 |
|||
 |
|||
 |
|||
 |
|
|
|
 |
|||||
|
|||||
 |
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Newsletter View our latest Newsletter. The Wind is Blowing in Bangladesh
Warning: The following account is true in every detail. Reading it may cause serious damage to your complacency regarding the Great Commission. You may receive infectious faith and a desire to help one of the great moves of God in the world today.
Terry’s testimony: In the fall of 2007 a friend who had visited Bangladesh returned with great stories and challenged me to consider going myself. I resisted at first for several very ‘practical’ reasons. However in January, Melissa and I spent some serious time in prayer about it and we both felt the Spirit confirming that I should go. TEN minutes later I received an email fro someone who said that in the place of prayer God had told them to pay for my trip to Bangladesh – I guess that settled it. Here is the story of what is happening there right now. It starts with micro-credit but adds a unique blend of ministry and social services that is resulting in nothing less than a revival - in some regions the percentage of Christians has risen from 1% to 30% You will need to read each of the following paragraphs to see how this all comes together. Micro-credit Bangladesh is a country of 145 million people (between India and Myanmar) with an average income of less than $2 per day. A few years ago, Bangladeshi businessman started a micro-credit enterprise that is lifting thousands of families out of poverty. The concept is that the ‘working poor’ can create sustainable businesses if someone will just give them some credit! Most of them already work hard and many are self-employed – its just that the average self-employed person in Bangladesh has been paying 10% interest PER WEEK to the evil ‘money-lenders’ These poor people have had no alternative as they cannot move their families, they have no vehicles and no bank would extend credit without sufficient collateral (until Nobel prize winner Dr. M Yunus founded the Grameen bank). Modeled upon the pattern of the Grameen Bank which extends micro-loans to the poor, this Bengali businessman started his own organization and has now helped over 15,000 families by lending them around $100 each. They start a small business such as a roadside vegetable stand, a rickshaw taxi service (3 wheeled bicycle with a seat for passengers) or perhaps a sewing business. They have a year in which to pay back the money – these people are so hard working and thankful for the help that the repayment rate is 98%! Once the money is repaid, it goes straight back into another family’s hands as another loan. This money is never used up – it keeps on working to fight poverty! note: this man’s organization helps people of all faiths – loans are NOT approved based upon religion – we believe that God loves everyone and in His name every poor person deserves our assistance- Regional Centres - orphanages, schools and more There are 19 regional training centres in various stages of completion. These are typically3 to 6 story buildings that house orphanages, schools , micro-loan offices, and training centres for pastors and leaders. Often a church is locate there as well. The building costs and start up capital for the micro-loans are funded by Canadian and American donors – or rather INVESTORS - and once these buildings are built there are no further outside funds required – within a year they typically become financially self sustaining through a combination of interest from the loans and fees for services provided (e.g. school fees) that the local residents can now afford because they have their own businesses! It is marvelous to see how the poorest of the poor – people who have no land, little possessions and worked 14 hour days just to earn enough to eat, now able to take control of their lives and slowly but surely improve their standard of living. The Kingdom of God When we live out the Great Commandment (to love our Neighbour as yourself) then we will have opportunity for the Great Commission (to go into all the world and make disciples ) A very welcome spin-off of all the social services and financial help is the opening of many hearts to the Gospel. Again it is important to note that none of the social or financial services offered are limited to Christians or connected with a person’s faith. That would represent manipulation rather than reflect the love of God. However, so many people become open to the Gospel message as a result of the regional centres that, as mentioned, hundreds are being baptized each month. Training Leaders There are 68,000 villages in Bangladesh (80% of the pop live in villages rather than cities ) with a combined population of more than 110 million. Currently there is a great need to recruit and train many pastors and leaders as the churches continue to multiply. There are currently 930 pastors for 940 village churches. There are 300 circuit pastors who rotate between 3 churches each to supervise and help the local pastor who is typically an uneducated member of the village where he pastors and a new Christian himself. In addition there are regional supervisors and approximately 60 full time traveling evangelistic teams. I (Terry) taught 130 of the leaders for three days as reported in our most recent newsletter. Now I am planning to return in early 2009 to teach all the circuit and regional pastors on the subject of the person and work of the Holy Spirit – plus other subjects as needed. This will be an extensive trip covering a minimum of 3 weeks in 3 locations. It will be more than teaching, it will be impartation with much time spent on personal ministry and prayer for healing. I will be selecting a team to accompany me. Also we hope that my son Mark can come to film a documentary (he is enrolled in a media arts course in college) to be used to inform Canadians and enlist their support. Summary This is perhaps the greatest endeavour I have attempted in my calling to assist Christian Leaders. It is certainly the one with the most obvious fruit and immediate results. Nothing I have done compares in that regard. I estimate that I will be spending around 1/3 of my time between now and February 2009 on preparing, planning and promoting my next trip. I will require approximately $25,000 in financial support to cover all facets of the pastoral training and documentary. The kind of help we need most right now is one of two things
Power of Blessing for Children's Church
A Blessing for Single Parents
by Terry Bone
Blessed are you when you feel poor in spirit – when you have come to the end of your own strength for in that moment you are in possession of a priceless treasure – the knowledge that apart from Jesus you can do nothing. Blessed are you when you mourn over relationships that could have been. For in such times you can identify with Christ’s sufferings and He will comfort you. Blessed are you when you are meek – when you quietly accept the financial challenges without a spouse to assist you – for God has not forgotten your situation and He will supply your needs. Blessed are you when you hunger and thirst for your children to follow the Lord for in time your desire shall be fulfilled. Blessed are you when you are merciful with your children. For through you they will see God’s heart and experience His love and forgiveness. Blessed are you when your greatest desire is God’s will for your family – for you will find Him showing up in unexpected ways when you need Him most. Blessed are you when you refuse to act vengefully or speak negatively when you are mistreated by a former spouse, for through this , peace will reign in your home. Blessed are you when you are misunderstood, misjudged or neglected by those who have never had to walk in your shoes. For He who sees in secret, will one day reward you openly. Blessed will be your home as you call upon the Name of the Lord. For the heart of He who defends the widow and the orphan shall also be touched by your heart’s cry. May God Bless Single Parents. permission is granted to share this with a Single Parent who needs to be Blessed! |
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||
|
|
