PRAY

We always welcome prayer. If you would pray for our concerns, we would be delighted. Practical works require decisions all the time, so having direction from the Holy Spirit, whether through prayer, the scriptures, a direct leading, or circumstance, is helpful. People-related concerns are nearly always at the top of our prayer list, which includes ourselves, because keeping ourselves as well as making or encouraging disciples are central biblical premises. After this, practical needs (such as material, finances, or project activity) are important. We update prayer concerns periodically although the top items mentioned in the first paragraph stay constant. Thank you for your participation.

CONSTANT PRAYER NEED:

1. Edification, encouragement, and exhortation in personal relationships with Jesus Christ for key volunteers, board members, and the people in other ministries that we work with the most.
2. Fruitful contacts that lead to a relationship with other believers, who we can encourage and train to use their own homes, lifestyles, time, and money to do the work of the gospel.

2011-2012 PROJECT NEEDS:

• Pray for believers, who we could train to begin doing some of the same things we have been doing, especially in relation to sharing Christ by sharing about the created heavens and observing (Astronomical Observing from a Biblical View). While it is an excellent way to share the gospel and teach skills that will last a lifetime, we have had few people willing to learn...so they can teach others.
• Linda and I need to find two more people willing to sit on our board. Having some feedback from brothers and sisters plus some occasional help is important.
• Pray for God to raise a younger generation of faithful believers that would take much larger responsibility in Gertrude's ministry effort in Nyamabuga Village, Uganda. We met with her in 2011 and may return in 2012 to give some training. It is an expensive and work intensive trip--we need to know by early 2012 whether to proceed or not.  
• Pray for fruitful contacts with disadvantaged groups that can utilize Astronomical Observing from a Biblical View, where we can train and equip teachers and ministries to use the curriculum and the equipment kits. We have some additional contacts but none have materialized beyond Uganda and the Philippines so far. Where the need is serious and we see we can help, we aim to go.
• We are starting Disaster Prepardness from a Biblical View. It is not a small project. We need wisdom as we make decisions about how to write and present the material so folks can get it from the site. 
• Pray for our endeavors to video AOBV so that needy groups can either download the video or watch it in streaming-video fashion. We have ways to work the whole course over the web, but it is not a small project. We need wisdom and a knowledge of the need to know how much emphasis to put in this direction.go in this direction. Pray for prayer warriors and donors who would help us in our projects.

GIVE

As explained in our history, this is a home-based ministry that became too big for us to conduct alone. For several years we financed projects with personal funds. A few years ago ministry funds became available from the sale of a piece of property. These funds are rapidly being depleted. While we continue to use our personal property, finances and time to supplement our effort, we could do a lot more if we had additional help. If you wish to assist us, you can give online or send a check to CHRISTWORKS MINISTRIES. Funds can be designated toward a specific project or we can decide the pressing needs at the time we receive contributions.

No money goes to salaries or significant physical facilities since we are an all-volunteer organization that has low overhead. The aim is to help others rather than increase our "holdings".

If you wish to contribute gifts-in-kind for projects (items that would be sent to project locations if funds are available), then contact us for a more specific list of practical items that could be used. Items that are needed vary dramatically and change quickly. Examples of what has been used in the past include specific types of educational equipment/references, medical items, astronomy equipment, farm equipment, musical instruments, and small office equipment. For every pallet or box that is given, shipping costs (unless it fits in a suitcase that we are taking on a mission trip) are several dollars per pound. Please do not ship us anything to use without contacting us first.

Some needs we could address right now if we had the funds:
    1. IFL (Institute for Foundational Learning). We have made two visits to this foundation of 250+ schools. The heart of the director is toward neediest of the schools. The founding school has many orphans and many outlying schools are in need. We are providing educational helps in two directions: on site training and equipment for Astronomical Observing from a Biblical View but also general instructional helps and encouragement. The foundation has doors to some very needy schools in the Philippines but also in other Asian countries. We can use funds to help get this work done. There is also room for people to come and help in various ways. The travel and the effort take funds, but we keep costs low by staying with our friends and being austere, but we cannot do it alone. Any help would be appreciated.

    2. NEEPU (Uganda). Our support to this work continues in smaller ways, but their needs remain significant. We are considering a return trip in late 2012 or 2013 but will need help to make it happen. The schools and village that we are especially concerned with have received a container from us as well as other helps. All our helps were appreciated and put to good use. We will eventually need to return to give more teacher training. When we visit, we will seek to be a financial blessing as well.

 
GO

When we say "go" we mean going yourself or possibly going with us. Several things, however, must be understood. As a matter of policy, we support indigenous mission work because we believe local people from an area are the best possible answers to practical and spiritual needs. With this in view, when we work with an indigenous ministry to disadvantaged people, we work alongside them and only with their invitation. For new groups or projects, we carefully pray about the needs of the indigenous group, discuss what we might be able to do with the leaders of the group, come to an understanding for a plan of action, and then proceed. Our projects require a personal relationship with the groups we help. We do not send money or material or go to assist people where we have not established a relationship. If we cannot love and trust each other in this manner, then a project is not possible. With this policy in view, the following information is important for people who want to "go":

1. We do not consider taking people with us unless we get to know them, they agree with our purposes, they are committed Christians, and they abide by our standards of conduct. With this foundation, we must also verify that they have been exposed to overseas travel to areas where health hazards are present and they are familiar with working among different ethnic groups. If we get to know someone in our locale who has a heart to help the disadvantaged and they agree with these conditions, then we can provide guidance. If this is the direction you wish to go, please contact us.
2. Going with us is not the only option if you want to "GO". We encourage other believers to prepare and train themselves to assist others. It begins at home where believers live and eventually expands to other places as God opens doors to assist other people outside their home. If the few of us in CHRISTWORKS can do the projects listed on the projects page after several years of experience near home, then others can do the same. A small church or group of believers can do even more but it takes patience and a process of learning for every individual. We have found that the Holy Spirit is very thorough as He has exposes us to different situations to teach us how to be a help to others. He can do the same for you, whether you are a part of CHRISTWORKS or not. We would be glad to talk with you or encourage you to establish your own pattern of good works using the strength of your relationship to Jesus Christ through your home, which is where it must begin. Please contact us for more information.
3. Going with another ministry organization that needs groups of people to go to disadvantaged people is also possible. We are generally home-based and our emphasis is to encourage individuals to help others but there are ministries that are much larger that have sizable practical projects for groups of people. We can recommend other organizations if you are interested. Even in this case, however, individual believers are of much greater value if they already have a practice helping others in the name of Jesus Christ in their own lives from their own homes. Please begin where you are.
4. We are specifically looking for mature believers that would like to use AOBV as an outreach tool in schools or communities in Canada or the Northern US. We have material sets for those lattitudes and an avenue to get small telescopes. The hardest thing is to find believers with a heart for for disadvantaged children that will learn how to use the kits and then go teach others. If interested, contact us about what you do, what you would like to do, and how AOBV might fit with your plans.