June 2009: PARTNERS AT WORK AROUND THE GLOBE
"From him (Christ) the whole body...grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work." Eph. 4:16 NIV
Articles contained in the June 2009 newsletter:
GHANA - Good News Theological College and Seminary, Accra
INDIA -
Jehovah Shammah Children's Home (JSCH)
Bethel Mission Home For GirlsREGARDING BOOKS- 4 Recipients Express Their Gratitude
GHANA
Good News Theological College and Seminary, Accra
For approximately three years, Good News has been raising funds to construct a new, but temporary, library on the second level of the men's dormitory. It is considered temporary because their long-range plan calls for a greatly expanded facility to house a modern library. However, due to the urgent need to reclaim the current library space for classrooms, the decision was made to build a temporary library on top of the men's dorm, a space that is expected eventually to be remodeled to serve as additional dorm space.
As funds become available the school purchases materials and hires the workmen. When funds run out, the project is put on hold. When funds are again available, they typically find that costs have risen. It was our desire to raise enough to allow them to finish quickly in order to save money over the long run. Students and faculty alike will benefit greatly by being able to work in an expanded space, to occupy that space as soon as possible, and to reclaim the current space for classrooms.
Your help has enabled EWI to provide a portion of the funds needed to complete enough of the project to allow for occupation. The principal wrote to tell us that the interior painting has been completed, the doors have been painted, ceiling fans have been installed, and most of the electrical is now completed. The workmen were expected to complete the last of the electrical connections by May 29. The Library Committee of GNTCS, who will oversee the move to the new facility, anticipates accomplishing that by the end of June. The principal wrote, “We are grateful to you, the Board, and supporters of EWI for making a dream come true. Sincerely, Thomas”
The administration has provided us with a partial list of tools, some of which were recommended by the accreditation committee as important for the development of students, faculty and staff. The number one priority was a photocopier. EWI sent money to add to their photocopier fund, expecting that it would be months before enough could be raised to allow for the purchase. However, the principal has informed us that a very good used machine was located and purchased and now resides in the library.
Thanks to all who prayed and to those who gave. Please continue to pray:
- For the students and especially the graduates as they go out to minister;
- For the principal as he travels to Nigeria during early June; and
- For funding to supply all needs of faculty, staff, students, and the facility, despite the current economic downturn which has resulted in greatly reduced donations.
INDIA
Jehovah Shammah Children's Home (JSCH)
The Director of the Jehovah Shammah Children's Home regularly conducts outreach meetings in surrounding towns and villages and, as circumstances permit, includes teams of young people from the home who sing and share their stories.
Evangelist Gideon is one whose life was dramatically changed because of the JSCH outreach. Formerly a staunch anti-Christian, he now serves as pastor in at least two communities and ministers to others in the surrounding areas. Before the conversion of his wife, followed by his own some months later, there were no believers in his village. At this time nearly 25% of the people in his village have become followers of Christ. JSCH administrators are assisting Gideon's ministry with the help of East West InterKnit. The Sunday school leaders of the village church recently held a special event, made possible because of our partnership, at which they presented all the children in the village church with Bibles and notebooks [see photo to the right].
East West InterKnit provides the administrators of Jehovah Shammah Children's Home with funds used to supplement the incomes of the evangelists enabling them to devote full-time to their work. There are as many as 14 affiliated evangelists serving many churches and conducting evangelistic meetings in a wide area of eastern India. Many of these evangelists were raised in the Jehovah Shammah Children's Home where they first heard and responded to the good news of the gospel.
It is just about time for the new school year to begin and the children who have been visiting relatives in their home villages during the hot season are returning to Jehovah Shammah Children's Home to get ready for school. The home still has many unmet needs including the installation of ceiling fans, the purchase of a few desks, school start-up funds for uniforms and notebooks, some building maintenance needs, and the elimination of debt due to the shortage of funds in 2008. One of the boys broke his wrist and was hospitalized which added to their expenses. Please pray for provision of their needs and for the children as they prepare for the new school year.
East West InterKnit provides nearly half of the funds needed monthly just to maintain the children and the home. Funds from other sources have diminished due to the current global economic crisis and from pressure exerted by non-Christian fundamentalists. It takes just US $10 per month to feed each child, and about US $20 to cover all expenses for each child.
