Can God Use Global Turmoil for His Glory?

The world has faced tremendous challenges over the past few years and these trials seem to be growing. Myanmar remains under military rule with unspeakable atrocities. Russia invaded Ukraine since our last Prayer & Praise, again, committing unimaginable war crimes. Hidden in the background, behind the news reports of Russia and Ukraine, Burkina Faso continues to be attacked by jihadists in the North, and many roads outside the capital are not safe for travel. Ethiopia also has their own internal fighting. These are just a few countries in turmoil.

Despite this global chaos, God remains in control and knows each of us intimately. He knows our thoughts and our needs. Partners have taken solar audio players into the Ukraine loaded with God’s Story: From Creation to Eternity and the audio Bible. Players have also gone to the refugees in Southern Europe. We see these difficult situations as opportunities to love the lost, and bring the eternal saving grace of Jesus to all in need.

In Myanmar, an STS leader jailed has shared reports of leading people to Christ inside! Continue to pray for this leader.

From Death unto Life.

One of our instructors in Latin America has 20 siblings! This instructor has been doing weekly STS Bible stories with discussion on Zoom for the past few years. Some of his family has also joined this discussion including the instructor’s younger brother, in his 30’s, who had gone astray.  Through time in the Word, discussion, and time with the instructor, this young man made peace with God.  No one imagined that shortly afterward, the Lord would call this young man home.

Jacob, Idols, and Following Jesus

One of our other Latin American instructors shared the story of Jacob telling his household to get rid of their idols before going back to Bethel  (Genesis 35:1-5) with a husband and wife. The couple saw how God protected Jacob as they traveled after his household put away their false gods and idols.

The husband asked, “As Catholics, what are we to do with our idols?”

Wisely, the instructor asked, “What happened with Jacob and his family after they put away their idols?” The husband was afraid something bad would happen to him and his wife if they destroyed their idols.

The wife responded that faith and fear do not go together. “We must get rid of our idols.”

We praise God for how His Word impacted this couple.

Why would People Travel So Far?

Years ago we worked with Michael Dawson and his family to get God’s Story into the Yanamamo language. Michael and his wife recently returned to Venezuela with several audio & light devices loaded with God’s Story and the New Testament.

Michael had specific villages designated to receive the devices. However, as word spread, more people kept asking for the audio lights. In one village, a lady edged her way through the crowd and whispered to Michael that she really needed one for her “walidiwä” (damaged) son. After Michael said there were no extra devices, tears welled up in her eyes. She said, “but my son is ruined, he can’t do much and he really wants to listen to it.” Her 12 year old boy lost his foot because of a snake bite. It is difficult living in the jungle with only one foot. Michael gave one of the designated audio light devices to the mother. 

Two young men then whispered to Michael, “My father is a witchdoctor in the village down river. His demons are starting to scare him. We think if we had one of these and played it for him maybe it would bring him some peace and give him relief from the demons that are plaguing him.” Sadly, Michael shared that he had no extras to spare.

Another young lady pushed her way to Michael’s boat to ask for an audio light device. Again, Michael’s heart sank as he had to say no. He thought, “There's so many Yanomamö, what could we do?”

Michael promised a guy off the Ocamo River that they would show the movie, “God’s Story, From Creation to Eternity” to them. Normally they show God’s Story first, as it gives a good chronological over view of the entire Bible, and then the Jesus movie. Michael received a new copy of God’s Story along with the equipment to give to the village and they were excited to show it. At dark, Michael started the movie and the equipment worked flawlessly! After the movie, they talked for hours with the headman of the village.

As Michael and his team continued down the river it became clear they would not make it to the village that was promised the devices so they turned around. 

For that reason, Michael was able to give the light audio devices to the people who had asked, including the young lady and the young men who wanted one for their witchdoctor father. Please remember these people in your prayers.

Now Michael is inundated with people paddling from far away villages asking for these devices and he says, ”I wish we had more.”  Two men paddled for 6 days and will have to travel much longer to get home,  just to get the light and audio devices. ”It broke my heart to have to tell him we were out.” wrote Michael.

They use the Yanomamö New Testament and God’s Story, and love it. The people love that it's a light too, which is very useful to people who often use a stick of firewood as a light when they are going somewhere.

Since receiving this update several weeks ago, our ministry has been able to help supply more light & audio devices with God’s Story and other audio resources to Michael and their team. Please pray with us. The amount of devices Michael received are a small fraction of what’s needed.

 Visit here to listen to a Heart Pocket Podcast with Michael Dawson: https://heartpocket.libsyn.com/hpp0162-spiritual-warfare-part-1

Lights, Camera, and God's Story Premiers!

