Missions | Beyond

Finding Jesus in the Ordinary

Mar 14, 2025 | Austronesia, Stories

As our ministry teams share Jesus with those he brings into their path, they discover that Jesus is found in the ordinary. He gives hope to those who need it and comfort to others who call on His name.

Hope in Jesus
Yul often visited the cemetery where his beloved wife was laid to rest. It was part of his journey through grief, yet each visit was infused with a quiet hope.

During one of these visits, he encountered the man who had dug his wife’s grave. As they spoke, Yul shared his heart: “I come here to grieve, but not without hope. My wife was a follower of Jesus Christ, and I believe she is now in heaven with Him. I also believe that when I die, I’ll be reunited with her there. This is the hope I have in Jesus.”

The grave digger looked surprised. “I’ve never heard that before,” he admitted.

“I’d love to meet with you and share more from the Scriptures about this hope,” Yul offered. “Would you be interested?”

The man nodded. “Yes.”

Since then, not only the grave digger, but five other cemetery workers have joined Yul for nine Bible study sessions, learning about the prophets and Jesus. Pray that through Yul’s testimony and truth of Scripture, the Holy Spirit would draw each of them into a saving relationship with Christ and make obedient disciples of all of them.

The Sleepiness Vanished
In Southeast Asia, our follow-up team encourages new disciples to go through Steps to Freedom in Christ, a book designed to help them navigate the spiritual battles they often face after baptism. Many new disciples in this region experience intense demonic attacks, and this resource equips them to understand their identity in Christ, renounce any surrendered ground, and reclaim those areas through the power of Jesus.

As Fit prayed through the material, an overwhelming wave of drowsiness suddenly washed over her. Sensing a spiritual attack, her teammate Nini urged her to pray. Fit closed her eyes, lifted her hands, and began to pray. Instantly, the sleepiness vanished.

When she opened her eyes, she turned to Nini and thanked her for holding her hand. But Nini shook her head. “I didn’t hold your hand. I didn’t even touch you,” she said. “That must have been Jesus.”

Now, more than ever, Fit knows that Jesus is always with her.

Pray that she continues to experience His presence in deeper and more powerful ways, and shares his love with others.

*pseudonyms

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New Seeds of Faith in Unreached Areas

Mar 3, 2025 | South Asia, Stories

Frank and his team have been praying for their friend, Job. Through many conversations and a personal experience with Jesus, Job decided to follow Jesus last summer (read about Job’s conversion story here). Job has slowly been sharing his faith with his family and friends, including Samuel. At the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, Samuel downloaded a Bible app in his language and expressed interest in hosting a discovery group with Job in his bookstore. They are currently looking for a third and fourth person to join them.

In another village where Frank works, Kartik and his wife, Pari, invited Samir and his father, Nuh, to visit a friend who lives in a distant village where there hasn’t been any gospel work. (Read that story here.) While in the village, Kartik and Pari shared their testimony about their recent journey to faith in Jesus. They explained how they put their faith in Jesus after their young daughter was miraculously freed from demons. This was the first time the village chief and the villagers had heard about Jesus. They were amazed and wanted to know more.

Later, Nuh visited Ramzi’s village. Ramzi had severe high blood pressure, irregular blood sugar levels, and intense shaking. His neighbor told him that Nuh could pray for him. Interested in receiving prayer, Ramzi invited Nuh to his home. With Ramzi’s whole family as an audience, Nuh prayed for him in Jesus’ name. Immediately and miraculously, Ramzi’s symptoms improved. Now, Ramzi and his family are eager to listen to stories about Jesus together.

Soon after Ramzi’s healing, he told his friend Adil, who also had health issues, about what happened. Adil asked Ramzi if Nuh could come pray for him too. Nuh visited and prayed for Adil, who also received healing. Praise God!

How you can pray for these new disciples:

Pray for Job and Samuel’s friends and family to become interested in discovering more about God, and join the new discovery group.
Pray that discovery groups will start in this new village where Kartik and Pari shared their testimony. Pray that their family will continue to grow in their faith.
Please pray for discovery groups to start in both Ramzi’s and Adil’s homes.

*pseudonym

Turkish Coffee, the Story of Job, and Listening Prayer

Feb 11, 2025 | Stories, Turkic World

A few days before Sue was set to leave her Middle Eastern home, she was walking back from the grocery store when she felt an unexpected nudge to stop by a nearby pharmacy. It was a place she often visited, where she’d formed a friendship with two employees. That evening, Aida, one of those employees, was on shift and greeted Sue warmly. She invited her to sit behind the counter, and together they shared Turkish coffee during the final half-hour before closing.

As customers came and went, their conversation turned to Sue’s work—helping people find healing from trauma through the story of Job. Curious, Aida mentioned verses about Job from the Qur’an and then asked, “What does the Bible say about him?”

Sue began sharing Job’s story. Partway through, the other young women who worked at the pharmacy joined in. Aida, eager to involve her colleagues, summarized what Sue had shared so far before letting her continue. This thrilled Sue, knowing that Aida’s retelling would help her remember the story better.

Although Job’s story isn’t the one Sue typically starts with when introducing spiritual truths, it resonated deeply with Aida. She even helped Sue explain parts of it more clearly in Turkish, which enriched the conversation.

As their discussion wound down, the women grew curious about Sue’s life. “How did you end up living here?” they asked.

Sue explained how she had prayed for direction before applying to various opportunities overseas. Then she turned the question back to them: “Have you ever prayed to make a decision?”

Aida nodded enthusiastically. “Yes, prayer is what led me to this neighborhood.”

“Me too!” Sue exclaimed, then shared how “listening prayer” had guided her to her current apartment. (Listening prayer involves inviting God to speak to a person or group, often about a specific question or topic, as they wait silently in His presence. Anything heard is tested to be sure it’s consistent with Scripture.)

