At the time of this writing, the death toll has risen to 175,000, and the loss of property is beyond measure. Disease, trauma, and human suffering are indescribable.
Churches of Christ all over the world are responding with compassion to this enormous catastrophe. Bill McDonough, of Partners in Progress, borrowed $100,000 and flew to Sri Lanka to help. Don Yelton of Whites Ferry Road Relief has joined forces with Bill. Healing Hands International and other church-related relief agencies are also hard at work.
Praise God for compassionate, warm-hearted people. Let us pray that God will use the generosity of his people to open the hearts of Muslims to the gospel of Christ—in Indonesia and elsewhere.
We at the southeast office [in Maryville, TN], are thrilled about the transfer of planning and organization of all WEI short-term Bible-teaching missions to this office.
One exciting first time short-term mission that is currently being planned is at the large seaport city of Constanta, Romania. Ady Lupascu, a Romanian naval officer and the primary preacher and teacher of the church in Constanta, was first introduced to the gospel as a WEI correspondence student nearly 10 years ago. After further study with missionary, Charles Jackson, he was baptized in 1995.
Because of Ady’s first impressions of the power of God’s word used in the WEI materials, he approached us about inviting the North Stafford Christians [in Quantico, VA] to come to Constanta as WEI teachers and sponsor a summer WEI school. The plans are underway, and we are working closely with them to make this effort a reality.
Another exciting WEI short-term mission opportunity this year is in Taiwan. Enoch and Jeannine Thweatt recently returned from a very productive 10 weeks in Asia. Enoch writes, “I have used this material only this one time, but I am very much impressed with it for two reasons. One is it is well done and well thought out, and two, it is constantly being revised.”
Enoch and Jeannine have some grand plans for WEI short-term missions involving two congregations in Taiwan this spring and fall. To learn more, please contact Enoch B. Thweatt, Jr. at 1308 Greenfield Ave., Nashville, TN 37216, email him at ebtj@bellsouth.net, or call him at 615-226-8579.
We are currently planning a full year of short-term missions in several countries, and we are always looking for teachers. If you are interested in committing for a minimum of two weeks as a WEI teacher, please contact us at the WEI southeast office.
—Tom & Angie Langley
Messages from the Adys
Ever since Mac Lynn and I founded Nations University in 1995, WEI and NU have been partners in world evangelism. Now, we are further solidifying our relationship.
As soon as details are finalized, we will tell you how your best WEI students can move directly into NU receiving credits toward a Bachelor of Religious Studies degree.
We are happy to announce that Ken Johnson, former President of Rochester College in Michigan, is now serving as President of NationsUniversity.
New Spanish Materials
For churches interested in reaching out to Hispanics in your community, WEI has some tools to offer you.
First, there is the Beginner’s English Course for Spanish-speaking students. It consists of three books and three cassette tapes. Second, there is the Spanish translation of the Easy-to-Read Bible Course. This course is designed to lead people to faith and obedience.
Thank You
We thank Jim McPeak for printing the new Spanish materials in Orangevale, CA and driving all the way to Gresham, OR to deliver them.
We also thank our supporting churches, friends, and loved ones who have been so generous during the past two months. Because of your loving support, WEI ended the year in the black. Special onetime gifts are very helpful and deeply appreciated. However, we still need more churches and individuals to put WEI in their monthly budgets.
May God bless you for your partnership in world evangelism. We love you.
—Dick and Maudine Ady
