ALL,
Thought this would encourage you and be a reminder to PRAY!
We serve a mighty God.
Cmd Bill Elliott
In a message dated 4/7/99 3:02:02 PM Pacific Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED]
writes:
<<
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** CRISIS IN KOSOVO UPDATE
Following are excerpts from recent letters and e-mail
communications received by the Assemblies of God Division of
Foreign Missions. Due to the volatility of the situation, names
and specific locations have been omitted.
...Prayer needed for missing Kosovar Pentecostals
Several Christians in Kosovo are unaccounted for, causing concern
among their families and friends. Of particular concern is a
pastor and several young, military-age evangelists. In addition
to the general prayers made for the situation as a whole, please
pray specifically that these individuals are kept safe and their
whereabouts become known.
...A/G personnel in Albania working with Kosovar refugees
We've been out visiting the refugees that have come to Albania in
the last couple days. The scene is both encouraging and
heartbreaking--encouraging to see so many Albanians freely
opening their homes (earnestly taking people in off the street)
and sharing whatever they have; but heartbreaking to see the
tractors pulling wagons full of women and children, obviously
worn out and traumatized. I could not look long without coming to
tears. One tractor/wagon group told us that they have been on the
road for 90 hours.
The stories we are hearing are horrific--one young man, about 18
years old, was just sitting by the wall to the side of our house,
his head in his hands, crying. It takes a lot for an Albanian
young man to cry in front of others. Albanian men don't cry. We
had the opportunity to share the love of Christ with some of them
in the courtyard. Only God can heal their hurts.
Today we are doing a quick registration of those that are
situated with families in homes; then giving them some bread,
cheese, etc. for the day. We will distribute more food to them
tomorrow after getting in a delivery in the morning.
Of course financial aid is needed and very useful as much can be
bought here. I've been on the phone with a few of the main aid
organizations today. They are basically scrambling to deal with
the refugee influx, but with a little time, more aid will come.
As you can probably sense, we feel the passion of this whole
tragedy. Images on television are one thing. Living, suffering
human beings on your doorstep are another.
...From a pastor in Yugoslavia: "Pray for the Serbian Government!"
Another day of war! By now we've got used to the sound of sirens
and the roaring of aircraft engines. We don't even rush to the
bomb shelter as fast as we used to (it's so dusty and cold
down there).
But we haven't stopped praying. Our faith has grown. We're
interceding more than before. Our nation is in need of God's
blessings of peace and reconciliation. So, we follow the pattern
of prayer given by apostle Paul: "First of all, then, I urge that
supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgiving be made
for everyone, for kings and all who are in high positions, so
that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and
dignity. This is right and acceptable in the sight of God our
Saviour" (1 Timothy 2:1-3).
The Lord reminds us that we are to pray for the world
governments. Do you pray for the Serbian government? Apostle Paul
would have. This past week the federal minister for religious
affairs wrote an open letter asking the church leaders of the
world to pray for peace in Yugoslavia! This marks a dramatic
change in their attitudes to the Church and Christians.
Our community had a peace march yesterday. Children from our
church carried banners for peace and love. The Gypsy choir was
asked to contribute by singing about peace! This would have been
unimaginable just a few weeks ago. Now the nation wants to hear
what the church has to offer. That's Jesus, of course!
Thank you for all your love and prayer support. Do continue to
believe with us that this horrible war will end soon and that God
will bring a lasting peace and true reconciliation among our
nations. Only He can do that.
...Testimony from A/G ministry personnel: Recent prayer meeting
in Albania
Included in the congregation were 25 Kosovar Albanian men. This
was the first time that they had been in a Christian church
service. They said that they were touched by the sincere and
passionate cry for "Peace in Kosovo." As far as my ears and eyes
can tell, the signs of peace in Kosovo are still very far off.
But the signs of peace in the hearts of the Kosovar Albanians who
attended the prayer meeting was evident.
...Another praise report in the midst of war
'How can one become a member of your church?' a lady asked me as
we were rushing to the bomb shelter. 'Well,' I began, 'by
confessing one's sins and inviting Jesus to...' 'Could you write
down a prayer for me?,' she asked. This mother of two read it on
her own, thought about it and a few hours later was ready to
speak with the 'priest' (that is, the senior pastor). By the
evening, everyone in the church shelter knew that she had become
a believer in Jesus. The change is evident on her.
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