BIEMs of Light: November 2024

Praises – Rejoice with us!

  • Praise the Lord, friends of BIEM continue to donate slightly used clothing and shoes for shipment to Ukraine as war relief. Plus, we have accepted 150 stackable chairs for churches in Ukraine. Thanks to your donations, we plan to schedule another shipment before the end of this year.

  • When 5 of our men were recently arrested for evangelizing in Central Asia, we requested prayer. We praise the Lord that, although our men were fined $25 apiece, they were not beaten. They were released with the warning that next time they are caught witnessing they will get 15 days in jail.

  • Despite the horrors of war, our churches in Ukraine are celebrating Harvest, a day of giving thanks. BIEM missionary Yura Levtseniuk says, “We also pray for your country…. You are a blessing to us, and you are a wonderful instrument in the hands of the Redeemer!” 

  • In Nizhylovychi, Ukraine, where BIEM purchased a house to use as a church, Anatoly Kirilko says, “We’re extremely grateful to BIEM for help on renovations. Thanks to you, we have a nice kitchen and bathroom. It was a great blessing during the camp and afterwards. May the Lord bless you.”

Prayer – Pray with us!

  • Our Afghani Bible Institute now has 32 students. Our Director for Central Asia says, “This is the easiest group we have worked with, largely due to our graduates being involved in the Institute’s discipleship and leadership. Please pray for us as we endeavor to continue the Institute.... We don’t have full funding for it, so we cry out to God to supply our needs month-by-month.”

  • We requested prayer concerning Parliamentary elections in the Republic of Georgia. The prayer was that election results continue permitting evangelism. The election is now past, and the ruling party remains in power. However, opposition figures—including that nation’s president—claim meddling in the election and do not accept the results. So, the outcome remains in question.

  • Our new church planter, Sergiy Koop in Druzhba, Ukraine, writes, “I am especially grateful to God that I can live in this country during its most difficult times, because in this way we can truly testify to people about God’s love and grace not only with words, but also with very practical actions.” He requests prayer for opportunities to meet and talk with many more unbelievers.

  • Marynka—Pastor Sergei Kostin’s granddaughter who lost a leg to Russian artillery—remains cheerful and trusting God as she gets around on a prosthetic leg. Next week she will be at a special hospital in Kyiv to continue rehabilitation procedures. Please pray for this step and for funds to cover expenses.

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