the living word transforming lives · 2019-05-03 · mom and three older sisters. and now, with his...

Miracles in Unexpected PlacesPraising God in a Chinese Square…p 4

Young Bully TransformedAchal Learns to Love…p.8

JoyreportFall 2016

The Living Word Transforming Lives

Miraculous Healing Inspires FaithBrother’s Healing Leads Wai Thet to Christ…p.10

Young Teen Thankful Despite ChallengesPraising God in South Sudan …p.14

TRANSFORMING LOVE

Experiencing GOD’S

Dear Friends,

I am so thankful for a great summer. Before the busy Fall season, I was able to spend time with my family, including my first grandchild. I hope your summer was also full of joy and wonders.

Being first has a special place. God has given me the great privilege to travel around the world where I have had and witnessed many first time experiences. Hearing the gospel of the Kingdom of God could be one of the most significant first time experiences in an individual’s life. Laughter, gratitude, tears of joy, and feeling overwhelmed by the awesome presence of God are just some of the expressions I have encountered over the years.

Do you recall the first time you held the Word of God in your hands?

Jesus said “Seek FIRST the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.(Matt 6:33 NKJV )

Because of your faithful support, many people have had the most significant moment of their lives. Their first encounter with Christ changed their future. My prayer is that we continue to have your help to equip many people to seek God as their first priority so that more and more people might have their first encounter with Christ.

Have a wonderful Fall season!

Blessings,

Paul RichardsonPresident, Bible League Canada

MINISTRY NAME | COUNTRYLETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

Our Mission:

We are called by God to provide Scriptures and training worldwide, so that people prepared by the Holy Spirit will be brought into relationship with Christ and His Church.

The Joy Report is published four times

per year to inform you about what God

is doing in the lives of individuals we

support and about specific results of your

gifts and prayers. Permission is granted

to copy, re-publish and/or distribute the

information in this issue as long as Bible

League Canada is credited. Additional

copies of this newsletter may be obtained

by contacting us at 1.800.363.9673 or

[email protected]

Bible League Canada is registered with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) as a charitable organization,

registration number 10822-2084-RR0001

Box 368, Grimsby, ON L3M 9Z9 |1.800.363.9673 bibleleague.ca | [email protected]

2 JOY REPORT JOY REPORT 3 2 JOY REPORT JOY REPORT 3

BIBLE LEAGUE CANADA | BIBLELEAGUE.CA FALL 2016 | JOY REPORT

Unwanted Attention

After starting several Bible study gatherings in his community, Brother Yi, brought the growing fellowships together to form a single congregation. He placed a wooden cross high on the roof of the building where the new church gathered for worship.

The symbol lets the community know that Jesus is praised in that building but it also made the group a target for persecution.

It wasn’t long before the local police stopped at the house church to find out who put up the cross. Brother Yi was out at the time, so the officers left a message that he should immediately report to the police headquarters. Fearing he would be forced to take down the cross—or worse—Brother Yi avoided a confrontation with the police for as long as possible.

Though the situation is improving and persecution no longer a part of everyday life in much of the country, in parts of China believers are still harassed when they worship together. In these dangerous places, local officials put believers in jail or oppress them in other ways.

Finally, police officers caught up with Brother Yi and ordered him to take the cross down. He explained to them that he did not want to upset God by removing the cross. Brother Yi said that if they wanted it down, they would have to do it themselves. Suddenly afraid to offend God, the police officers decided the cross could remain.

Brother Yi’s church became well known to the authorities following this incident. Officers watched them carefully, but church members made sure they did not do anything against the law. They were always friendly, helping others, and active in the social life of the community.

Embraced by the Government

In fact, the church enthusiastically participated in the twice daily fitness program promoted by the national government to keep citizens healthy. The congregation organized their own dancing group that got together each morning and evening in the public park. They performed their dance exercises while broadcasting Christian songs. Many people who heard the music asked questions about the church, the Bible, and God.

One day, a government official stopped to watch church members dancing. He asked Brother Yi to come to his office the next day. Worried, the congregation prayed that they would not get into trouble for publicly sharing their faith through the music.

