Two EHC Christ Group leaders joyfully baptise a new believer in a river.
December 2014
THANKS FOR GIVING Years ago I started keeping a daily journal. I use it to document thoughts the Lord gives me while I pray for the nations, friends, family, and staff by name. It’s become a Thanksgiving day tradition of mine to spend an extended amount of time reflecting on the events of the previous 12 months. I take time on this special day to list, one by one, blessings and events that come to my mind. Included in my annual lists are victories, answered prayers, and milestones worthy of remembrance. As another Thanksgiving day (a holiday we celebrate in the USA) approached,specific things came to my mind that will be on this year’s list. First, I’m wonderfully thankful for EHC’s everexpanding global harvest. This has been a monumental year for EHC. The Lord is honouring your prayers and the fruit of our labours in unprecedented ways. We’re witnessing a growing hunger for truth and a longing for peace in all areas of the world. In the past 12 months alone, we’ve seen 16,557,290 people respond to our more than 130 home-to-home campaigns. That’s an amazing average of 49,424 every day for an entire year! As Luke 15:10 tells us, “There is joy in the presence of the angels of God when one sinner repents” (The Living Bible). Imagine the celebration happening in heaven over nearly 17 million new believers! And there will be more in the coming weeks as we’re just about to enter the most fruitful season of the year—our
2
Dick Eastman
“Oh, give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples” (1 Chronicles 16:8, NASB).
annual Christmas Outreach. In this issue, you’ll read some of the stories and testimonies from last year’s event (p.4 & 5). All over the globe pioneer missionaries reached out to entire communities. The result was tremendous— they touched 2,793,825 homes during those few weeks, and 373,500 people responded positively to the Gospel message!
you, Lord, for such dedicated and committed workers!
Finally, I’m so very thankful (and extremely grateful) for YOU, our faithful partners. Your interceding for us is the “power line,” and your financial gifts, the “supply line” that sustain such a sweeping work. You are the “hands,” and our global staff are the “feet.” I’m also thankful for our dedicated global Together, we proclaim the love of Christ to team of workers who sow seeds of the Gospel the lost and broken of this world. home-by-home and gather this amazing As we enter the Christmas season, please join harvest. EHC now supports a field staff of me in praying for our upcoming outreach 4,500 workers along with an additional when great numbers of people will hear the monthly average of 45,000 volunteers. story of salvation for the very first time. I’m Together, they reach nearly 310,000 new asking God for a record harvest of souls who families every day with the Good News! desperately need the Good News of the That’s a mighty global army of believers, and Saviour. I believe the choirs of heaven are it’s growing by large numbers daily! Thank rehearsing some astounding “Hallelujahs!”
The Christmas season provides a unique opportunity to share the Gospel around the world. At this special time of year, hearts are receptive, families are gathered together, and the Church is more motivated to go out with the Gospel. Thousands of volunteers and churches all around the globe plan their Christmas Outreach strategies months in advance. Last year’s Christmas Outreach touched the lives of more than 2,700,000 homes around the globe. The stories and testimonies of lives impacted were remarkable, and we want to share a couple with you.
3
Global Christmas Outreach
Paper in a Pocket Fifty-six-year-old First Lieutenant Rodolfo was leading a military convoy through Managua, Nicaragua, during last year’s Christmas Outreach. As the convoy stopped at an inspection point, a young EHC worker quickly ran and reached through the window of Rodolfo’s truck, slipping a copy of “The Father’s Love Letter” in the Lieutenant’s shirt pocket. That simple, impulsive action would transform a life that very day. Arriving at the capital headquarters, the Lieutenant found his superior officer waiting for him. After inquiring if he was okay, the Colonel asked Rodolfo if he could see his glasses. The Lieutenant didn’t realise that one of the lenses in his glasses was missing, as he’d driven the 300-mile journey completely drunk. Rodolfo was immediately and dishonourably dismissed for putting the lives of his battalion at risk, and he was sent to the administration office to process his dismissal. There, he sat waiting, suffering in shame the ridicule of his peers. In an effort to hide his face, Rodolfo reached into his shirt pocket and found the piece of gospel literature. As he began to read it, the words penetrated his tortured soul. It seemed written especially for him, and in his pathetic condition, he began to sob.
