Quick Links
-Daughters of Ruth
-Rapha House
-Philippines Report
-Russian Report
-Mexican Report
-WE GET MAIL
-Korean Report
-Schedule a Presentation
-Contact Info

ARM's Websites
For more information, check out our web sites:
www.arm.org
www.abarc.org
www.raphahouse.org
www.daughtersofruth.org

Want an ARM multimedia presentation in your church?
As Development Director, I'm visiting a lot of churches in the Midwest! We have a video/PowerPoint presentation that will inform, encourage, and promote evangelism in your church.
If you would like an ARM presentation for your whole church-- or a group within it-- please inquire by reply or call 573-729-6355. We are now scheduling 2008. Thanks again for all your prayers, support, and encouragement!
-- Rod

Need materials?
To contact our Joplin office about receiving supplies and resources, please email info@arm.org, call 1-800-CALL-ARM, or write to PO Box 1490, Joplin, MO 64802.

Want to help?
To contact ARM about aiding in the funding of supplies and resources, please email rodfar@arm.org, call 1-573-729-6355, or write to Rt. 5 Box 159, Salem, MO 65560.

* ARM Prison Outreach International *
Branch Ministry Report
September 2008
ARM'S BRANCH MINISTRIES
For a larger version, click here.
 
Unsubscribe information is found at the bottom.
These summaries from the leaders of ARM's foreign branch ministries are intended to inform and encourage the reader as well as stimulate prayer. Note the "Quick Link" menu at top left; it will aid in navigating DIRECTLY to the article(s) you choose. Feel free to be a selective reader; should you have interest in only one or two of these reports, you can easily select those reports from the "Quick Link" menu. If you want a "plain text" version, just reply and tell us! 

In His Service,
Rod Farthing, National Development Director


ARM's Branch Ministry in Thailand
Daughters of Ruth Home/ Prison Ministry
ARM's Minister in Thailand is Boonlerd Chompukeeree
 
An Summary from Joe Garman
 
DAUGHTERS OF RUTH is a safe-house for pre-teenage and teenage girls. ALL are without God, without Christ and without a hope in this world when they come to us. We provide a Christian environment complete with counseling, education, protection and shelter.
 
DAUGHTERS OF RUTH is located in Chiang Mai. Like Ruth, they are living under a curse, but not one that God has placed on them. They come from dysfunctional homes, extreme poverty and spiritual darkness. They want to go straight; in fact, it is all some of them can talk about…but they have no one to help them, no where to go. They feel they have no control or power over their lives. They want to step out of the curse and into the blessing but they don’t know how. They lack resources, self-esteem and the skills to end this vicious cycle.
 
But at the DAUGHTERS OF RUTH home, bricks of character, integrity and maturity are laid one by one. DAUGHTERS OF RUTH currently live in a rented three-story townhouse. On the first floor is a Church/worship center. Boonlerd Chompukeeree and his family live on the second floor. Though their rooms are crowded, the girls are grateful to be here. In this secure environment they are afforded every opportunity to become emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually adjusted so they can return to society.
 
After leaving our home, volunteers follow up on them through letters, personal visits and telephone calls. The progress our girls have made speaks volumes about what could be accomplished if we had more room. The director of juvenile prisons for northern Thailand is willing to release more girls and transfer them to us providing we have capacity to care for them. We need to move out of our current facility and build a dormitory style house that will accommodate 48 to 50 girls. Such a home can be built for $135,000. This is not beyond our ability.
 
All we need are 135 Christians or 135 Churches willing to donate $1,000. Then this dream will become a reality. We need you to partner with us in this missionary effort.  -- Joe
=============================== 
Note from Rod:  We have some of the amount but still need funds to build our first dorm for the Daughters of Ruth. 
 
