Kidnapped in Afghanistan--sad news

Mizell family statement
February 28, 2008

George and Peggy Mizell, parents of Cydney Mizell, issued the following statement today on behalf of the Mizell family:

We are all heartbroken to receive credible reports of the deaths of our daughter, Cyd, and Muhammad Hadi, her driver, in Afghanistan. While these reports remain unconfirmed, we are beginning to accept that the hoped-for outcome may no longer be possible.

Cyd knew before she went to Afghanistan that it could be a dangerous place, but she went because she loved the Afghan people and dedicated her life to serving them. We are trying to understand why someone would kill a gentle, caring person who came to their country to help the poor. Many of the people of Kandahar came to love her almost as much as we loved her, and all of us share her loss.

We thank everyone who has worked so hard to secure her release and who now seek to confirm what we've heard. We thank everyone around the world who’s been praying for Cyd, and for us.

Please continue to keep our family and Mr. Hadi's family in your prayers.

For our initial post on Cyd's kidnapping, see http://kingdomentrepreneur.blogspot.com/2008/02/prayer-request.html

For more information, see http://arldf.net/newsposts.html

Dare to Dream

by Patrice Tsague, Nehemiah Project International Ministries

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11

It was 1963, a young minister stood on the steps of the capital and shared with the nation a dream he had about the future of America. In spite of the realities of his time, he was able to project beyond his reality and see a hope and a future. He dared to dream. Here is some of what he said:

"Let us not wallow in the valley of despair, I say to you today, my friends. And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of "interposition" and "nullification" -- one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; "and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together."

Today we are experiencing the reality of this dream. When most people think of a dream, they think of the thoughts, ideas and stories that wander in their minds while they sleep. The reality is that we seldom remember those dreams. When I speak of a dream, I speak of a vision, a preferred future, or a hope of a future that you desire and is in line with the purpose of God for your life. This dream is not developed in your sleep but while you are awake and alert. It does not catch you by surprise; rather it is intentional on your part. What dreams do you have? What do you believe God for in your business or personal life? You may be saying to yourself, "I want something better but my current circumstance makes it impossible." I challenge you to dare to dream. Dare to imagine a better future. Dare to see your business achieving those revenue goals, dare to see yourself acquiring those new contracts, dare to imagine a state in your life where the things you are believing God for come to pass.

If Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream can come to pass, so can yours. As a matter of fact, yours may be even more possible than his was. For his to come to pass, a combination of political, social, economic and spiritual factors had to work together at the same time. No one could have imagined that. Yours may not even need all of those elements to become a reality.

The key to realizing your dream is to have dreams that are God-centered and others focused. Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream was not about his personal benefits but was for the benefit of others and was in line with God's will for the nation. What dreams do you have? Are they God-centered? Are they others focused? Remember to dare to dream because God's thoughts toward you are of peace and not evil, to give you a future and a hope.

News from the Front

(from someone on the field in Asia*)

We have had some encouragement in the last few days that we believe is due in large part to the prayers of God's people. Several weeks ago we lost a key person at the craft center, a local man. He is a very gifted man in terms of language skills and his knowledge of the business. He came to work for us over 2 years ago, and was offered a better paying job recently. Though we hated to lose him, we are starting to wonder if this was really the best for our ultimate purposes here. Though we have had some wonderful discussions with him about the Lord, he is a very devout follewer of the majority religion here. But we are very excited to report that since he has left, things seem to have broken loose here. All the other workers are asking for the Sword of the Spirit (Eph 6:17) and asking very good questions. One came up to me a few days ago and asked, for example, how he can be cleaned of his sin.

Sarah and Miriam have joined us from another developing country in this region, and have been particularly helpful as they have gone around visiting families. One of the men said to these two that he was living in darkness but now a light is shining in his mind as he reads the Word. He said that when he first met us, he knew there was something different about us--that our eyes were particularly different.

Please pray for these individuals who are searching, that they would find the One Who is drawing them near to Himself; and pray for those who are investing their lives to communicate His love and purposes in word and in deed to those who are living without knowledge of the assurance of forgiveness or understanding of our Father's love.

*Names, etc., have been adjusted

Prayer request for small sewing business

This comes from a friend who established a work in a town in Asia. The project is a really neat thing that has had a tremendous impact on some families and has blessed the whole community in a variety of ways.

