Prayer Requests

Aung Tha Pyi is located in the suburban area of Taunggyi, the capital city of Shan State in Myanmar. It is here where my beloved wife, Mawite, was born. Different tribes of Myanmar live together in Aung Tha Pyi even though the Bahma people are in the majority. The other tribes represent Shan, Pa Oh, Karen, Intha, Chinese, and Chin. They are Buddhists in religion but in practice they are animists who worship spirits and demons.

There has been a small community of believers in this area. They are mainly government workers and soldiers coming from the other areas. Being connected with a very liberal Baptist denomination, none of the believers evangelize the people nor do any church planting work. Sad to say, they even do not like other Christians evangelizing in this area.

Elder Yee Aung Thun grew up in this area in a Christian retired army family. Having the burning desire to spread the gospel there, Yee Aung Thun started the church planting work in 2006. Through his tireless efforts, many people have come to know about Jesus Christ, and now five pure Buddhists have converted and become faithful followers of Christ. Right now the Aung Tha Pyi BP church has 30 communicant members composed of six families.

The Aung Tha Pyi BP church not only grows in number, but also in the grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Pet. 3:18). The church is also actively involved in evangelistic work. Moreover, the church is able to offer some financial support to the missionary, Elder Yee Aung Thun.

Elder Yee Aung Thun is married to Naw ArGyi who is a middle school teacher in the government school. In the past, she was posted to another area which had hindered the effectiveness of the mission work. After praying for many years, she is now posted to a government school in Aung Tha Pyi. We thank the Lord for this. We expect that the church planting work will be more effective now.

As you are praying for us, please do remember these prayer requests. First, Elder Yee Aung Thun’s beloved wife, Naw ArGyi, is expecting a baby next month. This will be their second child; their first daughter is now five. Secondly, pray that the Lord may bless and add more souls in the church. Finally, pray that the Lord may provide this church a permanent place for worship and fellowship.

The church is truly a shining lighthouse to the community around there. We humbly acknowledge that it is the Lord who blesses the church by His grace alone through your gracious partnership and for His glory alone. Working together with you, we see the glory of God. —Rev. Khawl Ro Kima

On Sunday, April 1st, we had our Palm Sunday celebration. We walked to the Vita Bridge, four blocks from our sanctuary. On Buenos Aires Avenue we had our outdoor Palm Sunday service. Our church members distributed gospel tracts, and seven people accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. They received the Gospel of John free. Then we returned to our sanctuary in a procession along the Buenos Aires and Republic Avenues. Our kids and church members were holding palms and singing Hosanna. When the church members arrived at the sanctuary, everyone received a test about our doctrinal beliefs.

On Sunday, April 8th, we had our Sunrise service with the Bible-believing churches of La Paz. We had a resurrection sunrise parade at 5:30 AM;  we walked approximately 12 blocks singing resurrection hymns and repeating Bible verses. The sunrise service was held in a gymnasium. Approximately three thousand people attended the service. We prayed for Bolivia. At 8:30 AM we returned to our BPC for breakfast. We had a wonderful service.

PRAYER REQUESTS

1. In May we will emphasize prayer time in our church. We need to involve people in a prayer time.

2. Please pray for our new member’s class and for the training of candidates for the diaconal ministry.

3. Please pray for the distribution of 6,000 gospel tracts in the streets and markets.

4. Please pray for our AWANA meetings and Ladies’ Bible Studies.

5. Please pray for the completion of our church building.

— Rev. David Quisbert

  April, 2012

Dear Church Family:

God has given us the opportunity to share the gospel in different areas of our ministry here. We want to tell you about this good news. We have had exciting times working for Jesus Christ.

AMAZING TIME OF PRAYER AT BASIL MILLER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

We made contact with Victor Quispe, the owner of Basil Miller private Christian School, for the prayer time. This school is located in Alto city and has 750 students. After arriving at the school, we had the joy of greeting the children who arrived early in the morning. The school prepared a devotional time with all the students before the start of classes. It was good to share the gospel to the students, teachers and some parents. I taught the song “Muy Negro era mi Corazon.” It’s about the wordless book. It’s easy to teach the plan of salvation with colors. Then I talked about language; I spoke some words in the Aymara language. (All the students understand this language because they are bilingual). Then I spoke in English. (This school emphasizes English as a third language.) The principal and teacher were happy with the devotional and prayer time. I gave them wall calendars and copies of the Gospel of John. We hope that every student can learn more about our Lord Jesus Christ. We had an amazing time of prayer in the Christian school. Thank you for your prayers.

