BIEMs of Light: September 2004

Praises – Rejoice with us!

v      An important answer to prayer from last month.  Missionary Tim Smith was finally able to get a visa to return to Magadan, Russia. The Russian government now requires an official verified function from the company issuing a business visa.  Praise the Lord! A business in Magadan has made Tim Smith their company counselor!  Not only does this fulfill the new visa requirements, this will potentially give brother Tim more opportunities to share the Gospel with those the company sends to him for counsel.

v      The dramatic impact of young lives transformed through Christ continues to shine in the lives of returning campers. Officials from the orphanage in Tuchkova have been amazed that some of the children whose behavior problems they normally treat with medication have improved.  When quizzed about the reason for their improvement, these youngsters said it was due to the love of Christ they have in their hearts!  Through this, two workers at the orphanage who previously avoided all contact with our efforts began to attend meetings.  Many parents and relatives attended the closing services of the camps were moved to tears.  In one meeting the vice-principle stood up and said "You have changed us by your love, kindness and trust in God not only in the hearts of our children but also many of our hearts." 

v      BIEM has launched a new church planting effort in the Metino suburb of Moscow.  This is a new region where the government has already placed 260,000 people in high-rise apartments.  There are no churches in this area, not even an orthodox chapel!  Pray for Volodya and Sasha our church planting team in this strategic area and their urgent need to find a place to hold services for this new effort.

v      Our second military ministry that has begun on the military base in Goncharovsk, Ukraine is gaining ground.  Since the mayor of the city and the military administration have been positive towards this new work, our church planters there have succeeded in obtaining a place for sports activities, a classroom for Bible studies, and an apartment to live in.  God is blessing the Bible studies and soccer program that are underway.  The headmaster of the town school is very open to these efforts and accepted the idea of our working with school children.  Pray for Igor and Sasha Fomichiv, the couple serving in Goncharovsk.

Prayer – Pray with us!

v      Please pray for Russia as this huge country deals with the terrorism that has recently taken so many lives in Beslan, Russia.  Our Russian church planters are concerned that security measures that are taking place will make it more difficult to obtain public facilities they sometimes use for evangelism.  Since people are more fearful for their safety they are less likely to open their doors to our workers or attend meetings.  However, God can also use these times of uncertainly and fear to turn hearts to spiritual truth since the Gospel provides the best security plan ever offered.

v      This month we are conducting school sessions for training national church planters and Christian workers in Moldova and Romania.  Pray is needed for BIEM personnel and American pastors and teachers who will be traveling to teach these classes.

v      Rick and Pam Barry, new BIEM missionaries need to sell their home in northern Indiana.  Please pray that their home would sell quickly which would greatly assist their relocation to the Indianapolis area so they can join our staff full-time.

v      Please pray for the financial needs we have concerning our new office.  While we got a "miracle deal" and about half of the finances needed, we do need to raise considerable funds over the few months.