Dear friends, supporters and prayer partners,

Greetings to you and once again my thanks for your support and encouragement in so many ways, but especially for your prayer support for the workers in Advent Christian ministries in India, Malaysia, Myanmar and Thailand. As reports have come in over recent weeks it has been encouraging to see indications of your prayers being answered and evidence of the work of God’s Holy Spirit in many areas of ministry. There have been reports of baptisms; indications of our workers reaching out into new geographic areas where the Word of God is not normally shared; and advice that our workers are touching the lives of many who can be classed as underprivileged in their countries.

The Apostle James’ definition of “religion” in James 1:27 – “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” (ESV) – is very evident in the ministries in all of the four countries mentioned above. Not only are they maintaining their efforts in these areas of ministry but they are reaching out even further and increasing the number of lives they touch in one way or another, with Christian love and care and compassion.

In Malaysia the little Advent Christian group in Kluang led by Sister Ruth Devairakkam and her husband Wilfred and assisted by her daughters, has recently experienced joy as they ministered to a group of handicapped and Downs Syndrome children in their city. Whilst some these children probably do not fit the literal definition of “orphans” it should be noted that in many Asian countries  the families of children coming within the categories of handicapped and/or Downs  Syndrome are not able to avail themselves of support from governments as we in western countries are often blessed and able to do. Often there is no assistance of any kind available from governments or  in some cases from NGOs either, and the children and their caregivers could properly be classed as being on their own or as “orphans” in the wider sense of the word. They certainly need all the assistance and love they can get.

Ruth recently reported as follows…

“Greetings in the precious Name of Jesus. Recently, our group was invited to pray for the handicapped and Downs Syndrome children. We also had lunch fellowship with them. These children were so happy to be prayed for by our team. We had fun with the children. Their smiles brought joy to our hearts. Do pray along with us, for the Lord’s healing touch upon these children. ”As you pray, ask the Lord to give you an opportunity to invest yourself in another person today “.  Barbara Nobles   -   Maranatha Devotional Guide (2005)  God bless you.”

Ruth’s recent reports also indicate some growth in the numbers gathering with them and a widening of their sphere of influence and ministry for the LORD.

“Recently, my Chinese Buddhist neighbor approached us for help to pray for breakthroughs because of her personal problems. She also encouraged another Chinese business woman, facing a thorny situation with her son, to come to us for prayer. We prayed for both of them. The Lord has supernaturally intervened and calmed their situation. Healing is taking place in her family. Some of James’ friends and my friends who were touched by the Lord, during our ministry a few years ago, are now inviting us to their homes for fellowship and prayer. They are non-Christians. God is blessing our team-work. Mercy, Gracy and I, and my daughters minister among the ladies, Christians and non-Christians. They are single-mothers with under-privileged children and young ladies who need prayer and encouragement.   For EASTER we had a beautiful time of praise and worship, and thanksgiving. We had lunch fellowship after the service.  We are trusting the Lord for a building (rented shop-house lot) to hold our services and evangelistic meetings in the near future. At the moment, we have to ensure that our worship services are not too loud, as we are in a residential area. Our AC group is always represented at the Combined Churches Prayer Meetings.

Towards the end of this month, our group will be going on a mission-trip to the East Coast of Malaysia. Our AC group sends you EASTER GREETINGS. We appreciate all your prayers for the work over here.”

In Myanmar Pastor David recently reported as s follows concerning his group’s (Fellowship Bible Church Myanmar) ministry to widows.

“And we care some of widows in our ministry and we show the love of God and share the gospel. This women is accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior and Lord in last year. We are praying for her and provide some food for her. So that her life is changing before she become Christian and after become Christian.  Before she become Christian her life is lonely and there is no help and hopeless. But when she become Christian her life and joy and hopeful and she received care from brothers and sisters in Christ. She testimony she received Jesus Christ in her life is so good and lucky for her Life.  Thanks for your partner with in your prayer for our ministry.”

Brother D also recently advised that they had taken in another orphan to add to the 67 they are currently caring for in four locations around Yangon. He advised….