His co-workers thought he was crying out of disgrace, but Rodolfo was really crying for God’s forgiveness as described in the booklet. Kneeling at his bed that night, Rodolfo accepted Christ as his Saviour. The immediate peace and joy he felt caused him to contact the EHC office printed on the back of the little booklet. Sharing his story, he asked if he could have more of the Gospel booklets to share with his friends and family. That little piece of paper slipped into his pocket by an EHC pioneer missionary on a Christmas Outreach turned the worst day of Rodolfo’s life into his best day. Today, the former Lieutenant is part of God’s army of believers and is involved, with a local church actively sharing the Good News with others.
Global Christmas Outreach Even Her Children Were Ashamed of Her She lived in the shadows of her village, her life marked with shame and disgrace. Having born children outside of marriage kept her mind in a state of emotional war. She fitted nowhere; neither her mother nor her sisters accepted her. Men didn’t want her—even her children were ashamed of her. Outcast and unloved, she hid from the outside world. No friends, no visitors, no identity—until the EHC Christmas Outreach brought someone to her door. Surely they had the wrong house. Shy and insecure, she was hesitant to speak to them, but as they shared why they had come, her parched heart drank in their words. They told her that God loved her no matter what she’d done, and that by accepting His forgiveness, she could become a new
creation. They said she could have a fresh start and correct the mistakes of her life—news too good to believe. But if what they said was true, she had another chance, something she never thought possible. With nothing to lose and everything to gain, she gave her life to Christ that day—laying down her burden and receiving a new identity in Him. “My heart is full of thanksgiving unto God who sent His workers to my village,” she said. “It was like He sent them here only for me.” Now free from her shame, she can confidently say, “The old has passed and the new has come!” She was given more than a new identity that day. She was given a gift that no amount of money could buy—eternity in heaven and peace for life on earth.
Jerusalem And The Most Amazing Thing About Continuous Prayer! If we were content to ask God only once for something then we would have stopped praying for peace in Jerusalem a long, long time ago because after many centuries Jerusalem is still in need of peace.
from the judge but because she kept bothering the judge she gets justice and the Bible says "Will not God bring about justice for His chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night?"
Does God want us to continue to "Pray for Then there is the woman who had a the peace of Jerusalem", Psalm 122:6, or are daughter who was suffering terribly from demon - possession and the disciples came we never to ask again? to Jesus and said "send her away" for she I know that God does not will the death of keeps crying after us." Then the woman anyone to go to an eternal hell so I boldly came and knelt before Jesus and asked come to God in prayer to ask God to save my "Lord, help me!" family, my husband, my wife, my children, my friend and if God doesn't answer the prayer Then Jesus answered, "Woman, you have in a reasonable time should I keep praying? great faith! Your request is granted."And her daughter was healed that very hour . George Muller prayed daily - and often - for Matthew 15:28 60 years for the conversion of a friend. In Gethsemane in Matthew 26:43 & 44 The Lord Jesus Christ gave us three parables "When Jesus came back, He again found to teach persistence and continuous prayer. them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. So he left them and went away once The man who asked for 3 loaves of bread more and prayed the third time, saying the from his friend at midnight received as many same thing." as he needed "because of his importunity" or persistence as the word literally means in Jesus himself is saying the same thing, Luke 11:8. repeating the prayer and asking again. Then there is the widow in Luke 18:7 God answers consistent, persistent prayer who was pleading for justice against her and He will do it for Israel too in answer to adversary and was not getting a hearing your prayer for the "Peace of Jerusalem." - Eric Leach
Many Christians and much of the church is still blind as to why Israel is and where She is heading. Much of Israel herself is unable to recognise who they are in the sight and purpose of almighty God. And much less the world, who treats Israel just as another nation, sometimes less than one of the other nations. Zechariah 8:23 "This is what the Lord Almighty says: "In those days ten men from all languages and nations will take firm hold of one Jew and the hem of His robe and say, "Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you."