The children pictured on the left are just 5 of the 40 at Jehovah Shammah Children's Home. They are being provided with adequate food, loving care, an education and an opportunity to learn of God's love for them.
If you have not been able to help in the past but could now participate at $5, $10, $15, or $20 a month, to ensure that these children will be able to stay at JSCH, they would be so grateful. Contact us!
Bethel Mission Home For Girls
In the April East West InterKnit Letter we included a photo of the construction taking place on the second story addition to the girl’s dormitory at Bangarapet. Just enough had been done in building the walls that at first look it may have resembled a bombed out building. Now, as can be seen in the photo on the right, it is taking shape. The walls are complete and the roof is on though not complete. Flooring, windows, doors, electrical work, plumbing and painting are among the tasks still to be completed and for which they ask our help. Pastor Frank wrote that the cost of materials has doubled in the recent past so it would be to everyone’s advantage to find the funding and finish as quickly as possible.
The addition is needed both to increase security and also to alleviate the very crowded conditions in which the girls have been living. As funds allow, East West InterKnit continues to partner with them as follows:
(1) To meet emergency needs;
(2) To supplement funding for special projects including evangelism and self-support projects as well as meeting physical needs in the community; and
(3) To provide grants and scholarships for training new leaders.
We expect to focus greater attention in the future on the three Bethel Mission homes for children which house a total of 100 children including the girls at Bangarapet [shown in the photo to the left].
REGARDING BOOKS
Four Recipients Express Their Gratitude:
Counselor Training Center In India
The books you sent have equipped the trainees who come here....The books have increased the effectiveness of national Christian workers in communicating the gospel and in caring for people in obvious need. The generous contribution of books has made our counseling library a really good place for people who gather to study.
Jehovah Shammah Children's Home
Many Bibles have been distributed to our non-Christian friends....The children (at the home) are really blessed to have books in our library.
Himalaya Theological College In North India
EWI has immensely helped our organization in developing a library with a collection of theological books to equip men and women for mission.
Nairobi Great Commission School In Kenya
The materials we have received....help in supporting learning and training church ministres. The information gathered empowers students in readiness to serve....according to their calling.
SCHOLARSHIPS AND TRAINING GRANTS
India
The Counseling Center in India requested scholarships for students participating in its programs. These included a 32-day training program, a ten month advanced program and periodic five-day training courses. Trainees are people engaged in health care, church ministries, and in other people-serving professions.
According to the principal, the students at the Himalaya Theological College in north India are from poor backgrounds. He asked that we consider providing some scholarships to assist them.
Ghana
Good News Theological College and Seminary in Accra, Ghana lists availabiliity of scholarships as a top priority need. East West InterKnit has been providing six partial scholarships each year but they tell us that there are many more fully qualified people who sense God's call to ministry but who cannot attend the seminary for lack of funds.
Thailand
We have received a request for scholarship funds for the Discipleship Training program conducted by a partner ministry in Thailand. It is designed especially for new believers who will be strengthened in faith and prepared to do outreach or serve in local churches. They expect to raise a majority of the funds needed but have requested $800 for this year's program. We have advanced them $200 and hope to provide the balance with your help.
CURRENT PRAYER CONCERNS
Please Pray -
- For all partners as they face unusual challenges due to the economic conditions of our day;
- For graduates of the Bible schools and seminaries as they go out to begin their ministries;
- For children in the homes in India who have returned for the start of the new school year and for whom the missions need to provide uniforms, books and supplies, in addition to annual school fees;
- For protection for the workers as they find ways to communicate the good news of the gospel to those who have not heard. Pray that God would hold back the hands of those who would attack and kill to prevent the preaching of the gospel;
- For the needs of the Mission Evangelique du Nord d'Haiti schools, churches, their clinic and their leadershp. Please pray especially for strength, health and wisdom for Pastor Thony.
- For safe transport and arrival of books and other supplies EWI ships to Bible schools and missions;
- For wisdom as we seek to use our resources most effectively for the benefit of our partners;
- For the East West InterKnit Board and Director as we seek helpers to assist us in the work.