Have You Heard of the Lemba People in Zimbabwe?

 For months a Simply The Story team has been preparing to train a unique group in Zimbabwe. However, a few weeks prior to the training, reports from Harare told of Mugabe’s impending removal from leadership.  So imagine waking up to an email from the lead instructor who landed in Zimbabwe the day the dictator resigned!

Thirty-four students from the Lemba Jewish Tribe were trained in Simply The Story.  The inviting organization writes, "This tribe, who live in Zimbabwe and South Africa, claim they are direct descendants of the Twelve Tribes of Israel… Strict adherence to Jewish customs have been watched over by Lemba rabbis…. Despite losing their original Torah on the journey from Israel to Zimbabwe, all oral teachings and traditions have been maintained, the same kind of oral teachings described in the Old Testament."

The article continues, "In a place thousands of miles away from Israel, detached from all Jewish culture, these African Jews, who call themselves 'Original Hebrews,' are committed to their way of life that has been passed down from generation to generation."[1]

Our instructor shared that the group that was trained is both Jewish and very Christian. In a country with over 90% unemployment and Messianic Christians representing a really small percentage of the population, life in Zimbabwe remains impoverished, with people bathing from buckets.

The host said everyone loved the training.  Students told of how much they learned through this oral method, shared about new insights from Scripture as they discussed the truth, discovered life applications, and talked about how they want to use the training in their ministries. 

Could Syrian Refugees Be Excited About The Word?

A team of 3 from Europe and USA traveled to the Middle East to work with Syrian refugees.  Working hand-in-hand with another organization that is providing food, medical care, and clothing, our team provided God's Story in multiple circumstances.  We saw several people listen with great intensity. Within 24 hours, word spread among the refugees, who came asking for the solar players loaded with God's Story.  Thank you to all who prayed. 

To hear more about results with the refugees, please go here https://goo.gl/scFhuc.

Mexico — Churches Working Together?

The STS Latin American Liaison shared Isaiah 6 using the STS method last July at a luncheon and reported that it did not go well.  The day after that story, this leader did another Bible story for more pastors and leaders. When he finished, he sat down thinking to himself that again, it did not go well. Just then, a woman leader in Cuernavaca shared that she awoke thinking about Isaiah 6 and that she couldn't stop thinking of this story our leader shared the previous day. She encouraged everyone that these deep discussions over the Bible are not just stories for children, but are great for adults too.

In November a team of STS instructors trained people in Cuernavaca, Mexico as a result of these "not so good" stories done last July. We are blessed to report that a burgeoning group of STS instructors is growing in their skills in Mexico. Some are now using STS among the indigenous people, some with small groups, and several are asking for more training, including training in one of the roughest parts of Mexico. One leader recently wrote that the next training should include 5 churches!

Could Children and Adults Learn from Each Other?

One STS storyteller wrote to us recently about their after-school program in Southern California. "We have 75-80 children in 4 classrooms ... ages Kindergarten thru 5th ... I have

27 fifth grade boys.  It’s growing each year ... the kids are growing.  We call it 'Kids Good News Bible Club' and have won the favor of this public school!"

One woman called our office to order solar players and shared that her grandson (14 years old) told her that the STS workshop helped him with his schoolwork.  When he listens now to lectures, he can discern what is important to remember. One night, her grandson sat down with this woman and helped her practice asking better questions, STS style.

How Are Bible Stories Used in the Netherlands Public Schools?

One storyteller practiced telling Ezekiel 37:1-10, STS style, to our team in the Netherlands. This helped her share this passage to her colleagues who are Bible teachers in public primary schools, who do not necessarily think the prophets really existed… a tough crowd. 

The Netherlands trainees sharing Bible stories in wonderful situations. One practitioner has been using story ever since training, in Sunday school and in primary schools. She sees great responses from the children. As well, in college where she has to tell stories, she uses STS!

Another lady leads a woman's group. What started as one group last year quickly grew into 2 small groups.  She is focused on multiplication! She said that she is more relaxed because things really fell into place after going through the STS training again. She goes more with the flow instead of having every question prepared, and following her preparation.  She shares with the people she meets, including her neighbors.

Another woman shares stories in Sunday school with non-believing teenage girls. As well, in the village where she lives, more foreigners and refugees are coming.  Once a month 5 believers share God’s Word with these “foreigners” in Arabic, and the people share meals and what they own. Having just started this group, they already have 15 people discussing the Bible in depth!

What Reaches the Hearts of Muslims in Senegal?

During a recent workshop in Senegal, the instructor sent all of the participants to town to share their Bible stories. They came back so happy!  Some of the attendees said they never shared the word of God before that day. Many were invited back to share more Bible stories. Fifteen people heard the Word. 

During the workshop, the instructor shared a story with the cook and the day guard. After hearing Jesus’ answer to the second criminal on the cross, the day guard said the second criminal might know Jesus and ask for heaven. The day Guard said this story will help him make a decision about Jesus. The instructor learned that the young man recognized he is not better than the criminal who asked for heaven. The young man realized that he is a sinner and needed to ask Jesus for salvation.

