Russia!

I’ve been home for a couple of days now and have only just found the time to write and send out a final update for our May/June 2010 trip to Russia. Dennis Hilman, Bruce Ruotsala and I were in Russia for a month. We were very busy each day and time passed all to quickly for my liking. My last update was sent out from Udmurtia, but after leaving that republic we also visited the brothers and sisters in the Tula and Tver regions of Russia.



One month is not nearly enough time to meet and fellowship with everyone we would like. It takes some significant timing and effort to coordinate so much into the very few days we have in each place. One of my sincere prayers for the future, and the prayers of many friends I am assured, is that the Lord would allow me more significant time to spend in Russia. There is yet a great need for the gospel to be heard in Russia, but also a great need to encourage, teach, and share the word with other living faith believers.


I’m not sure when next I will personally be back in Russia. The present economy in the USA is still reeking havoc with our Foreign Mission resources, which is something we each need to pray sincerely about and act on when called to. If everyone contributes just a little to the cause, the work will definitely go on.


For now, please know how very much I have appreciated your prayers and personal support for the gospel work we were doing this last month in Russia. May our Father’s love uplift and encourage each of us in our own daily, personal walk. We are not alone; we have Christ and we have each other.


Your brother and fellow labourer in our Lord’s gospel love,


Gregory


"Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth. I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours." John 4:34-38

From the Mission Field in Sri Lanka

It’s 5:00 AM and there are people everywhere! If I didn”t know better, I could almost think I was at the Mall of America on the day after Thanksgiving!!! And the loading zone is curb to wall people, luggage and vans, all unloading and loading more people. And HEAT! It sure isn’t the cold and snowy Minnesota that I woke up in this morning. But wait a minute. That was 2 days ago! That praise ‘We’re not in Kansas anymore’ takes on a whole new meaning.


Then I see it and it’s defiantly heading my way. White and broadly curved upward at the corner. The smile I had come to know in Massachusetts. It greets me with “Jesu Piti” (God’s Blessing), a hug and “welcome to Sri Lanka”.

That was the beginning of my first foreign mission trip. One filled with so many blessings for both Carl and me. Blessings 1 and 2 met us at the airport in Colombo. Pastor Lynton Sylva ( Mr. ‘Smile’) and his wife Iona. I didn’t know it at the time, but blessing #3 was just a van ride away. And what a ride it was.


I want you to picture something in your mind. A small town main street with one lane of traffic in both directions and some parallel parking. Now on this street there are cars, vans, pickups, delivery trucks, motor cycles, bicycles, 3 wheeled taxies, hand carts and buses that stop for anyone who puts their hand out. Oh yeh, I forgot something. Dogs, cats, chickens, mongoose, monkeys and COWS! Not the sacred ones. And remember all those people I saw at 5 in the morning, well they are fallowing me and meeting up with family, friends and strangers or just walking to work. Can’t forget the armed guards and check points along the way. And they drive on the wrong side of the road! It’s kind of like rush hour traffic in a zoo while running Grandma’s Marathon! This is in the capital city. The country roads are narrower and almost as much traffic. We got into the habit of saying a prayer for safe passage before leaving home and a prayer of thanks each time we made it safely back, especially when traveling up into the mountains. Thus, blessing #3.

It’s time to leave the big city and travel up into the central part of the country into the lower mountains to Badulla where Lynton and Iona live. The countryside was beautiful. The rainy season had just ended and everything was green and lush. The only thing to mar it’s beauty are all the Buddhist temples and statues and Hindu shrines. But I thank God that there are people like Lynton and his team that are bringing light into those dark places of idol worship. BLESSINGS BLESSINGS BLESSINGS BLESSINGS


It will take us all day to get there. The distance isn’t that great, the country is about the size of Rhode Island, but the roads are so bad the average speed is 20 MPH. Remember, the rush hour traffic in a zoo while running a marathon will be with us all the way. And a lot more COWS!

In Sri Lanka, it is against the law to build any new Christian churches. That’s why they are all houses were church is held. There are no marques or names written on the outside walls. Through the generosity of a man here in the States, Lynton was able to purchase a house and with help from others here, an addition was built onto the house and this addition became the church and Sunday school. The property has been deeded as ‘NO SALE’ meaning it can never be sold. It will always be a House Church, passing from one generation to the next. A BLESSING for all the Christians.

On the wall inside the church at Pastor Lynton’s is a poster representing the ministry in Sri Lanka. Currently there eight House Churches. Of these, six are Sinhalese and in mostly Buddhist areas and two are Tamil; one in a Buddhist area the other in Batticaloa in the tsunami Hindu area. SPECIAL NOTE: Just before we were to leave Sri Lanka, an outreach Church destroyed four years ago was being reestablished. Praise GOD!!!!!


Sunday services are always at Pastor Lynton’s home church even if he is traveling to other areas. There were about 150 people in attendance the Sunday we were there. Church starts at 10:30, but people start arriving around 8:00. Bus service you take when it’s available and for those walking, they want to do it in the coolest part of the day. Some of those arriving early that day brought vegetables, rice, tea or fruit as an offering or to share with those in need. Thanks were given for these gifts during the service. Each week a person or family is chosen to receive these BLESSED gifts.