Greetings and this is new orphan children arrive in our orphanage home today. His parents were died and no one want to care him. He is waiting to helping his life in the street in Shan State. Our missionary in Shan State saw him and send to our orphanage home for today. He was lonely and crying in his life. But when he arrived in our home he is happy and playing with gun. He want to become Christian soldier in his future life. Praying for him.”

This little boy’s smile says it all and clearly shows the difference that Christian love and care can make!

In India, in November 2011, Yesuway Jeevan Mission entered into an agreement to partner in ministry with EMMANUEL’S SCHOOL AND CHILDREN’S HOME, in the town of CHANDEL in the STATE of MANIPUR, in north-eastern India. Chandel is about an hour and half’s drive from the capital city of the State – Imphal.

This agreement followed correspondence with a member of an AC church in the United States who along with others has been financially supporting the school’s activities for some years, and a visit to the school by an YJM staff member.

The school has been in operation since 1990 and has approximately 450 students, in classes ranging from Lower Kindergarten to Standard 10, taught by 18 teachers. About half of the students’ homes are 60 to 80 kms from the school and they live in a hostel at the school, whilst the others travel daily to school.

The school is owned and run by a Christian lady, Thirumathi (Mrs) Roselle, assisted by her brother Oliver. Our staff member’s report described Roselle as follows…”She is a humble, humorous and God fearing lady .She is unselfish and owns nothing for herself. She lives for the children’s welfare and their benefit. She leads an exemplary life committed to God and serving the children.”

Our staff member’s report describes the school and its operation as follows….

“[The children] are all very humble, God fearing and disciplined. They begin the day with prayer, singing, praising the Lord and end the day with devotion and thanksgiving. Every day they fetch water from nearby places for washing purposes, besides this they have a well which is used only for cooking and bathing. They have a worship place which has metal sheet roofing and mud floor with no coverings on the sides. Children gather here every morning and evening to hear the Word of God and they sing praises to the Lord. They have electric power only on alternate days so they need to depend on emergency lamps which are available in the local market. All the class rooms are open on all the sides with metal sheet roofing and it begins to leak when it rains. The floors are mud floor and none of the classes have lights or proper furnitures or sanitary facilities. Teachers’ salaries were paid less, the lowest being 1,300 rupees the highest being 3,000 rupees which hardly meets the needs which is the reason teachers quit the school for finding better paid jobs. So whatever funds come teachers were given their salaries first and the remaining money spent for other purposes. The school has one old version computer which was donated to them long back. They need a new computer with updated version. The school has no camera and on special occasions has to rent one.
No transportation is available for buying vegetables, fuel, provisions, medical care, emergencies etc. The cost of fuel is very high compared to other places. At times of emergency like medical care it is impossible without vehicle. They have to come to Imphal. Sale of tobacco, liquor, cigarettes are prohibited. The whole community are Christians and they fear God.”

As a condition of their support agreement, Yesuway Jeevan Mission receives a quarterly report on the activities of all its ministry partners. Th. Roselle recently forwarded a report, which sets out details of their philosophies and program.

Parts of that report are as follows…

“ACTIVITIES OF THE STUDENTS OF

EMMANUEL’S SCHOOL AND CHILDREN HOME, CHANDEL, MANIPUR, INDIA

A mere academic pursuit /class-room teacher is not enough for the all-round development of the children-building self-confidence with experience in a sound body and mind is required to meet the challenges of their day to day/near/future practical life fittingly. Keeping in view of this, the school created a special schedule for various activities of the children:

INTERNAL ACTIVITIES

*CONDUCT OF DEVOTION/ASSEMBLY: – A brief period of 30 minutes is spared for the students to conduct a short Devotion/Assembly by themselves under the guidance of their teachers every morning before resumption of their class and assembled themselves after the class with a prayer they are dispersed for their respective homes.

*DIVISION OF STUDENTS: – Into 4 (four) Houses- RED, BLUE, GREEN AND YELLOW. These four houses are made to engage in stiff competitions against one another in any Extra-Curricular Activities for the House Championship annually.

*EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES: – (A) IN-DOOR (B) OUT-DOOR.

(A) IN-DOOR- In order to inculcate spiritual knowledge , moral values and self-confidence in the students , they are thrown into various competitions- Recitation (Bible Scriptures/Poems) Skits/Drama, Debating, Extempore – speech , Singing, Quiz (Bible, Secular), Dancing, Talent-show etc.

(B) ANNUAL GAMES AND SPORTS MEET: To keep the students in a good physical fitness, to foster competitive spirit and to tap their sports talent, they are made to participate in competitions like Football, Race, High-Jump, Long-Jump, Hand-Ball, Javelin/Discus-throw and Short-Put, etc.

Besides, the students organized themselves to conduct/present themselves various items – Folk-Dances, Drama, Singing, Comical acting’s and treating their teachers with an array of food prepared by themselves on a yearly day like ‘TEACHERS’ DAY’.

EXTERNAL ACTIVITIES

1. Students participation in March-Past on Republic Day and Independence Day for both boys and girls.
2. Students participation in essay and panting competition organized by Nehru Yuva Kendra, Chandel every year.
3. Observation of Gandhi Jayanti on 2nd Oct. through various social works, inside and outside campus.
4. Annual study tour visiting Historical and Tourist Places within Manipur state.
5. Students participation in the district level inter school football trial cum selection for Under 14 (Fourteen) years for boys, organized by District Youth Affairs and Sports Officer, Chandel.
6. Advent Christmas Carol with Fire Lamp around the town.

Besides, every Sunday, they attend local church for the worship service. And sometimes they go to surrounding churches and present songs and testimonies. Every first Sunday of the month we have fasting prayer, especially for the school, hostel and supporters.”

Will you please uphold Thirumathi Roselle and her team and the children who they teach and train and seek to point to the Lord Jesus Christ in prayer on a regular basis? If the Lord leads you to join us in assisting this school to continue its ministry and upgrade its facilities, we would be pleased to hear from you and to give you more details of specific needs.

In Thailand John and Maeo Middlewood and their ministries at Christian Mission Naratchakwai continue to touch the lives of literally hundreds of elementary, high school and university students.

Since the Gen.12:1 Team was there in December/January an extra dormitory room has been constructed and a total of 12 girls, ranging from 7^th grade to 3^rd year university students now live full time at the compound – in 3 rooms each with four girls. Six of the girls who are attending high schools are enrolled in English medium study programs and John coaches then in English for many hours a week and tutors them in their other school subjects. All of the girls assist John in the teaching of English to students at other schools, at all-day Saturday English Camps at elementary schools in the area around Naratchawkwai. John is also tutoring a group of 10 university students who are majoring in English and want to be English teachers for four hours per week and these students conduct an English Camp once a month at schools in the area. The camps will assist about 250 elementary and high school students each month and in doing so will enhance the chances of these young people obtaining better jobs when they enter the workforce later in their lives.

God has graciously answered our prayers for the young people who have been and are living with John and Maeo. John reports that in the past few weeks two further girls have committed their lives to Jesus Christ. He recently reported….

“The best news is for last; and many prayers have been answered. Last Sunday Ploy came to me and said that she has accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior. When asked if she had talked to her parents, she said yes, so we went to see her mother. Her father was not home. Mother isn’t really happy – even though in the beginning he said it would be her daughter’s choice to make. She has, however, honored Ploy’s choice. She has, for the present, refused to let Ploy move back in permanently. She has allowed Ploy to come from school on Friday, stay at the mission on Friday and Saturday night and return home Sunday after church. We are praying that mother may change her mind after school gets started again. Please pray with us. That’s not all.  On Monday, Bee came to me and told me that Lita had been talking to her and that Lita has accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior. I talked to Lita Monday afternoon and she confirmed that she had accepted Christ. We are going to need some major praying for this young lady. As of right now, she has no citizenship. She has no birth certificate, so she isn’t Thai and she isn’t Lao. But before we can get Lita’s problems straightened out, we have to get her mother’s paperwork straightened out. Mother has no citizenship either. We do know she was born in Laos; we don’t know about Lita’s father, other than he is dead. I will be starting to research after Thai New Years – sometime between April 9 and 17. I may have some people that can help me – the question is whether they will want to or not – pray that they will want to even though there is nothing in it for them. If we can’t get things straightened out, Lita cannot legally continue school. As long as we are working on the paperwork, the local high school has indicated they will allow her to start school in grade 7, but in order for her to stay, she will have to get the correct paperwork.”

