Sunday, July 23, 2006
Newsletter - July 22nd, 2006
OPEN HEART MINISTRIES
15648 Bombay Blvd.
South Beloit, IL 61080
www.ohmint.org
Dear Saints,
Welcome to all the new folks on the mail ing list. We are seeing a lot of new addresses being added. May you all be blessed reading about our adventures.
Yesterday we ministered in Lombard to a group called "The Watering Hole". What a hungry group they were. Brenda shared her journey to Africa and the lessons she learned there and I shared a fresh word concerning the way Jesus restored the disciples vision and passion after the resurrection.
Then I felt led to do a prophetic impartation to all 60 - 70 people while Brenda prophesied to individuals she felt led to go to. All of a sudden she noticed a line forming, which didn't end until a couple of hours after I was finished. We are working on being efficient with our words, but Brenda is one of those people who will give you everything she has every time you ask. She really is an amazing woman of God and I feel blessed to be her husband.
Tomorrow, we begin a mission trip to the ghettos of Albany, New York. We are taking many teens from the Elgin House of Prayer and two lady adults with us. We will be ministering in tent meetings and other places they have for us to serve, including their own 24/7 House of Prayer.
We are taking the youth because God has given us a passion to equip them for the harvest. They take their passion for worship and learn to pray and prophesy at a new and higher level. We anticipate the privilege of leading many to Jesus and encouraging and equipping the saints of God in that area.
NEW BOOK COMING
Please pray for the completion of my newest book on Passion. It's another revelation that needs to get into the body of Christ and I have b een working on it for about one month now. I want to have it ready for some coming events this fall.
CONFERENCE NEWS
Our September 21-23 conference was advertised today on the Elijah List. We expect an awesome time as we cry out to God to show us His glory. Please try to come.
God bless you all,
Ben and Brenda and Family
Friday, July 21, 2006
July 20th, 2006 - Update
OPEN HEART MINISTRIES15648 Bombay BlvdSouth Beloit, IL 61080www.ohmint.orgGreetings Friends,I forgot to mention in yesterday's letter that my email crashed on Monday night and I didn't get to read the letters sent to me Monday evening. Also, I lost all my old mail - over 4000 items I hadn't deleted. I still have my address list and am still functioning. I thank God that He knows what I need and what I don't. If you suspect I missed your letter, please write me again to make sure.I have a couple of announcements which I have been asked to make. First of all, for those near Calgary, Alberta, Bill and Jean Myers and Tracey, their daughter will be ministering in West Calgary Full Gospel Church this weekend - Friday night, Saturday night at 7 pm, and Sunday morning at 10:30. This is the church pastored by Robert and Ellen Smith, who are now related to us, since their son, Harvey, just married our daughter, Andrea. The Myers have been speaking at camps and churches for several weeks and still have a couple of weeks in the region before they return to Chicago and Bill gets ready to leave for Africa.Second announcement, there is a SEW Night of Holy Fire on Friday, July 28.
It will be held at Wheaton Christian Center 610 E . North Ave. Carol Stream Il 60188 from 7pm until midnight.. SEW is again inviting the churches of the region and the people of prayer to join them on that night to worship and pray for the needs of WCC. For details please check the website:
http://www.sewministries.comsewministries.com/new_life_comm.html
H ave a wonderful day!