They have six Sunday school classes, preschool thru New Life in Christ (40-45 children and young adults), a women’s prayer group and an adult study class. There are eight active couples in the ministerial team helping Lynton and Iona to share the gospel of Christ. Each couple has a job within the team; hospital ministry, seniors and elders, administrator, housekeeper and handyman, errand runner and bill payer, evangelists in remote villages, family counseling and accountant. These dedicated men and women leave their children with grandparents or other family members to travel to the seven other house churches or to homes for prayer services. Almost everyone in the congregation has some part in the running or maintenance of the church or the service.


During any church service or home service, anyone led by the Spirit to pray does. It might be a member of the team (male or female) or other person attending. At the close of all gatherings, people come forward with prayer requests. They have seen the power of prayer. When Lynton and Iona’s son Lewllyn was in the hospital with cancer and told there was nothing else that could be done, God heard the prayers of his people and he walked out of the hospital the next day cancer free! When George’s wife Rizmih, formerly a Muslim, was poisoned by her mother because she became a Christian, the congregation prayed over her and God took the poison from her body! Nateeka was going blind and received her sight. They truly live by faith believing if they ask in prayer, God will answer.

Every week on Sunday, house services for the fallowing week are posted. Locations, days and times are never the same two weeks in a row. This is done to protect the people. Don’t let anyone tell you Buddhist are a peace loving people. They rule the country and declared “emergency law” when the war ended. They can arrest you without charging you for 90 days.


Everyday we traveled to at least one House Church or had a prayer service. Going to and from these we would stop for home visits. One of these home visits was high up in the tea hills. The mother (a tea picker making $1.00 a day), her daughter and grandchild (husband kicked her out when she became a Christian) and another child (found by the mother after someone had thrown him away in the tea plants) live in a two room house with dirt floors. They carry water from a spring down the hill. The mother’s prayer was that her son-in-law would come to know the Lord and be reunited with the family.

Our trip to the tsunami area was two fold. We had a service on the sands in front of the house there that evening. After a night sleeping on the service sight sands, we went to the lagoon behind the house to celebrate a baptism! Little Nadeeka openly confessed her faith and was baptized. They do practice infant baptism but for older converts they wait until they complete counseling classes so they are aware of the persecution they will face. The classes don’t make them Christians, they already are.

There would be so many more blessed stories to relate about our trip, but let these be written so that you might know that our brothers and sisters in Sri Lanka walk by faith in The Lord Jesus Christ.

Lynton and Iona will be traveling in the States before the convention and will be at the Foreign Mission presentation on Saturday of the convention. If you have the opportunity to visit with him, do so.

Unforgettably Blessed, Carl & Carol Lamppa

Short Note From Russia!

Young brother Bruce Ruotsala and I stood quietly together under the star filled Udmurtian night sky just outside the doors of the remote village church where we and our group had been given places to sleep. What drew us out and held us there in the deepening darkness was the most exotic liturgy of bird song that I have ever heard. Often I am asked by Russians if the Canadian landscape is very much different than the Russian one. I answer that our landscapes are very similar and that sometimes it’s difficult to see any difference at all. I tell them that what really reminds me that I am in a foreign country is not the landscape, but the songs of the birds.



One of the myriad lessons that foreign mission work teaches us is that we are not exclusive, that God is much bigger than the personal boxes we tend to place him in. Too often missionaries have stepped into foreign lands with the idea of conforming culture rather than working in that culture to present the gospel in ways that the local inhabitants can empathize with and grow thereby. There is a very good reason Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 9 that “I have become all things to all people, so that by all means I may save some.”


Encapsulated in this vast landscape of Russia are many cultures, and though in this modern age of global communication the cultural differences between us are perhaps lessening, there is still great need to present the unchanging gospel in a way that each person and people may grasp.


I hope that each of you who are able will continue to remember brothers Dennis Hilman, Bruce Ruotsala and I as we travel here in Russia for two more weeks. Pray the Lord of the Harvest that He will grant us His Spirit of wisdom and love and that we would recognize always that we are in a foreign land and that the songs are different here, and that we need to continually be sensitive to them.


In His love always,


Gregory

From Russia

Young Bruce Ruotsala and I arrived safely to Moscow on the 16th. Since I was here last, Sheremetova Airport has opened some of the large additions they have been building and so I was a bit confused when we arrived, but we were able to orient ourselves and make our way to the Kasanski Train Station in downtown Moscow via bus, express train and subway. A few hours later we were both soundly asleep on the night train from Moscow to Cheboksary, the capital city of The Republic of Chuvashia.


In Cheboksary we fellowshipped with the small group of brothers and sisters that comprise the local Lutheran Church. Guided by Brother Konstantin Subbotin, Bruce and I also had the privilege of visiting the language section of the city’s main university and spent the day meeting with different groups of students and teachers sharing our lives and the gospel with them. Like most institutions of the kind, sharing of the gospel in this kind of environment is not necessarily permissible, but this is Russia, as one of the university teachers said to us, and so the rules are often fluid. Afterwards, we agreed together that the Lord had been with us and our visit to the university had been blessed. By His grace, we were able to encourage the few Christians we met in the groups, but also were able to plant seeds of life into many young hearts. During our visit to the university we were introduced to the Dean of the Language department and were subsequently invited the Dean’s home that evening for dinner, which we readily accepted, sensing the Lord’s hand in allowing this very important contact and key to future visits.

