In 2019, I visited South East Asia. This was a 3-week exposure trip to visit a few countries. There were three reasons for the trip: First, my orientation to the dynamic Kingdom work that Interserve is part of. Second, to visit and encourage our faithful Partners who pour themselves into their communities and consequently do phenomenal work. Third, to better understand the cultures and contexts in which our Partners serve, to get a better glimpse of what God is doing, and how He is already at work in South East Asia.

I have not been to this part of the world and my initial thoughts were highly inaccurate.

You might think this would be an incredible, eyeopening, exciting, once-in-a-lifetime adventure! It was all of that, but for the months leading up to this trip, I was certainly not excited. To be honest, I was gripped with nervousness, worry and fear. My mind filled with ‘What ifs’ and every imaginable ‘worst case scenario’ a traveler could possibly experience: getting sick, bitten, detained, and even lost!

I am not much of a traveller, and don’t often travel outside of North America, so my plane ride there was filled with lots of prayer. But I had lots to pray about! I prayed for my perspective, attitude and heart to change. I prayed that I would figuratively and literally step out of my comfort zone and step into the story God was already writing. I also prayed to shift my focus off from myself and what I would be “losing”, and instead onto who God is, what I would be gaining, and what He is about to show me, and let me tell you. He did show me!

None of my fears or worries were anywhere to be found. God orchestrated an immersion experience for me, into new lands, cultures, and spiritualities. I now have an enlarged picture of our neighbours (from a little further away), who are also made in His image, and who need the love of Jesus, no more and no less than you and me.

God revealed to me how tightly we/I hold onto what is comfortable, familiar and preferred. However, when we look beyond ourselves and the uncertainties ahead, and embrace what God wants for us, and who we were created to be, we discover peace, joy, and purpose. This is when we are able to join the adventure and partner with God in His mission, making Jesus known where he has never been introduced.

The urban centres are densely populated and rapidly developing. The city skylines grow each year. Tourism and technology have drastically made an impact, boasting some of the cheapest data plans and some of the most visited tourist sites in the world. With these countries striving to modernize and to advance technologically, come the struggles we know all too well here in the West.

In conjunction with the effects of the majority religion, and the need to appease the spirits, the people live not in freedom, but in fear. It is not hard to find a Buddhist temple, and on every property is a prominent and decorated spirit house. Awareness of spiritual forces is typical and encounters with evil spirits are common.

Pray for the hundreds of millions of unreached people in South East Asia to hear the Good News of the Gospel and to encounter the freedom that comes from knowing Jesus Christ.

Late last year, I heard Sue share about the church in Bangkok that she and her husband, Frank, helped plant. I knew about the people in that community who had encountered Jesus. Now, however, it was wonderful to meet them in person and to see their love poured out into the children’s after-school program.

Many of the working population in the surrounding community work in factories for long hours, not returning home until night, and therefore unable to take care of the children when the school day is over.

When the children step into the church, they receive a snack and are met by Frank, Sue, and some of the parents who have, in their own profound ways, come to know the freedom that Jesus brings.

It was encouraging to see the children praying together and singing songs of worship and praise. On other nights of the week, the children have prayer meetings and learn music.

I’ve also heard Anne recap her nine years of work, serving in South East Asia. To see it first-hand and meet some of the youth was another highlight of mine. It is a testament to God’s faithfulness and His ability to use His people for purposes we are not yet made aware of. I saw firsthand how Anne and her ministry team pour themselves into the community and develop relationships and open doors for the Gospel.

What began a decade ago with a simple orphanage and 5 children, now houses over 40 children, and has branched out in response to many of the needs that surfaced. Partnerships with schools, other neighbouring communities, and churches are blossoming and the reach of the Gospel is rapidly spreading.

God is already at work and is reaching those who are stuck in addictions, poverty, debt, trafficking, and spiritual darkness. Pray for more workers to put their faith into action and join the adventure.

It became evident to me that there is a great need for English teaching. Many children desire to learn English, but there just aren’t enough teachers. I’ve come to realize that we Canadians have a valuable gift -- the ability to read, write, and speak in English – and that we don’t often engage with the opportunities that abound.

Pray for more labourers, volunteers, and ordinary Christians to respond and share the skills that they already have been given to a generation that is hungry to learn.

Written by Jonathan
(April 2019)