I remember being so concerned for our country six years ago. I remember exactly where I was standing as I watched the green-blue waves of the Mediterranean coming ashore one by one in Alexandria, Egypt.
Oh what those shores have witnessed through the centuries! I also felt the timeless rule of our God at that moment. His mighty sovereign hand at work from the Pharaoh’s rule and the Exodus of the Children of Israel, the conquest of Alexander the Great, the Ptolemaic Kingdom, the days of Marc Antony and Cleopatra and the rule of Hellenistic Greeks.
The rise of Christendom, the first major split between Arius and Athanasius in the first council of Nicaea, and the rise of Byzantium, the rise of the Arab conquest and the persecutions that followed.

As we look at this year, we are so taxed with the calamities obstacles and dilemmas of 2020. I wonder how we need to enter into the holiday spirit.

I don’t know about you, but I find that I need personal discipline to set my heart and mind on Christ.

David too wrote of his complaints before the Lord, but in Psalm 121:3 he writes these comforting words; “He will not let your foot slip – he who watches over you will not slumber.” Isaiah 40 reminds us; “Why do you complain, Jacob? Why do you say, Israel, ‘My way is hidden from the Lord; my cause is disregarded by my God’ ”? Do we feel that way today? Our country’s leadership, the feeling of helplessness with a virus pandemic, economic hardship and financial insolvency…So many questions cross my mind in these days.

As we enter into the Thanksgiving season, strengthen your heart with this: Our hope is in the Lord and in our eternal God, the ever vigilant God, watchful and powerful. Remember the word “omnipotent?” This is our God. Reassure your heart in Him. “..but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength…”

I know that you can finish that verse but please don’t do so until you hear the word Hope. Those who Hope in the Lord… who is the Lord? The Omnipotent One, The God All Powerful. That hand that turns nations to do his bidding, raising rulers up and taking them down. The Omnipresent One, “I will never leave you or forsake you. He is always there. The Omniscient One, The All Knowing and Ever-Conscience God, knowing the beginning from the end of all time and space. His plan is perfect, and he is never taken by surprise. He knew everything about this year and how it would affect you personally before you have even entered into the New Year.

Join me in the reciting The Old Hundredth Psalm…

“Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with Praise.” Reflect not on the What of 2020, but He Who Who Rules Over 2020. – John W. Cook CEO

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Come and see what the LORD has done, the desolations he has brought on the earth. He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth… he burns the shields with fire.

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Psalm 46 NIV

2020 has been an unbelievable year of contrasts, hasn’t it? A world-wide pandemic, record breaking wildfires and political tensions galore have forever shaped the 2020 ruts now engraved in our memories.

In spite of it all, we stand humbled and amazed that the ministry is doing well. Like everyone else we’ve had setbacks, but our national teams have continued to minister while keeping as safe as possible. The effects of encouragement, food, masks, sanitizers and other supplies on families have been significant. The children in our sponsor a child program have all received their backpacks and school supplies. Letter writing has been a priority and we’re getting better at keeping it going. IM’s national pastors have not stopped ministering to their congregations! Thank you to our generous donors and prayer partners for standing with us during these tough days!! To God be the glory!

WHAT ABOUT 2021? The doors are wide open for ministry and we are asking the Lord for more workers, more opportunities to impact more people with the Gospel. Paul said in I Cor. 9:22: “I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.” Would you pray about helping me with the Year End Greatest Need Fund?

God is sovereign and knows the future, and we are trusting him as we move ahead in confidence. We have exciting opportunities in 2021 to impact more people for good, and for eternity. May I share with you the areas we are trusting the Lord for with the 2020 Year End Greatest Need Fund?

International workers’ salaries and fees: Many missionaries have returned home, but IM teams are already home: We need to make up what is lacking in the salaries of these faithful workers and ministers due to monthly shortfalls, and strategically hire a few more. Resources are also needed to expand our national conferences and maintain status with international governments.

Grace Bible College: With rising costs in every sector, the budget has increased to meet the needs. Additionally, several projects for the campus are urgently needed.

General Fund: This vital fund is the headwaters of the ministry covering salaries, bank fees, leases, supplies, CPA and accountant fees, fundraising, etc.

