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An Exciting Report from
Arad
The rationale behind World English Institute is well-expressed by Larry Little, missionary in
Arad, Romania. As you read this report, think about how your congregation and your
missionaries can use WEI as an evangelistic tool in countries where people are studying
English as a second language.
“Mission work is about preaching the gospel to the lost. But the lost must somehow be
persuaded to hear the gospel before they can be saved.
“The July campaign has proved the effectiveness of the WEI approach to getting people to hear
the gospel. Five Christians from America joined us as teachers in the campaign. The Romanians
who were attracted to our free English instruction proved to be serious students whose motive
for coming to us was self-improvement, not benevolence. We ended up with over 30 men and women
as students ranging in age from 16 to 52, from various backgrounds, religions, and
occupations.
“The material is excellent. It is sound and written in such an easy-flowing and interesting
way that the students move quickly from sole interest in English skills to genuine interest in
the Bible.
“The amazing thing is that our students enjoyed studying the Bible! One student actually
pushed the grammar book aside and wanted to just do the Bible portion. As the month
progressed, teachers were sharing comments from their students—such as, ‘When I am baptized, I
want to be here,’ ‘I have never heard this before,’ and ‘I am studying the Bible more than I
ever have before.’ The very fact that, for a month, over 30 people looked forward to coming to
us every day knowing that they would be studying the Bible is simply amazing.
“Due to its [WEI’s] very nature, translators for our American teachers were not required. This
greatly enhanced the quality of the one-on-one studies. Our job is to preach the gospel, and
WEI produces quality contacts. Our objective for the campaign was realized beyond what we had
hoped for.
“We rejoice in that one obeyed the gospel in the third week. For most,
however, it takes longer.
Larry Little Baptizes Corina Theimer into Christ
“After Corina’s baptism, she encouraged her mother
to study the Bible with us—which resulted in her obedience to the gospel. Now, her mother is
encouraging Corina’s sister to study with us. Corina has also influenced a friend to begin WEI
with us.
“We have 15 students continuing their studies. At this point, we feel that at least three more
students are close to obedience.
“This is a work in progress, and we have yet to see the ultimate results. We have been
thoroughly impressed with this outreach approach. All praise, honor, and glory be unto God.”
Testimony from a Pharmacist
For three summers in a row, Tom Langley has led WEI campaigns in Oradea, Romania, the city
where he and Angie served as missionaries for about five years. Several people in Oradea have
been baptized through these short-term mission efforts.
Stephen Smith, a pharmacist from Opelika, Alabama, was one of the teachers in this summer’s
campaign. He writes the following:
“This campaign was my first experience with any organized mission work. I knew before going
that it would be an encouraging and rewarding experience, but I had no idea how much!
“The WEI campaign truly changed my life. Worship with the Romanian brethren was beautiful.
Being able to teach one-on-one was motivating. Overall, the material is a great guide for
studying the Word of God, and it is very easy to teach for someone with little or no
experience. The response from our students was a great encouragement. A
lot of seed was sown for God.
Stephen Smith with Student, Elisa
“Another great blessing was being able to spend so much time with brethren who love our Lord
and are concerned for people’s souls. I can’t imagine a truer form of fellowship in this
lifetime than what I experienced in Oradea! If it is the Lord’s will, I can’t wait till next
year!”
Oerd Baptizes Olsi Kodra into Christ
On August 23, 2004, the family gathered in front of the baptistery again as Oerd baptized his
cousin, Olsi Kodra, into Christ. Olsi had been studying with Butch Campbell. And the story
goes on.
Six New Christians in Tirana
In addition to Olsi, five others were united with Christ in baptism in Tirana this summer:
Stela Guma, Kledia Lika, Anxhela Rama, Aida Hyka, and Juli Loloci. Please pray for these new
Christians.
A Heartwarming Experience Back in the summer of 2001, our favorite waiter at the London
Restaurant in Tirana, Arjan Hyka, was baptized into Christ. The missionaries and campaigners
had been eating lunch together at the London almost every day, and Ellen Walker had been
studying with Arjan all summer. Everyone in our group rejoiced when Arjan obeyed his Lord.
Arjan’s lovely wife, Aida, was a devout Muslim at the time. But since then, Arjan has been a
patient, loving husband, and Aida has warmed up to Christianity. Ellen Walker, who has been
teaching Aida for the past two years reports that Arjan, Aida, and their daughter Kamila “have
been singing Christian songs before they go to bed and praying together every night for a long
time.”
