Pray BFF

Pray BFF Update July 17, 2010

2010-07-17T16:29:58Z

Dear Prayer Partners,

Keep praying for India!

Beside the financial emergency of a key ministry, cancer of a church planter's son and the ongoing classes via internet (which have been good and exciting), there is another urgent prayer request.

Two pastors were traveling on motorbike in the jungle for a meeting, but the bike took a spill. They were both hurt. The younger one whom I know was less hurt. The older one, though, in his fifties, could not even get into the hospital without having the financial resources. After 2 days he was finally able to be looked at, a broken nose bone, etc. he was in agony taken to the hospital. But things do not look good. He needs our prayers. Let me quote.
...................

We have started providing him better medication here and tomorrow
after prayer in the church we will be taking him to main hospital for
brain scanning, x-ray and many other tests.

He was saying today that his head is roaming here and there thus we
feel it to scan the brain because he fall on the front side and
provide some medicine for that.
..................
Please pray for this influential pastor who is involved in training pastors in that area of India.

Brother Paul

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PrayBFF M#174 Urgent Prayer for India

2010-07-12T21:45:46Z

Pray BFF Letter #174

Monday, July 12, 2010

pdf printable version

Urgent Prayer for India

Dear Prayer Partners,

Yesterday, I was encouraging someone to taste my wonderful Indian tea. The tea came from both the east and west of the Himalayan mountains in northern India where BFF held seminars. They were gifts from the famous tea plantations. Only lately have I started to enjoy and share this tea (drinking it black). Very nice.

The gifts bring flashbacks to that fruitful ministry as well as some recent urgent prayer and ministry requests from India.

Nathan

We recently received an update on Nathan, the 8 year-old son of a church planter in northern India. They decided to fast and pray for him instead of bringing him to the hospital for his eye cancer. Here is an update.

"I just spoke with Nathan's father. After the prayer it seems he is stable and plays with kids. In fact tomorrow they are taking him to the hospital for a check up."

I have not heard any report since he went for the check-up.

A Key Ministry in Financial Crisis

Financial support might seem shaky here in the USA, but it can be devastating in the third world. Today, one key ministry that reaches out to an unreached area in northern India, sent out an urgent SOS.

"I need your prayers, as a ministry team we are in the verge of great financial crises. Uphold us my brother in your prayers."

Will you join me in prayer for this strategic ministry? Thank you.

Teaching in India starts tomorrow!

That is correct! I agreed to teach in late July, but surprise! the class starts tomorrow, July 13th at 7:30 am. Each morning, for 2 hours, I will teach at a discipleship school via the Internet. There are several related prayer requests.

First of all, pray that the high-speed internet, due to be installed just hours before we start, actually gets set up without a hitch. From my experience, set up can be fraught with many difficulties. Please pray.

Secondly, I will be teaching two lessons on each of the six days. I only had time to start thinking about what material I would be teaching two days ago. So you can imagine what I am preparing. This is not new material, but I need to properly refresh myself each day for such long lessons.(I was able to talk to the students when I was in India).

Pray for JB who will translate for me. The Bengali people are strategic to reach in these last days.

I will also be teaching and preaching this coming Sunday at our church. So I am busy, busy.

Praise!

We thank the Lord for working out plans for getting Allison to college in Tennessee in August. Linda and I will drive her.
We thank the Lord for progress on Life Lessons for the New Believer. We have produced three videos (12 minute long) and prepared study questions for the lessons.
Air tickets for the flights to East Asia in September are purchased; only a local flight to book now. Translation of materials should start soon.
Praise God the two new BFF Parenting DVD and Marriage DVD have been finalized. Each one required a multitude of small detailed work.

Pray!

