Date: 1998
1. Teaching at the Amharic Bible School and church planting.
Parks are involved in church planting and teaching at the Amharic Bible school in Jimma, Western zone of Ethiopia. Jimma and other areas of Western Ethiopia are very strong in Muslim and Orthodox. Churches are growing and are in need of trained leaders. Jimma Bible School has opened 1995 and Parks joined teaching at the Bible school from 1996. Last year 24 students graduated and are working at different area as evangelists. At the moment 27 students are learning, who came from different tribal groups. Especially do pray for teaching staff and students while we are having home assignment. And pray for 3 students who are Muslim converts and Habutam, Bulgu, Husein, first students from Meen tribe so that they may minister their tribes after a year.
Reaching people and planting churches are also in need. Parks travels to reach people with the gospel. Puppet drama and Jesus Film became the very much key to reach Muslim and Orthodox people. During last 3 years, 31,000 people watched the puppet drama which is" The rich man and Lazarus" and 365 people came to Christ. At last the story book has been published and 1,000 books has been sold out on the evangelism trip down to Kenyan border from June 20 to July 1, 1998. People were asking more books. Please pray that the people who came to Christ may grow in the Word and more books may be printed and distributed.
2. Training Sunday School Teachers and helping set up the Sunday school.
There is no Sunday school program in Ethiopia. Children are abandoned in the church. Parks visited local churches and did the training program. Children are the hope for the next generation of Ethiopian church. Do pray for SST training programs that the leaders of churches may find the importance of Sunday School for children and may start to teach their children at church.
3. Things in need for the Parks' Ministry(1999-2003)
Computer for Bible school and for making books in the Amharic Language (from 386 to pentium),
Film projector and generator for showing Jesus film in different local area,
4 wheel drive car (or leasing car) reaching local people for evangelism in Western zone of Ethiopia.
Do please pray that
1. The war between Ethiopia and Eritrea may settle peacefully. At Zalalla Anbasa, Asab port over 100,000 people were killed.
2. Jason and Anna may adjust to Korean school and culture and language.
3. The economic situation in Korea and Asian countries. It affects Korean missionaries in overseas and they are returning home from the field.
4. Parks may have a good time and a resting time while they visit churches, families and friends in Korea.
BY PRAYER
Since 1893 SIM has been supported "By Prayer."
For SIM, " By Prayer" is not simply a tipping of the hat to a spiritual ideal, it is the core of our commitment.
Prayer is our privilege, our powerful resource, our divine basis for a bold faith.
By prayer we have seen millions transformed by the power of the gospel.
By prayer we shall continue to be people... reaching people... reaching others.
SIM founder Rowland Bibgham stated:
"He is blind who does not recognize that in other denominations are some of the best saints that
God and grace have made."