We praise God for the multiple premiers happening in West Africa. Pray for the teams as they share the Truth. These premiers, or what our leaders call "launchings", bring entire villages together at night to show God’s Story, and also during the day as public dedications are made to the village leaders and church leaders. Then God's Story and any other spiritual messages are handed out to the people. Our leader plants a vision for Simply The Story in some places, and in other places an STS training also takes place with the launch of a language. These premiers require much planning and coordination between our leader, the language team, and the village leaders.

Recipe for a Purim Celebration

Take two STS instructors, Bill Bjoraker and Larry Dinkins, 1 helping of a Messianic congregation in Dallas, 12 storytellers from the congregation, the book of Esther, and time for preparation and training and the results are a fresh mix for a Purim celebration.

Visit here to learn about the Purim celebration:

https://heartpocket.libsyn.com/hpp0180-prepare-to-celebrate-purim

Prayer Needs & A Call to Action

We are loading God’s Story on to YouTube over the next several months but need your help. We need as many subscribers as possible to help us brand our GS YouTube channel. Please go here and subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiyQEZjL0bdjTkNl7kOVVIQ (we are happy to email this link so it’s easy to click, just let us know)

We had a kind man working with a team in India to build our app. Unfortunately, all the work was destroyed and there were no backups. This man no longer has the time to start over. Pray for the Lord’s timing for our phone apps.

The Ayamara God’s Story, spoken in Latin America, has stalled. The script has been completed, but we need to do one more critical step before recording. We also have the Lesotho script completed and need a storyteller.

We covet and appreciate your prayers,

Andrea & The whole staff of The God's Story Project (TGSP)
Executive Director

Life in Myanmar still remains challenging. People face different kinds of crises each day including government instability, no proper care for COVID, brutal attacks on people, and fighting. Despite these tremendous obstacles, our leaders continue sharing God's love for the needy, talking with them, and fellowshipping.

 

One leader writes, "Even though, we walk through the valley of the shadow of death. God Cares and Protecting in each day of our life. Therefore, we thank God and praise God!"

The leaders are reaching out to children and adults with the love of God, comforting, encouraging and counselling those who are desperate, discouraged, facing disappointments and hardship, have family problems, mental issues, and much, much more.

The leaders shared, "We are grateful for your prayer supports even though you are afar….God is Omnipresent. God loves you and He is faithful." 

 

The leaders in Myanmar continue to ask for prayer. Many people from villages have been displaced searching for a place to call home. The military controls every area of the country and many people are suffering joblessness. The education system has totally collapsed with students having not attended school for two years! However, there are still plans for an STS training in the Spring. Thank you for praying for Myanmar and our leaders who faithfully press on. 

 

 

For several months jihadists have poured into Burkina Faso from the north, attacking civilians, killing many and displacing thousands of others. The refugee population continues to grow. Add to this tragedy, Burkina Faso's internet was cut off on January 21, and a couple of days later Ouagadougou, the capital, suffered an attempted coup d'état. This all occurred just as several language teams arrived in the capital city to start the translation and recording process of God's Story. 

We praise the Lord that thus far, 5 teams have arrived safely and one leader reports that the work is going on well. Two more teams are scheduled to arrive in early February. The work on God's Story is expected to continue through late February. All teams need prayer for the languages, safety while in Ouagadougou, and for traveling mercies.

 

 

Our leader in West Africa received an exciting request at the completion of a new Nigerian language of God’s Story. 

"Good day sir, After consultation with my people, I've been asked to request on behalf of the Alago race, if it would be possible to permit us to launch the "IGWU KOWUSO" (God's Story) in March 2022….[at] a national convention of Alago Christian Association of Nigeria (ACAN) … that would be a great opportunity to present the God's Story to all the illustrious sons and daughters of Alago nation for onward usage as a tool for evangelism amongst our people. 

"The importance of this soul winning video cannot be overstressed and the people are so eager to have it." 

Pray for the launch of God's Story among the 100,000 Alago people and for many thousands to be impacted. 

 

 

In order to maintain stability in the country as a result of terrorist activity, recently the Government of the Republic of Mali officially announced the end of diplomatic and economic relations with France as of January 24, 2022. Mali also ended its participation in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU). 

Bambara is now the official language of Mali, replacing French. Mali called for all French troops to leave and the French Embassy to be closed immediately. French institutions and French companies had 72 hours to leave Mali. 

North African countries and Russia are assisting Mali. What used to be a difficult, yet open, country, is now closed and cut off. Even in light of all this, several Malians traveled a great distance to be part of a critical Simply The Story training. 

Our leader there recently reported having to move the training in middle of the week due to threats from jihadists. This region remains under constant threat, and yet we praise the Lord for every open door, wonderful church plants, STS workshops and the people who accept Christ, even at the cost of their own lives.

