The Baptist Medical Mission International (BMMI) has now had two successful days of treating and evangelizing patients. They have seen over 250 people and according to the observation of Jeff Franks and others on the field, it seems the people of Georgia are hungry to hear the story of Jesus.
Anatoly Krivo, one of our Baptist Missionary Association's(BMA) national pastors, who leads the church in Gori while also working on his semiary degree by extention from Ukraine, has brought people from his church and they are very happy with the doctors and the level of evangelism.
When I spoke to Jeff this afternoon he was on his way to a BMA of Georgia associational meeting with Charles Johnson, pastor of Rosewood Baptist Church in Gilmer, Texas, Brother Frank Garrido of Calvery Baptist Church in Laverne, California and Anatoly Krivo, mentioned above. This is a regular gathering of Georgian missionaries to report on what God is doing in their various works. On the agenda is plans and vision, future opportunities and the possibility of bringing in BMA pastors to discuss and teach BMA associational principles. They have also asked Jeff to do some leadership training so they will decide when it will commence.
This afternoon also, the team has moved to minister in a small village that is located in the buffer zone where there is a heightened military alertness from the Russian occupiers on Georgian territory of South Ossetia. This is a mission point from the Gori church where they hold services, and now medical mission in a private home.
Please be in prayer for these meetings today and for the further mission work in the next week. Pray God would put his words in the mouths of his servants that all might be blessed and many come to
faith and joy in knowing the King of Kings.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Friday, July 10, 2009
Execution Risk Looms for Iranian Dissidents
Amnesty International USA A Great Need of Prayer
Desperate to regain control over a country that has been rocked by recent uprisings and mass protests, the Iranian government has made it clear that they will stop at nothing to restore order.
Urge Iran's leaders not to seek the death penalty for political activists who stood in support of dissident voices during post-election protests.
Four prominent politicians are being held in the notorious section 209 of Evin prison, where incommunicado detention and torture are routine and deaths in custody have occurred. The men face indefinite detention all because they publicly supported either Mir Hossein Mousavi – who according to the Guardian Council lost the disputed election – or the other "reformist" presidential candidate, Mehdi Karroubi.
Powerful Iranian government officials want to make an example out of well-known opposition leaders by charging them with serious offenses, where if found guilty, they could be sentenced to death.
These four opposition leaders are at risk of facing this senseless and brutal punishment unless we show Iran's leaders that even the harshest of sentences will not silence the Iranian people's calls for justice and human rights.
Remind the Iranian government that the world is still watching. Demand the release of opposition leaders from Tehran's infamous Evin prison.
We have strong reasons to fear that these four men – Ali Abtahi, Mostafa Tajzadeh, Mohsen Aminzadeh and Abdollah Ramazanzadeh – are already experiencing Evin prison's infamous practices of severe torture first-hand.
For over three weeks now, these four men have been locked away without any official charges. Since being taken from their homes, they have had no contact with family members or lawyers. If the Iranian government thinks that it can coerce genuine confessions from these men using these disdainful tactics, then they are sorely mistaken.
But there are signs that Iran's wall is penetrable. Just last week, Mohammed Mostafaei, a lawyer mostly known for his work in defending juvenile defenders in death penalty cases, was released from Evin prison. While he must still face charges in court, he is at least free from the immediate threat of torture.
Call on Iranian authorities to release opposition leaders from Evin prison immediately.
Almost one month has passed since a flood of activism was unleashed on the streets of Iran. Over 2,200 people were arrested in the post-election unrest. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad most recently gave a speech on state television1 insisting that the meddling of Western nations was the cause of the violence. But as the fight shifts from off the streets and into the courtroom, it is imperative that all eyes stay fixed on those who stood up in opposition.
Since the post-election violence broke out, nearly 30,000 Amnesty activists have put the pressure on Iranian authorities by sending a firestorm of emails and letters to their offices. We've got to keep up this intensity if we want to get through to them that the responsibility for protecting human rights cannot be deflected, nor will it be forgotten.
This is an opportunity for the leaders in Iran to prove to the world that they are ready to embrace change. Until they do, we cannot lose sight of what continues to be the driving force for so many in Iran – an unrelenting need to protect human rights.
In Solidarity --
Elise, Zahir, Christoph and the rest of the Iran crisis response team
DO NOT REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE. Messages sent to this email address are not read. If you have a question or comment, please use our interactive online help system. Subscribe to our RSS feeds.