When Brother Yi went to the meeting, the government official told him that he had enjoyed their performances and wanted them to continue. He suggested that the church group should all wear the same colour clothes. He even offered to pay for the matching outfits using government funds! He provided them with 200 sets of clothing—far more than they needed—as well as a new sound system.

On Chinese New Year, the group danced and sang through town and put on a performance right in front of the government and police buildings. Even the head of the police department came to enjoy their performance.

To support the work of starting new churches in China, please give by completing and returning the enclosed form. Or you can donate online atwww.bibleleague.ca or by calling ourDonor Relations Associate at1.800.363.9673

Please Pray:

While religious freedom is increasing for some in China many believers are still facing persecution in that country.Please pray for the favour and miracles of God to happen across this vast country.

“Fear the LORD, you His godly people, for those

who fear Him will have all they need.” Psalm 34:9 NLT

4 JOY REPORT JOY REPORT 5

MINISTRY NAME | COUNTRY



STARTING NEW CHURCHES | CHINA

MIRACLES Unexpected Places

in

1. Pray for all of the programs that are getting underway during the fall months after taking some time off during the summer. Pray for our ministry partners around the world during this busy time.

2. Pray for countries currently experiencing violence and unrest. Many people around the world are living in fear and are in need of the hope that can only be found in Christ Jesus.

3. Pray for our team at Bible League Canada as we seek to find new ways to get the Living Word of God into the hands of those who would read it all around the world.

Please Pray...

HEART” “WORDS

with Bob Beasley

thefrom


MINISTRY NAME | COUNTRY



ADULT MINISTRY | EURASIA PLEASE PRAY

Words from the Heart is a daily 3-minute e-devotional that is available for free subscription.

To subscribe, please visit

http://www.bibleleague.ca/resources/words-from-the-heart

When my father died, I drowned my sorrows in alcohol. My mother could watch no longer so I was sent to compulsory rehab—I was only eighteen. There, I met a man who invited people for cake, coffee, and conversations about God. I didn’t know what he meant, but boredom, combined with my sweet tooth, prevailed. The room was full of people with similar problems but they were different—kind and happy. I liked their music and their prayers.

At one meeting, somebody called for submitting your life to Jesus. I took the challenge…confessing my sins and asking for a new life. I didn’t sleep that night. I was positively filled. I wanted the moment to last forever.

But when I left rehab, I started drinking again on the train home. After I returned home, quarrels would never cease. I wanted to drink without the control of others. When my mother died, my three sisters disowned me. I was alone.

At twenty-one, I was a homeless orphan on my way to drinking myself to death. For some criminal offences, I was put away for a year and a half. I knew that alcohol was killing me, not only physically, but also spiritually.

The Lord Jesus reminded me of my prayer at the rehab centre. I called to Him again to change my life.

Today, I’m serving four years in prison, but God has put Christians along my way. Through learning about the Bible with [a Christian named] Darek, I saw how important it is to discover what God speaks to me in his Word. Now, I joyfully share with my fellow inmates, the prison staff and others how God changes lives. I am no longer an orphan, but a child of God in his great family.

No Longer Alone “At twenty-one,

I was a homeless orphan on my way to drinking myself to death”


STARTING NEW CHURCHES | CAMBODIAMINISTRY NAME | COUNTRY

JOY REPORT 9


CHILDRENS MINISTRY | INDIA

Young Bully

TRANS ORMEDfVerbal abuse. Threats. Manipulation.

Not what you might expect from an 11-year-old boy, but Achal was experienced with all three bad behaviours.

Achal grew up watching his dad come home drunk every day. His father beat the family and yelled horrible things at Achal’s mom and three older sisters. And now, with his screaming and tantrums, Achal was becoming more and more like his dad.

Not wanting Achal to become a bully, Achal’s mom and sisters turned in desperation to their Hindu gods. They performed rituals perfectly, hoping to appease their gods.

They begged the idols to help them. But nothing changed.

