Dear Friends,

The world is beginning to understand just how devastating this summer’s flooding in Pakistan has been. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon recently put it in perspective, stating:

Pakistan is facing a slow-motion tsunami. At least 160,000 square kilometers of land is under water [That is an area larger than the entire state of Florida]. Fifteen to 20 million people need shelter, food and emergency care. That is more than the entire population hit by the (2004) Indian Ocean tsunami, the Kashmir earthquake, Cyclone Nargis, and the earthquake in Haiti—combined.

Through our trusted partners in Pakistan, we’ve sent $5,000 from our Disaster Relief Fund to distribute safe water, food, and clothing to some of the neediest victims. These vital supplies are being delivered by six Pakistani Christian teams placed strategically throughout the country. Over 14 million Pakistanis have been displaced, and at least 6 million of these are children. More than 70,000 homes have been destroyed. As you can imagine, the need is great and will continue for months.

As in every disaster, God is at work. This particular one provides the followers of Jesus with a unique opportunity. In a recent email appeal, our partner put it this way:

As I look at places where those affected live and will gravitate to, plus where these trustworthy, faithful [Pakistani] Christian Partners are located, the scripture in Esther 4:14 comes to mind: “Who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” This is a GREAT opportunity for these Christian Teams to share their faith with the Muslim majority. Please PRAY for all involved in this endeavor.

Through Heaven’s Family’s Disaster Relief Fund, we hope to continue taking advantage of this opportunity to spread Christ’s light in the darkness of Pakistan. If you would like to help, please click here. As always, 100% of your contributions will go directly to those in need. Thanks.

Because of Him,

Jeff Trotter

Director, Disaster Relief Fund

Slum children from north India attending school in one of pastor Prince’s homemade “classrooms”

Dear Friends,

As he helps clear out unused rooms and living areas in the homes of his parishioners, pastor Prince is creating new school classrooms. His desire is to provide an education, coupled with the gospel, to nearby slum children in his region of north India.

You might think that poor parents would jump at the chance for a free education for their children. Pastor Prince has discovered, however, that this is not the case. Many of the slum children have never attended school because they spend their days working to bring in extra income for their impoverished families. After weeks of knocking on doors and begging parents, pastor Prince finally managed to sign up the first fifty students. Now, because of all the positive feedback from children and their parents, there are an additional fifty children hoping to attend next semester.

Pastor Prince is a passionate man who has sacrificially given of his own time and money. When we partnered with him to purchase desks and blackboards for his homemade classrooms, we were surprised to learn that he’d spent days making the desks himself in order to save money. He asked me to pass the following message on to you because of your compassion for the children he is serving:

May the Lord reward you for what you have done for these poor children here in north India. It will be a permanent investment for the school here.

The Heaven’s Family Education Fund invests in projects that will continue to minister to children for years to come. These gifts that “keep on giving” not only educate children, but also improve the economy of the local community by eventually placing more educated workers in the workforce.

On behalf of everyone who benefits, thanks so much!

Director, Education Fund

Some of the children at their new desks provided by Heaven’s Family

_________________________

Deoderat, his wife, and one of their four children making a food called "chackle" for their restaurant

In the Cibitoke Commune in Bujumbura, Burundi, a man by the name of Deodorat Minani lives with his wife and four children. Deodorat is a Christian and works as a teacher in the public school system, earning less than two dollars a day. He has been struggling to provide for his family.

With a $300 micro-loan from Heaven’s Family, however, Deodorat and his wife Francoise have been able to start a small business selling food at the local market. Francoise runs the business in the morning while Deodorat is teaching, then they work their business together in the afternoons. Some of their best customers are other vendors who also sell in the market but who do not have time to go home for meals.

Our micro-banker reported, “Now because of his business earnings, brother Deodorat is able to pay his rent, cover his family expenses, and invest some money in the Kingdom to the Glory of God!”

Because of obedient people like you who generously give to Heaven’s Family’s Micro-Loan Fund, Deodorat is able to support his family and give generously to God’s work in Africa. His offerings are, no doubt, a very pleasing aroma to the Lord.

David
Director, Micro-Loan Fund

Pastor John Wanyonyi on his church-planting bicycle from Heaven’s Family

“A place where every sort of evil exists….”

Those were the words John Wanyonyi, an East African church planter in Kenya, used to describe his village.

“Bikeke village is where I come from, and I always thought some special people from far away or perhaps the city would come and evangelize our town. Then I realized that I was the one sent here, so I began to reach out to our village. With the help of a bicycle from Heaven’s Family I was able to reach many more people and start house fellowships. Now with over thirty fellowships, we are reaching out to the whole Bikeke community."

Through gifts to the Mobilize a Minister Fund, Heaven’s Family provides simple but durable bicycles to evangelists and church planters in poor nations around the world, multiplying their effectiveness and area of ministry.

But there is more.

