2018 was as eventful, wonderful as well as stressful as every other year if not more so – with plenty of drama and pain mixed in as well. Overall the number of donors and interest in AFA keeps growing. But like the LCA itself, we are also suffering from the effects of a declining church as people age and die or join other churches and stop to support Lutheran-based mission work.
The latest FiRE No79 for March 2019 is now available and contains stories about a gigantic milestone reached in Vietnam, and amazing journey and insights from Sabah, reaching the unreached in Vietnam and a special project for Pr August’s 50th anniversary of ordination. Please note that Pr August’s special project needs support by April 20th if this vision is to become reality.
Rev. Wangchuk has sent through Christmas greetings and an update on the latest mission efforts in Bhutan. Our prayers are with the spreading of the Gospel over the festive season.
The latest FiRE No78 for December 2018 is now available and contains stories about Religion and the real ‘thing’, why amazing growth in places like Nepal, the despair of asylum seekers in Bankok, and a roundup of of all AFA missions.
The latest FiRE No77 for November 2018 is now available and contains stories from trips to Vietnam and India, a message from Bhutan with love, a shining light from the darkness of Liberia, and a testimonial journey from darkness to light.
The latest FiRE newsletter for August 2018 is now available and contains the Myanmar Wars emergency and AFA's "Helping Hands" response, an amazing trip to Vietnam, the deepening darkness of Nepal, the 6 stages of a dying church, and a roundup of other mission projects around the world.
At this time Australians are inward looking and rise up to help their heartbroken farmers in a fantastic way as they should. But who speaks for the ignored and forgotten by all humanity except for a few small Christian aid groups most people have never heard of? Who speaks for those who suffer and die in silence with literally no hope left (except in Christ), fellow Christians?
On 21st July 2018 at the Lutheran Orphanage in Vietnam I wrote in my diary, “I think every child came forward for blessing and prayer. They look up to us with angelic and expectant eyes. These are the unexpected blessings on the journey. I thought I came to teach Valbi: (Vietnam/Australia Lutheran Bible Institute), but here I am teaching 100 orphans of all ages, and praying for them, and blessing them. And there’s more. They pray for me and bless me.
The latest FiRE newletter for July 2018 contains the Myanmar Wars emergency and AFA's "Helping Hands" response, a new beginning in the Philippines, changing times for Nias, missionary imperatives for the 21st century, Liberia's ministry growing day by day, the vexed question of women's ordination, and a roundup of other mission projects around the world.
This year alone large numbers of people have died in Myanmar. Right now some 100,000 are displaced (refugees), most of them Christians – and the world either does not know it, does n ot want to know it, or is simply silent. Large parts of the Katchin and Karen States of Myanmar are in rebellion. It is confirmed that the Christian villages are always treated far worse by the Army than the Buddhist villages.
Myanmar Emergency - “Helping Hands” Action Now
At the present time thousands die in Myanmar, some 100,000 are displaced (refugees), most of them Christians – and the world either does not know it, does not want to know it, or is simply silent.
To be a Christian leader can mean death, pure and simply, whether 2000 years ago or in 2018. Yes, death! This is what a key AFA leader in Nepal is presently faced with – ‘pay $150,000 or die’.
The latest FiRE newsletter for April 2018 is now available and contains lessons from China, India's caste system, young people for Christ in Thailand, hearts on fire in Vietnam, the Easter Gospel from Laos, a killer stalks in Nepal, and a roundup of other mission projects around the world
The latest FiRE newsletter for February 2018 is now avialable and contains a special on India’s daily battles, the gift of new life through LSC in Thailand, expanding mission work in Nepal, and a roundup of other mission projects around the world.
Our December newsletter is now available for download. In this issue you can read about the power of the Gospel in Vietnam, an overwhelming trip to Nepal, India remaining our No.1 mission challenge, our 3 education centres across Asia, and many more articles from our mission projects
Our October newsletter is now available for download and contains an exploration into India to visit the church of the poor people, the Myanmar goat parade, Australia tilting towards atheism, the face of silent suffering in Indonesia, and latest news from Vietnam, Sabah, Nepal and other mission projects around Asia.
I have just spent 10 amazing days ministering in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Vietnam, ELCV. I did this through Asia Focus Australia. How privileged I was that I was asked. I heard the call of God in that invitation and went.
My passion has always been for overseas travel – but not the usual touristy stuff. I’d rather get off
the beaten track. I want to see the world through the eyes of real people. There’s no better way to do that than through Asia Focus Australia.
In 2016 I participated in my first overseas mission trip with AFA to Bhutan and Nepal. This was a life changing journey where God spoke to me and said, “You can do more”. To see first-hand the
poverty and need, but then to witness the amazing work of AFA – I was certainly challenged.
Our August newsletter is now available for download and contains a special report from Pakistan of a fate worse than death, an apparently hopeless situation in Sudan, new ways to do mission work in Nepal, and updates from our other mission projects around Asia.
Pr August Fricke, founder and President of AFA, will be in South Australia and Victoria as the main presenter for "World Mission 2017 - in an Age of ever growing Opposition". Come along to focus in on mission and hear the latest developments of our projects throughout Asia. All are welcome!