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This is the Seventh issue of Let’s Fish. Bible Fellowship Churches sharing resources to evangelize the world. A place for the exchange of ideas on short term missions projects and local outreach. "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." All responses can be sent to office@bfcbom.org Current and past issues can be found on the web at: www.bfcbom.org look in “Mission Events” then Let’s Fish
Greetings from Allentown! The readership of Let’s Fish continues to grow. We welcome all of our new readers this week. Someone complained that the weekly publication is too L-O-N-G and that they can not read it all each week. We purposely index each issue of Let’s Fish in order that you can read only the items that are of interest to you. I hope that allows you to grab useful information on what is happening in the BFC and around the world. 1. Single Missionary has Busy Active Ministry! 2. Here is a Movie for your Consideration 3. Another Opportunity for Service 5. A Great Place to get Involved! 6. Trips in the works (updated weekly) 7. Youth Group Looking for another Youth Group for Ministry 8. Outreach Project for your Church or Youth Group 9. Missionaries again put life on the line 1. Single Missionary has Busy Active Ministry! Kim Stengele in Tanzania - Pray for God's guidance and assistance in travel this month. A work team will be coming from May 15th - 31st to do carpentery work on the dispensary building and a volunteer nursing student, Rachel, from our Coopersburg church will also be here May - Aug. Pray for good health, safety, and a good experience here for all these folks. Pray also that all the needed building supplies will be gathered prior to the work team coming. Pray also for safety in all the normal monthly clinic travel as well. (Kim is from our Quakertown BFC and has followed God’s call in her life to use her medical skills in a very remote part of Tanzania.) 2. Here is a Movie for your Consideration THE INN OF THE SIXTH HAPPINESS 20th Century Fox, 1958 This large-scale production, filmed in Cinemascope, is an epic, a story which warms the heart, and an absolute inspiration-- at least in my opinion. I first saw the movie in 1959, on the big screen and was totally smitten, both by the story and by its star, Ingrid Bergman, whose greatest fan I became instantaneously! Now I watch it on video and am equally inspired by each viewing. The true-life story of missionary Gladys Aylward provides scope enough for a memorable film, but it was Ingrid Bergman’s performance that made it what it is. This is the film in which she gave her most heart-felt performance; it is the best of her career and should have won her an Oscar. (Did her 1956 win for ANASTASIA prevent this, I wonder?) From the moment she steps off the train in London at the beginning of the film, to her heroic arrival in Xi'an with one hundred Chinese refugee children, she radiates sincerity, commitment and enthusiasm. Throughout the film, the expressions on the beautiful Bergman face are a joy to watch. Turned down by the China Missionary Society as unqualified, she goes on to win over everyone with whom she comes into contact-- and no wonder. The travel agent agrees to let her pay for her train ticket to China in installments; her employer writes to an old missionary friend to ensure she will have a destination. Once in China her enthusiasm and energy in helping Mrs. Lawson (Athene Seyler) re-open an old inn, are heart-stopping. One is carried along by everything that happens to her: her tears of distress after witnessing a beheading are as genuine as are her tears of joy when the Mandarin (Robert Donat) declares his conversion to Christianity. The latter scene is also one of great sadness, both because of the ravages of war in China and because it was Robert Donat’s last scene ever filmed. He died shortly after completing it and Bergman really did cry on screen. There is a delightful (and true) romance, when the Eurasian Colonel Lin (Curt Jurgens) becomes yet another person to be bowled over by the English missionary-- now called Jen Ai ("The One Who Loves People"). The love scenes are restrained, yet passionate and totally believable. I urge anyone who has not seen this movie to do so at once! Watch Bergman succeed as the Mandarin’s foot inspector, stopping the custom of foot-binding; hear her anger toward the young father who is about to order his baby daughter’s feet to be bound again. Feel her fear as she faces rioting prisoners-- and quells them. Watch her lead children over dangerous mountains to safety. See the many emotions she displays during these sequences: determination when they find a bridge over a swollen river destroyed-- “We can't stop now!” she says with clenched fist; happiness mixed with incomprehension as, exhausted, she leads the children into Xi'an, amidst cheering crowds. The missionary who meets them turns out to be the same Dr. Robinson (Moultrie Kelsall) who told her she was “simply not qualified” to be a missionary. Now he begs her to accompany them to the children’s village, but she turns her face back towards the mountains and says she is going home. I caught the movie last evening on TV on a late night venue. Watch your TV listings for a time and station or check out your local library or BlockBusters. 