Long Term Missions

A Father’s Faith, A Son’s Impact

Dec 4, 2024 | South Asia, Stories

*Samir’s father, *Nuh, has been faithfully pastoring several churches for over 20 years. After witnessing his son Samir’s success in rapidly multiplying healthy disciples, Nuh was eager to incorporate Disciple Making Movement principles into his own churches.

Nuh began by teaching his congregations how to conduct Discovery Bible Studies. He then divided them into smaller house churches, encouraging each group to obey God’s Word. As they embraced this approach, group members shared, “This is the first time we feel we are truly learning and obeying Scripture.” Since all the members of these groups were already followers of Jesus, they are referred to as Generation Zero groups.

This month, Nuh gathered the Gen Zero leaders for further training in Disciple Making Movement (DMM) principles. As these leaders apply what they have learned and reach out to start new groups among the lost, these new groups will be known as Generation One groups. Praise God for Nuh’s willingness to relinquish control, empower others, and implement simple, reproducible, and multiplicative principles. Pray that the newly trained leaders will equip their groups to establish Generation One groups in neighboring Muslim and Hindu villages.

*pseudonym

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A Storm, Komodo Dragons, and the Jesus Film

Nov 29, 2024 | Austronesia, Stories

One of the stories *Charlie and *Sarah love to share with their neighbors on the island where they live, is the story of Jesus calming the storm. A vibrant batik painting of this scene hangs prominently in their living room, serving as both a piece of art and a conversation starter.

But sometimes, God doesn’t calm the storm. In fact, sometimes He sends one. In Acts 28, God used a storm to redirect Paul to the island of Malta, where Paul survived a snake bite and healed many people. We don’t know if any churches were planted or if people believed in Jesus and were baptized. But we do know that Paul’s detour to Malta was part of God’s plan. Once there, Paul continued his mission, sharing the Good News of Jesus through his words and actions.

Recently, Charlie and Sarah experienced their own divinely orchestrated storm while on a small wooden boat at sea. They were traveling with family and friends on a 30-meter Phinisi, a handmade wooden boat, perfect for island hopping. Their destination was Komodo Island, but rough seas changed their plans. With 15-20 foot waves battering the boat, the captain advised everyone to put on life jackets and cautiously navigated the rest of the trip. They weathered the storm but ended up on a small, unknown island instead.

On this unexpected island, Charlie met *Fadhlan, a Bajo man. During their friendly conversation, Charlie expressed his desire to visit a Bajo village, and Fadhlan eagerly invited them to his. A few days later, Charlie and Sarah traveled on a rented motorcycle to meet Fadhlan and his cousin, who took them by boat to their village on a small island shared with 1,500 Komodo Dragons. Though they didn’t see any dragons, they had a spiritual conversation about how God had used the storm to bring them together.

Sarah shared the story of Jesus calming the storm, which resonated deeply with the sea-faring villagers.

Charlie then showed them part of the Jesus film in the Bajo language on his phone. The villagers had never seen it before, and they eagerly copied it onto their cell phones. Soon, the film spread throughout the village, gaining a “fan base.”

Charlie and Sarah had no idea that this little village existed and would never have visited it if not for the storm. But God knew, and through this divine detour, the villagers heard about Jesus for the first time.

Pray for Fadhlan and all who heard the Good News that day.

Pray that God will continue the work He started in that village and that the Jesus film will be shared over and over again as it is copied from phone to phone.

*pseudonyms

READ OTHER STORIES FROM CHARLIE AND SARAH BELOW

GUNS, KNIVES, AND A MOTORCYCLE GANG
Charlie and Sarah met with Ali, who has shown great hunger for reading stories from the Bible about Jesus. Charlie and Sarah wanted to establish him in the pattern of reading read more …

JESUS HEALS AS IS WRITTEN IN THE QUR’AN
“This was the same lady, Ibu Muli, in whose home we now sat. She told us that immediately after the prayer, her back had been healed, and read more …

SMALL BUSINESS OPENS DOORS TO THE UNREACHED
*Charlie and *Sarah participated in a retreat with local church planting teams focused on reaching unreached people groups, in their province in Southeast Asia. read more …

A Triumph Over Black Magic

Nov 13, 2024 | South East Asia, Stories

*Narong and *Junta were deeply immersed in the occult practices and folk Buddhism of Thailand when they encountered Jesus and became His disciples.

Narong, in particular, embraced his newfound faith with joy, actively sharing the gospel and leading others to Christ through acts of kindness, personal testimony, and the simple teachings of Jesus.

In Thailand, new disciples of Jesus typically do not face the physical threats and persecution that are common in neighboring communist or Muslim countries. However, a surprising and unsettling threat began to loom over Narong and Junta’s family. Junta fell victim to a mysterious and debilitating illness that grew progressively worse.

Despite multiple blood tests, doctors were baffled by her condition. As Junta’s health deteriorated, the family was forced to make significant adjustments, including changes in their living situation, finances, and ministry. Eventually, her condition became so severe that the church gathered to pray for her, seeking relief from her pain and for her heart to be prepared for what seemed like an imminent death.

