THE HEART OF ASIAN OUTREACH / Peter U, Chairman

PRAISE AND GRATITUDE REPORT

Each day is filled with countless opportunities to bring light into someone’s life and bless those in need. Even the simplest gesture can help someone feel seen, appreciated, and loved. When we hear someone’s story—a journey marked by resilience and need—we are reminded of our shared humanity and the incredible power of kindness. We are deeply grateful to you for reaching out, bringing hope, and making the reality of God known in so many lives. There are so many beautiful testimonies of transformation, and we are excited to share three of them with you.

Honey’s Prayers Answered

We sincerely thank all the donors for your generous support of Honey in Indonesia. She shared with us her need for a reliable motorbike for the long arduous trips into rural and remote villages where public transportation is unreliable. She often had to walk long distances or rely on friends for rides. This had been a significant challenge for her, leaving her frequently exhausted after each trip which sometimes took hours. Being a young single lady working in remote areas, not having her own transport meant concerns for her safety too.

 Thanks to your contributions, she was able to purchase a bike which will be a tremendous blessing for her. We shared her situation in our prayer request in AOC 47, and we thank God for the caring hands that responded. Honey is deeply grateful and sends heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped make this possible.

From the Slums to College – Bidhya Magar

In the AOC 42 edition, we were thrilled to share the inspiring story of Bidhya Magar, a young girl who grew up in one of Nepal’s slums. Coming from a very poor family, daily struggles and limited opportunities defined much of her early life. But everything began to change when she started attending one of our slum learning centers. Through your faithful support, these centers provide not just education, but hope and encouragement to countless children like Bidhya. With the tireless dedication of her teachers, she began to thrive—academically and personally.

 Bidhya dreamed of a better future for herself and her family, one beyond the confines of the slums. And by God’s grace, her story touched the heart of one of our generous donors. Moved by her resilience and determination, this donor stepped in to make a life-changing difference. Today, Bidhya is pursuing a college degree in accountancy. Her dream is becoming reality—thanks to someone who has never met her, yet chose to believe in her future. Bidhya is overwhelmed with gratitude. She often expresses how deeply thankful she is for this incredible opportunity.

From Rakhine to revelation: Moses’ Journey of faith

Moses, a young man from Rakhine State, had one dream—to become rich and successful. But God had other plans for him. Everything changed when a friend invited him to a Bible camp. Moses went reluctantly, but there, the Word of God gripped his heart. He encountered God in a real and personal way, and for the first time, he felt a clear and compelling call to serve the Lord.

 Moses came from a very poor family and they could not support him through Bible school. Still, he didn’t let that stop him and he prayed and trusted God to make a way. That is when Rev. John Thoung, principal and founder of Victory Bible College, stepped in. Sensing God’s call on Moses’ life, Rev. John enrolled him in the college, took him into his own home and told him, “Don’t worry, God will provide.” And God did.

We shared his story in our AOC 39 and a donor contacted us and asked if she could support a Bible college student. After sharing the cost, she prayed and agreed to sponsor him—not just for one year, but for the entire four-year course! Moses was overwhelmed with gratitude. That someone he had never met would invest in his calling left a deep impact on him. He is now graduated and preparing for a life of ministry, knowing that God not only calls—He provides.

It’s not about having abundant resources or waiting until we are in a perfect situation ourselves. Instead, it’s about recognizing the power of kindness, no matter what our circumstances, and understanding that every small act of generosity can bring someone one step closer to hope, security, and peace.

Ephesians 1:3: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.”

 

MYANMAR CHRISTMAS UPDATE / Rev Dr John Thaung 

I would like to express my deepest gratitude for your partnership in our Christmas outreach. Your support has been a tremendous blessing in these challenging times. Myanmar remains under military rule, where freedom is scarce, and fear and uncertainty have become a daily reality. The soaring cost of living has made survival a struggle, and many live without joy or peace—only the constant anxiety of when the soldiers might come, when homes might be searched, or when sons might be taken for military service. In the midst of this darkness, people long for security and peace—something only God can truly provide for He is the only way. It is our mission to bring the reality of God’s love to those who are suffering, and we chose the Christmas season as a time to share this hope.

We travelled to six villages, and everywhere we went, people came out to hear us. Our students performed dances, taught Christmas songs, and shared the Gospel. It was a beautiful moment of joy and transformation. Worship, music, and the message of the Gospel brought people together and gave them hope, even if just for a few hours. In those moments, fear, worry, and struggles faded away. Praise God for the 14 people who responded to Jesus. In some areas, we also distributed food parcels to the poor, many of whom had no food to eat.

When we journeyed to the delta area—a four-hour trip—we took only 10 students due to concerns for their safety, as there were four checkpoints along the way. We prayed for God’s protection and favor. As we reached a checkpoint, the students prayed silently while soldiers approached our truck. They studied the logo on our van and asked if we were Christians. We answered yes and explained our purpose—to conduct Christmas outreach programs. By God’s grace, they allowed us to proceed.  Upon arrival, about 150 villagers gathered to hear the Word of God. Even the local authority, who was not a Christian, attended and was filled with joy upon hearing the Gospel. We ended early due to a power outage, but people lingered, eager to hear more. That night, 25 people raised their hands to receive Jesus.

