BIEMs of Light: November 2004

Praises – Rejoice with us!

v     Praise God for 9 saved in Tandarei, Romania.  Four came to Christ through meetings held in the dorms of a local brick factory and five were saved through a special Thanksgiving service. 

v     A church group from Michigan has returned rejoicing in the souls saved on a mission trip to help BIEM national missionaries in the St. Petersburg area of Russia.  God also supplied a generous amount of humanitarian they were able to clear through customs including a good supply of a powerful antibiotic quite difficult to obtain in Russia.  It turned out this medication met an immediate and urgent need of someone in one of the churches they visited!  One of the team members stated, “this is too much fun!”  This comment served to remind all that no matter what the world may say, there is great joy in serving Jesus.

v     BIEM has just received half of a semi-truckload of clothing for Russia including winter coats and suits for national Pastors and wives.  We are also rejoicing that a church, which has recently received a financial blessing, is covering the cost of sending these on our next container we hope to send out within a month.

v     Another orphanage director where BIEM nationals are faithfully serving in the St. Petersburg area of Russia has come to Christ!  This is our third orphanage director saved.

Prayer – Pray with us!

v     Please pray for Yuri, a young Christian reached through BIEM missionaries Vitaly and Alexandra Keller in St. Petersburg.  Yuri was attacked and severely beaten not long after he began to attend their services.   Despite this attempt by Satan to reclaim Yuri for his own, this young man has not been dissuaded from his newfound faith and faithfully attends each service.

v     The church in Fastov has had their building progress dramatically slowed due to an elderly neighbor who has gone to great lengths in claiming the church has encroached on her property.  Please pray that this baseless claim would be settled soon so that the work can continue.

v     Please pray for BIEM personnel that are traveling this month with Pastor Peter Rumachik as he shares his inspiring testimony.  Please pray that the goal of raising funds needed to complete the construction of the Jubilee Baptist Church in Dyedovsk would be met.

v     Continue to pray for the Ukrainian election.  Since no one received the required majority there will be a runoff on November 21^st between the scandal ridden government backed candidate (Victor Yanukovich) who favors strong ties with Russia and the challenger (Victor Yushchenko) who favors a more pro-Western direction for the country.  There are problems, protests, prices have sharply risen and there is a great deal of fear.  Please pray for a clear and just election result that would provide stability, progress and a government that would continue religious freedoms.