The Vision of Distance Education

A number of people in the AFLC have a vision of sharing biblical education around the world in the form of distance education. Pastor Kevin Olson has a burden to make the educational riches of our seminary available around the world in this form. This led to his applying to become a mission’s candidate.
The Olson's were accepted as mission’s candidates on April 3^rd by the World Missions Committee. Becoming a missions candidate is the first step toward a call to world missions.

The World Missions Committee is now in the process determining the feasibility and planning distance seminary education. The planning for distance education is taking place in consultation with the AFLC Schools Board of Trustees.

This is a new endeavor for AFLC World Missions, therefore we would ask for your prayer and ideas as we consider the far reaching affects that this could have on our world.

Biblical Truth in Flight to Tanzania

Pastor Zakaria Dalle/i left for Tanzania this morning after studying for one year at AFLTS.

He is the dean at Waama Bible School in Mbulu, Tanzania. Pastor Dalle/i will be taking with him a rich heratage of Scriptural truth to share with the students who come to study at Waama.

Pray for Zakaria as he shares the Gospel in this part of the world.

Excitment in Maringa

Screeching wheels were heard as the police squad car chased after 2 robbers on a motorcycle. A flying bullet penetrated the iron gate and broke a window of the building across the street from our house, a few yards away from our parked car. Moments earlier we had just finished cleaning the walks and were getting ready for our Sunday afternoon church service in our garage. Soon our church family would be arriving (coincidently 3 of our members are armed policemen who come with their little children).

Our Sunday meeting was peaceful and pleasant. One of the smiley faces present was ‘Aldo’, a young married man who had been an alcoholic who used to beat his wife. “I never want any pastors coming into my home” he said, when he heard we were going to visit them. Yet ever since that first visit we made, he and his wife have become eager disciples, filled with so many questions about the Bible. His mother-in-law recently told us how amazed she was to see God’s complete transformation in ‘Aldo’s’ life.

God’s transforming power is only one part of what we are seeing take place here. Not long ago we had an anointing prayer over two women; one who had undergone 2 knee surgeries and was in a wheelchair struggling to recover, the other one was getting her life in order as she was doing cancer treatments and facing great pain all over. Now Dna. Luzia has retired her wheelchair and is back to driving her VW bug and Dna. Lucia, pain-free is rejoicing that her new health exam results show no sign of cancer.

We are excited to be witnessing these victories and anticipating new ones ahead, such as finding a new permanent place for worship (hopeful to buy a lot and build a church), and also finding a more permanent housing situation for our family as our rented house is up for sale. Please join us in prayer over these two pressing needs and we look forward to reporting God’s answers to you!

Missionaries Jonathan and Tamba Abel

World Relief's Ministry in Darfur, Sudan

As violence continues to increase in the Darfur region of Sudan, please keep the people of Darfur in your prayers.

The peace agreement signed over the weekend is a hopeful sign, but only one step in the process. Your prayers, advocacy, and support are still needed to contribute to the restoration of Darfur. They will allow World Relief to extend our service to those suffering from malnutrition, displacement, and destroyed livelihoods.

In Darfur, as many as 400,000 people have been killed and 2.5 million people have been displaced. Darfurians struggle to survive amidst daily violence and attacks. Their precious lives are disregarded by their perpetrators, but God does not overlook their suffering, and neither should His Church.

Christians have been responding to the conflict in Darfur by supporting the Darfur Relief Collaboration, a group of Christian relief and development agencies who have combined skills and resources to care for 90,000 Darfurians.

As the lead agency in this collaboration, World Relief is engaged in improving health conditions through food, nutrition, water, and sanitation services. For more information on the work of the Darfur Relief Collaboration please read the attached “Darfur Report,” or visit WORLD’s article at http://www.worldmag.com/articles/11823.

Over the past 2 years, World Relief has invested $2.6 million in Darfur, made in large part by a match grant from the Canadian Food Grain Bank. In August, this phase of the program will finish and we will be eligible for a new grant; however, to leverage this grant World Relief needs to raise $200,000.

Please prayerfully consider whether you or your congregation would be willing to support the ongoing work of the Darfur Relief Collaboration. Because of the match grant from the CFGB, your contribution will be leveraged at an approximately 10 to 1 ratio, so that $1,000 will make $10,000 worth of impact, and $10,000 will make $100,000 worth of impact.

To give online, visit https://www.wr.org/gettinginvolved/donate/ or send your check to World Relief , 7 E Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21202.