In every area we visited, we were warmly received. Some believers invited us into their homes to share the Gospel with their neighbours and families—many of whom had never heard the Good News. One of our church members, a teacher at a private school, invited us to conduct an outreach program at her school. We ministered to 300 students and their parents, openly performing dances and sharing the Gospel. The principal was deeply moved and requested prayers for her and her family. The favor of God was evident upon us, and the people were greatly blessed by the joyful worship and dedication of our Bible students.

At another location, my wife boldly approached the local authority and requested permission to hold an open-air evangelistic meeting. By God’s favor, he agreed and even volunteered to help us set up. We were in awe of how God had prepared the way for us. My wife and the students prepared a simple meal, and the local authority invited about 500 people. At the end of the meeting, the people urged us to continue, hungry for more of God’s Word. Though we were exhausted, we recognized this as a God-given opportunity and pressed on. We really thank God for his grace and favour with the local authorities and we saw the Way Maker in action.

All this would not be possible if not for the Lord. We made ourselves available and God did the rest. We originally planned for five programs, but by God’s grace, we conducted 15. The hunger for peace and truth was evident. In total, we reached 2,215 people, and about 80 individuals confessed Jesus as their Lord and Savior. At the end of our journey the Bible students were so tired but I encouraged them with the words of Jesus in John 9:4: “As long as it is day, we must do the work of Him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.”

We extend our heartfelt thanks for your support. May the Lord’s blessings be upon you. Thank you, Asian Outreach, for standing with us to bring light into the darkness. May God continue to bless this partnership as we work together to proclaim His love and salvation.

Matthew 5:16 “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

 

 

THE HEART OF ASIAN OUTREACH /Peter U, Chairman

The Foot Soldiers Ministry

The Foot Soldiers/Church Planting Ministry has always been the heartbeat of Asian Outreach. Our focus has always been to help the people we serve live out the Great Commandment (love God and love our neighbors as ourselves), so we can fulfill the Great Commission (make disciples of all the nations and teach them everything Christ has taught us). The starting point for fulfilling the Great Commission starts with us.

In a fragmented world, genuine relationships are a powerful testimony of God’s love. Loving our neighbors begins with knowing them. As we love God and our neighbors authentically, we create fertile ground for the Gospel to take root and flourish. In a world desperate for hope and restoration, our communities and neighborhoods can become beacons of Christ’s light, one relationship, one act of service, and one conversation at a time.

Pastor Biswajala of Odisha is a vessel of God’s power, bringing the reality of Christ to the people around him. Through the Gospel, he has touched and transformed countless lives, including that of Sunit Mahananda. Sunit was born into a Hindu family and at an early age, developed severe kidney problems. Others in his village suffered from the same condition, which they attributed to contaminated water. Unfortunately, his family was too poor to afford treatment, and their village had no medical facilities. With no hope for recovery, Sunit was devastated.

A friend took him to meet Pastor Biswajala who prayed for him and shared the Gospel. As Sunit’s condition worsened, Pastor Biswajala continued to visit him, offering prayers and encouragement. One day, the pastor shared Isaiah 53:5: “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” As Sunit heard these words, he immediately felt something shift in his body. Over the next few days, his weakness faded, and strength returned. As he continued to pray with Pastor Biswajala and read the Word, he realized he had been completely healed. His family and neighbors were astonished by his transformation. Sunit was baptized, and today, he boldly proclaims Jesus wherever he goes. His testimony is a powerful reminder that our stories foster faith in God.

Our Foot Soldiers carry powerful testimonies of God’s goodness, and our missionary in Indonesia, Honey, is no exception. Her journey is a testament to the miraculous healing power of God and the unwavering faith that sustains His people. In 2015, while actively serving in the mission field, Honey began experiencing severe constipation and constant pain. Without access to proper medical care due to financial constraints, she simply prayed and trusted the Lord. However, her fellow missionary friends came together and raised funds to help her visit a specialist for a proper diagnosis.

After undergoing scans and tests, doctors confirmed that she had a cancerous tumor in her colon. Faced with this life-altering diagnosis, Honey surrendered herself completely to the Lord, continuing to pray and trust in His divine plan. When she went for a follow-up scan after her initial diagnosis, the results left the doctors stunned—the tumor had completely disappeared. Unable to explain the sudden and complete healing, the doctors attributed it to an “anatomical error”. But Honey boldly responded, “God never makes mistakes in creating people.” Left without words, the doctors could only admit that it was impossible—but perhaps, just maybe, it was a miracle.

Today, Honey continues to share her testimony, encouraging people and bringing the reality of God to those around her. Through her story, many on the island have found renewed hope in Christ. Her life is a shining example of how God can take our trials and turn them into a powerful message of faith, healing, and redemption. God is able to take our mess and turn it into a message! May Honey’s testimony remind us all of His faithfulness and power to do the impossible.

We lift up these faithful workers who are laboring in the harvest fields of Asia. God sees their struggles, fears, and sacrifices. We pray He will strengthen their hearts and fill them with an unshakeable peace, renew their joy daily, and may hope abound in their spirits even in the face of trials. Through these men and women who have given their lives to serving God, may His Kingdom advance, and may many come to know God through their faithfulness.

 

THE HEART OF ASIAN OUTREACH / Peter U, Chairman

PREPARING THE NEXT GENERATION

As parents we are entrusted to protect, guide and nurture our children, preparing them for the divine purpose God has for them. God will equip us in preparing the next generation to take up the torch and become the instruments by which the Gospel is carried to the ends of the earth. Right from the old testament to the new testament there is evidence of this. John Maxwell said this, “The best leaders lead today with tomorrow in mind by making sure they invest in leaders who will carry their legacy forward.” Parenting your children is the most important thing you will ever do, so let’s prepare them so that God can use them in the way He has planned.

