Saturday, May 30, 2009

Good Samaritan News!

Dear Fellow Laborers,

What a great day we had today in Malawi! In the morning we went soul winning to the village of Kautuka #1. Forty Six souls trusted Christ as their Savior and Lord willing they will attend the new church we have started in this village last Sunday; Good Samaritan Kautuka Baptist Church. President Henry conducted the first service and this Sunday the pastor we are looking at sending to this village will teach and preach to them. What was really the icing on the cake was the start of the Good Samaritan Junior Bible College at Mapanga. For many months we have been concerned with the fact that not much spiritual meat was being fed to the orphan teens other than Sunday and Wednesday. The Lord laid on my heart the desire to have classes in a college setting for the teen orphans. Well, we set it up and today we had the first classes. We are meeting every Saturday at 2pm with classes lasting 40 minutes with 15 minute breaks. There are 5 classes, The Study of Proverbs, Homiletics, The Life of Christ, Women of Character, & New Testament Survey. I am teaching Proverbs, Navigator Homiletics, Lloyd the Life of Christ, Darcy & Ms. Goodman Women of Character, & Henry NTS. We provided notebooks, study materials, pencils, pens, Chichewa & English (KJV) Bibles, and personal study/information books. Darcy & Ms. Goodman teach their class while Navigator is teaching Homiletics, other than that we are all together. It is really exciting to see this! We have 17 boys & 10 girls signed up and Lord willing they will stick to it. We are trusting God to smooth and iron out wrinkles and the wiles of the devil that I am sure that will come our way.

I wanted to share this day with all of you as I know that I am generally Mr. Doom and Gloom but I know that God blesses the ministries that desire to honor Him! I desire His very best for this ministry and for those workers and orphans that are involved in it.

Thank you for your prayers and Lord willing we will see you shortly.

By His Grace & Mercy,
John

Thursday, May 7, 2009

John & Darcy Fullford Newsletter update

May 6th, 2009


Psalm 34:8 O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him

Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ,

The Lord is truly good and He blesses us in ways we cannot even imagine!!

Much to my shame I have not sent out our “Prayer Letter” since the month of February. To this I ask your forgiveness and my only defense is that we have been overwhelmed with the ministry here in Malawi.

I pray God’s blessing on all those dear people that have responded to our “Plea Letter” for the month of January. During the month preceding the implementation of our new food menu at the Good Samaritan Children’s Home, we took 56 children to the Chiradzulu Hospital for illness. The month following the start of the new menu we took 5 to the hospital. We continue to receive emails from those that have given a “one time gift and from those people or families that have committed to contribute every month. We are “Tasting and Seeing” that the Lord is very good!!

Our members of Bible Baptist Church of Bwaila have really taken to heart the “Great Commission” in that they are faithful in going out soul winning in the Satemwa tea fields and the surrounding villages. During the months of February, March and April we have had many people believe and receive Christ as their Savior;

Satemwa tea fields 184

Mbeluko #1 99

Mbeluko #2 160

Kautuka #2 70

Chizinja 220

At the village of Chizinja people asked that we start a church at their village because of the distance from Bwaila and the hills and streams that needed to be crossed. Two Sundays ago we started our second church, Chizinja Good Samaritan Baptist Church. We moved the church service at Bwaila up to 9am, and finish at 12:30pm. We then travel the 5 Km to Chizinja, a 20 minute drive, and start that church service at 1pm. We also have started a Bible study for these dear people on Tuesday afternoons at 3:30pm. Just this last Tuesday during the Bible study some other village people sat down to listen as we taught. During one of the question/answer periods a man raised his hand and stated, “I am tired of drinking, I want to be saved”. Six people trusted Jesus as their Savior at the end of this Bible study! The Malawians are hungry for the Truth of God; John 8:32, “ And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

The work at the Good Samaritan Bible College and Children’s Home at Mapanga continues. We are trying to maintain the facilities to His Glory and Honor. Between the weather, insects, pest, and all the children, this is a task.

During the month of February we completed the electrical wiring for the bakery addition at the kitchen facility. After hooking up two of the commercial ovens, Darcy baked bread for the first time. The children and staff enjoy these first fruits and Lord willing in the next couple of weeks Darcy will teach the cooks and others how to bake simple but nutritious foods.