Please continue to pray for this mighty band of believers who experience difficulties nearly every day. 

 

 

We recently wrapped up a special training with a group of ladies in Asia, whom many called "rescued". Yes, they have been rescued, but that's a moment in time. They are leaders with a distinct focus to reach other ladies, as well as their country for Christ. 

We are committed to this special group, rolling out an in-depth plan for the next few years. As each of these ladies hide Scripture in their hearts, the transformation from God includes healing, restoration, confidence, focus, and obedience to the Lord. 

 

Ch|na

 

Ch|na continues to ratchet the noose tighter and tighter around the necks of the Ch|nese people in hopes of accomplishing total control in a perfect police state. They now detain and question people who MAY commit a crime. As of March 1, it will be illegal to pass on Christian teaching via online platforms such as Zoom. Ch|na's perfection of these “police” measures moved from their testing grounds among the U|ghurs and are now being implemented in other countries to “help governments”, especially in Africa and Latin America. Please pray for the millions of Ch|nese people being forced to live in perfect subjection to man or face prison and human rights violations for seeking the true living God, Jesus Christ. A couple of STS trainings are planned, and we want all the attendees to have the Word in their hearts to share anytime, and any place. 

 

India 

 

Our Indian leaders continue to hold workshops, even in remote areas. Throughout the cold season our leader conducted 8 Christmas programs. He was able to help 28 families with various needs. The ministry also gave away coats and blankets during this cold season. 

A very special translation is ready to be recorded in this region. However, the storyteller and his wife were in an accident a few months back. As they are doing better now, please pray for the completion and the recording of this language.

Some of the STS national missionaries are threatened by militants and have been handed over to the police. Our leader states: "Day by day the opposition to gospel is increasing. Please pray that our Missionaries, Evangelists and believers may be filled with courage and wisdom from above."

Three workshops were conducted in January. 

Praise the Lord, over the past month, 18 new souls testified of their faith through water baptism. 

 

 

We encourage people interested in improving their STS skills to join our Assistant Instructor training in late February. Feel free to call for more information or visit simplythestory.org and click the Upcoming Workshops link. 

 

 

Last year we shared about Paul, a homeless man we met in 2015 who asked us to pray for him. He suffered through many health issues and God kept healing him! He became one of my heroes! He never asked for anything but prayer. This dear man graduated to heaven in January. His sister says "thanks" for all your prayers for him. Thank you for reading and for praying for this ministry, 

 

Giving Thanks to the Lord

The joys of Thanksgiving morning, rest from the work, reminders of God’s goodness, and, in our case, a true pilgrim holiday with no electricity. In the middle of this timely inconvenience, messages from several of our leaders remind me that this world is not our home. We are just passing through.

We share these letters from our leaders with you and ask for prayer for them, their families and their ministries. Our leaders face struggles and challenges as a result of covid, religious persecution, injustice, and so much more. (All letters edited for security and understanding).

Myanmar Suffering Still

"Since we face many trials, challenging issues, like Covid 19, Country political situations, and circumstances. Pressing down by military coup everywhere in the Country till today. We face different hardships each day. Sometimes I feel an uncomfortable journey with fear and worry. What will happen? But God is always with us and comforting, encouraging [us] to go forward and we have been passing so many incidents here in Yangon. God is good He protects us and provides for our daily needs during such terrible situations that we live in. I would like to say thank you for your prayer support in many ways.

"Because of the Covid 19, many people lost/died. …starting small house church planting and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ and salvation to the non-believers. So God blessed the ministry and multiplied 100 souls during these two years. But sadly, four new believers went to be with the Lord because of Covid. Continue to pray for us. No safety here in Myanmar because of the political crisis. Everyday fighting, arresting, killing etc.

"We are going to start an STS workshop outside Yangon City again. Even though there are many risks because of the bad situations caused by the military coup. Still we cannot stop proclaiming the Gospel and teaching the Word of God. We have to travel long distances for the training. We need your valuable prayer, so that all the needs can be supplied during the STS training. Moreover, without trouble we can do the training well."

Please pray for the people of Myanmar. Many feel helpless and unsure of what to do. Only the Lord Jesus can change man's heart.

India - Freedoms, If Hindu.

It's hard to believe, but ministry in India continues to get harder.  This newspaper article sent to us, shows that attacks against Christians have increased as anti-conversion laws are passed. These kinds of laws embolden Hindu militants as they don't face reprisals from the government. Please continue to pray for all the believers in India as they traverse these satanic laws and deal with attacks to accomplish the call of God in their country.

Our leader continues to encourage the body of Christ, checking on STS Oral Bible Schools and investing in the instructors who lead workshops that equip the believers to reach their neighbors.

