Rex and Missy McDowell, along with their two boys, and Hispanic Ministries Director Marc Sankey have returned safely from their trip to Costa Rica. Thank you for praying for them!

        When people think of February, they often think of love because of Valentine’s Day. During this month may God increase our love for Him, our love for the lost, and our love for other Christians. The New Testament proof of being a disciple of Christ was love for other believers (John 13:35).

Bolivia
Praise:
– The Elmer Sánchez family is thanking God for His continued protection as they labor for Him.

Prayer:
– Elmer Sánchez will have a heavy load of Bible institute classes and church responsibilities.
– Pray for someone to replace the Sánchez family who will be leaving Bolivia permanently in October.

Costa Rica
Praise:
– A core of believers is being established in the Barrio México congregation.

Prayer:
– Pastor Carmona works many hours and needs physical strength to minister faithfully to his congregation.
– A family in the Paraíso congregation shows leadership potential but needs help in some areas of their lives.

Dominican Republic
Praise:
– God blessed the New Year’s Eve service at K-32 as the group prayed for help during this year.
– Ramón, who was saved recently after many years as a backslider, is remaining steadfast in his experience.

Prayer:
– Divine help is needed urgently regarding the land problem at K-32. Someone is building on our property.
– Oscar, Pastor Junaita’s son, has physical problems, but is attending services. Pray for his salvation.
– Several ladies with unsaved husbands want to legalize their marriages, but the process is not easy.

Egypt
Praise:
– Many people were saved during the end-of-the-year revivals held in our churches.

Prayer:
– Church building projects need to be completed before the new parliament issues new laws.
– Divine help is imperative as the believers try to establish new churches in a hostile environment.

Eritrea/Sudan
Praise:
– The church in Juba in southern Sudan is seeing numerical growth.

Prayer:
– Pray that the Holy Spirit will deal with believers in Sudan until they earnestly seek heart holiness.

Guatemala
Praise:
– God has granted a special answer to prayer regarding the future of the Bible institute in Jalapa.
– Maria Hunsaker and Lee and Sharen Rickenebach enjoyed traveling mercies over the Christmas season.

Prayer:
– Sarah Roache from GBS is helping in the bilingual academy through mid-April.
– Pray for the new president of Guatemala and the future of this country. May God give revival.

Honduras
Praise:
– A well-qualified medical team is preparing to go to Honduras the last full week of February.
– The churches in the Santa Barbara area are enjoying God’s special help to them.

Prayer:
– Zack and Sarah Robberts need special physical help from God because of their many responsibilities.
– The staff for the Bible institute is asking God to give them more students.

USA Hispanic Ministries
Praise:
– Pastor David Lopez and his wife at Hyde Park, MA, are rejoicing in God’s help to them.
– The Hyde Park, MA, congregation celebrated their first anniversary on January 14.

Prayer:
– Oscar Percolla, pastor at Stamford, CT, resigned on December 31. This congregation needs a shepherd.

Homeland
Praise:
– Thank God for his help to Marc Sankey as he begins his responsibilities for Evangelistic Faith Missions.

Prayer:
– Pray for those who will be traveling for the work of EFM during this month.
– Missionaries are needed for the EFM fields in Bolivia, Costa Rica, and the Dominican Republic.

Trusting God for answered prayers,

Ronald E. Smith,  Prayer Letter Editor

Happy New Year to all!

Thank the Lord for time in the United States during December to visit several of our children as well as having them and their families converge on our home in Bedford to celebrate Christmas together for the first time in many years. It was a joyous time Friday and Christmas Eve with a houseful of eleven – especially enjoyed the grandchildren.

Shari and I arrived safely here in Guatemala on Thursday evening. Maria Hunsaker and Sarah Roach arrived Saturday evening but with two suitcases missing. We had to return to the airport twice yesterday but only one of the two missing pieces of luggage has arrived. Houston fog has caused delays for many here as well.

Bible Institute and Academy start in two weeks. Pray for us all as we face a very busy year, but one full of great promises and great grace. God bless you all in your ministries.

Lee & Shari Rickenbach

Dear Prayer Partner,

When you think of December, what comes to your mind – snow, vacation from school, Christmas programs, family gatherings, a whirlwind of activities, exhaustion, or the fact that God sent His Son into the world that He might make redemption possible? I hope that the most important thing to you during December is the birth of the Christ Child – God’s gift to mankind. Below is a poem that expresses my desire for each of my readers.

Christmas Wish

by Pollyanna Sedziol

May you know the truth of Christmas

That Jesus Christ is King,

Both in a lowly manger

Where heavenly angles sing,

And on the throne of God

Where hosannas ever ring.

May you know the love of Christmas

Made incarnate on that night,

When Jesus came to live with men

Bringing hope and light;

Atoning, healing, giving life,

Conquering wrong, enthroning right.

