Africa: Where the Decades Still Whisper by Robert Perry

Finally, I'm making the time to post about the book I shared a section from on Saturday from Ruthie's Bookworm tag. Ever since I was a young teen I’ve been challenged by the work of the Schmelzenbach family in Africa, so this book had special meaning to me. Recently in church we watched a DVD that shared more about this family and their work in Africa. They gave up so much for their love of God and their love of our brothers and sisters in Africa. What an inspiration!

Back of Book Says:

AFRICA. The word conjures up so many images. Tigers. Hot sunshine. Safaris. War. Drought.

Yet we mustn’t forget Africa is home to so much more – including thousands of people in desperate need of a Savior. Down through the decades, the Church of the Nazarene has valiantly taken the gospel to the far reaches of this vast continent. Weathering famine, death, persecution, and war, missionaries and national leaders alike have stayed true to God as He grew our church.

Read about the prayers of those desperate to bring the Church of the Nazarene to their home countries…the joy of a young witch doctor turning to Jesus… the triumph of knowing God’s leader for Africa’s first Nazarene university.

Africa. Over a center of Nazarene work has come and gone. Yet it’s still a place where the decades whisper the glory of God’s name.

If you are interested in reading this book or five others about other parts of the world where the Church of the Nazarene does mission work, contact NPH to purchase the book or a local Nazarene Church where the books can be borrowed free of church. The church also provides six books that are appropriate for children to read.

CALL TO ACTION - Page 89

After reading this book, consider doing one or more of the following:

1. Organize a Work and Witness (short-term missions) team to take on a project in Africa. There is always a need. Contact Nazarene Headquarters (Church of the Nazarene Global Ministry Center 17001 Prairie Star Parkway Lenexa KS, 66220 Phone: 913.577.0500) and ask for the director of Work and Witness. They will provide you with information regarding needs and requirements.

2. Provide books for our Bible college libraries in Africa. For further information, contact Dr. Perry by E-mail at MazSwiSA1@msn.com, or write him at 11807 12th Avenue East, Bradenton, FL, 34212.

3. Pray for the work of our church in creative access areas on the Africa Region. The pressure on Christians and church workers is very great in these countries.

4. Invite a missionary from Africa to speak in your church.

5. Help provide scholarship funds for students at our Bible colleges in Africa. Contact the Nazarene Missions International office in Lenexa, KS for further information.

Bookworm Award

Ruthie at Just Ruthie tagged me for this Bookworm Award. It looks like fun - and I love to read as you can tell by looking at this blog. Check out Ruthie’s blog if you get a chance. She has shared some incredible stories of growing up in China and some beautiful pictures of her travels in her RV. Thanks Ruthie for the tag.

Here's how it goes.

Pass this on to 5 blogging friends.

Open the closest book to you, not your favorite or most intellectual book, but the book closest to you at the moment, to page 56. Write out the 5th sentence, as well as two to five sentences following that...

I decided that I would use the book that I’m going to post about soon – a missionary book that is published by our church – Africa: Where the Decades Still Whisper by Robert Perry. Ever since I was a young teen I’ve been challenged by the work of the Schmelzenbach family in Africa.

Page 56 – “Veteran missionaries Harmon and Beverly Schmelzenbach received the appointment to pioneer the work. They rented a house in Nairobi, Kenya, and soon were preaching in the open markets. Many people responded, and the Schmelzenbachs invited them to their home for coffee and fellowship. Several young men who felt a call to preach started house churches. At that time, however, there was no place to provide training for them. Harmon, the great improviser, took a page out of his grandfather’s book: he gathered the fledgling preachers together in quarterly meetings to discuss various aspects of preaching and pastoring."

I’m tagging some ladies who have book blogs that I enjoy reading:

Carol at Quotes and Notes
Cathy at WordVessel
Jennifer at A Booklover's Journal
Kay at Books and Starbucks
Melanie at Books and Starbucks

Have fun! If there is anyone else that would like to do this, please add it to your blog and let me know. Have a great day!

