The Day of Prayer and Fasting for East Asian Peoples will be on Monday, May 14, 2012.

The Hui are descended from Arab and Persian merchants and traders who traveled to China in the 7th century, and Mongolian warriors who settled throughout China in the 13th century during their conquest of much of Asia. At that time, Mongol rulers enlisted Muslims to govern the areas of Yunnan.

Between 1855 and 1873, 1 million Hui people were killed in a massive genocide following the Panthay Rebellion in the Yunnan Province of China. As a result, many Hui fled to Thailand and Burma to escape death. There are now 151,875 Hui living in Thailand, where they are known as Panthay.

The Hui Panthay people are Mandarin speakers, but most now speak Thai as well. While most ethnic minorities from China have their own language, the Hui Panthay do not. Therefore, there are many evangelical resources available to them, but they remain very resistant to the Gospel. The vast majority of Hui are Sunni Muslims. They adhere to Muslim practices such as abstaining from pork. The men wear white or black caps, and the women wear headscarves. The Hui have a reputation of being very good businessmen.

The Hui are the largest people group in the world without a single church. Gospel inroads to this group are particularly challenging.

Prayer Starters

• Pray that Mandarin-speaking Christians will be faithful to share the Gospel with the Hui people.

• Pray that Christians will commit to living among the Panthay of Thailand to intentionally share the Good News.

• Pray that the Panthay people will have dreams and visions of Jesus and that their hearts will be open to the Gospel.

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태국의 후이 판싸이족 사람들 – KOREAN

후이족 (回族)은 7세기 아랍과 페르시아로부터 중국으로 여행하며 들어온 무역상들과 13세기 아시아의 많은 곳을 정복하며 중국에 정착한 몽골족 전투사들의 후예들입니다. 당시 몽골의 통치자들은 윈난 (云南) 지역을 지배하고 있던 모슬렘에 적극적으로 가담했습니다.

1855년과 1873년 사이, 중국의 윈난성 안에서 일어난 판싸이족 반란에 이어 백만명의 후이족 사람들이 학살 당했습니다. 그 결과로 인해, 남은 후이족들은 죽음을 피해 태국과 버마로 도망쳤습니다. 이들이 판싸이라고 알려진 사람들로서 현재 태국에서 십 5만 천 8백 7십5명이 살고 있습니다.

후이 판싸이 사람들은 중국의 표준어인 만다린을 말할 수 있으며, 현재 대부분의 사람들은 태국어 또한 말할 수 있습니다. 중국의 대부분의 다른 소수 민족들은 자신의 고유 언어로 말하려 애쓰는데, 후이 판싸이 족은 그렇지 않습니다. 따라서, 그들에게는 복음적인 많은 자료들을 접할 수 있습니다만, 복음 받기를 거절하고 있는 것입니다. 후이족의 대부분의 사람들은 수니파의 이슬람들입니다. 그들은 돼지고기를 기피하는등, 회교의 가르침을 따르고 있습니다. 남자들은 머리 위에 흰색 또는 검은색 둥근 모자를 쓰고 여인들은 머리 위에 스카프를 올려쓰고 있습니다. 후이족 사람들은 아주 좋은 비지니스 기술이 있는 것으로 이름 나 있습니다.

후이족 들은 세계에서 단 하나의 교회도 갖고 있지 않은 가장 큰 민족입니다. 이 민족 사람들에게 복음을 침투시키는 일이야말로 만만찮은 도전이 되고 있습니다.

기도해 주십시오;

• 중국어를 말할 수 있는 그리스도인들이 후이족 사람들에게 신실하게 복음을 전하게 되도록 기도해 주십시오.

• 그리스도인들이 태국의 판싸이족들과 함께 살면서 기쁜 소식을 집중적으로 전하게 되도록 기도해 주십시오.

• 판싸이 사람들이 예수님에 대한 꿈과 비전을 보게 됨으로서 그들의 마음이 복음을 향해 열려지게 되도록 부디 기도해 주십시오.