I just got an e-mail from Anala* at the Craft Co-op*; the local government has threatened to shut us down unless we pay all the workers [a set monthly salary]. According to the law last fall, we could pay by the piece.

Pray for wisdom for the overseers as they deal with this new crisis!
If we pay by the hour...
(1) we do not have enough money to keep going.
(2) the women would slow down and spend their time talking, etc.

Also, please pray for more orders.

Thanks!
*Names have been changed

Wild Hope in Tanzania

I just got an email today from Lisa Borden, with Wild Hope in Tanzania. It sounds like a neat group of folks and I wanted to share over the next few days about what they're doing. She writes...

"Thanks for your interest in what we are doing. We are also excited to see micro-loans making a difference in people's lives.

"We are a very new organization with just 2 families here in TZ. Both of our families have long-term experience in East Africa, but this is a new venture and we are very grassroots. We seriously have just a little handful of micro-loans out and we are learning as we go. We're involved in other things as well. Following our relational lines, we have ties with some schools and local churches. We believe in education as a big key so anything we can do to bless a school is good with us. With local churches we are involved in periodic leadership development stuff. We are excited if we can encourage people to authenticity and depth in their walk with God."

More to come from Lisa, next week!

Till then, check out the Wild Hope website: http://www.wildhopeinternational.org/Welcome.html

and their blog: http://wildhopestories.blogspot.com/

The Center for Global Strategies

by Johncy Rajan

Regent University students were privileged to be part of a special presentation by Jonathan L. Moreno, President of the Center for Global Strategies, Ltd. (CGS) on February 4th, 2008. CGS is an organization that focus on fostering economic growth in troubled countries such as Yemen, Sudan, and South East Asia by facilitating lasting relationships using practical aid in areas such as business, trade, and technology. Widely experienced in business, law, international conferences, and government administration, CGS adds value as an ongoing catalyst to bring together all of these otherwise fallow assets for effective, productive action.

Mr. Moreno gave an overview about the organization and about their current initiatives around the world. He emphasized their mission to embrace the dual aims of connecting the world to the global marketplace, while developing the personal, trusting, cross-cultural relationships crucial to that task. He encouraged the students as part of the University’s mission of ‘Christian Leadership to Change the World’, to look out for the opportunities to make an impact around the world and also to consider possible internship opportunities.

Mr. Jonathan L. Moreno, serves as the President for Center for Global Strategies, Ltd., and provides leadership for CGS’s organizational development and assists in the strategy for international business and bridge-building efforts.
More details can be found at http://www.centerforglobalstrategies.org/

No News on Kidnapped Woman

From someone in the area:

Some have asked if we have any news about Cyd who was kidnapped over 3 weeks in Kandahar, A.fg.hani.stan. Unfortunately, we still have heard nothing about her situation, who took her or how she is faring. Please continue to pray for her. This must be particularly difficult for her family and friends.

The Journey: From Trial to Triumph (Celebrating Black History Month)

by Patrice Tsague, Nehemiah Project International Ministries


And God sent me before you to preserve a posterity for you in the earth, and to save our lives by a great deliverance. So now it was not you who sent me here but God.
Genesis 45:7, 8a

Black History Month is a time set aside in America every year, since 1976, to celebrate and remember the important people and events that occurred in the history of African Americans. For me, it is also a time to reflect on how our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has impacted this history. I am a redeemed African, residing in America, whose ancestors sold their fellow brothers and sisters into slavery. As I reflect on the history of African Americans within the context of a biblical worldview, I see the hand of God in this great sin that was motivated by greed and a refusal to be one's brother's keeper.

No matter your political orientation, the present political campaign in which an African American may be nominated to represent a major political party, is evidence that Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream is coming to pass. No one can deny that the statement "we hold these truths to be self evident that all men are created equal" is being embraced in America. This is a testament of America's greatness and uniqueness among all nations of the world.

As we celebrate Black History Month, let us reflect on the journey of African-Americans from Africa to America through the eyes of Joseph. Like the story of Joseph, Blacks in America were not the victims of an evil act that was too powerful for God's might nor were they victims of the strength of men's will, rather, they were part of God's eternal plan to fulfill His will in the earth. In other words, what the devil meant for evil God used for good.