"Right now, three brothers are sharing the bicycle—two of us for ministry, and one for business. Again,” John says, “many thanks to Heaven’s Family for this gift.”

What a deal! For an average cost of $100, we can provide the gift of transportation, enabling a church-planting pastor, as well as his friends (in some cases) to spread the gospel further. Thanks for helping to make this possible.

Sincerely,

Karin Trotter
Director, Mobilize a Minister Fund

Dear Friends,

Hana had already helplessly watched her parents slowly succumb to starvation. Shortly after they died, Hana’s husband also slipped into eternity for lack of food. Now she was left alone with her younger sister, and they both knew it was just a matter of time for them. Both were malnourished and hungry.

As starvation took its toll, Hana’s sister became very ill and frail. Hana searched frantically to find any food that could save her sister’s life. She succeeded in finding one small loaf of bread and rushed home. But she was too late. As Hana gently placed a small piece into her sister’s mouth, she silently passed away.

Hana, now all alone, knew her own death was imminent. Her fear, bitterness and grief were overshadowed only by her hatred for the North Korean government for its failed policies and for withholding foreign aid during a famine. Thousands of North Korean citizens had died of starvation.

Thankfully, one of our partners, Mrs. L., along with other underground church leaders, found Hana and reached out to her. They provided Hana with food that was smuggled into North Korea, in part, because of gifts to Heaven’s Family’s North Korean Christians Fund. They also shared the gospel of Jesus Christ with her. Hana’s heart was softened and she gave her life to the Lord.

Thank you so much for your compassion. Because of your gifts, Hana and others like her are not only receiving bread to eat, but also the Bread of Life.

Elisabeth Kirkwood

A Khampa woman from Yushu, in Tibet

Dear Friends,

God has done it again. He’s opened a door for the gospel in a few seconds where missionaries haven’t been able to break through for centuries. He did it through the April 14th earthquake in Qinghai Province, China. Heaven’s Family joined with indigenous Christian relief ministries in that key moment to help take advantage of an open door.

We helped initially with $3,000 to provide emergency food, clothing, blankets, and other supplies for thirty of the neediest families, and through your compassion following our appeal for help in April we’ve assisted more by sending an additional $2,000.

These supplies are providing much more than physical relief, however.

The Yushu earthquake took place at the heart of a completely unreached people group, the Northern Khampa Tibetans. They are one of the most difficult groups to reach anywhere in the world because of the geographical, cultural, linguistic, and spiritual barriers that have prevented them hearing the gospel for centuries. Although professing to be Buddhists, the Khampa actually worship demons that must be placated by constant offerings. They also worship Yama, the god of death. The earthquake not only caused buildings to crumble, but it’s causing many of the barriers to the gospel to crumble and fall as well.

Chinese Christian relief workers have traveled to Yushu in the past several weeks, and they are boldly sharing the gospel. As the Khampas see love from believers demonstrated to them in the midst of their tragedy, some are repenting and turning to Jesus. Thank you for your partnership in this long-overdue harvest! Your gifts to the Disaster Relief Fund are continuing to reap eternal rewards.

Khampa people can now hear the gospel for the first time, thanks to Christian relief workers

A thankful Khampa family in Yushu, who are living in a tent city

Do you know others who have compassion for those struggling through times of disaster? Please forward this email to them, along with your recommendation of Heaven’s Family, so that we can continue to meet urgent needs in places like Tibet, Chile, Haiti, and wherever God sovereignly opens the next door.

Because of Him,

Jeff Trotter
Director, Disaster Relief Fund

Dear Friends,

Because of contributions to the Critical Medical Needs Fund, Sajini John of Kerala, India, was alive to celebrate her first Mother’s Day.

Last fall, however, when she should have been expecting life, Sajini was facing death.

At 26, Sajini thought her dreams were all coming true. Although from a poor background, she was able to finish school and begin serving the Lord as a missionary. When she desired a husband who would be her partner in ministry, God provided Sajini with a man who loved Jesus and who also was a missionary. Soon after they wed, she became pregnant—a precious child was on the way. Sajini was indeed blessed!

But without warning, Sajini’s life took a turn for the worse. She wrote, "The doctors found out that I had a problem with my heart valves." Immediate surgery might save her, but it cost 60,000 Rupees ($1,500)—way more than she and her husband, also from a poor family, could ever afford. Would she survive? Would her unborn child survive? Were her dreams of a life of service to the Lord about to die as well? Sajini didn’t know the answers to any of these questions, but she trusted God, and He supplied her need.

K.V. Daniel, a trusted ministry partner, found out about Sajini’s desperate situation and contacted Heaven’s Family. Because of gifts to the Critical Medical Needs Fund, we were able to send what was needed to help pay for Sajini’s balloon-heart surgery.

Now fully recovered and with a healthy newborn, Sajini is able to continue her missionary work and enjoy the treasures of motherhood. She told us, "Today we are so happy and healthy. I would like to thank Heaven’s Family members for helping me to go through this valley of death."

