J & C,
South Asia
On 1st September, the general public reacted to the slaying of national hostages in Iraq by taking to the streets. On the roof of our house, we could see in all directions and later smell the black smoke rising from burning tyres around the valley. The reaction caught many by surprise that morning. We got a call from the school to fetch our boys home immediately. C and I had to walk the seven boys home, carefully avoiding the hotspots of angry protesters chanting anti-government slogans and burning tyres at major road intersections. Two mosques in the city were attacked. Many Muslim businesses and Middle Eastern airlines offices were also targeted. Later on, the mob turned their anger on the local manpower companies. The evening news reported that over two hundred agencies across the city were badly vandalized.
ANGRY MOB – Public demonstrations are a common scene in the capital
Two days of mourning were declared for the nation. Due to the severity of the situation, the government had to impose a citywide curfew that lasted 5 days. Only two hours in the morning and evening were people allowed to go out and buy food. At this time of writing, the general situation has calmed down. But the feeling of “what is going to happen next” still hangs heavily in the air. The public is fed up with the government’s incompetence in dealing with the rebels. The supposedly peace talks are not getting anywhere. Perhaps something big and hot is brewing and may blow up soon. PLEASE DO NOT FAIL TO PRAY FOR THIS NATION.
The village churches, especially those in the remote areas, are facing difficult times as the rebels have stepped up their activities. Two of our works were visited by the rebels recently and were told to stop our weekly gatherings. In one work, local Bibles and hymnbooks were confiscated. Our pastors were warned to halt all their outreach and evangelistic efforts. Nonetheless, our believers continue to meet weekly in house fellowships. After lying low for two weeks, they resumed their worship services on weekends. Under such circumstances we are pleased to report that new people are coming to church weekly and they are getting a chance to hear the Good News of Jesus. Water baptisms are also being held regularly in most of our works. PLEASE DO NOT CEASE IN YOUR PRAYERS FOR THE LOCAL CHURCHES.
READY TO GO – Harvest Centre’s 5th batch of students
To date, we have 10 churches planted across this troubled nation. 4 have their own land and building. Likely land purchases may be made for 2 other works this year. God willing, we hope to embark on 4 to 5 new works in the next few months. From our last batch of training in August and September, there were 4 potential workers who have expressed their desire to start new works once they return to their villages. Surely, harvest time is at hand and the Lord is raising up workers for the harvest fields. It seems the Lord is unfolding our 200/20 vision of establishing 10 churches every year. In anticipation for this annual increase of new works, we are now planning for our next level of operation of having regional pastors to help oversee the new and growing churches. At the moment it is just NP and I holding the fort! Please pray with us that the Lord will send people of His choice who would catch the vision and share in the passion of helping the new works to grow.
BAND OF BROTHERS Growing up in love
The latest two new additions, Justin (3) and Calvin (5) have adjusted to our home very well. Both possess a great capacity in learning. After two months with us, Justin now knows all his ABCs, able to count one to twenty and say all the colors. And he has not even started school! Calvin is also learning very fast in school for his age. On the morning of 14th September when I returned home from our training centre, I received a pleasant surprise from our older boys! It was Father’s Day and Daniel, Paul, James and Peter each made a special card for me! It was both a special and touching moment for me as the boys expressed their love for me. I still can’t get them to call me daddy, as I think of the heavy responsibilities involved. But the boys know I love them just as much. Our little band of brothers is now eight. It has and always will be a joy and blessing to have them with us.
“So let us know, let us press on to know the Lord.
His going forth is as certain as the dawn;
And He will come to us like the rain,
Like the spring rain watering the earth”
Prayer Pointers
- Harvest Centre – Praise God for His faithfulness that through the generous giving of His people that the final and third storey of our training centre was completed at the end of July this year! See below.
Harvest Centre - Vision 200/20 – To establish 200 vibrant churches in 20 years in the Himalayan regions where there is no church.
- Goal 200/2 – To have 200 believers in 2 years for each church planted. We need faith and wisdom from above. Pray that we would be faithful and persevere in the work of planning and execution. Pray that God would bring the vision into reality and cause a huge impact on His kingdom’s work here.
- Himalayan Hope Orphanage – The orphanage needs to be officially registered as a local NGO. We are required to have seven locals as board members for the registration. Pray that God would lead us into finding these seven members of His choice. Pray for C that God would prepare her heart and spirit in the starting of this 100-children orphanage in the near future. Ask the Holy Spirit to endow C with the gift of leadership and administration for the task.
- Special Guest – We will be privileged to have Janice Ha stay with us for about three months from 1st October. We look forward to have her share and help in our ministry. As Janice seeks to serve God in the future, pray that the Lord would speak and prepare her in her time with us. Pray that she would learn from both our strengths as well as shortcomings.
