JUNE 2011

TOGO AFRICA REPORT

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IRAQGreetings and blessing from Baghdad.

Today I ask, please, that you remember those who are suffering for their faith in Iraq.

The Anglican Church of St George is the largest church in Iraq. Until two months ago we had over 550 families in church, representing 4,000 people. In the past two months we have seen a significant increase in violence targeted at Christians. Two of our security guards have been shot dead and our head of security had his leg blown off. A number of members of my congregation have been killed and several others have lost family members.

As a result, at least 50 families from St George's have taken the drastic step of fleeing Baghdad, leaving behind their homes and their community. We pray for them as they launch out into the unknown, with all the uncertainty and vulnerability that comes with being an alien in a far land.

We are not leaving

Even though several people have left Baghdad, the needs have not diminished. This is because we provide, not only for the Christians in our own community, but also for other denominations and for those of other faiths. The St George's clinic still provides medical and dental care for 1,500-2,000 patients every month. Christian, Sunni, Shia and Jewish medical staff work side by side to care for people in need.

The task is huge but we do not give up or lose hope. For Christians, life here is so dangerous and I simply ask that at this crucial time you ask your churches, your communities and your friends to help the Christians here in Iraq.

"Enough. Enough!"

We are living in danger but we are inspired by little Adam. Just a boy of three years of age, he was in the Syrian Catholic Church when the massacre took place there on 31st October this year. His parents were both killed but he traipsed around after the terrorists as they shot at people, shouting at them to stop. Over and over again he called out "Enough. Enough." And then he too was killed.

That is our cry too as we work hard to try to reduce religious sectarianism with the other religious leaders in Iraq. Enough is enough; it is time for the violence to stop. The people of Iraq deserve better.

With every blessing, Canon Andrew White

P.S Christians in Iraq are living in a state of fear after a siege at a Baghdad church that left more than 50 people dead. An Al-Qaeda front group threatened further violence, saying Christians everywhere are "legitimate targets."

Every Home for Christ have friends in Iraq who are trying to help their neighbours in many practical ways as well as share the Gospel with them. Pray for their protection and courage to continue the work God has put on their hearts.

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Christ Groups have become the key to EHC’s current strategy to take the Gospel to every

home in Togo for a third time. Christ Group believers are being trained in home-to-home evangelism and mobilized to share the Good News in neighbouring villages.

Edoh and his teams of evangelists have a motto for the work

in Togo—“engaged to go where no one else goes with the Gospel!” These teams are living that out day after day as they venture into areas reaching families that have never received the gospel message.

Mrs. Pya Pali is a perfect example of

an individual who lived 68 years before hearing about Jesus. Several months ago Mrs. Pali was admitted to the hospital in Sotouboua with a mysterious illness. Over the course of the next few weeks, her condition deteriorated to the point where the doctors believed she should return to her village and be administered to by the village “medicine man.” In a word, they were sending her home to die.

Once back in her humble home, and near death, she instructed her husband, Passabi, to send for the medicine man.

E HC’s work in the West African

nation of Togo began in 1991. Since 2002 under the leadership of EHC’s National Director, Edoh Fiozandji, who also serves as EHC’s Regional Director for all of French Africa, EHC workers have successfully covered the nation TWICE with gospel literature prompting more than 180,000 responses and planting 5,444 Christ Group fellowships in many villages where there has never been a church.

TOGOGoing Where No One Else

Goes with the Gospel!

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As he was leaving he heard someone calling to him from outside. At that moment, God had sent an EHC team to this home to share the Gospel.Passabi invited them in and shared with them his wife’s grave condition. EHC pioneer missionary Essonana, one of the home-to-home team members who showed up at their door, shared the gospel message and then pointed to a passage in his Bible. It was Acts 4:12, “There is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” He also declared to them that God is the one who gives life and who takes life away.Having heard all that Essonana had to say, the Holy Spirit moved on their hearts and they believed and asked Jesus into their lives. Then Essonana began to pray over the couple and

declared God’s healing power over Mrs. Pali. The following month evangelist Essonana returned to the Pali home, bringing with him EHC follow-up materials, discipleship booklets and a Bible. He was not surprised to see the miracle that had taken place in the life of Mrs. Pali, nor was he surprised to hear how she is using the testimony of her total healing to witness to others around her. She has even returned to the hospital where she lay near death and shared her story of God’s great love for her—so great that He could not let her die, but rescued her so that she could share His love, grace and mercy with others.Today, this newly saved couple expresses their joy and appreciation to God for sending Essonana and have fallen in love with the EHC vision.

