December Monthly News

Jambo! Hello from Kenya! "As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country." Proverbs 25:25 It has been such a joy to serve in Kenya! The people are friendly, welcoming, and truly seem to desire to hear the simple truths of the Gospel! The proverb above was quoted by more than one person as they thanked us for coming and preaching the Gospel. This years trip to Kenya was especially blessed, as now we are registered with the government of Kenya, and we have ordained pastors according to their laws. The official name is The Apostolic Lutheran Mission of Kenya. This organization has a newly appointed central board of 7 members. After the first year they will have elections to choose their own leaders. All 16 lead pastors including the 3 head pastors verbally agreed and were very thankful for such a set up! Each of the 3 ministries will operate independently, with the central board being in charge of unity, doctrine, large organizational decisions, as well as setting the priorities for the entire Kenyan project. The entire organization in Kenya consists of 42 churches, each with between 50 and 200 people. Please be prayer for this new organization. We are very thankful that the people desire the basic truths of the Bible, and are especially responsive in agreement when the Cross, the Blood of Jesus, and the Resurection are preached. We pray that they would always glory in these most precious matters. As you reflect on the birth of our Lord this Advent season, please remember to pray for your brothers and sisters in Kenya who wanted us to, "greet your families, greet your communities, greet all the Christians in America and Canada and Finland and ask them to pray for us here!" Merry Christmas! Updates from the trip are available on the blog accessible by clicking here. Word from the field: During the recent trip to Kenya, Pastor Timothy, one of the head pastors we work with, shared his heart for his partnership with the mission, stating “deny us everything, but don’t deny us your prayers, with those we can move mountains. When you come, bring us the word of God." ; read the rest of the article Pastor Timothy (quoted above) and his wife Florence. This contact was referred to the FM by the New Ipswich, NH ALC, who got an email from him initially. If you get similar emails, please forward them to the FM, as it may work out that as in this case, we are working very close by already. Pastor Timothy shared with us that he had been challenged to deny his faith in Jesus Christ or else be shot. He refused to deny Christ. He was shot in the arm; the scars remain as evidence.... Read more of this story on the FM blog. Support options Email or click on the Donate link above for regular support options. Special projects Only funded with earmarked funds > Check out the 2012 Gift Catalogue by clicking on the link below for special projects this month. *Pictures and other feedback supplied, if desired. 2012 Gift Catalogue Kenya's Beauty The landscape in Kenya is beautiful and the animals are majestic. The country has so many wonderful and beautiful people. It is a "Christian Nation." Even in public schools the Bible is often taught. Many believe in God the Father, and that Jesus Christ is the Saviour. Why go to such a place with the gospel? Because while the above is true many of the people do not really KNOW JESUS. They live in all manner of sin, even engaging in multiple marraiges, (which is legal). Hence, the need for the truth's of God's Word in Kenya. Upcoming events > Two mission trips will leave in January, one to India and one to West Africa. > Still Christmas shopping? Check out the 2012 Gift Catalogue link above! Prayer and praise > A cyclone has recently hit the Philippines. Many buildings including the church/home of Bert and Daisy Senonis has been badly damaged. Please keep them in prayer. > The Russian mission trip and the Kenyan mission trip have recently finished. Praise God for the work that was done! > Attention married women!!! There is a sincere desire and request from your sisters in Kenya for a married woman to come on the trip next year and to share with them. Please pray about coming on a trip to Kenya in the future!

www.themissionsite.com | friend on Facebook | forward to a friend Mailing address for DONATIONS: The Foreign Mission 1601 NW 4th Avenue Battle Ground, Washington98604 Add us to your address book Mailing address for CORRESPONDENCE: The Foreign Mission of the ALC 63 Poor Farm Road New Ipswich, NH 03071 Copyright © 2012 The Foreign Mission, All rights reserved.

