Asia Harvest is known for our core projects, such as China Bible printing and the Asian Workers' fund, but we are involved in numerous other projects which we don't normally have space to share about in our newsletters. One of these is the Persecution & Relief fund, through which many important initiatives are funded that make a huge difference in people's lives throughout Asia. This month we would like to mention just two ways we are helping the Gospel advance through the Persecution & Relief fund...
Ministering to the Victims of War in Marawi
Are you aware that in the past month, ISIS has attempted to establish an operational base in Southeast Asia to promote their evil agenda? The large city of Marawi in the southern Philippines fell to the terrorists, many of whom are highly trained assassins from nations like Syria and Iraq. The Philippine army has struggled to drive them out of the city, and more than 400 civilians have so far been killed. Christians have been beheaded or taken hostage, women and girls raped, and all the usual diabolical things that accompany this cancer on humanity.
Co-workers of Asia Harvest were in Marawi just days after the fighting began, establishing plans to help many of the 400,000 people who have fled the violence, or who are now holed up in relief centers. We sent an initial $10,000 to help faithful believers minister the love of Jesus Christ to the terrorized people of Marawi. Essential supplies such as food, water, medicine and clothing have been provided, and more detailed plans are being put into action. All of this relief work is accompanied by the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus, as our intention is always to reach the whole person: spirit, soul and body. Please pray for God's kingdom to come among the people of Marawi. Pray the ISIS terrorists would be driven back and they would not succeed in establishing their much sought-after caliphate in Southeast Asia. If you would like to help with this emergency, please add a note "Marawi relief" when you send a donation to the Persecution & Relief fund.
150 Bicycles Help Spread the Gospel
Although we rarely mention it, Asia Harvest often provides bicycles and motorcycles for evangelists throughout Asia. These are a great blessing, enabling the evangelists to visit three or four times as many villages than they can on foot. Each bicycle costs $100. Last year we provided more than 150 bicycles to evangelists in India through our Persecution & Relief fund, and we plan to provide a similar number in other parts of Asia in the coming months. If you would like to participate in this project, please add a note "for bicycles" when you send your gift.
Until All Have Heard of Jesus,
The team at Asia Harvest