Jahim and Gisma Buli, South Sudan
"I would ask my mother, "Why are you drinking?" Her answer, "I drink so that I can forget what I have gone through all the years was a slave."
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What has God done this year?
I have to begin my story how God lead me to start a church in the midst of people who are idol worshippers and witches. In late 2014 as I was in prayer and fasting, God spoke to me through His Spirit in a gentle simple voice as usual.
"Son I brought you here to tell my people that I love them and let them forsake their wicked ways and return to me and I will forgive their sins."
With all humility I told God, "I am going to depopulate hell and win souls to you/ heaven."
I accept the calling and acted in obedience to the new assignment of God to me. I started the church early this year as a crusade. More than 100 souls gave their lives to Christ. I disciple them and baptized them. Now, the number of church members are over 200.
The other amazing area of this church plant is the construction of the church as rocketing prices of food commodities and building material was so high. God in his faithfulness was able to make us finish building the church.
I am surprise to see that whole building has costed us 160,000 South Sudanese Pound (over $47,000 USD). How did we get this money is still a miracle to me. Imagine a church that is 14x18 meters cost that amount in this current economic crisis but God provided for it.
Steve Evers preaches at the Sunday gathering of Jahim's church earlier this year.
Structure for church to meet in half-finished as prices sky-rocketed due to instability in South Sudanese economy.
The finished structure!
Jahim's church meeting inside the structure!
Family
It was not easy to deal with a person that was hurt and traumatized, since my mother join me. We found it difficult to live with her - she is not understandable, she is always hostile to me and my children. When she is drunk, she would beat and hurt them. She would drink alcohol and if she is drunk we will not sleep at night.
Jahim reunited with his mother and siblings early in 2015.
She could quarrel the whole night ‘til dawn. I would cry bitterly to God in prayer and ask God,
Have I brought a hell into my family? I have prayed for years for you God to reunite me with my mother and siblings and you brought her. Thank you for bringing her, but see what is happening with her. What will people say about me? If I fail to manage my family then I will not be able to manage the church.
I would ask my mother when she is sound mind, "Why are you doing all this? And why drinking?"
Her answer, "I drink so that I can forget what I have gone through all the years was a slave." I would advise her to stop drinking and give her life to Christ but she could not.
Two weeks ago, she felt sick for one week. I took her to the clinic. She got better.
On Sunday she told me, "Today I’m coming with you to the church." That very Sunday I was preaching in Genesis 17:1-2 and my theme was, "Walk before God."
After my preaching, I gave invitation to those who want to give their lives to Christ. Surprisingly, my mother was among those standing before me. I led them to Christ. For two weeks now she is not drinking and we are now a happy family. Praise be to God!
What do you feel like God is leading you towards next year?
The next year 2016 God is leading me to equip and raise up godly leaders and to set up an orphanage center. God has already directed me to help 3 orphan children who are staying with their grandmother. I still don't know how it will happen, but God knows.
How has ITMI helped your ministry this year?
ITMI has helped me and the ministry through out this year raising funds to build and construct a church that can take over 500 seats, praying for me and ITMI Director was able to come a long way from the US to encourage me.
Because of your generous support we were able to build a church to glorify Him.
ITMI and supporters have helped me to purchase a property with a house. I am no longer paying house rent and getting early morning disturbance from a landlord demanding for a house rent.
Finally, the ITMI team and supporters were able to provide me with funds that will help me to add more rooms in my property to accommodate orphans to stay with me.
Muhindo and Lillian Kawede, Uganda
"Your support has enabled us to share Christ to 87 people."
"What we have done this year was possible because of your support."
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What are you grateful for this year?
I am grateful for enabling us with your support to equip and empower Christ-like leaders in two Portable Bible Schools in different districts of Uganda where we commissioned 20 graduates in mission field of their respective churches. Your support has enabled us to share Christ to 87 people.
The Lord entrusted to us 60 new believers in a church we launched called “ Bible Mission Church” on both campuses of the International School of Missions. What we have done this year was possible because of your support.
What is God leading you towards next year?
We are trusting God to reach out to 500 people with the gospel and follow them up. We are expecting to equip 50 students on both campuses. I am expecting to graduate 40 missionaries in 3 portable Bible schools in different regions of Uganda by the end of 2016.
Does your family have a favorite Christmas tradition?
In my culture, the favorite Christmas recipe is to eat a chicken with rice and purchase new clothes for every member of the family to show a new life in Christ. All the members of the family gather together around a campfire and drums are beaten to welcome the Savior at midnight.
What do you want ITMI readers to know?
Your eternal investment towards my family and ISM has made a great impact in the lives of many Uganda, Burundians, Congolese and Rwandese pastors. Blessings on you for your gracious support.
Find out more about the Kawede Family and their ministry here.
Timothy and Ashley Keller, Zambia
"The heartfelt love and support you have each given freely to our family has gotten us through the most difficult and stressful of days. We have also been tremendously blessed by our supporters who..."
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What are you grateful for this year?
We have witnessed God's gracious provision with the arrival of our son Ian. Throughout the pregnancy there were some medical concerns with Ian's small body.
