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Archive for February, 2007

Evening Service & Community Groups

Posted by webmaster on February 25th, 2007

Evening Service & Community Groups will continue as scheduled. Please join us for a time of worship & fellowship.

Mission Possible (73) Mark Vance

AM Services Canceled

Posted by webmaster on February 24th, 2007

Due to weather conditions, AM Services have been canceled, however please join us for PM Community Groups & Worship Service.

Rachel Swanson (Liberia, Africa) - African Travelers

Posted by webmaster on February 21st, 2007

Hello from Liberia!

I am back from the ACFI conference in Buchanan. It was an experience in more ways than one. We got to try the true African way of traveling across the country…a loaded van with all the luggage on top, while we were swaying back and forth traveling at a good speed. Christie and I were in front with three other people, and the rest of the 20 some kids were sardined in the back. During the trip our noses picked up a pretty ranky smell from the back and there was alot of yelling to stop the van! The driver pulled over and all the kids piled out of the back and let the poor little boy run to the bushes. While we were stopped, the driver decided to check the engine which we had been sitting over in the front. (Christie has learned where the phrase “pants on fire” comes from as she sat right above the battery which was over heating.) As he pulled up the seat and unscrewed a cap, boiling oil spurted everywhere. He just poured in more oil, screwed the cap on and we were good to go. God was good in keeping us all in one piece.

The conference was good. There were three sessions a day, which in truth got rather long, especially when at least one of them never failed to go at least 4 hours if not 5. Great preaching and I was challenged in many ways just through my devotions in the morning as well. Christe and I have been putting our dancing shoes on! It’s the African tradition to dance to the offering and also the worship. When I first attended a service all i did was clap. Now, the Lord has loosened my muscles and I have been turning my “happy feet” on. :) The older women loved to see that we were trying to adapt to there culture. One night when we came home from the last session, a lady who cooks for us was laughing with another women about how Christie and I dance. I guess Americans tend to do a lot with there shoulders….We told Kamah that she would have to teach us some moves, so the next night she found us during the offering and we praised the Lord with our dancing together. Since the conference was in under a tent with dirt, we all got the dust flying.

One day when we were walking back to the house that we were staying at, there was a crazy little old man that wanted some attention. He had a small build, was dressed like a girl in a black blouse and skirt and wearing flowers in is hair.Also, his eyes looked like he was in drugs. I just thought he was begging and couldn’t catch all that he was saying. When he started to get too
close, almost touching us, I was thinking that a good self defense action might becoming in use. Before we had do actually confront him, one of the drivers from the conference was passing us, and I asked him if he would make sure the man wouldn’t follow us home. When we got back to the house and explained the situation, we were told that he was the local crazy man and filled with demons. He has been that way since the war. We ran across him a couple others times, but didn’t have to rebuke him in the name of Christ. During that week we ran across a few more cases like that one, and everyone’s explanation for the case if that “they have been like that since the war. ” It really opened my eyes to the spiritual warfare that is taking place down here and that I will need to have my “armor” on and be prepared for the fiery darts the devil’s going to send my way. At the conference there was a Pastor that is Liberian who is from North Carolina where he is pastoring a church. He fled Liberia 12 years
ago, because the Rebels wanted his life. This was his first time back since he had fled so many years ago. We stayed in the same house as his family, and enjoyed many conversations with him. His testimony is phenomenal. He said that he recognized many people from so long ago. He even, just in that short time that he’s been here in Liberia, has walked past people that he saw slaughter families, children, pastors…just for the sake of killing. He said that Liberia still has so much unforgiveness in their hearts and need deliverance from it. I can only imagine how hard it would be to see the person how killed your family everyday. A lot of bitterness. I can only think of how hard it was for Corrie Ten Boom to shake the hand of the Nazi officer how killed her sister, and look him in the eyes and forgive him.

We traveled back to Dixiville this past Monday. When we pulled up, it actually felt like home. I think we are getting settled! We celebrate our 1 month anniversary tomorrow. The ride home was almost even more eventful than the first, but I just might have to share that one when I get home. :)

School is on break until March 2nd. Christie and I already have our hands full with kids and forming and controlling our relationships
with them. we really feel a burden for the older girl and desire to start a bible study with them and get deeper into their lives. We are discovering though, it’s very easy to “vex” them. (The Liberian way how they explain that they are angry.) It’s hard to show each of them the attention and the friendship that they are hungry for. They each want to be “the” close one, and will get jealous or hurt over a very little thing. Pray for sensitivity. Wayne says that there has been a lot of abuse done to a lot of the girls at the orphanage, and I’m sure some of the girls are emotionally/physically scarred and are hurting inside. We don’t want to leave these girls with just a surface friendship. We want to go where it hurts and where both our lives will be changed because of it. Your prayers are needed and such a blessing. Thank you. Not only that, but we are still very much involved with the younger kids. Combine the two and it’s a little overwhelming. Wayne was there this past week and he had some words of wisdom. He said not to worry about loving every single kid. The ones that God wants us to love will just find their way to you. It’s been very true. Not that we don’t reach out, but also, there are some kids that are just attracted to Christie more that me, and visa versa. It’s been a joy to discover all these unique individuals here. God is so good.