At the end of April, 5 graduating teen girls and 2 adult women chaperons from Bible Baptist Church of Fairbanks Alaska arrived for a two week “working” mission’s trip. We have put them to work at Mapanga teaching and cleaning at the Orphanage. They have gone out soul winning both at Mapanga and Bwaila and have also taught Junior Churches at Njuli, Mapanga, Bwaila and Chizinja. They have been a blessing to our family and also to the people of these villages. Some of the nationals that have seen them work have commented that they did not know that the Inzungu’s, white people, worked with their hands. The visitors have seen the work here in Malawi “first hand”and Lord willing their report will encourage and energize others!

We understand that a family from Bible Baptist Church of Fairbanks has surrendered to come and join our family in this ministry in Malawi. David & Laurie Mowery are believing God’s Word, Prov. 3:5 & 6. They have talked with Pastor Duffett, received his blessing and are moving forward with the plans to come to Malawi. We have known this family for many years and are excited about working with them!

PRAYER ITEMS

  1. People continue to see the needs for the Mapanga Orphanage
  2. The new Independent Baptist church at Chizinja
  3. Bible Baptist Church of Bwaila
  4. Health for our family as we are stretched thin
  5. Funds for a permanent church building at Bwaila

By His Grace & Mercy,

John, Darcy, Elizabeth,

Sarah & Johnathan

Friday, May 1, 2009

The Fullford's are a family that have come to Malawi, Africa to help me with this great work. I have been there 10 years and they came this past July 2008 and are doing a great work.
Dr. Gardiner Gentry
Founder/Director

John & Darcy Fullford Newsletter

"Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child." Exodus 22:22

Dear Family & Praying Friends,
This is going to be a different monthly prayer letter in that it is a PLEA letter.
"You shall comfort and assist them, and be ready upon all occasions to show them kindness."
(Matthew Henry's Commentary)

January was a hard month for the orphanage at Mapanga. During this one month we were compelled to take 56 children to Chiradzulu District Hospital due to malaria, colds or flu. These were the children bad enough to be taken to the hospital and does not take into account the many children that we tried to nurse ourselves. I believe with all my heart the one dominating factor is the lack of nutrition due to our food menu we have been forced to adopt. Over the last year many people who had committed to the care of these kids have been forced, or chosen to quit sending aid for the kids. We have 101 children that depend on us and it tugs on the string of our hearts when we see the kids getting sick and we know with a proper diet it could very well be averted.
Let me give you a glimpse of what a child gets in one week for his/her meal.
Approximately one and one half cups rice (Sunday only)
4 eggs (2 on Tuesday & 2 on Thursday)
1 cup beans
1 cup small dried fish
1/3 cup of milk (that's right: for one week)
Rice porridge at every meal except on Sundays (This is called Nsima, (the national food) and it has very little nutritional value. It is eaten as a filler to make the children feel full.) A mixture of vegetable greens, onions, ground nuts and tomatoes they call "relish" to be eaten with the Nsima.
Hot tea with sugar
Water to drink with their meal

THEY DO NOT GET:
Red meat of any kind Chicken or fowl
Fruit Bread
Noodles or other types of starches Hot or cold cereals
Snacks, treats or desserts Flavored drinks; only water

January was a deciding month, Darcy and I knew we had to change the meal plan, so we have revised our menu and starting February 15th, we have implemented a new menu aimed at increasing the nutritional intake of each child. The children will be receiving:
2 fruits every day
1 1/2 cups of milk a week
4 eggs a week
9 oz of red meat a week
Chicken once a week
Noodles with beef once during the week
Hot cereal with raisins twice a week
A larger quantity of small fish in their relish
Beans with beef soup bones once a week
One slice of bread every day
More vegetables & less Nsima during the week
Nutritious baked rolls for snacks, made at the orphanage

We are trusting God to touch the hearts of people to help us with this meal menu for the children. It is still lacking, but it will give them the marginal nutritional values that they need. What if 350 families would be willing to give $10.00 per month for this need? This would cover the increase in our monthly food budget for the kids. If you believe God is leading you to help please send your donations to:
Victory World Outreach
P O Box 4403
Milton, Fl. 32572

Please designate your donations as "Orphan Food" and send an email to us at john@raisingagodlyheritage.org to let us know what has been given so that we can plan accordingly.

If we believe the Bible is /God's Word, and He many times shows that His Heart is for orphans shouldn't our hearts also be towards the widows, afflicted and orphaned? God has chosen to work through His people and I pray that when He talks to you in "that still small voice" you will listen and obey!

PRAYER REQUEST:

1. Health and support for our orphans
2. Rufina, one of our HIV kids that is going through a tough time
3. Health and safety for our family.

