To Russia with memories

To Russia with memories

Anyone who has read my first book, ‘Are we nearly there yet?’ will know about our first trip to Moscow in 1988 and the traumas that amazing trip involved. So it was with that trip in our memories we proceeded with interest, a week ago, to see how the old place has changed over the past twenty one years.

The motive for the trip is the same as it was in 1988 – to help bring the scriptures to those who do not have them. I was representing the UK Board of the Institute for Bible Translation (IBT) at the annual Board meeting of IBT Russia. I have been on the Board of IBT UK for five years. The head office for the mission is situated in an ancient Monastery on the banks of the Moscow River. Here a dedicated staff organise the translation and printing of scriptures into the non-Slavic languages of the former Soviet Union. There are 140 such languages and they cover 40 million people who have little or nothing of the scriptures in their mother tongue. ‘Every tribe, every tongue, every nation’ Rev. 5:9 is the watchword.

So far we have printed at least a Gospel and usually much more into 80 of these languages. So far a full Bible in five languages and a complete New Testament in twenty six languages. Languages such as Chechen, Gagauzi, Tartar, Armenian, Uzbek, Georgian, Uighur, Yakut, Ossetic, Turkmen, Tuvin – just to name a few of the more well known. Included in the work has been a children’s Bible in 36 languages. The children’s’ Bibles are particularly important because their parents will make sure the children learn to read in their own mother tongue and often, this is the only book they may have. The work is incredibly difficult and new words sometimes have to be developed to get the Biblical meaning of words like ‘Lord’ across. A single Gospel can take up to ten years to translate. Most projects take five years or more.

Moscow has changed! The roads are gridlocked and the streets lined with parked Mercedes, BMW, Lexus and masses of 4X4 cruisers – all covered in mud. Red Square is about the same except for the famous Gum stores. It used to stock expensive rubbish, but now it has the world’s collection of super-rich designer shops where they dare not advertise the prices. ‘If you need to ask the price – you can’t afford it!’ High officials and mafia tough guys float around the place with their beautiful molls on their arms, dressed in four inch heels, jewellery and expensive furs. I got chatting to one who came and sat by me (I think out of curiosity) until her tough looking bloke with cropped hair, a black leather jacket, bulging muscles and no sense of humour, came and stared at me before whisking her away, as she quickly explained that I was only some stupid English tourist. The highlight for us was a visit to the Moscow State Circus. What an amazing show! Animals galore, with trained Lions, a massive tiger, leopard, camels, monkeys, ostriches, horses, lamas, parrots, all performing the most unlikely routines. The finale, which brought the house down, was a single seal that performed the most amazing feats I have ever seen. The lighting, lasers, special effects, intricate sets, and music, all combined to add to an amazing show.

We were reminded of just how big Moscow is as we walked endlessly between our accommodation(at a Methodist Seminary), the monastery, Metro stations, church and tourist attractions. We came home exhausted. My lack of fitness, bad knee and short legs made it rather a trial. The Metro stations are still done up like Tsarist palaces and the old wooden escalators whisk hundreds of people at a time, at high speed, down to near the centre of the earth. The Metro trains are noisy and propel themselves across Moscow at about a thousand miles an hour. Great fun except we couldn’t read the station names in Cyrillic script. A thirty five year veteran of IBT was Barbro who was our guide and lovely companion.

At the board meeting, I had my arm lovingly but effectively twisted to take on the new role of International Chairman. So we will be going back next year too. I must try to get fit – or what passes as fit with me – before then.

Why evolution is imposible

EVOLUTION

Two of the world’s leading astro-physicists - Sir Fred Hoyle and Chandara Wik Rama Singh conducted ten years of research - with unlimited funds, access to the worlds best libraries and data-bases - they set themselves the task of answering the following question :-

‘’ Since we as atheists know that life is the result of a naturalistic evolutionary process, what are the mathematic and scientific odds, that given any part of the universe and time and opportunity, life would express itself.’’

After ten years of research their conclusion was :-

‘’The chances of life coming about on Earth or anywhere in the universe by natural processes are 10 to the power of 40,000 - which means that it is impossible.’’

If we were to count all the electrons in the universe, they would be 10 to the power of 80

Most of the universe is space. But if it were all electrons - a solid metal ball of electrons, the number of electrons would be 10 to the power of 130

It would be easier for a whirlwind to blow through a scrapyard and for a Jumbo jet in flight to come out the other end.

When asked by journalists if he was still an atheist?
Sir Fred Hoyle said ‘’someone has been monkeying about with physics the chemistry and the biology of the universe.’’

