August 2015

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You can’t get there from here

DICK EASTMAN

he old saying, “You can’t get there from here,” is often used when directing someone to an out-

of-the-way place that’s not easy to find. Though our western culture uses it in jest, there are many areas throughout the world where the humorous phrase holds more truth than fiction.

I read recently that 10 percent of the world’s 7 billion-person population lives in what are considered to be remote areas. If I do my maths correctly, that’s 700 million or so men, women and children who live in some degree of isolation from the rest of the world. Though it’s impossible to say exactly how many, I think it’s fair to assume that several million of them live in areas so isolated that you almost “can’t get there from here.” But try telling that to the more than the 45,000 Every Home for Christ pioneer missionaries who are devoted to the cause of taking the Gospel to every home in their nations—including those most difficult-to-access places.

Reaching them often means our volunteer workers spend extended

periods of time away from their families, take time off from their jobs and endure physical hardships—sometimes even danger. Quite honestly, the lengths they go to take the hope of salvation to the isolated areas of their nations both humble and amaze me. When there seems to be no way, they’ll find a way. Whether by dilapidated vehicle, boat, motorbike or on foot—in extreme heat or frost-biting cold—these modern-day heroes of the faith stop at nothing to make the Gospel of Jesus Christ known to all.

In the following pages, you’ll get a glimpse of what some of our pioneer missionaries have experienced when travelling to “you can’t get there from here” places and how God miraculously protected these missionaries. From the deadly jungles of Latin America to the frigid Siberian tundra, their gripping stories of dependence on God and His answers to prayer are sure to challenge and inspire you.

If you like adventure and nail-biting drama, find a cozy chair—you won’t want to miss a single page!

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“Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the

world.” Matthew 28:20, KJV

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The UNReachablenicaragua

B Y r o B S t e n n e t t

he team of Every Home for Christ pioneer missionaries feared they wouldn’t make it home alive.

Hazardous conditions conspired against them—an uncharted river, suffocating heat and poisonous snakes that hung like vines. The plan was to share the Gospel with one of the most remote Miskito tribes, an indigenous people living deep in the Nicaraguan jungle. Just reaching the tribe required landing a crop plane on a strip of dirt and trekking a full day up the river.

Throughout the journey, the international team battled with oppressive heat and a suffocating blanket of humidity. But they would not turn back. They wanted to see firsthand the incredible work with Miskito

tribes led by Pastor Isaac Estrada, National Director of Every Home for Christ in Nicaragua.

Isaac began this work because he knew there were already evangelistic efforts to share the Gospel in heavily-populated areas, but many tribes in the heart of his country had still never heard about Jesus. He felt a mandate, “Our Lord Jesus spoke to me and told me to evangelise them house by house.”

Isaac formed a plan to take teams into the remote area. They wanted to take the gospel story to a region oppressed by superstitions and fears. “Most Miskito people want us to get rid of the sorcerers who get them sick, especially their children,” Isaac said. This is a group of people who needs the hope of Jesus—a group waiting to hear the Gospel.

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“This was a group who had not heard the Gospel for 400 years.”

It sounds like something Christians should be doing—taking hope and reaching the unreached. But it is costly and difficult to reach the Miskito people, which is why the last documented missionary effort to do so was led by the Moravians over 400 years ago. It requires a significant investment of money, time and safety just to contact these tribes.

Isaac wanted to show the visiting Every Home for Christ team just how difficult it was, so he took them in a small boat with a rusty body to Cabo Gracias A Dios. Legend has it that Columbus gave this part of the famous Miskito Coast its name, which is Spanish for “Cape Thank God,” after escaping a storm on his final voyage in 1502.

On their trek, the team navigated constant challenges like not having enough food and supplies to make it up the coast. “We had to trade Coke bottles of gasoline for supplies along the way,” one team member explained. “We docked the boat, shared the message of Jesus with the nearest tribe and prayed that someone would trade with us so we didn’t run out of things to eat.”