One day, Achal was invited to a Children’s bible club organized by a Bible League Canada Ministry partner. Achal attended and was the most poorly behaved child at the gathering!

His Club leader responded kindly but firmly. When she visited Achal’s home, she learned about his dad’s abusive treatment of the family. With compassion, the bible club leader spent extra time with Achal. She helped him feel loved, accepted, and comfortable at the club and also taught him how to treat others respectfully.

Under the loving guidance of his bible club leader, Achal’s behavior improved. He was encouraged by the Bible stories and also learned to pray to Jesus.

Today, Achal knows Jesus as his personal Saviour, and he’s completely changed. Achal is polite and disciplined. His mom and sisters are amazed to see the transformation in him!

Achal is growing in Jesus and is praying that his father will be released from his addiction to alcohol.

Will you join with Achal in that prayer?

Christians’ LoveConvince WomanAbout Gospel

“Your love for one another will proove to the world that you are my disciples.”John 13:35 NLT

“Before I believed in Jesus Christ, I did a lot

of bad things,” shares Makara, a 34-year-old

from Kampot province in Cambodia. Makara

admits that she had issues with a bad temper,

gossiping, jealousy and quarreling with others.

She says she was a selfish woman who didn’t

trust anyone. Makara lived a sad, unhappy life

with no hope.

When Makara got sick, she always sought help from a traditional healer, but nothing helped. She did exactly what the priest told her to do to be healed. But still her health remained the same.

One day, a church planter came to the village and shared the Good News of Jesus Christ with Makara. She heard the message, but she didn’t become a follower of Jesus because she didn’t understand who he was.

Several months later, the church planter came back and met with Makara again. He went through a cou-ple of Scripture-based Bible study booklets with her and she began to learn about Jesus. Makara noticed that the Christians in her village were different—they had a good attitude and genuinely loved others.

Eventually, when she understood the Gospel message clearly, Makara placed her faith in Jesus Christ as her Lord. Since then, she testifies:

“I am free from sins because now I give my life

to God to lead me. My whole life is changed. I began to have a good attitude towards my

family and society.”

Makara adds that she has stopped doing the bad things she used to do, and now she also has love for others.

Makara thanks God for His grace in forgetting her sins and letting her know Him. Now, she walks joyfully with the God who came to save her!


MINISTRY NAME | COUNTRYPERSECUTED CHURCH | MYANMAR



STARTING NEW CHURCHES | EQUADOR

Miraculous Healing Inspires

FAITH“For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kindgom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”Colossians 1:13-14 NIV

When Wai Thet in Myanmar was 8 years old, his brother was so ill that the village physician gave up on him. “We thought he was dead,” Wai Thet shares. His mother pleaded with Buddha for her son’s life but nothing happened.

“That evening, a Christian worker visited us, prayed for my brother and gave some medicines. I was so impressed by his love and concern for my family,” Wai Thet recalls. “When he left, he said ‘Jesus is able to heal, and he will.’” The next day, Wai Thet’s brother got up early in the morning, totally healed! However, his grandparents claimed that it was their good deeds (karma) that caused his brother’s life to be restored, and they warned his family to

avoid the Christian worker.

Later, when Wai Thet was 14, he was home alone and began to experience spiritual oppression. “It made me so miserable that the only thing I look forward to in life was sleeping,” Wai Thet says.

One day, it occurred to him that if Jesus raised his brother from death, couldn’t He also heal Wai Thet? “I began to pray in Jesus’ name all night long, and to my amazement, the oppression disappeared!” Wai Thet remarks. “I was completely astonished and incredibly relieved. There is power in the name of Jesus.”

A few months later, a Christian friend invited Wai Thet to his church. “I was amazed at how joyful and friendly the people were. I felt so loved by these people.” He was excited to find a church home. When a traveling evangelist clearly explained the Gospel, Wai Thet responded by

following Jesus. Later, with the Lord’s help, Wai Thet overcame

many obstacles and was baptized. “Having a personal relationship with God and the assurance of salvation brings true peace.”