Heb 13:6 “So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do to me.”

Niger, Jihadists, and Needed Prayer

“[We are] Establishing Oral Bible Schools in two regions. Opening one more mission field in another region.

“CHALLENGES

1. Being a xxx missionary among the villages being attacked daily by Fulani Islamists.
2. Traveling restrictions … due to the security reasons.
3. Stopping the use of the Motorcycles in the region of xxx.

“PRAYER REQUESTS

1. For wisdom of multiplication and protections to our new leaders.
2. For me to be more accepted as a xxx believer and a missionary in the region of xxx.
3. Pray for the 38 people who accepted the Lord in this month of November.
4. For the provision of a car inner rider for to do a full December out reach.”

Our leader sent this second letter a few days later.

"It's 4:36 AM, I'm still praying for God's guidance and wisdom

"In first hours of the day today, i rented a car, heading to our two mission fields and I was forced to come back to Niamey. The reason is the high tension in and the around [the area]. As the France Army were on the way to Niamey after being blocked in Kaya of Burkina Faso, they were also blocked in Tera this morning. The populations are against the presence of Foreign army forces in Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, as they accused the France of being on the side of Terrorists who are killing people daily in these three countries while the France Army are here, and so many accusations.

"And at the other hand the terrorists are just killing people. As for last two nights, they came in one of the villages on the border of Niger and Burkina and the brought out all the people of the village, and the asked them to pray in Jimɗi( together). They did that to identified those who are not Muslims. If any refused to pray they would be shot right away. Three of our new converts lost their lives there.

" So now in xxx, the tension is very high, as there were shooting with the real bullets, (No one is sure it it's from the Gendarmerie National de Niger or France Army), as result many were wounded among the manifestants and three already died.

"Security is out of control as the populations are so intolerants toward any that have to with Western world, including Christian faith on the top of the list. While at the other hand Terrorists are just killing and torturing people.

"I am back home safe and will conduct the teachings in those areas through Phone. I humbly wanna ask you for the salvation of the people in west Africa now. For our security, and a strong faith to see Jesus and His work than the dangers. Thank y'all. Only prayers can heal"

Please pray with our leaders and the body of Christ in Niger as they seek to bring many into the Truth of Jesus Christ. Time is short.

1Pe 4:12-13 “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.”

Burkina Faso Faces Terrorists while On the Edge of a Coup

"Our country is going through a crisis. Jihadists are killing our soldiers everyday, and our government is powerless before that. Yesterday, many more soldiers were killed, our people who were supposed to fight refuse to go again [to] fight the Bad guys. They are preparing right now a coup d'état. Politiciens are taking their familles out of the country. We really don't know what is going on.

"We need your prayers. My son came back from school today begging to leave the country because one of his class mate is leaving with his family because of the country situation."

Our leader faces a tough decision. Should she stay or flee with her children? Let's continue to pray that she would hear what direction the Lord gives her and the children.

UPDATE. "All our soldiers in one unit were killed by jihadists (more than 100) they were attacked and fought more than 4 hours without any help … soldiers refuse to go fight now, because they are not well equipped compare to the jihadists.

"The jihadists are almost all Fulanis. And they claim Burkina Faso Islam. The people under their control Say even in Churches and pastors houses, all [surrender] to jihadists or you die.  And the government remain silent ... It is a confused situation right now. There is no security on our roads right now. Thanks for your prayers.

 

"The situation in Burkina is a bit stable, but still have terrorists attacks everyday almost everywhere out of the cities, in rural areas and on the roads.

"We are praying for our government and our army to take good decisions to secure the country for us. Politicians are using our people to trouble the government and preparing a coup d'état. Many villages and areas are under jihadists control now in Burkina. They closed all the schools and churches has to move, they are killing those who are harvesting, so rural areas people are fleeing to main cities, and our soldiers Can not take back the control of these areas. The government has just changed our army chiefs in many area, to let them Come up with New strategies to overcome the jihadists and bring back peace and security.

"All my planning till December has been postponed. We need your prayers. I am preparing the God's Story recording workshop, looking for a safe place in Ouagadougou. Hoping to see more peace and security in the coming days."

Among this fighting, Burkina's Internet went down for 2 weeks due to the jihadists. We share all this with you and ask for prayer.

Ethiopia - State of Emergency Declared

Our East Africa Director, John, lives in Ethiopia. During a recent training, several people contracted  covid, including our Director.  He spent 3 weeks in the hospital. We thank the Lord that John has recovered, but still has lingering symptoms, including the need for oxygen. As of the end of November, our leader's oxygen level has not yet stabilized, due to a pulmonary embolism between the heart and lungs. John continues doing breathing exercise and chest therapy.  He shared the following.

