EHC June 2022

June 2022

Double Your Impact!

Already, through generous giving by our EHC supporters in Australia & New Zealand, we have been able to send A$ 35,000 (NZ$ 38,700) for Ukraine crisis relief and donations continue to be given each day.

Many, many thanks for your kindness.

UKRAINE reaching out to refugees

REPORT FROM CHRISTIANITY TODAY - Kate Shellnutt

Moldova Welcomes 100K Ukraine Refugees, With Evangelicals Opening Doors “Especially during the first several days, the refugees arrived traumatised and overwhelmed. They’d continue weeping or remain silent when Christians went to speak with them.

So then we just open our arms and if they are willing, we hug them and start praying for them. In our prayer, we ask God for peace, God’s mighty mercy and protection for everyone .... The Scripture passages that we mainly share with them are those that talk about God who can restore destroyed lives, a destroyed country and about a sovereign God who can intervene into any situation.”

Every Home for Christ is one of these evangelical groups, sharing comfort and praying for the men, women and children as they seek refuge in Ukraine’s neighbouring countries.

Moldova Every Home for Christ reports ...

From Moldova ...

We are thankful to the Lord that over 3000 New Testament and Gospel tracts in Ukrainian and Russian have been distributed over the last few weeks. We are expecting 1000 more in the Ukrainian language and one pallet of literature in Russian and Ukrainian. We are glad that more and more churches are involved in the ministry with refugees.

Among our refugees, there was a young couple - Alexandru and Nastea.

She is 4 months pregnant. We showed them God’s love and kindness and told them about Jesus. In a few days, a bus to Switzerland was organised and they went there. In a week, Alexandru called us from Switzerland and said: “We are delighted, Nicolae. I have no words to thank you for the kindness you showed us. We went to church here and people are that kind here as well! I can’t believe something like this exists!”

Nicolae answered: “It is God who is kind to you through people.

He loves you!” Alexandru said: “I am touched by His love! Please send me some leaflets in Ukrainian, so other refugees here can read about the love of God.” Among our refugees, there was a young couple -

PraiseAlexandru God for and the Nastea. transformation He made in this family - God’s love and She is 4 months pregnant. kindness leads us to repentance.

We showed them God’s love and kindness and told them about Jesus. In a few days, a bus to Switzerland was organized and they went there. In a week, Alexandru called us from Switzerland and said: “We are delighted, Nicolae. I have no words to thank you for the kindness you showed us. We says Nataliia, a Ukrainian refugee who has found shelter in Slovakia with went to church here, and people are that kind the help Homesomething for Christ’s churches. hereofasone well!ofI Every can’t believe likepartner this exists!” Nicolae answered: “It is God who is kind At thetoborder, Nataliia and met by a believer who helped you through people.

He her loveskids you!”were Alexandru “I am touched

by His love!with Please send mefrom EHC and our partners. them said: get settled and connected resources leaflets Ukrainian, so other refugeesGod here has a plan for me,” Nataliia “Heresome I found outinthat, despite everything, can read about the lovemy of God.” Godto forheal. the God filled my heart here says. “Through prayers, soulPraise started transformation He made in this family - God’s love and started to answer my questions. Thank you.” and kindness lead us to repentance.

“While losing Ukraine, I found God,”

18 Christians in India jailed, fight false charge Report from Morning Star News, India

May 9th, 2022 10:23 AM | NEW DELHI

Christians falsely charged with crimes related to an act of vandalism in India five years ago spent five days in jail and are fighting the case anew after it mysteriously resurfaced, sources said.

The 18 Christians, including a widow, in Chhattisgarh state’s Bhelwapal village, Sukma District, were jailed even though one of the traditional tribal animists who falsely accused them has since become a Christian and has explained how they were framed.

Tribal villagers, who damaged a pastor’s house and church building, also smashed a Hindu idol and told officers the pastor had done it in an effort to justify why they had vandalised his property, according to the church leader, Pastor Hidma Sodi.

“A family that was hand-in-glove with the ones who brought the idol and broke it but blamed the Christians, has now come to the Christian faith,” Pastor Sodi told Morning Star News. “They not only told us how this conspiracy was planned and executed to frame the Christians but are also willing to speak as witnesses before the court.”

As the Christians had registered a complaint with police, the tribal animists then planned to assault the pastor and three church members. Word of the plot reached Pastor Sodi, who fled with his family, as did the three other Christian families.

