October 2022
Prayer Partners,
The Lord continues to answer your prayers, and those of CRM's field partners, in amazing ways. Our Lord is using those whom you have supported to boldly share the Gospel of grace in very challenging contexts. The Lord is blessing the use of the resources CRM's partners have provided to empower both recently saved and mature Christians in their personal evangelism and discipleship endeavors.
In this edition of CRM's newsletter, I want to share with testimonies of answered prayer, how the answers to those prayers are opening new doors for witness, and share new opportunities for prayer and giving.
1. Authorities in Zalengei, Central Darfur State returned the Bibles and other resources
In my last newsletter, I reported how the four male believers who had been arrested, abused, and illegally charged with the crime of "apostasy" had their case thrown out of court on August 30. The Christian lawyer who defended them asked the judge to demand an apology from the prosecutor's office, and that authorities return everything taken from the center, which included Bibles, the books of the Bible school, and MP3 players. Renee recorded this statement when she read of the trial's results "I just keep praying and imagining that the ones who stole the Bibles and Bible resources are actually curious enough to read or listen to them. And that God’s word becomes active and sharp as a two edge sword and pierces them to the very marrow of their bones. His word will not return void that is a promise from God!" Several days later, Adam wrote this report "Today our brothers received all the belongings from the security personnel in Zalengei. But what was so amazing, they asked for some Bibles and books for them to read for themselves. They told them that we will be coming to your church to learn, and 'we are not your enemy.'"
Just after the August 30th trial, the Lord sent a lightning bolt to hit the ammunition dump located on the army's compound located in Zalengei. Someone made video of the bullets and missiles as they exploded and flew all over the city and posted it on FB. Adam sent me the URL to that page, and I watched it. Apparently, it caused extensive damage to the town. Several days after that, news came out that the new governor of Central Darfur State, who is an extremist and who spearheaded the persecution of Christians, was in hiding and on the run from the government. It was discovered that he had been stealing generators and other expensive items from the government and selling them on the black market. Alamadin wrote afterwards "believers in Zalengei are hearing the word on the street is that bad things are happening to those who started a war with Christians." A believer named Maryom said "people are now holding Christians in high esteem." Another believer named Hesain said "We will work harder than ever as God is still giving us an opportunity. Zalengei must be won for Christ!"
Believers in Zalengei are once again worshipping and using the center, however it has been stripped of all its chairs, beds, kitchen supplies, solar equipment, etc. The authorities claim those items were stolen by others at night and they do not have them. CRM did send $1,000 to be given to the Christian lawyer who represented the 4 brothers, as his own house was ransacked, and he lost everything.
2. Alamadin and Musa Adam are starting churches in Khartoum, the capital of Sudan
Adam and Alamadin left Sudan for Uganda when the violence erupted in Zalengei. They visited their families for a month and then returned to Khartoum. Adam immediately went to work in another location in Darfur, seeking a house to rent so they could set up a new, temporary center there. The decision was made that Alamadin and another believer named Musa should begin ministry among the Darfurians living in a particular section of Khartoum. They have within the last 6 weeks started two new churches there and are seeing people come to Christ every day. These new Baptist church starts in the capital will bring blessings not only to those who are saved through their ministry, but also in various ways to the newly formed Baptist Convention of Sudan. A presence in the nation's capital always helps, wherever you are in the world.
Here is a report Alamadin sent just yesterday.
"My brother the Lord is doing great job. We have three old women accepted Jesus Christ after listening the stories that was translated in Fur language. After preaching to them, they were so happy. So, three of them accepted Jesus Christ. More than fifty have listened stories. One of them said that 'lies always goes ahead, and the truth is always behind the lies.' We are now receiving the truth. People loved Bible stories so much because they are easy to understand. They ask so many questions. Because they easy to understand the stories. I think it's good to add those stories into Messengers so that people can have them to listen. We have 18 Young men who came to Christ. They ask a lot of questions. Sometimes we have the whole night talking to them. In Khartoum is not like in Darfur. People talk at night. In Darfur because of insecurity people do not spend a long time at night they sleep early. Please let's pray for these new believers.
At daytime they are so busy selling their things in the market. There are active men appeared among them they help their friends to understand the gospel easily. Some of them they just bring them to me and tell them that this man has good news to tell you. Most of them are students and are struggling with the life situation."
3. The Foundation of a new Darfur ministry center has been laid
Adam has successfully negotiated a rental agreement on a house in another part of Darfur. CRM has already sent the funds to pay for rent through the end of the year. Funds were also sent to buy some of the basic supplies required for people to live there. At least 18 men have moved there from Zalengei. They fled that place in July because of the persecution. They will spearhead the outreach which is being planned for the North Darfur State. While Adam has not yet had a face-to-face meeting with the governor, he has spoken to him by phone. The governor has warmly welcomed Christians to freely take up ministry in El Fasher and offered a tract of land for whatever ministries they want to establish.
Much work remains to fully outfit that rental house to serve as a center for Bible training, worship, etc. As God's people give to CRM, we will progressively enable them to procure the items required. Massive IDP camps are located near this new location. The recent heavy rains destroyed thousands of the small, hastily built "houses" the displaced people built for themselves. There is a wide-open door for the Gospel of hope.
4. The Bibles and praise song books are producing kingdom fruit
Here is another encouraging report flowing out of CRM's provision of 1,000 Arabic Bibles for Darfur.