Gifts may be sent to
ARM/DOR -- Rt. 5 Box 159 -- Salem, MO 65560 

Back to top


Here is a recent report from Stephanie Freed:
 
Recently, I stood in the yard of the Rapha House and watched Heng drive away with a staff social worker and a male staff member. Sourm, our Cambodian director, explained to me that this was her final testimony against her trafficker in a case which had been going on for quite some time, and she would have to spend the night in a distant province to testify. The male staff was going along for protection as this was a high profile case.
 
The court system in Cambodia is not a child friendly place, and it takes a lot of endurance and bravery for these girls to continue to prosecute their perpetrators and traffickers. Our staff walks beside them through the entire process. We know that in order to effectively combat trafficking and sexual exploitation of children, we must encourage the girls to prosecute.
 
It was late the next day when Heng was driven back through our gates in our little pick up truck. My heart pounded in anticipation of the verdict. The smiles on the faces of Heng and our social worker told us the story. The back of the truck was full of raw sugar cane, and Heng passed it out to all her friends as they heard her good news. Her trafficker was going to go to prison for 10 years. Heng realized that she was worthy of justice. What a blessing to be part of that moment! It was one that I wanted to be sure to share with you. Thank you for your prayer and financial support which allow us to offer safety, hope and justice to these girls.
 
Editor's note: Any and all support for the work in Cambodia is greatly appreciated!

Gifts may be sent to
ARM/RH -- Rt. 5 Box 159 -- Salem, MO 65560

Back to top
Philippines Report
 
I. On August 1, 2008, the Alocelja family, the Church, and the Arm team assume a new place at Mabini Extension.
 
II. On August 2, Bro. Rudy Atienza, driver mechanic and elder of the Church of Christ at Davao City, officiated the blessing and thanksgiving service for the brand new van.
 
III. On August 17, Ernesto Alocelja and Dante Tawi was invited as guest speaker at Ulas Church of Christ, Davao City during their regular worship Sunday and had the opportunity to give thanks to Ulas members for supporting the ARM Ministry in Davao City.
 
IV. On August 16, David Domingo and Solomon Suscano conducted a special fellowship and bible studies at Panabo City Jail, DAPECOL and Samal City Jail.
 
V. On August 22, the team received 15 packages of religious literature and 30 boxes of large print bibles.
 
VI. On August 31, opening day for the Church of Christ at Lion City if Digos City Located in Mabini Extension, Digos City.
 
Because of Him, Ernesto O. Alocelja
Jay Mark M. Alocelja Information Secretary

Back to top

Russian Report
 
Glory to Christ, my beloved brother! This is my brief report for August 2008.
 
1. IMMERSIONS. Four convicts were immersed by the DOM ARM ministers on 04.08.2008 in the prison camp No 102 in Simferopol (Crimea, Ukraine). Now we have there an independent and self-multiplying congregation among the convicts, which is like the same ones, created by DOM ARM in Russian prisons and camps. Brother Dmitriy Tkachenko is there the congregation elder, ordained by me. On 24.08.2008 one of the girls, evangelized by the youth "NIKA"-ministry in Krasnodar, was immersed in the USA in one of the Christian congregations (the girl is the post-graduate student there).
 
2. PRISONS. The DOM ARM ministers had 12 visits, services, meetings in prisons and camps this month (mainly in Krasnodar Territory and Crimea). On 08.08.2008 16 convicts cut their blood vessels to protest against the torments in the prison camp in Yakutsk (9 000 km to North-East from Krasnodar). The Krasnodar Territory prison directorate published on 16.08.2008 (newspaper "Krasnodarskie Isvestiya", p.7) the information, that the convicts in its' prison camps "had voluntarily donated their one-day salary to the victims of the Georgian aggression in the South Ossetia". Thus, the directorate has confirmed, that the slave labor continues to exists in Russian prisons; and that the state makes even the prisoners (hungry, without warm clothes, having no medical help, etc.) pay the expenses of the war in Transcaucasia!
 
