4.04.2025
Bajau in Indonesia
Bajau in Indonesia
The Bajau (sometimes referred to as Sea Gypsies) are a highly mobile maritime people group found throughout the coastal areas of Sulawesi, Maluku, Kalimantan, Sumatra and East Nusa Tenggara. Two to six families will group together in an alliance to fish together. They often share food, nets and gear. They even pool their labor. The Bajau are Sunni Muslim of the Shafi’i school. Claims of religious piety and learning are an important source of individual prestige. Shamans (dukun) hold public seances and trance dancing in the Bajau boat-dwelling communities at least once a year.
Ministry Obstacles
The nomadic lifestyle of these people makes it difficult to establish any kind of long term relationship with them.
Scripture Focus
"Bless our God, O peoples; let the sound of his praise be heard," Psalm 66:8
Scripture Prayer
Pray that today’s people group will loudly sing His praises to other nations.
Prayer Focus
Pray for Christians to assist the Bajau with infrastructure development and renovations in health and education. Pray for mission workers to provide medical services and literacy courses. Pray for the distribution of gospel recordings (which are available) to the Bajau. Pray these would be valued by the people and passed from person to person. Pray for many Bajau to soon come to Christ. Pray they would clearly understand who Jesus is, and not mix the purity of the gospel with folk religion.
Bajau in Indonesia
| People Name: | Bajau |
| Pronunciation: | BAH-jow |
| Country: | Indonesia |
| 10/40 Window: | Yes |
| Population: | 353,000 |
| World Population: | 353,000 |
| Language: | Bajau, Indonesian |
| Primary Religion: | Islam |
| Christian Adherent: | 0.08% |
| Evangelical: | 0.08% |
| Bible: | Portions |
| Ministry Resources: | No |
| Jesus Film: | Yes |
| Audio Recordings: | Yes |
| Status: | Unreached |
Pray for the Daza in Chad
Pray for the Daza in Chad
Daza men occasionally find steady work in towns or cities. Daza women work at home and are responsible for cooking and cleaning. Income is primarily received from selling animals. Daza men wear loose-fitting draw-string pants under long-sleeved robes. Their clothing is usually white, and they often wear turbans or small Muslim caps. Daza women traditionally wear long, wrap-around dresses and head coverings. Although Daza women are not required to wear veils, they often wear them for protection against the sun, dust or cold weather. Daza society is male-dominated. Marriages are often arranged, and gifts are exchanged between the families. Most Daza draw their water from wells. It is often not very clean. Christian workers with the right equipment and skills could help them with their water needs. Ministry Obstacles: We are not aware of any Christ followers among the Daza of Chad. They need to hear the gospel from someone outside their culture. Scripture Focus: "Shout for joy to God, all the earth; sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise!" Prayer Focus: May there be many from this people group doing just this very soon! Ask the Lord to call people who are willing to go to Chad and minister the love and compassion of Christ to the Daza. Pray that God would deliver the Daza from their warring lifestyle. Pray that God would raise teams of intercessors who will stand in the gap for the Daza. Ask the Lord to raise a network of strong churches among the Daza.   | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
.jpg)
.jpg)
3.06.2025
Integrity and Partnership in Mission
Integrity and Partnership in Mission
By Carlos Scott
The idea of “integrity” is something that is complete. It is whole, without missing parts, full, perfect, with appropriate weight and measure. When referring to a person, it’s about the pure, proven, without cracks.
When we speak of mission, we are sharing in the mission of our missionary God; we’re not working on a private project. We are fulfilling the missio Dei. Our mission is to share his mission.
“Partnership” is about koinonia (Philippians 1:5), fellowship, solidarity, contribution, reciprocity, equity, something that is shared—either a purpose or an experience, suffering, persecution, weakness and strength, realities and common privileges, sharing time, worship, wealth, or money. Everything we have must be shared.
Partnership is the thread that weaves everything together. The first thing shared in the context of the church is faith. Koinonia of faith results in koinonia in actions. Sharing faith comes first and defines practical cooperation, but such faith must lead to practical engagement with tangible consequences.
As the Body of Christ, we have a common future and identity. This involves welcoming others, forgiving one another, humbling ourselves, becoming less—not claiming superiority over another. Our identity and future show we have the same feelings and are unified in following the Father's plans. It includes understanding our different cultures and helping each other—becoming open to others and doing what Jesus would have done.
The Blind Man, Bartimaeus
The story of the blind man, Bartimaeus, teaches us many lessons about evangelization, fellowship, integrity, and solidarity. Jesus asked, "What do you want me to do for you?" (Mark 10:46-52).
Many passages in Mark highlight the fact that the disciples did not understand this. Their minds were numb—they lacked clarity and a complete vision. The key is the ability to see. We often find ourselves struggling with the same thing as disciples. We do not see with clarity, and we do not understand. We need to achieve a clearer vision of mission, evangelization, and fellowship (partnership).
We may find ourselves in the middle of a process, like the blind man at Bethsaida (Mark 8:22-26). But in this process there is hope (the blind man of Bethsaida and blind Bartimaeus were eventually able to see). The disciples saw as well. We, too, can achieve a clearer vision of the mission we have now. But there is a price to pay: following Jesus and the process of receiving sight go hand in hand.
Jesus showed he valued humanity by being available. The blind man's answer, "I want to see," was his response, and he was healed. It was a miracle of Jesus; his faith healed him. He decided to follow Jesus and there was transformation.
In his Gospel, Mark presented a very sharp contrast between the aspirations of the disciples and those of the blind man. While the disciples asked for status and privilege, the blind man answered, "Rabbi, I want to see."
