Warnln : Not readin this ro ect could serlousl dama e our heal h Baptist Theological RECEIV ' D i nary Library ague 3' 0 -08- 1999 ublic ONTENTS features

10 The BMS millennium starts here! Is Geoff Bland a party-pooper?

Important dates in Brazil 14 When time stands still Delyth Wyn Davies discovers African time 18 Four new years in 365 days? Getting in step with the Nepali calendar

regulars

A new series about emerging church leaders 20 Our Town Featuring Lisbon 26 Volunteers and Action Teams Where's Wigtown? ask an Action Team 28 People, Projects, Prayer Latest news and updates

credits

General Director Alistair Brown Managing Editor Richard Wells Editor Jan Kendall Regular Contributors Alistair Brown, Owen Clark, Steve Flashman, Sam Gibson, Jan Kendall, Dik Lapine, Vinoth Ramachandra Design Editors Sarah Prentice, Carolyn Tabor Director for Missionaries David Kerrigan (for enquiries about service) Printed by Halcyon Print & Design, Heathfield, East Sussex Subscriptions for 1999 mh and BMS Prayer Guida are published as a complete package, £6.60 through church mh distribut~rs, £9.30 by direct mail (incp &p). Six issues of mh plus three of BMS Prayer Guide. Overseas £19.20 The views and opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the BMS. Address PO Box 49, 129 Broadway, Didcot, Oxon, OX11 8XA Telephone 01235 517700 Fax 01235 517601 Web site (until mid Sept) www.rpc.ox.ac.uk/bms/index.htm Web site (from mid Sept) www.bms.org.uk E-mail Editorial: [email protected] E-mail Other departments: [email protected] Registered charity no 233782

COVER PICTURE MONTAGE BY SARAH PRENTICE CONTENTS PAGE PICTURE CHURCH AT UPOTO IN THE SUNSET

© Copyright 1999 Baptist Missionary Society ISSN 0264-1372 . m/J (Missionary Herald) The magazine of the Baptist Missionary Society Publications

mh september 1 october 1999 3 ...... w.o.rld .:..n .e.w.s.

CD Q. -· Tme -it either flies by or hangs r+ heavy. If you're engrossed in something requiring an attention 0 to detail or having fun, then it 0)' swiftly passes; if you're bored, restless, lonely or ill, then it can drag. We try hard to give coverage to a wide range of issues and subjects in mh 0 are unable to walk because of over the year. Some will, by their very birth defects or accidents; CD wheelchairs and other such nature, be more upfront mission- Q. related topics; others will serve as aids are not available because r+ background material for developing of a lack of funding. our understanding and broadening 0 The Anastasis, one of YWAM's Mercy Ships fleet, horizons of mission work and 0)' missionary activities. had just completed a three With millennium fever gripping the month outreach in Guinea, UK, we thought we would take a West Africa. The ship's slightly more oblique look at a topic 0 carpenter,Juris Zvaigne, was this time - that of time, and the so touched by the people's CD plight that he turned to his importance different nations and Q. people groups assign to it. And as for -· workbench, to make recycled us living at the dawn of a new r+ 'shoes.' "Nobody cared about millennium - we discovered a lot of 0 them," said Zvaigne, a former people for whom the passing from 31 ' tailor from Latvia, "and as a December 1999 to 1 January 2000 0) result they have even lost will be just another night to be interest in doing struggled through. There will be no something for special significance attached to it; no 0 themselves." YWAM The wooden sense of history; no special occasion (D to celebrate. blocks are (And by the way, if you are going to be Q, individually tailored to doing something unusual that's F9" mission-related, on the threshold of 0 requirements. the new century, do write and let us Zvaigne took some old deck beams, padded them with know. We'd love to feature you and Q)' your activity on our World Mission rubber formerly used for Link page.) packing electronic As a bonus you'll find our Christmas equipment and added rubber catalogue in the centre of this 0 soles made from plumbing Guinea materials. They are then magazine. There are new ranges of CD goods together with old favourites, strapped to their hands using Q. Disabled get a leather strap. Once worn and we hope you will buy gifts and -· cards for family and friends. Every r+ shoes recycled they help protect against cuts item purchased is helping the work of 0 and infection. BMS, making Jesus known. ' from ships Each pair took up to five Hope you feel reading this mh is time 0) hours to complete as Zvaigne well spent! worked in his spare time. A forgotten community of The new aids were presented With best wishes 0 disabled people now have a when Mercy Ship workers permanent reminder of the visited the community to (D care shown to them by make friends and tell people Q, members of a visiting about Christ. "I felt it was an = • F9" hospital ship. The important opportunity to 0 community of Solidarity was bring hope - to show these J~ set up outside Conakry by people that somebody does ' the government some years care about them," said Q) ago. The people living there Zvaigne. (YWAM News)

4 september j october 1999 mh world .. news ......

Brazil Brazil's Catholic bishops have decided to ask forgiveness for its part in nearly four centuries of slavery, at next year's commemoration of the :::J 500th anniversary of the first European landing in Brazil. An estimated four million slaves were transported from Africa to Brazil between the implications of early 1500s and 1888 when Brazil officially Christianity and CD abolished slavery. Priests not only accepted consider how ~ slavery, but sometimes even kept slaves. (LAP) Christianity is -..,-..rni.\•• relevant in China. Q Italy The speakers were A modern ecumenical translation of Luke's gospel all Chinese in seven languages - Italian, German, English, Christian leaders Spanish, French,Japanese and Arabic - has been from all over the printed by the United Bible Societies. It is ,.,.....a.,,:.;:'--....-...... :-"-'--~...... ~....L.1..i...c-__;;,.JJ.___ __. world. One of available free of charge in hotels in Rome. The them, Dr David Aikman, President of the Federation of Protestant former Beijing bureau chief Churches in Italy said 'holy theft' should not only China/United for Time Magazine, :::J be tolerated, but encouraged. (nev) commenting on 'China 99' States said it gave scholars an IT Guatemala "opportunity to learn as ~ Proposals by the Guatemalan coffee producers to Chinese leaders much as possible about how CD eliminate a minimum wage for their farm workers the Christian faith can ~ have been rejected by the General Guatemalan learn about change the lives, not just of Workers central who say it will lead to individuals, but of entire 0 exploitation of workers. It is claimed the Christ nations." He commented, "I minimum wage of US $2.75 per day is the have always said that Chinese workers only guarantee of a steady income. The Hundreds of Chinese leaders students and scholars in the National Coffee Association has suggested paying who are studying in the US are the single most employees on a per unit basis instead of a daily United States have attended strategic missionary target wage, maintaining it will increase productivity. a conference in San Diego, group in the world." (LAP) California in which they The Chinese students stayed Jordan learnt about the basic beliefs with American host families, :::J of Christianity. and were able to visit local Jordan Evangelical Theological Seminary QETS) The conference, 'China 99' tourist attractions. American rr has now received all approvals to purchase eight was run by Dr Tom Phillips, Christians also attended - ~ acres of land in Amman, according to a report President of International there was an English from president lmad Shehadeh. The procedure Students Inc (ISI), a 45 year­ interpretation available - and (D involved approvals from Jordanian intelligence old organisation of Christian sought to make­ ~ and government officials for land ownership. volunteers who want to have one-to-one "This is full recognition ofJETS and all it stands friendships with international friendships with 0 for," said Shehadeh. "God has indeed blessed students at US colleges. Chinese JETS in its unique presence and ministry in the They help students learn - in :::J Middle East." (EBPS) Mandarin - more about CD Kenya culture and, if ~ Joseph Misha, vice moderator of the Baptist (f) they are Convention of Kenya has said, "There are interested, also 400,000 baptised members in 2,100 churches about basic and 400 preaching points. We have tried to reach Christian every place, every village and every one of our 42 beliefs. IT tribes."(BWA) Conference ~ (D .__ __. ~ ______ASSIST COMMUNICATIONS

