An Exciting Announcement!

Our soon-­‐to-­‐be new European Directors just completed an STS training in the Netherlands. This young couple has served with STS for several years in amazing ways. They have assisted Bryan and Ami on multiple trainings, helped me explore avenues with refugees in Germany and Syria, and are currently part of the strategy team for our website development. We are super thrilled to welcome them to this next step.

Bryan and Ami are handing off the European Directorship so they can take on the role of Global Ambassador Team Leaders. They look forward to this new and exciting opportunity to raise country leaders. As our Global Ambassador Team Leaders, they will spend a couple of months learning from our Ethiopia / East Africa Director, John. John’s experience planting STS Oral Bible Schools, raising leaders, overseeing God’s Story languages and much more, serves as an incredible training ground for teaching our Team Leaders in their new role.

Please pray for all involved. This is a new position and will hopefully fast-­‐track raising leaders in multiple countries. Already, we have several regions asking for this help.

What Might Excite Missionaries Returning to Guatemala?

Earlier this year we had a workshop in Guatemala. The national STS instructors in the region are growing and one instructor, a former missionary to Guatemala, reported being “really blessed and affirmed” by the ongoing impact of STS. This instructor observed that at a church, where

STS is being used, the members are “strengthened by their understanding of God’s word and unusually confident to share [the Word] using STS.”

This instructor wrote, “STS continues to be a way we draw near to God and He to us.”

The Bible school students that were taught by this missionary instructor team now lead this church in the rural mountain community. The instructor wrote, “The Pastor of the church realized his aspiration to offer the STS training to his congregation and three other instructors came alongside to help.”

The missionary instructors returned from Guatemala recognizing that Bible storytelling should be a priority for learning and serving with others, and also used to encourage the development of those who lead in their homes and in all walks of life.

STS workshops were also conducted in Mexico recently. Pray with us that, by the end of the year, Oral Bible Schools will have started throughout Latin America. Our leaders have been working diligently toward this goal.

Amazing God’s Story Language Progress

We thank the Lord Jesus for the upcoming dedication of 14 completed God’s Story languages in West Africa.

Two God’s Story languages were also dedicated In July in Côte d’Ivoire.

Please pray for the XXX Naga language recording in a key country in Asia. The recording was recently postponed

because the narrator started having trouble with his eyes and could not see well enough to read. We are praying this recording will be completed in August.

Really? Teens Interested in Bible Stories?

One devoted instructor wrote our office about presenting the Zacchaeus story to teens. The instructor saw how the story answered some questions that the Jr. high kids were asking like “How do you have a personal connection with God?” and “How can I get bigger for Him?” “How big is God in my personal life?” “What are new steps I can take to get closer to God?” One girl said, “Maybe I should do something about those people I’ve offended.”

The group talked for about an hour even though the instructor was told the teens only had an attention span of 20 minutes. Our instructor wrote, “We could have gone longer.”

We continue to receive updates from a woman who faithfully serves the homeless community in Southern California. She shares cookies and Bible stories, a healthy spiritual and a yummy physical combination. Please pray for this woman and her ministry.

God’s Goodness After Training

In the UK one couple has reported sharing several stories with colleagues since their recent training. They wrote our director in Europe saying, “We’re marveling at the Lord’s goodness to us and others.”

Freedom of Choice in Central Asia?

An STS leader in one of the “-­‐stans” who continues to train people in the STS process recently wrote to our headquarters. While teaching 7 people, one person “popped in” and asked to have help training the Sunday school teachers at her church. This woman had been translating downloaded Western curriculum into Russian and felt that STS would be a better fit. After the next meeting, this leader wrote, “It was so encouraging to see each person in each session grow a step closer, improve their skills and dig into the Word.”

One woman’s mom was the cook for the first workshop in this country. Although this cook could not attend everything, she attended as many sessions as she could. This mom helped to translate documents, and became really excited about STS. For the 2nd workshop, she attended the advanced training and even led a small group! Was this cook a Mary in Martha’s clothing?

Thailand and Singapore STS Leadership Growing?

Helping the Thai church has been both a blessing and a challenge. The STS leadership in Thailand has had to make adjustments over the years. Recently, one leader shared that an STS workshop at a new church in southern Thailand was very successful and the church is asking for more training.

We also welcome two new Thai people to the leadership team reaching both Thailand and Laos with Simply The Story.

As a result of an advanced training in July, the very first tree Oral Bible Schools have started in Bangkok. More training continues in various parts of Thailand thanks to a devoted team.

We are excited also about the distribution of God’s Story in various languages of Thailand. Conservatively, we believe 30,000-­‐40,000 copies of Thai languages have been shared!

We praise the Lord for a recent advanced training in Singapore that had people attending from 20 different churches.

TGSP All Across Africa!

Earlier this year we finished the God’s Story Ma’di language, spoken in Southern Sudan and Uganda. This language was immediately used in the Sudanese refugee camps with a

few thousand, on average, watching at each showing.

A team working in parts of West Africa recently shared about the impact of STS in their region. Here are few excerpts:

“This past dry season we were able to hold workshops in French, Bxxx, Mxxx, Kxxx and Bamabara languages, both in xxx and in xxx. … God has begun to use this method in several other language/people groups that surround us there….”

