He builds the bridge

Our days have been busy doing evangelism at local parks with college students. In many of these conversations, the Lord built easy bridges to be able to share the Gospel! We have also been following up with many people we have shared with, often getting coffee to discuss what we shared. Currently we have 3 people that seem to be seriously interested in the truth. 

Pray that the Lord would reveal Himself to them in dreams, visions, or some other way, and that they will have no other response but to bow at the feet of Jesus! 

-David
Equatorial Evangelism Team
Southeast Asia

Praying onsite with insight

Our team went on a two-day prayer walking trip. Along the way, we were able make literature drops in strategic places. Over the course of the 2 days we went to several villages & 10 temples. At one temple we saw some kids & were able to talk with them for a few minutes. We also gave them some of our literature. 

Prayer walking is a super cool thing to be able to do. Prayer is the first weapon we can use against the devil. To pray over people and for softened hearts. Praying for them as we walk by, especially the religious leaders... and seeing the lostness of it all overwhelms your heart but is truly a blessing to be a part of.

Pray that the literature we "left" will be picked up & read. 

Pray for a future spiritual harvest in these villages. 

-NT365 Gap Year Participant

Southeast Asia

Pray for strong local churches

We’ve had the opportunity to share testimonies with many local ‘village’ churches.

Please pray for the bodies of local believers to be strengthened and for them to overcome any local persecution they are facing. 

-David
Equatorial Evangelism Team
Southeast Asia

Corrie ten "Whom"?

Over the summer, we’re given a few different books to read to encourage our personal spiritual growth. One of those books is a collection of short missionary biographies. I was so excited to see Corrie ten Boom’s name on the list - Why? 

Although I hadn’t thought of her as a “missionary” at the time, I did a project on Corrie ten Boom in the 8th grade. I remember it because it was the only school presentation I ever did that didn’t make me want to crawl in a hole afterward, and because she was really inspiring to me. I have no memory of why I initially chose her for my project...

• Did I know anything about her to start with?? 
• Did she just have an interesting name? 
• Did I just draw her name of a hat or something? 

I have no idea. But what I do remember is being so excited as I started my research and found out she was a Christian. If you don’t know who Corrie ten Boom is, she was a Christian in the Netherlands during the time of the Holocaust who, along with the rest of her family, worked hard to protect many Jews. They even hid them in their own house, and eventually her whole family was sent to a prison camp for it. Corrie was the only one to make it out. 

I remember being so surprised that they would give up everything for people who did not even have the same beliefs as they did. I wanted to learn so much more about her than my project even required. While in prison, she continued to worship and grow closer to God, encouraging the other prisoners and sharing with them. I was in awe that she could have so much joy in some of the worst circumstances imaginable.

In American schooling, we’re taught so much history of people who suffered or were mistreated. We’re taught about the people who laid their lives down to help. But in my schooling at least, sometimes it seemed to me like they taught us that these kinds of conflicts were just, somehow, over. Maybe because our teachers signed up to teach history with clear winners and losers, good guys and bad guys, instead of having to pain-stakingly explain more complicated current global conflicts to twelve-year-olds? Fair. 

But am I the only one who sometimes left history classes with a new motivation, a new sense of urgency, only to think that there was no work left to do? 

When, in fact, countless people around the world are victims of violent persecution today, and they will be tomorrow. Not to mention beyond that, there are *God only knows how many* people are try to bear their own sin, hopelessness, grief, all kinds of brokenness without Jesus. In every country, province, state, territory, city, town, village, etc. in the world. 

What can we possibly do?

 
As an 8th grader, something that struck me as I researched was how, when Corrie ten Boom either protected or encouraged people, they went on to do the same for others, even if it put their own lives at risk again. 

I didn’t know then and I don’t know now how many people Corrie ten Boom shared the Gospel with in prison or how many people she shared with as she traveled around the world after her release, telling her story. Or how many people shared the same message with others. It’s just not something that can be measured as easily in historical records.

But... it must start with someone. I'm thankful for the opportunities I've had to share the Gospel so far this summer.

-Riley

True Peace for Korea

South Korea

Get in the game!

A team of guys are using futsol as a means to develop friendships this summer within a refugee group.