The EHC Harvest in Togo

EHC Began ....................................................................1991Homes Reached by EHC ................................ 2,901,049Literature Distributed ..................................... 3,932,714Decisions/Responses ..........................................182,771Christ Groups Planted..............................................5,444

Edoh and Elizabeth Fiozandji and family. Edoh is EHC's Regional Director for French Africa and

National Director for Togo.

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TOGO

Every Home Global Concern

Medical Clinic and Hospital

with Adrian Moore

Adrian Moore

Togo. To me the name conjures up the exotic, the unknown, the mysterious - a tiny country only 50 km wide wedged between Nigeria and Ghana. A history of 200 years as the centre of the slave trade,

followed by German colonisation, joint French/British rule between the World Wars, and Independence which spawned a dictator who prevailed for 35 years only added to the fascination.

When I was given the chance to visit there as volunteer with my son Aaron, pictured here, who is on the staff of every Home Global Concern, it was an opportunity that I could not turn down.

Every Home Global Concern built a medical clinic in the Togo countryside and has recently obtained AusAid funding to kick-off a new project aimed at educating the villagers in health, nutrition and disease prevention. As a novice to sub-Saharan Africa I had no pre-conceived ideas on what to expect - only an inquisitive and open mind and an expectation that something good was happening as a result of the programs.

35 years of dictatorship has resulted in the country being shunned by Western governments and has led to a "grand

decay" of the country and its infrastructure - derelict Colonial architecture, main roads with pot holes as wide as a house, beggars on the streets. But despite all this there is a vibrancy that is uniquely African. Life for many is lived out on the streets and footpaths of the capital Lome. There was an enthusiasm that was infectious and as a westerner, an uneasy feeling that these people were happy in some fundamental way, despite their dire economic circumstances - it is a topic that I still reflect upon.

The Medical Centre was about an hour's drive from the capital - the road alternating from bitumen to red dirt with the inevitable slowing to a crawl to navigate the huge potholes. The road then narrowed, became a track, and eventually a walking path with the vegetation brushing the sides of the vehicle. Suddenly the medical centre appeared in a clearing.

Healing the sick, helping the poor, educating the hopeless for a better life.

Freely you have received, freely give.

JUNE 2011

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In anticipation of our visit a canopy had been set up to provide shade and about 100 villagers sat in chairs, waiting expectantly. It is rather disconcerting to be treated as a celebrity when all you have done is turn up as a volunteer, but African village hospitality is welcoming and we took our privileged seats in front of the assembled village. Over the next two hours they shared their needs, desires and experiences of the Medical Clinic in a positive way.

The highlight for me was when a dozen young women decked out in their colourful costumes and headgear suddenly appeared with their babies - all born at the clinic in the last few months.

At the end of these proceedings, drums and other musical instruments suddenly appeared and dancing ensued. It was impossible to resist joining in - much to the joy and amusement of the locals.

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A separate trip was arranged to discuss the Health and Education Program. We arrived at a village to be greeted by 50 volunteers, all wearing their "AusAid Togo" bibs and beaming with pride and expectation. To me it seemed a little surprising that in a poor country with no social services, malnutrition, high unemployment, and a daily struggle to survive, that people would be prepared to volunteer their time to help others. The volunteers were invited to express their hopes and aspirations and explain why they wanted to volunteer for this project. A sea of hands went up and stories from the heart unfolded about improving life in their villages.

The example of the leadership of Every Home Global Concern in Togo to help the less fortunate is clearly a driving force for the organisation. And the country provides much opportunity for this. The majority of the population is still founded in animism and the village witch doctor has strong sway on their day to day lives. A visit to the Fetish Market in Lome was a gruesome revelation for a westerner. All manner of animal parts - skulls of elephant, Rhino, crocodile, dried birds and small mammals, and an array of bizarre items and idols were on display. Not only were these items directing the spiritual lives of the inhabitants, they were also being used to treat medical conditions at the expense of the western remedies available.