"Pray for the peace of Jerusalem" Psalm 122:6 "I have posted watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night." Isaiah 62:6
"As Jesus approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it." John 19:41
Shutterstock: mikhail
Natzor: Messianic Boot Camp Israel Preparing Young Israeli Believers For The Army Is A Challenge When young Israelis graduate high school, they prepare for the honour - and heartache - of waving goodbye to their childhood and putting on the olive-coloured uniform of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) that they will wear for the next few years. While motivation remains high, and a staggering 72 percent of new recruits request to join combat units, it is nonetheless a difficult transition. For many of these teenagers, it is the first time away from home and there is plenty of anxiety. That's one reason why the Messianic Jewish community in Israel has developed a program to support new recruits called Natzor. It's an intensive nine-day boot camp geared to give young Messianic Israelis the tools they need to serve in the IDF in a way that brings honour to God, to Yeshua (Jesus) and to the nation.
Stanfeld, one of the programs instructors, told Israel Today. "We do encourage them to be bold about their faith in the army. These young people are probably the most important witness to Yeshua for an entire generation of youth in Israel." Watching and listening to the testimonies of the recent Natzor graduates, it is clear that most understand the special call on their lives in the army. "We are being mobilised not only for the Israeli army, but also for God's army," declared one of the graduates. Program director Joel Goldberg sees Natzor as a way to help believers hold on to their faith during their years in the military. "Quite a few of them will get involved with - boy and girl - friends while in the army,"he says. "They can grow a distance from the Lord and stop coming to the congregation."
"We combine spiritual, physical and mental "It is so important that we all support exercises to get them in shape and ready to these young people during their service," serve their Lord and their country,"Yochanan Goldberg told parents and visitors at this
year's graduation ceremony. "These young boys and girls are giving their lives to serve us and our nation. They are there for us, and we need to be there for them as well."
or computer experts for the clandestine Intelligence Corps, most end up serving wherever the army needs them. Before joining the Natzor program, one young girl had decided she would leave the army if she Goldberg organises youth groups from didn't get into one of the units she wanted. local congregations to attend special She just didn't see how she could survive for ceremonies for Messianic soldiers. When a two years doing something she hated. soldier completes basic training, receives an award or achieves a new rank, the whole "During the program I kept struggling with congregation gets involved. When a soldier fears about where I might end up in the is left alone on the base for Shabbat ( The army,"she told the graduation audience. Sabbath), they make sure some of their "But now I know that the best place for me is where God wants me. Wherever God Messianic friends drop by to visit. puts me I will find something good. I want "Army life is exhausting,"explains Goldberg. to serve God wherever I am." "Without the support of the family and the community of believers many would not "Where God plants you,grow there,"Goldberg encouraged the recruits. "And you will find make it through." that you will be a blessing and a witness to IDF recruits worry about where they will Yeshua (Jesus ) wherever you are." serve, and while some have dreams of singing in the iconic army band, and others of By David Lazarus - Israel Today Magazine being sharp-shooters on the Golan Heights
Arabs Proudly Serve in Israeli Army
Israel is often portrayed, even from within, as racist and hateful toward Arabs. Some people think there couldn't be any Arabs serving in the Israeli army, and certainly none proudly doing so. Not so! The reality is that many thousands of Arabs and Arabicspeakers are not only Israeli soldiers, but outspoken advocates of both the Israel
Defence Force (IDF) and the Jewish State they serve. Young Mona Lisa, an Arab... volunteered to serve in the Israel Defence Force (IDF). Mona Lisa not only volunteered for service, but struggled to join an infantry combat unit. She has now successfully completed her military service.
