Thursday, November 22, 2012

Happy Thanksgiving from the Alphins


Holiday Greetings!

Once again, we have arrived at the time of year when most Americans pause to reflect, both on life and the benchmark moment in history that was the starting point for the holiday. For those of us who put God at the center of our very existence, the thoughts also focus upon the One who is the giver of life and sustenance, the One to whom we give thanks for all things.

In Finland, as we enter a new day between 7 and 10 hours earlier than the USA, our thoughts towards you have begun very early today.

Financial partners, we give thanks to God for you, more often than you know, for what you are enabling Him to do here in Finland. We truly appreciate your willingness to to make it possible for Jesus, with our help, reach the Finnish people. May He continually to bless you for your gifts to His Kingdom.

Prayer warriors,
you are the ones who continually uphold us, petitioning God to strengthen and cover us. Those prayers are heard by the Lord and felt by our family, and we are so thankful for you.

Thank you for your support in every way -- we could not possibly do 'what we do' without YOU! We pray for you often, asking God to both strengthen, equip, and bless you richly.

May your holiday be mightily filled with His presence,

Mark, Glenda, Miranda, and Candace

Africa in Revival


Botswana
Area Coordinator, Ted Grosbach - reported by Olebogeng Molefhi

At a local Fresh Fire conference, eleven received the baptism of the Holy Spirit and four were baptized in Jesus' name.

Equatorial Guinea
Regional Misionary, Peter Mua family

There were four who received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, five healed by the power of God, and one delivered from demonic possession.

Gabon
Randy Adams family - reported by Pastor Désiré

There were five baptized in Jesus' name, two received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and one was delivered.

Ghana
Nick Sisco & Colleen Carter families

There was a successful National Council with regional reports totaling 842 having received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, 980 baptized in Jesus' name, and twenty-nine healings throughout the country in one year. There were also five new church buildings completed and two new preaching points established.

The pastors were recently inspired to reach the next generation at Teacher Training Seminars.

Kenya
Jim Crumpacker & Patrick Groves families

In two months, a total of 186 were baptized in Jesus' name, 215 received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and 356 healed of various infirmities. There were also 166 Home Bible studies taught, two new preaching points established, and forty-five backsliders restored.

Liberia
Albert Stewart family

During regular services thirty-eight were baptized in Jesus' name and forty received the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Madagascar
Chris Richardson family

Recently a group of 125-150 university students gathered to talk about establishing Campus Ministries. This is an exciting open door of ministry.

A church had a special revival, and fifty-seven received the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Other local churches report seventy-eight who received the baptism of the Holy Spirit and fifty-six baptized in Jesus' name. One church had a deaf person healed, and others report several being set free from demon possession.

Nigeria
Gerry McLean family

One of the Bible school students baptized two of his brothers during a term break.

The missionary baptized fifty-five adult members in Jesus' name from one church during a special revival service.

One of the pastors baptized four in Jesus' name during a Friday night service and then prayed all four through to the Holy Spirit the next morning.

A first time visitor was asked to come forward for special prayer at the Bible school church. She was obviously pregnant and in great distress of soul. After prayer, she returned home, went into labor, and successfully delivered a baby boy. The interesting part of this story is that this was her fourth pregnancy. The previous three ended with C-sections and the death of all three babies. The mother gives God the glory for this successful natural child birth.

The Bible school church baptized six in Jesus' name, and two received the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Reunion
Randall Richardson family - reported by Sister Michèle
A church officially opened in the East.

The Pastoral Institute opened with twenty students.

The Bible Institute held a diploma's ceremony, and ten received their degrees after three years of study.

The first ladies conference had a daily attendance of thirty or more.

A pastor's brother was baptized in Jesus' name. His wife had been baptized and received the baptism of the Holy Spirit over a year ago. The brother was a former alcohol addict and lived totally in the world. After receiving much teaching from his brother, the pastor, the man agreed to be baptized.

Seychelles
Randall Richardson family - reported by Brother Mamy

The conference was blessed with the presence of the Lord. Many lives were touched and changed by the power of God. Two were baptized in Jesus' name, and about fifteen new contacts were recorded and need follow-up.

Sierra Leone
Area Coordinator, Randy Adams - reported by Rev. Christopher Conteh

The national board visited the provincial churches and was blessed by the way God is building the church. They also had a very productive three days of national prayer and fasting program with many in attendance. The church is excited about what God is going to do, how they will change, and how they will grow.

Togo
Randy Adams & Mike Benson families

A woman went into respiratory distress and stopped breathing. After the prayer of faith was prayed in Jesus' name, she began breathing again.

Uganda
Phil Tolstad & Steve Phelps families

During a conference, eighty-seven received the baptism of the Holy Spirit and seventeen were baptized in Jesus' name. Two Trinitarian pastors are now receiving Bible studies on the Oneness. On the Sunday after the conference, fifty-eight were baptized in Jesus' name at a local church. One day was devoted to teaching on faith, and many miracles and healings were reported.

