From the Field: Special Project in Brazil
Eduardo is a Brazilian national supported by Reston Bible Church through the organization Open Arms Worldwide. He and his wife Claudia work with at-risk children and youth in some very tough neighborhoods as well as in one of Brazil’s infamous youth detention facilities sharing the gospel and helping lead young people to the narrow path that leads to life.
Eduardo wasn’t always a missionary though. When he first came to Open Arms as a volunteer at the age of 17, he had just finished serving a year-and-a-half prison sentence for assault, theft, and drug offenses. Today, by God’s grace, he has planted four outreach programs for Open Arms and shared his testimony at youth camps and churches across Brazil.
Just like in the U.S., children in Brazil learn and build relationships through activities like sports, arts, and games. Recently in response to a special request from Eduardo, Reston Bible Church allocated some extra funds for him to purchase new supplies for the ministry that include new educational/strategy games, art supplies, soccer balls (always in short supply), and other sporting equipment. These items are great for getting a child to sit down and just talk with our missionaries or volunteers.
Below is a letter with prayer requests we recently received from Eduardo. Below that is a thank-you video from Open Arms to all who responded and gave to this request!
“I want to share with you some testimonies and also ask for more prayer for our work. Before that though I want to tell you how much of a difference it has made to have the new material that Reston Bible Church blessed us with. Please let them know how grateful we are and how blessed the children have been.
As you know, I have worked with the same group of girls in our soccer ministry in the same neighborhood now for the past 5 years. I have seen girls who lost their way in lesbianism, others that have stopped playing because they have gotten pregnant, but thanks to God who strengthened me and the counsel that you gave me to never give up, today I am seeing many seeds that we have planted years ago begin to grow. It is with a heart full of emotion that I am writing that four of our girls that have been with me from the beginning are going to be baptized. We have been using the community center to do baptism classes with them and on June 29th at a special Sunday service for Open Arms they will be baptized. At the same service there will be an exposition of art that our kids have produced. In fact some of the funds that RBC provided were used to purchase canvasses. Their projects came out beautifully and they will be taking the exposition to other churches as well. Many of the children from our soccer program are now attending church with us on Sundays as well. I was so blessed a few weeks back when I couldn’t pick them up for church they showed up on their own. That’s a good sign. Please keep up the prayers.”
PRAYER REQUESTS:
- Pray that God would protect the girls who are being baptized. They have all been under attack spiritually since they made that decision.
- Pray that God would strengthen and encourage the kids who are going to worship services on foot now.
- Pray that our new outreach to the boys via soccer will be bear fruit as it has with the girls.
- Pray for me and Claudia, as you know we have only been married a short time and we are having a rough first year at home. Pastor Tiago has been counseling us and it has been helping a lot.
- Pray for my college. As you know I have an easy time understanding scripture but not so much with other books and I am having a tough time at school. I remember that you told me not to memorize but to learn. I am trying but since I skipped a lot of school as a child it is hard for me.
- Pray for our health, me and Claudia, because we are working hard and have little time for rest.
- Please pray for Emanoel. I asked for prayer for him some time ago. He was getting beat up inside. Well he was released and we went to visit him at home. He has a drug addiction. He’s only 17. We were able to get him a spot at CREMOS (a Christian drug rehab home) and we are able continue ministering to him there.
From the Field: Croatia
Here is a recent correspondence from G., an RBC-supported missionary serving with Pioneers in Croatia. Here is a recap of G.’s work with youth and church building/planing efforts over the summer:
Another summer is almost over in Slavonski Brod. Six short-term teams with over 80 guests have helped us share the good news of Christ with many young people. The church building is taking shape before our eyes. We look forward to the day when the building is completed and pray that God continues to grow His church that will be meeting in it.
