Pray for the mission

Prayer Letters

Dear Friends,

With Gods will and help we had reached another year. Yes, we should thank Him always for such a blessing that no one of us deserves .
His kindness , mercy and love for us is measureless and we must to do the best we can to serve Him. I know very well how hard may be sometimes to tell someone about the Lord , in a world of corruption , indifference, war, abuse and violence. Even so, we as Christians have no excuse to go out and witness to the lost souls of this crazy world.
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, let's pray for each other and stay closer to our Saviour Jesus Christ because without Him we are nothing but with Him we can reach the world for a better future of our nation. May the Lord bless you always with all your needs and help you reach the lost.

Lucy Miron-Romania.

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Bible Open Air Mission

Email Prayer Advance –January 20, 2009
P O Box 398
Fanwood, NJ 07023
Telephone: (908) 757-4248
Fax:            (908) 757-3304
Website: www.boam.org
Email: boam07023@comcast.net

Dear Prayer Advance Soldiers,

Greetings to you again in the Blessed Name of our Wonderful Savior!

2009! It seems incredible that we are already twenty days into the New Year. If I had any reason to question how fast the time seems to be moving, the events in BOAM would certainly bring me back to reality. Let me again give you some of the answers to prayer and as well as some requests. Once again I want to thank you who are on the prayer advance list for bringing BOAM before the Lord constantly. The whole prayer advance letter was designed to let folks know, who wanted to know, what God is doing in BOAM and what the needs and the challenges are as well as the blessings. Therefore, I do believe that the prayer advance email is very important. Here are some of the blessings since we last wrote to you.

I mentioned that Eli Tucker, our new International Field Trainer, would be going to Africa in early 2009. He left here on the 17th and he texted me back yesterday that he had arrived safely in Ivory Coast. He will be visiting there for about a month and then continue on to Kenya, Liberia and Uganda. In each case we are seeking to see BOAM established. Please pray for these countries and for the nationals there that have waited on us to come now for over two years. The funding came in also for this trip and, again, that is a specific answer to prayer.

The work in India continues to explode and challenge us at every turn. Because of the growth of the work there in every way, we do ask you to pray that God might increase the income for the Indian works specifically each month. We have not only seen our staff grow, but we have a waiting list of evangelists who have been trained, waiting for us to accept them into the work. Some of them have been trained for as long as a year and are doing the work faithfully in their particular states.

Also the school has been a tremendous success in Kasaragod, India. It has opened the doors we had hoped for the whole area to the Gospel. In fact, not only have the three churches been planted but we have mentioned before that the school has grown to the place that now we need to add a second floor to the building. We promised the community that by the grace of God we would add a new grade to the school each year until we get through high school. This year we added a fourth grade and now we are at full capacity for the building. We do want to buy certain quarters outside of town, as we also have mentioned, but that will take some time to negotiate and to purchase and, of course, we have to have the funds to pay for that property. We are probably talking about $80,000 to make that purchase. It does have a good building on it to begin with, but we would have to adapt it and renovate it gradually. In the meantime, to the school in downtown Kasaragod we would like to add a second floor, which will cost us about $25,000. This would allow us to accommodate all the students that we have and maybe add a fifth grade next year until we can get our enlarged property. The school is open to all of the local children. That was the agreement we made with the city. The leaders understand that since it is a Christian school we will be giving them the Gospel regularly. I do not have the stats on those that have been saved, but when we get those I think we will be wonderfully surprised at the children who have trusted Christ. In all the public school meetings that our teams are holding throughout India, we have seen tremendous results in reaching the children for Christ. Beyond that, because we are educating their children with quality education and more education, the locals and the area around have become our friends. It is a tremendous open door and, again, it is an answer to prayer! Please continue to pray for the school. In these days ahead, as I have just mentioned, we have many challenges before us in order to see that ministry continue to be fruitful.

Again we need special prayer for the Children’s Home. We purchased the land we needed and paid for it, but before all the legal papers could be settled the man died who has the land. We went to his children. Now there are some legal problems with the children in terms of them agreeing on everything and we have to wait again until we get our legal papers in order. I have mentioned before that this Children’s Home project has been greatly opposed by our enemy and I continue to sense that. Please pray for the Children’s Home and we will keep you informed.