Faith with Works (by Terri)

On this trip to Kenya, I was introduced to a man whose faith was demonstrated in action. Pastor Timothy (pictured below with his wife, Florence) is one of the head pastors the ALC foreign mission is working with in Kenya. He shared with us that he had been challenged to deny his faith in Jesus Christ or else be shot. He refused to deny Christ. He was shot in the arm; the scars remain as evidence. This action in and of itself spoke volumes of the depth of Faith this man has. This Faith was further demonstrated when he was again confronted with this man and chose to forgive him. This forgiveness was not only in word, but he also chose not to press charges when it was brought before the court. 

When I hear stories like this, I wonder how I would respond.  I always conclude that it would only be by and through the power of the Holy Spirit within that I could possibly stand against such persecution. I wonder if the persecution we face today in North America is of a subtler form, drawing us into denying our faith in the seemingly small, inconsequential things. For example, perhaps,  striving and conniving with everyone else to ‘get ahead’ in life, is in essence denying the truth of who our Provider really is, and demonstrating a Faith with no actions. It is a sobering thought and one that brings me to that beautiful position on my knees before the feet of Jesus as with the man in Mark 9:24 – “I believe; help thou mine unbelief.”

Pastor Timothy shared his heart for his partnership with the mission, stating “deny us everything, but don’t deny us your prayers, with those we can move mountains. When you come, bring us the word of God."

Let us continue to lift one another up in prayer, encouraging one another in word such that our works would be reflections of the faith within and nothing less. 

 

Pastor Timothy with his family. 

Kenya cont.

There are three main area we visit in Kenya. The third area is under the direction of Pastor Fredrick. Here are some updates from his area taken from Dennis Hilman's facebook posts!

Terri Hilman greeting the children in front of the church when we arrived in Ichuni. And oh how they love to be noticed and greeted! The head pastor in this area is Pastor Frederik. He and many other pastors in Kenya are intent on bringing blessings upon their congregations through the grace of God and and organization called the Apostolic Lutheran Mission of Kenya. 

"LET NO MAN DESPISE THY YOUTH!" Just give me a green pasture in a lovely natural setting with 50 attentive young people and my joy is complete. This photo is taken by Julie Matson earlier in the day while the sun was still shining. These youth responded to the teaching from 1 Timothy 4:12 with many questions. This is one of the various seminar teachings conducted by different members of our team for different groups - pastors, women, children and youth - during our 3-day stay in Ichuni.

MARKET FIELD CRUSADE. The big event on both afternoons in this area was a revival service on a grassy slope which is also the market square in the neighboring village of Nyakembene. The first day when I spoke the afternoon rain threatened ominously but somehow passed with only a few drops.

"AND HE COMMANDED THEM TO SIT DOWN ON THE GREEN GRASS". That's the way Jesus fed the multitude and that's the way we did it on the market field in Nyakembene. As I began to speak the first day there were more than 200 people and we fed them with the Bread of Life and gave them the Living Water to drink. 

The second afternoon the rain came in force right in the middle of everything. Here it is raining hard and the attendants are trying to rescue the speakers, keyboard and other sensitive equipment. Photo Julie Matson.

UNDER COVER. Most of us headed for cover that afternoon under the porch overhangs of the shops and homes around the field. We spent our time singing spiritual songs together with the Kenyans when we could find melodies that we all knew. Later the rain passed and these hardy people just went right back out onto the field where Leona Matson engaged what must have been a 100 children in a rousing Bible story before John Ruotsala spoke - to a crowd that was even bigger than the day before. Photo Julie Matson.

 25 BAPTISMS IN ICHUNI, KENYA ON SUNDAY!! The people in this village have a great hungering and thirsting after the Word. Three days of seminars and services here brought many to the throne of grace and baptism. In a muddy pond outside I baptized 14 adults, youth and older children in accordance with their usual custom. An hour or so later I baptized 11 infants in the church in the way that we are accustomed to - reminding everyone that it is not the amount of water that is decisive but the water together with the Word in both instances. The church was so packed when John Ruotsala spoke after the baptisms that people were trying to push in through the jammed doors.

Kenya by Julie!

 Our team of John Ruotsala, Dennis Hilman, Leona Matson, Terri Hilman, and Julie Matson has been in Kenya for several weeks now. It has been an a very busy time--often in areas with no electricity so it's been harder to keep this blog updated. Here, however, is an update focusing on one of the areas we visited written by Julie Matson.