As the team finishes up ministry over this next week, pray for opportunities to share the Good News with those they have been spending time with.

-ESL Friends
Asia Pacific Rim

English Corner

Recently, we were able to have our first “English Corner” meeting. We had this idea for a beach themed outdoor meeting to attract attention from the students walking by, only to find out it was going to be storming. 

We prayed that it wouldn’t rain, but made new indoor plans…. only for it to actually not rain. In our defense, it didn’t seem possible logistically to plan for both, and the forecast flipped pretty last minute. It was kind of a “Touché, God” moment. 

The meeting did go really well - we had two Russian students & one Chinese student attend. We played a short game, shared snacks, and asked each other both casual and more personal questions. We were able to share many parts of our testimonies with the students through answering the specific questions. 

Pray for the students who attended this "English Corner." Pray for them to remember the spiritual truths they heard & want to know more.

-Riley

True Peace for Korea

This is the Truth

It had been a rough day ministry-wise for our team. We were walking discouraged down the road back home. We saw a house through the banana trees that we had not seen before. An older lady sat looking at us from her porch. We decided to follow the path to her house to share the Gospel. 

Nathan shared the message of grace with her & explained what a real relationship with God looks like. We learned that in the past Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Catholics, and others had shared their beliefs, but all of these just left her feeling empty. 

When we shared she was overwhelmed by the truth and love that our God has for us. She could not believe the unexplainable goodness of God. She was full of joy and could not wait for us to come back to tell her more about this hope!

The next day we shared the story of Nicodemus. I asked her if she had been spiritual reborn and if she believed the free gift of salvation. Excitingly she said that she believed when we had shared the day before. Since then she had felt different because she now had the power of the Holy Spirit living inside of her. We continued to discuss salvation and prayed with her for assurance that she had fully surrendered her life to Christ. 

Nanay T truly had believed and in this we all greatly rejoiced! It was a time of tears of happiness that our God can save us from our sins. Seeing the excitement she had for Christ encouraged us to keep being bold in sharing our faith.

We have been able to have several Bible studies with her since then to continue discipleship. We have discussed the importance of reading the Bible and loving those around us. She has also attended group Bible studies in our house and learned more about the Lord through these. We also had a conversation with her about baptism. She understood the reason of baptism and now wants to follow the Lord in this act of obedience. 

It has been a testimony to see how the Lord has moved in and through her life. She has already faced persecution from her neighbors for her newfound faith but she is pressing on in the good fight. We are excited to see how God continues to use her for His plan. 

Please pray for Nanay T's strength as she can be a witness to those around her on Camiguin Island. 

Just remember that on the hard days when it seems that God isn’t moving... He is. Continue to be faithful in sharing His word. There are many people out there like Nanay T, desperately waiting to hear the true Gospel. Go and boldly proclaim the Gospel to those around you!

Ask God to lead you to a person of peace and that they would continue to share His name and what He has done to others around them.

-Sierra

Philippine Summer: Camiguin Island

Do I Have to Work ?

Young adult Bible studies have been held consistently and growing every day throughout the week from Tuesday - Saturday. Each day they open up more and more, asking questions about their own personal salvation and faith. They tell us that they need to work for their salvation and they can't read the Bible on their own. 

As we explained that we don't need to earn our way to salvation and shared the gospel with them, their eyes, ears, and hearts opened up. These young adults in are hungry and thirsty for the truth.

Pray for the young adult community to keep growing, to continue to seek the truth, and come to know the truth.

-Philippine Summer: Socorro Island

Invited to the party

A recent block party in a refugee area had over 200 of the target people group in attendance. 

Pray for the field team as they follow up contacts made at this event.

-ESL Friends
Asia Pacific Rim

Let the Little Children Come

On the island of Socorro, kids have been attending VBS singing songs and memorizing scripture.  The kids are always excited to see the team and look forward to having more VBS. 

Pray for the little children to have a heart that continues to want to learn about God and to get to know their Father in Heaven. 

-Philippine Summer: Socorro Island

From Door-to-Door, to Our Door

For the past month the Philippine Summer: Camiguin Island team has been sharing the Gospel door-to-door and stills continues to do so. Most of the time people are open to having Bible studies at their own homes, but what if we did something different??

