Frontlines Asia Volume 14, Issue 3
Transcription
Frontlines Asia Volume 14, Issue 3
H er smile exudes warmth and affection. No wonder an air of cheer follow Terry Meeuwsen wherever she goes, casting out the gloom of the dreary weather when she recently visited the Philippines. Untiringly, the co-host of The 700 Club in the United States and former Miss America hugs children after children. In those brief yet intimate moments, even without words exchanged, she made them feel genuinely loved. This has been Terry’s mission when she toured the country with Operation Blessing Foundation Philippines (OB)— to touch lives of disadvantaged young Filipinos and witness for herself how they are continually transformed through OB and Orphan’s Promise, her special ministry for orphans and Stories Inside: vulnerable children around • A New Family • Trust and Obey • Orphan’s Promise • A Different Course for TJ • Voices in the Wilderness the world. continued on page 2 Witnesses To The World by John Tan, CBN Asia Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer Abused when he was younger, Raymond now has more reasons to smile. T he night Mary gave birth to Jesus, it was the beginning of God’s magnificent plan to redeem mankind. The same way He has chosen His Son for a huge calling, He has chosen Filipinos to be Christ’s witnesses to the world. That’s why we at CBN Asia push forward to fulfilling this great destiny. The 700 Club Asia TV program and The 700 Club Counseling Center are strengthening Filipino families here and abroad, and helping them understand their role in God’s plan, so they can be effective witnesses. If they are good testimonies of God’s grace and goodness, then the world will pay attention. Our humanitarian ministry, Operation Day 1: Davao erry’s first stop was Davao City, where she visited a local halfway house for young victims of abuse, trafficking, and child labor. Among them was Maria (not her real name), who has found a new life at the shelter. After listening to Maria’s plight, Terry was glad to learn that Operation Blessing has committed to support her college education. OB also plans to bring in its skills training program at the halfway house to open livelihood opportunities for its young residents. Orphan’s Promise, where Terry serves as director, will also provide for the shelter’s various needs for one year, including hygiene and nutrition supplies, through its partnership with OB. T Blessing, not only ministers to our impoverished kababayans. They also go to outreaches in poorer countries so that God’s love can be tangible for those who are in deep need. Asian Center for Missions is training Filipinos to be a light to the nations that doesn’t recognize Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. These missionaries are modern-day heroes of the Gospel in places where it is prohibited from even being discussed. I want to encourage you, as our partner, that your participation in CBN Terry (left) offers a listening ear to “Maria.” Asia has a wider, global impact. For the Philippines to be the head and not the tail in God’s plan, we must cooperate with His spirit and desire, and this involves your faithful giving. By The Numbers From January to September of this year… This Christmas season, may He find our hearts’ collective desire is to please Him, and together let us expect His grace, generosity, and love to mightily overflow in your life, your family, and our country. Happy Holidays to all of you! PAGE 2 l www.cbnasia.org 10,811,000 cumulative viewers from Mega Manila (NCR and neighboring provinces) watched The 700 Club Asia on Q Day 2: Cebu t the Nehemiah Home for Boys and Girls and School of Opportunities, Terry was deeply moved hearing Raymond’s tragic past. The physical abuse he suffered when he was a child left his face disfigured. OB assessed the teenager’s condition for possible medical treatment. During her visit, Terry brought blessings of food and toys to over 50 of Raymond’s schoolmates, as well as new beddings and supplies for Nehemiah’s home for former street children. A Day 3: Montalban uring an OB medical mission at the foothills of Sierra Madre, Terry met Joy and marveled at her sweet smile despite her cleft lip. She paid the young girl’s home a visit, and was surprised to discover that she has 15 siblings! “It’s an amazing thing that this family survives and there is still joy in their faces. Joy is one very special girl with a very special place in this family,” said Terry. Joy is a