Cataracts, Philippines, Nepal, Refugees February 2009

Cataract operation funding
Because of the failing healthcare system in Latvia, the waiting list for cataract operations is over 3 years. Our sister Tanya is on the waiting list, and will have to wait unless we can raise 500 Lats (900 US Dolars) for the operation. Our dear sister Tanya is one of the ‘old faithfuls’ of the ecclesia. She is one of the most regular attenders and has converted 4 other sisters in the past few years. Every time we have a meeting she brings a litre of milk to contribute to our joined lunch, which costs more than a days food allowance for her. After she's paid the utilities on her tiny apartment she has around $1 / day to live on for food, medicines and clothing yet never asks for assistance. She collects our used eggshells and grinds them up to make calcium tablets as she can't afford to buy the medication for her osteoporosis. We are continually amazed at how she manages on her tiny pension, and also help her dead husband's mother (who is housebound) despite her own back and leg pain. Tanya is the one who posts out invitations to our Latvian Bible schools, and is always keen to help cook and clean when we organise events. She does her Bible readings each day by the companion and her spiritual growth over the last few years is really evident. If any of you could find it in your hearts to give some money towards Tanya’s cataract operation so that she can have the operation within the next few months, we would be really appreciative for her sake.

Thank you! Love Cindy

Photo: Sister Tanya wrapped in a blanket donated from sisters in England
    

PHILIPPINES
This was our second preaching trip to the Philippines. Our brother from the Philippines we baptised two years ago – Ian – also came with us for the week. His help was invaluable as he speaks the three main languages of the Philippines as well as English.  We travelled around the main island of the Philippines (Luzon) and another island to the south (Mindanao). We met with contacts every day – preaching the Good News to thirty two new people. Almost all of these contacts want to continue talking with us.  We shared great rejoicing in the baptism of Romnick  from Mindanao. He was baptised in the presence of 18 young people who shared a two day Bible Camp with us. We pray his example will encourage his friends.
We met with a pastor of an independent church in Mindanao who shares similar beliefs to us. He has invited us to speak to his congregation when we return to the Philippines, God willing.  Steve and I ask for your special prayers for the people of the Philippines, for all the contacts and their families we met, for our brothers and that we can return to show the power of the Good News through Gods grace.
 
Brothers Mark Gilbert & Steve Jones

Photo: Brother Mark with a group of young people with their "Introducing Bible Basics" and "Living Gospel" booklets
    

NEPAL
We've observed in recent Carelink messages how the true Gospel is now penetrating to the very remotest parts of the earth. The following series of emails are thrilling to read:
Dear Sirs, I am G.Sherpa a man from Solukhumbu a Himalayan place in Nepal. I visit Kathmandu the capital city of Nepal once in a year. I am involved in climbing the Himalaya peaks. There are not any church or christian people in our whole place. Last month during my visit to Kathmandu a friend gave me Bible Basics saying that this is the most worthy book in the world for understanding the Bible. He said that he had only that copy but gave it at my request. He said that he was baptized by Duncan Heaster the author of the Book. I was very very surprized to hear this. I went on reading the book and found that my friend was not wrong. I thank you people very much for such wonderful job.
...
I live in a distance village in Mustang and it takes some 10 days of trekking to reach my village. Now I am in Mustang and leaving my village on Jan. 22. We don't have telephone and electricity in our village. I will return back to Mustang and then to Kathamandu after 7 months. I am thankful for your great support in baptizing me. I would love to meet with you.
....
How are you? I am sending this email to you from a far place in Mustang using the high power battery. I am training some youths about trekking at this time in Mustang and take them to Solu after a few months.
...
It's really difficult to catch mails here. Now I got it. I will try to meet you but can't say. It is too far about 7 days of walking from Mustang. Crossing so many mountains. Thanks again.
We invite your prayers so that we may have wisdom as to how to assist our friend to come to baptism. And we give thanks for the powerful spread of the Gospel. For when the Gospel shall have gone into all the world, then the end shall come. Maranatha!

IRANIAN REFUGEES
We're sometimes asked what has happened to all the various Iranian refugee brethren. We're pleased to say that over the last 6 years, around 35 such brothers and sisters have been resettled in the USA, Canada, England, Finland and Holland. We appreciate the assistance given to them by local ecclesias in those countries. This is an amazing act of providence, demonstrating how the Most High is still powerfully at work in the kingdoms of men, turning the hearts of rulers and those in authority in accordance with His gracious will for His people. Although around 80% of Iranian refugees are turned down by the UNHCR, around 95% of the cases we present to them have been accepted. The UNHCR do a thorough job of analyzing the validity of claims for asylum, and we're delighted that our brothers and sisters have been proven as such genuine cases of persecution. There are currently around 40 brethren and sisters going through the UNHCR application process in various countries to where they've fled from Iran and other intolerant Islamic regimes.
This work requires not only a lot of effort, visits, keeping on the ball and funding, but also wisdom.
We so often have to pray for this in these matters.