Please continue to pray for the now five girls who have accepted Christ as Saviour – Bee and Nun and Bpun and Ploy and Lita. The pressures on them from Buddhist family members and their peers and from their culture will be great. Pray that they may grow in grace and in the knowledge of their Saviour and that their faith may be strengthened. John advises that Bee and Nun, assisted by Bpun, Ploy and Lita (left to right at left) are “managing the complete children’s program {at Christian Mission Naratchakwai} and have been a great blessing to me, taking a huge load off my back and we all praise God for that.”

One of John’s desires over many years has been to develop a Thai Classical Band and during this summer’s school vacation, a group of 13 of his girls has spent three days a week learning to play classical instruments in a nearby town and after spending 100 hours in the program, to quote John, “…had their final concert and were a smashing success.”

Many thanks once again for your prayers and your partnership with us in Advent Christian ministries in south-east Asia. As the folk in India often say… ”By God’s grace and through your prayers” God is touching lives and bringing blessing.

Dear friends, supporters and prayer partners,

Greetings to you and thank you for your continued support and prayers for our brothers and sisters in South East Asia who serve the Lord under the Advent Christian banner. Thank you also for your prayers for me as I had surgery on 7 February for a total knee joint replacement in my right leg. The surgery was successful and after four days in hospital I am presently staying with my daughter and her family until I am sufficiently mobile to go back to my own home. The LORD has answered your prayers as pain is well controlled and my exercises are enabling me to make steady progress towards being able to walk normally once again – it seems a long time since that was the case! I am very aware of and grateful for the prayers and encouragement of so many – thank you very much. [Read more...]

Dear friends, supporters and prayer partners,
Greetings to you and thank you once again for your continued support and prayers for our brothers and sisters in South East Asia who serve under the Advent Christian banner. Thank you especially for your prayers concerning the issue of a visa to enable me to visit India – my visa was issued on 18 August and I arrived in Chennai on 3 September and spent eight days with Immanuel visiting those who lead those organisations which are ministering in partnership with Yesuway Jeevan Mission in and around Chennai and further afield in Tamil Nadu State. This update will concentrate on giving you an up to date indication of the wonderful job that these folk are doing as they care for and meet the needs of disadvantaged children and their families. In some cases the emphasis has had to change within the ministries, usually because of new government regulations and requirements, which in typical Indian fashion seem to make it more and more difficult to do the task of caring for folk who the government can’t or won’t care for itself!

BIHAR. Because of time and distance I was of course not able to visit the Advent Christian Conference’s outreach in Bihar State which we support, but Pastor Paul Sunder Raj happened to be in Chennai while I was there and I was pleased to be able to spend some time with him and was able to get a view of their ministry activities and St Xavier’s School which continues to be their very valuable bridge into the community in Khagaria.

Paul advised that their ministry team which now numbers 11 pastors in addition to Paul, is in good heart (in spite of the fact that the AC Conference has not provided funds for their salaries for several months)and they have just commenced building their third church building in their area.. God continues to work in the hearts of those to whom they minister and they have been having fairly regular baptismal services of quite large numbers of new believers. Paul has of recent times been carrying the responsibility of the principal’s position at St Xavier’s School but he told me that they had two good candidates for the position of Principal and once an appointment is made he will be released from these extra responsibilities and will be able to again concentrate on leading the ministry team. He will retain his position as Assistant Principal which enables him to keep an eye on the overall activities of the school. The school enrolment at present is about 680 students from standards 1 to 10 who learn in English medium, and they have a very good team of teachers, most of whom are Christians. The school continues to be highly regarded by the community for the contribution it makes to the city of Khagaria.

