news http://www.send.org Copyright 2012 SEND. All rights reserved <![CDATA[First Winter Youth Camp]]> Our first winter youth camp at Transformation Christian Center (TCC) was from January 1-5. The reports I got were very positive with the exception of having limited space, which meant having to turn people away.  Since only the first floor is heated, 50 people made use of every available space while the dining hall quadrupled its functional use. The new sewer line got its first test and everything worked.

The weather wonderfully allowed ice skating, sledding, building snow sculptures and various games, with temperatures right around the freezing mark. There were 10 people at camp who either trusted Christ for salvation or rededicated their lives to Christ. On the last evening, 20-25 kids stood in front of everyone else and solemnly vowed to serve Christ. Please thank the Lord for His work during winter camp and pray for the teenagers who made life-changing decisions. 

The teenagers who went to winter camp also attend weekly HiBA (High School Born-Againers) Clubs in their churches.  Here, they are being challenged to live for God and for others, and not for themselves.  Many of them are having a daily quiet time with Bible reading and prayer, and also overcoming the fear of being identified with Christ in front of their friends.  There is a meeting planned for the Tambov HiBA Club leaders on Saturday (2/4) to equip them with materials for their groups this month, to train them, encourage them, and to provide fellowship with each other. Pray for these HiBA Club leaders to effectively bring their youth to a deeper relationship with the Lord.

-Rick Kirschman

]]> Fri, 3 Feb 2012 12:00:00 EST <![CDATA[SEND Appoints 6 New Missionaries]]> This week, SEND US appointed six new missionaries to serve in six different SEND fields.

Stacey Lovett – going to Japan to serve in campus ministry and church planting.
Tim and Meaghan Hartman – becoming USO Mobilizers to recruit more people to join missions work.
Steve Schneider – going to Ukraine to serve in theological education.

Three other missionaries are preparing to serve in Albanian ministries, China and villages in Alaska.
 
Please join us in thanking God for more missionaries. And pray that they would be able to raise the necessary support so they can get to the field soon.

]]> Fri, 27 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST <![CDATA[Spring Festival]]> January 23 marked the start of chunjie or Spring Festival for our Chinese friends. This is the equivalent of Christmas to us and runs for 1-2 weeks. The atmosphere here is really very festive as all around we can see red lanterns and bright lights. Most shops are packed with people buying all sorts of things to bring to their loved ones back home. They would clean their houses and for those who have money will buy new furniture and clothes. They believe this act will bring good luck to them and drive out evil spirits. On the eve of the 22nd , each family will gather together for a big meal and then children/students or those who aren’t yet working are given hongbao or red envelope which contains money.

The biggest problem facing them right now is how to get home as most train stations, bus stations and even airports are packed with people all wanting to go home to be with their family. There were reports that some people even spent more than 30 hours in the train station only to be told that all tickets were sold out. This is really sad as most of these people have not seen their families back home in the village for more than a year.

Please help me remember them especially the ones who may not be able to come home at all, that the Father will comfort them and continue to open their hearts. For those who have gone home or are traveling, that His traveling mercies be upon them and that they will be able to enjoy their time with their family.

]]> Thu, 26 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST <![CDATA[Actic Edge Winter Retreat]]> The DPB House Winter Retreat was snowless, but the energy coming from the house was AMAZING! My dad and I arrived on the last day of the retreat to pick up my son Joseph and his friend from school. I was blown away to see campers singing choreographed songs proclaiming, "only the Lord is God," reciting Bible verses that they had learned, and having a wonderful time together. Thank you for your prayers for the volunteer staff that did a fantastic job communicating the love of Jesus through their words and actions! Thank you for praying for the campers whose lives were impacted by God's word and this experience as they share: 

  • "I liked everything about this retreat! The leaders are great, especially Mike.  The Bible stories inspired me. This place is really amazing and I would love to return!"
  • "I loved the camp! It was awesome! ... I loved the games and the Bible study groups. The songs were great! I've learned a lot, a lot about courage. This is one of the best camps I've been to (at Severin)! It was a great experience."
  • "This camp really awakened in me a longing for God and Jesus! I'm also thankful that I met new friends."