Ben and Brenda and family
Newsletter July 19th, 2006
OPEN HEART MINISTRIES, INT.15648 Bombay BlvdSouth Beloit, IL 61080www.ohmint.orgGreetings Saints,Life continues to be eventful. We feel the love and grace of God in every different situation. Divine appointments happen every day, not just when we have public meetings. God touches people with His hand of love and mercy, while the enemy does everything he can to cause pain and suffering, discouragement and defeat. We know God is giving us the upper hand and we are learnin g to live in a place of knowing our authority over all the works of the enemy.We have great excitement for the coming conferences in September and October. Each of them will be unique and powerful. God is releasing many signs and wonders in these days. Our friends in Idaho now have had 25 gemstones brought to them as of this morning. We are hearing more and more of their uniqueness. They are too perfect to be of this earth - neither natural nor manufactured. Last night we ministered at the Dowie House in Zion, Illinois. What a wonderful and special time again. A precious pastor and his wife were weeping long after we ministered to them. Brenda has not been feeling well with some left-over effects from Africa and the previous stress from our schedule before Africa. But God is moving on her and through her. We continue to show up where God wants us and He manifests His love to His peo ple. Please keep praying for her. She has had several positive touches in the last few weeks, but needs a more complete healing still.Our neice, Jessica, had her baby recently and she is perfectly normal, except for the big cist on her neck. We're asking for increased prayer as the cyst is growing again and doctors are concerned. Pray for a major turn in the right direction. We want those doctors to know about the healing power of Jesus.In a few days we will be heading out on the road to Albany, New York, with many of the House of Prayer kids. We will be participating in some evangelistic tent meetings there, which Doctor Bob Paeglow and Peter Whitehouse have planned for the summer months. These kids are being released into more effectiveness and fluency in their spiritual gifts as well as the worship abilities that they have.Later, in August we will make a trip to Orlando, Florida to minister at a confere nce with the House of Hope there. Please pray for grace and strength to keep up with all the teens and help them to develop their gifts and talents.Bill Myers will also be leading a team to Mozambique in August. Pray that they will see everything that God wants them to see. I am also considering and praying about another trip to Mozambique in November. Pray with me for God's perfect will. Our schedule until then is pretty full, especially weekends, so we are starting to book November and I need to know whether I need to keep it free to go to Africa again. Thank you all who pray for us. We are able to keep going because of the love of God's people. Much love in Jesus,Ben and Brenda, Tim and Nathan
Sunday, July 16, 2006
Newsletter July 15th, 2006
OPEN HEART MINISTRIES15648 Bombay BlvdSouth Beloit, IL 61080www.ohmint.org
Dear Friends,
It's good to be home, but I already miss Mozambique and the presence of God in the fellowship of the sold-out saints learning from Rolland and Heidi, Lesley-Anne and others.
By the way, Brenda not only got her suitcase back, but the outfit she thought was missing was in there all the time. She thought she had put it on the top of the pile, but found it down under the rest.
Many of you get the Elijah List. I copied the article below from today's letter because Jeff Jansen is also coming to Illinois on Sept. 21-23 for our Show Me Your Glory conference in DeKalb, IL, at the Vineyard Christian Fellowship in DeKalb. Seating will be limited and there is no registration, so plan on comi ng early. We are in the process of lining up a deal with a local motel or two, so keep in touch. Other speakers will be Paul Benne and Kari Browning, both with remarkable testimonies of God's glory. Kari just wrote that there are now 23 jemstones that have showed up in various places where they have gone. I really expect that more will show up in DeKalb.
Enjoy the article. Ben and Brenda, Timothy and Nathan
July 13, 2006
Jeff Jansen: "Get Ready for New Levels in the Glory"
GREAT DESTINY DOORS ARE OPEN
There are great destiny doors that have opened this year offering the church new opportunities for incredible spiritual advancement int o the supernatural. We have crossed a threshold in God's timeline, and the Glory of God is now being revealed with power and demonstration. We have had great forerunning mothers and fathers that have imparted much to us. The wisdom of God is that we gain from them, what was imparted. Just as Azusa Street marks the 100-year anniversary of a destiny door that has reopened, so there are synchronized spiritual doors that have opened to us THIS YEAR!
On January 16,1956, during the height of the great tent revivals that swept America and the world, William Branham stood up in the church of Philadelphia in Chicago, Illinois, and prophesied that "America had turned down her opportunity with the Lord." Because William Branham was the forerunning prophetic voice of the day, the tent revivals and the move of the Holy Spirit literally stopped at this word. They were offered an incredible opportunity into the supernatural flow of the Holy Spirit at that critical juncture that would carry the body further down the road in revival. But America missed her opportunity--she refused God's offer!
Then 50 years later On January 16, 2006, this 50 year destiny door was reopened and another opportunity had been offered to this generation. The number 50 is Jubilee!! The Lord called this door a "Golden Jubilee." This invitation must be understood and apprehended as we pass through the doors of destiny , and encounter the Lord in genuine and experiential ways.
A MOVE OF GOD MUST KEEP MOVING
There are many that have been desperate for the new move of God. God promises to fill those who hunger and thirst, and we're beginning to see the manifestation of our holy desperation. Those who seek the new, will find the new. For a move of God to be a move of God, it has to keep moving.