From Cheboksary Bruce and I bused to Yoshkar Ola in the neighboring Republic of Mari El. While there we stayed at the Lutheran Mission House, which was built with the love and help of Finnish Christians, and is a welcome haven for many. During our stay in Mari El, we fellowshipped and visited many of the local Christians, and worked with Deacon Sasha & Annya Mitukovu in a nearby village, visiting homes and holding a service in the Lutheran village church. We also visited and spoke with the psychologists and volunteer staff of the Yoshkar Ola Crisis Centre, something we have been doing for a number of years now, and to which I always look forward.

Now it is very early morning and Bruce and I are on a train heading for Ekaterinburg. Bruce, as well as everyone else around me in this open train car are sleeping, but outside our windows the sun is shining down on the villages and countryside streaming by, melting the thin layer of stubborn spring frost.. When I look out on the scintillating country side passing by, I can’t help to feel sad for so many in the world who do not recognize our Lord in this beautiful creation, but I realize too, that it is only by His grace that I myself can see it. May God work though us, as He has ordained, to open the eyes and hearts of those around us, not only to His presence, but to His great love, grace and eternal salvation.

God’s grace and peace to each of you,

Gregory

Matthew in Liberia

"I have a burden for mission work in Africa!" On January 22 a young man from Chassel, Michigan wrote to the Foreign Mission about his interest in the upcoming mission trip to West Africa. His statement was simple and convincing. A short eleven weeks later we met Matthew Niemela face to face at the airport in Accra, Ghana where we boarded a flight together with Pastor Frank Famiyeh of Ghana to Monrovia, Liberia. Matthew's trip preparations were at times hectic, he says, and even a bit hair-raising (he got his passport back with the necessary visas in it just a day before departure) but his solid determination to go to Africa on a mission trip never wavered.

Liberia's capital city of Monrovia, which had been devastated by civil war only a few years back, provided the first impressions of Africa for Matthew. These impressions took a deeper turn, I'm sure, the next day when we drove 12 hours across the country on a bumpy dusty mostly gravel road all the way to the eastern Liberian town of Zwedru - a town that had been completely wiped out by the war at that time.

We enjoyed the wonderful hospitality of our brothers and sisters in Zwedru for two days before we headed out to our final destination of Ziah Town on the Ivory Coast border. We travelled in a van intended for 15 and packed with 25 (four on the roof baggage rack) on a narrow jungle road that in many places did not appear passable at all. Actually it took us four and a half hours to cover those 55 km - but it didn't dampen the enthusiasm of the congregation members aboard who sang non-stop the whole way at full volume.

Matthew rode ahead of the van with brother Christian Bowah on his motorbike. I could just see him oh-ing and ah-ing at the lush vegetations, hornbills flying overhead and enjoying all the scents and sounds of a tropical forest as they puttered along. Of course I took a picture of them at the nicest part of the road but you will just have to imagine all the ruts and gullies and "lakes" we manoeuvred laboriously through and around along the way.

A rest stop in a village along the way. Shortly after we started again from here a back spring busted on the van. At the next village about half of the passengers had to get out to ease the load and wait for the driver to come back and get them later. They finally all made it by 2:00 a.m.

Matthew took to Ziah Town, in all its primitive simplicity, like a fish to water. He loved the children - singing with them, playing with them and coming especially close to this little tyke.. Wherever he went he was in the middle of the action and made friends at every simple abode he stopped at. God truly blessed this young man with the personal and social skills that any aspiring young missionary would benefit from.

The main focus of our week in Ziah Town was the conducting of the seminar in the local church for the area pastors and church workers. At one point they decided to honour us with the presentation of a goat which was then slaughtered and prepared for a feast the next day (although we wondered at the size of the goat compared with the size of the hungry appetites).

By Saturday afternoon the six days (!) of the seminar had been completed and everyone got their certificates of attendance - a very important practice in Africa. The seminar, although the longest I have taught, was truly blessed and I think we all felt that God had been true to His Word and promises. In addition to the seminar which was held during the days, four evenings were set apart for a crusade, too, which reached out to everyone in the community. While it might have appealed more to the young, people of all ages participated and it was very well attended and blessed, too, I feel.

One night before I spoke, Matthew and I sang two songs, The second one "There is Power in the Blood", really went home with the crowd of about 500 people and they sang along enthusiastically on the chorus. After I spoke we sang "Amazing Grace" in harmony.. You could really tell how appreciated the message and the songs were. Throughout the week Matthew took an active role in both saying the prayers, holding short witnesses and in singing. He definitely has a clear understanding of Scripture and for singing a strong baritone voice.

Yes, Matthew loved the tropical forest. I can still see him walking through it's lush greenery exclaiming in real awe, "Beautiful.....just beautiful!" Here with Christian Bowah from Zwedru on the day he was installed as an evangelist of the Apostolic Lutheran Church of Liberia.

Before our return journey from Ziah Town to Zwedru the old van broke down completely so a little caravan of motorbikes was arranged to carry us and our luggage back.We had to get to Monrovia in time to catch our flight. a couple days later. Matthew and I rode with Christian on his bike. The trip would only have taken about two hours on the bike but Christian had a flat tire and had to repair it which took the better part of an hour.

Matthew Niemela, "I have a burden for mission work in Africa!" Indeed he does!

P.S. Cape Coast Castle. Through this ignominious fortress passed over 4 million slaves, living and dead, on their way to plantations in the Americas during the years 1640 to 1840. Since Matthew had a layover of a few hours in Ghana on our return from Liberia we decided to visit this castle on the southwest coast, one of the most famous places in Ghana, The tallest part of the building behind Matthew and me is the English Church. There the keepers of the castle sang praises to God while up to 1000 slaves at a time languished in indescribable filth and suffering in dark dungeon rooms just below them!!!