There are two other ways that you and your congregation can lift up the people of Darfur. Through prayer and advocacy you can give voice to Darfur before our Father and before our government. For specific prayer requests, please refer to the “Darfur Report,” and for more details on advocacy, please read the attached “Darfur Action Plan.”

If you would like to raise awareness in your congregation, then a bulletin insert and powerpoint are available upon request.

Thank you for remembering those who are so often forgotten. We are praying for God’s healing hand in Darfur and for lasting peace in Sudan. We are praying that God would raise up His Church to be a voice for the voiceless, that this suffering would come to an end. May it be so

Linda Haabak Commissioned

Longtime AFLC member Linda Haabak was commissioned as a Wycliffe missionary at New Luther Valley, in McVille, ND. The commissioning service took place on May 7 with congregational members and the AFLC World Missions Committee officiating.

Although Linda was never commissioned, she has been a missionary with Wycliffe for thirty-two years. The members of her church wanted to put it off no longer and asked the World Missions Committee if they would also be involved.

During the thirty-two years, Linda has served in a number of missionary support roles within the United States. She is glad to be part of an organization bringing God's precious Word to those who don't yet have it in their languages and grateful for the many partners throug the years who have "held the ropes" through prayer, financial support, and encouragement.

If you know of AFLC members who are serving as missionaries with other missions organizations please let us know as we are starting to keep a prayer list. Our email address is worldmis@aflc.org

Prayers Answered - Another Request

Yesterday we asked for prayer for Fransisco. Today Fransisco had all the tests done on his heart and kidneys etc. Then we saw the internist again. After seeing the results, and checking over brother Francisco again, he said, "I don't understand it, there's nothing major wrong with this man now!" He does have Tuberculosis, and will be getting free treatments from the government. But like I told the good doctor and Francisco, we have more than one hundred people praying for him, "should we be surprised when He answers prayer in Jesus name?"

Now another request, a neighbor of ours is a missionary with Mobility Project (http://www.mobilityproject.org/), he came over tonight to say that his wife Miriam has had a brain hemorrhage and has asked us for prayer. She had laser work done several months ago in Mexico city.

Thanks for praying,
Darwin Jackson

Effective Prayer in Mexico - Darwin Jackson

"Does the Bible ever say anywhere from Genesis to Revelation, 'My house shall be called a house of preaching... or of music?' Of course not. The Bible does say, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations'. Preaching, music, the reading of the Word - these things are fine; I believe in and practice all of them. But they must never override prayer as the defining mark of God's dwelling. The honest truth is that I have seen God do more in people's lives during ten minutes of real prayer than in ten of my sermons."

Jim Cymbala

The Lumppio's are bringing Fransisco and his kids to us today because I was sick yesterday and couldn't go get him last night. The visit last Friday with the doctor was not so good. Not only are his legs etc. swollen, but his heart as well. The doc sent us to an internist who confirmed that Fransisco is in trouble, and because he's at the bottom of the economic scale of things, doesn't have much hope. He highly recommended three test be done immediately, X- rays of his chest area, ultra sound of his heart, and another test that I don't know what it is. We have appointments today at noon and at two o'clock. Please pray for Fransisco.

Paul Abel's Coming Home

The Paul Abel's are arriving for furlough on May 18th. This will give them time to attend Andrew's highschool graduation from Hillcrest and then visit churches on their way to the Annual Conference in Washington State.

Paul and Becky will be available to speak in churches this summer and fall.

Update from Jore's

Our greatest need...

We recognize the spiritual battlefield we are entering and know that there is nothing in ourselves that is capable of making it without the power of the Holy Spirit. A missionary friend recently told us that it is crucial that we have strong prayer backing before we leave. We are asking you to pray! We will not make it without prayer support. If you would like to commit to praying for us regularly, please let us know by e-mail and we will add your name to our prayer team. We are already sending out monthly prayer updates and will continue to do so when we are in Uganda.

Prayer Requests

• For our final weeks in Minot – good closure and time to pack
• Flexibility for our boys as we move and begin traveling
• For the Lord’s protection on our family as we’re on the road this summer
• For greater faith and greater dependence on the Lord
• For freedom from fear
• For the Nation of Uganda – more souls for the kingdom

Jore's Speak at Taylor, ND

Nate and Rhoda Jore presented their future work in Uganda at the AFLC Church in Taylor, North Dakota last Sunday, April 30.

Pastor Gary Woods who is serving the congregation is also the director of New Hope Uganda. New Hope Uganda is a missionary organization that bring Christ to Uganda through compassion ministries especially orphans.