We made the adventurous trip into town today. Every day I have more and more respect for my little escort back at home. I didn’t know that when I bought it I was buying an “all terrain” rugged vehicle. :) It’s amazing what these cars go through down here and
still survive after one day of it. The drivers are hard core and would win any demolition derby. (correct my spelling all you car lovers out there!)

Again, there is so much to write down, but I look forward to updating you in the future. Thank you for the prayers. Love you all.

Rachel
Prov 27:1Open Link in New Window

Engage Conference

Posted by webmaster on February 20th, 2007

engage conference web banner

Saylorville Members, please check engageconference.com for special pricing of only $10.

Jason Parmerlee (Australia)

Posted by webmaster on February 19th, 2007

G’day from the Sunburned Country!

The land isn’t the only thing that’s sunburned! It is amazingly hot here as February is the hottest month of the year! It has been so fun to see the Lord work over the last 4 weeks! Four weeks, it’s unreal to think it has already been that long! God has given me a good time of transition into the Aussie way of life over the past few weeks. We began youth group two weeks ago. The first night we had 8 students and had a great time getting to know one another and seeking to find
out what the students desired from their time in youth group this year. Last week we had some different students in the group and began our new study on discipleship training and what it is to be a disciple! The majority of the students are young in their faith and I am so excited to dig into God’s Word and see what He is looking for in followers of Him!

I have yet to be disowned by the Matthews as I wait for the house I have been offered to from a family in our church. The current renters are remodeling their “new” house and are running into unexpected delays! I am very eager to actually get to unpack my three monsterous bags and know where everything is and I’m sure Josh Matthews is looking forward to me getting out of his bedroom! They have been SO encouraging and refreshing to be with! They are doing a great job here and have heaps of cool ministry opportunities!

Please pray for me as I begin teaching my Scripture classes this Wednesday! I will be teaching six classes each Wednesday and Thursday. One class will contain 44 kindies! I’m so eager to get in and begin sharing the Truth with these kids who need to know Him, not merely know about Him!

I pray for Saylorville’s continued ministry in Saylorville and around this world!

Cheerio Mates,
jason parmerlee

Schrag (Papua New Guinea)

Posted by webmaster on February 19th, 2007

Peace:
John 16:33Open Link in New Window- These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Schrag (Papua New Guinea)

“We were pleasantly surprised when we looked out our kitchen window and saw Alis sitting on the ground in the open reading the Scriptures. This man has caused more frustration in our lives than we care to admit, but now because of God’s saving grace he is our brother in Christ. It was Sunday, and he wasn’t going to the village “church” which he has faithfully done for years. He was openly reading the Scriptures for all to see! Praise the Lord for this man and his family. We often wonder what Christians felt when they met their persecutor, Saul, now Paul, now changed and one of them. We were a little skeptical of Alis at first. But we have seen him growing in the Lord over the past month and all we can do is glorify God every time we look at him.” Jason Knapp- Tobo Tribe

ITF teams/Wabo medical:

I mentioned ITF a couple of weeks ago. This is where individuals come for a six weeks and experience what it means to learn a language, live in a tribal setting, and go “bush”. Nate was able to fly a group into the remote tribal setting of Kaulong. There they spent 4 days really living in the tribe. Often it is their first experience in a small airplane. It is great to meet these people and wonder… Who will return and serve alongside us????

Nate was called out this last Sunday. We received word via radio that a tree had fallen on an 8-10 year old boy in a remote tribe. The boy had some severe injuries, a broken pelvis and some head trauma. Nate flew him out here to the Goroka Hospital. Last we heard he was still in very serious condition. We do not know if he is a believer or not. A tribe that was previously reached with the gospel is reaching out and ministering to this neighboring tribe.

Schrag (Papua New Guinea)

Schrag (Papua New Guinea)

Schrag (Papua New Guinea)

MK’s (Missionary Kids) having fun:

Ok, so we seem to always be having fun. Really these kids have such a wealth of activities. This first picture is of the kids doing a mystery dinner where they don’t know which course will come next. Some had desert first, some had salad. We were the “appetizer house” and they had that about midway through Empanadas and tortilla chips made from taco shells (which are made by hand) and then fried, were a big hit. The next picture was on games night where they went on a scavenger hunt for things like…a live bug…an old prayer card…and an old toenail. The last picture was of the kids playing in the rain. Back home you stay in when it rains, here, you go out and play and create a water slide.

