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”

We are enjoying sunny Florida and our time with Michelle and family. We thank the Lord for the privilege of being with all three of our kids and their families while we have had this break in the USA…God is soooo Good!

Marilyn Middleton

Dr. Donald Smith and his wife, Bessie, on a fishing trip.  Dr. Smith says there is more than one way to have a happy wife…