A Difficult Loss

It is with a heavy heart that we share with you that Mike's mother-in-law, Virginia Riggs, unexpectedly went home to be with her Lord on Sunday, December 20th. She had been battling breast cancer and was undergoing chemotherapy but apparently developed an infection that lead to her sudden passing. Fortunately Stephanie, Mike, and Stephanie’s dad and brother were all with Virginia in her final moments. They were able to have a meaningful time of prayer, scripture sharing, and singing with her prior. They are heavily grieving as Mike’s family has always spent significant time each week with grandma and grandpa. The significance of why Jesus did come to this earth for us is definitely being demonstrated for them, particularly during this time of year. It is a blessing to know that Virginia is “home” now and they will see her again. She did love the Lord with all her heart and was very involved with her church both as an elder and as a member of the missions board.

As Mike and Stephanie have been overwhelmed with all the details to be attended to, Mike has asked me to convey some information to folks in response to the inquiries he has been receiving. He has been asked if the family had any designated memorial funds set up in lieu of flowers as is often done. The answer is yes, two funds have been set up based on two of Virginia’s passions in life.

One of her primary passions, as many of you know, was music - having played a major role with the Central Oregon Symphony for 40 years. She was a gifted cellist and a passionate proponent of the Symphony. She was also an enthusiastic teacher who especially loved exposing young people to classical music. Because of this, one fund is set up to provide scholarships for young people wanting to study classical music.

Donations to this memorial fund can be given to:

The Central Oregon Symphony Association
Supporting Music for Children in Our Community
P.O. Box 7953
Bend, Oregon 97708
*Please be sure to mark on your gift that it is in memory of Virginia Riggs.

Her other passion was for missions. She and her husband Bob have both served on a number of missions boards over the years. In fact, she was still an active member of the missions board at their church right up to the time of her passing. Since Mike and Stephanie have dedicated their lives to mission work, the other opportunity for giving would be:

All Nations Ministries
P.O. Box 921
Sisters, Oregon 97759

Again, be sure to designate the gift is in her memory.

Please know there is absolutely no request for gifts being made here. It is simply in response to those who have inquired.

Virginia’s memorial service will be held at the Community Presbyterian Church of Redmond on Sunday, January 10 at 2:00. The church’s address is 529 NW 19th St, Redmond, OR.

The family has very much appreciated all the e-mails, cards, phone calls, etc. The outpouring of care and sympathy means a lot to each one of them and they are comforted by your kind words, thoughts, and prayers.


Anne Rudinsky
Assistant to Mike Parker

Innovative Evangelism Conference

Greetings!

Mike has asked me to post a little update regarding last week’s conference he attended in Portland. This was through the Luis Palau Organization and the Next Generation Alliance program that works with “younger” evangelists.

First of all, he had a wonderful time connecting with old friends and fellow servants. He said you wouldn’t believe the atmosphere! A gathering of over 300 evangelists definitely has a unique “flavor” to it. He was able to connect with an old friend who used to work in Jose Zayas’ ministry and now works with a relief development organization working in Mexico, Kenya, and Nicaragua. (Nicaragua is now considered to be the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere – even Haiti is better off!) Mike says that through this friend there may be a door opened up for ANM to work in Nicaragua!

He also connected with someone who is part of an organization called Faith Comes By Hearing. They are closely joined with Wycliff. They work on developing bible CDs in different translations for people groups that still work within a more oral form of communication. They use solar powered cd players that can broadcast to as many as 300 people at once! It looks like they will be donating 5 or 6 of these cd players to ANM for use in follow up ministry! They will be a great tool!

He also connected with Scott Lenning who is heading up the Mission Africa outreach that is part of the CapeTown 2010 event coming in October of 2010. The Cape Town 2010 event is the Third International Congress on World Evangelization. Evangelists from all over the world gather together to have the opportunity to establish new priorities for global evangelization. It is by invitation only and Mike is hoping to be included. Mike will be included in the Mission Africa piece for sure and his efforts in both Liberia and Mozambique will come under this umbrella. That will be a huge blessing! Prayers for these opportunities to come together and for guidance in each of these areas would be so appreciated!

