REACH PLANT TRAIN SERVE — SO ALL CAN HEAR

T HI S I S S U E VOLU ME 3 — NU MBER 9

Ur u g u a y: B e a ut y B or n of Br o k e n n e s s Described by so me as a “ missionary graveyard of Latin 4 A m eri c a,” Ur u g u a y i s m o vi n g fr o m d ar k n e s s t o li g ht. B Y K RI S T E L O R TI Z Ur g e nt: Cri si s i n V e n e z u el a A G W M calls for special prayer as Venezuela continues 2 5 t o s e n d o ut mi s si o n ari e s i n t h e mi d st of t h e c o u ntr y’s w or st e c o n o mi c cri si s. B Y D A VI D E L LI S ‘ Pr e p ar e s Di o s A n g D a a n’ Russ Turney, retiring A G W M Asia Pacifc regional 2 6 dir e ct or, l o o k s b a c k o n 3 3 y e ar s i n w orl d mi s si o n s. B Y R U S S T U R N E Y

W a yl ai d: H o w T w o B a n dit s M et C hri st When t wo Togolese robbers captured a missionary at 2 8 gunpoint, they met So meone else along a dark forest road. B Y K RI S T E L O R TI Z

U n s u n g H er o: A u nt E d di e 2 5 Eddie Ogan has been serving missionaries since 3 0 1 9 6 9 — o n e l ett er at a ti m e. B Y A LI C E H O R N E

*For ease of reading, Asse mblies of God and Asse mblies of God World Missions will be 4 shortened to A G and A G W M, respectively, throughout this issue. N E X T I S S U E — Northern Asia: Unreached people groups across Northern Asia have little or n o access t o t he g os pel. Pri ority 31 exists t o pla nt 2 8 co m munities of faith a mong the m. 2 6 — Ukraine: A nation in nee d of church planters. GAYLON WAMPLER

PUBLISHED SEPTE MBER 2017 World Vie w (ISS N 2376-2969) is published monthly. Individual subscription rate for the AG W M EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FR O M THE DIRECTOR United States and U.S. territories – $7.95 per Greg Mundis year; Canada and other international – $14.95 AG W M CO M MUNICATIONS DIRECTOR per year ( U.S. dollars). Bundle subscription If a story is re peate d enough ti mes, peo ple ten d to believe it, whether true A n d y R a at z (6 copies or more to sa me address) – $2.88 AG W M ADVANCE MENT DIRECTOR per copy for one year ( U.S. dollars). ©2017 or not. One narrative I have often hear d is that Latin A merica does not nee d Randy Hurst by Gospel Publishing House, General Council missionaries. Nothing coul d be further fro m the truth! As I was rea ding this of the Asse mblies of God, 1445 N. Boonville AG W M PUBLICATIONS STAFF Hilary Bo w man, Don Burchfield, Ren ée Griffith, Avenue, Springfield, M O 65802-1894, 417-862- issue’s cover story on Uruguay, I found myself praying that God would call Scott Harrup, Mckinzie Hornback, Alice Horne, 2781. Periodicals postage paid at Springfield, Don Jones, Lucas Key, Marc Mc Bride, M o. Pri nt e d i n t h e U S A. another wave of missionaries there. A secular nation with pain searing much of Nikole Mc Elroy, Arianna Metzner, Kristel Ortiz, Ki m P arti n P OS T M AS TE R: Please send address its history needs the Church. As you read the testi monies of Claudia and others, AG W M EXECUTIVE CO M MITTEE changes to World Vie w , 1445 N. let the m be a call to prayer for su pernatural encounters to continue jarring the Gr e g B e g g s, O m ar B eil er, J o A n n B utri n, D a v e Elli s, B o o n vill e Av e n u e, S pri n g fi el d, M O Bob Friesen, Jeff Hartensveld, Rick Johnson, hearts of Uruguayans. K eit h Ki d w ell, R o n M a d d u x, Gil R o dri g u e z, P a ul 6 5 8 0 2- 1 8 9 4 Tre mentozzi As well, please take t o heart Davi d Ellis’s call t o prayer f or the tr ou ble d nati on of Venezuela. Subscription questions? PHOTOGRAPHER If God is speaking to you about a life of missions in Latin A merica, connect with us at worldvie w @ag.org Gaylon Wa mpler Call 1-855-642-2011. a n d w e will g et y o u i n c o nt a ct wit h t h e ri g ht p e o pl e. COVER For editorial infor mation, Gaylon Wa mpler call 417-862-2781 , ext. 1780 A n d y R a at z A G W M Co m munications director

send feedback to 3 0 worldvie w @ag w m.co m BY KRISTEL ORTIZ | PH OTOGRAPHY BY GAYLON WA MPLER

BEAUTY BORN OF BROKENNESS Ur ug ua y

eventeen-year-old Claudia Oggero lay on the roa d, blee ding. S wirling aroun d her, she heard S the voices of neighbors and friends she had kno wn her entire life. “ Who is this person? Does anyone recognize her or kno w where she lives?”

Mo ments before, Claudia had been on her bicycle, peddling do wn the road to work. Suddenly, straight in front of her, was a truck. It sla m med into Claudia, sending her fying fro m her bike and crushing her face.

So meho w, despite the searing pain in her head and d o w n h er s pi n e, Cl a u di a m a n a g e d t o i d e ntif y h er s elf. A n a m b ul a n c e w a s c all e d, b ut i n st e a d of l etti n g h er li e still, well-intentioned neighbors dragged Claudia by her ar ms back to her ho me. There her sister screa med in terror an d her mother broke into hysterical tears.

