Precious…is the death of His Saints

Precious in the sight of the Lord Is the death of His saints.
(Psalm 116:15)

On January 4, 2021 as I was conversing with Beth B in Africa via Whats App, another call came in. When I saw it was from a friend in Moncton, I quickly ended the call with Beth. My friend informed me I could join her at her mother’s palliative care room at a nursing facility in Moncton. I packed up immediately and left to be with her. What an honour for the next hours to join her at her mother’s bedside singing, praying, reading Scripture and expressing love and appreciation. 

 

I knew her mother quite well, having met her (Marion) more than 35 years ago and enjoyed her hospitality--many times in New Brunswick and at least once in Florida--that time with both of my parents and an aunt. Marion was a hard worker, loved humor including “Ernie,” excelled in gardening, quilting, and loved eating fried green tomatoes, and Russet apples. Faithful to her church, she was usually present when Ruth and I gave our reports/presentations. At one point, years ago, we mentioned a support need. I will never forget after the church service, how Marion met me on the steps and assured me she would begin supporting our mission work. We were floored! She indeed became a faithful, generous donor as well as an ardent prayer partner.

 

As the hour headed toward midnight, we continued the vigil together. Then her eyelid fluttered and fairly soon after that we realized she was gone. It was a hallowed moment and I can only imagine the Heavenly welcome she received. 

 

Marion, what an example in life and in death! Here on earth, due to COVID, there will be no funeral but...there in heaven a great celebration as one of God's saints arrived HOME!

Muted but…as found in the Christmas Story

Luke introduces us to Zechariah and Elizabeth, godly people whose prayers for a child seemed to be met with silence...God's apparent muteness. And then when told by an angel that they would have a child, Zechariah's faith in an omnipotent God struggled. His question to the angel brought instant, but temporary, muteness. When, in faith, he confirmed the child's name to be John, his speech was immediately restored.

With the pandemic-related restrictions, we have all felt “muted” in our usual routines and especially in the face-to-face ministries we’re involved in. Churches and global ministries have battled frustration with this forced muteness. VOICE ministries in both the Philippines and East Africa struggle with the closure of school classrooms where they used to have such a regular vibrant opportunity to invest in the students' lives. BUT, in faith, muteness has been at least partially overcome. God has enabled VOICE to focus on new platforms and share God’s truth in new ways.

• VOICE Philippines has produced and distributed a Devotional Book “Walk His Way” in both English and Tagalog.

• VOICE Africa has offered on-line Biblical values classes to families. Their latest module, Obedience, has just been completed and once again, the impact has been significant (see below for some testimonies).

• VOICE Africa is also producing video clips on the value of Moral Purity which they hope to air in the fairly near future.

• In Uganda, the government has allowed next year’s “grads” (elementary and high school) to return to school to prepare for upcoming national examinations. As only God could do it, several schools invited/urged Beth, Scripture Union Uganda missionary, to speak to their students this month. She began her sharing with her puppet, amid much laughter, and then challenged the students to consider trusting Christ as personal Savior by explaining the Gospel tract, CrossTalk. Dozens of students responded in faith and some have already been followed up and received literature to help in following Christ.

In God’s time, Zechariah saw God’s amazing fulfillment and purposes. His response was to praise God while prophesying that people would “find salvation through forgiveness of their sins.” (Luke 1:77) Let us continue to trust, pray, and serve while using opportunities to “un-mute” the Good News...all the while looking to our great God with expectancy to see what He is doing.

* * * * * *

Testimonies (a few among many) from the Recently Completed On-Line Teaching
of the Obedience Module in Uganda

Lower Primary:

• Austin: Thank you teacher for teaching us about Obedience.
• Austin’s parent: There is a definite change in behaviour and this is attributed to what Austin has been learning about obedience in the past weeks. Thank you so much for helping him grow and become more responsible.
  
• Abryl: I learnt to help my mother to cut the onions for cooking and my younger brother to do class work.
• Abryl’s parent: Yes, Abryl has been respectful and hard working.
• Tracy: It's the best--the Values Promises, the stories and what you teach us are the best.
  

Upper Primary:

• Passy - Obedience has helped me to obey my parents without complaining. Thank you for training me through this obedience exercise class.