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泰國潘泰回族 – TRADITIONAL CHINESE CHARACTERS

主後七世紀，阿拉伯和波斯的商人旅居中國，十三世紀蒙古大軍橫掃亞洲後，在中國境內各處定居，他們的後裔世稱回族。那時蒙古統治者徵召穆斯林起來治理雲南地區。

1855 到1873年間，中國雲南省潘泰族叛亂之後，一百萬回族人遭到種族大屠殺
。結果，許多回人逃往泰國、緬甸避難。現在有151,875回人世居泰國，這就是眾所周知的潘泰族。

潘泰回族的語言是國語，不過現在大多數人也會說泰文。正當中國境內大部份少數民族都有自己的語言時，潘泰回族卻沒有。所以，可以提供大量的福音資源給他，但他們仍然抗拒福音。絕大多數的回人是屬於遜尼派的穆斯林，他們堅守穆斯林清規，如：禁戒豬肉等等。通常男人戴黑或白的小帽，女人則戴頭巾，回人很有商業頭腦，以擅於經商舉世聞名。

回人是世上最大的族群，到目前為止，他們沒有一間教堂，福音進入這個族群，具極大的挑戰。

代禱事項：

• 為說國語的基督徒能夠忠心的向回族傳揚福音禱告。

• 求主帶領基督徒願意委身住在泰國潘泰人當中，立定心志和他們分享好消息。

• 為潘泰人禱告，但願他們在夢境和異象中看到主耶穌，並盼望他們能夠打開心門迎接福音。

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泰国潘泰回族 – SIMPLIFIED CHINESE CHARACTERS

主后七世纪，阿拉伯和波斯的商人旅居中国，十三世纪蒙古大军横扫亚洲后，在中国境内各处定居，他们的后裔世称回族。那时蒙古统治者征召穆斯林起来治理云南地区。

1855 到1873年间，中国云南省潘泰族叛乱之后，一百万回族人遭到种族大屠杀
。结果，许多回人逃往泰国、缅甸避难。现在有151,875回人世居泰国，这就是众所周知的潘泰族。

潘泰回族的语言是普通话，不过现在大多数人也会说泰文。正当中国境内大部份少数民族都有自己的语言时，潘泰回族却没有。所以，可以提供大量的福音资源给他，但他们仍然抗拒福音。绝大多数的回人是属于逊尼派的穆斯林，他们坚守穆斯林清规，如：禁戒猪肉等等。通常男人戴黑或白的小帽，女人则戴头巾，回人很有商业头脑，以擅于经商举世闻名。

回人是世上最大的族群，到目前为止，他们没有一间教堂，福音进入这个族群，具极大的挑战。

代祷事项：

• 为说普通话的基督徒能够忠心的向回族传扬福音祷告。

• 求主带领基督徒愿意委身住在泰国潘泰人当中，立定心志和他们分享好消息。

• 为潘泰人祷告，但愿他们在梦境和异象中看到主耶稣，并盼望他们能够打开心门迎接福音。

By Esther, MK of Taiwan

When I decided to become a Christian, my family erupted in celebration. They called all of our relatives and proudly told everyone they knew that their young daughter had decided to ask Jesus into her heart. They were ecstatic that I had followed their example and decided to share the faith in which my family was so deeply rooted. With my father being a pastor and my mother serving as a youth director at our church, it was no surprise that I wanted to be known as a follower of Christ.

However, the excited reaction I received for deciding to follow Jesus is the complete opposite of what most children in Taiwan encounter. On this island, most families accept the beliefs of Buddhism, Daoism, and folk religions instead of Christianity. When children in Taiwan, who have grown up bowing down to idols or praying to their dead ancestors every day, come home and tell their parents that they have become Christians, their families often do not know how to process their children’s faith, since they perceive Christianity as a “strange and foreign religion.” Children are confused when their parents forbid them from going to church or talking to missionaries.