A group from the Senegal training went to an Imam's house to share the story of Abram and Sarai in Gen 12:10-20.  All of the family was there with many children, wives and friends of the family. The storyteller shared, “We were well received, and the people, along with the Imam, discussed the story together. They learned that God knows us, and sees when we behave badly, even when the Lord remains quiet (talking about Abram lying and asking his wife to lie.) The people said God is patient with those He calls like He was with Abram.”

Using God’s Story Helps Adopted Children Transition

One woman called our office and ordered 2 solar powered audio players. They adopted two children from Ethiopia and brought them to the US.  On the way to their home from the airport, she played the Amharic version of God's Story for them. The mom reported that it made the transition easier for the children and helped them understand about Jesus.  "You have a wonderful ministry!!" she said. 

Myanmar During Christmas

This Christmas season please pray for our leader in Myanmar as he plans an STS training, evangelistic programs, Christmas programs for children and adults, giving God's Story, and prison ministry.  Also, pray for him as he looks to put God's Story on national TV.

Who is Recommending STS (besides us)?

The Discipleship Training School (DTS), a YWAM group in Northern Ireland, has been using STS on their outreaches. People are impacted!  The director in the national headquarters has recommended STS and said that it has affected their outreaches.

The God’s Story Project staff and worldwide leadership pray you and your family have a

Grateful to the Lord,

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

Wrong Bus, Right Place?

Is it possible to end up in the right place when one has taken the wrong bus?  A while ago, one of our leaders in West Africa traveled to Côte d'Ivoire to lead an STS training. However, when our leader stepped off the bus, she realized it was not her intended destination.

While there, this leader met a local pastor and shared God’s Story and STS with him. The pastor became so excited and decided to host his own STS training, and to translate God’s Story in their local language. By God's grace, our recording team just returned from recording this new language and conducting the STS training in Côte d'Ivoire!

In the Middle East, a woman trained in STS recently wrote the following (edited for security).  "I thought [I was going] to the [right] border crossing.  Turns out I was in a van headed to [the wrong place]. When the driver discovered this, I was dropped off on the highway with my luggage!

"I called for an Uber taxi...  The driver was a nice engineer, originally from Saudi, probably around 30, married, etc.  We ended up talking about [many things].  So he began to open up, and tell me about a work problem.  I asked him if he wanted to pray about it, and he said yes. So we did in the taxi.  Then I began talking about Issa, and told him the Good Samaritan story.  It went really well.  He was very interested.  I asked him why doesn't he read more about Issa, since he is one of his prophets . . . More amazing conversation.  We talked the whole way, and it was an amazing God time… I would like some more training when you guys come back!"

Both ladies were on the wrong bus but arrived at the right place by the hand of God!

Languages of God’s Story

We thank the Lord for the Ghana languages planning to be launched in November and December. They are Bissa [bib], Jwira-Pepesa [jwi], Sehwi  [sfw], and Ahanta [aha]. In the past 2 months Safaliba, Cherepon, Birifor, Anum, Larteh, Tangale, Jula, San Matya, Mahdi and several other languages have been produced and out for last minute checks. Also, the Mro [cmr] and Southern Samo [sbd] languages have been mastered.

How Does STS Affect Churches Among Tribals in Cambodia?

A leader recently wrote to us about the results from a March STS training with a tribal group.

"We are seeing some steady growth and some exponential growth (in some spots). One house church has doubled in size in the last 2 months (29 baptisms last weekend) and another location has quadrupled in just over 3 months. There has been quite some breakthrough in the area of “celebration” (with our quiet and conservative tribal people) and answers to prayer – advancing the harvest. We have also had our fair share of problems arising in some quarters…and the STS tools have been very handy and fruitful in helping the young fellowships working through a Scriptural response to these challenges.

"Many are benefiting from the approach, and…[are] laying the foundations for the new believers in the fellowships that are growing. The workshop in March really gave legitimacy to the story telling approach (they can see it is very Bible-based) – especially in some of the older fellowships that were not brought up on Bible story telling – and they have been growing spiritually and numerically as they put it into practice."

What do Thai People Do with Their STS Training?

One of our Thai leaders reported about a friend. "After the workshop in the last evening in the resort my friend told the story of the widow and the jar [2 Kings 4:1-7] to one of the resort staff within 5 minutes. Thank God it did touch her heart since she had 2 children and her husband worked far away from her. And she was struggling like that widow. It was so amazing she accepted God in her life. So we invited all 9 staffs in the meeting room during our closing time to thank them for their good service and prayed for them."

As We Age, Do We Get Bolder?

This update came from a lady in her 70's who titled her email, "I'm getting bold."

She shared, "I told the Martha & Mary story to a very nice young lady flying to Newark after a week’s vacation. She was a very cheerful listener to the story, and really liked it. She is not a believer, but she responded very positively to how Jesus talked with Martha, although she said His emotional makeup is different from ours because He is a “great person.” (That was when I had asked her how He might have felt when Martha accused Him of not caring.) She said He would be very calm and level in His emotions at all times, in all circumstances. I encouraged her to ask questions about Bible stories and to share the story with others.  She seemed very ready to do that.