The assailants reached Pastor Sodi’s house at 3 p.m. and, not finding him there, further damaged his house and the church building across the road. Though he had been living in the house with his wife and four sons since 2008, authorities said he must not return to it or the village for more than six months; he relocated to Sukma, where he has lived since then.

After Christians repaired his home, he gave it to a church widow as care-taker – she was among those arrested and sent to jail.

The officer investigating the case knew the animists had broken the idol but registered a case against the Christians, Pastor Sodi said.

“The Chhattisgarh Christian Forum petitioned the state High Court over the case and it ordered a compromise, allowing the Christians to worship peacefully in exchange for dropping all charges against the tribal animists, with charges against the Christians also dropped,” said Arun Pannalal, president of the Christian Forum.

“An officer from the police station-incharge went to the village and explained the court order and the repercussions if it was not followed by the villagers,” Pannalal told Morning Star News. In spite of the agreement, the case was reopened for unknown reasons, Pastor Sodi said.

The officer from the police station-incharge called him and said the Christians and the tribal animists would have to reach another compromise.“I don’t know the reason why the case was reopened again,” Pastor Sodi said.

Before another agreement could be reached, COVID-19 lockdowns delayed the process, and he heard nothing from authorities for about two years, he said. Earlier this year the station in-charge was transferred and a new one took over. This new police station noticed that there was a prospective compromise pending and the Christians and the eight tribal villagers presented themselves at the police station where they were told to appear before a judge for the case to be resolved.

Taken to a hospital first for COVID-19 testing from morning until 3 p.m., when the Christians and the eight villagers appeared in court, the judge said he was available only until 4 p.m. By the time police had presented us before the court, hardly any time was left for any discussion for compromise,” he said. “The magistrate ordered all the Christians and the eight villagers to be sent to jail.”

While the Christian men were placed in the Sukma jail, the widow was sent to a jail in Jagdalpur, 66 miles away. The Christians were released on bail five days later and it was unclear when the eight tribal

villagers were released. “That’s how powers are being misused to persecute Christians,” said Pannalal of the Chhattisgarh Christian Forum. “They had our moral and advisory support. People with no support languish in jails for years and that is very sad.”

After finally obtaining bail, the Christians were summoned to court along with the tribal animist assailants .

“We do not know for how long the case is going to be dragged on,” he said.

“There are a lot of finances involved in appearing for court dates, besides the harassment that Christians are facing for no fault of their own, but they are standing strong, knowing that they are suffering for their faith.” The next court hearing will take place in June, he said.

Since the original court order, Pastor Sodi has been visiting the village and has led regular worship services there.

In the five years since the case began, seven families from the village have turned to Christ, said Bhima Sodi, a senior pastor and elder brother of Hidma Sodi.

“Since the formation of a local tribal rights body, incidents of violence against Christians in Sukma have grown,” said Pastor Bhima Sodi and this area in general has been rife with incidents of Christians targeted for their faith.

Local officials have contributed to an atmosphere of hostility by tracking Christian movements.

In an official letter presented in July entitled “Regarding the Religious Activities Carried out by Christian Missionaries in the Area,” the then Superintendent of Police told all the subdivisional officers and police station chiefs under him to track the activities of Christian workers and converted tribal people for possible illegal conversions.

He alleged in the letter that Christian workers and tribal converts in the district were enticing and coaxing tribal people to convert by offering them incentives.

In November, the local Commissioner reportedly issued controversial guidelines to subordinate district magistrates which, translated from Hindi, read: “Make a list of all villages, families and persons from other communities who might be lured by Christians to convert.

Bring back people who have converted to Christianity to the original community through brotherhood and goodwill.Initiate campaigns for people who have not yet converted so that they continue to believe in their traditions, gods and goddesses and rituals.”

The Morning Star News reports that the authorities issuing controversial guidelines that portray Christians in bad light show

government bias, said the general secretary of the Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI).

They make it clear that an agenda is being pushed, even by the administration, which is supposed to be neutral and function according to the constitution of the country.

Chhattisgarh was second-worst state in the country in terms of Christians targeted for their faith, according to a 2021 report by the EFI’s Religious Liberty Commission.

Uttar Pradesh topped the list with 129 cases of hate and targeted violence against Christians, while Chhattisgarh had 74.

“The government of not only Chhattisgarh but also other states must protect not just the minorities but the constitution of the country, which guarantees equality under law and the freedom to profess, practice and propagate the faith of one’s choice,” Pastor L. said. “There is a need to remind political groups, state apparatus and the law - and order system what the prime minister and the Supreme Court of India have assured our countrymen – religious freedom for everyone.”

