Click on the link below to check out a video of missionary Keith Shumaker’s recent trip to South Sudan!

South Sudan Video

Here are some thoughts Keith wrote about his recent trip:

I got back from a tremendous trip to South Sudan. What I saw and what we experienced was amazing and life changing.

South Sudan had been in war for many years. It was a battle of the North and the South. Over 2 million 5 hundred thousand people died in the war. Everyone that you talk to lost loved ones in this gruesome battle. Whole villages were wiped out. There was a village where all the men were killed, the boys were castrated, and the women were raped. The horrific stories made you want to cry, but I didn’t see a people that were living in the past. They were looking at the present and future. In 2005, a peace treaty was signed, and in the beginning of 2011, the south voted to become an independent state. In July, they celebrated their independence and became the newest country in the world. The people were thrilled and ecstatic with their physical freedom. After meeting such a sweet and beautiful people, I am thrilled for them in their fight and victory of freedom.

Even though I was excited to see the birth of a new nation and how they came out of physical bondage, I couldn’t help but to think that many of them are still in spiritual bondage. They are considered a Christian nation, but that doesn’t mean that many of them have experienced the real liberty that comes from a personal relationship with Christ. In talking with many and passing out tracts, it was very evident that many of them have heard of Christ. Many of them have some form of a knowledge of Christ, but most couldn’t explain how to get to heaven when they died. It is sad to think that a religious person can die without ever really knowing Jesus as their Saviour.

Below are some thoughts that I sent out to some friends that I thought many of you would like to read.

While there, we passed out thousands of tracts and lead some people to the Lord on the street. It wasn’t a quick pray after me. We could have had hundreds of those.

They love Americans. If you see the president he always wears a cowboy hat. George Bush gave it to him.

I have never seen a country with more of an open door than South Sudan. I have been in and visited many different countries. The country is now being built. The door will probably not be as open in 5-10 years.

It bothers me that the Jehovah Witnesses and other groups are already there, and we aren’t. In my flesh, I would love to go. The opportunity is unreal. I don’t feel led of the Lord to leave Burkina Faso, but I am burdened for South Sudan. It really needs a missionary with the right training, vision, and a good work ethic.

I do want to say that the climate was dry and warm. Not quite as bad as Burkina, but hot. It is one of the most expensive towns in the world. Housing is terribly expensive, but I think in 5 years it will get better. Social groups and government groups are paying a huge amount for houses/hotels and needs associated with their accommodations.

Living there would be a little tougher than Burkina in my opinion. It will change and probably be better after many years, but it will take awhile. Ministry would be great, but life for many would be tough.

This is an honest assessment in case anyone is interested in serving in this needy country. The doors, however, are wide open. I would go in a heartbeat if I wasn’t already in needy country and a ministry that God is blessing. I still feel peace about Burkina and the needs here are great. If anybody wants to talk about it, I am available and would be willing to help in any way that I can. I am burdened about the need of this country and don’t want us Independent Baptists to miss the opportunity that God has given us.

We have now been on deputation for 1 year and are at 51% of our support, but counting promised support, we are closer to 65%, so we are looking forward to getting there soon and praying that the momentum of the past year’s work will allow us to finish very quickly!

Family – Our First Baby on the Way!
We found out this month that we are expecting our first baby! I am excited about being a Father and looking forward to raising a child for the glory of God!

On August 29th, Lori and I also celebrated our 2nd wedding anniversary, and a few days later, on the 6th, I turned 29. I am blown away by how the Lord has blessed me and allows me to serve Him as a missionary and preacher with my incredible wife.

Thailand Update
This past month, we have learned about opportunities to be able to preach the gospel even in public schools in Thailand. There are far more schools available than there are laborers right now to teach English, and we are praying that more will be raised before the schools are filled with cults and other religions fill those places. Would you ask the Lord how you may be able to be used?! The job is far bigger than we can accomplish alone.

Relocation and Setup Fund
Now that we are on the second half of deputation, we will soon be in Thailand (!) and are trying to plan in advance for the costs of relocating there permanently. Tickets, shipping costs, and housing setup make this a big expense to plan for, but we are trusting the Lord to provide.