Please continue to pray for Paul and his wife Sudar and their children William Carey and Joanna, (pictured at right in their winter woollies) and the pastors and their families and the principal and teachers of St Xavier’s school. Pray too that the AC Conference will soon be able to send funds for salaries for their workers.

GUINDY HOSTEL. The hostel is caring for 102 children at present. Because of its very serious financial position the AC Conference has not provided any funds for many months – the Mission has doubled its monthly contribution and is presently their only source of funds. Contributions from regular donors in New Zealand have allowed necessary capital works to be carried out to keep the hostel running – we have recently sent funds to enable them the drill a bore-well and provide a pump and tanks etc. to provide a good water supply for the children. The cook resigned because she was not being paid and the warden – Nelson – and his wife who are not being paid either (pictured) are carrying a huge responsibility and are under great pressure as they care for all the children. They need our prayers, as do the leaders of the AC Conference who sadly seem to have lost sight of their responsibility to care for these precious lives which are under their care.

The SHELTER TRUST HOSTEL, which cares for 20 children and 10 adults who are all HIV positive, is a beautiful ministry which God is blessing and using to give wonderful quality of life and eternal hope to these folk. Rev Solomon who leads this ministry is tremendously committed to his calling and task, and explained that their aim is to bring love – Christian love,  and quality of life, and laughter to these 30 folk whose length of life is inevitably limited by their illness. As they do this they of course point them to the Lord Jesus Christ who can give them eternal Life.

My heart was deeply touched as I talked with these folk, as they danced and sang for us, and as I saw their happy, smiling faces and the joy that was obviously part of their lives. God is using Rev Solomon and his team of helpers in a wonderful way.

Immanuel and I were honoured to be asked to dedicate and formally open some new dormitory and activity areas and medical facilities on the first floor of their building. A fine treatment room is empty of required equipment at this stage – please pray that the LORD will continue to provide as He has done so wonderfully in the past to enable the room to be fully equipped as soon as possible. I was also able to see the next area to be developed – on the second floor where they intend to build an isolation room, an area for the adult ladies to rest and have privacy, as well as facilities for visiting family members to stay.

Sadly the PEACE CHILDREN’S CARE HOME at Dharmapuri, near Salem, recently had to close. This was because of new Indian government regulations which no longer allow organisations to care for underprivileged children in rented premises. The premises in which this organisation looked after approximately 25 children and young people whose lives had been affected because of their parents contracting HIV/AIDS was rented and although the organisation owns land on which it ultimately plans to build their own hostel, they very reluctantly had to transfer their children to other organisations, but have done so on the basis of being able to continue their care of them once the property situation is settled. The property they own is to the east of Chennai near the coast and they are preparing plans for suitable buildings to enable them to recommence their full time care of disadvantaged children. As always, funding for those buildings is a major obstacle and at this time they have no idea of when construction will begin.

In the meantime they are running a day-care session for several hours at the end of each day, for six days a week, after school finishes, for approximately 80 children from nearby fishing villages. They assist them with their school studies and homework (most of the children’s homes have no electricity and so they cannot do this at home) and have Christian input and teaching and give them a snack meal each day. Once again, my heart was touched as I listened to these children sing Christian songs and recite Scripture verses – they were very obviously “at home” and enjoying the time they send with Rev John Matthew and his helpers. As with children everywhere they enjoyed the “treat” of savoury puffs and cake and soft drink which we took for them.

CHRIST SPECIAL HIGH SCHOOL at Sankarapuram is now in its own new custom built building and caters for about 65 children who are physically or mentally or both disadvantaged. It is a residential school and once again the staff- teachers and carers and cooks led by Mrs. Banunrathy Sugintharaj who with her late husband founded the school in1991 – do a wonderful job of giving loving care and attention, a good education (their students do very well in external, government examinations) encouragement and spiritual input to these children. Their new building was funded largely by churches in Australia and they still need to expand the building to provide additional facilities, especially for live-in staff and they are looking to purchase adjacent land to use for play and recreation areas for the children.