News from the Carvers


Dear Partners and Friends, 

SUNDAY SCHOOL CONFERENCE:
In October we held our National Sunday School Conference with over 500 children in attendance. The guest speakers did a fantastic job, teaching new songs, acting with dramas and getting the important message across to the children of giving their hearts to God and living for Him. Our theme for the Conference was, John 3:16 “The Greatest Gift of All”. Over the entire Conference we had 102 children and youth filled with the Holy Ghost and 48 Baptized in Jesus Name!!! 
Praise the Lord!! It was precious to see these children worshiping with all their hearts, lifting up the Name of Lord in one accord. The Guest Speakers demonstrated to the Sunday School teachers how they can use new innovative ways to reach the PNG children. Surely they are the Church of tomorrow!!

BIBLE SCHOOL:
 


In August, Richard and Bro Pai traveled to Lae, a major city down the mountain about 5 hours from Goroka, to do a 7 day night class with 38 students. This was the first ever night class performed in Lae!! This is for those working people who can not attend the day school in Goroka. The overall feeling from everyone was excitement and thankfulness that they do can learn the Word. Of course there is still so much more to do in Lae and over the next 12 months we hope to travel again and  do some more teaching. While Richard was in Lae, Bro Pai travelled further onto to Kimbe (another island north of Lae) and conducted Minister's Seminar. There is much excitement among the church people about the great changes happenings!! What's also very exciting is now we are on the verge of starting on a new building project thanks to a wonderful church in the US. We already have an existing Bible School building, but we have no permanent dormitories or washing facilities. We are also going to relocate the Headquarters to the Bible School compound. We ask you to continue to pray for wisdom and strength for us as we undertake this huge project.

KIDS CORNER:
 

We are very happy to report that, during the Sunday School Conference, Laura, our daughter, gave her heart to the Lord and was baptized in Jesus’ Name!!On Sunday Morning at 8.00am, 47 other children joined Laura down at the local river to be baptized. It was a wonderful baptism service to behold!

PRAYER REQUESTS
  • Ground-breaking Ceremony for our new Bible School Development in November
  • Minister’s Conference in November
  • National Youth Conference in Jan 2013
  • Safety for the family
Please we need your help! Next year in March 2013 the Pacific Region is hosting a Regional Retreat in Hawaii. Richard and I will love to attend and have some much needed fellowship with our fellow missionaries, if you can help please send support to our account. Thank you very much!!!

The Carvers

Friday, November 16, 2012

Hello from Korea

Today, as I contemplate what stories to share from my life here in Korea, I find that the first thing my fingers itch to type is a list of prayer requests for the nation, so here goes:

-Pray for a sweet grandmother who fairly recently began attending our church. Due to pressure from her family over the holidays, she has stopped attending.

-Pray for wisdom and direction for the church leadership.

-Pray for the upcoming national elections.  

-Pray for the new AIMer recently arrived in Korea. She will be here for six months.

-Pray for the Bible college.

-Pray for the children, young people, and young adults in the Korean church. (and adults!)

-Pray regarding standards of holiness, inside and out.

-Pray for favor amongst the people of Korea.

The days are passing so quickly, and I often find myself shocked when I look at the calendar. I am grateful to God for the fulness which fills my days. I have made many new friends and have seen the "growth moments" in the lives of people with whom I go to church. I am thankful for this, even as I ache for more (myself included). The best is yet to come, and I rejoice in this fact.


Look for more updates from my life in Korea in my next post

Thank you for sharing in this with me!