“ Pl e a s e, j u st l e a v e m e al o n e,” Cl a u di a sl urr e d. “I w a nt t o pr a y.” ➝

4 a g w m. c o m a g w m. c o m 5 BEAUTY BORN OF BROKENNESS Ur ug ua y Cl a u di a b eli e v e d t h e pl e d wit h t h e L or d. pr o mis e. “Father, I kno w You will not e mbarrass your She was rushed to the c hil dr e n. I will w ait f or hospital, where doctors Y o u. ” declared many bones in her back were bro- She went into the k e n. E v e n if s h e w er e t o bathroo m to gently wash u n d er g o m ulti pl e f a ci al her injured face. Bend- reconstruction surgeries, ing to wards the water, Claudia was horrified Montevideo is characterized t h e y t ol d h er, s h e w o ul d by stunning beaches and n e v er b e w h ol e a g ai n. to see clu mps of bat- regal architecture. “ N o, ” Cl a u di a s ai d. “I tered flesh falling fro m will b e h e al e d. ” h er f a c e i nt o t h e si n k. A sensation she describes The next day, despite as “ants rushing through everyone’s protests, her s ki n ” seize d her. S he Cl a u di a w e nt t o s c h o ol, felt her mouth and nose i nte nt o n telli ng every- begin to move and snap. one of God’s pro mise to Terri fi e d, Cl a u di a c o ul d Cl a u di a heal her. So me students n ot bri ng herself t o l o o k openly wept when up at the mirror. they sa w her; others Fi n all y, s h e r ais e d h er W hil e Cl a u di a w as screa med in fear. The eyes t o t he glass. T he r esti n g, al o n e i n h er li br ari a n f ai nt e d. face looking back at roo m, she heard the Claudia returned to her — her face — was voice of Jesus. She had school again the next perfect, precise, w h ole. accepted Hi m as Savior day. Her friend, whose years ago when her fa m- father was a reno wned Doctors had no ex - ily, des perate f or heali ng plastic s urge o n, trie d planation. No broken a n d fi n a n ci al pr o visi o n, t o c o ns ol e h er. “ D o n’t bones could no w be began attending a Pente- worry. My father can found any where in her costal church. operate on you.” body, and her face was perfectly restored. “ Not “Share testi monies “ No thank you,” even the best doctor in a b o ut M e, ” His v oi c e Cl a u di a r e pli e d fir ml y. the world could have s ai d, “ a n d i n t hr e e d a ys, “ My Father will operate done this,” one surgeon I will h e al y o u. ” o n m e. ” sta m mered. “ Not even on a ne wborn child have That afternoon when I s e e n s ki n s o b e a utif ul. s h e g ot h o m e, Cl a u di a Y o ur G o d is r e al. ” ➝

Doct f had no explanation. No broken bones could no w be found any where in her body, and her face was perfectly rest oed.

a g w m. c o m 7 BEAUTY BORN OF BROKENNESS Bl od-Soaked Beauty Ur u g u a y, Cl a u di a’s h o m el a n d, is a b e a utif ul Three hundred years literally tra nslate d, “ Get Ur ug ua y country. Bordered by Argentina and Brazil (see later, when Uruguay o ut if y o u c a n. ” map on page 22), the s mall nation is cro wned by clai med its independence the capital city of Montevideo. The mighty Río de fro m Brazil and Argen- The re maining Char- la Plata meets the Atlantic Ocean along the city’s tina, the Charrúa and rúa wo men and children edge; Montevideo’s beaches, pal m trees, exotic t wo other native tribes, were pressed into slav - L eft Statue of “The Father of Uruguay” flo wers, cacti and occasional Antarctic penguin set the Chaná and Guaraní, er y, a n d b y 1 8 4 0 o nl y 1 8 it apart fro m the world’s capital cities. The beaches had shrunk to a total of of t h e m w er e l eft ali v e. are a source of great pride; special machines clean only about 500 people Today, Uruguay is the and groo m the sand, co mbing it into s wirling pat- because of constant only Latin A merican terns. The city only shines brighter at night, when warfare and the intro - nation kno wn to have Uruguay’s nocturnal culture kicks off with dinners duction of European no indigenous influ- served around 10 p. m. dis e as es. ence or population. José I n t h e hist ori c b e a c hsi d e cit y of C ol o ni a d el O n A pril 1 1, 1 8 3 1, Gervasio Artigas Arnal, Sacra mento, east of the capital, every color see ms Uruguayan President who was posthu mously brighter. Whi msy and beauty mingle at every turn, Fructuoso Rivera gath- na med the Father of whether at the lighthouse, the 18th-century Portu - ered the indigenous peo- Uruguay, was hated dur - g uese f ort, t he a nti q ue ples together under the ing his life (1764-1850) c ars li ni n g c o b bl e d guise of re warding the m and spent more ti me in streets, t he hills dra- f or t h eir ai d i n wi n ni n g e xil e t h a n at h o m e i n m ati c all y o v erl o o ki n g independence. He sup- Ur u g u a y. t h e Rí o d e l a Pl at a, t h e plied heavy a mounts of Marred by bloodshed open-air shops and ca- al c o h ol, a n d o n c e t h e and sin, beautiful Uru- fes, or t he dizzyi ng array native men were drunk, g uay is des perately i n of flo wers and vegeta- ordered every single n e e d of a H e al er. ti o n. one slaughtered by the ➝ Uruguayan ar my. The But Uruguay’s war m, g e n o ci d e is c all e d t h e s a n d y s oil is bl o o d- Massacre of Salsipuedes, s o a k e d. Ori gi n all y p e o pl e d b y a w arli k e tribe called the Charrúa, it was colonized by the Spanish and Portuguese Marred b y bl fdshed a nd si n, in the 1500s. bea utif ul Ur ug ua y is desperately in n od of a Healer.