The Lord told the children of Israel to follow the cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. When it moves...you move. Sadly many have become content with past revivals or moves. When God begins to move again, they are simply satisfied with the level of anointing they have and never move on to the next level.
Bob Jones recently had an encounter with an angel called Breakthrough Revival. This angel told Bob many things about the coming Glory revival. He said he had been in the United States for the past two years preparing the way for the greatest revival to ever sweep America. Stadiums will not be big enough to contain the harvest that will come in.
The angel shouted three words at Bob...MOVE, MOVE, MOVE! In order to get Heaven and the angels to move with us, we must first move.
This year as we have moved out in the Lord, we have seen amazing increase of signs and wonders, such as: dental miracles and gold teeth, gold dust, healing of cars and bank accounts, g lory clouds forming, diamonds in rings supernaturally increase and break the settings, supernatural weight loss, healing of all kinds of sicknesses and diseases, and multiple other wonderful displays of Glory. As we've been moving to press into the new, God has been meeting us. The Lord told me at the beginning of the year, that I couldn't outrun this Glory Train, and believe me, we've been trying!
RISING TO NEW LEVELS IN THE GLORY
We must rise into the new levels of Glory. I've heard it said, that it's a form of insanity to keep doing the same thing over and over again and expect a different result! We must rise up into the new if we are to expect the new! Isaiah 60:1-5 says "Arise to a NEW life....Shine....for your light has come! And the glory of the Lord has risen upon you."
The Lord promises If we will get up and begin to move into Him, that He will SHINE on us. Verse 5 says, "Then you shall see and be radiant and your heart shall thrill and tremble with joy." Are you hungry? Do you want to THRILL and TREMBLE with joy?
THE YEAR OF THE RETURN OF THE GLORY
Kenneth Hagen prophesied in 2003, that the year 2006 would be the year of the return of the Glory of God. There are many times--synchronized destiny doors that have all pointed to 2006 being the year of Glory. The questions are...are you hungry for the new? Do you want God no matter how He shows up? Will you not be offended when He comes in a way you haven't expected?
Get ready for great increase in the supernatural. Get ready for great explosions of power. Get ready for new l evels in the Glory of God like you have never experienced or heard of before. This is the season for it.
Jesus said "Blessed is he who is not offended in Me," (Luke 7:22-23). I'm telling you now, that God is presenting this Glory Revival in a way that will attract only the desperate and hungry. The hungry always seem to see what God is doing in the strangest of circumstances because they are able to look past the natural to see by the Spirit.
We must judge by one thing and one thing alone...The anointing! 1 John 2:20 says "But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you know all things!"
This year we say YES to the Lord. We will not resist Him again. This is the year we fully embrace and experience the new waves of the Glory of God.
Jeff JansenGlobal Fire Ministrieswww.globalfireministries.com
Dear Friends,
It's good to be home, but I already miss Mozambique and the presence of God in the fellowship of the sold-out saints learning from Rolland and Heidi, Lesley-Anne and others.
By the way, Brenda not only got her suitcase back, but the outfit she thought was missing was in there all the time. She thought she had put it on the top of the pile, but found it down under the rest.
Many of you get the Elijah List. I copied the article below from today's letter because Jeff Jansen is also coming to Illinois on Sept. 21-23 for our Show Me Your Glory conference in DeKalb, IL, at the Vineyard Christian Fellowship in DeKalb. Seating will be limited and there is no registration, so plan on comi ng early. We are in the process of lining up a deal with a local motel or two, so keep in touch. Other speakers will be Paul Benne and Kari Browning, both with remarkable testimonies of God's glory. Kari just wrote that there are now 23 jemstones that have showed up in various places where they have gone. I really expect that more will show up in DeKalb.
Enjoy the article. Ben and Brenda, Timothy and Nathan
July 13, 2006
Jeff Jansen: "Get Ready for New Levels in the Glory"
GREAT DESTINY DOORS ARE OPEN
There are great destiny doors that have opened this year offering the church new opportunities for incredible spiritual advancement int o the supernatural. We have crossed a threshold in God's timeline, and the Glory of God is now being revealed with power and demonstration. We have had great forerunning mothers and fathers that have imparted much to us. The wisdom of God is that we gain from them, what was imparted. Just as Azusa Street marks the 100-year anniversary of a destiny door that has reopened, so there are synchronized spiritual doors that have opened to us THIS YEAR!
