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| Encompassing The Globe
Cambodia Kids’ EE was planted in Cambodia in 2006. Ninety-nine clinicians were trained during two clinics. Already, through two January 2007 clinics, 63 clinicians were equipped, with four more clinics planned. The goal is, first, to see Kids’ EE clinics taught by Cambodians in their own Khmer language by 2008. Second, we’re praying that Vietnamese Kids’ EE clinics in Cambodia will be taught in the Vietnamese language. Please pray for the growth of Evangelism Explosion in Cambodia. It is one of the poorest countries in the world, with more than 50,000 child prostitutes, the highest rate of child abandonment in Southeast Asia, and a rapid growth of HIV. Currently, Buddhism is practiced by 90 percent of the population. AFRICA Central Africa During the recent trip, Kids’ EE was introduced to Central Africa by presenting two Kids’ EE clinics in Yaoundé, the capitol of Cameroon in Central West Africa, just due north of the Equator. The first clinic was hosted at Bastos Presbyterian Church, with 800 children in their Sunday School classes. Seventeen children’s leaders attended the clinic from different churches. Elise co-taught the first clinic in English, while the second clinic was taught in French by Pastor Lucien Bale. Lucien has been instrumental in taking the Gospel to the pygmy population of Cameroon. “I was impressed with his excellent teaching skills,” says Elise. “He inspired us all. He is a man of great vision.” Lucien built a strong leadership team of six Cameroonians who helped him with the organization and running of the clinics. “I looked at them and realized that this is a dream come true for local leadership to take ownership of the ministry and run with it,” Elise exclaims. “There is no stopping them now. They are already planning the next Kids’ EE training clinic for next month.” During on-the-job-training for the first clinic, EE teams shared the Gospel with about 40 children. “It was precious seeing them listening with undivided attention to the greatest story ever told,” Elise recalls. “During the second clinic we chartered a bus to a school, and shared the Gospel with 150 children in small groups. “In our weakness God is strong. He helps us in and through everything. His work seems impossible, then difficult, then suddenly it’s done!” Swaziland Those participating were required to attend a one-day Share Your Faith Workshop, and, in addition, each of the 24 team leaders were required to be EE trainers. Swaziland has the lowest life expectancy on the planet—just 33 years —largely as a result of having the world’s highest rate of HIV infection. Life expectancy is predicted to drop to just 29 years by the year 2010. While in Swaziland, the EE teams planted 31,000 gardens to assist in feeding the people, but more importantly, there were 594 people who prayed to receive Christ as Savior. A common site that saddened the participants was seeing scores of children without their parents who had died from AIDS. “As a result of AIDS, more than 50 percent of the children are orphans,” says EE field representative Jacque Morton. “Most of the children had open running sores and were affected with the AIDS virus.” NORTH AMERICA Houston, Texas U.S.A. Members of the Vietnamese Baptist Church-West Memorial, decided to set up a display “Gospel” booth to share the EE Gospel presentation with attendees. To the dismay of the church members, their outdoor display was stolen the night before the event. With God’s help, and at no extra charge, organizers gave the church a prime location, costing several thousand dollars more than what they had paid. During two days of visitation, with their best estimates, there were 71 professions of faith in Christ. Seven people prayed for assurance. “There were just too many people who wanted to pray,” recalled Rev. Hongson Tran, “just too many to keep track of.” To the best of their abilities, the church wrote down names and addresses for follow-up. Their Youth EE ministry also set up a booth display. They witnessed to 33 people and 17 of them made professions of faith in Christ. “We were all amazed how the Lord placed us in a prime location to share His message,” said Rev. Tran. “After sharing a brief EE Gospel presentation, people prayed right then.” After making a profession of faith in Christ, one person brought her two sisters and mother to the booth so that they might hear the Gospel. All three of them professed Christ as Savior. “There were so many stories to tell,” said Rev. Tran. “I wish you could have experienced how the Holy Spirit touches the hearts of people.” DEAF EE 2007 has been a time of great expectation and enthusiasm for those involved in Deaf EE. Creating the Gospel in American Sign Language was only the beginning. Deaf EE has also been busily engaged in putting the Deaf EE Gospel presentation on video, because the deaf are very visual in how they learn. “We have been taking extra time working on learning the outline and then taking it to video,” says Bob Nowicki, Director for Deaf EE. “We would like to have the new materials and training tapes ready by September.” Deaf EE trainers and trainees of the past semester went “on camera” to be taped so that the deaf across North America might have an opportunity to share their faith effectively and be able to teach others. Recently in the St. Louis area, a deaf expo was held that attracted 3,000 people. The deaf who were trained in Deaf EE came prepared to share the Gospel. They brought 2,500 tracks. Many of them were given out that asked the two diagnostic questions. |