November OWM Newsletter

Dear Friends and Supporters, Thank you for your support of this missionary Bible teaching ministry. Jesus Became the First Fruits of the Resurrection: Jesus rose from the dead with a glorified body: just like we will have when we rise from the dead. “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept. ... For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the first fruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.” (1 Corinthians 15:20-23)

Christ the First Fruits from the dead includes those Old Testament saints who arose from the dead when Jesus presented Himself before the Father, and the veil of the temple was torn asunder. “And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose. And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.” (Matthew 27:52,53)

Further, those who are Christ’s at His second coming shows that all the New Testament saints are going to rise together when Jesus Christ returns. “Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” (1 Corinthians 15:51,52)

As a result of Christ being manifested as a man, when He rose from the dead, He had the marks of his crucifixion in His body. This means that even today, in glory, Jesus has the marks of His crucifixion in His hands and His feet. Not only did He rise from the dead, He rose with the same glorified body that He was born with here on earth. “Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit has not flesh and bones, as you see me have.” (Luke 24:39) “Then said he to Thomas, Reach hither your finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither your hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.” (Matthew 20:27)

"Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself." (Philippians 3:21) Because Jesus rose from the dead in a glorified body, this guarantees that when we are raised from the dead, we too will receive a glorified body just like Jesus has. Joseph Mugo, Omega Pentecostal Churches, Kenya: Mugo thanks us for the financial assistance in this work in the kingdom of our God. He reports that he has been able to visit different Omega churches in Ithanja, Rianyambo, Kamulu, Kima, Kavote, Suncity, Mwiki, and Muchatha. Pastor’s seminars were held in Kianyaga, Kiangombe, and Kavote. A youth convention is being planned in December at the Kavote church. Let us pray for the Lord to provide $4,000.00 to buy a newer vehicle for Mugo.

Kalembelembe Bible Institute, Fizi, Congo: Here is the testimony of one of the students, Kitinga Mashimango. He was born in a pagan home where his parents worshiped idols of wood and stone. By age fifteen, he was drinking and doing bad things. When he became very sick, he called for the elders of the church. When he repented, and was prayed for, the Lord healed him body and spirit, and he was filled with the Spirit. When he saw a dream of fishing, he realized that he was called to fish for people and preach the Word. When he realized he needed to know more about the Word, he applied to become a student.

Ralph & Shirley Hagemeier and Stephanie, Kalemie, Congo: The operation to remove cataracts from Ralph’s eyes went well, and he has received new prescription glasses. It is Ralph’s understanding that normally double vision "corrects itself", which seems to be his case... ever so slowly. Ralph and Shirley left for Congo on November 16. After landing in Dar es Salaam, they will travel across Tanzania from east to Kigoma in the west. Then they will take a boat across Lake Tanganyika to Kalemie, where Stephanie and Annie will welcome them to their home in Africa. Ralph thanks us for our prayers and support. Ruth Scott Kellie, Samwel Chibini, Molo, Kenya: There is good news about the petition to separate a plot of ground from Kellie’s farm for Pas. Samuel Chibini, and Samuel’s brother, Charles, who is the manager of Kellie’s farm! The local land court has ruled favorably to obtain titles for each plot. Now, the petition will be sent to the Ministry of Lands in Nairobi for approval. Please continue to pray for good relations between Kellie and the Matumaini Children’s Center. Kellie has retired from Matumaini and is donating her farm to the Center. Ruth thanks us for our support.

Buulu Msimbwe Andre, C.A.D.A.F., Kalemie, Congo: Buulu will be ministering in Lubumbashi, Likasi, and Kolwezi, then Kamina and Kongolo. These towns are one thousand miles away from Kalemie. Buulu needs funds and strength for travel. Buulu was my interpreter for my first two years in Congo. The Kituku church was our home church from 1981 to 1984. Richard & Kathy McDonald, Radio Kahozi, Bukavu, Congo: Please pray for the McDonalds as their lives, ministry, and outreach have been challenged. When their funds were blocked, a new Muslim grocer ordered from Dubai, a vehicle rim, tires, batteries, that were needed for the radio ministry. When street kids burrowed under their fence and entered into their house and studio, new contacts were established with the General who is the Commander of the Police. Pray for the young man who was captured and is cooperating with authorities to uncover a city-wide network who use drugs, alcohol, and sex, to lure misguided youth into crime. The station manager, Jean Marie, helped to repair the short-wave transmitter. It was hit by strong lightning strikes. Now the transmitter reaches into Uganda, and even Italy! Thank You for Your Prayers and Financial Support: Thank you for your prayerfully support this missionary Bible teaching ministry. Please send your support to one of the post 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