Spotlights – Winter 2016
By Emily P. Meyer
Romania
Cristian Oprea has served as the Director of Source of Light in Brasov, Romania since 1996 along with his wife, Rodica. Romania claims 80% of its population is part of the Romanian Orthodox Church. For much evangelical work, opposition from Orthodox priests continues to be an obstacle, especially in remote villages. Another challenge is that, of the 41 counties in Romania, evangelical churches are not evenly distributed. The Opreas serve at Hope Baptist Church and work extensively to reach prisoners in Romania and also to disciple many Christians in seven countries throughout Europe with SLM courses. Within his ministries, there are currently over 2,700 active students.
In this post-communist country, family structures have become damaged as 10–20% of nationals have left Romania since 1990, many times leaving their children to live with their grandparents. Cristian has a vision to build a halfway house to train and rehabilitate prisoners released from incarceration. This will help bring hope to a nation that has been impacted by brokenness. His dedication in translating SLM courses into his Romanian language has the potential to change the lives of thousands with deeper understanding of what it means to walk with Christ.
His biggest ministry needs are additional monthly support to rent a larger space to house the office and storage for the SLM materials and funds to purchase a van to increase ministry possibilities. Pray that the Lord would provide help to expand the work in Romania.
Odisha, India
The State of Odisha (formerly known as Orissa) rests in the southern zone of India on the eastern coast. Though the nation of India as a whole is largely Hindu, the second largest religion represented by the people of this country is Islam. Samar and Smruti Pradhan have served with Source of Light since 1980, working with Muslims in this region. Samar is committed to discipleship ministries and starting small groups. Three volunteers work with him toward the goal of starting churches in four different communities. All of his work is done without support at this time; $200 would support these ministries.
Additionally, Samar Pradhan is planning a series of camps to provide training for Christians on how to reach Muslims. He has a need of $700 to fund this project. Odisha is famous for its ikat textiles, which are in vogue all around the world. However, locals live below the poverty line and many lack the resources to acquire a trade. The Pradhans have a business, as a mission project, which provides education for selfsustaining entrepreneurial skills in sewing and tailoring clothing. Samar hopes for four sewing machines to continue this ministry and this would be possible if he could raise $400 for each machine.
One of the greatest needs is for longterm leadership to come to this area permanently. Pray that God would send the right man to fulfill this role and for the financial needs for each of the projects the Pradhans are faithfully serving in to be fully funded.
Bolivia
Bolivia’s Source of Light Director, Miguel Sanchez, and his wife, Lediz, have served in this landlocked South American country since 2003. Their headquarters is in Santa Cruz and he pastors about an hour away in Lujan, where they also live. Miguel hopes to resume full time with SLM after his current support of $250 reaches full support of $700.
The greatest physical needs in this country of 42 people groups stem from lack of education, poverty, malnutrition, and a low life expectancy. Additionally, Bolivia is a nation with one of the highest income inequalities in the world. Though the land is agriculturally lush, 45% of the people of this beautiful country that hosts a large portion of the Andes Mountain Range live below the poverty line due to a history of governmental restrictions that hinder investment opportunities. The average life expectancy is just under 69 years old.
Miguel’s extensive work takes him to remote villages, accessible only by foot or donkey, which brings him to unreached people groups. The Sanchezes have ministries in prisons, schools, and the church, in addition to establishing associate schools which use the SLM courses. In this part of the world, even among those who claim to be Christians, there is still a large impact left from centuries of paganism. Despite resistance from the enemy, the church has experienced tremendous growth within the last two decades. With full support, Miguel and Lediz will be able to concentrate their efforts on maximizing their time to bring the gospel to this section of the world’s unreached people groups.
Haiti
Claudy Jean-Baptiste has served as the Director of Source of Light in Haiti since 2013, with his wife, Guerrine. They have two children, Florence and Joel. Claudy Jean’s story is one of multiplication. Back in the late 1990’s, Florence Houck and Naomi Amman started sending him SLM lessons. While in high school, he finished everything SLM offered. Now, he is lighting the torch to make other disciples through his commitment to reach people by using SLM materials in French and Creole through church leadership training, evangelization, prisons, Christian school, Bible colleges and seminaries, and distributing Bible correspondence courses. He also helps maintain Associate Discipleship Schools on the island and trains their new workers. Portau-Prince, the epicenter of the 2010 earthquake, is where the Baptiste family lives and where the SLM Headquarters building is under construction. Currently they have $75 of their $1,800 needed monthly support to operate the Branch and meet personal needs.
Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere, with 80% of the population living below the poverty line. There is a high risk for disease, a literacy rate just under 61%, a low life expectancy, and rampant corruption in this country. The earthquake only compounded the severe destitution and dejection of this island nation’s people. Though the island is beautiful, the spiritual condition is very dark, as voodoo is still commonly practiced and even incorporated into other religions, such as Roman Catholicism. Pray as Claudy Jean and Guerriene diligently serve to bring the light and hope of Jesus to these people through Source of Light.