Psalm 78:4: “We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done.”

Ps Paul Silvanus’s dad had a huge impact on his life and his desire to serve God. The biggest thing that influenced him was seeing his dad on his knees, deep in prayer first thing in the morning. His father went on to become a pastor and an evangelist, and as a boy he would often follow his father into the villages to share the Gospel. His father would stand in the open and preach the Word boldly and Paul saw his love and passion for winning souls. Paul watched his methods, style, strategy and approach in sharing the Gospel. He had such a unique way of presenting Jesus to the Hindus. His father never asked him to follow his footsteps but seeing all this, all Paul wanted to do was to follow his dad’s footsteps, catching the fire of his dad’s love and passion for the unsaved.

Ps Paul’s journey in ministry started when he was a university student; he would use every opportunity he had to share the Gospel with other students. After graduating he continued to reach out to the students, cycling 50km each day around the various campuses. He did this for eight years while working part-time to support himself. God then took him into pastoral ministry for three years in a local church and here Ps Paul came to see the life and needs of the downtrodden people in the slums. It was heartbreaking for him.

In 1994 he joined a mission organization, and on his first mission trip to Odisha to evaluate the living conditions of the missionaries and pastors he was shocked when he saw their poor and pathetic living conditions. The organization that sent them out hardly gave them any financial aid. He spent long arduous hours travelling by bus and train, and everywhere he went it was the same. One day while travelling they stopped in a jungle area to spend the night as there were no hotels or any form of accommodation. Lying on the hard ground the Lord spoke to him about what he had seen. The spirit of God asked him, “Now you have seen the plight of my servants what is your response?” His reply was “Lord if you give me an opportunity and strengthen me I promise to take care of your servants.”

The Lord led him to start Apostolic Faith Mission, training and sending out pastors, leaders and missionaries. The Lord enlarged his territory to all over India, planting churches where the name of the Lord was not known. He now travels even more, spending long hours on the train and bus. However, he never misses an opportunity to share the Gospel. Many a person has accepted the Lord during his long journeys. As Ps Paul gets older, these long journeys do take a toll on his health but the minute he steps on the train or bus, he prays for renewed strength and is immediately refreshed.

Ps Paul and his team have planted 300 churches in 11 states in India and is overseeing 110 pastors in these areas and discipling 330 student pastors. Besides this he is operating 6 slum Day Care centers in various parts for children and a Leper Ministry. He is constantly travelling around visiting them, encouraging them, motivating them, counsels them and planning strategies and new ideas with them. He stays in their home so he can fellowship with their families and have a closeness with them. He has kept his promise to the Lord. Through all this Ps Paul has learnt a deep sense of humility at what God has called him to do and he has never felt the presence of God more than out in the mission fields. We pray that the Lord will continue to use this man of God to Reach, Touch and Transform lives throughout India.

Through all this, Ps Paul has learnt a deep sense of humility at what God has called him to do and he has never felt the presence of God more than when out in the mission fields. To the Foot Soldiers, Ps Paul is family and they share a closeness with him. We pray that the Lord will continue to use this man of God to Reach, Touch and Transform lives throughout India.

John 15:12-13: “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”

 NEVER TOO OLD TO SERVE / Sister Annie Ng, AOM Volunteer.

Asian Outreach is blessed to have a group of ladies who volunteer their time to help us with the mailing of our newsletters. Most of these women are in their seventies and still serve the Lord faithfully in their churches and cell groups. They all have hearts of a missionary and though they are unable to go out to the mission fields (though some still do go) they never fail to share a tract, give a word of encouragement, reach out to someone in need and invite people to church. They share the work of our mission fields with others and pray for us.

We would like to honour Sister Annie Ng, a long-time volunteer and a sister in Christ who has become part of our AO family. This is her story….

I had my first encounter with the Lord in 1979 and it changed my life forever. It was during a period when I was in the worst storm of my life. I was devastated and did not know what to do. Though I professed to be a Christian, I would often go to bomohs and mediums. One night as this personal storm raged around me, I wept bitterly and cried out to God. I asked God if all Gods were the same and was it alright for me to go to the bomohs and mediums to seek help.

He answered me by giving me Isaiah 47:12-14: “Keep on, then, with your magic spells and with your many sorceries, which you have labored at since childhood. Perhaps you will succeed, perhaps you will cause terror. All the counsel you have received has only worn you out! Let your astrologers come forward, those stargazers who make predictions month by month, let them save you from what is coming upon you. Surely they are like stubble; the fire will burn them up. They cannot even save themselves from the power of the flame. These are not coals for warmth; this is not a fire to sit by you.”

I was frightened by the answer and thoughts of the destruction of my family came to my mind. I asked God to forgive me and repented immediately. God led me to Jerremiah 15:20: “I will make you a wall to this people, a fortified wall of bronze; they will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you to rescue and save you.”

After that encounter, the storms of life quietened down and the peace of God has always been with me ever since. Though I did go through a hard time, God was right there to direct my path and guide me. My desire is always to bring others to Christ and to know Him intimately as I have come to know Him. I would evangelize to friends and people I met casually, and some of my friends and family have come to church and been baptized. It always amazes me to see how God works in our lives. He can use anyone if only we let Him.

