“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” – Jeremiah 29:11
It’s a new year and God is presenting us with new plans, goals and ministry opportunities. We are excited to announce that we have reached our goal of 111 Sunday Schools. God has now placed a new goal in our sights; 212 Sunday Schools by 12/12/12. Tom and Linda Maher have traveled to Madagascar to set up two new MSSM circuits. There are six individual Sunday Schools in one complete circuit, so a total of 12 Sunday Schools will be starting out of the two circuits in Madagascar. The Maher’s have already purchased two motorcycles and a copy machine that will make it possible for them to reproduce Sunday School material from our CD that contains all of the materials needed. Bob Bland, our director, states that this particular region in Madagascar is an extremely needy area steeped in witchcraft and darkness and is in dire need of the Light of the Gospel. Our goal is to bring the Light through these 12 Sunday Schools. They will be like 12 candles shining bright through the spiritual darkness of that area. We will keep you all updated on what’s happening with the two new Madagascar Circuits in the months to come. We are confident that God is faithful and He will complete the work He has begun in our ministry for His Glory and Honor
“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” – Philippians 1:6
GRACE CHAPEL CU SUNDAY SCHOOL
We have the privilege of educating and training up all those who come to our Literacy and Sunday School Classes. One of our Circuit Riders had the opportunity to speak at the Child Health Week meetings and conference, and his talk about the type of teaching our Sunday School does was highly effective. The leading man of the Child Health Week encouraged all local parents to come to our Sunday School with their children in order to see what we do. It is apparent that the Lord’s hand is on this ministry and that He is completing the work started here. All glory and honor to Him!
GREAT HOPE SUNDAY SCHOOL
The Lord God is gracious and always provides for the needs of His children. God has provided for our Sunday School in so many areas this past month. The number of children coming to our Sunday School has been consistent and we are seeing so much growth out of the Lord’s work. One elderly woman was taking care of her granddaughter. The elderly women’s daughter had abandoned the child in January of 2011 and the grandmother was left to take care of the child. One of our circuit riders visited her and noticed that she was very sick. He advised her to go with him to the clinic to test for HIV; she tested positive. The woman immediately started treatment. “I feel so bad for her and I’m worried about her future,” said the grandmother. She found out that her granddaughter had also contracted HIV from her mother, “I do not understand how such a small child could be effected with HIV, but now I understand.” She went on to say, “My granddaughter does not give me any problem when taking medicine; she is on a sweet syrup medicine. The medicine has helped her to grow strong.” The grandmother thanks Teen Missions for the prayers and advice she is getting from our Sunday School. The number of children that attend our Literacy Class is now at 225, our Sunday School Class is not at 222. The children are doing very well, they are learning a lot and enjoy participating in Sunday school.
MARY MARTHA GRILEY LEISLER SUNDAY SCHOOL
What a difference the community is seeing as a result of this Sunday School. The villagers are very appreciative of the ministry and the work God is doing in their lives. The 210 children that attend Sunday School thank God for what He has done in their lives.“ There’s no other place where we can get medicine so easily.” They appreciate the good English teachers and the teaching of God’s Word. They are also thankful that Christ is the head of this ministry and as a result people are being healed, treated medically, reading, writing, etc. As more children come and we see the effects of the ministry God has planted here, we will be praying that God continues this wonderful work in the local villages. The entire community is saying, “Thank You!”
KAREN, HOLLY, JULIE SS OF HOPE SUNDAY SCHOOL
Attendance at this Sunday School has been such an encouragement to the teachers and the villagers. Sunday School attendance was 193 and 190 were present for the Literacy Class. But our outreach has gone further than only children and we have one elderly woman that never misses a single Sunday School. She refuses to stay home while Sunday School is running. She said, “No matter how I feel, I’ll attend Sunday School.” the reason for this is because she doesn’t want to be left out or miss a single lesson. She can attend church, but if she doesn’t attend Sunday School, she says, “my week is incomplete.” She took her daughter to town and on her way back before she got home, she first had to stop by Sunday School before returning home. She said that MSSM has brought peace to her mind and to her home. She also doesn’t want to harden her heart to God’s Word and received Christ as her personal Savior. She is thankful for the opportunity to learn each week and for the many workers the Lord has sent there to minister to her community.
WAYNE HAINES MEMORIAL SUNDAY SHCOOL
The incredible power of the Lord God has been clearly seen at our Sunday School. We thank God for what he did in the life of a demon possessed mother. On December 2nd two children came to one of our Circuit Rider’s resting place around 10:00 pm. They burst in asking for his help. The children said, “our mother is manifesting, she is possessed with demons.” They all went together to see their Mother and found three other women and the mother’s sister watching her. The Circuit Rider asked them what was going on and they said, “she always does this when the moon sets.” He asked them what their beliefs were, and if they honestly believed she could be healed; they said yes, but only if he would pray for her. The Circuit Rider prayed for the mother and the evil spirits left her body. The mother was free from the demons. The following week she came to thank the Rider saying, “I have lost a lot of things, including money and the baby.” She said the problem is that in her congregation, they don’t believe in casting out demons. “This is the greatest miracle I have received! I feel very light.” She said in the past she used to feel like there was something very heavy on her back, as if she was carrying a baby. Now that burden is gone. Thank God for this MSSM ministry and for the salvation of the mother!
ETHEL RICHMAN MEMORIAL SUNDAY SCHOOL
What an amazing God we serve! Our Literacy Class now has 223 attendees and we are blown away at all the amazing things God is doing in the 223 lives that come to each of our Sunday Schools. When God is on your side, everything is possible. This was shown through the astonishing story of a Circuit Rider. “On December 3rd I slept with a snake under my sleeping bag. Around 2am I felt something moving toward my head. I woke up looking for a match. When I lit the candle I saw a big black snake, about 2 meters long on top of my sleeping bag looking at me. I was still in my sleeping bag and the spitting cobra was looking straight into my eyes. I couldn’t move my legs because I didn’t know what would happen next. I started to speak the name “Jesus” for about two minutes. The snake went down from my bed and went to the corner of the small house where we put charcoal. I got out of bed and woke up the child I was with. We went outside looking for sticks to kill it and then we prayed. I know that someone, somewhere was praying for me. If God is on your side all things are possible.” Praise God for all He is accomplishing.
