LIFE IN A WAR ZONE

We live in a an always-on world of instantaneous communication; yet, in the Nuba Mountains, frontline battlefield reports often have to wait for our chaplains who serve there to relay them person-to-person.  The following is an excerpt from one of our Senior Chaplain, J**** T***, serving in the Nuba Mountain region.

June 6th: 

Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) launched an attack on the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) base in the Nuba Mountain Region; including the Integrated Units headquarters (HQ), the home of the Governor, and the houses of all political leaders and commanders.  The battle was short, ending the same day with a victory for the SPLA.  Several enemy were killed and arrested.  Several machine guns were captured along with Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs).  Only one SPLA soldier was injured. 

June 9th: 

Our finance officer was killed due to shelling near my home.

June 10th: 

My wife miscarried as a result of the bombing by SAF aircraft [Antonov, Mig and gunship] from 06:00 to 19:00.  This led to the miscarriage of eight women, among them my wife. One SPLA soldier was injured.

July 15th: 

I was given the assignment to move from Kadugh with 350 new soldiers to open a refugee camp at Yida.  Before my mission to Yida, a terrible thing happened, but God Almighty saved us by His power.  It was there in Kadugh, the capital of the region, and at the HQ of operations where the enemy shelled us at 07:00 with three big artillery guns. One shell exploded 50 meters to my right but it did not harm anyone. The second fell between the high officers, me and the OPs officer, but it did not explode. The third one fell in front of us while we were going up the hill.  It landed a ½ meter away, but it too did not explode. On the same day, while we were moving from a big tree to a downward position, an Antonov aircraft bombed us with several bombs that destroyed the tree that we had just moved from.  We thank God Almighty that He has saved us through these hard times.  (Psalm 103)

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Please continue to intercede for the chaplains who are courageously serving across several battle fronts, and for the hundreds of thousands of civilians being devastated by the ongoing atrocities being inflicted upon them by the Islamic government of northern Sudan (GoS). 

Equipping Christian Farmers

Government statistics in Uganda state that 85% of the country’s population are subsistence farmers. This means that most people grow what they eat, build their own houses and live without making regular purchases in the marketplace.  In our bible study last week at Canaan farm our study focused on the motive of the Christian farmer and asked the question “Why do we farm” Is it from a self-centered motive or a Christ-centered motive.  The large group that attended the study had two things in common 

1. They were all Christians.

2. They were all subsistence farmers.

Farming in a rural setting can involve a lot of work, there are crops and animals to tend and a host of other things to do that can keep one so busy. In our study the farmers learned that farm work although demanding is not the only thing that God calls them to in life.  They were taught that life is not all about farming, it’s all about Christ. It’s about doing what pleases the Lord who created us, loves us, and saved us. If our farms are to bring glory to God they must be motivated first and foremost by a love for God and man and a commitment to carry out the great commission. Using the parable of sower in Matthew Chapter 13 the farmers were encourage to always ensure their hearts are always well prepared to receive from the Lord and bear fruit for His kingdom.

At the end of our study it was such great joy to witness a renewed commitment among the farmers to balance farm work, family and the Christian walk. Next month we plan to use the same approach to reach out to rural traders.

Please pray for all the Christian farmers throughout our country that the Lord may open more avenues for the study of the Word so that they may be firmly rooted in the Word and have their eyes set on the author and finisher of their faith Jesus Christ. 

Richard Angoma

Canaan Farm, Northern Uganda

PLEASE JOIN US IN PRAYER

SPECIAL NEED

• FRM is hiring; please pray for the Lord to provide a strongly committed Christian, with senior-level experience in server administration & network security management.  Cloud computing experience a real plus.
• In addition, please pray that the Lord would also provide the right individual with advanced (highly innovative) graphic design & video production experience.

SOUTH SUDAN

• We now have 200 chaplains serving in active war zones.  Please continue to pray that the for Lord to give them strength, courage and super natural endurance as they serve in this ongoing humanitarian crisis.
• Please continue to pray for those who who have been displaced by the violence and lack even the most basic necessities of food and medicine.  700,000 civilians are on the run and on the verge of starvation from the Nuba Mountains to the  Blue Nile regions.  
• Pray for the youth and women’s ministries in South Sudan.  Ask the Lord to make their faith deep and a witness to all they know. 