Could a Boy in Mozambique Relate to Mephibosheth?

One STS trainer has been serving in Mozambique at an orphanage for boys. She has been able to have in-depth conversations and discussions with the older teens regarding the Word and the stories being learned. This time has created a time of spiritual openness and vulnerability with these specific teens in the class. 

She shared, "It has been awesome to see so many of these boys impacted by God’s Word. These boys want to be in the story class, they want to learn about God, they are changing, growing, and learning so much!…(as well as being mocked, despised and laughed at by the other teenagers who live here too.) So we must be doing something right.”

While developing the story of Mephibosheth in 2 Samuel 9, this trainer asked some questions of the storyteller to help him connect.  She asked  the 16-year-old boy what it may have felt like to have lost a grandfather who once had so much wealth and property? Could this boy imagine what Mephibosheth might have thought and felt when King David said he was going to give him back all the property and belongings that once belonged to his grandfather? As this trainer asked these questions, the boy's light brown eyes swelled up with tears. 

The trainer discovered that this boy was raised by his grandparents. His grandfather was a man who was very respected within their community and he owned a lot of property and a good size farm.  This boy's grandfather passed away unexpectedly in 2014.  Shortly after his grandfather passed, his grandmother had a few strokes and could no longer care for the boy or maintain the property. The boy was brought to the orphanage by his grandma who pleaded with the leaders to raise him. The impact, depth of mercy, and love in the story of Mephibosheth touched this young man to his core. 

At another point the trainer shared about going into the community with Bible stories. The boys said to this trainer, “People here don’t want to hear Bible stories!” 

Her response, “Everyone wants to hear a story, boys!” So that Friday the boys and the trainer went into the community and while sitting in an African mud hut, they shared the story of David cutting off a piece of King Saul’s robe in the cave.  

The trainer wrote, "People didn’t just listen, they answered questions, they spoke their opinions and were completely engaged! The boys were so happy when we left, they couldn't believe what just happened!"

Please pray for upcoming international trainings including Mombassa, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, India and more.

Could Christians and Jews Learn Scripture Together?

An evangelist among Jewish people learned how to use her STS training last February to evangelize her community. She recently shared one Jewish mom’s response to these Scripture studies, “My kids loved these meetings. They begged to come, literally saying that they learn so much and its not boring for them... so I hope these story times don't stop.” The Jewish children even complained that the study was only once a month!

A seven year old Jewish girl came with her older brother and sister to the Bible study.  The evangelist reported, “She was quiet for a while, intensely interested and then she entered in. Amazing discussion across the generations.”

How might STS Bible Stories Help People with Addictions?

One lady storyteller who ministers to people with addictions at a clinic shared the following report.  The storyteller offers listeners cookies. One of listeners she nicknamed “the Traveler”.  

The Traveler took the cookies, really listened and participated and smiled through most of the story. Sometimes his expressions showed confusion.  At the end, the Traveler said to the storyteller, “You have messed up my mind for the whole day. I have to go now.”

Another man, Mitch, when offered a cookie he said “No thank you, I'm addicted to the oatmeal cranberry cookies at Albertson's in San Clemente.”

Ironically, the storyteller made oatmeal cranberry cookies!  Mitch changed his mind and took four cookies saying they were for his wife and his dog, but then admitted he would probably eat them all. They laughed. Mitch then decided that he would listen to the Bible story too.

Mitch listened and participated in the discussion. They talked for a long time. Then the storyteller asked about applying the story, “Does it ever happen today that people want to be healed?”  Mitch rolled his eyes, laughed and said, “Yes I'd like to be healed of my prostate problems.”

The storyteller then asked about the healing Mitch specifically wanted. He said, “My addiction” and he bowed his head immediately.

Mitch said he had been clean a couple times before but became addicted again because he was not a happy person.

They prayed to Jesus for healing.  The Bible story opened the door for Mitch to share his heart and to ask for true healing.

Grateful to the Lord,

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

How Do Prisoners Break Free?

A few years ago we started consulting with a group going into the women's prison in the Middle East. They struggled communicating the Gospel for several reasons, including the need for multiple language translators in each meeting with these prisoners!  We returned several times helping to streamline their process and they've experienced tremendous success as a result. 

A team of 3 STS instructors was recently invited to teach the process to men in a maximum-security prison. One instructor shared that some of these men at the training are serving multiple life sentences, and that these prisoners also realize that the Lord can use them to reach up to 3000 other prisoners.

One evening “Modavador G”, who wrote the script and rhymed the Holy Hip Hop version of God’s Story, rapped the Bible to a large group of 75 prisoners.  Then another instructor told an STS Bible story to these same men.  Everyone loved Modavador G and the Bible story.

Other reports shared during the training included the following:

"The men are responding and showing interest. The men who have been with us for the first 2 1/2 days [of training] are having ‘ah ha’ moments…."

"God was giving special encounters with the men just like Moses had at the burning bush. But they have never experienced this before. One man said that he had never had ‘God-encounters’ like that before... like he's experiencing in STS."