We visited the dungeons and tunnels and "Door of No Return" through which uncounted chained slaves, women and girls, men and boys, went out to the waiting ships and an even more frightening and humiliating trip to the New World. For almost 300 years over 200 million human beings from Africa were "possessed" and traded like cattle providing riches and wealth for uncountable merchants. Oh the depth of man's inhumanity to man. A sobering conclusion to Matthew's "African adventure" I'm sure. No wonder Apostle Paul complains, "Oh, wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from the body of this death? Praise God there is still that wonderful hope and promise, like he says, "I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord!"

Matthew has returned safely home to Michigan.

I do want to say that I have fully recovered from my bout with food poisoning and am in good health once more. The first days in Liberia I felt kind of weak but my strength returned and the seminar went well. This week I am spending several days of rest and relaxation here in the clean, calm and up-beat city of Accra, Ghana. I will return to Finland on May 7th. .


May the riches of God's love and peace be with each one of you!


Dennis

April 2010 FM Monthly News Report

Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. (Mark 16:15)

As your Foreign Mission endeavors to be obedient to these words of our Lord, here are just a few of the many questions that are asked and can be asked, together with the answers from God’s Holy Word. The Holy Bible contains all the answers to life’s questions.



WHO SENDS US INTO THE MISSION FIELD?

Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

(John 20:21)

WHAT ARE WE TO PREACH WHEN WE ARE SENT?

And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. (Luke 24:47)

WHEN WILL THE END OF THE WORLD OCCUR?

And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. (Matthew 24:14)

Did You Know?

- Almost 8000 different “people groups” have not been exposed to the gospel? (A people group has its own language and culture.)

- This year approximately 82,000 people will die each day without ever having heard the gos¬pel.

- Americans spend more on dog food than on helping to share the gospel with the lost.


The Foreign Mission Monthly News and Prayer requests
* Pastor Colin Kinnunen and Pastor Raymond Hilman together with Dave Niemela have completed the trip to the Philippines. Numerous services were held including one with 15 churches gathered together. Pastors Training was also a top priority. Many Bibles were passed out to people that have never had a bible before. God surely blessed this trip. There are pictures of this trip at www.aalchurchma.org Just click on the picture tab!

• Pastor Dennis Hilman is currently in Liberia with Pastor Frank Famiyeh from Ghana, and Mathew Niemela for the U.P. of MI. Please pray for this last leg of Dennis’ West African tour of duty. Dennis fell ill to severe food poisoning and was hospitalized for 4 days in Ghana after getting home from Togo. Pray that the Lord will provide strength enough for him to finish in Liberia and then return to Finland to rest for a couple weeks before he leaves for Russia!

• The good news is that Dennis was given a Russian visa for the first time in many years! We and the people of Russia are thanking God for this gift! If you recall, Dennis was taken off a train under gunpoint and sent out of the country directly, without even his belongings. He had lived there seven years prior to being sent out by the authorities. The enemy often attacks missionaries in many various ways, so please be in pray diligently for all missionaries.

• Special services are being planned in Guatemala on April 24 and 25. A first “Convention” for our 3 churches in Guatemala. This is also being held to hopefully attract people from the community into church for the first time. Scott Niemitalo who is the FM Board person with responsibility for Guatemala, will attend these services.

• Many new requests for us to preach God’s Holy Word have been coming in from around the world. Please pray for wisdom that we would go forth according to the leading of our Father in Heaven. A very lengthy dialogue is entered into with the new contacts by the administrator before any recommendations is made to the board to visit. This process takes a minimum of 6 months but can last up to 2 years or more. If the contact after this process seems to have a true spiritual interest, then the full Foreign Mission board is notified and shown the whole contact history, so the board can decide whether or not we should venture forth with a mission trip to these new locations.


Example of Letters: note: I have communicated with these two Pastors as administrator for over 2 years. They receive the weekly blog which is what they are referring to when they mention letters and teachings. (You can view the blog by clicking on the orange blog button at www.themissionsite.com )


Dear Pastor John!   God 's peace !  

I'm so happy to send you this letter.I enjoy reading your letter.
I'm strongly sure that right now it is a very time to make a trip to Haiti.
All my churches would like to see you come down and share the word of God with them. As a matter of fact , the international airport is fully functional and the atmosphere is absolutely normal I wish that your presence among us will be a subject of blessing. May the lord be with you as always.
Pastor Nicholas, Haiti

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Brethren and sisters in Christ,

Greetings in the mighty name of Jesus Christ our savior and redeemer who
grace and peace comes from. It is our first time to write you this letter,
after visiting your website which is so interesting we come across your
email address and youre your teachings in the website are very interesting.

We are from Kenya Kisii-Kenyenya district; we are a group of People who are
seeking the truth from God. We are worshiping under shades with some
believers whom God has brought to join us in prayers as we are also praying
for you God to open ways for you and all your friends so as you bring the of
God to us and we shall be happy to work with you in your ministry. And pray
for the orphans who are here who hails from disparate families.

We welcome you to share with us the word of God as we are continuing praying
for us here in Kenya. God bless you as we hope to hear from you in Jesus
name.
Yours faithfully Pastor Charles
After receiving this note I contacted him and here was his response!