“During the month of November the Tigray war escalated, located in the farthest northern region of Ethiopia. Rebels captured 3 cities 300 km from Addis. As a result, Ethiopia pronounced a state of emergency and asked people in Addis Ababa to arm and defend themselves in case the rebels attack.

“As of mid-November, the government troops recaptured the 3 cities from the rebels. However, there are internet shut downs periodically and the state of emergency will continue for 6 months. Take note, there has been a lot of misinformation in the international media about the Ethiopia war. The truth is, there is war in the north and is escalating. But it is being exaggerated when being reported.

“The leaders and the STS Oral Bible Schools are doing well in southern Ethiopia. The workshop we had in the north was an important breakthrough. We are praying that the conflict will end so that several ministries can continue the work in the North, which has been a hard area.”

Rom 5:3-5 “…we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation produces patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”

Uganda Experiences Attacks in the Capital

Uganda experienced its own attack from the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF, hiding in the DRC and claimed as an affiliate by ISIS) in mid-November.  In spite of rising tensions in the region, STS workshops continue in the North.   We praise the Lord for all the instructors and the STS Oral Bible Schools that keep people in God's Word and knowing the Truth. Remember, “We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Eph 6:12. Let’s pray together!

Please listen to a 4 part series on Spiritual Warfare on Heart Pocket Podcast starting November 16, 2021.Thank you all for your prayers and support. Merry Christmas and have a blessed New Year.

Andrea & The whole staff of The God's Story Project (TGSP)& Simply The Story

Praising God In the Midst of Trials

Thank you everyone who has been praying for Myanmar. We continue to receive updates and are disheartened by the senseless killings in the country. Our leader attributes every breath he has to the Lord. Many still suffer due to Covid and needed medicines are being withheld. Fighting continues every day. However, in the midst of these 2 crises, people, including Buddhists, are accepting Christ and showing their faith in baptism. Praise God that in just one month, eighty people put their trust in our Lord Jesus. 

Trainings continued all over Africa, including in the Sudan.

One missionary in East Africa wrote regarding the impact of the Two Prayers Bible story from Luke 18:9-14 on a local man. The local man said he would not look down any more on others like he used to do. This man would belittle people of low standing, such as poor families who do not have animals.

As the son of a local village chief, this local man was raised above everyone else. He always took the lead in the street, traditional dances, and church activities. However, this man realized from the Bible story that, he who lifts himself high before the Lord will one day be lower "and be put to shame but he or she who humbles him or herself will one day be honored."

This man, the son of the village chief, accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. He cried before the congregation and many were moved by his testimony when he said that "he will not forget that there is chance for everyone who would pay attention to listen to the word of God." 

The Achan Story Speaks to the Heart

After a Sunday service where an Oral Bible School student shared the story of Achan from Joshua 7:14-26, one church member came to the storyteller for prayer. Prior to praying the church member confessed to raping a girl with a few other men and causing her death. Although other church members had prayed that those who had done this heinous act would confess, no one had ever come forward until after the story of Achan was discussed.

This church member lost two children in one week and said, “Yet, no one helped me see my own problem.” The other perpetrators lost animals worth the equivalent of the dowry for a rich man's daughter. This church member asking for prayer knew the other perpetrators issue was the same problem that caused him to lose two of his children. They were hiding their sin just like Achan.

The church member discovered that Achan's secret was thought to only be known by Achan, but he said, "There is no secret before God that man thinks he will do and God will not know it."

This church member advised the people to confess their sin. He knew that hiding his own heinous sin caused him great regret in life. This man then invited the church to come to his home for fellowship and for his family members to forgive him of the reckless life he had lived.

The storyteller who reported this testimony to us said, "I myself felt touched for his openness to confessed such issues in human life."

Encouraged and Motivated the Share the Word.

This praise report came from an STS workshop attendee in Africa:

"I have got to tell you, I attended an STS Workshop at the end of July based on your recommendation and it was amazing! This way of learning and sharing and leading discussion orally is a perfect fit for me. I love listening to audiobooks, podcasts, and YouTube videos much more than reading. I find it relatively easy to memorize or remember stories, and I have a great desire to share my faith. When you put all of that together, it basically equals STS! On my own personal time since the training I have learned about 5 or 6 more stories. I have already shared them in multiple settings including with patients at the hospital (I’m a nurse). I am so happy I took the training as it has encouraged me to share more now in English and it is a great tool I hope to use later overseas working with the <**> in their language! Thank you so much for recommending this training to me!"

Haircuts and Bible Stories go Together Like Coffee and Cream

One attendee shared a testimony of what happened after a workshop.

