As this group gathered for the first time since 2004, they were encouraged and challenged by project reports from their coworkers on other fields. Each reporting group was bathed in prayer from support staff and other attendees.

There were many opportunities for sharing successes and challenges as well as networking. For those working in hard places, without much opportunity for fellowship with other believers, the worship times were especially precious.

The young daughter of workers from Mongolia was seen stuffing plumeria flowers in her pockets. “Coming from minus 40 temps, she’s so excited to see flowers,” said the girl’s mother. “We haven’t seen anything green since October.”

Pray for God’s blessing and protection on CAMA international workers as they serve Him selflessly in countries where people have little access to the gospel and are lost in spiritual darkness.  

Learn More

Read about CAMA projects that are impacting health and livelihoods of thousands of people who otherwise would have no hope.

What You Can Do

Impact the Kingdom by partnering with CAMA, the relief and development arm of The Alliance. Give to CAMA Advance Fund.

Yeah! Spring is here!

I know. You are thinking that it is still weeks until the official start of spring. However, here in Ukraine the first official day of spring is March 1. So we are looking forward to longer days, warmer weather, walks in the evening with the kids, and the newness that each spring season seems to bring!

[But] as we look outside right now, all we see is mud, dirty snow, and the trash that was snow-covered over the last couple of months. It is hard to believe that in a few months where there is now trash and mud, flowers and grass will bloom.

The same can be said for the seasons in our own lives. You know, those times when you are dealing with the loss of a loved one, when you are walking with a friend who is fighting cancer, when a marriage is filled more with conflict than harmony, or just those times in your life when there is more pain than joy. In these situations, it is hard to believe that beauty can come from that muddy, messy place.

It reminds me of the Israelites who had been freed from Egypt and were walking with God in the wilderness. Even though they had seen the mighty hand of God- unleashing the plagues, parting the Red Sea, and traveling with them as a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night-as soon as difficulty came, they felt abandoned by God and left to die in the desert.

Where was their hope? Was their memory that bad?

But then I realize that I do the same thing. As soon as life gets difficult, I feel alone and wonder, “Where is God in all of this?” The reality is, just like in the life of the Israelites, He is right there in the difficulty and in the process of creating beauty.

If we will continue to trust Him-have hope in the midst of darkness-we will see all that He has planned for us.

After the sudden death of his young daughter, Steven Curtis Chapman wrote these song lyrics: “Out of these ashes, beauty will rise. This is our hope. This is our promise!” We find ourselves clinging to this hope and promise, relying on the goodness and greatness of God in some of the situations we are walking through. Beauty will rise!

Two Things You Can Do

As you pray for international workers, says Jason, “Pray that the lessons God teaches us through difficult times would give us new insights as to how to minister to people where we live, shaping us in such a way that we can minister more effectively-we don’t want to just get through the difficult times, we want these times change us to better relate to and serve others.”

Your financial partnership through Alliance Great Commission Ministries is an extension of God’s love to lost people in Ukraine and around the world. Prayerfully consider giving a donation today.

“Going through each day without God can be vicious and harsh,” our German friend, Rosa,* told us. “Being here in Berlin without God just doesn’t work.” After being invited to Freischwimmer (our church-plant project) last summer, Rosa had been coming regularly to our brunches. Within a year, she decided to put her faith in Christ as her salvation and hope.

Rosa’s statement captures the incredible change that we have seen in her since her decision to follow Jesus. Even though her life and circumstances are still difficult and uncertain, Rosa’s perspective and outlook on life have changed so dramatically for the better, it is as if we have been spending time with a whole new Rosa-and I suppose we have.

Connecting through Culture

While living in one of the most culturally influential and “cutting-edge” cities in Western Europe may not be physically taxing, it can definitely be one of the most spiritually challenging.  More than 3 million people who live in Berlin compose a colorful mixture of cultures, ideas, personalities and beliefs. Freischwimmer (Swim Free) is our attempt to creatively connect with these individuals-the free-thinkers, independents, professional. Our desire is to connect on a deeper level, to be a church for those who have distanced themselves from church and God-a “church for others.” 

Our team has partnered with a couple of our German friends who share our vision to see individuals experience God in a practical, life-changing way. God is empowering us through two avenues: culturally (an art gallery) and spiritually (brunches and home group). 

The Galerie Kunstschwimmer has been an extremely tremendous blessing. Showing local artists’ work, opening up possibilities to get to know new people, and strengthening current friendships with a comfortable and appealing invitation to the gallery-these are just a few of the ways in which God has used the gallery to bless us and those around us. We’ve also been able to develop significant relationships with some of the artists themselves, Germans and Internationals. 