Please continue to pray for the campers, that they would put into action the things they learned.

]]> Mon, 23 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST <![CDATA[New Video Series - Taiwan Vision 119]]> SENDmedia has launched a new video series, Vision 119. “In America you’ll dial 911 but in Taiwan, if there’s an emergency, you’ll dial 119.” Vision 119 is an emergency call for more workers to help reach the lost of Taiwan by planting 60 churches in the least-reached areas.
 
This video series will take you on an exciting, high-definition tour of Taiwan, the Beautiful Island. You’ll meet people rescued from idol worship and watch the vision unfold as workers from around the world partner to reach the least-reached.

Watch the 50 second trailer now!

]]> Thu, 19 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST <![CDATA[Women's Leadership Training]]>  
Please pray for protection of these women and their schedules, so that they can complete this course and use it in the future. Please pray for me as I lead the training, that each time would be fresh and that the Spirit would lead.]]> Tue, 17 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST <![CDATA[Ministry in the Far North]]> It is a little cloudy, but overall we have a clear view the last 30 minutes. Four people are squeezed into the Cessna 182. Our destination, a native village, should be already in sight but clouds are covering the area. Our pilot circles the area and finally finds a gap. A few seconds later we land on the snow covered airstrip. At the end of the runway are two men waiting for us on their snowmachines. Everybody is finds a seat on the machines or in the sled. A dozen people in the small log house church are already waiting for us. I start preaching right away.

The little congregation has no pastor and for weeks we had planned to go there once a month but there were two blizzards the last two weeks and the minimum temperature for flying with the Cessna is -25° F. But now we are here.

After the service we have a potluck together. We have moose stew, salmon sandwiches and dry fish. The people praise our coming out to their village.

It´s after noon and the first teens show up in front of the church. We invite them for lunch as well. The next two hours we have a teen program. In the beginning we play some games, later on we talk about the first Christmas in Bethlehem. The circumstances were different compared to today. Instead of yummy smelling food there is probably a rather strong smell. Later on the magi's bring some meaningful gifts, a prophetic hint, gold (for the King), frankincense (for the priest) and myrrh (to anoint the dead body). How can I honor Jesus this Christmas?

It is shortly before three, so we gear up again in our warm winter clothes before it is getting too dark to fly. A tail wind gives us a quick return home. Our mission for today is accomplished. In the evening we get another foot of snow.

-A village missionary

]]> Fri, 13 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST <![CDATA[Member Orientation to be hosted in Manila next week]]>
But the biggest distinction in this MOP group is that the majority of them are already missionaries, just not members of SEND.  A good number of Team Hope who minister to Muslims alongside other SEND missionaries in southeast Asia will be joining our SEND, as well as some experienced missionaries from Taiwan, Thailand and Spain.  Pray for Ken and Bertha Guenther and others from the International Office as they facilitate and seek to introduce these cross-cultural workers to SEND. The goal of MOP is to deepen their understanding of effective cross-cultural service while at the same time drawing out and reinforcing what they already know.]]> Mon, 9 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST <![CDATA[Taking Time to Relax and Reach Out]]> In mid-November, SEND missionaries Dave and Eileen Barkman and their nieces Heidi and Lindi (high school juniors) took a trip to Tohoku (the disaster area) to follow up with children who went to camp, build relationships with a local church, and visit contacts. This is the account of their trip.

We arrived at 10:30 am at the Ota family house in Shichigahama where six of the eight children that came to last summer’s Junior English Camp at Okutama Bible Chalet were waiting for us. They welcomed us enthusiastically! They also had two sisters and two friends with them. A couple of the moms drove vans so we could haul the kids 20 minutes to the Shiogama Bible Baptist Church. From 11-12, Mr. Matsumoto, the youth worker at the church, gave the children a free English lesson similar to the English class held at the church each Saturday afternoon. After inviting the children to come to the Church School (CS) on Sunday mornings, he gave each child a copy of the Messiah manga, a comic book style description of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.