Pastor Woods has been a great resouce as we attempt to go into the new field of Uganda.

Mission Conference in Thief River Falls

Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Theif River Falls held its annual Missions Conference on April 23rd. Missionary Connely Dyrud and Mission Director Del Palmer were the guest speakers.

This years theme was "A Mighty Wind Blowing in Missions." Texts were taken from the first two chapters of Acts where Jesus promised the disciples that they would receive power to witness to the world. The fulfillment of the promise came in Acts 2 when the Holy Spirit filled the believers and they began to boldly proclaim the Kingdom of God.

The emphasis was made that this same mighty wind of power is working in missions today.

Spring WMF Rallies

Spring WMF Rallies are in full spring. Many of the districts in the AFLC are now having their Spring WMF Rallies. The rallies bring women together to focus on missions and how they can be a part of spreading the gospel.

This one at Faith, SD was held last weekend. World Missions Director Del Palmer was the morning speaker.

Prayer and Praise in Jerez

Praise

This is a picture of our Kid’s Club in Frente Popular. There are about 70 kids that will show up at one time or another and the Club has been a big encouragement to us. Please pray for the kid’s and their families.

Prayer

Please pray for a 14-year-old girl who has been in our youth group and attending church for several years. Dan has done a lot of hard, patient work over the last couple years with her dad but he hasn’t been walking with the Lord for a while now. A little over a month ago her dad was on drinking binge and she “escaped” from the house and moved in with a friend.

She came to let us know where she was and we invited her to stay with us until things cooled down at home. But she said she was fine and would come to church herself since she was only 4 blocks away and that she’d be at the youth group meeting as well. She didn’t show up. I went and found her and told her we’d plan on picking her up the next Sunday. She popped in late for our youth meeting on Saturday but wasn’t around on Sunday when we stopped by to take her to the worship service.

We went by again the next Sunday and called out for her. A friend came and told us she wasn’t there . . . she was now living with her husband. I said there must be some mistake because the girl I was talking about was only 14 and I had just seen her the week before and she wasn’t married then. “It’s the same girl” I was told.

Well, friends, I’ve felt like I got kicked in the stomach and had the wind knocked out of me because of that and a couple other things recently. So we’re appreciating your prayers for all of us down here these days.

Blessings in Christ,

Todd Schierkolk

Holy Week Celebrations in Brazil

We pray that Jesus would continually manifest His great love and power in your lives. Easter is a time for remembering...a time for thanking...a time for celebrating Jesus' victory on the cross. It's also a time to be strengthend as we reflect on what Christ's ressurection means for those who trust Him today -"we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us ." May your fellowship with Him and with other believers be special this Easter!

Our celebration began last weekend with the presentation of our outdoor Passion Play at the ARCA. This year we had 70 people in the cast and about 500 spectators. The weather was beautiful and it was a wonderful way for us to relive some scenes from Jesus' life and ministry, culminating in His death on the cross and His glorious ressurection from the dead! Hallelujah! Wed., Thurs. and Fri. the choir from Curitiba presented an Easter cantata in three of our four churches which was also a special time of remembering and worship. Easter will be another celebration day as we meet for worship once again.

Paul and Becky Abel

Kevin Olsons Accepted as Missions Candidates

Pastor Kevin and Pam Olson have been accepted as Missions Candidates. The Olsons served as short term missionaries for nine months at Waama Bible School in Tanzania last year.

After their return God has increased their burden to reach the lost around the world for Christ. Kevin desires to train pastoral leaders who could then train pastors in their own cultural setting.

“The things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.” 1 Tim. 2:2

Andy Coyles Approved as Missions Candidates

Andy and Monica Coyle applied to the AFLC World Missions Committee to become missions candidates. The World Missions Committee approved their application and they are now listed as candidates to become AFLC missionaries.

The Coyles have been committed to missions for a number of years. They have both been on numerous missions trips with Eastern European Missions Network (EEMN).

Andy is in his second year at The Association Free Lutheran Seminary. Monica has been working for EEMN.

It is not clear at this point if God will lead them to be AFLC missionaries or missionaries on loan to EEMN.

AFLBS Choir on Missions Trip in Europe

Missionary Tim Hinrichs sends the following report.