I was 15 years old when my family moved to Taiwan. After making friends and getting to know other teenagers my age, I was shocked to discover how strongly opposed to Christianity my friends’ families were. One of my first experiences with family persecution was with Violet*, a friend of mine that was a junior in high school. Even though her mother encouraged her to go to the English Bible study my family hosted, she made it very clear from the beginning that Violet was not allowed to become a Christian. She wanted her daughter to learn better English, but she did not want her to become a “religious fanatic.”

When Violet became a Christian a few months later, she told everyone she knew about her new faith. That is, everyone except her family. “My parents will forbid me from coming back to the Bible study,” she told me. She did not want her mom and dad to stop her from learning more about Jesus and the Word of God. She knew that her parents would disapprove of her faith and try to prevent her from strengthening her relationship with God. They had already refused to let her enter any church building in the city.

It took Violet more than two years to tell her family that she was a Christian. Her parents yelled and fought with her about her faith. They were extremely angry with the fact that Violet had chosen to become a Christian. They did not want their daughter to put God above her education or her future career.

Violet is not alone in her persecution. I have met dozens of other children and teenagers that have either been persecuted by their families about their faith, or they have not told their parents that they are Christians because they are afraid they will be forbidden to learn more. However, these young Taiwanese believers are strong in their beliefs. They have to be 100 percent certain that they want to live a Christian life in order to stand up to their parents, grandparents, or other family members. Although they are young, they are firm believers in the saving power of the cross.

When young people living on the island of Taiwan become Christians, they do not always receive the same praise that I did when I became a Christian. However, His Word teaches that whenever one accepts Jesus, there is a huge celebration in heaven (Luke 15:10). Please join me in praying for Violet and those like her. May we not forget about the faith of the forbidden children of Taiwan.

*name changed

Lin Sung* had just completed evangelism training in East Asia. As students dispersed to surrounding villages to practice sharing the Gospel, Sung sent a text message, telling a friend where he would be. When government officials intercepted that message, his homework assignment changed from sharing Bible stories to a fight for survival. See his account on http://asiastories.com/features/the-persecuted/?story=8260

Asia’s Top Persecuted Countries
An estimated 100 million Christians worldwide suffer interrogation, arrest and even death for their faith in Christ. Millions more face discrimination and alienation. World Watch List ranks the top 50 countries facing persecution. Click on the marker for Asia’s rankings, information and prayer requests. http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=202080182876926573873.0004ba4f3deeeb689b125&msa=0

* Name Changed

The Day of Prayer and Fasting for East Asian Peoples will be on Monday, April 9, 2012.

Naisu (Nie-sue) People of China

In a rural area of China prone to earthquakes and mudslides live approximately 60,000 Naisu people. The Naisu live in isolated mountain villages and like most minority groups in China, they have their own distinct language and traditional clothing. The women often wear red clothing, so outsiders refer to them as the “Red Yi” but the Naisu prefer to be called “Naisu”. Some Naisu people only speak Chinese, some speak Chinese and Naisu and some speak only Naisu.

The Naisu, following animistic religious traditions, believe in spirits in both living and non-living objects. They often worship trees, rivers and mountains.

In the early 1900s, foreign missionaries led many Lipo people to the Lord in a nearby area. In turn, the Lipo then reached out to the Naisu in the surrounding areas. The Lipo traveled throughout much of the area sharing the Good News through song and dance. Miraculous healings also contributed to many Naisu coming to faith.

Today it is estimated there are over 2,000 believers among the Naisu. The Naisu do not have the complete Bible or Jesus film in their language although some Christian recordings have been made.

Prayer starters

• Pray that just as powerful earthquakes move the foundation beneath Naisu feet, that God will shake the foundation of their false religions and turn their hearts to seek the one true God.

• Ask that the Good News will boldly be proclaimed among the Naisu. Pray that Naisu who are searching for truth will find believers in Jesus Christ and recognize what the Bible says is true.