“We started training the pastors, evangelists and lay leaders of other language groups

because there are many churches already planted in several language/people groups that surround us. …. One pastor said, ‘its been 19 years since I graduated from Bible Institute and I’ve never had the opportunity to attend further training or to learn new ways and ideas. I am so encouraged and can’t wait to begin “Story-­‐Telling” to share God’s Word in a way they can always keep it in their hearts and they too can share the stories.’”

STS OBS graduates – Congrats! 296

“One lady was the leader of Women’s Ministry for her church. She said, ‘Now I have something very exciting to teach the women of the church and we can begin using Simply The Story among the women of the village who are not believers’. The director of a Kxxx Language Bible Institute in xxx took our workshop and he said, ‘this is so encouraging I am going straight back to our board of directors to ask if I can incorporate this into our first year curriculum. I want every pastor that graduates from our Bible Institute to have this method of evangelism in his pocket when he leaves our school to begin his ministry.’”

STS Oral Bible Schools in Uganda Refugee camps

We recently graduated several Oral Bible Schools in the refugee camps.

The schools are visited every couple of months by some of our STS leaders and are progressing well. Our leader shared that the “old generation is producing a new generation. Lives are changed, but millions have not been reached yet. We still need more work and more laborers.”

Our office received an email recently from a student at a Theological Seminary in Africa. He shared that our STS Handbook is being used in a class as a model for evangelism.

Grateful to the Lord,

Andrea

Executive Director

& The whole staff of The God's Story Project (TGSP)

How is Simply The Story Oral Bible Schools Impacting People in Ethiopia?

An incredible STS leader planted 18 new Oral Bible Schools (OBSs) in 6 different villages of Abuna, in the Oromia region of Ethiopia. People walked for more than four hours to the workshop. Pray with the Ethiopian team for fruitfulness in Abuna.

One evangelist from the OBS in Abuna said, "It wasn't clear to me at the beginning. When I went home, I shared stories we learned here with some backsliders and non believers. 18 people were convert and 42 backsliders came back to the Lord. The church membership went from 20 to 80. Again young people become very receptive, something I had not seen there before."

Another Pastor shared, "After I took you to the bus station, I met a non believer and I shared a story with him. He got born again at 5 am in the morning. Now he's a member of my church."

 As well, please pray for the students and leaders attending one of a couple hundred OBSs that are running in 5 different Sudanese refugee camps in Northern Uganda.

How does North Africa respond to God’s Story?

A few people just returned from North Africa carrying God's Story on solar players. Here's what they shared.
"We are so blessed to tell you that our trip to XXXX, was led by the hand of God!  We visited many families, encouraged them in the Word! prayed for them.  Some families are following Jesus and we saw them blessed! even their husbands are now believers! …we gave away the [solar players] to the shepherds in the fields and others in need of the gospel."

Does the Word Still Help those who Need to be Clean?

People from Africa, Oceania, Asia and the USA attended our recent STS training in Thailand. The following testimonies were only a few of many. One man who, at first, struggled with the process shared, "But this Word is powerful, and it always has been and always will be. And I sense there will be a day in my own country where we may not necessarily have the luxury of the written Word, and it seems to me like we ought to get that Word in our heart pocket so that we always have something that we can share with somebody, like on a bus or in an airplane or wherever we are."

After the training, this same man, who felt he needed to have paper and pencil to learn a story and also works with a very literate group, wrote to our lead instructor. This man, without any notes, orally presented and discussed Luke 5:12-16 about the leper asking if Jesus was willing to clean him. 

Here are the results, "Everyone loved the storying, there was a lot of interaction, and they saw new things in the story. That is what I thought was really cool. Well, one guy came to my office a couple of hours later saying that he had to go to a full body skin cancer scanning, and he felt like he wanted to ask to be clean. He did get a clean bill of health. And he said to me, 'I'm not going to forget this story for quite a while.'"

Youth and Bible stories?

Every Spring around April, people in Thailand, Myanmar and other Southeast Asian countries celebrate the “water festival”.  Recently, one of our leaders in this region had a water festival camp training with STS that went successfully. Many young people responded to the story.

Shortly after, in his own home, our leader conducted a special program for children from eight or nine orphanages. More than 100 children enjoyed the program which lasted for 3 days.

Our leader shared about these orphaned children, "Through the work of the Holy Spirit we see the fruits and children are coming unto the Lord." Many of these children come from a Buddhist background. How does Training Impact a Singaporean?

One woman from Singapore attended a recent training. She wanted learn to tell stories that were short enough for people to understand, and yet, powerful and clear enough to share the Gospel. She told us about her experience, "…after the first day, it was so daunting. I told myself maybe I should give up. But I'm thankful that the trainers, for their encouragement."

 She continued, "And truly, I begin to realize that now, apart from learning to tell the story, it has actually helped me to dig deeper into the Word. So it wasn't just to tell people a story, but for myself I felt that I've grown, and I've felt that I saw insights that I never would have seen if I had just read it from the Word. So for me it has been a learning journey to learn just through listening, but also to learn to dig deeper."

What’s the Latest for God’s Story Languages?

