ARM's Rapha House (Home for
Girls)
Cambodia
Here are
some excerpts from
our
Cambodia director's May letter:
Currently Rapha House has 33
girls; there were 4 girls accepted to stay at Rapha House during the
period from 23rd April to 23rd May 2006.
One Vietnamese girl left the
center to take care of her grand mother and mother; another girl rescued
from Thailand wanted to go to help her mother as well because her family
are very poor and no body to help take care of them.
Staff and Volunteers of ARM
RH continue reach out to the local young people involved in drug
use; we act on behalf of the local church with cell group
activities and strategy to reach out to the drug users.
ARM Rapha House girls are
reaching out to the prisoners in town -- 3 times a month
--each time they met 4 different prisoners. We would like to
minister to more but are limited by rules.
All the girls are very happy
with the new location and learning skills offered at RH
and how to keep the RH nice and clean. The security so far is
fine with good cooperation with the local authorities. Staff are
working well and happy.
ARM is ministering to needy girls in
Cambodia through the Rapha House. These girls have been victimized in
the human slave trade. Some are as young as 8 years of age. As our home
grows in the new building, we will need more operational support.
Thanks!
Gifts of any size may be sent to ARM Rapha House, Rt.
5 Box 159, Salem, MO 65560. www.raphahouse.org
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ARM's Branch Ministry in Thailand
ARM's Branch Minister in Thailand is Boonlerd
Chomphukeeree
The "Daughters of Ruth" aftercare home for
girls getting out of prison has begun. At last report, there were
two girls in the new home. Here is a part of Joe's summary of this
program:
One great frustration is that Thailand has
no parole or probation program. When the inmate completes his or her
sentence, the guard opens the front gate and the prisoner steps out on
to the street. Consequently, most return to prison. Our ARM prison
evangelist in Thailand, Boonlerd Chompukeeree, and I, rented a
three-story town house in Chiang Mai where we will now be able to
shelter pre-teen and teenage girls upon their release from jail or
prison and provide counseling, education, and protection for them. We
did this with the approval and support of local authorities. Boonlerd
and I visited several female juvenile facilities and learned that many
of the girls who will live at ARM’s home for girls in Thailand will be
gang-affiliated and most will be drug addicted. Some will be homeless
but all will be without God, without Christ, and without hope in this
world.
Our greatest need at this time is to purchase the five
rai of land that is adjacent to the Bible College there in Chiang Mai. A
rai is approximately 1600 square meters. Each rai will cost $10,000 so
we will need a total of $50,000 to secure this land. The Japanese
investors are buying up land right and left in Thailand and Boonlerd
feels that if we delay until the end of the year, this land will no
longer be available. If it is available, it certainly won't be available
at this price. The natives we talked to feel that this is not the
cheapest but also not the most expensive land around and that the price
is fair. Of course, we have the encouragement of David Filbeck,
missionary in Thailand and President of the Bible College who would love
to have us as a neighbor. By having this particular piece of land, the
Bible College young people could witness to our girls and our girls
could have access to classes at the Bible College.
Gifts of any size may be sent to ARM-Thailand,
Rt. 5 Box 159, Salem, MO 65560.
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ARM's Branch Ministry in Russia
Report From
Dr. Nicholas E. Alyoshin
Glory to Christ, my beloved
bro! This is my brief report for April 2006.
1. IMMERSIONS.
One Abkhasian man was immersed by me during my visit to our Abkhasian
congregation in the beginning of the month. Three else new men were
immersed by that congregation itself during my two visits. Two
congregation members were shot dead during the border incidents, thus,
today we have in Abkhasia a congregation of 18 immersed men.
2.
PRISONS. On 13.04.2006 I had a service in the camp for the illegal
immigrants to Russia (one of the Ukrainians, immersed by me, is trying
to create the congregation there). On 17 - 18.04.06, during the meeting
of the believers with the advisor for the Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe, I met a man, who was in Krasnodar prison in
1999, when I was under the arrest. He is the religious activist now in
Adigeya.
3. MOSLEMS. I met the elder of the specific Kurdish
tribe - Kurmanch. The Kurmanches are the ethnically Islamized Kurds from
the Georgian port Batumi - former Turkish Black Sea coast fortress
Batum-Kale. The Kurmanches were deportated in 1944 by Stalin to Siberia.
