Trekking with God in the jungles of Sarawak

By Pastor Benny Ng

AOM Coordinator for Sarawak

“I WILL wear adult diapers if I have to on my mission trip!”

This is what I told my wife when she was worried about my health and thought maybe I should take a break from ministry to get better first. I had been suffering from diarrhoea for three days and nights after ministering two villages in Sarawak. I still had one more village to visit.

Ministry in Long Sukang

I sensed the Lord’s leading and trusted that He would heal me as I wanted to honour my commitment to the church in Long Sukang. Sure enough, the Lord healed me as I got into the twin otter plane the next morning to travel from Miri to Lawas.

Here, nine churches from nearby villages came together for the revival meetings. We were treated like VIPs with welcoming dances and songs, and feted with sumptuous traditional delicacies. And the icing on the cake was the invitation by the leaders to return soon for more meetings and training.

Ministry in Long Jawe

Earlier, my team from the Hong Kong Sha Alliance church and I journeyed deep into the jungles of Sarawak, traversing’s the State’s tough, bumpy trails and long winding rivers to reach the Orang Asli there, namely the Ibans and Melanau living in the villages of Long Jawe and Long Busang.

It took seven hours to get to Long Jawe. Along the way, we saw numerous villages - covering an area double the size of Singapore - that were submerged in flood waters. The villagers were known as Orang Ulu (interior people) and comprised the Kenyah, Kayan and Penan tribes). The flood was caused by the building of the Bakun dam, which resulted in much of the cultural artefacts of the various tribes being destroyed.

The church of Long Jawe, which was once vibrant and now cold, floats 30 feet above sea level --- a rare sight indeed. The area is now home to only a handful of Kenyahs who live in floating houses. Back in its Heyday when the foreign missionaries were here this was a thriving church and we pray for revival fever to return to this church.

Ministry in Long Busang

We took a two-hour boat ride to Long Busang where some 30 % of the Kenyah people are non-Christians. To our surprise, the village head and other non-Christian leaders welcomed us with open arms .We were invited to their homes for visitations and still more amazing, every home requested us to pray before meals.

Before we started our ministry in the church, the pastor used the church’s PA system to invite the whole village to come for the meeting.

During altar call after my sharing, an old lady came up to me to thank me for relieving her from the burden of bitterness towards God for many years because her son committed suicide. She left with newfound joy in her heart when God healed her of her grief when she finally chose to let go of her anger.

God’s Protection

As I travel the length and breadth of Sarawak’s interior, the journeys are always challenging as I never know what to expect when I go into the jungle to minister to the local tribes. Because I am to be obedient to His calling, I know God will protect and keep my family safe, and that He will be in the jungle with me, guarding me too.

Fruit of our Labour

To see these people come to the Lord is my reward. For truly there is no better reward than seeing the people you have touched are also going to Heaven with you.

Gal 6:9-10 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers

The foot soldiers in Vietnam are a group of dedicated men and women who are willing to risk everything to see their people saved.
They are persecuted not only by the authorities but also by their communities, friends and even families. Yet they preserver for the sake of the gospel. How many of us would be willing to risk everything for the Gospel? 


TESTIMONY BY NGUYEN DD – FOOT SOLDIER IN SOUTH VIETNAM

My name is Nguyen D.D. and I am 52 years old. I was born in Central Vietnam and spent all of my childhood there. I married a local girl form the same hometown as myself and we have 4 children. Life was a  long hard struggle for us and we grew up in poverty, just existing from one day to another, with no hope at all for a better tomorrow. In 2001, during a hurricane our family lost our entire home and possessions.  For me, this was all I expected my life to be. I never dared to hope or believe for anything different.

After being made homeless, my wife and I decided to move to South Vietnam, 1500km away to start a new life. There things were even more difficult. I could not find a permanent job, only small menial part time jobs that did not pay much. All I could afford to rent for us to stay was a really small room (43 square feet) and there I lived with my wife and 4 little children. My children had to go to school but sometimes I could not afford to send them. Food was scarce and many a night they went to bed hungry. Sometimes I could hear them whimpering in hunger. I began to feel so depressed and hopeless and I turned to alcohol to relieve this ‘pain’. In my drunken state I was oblivious to the pain and hopelessness of myself and my family.

One day in 2007 I began to see the tangible love of God through a friend and after he shared with me about Jesus and His love I began to feel some small glimmer of hope. I decided to accept Jesus and made him my Lord and Saviour. From that day my life was completely transformed. My family on seeing my transformation also accepted Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. I managed to get a job but things did not immediately get better. I still lived in that small cramped room, never inviting anyone to see where I lived. We faced much persecution from our family, friends and colleagues. My friends and colleagues despised me saying “You said your God is so good and powerful then why are you still living in such a bad state?” But we persevered and we give thanks to the Lord for helping us keep our faith.   

