Sacrifice

As I sit and write this, my heart is heavy. Over the course of the last six months we have had three sets of visitors from the United States. Our friends and family came to see us for 2-3 week visits each. It is wonderful to have that connection but at the end of it all it can leave one with a weighty heart. 

Having children is a blessing. And for grandparents, the blessing is multiplied.

We live over 8,000 miles away from our children’s grandparents. To have them come and visit is truly wonderful. To see the way they interact with our children is nothing short of marvelous. They love their grandkids and want to fit as much in as they can as they know their time with them is extremely limited. This is the case for most people as their families come for a visit and then go home. But, with most people, home is not across an ocean or involve sitting on a plane for the better part of 24 hours. I know that both the grandkids and the grandparents love the time together, but I also know that the grandparents often times wonder if our kids will remember them. Will they remember the blessed times they had together? Will they remember that they came and saw them for their second birthday? We are blessed with families that understand the calling that God has put on our lives but that doesn’t mean they wouldn’t want to live next door to us to see our kids on a daily basis.

This is one the many ways that we have had to count the cost of serving the Lord overseas. Though God has called us to service here, it doesn’t mean that our hearts are not torn from time to time seeing our loved ones so far away. We live in a country that is foreign to us. We are around people that have no idea what it is like where we came from or what we really go through on a daily basis. There are times that you just want to quickly ask your mom or dad something but then you realize they are at work or sleeping because of the time difference. I don’t think that one can ever get used to these moments, but they become an act of surrender in serving the Lord.                                            

Grace and Peace,

Bob, Suzanne, Bobby and Maisey Scott

Cape Town, South Africa

To support Bob & Suzanne, go to: www.supportFRM.org

(include Scott under comments)

Far Reaching Ministries

North American Headquarters

38615 Calistoga Drive

Suite 100

Murrieta, CA 92563

Office: +1 (951) 677-4474

www.frmusa.org

He's Too Young to Die

When we think of death, our minds automatically think of someone old or stricken with a disease. The pain involved with death is great but how joyous it should be for us as Christians. How happy we should be to see our beloved go to be with our Heavenly Father. 

At what age is death acceptable? 70? 80? 

What about the reasons for death? 

Is it acceptable if you are old or with an incurables illness? We think of such temporal things. Have we forgotten about the martyrs or those who are willing to go into dangerous places to share the good news?  “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.” (Romans 10:15) 

The picture above is of one of our brothers. He is graduating from our chaplain Bible school later this month. His heart is to take the gospel to his people, even though death is likely possible. His age is young but his strength is in the Lord. “Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.” (Mark 10:15) 

Death has no perfect age – it has no preference; it wishes to inspire terror, to draw you away from the Father. “But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power.” (Acts 2:24) “Oh death, where is your sting?” (1 Corinthians 15:55) 

Death no longer has a hold over us! 

What will you be willing to do with your new freedom? 

Are you too young to die?

Chase Amaya

Intern

Far Reaching Ministries

STAND, FIGHT and DIE!

As I sit here, at our training compound in South Sudan, the men are busy with preparations for graduation. After a long and hard year at our chaplain training school, the men are filled with excitement for the long awaited day. After graduation the men will be deployed to their respective positions. Some of the men will be going straight to the front lines of the war here in South Sudan, but every single one will be on the front lines of the spiritual battle for souls. The men know that this war (both physical and spiritual) will be very costly and the blood shed will be great.

For most of us, fighting one war (against our flesh) is hard enough; it takes every last ounce of strength we have. How convicting is it to stand with men who are fighting not just for their own soul, but for everybody they come in contact with. Our men live by a code of conduct that we all should follow. “If the enemy comes, we will STAND, we will FIGHT, and we will DIE! But we will not surrender you to the wicked!” This code was made when we witnessed the Government of Sudan (GoS), the LRA, and other rebel groups coming into villages and killing every woman and child. We teach our men that we stand on that line until every woman and child is evacuated to safety, and we will DIE protecting the innocent and helpless.  

Our men are ready to die to the desires of their flesh and are willing to die to ensure life for others. Matthew 16:25 says, “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” When you are faced with this choice, what will you do? Are you ready to die, so that you have eternal life? John 5:13 says, “Greater love has not one than this, that one lay his life down for his friend.”

Are we willing to love to the point of death? A time to die…a chance to live.

Chase Amaya

Intern

Far Reaching Ministries

A Light in the War Against Darkness

We know they are out there, the unsung heroes of the faith who are willing to set aside their own desires and offer all they have in obedience to the Lord.  Once in a while, we get a glimpse of these warriors for the Kingdom.  Most recently, we witnessed this on Friday.

Brian and his family had read the newsletter about the suffering Syrian Christians and the portion about the young boy who gave his $5 to help children in need instead of buying candy, particularly touched his heart.  He told his mom that he wanted to give his savings to the Syrian church.  She called Friday morning and made the donation for him.  As we communicated back and forth, more information came to light.  Brian had also received a gift card for his birthday that he desired to cash out so that he could give even more. 

