Encouraged

I returned this morning from our annual meeting of over 200 missionaries from Southeast Asia.  We were encouraged with inspiring messages, compelling testimonies, and refreshing fellowship.  I was blessed to receive a recognition of having served 30 years with “our company”.  

One area in the mega-city of Jakarta has seen 2,000 baptisms in the past 6 months.  Significant growth continues in areas of India and China.  Our 2 largest church planting movements in Southeast Asia have been in remote areas of Indonesia, far away from the influence of pop western culture.  But in areas where the influence of Hollywood is prevalent, church growth is declining.

We still hear of government persecution against church leaders, lives sacrificed for the gospel’s sake, and miracles from heaven that God uses to advance His kingdom.  Despite a world that increasingly loves the darkness, the love of Jesus is still shining, and will continue to do so until Christ returns.

For the past 3 weeks, my youngins (except for Jonathan who started his new job) have been traversing Europe (England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Italy).  David and Sara return later today so they can start back to work on Monday.  Hannah, Martha, and family-friend Allie, will stay another few days and return on Wednesday.  I’m so glad they have had the opportunity for this once in a lifetime adventure.  (If you are friends with any of them on Facebook, you can see some of their pictures.)

My focus returns to our work here in the west-central Philippines.  We have trainings scheduled, discipleship materials to update, our BOOST project to oversee, and people to visit who need to hear about Jesus.  I appreciate your prayers for our church leaders, for those involved in discipleship training, and for me, that I would stay near to God’s heart and focused on the task that He has given me the privilege to undertake.