On January 16,1956, during the height of the great tent revivals that swept America and the world, William Branham stood up in the church of Philadelphia in Chicago, Illinois, and prophesied that "America had turned down her opportunity with the Lord." Because William Branham was the forerunning prophetic voice of the day, the tent revivals and the move of the Holy Spirit literally stopped at this word. They were offered an incredible opportunity into the supernatural flow of the Holy Spirit at that critical juncture that would carry the body further down the road in revival. But America missed her opportunity--she refused God's offer!
Then 50 years later On January 16, 2006, this 50 year destiny door was reopened and another opportunity had been offered to this generation. The number 50 is Jubilee!! The Lord called this door a "Golden Jubilee." This invitation must be understood and apprehended as we pass through the doors of destiny , and encounter the Lord in genuine and experiential ways.
A MOVE OF GOD MUST KEEP MOVING
There are many that have been desperate for the new move of God. God promises to fill those who hunger and thirst, and we're beginning to see the manifestation of our holy desperation. Those who seek the new, will find the new. For a move of God to be a move of God, it has to keep moving.
The Lord told the children of Israel to follow the cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. When it moves...you move. Sadly many have become content with past revivals or moves. When God begins to move again, they are simply satisfied with the level of anointing they have and never move on to the next level.
Bob Jones recently had an encounter with an angel called Breakthrough Revival. This angel told Bob many things about the coming Glory revival. He said he had been in the United States for the past two years preparing the way for the greatest revival to ever sweep America. Stadiums will not be big enough to contain the harvest that will come in.
The angel shouted three words at Bob...MOVE, MOVE, MOVE! In order to get Heaven and the angels to move with us, we must first move.
This year as we have moved out in the Lord, we have seen amazing increase of signs and wonders, such as: dental miracles and gold teeth, gold dust, healing of cars and bank accounts, g lory clouds forming, diamonds in rings supernaturally increase and break the settings, supernatural weight loss, healing of all kinds of sicknesses and diseases, and multiple other wonderful displays of Glory. As we've been moving to press into the new, God has been meeting us. The Lord told me at the beginning of the year, that I couldn't outrun this Glory Train, and believe me, we've been trying!
RISING TO NEW LEVELS IN THE GLORY
We must rise into the new levels of Glory. I've heard it said, that it's a form of insanity to keep doing the same thing over and over again and expect a different result! We must rise up into the new if we are to expect the new! Isaiah 60:1-5 says "Arise to a NEW life....Shine....for your light has come! And the glory of the Lord has risen upon you."
The Lord promises If we will get up and begin to move into Him, that He will SHINE on us. Verse 5 says, "Then you shall see and be radiant and your heart shall thrill and tremble with joy." Are you hungry? Do you want to THRILL and TREMBLE with joy?
THE YEAR OF THE RETURN OF THE GLORY
Kenneth Hagen prophesied in 2003, that the year 2006 would be the year of the return of the Glory of God. There are many times--synchronized destiny doors that have all pointed to 2006 being the year of Glory. The questions are...are you hungry for the new? Do you want God no matter how He shows up? Will you not be offended when He comes in a way you haven't expected?
Get ready for great increase in the supernatural. Get ready for great explosions of power. Get ready for new l evels in the Glory of God like you have never experienced or heard of before. This is the season for it.
Jesus said "Blessed is he who is not offended in Me," (Luke 7:22-23). I'm telling you now, that God is presenting this Glory Revival in a way that will attract only the desperate and hungry. The hungry always seem to see what God is doing in the strangest of circumstances because they are able to look past the natural to see by the Spirit.
We must judge by one thing and one thing alone...The anointing! 1 John 2:20 says "But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you know all things!"
This year we say YES to the Lord. We will not resist Him again. This is the year we fully embrace and experience the new waves of the Glory of God.
Jeff JansenGlobal Fire Ministrieswww.globalfireministries.com
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
July 11th, 2006 - Quick Note: Going Home!
Good Morning Friends,
Just a quick note to let you know we are in Joburg and we found Brenda's suitcase in Maputo, Mozambique on the way here. Not much was stolen out of it except a new outfit she bought for Africa, and maybe a few food bars.