Brian is ten.  He also volunteers here with us in the office.  He again stands with us, committing now both time and treasures for the Kingdom, shining as a light in this war against darkness. 

But there is more to this story!  Brian had been struggling on and off for about a year with serious health concerns.  Last November, whatever was attacking his body came on full force.  He couldn’t even function as a normal, healthy, active kid any more.  He had no energy to even go outside and play.  He couldn’t do his normal daily activities, including school.  He had aching pain from head to toe: severe headaches, punishing joint pain, extreme fatigue, and sensitivity to light.  He was in constant pain, sometimes falling to the ground because of the intensity of how badly he was suffering.  He still had a heart to help his family with the dishes and had to support himself by leaning on the sink.  His condition perplexed the doctors that his family sought out in desperation for help.  They came to believe that Brian had some rare lifelong disease.  In the midst of this, the whole family poured themselves into prayer, including his little brother who prayed, “Jesus, heal my brother, I want to play with him.”  And, the Lord did!  All of Brian’s symptoms are gone!  

What has been Brian’s response?   He wanted to know when he could return to volunteer at Far Reaching Ministries, and as you have also read, he is now investing his treasures as well.

………………………………………………………………….

Hearing Brian’s story is compelling.  He is acting on the moving of the Holy Spirit at an age when most of us only thought about friends, playing, video games and sleep-overs.  We are all moved by stories of that nearness with the Father, of those who hear and choose to respond seamlessly.  But really, this story can belong to any one of us, because the source is not us, it’s the Holy Spirit.  The book of Ephesians tells us we are each God’s masterpiece, His poema, uniquely created with a plan, prepared in advance for us.  (2:10, 4:12)

Don’t miss what God created you for!  We all get one short life.  There are no do-overs, nor second chances.  Glorify the Father with every breath….

Thank You for Praying

SOUTH SUDAN

• Pray for this 9th class of chaplains who are preparing to graduate.  Many of these brave men will be going directly to the front lines. 
• Pray for the teams traveling to South Sudan to work with these men before graduation.  Ask the Lord to use them mightily as they pour into the lives of the chaplains.
• Pray against the rhetoric and posturing from the government of north Sudan.  Their threats to the international community and the deceptions they are perpetuating have the potential to further escalate the war and send it deeper into South Sudan. 

MISSIONARIES SERVING IN A CLOSED ASIAN COUNTRY

• Please pray for those involved in the ministry that was closed down.  Pray that they would have patience in the wait as He calls them to be still.  Praise God, He has provided a clear sense that He is in the midst of these unexpected events. 
• Please pray for all those that had such a sudden displacement, whose plans and expectations took such a radical turn.  Ask the Lord to pour His presence and direction out on them as they discover what He has next.

KENYA

• Zavala Family: Nairobi, Mombasa, DR Congo
• Please pray that the water meter in the house would get fixed soon.
• Please pray for healing for Twinkle's migraines, neck & back pain.
• Please pray for Damaris Kemunto, a single mom of 3 kids, who is anemic and has been in poor health for many months.

Natasha Chilikina: Nairobi

• Pray for the Holy Spirit to speak to them through the Bible study of the book of Revelation.
• Pray that the worship team will become even more united through this time of stretching by the Holy Spirit.
• Continue to pray for salvation for her daughter and her father.
• Please pray that God would provide for a new computer for Natasha.

Jamie McKinley:  Nairobi

• Pray for the health of the team, as many are getting colds and sickness.  Pray for the Lord's healing and protection physically as they serve.
• Pray for Lois, a woman in Kibera, who just lost a loved one (the father of her children), that the Lord would comfort her and give her peace. Pray that the Lord would just show her His love and she would grow closer to Him through this.
• Pray for the Calvary Chapel High Desert team as they prepare to come out on a STM to the DR Congo and Nairobi. Pray that God would give wisdom to the team as they seek the Lord's vision for the trip and work on the details.  Pray that the Lord would prepare the hearts of those they will minister to.
• Pray for the Titus group (youth girl discipleship) that Jayne and Jamie would have wisdom as they teach and disciple these young ladies.  Pray that they would be committed and that God would grow them into godly women with a heart on fire for Him.

Rees Family: Thika

• Pray for Tom and Cheryl as they grieve the loss of her mom. 
• Pray for family unity and healing and forgiveness for family members. 
• Ask the Lord to be in all the details for their trip to the UK.  Pray that He would pack for them, and minister to them as they to go.  They will travel first to Gloucester, then Wales to pray for the new church plant in the UK and then York for their daughter’s wedding on June 22nd.
• Pray blessing for Cheryl’s sister Cristy who is displaying their prayer cards in her hair salon.  Ask the Lord to move the hearts of those He has called to join them in prayer to take one of the cards.
• Ask the Lord to bless Tom’s Mom who will be having a special time at her home with her class from church and also friends and neighbors, so Tom can give a bible study and share about the new work they will be doing in the UK.
• Pray blessing for Patti, an airline stewardess, who has opened her home to the Rees’ if they need a place to stay as they work on their visas and prepare to leave for England.