Mark attributed value to the main character of the text by stating his name. He was not a nameless beggar. This was very significant. We must learn the way Jesus responded to each person's need. Bartimaeus was an outcast. He was considered a sinner, excluded from the covenant, excluded economically, excluded from the appreciation and esteem of others due to his blindness.
Where Do We Go from Here?
Some lay hands on, pray for, and ask for healing for the one in need. Others seek to deal with the economic situation, teach the person to read Braille, get a dog guide, help them find a job, or create awareness of the person’s condition. Some respond through the ministry of the body, where the person finds love, appreciation, forgiveness, and acceptance. Still others quickly tell the person to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. With such varied emphases the blind man would know one aspect of Christ, but something would be missing—doing it the Jesus way.
Below are four lessons the story of Bartimaeus can teach us.
First, we must value the individual. Jesus’ method was to open up to the needs of the other person. Faced with Bartimaeus' cry, Jesus stopped, asked for him to be called, and asked the question, "What do you want me to do for you?" All these actions value the individual—not a method, ideology, or doctrine.
Jesus simply appealed to fellowship, opened up, and showed interest in the other person. This is because fellowship, cooperation, integrity, and solidarity are about sharing life and valuing the other person.
Often, we do not want to ask, "What do you want me to do for you?" We are afraid the person will ask us something unexpected, or worse, something we do not want to give or do. Asking questions causes instability and discomfort. We prefer to be in control and manage our agendas.
Second, we must press forward in faith. This implies self-management, trust, and dependence upon God. The order established according to our capacities can tell us what we can and cannot do. Bartimaeus decided to reject the role the crowd wanted to impose on him. He did not settle for being the blind man, a beggar and quiet. He came on stage at the wrong moment and decided to go to Jesus as his main resource. What was at stake was who Jesus was and what he was for him.
Third, we must learn that to follow Jesus means to leave something behind—whether that is a boat, a cloak, or a way of thinking and acting. Bartimaeus left everything, threw his cloak aside, jumped up, and broke through the crowd. He did not accept the place he had been given. His healing began at the precise moment he decided to meet Jesus. The miracle is to break free from the standards and barriers people set for us or, many times, we set for ourselves.
Finally, we must understand our real need. Perhaps the Lord is working on our life, church, and ministry. He asks, “Do you know what your real need is?” Here are a few questions to ponder as we consider the above points:
• How do I value others in evangelism, fellowship, and partnership?
• What kind of style and spiritual leadership makes a difference?
• How do I normally relate to the whole Body of Christ? Do I welcome or do I exclude? Do I ask questions or do I impose my agenda? Do I listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit, or do I cling to already established plans?
No one can be complete, whole, or righteous without being like Jesus Christ.
Carlos Scott and his wife, Alicia, work at Misión GloCal and live in Buenos Aires. Carlos is also an associate of the World Evangelical Alliance Mission Commission. For twenty-five years, he served at Open Door Church in Argentina. Previously, he was president of COMIBAM International (2007-2009), director of COMIBAM in the Southern Cone (2000-2006), and president of the World Missions Network Argentina (2003-2006).
.jpg)
2.27.2025
Daniel, Marta e Iker Scott Rizzo
SCOTT RIZZO FAMILY - BASQUE COUNTRY - FEBRUARY 2025
Hello friends! We share with you our latest news...1) COMMUNITY OF FAITH IN BASQUE IN THE VILLAGE OF ORIO
Thanks to God we continue to hold three Sundays a month meetings in a hermitage on the mountain. There we worship and share the Word of God in Basque.
2) INTEGRATION IN THE VILLAGE
Martu continues to be involved in the village choir, with Basque classes and God gave her the opportunity to make friends in a group.
3) SHARING THE GOSPEL THROUGH ART
Daniel continues to go to the villages to distribute his book of verses, and soon he will release a rap album in Spanish and another in Basque. By April-May he will be doing street recitals in the villages.
REASONS FOR PRAYER:
- Pray for our physical, emotional and spiritual health. Martu is having health problems. Pray especially for her.
- Pray for Iker's growth and healing.
- Pray for our financial provision.
- Pray for the planting of the Basque church in -Orio and that more Basque speakers will be able to come to the meetings.
- Pray for a revival of the Holy Spirit in the Basque village.
Thank you very much for your prayers and support. Blessings
Daniel, Martu and Iker Scott Rizzo
If God puts it on your heart to give a gift to our ministry, you can do so through these options:
1) BIZUM: (688 72 29 93)
2) PayPal: @marizzo1981
3) BANCO SANTANDER (Daniel Brian Scott)
ES37 0049 5394 4225 1655 8630
SWIFT - BIC: BSCHESMMXXX (SWIFT is usually requested from abroad)
4) Through Linguae Christi
1.31.2025
Updates Carlos and Alicia Scott
Dear Friends
|
For send offering make checks payable to: H.O.P.E. Bible Mission PO. In the memo portion be sure to indicate that it is for support CARLOS SCOTT. Send checks to: Hope Bible Mission, H.O.P.E. Bible Mission PO, Box 833 Frostburg, MD 21532 Email: rick@h-b-m.org, hope@h-b-m.org Phone: (347) 464-8576
Banking:
The U.S. based organization having a 501(C) 3 – tax status that receives gifts for Carlos Scott: H.O.P.E. Bible Mission PO, Richard Carey, Director, Email: rick@h-b-m.org
¨By myself I can do nothing; ... for I seek not do please myself but him who sent me¨, John 5:30. Thank you so much for pray for us and for your support
Posts
.JPG)