Mukhtar a Muslim who recently accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Saviour. He called me and told me about his findings in reading his Bible. He told me that he got some of his difficult questions answered. He was so much surprised when he read the verse from the book of Luke, where The Risen Jesus is talking to His disciples, "Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled” (Luke 24:44). Mukhtar said this is Jesus talking after the Resurrection and He is talking about himself not about Muhammad or any other prophet to come. Which is quite contrary to what Quran says about Him. You know Quran's main teaching focuses that Jesus didn't die. But I now understand, why Muslims don't allow their followers to read Bible. Because it's clear that they don't want people to find out the truth. I loved to investigate what I have learned in Quran, we have been taught that Bibles is saying that Jesus said that he was going to send Muhammad. They read the gospel of (John 14:16-17; 15:26-27). Here Jesus is talking about the Spirit of truth not Muhammad. Because Muhammad is a sinner, for Quran calls him a sinner, Quran 47:19 "(Oh Muhammad) Know that there is no deity but God. Implore Him to forgive your sins and to forgive the true believers, men and women. God knows your busy haunts and resting places." How can he be Spirit of Truth while his Allah asked him to implore him for forgiveness? They are forgetting the context Jesus was talking about. Jesus was preparing his disciples for his death. In John chapter 13 I learned that Jesus was with his disciples having the last supper and explaining to them about His death, and who will betray Him. Which is a great message for Muslims to understand why the death of Jesus is important. Without the death of Jesus Christ there is no sending of other helper. The helper was coming to tell about Jesus Christ, and his death is the central point. The helper should not deny the death of Jesus Christ instead he will speak the truth. For Muslims are quoting the verse which is contrary to their teaching.
I thank God for the gift of the Bible I got if not I didn't know all these lies against Jesus. May God bless those hands who contributed the efforts to bring for us Bibles. Our hearts can now see the reality. No doubts in the truth of the Holy Bible.
Please pray for Darfur its people need to hear from the Bible so people can come out of confusion. Our brother Alamadin told us that it was CRM who provided for us Bibles. Please know that we are praying for you that God will increase your love and faith in Him.
5. Mathew Dhol is seeing God's powerful answers to prayer in Bentiu, Unity State, South Sudan
Mathew Dhol is the secretary of the Baptist Convention of South Sudan, and a Nuer by tribe. He has at great personal sacrifice been proclaiming the Gospel in the town of Bentiu, and in the nearby UN run IDP camp, for many months. New churches have been started and many people saved. The wide-open door there was created by the unusually heavy rains which flooded the region. Recently he wrote to say that the Lord Jesus has displayed HIs power through providing physical healing to the sick. Some unbelievers in the area claimed he was empowered by a traditional Nuer spirit. That sounded familiar, as certain Jewish leaders also accused Jesus of being empowered by the prince of demons. Mathew is making good use of the first story cloth, micro-SD cards, and two projectors, all supplied by CRM's donors.
The Nuer are the second largest least reached people group of South Sudan, numbering approximately between 1.4 and 2 million people.
6. Maridi Youth Center of South Sudan, Western Equatoria State
In late 2021, CRM's donors provided enough funding that we were able to send $3,500 to enable believers, led by James Kenneth Baibai, to build a youth center in Maridi town. This week, CRM has sent another $3,000 to enable believers there to finish up the construction work. This area of South Sudan contains 10 different people groups, several of which are very unreached by the Gospel. The leaders of this ministry center utilize it for a Bible school, Bible studies, sports ministry, teaching agricultural skills, and for vocational training. This area of the country was highly impacted by violence. James Kenneth was forced to endure much persecution, but he refused to stop preaching or to leave the area from 2014 until today. He is a hero of the faith, and by supporting him, CRM's partners are standing with someone who will lead others to make great strides in Kingdom advance.
7. Pastor Raj of India has recorded all 42 stories into the Hindi language
CRM's donors enabled us to send $1,200 to enable Pastor Raj to record the 42 stories of the first story cloth into the Hindi language. I have read online that approximately %45 of India's population speaks Hindi. That amounts to over 600 million people. Please pray for those who are editing the audio files into their final form. CRM's stated goal is to "Empower Gospel movements among least reached people." The creation of this resource is a further clear example of how we are seeking to fulfill that goal.
Additional Prayer Requests
Four Christian brothers have been imprisoned in Nyala, South Darfur State, and treated badly. No charges have been brought. Please pray for their protection and for the lawyer Adam has contacted about representing them. The lawyer has already done some investigation and believes this is a clear case of religious intimidation.
Kusar is the name of Adam's wife. She reports that their children have been very sick with malaria. The newborn has a blood infection of some sort. Pray for their healing.
Adam was in Nairobi earlier this week. He thought he would receive a second injection in his lower back. However, after the doctor made another MRI, he referred Adam to a surgeon. Adam opted to delay surgery until next year and returned safely to Khartoum yesterday. He returned with 300 micro-SD cards and 3 projectors, all supplied by CRM's donors.
The next CRM board meeting will be on October 26. Mark it on your calendar please and pray for us to be led by the Holy Spirit on that day.
Remember, many testimonies have been placed under the Testimonies tab of the website. Please share them with others.
Before closing, I want to thank Travis Dellinger and all who helped him to organize and carry out last Saturday's "Sixth Annual Round for Refugees." Thanks also go out to all who played in the golf tournament and donated any amount. After expenses, the total raised was $10,746. To God be the glory!
Between now and the end of the year, we encourage you to consider giving as generously as possible. The opportunities before CRM to empower its field partners are much greater than its current financial capacity. You can give by clicking the red button at the top of the page here on the website, or by sending a check to: CRM, 4100 Fulton Road, Corryton, TN 37721. Persecution has robbed our partners of much. However, as in the Book of Acts, those acts of hatred have only caused believers to spread out, in turn leading to greater opportunities for advancing God's Kingdom.
For His glory,
David Crane