GOD SAW THEIR PAIN SRI LANKA Their heartache had festered into bitterness. “We don’t need any god! We’ve given up on God,” they shouted when EHC workers visited their dilapidated home. “God never helped us!” they ranted, clearly angered by the mention of Him.The pioneer missionaries listened patiently, waiting for the elderly couple’s anger to subside. For decades, civil war had rocked the nation of Sri Lanka, and the suffering for many had been great. For this family, it had been more than they could bear. When the EHC workers finally spoke, it was with love and compassion. “We didn’t come to talk about religion, but to tell you about a person who understands your pain and will wipe away your tears.” Clearly caught off guard by such kindness, the elderly couple’s anger instantly melted into puddles of tears. In between sobs they told their tragic story. “We had two sons and one daughter, all married. Together, they gave us seven grandchildren.” Choking on their tears, it was some time before they could continue. The Sri Lankan army had come through the area
forcing everyone to leave their possessions behind and go with them. The bombing was getting closer, making evacuation mandatory. As they frantically hurried to escape, deafening noise and shells dropping around them stopped them in their tracks. The next thing they knew, the elderly couple was looking at their entire family—children and grandchildren—lying in a pool of blood. “We were not allowed to stop,” they sobbed. “They forced us to keep moving.” As the pioneer missionaries quietly listened to their story, they wept with them over their devastating loss. Then they shared about the love of Jesus, forgiveness, and the One who sees their pain. Clearly exhausted by grief, the two whispered, almost in unison, “We want that.” With that invitation, the EHC workers prayed with them asking God for His healing touch on their broken lives and a miraculous healing began. Millions like this family in war-torn Sri Lanka desperately need the God who sees their pain. Please lift them in prayer, for the love of Christ to continue to reach them and also for the EHC workers who faithfully serve there.
Bible Readings: This month the daily text will be taken from 1 & 2 Chronicles. For those wanting to do the one-year Bible reading program these chapters are in brackets.
DECEMBER 2014
PRAY FOR THE PEACE OF JERUSALEM PSALM 122:6 AND THE WORLD.
1
8
SPAIN - Pop. 47,700,000 Map 60. In the midst of a ISRAEL - Pop. 8,000,059 Map 116. Pray for the massive outreach, during which the team partnered peace of Jerusalem. Pray God will bring peace with churches all over Spain to share over six between the Jews, Palestinians and Arab communities. Pray many will come to know the Lord Jesus million gospel booklets, EHC workers are working diligently Christ as their Saviour from sin and the giver of eternal life. to follow-up with all those who responded. Pray for lasting fruit! 1 Chronicles 18 (John 21) 1 Chronicles 11 (Luke 24)
2
9
3
10
4
11
5
12
6
13
NAMIBIA - Pop. 2,200,000 Map 11. EHC workers just completed an outreach in partnership ISRAEL - Pop. 8,000,059 Map 116. Pray for the with the Gospel Truth Ministry in Talsmanus, Messianic Christian believers in Israel to grow in during which time 160 people gave their lives to Christ. their knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ and that the Messianic Christian congregations bring New Testament Praise the Lord! Pray for these new believers to grow to in character and Jewish in practice as they meet together in become “fruit that remains.” 1 Chronicles 19 (Acts 1-2) Saturday assemblies. 1 Chronicles 12 (John 1:1-18) SOLOMON ISLANDS- Pop. 600,000 Map 153. Praise God for an open door with a CREATIVE ACCESS - The Christian church has cult group. The leader died earlier this year, suffered greatly in this nation. We ask for prayers and the members were scattered. For the first time, EHC today for protection for the Church and for has an open door to reach this group. Pray for ministry guidance from the Holy Spirit. Pray especially for EHC plans, that these people will choose to follow Jesus. workers who risk their lives to carry the Gospel to the 1 Chronicles 20 (Acts 3:1 to 8:3) people. 