• Pray that more Lipo and other minority believers will share the Gospel of Jesus Christ among the Naisu. Ask that the Naisu who believe will, in turn, see this as the pattern taught in Scripture so they themselves will be motivated to take the Gospel to other people groups.

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중국의 니에-수에 종족 – KOREAN

지진과 진흙사태가 나기 쉬운 중국의 한 전원지역에 약 6만의 니에수에 종족이 살고 있습니다. 중국의 다른 소수민족들처럼 니에수에 족 사람들은 소외된 산간지방에 살고 있으며 그들만의 고유언어와 전통의상을 갖고 있습니다. 여인들은 자주 홍색 옷을 입기 때문에 외부에서는 그들을 ‘홍의’ 라고 부르는데, 정작 이들은 자기들을 ‘니에수에’ 라고 불리는 것을 좋아합니다. 니에수에 사람들 중 일부는 중국어만 말할 수 있고, 더러는 중국어와 니에수에 족 언어를 둘 다 말할 수 있으며, 또 다른 이들은 오직 ‘니에수에’ 족 언어만 말할 수 있습니다.

니에수에 족 사람들은 생물이나 무생물 모든 것 속에 영이 있다고 믿는 정령숭배의 종교전통을 따르고 있습니다. 그들은 자주 나무들, 강들 또는 산들을 경배합니다.

1900년대 초기에, 외국 선교사들이 가까운 지역에서 살고 있는 리포 사람들에게 복음을 전하여 많은 이들이 주님을 영접했습니다. 이를 이어, 리포사람들은 주변의 지역들 안의 니에수에 족들에게 복음을 전하기 위해 접근했습니다. 리포 사람들은 노래와 춤을 통해 복음을 전하며 주변의 다른 지역들로 여행해 나갔습니다. 또한 기적적으로 병을 치료함으로써 많은 니에수에 사람들이 믿음을 갖도록 이끌었습니다.

오늘날 니에수에 종족 가운데2,000 명 이상의 믿는 이들이 있는 것으로 추산되고 있습니다. 이들을 위한 몇몇 그리스도교 복음의 내용들이 녹음되어 들을 수 있게 되었지만 아직도 그들 모국어로 기록된 성경이나 예수영화가 없습니다.

기도해 주십시오.

• 강력한 지진들이 니에수에 사람들의 발 밑의 기초를 흔들어 놓듯이, 하나님께서 그들의 거짓된 종교의 근본을 뒤엎어 유일하신 참 하나님께 돌아올 수 있도록 기도해 주십시오.

• 니에수에 사람 가운데 복음이 담대하게 선포되도록 기도해 주십시오. 진리를 찾고 있는 니에수에 족 사람들이 그리스도를 믿는 이들을 만나게 되어, 성경이 말하고 있는 것이 참되다는 사실을 깨닫게 되도록 기도해 주십시오.

• 더 많은 리포 사람들과 다른 소수민족의 믿는 이들이 니에수에 사람들에게 예수 그리스도의 복음을 전하게 되도록 기도해 주십시오. 니에수에의 믿는 이들이 말씀을 배워 이해하게 됨에 따라, 그들도 다른 종족 그룹들을 향해 복음을 전하려는 동기를 부여 받게 되도록 기도해 주십시오.

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中國乃蘇族 – TRADITIONAL CHINESE CHARACTERS

大約有六萬名乃蘇人住在常有地震為害和土石流肆虐的中國農村，和其他中國的少數民族一樣，乃蘇人群聚於與外界隔絕的山村裏，他們擁有自己的語言和傳統的服裝。婦女的穿著通常以紅色為主，因此外人習慣以「紅衣」稱呼他們，不過乃蘇人喜歡被稱為「乃蘇」。有些乃蘇人只說國語，有些則國語和乃蘇話並用，另有一些人只會說乃蘇話。

