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Darkness is not hard to find in Iberia, Peru. Witches advertise their wares openly bartering for the souls of men and women. Churches are few and Bibles are hard to find. There is little access to hear God’s liberating word. Hearts are cowered in fear and for many there is no fear of God.

Our GO team determined an invasion was necessary, the light of the Gospel would come and darkness would be dispelled. We finally arrived, an entourage of 31 Americans and Peruvians. When nightfall came we set up the Jesus film and the musicians beckoned the residents to come for the viewing. By 8:00pm the life of Jesus unfolded to a crowd of 300 people. They heard His words, witnessed his miracles, saw Him crucified. It is always at that moment that decision is now bearing down on the heart of an unbeliever. Jesus, the perfect Son of God laid His life down for me and you. “What must I do to be saved?”

His convincing work is evident as throngs of people surge forward to the front to pray and seek His forgiveness. Once again God has done His work, His Word dispels the darkness and unveils His life giving power. We rejoice just as everyone in heaven when one sinner repents! There is no greater satisfaction in life than to witness the Holy Spirit drawing people to Himself.

And Jesus said, “If I be lifted up I will draw all men to myself.”

– From Larry Cochran of Go International, used with permission.

Keji is eighteen years old and a senior in high school at Loka Senior Secondary School in Southern Sudan. Several weeks ago, she was abducted from her village by insurgents. Please pray for Keji, as you would for your own daughter, that she does not experience violence and that she is returned to her family soon. Keji’s parents live far from the school and are very worried about her.

(Prayer request from Executive Director of Global Response Network (GRN),Tom Zurowski, who is also a member of the Board of the NewLife Charitable Trust.)

GRN has been rebuilding the Loka Senior Secondary School since 2002 when it was discovered in ruins after years of fighting in the region. NewLife has provided support for the Director of the School for four years. This school has developed into a model school for the country and maintains a standard of education that has been recognized by the government. Global Response Network has recently been asked by the government to partner with them in the building of several other regional schools.

Update - July 16: Tom Zurowski, Director of GRN, visited NewLife to update us about ministry in Southern Sudan. He has indicated that there is no news about the fate of Keji and that some young girls have refused to return to the school as a result. Continue to pray for her family and this troubled region.

Today is Valentine’s Day - a day to recognize the people you love and care about most. This year’s Valentine spending is expected to exceed $17 billion, but not all of it may go toward chocolate that melts or flowers that fade.

The New York Times reported in December that over the last several years, charitable gift cards are gaining popularity. These work very much like normal gift cards, with a prepaid amount designated by the purchaser and given in the form of a card or e-mail card to the recipient. But instead of taking it to a store, the recipient can choose to make a donation to their favorite charity. One gift card provider, NetworkForGood.org, lists over 1.7 million US registered non-profit organizations for giving.

Other groups offering these cards are CharityGiftCertificates.org, JustGive.org, and TisBest.org. It sounds like a fantastic way to show you care with a gift that will make a lasting difference.

The following is adapted with permission from Tom Zurowski, Director of Global Response Network.

While exploring the needs of the South Sudanese population, GRN director Tom Zurowski found that in every village, Christian education was the overwhelming request of the people. During one of these missions, the Nugent School was discovered. A British missionary named Nugent originally built the school in 1929. Since that time, Sudan has undergone a brutal civil war that has not only taken the lives of over two million people and devastated the infrastructure of the South but has also left two generations with little or no education. It is estimated that 90% of all the people in Southern Sudan are illiterate.

For several years, Global Response Network (GRN) has been working to renovate the historic school located in Loka, Southern Sudan. Currently, hundreds of children are enrolled in the Loka Senior Secondary School and are receiving quality education on a daily basis. The school is highly regarded as one of the best schools and draws students from various locations in Southern Sudan. Some of the students walk as far as fourteen miles per day to attend classes, yet that is considered “local” for those students.

Please pray for us as we continue to rebuild this historic school, which, to the people of Loka is a beacon of hope for generations to come.