• Passy’s parents: My daughter has followed all the Values Promises and chosen to obey immediately and wholeheartedly. Many thanks to Scripture Union.

• Elizabeth: Dear teacher I have improved in listening to my parents.

• Elizabeth’s parents: I realized a change in the lives of my children. They do things according to the way we have been telling them. They are quick to respond. Thank you Scripture Union teachers for the teachings. May God richly bless you.  

• Silver: I have learnt to be very obedient to my parents. It has changed my life. Like when today, my aunt asked me to help her hang clothes and I did it immediately and wholeheartedly.

Secondary:

• Joshua: I thank my teacher for these lessons and God above all. I am now more obedient and listening than before and have gained favour in the eyes of my parents and God. Like last week I did my best to be obedient to my parents and my mum really looked happy with me because of that; she even spared some time and we conversed though she was busy, so it's a very big testimony for me and I thank God.

• Joshua’s parents: Joshua has improved greatly spiritually, thanks to these lessons. And he nowadays sees that he obeys us and God. Continue with these lessons for a better future generation God fearing and obedient people. God bless you abundantly.

• Timothy: I thank God for enabling me to join these meetings. They helped me do the right thing.

• Timothy’s parents: Obedience class has been very insightful. Timothy has learnt some Bible verses that he always recites and have made him realize that God is always present in his life.

• Joy: It has changed my life totally to be obedient because Christ died for me yet He has never sinned.
  

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:10)

Who can forget the dramatic story of Zacchaeus whose encounter with the Savior brought radical transformation? Praise God, Jesus Christ continues to bring people to Himself and change behavior.

Earlier today, we received news from VOICE Africa that there were reports of 10 professions of faith from among those who participated in the recent Obedience on-line classes! One of those newly saved is fairly well known by us. The one who  relayed the news to us is an aunt...and her feet hadn't yet touched the ground since she learned of God's work! When still in Uganda, we recall hearing of the parents’ rather drastic discipline measures to break their child’s stubbornness. Praise God for the Holy Spirit’s conviction of sin and this young teen’s submission to Christ as Savior and Lord.

Pray for spiritual growth for each of these 10 precious lives resulting in godly living, making a difference in their homes and communities. Ask God to continue enabling the proclamation of His truth during this prolonged time of pandemic restriction.

 

Rescuing Children from Disaster and Eternal Death

A Matter Of Life And Death

On September 17, I (Laura) was on a bike ride on the Sussex Nature Trail as I often do for exercise.  While sitting overlooking a steep bank by the Trout Creek, all of a sudden a third bike in a group of 3 middle school boys dangerously approached the bank of the creek, shouting "I've lost my brakes.”  I watched incredulously as the young helmeted boy lost control and dove 25 or 30 feet down the bank into the rocks of the Creek bed.  A man that I later met, Warren, began helping me with directions as I called 911 on my phone and directed the emergency services to our location on the Trail.  Two women stopped and one descended the steep bank to where the injured boy was.  I later met Beth, an RN, who stayed with the boy until the ambulance and emergency response people arrived. The injured boy, Leighton, in his early teens, I learned from others, had a fractured skull and several broken bones.  Having just met the two women again today, as far as they know, Leighton is healing well.  As I have pondered this rescue that God allowed me to be part of, we are surely to be calling 911 to Heaven, prayer for the youth that have lost their brakes and are in need of the Lord's rescue. As God spared the life of Leighton, we pray many may put their trust in the Savior.  

 * * * *

As you know, the teaching of Biblical Values is one way being used in the Philippines and East Africa to give children/teens, ideally in school classrooms, Biblical direction and to sound out the alarm to those in spiritual darkness. Due to the Covid related closure of schools in Uganda, the VOICE Team undertook to teach Self-Discipline and Purity on line for families that have internet capabilities. (Currently they are teaching the module on Obedience.) Included in their report of the On-Line Teaching of Purity, Scripture Union Uganda sent us lots of wonderful testimonies. For the sake of room, only some are included below...but enough to make your heart burst with praise for God’s work as His Word is proclaimed.