Schrag (Papua New Guinea)

Schrag (Papua New Guinea)

Schrag (Papua New Guinea)

Sarah is 15!! Brianna got Braces!!

Sarah turned 15!! So amazing!! We had a lovely meal with Rose and Harvey Ray. They are associates serving here for two years. He is a teacher and she is our Lab administrator. Sarah picked BBQ chicken, and a nice box of Cheery cheesecake we had received in a package and saved for a special occasion.

Brianna got her braces put on! She also had two teeth pulled. She was in quite a bit of pain for about 4 days, but is now adjusting and learning what she can eat. Thanks so much for the prayers for safety!! Brianna was able to fly with her Dad, and I made the trip by van. We were so glad for this provision!

Schrag (Papua New Guinea)

Schrag (Papua New Guinea)

Schrag (Papua New Guinea)

Three heads are better than one:

Last but not least- I told the kids to put their heads together so I could get a picture of them… HA!! I look over and there their heads are all together—”What are you doing?” I asked. They said, “You told us to put our heads together.” Needless to say, was a good laugh!

Schrag (Papua New Guinea)

Schrag (Papua New Guinea)

Great kids Covet your prayers that we will be Godly parents!

Thanks so much for your prayers for us!! We have not decided yet whether to pursue the vehicle option. Still praying.

There is no way we could be here without you!! This verse about peace was so important to me this week. Am I resting, knowing that He is perfect peace? He has overcome the world!! What Power! What Peace! Want each of you to know that we appreciate so much all that you do!! Thanks to each of you for reading these letters, for the encouraging words, for the heartfelt prayers!! We are a dependent people, dependent on God, and on each other!

Prayer:

1. I (Barb) travel to SIL again on Thursday. The orthodontist is willing to take 4 others from New Tribes. We are going to have Brock evaluated to see if he needs braces also. If he does, it won’t be near as severe as Brianna’s was. It is mainly his eye teeth that are sticking out. Pray that we will have wisdom if we are to do this and for safety on the road.

2. We are doing SOOO much better with our colds!! Thanks SOO much for the prayers!

3. That we would be a family of Peace, that our hearts and minds would be set on Him.

Love to each of you!
Love, Nate, Barb, Sarah, Brock and Brianna Schrag

Mailing address:
P.O. Box 1079
Goroka EHP 441
Papua New Guinea

Contribution address:
New Tribes Mission
1000 E. First Street
Sanford, FL 32771
www.ntm.org/give

Promises, Promises

Posted by webmaster on February 18th, 2007

Pat Nemmers
AM Service

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Delores Woods - São Paulo, Brazil

Posted by webmaster on February 15th, 2007

Dear Ones in our Wonderful Savior JESUS CHRIST,

Thank you for praying and for giving.

The Robert Kilkos stayed with me the week-end before conference and then gave me a ride to Conference. I enjoyed their visit.

It was so good to see fellow Missionaries at Conference. GOD used Pastor Ron Wigand and his wife Leah in our midst. Pastor Wigand´s messages were thought provoking and encouraging. GOD used him to prepare us for the news during the week, of the homegoing of Mrs.Nancy (Daniel) Brower who had cancer. The children enjoyed their VBS parallel to our business meetings

This past Tuesday, Silvana and I were having Bible study when the door bell rang. A lady wanted information about what we did here and what we taught. I invited Claudia in to talk. She said she is not Jewish but attended a Jewish Orthodox organization until they made her leave because she is a gentile. I do not know if all she said was true but I had a great chance to share the gospel with her. Silvana and I were studying some of the promises and prophecies concerning YESHUA´S coming. We happened to be in Isaiah so Claudia read chapter 53 with us and listened carefully. She said she needed to think so did not want to make a decision right then. She lives on the other side of the city. Pray for her salvation and further contacts with her.

Silvana is so excited about all she is learning in GOD´S Word. Pray for her to grow and for the salvation of her husband., William.

Sunday afternoon, the 25th, I shall be teaching a class to parents of nursery children. They want to know how to teach their children in the home. Pray for wisdom as I finish the preparation and teach.

Delores Woods
Baptist Mid-Missions
Messianic Ministries
São Paulo, Brazil

Virgil and Dolores Bunjer (Germany)

Posted by webmaster on February 14th, 2007

Yesterday’s new snow and strong winds, causing drifting, waited with their arrival until after the travel of the past several days. We are grateful. We returned from Ankeny late Thursday night, concerned about some earlier thermostat problems in our house. Then on Friday we returned to Ankeny for the benefit of our church to participate in the all-day seminar at FBBC on building the local church, a very profitable and challenging theme. It began by establishing a solid, clear, biblical foundation showing God’s purposes for the church, and then suggested methods of reaching those biblical goals by following His plan. After seeing how the Lord worked and is working in our churches in Germany, we were enthusiastic about this presentation.

