Every Friday before going to my Team Joshua youth service in Abepura, I stop and have a meal at Pizza Hut. Twenty years in Papua without a Pizza Hut has built up a big vacuum in me that I hope to refill someday. Recently, one of the workers there, Krista, approached the table where I and four of the young people were eating. She asked what church I go to.

I didn’t think she really wanted to know what church I went to any more than John’s disciples really wanted to know where Jesus was sleeping.

Like Jesus, I said, “Come and see,” which, translated into the vernacular, comes out, “Here is my cell number.” In a text message, I told Krista that she looked like she had a burden and asked if she wanted to talk. She wrote back that she had many burdens and would love to talk.

Last Tuesday, on her day off, Krista came to our house. She did have many burdens. Her dad had died when she was eight months old, and her mother sent her to be raised by her grandmother and uncles. She had never really known the love of a mom and dad or the spiritual discipleship that goes with a family. I asked Krista if Patty and I could be her mom and dad. After the hugs and tears, we asked our new daughter what she wanted, and she said, “I want to know Jesus.”

It just doesn’t get any better than that. Praise the Lord with us for the eternal blessing of seeing a lost sheep come to the Shepherd. God is so amazing!

What You Can Do

When you give to the Great Commission Fund, you partner with Alliance field workers, like Barry and Barry Jordan, in sharing the message of salvation with people who need Jesus.

Learn More

Check out Alliance work in Indonesia.

Serving at Hope Medical Center, Guinea, West Africa

Hope Medical Center sees about 300 patients a week on average, says Dennis Westlake, who serves with Compassion and Mercy Associates (CAMA), the relief and development arm of The Alliance. Here is an adapted excerpt from a recent letter in which Dennis shared two encouraging stories.

Jarius, a missionary sent to us from Gabon, told us at prayer meeting recently the story of a young boy who had just arrived that day for treatment. He was brought by two women-his mother and his aunt. It was their first time to the clinic.

The women remarked to Jarius how impressed they were with the manner in which they were treated by everyone at the clinic, asking him why this was so. This gave Jarius the opportunity to share Jesus with them-the reason why people are cared for well here. Both women prayed with Jarius to receive Christ.

Healing at Hope

Moise Mamy, the spiritual ministries coordinator at Hope, told us another encouraging story. Earlier this month he observed an elderly man at the clinic who didn’t appear to be sick or in need of treatment. After inquiring about the reason for his visit, this is what Moise learned.

A resident of N’Zérékoré, just 5 miles from Hope, the man said he’d been to the center twice for treatment since its 2005 opening. His first visit was to have a tooth pulled. On his second visit, “I arrived at the center in a wheelchair.” He’d just spent two years at the hospital in N’Zérékoré for a mysterious illness that left his left side paralyzed. He hadn’t been cured. And “It was very expensive for me,” he said.

But after his third treatment for the illness at Hope, “I left the wheelchair and began walking on my own. And I had only spent 150,000 Guinea francs (approximately $30)!”

Impressions

He said two things had impressed him about the center: He received healing for less than half of what he had spent at the hospital; and he wasn’t ill-treated because of his ethnic background-something that is rare in Guinea. “The respect I am shown here is beyond me!” he exclaimed. “Whether you are Malinké or Guerzé, the center treats you no different.”

His family members, all followers of the area’s predominant religion, were impressed too. “My village was amazed at the treatment I received at the center!” The village, Siguiri, is 300 miles from Hope.

Now, whenever he learns of anyone there who is sick, this gentleman arranges for them to travel to N’Zérékoré so he can accompany them to Hope. He has referred 158 people; the morning Moise spoke with him, he had just brought another patient for treatment.

This elderly gentleman is used to how things are handled at Hope; he asks the staff to pray with the sick, bowing his head and closing his eyes to pray along. He is convinced that there is no place like Hope!

What You Can Do

Pray for the salvation of the elderly gentleman with whom Moise spoke as well as for all of his family members living in Siguiri.   

Donate to CAMA. Partner with us to offer-through word and deed-the hope of Christ to thousands of the poor and displaced around the world.