The team has taken the time to pray that the Lord would touch the hearts of people to come together into one home to have one big Bible study. The team would go to Bible studies they had already scheduled and invite those people to the house. Only two people came to the first one. What seemed like a small number did not discourage them at all, rather all the more to continue to invite people to join. 

The second Bible study came around and 12 people showed up! The team sang worship songs in both English and Cebuano. Each team member shared a passage and explained it visually to the others. After the Bible study, they would have fellowship, sharing stories, laughing, and playing games with the kids. 

One individual spoke to them saying, “You guys are what a true Christian and a family of Christ looks like.”

Please pray for the people of Camiguin Island to continue coming to the home Bible studies so that that one day a church can be planted.

Philippine Summer: Camiguin Island

 

 

Sharing the Story

Our team had the joy of helping with an English camp for Thai university students this past weekend. It was such a special time of fun games and fellowship with each other. During the activities, one of our stations was using the evangelism cube to share the gospel, then having the students try to retell the story. Everyone who attended got to hear the full gospel several times - both in English and in Thai! 

Pray these students will truly come to understand the freedom and love that Jesus offers, and continue to be curious about Christianity. 

-Sarah

Univeristy Pioneer Team

Bangkok, Thailand

The True Water

Last Wednesday and Thursday we gave out clean water filters which we like to call  “pots” because they literally look like a garden pot... and the True Water. 

Praise be to our Master we saw 6 people receive the Son as Lord and Savior!! They will be followed up with by our local friend who is starting a house church. 

Pray for these new believers & those who will be faithful to come alongside them as they grow in their new faith.

-Josh
Church Planting Intern Team
Southeast Asia

Not soon forgotten

An email we received today from a local pastor in Fiji....

Bula Vinaka to you all.

I just want to thank you for taking the time to visit with us and minister to our churches in the interior of Fiji.  As you can tell that your time up there really brings encouragement and joy to the people. Your visit will be talked about and remembered by our community for a long time. Not only did you brought joy and encouragement, you also brought challenge to the church which I think was very timely and needed.

Please continue to remember us in your prayers that we will not only be hearers of the word but also be doers of it.

-Pastor Marika

I am interested in Christianity...

We went to dinner with two girls that we'd met on a recent last week. When I shared what we believe and my teammates shared some of their testimonies, one kept saying, “Wow, that is beautiful!” Then she made the comment, “I am actually interested in Christianity - I learned about it in history class and I have listened to podcasts about it.” She seems to be mostly curious for the sake of learning, but we told her to ask us any questions and we’re already planning when we will meet up again next week! 

Pray for Lovely as we answer her questions & share more with her about how she can have a relationship with Christ.

-Sarah

University Pioneer Team

Bangkok

The cost of following the Son

Our team visited an office that is translating the Word. We were able to see first hand the work that is being done to translate the Word into languages that do not have it! We heard incredible testimonies of how people from unreached groups found the Son.

 
When we asked them what it will be like to ask Himalayan people’s to follow the Son. They responded, “You will be asking them to leave their society. They’re better off finding a new home.”

Ask the Father to give this people group courage to follow the Son and an understanding that it’s better to find the Son than to keep their family (As heart wrenching as that is).

-Teaching English Team

Asia Pacific Rim

Wisdom in Sharing

In a recent village we witnessed the Father work a miracle. 159 heard the full message for the first time in their lives! We were able to do this when  we were able to teach English in a local school during an unexpected delay.

Because of the local culture & religious beliefs, it's sometimes difficult to know when we should share. We don't want to jepordize our presence in the area, or that of our long term workers.

Ask that the Father would give our supervisors wisdom as they lead us in our strategy. 

Ask that the Father would give us wisdom on when to share.

-Teaching English Team

Asia Pacific Rim

Questions about Jesus

We’ve been sharing the Gospel a lot here in S-Town and we’ve had some great conversations! No one has believed but there have been many questions & curious hearts. Praise the Lord! 

One person that comes to mind is an older teenager named Sonny. He listened very intently, and asked many good questions about our belief in Jesus. He was not ready to believe when we talked to him, but you can tell the spirit was moving in him! 

