Category Archives: SouthEast Asia

Kathy Veach Omer – Missionary to Thailand

Bloom Where You Are Planted! 

What does a missionary do when you can no longer serve in the land of your heart? What happens when you must come back home and you face great physical challenges, disappointments, spiritual warfare, and great sorrow? Is God still in control?

Indeed, He is! If we are His servants, and we solely look to Him for guidance and provisions, then a CLOSED door is as much His direction as an OPEN door. I agree with Abraham’s servant who was charged with finding a wife for Isaac among Abraham’s people. He was able to complete the task charged him and he gave glory the God: “I, being in the way, the Lord led me.” (Genesis 24:27)

I also believe that if we are totally sold out to being used by our heavenly Father and we completely trust His sovereign will, then the path that He places before us is where we must begin walking by faith. By seeking His will through prayer, He will show us. Step by step by step! (Isaiah 30:21)

I began my missionary service as a young woman in my twenties, blessed with a growing family of four children while my husband and I worked to plant a church, and share the Gospel in the country of Thailand. Sadly, years later, we had a tragedy in my family that left me a single mom with four young children.

My twin sister, Karen – she with her husband, Tom are my best friends and supporters!

Upon my return to America in 1997, I made my home in Florida, and by His grace, raised my young family in the Lord. I taught elementary, then secondary school in a Christian school, became a Ladies’ Sunday School teacher, and taught and counseled children and youth on Wednesday nights for many years.

When my children, one by one completed college, and started their own lives and families, my heart led me back again to Thailand (2014), to serve with Compassionate Hope Foundation, (CHF), founded by Dr Al Henson from Antioch Tennessee.  This Foundation rescues children from human trafficking, and places children at risk in CHF Homes of Hope in Thailand, Laos, and the Philippines. CHF also ministers to the persecuted believers, and families of martyrs, builds Christian schools and plants churches in the Homes, and trains national leaders.

For several years I absolutely loved working with these beautiful Thai children in the Homes in Northern Thailand, mentoring leaders, and being an educational consultant. Then in February 2020, a visa problem took me back to America. Although I had obtained a new visa within a few short weeks, and was preparing to head back to the Mission Field, the door was closed to return to Thailand because of Covid! The Lord went ahead of me and had, unbeknown to me, led me to safety back in America.

Then I prayed, ” Lord, open doors to ministry where you have planted your servant back in America!” I spent much time in the Word of God, and in prayer, also writing Bible lessons for women, teens, and children (Psalm 119:133). I communicated with loved ones and brothers and sisters in Christ while on lockdown.

People were just beginning to travel again in 2021, and I let pastors from several states know that I was available to serve in their church, be it teaching Sunday School, Junior Church, Awana, Youth group, Christian School Chapels, speaking in any of the church services sharing missions, and soul-winning. One pastor even invited me to go into a community, knocking on doors, to give the Gospel, and to invite families to church at a time when not many were opening their doors to strangers! I knocked on 84 doors that time, and had the opportunity to share the Gospel on the doorstep of 64 homes! Only God!! I believe that this is my reasonable service (Romans 12:1). Several pastors invited me to come teach, and helped supply my travel needs. From Vacation Bible School, Children’s Camps, Ladies Retreats, Ladies’ Bible Studies, to visiting in hospitals and rehabs, there was always an open door to serve Jesus, present His Truth, and encourage my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ!

Whenever I wasn’t traveling, I would go out daily in my community and share the Gospel along the way. At the bank, in EVERY store, grocery shopping, at a restaurant, or out on an errand…wherever my day took me, THAT’S where I opened my mouth, and proclaimed Christ! Since I live in an area where there are 5 beaches closeby, I would hit the boardwalk and the sand, passing out Gospel tracts to the young people and striking up conversations about Jesus! So much fun!

I came out of the hospital in a wheelchair – weak, but ALIVE!

THEN, sadly, I contracted Covid in Montana in May of 2021, and almost died there. The team of doctors told my family that I would most likely not make it, and that they needed to prepare for my death. My family prayed fervently for 10 days, and the Lord graciously answered their prayers! After being unconscious for many days, I woke up to a Christian nurse praying over me. When she left the room, I looked towards Heaven, praying, “Lord, am I dying?! I am ready to meet you, but I think that I have still a LOT of work left to do for you! There are many who do not know you and I want to be able to tell them! Please, let your servant live!” As I spent more days in the hospital recovering, I put dozens of Gospel tracts on my table and invited medical personnel that came and went to take one. I witnessed to my doctors, nurses, technicians, and aids. I left the hospital in a wheelchair, weak, but ALIVE! My family lovingly helped me to recover for several months. God’s clear message was that He was not done with me yet!