1 Chronicles 13 (John 1:19 to 4:54) CREATIVE ACCESS - EHC pioneer missionaries recently reached a mother and EAST TIMOR - Pop. 1,200,000 Map 145. Pray for her three daughters, former Muslims who EHC workers who labour in areas where heavy have become Christians. Pray for their protection and for pollution is a major health issue. Pray they will stay continued growth in their new lives with the Lord. Pray for well as they go home-to-home. Praise the Lord that recent courage to withstand persecution! 1 Chronicles 21 outreaches have gone smoothly, without persecution from (Acts 8:4 to 11:18) the government or society. 1 Chronicles 14 (John 5-6) MICRONESIA - Pop. 100,000 Map 166. BOTSWANA - Pop. 2,200,000 Map10. Praise Praise God for Ricky, a new part-time EHC God for the success and results of EHC’s recent team member in this nation. He is conducting harvest outreaches! We thank the Lord for the outreaches among sailors on ships. Pray for many to come many people who accepted Jesus and for the new Christ to Christ through this ministry, and that the Lord would Group that was established after the outreaches. Pray for provide for his family while he travels. 1 Chronicles 22 these new believers to grow strong in Christ. (Acts 11:19 to 12:25) 1 Chronicles 15 (John 7:1 to 11:53) VENEZUELA - Pop. 28,900,000 Map 217. Today, pray for churches that have partnered CREATIVE ACCESS - In two major cities, EHC with EHC to carry the Gospel from home-toworkers were able to give gospel booklets to home throughout the nation. Pray that the Lord will guide people during Ramadan earlier this year. It was a them to develop effective plans to reach every home difficult outreach as many people were aggressive. Pray systematically and to be successful in their efforts. for those who received the literature to have open hearts to the message. 1 Chronicles 16 (John 11:54 to 17:26) 1 Chronicles 23 (Acts 13-14)
7
CREATIVE ACCESS - Praise God for a miraculous answer to prayer—the son of an EHC worker was so sick, he was unable to walk. After much prayer, he has been completely healed and can walk again! Please pray for protection for EHC workers in this closed nation. 1 Chronicles 17 (John 18:1 to 20:31)
14
CZECH REPUBLIC - Pop.10,600,000 Map 82. During a door-to-door outreach in central Bohemia, 11,000 families received gospel literature from EHC workers. Praise God! Pray that those who received booklets would understand the message and accept Jesus as Saviour. 1 Chronicles 24 (James 1:1 to 3:12)
Australia: PO Box 168 Penshurst NSW 2222 Telephone: (02) 9570 8211 Facsimile: (02) 9570 4738 New Zealand: PO Box 31-260 Milford North Shore City 0741 Telephone: Free call 0800 900 200 Facsimile: 0061 2 9570 4738 www.everyhome.org.au ehc@everyhome.org.au
15
SIERRA LEONE - Pop. 5,700,000 Map 44. Please continue to pray as this nation combats the rapid spread of the deadly Ebola virus. Pray the Lord would stop this disease so that it will no longer ravage West Africa! Some estimate over 20,000 people will be infected before the disease is under control. 1 Chronicles 25 (James 3:13 to 5:20)
16
BELIZE - Pop. 300,000 Map 183. Praise God for home-to-home outreaches in this Caribbean nation! This team requests prayer that doors currently closed to the Gospel will be opened by the power of God. Pray also for ongoing strength for ministry volunteers and leaders. 1 Chronicles 26 (Acts 15) CREATIVE ACCESS - Pray for a group of new EHC strategy leaders who were recently trained to coordinate ministry efforts throughout this nation. Pray that they would be truly committed and that the Lord would sustain them and bless them in this ministry! 1 Chronicles 27 (Galatians 1-2)
17
18
CONGO, DEM.REP.OF - Pop. 77,400,000 Map 19. Pray for a group of new EHC strategy leaders who were recently trained to coordinate ministry efforts throughout this nation. Pray that they would be truly committed and that the Lord would sustain them and bless them in this ministry! 1 Chronicles 28 (Galatians 3-4)