John's new Book

At long last my new book is now available. It was my intention to call it 'Today is the last day that we cry.' However, the publishers - who are all powerful in these things - wanted to call it: 'OVERCOMING THE POWERS OF HELL'. They believe that the more dramatic title will sell more.
Two amazing stories are told in tandem in this book, touching each other at significant points. There is the story of Beatrice Omese and the wonderful way God has used her to help over thirty thousand poor and destitute widows through her self-help programme. It is self-funding and a major lesson to anyone wanting to help the poor of Africa. Beatrice had the faith to believe God's promises to her and this ministry has been the fruit of that faith.
The background to this is the twenty year civil war in Northern Uganda. The incursions of the 'Lord's Resistance Army' (LRA) and the unspeakable atrocities they committed. They abducted thirty thousand children over many years and turned them into child soldiers and sex slaves. Only when the churches of Uganda decided to unite in spiritual opposition to this movement, did the solution come. The LRA moved with incredible witchcraft powers and thwarted all attempts by much superior military forces to defeat them. When the spiritual breakthrough came - the victory came. It is a remarkable story. (I don't consider it suitable for children under 16).
The book is 150 pages and costs £7.99 plus £1.50 p & p. Just e mail me at johnbarrymiles@gmail.com and we will send you a copy. If you wish to buy one as a Christmas present for someone, I will write a dedication in the front and sign it. If you just want it signed for yourself, I will do that automatically.
My first book, 'ARE WE NEARLY THERE YET?' which many of you may have already read, is still available at £7.99 plus £1.50 p & p. If you would like both books, They will be £10 for the two plus £2.00 p & p.
The second book: TO CATCH A THIEF is also available at £6.99 plus £1.50 p & p. The success of this book has amazed everyone, especially me. Over eighty thousand copies sold, translated into six languages, and won the UK Christian book awards prize for the best biography of 2008.
If the insomniacs among you want all three? £15.00 plus £2.50 p & p.
So there you are, Christmas present problems soved at a stroke!

Is God Good?

Is God Good?

(A true account)

1

On Nairobi’s over crowded street,

Where poverty and danger meet;

Four young friends in a minibus,

Squashed in tight with noise and fuss.

About God’s work - a taxi ride,

Crushed and poor they swallow their pride.

2

To share the Gospel with Nairobi’s youth,

To tell rich and poor the hearfelt truth.

This is their mission, their purpose and joy.

But thoughts disturbed by sudden cry,

Broken down truck had blocked their lane,

Nowhere to go – two young friends slain.

3

No traffic police to warn or care,

No one to offer a final prayer.

One’s brother is dead and he almost,

With broken neck and nearly lost.

The two friends are together no more,

Such is the lot of the travelling poor.

4

Two bothers, the apple of the parent’s eye,

O how to break the news and cry

Together with them, and share their woe.

Of the four only one walked away to go

To kneel and cry a fountain of tears;

Assail the heavens with questioning prayers.

5

Who will help the injured brother?

With costly care will he ever recover?

Our foreign friends, will they meet the cost?

Will our remaining son be the third one lost?

The church cannot help and we are so poor,

Will God provide and open a door?

6

Two thousand gather – for sad, sad memory,

How could this happen, how could it be?

The Pastor stands with solemn face.

What can he say about God’s grace?

Each tear filled eye towards God’s man,

How can he say ‘This is God’s plan?’

7

He asks the question - ‘Is God good?’

Two thousand reply from where they stood,

‘Yes, God is good’ their cry rang out.

They trust their God and do not doubt.

‘All the time?’ was his next cry.

‘Yes, all the time – triumphant reply

8

A year gone by but wounds are still raw.

Praise God He came and opened that door.

One brother restored, his faith still strong

This story is an African song.

With sudden death, and life seems cheap;

But their faith in God runs ever deep.

Boy soldier - God's amazing grace

From Josh Shaada - IT Missionary in Soroti.

About a month ago David showed up in Soroti (Uganda) with one of the saddest stories I know. When he was 9 years old he was abducted by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA, a rebel group) together with his parents and friends. After they killed his parents, David was marched to Somalia where his friends were sold as slaves in exchange for weapons and bullets. David was then taken to Sudan where he was trained to become a soldier. He was beaten and treated harshly until he became a soldier. He was forced to kill, steal, abduct children, and get married. Once he was caught trying to escape. As a result, he was tortured, shot, and cut with a bayonet. It was not until his fifth year with the LRA that he successfully
managed to escape. After turning himself in to government soldiers in Congo, he was brought to an army barracks here in Uganda. Sadly, soldiers there also abused him. Finally, one soldier from Teso region noticed him and brought him back to Soroti. David was staying with the soldier’s aunt, but continued to be tormented by demons. David was accused of lighting a house on fire and was driven away from home.
Josh recently went through the 7 steps to spiritual freedom with David. As they went through the first step of confessing counterfeit religious experience, David had much to confess since he had been the victim of much satanic ritual abuse. David also confessed great bondage to fear. The most powerful time of their day together came during the step on forgiveness. One by one he forgave the man who abducted him, the man who killed his parents, the man who sold his friends into slavery, the man who forced him to kill others, and so on. By walking in the truth of God’s word, David’s life continues to be transformed. Satan had him bound but Jesus set him free. David is now living with a local pastor and his family. We also helped David return to school
this week so he can finish his education

