God's work in the year 2020

Impact report of the CDH Stephanus Central Association Speyer

The following impact report describes some of the work we accomplished together with God's help in 2020. We are especially grateful to the many diligent helpers and donors who made this work of God possible last year.

Behind the following illustrations and diagrams lie many prayers, many worries, much effort, sometimes sleepless nights, warmth, and love. At this point, we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for every effort, no matter how small. One thing is certain: God never forgets a sacrifice made in His name.

2020 presented us with a unique challenge. The words of our greatest role model, Jesus Christ, have been confirmed once again. In Matthew 26:11a, Jesus says: “For you will always have the poor with you.”

In January 2020, we had ambitious plans. We intended to provide humanitarian aid and strengthen local churches. Planned group trips to India, Ethiopia, and Uganda were canceled. In Bulgaria, a monthly visit was to support local evangelism and church development. We were looking forward to the mission conference and conferences abroad. As in previous years, trips to the countries of the former USSR were also planned, along with much, much more. God closed many of these doors, but opened others. Once again, the following word of God became so real for us: “While it is day, let us work, for night is coming, when no one can work” (see John 9:4).

Corona emergency aid

For us in Germany, in most cases, Corona means "only" a restriction of our freedom. We are praying for all who are ill. This year in particular has made poor people even poorer. Many of our brothers and sisters abroad – especially in Asia and Africa – literally live "hand to mouth." These very people often had no source of income during the lockdown. This meant nothing to eat. So, with God's help, we distributed many food packages as emergency Corona relief.

Our local contacts shared: “Thank you for the gestures of kindness and financial support, which remind us that there is hope amidst this Covid-19 crisis.”
– David Tumwine, staff member of Stephanus-Uganda

"When help comes from our former compatriots, by which I mean ethnic Germans who originated in Kazakhstan and now live in Germany, I am overcome with a special feeling of gratitude, because they form the so-called 'living bridge' between Kazakhstan and Germany."
- Dauren Karipov, Kazakhstan

“I am very happy and very grateful to all the brothers and sisters who prayed for me. I could feel their prayers and support.”
– Brother Peter Borsch, Moldova

Financial assistance for families in particularly difficult circumstances in 2020:

In James it says: “Brothers and sisters, what good is it if someone says he has faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is naked and lacking daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ but you do not give them anything to eat or drink. What good is that? So also faith without deeds is dead” (James 2:14-17).

Last year, God showed us, among other things, the following needs and at the same time gave us the means to remedy these needs:

In Ukraine, we were able to finance Yuri Khomich's cancer treatment. In Krasnodar and Irkutsk, we provided assistance with house fires. Through our widows' aid program, we provided vehicles to large families without a father. In Kaliningrad, a family with a father suffering from cancer received an apartment. In Rybnitsa (Moldova), we provided accommodation for a large family. In the Kyrgyz mountains, we supported a community center and provided accommodation for a family.

Each of these forms of assistance testifies that the church is alive and that God never abandons His children in times of need. The following is just one example of such assistance:

Sri Lanka, girls' home – Financial support after a house fire at the home

Following a fire caused by an electrical short circuit at the "Adrupani" girls' home in Batticola, authorities arrived to inspect the building and monitor its operation. Due to the predominantly Hindu and Buddhist character of the country, a Christian home is unwelcome in this town. Recently, another Christian home in the same town was closed under the pretext of failing to meet all standards.

To prevent our home from being closed by the authorities, all structural and other defects must be repaired on schedule. Thankfully, many donors have come forward to help. The Christian girls' home is supported solely by our donations. Please pray that the work will be completed on time and that the girls can continue to grow up in a Christian home.

Christmas campaign 2020

A large portion of the food parcels were transported to eastern Romania this year. People in this region are still suffering from the effects of the floods that inundated large parts of eastern Romania in June 2020. In total, we transported and delivered approximately 4,500 food parcels.

Thank God for the many hardworking hands. The greatest reward for us is that, as a result, many people praise our Father in Heaven.

Our new projects

Togo (West Africa) – Help for self-help (grain cultivation, livestock farming)

The Ulmen congregation supports the project in Togo in cooperation with the local pastor, Williams. The goals of this project are church building and evangelism. Plans are also underway to support orphans and half-orphans. The contact person for this is Paul Altmann from the Ulmen congregation.

Lebanon (Middle East) – God unexpectedly opened the door to Lebanon for us. In October 2020, staff members Ernst Fischer and Chairman Nikolaus Wall were able to visit Lebanon. In addition to the challenges posed by the explosion in Beirut and the country's ongoing economic problems, the civil war has left many Syrian refugees in the country. The goals of this project are to collaborate with local pastors and provide support through food and medicine.

Work in Speyer on the mission grounds:

A major project planned for this year at the Stephanus Mission site in Speyer initially caused us some concern. We had to remove approximately 400 square meters of paving stones to dispose of the layer beneath them and lay new gravel and crushed stone. This was necessary due to problems with rainwater infiltration and runoff on the surface. However, our worries about how we could manage this task with our existing staff proved unfounded.

God moved many hearts in the congregation and among the youth, who gladly and quickly completed this work. Each stone was carefully cleaned on all sides by the youth, allowing most of them to be reused. Brothers from the congregation, experts in this field, donated their time and resources to this project. Within four weeks, the entire work was finished. Thanks be to God for the many diligent helpers.

Call to prayer:

• Please pray that God will soon grant us the opportunity to fellowship again. We would love to hear firsthand about God's work at our members' meetings and mission conferences.
• We pray for open doors to Armenia so that we can help those in need and bring them the Gospel. We pray for the health and recovery of our brothers and sisters in faith.
• We pray that we will be able to bring financial support to Russia and distribute it there. May God grant us open eyes and the means to do so.
• We pray for open doors and opportunities to spread the Gospel both at home and abroad.
• We pray for opportunities to freely go on missionary journeys again.
• We pray for the health of our brothers and sisters and colleagues.
• Please pray for the employees at home and abroad, and for the project managers.

Psalm 115:1: “Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory, for your love and your faithfulness!”

united in Christ
Your CDH Stephanus Team