Because of some significant potential problems, we decided to go to South Africa for the delivery, which was both more expensive and logistically challenging. God was there every step of the way, providing what we needed financially to make this possible, using His people to cheer us on, and even sending friends along the way to help carry the load with the other kids.
We had a beautiful birth experience with Ian, who was born without the anticipated medical condition!! God gave us the best gift of all this year - a beautiful, healthy baby.
Timothy Keller and newborn Ian Keller.
How has ITMI helped your ministry this year?
We are overwhelmed by the response of the ITMI team, who have been praying for us and supporting us with Ian's current medical issues. There are many, many ways that the supporters, staff, and volunteers bless our family - but we felt it very deeply this year through the difficulties with Ian's pregnancy and later development.
Zambian pastors receive books and bibles delivered by Tim Keller.
The heartfelt love and support you have each given freely to our family has gotten us through the most difficult and stressful of days. We have also been tremendously blessed by our supporters who have generously provided us with a newer field vehicle and the funds to get it 4x4 kitted for "the bush."
We can once again bring the light of Christ to the most remote areas in Zambia.
Gerhard and Eliane Le Roux, South Africa
"We are thankful that the Lord opened a door for us to work among the children of Onseepkans. We can really see how the Lord is working amongst them, some of them are already coming regularly and we are able to help them, and teach them Christian values."
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What has God done this year?
We are thankful that the Lord opened a door for us to work among the children of Onseepkans. We can really see how the Lord is working amongst them, some of them are already coming regularly and we are able to help them, and teach them Christian values.
We are also thankful for all the opportunities the Lord gives us to serve Onseepkans and the communities in this area.
For example, taking funeral services, helping to start community gardens, mentoring the leaders, teaching 3rd-6th grade children to read properly for the first time.
How has ITMI helped your ministry this year?
We were able to renovate our bathroom, build a much needed school room for the children, and Elmané could go to Cape Town for a much needed medical check-up and operation.
What do you want ITMI readers to know?
We thank the Lord for His faithfulness, providing for all our needs, giving us opportunities to proclaim His Name in a much needed area, and blessing us with fresh fruit and vegetables from our own garden.
The Lord called us to preach Good News to the poor, to heal the broken hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness to the prisoners. Is. 61:6
May the Lord help us to fulfill this calling.
Richard and Brooke Nungesser, Poland
"Ten years of Bread of Life’s New Life Center (NLC) celebrations will take place this coming May 2016, but at the start of winter 2015, we nearly had to close the NLC. The funding was grave, and we nearly had to say goodbye to the men and the center until a miracle took place."
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What has God done this year?
Ten years of Bread of Life’s New Life Center (NLC) celebrations will take place this coming May 2016, but at the start of winter 2015, we nearly had to close the NLC. The funding was grave, and we nearly had to say goodbye to the men and the center until a miracle took place.
Our hearts were broken—but our faith strong.
You see, the New Life Center isn’t just a center for homeless men - most of the men at the center were once children whose parents abandoned them, beat them, hated them, or passed away, leaving no one to love them.
One man, this last year, was homeless by the time he was a teenager - his mom had passed and his alcoholic father had them both on the streets by the time he was a teenager. His father went on to die on the streets. Our NLC participant was in and out of jail so many times that the judge finally put a stop to it and sent him directly to the NLC where he lived and worked for over a year with a monitoring anklet on, while paying off his debts to society.
This man today is free and in love with Jesus. He is an unbelievably transformed man because of the New Life that Jesus Christ gave him.
When the New Life Center nearly closed, our hearts were broken and we cried many tears. Just as the babe Jesus Christ was the most miraculous gift given to humankind—the fact that the NLC was spared was our miracle for 2015!
Men who were once beaten down children are finally given the opportunity for New Life in a safe and warm home that teaches integrity, work ethic, healing, and the redeeming grace of Jesus Christ. Their lives are changed and they move forward as mighty warriors of God.
Thank you to everyone that gives to Bread of Life and helps us rescue these men that were, for nearly their entire lives, forgotten! Our hearts cry in joy because of your goodness in remembering us and them!
Proverbs 3:5-6 “...Trust in the Lord” ...amen to that!
Find out more about the Nungesser Family and their ministry here.
Adi and Ema Ban, Romania
"By God’s grace, at the end of October we organized a Parenting Conference with Tedd and Margy Tripp of Shepherding a Child’s Heart. We sent out invitations to friends and churches, and especially to those who had been part of our Couples Groups in the past. We were so grateful to see..."
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What has God done this year?
By God’s grace, at the end of October we organized a Parenting Conference with Tedd and Margy Tripp of Shepherding a Child’s Heart. We sent out invitations to friends and churches, and especially to those who had been part of our Couples Groups in the past.
We were so grateful to see many of them respond and attend.
We got to talk with all these couples, and they told us how much our meetings have meant for them along the years, how their walk with the Lord was strengthened, and their family life encouraged. It is both humbling and a great blessing to witness the “ripple effects” of your ministry, and we praise the Lord for making a difference in their lives.
Ema Ban investing in Romanian parents at the parenting conference.
Romanian parents being equipped to shepherd their children's hearts.