mh september ! october 1999 5 ...... world .. .news

centre in the world - problems or concerns, and designed to reach out to the we have an opportunity to millions in cyberspace. come alongside and befriend Other Christian groups and them. I heard of one retired organisations have previously man who led several people used the World Wide Web to to Christ in just a few months present the gospel, typically by going on-line. through 'seeker sensitive' "Linking the cyber­ sites that draw curious evangelists in a team is browsers to them. important. A lot of Christians Allan Carrington, the shy away from the Internet project's team leader said, "I because of the negative way it am talking about being more is used for things like proactive and going out into pornography. Christians Russia the cyberspace community, need to be able to support much like we do when we and encourage one another - Bible still a rare send teams out to preach and much as we would if we sent talk with people on the a team to do ministry in the book street; I know some red light district of some city. individual Christians are But as new communities and "The Holy Bible is still a doing it, but I am not aware cultures are formed in rare book in Russia," of any organisation that is." cyberspace we have to be Yekaterina Geneva, director Carrington, a former printing there among them, as general of Moscow's Library Zakharov, is the main and publishing businessman Christians. Young people for Foreign Literature told sponsor of the project. He has over the past few years especially are rejecting the those present at a launch of a said that Russian helped develop the use of the traditional infrastructures like project to supply 46,000 businessmen were prepared web by YWAM, and now has the Church and turning to Russian Bibles to provincial to support such 'loss-making' linked with others in the Internet. One futurist has and prison libraries. projects at a time when the Australia and the United said that in the new Although there are over country was beset with States. Members of the team millennium young people 150,000 local libraries in economic troubles. The 'meet' together daily on-line will be looking for their Russia, she explained, only a brightest of them to swap updates and prayer spiritual answers on the fraction of them even have a understood, he said, that no requests before 'going out' to Web." CYWAM - single copy of the Bible. successful economic share their faith in chat http://www.unity.net.au/cywam Fr Georgi Chistyakov, development was possible rooms, forums and networks. (YWAMNews) member of the editorial without honest and "It's a very small start," said board of Russian emigre conscientious people: "You Carrington, "but the newspaper Russkaya Mysl, can't build anything worthy possibilities for ministry are confirmed that there was a and beautiful on a rubbish enormous. The Internet great demand for Russian heap," he added. (Keston News Bibles in the provinces, and added that the distribution of Bibles in minority languages of the Russian Federation was also required. Fr Australia Aleksandr Borisov commented that although Cyber­ community is translations existed in growing all the time, languages such as Mari, evangelists and in many ways it Moldovian and Yakut, these is a whole new had been prepared by the unite for 'virtual mission field that Stockholm Bible Translation has opened up to Institute and had yet to be outreach' us. paid for. "Many people out The President of the A small group of'wired' there on the Web Moscow lnterprovincial Christians have established are looking for Currency Stock what is believed to be the answers; they may Exchange,Aleksandr first 'virtual' missionary have personal

6 september j october 1999 mh Alistair Brown

sanction. Georgia Rallies were held on 28 and 29 May; on the second day Police break up the pastor and his wife were asked to go to the Gldani evangelistic police station, where they meeting were asked to give a complete list of the names of Georgian police have been people in their congregation. accused of breaking up a They refused to give the list, series of evangelical rallies and after two hours were held in the Gldani district of allowed to leave. They were the capital Tbilisi by the not forbidden to meet Pentecostal Madli publicly but were asked for Evangelical Church. the volume on the sound Rallies held at the end of system to be reduced. May on a Tbilisi housing On the next night their estate were interrupted, and meeting was again the pastor and congregation interrupted, first of all by the assaulted and verbally police officers, and later by the Assistant Police Chief I prefer prettier pictures than those which surround these lJ words. They're outside and inside photos of the infectious Ekizashvili who stormed diseases unit at Vlora hospital, Albania. When I was there in into the meeting and forcibly 1997 conditions were grim - broken windows, fungus infested removed the microphone walls, poorly equipped wards. Staff were making the best of a from Pastor Tkeshelashvili near-impossible situation. as he was speaking. He Things are changing. With help from a special gift, BMS is insulted him and his wife, transforming the building so that it's clean , bright and better saying, "Go away from this equipped. The 'after' pictures should be wonderful compared place, I will kill you all!" to these 'before' shots. But much about Albania isn't changing yet. Systems are weak, resources are few, people are desperately poor. It's the most impoverished nation in Europe. That's made it hard for Albanians to watch the lavish outpouring of gifts and aid on the Kosovan refugees, and the vast amount of help being given to rebuild their land. Yes, they need aid, but many Kosovans are better off than most Albanians. And the Albanians aren 't getting anything like the same help. Through BMS many have been helping Kosovans . We'll keep doing so. But we won 't forget neighbouring Albania. God's love doesn 't come in blitzes. It goes on and on. Our love must be like that too. •

Alistair Brown is General Director of BMS

abused by the Gldani police. The church had informed self-control; struck the the police of the events pastor's wife and pushed a the pastor. One member was 11 other members of the before the rallies took place. 60-year old woman to the thrown to the ground, congregation; and to track The pastor Zaali ground. This entire episode kicked in the head and face, down and remove the Tkeshelashvili commented, was recorded on video and leaving him with three loose videotape documenting their "They didn't ban them, and in photographs. teeth; another was hit in the violence against the told us they could go Soon after the Police Chief face and choked; qthers, congregation ahead." He believes the Tamaz Davitashvili arrived. including the pastor, were The group went into hiding Gldani police themselves Together with the other beaten. for several days, and took the initiative in seeking officers he attacked Immediately after this the eventually left Gldani with to stop the rallies and attack congregational members police sought to arrest the help of some American participants, without official who were trying to protect Pastor Tkeshelashvili, and friends. (Keston News Service)

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cemented things are much cleaner, drier and nicer to j_C._ live in," said Trevor Edgeworth, the programme overseer. "We had the opportunity to share the gospel with many people through this project," he added. "Because they knew we were Christian social workers who were India trying to help improve their lives, people would often ask Slum questions about their situation and we were able to improvements share with them, pray for open door for them and demonstrate how for War Victims we could bring about some ''The Renamo guerrillas came at 6.00am this morning," says change." Salida, a nurse at Chicuque Rural Methodist Hospital, gospel Since they began work in the Mozambique. "The next six hours I will never forget. My 25- area, staff have started a year-old nephew was attacked. They cut his neck from his body Missionary workers in church and established a in front of me. I fled and came to this hospital. I had to have Madras have helped Sunday school programme courage. My faith kept me alive." hundreds of families escape that caters for over 1,000 Her faith and that of the other nurses at Chicuque Hospital also flooding and sickness by children every Sunday. They kept many others alive. Throughout the civil war that tore Mozambique apart until the peace of 1992, they had to deal laying concrete floors in are also involved in literacy with endless war-related injuries. And in the few years following their cramped, one-room training, medical care and a the war, the hospital's admissions were dominated by people homes. day care programme. hurt by landmines. Although the homes in this More recently they have While those injuries have now fallen sharply, the nurses are still part of the city, where about started a savings service that overloaded with work, as Chicuque Hospital is a regional 12,000 people live, have involves over 200 women medical centre. Home-related accidents are numerous, such as brick walls, tiled roofs and from the area. "We opened it burns caused by domestic fires, and the hospital staff are electricity, the mud floors because there are local taking an increasingly educational role in the community. became soaked during the money lenders who charge Nurses at Bollobhur Hospital in Bangladesh face similar monsoon season. high interest which the problems. "Please pray for seven-year-old Rubel, who was The missionaries arranged people cannot pay back. severely burned after the towel that he wore around his waist caught fire," says Gillian Rose, a UK missionary with the for the floors to be raised They are then in financial Church of Bangladesh. "Burns are a huge problem in the dry and bricked, and the walls bondage for years, and and dusty land, where it is impossible to keep anything clean. plastered to further reduce sometimes even end-up As with most other patients, Rubel was not brought here damp. Residents were asked having to give their immediately after the accident. He arrived with all manner of to make a small contribution possessions to the money strange concoctions smeared all over him; and already to the $20 per home cost, lender to get out of debt." In infected. It will take months for him to heal." with the work carried out by this programme participants Please pray for these nurses and send your card, offering a local mason who had pay 30p each week to small encouragement to: become a Christian. groups, whose members Thomas Sengo or to: Bollobhur Hospital "The places are far more decide where the money Escola Biblica Likumbe PO Kedargoni livable-in now. Because the should be loaned. So far PO Box 142 Dt Mehepur Maxixe-lnhambane area is next to a lake it would recipients have used the Bangladesh Mozambique often flood or moisture money to start local would seep in. Now that the businesses to help support BMS, Baptist Union, Christians Aware, Church of Scotland, Methodist Church, United Reformed Church.e floors and walls are their families. (YWAM News)

8 sep t em b er j october 1999 Finished school and got her State to further training. Should she look OWEN CLARK diploma! At 28. instead to marry and raise a family? CONTINUES HIS Honorine had left her village at the age She prayed that God would either of nine to join an older sister in open the way to go back to school, or SERIES ON PRESENT Kinshasa. At Lisala church she attend­ provide a husband. At a seminar at AND FUTURE ed a class which led to her baptism at K.impese the answer came and, back in CHURCH LEADER­ 12. Eager to learn, she joined every Kinshasa, she opted for school. course, seminar or retreat she could, ot easy - four years in school uni­ SHIP IN THE and grew. In time she took her turn to form with younger girls, submitting to DEMOCRATIC help others to grow - led Bible the discipline, fending off male teach­ REPUBLIC OF Studies, trained in literacy work, ers - but she was heading somewhere. taught women to read and went to Friends provided the means, and she CONGO (FORMERLY Bolobo with a team to train other peo­ did the work - year by hard won year, ZAIRE) ple. In house groups and women's until the State exams. No wonder she meetings, she learnt to preach and shrieked when she saw her name in t last the July 1998 State Exam under the Kinshasa regional evange­ the list. results were coming out. Now list, she faithfully served a struggling There's still a hard road ahead. She April 1999, it had been a long cause at Mikonga, beyond the airport, wants to prepare to better serve Christ wait. The morning the leading, preaching, visiting homes and and her country by studying Pedagogy list was published, orgamsmg. Theology, Mission and Development­ HonorineA hurried to the nearest By 1994, now 23, Honorine was a the biggest obstacle the cost. Honorine newspaper stand. Breathless, she mature, active Christian and a valuable believes, however, that God loves her peered over a shoulder. Was her name church worker. Yet she felt at a cross­ and has guided her steps to this point. there? Suddenly it leapt into focus. roads. Having abandoned secondary Also, that her fu ture is safe in his Matuzele Honorine! With a shriek, she school in her fourth year for lack of hands.• turned and fled. She'd made it! financial support, she couldn't go on Owen Clark is a church worker with BMS in DRC year do most Thais have an extended break lasting several days, and both of these occasions are New Year holidays. t999 In the past the Thai calendar began on April 13 and VE still today this Songkran festival is celebrated as the

