natasha Chilikina

Last Sunday Vicky challengeed us at CC Nairobi to get into the battle through PRAYER against human trafficking...Are you in?

Vicky Bentley sharing at Calvary Chapel Nairobi
March 25, 2012

Josiah Update! ~by Natasha Chilikina

Janet holding Josiah

I just got a text message from William, Josiah's father, saying the passports for Josiah and Janet are ready!  Praise the Lord! Thank you for praying! Please ask God to give Josiah breath on the flight to Europe, for favor with the doctors, for God's hand to guide the surgeons, and for a FULL and SAFE recovery for this precious baby!

Swallowed up in Him... ~by Vicky Bentley

What are you waiting for? All you have to lose is your flesh…

Once Christ consumes you, and the realization that you are living in His Spirit comes alive you will never want to go back…He is so glorious, so incredible, so indescribable you will never again be satisfied to live carnally…

Read more: Swallowed up in Him...: ...

Are you coming? ~ by Vicky Bentley

Leonard Ravenhill rocked my world again this week…I hope he will also grip your souls and that you will yield to the beckoning of the Holy Spirit.

Here’s the reality, if you and I bow to our knees and agonize over the sin of the world, letting the tears flow freely ~ understanding they come from the heart of a God who grieves for the condition of His children ~ ask for mercy and remain still to receive His counsel today will be a TRAGEDY for the devil and his minions of darkness…I honestly don’t see how we could do any less….

I’m a little angry tonight, I’ve got a reason to be; we are back to Sodom. I watched a well-dressed, well educated, handsome  man speaking of what he saw of the contras [from the rebellion in South America]…Listen, this is horrifying and I couldn’t sleep…it sounds pretty vulgar, but come on, I am saying we ARE back in Sodom. This well-dressed man said in the street he watched 20 men rape a 12 year old girl to death. What in God’s name did he stand there for? I mean…I couldn’t watch ONE man rape a 12 year old girl…but he stood there and watched 20 do it and he is educated…
 

See the breakdown is not in government merely, it’s in the home. It’s the home where the seeds are sown.  In this year* one million teenage girls will become pregnant, and 200,000 of them will have an abortion.  I am not talking about Sodom and Gomorrah, I’m talking about America. Where you can’t get a prayer meeting going hardly in any churches… young guys phone me  and say, “Mr. Ravenhill, I’m trying to get a prayer meeting in the church and they don’t want to come. They don’t want to pray.”

 
Do you know why they don’t come? Because they have no prayer life at home. If they had, they would come with something kindling in their hearts and want to EXPLODE when they go to a prayer meeting. You don’t have to grind someone to pray…. I want to live with a burdened heart….I can’t live otherwise… As I say, I’m sick of the mediocrity in the church…I’m looking for God to start a FIRE…

You can join the remnant who are seeking God with passionate, reckless, abandon…We have been crucified to the world ~ its treasures are alarmingly vile compared with Christ and His eternal rewards. We want JESUS, His FULLNESS, His POWER and nothing else will satisfy.

We don’t care if you kill us. We are DETERMINED to SEEK with our entire being until He consumes us completely with His Holy fire. We won’t go back and we won’t let go. We will STAND & BE COUNTED or DIE ... To us, life without Jesus is not an option….

You can have an ETERNAL impact on this world ONLY by bowing your heart, surrendering your will, and reckoning your ALL on the One by Whom ALL things consist… Let’s make today a lethal blow to the devil’s hold on humanity…the way to THAT kind of victory is death to self….ARE YOU COMING?

 

* Brother Ravenhill moved to our Father's house in 1994. So, this message was given 30 years ago, these numbers are higher today…because sin is abounding and things are getting worse. Ravenhill did not live to see the fulfillment of his lifelong relentless pursuit of revival...

John Eastham learns how to drive in Uganda

We moved to Uganda about two weeks ago.  So I need to learn how to drive here.  My first time driving was essentially only around the block a few times.  The drive helped me become familiar with driving on the other side of the road, shifting gears with my left hand, etc.

My second time to drive was also around the neighborhood.  While on one of these residential roads my car was a little close to the road’s edge, and I nearly hit two pedestrian schoolgirls.  They screamed and jumped out of the way.