MISSIONARIES SERVING IN A CLOSED ASIAN COUNTRY

• Please pray for missionaries serving in an undisclosed Asian country.  The government has closed down their current ministry.  Ask the Lord for favor in all the details that allow them to remain in the country.  
• Pray that their mind would be stayed on Christ and fear would not be an issue.  
• Ask the Lord to provide everything they need in terms of relocation and open new doors for ministry.

KENYA

• Zavala Family: Nairobi, Mombasa, DR Congo
• Please pray for safe travel as they leave for Kenya on the 15th of May.
• Please pray for good health for their family.
• Please pray for Pastor Nicholas and for the congregation of CC Nairobi.

Natasha Chilikina: Nairobi

• Pray for Natasha’s work permit, an agent is working on finding the file.  Please pray for the Lord to show clearly what is going on with the processing of the work permit.
• Ask the Lord to provide wisdom in ministering to the worship team; they are going through the time of stretching and growing.  Some are choosing to walk by faith and not by sight and the Lord is teaching them how to bear one another burdens, which is a huge encouragement.
• Please pray for her cousin, Nina, she is dying from cancer and does not know the Lord.  Natasha doesn’t even know if she has a Bible.  Her Mom wants to travel to the city where she lives and visit with her older sister and give her a Bible, please pray that the Lord would have mercy on her.
• Please pray for Natasha’s health, that she would stay strong.

Jamie McKinley:  Nairobi

• Please just keep Jamie and her family in your prayers, her uncle recently passed away.  Please just pray that the Lord would be there to comfort her mom, since she is unable to be there. She thanks you for your prayers.  It has been a very hard year with the loss of many loved ones.
• 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 provide for all the needs of each team member and ministry.
• Pray for the ladies of Kibera; the bible study has been on break due to election security concerns. Pray as Jamie and Eunice go back to Kibera to teach that the Lord would work in the hearts of the women.  Pray for continued peace and protection for each of the ladies in the Kibera slum.
• Pray for Jamie and Jane as they begin to have a small group discipleship class for youth girls once a month. Pray that the Lord gives wisdom and uses them as vessels of love to encourage and bless these girls who have difficult home lives.
• Pray for Jamie that the Lord would lead her and give her His Word of wisdom as she meets with young ladies and women for discipleship during the week. Pray that each one would have a heart for the Lord and read His Word.  Pray that the Lord would just show His love to each one, and they would respond to His call on their lives.
• Pray for the Vacation Bible School at the end of the month that will be taught in the Ngando slums, pray for the leaders Bernard and Jane that God would use them to reach many children with the Gospel.  Pray that those children who attend would share the Good News with their parents and friends.
• Praise the Lord; He is raising up the women in the church. Philis (Pastor Nicholas’ wife) is now teaching a small bible study in her house to share with the women in her plot. Pray that the Lord continues to draw more women closer and use them for His glory.

Rees Family: Thika

• Praise for a fruitful trip to Washington connecting with many of the saints who stand with them as they serve with Far Reaching Ministries. The Lord greatly blessed their time together.
• Pray for two ladies who accepted Christ at the retirement home in Washington. Tom was able to deliver an encouraging message about God's work in the world and in our individual lives. John 3:16
• Ask God to pour out His Spirit on Calvary Chapel Bothell as they seek more of Jesus. Blessings on their youth team called SOAR as they reach out to Port Angeles, Portland, those in prison and the poor.
• Pray for Jack Henderson as he serves in missions at his local church. Pray for wisdom and discernment as he makes decisions about reaching out to the community in Monroe. WA.
• Pray for Virginia, a wonderful prayer warrior who is turning 94 years old. She is serving others at her retirement home. Pray for strength physically and her eyesight.
• Pray for Yari who is going through a very difficult time after his divorce. He is a new Christian and needs discipleship. Also for Alexander who was a scientist, he is about 85 years old and doesn't know Jesus. Pray he will receive the truth and come to Jesus.
• The Lord has blessed us the Rees’ with a new friend, Cathy, who prayed for a Calvary Chapel in Gloucester for three years, this is where they will be going in June.