The Philippine work is expanding and already the new school year has begun. Our director there emailed me a few days ago that in one day they were in six public schools. These are morning meetings and, of course, the afternoon and evenings are given to the open air. But the public school meetings are a tremendous open door where the whole student body is entrusted to us. I have picture after picture here of these school meetings. Right now in our BILED department we are working on developing literature to distribute to these students in the schools. As I have said many times before, there is an incredible hunger in the Philippines for the Gospel and an open door with all classes of people. All we can do, by the grace of God, is step through that door while it is open and while the harvest is ripe.

We have several projects before us currently for expanding the work in the Philippines. We now have three teams and we are hoping to see that grow. Again, as the work grows we do need finances for our Filipino staff. Please pray for the expansion of the work there and the finances for them.

Our new teams in Myanmar are in good heart in spite of all that has happened there in these last seven months. Our four teams are still operating. They stay in close touch with us and we are excited about the prospects of seeing that work develop. Besides that, we are praying about Thailand right next door which is also a Buddhist country. I have passed through there and my sense of Thailand from being there on a brief visit is that the hunger there is as great as in Myanmar. I believe that we should wait upon the Lord about moving into that area as soon as possible.

The New York work continues to be blessed of God. We are in a deep freeze here right now. We have been below freezing for many days. In New York snow is on the ground but, again, that does not hinder our outreach. The subway is there for us and I once again marvel at how many thousands of people we reach through the subway system in New York City and it is not affected by the weather.

There is much more that I could share but I believe that is enough for this Email Prayer Advance. We do thank God for the answers to prayer and the great work He did in 2008. And now let us look together to Him for 2009. As I have said recently both in personal conversation and in preaching, we don’t know what 2009 holds but we have a great God and His promises are true and they are not based on human circumstance. His promises are based upon His faithfulness and His greatness.

Before I close, I want to thank you for the email correspondence that we receive from you. Recently we received a number of emails and in them there have been a number of personal prayer requests about family, health, jobs, etc. I want you to know that when we receive those requests we do pray about them immediately. Prayer is a two way street, of course. We are very grateful for your prayers for BOAM, but we do seek to pray for you who communicate with us faithfully. This, of course, is in accord with the Word of God where it is commanded that we pray for one another.

May the Lord give you His very best. Thank you for being on our team.

Sincerely in Christ,
Art Williams
International Director, Bible Open Air Mission

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Missions trip to Abuja, Nigeria
Missionary Mark Holmes-host. Evangelist Chris Stansell-guest.

November, 2008
Today I finally arrived in Abuja, the capitol of Nigeria. I have prayed for years about taking a preaching trip to this country. It has been about 40 hours since I left Nashville, Tennessee bound for the 'Dark Continent' as Livingstone referred to it. The airport was warm in temperature, but modern in facility. We had many people offer to help us. We managed a quick and painless departure toward the Holmes' residence.

I had lovely accommodations in the guest room/office of the dear Mark Holmes family. I have known Brother Holmes for about 13 years. It has been a blessing to watch him grow and serve the Lord through the years. I am very thankful for all he did to make my trip a blessing and success. Mrs. Holmes is doing a wonderful job in Nigeria. She is obviously loved and respected as the lady of the home, and "first lady" of the church. I always appreciate the sacrifice of the wives of missionaries especially when they do it without complaining. I praise the Lord for this couple.

First Sunday--Today I was picked up for transport to a local Nigerian church pastored by a Nigerian Pastor who was trained by an American Missionary. It was such a blessing. The people seemed so happy that I was with them. We were in a building that I can't really describe because of the difference in normal building practices in America, and yet the people were so very thankful for this building on property that they purchased for their church. I loved it. I also had the privilege of speaking for a baby dedication. This is a real event! We had testimonies and preaching, singing and food. After the service I was able to baptize some new converts in a river that looked as scary to me as anything you ever saw in an old Tarzan movie! Praise the Lord. I traveled back to Brother Holmes for a short afternoon, and then I met another Pastor for a different church on Sunday night. His name was Simon Peter! I love to hear the precious Nigerian Christians sing the songs of the Lord. What a day. We had people saved in both services, and many decisions.