Lower Primary (Kindergarten – grade 3)

• Am blessed because of you teacher. I have not kept bad secrets. (Esther)

• I want to say thanks Teachers and may God richly bless you all.” Abryl and Hananie opened up about some things and being free to discuss with us the parents. Thanks again. (Parents)

• Thank you for teaching me; my life has changed into doing good things. (Isaac)

• Thank you so much, teacher Paul, for teaching me. I have learnt to always stay pure and to know that God sent His only Son for me so He cares about me. (David)

• The lessons have been so helpful, the children have been tickled to share with us some school experiences, asked questions and we have had to answer them thus creating openness and bonding too. (Parents)

• Dear Scripture Union, my daughter loves the program and always sings the purity songs that they have learnt. We are proud to be part of the program and thank you for your efforts. God bless you all. (Parents)

• Dear Teacher I like the way you teach us. I have learnt not to do bad things which others are doing. I thank God because He stopped me from biting my nails and watching dirty videos. (Evangeline)

• Thank you for the lessons because since my son began to attend the lessons he is so cautious about the issues of purity. May God bless you. (Parents)

Upper Primary (Grades 4-7)

• Dear teacher, thank you for teaching us this topic of purity. It has been life-changing and has taught me to remain pure in all circumstances. May God bless you. (Passy)

• Thanks teachers for teaching us. It has really changed my life. (Mwiza)

• I have learnt from my teachers that God knows when He wants something to happen (sex) and we should never divert from His teachings for it will lead to horrible turns in our life that we will never forget. (Prima)

• I can see that my daughter has changed in the line of purity. (Parents)

• On Jordana's birthday she made a wish to stay sexually pure until her wedding day. (Parents)

• Dear my teachers. I am so happy that I have been able to learn about Moral Purity. I learnt that it is not right to have sex when still young. I will keep myself pure until I get the right person to marry when I am grown up. (Daniel)

• These lessons were very timely. We really appreciate Scripture Union values classes and believe and support this ministry in every way. Our children have grown in the knowledge of Christ and their biblical understanding of the concepts of purity and self-control. It is a bench mark for their growth indeed. Thank you again and again. (Parents)

Secondary (Grades 8-12)

• Thank you very much for all the lessons. They have not only helped me but also my brothers. (Timothy)

• The lessons of purity have taught me to make the right choices in life so that there will be no regrets. (Joy)

• As a parent this study has been profoundly impactful to my daughter & her siblings. I had shared with her how I had kept myself pure till I married, and when she heard this very clearly from her teachers through the purity lessons, she was more than determined to stay sexually pure till marriage. Am very grateful for this powerful ministry to our children. May the Lord richly bless you. Shalom. (Father)

• Since we began the purity lesson I have done all my best to avoid watching bad movies or reading any contaminated stuff. (Marianne)

• Dear teacher, thank you for the lessons you taught me, I loved them. God bless you. My testimony is, the knowledge about purity has made me change a lot in the way how I used to perceive things compared to now after these lessons. I hope to keep the values promises by God's grace. (Kayaga)

• We are grateful for this life changing class, I had difficulty talking sex education with Lynette but this has been awesome and wrapped up everything. I pray that God will enable the children to keep these promises. God bless you. (Parents)

• After hearing all about sexual purity, I am not afraid of anyone and I tell them straight forward that I will keep my body safe. (Mulungi)

 

Philippine Churches Still Proclaiming Godly Values

It was a blessing last month (via Zoom) to join the monthly VOICE Philippines VIP (VOICE In Prayer). Greeting and meeting the entire team “live” was special as well as praying through various praises and requests. Although the “lock-down” continues to be difficult, God is working! Here are a few things I learned:

• Life Gospel Church, Manila, has created online monthly Values Classes for youth and a separate one for parents!

• Capitol City Baptist Church (a church I am especially familiar with), Manila, was asked by nearby Sto. Cristo Elementary School to teach online Values Classes to twelve sections/classes.

• The Philippine Bible Christian Church, Manila, is teaching the VOICE Curriculum to street dwellers.

  
  
  

• In Negros, VOICE champions, Pastor Joel & Irma, are teaching godly Values to those working in community gardens. (The second picture shows the gardeners assembled for the Biblical Values class where other non-gardeners join them.) They also are planning to train community leaders how to teach godly Values in a ministry called “Shechem Care.”