beneficiary of Feeding the Children, a 120-day hunger relief and nutrition program in Barangay Macabud. OB will also sponsor her surgery to correct her cleft lip. D Day 4: Payatas erry was greeted by mothers who are extremely thankful to OB for feeding their children and sending them to preschool. T They were also provided with microenterprise projects to support their families. One of them, Sara, shared her difficult time as an OFW and her present struggles as a poor widower and single mom. Without Operation Blessing, she had no one else to turn to. Terry hugged Sara and said: “You’re a brave woman. Lots of women would have given up.” Terry congratulates Sara for her new peanut butter business. Later in the day, she saw “jumper boys” in action—young scavengers climbing fastmoving garbage trucks to salvage recyclables. OB is looking at alternative ways to stop them from this dangerous trade. Day 5: Antipolo astly, Terry was invited at Manny and Sherry Asprec’s backyard organic farm. She also graced the groundbreaking of the missionary couple’s dream orphanage, which will be supported by Orphan’s Promise. Much like Terry, Jesus has a soft spot for kids, too! He tells us, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children.” (Luke 18:16) Your fervent partnership with Operation Blessing and CBN Asia helps us do exactly that! By meeting their needs and showering them with love, we have pointed young lives to Jesus and made them God’s own children! L ORPHAN’S PROMISE An Angel for the Abandoned Operation Blessing is supporting Terry’s cause for the parentless. O rphan’s Promise was born out of Terry Meeuwsen’s compassion for orphaned and vulnerable children. This special ministry of the Christian Broadcasting Network is committed to uplifting disadvantaged kids through loving care, training for future independence, and the hope of the Gospel. “We really believe that each child has a promise,” says Nataliya Khomyak, Director of Operations for Orphan’s Promise. “We want them to know that God created these children for a purpose. We want to help them develop their gifts and talents so they can fulfill their purpose.” Here in the Philippines, Orphan’s Promise is glad to have Operation Blessing as its partner in helping out local orphanages and institutions with their various needs: food items, hygiene supplies, beddings, and even skills 53,056 individuals prayed with the counselors of The 700 Club Counseling Center to receive Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior 12,771 were referred by the Counseling Center to more than 2,000 partner churches for spiritual nurturing, like City Bible Church in Biñan, Laguna (right) PAGE 3 l www.cbnasia.org training for the children they serve. This partnership is already making a significant impact among orphans like Benjie of Samal Island. He feels immensely blessed to be living at Jireh Children’s Home, one of Orphan’s Promise beneficiaries. Benjie says, “Even though I don’t have my parents with me, a lot of people are still mindful of us!” Be an angel to orphans when you partner with Operation Blessing! Call (02) 813-2163 now to learn how you can support their various children’s outreaches. Nataliya of Orphan’s Promise brings cheer to Jireh Children’s Home. OVERSEAS FILIPINO WITNESS A New Family A Filipina abroad discovers the joy of community among fellow believers. J ane works hard in the Middle East so her two kids back home in the Philippines can have the best in life. But as a single mom separated from her family, she easily succumbs to homesickness and depression. Like an oasis in the desert, The 700 Club Asia’s broadcast on GMA Life TV relieved the weariness in Jane’s soul. The show led her to openheartedly receive Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. Through Yahoo! Messenger , she chats and prays with a counselor from The 700 Club Counseling Center. Thanks to technology, Jane felt her burdens whisked away. “I feel much confident knowing that there’s someone who cares,” she said. Committed to helping Jane in her spiritual journey, the Center referred her to ® GIVING HEART an OFW church. “I’ve always wanted something more personal, where you can talk with people and even the pastor. It’s what I really want in a church,” she shares. Last May, her work contract ended, so she came home to Pasig to finally catch up with her children. The Center helped her once more by referring her to a local partner church near her home. Today, Jane is fulfilled being a mother