8 a g w m. c o m a g w m. c o m 9 BEAUTY BORN OF BROKENNESS Ur ug ua y When God Is Re moved “ Modern Uruguay is a melt- i mpossible for God to exist. paste leftover after manufactur- ing pot of European i m migrants ing cocaine, has beco me ra mpant. fr o m n ati o ns li k e It al y, S p ai n, Since the 1980s, Uruguay has The paste is notoriously strong Ger many, Poland and Russia,” been kno wn as the missionary and addictive; one use can po- say veteran A G W M missionaries graveyard of Latin A merica. t e nti all y s cr u b t h e br ai n. A p oll a mong children found that the Bob and Jennifer Frith. “ During “ When God is taken out of a most desired career upon gro w - the last century, many of those c ult ure a n d s ociety, t he res ult is i n g u p is t o b e a dr u g d e al er. i m migrants arrived as political tragic,” states Jennifer. “ When refugees. This means that many we first ca me here in 1991, Uru - Jennifer was knocked do wn of t he statistics regar di ng C hris - guay was co mpletely safe. We did tianity in Europe are mirrored and robbed while standing in not worry if our young daughters t heir fr o nt yar d, a n d t he Frit hs’ in Uruguay. Only 3 to 5 percent stayed out all hours of the night ho me has been burgled more of Uruguayans are evangelical with the church youth group. than once. A G W M missionaries Christians. About 3 percent of Then a young girl was murdered, and church planters Steve and Jill Montevideo’s population attends and the country was so shocked Mc Carthy, who arrived to serve C at h oli c m ass r e g ul arl y, b ut it that the story was front-page Uruguay in 2011, had their front has no measurable effect on their ne ws for three months.” door axed in and their belong- lifestyle. Most Uruguayans pro- ings stolen their very first month I n t h e l ast fi v e or si x y e ars, vi o- fess t o be at heists or ag n ostics. ” in-country. lent cri me in Uruguay has steeply Uruguay — a self-declared risen due to a huge influx of drug “ We k n e w w h o di d it, ” St e v e socialist state — e mbraces secu- activity. T he use of pasta base, a re me mbers. “It was so me neigh- laris m to an extent that distin- b or b o ys, all u n d er t h e a g e of 1 8. g uis hes it fr o m t he rest of Lati n There are fe w repercussions in A m eri c a. Pr ostit uti o n, m arij u a n a, Uruguay for minors who co m mit abortion and sa me-sex marriage cri mes. But God kept pro mpting h a v e all b e e n l e g ali z e d. Ur u g u a y us to forgive the m and to reach has one of the highest suicide out and witness to the m. Al- rates on the continent, with an t h o u g h w e di d n’t al w a ys w a nt t o, extre mely high index of adoles- G o d k e pt c h all e n gi n g us t o d o it. ” c e nt s ui ci d e. T h e di v or c e r at e is esti mated to be 70 percent or F or t he ne xt year, Steve higher. “ Tolerance” and “inclu- continued reaching out to the si vit y ” ar e pri z e d a b o v e all, a n d robbers. He played soccer with African occult religions are seep - the m and gradually earned their i n g i n b y w a y of Br a zil. trust. Many months later, when A po f among children preaching at Uruguay’s Teen E d u c ati o n is als o hi g hl y pri z e d Challenge Center, Steve was ap - fo u nd t hat t he in Uruguay, which boasts literacy proached by a vaguely fa miliar rates equal to those of the United looking young man — one of States. Yet any kind of Christian the robbers. He had accepted most desired car or upon wit n ess is f or bi d d e n i n s c h o ols, J es us a n d e nr oll e d hi ms elf i n and fro m a young age children Teen Challenge to break free of gro wi ng up is to ar e t a u g ht t h at it is s ci e nti fi c all y his dr u g a d di cti o n. ➝ be a dr ug dealer.

Bob and Jennifer Frith

1 0 a g w m. c o m a g w m. c o m 11 BEAUTY BORN OF BROKENNESS

Left Uruguayans who have accepted Jesus often find relief “ That guy stole my the m, to defend and pro- hopelessness are increasingly re - fr o m fear that gri ps their nati on. Botto m Left Abundant Life Ur ug ua y soccer gear, my wife’s t e ct t h e m. All t h at t h e y ceptive to the life, peace and hope church in Montevideo je welry and every pair n e e d, G o d is. ” o nl y f o u n d i n r el ati o ns hi p wit h of shoes I o wned,” Steve Jesus Christ.” says. “ Because of that E ndeav f burglary and others In 1996, the Friths planted Cor- Bob and Jennifer w e’ v e h a d si n c e, it w as don Christian Center in Montevi- easy t o str uggle wit h fear. Frit h believe t hat a dee p deo and served as its pastors for We even wondered if distr ust of orga nize d reli - the next nine years. Although it we misheard God about gion pervades Uruguayan was a tre mendous challenge in its co ming to Uruguay. But society. In a conversa- beginning years, Cordon Christian daily we read Scriptures ti o n, t h e y e x pl ai n, j ust Center is no w one of the strongest that dealt with fear and the mention of being churches in Uruguay. part of a church of any trusting the Lord. He For the past 12 years, they have pastored Abun- brought us peace and deno mination can turn an open, friendly person d a nt Lif e, a c h ur c h t h e y pi o n e er e d i n t h eir li vi n g began to work in our roo m that is no w located in the heart of Montevideo. h e arts. N ot o nl y di d into so meone reserved a n d dist a nt. Due to the extre mely high cost of real estate, Abun - this young man co me to dant Life has al ways met in rented facilities and has k n o w C hrist, b ut w e als o “ Hu manis m and self- moved several ti mes. had an opportunity to sufficiency are nu mber- enter his ho me and share “ We hope to see Abundant Life continue to gro w one proble ms here,” Bob wit h his e ntir e f a mil y. It’s a n d f ul fill its p ur p os e i n r e a c hi n g a n d mi nist eri n g t o says. “So many vie w a mazing ho w God can Uruguayans throughout Montevideo,” Bob says. C hristia nity as a cr utc h use difficult mo ments “ To that end, al most all of our church ministries and a sign of weak- of o ur li v es t o o p e n t h e are focused on evangelis m. Fro m ladies’ teas, door for others to experi - n ess — a l a c k of f ait h i n t o mi nistr y t o c o u pl es, t o c hil dr e n’s ence His love and grace.” oneself. The word church outreaches, to our youth tea ms visit - has a bad connotation. ing parks and plazas, we are co m- “ M o nt e vi d e o is f ull The need in Uruguay is mitted to telling the good of fear a n d i nsec urity, ” great, b ut t he L or d is ne ws of Jesus to all Jennifer concludes. “ But blessing our work and Uruguayans.” ➝ as a r es ult of vi ol e n c e, lives are bei ng tra ns- people are more open for med by the po wer of to ackno wledging their His S pirit. P e o pl e w h o need for God. They want are hurting, afraid and so meone to look out for li vi n g wit h a s e ns e of

“ People who are h urti ng, afraid a nd livi ng wit h a se nse of hopelessness are i ncreasi ngly receptive to the life, peace a nd hope o nl y fou nd i n relatio nship wit h Jes us Christ.” — Bob Frith