Continue to pray for Nathan, his family, their ministry and outreach to their community.
Paul is preaching and teaching Sunday (7/18).
Pray for the high-speed internet connection in India to be smoothly hooked up, so we can begin.
Pray for the 11 or so students (aged 20-30), some recently have come to know the Lord but are on fire for Him.
Full provision for Allison's college expenses.
Paul's eye has got twice irritated/infected. Bothered by fans.
Pray for $8000 for the upcoming trip to the East.

Many thanks for your prayers and support,

Paul

Rev. Paul J. Bucknell, President and Instructor

Biblical Foundations for Freedom
Email: info@foundationsforfreedom.net
Phone: (412) 761-3508
3276 Bainton St., Pittsburgh, PA 15212 USA

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Pray BFF#173 Next STM Ministry Trip

2010-07-03T18:25:09Z

Pray BFF Letter #173

Saturday, July 3, 2010

pdf printable version

Pastor and Leader Training Seminars in September, 2010

Dear Support Team,

The Reason

Some have asked why I am not taking my annual trek to India. Although I have a great burden for the work in India and plenty of requests to go to India, God has led me to a different place this year.

Not one, not two, but three organizations from this country in East Asia sought us for providing leadership training. I believe this was orchestrated by the hand of God. (These groups are not related to each other).

At the same time, a translation ministry there has requested BFF's materials.

God has opened doors for us to train His people in this restricted country.

Description of country in brief

One brother from there provided me with this introduction of where I will be going.

"There are, approximately, 58 million people and 7 percent of the total population is Christians, and Buddhists 87 percent, and the rest are Hindus, Muslim. This country has been ruled by military dictatorship since 1962 that due to the political condition, there are many problems and hindrances Christian ministry face here. Although there is no official religion, Buddhists religion is considered as the major religion with special access to public resources and governments supports."

Most of the believers have been from tribal areas in the north but many are coming to faith in Christ Jesus. There are many disciples of Jesus eager to step into ministry.

Seminars Planned

BFF will hold three three-day pastor and Christian leader training seminars. Depending on the situation, we design a specialized track of training along with translated material.

This time it will be both an overview of spiritual development (The Flow) and at the same time teach them how to grow personally, find breakthrough and how to help others grow. Doesn't this sound like Christian life and ministry?

This is the backbone of leadership development, and so we start here.

Will you consider joining us in this ministry? We're planning two urban training seminars and one in the rural north.

Needing your support

Praise the the Lord that the lengthy visa applications are gone. But do pray no hassles obtaining one at the airport there.
I am having difficulty getting an inexpensive ticket.
Thank the Lord for orchestrating this special opportunity in what has long been considered a closed country.
Provision for $8,000 in finances.
Paul's family when away. Homeschool will have just started at that time.
Sensitivity to the Holy Spirit's leading.
Safety, strength and wisdom to teach.
We greatly anticipate God's powerful work. Please pray that His people are touched, helped and transformed.
We are honored to be entrusted with this work. Please considering joining in deepening the roots of His kingdom.
Keep praying for Nathan. No further news yet.

Praise!

It was nice to hand Allison her high-school diploma as she tossed her tassel from one side to another.
Thank the Lord that Linda's knee is much better!
No visa application necessary!!!
Thank the Lord for the recent start on training in Inductive Bible Study through Titus.

Many thanks for your prayers and support,

Paul

Rev. Paul J. Bucknell, President and Instructor
Biblical Foundations for Freedom

Email: pb@foundationsforfreedom.net
Phone: (412) 761-3508

Please note on your check or offering: BFF STM
Checks can be written to BFF - nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3). Tax deductible receipts will be sent out at the end of the year.
3276 Bainton St., Pittsburgh, PA 15212 USA

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Pray BFF #172 June 19, 2010

2010-06-19T22:19:21Z

Pray BFF Letter #172

Saturday, June 19, 2010

pdf printable version

New Ideas

Dear Support Team,

Thank you so much for your prayers. Since our last regular letter, I sent out a prayer alert for Nathan an 8-year old with cancer in his eye, the only son of a church planter.