 

Morning in the village is a special time. Our team spent two nights/ three days at Pastor Charles’ home in a remote village in the bush: no electricity or plumbing just friendly people who opened their mud hut homes for us to stay. It’s wonderful to stay there, a way to truly experience the way the locals live. Their love for the Lord shines in the way that they love each other and us. 

 

Leona, Terri, and I have spent many days teaching the children and youth. We’ve taught stories of the Bible and of Christ’s Love for each of us. We have created many things out of paper, shared stories, sang songs, played games, and loved the children. Our teachings have been in tiny little huts packed with children, out on the lawn, and, as you see here, sometimes among the cows and the corn. They’ve been special times indeed.

 

The women here in Kenya work so hard day and night, bringing water from the springs, cooking meals in smoke-filled huts, serving others, caring for the children, etc. They are such servants and have blessed us so much.

Many of the children that we worked with in Pastor Charles area are orphans. Pastor Charles and Mary have 34 orphans who live in their home. Here this little boy is coloring a “coat of many colors” after hearing the story of Joseph.

 

Kenya is a beautiful country!

We are nearing the end of our trip now, but still have several days to go. During these last days we will be ordaining several pastors. Please continue to keep us in your prayers!

Awakening Revival!

Greetings from Kenya! Wow! We've been here less than a week and it's been a pedal-to-the-metal journey so far! Here is a rundown of what we've been up to, taken from Dennis Hilman's Facebook page, which he tries to update each day:

SERVING IN THE SLUMS  Here John Ruotsala is speaking with a very animated translator in a small shack church in the second biggest slum in all of Nairobi. The slums in this city are the biggest in the world and this one was a sea of people and mud. The text from Luke 18, however, about Jesus healing the blind beggar brought our Lord and Saviour right into the middle of this very difficult situation. Leona Matson, Julie Matson and Terri Ann Hilman are also now here.

HIGH LEVEL TEAM KENYA! From left to right Julie Matson, Terri Ann Hilman, Leona Matson, yours truy and John Ruotsala. administrator of the ALCA Foreign Mission. We were on our way from Nairobi to three days of conference and revival services with about 250 people in the western city of Hitali near the Uganda border.

REMEMBERING THEIR CREATOR IN THE DAYS OF THEIR YOUTH! Young people on their knees before the altar praying for forgiveness and blessing. They came in throngs after the morning service today on the second day or our four-day revival services in Kitali. Hundreds of people are attending. We begin and end each day with everyone present for messages from the Word by either John or me. For the midday sessions we divide up into different groups - Like John and I with the pastors and the women, youth and children with Leona, Terri Ann and Julie in different combinations.. What a living and spiritually hungry group of pastors John and I met today. This has become quite an experience!!

A TOUCHING EXPERIENCE! Today we have had wonderful experiences here at Kitale - around the Word in general sessions, delving deeply into spiritual truths with different groups such as pastors, women, youth and children - led by different members of our team at different times. For instance I spent 2 hours with the pastors and then well over an hour with about 150 young people fielding the most diverse and deep questions. Then came the last question, "How do you manage your hair?" To help them understand what my soft hair is really like I let as many touch it who wanted to. Many of them did, amazed at its fine texture - so different from theirs. In this picture Julie Matson had the same personal request from the children she was working with. It just shows how much they love us and trust us already! We feel so blessed.

 

FRONT LINE SUPPORT! When any contingent of soldiers is sent to the front lines, some of the most valuable and necessary people involved are the support personnel. Here we find Terri Ann Hilman on the speakers platform in the Kirali Church this morning She is "doing her thing" -praying with her pen - recording her thoughts and prayers for the service and especially for those of us who were to speak. It is quite an expereince at any time to know that you are being prayed for as you speak but it has an even greater impact when someone sitting behind you is writing down those prayers the whole time - and like any modern prayer warrior checking Bible texts on her cell phone.

