Touch, a 32-year-old woman, is one of seven people who received Christ one Saturday. Often when new people want to give their lives to Jesus, we reluctantly hold off on the invitation until we find out their true motivation for accepting Him. Experience has taught us that some may express interest in the gospel because they are seeking food assistance or some other kind of help. So we encourage them to just come to church and listen to the preaching for a while before they make the decision to follow Jesus.

“I Must Give My Life to Jesus!”

When Touch came to us, however, she insisted, “I must give my life to Jesus, and I must be baptized right away!” Cautiously, we questioned her at length as to why she wished to do so. Touch began her story. She had been listening faithfully to a Christian radio program and watching a Christian television channel every morning. She knew about Jesus and wished to be a believer but didn’t know how.

As she continued to seek out Christ, Touch heard about Srey Moum-a new believer in our church-and her zeal for Jesus. Immediately, Touch set out to find her. She introduced herself to Srey Moum and explained her interest in the Lord. Srey Moum invited the woman to a small group that meets in her home every evening. Whatever the group read or sang there that night, it was enough to convince Touch that Jesus was all she needed.

A New Creation

The next day, without anybody having suggested it, Touch took down all her shrines and idols and threw them all into the stream behind her house. All her neighbors and friends-including Srey Moum-were amazed at her dramatic actions. Some even urged Touch to at least consider selling the old shrines and other worship artifacts to make a profit. But Touch simply refused to have anything to do with her old way of life.

So, early one Saturday morning, at Srey Moum’s invitation, Touch joyfully came to our house where, in front of a big crowd, she publicly and willingly accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior. As the group later marched down the path to a nearby pond, Touch was among the crowd singing her heart out to Jesus. An hour later, she was also among 34 new believers who were baptized.

Daily Doses of Hardship

While the harvest is great here, persecution is on the rise for these new believers. We make it a point to always tell people beforehand that if they choose to follow Christ, they will surely face opposition following their decision, and persecution is unavoidable. In recent months, we have shed many tears with new believers as almost all of them faced intense opposition and harassment from their friends and families. Some believers were physically beaten by parents and relatives. Others received harsh verbal abuse, and name calling and other mockeries were among the daily doses of hardship that these believers had to endure.

Two beautiful sisters who were baptized are being encouraged by their parents to look for jobs in Thailand. We are very concerned about the kind of “jobs” to which they were referring. We are praying and seeking a solution to help protect the girls from potential harm.

THANK YOU for partnering with us in ministry by praying and giving to the Great Commission Fund!

Learn More

Look for Srey Moum’s story in the April 15 issue of Alliance Life.

Watch a video in which Soeuth relates the challenges and dangers of serving in one of the most dangerous cities in Cambodia.

Check out our Alliance work in Cambodia.

Visit Soeuth and Syna’s blog.

(Note: Clicking this link will take you off the Alliance Web site.)

What You Can Do

Praise the Lord for the salvation of Touch and others who are willing to follow Jesus in spite of persecution. Pray for grace and strength for believers to stand firm in their faith amid opposition.

Impact your world: Give to Alliance Great Commission Ministries to ensure that dedicated workers like the Laos can remain on the field introducing lost people to Jesus.

Editor’s Note: “In this south-central region of Taiwan near the western coast, Christians make up only 0.1 percent of the population,” write Tim and Penny. “YuanChang consists of several small villages with a total population of 32,000- yet it has only one small Christian congregation. This is one of the least-reached areas of Taiwan; and working-class people, like the majority of those living in our township, have been the hardest to reach with the gospel. It is a spiritually dark place.

“We are seeking to show God’s love in this community through teaching English in the public schools and through our coffeehouse ministry, The Lighthouse.” The following excerpt from the Inversons’ prayer letter conveys the joys and challenges of ministry in this region.

Great news—Tasha accepted Christ last weekend!

We have often sensed in Tasha a softness toward the gospel, but finding time in her busy schedule was a challenge. So Saturday’s meeting came as a surprise. Penny and members of a team from one of our Taipei Alliance churches went to visit Tasha’s brother. He wasn’t home, but Tasha was there. She had been reading the Bible, listening to Christian music, and even praying, but she felt her prayers weren’t being answered.

The truth is, Tasha was drawn to Jesus but had little understanding of what it meant to be a Christ-follower. Once we shared with her, her response was quick and genuine—and she prayed to receive Christ.

“I Want to Be Like Mommy”

Amy, a recent follower of Jesus, is preparing for baptism on March 28. This past weekend was the Chinese Lantern Festival, and part of the celebration involves traditional worship. Amy’s mother-in-law was preparing to worship. As a Christian, Amy does not worship in the festival, but as a loving daughter-in-law, she helps prepare for it.

As her mother-in-law counted out incense sticks for each person in the family, Amy’s young son, Frank, said, “Grandma, you are one incense stick short.” His grandmother replied, “No, your mother doesn’t need one any more. She believes in Jesus now.” To this, Frank said, “Then don’t prepare one for me either, Grandma. I want to be like Mommy.”

Encouragement amid Challenges

This little interchange was a tremendous encouragement to Amy. In this culture, opposition from parents and in-laws is often one of the biggest challenges new believers face. For Amy’s 83-year-old mother-in-law to accept and even support Amy’s decision to follow Christ is a huge blessing. Young Frank’s response is encouraging too, though Amy was relieved that her husband did not hear Frank’s comment. Although the boy’s father does not oppose Amy’s faith, he does not want her to influence their only son to leave his traditional religion.

