By Ed Lyons
Just as Aaron and Hur held up Moses’ hands, which allowed Joshua to defeat the army of Amalek, your gifts strengthen the Nuba Church to continue to fight the good fight of faith.
One Evangelism Backpack Projector in Pastor Paul’s hands, for instance, has resulted in the establishment of new church congregations in four different villages!
This year, nine additional pastors have received motorbikes, which enable them to take the Good News of Jesus Christ to villages farther from their homes. They can attend church conferences and run errands of mercy more easily.
Your gifts have also enabled Samia to once again sleep in her own house. When her village borehole broke due to overuse, Samia was forced to walk 3 miles to fetch clean water from a neighboring village’s borehole. The queue was so long that she often slept on site while her jerrycan made its way to the front of the line.
Abdelaziz, who suffers from cerebral palsy, received a wheelchair bicycle from PPF a few years ago. This year, he was excited to also receive an Arabic audio Bible. He can now listen to the Word of God 24/7.
The Unimog transport trucks that you helped purchase have opened up year-round delivery of emergency relief supplies. These trucks are “game-changers” as they easily navigate both mud and deep water.
Just as importantly, your love and compassion has brought smiles to thousands upon thousands of weary faces.
But there are still more we can help.
So far in 2018, we have delivered 5 Evangelism Backpack Projectors, and we have ordered another 6. But there are hundreds of pastors who are eager to receive one of these ministry tools. Many non-believers and Muslims are coming to Christ through The JESUS Film.
Likewise, over the past few years, PPF has supplied motorbikes to fewer than 40 pastors and evangelists in the Nuba region, but there are thousands who could benefit from this project.
To date, our Borehole Repair Team has repaired over 130 boreholes this year, but when the rains cease, we’ll be back at it. Pumps are used continuously, so parts wear down and break. Boreholes need constant supervision and management, and PPF is one of the few organizations making the necessary repairs… in an area the size of the state of Georgia. And did I mention there are no paved roads?
We have delivered 6,200 audio Bibles this year and expect to deliver hundreds more before year’s end. Many believers and non-believers, including Muslims, in the Nuba mountains have been changed by these devices. Audio Bibles are one of the most successful ways for people who are illiterate to understand the Scriptures. Individuals who listen to the audio Bibles have memorized verses and entire chapters of the Bible. In doing so, their faith in Christ has grown. The need is great for this ministry tool. Tens of thousands could easily be distributed to eager recipients.
We take to heart the counsel of Paul to the Galatians and “do not grow weary in doing good.” (Gal. 6:9)
We thank you for doing the same, for standing with us. With your help, we will continue to provide protective tarps to the displaced and dairy goats to those who are starving. Lord-willing, we will deliver more medicines, Bibles, blankets, and emergency food. And we will do all these things and more, as Paul says, “to the glory of God.” (1Co 10:31)
