Field Updates

“…Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” JESUS answered, ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of GOD should be revealed in him. I must work the works of HIM who sent ME while it is day…” (John 9:2-4)

The works of GOD reveals the purpose of GOD

It is a typical human response to ‘abnormal’ situations, i.e. to ask questions in order to avoid responsibility or place it elsewhere, and be comforted by one’s justification. The questioning sound theological and sometimes spiritual but misses the essence of Biblical truth personified in CHRIST JESUS. The dis-fortunate, disabled and dis-privileged are often considered in the pagan worldview as being punished for their sin or the sins of their ancestors, in fact, in some cultures they’re seen contagious, therefore, these folks are considered ‘untouchable’ and a stain on the society. But when this age-old question is posed to JESUS, HIS answer not only dismisses the folly of man’s worldview but challenges us to lay hold on the truth of GOD’s redeeming power that demonstrates HIS purpose in restoring lives in its totality. Every ‘abnormal’ situations or dis-fortunate people, which the wisdom of this world rejects and abhors, becomes the sacred ground awaiting for the works of GOD to be revealed. We must work HIS works untiringly.


MOKEN – Sea Gypsies of the Andaman Sea

• This despised, dis-fortunate and neglected people have lately shown that they’re the potential sacred ground awaiting for the works of GOD to be revealed in its redemptive power restoring lives;
• The Moken communities have witnessed the silent but deep work of the HOLY SPIRIT in turning their hearts and minds to the LORD through simple steps of obedience. Some of these brethren are expressing their explicit desire to reach out to fellow Mokens in the Andaman Sea, something very difficult to conceive given their inward looking perspective. Discipleship program is being conducted to prepare a core group of believers to be Moken Gospel messengers;
• Current quarterly focus of the Moken work emphasizes on building the capacity and capability of the community through the introduction of economic activities such as agriculture and marine-culture ventures. The community has shown distinct progress in adopting this new practice and adapting it into their simple lifestyle, along with Biblical principles and values that govern it. They are planting herbs and vegetables for their own consumption, breeding fresh water fish and other related agricultural activities;
• Our Moken staff and volunteers are actively involved along with other brethren in strengthening the effort to bring about community level transformation. The process is slow but sure and steady. The Moken communities are beginning to comprehend Scriptural truth and the importance of practical obedience to CHRIST that affects their spiritual and socio-economic life;

Prayer Spotlight:

1. For the works of God to be revealed in the Moken community, covering all aspects of communal and individual life;
2. The agriculture and marine culture projects currently underway to benefit the community, fulfill their daily needs and transform their economic lifestyle;
3. Core group of Moken Gospel messengers to be trained and ready by mid 2009 to reach out to other Moken communities in the Andaman Sea;
4. Our Moken staff and volunteers – Ajarn Sien, Ouu, Chanita, Mike and Dave - wisdom, grace, protection, provision and discernment;
5. Upcoming Transformation Camp for Moken children from 16 to 18 October 2008. May it be a life changing experience for these young ones;
6. The implementation of Moken Annual Plan which is divided into four quarters from July 2008 to June 2009. May it be fruitful and bring glory to the LORD.

Northern Country - LS

• Focusing on the central region of LS, our community-based holistic transformation project is progressing well. Setting up of plant demonstration plots and nurseries is helping the community to assimilate with new types of commercially viable plants. The community which comprise of mostly illiterate rice farmers are part of an un-reached people group who usually live in inaccessible areas;
• The youth and young adults are actively involved in this venture and recently we have just hired one of them to be a member of our workforce. He is one of the rare youth to be educated up to high school level. He has been under internship with us for over two years while completing his studies. He has shown strong commitment, keen interest and dedication in developing his community. He will be the contact point with the community and mobilize the young ones to accomplish specific objectives along with three of our other workers;
• Oil extraction project associated with biodiesel is also underway. This endeavor is helping poor farmers to plant jathropha which yields biodiesel oil potential. It’s easy to plant, low-cost in essence and allows poor farmers to earn additional income as they plant it along with other major crops. The middleman has been found to be the main culprit in keeping the poverty level status quo, a such, a new system of buying and selling has been introduced to diminish and eventually eliminate the role of the middleman and benefit poor communities directly;
• The above project is opening doors to rural and remote communities who are part of the least reached people groups. Translation of Scriptural materials is being done to reach these communities.

Prayer Spotlight:

1. For the communities to continue to be receptive and empowered to venture into this new concept of community development and alleviation from poverty. All the projects to be blessed by the LORD’s providence, wisdom, human resource, and above all, HIS favor;
2. This un-reached people group who are despised by the majority ethnic groups to witness the revealed works of GOD in their midst, and glorify HIS name;
3. Our four workers who are not believers to respond to the Gospel of CHRIST, esp. the young man from the village representing the un-reached people group;
4. The jathropa oil extraction project to take off fully and be blessed with the LORD’s favor in reaching out to remote and isolated poor communities;

Northern Country - YNN

• This region is filled with least reached people group who are in need of community level people group movement. Approach in this region has been adjusted over a period of time due to changes on the ground at political and economic level, causing concern of uncertainties;
• Currently, talks are underway with relevant people to target a group of least reached people group located in a remote area. There are 400 farming families who are earmarked to be involved in a poverty alleviation project of planting apple, walnuts and breeding pigs commercially. This endeavor not only gives us the access into this otherwise remote rural community but allows us to be actively involved with the community on a long term basis;
• Two man and woman of peace has been graciously provided by the LORD to ensure the initiating and momentum building of this endeavor. They are, and obviously connected to the authorities and people of influence.

Prayer Spotlight:

1. In last update, we highlighted the school in TN. We’ve been informed that this school will be demolished to make way for an apartment project. Pls. remember this dis-fortunate children and teachers alike;
2. Appropriate laborers—professionals, experts, investors etc – to be thrust to the field by the LORD of the Harvest, esp. in YN.
3. Grace, wisdom and favor in all our dealings with the authorities in the region.
4. For the 400 farming families and the person of peace who are helping us to get the project off the ground.
5. The works of GOD to be revealed among the many least reached people groups here.

Prayer Requests (Summary)

A. OCTOBER:
1. Jathropha oil extraction endeavor spin-off in LS;
2. Transformation Camp for Moken children – 16-18 Oct.;
3. Mission team visit to Moken islands – 27 Oct onwards for one week;
4. Scripture material translation completion for LS work;

B. NOVEMBER:
1. Mission team visit to LS and Moken outreach works;
2. Brazil Tour of Hope Football matches to help out Typhoon Nargis surviving communities in Myanmar;
3. Outreach trip to Similan Islands to reach out to Moken in the Andaman Sea;
4. Trip to YNN to finalize and jumpstart rural farming community project;

C. DECEMBER:
1. Moken Community Christmas on Dec. 06;
2. Mission team visits to LS and Moken outreach works;
3. LS human resource development program for poor youths and young adults;

IMPORTANT:
Please remember to pray for all our workers in the region – 4 Moken workers and 4 LS workers; also kindly lift up all our men and women of peace in the region who have been such great help to us. May the LORD grant them HIS salvation and tender mercies. May their household come to know HIM in a very special encounter with HIM through HIS people.

- Adapted from the GMS QUARTERLY FIELD REPORT of the third quarter, 2008