Today, some of us will be going on a tour to visit the Apartheid Museum and Soweto, etc. We look forward to heading home tonight via Amsterdam.
I do miss Mozambique and the presence of God in the meetings and the love of the people who love Jesus with all their hearts. We were so blessed to be close to Rolland and Heidi and see them serving their people in such a Christ-like way.
Blessings to you all!
Ben and Brenda and team
Just a quick note to let you know we are in Joburg and we found Brenda's suitcase in Maputo, Mozambique on the way here. Not much was stolen out of it except a new outfit she bought for Africa, and maybe a few food bars.
Today, some of us will be going on a tour to visit the Apartheid Museum and Soweto, etc. We look forward to heading home tonight via Amsterdam.
I do miss Mozambique and the presence of God in the meetings and the love of the people who love Jesus with all their hearts. We were so blessed to be close to Rolland and Heidi and see them serving their people in such a Christ-like way.
Blessings to you all!
Ben and Brenda and team
Monday, July 10, 2006
July 10th, 2006 - Update from Mozambique
OPEN HEART MINISTRIES
15648 Bombay Blvd
South Beloit, IL 61080
www.ohmint.org
Dear Friends,
I need to correct some mistakes from my previous letter regarding Supresa. The translation from Portuguese was not accurate at all in this case. Supresa, himself is fine and was not involved in the situation being reported. Another regional leader that was compared to Supresa as far as importance was actually in a serious car wreck that totaled the car with four other pastors. The good news is that he is miraculously OK and was released from the hospital. I am assuming that the others are also OK.
Last night Brenda and I were invited to Heidi and Rolland’s house for a get together with all their missionaries. It was a full house and yard and most people were outside. That’s where we found out the truth about Supresa and where we had some divine appointments. Brenda received prayer for her wrist that was infected with scabies and felt the discomfort leave completely.
We also found out that someone got the message that Brenda’s suitcase was in Maputo, where we will stop on the way back to Johannesburg this afternoon. They say they are holding it for us. Pray that Brenda’s hopes won’t be dashed again and at least most of what she packed will still be in the suitcase. Normally, the inspectors or handlers take a few things as a kind of commission or something.
God bless you all and thanks for praying. If you prayed for Supresa, I’m sure he will be happy someone is praying for him.
Also, Felito, the director of outreaches, plans on coming back to Chicago this September, so we should be scheduling something with him, when it works for his schedule. He is actually engaged to be married to one of the missionaries from Australia, I believe, in November.
Felito told me that the outreaches were very successful and that many people responded to the gospel. He said there were many miracles, including deaf and blind, but also others, where people would get healed and then go get their sick and older parents, who would also get well. He was very happy with our team and their participation.
Everyone on the team seems to be doing fine. Tomorrow, we have a day in Johannesburg. Nine of us will tour the Apartheid Museum and other historic places like Soweto. We appreciate your prayers for our safety and health as we return to the good old USA.
We love you and appreciate your love for us.
Ben and Brenda and team.
15648 Bombay Blvd
South Beloit, IL 61080
www.ohmint.org
Dear Friends,
I need to correct some mistakes from my previous letter regarding Supresa. The translation from Portuguese was not accurate at all in this case. Supresa, himself is fine and was not involved in the situation being reported. Another regional leader that was compared to Supresa as far as importance was actually in a serious car wreck that totaled the car with four other pastors. The good news is that he is miraculously OK and was released from the hospital. I am assuming that the others are also OK.
Last night Brenda and I were invited to Heidi and Rolland’s house for a get together with all their missionaries. It was a full house and yard and most people were outside. That’s where we found out the truth about Supresa and where we had some divine appointments. Brenda received prayer for her wrist that was infected with scabies and felt the discomfort leave completely.
We also found out that someone got the message that Brenda’s suitcase was in Maputo, where we will stop on the way back to Johannesburg this afternoon. They say they are holding it for us. Pray that Brenda’s hopes won’t be dashed again and at least most of what she packed will still be in the suitcase. Normally, the inspectors or handlers take a few things as a kind of commission or something.
God bless you all and thanks for praying. If you prayed for Supresa, I’m sure he will be happy someone is praying for him.