"God showed up through His Word and through the men wrestling with the questions. The other man said he's read all kinds of books; he's been over the stories many many times himself, and because of STS,  he is seeing things in the stories he has never seen before."

At dinner, the host said to the instructors, "The men are really enjoying this and getting so much out of it. I don't know how I could've asked for more!"

At the end of the training, a prisoner, who represented all who were part of the Native American religion in this prison, stepped down as the leader because he had become a Christian through the transfiguration story.  This man saw how the Lord lifted Jesus above Moses and Elijah when God said, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I’m well pleased; listen to him.” (Matt 17:5)  If Jesus is the one God elevates, this Native American knew he needed to follow Jesus.

After the prison training, we received the following update. “The men are using STS all over the prison. They meet together weekly and talk about what they're doing and what new things they could bring STS to.”

Please continue to pray for these prisoners. They may be serving a life sentence physically, but their life sentence with Jesus gives them the freedom to serve the Creator of the Universe in places few of us can go.

What Happens After a Bible Story Is Told in Mexico?

One instructor shared about Simply The Story to leaders in Mexico, inspiring people to attend an STS training this November. The next day after the Bible story, during a meeting, one woman stood up and testified how awesome STS was for adults. She had thought about the story from Isaiah 6 all night, and in the morning she woke up thinking about the Bible story. This woman shared with all the pastors and their wives how much the story from the day before had impacted her.

As a result, several pastors and their wives said they were going to definitely come to the workshop in November and bring people with them.

Do Youth Need or Want Entertainment?

In May, the local youth center invited us to do Bible stories with the 8-12 year olds. This youth center provides a safe environment for kids to stay when not in school.  Many of these youth have family members in prison, don’t go to church, and some have only one parent.

The director said to us after the 3rd week that they have trouble keeping volunteers. I asked why. He said because these kids curse them and the volunteers leave. Stunned, I said, “We haven’t heard a bad word yet!”  Even at the recent leader meeting, they discussed the two most “troubled” kids, and these 2 are in our Bible class!  One is simply full of energy (no trouble for us) and the other has simply been lost in the pack of 5 older brothers (again, not a problem).  

Then recently, the dance instructor at the youth center shared that the girls in her dance class love the Bible time in our group.  The dance instructor was shocked that the girls would stop dance to go to Bible class. Amazingly, in every class we spend at least 45 minutes discussing the Word of God without games or other “enticing” incentives to come.

Needless to say, the staff at the youth center are astounded by what the Lord is doing and how these kids are responding. We are documenting everything, and filming as much as possible.  

Is There Freedom for Sudanese Refugees?

The Lord continues to open the door for both STS and God’s Story to provide hope for refugees fleeing South Sudan. 

In the previous trip to Uganda, our team of leaders from Egypt conducted 3 workshops with more than 100 people being trained along with 12 local instructors.

The team also showed God’s Story to an average of 3000 people each night for more than 3 weeks. That number sometimes reached 5,000!  After the video, our leaders led discussions and more than 1000 people per day responded to prayer. STS Oral Bible Schools started in 3 settlements and 6 more settlements are asking for these schools as well.

During this trip to Uganda, more than 120 people were trained in STS by a team of 14 people. What makes this even more astounding is new STS leaders were raised.  The trainees belong to about 12 different tribes and languages.  Now we have instructors in most South Sudanese languages!

Along with training, our leader showed God’s Story in the Acholi language (spoken primarily in Uganda) which was his first time using this language!  Not only are refugees hearing the truth, but Ugandans who speak Acholi are wanting to see God’s Story as well. 

People have been using Bible stories, winning people to Christ and for discipleship. The storytellers say that this way suits them 100%. The refugees get up early in the morning to help with STS workshops, and they stay late to help with the God’s Story film at night.  

One lady discovered in the one leper story from Mark 1:40-45 that the leper was disobedient by not doing what Jesus had asked. She said, "I am also disobedient to Jesus!" and confessed she was pregnant due to adultery.  Before hearing this Bible story, she used to defend herself fiercely that she did not commit adultery.

Please continue to pray for the people who reaching refugees worldwide.  We are working with multiple groups reaching refugees.

Our Comprehensive Leadership Training Spreads the Word.

Every summer for the past 5 years, The God’s Story Project conducts a Comprehensive Leadership Training, or CLT, at our headquarters.  This four-week training helps people to prepare to lead STS trainings, understand the impact of God’s Story, reach people in everyday life, and utilize tools for children, radio and missions.

One night each week we also have a barbeque with the Miller family. Sometimes one of the children shares a Bible story and leads us in questions.  People always love the fellowship.

One day each week we take attendees to local restaurants to have lunch and to do Bible stories with people in Hemet. It is always a big hit with attendees, even if they are afraid to do this. 

One woman in her 60’s shared with tears, “I can do it. It’s not about being really good, it’s about having a better way to connect with the word of God. You can share it everywhere and with yourself.”

Another woman said, “And then I was just amazed how easy it was to just go up and talk to someone and ask if I could just sit with them today.”

One man described his time at the training, “I don’t know how to explain it. It’s like Heaven Dude.”