I was able to go out to the mission fields when I was younger and it earned me a wealth of experience. I went to Cambodia with AO, then to the Philippines, Sabah and Bario, Sarawak, with other churches. My last trip was to Myanmar with AO in 2019. Being there in the mission fields personally changed my life as in those few days I was there, I lived their story. I learned that life on the mission field is about putting one foot in front of the other alongside the lost, sharing their challenges, and relying only on the Lord for the answers. Out there in the mission fields you are entirely dependent on God for everything. Such a complete surrendering of our life to Him.

Volunteering in Asian Outreach for the last 10 years has been such a blessing for me. By helping in the mailing process of the magazines and reading the stories, I have come to know of the challenges and difficulties the mission field workers face. I am so inspired by their stories and how God has used them in difficult places, to bring His love and Word to people who do not know Him.

I share these stories with friends and though I am not in the fields personally, I am contributing to their work by sharing their testimonies. In my own way I am evangelising and I have brought friends to come and join us in AO. It is just a simple task but so rewarding and enjoyable. We share our stories with others, encourage each other and long friendships have been forged. I thank God for this opportunity to be part of what God is doing through Asian Outreach Ministry.

 

THE HEART OF ASIAN OUTREACH / Peter U, Chairman

The power of our God’s miracles, signs and wonders is a vital part of our heritage and faith as Children of God. We value everything He has done for us, but the greatest miracle is what happens inside us not just the physical healing. Being God’s channel changes our faith and blesses us more than we can ever imagine. The miracle power of Jesus Christ leads to the salvation of precious souls. We each have the tremendous responsibility and privilege of working alongside a Miracle-working God and being a channel for His miracles. He is interested in our participation and God wants to involve us in His miracles. People’s lives are changed; their health has been restored; and their purpose in life is being renewed.

Our Foot Soldiers have been witnesses to many miracles in the mission fields. It has been such an encouragement for us and we would like to share some with you. Ramesh and Suresh were both involved in robbery, drugs, and most of the crime in the area. These two young men were brought up poor and from an early age they learnt to fend for themselves. They had no family, and no one cared about them so they took care of each other. Most people in this area were so poor and there was nothing much to steal in this community. Also, people hated them because of what they did and would hurl abuses at them.

There came a time when they were destitute and did not know what to do. The young men planned to end their lives and were looking for a way to do it. As they were walking in the market square, they heard someone sharing the Gospel, that Christ is the only Hope who can give you a new life, as He has already paid the price for our sins. They moved closer to hear what was being said and saw Ps Maniraj. The message touched their hearts and impacted them and they felt Hope renewed. At the end of that sharing both men accepted Jesus and gave their lives to him. Ps Maniraj disciples them and they faithfully attend their Bible classes eager to know more.

Ramesh and Pooja were a young couple with two kids living in Chennai. Three years back a friend took them to Ps Paul’s church and when they heard the Gospel preached something stirred inside them and at the end of the service, they accepted Jesus into their hearts. They were so excited to share with their families and relatives but when their families heard about this, they were extremely angry and threatened them, forbidding them to go to church. Family members refused to talk to them and treated them badly but they never gave up and prayed secretly together for a breakthrough.

Strange things suddenly started to happen to family members who opposed them. Some fell sick, some lost their jobs and were struggling financially. This was a sudden downturn and they realized this started happening when they threatened Ramesh and Pooja about their faith in Christianity. The family members repented and Ramesh and Pooja were allowed to go to church and eventually were baptized. The family situation began to improve too and the family were amazed at the power of Ramesh and Pooja’s God. They are praying for their family members now to come to know Christ.

He demonstrates His miracle power to open hearts and change lives. George Muller, a Christian Evangelist once said, “Faith does not operate in the realm of the possible. There is no glory for God in that which is humanly possible. Faith begins where man’s power ends.” With man it may be impossible. But with God nothing is impossible. God has a plan for us and is working a miracle amid our biggest challenge.

Hebrews 2:4 “God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will.”

 HE NEEDS WILLING HEARTS

No matter where we live or what we do for a living, God wants to use all of us to Reach, Touch and Transform lives if we are willing vessels. God is always looking out for willing hearts to serve Him. He does not look at your degrees, how much you have, or even how eloquently you speak. 

Every person in the world is a possible vessel for God to use, regardless of what his attitude to God may be. 1 Samuel 16:7 “But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”

Each one of us was made to serve a different purpose. Some people may be like a beautiful vase – up on a mantle, where everyone can see. Others may have roles that seem insignificant which no one seems to notice. No matter what role we have, we still serve a meaningful place in the Lord’s kingdom. Every type of vessel has a vital role to fulfill and God places each of us here on earth at a particular time for a specific reason.

Every one of our Foot Soldiers has availed themselves for God’s purposes. Some of them received their calling early in life to serve God but others had aspirations of their own to be successful, rich and live a good life. But yet when God called them, there was never any doubt in their mind not to answer His call. Life in the mission fields is a challenge, yet they go, not knowing what to expect but going with the assurance that God goes with them and He will make a way even where there is no way. COVID-19 wreaked havoc but what the enemy meant for evil God turned it for Good. What we saw at the beginning of the pandemic was fear and uncertainty, but what we see now is strength and tenacity.