Also, Felito, the director of outreaches, plans on coming back to Chicago this September, so we should be scheduling something with him, when it works for his schedule. He is actually engaged to be married to one of the missionaries from Australia, I believe, in November.
Felito told me that the outreaches were very successful and that many people responded to the gospel. He said there were many miracles, including deaf and blind, but also others, where people would get healed and then go get their sick and older parents, who would also get well. He was very happy with our team and their participation.
Everyone on the team seems to be doing fine. Tomorrow, we have a day in Johannesburg. Nine of us will tour the Apartheid Museum and other historic places like Soweto. We appreciate your prayers for our safety and health as we return to the good old USA.
We love you and appreciate your love for us.
Ben and Brenda and team.
Sunday, July 09, 2006
July 9th, 2006 - Ministering in Mozambique
OPEN HEART MINISTRIES
15648 Bombay Blvd.
South Beloit, IL 61080
www.ohmint.org
Dear Friends,
The internet has worked off and on, but today it's on so I can write you all before we leave Pemba tomorrow. It has been a very eventful 10 days, filled with joys and sorrows, blessings and intense warfare.
We have been touched by God in powerful ways, especially through Heidi as she shared her heart with the students and church here in Pemba. We spent some time on our faces being touched by the Master. We learned again about the power of love and working in unity. Heidi's testimony is incredible and amazing. She shares a little more detail here with the missions students because they need to know the bigger picture.
Mel Tari from the Indonesian revival spoke several times as well and had many powerful truths to share. Our favorite was the one about the donkey carrying Jesus into Jerusalem. He said that perhaps the donkey was thinking that everyone was cheering and laying down their clothes for him because he was so special. He reminded us that when we carry Jesus on our backs, people aren't impressed with the donkey, they are cheering for the Master.
We have all had many ministry opportunities. Many helped build a home for a widow. Several worked in the school, which needs help and prayer, because of the difficulty getting quality local teachers that speak the language well.
With some help from Brenda, I taught five sessions to the Mozambique pastors in the Bible School. We also ministered to many of them with personal words. We felt a strong anointing and confirmation that we were speaking the things that they needed to hear.
Last night Brenda and I ministered to the full-time missionary staff - about 25-30 people. There was a very strong anointing on us both to do that. They really expressed a lot of appreciation. In addition, Brenda and I have ministered to dozens of people on the base. Brenda has been very active herself with her gift, while I am doing other things, like writing newsletters. Right now, her dorm room is filled with girls from the Missions school.
Our first outreach was Wednesday night. Heidi was supposed to be there to speak, but came late, so I filled in for awhile and had an altar call after speaking. At least 100 people responded and prayed with us for salvation. Finally, Heidi and many others arrived and she brought her amazing ability to draw people to Jesus. Again more people were brought to salvation. There was only one deaf person in the village - a young girl, but she was quickly healed after prayer. Heidi says that God has blessed her with that gift from Heaven that every deaf person that she prays for on these outreaches gets healed.
Half of our team of 16 went on outreaches on Friday night which lasted until Sunday morning. They were blessed to be with two young men of God who have great healing ministries as well. I haven't had many reports yet, but at least one blind man was reported healed on one of the outreaches.
We have had some sickness, including one with malaria, but no one was in any serious condition or danger. They just had to lay low for a few days, while the treatments did their work.
The ministry here and the facilities are ever-expanding. Rolland and Heidi are tired from all the attacks and appreciate your prayers. We have full confidence that the enemy cannot stop them, but they all need supernatural strength. As I mentioned, the school needs prayer and there are many other departments that come under frequent attack.
Brenda's luggage has still not arrived and she had packed a lot of things in that one little suitcase. In addition she contacted scabies in the last two or three days from the kids she worked with. She is supposed to treat her whole body with toxic cream to kill the little critters and then not use the same clothes until they are washed.
She was hoping for her suitcase, so she would have clothes to wear, but now she will have to borrow some more. She could really use your prayers. It has been a battle for her all week knowing how many of her things were in that suitcase and what it will take, especially in her precious time, to replace it all. We are still hoping to recover the suitcase on our way home tomorrow, so please, please pray for a miracle.
We had another Sunday service for the local people this morning. Last week it was followed by a beautiful baptismal time in the ocean. Many people were saved and delivered this morning and filled with the Holy Spirit as well. It is just so normal here every public service.