Ruth Deam: Karen, Kenya

• Pray for Ruth as she moves into a new home, that she will be ready for the visitors coming soon after the move.
• Please pray for the team that will be there for about ten days, for the different ministries they will be doing. Please ask the Lord to prepare the hearts of the people where the Word will be preached and taught.
• Pray for the ladies Ruth works with. 

UGANDA

• Please ask the Lord to send the perfect buyer for the Kampala guesthouse.

Kanyike Family: Kampala

• Pray for continued safety.
• Pray for Luke, he has not been well the last couple days. Pray Laylee does not also get sick.
• Pray for Brian as he meets with some other evangelical pastors for dinner to strategically plan on how they can impact Kampala.
• Pray for Brian and Jill as they counsel couples and members of the church body.
• Pray for Brian and Jill as they were invited to share with all the Sunday school teachers this upcoming weekend.
• Pray for all the ministries at CCK.

Eastham Family: Kampala

• Pray that the Eastham family is protected from the stresses of living in Uganda.
• Pray that the funds are available to buy a car that better suits the needs of their growing family.
• Pray that God guides John and the leadership through the church’s difficult financial times.
• Pray that God gives John and Lily an editorial team to assist them with their newsletter and social media.
• Pray for Kenneth to be healed of malaria and chest pains so he can go back to work.

MIDDLE EASTERN COUNTRY

G***** Family

• Safety for K*** as she will eventually be making a trip to B*** for an interview. The road leading to B**** is closed off due to political problems, so safety is an issue when going there.
• That God would continue to guide them during this time.
• Open doors to minister to the people here in I***.

RUSSIA

Mark Piester

• Praise - Sasha was released from the hospital last week and is at home. He is still undergoing treatments as an outpatient. He is feeling much better after the month-long treatments. They have helped significantly.
• Pray for Sasha and Luba and their church as they minister to the elderly and poor families who do not know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior this Easter week. (Russia celebrates Easter this coming Sunday). Pray that the monthly sponsorships to families and elderly will demonstrate Christ’s love and a door to build relationships and share the Gospel message.
• Pray for God's provision for the funding of the upcoming summer camps. Mark would appreciate your prayers as they work on the budgets and raise funds for the camps planned this summer. In past years, God has been so faithful to provide the necessary funds to provide scholarships to all children desiring to attend. 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 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.
• Please pray for God’s direction and provision in this (if such is His will) for the Baranov family to visit the US.

SOUTH AFRICA

Scott Family:  Cape Town

• Please pray for Bob and Suzanne, that the Lord would give them wisdom as they are raising two kids and planting a church. Pray for grace and guidance in their lives. 
• Please pray for the church that is being planted. Pray for the Spiritual growth of the people coming and pray for their lives to be changed by the gospel message. 
• Please pray that the Lord would continue to call people to the church by His grace. 
• Please pray as Bob is looking for a new meeting place. The current one is not meeting the needs of the congregation as they are growing in number. 
• Please pray for the health and safety of the Scott family. They are going into winter season and the cold and flu season is coming on strong. Pray that their immune systems would be strengthened and that they would not have any illnesses. 
• Please pray for the outreaches they are doing in and around the community. Pray that the Lord's Word would go out and that many would come to salvation. 

ASIA

E**** Family

• Please pray for all the final details of the adoption process.  Ask the Lord to make permanent the home and family He has already given T***C***.  Pray that any nerves frayed in the wait would be calmed.
•  Please lift up the possibility of another set of Operation Safe camps in the earthquake zone.
• Please keep S***, R*** and T lifted as they seek to move in the best direction for the bike shop.
• Please keep T lifted as they search for another supplier for leather for P***’s journals.
• Pray for the team as they search for new living quarters.
• Please continue to pray for the relationship and ministry at the orphanage.
• Pray for the family to have all the wisdom and discernment needed for handling all the details of ministry.
• Please lift that they would keep their eyes on the boss and all that He has called them to. Thank you for being such a huge part of all that happens within this ministry. 

