GOOD NEWS
November 2021
Our Father’s House The Wilkerson farmhouse in Ohio is a place where people encounter the love of Jesus and incredible stories begin. David Wilkerson was visiting family at the farmhouse when he received the exhortation that spurred him on to the powerful ministry chronicled in his bestselling book, The Cross and the Switchblade. Dee and I celebrated our first Christmas together there when she introduced me to the Wilkerson side of her family. That Christmas I saw God’s love in the kindness of our family and learned new, beautiful aspects of His character — our God is a Father who delights to give us good gifts, who cares about all our small hopes and needs. Hospitality is one way we share the Gospel through the lives we live. And often, it is when our arms are open wide that we look most like Jesus. When we share the Gospel, we are like travellers who come upon a man on the road. Though footsore and hurried, we stop. Clearly, our fellow traveller has no place to go. “Come on, then,” we say, throwing our arm around his shivering shoulders. “In my Father’s house, there are many rooms.” Something wonderful happens when we love others like Jesus loves us. Suddenly, our own eyes open to see Jesus in a new way. When we feel compassion and concern for our neighbour, when we urgently desire for them to experience life and freedom in Jesus, we begin to understand Jesus’ compassion and concern for us, the abundance of the love He offers us. It’s as if, climbing toward the farmhouse through the snow, arm in arm with our fellow traveller, we see the light in the windows through their eyes. It seems brighter than before. The smell of the feast drifting out the door is richer. We experience both the joy of arriving as a guest and the joy of welcoming others. Our joy doubles as we invite others to join us in “our Father’s house.” As we enter a season of gratitude, I am so grateful for you and for your love that has enabled millions to see Jesus and join us in our journey to our Father’s house. I pray you see Jesus’ great love for you in continually new and deeper ways. For the harvest,
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Dick Eastman International President Every Home for Christ
Whether you've supported Every Home for Christ for decades or you're brand new to the team, your partnership is a big deal. The prayer and support of friends like you is what equips pioneer missionaries, sends the Gospel to homes around the world and introduces souls to the Saviour Jesus Christ. There is no Every Home for Christ without you. Thank you for making a vital difference.
GOOD NEWS
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BENIN
There is a way... The man wept. Desperation had driven him to steal from a house where guard dogs had attacked him, costing him an eye. “I know one day I will die in this addiction,” the man told Sunday Avla Kossivi, Every Home’s ministry director in Benin. “But now you have come. Help me out of this!” Drug addiction holds many like this man captive in Benin’s slums. “The people I’m trying to reach begin taking drugs when they are young,” Avla says. “They abandon their families or their families abandon them. They become criminals. Only the Gospel can save them.” Avla and his team met with leaders within the slums. “We are Christians; we want to help you,” Avla said. “How can we help you?” Avla explains that love and respect are
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WO R S H I P S E RV I C E S I N S L U M S D R AW A CROWD LOOKING F O R A W AY O U T O F ADDICTION.
vital to reaching people wIth the Gospel. “You need to allow people to teach you how to win them,” he says. "You should listen to what they need." “It is not that people don’t come to preach to us,” the leaders of the slums said.“But... our flesh is used to drugs. If we don’t take drugs for three days, we become sick.” They
feared
enduring
withdrawal
alone. The barrier between hundreds of
young
people
and
freedom
in
Christ boiled down to a practical need for someone willing to make the love of Jesus tangible by caring for people through the painful process of detox. Alva searched for partners in Benin who were already working to help struggling addicts. “There was no one,” Avla says.
GOOD NEWS
Undaunted, Avla and his team began to build a road out of addiction into freedom. They rented a dormitory facility and partnered with medical professionals. They would need to provide everything for participants in the program — food, medical treatment, housing. Program
graduates
would need help finding jobs and rebuilding their lives. “You need money to do this,” the leaders in the slums told Avla. Believing that God would provide, Avla developed an evangelism strategy: “You can’t just say, ‘Hey guys, leave drugs.’ You say, ‘I’m here because I love you. I see something special in you. The Lord sent me to you. I know when I leave here, you will be my brothers, and I know that the Lord will deliver you.’ Our strategy is pure love.” Every Sunday, Avla and his team bring what the people need - food, clothes and shoes to the slums. They share the Gospel through music, preaching and an invitation to the rehabilitation proram. “Once, a man with a gun threatened me,” Avla shares. “He asked, ‘What are you looking for here?’ I said,
‘I have a gift for you.’
