spring2018

Happenings volume 51 issue 2

Daniel gives us a great example for how to handle an impossible situation.
When asked to interpret King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream in Daniel 2, Daniel responded in a manner we can
model.
Pray and Ask God for the impossible to be made possible with His supernatural help. In
another seemingly impossible situation, God told Jeremiah, “Call to me and I will answer
you. I’ll tell you marvellous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your
own” (Jeremiah 33:3 The Message). God often answers in ways we cannot figure out on our own.
At CBM, we’ve seen God do the impossible over and over again. We’ve faced huge odds that we couldn’t
possibly solve on our own. But we prayed!
In Auckland, there were needs for vehicles, staff, accommodation and a new headquarters. At Camp Raglan
there were needs for a new hall, a gymnasium, a new driveway, numerous items of equipment, as well as the
ongoing challenges of property maintenance.
In the Philippines, there were needs for staff accommodation, a children’s home, a centre for the disabled,
a large school hall and various other challenges. We can testify to God’s provision as each challenge has been
faced in the confidence of knowing it was His will that we move ahead in these
different areas.

The New Challenge: the rapidly developing area of CBM’s ministry work
in India. CBM has four ministry centres in India, and we work alongside many
churches and ministries by providing training and teaching resources. Hundreds
of our Life Changers curriculum are distributed each year to every corner of
the nation. The nerve centre is our base in Mumbai, where all the material is
collated and distributed.
The picture shows the house of Rodney Devdas. It is literally crammed with curriculum and other teaching
resources, and bulk stock is stored elsewhere. Rodney’s front room is packed with curriculum. His wife Jyoti and
staff worker Sonu currently collate lessons on the floor. For a time we were renting a small place in a slum area
until termites were found eating our stock of lessons! In the new place, squirrels are a problem!

? Distribution Hub What is the only real solution?

We need to purchase a small secure apartment to
house all the bulk stock in good conditions, and be used for collating and act as an India distribution hub.
This will also remove some of the stock that is cluttering Rodney’s own house.
Property prices in Mumbai are high, but we can get a suitable place for only $45,000. This is another
massive big step of faith, but we have been encouraged by two things. Firstly, we serve a God who can
do the impossible. Secondly, CBM is privileged to have amazing supporters who have stood
with us in many of the miracles of provision we’ve shared with you
Please stand with us in prayer as we seek His provision for this much needed miracle.
Enjoy having a look at what’s been happening at CBM recently. Blessings, Mike
Our fast-paced world is so pressured for time! There is rarely ‘spare time’ to get around to
those things you’d like to do ‘one day’. Taking time to gain new skills and equip yourself in
children’s ministry seems to fall into that category of ‘one day’ when I have ‘spare time’.
Guess what? It’s unlikely to ever happen! Unless you make a decision to put aside that time, the most
likely outcome will be that training remains in that far-off time of ‘one day’.

So here is your opportunity! Next year we’ll be offering as usual four basic training days spread
out over the whole year. There are also two specialist training days. Maybe next year is the
time for you to intentionally put aside some time to make your ministry to children more effective. You
can do as many or as few as you like. Which ones would you like to do? Put them into your diaries now
so that 2019 is the year you stop saying ‘one day’ and go ahead to make some great improvements in

4
your children’s ministry.

BASIC
Training Days:

2 Specialist
Training Days:
People who take time to get some training are so
encouraged and very often come back for more.

“Praise God for the practical ways of

discipling children. Much appreciated.”
International
Happenings ...go into all the world...

AFRICA:
Kenya The recent trip by Hugh Dickey, Ian Fletcher and Hayley Colling was very worthwhile
and we are so grateful to all those who prayed and gave to make it happen.
People came from all over Kenya to the first course, with 109 members of the VOSH Churches
attending at their Kisumu Headquarters.
It was a very busy time for Hugh, Ian and Paul (CBM Graduate 2015), especially when it came to mak-
ing 110 flannel boards during the week, and making up 109 sets of Year 1 curriculum in one day!
Hayley also helped for two days.
The Archbishop of the denomination has a real desire to see children’s ministry flourish in their 2000
churches and was very supportive of us, and of the need for two people to attend our NZ training next

year. Many people testified as to how much they got from the training.

“
One leader said,
Thanks so much for your
commitments towards our betterment. In fact, I was
really touched by your teachings and wish I could be with
you to hear more and more. Your coming and training really
changed us toward teaching children. Most of my Sunday
“
school teachers have called me, telling me how the training
really helped them to enjoy teaching children. They used to
struggle a lot. May God increase the number of your days so
that you can continue imparting more life in Jesus Name.

Mozambique In the Mozambique course we were planting seed in virgin soil, as none
of the people attending from five churches (including one in nearby Zimbabwe) had received any training
previously. Foreigners rarely speak in this relatively isolated area.
We were so pleased to see how open the people were
to what we shared. One pastor said, “We will never be
the same again – no two ways about it!” He was one
of several who spoke English. We lectured in English,
which was translated into Shona (the local language)
and we provided notes in both Portuguese (the national
language) and English.
While the Life Changers Curriculum had been translated
into Portuguese, there is a need for our Games and
Parenting booklets to also be translated, subject
to provision of the necessary finance.
 “
On Saturday we taught the story of Benny in our class, with the
reference from the Bible - John 1:12. This touched a lot of children.
Out of 45, 15 voluntarily gave their lives to Christ and I prayed with
“
them. They went home asking for forgiveness from their parents for
wrong things they did. Even up to now we are getting results from
parents that their children never asked for forgiveness before, but
through these teachings they are seeing a great change.
There is a great change in the community of Manica.

