January - February 2009

"Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." Galatians 6:10.


Articles contained in the January - February 2009 newsletter:Girls from JSCH perform - Christmas 2008




HOLIDAYS - A TIME FOR SHARING


Opportunities Abound For Sharing Christmas Joy


Overflowing crowd, Christmas 2008THE HOLIDAY SEASON OFFERS MANY OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHURCHES TO SHARE the joy of Christmas both in word and deed with those who might otherwise be un-interested. Many of our partner missions hold special programs at this time of year. Members of the community are invited to activities such as dramas, musical events and dinners. Congregations that are able to do so provide gifts to widows and orphans as well as to those who do not get enough to eat and other needy members of the community. As God demonstrated His love to us in sending His son, so the churches demonstrate His love by sharing their time, talents, and, as funds allow, helpful gifts.


PASTOR FRANK AND THE MEMBERS OF HIS CONGREGATION in south central India were no exception this year. They initiated an interdenominational Christmas hymn sing and celebration representing all Christian churches in the area. The event, which also included a brief gospel message, was a great testimony of love and unity in Christ. Local political leaders, including those known to be hostile to Christians, were invited and in attendance, and all, regardless of position, were treated equally.


Between the caroling event and the first of January nine other special events were held. Several activities were arranged for groups with special needs including widows, orphans, the disabled, and the very poor. Sunday, December 14, hundreds of widows gathered for a special service and meal at which each received a new outfit. A special program was held December 23 for the very poor in the community. Each one in attendance received a new outfit and participated in a special meal following a program. On Christmas day another 560 poor and destitute from the community were served a special meal. Finally, on January 1, young volunteers from the church went out into the slum areas and delivered 2500 loaves of bread.


Pastor Frank and his assistants were also kept busy with special Christmas and New Year services held at the church. The Children's program was held on the evening of December 15. Parents and friends enjoyed the performances and the message of the coming of the Lord into the world. Following the program, the children, including the approximately 100 orphans in their care, received gifts and were served cake. The Christmas Eve candlelight service saw a packed out church. When the church had no more room inside, they sat outside the open windows to share in what took place. This service was also followed by a time of fellowship that included tea and cake. Another service was held on Christmas day and then, on December 27, the church held an all-day fasting and prayer event giving thanks for all they had received in 2008 and raising their voices in prayer for God's blessing in 2009. On December 31, 35 new believers were baptized at a special service followed by the New Year's service. The church was packed for that event and people remained for the entire time from 10:00 PM until 4:00 AM.







Candlelight service, Christmas 2008

Your partnership enabled East West InterKnit to help fund these activities. Because of you, many in the community had an opportunity to hear the message and to be given aid as needed.


Thank you, from East West InterKnit, our partners overseas, and the many participants, who benefitted most from your prayer support and generosity.


 





SCHOLARSHIPS AND SCHOLARS


Many promising Indian scholars have been enabled to complete their degrees with the help of EWI scholarships.The Dr. V. Samuel Jones Memorial Scholarship Fund was established to provide assistance to students, recommended by partner ministries, who are attending institutions in their own countries or regions for the purpose of preparing for full time Christian ministry. Each student is expected to raise a portion of his own support, but as our resources permit, we attempt to assist until graduation as long as the student remains in good standing. The average stipend is approximately US $200 for a year of study.

Our scholarship fund is now depleted. We want to be able to continue to serve those training for ministries in their own countries or regions. If you can help, click here to contribute. Mark the special project line on your return slip and write in "scholarships."


January 2009 Scholarships and Grants




  • South India: Two (2) scholarships.



  • Ghana, Good News Theological College and Seminary: Six (6) scholarships; One (1) faculty development grant for a staff member to allow for essential advanced training.


Introducing Our Most Recent Scholarship Recipients




  • J. Samuel is the son of a pastor serving one of our partner missions in India. In addition to being responsible for one of the mission churches, his father manages the 25 bed children's home supported in part by the local congregation but which also drains his personal resources making it difficult to support his son's education.

    J. Samuel helps lead church prayer groups, is the current choir director, assists with children's and village outreach ministries, and is helping with literacy and other awareness programs. He is enrolled in the Master of Divinity program at a well-recognized seminary and has achieved a 3.5 grade point average in his first year. He hopes to become pastor of a local congregation.


  • J. Silvanus' story is very similar as he also comes from a Christian family in India. His father is pastor of a village church and oversees another of the mission's children's homes. It was not until Silvanus was in college that he committed his life to the Lord, but since that time, he has had a passion for reaching wayward youth with the gospel. He established a small group at his college, has worked in AID's awareness, children's ministries, village ministries, and has assisted with other activities of the mission. He is also enrolled in the Master of Divinity program at the same seminary and has a 3.96 grade point average. He has a desire to work with youth in the future.