After worship, Heidi called the congregation to warfare for special needs and because of specific attacks on the ministry. Supresa, our beloved friend, who is an international director of Iris Ministries and a powerful preacher, became deathly ill. They believe witchcraft has something to do with it and some of the other attacks. Please pray right now that he will be miraculously healed. He has brought healing and resurrection life to many people in the past. Today, he needs us to pray for him.
In spite of so many demonic attacks, revival continues to spread to the point that Heidi believes that each week 10,000 people are saved through Iris Ministries. That would be over a half million per year. May it accelerate even more!!
God bless you all and thanks for all your prayers and other support!
We love you in Jesus' love,
Ben and Brenda and team in Mozambique
15648 Bombay Blvd.
South Beloit, IL 61080
www.ohmint.org
Dear Friends,
The internet has worked off and on, but today it's on so I can write you all before we leave Pemba tomorrow. It has been a very eventful 10 days, filled with joys and sorrows, blessings and intense warfare.
We have been touched by God in powerful ways, especially through Heidi as she shared her heart with the students and church here in Pemba. We spent some time on our faces being touched by the Master. We learned again about the power of love and working in unity. Heidi's testimony is incredible and amazing. She shares a little more detail here with the missions students because they need to know the bigger picture.
Mel Tari from the Indonesian revival spoke several times as well and had many powerful truths to share. Our favorite was the one about the donkey carrying Jesus into Jerusalem. He said that perhaps the donkey was thinking that everyone was cheering and laying down their clothes for him because he was so special. He reminded us that when we carry Jesus on our backs, people aren't impressed with the donkey, they are cheering for the Master.
We have all had many ministry opportunities. Many helped build a home for a widow. Several worked in the school, which needs help and prayer, because of the difficulty getting quality local teachers that speak the language well.
With some help from Brenda, I taught five sessions to the Mozambique pastors in the Bible School. We also ministered to many of them with personal words. We felt a strong anointing and confirmation that we were speaking the things that they needed to hear.
Last night Brenda and I ministered to the full-time missionary staff - about 25-30 people. There was a very strong anointing on us both to do that. They really expressed a lot of appreciation. In addition, Brenda and I have ministered to dozens of people on the base. Brenda has been very active herself with her gift, while I am doing other things, like writing newsletters. Right now, her dorm room is filled with girls from the Missions school.
Our first outreach was Wednesday night. Heidi was supposed to be there to speak, but came late, so I filled in for awhile and had an altar call after speaking. At least 100 people responded and prayed with us for salvation. Finally, Heidi and many others arrived and she brought her amazing ability to draw people to Jesus. Again more people were brought to salvation. There was only one deaf person in the village - a young girl, but she was quickly healed after prayer. Heidi says that God has blessed her with that gift from Heaven that every deaf person that she prays for on these outreaches gets healed.
Half of our team of 16 went on outreaches on Friday night which lasted until Sunday morning. They were blessed to be with two young men of God who have great healing ministries as well. I haven't had many reports yet, but at least one blind man was reported healed on one of the outreaches.
We have had some sickness, including one with malaria, but no one was in any serious condition or danger. They just had to lay low for a few days, while the treatments did their work.
The ministry here and the facilities are ever-expanding. Rolland and Heidi are tired from all the attacks and appreciate your prayers. We have full confidence that the enemy cannot stop them, but they all need supernatural strength. As I mentioned, the school needs prayer and there are many other departments that come under frequent attack.
Brenda's luggage has still not arrived and she had packed a lot of things in that one little suitcase. In addition she contacted scabies in the last two or three days from the kids she worked with. She is supposed to treat her whole body with toxic cream to kill the little critters and then not use the same clothes until they are washed.
She was hoping for her suitcase, so she would have clothes to wear, but now she will have to borrow some more. She could really use your prayers. It has been a battle for her all week knowing how many of her things were in that suitcase and what it will take, especially in her precious time, to replace it all. We are still hoping to recover the suitcase on our way home tomorrow, so please, please pray for a miracle.
We had another Sunday service for the local people this morning. Last week it was followed by a beautiful baptismal time in the ocean. Many people were saved and delivered this morning and filled with the Holy Spirit as well. It is just so normal here every public service.