Learn More

Read the article “A River of Hope” in the March 2010 issue of alife for more about Hope Medical Center’s life-giving ministry.

Approximately 700 people attend the Alliance church in Wrightwood, a close-knit community nestled in southern California’s San Gabriel Mountains. Two neighboring towns, Phelan and Piñon Hills, create the basis for the church’s original name-Tri-Community Alliance Church, established in 1982 and pastored by Terry Morrow since 1995. Mary, a Phelan resident, is one of many people who are finding Jesus through Hillside’s inclusive outreaches.

Through Christmas events, sports camps, and ministries to women, children, and homeless people, Hillside is making a Kingdom impact in the tri-community. “Some of our outreaches are spontaneous,” Guaren says. “When we see a need in the community, we try to fill it. Mary was here because her daughter had been invited by a friend to a mid-week kids’ program. Instead of driving back and forth to pick up her daughter, Mary decided to wait. The other mothers participated in a Bible study, but Mary was hesitant to join them.

“‘Do I have to stay here?’ she asked me. She looked like she’d had a pretty rough life, and I saw this as an opportunity to share Christ. When I invited her to talk with me in another room, Mary opened up about her desire to end her life. We talked for an hour. She began coming to church, accepted Jesus as her Savior, and I’m still discipling her. It’s been a long, hard road, but Mary has seen God work in her life.”

Lighting the Way

With church growth came the need for expansion, and the Alliance Development Fund (ADF) is playing a key role in Hillside’s building project. With a loan from ADF, a new sanctuary is under construction. Currently, there are two services in the church, with a “chapel/coffeehouse” that broadcasts the service into another room to about 50 people. “It’s a safe place for visitors who aren’t so sure they are ready for the whole church thing,” says Guaren. “But they get the same music and message. It’s a good spot for people to check us out; some just prefer a more casual environment.”

The building campaign also includes a soccer/baseball field that “will be open to the community,” Guaren says, “using it as an opportunity to draw more families. We also open the church to groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Alanon, and Weight Watchers, providing a place to meet free of charge.

“As Hillside Community Church grows into a multi-ministry center, it will be a shining light in the community, bringing the hope of Jesus to lost and hurting people.”

*name changed

• Learn more about what Alliance churches are doing to reach their communities.
• Impact your world for Christ by giving to Alliance Great Commission Ministries.

In partnership with non-Alliance churches every two years, the Alliance church-planting team at Qidu Gospel Center in Keelung, northern Taiwan, hosts a large-scale evangelistic outreach focused on the entire district. This year’s event, which ran from July 31-August 6, featured an evangelism rally, prayer walking, a parade, games, and food. The following adapted excerpt contains Hannah Hwang’s reflections on the experience and what it’s like to minister among such a resistant people group.     

The first event our church participated in was singing praise songs with other churches and Christian friends at the local community park and praying for people’s salvation. The following day, about 300 believers, led by local church pastors, participated in the Christian parade/prayer walk in the harbor area of downtown Keelung. During the two-hour parade, the pastors blew horns as the Christians shouted, “Peace and blessings for Keelung!” Some groups of believers gathered at bus stops and train stations to play keyboard and guitar while singing praise songs.

Later that afternoon, the believers prepared food and games for a “fun fair” at the harbor plaza. The fair attracted many passersby, including children. At the center stage, church praise teams and choirs sang and worshipped. It was a good atmosphere to introduce Jesus to the unbelievers and talk about our faith or give them Christian literature/tracts.

During the next five days, all Christians who were able to participate in street evangelism gathered in Keelung again to distribute tracts and invite individuals to come to faith right on the street. About 30 members of a short-term team from South Korea and Hong Kong traversed the city area for two hours to spread the gospel. 

A Resistant People

Those who agreed to listen to the “Four Spiritual Laws” were teenagers and college students, but the most resistance came from middle-aged adults. After the entire week’s efforts in sharing about Jesus with the community, we met less than 10 unbelievers who were willing to consider believing in Jesus; many, many Taiwanese simply didn’t want to listen to what we wanted to share with them.  