1 2 a g w m. c o m a g w m. c o m 1 3 BEAUTY BORN OF BROKENNESS Ur ug ua The Asse mblies of God in Uruguay y and in 2015, the Uru- guayan Asse mblies of has b f n ver y i nvolved i n God Depart ment of Bob and Jennifer have also heavily invested in Missions asked Jennifer sending out Uruguayan literature distribution, delivering over 35,000 packets to develop a School of of eva ngelistic literat ure t o h o mes acr oss t he area. Missions that would missio naries aro u nd t he w old. Bob co mposed each piece hi mself, to suit the unique meet the need to educate spiritual needs in Uruguay, and the printing was paid and pro mote missions in for by the Mississippi (the Friths’ ho me A G district) t h e l o c al c h ur c h, as w ell Light for the Lost. In 2016, they distributed 5,000 as provide preparation packets. Though response to the literature varies, for those who are called so me re markable salvations have co me about because t o missi o n ar y s er vi c e i n of it, i n cl u di n g a c ol o n el i n t h e Ur u g u a y a n air f or c e, other lands. who after a miraculous healing shared his ne wfound “ This challenge has faith with over 600 men serving under hi m. been extre mely re ward- “ We are very thankful for the doors of ministry ing!” she says. “I a m the Lord has opened for us to further the work of working with several the Asse mblies of God in Uruguay,” Jennifer says. Uruguayans in the devel - “Several years ago, the credentialed ministers in the op ment of this school, Montevideo District of the Uruguayan Asse mblies of and we currently have God elected Bob as their presbyter. He was elected as over 100 people who are a mi nist eri al p e er, n ot b e c a us e of his b ei n g a mis - e nr oll e d. I b eli e v e t his is sionary. This has given hi m a sphere of influence that an opportunity the Lord was not sought nor expected. The Lord is using hi m has given to expand to minister to pastors and churches in our district our scope of ministry and giving hi m the opportunity to bless the national to countries where we work in tre mendous ways. One of Bob’s desires is to could never go, but nurture and enable a ne w generation of Uruguayan where Uruguayans are pastors and leaders.” going and having fruitful mi nistr y. ” ➝ The Asse mblies of God in Uruguay has been very involved in sending out Uruguayan missionaries around the world. Ho wever, the first missionaries had no access to training or preparation. A tre mendous interest concerning missions continued to develop,

Left Pastor Eduardo Morales leads a thriving congregation in a notoriously unsafe part of Montevideo.

a g w m. c o m 1 5 BEAUTY BORN OF BROKENNESS Ur ug ua y

a g w m. c o m 1 7 L eft t o Ri g ht Steve an d Jill visit BEAUTY BORN OF BROKENNESS churches across Uruguay to minister a n d t e a c h. Ur ug ua y

There are 124 A G churches in Uruguay, wit h 4 5 m fe ch urches i n f o matio n.

Steve and Jill Mc Car- What happens then? We they’d had for over coaches (and the occa- thy, who are a part of the must preserve and perpet - 20 years. Our associa- si o n al girlfri e n d or wif e). national leadership tea m uate the incredible work tion with the m gave us for Uruguay’s church that has been done here. cr e di bilit y a n d h el p e d us “ Uruguayans have to planting move ment, share We need ne w people with build a trust with Uru- kno w they can trust you,” the Friths’ concern for and t he c all of G o d t o c o me t o guayan believers that Steve e mphasizes. “ Af- involve ment in the Uru- Latin A merica, to co me to would other wise never ter learning that we are guayan church’s increasing Ur u g u a y. ” have been possible. They C hristi a ns, t he y as k a l ot i nterest i n missi o ns. als o g a v e us s oli d l o n g- of questions and watch The Mc Carthys were ter m financial advice and us i nte ntl y t o see if o ur “ Uruguayan mission- both in their 20s when advice about ho w to help lives measure up. It can be aries are bei n g c alle d t o they arrived in 2011. De- our t wo sons gro w up very hard to make friends here, but once granted p arts of Asi a, t he Mi d dle s pite t heir age, Steve a n d with a sense of belonging East, and North Africa access t o t heir circle, Jill c a me t o Ur u g u a y as and anchoring a mid our w here it’s m ore dif fic ult Uruguayans are the fully appointed missionar- missi o n ar y lif est yl e. ” for anyone with a North ies rather than as mission- m ost l o y al frie n ds A merican passport to ary associates. Even with T o d a y St e v e a n d Jill you could ever go,” Steve says. “ Latin that endorse ment, they train and mentor ne w h o pe f or. ” ➝ A merica truly is beco ming intentionally sought out church planters, traveling a sending continent. Ho w- veteran missionaries to fro m church to church ever, the work here is not serve as their mentors. around the country. To d o ne. I n j ust fi ve ye ars, 5 0 date, there are 124 A G percent of A G W M mis- “ They were terrific,” churches in Uruguay, si o n aries i n L ati n A meric a Steve says. “ They in- with 45 more “churches will be retire me nt a ge. troduced us to contacts in for mation” — fledg- ling churches that do not yet meet the require- ments for General Coun - cil af fili ati o n ( h a vi n g more than 20 me mbers, for exa mple).

St e v e is als o i n v ol v e d in sports evangelis m (an exciting outreach tool due to Uruguayans’ pas- si o nate l ove f or s occer) and takes part in men’s groups attended by Steve and Jill Mc Carthy fa mily many soccer players and

1 8 a g w m. c o m a g w m. c o m 1 9 BEAUTY BORN OF BROKENNESS

but we kno w God can break that stronghold. We be- Ur ug ua y lieve good things are in store for Uruguay, and we’ve already begun to see it happen.”

F a c e d wit h s pirit u al o p pr essi o n, vi ol e n c e, l o n eli n ess and more, missionaries and national leaders in Uru- guay need the prayers of fello w believers. Pablo Garcia and Claudia Oggero are t wo such leaders who recog- nize the vital i mportance of prayer support.

