August Newsletter

Dear Friends and Supporters,

Thank you for your support for this missionary Bible teaching ministry.

Jesus Was Not a Martyr: “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he (breathed his last).” (Luke 23:46) So Jesus was not a martyr: He laid down his own life, and took it up again. He willing laid down His life. “Therefore does my Father love, me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man takes it from me, but I lay it down of myself, I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.” (John 10:18)

Jesus Suffered Much More Than Physical Death For Our Salvation: Jesus did not die for His own sin. He was put to death for our sin and iniquity and with His stripes we are healed physically. “Surely he has borne our (sicknesses), and carried our (pain): yet we did esteem him stricken, (struck down) of God, and afflicted. But he was (pierced through) for our transgressions, he was bruised (crushed) for our iniquities; for the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. ... Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he has put him to grief; when you shall make his soul an offering for sin, ... he has poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.” (Isaiah 53:4-6,10,12)

The Solitude Of Jesus’ Death: Perhaps the greatest pain that Jesus suffered was to be abandoned by His Father. Perhaps this was because God could not look upon Jesus being made into a sin offering. Perhaps it was that Jesus had to face death by Himself. “Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? That is to say, My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46) This was a quotation from the Psalms, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?” (Psalms 22:1) Joseph Mugo, Omega Pentecostal Churches, Kenya: Mugo writes that the church of Christ continues to grow. He thanks God for the opportunity to serve in this great calling in Christ. Every place he visits, he is increasingly convinced that our Lord Jesus is coming soon. Or what can be said, when the people who once walked with God in truth turn their backs to the very same things they believed and confessed to be the truth? Its one of the many signs of the end.

They met at the Karumandi church at the last weekend in July where their five churches in Kirinyaga county gathered for fellowship. It was a happy time for the reunion with believers in the same faith. God blessed them with the rich anointing of the word. We still believe God is going to lead to a land without problems. Mugo thanks us very much for our tireless financial support. Mugo’s vehicle is being repaired for a new clutch plate and bearing. Let us pray for the Lord to provide the finances for him to buy a newer vehicle.

Kalembelembe Bible Institute, Fizi, Congo: Director Ekyoci Eciba reports that eighteen students finished the Third Trimester 2015/16. Funds were sent to pay the salaries of the four instructors, to buy another bed, blanket, and sheets, and repair four other beds, five hoes and machetes and grass cutters, and tea. He asks us to pray for more students next trimester. He thanks the Lord for his grace and our prayers for his hip condition. Masangu Lwenyeke, Church of the God Shepherd, Kalemie, Congo: Good progress is being made on a permanent church building in Kalemie. Pas. Masangu thanks us for the $500 sent. They are continuing the work. Masangu has been known to us since 1981. Ralph & Shirley Hagemeier and Stephanie, Kalemie, Congo: Ralph writes to say that his double vision continues to bother him. He is in the twelfth week since he went to the ophthalmologist and there is not much improvement. He continues to drive, preach, and read. Reading sometimes takes concentration focusing one eye at a time. He has been given a thin plastic eye patch to cover one eye so there is not a double image. Ralph and Shirley celebrated their fifty-fifth anniversary on August 4, and a big family reunion in Amarillo, Texas, on August 6 and 7. They leave in three months to go back to Africa. Ruth Scott Kellie, Matumani Children’s Center, Molo, Kenya: Kellie thanks us for our kindness She is very touched . The funds came just as she had a need concerning the land. The land issue is progressing and looks more hopeful. The planning brief is almost completed. The chief has continued to refuse to sign his document. Hence the lawyer has to go back to court for the judge to sign. Ruth is indeed very grateful for our prayers for the court case. She also is glad for our prayers for her relations with the director. Thank You for Your Prayers and Financial Support: Thank you for your prayerfully support this missionary Bible teaching ministry. Please know that all of these national ministries have been known personally to be faithful over many years. They are worthy of your support. Also, administrative costs are covered by non-designated funds. Please send your donations to one of the post office box addresses in the signature block below. The Lord bless you. Yours together in His harvest,

Charles Willner

_______________________________ Open Word Ministries: P.O. Box 625, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada L2E 6V5 P.O. Box 5001, Springfield, Missouri, U.S.A. 65801 www.openwordministries.com www.facebook.com/openwordmissionsministries