After worship, Heidi called the congregation to warfare for special needs and because of specific attacks on the ministry. Supresa, our beloved friend, who is an international director of Iris Ministries and a powerful preacher, became deathly ill. They believe witchcraft has something to do with it and some of the other attacks. Please pray right now that he will be miraculously healed. He has brought healing and resurrection life to many people in the past. Today, he needs us to pray for him.
In spite of so many demonic attacks, revival continues to spread to the point that Heidi believes that each week 10,000 people are saved through Iris Ministries. That would be over a half million per year. May it accelerate even more!!
God bless you all and thanks for all your prayers and other support!
We love you in Jesus' love,
Ben and Brenda and team in Mozambique
Sunday, July 02, 2006
Newsletter - Safe in Mozambique
Dear Friends,
Just a quick note to let you know we are safe in Mozambique and I have internet access at Iris Ministries. YES!!!
We survived several unexpected events. Remember, I was expecting the unexpected, but didn't expect the unexpected we had.
On the very looooong trip here without much sleep before the trip or during, I felt a great prophetic promise of great things from God. Then the surprises started coming. At O'Hare, they restricted our carry-ons and Brenda had to ship a heavy carry-on which had her favorite clothes and many other things. Her suitcase was the only thing not to arrive in Johannesburg, where we collected our luggage.
Another girl had luggage arrive, but she had forgotten to take her money out of one suitcase, and had a large amount of dollars stolen. Then Brenda discovered she also was missing her pouch-wallet from her carry-on. She had a fair amount of money in it as well. It was probably my fault, as we were hurried off the plane and I tried to help her by carrying her overloaded carry-on. It may have fallen out and a search by the plane crew said it wasn't there. We weren't allowed to go back to the plane.
We're still working on trying to find out what happened. We then spent the night in a nice youth hostel. The only problem was it does get cold in the South African winter in June and they don't heat their homes. It was about 40 degrees Farenheit, but we got a few hours sleep before we got up to go back to the airport.
But what a beautiful time we are already having in Pemba, and we are going to make the devil pay for the suffering we have been through. We know we are going to experience amazing things and bring God's love to thousands of Muslims and orphans and needy people.
We just went through orientation and getting settled. They are going to keep us busy with projects here. They already have almost 200 children in this new center and about the same number of Missions students, so there are a lot of things to do.
Tonight we want to get some sleep and overcome jet lag and see God's glory. Heidi may be preaching, so that will be a treat for all of us.
We love you all and thanks for your support.
God bless you!
Ben and Brenda, Tim and Nathan
Just a quick note to let you know we are safe in Mozambique and I have internet access at Iris Ministries. YES!!!
We survived several unexpected events. Remember, I was expecting the unexpected, but didn't expect the unexpected we had.
On the very looooong trip here without much sleep before the trip or during, I felt a great prophetic promise of great things from God. Then the surprises started coming. At O'Hare, they restricted our carry-ons and Brenda had to ship a heavy carry-on which had her favorite clothes and many other things. Her suitcase was the only thing not to arrive in Johannesburg, where we collected our luggage.
Another girl had luggage arrive, but she had forgotten to take her money out of one suitcase, and had a large amount of dollars stolen. Then Brenda discovered she also was missing her pouch-wallet from her carry-on. She had a fair amount of money in it as well. It was probably my fault, as we were hurried off the plane and I tried to help her by carrying her overloaded carry-on. It may have fallen out and a search by the plane crew said it wasn't there. We weren't allowed to go back to the plane.
We're still working on trying to find out what happened. We then spent the night in a nice youth hostel. The only problem was it does get cold in the South African winter in June and they don't heat their homes. It was about 40 degrees Farenheit, but we got a few hours sleep before we got up to go back to the airport.
But what a beautiful time we are already having in Pemba, and we are going to make the devil pay for the suffering we have been through. We know we are going to experience amazing things and bring God's love to thousands of Muslims and orphans and needy people.
We just went through orientation and getting settled. They are going to keep us busy with projects here. They already have almost 200 children in this new center and about the same number of Missions students, so there are a lot of things to do.
Tonight we want to get some sleep and overcome jet lag and see God's glory. Heidi may be preaching, so that will be a treat for all of us.
We love you all and thanks for your support.
God bless you!
Ben and Brenda, Tim and Nathan
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