BIEMs of Light: March 2004

 Praises – Rejoice with us!

v      For sometime a high-ranking military officer instrumental in opening (and keeping open) the doors for our ministry on the Ukrainian military base was under attack from sectors in the military establishment who had him demoted and reassigned. Since this may have been related to our activities, we did not publicize this beyond our workers in Ukraine who have been in intense prayer concerning this matter for months.  Praise God the matter was finally settled through a court case that this officer won.  Rejoice with us, as he has been reinstated to his former office.

v      Praise God for the opportunity BIEM had to share the Gospel in a children’s prison in Kyiv.  Pray that the seed that was sown in the hearts of the needy youth there would bring light in the darkness of the Ukrainian juvenile prison system.

v      Lena, a new Christian in Chervona Sloboda, Ukraine decided to give up her job managing community events since this involved organizing events in nightclubs. It was while reading the Bible concerning Lot’s poor choice, she was convinced to take a step of faith since this was considered a great job in an area of extremely high unemployment.  Praise God that after a time, Lena actually received a job offer to work with elderly a job she not only enjoys, but one where she has many opportunities to share her faith.

v      Praise God for the following items recently donated: Nine complete office cubicles made by SteelCase for our future office building, 3 video projectors for ministries in Ukraine, several computers for our military base computer club ministry, and 9 wheelchairs to be sent on our next container.

Prayer – Pray with us!

v      Igor a 13-year-old living in the village of Lipovka, came to Christ recently through our Ukrainian ministry.  His mother died 3 years ago and his drunkard father has reacted with anger to Igor’s conversion and now beats and mocks him for his newfound faith.  Igor recently said, “Whatever my father wants to do with me – he may, but I’ll never leave my Savior”.  Please pray for Igor that his faith will withstand this test and that God’s grace will soften his father’s hardened heart.

v      Recently we rejoiced in that our missionary Tim Smith in Magadan was able to purchase a good-sized building for $2,000.  Though the building needs quite a bit of remodeling it will be a great help to the new church.  Now they must purchase the small strip of land which perimeters the building for $10,000.   Please pray for this financial as well as bureaucratic challenge.

v      Please pray for a Russian military family in Duralesti, Moldova.  Shortly before his death the father, a high-ranking commander, told his daughters that he wanted the funeral to be done by “the Christians”.  This was an amazing opportunity to share the Gospel with many lost family and military personnel who attended.  Please pray for our national missionaries there, Ghenadie and Marius as they follow-up with this family.

v      In one of our newest church planting efforts in Satu-Mare, Romania our missionary there, Marius Rotaru asks for prayer as he seeks a place to rent for services.