Aida told Ellen that she had some concerns about living the Christian life. She said, “I just
don’t know if I can do it like Arjan. He’s so devoted. He’s like an angel or something.” Ellen
wondered if Aida would ever become a Christian.
But on July 29, 2004, Arjan stood beside Aida in front of the baptistery at the WEI Center.
With tears in his eyes, he told us how Aida had called him on the telephone that morning and
had said, “This is your new sister calling you.”
Arjan Hyka Takes Aida’s Confession
At that point, Arjan choked up. All he could do
was lean his head against hers and wipe tears from his eyes. Then, he took her confession and
baptized her into Christ.
Of the hundreds of baptisms that I have witnessed in Tirana during the past twelve years, this
one was by far the most moving and heartwarming.
A Teacher’s Joy
Tina Henry, a second time teacher in Tirana, experienced the joy of having another student,
Kledia Lika, become a Christian August 15.
Following Kledia’s baptism, Tina wrote, “Kledia is like a little sponge. She came here having
never opened a Bible in her life. She was baptized Sunday evening and wants to learn more and
more. I don’t think she has missed one church event since she started
believing.”
Tina Gives Kledia a Hug at Kledia’s Baptism
Six New Christians in Durrës
In his September newsletter, Çimi Kafexhiu says, “The greatest news we have is that several
souls have been saved by coming to know our Lord Jesus Christ. Diana Zotaj, Klaudio Hyseni,
Orkid Tirana, Juli Dako, Gentian Delija, and Laureta Nasufi were added to the church in
Durrës. We have witnessed and rejoiced in the Lord for their faith and obedience.”
In addition to their summer campaign, the church in Durrës conducted a Vacation Bible School,
supported the Christian Camp at Llogora, had open house for WEI students, showed “The Passion
of Christ,” and hosted the National Bible Bowl.
Good and Bad News from Elbasan
The bad news is that Dulcie Hodge fell on the steps at her home in Elbasan and suffered
serious injuries. Pete reports that Dulcie has a cracked vertebra, a crushed vertebra, a
broken shoulder blade, and broken ribs as a result of the fall.
Dulcie is now in and out of the hospital in Devon, England and has been told that she should
be fit again in six to nine months. That means that Pete will work alone in Elbasan until he
moves back to England in May. Pete and Dulcie need our prayers.
The good news is that Pete has baptized eight people in Elbasan during the past two and a half
weeks: Irena Xhaferri, Selam Imeri, Kladi Imeri, Anxhela Imeriand, and Marsuala Millo and
three others. Pete says, “Eight precious souls added to the kingdom in seventeen days! Isn’t
our God wonderful?”
Two More Christians in Cambodia
Pete Shaw reports: “Two more of the students I taught in Cambodia back in January and February
were baptized on September 6th: Un Sarith (35), and Ros Pysoth (30). Both of these young men
work in the Department of Agriculture.
“These two men studied with seven teachers before coming to Christ. They wanted to count the
cost before making the most important decision of their lives. These are wonderful guys, with
good hearts, and will be a big asset to the church.”
A Wonderful Example
An outstanding WEI teacher in Missoula, Montana (who chooses to remain anonymous) is doing a
wonderful work with Asian students.
At the university in Missoula, she has befriended and taught a number of Chinese students. She
also teaches students in Taiwan and China by email. She and her husband make regular trips to
the Far East to follow up on their students, many of whom are now Christians.
God needs mores WEI teachers. Who will catch the vision that this couple has caught? Who will
say, “Here am I, Lord. Use me.”?
If you would like to teach people about Christ through regular mail or by email, please
contact us at one of the addresses listed on the front page.
An Urgent Appeal
Our financial statements show that WEI is now spending more on world evangelism than it is
receiving in contributions. We have no doubt that God will provide the funds needed to
continue this worldwide mission effort, but we also know he expects us to let you know about
our shortfall.
Right now, we need an additional $1,500 a month to carry on the current evangelistic
activities. Souls are being saved all over the world, but we need additional funds to keep the
work going.
God continues to open new doors. Next year, we project a need for another $2,000 a month in
order to respond to new opportunities.
Could your congregation include WEI in its 2005 church budget for $1,000, $500, $200, or even
$100 a month? We hope you will partner with us in leading people to Christ in every nation.
We also need contributions from individuals. You may have noticed on the financial statements
that one man in St. Louis, Missouri has been sending $1.00 each month. Any gift is appreciated
by God and by us.
Thanks, Dear Friends
To all our friends and supporting churches, we say, “Thank you. We love you. God bless you for
your faithful support and encouragement.”
---Dick & Maudine Ady
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