This year we are asking the Lord for $145,000 for the Year End Greatest Need Fund. The contrast of the light of the Gospel brings such hope against the darkness of COVID-19, growing unrest, political tensions and now with many losing their jobs, economic peril!! God has placed us in this time and place that together, we might …Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16. I’m asking the Lord for financial partners so we can reach more people for eternity.
– Thank you and may the Lord bless you, John

The normalcy of the bustle of a typical day in the beautiful city of Beirut, Lebanon was shattered by an explosion which changed the agendas of 2.1 million people. Their collective attention was diverted with the sound of small crackling eruptions increasing in intensity, followed by a split second flash of light and then a deafening explosion which rocketed across the city splintering glass in every high rise building and shattering concrete structures. At least 170 were killed and some 6,000+ have been injured.

Some people are still missing and over 300,000 people have been left homeless.

 

HOW CAN YOU HELP VICTIMS?

EMERGENCY FOOD: First, we are teaming up with our Lebanese ministry partners as they assist the people through immediate food distribution.

EMERGENCY CLOTHING: Secondly, we are assisting families with needed clothing.

REPLACING SHATTERED GLASS: The third way we will assist through our partnership is replacing glass windows and doors shattered in the blast.  We will provide these families 50% of what they need to replace these items to get their homes habitable.

This is an opportunity to show these precious Lebanese people that God has not abandoned them and the hands that reach out to bless them are from the heart of Christ.

Central India – When the first attempt in July to re-open classes was denied by the Indian government, GBC tried again the first week in August, and again was met with orders to remain closed due to COVID-19. Pray with us that they will receive the government’s nod to resume classes in September.  Registration online has gone well and classes are almost full. Students are excited for the year to begin.

GBC offers three tracks: a three year Bachelor of Theology, two year Diploma in Theology, and one year Certificate in Theology. In partnership with US sponsors, Indigenous Ministries provides scholarships to students for room, board and the bulk of their tuition. Most students are from rural villages and the lack resources to cover full costs.

Thank you to our faithful sponsors and prayer partners who make it possible for this school to continue.  Please continue to keep the students and faculty and staff in your prayers in these uncertain days.

THANK YOU to each one who gave to this worthy fundraiser!  We are thrilled to report that because of your love, care and generosity, $12,735.21 was raised!  We’re able to care for each of the school-aged children in our Child Sponsorship Program in Egypt and Iraq!! Some of the children will be in classes, others will learn at home, and for some it is a mixture.

Due to COVID-19, the giving for this fundraiser was down, but we were just notified that no uniforms are needed this year (unheard of!), and the decision was made to spread the monies so each school age child would receive a backpack and school supplies.  Due to this change and the schools’ requriements, if you gave to this project and would rather your funds go only to your child, or have questions, please contact our office.  We’ll be contacting donors regarding these changes.

Thank you for your very generous donations!!

From Resty Enguerra – I just wanted to update you with what’s been happening since our last Newsletter.

In July we distributed food to each of our sponsored children’s families. This month of August, funds were sent to buy basic food for the 45 Sponsored children’s families.  Promise Land Church and school leaders and volunteers will purchase food supplies i.e. rice, canned and packaged foods and will distribute them to these families and some volunteers.

Last week, Cupang Church funds received the funds to buy basic foods to the families and volunteers. This morning, they sent me pictures on what they purchased with the money I sent them. Each of these food packs contains 5 kilos of rice, 10 small cans of sardines, 2 bags of cookies (for children), a dozen of eggs, 10 bags of instant noodles, 2 packets of vermicelli noodles and some vegetables. Some families that live close to the church dropped by and picked up their food packs and for some, our volunteers delivered it to them.

These supplies will feed families for two weeks depending on the size of the families and how the parents manage it.

We will do these again in September for both areas (Payatas and Cupang) until the situation in the Philippines normalizes. Again these will depend on the fund that comes in.

HOW YOU CAN ENGAGE: If you’d like to help specifically with a gift for the Philippine food packets, write a memo in your check “SEA Food Packets” or give online at indigenousministries.org in the DONATE button, select the SEA dropdown and note “Food Packets” in the memo line.

Children in program (Iraq, Egypt, the Philippines: 844

Children sponsored: 674

Children waiting for a sponsor:   170

Meanwhile, on the two acre campus, routine maintenance and preparations for the return of students continue. Right, two workers add an outcrop to a roof to shield the cook and helpers from monsoon rains.

