Man Sheds Tears
Prayer and Praise Report #2, March-May 2015
Dear Friend of God's Story,
What Could Possibly Make this Man Cry?
"The man broke down and wept during the jars of oil story," (2 Kings 4:1-‐7, the widow who lost her husband and was about ready to lose her 2 sons).
Curious why this story touched the man so much, our Africa director continued, "The man said that for 23 years South Sudan has developed a dependency on foreign aid, rather than trusting the Lord. This man sees the Lord as wanting people to be part of the solution. The woman who had nothing but a jar of oil, still had something the Lord could use. As a Sudanese man, he feels his own people do not recognize what they have and what God can use." Pray for this man.
Another pastor from the Sudan who recently received intensive training in Simply The Story reports back, "...I shared the story of centurion in book of Matthew 8:5-‐13 to 'military' officers. God open their hearts to receive
Jesus Christ. ... One stood up said, 'God forgive me for not trusting in your word all this year, and receive me in your family.' "
The pastor continued, "Then another stood up and said, 'I confess my sin of not being humble and forgive me I need humble heart.' So six of them received Jesus Christ as personal savior and 20 recommitted their lives to Christ."
How does one Introduce God's Story to several African Villages?
Our language coordinator for West Africa reported, "All went amazingly well. God's Story was the first media ever done in their languages. The villagers were so happy to see and hear God's Story in their mother tongues, that they openly received the film team. All the villagers gathered together in great excitement. After the 80-‐minute film was seen, in only two locations it was prudent to have an altar call. Many in those locations responded openly to the Gospel. But, although these predominantly animist and mus.lim people did hear the Word of God, the chiefs were not ready to allow open "recruitments" to Christianity."
In all of the locations, after the movie was done, one of the team members would tell a Bible story and invite discussion as we do in Simply The Story. In every case, the people became involved and wanted more. The "more" they received on this trip was the 50 solar players for each language.
Most of these remote people groups live very far from any electric power, so the solar players were treasures that the recipients realized contained a treasured message. The few believers among these people groups have plans to do wise follow up.
Upon returning, our West Africa Director told me, "We need more solar powered audio players!" I responded, "I imagine you do. But first can the Ghanaian ministries who are trying to reach this region document some of the responses to God's Story and uses of these players? Then, as where most needed (and as we are able) we will see about getting you more players." Please continue to pray for this country and region. Plans are being made now to do another launching of 10 God's Story languages this fall.
God's Story on National TV?
Our leader in this Asian country emailed me and said he has a chance to play God's Story on TV and it would cost over $2,500.
As the new Executive Director, I choked a little at the cost and wrote him back with some concerns. He wisely responded, "Not the matter of Money...For the Censor there are 15 Minister will be checking and watching the GS. In one way we can't reach or share the God's word to the 15 Government Chief Ministers. But in one way this is an opportunity to see the God's Story in their life." In other words, even if God's Story never aired, at least 15 chief government officials would hear the Gospel. What wisdom!
By the hand of our loving Lord, God's Story aired three times in this difficult Buddhist country in the national language along with at least 2 other languages subtitled. Thank you Lord for showing us YOUR ways, and not mine. (God's Story aired on national TV during Easter in Kenya as well!)
What happens in a Comprehensive Leadership Training (CLT)?
The CLT training in Kenya occurred during the Spring. Leaders from a few nations in Eastern Africa participated, including leaders from South Sudan! During the first few weeks, people spent a tremendous amount of time in God's Word, practicing the STS method of oral inductive Bible study. This washes people from the inside out, and encourages all the participants and trainers.
As the participants spend time hiding God's Word in their heart pocket, they are also learning to lead Simply The Story training. Approximately midway through the CLT, the people lead a training under the supervision of a skilled instructor. Finally, the remaining CLT time focuses on
coaching the people in their instructor skills. Participants leave the training understanding practicals (hands on Bible stories with anyone they meet, believer or non-‐believer), knowing the "what" and "why" of STS philosophies, and capable of teaching both. All of this leads to a tremendous equipping and encouraging of many to know God's Word, and to share God with man.
Starting June 8, at our headquarters in Hemet, California, we begin another CLT. Only a few spots remain open for an incredible and refreshing time with many believers and the Lord. Midway through, a regular training will occur, open to anyone wanting to learn STS.
Could Anything Good Come From California?
Our state may be in the midst of a drought, however, an oasis of God's Word refreshes many young hearts.
Two amazing instructors were invited to teach Bible to the youth at a Calvary Chapel school for the Spring semester. The instructors decided to use the STS method and the results amazed many teachers and leaders in the school.
What were the final results? Many of the 14-‐ 18 year olds signed up to do Bible dramas in the elementary classes (typically 12 years old and younger). Others agreed to present Bible stories to the 11-‐13 year olds (Jr. High classes), elementary chapel, adult home fellowship, children's ministry, high school ministry, and at convalescent and assisted living residences. All of this came as a result of adult leaders seeing the changes in the lives of the students and wanting them to come and share what they had learned!
One young man said about STS, "If I had this before, think how much I could have learned!"
Another senior graduate from this school assisted in an STS training in Hungary in May. His parents were shocked. Never had their son shown any interest in missions until now.
Many more stories from this school to come. Look on our website under "What's New?" in the near future.
Family Devotions that Impact
What happens when a family has no choice but to bring their children to a training because the father could not find care for the young ones?
Results of an STS Oral Bible School
Recently one leader reported what he saw resulting from an STS Oral Bible School (OBS) in Kenya. The pastor leading an OBS school said the Bible teachers for the Sunday school children keep leaving and they needed more teachers. I asked myself, "Why were they struggling to keep Sunday school teachers?"
Apparently, the children, who learn Bible stories from their parents attending the STS Oral Bible School, seem to "...know more than the Sunday school teachers so the teachers leave."
Snapshots From Around the World - Praises and Prayers
An STS training required one and a half years to setup, but we praise the Lord, it was completed recently. The country is one of the top dozen persecutors of Christians and required our entire office and the leaders to use a code name in reference to the training and country.
Working in partnership with another organization, close to 80,000 copies of God's Story, along with other materials have been distributed to closed countries since 2014. Reports of impact have trickled in due to the security issues facing this project.
Latin America opens up to STS! This year alone, training has occurred or expected to happen in the following countries: Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Bolivia.
Three countries in the Middle East received STS training. All three are on the top 50 list for persecuting Christians. One leader will be attending our CLT training in June.
A large organization raising children to follow Jesus throughout 20 African countries has chosen to weave STS into their curriculum. We will work together with them over the next year or two.
Dates for the Israel training and tour are set for the last 2 weeks in February 2016. Look for the registration and brochure on our website this month or call our office for more information (space is limited). We're excited to see how the interactive discussions in Bible stories affect those on our tour, the other tours near us, and the local residents.
Look for a wonderful testimony from our Togo director under the "What's New?" section of www.SimplyTheStory.org later this month.
Our incredible office staff and world leaders are doing wonderful as they go through this transition time following Dorothy's home going. God has ministered to each of us in His own special way. Tom Miller remains a faithful and tremendous leader.
Grateful to the Lord, Andrea
Executive Director
The God's Story Project
* Pictures blurred for security reasons