Translation of God’s Story has started in the Refugee camps in Nuer, Murle, Anuak and Shilluk. Pray for these teams. A team of STS instructors and God's Story leaders visited Pagirinya,  a major refugee settlement in Northern Uganda.

 We have finished God's Story in the 3 major languages of the Comoros islands, Birifor-Malba, Dan Blowo and other languages these past couple of months!

What is Happening with God's Story?

A mission’s pastor shared this blessing with us. During a medical mission’s trip to Uganda a nurse listened to God's Story (GS) on a solar audio player in her mother tongue. The pastor wrote, "she could not put it down till all of GS was listened to! GS is so anointed!"

How Old Should a Bible Storyteller Be?

One young woman shared a Bible story from Acts 28:1-6 (the shipwreck at Malta) with a Bible story telling group, "Coffee with Koffi". Five people shared their testimonies during the spiritual applications. Wonderfully, the young woman who led this Bible story discussion is younger than 14 years old.

Since our training with this ministry in Cameroon, Africa, most of the people who attended the workshop have already shared Bible stories. Some have told Bible stories in "Coffee with Koffi", some in the hospital ward service with patients, some in the local church of Douala, Cameroon, others in their department devotions and some with their family.

Other Blessings from The Lord.

Sometimes emails arrive that are so precious; they must be shared in their entirety.  The following was translated by Google from French to English, so please disregard any misunderstandings.

 “dear officials,

may the grace of our Lord Jesus accompany you.
the Dan-Yacouba people of Côte d'Ivoire thank all the people for their time, their money, their knowledge so that the gospel of our Lord will come to our region.

After viewing the film "FROM CREATION TO ETERNITY", presentation and donation of mega voices [solar audio players], the communities show great joy listening to the device.

thank you for finding attached some images that testify to it.”

Where else can one share a Bible story? One woman told a story to an Uber driver—and it was just right for him.

Grateful to the Lord,

Andrea
Executive Director
& The whole staff of The God's Story Project (TGSP)

Leviticus 18 and a Discussion of Nakedness for Children?

Recently a mother called our office about a Bible discussion she had with her two boys seven and nine years old.  They are going through the Bible chronologically and are now in Leviticus 18, which talks about uncovering the nakedness of kin from God's perspective, not man's.  As you may know, Leviticus is not like the stories in the Gospels and other "exciting" parts of Scripture.  

This mother and her husband discussed ahead of time whether this specific chapter and topic was appropriate for their children. Their desire is to teach them the entire Bible, believing that all Scripture is profitable, not just for adults but for children as well.  The parents had only generalized a few verses in Leviticus so far (those dealing with specific details of sexual interactions) believing them to be outside their age range, but all other verses, even the difficult ones, had been discussed.  

After the boys had spent time with their mom in this chapter, their 7-year-old boy shared with his mom that he had been thinking, "What is the big deal about seeing someone else's nakedness or someone seeing mine?  I didn't do it because you and Daddy said not to, but it really didn't seem like that big of a deal and I was tempted to do it.  But now I see that it is a big deal to God.  Nakedness is special, and God wants it to be private.  It must be important to Him because He spent a lot of verses saying not to uncover someone's nakedness over and over in different ways so that we wouldn't be confused."  

The parents previously had many open conversations with their sons regarding sex, what kinds of touches are good and not good, not showing your nakedness to anyone or looking at anyone else's nakedness, facing sexual temptation, etc. so covering these verses was not really new information.  Even though the parents had phrased their words with things like, "God says..." and "God doesn't want us to...", there was something different that happened in this conversation. 

The mother felt that the difference was the authority of God's Word, spoken directly from the source.  It wasn't simply the parent's rules with Scripture to back up the parents, but it was exposing the child to God's Word directly. This was done in the context of the story of God giving Moses His rules for the Children of Israel.  There was authority and power in laying open the whole passage, discussing it, and letting God's Word do the preaching and the Holy Spirit draw the conclusions in each individual heart.   

Had this mom not been discussing this chapter with her son, she would not have known her son’s heart.  She had no idea that he believed these lies or struggling with these temptations, even though they talked openly and often about the topic.  It wasn't until reading that chapter, which they "just happened" to cover at the exact time her son needed to hear it, that discussion was opened up, confession took place and truth was embraced.  The mom and I then remembered what God said in Deuteronomy 6:7 where God told the Israelites to teach His commandments diligently to their children when they sit in the house, walk by the way, lie down, and get up.  Did those commandments include Leviticus? 

This mother stated how thankful she was for God's Word as a parent.  The Bible is alive and powerful and reaches into her children’s hearts in ways she never could.  It reveals things that were hidden secretly away and replaces lies with truth.  It fills in gaps that she didn't even know were there.  "It is my most powerful parenting tool", she said gratefully.   

Should we expect surrogate parents, like school and Sunday school, to educate our children in the things of life that matter most? Our time at home with our children discussing the Word impacts them more than we know.  Unfortunately, many people avoid these tough discussions found throughout Leviticus with their children, or the conversations take a more worldly side perspective. For whatever reason, these uncomfortable topics or even these books in the Bible, full of loving rules, often don't get a second glance from people.  If the Lord says for us to talk about these subjects with our children, then why don't we?  