Thanks to generous donations, we were able to fund a much-needed renovation and freshening of the men’s shipping container dorms last summer and install air conditioners last fall in the GBC library to stay the invasion of mold due to high heat and humid conditions from March to October.

BECOME A GBC FINANCIAL PARTNER

We are looking for partners who understand the value of investing into the education of an Indian national and gift a Biblical foundation for his or her lifetime. Most students come from villages with very limited family resources and cannot attend without financial aid. Current ministry partners faithfully give monthly and pray for this GBC and their student, which God has used in the lives of hundreds of students through the years. Many thanks to our partners!

Suggested donation is $1200/year per student ($100/month). You receive your student’s profile and information so you can pray with knowledge. One time gifts of any amounts given to “GBC” are very helpful.

Engage online at indigenousministries.org or call our office 719-303-3028. Please make checks out to Indigenous Ministries, include a note marked “GBC.”

This month we’re pushing back the darkness and fear the world is experiencing through COVID-19’s grip. 

Left, our boys in the Egypt Child Sponsorship Program had fun trying on the masks provided in their family’s monthly food packet.  Meanwhile as much of Egypt and the Middle East remains on lockdown, ministry continues. Join us in this issue as we look at getting beyond fear and not just stumbling into the future, but reaching for the future God has in store beyond dark days.

Pushing Back Against the Darkness…Prime Minister Winston Churchill led England through World War II’s turmoil of darkness, evil, fear and terror that surrounded England. A uniquely skilled leader, he turned England’s focus from fear into action; “Let our advance worrying become advance thinking and planning.”

What does God see in these days of COVID-19, riots, isolation and fear?  He sees the same neediness he’s witnessed in men and women from the days of Adam and Eve. The exposed truth in our hearts of varying degrees of loneliness, frustration and fear, yet he also sees faith and courage.  If you’re struggling, even in isolation or illness, he’s right there with you, standing as your strength between you and the darkness you may be facing.

Joshua had spent years in training for the moment God made him the leader of the Hebrews after Moses’ death.  God knew what was ahead, yet he had chosen and prepared Joshua for this next immense challenge.  The similarities of Joshua’s journey and ours are not too far off;  he faced unbelievable odds and fears, and we do too.  We’ve been told COVID-19 will return…a great darkness looming for many of us. But Joshua was also privileged to know God’s promise of his presence and his success.  We do too.  God will never leave or forsake us. How has God prepared you for this unusual crisis?  Can you see his hand in your life even in this darkness? Joshua took courage from God’s promises and as a result took on the task ahead of him.

Countless millions in the world are living in need; they not able to receive stimulus checks or good medical care should they contract COVID-19 or any other illnesses, but most of us are. Many live in a spiritual darkness that has been brought to new light.

As the cost of this pandemic has hit home to our nation, cities, churches, our families and this ministry, the weariness of it all has settled in. But if we have God’s presence and promises, shouldn’t this be the time we push back against the despair, division and isolation?  Should we not stand up for the weak, and sick, help widows and orphans in their distress? If not us, who?  If not now, when?

Because of Joshua’s faith and courage, the Hebrews responded to his leadership and accepted the challenge of their journey into Canaan without fear of failure. God told them over and over, “do not fear, don’t be dismayed, don’t tremble…” Fear of failure or, COVID-10, in our case, has pushed its way into many of our hearts…and gained a stronghold.

God has you right where you are for a reason.  He is with you; he will not leave you nor forsake you in your time of need. He already has the courage you need ready and waiting.

At Indigenous Ministries we firmly believe God has us right where he wants us…standing together with you and with many thousands of the most needy in areas of deep turmoil.  He will continue to be our great strength and shield. Thank you for your partnership in these days.  May the Lord bless you. 

COVID-19 could bring more darkness by stopping education to children, but we are pushing back by raising funds to buy backpacks, school supplies and uniforms for refugees and other needy children in the Middle East. These kids can’t learn online without computers, so they must prepare to go back to classes. You easily can make a difference in a needy child’s life. Join us!

 

 

Cost for the gift of education: $85/child

(Backpack, school supplies & uniform)

Any amount helps! Goal: $70,000; amount raised so far: $8,104.  Thank you to each of you who have given to this worthy project. Would you help us get to $20,000 by July 1.