T most important Thai holiday and is widely referred to as the Thai New Year. All work places close for three days of national holiday and migrant workers in the cities return in huge numbers on an annual visit to their home villages. They are unlikely to reach home dry, as one of the hallmarks of the holiday is the liberal throwing of water in joyful anticipation of the coming of the rainy season. With the arrival of the rain the rice will again be planted and the annual 7 cycle of harvest can begin once again. Though Thais continue to number the years ---- according to the Buddhist era, since 2484 (ie 1941) --- the official New Year's Day has been January 1, in order for the year itself to be in line with the western calendar. This is a practical necessity with a tangible 4 benefit - a second New Year holiday! So while - - Christmas is a normal working day that passes by largely unnoticed, both December 31 and January 1 - - are public holidays here. There is in fact a third New Year celebration in Thailand, recognised by the large Chinese community. This falls some time in February, and 1 though it is not a public or bank holiday, most of the - - Chinese-owned shops and businesses close for several days. As the Chinese community is - responsible for over 90 per cent of Bangkok's commercial activity, the city once again becomes a shadow of its normal self. There are just three times

. 's Bir - 5 H,M. The K,ng . Substitution for . - u· 'c R11 \ µ rilf Th J) ,.. I 11 0 .,i ____, , in the year when Bangkok is quite a pleasant - 254~ !3 place to drive around - and on all three ' I occasions it's because it is New Year! meaningful eh But the lack of millennium fever is not only due any new cent allengeth at com w ury. WJ:i es at th to following a different calendar. Even if the e couJd and . at are the d" e start of calendar was the same, it is unlikely that the during th should be makj _Ifferences that millennium idea would generate the same very sad ·re next hundred "' ng In our World I We o 1 /ears,> It excitement here. There is, in fact, no Thai question b Ver ooked that . Would be e • . ecause of more m Jo word for millennium. Look up the word XCitJng but shall preoccupati . anageable 'decade' or 'century' in an English/Thai So, personan s ow_millennium ; With the dictionary and you will find a single Thai word by being in / 'feaking, I don' . ea. with the identical meaning. But with the word f largely passing'h:~~nd millenniu:u:.::d a_t all that 'millennium' the dictionary must resort to barty-pooper if ou Y_ unnoticed. can er IS - explaining that this refers to a period of one ecember 31 I dy like, but wh . me a thousand years, for the Thai language manages on It· b eing th on 't Want to fi en It c 0 mes to ..J 7 quite well without a particular word for this shall as aJ¾c e start ofa new ~cus primarily look ba k ays Welcome th millennium I . period of time. c on th e opp . And really that makes a lot of sense. Despite all and to look h e Past Year with ~rtunity to the hype and 'fever', a millennium is a pretty dedication ta ead to the new t anksgiving 'l irrelevant concept for all practical purposes. A an addition:J God. And this :ear with fresh - century is a much more manageable chunk of to look b k very special fl y ar there will b 4 ac ove h actor I . e 1: time for us to look back over with celebration and look ahead r t e century th ;h Wi]J be able !4 and look ahead to with anticipation. A century to beo-in T'b to the new c . a as passed o· · at's entunr h -- someone h more than -/ t at is abo - allows for three generations, the usual range of w O ex enough fi ut relationships in human families, but even the - Years and ten. • Peets to last about threeor ,,_.____ _ 5 most devoted students of their family trees have score no sense of family continuity over a thousand Geoff Bland . D ISa8M5,.,; . years. • uan"'ok n_,. uuSSJon11,,, . • ''611 , "ldlland - , inro/red in the . l r1 The anticipation of another millennium might J_ . o/oK/Cal education in make a great excuse for a party but could itself - cause us to overlook the more obvious and j I , - - tfday • 29 30 I I , _.. mh september I octcber 1999 11 the te

computers and programs that only used two digits for the year are probably all gone now. Brazilians upgrade at a frenetic rate; for example, the Income Tax department accepted returns on floppy disks last year and via the Internet as well this year. There's also another problem that no one is talking about: year 2000 viruses. JOHN FURMAGE on 22 April 2000 if that day is also the The virus Chernobyl, which hit on the TALKS ABOUT SOME date of the end of the world. anniversary of the disaster this year, is The paranoia about the Millennium expected back via the Internet to IMPORTANT DATES IN Bug seems to have overshadowed most destroy most modern computers minds BRAZIL of the prophets of the end of the world and force you to buy a new in 2000. A number of dates for the motherboard. My nephew got it last month, but was fortunate; he only lost t is rather weird that here in Brazil "Was Chernobyl the contents of his hard drive. Was there does not seem to be too much Chernobyl a trial run for the end of the excitement or even interest about a trial run for the world 2000 scenario? Ifl was a betting the turn of the century. The date to man I would put money on it. No watch here is 22 April 2000, and it end of the world wonder no one is talking about it: it is Iis to this date that we have nightly just too horrendous to contemplate, countdowns on TV and elsewhere. On 2000 scenario?'' rather like the end of the world itself, that day in the year 1500, Pedro Alves except that this one will make a lot of Cabral made the first European landing second coming people a lot of money in increased in Brazil, so the country is celebrating of Christ are being offered by various sales. 500 years since its discovery. Cabral Christian groups. 'INRI Cristo' our Having said that, some folks thought had set out from Portugal with 13 resident incarnation in Curitiba seems that the end had come injanuary when ships, 1,200 men and eight Franciscan to be silent, but since he is already here, the long-awaited currency crash finally monks in the hope of reaching India. perhaps a suggestion on the end of the came. Over a few days the real plunged They landed near Salvador, Brazil's world might be more appropriate. The to less than half its value against the first capital. In such a tropical paradise Y2K bug, from all the hype, is the dollar. All sorts ofhighjinks and they boasted that God was a Brazilian, apocalyptic agent to watch. One might rumours helped it spiral out of control although such confidence has wavered expect that Brazil will be badly affected to such an extent that now it is slowly recently. However if they are right, and as banks, etc, computerised long before coming back to where it will probably God is a Brazilian, then perhaps their British counterparts, but as they stabilise at about 40 per cent of a everything could come together nicely upgrade very rapidly here those devaluation or

12 september 1 october 1999 mh of time time... - .. who's... counting? ......

1. 7 to the dollar. Inflation, which was at British levels, jumped to about 3.61 per cent a month in February, and has oddly enough, fallen to -0.32 per cent in May. Government projections are that it will be around six per cent on the year. You can believe that if you like! But there are other things happening traditional at this time. The Brazilian Baptist mass evangelistic Convention is finishing a ten year crusades with programme with a simultaneous American evangelists; at evangelistic campaign in 1999 using least one of whom comes free if the slogan Jesus Christ is the Only you will write it up in the Baptist Hope.' It could not happen in 2000. Weekly. To the small churches in the That will be an election year and they interior, like Dois Vizinhois, struggling just could not afford advertising space for survival, it is all rather irrelevant. with all the politicians vying to Our churches do not have the money, announce their plans. Even the free so we are concentrating on well-tried space obtained by painting road side programmes. It is a delight to see in the rocks will be at a premium. In a south west of Parana a new so the Baptists here will have to wait previous campaign in the 60s, a concentration of testimonies of until 2003 to celebrate 100 years of candidate whose name was Jesus authentic Christian living, teaching of Baptist work in the state. I'm supposed Christ - I kid you not - went round the living word of God and fervent, to be organising that celebration in this painting his ballot sheet number believing prayer. There is a hunger for neck of the woods! under all the propaganda; I often the Word here for the first time, and the Which date will turn out to be the most wonder ifhe was elected. The Lord is adding to the church. However, important? We will have to wait and campaign has all sorts of targets like any lack of enthusiasm for the national see.e 6,000 new churches, which at the campaign in Parana state may be moment seem unlikely to be reached. because the first Baptist church in The major cities plan, or have had, Parana started on 7 September 1903, John Furmage is a church worker with the BMS in Brazil ..

