BIEMs of Light- March 2003

Praises – Rejoice with us!

v      Praise God for a steady harvest of souls.  Four of the public school teachers saved at our ministry in Zgurovka have followed the Lord in believer’s baptism and are regularly attending church.  This is where (see February BIEM’s of Light) someone spread a rumor that our worker there was receiving $15,000 for everyone who “converts”. This incident turned out to be another opportunity to share the Gospel and the work in this needy place continues to produce eternal fruit for the glory of God.

v      The work on the military base in Desna, Ukraine where regular Sunday services began last month is developing maturity.  National missionaries Vitek and Veka Sychov report that key people in this ministry are making great strides.  In fact when they had to be gone the work went on without skipping a beat and several souls were saved in their absence.

v      The youth from the new church in Komarivka, Ukraine preformed a dramatic Gospel presentation that attracted 130 youth and 20 adults.  Praise God for this opportunity to present the Gospel to so many.  Please pray for their follow-up efforts.

v      A new outreach in Snitinka, Ukraine has launched a youth ministry that has reached 50 young people with 12 regularly attending.   There are also 20 attending a children’s ministry.  Therefore there is great potential for a new church to be established in this location.

v     Praise God for some exciting news from Iosif Pop, BIEM church planter in Fetesti, Romania.  They have been able to start a ministry to the multitudes of gypsy people in their area.  Please pray for Radu Lordache who is in charge of this outreach.

Prayer – Pray with us!

v      BIEM Missionary Tim Smith in Magadan, Russia has an opportunity to make an exploratory trip to Omolon in Chukotka.  Please pray for God’s enablement and direction in this extremely remote and isolated area.

v      Please pray that God would especially strengthen Elena, a new convert in Chervona Sloboda, Ukraine.  She is expecting a child and is under intense pressure from her unsaved husband, friends and relatives to get an abortion.  Abortion is a major form of contraception in this part of the world.

v      Please pray for Fred Canaday, our Field Director for Romania and Moldova as he travels there this month with his wife Margie and a prospective missionary couple.  Pray for safety in travel, for many souls to be saved during meetings and for direction in many of the projects they are planning in these needy countries.

v     BIEM’s founder’s, Dr. Peter Slobodian and Mary Slobodian were involved in a serious accident when their vehicle rolled over after hitting an icy patch of highway.  Special emergency workers had to extricate Mary from the crushed vehicle.  Though her injuries appeared serious enough to be evacuated by helicopter, both are praising God that they only suffered bruises and a concussion.  Pray for their quick recovery.