ARM Prison Outreach -- Foreign
Reports
September
2005
NOTE: These
summaries from the leaders of ARM's foreign
branch ministries are intended to encourage the
reader and stimulate prayer. Note
the "Quick Link" menu to the left; it will aid in
navigating DIRECTLY to the article(s) you
choose. Feel free to be a selective reader;
should you have interest in only one or two of
these reports, you can easily select those reports
from the "Quick Link" menu.
In
His Service,
Rod
Farthing, National Development
Director
ARM's Rapha House (Home
for Girls) in Cambodia
Construction
continues at the Rapha House site in
Cambodia. Joe Garman has just spent most
of September there and will file a report upon his
return. In the meantime, please be assured
that we are closer to completing our home that
will house 48 girls. At last report, about
$15,000 was still needed to
complete construction and furnish the
building. Currently, 21 girls are being
cared for physically, emotionally, and spiritually
in our rented facility. Thanks for your prayers
and support.
ARM is ministering to needy girls --
some as young as 8 years of age -- who have been
victimized in the human slave trade in Cambodia thru the Rapha House.
Gifts of any size for
Rapha House may be sent to ARM, Rt. 5 Box 159,
Salem, MO 65560.
Did you see the Rapha House article in July
24, 2005 LOOKOUT? If you
want a pdf version, just reply and ask for
it. For additional information on Rapha
House see www.raphahouse.org
Back to
top
Report From Dr. Nicholas E.
Alyoshin-- ARM
Branch Ministry in
Russia
Glory to Christ, my beloved
brother!
This is my brief report for August
2005.
1. IMMERSIONS. On
12.08.2005 we immersed Leonid Burlakov (62 years,
a long-time activist of the anti-Soviet and
anti-communist struggle, former director of the
now closed "South" newspaper). On 13.08.05
we immersed Elena Kireeva (30, the chief of
foreign relations and translators department of
the Krasnodar branch of the German agromachinery
firm Claas"). On 17.08.05 we immersed Yury Rizo
(45, one of the leaders of the human rights
movement in Krasnodar Territory; he has the whole
organization in one of the districts of Krasnodar
territory; he actively works in prisons of his
district and of Krasnodar city). Burlakov and Rizo
were repressed and persecuted not once by
communists and by totalitarian state. Thus, the
situation, when the people to be in the Christian
freedom, all are coming to DOM ARM to be baptized
with the whole their own groups and organizations,
is going on.
2. PRISONS. On
11.08.05 I preached in Novorossiysk prison (Black
Sea port; 150 km south from Krasnodar). On
23.08.05 I had the prayer meeting with the
ministers and rehabilitants of the center for the
rehabilitation of drug addicts in Tkhamakha
(Severskaya district; mountains; 70 km to SW from
Krasnodar). In August I also had 10 praying
meetings with the parents of the convicts. This
month we have had a small victory: the Supreme
Court of Russia annulled the Territorial court
ruling to put V. Krasnobryzhev (whom I had
immersed in 2004) in the prison psychiatric
asylum. The new court process upon his case was
begun on 06.08.05 (next session is to be in the
end of September).
3.
TURKS. On 26.08.05 I received the information,
that the Turkish Government had organized the so
called "Religious Park" in Belek (Antalya
province; the coast of the Mediterranean Sea).
This park has, side by side, the Turkish mosque,
the Jewish synagogue and the Christian church. The
services in the last one are in German language -
twice a week, led by Catholic priest. It is
necessary to inform the Turkish World
Outreach" about the possibility to use the park in
Belek for services, for Turkish Bible spreading,
etc. In the center of the park the fountain is
situated: three peacocks are drinking water from
one and the same spring - this is the straight
illustration of one of the poems of the cultish
Turkey sufi mystic Jelaladdin Rumi. The Turkish
Government is using sufism (which many scientists
consider to be the crypto-Christianity) in the
fight against Islamic extremism and terrorism
(including wahhabism).
I personally prophesied
such a development in 2001 - 2003 (e.g., during
the talks with Joe Garman and Max Goins, when they
were in Krasnodar) and published it in 2004
in Iconoclastic Declaration (B)" - ID(B).