In Siliguri India for example, the Foot Soldiers had some great reports to share. Door-to-door evangelism gave them a great opportunity to minister, share the love of God and his salvation plan. They tell of dynamic worship happening in house churches and in 2022 more than 60 house churches were planted in the Himalayan region near Siliguri and the Bhutan border. One Foot Soldier in Naya Salley village decided to celebrate Father’s Day in the village. For the first time in their life they celebrated Father’s Day and the people loved it. They honored their fathers for the first time and restoration flowed between fathers and children. Through this act, they began to understand the love of the Heavenly Father and celebrated His love, compassion and grace for them.

This is not just happening here in Siliguri but all over Asia. 2022 was a very challenging year for Myanmar not just with the pandemic but also the instability of the country. Yet, the Foot Soldiers there are evangelizing and sharing the Gospel without fear. Churches are reporting an increase in numbers and in spite of the political situation being unstable, they were able to hold Youth Camps and Bible Camps with the permission of the authorities. That in itself was a miracle. In the Rakhine State in December during their outreach programs, six people were baptized. It is like the darkness had been lifted and they were renewed and empowered to go out without fear and declare boldly the Kingdom of God. They have seen such the favor and goodness of God and it has strengthened them.  

There seems to be a sense of urgency after the pandemic and God is raising up more workers for the harvest fields. We thank God for these men and women of God who are rising up and are taking the baton, willing to run the race for His Kingdom. We are all in this covenant relay race carrying the Word of God and bringing the reality of God to our world. We are so thankful for your support of our Foot Soldiers Ministry that has empowered them to go that extra mile. We pray for a supernatural endowment of hope, to keep them convinced that their labours in the Lord will never be in vain.   

1 Timothy 1:12 “I thank Him Who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because He judged me faithful, appointing me to His service.” That is an attitude I strive to have in my own walk with God. I want to be a vessel, used by God for His glory, but I have to be willing to go wherever He calls me and do whatever He asks.”

 

UPDATES FROM MINDANAO / Ps Angel Majadas

 God wants us to feel passionate about our work because what we do reflects the person we are called to serve. As it is said in Romans 12:11: “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” We started our partnership with Ps Angel Majadas in November 2021 and we have witnessed his passion for serving the Lord. Here is his update on his ministry a year later.

 We thank Asian Outreach Malaysia for their support for our ministry which has been invaluable in these challenging times when people are struggling here with poverty. We are now focusing and praying for God’s direction to the northern parts of Mindanao, especially the poor villages in the Zamboanga Peninsula. We are reaching out to the people, conducting bible study and distributing provisions and food to the poor families, especially lunch for the children. The people here are very poor and simple, struggling for their daily living. When we are distributing groceries, we also share the Word of God with them. Many are from a different Christian denomination but have never read the Bible. They have lived their lives without truly knowing God. The people know me and my financial status so are surprised how I can have funds to help. So, I share the love of Jesus that has touched hearts in Malaysia to help us here in the Philippines. They are amazed that strangers would help them. The world needs Jesus now more than ever.

 I am also starting an outreach in another part of San Pablo Municipality – in the small rural villages. Our goal is to form a relationship with the people and share the Gospel in these areas. If possible, we will provide them with some groceries too. We have actually started feeding programs in some villages and the children are the most excited because we bring them little snacks when we come. They love our Bible stories and are keen listeners. We do experience testing and trials but God is so faithful to us and He gives us strength and power to go on. He lifts us up when we are down and He never fails us. I am doing this ministry with my wife, Jocelyn, and our two children, Joel and Gelyn, and we work together as a family. I am so encouraged and blessed to see my two children so passionate in serving God. We shared the Gospel with families, focusing on the role of families.

 One of our faithful believers is Gloria, a fellow passenger in my tri-wheeler; she loves to share the Word with everyone she meets. She has been keen to share the Gospel with her relatives, Maria and Vicente Sumatra, a couple living in the Pantad village. So, Gloria shared with them what God was doing in her life and after seeing the change in her, they started a Bible Study group in their home. Maria was a Catholic church worker who conducted funeral services in the homes but had to stop when she fell ill. But regardless of her illness, she continued to attend our Bible Study in her home, and she and her husband both accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Shortly after this she went home to be with the Lord at the age of 72 years. Before she died, she reminded her husband to follow Christ and to serve the Lord always. Vicente had been involved in witchcraft and struggled for many years until he came to know the Lord and surrendered and repented. This couple has four daughters and two of them are facilitating Bible Study in their homes every Friday.

We also have Bible Study in our home, and every Saturday we are visiting other villages to conduct Bible studies. People are hungry for the Word of God. Many, though Christian, have not read the Bible and have no real relationship with the Lord. The Bible studies have awakened their desire to know Him better and once they begin to grow, there is such a great hunger in them to know Him even more. We are so grateful to Asian Outreach Malaysia for partnering with us to Reach and Transform the lives of the people here. We are seeing miracles and breakthroughs and peoples’ lives are changing. Before, people here lived mundane lives without much thought of who God really is in their lives, but now, it is a different story. It never fails to amaze me to see how their lives are transformed after the Word of God takes root in their hearts. There is such an excitement and joy that fills them. It is like they found their purpose in life and a new relationship with Jesus.

 Matthew 5:16 “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

 

 

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.