We joined together to pray for several people. We prayed for a young woman taking STS to orphans in Mozambique, another young European finishing her schooling who has worked with refugees, other men working in Africa, and many more received prayer for implementing what they have learned.

Other Blessings From the Lord

We recently had a team from Europe and the USA, Ethiopia and Kenya conduct trainings in South Africa and Malawi. The before and after pictures to the right describe a woman transformed through the STS training. Even her mentor was amazed!

We thank the Lord for the STS trainings at the following places: Theological Seminary in the Philippines, Burkina Faso, India and other locations.

God’s Story languages that are close to completion include 3 languages from Burkina Faso, 3 languages from Ghana, 1 language of Nigeria, and 1 language from the Republic of Congo.

One missionary to South East Asia shared that he, his wife, and their daughter watched God’s Story meticulously day by day.

Grateful to the Lord,

Andrea
Executive Director

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

Can We Stop Human Trafficking With the Word of God?

Our team of leaders recently went to a country in Asia to train girls who have been rescued from human trafficking. This trip came as a result of our time with one leader who had shared his story with me.
This leader used to reach these girls with many great methods. However, when he went back to see how the girls were doing, over half of the girls had been taken again! That's when he realized the answer to this problem was a heart issue. 
He began to make the ministry’s primary focus on the spiritual well-being of the girls, not just targeting the physical and emotional well-being. As a result, this leader and his organization now experience close to a 100% success rate. This means nearly all of the girls rescued do NOT get taken and returned to human trafficking.

He invited our STS instructors to help raise these girls so that they can multiply their spiritual growth wherever the Lord takes them. The STS training went so well, the girls were asking for more before the training ever ended. Please pray for these girls. They are being raised as leaders.  Currently, this leader and I are in the beginning steps of developing a training and writing a handbook to help others implement this amazing process to help rescued girls.

Could the Word of God Stop a Gang?

Marco (name changed for his protection) serves as no ordinary missionary. On December 23, 2014, he faced death. Twenty-two gang members surrounded this young man because they “put a green light on him” (meaning, he must die) for $10,000.  Marco had been a believer for less than a few months.

Even though Marco had heard about God at 12 years old, he had no family support and went his own way. However, he knew the Lord had a purpose for him.

Tears streamed down Marco's face as he shared in Spanish what the Lord spoke to him that day standing in the middle of armed gang members, “I am the one who gives life, and I take it away. You decide what you want.”

Marco responded to God, “I want to live, but I want to live for you. If you allow it, I will become what you want me to be.” Marco continued, “It has not been easy, nor had it been impossible to serve the Lord.“

Marco now brings ByDesign Visuals flannel graph materials to Honduras, and is preparing to train others with the specialized ByDesign and STS training throughout Honduras.   Marco lives for Jesus and lives to rescue those who don’t have Him in their hearts yet.

Please pray for Marco and Hilda, they are amazing people.  These two people and another man from El Salvador helped me to understand another perspective on the immigration issue.  All three have experienced broken families in Central America because their spouses (and many other spouses) have traveled to the USA, never to return again.  These spouses have left in hopes of a better life, but have left many husbands or wives without help, and certainly many children without a parent.  The man from El Salvador shared that this current system of emigration has created a welfare mentality throughout his country.

What does a flannel graph, STS and a Gang Riddled Park have in Common?

Recently, I was invited to share about Simply The Story and God’s Story with more than 250 leaders from various churches throughout Honduras. ByDesign Visuals and we (TGSP) partnered together to till the ground with ByDesign Visuals’ amazing flannel graph materials and our training.  While working with Marco and Hilda, ByDesign Visuals’ leadership, we learned something new in the Martha & Mary story.

At one point in the story, Martha says to Jesus, “…tell my sister to come help me.”  Martha wanted her sister’s help rather than respecting the call Mary had on her life.  Marco wisely applied this truth to his life when he turned down his family’s offer to help him because he realized that his family would require him to leave what God had called him to do.

Later that evening our team went to the local park in the middle of gang territory to present an STS style Bible story using ByDesign Visuals flannel graphs. At least 31 people heard the story of Joseph in prison interpreting the dreams of the chief baker and the chief butler from Genesis 40.  One family accepted Christ and several others had discussions with our team about Jesus.

Are We Maximizing Our Opportunities with Immigrants in the USA?

A friend’s heart was struck when he and his family went to a local lake.  About 85% of the people there were from India. My friend wisely asked me, "Who's reaching who?"  

How long do we have as believers to reach immigrants? One person said that we have an average of 2 years to reach them for Christ prior to their taking root in their own community and religion.

My friend decided to take action to reach the Indian families in his community. He asks immigrants if they have anyone to call at 2 am or when they need someone? Do they need a friend or fellowship? All the people say, "yes" to these questions. 

In the past couple of months they have been able  to reach 20 Telugu speaking families, even international students are coming.  His goal is 200 families, a number he believes is from the Lord.  They meet from 11 am to 8 pm on Saturdays at homes, in parks, and wherever the Lord leads.  The people talk, have a potluck, sing, and use Simply The Story to bring the Word of God. Everyone participates and loves this time together.  The group continues to grow!

