May FM Monthly News

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 MAY 2019 Guatemala  In late April, the confirmation class of the Ashburnham ALC, together with their parents and the Foreign Mission Administrator and his wife Colleen, went to Guatemala. In addition to the normal preaching, teaching, and visiting, this group performed work projects.  They poured concrete for one day at the Little Lambs Children's home, and they built 2 complete houses for poor village families. They donated (thanks to so many contributors),  all the materials for the houses, as well as lots of baby clothes and other items that were distributed in homes and in the hospital in Zacapa.  It was such a blessed time to be with the people of Guatemala, and to be together as one church family!  Completed house above and hospital visit below This mother of 7 children, Marina,  had never been to church. One day several years ago, we were conducting a dental clinic in her village in Guatemala.   Someone invited her to come to get her teeth fixed at the free clinic.    She came and stayed for the church service.  Since that day, she has faithfully attended our church!  God works in the ways He sees fit, and for that we are thankful!  Easter Around the World  "He is not here: for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay." Matthew 28:6  Here are some photos of the Easter services in various churches around the world. These are just a few of the many congregations that we are in fellowship with, and often visit. How amazing it is that though we speak different languages,  we unite in the one and only spiritual language!  Jesus Christ and Him Crucified!                                   JESUS IS LORD! HE IS RISEN! Pics from Kenya, India, South Africa, Togo, and Guatemala 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.)  P. Bahnu Bahnu is a young man who we met at the ALC children's home in India. He is now 19 and is a mechanic. He lives about 1 hour from the church, but comes as often as possible (about once a month.) He was baptized while the team was there in February. His heart for service is very present in all he does, and he was very helpful at the medical clinics .  Some years back, he was in very much pain from arthritis.  He was prayed for by several team members.   We pray that the pain stays away, and he is able to continue into his manhood in good health.  It was so good to feel his love, and see his smile! What a change God has worked in him!  All thanks and praise to God!   News From the Field   India    Dear most respected Pastor John in Christ, God's Peace, Greetings to you Pastor in the might name of God. Pastor, we are praying for you and for the Foreign Mission Board. We hope that you are doing well by the Grace of God. Pastor, we are doing well by the Grace of God and by all your prayers. Thanking you so much for all your prayers and prayers from the Foreign Mission Board. We thanking you so much and the Foreign Mission Board for all your great and Kind support extended to our Ministry to equip, reach and touch every one with Good news of Jesus Christ. We are able to reach many thousands of souls each month with your prayers and great support. Pastors, Churches are thanking you for all your Passion for the Lord . May God continue to bless you Pastor.  Kindly give our greetings to the Board members of the Foreign Mission Board. May God bless you Pastor, Dr.Syam Kumar. The children at the ALC Children’s Home in India are called upon to help fold gospel tracts, and inserting contact info into Bibles which were distributed on April 4th, during the Gospel propagation event they held.  We pray that event went well and many people are now currently reading the information given.   We are so thankful for those that contribute to the Bible Fund which makes this possible! Pastor K gives his thanks!  (Pics of event below!)         Did You Know?            CHRISTIAN PERSECUTION BY THE NUMBERS Credit: OpenDoors The 2019 World Watch List report is based on comprehensive and investigative research of 150 countries where Christians are persecuted for their faith. Each year, our research reveals telling numbers and statistics that give us a glimpse at the depth, prevalence and widespread reach of the persecution believers endure. Below, we share a quick glance at the numbers during the 2019 reporting period (from Oct. 31, 2017, to November 1, 2018). But by no means do the numbers tell the full story. Each fact and figure represent real people with real lives, families, jobs, churches—fathers, mothers, husbands, wives, sons, daughters—who every day make the dangerous choice to believe in and trust Jesus. 245 Million: In the top 50 World Watch List countries alone, 245 million Christians in the world experience high levels of persecution for their choice to follow Christ. 