DAVID AND PRISILA IN HIGH SCHOOL

Our twins, David and Prisila, were raised in our Christian home and know that we are missionaries in every corner of this country. They help us to pick up children for our Awana. In our Sunday services they play piano (David) and violin (Prisila). Now they are in the Junior Class at the American Institute in La Paz. In the school they have testified about Jesus Christ. Daniel Mendoza, their school partner, is taking our church member’s class. In the school they participated in concerts, playing arranged hymns for piano and violin. God has been protecting my twins. They are a light in the school. Gloria and I are grateful to our Lord for them. On April 11th,  they celebrated their sixteenth birthday. We appreciate your prayers for David and Prisila.

VISIT FROM PMU INTERNATIONAL FIELD DIRECTOR, DR. KEVIN BACKUS

Dr. Kevin Backus, International Field Director of PMU, visited our mission field from March 17^th – 20^th.  On Sunday morning, we had a blessed Sunday school and morning service where Dr. Backus gave us the greetings from his church and from PMU. Our brothers from La Paz Church received him by singing “welcome,” and the church members passed in front of the pulpit to hug Dr. Backus and to shake hands with him. After a fellowship time, Pastor Backus preached the Word to us in the afternoon service. Then, on Monday and Tuesday, we had meetings of evaluation about our missionary work in Bolivia and about the plans for the next five years with PMU. We emphasized the work that was accomplished with Team Timothy and the Leadership team who served God in our mission field and how our Lord is prospering our church with new members and leaders. The last day we had a dinner at the Gloria Hotel and a meeting with the elder and deacons of our church. Our leaders expressed their gratefulness for the visit of Dr. Backus. Our missionary family expresses our sincere gratitude to Dr. Kevin Backus for his kind visit and wonderful meetings. We express our gratitude for the efforts to support us. We look forward to developing our future plans to enhance the work of God in Bolivia.

PALM SUNDAY AND EASTER SUNDAY

On Sunday, April 1st, we had our Palm Sunday celebration. We walked to the Vita bridge, four blocks down from our sanctuary. In the Buenos Aires Avenue we had our outdoor Palm Sunday service. Our church members distributed gospel tracts and seven people accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. They received the Gospel of John free. Then we returned to our sanctuary in a procession along the Buenos Aires and Republic Avenues. Our kids and church members were holding palms and singing Hosanna. When the church members arrived at the sanctuary, everyone received a test about our doctrinal beliefs.

PRAYER REQUESTS

1. On April 11th, my twins, David and Prisila, turned sixteen. Please pray for them.

2. Please pray for opportunities to share the gospel in Christian schools.

3. Please pray for the distribution of 6,000 gospel tracts in the streets and markets.

4. Please pray for our AWANA meetings and Ladies’ Bible Studies.

5. Please pray for our new member’s class and for the training of candidates for the diaconal ministry.

6. Please pray for the completion of our church building.

PRAISES

1. We praise the Lord that on March 6^th, we had the privilege to lead the city in prayer for the 27^th anniversary of El Alto city.

2. We praise the Lord that 31 children accepted Christ as their Savior during our VBS in January.

3. Praise that Dr. Kevin Backus, International field director of PMU, visited our mission field.

4. Praise the Lord that we distributed 1,100 gospel tracts and 65 Gospels of John.

5. We praise the Lord for keeping our family in good health.

6. We praise the Lord for your sacrificial support.

Thank you for giving and for your prayers so that our missionary family can serve the Lord in Bolivia. We will still be praying for you.

“After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;” Rev. 7:9

Yours in Missions,

Rev.  David and Gloria Quisbert, David Jr. and Prisila.

April, 2012

 Dear friends,

When I visit churches I am frequently asked, “How can we help you…What do you need?” What we need for this mission to be a true success is God to regard this work and have His eyes and ears attentive to the prayers of His people on behalf of Brazil. If this one great thing is missing then it is all for loss, and we are wasting our lives and time investing in Brazil. Imagine all the difficulties that can be involved with moving a large family to another country and culture. Now think of all those difficulties in the light of the fact that we can have access to the God who holds the universe in the palm of His hands, and the nations are but like a drop from a bucket (Is 40). He has all the resources, all the wisdom, all capacity to do all that is needed and much more than we can imagine or think. So, what do the Leamans need? We need God’s people to pray, and we need to trust and wait on the God who moves mountains.

