Isaiah 61:11 “For as the earth brings forth its bud, As the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth, So the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.
We trust that there is some indication of spring happening soon in your area, when we return for Summer furlough at the end of April we hope you’ll turn up the thermostat for us ! We look forward to being able to personally connect with you and will count it a privilege to hear your stories, pray with you and share in you lives.
We are so thankful for real friends who share a common faith, who share a passionate common vision and open their zealous hearts to helping us fulfill our calling in Asia. We pray that you find great joy and reward in being part of what God is doing in the Asian nations. Our ability to accomplish the work God has called us to comes from your generosity and willingness to sacrifice, and for that we say thank you!
March has been a very busy month for us, we were involved with the Design 2 Worship conference and outreach which included instruction and dynamics for the students, also people from Malaysia and Pakistan who came to take it in. The team ministered locally and in outlying areas, as well as having the students distribute Gideon Bibles in the Thai language. Building renovations are on going and classes continue toward culmination with the graduation ceremony on April 24 after which we will be returning to Lethbridge for our Summer break.
We have just returned from Burma (Myanmar) an impoverished country of 50 million population. Dr. Purvis was unable to go so, we went on our own to work with and encourage Pastor John (Former student) who is doing great things in his native country. He has rebuilt bamboo homes in villages following Cyclone Nargis that had left any surviving people in total devastation. He has with ingenuity and Godly wisdom built a pig operation farm so many people could be self supporting. John has baptized well over 300 people who have as a result of his testimony and compassion, have left Buddhism and placed their faith in the living Christ. There are now multiple cell churches that we were able to visit in the surrounding villages and in addition John has just planted a new church in Yangon the capitol city of 6 million in Burma. We had the privilege to preach, sing and pray with the congregation in the service there on Sunday and do door to door visitation to many of the homes of his people. We spent considerable time at the Rainbow Children’s Home, an orphanage founded by John’s sister Judy who is a degreed graduate of our College. All in all we were inspired and impressed by John’s vision and energy to reach his nation with the liberating gospel. He works with untiring dedication to minister to his people. We’ve always believed in the old adage “A home going pastor makes a church going people” and that is all a part of his strategy to win and influence Burma for Christ!
Now our thoughts turn to you. If you are encountering physical sickness or setback, we pray that the Holy Spirit would flow through you not only refreshing your mind and soul, but healing your body as well. If you are facing financial hardship, we pray that God will provide the courage and strength to embrace the difficulty and that He will take care of everything you need, His generosity exceeding even yours to the glory of God. If you are experiencing despair or darkness, we pray that you would remember the hope that is in Christ and that your spirit would find complete rest in Him. We pray that above all that you will abide in His Word, find delight in communing with Him and know the deep satisfaction of serving others.
We know you will be blessed for your faithfulness and your investment in spreading the gospel in this part of the world.
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you!!
Blessings, love and prayers always,
Kenn & Donna