May you know the peace of Christmas

That Christ alone can give,

Not only in your home

And daily as you live,

And onward to life’s eve.

But hourly, weekly, yearly,

May you find Christ in everything.

To you and every one of yours . . .

May the warmth of Christmas cling

As you give and then receive,

May you know the joy of Christmas

Joy that only Christ can bring.

Bolivia

      Praise:       

      — Four young people were baptized the last Sunday of October.

      — The repair work on the mission house is nearing completion.

       Prayer: 

      — The Elmer Sánchez family will be traveling to Guatemala this month for their annual visit with family and friends.

      — Guidance is needed for making improvements in the Bible institute program.

 Dominican Republic

      Praise: 

      — A boy near Hato Viejo asked for prayer and later reported to the pastor that God healed him.

      — David and Marilyn Middleton are thanking God for His help in recent trials regarding the work in the D.R.

      — Construction for a local primary school was delayed until a group of believers prayed at the designated property, and now construction is progressing well.

      Prayer: 

      — A pastor is concerned about a wayward son who recently left home.

      — Pray for the weekly youth services that are held in K-32.

      – The Los Prados church in the capital city needs revival. 

Egypt

      Praise: 

      — God blessed the pastors’ conference during the latter part of October.

      — Pastor Mo’Omen began services at Om Bioumi during November.

     Prayer: 

      — Samuel, a Bible college student, is endeavoring to start a church in Abo Rgela.

     – Several of the new churches are asking God to supply the materials they need to complete their building projects.

     – The Bible college director wants to increase the size of the college library

Eritrea/Sudan

      Praise: 

      – Six new believers were baptized and one baby dedicated in Sudan on the first Sunday in November.

      — The new congregation in Juba, southern Sudan, now numbers more than twenty believers, and God has provided a place of worship for them.

     Prayer: 

      — The believers in Sudan are searching for a place where they can have services for large gatherings.

      — They also are seeking permission to work under the umbrella of a government-recognized church organization.

 Guatemala

      Praise: 

      — Fourteen new children have enrolled in the bilingual academy for the new school year starting in February.

      — God helped Maria Hunsaker throughout this year as she ministered in Vacation Bible Schools and other children’s ministries.

    Prayer: 

      — Several regional church conferences will be conducted during December.

      — Cesar Rodriguez, the new Bible institute director, will be starting his duties this month.

Honduras

      Praise: 

      –Zack and Sarah Robberts are thanking God for His protection while traveling through dangerous areas in Honduras. 

      — New churches are being established.

     Prayer: 

      — The national church will be holding its annual conference and camp meeting in December.

      — Violence is escalating, and the national workers and missionaries need God’s constant protection.

USA Hispanic Ministries

      Praise: 

      — The church in Stamford, CT, is growing.

     Prayer:

      — The rent where the Trenton, NJ, congregation worships is increasing. They are asking God for direction regarding the purchase of their own church building.

Homeland

      Praise: 

      — Praise belongs to God for supplying the many needs of Evangelistic Faith Missions throughout 2011. 

     Prayer:

      — Pray for God’s help to Marc Sankey as he prepares to start working with Evangelistic Faith Missions in January.

      – Continue praying that the Matching Fund challenge of $50,000.00 will be met by December 31.

Trusting God for answered prayers,

Ronald E. Smith, Prayer Letter Editor

Merry Christmas from my wife and me to all the faithful prayer partners of Evangelistic Faith Missions. May you have a Christ-centered Christmas season!

  

 

There is an end of the year Matching Fund challenge. If EFM receives
$50,000.00 in designated Matching Fund donations by December 31, 2011 the mission will receive $25,000.00 in Matching Funds.

Your support will be sincerely appreciated. Send your offering to:
Evangelistic Faith Missions, P. O. Box 609, Bedford, Indiana 47421

Thank you!

 

Dear Prayer Partner,

Greetings to all who faithfully pray for the needs of Evangelistic Faith Missions. Your prayers are heard in heaven and answered, and we at EFM greatly appreciate your praying and God’s answering.

We had some lovely days and beautiful fall displays in the early part of October, but now several days of rain have put an end to God’s colorful handiwork. We have had more than our share of rain in recent weeks while others of you probably have wished for more rain. However, the God we serve knows how to direct the powers of nature.

Another Thanksgiving Day is rapidly approaching. I am thankful for God’s special ministry to me personally and for the fact that He continues to answer my prayers. In addition to spiritual blessings, I rejoice in the good physical health He gives to my wife and me and also the way He ministers in the areas of personal and material needs. Nearly every day I am conscious of His presence and His help in the small things of life.

May you find many things for which to thank God during this Thanksgiving month. Even when things come into our lives that are not invited, there are many things for which to give God praise. I trust God will bless each of you abundantly this month in whatever way you have need.

Bolivia
Praise:
– The church at Villa Adela recently received five new members.

