Matthew 28:19-20 "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

I saw Steven Wiegman standing near the entrance to the courtyard where the team was seated. He was on duty as a temporary "cleaner" for the hostel in which we were staying, but you could tell that he was more interested in the worship music that Pastor Frank was playing on his guitar than anything else that he was doing. I thought about excusing myself from the table and going over to invite him to join us, but before I could he had drifted back into the building to continue his chores.

Up to that point, Steven was just one of the many new faces that I had encountered on the first day of my journey across the Globe to a place called Amsterdam. Later that evening as our team set up the "cross" on the bridge in the middle of the Red Light District, our paths would intercect once more with a more deliberate outcome.

I knew absolutely nothing of this man's testimony when he joined me on that span surrounded by drugs, prostitution and alcoholism. Little did I know that this was "his life" just a couple of months prior to oour meeting. He had ran these streets and had been a player in both the drug and prostitution industry.

Our conversation that night was not about his past though---but about his future: a future of power, truth, and victory. I shared with him my testimony of being filled with the Holy Spirit and being "endued with power from on high to be a witness." I shared with him how Jesus promised to send us a "Comforter--the Holy Spirit" who would us into all truth as well as give us the strength to overcome and serve our Lord with all of our hearts.

This was what he had been searching for, and there above the murky canal a well spring sprung up in the soul of this man as he received the promise of the Father! Over the next few days we would spend several hours together, sharing testimonies, breaking bread together, and discussing the Word of Truth.

The following is Steven's testimony in his own words:

Steven Weigman (37) never believed in God. He believed only in himself. Working in several European countries as a DJ to serve as a cover for his acts of fraud, drug dealing, and prostitution--this "dead end" would eventually lead him to God.

The first time that I everthought about my sins was after I quit with several dark activities and ended up on the streets without money. Because of the season, all of the Hotels were fully booked--except for the Shelter Jordan Hostel where there was one bed available!

My social money was not scheduled to be in my account for four days, but the receptionist miraculously lent me the money himself! Politely, I listened to his story--but had no intention of ever paying him back. He passionately told me the story of God Almighty (that is what he called "His God"---God ALMIGHTY) which took away my argument as to who might have created his God.

The receptionist introduced himself as Ryan Fishel of Las Vegas, Nevada USA. I began a conversation concerning the casinos because gambling was one the sins that I felt would keep me from ever coming to God. He told me of Adam and Eve making the wrong decision and of sin coming into the world.

Ryan shared that "all had sinned" but here was one solution. God had sent His only Son to this earth to die for us and if we would repent and put our faith in Him--we would be saved. This sounded too easy to me--but I just couldn't come up with any arguments concerning what he had told me. Rayn prayed for me and then I went to bed.

Laying there in bed I wondered what anyone would help me. I would have never done so. I suddenly realizedthat I had always been a bad person and out of curiosity, I started to read the Bible for myself. I also decided that I was going to pay Ryan back the money that he lent me.

My last day in the Shelter I was reading the Bible and was thiking about what I would do for the next two days without any money. I felt really bad and said to God, "What should I do now?" I looked up after saying that and noticed that there was a sign shich said they were looking for a cleaner in the Shelter.

I have now spent two months working at the Shelter and the young volunteer Christians have changed my mind regarding how I think about Christianity. Because of their compassion I began to see the Bible as more than just a book. Each time I would open the Bible to read a page or chapter--my questions would be answered!

It is clear that I have a lot to make up for with God and my family, and with the people I have always used. I havea feeling that I should help people in need and open up a home for them to have a safe place to be while sorting out their lives. They could see how God has changed my life! I don't know how it will happen, that's God's responsibility--I can only pray for that and hope.

I gave Steven a RAVEN shirt and he immediately went and put it on. To me it was just a shirt--but to him it represented being a part of something that represented Jesus. Looking at him I thought of other men who have "come up through the ranks" over the years and are now powerful men of faith and dynamic preachers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Men like Pastor Alex Hill, Pastor Thomas Derrick and Pastor Todd Bohn. These men too found themselves desperate and without hope---until the mercy and grace of God showed up!

Steven wants to be a part of Raven Europe and to continue his discipleship and growth in Jesus. Please be praying for him. In the top picture I captured him out witnessing to a man just outside of the hostel. I could hear his voice from my third floor window and leaned out to discover him sharing Jesus Christ! That is what its all about!

Acts 1:88 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

As I cleaned out my backpack from the ministry trip to Amsterdam, I was reminded of the above scripture in regards to taking His Gospel to the "ends of the earth." Pulling out my passport, train ticket stubs, subway passes, airline reciepts, boarding passes, business cards and a hand full of Euro coins, I realized that the "ends of the earth" part is much more attainable than I ever realized.

