A New Blog, Seek Ye First The Kingdom

Dear Brethren,

Brother Leo Nikoldze is a faithful member of the West End congregation (the spiritual family of which I am a part, and with whom I labour here in Toronto). Leo is set to begin his third year at the University of Toronto this Fall and is a brilliant student, but his true passion is for the Lord and to do His will.

Leo has recently begun a blog called, Seek Ye First the Kingdom. I am proud of my young brother and I want to encourage you to check out his writings, subscribe to the blog, leave helpful
comments, etc...

Leo is a great and much beloved friend, very much like a son to me in the faith.

I pray that you are all thriving in the faith!

Your Friend and Brother,

John Maddocks

Stephen Buys - Report May & June 2009 - South Africa

Dear Brethren,

In writing my report this month I thought I would not have much to say. Until I started reflecting upon what has been happening the last few weeks and realized just how busy we have been.

I continue teaching and conducting services every Sunday here at the congregation that meets in our home. The Church here at Horizon Park is growing spiritually if not numerically at the moment. Some of our regular visitors have been struggling to make worship, family illnesses and transport problems. Sometimes we forget just how blessed we are with our own motor vehicles. Our public transport system here in South Africa is not only difficult to use, but it's also expensive. Public transport consists primarily of mini bus taxis (license for 15 but overloaded to 19 passengers) which are not always road worthy and the drivers drive recklessly.

I am teaching first principles currently on Sunday mornings. While it is not the most challenging of topics for the teacher, the firm foundation of Christ and the apostles teaching is of vital importance to new converts.

What I find very motivating, however, is that I get feedback about discussions that the members have friends and family, how they are able identify, and argue against unscriptural worship practices that their friends and family are engaged in.

My weekly bible studies on Revelation are continuing and I believe are bearing fruit and helping Marie to grow in knowledge and understanding.

My weekly evening visits to the Rehabilitation hospital are continuing. There are a few new patients in and things seem to be encouraging so far, but only time will tell. I am making arrangements to visit the hospital in the day, which should give me more time to spend with patients.

I am booked to preach in Nylstoom every weekend while Les & Linda Maydell are away but unfortunately I had to cancel my trip for the 28th of June. Wendy had hurt her back on the Friday and I did not her to transfer my heavy weight any more than was absolutely necessary.

I was also asked to perform a marriage ceremony for one of my brother’s friends, although he is not a Christian, he wanted his marriage recognized as a religious ceremony. I took the opportunity to teach God’s will regarding marriage.

On a personal front, I've been busy with my secular studies. I wrote my first set of exams in May, June for the Counseling Psychology degree.

I am very pleased to say I passed all five subjects. In fact I did better than I had expected. My studies are continuing well and I fully believe they can only aid me in doing the Lord’s work. This is Wendy’s busy time of the year and she has been working extremely long hours. The international financial crisis has made the budget forecast period extremely stressful.

Considering the financial crisis that the world is undergoing at this stage, I would like to once again thank the various congregations and individuals for the financial assistance that you're giving me, and the Fellowship that we have in spreading the gospel here in South Africa. I really do appreciate it.

Please keep praying for me and the Lord's work here in South Africa.

In Christ's service,

Steve Buys

Preaching the Good News in Norwalk, Ohio: June 2009

Brethren,

Greetings.

Peace, mercy, and grace be with you all from God our Father and the Lord Jesus
Christ.

We are enjoying an overall cooler summer, and pray that you are well.

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Working with the Brethren

While some members are still experiencing various challenges, we have been encouraged to see one such member repent of her sins and work diligently to improve her condition. We have also enjoyed many different opportunities to share meals with many of the brethren and hope to continue to do so.

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Lessons, Classes, and Studies

Morning lessons in June focused on Jesus' parables, Jesus' resurrection, why good things happen to bad people, and 1 Peter 1:1-7. We have continued a study of the books of the Bible with the evening lessons, focusing on Jeremiah and Lamentations. As always, the lessons are available in outline and mp3 forms at norwalkchurch.org.

The men's Bible class on Ephesians is finishing up and has been well-received. We are also continuing our study in Luke with our recent converts who are still doing well at bringing their friends to assemblies.

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Evangelism

The Bible correspondence courses are continuing. We have been encouraged to see some local responses thanks to some posters in public places and advertisement of the course on our sign.

We again knocked on doors this month and hope to do the same through the rest of the summer. We are also preparing for our fall meeting in September.

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Truth Lectures

Toward the end of June my family and I headed to Bowling Green, Kentucky, for the Truth Lectures. I was asked to speak on Whosoever Will: The Tension Between Divine Grace and Human Freedom, an attempt to document the history of the dispute over predestination and free will and to try to foster understanding of not just the issue but the perspectives of God and attitudes toward tradition that perpetuated the dispute. The responses to the lecture indicated that I was successful in my objectives for the lecture. I appreciated the opportunity for deeper study of a issue that often troubled me and the opportunity to promote the Gospel.

