WITH BOTH HANDS

Rev Ackim Chali

baptizing a new convert

Rev. Ackim Chali of Zambia

Rev. Ackim Chali of Zambia set his eye upon media ministry back in 1984, 7 years before InterComm was formed.  Ken Anderson Films had established a self-help program whereby an Evangelist would collect used postage stamps for trade to secure Torch Kits, Bulbs, and Filmstrips.  This allowed access to equipment for serious men of God, to whom dollars were not an option.  Ken Anderson Films would re-sell the used stamps to American dealers.  Although never covering the costs of goods provided, the good will and efforts on behalf of the interested individual almost always guaranteed fruit, spiritual fruit, would result from the labor.

This is most certainly true of Rev. Chali.  Although it took 2 years to fulfill his dream, in late1986 we received his letter sharing that the package had been received WITH BOTH HANDS. 

Zambia is a hard land, both for living and for evangelizing.  Most of the country is arid savanna, poorly suited for agriculture.  People live a meager lifestyle in a country where life expectancy is only 45 years.  It is in this environment, where Rev. Chali has faithfully labored these last 18 years.  Although we lost contact with his ministry for 13 years, God brought us back together in late2000.  We quickly rushed 13 of our best drama stories for Africa to help expand his new video outreach ministry.  “Greetings in Jesus name,” he wrote.  “I am writing you this letter to let you know we received the video tapes you sent us WITH BOTH HANDS.  Thank you for this material, which will help us as we teach the Word of God.”

He is now involved in church planting and raising up church leaders.  He asks for much prayer.  During

Rev Chali with Bible sent by InterComm

the 2002 war in Zaire, now called the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rev. Chali began taking the Gospel to the Refugee Camps.  In one crusade, at a camp of 22,000, his bag was stolen.  In it was his most precious possession, his Bible.  Could we help?  A beautiful new Ryrie Study Bible with numerous helps was sent.  “Greetings to you in the strong name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  I am writing this letter to let you know that I have received the Bible you sent to me WITH BOTH HANDS.  Thank you for this great tool in my ministry.”

By now you begin to understand.  “WITH BOTH HANDS” to us is like “with all my heart”, a visual statement, indicating total appreciation and sincere love.  It is WITH BOTH HANDS that we have received 5 media reports from Rev. Chali in which 611 souls have been counted claiming Christ.  Your unselfish gifts to InterComm have made all of this possible.  Today, more than ever before - we stand before you - waiting WITH BOTH HANDS for your gifts, which will allow this ministry to continue.  Please ask God what He would like you to do to help -  TODAY.

STARTED A FELLOWSHIP

Evangelist Kingsley Anderson from Nsawam, Ghana writes:

“Praise God I have started using the Torch Kit.  I first showed ASHA, THE BLIND GIRL WHO COULD SEE, at a village called Dago.  There were about 300 people present.  The story touched the heart and mind of the people in the village so much that at the end almost all the people, both children, youth, and adults, came forward and prayed inviting Jesus into their hearts.  I have since started a fellowship at this village.  Praise God for the Filmstrips”.

BREAKING THE BONDS

Evangelist John Sokro of Ho, Ghana writes:

“This Filmstrip tool is a great encouragement to us.  A head master at a secondary school was very attracted to the drama story, THE BROTHERS.  After seeing this presentation, he surrendered his life to Christ.  The very day we launched our Torch Kit outreach program, we ministered to 836 people with 41 salvation decisions.  Those giving their lives to Christ are being turned over to Biblical churches.  We praise almighty God that InterComm has provided us with this Torch Kit.  We carefully study each area to determine which story to show and by using this strong tool at night time, anywhere, God is breaking the bonds of the devil.”

Report listed 24 showings to 12,198 people with 451 accepting Christ.

SOUNDLESS ADVANTAGE

Dr Joy Agbazue of Enugu, Nigeria writes:

“The Torch Kit Filmstrip, which is soundless, is an advantage, since the presenter can mix English with the vernacular explanation of the pictures, making the message very clear.  The stories are packed with moral teachings and are very appropriate in the upbringing of individuals in Christian principles.”

Listed 3 showings to 92 people with 31 accepting Christ.

A BIG TASK

Evangelist Thomas Abugah of Kumasi, Ghana writes:

“I praise the Lord for the 16mm Films and Filmstrip Projector you have provided my ministry.  These tools make my work more effective in many ways.  With them, crowds easily gather to hear God’s Word, more so than ever.  Likewise, more souls have been won to Christ with media than through traditional methods of evangelism.  The Torch Kit remains effective and has a similar impact on those who see the stories, just like our video tapes do.  God is using all of the media in a wonderful way.  Recently 3 ladies made decisions for Christ and came to our new church.  Almost immediately they were ejected from their homes by relatives because they had come to our church.  Now they have no place to lay their heads, and I am praying that God will help me re-settle them.  This is a very big task.  Please pray for Rebecca, Diana, and Esther, who, because of accepting Christ, have lost everything they had owned, but gained eternity.”

HEARTBEAT

by Ken Anderson

What time is it?

At age 86, I live by the clock as much as I ever did and find it easier now to miss appointments than I ever did in the past.

Mrs A and I have a friendship with a Bible translator from Papua New Guinea.  He thinks Americans are crazy for becoming slaves to the clock.  I tend to agree with him.  One thing we suspect, is that time itself is actually going faster than it did in the past.  This summer, for example, the months go by like weeks.  Weeks pass like days, days like hours, and hours like minutes. 

Many years ago, we were filming some interviews at Trinity Seminary in Deerfield, Illinois.  One of the profs was late for his on-camera statement and very apologetic. I remarked that my wife and I were becoming increasingly suspicious that perhaps time was actually speeding faster these days.  The professor showed surprise on his face, and then told us he’d been observing time for several years and had become convinced that time actually is passing faster than it formerly did.  “That’s why people seem to live so much longer”, he said.  It was food for thought for several weeks.

It was common practice for us to pick up stock shots of interesting places that might be useful in future film productions.  For example, once we filmed some shots of a famous clock in Copenhagen, Denmark.  Then over in London, a uniquely funny experience took place, surrounding stock shots we were taking in and around this famous city.  First of all, we picked up a nice shot at the Westminster Cathedral. We quickly traveled to Buckingham Palace for another stock shot of the Changing of the Guard.  Then from the Buckingham Gate we hoofed directly east along the shoreline of the Thames to a perfect spot for capturing the grand old clock.  We had decided to film the clock at a quarter to the hour and wondered if we had time to catch something to eat.  “What time is it?” cameraman Ralph Papin asked.  We were both looking at the base of Big Ben just then.  I felt for my wristwatch and said, “I don’t know.  I left my watch in the hotel room.”  Then for one quick moment we each registered disbelief with  ourselves for such hilarious oversight, and we spontaneously began to laugh.  At the same moment, we both pointed up to the clock the world knows as Big Ben. 

I often think back to that moment when the issues of time are staring me in the face.  It’s a constant reminder of the importance of redeeming our time, because these days are filled with challenges. We are currently facing a shortfall of over $25,000 in our General Fund.  We have never needed your help more than at this moment in our ministry.  Would you stop long enough to pray and seek God’s guidance as to whether now would be the right time for you to help lift this immense burden.  May God grant you wisdom and direction in His time.