Relational Brunch

During the Advent season of 2008, our family opened up our apartment to meet on Sundays for a brunch “with input” to make the most of the opportunity to invite friends and acquaintances during an important time of year. Our Freischwimmer team felt that this was a timely and necessary step to take, beyond having the gallery and a biweekly Hauskreis (home group). It was a non-threatening, meaningful, reflective time with many visitors. We enjoyed taking this bold step in faith. 

Once January hit, we decided to continue our weekly Sunday meetings or Freischwimmer Brunch.  God provided a way for us to offer monthly brunches in a well-known local church this past summer and fall, creating and developing even more relationships. At our weekly brunches, we have seen some growth as we encourage individuals to “swim” along with us through our lives and with our God, including a baptism.  And now, with all glory to God, our average brunch (or “relaxed church services”) attendance of 20 is causing us to outgrow our apartment!

No Light without Him

We see that God has been working in three waves of growth since we have been onboard with Freischwimmer: the home group and gallery, our weekly Sunday brunches, and our monthly public brunches in the local church.  These three waves have increased opportunities for us, both in deepening our relationships within our group and with God, and in broadening our relational connections and networks with those around us.  But what is the next step, the next wave?  We’re asking God and trusting Him to provide the wind and the swell, the push in the right direction, and looking forward to swim with Him in what He has for this project. 

Berlin is a city that looks towards the future while learning from the past. In this spiritually dark place, we want to see the light and hope of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ push the darkness out of the way of those who live here. Our prayer is to see the Holy Spirit work in the lives of those with whom we are connected; to see God forever change the physical perspective and eternal destiny of those He loves and we love, such as Rosa. We, who know Christ and follow Him, are fully aware that daily life and looking towards the future “without God just doesn’t work.”

*not real name

Learn More

Read more stories about God’s work through Alliance ministries.

How You Can Help

Partner with The Alliance and share in the miracle. Be an extension of God’s love through Alliance international workers. Give to Alliance Great Commission Ministries.

“Lights are back on almost all over the city of Santiago,” said Bob and Cheryl Fugate, who serve with The Alliance at the Church of the Vineyard in eastern Santiago. “We visited the Alliance Girls’ Home and the House of Hope, which lost part of its perimeter wall. One of our churches where Cheryl and I ministered has serious damage and cannot be occupied until it is repaired, with estimates of more than $15,000 to make the building habitable.

“Please continue to pray for the regions that have been hit hard by the earthquake. Eight Alliance churches need to be completely leveled and rebuilt, and at least three more have damage and need repairs before they can hold services again.” One of the hardest hit churches is La Florida Church, where the Fugates ministered for 15 years, which sustained severe structural damage. Repairs are estimated at $24,000.

In addition, “more than 500,000 homes have been lost,” said Alliance worker Robert Hepokoski. “Huge crop losses are projected in the central valley, which depends on irrigation pipes and canals that were destroyed. Many have also lost business and jobs.  Schools and hospitals need to be rebuilt in many cities.”

“In Curico, Pastor Ricardo Fernandez is alone in the church’s parsonage,” said Robert. “His wife had to travel several hundred miles south to be with family, where she is expecting to give birth to their first child this month. It is unsafe to enter or leave Pastor Ricardo’s house because the adobe church building next door is in danger of collapsing in an aftershock. Ricardo has chosen to stay with his church.

“Ariel Munoz, president of the Central Valley District, reports that the impact on the city of Constitucion is incredible. The tsunami not only washed away large portions of the town, but it also left a profound emotional impact on the population. Everyone in town lost a family member, neighbors, or friends. Our church is standing, but the people are in shock still.”

Truckloads of emergency supplies have been sent from the north and south to help those who were in desperate need in the days following the quake. The trucks were filled with goods donated by Alliance churches from all over Chile as well as goods purchased with funds sent by CAMA (Compassion and Mercy Associates)—the Alliance relief and development arm—in the first days after the earthquake. 

“We have had quite an eventful two weeks,” said Bob and Cheryl. “We pray that God will continue to give us the courage to walk through the open doors resulting from this quake and that we will be used mightily to bring His light to this world that needs so much hope right now.”

What You Can Do

Impact your world and make a donation today.

Give to Chile Earthquake relief»

Ten cents of every dollar given to this project will be divided between the CAMA Advance Fund and the Great Commission Fund to cover travel, administrative, and logistical costs of ministering to the needs of those affected by this disaster. As far as possible, the expressed preference of a donor will be respected and followed. In the event that this gift is oversubscribed, any remaining funds will be used for future disaster relief efforts.