India ranked 10th on Open Doors’ 2022 World Watch List of the countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian, as it was in 2021. The country was 31st in 2013, but its position has worsened since then.

Please pray for India

Please pray for Madagascar

ACCORDING TO “THE JOSHUA PROJECT “ OF A TOTAL OF

40 PEOPLE GROUPS IN MADAGASCAR, 11 ARE STILL UNREACHED WITH A POPULATION OF 446,000.

EVERY HOME FOR CHRIST CONTINUES TO TAKE GOSPEL LITERATURE DOOR-TO-DOOR, PERSON BY PERSON, UNTIL EVERYONE HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR THE GOSPEL AND RECEIVE CHRIST.

JUNE 30

th

TAX SAVING FOR AUSTRALIANS if you have given donations for overseas aid 01/07/2021 TO 30/06/2022

The tax savings allowed are as follows if your Annual Income is – $0 - $ 18,200 there is no tax-saving $18,201 - $37,000 there is 19% tax saving

$ 19 on $ 100 $190 on $1000

$37,001 - $87,000 there is a 32.5% tax saving

$ 32.50 on $100 $325.00 on $1000

$87,001 - $180,000 there is a 37% tax saving

$ 37 on $ 100 $370 on $1000

$180,001 plus there is a 45% tax saving

$ 45 on $ 100 $450 on $1000

PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU WOULD LIKE A TAX SUMMARY OF YOUR GIVING

The end of the financial year is here – but the needs around the world have not ended.

We are so blessed in Australia and New Zealand to be able to give to the needs of others – and have some of the finance we give returned to us in our tax return.

As I was in church one night, I listened as the pastor spoke a message on finance. It was different to many I had heard previously in other places.

Rather than teaching that it is great to become rich – so we can show off the blessing of God in our life, he encouraged us not to pursue riches – but to pursue giving to others. To be rich in good deeds. To be faithful in meeting others’ needs. And practically often that comes down to using what we have – our finances – to help meet the needs of the poor, those enslaved by poverty through no choice of their own but by a matter of the situation and country in which they were born.

While it is a wonderful thing to be grateful for our blessed position in life, it is just not enough.

Let’s use our blessing to help others. To serve the poor and needy. To set the oppressed free. To practically walk in love.

God is not poor. He is not in need. He owns all the riches in Heaven and on earth. Have you ever wondered where God keeps His riches? What bank account He is using?

It is yours.

As the financial year ends, let me encourage you to give to the poor – not so you get a return – but as a result you will get a return.

Let’s be open handed towards the needy & faithful in meeting the needs of the oppressed. Together we can make an impact, for one, for two, for a family, for a village, a community, maybe even a nation. Not because we have to. But because we can, because we are free, we are not enslaved.

Let’s be grateful for that – but also do something about those that are not free. They are enslaved – because of the poverty they were born into.

Katherine Franks Australia: PO Box 168 Penshurst NSW 2222 Telephone: (02) 9570 8211 Facsimile: (02) 9570 4738 ABN: 88001276240 www.everyhome.org.au E-mail: ehc@everyhome.org.au New Zealand: PO Box 31-260 Milford North Shore City 0741 NZBN: 9429043322862 Telephone: Free call 0800 900 200 Facsimile: 0061 2 9570 4738

JUNE 2022

Bible Readings: This month the daily text will be taken from the books of Esther and Job. For those wanting to do the one-year Bible reading program these chapters are in brackets.

1

PRAY FOR DICK AND DEE EASTMAN Dick is the International President of Every Home for Christ with a large responsibility for EHC ministries across the world. Esther 7 (Psalms 11 - 16)

2

PRAY FOR DIPLAVE POKHREL Diplave is now back in Australia, waiting for his wife Sangita to be granted a Visa. Please pray she will receive her Visa quickly.

Esther 8 (Psalm 17, 19) PRAY FOR ERIC AND LORRAINE LEACH Pray God will guide Eric in his leadership as Executive Director in Australia and New Zealand and Lorraine with EHC office responsibilities.

Esther 9 (Psalms 20 - 22) PRAY FOR YOUR FAMILY - sons, daughters and grandchildren, plus others to come to Christ. Get a piece of paper and write down their names. Get their photos and pray every day for their salvation; eternity without Christ is a long time!

Esther 10 (Psalms 24 - 26)

3

4

5

UKRAINE Pop. 43,700,000 Map. 101 “All I know are safe,” the Every Home for Christ ministry director of Ukraine reported as the war began. “It kind of revealed a meaning of the word ‘saved’ and how we should preach the salvation of the Lord.” Please pray that, amid the danger, people will look to the Lord for both physical and spiritual salvation.

