HEART OF ASIAN OUTREACH MALAYSIA / Peter U, Chairman
Two are better than one
We here in Asian Outreach thank you for your partnership
with us that has enabled us to Connect, Equip and Empower our workers in the
mission fields. Your partnership is so important to us as it is said in Ecclesiastes
4:9-12 “Two are better than one because they have a good return
for their labour: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But
pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down
together, they will keep warm.” In calling you to himself, God has called you
to reach out and be part of the Body of Christ. We learn from the beginning
that we need each other and we liken this to our own bodies where every part of
our body works to support each other. It is deeply satisfying to be used by God
to help someone else.
It has always been our joy to share the work of the Foot
Soldiers who are able to do the work they do because you have equipped them
through your partnership. We have had some amazing reports from the mission
fields and once such report is about Foot Soldier Ps Charles Edwin. Ps Charles
had graduated from the Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) School in 2005 and he was
sent to the Theni Mission base to serve there. There he met his wife Poornima
and were blessed with children. He then decided that a move to the city would
provide better education for his children. So, he settled in the city of Coimbatore
and started a ministry there.
However, city life was very expensive and his income was not
enough for him to support his family. Then in 2019 COVID descended on India and
things got worse. One day as he was praying the Lord spoke to him and showed
him a mountainous area where he wanted Ps Charles to go and minister to His
people there. A little apprehensive but wanting to obey he moved his family to
a very poor, small rural mountain village called Kadambur which is where God
had showed him.
Once he settled down and started his ministry the
persecution started. The Inspector of police who was a strong supporter of the
Pro Hindu party threatened him and gave him a stern warning about converting
Hindus. Ps Charles remained calm but he was surprised that the local people and
even the communist party there supported him. Things were still far from easy
and sometimes on Sundays when Ps Charles was preparing for Church service the
Hindu party would hold meetings and conference that same time and he was asked
to shut down the service.
He persevered though and never gave up and today he has 40
members in his church. He has also started another church in Anthiyur village, 30
kilometers away with 30 members now. However, many of the members are from
other small rural villages where public transportation is limited so some of
them stay overnight in the church and Ps Charles provides them with simple meals.
His income is not much but he has a big heart and he trusts in the Lord to
provide their every need. He always feels that people he does not know support
him in doing the work of the Lord, so how can he not give that same support
where he can.
Though he faces persecution and hardships, he has never
regretted the path he is on as he knows that people there need to hear the
Gospel and be saved. His reward is seeing how their lives have been changed by
the Gospel. He and his wife work hard to improve the lives of the people and he
has started an adult education class as 90 percent of the villagers are
illiterate. His wife, who has a diploma in tailoring has started a tailoring
class and about 50 ladies have enrolled. She is praying for the provision of
more sewing machines. She is also thinking of starting a cottage industry
making shampoo, cleaning agents and detergents. Ps Charles and his family are
such a blessing to their village and people there are coming to the Lord
because of the love and care showed by this couple. They believed that He
called them to this place and will see His plans to fruition.
God often stretches us beyond what we think is possible. He
calls us to tasks that seem greater than our capabilities but God loves to
stretch us beyond what we think possible. If God has clearly called us to the
task, he will see that we carry it through. He will give us the grace,
provision and the tools needed to accomplish the assignment. All he asks is our
service and leave the outcome to him.
Pray Points
1. Pray for God’s provision for them to continue the tailoring classes and to start the cottage industry.
2. Pray for
the safety of pastor, workers, volunteers and the believers.
3. Pray for the Lord’s anointing and blessings over the life of Ps Charles and his family.