Dear Brother John,

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Many thanks to hear from you .It will be joy when we share God's gospel together with us, we believe now onwards, we will be strengthened through the teachings we will be getting from you. Our prayer is that through His timing is to make a missionary visit here in Kenya. We will keep you in our prayers and we also need your prayers more especially in His word and the little ones who we care for.

God bless you all. We hope to hear from you according to God His will.

Yours in the Lord,  Pastor Charles Onduso, KENYA

• For all other Foreign Mission news, feel free to check in at anytime during the month at www.themisssionsite.com or at any of the other links below and click around! You are most welcome and encouraged to take part in the Mission! New articles are regularly posted on the blogs!



• Also, a new feature has been added to www.themissionsite.com Each day, you will notice that a new unreached people group appears on the right side of the website. This is here so you can pray for the groups that they would be sent preachers so that they would hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ for the first time in most cases! By reading this daily, you will learn how much work there is still to do in this world when it comes to preaching God’s Word!



• Please remember that April is the last month in the Fiscal year of the Foreign Mission. If God lays it upon your heart to help support, this would be a perfect time to do so!


The Foreign Mission is so very thankful for your contributions to the work in the Lord’s Vineyard. May God Bless each of you!


CLICK HERE TO DONATE Here you can very easily donate electronically from either your checkbook or credit card. You can also set up recurring monthly donations should you desire.

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Africa

The article posted in this slot that was written by Dennis Hilman had to be removed for technical reasons.  If you desire to see it, just email foreignmission@comcast.net     

"Whatzit Like?"

Many have wondered what it's like to travel around the world full time and share the Gospel of Christ with people in many countries. Well, first of all, I've got to tell you that there is somebody who is very aware of what I am doing and that is Satan himself. Before a major trip he invariably pulls out all the stops in his "Resistance Plan" like I call it. This time when I arrived in Ghana I was feeling pretty pummelled. Returning from breakfast at my hotel the first morning I saw that the door to my room was open and I wondered what was going on! Then I heard the sweetest melody coming from inside. It was the maid, little and very black Joyce, singing to her heart's content a song of praise to God as she did up my room. "Do you believe in God?" I asked almost unecessarily. "With all my heart!" she said enthusiasically. That changed everything! The clouds were rolled away, the sunshine of God's grace flooded over me again. After that I called her "Re-Joyce".


I often stay in modest hotels when I travel here in West Africa since it is usually totally impossible for the locals to accommodate us in their humble homes. Meals served outside the hotels and restaurants are an experience. The basic staple here is rice. This is usually served with some kind of thick grainy sauce which is dark brown, dark green, or black with chopped up chunks of chicken or fish in it, bones and all. It staves the hunger.


Maybe I don't always have the best appetite for the local food but the locals do seem to have a great hunger and thirst for the Word of God. The seminars God has given me to teach are about themes such as God's Plan, God's Will, Salvation (new one this time around), Spiritual Conflict, the Holy Spirit and so forth. He also gave me one on "Lasting Change" that seems to make the greatest difference practically. I think I've mentioned before how I have everyone write down on a paper a list and explanation of their current difficulties, doubts, fears, guilt and especially sins. Then in groups of about six each person chooses one or more of these things to make an open confession about to the group. The other members of the group then lay their hands upon him/her and bless him/her in the almighty name of Jesus and the power of His blood. It has proven to be life changing as the participants learn and practice the office of the keys and the washing of the feet and leave their burdens to Jesus in the process. That's why I call it "Lasting Change". The papers and everything upon them are then committed to the Lord and subsequently destroyed - into the sea of grace.

The circumstances of these seminars,however, are not always ideal. Last Friday and Saturday I conducted one with Pastor Frank Famiyeh, a most faithful servant of the Lord here, at the Liberian Refugee Camp in Buduburam, Ghana. Sixty people were in attendance in a church where the electricity had been shut off. That meant that the fans, lights and PA system were not working either day. The temperature was easily 120 degrees. Already by the second hour it looked like I had taken a shower in my shirt, but when the blood of Jesus began speaking and souls were washed and cleansed by His Spirit there was no longer a power shortage!.

This week I am now out in western Ghana conducting two seminars with Pastor Frank - one for two days and another for three in the city of Tarkwa. The venue is a beautiful big church in the city - with fans that work. There are almost 200 pastors and church workers attending. A very special experience. I will include some pictures taken today. Starting next week we will also be holding similar seminars, but this time in Togo and then later in Liberia, if God so wills. Speaking of God as you know He is incredibly good! Before going to bed last night I flipped open the Gideon Bible on my nightstand. Hebrew 6 verse 10 kind of jumped out at me::


"For God is not unjust to forget your work and labour of love which you have shown towards His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.!"

THAT'S WHAT IT'S LIKE!

In God's love and peace,

Dennis   (please see pictures below)

　
Pastor Frank Famiyeh, President of the Apostolic Lutheran Church of Ghana, with his translator Cecilia at the seminar. He spoke in English, which most of the people understand. She translated into Akka, a language common to the people in that area, who also have their local dialects and languages. I also spoke in English of course and then Pastor Frank translated for me most of the time.

Group shot of many of the almost 200 pastors and church workers who attended the seminar in Tarkwa.

The ladies present wanted a photo with me. A real thorn among the roses!

