DEARFRIEND
sion pioneer working in India who had been beaten for sharing his faith. It was a shocking sight. His eyes were black and bruised, his face swollen. But nothing could persuade him to stop his work. It was a sobering reminder that mission comes at a cost. Mission means sacrifice. A couple of years ago I met with a group of Global Mission pioneers working in India. Each one of them had experienced personal sacrifice. They each receive only a small stipend to help them buy food each month. They live at a basic level among the people they’re trying to reach. I’ll never forget one young man who was dressed in his best pair of dark trousers, black shoes and white shirt. I noticed that his shirt was badly frayed around the collar. But it was the best he had. As we talked, I asked him how many people he had led to Jesus. Through the translator he told me 850. I couldn’t believe what he had said, so I asked the translator to clarify. Sure enough, 850 people had been baptized through his ministry. Although this pioneer isn’t tall, I will forever remember him as a giant in the faith. When I meet pioneers like him I say, “Lord, I don’t know what it means to be faithful in fulfilling your commission. Teach me to have only a fraction of their dedication and sacrifice.” Thank you for your prayerful support of Global Mission, which makes it possible for faithful pioneers to plant new Seventh-day Adventist congregations around the world. In Christ,
Gary Krause Adventist Mission Director
12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904
Mission is when I received disturbing photos of a Global Mis-
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ne of my saddest memories in many years working with Global
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ohan was wasting his life away. Although he had a good job and a wife and two children to come home to, he spent his evenings getting drunk and wasting his family’s money. His wife was increasingly frustrated and urged him to change his lifestyle. He knew he needed to do something different. Then one day he heard about an evangelistic series being held in his village. He and his wife attended the meetings for the entire two weeks. Today Yohan is a Global Mission pioneer, spreading the gospel in his village and beyond. Because of his history of alcohol abuse, he feels a special calling to work among alcoholics. In three years he has led 460 people to Christ, and has established three congregations of 60, 150, and 250 members respectively. To support Global Mission work in 10/40 Window countries, such as India, support Fund #5210.
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INDIA Please pray for Global Mission work in 10/40 Window countries. This region of the world is a high-priority area for Global Mission. Located in the eastern hemisphere between 10 and 40 degrees north of the equator, the 10/40 Window is home to many of the world’s religions, largest cities, two-thirds of the world’s population. Yet there are relatively few Christians.
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ven hardened criminals can be humbled when they encounter the Word of God. Mr. & Mrs. N. Sibanda are Global Mission pioneers who are reaching the unreached in three South African prisons. Every Sabbath they visit the prisons. “We see a lot of change in those whom we have visited and counseled,” say the Sibandas. “Surely the Spirit of God is working.” Although many of the inmates don’t want to hear about God at first, some have now accepted God into their lives. Beyond spiritual needs the Sibanda’s also minister to the inmates’ physical and social needs. Some inmates need help mending fences with their families while others need clothing and toiletries. The Sibandas also offer to accompany inmates to court and lend support as they’re able. The guards are even noticing a difference in the inmates. The Sibanda’s next step is to make Adventist television programming from the Hope Channel® available to inmates in the three prisons in which they work. To support Global Mission work in Southern African countries such as South Africa, support Fund #6800.
en-year-old Jeanne Maley was the only Adventist in her family. Because she is young, when she became an Adventist, her parents persecuted her. Despite their opposition she remained loyal to her newfound faith. Jeanne started having serious abdominal pain, and her parents told people it was because she joined the Adventist Church. Jeanne wasn’t deterred. This type of prejudice is common in Conakry, Guinea, West Africa, where Global Mission pioneer Nyankoye Loua Kpakile works. When her small group heard about the opposition Jeanne was facing at home, they went to help. Nyankoye led the group to Jeanne’s house. When they arrived she asked Jeanne’s family if they could pray for her. The family agreed and even watched the group huddle around Jeanne as they knelt down and earnestly prayed. The next day Jeanne felt better. Her mother was amazed at how much better her daughter was feeling. As a result Jeanne’s mother decided to give her life to Christ. To support Global Mission work in African countries, such as Guinea, please support Fund Fund #5220.
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P ro v id ed fo r y o u r u s e d u r i ng d a i l y d e v ot i ons.
Global Mission pioneers are working throughout Southern Africa to take the gospel of Christ to everyone that they meet. Their work is not always easy and they must trust God to lead them each day. Please pray for these pioneers and other frontline Adventist workers who are telling the world about Christ.
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Provi d ed for y ou r u se d u ri ng da i l y d evoti ons.
The Adventist Church has grown throughout many parts of Africa. Yet major challenges still remain. Religious, social, and ethnic persecution makes church growth difficult in some areas. Please pray for Global Mission pioneers who are taking Jesus’ love to people on the continent of Africa.
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Provi d ed for yo ur use durin g daily devo tio n s.