My participation in the Truth Lectures should not be construed as an endorsement of everything that is taught by the various people involved with the Guardian of Truth Foundation. It was an opportunity to study an issue in greater depth and encourage brethren through greater understanding of that issue. If anyone has questions or
concerns, please let me know.

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Support

I would like to thank all of you for your participation in the work here in Norwalk, either through your prayers or through encouraging me or through financial support. I would like to solicit your continual prayers so that the work here may prosper.

May the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirits.

Ethan R. Longhenry

Ethan R. Longhenry / deusvitae@hotmail.com
Evangelist, church of Christ in Norwalk, Ohio [norwalkchurch.org]
Homepage: deusvitae.com
AIM: Deus Vitae / ICQ: 28317056
Y! IM: discipuliiesus

Spiritual Manna
A biweekly devotional for your life.
www.deusvitae.com/faith/manna

Review - The Big Picture of the Bible - by Ken Craig

Clearing Away the Clutter



In just 34 pages Kenneth Craig does the remarkable job of clearing away centuries of clutter, and laying out clearly and succinctly, the "Big Picture" of the Bible, and the clear Gospel message of salvation. I believe what Kenneth has done here is nothing sort of remarkable!

I would encourage all to clear their minds of preconceived ideas and to prayerfully read through this booklet. Have a Bible on hand to read for yourself the abundant scripture references that Kenneth has provided.

Don't think that because this is just a booklet that it has little to say. David was just a youth, and yet he killed Goliath. Why? Because the Lord was with him. Judge for yourself if what Kenneth says is from God, but do not think that because the book is small in size that it doesn't have a mighty message!

Apologetics Press Response to the Ida Fossil

If you have been keeping up with the news this past week, you have no doubt heard about "the most significant scientific discovery of recent times”, that being the fossilized remains of, Ida, purported to be a link between man and his ancient primate ancestry.

On the Apologetics Press website is an excellent article, refuting these outrageous claims. You can read the article here:

http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/240160

Many thanks to groups like Apologetics Press for refuting, clearly and plainly, the boastful claims of those who claim to be wise in the scientific world.

Contend earnestly for the faith brethren,

John Maddocks

UPDATE

Here is another excellent article on this subject, this time from Answers in Genesis:

http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/2009/05/19/ida-missing-link

And yet another great article, this one from Creation Ministries International

http://creation.com/darwin-fossil-ida-hype

A service of Thanksgiving

The following is from Tol Burk's excellent, Caribbean Way, blog.

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I arrived in the Dominican Republic yesterday at 3:45 and was outside with luggage in 5 minutes-a minor miracle. From there we traveled 30 minutes to Guerra, where one of the sisters was having a service of thanksgiving at her home. They were alreay singing when we arrived--between 65 & 70 people and after a couple of songs I preached to the group. Most of the brethren from Guerra (25 or so) were present, which means there were around 40 visitors, so my theme was the importance of knowing God´s Word, encouraging them to ask the local brethren for help. One of the "problems" here is that close to half of the older men can´t read but are ashamed to admit it, so anything that might reveal this "weakness" they shun. Studying the Bible can be very embarrasing because they are asked to read, so I dealt with that a little.

After the service was over all were served juice, snacks in a small styrofoam box and what you would think of as a birthday cake.

The ocasion for thanksgiving was the new block house the family had. The sister is probably in her mid 30's, with 3 small children. She is a widow--her husband was killed in a car wreck about 3 years ago, leaving her with no job, 3 babies, and a small wood house (in the VI wood houses are called temporary houses--the first hurricane will destroy them). The company he worked for had pity on her and began the construction of the concrete block house and neighbors & family helped with the labor, a few pesos, etc. and she now has a 2 bedroom, 1 bath house with kitchen & living room (around 1000 square feet). She wanted to first thank God for her new home, then family & friends who helped, also taking advantage of the ocasion to let the Gospel be preached to them.

Tol
P.O. Box 50182
Toa Baja, PR 00950
blog: caribbeanpost.blogspot.com
priglesiadecristo.com
tolburk@gmail.com

Prayer Request from Uganda

Dear Brethren,

Brother Keith Sharp forwarded this to me an I am now passing it on to you. Pray
fervently for our Ugandan brethren!