I refuse to believe that during the time of slavery God was not on the throne or did not have complete command over the affairs of men. God's purpose will be accomplished in spite of the will of men. God's eternal will was unfolding in spite of the sin of slavery and the evil of segregation. If African-Americans are to tap into that eternal will, they must be able to see the redemptive aspect of their experience and have the courage to learn from their history, confront their hurts, forgive those who offended them (Africans and Whites) and move on to fulfill the destiny the Lord has for them. Like Joseph, God sent them ahead to preserve a posterity in the earth, and to save lives by a great deliverance (Genesis 45:7, 8a). So, it was not man who sent them but God.

Today, Africa is one of the most impoverished nations in the world. Disease, corruption, and immorality are instilled in the fibers of its societies. America, on the other hand, is the most powerful nation in the world. It has some of the most educated, influential, and prosperous Blacks in the world. If Africa is to be healed from its economic, spiritual and social ills it will take the intervention of Blacks in America. Those Blacks need to have been healed by the blood of Jesus and recognize the ultimate purpose that God had in mind when He allowed a group of Africans to be brought to America, early in its history, through slavery.

To help us understand the journey of African Americans from Africa to America, and to move beyond its pains to its redemptive purpose, I have developed a lecture series titled, "The Journey". This series is based on seven themes that parallel the life of Joseph to the journey of African Americans. They include:

1. The Dream - A time of innocence, opportunity, hope, and pride. Genesis 37:5

2. The Betrayal - A period where the desires and weakness of the flesh cause us to deceive our own. Genesis37:19-20

3. The Struggle - A period of trials, tests, and challenges as a result of The Betrayal. Genesis 38:24

4. The Rise to Greatness - A period of elevation out of a state of despair. Genesis 41:40

5. Forgiveness - A period of repentance and reconciliation. Genesis 45:5a

6. Destiny - A revelation of the ultimate purpose that the Lord has for Blacks. Genesis 45:5b

7. Legacy - The passing of the baton to the next generation. Genesis 50:25

These seven themes are essential to bringing healing to those who are still bound by the sin of the past and reconciliation to those who have allowed the past to create a wall of division. That division is hindering the Church from living up to the prayer Jesus prayed: that we may be one even as Jesus and His father are one so that the world may know that He was sent from God (John 17:21). Why is this unity among the sons and daughters of slave masters, ex-slaves, and slave traders so important? It is important because through our unity the world will know that our God is God. It is important because it is the only way to ensure that the maximum number of lives is brought into the Kingdom of God. Each time a person believes that Jesus was sent, he or she is a step closer to accepting Him as Lord and Savior. This is the Great Commission. Finally, it is important because Jesus Christ came that we may have life and have it more abundantly. We cannot have abundant life in a state of division; true abundant life is found in the unity of God's people.

visit www.nehemiahproject.org for more information on Patrice Tsague and the Biblical Entrepreneurship program

Pray for Kenya

by Dr. Jeremiah Koshal, RCE Research Fellow

On Dec. 27, 2007, over 10 million Kenyans voted peacefully to elect members of local councils, members of parliament and above all the country’s top executive—the president. While both local and international observers applauded the smooth voting process, they casted doubts on the flawed tallying process, which saw the incumbent declared winner. The announcement by the country’s election body plunged the country into violence, which mainly pitted the two tribes against one another, but afterwards others joined in.

In a span of a little bit over a month, over 1,000 people have died while close to 300,000 have been displaced from their homes. The killings have also resulted from police brutality as people demonstrated against the flawed results. Thousands of homes have been reduced to ashes, including a Church, where close to 30 people were killed while seeking refuge there. Thousands of business have been destroyed and the transportation system got paralyzed, leading to shortage of food, fuel and other essential commodities.

With the international help, especially the Kofi Annan-led mediation team, the prayers of many around the world, the country is slowly returning to normalcy. But it will take a long time to restore broken relationships and trust between communities, a dwindling economy and a fragile security system. As of today (2/8/08), there has been a shift in mood in the political process, and the deadlock between the government and the opposition appears to have been broken, making way for a new sense of optimism.

As you pray, remember the following pertinent issues:

- For the government and the opposition to agree to a complete settlement and for each side to honor what has been agreed upon

- Long-lasting peace and reconciliation between all the tribes in the country

- Improved security, as the situation of lawlessness has ushered in the era of all kinds of gangsters

- A speedy response and solution to the humanitarian crisis, as many people are without shelter and food. A health hazard has been created in camps, police stations, stadiums, etc., where the displaced are stayed

- For the national assembly to pass all the necessary legislation that will ensure distribution of wealth in the country, including land and other resources, as this was one of the causes of the conflict; the flawed election was just a trigger

A business with a mission

Editor's note: Folks, this is not a "Kingdom Business" per se, but I thought it was great to see a 20 year old entrepreneur who's got such a heart for making a difference. Thought you might like to 'hear' her on her "Mission Beyond Business".