UGANDA

• Please ask the Lord to send the perfect buyer for the Kampala guesthouse.
• Kanyike Family: Kampala
• Please pray for Susan Angoma as she processes the sudden loss of her father.
• Please continue to pray for health and safety of all missionaries and visitors at the guest house.
• Please pray for Brian as he is returning this week from the senior pastor’s conference and jumps right into teaching. Pray he will recover quickly from jet lag.
• Pray for the ministries at Calvary Chapel Kampala and the guest house. Pray for the Lord's guidance in all things.
• Thank you for praying for the ministry in Uganda and for the Kanyike family.

Eastham Family: Kampala

• Pray that the funds are available to buy a bigger car.
• Pray that God guides John and the leadership through the church’s difficult financial times and gives them a vision for His plans.
• Ask the Lord to give John and the church leadership discernment about renting an additional floor for the church.  Doing this would be a big step of faith in a difficult financial period.
• Pray for their guard, Walter, and his wife to overcome their marital problems.

MIDDLE EASTERN COUNTRY

G***** Family

• Praise God for seeing them through this hard part of their lives.
• Praise God!  He has consistently been providing the monetary support they've needed during this time.
• Ask God to guide them to the right physician/hospital before the interview date arrives.
• Ask God to continue to be in control of the situation and that they would not seek to finish this work of the spirit in their flesh.

RUSSIA

Mark Piester

• Pray for Sasha and Luba and their church as they minister to the elderly and poor families through the FRM Sponsorship program. One sponsored family with 6 children (ages 15 to 2 years) lost their mother in a tragic death last month. These children have regularly attended Sunday school at their church. The children have been temporarily placed in an orphanage because their father has not been able to cope with the loss and is currently hospitalized. Pray for the family and Sasha and Luba as they seek ways to bring comfort and minister to the family during this time of loss.
• Continue to pray for God's provision for the funding of the upcoming summer camps. Praise God,  for the Lord's provision for more than half of the necessary funds have been received to date. We trust that the Lord will fully fund the camps once again this year.

Baranov Family: CC Vladimir

• Please pray with them that many Russian people would hear the true Gospel this year and truly humble their hearts before the Lord. They ask you to stand with them in prayer for Vladimir, churches in the Vladimir region and for the new land Ivanovo.
• Please pray for their churches to stay strong in sound doctrine and in practical righteousness as the Lord is teaching them. Please pray for more workers.
• Pasha asks you to pray that they can have some able, experienced, and willing teachers come and do good retreats or seminars for their families.

SOUTH AFRICA

Scott Family:  Cape Town

• Please pray for the Scott's health as they have just entered winter. It has been an extremely hard winter with snow falling only a couple of hours from where they live. 
• Please pray that the Lord's work would continue unhindered by the enemy. Pray for hearts to be opened and for the Word of the Lord to go forth. 
• Please pray for Suzanne as she is staying home most days with their kids. Pray for wisdom in raising Godly and loving children. 
• Please continue to pray for the church plant. God is definitely moving and doing something awesome there. 
• Please pray against the spiritual warfare. It seems at times the church is confronted around every corner of ministry. Pray that they would all grow though this time of trials and persecutions. Pray that the strength of the Lord would be their guide.

ASIA

E**** Family

• Please lift their relationship with the Lord.  Pray that circumstances are no influence on hearing from the Lord. Pray for their heart’s desire, that they would clearly hear his voice and be obedient.
• Please lift up T***C***’s relationship with the Lord.  Ask the Lord to make Himself so real that T***C*** is not moved.
• Please keep the adoption lifted. 
• Please continue to pray for Mr. Missionary’s visa situation
• Please lift that the Lord’s will be done.  Pray that they would get their hearts desire, which is for the world to see Christ in them, and Jesus beside them as they travel through this storm, able to say, “Never the less Lord, not our will but yours be done.” 

CLOSE TO OUR HEARTS

• Please pray for the attorneys with The National Center for Law & Policy, as they return to court on June 24 & 25 with a statement of decision expected on the 26th.   They are asking the court to order the Encinitas Union School District (EUSD) to comply with religious freedom provisions of the California constitution as well as to offer students the minimum amount of physical education minutes.  
• Please continue to pray for the family of Carol Garlow, as they adjust to this season.  Grieving is a process.
• Pray for Susana.  She is 58, has lung disease, and is also going through breast cancer and trying to keep her job while in chemo and radiation. Pray that the Lord would bring people alongside her to help with any and everything she needs. 
• Please pray for the group from Calvary Chapel South Shore that is doing a yard sale to help provide a church building for Loa.  Ask the Lord to bless their planning and provide all they need.
• Please continue to pray for Sheri.  Ask the Lord to intervene and eliminate the seizures.  Pray that the reduction to part time work would help.
•  Please pray for Sherrell.  Ask the Lord to provide her with complete healing.  Pray for the doctors to know how to prevent the reoccurring health issues that she is having.