Growing up in the Texas Panhandle my "end of the earth" was often limited to an away game for sports or a trip to my aunt' s house in New Mexico. Never did I view far away places as something that would be in my future. I had a small vision that had been cultivated in a small city and there had been placed but small responsibilities upon my life. Things certainly change.

Why are you where you are? That sounds like a funny question to be asking. Many times the answer is just simply, "This is just where I was raised." The reason that I found myself spending many years in the Texas Panhandle was because someone else made the decision for me to live there! When my family moved from Southern California to Texas when I was still in grade school--they never asked me if I was going with them! It was a given that I was going (there's not much else a seven year old can do).

But as I grew (and especially in the Lord), my world also grew and has continued to grow along with the vision that God has given me for both my personal life and the ministry that He has called me to as well. It is a ministry without borders, limited only by the faith to simply hear, go and obey. Leaving Amarillo in 2003 and moving to New Orleans was certainly a "stepping stone" in this process. We were forced to move beyond the cozy-confines of familiarity and forge new spiritual territories for the Kingdom of God.

I can't help but think of the words of Jesus when He said, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country." He spoke of Himself and the opposition that He faced in His own city. It goes on to say that there were not many miracles done there because of the unbelief. Familiarity breeds unbelief. That is why we endeavor to "sterilize familiarity" so that it will not reproduce unbelief, complacency, and religiosity.

RAVEN Ministries is committed to "going into all the world and preaching the gospel to every creature." We won't make excuses for our obedience to the call that He has entrusted each of us with. We'll just keep diving into new places and new challenges and in pursuing after new horizons. Jesus is coming back soon you know. We want Him to find His servants "so doing" when He comes.

Comfort zones are a lot like school zones: things move way too slow and there is generally nothing happening around them anyway. In our efforts to cut down on risks and provide a safer enviroment we have brought the work of reaching our world to a virtual standstill as we sit staring at the flashing lights of fear, doubt, and unbelief.

Revelation 5:9 "And they sang a new song: You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation."

Being approached by a group of Chinese students in Dam Square was certainly not what I expected as I held up the cross in the middle of thousands of midday pedestrians. "We're Christians!", exclaimed the young lady who would serve as the groups spokeperson. Each of these young Chinese Christians came and literally "clung" to the wooden cross that we had carried into the plaza. "Can I carry it?" asked a young man. You would have thought he had discovered a missing treasure by his enthusiasm. (Perhaps he had)

We spent the next 45 minutes praying and ministering to one another and made plans for our next time together. First, next summer back in Amsterdam as they bring a group of born-again Chinese to our 1st Annual Raven Amsterdam in the Summer of 2007 and then in Beijing,China in 2008 for the Olympic Games! Networking the Nations!

They are waiting for us to show up my friends: Both the lost and those in the Body of Christ who have been starving for encouragment, fellowship and vision. I'm going. Do you want to join me?

Amsterdam: We are GOING BACK

REPORT: We will be returning to Amsterdam with a Raven Team next Summer (July or early August) and would love for you to join us. We are expecting to take at least 40 from the states and then connect with another 40 or so from Europe for a week of storming the strongholds of the enemy and taking back all that he has stolen! Pray and consider being a part of a history making opportunity. I will have detailed information in the coming months so that you can make plans early to be with the Team.

I was so blessed this past Spring when I visited my friend, Pastor Frank Gresham's church. While in services that Sunday at the Jesus Centre he announced that a team would be traveling to minister on the streets of Amsterdam in August if anyone desired to go with them.

I immediately knew that I was to join them on this international outreach--and later Melanie told me, "I felt that you would be going with them as soon as it was announced." The "Team" that went included those that had been to the city on other occassions: Pastor Frank, Capt. John, and Nancy Alonzo (of New Orleans) and three of us who would be traveling to XXX City for the first time: Myself, Sharon and Audrey.

We arrived at the Orlando International Airport seperately and I made my way to the ticket counter ahead of the remainder of the team. Upon being called up to the ticket agent I was advised that my flight to Amsterdam had been cancelled and I would be booked on another airline that was actually leaving earlier that the original flight. They would be giving me a $200 voucher for future travel and there would be no additional interruptions.

As Pastor Frank and the team made their way to through the line I advised them that we would all be changing planes and that they were alos compensating us for the trouble involved. I went off to the new airlines counter to get checked in...but the team never arrived! I ended up making my way to the gate area to await our departure and found the team already there---waiting to board the FIRST plane that was supposedly cancelled!