Threats of icy roads preceding the arrival of the snow did not discourage our SE Iowa pastors from coming here to our church on Monday for an all-day workshop led by Prof. Dr. Ernie Schmidt from FBBC on one of the important issues of the day - Covenant Theology.

A busy week of work in our church auditorium will begin on Saturday as the piano, organ and all the old carpeting are removed from the platform in preparation for the arrival on Tuesday of the new carpeting. Sunday night after church all the pews will have be moved to one side.

The emails that arrive on my desk each week from several of our local churches in Germany stagger me with the many home Bible studies as well as a full program of services and activities. The Lord will bless that with fruit. TWO EXCERPTS: Eight couples showed up at the Krauses in Landshut for their first Valentines’ event in that new church. In Ingolstadt Uschi’s Bible studies with Michaela have resulted in Michaela’s decision to go to the court house to have her name removed from the state church roll in preparation for her baptism, a major step for Germans.

The leaders of our churches met on Saturday to make plans for Summer Camp. Todd writes: “26 people were there to begin talking through the details and activities for the week of camp in August. We’re planning on about 120 people and will be at a new camp location. It’s great to see some faithful workers who have been working at camp for many years and some new faces, just getting started in this ministry.” It is not too early to begin your prayer ministry for this very vital and fruitful activity among the young churches in Germany. The preparation of hearts is key also.

Virgil and Dolores Bunjer
Baptist Mid-Missions

Kristi Walker (Berlin, Germany)

Posted by webmaster on February 12th, 2007

Well, tomorrow is another departure day. As some of you know, I’ve been in the States for the last few weeks doing some recruiting for EBM on college campuses as well as presenting at churches. It may be that I start coming home every winter for a few weeks instead of every other year for 10-12. We’ll see…

This particular trip went very well. I was everywhere from Scranton to Sandusky to Cedarville to Chicago to Moody Bible Institute to Purdue University to Toledo and back to Clarks Summit. The highlights for me were definitely getting to see friends and family. I got to spend quality time with my family over Christmas, including two whole weeks with my niece, Lana. J What a cutie! She’s going on 9 months. Travis & Kaci (her parents) are bringing their youth group over to Berlin this July to help out with our English-speaking Day Camp. By that time, Lana will be 14-months-old and walking!

I also got to see so many friends that have spent time with us in Berlin (several youth pastors and students that were part of the World Cup outreach; many short-termers and interns now back at Cedarville, Purdue & BBC; my teammate, Brittany Good at Moody; and several pastors, BBC faculty members and EBMers that were instrumental in getting me to the field. I thank God for the friendship and partnership of all of these people! It’s hard leaving them all behind to go back, not sure when I’ll see them again – definitely one of the hardest parts of being a missionary!

I am returning to an exciting spring and summer in Berlin. Here are some upcoming things to keep in your prayers:

Feb. 14-19 EBM Germany Field Council Meetings

Feb. 24 – March 3 Friends and fellow BBC Alumni, Matt & Alicia DeWever visiting

March 31 – April 5 Friend, Trisha (Rudolph) Amos visiting

April 20-30 My parents visiting!

April 28 Mom speaking at our ladies’ retreat

June 13 or 14 Dyes leaving for furlough

June 15 Marty Dittmar & family arriving for a month of ministry

Moody student, Ashleigh Burdick, arriving for a 6-week internship

June 16 “CSI: Berlin” (final youth event/outreach for the spring)

July 2-7 English youth ministry in Poland

July 13 Teams arriving from Harbour Shores Church in Noblesville, IN &

Northeastern Baptist in Kalamazoo, MI

July 16-20 English-speaking Day Camp (led by Harbour Shores)

July 18-21 ESDC Teen Camp (led by Northeastern Baptist)

These are a few of the things that will be keeping me busy over the next 5-6 months, on top of the normal ministry activities a part of CrossWay Church. I’d greatly appreciate your prayers as I fly back tomorrow and dive back into life and ministry in Berlin. Again, I’m leaving with bittersweet emotions – excited to be going back and sad to be leaving people I love.

I have chosen Galatians 1:24Open Link in New Window as my focus verse for 2007. It says simply, “And they glorified God because of me.” This is my heart’s desire and prayer as I leave the States and return to the field. I want so much for the people I’m leaving behind to glorify God because of the ministry I’ve had while I’ve been home. I’m also crying out to God for those I’m returning to in Berlin. Please pray that my life brings God the glory He deserves! Thank you. For those of you who have encouraged me, loved me, and ministered to me while I was home – God bless you. I love you.

Kristi

berlin.ebm.org