 

 

STEP OUT IN FAITH / Rev John Thoung, AO Coordinator, Myanmar

The world has been affected by the COVID pandemic for the last two and a half years but we here in Myanmar also had to contend with the political situation. The political situation affected us more than the pandemic as there was total chaos and unrest and we felt doubly burdened. Our hearts were filled with fear, insecurity and uncertainty for the future. We have been praying to God that He may lift our burden and give us peace and the courage to go forward sharing the Good News to our people. People are suffering because of loss of jobs and businesses.

One day while I was seeking the Lord for guidance on how to move forward with the ministry, the Lord inspired me to take a risk. I felt like the four men with leprosy as in 2 Kings 7:3 “Now there were four men with leprosy at the entrance of the city gate. They said to each other, “Why stay here until we die? If we say, ‘We’ll go into the city’—the famine is there, and we will die. And if we stay here, we will die. So, let’s go over to the camp of the Arameans and surrender. If they spare us, we live; if they kill us, then we die.” When they went out from the city, God performed a miracle and their people were blessed through them.

Likewise, I decided to walk by faith and trust in the Lord and made arrangements for a Christmas outreach programme. With the help of Asian Outreach Malaysia, we were able to reach many people through the Gospel of Christ. We were aware that it was dangerous for us and a risk we were taking but we prayed and stepped out boldly in faith. Our church grew after the Christmas outreach programme and we had to bring in more chairs for almost every service. The Christmas celebrations was like bringing new Hope and Joy into people’s lives. People here were sick and tired of worrying and fearing for our future. One of the most valuable strengths in life is being hopeful.

We not only did our Christmas programme around our village but in the surrounding villages in the Chin state as well. Our first stop was the village of Toe Myaung in the Bago Division and there were no Christians in this village. They watched the nativity play by our Bible students and they wanted to know more. Many received salvation and repented.

Next we went to the Rakhine state to preach the Good News. Rakhine state is a war-torn zone and a tough region to evangelize. But God has opened the hearts of the Arakan Army (AA) and they allowed Christians to practise their faith freely. I was able to share the Gospel and minister to the Rakhine people and 6 people were baptized. People are hungry for the Word of God and we have sent two fresh graduates from our Bible school for ministry there, bringing the total to four.

In April we held a youth camp for about 76 youths and as we spoke on salvation, many young people gave their lives to Jesus. 7 youths were baptized. During the Water Festival, young people like to enjoy the festival with merry-making, partying and drinking. The youths who attended our camp  testified how they were blessed and were glad they came. We were worried that the military would hassle us but our local authority gave us approval, happy that we were reaching out to the youths.

We really thank God for what he has done through us. We saw miracles and breakthroughs taking place and we saw God’s favour upon everything we planned to do. We spent time in prayer breaking every hindering spirit of the enemy and anointing the grounds on which we held our events. We are still following up with these young people and please pray with us to get more Bibles for distribution. Many people are asking us for Bibles but we do not have enough. When we take a step of faith , in circumstances beyond our control which are risky and laden with fear and we arm ourselves with trust in God, He will move mountains. We give the glory to God.

Matthew 17:20-21 “Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

 

THE HEART OF ASIAN OUTREACH / Peter U, Chairman

The storms of life

Psalm 57:12

“Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in You my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings, I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by.”

 Everyone faces a storm but do not let the storm be in us. Many of us are facing enormous storms in our life right now and at times, we find our circumstances overwhelming. However, it is important we remember that God is bigger, much bigger than our circumstances. The Lord gives us comfort in His word in Joshua 1:9: “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Even though we know this well, it can be especially difficult to hold on to when we are filled with anxiety or fear. Being anxious and fearful can make our problems appear so huge that it causes us to lose sight of the one thing that can pull us through – our faith in Jesus.

 There will be many storms in our life that we cannot control, like this pandemic, but God will give us strength when we are dealing with these storms. We need to acknowledge that there are things outside our control that we cannot change, so instead let us identify, celebrate and embrace what we can learn from the situation. Instead of dwelling on the “what ifs” and the negatives of a given situation, focus on things that God has placed in your heart and how we can fulfil those plans He has for us, even in the midst of the pandemic. When you let go of all that holds you down and creates fear in you, you begin to see the bigness of God and how He can use you, regardless of the circumstances.

In a little village in Andhra Pradesh, Ps Joshua has also been affected by COVID-19. His once thriving church is only half filled now. Many in his congregation contracted COVID and those who did not were too fearful to venture out. Ps Joshua and his whole family are involved in ministry and they decided that the work of the Kingdom had to continue, COVID or no COVID. They had to bring hope to those around them. So, they began visiting the members, praying, sharing the gospel and encouraging them. Many of the members were filled with fear, confusion, anxiety and helplessness as coronavirus cases and deaths surged around them. Ps Joshua visited those sick with the virus, standing outside their homes at a safe distance to pray with them and reminding family members to observe the health guidelines.

He never gave up even when he faced troubles and persecution. He was taken to the police station and accused of forcing people to convert, and his wife was falsely accused of running a brothel business with the girls coming to the church. He and his wife were taken to the police station and interrogated. The police did not treat them kindly but all the accusations proved to be false and the police had to let them go. Roman 8:36: “As it is written, for thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” He had started building a church when the COVID pandemic started, but due to the lockdown all work had stopped. He decided that it was now time to start the building again, doing most of the work by themselves. Many asked him why he bothered as people were still not coming to church, but he had faith and believed that his faith in God is what gives him hope in the midst of this pandemic.

