A Cry For Help
UPDATE
I mentioned in our May prayer letter that we were able to pick up an additional 18 national church planters in 3 restricted access nations. We did this by faith without having specific churches that were committed to help us cover all of the financial support. I want to say thank you to those who sent extra funds in May to help cover some of the expenses. Your love and generosity in helping those families is very much appreciated.
For those pastors who have recently committed to sponsoring one of our church planters, this would be a good time to begin. As of this writing we are sponsoring 88 families and are actively vetting others that need our help. A few days ago we added a young couple in a large city in Eastern China. This couple is serving in a city of several million people as well as doing ministry in minority villages outside of the city. They are a proven couple with 2 children and very little support.
COVID RESTRICTIONS
Many people have asked me about the feasibility of foreign travel. It depends upon the location but overall it is still quite uncertain and restrictive. I was planning a 28 day trip to Asia in September but found out that it would require a minimum of 21 days in quarantine. There is also the possibility of being able to get in, but not out depending upon the ever changing regulations.
However, There are some glimpses of the light at the end of the tunnel. One of our Burmese national workers was out of the country when Covid hit and Burma shut it’s borders. He recently was able to get into Thailand and eventually sneak across the border to his home. It was a dangerous and long trip but by God’s grace he finally made it back to his family and church.
Please pray that Asia will open up soon as there are still many foreign missionaries and national pastors attempting to get back to their homes and places of ministry.
A PLEA FROM AFAR
I want to close this brief report by sharing with you a message I recently received from a friend and pastor that I have been working with for the past few years. He is a dear man of God and we have preached and taught together in 2 different countries where people pay a large price for being a follower of Jesus. Our ministry sent him an extra $3,000.00 for the purpose of buying and distributing rice to those who have no access to food due to the military coup in Myanmar. This is his letter back to me.
I am withholding his name for security reasons. Would you please pray for this dear brother, his family and his country?
Dear Pastor Tomlinson,
By the grace of God, amid trials and civil war, the Lord is keeping us well. We know for sure that we are under His protection. We took this opportunity to share the gospel through relief work. The Missionary training students go out every Saturday evening for evangelism. As a result of that, we were able to share the gospel with over 35 people. Some professed faith in the Lord, but God only knows the heart.
Urgent Prayer Request:
1. One of our mission fields, Southern Chin State, Matupi town, is having trouble with Myanmar armies as they kill people. One of our missionaries has to run away from home, and they are now in the jungle. Mindat town is becoming a killing place.
2. Another mission field in Kayah State. Three Pastors, and all church members are running away from their home for safety. They need help. These places are becoming slaughter ground and battlefields. We do need your prayer as there are gun shootings and bombings with airplanes everywhere. Our hearts are literally broken for these incidents. We do not understand why God allows such things to happen.
Despite all these crises, we will never give up teaching the word of God, sharing the gospel, church planting, and serving God. If we die we will die for the Lord. If we live we will live for the Lord. We know for sure that this world is not our home.
Name withheld
When we read letters like this it helps us to put into perspective how insignificant our problems are in light of what our brothers and sisters in other countries are facing. We have our problems in America, but at least for now we are free to worship God, win souls, give and serve in and through our local churches. Let’s be faithful and busy in our churches while we have the ability to do so.
Thank you for your prayers and partnership in Barnabas1040. Gayle and I never forget that we can only do what we do because of you.
God Bless You,
No comments