God is already answering prayer. In a previous prayer letter we asked prayer for clarity on what specific thing God wanted us to do in Brazil. These prayers were clearly answered in the latest trip to Brazil. We had several meetings with pastors and church leaders. In every meeting there was a unanimous and clarion call for help in bringing to the North-East a proper, God honoring concept of Biblical discipleship. Nouthetic counseling, resting on the Bible, teaches that God’s Word is sufficient to sanctify God’s people for God’s purposes. For example, a Christian gentleman in the North-East is having trouble in his marriage and is seeking to resolve his problems with the psychoanalyst, but he is looking in the wrong place. God’s Word is sufficient, but he and his church do not understand this. You can imagine the host of trouble this brings to God’s people. The priority of the mission to Brazil has become bringing to the North-East a renewed awareness, confidence, and practice of the sufficiency of Scriptures.

Our God can move mountains.  Please join us in praising and petitioning our

great God for the following items:

• Praise God for the progress that is being made in my NANC certification.

• Praise for the new churches and individuals who have partnered with us.

• Please pray that we can find a place to live in the huge city of Recife. One challenge is that apartments in Brazil are made for families of three or four.

• Pray that we can get to the field in God’s perfect timing and that we can be patient as we wait for all the details to be worked out.

• Pray that I will grow in wisdom and that God will continue to prepare me for this calling.

Thank you, brothers and sisters, for your prayers to God on our behalf. That is what we need most.

Thank you for your prayers and support,

Douglas E. Leaman

Mr. Srong, my friend and  local Christian leader in Kpbaom, wasn’t always a good Christian.  He was a Shaman of sorts and this made him fairly wealthy and respected.  He and his family lost both respect and income when they came to know Christ as Savior.  They have faced rejection by neighbors and family, mild persecution and financial difficulty for their faith.  Villagers have mocked them for turning to Christ and losing so much.  “What good is your God?” they are asked.  Their once beautiful home where we have all our fellowships has fallen into disrepair because of the loss of income; it is not even possible to go inside anymore because the wood is so worm eaten it can’t support the weight of a person.

Mrs. Srong has struggled to understand why they suffer like this as Christians.  She has been bitter about it but now has come to understand that “prosperity gospel” is not biblical; rather, the Bible promises a reward for those who patiently endure and hope in Christ alone.  When the Srongs were approached last month by an NGO to sell their field next to the church, they may have thought it was an answer to prayer.  They would receive enough money to rebuild their house.  (The wood is too far gone to repair; they must start over.)  I was surprised by their answer.  After prayer and discussion between themselves, the Srongs decided not to sell but to keep the land for the Lord’s work.  They hope it can be used for the pastor’s house or extra classrooms for the church.  God comes first to them, and their house will have to wait.

Please be in prayer for this dear family.  Mr. Srong has been diligent and enthusiastic in his study of God’s word and in his labors for God’s people.  He does evangelism, visitation and re-teaches our lessons to the adults who miss and children who live too far away to come regularly.  Mrs. Srong has grown in Christ and even humbly reconciled herself with her older sister. The family is given to hospitality, and their eldest daughter, Chanak, has also started showing a great hunger for God and His Word.  She is learning to read, looking to grow, and now only considering Christian men as a potential husband. — Rev. Mark Baldwin

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

On January 9th – 14, we had our VBS. This year’s focus was on the plan of salvation of our Lord. We taught the plan of salvation through colors in a book without words. Every day we explained one color, and we had materials for the children.  We printed two evangelistic banners with our logo and church address. We started with 30 children which grew to 60. This year was different because we did our VBS in the small square of the “Uyustus” market.

On Saturday, January 14th, we went to “Pura Pura” park, 30 minutes away from our church. We paid the bus and tickets for all our children. Inside the park we prepared a devotional. We sang and repeated our Bible memory verses. We amplified the activity with our sound system. The people around us listened to the gospel, and we shared many tracts. It was a good experience.  We praise the Lord for 31 children who accepted Jesus Christ as Savior. These kids received a free Gospel of John. Thank you for your prayers for them.

FEEDING THE HOMELESS

We worked for three days with the homeless in the area of the “Bus Terminal.”  We started our work at 7:00 to 8:30 AM. We taught the Word of God to the homeless with the book without words. Many of them accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior. We also  provided them with 150 cups of milk, bread and clothes. We shared 310 tracts. Please continue in prayer for these people; May God change their lifestyle.

PRAYER REQUESTS:

1. Please join us in prayer for our AWANA leaders and volunteers.
2. Please pray for new opportunities to share the gospel in Christian Schools.
3. Pray for our Ladies’ Bible Studies.
4. Please pray for the distribution of 1500 gospel tracts and 1000 Gospels of John.
5. Please pray for the completion of our church building in La Paz.
6. Please pray for the visit of Dr. Kevin Backus to Bolivia in March.