mh september j october 1999 13 ...... time ... - ... who '.s ...counting? when 1me■ stand DELYTH WYN DAVIES RECALLS nee upon a time - I was sent to courtesy call. It was the Sunday school were 1,200 in the congregation , though what is now the Democratic director who is also a pastor. He had I did not need a head count to tell me Republic of Congo for an come to escort me to the Sunday school how clammy my hands were! Here awareness visit. I had been which was to start at 7 .30am. When we people have time for each other, to warned that the concept of time arrived, the classroom was full of shake hands with everyone or to visit a 0there was entirely different to that I was children aged between two and 18. grave and spend time with those who used to, but experiencing it for myself After Sunday school finished and are grieving. We, in our fast moving brought quite a few surprises. Here are only four hours after waking up, it was Western world, are the ones who are some extracts from my diary record: now time for breakfast! Then I had to slow to appreciate how precious time Upoto - Sunday, 3 November. wait for the call to go to the main can be. Boy, do they get up early here! At worship service. The church bell had After a brief break to wash our hands 4.30am I could hear a choir singing and been ringing since 8.30am and arriving and have a cup of tea at home I it was still dark. It must be the keen at the church I saw a boy standing on returned to the church for the ones having a prayer meeting I thought the back pew pulling the rope for the communion part of the service. The to myself. Then to my amazement I bell. A choir was singing and we had a atmosphere was entirely different at heard a church bell at 4.45am and again time of informal singing until the service communion with everyone in a solemn at ten minutes intervals. Suddenly there started at 9.35am. and quiet manner. Some time was spent were many voices to be heard in the What a service - it lasted four hours in the act of receiving four members vicinity. People were obviously up and and the communion part was still to who had been excommunicated and about at this early hour and judging by come! I was amazed that I had not even following some thoughts on the parable the noise level, were even being very noticed so much time had gone by. of the lost sheep, the four were asked to sociable. During the first part we had five choirs kneel whilst the pastor prayed. The I'd been lying awake in my bed for taking their turn to sing and it seemed brief glimpse of him holding each one some time and as I was so intrigued by that each choir had been determined to by hand and helping to lift them to their all the activity, I decided to get up and share a song that was longer than its feet was a most powerful demonstration watch what was going on. As day was predecessor! We then saw two babies of God's love and reconciliation and dawning the fishermen were already in dedicated, and visitors from other will remain with me for a lifetime. their pirogues gliding gracefully on the churches welcomed before the sermon. Lunch was served at 3.30pm and the river and many people and children Between each of these items a choir rest of the day, what was left of it, was were carrying things on their heads would share a song. Then the fun free for relaxation. Having rested for a around the village. Within a few started with the collection. As in the while I went out to watch the sunset minutes a group of men had gathered usual tradition each person was to come over the river. This was the first on the steps which lead into the church forward and place their gift in a basket opportunity that I had to watch the very and I could hear singing and then a at the front, guests first, then the quick sunset that they have so near the man speaking. It was only around children, then the men who were all equator. Soon it was dark and the sky 6.00am and two meetings of some kind sitting on the left hand side and lastly seemed so vast, stretching endlessly in had already taken place! the women who were on the right hand all directions and full of bright stars. The first visitor of the day arrived side. This was done to the sound of This was a time to savour and an soon after I had washed and changed. lively African singing. Everyone was opportunity to be grateful for the This was an experience that occurred dancing and waving their arms and privilege of spending time in a quite often and one which I found although it probably took an hour to land where time often really hard to understand. Who wants happen, it was thoroughly enjoyable. stands still. e to entertain visitors before you've had Finally at 1.30pm the service finished time to wake up properly or have your and I was taken to the door to shake Delyth Wyn Davies is BMS breakfast? hands with everyone leaving the Co-ordinator for North illd West Here in Upoto my visitor was on a church. I discovered later that there Wales

14 septem ber j oc to b er 1999 mh ...t.im.e. ....-= ... w.h.o.~.s..... c..oun.t.i.n.g? ..

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Above: Upoto Cluch lliglrt: et.eh choir Far right Cluch offering Below: Sunday School

15 ...... t.im.e ... =.. w..ho.~s .. c.ou.n.ting? evangelism tile n w enn1u

TONY CUPIT LOOKS leadership in this? Certainly whatever is over the globe to bring our worship, love done must be with humility and an and praise to the Christ whose incarnation AT EVANGELISM IN acknowledgement of how the Church is the reason for the millennial celebrations THE NEW MILLENN IU M has so often failed Christ and his and whose death and resurrection people. But with all the theological, continues to offer hope to a needy world as he 20th century is racing to a chronological and emotional hesitation the new era begins. • close and a new century is soon we may have about the event, it is our to begin. That in itself is good news to be shared with people Tony Cupit is the Director of Evangelism and Education for momentous, but when coupled everywhere. To leave the celebration to the Baptist Wor1d Alliance with the start of a millennium, it the non-Christian world would be to Tis big news. abrogate our responsibility as followers (REPRINT ED FROM 'THE D EED' WITH The arrival of a new millennium is ofJ esus Christ. It is hoped and PERMISSION) too big an occasion to ignore. The anticipated that BWA member bodies secular world will squeeze every will want to celebrate two millennia of possible marketing and publicity ounce the Christian era and be in the vanguard FOOTNOTE: The Baptist Union of Great a,411-!itt from it. Politicians are beginning to of acknowledging that a new century/ Britain, Baptist Union of Scotland and position themselves for the fleeting millennium recognises the birth of a Baptist Union of Wa/,es are all members glory of being in office at this significant Saviour 2,000 years ago. ln general of the Baptist World Alliance. The moment in history. Travel companies terms the BWA will be marking the end Baptist World Alliance is a fellowship of will arrange for the affluent to see the and beginning of a millennium in three 188 Baptist unions and conventions first touch of sunlight as a millennial ways: comprising a membership of about 4 2 dawn touches the Pacific sky. New million baptised believers. music to mark the transition will 1 Encouraging member bodies to engage emerge, poems will be composed, in their own celebrations either at a point entertainers will vie for prominence, as in time or over a period that straddles monstrous concerts will be staged these anniversary events. before huge audiences. Some of this will be positive and wholesome, much of it 2 At a suitable time all BWA member will not. Indeed, the occasion offers the bodies will be invited to be involved in a possibility of a huge Bacchanalian orgy major evangelistic effort that is relevant to of drunkenness, promiscuity and the circumstances of the country where the violence from a world whose ideas of union or convention is placed. The BWA's celebration are too often marked by Division of Evangelism and Education is hedonism and licence. seeking to bring leadership to this. How should the Christian Church react? What will we Baptists do to .'3 A Baptist world congress will convene in mark the moment? Should the Baptist Melbourne, Australia in January 2000, a World Alliance (BWA) take some very appropriate time for Baptists from all

16 sep tember [ october 1999 mh Above & left: All Africa Baptist leaders

A very famous chicken hit the headlines in the early 1800s when it laid an egg with the date 1809 printed on it! The owner, fortune teller Mary Bateman, persuaded a lot of people that this was a clear prediction of doomsday. Apparently the chicken had laid a whole series of eggs with various predictions printed on them and people were paying a lot of money to get their personalised egg message! H wasn't until someone interrupted Ms Bateman stuffing an egg up the rear end of this unfortunate chicken, that the fraud was exposed! More recently Edgar Whisenaunt wrote a best selling book entitled, "88 Reasons Why the Rapture is in 1988". Not many people bought the sequel! And Marilyn Agee, a so-called 'expert' on Bible prophecy posted her prediction on the internet with the words, "We are running out of time to get right with God!" Her predicted date for the rapture - 31 May 1998. Alongside all the talk about "doomsday", the advance of scientific discovery is unstoppable. Wrth the impending advent of nanotechnology, where tiny computers can store one million trillion bytes of memory in one cubic millimetre and plans being made to land men on Mars, you would think that the millennium world would also bring advances in the areas of justice, peace and equality. The reality is that in the last 30 years the economic gap between rich and poor countries has doubled; wars in the last ten years have resuHed in more children that soldiers being killed and Above: Latin American leaders disabled; and the £2.S billion that the British spend on clothes every Below: All Africa Baptist leaders Right BWA poster three months would more than pay off Africa's entire debt to Britain! The millions of underprivileged people in the Developing World are not concerned about how they will celebrate the millennium - most probably don't even know what the date is. And who cares anyway when your prime concern is how to feed your children today. Their lives hang in the balance in the precarious world in which they live, like a perpetual doomsday of epic proportions threatening to enguH everything around them. The Christian Church has spread all over the planet and just like the billions of little lights that are picked up by satellite pictures of earth wherever there are people living, the light that we are called to bring must shine. We have a tremendous opportunity as we approach the millennium to draw attention to the Jesus who said, "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come."•

Steve Aashman is a Baptist ninister and International Director of Soapbox Expeditions • • mh se pte mb e r I o c tobe r J 999 17 • he Himalayan mountain in November. kingdom of Nepal is either four "it is possible to However, the two most commonly and three quarter, or five and used systems are the standard three quarter hours ahead of the celebrate at least Gregorian calendar, as used in Britain UK, depending on the status of f r new ye rs and many other countries, and the TBritish Summer Time. Nepal has no Vikram Sambat calendar. The top of a seasonal time adjustment, and most in any stretch of Nepali newspaper usually carries both Nepalis react with astonishment and dates: as I write, the Kathmandu Post disbelief to hear that every single clock 365 days" declares it to be May 26, 1999, and in Britain is adjusted by an hour embarrassed visitor discovers the cause Jestha 12, 2056. forwards, and then by an hour of their unintended impunctuality. What then is the fuss about a new backwards at special days each year. But as millennium fever sweeps the millennium, when Nepal celebrated it, When you stop to think about it, it is planet, there is more time variation in in mid-April, 56 years ago! The Vikram quite a social achievement for the UK! Nepal than just those measured by Sambat (VS) calendar originates from Meanwhile, Nepal, sandwiched clocks. As you fly into Kathmandu, you the date of the coronation of between its two powerful neighbours, may be told the local time, but the flight KingVikramaditya of Madhya Pradesh India and China,jealoui,ly guards its attendant will probably not have in India, who was reputedly responsible distinct identity, by having a unique enough time to explain the date. for a revival in Hinduism. As a Hindu time zone. Nepal has a number of different kingdom, Nepal has retained the VS Being a quarter of an hour ahead of calendars and it is possible to celebrate calendar, in contrast to its almost total India, it is quite common to see visitors at least four new years in any stretch of decline in the more diverse states of who have come to Nepal from there, 365 days. Some Nepali communities India. arrive for appointments 15 minutes late. recognise the Chinese New Year in In some ways the calendar is familiar With the somewhat more relaxed February, while the Newars, the to western eyes, having twelve months attitude to schedules in this part of dominant ethnic group of the each with around 30 days, but the old Asia, it can be several days before the Kathmandu Valley, mark their new year adage of - 30 days hath September -

18 september 1 o ctober 1999 mh ti.m.e... =.. .w.h .o.'..s.. ...c. .o.u.n.tin.g.?......