God bless,
Heather 



Thursday, November 15, 2012

Africa Network of Prayer, November


November Calendar Events

01 Nov       MADAGASCAR    Children's day in Ambohidratrimo (SS Division)
01 Nov       CONGO (DRC)       Kinshasa Prayer Emphasis-praying for Unity
01-02 Nov  MADAGASCAR    Married PKs' Seminar in Ampandrana
                                      Guest Speakers: Monte & Dianne Showalter
01-03 Nov  MAURITIUS           National Ladies Retreat
01-03 Nov  REUNION               First National Ladies Conference
01-03 Nov  GABON                   Prayer & Fasting
02 Nov       CONGO (DRC)       Kinshasa Prayer Emphasis-Praying for Nat'l Board
02-04 Nov  CONGO (DRC)       Opening of a new church in Musevu Mayi, Western Kasai
03 Nov       ZIMBABWE           Sunday School Outing
03 Nov       CONGO (DRC)       Youth meetings in each district of Kinshasa
04 Nov       CONGO (DRC)       Evangelism Harvest in Eastern Kasai
05-07 Nov  CAMEROON          Minister's and Wives Conference
07-09 Nov  MADAGASCAR    Marriage seminar Region E
07-10 Nov  LIBERIA                 National Youth Conferece
08-11 Nov  CAMEROON          National Convention
08-11 Nov  KENYA                    River Yala Revival in Lukhari
09-11 Nov  NIGERIA                 Delta State Convention
09-11 Nov  BURKINA FASO    First Crusade in Bobo Dioulasso
10 Nov       CONGO (DRC)       Ministries' Leadership training meeting in Katanga East
10 Nov       CONGO (DRC)       Apostolic Men's Meeting in the districts of Kinshasa
11 Nov       CONGO (DRC)       Evangelism Harvest in Kasai Oriental
14-17 Nov  KENYA                   Evangelism Board and Seminar
14-16 Nov          GABON                   National Board Retreat
15 Nov       CONGO (DRC)       Ladies Meetings in each of the 3 districts of Kinshasa
16 Nov       LIBERIA                 Section II, Pastors' meeting
16-18 Nov  MAURITIUS          Evangelistic Crusade at RocheBondieu, Rodrigues
17 Nov       BURKINA FASO   Ministers' Kids Event
17 Nov       CONGO (DRC)      Children's Crusade and Teachers' training in Kinshasa Province
18-21 Nov  UGANDA                Mt. Elgon Regional Conference
21-24 Nov  KENYA                   National Board Meeting
22-24 Nov  LIBERIA                 National Sunday School Workshop and Visitation
22-25 Nov  KENYA                   Mt. Kenya Ladies' Convention in Kangemaga
22-25 Nov  UGANDA                Lake Victoria Regional Conference
23-24 Nov  ZIMBABWE          Midlands Conference
24 Nov       CONGO (DRC)      Kinshasa Provincial Board Meeting
24 Nov       GABON                   Youth Day
25 Nov       LIBERIA                Pastor's appreciation service at Victory Tabernacle
25 Nov       CONGO (DRC)      Communion services in the local churches of Kinshasa
25 Nov       ZIMBABWE          Big Sunday (Midlands) at Amaveni Kwekwe
29 Nov-01 Dec    KENYA         National Crusade in Nakuru
28 Nov-02 Dec    GABON         National Conference
30 Nov       LIBERIA                National Leaders' Meeting


AFRICA REGION & BEYOND

04 Nov   AFRICA REGION     Pray for Africa's Children
14 Nov   GLOBALLY   Pray for the French-speaking nations of the

 
Africa Region and Around the World







BURKINA FASO
Over 3,000 have died this year already from malaria in Burkina. Pray for our village pastors and their families. With threats of kidnaping just 3 hours north of our home and armed bandits moving around the south, we are feeling some uneasiness in Burkina. With Islamic militants being active in Mali, we are feeling the need to work harder while the doors are still open here.

GHANA
I just returned from a weekend in the village. God has been good. We had revival services with Living Life Christian Ministries (Oneness Pentecostal) over the weekend, and I had three hours with their leadership on Saturday. 9 received the Holy Ghost and 10 were healed. Glory be to God!   

LIBERIA
We request prayer for the safe arrival of our National Superintendent, Steven Benda, on Nov. 2nd from his trip to the United States and the General Conference in St. Louis, MO.

MADAGASCAR
This year's final National Board Meeting was different from the normal board meetings that are normally held each year.  This time it included some special leadership training sessions brought by Missionary Monte Showalter.  The National Board expressed that it was the best meeting they had ever had and left challenged to do more to see greater revival throughout the island nation of Madagascar.  Sis. Dianne Showalter also had a few special sessions for the board wives, and they too were encouraged and challenged to help their husbands work even harder in the responsibilities they have been elected to fulfill.  Business was also accomplished with several new church properties being purchased, assistance to several churches to finish putting a roofs on new church buildings before the rainy season sets in, and even assistance for some churches to help them begin building a new building before long.  The ultimate goal is to eventually have land and buildings for every established UPC congregation all around Madagascar.  Thank the Lord for continued growth and revival!

MAURITIUS
Pray for new church opening on the island of Rodrigues at AnseQuitor Corail.  There were eight people who received the Holy Ghost during recent crusade at this new location.  One was baptized, and there were twenty first-time visitors.  Also, pray for all workers and their wives.  Pray for AIMer Sister Ikerd. She needs prayer in regard to her "Visa Situation"

SOUTH SUDAN
Needing prayer for the establishing of new strong churches, also for continued Leadership Training.  Please continue to pray for peace and stability in the country.

UGANDA
During the recent West Nile Conference, there were 78 filled with the Holy Ghost and 17 were baptized in Jesus Name. Two Trinitarian pastors are having Bible Studies. We also had testimonies of many healings. Assisntant Superintendent Christia and Presbyter Mike Ogwal were special speakers.


Thursday, November 1, 2012

Praying for Cyprus



We took time last night after service to pray for Cyprus. God moved in such a special way. We are so thankful for the Summers family, Missionaries to Cyprus. Bro. Summers really ministered to our church last night. God knows exactly where we are. He always ALWAYS comes through.

We are so thankful for our Missionaries, who GO into all the world to share the Gospel of Love.