Claudia’s story did not end with the miraculous h e ali n g of h er f a c e at a g e 1 7. S h e w e nt o n t o Bi bl e school, where she experienced more of God’s pro- p h eti c a n d mir a c ul o us w or k i n h er lif e. S h e m et a n d married Pablo ( maiden na mes are retained in Uru - Where Light and guay), and together they pastor a s mall A G church — the Center of Faith — which meets in a ce ment Dar k ness Clash b uil di n g o n a s m all, s cr uff y pl ot of l a n d. Uruguay’s extraor - He is t he God whose light is drivi ng dinary natural beauty “ Little by little we are restoring our property and is marred by violence, our church is gro wing,” Claudia says, “but fro m the insecurity and wide- very day we ca me here, we bac k t he dar k ness. He is t he God spread disbelief, but God could see the clash bet ween is at w or k i n t h e n ati o n. light and darkness.” Y O U R M O V E > > > Against a backdrop Directly acr oss t he street The miraculous story of who is bri ngi ng bea ut y fro m of s pirit ual dar k ness, fro m the tiny church, a re- Cl a u di a’s h e ali n g pr o vi d e s His w or ks s hi n e all t h e cently opened meeting hall perfect i magery for our brighter and co me as a can be rented for banquets pr a y er f or s pirit u al h e ali n g Ur ug ua y’s bl fdstai ned beaches. breat h of fres h, vi bra nt and public events. “ That in Uruguay. There is deep air in an other wise suf- brokenness and lostness party st ore is a fr o nt f or focating environ ment. wit hi n t hi s p h y si c all y the largest drug ring in our b e a utif ul n ati o n, a n d “ T h er e is a s pirit u al ar e a, ” Cl a u di a e x pl ai ns. nothing can heal that h e a vi n ess h er e, ” Jill s a ys. brokenness but God. Yet, she and Pablo con - “ At ti m es, it f e els li k e ti n u e i n t h eir mi nistr y, u n- w e’r e tr yi n g t o s wi m • Praise God for the afraid. The God who co m- against the current. Even a mazing missions work pl et el y a n d mir a c ul o usl y believers and leaders H e i s m a ki n g p o s si bl e h e al e d h er is t h e G o d struggle with depression, and for the churches who protects the m, their that are reaching out ho me and their church. to co m munities across H e is t h e G o d w h o c all e d Ur u g u a y. and sustains the Friths • Faithfully interce de and the Mc Carthys, and for the nee ds that w h o will c all a n d s ust ai n characterize the country. m or e li k e t h e m. H e is t h e T h er e i s still s o m u c h G o d w h os e li g ht is dri vi n g more God wants to back the darkness. He is acco mplish in Uruguay. t h e G o d w h o is bri n gi n g • Explore ho w you can beauty fro m Uruguay’s connect with A G W M bloodstained beaches. He missionaries your church is the God whose blood supports. Let us kno w at c o v ers all. worldvie w @ag w m.co m h o w G o d i s gi vi n g y o u a Kri st el Orti z heart f or the l ost, whether A G W M C o m m u ni c ati o n s writ er i n y o ur c o m m u nit y, i n Uruguay, or in another n ati o n.

2 0 a g w m. c o m To vie w more photography of Uruguay, go to ag w m.co m/ wvphotos. a g w m. c o m 21 MAP & STATS

U R U G U A Y AND Uruguayans are, or are descended fro m, AT A GLANCE E ur o p e a n i m mi gr a nts, m a ny of w h o m CHRISTI A NITY arriv e d i n-c o u ntry as p olitic al r ef u g e es.

- C o nsi d er e d o n e of t h e le ast r eli gio us L ati n Bella Unión A merican countries and has no official Ur ug ua y r eli gio n. - Separation of church and state has been Ri v er a of fi cial p olicy si n c e t h e 2 0t h c e nt ur y, a n d S alt o religious holidays have been rena med. M A J O R E V E N T S T h e o nl y L ati n A m eri c a n n ati o n F or ex a m ple, H oly W e e k is r ef err e d t o as kno wn to have no indigenous “Touris m Week,” and Christ mas Day is i n fl u e nc e or p o p ulatio n; A m eri n dia ns r ef err e d t o as “ F a mily D ay.” 1 5 0 0 s: M el o ar e pr actic ally n o n exist e nt. La go Arti ficial de - H as o n e of t h e hi g h est s uici d e r at es of L ati n Colonized by the Spanish and Rincón de Bonete Portuguese. A merican countries. STATS - 2 percent of Uruguayans regularly attend Treinta y Tres 1 7 2 6 Fray Bentos C at h olic m ass. Montevideo established as a Spanish - 3-5 percent of Uruguayans are evangelical milit ar y str o n g h ol d. P OPULATI ON: 3, 4 5 7, 0 0 0 ( 2 0 1 7) Christians; most Uruguayans profess 1 8 21 OFFICI AL N A ME: ORIENTAL REPUBLIC OF URUGUAY at h eis m or a g n osticis m. Colonia del S a n J o s é Declared independence fro m Argentina Sacra mento d e M a y o - The Uruguay Asse mblies of God has 124 C A PI T A L: MONTEVIDEO R o c h a a n d Br azil. churches and 45 churches in for mation. E T H NI CI T Y: S a n C arl o s URUGUAY 1 8 2 8 W HI T E (88 PERCENT), M E S TI Z O (8 PERCENT), B L A C K (4 PERCENT) Chaná and Guaraní tribes shrunk to 500 MONTEVIDEO people due to constant warfare and LI T E R A C Y: 98 PERCENT introduction of European diseases.

1 8 31 N e arl y h alf t h e c o u ntry’s p o p ulatio n M ass a cr e of S alsi p u e d es ( g e n o ci d e of all liv es i n a n d ar o u n d t h e c a pit al city of Montevideo. Charrúa males) VENEZUELA O n e of Ur u g u a y’s m ost A T L A N TI C OCEAN hist oric cities is cr o w n e d by a n 1 8 4 0 COLOMBIA GUYANA 1 8t h-c e nt ury Port u g u es e f ort. Only 18 indigenous Charrúa wo men and c hil dr e n l eft aliv e. ECUADOR 1 9 8 5 BRAZIL Milit ar y dict at ors hi p e n ds. PERU

U R U G U A Y FI R S T S BOLIVIA P A CI FI C OCEAN - Fir st t o l e g aliz e m arij u a n a tr a d e. CHILE PARAGUAY URUGUAY - Fir st t o pr o vi d e e v er y st u d e nt wit h a fr e e l a pt o p a n d fr e e Wi- Fi.