They are not let return to Georgia and are persecuted in Krasnodar
Territory. The Kurmanch elder invited me to visit their
village.
4. MISSION TRIPS. I visited Abkhasia in April
(the territory, proclaimed itself to be independent; declared by Georgia
to be its' possession; occupied by Russian troops; having the UN
overseers). The Evangelical bishop of Sochi (the biggest resort in
Russian Black Sea Coast, bordering the Abkhasia) Ivan Chekhunov has
declared himself to be also the Evangelical bishop of Abkhasia ( and he
was recognized in such a status by the self-proclaimed Abkhasian
government). Chekhunov recognized the congregation of ours in Abkhasia;
he also invited me to visit the church in Gagra (Abkhasian resort, not
far from Sochi), which had a set of buildings to be the palace of the
relative of the last Russian tsar - the prince of Oldenburg. Those
Imperial palace and other buildings were given to Chekhunov by Abkhasian
government. Now Chekhunov is interested in the foreign help to restore
them. The situation in the region continues to be quite unstable. eg.
the Abkhasians are publicly accusing Georgia in preparation of the
nuclear strike against Abkhasia (with stolen Soviet artillery nuclear
shells).
5. MEDITATIONS. Dr. Krapf - the OSCE Advisor on
Religion - asked me about the problems in the sphere of Religions
Freedoms in modern Russia. I named 4 points: a) the state uses orthodoxy
icon-worshipping, as the new (post-communist) state ideology; the state
is brutally propaganding the superiority of the icon-worshipping
orthodoxy over all other religions and denominations; b) we have
discovered the phenomenon of the Religious Corruption" - the
leaders of the religious congregations (even Christian and Evangelical)
try to bribe the authorities with the missionary money instead of
staying in Christian freedom; c) as the sum of a) and b) we have in
Russia the Religious persecution in the form of the legal persecution of
the economical crimes (into which the Religious activity is hidden) - I
name this second phenomenon the Religiously motivated selective
law application" (as the Politically motivated selective law
application" in the cases of some big businessmen in Russia); d) the
punitive psychiatry has begun to be used against the believers in Russia
(including some people, immersed in DOM ARM). As the 5-th additional
point I described the situation in Abkhasia.
6. DIVINE
ACTION. Having absolutely no connection with the Religious Advisor of
OSCE (Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe), who works in
ODIHR (OSCE Office for Democratic Institutes and Human Rights, Warsaw,
Poland), I have by Christ Will become the participant of the meeting
with that advisor Dr. Krapf and his expert - Dr. Schorkowitz (both -
German citizens). It took place in Krasnodar on 17 - 18.04.06, quite
after the Easter and before the idolatric false easter" of the
icon- worshippers. The idolatric feast was most shameful in the history:
it was publicly converted into the worshipping of the so-called
"blessed fire" from Jerusalem. The icon-worshippers all over the Russia
are now also the fire-worshippers (they also worship water) selling the
crosses with the drop of "saint water from Jordan"; they also
worship the soil - the box with the "saint Kuban soil" is the main
relic to bless" the Krasnodar territory governor; they also
worship air - pressing the "saint spirit" over their priests with
the special canvasses during their idolatric lithurgies". Thus,
they worship the rudiments (elements) of the world and not
Christ." (Col., 2:8).
7. STUDENT WING. Only few
congregations (including DOM ARM and our Student Wing - with its
ministry for the University students) in Krasnodar celebrated the
16.04.06 Easter. The most part of the congregations, even naming
themselves to be "Evangelical Christians" were the partakers of
the idolatric feast of 23.04.06 (with its fire-worshipping,
etc.).
