June 2003
From June 24 to August 26 our mailing address will be c/o
Mark and Ruth Stoscher, House of Hope, Erseke, Kolonje, Albania.
email: MRSto8scher@aol.com (The 8 is not a mistake.) Phone:
(355) 842-2159.
Praise items
Praise for constructive meetings with George McBane and the literacy
teachers and evangelists. Since the start of this ministry the
literacy supervisor and some other workers have been from the
Punjabi Christian community. In order to have harmonious relationships,
it is necessary for all of us non-Meghwals to learn the customs
and culture of these tribal people and be sensitive to their feelings.
Some have done better than others in this. When the New Life Center
was closed, all but one of the Punjabi workers left the area to
look for other jobs. The Meghwals have responded by expressing
their desire to learn how to manage their own teaching and evangelism.
They argue that the time needed to teach non-Meghwals how to understand
and relate to their tribe could be better spent in training their
own people to carry on the ministry more effectively. They are
open to fellowship with others, but want to take more responsibility
for reaching their own. To a large extent this is a healthy sign
of growing maturity and we welcome it. They lack highly educated
leaders, but that isn’t necessarily essential to them. Their
spiritual stature in their community has been increasing.
They chose four men to be an overall managing committee. The
work of literacy supervisor was divided up temporarily and Haima
chosen to be trained for that position. We rejoice in their willingness
to work hard for the advancement of their tribe. Pray they will
grow and blossom as they look to God for the wisdom needed.
Praise that both of Haima’s children, Samuel and Elishba,
pulled through a tough siege of pneumonia shortly after having
the measles. Both of these children are miracle babies, born after
much pain and prayer.
Pray for his mother, Khatu, who is greatly hindered in her witness
and teaching by severe asthma these days. God can and loves to
heal.
Praise for a growing list of people who want baptism while George
is here, including Keval’s young wife, Saimu, and Ruth’s
husband, Mangala. (Pray for Ruth’s first baby expected imminently.)
They are learning key verses to strengthen their faith and are
growing in their ability to pray aloud and witness to others.
Pray for wisdom for us and George as to how to prepare and when
to ordain Meghwal leaders to take over this responsibility.
Praise that Kyle and Lois Scott feel called to work with Mark
and Ruth Stoscher in Albania while Kyle works on a master’s
in global leadership from Fuller Seminary. Many courses can be
taken over the Internet and practical mission experience is valued
as he works on this degree. Lois also hopes to take a course in
child development while working in the small orphanage that is
being started in Erseke. The children will be home schooled along
with the children of the Gundy family, Stoscher’s co-workers.
All are excited about this move!
Praise that we will be spending July and August in Albania and
can enjoy both sets of grandchildren (seven in all). We will be
meeting Stephen Dale Stoscher (5 months) for the first time—a
real treat!
Praise that Sara and David Treece have been invited to work with
an NGO in reconstruction of areas hard hit by the earthquake.
They already have contact with severely injured earthquake victims
and look forward to more opportunities to be of service. Praise
that SARS has not hit their province. Extreme precautions are
being taken. At their college no students are allowed to leave
the campus or to visit faculty members. They personally are less
restricted. On a recent train trip they had their temperature
taken before boarding, once an hour during the trip, and at arrival.
School children are required to wear strings of garlic to class.
That must make for quite an aroma!
Praise that Gail McBane was led to just the right house to rent
in Siloam Springs in a lovely setting when their rented home sold.
Pray for her as she has to move everything before George gets
back June 24.
Praise for David’s graduation from university. Pray for
him as he seeks employment. Pray for Rachel who is planning to
join Youth With A Mission (YWAM) in Florida for the next six months.
Pray it will be an exciting spiritual experience for her.
Prayer items
Pray for the four literacy teachers (Toloka, Amir, Daniel and
Ayube) as they finalize arrangements for two teaching centers
each. A center should have at least a dozen students over 12 years
old willing to give three hours a day for a year and a half. That
is quite a commitment! In addition, each teacher has an organized
worship center once a week. Bible stories and verses are taught
and regular oral tests are taken.
Pray for students with responsive hearts who will be led to commit
their lives as a result of their studies.
Pray for visas for the McBanes to return to Pakistan soon. Praise
for the prayer and financial support that has come in for them.
Pray for the remainder of their needs to be met. Pray for them
as they visit new church contacts, that the Lord will raise up
many who will stand with them in prayer, concern, and funds.
Pray for Paul, Pat, and their foursome, plus the children’s
tutor, Andy, as they are taking a week’s holiday in the
mountains of Swat. Pray for their security and against accidents
and injuries. Elisha (13) fell 20 feet out of a tree before they
left home and fractured his right arm in two places and sprained
one ankle. Pray for his total healing and that he will still be
able to enjoy the family holiday.
Pray for Nicky as she looks for a job that will use her nursing
skills. She tutored weak students during the school year but longs
to get back to her first love—nursing. Esther and Luke did
well in school. They have postponed their return visit to Pakistan
that was planned for June. That is good since this month is proving
unusually hot. They may come at Christmas time. In the meantime
she looks forward to a visit from her mother, brother Symen, and
another friend from Australia in August.
Pray for the following programs planned for June:
- June 5-7 A refresher course for the literacy teachers. Master
Amir has been given the responsibility to review proper teaching
methods, make sure all have necessary flashcards, charts and
teaching helps in good order. He is serious about his responsibilities.
- June 9-11 Group 2—those who are preparing for baptism
among the Saraiki speaking Meghwals. We are hoping for 15-20
to attend this. Pray that baptismal services can be planned
soon afterwards.
- June 18-20 Workers’ meeting for fellowship and planning
before George leaves for the United States on June 22.
Your prayers release God’s power in amazing ways. Thanks
for standing with us in this way.
In His love,
Margie and Fred Stock
The 2003 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p.
162
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