A few minutes later I was also a bit close to the road’s edge.  My wife advised, “Watch out for the ditch.”  Before I could move the steering wheel my left tire slipped into that very ditch.  There was a loud “thud” sound.  The tire was out of the ditch as fast as we had entered it, but my family was unnerved.  My family now had little confidence in my Uganda driving abilities.

I figured the worst was behind me so I decided to push my limits and actually drive out of the residential area.  This was against my wife’s wishes.  I should have listened to her.  I decided to use a turn lane to make a right turn onto a four lane road.  I really thought I could make the turn.  Before I knew it, there were five or six cars stopped and facing me.  All of them were honking.  I had accidentally tried to drive the wrong direction in a turn lane.  I had snarled traffic at a big intersection.  Oops.  I saw a Ugandan traffic policeman in my rearview mirror.  Thankfully he was only waving me to back up (rather than approaching my car to give me a ticket).  I backed out of the mess I created and immediately saw two large traffic signs which meant "do not drive in this direction."  Oops.  I should have seen those.  I then sped off in the proper direction.  My family now had no confidence in my Uganda driving abilities.

I was happy to finish this Uganda driving attempt and get back to the relative serenity of the FRM guest house.  I got back into our residential neighborhood as soon as I could.  The guest house has a steep driveway with a retaining wall on each side.  In driving in, I misjudged the driveway and retaining wall.  I drove in too fast and at a bad angle.  I ended up putting my right front tire on the retaining wall.  But because I had driven so far on the retaining wall, my left front tire was hanging in the air about a foot above the driveway.  I was in a precarious position.  I tried to back the car out, but the car ended up sliding forward.  If I had slid forward any more, I’d likely slam the car into the guesthouse’s security wall.  I am indebted to the security guard who suggested that I back out by setting the parking break, rev the engine, and then release the brake.  It worked.  I then drove into the guesthouse compound and parked by car.  I don’t know what my wife and kids were thinking about my driving abilities, but it could not have been good.  All of them were very quiet and avoided eye contact with me.

Yesterday I got in the car again and drove to a driving school.  Yes, I signed up for a driving class.

Wanna go for a spin?

John Eastham

(new missionary to Uganda)

 

Out of Our Comfort Zone

Recently I had the opportunity to go and minister at the Booth Hospital in Cape Town. It is a Salvation Army ran hospital for patients who are on their last leg. We go and pray for these patients, some for salvation, some for healing and others just for the strength to make it through the day. 

 

I must say that hospitals are not my favorite place to be. When I was asked to come and join the regular team, I was a bit hesitant but I know that the Lord would sustain me. These are the people who need to know how much God loves them and also, for some, today may be the last day they are on earth to receive the Lord as their savior. 

 

As we came into the hospital, there are many patients outside relaxing in their wheelchairs or on benches. There was a man who was struggling with at meth addiction and the drug had literally eaten away most of the inside of his body. He was a shell of a man sitting in his wheelchair. He explained to me that he had accepted Christ and was now waiting to die. He didn't want to be released back to his home (he had made an unexpected recovery) because he was afraid of going back on drugs. We prayed together, for strength and for the Lord to give him power in these areas. 

 

The best meeting I had was accidental on my part. I went into a patients room by mistake and there were three people sitting there. There were two patients and someone visiting them from home. At first I realized that I was in the wrong room, but the Lord told me to stop and give them the Good News. I had some tracts that talked about where they went when they died and they had a choice to make about heaven and hell. 

 

I asked the three people if they knew where they would go when they died and they all said hell because they had not lived such a good life. I gave them the tracts, explained the Gospel message to them and then prayed with them. Two of them accepted the Lord!! The other one was not sure that Jesus could forgive him for all the bad he had done. I obviously explained to him that Jesus could, but he was not willing. He two friends talked to him in their own language and thanked me for coming in. 

 

At that same time, one of the other people who I came with had three other people accepting the Lord too. In that one short hour, 5 people came to be citizens of heaven. What a wonderful thing! We praise the Lord to see the fruit of such a hard ministry. For me, it shows that the Lord works in our weaknesses. Like I said before, hospitals are not my favorite places to go. I would never choose to go there, for ministry or for personal help. But the Lord had something different that day for us. 