Below I have written more about both the building and our summer activities. I also want to ask you to pray specifically for a man who I have known for over 12 years. He and his wife have shown a degree of openness over the years, but it has never moved beyond an intellectual understanding of what Christians believe. But some things have happened in their lives recently that seem to have caused the husband particularly to consider spiritual things more seriously. He recently expressed a desire to study the Bible with me, and we hope to start in the next week or so. Pray for God to reveal himself to this friend and that he and his wife would one day soon place their trust in Christ! Thanks so much for your prayers and your partnership with me in Croatia!
CHURCH BUILDING: The last time I wrote, I told you of a matching fund that had been set up to help complete construction of the exterior of the Slavonski Brod church building this year. We were hoping to raise $70,000 by the end of June for that to happen. The Lord has seen fit to provide, through many churches and individuals both in the U.S. and in Croatia, $108,000! The building is under construction and we expect it to be under roof in a just a few more weeks. This does not mean an end to the construction process, nor to the need for finances. Now that the building is under roof, it is safe from the elements and we can complete the inside as funds become available. We would love the help of short-term teams to, for example, take a room and fix it up. Please pray for the ultimate completion of the building in God’s timing, and for Him to continue to build His church spiritually, and not just physically, in Slavonski Brod.
SUMMER OUTREACHES: This summer we have had 81 individuals come to work with us for at least one week, including a team of 11 which arrived today! With their help, we have held baseball camps, children’s Bible clubs, and open air concerts, and we have had lots of less formal opportunities to meet and get to know Croatian youth. The gospel has been shared countless times and in many ways. Two Croatian teens have even met with a small group of us to study the Bible. Summer is definitely a time of broad sowing for us as we take advantage of the many short-term workers who come to help us to share as frequently and as broadly as we can. Pray that we will see the fruit of this broad sowing one day soon. I was particularly encouraged this year by one of the teens living in Nova Gradiška who trusted in Christ last summer. One Sunday at church when several unbelieving youth came (because they wanted to say goodbye to the short-term team that was leaving that day), he prayed publicly and boldly, “Lord, I pray that these other teens here today would trust in You and that You would change their lives like You did for me. Amen.” That was a first for him. Pray for him to continue to grow, and that his prayer for the other teens in his city would be answered also!
Would you take a minute now to pray for G., the many Croatian youth who heard the gospel this summer, and for the church in Slavonski Brod?
From the Field: Colombia
Spanish World Ministries reaches thousands of people all across Latin America areas through radio broadcasts of solid Bible-based teachings with a gospel emphasis.
RBC supported missionary, L., ministers with Spanish World Ministries (SWM) in Colombia. When he began his ministry with SWM in 2007, 63 stations were broadcasting these programs. At the end of 2013, L. reported 259 radio stations in his database. Through the years, L. has shown great determination to fulfill his ministry expanding the number of outlets airing the gospel, and the Lord has blessed his efforts. Although L. and his wife are serving SWM part-time, they reflect a sincere desire to take the gospel to every region of their country.
Recently, L. was contacted by a radio listener. During their conversation, she shared her story:
“I live with my daughter and my son-in-law. A few weeks ago she lost her job and her employers denied paying her pension. My son-in-law is also looking for a job, but unfortunately the unemployment rate is very high in this city. My granddaughter is in college and I am the only one that can help her to pay for her studies. I am 70 years old and, as you see, I am going through a very tough time trying to help my daughter and her family. Your programs on the radio help me to seek wisdom in God’s Word, and at the same time they give me insight on how to keep on living. Every time I listen to your programs God reminds me that He is with me and that He understands my condition. Please pray that the Lord would continue giving me wisdom in the midst of the trials that I am going through.”
After the conversation that L. had with this lady, he was reminded of the importance to keep increasing the number of stations broadcasting the SWM programs. Through the 259 radio stations carrying SWM’s programs, the Gospel is reaching people all over Colombia, but L.’s desire is to seek more outlets willing to air the programs.
His prayer is that, just as this listener, many others in Colombia and throughout Latin America will find comfort and wisdom as they listen, and that those who do not know Him, might understand what God offers through Jesus on the cross.
Currently Spanish World Ministries is broadcasting their programs 15,500 times per week all over Spanish speaking countries. Pray for gospel fruit throughout Latin America as these teachings go out!
