Dear Friends and Partners:

Steve and I wish you and your family a Happy New Year! We pray that 2012 finds you in good health and prosperous in all things, even as your soul prospers! (3.John 1:2).

We specifically thank all those of you who so generously gave of your yourselves both by prayers and finances to the missionaries and their projects The Bridge sponsored abroad in 2011.  Your official 2011 contribution receipt for your Federal Tax return is already sent to you by postal mail. Upon request, we will send you The Bridge’s 2011 Finance Report prepared by the CPA firm Cherry, Bekaert & Holland, L.L.P. in Miami, Florida.

We are so grateful that many of you keep on giving sacrificially toward the furthering of God’s Kingdom in the nations in spite of tougher economic times.  It makes us even more cognizant of our responsibility to remain good stewards of the funds entrusted into our hands for proper distribution.  Our accountability is not only to the Lord, but also to you who give, and to the recipients who receive your gifts.  It is an honor to stand in the gap where needs and provision are bridged, that those yet unreached may hear and receive the Good News of Jesus Christ, and be discipled according to Mt 28:18-20!Instead of summarizing here the information on the people and projects we supported in 2011, I encourage you to browse the column to the left where you will find detailed description of each one.  Throughout this report I have listed the countries in which our sponsored partners live and serve. This time, I would like to share some thoughts that are weighing on my heart for this season.

2011 was a tumultuous year world-wide.  Major natural disasters and the ongoing economic recession causing massive layoffs and food prices to soar, brought unrest in the streets of debt-ridden Europe, toppled governments in the Middle East, and made millions in the States job- and homeless. What is less reported, are the vast number of peoples in poorer nations who, due to the rising cost of grain, cannot afford to buy and plant seeds, so there is no food to harvest, and starvation is knocking on their doors.  What you also will not hear in the news, is that China, in spite of its reported prosperity, has over 200 million young, well educated nationals who cannot find work.  The inability on part of the governments in many countries to bring solutions to their unsustainable debt, the growing polarization between elected officials by corrupt leadership, and the overall disintegration of the basic moral values that keep families and communities together, coupled with the anticipation of an imminent armed nuclear conflict between Iran and Israel, or perhaps a nuclear missile to be released by North Korea over the continental U.S. — all the above are plausible threats to the people’s safety and security, causing millions throughout the world anxiety and fear of the future. 

The predictions for 2012 are not any better.  New Age spiritual gurus, historians and scientists are pointing to cataclysmic events, whether it be the predictions from an ancient Mayan calendar or unprecedented scientific happenings that will take place in space, marking the end of the world December 21, 2012.

Some Christians we know are asking themselves how to prepare for the coming disaster.  They are doing the best they know how in storing food, water and other items for long-term survival.  Many are wondering if we are indeed in the last days as described in Matthew 24 in the Bible.  Some of the current events in the world seem to indicate so, along with many prophetic words coming forth from Christian leaders who pronounce God’s imminent judgment, especially on America.

The most important thing that will keep those of us who are committed believers in Jesus Christ, on the right track, prevent us from being caught up in the maelstrom of frustration and anger in the world around us, and teaching us to have knowledge, discernment, and wisdom in times like this, is — to know and obey the Word of God!  Isaiah 36: 3-4 states, “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord , for in the Lord is an everlasting strength.” 

Let us measure the dire predictions above by the words of Jesus in Matthew 24: 35-36, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.  No one knows about that day or hour (the end of the world), not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father”.  So, the Bible is clear on the subject— no one, except God, knows the date and time!  We can clearly dismiss December 21, 2012 as the specific date for the end of the world!

Nevertheless, are we at the beginning of the birth pains as described in Mt. 24:4-8?  I do not know where we are on that timetable, but I believe some of the signs mentioned there are manifest in the world today.  Just  look at verses 9-13,  “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be  hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.  Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.” 

In light of that, did you know that today, 200 million Christians in 60 countries are being persecuted for their faith!  The strongest persecution is within the 10-40 Window, where 97% of the least evangelized peoples live.  There are 1.6 billion Buddhists, Hindus, and Muslims living within this Window.  The overall Christian population is app. 2% - a small, but precious number!  In some of those countries the Christian church has been nearly eradicated by Muslim persecution. A recent article by Frontline Fellowship with the heading: Many of our freedoms are at risk. There is a rising tide of anti-Christian intolerance worldwide, states, “Last year over 160,000 Christians were killed for their faith. Christians were beaten, imprisoned and killed for the crime of being a believer in Red China. In Sudan, they have been bombed, massacred and sold into slavery. In Indonesia, Muslim mobs have wiped out entire villages of Christians and burned down hundreds of churches. Christians have been targeted and assassinated in Iraq, Iran, Libya, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Missionaries in various parts of the world have been kidnapped, murdered and, in India, even burned alive by mobs of Hindu militants”.

The Bridge field partners you support have ministries in their own rights; many of them live in this climate. In spite of hardship of life, they live sacrificially and victoriously while serving with joy the lost, the hurting, and the needy as they reach them with the love of Jesus. They plant and build, they teach and train, they encourage and exhort, they raise up, disciple and send out others who also bear much fruit!

Thank you, again for walking shoulder to shoulder  with us in furthering the Kingdom of God in the nations. Let us continue to work together while it is day!          

R.K. Ulrich

bless others - share with those who have less!

For those of you who desire to give a financial gift to any of the missionaies or projects The Bridge sponsor, please note the name of the country of designation on you gift. There are three different ways by which you can send your financial gifts through The Bridge:

1. Write a check to The Bridge International and send it by postal mail to:

The Bridge International
13762 State Road 84, Suite 423
Davie, FL 33325

2. Donate via PAYPAL on this website by clicking on the DONATE button above, then follow the directions.

3. Give regularly on a monthly basis by clicking on DONATE button above and download the Direct Deposit or Electronic Funds Transfer Form. Then, fill it in, and send it to us with a voided check attached to the address above. YOUR MONTHLY DONATION WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY WITHDRAWN FROM YOUR BANK ACCOUNT AROUND THE 20TH DAY OF EACH MONTH.

WE WISH ALL OUR BRIDGE PARTNERS WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS A blessed new year!