 

I hope that you are not letting your fears or weaknesses stop the Lord from working in your lives. He just may have something amazing for you when you die to yourself and follow Him with all you have. 

 

Grace and Peace, 

 

Bob, Suzanne and Bobby

Cape Town, South Africa

 

You can follow all that we are up to in South Africa at www.bobandsu.blogspot.com 

 

 

National Freedom Rally March 23, 2012

Join Us in Standing Up For Religious Freedom Friday March 23!

Friends of religious liberty will have the opportunity to stand up for our precious God given unalienable First Amendment rights at more than 120 locations nationwide this Friday at noon. The peaceful event called "Stand Up For Religious Liberty" is a protest of the HHS healthcare mandates which threaten religious freedom and rights of conscience.

The rally in San Diego will be on the west side of the County Administration Building downtown. Other locations in California include Los Angeles, Murrieta, Sacramento, and San Francisco. Participants in the San Diego Stand Up event include Catholic Bishop Cirilo Flores, evangelical Pastor Jim Garlow, Church of God in Christ Bishop George McKinney, Attorney Chuck LiMandri, Netz Gomez of Spanish-language radio, Dr. Jennifer Roback Morse, radio talk-show host Roger Hedgecock and others.

NCLP President Dean Broyles declared, "The National Center for Law & Policy is proud to be a part of the Stand Up Coalition. We strongly oppose the HHS healthcare mandate and urge all citizens who cherish religious freedom to attend the event to let your presence be seen and your voice be heard. I have been saying for years: When do we get upset enough to march in the streets? I believe now is a good time to do so-protecting religious freedom is a just cause." You can learn more about this inspiring event and about the various rally locations at www.standupforreligiousfreedom.com.

Update on Josiah! by Natasha Chilikina

Many of you read the story, posted by my fellow missionary and friend Jamie, about the family of William and Janet detailing that their baby boy, Josiah, has a life threatening heart problem and is in need of surgery quickly. Read the entire story at Far Reaching Ministries: Baby Josiah By Jamie McKinley

Janet called Jamie Saturday night saying Josiah had a very high fever and her doctor said it was pneumonia. Jamie and I rushed Janet’s home so we could get them to the hospital right away. Josiah was admitted because he was very dehydrated. We stayed to help them get settled in a room.

When the doctor tried to put an IV into his little hand it did not work so he had to place it in his head. Josiah was crying and my heart was crying with him. Janet said,  “It’s ok baba, it’s ok baba.” She had God’s strength and peace.” Watching how the Lord is sustaining this woman is something I can’t even describe to you. She and her husband are walking through a fiery trial of the heart, and they are doing it with faith, incredible faith that manifests itself daily.

Every time I held Josiah it was like I was holding someone who is so dear in Jesus’ eyes and close to His heart!!! I knew that hospital room was holy ground. The presence of Jesus was so real.

The Easthams: Getting Some Driving Experience

We have been in Uganda about three weeks now.  My last blog posting was about a difficult day driving in Kampala.  I would like everyone to know that things have gone much better since then.

With the help of some good navigators, I have successfully driven several kilometers of road (both paved and unpaved) and gone through several roundabouts.  So, things are looking much better than before.  Last Sunday I even drove to church (downtown Kampala) and back.  We only got lost once.

While driving back from church I was stopped by the traffic police.  They were randomly pulling over cars, and I was the “lucky one.”  Traffic police here have indirect ways of asking for bribes.  Thankfully, other missionaries have taught me indirect ways of saying “No” to such overtures.  I made a quick prayer that there would be no bribe request.  The policewoman inspected the car and let me go.  Prayer answered.  Whew!

My driving class begins March 26.  The class should teach me about Ugandan road signs, roundabouts, and defensive driving techniques.  I’ve found out that Ugandan “defensive driving” includes cutting people off before they cut you off.  So I have so much to learn!

John Eastham,

New missionary to Uganda

 

FRMA inflight testimonies... ~by Vicky Bentley

Far Reaching Ministries Aviation has been partnering with Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) since we began the search for our Cessna Grand Caravan. The team of experts serving with MAF United Kingdom assisted us in locating and selecting our plane. When we took delivery of the aircraft in 2006 it was flown to Uganda. MAF and FRMA have a memorandum of Understanding that enables them to use our plane for their African operations at no cost; in return we are allowed to send freight to our field stations free of charge (when there is space available), we receive priority booking on our plane, and discounts on chartered flights. 