European Gypsies — Grateful for the Truth!

We are excited that God's Story is nearly completed in the language of a gypsy group in Western Europe. This group is described as having less than 2% evangelicals. Many who identify as Christians, do so superficially. They are in great need of spiritual renewal and commitment to Biblical truths, and currently God's Story remains the only Scripture in their language.

While God's Story has been waiting for approval among this people group, evangelistic work continues with one more person being baptized recently.

Our third God's Story gypsy language project, among an unreached Islamic people group, has begun and could use much prayer. There are only two believers that we are aware of among these people. 

Netherlands — A Growing Churchless Society or Full of Believers?

One STS leader in the Muslim world traveled to the Netherlands for a conference.  During the day off, he asked several people to take him and his associate to a church, but all declined.  So the two leaders traveled by train looking for any church open on Sunday.

To their dismay, most church buildings had been closed and were owned by Muslims.  This leader cried over the churches in this small European country. One church had been shut down and reopened as a club and gathering place for people to enjoy themselves. 

The Christian leader asked the person in charge of the club if he could have some time to tell a Bible story and the person in charge agreed to about 5 minutes.  After telling the story and briefly discussing Paul and Silas from Acts, a former priest said, "We need someone like you to restore Netherlands to Christ."

The leader thought, “There are so many true Christians coming from the Muslim world to the Netherlands to make money, but they don't try to reach the people for Christ. Why not?”  While sharing this story with me, our Muslim-world leader said to me, "Why can't they become missionaries?  They must win others to Christ."

How do we help believers see the spiritual depravity of the people around us and care for their eternity?

Israelis Open to the Bible?

During a story-party night, one creative story teller gave everyone a script for the dialogue.  At the right time the people were cued into their part. As a result, people listened closely to the story, which enhanced the discussion time, especially during personal application.

The kids who heard the story shared how much they wanted to participate in the next story!  Could Simply The Story Empower Students to Do Better in School?

One grandmother shared that the STS workshop helps her 14 year-old grandson with his schoolwork.  Now, when he listens to lectures, this young man discerns what is important to remember. 

Amazingly, the grandson helped his grandmother learn to do STS better!

Africa - Pygmies Love STS!

One of our leaders went deep into the equatorial forest conducting an STS workshop with the Pygmies. The pygmies are often outcasts, as they do not fit into city life well. One Bible school operates part time among this specific group. This way the Pygmies may use the rest of the time to forage for food in the forests to provide food for all week. International Students Learning Life Lessons Outside School

One couple who minister to international students in the Oceania region shared recently about a young lady in their group who was suicidal. This lady's search for inner peace led her to be interested in Buddhism. As she was a scientist, in her mind, Jesus did not come first in her search. However, after watching God's Story she accepted Christ when Jesus said, "My peace I give unto you."

Several of the students from Nepal, Malaysia, and China have accepted the Lord through God's Story and the interaction with this couple. Even Hindus continue their search for the true living God.

This wonderful couple, who have been using both STS and God's Story for many years with the predominantly Asian students, said to me, "Even the most highly educated students are oral learners!"

Please continue to pray for the students and this ministry as they prepare and disciple potential Christian leaders, who will be returning to their home countries.

How Much Will A Haitian Pay for a Solar Player?

One instructor recently returned from Haiti after teaching a couple of STS workshops.  He knew that the people there are poor, but several wanted to buy a solar powered player with God's Story.  Clearly, the "normal" USA cost was beyond the reach of these Haitians so our instructor found a creative solution. 

One man gave a medium sized chicken and an egg for the solar player.  Another person traded 7 coconuts for his solar player. Curiously, I asked, "What did you do with the chicken and the coconuts" knowing they can not be brought into the USA.

He said, "We donated them to the pastor."

 Short Government Update for Prayer

As of February 1, China has laws stating that evangelism is no longer legal outside the church, no one under 18 years of age can be baptized, all churches must register and the government must approve the church leaders. Along with China, India also passed anti-conversion laws across several states.

In spite of these laws, critical STS training continue through out India. During Good Friday, 53 people received Christ while watching God's Story: From Creation to Eternity.

Praising the Lord for all things!

Andrea
Executive Director
& the whole staff of The God's Story Project (TGSP)

How Does God’s Story Impact Children?

A missionary in Bolivia returned from the USA with the Spanish version of God’s Story: From Creation to Eternity. She has been daily sharing this resource to the girls in her ministry to explain God and God's love for them. The missionary reported, "It is a chronological presentation of the Bible for sharing the Gospel cross-culturally.  They often see their own lives reflected in the stories of God’s people, their pain and their need for freedom from bondage. This month they have started the chapter on 'The Promise Fulfilled.' Pray that they may each come to know 'God made flesh' personally in their own lives." 

This missionary is using the God’s Story flip chart every morning with the girls. "They really like it. We’re taking good time each day for discussion. Now, we just finished the Moses story. Last week one of the girls prayed and received Christ in her heart. What a joy for me!"

A woman called our office and ordered two solar powered audio players loaded with God’s Story. Her family adopted two children from Ethiopia. On the way to their home from the airport, she played the Amharic God's Story for the children. She reported that the audio helped them transition easier and helped them understand about Jesus.  This mother shared, "You have a wonderful ministry!"