From the Field: From Russia to Germany
RBC-supported missionaries M. & C. moved from Russia to Germany last week. Here’s an update from them, along with some prayer requests. Please take some time to pray for them and their family as they transition to a new area of life & ministry.
This is the last time (at least for a while) that we will be writing you from St. Petersburg. We leave for Germany on Wednesday, July 2nd. Six and a half years ago, God brought us to this special city in this special country to serve Him. It hasn’t always been easy, but we have been incredibly blessed ministering here… supporting Bible Translation, providing education for missionary families, doing orphanage ministry, leading a Bible study, and serving in our Russian church. For two of our children, Russia has been their home for more than half of their lives. We are very sad to be leaving this place that we love so much, but we know that God will continue to use us in Germany, just as He has used us here.
As is often the case, when we don’t write a monthly prayer update in a timely manner, it usually means that we are very, very busy — ironically, when we need prayer the most. Today is our last day to pack before the container truck arrives on Monday (C.’s birthday is tomorrow and we are trying to set time aside to celebrate) and yet as much as I want to be packing, I know that we need to send out this update, because we need your prayers and we want to share our praises with you.
We are not providing a calendar this month, but we ask you to lift up the following requests throughout the month…
– Praise God that our children have been accepted at Black Forest Academy! We waited two months to hear back from the school about their acceptance and so were understandably very excited to hear this news. Also, C. has been offered a full-time teaching position in the high school Math department! She is extremely excited to continue serving missionary kids in this way.
– Praise God for giving me (M.) recent opportunities to provide online training in Bible translation software for translation and Scripture Engagement consultants from all over the world. This is one of my first chances to provide support for a wider area than just the former Soviet Union.
– Praise God for all that He has done during our time here in St. Petersburg, for His divine providence for our needs, and for blessing us by allowing us to serve Him.
– Please pray about our car. Until two months ago our car was working great and we had a buyer lined up. After one seemingly minor incident, we suddenly had major problems. While the car is now drivable, it is still experiencing a lack of power that we just can’t seem to find the cause of. We have spent days taking it to various mechanics without any good results. If this problem is not fixed, it is unlikely that we will be able to sell the car. Due to Russian regulations, we can’t take the car with us to Germany without incurring significant costs. Please pray that the car will be fixed and that we will be able to sell it. Please pray that someone will be able to help us with the car if we leave without having sold it.
– Please pray for our finances . Moving and having to furnish our apartment in Germany is expensive, and without having sold the car, our finances are very tight. Also, the cost of living is a little bit higher in Germany. We know that God will provide for our needs, but we know that He works through the prayers of the faithful.
– Pray for us to be able to receive our belongings quickly once we arrive. We need certain documents to receive the shipment and the process can take a few weeks. Please pray that we will be able to get our documents processed quickly and get settled in our new home.
– Pray for new relationships. So much of what makes a home a home is the people that you share life with. Please pray especially that our children will quickly make new friends who will be an encouragement to them spiritually.
Thank you so much for your prayers, encouragement, and support!
Sunday Rewind | 11.10.2013
MUSIC & SCRIPTURE
Hope of the World (Ephesians 2:4-5) – Hillsong
Let Your Kingdom Come (Psalm 59:16) – Sovereign Grace Praise
God is Able (Ephesians 3:20-21) – Hillsong
Forever Reign (Lamentations 5:19) – Hillsong
Hosanna (Mark 11:9-10) – Hillsong
TEACHING: 2013 Missions Conference – Hope of the World
Our keynote speaker for the 2013 Missions Conference, Dr. Chris Gnanakan, shares on how the gospel is the hope of the world as it goes forth across the nations.
CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- Did you attend any part of the 2013 Missions Conference? If so, what did God teach you or what impacted you?
- What is your understanding of missions? What scriptures can you think of that pertain to missions?
- Do you have any personal experience with missions? Please share.
- Read and discuss Colossians 1:21-29. What does this tell you about the person of God? What do you see about the nature of man? What do these verses tell you about missions?