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There is a way... The man had been incarcerated seven times. Like the man who had lost his eye, this man told Avla that he was waiting to die from his addiction. Stories like his, he knew, often end in jail, violence,
There is one way out of addiction into true freedom: Jesus. Sometimes, the only way someone can embrace the Gospel is by experiencing the
or overdose. But Jesus changed everything. This man
love of Jesus in a tangible way.Your gift today
completed the rehabilitation program and
equips Christians like Avla for Christmas
now ministers with the team. His reputation
outreaches — “strategies of pure love” to
as a dangerous man makes people listen;
feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, and
the love that has changed his story inspires
free people in bondage. As the Christmas season approaches,
them. Avla and his team are currently working
excitement is building among Every Home
in three slums and plan to reach seven more.
teams around the world. This
They need more beds, more food, more
precious opportunity to share the Gospel
everything.
in some of the most difficult and desperate
“I know there are more people,” Avla says. “Many people see their friends who are now
time is a
places. Your gifts open a door for the Gospel to change lives.
able to live and it motivates other people to come.”
“A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are My disciples...” — John 13:34-35
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
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Telephone: Free call 0800 900 200 Facsimile: 0061 2 9570 4738
NIGERIA: ATTACKS ON CHRISTIANS PLEASE PRAY FOR THE PROTECTION OF CHRISTIANS IN NIGERIA Attackers kidnapped four women and killed one person in a recent attack on a church in Nigeria’s south.
Schools are a common target. Since December 2020, extremists have kidnapped over 700 students from their schools.
The attack on the Baptist church occurred during the morning service.
Please pray with all those affected in Nigeria.
Fulani herdsmen, a Muslim-majority nomadic group, are believed to be behind the attack. They killed one church member, injured another and abducted four women. The incident took place only days after armed men stormed the nearby Greenfield University, killing one and abducting 22. The attackers demanded a ransom equal to approximately $2.5 million AUD. They have since killed at least five hostages. Nigeria has seen an alarming increase of kidnappings since late last year. Between 15 February and 12 March this year, almost 1,100 people across Nigeria have been abducted. In the same month last year that number was 240.
1 Pray for the ongoing safety and protection of the four women still held hostage. 2 Pray that God’s peace will transform even the hardest hearts in Nigeria. 3 In a nation stricken by violence, pray the church will be a place of hope and comfort. Published by Open Doors
Pray For Every Home for Christ in Nigeria: "Gunmen are on the rampage in Okporo and the neighbouring communities in the Imo State" our Every Home for Christ team reports. "Residents are afraid of going out of their homes. Please pray for us".
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BANGLADESH I am Maya Rani Roy. My husband's name is Gonesh Roy and he passed away many days ago. I have only one daughter. She has got married and is living with her husband’s family. So I am alone. I have no earning resource so I had to work at other people’s houses as a maid-servant. But during this Covid-19 pandemic situation no one wants to engage me to their house to work. Now I have no income. I have to pass out my days without food. It is very hard for me to survive. I had not got any kind of help from anyone. I can’t control my tears. I prayed to God for help in this critical situation and Bangladesh EHC has come to give me some food items. I know that God has sent you to help me. I am so happy and grateful to our almighty God and also to you for this food. May God bless you abundantly. Thank you very much.
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Maya Rani Roy
Each year we buy new clothes for the children as a special Christmas gift and give a gift to EHC workers and evangelists. This year in particular families will be most grateful as their needs have been great during the pandemic. If you can help this year, even if you don't sponsor a child, this will be greatly appreciated. May the Lord guide you.
INDIA Our Project Manager in India reports that during the Coronavirus lockdown in India, our Love Annupampattu school children, like all children in India, could not attend school and had to stay at home, most families being unable to leave their home for work. Without money and without the children's lunch provided at school, their needs were great and India EHC put together food parcels each month for each family, those already in the school and children about to enroll in classes. This has been a wonderful blessing to families who were without oil, rice, dhal and other essentials. The parents and children of Annupumpattu are extremely grateful for the way you have continued to provide for them while their EHC school was closed down for such a long time.
YOUR CHRISTMAS GIFT WILL BRING EXCITEMENT AND JOY THIS CHRISTMAS (SEE THE REPLY SLIP)
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YOUR CHRISTMAS GIFT WILL BRING EXCITEMENT AND JOY THIS CHRISTMAS
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NOVEMBER 2021
Bible Readings: This month the daily text will be taken from the books of 1 Samuel & 2 Samuel. For those wanting to do the one-year Bible reading program these chapters are in brackets.