After 11 years, God granted us the provisions to get a new house and he also blessed my children to excel in their studies and get good jobs. I am now a grandfather too and I thank the Lord for all His blessings. My home has been dedicated to be used as a house of worship and I am honoured to become a servant of the Lord.

I would like to thank Asian Outreach for praying for us and supporting us all these years. You have given me the strength to be faithful in serving God and encouraged me greatly. 

Ecc 11:1 “Cast your bread upon the waters for after many days you will find it again”

Bhutan is a tiny, remote and impoverished kingdom nestling in the Himalayas between its powerful neighbors, India and China. Often called the last Shangri-la, it has its own unique cultural identity and heritage and a people with deeply held beliefs based on Buddhism. Buddhism values and beliefs guide and still dominate in every aspect of the Bhutanese people’s everyday life. It is also very closely linked to the monarchy and woven into the national fabric of Bhutan culture and way of life. The Gross National Happiness (GNH) which is deemed more important than the Gross National Product (GNP) is employed as a measurement of its people’s level of happiness and assumes that all citizens are Buddhists - “one country, one people and one religion”.  Buddhism accounts for about 80% of the population. About 15% are

followers of Hinduism while the rest follow other religions. Christians account for about 0.5%.

Even though Bhutan proclaims to be a democratic country with religious freedom, evangelism and preaching are considered illegal and Christians remain largely underground and are persecuted in various ways. Bars, pubs and discos have now become legal in Bhutan – a cause of concern for the older generation – but construction of churches is still prohibited and most fellowships are held in the homes of pastors or converts. Those who become Christian face the loss of state benefits such as free education and access to electricity and water. In some instances, harassment and beatings occur. In 2010, a pastor in South Bhutan was sentenced to 3 years in prison for screening the “Jesus” film. In July Pastor Pema Sherpa was beaten, threatened with a sword and told he would be thrown in jail if he did not stop worshipping in his house, but he refused to stop.

In August, our partner in mission, an NMH (Neighbours Mission Himalayas) pastor was persecuted and made to stand in the open for one day from 9am to 4pm by the sub-division officer (SDO). When he pleaded for an hour leniency to accompany his wife for medical treatment, his request was refused outright. His tears mingled with sweat he endured the ultimate humiliation, meted out because of his stubborn refusal to stop holding fellowship in his home despite frequent warnings, harassment, stoning and threats to sever access to basic amenities and education for his children. The SDO had enforced a law forbidding Christians to gather in homes to have fellowship except to have fellowship in their own home with their own family. Christians are further forbidden to mass gathering on occasions of wedding and Christmas. He was so targeted because the other pastors have conceded to the pressure out of fear and he is the only one who resolutely resisted. In spite of suffering pain and humiliation he was able to say “it is a joy to suffer for Jesus.” A prolific church planter and a pastor for more than 15 years, he has planted a number of churches in different parts of the country and continues to plant churches, travelling for long hours through rough terrain and difficult paths, crossing rivers or uphill ascend to meet with believers so he can encourage, have fellowship and holy communion with them. He is focused on bringing the Gospel to the unreached and has no thought for his own safety.

Christians not only face pressure from the authorities but also from the community. There are spies everywhere trailing Christians and their activities, waiting to report them and the people fear to violate the laws and are reticent to talk. Our mission partner and foot soldiers (co-workers) often have had to change the time of fellowship or camouflage water baptism as having a picnic by the riverside. But adversity has not caused the believers to retreat instead their faith is emboldened by courage exemplified in their pastors and the miracles that testify of a loving and caring God. Through personal testimonies the numbers of people getting saved are growing and many have been baptized, accepting Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

Bhutan remains one of the world’s least evangelized countries. . There is a huge need for good sound Christian teaching and general education among the Christians in Bhutan.  Despite the lack, restrictions and challenges, God is moving and believers are increasingly spreading across the country. Sadly, most of the 700,000 people living in Bhutan still worship spirits or gods made of wood and stone. They live and die with no assurance of salvation, for they’ve never heard the message of God’s love or Jesus’ sacrifice for them. for They are spiritually hungry and crave truth on which to build their lives. Slowly God’s message is opening the doors to the hearts of the Bhutanese people.

Trust that God will move your hearts to pray for the King and the people of Bhutan that will open the door for the 700,000 populace to have an opportunity to hear the Gospel. Pray also for our foot soldiers that God will encourage them, protect them from harm and harassment and their needs will be met.

A BEACON OF HOPE

Siliguri is blessed with natural beauty. The majestic Kanchen-junga Mountains, visible from Siliguri on a clear day are enough to take your breath away. Siliguri, on the banks of Mahananda River and spread into the foothills of the Himalayas, is the gateway into 8 north-eastern states of India. The strategic importance of the town is obvious. Siliguri connects four international borders  (Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, and Nepal)

In 2007 Asian Outreach began the building of a Prayer Tower. It would become the ‘light on the hill’ drawing the lost and broken hearted, the weary, sick and downtrodden, and a place where believers could come together to teach and share the Word of God, a place of worship and praise to the Lord. The Prayer Tower took 5 years to complete and after many obstacles and setbacks, it was finally opened in February 2012.

