Deadly cyclones and repressive governments notwithstanding, our friends in mission based in southeast Asia continue to spread the love of Jesus Christ, not only through their actions, but through the written Word of God. Following is an update we received from Mark and Astrid of the Christian Far East Ministry. We met with them both, learned from them and contributed to their efforts during our Thailand Mission, in 2008. Their work extends beyond the borders of Thailand into other southeast Asian countries ... as the following post will tell you.
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Pt. 1: Introuducing AAI
Christian Far East Ministry writes, "To begin this newsletter we’d like to introduce you to ministry work we have been doing for some time that we haven’t written about before. Those of you who have been receiving our newsletter for a long time will remember that Astrid was helping in a Sports Ministry some years ago. This ministry set up sports camps in schools and in other nations and used sports activities to share the Gospel of Christ. This ministry has gone through a lot of changes and is now involved in much more than sports outreaches. The ministry has recently changed it’s name and is now called Asian Alliance International (AAI). "
"The founder and director of the ministry lives in America, and Astrid has been overseeing and managing the work in South East Asia. There are three discipleship houses (two women’s hostels and one for men) that house young people going to collage. Housing is given freely, and discipleship training given each week. This helps the poor Christian students to be financially able to go to collage, and also gives them a Christ centered home their four years in collage. In a predominately Buddhist nation, this gives the Christians the support and hopefully the training they need to become strong in the Lord and to never fall away from Christ. We are not necessarily trying to make Christian leaders, but we aim to develop strong Christians who will be able to be the light of Christ in whatever part of society they chose to go in to."
"But these young people have the opportunity at times to accompany us on outreaches. We have seen their hearts change when they give to others and share the Good News of Christ. Many city people are bigoted towards the village people and refugees, and even the village people can be bigoted against the refugees. But these young people who have gone to the villages and refugee camps have come to love the Biblical encourage-ment to never forget the poor. (Gal. 2:10) Their hearts are now ever-increasing towards the ministry and several are growing in desire to serve the Lord full time. To see this transformation of heart is truly the working of the Holy Spirit and the intended outcome of running these discipleship homes. Praise the Lord! AAI is also one of our many supporters helping us feed, clothe, care for, and educate the refugees and the Internally Displaced Peoples (IDPs) in Burma."
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Pt. 1: Introuducing AAI
Christian Far East Ministry writes, "To begin this newsletter we’d like to introduce you to ministry work we have been doing for some time that we haven’t written about before. Those of you who have been receiving our newsletter for a long time will remember that Astrid was helping in a Sports Ministry some years ago. This ministry set up sports camps in schools and in other nations and used sports activities to share the Gospel of Christ. This ministry has gone through a lot of changes and is now involved in much more than sports outreaches. The ministry has recently changed it’s name and is now called Asian Alliance International (AAI). "
"The founder and director of the ministry lives in America, and Astrid has been overseeing and managing the work in South East Asia. There are three discipleship houses (two women’s hostels and one for men) that house young people going to collage. Housing is given freely, and discipleship training given each week. This helps the poor Christian students to be financially able to go to collage, and also gives them a Christ centered home their four years in collage. In a predominately Buddhist nation, this gives the Christians the support and hopefully the training they need to become strong in the Lord and to never fall away from Christ. We are not necessarily trying to make Christian leaders, but we aim to develop strong Christians who will be able to be the light of Christ in whatever part of society they chose to go in to."
"But these young people have the opportunity at times to accompany us on outreaches. We have seen their hearts change when they give to others and share the Good News of Christ. Many city people are bigoted towards the village people and refugees, and even the village people can be bigoted against the refugees. But these young people who have gone to the villages and refugee camps have come to love the Biblical encourage-ment to never forget the poor. (Gal. 2:10) Their hearts are now ever-increasing towards the ministry and several are growing in desire to serve the Lord full time. To see this transformation of heart is truly the working of the Holy Spirit and the intended outcome of running these discipleship homes. Praise the Lord! AAI is also one of our many supporters helping us feed, clothe, care for, and educate the refugees and the Internally Displaced Peoples (IDPs) in Burma."
"Here is a picture of the two young ladies who are leading the women’s houses. Please meet Tiff and Kate. They have gone through discipleship training and are training the other girls in their homes. These two ladies are also leading outreaches in Universities and participating in outreaches to villages and refugee camps.""On several occasions these young ladies have gone with a missionary friend in his 70’s to evangelize in an area where he has been going for 50 years. There were no converts to Christ in this village until one year ago. Once these young ladies went to share the gospel, suddenly the young men became interested in listening to the Gospel and about a dozen accepted Christ.
"Now other families have come to Christ. The first baptisms happened just a few months ago. The girls have to hike hours through the Burmese jungle to these very far off villages. We have also delivered Karen Bibles to this area and the people are starting to grow in their faith. Obviously some plant, some water, and some reap, but it is the Lord who brings the increase! (1 Cor 3:6-7) Karen Bibles have also gone to village leaders, and local religious leaders are open to learning about our Lord Jesus. Pray that many more people will accept Jesus as Lord."For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost. Luke 19:10
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NEW INCORPORATION - Christian Far East Ministry has now been incorporated in America. All gifts may now be given directly to Christian Far East Ministry, PO Box 1411, Glendora, CA 91740. If it is easier for you to continue to give through Faith Community Church or His Servants Ministry, you can as our relationship with these ministries has not changed. But if you are mailing checks to the Glendora address, you may now make all gifts payable to Christian Far East Ministry. We’d like to thank Faith Community Church and His Servants Ministry for their assistance and support throughout the years and their continued assistance. We’d also like to thank all of you who support us and pray for us as we could not do this ministry without your partnership.
God bless you!
Mark and Astrid
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