© Copyright 2009 | Amnesty International USA | 5 Penn Plaza | New York, NY 10001 | 212.807.8400
Desperate to regain control over a country that has been rocked by recent uprisings and mass protests, the Iranian government has made it clear that they will stop at nothing to restore order.
Urge Iran's leaders not to seek the death penalty for political activists who stood in support of dissident voices during post-election protests.
Four prominent politicians are being held in the notorious section 209 of Evin prison, where incommunicado detention and torture are routine and deaths in custody have occurred. The men face indefinite detention all because they publicly supported either Mir Hossein Mousavi – who according to the Guardian Council lost the disputed election – or the other "reformist" presidential candidate, Mehdi Karroubi.
Powerful Iranian government officials want to make an example out of well-known opposition leaders by charging them with serious offenses, where if found guilty, they could be sentenced to death.
These four opposition leaders are at risk of facing this senseless and brutal punishment unless we show Iran's leaders that even the harshest of sentences will not silence the Iranian people's calls for justice and human rights.
Remind the Iranian government that the world is still watching. Demand the release of opposition leaders from Tehran's infamous Evin prison.
We have strong reasons to fear that these four men – Ali Abtahi, Mostafa Tajzadeh, Mohsen Aminzadeh and Abdollah Ramazanzadeh – are already experiencing Evin prison's infamous practices of severe torture first-hand.
For over three weeks now, these four men have been locked away without any official charges. Since being taken from their homes, they have had no contact with family members or lawyers. If the Iranian government thinks that it can coerce genuine confessions from these men using these disdainful tactics, then they are sorely mistaken.
But there are signs that Iran's wall is penetrable. Just last week, Mohammed Mostafaei, a lawyer mostly known for his work in defending juvenile defenders in death penalty cases, was released from Evin prison. While he must still face charges in court, he is at least free from the immediate threat of torture.
Call on Iranian authorities to release opposition leaders from Evin prison immediately.
Almost one month has passed since a flood of activism was unleashed on the streets of Iran. Over 2,200 people were arrested in the post-election unrest. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad most recently gave a speech on state television1 insisting that the meddling of Western nations was the cause of the violence. But as the fight shifts from off the streets and into the courtroom, it is imperative that all eyes stay fixed on those who stood up in opposition.
Since the post-election violence broke out, nearly 30,000 Amnesty activists have put the pressure on Iranian authorities by sending a firestorm of emails and letters to their offices. We've got to keep up this intensity if we want to get through to them that the responsibility for protecting human rights cannot be deflected, nor will it be forgotten.
This is an opportunity for the leaders in Iran to prove to the world that they are ready to embrace change. Until they do, we cannot lose sight of what continues to be the driving force for so many in Iran – an unrelenting need to protect human rights.
In Solidarity --
Elise, Zahir, Christoph and the rest of the Iran crisis response team
DO NOT REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE. Messages sent to this email address are not read. If you have a question or comment, please use our interactive online help system. Subscribe to our RSS feeds.
© Copyright 2009 | Amnesty International USA | 5 Penn Plaza | New York, NY 10001 | 212.807.8400
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Medical Mission to Gori, Georgia
This was a really good day according to Jeff Franks, my husband, as we spoke over internet. They saw 140 patients. "Everyone prayed with us except one," said Charles Johnson, pastor of Rosewood Baptist Church in Gilmer, Texas who was one of the evangelists on the team. The other is Darrell Ramshur of Good Hope Church in Columbia, Mississippi. Brother Darrel is the uncle of the last Ukraine team member Colby who was in the Carpathian Mountains just two weeks ago. All patients were invited to come to Sunday services so they are hoping to see many new faces.
The team is being led by Dr. Ralph Izard and attended by dermatologist Kathleen Chidester from California who is working as an examining doctor along with Dr. Ralph. Please be in prayer for this group that God's mighty hand will work it's saving grace among the lost of Gori and that God would bring many to faith.
The team is being led by Dr. Ralph Izard and attended by dermatologist Kathleen Chidester from California who is working as an examining doctor along with Dr. Ralph. Please be in prayer for this group that God's mighty hand will work it's saving grace among the lost of Gori and that God would bring many to faith.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Baptist Medical Mission International
Baptist Medical Missions International (BMMI) led by Dr. Ralph Izzard arrived in Georgia at 3 and 5:45 a.m. this morning. My husband, Jeff Franks was there to meet them and help them get to their destination, the town of Gori (Stalin's birthplace) in the country of Georgia. They finally got settled into their hotel around 7:30 this morning and rested until noon. So today was about purchasing medicines and they had the opportunity to tour the Stalin museum. Please be in prayer for their medical mission starting tomorrow there in the town of Gori. Gori is the place where they were last year when Russia dropped it's first bomb on Georgia. Though things are still very tenuous between the two countries, the BMMI team is hoping for a better outcome to their mission this time around. God has his plan here as well. May these people be used to further His kingdom and help those who don't have good medical care.