The Parker family is flying out tomorrow to South Carolina for a long overdue visit with Mike’s parents and other extended family members. The family has not been back for a visit in about 3 ½ years now and are really looking forward to the family time together. While back there, Mike will be meeting with several of those in leadership at Samaritan’s Purse in Boone, N. Carolina. He is hoping to develop a partnership with S.P. in his work in Liberia. Please pray for their time together and that God’s vision for this partnership would be revealed.

ANM is deeply indebted to all prayer covering. Mike and Stephanie have sensed an increased amount of spiritual warfare this past year and it has been difficult. Satan is hard at work against ANM and the Parker family as he must hate the work Mike is doing in spreading the name of Jesus. The prayers of the saints are crucial in this warfare and the protection of the family.

Thank you, thank you, thank you to all of you prayer warriors!

In His grace,
Anne Rudinsky
Assistant to Mike Parker

Mozambique Report - The Vine and the Vinedresser

A common practice for ANM as we seek to minister in various parts of the world that are physically and spiritually needy is to determine what practical development help we can bring to a community. As DC Lundy and I entered Mozambique, one question we asked the Lord is “what would you have us do here?” Initially, I thought that we might try and find a water ministry we could partner with to install a bore-hole well or some other water system to help the local community as clean water is such a need in Africa.
After sending out e-mail inquiries to certain water ministries as well as nationals on the ground, we did not find a suitable water ministry to partner with. Two days into the trip, it was determined that we would minister in a village called Fidel Castro. That morning, I was reading in the book of John as part of a one year reading of the bible. During this time I was praying for the Lord to lead us in such a way to discover the practical ways ANM could help the people of Fidel Castro. While reading I noticed that that the Lord was teaching using illustrations from agriculture. Then I began to read in John 15 that Jesus is the “true vine and my Father is the vinedresser.” Something clicked in my spirit and I asked the Lord if we should do something related to agriculture and deep within me I sensed the Spirit of the Lord say “yes.”
I then shared this with DC and with the national director and outreach director of Circle of Light, Gildo Cuamba and Marcos Chambole. They each resonated with this idea. At this point, we were not sure what this might mean for the community of Fidel Castro. But, as always the Lord directs our steps. As we visited the Circle of Light energy store in Fidel Castro, the local district official – something like a cross between a mayor and county commissioner was meeting with a couple men about fifty yards away. Marcos asked if I would like to meet him. I said yes, and he went to introduce us but without mentioning anything about who I was and nor the reason we were there. I shared with the leader, Chiluvane, that my father-in-law had held a similar position of a similar size village (18,000). I asked him what some of the strengths of his community were and what some of the challenges were. Chiluvane shared a few strengths and then told me the community is 85% agriculture. He said they have a good climate and soil to grow various crops but that they currently cannot get seed nor hoes for the family farmers. I could not believe what I was hearing! For whatever reason he said, they are having difficulty getting seeds this year and are concerned about planting next years’ crop.
After we heard this, each of us was very excited. The last day of our trip, Gildo made some calls unknown to us and found an agricultural company in an industrial area of the capital city, Maputo. So, DC, Gildo and I went to this store prior to our departure from the airport. We found out what types of seeds are available, costs, what the people tend to grow, and also that this company sold hoes. During this time, the manager came out and spoke with us. He told us that if we were willing to purchase a certain volume then he would give us discounts. Amazingly, we can provide seeds and potatoes for a variety of vegetables as well as a hoe for a family for less than $20. This will not only help them with food for their own consumption but also for excess to sell to meet other needs as well as provide the seed for the next year’s crop.

God is good and He directs our path. So, in May we will provide many farmers and families with seed and hoes so they can meet the “True Vine and Vinedresser.”

Blessings - Mike

Yet another departure screen...