What is Happening with God's Story?

God has used our flagship program, God's Story: From Creation to Eternity, in mighty ways and in many places worldwide.  Untold thousands, if not millions, are getting the meta-narrative or overview of Scripture in a way that makes sense and is understandable.  As a result, many of these people are coming to Christ.  One man recently told me that the best tool he has for working with refugees, has been God's Story!  We now have 350 languages completed.  In some locations God’s Story is the only.

In April and May, we sent a team of 6 leaders to Ghana to learn how to translate, check and record God's Story languages faster and with a high level of accuracy.  We also sent a videographer to film the process, which will be reviewed and edited soon.  As a result of this new production, we plan to increase God's Story language production.

Our language expert shared that this was one of the best language workshops he ever taught, and that 6 languages of God's Story were completed as a result.

How Far Has Our STS Training Gone?

Every time someone asks us for training, my heart leaps because I know STS helps people learn to go deeper in the Word, and equips people how to reach out to others.  Two years ago, we were asked to train people in a country, I call the "desert", where few people get to go.  When we were asked to return again this year, we sent our European Director.  

The following are some of the initial comments from our director about the recent training.

"Attendees are going to form an STS Club that will meet to do stories with coaching via Skype from regional STS leader"

"Two elders of the church(es) council were ecstatic about the workshop (and only one of them was actually attending!!)"

"Emails were pouring in from Saturday night until yesterday about what an "incredible," "amazing," etc. workshop it was."

"Yesterday was full of unplanned strategic meetings with people, including the pastor of hosting church, all wanting to know how to go forward from here towards the raising of local leaders."

Growing Leaders Starting at 8 Years Old.

Several of our younger leaders recently led a training for the 3rd year at Calvary Chapel's Vajta, Hungary location.  One instructor wrote this about an 8-year old attendee.

"This is an 8-year old asking a question to help lead adults to discover truth in a Bible story!

“After 3 days of being in the workshop (she is daughter of a missionary couple taking this training and we encouraged the couple to let her come to the training) she has learned how tell a story and use questions to prompt discussion focused on discovering spiritual observations in a Bible story."

The instructor continued, "These kinds of experiences help me truly believe that most Christians CAN learn how to do this and lead small group fun times in Bible stories with family or friends or coworkers or even at church with just one week of training!  I was very encouraged and this reinforced some previous experiences with teenagers and young adults, as well as all other ages in several countries and among non-literate people also!"

Other Blessings from The Lord.

1. Recently, the Lord opened the door for me to share about God's Story and Simply The Story on the PrayinJesusName.org network with Chaplain Gordon James Klingenschmitt or "Dr. Chaps." This program airs on NRB TV, Direct TV Ch.378, Roku, Amazon FireTV, AndroidTV, GoogleTV, Smart TV, iTunes, and www.PrayInJesusName.org. If you would like to see these 2 episodes click the links below. Leave a comment if you wish.

Andrea shares that we are in a spiritual battle.

http://tinyurl.com/DrChaps00

The God’s Story Project Changes Hearts with Audio Devices: Andrea

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Grateful to the Lord,

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

How Does God Work at an Asia Leader’s Summit?

As I looked at the group assembled in Cambodia, my heart leapt with amazement at the team the Lord brought together for our leaders’ summit. We had 17 people from 10 nations represented. Along with the varied nations, most of the leaders brought someone they are raising with them.

We spent time digging into Bible stories, discovering things like how when Jesus asked the man at the pool of Bethesda if he wanted to be healed. The man said there was no one to put him in the pool for healing (John 5:5-8).  This story greatly encouraged one of our leaders who mentioned being convicted by giving excuses when Jesus spoke to her. New leaders were also blessed hearing what the seasoned leaders have experienced.

The teams are now focused on all Asia as well as their local countries. All are excited to work together as a team.

As a result of the summit, our leaders are now looking forward to several advanced trainings to help raise their leaders and solidify multiplication of depth in the Word of God for their country.

How Might Mexico Respond to the Word of God?

After a training in Mexico, the instructor received a phone call from one of the trainees.  “’Jan’ was asked by her pastor to do a story for the main service yesterday morning, around 250-300 people. She was so excited because it went so well and the Pastors were impressed with the involvement of all the people.

“This is the church that is getting ready to change their discipleship to a home-group based style and the plan, according to the pastors, is that that they want to use STS as the foundational teaching tool…. both she and ‘a friend’ see what we do (STS) as an answer to a lifetime of prayer for the Mexican people.”

What Happens in Cambodia After an STS Leaders Summit?

After the summit, a team of trainers went to the Northeast part of Cambodia, another team stayed in Siem Rep, and a third team conducted training in Phnom Phen.  This short report about what trainees want the most came from the village in the Northeast.

Our instructor shared, “Today, in the hottest part of the afternoon, when everyone took showers at lunch to beat the heat, our sugar cane seller showed up and didn’t make a dime. No one was willing to leave the ‘training’ to go get juice. Guess we have something sweeter?

 “I thought the little boy pictured was pointing for sugar cane, but I realized a couple minutes later, this little boy loves his group so much, he was asking if he could bring his friend.”

