BIEMs of Light: March 2005

Praises – Rejoice with us!

v     A totally unexpected development in Ukraine: the newly installed minister of the government’s Security Service is Alexander Turchinov – a member of a Baptist church.  In the past, the Security Service (secret police) arrested and persecuted Christians in Ukraine, but now a believer is in charge of it!

v     In Moldova, Marius Simionas continues to have regular Bible lessons with children in two public schools in Chishinau.  Pray for spiritual fruit in the lives of the children, but also that the parents will take an interest in God’s Word.

v     During a two-hour conversation in a professor’s home in Magadan, Russia, a woman Tim Smith had never met before asked many questions concerning his faith and his views.  Tim frankly shared his thoughts and witnessed to this woman – who turned out to be a politician.  In fact, she is the very woman who introduced a bill to prohibit missionary activity in Magadan.  Praise God for this unexpected opportunity!

v     In Romania, Sandu Smaznoi continues to live for the Lord and actively joins Adrian Neagu in evangelizing.  Three years ago Sandu was a drunkard who cried out to God (literally) in the middle of Fred Canaday’s sermon.  Praise God for redeemed lives!

Prayer – Pray with us!

v     Church-building programs in three Ukrainian cities (Snytinka, Desna, and Fastiv) are experiencing bureaucratic hold-ups.  All the necessary paperwork has been filed.  Please pray for approval to be granted so that these projects can proceed quickly.

v     Vitaly Yurchenko and other believers held the first-ever evangelistic service in Zavalivka, a village of about 150 residents.  The villagers are poor, and many are elderly.  The villagers themselves begged the Christians to return regularly to hold services, but there are obstacles: the need for fuel to travel there, plus the need for a portable heater for the unheated “village club” for cold-weather meetings.  Vitaly asks prayer for their outreach to Zavalivka.

v     Pastors and other church leaders in all the countries where we work are beginning to plan and pray for this summer’s camping programs for children.  Please join them in praying for enough workers, enough funds, and for God’s direction for lessons and activities.

v     Pray for the country of Ukraine.  Our workers are very optimistic concerning ministry in the wake of recent elections.  Still, we recall that “unless the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it” (Ps. 127:1).  We constantly need God’s guidance and blessing.

v     BIEM’s Rick Barry will be visiting national workers and preaching in Russia and Ukraine this month.  Pray for good traveling and opportunities to be used by God to influence hearts.