By His Grace & Mercy
John, Darcy,Elizabeth, Sarah & Johnathan

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Spring 2009 Report

Psalms 72:12
For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth, the poor also, and him that hath no helper.

Dear Supporting Partners,
We are encountering a desperate situation concerning the ministry in Malawi - due to various economic circumstances. Large income donations have been hindered as well as those of moderate income. However, we know in God's economy there is always ample provision to meet the need of His children when they "cry" unto Him.
When you receive this letter we ask that you find time to meet with your church and offer a unified prayer "cry" to God on behalf of this ministry to the poor. We believe that when an entire group of God's people cry out in unison to the Lord -- He will hear and He will deliver. Thank you for responding to our plea.
Please read the enclosed letter from our staff in Malawi concerning the orphanage needs - and do remember me as I am growing very weak in my legs these days. Pray that God will renew my strength for more time in Malawi or productive time here in the states visiting you our supporters and new prospective supporters.
Thank you for your deep abiding compassion and sacrifices that have kept this work abounding for His glory these 10 years.
Our 426 churches are still going good with hundreds being saved each month in spite of the monsoon rains. Our biggest need for these churches is finances for gas to get to these churches to be able to encourage them to keep on for the Lord during these trying times. Gas there is now $12.50 a gallon! Can you help?

CALL UPON ME IN THE DAY OF TROUBLE. PSALMS 50:15

Sincerely in the work of Christ and His church,
Gardiner & Alice Gentry
"The Beggars"
IChronicles 4:10

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Bro. Henry Chatata Prayer letter

Dear Praying Pastor and Church,

Wonderfull Precious Greetings in the Name of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, I had this oportunity to write this prayer to let you know our brethren to thank you so much for the hard work your doing to us even though problems are also around you. People here are still getting saved week after week (2Timothy 4:2-3) and we always pray for you.
We have Soul Winning Program every Saturday where we go out to witness and the month of January, my personal soul witnessing were 26 people saved and God gave me grace to preach to my Sister's funeral and i did the service over 700 people were present and those they heard the message and trust Christ as their personal Saviour were over 350 people. I really thank God for that and my prayer is follow some of these dear Souls to be in Church.
I really thank God too also because even I am very busy, we have started Bible Study at Good Samaritan Baptist Church, we started with 18 students and now we are 40 Students, people wants to learn the word of God. I really do thank God and we do our Bible Study every Thursday. Pray for me that God will give me strength and wisdom to teach to these people.
Right now we are travelling different areas with Bro. Chuck Miller, Rackson Kaiwe to where our churches are, to see how our National Pastors are doing in their churches and we will go to all the places. We have already visited now almost 89 National Pastors in two weeks time, Some they are doing well and some needs help like bibles and teaching materials and other things.
I really thank God because now we have Bro. John Fullford, his family and Bro. Chuck Miller to come together and work together in this Ministry for the search of the gospel, may God bless them. We are doing well and lost souls are getting saved every week and we are teaching so much to our people.
Last month my wife and I, we visited over four churches to encourage them teaching and preaching and my wife really enjoyed to be with the other Ladies teaching them many things how they can be involved with different activities in their churches. Once again we thank you so much because of your prayers and the support you sent every month that enable us to reach others and meet their spiritual needs. May the Almight God Bless You All.
In The Work of God
Bro. Henry Chatata

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

John Fullford update

Our rainy season is coming to an end and our winter is starting. It is getting down into the 50’s at night, and that would not be bad except when it is 50 outside it is 50 inside and a bit chilly.

The ministry goes on and it looks as if we will be starting another church in the village of Chizinja, (Chee Zin Ja), in the next couple of weeks. We went soul winning with our people from Bible Baptist Church of Bwaila on two different Saturdays and over 200 people trusted Christ as their Savior!! This village is about 4 Km away from Bwaila, but there are some steep hills and two streams the people would have to cross to get to Bwaila. They want us to teach and preach to them, so I believe God is leading us to start the church service in Bwaila at 9am, end at 12:30pm and start the church service in Chizinja at 1pm. It will make for a long day, but I am excited about it. Please pray for God’s direction for us as we desire to do His will.

BBC of Bwaila is going well with 30 to 40 faithful adults attending every Sunday with the kids on the side. We continue to have a Bible study every Thursday and they really want to learn God’s Word. What a joy it is!

We now have a land line into our home, as long as the thieves stay away.

Please let me know the dates you will be here so we can go out soul winning!

By His Grace & Mercy,

John