DAWN Fridayfax 2001 #28

Tanzania

Largest baptism in East African history

Over 10,000 people were baptised in Tanzania on 23rd June 2001 - an event described by Adventist pastors as "the largest baptism in East African history". Over 40 pastors baptised 2,800 people in Lake Victoria, and more than 7,000 people were baptised on the same day in Southern Nyanza and surroundings. They had all completed Bible study courses. Another 1,000 people were to be baptised in Lake Victoria on 30th June (shortly after the report was sent), according to Steve Bina, Secretary of Tanzania's Adventist Church. The baptisms are part of a three-week evangelistic campaign in Mwanza, Tanzania.
Source: Adventist News Network, 27th June 2001

Vietnam

Angels

RCom K'Mlang is a Christian, and member of the Buon Bon Biah B house church in Ea Tun, in Kon Tum province's A Yun Pa district. He reports: "A man in our village used to be a fortune teller, and called on evil spirits to find out who would die, and when. He recently told me how he came to know Jesus: 'I had a seance with the Mountain God six nights in a row. On the seventh night, he told me that he wanted to take my wife from me. I was petrified, and shouted out "God of heaven, save me!" A bright light suddenly shone on me, and people in long white robes appeared. I heard them asking "Child, how did you get here?". I immediately went home, and the following morning, went to RCom K'Mlang to pray to Jesus and believe in God.' His wife died last October. Shortly before her death, she saw a vision of her house in heaven, and pleaded with her husband "Never turn your back on God. I'm going to heaven first, but you must follow me." At her funeral, the ex-fortune teller spoke to everyone in the village, including the government officials, saying "You should all believe in God, because he is real. That is the truth, and I know it exactly." The Buon To Khe church has grown significantly as a result; there are now 316 Christians from the Jerai people group: 134 adults and 182 children and youths.

The People's Committee

Nay Blui was lame for six months. One day, after hearing about Jesus, he prayed, and was completely healed. The following morning, he went to work in the fields, to everyone's amazement. Since then, he tells other people what Jesus can do. A new church was planted in Buon Chu Bah in 1999, which now already has 120 members. Shortly before Christmas, the local communist People's Committee ordered Nay Blui to come for questioning. They told him to explain the reasons for his faith, because they wanted to force him to give up on the new church and cancel the Christmas services. Nay Blui was not deterred, and testified to the power of God in his life, ending by declaring that he could not leave his God. The local Chairman put Nay Blui under increased pressure, but was finally beaten by his cleverness and humility. The church was able to celebrate Christmas unhindered.

Lame man rides again

Ma Ky, another man in the village, had been quadriplegic for four months. The hospital could not do anything more for him. Nay Blui invited another church member, Ma Uch, to visit Ma Ky with him, to talk with him and pray for him. Ma Ky decided to follow the Lord, so Nay Blui and Ma Uch prayed for him, asking the Lord to heal him. While they prayed, strength returned to Ma Ky's arms and legs, and he was able to move again. Ma Ky told them that he had seen two figures in long white robes as they prayed, who bent down and lifted him up. They continued to pray, and Ma Ky said "I'm certain that the Lord wants to heal me!" His faith healed him. After one week, his arms and legs were as strong and healthy as before, and he now cycles around, testifying of what Jesus did for him.
Source: Linus Pfister, Hilfsaktion Maertyrerkirche (Help for Church of the Martyrs), Switzerland, e-mail linus.ch@bluewin.ch

This Web version of the DAWN Fridayfax is maintained by the Jesus Fellowship Church (Jesus Army) as a service to the Christian church. Please visit our web pages which feature the e-zine Streetpaper and its special Revival section.