The Choir arrived last Friday afternoon in time for the first concert in Drogomysl. On Saturday we were able to take them around the region of Cieszyn and show them the campus of our Bible school. It was a meaningful time for us as we shared the great needs for Poland and the struggles of our Bible school and we all gathered together for prayer in our largest classroom for a time of prayer. What a great encouragement that was for us! Finally, in the late afternoon, the choir travelled to nearby Skoczow where they sang a concert to a nearly full church and many youth! In fact, Skoczow has the most active youth group that I know of in the Lutheran Church of Poland. After the concert most of the youth stayed after to get to know the choir members. It was such good fellowship, that the youth didn't want to let them go!

On Sunday morning they travelled to the 300 year old "mother" church in Cieszyn called "The Jesus Church." They were able to sing a few numbers in the middle of the traditional liturgical service which alone was quite a cross-cultural experience. In the afternoon they met in Wisla, 30 miles away where they sang for a packed church of over 400 people! What a blessing it was to see the impact the choir members had on those in the audience - the joy was infectious. We were especially surprised by the fact that a few people raised their hands in response to the call to receive Christ. After the concert there was a reception and the pastor was telling me how much of a blessing it is to see young people who are so enthusiastic for the Lord. It was a great testimony for the young people here.

The Polish leg of the tour ended on Monday with a day trip to Auschwitz and Krakow. I guess the highlight for Renata and myself was seeing the choir sing in the main square in Krakow. After the first number a crowd had gathered and they wanted more. After the second number more were there - probably 40 people. They ended up singing a mini-concert!

To be honest, I was expecting great concerts from the choir but I was surprised by something more: the ministry of their music, words, and joy. And this ministry was not only to those they met at the concerts and the people they met, but the choir was an encouragement to ME and our Bible school ministry here!

Letter of Call Sent to Tomasz Chmiels

The World Missions Committee voted to send Tomasz and Miriam Chmiel a letter of call to be missionaries. Tomasz and Miriam will be loaned to Eastern European Mission Network (EEMN). They will then serve as missionaries in Ukraine, where they will work in youth ministry and leadership training.

For more information about the Chmiels please click on this sentence and you will be linked to their EEMN website.

Letter of Call Sent to Nate Jores

The Nate Jores are nearing the end of their intership in Minot and have now been cleared to accept a call.

Over the weekend the World Mission Committee met with them. Following the interview the Committee voted to send the Jores a call to serve as AFLC missionaries in Uganda.

If the Jores accept the call they will be ordained and commissioned at the AFLC Annual Conference on June 23. Following their commissioning they will be raising funds and then embarking to Uganda.

Evangelistic Meetings in the New Campo Largo Church

Our most recent Premavera Church plant has come a long way since it was began.

The Campo Largo Church was designated as the 2005 Premavera Church plant. Since that time a building has been built and a congregation has sprouted.

Two weeks ago the church held prayer meetings every night in preperation for evangelistic meetings. Last week the evangelistic meetings were held in the new church.

Becky Abel remarks, "Just a year ago we had our first tent campaign right on the same lot where the church has been constructed. So much has happend in a year! Thank you for praying with us as we see God at work in this new area."

Pray for Courtney Jacobi in Jerez, Mexico

Courtney Jacobi has been doing her MTI internship in Jerez, Mexico. She is there serving along side of the Schirkolks and Giles.






Last night she was hospitalized with intense pain. After prayer and a night in the hospital she is doing much better. Please remember to bring her before the Lord in prayer.

AFLBS Brings the Gospel to Europe

AFLBS Choir Director - Mr. Jerry Nelson asks for prayer as the 50 voice Concert Choir from AFLBS brings the message of Jesus Christ in music, along with preaching and testimony at churches in southern Poland, Bratislava, and the Czech Republic. Accompanying the choir will be Pastor Don Richman, founding director of EEMN - East European Missions Network, and AFLBS Dean, James L. Johnson. The schedule will run through March 29-April 14, 2006.

Each student/choir member is asked to raise support in the amount of $2100 to cover the cost of the trip. If you would like to help cover costs for this AFLBS choir tour - e-mail aflbs@aflc.org for more information, or send your gifts of support to AFLBS designated "Choir Tour - 2006" .

AFLC India President - Travels to Canada

Luther Dasari, the President of the AFLC of India is planning on attending the AFLC of Canada's Annual Conference.

He was to leave India yesterday, but was unable to travel due to illness. Please pray that he will be feeling better and will be able to change his ticket for a flight out of India today.

Becky Abel Recuperating

Dear Friends,

Thanks to those of you who have been praying for me. My hysterectomy and bladder repair surgery went smoothly last Friday. I'm home recuperating and trying to be a "good girl."