ARGENTINA A T L A N TI C U R U G U A Y O N L Y S OCEAN

- O nly c o u ntr y t o k e e p tr a c k of 1 0 0 p er c e nt of its c attl e. - O nly L ati n A m eric a n c o u ntr y wit h n o indigenous population. - O nly Oly m pic g ol d m e d als w er e w o n i n 1 9 2 4 a n d 1 9 2 8 (s o c c er/f o ot b all).

2 2 a g w m. c o m Regional social media updates

For daily updates, follo w “ Asse mblies FIELD N OTES of God World Missions” on Facebook.

AFRICA “ We are cele brating the co m pletion of the first year of the Africa’s Ho pe ‘Living the Truth’ disci pleshi p curriculu m in Kenyar wan da (heart language of R wanda). We so appreciate the partnership with the R wanda A G and with missionaries David and Rhonda Cra mer! Seven years of translated materials under way and years 2 and 3 to be co mpleted this year.” — John Easter, Strategic Lea der for Training A SI A P A CI FI C “ We’ve had several short-ter m tea ms over the last fe w months minister at Happy H ori z o n s C hil dr e n’s R a n c h,” s a y A G W M mi s si o n ari e s J o h n a n d K elli Willif or d. “It’s a mazing to see ho w the Lord uses each person in a unique way.” Pray for tea ms scheduled to minister at H H C R the rest of the year, and learn more about other URGENT! short-ter m missions opportunities at Wide Open Missions.org C R I S I S I N EURASIA K at ar a g a m a is a vill a g e i n t h e “ d e e p s o ut h” of Sri L a n k a, w h er e B u d d his m i s str o n g e st. It is h er e t h at m a n y B u d d hist a n d d ar k rit u als ar e p erf or m e d, fr o m VENEZUELA bl e s si n g s t o c ur s e s. T o d a y, pr a y f or K at ar a g a m a, w hi c h h a s v er y littl e g o s p el a c - c e s s, a n d pr a y G o d w o ul d s e n d Sri L a n k a n b eli e v er s t o liv e i n t h e ar e a, s h ari n g In the wake of govern ment instability, a devastated econo my t h e g o o d n e w s. “ T h e p e o pl e livi n g i n d ar k n e s s h a v e s e e n a gr e at li g ht; o n t h o s e livi n g i n t h e l a n d of t h e s h a d o w of d e at h a li g ht h a s d a w n e d.” ( M att h e w 4: 1 6) (partly due to the falling price of oil), and deep shortages of — Pray4 SriLanka initiative essentials durin g the past several years, s ocial unrest in Venezuela h a s r e m ai n e d at d a n g er o u s l e v el s. T h e n ati o n i s i n t ur m oil. EUROPE Our A G W M Venezuela missionary tea m, after taking all available Pray for a church revitalization project in Wales coordinated by A G W M mis - precautions within the country, finally ha d to be with dra wn. This is sionaries Ryan and Angela Mc Cullough and the A G church in Bridgend. “ Revital- a last resort for A G W M lea dershi p, an d is al ways heart breaking for izing churches that need to change in order to move for ward isn’t easy work, but all the missionaries involve d. They are praying that Go d will soon it’s a bsolutely nee de d here in Wales,” the Mc Culloughs say. “It’s pro ba bly the o pen d o ors f or their return, an d I ask y ou t o pray with the m f or that greatest nee d we can think of in this country. There just are not enough workers, mir a cl e. pastors, or lea ders to han dle the a mount of churches that are struggling to stay ali v e a n d o p e n. ” Venezuelans of all social strata are desperate during this hu manitarian crisis. Those left behind face chronic scarcities of INTERNATI ONAL MINISTRIES f o o d a n d m e di ci n e, s pir ali n g m ur d er r at e s, g all o pi n g i n fl ati o n, a n d Steve and Linda Long, A G W M missionaries serving with Global University, declining personal free do ms. Venezuela nee ds faithful intercessors. re port that more than 7,000 peo ple gave their lives to Christ through the As well, please pray strategically that 180,000 Asse mblies of ministry of Global students in the first three months of 2017. “ We no w have recorded since 1970, 2,349,707 reported conversions through the ministry God believers and nearly 1,500 A G churches in Venezuela would of Glo bal University,” the Longs note. be lights for the gos pel an d sources of rene we d ho pe. The national Asse mblies of God continues to respond to desperate spiritual LATIN A MERICA CARRIBBEAN and physical needs. We have been able to send in pallets of food a n d ot h er r eli ef s u p pli e s. Randy and Linda Lindsey report a gro wing receptivity to the gospel a mong the deaf in Mexico. Deaf attendees at the deaf church the Lindseys planted in Mexico The Venezuela A G continues to be a light not only in their City regularly acce pt Jesus as Savior. “ Mexico has 11 other cities with po pulations nation but in the worl d. Des pite all har dshi ps, so me 83 Venezuelan o v er 1 milli o n,” t h e Li n d s e y s s a y. “ T h e d e af i n t h o s e citi e s ar e still w aiti n g t o ‘ h e ar’ missionaries are supported by their national church and are h o w they can receive eternal life.” ministering overseas.

N ORTHERN ASIA Venezuela needs a po werful touch fro m God!

The Buriat people can be found in China’s Inner Mongolia, where the na - D a vi d Elli s tions of China, Russia and Mongolia meet. Because they are geographically A G W M Latin A merica Caribbean regional director isolated, they have long been prevented fro m hearing the message of Christ. Pray for o pen doors into this region!

2 4 a g w m. c o m a g w m. c o m 2 5 “ Yo u C hristi a ns are differe nt In 2012, I wrote my ‘ Pr e p ar es Di os dissertation, Leave a Leg - acy: Increasing Mission- fr o m w h at we t h o u g ht C hristi a ns ary Longevity. I believe a key to preserving a heart were li ke.” for missions is to recog- With Asia’s Little Ones, Convoy of Hope and gen - nize G o d’s fait hf ul ness erous donors, A G W M helped put 30,000 students A n g D a a n’ in preparing His harvest. back in school, supplying teachers with materials It is God who makes and students with shoes and clothes. We helped rebuild 70 buildings — not just churches, but co m- possible church plants, munity buildings and even a police station. The t wo- co mpassion ministry and By R uss Tur ney year relief effort brought wonderful results. Musli ms Scri pt ure distri b uti o n, said to us, “ You Christians are different fro m what who helps us overco me we thought Christians were like.” every obstacle as we spend ourselves for Hi m. When Typhoon Haiyan brought the highest loss of God opened doors across those lif e i n P hili p pi n e hist or y ( at l e ast 6, 3 0 0 di e d i n t h at We are thankful that islands. When follo wers of Christ go 2013 stor m), we responded with organized relief o ur o w n f a mil y’s missi o n - i n o b e di e n c e t o His l e a di n g, G o d is and co mpassion ministry. We rebuilt about 100 ary and ministry legacy already at work on the other side. churches in the hardest-hit region. Those churches continues. Our three “Prepares Dios ang daan,” a Tagalog doubled, tripled and even quadrupled in attendance c hil dr e n ar e i n f ull-ti m e s a yi n g a m o n g P hili p pi n e b eli e v ers, is as people sa w the co mpassion of Christ in action. Kingdo m service. Mark best translated as “ God prepares the and Victoria Turney con- w a y. ” Disasters are n ot t he o nly catalyst f or G o d’s tinue 25 years of ministry work. A G W M missionaries Ty and Cina Silva were We partnered with evangelistic in Africa; Nathan and dir e ct ors of y o ut h mi nistri es i n t h e P hili p pi n es as Lisa Turney have served tea ms in re mote areas planting we were returning to the U.S. In the late 1990s, the 20 years with A G W M churches. Often, a medical tea m Philippine education syste m allo wed us to put Scrip - a n d dir e ct Asi a’s Littl e ministered with us. Over the years, tures in schools. The Silvas headed up a Book of Ones; Rebekah and Da - gr e w u p o n a Miss o uri f ar m, those outreaches resulted in 10 Hope distribution to 25,000 students at Pasig High church plants and other satellite School, the nation’s largest high school. Eventu- vid Crosby have pio- q ui c kl y i nt er n ali zi n g t h e Bi bl e’s vi vi d neered and continue to all usi o ns t o s pirit ual harvest. Patsy groups. We witnessed miracles; Belo w Russ and Patsy Turney all y, 8 milli o n P hili p pi n e st u d e nts r e c ei v e d S cri pt ur e people were healed. portions. Explosive church gro wth lead a church in Pennsyl- and I married in 1966 and pastored vania that sa w hundreds t wo Missouri churches for 10 years. resulted as young people began to At every turn, Patsy and I were pray t o acce pt C hrist t his Our first harvests were local. But God evangelize not only their schools but re minded we had gone at the right past Easter. had a plan that would take us to the their co m munities. That ministry ti me and God had prepared people Iother side of the world. model was reproduced in Thailand, God faithfully prepared and the harvest. That truth beca me Japan and other nations. the way for Patsy and me In 1978 I was elected youth direc- clearer in 1998 as we returned to the throughout our ministry. tor for the Southern Missouri Dis- United States and I began serving as It has been our privilege to work trict. Patsy and I led nu mbers of AI M Asia Pacific regional director. God with a wonderful group of area direc - We k n o w H e will c o n - tea ms on short-ter m missions trips. did a mazing things across the region, tors, ministry leaders, great mission- ti n u e t o d o s o i n t h e y e ars The Lord spoke to us about full-ti me es p e ci all y d uri n g cris es. aries and exceptional leaders within that re main for us, and missions through a popular song of A G W M. We see the day co ming when t h at H e will c o nti n u e t o that era, “ Go.” “ Go in the na me of Jeff Hartensveld is the ne wly ap- the Church is planted a mong the un- bless A G W M’s wonderful Jesus,” went the chorus. “ Go and pointed A G W M Asia Pacific re- reached and the gospel has i mpacted Asia Pacific tea m. take the good ne ws …” The word gi o nal direct or. Previ o usly Jeff a n d those who have not yet heard. Liz were strategic church planting “go” gripped us. We applied for mis- “Prepares Dios ang daan!” “ God Russ Turney missi o n ari es i n I n d o n esi a. O n e of A G W M Asia Pacific regional sionary service in 1983. The next year prepares the way!” He does so as we my many ti mes with Jeff occurred in director — 1998 to 2 017 w e w er e i n t h e P hili p pi n es. step for ward in sacrificial obedience. early 2005 in the Aceh Province. A Our Asia Pacific missionary tea m lives massive tsuna mi had killed about a out the truth of Isaiah 58:10. We are { God prepares the way.} q u art er- milli o n p e o pl e i n 1 4 I n di a n co m mitted to “spending ourselves” Ocean nations. for the cause of Christ.

2 6 a g w m. c o m a g w m. c o m 2 7 On a dark, wooded stretch of road bet ween the central African nations of Chad and northern Ca meroon, John Walada kne w he was in trouble when ... t wo men carrying rifles stepped out of t h e s h a d o ws i n fr o nt of his c ar.