 

 

A VISION FOR MISSION! John Ruotsala is a man of many talents. He can move just as comfortably from his desk in New Hampshire as administrator of the ALCA Foreign Mission to the muddy streets of a village in Kenya, India or the Philippines. Just as easily from preaching about the love of Christ from behind the pulpit to walking with compassion and understanding beside those suffering in a foreign slum . Here he stands at the door of the church in Kitali, Kenya, where we have just completed four unforgettable days of revival services. What is John thinking at that open door?

 

 

Update from Russia

Through the train window beside me a landscape of rolling, snow covered hills, fields and villages lit by a setting sun, slides gently by.  Brother Brian Niemitalo, Misha Ustjuzhanin and I boarded our train in the 1000 year old city of Kazan and are on our way to Russian Republic of Udmurtia.  We have just shared a meal of bread, cheese, tea and prayer and now all of us are sitting apart quietly lost in our own thoughts.  Brain is across the train isle from me writing in his journal, stopping, pen in hand, now and again to peer reflectively out his window.  Misha, our long time friend and translator also watches out the same window lost somewhere in his own thoughts.  As for me, I am going to take this rare opportunity to begin writing an update for the mission blog. 

 

My last update was written from Rzhev, a city located a few hours southwest of Moscow.  Since that update Brian and I have spent time in Cheboksary, the capital city of the Chuvash Republic and Yoshkar Ola, the capital city of the Mari El Republic.

 

Much of our time in Cheboksary was taken up in the university where we continue, year to year, with the help of Christian teachers in the university, to meet with English students to share our language and faith.  During our time in Cheboksary we also had a large public meeting which I had previously arranged and planned together with university teacher, Victor Ivanov and professional musician and song writer, Evgeny Panteleev.   The meeting was held in Victor's church with the help of his pastor, Nickoli, and some members of his congregation and was open to all, but was specifically designed for the university students to allow us an after class venue in which we could focus exclusively on the gospel.  At this meeting I took my text from Isaiah 53 and beginning there attempted to reveal, as simply and clearly as I could, Christ Jesus through creation to His blood soaked cross and triumphant Resurrection.   Brian spoke after me from Mark 1:14-15 and John 15:1-11. 

 

For the 30 or so people at the meeting, "The Raw Gospel", as Christian musician Evgeny Panteleev, put it afterwards, was spoken.  It truly is rewarding to see the Lord working in the hearts of the students.  I, along with Brian Niemitalo, Shane Juuti and the other local Christian teachers have been patiently sowing seeds in the university for some time and are beginning now to see see the very positive fruit of the Spirit in their hearts.  One young man, for instance, named, Artoym, wrote me after one of our university class meetings saying: "Thank you Gregory! I'm very glad I was fortunate to see you again.  And this time I understood everything you told us! Also you have inspired me to know more about God.  You've given me a great feeling of happiness and peace! Thank you very much! Hope to see you again!"

 

We spent four very fruitful days in Cheboksary (I have really only touched on all the things we did) then moved on to Yoshkar Ola.  We only had a day and a half in Yoshkar Ola, so our host, Pastor Alexander Mityakov, made sure to use every moment to full capacity.  We arrived early to Yoshkar Ola by bus from Cheboksary and Alexander picked us up in his little car.  He informed us that he had arranged a meeting for us with a group of psychologists near the bus station and within ten minutes of our arrival Brian and I found ourselves sharing tea and the gospel with four professional psychologists in their small city centre office.  It was wonderful to see their hungry eyes as we spoke.  The director, who spoke English and translated for us as we shared, grew very excited when Brian told him how we are not saved through works, but through faith alone in Christ Jesus.  With a big smile and suddenly bright eyes the director exclaimed "I have never heard it spoken of like this before!"  The meeting was tempered, though, by a young man who arrived a bit later.  He was not Russian, but a Belgium exchange student working with the psychologists who didn't believe at all in God or in a need for God.  He was a very intelligent young man and debated with us patiently, but we hope that our Lord's Spirit, who is most patient of all, might have touched his heart with the biblical answers with which we countered his questions and opinions.