- What is the relationship between missions and the gospel?
- Is missions a specific call to a select few, or a general call to all Christians? What is your current role in missions? What would it look like to grow in this area?
- Would your small group be willing to adopt an RBC missionary? You can get information here.
- Spend some time praying for our missionaries. Here are some helpful guidelines on how to pray for them.
VIDEO: Our God is Love
On the heels of our 2013 Missions Conference, we’ve sent some of the RBC worship team to Brazil this week in partnership with Open Arms. They will be headlining a concert there and will have many opportunities to share – and show – the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The team will use a version of the video above (featuring Hillsong’s Our God is Love) to promote the concert, which takes place this Thursday (November 14) in Assis. We thought you would enjoy it, too. Please pray for our team and their time in Brazil. You can learn more about their project and specific ways to pray here.
“This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” – 1 John 4:9-10
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Recorded live at The Cocoon.
SONG: Our God is Love by Hillsong
CAMERAS: HVX-200, Canon 7D, GoPro Hero 3
RBC Worship in Brazil
This Sunday evening, members of the RBC worship band will leave for Brazil to headline the third annual Voz e Vida (Voice & Life) Concert to raise awareness and support for Open Arms Brazil (www.openarmsworldwide.org). This will be our second time there and we’re so excited to have the opportunity and to have the incredible support of our church. Many of you have given financially to our trip and we are so thankful for your generosity. I don’t know who gave what or how much – but I know that we’ve reached 88% of our goal – which is GREAT! So thank you. Many of you have asked how you can pray for us as we spend our week there… and as we experience South American SUPERSTARDOM.
1. Travel: We’ll fly all night through to Sao Paolo and then take a six hour bus ride to Assis (Note: it’s the nicest bus I’ve ever been on. Not joking. WiFi, A/C, fully-reclining seats, the WORKS). And our flight is direct, so there’s not a huge fear of losing anything. But we have six guitars and a couple cases of gear to bring along. Please pray for that.
2. Our promotional time: We’ll spend the first few days promoting the concert on TV and radio. We’ll play some acoustic shows at some of the area high schools and colleges, encouraging people to join us for the big concert on Thursday night. We will have opportunities to share our faith in Christ and minister to the people we meet. Please pray for that.
3. The concert: We headline the concert – covering about 70 minutes of music. We’ll be playing some of our favorite and best worship songs throughout the night – displaying lyrics in Portuguese for the people to follow along with what we’re singing about. There will be many, many believers there worshiping with us… totally free in their worship. It’s an incredible environment. And there will be many, many unbelievers there as well. Watching. Listening. And hearing the Gospel. Please pray for that.
4. The follow-up: The work that Open Arms does in Brazil is amazing. Based on last year’s event, there will be an influx of people wanting to give money, volunteer, or do anything to help. And Lord willing, there will be many who will trust Christ as their Savior. Please pray for that.
We are so thankful that God has provided a chance for us to use music to reach people for Christ, make Him known throughout the world, and partner with an awesome organization like Open Arms. God is working in amazing ways. We can’t wait to see it firsthand.
Thank you for your prayers and support. God bless.
Bike Project Update
On Sunday, September 15, RBC accepted bike donations to benefit an orphanage in Nicaragua. Through our SACS Thrift Store partnership, we are working with Verbo Ministries, a church-planting and disciple-making ministry working with the Casa Bernabe Orphanage. Verbo has partnered wtih the orphanage to develop a thriving bicycle shop, where orphans are discipled as they learn bike repair, sales and customer service. Nicaragua is the second poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere, where 60 percent are underemployed or unemployed. The training they recieve in the bike shop serves the orphans well when they enter the job market.
We are thankful to God for the generosity of so many here at RBC. On Sunday, we collected 175 bikes!
Here is part of an email we received from one of the project coordinators:
We’ve been collecting for several years from a bunch of churches. I think the most we ever got from a church collection was 58. Talk about shattering a record. You nearly tripled it!