From Christa's blog at http://www.christa-taylor.com/

How I got started? That is a loaded question…well, let’s see…here is the succinct version:

I’ve never particularly dreamed of being in the fashion business or even working with clothes (actually I wanted to go into nursing ;)…It all started several years ago, when we jokingly complained about how “someone” should start a clothing company featuring more modest apparel. Little did I know…I reached the apex of my frustration with the fashion industry when looking for appropriate swimwear…it just didn’t exist. So,we designed our own and had it manufactured here in the States. That was the start…we then began adding on additional apparel and additional team members. We are still fairly small, but are advancing our borders one step at a time.

The driving passion behind Christa-Taylor as a company is using Business as a tool for missions. R.J. Letourneau is one of my greatest heroes. Latourneau gave 98% of his income away, supporting missions groups across the US and around the world. That’s really my heart in the whole thing.

Sell for Profit

by Patrice Tsague, Nehemiah Project International Ministries

Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, "Go sell the oil..."2 Kings 4:7a

No one has ever succeeded in business without selling something. As a Biblical Entrepreneur, the key to your success is how well you can sell the product or service that you produce. Unfortunately, many people look down on selling or are afraid to sell because of how they believe others will perceive them.

Selling is not bad. Selling is an opportunity to provide something of value to someone who needs it in exchange for something of greater value. Elisha instructs the widow in 2 Kings 4:7 to go to the marketplace and sell her oil for profit. She is able to achieve her financial goals through the sales she makes.

Everyone sells something. Selling is the key to natural provision. You either sell your talents to an employer or sell them to a customer. You are a number of sales away from your financial victory. What product or service do you have that you can sell for a profit? Here are seven things to keep in mind to be an effective sales person:

1. Know your product or service - You cannot sell something you do not know. Develop a knowledge base of your product or service; this will enable you to know how to present it to the customer or how it can best serve the customer.

2. Believe in your product or service - Never sell anything you do not believe in. Belief in your product builds personal confidence which draws customers.

3. Be persuaded that the product or service meets a temporal and/or eternal need or godly desire in the life of the customer - Though selling is a tool to generate money to meet your natural needs, you do not want to sell just to meet your natural needs. You want to sell because you are persuaded that your product or service meets a need in someone's life. It is not about you, it is about the customer. If you meet the customer's needs, your needs will automatically be met.

4. Ensure that the customer is ripe for the harvesting - Many times we try to force a sale, and therefore appear like a used car salesman to the customer. You must be able to discern the readiness of the customer to purchase the product or service. A sale should never be forced; rather, it should happen very naturally. You need to be able to discern how ready for purchase the customer is.

5. Close the sale - You may know how to make a sales presentation but have a hard time closing the sale. Closing the sale occurs when you stop talking and allow the customer to ask, "How do I get this product or service?" Once that question is asked, do not say more then necessary, just answer the question and bring the sale to a close.

6. Ask for the payment "Show me the money" - The sales transaction is not complete until the customer has paid or made arrangements to pay for the product or service. This is where many believers get stuck, they are afraid to ask for money. If you believe that your product or service has value and meets a clear need in your customers' lives, it would be unjust to not give them the opportunity to pay for it. That would be stealing. Do your customer a favor and ask for the payment.

7. Show appreciation - Once your customers pay, let them know how much you appreciate their business. Remember, you are not doing the customer a favor. Every customer is a tool that God uses to keep you in business, meet your natural needs, and enable you to make a profit. Be grateful.A sales transaction done well should generate a Biblical Profit. Biblical Profit is the spiritual and natural gains after all cost are deducted from the income of the business or the revenue. To be unprofitable in a sales transaction is to be a bad steward. Without a profit you will not be able to enhance your product or service, increase your capacity to produce, and most importantly fulfill God's covenant.

