Praise for six wonderful days
with Margie’s sister Pat Vandermark, who teaches missionary
children in central Java. We loved seeing her home and school
set-up as well as visiting a lovely mountain and lake resort a
few hours’ drive away. As we walked we could see in every
direction gorgeous views of terraced fields. Nearly everyone we
met on our walks made friendly conversation, asking where we were
going, what we had bought and how much we paid for it (assuring
us that we paid too much!). On Palm Sunday we attended Pat’s
little Javanese church where they were planning an Easter egg
hunt for the children on Good Friday (to our surprise!). Pat said
they hid one egg for each child to find, and then had them decorate
it themselves for Easter.
We returned to Rahim Yar Khan just in time for Easter weekend.
On Good Friday Keval Dass took us to two villages where we had
well-attended times of worship. Three young men are preparing
to take a public stand for Christ. One is Mangala, who is married
to Keval’s sister Ruth; the others are his younger brother
Punoo and his cousin Ajju. This is a breakthrough in this extended
family. Pray they will be able to take this step during April.
Praise that Daniel’s father Lachman, the “Lion of
Jesus,” is continuing strong in his new-found faith and
is preparing to publicly declare it soon.
Easter was spent with Lazar who is gradually winning his six
brothers and their families, who all live in the same compound.
We see progress in their understanding and commitment each time
we visit. Praise that the local exorcist Lallu, a believer from
two years ago, confessed he had returned to his old practices
for a while but had now repented and come back to faith
Praise for successful surgery on Daud for urinary blockage. He
is still weak but that doesn't prevent him from carrying on his
ministry. Pray his strength will be fully restored and he will
take proper rest.
Praise that Khatu’s asthma is much improved since the prayer
team prayed for her. She and her husband, Hussu, are being inoculated
each week to help them develop immunity to the things that cause
their asthma. Pray this will be completely successful.
Praise that Kyle Scott has been appointed director of Habitat
for Humanity in Bangladesh, where they worked for ten years. He
with Lois, Kristen (16), Jesse (14), and Isaiah (9) have just
returned to the United States from Albania to prepare for this
assignment, which starts in mid-July. Praise for good bonding
with Albanian Christians during their 20 months there. Pray for
Kyle’s successful completion of his master’s in intercultural
studies from Fuller Seminary. He is taking his final intensive
starting April 4. Hopefully, David and Sara Treece will join Kyle
in completing their last course so all three can receive their
master's degrees from Fuller this June.
Praise that visas have been granted to Nicky, Esther (16), Luke
(13) and her brother Symen Van Leeuwen to work at Murree Christian
School for missionaries' children. Symen plans to fly out April
5. Nicky has wisely postponed their departure until the beginning
of the next school year in late August so that the children's
schooling will not be disrupted. She will be taking training in
special education July 24 to August 6 so she can help children
with special needs in addition to her nursing. She and Esther
are joining a church team to Haiti from April 8 to 16. Lois and
her kids will keep Luke company in Erie. We know the cousins will
enjoy that.
Praise for 16 young people who graduated on March 26 from the
first Crossroads Bible School course run in Erseke, Albania, for
the last six months. Mark and Ruth Stoscher and their staff are
grateful that the facility has been greatly improved and the students
found the course life-changing. Now they are busy preparing for
the many summer camps planned for warm weather.
Prayer items
Our work has faced a serious crisis this month due to deceit
and mismanagement of funds on the part of one of our most able
and trusted workers. Since the gospel has spread through family
connections, many new believers are his relatives, so this could
have far-reaching repercussions. We praise God that some misunderstandings
have been cleared up and in the end he showed a genuinely humble
and repentant spirit. Pray for special wisdom for those of us
who have to decide on the next step to take. Pray that the devil
will not use this to weaken the faith of believers or to work
a wedge between us, as church leaders and workers.
This week Daud’s nephew Bhaghwan, father of six children,
had a cerebral hemorrhage that has put him in the hospital in
serious condition. Pray for his recovery and that this will help
him come to faith.
Guman’s mother Nainu is now having radiation for throat
cancer, which has closed her esophagus. She is being fed through
a tube inserted in her stomach. To our amazement she continues
quite strong, talkative and cheerful, constantly witnessing to
her new faith in Christ. Pray for her son Kaisu and daughter Tulsi
who still resist giving their lives to Christ.
Due to more rain than usual this winter, the wheat harvest is
more plentiful than expected. However, swarms of locusts are predicted
to arrive this month right at wheat harvest. Pray for special
protection from this.
Pray for the following programs planned for April:
- April 7-9 - Tour of the nine newly established literacy centers,
to encourage teachers and students. Due to many weddings in
February, these centers got off to a slow start. Harvest begins
soon and most family members are expected to help. Pray for
good progress in spite of these hindrances.
- April 11-13 - Lay leadership training on the Christian home
in relation to the neighborhood. We have been encouraged by
the way these laypeople have been growing in faith and in courage
to witness. Pray this will continue.
- April 21-23 - Timothy meeting for young men to do programmed
textbook Bible studies. This is an excellent way for them to
grow in understanding and commitment to the Lord. Pray for good
attendance and responsive hearts.
- April.25-28 - Workers’ meetings to plan for May programs
and to give in-service training to literacy teachers and evangelists.
- Thanks again for your prayers and the personal interest many
of you show! We are convinced that the Lord is able to work
far beyond our expectations due to your faithfulness in prayer.
Blessings on you.
In Christ,
Fred and Margie Stock
The 2005 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p.
112
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