Terrorist comes to Christ

Palestinian native Tass Saada ran away from home and joined the Fatah movement when he was just 17. Once a member of the Fatah party, Tass Saada now sows 'Seeds of Hope' in Gaza and the West Bank(Photo via CBN News website). "I joined the Fatah movement, basically, because (Yassar) Arafat was my hero," Saada told Erick Stakelbeck, CBN News Terrorism Analyst in an interview with CBN News. Israel's resounding victory over the surrounding Arab nations in the Six Day War of 1967 devastated young Tass. He was soon drawn to the militant views of Fatah founder and Saada family friend, Yasser Arafat. "I used to sit right across from him and just stare at him, just mesmerized," said Saada. "He was such a charismatic character." In the CBN News interview, Saada said he believed the Jews had stolen Palestinian land. He was determined to help Arafat and Fatah push Israel into the sea. "Our training was specialized, basically, in intense, marine-type fighting skills," he recalled. "We used to call ourselves guerilla fighters, commando fighters." Saada became a Fatah sniper, picking off and killing Israeli soldiers. His nickname was "Butcher." "My job was to knock off whoever was the commander of the unit," he said. Saada told CBN News he took part in bloody battles against the Israeli army. He even attempted to assassinate the Crown Prince of Jordan, who he saw as unfriendly to Palestinians. But Saada his most prestigious job was as a personal driver for his hero: Arafat. "Everybody knows I was a fierce driver," said Saada. "And so when it came a time and need for Arafat to be transported from one area of Jordan to the other, they called me to do that." Saada told CBN News he eventually made his way to the United States to attend school. By that point, he had given up on waging violent jihad, but he still hated Jews.He became a successful restaurant manager, married an American woman and had two children. But he was miserable -- living a fast lifestyle of mistresses and booze. Until a longtime friend told him about Jesus Christ. "He put the Bible in the middle, between the two of us. And I just got scared and I jumped away from the Bible," Saada recounted. "I said, 'I cannot touch that! It's got the name of God, the word of God in it!' He said, 'So you believe this is the word of God?' I said, 'Yes.' "Why did I say 'yes,' when we as Muslims don't really believe that the Bible is valid as the word of God?" He says he momentarily lost consciousness at that point. "The next thing I know, I'm on my knees with my hands lifted up, inviting Jesus. And the rest is history." When Tass told his Muslim family back in the Middle East of his conversion, his brother vowed to kill him, he told CBN News. In the meantime, his Christian friend threw him for yet another loop. "He said 'Tass, to have the peace that I have, you must love the Jew.'" remembered Saada. "I literally froze, turned around and looked at Charlie. Charlie knew how much I hated Jews." Saada told CBN News he soon got past that lifelong hatred. He developed close friendships with Jews and began to look at Israel in a brand new light. His book, 'Once an Arafat Man' recounts his transformation. "I don't believe in the two-state solution," Saada told CBN News. "I don't believe in that. Because I believe that land belongs to the Jews. It doesn't belong to us." "But, on the other hand," he continued. "I believe that we have the right to live in that land, as is recorded in the Book of Ezekiel, where the Lord redivided the land among the Israelites and told them to give the foreigners living among them an equal share of the land." Meanwhile, in its push to establish a Palestinian state, the Obama administration is counting on the Palestinian party known as Fatah to be Israel's partner for peace, Stakelbeck reports. "But judging by a major conference held by the group in Bethlehem last month, President Obama's vision is a long way from being fulfilled," Stackelbeck says. Stakelbeck added: "In Bethlehem, Fatah leaders reaffirmed their commitment to what they call 'armed resistance.' They refused to recognize Israel's status as a Jewish state. Fatah, which rules the West Bank, also restated its desire to take control of eastern Jerusalem and make it the capital of a Palestinian state." These rigid views now sound all too familiar to Saada, says Stakelbeck. Today, Saada spends much of his time in the West Bank and Gaza, helping provide modern necessities to Palestinians through his charitable organization, Seeds of Hope. He says Muslims in the Middle East are turning to Christ in record numbers. "Millions of Muslims around the earth -- especially the Arabs in Saudi Arabia, in Qatar," Saada marveled. "In all these 12 nations of Ishmael, all of these nations, there is so much conversion in that land." CBN's Stakelbeck says that's why Saada is confident that peace will one day come to the region -- the kind of peace that politicians can never bring.

Generation Me continued

One of the saddest effects of the Gem's mindset is the effect on them when they get married. They fall in love - but they have little idea of what love really is. Marriage is going to be like being single, except much more fun. The idea of commitment and sacrificing for someone else, bending to an other's ideas of what their life might be like is so foreign, problems soon arise. All of a sudden, there is another person, with their own needs and wants to consider. Now, they are not the only centre of their attention.

Then, shock horror, sex is not exactly like it is portrayed in the films from Hollywood. Even this requires consideration of someone else's needs.

Sadly this is leading to a shocking amount of divorce at an early stage of the marriage. Finding out that their spouse may have something different they want to do next weekend comes as a shock. They have always done what they wanted and don't see why it can't be the same now they are married.

The various pre-marriage courses do not deal anywhere near enough with this condition, mainly because it is not recognised. An African friend who preached at my son's wedding siad an interesting thing. "When you go to college, you study hard and then get a certificate. In marriage, you get the certificate at the beginning and then you have to begin to study hard!"