The photo to the right shows a six year old sharing a Bible story with a group of adults, and her 10-year old sister as the coach. 

How Does STS Impact Young People in South America?

Amazing reports from our STS instructor team in South America include one example of a 15-year old who was broken by a Bible story as she told it.  This young woman wept for several minutes in her leader’s arms.  She then continued with some good discussion questions. After her story, she said she would never do a story again, and yet she did! She had a great experience with her 2nd story, and now clearly understands and loves the STS process. 

Even two 13 year-olds told stories that amazed everyone. At the end of the workshop, they told our leader that they really understand the STS process. Praise the Lord!

One non-literate man, who also had a learning disability, impacted a group when he told his Bible story accurately and led the people in discussion.  Another man asked how he could join our STS team!  Our leader wrote, “Please understand that most would consider both these men as ‘write offs’!” 

At this same training, the best national instructor in this South American country told one amazing STS presentations of the James 1 epistle using STS that the lead instructor has ever heard!

One shy man in a group came alive, like he had found his purpose and destiny. The instructor saw him hugging and reaching out to people, including a weeping group leader who was greatly impacted by the Word of God.

One young 23-year old man said during the first break, and with moist eyes, “This workshop is incredible!”  The main host, also super touched, impressed and moved by the power of the workshop wants to see our STS Oral Bible Schools in this Latin American country. 

Could a Seven Year Old be a Witness for the Lord?

In southern California, seven-year-old Elsie quickly finished her hamburger and fries. "Come on Mom, we have to share." she exclaimed. Elsie, her mom and an instructor were in the community to practice telling Bible stories with people. Mom felt a little nervous, but Elsie seemed ready to go.

Elsie told her mom that they needed to talk with a man in the booth next to theirs. The man looked a little rough, missing most of his teeth, and wearing oversized clothes and a hat. Mom and daughter introduced themselves and asked if they could tell him a story. 

Elsie accurately told this man the “Good Samaritan” Bible story. When she finished, the man said, "Wow, you told that story so well. I really liked it." For a few minutes, mom shared with the man. After they finished, Elsie said "Come on Mom, let's share with someone else over at the grocery

story", and off she skipped to the store with mom in tow, excited to tell another Bible story to anyone who would listen.

Watch the 2 minute video here: https://goo.gl/5BMo4j

What Might be the Results of STS and Mercy Ships Working Together?

Mercy Ships Founder and the Africa Mercy Managing Director has called for STS to be implemented in all their patient-related departments due to the impact it has made in the countries where the Africa Mercy and STS have worked together.  Mercy Ships is now moving towards oral methods of sharing God's Word. 

One leader on the ship shared an STS Bible story at an African youth conference. During a break, pastors, who attended this conference, told the STS storyteller they loved the way the Bible story was shared and they wanted training. This same leader did another Bible story in a church on Sunday, now the pastor and the elders are ready to learn the process.

A team from Mercy Ships shared Psalm 1 at the Hope Center with 250 people, crew, day crew and patients together. One week later, a Muslim grandfather of one patient shared with the storyteller that he was deeply touched by the Psalm. 

At the end of 2017, twenty people on the ship were meeting every Wednesday to have Coffee with Koffi (an STS instructor) while discussing a Bible passage together. We appreciate prayers as a team from the USA travels to Cameroon later this month to work with leaders on the ship. 

Muslims Seeking the True God?

We thank God for the 80,000 plus copies of God's Story that have gone out in the last six months of 2017 to a Muslim people group in a closed Middle Eastern country!

Sharing Stories on the Streets with Muslims? Wait, This Was Just Practice!

Our Kenyan team recently conducted two STS workshops in Tanzania in an area that is 90% Muslim, as well as a workshop in the capital, Dar Es Salam. Each evening, the attendees went to the community to practice using Bible stories. Twenty-eight out of 220 Muslims received Christ as Lord. 

Why Would A Pastor Tell Stories?

One Ugandan pastor who recently attended a training in Nairobi, shared with the instructor, “I don't feel like preaching anymore but telling stories... I was fearing at first to use it in the main services as at first people where like, ‘wait a minute what … is going on?’ But wow!!” Now this pastor and the church love Bible stories and discussion during the main service. 

Prisoners and Soldiers Learning Bible Together?

In one Southeast Asian country a prison sits in an army camp. One pastor tells Bible's stories to both soldiers and prisoners together! Soldiers train soldiers as young as 6 years old. The plan is to train the prisoners and soldiers to be able to tell Bible's stories and to plant a church among the people there. One believer commands 90 soldiers! Our leader wrote, "Wouldn't it be great to see both prisoners and soldiers attend the same church?"  

Siblings Talking about the Word of God?

After an STS training in Europe our Director received this letter from a 17-year old girl. "I follow your advice and try a story with my sister in the evening when I arrived at home. I choose the story about the poor widow (It has only 4 verses :D). My sister is 13 years old and she went close to God just this holidays and we don't usually talk about God.  We spoke for 1 hour about the story, and most of the time spoke her. :D She found so many treasures and she did application naturally. My role was only to listen. I'm so happy I didn't hear my sister speak as deep as [she did with] the story. She said…something fall down from her mind and heart. It was amazing! God is the most powerful!"