Granddaughter Deborah made my hospital visit complete as the only times I've ever been hospitalized have been to welcome my four children into the world. It was a special prize to receive a baby in my arms after the surgical procedure! Thanks to those of you who sent special notes of encouragement to me during these days.

“In his time, in his time, He makes all things beautiful in his time…”

Maybe you know this old Christian chorus which encourages usto wait upon the Lord in submission until His Time. Usually it is easy to give that advice to somebody but to stand still when we feel pressed on every side to make a quick decision is not that easy. We can relate to that feeling concerning the Bible school.

You have heard from our newsletter that we have asked for prayer concerning the need for Bible school accommodations. The situation is becoming more serious since our students have now actually moved.

Right now all nine of our daily Bible school students live in three rooms squeezed between our office, the classroom and storage rooms. The building is used periodically for other purposes like VBS classes during winter break so the students will have to move out from their rooms. Downstairs we used to have a lounge which now we will be sharing with the after-school club for the kids from the community. Just yesterday we had to give up one of our two classrooms for the sake of having a guest room available. We simply see that it is impossible to have Bible School in a place where there is constantly something else (not related to the school) going on.

The Lord has been speaking to us lately a lot through the Book of Isaiah giving his promises about his faithfulness, his provision. He encouraged us especially during a recent retreat to the “Bible House” Betania (retreat center in Bielsko-Biala). Also, as we gathered at the New Year banquet at CME precious promises were read from Isaiah 43:10-13, 19 :

“’You are my witnesses,’ declares the LORD, ‘and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will
there be one after me. I, even I, am the LORD, and apart from me there is no savior. I have revealed and saved and proclaimed-- I, and not some foreign god among you. You are my witnesses,’ declares the LORD, ‘that I am God. Yes, and from ancient days I am he. No one can deliver out of my hand. When I act, who can reverse it?…

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.”

In hearing these promises from the Lord, we have no doubt that He will find a solution to our problem with accommodations and the future of the ministry here in the Bible school. Please stand with us in prayer as we seek God’s direction and provision. “He will make a way, when there seems to be no way!”

Some of you may have read the above in an email in early January. As we write this newsletter, we still are waiting upon the Lord’s leading as there has been no change or open door yet. Right now it looks like our students next year may have to squeeze into the present building we are using or maybe we will find homes in which they can stay in the village.

Despite that, it’s a blessing that our students are adapting and patient with the tight living conditions they have now. There has been little complaining and in fact, the students have had more time together for prayer and fellowship.

Tim and Renata Hinrichs are AFLC Missionaries on loan to Eastern European Missions Network.

We're Retreating in Mexico

Thirty Six Christian youth recently retreated in Mexico. This is the first retreat since the late 1980's and was called by Pastor's Milton Flores and Raul Hernadez. They pulled back from the battle in their normal surroundings and were recharged with God's Word and fellowship.






Missionary Todd Schierkolk remarks that six kids from the Jerez area were in attendance and that they were greatly encouraged.








Pray for these young people as they go forward to live for Jesus and for them as they plan the next retreat.

Pass it On

Dulce's family was evangelized by Pastor Victor and D. Nayr, teachers at the Bible school in the early years of our work in Brazil. Her mother was the first in their family to accept Christ as her Savior, eventually bringing the whole family (husband and nine children) to church at Lar Parana.

Dulce, along with brothers and sisters, were all able to attend children's camps and youth camps through the years, along with regular church activities. She studied at the Bible school for a year in the 1980's. Dulce now lives in Japan with her husband and two sons where they are active in a Japanese-Brazilian church. Dulce has a passion to teach children about the Lord, has opened her home to many children, and teaches them Bible stories and also takes them on outings. At the 40th celebration, Dulce was considered the Brazilian church's unofficial missionary to Japan.

Becky Abel Having Surgery

Please be in prayer for Becky Abel who is having surgery at the end of this week. It is a planned surgery, she has been waiting to have it done until after the summer vacation Bible schools and camp were over.

Pray that she will be able to relax and recuperate before they leave for this years furlough.

Prayer Requests from Jores

March Prayer Requests:

Presentations
We have two programs lined up for this month - Dickinson, ND, on the 8th and Fergus Falls, MN, on the 26th. Pray for us as we prepare for them, for safety as we travel, and for wisdom and boldness from the Holy Spirit as we share in each church. Please pray too that our boys would be good travellers and that they would stay healthy (they just recovered from a week-long cough/cold).