After watching God’s Story during lunch, at least 2 tribal language house church groups now want to translate God's Story for their people. Please pray for God to provide everything that is needed.

The two leaders from Singapore are dynamic and “bubbly.” These two gals excite people about the Lord, and their enthusiasm breaks through the massive honor and shame wall that surrounds many Asian hearts.

The two ladies exuberantly talked to one of the Cambodian ladies in the night market.  Imagine mixing Mandarin and Khmer!  These girls told the story of Jesus leaving the 99 sheep to go after the one. By the time the story finished, the night market lady had accepted Jesus.

In Central Asia, Could Bible Stories Save?

A report received by one instructor, “At an English speaking Simply The Story club, a woman shared how she'd been so influenced by the story from two weeks ago that she'd been sharing it with her mom and with her English students.  One of those students asked her how to be sure she was saved AND told her that because of [the teacher telling a Bible story] that [the 17 year old student] hadn't committed suicide. 

Could These Deep Discussions Happen on the Streets in Israel Too?

Our instructor team returned from Israel thrilled beyond belief. The results continue to come to us from abroad.  Several people have reported that their experiences talking to people on the streets have turned from fear to joy and enthusiasm with tremendous results.  As one attendee said about another, “… she is glowing. She had the same experience that I did- people suddenly open up because the story stimulates interest!  Back to the streets Thursday as follow up meeting.”

One lady reported, “There's just so much noise today we need to ‘be quiet’ and let the story communicate.”

Another couple’s experience using STS, “We're experiencing the same thing— requests to teach…."

One man visited a believer who had just been hospitalized for treatment for depression. The man wanted to have a Bible study with this man, but wasn't very optimistic about how successful it would be. By the Lord’s leading, the storyteller stated, “After some introductory talk, he opened up sharing his struggles while downgrading himself. … I proceeded to tell him the story of the Lord walking on the water. His eyes brightened and he began enjoying the interaction as we explored the passage using the spiritual observations and applications. He is now out of the hospital after only a week stay. This has really been an encouraging experience for me.”

New Languages of God’s Story Almost Done!

A team of amazing leaders traveled to Sierra Leone for recording several languages of God’s Story and conducting STS training. These languages are now in studio. We appreciate prayer for a timely production process. 

Pray for Sudanese Refugees and Our Team in Uganda

From our leaders who have been ministering in the refugee camps, “We praise the Lord for the fruit of the workshops in the refugee camps Uganda. At the moment there are 62 settlements for South Sudanese refugees in Uganda alone with about one million refugees in Uganda alone.”

The team has returned for another 3 weeks to show God’s Story, teach STS, and minister to the hurting in the camps.  This same team is preparing to help the Syrian refugees soon after returning from Uganda.  Please keep them in prayer as they have been targeted. One member of the team had to stay home and is recovering from being attacked.

During the previous visit to Uganda, the team held 3 workshops with about 10 South Sudanese instructors in each workshop attended by about 250 trainees total.

Our leader shared, “Every day, after the workshop they sent trainees for 90 minutes of evangelism and storytelling. People did evangelism where they met families (and sometimes crowds) at their homes and presented Bible stories and many responded.

“During our visit, every evening for 23 nights we showed God’s Story … in eleven different locations and thousands of people came every night standing or sitting on the ground….Many responded to the message and prayed after watching and listening to the salvation message.  Many pastors and church leaders confessed sin and expressed their need for STS Oral Bible Schools and STS training.

“We helped build five churches where believers cleared the land and cut some trees or bought some wood (In some places they cannot cut trees) and we bought iron sheets to cover the five churches. These are different denominations and different languages.”

The team gave or sold for a little money, Bibles and SD memory cards with different languages containing God’s Story, the Bible, STS material and more. They also gave people medicines and clothes, visited orphanages where they did Bible stories, provided some food and more.

There are now STS Oral Bible Schools in some camps with more to start soon.

Quick report from Germany.

The Iranians are telling stories to fellow Muzlm Iranians, and also telling the Bible stories in the coffee shop on Friday nights.

Have you enjoyed coffee with Koffi?

Staff on Mercy Ships continue spending time in the Word with Koffi! Our partnership to develop STS instructors on the ship continues to bless the staff, the day crew, and the patients.

Grateful to the Lord,

Andrea

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

Could God’s Story affect children, non-Christians, and refugees alike?

Recently I had the privilege of speaking with a retired man who has spent most of the last 10 years getting God’s Story into the languages of Ghana.  We expect that next year, most, if not all, the languages will be done!  He has also worked with several ministries in the region.  One ministry does Bible studies using 9 languages of God’s Story with 9,000 children in 197 or more clubs every week. 

Working with Refugees

In early 2016, a handful of STS leaders traveled to Germany to test reaching refugees with various tools. God’s Story, a major tool our team used, impacted several people, including a small group of Arabic speakers turning to Jesus and wanting more. 