Once again we had the opportunity to interact with the children and it was wonderful to see their smiles and to hear them sing Christian songs and perform dances for us. It was especially touching to see children with physical handicaps joining in the dances – the school is obviously a place of happiness and peace.

The ABISHEK KARUNYA (Mercy Anointing) PRIMARY SCHOOL for Gypsy children which was also started by Mrs. Banunrathy Sugintharaj and her late husband, operated from a school building constructed in a Gypsy settlement at nearby Kallakuruchi. Unfortunately, again because of Indian government involvement, the school had to cease operating as their approximately 50 children were compulsorily transferred by the government as the basis of a newly built government school in the district. Mrs. Banunrathy Sugintharaj and her helpers have retained their contact with the children with after school hours activities and are now teaching the mothers of the children sewing skills and jewellery making – with the aim of enabling the ladies to gain the skills to either get jobs or start their own small businesses and thus to increase their family incomes. So the primary school has become the ABISHEK SEWING SCHOOL. The New Zealand Special Fund recently provided funds for two new sewing machines and tables and other associated equipment for them and YJM is providing a small monthly amount to pay the two tutors a small allowance.   They are teaching groups of up to 20 ladies for a six month sewing course or a course in jewellery making – necklaces, bangles etc. Of the first class of 5 ladies who recently completed the first course, three have already become self-employed and have been able to purchase their own sewing machines and obtain contracts for sewing for clothing manufacturers.

Pastor Kirubakkaran, who we know as the “Baby Saver” is in the process of registering his hostel for approximately 32 children at Namakkal with government authorities. In the process it has been renamed the FPTL NEW LIFE HOME. (FPTL stands for (Faith, Prayer, Tract Link). 29 of his 32 children are at school in the nearby village and three are under school age. Their rented house is very small and they desperately need to have their own land and buildings both to give them more room and to comply with government regulations.

Kirubakkaran continues to minister the Gospel in the nearby Kolli Hills and has services every Sunday in two different places, using church buildings which have been made available to him by wealthy citizens on the plains. He continues to save babies (and at my enquiry advised that he has now saved a total of 189. PTL!) from being sacrificed, but now, again because of new government regulations, he can no longer keep them in his own hostel – he has to find suitable Christian homes for them. He indicated that he had rescued two little ones a couple of weeks before my visit.

Here too it was wonderful to hear the children, home from school for their lunch break, recite Scripture verses and passages and sing Christian songs.  They enjoyed the special lunch meal of chicken briyani which we had provided for them.

The ADDRES CENTRE (Alcohol, Drug De-addiction RE-habilitation Service Centre) has also recently undergone changes in its activities and emphasis. Whilst one of the reasons it has been necessary to make changes is because the government has reduced funding to it and other NGOs working in this area of need, the funding has been reduced as the programmes they have been implementing have been so successful that the number of addicts has reduced dramatically. Pastor Paul Nilavan indicated that most of the alcohol and drug addicts in the area of Chennai in which they were working are now rich, young people who can afford to buy their drugs and alcohol and who he leaves to pay for their own treatment. ADDRES Centre continues to assist with the rehabilitation process of those they have helped in the past, and I was able on their behalf to hand over a food parcel and a voucher for their child’s education to a couple who they have been helping for some time. The man, a recovered addict, was going for a job interview soon after I met him.

As well as continuing to care for their earlier contacts, they are now moving into providing training to enable rehabilitated folk to learn job skills to allow them to earn a living for themselves and their families. Their new ministry is named STEPPING STONE INNOVATIVE and they are starting their ministry with a Catering/Cooking course, a Beautician’s course and a TV and Radio Announcing course. They have recruited prominent people from the industries concerned who have agreed to give their time to teach the members of the courses the skills they need to enable them to seek employment in the relevant areas.