If you would like to give toward this need, you may send it to Vision Baptist Missions and memo “Setup Fund”. Thank you for praying about this and we look forward to that day!

VisionTour Thailand 2012
June 4-15, 2012 will be Lori’s first time in Thailand, a more involved survey trip for us, and a chance for you to come with us and see the field!

More information is online at http://projectthailand.net/trip where you can find the application, schedule, financial information, and other ideas to help you be able to join us.

Our Generation Summit
This December 29-31, we will be at the Summit – a missions oriented winter retreat in Pigeon Forge, TN that we promise that you will not regret. We would like to encourage and you to consider being a part.

For more information visit www.bcwe.org.

Yours for the Gospel in Thailand,
Philip and Lori Bassham

Last week, I got back from a tremendous trip to South Sudan. What I saw and what we experienced was amazing and life changing.

South Sudan had been in war for many years. It was a battle of the North and the South. Over 2 million 5 hundred thousand people died in the war. Everyone that you talk to lost loved ones in this gruesome battle. Whole villages were wiped out. There was a village where all the men were killed, the boys were castrated, and the women were raped. The horrific stories made you want to cry, but I didn’t see a people that were living in the past. They were looking at the present and future. In 2005, a peace treaty was signed, and in the beginning of 2011, the south voted to become an independent state. In July, they celebrated their independence and became the newest country in the world. The people were thrilled and ecstatic with their physical freedom. After meeting such a sweet and beautiful people, I am thrilled for them in their fight and victory of freedom.

Even though I was excited to see the birth of a new nation and how they came out of physical bondage, I couldn’t help but to think that many of them are still in spiritual bondage. They are considered a Christian nation, but that doesn’t mean that many of them have experienced the real liberty that comes from a personal relationship with Christ. In talking with many and passing out tracts, it was very evident that many of them have heard of Christ. Many of them have some form of a knowledge of Christ, but most couldn’t explain how to get to heaven when they died. It is sad to think that a religious person can die without ever really knowing Jesus as their Saviour.

Below are some thoughts that I sent out to some friends that I thought many of you would like to read.

While there, we passed out thousands of tracts and lead some people to the Lord on the street. It wasn’t a quick pray after me. We could have had hundreds of those.

They love Americans. If you see the president he always wears a cowboy hat. George Bush gave it to him.

I have never seen a country with more of an open door than South Sudan. I have been in and visited many different countries. The country is now being built. The door will probably not be as open in 5-10 years.

It bothers me that the Jehovah Witnesses and other groups are already there, and we aren’t. In my flesh, I would love to go. The opportunity is unreal. I don’t feel led of the Lord to leave Burkina Faso, but I am burdened for South Sudan. It really needs a missionary with the right training, vision, and a good work ethic.

I do want to say that the climate was dry and warm. Not quite as bad as Burkina, but hot. It is one of the most expensive towns in the world. Housing is terribly expensive, but I think in 5 years it will get better. Social groups and government groups are paying a huge amount for houses/hotels and needs associated with their accommodations.

Living there would be a little tougher than Burkina in my opinion. It will change and probably be better after many years, but it will take awhile. Ministry would be great, but life for many would be tough.

This is an honest assessment in case anyone is interested in serving in this needy country. The doors, however, are wide open. I would go in a heartbeat if I wasn’t already in needy country and a ministry that God is blessing. I still feel peace about Burkina and the needs here are great. If anybody wants to talk about it, I am available and would be willing to help in any way that I can. I am burdened about the need of this country and don’t want us Independent Baptists to miss the opportunity that God has given us.

There should be a video of our trip coming out soon. I will let you know about it.

Please pray that God would raise someone up to work in this needy country.

Dear Pastors, Partners, & Praying Friends,

We continue month-by-month and day-by-day to see the goodness of God in our lives. It is exciting to be able to serve the Lord on the mission field. I want to start this letter off by simply saying, “thank you for giving to the Lord and partnering with our family to take the Gospel to China.” Your financial and prayer support are vital to this ministry. I also want to ask you to be a mobilizer for more laborers to take the Gospel to China in our generation.

