October FM Monthly News

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Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature...Mark 16:15 View this email in your browser THE FOREIGN MISSION MONTHLY NEWS UPDATE FOR OCTOBER 2018 The Annual Foreign Mission Meeting.  Thank you to the High Point, NC ALC for hosting us.  Meetings were held on the 21st and 22nd of September. Some highlights included: *Prayer time for the mission both current and future. * Review of the countries we minister in, discussing priorities therein. * Review of all the various funds and financial issues. * Trip planning for the year ahead. It was again determined that we may go to any of the countries we currently work in, but only if we have sufficient Pastoral personal to be able to do teaching and preaching according to the scriptures. *  As always, we extend an invitation for non pastors to join us both on trips, in prayer, and in stateside work as needed. Services were held in conjunction with the meetings in the High Point ALC. FYI: Here are your current FM Board Members.  Bob Maki, Ansten Tretten, Brian Niemitalo, Gregory Greve, Jacob Seppanen, Scott Niemitalo, Carl Aho, Raymond Hilman, Ryan Kandoll.    Above all, we desire your prayers, and are always willing to receive questions and input! Please feel free to initiate contact by emailing foreignmission@comcast.net  or by talking with any of the board members listed above.  God is Good! One of the things discussed at the FM meeting was to continue to use Pastor Frank Famiyeh to do mission work for us in both in the far reaching places in his country of Ghana, as well as in the neighboring countries. Pastor Frank is pictured here in Togo (with his wife) where they served in September. Trips to other African countries are planned for Frank in the next few months!   MEET A FRIEND  (Through this section in each Monthly News, we hope you can feel better connected to some of your brothers and sisters in Christ throughout the world.)  Elisha    This dear friend was taken into the home of Pastor K in India as a child.  Although he was old enough to talk, he could not speak. He is a very special person, who has special needs, as well as very special talents.  Pastor K and Ruth have taken care of him now for over 30 years.   Elisha has flourished in that loving environment!  He can now talk, he sings, and he is able to do so many tasks!  He opens the gate whenever someone arrives. He brightens everyones day, while he continually goes about doing innumerable small tasks that need doing! He has a terrific memory, and he informs the Pastor of all the happenings around home while the Pastor is away. Special people like Elisha are so precious to our Lord, and are so much of part of the church and family of God!  We love them all! Each country we work in, including our own country, has these special children of God.  We are so thankful that God provides loving parents and others to care for such dear ones. Your love and dedication is noticed, and you are a great example to those of us that do not have such special people in our families.  We know that this love comes from Jesus, as He is perfect Love!   News From the Field   Togo   For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. Matthew 18:20 Whether in a large American church, or this lovely thatched roof church in Togo, The Lord says HE is in the midst.  It is not the size, nor the condition of the building that matters, but rather the presence of the Lord!             India Despite many obstacles to the gospel, Christians we work with in India are going about the villages preaching the Gospel and handing out tracts! PERSECUTION AT A GLANCE This info is courtesy of OPEN DOORS  Christians remain one of the most persecuted religious groups in the world. While Christian persecution takes many forms, it is defined as any hostility experienced as a result of identification with Christ. Christians throughout the world continue to risk imprisonment, loss of home and assets, torture, beheadings, rape and even death as a result of their faith. Trends show that countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East are intensifying persecution against Christians, and perhaps the most vulnerable are Christian Women, who often face double persecution for faith and gender. Every day we receive new reports of Christians who face threats, unjust imprisonment, harassment, beatings and even loss of family because of their faith in Jesus. Every month:  255 Christians are killed 104 are abducted 180 Christian women are raped, sexually harassed or forced into marriage 66 churches are attacked 160 Christians are detained without trial and imprisoned Every year, we release the World Watch List—a global indicator of countries where human and religious rights are being violated, and those countries most vulnerable to societal unrest and destabilization. This is the 26thyear of the Open Doors World Watch List, and it remains the only annual in-depth survey to rank the 50 most difficult countries in which to be a Christian. According to our research: 215 million Christians experience high levels of persecution in the countries on the World Watch List. This represents 1 in 12 Christians worldwide. North Korea is ranked #1 for the 17th consecutive year as the most dangerous country for Christians. During the World Watch List 2018 reporting period: 3,066 Christians were killed; 1,252 were abducted; 1,020 were raped or sexually harassed; and 793 churches were attacked. Islamic Oppression fuels Christian persecution in 8 of the top 10 countries. TOP TEN COUNTRIES WHERE IT’S MOST DANGEROUS TO FOLLOW JESUS North Korea   Afghanistan   Somalia   Sudan   Pakistan   Eritrea   Libya   Iraq   Yemen  Iran   Please pray for Christians in these countries and around the worlds who are being persecuted. We know this is nothing new...      Other Highlights or Events >  Bibles were distributed in several countries this month from the Bible Fund. Want to donate to the bible fund? Click here >  We are thankful for the special donations for Bibles to Muslim countries.  Most of these Bibles are now distributed with the balance in the works! > World Wide Bible Studies are being held Bi-Weekly on Google Hangouts! > Pastors we work with in so many countries are faithfully carrying out there duties each week as the Lord permits! > All the church building funds we had from special donations has been distributed.  More funds are needed and we appreciate any funds given to help congregations get suitable gathering places.    The Foreign Mission fully understands that nothing can be accomplished except that God through His Holy Spirit would move His children to help in their individual capacity.  We certainly give all Honor, Praise, and Glory to God.  Items are put here only so you can see the various ways that you can help in the Lord's Vineyard, even if you cannot leave your home! Prayer is of top importance of course!  O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Psalm 107:1 Upcoming Trips                            Would you like to join us?    Trips this year that have availability for you to join!   Kenya: November 2018 Nigeria: December 2018  Cancelled by the Nigerian ALC due to violence brought on by an upcoming election. India: Jan/Feb 2019.   Providing pastors are found for teaching and preaching. (not enough currently committed.) South Africa: January 2019 Stay Tuned...other trips will be announced next month.   CLICK HERE  Support Options Email or click DONATE link below for regular support options.  Click Here to Donate Top 5 List Are you looking to donate for a specific most needed cause? Ask for the administrator top 5 list! Click Here to email Church building fund:  We have a small specially donated church completion fund set up.   So far several church roofs have been completed.  The FM believes it best for the local congregations to put their own prayers, sweat, and treasure into their own church so that each congregant takes personal interest in the church.   We do enjoy helping such congregations finish their building, hence the fund.  We have many current needs for church buildings! Emergency Medical Fund:  This fund is currently out of money.  It is so nice to have some funds available in the event a child or some other church member in our churches abroad is met with sickness or accident.  This fund has helped so many in the last several years.   We are so thankful to be able to occasionally help when the funds allow.  The Bible Fund; We get many requests for Bibles. It is such a blessing to give the WORD of LIFE! Click here to donate. F O L L O W on F A C E B O O K Website Email News Blog  Praise & Prayer section:  >  Pray for USA ALC Pastors to come forward willing to Preach and Teach abroad. >  Pray safe travels for the Kenya trip beginning November 3rd. Pray that the team will be able to work together to glorify God and bring His message to the people of Kenya. >  Pray for our Pastor, Leaders, families, and friends in all the congregations we work in around the world.  God is with them always.  We miss our friends during the months we are not together.             May God Bless Your Month!