3. Another Opportunity for Service MISSIONS OPPORTUNITY There is an urgent need for skilled workers to help build the new Baptist Church in Backi Petrovac, Serbia (formerly Yugoslavia). Construction began in Spring 2002 and the building is under roof and completely framed. Work to be done this year will focus on bricklaying, finishing, soffits, electric, plumbing, HVAC ducts, insulation, and drywall. Grace Bible Fellowship Church in Reading, PA is organizing specialty work teams of skilled men and women, and helpers, throughout 2003. Tentative dates for these teams are: April 11-26 -electricians, plumbers, HVAC, bricklayers July 4-18 -bricklayers, HVAC, electricians Aug. 15-30 -bricklayers, HVAC, drywallers, electricians Sep. 26-Oct. 11 -bricklayers, drywallers, electricians, soffits Nov. 7-22 -bricklayers, drywallers, soffits The Reading, PA church will make all travel arrangements including transfers to and from JFK airport in New York City. We will also arrange for transportation, housing, and meals in Serbia. We will screen all applicants and handle all the finances. Applicants, through their church, will have to provide full payment in advance. Testimony of Faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and a written recommendation from their Pastor or Board of Elders is required. We will allow one (unskilled) helper to accompany each skilled worker. A valid passport will also be necessary. The cost for all expenses for the two week trip is approximately: Spring & Fall $ 900.00/person Summer $ 1200.00/person This number could change depending on the price of airline tickets when the actual purchase is made. If you would like a more detailed information packet and applications, please contact Pastor Grossman or Pastor Bomgardner at the Reading, PA church. Phone: 610-375-2333 Email: gracebfrdg@aol.com From our previous trips to Serbia, we know what an enriching spiritual and physical experience awaits anyone willing to make the sacrifices needed to go and help build the church of Jesus Christ halfway around the world. We hope your church will consider making this ministry opportunity available to qualified members of your congregation as soon as possible. The Board of Elders Grace Bible Fellowship Church Reading, PA Response from H.S. student. “I love Let’s Fish. It is an encouragement to me to know that other teens are interested in missions and that the Bible Fellowship Church gives us a chance to serve God.” Response from a Youth Pastor. “Thanks for the quick response to my posting. I could not believe that my post appeared (in Let’s Fish) the very same day I set it to your office!” Keep those letter rolling in!!! 5. A Great Place to get Involved! Dear Dana, You might want to make the following corrections to the note about the PPC 2003: Paris Prayer Conference 2003 is an opportunity for one to hear about the spiritual needs of France from French nationals and to spend significant time in prayer for those needs. Contact David Riddell at david.riddell@wanadoo.fr or mission@francevie.org for further information. In His grace, David David & Rebecca RIDDELL France V.I.E. (World Team France) 4, Val de la Raviniere 95520 Osny FRANCE 6. Trips in the works (updated weekly) The Board of Missions is keeping statistics of all short term missionary trips (both by teams and individuals). Please let us know all the important information about your trip. WHO, WHAT, CHURCH, MISSIONARY, COUNTRY, and DATE. Contact: office@bfcbom.org To Date the following ministries being done by BFC’ers have been registered with Let’s Fish. Feb. 4-12 - Coopersburg, York, and Blandon doing renovation work in Guadalupe. (See item 1 above) Feb.19-22 - Frances Sears to stay with the Lawrence children. Feb. 21-March 2 - Coopersburg Kenya Trip. March 14-24 LBC trip to Morocco including team members from BFC churches in Lebanon, Newark, York and Emmaus. (See item 7) March (Date not established) Cedar Crest work team to Newark N.J. with missionaries Toto Felecia Baran. April 11-26 Serbia Trip Reading (spaces available) May 10 One day ministry blitz through out the tri-state area as part of Emmaus Mission Conference. May 14-28 Cedar Crest & Quakertown Tanzania Trip Building Dispensary. Skilled builders may still be needed! June 7-13 Paris Prayer Conference 2003 david.riddell@wanadoo.fr June 11 Rebecca