This woman entered a Supercut to ask about a haircut for her daughter. Her daughter grew her hair long specifically for the purpose of donating the hair. The hair stylist was not happy about scheduling another appointment since she was the only stylist on duty and very busy. In spite of being encouraged to return another time, the woman insisted on an appointment, and returned later in the day with her daughter.

The woman wrote, “While she cut my daughter's hair, I thought about our training of the talk to the stranger. Finally, I gathered the courage to tell her story. I was able to share a quick 5-10 min story to a hair stylist at the Supercut. I shared the Martha and Mary's story. And she said at the end, ‘it is God made that appointment for her indeed.’"

What Was Your Favorite Part of a Workshop?

One attendee said, "That's hard because so there so many things that I really liked about it! I guess the best thing may be that the facilitators stressed the importance of not adding to or subtracting from Bible stories."

Graduate? Why?

One of our leaders told me that an Oral Bible School in Kenya doesn’t want to graduate because they love spending time in the Word together. As a result of this and other similar reports, we plan to develop an Advanced OBS or Level 2. 

God's Story: From Creation to Eternity, more languages.

We just finished recording a few God’s Story languages in Ghana. We are working toward training more language specialists in Nigeria, Burkina Faso and East Africa as more than 20 languages are waiting to be translated and recorded for God’s Story.

We hope to record the Dutch God's Story in November. Please pray for the narrator and the whole team as they prepare. Recording is often the most spiritually challenging part of every translation project.

Paul, A Man with His Home Above.

Years ago during an outreach, Paul, a strong believer who was homeless, asked us to pray for him. We recently received a report from Paul. He shared that God told him to take communion believing Isaiah 53 that by Jesus' stripes we are healed. "While my neck is still very swollen the large mass that [the doctors] saw [and] left in a month ago is gone. They went to do the biopsy about an hour ago and they couldn't find it with an ultrasound. They looked at me and asked me if I was doing radiation or what kind of treatment I was doing and then told me they can't find it. They did a CT scan to make sure. They still couldn't find it and ask me again what I was doing for treatment and I told him God must've healed me. They looked at me and [said], whatever you're doing to keep doing it because it's gone."

Afternoon Nap Becomes Alive with Bible Discussion

One instructor recently shared several praise reports from Africa. "Yesterday afternoon I did the vision cast with the students and it was a very good time. It was in the afternoon, so when I started about half of the group had their eyes closed. But when I started to do the presentation of the Storm story they all woke up and were sitting on the edge of their chair and they were all very engaged! Everybody participated actively. And it stayed like that the rest of our time. God was really at work!"

What is the minimum age to teach from the pulpit?

Just imagine what Jesus might have said while teaching other people when he was 12 years old? One leader recently shared that his son taught the church congregation a Bible story and led the discussion. I asked, "What were the results?" He said, "They told me after his story he led them in to prayers for about 25 minutes of repenting and taking a new decision to serve the Lord."

Can you see this young preacher in the picture?

Heart Pocket Podcast

For those who wish to hear the Bible story we did on the Christian Car Guy and Kingdom Pursuits radio program, we have the program commercial free on Heart Pocket episodes HPP155-157. In October, Drew a missionary from Mozambique shares how amazingly orality fit into his ministry both overseas and at his home church in the USA. Tune in for a special podcast series on spiritual warfare from the perspective of the Yanamamo tribe in Venezuela. Truly an eye opening series. We have many more podcasts to share that God continues to give us. www.HeartPocket.org.

Thank you for your time and prayers,

Andrea & The whole staff of The God's Story Project (TGSP)

Executive Director

Pray for India, Nepal, Myanmar

Brief update regarding the situation in Myanmar. Our leader asks for prayer "to bring peace and harmony soon." He states that covid continues to take lives, the military continues to arrest people, and there is fighting every where during this political crises. Even in the midst of all this, our leader shares what he has with those in need. Prices are soaring. In the past few weeks eggs  cost more than 8 times what they did!

Thankfully, several of the believers fellowship together on Zoom and are able to do STS once a week. The difficulties drive people to Christ, including baptisms, and the church is growing. Just in the last year, about 30 people have accepted the Lord. We praise God for His blessings.

Please continue to pray for the people of Myanmar. Many have lost jobs, businesses, and have no income. Many people currently live hand to mouth. Still our leader writes that "God want us to learn something more about Him and closer to Him…  1 Peter 5: 7, 10-11: encouraging me 'Casting all your care upon him; for he cares for you.' and 'But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.  To him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.'"

Refugees Graduate & A New Center Takes Root

Uganda recently had close to 200 refugees graduate from STS Oral Bible Schools. All the students are challenged with oral based testing to make sure they know the Bible stories and can share specific insights to those Bible passages. The leader stated that these graduates are very good.