After lunch we drove back to the cabin for a Christmas cookie baking party, a new experience for all the kids and moms. Eileen showed the kids how to roll out the butter cookie dough, use a cookie cutter and decorate it with candy decorations. Each child then got a lump of dough and creatively made several cookies, choosing from a variety of Christmas shapes.

After the cookies were baked, we gathered in the living room where we sang the camp theme song, I Am The Way (John 14:6), which the kids remembered well. Heidi and Lindi then told the Christmas story in both English and Japanese using kami shibai picture flash cards while the kids sipped hot chocolate. We gave each family a copy of the Jesus film for children and packed up the cookies in plastic packs for each child to take home.

The next day, the four of us attended the 10:00 am worship service at Shiogama Bible Baptist Church and sat in on the children’s CS afterward. None of the children we invited on Saturday were able to come because of previously scheduled events like the karate competition.

At lunch time we were able to talk briefly with the two pastors. They invited us to join them in the Miyagi Mission Network to reach into unreached communities. The goal is to plant house churches throughout the prefecture so that everyone is within walking distance of a church.

The church operates Hope Miyagi, a relief ministry to earthquake and tsunami victims. To support long-term relief and rebuilding work, the church is constructing a Volunteer Center on church property right next to the church building. The 1700 square foot building is scheduled to be completed in January and will house the administrative office, provide lodging for volunteers, and provide storage space for donated supplies that are right now stacked in the halls and rooms of the church building.

We arrived back at the cabin just before four kids and two moms showed up for a card making party, bringing gifts to show thanks for yesterday’s cookie baking party. Heidi and Lindi showed the children how to use the stamping and embossing supplies and all seemed to thoroughly enjoy making birthday and Christmas cards for family and friends. One mom who had lost her entire home in the tsunami and now lives in cramped temporary housing said that it had been so long since she had taken time to just relax and do a craft. Heidi and Lindi filled out and exchanged profile cards (a popular friendship activity for elementary girls) with the kids while we talked with the moms – a blessing we had not planned on.

The next morning, after baking chocolate chip cookies and cleaning up the cabin, we went to Ishinomaki to visit previous contacts. We met Mr. Onodera and talked with him briefly, giving him a pack of cookies, a Concise Bible, and The Story of Jesus for Children DVD for his grandchildren. The Otokozawa family and Nagai family were not home so we left cookies and a note at their doors.

We returned home with vivid images of the tsunami-devastated area: broad neighborhoods with nothing left but bare foundations, dump trucks and backhoes working like ants on massive mountains of rubble, tattered houses waiting to be razed, piles of flood-battered vehicles and rows of temporary housing units shoe-spooned into school yards and other available spaces. However, the biggest memories that we bring home are: sharing Jesus’ love with children excited to relive their summer camp experience, meeting fellow believers who have lost so much but continue to worship the Lord with thanks, watching them give practical help and hope to their neighbors, and hearing the pastor describe the urgency of taking the gospel to needy communities yet unreached.]]> Thu, 5 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST <![CDATA[English Classes Lead to Salvation]]>  
Please pray for Straso to grow in his new-found faith.]]> Tue, 3 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST <![CDATA[Please Visit Our Ministry Website]]> We post prayer requests on our ministry website, you can subsribe to email updates there too.]]> Sun, 1 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST <![CDATA[Missionaries Returning to the Field]]> Fri, 30 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST <![CDATA[New Missionary Deployed]]> New missionary Joshua Javery arrived safely today in Poland for his first term as a career missionary. Joshua felt the call to missions in Poland during a short-term trip and has been eager to return. He once wrote, "God promises to meet those that seek His face. To be a compass in this process is very exciting to me." Please pray for Joshua as he gets settled and begins language school.

Learn more about Joshua Javery at his missionary page.

