Praises – Rejoice with us!
BIEM missionary Charles Hoblitz in Tbilisi, Georgia, had an opportunity to share the Gospel at a government meeting to discuss freedom of religion. Many foreign ambassadors and Georgian government officials were present! Charles said he felt God had created this opportunity in the same way He allowed Paul to share Christ with Roman officials.
Many camps are experiencing higher than expected turnouts of children. In one village, the local town council had denied a request to hold a camp for its children. But then the council reversed that decision, deciding instead that its citizens needed something positive to take their mind off the war!
From Lviv, Ukraine, Yura Levtseniuk shared this about their church: “The Lord blesses us with guests and preachers. At one service, 6 unbelievers repented, and 3 renewed their relationship with God. We have people preparing for baptism. The Lord is reviving our church in a wonderful way!”
Occasionally we mention Misha, the nephew of BIEM missionaries. He has been serving on the war front in eastern Ukraine. He and 10 men were sent to hold a hill. A mortar round hit 5 yards away. Shrapnel missed him, but sand blasted his face. By God’s grace, and to the amazement of his commander, Misha got all 10 of his team out alive, although several were wounded. He is currently in a hospital to recover. Thank you for prayers for him and for many others.
Prayer – Pray with us!
On July 26, Sam and Amy Slobodian left for Ukraine, where they plan to assist with 3 children’s camps. Besides helping with camps, they will be surveying some of our war-relief distribution efforts. Because of Russia’s escalation of bombings across Ukraine, please pray for the protection of all involved and for the Lord to work in the hearts of the campers.
In a recent brief video, “In Their Own Words,” BIEM missionary Vitaly Keller answers the question, “Is war relief still needed for Ukraine?” You can watch it by visiting www.BaptistInternational.org and clicking “View Video Updates,” but the bottom line is “Yes, aid is still needed!” Please pray for more people to send gently used (or even new!) clothing items to BIEM so we can ship more to Ukrainian churches to distribute as they reach out to their communities with aid and the Gospel.
Last month, we requested prayer for the Lord to move His people to provide the $50,000 needed for summer camps. He supplied it all! Now please pray for God to work in the hearts of campers.
In July BIEM Board Chairman Greg Wahlberg traveled with our Field Director for Central Asia into a number of those regions. During the trip, 11 born-again Afghanis were baptized, and 9 others graduated from our Bible institute there. Please pray for God to embolden and use these Afghanis for His glory! Pray, too, for more Afghani refugees in Central Asia to put their trust in Christ!
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