CLOSE TO OUR HEARTS

• Pray for a friend of the ministry, Sheri, who has been experiencing seizures.  Ask the Lord to put an end to this and be everything she and her husband need.
• Please pray for Marissa, that the Lord would provide her with each thing that she needs.  
• 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.
• Please pray for the attorneys with The National Center for Law & Policy as they go to court on May 20 to ask 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.  

What Are You Looking At?

We are exhorted in Luke 9:62 with the words of Jesus, “No one having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” This statement by Jesus is in the context of discipleship. What does it mean to be a true follower of Christ? It means to give everything over to him…not just in theory but in practice.

Jesus doesn’t want to be first in your life; He wants to be all in your life. I heard it explained like this one time. If you are married or dating someone, imagine coming home to your spouse or telling your loved one that they are number one in your life. In fact, that would make them very, very happy. To know that they come in first place in your life is probably the most comforting words you could speak. Now, tell them that you are going out on a date with the number two person in your life. Though you don’t love this number two person as much as you love them, you just wanted to go out on a quick date. Get a bite to eat and watch a movie. I would guess that there are not too many loving spouses out there who would allow this.

This is what we do to Jesus every time we are “looking back.” The picture that Jesus is drawing here is that we have to have eyes for only Him…in everything that we are doing. We can’t put Jesus in a box and release Him on Sunday and then the rest of the week keep Him locked up. No matter what decision you are making, is it for the Kingdom of God? Jesus said in Matthew 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." Is this the first place your mind goes to when you are going about your day?

When one is plowing, out doing the work of the Lord and looks back, it is hard to maintain that straight line. When a farmer is harvesting the field he has to keep his eyes fixed on that field and there is no going back. Let this be also our attitude with Jesus. There is no reason to look back for we are complete in Christ and He will supply our every need exceedingly and abundantly more than we can ever hope for.

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

LET PEACE REIGN

The 2007 Kenyan election:  we remember it like it was yesterday.  It was a time of violence, endurance and scarceness in Nairobi, Kenya.  The riots lasted three months.  We could not evacuate because Twinkle was too close to giving birth to Sophia.  We had a difficult time finding the essentials like bread, water and milk at the grocery stores.  The church remained open and became a refugee for many hungry and hurting Kenyans.

We were preparing for more of the same uprisings during the 2013 presidential elections.  We evacuated all non-essential missionary personnel and handed much of the responsibilities over to capable nationals. I (Dave) was planning to stay and minister, but was redirected by the Lord to return to the states, and seek other treatment options for Twinkle's debilitating neck and back problems.  Once in the States, I heard reports that large crowds of people were lining up to vote.  I became concerned, knowing it would take only a small spark to set off a riot. But everything was surprisingly peaceful. I was elated by the peaceful actions of the Kenyans.  We are all praising God that when the newly elected Kenyan president was sworn into office, the country remained at peace—despite the fact that the opposition parties have filed a case in the Kenyan courts, accusing them of rigging the voting during the elections.  The newly-elected President Uhuru Kenyatta and his running mate both face charges of crimes against humanity for past election violence through the International Criminal Court (ICC).  Please pray for the new Kenyan President and for peace to continue to reign in Kenya.

An update on Twinkle’s health:

Twinkle’s health continues to improve.  She does have a bulging disc that’s pressing on to her spinal cord and she has painful bone spurs in her neck, which are also adding pressure.  The Praise Report: Through numerous treatments, Twinkle’s pain level continues to stabilize and she is now able to function more normally.

Thank you so much for your prayers and financial support for our family.

In Christ,

Dave & Twinkle Zavala

Africa: Nairobi, Mombasa, DR Congo

To support Dave & Twinkle Zavala, go to: www.supportFRM.org

(include Zavala under comments)

Far Reaching Ministries

North American Headquarters

38615 Calistoga Drive

Suite 100

Murrieta, CA 92563

Office: +1 (951) 677-4474

www.frmusa.org