“Jesus is able to heal, and He will.”

Pastor Braves Death Threats to

SHARE GOD’S

LOVEPlanting a church in La Unión, Ecuador, was going to be more difficult than Víctor Medrana thought. The local priest spoke out against Victor’s Bible studies and encouraged people to sign a petition to get the mayor to close them down. People were fearful.

But, God had a plan for La Unión.

Known as one of most dangerous areas in Ecuador because drug dealers from other cities and countries use it as a distribution area, La Unión is full of bars, brothels, and gunmen for hire. Living in this dangerous environment, Víctor often receives threats on his life.

But Víctor serves with confidence, “I am prepared and my wife and daughters are ready as well for anything that can happen. We know God sustains our lives and whatever happens is under His control.”

Víctor participated in the church planter training offered by a Bible League Canada partner. “They trained us and we committed ourselves to be available to work where God would call us,” Víctor shares.

Now Víctor is not just a full time pastor in La Unión but he is also trains other church planters in the coastal region of Ecuador.

“When God calls you to work in His Kingdom, you have to be in love with Jesus and passionate for the people because there are many who are without Christ and have no hope.“ Víctor perseveres in his work because of what he has seen God doing. “In the last few years, six brothels, seven dance halls, and more than ten bars have closed. God is gaining ground.” Víctor’s congregation evangelizes and pleads with the Lord to release their city from sin and darkness. Compelled to share the gospel, the church is planning to start other churches in rural areas.


CHILDRENS MINISTRY | CANADA



ADVOCATEfor CHANGE

Rebecca, a young woman from London, Ontario, has been part ofAwana Canada’s programs for many years. Over her years in the program, Rebecca learned about God’s love, grew in her faith, learned how to share that faith with others, and learned how to study her Bible. Now she is a young adult and has completed the program and was wondering what was next in God’s plan for her.

Rebecca took what she learned through the program and is now an advocate for Awana. She is stretching her faith and growing as a young leader while helping to ensure that even more young people across Canada have access to the life changing programs that she was a part of.

This past year, Rebecca was able to help 10 churches develop new ministry to children and youth. Through those programs approximately 660 kids were given the opportunity to hear the gospel, some of them for the very first time.

Rebecca also helped to train 120 leaders to be better able to disciple children and youth in their own churches.

Advocates like Rebecca are sharing their love of God through their work and making it possible for children all across Canada to come into an eternal relationship with Christ.

That is why Bible League Canada partners with Awana Canada to equip advocates like Rebecca to make an even greater impact on the children and youth of Canada.

Bible League Canada and Awana Canada share a passion for equipping churches across Canada with the training and resources that they need to go out and minister to the children and youth of their own communities with the message of the Gospel.


MINISTRY NAME | COUNTRYCHILDRENS MINISTRY | SOUTH SUDAN



BIBLES FOR MISSIONS | CANADA

Young Teen THANKFUL Despite ChallengesMost pre-teens think about school and spending time with friends, but Joyce’s life was shattered when her father was killed during the civil war in South Sudan that erupted in December 2013. She, along her mother and two siblings, felt helpless with nowhere to go and no one to help. She doesn’t understand why tribesmen from her own country would kill someone just because they are from a different tribe.

Now 13 years old, Joyce is in Grade 5 and attends a primary school outside Juba. Joyce is grateful to her Christian teachers who disciple her in worship and how to read the Bible. They also teach her to memorize Scripture. Despite her many challenges, the Bible reminds Joyce that God will triumph over evil. One of her favorite verses is Psalm 9: 1-2 (MEV )

I will give thanks to You, O LORD, with my

whole heart; I will declare all your marvelous

works. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will

sing praise to your name, O Most High.

Training through a Bible League Canada children’s ministry partner was instrumental in helping Joyce to heal and overcome her fears. Despite her young age, Joyce is a choir director who leads a group of 56 children every Friday and Saturday. Joyce teaches the other children hymns and Bible stories. She thanks God for his protection and provision upon her life during this time of suffering for her country.

