Tagged: Latin America

Then & Now: Evangelistic Literature

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By on May 8th, 2013

We’re still celebrating our 20th anniversary this month. Let’s take a look at how another aspect of our ministry has developed in the last 20 years.

In the beginning we distributed evangelistic literature in the form of Bibles and New Testaments. The people in Russia were so hungry for truth, that they would swarm teams in the street to get their hands on Bibles (see photo above left). Eventually, that was a became a big part of the ministry so teams would bring in boxes and boxes of evangelistic literature to distribute throughout Russia (see above right).

Now, East-West has worked with several partners to develop evangelistic literature for people in all stages of coming to Christ. We then train the local believers how to use it to evangelize or start conversations with their neighbors (which you see in the top photo from East Asia).

Most of our literature is translated into multiple languages so that it can communicate the universal message of the gospel in many different nations (like in the middle photo from Latin America).

Some of our partners develop literature that is used during our mass media evangelism campaigns (like the bottom photo from India).

 

A Lasting Impact, Part 2

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By on Mar 6th, 2013

Erlie’s Journey to Joy

I felt lost and confused. There I sat, at the bottom of the stairs in some building I had never seen before … but this is where the voice told me to go.

I heard the voice earlier that day when I was a few miles down the road, and something in it made me follow it to this small, concrete building. I was exhausted from the journey. With my injuries, I could only “walk” on long braces attached to my arms. This was difficult for a few feet … and even more difficult for a few miles.

But there, at the bottom of the stairs in my complete exhaustion, I met two men who would impact my life forever.

The men, Jeff and John, met me at the bottom of the stairs, and we began talking. It became clear to me that these men were why I came to this building. I told them about the bus that ran over my legs when I was young and that even my family wanted nothing to do with me because of my injuries. I had no support … forcing me to scavenge just to survive.

Then Jeff asked me what seemed to be a strange question. He asked, “Have you ever heard of Jesus?” All I could say was “no” because that was the truth.

Jeff began to tell me a story … a story about a Man who was God and how He died for me. It was hard to believe that someone would die for me. Even my family gave up on me. But he said it was true, and I genuinely believed him.

As he finished the story, I felt such peace come over me. I had never felt that way before. Right then Jeff said something else surprising. He said, “Erlie, smile.”

I didn’t even think about it. I smiled. It made sense to smile because I had joy inside for the first time in years.

Jeff, this American that I just met, told me that my smile was beautiful. And with tears in both our eyes, we prayed. That was the day I met Jesus and decided to follow Him.

I couldn’t remember the last time I smiled before then. But that day I finally found something to smile about—a Savior who loves me more than anyone and an American friend who loved me enough to share Him with me.

A Lasting Impact, Part 1

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By on Mar 4th, 2013

Jeff’s Spirit-Led Encounter

In a simple, concrete apartment complex in Latin America, I had an encounter that would impact me forever.

It was the last day of my first ever mission trip. My interpreter, John, and I were walking down the stairs from the third floor of this small, box-like building—leaving a gathering of church workers. As I looked out the windows into the street, I couldn’t help but feel that there was something more I could do … more people with whom I could share the gospel. I looked at John, and his look said that he felt it too.

We came to the bottom of the stairs, and we saw a man—handicapped in his legs, sitting with his braces next to him. He was about 30 years old, but those years had not been kind to him. He looked sad and confused, and something told us that he was the man we were meant to meet that day.

As we approached, John said, “You look troubled. What is your name?”

“Erlie,” the man replied. “I have never been to this building before, but I know I need to be here. That’s what the voice said.” I was astounded. It was like something out of a story you hear from far away … not something you see happen right before your eyes.

Erlie was an outcast because of his injuries and had to scrounge to live. I was struck by his hopelessness when I asked, “Erlie, have you ever heard of Jesus?”

He simply replied, “No.” At that moment, I heard a clear prompt from the Lord. He said, “Give him joy, Jeff. Give him Me.”

So I began telling him about the One who loved him more than anyone else—the Man he had never heard of but needed to know. I continued through the gospel message and saw peace wash over his face.

When I finished, I heard another clear instruction from the Lord saying, “Tell him to smile.” When I did, Erlie’s face broke into a wide smile. Even as I think about it today, I remember it as one of the most beautiful smiles I have ever seen. So I told him, “Erlie, your smile is beautiful.”

It was then that we all began to weep and pray. That day, Erlie gave his life to Christ—finding the hope and joy for which he had been searching.

The Fruit of Obedience

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By on Dec 3rd, 2012

Raul knew about church. He even knew what the church did. But he never really knew God.

One day, a group of East-West missionaries held an eye clinic in his village in a remote area of Mexico. It was during this clinic that Raul encountered the truth for the first time—that God wanted to know Him personally and made that possible through Jesus Christ.

Raul was struck by this message. He immediately surrendered his life to Christ.

Everyone noticed a change in Raul right away. Knowing that God wanted to know him intimately instantly transformed him. And he continued to grow by reading a Bible that the team left with him.

One year later, the same missionaries led another team to Raul’s village for a medical clinic. He became emotional at their return and helped them however he could as they prepared for the next day.