The same development has taken place in Russia: on
04.08.05 the council of the Chechen Moslem muftis
and imams under the presidency of Ramsan Kadyrov
(the son of the late Chechnya imam and president
Akhmad-Khagi Kadyrov), basing on sufism, declared
the Holy War to the wahhabis. Thus, Russia is in
the state of Holy War inside the Moslems: sufis
against wahhabis. The fatwa about Jihad against
wahhabis, issued by sufi Kadyrov, will, I am sure,
have a huge significance in the global Spiritual
development.
4.
HOLY COMMUNION. The ARM chaplaincy in Russia is
the carrier of the Great Commission of Christ - to
immerse the people in the Name of Father, Son and
Holy Spirit. The immersed people are embraced in
the invisible Spiritual net, called the
Brotherhood of Lord's Friends. And during the
praying this Brotherhood is the Adonarium (the
praying entity to praise the Lord - Adonai). Now,
after the studying of the experience of the
Christian Churches in USA, we recognized ourselves
in Holy Communion congregation as the First
Christian Church (Krasnodar, Russia). The public
declaration and manifestation of this fact were
done on 14.08.05 during the praying expedition
through the central parts of Krasnodar-city with
the Church flag, donated by Joplin Christians. The
participants were the elders of our church, our
deaconess and I myself (as the least minister of
the First Christian Church, Krasnodar,
Russia).
5. MIRACLES.
On 08.08.05 the underwater archaeologists took out
of the waters of Azov Sea near the ancient city of
Phanagoria (Taman peninsular, 200 km West from
Krasnodar) the marble block with the
inscription: Mithridates Eupator - the King
of Pontus". Thus, the God Almighty has revealed
the stone confirmation of the preached by Max
Goins and me idea, that the Pontus of Acts, 2:9
and of 1 Peter, 1:1 (in connection with Scythians
of Colossians, 3:11) is connected with the area of
today Krasnodar Territory. We spoke about this
during video-taping of my interview at Ziden
Nutt's GNPI studio in the end of July 2005. And
the Lord - in a week! - has confirmed it with the
stone artifact!!! It is the true
miracle!
And one more true
miracle has Christ given us: the epiphany. The
Lord has, indeed, opened our mind to understand
the Scripture (Luke, 24:45). I mean the following:
1 Peter begins (1:1) from naming the addressee -
the members of ecclesia, dispersed in Pontus. This
apostle's letter is finished with the words, it
has been written in Babylon (1 Peter, 5:13). If
Pontus is the Krasnodar Territory, and if Babylon
is the real Babylon of Mesopotamia, thus the
material connection between our territory and
Babylon was to exist in ancient times. And, as an
explosion, I have remembered, that the most
splendid archaeological artifacts from our
territory, discovered in 19 and 20-th centuries
A.D., are the golden artifacts from Babylon! Those
golden Babylonian artifacts were found in the
ancient Cimmerian tumuli (the so called
Maikop culture", 3 - 2 millenniums B.C.), and in
the Scythian tumuli (1 millennium B.C. and 1st -
3d centuries A.D.), etc. All these artifacts are
very famous, indeed, under the name of the
ancient Kuban Gold". They are many times
published. They are exhibited in the most famous
museums of the world: in Saint-Petersburg
Hermitage, in Paris Louvres, in British Museum,
etc., etc. And these artifacts, seen by millions
of spectators, are the golden confirmation of the
existed connection between Krasnodar and
Mesopotamia - Pontus and Babylon - 1 Peter, 1:1
and 1 Peter 5:13. The understanding of it was the
true epiphany! The true miracle, indeed! Soli Dei
Gloria!
6.
INFORMATION. On 10.08.05 I spoke about the ARM
global and Russian activity during the round
table" in Krasnodar with the participation of L.
Alexeeva - the chairwoman of the Moscow Helsinki
Group.
7. STUDENT
WING. DOM ARM Student Wing (the leader - my
daughter Nike) had in August 9 different Spiritual
events, including the visit of Russian students of
Kuban University to the city
orphanage.