They told me that the first plane was never cancelled---just overbooked---so the airline had to divert a number of passengers elsewhere! That elswhere ended up being Dusseldorf, Germany for 1/2 of the day upon my arrival in Europe! I took in in stride and just chalked it up for another opportunity to share Jesus in the nation of my dad's great-grandparents.

Upon arriving in Dusseldorf I was able to spend several hours sharing Jesus and giving testimony to the other people waiting in the airport and took full advantage of the captive audience that had been presented to me! Pastor Frank and John met me later at the Amsterdam airport to connect with the team for a night of ministry in the Red Light District.

This city is ripe for revival! I immediately got a "vision for this place" and spent our off-hours walking throught the streets and asking God for His heart for this trip and for future missions into this land largely devoid of Christianity. It was almost like a "recon" mission to gather the necessary information to bring in the "invasion force" at a later time. I discovered that in this City of unplowed fields--that the resistence to the Gospel message is nothing like it is in the United States. Here most people have never heard the Gosple of the Cross! They have not been spiritually innoculated to the point of being "resistant" to the genuine article. It was refreshing to be able to take a person from "The beginning to the end of God's plan for man" right there on the streets!

This was no "shotgun" salvation weekend--this was New Testament styled ministry that demanded the manifestation of this text: 1 Peter 3:15 "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear" The team was amazing in taking people from the "promise to the prize" right in the midst of this wickedness!

From contending with those brought up in the pseudo-faith of Islam to "birthright" Catholics who had never personally stepped foot in a church building, to those who exposure to Jesus has been limited to casual obeservations of Hollywood productions--we had then all---and had an incredible time of bringing them to the knowledge of the truth of God's Holy Word!

Before you ask, I'll tell you: The "women" picutred above are not "women" at all, but rather men who have mutilated themselves and have been given over to vile affections. Because things such as prostitution and smoking marijuana are not against the law in Amsterdam--there is not the "crime" or "violent" association with them that is prevailent in the US. These men and women are put on display like furniture for sale behind windows along the streets. The "red" lights indicate woman (mostly young girls) and the "blue/purple" lights as see above indicate transvestites.

We literally spent night after night just outside of these brothels witnessing to people on the streets and to the men who would go in and out of them! My heart was broken as I thought about the fact that these girls are someone's daughter, niece, sister or friend--who has been caught up in this practice that always produces a destructive end. Pray for these girls because I found out that many of them are acutally "sex slaves" who have come from other countries and do not have any way out---apart from a miracle of God.

Trust me--none of the things in the Red Light District of Amsterdam are about drugs, sex or alcohol---they are about SIN, plain and simple and it's destructive and damning power over all who have not believed. Someone has got to be a light shining in the darkness. Jesus died for them too.

Sharing the Message of Salvation with the Nations of the Word

Simon, visiting Amsterdam from Germany, came from a largely agnostic family. He is a twenty-six year old, university educated man who I met "on the bridge" as we witnessed one night. It was such a blessing to see his reaction as I spoke the Word of God to him. He was awestruck as the Holy Spirit was moving and ministering to him. I asked him, "Do you feel that? That's the Holy Spirit dealing with you." It was as he was afraid to blink in fear that the tears pooling on his lower eyelids would flow down his cheeks! It was such a blessing to have the opportunity to pray with him.
Saba is a man who came from Bosnia and is now living on the streets of Amsterdam. We first me when he came into the internet cafe' begging for money. I helped him that day and was able to witness to him briefly. The next day I ran into him again (which is amazing considering the crowds of people). He told me that he was sick with a sore throat. I prayed for his healing and the next day (here we go again) I ran into him once more and he testified that he had been healed!
This was an amazing story as I apprached this young man to share Jesus with him. Come to find out he was from a town about 30 minutes away from where I was raised a child in Southern, California! He was now attending a fashion merchandising school in London. He had once felt a deep call upon his life, but had abandoned it after serving in the military for a couple of years. I was able to take him to the Word and pray for him.
Another neat story! Nathan works as a petroleum engineeer in Kazakstan (formery in the Soviet Union) for a month at a time--then goes home for a month (to Houston, Texas!) He had just been in town a short while when we converged on "my bridge." He shared that he was the victim of a theif while waiting for his train. They took his laptop, passport, and the cash he also had in his bag. He too had once felt a strong call to the children/youth ministry. I ministered to and prayed with him at length--and then had him pray for a young man that came up to talk!
Jarron is sixteen years old and came to talk to me night after night. He has been hooked on marijuana for the past four years (since he was 12!) and spends each day going to the coffee houses (where they don't sell coffee--but various types of pot). I was able to share the Word of God with him in depth and present the plan of salvation and pray with him on several occassions.