FRMA's plane landing in Nimule.
I am waiting to receive it's visitors and cargo.

One of the pilots wrote about his experience on one of our chartered flights into the Nuba Mountains…check out the article here: By donkey, camel, or plane?

MAF's March 2012 issue of Flying for Life contains an article about our Rabuna Fi Women’s Ministry in Nimule, South Sudan. As soon as that becomes available online we will send the link.

Please pray for the ministry of MAF and the wonderful missionaries we serve with here in Africa. We count it a privilege to co-labor with such a fine organization. It blesses us to know our plane is serving missionaries, pastors, aid workers, and all kind of others nearly six days a week! Your continued support touches more lives than you can imagine...God is faithful!

Lives Changed in the Midst of Turmoil

Every Friday from 2:30-3:30 I have the opportunity of working with inner-city kids here in Cape Town. The area that we work is called Woodstock. This is part of the old District Six that was here during the apartheid times. This area is riddled with guns, drugs, prostitution and various other crimes. We get the chance to make a difference in the lives of kids who come to JOY club. 

JOY club was started about 2 years ago when a few young ladies got together and really felt the calling to reach out to these youth. I have had the privilege of working alongside these ladies since I got here in January. I just wanted to share one of the many amazing things I have see since coming here. 

We showed up for the JOY club at about 2:15. We walk around the neighborhoods calling the the kids to let them know that club is going to begin. The day's lesson was on sin and how when we sin we literally miss the mark that God has set for us. We used a bulls-eye that was drawn on a sheet and had the kids throw a sponge that was dipped in baby powder to try and hit the mark. Needless to say, none hit the mark. This was a great illustration because the more and more they tried, the more and more they missed. 

Upon telling them that we all have missed the mark in our lives and that none of us were worthy to go to heaven, something happened to three young girls. After class, they each approached the teachers and asked if they could have Jesus come and live in their lives. I must say, when a 7 year old girl comes up and asks for Jesus, there is not much else that is as precious. One stood looking up at me with big brown eyes knowing that she was a sinner and needed God's grace in her life right then. As each girl was talked to individually by a teacher, I could not help but think about the heavens right then rejoicing and praising the Lord! 

Though these three girls live in the midst of one of the most poverty stricken areas of Cape Town, they know they are rich in Christ. Since being here we have seen many lives change through the power of the Gospel message. 

Please continue to pray for us as we are in the beginning stages of planting a church here to see even more lives change. 

Grace and Peace, 

Bob, Suzanne and Bobby Scott  

Welcome to Zuri Mamur! ~by Vicky Bentley

Many of you have listened to Wes tell the story of General Mamur’s conversion to Christ. The bond of friendship and brotherhood between our families is a gift from the LORD. On 15 Mach 2012, General and his beautiful wife, Maria, welcomed their daughter into this world.

Zuri Mamur just hours after her arrival on 15 March 2012

We praise God together with them for this gift! Zuri means “beautiful” in Swahili, and let me tell you she really lives up to her name. I had the privilege of holding her and listening to her sweet angelic voice. When Zuri looks intently at something I see the same determined tenacity of her heroic father.

Maria is a mighty woman of faith and the perfect helpmate to General. General and Maria are boldly sharing the truth...I see them living out Philippians 2:15-16 for His glory.  We pray this family will bring revival, healing, and continued hope to South Sudan and we love you!

That you may become blameless and harmless,

children of God without fault in the midst

of a crooked and perverse generation,

among whom you shine as lights in the world,

holding fast the word of life…

Philippians 2:15-16

Already Dead! By Natasha Chilikina

Any man who has so assessed himself  as the “filth of the earth” has no ambitions - and so has nothing to be jealous about. He has no reputation - and so has nothing to fight about. He has no possessions - and therefore nothing to worry about. He has no “rights” - so therefore he cannot suffer any wrongs. He is already dead - so no one can kill him. Blessed state!    - Leonard Ravenhill

Come and die... ~by Vicky Bentley

Dietrich Bonhoeffer is a shining example to me of a man who was crucified to this world and the world was crucified to him (Galatians 6:14). In his book, The Crucified Life, AW Tozer says this: 

In my mind, one man epitomizes what one must pay, or give up, for the crucified life. That man was Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who lived under the shadow of the mad nihilist Adolf Hitler.