8.
REPRESSIONS. One of the two Church flags, donated
to us by Joplin Christians, was confiscated by
Russian customs (as if to have two flags is too
much; the second flag was suspected to be the item
of selling). It took place in Moscow on
03.08.05. In August the actions of the
xenophobic (anti-Christian, anti-Turkish,
anti-Semitic) groups (including attacks, shops and
houses explosion attempts, insults, etc., etc.)
again took place.
The God Almighty is keeping
us in His hand! On 17.08.05 the Governor
newspaper Kuban News" published a huge
article with the name The wolf in the
priest's robe" and with the subname: The
Western preachers are calling the believers to the
anti-Russian activity". The article was
constructed around the activity of the German
preacher Oswald Wutzke, who was speaking about the
removal of the federal troops from Chechnya. But,
sure, the article tries to create the atmosphere
of suspiction around all Christians, having the
Spiritual connections with the brethren in USA or
in Europe.
Back to
top
Dear brothers and
friends in Christ,
May the indescribable peace of our Lord
Jesus Christ be with you in these moments of pain
for the loss of so many lives in vast zones of the
United States. We pray to God that even in
the midst of this, God's direction may be made
manifest.
Although our focus is to attract people
who are completely ignorant of the Word of God, we
rejoice greatly because in this month of August 14
people are finishing 48 courses. Two of these
people, Lenin Serrano Plata and María Luisa Piña
Acosta, have decided to be ministers of the Gospel
in the province of Cienfuegos, Cuba. Of
course, the other 12 decided to dedicate
themselves to working in the Lord's work in
various parts of Mexico, Central and South
America.
Besides that, 172 people have finished
with excellent grades the first series of 10
courses. We are very encouraged because
these are people who before had no knowledge of
the Bible. There are 3052 new
students. We have had more than 100 people
sign up daily. Praise God because we have so
much work to do!
There are two areas where we have a lot
of pressure to come up with the funds, in paying
the postage and for printing more courses.
The good thing is that every morning and every
evening we are on our knees asking God to provide
for this ministry.
Of the 23 students
who were baptized in August, 6 are from the
federal prisons of the Eastside Prison, and the
Southside Prison of Mexico City. We use a
portable baptistry for those in Prison which was
donated to us from American
Rehabilitation Ministries. These jail
baptisms were festive because the majority of the
prisoners did not know how we baptize
Christians. Besides more interest in the
Bible course, there was a great demand for
Bibles. We could only give out 15 Bibles in
each prison because we now only have 7 Bibles that
we are carefully putting aside to give to those
who most need them.
All of our New Testaments
have been given out. We only have 124
evangelistic pamphlets left in stock. We can
utilize even used materials of these kinds.
The necessity of the Word of God is
enormous.
Please pray for Tereso Baños of Putla,
Oaxaca. Both of his legs were amputated and
he now needs prosthetic limbs in order to be able
to walk. He is the sole provider for his
family, but cannot go out to work under these
conditions. One of our churches in
Tabasco, Mexico, was meeting under a thatched
roof, but now that it is raining, they lost all
their Bibles and rustic furniture as the place was
flooded.
In Puebla, Mexico, two Christians
(Alberto Iturbe, 38, and José Moreno Rodríguez,
62) who died at the beginning of the month of
August were not permitted to be buried because
they weren't Catholics. In the south and
southwest parts of Mexico there rules a law called
"uses and customs" which promotes and values
mainly Catholic rites and proceeds to impede
the advance of the Gospel. In spite of this,
the study of the Bible by means of our
correspondence courses is well
accepted. Many of our students are
pressured by even the local authorities to stop
studying the Bible.
All of the Latin-American countries are
going through enormous crises. The children
and the young people are the ones who are being
pulled under by these destructive currents
are. There are no jobs for the young people;
they don't have the possibility of continuing
their education, etc. One of the ways out is
to sell drugs. In just the month of August,
the street sales of drugs increased 400% in the
City of Mexico, and these same young people (15 to
24 years of age) are looking for a way out in
suicide...14 per day in this same month of August.