 

After the hour long visit with the psychologists  Alexander drove us directly to the college where English teacher,  Ellina Panteleevna, and many of her students were expectantly awaiting us.  I had met with Ellina and her class once the year before and they have been excitedly waiting for my return.  We talked with the class and shared our language, culture and faith, but I was careful yet about going too deeply into faith subjects as I didn't feel it was quite the time.  It is a sensitive matter to be preaching in the classroom and I felt Ellina still uncomfortable with the subject, so in this way we try to patiently watch and wait for the right times to share the gospel.  One of the things we always do is leave our contact information.  I have many, many Russian friends on the Russian version of facebook which allows any students, teachers or others to keep in contact with me if they wish.  Some of the veterinarian students from this college, for instance, had keep in contact with me over the year and even helped the teacher to set up our return visit to the college.  These students are usually very open to faith matters.  Before we left from Yoshkar Ola some of the veterinarian students even saw us off at the bus stop where we fellowshipped and prayed together with them before our departure.

 

After the meeting with Ellina and her students Alexander drove us to another school in his village which he and his wife, Anna, have been praying to minister in.  It seems the Lord heard their prayers and now we too have been able to meet and make friends in this school and even have been invited to schools in other districts as it happened that there was teacher seminar taking place during our visit and so we also spent time getting to know teachers from other Mari districts.  From that meeting we went to the village church and visited with a village family, then later had a bible study at the church.  Directly after the bible study Alexander took us back into the city where he had arranged for us to meet a Muslim friend of his and also a young woman who is a Rhythmologist.  (I had met with this Rhythmologist and her group last year as well). At this meeting we had Christians, a Muslim, a Rhythmologist sharing a meal and all debating and discussing our various versions of truth.  Of course we know there is only one truth and that is Jesus Christ, so as bizarre as this meeting may have seemed, still we felt the leading and guiding of God's presence   I am sure this will not be our last meeting together with these dear souls He is calling to.   By the time we got home and finished our prayers before bed that day it was after 2am.. such is a typical day for us in the Russian mission field...

 

Since I began this update on the train many days have passed.  Unfortunately I ran out of time on the train and didn't get this update finished, let alone sent out.  We have, since I began this update, visited Udmurtia, Birsk (In the Republic of Bashkortostan)  and are now in Ekaterinburg.  Brain and I went to sleep late again last night after a visit with a young man and his father who Brian has been ministering to here.  We have slept in this morning.  It has been our first full night's sleep in many a day, but now we must be up and out.. I will take this update with me and if God allows, will find an Internet cafe someplace to send it...

 

I don't know if I will have time to write another update before we leave for home, but there are many more wonderful stories to tell.. If I have to I will write and send another update from home.. 

 

God bless you and thank you all for your prayers,

 

Gregory and Brian in Russia, 

Guatemala update!

Ashley VanDyke lives in Guatemala and serves in our churches there. She works a lot with the children, youth, and women. Here is an update about what she's being doing in the last few months.(Click on the image to view it better.)

Update from Brian and Greg in Russia

It is early morning here in Rzhev, Russia; a city located a few hours south-west of Moscow. Brother Brian Niemitalo and I have been traveling for ten days now. We began our trip in beautiful Crimea, which is eastern Ukraine; in Simferopol, near the Black Sea. The weather there had been deliciously warm and sunny. In Simferopol we stayed in the apartment of a family Brian had met in Russia on his last trip. We spent our time visiting the two young sons of this family, Igor and Oleg, and some of their friends, Ivan and Evegenia, who took it upon themselves to show us around their beautiful area. In the evenings we and the boys held Bible studies in the apartment and listened and answered questions.

From Simferopol we headed back to Moscow and then made our way to Shekino. Brian and I were invited to stay in the home of very dear Christian friends, Lyubov and Anna Kuzmakova, a believing mother an daughter whom we have known since our first visits to this area in 2001. Over the years Anna has mastered the English language and has been helping us with our mission work in Western Russia for some years now, translating and serving along side us whenever she can. Anna, a childhood Christian, remembers the first time she met us in 2001. She had been part of a group of children we had given bible lessons too at the hotel we were staying at. We were the first Americans she had ever met. She related how she had run home after that meeting and excitedly exclaimed to her mother that "Mom! Even the Americans know Jesus!"