Traveling to Brazil
We are in the process of deciding whether or not we should travel to Brazil once more before heading to Uganda so that we can see Nate's family once more. If we are going to go, the only time that'd work would be the end of May which is when Nate graduates from seminary, we move back to the cities and prepare to start full-time deputation (a busy time!). We know that God knows what we should do but aren't yet sure what that is, so pray that we can listen and wait for His leading!

World Mission Committee
On March 31st we meet with the AFLC World Mission Board in the cities. As far as we know, this is our final meeting with them before they decide whether or not they will officially call us as missionaries. In case some of you don't know, we are still AFLC missionary candidates and need to receive an official call before our status changes to AFLC missionaries. The World Mission Director, Del Palmer, has also asked if we could sit down sometime during that day and "vision" together about Uganda - talking through plans and goals and specifics. Please pray for good communication and for the Holy Spirit's guidance for that time together.

The Lutheran Ambassador - India

The Lutheran Ambassador of India is published every other month and is used to bring the AFLC of India together. The magazine is composed of devotional items and news. Pray for editors, writers and readers of the Lutheran Ambassador of India.

Why Pray? - Jacksons

"Working without prayer is like trying to fly a kite when there is no wind. You can run hard with a short string and wear yourself out or you can await the wind and see your work soar!" Devries (Why Pray?)

We are at the point now of letting the some of the kite string out with some of our work here in Sinaloa, so we especially need prayer that the Spirit of God will blow.

In Tayoltita we are beginning to take our new missionaries out so that they can get to know some of the folks, and begin to hear and practice Spanish among them. I am also beginning to back off more allowing the new converts to take more of the work.

We have given the direction of the cell group in Huertos Familiares here in Mazatlan over to the Genaro and his wife, now we will begin studying together the text for the group beforehand. He was encouraged last Friday that we were able to share the Gospel with three men that live close by, as well as the participation from those who came to the meeting.

In el Castillo brother Juan is still preaching on Sundays, but asks for prayer that he might be free from his job every Sunday to be able to serve the Lord. We are praying that one of the youth (Jose Miguel) might help him on Sundays to go out on visitations.

We just received an e-mail from pastor Antonio in Nogales that he really need prayer for his job situation, a new boss is making changes that demand a lot more time. The church is experiencing problems as well, even job and time changes in Masarenas is causing him extra stress. Please keep this dear brother in your prayers.

We are also praying about a move ourselves to el Rosario. To make that work go, it needs more than once a week. Thank you all for praying, we don't want to wear ourselves out running.

Darwin Jacksons are missionaries on loan to World Mission Prayer League

Schierkolk's Mark 10 Years in Mexico

This month my family is commemorating 10 years in Mexico and I want to take the opportunity to thank you all for your partnership in this outreach over these years, whether it has been on the committee or through your prayer and financial support personally or through your congregations. We appreciate each of you and continue to pray for each of you as you serve Christ on the World Missions Committee and in the office. God give you grace and wisdom to see His plan as you face the challenging decisions that come to you.

In Christ,

Todd Schierkolk

Erika's Story

This past January is the two-year anniversary of sorts for Erika. It will bring back painful memories for her but God brought about something wonderful through her near death, and through the real death of a beloved friend of many in our AFLC last May.

I met Erika the day I opened a checking account at the bank in which she worked. She had an extremely difficult time getting my name spelled correctly and I had to stop her several times to change the information she had put into her computer. A few weeks later I met her brother-in-law at a 10K race in which we were running. Erika, her Kindergarten-aged daughter, her brother-in-law and several sisters began coming to our English classes and God opened doors to get to know them much more over the next couple of years.

On a rainy January day two years ago, Erika was heading to work at the bank in a city about 45 minutes away where she had recently been transferred. The rain was heavy and the roads were slick as she made the commute down the curvy two-lane highway that would bring her to Fresnillo and her new job. As she zipped down the road the tires of her car suddenly began hydroplaning and she skidded off the road, flew over a steep embankment and down into a ravine, crashing into the foot of the bridge she was about to cross. No one saw it happen and no one passing by saw her from the road.

With massive injuries, she lay unseen on top of the steering wheel with the tail end of the car pointing in the air. After what seemed like an eternity, a highway patrol car finally spotted her vehicle down at the bottom of the embankment. Help arrived but everyone thought it was too late. She had lost a lot of blood, had significant trauma to the head and was paralyzed on one side of her body. No one expected her to live. But God had other plans . . . and she did.

When Erika finally got out of the hospital Dan Giles and I went to visit her at her mother’s home. Her speech was badly slurred, and she was still purple all over. Everyone tried to encourage her that God must have some special plan for her life because she should have died. It was to that end that Dan and I prayed with her. And we enlisted the help of other intercessors as well.