Other problems that are also increasing among the
youth and children are alcoholism and
kidnapping.
The Lord is coming very soon. The
signs of His Coming are presenting themselves with
greater insistence all over the world. In
this ministry that you are helping with we are
vowing to redouble our efforts to get out the Word
of Salvation because we must rescue souls from
eternal destruction. We see as urgent to
rescue those who are headed for hell and direct
them to life eternal. We appreciate any type
of help that you can give
us.
This ministry lacks many things, but the
most important part you can play is to pray.
I know that you are praying because we see the
hand of God in everything that we do for His honor
and glory.
Your servant in Christ Jesus,
Alfredo José Aparicio,
Director
Back to
top
Church Mission: On 6,13,20,27 August
2005, we had our normal worshiping God in my
office from 10.00 to 12.00 hrs. On 20 August,
three of the ex-prisoners who were released from
the prison came to join us in praying the Lord
Jesus and each of them told us how they came to
know God. I was encouraging by their story.
In this month, we started to have our prayer group
on Friday night from 19.00 to 21.00 hrs.
Right now, we have the idea and the prayer force
for a bigger place that we will use to perform our
religious ceremony.
Prison Mission : On
1,8, 12,15 ,29 August 2005, my staff and I went to
the Juvenile Detention Center. This month, on 15
August, there were several children who were
released from the Center. While we were praying,
one of the children cried and asked us to pray for
her so that she would start a new life after she
was released. After praying, I was sure that she
was touched by the power of our Lord because
looked peaceful. May God bless her. On 17 August
2005, there was one ex-prisoner who came to visit
us at the house. We had lunch together and we
prayed together too. In the afternoon, I took him
to the bus station to go back to his house. I was
happy to meet that man. On 26 August 2005, there
was another ex-prisoner who came to see me and
asked me if I could give him some money to buy a
ticket home. I gave him the money for the
ticket.
On 22 August 2005, my team and
I went to Phayao Central Prison. In this month,
there were some prisoners who were released from
the prison too. When we reached there, we met some
of the prisoners who would be released from the
prison soon and they came to ask for my help in
finding them a job after they were released.
This month is the month of
blessing and the month of happiness. We were
pleased with the prisoners who got the pardon from
the Queen and were released from the prison. May
God bless, protect and care for everyone so that
they can live in the society peacefully and follow
the good traditions and customs of the country and
also to obey the laws of the country now and
forever. May God bless you all.
Love in Christ, Boonlerd.
Reports From Ernesto Alocelja
-- ARM Branch Ministry
in the
Philippines
August 23, 2005 The ARM Team Conducted a
Livelihood Seminar at Maa City Jail. There were 77
male and female inmates attended the seminar. They
were very excited and very happy for this is a
great contribution for their livelihood upon their
released in Jail. Our livelihood seminar focus on
how to make soy sauce. We were able to produced 8
gallons of fresh and fine soy sauce after 2 hours
of actual demonstration and divided them equally
and some of the guards were given of
samples.
August 28, 2005
The ARM Team conducted a special baptism for Neci
L. Aguio at Ynciertos Beach Resort, Dawis, Digos
City. And at the same time she offered her 6
months old child for thanksgiving at the same
place. During this time the Team had a great
opportunity to present the gospel to more than 100
attendees. Majority of them were non Christians
and belongs to high level of society. Owner of
Polytechnic College, Lawyer, and Public
Officials.
On September 2-4, 2005
the ARM Team Chairman and wife Elizabeth Alocelja
were invited as a Guest Speaker and Lecturer for
the Inter-Church Youth Fellowship held in
Sudsuhayan Church of Christ, Ilomavis, Kidapawan
City. The Place located at the foot of Mt. Apo.
Known as the coolest place in Central Mindanao.
Half mile away from AGCO Tourist resort one of the
famous world class tourist spot in the
Philippines. During the culmination program 12
young people accepted Christ and were Baptized
very early on September 4, 2005. After the
baptismal service; we took our breakfast and
then continue our Worship Service at Sudsuhayan
Church of Christ. Bro. Ernesto O. Alocelja
extended
his invitation one adult woman came
forward and was baptized right after the service
at Matingao River, Sudsuhayan, Ilomavis, Kidapawan
City. We also baptized one young adult at
temporary meeting place of Aplaya Church of Christ
using the collapsible
baptistry.