Your Brother,

John Maddocks

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

From: aburu rosemary (aburu@yahoo.co.uk)
To: Keith Sharp
Sent: Saturday, May 16, 2009 6:11 AM
Subject: Re: Re:

Brother Keith,

Please tell the American brethren to urgently pray for the brethren in Uganda because they need God's urgent hand to supply them with daily bread, The Masese Brethren and Tororo brethren are most hit, The other day the son of one our Sisters in Masese went to pick food from dust bin which he got, but on his way home he was struggled to death and the food was taken by some hungry people, yet other sisters sons and daughters whom these sisters used to send to the streets to beg for bread and also to pick food from dust bins were carried away to children's remand home being mistaken for street children yesterday. Yes it would break some one's heart to see these sisters weeping helplessly for their children, I loved these children whenever I would meet them in the strees, I would share with them the little I had and told them to back home and take food to their mothers.

The government of Uganda tried to ask the public to come in and help Children in Masese but only few NGOS came and talk some few children whom they got in the streets.

Like wise the Tororo brethren who cried to me like babies because of hunger when I went, Brother Fred is very weak and thin, their hearts are broken because of hunger and it is predicted that the famine will get worse by the month of June this year because rainy season this year changed, therefore there is no food for those who depend on their gardens like Tororo Brethren. This affects the whole nation because Ugandan economy depends on farming.

But there are three sisters in Jinja Church here whom me and my brother Fracis take care of them like our own mothers they are above seventy years and above {1} Maama Ajambo {2} Maama Nerima and another one.

Please send this prayer request to American brothers and sisters, the word of God says that whatsoever we do to least of his brethren we do it unto him. we are not asking for urgent funds for these brethren but for urgent and earnest joint prayers for these heart broken brethren.

God bless you all,

Rosemary

God bless you

David Raif - Guatemala Progress Report - 11 May 2009

The Work
Greetings from the Raif family from Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. In mid-March, I started a study of Daniel and printed lesson books for all. Some of the brethren seem to appreciate the added challenge of homework. Even some who I've never seen participate are filling in their lesson sheets. I think the brethren are excited to begin a more disciplined study of a book of the Bible…at least I am.

The church meeting in Zona 8 of Quetzaltenango agreed to let me come and teach for several consecutive Wednesdays. My goal in the study is to help the brethren familiarize themselves with their Bibles. We began with a general discussion of the story of the Bible and now are walking through a survey of the New Testament.

José, our blind brother, helped bring about an exciting opportunity in Buena Vista, a small community just half an hour northwest of Xela. The brethren there have some institutional practices but are eager to study. On Thursdays, I have been studying with them about the nature and purpose of the local church. I pray they will continue to be receptive as we get into potentially controversial subjects.

Doña Juana continues to be a promising contact. We are now studying with her 20-something daughter Lucía, as well. Both women have expressed their sincere joy in being able to understand the Bible and have started visiting our assembly on Sundays. Higenio is another with whom Jerónimo and I have been in contact. He is currently associated with a denomination called La Sana Doctrina which has many biblical ideas, but also many Calvinistic doctrines. For three weeks, he has come to study in our home. I hope his excitement continues.

In all of these opportunities and studies, please pray for effective speech and for open hearts.

A Little Encouragement
Elijah, depressed and afraid, huddled in a dark cave of Mount Horeb where he lamented to God, "I alone am left; and they seek my life to take it away." God responded with these words of comfort: "I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him" (1 Kings 19:18, NKJV). Elijah felt alone, but he did not realize Jehovah had an army of believers at his disposal.

It is never easy to move to a new place with a new culture. However, Amy and I have been amazed that our overall experience in Guatemala has been quite peaceful in comparison to what could have been. We've been lucky…or have we?

While in the States in December and January, it was humbling to realize we have an army of brethren who have been and continue to pray diligently for us. One family informed us that they keep our picture on the refrigerator and pray about us every night. At one point, Amy commented, "It may be that we have had such a good experience in Guatemala because of all the prayers."

It was a privilege to alert this same army of believers to the need of Gílmar and María's six year old son, Angel. They and we have been impressed by the overwhelming show of support offered during Angel´s recent inflammation of toxoplasmosis and herpes in the brain. Angel still has not regained his full health and is fighting an uphill battle, but the family has been strengthened and comforted by the prayers of the saints. Thank you.

God has an army of believers at his disposal, in the United States, in Guatemala and in the entire world.

A Personal Note
The rain has returned. After six months without a drop, we were abruptly introduced again. My youngest daughter was puzzled by water falling from the sky. It makes it challenging to teach under tin roofs.

The congregation is starting another building project. When we enlarged the auditorium, we had to tear down the children's classroom. Since then, they have been using various spaces in brethren's homes. Amy is excited by the prospect of having a little more space for all 30 of her students.

Catholics and Protestants in Chiapas and in Guatemala celebrate Easter a little differently than other parts of the world. I think you'll find interesting our photos taken during "Semana Santa".

We continue to enjoy our work here in Guatemala. I pray the Lord will bless you in His work in your part of the world.

Vaya con Dios,
(Go with God)
David Raif