Out of the local treasury....

Daniel just reminded me of several other projects where members and outsiders were helped out of the local treasury. He cautioned me not to post to brag about ourselves but to post it only if I truly thought it would bring GLORY TO GOD. Matt 5:16 So I post it only to encourage others to be generous in reaching out to those in need no matter where they may be living realizing that “God loves a cheerful giver.” 2Cor 9:6-7 What Paul said of the churches of Macedonia could also be said of our small congregation: “In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.” 2Cor 8:2 I pray that what follows will encourage you to glorify our Father in Heaven today. Two mothers needing financial help when bearing a child. Two families in need of motor bikes in order to make a living $1,200 each. Money to help a widow with rent and weekly out of pocket expenses. Helping another member with monthly rent money plus food and tuition expenses for his child. Providing a water pump for another member to keep his house from flooding.

Helping out with the radio program

For the months of March and April, I was able to join Daniel on our Indonesian language radio program (sponsored by World Radio) each Sunday evening. It is a real joy to be able to share the Gospel with the 28 million people in the greater city limits of Jakarta, Indonesia. Our congregation continues to grow in number, in love for others, and in our knowledge of the word of God. Almost all of our new students come to us because of the radio program. We still feed at least 20 street children a day and house 5 children permanently in our permanent facility for that purpose called Connor's House. Widows without family are being provided for as well as families who because of health problems cannot adequately provide for themselves. Some of these activities are being funded from the States but others are being funded out of the local congregation's treasury. This latter funding is most rewarding to me personally because I see it as spiritual growth on the part of our Indonesian members. God gave his only begotten Son. Jesus said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." And James tells us that "Pure religion before God is to take care of the widows and orphans in their troubles and to keep ourselves uncontaminated by the world." (1:27) To see our own brethren in Indonesia taking on some of this responsibility of their own volition and will is deeply encouraging to me personally. I praise God for it.