Job 1 (Psalms 27 - 28) EURASIA Every Home for Christ teams in countries surrounding Ukraine have shifted their ministry focus to caring for refugees and are preparing gospel literature and other materials to share. Please pray that the love demonstrated by these teams and the printed messages they share will touch hearts and lead many to Jesus.

Job 2 (Psalms 29, 31)

6

7

UKRAINE Pop. 43,700,000 Map.101 Please pray for the Every Home for Christ ministry director of Ukraine.

“His plan now is to assess the situation and the needs and act accordingly” the EHC area director over Eastern Europe reports.

“He is working on what is most important, extending the love of Jesus in various ways to the ones who need it the most.” Job 3 (Psalms 35 - 36) RUSSIA Pop. 145,900,000 Map. 106 One of the EHC ministry directors in Russia has a daughter who depends on medicine from Europe but the sanctions against the Russian government threaten to end their access to this medicine. Please pray for God to meet the needs of families throughout the region so that the innocent do not suffer. Job 4 (Psalms 37 - 38)

8 9

UKRAINE Pop. 43,700,000 Map. 101 “The Every Home for Christ ministry director of Ukraine is sending me disturbing images and videos filmed by his neighbour in his apartment building,” the EHC area director in Eastern Europe reports. “Women are crossing borders with kids and suitcases alone.”

Please pray for vulnerable people to find protection.

Job 5 (Psalms 39 - 40)

10

SLOVAKIA Pop. 5,500,000 Map. 81 “Thank you for your prayers and all the encouragement and backup for this region,” says the EHC ministry director in Slovakia. “Let’s pray together. Many things are not going to be the same anymore...”

Please pray that all the families adapting to a distressing new reality will find peace in the truth and love of Jesus. Job 6 (Psalms 41, 53)

PRAY FOR ISRAEL ROMANS 11:28

11

16

12

17

UKRAINE Pop. 43,700,000 Map. 101 Please pray for the family of the EHC ministry director in Ukraine. His family has sought safety with our Eurasian Continental team in Slovakia while he has returned to Ukraine to coordinate relief work. Please pray for the Holy Spirit to fill their hearts with peace while they are seperated.

Job 7 (Psalms 55, 58) POLAND Pop. 37,800,000 Map. 84 As Ukrainian refugees stream into Poland, cities like Warsaw are struggling to make room.

Hospitals and housing are crowded and refugee centres are reaching their capacities. Please pray that God will provide the resources that will enable Poland to meet the physical needs of both Polish and Ukranian families.

Job 8 (Psalms 61 - 62) SLOVAKIA Pop. 5,500,000 Map. 81 At the time this is written, more than 195,000 Ukranian refugees have crossed the border into Slovakia. Please pray for these families who have been separated from their homes, jobs and communities as they try to make ends meet in a nation not their own. Pray for the Lord to guide them.

Job 9 (Psalms 65, 68)

13 14

HUNGARY Pop. 9,700,000 Map. 79 Aid stations in Hungary were prepared to receive the thousands of refugees who have fled from violence in Ukraine and the government says that it is prepared to receive up to 900,000 refugees in total. Please pray that Hungary will be a haven for those families as they seek help during this dark time.

Job 10 (Psalms 72, 86)

15

ROMANIA Pop. 19,200,000 Map. 78 Women, children and pets spend the night on mattresses spread across the ballroom of a hotel in a Romanian border town. They receive free food, Wi-Fi and medical care.

Please pray for them as they decide where to go next and wait to hear from their husbands and fathers still in Ukraine.

Job 11 (Psalms 101, 103)

REP. OF MOLDOVA Pop. 4,000,000 Map. 102 At the time this is written, about 350,000 refugees have fled from Ukraine to Moldova.

Among the nations bordering Ukraine, Moldova is the smallest and possibly the least resourced to respond. Please pray that Modlova will be able to meet the needs of the refugee families without being overwhelmed.

Job 12 (Psalms 108 - 110) RUSSIA Pop. 145,900,000 Map. 106 One of the EHC ministry directors in Russia has family in Ukraine.“I call every two or three hours,” he says. “Everyone is in fear. Planes fly low.” Please pray for families who live on opposite sides of this conflict, which has forced them apart when they most want to be together. Pray for their peace and safety.