Intrigued, Aida leaned closer. “Can you teach me how to do listening prayer?”

“Of course,” Sue replied with a smile. “When would you like to practice?”

Before they could plan, it was time to close the pharmacy. Aida offered Sue a ride home on her moped, since they lived near each other. As they turned onto Sue’s street, Aida gasped at the scenic view from Sue’s apartment.

“Now you really need to teach me listening prayer!” she said, marveling at the beauty. As they waved goodbye, Sue quietly prayed that she would get the opportunity to meet with Aida again. Join us in prayer for Sue and her plans to return to her Middle-Eastern home in the months to come. Pray for Aida, that the Holy Spirit will prepare her heart to hear what Sue has to say when she returns.

*pseudonyms

Thaipusam Observed

Feb 5, 2025 | Festivals and Holidays, South East Asia

Thaipusam is an Indian festival originating from southern India, celebrated exclusively by the Tamil people. This year it will be observed on February 8.

Within minutes of Frank and his team mates witnessing the event, it became undeniably clear that those who consider themselves devoted followers of these Hindu gods are wholly committed—body, mind, and soul.

This festival demands extreme acts of devotion. Participants pierce their bodies with needles, hooks, or even small jugs of milk, while others carry enormous burdens—such as intricately decorated chariots or gallon-sized containers of milk—on a grueling two-mile trek uphill. This particular Thaipusum journey started at a Hindu temple at the base of a mountain to another at the summit, where offerings were made to specific idols. All this took place in the midst of the sweltering Southeast Asian heat and the throngs of thousands making the ascent together.

Frank and his teammates arrived in the midst of it all, determined to witness the spectacle firsthand and pray for every soul they encountered. The oppressive heat bore down on them, leaving them drenched in sweat and eventually with sunburns that lingered for days. After two exhausting hours, they finally reached the temple at the top.

Inside, the air pulsed with the sound of lively Indian music, yet the atmosphere was oppressive. People offered their life savings to the idols, while those who had pierced their bodies as acts of sacrifice stood motionless while the objects were carefully removed. Hundreds—perhaps thousands—of gallons of milk were poured over the golden and bronze statues, a sacred offering, given the holiness of cows in Hindu tradition.

Despite the intensity of the rituals, something was strikingly absent—joy. No one smiled. No one looked fulfilled. Instead, a heavy darkness seemed to overshadow everything, an unsettling oppressive presence. Amidst all the devotion, pain, and sacrifice, Frank and his teammates saw no peace or sense of hope. It all seemed tragically empty.

Yet, as Frank observed, he couldn’t ignore one undeniable truth: These worshippers, while far from knowing the one true God, willingly sacrificed everything in their desperate search for divine connection. Their faith—though misplaced—was real to them, shaping their actions and defining their lives.

Many participate in Thaipusam out of deep religious obligation, ancestral ties, or fear of displeasing the gods. Pray that Jesus would break any spiritual chains holding them back from experiencing freedom in Jesus. Pray that those participating in this festival would come to understand that Jesus has already made the ultimate sacrifice for them, and they do not need to endure suffering to earn divine favor.

OTHER HINDU HOLIDAYS

SHARING THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD WITH HINDUS
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RAKHSHA BANDHAN
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Village Revival

Jan 29, 2025 | South East Asia, Stories

*Malai grew up in a small village in Isaan, Eastern Thailand, but later moved to the larger city of Chiang Mai, where she found work with a Christian ministry. During her time there, Malai came to personally understand the gospel and made a life-changing commitment to Jesus Christ. Though she shared her new faith privately with her family on visits home, she kept a low profile, and her family members who believed did so in secret. Given the lack of churches and other believers in the area, Malai worried about the social challenges that Christians who openly practice their faith might face in her village.

However, when Malai returned to her village for an extended period after her mother’s passing, she was encouraged to meet a few neighbors who had also become followers of Jesus. These neighbors even hosted worship and Bible study gatherings in their homes. Inspired, Malai decided not to return to Chiang Mai. Instead, she embraced her village community, regularly visiting neighbors, leading others to Christ, and nurturing new believers in their faith. Now, rather than remaining secret believers, Malai and others are learning to live out a simple, authentic faith that invites others to follow Jesus openly.

*Atid also grew up in a small Thai village, a 15 minute bike ride from the village Malai had grown up in. But like many others, he eventually left for Bangkok to build a career. One day Atid found a Christian tract on the ground, at the time his sister lay dying in hospital. Atid decided to pray to the God (Jesus) the tract spoke of—he prayed that the Lord would heal his sister. He vowed that if God healed his sister, he would visit a church ten times. Miraculously and without medical explanation his prayer was answered! His sister recovered from her illness.

Atid panicked because he could not remember exactly how many times he had promised to attend church. He did, however, want to keep the promise he had made to God. After his second time attending church, he knew the message about Jesus was true and he prayed to receive Jesus as Lord. Atid embraced his new faith, found a church in Bangkok, and even met his wife there. When he and his wife returned to his village years later, he brought his faith in Jesus with him.

Atid’s return aligned perfectly with discipleship training that missionaries were introducing in his area. In a village where most people were Buddhists and churches were nonexistent, Atid’s desire to share his faith inspired him to use his home for simple gatherings. Gradually, other families in the village began praying and reading the Bible in their own homes as well.

When Malai returned to her village, she was encouraged by the gatherings Atid had already started. *Manop, one of the men Atid had discipled to the Lord, had helped Malai while she was grieving for her mom. Malai was so moved by Manop’s kindness and support that she began leading others to faith and opened her home for Bible study and worship. Her involvement brought many women into discipleship, and together, she and Atid are now fostering a growing community of believers in the village, transforming it from the inside out.

*pseudonyms

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