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ECUADOR REPORT
November
14-22, 2009
(click here to view
pictures)
Pastor Daniel Durἀn and I were
privileged to represent the Francis Asbury Society in the
country of Ecuador. Pastor Durἀn is a talented young man
with a solid experience with the Lord. He has a lovely
family and pastors a growing church in Mexico. We ministered
together in the city of Naranjito (34,000 population) which
is located in the heart of Ecuador's sugar industry.
ECUADOR
Ecuador (population over 13
million) is a beautiful country of great geographical
diversity, numerous languages and with an interesting blend
of various ethnic groups. According to Operation World, 40%
of the population is Quichua Indian of which 50% (in some
areas) are Bible-believing Christians. Remarkable!
GOD VISITS NARANJITO
At the invitation of the pastor
of the Iglesia Biblica Cristiana (Bible Christian Church), I
was invited to speak at the evangelistic crusade that
originally was to be held in the city stadium. However, due
to the electrical power outages Ecuador was experiencing,
the event was held adjacent to one of the main avenues of
the city. It was estimated that around 500 people attended
(if not more) and listened attentively to the Word and the
vibrant Ecuadorian Christian music performed by various
singers. I also had the privilege of speaking in two youth
rallies where young people made commitments toward sexual
purity. With Pastor Durἀn's assistance, additional bases
were covered as we delivered the Word on radio and
television, to church leaders, married couples, city
employees, and congregations in the area.
As a result of the relentless
efforts of the Ecuadorian Christians through fasting,
praying and the raising of money by selling food dishes, God
wonderfully blessed. Over 20 people sought Christ for the
first time. Believers also sought holiness, inner healing,
and were spiritually edified and encouraged. One highlight
experience was the genuine conversion of a man who had hit
bottom in his life due to promiscuous living, but who was
wonderfully rescued and forgiven by the Lord Jesus.
IT COULD
HAPPEN AGAIN
An invitation has already been
extended to return to the city of Naranjito in a couple of
years with the hopes of having a broader evangelistic
outreach. Wouldn't it be awesome if most of the citizens of
this city came to Christ? Just think of the powerful ripple
effect this could have in the surrounding areas!
One young committed Christian
mother, after attending the evangelistic meetings with her
daughters stated, "After listening to the preaching and
seeing people come forward to accept Christ, it makes me
want to become a Christian again." How persuasive and
penetrating the Gospel is to the human heart!
THANK YOU
Thank you for your prayers and
support which still makes this ministry possible and to my
wife, Karol, who "holds the fort" while I'm away from home.
In His Service,
David H. Harriman
David Harriman Ministries
www.davidharrimanministries.org
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PERU
REPORT
August 3-16,
2009
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pictures)
At the
invitation of the Church of God I ministered in Peru for the
second time. However, this time I was in five different
cities and towns (Chota, Lajas, Bambamarca, Magdalena, and
Cajamarca) located in the foothills of the Andean Mountains.
BEAUTIFUL AND
DIVERSIFIED
Peru
(population over 27 million) is a land of contrasts with
arid deserts on the coast to the Andean Sierra rising up to
19,700. Its mixture of Indian, Spanish and European makes
for a unique and diversified culture. But the beautify of it
all is that as the Gospel continues to make its inroads in
society, it is impacting and transforming lives. According
to Operation World, over 8% of its population is now
evangelical Christian.
POSITIVE AND FRUITFUL
On this
trip, I also was accompanied by Dr. Kenneth Arndt, a
Christian university professor out of Boston, who through an
interpreter ministered to pastors and lay leaders.
Over 30
sought Christ as a result of the evangelistic films and
messages given in the open air in the streets and plazas. We
were also able to reach the public through a secular TV
station and Christian radio, expounding on topics related to
family, marriage and youth.
God also
touched the lives of pastors and lay leaders, as they
earnestly sought holiness of heart and received helpful
teachings on servanthood and Christian living. Young people
also responded making commitments toward sexual purity. What
a privilege to also personally lead a young university
student to Christ. Others also sought personal counseling. I
spoke more than 20 times during the two week visit.
REFLECTION
What a joy
to identify with numerous Peruvians and represent Christ,
whether in a church setting, on the street or plaza, at a
dinning room table, or in a taxi cab or van riding over
rough and sometimes dangerous mountainous roads. And all of
this for the greatest cause ever, to proclaim the Good News,
which without questions continues to transform lives. Praise
His Name!
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Kenya
Report
June 4-14, 2009
It was my
privilege to visit Kenya for the third time and to work together with
the Africa Gospel Church and World Gospel Mission in an evangelistic
outreach ministry.
KENYA
Kenya, is a
beautiful country in eastern Africa with a population of over 37
million, of which (according to Operation World) 36% of the population
(13 million) is evangelical Christian. The Africa Gospel Church has over
1,500 churches/congregations throughout Kenya, and continues to grow as
its evangelists and church leadership place evangelism as a high
priority.