I have called the overseer there in northwest India. He told me that the family and church have begun a 20 day fast and prayer for Nathan's healing. His picture is on the right.

New Series

I often live between the challenge of developing new materials and improving the old. When I start something new, it means something 'old' will not be updated or improved.

This past week I started a new series called, "Life Lessons for the New Believer." I am saddened at how many new believers are not discipled.

Evangelicals spend lots of time, training and money on bringing people to know the Lord, but then simply expect them to attend church. This is what typically happens and is tragic.

I hope this new series, in short video lesson format, will not only help many new believers grow, but will also cause older believers to actually disciple new believers!

This first 12 minute lesson can be found at: "Two Lives" from Romans 7:21-25 or on BFF's Facebook wall where you can make comments.

I was encouraged today by a sister that shared how going through the Cross Training series a few years ago (especially the Master-Servant lesson) radically enabled her move ahead in her spiritual life.

A New Class

The parenting class is finished. It went well. Starting tomorrow I am co-teaching a new series during Sunday Training on Inductive Bible Study Methods through the Book of Titus. Ramesh and I are excited about the upcoming class. It will be a challenge to teach inductive Bible study to a large class as it normally involves lots of personal study. Do pray for us - starting tomorrow!

One thought as I introduce the class.

God has radically changed my life through His Word. The major means He did this was through daily personal inductive Bible study over many years. We need to study God's Word in such a way that it shapes our life-style, decisions, attitudes and choices--everything.

Praise!

We are excited about Allison's High School graduation and acceptance at Union University for creative writing. Pray that God would provide everything needed for the first year coming up soon!
Praise the Lord for the new short video series to train new believers.
Paul has been able to help a few people he has been mentoring with web and computer skills.
Praise God that Paul was able to finish making the parenting videos.

Pray!

Join Nathan's parents and church family as they seek healing for the cancer in his eye.
Paul is preaching tomorrow (6/20) and starting the new summer Sunday School series on Titus.
Linda's knee flared up. She has been stuck on the sofa. Fortunately the children have been helping out. Her knee is not so painful but still swollen.
Paul will be applying for a visa next week. Other details are being worked out for the trip coming up in September.
Paul has continued problems with computer and web uploading.

Many thanks for your prayers and support,

Paul

Rev. Paul J. Bucknell, President and Instructor

Biblical Foundations for Freedom

Email: pb@foundationsforfreedom.net
Phone: (412) 761-3508
3276 Bainton St., Pittsburgh, PA 15212 USA

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Special Prayer Need - Nathan June 5, 2010

2010-06-05T22:37:33Z

Dear Prayer Partners,

I just received this prayer request from a trusted resource in northwest India. Pray for a supernatural healing.
� Paul
.........................................................

Greetings in the blessed name of Jesus.

May I bring an urgent prayer request to lift Nathan in your prayers. Pastor Joseph and family is serving the Lord in North West India. This family is a totally committed for the work. They have got only one child Nathan [8 years old boy] who is studying in class 3. Last Friday Nathan got itching on his eye and got red color, while they were looking in to his eyes they saw a white spot on his eyes and his eye bole was little large. Next day they took him in the hospital and the Doctors said they cannot do anything on this stage and asked them to go to All India Medical Institute at New Delhi. Same day they took him to the Medical College and the doctors examined him. They referred for the MRI Scan. After the detailed check up doctors said [5 doctors panel famous in India]

Nathan has got cancer in his eyes and that spreads back side and it is going to spread to his brain, in this stage no medicine can cure him. The only remedy medical science says is to remove his right eye and the operation need to done within 20 days. To conduct an operation they are need of $ 7000. As a Church planter they don't have any resources. Both parents are worried and in tears but they are strong in the Lord and totally surrender their lives in God�s hand to see a miracle in their son�s life. Here we all are worried but believing in the Lord for a miracle. Kindly pray for this matter and ask others also to pray.