The Every Home Global Concern programs in Togo are providing vital support for the village communities and are being driven, provided, and embraced by locals on the ground. I was most impressed by the local management of Togo and felt that the direct contact that Every Home Global Concern has with the local management and the programs convinced me that money sent from overseas is received and applied in the way that it is intended.

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The Medical Centre was built many years ago and has been in operation but this is the first year when staff have been trained to go into the villages.

There are 5 teams like this one with Edoh Fiozandji the Togo National Director.

Another volunteer health educator said "most of our population don't know about HIV/AIDS and the young people are being infected. If I can be trained in health education I want to be able to help youth avoid HIV/AIDS."

"I have 5 children and 3 of them have received medical help from the clinic for Malaria and fever." - Local villager

The nearest village to the clinic would like to get a water conection installed to pipe water to it.Total cost estimated at $3,500. So far they have raised $500.

"I really like seeing the joy on the faces of the population when I visit to teach and seeing the impact in the lives of the children."

- Health Educator (left) qualified in Public Health on his project motor bike ready to train all the volunteer workers.

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Every Home for Christ Australia: PO Box 168 Penshurst NSW 2222 Telephone: (02) 9570 8211 Facsimile: (02) 9570 4738

New Zealand: PO Box 31-260 Milford North Shore City 0741 Telephone: Free call 0800 900 200 Facsimile: 0061 2 9570 4738www.everyhome.org.au ehc@everyhome.org.au

ARMENIAA RICH HERITAGE COMES TO LIFE

The nation of Armenia is part of the Commonwealth of Independent states

and is flanked on the north by the country of Georgia, on the southwest by the nation of Azerbaijan and to the west by Turkey.

Armenia holds the unique distinction of being the world’s first Christian state, established by decree in AD 313. The nation has a rich church presence that dates back to the first century. Armenia belonged to the Soviet Union during the years of 1920-1991 and it has seen many changes over the centuries.Believers are still actively sharing the Gospel today and working toward reaching the entire nation with the Gospel. This year EHC Armenia will celebrate its 10th anniversary of sharing the Gospel home to home under the leadership of National Director, Samvel Minasyan.

Many areas all over Armenia such as Syunik, Lori, Shirak, Kapan and Jrashen have been reached utilizing trained volunteers—mostly young people—who are eager to see their homeland completely won for Christ.

One of Armenia’s unique ministries is working with other Christian missions to organize and establish small camps for teenagers and

youth where personal one-on-one ministry is conducted. These camps have significantly impacted not only Samvel and his teams, but hundreds of young people, who are the future of Armenia.

Most recently EHC has begun a home-to-home evangelistic campaign in the city of Vanadzor, the third largest city in Armenia with a population of 170,000. As Samvel comments on the spiritual climate of Vanadzor, he says, “It is a mostly rainy city, but that makes the ground fertile and receptive to the gospel seed. Our workers have a true passion for reaching men and women, and they do it with great love.”

"Soon I will celebrate an anniversary of sorts…the anniversary of when I gave my heart to Jesus. It was through the efforts of EHC Armenia. Now knowing that I have the gift of eternal life, I am eager to help share the light of the Gospel with others. Always, I pray for you to be blessed and to continue to draw people to Jesus."

- A Testimony Received by the EHC Office

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IRAN AT LEAST 100 CHRISTIANS DETAINED At least 100 Iranian Christians have been arrested in the last four months. Homes have been ransacked and Christians interrogated. Most arrested have been from Christian evangelical backgrounds. Some were forced to sign documents stating that they would not engage in proselytism nor attend house church meetings. Some pastors and house church members have fled the country. Those who remain face possible charges for apostasy, proselytising, and holding church services. Christian detainees are interrogated then released on bail pending further questioning.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide's (CSW) Advocacy Director Andrew Johnston said, "CSW has grave concerns for those in detention, who are being subjected to sleep deprivation and solitary confinement ." He added: "The international community must continue to urge the government of Iran to allow its citizens freedom of religion and releasing those detained solely on the basis of their religious affiliation." Christians in Iran are asking for prayer for those arrested recently, as well as the untold numbers who are still being held captive from years past.

Gospel tract "Who is the World's Best Father?"

BRAZIL

" For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." - John 3:16