Yours in Missions, Rev. David Quisbert

Tim Prussic passed his ordination exam by the Great Western Presbytery and was installed as minister to Columbia BPC in Scappoose, OR, on March 3rd.  Please remember Rev. Prussic and his family as they undertake this new role of pastor and pastor’s family.  We praise the Lord for bringing a shepherd to minister to our members in Scappoose.

Please remember our summer missions team members as they raise funds and prepare for this summer’s ministry in North Idaho.

February, 2012

Dear Praying Friends,

Greetings in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. It’s a bit of a snowy day here in North Idaho, but our thoughts are already beginning to turn to the warmth of summer. Karen and I spent the morning laying out plans for the Team Timothy ministry scheduled to come our way in August. It’s going to be a big effort: thirteen team members, two county fairs in two cities, canvassing, work on the church property, and fellowship with the local church all have to fit into one week. But it’s exciting to think of the opportunities for testifying to the gospel that will present themselves to us. Please join with us in praying for the team members and their fund raising efforts and preparations, and for those who will hear the gospel through their labors.

Between now and then, of course, a lot of work will have to be done by our people here. The Lord has brought a number of visitors our way over the past few months, which is encouraging. I’m currently holding weekly membership classes for a number of folks who are interested in joining the church, and it’s been a terrific time. I’m also teaching classes in church government and leadership for men who are considering holding office, and a fine group of guys is taking part. These steps in the development of the mission are vital, and a great blessing to me personally. The Lord’s hand is evident among us as He shapes and grows this body.

I’ve also been encouraged by the ways the Lord has used us as salt and light in the community. Sometimes those ways are not even directly related to our particular ministry. For example, I’m a member of a small vocal group in town which was preparing for a concert this month. In fact, the group has been working on this concert for about ten months as the program has developed and changed for various reasons. A crisis arose a month or so ago when the director introduced a selection of readings into the program that was a real problem morally and theologically. Two members of the group complained and then dropped out because of their evangelical convictions, and I nearly did as well. But I had a series of conversations with the director (who professes to follow Jesus) which helped her realize at least some of the problems, and in the end she readily scrapped the entire script she had proposed in favor of better, acceptable material. She even asked me to help screen the new selections. Praise God for His work in her heart! These opportunities to be an influence for righteousness in the broader community are common among all of us, and we are thankful that we have them. Sadly, not everyone will darken the door of our churches and mission stations, so being salt and light in the community is vital. Your support helps to make this possible here, and all over the world.

This winter has been a challenging one in the health department for our family, and it has kept us from being as active in the lives of our church family as we would like. But light is beginning to gleam at the end of the health tunnel, and we are seeing how faithful the Lord has been to all of us, all along the way, in spite of our weakness. I’d appreciate your prayers for Karen as she continues to heal after her foot surgery: progress has been steady but slow (which is what it’s supposed to be), and sometimes frustrating for her. If you know her at all, you know that she’s not a person who likes to sit around unable to do much! I’ve been amazed at how much she has been able to accomplish by the grace of God, even with the limitations the recovery process demands. Truly, the Lord’s strength is made perfect in our weakness.

Our daughter, Chelsea, is now home for a sabbatical from college, which is a blessing to all of us. She’s been struggling with illness most of the fall and winter, and is trying to get back on her feet so that she can find a job to begin saving for the next step in her education. Eli, as a junior in high school, is beginning earnestly to consider and make plans for his future after he graduates, with his sights set on a career as a chef. We’re thankful for our children, and thank you for your prayers for them.

It’s been quiet on the home missions front here at PMU over the winter, which is not surprising, but I expect inquiries to begin again once the weather starts getting nicer around the country. The respite has been welcome with all the other things going on, but I’m eager to see some new contacts come across my desk. Other administrative tasks have maintained their pace, and the Lord has provided for every aspect of the agency’s ministry at home and abroad. Thank you for your faithfulness in prayer and support. Your notes of encouragement from time to time bless us. May the Lord richly bless you in turn in the labors to which He has called you.

For the Kingdom,

Len Pine

January, 2012

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

We want to thank you for your donations and support this past year. We value the work of our PMU. God’s provision for our family has been amazing. Your gifts are helping us to spread the gospel in this country. We are very committed and passionate to win souls for Jesus, and we are appealing to you to share the burden with us.