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Pray BFF #171 Saturday, May 29, 2010

2010-05-29T08:38:47Z

Pray BFF Letter #171

Saturday, May 29, 2010

pdf printable version

Striving Onward!

Dear Support Team,

We finally have a few videos online to give you a glimpse of what amazing things God did on our last trip to Kenya and Uganda.

Marriage Seminars in Kenya - STM2010 (See how God mightily worked in two very different marriage seminars! 5 minutes)
Call to Salvation (An unbelievable call to salvation to those at one seminar -3 minutes)
Returning Back Home (Testimony of a marriage being restored - 3 minutes)
Blind but Now See! (Testimony of a husband seeing his sin - 2 minutes)

Thanks again for all your support through giving and prayers. People were wonderfully changed.

Be a BFF Facebook Fan!

I never knew it would take such a short time! But it's done.

BFF's Facebook page is finally set up. We have numerous interesting items already loaded onto BFF Facebook (including some of the items above). We hope that you can send encouraging words as God uses this ministry to help you. We have over 100 members, 9 videos and other items of interest. Hopefully you can become a BFF fan too.

Just search Biblical Foundations for Freedom on Facebook or click here.

Trying again

We have talked about the new BFF Partners program and have done significant work on it but have failed to implement it. There have been two causes. First was time. Once I learned that my trip to Africa was to start several weeks early, it cut out the window frame that I had originally planned to get the BFF Partners program off.

During that time, several pastors had written emails from overseas requesting extension courses. I thought that these extension courses would be an ideal complement to the BFF Partner program.

The more I thought about it, the more I realized that it was time to offer more systematic training via our books. As we all know, a little extra pressure to read that book or answer those questions can really make a difference in helping one to further motivation.

Many of our books already have study questions in them. People really want good study material and because of our heavy Biblical teaching, these resources become very helpful.

We are thinking of starting with three courses: Building a Great Marriage, Romans: Laying a Strong Foundation and Principles and Practices of Biblical Parenting. The materials are ready unless we want to add some video training. I am rethinking this whole area of extension courses.

Praise!

Mercy is much better. Here is the note that just came in.

I thank you for your prayers, my wife Mercy she has been healed by your prayers and the blood of Jesus Christ. What is remaining now is weakness in her body.

God bless you.

Bishop Beston F Makawa
The Lord has helped me teach this parenting class with extra excitement.
Linda and I could not get away until a week later to celebrate our 32nd anniversary but the weather was great compared to our original time. Thank the Lord for a sweet time.
Paul finally got the BFF onto the Facebook. This will be where Paul blogs BFF thoughts and ideas and welcomes BFF readers to voice their thoughts. (His other blog failed due to forgetting the password!)
Health is much better.
A lot of positive feedback on Paul's last message in Chinese on parenting teens.
School is almost done! (We homeschool so it is nice to have a break).

Pray!

One more parenting class this coming Wednesday's at 7:00 pm.
Paul is preaching at our Mother church this Sunday (May 30th).
He needs wisdom to figure out how much video to include with the extension courses.

Many thanks for your prayers and support,

Paul

Rev. Paul J. Bucknell, President and Instructor
Biblical Foundations for Freedom

Email: pb@foundationsforfreedom.net
Phone: (412) 761-3508
3276 Bainton St., Pittsburgh, PA 15212 USA

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Pray BFF#170 May 11, 2010

2010-05-11T17:43:29Z

Pray BFF Letter #170

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

pdf printable version

Caught in Between

Dear Support Team,

I really sensed your prayers as I kept up a very busy speaking schedule after being away in Africa. Praise God we saw Him helping mightily by providing stamina, care at home, messages that helped many and a measure of fluency when speaking in Chinese. The parenting classes are being well-received. Four classes to go.

Backlogged

One of the ways we serve our brothers and sisters overseas is to provide training material. We take printed material to them when we go, but the audio/video recordings of the seminar have a far greater impact after I have returned. They can go where I cannot.

