The rationale behind World English Institute is well-expressed by Larry Little, missionary in Arad, Romania. As you read this report, think about how your congregation and your missionaries can use WEI as an evangelistic tool in countries where people are studying English as a second language.
“Mission work is about preaching the gospel to the lost. But the lost must somehow be persuaded to hear the gospel before they can be saved.
“The July campaign has proved the effectiveness of the WEI approach to getting people to hear the gospel. Five Christians from America joined us as teachers in the campaign. The Romanians who were attracted to our free English instruction proved to be serious students whose motive for coming to us was self-improvement, not benevolence. We ended up with over 30 men and women as students ranging in age from 16 to 52, from various backgrounds, religions, and occupations.
“The material is excellent. It is sound and written in such an easy-flowing and interesting way that the students move quickly from sole interest in English skills to genuine interest in the Bible.
“The amazing thing is that our students enjoyed studying the Bible! One student actually pushed the grammar book aside and wanted to just do the Bible portion. As the month progressed, teachers were sharing comments from their students—such as, ‘When I am baptized, I want to be here,’ ‘I have never heard this before,’ and ‘I am studying the Bible more than I ever have before.’ The very fact that, for a month, over 30 people looked forward to coming to us every day knowing that they would be studying the Bible is simply amazing.
“Due to its [WEI’s] very nature, translators for our American teachers were not required. This greatly enhanced the quality of the one-on-one studies. Our job is to preach the gospel, and WEI produces quality contacts. Our objective for the campaign was realized beyond what we had hoped for.
“We rejoice in that one obeyed the gospel in the third week. For most, however, it takes longer.
“After Corina’s baptism, she encouraged her mother to study the Bible with us—which resulted in her obedience to the gospel. Now, her mother is encouraging Corina’s sister to study with us. Corina has also influenced a friend to begin WEI with us.
“We have 15 students continuing their studies. At this point, we feel that at least three more students are close to obedience.
“This is a work in progress, and we have yet to see the ultimate results. We have been thoroughly impressed with this outreach approach. All praise, honor, and glory be unto God.”
For three summers in a row, Tom Langley has led WEI campaigns in Oradea, Romania, the city where he and Angie served as missionaries for about five years. Several people in Oradea have been baptized through these short-term mission efforts.
Stephen Smith, a pharmacist from Opelika, Alabama, was one of the teachers in this summer’s campaign. He writes the following:
“This campaign was my first experience with any organized mission work. I knew before going that it would be an encouraging and rewarding experience, but I had no idea how much!
“The WEI campaign truly changed my life. Worship with the Romanian brethren was beautiful. Being able to teach one-on-one was motivating. Overall, the material is a great guide for studying the Word of God, and it is very easy to teach for someone with little or no experience. The response from our students was a great encouragement. A lot of seed was sown for God.
“Another great blessing was being able to spend so much time with brethren who love our Lord and are concerned for people’s souls. I can’t imagine a truer form of fellowship in this lifetime than what I experienced in Oradea! If it is the Lord’s will, I can’t wait till next year!”
On August 23, 2004, the family gathered in front of the baptistery again as Oerd baptized his cousin, Olsi Kodra, into Christ. Olsi had been studying with Butch Campbell. And the story goes on.
In addition to Olsi, five others were united with Christ in baptism in Tirana this summer: Stela Guma, Kledia Lika, Anxhela Rama, Aida Hyka, and Juli Loloci. Please pray for these new Christians.
A Heartwarming Experience Back in the summer of 2001, our favorite waiter at the London Restaurant in Tirana, Arjan Hyka, was baptized into Christ. The missionaries and campaigners had been eating lunch together at the London almost every day, and Ellen Walker had been studying with Arjan all summer. Everyone in our group rejoiced when Arjan obeyed his Lord.
Arjan’s lovely wife, Aida, was a devout Muslim at the time. But since then, Arjan has been a patient, loving husband, and Aida has warmed up to Christianity. Ellen Walker, who has been teaching Aida for the past two years reports that Arjan, Aida, and their daughter Kamila “have been singing Christian songs before they go to bed and praying together every night for a long time.”
