South East Asia

From Darkness to Light

Jul 3, 2024 | South East Asia, Stories

Ami found herself wasting away due to her struggles with alcohol abuse. Her days were consumed by card games, smoking, and binge-drinking with friends, often leading to entire days lost in the haze of intoxication and gambling. Her thoughts were perpetually muddled. She neglected her home, garden, and family, resulting in frequent clashes with her husband.

One day, Achara, a woman from Ami’s village, told her about Jesus and gave her a printed copy of the Gospel of Mark. Intrigued, Ami eagerly devoured the Gospel. The more she read, the more her desire waned for the destructive cycle of drinking and gambling.

She said what she liked most about the Gospel of Mark was that she felt so much compassion for Jesus, and the more she read, the less she felt drawn to her bad lifestyle patterns. She cut ties with her old companions and abandoned the destructive habits. After becoming sober, Ami experienced a physical and emotional resurgence: gaining weight, revitalizing her health, and rediscovering her energy. She redirected her focus to her home, family, and nurturing her garden.

This transformation did not go unnoticed by her husband and daughter. Dao, Ami’s daughter, marveled at the positive changes. She remarked that their previously neglected home and kitchen now reflected order and care, thanks to Ami’s newfound commitment to Jesus.

Ami, now burdened for her family and their lack of knowledge about Jesus, fervently prayed for them. Despite initial hesitation, Dao began to trust in Jesus, inspired by her mother’s example and supported by their house church. Meanwhile, Ami’s husband Amree, initially fearful of reaction from the Buddhist community, boldly proclaimed his belief in Jesus.

As the family navigated this spiritual shift, Dao’s husband remained a point of concern. Pray that he too will see the light in Dao, Ami and Amree, and want that light as well.

*pseudonyms

READ OTHER STORIES FROM SOUTH EAST ASIA

THREE DELICIOUS DISHES …
Danny and *Holly were at their favorite Thai open-air market on Christmas Day. When they gave … read more

MIRACLES, DEMONIC EXORCISM
After prayer walking with a local partner, sowing gospel seeds with whoever was receptive, Scott* asked … read more

IT MUST BE JESUS WHO DID THIS
*Uhn was the town drunk and the senior patriarch of his large extended family. Over a year ago, *Scott’s local partner, … read more

Buddhist Woman Healed of Cancer

May 22, 2024 | South East Asia, Stories

*Somchai lived in the bustling city of Bangkok. Life for the 26-year-old seemed to be crumbling around her. She was separated from her husband and distanced from her daughter. Her abdominal pain had turned out to be the same type of intestinal cancer that had taken her mother’s life when Somchai was just a girl.

Frail and worn out from surgery and chemotherapy, Somchai clung to her Buddhist amulets, the last vestiges of hope in a world that offered little solace or peace. Depressed and hopeless, Somchai decided to go back to the quaint village where her mother had once lived before the allure of the big city called.

In this small village, Somchai fondly remembered the days she spent there with her mother. She even reunited with her Uncle *Sunan. Having returned from Bangkok a few years before himself, Sunan had come back with a mission to start a house church in his ancestral village. This vibrant community of new believers embraced Somchai, and after many months of fellowship and prayer with the house church, Somchai felt hopeful.

A few months later, surrounded by the prayers of her new church family, her uncle, and a movement catalyst, Somchai cast aside her Buddhist beliefs and confessed her faith in Christ. As she did, she felt a weight lift from her weary shoulders. She described it as feeling a rush, like something had left her body. She felt slightly nauseous and clammy, but oddly free.

In the days that followed, miracles unfolded before the eyes of skeptics and believers alike. Somchai defied medical expectations. Not only did she surprise her doctors with a rapid recovery, but she put on weight. Even her countenance changed. As news of Somchai’s healing spread throughout the village, other villagers and even people from neighboring villages started to believe in Jesus.

Pray for Somchai and her daughter, now that the Lord has healed her physical body, pray that He would heal the relationship between her and her daughter.

*pseudonyms

READ OTHER STORIES FROM SOUTH EAST ASIA

THREE DELICIOUS DISHES …
Danny and *Holly were at their favorite Thai open-air market on Christmas Day. When they gave … read more

MIRACLES, DEMONIC EXORCISM
After prayer walking with a local partner, sowing gospel seeds with whoever was receptive, Scott* asked … read more

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR
WORK IN THIS AREA

“It Must Be Jesus Who Did This!”