A CALL TO PRAYER


"Bless them which persecute you: bless and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice and weep with them that weep." 
Romans 12:14-15



  • Pastor Frank has written telling of an evangelist in the area who was taken by fundamentalists to a police station and held after being accused of forcibly and fraudulently converting children. This is a common accusation used to harass and attempt to close down the work of Christians. Some influential people came to the man's aid and he was ultimately released. This is an example of the current tension between the religious communities. Frank spoke of the need to be wise and to be willing to change methods but not the message. He also engages the persecutors in conversation and in activities in an attempt to alleviate the tension between them. Though there have been problems they are grateful for God's protection over their ministry and appreciate your continued prayer.


  • Rejoice: Thanks to those who made it possible for the Jehovah Shammah Children's home to provide beds for every child in the home. The last of the cots has been purchased and the report came that this need has been met. PTL!


  • Rejoice: Christmas programs organized by several partners in India took place; many people had an opportunity to hear the gospel message; large numbers of people received assistance; and all these things occurred without incident.


  • Weep and pray for all of our partners in India as they face the hostility of the majority community and find it more and more difficult not only to share the gospel but even to carry on some of their aid and development ministries.

Special Needs Since January 1, 2009


Ghana




  • Funding for the film outreach ministry - The school receives frequent requests from churches for film showings but due to the costs involved, often must say, "No." Films have had a powerful impact on the audiences in the past with many committments to Christ following the showings.


  • Several pieces of equipment are needed including a photocopier and a number of computers for the office, the library and the computer lab.

Haiti




  • The MENH clinic has been struggling to keep pace with the need for medications and funds to pay salaries while accepting all patients who come regardless of ability to pay. There is a need now to help them provide for their staff.


  • The mission schools have also faced a difficult year because income from fees cannot keep pace with expenses. Once a student has enrolled, they do not like to turn him away for lack of payment yet most families cannot afford the tuition and need assistance.

India




  • Jehovah Shammah Children's Home has experienced diminishing local support due to the economy and to increasing anti-Christian pressure. They ended the year about US $2,000.00 in debt. EWI has not been able to provide the level of assistance that they need. We want to help them further develop some self-support projects as well as to provide the supplemental funding to ensure that all critical needs are met.


  • Evangelist SH has reported being constantly watched and his computer continuously being compromised so that he dare not write to us with anything but simple greetings. His wife reported that she fears for his life every time he leaves the house. He is not alone in facing this kind of persecution. Some of the radical non-Christian groups have openly stated that all Christians should leave, reconvert, or die. Please pray that the work of the Sunday Schools, church planting, and outreach activities can continue and for the safety of the workers. SH also has need of some equipment to carry on the work.

 


 


2008 REPORT ON GIFTS IN KIND


Books, Journals, CDs, Tapes and Cassettes


Since 2000 you have donated nearly 30,000 new and gently used books and journals, CDs, audio tapes and video cassettes in addition to other miscellaneous literature items too numerous to have been counted. Working an average of 3 hours a week, our volunteers have processed almost 3,000 books in 2008 alone. These items range from new Bibles or journals read through and set aside, to well thumbed reference works and other materials from personal libraries accumulated over years but now no longer being used. They have all been "re-cycled." Your gifts, including about $5,600 to cover the cost of shipping during 2008, have allowed us to send 130 boxes filled with books, journals and other literature to 13 schools or missions situated in 8 different countries. Books you no longer needed are now being used by evangelists, pastors, seminary students and faculty, many of whom could not have afforded to buy even one or two of the books to which they now have ready access through your generosity. Thank you!


A note received recently from a seminary in southeast India is typical of what we hear from all our partners:



We are so thankful. Our library is growing because of your faithfulness....Thank you for helping us make a difference.

Your brother in India and Partner in the mission,
Bobby _______


Other Gifts In Kind


This past year well over 1,000 items besides books, tapes, CDs and literature were donated by East West InterKnit
supporters -




  • Clothing items for a hot and humid climate, reading glasses and personal care items such as toothbrushes and toothpaste, combs, brushes and shampoo;


  • Consumable supplies for office and student use, including 3-ring binders, dividers and paper, rubber bands, paper clips, markers, chalk, crayons, pens, pencils, scratch pads, paint supplies and more;


  • 1 2-drawer metal filing cabinet;


  • 2 completely furnished solar ovens;


  • Fabric, sheets and pillowcases, curtains; assorted sewing items (pins, thread, tape measure, etc);


  • Medical supplies, including Ibuprofen, Tylenol, cotton swabs, iodine, bandages, surgical supplies and gloves;


  • Several desktop and laptop computers, printers, scanners and the manuals, cables, software, ink, etc. that
    enable them to be used; and more ....

Thank you to all who have donated so generously for the benefit of our partners.


Current needs include school supplies and over-the-counter medicines for Haiti. Best are anti-diarrheal tablets, pain relievers for both adults and children, cold and sinus relief tablets, anti-bacterial ointments, multi-vitamins with iron, and bandages. Please contact us if you have unexpired products and would like to help.


"Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these, my brethren, ye have done it unto me."