Please pray for Sonny and others like him that we've shared with. Pray for the seeds that were planted to grow through additional conversations.

-Judson

Reaching UPG's

Southeast Asia

Using English as a Bridge

Anytime we are on campus, we send a message in a large group chat of students we’ve met to let them know we’d love to hang out. One one girl has consistently met up with us. This week, we spent a total of about 4 hours sitting & talking with her. Her main desire is to practice English, and she always changes the subject when it comes to spiritual matters. Still, we have gotten to share the gospel with her two times and go through the creation story as a way for her to learn more English. 

Pray for stories we've shared with this student to continue to draw her toward Christ.

One afternoon, we were feeling like our conversations with students weren’t really going anywhere. We prayed and asked God to give us courage and wisdom for who to talk to. For the rest of the day, several groups of students came up to us and were so enthusiastic about getting to know us! It was so natural, and one group even invited us to go to a market with them that evening, which we did and it was such a sweet time! 

One night for dinner, we were also able to meet up with two girls. They spoke little to no English but are eager to have American friends. The Lord provided exactly what we needed at just the right time. We are looking forward to continuing these friendships for the next month.

Pray for opportunities to continue developing these relationships & have English (Gospel!) conversations. 

-Sarah

University Pioneer Team

Bangkok

 

Planting for the harvest

We are enjoying working with the local team! They are all so kind and welcoming and full of the Spirit. The Father has blessed us with the opportunity to share the Good News in so many different settings... whether in the center, at English camp, on the side of the river, and most recently with multiple children in a village while planting rice. 

It was amazing to witness the seeds being planted while planting rice seeds. The Father has opened so many doors so far! 

Please be praying for the local believers, that they would be convicted and emboldened to share the good news with their neighbors. 

Also be praying for those who have heard the Good News. Pray the Spirit would work in their lives and they would be called out of the darkness and fear they live in and they would receive the hope that the Father gives us so freely.

-Annaleah

Connecting & Seeking

Southeast Asia

Loving others like Jesus loves us

Our time at A-Town was difficult. Things just felt really off. The community was 100% Muslim with a large majority of them have never heard the Gospel. Most in this community hadn't seen a white person either, so it was very difficult trying to talk to people without drawing a crowd. 

But... when crowds would come, we would try and share with everyone at once.. however, we are unsure how much people would understand due to all the noise. Many people would outright tell us not to share the hope of Jesus. Nonetheless, over 30 A-Town people heard the Gospel! The stay was very draining, but those are the moments when I need the Lord most and can feel Him right next to me. Even when you’re surrounded by darkness, Jesus will continue to guide you and provide light! (John 8:12)

I must confess, it was very difficult to love the A-Town people at times. Most did not want to listen to us, but would follow us around. Please pray that I remember to love people the way Jesus loves us! Even as Jesus was being put to death on the cross, He still loved His accusers and executioners... Perfectly. That’s what I’m here to tell people about!

-Judson

Reaching UPG's
Southeast Asia

Partnership through English

Our team has been helping teach English at a school for Korean-Japanese children. As native English speakers, we were a valuable asset to the local team. The goal is to connect the local team to the school, enabling them to build a strong relationship with the school to continue working with them after this summer. We had a lot of fun teaching the kids and playing with them, and definitely built a strong relationship with the school! Last Wednesday was our last day with them, and they gave us a big send off. 

Pray for the partnership to continue to develop between the local team & the school, allowing them opportunities to share the Good News. 

-William

Land of the Morning SON

Japan

One team... many giftings

A huge blessing we have witnessed is the Lord graciously using each member of our team to use our giftings for His glory. Two people are taking day trips traveling to remote villages sharing the gospel, two are sharing with children, and one is discipling a local believer. This believer has been very intentional to want to know scripture because she knows that her one goal is for the gospel to be shared with all people. We even witnessed this believer being baptized... praise God!! We have made friends with nationals, sang karaoke, and drank lots of good coffee/tea. 

While we've been in Southeast Asia, we've been living out James 1:2-4. Through trails of many kinds have come our way, we are persevering! We have been learning so much, and have been so thankful for our local supervisor's guidance and wisdom. 