Left: UMN Headquarters

has no counterpart in Nepali, as the The dates for 205 7 will not be known an hour, twice a year?! number of days in each month varies until lJanuary or February 2000, so if Why then, you may ask, does Nepal from year to year. So Jestha this year you want to plan a year ahead using the not get in step with the rest of the , and last year had 31 days, but in 2054 VS calendar, you won't know the exact world? Is it such a big issue to be out of and 2053 it had 32 days! Consider dates for another eight or nine months! step - the rest of the world is not as yourself fortunate if the only complexity Some departments of the United well-defined as we often think. Culture in your year is whether February has 28 Mission to Nepal (UMN) design and in Nepal is different from culture in or 29 days - and that with a well publish calendars or diaries, in both Birmingham, Boston and Baghdad,just defined rule. There are no easy rules for Gregorian and VS formats, and often as culture in those three cities varies the VS months which vary from 29 to have to pay a fee to receive the dates one from the other. 32 days with no predetermined pattern. sufficiently in advance to meet printing Which is the standard for the others As an added complication, most schedules. to follow? Certainly, those of us who are months have two different names, so In UMN, as in many other Christians would recognise Jesus Christ Jestha is also known as Jet. organisations in Nepal, both calendars as the standard to fo]Jow in many areas The VS calendar is set by a group of are used. Staff are paid on the last day oflife, whatever our cultural Hindu astrologers who confer and of the VS month, corresponding background. At other define it around various 'auspicious' roughly to the middle of the Gregorian times, however, it may events. This includes setting the dates month and, for similar reasons, the be sufficient to for the large number of Hindu festivals, UMN financial year runs from mid-July recognise, appreciate many of which depend on the position to mid-July. All of which means that the and even revel in of the moon. However, these dates are precise dates for paydays and even such cultural differences, only announced a few months before a key event as the end of the financial without trying to the start of the new VS year, which can year, are not clearly defined until make others step - in make forward planning a trifle difficult. between three and 15 months in time - with us. • Take, for example, the next year 2057 advance. So, is that more complicated David Mclellan was fonnerly UMN HQ Director and is now VS, which begins in mid-April 2000. than adjusting all the nation's clocks by BMS Manager for Mission Partnerships based in Didcot, UK

mh sep tember octo b er 1999 19 PO Us

ev1 a

Strait ot · ibraltar • G b• Ma!aga -' -...... t I ra 11ar A SERIES EDITED BY capital as well as its largest city and is the commercial Baixa district, centred port. on the crowded cafes and neon lights JAN KENDALL THAT The city stands on seven hills of Rossio Square. LOOKS AT TOWNS around a small riverside plain . The There tall modern office buildings AND CITIES AROUND climate is cool and wet from December tower above the fountains and cafes of THE WORLD WHERE through to February, but very warm in the tree-lined Avenida da Liberdade; July and August Evenings are chil led modern low-cost complexes have been BMS PERSONNEL by ocean winds. bui ld on the outskirts of the city. ARE WORKING BY Lisbon is a city of distinct sections KEVIN & LINDA dating from different periods. The oldest First Impressions part is the Alfama, the medieval quarter. • Traffic chaos, impossible parking , DONAGHY and Its narrow, cobbled streets and alleys getting lost BARBARA & KEITH wend steep, crooked paths up the HODGES slope of Lisbon's highest hill. At the top • A mixture of old and new - old stands the ten-towered medieval castle electric tram cars in some parts and Background of St George, Lisbon's oldest very narrow streets together with new As ancient explorers sai led up the Tejo monument, parts of which date back to large shopping centres. (The Colombo River from the Atlantic Ocean, they the fifth century. Shopping Centre is on five floors!) Old reached a point about eight miles On another hill is the Bairro Alto, the bakery shops and Marks and Spencer! above the mouth where the river high quarter, which dates from the 17th suddenly broadened into a lake. The century. The streets are steep and • The centre of Lisbon is a hive of northwest bank of this sheltered estuary narrow, but much straighter than those activity with shops, opera house, and became the site of Lisbon - Portugal's of the Alfama. The Bairro Alto is known cultural activities. Yet it has an olde for its craftspeople and its nightlife. This worlde charm.

20 september ! octobe r l 999 mh o.u.r ... t.o.w..n..;.... Li.s..b.o.n.~.. .Po. .r..tu.ga..l ......

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History The 15t h and 16t h centuries were which had been in power since 1932. Portugal's golden age of exploration Since 197 4 when the revolution of The Greek hero Ulysses is Lisbon's and discovery. During this time, Lisbon Carnations occurred - so called legendary founder. Archaeological became the commercial centre for the because there was little bloodshed, evidence suggests that the site was Portuguese empire. and many of the soldiers who led the occupied as early as 5000 BC and that Disaster struck Lisbon on 1 revolt were given red carnations to wear a Phoenician tradi ng settlement may November 1755, when an earthquake by members of the public - the have established there before the destroyed two-thirds of the city with government has been a Parliamentary Romans occupied the site in 205 BC. extreme loss of life . The Baixa district democracy with a President. The Romans built roads, walls and was planned and built on the baths. The city fell to the Visigoths in devastated plain at the city's centre . the sixth century, and 200 years later Another disaster struck the city in 1988, People the Vi sigothic city fell in turn to the when a fire destroyed the historic In 1991 Lisbon's official population was Moors - Muslims from Northern Africa Chiado shopping district, leaving 2,000 given as 677,790, but the population of who entered Europe by way of people without jobs and 300 homeless. Greater Lisbon, including Carnaxide Gibraltar. In 1147 the Moors were where the Hodges are based , would driven out by the king of Portugal , Politics take it well over two million. The city of Afonso Henriques (1109-85) . His Portugal as a whole has just celebrated Barreiro where the Donaghys work, has successors recaptured Lisbon as their 25 years since the revolution, which a population of 50,000. royal capital. brought down the Salazar regime, Carnaxide has Angolans,

mh sep te n,b er j o ctober 1999 21 9 C

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Mozambicans and South Africans amounts of - something - is seen of Portugal there are only 62 Baptist integrated into the society. pouring out of these factory chimneys. churches with 4,379 members. The Ponte 25 de Abril suspension Economy bridge, and more recently the new Barreiro Lisbon's economic life centres bridge, Ponte Vasco de Gama, the Kevin and Linda work in Barreiro , which I around the harbour. Port wine and cork longest bridge in Europe at about 11 is more and more becoming a suburb are characteristic exports. Industrial miles in length, link the two sides of the of Lisbon, although it has a completely products include porcelain ceramics - river. different feel to it. The quickest way to the city is noted for its distinctive tiles : get from Barreiro to Lisbon is the 35 expertly crafted leather goods and Religion minute ferry ride . The ferries run for 18 shoes; and copper ware . Industrial There are only three Baptist churches in hours a day, and there's one every ten development is concentrated outside the city of Li sbon, and some more in minutes at peak periods. There are also the city on the opposite bank of the the satell ite towns, but overall the ferries from Lisbol"I to four other cities Tejo . Barreiro is chiefly known for its Baptist church is sti ll very small in on the south bank, a9d the journey chemical works and everyday large relation to the population. In the whole times .tak e from ten to 50 minutes. In ./ /" 22 septemher j october 1999 mh our __ town:___ _Lisbon , _Portugal......