This January another team from Europe and the USA returned to conduct an STS training for Farsi and German speakers.   The pastor of the church there reported this to one of our leaders before the training, “Since we've been there last year we left a trail of blessings. Seventy people got baptized last year, now weekly 80-85 people meet in the coffee shop. He's impacted [because our STS team] travels from all over the world, with the love of Jesus, to set a good Biblical foundation for the [refugees] here [going] to whatever region they're going afterward.”

Some impact reports from Germany follow.

“In each story of the bible is a part of our life and I can see our lifes in each of the story.” [person 1]

 “I learned from you patience, kindness, and love.  In this one week all of you worked so hard and trying to teach us but sometimes we could not learn it but still you had kindness and patience in yourself and you had perseverance with each one of us.” [person 2]

“Now I feel that all of you really give me hope for the future also my faith today is strong in Jesus.”
[person 3]

“I don’t want to lie to you guys I was drinking so much because of problems During the time you guys are here and teaching us I’m not drinking or using alchol.”
[person 4]

God’s Story on the solar players used with non-believers?!

A recent email report came to us about some of the several hundred solar players that went out last year.

“We passed them out to our ethnic rangers [from persecution states in ‘Asia’] and everyone loved them and listened to them right away. I gave one to our chief medic who is a believer and right away he sat down in his bamboo house and with his family around the player began to listen.

“Non-Christians on our team asked for them and told us it was easy to listen to and understand and easy to carry…. Out in the villages non-Christians came up to me asking for them and we ran out very fast. These are a blessing and a popular way to hear the gospel. We only need more — both for Christians and non-Christians.”

An amazing report from Papua New Guinea!!

“Thank you for replacing our disk. I played it for years until it just could go not longer. Our clinic is located in the middle of the jungle in Papua New Guinea. We have no roads, no electricity (we DO have solar power) and our "running water" comes from the stream up the mountain. We've been here about 9 years. My husband is a Bible translator and church planter…

“We see around a thousand patients per month… and people come for days, hiking through the jungle to get treatment.

“The Gospel is given out daily in our clinic as well as medicines.  Your video the God's Story in Tok Pisin is shown frequently. Sometimes we get a person that will translate it from Tok Pisin into their tribal tongue while it is playing.  But mostly it draws a group of people and it is silent except for the video.

“Our clinic also employs a young fellow about 25 years old [who] has been blind for about 6-7 years now…. Sometimes the clinic is so busy we forget the video has finished.  But not [JM]. He about has it memorized along with the New Testament in Tok Pisin….

How has STS impacted those in Central Asia at a recent STS training?

A couple of impact reports from Central Asia.

“Even through the small stories through this study I have taken in deep understanding. It has been kind of like being in a university. Being a teacher at my church I have gone through many seminars, but this seminar compared to those is so very different and so much better, I’ve taken in so much more understanding and information. I’m very happy.” [C. Asia person 1]

“This is a great Bridge into sharing the gospel with people and to get into a conversation with them. It’s simple. It’s a great method and can really be useful and helpful. This is especially good in Eastern cultures.” [C. Asia person 2]

The impact from STS training continues in Singapore as reported from a Mandarin speaker here. “We are able to make disciple in our elderly ministry and also in many fellowship group in the past few years.

“Last year … we started to bring the Chinese group to share Bible story to the brothers in half way house, … also shared in a women half way. By God grace , they are people came to Christ and repented. During one of a sharing, more than 4-5 girls came and said they want to learn the word of God.  I am following up two sisters, they had stop drugs and now started to work last month, one already finish the program and leave the half way house. Life is transformed and lost sheep are found. Praise God.

“After my testimony, I tell a bible story and many were touch, all most the whole class raise their voice to say they are the sinner and need to repent and we prayed together to repent to God….  A sister came to me and said' you share better than pastor…. You know why the respond to me so well? Because, I speak broken English. Hahaha .... So I am at the same level like them and part of them.

Our Mandarin speaking friend continued, “I was invited to share in elderly day care center….Although they are old, weak and sick, but many elderly responded when I ask question and some came to faith. Even Children ministry and Children Gospel rally, many children responded and came to Christ.”

Where can people do a Bible story?

How about at a check-in counter? “I just told the story to the two ladies at the Admirals Club check-in counter.”

What about on radio?  “The radio program here are used by God that you will amaze the result because they are listening in their house….”

Could a story be done during a drug bust? One man, on the way home from our training, told a Bible story to a man and his girlfriend during a drug bust…of the girlfriend!  

What about in a college class?  One woman wrote, “Last week My African friend told the Christmas story of the angel appearing to Joseph [see Matt 1:18-25].  Our [recently baptized Muz] friend was blown away by the idea about a righteousness man showing mercy rather than punishment.

The woman continued, “She teaches beginning Arabic at the same college where I work. One of the Americans was probably being a little confrontational, and asked about the Muz practice of stoning women.  Without being taught about looking for openings for 5-minute stories [something STS trains people to do], she explained that Jewish law demanded the same thing, and launched right into the story that we'd just done.  All of them, Christian and Muz alike, were stunned to realize that if Joseph had followed the letter of the law, Jesus would never have been born.  They were totally engaged in the story.

“She called me the next day, and asked if I'd ever realized how powerful these stories could be.”

Grateful to the Lord,

Andrea

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