Finland, Malawi, Iraq, Riga May 2010

The Bible Companion readings for this Sunday are from Joshua 9, about Joshua and the Gibeonites. There's a breaking of bread exhortation based on this chapter downloadable from http://www.aletheiacollege.net/audio/josh9.mp3

FINLAND
We reported in Carelinks reports in 2004 the baptism of brethren in the very far north of Finland, towards the Arctic Circle. The Gospel has continued to be spread there and we're pleased to report the baptism there this week of SANI, a young woman who has truly come to the real Christ. She was baptized by brother Henrik. Here's a picture of her with her extended family:

IRAQ
For some time we've been in contact with a man from Baghdad, Iraq who would like to be baptized. We have set up a meeting with him this coming week and we do ask for your prayers for a succesful outcome and for the security of all involved. He emailed us this evening:

"So it's getting real, after 12 years, I can't believe I'll be baptized at last. I'm so anxious, you know the hope of being baptized really helped me start a spiritual revolution, or what the Bible calls repentance. Thanks alot for that, you're literally saving my life... I think we won't miss each other. God willing. See you there and then, and God bless all of you"

We hope to report more next week, God willing. But please do hold this situation in your prayers.

MALAWI
We reported in January the baptisms of a number of people at the Dzaleka Refugee Camp in Malawi. We're pleased to report that they have got permission to use an area in the Camp administration buildings for their meetings, and are growing in numbers. We have put them in contact with brethren from the nearest ecclesia in Lilongwe, and are pleased to share with you this report just received from brother Bernard:

"It was delight Sunday of 25th April, 2010 when brother Muleso and Brother Mkhomela, with Sister Mrs. Muleso, came to visit us here in Dzaleka Refugee Camp.

They were from Lilongwe. We started our Sunday service at 10a.m, conducted by brother WABENE IKOLA BERNARD, being interpreted by brother STANLEY MICHAEL in Chichewa” Malawi  national language”. By this occasion, we gave the opportunity to our Visitors for exhortation; then Brother Muleso appointed Brother Mkhomela to do so. After one hour of exhortation; talking about the “FAITH”, Brother Muleso emphasized the same word “Faith” during the breaking of bread service. After our worship which took three hours, it was the time for drinking Coca-cola to everybody who was with us during the day. It was a happy day for us here in Dzaleka Refugee Camp, as we are at the beginning. We appeal for prayers from all brother and sister for this new Ecclesia here in Dzaleka Refugee Camp (Malawi)".
Photo: The group with brother Muleso [wearing a tie, second from left]
    

It's always encouraging to know that the seed sown and the effort made to travel and baptize people far away has resulted in independent ecclesias developing; for this is one of the aims of Carelinks.

Earlier this week we were pleased to baptize another contact, ALEKSANDR, at the Riga Bible Centre. He and his friend brother Yuriel had been avid students together of the Russian edition of Brother Harry Whittaker's book about Joseph; they are very intrigued by the types and shadows of the Lord Jesus which are brought out there. Here's a picture of them with the books:
    

We are trying to get local brethren more involved in performing baptisms, although candidates usually ask to be baptized by the person who has taught them the Gospel. In Aleksandr's case we sought to instruct brother Yuriel how to do this. But completely immersing someone in a bath tub needs some acquiring of the knack involved... and it took Yuriel a few goes and a lot more water than he thought to get Aleksandr completely under. But there was true joy all round afterwards:
         

With love from your brothers and sisters of Carelinks