I thought I would only need to edit two seminars' worth of audio/video, but at the very last minute I discovered that a third Kenyan language was used: Luo (place of President Obama's family). So this added about 18 audios (60+ minutes long) to edit.

BFF is excited to offer different language resources, but I am often praying for the Lord's provision of help to edit. Many of the pastors are now using the materials to train their congregations. The seminar materials would be of great assistance to them.

Please pray that God would provide someone to edit these materials to make them available to those overseas. The learning curve is not very high if one is familiar with word processing.

I know my key focus is on the development of new training materials and instruction.

In Preparation

Please pray as I prepare for the fall trip. Some people are surprised to learn that I probably will not go to India this year. I go where God leads me. I would be very glad to go to India and have many groups inviting me. The Lord, however, has prompted me to respond to three requests in Myanmar (formerly Burma). The three groups have requested training at the same time so there is insufficient time to visit India (at least that's the way it looks right now).

Do pray as I apply for a visa. This has been a closed country and might be reluctant to give me a visa. Those inviting me do not seem to have any concerns. I am also praying for someone to team up with me.

Praise!

God gave great grace during these past weeks at home and in ministry.
I was going to play a game with my children last night to lay low during this time of sickness. But they went outside to play. I actually surprised myself and started a BFF Facebook group. Do become a member! (I think just Biblical Foundations for Freedom in search).
Those in the parenting class have lots of questions as we move into the areas of training and discipline.
Thank the Lord for 32 years of marriage! We hope to get away for a couple days next week to celebrate.

Pray!

Pray for Bishop Makawa's wife. You might remember two of his older children died since I have worked with him there in Malawi. Now his wife is failing and not eating. She has malaria. Pray for healing and strength for Mercy and the whole family and ministry (see right).
Four more parenting classes on Wednesday's at 7:00 pm.
Volunteer Audio/Video editor
This Sunday, Paul will teach Chinese-speaking parents about parenting their teens.
He needs wisdom to set up extension courses. He wants to provide accountability but does not want to be swamped with details.
Pray that the Myanmar visa is granted.
Paul, Linda and a few children are under the weather. Fortunately, Linda seems to be getting better.

Many thanks for your prayers and support,

Paul

Rev. Paul J. Bucknell, President and Instructor

Biblical Foundations for Freedom
Email: info@foundationsforfreedom.net

Phone: (412) 761-3508
3276 Bainton St., Pittsburgh, PA 15212 USA

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Pray BFF #169 "Still Landing" April 20, 2010

2010-04-20T21:12:40Z

Pray BFF Letter #169

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

pdf printable version

Still Landing!

Dear Support Team,

Thanks

When a plane is landing, it goes slower and slower but not by very much. This is the way it seems for me since I returned from Uganda and Kenya. In Africa I spoke in meeting after meeting, giving me only a little rest at night.

But since returning, I have spoken 4 times and it is not slowing down. This week I have five more sessions! I need your continued prayers! Let me first provide a short Africa update and then share our prayer requests!

Africa 2010

The short term trip to Uganda and Kenya was blessed beyond my imagination. My perspective is so limited, but I stand amazed. Your prayers have made a great difference. The collection of prayer notes sent in Africa are combined with pictures in prayer letter #168 (pdf). You might not have seen these.

Uganda

We saw God work deeply in the lives of those who attended the seminars. Here are a few testimonies. Note how God's Word is changing their perspectives so that they change the way they minister.

"Brothers, the life of my ministry had a turning point on the day I was in training with Reverend Paul. I heard from a very anointed man of God who spoke life to me and my ministry. I realized the real me. It was my visitation as a pastor. My focus was really changed about ministry to the body of Christ, and I feel a zeal that at least every Pastor in Uganda get to hear this." From Pastor Mutebi

"According to me I went through the same verses he talked of and when he started sharing them I wondered how he will proceed, but after few minutes brothers, I was equipped by Rev. Paul's message. God has given me more revelation in this material when he came to Uganda on 20th.

