THE HEART OF ASIAN OUTREACH / Peter U, Chairman

Christmas blessings  

Last Christmas we were able to give a Christmas gift to all of our foot soldiers and ministry co-workers, thanks to your generosity. They were so profoundly touched by the gift, not the value of the gift but that people they have not seen, are thinking of them and care for them. We all know how great it feels to receive gifts but it enriches our life so much when we give, and that great inner joy comes from helping others to better their lives.

Mother Teresa is a famous example of selfless giving and she found the greatest fulfilment in giving of herself to others. She gave the poor and destitute hope and love and helped the dying die with dignity and without fear. She held the beggar on the street, their dirty unwashed bodies riddled with sores and sickness, cradling them in her arms as they took their last breath. She made their undeniable pain a little easier to bear because they felt loved in the midst of the pain and fear.

Working in the mission fields comes with many challenges. It can be a lonely place sometimes, especially when faced with hostility and rejection. With the sharp rise in persecution now, this makes it even more challenging and dangerous. The foot soldiers and mission workers out there in the fields are human too and can feel dejected at times. That is why it is so important for people to be praying for them.

They share the life of Christ through their own life and they are looking to God to work through them and to draw people into the church. They usually work in poor areas, so they are dependant on outside resources to support their ministry and families. They are dedicated to the service of God and give their lives completely to serving Him, undergoing hardships and struggles without complaining. They do not worry about their lack but look to God to supply their every need, and God uses His ‘willing vessels’ to provide for them.

Thank you again for your partnership with us to Reach, Touch and Transform lives through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Once again thank you, especially for the Christmas gift that we were able to give our co-workers through your generosity. They wish they could meet you personally to thank you but have asked me to convey their thanks to you and some have written little notes to show their appreciation.

Thank you notes from some of our foot soldiers:

Ps Biswajala Nag – foot soldier, Bolangir District, Odisha

My family and I were so overcome with joy to receive your Christmas gift. We were so touched that people we did not know and so far away from us can think of us. We were so encouraged that we decided to step out boldly to evangelize and we invited our community for Christmas. We shared the

Gospel and showed them a film on Jesus and so many were touched. We have been evangelising secretly because of the anti- conversion laws which are very strict here, but this time we were not afraid. You became part of this Christmas outreach.

Ps Paul Silvanus – AO partner in India

As we serve God and face so many challenges, we are human too and sometimes we feel unappreciated. It would be encouraging to have someone say you are doing a good job, and AOM is the one who does this. I, as a leader of the organization, am truly grateful for your gift of love. Thanks for understanding the heart of God, and I really admire the action and effort of AOM team; on behalf of all my pastors, I salute the leadership for doing so.

Ps k ‘Dos – Vietnam foot soldier

On behalf of my wife and seven children, I thank you for caring for us. We thank the Lord for you and may you be blessed in return. I am a farmer and while I go out to evangelize, my wife and children manage the farm. Sometimes it is difficult to make ends meet, and last December was a particularly hard time for us. Praise the Lord your Christmas gift was so timely for us to celebrate Christmas. During our church Christmas celebration, eight people accepted Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.

Ps Tran Ta – Vietnam foot soldier

My family and I are so grateful for your Christmas gift. When I told my family that Asian Outreach donors had given us a love gift for Christmas, they could not believe it. Nobody has ever done that for us. Thank you for showing the tangible love of Jesus to us. For the past year I have been doing grab bike to earn an extra income to support my family. One day a passenger gave me 500 tracts to pass to my customers. In faith I have been handing it out to my customers and I believe that a seed will be planted through these tracts. Please pray for me.

Ps Narsingh Thapa – Nepal foot soldier

Dear Asian Outreach donors, please accept our heartfelt thanks for the Christmas gift. We are far away here in the mountains of Nepal, yet we are so humbled that people far away are thinking of us and care for us. We are so encouraged and will strive harder to Reach, Touch and Transform lives through the Gospel. May God bless you abundantly.

                                                                     

Mrs Nanda (wife of the late Ruben Mar) – Nepal foot soldier

Christmas was a very sad time for us after my husband Rueben Mar went home to the Lord on 1 November 2019. It was so sudden (he met with an accident) and we were devastated; we did not look forward to Christmas too as we had some financial difficulties. It was a totally unexpected surprise to receive your Christmas gift and it has encouraged us so much. We felt we were not alone in our grief, that people far away cared for us. Though it was our first Christmas without Reuben, we felt surrounded by love and we had a good Christmas celebration with our church. My children and I thank you so much and pray the Lord bless you abundantly for your caring about us.

Ps Htay Aung – Myanmar foot soldier

Thank you very much for your encouragement and Christmas gift; it was a God send surprise. Through your gift my family and I were able to celebrate Christmas with our neighbours and share the love of God with them. We told them about the Christmas gift and they were amazed that

people who do not know us can send us a gift. I told them it is the love of Jesus that makes people love each other; I shared with them about Jesus and how the Father gave His own son, Jesus to die for us and this is the greatest gift we can ever receive. May God bless you as we work together for the Kingdom.

Unfortunately, we are unable to share all the thank you notes due to lack of space but our heartfelt thanks to you for bringing joy to our co-workers. We pray the Abrahamic blessing over you and your family:

Numbers 6:24-26

“The Lord bless you

and keep you;

the Lord make his face shine on you

and be gracious to you;

the Lord turn his face toward you

and give you peace.”