20/25 Vision

I am currently in the Denver airport awaiting my flight to Germany and then Mozambique. As I try and use my Blackberry I realize my vision is not what it used to be! In fact, trying to read the departures screen to find my gate I realize a couple things. First I no longer have 20/25 vision and I need reading glasses. Second, I remember back 20 years ago August I took my first international flight and looked at the departure screen for Moscow - then part of the failing Soviet Union. My eyes were great then but not my spiritual vision.

It was an amazing trip! I went with my pastor and friend Chuck Kelley. We smuggled Bibles, preached publicly and evangelistically to Latvians, heard and saw first hand the persecuted chuch, and witnessed 33 specific answers to prayer. And amazingly we witnessed over 1,000 give their lives to Jesus Christ in a communist culture whereby people were told there is no God! In fact we were the first to be allowed to hold a public evangelistic event to Latvians in 50 years.

For me it was a pivotal event in my life. I had the incedible opportunity to give an evangelistic testimony in Tallin, Estonia to 6000 people just prior to Sheila Walsh of Women of Faith. I had only spoken a couple of times before this, in front of small crowds, And I had hated it! But here I was, wanting people who had never heard of Jesus to hear about Him. Shortly after I spoke I watched 100,s give their lives to Christ. It was awesome!

God did something supernatural that trip. Further, he placed in my heart a burning desire to tell others about Jesus around the world for the rest of my life.

God had given us two scripture versus for that trip. In Isaiah we are told God" will give us treasures in secret places that we may know I am the Lord" and in Joel 2 that in the last days "old men will dream dreams and young men shall see visions."

As I board this flight today I am humbled to be on my 90th international missions trip for the Lord. God gave me a vision, His vision, for every tribe, tongue, people and nation in "secret places" until every tribe has heard the Good News and has a representative around the throne of Heaven so then the Lord can return! My physical vision may be dimming but my hearts vision burns bright and clear for the Lord and the advancement of His Kingdom!

Thank you Lord for 20/25 Vision and the ability to serve you these past twenty years around the world. Thank you for changing my vision twenty years ago!

Blessings

Mike

Sunset over Maputo, Mozambique

Maputo, the capital of Mozambique is a beautiful city. Situated on the coast of the Indian Ocean, it has a feel as if on the Mediterranean. This is due to the influence of the Portuguese when Mozambique was a Portuguese colony.
During our visit to explore future ministry opportunities with Community Uplift Ministries (Circle of Light), I was amazed at the beauty of the country in the South. As we drove north from Maputo to Xia-Xia, about four hours, I could not believe how beautiful the coastline and ocean views were. As we drove past small villages and towns, I also noticed how different it appeared than other African countries I had traveled to.
First, there was an effective sanitation system and so streets, roadways, and towns did not have the huge piles of rubbish smoldering everywhere. Apparently, this was one of the benefits of Soviet Communism the years they were involved there since every “comrade” was to have a job – including street sweepers and trash disposers.
Second, the southern portion of the country is experiencing an influx of money and job creation. This is due to several factors such as business opportunities, tourism, and the development of resort hotels along the coast line. Also, it is believed that 20% of the men work in South Africa in the mines or in seasonal jobs. They tend to stay for a year or more and therefore send money home. This has improved the lives of many in the southern portion of the country. But…
Despite the outward appearances, the country is very dark spiritually. The middle to northern portion is heavily influenced by Islam and what is called “Folk Islam” a mix of Islam and African Spiritism. The Southern part of the country is influenced by a cult known as Zionism. It is an indigenous South African religion that mixes Christianity, Old Testament rituals, and traditional African spiritism and ancestor worship. About 30% of the country is actively involved with Zionism, maybe more. I could not help but think how desperately they need to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ clearly explained so that they would be freed from sin and bondage to Zionism, Spiritism, and Ancestor Worship.
As I look at this photo of the sun setting over Maputo, I can only think and pray for Mozambique Malachi 1:11 - “for from the rising of the sun even to its setting, My Name will be great among the nations; and in every place, incense and a pure grain offering will be offered to My Name, because My Name will be great among the nations.” May the Lord of the Harvest pour out His spirit in Mozambique so that the true Son will rise and set among the peoples of Mozambique lifting the veil of spiritual darkness over their hearts and minds.