Bountiful Blessing: Eurasia

My church has a strong emphasis on missions and missions education. Each year members and friends of our church are encouraged to read six missions books. Each of the books are available free of charge at our church to read and return. This book focuses on the missionary work that is done in a large region called Eurasia.


Back of book says:

Welcome to the Eurasia Region, one of the most complex, fascinating, and exciting places to do ministry in the world. Covering 14 times zones, it is home to 6 of the top 10 developed nations as well as hundreds of communities that live far below the poverty line.

It is within this vast region that Christ was born...Paul traveled on his missionary journeys...and Martin Luther began his movement to reform Christianity. The first Bible was also translated and printed for public distribution here.

Yet this rich legacy is often contrasted by the enormous religious and social diversity within Eurasia.

Eurasia: Bountiful Blessing shows you how the Church of the Nazarene is joining the movement of God to again reform and revive His church in this part of the world. Through spiritual nourishment, education, medical services, relief for refugees, and much more, Eurasia Nazarenes are giving hope to thousands in desperate need of the Savior.

Call to Action (page 85)

1. Visit the Eurasia Region's web site at www.eurasianazarene.org to learn more about the exciting things God is doing in this part of the world. While you are there, take a look at the latest prayer requests for the region and spend time lifting them before the Lord in prayer.

2. Suscribe to the Eurasia Region's monthly newsletter Where Worlds Meet by emailing the editor at whereworldsmeet@eurasianazarene.org. Each issue contians greetings from a different field; the latest news on people, events and ministries throughout the region; and information about upcoming events and prayer needs.

3. Pray for Dr. Crocker and the many other leaders and pastors sacross the great region. Pray for God to impart His wisome, guidance, and discernment in every decision they face.

4. Consider volunteering your time in one of the many ministries in the Eurasion Region. For more information, contact the regional office at office@eurasiaregion.org or visit their web site.

If you attend a Nazarene church this book and five others (about different regions of the world) should be available for you to read. Check with your Pastor or NMI president for more information. If you are a Christian who is interested in missions and would like to learn more, you may purchase this book from NPH.

Krik? Krak! By Amy Crofford

My eight year old daughter recently read and enjoyed Krik? Krak! It is a children’s book filled with true stories of missionaries and their work in Haiti. Look at a world map or globe to find Haiti.

Back of Book says:

“Grandpa, please tell us a story,” the children begged.

“All right,” he answered. “Come and sit on the bench.”

Grandpa Lucien waited for the children to give him their complete attention. Then he asked, “KRIK [KRIK]?”

The children knew that meant “Are you ready to listen to a story?”

“KRAK [KRAK]!” the children exclaimed.

Grandpa knew they were ready to listen.

“Good!” he said. “Then let’s begin.”

If you attend a Nazarene church this book and five others similar to it should be available for your child to read at no cost. Check with your Pastor or NMI president for more information. If you are a Christian who is interested in missions and would like your child to learn about missions on their level, you may purchase the book from NPH.

My church is involved in a project that helps provide wells so the children of Haiti don't have to walk miles each day for fresh water. For more information check here.

Asia-Pacific from the rising of the sun by Brent Cobb

My church has a strong emphasis on missions and missions education. Each year members and friends of our church are encouraged to read six missions books. Each of the books are available free of charge at our church to read and return.

This book focuses on the missionary work that is done in a large region called the Asia-Pacific.

Back of Book says:

Bitter blizzard winds blasted the frozen farmlands. Bundled in layer upon layer of clothes, two women leaned into the biting tempest. A light in the distance offered comfort; they hoped it was their destination.

At midnight they saw the silhouette of a farmhouse and a man standing near the light. They approached, said a word, and he motioned them to enter. Later, 26 more people quietly and secretly arrived. Soon, classes in this “underground seminary” would be underway.