Editor’s Note: Isaac and his wife, Francesca, are members of the Church of the Vineyard, the Alliance congregation in Penalolen. Following is his eyewitness testimony of the first few hours following the 8.8 magnitude earthquake that rocked Chile on February 27, 2010.

On the night of February 27, I was on call-which meant that I had to be ready to fly wherever the President needed to go in an emergency.

I was honored by God to be assigned to the president at the young age of 26 when there are many other, higher-ranking, more experienced pilots in the Air Force. In Chile it is not easy to be an evangelical, much less an officer, in the Air Force with the assignment that I have. On the morning of February 27, I had returned home from a birthday party at 3 o’clock. It was at 3:37 a.m. that the catastrophic earthquake hit.

Shaken!

Chile is a country of earthquakes, so when the shaking started, I tried to go back to sleep.  Within seconds, the shaking became terrifying. I ran to get our little daughter from her room, and Francesca and I made our way to the living room. By this time our eighth floor apartment was swinging wildly back and forth in a 6-foot arc. Outside the window I could see the electric wires snapping and lighting up the sky like lightning. We couldn’t do anything but wait until it stopped.

It got so bad that we thought the building would collapse and that would be the end of us. I felt surprisingly calm, but I give thanks to God for His mercy in sparing us. Our apartment was not seriously damaged, although the apartments below us have suffered.

I knew that I had to get to the base immediately, so I took Francesca and our child to my mother-in-law’s home and left, knowing that my wife would have to report to the hospital where she would be needed as a medical intern. It was not easy to leave my wife and young daughter, not knowing what would come next, but I made my way to the base.  There were no gas stations open, the roads were cracked in many places, and I had to convince police that I needed to get through to the base.

A City in Chaos

I was ordered to fuel up my helicopter and pick up the president. We had no cell phones, no communication, no lights in Santiago-it was like flying in the Stone Age. The president headed toward the most affected zone, a city where my mother lived and where my grandparents pastor a church. Many of the houses were made of adobe, and they collapsed into rubble. I flew directly over my mother’s house and praised God that it was still standing.

 As we headed toward the coast, I was not prepared for what we saw. The tsunami had taken half of the coastal towns. Houses still intact were floating in the ocean. Freighters were washed five blocks into shore. The president was speechless, staring at the damage and the loss of life.

 We then flew to the city of Concepcion, one of the worst hit areas. The city was in chaos-no lights, water, electricity, or food. The people were in panic at every aftershock. I flew for 11 hours that fateful Saturday without food or sleep. 

Refined by Fire

As I close, I reflect on the way many people ask why God could permit such a disaster. I am reminded of the Bible verse that says, “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith-of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire-may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed” (1 Peter 1:6-7).

Remember that God has mercy on those who are merciful. I know that this temporary sadness will help us to grow spiritually and that many will come to believe in Jesus as a result of this tragic disaster.

God bless you. Please pray for us.

What You Can Do

Impact your world and make a donation today.

Give to Chile Earthquake relief»

Ten cents of every dollar given to this project will be divided between the CAMA Advance Fund and the Great Commission Fund to cover travel, administrative, and logistical costs of ministering to the needs of those affected by this disaster. As far as possible, the expressed preference of a donor will be respected and followed. In the event that this gift is oversubscribed, any remaining funds will be used for future disaster relief efforts.

Here are some stats from our first couple months of flying (January-February). But first, read what people are saying about the air ambulance service . . .

Thank you for bringing our sensitive eye equipment! We used it right away.

Without AMB (Air Calvary) it would have been tough to get the equipment without too much jarring-but everything worked just right.

The whole trip-the flight, the treatment by the team at the hospital- everything has been a testimony to me.

January/February Flight Facts:

• 23 Flights
• 33 hours of flight time
• 69 Passengers
• 300-plus pounds of medical equipment and 100-plus pounds of   medications transported

Passenger breakdown: 40 percent patients, 30 percent Bongolo Hospital team members, and 30 percent visitors.

What You Can Do

Pray for the continued success of the new air service; that it will open additional doors to share the good news with many who need to hear about the eternal hope found only in Christ Jesus.  

Learn More

Read Alace Straw’s (Steve’s wife) article about the new Bongolo aviation ministry in the March 2010 issue of Alliance Life magazine.

Check out Alliance ministry efforts in Gabon.

Touch, a 32-year-old woman, is one of seven people who received Christ one Saturday. Often when new people want to give their lives to Jesus, we reluctantly hold off on the invitation until we find out their true motivation for accepting Him. Experience has taught us that some may express interest in the gospel because they are seeking food assistance or some other kind of help. So we encourage them to just come to church and listen to the preaching for a while before they make the decision to follow Jesus.

