Returning home in February this year, we had the opportunity to have some ministry with church members. These included training children’s ministers (Feb 6-7), Bible Literature Follow-up Training (May 7-9), Conference with MBBs (May 23-25), Discipleship Training for Students (June 16-19), Conference and Training with Pioneers (July 8-10), Ministerial Field Visits with an American Visitor Sophia Corey who is pursuing a doctorate to provide psychological support to missionaries in the future (July 11-30), Friends Leaders Meeting (September 4-6), online participation of the Luusane Movement (September 23-26), Beautiful Feet Movement (Oct 4-6), National Youth Conference (Nov. 11-13), and the International Friends Chach Multiplication Conference (November 13-15). In addition, we did Sunday School Camps, Outreach, Discipleship Training, Ministry Field Visits, taught theology through TEE, Spent time with my Coach, Pastor Bruce Butler, spent time with family and disciples, met with partners, spoke in various conferences and training seminars organized by partners, etc.
We published a songbook in 2024. It’s called “Aradhona Sangit,” meaning “Worship Songbook.” It’s not just a book of songs but contains references to scriptural events and guidelines for Christian ceremonies and festivals. This songbook was originally designed to be used as a guideline to build up a new believer. Another special feature of it is that it contains many of God’s promises and characters. This is done so that our new generation can know God better and grow in faith. For example, by reading Psalm 86:7-10, our new generation may know that there is no God like ours; our God answers our prayers, and no deeds of our God can be compared with others. Our God is great and does marvelous works. He is the only God. Thank you very much to those who donated to print this songbook.
This year has been very challenging in M.’s life. Throughout the year, she has dealt with one health problem after another. These included a major surgery and being hospitalized with dengue fever. But in each instance, we have had the opportunity to see the Lord’s wonderful hand and his love and faithfulness very closely. We are very much thankful to those who prayed and encouraged us continuously.
The short visit of our eldest son, S., in December is also a special blessing and a miracle. He got his plane ticket for half price, which was unbelievable. Also, our good friend donated a large part of his plane ticket.
I want to close this letter with a special Bible verse and a picture. It was mid-December. We were not very happy with our ministry results this year. Compared to other years, it was very disappointing, and I became frustrated. We are seriously lacking workers for harvesting. We were praying and waiting to listen to his voice and direction. At this point, Isaiah 11:1 caught my eye. It is written, “A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots, a Branch will bear fruit”. Although this prophecy speaks of the coming of the Redeemer, it brings me a new thought. We know that the stump is the bottom part of a tree left projecting from the ground after most of the trunk has fallen or been cut down.
Notice these two pictures. This is a picture of a plum tree. It didn’t bear much fruit for a few years. As a result, our pastor cut it up into stems (below left). This year, new branches have come out of it and bore a lot of fruit (below right). The tree flourished in a new way. It has helped me think in a new way and encouraged me to start working with new people in the New Year. The Lord is encouraging us to prepare young people this year so that we can start working with young people and teenagers next year. We need your prayers, encouragement, and financial partnership. Would you please earnestly pray with us so that God sends many of his workers in his ministry fields to harvest a hundred times in 2025?
We are very grateful for your sincere love and generosity. I hope you will continue to support our ministry this year, too, and tell others to be active partners as well. We sincerely thank and express our gratitude to you. God bless and guide you in every situation in your life.
Merry Christmas and a blessed, happy New Year 2025.
Regards,
A. and M. A.