Updates from Hope International Missions
Family Care
by Jane Hannold
As the teen girls were baking cookies, I decided to drive around in the community and look for some other girls who might want to join us. During my endeavor, I spoke with a girl who looked as if she was nearing the end of her pregnancy. I asked her when her baby was due to which she replied, "In three weeks." I asked if she had everything she needed, and she had nothing. The following week, I accumulated a car seat, stroller, diapers, and clothes for her. I am still searching for a crib. Pray for us as we take Jesus to the lost and needy in Indiantown, Florida.
Spanish Ministries
by John Dykes
On Wednesday, February 24, 2010, another person accepted Jesus at our new church in Tapachula, Mexico! Missionary Michael Mason had just arrived at the church when one of the men introduced his friend, Juan, whom he had invited to service. Juan smelled strongly of alcohol. He explained that he had a drinking problem among other issues, but he wanted to change his life. "Oh, pastor I am tired of my life of sin! I want to change my life and go a different way!"
Michael presented the plan of salvation to Juan. Juan then wanted to confess his sins to Michael but was redirected to the One who can save from sin and turn lives around. Juan explained that he was a wicked person. What a privilege it was for Michael to explain that, even in a life full of sin, the grace of God is more than sufficient to save and change lives! Pray for Juan and his family. New converts are what mission work is about.
Asia
by Darlene Edwards and Nancy Messenger
God has blessed us with a Bible study at the HIM Center here in Taiwan. Endeavoring to reach the people in the community, we invited ladies to attend on Wednesday mornings. We teach basic English conversation and phonics, as well as study the Bible using Dr. Palm's book Is God Really My Father? The ladies love to look up the references and read from the Bible. When we asked our ladies at the Bible study for a description of the events of the Chinese New Year, Lily responded, "That's when we worship our gods." Please pray as we teach them about the one true God who loves them and who answers prayer.
Africa
by Steve Geise
"And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also (2 Timothy 2:2)."
One of the main reasons we are here in South Africa is because of this verse. Along with the Great Commission in Matthew, this verse is an injunction to train men in the ways of God. Pastor Thabang is one of those men whom God has allowed me the privilege of teaching. There have been others before me who have invested in Bro. Thabang's life, but I'm thankful for the privilege I've had to work so closely with him since returning to South Africa. It is truly amazing to watch the spiritual growth in the life of an individual who, not too many years back, was living in heathenism and spiritual darkness. The Gospel truly liberates and brings light.