1 2 3 4
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. 1 Samuel 7 (Nehemiah 1-7) PRAY FOR DIPLAVE POKHREL Thank you so much for praying; Diplave now has a Visa which allows him to stay and work with EHC for 5 years. Please continue to pray, this time for permanent residency. 1 Samuel 8 (Nehemiah 8-10) 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. 1 Samuel 9 (Nehemiah 11-13) 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! 1 Samuel 10 (Malachi 1-4) BENIN Pop. 13,300,000 Map 37. Please pray
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for Benin and the Every Home for Christ team serving there. The team reports opposition from people practising Voodoo. “We face a lot of spiritual attacks,” the team explains. “Let Benin be delivered from idolatry.” Please pray that people would be open to the 1 Samuel 11 (Matthew 1-2) Gospel. COSTA RICA Pop. 5,100,000 Map184. The EHC team in Costa Rica recently partnered with pastors to train their congregations in evangelism. The team asks for prayer that these churches “would go out to do the great commission and that everything would go well.” And pray for protection from COVID-19 as they minister. 1 Samuel 12 (Matthew 3:1 to 4:11)
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BULGARIA Pop. 6,900,000 Map 77. We offer praise with our brothers and sisters in Bulgaria. “We are thankful to the Lord that last week we received new children’s gospel literature,” the team says and we are now equipped to reach over 8,000 kids. Pray that God will 1 Samuel 13 open little hearts to the Gospel. (Matthew 4:12 to 7:29) CREATIVE ACCESS-SOUTH ASIA The EHC team in this nation joyfully reports that a family of four is ready to accept Jesus as their Saviour! “This is the fruit that our Lord has given to our staff after doing continuous follow-up,” the team says. Please pray for these new believers as they begin their new life in Christ. 1 Samuel 14 Pray that they will be discipled well. (Matthew 8:1 to 11:1)
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CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC Pop. 5,300,000 Map 25. “We will be launching an evangelistic campaign in the locality of Mossapoula,” the team in this nation shares. “Pray for the salvation of souls, for the Holy Spirit to work in power and miracles as believers visit families in this region.” May God's presence be felt, and may whole households be changed. 1 Samuel 15 (Matthew 11:2 to 13:53) PARAGUAY Pop. 7,200,000 Map 222. “Our request is for our beloved Paraguayan land,” the EHC team in this nation shares. “We are in a critical moment due to the many fire outbreaks throughout the country and a lot of drought as well. We cry out to God for abundant rain in our country.” Pray that God would protect and comfort the people of Paraguay. 1 Samuel 16 (Matthew 13:54 to 16:28) GEORGIA Pop. 4,900,000 Map 103. The Every Home for Christ team serving in Georgia reports that the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is worsening in their country. They ask for prayer that God would protect their team, give them wisdom for how to reach their neighbours and communities amid this crisis, and bring healing to the people of Georgia. 1 Samuel 17 (Matthew 17:1 to 19:2) BANGLADESH Pop. 16 4,000,000 Map 132. The Every Home for Christ team in Bangladesh asks - “Please pray for the pastors and evangelists who are running to reach unreached people with good news about Jesus Christ during this pandemic.” May God be glorified in their ministry. 1 Samuel 18 (Matthew 19:3 to 23:39) MAURITIUS Pop. 1,300,000 Map 6. “Please join us in prayer for Rodrigues Island,” the Every Home for Christ team in this nation asks. “Pray for all the pastors and believers partnering in the great commission, and may the spirit of unity dwell among them.” May God empower and equip his people to work well together as they share about Jesus. 1 Samuel 19 (Matthew 24:1 to 26:2) CREATIVE ACCESS- MIDDLE EAST The EHC team in this Creative Access nation asks you to join them in praying for their upcoming outreach among a specific people group in their nation. This outreach may be the first time this people group has ever encountered the Gospel in their own language! Pray for open hearts. 1 Samuel 20 (Matthew 26:3 to 27:66) UGANDA Pop. 44,700,000 Map 26. “Please pray for Uganda,” the Every Home team serving in this nation asks. “There has been an increase in violent killings in the central part of the country. Unknown assailants attack families every night. People are now living in fear. Please pray.” 1 Samuel 21 (Matthew 28)
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PRAY FOR ISRAEL ROMANS 10:1 11 "Brothers and sisters, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved."