Each day I go through this manual and every time I get to know more. And I have tried to put them into practice and teaching some ministers in my church. Every one there has a living testimony, but it is my request we still need this man to talk to us. I believe every pastor has a need for this training. God continue to use our leader and Reverend Paul Bucknell amen." From Pastor Bulega

Do pray for Rev. Mubiru who heads up 400 churches. Since my return, he has survived a terrible automobile accident with little personal injury (Praise the Lord). But the car that he uses to visit the churches was totaled (see picture). Two hundred of his pastors have already signed up for training.

Kenya

God worked greatly through both the marriage and discipleship seminars. Both the small group of pastors in the big city of Nairobi and the large group of pastors, laymen and wives (500+ on largest day) out in the fields were very much helped by the 3 day marriage seminar. There were so many testimonies. Lives changed. Please look at the letters I wrote from the field to get more understanding of it.

My books on parenting and marriage have finally been printed there and are now selling. May God give all the people of Kenya the great vision of a biblical marriage.

Back in USA

Parenting Class

Thank you for your prayers. I really sense God's continued presence as Linda and I have started up a 9 week parenting class. It is in English, but we provide Chinese reading and handouts for those attending from the Chinese congregation. There are several of unbelievers in this class of 30 including some from Japan.

Missions Conference

Big God, Big World, Big Plan is the theme of our church's Missions Month. Paul has already preached and shared in Sunday School about BFF and the African trip. We are still seeking for other churches to support BFF, as the Lord leads.

Prayer seminar

Thank the Lord for raising up another good speaker to replace the main Chinese speaker for this prayer seminar (he had since passed into the Lord's presence). Paul loves speaking on prayer but coming back from Africa, Chinese seems far from his mind right now (though he had opportunity to do some Chinese evangelism at the African airports).

Pray that God would mightily burden these 40 Chinese leaders with prayer (this Thursday to Saturday, April 22-24). Paul will preach at the Chinese church in Raleigh, NC on Sunday.

Praise!

Praise the Lord that even though the short term mission costs were much more than anticipated, funds came in to cover all the needs with $400 extra (will use in next trip).
Praise God for the Spirit's mighty work through your prayers in Uganda and Kenya.
Thank the Lord for grace to start and teach the 9 week parenting class. God is helping the parents even more than usual it seems.

Pray!

Pray for Rev. Mubiru's full recovery from his car accident and a replacement for his car to conduct meetings.
Parenting classes are on Wednesday evenings from 7 to 8:30 pm. Tomorrow is lesson 3.
Paul leaves on Thursday, April 22nd for a seminar on prayer and preaching. He will speak three times in Chinese. He desperately needs God's help with his Chinese!
The pastor said, "I feel strongly in my heart that it will be a great revival for the families in Kenya." It seems like God is doing such a thing. Do pray more!
We are praying for God to raise up more churches to support BFF.

In Christ's Majestic Love,

Rev. Paul J. Bucknell, President and Instructor
Biblical Foundations for Freedom

Email: info@foundationsforfreedom.net
Phone: 1-412-761-3508
3276 Bainton St., Pittsburgh, PA 15212 USA

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Pray BFF April 3, Nairobi, Kenya

2010-04-02T08:28:23Z

April 2nd, 2010

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Seminar Strategies

I am often asked, �How will these pastors use these things they learn in the seminars?� The question is good, but to be honest I know only part of the answer. God knows the full answer!

Coordinated Strategies

The seminar organizers usually have some special purpose to train his pastors so that they can speedily learn and teach these needed topics. They want their best to learn so that they can together teach many others. Let me brief you how this is now working out.

Uganda - the pastor coordinator has already brought his pastors together and planning how they can proceed in passing these discipleship teachings further. He overseas more than 500 churches.