Read the whole post: Whispers Of His Wonder: Come and die....:

Will you go for Him? ~by Vicky Bentley

This generation of believers that you and me are a part of, we are responsible for this generation of souls, all over the world. We're responsible for them. We're responsible to pray daily for the needs of ministries around the world, and ask God, “How about me not sending my money this time, how about me going?”  It's so easy to write checks, it's so easy; but, God can't cash out of state checks in heaven, He needs you! ~ Keith Green “Open Your Eyes” excerpt

These lyrics were given as a challenge to the Body of Christ decades ago. He still needs you. We still need you. Will you respond to His call today and say, “Here am I Lord, send me!” You won’t regret it…

Jesus says, when we love someone in His name,

We're loving Him.
Jesus says, when we touch someone in His name,

We're touching Him.
And we need to show them the Light;  

We need to pour out our lives…

~ Keith Green “Open Your Eyes” more excerpts

The Scotts - God's Army Cafe

Suzanne has been working at God's Army, a Christian cafe and bookstore owned by Calvary Chapel Cape Town. It is in the heart of Cape Town surrounded by adult bookstores, bars and other filth. Needless to say, we are a light in the darkness. Last week, when Suzanne was working, she had the opportunity to pray with a lady. This lad had been brought up in the Catholic church and was feeling very burdened. She told Suzanne that she had been trying to keep the "faith" so as to earn favor before God. Suzanne explained to her the true Gospel of Jesus Christ and the lady broke down and accepted the Lord right there! The Lord placed a burden on Suzanne's heart at that moment to buy Why Grace Changes Everything by Chuck Smith for this lady. The lady couldn't understand why she would just buy her a book expecting nothing in return. Suzanne simply said because she loved her. 

This is just one of the many lives we have seen changed since arriving in Cape Town. The Lord has had many divine appointments for us since we have been here. It is such a blessing to see the Hand of God working in such real ways. 

Keep praying for the lost, you never know when God will make a move.

Grace and Peace, 

Bob, Suzanne and Bobby Scott

Cape Town, South Africa

The Easthams' White Ants

We recently walked through an open air market in Kampala and came across a local food that I've been wanting to try for some time:  ants.

They are called "white ants" here, but they may actually be termites.  "White ants" can fly, but their wings fall off.  Yes, the ants for sale in the market were dead.  The ants were quite affordable:  two cups (about 500mL) for about $0.85. 

We brought the bag of ants back to the Far Reaching Ministries' guest house.  The house girl was delighted to cook them up for us.  She fried them with some diced red onion, her tribe's traditional way of cooking ants.

 

Then came the serving it to my family.  Lily decided to pass on the delicacy.  I guess Chinese don't eat everything!  The rest of us (yes, the rest of us tried it) found the ants to be okay but not greatly appealing.  The ants were crunchy and had a taste that is just difficult to describe.  Ben discovered they added good flavor to his beans and rice.

 

We didn't finish the ants.  They were okay but not very appealing to our American/Asian palates.  We ended up giving the leftovers to the house girl and guard.  Both of them were very appreciative.

-John Eastham

 

Baby Josiah By Jamie McKinley

Josiah means healed by Jehovah, or Jehovah will support.


With a name like that this baby boy came into the lives of William and Janet a couple from our church (the name was picked before birth).  He was born in December premature and with a rare and deadly heart condition.  This couple instead of blaming God for this trial has become a witness to their community and family about putting their faith in God to do a miracle.

This couple has said whether God heals miraculously, or through surgery, or even if He takes their baby back to Heaven they will give Him the glory.  As I held baby Josiah and see the face of his parents I was encouraged by their complete trust in the Lord's sovereignty.

Yet with a name like Josiah it is amazing to see Jehovah support them with money for the hospital and now they might even have a chance of corrective heart surgery in Germany.  Please pray for this couple and baby Josiah that God would continue to be glorified through them. Please pray that God would provide a way for the baby to have the heart surgery needed and that through it, many would see the power of Jehovah.

