To the Ends of the Earth

For purposes of privacy and safety, all names and locations mentioned in the blog below are altered.

Last week, we celebrated the official 100th World Mission Day in the Catholic Church—a day when we reflect specifically on the Great Commission from Jesus to all baptized Christians.

Although the Commission was given long before the “official feast day” was initiated by Pope Pius XI in 1926, Christians are reminded that they have an integral part to play in building the Kingdom. As our priest in Asia told us this morning, God can use ANYONE. As you already know, it takes a unified effort to successfully execute Jesus’s Commission. We wanted to express our gratitude for your part in this team effort. You have reached multiple continents to share the Gospel, to serve the poor, and to make disciples along the way. We thank you for being “all in” with our Lord and honoring His last and greatest assignment for us. We pray you can truly see how you have an impact on others, including our family, in this ministry. May God be glorified and may His Kingdom come through all of us!

Here are some updates from our mission post:

Victims of Flood

We witnessed an amazing response to our invitation to help the victims of the floods here in Asia. We have successfully brought winter kits to families to keep them warm this winter. The week before we were scheduled to visit the site, we packed the initial bag of supplies—a large blanket, jacket, bed mat, socks, underwear, and a beanie. Once we got to the sites, we would add additional items as needed per family. Because of a health issue, my husband and son were scheduled to join hospital workers to personally pass out the bags in the affected area. As the time got closer, we felt that all of us could go, and we are grateful we did!

Evangelizing is against the law where we serve, but sharing our testimonies, when asked, is not. There was a friend with us named Martie, who was also affected by the flood as she was visiting an orphanage while the flood happened. It was super beautiful to see her connect with so many others as she swapped her experience for theirs while visiting. She exuded hope with these people as she encouraged them. One 88-year-old woman lamented to her as she shared that four of her five children and all of their children were out in the street before the flood came. She knew something was wrong because schools let out early, but she did not know exactly what was going on, so she told everyone to get inside the home they all lived in.

Unfortunately, the home collapsed, and everyone died. A friend of ours told us that the words “tiger” and “river” are very similar in the language here, and she could have mistaken those words as well. Either way, she is carrying a very heavy burden, and we could be there to comfort her, even for a brief moment. The orphanage that our friend was visiting when the flood took place is acquiring 35 more girls on November 1 whose parents were swept away in the river. Please pray for all those impacted by this tragedy.

Girl’s Hostel

We have really enjoyed our time with these ladies! We began leveling the playground area for them as it has been a hazard. Within the past year, three girls have had broken bones below the knee due to the unpredictable terrain. There will be a retaining wall put up this week as well. The wall around the playground will be raised for safety.

We have also given a lesson on dignity and identity. We have done this through the theme of love, reminding them how they are beautifully and wonderfully made. Unfortunately, this is not a concept that is common or popular. At the moment, there are twelve girls in the home, as others went to their villages for a Hindu festival called Dashain. During this 15-day holiday, schools and businesses are closed; people visit their families, eat food, get new clothing, give blessings, and fly kites. We have been told that some of the ladies are distanced from their families, and for many, their safety will be compromised if they were to visit their villages, so they have decided to stay back. In the meantime, we have hung out with them even more so they are not lonely and/or too bored.

Worship Service

Recently, a pastor at a local church in a very poor area asked if we could preach at a worship service on a Saturday (which is the main Sabbath Day here—for English speakers, it is usually Sunday). We were warmly welcomed with a traditional scarf ceremony. We spoke about trust. Many Christians are struggling as they choose Jesus here. We get to see the results of persecution a little more clearly, and it makes us appreciate religious freedom a lot more than we have before. The preaching went well! This pastor also has two orphanages: one for boys and one for girls whose families are financially struggling, or for those without families. We took a tour of them as well. He asked us to come back.

Again, thank you for your “yes” to the Great Commission that Jesus has entrusted to all of us.

“We do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in our prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,” Ephesians (1:16-18).