Right before the Atlantic River, the team reached a small canal where their motorised

boat couldn’t travel further. A guide with a canoe carried their bags while they hiked toward the tribe. “There were vines, snakes, unsettling noises, crocodiles and spiders,” another team member said. “I felt like Indiana Jones.”

But the prize for this team wasn’t a medallion or a lost treasure; it was simply walking into a hut and telling the family inside, “You are beautifully and wonderfully made. There is a creator who cares about you.” Many in the tribe were honoured that the team would go through so much to bring them this message.

Later, the team brought out a small projector and showed a Christian film to the entire village. The indigenous people marvelled at the story, and many gave their lives to God. Others flocked to the team asking for prayer. Their faith was palpable, and miracles happened right in front of the team’s eyes. “We saw deliverance and healing of bad tumours. Our Lord does all these things when we pray for them,” Isaac said.

“One woman came to me with a burning fever,” a team member explained. “I prayed for her, and the fever was gone.”

The religious leaders and witch doctors were not happy with the missionary team. Jesus was healing the sick through the visitors’ prayers, and they were not asking for anything in return.

“Our visits ruin the sorcerers´ business,” Isaac explained. “They get even angrier when their witchcraft does not do anything to us.”

On the trip back down the river, the team’s boat got stuck in the mud. Their guide jumped out to rescue it, but the boat with the baggage was following too closely behind. The riverboat smashed into the guide and snapped his ribs. The team couldn’t make it back without their guide, but they didn’t give into fear. They helped the guide to safety and prayed for God to heal him. The guide wasn’t a believer; he was just doing a job. But after the prayer, his ribs were healed, and he gave his life to Jesus at that moment.

On the flight back, as the team reflected on the journey, they thought it was a perfect snapshot of an Every Home for Christ mission. Everyone needs a chance to know the living God. The Nicaraguans living in remote locations were just as deserving as anyone in a big city where it’s easier and more cost-

effective to reach them.“We believe these people deserve the

same chance to know Jesus that we all take for granted,” a team member said.

Eight years after Isaac began sharing the Gospel to the Miskito people, the message has spread at an extraordinary rate. Over 50,000 people have given their lives to Jesus and been baptised. And 15,000 homes have been reached, hut by hut, this year alone. The Every Home for Christ Nicaragua team has discipled hundreds of new leaders from the native tribes.

This was a group who had not heard the Gospel for 400 years. The churches the missionaries built long ago were dilapidated and empty. Before, when Miskitos prayed, it was to spirits they hoped wouldn’t hurt them. Through the efforts of the Nicaraguan Every Home for Christ team, the Miskito people learned a different story. They were taught the Scripture and realised that they could preach Jesus themselves. They could be filled with the Holy Spirit. They could be pastors and missionaries. And they understood that the creator of everything saw them deep in the Nicaraguan jungle, even when no one else did.

" when a frozen river is your highway!"

... a frozen river is your highway

Stranded in the tundra - SiBeriaB y K at h y G o w l e r

hey were counting on the vehicle in front to lead them, but 12 miles into their long, cold journey, it pulled off the road. They were on their own now; fervent prayer would be their

guide. It’s what you do when it’s winter in Siberia and a frozen river is your highway to the middle of nowhere—you pray like crazy.

On this February day, the pioneer missionaries were headed for villages so remote they can only go in the winter when the rivers are frozen. The few roads that exist (but don’t show up on the map) are only passable with a 4-wheel drive vehicle. The Every Home for Christ staff didn’t have one, but that didn’t stop them. They just prayed a lot while heading into the vast sea of white in their aging van.

Their highway for this trip was the frozen Vitim River, and their first day had been a good one—they reached their destination without incident. God had helped them

avoid holes, cracks and jagged ice that would flatten their tires in an instant. Being stranded this time of year could be deadly.