One of those from the United States who committed to pray for Erika shared that she felt compelled to intercede for the injured woman because she had a daughter named Erika and she also had a daughter who had nearly died from a horrible car accident of her own . . . her name was Jeannie Brandt.

I shared that information with Erika and it was a great encouragement to her and moved her deeply. I continued to remind her of the fact that Jeannie was praying for her and that everyone had said God must have a plan for her. Jeannie’s prayers meant a lot to Erika through the long recovery process. And so when I shared with Erika the news that Jeannie herself was having a difficult battle with cancer, Erika took it very personally and made sure that I passed on her concern and care as well. When, a few months later, I told Erika that Jeannie had died and was with the Lord, she was grieved. That this wonderful woman whom she had never met, whose prayers had meant so much to her, had herself passed-away had a deep impact on her. But I was also able to share much more. Thanks to Pastor Brandt’s very personal letters of his and Jeannie’s walk together with the Lord through those last months of her life, I was also able to share of the confidence and joy with which Jeannie faced her own imminent death because of her Savior who had already triumphed over death and the assurance that she had of Jesus’ love for her. And I reminded Erika that everyone had told her that God must have a special plan for her life.

In November, Dan and I went to visit Erika again. We gave her a copy of the book, “The Purpose Driven Life” in Spanish with a dedication to Jeannie Brandt on the inside cover and we talked about Jeannie’s faith with her. Erika was eager to listen.

As Dan shared passages from the Scriptures about the way of salvation, she would interrupt with, ‘Yes, but how can I know for sure that I’m going to heaven?’ I smiled as Dan patiently responded several times with ‘We’re getting there.’ So when he did get there, Erika eagerly prayed and received Jeannie’s Jesus as her own. I smiled again as she said, ‘You know this may sound strange but I really feel like something just happened inside me. It’s hard to explain but I feel different.’ We just smiled, knowingly.

Thank you for your prayers. They really do count for eternity.

Todd, Barb, Rachel, Megan and Kirstie Schierkolk

World Relief

AFLC World Missions partners with World Relief as our relief agency around the world. You can learn more about World Relief at their website wr.org .

A Mighty Wind - Final

The Lord has even been working here in the United States in a powerful way. He has empowered the World Missions Committee to be world wide witnesses.

Finances
Several years ago the World Missions Committee had to make some hard decisions financially. They could no longer afford a full time director so they cut back to a part time director for almost four years. They also had to cut back funding to the fields. During these years God has blessed World Missions and we now can press on with new vigor.

Purpose
The Committee has defined their purpose so that we know where we are going and can reach out to the world with Jesus.

Opportunities and Workers
We are constantly receiving reports of people who are preparing for missions and opportunities for them to serve. New groups of students are expressing God’s call to serve as missionaries.

A Mighty Wind - Part 5

We are turning a new page in AFLC World Missions as we send a missionary family to Africa. The Nate Jore’s are in the final stage of preparing to go to Uganda.

Reports from Uganda are very encouraging. Pastor Kevin Olson traveled to Uganda in 2005 to ordain several men who had been trained for the ministry.

These men have now formed an evangelism committee. Now that they are ordained, they report of God working in new ways:
• The public now identifies them as servants of God.
• Many people now approach them about spiritual matters.

These new pastors plan to reach out and start Bible studies in new areas this year. As soon as there is a group of believers in the new area they will start a congregation.

God is working even before the Jore’s arrive.

A Mighty Wind - Part 4

Jesus said,. “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Children are the example of being receptive to the grace of God. That’s why the kids clubs are so successful in Jerez.

A kid’s club had just been started in January, but the lady who started it in her home was out of town the next week. We didn’t know if anyone would show up, because her kids went with her. God was working and as we played a game, children kept wandering in from the community. Soon the carport in which we met in was overflowing with children. They heard about Jesus in an amazing way, through AFLC Ambassador Sunday School material translated into Spanish.

Our missionaries in Mexico have been translating the Sunday School material into Spanish. It’s then made available to Spanish speaking people all over the world through the internet. Mexico really is the gateway to Spanish speaking people throughout the world.

A Mighty Wind - Part 3

The AFLC work in India is a light shining in a dark place. Only two percent of the people in India are Christian, but there is a glimmer of light coming from our work there.

Pastor Luke had been working with a group of teenage boys. One of them, Ramesh was encouraged to attend Gospel meetings. There he came face to face with his sin and the promise of the Savior. The Word of God changed his life. He confessed his sin and trusted Jesus as his Savior.