Thank you so much for your compassion for Sajini and the many other members of our spiritual family whom we are able to help through the Critical Medical Needs Fund. You are making a difference!

In Him,

Emily
Director, Critical Medical Needs Fund

Dear Friends,

I want to give you a quick report about one way that gifts to the Bibles for Believers Fund are making a real difference. Here are some details from my recent trip to Africa.

Placing Bibles into the hands of believers who have never owned one before is always exciting. While in Rwanda, however, I wasn’t quite prepared for the blessing I was to receive as I gave out a new kind of Bible I brought along with me this time—a Bible called a Proclaimer.

Proclaimers are audio Bibles housed in brick-sized plastic boxes and powered by a built-in solar panel, hand crank, or electrical wall outlet. One Proclaimer can be heard by dozens of people at once, making them ideal for those who cannot read.

I discovered another group that really appreciates them—the blind. Thank the Lord that I happened to have one with me when I visited Kabuga, Rwanda. There I met with twelve families in a blind community. Surprise and delight flashed across their faces as they realized what I was giving them. They insisted on “seeing” this blessed box by passing it around for all to feel!

These believers in Rwanda can now "see the light" in a new way

I was overjoyed to be a part of sharing the Living Word with these precious brothers and sisters in Christ. Your love and faithfulness made this blessing possible. Thank you.

In Christ,

Chuck King

P.S. Please forward this email to your friends who love the Word of God!

Dear Friends,

Because of contributions to the Safe Water Fund over the past twelve months, I wanted to share some uplifting news that we’ve recently been receiving. I just visited Goma, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, to follow up on our safe water filter ministry team. The testimonies received from those benefiting from the biosand and Sawyer filters was very encouraging!

First, here is a photo (below) of the Corneille Luanda family and some of their thirty-five neighbors in Goma who are now benefitting from a Sawyer filter from Heaven’s Family.

Your gifts to the Safe Water Fund have not only been helping poor believers in DR Congo, but also in eleven other countries. The establishment of filter production centers in those nations is resulting in lives being saved. Hundreds of families are benefitting.

Below is a photo of Simeon and Josephine Muhunga with one of two biosand filters that together are providing safe water to 350 church members in Goma.

The testimonies concerning the use of these filters was unanimous in Goma. Before using the filters, everyone suffered from sickness from drinking the unsafe water from Lake Kivu. Now, no sickness can be found among those who are using the Sawyer and biosand filters to purify Lake Kivu water! The biosand filter even removes a salty taste in that lake water!

As the director of Heaven’s Family’s Safe Water Fund, I hope to keep you informed periodically via email of what your contributions are accomplishing, as we only highlight it in our monthly magazine about twice a year.

Thanks again helping us to provide safe water for our spiritual family around the world. Jesus will one day say to you, "I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink" (Matt. 25:35).

In Christ,

Chuck King

International Director
Heaven’s Family

In some African countries, the acquired wealth of a man belongs to his parents and male siblings at his death. If there aren’t any male siblings or parents who survive him, his wealth goes to his male relatives. His wife and children do not have a claim on any of the material possessions that were gained by their husband and father. The widow does have the option of marrying a brother or male cousin to keep the wealth in the family, but if she refuses, she is cast out and left with nothing. Of course, many Christian widows will not become a second wife or marry a nonbeliever. This was the story of Philagona.

Philagona was married to Wafula for ten years and had three beautiful children—two girls, Diana and Daisy, and one son, Davis. Tragically, in 1999 Wafula contracted a severe case of malaria and died. Philagona and her children found themselves homeless and penniless. (I will never understand how a grandparent could take the home and belongings of their grandchildren and leave them destitute, but this is common in some African nations!)

Philagona and her grandson outside their one-room home

Philagona took any small job she could find just to put food on her table. For shelter, she rented one room of a building made of dung and clay. Primary school is provided by the government in Kenya, but secondary schools cost money, so her daughter Diana had to drop out because she couldn’t afford the school fees.

With the help of a few caring friends, Philagona took a course in sewing and tailoring. Her dream was to open up her own shop and sew women’s clothing, men’s suits and table cloths. As the saying goes, "It takes money to make money." Philagona didn’t have any money, so her dream seemed impossible.

Thanks to you, however, Philagona now owns two sewing machines and rents a business place where she started her own tailoring shop just last month. Her shop will provide for all the needs of her growing family, and she is already thinking of ways to expand her business to hire some other needy believers!

Philagona is so happy with her new sewing machine and shop

Truly, God has made a way for Philagona and her family, creating a river in the desert. Thank you for helping to make Philagona’s dream a reality!

In the past nine months fifty-six widows have been helped in five different nations because of your compassion. Thanks so much.

To Jesus belongs all the glory,

Becky

Learn more about how you can help widows through Heaven’s Family.