the Discoverers -

the rush hour the river is very busy, and today it would be £80,000. town for those working in Lisbon, ten there have been a number of collisions Barreiro and much of the south bank km away. It has very few houses, with between ferries . By car the journey is communist by tradition ; fol lowing the most people living in a block of flats. It takes 45 minutes, but you can get held fall of the Salazar regime it returned has three hypermarkets and its own ,. up on the old bridge for as long as an communist council members and indoor market. hour and a half. Both bridges have tolls members of parliament, and they still Because of its growth, a lot of light and the chances of finding a parking do 25 years on . The communist regime industry has come into the town, place in Lisbon are very slim. This year is not a problem to the Church, but especially the pharmaceutical industry, a rail link is being opened between the because the Catholic Church had such and cosmetic firms , There is very little south bank and the centre of Lisbon, an influence during Salazar's reign , poverty and everyone enjoys a with the train line suspended under the many people have washed their hands reasonable standard of living. old suspension bridge. House prices of all re ligion since the revolution. Social life is at a low profi le . There is have risen. Five years ago a two no cinema and no theatre. But most bedroom apartment on the edge of Carnaxide travel to Lisbon for the zoo, the parks, Barreiro would have cost £40,000; Carnaxide was originally a dormitory the night-life and the eating places.•

mh s e p1 e10ber: october 1999 23 BY BRIAN AND fully operational flat on the first floor of WENDY GIBBS a Nepali home. We soon settled in and were able to begin work. ere we are back home in Brian was initially providing holiday Derbyshire, in the old routine - or cover for the recruitment officer. This Hare we? After years of involvement was a busy position dealing with offers in BMS work as a local missionary oflong and inedium term service from A highlight was the annual secretary our chance to 'do something' all over the world: medics, scientists, conference in February. Although the came as we approached retirement. social workers, teachers, electives and majority of the staff are based in Margaret, our daughter, had been so on. The hardest part was matching Pokhara, there are a good number . seconded by BMS to the International needs with offers and dates - quite a working in remote villages or stations Nepal Fellowship (INF) to work as a who rarely come into town. Everyone junior school teacher in Surkhet, west attended for the week of the conference Nepal. and all the members resident in Pokhara At Christmas 1995 we visited her in offered accommodation. We now met Nepal. Without realising it, the seeds everyone - how exciting it was matching were sown and on our return, we photographs with the real thing! wondered whether there was anything Once we had become accustomed to for us to do there on a voluntary basis. life in Nepal, we became more and more We asked BMS that question. at ease with it. Home, and thoughts of INF were asked if they could use us. it, became less intrusive as we adjusted They replied that Brian could work full­ to our surroundings - the diet, the time at the headquarters in Pokhara and jigsaw! Later he turned more to health climate, and the company. Then the Wendy (an ex swimming teacher!) was and safety and did audits for different second half of our stay passed quickly asked if work in the busy guest house departments within INF - technical and we were on the countdown to would appeal. The guest house services, guest house and language leaving our new life with its friends and manager, Marcelle Pilkinton, needed school. colleagues. help in a number of ways - including In the meantime, Wendy was trying How had we changed in the six having a regular day off! So, having to organise her life at home, alongside months, we wonder? We can't put a been accepted by BMS and INF, we left shopping in the bazaar and work in the finger on anything, but surely we can the UK at the beginning of October guest house. There were regular guests look at many situations through new 1998, with the aim of being in Nepal for and one-night stays in the eight double eyes. Would we go back? Why not? It six moµths. What a prospect! bedrooms. Lunches were served in the was a wonderful opportunity. We would Our arrangements went so well that dining room each weekday for a further recommend it to anyone with time to we arrived in Pokhara only ten minutes 40 to 50 staff from the headquarters spare, be they 18 or 60. There is so late after two days of travel. We were next door. Lots to organise - shopping much to be done - why not ask the met by BMS missionary Denise Clark expeditions to town, bookings, bills, Lord and then BMS? e and were taken to our new home - a socials and so on.

24 september j october 1999 mh Where's WIGTOWN? .action... teams ......

assemblies and two class visits in the intensity of work that week, we wanted primary schools, and four assemblies in to avoid seeing mission as a load of EVERY YEAR THE the local high school - this meant that special events and then the church 28: 19 ACTION TEAMS every school-aged pupil in Wigtown returning to 'normal' - we are 'on TOUR THE UK heard about the love of God, not only mission' every week in the year! In the for unknown people in Brazil, but also absence of traditional evangelistic SHARING THEIR for us, here. The reaction from the rallies, someone questioned if we were EXPERIENCES OF primary children was great - singing really doing a mission, but they realised WHAT GOD IS DOING and cheering and asking questions - as the week went on that this was real r and the reception from the high school mission - us going out, rather than OVERSEAS.STEPHEN students was amazing - not just expecting people to come in! MCGARVA REPORTS listening politely, but with rapt A few years ago there was a song in ON ONE SUCH VISIT attention, as four of their peers (almost) the charts which asked, "If God had a TO HIS CHURCH. shared their own stories of God's work name, what would it be? If God had a in their lives. face, what would it look like?" We ~ \ We invited the team to join us in our realised that some of Brazil's street } / igtown, Scotland's mission, rather than to do our mission children and others got part of the I lr National Booktown, is for us and they participated answer when Mel, Becky, Fraser and in the extreme south- enth1,1siastically in the various aspects of Craig were with them for a short time. west of the country and our ministry to all ages in the God's name was love, and his face ( r f I 0 the Brazil Action Team community: the children's club held an smiled, as the team hugged and talked Wspent a week there in June. extra games evening with the team, and to and played with the street children. The local Baptist church is small (33 one night dozens of the childrenjoined During the week, one or two of us members) but very active, and we chose the adults at a barbecue. sensed that this is the same mission [ to commemorate our 18th anniversary Much of the success of the God has given us in Wigtown, on mission with the team. We have a team's visit came from and we too need to play as full al

strong emphasis on youth ministry, and the fact that their part here as the Brazil Team 1 much of the team's time was spent with work built on what did in F~rtaleza. • the young people of this rural we were already Stephen McGana is minister of community. Even "G d' doing. Wigtown Baptist Church after the day's official O $ name While programme was over, I • there the mission was ove, and his was a continued amongst the teenagers, with face smiled, as the particular the pool table and Playstation being team hugged and used well into the night! talked to and The team led three played with the street children". Women's Working Time (hours per week) TIME CATCH URBAN AREAS Kenya ===i 102 PHRASE Nepal 105 (/) LU a: Venezuela 106 I- z 109 The answers to all these phrases have ::J Indonesia 0 'time' in them somewhere. See how (.) Colombia 11 2 many you can guess. (Answers page 271 CJz RURAL AREAS a: - 0 Bangladesh 110 ...J They've come through the progress LU Nepal 117 LU> of things affecting them. 0 Guatemala 117 Philippines 121 An old man with a scythe and Kenya 135 hourglass. - Finland 105 She did not use the hours available United States 106 to her well. Norway 108 Netherlands 109 He was prematurely old. France 111 Austria 112 In his race, he beat what was Italy 127 I I expected of him. 100 105 110 115 120 125 130 135

TAKEN FROM THE WORLD GUIDE 1997/98, PUB INSTITUTO DEL TERCER MUNDO For ever.

The conditions of life have altered.

Until some other arrangement is What the Bible has to say about time made. The Bible seems to be more concerned about the God-given contents of certain Serving a prison sentence. moments of history ('times' and 'seasons') rather than measuring the passing of time. God is very much in control, and the Bible stresses certain times - points at which 10 Exchange a greeting or casual God advances his purposes in the world. remark. God is not bound by time (Ps 90:2; 2 Pet 3:8) 11 He did his apprenticeship. God was active before time began (1 Cor 2:7) God's sovereignty extends to an individual's life (Ps 3 1:15) 12 Their hours of labour were curtailed. Rrst record of Jesus' preaching; 'The time has come' (Mk 1: 15) 13 Repeatedly; on many occasions. Jesus' ministry had key times appointed by God as decisive 14 When the person behind the bar (Jn 7:6. Lk 19:44, Mt 26:18) tells you to go. Signs of the end of the age, and of time (Mt 24, 25 ; Mk 13; Lk 21) 15 A period of exceptional enjoyment.

26 ,tpttmbt1 : ,,dober J rJ9Y mh There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to bui/,d, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones, and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a-time for war and a time for peace. ECCLESIASTES 3: 1 - 8 How many days in your life?

Highest life expectancy (years) 1 Japan 80.0 2 Iceland 79.3 3 Canada 78.9 4 France 78.8 Hong Kong 78.8 6 Switzerland 78.6 7 Sweden 78.5 8 Australia 78.3 Italy 78.3 10 Greece 78.1 19UK 77.1

Lowest life expectancy (years) 1 Siem Leone 37.5

2 Malawi 40.7 (II!~-1111111!111[1) 51 3 Uganda 41.4 (111!1111:1) tl (1111!1-urlll!ll £1 4 Rwanda 42.1 (INll!l.-.ll!IIIUM'81tl) ll 5 Zambia 43.0 (1111!11!11,-sl n ("PIIINll!l'lllnt,I) Ol 6 Guinea-Bissau 43.8 (INll!li.tl) 6 7 Afghanistan 45.5 (Jil!IIIINll!l'III~) 8 i....-i-ll L 8 Burkino Faso 46.0 (INll!lll!IW) 9 9 Angola 46.5 (INll!lia-1) s (INll!I S!lllltfll) t Guinea 46.5 (INll!llll!ISIMl [ (111!1.aill~) z (INll!llll"l"IIPNISIAlll'81tll I (POCKET WORLD IN FIGURES 1998) SJaMSUY

mh septeinber ! october J 9

Jenny holds in her home. Pray they will be Project 9061 times ofgreat support and encouragement Providing 1 for Nancy as she seeks to renew and theological books build friendships made when the couple for Angolan were last in Hungary pastors

Twenty four Angolan pastors, who have Gwen Hunter: Kimpese, fled the war in that country, now live in Democratic Luanda, the capital. In escaping they Republic of Congo have lost everything they owned, Finance and economy including their theological books. This are always unstable in BMS project is seeking to raise money Jenny Smith, D RC with wages to provide these pastors with three to Nancy and often not paid for four books each. Stanley Hornsby: Budapest, months and inflation If you would like to know more Hungary running wild. Recently about how you or your church could Readers of the May/June however the level of wages across the support a BMS project, please contact issue of mh will know country was raised. Good news for BMS projects administrator Ruth Berry 14 t that we were asking employees - a manual worker now earns on 0 1235 517700. __...... people to pray for £15 per month and a qualified nurse \,, another volunteer to £20, but a decision that could cause \ join Jenny in teaching difficulties for employers. Gwen and her English to students at the colleagues at the Evangelical Medical Baptist Theological College in Institute (IME) wondered how they Budapest. The Lord has answered and would pay the higher wages but the Stanley Hornsby will be heading out Lord provides in many ways and with with his wife Nancy in September. Both two debts being paid to the hospital by have taught in Budapest before and other companies, they were able to were instrumental in Jenny first going to Hungary (she taught there in 1992 to 1995).