Zubrick Costa Rica with Lillian Solt July 4-18 Serbia Trip Reading (spaces available) July date to be determined Ceader Crest to Morocco Work team and ministry. August 2-18 - Emmaus Ukraine Trip doing puppet shows, drama, music and coffee house ministry as well as a morning camp program with Push-the-Rock each morning. August 10-24 Cedar Crest trip to Pollocks Team of 25 for work and ministry Aug. 15-30 Serbia Trip Reading (spaces available) August 16-23 - Emmaus going to Wissinoming BFC for VBS and evangelistic puppet shows. August 22-24 - Walnutport BFC Weekend Block Party. Emmaus will be doing puppet shows and a Saturday block party. Sep. 26-Oct. 11 Serbia Trip Reading (spaces available) October date to be determined Cedar Crest to Kosovo Work and ministry. Nov. 7-22 Serbia Trip Reading (spaces available) 7. Youth Group Looking for another Youth Group for Ministry (second posting)
Contact: Dave Peters primum99@yahoo.com to discuss the opportunities. We have contact with a few ministries that are currently working on possibilities. We would also appreciate input from missionaries and/or ministries who would be willing to partner with us. Thanks, Dave David Peters Grace Bible Fellowship Church Quakertown, PA David Peters [primum99@yahoo.com] Editor’s Note This is one of the main purposes of Let’s Fish. Dave’s request will go out to all of our missionary family this Friday morning. I hope you find both a ministry AND another youth group! 8. Outreach Project for your Church or Youth Group Subject: Help needed in April. Friends – Looking for a day trip of outreach ministry in the spring? We are planning to repeat our canvass of the neighborhood in anticipation of Holy Week with door hangers, and later, flowers. Any of the first three Saturdays in April, we could use willing hikers to do this outreach (or weekday before Resurrection/Easter, if your schedule permits). Those coming on a Saturday could camp out on floors (some beds may be available as well), and join us for worship on the Lord's Day. Let us hear from you as soon as possible. Also, men, don't forget the upcoming men's conference, Men of Maturity, with Tom Taylor on March 15; we would love to have you join us for this rich day of ministry and fellowship. RERitter Note: You can reach Pastor Ritter at: New Community Church P.O. Box 340022 Brooklyn, NY 11234 (718) 209-9469 9. Missionaries again put life on the line March 5, 2003 -- MANILA - A powerful bomb ripped through a packed shelter outside an airport in the southern Philippine city of Davao yesterday, killing at least 21 people - including an American - and spraying 150 with shards of metal and glass. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo condemned the attack as a "brazen act of terrorism which will not go unpunished." She said several men were in custody, "being interrogated for committing these murders," but gave no further details. A spokesman for President Bush said: "The United States will work shoulder to shoulder with the Philippine government to make certain that those responsible are brought to justice." The U.S. Embassy in Manila said one American was killed in the blast and three others were wounded. The dead American was identified as William Hyde, 58, a Southern Baptist missionary from Iowa. "He died while he was being operated on," Dr. Manuel Tan said. "We tried our best to save him but he succumbed to his wounds." Tan said the three injured Americans were also missionaries. Scores of people were huddled in the shelter, escaping a downpour as they waited for arriving passengers, when the blast blew off the iron roof and splattered the walls with blood. "I saw people lying on the ground. They looked dead," said Teresita Lebado, an airport employee in Davao, the country's biggest city after the capital Manila and a gateway to the strife-torn southern island of Mindanao. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Post Wire Services
10. Final Thought Am I a soldier of the cross, A follower of the Lamb, And shall I fear to own His cause, Or blush to speak His Name?
Must I be carried to the skies On flowery beds of ease, While others fought to win the prize, And sailed through bloody seas?
Are there no foes for me to face? Must I not stem the flood? Is this vile world a friend to grace, To help me on to God?
He then answered:
Sure I must fight if I would reign; Increase my courage, Lord. I’ll bear the toil, endure the pain, Supported by Thy Word.
Thy saints in all this glorious war Shall conquer, though they die; They see the triumph from afar, By faith’s discerning eye
When that illustrious day shall rise, And all Thy armies shine In robes of victory through skies, The glory shall be Thine.
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. -Paul
See you next week!
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