STS and God’s Story Leadership Grows.

We are excited to share that our leader in Taiwan has been raising another lead instructor. This experienced leader has been working with a tribal group in another Asian country without stopping the growth of STS and spiritual impact in Taiwan.  The new young Taiwanese leader reluctantly agreed to lead, but she clearly shows the strength and ownership of STS.

The Christmas Season in a closed S.E. Asian country always provides an open door for our leader there. He conducts STS trainings, evangelistic programs, Christmas programs for children and adults, prison ministry, and gives God's Story DVDs to many people. 

In one church, our leader did the "Blind man" Story from Mark 10:46-52. He shared, “Today many people blind spiritually. So People need, like Bartimaeus, and wanted to see physically and spiritually.”

A Blind Pastor Sees!

One of the results of STS and God’s Story working in combination comes from Mozambique. A young orphan became a pastor.  A few years ago this pastor stopped reading his Bible because he was going blind. When the missionary discovered that he was struggling to read she gave him a solar audio player loaded with God’s Story and several other Bible stories. This 39-year old pastor cried and said, "Now I can read my Bible."

Serving the Lord together,

Andrea
Executive Director
& the whole staff of The God's Story Project (TGSP)

Have You Heard of the Lemba People in Zimbabwe?

 For months a Simply The Story team has been preparing to train a unique group in Zimbabwe. However, a few weeks prior to the training, reports from Harare told of Mugabe’s impending removal from leadership.  So imagine waking up to an email from the lead instructor who landed in Zimbabwe the day the dictator resigned!

Thirty-four students from the Lemba Jewish Tribe were trained in Simply The Story.  The inviting organization writes, "This tribe, who live in Zimbabwe and South Africa, claim they are direct descendants of the Twelve Tribes of Israel… Strict adherence to Jewish customs have been watched over by Lemba rabbis…. Despite losing their original Torah on the journey from Israel to Zimbabwe, all oral teachings and traditions have been maintained, the same kind of oral teachings described in the Old Testament."

The article continues, "In a place thousands of miles away from Israel, detached from all Jewish culture, these African Jews, who call themselves 'Original Hebrews,' are committed to their way of life that has been passed down from generation to generation."[1]

Our instructor shared that the group that was trained is both Jewish and very Christian. In a country with over 90% unemployment and Messianic Christians representing a really small percentage of the population, life in Zimbabwe remains impoverished, with people bathing from buckets.

The host said everyone loved the training.  Students told of how much they learned through this oral method, shared about new insights from Scripture as they discussed the truth, discovered life applications, and talked about how they want to use the training in their ministries. 

Could Syrian Refugees Be Excited About The Word?

A team of 3 from Europe and USA traveled to the Middle East to work with Syrian refugees.  Working hand-in-hand with another organization that is providing food, medical care, and clothing, our team provided God's Story in multiple circumstances.  We saw several people listen with great intensity. Within 24 hours, word spread among the refugees, who came asking for the solar players loaded with God's Story.  Thank you to all who prayed. 

To hear more about results with the refugees, please go here https://goo.gl/scFhuc.

Mexico — Churches Working Together?

The STS Latin American Liaison shared Isaiah 6 using the STS method last July at a luncheon and reported that it did not go well.  The day after that story, this leader did another Bible story for more pastors and leaders. When he finished, he sat down thinking to himself that again, it did not go well. Just then, a woman leader in Cuernavaca shared that she awoke thinking about Isaiah 6 and that she couldn't stop thinking of this story our leader shared the previous day. She encouraged everyone that these deep discussions over the Bible are not just stories for children, but are great for adults too.

In November a team of STS instructors trained people in Cuernavaca, Mexico as a result of these "not so good" stories done last July. We are blessed to report that a burgeoning group of STS instructors is growing in their skills in Mexico. Some are now using STS among the indigenous people, some with small groups, and several are asking for more training, including training in one of the roughest parts of Mexico. One leader recently wrote that the next training should include 5 churches!

Could Children and Adults Learn from Each Other?

One STS storyteller wrote to us recently about their after-school program in Southern California. "We have 75-80 children in 4 classrooms ... ages Kindergarten thru 5th ... I have

27 fifth grade boys.  It’s growing each year ... the kids are growing.  We call it 'Kids Good News Bible Club' and have won the favor of this public school!"

One woman called our office to order solar players and shared that her grandson (14 years old) told her that the STS workshop helped him with his schoolwork.  When he listens now to lectures, he can discern what is important to remember. One night, her grandson sat down with this woman and helped her practice asking better questions, STS style.

How Are Bible Stories Used in the Netherlands Public Schools?

One storyteller practiced telling Ezekiel 37:1-10, STS style, to our team in the Netherlands. This helped her share this passage to her colleagues who are Bible teachers in public primary schools, who do not necessarily think the prophets really existed… a tough crowd. 

The Netherlands trainees sharing Bible stories in wonderful situations. One practitioner has been using story ever since training, in Sunday school and in primary schools. She sees great responses from the children. As well, in college where she has to tell stories, she uses STS!