Nairobi, Kenya - Pastor Matthew of Scripture Union, head of family department, is getting our two family books published (we allow full proceeds to help their workers). He has already been training his workers on how to teach parenting and will soon start training them on marriage. He has already arranged to meet this month with the pastors that attended this year�s seminar to encourage them to take these resources and teach people in their own churches. Perhaps there will be a larger marriage seminar next year for anyone.

Kisumu, Bondo, Kenya - Pastor Maurice of Manna Ministries has actively been training and deploying his workers to disciple. This effort was greatly moved forward last year after our first discipleship seminar.

In Bondo, for example, they had 50 people from the seminar already signed up for a discipleship class that will start later this month. This will include ten people who came to know the Lord during an outreach meeting after the seminar (they are hard workers!).

The Bondo seminar went well except attendance was lower than expected. The early meetings were not too well attended because not enough attention was paid to the way they work in their fields until noon time. But still we see God stirring up the people from the response above for the follow-up classes, people coming to know the Lord and many personal comments on how God is working in their lives.

God�s strategies!

We often are unaware as to how God might use these seminars and materials that we provide. Let me introduce you to one such person that I met yesterday.

This young 25 year-old assistant pastor traveled a good distance to meet me. He had attended the discipleship seminar last year in Nairobi. Since then the Lord had him contact me several times via email. I sent a BFF DVD to him. He named a number of truths from last year�s seminar that helped him get started discipling. He quoted things that I had taught! I was surprised at his accurate remembering such things. He wanted to meet to pass on appreciation and to get further instruction on a few situations.

Since coming to the discipleship seminar, Samson began teaching some older boys. At first their parents were concerned their children were learning outside their denomination, but then they saw the improvements in their boys� lives and are now quite eager for the training to continue. He is greatly changed by the BFF materials.

We cannot always see how God will use these materials but through prayer we see God advancing His glorious purposes.
_______
Extra Note:
I was planning to help teach at a seminar on prayer with an elderly pastor (Moses Yu) in a few weeks time in Virginia. I just got notice, however, that he just passed away. A new main speaker has been found but do pray for this seminar on prayer as the main speaker and I work with each other. Pray for revival of my Chinese!

In five hours I begin my long trek home.

In Christ's Majestic Service,

Paul

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Pray BFF April 1, 2010 Sunday Message and Testimony

2010-04-01T03:15:51Z

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

We have seen God so marvelously at work. One rather amazing testimony is below, but first allow me to update my circumstances.

I just came back to Nairobi after speaking at the last seminar. I am readying my things, having a few mentoring/meetings today and plan on returning to USA tomorrow. I want to be home for my son Benjamin's baptism on Easter. The speaking has been quite demanding, but because of a fairly slow evening, I was able to get some rest each evening.

Last Sunday (March 28) I spoke at a village that was 40 minutes out in nowhere. We got stuck in mud, crossed a river and bumped and heaved along this long red path. It certainly would have better to have a 4 wheel drive than the meager car we were driving, but it was (usually) better than walking!

Beautiful view. It was a typical small hut church, but it was bulging (in and out) with people. The bishop and pastor came to greet me.

A man and woman from the church who had attended the marriage seminar started by sharing how they were moved to make significant changes in their lives. Their testimonies were so moving. The man shared that he didn't know he should love in the bedroom!

No one had previously asked me to speak, but I thought I would be asked (and so was somewhat prepared) and was. Praise the Lord that about half of the people came forward seeking freedom from bitterness (same message as the radio show).

My first message was on a radio show in Uganda. The pastor in Uganda emailed me this testimony in regards to the radio show that you prayed for! This helps you get a better picture of the troubles facing these people. The pastor is speaking.

"Last friday I had a testimony from a women called NaCi. She is an unbeliever. But she says was touched by your message on the Radio as follows:

"My husband got another wife two years back and I came to know it I really hated him so much at the point of separating the beds although in the same house.