During the trip I kept a diary of all the daily activities. I could fill a small book with events and blessings! We had the privilege of speaking in several different schools. There were many young people saved at each one. People are hungry for the Gospel-even when they don't know they are! I was able to share the Gospel with many people while visiting and walking door to door, besides people at the services. It was amazing to see Nigerian people going soul-winning and growing in grace. I am elated at the progress Bro. Holmes has had from the Lord in training and re-producing new Christians.

Many of the days I was there I was able to meet in a Bible Institute and train dear sweet Christians in Evangelism, and leadership principles, as well as much teaching about music and singing in the Bible. I am honored being able to be a part of the teaching and training at these churches. I feel so much potential is waiting in the wings.

I must admit that one of my favorite activities was preaching at two Mission Conferences. One was for Bro. Holmes. The church people have next to nothing, yet they sweetly committed to Faith Promise mission's giving, and this brand new church took on four Missionaries to help spread the Gospel. Imagine! A church in Nigeria, Africa supporting men to start churches in villages out in the bush and even to another country—Ghana. What a blessing to see the Book-of-Acts Christianity in action.

Today I went to a little village outside of the city of Abuja. It was like stepping back in time, and out into the wilderness. Yet, we were only 15 minutes away from the bustle of city life. We crept through the terrible dirt road/trail conditions until we passed several huts to find a crude 3 room school house. They were expecting us. As dirty and dusty as everything was, the children all had on cute uniforms. The little girls and young ladies all had on skirts and tops; their manners were perfect. Even the small children were corralled in short order. We gathered around in a circle about 4-5 children deep. We were gathered under the shade of a Mango tree. It was over 100 degrees, so the shade was a blessing in that hot sun. I stood in the middle completely surrounded by the darkest faces I have ever seen—all hungry to hear what this big white man from America had to say. I excitedly sang a few songs with them. I gave away some American candy as prizes to thank them for their fabulous energetic singing. Then I opened up my Bible. I read from John chapter three. And I had the wonderful thrill of preaching the gospel to them and seeing almost all of them get saved. Amen!

The Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ works everywhere in the world. People may not get saved at the same rate, but they get saved the same way. You just have to learn a little culture. Instead of, “How are you?” or, “How is the weather?” People ask about the electricity as a talking point: “How is your light? How much light have you had?” because the power is so sporadic and undependable (averaging a couple hours a day).

It's not really something I can adequately describe to you in words when I think about the villages we visited, seeing people flock out of the little huts when they hear you drive through the trail of high grass and a little bit of dirt road. The blessing of seeing the people I saw was that men of God had been there before me and started small village churches. I got to preach to them. It is quite different preaching to people that listen intently and beg you to preach rather than the almost opposite in most of the world. I met two different chiefs in villages; they were gracious. One of them had donated land on which a Missionary had built a small permanent Baptist Church building. I thought about how pleased the Lord must be at the true spreading of His gospel to the ends of the earth.

I was very tired at the end of almost three weeks. It was a great 'tired' after seeing the Lord do so much. It was humbling to have so many people genuinely convince me of their thanks and appreciation. To see the eyes of fellow believers begging me to come back is difficult to watch. I know I will see my new friends with the Lord someday. I hope to see them again here on earth as well.

Please pray for the Truth Baptist Church, and Pastor Mark Holmes. There are many needs in their church as they grow and build, as well as many needs for their entire country. I am praying for laborers in their field, as well as souls for their hire. I thank the Lord for the opportunity to visit and minister first hand. It was all and more I ever hoped and prayed for.

Evangelist Chris Stansell
South Haven Baptist Church
Springfield, TN

Mark Holmes
with Sabrina, Joseph, Victoria, and Brian in Nigeria

website: Pensule nail art

234.805.323.1487 (Nigerian cell phone)
or, 234.9290.9229 (we are 7 hours ahead of CST)

P.O. Box 11491; Garki-Abuja FCT 900001; Nigeria

U.S. Address/Sending Church: Faith Baptist Church
8467 Canal Road; Gulfport, MS 39503 (228.863.6993)

Support Address: FBMI; 523 Sibley Street; Hammond, IN 46320

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Dear Pastor, Friends & Family,