Aida told Ellen that she had some concerns about living the Christian life. She said, “I just don’t know if I can do it like Arjan. He’s so devoted. He’s like an angel or something.” Ellen wondered if Aida would ever become a Christian.
But on July 29, 2004, Arjan stood beside Aida in front of the baptistery at the WEI Center. With tears in his eyes, he told us how Aida had called him on the telephone that morning and had said, “This is your new sister calling you.”
At that point, Arjan choked up. All he could do was lean his head against hers and wipe tears from his eyes. Then, he took her confession and baptized her into Christ.
Of the hundreds of baptisms that I have witnessed in Tirana during the past twelve years, this one was by far the most moving and heartwarming.
Tina Henry, a second time teacher in Tirana, experienced the joy of having another student, Kledia Lika, become a Christian August 15.
Following Kledia’s baptism, Tina wrote, “Kledia is like a little sponge. She came here having never opened a Bible in her life. She was baptized Sunday evening and wants to learn more and more. I don’t think she has missed one church event since she started believing.”
In his September newsletter, Çimi Kafexhiu says, “The greatest news we have is that several souls have been saved by coming to know our Lord Jesus Christ. Diana Zotaj, Klaudio Hyseni, Orkid Tirana, Juli Dako, Gentian Delija, and Laureta Nasufi were added to the church in Durrës. We have witnessed and rejoiced in the Lord for their faith and obedience.”
In addition to their summer campaign, the church in Durrës conducted a Vacation Bible School, supported the Christian Camp at Llogora, had open house for WEI students, showed “The Passion of Christ,” and hosted the National Bible Bowl.
The bad news is that Dulcie Hodge fell on the steps at her home in Elbasan and suffered serious injuries. Pete reports that Dulcie has a cracked vertebra, a crushed vertebra, a broken shoulder blade, and broken ribs as a result of the fall.
Dulcie is now in and out of the hospital in Devon, England and has been told that she should be fit again in six to nine months. That means that Pete will work alone in Elbasan until he moves back to England in May. Pete and Dulcie need our prayers.
The good news is that Pete has baptized eight people in Elbasan during the past two and a half weeks: Irena Xhaferri, Selam Imeri, Kladi Imeri, Anxhela Imeriand, and Marsuala Millo and three others. Pete says, “Eight precious souls added to the kingdom in seventeen days! Isn’t our God wonderful?”
Pete Shaw reports: “Two more of the students I taught in Cambodia back in January and February were baptized on September 6th: Un Sarith (35), and Ros Pysoth (30). Both of these young men work in the Department of Agriculture.
“These two men studied with seven teachers before coming to Christ. They wanted to count the cost before making the most important decision of their lives. These are wonderful guys, with good hearts, and will be a big asset to the church.”
An outstanding WEI teacher in Missoula, Montana (who chooses to remain anonymous) is doing a wonderful work with Asian students.
At the university in Missoula, she has befriended and taught a number of Chinese students. She also teaches students in Taiwan and China by email. She and her husband make regular trips to the Far East to follow up on their students, many of whom are now Christians.
God needs mores WEI teachers. Who will catch the vision that this couple has caught? Who will say, “Here am I, Lord. Use me.”?
If you would like to teach people about Christ through regular mail or by email, please contact us at one of the addresses listed on the front page.
An Urgent Appeal
Our financial statements show that WEI is now spending more on world evangelism than it is receiving in contributions. We have no doubt that God will provide the funds needed to continue this worldwide mission effort, but we also know he expects us to let you know about our shortfall.
Right now, we need an additional $1,500 a month to carry on the current evangelistic activities. Souls are being saved all over the world, but we need additional funds to keep the work going.
God continues to open new doors. Next year, we project a need for another $2,000 a month in order to respond to new opportunities.
Could your congregation include WEI in its 2005 church budget for $1,000, $500, $200, or even $100 a month? We hope you will partner with us in leading people to Christ in every nation.
We also need contributions from individuals. You may have noticed on the financial statements that one man in St. Louis, Missouri has been sending $1.00 each month. Any gift is appreciated by God and by us.