Another lady leads a woman's group. What started as one group last year quickly grew into 2 small groups.  She is focused on multiplication! She said that she is more relaxed because things really fell into place after going through the STS training again. She goes more with the flow instead of having every question prepared, and following her preparation.  She shares with the people she meets, including her neighbors.

Another woman shares stories in Sunday school with non-believing teenage girls. As well, in the village where she lives, more foreigners and refugees are coming.  Once a month 5 believers share God’s Word with these “foreigners” in Arabic, and the people share meals and what they own. Having just started this group, they already have 15 people discussing the Bible in depth!

What Reaches the Hearts of Muslims in Senegal?

During a recent workshop in Senegal, the instructor sent all of the participants to town to share their Bible stories. They came back so happy!  Some of the attendees said they never shared the word of God before that day. Many were invited back to share more Bible stories. Fifteen people heard the Word. 

During the workshop, the instructor shared a story with the cook and the day guard. After hearing Jesus’ answer to the second criminal on the cross, the day guard said the second criminal might know Jesus and ask for heaven. The day Guard said this story will help him make a decision about Jesus. The instructor learned that the young man recognized he is not better than the criminal who asked for heaven. The young man realized that he is a sinner and needed to ask Jesus for salvation.

A group from the Senegal training went to an Imam's house to share the story of Abram and Sarai in Gen 12:10-20.  All of the family was there with many children, wives and friends of the family. The storyteller shared, “We were well received, and the people, along with the Imam, discussed the story together. They learned that God knows us, and sees when we behave badly, even when the Lord remains quiet (talking about Abram lying and asking his wife to lie.) The people said God is patient with those He calls like He was with Abram.”

Using God’s Story Helps Adopted Children Transition

One woman called our office and ordered 2 solar powered audio players. They adopted two children from Ethiopia and brought them to the US.  On the way to their home from the airport, she played the Amharic version of God's Story for them. The mom reported that it made the transition easier for the children and helped them understand about Jesus.  "You have a wonderful ministry!!" she said. 

Myanmar During Christmas

This Christmas season please pray for our leader in Myanmar as he plans an STS training, evangelistic programs, Christmas programs for children and adults, giving God's Story, and prison ministry.  Also, pray for him as he looks to put God's Story on national TV.

Who is Recommending STS (besides us)?

The Discipleship Training School (DTS), a YWAM group in Northern Ireland, has been using STS on their outreaches. People are impacted!  The director in the national headquarters has recommended STS and said that it has affected their outreaches.

The God’s Story Project staff and worldwide leadership pray you and your family have a

Grateful to the Lord,

Andrea
Executive Director
& the whole staff of The God's Story Project (TGSP)

Wrong Bus, Right Place?

Is it possible to end up in the right place when one has taken the wrong bus?  A while ago, one of our leaders in West Africa traveled to Côte d'Ivoire to lead an STS training. However, when our leader stepped off the bus, she realized it was not her intended destination.

While there, this leader met a local pastor and shared God’s Story and STS with him. The pastor became so excited and decided to host his own STS training, and to translate God’s Story in their local language. By God's grace, our recording team just returned from recording this new language and conducting the STS training in Côte d'Ivoire!

In the Middle East, a woman trained in STS recently wrote the following (edited for security).  "I thought [I was going] to the [right] border crossing.  Turns out I was in a van headed to [the wrong place]. When the driver discovered this, I was dropped off on the highway with my luggage!

"I called for an Uber taxi...  The driver was a nice engineer, originally from Saudi, probably around 30, married, etc.  We ended up talking about [many things].  So he began to open up, and tell me about a work problem.  I asked him if he wanted to pray about it, and he said yes. So we did in the taxi.  Then I began talking about Issa, and told him the Good Samaritan story.  It went really well.  He was very interested.  I asked him why doesn't he read more about Issa, since he is one of his prophets . . . More amazing conversation.  We talked the whole way, and it was an amazing God time… I would like some more training when you guys come back!"

Both ladies were on the wrong bus but arrived at the right place by the hand of God!

Languages of God’s Story

We thank the Lord for the Ghana languages planning to be launched in November and December. They are Bissa [bib], Jwira-Pepesa [jwi], Sehwi  [sfw], and Ahanta [aha]. In the past 2 months Safaliba, Cherepon, Birifor, Anum, Larteh, Tangale, Jula, San Matya, Mahdi and several other languages have been produced and out for last minute checks. Also, the Mro [cmr] and Southern Samo [sbd] languages have been mastered.

How Does STS Affect Churches Among Tribals in Cambodia?

A leader recently wrote to us about the results from a March STS training with a tribal group.

"We are seeing some steady growth and some exponential growth (in some spots). One house church has doubled in size in the last 2 months (29 baptisms last weekend) and another location has quadrupled in just over 3 months. There has been quite some breakthrough in the area of “celebration” (with our quiet and conservative tribal people) and answers to prayer – advancing the harvest. We have also had our fair share of problems arising in some quarters…and the STS tools have been very handy and fruitful in helping the young fellowships working through a Scriptural response to these challenges.

"Many are benefiting from the approach, and…[are] laying the foundations for the new believers in the fellowships that are growing. The workshop in March really gave legitimacy to the story telling approach (they can see it is very Bible-based) – especially in some of the older fellowships that were not brought up on Bible story telling – and they have been growing spiritually and numerically as they put it into practice."