China, being the largest country in the world, has millions who have never heard a clear presentation of the Gospel. There are many cultural gaps and the language is considered one the hardest in the world. China, for the most part, is an inexpensive place to live, the economy seems to be doing well, and the people a friendly and open. With all the being said, China is probably one of the largest unreached places in the world, not in percentage, but in amount of people. Yes, there are Christians, churches, missionaries, and evangelist here, but the amount of people that live inside China’s borders is so great that there still are so many who just aren’t being reached with the Gospel.

The current city we live in has about the same population as the entire state of Georgia, but I can guarantee you that the spiritual makeup is completely different. An average person in our city might know the name of Jesus, but doesn’t know why He came.

Christianity is growing in China, but all of it is not healthy and much of it would follow under the the more loose, generic definition of the term “Christianity.” Christianity is easily accepted for it’s “blessings” and not for it’s “cross.” The government doesn’t mind Christianity as long as they can have their hand in it and are able to control it. The government church itself was formed to make Christianity fit into their form of government and control. Some who boldly step outside of their control are faced with persecution.

Religion is here in China. The cults are here in China. Tradition and superstition are still a strong part of their everyday lives, but what China lacks is the true preaching of the Word of God that causes repentance towards God and our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. It lacks men who are willing to train the next generation of pastors and missionaries in China.

China needs men. China doesn’t need another 007 English teacher or an American Christian Cafe, it needs men. It needs trained men with a Bible in their hand. Men to climb over the great wall of fear that paralyzes so many before they even get started. Men to charge and take on the giants in this land. Men that are willing to fight, live and die for the gospel sake; humble men that are fit for the Master’s use.

Will you be a mobilizer in your church? Will you look for young men and pray that God would use their lives and send them to China? Will you encourage them to come to China for six days, six weeks, or six months and let their eye affect their hearts? Will you help them financially get here? Or will you surrender and come yourself? Will you..?

Other points of pray and praise for this month are:

Language – I was able to preach a 20 minute message at the end of this month. Praise the Lord!
China Baby – our baby girl is healthy and is due on February 3rd.
Voice in the Villages – soon we will be getting things to production and start training.
Church – the church will be ordaining a Chinese pastor this month.
Short-termers – their is a short-term group visiting this month for about three weeks.

Thank you for being a part of our team, Project China, with your prayers and financial support!

In Christ,
The Tolson Family

Iran would like to keep quiet what they are doing. They do not want a public outcry. We must get the word out. This should be on the top of the charts as far as news today.

The Fox News article says:

“The key is to keep up the pressure and to publicize the story because it obviously outrages most people,” Auerbach said. “It’s part of the pattern of persecution based on religion in Iran.”

House Speaker John Boehner said Nadarkhani’s case is “distressing for people of every country and creed,” according to a statement released on Wednesday.

“While Iran’s government claims to promote tolerance, it continues to imprison many of its people because of their faith,” the statement read. “This goes beyond the law to an issue of fundamental respect for human dignity. I urge Iran’s leaders to abandon this dark path, spare [Nadarkhani's] life, and grant him a full and unconditional release.”

“Will President Obama, and the free world, allow the United Nations to continue in its cowardly silence on this matter?”

Please help spread the word. We have friends that serve the Lord Jesus in countries that still persecute believers and those that would preach the word.

The believers there are strong. They love Jesus. They will not recant. They will not deny Jesus even if it means losing their life or their freedom.

I long to see those people all over the world get a chance to see and hear the gospel. They can accept if they want. There should be freedom of conscience and no government force either way!

Check out bcwe.org

Here are a few notes of thanks from the missionaries who attended the conference:

With a donation this week for $505, our total has now grown to an even $24,000!! In just 2 months, God has tripled the amount of money given to Land for Churches in Chile. We are well on our way to reaching the $75,000 needed to fund this project.

Thank you for praying with us and for sacrificially giving! We are so thankful for all that you do for the ministry in Chile. Learn how you can have a part in this project!

Also, read about the best youth camp we’ve ever had and our missions emphasis VBS…