Touring the Mountains - VSM Russia
Yesterday the team got to go to a place called Kieslievodsk. Brother Stan said it was rather like Hot Springs, Arkansas, but on a much more massive scale. A non-believing fellow has been traveling with them and is hearing a lot of evangelism. Pray for this young man.
Word is getting out that the American basketball team is in town and people are calling to set up games. Now they have a police team that has called to set one up. Keep praying for these opportunities. Bro. Stan has asked the young man I mentioned above to play with them in the next game. He getting a lot put into him and Stan feels he is very close to asking Christ into his life.
Today they dug a ditch (no ditch digging machines here) 100 feet long and 4 feet deep. It was very tough work in brick hard clay, but they are glad they did it because it shows that they were willing to go there and work and not just come to play. This is a very good witness for the Russian people because they think no one in America knows how to work. Everyone was tired, but happy.
When I spoke to Stan they were leaving to go do evangelism in the park. Pray for God's appointments and blessing.
Tomorrow morning they will do a four hour children's evangelism. In the afternoon they will play the game with the police team. Come evening is a worship service followed by a fellowship in honor of the team having come, and to say good bye to all. From there it's back to Moscow. So many great opportunities. Keep holding them up in fervent prayer before the throne of grace that mighty things may come of all this. God has his wonderful plan.
Word is getting out that the American basketball team is in town and people are calling to set up games. Now they have a police team that has called to set one up. Keep praying for these opportunities. Bro. Stan has asked the young man I mentioned above to play with them in the next game. He getting a lot put into him and Stan feels he is very close to asking Christ into his life.
Today they dug a ditch (no ditch digging machines here) 100 feet long and 4 feet deep. It was very tough work in brick hard clay, but they are glad they did it because it shows that they were willing to go there and work and not just come to play. This is a very good witness for the Russian people because they think no one in America knows how to work. Everyone was tired, but happy.
When I spoke to Stan they were leaving to go do evangelism in the park. Pray for God's appointments and blessing.
Tomorrow morning they will do a four hour children's evangelism. In the afternoon they will play the game with the police team. Come evening is a worship service followed by a fellowship in honor of the team having come, and to say good bye to all. From there it's back to Moscow. So many great opportunities. Keep holding them up in fervent prayer before the throne of grace that mighty things may come of all this. God has his wonderful plan.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Basketball Team Does Kid's Camp
Every day this week the team is doing camp in the mornings. They came to play basketball, but God has his plan and it is marvelous. Today in camp Chris Vines did a lesson on widow's mite and Colby Williamson did a lesson on feeding the 5000. The children paid very close attention. Following that Brother Stan did a magic trick which was a gospel lesson. He took a coloring book and showed the kids that it was blank. He said our lives are like stories we can learn from. Then he flips the pages and they have all the lines of the coloring book. When we believe, then God colors the pages and the pages were all colored in when he flipped the last time. It was pretty amazing and kids were all wide-eyed in wonder. Alexe did a very good job translating. Alexe is the son of Michael, the pastor who is brother to our friend here in Bucha. Interesting, I'll have to tell her.
In the afternoon everyone rested in preparation for evening games. They plan to meet with three non-Christian teams and one church team. They will have an evangelism service at half time where testimonies will be given and Brother Stan will speak.
There is about 9 hours difference between Russia and Central Standard Time so start praying right away for this tournament and half time. May the Lord bless.
In the afternoon everyone rested in preparation for evening games. They plan to meet with three non-Christian teams and one church team. They will have an evangelism service at half time where testimonies will be given and Brother Stan will speak.
There is about 9 hours difference between Russia and Central Standard Time so start praying right away for this tournament and half time. May the Lord bless.
Sunday Night Team Time
The Volunteer Student Missionaries (VSM)have "team time" each day where they all gather together to discuss the day or to plan. Last night the team once again expressed how amazed they were at the reverence in the Sunday church services, the sense of love and such a spirit of worship. This can't help but make one wonder if there is not some element missing in some of our services at home? They also were in awe by the way the church went out after services and did street evangelism with speakers, guitars and preaching. The rain came and poured harder and harder until they finally had to quit. The boys were so impressed with how the church shared Christ in the streets. Should we not ourselves be so brazen as to take our faith beyond the church walls? I know it certainly challenges me.