8. PUBLIC ACTIVITY. On 17 - 18.04.2006 I took part
in the meeting with the OSCE - ODIHR advisor for Religions Dr. Krapf and
his expert Dr. Schorkowitz. In April I received the certificate of
the leading expert - right - "defender" (for Religious Freedom)
from the International Society for Human Rights. On 12.04.06 I met with
one of the leaders of the Norway Nansen Humanitarian Foundation (in the
beginning of the 20-th century Nansen supported the Evangelical
Christians in Russia). On 11.04.06 I met in Krasnodar the world chess
champion G. Kasparov, who is now the leader of the so
called "United Civil Front" of Russia; he shares my view on the
orthodoxy, as the new totalitarian ideology. On 25.04.06 I spoke at the
regional antifascist conference; on 27.04.06 - at the round table"
named "Terrorism at the North Caucasus" (the religious nature of the
event). On 26.04.06 the DOM ARM members took part in the public picket
against the torments in police and in prisons, which took place in the
center of Krasnodar.
9. REPRESSIONS. The passports of our
chaplaincy member Serebrennikov were stolen, thus he could not accompany
me to Abkhasia. His son was brutally beaten by police on 17.04.06. Many
religious leaders of Krasnodar were so frightened, that they refused to
come to the meeting with Krapf and Schorkowitz (among those frightened
were the leaders of ECMU - Evangelical Christian Missionary Union, the
partners of CaMA - Christian and Missionary Alliance, Colorado, USA -
and of Licht im Osten, Korntal, Germany). On 24.04.06 the Pervomaiskiy
district court of Krasnodar city issued the ruling to demolish the
nearly finished prayer house of ECMU, which is situated in the center of
Krasnodar. The meeting of the icon-worshipping nationalists - the so
called "10th World Russian People Council" which took place on 05 -
07.04.06 in Moscow, in the biggest orthodox temple of Christ the
Saviour, issued the document to declare all the human rights and civil
freedoms to be lower than the "interests of the nation and national
moral traditions." The highest Russian officials (except the President)
were present there.
10. SUPPORT. The March support was received
OK through "We-Go" mission coalition system. The letters of
support were received from Sweden and from USA (prof. T.W. Hunt), and
the telephone calls of support - from Germany (pastor G. Leiser). The
financial resources for the trip to Abkhasia were donated by the
Krasnodar believers; the financial and material resources to move inside
Abkhasia were donated by our group in that state; the food support for
the Abkhasian believers was donated by my uncle Nicholas Paul Alyoshin
(he lives in Sochi). The Spiritual support - in the form of the letter
of blessing to the Christians of Abkhasia - was given by my dearly
beloved bro Max Goins.
In Jesus our hope!
Sincerely, Prof., DOM ARM chaplain-- Nicholas E.
Alyoshin
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ARM's Branch Ministry in the Philippines
Report From Ernesto Alocelja -March
2006
On April 8, 2006 The ARM Team Chairman undergo a
medical surgery operation at Medical Center of Digos Cooperative
Hospital.
Please be informed that my surgery operation and
medical treatment was very successful. I'm now, completely healed
physically. God is really great and wonderful of using you and the
A.R.M. as the key factor of my liberation from this sickness of whom I'm
suffering for more than 10 years. Many are happy especially my whole
family for my health recovery. Also the inmates and the Jail guards
we are Ministering...God touched the doctors who give almost 50%
discount of my medical accounts and bills. This because of prayers of
people who love me, love my family, and love the ARM
Ministries.
On April 10, 2006 The team baptized 15 inmates at BJMP
- Digos City. On the 2nd week of April, A new jail ministry was started
at Babak, Island Garden City of Samal.
The Team Conducted a Feeding Program at Magsaysay
District Jail on the 2nd Friday of April
On April 12, 2006 / 6:30 p.m. The team offered a
special Prayer for Sister Acion Sarol and her Family. The Wife of
Candido Sarol, detained at BJMP - Digos City for Parracide
Murder.
On April 13, 2006, The team conducted a special
Thanksgiving Service and cottage prayer at Bro. Edgar Etdang
Residence.
The Team Celebrated the Siete Palabras Presentation at
the Church of Christ at Aplaya on April 14, 2006. The 7 last words of
Jesus delivered by the Team members.
The team conducted 40 days memorial service for the
Late Dominador O. Alocelja, Sr. at Lola Delang Subd., Kidapawan City on
the 15th day of April.
April 18, 2006 a new Jail Ministry was started at
AMAS Provincial Jail, The Biggest Provincial Jail in Central
Mindanao.
April 20, 2006 six male inmates accepted Christ at
Malita District Jail and on the evening the team conducted a
Thanksgiving and Birthday Service for 3 yrs. old daughter of one of the
Team Member.
