Greetings to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

How thankful we are to know the protection and security of being in the perfect will of God. One must always be assured of this in whatever undertaking, but much more so when found in the world’s largest Muslim nation when the fury of war breaks out against fellow Muslims. Though demonstrations were reported to have taken place in 10 cities in Indonesia, Medan, where we have been this week, was calm and peaceful. We thank the Lord for watching over us and for your many prayers for our protection as there is also the threat to our health with the new pneumonic plague in Asia. The worst affected places are the very countries we have already and will be passing through.

After a week of ministry near Jakarta, we traveled north to Medan with Brother Pieter and his wife, ( the pastor) and his son Itok, our translator. Our mission was to follow up on contacts with several denominational ministers. They had been sent Indonesian translated messages in the past year. Brother Claude Poulter from Australia, also ministered here last year. One of the new contacts made was with Brother Mahanaim, a pastor who had been introduced to Brother Branham’s ministry years ago. After our arrival we learned that Brother Mahanaim had been fasting and praying in the weeks prior to our coming, asking the Lord to send a minister to him who could explain the Word of God and Brother Branham’s message more clearly to him. Unbeknown to him, the Lord was directing our ways for just such a meeting. How wonderful it is to have a confirmation to being in His will.

Allow me to share with you another outstanding confirmation of ministering the Word. Three nights prior to our arrival, a Sister in Brother Mahanaim’s congregation was returning from work at 4:00 AM and saw a most unusual cloud illuminated in the early morning sky. It was not until I was preaching about the visitation of a prophet in this day, who was visited by a supernatural visitation of angels over the Arizona desert, that she realized what she had seen. She exclaimed and testified that the cloud in the 1963 Life magazine I presented, was exactly the shape of the cloud that she had seen in the early morning sky! (See photo #1 of Sister Elmina with the Life Magazine)

Though Indonesia has a strong Muslim majority, approximately 5% of the population is classified as Christian. This is made up of the conglomeration of all the major denominations, the majority of which are Protestant. One of the highest concentrations of Christians is found in and around Medan. Muslims and Christians live side by side in relative peace. There are even mixed marriages between “Christian” and Muslim – though not all that frequent. It is against this backdrop that I found a great hunger for deeper spiritual truths among the denominational ministers and Christians. 

It is an exhilarating experience to see the smile of acknowledgment warm the stiff face of confusion when truth is being understood and received. One of the pastors that attended the three day seminar I was invited to take, came and vigorously embraced me after it was established that Paul’s original gospel had been restored by the messenger to Laodecia. Brother Wilton exclaimed, “I had always believed that the proper baptism was in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, but knew of no one in Indonesia who ever baptized that way. I thought I must be wrong. Not any more though!”  We visited Brother Wilton in his home and had prayer with him for greater faith and anointing to preach the truth of God’s Word. Please pray for Brother Wilton as his plans are to be re-baptized and lead his entire church deeper into the truth of God’s word. (Photo #2: Brother Wilton)

Brother Mahanaim too needs our prayers as he seeks to bring the Message to his congregation and the others open for him to preach in. Time and time again he would come to me after I had finished ministering with his broad smile and beaming face, “Oh Brother, I have much glory in my heart!”  As we fellowshipped through the week, it was incredible to learn that before me was a man that had for years, clung to a mere thread of revelation. He had only been briefly introduced to the truth that God had sent a prophet many years ago when he lived in Jakarta. Forced to relocate in Medan, he went with that little revelation tucked deep in his heart - without any books or tapes from which to grow or understand. Only after receiving a copy of the Church Age book which was printed last year did his understanding begin to grow, and with it, a desperate desire for the Lord to send him a “Philip” to explain the ways of God more clearly. So intense was his desire that Brother Mahanaim read his Indonesian Church Age book not less than a dozen times! How eager he is to see the 7 Seals and the other 30+ translated books printed as soon as possible!  (Photo #3: Brother Mahanaim in house meeting)

In my travels I have met many fervent Brothers and ministers. Brother Mahanaim stands out as one of those unforgettable, intense individuals that at first seem a little overwhelming, but that one soon grows to deeply love and admire. The denominational ministers that he was able to introduce us to and preach for, was impressive. Unfortunately I was unable to oblige most of them in the short span of time we were there. One of the nights was dedicated to a bible study in Brother Mahanaim’s home with a group of about 30 university students. The students sat with rapt attention (on the floor! – see photo #4) through a 1½ hour service – and still wanted to hear more! We continued taking questions and expounding for another hour. We left near midnight only because the rigorous schedule of preaching 3-4 hours a day was taking its toll. These students were eager for more. The next day I learned that two of them had come to Brother Mahanaim convinced and ready to be baptized! We praise the Lord for the moving of His Spirit.

Though there are some unique challenges to ministering in a predominately Muslim nation – the gospel must go forth. Truth has always faced opposition and yet in spite of the odds and deterrents, has gone forth in power. It is no different in Indonesia. The needs here are great, not only for ministry to fulfill the great commission, “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?” [Rom 10:14] but also to support the translation and printing of Brother Branham’s messages in Indonesian. There is clear evidence of a fresh new stir in these islands. Many opportunities exist to preach the Message, which gives rise to the need for more books and also for audio recordings. Through your prayerful support, these needs can be met. Please pray that the Lord of the Harvest will send forth both His servants and His Word into the fields of this, the worlds 4^th largest nation.

We sincerely thank you for your support and prayers and ask for your continued prayers as we carry on to minister next in China.

Your Brother and Sister in Christ, Brother Tony & Sister Rebekah Abma

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Photo Captions:

#1: Sister Elmina & Life Magazine

#2: Brother Wilton willing to follow the Word

#3: Brother Mahanaim – a zealous Brother

#4: House meeting with University students – receiving tracts in Indonesian

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