From Liberia to Mozambique!

During the first week of June, Mike and a companion will be travelling between Maputo and Xai-Xai, Mozambique in order to meet with national leaders, see their ministry, learn a little about their country, and determine if ANM will begin ministering there in the coming years. This opportunity may also be in conjunction with Cape Town 2010 and Mission Africa.
Mike has been asked to consider partnering there with Community Uplift Ministries, based out of Colorado. They provide programming in rural areas of developing countries to meet the physical, social, economic – and most importantly – the spiritual needs of the poor. They and ANM both share a holistic approach to ministry. Community Uplift has already begun ministering in this poor country and has made some good contacts among the nationals. For more information on this potential ministry partner, you can go to their website at www.communityupliftministries.org.
Mozambique is considered one of the least reached sub-Saharan African countries. The country was one of the very few African countries that were communist and therefore atheism was preached. In addition, they went through a brutal 10 year civil war and have been recovering from communism and the civil war for the past 14 years. They have also suffered through recurrent drought in parts of the land. These people desperately need the hope that a relationship with Jesus brings!
Please keep Mike and Jason (his travel partner) in your prayers as they prepare for Mozambique and pray that God will give Mike a clear answer as to whether he is to devote ANM to ministry in this country.

Coming up in June - Mozambique!



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"You would have thought it was a graduation!"

On our recent trip to Liberia, one piece of our time there was a pastor’s conference to help provide some solid biblical training. We held the conference for just the key church leaders in the main part of Kakata, Liberia since they will be the main leaders for evangelistic festival Rejoice Liberia late fall. About fifty men and some women leaders attended the conference.
Pastor Marc Andresen, of Calvin Presbyterian in Corvallis, Oregon, and Brian DeVries, of Grace Church in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, jointly taught the sessions. On previous trips that Brian and I took to Liberia we learned that one of the great needs is for pastors to have bibles and other resources to help them learn to teach and lead the churches.
At the beginning of the conference, each of the attendees was given a new bible. On the last day, they lined up to receive books donated by Desiring God Ministries – the resource ministry of Pastor John Piper. As the pastors learned of this gift, they lined up to receive the books from Marc and Brian. Marc said “you would have thought it was a graduation.” The pastors were so eager to receive a rare treasure – books that would help them minister to their churches. What a blessing to give a gift that can be continually used!

“The Hands and Feet of Jesus”

One of the guiding principles of Sisters Christian Academy (SCA) is to see the children who attend develop a world view that includes dreaming what God would have them do for Him when they grow up. Peggy Miller, SCA’s Principal, said the staff and board has for two years actively sought for a way for SCA students’ and families to reach out to the world and “be the hands and feet of Jesus.” When Peggy heard about ANM’s ministry plans for Liberia which included orphans she felt this was a great opportunity for the students, staff, and families to be involved. SCA set a goal to raise $2,000 for food and medicine for the three orphanages in which ANM would minister. In amazing ways the children gave from their hearts, often sharing all of their allowance money or babysitting money or money earned from doing extra chores around the house. The students, staff and families raised almost $4,000! The result was that all three orphanages received enough rice, beans, and cooking oil to feed the children and staff for two months. In addition, the extra funds raised allowed each orphanage to have a six month supply of multi-vitamins for each child. From the smallest to the oldest children at SCA, they realized they could make a difference in a life—even in far away Liberia!

Murder and Forgiveness

I trust you had a blessed Easter this past weekend. As you may still be reflecting on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus below is another story from our recent trip to Liberia. This story reflects much of why Jesus came to die—to bring peace, forgiveness and reconciliation between man and God and also between men.