To God Be the Glory

This was the song that our group sang to the Indian people many times!  Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord, let the earth here His Voice, Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord, let the people rejoice!.......    They could catch the Praise the Lord phrase after a couple times and some would join us for that part.  What a joy!

We are thankful that the entire group that went to India has safely arrived at home!  All Glory and Praise be to God for His great grace afforded to us on this trip.   We pray for those left in India that the work that was done on the trip would be a blessing to all.  We know that God does the work in the heart, not man, so we pray that He would continue to work in their hearts.

  This trip was so wonderful in so many ways.  It had times of large services with up to 2000 people like pictured below, and it had times of individual praying and speaking to people one on one.  There is so much spiritual movement in India that each moment is another oppurtunity to share and witness of Jesus Christ.  Many times this can be to people that are Hindus and have maybe never heard the name Jesus.  In all about 10,000 people attended the services.  Around 300 pastors were in the pastors training classes.  About 800 to 1000 people received help at the free medical camps. Please thank the Lord for His great grace during this time, and pray that God would continue to work in the hearts of the people in India.

It was during one of these large services that a Hindu man came with a stick and chased his wife home. So sad to see.   We preached also at another church, (no building but a street church) where just a few years ago a pastor was beheaded during the service in front of the congregation. When he was caught by the police, he still had the pastors head with him.  There are very real enemies in India, but God knows this and He is surely present.   The level of dedication of the true believers is something that we in America know nothing about.

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Bicycles were supplied to five pastors with money donated by the individuals on this trip.   These are such a blessing to poor pastors who prior to this had to walk up to 25 kilometers to hold services or visit congregation members.  With a bicycle, so much more work can be done. You can help by donating a bicycle.  The cost is $80 each.   Just email foreignmission@comcast.net if interested!  You will be supplied the pastors name and you will receive a picture once he gets the bicycle.

The below was taken during a session at the pastors training called lasting change.  In the below picture the pastors are blessing each other in prayer and or the forgiveness of sins in Jesus name and blood.  Many pastors testified that they were relieved of burdens after they confessed their sins to their fellow pastors and they heard the assurance of forgiveness through Jesus Name and shed Blood.

The colors and smiles are so beautiful.  The default position of the Indian Christians faces is a smile! How wonderful!

Eleven new Christians were baptized.  It is such a life changing event when one repents and believes in Jesus Christ, coming from the darkness of those false religions so prominent in India.   Once they are believers, they are baptized in due time.  Becoming a Christian can cause them to be considered outcasts, and they are often in even physical danger.  Therefore, a public baptism in this way is a huge event in their lives.  It is so good to know that they do not fear man, but rather they want to share the good news!  

These water buffalo came during the baptism. It is quite fitting though, because they are everywhere, and they are a very meek animal, which is a good picture of how a Christian is.   Remember, meek is not weak, it means under the control of another, God in the case of a Christian.

There is so much more to see and learn about India.   Feel free contact us for more information, or if you would like a presentation done at your church!  foreignmission@comcast.net is the email.

Carl Lamppa also had a wonderful trip to Sri Lanka.  We will post here about that trip when it is ready.  Alslo, Pastors Colin Kinnunen and Raymond Hilman are now in The Philippines.  Please keep that trip in prayer as well.

India from the eyes of Dennis!

Hi everybody and here's the latest from the most populous "peninsula" in the whole world.

Jesus is Lord!    Dennis

Team India!    

Note from JR.  (I am sorry but for safety concerns, for the online version all last names had to be removed.)

Things are going great here in India, by the great grace of God and with the addition of a wonderful team which arrived here on February 18th when we began serving together in Pastor K's area. Heading the team is of course John, the administrator for the Foreign Mission of the ALCA. His son Bruce has also joined us - a young man with an awareness, interest and perception of everything happening around him that is par none. Then came Emily from Canada, and Carmelle, a nurse from WA.. And of course there had to be more of my relatives, Terri Ann from Canada who is also a nurse as well, and Shandra, currently from Idaho, completed the group.

Team India, from left to right Terri Ann, John, Bruce, Carmelle, Dennis, Emily and Shandra

Can you imagine opening one of those many huge outdoor meetings - with up to 2000 people in attendance - and having this very engaged team of young people each come forward with a greeting and/or a Bible verse and all of us joining together singing "To God Be The Glory" through the powerful PA system, with the whole audience involved. And then as God opens His word with John or I preaching - just having all of them backing us up in prayer on the dais behind us is a wonderful feeling. When the sermon is over that is not all. At the end of the meetings the whole crowd comes forward and we pray for them individually!

Talk about powerful!

Youthful exhuberance and energy on a firm foundation - a stockpile of a million or so bricks at a brick factory where all is done by hand.

                          The women at the well in their new saris arranged by Pastor K's wife Ruth

Now all of the pastors seminars have been completed - in four different areas.- the largest one being with over 150 pastors. The response to them has been very inspiring and encouraging. This year I included sessions on (1) "God's Plan" (for our lives, ministries and salvation), (2) "Living in God's Will", (3) "Lasting Change" ( a participant-oriented walk through of confession, forgiveness and absolution), (4) "Spiritual Conflict", (5) "The Office of the Holy Spirit" and as an inspirational conclusion (6) "The Example of Daniel". One short seminar and a big meeting was even held in Pastor MP's area.

Smallest pastors seminar in Vizag. Pastor K and his wife Ruth on left.