His life changed, and Ramesh decided to serve Jesus. He began to study the Bible and after he married he began serving the church at Gandhinagar. He still needs more training to be an effective shepherd, but we’re helping him. Along with pastoral training in India, we support pastors and Bible women. We build churches and provide relief in the form of food and medical care. A number of children have no parents, so we take them in and introduce them to the Heavenly Father.

A Mighty Wind - Part 2

Recently the AFLC celebrated forty years of ministry in Brazil. In the northern hemisphere, the North Star gives faithful guidance to disoriented sojourners. The Southern Cross constellation serves the same purpose in the southern hemisphere. It’s a joy to realize that in Brazil the Association has been pointing people to the Cross of Christ for forty years. This direction has been given so that they will arrive at their eternal destination safely.

Over those forty years many lives have been changed. One of them was a young boy whose father was convicted of murder. He lived about three blocks from one of our churches. One day when he heard music, he went into the church and the pastor shared Jesus with him. It wasn’t very long until he and his mother became Christians.

Today this young boy is a man with a wife and family of his own. He is a lay leader in his church and attends our seminary part time. He’s being trained to share the Savior who was shared with him.

A Mighty Wind - Part 1

Jesus’ last sentence here on earth was a promise and a mission. He said, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

The Holy Spirit came upon believers and they received this power to witness to the world on the Day of Pentecost. His arrival was described as a sound like the blowing of a violent wind from heaven. The believers were empowered to declare the wonders of God to people from every nation under heaven.

That mighty wind is still blowing today. The Holy Spirit is calling people to share the life giving message of Jesus to a lost and hungry world. It’s exciting to see how God is at work even through the ministries of AFLC World Missions. Let us share what you’re doing in places around the world.

Watch for upcoming installments of, "A Mighty Wind."

Pray for Partners in Missions

Pray for the Partners in Missions team. They are on a short term missions trip to Obregon Mexico. They will be gone until March 3.

We believe that they flew this time rather than taking their bus.

Snipstead and Dyrud in India

Dr. Steven Snipstead and Rev. Connely Dyrud are now in India for two weeks of pastoral training. Most of the pastors of the AFLC India are laypastors. Yearly we send pastors from the United States to encourage them, observe the work and teach them. The goal is that they would become effective and doctrinally sound shepherds.

The Work Goes on At Campo Largo

Hi! It's time for another note from Becky. We just got back from church. Had a nice Bible Study with a full church in Campo Largo. Everyone is excited there as we continue to work on building the church building and the church body. Saturday we had a great volunteer work day with about 30 men mixing and pouring concrete floors, spreading out dirt in the church yard, and destroying the wall in front of the property. Things really happen fast when you have such a crew! The ladies had a Dorcas clothing sale and kept the men fed and watered. It was a wonderful day of work and fellowship and we're getting closer to our goal of moving out of our rented quarters. We're so thankful for the funds that have come our way to continue this project. We're out of money for the building again for the time being but trust that the Lord will provide at the right time.

What's Going on in Jerez?

MTI Intern
Our MTI intern, Courtney Jacobi, will be arriving on Monday, February 6^th. Pray for her as she makes connections in Mexico City on her way to Zacatecas and for her three months here. Courtney will be staying with Abril’s (ahBREEL) family. In the attached picture of our youth group Abril is in the top left-hand corner next to our daughter, Rachel.

Giles
Dan and Debbie Giles left today for the graduation of their son, Danny, from bootcamp with the Marines in San Diego and also for the birth of their first grandchild. There are lots of details that we are praying about for them and I know they would appreciate your prayers as well.

Youth Group
Please pray for the kids in our youth group (see attached photo). Several of the kids come from homes we are trying to reach out to with God’s Word. The kids put on several puppet skits during our Christmas outreach dinner that went over very well so they are excited to continue with puppet ministry.

Christmas Outreach
We praise God for a great Christmas dinner outreach. The program went very well with about 150 in attendance. The Sunday School kids were precious, the Kid’s Club kids came and joyfully participated as well. Numerous Kid’s Club parents came as well. Several hands went up after Dan gave a Gospel invitation at the end of the dinner so we are grateful for God’s work in people’s hearts as a result of this event. And we gave away almost 60 quilts as well. Thank you quilters! Two weeks ago it was down to 17 degrees so those quilts were much appreciated.

Digital Camera
Thank you as well for your prayers and thank you Terry for the digital camera! A picture should be a new regular feature of these updates.