Please pray: 1 for Jenny and Stanley as they begin a new academic year and get to know new students 1 for the 'open house' evenings that

28 septern b er ! october ] 9 99 mh p.r..a.ye..r. ...f O .C.JJ.S......

cover the amount needed. A gift from a learning - the Thai script is particularly generous benefactor in Kinshasa meant difficult the hospital school was also able to 1 for guidance and for the right doors Chris and Geoff meet their salary bill. This hospital and to open as Judy investigates opportunities Bland: Bangkok, its training schools, supported by a for voluntary work, preferably with Thailand number of different church children, alongside her studies communities, has an excellent reputation nationally and doctors from Jean and John Rogers: all over the country are sent there to Larnaca, Cyprus complete their studies. Gwen, who has Jean and John went out to Cyprus in been in Zaire/DRC since 1968, has May as Barnabas Project volunteers to been heading up the pharmacy and schools at IME but comes to the end of her service in Congo in September and is looking to retirement in 2000. The new academic year at the Bangkok Institute of Theology (BIT) began in Please pray: June with an exceptional number of for guidance as Gwen seeks the next students - over 50 accepted. A number step in her life and service. It cannot be of these are serving pastors who attend easy to leave a country after so many years. work with Sat-7 for for two days a week to study a Masters two years. Sat-7 sends degree, but the majority enrol for a four out weekly Christian year degree course. Geoff teaches New Judy Cook: Bangkok, Thailand satellite TV programmes Testament studies at BIT and is also Judy began her first term of service with to the Muslim world and the couple writing several commentaries in Thai. BMS in April by heading to Bangkok have settled into their jobs quickly - One on John has already been where she is learning to read and speak John as Chief Operations Officer and published, and Acts will be published in the Thai language. A good grasp of Jean as PA. The couple are attending later on this year. With little theological the language is especially important for Larnaca Community Church. As there material available in Thai, the books is no current pastor, the services are led will be of great value to many by church members and within weeks theological students. Chris is involved of their arrival,John was invited to in teaching English to tl1e students so preach his first sermon. Aside from the that they can access the many texts heat, the other main difference the which are available in that language. couple have noticed is that Arabic The new Action Team which arrives in music is written right to left meaning October for six months will help her in Jean has been playing piano music with this work, befriending and working the sheets turned backwards and a light alongside the students to give them bulb behind! She says it is easier than practice in speaking English. putting her brain into reverse! Judy who will be working in the hills of Thailand with tribal women, Please pray: Please pray: teaching them about health care and Sat-7 employees come from many for the building ofgood sharing the love of Christ. Judy, a nurse different countries, cultures and relationships with the new students from Birmingham, has visited her future backgrounds. • for Chris who now has twice the workplace and says that she is, 1 for sensitivity and unity as they all number ofpeople to teach English - all 'confident that this is the place of the work together for the gospel. of varying ability which makes the task Lord's calling for me' . • for good friendships to develop even harder ~ ckly that the new Action Team would Please pray: \,II that the intense heat will not prove settle quickly into the life ofBIT, make thank God that Judy has settled well too draining - August is the hottest good friends with the students and prove in Bangkok, has made good friends and is month a great support to Geoff, Chris and the enjoying her church life family. • for good progress in language

mh septernbe r ! october 1999 29 ...... p.r. .a.y.e.r.. .. fo .c.1J..s ....& .. p.eople. ... w.o.r.l.dw.ide.

• PEOPLE Desire Bombile ORLDWIDE started trying to find ways to help the small family, and then Suman, a pastor Judith and Tony Sykes: in one of the local churches, offered to Vellore, India take care of them. Suman and his wife Judith and Tony have been in India Expanding Prayer Focus. In this series now have official guardianship of all since January 1997 during which time BMS personnel introduce friends and four children, and aim to bring them up Tony, a civil engineer, has been working acquaintances whom they meet from in every way as their own. They have on a centenary building project at the day to day also adopted another little girl who had Christian Medical College. The previously been abused. They want to hospital has an excellent reputation and Kalpana give the children a chance to learn what people travel thousands of miles for Kathmandu, it means to he brought up in a loving treatment there. They are now building Nepal Christian home. a new centre for mothers and children Kalpana has active TB, and is now and new residential tower blocks. The Kalpana is eleven years old. Until on treatment, while Shiva and Sapana engineers Tony works with are Hindu February of this year she was acting as have latent TB, needing medication. All with the occasional Muslim, hut quite the mother and provider for her brother the children are gaining weight and happy to work on a Christian hospital, Shiva (aged nine), and two sisters Sita learning to laugh and play again. At the and Tony has built good friendships (five) and Sapana (two). Each day she beginning of March this year Kalpana with some of them.Judith works at would go round to the neighbours smiled for the first time. She is getting a ANBU Illam, a hostel for children with begging for food. Her father died two second chance at childhood. cerebral palsy. The home's aim is to years ago of TB and alcohol abuse, and Kabina Butterworth (BMS doctor working with UMN in help the children reach their full last year her mother ran off with Nepal) potential both physically and another man, abandoning her children, academically.Judith helps mainly in the because her new husband did not want Desire Bombile vocational unit where children are them. Democratic Republic of taught craft and maintenance skills with A concerned Hindu neighbour Congo a view to being able to go hack to their (photograph above) homes to help support their families. Desire became a Christian She has been teaching them to use a at the age of 15 after sewing machine, do cross stitch and listening to a sermon on patchwork and in turn, the children Deut 30: 15 'Today is a day to have been teaching her Tamil! choose between life and death.' He began to teach in the Sunday school, and then to preach. Gradually he felt the call to study to he a pastor. This was in 1996. for continued health and strength His father had been fairly well-off, for a time of rest and relaxation as hut his father and family had been part they visit family in the UK in of president Mohutu's entourage, and September had fled in 1997. After this Desire found it difficult to support himself. Friends gave him help in money or

30 september i october 1999 mh p.e.o.ple... ..w..o.r.ldw..i.d .e...... A

goods; someone bought him an electric powered mill so that he could grind people's cassava for them between studies, but the electricity in Kinshasa is very erratic. When the Ugando-Rwandan alliance began a war against the DRC in July and more drugs from cocaine to heroin, 1998, the authorities looked for from mushrooms to synthetic drugs, Rwandans, assuming them to be the but I felt a spiritual emptiness. In 1989 enemy. Desire was tall and thin and was my best friend whom I lived with died accused of being a Rwandan Tutsi from an overdose of heroin. From then several times. He was knocked about, on my life went in a fast downward shot at, and had his belongings rifled spiral, a kind of self destruction without through. In the end a policeman took knowing it. I began to drink a lot, had a him and detained him for his own lot of girlfriends for one night, and took safety. In fact he spent most of the time a lot of drugs, not because I was between August and December in addicted but because I couldn't find a protective custody. He had been well meaning in life. looked after and had a TV set to watch In that dark hole I met Carine (who as well as being able to read his Bible. is now my wife). She was a born-again But he says, 'I was deprived of my Christian and told me about Jesus. At freedom.' first I didn't want to know, but then we Desire says: 'Everything that has spent days and nights in discussion. happened to me is food for thought, God was pushing me in a corner: I study in God's school. It really decided to give my life to him. I went happened. I didn't just read about it. I down on my knees and felt an had no friend or relative to help, only indescribable warmth. I wept like a little the Lord. I was like Daniel in the lions' boy who finds his mum and dad after den with only God to save me. being lost. John MeHor (BMS missionary in Congo) The Lord turned my life round. He's there! He's the meaning of life! I have Philippe Menten become a fireman and an ambulance Bredene, Belgium man, a husband and father, an artist and I was a happy child with above all, a child of God. ~ parents who took good care I want to put on your hearts the __,..,,...A. , of me. Around the age of 16 people that society looks down on: the I began to search for junkies, the hippies, punks, artists etc. A something more; I knew the lot of the time they are looking for the values that society prescribed 'real' things in life and can't find it in weren't enough for me. At 18 I began to society or religion. Let's help them to experiment with drugs; got involved in find the real thing,Jesus! 'underground' music, and took more Stuart Fiby (BMS church worker in Belgiian)

