New Year, new challenges, and new Life

We do pray this newest year will be a peaceful and prosperous one for you … and that it has begun better than ours!

Pastor Peter Haneef wrapped up his mission trip to Bangladesh on Sunday with a final worship service. He reports that the team managed to distribute 11,000 bibles to Bangladeshi Muslims wanting to read and meditate on God’s Word, plus planted 53 new churches during their extended time there. On the final day of the mission, some 2000 people took part in the worship service. Three hundred people were baptized, and the Holy Spirit moved wonderfully and powerfully.

Unfortunately, word had gotten out to some ‘wrong elements’. As the ceremony ended, a large group of Bangladeshi militants rushed at the worshippers shouting ‘Allahu Akbar’ and attacked them. Three team members were brutally beaten and had to be hospitalized. Many others were injured. Pastor Haneef was also beaten and injured. He says his injuries are not serious, yet would appreciate prayers for himself, the others injured, and for the whole of troubled Bangladesh.

On another unfortunate note, Pastor Paul is back in the hospital. He seems to be getting better, but has a long way to go. Please keep up your prayers for our brave, faithful Director of Bibles for Mideast.

I don’t know about you, but suddenly my flu bug seems inconsequential.