During this time of prayer, the wife of their movement catalyst discerned that Junta had been cursed by another woman who sought to take Narong as her husband. Upon investigation, they discovered this to be true. Despite Narong and Junta having been married for over ten years and blessed with two healthy daughters, a well-known shaman had been enlisted by the woman to curse Junta to death.

Narong’s kindness had attracted many spiritually hungry people, but it had also drawn the attention of enemies of Christ, leading to this targeted attack through black magic.

After this revelation, the movement catalyst and his wife led the family in a dedicated season of prayer and fasting. Today, Junta has made a full recovery, and her testimony has become a powerful source of encouragement within the movement, offering hope to those who fear the power of black magic. Narong and Junta’s two daughters have since grown into bold, articulate young leaders within this rapidly expanding movement.

Please pray for their continued witness to the spiritually hungry people they encounter.

*pseudonyms

READ OTHER STORIES FROM SOUTH EAST ASIA

BUDDHIST WOMAN HEALED OF CANCER
*Somchai lived in the bustling city of Bangkok. Life for the 26-year-old seemed to be crumbling around her. read more

FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT
Ami found herself wasting away due to her struggles with alcohol abuse. Her days were consumed by card games, read more

I, TOO WILL FOLLOW JESUS
Buddhist-background Pastor Mii declared in Thai, “Today I have the privilege to reciprocate blessing upon a … read more

Loy Krathong

Nov 13, 2024 | Festivals and Holidays

Loy Krathong or Loi Krathong (ลอยกระทง), also known as Thailand’s Festival of Lights, is one Thailand’s biggest festivals. This year, it will take place on November 13-16. This traditional Siamese festival has been celebrated annually for generations, to pay respect to the Goddess of Water and seek forgiveness from her. Nowadays, Thais celebrate it as a way to get rid of negativity and welcome good fortune in the coming year.

The word Loy means “to float” and Krathong translates to “basket” or “boat.” A krathong is a small, decorative float made primarily from banana leaves, traditionally resembling a lotus flower or small boat. The krathong is customarily adorned with candles, flowers, incense sticks, small offerings, and coins.

The floating krathongs carry the hopes, wishes, and gratitude of individuals as they navigate rivers, lakes, or canals during the festival. While not a public holiday, it is celebrated nationwide.

Thai people begin the festival by making their krathongs at home with friends and family, although these days many buy them from local shops.

At dusk, people gather near rivers, lakes and canals with their decorated krathongs. They light candles and incense before gently releasing the krathongs onto the water. This symbolizes the release of negativity and honors the water spirits. It is believed that if the krathong remains lit until it disappears from sight, it will bring good luck for the following year.

Ways to Pray for the Thai People during this Festival:

Pray that Thai people worldwide would come to know the true Light of the world, Jesus Christ.
Pray for missionaries working among Thai people, that during this festival the Holy Spirit will guide them to people of peace who can open their homes and families to learn about the God who gave His life for them.
Pray that Thai people would know the freedom that only Jesus can bring.

LEARN ABOUT OTHER FESTIVALS AND HOLIDAYS

THE FESTIVAL OF COLORS
… bright, powdered pigments that are a trademark of this festival… LEARN MORE

VESAK
Vesak is considered to be the most important Buddhist … LEARN MORE

THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS
A celebration of light triumphing over darkness … LEARN MORE

The Lord said, “It is time.”

Oct 30, 2024 | South Asia, Stories

Arjun* went to visit a house church near his village. As this dedicated disciple-maker walked through the village on his way to the gathering, six young, strong men came up to him, grabbed him, and began to beat him. They then dragged him to a nearby house and locked him inside.

Miraculously, Arjun managed to escape and returned home. For three weeks, he did not go back to that village. He was so afraid. He never wanted to return!

Then, as Arjun was praying one day during his self-imposed exile, he heard the Lord say, “Go back.” He recoiled at the thought. “No, Lord!” He didn’t want to go. The Lord said, “It is time.”

So, Arjun went. He returned to the village where he’d been beaten and locked up. As he walked tentatively through the streets, he kept his eyes peeled for those young men. Would they find him again?

Finally, he safely entered the house church. The worship service had already begun. He walked to the side of the room opposite the door, and sat down. A wave of relief washed over him; he was safe.

His relief was short-lived though. To his horror and surprise, the very men who had beaten him entered the room shortly after had taken his seat. Locking eyes with Arjun, they advanced towards him.

He was so afraid. There was no escape! They were right in front of him. Then suddenly, one by one, those young men got down on their knees before Arjun. They begged for his forgiveness. They said that during the three weeks he’d been gone, they had become disciples of Jesus!

After the service, Arjun spent time with the young men. It turned out that none of them were from that village. They all lived in other villages in the area. They returned to their homes and in the following days, each young man started a church in his own household.

Arjun says: “I tell you the truth, my enemies have become my friends. They are helping me with the work. God has completely changed them. The ones who beat me now see me as their leader. Amazing work! In this way, God is helping us, and I give him all praise. Amen!”

*pseudonyms

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