I feel powerless as I witness many of the surviving refugees, children growing up without parents, and orphans in our village. Recently, when the director of the orphanage we visit monthly asked for help to buy plates for the children, I found myself asking, “God, do You really want us to do this?” We prayed about it with our children and covered the cost of the plates. Now, 120 children have new plates! God once again showed His power and reminded us that He provides and sometimes chooses to do so through us. We should be grateful for the opportunity to witness His miracles.
Can God bless others through me? Help comes from the Lord, and He decides how, when, and through whom it will come. We witnessed a miracle through a prayer that was answered. Visiting the orphanage with our family and seeing the joy on the children’s faces served as a powerful reminder that we should bring all our needs to God. Whether it’s refugees needing food, children needing a camp program, or people suffering from dengue fever, we must trust God to perform miracles.
Please join us in prayer for all these needs! May God bless each of you and provide for all your needs.
In both the hospital and the prison, the Lord has been touching the hearts of people who joyfully accept Christ. Even more joyful is the fact that our adopted son, Cedric (who recently welcomed his second child), has joined us in this ministry. Our desire is to send him and his family to pastoral school so that he can continue his work even more effectively. The Lord is adding those being saved to the church!
Recently, we witnessed a miracle that I want to share with you. Fleeing from a tribal war (which, as you know, is not uncommon here), about two hundred people sought refuge. These refugees had lost everything—having fled through mountains and jungles with only what they could carry, along with the elderly and children—until they miraculously arrived in a village near ours. The Lord moved us to visit them with the Gospel and the film “Jesus.” The following Sunday, our church was packed, with no place to sit, as all of them came, and every one of them came forward to repent. After the prayer, they began singing praises to the Lord in their native language—a language we do not understand, but we could feel the warmth of their newfound love for Christ in our hearts. Please pray that this fire does not fade but grows into a flame that burns brightly to the ends of the earth.
Next week, we are planning a 10-day trip to the remote region of Bougainville in Papua New Guinea. We kindly ask for your prayers for safe travels and for our time there.
Recently, I have witnessed how God miraculously heals children through our prayers. This month, we visited orphanages, paying special attention to graduates. Currently, we are supporting thirty-seven young people who have graduated and are eager to connect with us and seek help. Three of these young individuals will be baptized. This is God’s grace!
The children’s hospice has moved to a new location and is in need of renovation; we are diligently assisting the medical staff. We have special concerns about Yarik, a child who is practically immobile and relies on artificial respiration. His condition has worsened, and we have prayed and cared for him as best we can. Yarik is in critical condition; I understand these children are severely ill, but over the years, you become attached to them as family and fight for each day of life.
When we come and spend time with these children, we sing songs, pray for them, and see the sparkle in their eyes. We hope the Gospel reaches their hearts. In the pediatric oncology unit, there aren’t many children, which is good; those who are there receive our love and hear about hope, and they themselves ask us to pray for them.
A few days ago, three of our young men were baptized as a confirmation of their renewed lives through the risen Christ. Each of their journeys to this event is unique, long, challenging, and not easy. Yuri, 42 years old, has been with us in the shelter for 1.6 years. He was baptized and is praying to enroll in a missionary faculty. He came to us from a garbage dump, where he lived for 2 years, gradually dying from alcoholism. Vladimir, 45 years old, has been with us for a year; he was homeless, suffering from drug addiction and incurable diseases, living on the streets. Sergey, 63 years old, has been with us for 1.2 years; his relatives kicked him out onto the street after the death of his aunt, whom he cared for for 5 years. He wanted to end his life.
But this is how they lived until they met Jesus, after which they want to live differently and be useful. Today, they are different people—radiant with joy and happiness. Joy accompanies us throughout our time running the shelter, which has been in operation for 8 years this year. On this occasion, we held a festive service attended by many guests and friends. Over the years, the shelter has become a home for many young people battered by fate. Guests are amazed by the changes that occur in people who have been deprived of shelter, health, and hope for a better life. But everything changes thanks to the Lord and the help of those who care about the suffering of others.
I met two girls through social media, and we often got together. I tried to be a friend to them while praying and asking the Holy Spirit to guide our interactions so I could witness to them. Every time I attempted to share my faith, they listened but showed no interest, and the conversation would shift in another direction. I handed the situation over to God and continued to pray for them, trusting that the Lord would open their hearts at the right moment.
One day, we met again, and one of the girls mentioned that she wanted to have faith in God but found it difficult and had many questions. A few days later, I suggested we meet personally to discuss faith openly. I shared that Jesus loves her and answered her questions. At the end of our conversation, I gave her a Bible, which she accepted with great joy. Her journey of faith is just beginning, but I believe that Jesus will touch her heart, and she will reconcile with Him. Please pray for this girl named Kenji.
The Raglai tribe (forest people), the Chunga family, and especially the sisters are thriving in their knowledge of the Word of God. They complete their homework, learn to witness, and some are doing excellently. We continue to pray fervently that through this family, a revival will begin among this ethnic minority group. There are about 100,000 of them in the world.
We are slowly starting to reach out to their neighbors, and some are coming to the classes on their own. Not everyone can read and write, so we try to simplify and adapt everything to convey the truth to their hearts. We also hold children’s activities there.
In the city, we conduct Bible study lessons at the cemetery. The children eagerly learn verses, thank God. Often there is no electricity, so we use our phones to provide light for the lessons and to read the Bible. “You are the light of the world,” the Lord reminds us.
Despite persecution, on August 19th, the team will travel to Laos to help build a prayer house. We ask you, beloved ones, to support us in prayer that God will grant us wisdom in this divine work. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your labor of love in the ministry of evangelism in Southeast Asia.
