Dear Friend and Partners,

We often hear from our Friends and Partners some wonderful experiences they have had in sharing the JESUS Film, so I thought I would share one of these experiences with you this month. One of these Partners is Dorothy Marketto from Vineland, New Jersey.

"I don't remember when I first heard about the JESUS Film but knew that it was used all around the world by missionaries from various denominations to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the lost and dying in their own language. When I began my own personal short-term mission's ministry in 1992, I had no hesitation in taking the film with me in hopes of showing it or offering it to a missionary, church or individual as a gift.

"My first 'missionary journey' was in October 1992 to the city of Kiev, Ukraine. Little did I know at the time that my life would be changed forever and the Lord would have me return to that city in 1997 and again in 2002. Each time I took the JESUS Film and was able to give it away, not knowing if it was watched or if it touched a heart. My prayer has always been that a seed would be planted in the hearts of those who viewed it. It was on this last mission in late April into May 2002 during dinner with missionaries Bob and Colleen Skinner from the Church of the Nazarene and members of their Kiev church that the opportunity of a lifetime came.

"As we were enjoying a wonderful Easter dinner on Black Friday (the name given to Good Friday in Ukraine ) Pastor Sergei asked me through Bob (since my Russian is not that good) 'Would you like to go with us to the village on Tuesday night and show the JESUS Film?' How could he know that this was something I had longed to do for so many years? I hadn't mentioned it to Bob or Colleen and when I think about it, I don't know if I ever told anyone of my desire. God does give us the desires of our hearts. I agreed and waited anxiously until 6 PM Tuesday, May 7.

"The village of Orobevka is an hour's drive by car from Kiev. Pastor Sergei, his wife and my new friend Nikolai drove in one car while the other team members drove in a small van with the valuable film, equipment and literature. When we arrived at the entrance of the village, pastor had to stop and speak with a village elder in order to get permission to show the film. We drove to the appointed spot, the cow pasture. As we unloaded the equipment, several villagers came out to help prepare the area. They cut the tall grass with hand sickles and brought benches and chairs from their own homes.  Nikolai and I began going door to door, along with the village dog, inviting everyone to the film. Many agreed to come but had to do evening chores first.

"As the time drew near and it started to get dark, people began to gather in the pasture—young adults with their children, old men and women, some curious to see 'an American,' others just glad to have a diversion from the same evening activities. The excitement grew as each of us welcomed the villagers. As the film began, I prayed for the 48 or so who came to watch the greatest story ever told.

"When I read accounts of showings of the JESUS Film all over the world in the past, I was always amazed at how Satan tried to thwart the efforts of the teams but was never victorious over the Holy Spirit. Accounts of sudden rain and winds, etc... threats and travel difficulties. Our showing was no exception. As the angel appeared to Mary, the screen blew down. Where did that wind come from? The team scrambled to put the screen back up without disruption and was successful. All of a sudden big rain drops began to fall, slowly at first, but then they began to increase, slowly but steadily. Those of us who were not running the equipment began to pray silently, but fervently. (I know they were praying as well.) The raindrops continued but they did not prevent the film from proceeding and it did not rain enough for anyone to leave. Periodically the wind would increase and the drops threatened but just as He calmed the sea, He held back the rain.

"The rain subsided but the wind increased. Once again, the screen blew down and we scrambled to put it up--this happened during the crucifixion. Was this really happening? As the film ended, the team prayed with some and offered free literature and in return we were offered potatoes. The rain began again as we scrambled to gather the boxes and equipment. The elders invited Pastor Sergei back to the village and when we got back in the car he was so excited that I didn't need an interpreter. The Lord had opened doors and hearts and the seed was planted.

"As we started to drive out of the village and turned on to the main road, we were astonished to see that the entire area was flooded. It had rained all around the village but not on the pasture. Prayer had held back the torrents of rain until the completion of the film. It was just like one of the other stories told countless times. To be invited back to a village where the Orthodox Church has a presence was so overwhelming. We were so excited that the hour's ride went by too swiftly. The excitement of that evening has lasted and I know that it will remain for a lifetime. As a result of that JESUS Film showing a very successful Bible study developed and the church has a viable presence in the village."

I hope the same excitement which Dorothy experienced will be yours. Not every one can go in person to share the JESUS Film, but as a friend and partner of the JESUS Film Harvest Partners ministry, you are helping millions make decisions to accept Jesus. You may not meet these people on this earth; however, perhaps you will meet them in Heaven someday.

Blessings,

Chuck Watson
817-864-9003
chuckwatsonusa@yahoo.com