Nov 23, 2023 | South East Asia, Stories

*Uhn was the town drunk and the senior patriarch of his large extended family. Over a year ago, *Scott’s local partner, a capable movement catalyst, led Uhn to faith in Jesus. After prayer, he was able to stop all drinking and has taken deliberate steps to walk in obedience to Christ. After completing a short set of lessons with his discipleship group, they dug into the book of Mark using an obedience-oriented discovery process. Uhn even took upon himself the task of memorizing the Gospel of Mark. Scott was very moved when he followed along as Uhn recited Mark chapter 10, word for word.

Uhn’s change in behavior is captured in the words of his Buddhist brother-in-law: “It is miraculous how he has changed. We used to be afraid of him, [but not now]. How can I explain it? It must be Jesus who did this!”

Since November 2021, Uhn and the leader working with him have actively gathered his extended family and shared God’s word with them. Some have already come to faith and obeyed in baptism. Even more encouraging is the weekly Discovery Bible Study group with his extended family. Pray they grow into maturity as a church and function as one among their extended community to the glory of God.

Thank you for impacting the lives of unreached peoples and spreading God’s glory among the nations.

*pseudonym

READ OTHER STORIES FROM SOUTH EAST ASIA

THREE DELICIOUS DISHES …
Danny and *Holly were at their favorite Thai open-air market on Christmas Day. When they gave … read more

MIRACLES, DEMONIC EXORCISM
After prayer walking with a local partner, sowing gospel seeds with whoever was receptive, Scott* asked … read more

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR
WORK IN THIS AREA

Division Produces Multiplication

Sep 6, 2023 | South East Asia, Stories

For years, three Muslim-background followers of Jesus lived and ministered together in the same Muslim community. The three friends would gather large groups and share Bible stories, but they never had any fruit.

Then, about three years ago, God told them to separate. They obeyed, and each man gathered a smaller group in which they were the only follower of Jesus. It wasn’t long before they all began to see fruit.

The three friends realized that they used to spend a lot of time discussing what each knew about the Bible and what they had learned at some Christian conference or retreat. But when they separated, the new groups’ discussions became centered around what God was doing. The Lord began to use His Word and His Spirit to speak to and guide the Muslim seekers.

These groups have now become over 175 baptized followers in more than 29 house churches. The groups recently came together twice to baptize over 60 new followers, as their Muslim community watched from boats and the shore. These events have led to many conversations and some tensions within the community. Still, the disciples see this as an excellent opportunity to share their testimonies about what it means to follow Jesus with their friends and neighbors.

A KNOCK ON THE DOOR
Mr. Bee seemed eager to hear about Isa (Jesus) and began reading scripture with Kuts. After a while, Mrs. Bee and their daughter joined read more …

ONE MAN’S PRAYER …
It was close to harvest season, and the corn was ripening in the fields. *Asam, a former Muslim who follows Jesus and lives read more …

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR
WORK IN THIS AREA

The Encouraging Eavesdropper

Aug 9, 2023 | South East Asia

For several weeks, Tucker* and his friend, Peter*, have been visiting a local food stall to look for people of peace (Luke 10:5-6). As they sit and eat, they strike up conversations with fellow customers to identify spiritually hungry people.

One day as they were sharing the gospel, a man at the next table caught their attention. They noticed that he was listening to their conversation. Before long, the other man was smiling and giving them the “thumbs up” sign.

After their conversation, Tucker and his friend moved to talk with Raykim*. Raykim is a Jesus follower who had just moved to the area, and Tucker and his friend were the first Christians he had met. He was so encouraged to see them sharing the gospel with his fellow countrymen. They invited Raykim to study God’s Word with them.

The men have met a couple of times and Tucker is encouraged by Raykim’s desire to grow in the Lord, connect with other disciples, and share the Good News with lost people. He very clearly understands that God’s commands to His followers include “Go” and “Obey.”

Praise God! He is raising up laborers for the harvest from among the harvest! Pray for Raykim as he grows in his faith and puts it into action.

*pseudonym

ARE YOU QUICK TO OBEY
*Joel has been leading a disciple-making training in the Tibetan Himalayas. One of its critical components is reproducibility. The participants are immediately read more …

PRAY, WAIT, LISTEN AND OBEY
*Tucker, a Beyond missions catalyst, arrived at the guesthouse, hoping to speak with *Shuhei. Earlier he’d had a chance to pray for some of Shuhei’s needs, read more …

NOT A JOB FOR EXPERTS ONLY
“How are you doing at making disciples? Are you teaching them to obey what Jesus commanded?” read more …