At the Maa City Jail
Chapel a livelihood seminar focused on "How to
make soy sauce" conducted by ARM Philippine Team
through the request of S/INSP Grace Taculin,
Female warden. The Objective of this seminar is to
help inmates find ways to support themselves when
they were released in Jails. Bro. Ernesto O.
Alocelja was the resource person for this very
special livelihood seminar. The Seminar was
attended by 77 excited inmates plus some visitors
outside the chapel plus some jail guards and the
ARM Team with the NHA Maa Church of Christ
Brethren.
The Program was divided into three parts.
First, the gospel presentation, followed by the
distribution of gifts solicited by the ARM team,
and sharing of snacks sponsored by NHA Maa Church
of Christ where Bro. Joe Garman conducted a
weeklong evangelistic crusade on the 90's. The 3
ladies distributing the snacks were active members
of NHA Maa Church of Christ. We are very happy to
let you know that the NHA Maa Church of Christ
committed to sponsor free snacks per schedule at
Maa City Jail because they were challenged and
encouraged by the ARM Prison Ministry Outreach in
the Philippines.
The ARM Philippine Team
conducted a very special activities at Yncierto's
Beach Resort August 28, 2005. We were
assisted by the Church of Christ @Aplaya 494 Lapu
Lapu Superhighway, Digos City. The first part of
the program was the thanksgiving ceremony for:
Nicole Jane L. Aguio. The 2nd part was the
thanksgiving fellowship lunch prepared by: Mr.
& Mrs. Junnel Aguio. And the 3rd part was the
baptismal service for Nesi Lumanda Aguio.
Officiated by: Bro. Fructuoso Palomo, ARM Team
member.
Our Guest Speaker for
this very special affair was Bro. Alejandro
Bringas Jr. active volunteer of ARM Philippines.
An evangelist @ Central Mindanao and Public School
Teacher of Sayaban National High School, Ilomavis,
Kidapawan City. He is the Outstanding Teacher of
(ACSAT) Asian College of Science and Technology,
Cagayan de Oro City on the
90's.
He is encouraging the brethren and Churches
of Christ in Central Mindanao especially in
Kidapawan City areas - the importance of Precious
and Jail Ministries. Yesterday afternoon after 2
hours. cell by cell gospel presentation of ARM
Philippine Team, 29 inmates accepted Christ and
ready for Baptism September 26, 2005. The
Team donated some Children's Book from L.B.W. Inc.
to the Preschool Teachers.
In Maa City Jail we have
a growing attendance of 86 inmates for our worship
fellowship --23 of them were females. After
the Fellowship service; the team distributed some
used clothing to the inmates
and some large
print bibles from L.B.W. Before leaving the
place three young female inmates asking for
schedule of baptism.
The ARM Philippine Team
baptized 25 inmates Sept. 26 at BJMP - Digos City.
Bro. Fructouso Palomo, officiated the baptism and
Bro. Solomon Suscano Sr. serve as counselor for
the newly born babies in Christ. We baptized
the inmates cell by cell for safety and the newly
assigned warden J/INSP Ervin R. Diaz, JMP was very
excited and thrilled to witness personally the
baptism in the collapsible
baptistry.
Because of Him, Bro. Ernesto O.
Alocelja Philippians 4:13,
19
Back to top
Reports From ARM Branch Ministry
in Ghana,
Africa
CPM OF GHANA REPORT FOR
SEPTEMBER. The ministry has seen a great
improvement in the lives of inmates in all the
three prisons that we work with. There is a good
recommendation on the bible study material JESUS
CHRIST OF THE BIBLE, according to inmates it has
helped them to know much about Christ and lives
have been rededicated to Christ. A total of 24
inmates got converted, 11 rededicated their lives
back to Christ. Prayers are needed for both the
inmates and officers. Please continue to
pray for brother Christian Adjei. God Bless
you.