乃蘇人奉行精靈教的傳統，相信各種精靈依附在有生命和沒有生命的物體裏面，一般來說，樹木、河流和山陵都是他們祭祀的對象。

在二十世紀初期，西方宣教士帶領許多住在鄰近的理潑人信主。日後
，理潑人向附近的乃蘇人傳福音， 理潑人走遍當地，以歌舞分享耶穌的好消息，奇妙的是，很多乃蘇人的疾病，因為接受了信仰而得到神蹟式的醫治。

今天在乃蘇人當中，大約有兩千多位基督徒。目前還沒有完整的乃蘇語聖經全書，也沒有以乃蘇母語發音的耶穌傳，雖然有些基督徒錄製了片段，供他們使用。

代禱事項：

• 為乃蘇人禱告。但願像強震挪移乃蘇人腳下的地基一樣，上帝的大能同樣的搖動他們信奉假神的根基，使他們的心轉向這位獨一的真神。
• 求主使祂的好消息在乃蘇人當中勇敢的傳揚開來。也願正在尋求真道的乃蘇人能找到宣告聖經是真理的基督徒。
• 求主帶領更多理潑人和其他少數民族的基督徒在乃蘇人當中分享耶穌基督的福音。更求主幫助乃蘇族的基督徒能夠依循聖經中的教導模式，激勵自己向其他的族群傳揚福音。

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中国乃苏族 － SIMPLIFIED CHINESE CHARACTERS

大约有六万名乃苏人住在常有地震为害和土石流肆虐的中国农村，和其他中国的少数民族一样，乃苏人群聚于与外界隔绝的山村里，他们拥有自己的语言和传统的服装。妇女的穿著通常以红色为主，因此外人习惯以「红衣」称呼他们，不过乃苏人喜欢被称为「乃苏」。有些乃苏人只说普通话，有些则普通话和乃苏话并用，另有一些人只会说乃苏话。

乃苏人奉行精灵教的传统，相信各种精灵依附在有生命和没有生命的物体里面，一般来说，树木、河流和山陵都是他们祭祀的对象。

在二十世纪初期，西方宣教士带领许多住在邻近的理泼人信主。日后
，理泼人向附近的乃苏人传福音， 理泼人走遍当地，以歌舞分享耶稣的好消息，奇妙的是，很多乃苏人的疾病，因为接受了信仰而得到神迹式的医治。

今天在乃苏人当中，大约有两千多位基督徒。目前还没有完整的乃苏语圣经全书，也没有以乃苏母语发音的耶稣传，虽然有些基督徒录制了片段，供他们使用。

代祷事项：

• 为乃苏人祷告。但愿像强震挪移乃苏人脚下的地基一样，上帝的大能同样的摇动他们信奉假神的根基，使他们的心转向这位独一的真神。
• 求主使祂的好消息在乃苏人当中勇敢的传扬开来。也愿正在寻求真道的乃苏人能找到宣告圣经是真理的基督徒。
• 求主带领更多理泼人和其他少数民族的基督徒在乃苏人当中分享耶稣基督的福音。更求主帮助乃苏族的基督徒能够依循圣经中的教导模式，激励自己向其他的族群传扬福音。

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“What are You up to today?” I asked the Lord, as He stirred me awake.

His answer came powerfully and specifically. At 8:30 a.m. I was to call a local believer, Isaiah, who lived in another town, and take him with me to visit a certain family in a certain village.

“But, Lord, Isaiah doesn’t know me,” I protested, “and no one will be home in the village. Everyone’s at the festival today.”

His urging persisted, and so I found myself in Isaiah’s hometown. As I described to him the village and the particular family God had laid on my heart, he leaned forward and asked, “You want me to go with you, don’t you?”

He jumped up, grabbed his backpack, and reached for his hidden stash of tracts. “What do we take with us?”

“Well, they can’t read,” I reasoned, “so maybe just some fruit.” Besides, tracts were dangerous. What if the police stopped us?

But then, the Holy Spirit convicted me. “No. I’m wrong. Just pray, and then take whatever God tells you to take.” He grabbed several booklets and stuffed them in his backpack.

Two teenage girls joined us, one who was not a believer and one who Isaiah had just led to the Lord the night before.

