FROM THE HEART OF ERIC FUNG / Executive Director, Asian Outreach Malaysia

BEING AN AARON AND HUR

Exodus 17:12

“When Moses’s hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up - one on one side, one on the other - so that his hands remained steady till sunset.”

In Exodus, we read that when the Israelites were fighting against the Amalekites, Moses stood at the top of the hill with the staff of God in his hands overlooking the battle. As long as Moses held up his hands the Israelites were winning but whenever he grew tired and lowered his hands, the advantage shifted to the enemy. Then Aaron and Hur came along and held up his hands so that it remained steady until sunset and Israel won the battle. Although Aaron and Hur did not play as prominent a role as those at the forefront of the battle, their steadfast support behind the scene has helped win a war. To me, they are the true heroes of this story.

Here in Asian Outreach, we continuously seek to fulfil the great commission by bringing the gospel to every tongue and tribe that have yet to know Jesus Christ. While God has always been faithful, I must admit that it is a daunting task for our battle is not just against physical challenges but also against the principalities and powers of darkness. As I reflect on my 29 years of service in Asian Outreach, I thank God for the many Aarons and Hurs in my life. Every time the task seemed impossible, God would bring along the right people to partner with us and support us in prayer. Without these wonderful partners, it would not have been possible for us to accomplish all that the Lord has called us to do.

In 2006 I went to Nepal and saw children scavenging in the rubbish dumps, fighting with stray dogs and cows for every scrap of food they can find. I was shocked and moved to tears. The Holy Spirit impressed upon my heart to do something about the situation but I had no idea how to begin. There were so many children roaming the streets and I didn’t have the resources to feed, clothe and shelter them at all. Nevertheless, I obeyed God’s calling and together with the wonderful partners he sent, started a food sharing programme and drop-in centre. After some time, we were able to set up a proper home for the children and give them the opportunity to go to school. In this safe environment, many of the children grew to know and love the Lord and many more were saved from the streets day by day.

Romans 12:4-5

“For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.”

I would like to share with you the following report by Pastor Maniraj, our foot soldier in Theni, Tamil Nadu who has been tremendously blessed by your partnership. He needed a church to house the growing congregation and God directed him to build one on a land situated between the high caste and low caste community.

The people in the village take the caste system very seriously. Low caste people are not allowed to be in the same vicinity as the high caste people. God told him that the church would be the “bridge” that connects the Christian believers in both castes to come together as one. No one has ever attempted this before. The higher caste Hindus absolutely could not stand being anywhere near the low caste Dalits. Nevertheless, in obedience, Pastor Maniraj started to build the church as the Lord commanded.  The high caste Hindus tried to prevent the authorities from granting the approval to build the church and when they were unsuccessful, watched and waited to find fault with the building.

Due to lack of funds, Pastor Maniraj together with his wife and a few church members started to build the church brick by brick with their own hands. They had to walk one mile each way, in temperatures as hot as 40⁰C, carrying water, and bricks, sand and cement bags on their shoulders to and from the construction site. They never grumbled or complained. Instead their praises and thanksgiving to God can be heard for miles around. One day a Hindu in the village offered them a push cart to ease their burden. This helped to reduce the number of trips. After some time, non-Christian neighbours started to help with carrying water and other minor tasks. Pastor Maniraj was amazed that God could even use non-Christians to help him. It is a testimony for those who serve God that He is a faithful God and when we obey His calling, He will take care of our needs. Slowly, Pastor Maniraj started to share Christ with those who came to help and many in the village came to know the Lord.

God has called all of us to participate in the great harvest. While most of us could not be at the forefront like Pastor Maniraj and the other foot soldiers, we can be the Aarons and Hurs to support those in the field. I urge you to continue to partner with them through prayer and the giving of your time and resources. By doing so, we are investing in millions of lives and giving them a chance of salvation. The Lord sees our faithfulness and will bless us according to His riches in heaven.

All of us in Asian Outreach is grateful to God for meeting our needs and for a fruitful ministry thus far. Your generosity and support throughout the years have indeed been an encouragement to spur us on towards greater works. Many of you gave out of your own needs and I want to assure you that your giving is not in vain. Our track record shows that we are prudent and good stewards of the resources that God has blessed us with and every dollar that comes in goes to the field. In the coming months, pray with us as we continue to trust and obey God.

Romans 10:13-15

“For Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”