John Walada, a graduate of the West Jes us. Sile nce reig ne d i n t he car as t he Africa Advanced School of Theology in me n re a d. Lo mé, Togo, and a Togolese missionary to Chad, was on his way ho me fro m “ Have you heard of the man Jesus?” three weeks of teaching at a Bible school John asked. in Ca meroon when the roadside bandits One bandit had heard the na me a WAYL AI D: H O W T W O B A N DITS MET C HRIST accosted hi m. handful of ti mes; the other never had. W A Y L AI D: H O W T W O B A N DI T S M E T C H RI S T As he t o o k i n t he sce nari o i n fr o nt of Boldly, John began telling the men about his car, John’s mind raced through pos- Jesus Christ — Savior of the world and W A Y L AI D: H O W T W O B A N DI T S M E T C H RI S T sible escape plans. Should he step on the f or gi ver of all si ns. “ D o y o u w a nt hi m gas and try to s werve around the t wo to be your Savior?” he asked. gun men? The faces of his wife and t wo I m mediately the man beside John children played before his eyes. Would responded, “I want to kno w this Jesus he make it ho me to see the m again? you have talked about.” The man in the backseat confessed that he wanted to Then John’s fear began to subside. k n o w Jes us as well. God i mpressed on hi m that he was to speak to the men. He obediently John stopped the car and all three brought the vehicle to a stop and rolled men cli mbed out. The repentant cri mi - do wn his windo w. T wo angry, hate- n als k nelt i n t he mi d dle of t he r o a d, filled faces lo wered the mselves to John’s and John put his hands on the m as they le vel a n d l oc ke d e yes wit h hi m. prayed together. The men gave their he arts t o C hrist, a n d t he u nli kel y tri o “ Take us to the next to wn,” one of then resu med their journey. the men gro wled. He flung open the car ... BY KRISTEL ORTIZ door and took the seat beside John. The As they approached the next village, other bandit cli mbed into the backseat. John gave the men directions to the lo- AS TOLD BY MARY BALLENGER Both men sat poised, clutching their cal church and the na me of its pastor. we a p o ns. Today, both of the for mer bandits John glanced bet ween the road and continue to serve Jesus Christ, who Kri st el Orti z his rearvie w mirror, watching the man through His bold servant John Walada, A G W M sitti n g directl y be hi n d hi m. He h a n de d waylaid the m and ranso med their hearts Co m munications each of his hijackers s mall tracts about on that dark road one night. writ er

2 8 a g w m. c o m a g w m. c o m 2 9 UNSUNG HERO

T A K E A M I S S I O N S LETTERS T R I P E V E R Y F R O M H O M E MONTH. “ Give a year, pray about a o wn. Unable to finance the proj- lif eti m e” has been put into ac- e ct, E d di e w a s l eft wit h n o c h oi c e tion by partici pants at four Worl d but t o st o p writin g, an d she crie d Missions Su m mits, gatherings f or a w e e k. Writi n g t o mi s si o n ari e s of mi s si o n s- mi n d e d c oll e g e a n d w a s h er mi ni str y gift, a n d s h e f elt university stu dents jointly s pon - she was reneging on God. sored by Asse mblies of God Missionaries missed Aunt Ed - W orl d Mi s si o n s a n d C hi Al p h a di e’s i n s pir ati o n al l ett er s, a n d (see the January 2017 WorldVie w ). one by one questioned the ne w T h e sl o g a n i s r el ati v el y n e w, b ut it s Calvary Te mple pastor about heart extends back for decades. t h eir a b s e n c e. H e di d n’t h a v e a n Eddie Ogan ans wered that call 56 ans wer because he ca me when years ago at a Wo men’s Mission- the ne w secretary did and was ary Council retreat at North west una ware of the change. As soon College (no w North west Univer - a s h e h e ar d of t h e o mi s si o n, t h e sit y) i n Kir kl a n d, W a s hi n gt o n. letter- writin g ministry was rein- Aunt Eddie and Phil Ogan Fro m 1961 to 1979, Eddie sent stated, and Aunt Eddie was back letters t o the missi onaries her at her ty pe writer. With ne w frien d church, Calvary Te mple in Auburn, and ministry partner Diana Matney Washington, supported. About Br oyles, the missi onary letters eight ti mes each year she shared resu med in 1987 and continued her life thr ou gh the written w or d u ntil M ar c h of t hi s y e ar, w h e n A u nt an d wrote out her prayers for Eddie felt God had released her missionaries aroun d the worl d, fr o m t hi s a m a zi n g mi ni str y. signing her letters “ Aunt E d die.” W h at A u nt E d di e di d n’t k n o w On her manual type writer she pre - was ho w her monthly letters pared a stencil which the church bl e s s e d A G W M st aff a s w ell. F or pri nt e d a n d m ail e d o n h er b e h alf. years, hundreds of e mployees When the acco m modating were regularly ins pire d by the as - church secretary retire d, her prag- tonishing consistency of a praying matic replace ment instructed Aunt wo man in northeast Washington. E d di e t o t a k e t h e l ett er t o a l o c al Ali c e H or n e pri nt er a n d d o t h e m aili n g o n h er A G W M Co m munications

N E X T I S S U E WORLDVIE W MAGAZINE — Northern Asia: Unreached people groups across Northern Asia Subscribe online at AGWM.COM/WORLDVIEW have little or n o access t o t he g os pel. Pri ority 31 exists t o pla nt To order or for more infor mation C ALL 1.855.642.2 011 co m munities of faith a mong the m. Visit the w orl d’s re m ote c orners, — Ukraine: A nation in nee d of church planters. meet peo ple livin g far fro m INDIVIDUAL ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTI ONS beaten paths, and discover the send feedback to 12 issues maile d directly to your h o me: $7. 95 worldvie w @ag w m.co m passion of Jesus Christ to save BULK ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTI ONS every one of the m. (6 or more copies per month): 24 cents per copy 3 0 a g w m. c o m Pr a y f or “ Uru guay, with a co m pletely secular, agnostic worldvie w in ter ms of governance and culture, creates Ur ug ua y an environ ment rife with s piritual o p pression. Our missionaries stru g gle against that at mosphere, and when they share the gospel they often encounter a va guely tolerant, self- satisfied response in which people do not recognize their need for God at all — ‘If C hristia nity w orks f or y o u, t hat’s great.’” D a vi d Elli s AG W M Latin A merica Caribbean re gional director

P R A Y T H A T:

• Hearts close d to the c o n c e pt of n e e di n g a Savi or will s ofte n, mi n d s e d u c at e d fr o m the earliest a ges that G o d d oes n ot exist will open, and souls long distracte d by earthly t hi n g s will gr o w hungry for God. • Missi onaries an d l ocal believers carryin g out G o d’ s c all o n t h eir lives will be protecte d p h y si c all y a n d e m oti o n all y. • Mi s si o n ari e s a n d b eli e v er s will di s c er n str at e gi c w a y s t o r e a c h t h eir co m munities.

A s s e m bli e s of G o d W orl d Mi s si o n s @ a g w orl d mi s si o n s a g w orl d mi s si o n s a g w m. c o m