Together, we arrived at the village, in the home of the people we intended to visit, to find a teenage daughter of the family whom I’d never met. She was preparing for the festival with six of her classmates.

“Before you go, can we tell you a story?” Isaiah and I asked them. Eagerly, they listened, as we told the story of Creation all the way through Christ’s resurrection. All seven of the village girls, plus the unbeliever whom we had brought with us, came to Christ that day! And every one of them could read. When Isaiah opened his backpack, he had exactly eight booklets on growing as new believers.

I wonder how that day might have gone had I listened to my own reasoning.

“Lord, tune my ears ever to Your voice.”

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Sketch by Kay Bishop.

This concludes the 12-part series.

When Rachel moved into the city with her parents it gave her the opportunity to hear the Gospel for the first time. She immediately received Jesus Christ.

When she began to share her joy with her parents, her mother wept bitterly and threatened, “I will kill myself if you do not denounce your Christian faith.”

One day her mother followed her to church. In the midst of a joyful worship service, she stood up and shouted, “You all have been fooled by this foreign religion!”

She started to tear Rachel’s Bible into pieces and took a rod and beat her. Bruised and bleeding, Rachel held on to her faith.

After her mother got tired of hitting her, Rachel’s dad started disciplining her for being a Christian. Rachel realized that they were determined to beat her to death if she decided to follow Christ. One night while everyone was asleep, she ran away to a friend’s home. She cried to the Lord for help. She was homeless and helpless.

Early the next morning there was a gentle knock at her door. Rachel’s friend came to visit her and brought wonderful news. “We found a job for you with free housing, food and salary!” She knew that God’s timing was perfect.

I saw Rachel smiling throughout her sharing. No regrets, no retreat. No anger, no complaints! Now Rachel and her friends are working on translating the Bible into their native language. God transformed a victim into a victor, a curse into a blessing.

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Sketch by Kay Bishop.

Sometimes being radical takes us away from home; at other times it takes us back home.

As the plane headed away from the bright lights of Paris, Wendy, a Chinese national, saw nothing but darkness ahead. It was a perfect picture of what she was feeling as she headed back home to China. She had become a Christian in Paris and had grown deeply in her faith. But now God was calling her to return to her hometown so that she could bring His light to a dark city and be an influence to her family.

Wendy found it difficult returning to China. She had changed so much and wanted her family to know Jesus, but they were resistant. In addition, it was difficult to find a good job and even more difficult to find a good church. God eventually directed her steps to other believers working in the city, and together they were able to begin a new fellowship.

Wendy often struggled with her singleness and the seemingly hopeless situation of finding a Christian boyfriend in China. Her parents did not understand her need to marry a believer, so she felt pressure from them as well. At times Wendy felt that her future was not very bright. But God was at work through the difficult years.

Her mom began to come to the fellowship, accepted Jesus and was baptized. Months later, her dad also professed faith in Christ and was baptized. Wendy met a young man at the fellowship, and they became good friends. He was a believer and his heart was set on serving God. They soon married and now serve God together.

There were many times when Wendy questioned why God called her to return home, but she never questioned that He had called her to do so. Although God did not bring change overnight, Wendy saw His plans unfold before her as she faithfully followed Him.

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Sketch by Kay Bishop.

I leaned against the wall of the hospital corridor and under my breath screamed to God. “If you let Trevor die I will not believe in you!”

Almost immediately the absurdity of the comment made me laugh out loud … something I had not done in a long while. What was I thinking? If Trevor, my 16-year-old firstborn son, were to die of leukemia, I’d have lost a son. However, if as a result I cast off my belief in God, then I’d have no hope. How would that be of any help?

I immediately thought of the words of Jeremiah 20:9, “But if I say, I will not speak any more in his Name, His Word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones.” (NIV)

I knew then and there that God was God; and He alone was all I had.