It’s exciting for us to be part of Tasha’s and Amy’s stories-but you are also a part as you pray for us and support us through giving to the Great Commission Fund. Thank you for joining in our ministry!

Thank you for praying for us and the people of YuanChang Township.

Learn More

Check out our Alliance work in Taiwan.

 What You Can Do

Pray  . . .

Tasha’s schedule is incredibly busy. Pray that Tasha will make it a priority to spend time with God and with His people. Also, pray for Tasha as she faces the challenge of her family’s reaction to her decision.

Pray for that God’s Spirit will reveal the truth of the gospel to Amy’s husband; for Amy’s mother-in-law to turn from the darkness of idol worship to put her trust in Jesus; and that Frank will continue to be drawn to his mother’s God.

Impact your world: Give to Alliance Great Commission Ministries to ensure that dedicated workers like the Iversons can remain on the field introducing working class people to Jesus.

Now the staggering task of recovery is apparent. Conservative estimates report that half a million homes have been destroyed or are unsafe for occupation. The cost for replacing and repairing hospitals and medical centers is estimated to be $3.6 billion dollars.

Bridges, schools, homes, and churches need to be rebuilt. Although the loss of life was minimal, the recovery task is enormous; government representatives are talking about years. Our new president, Sebastian Piera, will take office in just two days.

The Needs Are Desperate

Our Alliance people have given generously, and many churches from the north and south have sent truckloads of water, diapers, blankets, and food staples to the epicenter. CAMA (Compassion and Mercy Associates), the Alliance relief and development arm, has sent help as well. I will be traveling to the zone shortly with Bryon Butler of CAMA to assess the needs and plan for ongoing help to our churches.

These are days of great need and great opportunity in our churches of the central valley and coast. People are fearful, hurting, and uncertain. Sadly, our churches also are hurting. It is imperative that these churches be equipped as soon as possible to minister once again to the needs of their communities.

Please pray. Please give. Chile needs the Body of Christ in this hour of suffering.

What You Can Do

Impact your world and make a donation today.

Give to Chile Earthquake relief»

Ten cents of every dollar given to this project will be divided between the CAMA Advance Fund and the Great Commission Fund to cover travel, administrative, and logistical costs of ministering to the needs of those affected by this disaster. As far as possible, the expressed preference of a donor will be respected and followed. In the event that this gift is oversubscribed, any remaining funds will be used for future disaster relief efforts.

According to a recent USA Today article, “The Mongolian people and the animals they rely on are suffering from temperatures that are extreme even by their standards. After weeks of heavy snowfalls, fierce winds, and temperatures as low as minus-58 degrees, 2.3 million livestock have perished and an additional 3 million may die by spring, according to the Mongolian government.”

In this largely rural nation about the size of Alaska, livestock herding accounts for up to 40 percent of all employment.

Opportunities for Ministry

“Pray for the poor,” the Wahlens continue. “Many do not have enough money for coal and food. We have heard of some families who are burning their homes to stay warm.”

In response to the great needs, workers with Compassion and Mercy Associates (CAMA), the relief and development arm of The Alliance, are quietly continuing to supply coal, clothing, medicines, and food to the Mongolian families who need it most and sharing the good news of Christ’s love.  

For more about Alliance ministry to the poor in Mongolia, be sure to watch the inspiring video, “A Two-Handed Gospel” [duration, 4:14].

What You Can Do

Pray for the herders and their families during this very hard time. Pray also for Alliance workers who are providing life-saving assistance-both in word and deed-to impoverished Mongolians.  

Donate to Mongolian relief efforts.

Learn More

Watch a video [duration, 02:34] about how a Wisconsin  church is partnering with our Mongolia field, and how both parties are reaping huge returns.

Read about Mongolia’s brutal winter conditions in the USA Today article, “Winter in Mongolia is ‘an unfolding disaster.’” (Note: Clicking this link will take you off of the Alliance Web site.)

We have never felt the effects of prayer support as strongly as we felt them this weekend! Never has an outreach weekend run so smoothly with so few logistical difficulties. Each ministry/work team accomplished its task, and the response to the gospel was the greatest we’ve ever seen!

100-Degree Days

A strong sense of unity prevailed within the Dakar Academy community and among our Senegalese brothers and sisters. Students eagerly worked in the hot sun during 100-degree days and ministered in evangelism campaigns that lasted until midnight. Many Senegalese commented on how impressed they were by the students’ desire to serve and spoke highly of their compassionate hearts.

Top 10 Outreach Highlights

• More than 2,000 people heard the good news
• 300 prayed for salvation
• 440 received medical treatment
• 65 patients had 92 teeth pulled, collectively
• Ten villages were ministered to by our drama team
• Our VBS team preached the gospel to more than 500 children 
• One church was roofed
• A foundation was dug and cement poured for one church
• A church mural was painted
• 18 church benches were built, and 490 bricks were handmade

We praise God for His protection-in light of all the projects that took place as well as our convoy of 15 vehicles that travelled more than 5,000 kilometers (3,100-plus miles). After such an exhausting weekend, would you believe that all 95 high school students showed up for school on Monday? What awesome kids!

Please pray for everyone who heard the gospel message this weekend and for the Senegalese believers who live in Tataguine to continue in effective ministry.

Learn More

Check out our work in Senegal.

Read “A Mosaic Mended” to learn about historic “Bridge Senegal 2009,” in the February 2010 issue of Alliance Life magazine.

Read about a Dakar Academy outreach that took place last February.