In Schekino we spent an evening of precious fellowship with Pastor Vitaly and members of his Lutheran Church which we have been supporting for many years now. The theme of our meeting that evening was how the Lord has been changing us. The Pastor himself, for instance, was at the very first meeting I ever attended in his area about eleven years ago. I remember how he pointed out at that first meeting, not without some passion, how "We Orthodox do not need you Lutherans here!" I smile and rejoice to think how God shortly after came into his heart in a big way and how for some years now he has been the pastor of the Lutheran church that was established during that time. So we were able to look at each other and at our own hearts as well and see how we have all matured over the years, because of Christ's grace and love, and how we have come to realize more and more our eternal need of Jesus.

We were also able to meet with believers and non-believers outside the church during our time in Schekino area. I hesitate to write "non-believers" when I speak of Russians, because Russia is a country where many, if not most of the people we encounter, believe in God. Unfortunately this believe is mostly cultural and has little depth other than an acknowledgement of God and the Orthodox church. Still, this belief, however deep, is recognized by our creator and we find it often blesses in that the hearers are truly willing to listen and share in what we have to bring them concerning our Lord's gospel message.

One example of this is Zhenya, a good friend and colleague of Anna Kuzmakova. She has always believed in God, but recently Anna has noted a change in her heart and a deeper desire to know God. After Anna told us about this, Brian began to pray for Zhenya during our evening prayers. I felt, as Brian prayed for this person he had never met before, that somehow the Lord was going to arrange for us to meet with her, something I had been trying to do for some years already but without success because of limited time and schedules, etc. When we arrived to Schekino Anna telephoned Zhenya and sure enough she was able to find time during her lunch hour break from the college where she teaches to come meet with us.

Our meeting was blessed from the beginning when we took each other's hands around the resaurant table and prayed. We shared our hearts with Zhenya and she shared hers with us. We talked about Jesus and what He has done for us how repentance and faith are necessary for us to know Him. Before we left the restaurant we prayed again and then walked Zhenya back to her college. After warm embraces Zhenya looked at us and said with deep sincerity that "I am so glad you are in my life now!" and I replied, with equal sincerity that "Yes, we are in your life."

This is how it goes in Russia. Much of our ministry is one on one or in small groups, as it was with Zheny or with the boys in Simferopol. These meetings are often inspiring and we recognize God's leading and Spirit in them, but at the same time we realize that we need to be patient. One of the things we have to learn as we meet with these precious souls, sometimes for years before we see richer fruit, is that we need to be lovingly patient, diligent and consistent in our prayers and ministry for them, asking God's love and grace both for them and for us as we seek to know and share in His precious salvation message.

Now, as I wrote when I opened this letter, we are in Rzhev. We arrived last night and had dinner with Pastor Valery and his family. Now we are sitting in a wifi cafe and hopefully I will find time to post this article along with some photos before we go to meet with the Baptist Pastor, Misha, whom Brian first met in 2003 with Cal Niemela and Bruce Selin.

It has been a relatively warm November here in Russia, though I saw this morning, as I look out the church window that the puddles had frozen over.. I don't know what the Lord has in store for us next as we serve here, we are only a third of the way through our journey, but I am expecting, as always, His of love and grace upon us.

Please keep us in prayer,

Your brother in Jesus,

Gregory

 Brain and Anna with the boys, Ivan and Oleg in Simferopol.

 

 Greg and Anna with Zhenya

 Anna and Zhenya

Brian with a young man he met on the street.  His name was Timur.  Brian asked him to help us with directions to the post office.  Timur delivered us personally to the post office himself!  We left him our names and hopefully we will connect with him again. 

 

 Anna and Greg.. "Going to the Bank!"

November Foreign Mission Monthly News

Endeavoring to obey the Word of our Lord...Go ye into all the lands and preach the Gospel to every creature.