I met some really great people today. What a blessing. We are very, very grateful. And, the quality of the bikes was excellent. This is a huge help to the ministry. Thank you for the remarkable work you did to make this happen.
Please extend our sincerest gratitude. This will make a difference in Nicaragua.
Thank you to all who donated bikes. Please keep the Casa Bernabe orphanage and those who minister the gospel there in your prayers.
Nicaragua Bike Project
A couple weekends ago, we announced that through our SACS Thrift Store partnership, we are planning to send bicycles to the Casa Bernabe Orphanage in Nicaragua. We will do this through Verbo Ministries, a church-planting and disciple-making ministry who have partnered with the orphanage to develop a thriving bicycle shop, where orphans are discipled as they learn bike repair, sales and customer service. Nicaragua is the second poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere, where 60 percent are underemployed or unemployed. The training they receive in the bike shop serves the orphans well when they enter the job market.
Here’s a sample email we received in response:
Betsy,
I totally get it. We have spent a lot of time in Uganda serving at orphanages and we have 2 boys from Uganda. Empowering people with knowledge and a sense of self worth is an invaluable asset in overcoming poverty. This ministry is a perfect fit. I love it through and through. My husband Mike had to keep telling me to be quiet during service last week when i was reading the flyer, he said my excitement was a distraction to others 🙂 I have already gotten one bike delivered! I am going to spend the afternoon making room in the garage for more. I believe that God is going to bring many more!
On Sunday, September 15, we will be accepting bike donations for the orphanage. Bicycles can be any size, in any condition. Please bring your bike donations to the rear of the main RBC building anytime between 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. that day. Look for the cones near the Food Pantry storage shed, where a volunteer can help you unload your bike(s). Donation receipts for tax purposes will be available.
If you have three or more bikes to donate, but can’t bring them to the church, please contact Betsy Madden at betsymadden@restonbible.org or (703) 404-5034 to arrange pick-up at your home.
From the Field: Bossangoa, Africa
“If we are to understand the Word of God, God needs to translate Himself into our own language, so that His Words can speak deeply to each person,” E. reflects. “It’s the translation of the Word of God into my language that is at the base of my own faith.”
He is from Bossangoa, the capital of Ouham, one of the 14 prefectures of the Central African Republic. E. was once an atheist, an eager student of humanistic philosophy, and firmly set against Christian faith.
“When my wife would return home from prayer meeting, I would mock her, asking her a series of philosophical questions,” he remembers. “I aimed to persuade her that God didn’t exist and that her faith was useless.”
His remarks would often make her cry, but she was never dissuaded from praying for him.
After completing his studies and training as a teacher, E.’s further academic plans were blocked by a lack of finances. In answer to his wife’s prayers, this roadblock became a turning point in his life. He decided to look for opportunities to use his skills to benefit the local community. He even approached the pastor of a local church and offered to start literacy classes for church members.
The pastor encouraged him to instead enroll in a translation training course being offered to members of the community so they could begin to translate the Bible into Gbeya, E.s’ own mother tongue, which is spoken by more than two hundred thousand people in the Bossangoa region..
“I had no idea at the time this was God’s plan for me,” E. said. “As I became immersed in the Word of God, I began to understand the incredible love and grace which He freely gives each one of us. I couldn’t imagine why God would want a relationship with me. My deep intimacy with God is one of the most amazing things I take from this ministry.”
Soon, E. went from being one of the translators on the Gbeya translation team to being the coordinator for translation and literacy projects in the entire Bossangoa region. “Ever since I accepted Jesus as my Savior,” he said, “my entire life has been such an adventure in faith.”
It has now been over a decade since he first got involved in Bible translation. “God chose E. to work for Him, studying the Bible,” said his older brother. “My prayer is that his work will be a sweet smelling sacrifice to God.”
When an atheist meets the God of the Bible, anything can happen! Pray for E. and his work in Bossangoa. Pray for the many people around the world who are translating the precious words of Scripture into the native tongues of nations and tribes.