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
- Students participation in March-Past on Republic Day and Independence Day for both boys and girls.
- Students participation in essay and panting competition organized by Nehru Yuva Kendra, Chandel every year.
- Observation of Gandhi Jayanti on 2nd Oct. through various social works, inside and outside campus.
- Annual study tour visiting Historical and Tourist Places within Manipur state.
- 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.
- 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 7th grade to 3rd 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.
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