DAWN Fridayfax 2003 #30

Brazil

The three phases of Native Indian mission

We received the following report about the progress of the Gospel among Brazil's Native Indian population from DIPM's Harri and Elisabeth Litz (Deutsche Indianer Pionier Mission - German Indian Pionier Mission):

1: Foreign missionaries bring the Gospel

The first significant outreach with lasting fruit was in 1913 among the Terena people in Southern Mato Grosso, where missionaries from the South American Indian Mission made contact with Terena Indians in the area around Aquidauana. Indians came to faith in Christ, and many churches were planted in the region. The UNIEDAS denomination and the Agua Azul Bible School were formed from this movement. In 1928, American Presbyterians came to the Dourados area, starting the Evangelical Cauia Mission, a hospital, schools and several churches. The numbers of Terena have tripled through the influence of the missions.

2: Brazilian missionaries join

A new phase began in the 1960's, when the DIPM began working in Brazil: the nation's Evangelical churches were motivated to send out and support Brazilian missionaries. Despite external difficulties and opposition, the Brazilian Church started sending out its own missionaries, if only timidly at first. Many Indian tribes were reached with the Gospel, and new churches were planted.

3: Partnership between Christian Indians, Brazilians and foreigners

In the 1990's, Native Indian pastors and Christian leaders joined forces in COMPLEI, an organisation for Indian missionaries, pastors and leaders, with the aim of reaching Brazil's 130 then unreached Indian tribes with the Gospel.

Ajoreus Indians: used to kill missionaries, now send them out

During a conference of around a dozen mission agencies some two months ago, the seven American missionaries killed by the Nambiquara Indians in 1929 and the five missionaries killed by Bolivia's Ajoreus Indians were remembered. The tide has turned: young Ajoreus are now being trained as missionaries in a Bible School.

New Indian Churches being planted

At the founding of the New Tribe Mission Brazil 50 years ago, eighty percent of the staff were foreigners, and only twenty percent nationals. Today, the number of staff has grown to 500, and the proportions are exactly the opposite. In recent years, the MNTB mission alone has planted 102 new Indian churches.
Source: DIPM 04/03, fax (+49)- 7122-1899; web site: http://www.dipm.de

Albania

Evangelistic cooperation shows fruit

Eugen Begu, General Secretary of the Albanian Evangelical Alliance, reports: "We are in the midst of an exciting time of evangelisation, in which the Evangelical Alliance (VUSh), Luis Palau Ministries and local churches in fifteen towns are cooperating. Almost all local churches are working in unity to reach the people in their area with the Gospel. Over a period of ten days, we have one hundred evangelistic events planned, targeting specific social groups such as youth, politicians, business people, Gipsies, prison inmates, disabled, police officers, soldiers etc. Around ninety politicians attended one evangelistic dinner, including a prior head of the Albanian Parliament, many Party leaders, intellectuals and young politicians; twenty of them indicated their desire to follow Jesus Christ from now on. An outreach to Gipsies was held in a run-down area, with a very good response."
Source: Eugen Begu, vush-generalsecretary@aep.org.al; http://www.vush.org ; tel. (+355)-(0)6920-91233

England

How do you reach a zero crime rate...

... in one of England's most run-down neighbourhoods, and that during a period of ten days? You bring 1,000 young Christians to the area!" That was the summary given by a Manchester Police officer of the Soul Survivor outreach to crime-plagued Swinton Valley in Greater Manchester. The Christian youths tidied up three hundred gardens, collected over 200 tons of refuse and renovated a public hall and a park. Eighteen months later, the youth crime rate had dropped by almost half, so that even the British Home Secretary Jack Straw travelled to Manchester to present the Police with a medal. Soul Survivor is planning a
similar outreach in London in August 2004. Source: Compass, Summer 2003; Information about Soul Survivor is available at http://www.soulsurvivor.com

Colombia

Motorised 'Jesus' doesn't have to pay

When 'Jesus' came on a motorbike, he was almost fined for riding without a helmet. A motorbike rider, clothed as Jesus, was on his way to play Biblical scenes in the Maria Goretti church's Easter celebration in Cartagena. 'Jesus' was supposed to travel on a donkey, according to the Priest Aristobulu Duque, but the donkey had been stolen the previous night, so he decided to use a motorbike. "You may be Jesus, but you must wear a helmet on a motorbike," said the policeman trying to fine him. "I don't feel good about it, but I have to punish you." Eye-witnesses report that bystanders started booing when they realised what was happening. "Can't you see that he is 'Jesus'?" the Priest asked. "In Jesus' day, there were no such things as motorbike helmets, so how can he wear one?" The policeman agreed, and 'Jesus' escaped the fine.
Source: http://www.ananova.com

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