At the first village, the team shared the Gospel and encouraged those who came to Christ when the team visited the previous winter. They were thrilled that the new believers had been faithfully reading the Bibles they had been given. Greatly encouraged, the team headed further upriver the next morning, hopeful to arrive at the next village by sundown. They were alone on the river that day. With no other vehicles to follow, the trip took longer than expected. They’d only gone 26 miles when darkness began to fall. They were far from shelter, and the arctic temperature was plummeting. If they kept the van running for warmth, they’d be out of gas by morning. So the team did the only thing they could—they huddled together and prayed.

Within a few minutes, one of them spotted a cabin in the distance. Praising God, the group left the van and headed for it. It was farther away than it looked, but the freezing temperatures kept them going. God had provided shelter, and they were thankful. But as they got close enough for a better look, their hearts sunk. The answer to their prayer was deserted. They would have to hike all the way back to the van.

Then one of them noticed a note on the door that read, “I’ll be back tomorrow.” In these parts, such a message meant anyone needing shelter could come on in. Cold and exhausted, the team was grateful to have shelter for the night. It was a tiny dwelling, and they were cramped like sardines in a can, but they didn’t care. It was a warm place to rest and another answered prayer.

They started out early the next morning so they could reach Syerdniy Kalar by sundown. They’d only gone six miles when they heard the eerie sound of ice cracking beneath them. Within seconds, the van was completely submerged in the icy water. It was a miracle they all survived uninjured.

The soaking wet pioneer missionaries spent the next four hours retrieving the van from the river— arguably the longest four hours of their lives. They had no idea what condition their vehicle would be in—they were just thankful to be alive. To their great relief, the soggy engine started, and the van was drivable. God had protected them once again.

There would be more challenges to come that day. The van got stuck in drifts multiple times, further delaying their progress. It soon

became clear they’d spend another night on the river alone in the middle of nowhere. But God knew right where they were. He provided a second deserted cabin where the exhausted missionaries were able to get some much-needed sleep.

That last settlement was an eclectic mix—a couple of Russian families and some Evenki people, hunters of Mongolian descent. The team presented the Gospel in every home, and all 30 residents surrendered their lives to Christ. Each new believer was given a Discovery Bible with discipleship lessons so they could learn to study the Word.

No one would have blamed the Siberia outreach team if they had turned back for home, but they were glad they didn’t. Blessed by this special community, the encouraged workers promised to be back next winter—whatever it took!

The team presented the Gospel in every home, and all 30 residents

surrendered their lives to Christ

Israel Named One of "Top FiveHappiest Countries in the World"

Israel is one of the top 5 happiest countries in the world according to a new Better Life Index report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). "Israelis are more satisfied with their lives than the OECD average. When asked to rate their general satisfaction with life on a scale from 0 to 10, Israelis gave it a 7.4 grade, higher than the OECD average of 6.6. Denmark, Iceland, Switzerland and Finland took the top four spots in global happiness. The OECD survey rates the OECD member nations, as well as Brazil and the Russian Federation, on 22 variables - including income, education, housing, health, community, life expectancy, and life satisfaction.

Israel regularly ranks high on "happiness"surveys despite the image many people outside the country hold about this place. "What makes Israelis happy? It's never boring here, we don't believe in the Chinese

curse of 'may you live in interesting times.' We think it's great that it's not boring here, we can laugh about life here."

Positive psychology expert Tal Ben-Shahar, nicknamed Professor Happiness, has said that Israel's top rankings in international surveys on happiness has less to do with the country's geographical location and more to do with the people inside this tiny nation. "It's because of our focus on relationships. Friends and family are very high up on our value scale, and quality time with them is given as a priority. Time we spend with people we care about and who care about us is the number one predictor of happiness," he said in an earlier interview.

There's warmth, family, friends, everything you need ... so many different cultures and communities. There's nothing missing."

See reply Slip for Israel ministries Every Home for Christ supports.

Into the AmAzon...A Journey LIke no other

CoLoMbIAby Kathy Gowler

The experience would prove to be unlike any the veteran pioneer missionaries had ever had. They’d made the trip several times before, and it was always dangerous. But as long as there were still people out there who needed the Gospel, they would keep going back—into the Amazon Jungle.

The river was black as pitch, and the boats were dimly lit, causing them to go much slower than they’d hoped. What little they could see was eerie—fallen trees in the river, everywhere. Though they were vigilant, none of them saw it coming; around 10 p.m., they hit a big tree straight on. It was a deafening collision. Miraculously, the boat was not damaged. With adrenaline flowing, everyone paid closer attention to what was in the water as they continued into the jungle. But as diligent as they had been, there was no avoiding the second tree they hit around 2 a.m. This time they didn’t fare so well—the branches tore a hole in the rear of the boat. The frazzled team convinced the boatman to stop at the nearest port and assess the damage. They finally found a place to stop when they reached the town of Amatura at 3 a.m. Exhausted, the pioneer missionaries got a little rest while the boatman secured another boat. Two short hours later, they were back on their way.

When they reached their first destination, the Every Home for Christ workers were unprepared for what they found. Disease

was rampant—malaria, tuberculosis and chronic infections. Child abuse also plagued the Christ-less community. Their hearts were broken. Oh how these people needed Jesus! They knew nothing about His love! As our workers assessed needs, they shared the Gospel. Some of the villagers prayed to receive Christ.

Several days and many villages later, the energy-depleted team was ready to get home, but the long trip back would not be smooth sailing. They’d been back on the river for several hours when storm clouds developed and the wind began to blow. Within minutes, the weather turned violent and high waves tossed their boat as if it were a toy. The Colombia team cried out to God and thanked Him when they found a safe place to wait out the storm.

That wouldn’t be their last trip down the river. They’d be going back with medical supplies and resources to encourage the new believers in their faith.

In more than 130 nations, more than 45,000 Every Home for Christ pioneer missionaries are delivering the Gospel in the far, unreached corners of their nations. How do they get there? However they can—by boat, bicycle, motorbike, rickshaw and many by foot. Why do they do it? Because someone shared the Gospel with them, and it changed their lives completely.

AUGUST 2015Bible Readings: This month the daily text will be taken from Psalm 114 to Psalm 141.For those wanting to do the one-year Bible reading program these chapters are in brackets.

PRAY FOR ISRAEL, THE NATIONS, THE WORLD'S PEOPLE. Rev 12:11

9 URUGUAY Pop. 3,300,000 Map 224. Gospel workers will be preaching in the women’s prison, El Moino, and sharing gospel literature. Pray that

many women will come to know Jesus Christ as their Saviour and leave their pasts behind to start a new life in Him. Psalm 119:145-176 (Psalms 48-50)

6 CHILE Pop. 17,400,000 Map 220. Pray for hundreds of families in the north who have been affected by severe flooding and have lost

everything. Pray that this would be an opportunity for more hearts to be open to the Gospel. Psalm 119:41-80 (1 Chronicles 13-16)

3 NAMIBIA Pop. 2,200,000 Map 11. The Okamatapati outreach yielded much fruit. Thirty people gave their lives to Christ. This is a remote

village, and there are no churches in this area. Pray for the Christ Groups that have started to thrive and bear even more fruit. Psalm 116 &117 (1 Chronicles 1-5)

5 SOUTH AFRICA Pop. 48,400,000 Map 1. There is a territorial battle among many churches within informal settlements which makes it

difficult for churches to work together for kingdom projects. Pray for unity among church leaders. Psalm 119:1-40 (1 Chronicles 10-12)

10 ZAMBIA Pop. 14,600,000 Map 14. Praise God for the 29 Christ Groups that formed as a result of an adult literacy

program in several communities. Pray that the increase in Christ Groups will result in many being won to Christ and instructed in their walk with God. Psalm 120 (Psalms 73-76)

12 CREATIVE ACCESS Pray for open doors for ministry to military personnel in this restricted nation. There is an entry

point through the chaplaincy, but this may be challenged by a new military bill restricting what approaches can and cannot be used. Psalm 122 (Psalms 79-81)

4 VENEZUALA Pop. 28,900,000 Map 214. Pray for several new sisters in Christ, that their unconverted husbands will not try to put up stumbling blocks to

prevent them from serving God. Pray that the husbands’ hearts will soften as their wives live out their new faith.Psalm 118 (1 Chronicles 6-9)

11BELIZE Pop. 14,600,000 Map 180. Pray for Stann Creek, a new district to be reached with the Gospel. It has a

population of 32,000. Most of the people are Garinagu, and there is a spirit of witchcraft. Pray for open doors and open hearts to the Gospel in this district. Psalm 121 (Psalms 77-78)

13 RUSSIA Pop. 142,500,000 Map 106. A family of five in a remote district has accepted Jesus as a result of long-distance

outreach, but there is no local church for this family to join. Ask God to raise up a Christ Group leader in these remote villages to guide these new believers. Psalm 123 (Psalms 82-85)

2 HONDURAS Pop. 8,500,000 Map 182. Praise the Lord for one of the groups of youth from Puerto Lempira who received Christ during our workers’

last visit to them. They are requesting material for discipleship to strengthen their spiritual life. Praise the Lord. Psalm 115 (Psalms 146-150)

1 ISRAEL Pop. 7,700,000 Map 116. Thank God for the safety felt in Israel although the nations around Israel are often hostile. Pray for Every Home for

Christ in Israel that the thousands of gospel booklets that have been placed in homes will bear fruit with many coming to know the Lord Jesus Christ. Psalm 114 (Psalms 135-136)

7 MADAGASCAR Pop. 23,200,00 Map 4. Pray that the Lord will provide all the funds needed to overhaul this office’s 4x4 vehicle, from bumper to

bumper, so that it will be like new again. This will allow them to reach out to far-off villages and towns, sharing the message of hope. Psalm 119:81-112 (Psalms 42, 44)

14 GUINEA Pop. 1,500,000 Map 45. Pray for peace in this nation as political violence has disrupted home-to-home gospel

ministry. Pray for God’s protection over our workers once they are finally able to reach these homes again. They are eager to continue the work. Psalm 124 (Psalms 87-88)

"They overcame him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony: and they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death." Speak your prayer!

8 SOUTH SUDAN Pop. 11,600,000 Map 32. Pray for Brother Geoffrey Abure whose house was burned down recently. It appears to have

been an organised plan to kill him. He suffered severe burns but is doing fine. Praise God he was saved by his son. Psalm 119:113-144 (Psalms 45-47)

15 KYRGYZSTAN Pop. 5,600,000 Map 110. Praise the Lord that many people are calling in with questions

about Jesus after receiving gospel literature. Pray for wisdom from the Lord in order to answer them well and for them to be strengthened in their newfound faith! Psalm 125 (1 Chronicles 17-22 )

CoLoMbIAby Kathy Gowler

26SLOVAKIA Pop. 5,400,000 Map 81. This team recently received three pallets of Slovak literature from Revival Movement Association

in Northern Ireland. This literature will fuel their ministry efforts for the next year! Thank God for believers who help each other. Psalm 136 (Isaiah 1-5)

25 CREATIVE ACCESS Praise God for a man in this closed country who picked up a New Testament that he found lying in the

street. When he read Revelation 3:20, he opened his heart to the Lord. It has brought peace in his life.

Psalm 135 (2 Chronicles 23:1 to 26:8)

24MACEDONIA Pop. 2,100,000 Map 74. Our volunteers have been working to reach flooded areas of Macedonia with both the

Gospel and humanitarian items—like food and hygiene products. Pray for the Lord to bring hope and relief to those affected by the flooding. Psalm 134 (Joel 1-3)

16 CREATIVE ACCESS One of the hardest things for our leaders is to have family members who are unsaved. But one of the

leaders in this nation has an adult son who just gave his life to Jesus! This is a great blessing for him as he ministers the Gospel. Psalm 126 (1 Chronicles 23-27)

18 MYANMAR Pop. 55,700,000 Map 135.Pray for a pioneer missionary who is in jail. He led a Christ Group in his town. But the

town chief did not like him and warned him to stop the group. Our brother did not stop, and the chief arrested him. Pray for his quick release. Psalm 128 (2 Chronicles 1-5)

20 CREATIVE ACCESS Praise God for the release of believers who were imprisoned for their faith! Their hearts are full of joy,

and they continue to serve the Lord now that they are free. Please continue to pray for God’s kingdom to come in this country! Psalm 130 (2 Chronicles 10-16)

22 REP OF THE CONGO - Pop. 4,700,000 Map 20. Praise the Lord for the healing of a brother who, after accepting Jesus as his

Saviour, instantly received healing as he was prayed for by our workers visiting homes. He is now healthy and walking with the Lord. Psalm 132 (Obadiah )

17 FRANCE Pop. 66,300,000 Map 89. Pray for Clement, a pioneer missionary. His testimony of Christ freeing him from

addiction feeds his zeal to spread the Gospel, and he is having a great impact on those he ministers to. Pray for open hearts as he shares the Good News. Psalm 127 (1 Chronicles 28-29)

19 BULGARIA Pop. 6,900,000 Map 77. A recent outreach was difficult; the police and local government officials tried to

slow the efforts. However, our workers were still able to reach 29,000 homes with the Gospel. Forty people have already responded to this wonderful message of hope. Psalm 129 (2 Chronicles 6-9)

21 PAPUA NEW GUINEA Pop. 6,600,000 Map 146. Praise God for seven young men in one district who once were drug addicts.

They found freedom when they gave their hearts to the Lord, and they are now going through discipleship training and working in the field as volunteers. Psalm 131 (2 Chronicles 17-21)

WRITE YOUR PRAYER REQUESTand send it to us in the enclosed envelope and we will pray for you.

30INDIA Pop. 1,236,300,000 Map 129. Pray for a 22-year-old girl, the only believer in her family, who fell sick and is in the hospital. She

accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Saviour only two weeks prior. Pray for her health and for the salvation of her family. Psalm 140 (Isaiah 7-12)

29 CHAD Pop. 11,400,000 Map 34. Pray for this nation as it experiences extreme heat. Pray for our workers as they go out in

difficult weather conditions and for the elderly, children and pregnant women who are also struggling with the heat. Psalm 139 (2 Chronicles 29-32)

31NIGER Pop. 17,500,000 Map 36. Continue to pray for peace and security as the people in this nation still feel the presence of war.

Pray also for God’s protection over our workers in the field that no harm would come to them as they faithfully go out to share the Gospel. Psalm 141 (Isaiah 13-23)

28 SPAIN Pop. 47,700,000 Map 60. As violent religious radicals become a growing concern across Europe, the police have

contacted evangelical churches about security measures, because attacks against evangelicals are a real possibility. Pray for the protection of God’s people in Spain. Psalm 138 (2 Chronicles 27-28)

23 GERMANY Pop. 81,000,000 Map 83. Praise the Lord that a new, online discipleship site is up and running. This

allows new believers to receive instant answers to their questions about the Bible. So far, 10 to 20 people have received Jesus through the website each month! Psalm 133 (2 Chronicles 22)

Australia: PO Box 168 Penshurst NSW 2222 Telephone: (02) 9570 8211 Facsimile: (02) 9570 4738New Zealand: PO Box 31-260 Milford North Shore City 0741 Telephone: Free call 0800 900 200 Facsimile: 0061 2 9570 4738

www.everyhome.org.au ehc@everyhome.org.au

27 SENEGAL Pop. 13,600,000 Map 47. Pray for a 17-year-old boy who decided to follow Jesus Christ and is now being

persecuted by his parents. Pray for God’s protection over this boy’s life, that his family’s hearts would soften and that he would not give up his walk with the Lord. Psalm 137 (2 Chronicles 26:9-23, Isaiah 6)