It was really hard for me to forgive him untill I heard a message from Radio Sun when a guest from USA with Pastor H. on Friday 19th evening. I was compelled to forgive my husband. I raised up my hand when Rev. Paul was preaching. I had like something was running out of my belly to the feet. It was my marriage turning point.

My husband came very late in the night it was 1:00am. I opened the door for him very quickly for in the past one year, he used to knock. I was hearing, but I had hated him. I left with no interest. So this time when he knocked I opened quickly and when he entered, he kneeled down on his knees and begged me to forgive him after he told me in tear the whole story.

My family was restored from that day."

This lady she was with us this last sunday at church."

It is wonderful to see how we financially and prayerfully work together to advance God's glorious healing kingdom.

Praise God for His marvelous works. I will send a further update soon on the last seminar but do not want to make this too long!

In Christ's Precious Service,

Rev. Paul J. Bucknell
Writing from Kenya

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Pray BFF Kisumu Update March 27, 2010

2010-03-27T11:49:16Z

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Thank you so much for your prayers. It is unbelievable to see God so powerfully at work.
We had well over 500 attending but were able to accommodate them all. They were not all pastors, but a good percentage were. God was speaking. You must understand that this seminar was held out in nowhere. One must walk almost a mile to the main road on an expanded path (that a vehicle can with difficult access). And there are very few houses around. I just don't know where they came from.

This morning two pastors shared their dramatic stories. Pastor 'Harsh' said he only had harsh words for his wife and family. He now sees how wrong he was. He wants to build a great marriage. Another pastor this afternoon was greatly affected by different truths presented during the seminar. He was going to start working toward a great marriage, one of intimacy. The bonus was that twenty people came forward to accept the Lord at the end!

So many told me that they never heard anyone speak on these things before. Thank you so much for your prayers. There have been some severe storms but not right during the seminar.

I am doing well. No regular internet contact. But they are taking very nice care for me.

One other pastor told me that he (me) killed me last year when he showed me that my church members were not disciples and this year killed again when he learned he was not loving his wife.

Tomorrow after church I move onto Bondo, the land of Obama I hear. Monday through Wednesday we will hold the last seminar on discipleship. May God bless each of the pastors.

THanks for your prayers!

Love in Christ,
Paul in Kenya

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Pray BFF Update July 17, 2010

PrayBFF M#174 Urgent Prayer for India

Pray BFF Letter #174

Monday, July 12, 2010

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Urgent Prayer for India

Nathan

A Key Ministry in Financial Crisis

Teaching in India starts tomorrow!

Praise!

Pray!

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Pray BFF#173 Next STM Ministry Trip

Pray BFF Letter #173

Saturday, July 3, 2010

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Pastor and Leader Training Seminars in September, 2010

The Reason

Description of country in brief

Seminars Planned

Needing your support

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Pray BFF #172 June 19, 2010

Pray BFF Letter #172

Saturday, June 19, 2010

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New Ideas

New Series

A New Class

One thought as I introduce the class.

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Special Prayer Need - Nathan June 5, 2010

Pray BFF #171 Saturday, May 29, 2010

Pray BFF Letter #171

Saturday, May 29, 2010

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Striving Onward!

Marriage Seminars in Kenya - STM2010 (See how God mightily worked in two very different marriage seminars! 5 minutes)

Call to Salvation (An unbelievable call to salvation to those at one seminar -3 minutes)

Returning Back Home (Testimony of a marriage being restored - 3 minutes)

Blind but Now See! (Testimony of a husband seeing his sin - 2 minutes)

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Trying again

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Pray BFF#170 May 11, 2010

Pray BFF Letter #170

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

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Caught in Between

Backlogged

In Preparation

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Pray BFF #169 "Still Landing" April 20, 2010

Pray BFF Letter #169

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

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Still Landing!

Thanks

Africa 2010

Uganda

Kenya