March FiRE newsletter now available!

Dive into the latest edition of FiRE, where we celebrate the incredible journey of faith and generosity that connects us all to the heart of mission in Asia and beyond. This issue is a tribute to the unwavering support of our readers and donors, whose contributions have sparked a beacon of hope and transformation across 15 countries.

Discover the life-changing impact of donations in the Philippines, explore the collaborative venture with Esther in Vietnam, and witness the digital blessings at the Manna School in Medan. We're also excited to share updates on the new premises for the Youth Development Center in Thailand, the resilient earthquake relief efforts in Nepal, the enduring spirit amidst persecution in the Himalayas, and crucial emergency aid for new developments in Paletwa, Myanmar.

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Mercy Emergency Medical Treatment and Support for Paletwa - Chin State, Myanmar

Since 3rd January 2024 there has been heavy fighting between AA and the Myanmar Army. As a result, civilian people have been injured and killed in the city and area of Paletwa and many people fled. Dean Rev Haggai Aung Than is in charge of the Paletwa church district and along with Pastor Andrew and their families attempted to protect the church complex against break-ins. However, with the war zone closing in on their city, Dean Haggai and Pastor Andrew have also had to flee with their families. Click for full story.

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ALWS Leaders Visit to AFA Founders: August and Betty Fricke

Asia Focus Australia (AFA) and Australian Lutheran World Service (ALWS) have a mutual goal in helping those who are marginalised and in desperate need of assistance. This was an informal meeting over morning tea at the Fricke’s home in Gympie and an opportunity for each organisation to better understand the role of the other. It was felt that if there are similarities, there may be benefits in working more closely together…

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IT manna for the Manna School, MEDAN

At the beginning of 2023, we had only 3 computers in our computer room (note: there are 152 students at the school) and only one fan to try to cool the room as the children used the 3 computers daily on a rotational basis. You can imagine how hot this room became. But in August 2023, after an Asia Focus group visited and saw our desperate needs, money was raised through Asia Focus to help us. We were then able to purchase 8 computers, an air conditioner and pay for our internet fees….

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Mission Outreach: India

ODISHA  LUTHERAN  MISSION (OLM) in INDIA is an outreach arm of ORISSA EVANGELICAL FELLOWSHIP which has been part of ASIA  FOCUS  AUSTRALIA (AFA) since 2018.  Their mission is taking the gospel of Salvation to the unreached people groups of Nabarangpur District and beyond.  “So far we have planted 13 small Village Congregations.  Our Evangelists are working in the remote, rural and tribal regions of Odisha.  Apart from AFA, we have no other financial source”, reports Pastor Nag.

 Asia Focus Australia provides financial support for OLM’s mission work by paying a small stipend to the Evangelists.  A Christmas gift is sent each year to support outreach work and provide clothes for the destitute and orphaned children, and clothes for widows who have no other means of support.

 OLM conducts regular Sunday worship in each of the Village Congregations.  There is opposition and persecution from other religious groups.  Sometimes they attend Sunday worship to protest and make threats.  “They tear our Bibles and our Evangelists have been beaten by them”, reports Pastor Nag.  “Please uphold our Evangelists in your prayers.  We are concerned about our village women and children.  Please pray for the work of the Women’s Economic Project and children’s Day Care Centre where they receive some education”.

 Pastor Nag writes that he is so thankful to Asia Focus donors for their generous  support.  Without AFA’s assistance, the mission work would not be possible. “We are praying for you all”, says Pastor Nag.

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Update on the Nepal earthquake relief

Livingstone Ministry Nepal (LMN) actively supported the earthquake affected families in Jajarkot, Rukum and Salyan. The affected families are deeply thankful to LMN and to the Asia Focus supporters who helped them in such a difficult disaster situation. LMN supplied food and non-food items to the earthquake affected families.

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Persecution in the Himalayas

Even though Nepal is a secular country, religious minorities face persecution and challenges from dominant Hindu groups. The majority of people follow Hinduism in Nepal and there are some increasingly extreme Hindu groups who have been pressuring the government to oppose Christianity. This includes opposition to the building plans for Pastor Rabindra’s church (Cornerstone Church) and planned community development…

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Emergency Response for the Earthquake Affected Families in Nepal

A 6.4 magnitude of earthquake struck Jajarkot district in Nepal on 3rd November 2023. Ramidanda of Jajarkot district was the epicentre of the earthquake. It is the largest earthquake after 7.3 magnitude earthquake of 2015 in Nepal. The impact of earthquake is huge. It is estimated that more than 30,000 houses are damaged and destroyed by the earthquake in Jajarkot and Rukum West.

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October FiRE - Walking by Faith

In this edition of FiRE we focus on walking by faith in our own lives and stepping out in mission trips to Asia and beyond. Read about the challenges and God’s plans for the Youth Development Centre, Thailand, Rising persecution in Nepal, Ministry development in Myanmar, Proposed outreach in Bhutan, Ministry outreach with radios in Vietnam, recent graduates from the Life Promotion Centre in Laos, and mission trips to Thailand and Indonesia

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April FiRE - How I met Jesus

In this edition of FiRE we focus on the inspiring testimonies of how Jesus came into the lives of those we support throughout Asia and beyond. Read about Pr Rabindra’s coming to faith in Nepal, Pr Wangchuk’s  journey from Buddha to Christ, how God’s grace was sufficient for Wilson Vai in Liberia, Pr Larry’s walk into faith, Esther finding a place of joy, how Hotlin met Jesus in Sumatra, and a Mongolian journey from communism to Christ by Pr Puje. Read on to be inspired by their stories and by how much Jesus loves us all.

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FROM COMMUNISM TO CHRIST

.. As soon as the Canadian man finished speaking, people started throwing the same questions that I wanted to ask. Our gatherings went on for about a month, and we found ourselves confessing our sins and, with tears in our eyes, accepting Christ as our Lord and Saviour. There were less than twenty young people like me, and this was the beginning of the birth of the Mongolian church.

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GOD’S GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR YOU AND ME

In 2003, I was converted in a refugee camp in Laine, in the south of Guinea, by the message of a preacher there. The message was from Acts 4:12: “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under Heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”  It is only by having faith in Jesus Christ as the true Son of God that we can be saved.

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