December 2007

December 2007 Merry Christmas

and

Happy New Year

"That Your way may be known on earth,

Your salvation among all nations." Psalm 67:2, NKJV

Christmas time comes and goes as fast in Madagascar as it does for you all in the States. The ministry here on the Island has taken us places these past few months and what a blessing it has been.We traveled to the bush a long exhausting trip but refreshed with the welcome and hospitality of the Malagasy people. This Medical mission brought many people from surrounding villages to the clinic and while they waited for many hours for medical treatment they heard the gospel outside the clinic. In the evening the Jesus film was shown. Kristi's heart ached as she helped in the clinic with some translating as well as praying for the sick. People wanted miracles and yet even though we didn't see miracles of a physical healing just emagine how elated we were to see that each night as 1500 plus Malagasy people showed up to view the Jesus Film and witnessed the capability of our Lord doing a physical and spiritual healing. It was wonderful to see that even a couple of madagascar tribes that has little access to the gospel came from very far by foot to view the film. This made the Enemy fill threatened and this is one such experience of how the enemy attacks but the Lord is Glorified:

A StoryWe were not able to travel to the village where the Bara (unreached people group)live because it was approximately 15 kilometers of rough road and we had no vehicle so we would have went on foot, and because of the ministry taking place at the Clinic we could not leave. But the good news is that because Bara were traveling to the village, because they heard about the medical team, while they were there for medical treatment they heard about the Jesus Film being shown in the evenings. So, the few that came for the treatment took this information to their village.We were able to show the Jesus film one night all the way through. On the other night we experienced blatant spiritual warfare from the Enemy when we showed the film in the Bara dialect. The Malagasy evangelist had asked me to stop the Jesus film half way through so that he could do some preaching and sharing of the gospel, he was concerned that if he waited until the film was finished that the people would rush home and not hear the preaching. It was very exciting after testimonies were shared the pastor began a very powerful preaching and just as he was inviting them to come after the film, and talk with us about their relationship with the Lord, there was a sudden brush fire that started that stirred the people and disrupted the preaching. However, after we were able to gain some control the pastor finished the preaching and we began the film. Suddenly, we had a down pour of rain and the aprox. 1500 people (mixture of Bara and other tribes) that were gathered around the film dispersed and five of us were standing in the thunderstorm and downpour trying the best we could to protect the projector equipment from the water. Yes, unfortunately the film was not viewed completely but the gospel was clearly presented that night to a people group that had never heard but because of a 7 volunteer medical mission team from Alabama joining us in the bush of Madagascar and drawing people to this village for free medical aid, many from the Bara people group heard the gospel that night. I believe that brush fire as well as the rain did not stop the message from being heard because of the prayer partnerships of our dear readers. So, when I say someone must have been praying , I know you had a big part in that. Your prayers are making a difference in this ministry.

Specific prayer requests
The cell Church of Bematazana 12 people in this village are seeking prayers as they try to share the Lord Jesus with their neighbors. They currently worship in a small shanty shack that is usually used as a kitchen. They have began building a brick church house with the few resources they have. They are very eager to reach their village with the gospel.

Follow-up Since the ministry with the medical team,We were able to do some follow-up just last week and the cell church reported that several bible studies have been started in the area. Pray that these newly interested people will desire to worship with the cell church in order for it to grow.

Challemges: It is cultural that Malagasy do not part with their current ways of worship even after hearing the gospel and knowing that their current worship is not biblical, because they are afraid of family persecution. Please pray that those who recently made a profession of faith would seek out members of this cell church for discipleship and that the Holy Spirit would move them to do what is right, dispite persecution.

Unreached people groups: Pray for the Bara and Tandroy people groups that attended the showing of the Jesus film.

Madagascar: Cyclones are anticipated to be stronger than last year. Pray that these cyclones will pass over protecting the lively hood of the Malagasy.

Jasmine and Sami: We praise the Lord that our family continues to be well. Jasmine and Sami spend each Sunday afternoon preparing for a Christmas play "The Greatest Christmas Pageant Ever" being directed by one of our missionary friends. We thank God for their oportunity to share in this outreach to not only Malagasy, but the other expacs that come from many different countries and religions, there are even a few Muslims acting in the play.

Kristi and Taisir: Can you please pray for us to be effective, patient, understanding, and loving with all our mission brothers and Sister's, and our national brothers and sisters, while being good stewards in the ministry role that God has called us to.

Support of The Lottie Moon Christmas Offering

Thank you for your prayers and your self sacrificing support of the Lottie Moon Christmas offering. Because of this sacrifice God will open avenues of access to the saving gospel of Jesus Christ. We thank you, for you intercession through prayer and support of the Lottie Moon Christmas offering .

May the Lord Bless You this new year as you Love 

the Lost of the World through prayer!