What do Thai People Do with Their STS Training?

One of our Thai leaders reported about a friend. "After the workshop in the last evening in the resort my friend told the story of the widow and the jar [2 Kings 4:1-7] to one of the resort staff within 5 minutes. Thank God it did touch her heart since she had 2 children and her husband worked far away from her. And she was struggling like that widow. It was so amazing she accepted God in her life. So we invited all 9 staffs in the meeting room during our closing time to thank them for their good service and prayed for them."

As We Age, Do We Get Bolder?

This update came from a lady in her 70's who titled her email, "I'm getting bold."

She shared, "I told the Martha & Mary story to a very nice young lady flying to Newark after a week’s vacation. She was a very cheerful listener to the story, and really liked it. She is not a believer, but she responded very positively to how Jesus talked with Martha, although she said His emotional makeup is different from ours because He is a “great person.” (That was when I had asked her how He might have felt when Martha accused Him of not caring.) She said He would be very calm and level in His emotions at all times, in all circumstances. I encouraged her to ask questions about Bible stories and to share the story with others.  She seemed very ready to do that.

Could a Boy in Mozambique Relate to Mephibosheth?

One STS trainer has been serving in Mozambique at an orphanage for boys. She has been able to have in-depth conversations and discussions with the older teens regarding the Word and the stories being learned. This time has created a time of spiritual openness and vulnerability with these specific teens in the class. 

She shared, "It has been awesome to see so many of these boys impacted by God’s Word. These boys want to be in the story class, they want to learn about God, they are changing, growing, and learning so much!…(as well as being mocked, despised and laughed at by the other teenagers who live here too.) So we must be doing something right.”

While developing the story of Mephibosheth in 2 Samuel 9, this trainer asked some questions of the storyteller to help him connect.  She asked  the 16-year-old boy what it may have felt like to have lost a grandfather who once had so much wealth and property? Could this boy imagine what Mephibosheth might have thought and felt when King David said he was going to give him back all the property and belongings that once belonged to his grandfather? As this trainer asked these questions, the boy's light brown eyes swelled up with tears. 

The trainer discovered that this boy was raised by his grandparents. His grandfather was a man who was very respected within their community and he owned a lot of property and a good size farm.  This boy's grandfather passed away unexpectedly in 2014.  Shortly after his grandfather passed, his grandmother had a few strokes and could no longer care for the boy or maintain the property. The boy was brought to the orphanage by his grandma who pleaded with the leaders to raise him. The impact, depth of mercy, and love in the story of Mephibosheth touched this young man to his core. 

At another point the trainer shared about going into the community with Bible stories. The boys said to this trainer, “People here don’t want to hear Bible stories!” 

Her response, “Everyone wants to hear a story, boys!” So that Friday the boys and the trainer went into the community and while sitting in an African mud hut, they shared the story of David cutting off a piece of King Saul’s robe in the cave.  

The trainer wrote, "People didn’t just listen, they answered questions, they spoke their opinions and were completely engaged! The boys were so happy when we left, they couldn't believe what just happened!"

Please pray for upcoming international trainings including Mombassa, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, India and more.

Could Christians and Jews Learn Scripture Together?

An evangelist among Jewish people learned how to use her STS training last February to evangelize her community. She recently shared one Jewish mom’s response to these Scripture studies, “My kids loved these meetings. They begged to come, literally saying that they learn so much and its not boring for them... so I hope these story times don't stop.” The Jewish children even complained that the study was only once a month!

A seven year old Jewish girl came with her older brother and sister to the Bible study.  The evangelist reported, “She was quiet for a while, intensely interested and then she entered in. Amazing discussion across the generations.”

How might STS Bible Stories Help People with Addictions?

One lady storyteller who ministers to people with addictions at a clinic shared the following report.  The storyteller offers listeners cookies. One of listeners she nicknamed “the Traveler”.  

The Traveler took the cookies, really listened and participated and smiled through most of the story. Sometimes his expressions showed confusion.  At the end, the Traveler said to the storyteller, “You have messed up my mind for the whole day. I have to go now.”

Another man, Mitch, when offered a cookie he said “No thank you, I'm addicted to the oatmeal cranberry cookies at Albertson's in San Clemente.”

Ironically, the storyteller made oatmeal cranberry cookies!  Mitch changed his mind and took four cookies saying they were for his wife and his dog, but then admitted he would probably eat them all. They laughed. Mitch then decided that he would listen to the Bible story too.

Mitch listened and participated in the discussion. They talked for a long time. Then the storyteller asked about applying the story, “Does it ever happen today that people want to be healed?”  Mitch rolled his eyes, laughed and said, “Yes I'd like to be healed of my prostate problems.”

The storyteller then asked about the healing Mitch specifically wanted. He said, “My addiction” and he bowed his head immediately.

Mitch said he had been clean a couple times before but became addicted again because he was not a happy person.

They prayed to Jesus for healing.  The Bible story opened the door for Mitch to share his heart and to ask for true healing.

Grateful to the Lord,

Andrea
Executive Director
& the whole staff of The God's Story Project (TGSP)