My husband and I have been here in Taiwan for about 10 years proclaiming Jesus, but year after year we observe that Taiwanese hearts constantly and consistently resist the gospel. This year was no exception. All of us concluded that we are thankful for the opportunities to keep on sharing the Name of Jesus with the townspeople and to pray for their salvation.

As much as I pray for the lost people here, I often think about our evangelism work in Taiwan. What’s it worth? How long it will take to be able to see some “fruit”? What else could have been done? Sometimes, though, God reminds me that when a fisherman goes out to catch fish, he anticipates catching a lot of fish but never really knows if he will definitely catch fish that day even as he throws out the net into the water. He can’t possibly know when the fish will get into the net. So the fisherman winds up wondering if he really wants to catch fish. In Taiwan, God has trained me to be a patient “fisher of men,” and He often asks me, “Are you willing to wait for the fish for Me?” And He’s pleased that we keep going out fishing in Taiwan. The Keelung outreach this summer was our effort to go out and throw the net, even though there was not much response from the unbelieving Taiwanese.

The Center of His Will

I am very thankful and joyful because God keeps on giving us opportunities to share His good news with these resistant people. Even without anybody interested in what I proclaim, every time I go out to spread the gospel in someone’s home or the street or market area, I know I am exactly where God wants me to be, saying things He wants me to say as His witness. I am very happy just because I am obeying Him. God’s words and work will bear fruit in Taiwan eventually, and we missionaries realize that God’s will for us is to obey and keep spreading the seeds of gospel in this part of the world.

Prayer is vital as we strive to see Taiwanese trust in the Name of Jesus and their lives change. Thank you very much, U.S. C&MA churches, for praying for the lost people in Taiwan whom the Lord is seeking to save. 

What You Can Do

When you give to the Great Commission Fund, you partner with Alliance field workers, like Hannah, in sharing the message of salvation with people who need Jesus.

Learn More

Check out Alliance work in Taiwan.

Serving at Koutiala Hospital for Women and Children, Mali, West Africa

Jessica returned this summer to Mali-one of the poorest nations on earth-after a year away on home assignment; the following is an adapted excerpt from her recent prayer letter.   

Anne didn’t listen to her husband. He had told her not to take their sick baby, Miriam, to the hospital.  They didn’t have any money. Anne delivered Miriam at our hospital nine months ago, and she remembered being told to bring Miriam back if she had a fever and wouldn’t nurse. Having already lost nine children, Anne refused to allow another of her babies to die.

Although Miriam was diagnosed with malaria and was very anemic, she received the care and treatment she needed in our pediatric ward. And we were able to cover the family’s hospital bill through our hospital benevolent fund.

Harrowing Realities

In the past few weeks as I’ve spent time catching up with friends, I’ve been reminded how harsh life is here, and how many infants, children, and adults die needlessly.

Recently, I was with a friend whose parents have lost seven children; only three of their children are still living. Untimely deaths happen around us everyday. At the hospital recently, we lost a 20-year old pregnant mom and her baby-the mom arrived critically ill (it seems the family gave her some very strong, traditional local medicine). We also lost a baby who had second and third degree burns after a pot of boiling porridge fell on him at home.

Opportunities

We see many sad cases and people who experience too much loss. Yet we are also thankful for those-like Anne and her daughter Miriam-whom we’re able to help. Our hospital has many opportunities to make a difference as we provide compassionate care and share about Jesus with our patients.

Anne was able to take Mariam back to their village after her recovery. She is one who has chosen to follow Jesus, even though her husband is not yet a believer. 

Although the challenges and setbacks we face in Mali often seem to make progress nearly impossible, I am encouraged to see the many ways God has been working in and around Koutiala. Thanks for your prayers and support of the work here!

What You Can Do

When you give to the Great Commission Fund, you partner with Alliance field workers, like Jessica, in sharing the tangible love of Christ with hurting people.

Learn More

Read “5,000 Babies!”, Jessica’s inspiring article about Koutiala’s remarkable ministry of hope among the sick and dying.