PROJECT “WINNING THE LOST”

In November our church members were encouraged to invite visitors to our Sunday Services. We worked on our project, “Winning the Lost.” We gave a card to every person asking them to write down seven names of their family members or friends, and we started to pray for them. Then they worked to invite them to our church. I prepared to speak on evangelism. I challenged the church members to invite their friends. All the people who invited a new person to the church on December 25, received a gift. As of December 19, we are happy to say that five new souls were won to Jesus. Octavio Larea, Claudia Gonzales, Jose Cuevas, Enrique Duran, and Daniel Estrada, and two asked to pray for reconciliation with Jesus and forgiveness, Petronila and Yesenia. Please pray that the Holy Spirit will move in the hearts of those who will be saved.

AWANA COMPETITION IN EL ALTO CITY

On December 19, we took 34 of our Awana kids to El Alto city, approximately 45 minutes away from La Paz, to celebrate our annual Awana competition. I had the privilege to begin the competition with prayer. All the kids and their leaders participated. They had great spirit and energy. People were cheering louder and louder. There were no fights, just laughs, cheers, and celebration. It was great to see the leaders and kids from four different churches. Finally the team from “Dios es Amor” won the first place, and our Awana took second place. After the competition we shared 95 bags of popcorn which we had prepared.

WEB SITE AND RADIO STREAM MINISTRY

We continue to broadcast our radio program, “Pastoral Reflection.” In every program we receive at least one phone call requesting prayer. We are helping and counseling people who do not know Jesus. Our audience continues to grow. We are online once a week, Fridays from 8:00 – 10:00 pm (EST Time) through the local radio station 105.7 FM stereo and the Reformed Bible Broadcasting.

Our internet server reported that our program with 24/7 streaming had listeners in 52 different countries in November and December, 2011, including the following: United States, Switzerland , Argentina, Spain, Brazil, Bolivia, Singapore, Mexico, Germany, Finland, Netherlands, Chile, Indonesia, Colombia, Guatemala, United Kingdom, South Korea, Sweden, Italy, Peru, Australia, China, Russian Federation, Japan, Malaysia, Costa Rica, Canada, Ecuador, Poland, Ukraine, Denmark, France, Philippines, Panama, United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, Israel, Bulgaria, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, Romania, Fiji, Egypt, Turkey, Guadeloupe, Venezuela, Lithuania, Hungary, Dominican Republic, Algeria, Uruguay, and Jordan. Please continue to pray for this project. (www.rbbradio.com)

BPC CHRISTMAS PROGRAM 2011

For this season we prepared a separate hymn book with Christmas hymns and carols (60 copies). On December 16, we had our “Musician’s Christmas Concert.” We had many visitors in our church, and the last 30 minutes, the concert was broadcasted by 105.7 FM for the cities of La Paz and El Alto.

On Sunday, December 18, we had our cantata and children’s program. (Our children were practicing many songs three times a week since the last week of November.) The drama of the Christmas story was represented for our children. I read the story of Joseph and Mary seeking a place for Mary to give birth to our Lord Jesus. The presentation was amazing. We had 124 in attendance, and we gave 120 gifts to the congregation; also toys were distributed to children. We really rejoice in commemorating the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. Two adults and five children accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. Also we had our Christmas Eve candlelight service with songs, choral selections, and the Christmas message. May God touch the hearts of the visitors who attended. We thank each of you who kept us in prayer.

PRAYER REQUESTS

• Please pray for the distribution of 5,000 gospel tracts in the streets and markets.
• Please pray for us as we plan to preach the gospel in the public squares with small music concerts and drama.
• Please pray for our VBS, January 9 – 14, 2012.
• Please pray for family visitations and Bible studies.
• Please pray for Grover and Alexandra, as their wedding will be held January 21, 2012.
• Pray for our Ladies Bible Studies. (Mondays at 4:00 pm)
• Please pray for our internet ministry, website and stream.
• Please pray for the completion of our church building.

PRAISES

• We praise the Lord for the Christmas program. New souls were won to Jesus.
• The Trinity Bible Society is sending us 200 calendars and 500 Gospels of John. The work of evangelism will continue in 2012.
• We printed 200 copies of the “One year Bible Reading Plan” authored by Dr. John Battle. It was translated into Spanish. Our church is reading, using this plan.
• We praise the Lord for the good health and safety of our family.
• We appreciate your sacrificial support. Please continue to support us in 2012.
• We are excited about 2012, another year in which to serve God. He is definitely worthy of our praise and service.

Thank you for taking time to read our prayer letter. We will still be praying for you.

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9

Yours in Missions,

Rev.  David and Gloria Quisbert, David Jr. and Prisila.