Trevor died soon after that, closing the book on the most terrible 8 months of our lives. I’ll admit, I was angry for some time, but gradually I began to see that God is really bigger than my will, and He has some amazing plans of which I am granted only the tiniest glimpse.

We returned to Japan bringing Trevor’s ashes back to the little church where he had grown up, among the friends he loved best. They came from everywhere to share their support. More surprisingly, complete strangers showed up over the next several months, sharing their own pain and asking us how we could possibly cope. Eventually, a church was born out of our grief, and for the first year it was the fastest growing evangelical church in Japan. Trevor’s three best friends continued to be “our boys” and grew up to give their lives to the ministry. They are flourishing, blessing us more than we would have ever imagined. One of them, Makoto, has even become the pastor of the church where Trevor is buried.

Every day we can see the fruits of Trevor’s life and death. In 2 Samuel 24:24, David says, “I will not sacrifice to the Lord what has cost me nothing”. (NIV) It’s been 20 years now, and our lives have been rich and full beyond our wildest dreams; but I always remember that whenever I praise God, that praise has been offered, at least once, as a sacrifice.

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Sketch by Kay Bishop.

Denied! That was the answer to our visa request. Originally we had great plans to continue to serve God elsewhere in the country we had grown to love. We thought that was His plan, but it wasn’t working out that way. Now all we wanted was to go back and pack up our many years of accumulated belongings. We wanted closure. Denied again! That was the final answer; no more discussion.

As we cried out to God, He quickly began to reveal many things. He reminded us that He is Almighty God, the one who moves mountains! Nothing takes Him by surprise and nothing is impossible for Him. He reminded us of the lives that had been changed as a result of our being there. He reminded us that following Him is not about our “stuff”, or where we serve, but rather about our willingness to obey.

As we let go emotionally to what we left behind, we found much joy in looking forward to where He would take us. Would we be willing to go where He called, willing to risk again? YES, unequivocally yes!

We probably would not have chosen as radical a path as was chosen for us, but God has shown us that earthly things are ours only temporarily. We need to use them for His glory but to hold on to them loosely. Serving Him overseas does not exempt us from losses, nor does it make loss easy. We realized that in the midst of loss there is still so much cause for thanksgiving.

Our “stuff”, which included evangelistic materials, blessed many people, perhaps more people than we could have blessed had we been there! When our hearts are united with Him, we trust that He is in control and knows what He is doing! Then radical obedience is easy!

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Sketch by Kay Bishop.

I was first introduced to Steven by the principal of the foreign language institute. I was informed that there were two new students, former National Army soldiers, and they were possibly spies. We should use appropriate caution around them.

Steven was a tall, good-looking young man with a kind smile. He easily fit into our English classes and made friends with teachers and students alike.

After a relatively short time, Steven came to me and said he was interested in Christianity. He perceived that the same virtues espoused by the army were found in the Christians at our school. He was soon was involved in Bible studies several times a week. After accepting Christ, Steven went on to become a leader among the students.

Although Steven’s parents were very upset with his decision to become a Christian, Steven maintained his testimony. Every time he returned to his parents’ village, he shared the Gospel with everyone he met. He connected with some local house church fellowships who invited him to share with them as well.

Steven’s course work and life were exemplary. An opportunity developed for Steve to go abroad to study in a seminary. Before he left his home country is Asia though, the school principal’s wife expressed concern about his personal life. Steven was such a hard worker, he had not thought about taking a wife. One day she introduced him to a lady who she thought would be a good match. Sure enough, Merry and Steven wed.

Upon graduation, Steven had many opportunities for work. However, he and his wife chose to return to the foreign language school and work at its outreach center. They moved to a nearby area and began training farm workers there. Some were already Christians and others accepted Christ. Steven trained them in outreach and leadership.

After a successful tenure there, Steven felt the burden to return to his village to share the Gospel. He has begun teaching in several house churches and shares Christ whenever he can, grouping new believers into churches and training them. The amazing results of his ministry attest to how God is greatly using one who chose above all to follow Him.

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Sketch by Kay Bishop.