Forum about Mission

Date: 21st March 2009


Missionaries presented at Mission Forum to answer all sorts of
questions posted to them about mission. They shared about
difficulties in learning new languages, their faith while they were
at mission field, etc. Their stories & testimonies encouraged us.
We had a time for prayer after the forum. While i was praying,
a lot of images of face flashed across my mind..... Yes!!! They
are the people i will have to share the gospel to...... i may not
be able to go to other countries to do mission.... But, hey!!!
the people who need gospels are just all around us......

You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.
Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone
in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men,
that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
(Matthew 5:14-16)

So, be bold and be strong in sharing the gospel.....!!!!

OM's ministries in Afghanistan

The women of Afghanistan have to fight to survive. Everyday they
cope with the aftermath of war and many bring up families in basic
living conditions. They have the highest tuberculosis rate in the
world and the 2nd highest maternal mortality rate. Their average
life expentancy is 43 years. Often women walk long miles to get
to a medical clinic. They are willing to accept treatment from
any moderately-qualified women available - even if she's a vet.

Kyung in working with OM's partner organization, Operation Mercy.
She and her team are committed to visiting villages in order to
promote good hygiene and safe birthy childbirth methods.

"Since my arrival in Afghanistan, i've learnt a lot about traditional
treatments for pregnancy and birthy. Often a fully pregnant mother
stands over a fire before jumping down from high place in order to
help push the baby out. Then she delivers her baby on an earth floor.
The cord is cut by a stone or scythe in the hope that the baby will
become strong. As a result many newborns contract tetanus.
The baby is wrapped with a blacnket and rope so that he keeps on
sleeping for a long time. During the 1st week the mother does not
breast feed the baby at all.

Along with a small team of Afghan staff, I'l starting to train traditional
birth attendants in health education. We began in a small village
with 13 women, all of whom were very eager to learn. We soon realised
that most of them had never received any education. So it wook a long
time for them to understand simple lesson! Now the 3 with the best
understanding and teaching skills are training other women in the
community. So far 7 health lessons have been held by the trained
women and 73 have attended.

All the village women have the chance to receive food, hygiene packs and
delivery kits in return for producing good quality embroidery. In this
way, they can "work" while learning how to keep themselves and their
children healthy.

For more info about Operation Mercy's ministries, please visit:
www.mercy.se

OM's ministries in TURKEY

Turkey is Located in the continents of Asia and Europe, the ancient
land of Turkey is a bridge between East and West. Rich in biblical sites,
it was conquered by Turkish armies coming out of Central Asia to
become the centre of the Muslim world. Modern Turkey aspires to
be part of Europe and has a functioning democracy and constitutional
freedom of religion. The current population is 71 million, 20% of whom
are Kurds. After decades of instability and mismanagement there has
been a recent upsurge in the economy, allowing for the emergence
of an urban middle class.

To be Turkish is to be Muslim and this deep national pride has severely
hindered church growth. Workers have served in Turkey since the early
1960s but there are still only around 3,000 Muslim background believers
scattered over 95 small churches. Believers are generally able to worship
openly although they may suffer discrimination and slander from their
families and communities. Rising nationalism has led to recent attacks
on believers.

Most Turks are suspicious of those who leave Islam to follow Christ.
In recent months a growing wave of hostility has been mounting
against believers, taking the form of negative media coverage, attacks
church buildings and general harassment.

Yet God is doing amazing things! A key ministry of OM in Turkey is
the Bible Correspondence Course (BCC). This provides New Testaments
and basic Bible Study resources to anyone who wants them at
absolutely no cost. Word is spread through adverts in national newspapers,
sponsorship of free Christian concerts, participation in book fairs,
up-to-date web-sites and good old fashioned word-of-mouth.

Over 32,000 people have contacted BCC in the last 3 years.
Through the extensive follow-up by local and foreign believers
around the country, many have come to faith in Jesus. In fact,
most of the churches outside the major cities are comprosed almost
entirely of BCC contacts. A recent outreach in the Black Sea area
identified 450 people requesting a visit. Groups of Turkish believers
contacted many of them. One man they went to see had waited
10 years for someone to come and visit!

Testimony from some Turkish believers:
I received the books "Beyond Religion" nad the New Testament
and was greatly touched while reading them. I am sending you the
answer sheet and impatiently wait for your next letter and materials.
Please write or call me and please don't leave me alobe. (Azru)

I read the booklet you sent and am sending my answers to your course.
I am sharing my knowledge and light i'm receiving with those around
me. After getting in touch with you i believe i will be able to fill the
emptiness inside me. I carry New Testament you sent in my jacket
pocket wherever i go and read it when i have spare time. (Ali)

Prayer request for Turkey:
pray that Turkish believers would be bold and strong during
the current harrasment and persecution.

For more info about OM, please visit
http://www.om.org/

Operations Mobilization's ministries in Western and Central Asia

Date: 15th April 2008
Venue: Selly Oak Elim Church

Nelson & I had attended a seminar conducted by OM (Operation Mobilisation).

OM's purpose:
We believe God has called us to proclaim the gospel, engage in relief
and development, disciple believers and see churches planted
among the Muslim Turkic, Persian and Caucasian peoples

OM's Vision:
Our vision is that every Muslim community in our region will
be reached and transformed through the establishment of
reproducing churches that are able to endure persecution,
disciple and send out believers, and engage in holistic ministries.

OM's biggest challenge:
These countries have a background of corruption, violence and
supertition which means that many people come to them with
damaged backgrounds. The challenge is to see these people
become radiant followers of Christ who grow into fellowships
of love and unity which model something profoundly different
from the surrounding societies.

Prayer request:
i) Pray for more workers to join the OM teams serving along
the former Silk Road
ii) Pray that each OM team member will be kept safe and healthy and
be empowered by the Holy Spirit
iii) Pray for fellowships of believers to grow in faith endurance and boldness.

You may contact OM if you would like to join this ministry:
info@waca.om.org

Please view this testimony of a muslim who had experienced our
Lord Jesus in a very special way like Paul. http://www.muslimjourneytohope.com/testimonies/testimony_afshin.wmv