Jose Ayala: Nov 22, 1989 - Aug 26, 2006

While ministering in Amsterdam I received the unfortunate news that a young sixteen year old man that we had led to Jesus had been murdered execution sytle near his home. On January 7, 2006 Pastor Terry Shuff of Raven MidWest and I joined Pastor Rudy Gonzales of Raven West Coast for an outreach in the gang infested area of Santa Rosa, California called "Papago Ct."

The reason for our being at Papago to begin with was because of the compassion of a little girl, Maddie Gonzales, who challenged her parents Rudy & Lori to be not only hearers but also doers of the Word of God. Even though the Gonzales family and the Raven Team who join them on the streets of this crime ridden neighborhood have faced much criticism and opposition in their quest to bring the love and truth of Jesus to this area--they have continued to carry groceries and Gospel to the families that call this place "home."

It was on our trip to Northern California that Pastor Terry and I first had the blessed opportunity to meet Jose and two of his friends there on the street that afternoon. As I look back to that day, I am so grateful that our mission and motivation was not limited to "making friends" or "building relationships", but instead to preach the Good News of salvation to the lost and dying. In Pastor Terry's own words, he describes the events that were chronicled in heaven, on our heats and minds, and fortunately by the camera lens that captured the images that afternoon.

(Above) Pastor Terry shares the Truth with Jose (behind the vehice), Sergio (center) and Edgar (behind Pastor Terry)

"I was going through the area inviting people to come to eat when three kids came over a six foot fence not far from me. They had their backs to me and did not know I was near them. I was caught by surprise at how they all came over the fence so quick, but I wanted to be the first to speak so I yelled "HEY". I don't know why, but that is what came out of my mouth! All three turned to look at me with a "what does this guy want" look on their faces.

The next thing I said was "guys, I've got a question for you" walking towards them. "What" they inquired? I said "If you were to die today would you go to heaven or hell"? All three laughed and said, "Oh, we'd go to hell." A holy boldness suddenly rose up in me as I took control of the conversation. I said, "You guys might think that is funny but, it is not alright with me for you to go there".

The smiles left their faces as they started to intently look at me. I described to them that they would have all five of their senses in hell and went into detail on each sense. I told them that this would be for eternity and that life here is a blink of an eye compared to eternity.

I then said guys I would really like it if you would come over and have something to eat. Their reply was "we might come over a little later" and at that point I had not asked to pray with them. I was really thinking that I would not see them again. They walked off and so did I.

It was close to an hour later when they showed up and it was such a blessing to see them. I immediately went over and started talking to them. As we continued to minister to them the tears began to well up in their eyes. I remember Jose being the one that laughed the most at the beginning, but I believe that it was an embarrassed and nervous laugh because he knew that the gang lifestyle he was living was wrong.

As we explained to them that there was no magic in a prayer and that this was all about changing their lives and living them for Jesus I then prayed for them. I remember the joy on their faces and I also remember the nervousness they talked about because they were still going to be living in that same area. They were still very happy and at that point; changed young men!"

Praise God for the opportunity to share the life-transforming Gospel of Jesus Christ with these young men that day. Tonight as I make this entry, I hurt for Jose's family but rejoice that his name was written down in the Lamb's Book of Life that afternoon as he was given the only thing that brings salvation--the message of Jesus Christ. Good works and good intentions will never serve to rescue a sould dangling perilously over an eternal hell--the Gospel alone was designed to deliver soul-saving faith to the heart of a person.Not long after that meeting with destiny in Papago Court this past January, Sergio (pictured above) was attacked and stabbed seven times in the neck and face near his home. Upon his release from the hospital he stated that even though this happenedto him, he was never going back to his old life. He later moved with family to Mexico to escape the gang related threats to his life following his conversion to Christ.

I cannot help but view the condition of the "church" in comparison to these two young men's lives. They not only surrended their lives to Jesus, but also put their physical lives on the line as well. Many in the church whine and complain about their plight or circumstances as if they plan on spending eternity in this temporal enviroment. Let this be a lesson on the frailty of life and the urgency of this hour.

The next time that you think you have a good excuse for not sharing your faith with someone or the next time you believe there is "plenty of time" to go preach the Gospel--consider Jose and Sergio--one losing his life and the other risking his--and someone willing to put eternity in perspective for them both--before it was too late.

More so now than ever, I realize the enormity and urgency of the great task that God has called this ministry to across this nation and beyond. Stand with us--lives and souls are at stake.

Blessings,

Pastor Troy D. Bohn

RAVEN MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL, INC
119 S. Palmetto Ave #152
Daytona Beach, Florida 32114
(386)682-4141