With the recent violence in South Sudan many more have been forced to flee the country. Ministry to these refugees is now tak-ing place in Uganda and there is a need for continued support so that more children like Joyce can find the hope that comes through Jesus. To support children’s ministry in South Sudan. please give by completing and returning the enclosed form. Or you can donate online at www.bibleleague.ca or calling our Donor Relations Associate at 1.800.363.9673.

“““I have learned the secret of living in every

situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:12-13 NLT

Bibles For Missions Visits India

Recently, a group of BFM Foundation (Canada) volunteers travelled to India with Bible League Canada to witness first-hand how they are making a direct impact in the lives of new believers there. One of those volunteers, Rebecca Leano of Halifax, Nova Scotia, shared her reflections on the trip with us.

The highlights of the trip were numerous. “Being there” was a wonderful experience because I was able to soak up and marvel at God’s hand at work through Bible League Canada and its frontline leaders, meet the faithful and energetic workers in the harvest field. I touched, watched and admired the children sing and recite Bible verses and listened to their testimonies. I was inspired by their joyful and shining faces. I met young folks and adults attending the various ministry programs and saw the fruits of their labours. I heard their moving stories of how they came to know Jesus Christ. Together we worshipped God, prayed and sang praises to our Lord at a house church service. This was quite uplifting and inspiring.

Bible League Canada’s programs - Children’s Bible Clubs, Adult Literacy Classes, Church Planter Training and Scripture Placement - are carried out by local Indian Christian leaders, missionaries and workers. They are a most positive response to the Lord’s Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20. It is a holistic approach to bringing the message of Christ that meets the physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs of every person.

There is a lot of truth in the saying, “seeing is believing”. But one can “see” something superficially without really understanding, feeling or appreciating the bigger picture. This trip made me experience more deeply what sharing God’s love and grace looks like; what being united in the Lord means across cultural, economic, historical and geographic boundaries; and what being together in ministry means.

BFM Foundation (Canada) is in joint ministry with Bible League Canada. In turn, Bible League Canada is in joint ministry with local ministries, organizations and churches. Seeing this joint ministry at work helped me understand and it made me grateful to be a part of it.

BIBLE LEAGUE CANADA | BIBLELEAGUE.CA

Box 368, Grimsby, ON L3M 9Z91.800.363.9673

bibleleague.ca [email protected]@BibleLeagueCAN Bible League Canada

BFM Foundation (Canada)

is a volunteer driven, non-

denominational organization that

operates 48 Mission Thrift Stores

across Canada (and growing).

Mission Thrift Stores convert

donated used goods into cash so

that BFM Foundation (Canada) may,

in Joint Ministry with Bible League

Canada, transform people through

the Living Word of God. As we

prayerfully receive God’s blessings

for the growth of newly developed

MIssion Thrift Stores, we are seeking

passionate volunteers to contribute

to our BIG HOLY AUDACIOUS GOAL

(Mission Thrift Stores will raise

enough money so that the Joint

Ministry of BFM Foundation (Canada)

and Bible League Canada may reach

all peoples everywhere, with the

Living Word of God).

Meet New People…

Join the Excitement...

Be a Positive Influencer…

Raise Awareness…

Develop New Talents…

Grow from the Experience…

Learn and Serve…

Personal Satisfaction…

Work for a Cause…

Be part of a Team…

Face New Challenges…

Pass Along Wisdom…

Preserve the Environment…

Keep Active…

Have Fun...

Share Your Vision

To learn more about volunteering for BFM, please contact:

BFM Foundation (Canada)[email protected]

Toll Free: 1-855-204-4980

Or visit your local Mission Thrift Store and ask to fill out a Volunteer Application Form!

We presently have over 4,200 devoted volunteers working from coast to coast, and this is why they choose Mission Thrift Stores as a workplace and a way to give back to their communities.

WHATEVER YOUR AGE ... WHATEVER YOUR SKILLS...

VOLUNTEER!We have a position for you.

the living word transforming lives · 2019-05-03 · mom and three older sisters. and now, with his...

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