The mullah stormed into the meeting, being held in a yurt in a small Mongolian town. Filled with jealousy, he interrupted Bill, the speaker, to declare to all present that he too knew religion and was qualified to teach people in public. Bill waited patiently until the rant was over. Then Bill asked to talk to the mullah in private after he had finished the meeting. Bill asked the mullah if he knew what the name, “muslim” meant. Like many local folk, the mullah knew little about Islam and could not answer. So Bill explained that it meant “submission to God”. As they talked together, Bill shared that he himself was not submitted to God as he wanted to be. The mullah confessed that he too often did what he wanted rather than what God required. Then Bill pointed him to the Scriptures and showed him how Jesus had been fully obedient to God, submitting to His will. “In fact,” said Bill, “Jesus is the only true Muslim that has ever lived!” The mullah was surprised and intrigued and the two men became friends as they talked together over the months that followed. Then the mullah was diagnosed with a terminal illness. Bill visited regularly with national Christians and before he died, the mullah turned to faith in Jesus.
Four weeks ago, Suzanne couldn’t rouse 17 year old Andrew. The family was working in a remote area of northern Cambodia. Suzanne called Dr Stroma, the OMF International Medical Advisor, and soon a military helicopter was on its way. Andrew was flown to intensive care in Bangkok. It turned out he had a very serious complication of previously undiagnosed diabetes. His family was moved to be with him and a call to prayer was sent out to the Fellowship. After four weeks in a coma, struggling for life, Andrew died a day ago. Please pray for Andrew’s parents, Daniel and Suzanne and his siblings Michelle, Peter, Sarah and Joshua as they adjust to their terrible loss. Pray for the Cambodia team who are shocked and grieving. Pray for us as we work with the insurance providers to have Andrew’s body repatriated. Pray that Jesus “will be exalted… whether by life or by death.”
The final approvals are in place, the budget is agreed, the decant plan is being finalized. The alternate telecoms and IT systems infrastructure is being put in place with new cableways, a new server room and a complex plan. The big move of the IHQ office into an emptied and prepared guest house will be starting in two months time. For a year, the 2 Cluny Road site will be divided in half, with a fence sealing off the building site. Trucks will rumble, jack-hammers will thunder and rattle, buildings will come down, walls will move, shafts will be sunk – all while we live and work alongside the organized chaos! Tensions are bound to rise as people strive to do their jobs in cramped, unfamiliar surroundings. Pray for the team that we will “..be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love and making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”
As if one major project wasn’t enough, the roll-out of the “International Personnel System – Connecting People” continues apace. Another 300+ people have started using the system over the last four days. Our team is kept very busy, answering urgent “HELP ME!” type emails, sorting out issues and bugs and collecting suggestions for improvements. We are testing the final part of the system to be launched this year –allowing people to both register their interest in OMF’s work and to fill in application forms online. The information they provide should flow through the system so they only need to provide their details once – in contrast to the present situation! Do pray that we get this right and so show love and support to hard-pressed and over-worked OMF colleagues handling people.
With thanks for your prayerful support
Steve, Anna, Joshua & Aimée
The final approvals are in place, the budget is agreed, the decant plan is being finalized. The alternate telecoms and IT systems infrastructure is being put in place with new cableways, a new server room and a complex plan. The big move of the IHQ office into an emptied and prepared guest house will be starting in two months time. For a year, the 2 Cluny Road site will be divided in half, with a fence sealing off the building site. Trucks will rumble, jack-hammers will thunder and rattle, buildings will come down, walls will move, shafts will be sunk – all while we live and work alongside the organized chaos! Tensions are bound to rise as people strive to do their jobs in cramped, unfamiliar surroundings. Pray for the team that we will “..be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love and making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”
As if one major project wasn’t enough, the roll-out of the “International Personnel System – Connecting People” continues apace. Another 300+ people have started using the system over the last four days. Our team is kept very busy, answering urgent “HELP ME!” type emails, sorting out issues and bugs and collecting suggestions for improvements. We are testing the final part of the system to be launched this year –allowing people to both register their interest in OMF’s work and to fill in application forms online. The information they provide should flow through the system so they only need to provide their details once – in contrast to the present situation! Do pray that we get this right and so show love and support to hard-pressed and over-worked OMF colleagues handling people.
With thanks for your prayerful support
Steve, Anna, Joshua & Aimée