Our leader for the refugee camps in Northern Kenya recently had the paperwork for a new center approved. This center will help reach the refugees, the Turkana and many people in the local area. Building has now started on this center.

As soon as they started work, neighbors from 3 sides of the property showed up demanding payment for part of the land that was "taken from them".   From that confusion, the village chief became involved and called a meeting to straighten it out.  At the meeting a pastor stood up and said, "This man came … to help us.  This center will help your children and this area. You would be glad he is willing to build this center."  The entire village then agreed to not go against the center and the village chief had all the neighbors sign as witness that the center was good.  Also, the neighbors, instead of demanding land from the center, donated 50% more land.

We still need prayer for the center as they need water and materials to build.

Indigenous Groups Love STS

At a recent training in Mexico there were 6 tribal groups who were very excited about using Bible stories in their own indigenous language.

One pastor and his group shared their excitement about having a future training in the village with translation. Another leader is making plans to see STS taught among 10 churches in her area. Praise the Lord, God's Word is reaching remote areas!

Taking Jesus to the Highways & Byways!

Say the word "evangelism" to many Christians and it often conjures up the emotion of fear. Yet, we have the greatest gift of Jesus to share with the lost and broken hearted.  One woman from Europe, now working in central Africa, shared that evangelism scared her. However, equipped with God's Word and STS skills, here's what happened.

At the end of the day, this European woman brought materials to the print shop. The busy owner responded briefly to the normal questions like, "How are you?".  This woman shared that she was still learning Bible stories and the shop owner listened. They had a discussion over the storm story from Mark 4:35-41 (because Jesus asked the disciples to go across the sea at the end of the day and it was the end of the day for the shop owner). The people in the shop listened intently, and at the end, the shop owner asked for the location in the Bible of that story!

Then on the way home, a motor taxi driver yelled something at this European woman and so she asked if he wanted to hear a Bible story. Two drivers listened and discussed the Bible story. For a woman uncomfortable with street evangelism, now she is doing street evangelism.

Just received this report from a man in Southern California.

"I was listening to a message and the preacher talked about people seeing our peace and our joy and asking us ‘why are you at peace with yourself why do you have such calm joy’ and then it opens up an opportunity to share the gospel…. I felt a longing and like I wish somebody would say that to me so I could share with them the good news. So I walked out of AutoZone an hour later and started to get in my car and I saw a customer standing there and I thought to myself OK probably I need to give him a Bible story right now and I went over there I gave him a Bible story and talked with this man named Gilbert for a couple minutes. He said he had lived a hard life but he didn’t want to be like that anymore and I told him some good things about the Lord and then he started to get in his car. It was time to leave.

"As I was walking away … He asked “you’re really at peace with yourself aren’t you”? So I told him what a joy it was to have my sins forgiven and it makes me have peace and joy that the world could never give. So he got a good Bible story and I was super encouraged then when I got in the car I realized that God ministered to both of us simultaneously hearing my hearts cry and also hearing his cry that he wanted to change…."

Bible Stories Have Power!

For the past 10 years many of our STS instructors have been praying for one instructor's spouse to come to Christ. This instructor would practice Bible stories with her husband for these past 10 years (amazing since before that, he wanted nothing to do with Jesus or church). This past month, we received a text that he now knows Jesus is the Christ.

Listen to Heart Pocket Podcast on iTunes or HeartPocket.org for August 24, 31, and September 7 for more on this story.

The Blind Men See!

Several trainings have just completed in West Africa. In Cote d'Ivoire, our leader now has the wonderful assistance of her 2 teen children helping to train. Then a team conducted training in Liberia that included more than 13 blind people!  Nine of these trainees received Christ! As well, several people from the local Muzlim community attended.

Who's Afraid of the Police?

This amazing story demonstrates the power of God's Word. An STS trained Bible storyteller wrote, "Today I drove 9 hours … The interstate is very straight with 75 MPH limit.  I set my cruise control at about 79 but was passed the whole way by scores of cars…. I saw a patrol car in the median and I slowed down a couple of mph and thought nothing about it…but then I saw in my rear view mirror that he pulled out and eventually he pulled even with me for about 10 secs…then he put on his lights and I pulled over. 

"He said I was going 78 mph in a 75 mph zone. I had to sit in his patrol car while he did a criminal check and filled out forms for, fortunately, just a warning… But as we chatted he noticed my hat “Ask Me For a Story” and he asked, “What type of story do you have for me?”  …  I said, “I have a story from the Bible about “security guards and a jail break"…would you like to hear it?” 

"Interesting enough I had just reviewed orally all the stories that I know from the book of Acts just before being pulled over and so I started into Acts 18 and Peter’s jailbreak.  He listened to it all and then I told him where to find it in a Bible. [The] patrolman then promised that he would read it when he got home!"