AWESOME
RESPONSE
As an outside
evangelist, I was honored to serve the church in two evangelistic
crusades held in the city of Kericho and the rural community of Cismara.
Our efforts took us to six open market places, where we had gatherings
ranging from 400 to 2,000 people. Each Sunday I spoke in open-air
meetings on the grounds of two different churches, where approximately
3,000 to 6,000 people came to receive the Good News. In each event, the
atmosphere was charged with special music from various singing groups,
followed by preaching.
The evangelistic
outreach also took us to five high schools, where young people listened
intently to the Gospel. Attendance ranged anywhere from 300 to 1,000. A
unique experience was a visit to one of the prisons, where I preached to
approximately 200 inmates, most of whom were in their twenties. Many in
each of these different settings sought Christ.
In addition, I
also had the honor of speaking to church leaders and fellow believers,
Bible college students, and delivering God’s message on Christian
radio.
As a result of
these evangelistic efforts, hundreds of hungry and hurting hearts sought
Christ.
THANK YOU
I am grateful to
many friends who have supported us through their giving and prayers so
that the Good News could be shared in Kenya. And I look forward to
having others partnering with us so that many more names can be added to
the Book of Life.
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San Salvador and Mexico City Report
(April 9-19, 2009)
SAN SALVADOR (April 9-12, 2009)
At the invitation of the Evangelical Friends Church in San Salvador,
capital of El Salvador, I spoke at their Annual Meeting during the
Easter weekend.
El Salvador, according to one source, has a population of eight million
people -- six million living in El Salvador and the remaining two
million in the United States. According to Operation World, 22% is now
evangelical Christian considered, along with Guatemala, to be the
highest percentage per capita in Central and South America.
As Christians congregated for this special event, I offered sessions on
evangelism, and gave practical helps on reaching people for Christ. One
afternoon, numerous believers went out into the streets to witness for
Christ. Ninety contacts were made, resulting in three conversions and
three reconciliations. There was also an excellent response in the
evening services as many came forward seeking the Lord. The Easter
Sunday service was especially victorious as seekers responded to the
message on, "He Still Removes Stones."
MEXICO CITY (April 14-19, 2009)
Following my visit to San Salvador, I flew to Mexico City at the
invitation of the UNIFAM churches (product of the Oriental Missionary
Society).
Mexico
City with its surrounding suburbs has a population of over 30 million,
considered by many as the largest city in the world. It is a bustling
city with endless lines (bumper to bumper) of vehicles on the streets
and avenues. Interesting enough, it is estimated that only 3% of the
city's population is evangelical, compared to the approximately 15% in
all of Mexico.
During
a pastor's/missionary retreat outside of the city, I held sessions on
evangelism. The last meeting was outstanding as all went to their knees
seeking purity of heart in order to be more effective in evangelism and
ministry.
I also
spoke in three different UNIFAM churches in Mexico City, plus at a
Christian Center for drug addicts who come off of the street for hot
showers, a good breakfast, and a dose of the Gospel.
As a
result of the meetings and evangelistic emphasis both in San Salvador
and Mexico City, there were approximately 20 who sought Christ for the
first time, four of which were drug addicts.
Praise
God that His church is alive and doing well, and that the Resurrection
power of Jesus Christ "Still Removes Stones."
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AN OPEN DOOR
It was my privilege, along with
Charles Winters (World Gospel Mission retired missionary) and
David Harriman (a second cousin and retired pastor),
Brazil has half the land surface in South America with a population of
more than 170 million. Interestingly enough, 50-70% of the people are of
European descent. Its official language is Portuguese. According to
Operation World, 12.6% of the population is now evangelical. Although
Brazil is considered the largest Catholic country in the world with
strongholds of spiritism, the receptivity and response to the Gospel is
seen among all church denominations.
God
BLESSED
The
invitation to go to Brazil came by way of Eliezer Zomora, a young pastor
with the Church of God in the southern city of Joacaba. After thirteen
hours of flying and a seven hour bus ride, I arrived in Joacaba where I
was warmly received. Shortly after my arrival, I was interviewed by a
local television station, followed by eight speaking engagements at the
church, all done with the help of an interpreter. Three conversions were
reported. Young people and married couples responded to the challenges
on sexual purity and martial responsibilities, while others sought inner
healing. The last two closing days were dedicated to pastors and their
wives who came from surrounding communities. On my return trip, I also
spoke one evening to seminary students, pastors and wives with the
Church of God in the city of Curitiba. God blessed as hearts sought
holiness and received practical spiritual guidance.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
As I reflect on the eight-day stay in Brazil, I was reminded of the
story of a little boy who was walking along the ocean beach picking up
star fish and throwing them back into the water in order to spare their
lives. After being questioned by a curious onlooker regarding the
futility of his efforts, the boy picked up another star fish. After
throwing it into the water he replied, "For this one it makes a
difference."
What happened in Brazil made a difference. New names were written in the
Book of Life, believers were edified, plus a door has been opened for
future ministry trips. That is what the Gospel is all about.
