Papua New Guinea: Living Acts 19 | 306 | Report 18

Every week two Dinangat Bible teachers in Papua New Guinea hike three hours to disciple a group of new believers in a remote village. They are currently teaching from the book of Acts. Recently missionary Gary Smith went to visit and encourage the new believers. ”I literally fought back the tears,” wrote Gary, “it’s like watching a miracle before my eyes, God changing these people from the inside out.”
Then another miracle of God’s grace began unfolding before their eyes. The Dinangat men were teaching about Acts 19:18-19 where it states, “Many who had believed came confessing and telling their deeds. Also, many of those who had practiced magic brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all.” After hearing this, Areke, a village leader, left the teaching and headed for his house. He came back with a little bag. When the teaching was finished he stood and showed everyone what was in the bag – his magical items. He then burned them in front of everyone as he explained that these things represent idolatry and he wants nothing more to do with them.
Gary wrote. “It was amazing to witness and worth every step up and down those mountains to get there.”

Source: New Tribes Mission

BIBLE STUDY: Acts 19: 18-19

PRAISE: God for the Dinangat believers who are beginning to understand God’s call for holiness in their lives. Pray also for the Bible teachers.

Salvation in Nepal’s Refugee Camps | 17th July 2010

Thrust from their homes in Bhutan after Buddhist rulers embarked onan ethnic and religious purge, Christian refugees in Nepal face hostilities from Hindus and others but God is using this persecution tobring exiles to faith. Bhutan has expelled one-eighth of its citizens forbeing of Nepali origin or practicing faiths other than Buddhism since the 1980s.

Persecution in Bhutan led to the spread of Christianity in refugee camps in Nepal. It is estimated that, out of a current refugee population of 85,000, about 7,000-8,000 Christians are in the camps. There are 18 churches of various denominations in the camps.

Gopi Chandra Silwal was a Hindu living in one of the camps with his family. Two of his sisters became Christians, and he would rebuke them mercilessly, not allowing Bibles in the hut. But he contracted malaria, and feared he would die. One night he saw a white-robed figure holding a Bible in one hand and beckoning to him with the other,saying, “Have faith in me.”

He began to read the Bible, was soon converted and eventually became the pastor of a small church in the camp. The plight of the refugees improved after the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) stepped in, receiving permission from the government of Nepal to run the refugee camps. About 26,000 have now been given asylum in other countries, and Pastor Silwal and his family will soon settle in Australia.

“I don’t have grand dreams,” said Pastor Silwal. “In Australia I want to enroll in a Bible college and become a qualified preacher, and then return to Nepal to spread the word of God.”

Source: Compass Direct

BIBLE STUDY: John 15:18-19

PRAISE: God that so many refugees have discovered Jesus right there in the camps. Pray that pastor Silwal and others may realize their dream of going back to evangelise their nation.

Salvation in Nepal’s Refugee Camps | 17th June 2010

Thrust from their homes in Bhutan after Buddhist rulers embarked onan ethnic and religious purge, Christian refugees in Nepal face hostilities from Hindus and others but God is using this persecution tobring exiles to faith. Bhutan has expelled one-eighth of its citizens forbeing of Nepali origin or practicing faiths other than Buddhism since the 1980s.

Persecution in Bhutan led to the spread of Christianity in refugee camps in Nepal. It is estimated that, out of a current refugee population of 85,000, about 7,000-8,000 Christians are in the camps. There are 18 churches of various denominations in the camps.

Gopi Chandra Silwal was a Hindu living in one of the camps with his family. Two of his sisters became Christians, and he would rebuke them mercilessly, not allowing Bibles in the hut. But he contracted malaria, and feared he would die. One night he saw a white-robed figure holding a Bible in one hand and beckoning to him with the other,saying, “Have faith in me.”

He began to read the Bible, was soon converted and eventually became the pastor of a small church in the camp. The plight of the refugees improved after the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) stepped in, receiving permission from the government of Nepal to run the refugee camps. About 26,000 have now been given asylum in other countries, and Pastor Silwal and his family will soon settle in Australia.

“I don’t have grand dreams,” said Pastor Silwal. “In Australia I want to enroll in a Bible college and become a qualified preacher, and then return to Nepal to spread the word of God.”

Source: Compass Direct

BIBLE STUDY: John 15:18-19

PRAISE: God that so many refugees have discovered Jesus right there in the camps. Pray that pastor Silwal and others may realize their dream of going back to evangelise their nation.

Vietnam's Story of Overcoming Faith | 30th May 2010

We have few details of what is truly happening inside Vietnam. What we do know is that God is powerfully at work in the midst of horrendous persecution, as the story of brother Trung illustrates: “Lord, if you exist please heal me, I offer my life to you and will serve you,” Trung prayed as he knelt in his room and childhood memories of stories about Jesus resurfaced. Trung had malaria and he expected to die. After praying, he lay down and went to sleep. At about midnight he suddenly heard the Lord call his name. He was startled and, as he sat up in bed, he felt God’s peace come over him. “In the morning I felt well. The Lord answered my prayer and I have remained malaria-free to this day,” he recalls. Trung evangelised freely following his conversion, was arrested for his faith, beaten, released, and continues to serve God in Vietnam in spite of the pain in his chest due to the beatings he received in prison.

Source: Prayer Alert; Voice of the Martyrs

BIBLE STUDY: 1 Samuel 3:1-10

PRAISE: God for the strength He gives His servants in Vietnam. Pray for a great harvest for Christ.

http://revivalmedia.org/2010/05/29/vietnams-story-of-overcoming-faith-30th-may-2010/

Vietnam's Story of Overcoming Faith | 30th April 2010

We have few details of what is truly happening inside Vietnam. What we do know is that God is powerfully at work in the midst of horrendous persecution, as the story of brother Trung illustrates: “Lord, if you exist please heal me, I offer my life to you and will serve you,” Trung prayed as he knelt in his room and childhood memories of stories about Jesus resurfaced. Trung had malaria and he expected to die. After praying, he lay down and went to sleep. At about midnight he suddenly heard the Lord call his name. He was startled and, as he sat up in bed, he felt God’s peace come over him. “In the morning I felt well. The Lord answered my prayer and I have remained malaria-free to this day,” he recalls. Trung evangelised freely following his conversion, was arrested for his faith, beaten, released, and continues to serve God in Vietnam in spite of the pain in his chest due to the beatings he received in prison.

Source: Prayer Alert; Voice of the Martyrs

BIBLE STUDY: 1 Samuel 3:1-10

PRAISE: God for the strength He gives His servants in Vietnam. Pray for a great harvest for Christ.