Pray we will continue to grow as a team, and that the gospel will be shared boldly in  our town!

-Kaitlyn

Born 4 This

Southeast Asia

Train, Nurture & Send Out

It feels so weird being halfway through the trip already! Half of me feels like it has gone by so fast but the other half feels like it has been two months already! 

My days consist of going to coffee shops (my favorite), English clubs, and meeting new friends.  

My Father really knew what He was doing by sending me here. My daily partners are figuring out an interesting dynamic within their group and I have been able to encourage them to push through to the end of their trip. I was talking to one of them just this morning and she told me that she knows that He sent me here especially to encourage her! It really encouraged me to hear that because the first half of this trip was not what I expected in the least bit. I was ready to hit the ground running but my Father had other plans.

Not being able to hit the ground running had grown me in other ways. I have been able to observe and build a deeper relationship with my Father! Discipleship!! It is key in all we do! 

To train, nurture, and send out. 

Our Father has called us to Go. Every one of us, when we become a part of His family, are called to go. Not to just go to fellowship every time the doors are open (that is important), but we are called to go to every nation! Short term or long term does not matter, as long as we make it a priority to go!

I can not wait to see what else is in store for these next few weeks! The people here are amazing and so encouraging! I am definitely in my element and know that the field is in my future! Thank you for all the love and support!
Please pray for open hearts as I talk with those I encounter

Also pray for more opportunities to develop relationships... even in these last few weeks.

-Kay

Southeast Asia

Thankfulness for the Word of God

Three of our team members set out to share the gospel in Barangay S. The kids quickly joined us, grabbing our hands and leading us along. They stopped us at the house where Nanay lived. We sat on the floor chatting with her. We learned that she was a spiritist (she believed that she was part of the Holy Spirit) but she was willing to listen. 

As we shared the Gospel, she cried and told us that she had seen us visiting other houses and was waiting for her turn. She put her faith in Jesus as her Savior and renounced her spiritist beliefs, acknowledging that she was only a sinner. She also declared that she would no longer worship idols and that she would go straight to Jesus instead of to the priest. 

Later, we visited her for a Bible study.  After reading about God’s faithfulness in providing a lamb in place of Isaac, Nanay was reminded of God’s faithfulness in her own life, and she shared her story with us. She told us she was facing persecution from some in the community who warned her not to trust us. But she said that she was standing up for us. 

We returned for another Bible study where we discussed what the Bible says about idols. Nanay has been very receptive and welcoming and considers us as her own children. She overflows with thankfulness that she gets to hear the word of God. 

Join us in praying for Nanay as she grows in her new faith. 

Pray for her to remain steadfast in her faith.

-Sydney

Philippine Summer: Socorro Island Team

Philippines

Moving Forward

Ruby, Sidney, Emma, Camille, Maggie & Glory

Our team has spent the past three weeks in southern  Cebu getting to know the people & the kids. We've been sharing the gospel, starting Bible studies, and encouraging the few local believers. 

We've worked alongside the local healthcare workers, helping them take blood pressure and give lessons on nutrition and other healthcare topics. 

We have been able to bring the hope of the Gospel to a community of people who are hurting and so desperately need it. 

We have seen the Lord's faithfulness and goodness through all circumstances and have found rest in the promise that God's grace is sufficient and will carry us. 

After a few days of mid-summer break, we will move to another barangay (village) to continue the same type of ministries. We go forward, into the rest of our time here and into the next village boldly and confidently, leaning on the Lord's strength, not our own.

-Maggie
Rural Healthcare & Nutrition Training
Cebu, Philippines

The gods they make

Our team stayed in the capital city a few more days. These days were short but heartbreaking. We were able to visit a Buddhist temple. When we walked in and saw the 7 golden idols, we were sick at our stomach. I’ll never forget how this sweet lady in her old years motioned me to come over. She raised her hand and with pride showed me the gods they had made. They don’t know the truth. 

Ask the Father to reveal the truth to them.

-Teaching English

Asia Pacific Rim

Pray for the Religious

Teaching monks is something I never in my life thought possible. As a woman, teaching/talking to monks is rare… especially as a foreigner. But God in His goodness, omniscience, providence, and mercy has given me and my teammates the opportunity to serve the village by serving monks.

