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.

EVERYTHING

Do you want to look into the eyes of the Man who died in your place?  
I do.

What is the cost?  

Everything.

When I look back on these past two years, on the journey the LORD put me on, I see how Jesus brought me to a place where I needed to surrender to Him everything: my father, my mother, my daughter, all my relationships, all of my friends, places I wanted to serve Him, my desires, and all of my dreams.  There are not enough words to express the depth of His love and the care He showed me through the months of struggle I had as I was learning how to walk moment by moment, yielding to Him, and yet Jesus is the One Who did it all.  There is a song, the words of that song very well describe the place the LORD has me now. 

I will waste my life, I’ll be tested and tried,

With no regrets inside of me, just to find I am at Your feet.

I leave my father’s house, I leave my mother.

I’ll leave all I have known and I’ll have no other

Oh! How I love You and there is no cost.

oh! How I love you and there is no loss.

Oh! How I love You I want to take Your name.

Oh! How I love You I want to cling to You Jesus.

Jesus Christ had counted His cost when He left His glory and became a Man, lived among us, and died on the cross.  He said It is Finished!!! He was risen on the Third day.  His grave is empty. He is coming back.  And He did it all because of a love for us that is so great we can barely comprehend it. 

Do you want to look into the eyes of the Man Who died in your place?

Natasha Chilikina

Nairobi, Kenya

To support Natasha, go to: www.supportFRM.org

(include Chilikina under comments)

Far Reaching Ministries

North American Headquarters

38615 Calistoga Drive

Suite 100

Murrieta, CA 92563

Office: +1 (951) 677-4474

www.frmusa.org

Please Pray

Thank you for joing with us in prayer.  We are blessed by your participation in the battle!  Here are our most needs.

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

• Please pray for the chaplains who continue to serve in on the frontline.  Ask the Lord to give them strength, courage and compassion as they serve in these challenging conditions.
• Continue to ask the Lord to be the provider for the many hundreds of thousands who have been displaced by violence and lack even the most basic food supplies. 
• 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.  Currently, will have to leave, at least for a time.
• 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 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.
• Pray for the FIC youth group day retreat this Sunday, that it would be a time of great fellowship, laughter, and encouragement. Pray that the Lord would provide good weather for the event as it is a picnic.

Rees Family: Thika

• Thank you for all the prayers for their visa for the UK. They were able to contact an agency and will begin the process soon.
• Pray for preparations for their upcoming travel to the UK. They go 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 for the Lord to provide for churches and new prayer partners who will join them for the mission in the UK. Blessings for Edward and Emily who have been assisting them in reaching others for this mission.
• Pray for the Calvary Chapel Pastor's Conference in Murrieta coming up the first week of June. Pray for the FRM barbeque for these pastors and all those who will be serving.

Ruth Deam: Karen, Kenya

• Pray for the arrival of visitors and all the details that need to be finished. 
• Please pray for the team and their time while in Kenya; for all the ministries they will be involved in and for all the travels.  
• Pray for the hearts of the people; that the Lord will prepare their hearts for His word.

UGANDA

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

Kanyike Family: Kampala

• Please pray for safety in Kampala as security is high due to possible riots and protests.
• Please pray for Brian as he pastors and leads the church.
• Pray for the couples Brian and Jill are counseling.
• Pray for the new Foundations class that has begun at CCK on Saturdays.
• Pray for all the ministries taking place.
• Pray for Luke as he has not been sleeping well.
• Thank you for faithfully praying for the ministries in Uganda as well as for the Kanyike family.

Eastham Family: Kampala

• Pray that the Eastham family is protected from the stresses of living in Uganda.
• Pray that the funds become available to buy a bigger car.
• 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.

 MIDDLE EASTERN COUNTRY

G***** Family

•  Ask that God would lead them to people that need ministering and discipleship.
•  Pray that God would go before them in the immigration interview process, and that it would progress rapidly.
• Pray for God to use them in a mighty way and that His will would be done in their lives.

 RUSSIA

Mark Piester

•  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.

 SOUTH AFRICA

Scott Family:  Cape Town

• Please pray for the Scott's and their church plant in South Africa. 
• Please pray for the Lord to continue to direct and lead the church. Pray that the Lord would continue to bring people as He sees fit. 
• Please pray for the new internship program that Bob is doing with four men in the church. Pray that the Lord would build up and sustain Godly men for leadership and vision in the church. 
• Please pray for Suzanne as she has started a women's study in the church. Pray that the ladies would take to heart the exhortations that are in Titus 2. Pray that Suzanne would be led by the Holy Spirit. 
• Please pray for the whole Scott family-- Bob, Suzanne, Bobby and Maisey. Pray for their health. Pray that the Lord would keep them safe as the country faces internal political struggles between the races.

 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 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 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.  
• Please continue to pray for the family of Carol Garlow, as they adjust to this season.  Grieving is a process.