In Him,
Jamie

Fighting for the ONE ~ by Natasha Chilikina

For months we have been praying daily that GOD will intervene and rescue the millions of women and children being sold as slaves. FRM/FRMA is taking a STAND in prayer (Whispers Of His Wonder: Get into the Battle!: Call to Arms ~ Prayer Warriors & Intercessors Needed), believing ONLY GOD is big enough to defeat this global tragedy.

I have seen firsthand how dark and evil the traffickers in Kenya are and was greatly strengthened in my resolve to persevere in prayer when God intervened for one young woman named Christine.

Saturday afternoon after our Bible Study at Calvary Chapel Nairobi, Esther came to me and asked for prayer. Her 17 year old daughter, Christine, left home Friday evening and no one had seen or heard from her since. Esther was afraid she would never see her daughter again. We asked God to miraculously protect her from any harm and especially to protect her from being captured by traffickers ~ because slavery is the number one threat against women like Christine in Kenya.

The traffickers abduct young women every day. A recent news report said that 400 women go missing every month in Kenya. Four hundred women that are daughters,  sisters, wives, and mothers JUST LIKE YOU and JUST LIKE ME and they are being exploited, violated, oppressed, and enslaved. They are forced to prostitute their bodies and someone else takes all the money. They are sold over and over again to satisfy some uncaring selfish person’s unbridled lust.

It’s unjust,

It’s unfair, and

It’s unacceptable!

I have a daughter too, just a little older than Christine and I could understand the fear and pain in Esther’s heart. I asked her to give me a call if she found out anything about Christine and kept praying. Sunday morning, I was so blessed to see Esther and her beautiful daughter  at church! God spared Christine!

I sat with Christine and told her openly and in love exactly how dangerous it is to be out alone. I told her how cunning the predators are and how devastated a sex slave feels. I encouraged her to be careful and to never leave home without telling her mother where she is going, and Christine heard me.

I realized that ONE young woman was taken out of the mouth of the lion. Christine is less likely to be abducted and to be deceived. God took our little seeds of faith and He increased it ONcE in Christine. If she goes and tells ONE friend then ONE more girl can be spared….

I guess what I am trying to say is EVERY ONE is a victory. Jesus said He would leave 99 sheep to looking for ONE and it was clear He wanted us to do the same. I have decided that I will keep going out looking for any ONE I can help. God rescued me. God spared my daughter. And I believe that by deliberately interceding ONE more will be saved....again and again...because Jesus NEVER stops seeking....

It was also great to see Esther smiling again. 

STAND and BE BRAVE... By Vicky Bentley

Thank you for being willing to stand in the gap for our brothers and sisters in Africa. Over the past few days the recent video posted by Invisible Children concerning Joseph Kony has prompted many of you to call asking us, “What is FRM doing? How can we help?”

Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself.

Remember also those being mistreated,

as if you felt their pain in your own bodies.

Hebrews 13:3

The single greatest thing ANYONE can do is pray. Storm the very gates of heaven asking God to bring peace to the continent that for centuries has suffered at the hands of man’s darkest and most depraved sins.

What ALL of AFRICA needs is Jesus Christ!

Peace can only come through His redemption and deliverance.

Pray for revival to ignite a fire that will consume every evil force of hell at work and

Purify for Christ a people set apart for His exclusive glory!

FRM/FRMA has had the privilege of serving on the frontlines of Northern Uganda and Southern Sudan for the last 16 years. The safety and protection of women, children, and Christians is of paramount importance to us. God has called us for such a time as this to stand in the gap.

We currently have chaplains serving in the war torn region of Southern Kordufan (the borderline of newly founded South Sudan), where Northern Sudanese Islamic forces are targeting Christian civilians and displacing tens of thousands!

A Christian college was destroyed just a few weeks ago and just a few months ago a bomb landed on top of one chaplain’s personal residence killing ELEVEN innocent family members….the bombs were sent to the villages because the Islamic soldiers were unable to penetrate the well-guarded military targets!

That is a CRIME…

That is happening right now!

That is something you can raise your voice about!

The atrocities of Joseph Kony and the LRA are well documented and with a few minutes time you can quickly discern that thankfully his regime has lost most of its former dominion. The limited number of LRA rebels were quarantined during SPLA mediation talks several years ago. Nearly all the IDP camps of Northern Uganda have been closed and thankfully most Ugandans are home and rebuilding their lives. Kony is still wanted by the ICC and a number of US special forces have been deployed to hunt him down. Kony does need to be disarmed and arrested, but he no longer poses the greatest threat to innocent women and children in the region today.

