AFCI World Blog

Flooding in Pakistan

Our Director in Pakistan is trying to help victims of the recent flooding.  Here are a few reports that have come in from AFCI ministers working in different parts of the nation:

• The boundary wall of a church elder fell down due to heavy rain and water. (District Faisalabad)
• There is lot of water around my house, a lot of mosquitoes. My kitchen has fallen down because of the rain and the standing water. I fixed it and it fell down again. (District Sialkot)
• The two walls of a widow’s house have fallen down and the water has entered in her rooms. She has shifted her belonging in the homes of her neighbors and some of the things she kept in the church. (Dichkot area)
• The wall of the house fell on a lady named Agnus and the spinal or backbone has been cracked, the wall was 9 feet high. She is admitted in the hospital. It is almost two weeks now that she is admitted in the hospital. She is 36 years of age and has 5 children. Her husband is a carpenter. I spoke to her on the phone, she was in the hospital. I prayed for her. Her Pastor asked to pray for her healing. (FatehPur area)

Our Director writes about his plan to visit the flooded areas. “The flood affected areas are not very safe, we hear the news of looting going on when the trucks go with aid and food stuff. The journey takes 10 hours to reach this place, the roads are damaged. We will take some cash along with us and share with these afflicted people.”

Three New AFCI National Leaders

Country leaders have recently been appointed to lead the AFCI ministries in Cambodia and Malaysia, and AFCI has just opened a new nation, Sri Lanka.  All three national leaders are meeting this week in Cambodia for a week of orientation to the AFCI ministry.  We welcome each of these gifted ministers to the worldwide fellowship.

Left
Vincent Devadason, Sri Lanka

Middle
Samnang Meas, Cambodia

Right
Charles Seling, Malaysia

Sacrifice in Ghana

From Paul Hanak, International Director

Barbara and I just arrived in Ghana to meet with AFCI’s Regional Director, Fred Amoah-Darko, to participate in a pastors’ training event for 40 pastors, and to lead a group of women in a Focus on the Heart women’s study.  Today we took a walk into the local town near our retreat center. 

In the center of town is a cemetery.  Looking at the gravestones, we noticed a number of people who had come to this part of Ghana from Switzerland in the 1800’s.  Fred remarked that these were early missionaries who gave their lives to bring the Gospel to Africa and died on the mission field, many from malaria. Many of those who died were between the ages of 20 and 30. Instead of being transported home, they were buried in the same nation where they had come to bring the Good News.  Today, Fred, and many other Christians in this nation are building on their sacrifice.  Lord. give us the same heart for your world.

Homes Built in Chile

In May, a team from the US went to Curico, Chile (about 200 km south of Santiago), to help build houses for earthquake victims. Ten homes were built in 2 weeks!  This was not an AFCI team, but we are partnering with the work in Chile and donations for the ongoing rebuilding projects can be made through the AFCI website.

AFCI Canada Serving the Dominican Republic

Families in one of the poorest communities of the Dominican Republic (DR) are already worshipping in a new building funded by AFCI Canada. While the walls and roof are not yet complete, the structure serves as an excellent open-air church. When finished, the building will also serve as a school to 60 children who have been cramming into a 10’X14’ apartment, desperate for an education.

   AFCI Canada has had a long term relationship with churches in the DR. Several years ago the team partnered with a local church to establish a school to serve the poorest of the poor. While DR has a public school system, for children to enroll they must provide a birth certificate and obtain a school uniform, which includes khaki pants, a blue shirt, and shoes. Precious commodities to the people of a DR ghetto. It costs nothing for children to attend the AFCI Canada school. And the team provides training and salaries to the teachers and regularly delivers school supplies for the children.

Bible Training in Myanmar

Every year during the monsoon season it is difficult to travel in Myanmar. So, for many years, the AFCI team has been holding 4 months of intensive Bible training during this time called the Monsoon Bible Theological School (MBTS).  The aim is to give young Christians the tools they need to live effectively the Christian life. This course consists of extensive Bible memory as well as diligent study of the Old and New Testaments. Through the course of study, students are enabled to live the faith and defend the faith.

This training is divided into 3 years with a specific curriculum for each year. The first year class in 2010 is one of the largest ever, and the total number of students for all three classes this year is 75. They all live together, eat together, and study together every day.  The training runs from June through September.  Some of the best students of the MBTS from the past have joined the AFCI team as fulltime workers.

Evangelism in Ukraine

Wally Vasylovych (AFCI Ministry Leader in Ukraine) reports that a three day evangelism event was held last week.  Families were invited to view the Jesus film and about 200 people attended each day.  Those who attended  were very attentive to the program and film, and openness to the Good News of Christ was great.

Philippines Director Traveling in USA

Isaias and Judith Catorce are traveling in the USA to meet with partners and friends who are supporting and praying for their ministry in the Philippines.  They would also like to meet new people and share what God is doing in their home country.  If you want to connect with them while they are here, you can reach Isaias at 404-250-2924.  They will be visiting the following cities:

Washington DC Area (June 1 – 6)
Hilton Head, Beaufort, SC Area (June 7 – 13)
Tampa, Clearwater, FL Area (June 14 – 17)
Traverse City, MI (June 18 – 20)
Heading Home to the Philippines (June 21)

Pacific Islands Team Awaits Registration

 The AFCI ministries of Tonga, Vanuatu, and Tuvalu are in the process of consolidating into one Pacific Island Nations (PIN) team headquartered in Fiji. In December, PIN team leader Sione Veituna petitioned the government for official registration in Fiji and was told that it would take about two weeks. Unfortunately, the government has experienced great upheaval in recent years, and, through efforts to eliminate fraud and corruption, these official procedures often take much longer than initially thought.

In mid-May, Sione and his team are still waiting for the AFCI registration. Sione is in constant contact with the office responsible for registration, but they tell him that they are awaiting direct authorization from above. “All Christians need authorization from ABOVE, right!” Sione affirms. So, please pray for mighty intervention from ABOVE that the path may be cleared for the official launch of the AFCI PIN ministry. 

Sione Veituna, leader of the AFCI Pacific Island Nations team

Sermon by Telephone

Samuel, our AFCI Director in Pakistan received a call from one brother who lives about 450 KM from Rawalpindi. He asked Samuel if he could preach on the telephone to the people of a small house church. There were about 10 people listening to the Word of God on telephone from 450 KM away. Samuel says it was the first time he ever preached on the telephone.