Job 13 (Psalms 138 - 141)

18

UKRAINE Pop. 43,700,000 Map. 101 Please pray for the needs of those affected by the war.“Some will need money to get to the train, some for transportation out of the country (if that is still possible - some roads and bridges are just not there anymore)”, the EHC ministry director reports. “Some need food because they are starving.”

Job 14 (Psalms 143 - 145)

19

BELARUS Pop. 9,400,000 Map. 100 There are reports that wounded Russian soldiers are being taken to hospitals in Belarus for care.

Please pray that these soldiers will recover physically but also pray that they will encounter the Gospel of Jesus while in Belarus. May the truth and love of the Saviour change hearts and redirect lives.

Job 15 (1 Kings 1 - 4) POLAND Pop. 37,800,000 Map. 84 At the time this is written, more than 400 Ukranian children with cancer have been evacuated to Poland. It is no longer possible for them to receive treatment in their own country. A medical centre in Poland is providing treatment for these children with help from other countries. Please pray for the Lord to heal and provide.

Job 16 (Proverbs 1 - 3)

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Send your prayer request to us and we will pray for you too!

21

SLOVAKIA Pop. 5,500,000 Map. 81 While most of the refugees who arrive from Ukraine are moving on to other parts of Europe, the Slovakian government anticipates that the next wave of refugees will not have the same means to travel.

Please pray that those who must remain in Slovakia will find communities ready to welcome and care for them. Job 17 (Proverbs 4 - 7)

22

HUNGARY Pop. 9,700,000 Map. 79 Hungarians have rallied to donate food, clothes and other necessities to the Ukranian refugees who arrive seeking help.The great need now is for volunteers to help connect these resources to the families who desperately need them.

Please pray that Hungarians with wise, servant hearts will feel called to help.

Job 18 (Proverbs 8 - 9)

23

ROMANIA Pop. 19,200,000 Map. 78 International sanctions against the Russian government have threatened 2,500 Romanian jobs that depend on trade with Russia. Company accounts have been frozen and wages lost. Please pray for the Romanian government as it seeks to protect these jobs amid ongoing uncertainty and upheaval.

Job 19 (Proverbs 10 - 14)

24

REP. OF MOLDOVA Pop. 4,000,000 Map. 102 At the time this is written, the Transdniestria region of Moldova is held by pro-Russian separatists and Russian troops are stationed there despite calls for them to leave - a deeply concerning situatuion for the Moldovan government.

Please pray for peace to prevail instead of an escalation of current hostilities.

1 Kings 2:1 - 23 (Proverbs 15 - 20)

25

RUSSIA Pop. 145,900,000 Map. 106 More than 15,000 Russians have been arrested for protesting against the war in Ukraine, despite free speech being protected by the Russian constitution. Please pray for these citizens who have raised their voices in calls for peace. Pray that justice will be done and that freedom will reign in this nation. Job 20 (Proverbs 21 - 24)

26

UKRAINE Pop. 43,700,000 Map. 101 As families fled to the border, the Ukranian government called for men of fighting age to remain and defend the country.

This forced many families to decide whether to remain together in a war zone or split up, uncertain of when they would be reunited. Please pray for the safety of the families that are facing this difficult decision.

Job 21 (Proverbs 25 - 29) RUSSSIA Pop. 145,900,000 Map.106 Following economic sanctions against Russia, the ruble has dropped to its lowest value ever and supply chains have been disrupted. These sanctions are designed to put pressure on the Russian government but the Russian people are bearing the worst of it. Please pray for God to provide for families in need.

Job 22 (Proverbs 30 - 31) UKRAINE Pop. 43,700,000 Map. 101 “Criminal Ukranians know that the refugees running for their lives are vulnerable and have all their valuables with them,” reports the EHC area director of Eastern Europe. “These families are becoming prey for those with hearts of stone.”

Please pray for the Lord to protect vulnerable families from this threat.

Job 23 (Song of Solomon 1 - 8)

27 28

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SLOVAKIA Pop. 5,500,000 Map. 81 “I believe love and peace will win,” the EHC ministry director in Slovakia shares. “I am certain.” In times of upheaval, believers must hold tightly to God who never changes. Please pray that this difficult time will compel families across Eurasia to embrace the Prince of Peace.

Job 24 (1 Kings 5 - 7)

30

UKRAINE Pop. 43,700,000 Map. 101 Thousands of Ukranian brothers, fathers and sons between the ages of 18 and 60 have traded their normal day jobs to take up arms in defense of their country.

Most are civilians with minimal training and no combat experience. Please pray for the Lord to protect their lives and bring peace to their nation. Job 25 (1 Kings 8 - 11)