The battle for the hearts and souls of the suffering and oppressed is monumental—and extremely serious. We appreciate your heart to not bury your head in the sand, and stay awake, informed and active to defend the defenseless.

We are supporting organizations based in Northern Uganda that are helping the hurting rebuild their lives (Kitgum Infant Orphan Care Center, Tender Trust, NUCBACD, and Sanctuary of Grace).

We are committed to keep making HOPE a reality for these precious brothers and sisters.

And we will continue to support our chaplains laying their lives down so that the children of South Sudan can have their basic right to liberty, freedom of religion, and justice.  Please join us in praying for God’s Almighty Hand to bring SAFETY and FREEDOM to our brothers and sisters suffering in Sudan!

Get into the battle for souls….your commitment matters to the LORD….

“Run up and down every street in Jerusalem,” says the LORD.

 “Look high and low; search throughout the city!

If you can find even one just and honest person,

I will not destroy the city.”

Jeremiah 5:1

Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah STOOD in a fiery furnace when all others bowed to the image of gold…..

Daniel STOOD in prayer even though it meant a night in the lion’s den….

Moses STOOD against his “foster father” who had given him every earthly luxury and delivered a NATION from slavery….

Mordecai and Esther STOOD to be counted as Jews and rescued their brethren from Haman’s hired henchmen….

David the shepherd boy STOOD against the giant and slew him with a single stone….

Jael STOOD at the door of her tent and slew Sisera to free her people from oppression…

My husband says, “By one man standing an entire city can be spared… You are that one man….STAND… and watch how you plus God is a majority that makes an eternal impact. God expects His people to be brave!” 

Things above... by Vicky Bentley

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

Set your affection on things above,

not on things on the earth.

For ye are dead,

and your life is hid with Christ in God.

Colossians 3:1-3

What does Paul mean when he talks about “those things which are above”? This is not some broad generalization….They can be identified. We may draw a line down the middle of a page and over the left hand side put the things that are if the earth, and over the right hand side the things that are of heaven. The things that are of earth belong to sight, reason and our senses. The things that are of heaven belong to faith, trust, and confidence in God.

EARTH                                                          HEAVEN

Pleasures of the earth                                   Delight in the LORD

Treasures of the earth                                  Treasures where, “neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal’ (Matthew 6:20)

Reputation among men,                               Desire to stand high with GOD

Desire to stand well with men

Rich dwelling place                                       Mansion above

Walk with best company here below           Walk with GOD here below

Follow man’s philosophy                              Follow GOD’s revelations

Cultivating flesh                                            Living for the SPIRIT

Live for a time                                               Live for Eternity

By contrast, we see how different we are as Christians. We are to be so different from the world, so completely different. Go down the left hand side and you will have sight, reason and senses; they give you the pleasures of earth that make you want the treasures of earth. They want you to want a good reputation among men and a rich dwelling place here… AW Tozer (excerpts from The Crucified Life)

God has stirred my precious husband to challenge the Body of Christ to

STAND for the TRUTH….

to REPENT from our apathy, complacency, and compromise…

and to WALK in the SPIRIT….

TODAY is our ONLY chance to make a difference….

We can waste it on the temporal or invest it in the eternal…

You and I have to make that choice moment by moment…..

 As for me and my house,

We will live for Jesus…

We have been crucified with Christ (Galatians 2:20)….

By His Spirit we will die daily….

So that it can be less of us and MORE of Jesus (John 3:30)….

…..none of us so that it can be more for HIM….

Our hearts are consumed with Jesus…set on a continuing city whose Builder and Maker is GOD, the KING of all kings, and LORD of all lords….this world has nothing we want…..and fellow soldier of the cross I urge you to set your affections in order too…. ALL of us will stand and give account for what we did and didn’t do, for the motives and intents of our hearts….The late Leonard Ravenhill’s challenge, “Is the life you are living WORTHY of Christ’s dying?” is yours NOW….. 

It’s been far too long that we look just like the world. Let us stand up and be counted!

        He is WORTHY of far more……