“I Must Give My Life to Jesus!”

When Touch came to us, however, she insisted, “I must give my life to Jesus, and I must be baptized right away!” Cautiously, we questioned her at length as to why she wished to do so. Touch began her story. She had been listening faithfully to a Christian radio program and watching a Christian television channel every morning. She knew about Jesus and wished to be a believer but didn’t know how.

As she continued to seek out Christ, Touch heard about Srey Moum-a new believer in our church-and her zeal for Jesus. Immediately, Touch set out to find her. She introduced herself to Srey Moum and explained her interest in the Lord. Srey Moum invited the woman to a small group that meets in her home every evening. Whatever the group read or sang there that night, it was enough to convince Touch that Jesus was all she needed.

A New Creation

The next day, without anybody having suggested it, Touch took down all her shrines and idols and threw them all into the stream behind her house. All her neighbors and friends-including Srey Moum-were amazed at her dramatic actions. Some even urged Touch to at least consider selling the old shrines and other worship artifacts to make a profit. But Touch simply refused to have anything to do with her old way of life.

So, early one Saturday morning, at Srey Moum’s invitation, Touch joyfully came to our house where, in front of a big crowd, she publicly and willingly accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior. As the group later marched down the path to a nearby pond, Touch was among the crowd singing her heart out to Jesus. An hour later, she was also among 34 new believers who were baptized.

Daily Doses of Hardship

While the harvest is great here, persecution is on the rise for these new believers. We make it a point to always tell people beforehand that if they choose to follow Christ, they will surely face opposition following their decision, and persecution is unavoidable. In recent months, we have shed many tears with new believers as almost all of them faced intense opposition and harassment from their friends and families. Some believers were physically beaten by parents and relatives. Others received harsh verbal abuse, and name calling and other mockeries were among the daily doses of hardship that these believers had to endure.

Two beautiful sisters who were baptized are being encouraged by their parents to look for jobs in Thailand. We are very concerned about the kind of “jobs” to which they were referring. We are praying and seeking a solution to help protect the girls from potential harm.

THANK YOU for partnering with us in ministry by praying and giving to the Great Commission Fund!

Learn More

Look for Srey Moum’s story in the April 15 issue of Alliance Life.

Watch a video in which Soeuth relates the challenges and dangers of serving in one of the most dangerous cities in Cambodia.

Check out our Alliance work in Cambodia.

Visit Soeuth and Syna’s blog.

(Note: Clicking this link will take you off the Alliance Web site.)

What You Can Do

Praise the Lord for the salvation of Touch and others who are willing to follow Jesus in spite of persecution. Pray for grace and strength for believers to stand firm in their faith amid opposition.

Impact your world: Give to Alliance Great Commission Ministries to ensure that dedicated workers like the Laos can remain on the field introducing lost people to Jesus.

Editor’s Note: “In this south-central region of Taiwan near the western coast, Christians make up only 0.1 percent of the population,” write Tim and Penny. “YuanChang consists of several small villages with a total population of 32,000- yet it has only one small Christian congregation. This is one of the least-reached areas of Taiwan; and working-class people, like the majority of those living in our township, have been the hardest to reach with the gospel. It is a spiritually dark place.

“We are seeking to show God’s love in this community through teaching English in the public schools and through our coffeehouse ministry, The Lighthouse.” The following excerpt from the Inversons’ prayer letter conveys the joys and challenges of ministry in this region.

Great news—Tasha accepted Christ last weekend!

We have often sensed in Tasha a softness toward the gospel, but finding time in her busy schedule was a challenge. So Saturday’s meeting came as a surprise. Penny and members of a team from one of our Taipei Alliance churches went to visit Tasha’s brother. He wasn’t home, but Tasha was there. She had been reading the Bible, listening to Christian music, and even praying, but she felt her prayers weren’t being answered.

The truth is, Tasha was drawn to Jesus but had little understanding of what it meant to be a Christ-follower. Once we shared with her, her response was quick and genuine—and she prayed to receive Christ.

“I Want to Be Like Mommy”

Amy, a recent follower of Jesus, is preparing for baptism on March 28. This past weekend was the Chinese Lantern Festival, and part of the celebration involves traditional worship. Amy’s mother-in-law was preparing to worship. As a Christian, Amy does not worship in the festival, but as a loving daughter-in-law, she helps prepare for it.