Prayer:
– The church at Gran Poder needs much help from God so that they will become a stabilized church.

Costa Rica
Praise:
– Pastor Rolando is thanking God for the ongoing help that He has given to his congregation throughout this year.

Prayer:
– There are married couples in the Paraíso congregation that need to become settled spiritually.
– Pastor Rolando is planning a trip to Nicaragua this month to give classes on music in some of the holiness churches. Pray for his safety and a fruitful ministry.

Dominican Republic
Praise:
– The pastors are enjoying unity and are planning times to fast and to pray for special concerns.
– There are couples who became Christians and are desirous of consecrating their marriages as a Christian marriage.

Prayer:
– Doña Ana, pastor in Santo Domingo, soon will be visiting her family in the States. May she be a blessing to them, and may God bless her congregation in her absence.
– Youth services are held each Friday in Hato Viejo. The Spirit’s help is vital for those services.

Egypt
Praise:
– Progress is being made on the four church-building projects in Minia province.
– A new church was opened in El Khosoos during the past few months.

Prayer:
– Mo’omen, a recent Bible college graduate, is working toward opening a new place of worship in Shoubra el Khema this month.
– The Bible college would like to purchase a digital camera, a digital projector, and a laptop.
– More classroom space is needed for the Bible college.

Eritrea/Sudan
Praise:
– Thank God for His ongoing grace and help to the suffering Christians in Eritrea.

Prayer:
– A report indicates that an EFM believer was imprisoned in September.
– Tekie Goitom in Eritrea and Ogbaslassie Haile in Sudan desire God’s continued help as each directs the work in his respective country.

Guatemala
Praise:
– God is helping the Bible institute staff and the bilingual academy staff as they prepare for the 2012 school year that begins in January.
– Several evangelical couples in western Guatemala are interested in starting their own Christian academy.

Prayer:
– The academy staff desires guidance regarding which children to accept into kindergarten for the new school year.
– The last round of national elections will take place in November. Pray for peace and safety.

Honduras
Praise:
– God has provided two motorcycles for the work in San Luis – one for the radio ministry and one for the district supervisor of the churches.
– The hurricane season is past, and Honduras was left untouched this year.
– Several children were saved in a children’s meeting in El Ocotillo.

Prayer:
– Daniel and Tiffany Melton are requesting prayer for some Honduran friends who are struggling in their marriage. They have four precious children.

USA Hispanic Ministries
Praise:
– Some of the young people from the Trenton, NJ, congregation are planning visits to nearby cities for the purpose of evangelizing.
– God is working in Stamford, CT, and in Hyde Park, MA, in spite of opposition at Hyde Park.

Prayer:
– Several individuals are opposing the congregation in Hyde Park, MA, and are trying to discourage the believers from having services. Pray for God to minister His special help to this congregation.
– A group of people has contacted the pastor at Trenton, NJ, and asked for help in starting services. Divine guidance is needed.

Homeland
Praise:
– Marc Sankey has accepted the positions of Assistant to the President and Director of Hispanic Missions. He will assume his duties on January 1, 2012.
– President J. Stevan Manley is thanking all those who have prayed concerning this urgent request.

Prayer:
– Pray that the coming transition will go smoothly for President J. Stevan Manley and the incoming Assistant Director Marc Sankey.

Trusting God for answered prayers,

Ronald E. Smith

Prayer Letter Editor

Bright, cool 58 degree October Monday morning to all…

Here is a report from our activities last week.

Monday was a special IBE assembly with Cesar Rodriguez elected the new director for a three year term replacing Paco Orozco who due to health problems is stepping down. This will be the third national director since we left the field back in the early 90’s. This time of transitioning under the National Church has had a lot of bumps along the ways and detours but slowly by the grace of God things seem to be moving ahead in a positive way.

Tuesday saw our last day of Academy classes for the year and with the Award Banquet last Saturday night an end to a good year with all 27 students finishing their schoolwork. We will sorely miss James, Rachel, and Mandy for the next school year, but we know that God has special grace for their future as well as for our national teachers in this transition.

Wednesday appears to have been the last of the 10 day stretch of continuous rains here in Jalapa which saw lots of flooding in different areas and many, many mud/rock slides on the main highways. On our way to the capital that day the Atlantic Highway was closed because of a major slide about a half hour after we passed that area. Thank the Lord always for His protection.

This week closes our year end paperwork as well as new parent conferences Wed-Fri. We have to choose 10 new kindergartners from a fairly large list. Pray for His wisdom during this time.

God bless all and have a great week!

Lee & Shari Rickenbach

Zack and Sarah Robberts, along with their girls, were involved in a children’s meeting in Honduras recently.  Several children were saved during these services!  Special thanks to the Robberts family for their hard work and dedication!

Sarah choosing a volunteer helper

Honduran children listening intently

Singing “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus”

Singing “His Banner Over Me Is Love”