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: & the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, & gave himself for me. Gal.2: 20.
But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me & I unto the world, crucifies the world unto me & I unto the world. Gal.6:14.
I thank & praise God for all that faithfully support me in prayers, financially, encouragement letters, & any acts of kindness, as your servant here in Davao City with Mt Apo Baptist Church for lost souls. I am daily praying for all of you, too: as intercessory prayer is one of my ministries & that is something every Christian can do. We have a prayer answering God & He says in the Word, "Pray without ceasing."
We just finished our World Missions Conference, 22nd - 25th with Pastor Dimver Andales. He is a very dynamic preacher that really has a burden for lost souls around the world. His family & 2 of his staff came also & they were a blessing. They average 1,000 in attendance on Sundays & Pastor Andales said, "To the glory of God, Lapason Baptist Church gave 2.2 million pesos to Faith Promise Missions last year."
We were privileged to have two of the three, of our home missionaries with us this week who have graduated from our Bible college, that have started new mission works, & God is blessing them. Missionary Van Campecino organized his church May 2008 with 20 charter members, after two years.
Missionary Douglas Mozar started a mission work in the mountains where he labored from May 2006 until August 2007. He then started another work in September 2007; hopes to organize into a church some time in the future. His location is Digos, & that was where our Pastor Trimble had planned to start a work until the Lord changed the plans. Every day I thank God that He sent the Trimbles to us, they are & have been a tremendous blessing to our church, & me.
Pastor Rufo Paclibar, wife Sunny & family are in Korea & he is studying the language. He was the 1st one to graduate from our college. They are praying about where to start a mission work there, when he finishes his language. She is Korean & they will do a good work for the Lord some day there. They would be worth your support if you took them on some day. I can highly recommend them to you, they are truly dedicated to missions.
Our orchestra is still doing good & we have so many different groups, that do specials, 4 different choirs (from the children's, teen's, college & adults). Our music is really a blessing every service, PTL for Becky & her God given talent & their whole family are good singers & have lots of musical ability, but humble.
God blessed our church to give 462,961.30 pesos to Faith Promise Missions & we are praying & believing God we can do more than that this year. God has allowed us to support 34 missionaries & plan to take on more in 2009.
After every service in the mission's conference one of our Visitation teams had to put on drama with a skit of some missionary in ages past, David Livingstone in Africa, etc. It was very good, meaningful & enjoyed by all of us.
December 2008 & January 2009-- 44 saved (Saturday Visitation); 56 saved (Sunday A.M.); 14 (baptized); 1 (transferred their membership); 81 (first time visitors).

Sincerely your servant for the Gospel's sake,
Mrs. Barbara J. Wright, Field:P.O.Box 81921,D.C., 8000, P.I.
Rom.12:1,2; 8: 28-------- email:bjwright@mozcom.co

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Next week Monday we start language school again, but we have to get back down to Brazil first! Right now we are in Chattanooga preparing for Sarah's sister's wedding. (It's too cold up here, I am ready to go back to summer!) Sarah organized a bridal shower that they had this past Saturday and has been running around doing all sorts of other planning. I was able to fly up to Michigan and see my family last weekend. We were only missing our sister there in Michigan, but all the brothers were together for the first time in 5 and a half years. We had some great conversations packed into the weekend and I am really glad that I was able to go up there. You know, I am all about reaching people and discipling others in their relationship with Christ, but I will really feel like I have not done a good job if I am not trying to challenge my own family as well and of course, be challenged by them.
I have been able to speak in several different places while I have been here as well. This past month I have been working on a little project with The Story of Hope, which is a chronological Bible study book available at www.goodsoil.com. I really believe that it is good for Believers to see the Bible's overall story, as well as the lost to see what the Bible really is all about. I am doing little videos (approx 3 min/lesson for 40 lessons) on these and posting them on youtube and facebook. So far I have posted an introduction and the first six lessons. I am not sure if these will help many people, but if they help anyone, it will be worth it. Pray for me as I do these as it takes a bit more time than I had expected.
Prayer requests for this month include language school starting up, a men's retreat for South Brazil missionaries, and then we are hoping this month or next (when all the summer vacationers are back) to have a Bible study with our neighbors in the condominium development.

Thanks so much to everyone for their prayers and support. We love you all!

All for HIS glory,

David and Sarah

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http://www.webmissions.com/carrelsinbrazil/
http://davidcarrel.blogspot.com/
http://www.youtube.com/user/DavidandSarahCarrel