Brian DeVries had traveled to Liberia once before to teach pastors. Brian, from Minnesota, joined the ANM team to help teach pastors again. With his wife, Kimberly, they also led worship and intercession at the evening meetings with churches in Kakata. From his previous trip, Brian learned about the impact the three civil wars have had in Liberia, including the tremendous amount of pain and suffering the people have gone through. As he prayed for the Lord to direct his messages, God placed in his heart a message on forgiveness. This message included the true story of the five missionaries killed in the late 1950’s by the Waodani tribe—including Nate Saint and Jim Elliot. Each day, Brian prepared to teach this message to the pastors and each day the Lord said “not yet.” Finally the conference for pastors was over. Brian wondered why God had so clearly placed this message on his heart and yet did not free him to teach on forgiveness.

On the last day in Kakata, Brian was asked to preach in one of the local churches. Finally, on this day, God released him to teach on forgiveness. As he shared the story of the missionaries, he then told the people how Elisabeth Elliot, Jim’s wife, and Rachel Saint, Nate’s sister, went to their husbands murderers to tell them of God’s love and forgiveness. As this story was shared, one woman stood up in church. She was visibly shaken, tears streaming down her face, the weight of the world on her shoulders. She came forward and asked Brian to pray for her to forgive her husband’s murderers. During the last war, while holding her wounded husband in her arms, a rebel soldier macheted her husband in half. She has been filled with anger and bitterness ever since. As Brian prayed for God to release her from anger, bitterness and the ability to forgive, the Spirit of God touched her deeply. There was a tremendous sense of a burden lifted, of a heart being filled with peace, and a profound touch of God that comforted her. Amazing! Brian’s message was not for the pastors (the many) but for the one God intended. Who knows how the Lord will use this woman in the lives of other women who have experienced so much pain as she tells the story of God’s healing touch and forgiveness.

My Feet Hurt – Part 1

As the orphan ministry team of DC and Pam Lundy, Kimberly DeVries, and Trokon Dennis arrived at Mother Whleh’s orphanage, the children excitedly ran with bare feet out to greet them. The team began a day of ministry to the orphans—many of whom lost their parents during the last war. They were there to provide medical exams, medicine, and ministry through songs, stories and crafts. Pam, a pediatric nurse practitioner from Oregon, began to examine the children. Many of the children had malaria and intestinal parasites for which they were treated. Pam soon began to notice that one third of the children had “hamburger feet.” Pam has been on several short term medical ministry teams with ANM. She described the feet of the children as “the worst I have ever seen and I have seen a lot of badly infected feet.” One of the little children as he came to be examined said “my feet hurt!” Pam was able to clean and provide medicine for the many feet that were infected from parasites, eating away at their skin.

My Feet Hurt – Part 2

“God told me to hand you $200 and that you will know what to do with it when you get there” so Pastor Marc Andresen was told just before departing for Liberia. Amazingly, although from a different church, Pam and DC Lundy were told the same exact words and were also given $200 for Liberia. As the team realized the condition of the children’s feet at Mother Whleh’s orphanage, it was clear that the Lord provided the $400 for shoes for the children. The team went to a Liberian market in search of shoes. After much haggling, the vendors initially wanted $800 for forty-three pairs of shoes. Then one of the vendors stepped forward and said he would take $400 for forty-three pairs of shoes. God’s provision is always perfect—as the exact amount to give all the children shoes was provided for. One little girl, so excited for her shoes, walked around holding her shoes close to her chest—as if the shoes were the best gift she ever received.

ANM Ministry News-Rejoice Liberia

In February, the birth of a vision named “Rejoice Liberia” began. Over the past year Mike has visited Liberia twice to explore how ANM can minister in Liberia and with whom. God has led us to identify key national leaders as well as mission agencies with whom ANM can partner to holistically bring the Gospel to Liberia. Liberia is recovering from 30 years of devastation due to three civil wars and corrupt governments.

Our recent trip, our third, was the beginning of ministry there. Mike led a team of seven to Kakata, Liberia for the purposes of: a pastor’s conference, preparation of the local church for an evangelistic festival later in the year, and to minister to three orphanages with food and medical care. Below are a few exciting stories of what the Lord did!

Rejoice Liberia

In February, we will travel to Kakata, Liberia to meet with partner organizations and plan for Rejoice Liberia.

Kakata, Liberia

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