Observations From Our Trip

My wife and I returned from a 5 country preaching and survey tour of South East Asia. Each of the Countries was of course different as far as language and culture were concerned, but there were several things that are consistent in that part of the world.

Poverty: The 10/40 Window is home to the majority of the world’s poor. Of the poorest of the poor, more than eight out of ten live in the 10/40 Window. On average, they exist on less than a few hundred dollars per person per year. It has been said that “the poor are the lost, and the lost are the poor” as the majority of the unreached live in the poorest countries of the world. Gayle and I visited with our missionaries in homes that would not even be considered adequate for farm animals in the U.S.A.

The physical poverty is heartbreaking, but much worse is the spiritual poverty. The lack of Bible teaching churches putting forth a sound Gospel witness only compounds the problems of these people as they literally have no hope on earth, and no hope of heaven without knowing of Jesus Christ.

Missionary Johnny Esposito and I sharing the gospel in a Cambodian home

Pain: When you merge the spiritual and physical poverty with an unregenerate mind you end up with life situations that simply compound the problems of daily living. There is no Bible to guide decision making, no gracious Heavenly Father upon which to cast every care and find help in time of trouble. There is no church functioning as a loving family bearing one another’s burdens and facing life’s difficulties together. This spiritual void leads to life choices that increase the pain. For example the young mother pictured below has agreed to leave her husband and child for 3 years to go to another country where she has been promised a salary of $300.00 a month cleaning houses. It is common knowledge that many of these propositions are fronts that lead to young girls becoming enslaved by the sex trade. Why would she take the risk for what would be basically a car payment to a Christian family in the West? Because the pain of living in a filthy shed, coupled with no biblical understanding of prayer, the importance of the family, etc. leaves her thinking she has no other options.

Young mother who is leaving her family for work

Potential: The needs are overwhelming but God is at work in the 1040 window. There are missionaries and there are national pastor’s and workers that are making a difference in a difficult part of the world. They need our prayers and they need our help. That is why my wife and I founded Barnabas1040. Please pray for those who are serving in the 1040 window and for the millions of people who are still waiting for someone to bring them the words of life that can ease their suffering. Pray that God will raise up more workers, both missionaries and nationals willing to give their lives for Jesus sake. Pray for the finances needed to sustain them in the work.

“Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.”
Luke 10:2

Witnessing in a Cambodian home