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ALBANIA Pop. 3,000,000 Map 75. “In Albania, 3,000 Afghan people are going to be sheltered," shares the Every Home for Christ team. “Please pray for God’s wisdom and guidance as we reach refugees with the Gospel and share the love of Jesus with them while they are going through very hard times.” 1 Samuel 22 (Mark 1:1-13) NIGERIA Pop. 219,400,000 Map 35. Please pray for our brothers and sisters serving in Nigeria. “Gunmen are on the rampage in Okporo and the neighbouring communities in the Imo State,” our team reports. “Residents are afraid of going out of 1 Samuel 23 their homes. Please pray for us.” (Mark 1: 14 to 3:35) PAPUA NEW GUINEA Pop. 3,300,000 Map 146. “Please pray for the believers who will visit families with COVID-19 relief, basic humanitarian aid and food supplies,” asks the Every Home for Christ team serving there. “Pray that God will give them confidence and courage as they visit homes. Pray that God will give them wisdom to speak the message of salvation!” 1 Samuel 24 (Mark 4-5)
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CAPE VERDE Pop. 500,000 Map 43. Our
team is embarking on an exciting outreach to share the Gospel with people who have hearing impairments. There is no church working to reach this group on Santiago Island. “Pray for the seminars we will hold and that we will be able to mobilise pastors, convincing them of this need,” the team asks. 1 Samuel 25 (Mark 6:1 to 8:26)
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CREATIVE ACCESS-CENTRAL ASIA
Our team in this closed nation shares: “We ask you to pray that the Lord will renew and revive all churches and believers through his Holy Spirit.” Please pray that church leaders will be able to guide their flocks with wisdom and that believers in this challenging nation will be strengthened through discipleship. 1 Samuel 26 (Mark 8:27 to 10:31) MYANMAR Pop. 57,000,000 Map 135 Our team in Myanmar reports continued unrest in their nation. “Please pray for our nation,” they ask. The people of Myanmar have been told to prepare for civil war. Pray that God will pour out his peace on this nation and His protection on our brothers and sisters serving there. May they be filled with courage. 1 Samuel 27 (Mark 10:32 to 13:37)
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HUNGARY Pop. 9,700,000 Map 79. Our
EHC team is planning a joint outreach with a congregation in Budapest. They ask for your prayers that “our Lord will adjust our plans to His thoughts and will. Budapest, especially the inner city, is a particularly difficult field for missions. Let us pray that the Lord will open 1 Samuel 28 (Mark 14 to 16) doors!”
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CREATIVE
ACCESS-MIDDLE
EAST
“Please pray for the spiritual lives of believers in our country,” the EHC team serving in this closed nation requests. They long to see spiritual maturity in the Christians in their communities. “Pray for the Church to grow in grace and truth. Pray that the believers would 1 Samuel 29 know Jesus more and more.” (Luke 1-2)
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ZIMBABWE Pop. 14,800,000 Map 9. Our brothers and sisters in Zimbabwe ask for prayer that God will call believers to reach specific demographics in their nation. May God touch the hearts of his people with a passion for groups of people that might be forgotten so that no one is left behind! 1 Samuel 30 (Luke 3:1 to 4:15)
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ETHIOPIA Pop. 110,000,000 Map 29. Months of conflict have resulted in great suffering across the nation, our EHC team reports. “According to some sources, 400,000 displaced people are now in the northern part of the country, and our ministry centre plans to reach those people.” Pray that God 1 Samuel 31 will bless the work of these believers. (Luke 4:16 to 6:49) AUSTRIA Pop. 8,800,000 Map 80. “We pray for our upcoming outreach in the region of Styria,” the team in Austria shares. “Please pray that people will open their hearts to the Gospel.” Pray that God will prepare the hearts of the families who will be reached to receive Christ. 2 Samuel 1 (Luke 7:1 to 9:50)
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SURINAME Pop. 600,000 Map 212. “Pray for the Gospel to wash through our country as we engage leaders and pastors,” this EHC team asks. “Pray for the hearts of our spiritual leaders to be open to working together. Pray that the believers will stand up with fire to reach their neighbours.” 2 Samuel 2 (Luke 9:51 to 12:59)
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ANGOLA Pop. 33,600,000 Map 13. The EHC team in Angola asks for prayer that their ministry would grow. Please pray “that God may give us the grace to enter new territories." Please pray also for new partnerships. May God swiftly open doors and pave the way before our brothers and sisters. 2 Samuel 3 (Luke 13:1 to 18:30)
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MALAWI Pop. 20,300,000 Map 15. “Pray for order and peace in Malawi,” the Every Home for Christ team asks. “Pray for the leadership of our country, that they would seek divine wisdom, divine direction and guidance from the Lord.” Ask God to fill the believers in Malawi with His peace so that they can be beacons of light and hope to their 2 Samuel 4 (Luke 18:31 to 21:38) neighbours.
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BURKINA FASO Pop. 21,300,000 Map 40 “Please, let’s pray for our ministry director, who is leading outreaches in one of our largest regions,” our team asks. “Let’s ask God for a safe journey and a fruitful partnership with local believers to reach each home and each person.” Please join us in 2 Samuel 5 praying for God to bless their work. (Luke 22-23)
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