As the clinic began, Raul continued to be in awe of the gospel message. He listened intently as one of the missionaries shared the gospel with the patients. He was flipping pages in his Bible to follow along and soak up every word of truth possible.

After sitting through the gospel presentation numerous times, Raul had the opportunity to share this life-changing message with some patients. As he told the story of God’s grace, he saw lives transformed before his eyes just as his had been one year earlier.

Having seen the eternal fruit of his obedience, Raul now shares the gospel confidently with everyone he meets.

Thank YOU!

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By on Nov 19th, 2012

As Thanksgiving draws near, we would like to take a few moments to share with you how grateful East-West, our missionaries, and national partners are to you.

Thanks to You

“We are so blessed to have such an army of supporters and prayer warriors spread out all over the world. From China to Canada, America to Singapore, you make this happen with your prayers and financial support. The nations of the Caucasus will never be the same because of your eternal investment.” –Missionary to the Caucasus region

“Thank you for your prayers and partnership with us in Southeast Asia. We believe God is leading us, step by step, to make a lasting investment for His Kingdom there. To Him be the Glory!” –Missionary to Southeast Asia

“You are making the difference in the ministry here with your prayers, your gifts and your concern. Thank you!” –Missionary to Spain

“Because of your faithful support and prayers, we GET to teach the Word and train these faithful men and women! We wake up each day rejoicing in the privilege that is ours! Thank you so much.” –Missionaries to East Asia

“I would like to thank you special people who believed in me in supporting me in this ministry. Russia is not the same as it was because you supported God’s work here.”  –National partner in Russia

“I am so grateful for God’s guidance and for your support. Our ministry continues to be busy because of your prayers.” –National Partner in Central Asia

“We are grateful to you all without your input, time, prayers and concern, there would have been no ministry. We pray that God would richly guide, direct and bless you throughout year.” –National Partner in South Asia

Because of You

Your support through prayer and giving makes our ministry of transforming lives through the power of the gospel possible. Here are what some of our national partners have to say about the work you have empowered us to do.

“Would like to thank our teachers from East-West. Among them is my spiritual father, and I look forward to seeing him here every time. He gives me good counsel, and I am thankful to God for such people in my life. As a Baptist bishop, I have seen 1,400 members of the churches and 15 new pastors come all because of the training that East-West did for us.”  –National Partner in Russia

“Because of the missionaries and their training, I finally understand the gospel and can share it without fear!” –National Partner in Latin America

“It’s important that the U.S. has taken a role in our ministry here because Christianity has now impacted our culture. It is important for Muslims to experience Christians from other countries who used to be Muslims but whose lives have been changed by the gospel. More than anything, it is important Christians from other countries to come together to worship and share God’s love. It will make a difference here.”  –National Partner in the Caucasus Region

“For the first 10 years of my ministry, there was not much fruit because I didn’t have experience. It is now better because of the help of our American brothers at East-West.” –National Partner in the Middle East

“Your help to the seminary in Sevilla has real value in terms of students putting their faith into action for God’s kingdom every month.” –National partner in Spain

“As a new believer of 3 months, I now know what I am supposed to be doing with my life because of this training. I love and depend upon Jesus like never before.” –National Partner in Latin America

THANK YOU!

 

Fall 2012 Mission Trips

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By on May 23rd, 2012

East-West is dedicated to mobilizing the Church at home to build the Church abroad. One way we’re bringing the gospel to the world is through dedicated believers on short-term mission trips.

Fall is around the corner. So it’s time to start thinking about whether a fall mission trip is right for you. Here are a few opportunities for you to GO and MULTIPLY God’s eternal Kingdom with East-West this fall.

For more information or to sign up for these mission trips click here.

Hope for a Wounded Soul

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By on Apr 16th, 2012

Eduardo was only 5 years old when his parents abandoned him. Alone, he managed to survive on a simple diet of beans and corn.Eduardo

When he was 12 he married his wife and was adopted into a community of indigenous people with whom he lived for many years.

A few years ago, Eduardo, his wife, and 15 other people were lawfully given a sizable stretch of land that would become a small town where they could settle.

The land had previously been owned by a revolutionary group that was armed and violent. When Eduardo became the leader of this small town, he quickly learned that this revolutionary group was not going to let go of the land easily.

Late one summer evening, nearly 200 armed revolutionaries invaded this small community. They fired live ammunition and set most of the village on fire. Two men were left for dead, and Eduardo’s adult son was maliciously knocked unconscious during the raid. He only narrowly escaped being consumed by the flames when a family member came back to save him.

This traumatic event left a mark on Eduardo’s soul. He found himself turning inward to contemplate suffering, purpose, and hope. Eduardo found the questions overwhelming and reached out to his sister, Manuela, for help.

Manuela is a member of a church community established by an East-West missionary. She began to share the gospel with her brother and encourage his spiritual growth. Soon, Eduardo and his entire family professed faith in Christ.

He knew that the message of unrelenting hope found in Jesus Christ needed to be shared. Now Eduardo faithfully spreads the gospel message in his community and continues to grow deeper into his relationship with Jesus Christ.

Read more about East-West’s ministry in Latin America.