The Prayer tower has become a landmark in Siliguri for touching and changing lives. Miracles, signs and wonders have been taking place and the powerful anointing and the presence of God is felt when believers come together to worship and pray there. Glory Place Prayer Tower is equipping many pastors and church leaders to expand God’s Kingdom not only in India but into neighbouring countries as well.

He is raising up Prayer Warriors at Glory Place from the hills and plains of Darjeeling, Siliguri, Sikkim, Bhutan and the eastern provinces of Nepal. This call for intercession and prayer has touched the hearts of the children; and God is using these children to intercede for their families and the nation of India. Like the adults, they fast and pray, often overnight. Many of these young children are dedicating their lives to the Lord and God is moving in a powerful way among the children using them to be the ‘salt’ and ‘Light’ to their families and friends.

People who come here leave filled with the love and hope of Jesus Christ, filled with fresh anointing and a miracle. People are being healed from their diseases, set free from bondages and delivered from evil spirits. Pastors, leaders and believers who visit the Prayer Tower give testimony of a tremendous infilling of the Holy Spirit that changes their lives completely.

Women folk, who have always remained in the background in India, are stepping out in Siliguri, becoming prayer warriors and intercessors for the nations. Families are being saved, husbands coming to the Lord when they witness the changes in their families.

Ps Jiwan, the resident Pastor of Glory Place Prayer Tower has reported recently that non-believers have come to witness for themselves the wonders taking place and many have given their lives to Christ.

Asian Outreach Malaysia  is working together with National Missions Commissions Nepal in a Slum area at Thapathali slum site in Kathmandu at the side of the river Bagmati. There were more than 300 houses with the population of more than 1500 people. These people here are the underprivileged, neglected and the poorest of the poor. Most of the people living in that area are struck by poverty and hardship with no proper means of income, no proper housing, and lack of adequate food, drinking water, lack of health and sanitation awareness and so on. There was also a sad lack of education among the children and the quality of education that the children were receiving by the government. Efforts were made to help the children mainly focusing on education starting with the set up of an education center in the month of March 2009. NMCN started a free tuition and gave snacks to the children.

Within one and half years, they were able to establish a church and fellowship group in the slum.  They faced lots of Problem but God helped them to solve the entire problem and they went ahead in the teaching and sharing the  gospel in the slum.  Around 40-50 children used to come to the tuition center and they were given help in their school work. It was so rewarding to see them improving in their studies, not only improving in their studies but also in their habits, in their living standard, in tidiness and also they came to know about Jesus. They started coming to Sunday school and their parents also join the Saturday fellowship, many of them believed and accepted Christ as their savior, the community also saw the tangible love of God through these dedicated workers and appreciated  what they were doing and the changes they saw in their children. In 2012 disaster struck the slum when the Government demolished the slum and tore down the center where the children used to meet,but our co-workers did not  lose heart and continued to give tuition for the children in an open place.  After few weeks they built a shade. 70 children used to come for tuition. Plans were made to build  a tin hut for the tuition but the Government would not allow them to do that, so they expanded the shade from inside where about 100 children can study comfortably. and a thick foam with carpet on the top  covered the dirt floor so that the children would not feel cold. Now 90-100 children come to the tuition center.

The children are very happy and within 5 years, many changes were seen in the slum. The children have learnt how to respect their elders, how to stay clean, pray, memorize the bible verses, responsible, and lending a helping hand among themselves and their community. Now the population of the slum is only 600 hundred because it is not safe there and many have left the slum to seek shelter elsewhere.

Children, parents and young children lived in world of drugs, drinking and fighting.  Now, our workers have been able to establish a Sunday school and church where children and their parents are attending the church service. Now they have left taking drugs and drinking and fighting. The children and teens who come to attend the slum education program have left doing drugs such as sniffing glue and drinking wine. Now they have accepted the Lord Jesus in their lives and have been transformed. Now they have become an example for their friends and family.  Several of the parents have accepted the Lord and are constantly attending the fellowship. 

Five years ago, when the  slum project was started, the slum people themselves were very against and suspicious of any Christians coming to help them. They were unaware of health and hygiene issues but now because of what they have learnt from our co-workers  teaching them about health and heaven, their lives have been changed.  Children do not play in the mud and dust. They do not go to the  garbage pile to collect food and plastic to sell. The lives of these children and parents have been transformed through the  gospel and humanitarian support of generous donors whose desire is to sow into the kingdom of God and win Asia for Christ.

Urgent prayer

Pls pray for the church planters in Bhutan