AFA Nepal Relief Action - Update I
It really is with 'fear and trembling' that we are proceeding. Please note all that was said in our AFA Nepal Relief Action letter
The Road to Hell – and back
Fear and sorrow always grips my heart whenever I think of the story of my life. Really, my life has been a painful journey full of incredible happenings – until God connected me to AFA.
The Secularization of Humanitarian Aid - and the forgotten Biblical Basis
Christian humanitarian aid at home and abroad is primarily about Christ, the Gospel and faith active in love - not about doing good in its own right. Furthermore we challenge the fundamental principle upon which much of our modern-day humanitarian aid is built, namely that aid is given on the basis of need only, irrespective of ‘colour and creed (religion)’. Closer examination will reveal that this principle is superficial, false and misleading.We deal with a classic case of mainstream churches having taken over the standards and values of the world.
Philippines - Facing an unfinished task
In the face of declining mission activities in local Lutheran churches, declining church attendance and increasing focus on ritual and ceremony, it had been decided to establish this group to focus on winning people for Christ and to establish new congregations and mission centres particularly in the greater Manila area among the native people and in Benguet in Northern Luzon.
Of stagnant waters, Dreams and frozen Christians
Challenging, provocative thoughts written with much love about the state of many Lutheran churches in the Philippines (and Australia?).
Damadi home, Mayanmar - Surely a showpiece!
Damadi Home – formerly Immanuel Children’s Home – was officially opened on Saturday 14 February 2015 in the presence of international guests from Finland and Korea and our team from Australia and representatives from many local church groups. It is a dream come true – a wonderful ‘act of God’.
Christianity plays decisive role in China's economic boom
A new study in the CHINA ECONOMIC REVIEW exploring the impact of religious beliefs on economic development has found that “Christianity has the most significant effect on economic growth” and that the steady increase of Christianity has played an important role in China’s economic rise
China Challenges
SABAH THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY (STS), Malaysia, is an absolute blessing for much of Asia. AFA has supported numerous students at STS over the years, some of them from China – including HU YU MEI, 29, who has now returned to the mountain regions of Yunnan Province in South West China, not far from Laos and Myanmar. She now is an evangelist there.
Sabah Theological Seminary, Malaysia
Two new students have been accepted by AFA for sponsorship. We welcome THOMAS BIN MAIDUM and SUHEIMIN BIN TAIKONG. May God bless you richly!
Global Persecution of Christians: The Shameful Media Silence
Blind western journalists and media outlets, mostly themselves of Christian origins, have a lot to answer for. Their silence with regard to the escalating violence against Christians globally is deafening. Even churches often seem to remain uninformed and too much in the background of this war against the forces of darkness.
The battle for Christmas is lost
On the first Sunday of Advent I asked the ten Sunday School children, “Who will come to us on Christmas Day?” In one voice they said: “Santa!” Sunday School children talking! That sums it all up: The battle for Christmas is lost. It’s fanciful to talk about ‘bringing Christ back into Christmas’. The world has won. Money always wins.
The Happy People: The Poor!
A miracle is happening in Gbellai Village, Liberia, Africa: a 75 years old man is in jubilation because it is the first time in his life that he not only could drink clean water from a well, but he could pump it up himself.
The happiest girls in Laos!
What you see here is all they've got except for a few things in a cupboard, but in one way they are rich: they want to bring Christ to the nation!
Ebola crisis - West Africa
The media coverage tends to be sensational – and the response of the world has been tardy and confused. The reluctance of much of the Western World to really help and get involved is deplorable. Above everything else, Ebola needs to be fought in West Africa, then the whole world becomes a safer place.
Pastors and volunteers needed in Vietnam
The newly established EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH OF VIETNAM keeps growing and consolidating with our help. The “Vietnam Australian Bible School”, supported by AFA, is teaching elders, evangelists, pastors the Holy Christian Faith.
Islam and Terrorism
I apologize sincerely to all genuine Muslims in our land for the hatred and outrage shown by sections of the Australian community against some of the local Muslim community. At the same time I shudder when I think of IS (Islamic State) and similar groups and, more broadly, of the creeping Islamization in Muslim countries like Indonesia, Malaysia and elsewhere.
Mission in the Philippines
A Catholic country, yet also a pagan country (like Australia?), mission in the Philippines is hard. There is a Lutheran Church present but it is small, village based and seems to be shrinking with its ultra-conservative worship.
Panic stricken West Africa in the grip of death & dying
The Ebola nightmare: A silent killer spreads fear and horror everywhere but Lutheran Global Village, Liberia, is a lighthouse of faith and hope.
Thailand Tribal Missions: Full Steam Ahead!
AFA has enabled the Lutheran Church of Thailand to begin mission work there starting from scratch. By now 500 people have added to the kingdom of heaven! It is abundantly clear that AFA has been a key factor in this amazing development – the hard work and financial sacrifices by our supporters.
FiRE July 2014
Blessings to readers & supporters of ASIA FOCUS AUSTRALIA!
The newsletter for July is now available and features our response to a confused world of knowing what we believe, teach and confess. Also featured are big things in the making in Bhutan, A lost world opening up in Myanmar, the ongoing horror in Liberia, and many more articles.
Interested in spreading the word about the work of Asia Focus? Feel free to forward this newsletter in digital format if you wish, or pass on a link to our newsletter archive.