Profit is not just something that is coveted by greedy sales people; rather, it is an essential part of the ministry of business. Every unprofitable Biblical Entrepreneur will not be able to fulfill God's plan for his or her life and may even lose credibility as a believer. This is the reason why Matthew 25:30 states that the master "cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

Prayer Request

Our associate, Jason Benedict, asked for prayer for his wife Kim. She is 25.5 weeks pregnant but has been having some complications, and is now on antibiotics to combat infection. Please pray for the health and safety of Kim and baby, and that the peace and protection of God would cover the entire family.

Thanks.

Washington DC area: Biblical Stewardship Seminar Series

(note: Johncy's comments on the Center for Global Strategies coming tomorrow.)

Nehemiah Project International Ministries is pleased to announce a seminar coming to the Washington DC area, the Biblical Stewardship Series, offered by Sola Scriptura, Inc.

The Biblical Stewardship Seminar Series helps instruct Christians to break away from their worldly training on finances and see finances from God's perspective. In essence, it offers a way for Christians to incorporate stewardship as a lifestyle, from cradle to grave, and beyond. This is a powerful resource that will equip believers to understand God's Plan for Financial Success. By encouraging participants to develop and maintain an intimate relationship with the Spirit of God, this study will help them become debt-free, morally responsible stewards. Some of the topics covered include:

- What God's Word says about stewardship
- Learning the right way to give
- How to set up an estate plan
- How to write a will
- Investing with biblical principles
- Debt management

Date & Time: Friday, Feb. 22nd, 7 - 10pm,
Saturday Feb. 23rd, 9 - 6pm (lunch provided)

Location: 1010 Ripley St., Silver Spring MD 20910
(in La Vie Abundant), Home of Bethel World Outreach Church

Cost: $50 to audit,
$250 for certification
For more information, please contact Ms. Khalea Queen at 301-588-8099, ext. 213

Center for Global Strategies

I receievd an email from Johncy about an hour ago, with the info that there was a presentation here at Regent today by the Center for Global Strategies. Their "vision is to see a world connected to the global marketplace through personal, trusting, cross-cultural relationships.

"A growing number of visionary, non-military Americans and Western friends are rising to go into welcoming nations, or to act from within them, in order to “wage peace.” We want to honor in our own lives the courageous sacrifices that others, from the West and the East, are making to build a better world.
We yearn to do something meaningful and productive – even if it puts our own sense of comfort and insulated, suburban security at risk. Individually, we are driven by a variety of motives: duty, profit, humanitarianism, adventure, altruism, ambition, charity, etc. Yet, diverse as we are, we’re uniting through CGS to embrace the dual aims of connecting the world to the global marketplace, while developing the personal, trusting, cross-cultural relationships crucial to that task. We are Americans and Westerners ready to do our part. We are ready to do something real, something right now, to build a future worth creating for coming generations."

I'll ask Johncy to tell us more about what they do when he gets back. :)

Have a great day!

Pray: Aid Worker in Afghanistan Kidnapped

An American woman who worked on education and income generating projects for the Asian Rural Life Development Foundation was kidnapped in Kandahar a week ago. No one has heard anything yet from her captors. Please pray for her (protection, comfort, sense of God's nearness, peace, etc.) and for a quick resolution to this crisis in such a way that terrorists won't consider kidnapping an option anymore.

ABC link: http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=4194665

Canadian press: Afghan women rally in support of kidnapped U.S. aid worker (by A.R. Khan): http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/War_Terror/2008/01/26/4795413-ap.html,

Excerpt
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan - Hundreds of Afghan women filled a marriage hall in downtown Kandahar on Tuesday in a show of support for a kidnapped American aid worker. Police were continuing their hunt for Cyd Mizell and her Afghan driver, Abdul Hadi, but had no suspects in Saturday's brazen abduction.

..."She was a guest in our country, this should not have happened," said Zarlassta, 35, who gave only one name. "Our voices need to be heard that this cannot happen in our country." Mizell worked on education and income generating projects for the [Asian Rural Life Development] foundation and had been in Kandahar for three years.

..."Women have a lot of respect in Islam and in Afghan culture," she said. ...Achezai and other female leaders organized Tuesday's rally, where an estimated 450 women prayed and listened to speeches calling for Mizell's release. It was a rare show of public support for women's rights and issues in Kandahar, where many discussions and programs take place behind closed doors.

But over the last six months, women have increasingly taken to public places to call for change. ...In November, [women gathered] simultaneously across Afghanistan, for a public prayer for peace.