mh september: oc to b er 1999 31 Baptist House News

Good News for the Trimble twins trustees and BMS were BMS workers in Nepal, Tim and Caroline St Andrew's united in wanting the sale to Trimble, have heard from the UK Home happen, which is in line Office that British citizenship has been Hall: with the founders of the approved for their Nepali twins Kamna and missionary college. With Samijhana. The official certificates should the baton perseverance we ·seem to come through in time for a return to the have got there." UK for a family wedding. changes hands St Andrew's Hall was formed by the 1966 merger New Executive Director for 1AM The BMS is on the of Carey Hall, dating back Harri Lammi was unanimously appointed as threshold of ownership of to 1912, with St Andrew's Executive Director elect at the Board the St Andrew's Hall College, founded 1945. The meeting of the 1AM in May. Harri will Missionary College buildings have been succeed Bruce Gibbs of New Zealand in buildings in Birmingham. developed in several stages. November. Harri, a Finn, is currently A celebration was held In recent years St Andrew's Operational Director of 1AM based in Kabul. on Saturday 3 July to mark Hall has been run under the BMS works in partnership with 1AM, and the life and work of the guidance of three sponsors has recently accepted three people to work college, and ended in the - BMS, the United in South Central Asia. handover of the college Reformed Church and the Bible to BMS General Council for World Mission. Another first for Geoff Director Revd Dr Alistair "We've been passed a BMS missionary Geoff Brown as a sign that the baton to train people for Bland, involved in work will continue. world mission," said Dr theological education at Before presenting the Brown. "It's a major the Bangkok Institute of Bible to Dr Brown, the responsibility, but also a Theology, has just had Revd Ernest Cruchley, wonderful opportunity. his third commentary in President of the St We're determined to make the Thai language Andrew's Hall Council, said the most of it." published. It's a 200 he had verbal confirmation The Revd David plus page paperback on from the Charity Kerrigan, BMS Director for the book of Acts. The series emphasises Commissioners that the sale Mission, said BMS would biblical exposition, and because the books to BMS could go forward. not rush to start its own have been written using the Thai Bible they Ownership transfer is courses. "Until now we are able to deal with textual issues that expected to be completed haven't been sure we'd take would not even be on 31 August, and the hall ownership of the college, so mentioned in a will be renamed The BMS our mission candidates are commentary that was a International Mission booked elsewhere for the translation from an Centre. next few months. That gives English book. Geoff's The process of getting us time for decisions on previous commentaries ---• clearance for the £850,000 building, staffing and have been on the sale to BMS has lasted more curriculum issues. We can Synoptic Gospels and than eight months. "It's do much more than John. been a long haul," said Dr anything before, but we Brown, "but the college must prepare well."

32 septe mber ( oc tober ·1999 mh missed out on official aid, Albania - and needed help in obtaining food and clothing latest news etc. Although the Sixteen volunteers left the missionaries did a sterling relative security of their task, not surprisingly they homes in the UK at the could not keep up a beginning ofJuly, bound for sustained effort 24 hours-a­ Albania, to help with the day, seven days-a-week. Kosovan relief effort. BMS appealed for The 16 are all ages, and volunteers to work come from all walks of life; alongside the missionaries, from nurse to cafe or to be engaged in other manageress, psychology work which did not require • Gordoa McBain having completed six student to plumber, a knowledge of Albanian, morit'1s-4rablc studies in the southern woodworker to Baptist and was inundated with . coasti'11:1ty'Of Sfax, has moved with Ann minister and secretary to applications, and the result his wife and foar children, to Tunis, where counsellor. Their numbers was this group being be has:-tallen P. the post of Pel'SMllel also include Mary Parsons, a chosen. Director of ACT. GordOII is the first person BMS midwife in Brazil who BMS have been to hold this new)iost and he strengthens has temporarily relocated; delighted with the response the existing HQ team of General Secretaiy the whole team is being led from people in the UK ana Finance 'Direc:for. by Justine Horsfall, who has churches wanting to help in just come to the end of her this refugee situation. John Passmore, BMS Regional Secretaiy for time with the BMS Albania Although the volunteers will North Afij~a and),.sia was elected youth Action Team. Her initially work in Tirana, Presidenf at tlie ACTBoard meetings in knowledge of the country, Durres and Bregu i Lumit, April. John 11~ been the BMS its people and language will BMS are also assessing the k!presentative on the Board for the last be invaluable. feasibility of sending them three years and vic4: ,President since 1997. The 16 have all given up directly into Kosovo. between two and six months ACT is an i~ emational Christian of their time to work organisation, set up in 1982, to co-operate with BMS, based at with the government of Tunisia to meet the four different centres n• of marginalised groups. There are in Albania. curtently 11 member bodies making up the BMS already has ACT Board. 16 long-term personnel working I in Albania, and normally they would be engaged in such Check Out diverse work as September/October 1999 engmeenng, September nursing, church Arrivals work, theological Gwen Hooter from Kinpese~ _o __ education and Departures village agricultural llaYid aocl_Sue Jackson_ to...Colocd!oJri_lna__ _ _ _ projects. When the Geoqie_ClrislilelltSao_face, lltazi______refugees began to flood into Bna:a aod..KeilhJlodgesJo_camaxide,hdlcal _ _ _ - - Albania, these missionaries Callund..llnicl.MeikleJo..SaoJ'uo,..Brazi______put their routine work to licolaaocl.Roged~eneJo.Jraoa, Albania__ one side to concentrate on October feeding, clothing and Arrivals providing accommodation Coin aod..11.eris.e..Clact.lmm.loklw.a,_Ne,a_ I David and Yvoooe Wheeler from TUJa, Alina for those who had not been 1 PHILIP CHANT- WOODWORKER 2 JONATHAN HARRIS - STUDENT AT BIBLE COLLEGE 3 MATTHEW JAMES - PSYCHOLOGY STUDENT Rosioar..aodJm.Deledr:omJ:oma,.Brazil re-housed in refugee camps. 4 SUSAN CADDY - STAFF NURSE 5 BRIAN TAYLOR - PLUMBER, lletel.eillcbaa1111LCiritiba,.Brazi ~------WELDER AND HEATING ENGINEER 6 JOHN MASSINK- BAPTIST Whilst having a roof over MINISTER 7 SUSAN BUCKLEY - MANAGERESS OF CAFE/SHOP their heads, these people 8 ROD BRADLEY - SUPPORT OFFICER WITH LEA 9 DEE WINFIELD - Departures HEALTH CARE ASSISTANT 10 JANICE TAYLOR - HELPER AT DROP IN CENTRE 11 DEBBIE PEARSON - SECRETARY 12 SARAH BLACKMAN - None JUST COMPLETED A LEVELS 13 ZOE RANSON - CARE ASSISTANT 14 ROSEMARY FOX-COUNSELLOR 15 MARY PARSONS - MIDWIFE WITH BMS IN BRAZIL INSET: JUSTINE HORSFALL - TEAM LEADER mh septernber] 1999 33 ...... w..9.r.l.d. ... mi~.~.i.9.n.Ji.D.k

world ■ ■ -----• m1ss1on

Over 250 people gathered in the garden of Jim and Eileen Clarke for the fourth 'Open Garden' event to be held in the last seven years. Jim was, until the beginning of the year, BMS Co-ordinator for Central and Eastern England; over 70 churches were represented from all eight Downton climbs up counties of his former 'patch'. Downton Baptist Church in Wiltshire are keen to raise mission In spite of a thunderstorm the night before, awareness. In the past they have supported projects in Ethiopia, resulting in a loss of power from 3.00am until just Mali, Albania, Peru, Brazil, and Guatemala. This year they are before 1.00pm, at least 200 lunches were served. stimulating interest and raising money to support Tiana and Madini ("Don't ask me how with no power," said Jim.) Hnamler, Mizo missionaries working for BMS on a sanitation project There was a range of stalls, and BMS in Taplejung, Nepal. missionaries Ryder and Heather Rogers were They have put together a collage of a mountain side with a water present throughout the day, sharing the latest pipe coming up the mountain, and shaded in the progress of their news on the Albania/Kosovo situation. Altogether fund raising. They have committed themselves to raising £5,000, £1,300 was raised for BMS, and the event was and so far are nearly halfway there. declared "The best to date!"

? Photographs: and • Top: Tiana and Madini Hnamler, Nepal; Over 150 people were present for the Saturday evening Above: Jim & Eileen Clarke's Garden Party presentation at Chard Baptist Church, Somerset, of the Left: Kitty Brett, CHALK link; Below: 98/99 Nepal Action Team with Phil recently returned Nepal Action Team. The Team had been at Hindle, BMS Co-ordinator for the South and the church all week, had visited four schools and participated West and Peter Morgan. in meetings across the age spectrum. The Nepal Action Team had been invited to this area by the 'cluster' called CHALK, that is, the Baptist churches of Chard, Honiton, Lyme Regis and Kilmington. The group came together three years ago to work more effectively in a number of mission activities, including support for BMS. In July, CHALK invited their new BMS link Kitty Brett to spend a day with them before leaving for Asia in August. Chard minister and BMS General Committee member, Peter Morgan said "I am thrilled with the heightened awareness and involvement in overseas mission, and BMS in particular, which has developed in our churches here in the last three years."

34 septembed october 1999 mh ..last...... word......

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mh september ! octob er 1999 35 POSSIBILITIES