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DEAR FRIENDS

I recently returned from the mission field. I was meeting with church leaders and lay people in the Czech Republic

and shared and discussed with them ways to address the tremendous challenges they face in urban ministry.

Recent surveys show that in the Czech Republic:1. Only 7 percent of people say, “religion is important in my life.”2. Less than 20 percent believe in God.3. About 50 percent believe in some kind of “spirit” or “life force.”

Not so long ago, communism fell, and people across Eastern Europe were so hungry for spiritual things. Now they are perhaps even more secular than Western Europe, settling for the gods of this world—money, consumerism, and pleasure.

My visit accidentally coincided with the final match in the Ice Hockey World Cup—with the Czech Republic playing historical rival Russia. Downtown Prague prepared for the occasion. Big screens in the square were positioned to televise the match. People arrived hours early at this altar to sport, dressed for the occasion. Faces were painted in the colors of the flag. Beer started to flow. Music played. It was like a secular worship service.

When I look over the statistics of the Adventist Church in European countries such as the Czech Republic, I see a mission field. It doesn’t look like a traditional mission field, but it’s a mission field nonetheless. Here many who are rich and increased with goods feel as if they have need of nothing.

Global Mission faces huge challenges in the 10/40 Window among people who have never even heard the name of Jesus. But we must not lose sight of the growing urban areas and the secular west where the name of Jesus is also getting lost in the crowds.

Thank you for your continuing prayers, financial support, and personal involvement in helping Global Mission take the Good News about Jesus into all the world.

Blessings,

Gary KrauseAdventist Mission Director

DEAR FRIENDS

This new congregation on Lembeh Island

in Eastern Indonesia is an example of the many churches around the world that are springing up as a result of your support of Global Mission. For years the Adventist Church struggled to establish a small group on this island. Then last November a Global Mission pioneer arrived here and started meeting people in the community and holding health seminars. Eventually he held an evangelistic series. Today a group of 26 people meet each Sabbath in this simple structure. Plans are underway to build a more permanent building in the future. Please keep this church in your prayers.

Vaitupu is one of the little atolls in

the Tuvalu group that lies just south of the equator. There was only a handful of Adventists on the island before Global Mission began a project here and the presence of the Church was very small.

One of only two high schools in the country is located on this atoll so there are many youth. Adventist minister Sotia Kolone visited the island and began evangelistic meetings and Bible studies with some of the students. An Adventist Student’s Association was formed and now 32 people are attending Sabbath worship services each week. After waiting many months because of its isolation, the first baptism of twelve was held last November. Plans are underway to baptize more people in the near future.

INDONESIA

Major Languages: Indonesian, Javanese, Sudanese, and Madurese

Major Religions: Muslim and Christianity

Population: 239.9 million*

Adventist Membership: 197,621*

Adventist to population ratio: 1:1,214s*

Churches: 1,376*

Companies: 639*

Worldwide there is one Seventh-day Adventist Christian for every 423* people; but in Asia only one person in 1,404* is an Adventist. In Taiwan, there is one Adventist for every 4,247* people. In Laos there’s not one ordained Seventh-day Adventist pastor for the country’s six million people. Your support of fund number 5240 will help the Church in Asia grow in size and strength.* Courtesy of General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Office of Archives and Statistics 146th Annual Statistical Report – 2008

Major Language: Tuvaluan and English

Major Religions: Protestant and Roman Catholic

Population : 10,000*

Adventist Membership : 139*

Adventist to Population Ratio : 1:71

Churches: 1*

Companies: 2*

As well as the vast dry continent of Australia, the South Pacific Division includes the broad expanse of the Southern Pacific Ocean with its many tropical islands and fascinating cultures. Your support of fund number 6900 will help Global Mission enter new areas and establish churches on little atolls like

Vaitupu in Tuvalu.* Courtesy of General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Office of Archives and Statistics 146th Annual Statistical Report – 2008

At the conclusion of an evangelistic

series held in Nasir, Sudan, this spring, 74 people were baptized in the Sobat River. The “Friends of Jesus” series attracted between 180 and 550 people to the meetings each night. The series consisted of 18 meetings each one beginning with a song service, followed by family life lectures, drama, health lectures and finally, the sermon. During the day an evangelistic team went from home to home inviting young and old to attend the meeting conducted in the main market.

At the end of this outdoor baptismal service another altar call was made. A number of hands rose indicating people’s desire to be to be baptized. Church leaders look forward to another baptism in the near future.

Major Languages: Arabic, English, and Sudanic languages

Major Religions: Muslim, Indigenous beliefs, and Christian

Population: 39.4 million*

Adventist Membership: 15,354*

Adventist to population ratio: 1:2,569 *

Churches: 42*

Companies: 142*

The Adventist Church has grown in many parts of Africa. Still major challenges remain. Religious, social, and ethnic persecution makes church growth difficult in some areas. Your support of fund number 5220 will help ensure that the Adventist Church keeps growing and taking Jesus’ love to all of Africa. * Courtesy of General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Office of Archives and Statistics 146th Annual Statistical Report – 2008

TUVALU SUDAN