MORE TESTIMONY FROM MOZAMBIQUE:

With the CBM Curriculum we have managed to get 45 children who are studying under our teachings.
The curriculum has helped in changing the lives of the children who were non-believers. Two families have given their
lives to Christ through the children! The story of Benny is the one that helped many children to change their lives.
CBM has assisted us so much with the training of teachers and the curriculum has helped to fulfill our vision of
reaching children.
Currently many churches who were not present at the launch are now calling us to train them because of what they
are seeing children doing both at church and at home.Our vision is to see Mozambique know Christ through Children
Bible Ministry. Our future is our children. Many thanks to CBM. Bishop Tapiwa Victor Manera

UGANDA Ian and his daughter Hayley spent a week in Uganda

with Sylvia Ngobi (Graduate 2010), conducting three
days of training in Jinja (Syvia’s home town) with 50 attendees from a
number of local churches.
Despite torrential rain on a tin roof, thunder and lightning, the training was
very well accepted and although some had received previous training, for
many, the concepts we taught were brand new to them.
Of course we could do none of this without your faithful
love, prayers and financial support. We are truly thankful
that you invest in CBM, so we can, in turn, invest into the
lives of others around the world, to reach children with the
good news of Christ.

Philippines At the start of teachers training session, I was INDIA

able to share my life story and why I ended up teaching children.
During the teaching session, they were able to see the difference
of teaching from the heart as opposed to teaching from the mind.
In one of the practical sessions, a participant did the Wordless
Book; she taught it from her heart. She was in tears after the
demonstration because it was a first time she was able to teach
this and she was so touched by the story.
Here are several testimonies- (with tears streaming down her face)
“Thank you so much for giving your time and coming and
sharing. This training was very timely because although we
teach in children’s church, we’ve had no training at all.”
“I don't know how to start, but most of the things you
have shared I've already heard it from other seminars and
training... but this training is so different. Maybe because you
were using a different approach or it has an anointing.... I don't
know. I can’t put it into words, but it really touched me deeply.
In late October and
November, Mike,
Hugh, Jean and Lyn joined our India team for
the important staff retreat, as this is the only time
in the year our staff from all over India get to
fellowship with one another and with us. We will
also be present at an important legal milestone
as our original India Trust Board is wound up
and a new one established that fits better with
the current situation in India.
Five day training will be held in Kolkata and a
North Eastern state, and two days of teaching
given to pastors in training at the Bible College
for the major denomination in the state.
 Part of our God given mission is to tell
others about the Good News of God’s
grace. You know Christ because
somebody told you about him!
We are so thankful to the Lord for all
He did in the children’s hearts and lives
throughout the camps during the
October holidays. When we heard testimony after testimony of children testifying
how they received Jesus into their life, our hearts overflowed with gratitude!
We are so grateful to all the leaders who worked with us to give these kids an experience they wouldn’t forget.
Our camps have become an international mission field of its own! Instead of us “going into all the world”, the world is
coming to us! We’ve had campers who are: South African, Korean, Chinese, Japanese, American, Swiss, German, African,
Burmese, Samoan, Tongan, Austrian, British, Canadian, Denish, Singaporean, Indian, Filipino,
African, Fijian and more!
Here is an encouraging testimony from an international child from Korea, now living in New Zealand:

“
Dear CBM Family,
It
was not an easy decision for the family of (child) to attend
staff happenings the CBM camp as the family does not yet know Jesus. However,
after the camp, there was a change in the family. The child ex-
claimed,
We farewell “ I 100% believe in God! The Bible is so much more fun than
Harry Potter!”
Andrew Roughton
He surprised the family by singing the meal time prayer song loudly
who has served before family mealtime. He has also asked to go to church. Through
faithfully on the Camp Raglan, the child met Jesus and has gained an unforgettable
team for the past memory for his life.
Moreover, this was an opportunity for his family to open their hearts
“
two years. Andrew g list to get
to God. I’m so thankful a vacancy occurred from the waitin
has been looking him into camp!
after much of the day to day maintenance as
well as jumping into many of the new projects This year our major focus was to repaint all the bedrooms at Camp. Wow
around camp. There are not many places what an upgrade, so many people helped and the
around camp where you cannot see Andrew’s result was A-Ma-Zing! The children loved their
handiwork. Thank you Andrew for all your new rooms.
love, time, sweat and dedication you
A very special thanks to Glen Preston who
generously poured into Camp Raglan.
served so faithfully for many weeks during our
Andrew leaves us to continue his role as Pastor
upgrade of the rooms. THANK YOU GLEN!
and growing his local church in Raglan.
Thanks again to MMM and all their helpers, associates and
staff! You guys are the BEST!
Wedding Celebrations
Debbie Bradley has now become Debbie Hughes
New Roof Answered Prayer
-
We are so grateful for the Lord’s provision of a
after marrying Tony Hughes on the 21st July substantial gift for us to replace our main roof
2018 at Camp. What a wonderful day to see at camp. We looked at it some years ago as the
this very special couple become husband and signs of wear and tear were evident in the harsh
coastal environment. The cost of the project
wife. Thank you Debbie and Tony for all you
was over $55,000 and we are happy to report
give into the children’s lives and as well as the this has all be paid for and installed last month.
team. Here’s to your “Happily Ever After!” Thank you to those generous friends who helped
us make this possible.
 CBM B O O KS H O P
“ S o m e t h i n g f o r t h e e n t i r e f a m il y ”

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