Sri Lanka (MNN) – Flood waters in Sri Lanka are slowly receding now, revealing the extent of the damage from last week’s torrent. A3’ Joe Handley says what they’re hearing from their partners is that, “It’s the worst disaster to hit the nation in the last five years.” The UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said in its situation report, “Many of the affected population, particularly in the rural areas, were already amongst the most vulnerable in the country and have now lost everything, including their homes, possessions, agricultural land and means of making a living.” The water’s surge forced more than 350,000 people from their homes. Government officials also anticipate the death toll to rise well beyond too. “They’re estimating”, explains Handley, that “at least the last...
Sri Lanka (MNN) – At least 37 people are dead following Sri Lanka’s incessant rains and mudslides. Countless others remain missing, reports CNN. Hundreds of thousands of people have been affected by the rains, which have come earlier than the usual monsoon season expected later in this month. Entire houses have been submerged beneath rising water. Sri Lanka’s army, police, and navy are conducting search and rescue operations, digging out survivors. But with the heavy rains have come mudslides...
Japan (MNN) — Over 500 aftershocks have followed two major earthquakes near the Japanese city Kumamoto since last Thursday.
“The continuous earthquake is making the situation worse and…rescue work has been delayed,” A3’ss Takeshi Takazawa says. “So it’s fighting with the time because [the] first earthquake has happened the fourteenth and it’s been more than three, four days has passed. So it’s getting difficult.”
Bangladesh (MNN) — It took 28 years to get a petition before the High Court in Bangladesh, putting the official state religion in question. Yet, as soon as the case opened it was shut, with the judges choosing to maintain the status quo. The threat of instability was already rising, as more attacks against Christians and Muslim-Background Believers surfaced in the days leading up to the hearing. Religious minority groups raised concerns over the ruling, saying this would only embolden Islamist forces from...
Bangladesh (MNN) — ISIS last week claimed responsibility for the murder of a pastor in northern Bangladesh. Joe Handley with A3 confirmed reports that armed extremists killed 65-year-old Hossain Ali, who converted to Christianity from Islam in 1999. He was a member of Valacopa PBT Church (Paraclete Bangladesh Trust Church). Among the reasons he was targeted, “Pastor Ali came to Christ and was leading a small fellowship in his district. When he started connecting with Muslims and then they, in fact, converted and started attending church, then the pressure started coming down.”
Nepal (MNN) — Nepal and India have moved forward to restore ties after months of a crippling blockade. A3 National Director for Nepal, Mr. Chittry, says the impact was immediate and severe. “They have a shortage of food, no electricity, no fuel, no medication, and all the schools are closed.” In fact, the Nepalese Prime Minister went to India last month to “clear the misunderstanding” between the nations. His main objective was to restore ties between the two countries, which had been strained in the wake of Nepal’s new Constitution. “People are really suffering, and people are losing hope. India keeps pressuring [Nepal] to bring back the Hindu state again,” ...
As we approach Spring again, rice farmers across Japan are once again preparing their paddies to plant a new crop soon. Springtime and harvest. Just a few months ago, it was that time when rice paddies turn bright and golden yellow, signaling they’re ready for harvest. The process began back in the spring. Before planting, the land was tilled, and the soil and seedlings were prepared. The seedlings were then meticulously planted, and the paddies subsequently flooded with water...
Asia (MNN/A3) — For the last three decades, A3’s constituency has been pastors.
A3 has focused on emerging leaders, those who teach leaders, and leaders with potential rather than potential leaders. Today, they’ve honed that process and have expanded into 11 countries in Asia.
As different Asian nations began...
USA (MNN) ―A partnership is not only saving money and opening more ministry opportunities, but it's being rewarded. Over the weekend, A3 and SIM USA were presented an award for a strategic partnership at the Missio Nexus North American Leaders Conference in Chicago.
A3 had a problem. They had 24 missionaries in...
JAPAN (MNN) ― Life goes in the shadow of a disaster.
Japan's earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear crisis have shaken confidence in the surety of day-to-day life. However, survivors still need to eat, drink, and stay warm as they begin to wrap their minds around the enormity of rebuilding.
A3 is walking alongside the people...
A3 Advent Devotional • December 17, 2010
by Wendi Thomson
I don’t remember my first Christmas, being that I was only six weeks old. But it was one of significance for my family. And lately, as challenges have come my way, I’ve been recalling the lessons my family learned during that time.
Every year my parents would drive the 1000 miles from Seattle to Dinuba, California in the San Joaquin Valley to spend the holidays with relatives. The Christmas of 1966 was the first time I would meet my extended family and my grandmother, in particular, was looking forward to our arrival. Though she did not talk openly about it, Grandma knew she was dying of heart disease and exhibited great determination to see her youngest grandchild before passing on. She had a reason beyond the usual.
That year my parents had been building their “dream” house, working closely with the architect to think through every material, every detail. The house was just days from being finished and most belongings had been moved into the new home when a stranger with mental problems burned the house to the ground.
Of course my parents were stunned by this setback. They lost the house, many of their possessions (including photos), and were wrapped up in legal wranglings. Grandma feared for the health of my mom as she was five months pregnant at the time. She also worried that this trauma would somehow leave a mark on the baby. Hence, she determined to stay alive to see me with her own eyes, if she could.
As Christmas approaches, I turn to the story of the annunciation to read Mary’s response when the angel Gabriel reveals she will give birth to the Savior of the world. In an instant, Mary’s life path veers from any she might have imagined. And yet, when God intrudes into her life, Mary welcomes his coming with joy, calling herself blessed.
Again and again throughout her life, Mary’s faithfulness requires complete trust in a heavenly Father who is good and loving despite the pain obedience demands.
I see that same faith in my parents. They never talk about the house fire or other challenging times without mentioning the many blessings that followed. Grandma needn’t have worried. Foundational to their faith is the knowledge that our God can be trusted.
In my life, God has repeatedly proved himself good, loving, and merciful. He has never failed to provide every necessary thing, for he has great plans and nothing is impossible with him. Even when things are tough, when ministry doesn’t go as planned, when God changes the course of my plans, I have the rock-solid truth to stand on that God is Sovereign. And I can answer as Mary did, “Let it be with me just as you say.”
Two days after my grandmother first held me, she went to be with Jesus. I hope that as she looked upon me, she was assured that God is in control and He is worthy of our trust.
Wendi Thomson
Former A3 Missionary
Sanda, Japan
Japanese pastors praying for Joe Handley, the president of A3. (A3 photo)
Japan (MNN) ― In Japan, suicide is on the rise. Nearly 34,000 people took their lives last year alone, according to USA Today. This number is the second-highest toll ever in Japan and ranks Japan at ninth for suicide rates worldwide...
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