A SUCCESS STORY?

“Dr Iris Paul and Her Children”

InterComm was just 2 years old back in 1993 when we met Dr Iris Paul. Her story will not sound like any other we have shared. Nor will we have exciting statistical data for you to enjoy.

Employed by the government, Dr. Paul travels throughout the Malkangiri District of Orissa, an eastern State in Central India along the coast of the Bay of Bengal. When she is off the clock, her job has taken her to numerous villages, where taking advantage of free travel, she pursues ministry opportunities. At first she majored in literature distribution. You see - Orissa - is one of the most hostile States in this country towards Christianity. Churches are burned. Pastor’s houses destroyed. Many people martyred. You get the picture. You just don’t openly share Christ in an open air meeting. But if you have a booklet or even a Bible, and someone asks to receive a copy, then literature distribution one by one is permitted. Although few have the courage to accept Christ, a need arises for ongoing training for those who do. Dr. Paul attempts to buy or build a small structure in villages where indoor Christian training can take place.

Over the years, InterComm has provided a Torch Kit, 16mm Films, and more recently video disks. Results, however, are few and so far not reported. But does the Word of God go forward? Is there a consistent witness before the powers of evil? “There are 62 tribal groups in Orissa,” Dr. Paul writes. “Media will be a great asset here.”

Each year she trains new staff, who, once trained, often leave her for financial opportunities. Yet, she tirelessly trusts God to press on, serving the Body of Christ and building strong churches wherever possible. Even prison ministry takes place, and all over the State many small groups of believers exist in such locales with Bibles provided, when there are those who can read. For those who can’t, Christian songs of faith are taught for comfort.

Not long ago, Dr. Paul reported 29 people from 2 of the tribal villages were preparing to take baptism. This was huge by Orissa standards. They had memorized the Lord’s Prayer, Psalm 23, a confession of sins, and the Apostle’s Creed. Certainly many of these have been influenced by Christian media. Why was this huge? Because for many the step of baptism may cost them their lives. As a Christian, one loses all access to government help. Children no longer may attend free government schools. Christians very lives are threatened. Yet, through your prayers, many continue to seek Christ, the only answer!

Although her husband died at a young age, Dr. Paul has faithfully continued serving the Lord. She shared, “The videos have greatly benefited people here when I can use them. I wish I had a camera to take pictures of the response they are having.”

Last year we finally had the privilege of equipping Dr. Paul with our new Oriya Language video, recorded while on Project during the Telugu Language Recording Program. Not just a Bible story, but a media tool, which speaks the heart language. Do pray! God will bless its usage.

This past Christmas a special outreach had been planned for the Koya Tribal people. This nearly hidden jungle village barely had a visible road. One had to travel muddy paths and cross a difficult stream. Everyone was excited to see careful plans coming together as they entered the village on December 21. The program began with prayer. Next young tribal children danced to a Christian song, but all of a sudden a great commotion began. The children fled into the jungle, as did all of the adults. Men appeared with huge sticks, shouting at Dr. Paul and her team, demanding that they must not come to the village with a foreign religion. They expressed violent hatred. She wrote, "We always provide food for such programs, and we were actually allowed to stay and share these gifts. No, we could not preach the Gospel, but the love of Christ was clearly displayed through our faces and through our actions. We pray one day we will be able to return.”

Let’s all of us pray for Dr. Paul and for those all over the world who would likewise oppose this Gospel.

CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS

For over 1 year Pastor Thomas Abugah from Kumasi, Ghana patiently waited to receive the 16mm Projector and Films we had shipped to him through a container. Shortly after receiving the unit, he wrote:

“I have just tested the Projector for its first ministry showings at Nkawie on December 25. All is okay. About 70 people came out that night to see the films, and 34 of them gave their lives to Christ. We praise the Lord for this and pray that He will continue to use it to bring people into His Kingdom, as we use it more in 2008. Please pray that these new believers will grow in their faith. Thank you for providing these wonderful ministry tools to help us share the Gospel.”

SHINNING INTO THEIR HEARTS

Evangelist Justin Martin Manguriko from Brazzaville, Congo writes:

“Many people are coming to Christ these days. They are leaving their traditional worship of idols and are confessing Jesus as their personal Savior. This small Torch Kit is shining into their hearts. Glory be to God for such a wonderful means of AVangelism.”

His Report was 47 showings, 481 viewers, and 29 accepting Christ.

SHOW IT AGAIN

Rev Dyson GM Chitekwe from Blantyre Malawi writes:

“It has been a wonderful time to see people coming to watch the Filmstrips. After the showings, many people have been asking questions, which I then clarify for them. Everywhere I have gone people were very happy to watch the drama presentations, and their response was very good. They have been asking me to play it again and show more stories.”

A Report of 14 showings, 664 viewers, and 32 accepting Christ.

HEARTBEAT
by Ken Anderson

(For a period of time, InterComm will be sharing Heartbeats from the Ken Anderson Films era.)

“Nothing equals the taste of bread, which you share with somebody else.”

I’ve been mulling over this oriental axiom for quite some time. Having spent so much time overseas, the need of our lesser privileged brothers and sisters frequently came to my attention. So also do examples of the great works that they do for the Lord. I have been in Wewak, a small town in New Guinea that I had never heard of before. There is a need for Christian audiovisuals there or audiovisual loaves that Christians can secure to help spread the Good News of Jesus Christ throughout their less-privileged corner of God’s creation.

How I thank God for the growing ministry opportunities He is providing for such work through InterComm. But what about you? Has the Lord shown you how you can share morsels from your spiritual table with others? Particularly those in the Third World?
 

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PROJECT UPDATES   Vietnamese Language Recording Project - 4 Films to be Recorded in Vietnam. Recording sessions to begin March 3. Praise God Budget is complete!     DONATE NOW>>    Cambodia Language Recording Project Set-Up Meetings for possible 2009 Project. $4,500 needed to cover expenses incurred for these important meetings     DONATE NOW>>    Video/Disks for National Leaders - $10@.    DONATE NOW>>    Torch Kits - $300 or $25 per month for 1 year.    DONATE NOW>>    Save the Torch Kit Fund - Funding still needed for Filmstrips and Projector inventory.    DONATE NOW>>    InterComm Home Office Roof Replacement Seriously Needed      DONATE NOW>>    General Fund - Always needed.    DONATE NOW>>       “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.” - Colossians 3:16

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