to her kids and serving at church, her new intimate family who helps her passionately worship God and love others. Wanting to belong? A church can be your loving family. Call The 700 Club Counseling Center now to find a Christian church near you. Trust and Obey Be amazed by this mother and son’s story of faith and miracles! C hi Medalla feels devastated whenever she hears her son Jeremiah cry in anguish. He has osteosarcoma, a rare bone cancer. Chi saw how the small tumor on his left knee swelled profusely in a few months, causing terrible pain. They were even more devastated when Jeremiah’s leg had to be amputated, or else the cancer would spread. The doctor advised him to undergo a costly chemotherapy before his surgery, but Chi hesitated. Where will they get the money? One day, as Chi was watching The 700 Club Asia, God impressed in her heart to give. “God’s words were clear: trust and obey,” says the faithful partner of CBN Asia. “I gave my monthly pledge as part of my commitment to God, even if I couldn’t see how things are going to work out.” All Chi knows is they have a big God. Chi held on to God’s promises. He will heal Jeremiah even without the expensive chemotherapy. Jeremiah pushed through with the surgery. He recovered amazingly fast, and blessings continued to flow. After his amputation, one lady donated money to purchase his high-end prosthetic leg, while they also received a prosthetic leg donation from PGH. Miraculously, tests revealed that the cancer did not spread, and no cancer nodules were found where the huge tumor used to be. “We knew it was God who healed my son. Because we obeyed God’s voice, He was faithful to keep His promises to us,” says Chi. She proved that God is indeed their Provider and Healer. In their time of great need, they learned all the more to obey God and just give. Experience God’s goodness when you decide to give! Partner with us by sending your filled-out pledge form today! 14,970 availed of Operation Blessing’s free medical, dental, optical, and surgical services on 109 different outreaches 130 individuals, including those from Mindanao (right), were trained by the Asian Center for Missions to be effective crosscultural missionaries to Asia and the world PAGE 4 l www.cbnasia.org ASIAN CENTER FOR MISSIONS ACM Enlarges Its Tent on 15th Year The Boat, symbolizing the boatloads of Filipinos who will go into the mission fields, was presented to Gordon Robertson during the ACM Anniversary. A Global Bayanihan fiesta. A reunion. A homecoming. These words describe Asian Center for Missions’ 15th anniversary last October. A colorful parade started the twoday event as flags of different nations were carried by missionaries wearing national costumes of the countries they represent. Eighteen ACM graduates, most of them from the first batch of trainees, came home to promote their cross-cultural ministries. The celebration reunited ACM’s former trainees and friends. One of the event’s highlights was the launching of Voices in the Wilderness, ACM’s first book of missionary stories. Present were the ACM graduates featured in the book. The anniversary theme, iMultiply, reflects ACM’s efforts to “expand and enlarge its tent” as said in Isaiah 54:2. ACM founding Chairman and President Gordon Robertson graced the occasion to encourage missions mobilizers, senders, and goers. All in all, the event was a time of revival for everyone with a heart in fulfilling the Great Commission. It was a time of celebrating God’s faithfulness for the past 15 years and in years to come. ERRATUM In the last issue of Frontlines Asia, we erroneously indicated that Chi Medalla agreed to her son’s chemotherapy in the story, “My God is Big”. The corrected story can be found in this issue, “Trust and Obey,” on page 4. PAGE 5 l www.cbnasia.org MISSIONARY TRAINEE A Different Course for TJ A young man’s surrender to God’s will became his most important life decision. TJ was adopted when he was young. Blessedly, his foster family showered him with love and acceptance, sent him to good schools, and soon he became a certified chemical engineer. His ideal life is within reach. What more can he ask for? But when he became a Christian, TJ realized something was lacking, and he began searching for answers. It came during his mission trip in India, where he felt burdened seeing so many souls who didn’t know Jesus. Over and over, God’s prodding was clear: “I have appointed you since birth. I have called you to be a missionary.” Finally, TJ gave in: “Okay, God, I surrender. I will follow You. I’m all Yours.” TJ enrolled at Asian Center for Missions. Towards completing his six-month training, he flew to Nepal, a nation that God placed in his heart. Upon witnessing the hunger for the Gospel in that place, his burden became heavier. “It was difficult because I had to surrender my plans, my dreams, even my family’s expectations. But God reminded me that what I’ve given up is nothing to what He has given up for me,” shared TJ. “I thank God for using ACM in equipping me. Now that I’m released in the mission field, I know I am ready.” Ready to reap the harvest? If God is leading you to the same calling as TJ’s, ACM can help you fulfill it. Call them at (02) 813-5381 today or visit our website at www.acmnet.org. NEW BOOK ACM Launches Its First-Ever Book Voices in the Wilderness tells of missionaries’ journeys of faith. A s part of its 15th anniversary, Asian Center for Missions launched its first book of missionary stories titled Voices in the Wilderness. The book features five testimonies of Filipino missionaries who devoted their lives ministering to the world’s most forbidding Gospel frontiers. These missionaries all belong to the first batch of ACM graduates. The book was written for ACM by Nena Benigno, a writer of missionary profiles and scriptwriter of The 700 Club Asia for 16 years. It recounts the adventures of Michelle in Vietnam, Roselyn and Pappet in the Thai-Burmese border, Lhen in Thailand, Hidalgo and Maria in Africa, and Ramil and Minerva in China.* The book was officially introduced during ACM’s iMultiply celebration last October. ACM founder Gordon Robertson and CBN Asia President Peter Kairuz were present to grace the book launching. Voices in the Wilderness is initially exclusive to ACM partners and Global Bayanihan members. *Some names changed to protect the missionaries. ONLINE Check Out the New CBN Asia Online! Find inspiration in a click at www.cbnasia.org! CBN Asia marks 16 exciting years this 2010 with a brand new look for its website! Go to www.cbnasia.org today to access our videos, stories, and other inspirational content that will surely uplift your spirit! GIVING HEART Surprise Blessing CBN Asia partners like Jennifer are experiencing God’s goodness in their lives! J COUNSELING CENTER Tarlac Churches Undergo Counseling Training T he 700 Club Counseling Center recently conducted a basic counseling training for ministers and workers from different churches in Tarlac. More than 100 representatives from over 50 churches in Bamban, Concepcion, Capas, and Tarlac City participated in the event held at Full Harvest Christian Center in Capas. The training aims to equip church workers with proper counseling principles and guidelines, and to strengthen the counseling ministry in churches, making it more effective in helping people deal with their problems. Shown in the photo below are trainers from the Counseling Center together with some pastors and church workers who attended the training. PAGE 6 l www.cbnasia.org ennifer Quitilen was insistent. Despite her family’s financial constraints, she wants to fulfill her long-delayed pledge to support CBN Asia. “I need to commit to it,” said the jobless mother, “because everything comes from God.” Indeed, she has proven this when, a few years back, their businesses went bankrupt and things only turned for the worse. “It’s like a domino effect. We lost our car, our house, our belongings. We’re left with only our clothes,” she tearfully recalled. Just when Jennifer lost almost everything, she found God through The 700 Club Asia. “I made the show my routine. Every night, it is my spiritual food,” she shared. “I also call The 700 Club Counseling Center a lot of times, and they’ve helped me a lot. Friends may turn their backs, but with the counselors, I feel like I’m talking to God.” After fulfilling her P500 pledge, Jennifer went to her former office to have her proof of donation faxed. At the same time, she was informed that she has a commission worth P86,000 from an old client. God blessed her faithfulness in giving with a provision she least expected! Now Jennifer has already found a job and is confident of better days ahead for her family. She said, “I’m so overwhelmed with God’s love! What He gave me is not just a blessing. It is proof of how He is so good in my life!” Be blessed as you give! As you give freely, you gain even more (Proverbs 11:24). Partner with CBN Asia today and help us build God’s Kingdom!