  
  
  
  
  
  

• In addition, the two above veteran VOICE leaders serve as life coaches to twelve policemen/women. They shared that their church in Bayawan City continues to welcome former students from their Values Classes both in Sunday School and their Worship Services.

• Another church, Kaytaas Alliance, Bulacan, fairly quickly picked up their teaching of Biblical values by reconnecting with their students on line; that’s been happening for at least three months now.

Let us praise God for His amazing work through His people and pray for perseverance and that God will raise up many more to shine His light in these difficult days.

VOICES From Uganda Youth

 Although the times are strange, God has enabled VOICE Africa, a program of Scripture Union Uganda, to keep engaging children and youth regarding godly values. From the recently completed “Self-Control” on-line Module we received the following testimonies:

• “ I thank the Lord me, my brother and sister joined this class. It changed our lives completely.” Audrey

• ”Am pleased to inform you that my attendance of self-control class was beneficial and it changed me for good. I have started controlling myself than ever before. Recently my friend annoyed me but instead of firing back I was able to keep quiet.” Joab

• “Thanks teachers, I mostly liked the story of Samson. I learnt to avoid places, things and people that make me lose my self-control for example during this break when my little brothers disturb me, I move away and not beat them up.” Emmanuel

• “I have learnt to control my anger and I no longer fight my siblings, thank you very much for the class.” Christina

• “This verse Proverbs 25:28 encourages me whenever I lose my cool. Thanks teachers Lyn, Hilda and Dennis.” Lisa

• “It has changed my life whereby I am advising my friends all about self-control and to give their life to Jesus.” Jeremiah

• “Thank you for teaching us. I enjoyed the stories and the verses, can’t wait for the first lesson about Purity.” Erica

• “Sarah has become better. Thank you for the Self-Control classes.” Sarah’ mother

• “My daughter now controls herself when she is angry.” E’s parent

Praise God with us and pray for the “Purity” Module now being taught.

In light of current needs in East Africa including national workers allowances shortages we ask you to continue praying and consider giving to one of the two projects below:

1. VOICE Africa Ministry

2. Swahili Values Printing

Donations clearly designated can be mailed to:

SEND International of Canada

RR# 5, 1-22423 Jefferies Road

Komoka, ON N0L 1R0

Phone: 1-888-918-5036

Email: info@sendcanada.org

Or

SEND International USA

PO Box 513

Farmington, MI 48332

Phone: 1-800-736-3808

Email: info@send.org

There are also on-line opportunities to give:

for SEND Canada - https://send.org/canada/give

for SEND US - https://SEND.org/give

Strawberry Fields

Farming is hard work...period! And sometimes one doesn’t see as much result as one wishes, despite pouring hours of labor into an agriculture project. But what rejoicing when the harvest is visible and abundant. That’s the case this year with my brother’s strawberry fields. His “Dad Bonney’s U-Pick” has seen many eager (and seemingly satisfied) customers over the past three weeks. Before my father entered eternity, he expressed great joy to see one of his sons take steps toward using the family farm land for blessing others in the production of food; it has also brought delight to the rest of the family.

I’ve had the privilege of manning “the shack”--looking after payments, answering questions, sometimes providing a hat or bottle of water to sweating pickers, helping pick berries to fill outside orders, and when needed, showing new arrivals where to pick. Since many of the pickers are known to me/my family, there has also been plenty of chatting in the shade/coolness of “the shack.” During the occasional lulls, I’ve enjoyed the setting/scene/quietness to spend time with God in His Word; He has personally challenged me as I’ve pondered the similarities and differences of spiritual fruit/harvest.

Yesterday, as the berry season was winding down for this season, I had a beautiful opportunity to listen to a frequent customer and eventually share Christ! Another family expressed interest in the copies of “God’s Offer” tract that were lying on the counter...and took three copies home with them. God is encouraging me that, although cultures differ, people need the Lord just as they do across the oceans. Praise God that, unlike physical farming, God’s Word will always bear fruit according to His good pleasure—Isaiah 55:5. “So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” Let’s all be willing to work hard in God’s spiritual fields while remaining alert to opportunities to share His Word, the Truth, with assurance that there will be an abundant harvest in God’s time.