What are you grateful for this year?
2015 brought lots of great blessings to be thankful for, beginning with the ministry of encouragement for and with the Young Couples Fellowship, the ministry of discipleship within the Family and Sunday school ministries, and the ministry of grace of so many loved ones who surrounded us with their loving presence during my father’s (Dr. Nick) passing, including Steve Evers.
As one last tribute for my father on this side of heaven, there were many who came to us willing to help in however way they could, a great reflection of dad’s helping and loving spirit.
Tens of phone calls and hundreds of emails, texts and facebook posts later, made us grateful, one more time, for a life well lived to bring glory to God, enjoying His abundant blessings.
What do you want ITMI readers to know?
We praise the Lord for you, for being instrumental in our lives and in our ministry, for your faithful partnership in our projects, for how the Lord continues to lead us and bring people into our lives.
May we stay faithful to His calling, and be an instrument of His grace.
Mark and Vanessa Burritt, ITMI Financial Officer
"God’s grace has been abundant this past year as I have watched my wife endure physical issues that would defeat most people. The ovarian cancer..."
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What are you grateful for this year?
God’s grace has been abundant this past year as I have watched my wife endure physical issues that would defeat most people. Her unwavering faith and trust in the Lord while undergoing a second round of chemotherapy, along with daily radiation treatments and all the accompanying side effects has been an inspiration to many.
God can often use our suffering to accomplish His will and reach the hearts of others. Our hope and prayer throughout this journey has been that He would be glorified and our witness would be strong and effective for Him.
The ovarian cancer is now in total remission and we praise the Great Physician for His healing touch. We also want to express our humble gratitude to family, friends and ITMI supporters for all your prayers and support.
May you all be blessed with a joyous Christmas as we celebrate this season of miracles!
Piotr and Krystyna Zaremba, Poland
"One of our greatest Polish poets, Adam Mickiewich, said, "Do you believe Christ was born in a Bethlehem stable? Yet wow to you if in your heart He still wasn’t able!"
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What do you feel like God is leading you toward next year?
The publication of the Bibles we were preparing for years. We plan to publish NIV-type Bible, ESV-type Bible, Walk-Thru Bible, NIV Student Study Bible (Polish version), Life Application Student Study Bible Polish Version, Men’s Bible, Polish–English New Testament, 2nd edition.
We plan to develop ITMI Europe.
We plan to develop K5N TV and K5N Church.
Does your family have a favorite Christmas recipe?
I love this Polish Poppyseed Roll Cake. (Also called Makowiec.)
photo credit: FreeImages.com/PeterAknai
What is your favorite Christmas song and why?
I love Silent Night. Majestic and powerful.
Is there any unique Christmas stories from the history of your country that you could share with our readers?
Well, one of our greatest Polish poets, Adam Mickiewich, said, "Do you believe Christ was born in a Bethlehem stable? Yet wow to you if in your heart He still wasn’t able!
Do you have anything to add?
I would like to honor God and our coworkers (you!) with Ephesians 3:20-21.
"Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Steve and Darlene Evers, ITMI Director
"Steve and I are especially thankful for God's protection as Steve traveled to S. Sudan, Uganda, Zambia, S. Africa, India, Poland, and Romania allowing him to teach, disciple, encourage, and love people."
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What are you grateful for this year?
Ministry: Steve and I are especially thankful for God's protection as Steve traveled to S. Sudan, Uganda, Zambia, S. Africa, India, Poland, and Romania allowing him to teach, disciple, encourage, and love people.
Family: our newest granddaughter, Lily Alexandra, made her appearance in July and in October our little 1-year-old foster grandson became an official adopted grandson, James Patrick. They joined older sister, Annabelle Grace, who turned 3 in September.
Life with grandchildren is amazing! Thank you, God, for these 3 precious little gifts to our family.
We are also so very thankful for our dear children and their spouses: Andy and Katherine celebrated their 1st wedding anniversary in October, Ben and Sarah celebrated their 4th in August, and Luke and Lacey celebrated their 2nd in November.
And, Steve and Darlene celebrated their 36th in April! So thankful for God's goodness to us all.
Steve Evers and ITMI Board Member with some of Paul and Molly's girls in India.
Steve greets a student at ITMI's Excellence Christian Academy in Zambia.
Life: Darlene's earthly father went to be with Jesus in October while Steve was in S.Africa. God's grace was so precious during that time. Her dad would have been 99 this month. What a full life he had, but even fuller now!
How has ITMI helped your ministry this year?
Our dear faithful volunteers that come into our office each month to help with our newsletter mailing are always so encouraging. They pray for our partners and for Steve as he travels. They are priceless!
God has blessed ITMI greatly this year with finances to empower our nationals. He used donors to meet needs, encourage, and build up our missionaries.
Would you share your favorite Christmas hymn with us and why it’s your favorite?
Mary Did You Know? Having gone to college with and knowing Mark Lowry, the lyricist, makes this song special to us, but the message of a mom touching her infant that grows up to be the "Savior of the world" is even more special.
You never know whose life you are impacting.
Steve bonds with the kids from a village in remote Lukulu, Zambia.