3. CAUCASIAN ETHNIC GROUPS. On 12-13.08.2008 the DOM ARM ministers visited the refugee camp in Anapa (the Black Sea court resort; 150 km to South-West from Krasnodar), where about 300 families of the South Ossetians to run away from the war in their area were settled. Georgia declares the South Ossetia to be the Georgia possession and the Southern Ossetians to be the minority of the Georgian nation. Russia supports the South Ossetian leaders (President Kokoity-Kokoev, etc.) to declare their land to be an independent state – "The Republic of Southern Ossetia" ("Hussar Iriston", in Ossetian, which is of the Indo-European language family; the Russian one belongs the Slavonic group of the same family; the Georgian language constitutes the separate – so called "Kartvelian" – family). Russia contains, as its Federation Subject, the Northern Ossetia, which is situated on the Northern slopes of the Big Caucasian ridge. The Southern Ossetia is on the Southern ones, conformably. On 12.08.2008 I personally met the relatives of the famous Ossetian – Vitaliy Kaloev, who some years ago had murdered the Swiss aviation controller. Kaloev thought, that man had been guilty in the airplane crash over the Boden Lake (on the border of Switzerland and Germany). Kaloev's wife and children perished there. The controller was not convicted by the court of justice, but Kaloev cut him on the basis of the Caucasian tradition of the blood revenge (vendetta). He was convicted by the Swiss court for six years of prison; but soon he was liberated on parole for the "good behavior". Kaloev returned to Russia (North Ossetia); he was declared there to be the national hero and was appointed the deputy minister for construction in the Government of the North Ossetia. When the battle with Georgia had begun in the Southern Ossetia, Kaloev with a big group of the irregular Ossetian volunteers came there. The Ossetians, basing on their tribal Caucasian-Iranian traditional law of vendetta, have declared the blood revenge to all the Georgians, who participated in the war against Ossetia, including the Georgian President Misha Saakashvily, all his family and all his relatives (including the Ukraine President Yushchenko, who was the orthodox "godfather" of Saakashvily's children). The heathen tradition rules now in the Caucasus. The great aunt of Kaloev, his aunt and 3 his male cousins live in Krasnodar. They all are crazy with the vendetta idea. I tried to preach them Christ and the necessity to be immersed and to be reconciled with the enemies.

In Jesus our hope! Sincerely, DOM ARM chaplain, prof., etc.  Nicholas E. Alyoshin

Back to top

Alfredo José Aparicio, ARM associate

Dear brethren in Christ,

It is a great joy for me to send you warm Greetings, and I thank you for the great support you have been to this ministry, both through your Money and prayers. May this ministry prosper due to your many contributions for God’s work! Achievements are great, no matter that we get so tired both physical and emotionally. The church in Tejupilco is doing great and growing so fast now. This Church was left without a preacher for many years, but Chuy Muñoz was appointed pastor there not long ago. He has been the minister only for some weeks and the place is packed now! So, they need a bigger place now, but it must be built on top of the existing facilities. We had 64 baptisms this month of August. These were people from different places in the world, of our Bible Correspondence Students.

We planted a new Church in Hueyaxtla, State of Hidalgo. They meet for worship on Sunday, but they study our Bible Courses during the week in homes. We had 127 of our students graduate from our Bible Correspondence Courses. These people remain true to the Word of God and are very strong Christians. They are sharing God’s Word eagerly now. I am so happy for Antonio Eusebio Maximiliano, who is one of these former students, that did not speak much Spanish when he started our lessons, but who learned Spanish using our courses. He belongs to the Otomí indigenous group. He went through our lessons and founded a Church, and he wants me to preach there on their anniversary, on October 12th. The power from God’s Word does change lives completely. Most people living without goals in life, now have a certain idea of what they want in life. We were able to enter in two more jails with our Bible Courses, which are in Arcelia and Acapulco (State of Guerrero). Inmates live like animals there. Besides being crowed, inmates have to live with lice, fleas, and other parasites. Authorities have abandoned them, except for keeping them behind bars.