In Buddhist culture, being a monk is highly respected… when we begin class we must acknowledge the monks as we “wai” them (🙏) but they can not “wai” us back because they are higher than us.

One thing that God has taught me through this unique experience is that monks are real people. They have personality, names, a life. A lot of times when I see monks walking around I see them as being completely devoted to their religion and are unrelated to the rest of the world. But they actually are people, who God wants to welcome into his kingdom. But because of the darkness that encompasses them, they do not see or know the truth… this is a devastating reality and has been a burden on my heart for their need of a Savior!

Join me in praying for this situation… pray that God would use us as joy in a hopeless place. Pray for our spirit as we experience spiritual warfare when inside the temple. We teach in between two Buddha statues… the reality of the lostness in unbearable as times, and sometimes I don’t even want to go and be a part. But pray that God continues to produce perseverance, steadfastness, and love for his people. 

One thing that comes to my mind is this passage in Psalm 66:
“Bless our God, O peoples; let the sound of his praise be heard, who has kept our soul among the living and has not let our feet slip.
For you, O God, have tested us; you have tried us as silver is tried. You brought us into the net; you laid a crushing burden on our backs; you let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water; yet you have brought us out to a place of abundance.
I will come into your house with burnt offerings; I will perform my vows to you, that which my lips uttered and my mouth promised when I was in trouble.
Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul. I cried to him with my mouth, and high praise was on my tongue.
If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. But truly God has listened; he has attended to the voice of my prayer.
Blessed be God, because he has not rejected my prayer or removed his steadfast love from me!”                 -Psalm‬ ‭66‬:‭8‬-‭14‬,16‬-‭20‬ ‭

-NT365 Gap Year/Hands On participant

Southeast Asia

A Simple Gift

I started making these bracelets over a year ago as a way to help me memorize scripture, but for this trip I wanted to do something special. Leading up to this trip I made a lot of bracelets with simple Biblical words to give out to the kids I encounter. They said words like delight, redeemed, worthy, holy, and loved. Just simple affirmations they could wear and be reminded of the love of God for them. On one of the first days in our barangay (village), I passed out all of them immediately, and since then I have made more every day. This has opened so many doors and helped foster relationships leading to gospel conversations and in-home Bible Studies.

-Hayley

Philippine Summer: Socorro Island Team

Philippines

Finding Believers

Yesterday, we were told of another village nearby that mainly believe in Hinduism/Animism. We went to that village in the afternoon when most of the people were out working. A big group gathered around and we shared the Gospel with them. They listened, and afterward told us about the god of their village. We told them about the hope that only the Gospel can offer. 

After we were done sharing with them, two of the women from the crowd asked us to come have tea at their home. These two women are Christians & told us that seven of the families in that village are believers! Praise the Lord! The Hindu believers there will not let them build a church and they have faced HEAVY persecution, yet they still meet in their home every week and worship Jesus. They have also begun teaching the children about Jesus as well. We are returning there to meet the elders and share the Gospel with them. 

We do not know how long we will stay in our current village and need prayer for the spirit to lead us wherever He wants us!  God is moving in all corners of the Earth, in every group. That is the only explanation for this! 

Pray that we will be in tune with the Holy Spirit as we make decisions about how long we should stay in this village.

Pray for the believers in this village to be encouraged & emboldened to share the Good News that they have believed. 

-Judson

Reaching UPS's

Southeast Asia

Thanks for havin' us!

We've been able to meet students from TWELVE Pacific Islands on the campus where we’re witnessing. Talk about “all nations!” Another big part of our ministry here is talking to taxi drivers & handing out tracts. A lot of them are glad to talk about what they believe and thank us for being here as missionaries. To which I, in true Louisiana fashion reply “Well, thanks for havin’ us”! They usually prove to be lost, and we get to have a Gospel conversation. It’s really crazy how it’s not much different than witnessing back home. 

Please pray for the ones we've been able to share the Gospel with. Pray for those Gospel seeds to grow into a harvest.

-Mason

South Pacific Summer

Fiji