19
ARGENTINA - Pop. 43,300,000 Map 226. Join us in prayer today over EHC’s prison ministry in the greater Buenos Aires area, where teams are taking the Gospel from cell-to-cell to share the hope and love of Christ. In recent days, 90 prisoners turned to the Lord and received Christ! 1 Chronicles 29 (Galatians 5-6) CREATIVE ACCESS - Please join us in prayer for training for Sunday school and youth leaders. Pray that EHC workers will be able to encourage these leaders, train them properly, and help them engage young people in sharing gospel literature. 2 Chronicles 1 (Acts 16)
24
LESOTHO - Pop. 1,900,000 Map 2. We thank God for a tremendous outreach recently held in Mok’hopha in the Mohale’s hoek district. A missions team from South Africa joined EHC volunteers, and many people committed their lives to Christ. Pray for these new believers! 2 Chronicles 6 (Philemon 4) CREATIVE ACCESS - Happy Christmas! Pray that God will inspire creative strategies to reach this difficult nation with the Gospel. Pray for Christ Group members who experience persecution and for EHC workers who are often restricted from travel. Pray for open doors and protection! 2 Chronicles 7 (Acts 17:1-10) GERMANY - Pop. 81,000,000 Map 83. During this holiday season, EHC Germany workers are sharing an evangelistic calendar as a Christmas gift for those they visit. Pray for this special project to be successful, that many would come to know Christ as Lord. 2 Chronicles 8 (1 Thessalonians 1-3) CREATIVE ACCESS - Pray today for a spiritual awakening in this country where the Gospel is heavily restricted. Pray for those who have received gospel literature from EHC workers, for open hearts and minds to understand fully the truth of Jesus Christ. 2 Chronicles 9 (1 Thessalonians 4-5)
25
26
27
28
CREATIVE ACCESS - This team requests prayer over their nation for political stability. Pray for common understanding to address problems in this country. Pray for EHC workers as they share the Good News in dangerous situations. 2 Chronicles 10 (2 Thessalonians 1-3)
29
20
UGANDA - Pop. 36,000,000 Map 26. This nation is home to refugees from South Sudan, Somalia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and others. Pray for the team as they carry the Good News to five refugee camps with a combined population of more than two million people. 2 Chronicles 11 (Acts 17:11 to 18:11)
21
30
22
31
CREATIVE ACCESS - Five believers LEBANON - Pop. 5,900,000 Map 115. Two connected to the EHC ministry were members of this EHC team are currently imprisoned earlier this year for holding a committed to taking gospel literature hometo-home and ministering near one of the nation’s most Christian funeral. Pray for them. Pray for their health, for volatile borders. Pray for the Lord to open doors and hearts provision for their families, and for hope and grace. 2 Chronicles 12 (1 Corinthians 1-4) in this area and for many to come to Jesus. 2 Chronicles 3 (Philemon 1) BRAZIL - Pop. 202,700,000 Map 221. Praise God for EHC Brazil’s intercessory prayer CREATIVE ACCESS - An elderly woman group, a team of believers who gather who is terminally ill accepted Jesus after EHC workers visited her home. Her daughter, who monthly to pray for requests that arrive by mail, as well as had been distraught by her mother’s illness, also asked for projects and outreaches underway. Join this group in prayer and is now thinking about becoming a Christian. prayer today over the nation of Brazil! 2 Chronicles 13 (1 Corinthians 5-7) Pray for her salvation. 2 Chronicles 4 (Philemon 2)
23
NEPAL - Pop. 31,000,000 Map 134. The EHC Nepal team continues to diligently train hundreds of local leaders in how to use and teach EHC’s Discovery discipleship curriculum. Pray that these leaders will return to their areas of ministry and put their training into practice! 2 Chronicles 5 (Philemon 3)
WRITE YOUR PRAYER request and send it to us in the enclosed envelope and we will pray for you.