1 in 9: Christians worldwide experience high levels of persecution 14%: The rise in the number of Christians in the top 50 countries on the 2019 World Watch List (WWL) who experience high levels of persecution. (from the 2018 reporting period to 2019’s) 4,136: Christians killed for faith-related reasons in the top 50 WWL countries. 2,625: Christians detained without trial, arrested, sentenced and imprisoned in the top 50 WWL countries. 1,266: churches or Christian buildings attacked in the top 50 WWL countries. 7 out of 9: In seven of the countries in the World Watch List’s top 10, the primary cause of persecution is Islamic oppression. 11: countries scoring in the “extreme” level for their persecution of Christians. Five years ago, North Korea was the only one. 18: Consecutive years North Korea has ranked No. 1 as the world’s most dangerous place for Christians. EVERY MONTH 105: churches attacked, burned or vandalized each month, in the top 50 WWL countries EVERY DAY 11: Christians killed every day for their faith, in the top 50 WWL countries. BY THE CONTINENT 1 out of 6: Christians in Africa that experience high levels of persecution. 1 out of 3: Christians in Asia that experience high levels of persecution. 1 out of 21: Christians in South America who experience high levels of persecution. Let us continue to pray for our brothers and sisters around the world!     Other Highlights or Events  > Last week in Guatemala, we visited the home of this 20 year old girl, Jennifer. She touched our hearts. She has epilepsy, diabetes, is totally deaf, and is mute. She often has 3 seizures per day if she does not have her meds. Her mother, Luz, cannot afford the medication which is $75 per month including the insulin. Jennifer is amazing! Even when she is very sick, she wants to go to church and indicates with her hands in prayer formation that she must attend the church. In her village, many cannot read or write, and many only eat one meal a day due to lack of funds. Still, despite all of this, Jennifer is just so joyful and precious! Since posting this on Facebook, a Christian family has come forth to meet this need!  We are so Thankful.  >  We were able to help this month with funds from the Bible Fund for Bibles in  Guatemala, Africa, and Pakistan. >  The ALC of Guatemala holds it's annual convention in early June. Pray that they would have a blessed time as the three congregations come together for services.  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 that are happening in the coming months!   Philippines: Late May (to late to join) Guatemala June 2019 for the convention Kenya: Fall 2019 Praying for God to send laborers for other trips in the near future, if it be His Will that we go.  Stay tuned for further announcements in this section each month! CLICK HERE  F O L L O W on F A C E B O O K Website Email News Blog  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:   Poor Family Fund:  Help in those situations where a family is not able to educate, feed, or otherwise support their children due to death, injury, sickness, or poverty.  Each situation is monitored closely. The Bible Fund; We get many requests for Bibles. It is such a blessing to give the WORD of LIFE! Click here to donate. Praise & Prayer and Upcoming events section:  >  Pray for Pastor Frank Famiyeh and his wife Florence as they prepare to come to the USA this month to serve in Ashburnham. Services are May 17-19th in Ashburnham, in New Ipswich on Sunday evening the 19th.  Worcester the following weekend, and in Toronto after that.   May God bless all the services! >   Please be in Prayer for the Mission trip to the Philippines that is going later this month! There will about 7 people on the trip.  Look for news on that trip next month in this publication and in the WHL newsletter. >   A new fiscal year began May 1st for your Foreign Mission.  Pray that God will continue to work in the hearts of His children to support the work in His Kingdom around the world.  We know beyond any doubt, that all the work the Lord wants to us for in His Kingdom will get done!  He will provide the wisdom, resources, and people, as well as the health, strength, and ability to do it!   We leave all in God's hands! > Kingston, MN ALC is hosting the Annual Convention in St. Cloud, MN on June 27th-30th. All are invited to attend. Please be in prayer for this upcoming time of services. We look forward to seeing you!             May God Bless Your Month!  Mailing address for DONATIONS: The Foreign Mission of the ALC 1601 NW 4th Avenue Battle Ground, WA 98604 Mailing address for CORRESPONDENCE: The Foreign Mission of the ALC 63 Poor Farm Road New Ipswich, NH 03071