Serving in Togo "Thank you for coming to Togo and please come for longer next year! We appreciate what you have given us and we want to give back to you. Now we will take a collection for your ministry." The collection was subsiquently taken and though it wasn't much, it was offered with much love! We've worked in Togo for several years. Togo is in Western Africa. The national language is French, but English is spoken by some. Everyone also speaks one of the local African languages.The Togolese people are warm and welcoming. They live in a beautiful, albeit poor, country. And they are asking for people to partner with them in spreading the Gospel of Christ! Is God calling you to Togo? If so, contact the FM Administrator about a trip in February 2013. The trip will consist of children's ministry, pastors' training, village ministry and more. To learn more about our work in Togo, visit the website by clicking here. Pastors from small villages throughout the state of Andra Pradesh in India. A severe cyclone hit this area last week causing extensive damage to many of their villages. (see Word from the field) Word from the field: Dear Sirs, We have had terrible natural disaster for the last couple of days. Rain and winds started on 31st of October through 4th November... downpour of rains without any gap almost reminded of Noah's days... brought lot of damage on poor houses of believers and others in several hundreds of villages in our State... the harvest came to but the whole thing is washed in rains... last Sunday some places could not have worship services... there was an average of 190 cms rain... the elders said that they have not seen before, very fearful situation, we do not know how the restoration will be taking place... please pray for and let people know about this disaster and hoping some will come forward with a special donation for the welfare of the affected people so that we can extend some help... please pray for us. Still some rain is continuing as the cyclone is not fully calm down. Pastor K (India) Support options  Email or click on the Donate link above for regular support options. Special projects Only funded with earmarked funds > medical bills for Pastor Giovanni's son in Guatemala any amount > medical bills for Pastor Sylvestor in Kenya any amount > disaster relief fund for India (see Word from the Field) any amount *Pictures and other feedback supplied, if desired. Verse of the month "Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest is truly plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest." Matthew 9:37-38 kids from Togo November News > Please pray for the believers in India who have just endured a terrible cyclone (see Word from the Field above). > Board members Greg Greve and Brian Niemitalo are currently on a month-long trip to Russia. Updates can be read on the blog here. > Missionary Dennis Hilman and Pastor Raymond Hilman are serving in the Philippines. Updates can be read on the blog here. > There will be a trip to Kenya leaving shortly after Thanksgiving. > Convention services were held in Zacapa, Guatemala at the end of October. Pictures can be seen on the blog or on facebook.

www.themissionsite.com | friend on Facebook | forward to a friend  Mailing address for DONATIONS: The Foreign Mission 1601 NW 4th Avenue Battle Ground, Washington 98604 Add us to your address book Mailing address for CORRESPONDENCE: The Foreign Mission of the ALC 63 Poor Farm Road New Ipswich, NH 03071 Copyright © 2012 The Foreign Mission, All rights reserved.

O, SING UNTO THE LORD A NEW SONG!!

Pastors Dennis Hilman and Raymond Hilman are currently serving in the Philippines. Here is an update from Dennis sent on Sunday:

This morning Raymond and I spoke at separate churches. I was asked to serve in Igpit, by the sea, where Bernie and Daisy Senonis live. Here before the service I invited those members of the congregation who were already present to join me in praising God at the shore of the Bohol Sea (an extension of the South China Sea), just a few yards away from the church. For our mediation, when the service proper began in the church, I spoke on Psalm 96. It is a wonderful ode of praise to God for His salvation, strength and steadfastness.

 During the service this morning this bright little boy came and sat beside me with his Bible.

 Then the children sang. Little Giveth Lynn Senonis is standing beside the "Bible boy". She is doing quite well these days but still needs regular chemo treatments and bone marrow transplants for her leukemia.

 When I sat down after the sermon the "Bible boy" immediately slipped his hand into mine and gave it a big squeeze. What more encouragement does one need?!

 After the service we prayed for all of the members of the congregation by family - and they prayed for me. These are some of the faithful mothers and grandmothers who faithfully bring their families to church. Wherever would we be without women in the churches around the globe?!!