Jeff chuckled as he said the youth palates have been challenged (he's such a diplomat)by the differences in the food. Everything here is fresh and straight from the garden. "They eat a lot healthier than we do," said one of the boys.
Jeff chuckled as he said the youth palates have been challenged (he's such a diplomat)by the differences in the food. Everything here is fresh and straight from the garden. "They eat a lot healthier than we do," said one of the boys.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Volunteer Student Missionaries-Basketball Team
Our team was in a large, 500 member church for services today. Jeff said it was a very conservative church where the men and women sit separately from one another. I can tell you that it also means that the women wear scarves to cover their heads, no make-up and no jewelry. It is just a different culture which of course is good for our young missionary students to experience. Jeff said the team was very impressed with the wonderful sense of worship they felt in the service. Praise God for his working. Though he didn't say this, I know that Jeff translates for people all the time in this situation.
In the afternoon they all rested until evening services where Vines and Walker shared their testimonies. Afterwards they went with some of the church members and did street evangelism. Briggs, Rayborn and Findley shared their testimonies which Jeff said were very well received. There was singing and preaching on the street. And then it started to rain, yet people did not depart. They were hungry for the Word and wanted to hear more. Even people in surrounding apartments were leaning out their windows and listening. One man said how they have been in great need of rain for the earth is so very dry and they have prayed for it to come. He went on to say that our hearts and souls need the watering of Jesus Christ in the same way. Amen! Jeff's summary on the day in a word was "Fantastic." Keep praying for this team.
In the afternoon they all rested until evening services where Vines and Walker shared their testimonies. Afterwards they went with some of the church members and did street evangelism. Briggs, Rayborn and Findley shared their testimonies which Jeff said were very well received. There was singing and preaching on the street. And then it started to rain, yet people did not depart. They were hungry for the Word and wanted to hear more. Even people in surrounding apartments were leaning out their windows and listening. One man said how they have been in great need of rain for the earth is so very dry and they have prayed for it to come. He went on to say that our hearts and souls need the watering of Jesus Christ in the same way. Amen! Jeff's summary on the day in a word was "Fantastic." Keep praying for this team.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Moscow to Georiyevsk to Mineralny Vodi
The temperature this morning was 41 degrees and all felt the chill. Despite the early morning cold Jeff called it a fabulous day. They rode a rickety little jet that the team wasn't so sure was going to get them there, but all was fine. They were met with a bus and taken for lunch to a church. There Jeff met the pastor that just so happens to be the blood brother of one of the ladies in our church back in Ukraine....small world.
In the evening there was a youth service where two of the team member gave their testimony. Jeff said it was a wonderful service. Praise the Lord.
Afterwards they went to a gym where a basketball game was played. It was a tight game with the Russians winning 84 to 82. Jeff was impressed with the level of sportsmanship in all the players. He said they aren't professionals, but they are mighty good. When you are playing for Christ, even losing is winning he said.
There were two times of devotionals this eveing ending around 11:30. Pray for the teams.
In the evening there was a youth service where two of the team member gave their testimony. Jeff said it was a wonderful service. Praise the Lord.
Afterwards they went to a gym where a basketball game was played. It was a tight game with the Russians winning 84 to 82. Jeff was impressed with the level of sportsmanship in all the players. He said they aren't professionals, but they are mighty good. When you are playing for Christ, even losing is winning he said.
There were two times of devotionals this eveing ending around 11:30. Pray for the teams.
Jeff in Russia
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This past Thursday, June 30th, Jeff left for Moscow to meet Stan Scroggins from First Baptist Church of Magnolia, Arkansas who is bringing a team of basketball players. Their mission is to do a basketball camp and use that as a means to witness Christ. Jeff is there to get them from Moscow to their village of destination. Then he leaves, passing through Kiev for only 8 hours, before he get back on a plane for the country of Georgia. As many of you will recall the conflict between Russia and Georgia that I wrote about last year has cut off air transport between the two countries.