As her mother-in-law counted out incense sticks for each person in the family, Amy’s young son, Frank, said, “Grandma, you are one incense stick short.” His grandmother replied, “No, your mother doesn’t need one any more. She believes in Jesus now.” To this, Frank said, “Then don’t prepare one for me either, Grandma. I want to be like Mommy.”

Encouragement amid Challenges

This little interchange was a tremendous encouragement to Amy. In this culture, opposition from parents and in-laws is often one of the biggest challenges new believers face. For Amy’s 83-year-old mother-in-law to accept and even support Amy’s decision to follow Christ is a huge blessing. Young Frank’s response is encouraging too, though Amy was relieved that her husband did not hear Frank’s comment. Although the boy’s father does not oppose Amy’s faith, he does not want her to influence their only son to leave his traditional religion.

It’s exciting for us to be part of Tasha’s and Amy’s stories-but you are also a part as you pray for us and support us through giving to the Great Commission Fund. Thank you for joining in our ministry!

Thank you for praying for us and the people of YuanChang Township.

Learn More

Check out our Alliance work in Taiwan.

 What You Can Do

Pray  . . .

Tasha’s schedule is incredibly busy. Pray that Tasha will make it a priority to spend time with God and with His people. Also, pray for Tasha as she faces the challenge of her family’s reaction to her decision.

Pray for that God’s Spirit will reveal the truth of the gospel to Amy’s husband; for Amy’s mother-in-law to turn from the darkness of idol worship to put her trust in Jesus; and that Frank will continue to be drawn to his mother’s God.

Impact your world: Give to Alliance Great Commission Ministries to ensure that dedicated workers like the Iversons can remain on the field introducing working class people to Jesus.

Now the staggering task of recovery is apparent. Conservative estimates report that half a million homes have been destroyed or are unsafe for occupation. The cost for replacing and repairing hospitals and medical centers is estimated to be $3.6 billion dollars.

Bridges, schools, homes, and churches need to be rebuilt. Although the loss of life was minimal, the recovery task is enormous; government representatives are talking about years. Our new president, Sebastian Piera, will take office in just two days.

The Needs Are Desperate

Our Alliance people have given generously, and many churches from the north and south have sent truckloads of water, diapers, blankets, and food staples to the epicenter. CAMA (Compassion and Mercy Associates), the Alliance relief and development arm, has sent help as well. I will be traveling to the zone shortly with Bryon Butler of CAMA to assess the needs and plan for ongoing help to our churches.

These are days of great need and great opportunity in our churches of the central valley and coast. People are fearful, hurting, and uncertain. Sadly, our churches also are hurting. It is imperative that these churches be equipped as soon as possible to minister once again to the needs of their communities.

Please pray. Please give. Chile needs the Body of Christ in this hour of suffering.

What You Can Do

Impact your world and make a donation today.

Give to Chile Earthquake relief»

Ten cents of every dollar given to this project will be divided between the CAMA Advance Fund and the Great Commission Fund to cover travel, administrative, and logistical costs of ministering to the needs of those affected by this disaster. As far as possible, the expressed preference of a donor will be respected and followed. In the event that this gift is oversubscribed, any remaining funds will be used for future disaster relief efforts.

According to a recent USA Today article, “The Mongolian people and the animals they rely on are suffering from temperatures that are extreme even by their standards. After weeks of heavy snowfalls, fierce winds, and temperatures as low as minus-58 degrees, 2.3 million livestock have perished and an additional 3 million may die by spring, according to the Mongolian government.”

In this largely rural nation about the size of Alaska, livestock herding accounts for up to 40 percent of all employment.

Opportunities for Ministry

“Pray for the poor,” the Wahlens continue. “Many do not have enough money for coal and food. We have heard of some families who are burning their homes to stay warm.”

In response to the great needs, workers with Compassion and Mercy Associates (CAMA), the relief and development arm of The Alliance, are quietly continuing to supply coal, clothing, medicines, and food to the Mongolian families who need it most and sharing the good news of Christ’s love.  

For more about Alliance ministry to the poor in Mongolia, be sure to watch the inspiring video, “A Two-Handed Gospel” [duration, 4:14].

What You Can Do

Pray for the herders and their families during this very hard time. Pray also for Alliance workers who are providing life-saving assistance-both in word and deed-to impoverished Mongolians.  

Donate to Mongolian relief efforts.

Learn More

Watch a video [duration, 02:34] about how a Wisconsin  church is partnering with our Mongolia field, and how both parties are reaping huge returns.

Read about Mongolia’s brutal winter conditions in the USA Today article, “Winter in Mongolia is ‘an unfolding disaster.’”

(Note: Clicking this link will take you off of the Alliance Web site.)