Joaquín Montaño insisted in me coming and teaching them the Bible first hand.  At the Church in Cuernavaca, we now have services every day in different homes. This is reflecting in a very good spiritual growth. Last night, as some of these home churches were meeting, my wife and I had to stay at the Church facilities as some authorities had to check and do an inspection on the place. It was raining so hard the place got flooded, the sewage started coming out of the pipes, and the roof starting to leak. So, we were told to repair the roof and dig and put bigger sewage pipes for the Church. As these inspectors were there, and since it was pouring, my wife and I shared the Gospel with them. They ended up staying for the Church service we had. God blessed us in many ways! When my wife and I got home, to our surprise, 8 young people were waiting for us, as they wanted to hear God’s Word.

After we shared the Gospel with them, and since it continued pouring, my wife and I decided to take them home. My car starting giving us problems on a very steep hill and did not want to go up. After some tries, it would not go up, and some of the young people were afraid we would go downhill to a ravine. I prayed, and tried again, the car went up! God protects in marvelous ways, indeed!

Please help us pray for… God’s provision in order to build more facilities in the Church at Tejupilco. We need $4,750.00 God’s provision to fix the Church in Satellite, Cuernavaca. We need $4,270.00 and God’s strength and wisdom to continue serving Him. I am in charge of the Bible Correspondence School, coordination of 86 churches, the Christ in Youth Conference in Mexico, and other activities. I have no rest or vacations! God’s work cannot stop.

Your servant in Christ Jesus, Alfredo José Aparicio

Back to top


WE GET MAIL!
Responses to ARM's "Ministers' Minute"
 
Thanks for the Info! it was encouraging!  M B -- TN
 
Thanks for sending these and the reports on the prison ministry and Rapha house.  We hope to help in some way again.... BW  -- CA 

Sang Ho Kim, ARM associate
 
Sang Ho Kim held the Special Prayer Service at Mt. Bommon on August 25, 2008 -- the theme was "Give the Fire of the Holy Spirit to Our Country." Sang Ho Kim, who prepared this event, urged, "One of the responsibilities of Christians is to pray for our country when it is in danger, as it is today. Only prayer could save our nation and the Church of Korea."
 
SEJIN DREAM TREE CAMP: 2008 FOR THE CHILDREN OF PRISONERS: 6th Sejin Dream Tree Camp for the children of prisoners held at Norayangijn of Yangpyung, Kyunggido from August 4th to August 6th 2008. The camp consists of the early child, kindergarten, elementary, intermediate and high school students from all over the country.  We wish to get much more financial aid and prayer for this camp.
 
CTS Christian TV Program: "I Am Delighted Everyday." Sang Ho Kim appeared on the CST Christian TV program "I Am Delighted Everyday." and explained about his mission through his testimony.
 
Please pray for : 1. 60,000 prisoners and their family 2. To establish Christian Prisons 3. To support prisoners and increase financial aid 4. To increase volunteers, supporting communities and churches 5. To send Bibles and religious books 6. To help 30 prison churches to continue to grow 7. To establish a Love Community for prisoners who are released 8. Mt. Bomoon Overnight Prayer 9. To open the Love House for prisoners' children 10. To support "Love to Yongwook" 11. Prayer for our upcoming mission events for 2008 I hope you are always joyful and peace in Our Lord. May God bless you and your family.
 
Sincerely Yours. Sang Ho Kim


Back to top


Schedule a Presentation?

Want an ARM multimedia presentation in your church? As Development Director, I'm visiting a lot of churches in the Midwest! We have a video/PowerPoint presentation that will inform, encourage, and promote evangelism in your church. If you would like an ARM presentation for your whole church-- or a group within it-- please inquire by reply or call 573-729-6355. We are now scheduling 2009. Thanks again for all your prayers, support, and encouragement! -- Rod

Back to top

Contact Info

Rod Farthing, ARM National Development Director rodfar@arm.org
3127 Hwy K, Salem, MO 65560
573-729-6355
Check out our web sites:
www.arm.org
www.abarc.org
www.raphahouse.org
www.daughtersofruth.org

Back to top

To unsubscribe from Branch Reports, just reply with "no branch" in the body of the email.