Please be in prayer for the basketball team (Volunteer Student Missionaries), for Jeff and for the Baptist Medical Missions(BMMI) team he will meet in Georgia. They will once again try to minister in the town of Gori where they were when the first bomb was dropped on Georgia last year. We are trusting in the Lord that this time will be without incident. It is all in his hands.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Kids
No, I don't mean goats, though they may act like it at times. Kids are what the future is going to be. They are going to run this world in such a short time ahead. That makes their up bringing so important. I can't think of anything more critical than what we invest into their hearts and lives. Therefore, my hats off to all you children's and youth workers who sacrifice your time and dedicate your lives to leading Sunday school classes, camps and other kid/youth related activities. Our world needs you.
With that in mind, I would like to ask you to pray for the team of Americans coming to do camp here starting on the 13th of July. Dan and Cindy Williams of Antioch Baptist Church, Conway, Arkansas will bring a team to do a VBS style day camp in Bucha and then head for the river and woods where they will be camping for a week, participating in an English youth camp. I just thank the Lord for them and others who come to do camps with our kids.
With that in mind, I would like to ask you to pray for the team of Americans coming to do camp here starting on the 13th of July. Dan and Cindy Williams of Antioch Baptist Church, Conway, Arkansas will bring a team to do a VBS style day camp in Bucha and then head for the river and woods where they will be camping for a week, participating in an English youth camp. I just thank the Lord for them and others who come to do camps with our kids.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Volunteer Student Missionaries-Final Day
An all night train ride got the VSM team to Kiev for their day of touring before the next morning departure to America. That started the day with breakfast at McDonalds. After you've eaten camp food for 10 days McDees sounds good.
The team saw many interesting sites that showed some of the history of Ukraine including the Friendship Arch and the President's Palace. They lunched on pizza and rested before moving on to more sites. They went to the big souvenir market, got ice cream and rested some more, they were all tired.
Dinner was at McDonalds (their choosing) before they went to the airport hotel to check in for a very early next morning flight. We do this because we live a long ways from the airport and through city traffic to get there so we've learned this alternative is the best. There was a time of sharing at the hotel which was a very meaningful exchange and a time of prayer where all felt the Lord's presence. Jeff told everyone that he was very encouraged by their love for God, for one another and the Ukrainian children. It was a blessing to watch the way they worked to maintain unity through sharing, forgiveness and understanding.
The team saw many interesting sites that showed some of the history of Ukraine including the Friendship Arch and the President's Palace. They lunched on pizza and rested before moving on to more sites. They went to the big souvenir market, got ice cream and rested some more, they were all tired.
Dinner was at McDonalds (their choosing) before they went to the airport hotel to check in for a very early next morning flight. We do this because we live a long ways from the airport and through city traffic to get there so we've learned this alternative is the best. There was a time of sharing at the hotel which was a very meaningful exchange and a time of prayer where all felt the Lord's presence. Jeff told everyone that he was very encouraged by their love for God, for one another and the Ukrainian children. It was a blessing to watch the way they worked to maintain unity through sharing, forgiveness and understanding.
Friday, June 26, 2009
The Gratefulness Spot - 365 Days of Gratitude
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This group of ladies are the prayer warriors of our church. As pictured here, they are also scrapbooking what they are thankful for every day of the year. We meet monthly to set up our pages for the following month. Then they do some decorating, but also continue it at home. We all are learning to stay conscious of God's many blessing in life by simply writing at least one thing each day that he has done for us. It is a lot of fun as we get to add pictures of loved ones or even magazine pictures of things we just like or represent something we are thankful for. In addition it is a place where we can chronicle events that happen in the month and so it makes a diary-like record. Some also add verse, songs, poems, just anything that suits your sense of gratefulness. Why don't you try it? Any notebook will do and then let me know what you think. I'd love to hear.
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Russia to Georgia
Jeff returned yesterday from western Ukraine doing camp in the Carpathian Mountains with the Volunteer Student Missions(VSM) team led by Jamie Morgan. He now has his visa for Russia and will leave on July 2nd to meet another VSM team being led by Stan Scroggins from First Baptist Church of Magnolia, Arkansas. Jeff will get them to their destination in Georgievsk, Russia to do a basketball camp before he leaves for the country of Georgia. As you may recall, the troubles between Georgia and Russia prevents Jeff from flying directly from Russia. Therefore, he will come through Kiev for about 8 hours before he flies to Georgia. There he will assist a Baptisit Medical Missions International (BMMI) team led by Dr. Ralph Izzard that will travel to the city of Gori where bombing first started last year with the Russia/Georgia conflict. Jeff and a BMMI team were in this town when the first bomb was dropped on the country. Pray that there will be peace this time and they will accomplish their mission.
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