He told his members he believed that one day they would return to regular services in church and he wanted to be ready for that day. Seeing his faith many members returned to attending service, but he was careful to urge them to follow all health guidelines and social distancing. In order to keep the numbers in church to a safe level, he started a second service in another location 5 km away for the time being. He and his family are the bearers of hope in the midst of pain and suffering.

Ps Munirathnam has been in the mission fields for the last 18 years in a place called Nagalapuram.  He has already planted two churches in this district, reaching out to the least of the least. The people here are daily labourers in the rice fields and sugar cane plantations. People here are very poor.                Ps Munirathnam has faced many financial, political and religious challenges over the years, but he has never given up working tirelessly for the glory of God. During the pandemic he continued his work for the Kingdom. Though things have been cancelled because of the coronavirus, love is not one of them. He keeps his heart open to all those in need, reaching out and helping the poor and the destitute. Churches were closed for almost a year due to COVID-19 and all activities came to a standstill, even agricultural activities ceased. People began to lose hope and started thinking thoughts like, “We are going to die, why must we work?”

Faced with this situation, Ps Munirathnam organized a 40- day fast and prayer for protection from COVID-19. He did not expect many people to turn up, but the church remained open 24 hours, and he stayed in the church the whole time, fasting and praying. Word spread in the village and slowly the Hindus started coming in groups asking him to pray for them; he did and shared the gospel with them. Many came to the church with fear but left free from the fear of death. It was a breakthrough to see the Hindu people enter the church, setting aside all religious barriers. What the devil meant for evil, God turned it around for good. COVID-19 has given Ps Munirathnam the opportunity to serve the people and share the love of Jesus with them.

He shared a testimony about a couple who had been trying for seven years to have a child. The husband blamed the wife and became a drunkard, but last year the wife came to Ps Munirathnam and he prayed for her and shared the gospel with her. She began to feel hopeful and started to fast and pray. After three months she conceived and gave birth to a baby boy recently. Her husband was overjoyed and stopped drinking. Both of them have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

This pandemic presents us with an opportunity to witness how the Spirit works no matter what may be falling apart around us. Our faith invites us to respond to this pandemic in creative and unique ways, born out of love, compassion and self-giving. Let us choose to expand our compassion and be bearers of hope in the midst of pain and suffering. Only this way will we change this story of pain and suffering into one of compassion, love and victory in Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:57-58: “But thanks be to God, He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain.”

 

 

MINDANAO MINISTRY / Ps Angel Majadas 

We welcome into our AO family, Ps Angel Majadas in Mindanao, Philippines. Ps Angel is under the covering of Revival Christian Church Global Outreach and is the brother-in-law of Ps Josephine from our Cebu ministry. He is passionate in serving the Lord and we are blessed to partner with him in Reaching, Touching and Transforming lives in Mindanao. Here is his testimony:

In 1995, I started in ministry under the Foursquare denomination until 2010 but I was new in ministry and faced many setbacks and challenges. I thank God for my sister-in-law, Ps Josephine, who constantly encouraged us and prayed for us. In 2005 God led me to volunteer in a campus ministry, teaching the word of God in a High School to almost 1000 student a week. It was a great challenge to me but God showed me ways to minister to these students and to touch and transform their lives. My reward was to see many of them come to Christ.

When I was in Davao the central part of Mindanao, I was also a volunteer to teach non-formal education to adults from 65 years and below. I ministered to them through these classes in a form of adult literacy, teaching the word of God and bringing them back to the Lord. Again, my reward was to see many give their lives to Jesus. I felt so encouraged and blessed every time one of them accepted Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.

In 2010, I left the ministry as I was getting married and my wife, Jocelyn (who is Ps Josephine’s sister) and I have 2 children. We settled at San Pablo Zamboanga del Sur and to support my family I decided to work as a tricycle driver but I always felt a tug in my heart for ministry. One day I was a taking a passenger, Gloria, and this lady told me she suffered from pain on her right hand because of an injury and I prayed for her right there in my trishaw. I kept in touch with her, sharing the Word and not long after she accepted Jesus. She longed to know and understand the Word more deeply and she encouraged me to conduct Bible study in her house and now we also hold our Sunday services in her house as well. She has shared with her friends and neighbours and now praise God we have 3 families attending our home Bible Study every Sunday afternoon.

Almost 10 years I have been praying and asking God’s direction and plans for my life because I felt something lacking in my heart if I didn’t serve the Lord. Before I started this ministry, I asked the Lord’s intervention and then He answered by bringing Gloria, who was my passenger to help me start my ministry. Gloria was such a blessing to our church and she opened her home to us for our Bible studies, church services and meetings.

The ministry in Barangay Senior San Pablo started last May 2021 with a number of 7 people attending. We also have house-to-house Bible Study with an attendance of 12 people. Now, we are connected and affiliated to Ps. Josephine’s church and she has been sent by the Lord to support us in prayer and encourage us to continue in ministry in spite of the hardships we face. We pray the Lord will continue to use us to win souls and make disciples for our Lord Jesus in this place.

We had one family in our church whom I observed always cried before the Lord during our service. They cried out to the Lord to use them because all they wanted was to know Him and serve Him. I was so deeply touched by how much they loved the Lord and wanted to serve Him. I saw so many people hunger and thirst for God and my wife and I are dedicating our lives to serving him and bringing His Word to the lost. This family starting sharing the Gospel to their relatives and neighbours and they invited us to visit one of their neighbours who was sick. Praise the Lord the woman was healed and she invited us to start another Bible group in her house. She wanted everyone to know what the Lord has done in her life.

