Stories from the Field

December 2003

Thank you!
From your missionaries

(more Thank You notes at http://ime.imb.org/offering/thankyou.asp)

Dear Southern Baptists,
The truth is that I wouldn't even be on the mission field at all without the help of Southern Baptists. For years I was looking and praying about going to Russia. I did short-term trips, (2 or 3 weeks with support from local churches plus my own savings), but to go longer term as I am now … a total of 2 years and coming back for a 3rd year … seemed impossible.

But then God Himself led me to a church where “missions” was the focus. They heard my heartbeat for Russians and told me that the door was open to go because Southern Baptists give so missionaries don't have to spend years trying to raise support. Instead, missionaries can be on the field. God used those gifts to bring me here, where I meet with students in Bible studies and pray that they'll come to Christ and that a church-planting movement will be ignited. I'm thankful that God has written the Great Commission on the hearts of those who give to the Lottie Moon Offering.

In His Hands,
Janet Terrell
ISCer in Khabarovsk, Russia

Dear Southern Baptists,
Thank you so much for your prayers and support. Your giving has allowed the team I work with to reach the Marense people of Burkina Faso. If it were not for all your support and gifts, we would not be able to reach the villages on motorcycles, bikes or any other transport. Another way your support has changed lives is through gospel recording tapes. With your support in the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering we were able to buy tapes and put the gospel in Marense on them and then distribute them. I know many people heard the message of salvation through that tape and have now accepted Him as their Lord and Savior. It is a special thing when even now, a year later since the tapes were distributed, people still ask to hear the gospel recording! Thank you again so much for your gifts and prayers. Our Lord has used them to bring people to Him.

In Christ,
Tiffany Folse
Marense Team
Burkina Faso

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
We would like to thank you personally for your generous support. Southern Baptists have been there for my family when we have experienced some very difficult moments on the mission field. During our previous term of service we experienced an overthrow of the government where we resided. We continued to serve there, but a few months later I was carjacked, shot, my son was abducted and later released in a village about 45 minutes away. As a result my wife suffered trauma that caused her to nearly miscarry the baby she was carrying.

Prayers for our needs grew like wildfire. You sustained our family through your prayers and giving. Our medical needs were met so that we fully recovered from the incident. Within a few months we had a new baby girl and were back on the field. Upon our return, our vehicle was replaced and our ministry prospered like we could not have imagined.

Djimini Christians worked with us to teach Bible stories orally and create Djimini songs to accompany each story told. It was such a blessing to see nonliterate Christians being equipped with ministry tools that they could effectively use to share the gospel with others.
Recently, the war in Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) has left us without access to our home and ministry in the northern part of the country. Your giving has once again allowed us to continue to be On Mission With God in West Africa.

I am currently working in a neighboring country researching peoples who have the least access to the gospel. I will be participating in writing requests for new missionaries to come and serve among these groups. I am going forward with my work confident that your giving and prayer are behind and before me as we strive together to fulfill the great commission.

In Christ’s Service,
Travis and Kimberley Forsythe
IMB, West Africa

Thank you, Southern Baptists,

• for undergirding our people segment and us through prayer, volunteer missions evangelism and your gifts to the Cooperative Program and the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. Many people are being saved in our area of Panama and cell churches are growing with 1,200-1,500 in regular Bible study. We are on the threshold of a harvest in resistant areas where we have been working for the past two years.

In August 2003, we placed the entire ministry in the hands of prepared nationals who are committed to Christ and His kingdom. “Blanca” is one of these. As a Catholic she lived such an exemplary life that the people called her “the virgin.” On Saturdays she walked around Curundu, Panama City, using the rosary to pray for the people. God opened her heart to receive His word through us; she was saved and baptized. Through this one gentle person of peace:

• A new Baptist church, 30-50 people, meets on her patio.
• A group of Embera Indians is forming a church a few blocks away.
• Her teenage daughter teaches a children’s group of 15 at the public school on Saturdays.

Allison Holman
Strategy Coordinator
Urban, Panama City,
Republic of Panama

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