April 21, 2006 at Davao Penal Colony, April 25 at Maa,
Davao City Jail, BJMP Digos City, Panabo City Jail and Island
Garden City of Samal.
Gifts shared to the Inmates for the Month of
April, 2006
* 50 pcs.Assorted Used Clothings
* 2 dozen Ladies Underwear
* 2 pcs. used pack bags
* 10 bars laundry soap
* 100 packs biscuits
* 150 pcs. filipino delicacy (suman)
* 30 pcs. Religious Tracts
* 6 pcs. Men's Brief
* 10 Volumes Large Print Bibles
* 6 pcs. ARM Printed t-shirts
"To God Be the Glory"
Ernesto O. Alocelja,
Director--ARM Philippines
Philippians 4: 13, 19
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Readers' Responses to ARM Email Updates
Rod, Thanks for the update and
for all the wonderful Christian work being done by so many
Christians---God is Good----I will continue to pray for all the
needs.
In Christ, Karen and
Don.
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ARM's Branch Ministry in Mexico
Report From
Alfredo José Aparicio
I greet you with the
everlasting love of our Lord Jesus, which has redeemed us with His blood
on the cross. May His precious love poured on Calvary be sufficient to
bless each one of us, and the people who really need Him!
We are
working hard in at least 41 jails
now. We are visiting the State Jail
of Morelos, Mexico. Because we have a Catholic government they
are rejecting our visits. Please pray for
us.
We are evangelizing
in a new jail now. It is located in Chilpancingo, State of Guerrero; 42
prisoners are studying our courses here. It has become very difficult to
enter inside jails, but the Lord is doing His work and is acting in
powerful ways! It is encouraging to see these prisoners study God's
Word. Please pray with us so that more jails open their doors to us! The
Catholic Church is to be blamed for our difficulties in getting into
prisons and big hospitals to minister.
My heart rejoices to
see how in our ministry God’s Word is reaching thousands and thousands
in the language of Cervantes. The whole world rejoices due to God’s
blessed Word. It so comforting to see people who did not know God and
now they have turned their lives to Him, and have made a commitment to
follow Christ, being born again.
There is a Center for Drug Addicts,
alcoholics, and Neurotics Rehabilitation, which asked us to help them.
They have an average of 650 people in their facilities. These people
stay in all of the time, and need urgent help. We are sharing our Bible
Courses with all of them. It is encouraging to see how hungry they are
for some one to listen to them and help them. They demand lots of our
time and energies, but with lots of patience and good counseling and
teaching, they do make a commitment for the Lord. The Seed is being
planted in their hearts now! Please pray with us for a hood
harvest!
When I visited the State of Veracruz, I had
the opportunity to visit the jails in Coatzacoalcos, Minatitlán, and
Acayucan. It was great to see the inmates read their Bibles, Bible
Courses, and Christian Literature we have sent them previously. They
even have like a small library inside these prisons, and when they
learned that we had sent them these materials, they hugged me, as they
were so grateful and thankful due to our many efforts in teaching them.
They shared with me that pornography is big inside jails, but what is
worth is to read our Christian Literature. God does work in marvelous
ways to make Himself known to the people in need of Him. I thank you for
your prayers for the ministry and us all!
Your fellow servant in Christ, our Lord and
Savior, Alfredo José Aparicio
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ARM's Branch Ministry in Ghana
Report from Vanessa Sesi
Glory and thanks to God Almighty,who has shown us mercy
and lavished on us grace. We have recognized an increase in the
attendance at all three prisons which shows an increase in interest in
the gospel by the inmates as well as God's hand in the lives of the
inmates. A total of 100 souls have given their lives to
Christ.
I am glad to hear about the good progress in
Thailand. Thanks for your prayers. By God's grace am better.
Please pray for me and for my aunty who is like a
mum to me; she has been suffering from spinal pain which has become
worse. -- In Him, Vanessa for CPM
Contact Info
Rod Farthing, ARM National
Development Director rodfar@arm.org
Rt. 5 Box 159, Salem, MO 65560 Home 573-729-6355
Check out our
web sites:
www.arm.org
www.abarc.org
www.raphahouse.org
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