The Asia-Pacific Region extends from Japan’s northernmost island to New Zealand’s southernmost island near Antarctica. It reaches from Myanmar’s shared border with Bangladesh eastward to Tahiti. Throughout this immense region, committed Nazarenes are proclaiming the message of the Son to those living in darkens.

Between the pages of this book lay their stories – stories of victory, hope and courage. As you savor them, may you rejoice again in the faithfulness of our passionate and creative God.

Call to Action (page 91)

After reading this book, please consider doing one or more of the following:

1. Intercede for unreached people on the Asia-Pacific Region, home to over 2 billion men, women, and children. Many have not yet heard the good news of Jesus.

2. Consider an assignment in Japan, Korea, or China as an English teacher. Doors are wide open. It is a tremendous opportunity to influence the lives of future national leaders. Contact dhane@apnaz.org for more info.

3. Support Asia-Pacific schools with your prayers, teaching skills (if you are a qualified teacher), and your giving. For more information, visit these web sites:

www.nazarene.org/education/iboe/asiapacific/display.aspx
www.apnts.org/pages/index.php
www.kornu.ac.kr/kornu/eng/index_eng.html

4. In compassionate response to human need in Southeast Asia, sponsor a child at Thailand’s Maetang Children’s Home or support eh New Life for Thai (AIDS) ministry. For more information, visit http://www.ncm.org/

5. Stay up-to-date on happenings in Melanesia and the South Pacific with these web sites:

www.kudjipnazarenehospital.org
http://www.fijiboat.org/

If you attend a Nazarene church this book and five others (about different regions of the world) should be available for you to read. Check with your Pastor or NMI president for more information. If you are a Christian who is interested in missions and would like to learn more, you may purchase this book from NPH.

A Horse, a Trumpet, and a Promise by Aimee Curtis

This is another quick read missionary book that my daughter read yesterday. It is a true story about the life and work of Dr. William A. Eckel, missionary to Japan.

While growing up, William was especially interested in horses and playing his trumpet. At age 12, he felt God had called him to be a missionary to Japan. As a young adult, William married Florence, who also felt called to serve in Japan. God used them to minister to the Japanese in amazing ways!

Back of book says:

"I can't believe it! Maud jumped the fence again!" explained Mr. Eckel.

William smiled and thought to himself, "She can jump any fence in town! There's none better than my Maud." William loved his horse. Maud was special gift from his dad.

To help William learn to read music, Mr. Eckel bought him a trumpet. William could not decide which he liked better, Maud or his shiny, new instrument.

William soon learned he could not keep both.

If you attend a Nazarene church this book and five others similar to it should be available for your child to read at no cost. Check with your Pastor or NMI president for more information. If you are a Christian who is interested in missions and would like your child to learn about missions on their level, you may purchase the book from NPH.

Popcorn, Socks and Salvation by Lee and Anne Rudeen

My eight year old daughter read this missionary book yesterday and greatly enjoyed it. I'm so glad my church has a strong emphasis on missions work and that books are written geared to young children. I read the book this morning because I love to read (even children's books) and missions are close to my heart.

This story is based on the childhood experiences of Lee, who was part of the pioneer work in Panama. Lee and his friend, Kevin, traveled with their missionary dads into a remote village to set up a clinic.

Back of book says:

"It's time for my secret weapon," said Dr. Birchard.

"You dad has a secret weapon?" asked Lee.

"Sort of," said Kevin. "I've seen my dad use it before. It works most of the time."

From inside one of their packs, Dr. Birchard pulled out a black pot. He poured some oil and emptied the contents of a cloth sack into the pot. He covered the pot with a lid and set it down on some burning coals.

"Ah," said Dr. Birchard, "it's starting to work already."

If you attend a Nazarene church this book and five others like it should be available for your child to read at no cost. If you are just interested in missions and want your child to know more about missions you may purchase the book from NPH.