Another area that the young team has been particularly involved in is the Medical Clinics.that we have had in many areas. In each area one or more doctors have been involved to diagnose the needy (and colourful!) groups of those lining up for the free medical services. The young ladies in our team have then dispensed the medicines prescribed with the nurses taking blood pressure and administrating the necessary injections. "Making people cry", like Carmelle puts it. Over 500 people have been treated at these five clinics, which have always been arranged in conjunction with services. "The Great Physician was so near, the very healing Jesus!"

In readiness for one of the many free medical camps - this one on a housetop.

Some of the over 500 people who have lined up and been treated at these free medical services in the many different places.

Terri Ann - a shot is serious business. "Making them cry"

This week we have been serving in Dr. Kumar's area. Big meetings and clinics will continue until we leave on Friday, March 5th. Keep us in your prayers. There are many hair-raising drives still ahead of us, the need for health and rest is always before us, and so is our daily dependence on our Heavenly Father to open His Word and make the reality of Jesus love living each day in our own hearts and in the hearts of our listeners. We have been encouraged to find out that our audiences often consist of up to thirty percent "outsiders" - mostly interested Hindus invited by Christian friends.

Dr Kumar diagnosing a patient at his hospital where free medical clinics will also be held.


All in all both Pastor K and Doctor Kumar, their wives and staffs have demonstrated great compassion towards us and almost amazing skills at coordinating our schedule, arranging meetings and being ultimately responsible for the Pastors Seminars. We owe them a great debt of gratitude!

Team India in traditional dress with the every present flower garlands - draped around our necks as a sign of welcome and honour on virtually every occasion.

May God keep you in His peace and love!
Dennis 

 India

March 1, 2010

India Update

Hello and God's Peace from India!

The last three days have been very busy.  Each day we drove 1.5 hours over terrible roads to get to where the Pastors seminars were held.   After a day of teaching and preaching, we would drive back home and rest for a couple hours and eat.   

Then in the evening about 8 or 8:30 we would do the drive all over again.   15 hours total in a tiny car with 9 people.   However, these tight conditions do lead us to get to know each other!  These conditions are good "character builders." 

The ride can also be lovely in the daytime, with many sites to see.

  

The Pastors appeared to be very interested and informed from God's Word.  Pastor Dennis Hilman is a wonderful teacher.  There were also inter active sessions.  It is so good and precious to see pastors humbling themselves in repentance and receiving absoulution.  They humble their hearts often in prayer and in testimony of what God has done in their lives!   One MUST be here to feel the power.     There are also sermons during these Pastors trainings as well.  

It was so wonderful that last night, there was 2000 people at the late night service.   The sermon was about the woman and Jesus at the well.  This time together was a true blessing for all.  Afterwards, almost all 2000 people came for a personal blessing and prayer.   It surely was a good thing that we had the whole group of 7 of us traveling Christians to work together in this process.  If it was just Dennis and I, we may still be there.  It is so humbling for us to lay hands on so many people all all ages.  These people came in such sincerity.  I will stop discribing this now, since only by being a part of this would allow one to fully comprehend the moments.

After this service was over, right around midnight, we set out for home.   It was not long down the road that our Pastor/bodyguards car broke down.  We tried to fix it but to no avail.  After about an hour delay, we set out for home.  Our driver dropped us off and went back to get the pastors.   We pray they made it safely.   This is a good lesson for us for the two cars.   Where we broke down was in the middle of rice fields, a half hour on mostly dirt and pot hole filled roads from a more main road.     These rice fields contain many cobra's which can very easily come to the road in the middle of the night.

We are so thankful God has been with us through His Holy Spirit, keeping us safe and feeling the Power of His Love for us and all of the Indian people.  

Your continued prayers are appreciated. 

In His Service    John R.   Greetings from our entire group and hosts.

From the Field

Greetings from India! Please note that these pictures are not in order.  There has been too little time and too many obsticles to do the proper updates.   We wanted to give you a little feel for the journey, so here is the first very quick picture post. Please check back for more later.

 Upon Arrival of into the country and at every church, the custom is to give these garlinds.  Here is the USA and Canada group with one set of our Hosts.

Here are Shandra, Terri, and Carmelle at one of the 5 free medical camps held on the trip so far.  All medical supplies were donated by the travelers.  A local doctor worked with our traveling nurses.The people on this trip all pitched in to purchase several bicyles and drums.   A pastor must have a bicycle to reach his sometimes multiple churches and the members.   Many pair of sandals and much time is saved when a pastor can peda.   The drums are also gifts so that the congregation (many of whom cannot read) can be lead in song. This picture was taken after church.  This very poor women lost here husband who was a pastor to cancer.  Prayers and help was given to her.  Before her husband died, the smell of the cancer stricken body was so powerful, no one could stand to be in the same room as him.  This is so sad. This happened quickly.  Last year we supplied her husband with a bicycle, but now he gets around in heaven with much more ease!