]]> Tue, 27 Dec 2011 02:29:00 EST <![CDATA[Online training for SEND team leaders]]> Mission team leaders serve in a difficult role in that they can neither devote themselves exclusively to their leadership responsibilities nor can they become totally absorbed in the ministry to the “nationals”. They must live in this ongoing tension of being both a leader to other missionaries and a missionary, involved in and setting the pace for the ministry of the team.  Ken Guenther will be facilitating another session of the SEND online orientation for new team leaders from February 6 - March 18, 2012.   The course explores what it means to be an effective team leader in a mission organization, and will give participants multiple opportunities to engage in discussions about the role, responsibilities and expectations of team leaders with mission leaders from many different countries.   The course has room for 15 participants, and only a few places remain open.]]> Tue, 27 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST <![CDATA[METAS Funding Project Completed]]> For many years, missionaries in Spain have faced a major hurdle—Spaniards see evangelical churches as cults. So how do you start churches in such an environment? You build trust in the community.

So when SEND missionaries entered Guadalajara, Spain, they looked for ways to build that trust. Eventually the idea for METAS was born.

METAS Association is a non-profit NGO created to build bridges from the church into the community. In Spanish METAS means goals and the goal of the organization is to establish community-based outreach ministries that will meet essential needs and demonstrate Christ-like love. Current activities include English classes, German classes, guitar lessons, job skills training, international reading room and social assistance.

METAS and the Guadalajara Church Plant work closely together.  METAS builds bridges of opportunity to share the gospel, drawing people into the Guadalajara Church. 

Several years ago, the organization leased a store front in a great location to carry out its growing ministry and began a campaign to raise the $500,000 needed to purchase the building.

Through a matching gift and many generous donations over several years, God supplied the money. On Friday, December 16, paperwork was submitted to register the purchase of the building with the government. And that Sunday the building was dedicated at a ribbon cutting ceremony.

Praise the Lord for His faithfulness in completing this project. And thank you to everyone who prayed and gave to METAS. Please continue to pray that many lives will be reached through this community outreach.]]> Thu, 22 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST <![CDATA[Bringing Christmas in the middle of disaster]]>
Pray for SEND Japan as we explore how to mobilize our workers to engage these unreached people. We want to see churches established.]]> Wed, 21 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST <![CDATA[Missionaries Safe Through Typhoon]]> Over the weekend, the Philippines' southern island of Mindanao was slammed by Typhoon Washi leaving almost 700 people dead. SEND missionaries in the Philippines are all safe and accounted for. Please pray for the many people in the area who have lost loved ones and homes.

Read a Reuters article for more information on the typhoon and the damage.

]]> Mon, 19 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST <![CDATA[Farming and Salvation]]> In one of our ministry areas, a common local practice of slash and burn farming has depleted water tables and eroded rich topsoil. Our outreach program teaches Muslim farmers to be good stewards of God’s creation through hillside terrace farming and organic agricultural techniques. Goat management and year-round Food-in-the-Home farming help famers feed their families. One of our Development Center staff members wrote about how God is using this ministry to draw Muslims to Himself.

After two years at the Development Center we have seen many good things happen. God has blessed us with more than 70 goats, and a new goat barn, a training center and enclosed eating area, many hardwood and fruit trees have been planted and we now have a road going to the farm. But the best blessing is to see people come to know Jesus.

Occasionally K and his son J have worked for us. While doing their job they stayed with us. Through this, God gave us opportunities to share His word. One day they told me a story. While they were in their hometown, they visited a neighbor and saw the end of the Jesus film. In that movie, they saw Jesus praying before they ate. They remembered that I prayed before we ate our meal. I told them that I am the follower of Jesus. I used the Bible and Quran to share about Jesus. He is not only a prophet but He is Jesus the Messiah who died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sin. He is also the way to God (John 14:6).