They are presently in rented premises but have purchased a plot of land and in time hope to build their own building.

The Mission/Jesuway Jeevan Mission assists all of the above partner ministries, together with the AC Conference’s outreach ministry at Adda Road in the State of Andhra Pradesh, which is led by Pastor Paul Gantham, financially each month and as our income increases in the future it is our intention to assist them as much as we can to assist them to achieve their goals and continue their very valuable practical ministries to those to whom they minister, who are in all cases underprivileged in some way. Of course the best way we can support them is in prayer, and I ask that you pray for all of these ministries and particularly those who have the responsibility of leadership, on a regular and perhaps rotating basis.

We are in the process of preparing a Trust Deed to enable us to register YESUWAY JEEVAN MISSION as a charitable and religious organisation with the Indian government, and we are seeking the LORD’s will in respect to Christian brothers or sisters to act as trustees. It is hoped that there will be the opportunity for representatives of ACGC to continue to have a leadership and guiding role in the new Indian organisation and to thus maintain the link with the on-going ministry of the organisation and its partners which has developed over the many years that our missionaries have ministered in India. Please pray for wisdom for all those involved in these preparations and for the LORD’s leading in these matters. Please pray especially for our Advocate (lawyer) in Chennai, Brother Ravi Paul, who over recent years has worked very hard for us in many difficult situations and who ultimately will be the one who will negotiate the registration of the new trust for us.

Thank you once again for your partnership with us in the LORD’s work. If you would like any further information please do not hesitate to contact me at ernie.schache@acmissionz.org.nz. God bless you as you serve him with us.

Ernie Schache

Dear friends, supporters and prayer partners,

Greetings to you and thank you for your continued support and prayers for our brothers and sisters in South East Asia who serve under the Advent Christian banner. I arrived back in New Zealand late last month from my five week trip to the United States, where I first attended the Triennial Convention of the Advent Christian General Conference and then visited a number of Advent Christian churches in New England, North Carolina, Washington State and California.

As I presented a PowerPoint® presentation which gave details of the ministries in India, Myanmar Malaysia and Thailand I reminded those who listened that with one exception, there are now no foreign Advent Christian workers in these countries and the nationals in each country have the responsibility for leading and carrying on their own ministries. The one exception is of course Brother John Middlewood at Christian Mission Naratchakwai in Thailand, but John is not an employee of ACGC and has made Thailand his permanent home. [Read more...]

Dear friends, supporters and prayer partners,

Our Brothers and Sisters who serve the Lord under the Advent Christian banner in Malaysia, India, Myanmar and Thailand continue their ministries, often under significant pressures, in a truly dedicated manner. Often there is little of special significance to report, but they just keep on keeping on; trusting the Lord to provide for their needs and those of their families; looking to the LORD to bless their interactions with those to whom they minister; rejoicing as they see the power of God working in the lives of those they share the Gospel with; and sometimes rejoicing further as men and women and young people commit their lives to Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. [Read more...]

Dear friends, supporters and prayer partners,

Greetings to you in the Name of the one we serve together. There is much going on in Asia where Advent Christian folk are ministering, and there are many positive matters for which we can thank and praise the Lord. It is easy to zero in on the problems and the negatives, but God continues to work through His people in India, Thailand, Myanmar and Malaysia – men and women and young people are accepting Jesus as their Lord and Saviour and Christians are moving ahead in their knowledge of God’s ways and precepts. All of it is because of God’s grace and power; much of it is because of the dedicated service of those who minister, often sacrificially, and much of it is because many of you have faithfully prayed both generally and specifically and have given generously to meet the financial costs of new and existing ministries. Thank you for your partnership in Advent Christian ministries in SSE Asia and beyond.

In India, Mission Manager Immanuel was recently able to represent the Mission at the second Convocation held at the Advent Christian Conference’s compound at Velachery, Chennai, to witness the graduation of 19 students who successfully completed the second 2 year DISCIPLESHIP TRAINING COURSE. [Read more...]