This is a picture of one of the many brick factories we have seen.  Notice the bricks to be dried are actually the furnace too.   While walking through, we attracted about 50 people that wanted to walk with us.   Many times on this particular walk through the village we needed to stop and pray for people in need.These 2 handicapped girls led us in song on a roof top outreach service!  We have very much learned that a fancy church is not needed to reach out or to worship the Lord.This is the smallest of the 4 pastors traing programs that we have held so far.  The teaching is done by Pastor Dennis, who has 20 year experience in this type of work.  John R. then delivers a sermon on the lesson that was just taught. We stopped at Pastor Davids home to pray with him and his wife and surviving daughter.  The 2 beautiful girls in the picutre tragically died by drowning in under horrible circumstances only a few hundred yards from their home at a construction site.  This is Pricilla and Aquilla.  Notice the bible names used so often here.  We took this picture just after we were in an area that did not feel safe.  This man told us that he just was called to that same area that day, to press for the release of a Christian that was bound for being a Christian.  We are thanful our hosts are so knowledgeable that they keep us moving to try to stay ahead of the enemies.                                                   From left.  No last names for now.  Shandra, Carmelle, Emily, Terri.  This is their first time in Sari's.  This was after a church service in a packed church.

People lining up for one of the free medical camps.   About 500 people have been treated so far, with most likely at least 500 still to come.

The girls in the orphanage.  Thank you Ironwood women for helping with new bed clothes for these boys and girls.

This picture happened to download last.  Maybe this is meant because the first shall be last and the last first, right?  Well the reason we come on these trips is to preach Jesus Christ.  Here is a picture of one of the many massive outdoor late night services we are priviledged to be part of.   They come from miles away after a long day at work, very eager to hear!  The sermons are over about 11:30 PM, and then we must pray and bless each one that asks, which is almost everyone.  

God is at work in this beautiful country.   Each day we are so encouraged by what we see.  Signs of life are all around us.  Oppurtunities of praying, preaching, visting, encouragin are all around us.   Pray that God would give us strength to go on as it is all very exhausting at the same time that it is exhilirating.   

To God be the Glory, great things He hath done! 

India

Hello and God's Peace from this wonderous country!

I am sorry about the lack of updates!  We have been so extremely busy and have had no internet.  Now we have moved into the city so we have some limited access here and there.

In the few minutes I have right now, I will just list some of the highlights and schedules, and I will put more info and pictures as soon as time permits.

We arrived here in India last Thursday and immediately met up with Pastor Dennis Hilman and the Pastors training sessions with Pastor K and his pastors was underway.   About 60 Pastors gathered for teaching and hearing sermons for 3 days.   God really blessed our time together with them.    You will see more details on this wonderful time later.

Also while with Pastor K, we visited numerous small churches and had sermons at each.   In between these times, the ladies traveling with us from the USA and Canada performed 5 medical camps.   These camps were all made possible by personal donations from the travelers, and were not funded by the Foreign Mission.   We have along 2 nurses, Terri Hilman and Carmelle Hanson, and 2 other wonderful helpers, Shandra Hilman and Emily Wuori. 

There have also been three other smaller pastors training sessions in other areas, including with Pastor M.P. who some of you may remember.

Please continue to pray for us as we move on to other areas.   We have already had one service of 1000 people and there are many more of those planned.   A pastors training for 170 pastors starts in this city tomorrow.

Please pray for all involved on this trip, and mostly pray that the Lord would be here very powerfully through His Spirit!   There are so many people here that have already been moved and touched by the Spirit.  It is wonderful to see such interest, devotion, and awakening in this amazing place.   Words cannot describe how it feels to be part of this work in His Vineyard.  It is such a priviledge and Joy!   

O dear Christian, please find time to pray for this mission, for us, and for the Indian people!

More later if the Lord allows time, power and internet!   

Greetings from our whole group!   God's Peace!  John R.

THE GOOD PART

This was received from Pastor Dennis Hilman today from the mission field in India. 

Dear Family and Friends - wherever you may be!

Yes, here I am in exciting India once more. I have many responsibilites this time but just a couple hours after my arrival here - following an almost sleepless 26 hour trip from Finland - came one of the more challenging. I was asked to address 100 pastors who had gathered to study and learn from God's Word and have fellowship with one another.

I looked out over all of these intense faces, trying to focus, noting their serious and avid anticipation and greeting them with the Telegu greeting of "Wandanalu!". We then turned to the 20th chapter of Matthew - the text, a parable by Jesus, which concludes with "the last shall be first and the first shall be last". God opened His word as he has promised. As I spoke I could not but help notice a little boy who had found a vantage point on the steps that mounted the wall behind the group of pastors. He sat there intently through the whole message. It was only when I got out my camera during the last hymn that he got a little shy. As I saw this nameless little boy - who disappeared immediately afterwards - I thought of the millions of other little Indian boys and girls who might never have - or take - the opportunity he had just had. It reminded me so much of Mary who sat at Jesus feet as her sister Martha busied herself in the kitchen. This boy, like Mary, had chosen the good part. For me he will undoubtedly ever remain nameless, but I know in heaven he has a very real name.

In the weeks ahead there will be numerous other times to bring God's Word with daily visits to different congregations. After each service all of the people usually come forward and ask me to pray for them individually. That is very powerful. I am currently visiting Dr. Kumar and his family and am enjoying the hospitality of their home. I have also visited his hospital to pray for the sick and the orphanage to tell the stories of Jesus and hear the heavenly songs of the children. Tomorrow I will go to the village of (edited for safety in online version) where Pastor K operates a church center and an exemplary orphanage and stay with him and his family. Soon John Ruotsala and the rest of the team will arrive. Then of course there will be the two big pastors training seminars later this month, right up until we leave on March 5. Through it all I'm sure I will be buoyed by the memory of that one little boy who sat alone on the steps, at the feet of Jesus, and took in the good part. As promised - the last shall be first!

In God's love and peace,

Dennis