Praise the Lord He opened their hearts and minds to understand who Jesus is and received Him as their personal Lord and Savior. It was a privilege to share the Word of God. It's our desire is not only to train them how to be good farmers, but that we can plant the seeds of God’s Word in their lives.]]> Fri, 16 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST <![CDATA["Mi Esperanza" Evangelistic Outreach]]> "Mi Esperanza" ("My Hope"), is taking place right now.  It centers around three 30-minute television programs to be broadcast on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evening (December 15-17).  Nearly 1,300 churches throughout Spain have encouraged their members to be "Matthews" by inviting people into their homes to see the programs and learn about Jesus through the preaching of Billy Graham and the testimonies of various people, some famous and some not.  After watching the program, the host will share his own brief testimony, pray for those who have come, and then invite his guests to make a decision for Christ.  Please pray for the five families in the Sigüenza church who will be host families, and also that the people who have been invited would come and that God would touch their hearts through the programs and our own testimonies.]]> Wed, 14 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST <![CDATA[Updates from Tambov, Russia]]> Peace to you our dear praying friends!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

We can’t believe that this year is over. It went by so fast…

 

We want to Thank You for your faithful prayers for our ministry here in Russia. God is doing amazing things and in this letter we want to ask you to praise God with us for what He is doing.

 

Youth Camp

Thank you for praying for Lighthouse of Hope Camp. The 10-day session began with very warm and sunny days and finished with three days of rain and cool temperatures. However, the rain was not consistent and did not stop any activities from happening outside. Even the rainy days didn’t hinder the Lord from working in the hearts of the campers.  Of the 80 teenagers from the Tambov and Lipetsk provinces that were in attendance, 30 prayed to receive Christ. Praise the Lord for providing a good harvest at camp and please PRAY for the follow-up work with the campers.

 

Drug Rehab Ministry

The drug rehab center is running smoothly. There are several people who have gone through the program and started a new life with Christ.  In the midst of the joy over these new brothers and sisters, there is also heartache as there are some who have left the program and returned back to their old life. But we haven’t given up hope for these souls. We are still keeping contact with them and praying for them. Our center is one year old and 48 people have already participated in the program.  About 30% of them have begun a new life in Christ. The center ministers to people from all walks of life, and from all regions of Russia.  Recently, we had a good illustration of the reach and the need for this ministry.  You can see God’s hand at work in the life of Nikolai, one life that is now on the road to recovery.

 

One Life on the Road to Recovery

At a recent youth ministry conference in Tambov, we had a guest speaker from a nearby city, Saratov.  After the first evening of the conference, as we were visiting in our home with Vitaly, the guest speaker, he got a phone call from an acquaintance in Saratov.  Nikolai was a very powerful member of the Russian mafia during the 90s. For the more than two decades, he has been in and out of prison, drinking and abusing drugs.  He called Nikolai to say goodbye and thank him for his friendship, as he was preparing to kill himself.   We spent many hours calling back and forth to talk with Nikolai.   In the end, he agreed to order a taxi that would bring him the 500 kilometers to Tambov.  When he arrived in the morning, we continued to talk with this hurting man.   We realized that he was ready to make a change and David took him straight to the drug rehab center at TCC (Transformation Christian Center).   Two weeks have past. Nikolai has overcome withdrawal, and is reading the Word of God, praying and considering what the Bible has to say about life.  He is very grateful that he has finally found a way out of his former life of addiction.  Please pray for Nikolai, that he will complete the 2 month program and give his life to Christ.

 

Discipleship Youth Camp

On New Year’s Day, winter youth camp will begin at TCC. This five day camp is geared toward discipleship for those who have already accepted Christ. Youth from all over the Tambov oblast will come to this annual camp and be challenged in the areas of evangelism and ministry.  Praise God that we were able to finish putting a new sewer system before this winter session. Please pray for these new believers as they are challenged to serve Christ in their schools and towns.

 

At Home

Our family is doing great! This year,  Edward, our middle son, is returning to Russia for three weeks over Christmas. We are so glad to have him back in Russia after a one and a half year absence. The next six months are the last in Russia for our youngest son, Erik. Alesya’s 2 nieces and 2 nephews are coming from Ukraine and Moscow to see the boys. We will have nice reunion of cousins for Christmas! 

Because of Him,

David and Alesya Andrusyak

]]> Wed, 14 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST