CMS Mission Update Online

From hecklers to seekers

Three men who were determined to fluster a Christian television host have had a change of heart.

The host presents a live call-in show on the SAT-7 Pars network, which broadcasts Christian programming in the Farsi language across Iran and the wider Persian world, including Central Asia.

“Since we started live shows in December 2009, we have had a very positive response,“ CMS-supported Sara Afshari, executive director of SAT-7 Pars, said.

“However, we also had these three men who would call regularly, attempting to provoke the presenter with their questions and attitude.”

Sara said the presenter always responded politely to the hecklers and answered their questions. “In the end this won their hearts and they called and apologised for their behaviour. One even sent a gift. These men have gone from provoking to seekers!”

SAT-7 Pars broadcasts 20 hours a day. In addition to sharing the gospel, the channel encourages the Christian minority in sometimes-hostile territory.

“I recently met a couple who told me that when they lived in Turkmenistan, our programmes were the only Christian resource they had in Farsi and our programme helped them grow in their faith. Today this couple minister amongst Iranians in the US.”

Picture: The Sat-7 Pars team

A big step for disabled Burundians

Disabled people in Burundi are closer than ever to being integrated with their able-bodied counterparts, thanks to the efforts of Lucy and Steve McIlhenny, CMS SALT partners, who are setting up The Bethesda Project in Muyinga.

“We have now had activities sessions with eight children with disabilities,” said Lucy.

These sessions have been casual with small games and team challenges to get participants used to doing sports and working together. “It’s great to see them smiling and tentatively beginning to try new things.”

The goal is that, through sport, disabled and non-disabled people will join together.

Currently, disabled people are often excluded and disdained in Burundi. “We are also be beginning to do sessions with a group of eight children without disabilities and our aim is that after a couple of months, we will mix the two groups,” said Lucy.

Lucy and Steve have been in Burundi for a year, starting The Bethesda Project from scratch. The idea was formed after Bishop Eraste Bigirimana of Muyinga Diocese, Burundi, visited The Kepplewray Project, Cumbria in 2007 (where the McIlhennys worked). He saw a project effectively using sport to help people with disabilities and was inspired to create a similar project for the thousands of Burundians with disabilities.

Picture: Two young disabled boys get a sporting chance

Miner Jose returns to Chile's enthusiastic press

It seems rescued Chilean miner Jose Henriquez is as popular with the press there as he was here.

El Mercurio covered his arrival back in Chile with the headline quote "Obama was impressed by my story about the mine".

He has been to a diverse selection of churches across England, Ireland and the US to give talks about his experience in the mine and testimony to his faith, El Mercurio reported.

Jose's verdict on Obama, whom he met at the National Prayer Breakfast? "'The President is a warm, friendly man,' said the miner who adopted the role of spiritual guide during their 70 days in the mine."

The paper says he spoke to  over 1,000 people at the Prayer Breakfast, although he only had a few minutes. He found it significant that participants came from many countries and religions.

"'Everyone wanted to praise God and tell about their experiences. Most of them were Christian.' In England he visited churches across the country."

Oppression and slavery have ended - now we are free

Will separation of North and South Sudan actually bring greater unity? Mission partner Trisha Wick, based in Sudan, has been keeping us posted on the referendum process:

"'Oppression and slavery have ended - now we are free,' a local lady said in Maridi!

"On Feb. 7th the final official result of the South Sudan Referendum was announced and confirmed the preliminary result that nearly 99% of Southerners voted to separate from the North.

"The parties started again but this time they were big.

"Sudan becomes a separate nation on July 9th 2011.

"The Referendum brought together the North and South and in some ways relationships are now better than before. Maybe we need separation to find unity in Sudan.

"Both Presidents are determined to keep a close relationship and cooperate together even when we are two nations. There is much work ahead but God is going before us."

For more prayer points and other resources on Sudan see the CMS website.

34th Man Tour - Moved to tears in Kirkby

"I want to share two stories from the event that really touched me," says Gaenor Hall of CMS, who was instrumental in organising the tour of rescued Chilean miner Jose Henriquez and CMS mission partner Alf Cooper, chaplain to the president of Chile.

FRIDAY 31 JAN, KIRKBY IN ASHFIELD – "Kirkby was a community that had been economically destroyed by the miners strikes and pit closures of the 1980s.

"As a result church work in the community became difficult. People were bitter and up to seven years ago murders were still taking place within the mining network out of bitterness and resentment of the miners’ strike.

"The first meeting with Jose and Alf that day was at Kirkby Miners' Welfare... the mining community would not come to the church – so the church went to them.

"It was standing room only.

"I found myself sitting in a corridor talking to the local minster of the area. He was in tears. Unable to believe that CMS would send the tour to Kirkby – an out-of-the-way insignificant nothing of a place – as a result of the meeting this minister rededicated his life to mission in his community.

"As the meeting came to an end – I was stopped by a lady who wanted to make a donation to CMS. She took out her purse and emptied its contents into the bag I was holding. Her friend asked what she was going to do as that was all the money she had until her pension was paid again.

"The lady replied, 'God will supply – I know it is right to give.'

"Please continue to pray for what God has started. I am in contact with one of the ministers who is producing a DVD of the event – and giving it as a gift to every church in the whole area of Kirkby, Sutton and Skegby."

34th Man Tour: Next stop, breakfast with Obama

The sanctuary of St Matthew's Church Cheltenham holds 400+ and I'd venture to say there wasn't an empty chair or a dry eye in the house as Alf and Jose wrapped up their England tour with a retelling of their unforgettable story.

We really should mention what it's meant to have Blanca, Jose's wife, on this tour.

As she has recounted her perspective on the events that began unfolding on 5 August — from her initial disbelief that such a thing could be happening to her unwavering faith throughout the 69-day ordeal — her warm and humble spirit have no doubt encouraged thousands of people.

Currently winging their way to Washington, DC, our beloved Chileans are scheduled to attend President Barack Obama's Prayer Breakfast and then come back to Ireland to continue sharing the message that God is good and prayer is powerful.

Were you at Cheltenham? Leave us a comment to fill in the picture...

Transgender people truly transformed through Jesus

Some of the most marginalised people in India – the transgender community – are hearing for the first time that God loves them, thanks to CMS co-mission partner Dr Lalita Edwards.

Known already for her ministry amongst women trapped in the sex trade, Dr Lalita (pictured) has earned the trust of many people in the red-light area of Pune, including several eunuchs.

One of them is B, who ran away from an abusive home at age 8 and entered the sex industry as a teenager.

“It is often the only option available, as hijras are considered the lowest of the low in society and face constant discrimination and rejection,” explained Dr Lalita.

During a bout of harassment on a train, B met a pastor who offered prayer and a listening ear. After meeting with the pastor and attending his church several times, B began following Jesus.

According to Dr Lalita, this kind of care is rare, as until recently, many churches have been resistant to allowing believing eunuchs to worship in their congregations. B was referred to Dr Lalita, who offered friendship and continued to share God’s love. B has left the sex industry and is ministering to other transgender people.

“We must work to change the perceptions of the church and of hijras, who believe the abusive things they have heard about themselves. I want those who come to the Lord to have a strong biblical foundation and vocational skills that will get them out of prostitution,” said Dr Lalita.

Audiomission special: Chilean miner Jose Henriquez

It was ordinary day in August when a sudden rockfall trapped 33 Chilean miners deep underground. Among them was a deeply committed Christian who was to guide the group in prayers and offer them spiritual support.

Jose Henriquez was that man and now he has come to the UK with CMS to tell the remarkable story of how his faith sustained him during the 69 days the group were trapped underground - and how the rescue he sees as a miracle has driven him to become a missionary.

With him (and translating in this podcast) is his new friend the Rev Alf Cooper, CMS mission partner and Protestant chaplain to the President of Chile.

Listen: Chilean miner Jose Henriquez

Produced and presented by Mike Stranks. More on the "34th Man" Tour with Jose and Alf.

[ Format: mp3 | File size: 7.67MB | Length: 9m35s ]

 

More “lost and forgotten” find help and hope

Vulnerable women in Birmingham have a new centre to go to for practical and life-changing help.

In 2010, thanks in part to a major grant from the Ministry of Justice, Anawim, a thriving project directed by CMS mission partner Joy Singh (pictured), increased its capacity to help women struggling to overcome abuse, addiction, involvement in prostitution and imprisonment.

“We opened a new centre for women to access on the North side of the city, including a new crèche for their children. We have seen a dramatic increase in women coming to us,” said Joy.

Anawim (Hebrew for “the lost and forgotten ones”) helps hundreds of women rebuild their lives.

Outreach workers regularly take to the streets to befriend women exploited by the sex industry and to invite them to the centre. They also visit prisons to offer women support while they are incarcerated and a place to come to when they are released.

At Anawim, women become empowered through education, employment, counselling, mentoring and legal assistance.

Some women eventually become volunteers so they can help others.

The project has been so successful that Anawim has taken on an advisory role to the government.

“Anawim gave me a place to go before I entered rehab,” said one woman. “I am finding that I can really help people because I have been through stuff myself. Jesus has brought me through so I can help others…I have a new life today.”

“Thanks to everyone for their prayers, thoughts, financial and material help,” Joy said. “We are blessed by the generosity of you all in gifts of food, clothes, presents, toys and much more.”