Thank you for your prayers,

Andrea & The whole staff of The God's Story Project (TGSP)
Executive Director

From Ramadan to Rescue!

[Due to the highly sensitive location and nature, we are limited on details for this story.]

Followers of Islam see Ramadan as a time for fasting, prayer, reflection and community as Muzlms attempt to gain favor with God by ridding themselves of bad habits, wrong desires, and strive for better self-control.  One Simply The Story leader in West Africa found this the perfect time to reach Muzlms in his country.

One Imam accepted Christ and within days had to flee his village. He suffered loss as one family member died at the hands of angry Muzlms. However, they rejoice in their new found Saviour. Pray for the many new believers as a result of this Bible storyteller during the days of Ramadan, and the incredible doors and new countries now open to this STS leader.

Start with Five, God Gives Six!

We praise the Lord for the God's Story translation teams and the recording team, along with the STS instructors who just returned from Cameroon. The God's Story teams had planned to record 5 languages. Because they finished those 5 languages earlier than expected, God gave them the opportunity to work with a 6th language team of translators. Languages of God's Story: From Creation to Eternity completed include Moudang, Baya, Pèrée, Yemba, and Gbaya- Yayué.

International Students Learn from The Lord

For the past 8 months, several STS instructors have been teaching Bible stories and Simply The Story to international students via zoom. The Asian students have become increasingly comfortable with the instructors and participate more and more in each story.

One instructor shared with us the following praise after a Bible story with these students. "After we stayed around and chatted, and several people mentioned that this way of learning through discussion is completely different from the [Asian] way of learning, but they really like it."

The instructor also shared about observations by students from the Bible story of Jesus on the cross. "They observed how the 2nd criminal repented in words to the other criminal (we are receiving the rewards of our deeds) then was first to speak humbly to Jesus.  One of them caught an insight 'Jesus is always seeking the lost even on the cross' and how this struck her.  Powerful time.”

Hospital Provides Spiritual and Physical Healing

Hospital patients in S.E. Asia have been provided physical help and spiritual truth! Notice that the people are watching God's Story: From Creation to Eternity in the Rohingya language on the TV. Throughout the hospital patients watch God's Story on television, computers and tablets.

 Oral Bible School Graduates Have Needs

A team just returned from Uganda after spending time with several STS Oral Bible School graduates.

One instructor reported visiting the Oral Bible Schools and graduates at 7 refugee camps. "We graduated Aylo 1, Agoju, Bidibidi and are headed to Wayangi and Eden tomorrow and Monday. We also have visited the schools in Mungula and Budri."  Along with much travel and graduations, the team found time to conduct a 5 day STS training for Sunday School teachers at the training center.

We desire to give God’s Story to every OBS graduate in his or her heart language. In one location, there were 70 graduates, but God's Story had been translated into the languages of only 10 of those graduates. Please pray as our leaders in Uganda and South Sudan take steps to prepare God's Story in the following languages, Shiluk, Neur, Dinka, Murle, Anywa, Moru, Lango, Latoka, along with others.

  

Indian Believers Medical Outreach

In India, a team of Christian leaders, including our leader, sponsored a medical outreach to help the community with basic medical needs.  Please continue to pray for India as they struggle through the many difficulties as a result of Covid.

Pastors Respond to Simply The Story!

Recent reports from an STS instructor in Congo show tremendous excitement from the attendees of a workshop. One pastor shared this testimony. "All we knew before was that to be a good Christian is to memorize a great number of bible verses and to be able to throw them at any time to the people we share the Gospel, and then comment on them. With preaching, we have been too judgmental and we found this so difficult to do. Even then we did not know if we are doing well. But with STS, we are so surprised to see people reacting to the gospel and giving their opinions even the non-literates. People didn’t use to give their attention to the BIBLE stuff were now interested in the story, they were sharing and even respond to their questions and ask for another appointment for more stories. We think that this method will help us to review the ways we do share the Word of the Bible in our churches or outside."

Bible School Turns Oral

The director of a Bible school in French speaking West Africa sent one of his leaders to attend our STS Comprehensive Leadership Training (CLT) in 2016. This man became a lead instructor and the head of this Bible school which they turned into an STS Oral Bible School (OBS). This director has seen a great change in the people who attend STS workshops and STS OBSes. He has also seen a great movement in their church planting as well.  Now the director wants all of their missionaries trained in STS.

God’s Story Language Premier!

We thank God for the Saxwe God’s Story language premier!  There are approximately 300,000 people who speak this language living in Benin. Although they are predominantly Christian, only 16% are evangelical.

We covet and appreciate your prayers,

Andrea & The whole staff of The God's Story Project (TGSP)
Executive Director