National Workers: Testimony of God's Intervention
May 9th, 2012

A sinking boat is no place to be. But that is exactly where Swapan, AMG National Worker in Bangladesh, found himself while transporting 180 students!

Their trip started out as a routine transport of Friendship Bible Students during their Bible campaign. Swapan recalled their fear after the boat’s engine failed.

“There was a strong current and wind in the river when we started early in the morning. Soon after our boat’s gear suddenly failed. We lost control of the boat because of the heavy current. The strong wind drove us back until we were beaten against Chilla Bridge.

In this circumstance, the passengers of the upper deck became frightened and began crying. I loudly prayed, ‘Lord Jesus save us.’ Then the boat crashed damaging part of the roof. We thought for sure we were going to sink. The people who were on the bridge began to shout. Water was rising in the boat.  

I was seized with fear thinking that if anybody would sink in the water or anybody would die at the time of the collision. In this danger God saved us all! Thankfully the engine began to run again. We slowly reached our destination.

After reaching our destination we all sang and held our Bible campaign. Some of the participants gave their testimony. This program was held very joyfully. In the Bible competition many students shared verses from their memory. And when we finished the Bible campaign the students returned safely by a different boat!”

Please pray for Free Friendship Children School as they teach God’s word to the children. Pray for the salvation of the children and families.

Posted by Stephanie Pickard in Bangladesh, National Worker   |  0 Comment(s)  |  Leave a Comment

Medical Ministries: I Was Hungry and You Fed Me
May 7th, 2012

AMG’s Valley of Love community provides leprosy sufferers a place to live and work. Not only that, it is a place where they are accepted and loved. Here they learn skills which enable them to provide for their families and become productive members of society again.

Food is distributed on a regular basis to leprosy victims who live with their families. Many times the deformities resulting from this disease leave people unable to work and earn a living. The food AMG provides enables them to meet the needs of their families.

AMG India Evangelistic Meeting

AMG India’s national director recently shared how AMG is helping leprosy patients there:

"Nearly 1,200 leprosy patients, from different villages in East Godavari District, are receiving monthly rations through the ministry of AMG."

AMG India Food Distribution

"Similarly, we have nearly 250 inpatients in the AMG Leprosy Rehabilitation Center, in Valley of Love in Visakhapatnam District. With help and assistance for their rehabilitation, they are able to maintain small jobs which they can do, even with the deformities the disease causes. This gives them human dignity, self confidence and satisfaction. They are no longer beggars, but are working for their livelihood. And now they live in peace and with hope for a brighter future for their children."

One of the more pronounced deformities associated with leprosy is severe cataracts which often result in blindness. AMG India operates the Kadyum Eye Hospital to compassionately restore sight through comprehensive visual care.

People from nearby villages come to the hospital for free treatment. Patients are treated for all manner of vision problems, and medicines and glasses are made available at no cost if needed.

Each month, Kadyum Eye Hospital conducts about 150 cataract surgeries and lens implantations. As a result of these surgeries, patients regain their lost sight, which enables them to return to normal life and work with confidence.

Through each of these outreaches, AMG’s ultimate goal is to lead the leprosy patient and his or her family to Jesus Christ. Thank you for your prayers for AMG India.

Posted by Stephanie Pickard in AMG India, Leprosy   |  0 Comment(s)  |  Leave a Comment

General Ministries: Searching for Answers
May 4th, 2012

An AMG missionary in Greece captures a firsthand look at the traumatic and unimaginable effects of the financial crisis.

“Many years ago in New York I saw a homeless person for the first time in my life. It was a shock for me, because in Greece I had never seen anyone sleep on the sidewalk! Since then, whenever I thought about the homeless, my mind would go to pictures of people who wore gloves with holes, people with dirty clothes, protecting themselves from the cold with cardboard boxes.

Because we had no homeless people, I never thought this scene would happen in my land. However, the severe financial crisis that has hit Greece has changed everything. A few weeks ago, I saw a couple of homeless persons in downtown Athens. They were different from the familiar picture that I had in my mind. These people were sleeping on park benches, wearing expensive suits and shoes. Homeless people with Armani clothes!! Who would have thought this could happen? 

Only a few short months ago, these people had more than enough. But now they have lost everything. They lost their well paying jobs in big corporations. They lost spacious homes, healthy bank accounts, and fancy cars. All they have are their fancy suits, now dirty and stained from sleeping on park benches.

Demonstrations and strikes take place almost on a daily basis. Some people are protesting the loss of their jobs, others protest because of salary reductions, the reduction of their pensions, and new taxes. Since the onset of the crisis, in order to collect money, the government will invent new taxes which are unbearable and unreasonable. There is a great deal of unrest and frustration in Greek society, which is sometimes expressed very dramatically.

In the midst of this miserable and tense environment, we continue our activities, such as our efforts in the church. We try to serve the people of God in every possible way, physically as well as spiritually. At the same time, we try to reach out to unbelievers with the gospel. 

One thing that I am learning is that God is continuing to work in the hearts of people, even in the worst conditions. I have noticed that people I have never met or witnessed to before have started attending church. Have their hardships made them turn to God? One thing is for certain, the Lord is working to melt their hearts and people are responding.”  

Please continue to pray for those who have been harmed by the financial crisis. Pray that AMG co-workers would know how to help them.   

Posted by Stephanie Pickard in Greece   |  0 Comment(s)  |  Leave a Comment

General: Hope for Moldova
May 1st, 2012

Moldova is officially the poorest country in Europe. The average monthly salary is $70-$100. At the same time, the cost of living is the same as in the Western World. In many areas of the country, people live on just $1 per day.

The country of Moldova is notorious for its abandoned children and homeless elderly, who are left to survive on their own. 

Hope for Moldova serves the needs of destitute street children and the elderly. While providing the hungry with physical bread, they offer them the Bread of Life, Jesus Christ. 

As an expansion of the ministry in Greece, AMG is searching for land that will be used as a shelter and soup kitchen for needy children. In addition, this center will be used to train local pastors. Please continue to pray and help us minister to the precious people of Moldova.

If you would like to partner with Hope for Moldova please contact AMG International.

Posted by Stephanie Pickard in Moldova, Missionary   |  0 Comment(s)  |  Leave a Comment

General: The Tabernacle
April 30th, 2012

Have you ever imagined what it would be like inside the Tabernacle? 

Known for his stunning biblical 3-D images and videos, Eric J. Bouchoc has begun work on what he is calling The Restoration Project (TRP). TRP is an all-encompassing effort to bring the Holy Scriptures alive in a new way. Through cutting edge digital art and imagery, he seeks to convey the moods and emotions of passages in the Word of God.

Tabernacle Video

The first book in this project is entitled The Tabernacle. Allow God to present you with the experience…hear the sounds, smell the smells, feel the warmth on your face and see what may have been. Mentally walk where they walked. In the end, present yourself as a living sacrifice to your maker who simply wants to spend time with you. The tabernacle was made so that God could dwell among his people. Today, we no longer need the physical tabernacle. He has promised to live inside us as His holy dwelling place to those who live for His son Jesus. Won’t you allow this book to be a vessel for a deeper relationship with your maker?

AMG Publishers Website

Posted by Stephanie Pickard in AMG Publishers   |  0 Comment(s)  |  Leave a Comment