If God's willing, we will continue in prayer that He will provide for us to build a church that is our vision for this place. We see lives touched and changed and 4 members of our Bible group have given testimony of healing from sickness. Most of the people here are poor and needy and life is a struggle, made worse by the pandemic. Barangay Senior is part of the San Pablo Zamboanga del sur district and has about 900 people. Thank God, we now have 20 members including children, that's why we are praying for God's provision in order to sustain the ministry.

My wife and 2 children are also involved in my ministry and we work together as a team. The longing of my heart is to reach out to the unsaved, the poor and needy. People here are very poor and during the pandemic many had no food. Thank you Asian Outreach for helping me feed the poor people here. When I gave them the groceries and food some wept for this unexpected help. It was really a miracle for them. As I distributed the groceries to them, I also shared God’s Word to them and I believe seeds were planted. It is not only food that people need but the hope that you have given them by bringing God’s love and showing them, He definitely cares.

I thank you Asian Outreach for your partnership and am honoured to be part of the AOM family.

Romans 10:14

“But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?  And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, ‘How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!’

 

 

Ministry name: Revival Christian Church Global Outreach. (RCCGO)

Asian Outreach is pleased to announce our support for a new ministry in Badian, Cebu, Philippines. Badian is 98 km (61 mi) southwest of Cebu City and it is a hilly topography. We will be supporting Ps Josephine Manilla who pastors the Revival Christian Church Global Outreach Church (RCCGO) in Baranggay (village) Calangcang, about 20 mins from the main town of Badian. Ps Josephine never dreamed she would become a pastor and do the Lord’s work. Here is her story:

I grew up in a poor family and life for us was very difficult. I felt my life was meaningless as I grew and I had no goals because I thought I was too poor to envision a better life. This would be my lot in life- a life of poverty and despair. As I grew up, I had no hope or direction in my life and I felt useless. I started going down a sinful path, having wrong relationships and doing things that I knew were wrong. I also shut Jesus out of my life.

In 1997, I went to Hongkong to work as a domestic helper. Like every young girl I had dreams of working hard and earning enough money to travel and see the world. Within 3 months of my arrival in Hong Kong someone shared the Gospel with me and though I have been a Catholic, I had never experienced God in my life. But one day, God brought me to the place where He encountered me through His messenger. This time Jesus felt so real to me and I felt a deep stirring in my heart. I felt that I needed to be born again and I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Saviour and since then I felt a calling from the Lord to serve Him. The day that I accepted Him as my Lord and Saviour, my life changed. I found new purpose in my life and I felt so loved. I began to seek God earnestly for His plans for me and I had a strong desire to submit to His will and to obey Him in every way.

I decided to obey without knowing how difficult and hard it is as a follower of Jesus. In my 19 years working in Hong Kong, I was equipped by my leader and Pastor to do the ministry as a worship and cell leader. My Pastor saw my desire to serve God and he encouraged me to go to Bible school. When I finished Bible school, my Pastor assigned me to start leading the second service and it grew by God's grace. Before this happened, when I was a new believer, the Lord enabled me to start Saturday cell group which grew and became a regular event till this day. I praise God for my employer who allowed me to go to Bible School  and the freedom to serve the Lord during my off days and free time. To God be the glory!

God was training, equipping and preparing me in Hong Kong to return to the Philippines and on my return I started a children's ministry then followed with an adult bible study and after two years I started regular service as a pioneering house church. As I faithfully served the Lord, great challenges and trials came to me. My husband committed adultery and had a son from another woman. It was difficult for me to accept but by God’s grace I forgave him and I took him back as my husband. At the age of 43 I conceived and the pregnancy was a normal one but I delivered a still born baby. The loss of our baby really devastated my husband and me. We had looked forward to being a family and having children. Before we could heal from this grief more challenges followed. After 6 months of losing my baby, my husband also passed away with a chronic disease.

My situation at that time was a big question mark and I asked God why this was happening to me. I questioned God time and again but I still served Him faithfully. He was my strength during those dark days and when I felt I could not go on, His grace was sufficient for me and I continued doing the ministry that God entrusted me. When the COVID-19 pandemic started and we had a lockdown I engaged myself to equip leaders to help me in ministry. Now we have more bible study groups and I pray that God will sustain them.

My Faith has been tested through trials, problems when my husband committed adultery and the loss of my only son and my husband but God's amazing grace sustained me to continue serving Him knowing that He's all I need.

Every Sunday, we feed the people who attend our service and we conduct equipping classes for ministry. In the weekly bible study, we serve snacks and have good fellowship with our participants too. Every quarter, we have a big gathering and invite speakers to empower the people for one and a half day lessons and it involves feeding all delegates and speakers. These evangelistic meetings encourage the growth of my ministry and people here are eager to hear the Word.

Three years ago, my former employer in Hongkong came with a Malaysian Pastor and this Pastor had a gift of healing and deliverance. We witnessed a miracle when a lady well known in our community for being possessed was delivered and she testified that she saw Jesus. From then on, I too received the gift to heal the sick and deliver the oppressed in the name of Jesus.

The house capacity is only for 30 people but we are praying that God will provide for us a church as our membership grows. I thank Asian Outreach Malaysia for giving me an opportunity to be a part of the AO family and for supporting my ministry. To God be the Glory.

Romans 10:14-15 But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?  And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”

God is faithful to His promises!