That fall of 2021, I went to go visit my 82 year-old aunt’s farm in Arkansas and helped her with farm chores, at the same time that I was helping my evangelist brother teach and build up a local country church there. I spoke in some area churches, and went street- preaching with my brother in Little Rock. He walked up and down the main street with his Bible, boldly sharing verses and preaching the way of salvation, while I passed out Gospel tracts to the people I met who were interested in his message. Several people came to believe and receive Christ! (Mark 16:15) We ministered to and fed the homeless, and had great fellowship together! Once, after several weeks of prayer, he preached the Gospel and we witnessed outside of a witch and warlock conference for 5 hours! There was great spiritual warfare, and our lives were threatened three times, but the Lord intervened and rescued us! (Ephesians 6:12)

Unfortunately, I suffered two injuries on the farm that would take the rest of 2021, and half of 2022 to recover! I got a wound in the right heel of my foot and it got seriously infected. That led to the emergency room, a wound care doctor, and then wound care several times a week back in Florida for many months! The second wound is that I injured my left shoulder, which led to much suffering, until I had to have physical therapy for seven months. Throughout both those ordeals, I had the opportunity to share my love for Christ with many therapists and technicians! The next physical challenge was that I had to take care of some varicose veins. I had ongoing treatments in both legs, which gave me some pain, swelling, and inflammation. Yet, at least 10 people in that doctor’s office have heard that Jesus loves them! The Lord continues to teach me through adversity (Psalm 119:71).

Tragedy struck on my birthday, on June 24th. My Thai “adopted” 40-year-old daughter passed into eternity! I had closely mentored her as a Christian leader for the last eight years, first while I was in Thailand, and then every day on the phone since I have been in America. She contracted a rare, deadly disease and was in the arms of Jesus within a few days! Though I continue to mourn and grieve this precious daughter, she left a huge impact for Christ in the lives of many!

All throughout the time that I have been back in the States, I have mentored 20 young people on a daily/weekly basis in four countries (Thailand, Laos, the Philippines, & America).  We communicate via social media and I mentor, encourage, share Bible truths, help solve conflict, give instruction, pray with, and counsel. So every morning and every evening, sometimes into wee morning hours (due to the time difference) I am busy about my Father’s work in mentoring the younger generations in serving the Lord! What a blessing to me! Even though I so long to return to Thailand, the Lord has enabled me to continue part of my ministry through social media! The three typical topics that I mentor are: (1) How to overcome evil with good, (2) How to apply Biblical truth to our daily lives and ministry, (as culture can make it quite challenging!) and (3) How to listen and obey the Holy Spirit.

In July, I had the amazing opportunity of going to spend 10 days at Bancroft Bible Camp in Tennessee and had an incredible time teaching the children twice a day about Biblical Heroes of the Faith. Four children accepted Christ!

Last Sunday, I taught a children’s class at church on Ephesians 6:10-17, where the Christian is instructed to put on the Armor of Christ so that we can fight against the fiery darts of the wicked one! In my lesson, we placed each piece of the armor on a child to demonstrate how we can boldly stand for Jesus!

This month, August, I am visiting my three grandchildren in Tennessee, and their mother, my oldest daughter, will travel with me to Montana as my youngest daughter will be having her first baby! I have 100 Gospel tracts already packed in my purse to give to those we meet along the way. I believe that the Lord’s servants should be ready to give an answer for the reason of the hope within! (I Peter 3:15) Our hope is in Christ and the world needs this message!

Lord willing, I hope to obtain a Retirement Visa back to Thailand in November. Please pray for His open doors! Upon my return to Thailand with CHF, I will continue to mentor female leaders, teach the Word of God in Thai, love the children, be an educational consultant for Thai teachers in the Homes, and encourage brothers and sisters in the ministry! In the future, I will be visiting many of our 60+ Homes of Hope, encouraging leaders and children alike, and serving in every way I can.

Being here in America for close to three years has only been a “pitstop” intending to strengthen my faith through trials, challenges, and loss, all to conform me into the image of His dear son, Jesus Christ. Truly, each of us CAN bloom where God plants us! We must have an attitude of gratitude, (Philippians 4:11-12), faith that overcomes doubt and fear, (Philippians 4:6-7), and a desire to be desperately used of God! (Psalm 119:2). EVEN IF I would be unable to return to serve in my beloved Thailand, I know that my Lord still has plans for me! (Philippians 1:6; 2:13)

So I have learned that no matter where I am in my walk of faith, or what country I am in, to keep my eyes glued to my Savior, my heart in tune with the Holy Spirit, and my mouth ready to boldly proclaim the mystery of the Gospel (Ephesians 6:19). In this way, I seek to use EVERY opportunity HE sends me. As Abraham’s servant said, we also can say, “I, being in the way, the Lord led me!”

From R.K.’s Corner

The two last years of Covid shutdowns have caused massive unforeseen changes in the world we used to know and live in.  One sad consequence are the many Western missionaries, many of whom have lived and served the nations well with the Gospel for decades, were forced to leave the field and return to their homelands. For many it was unexpected, they were therefore unprepared to start a new life back home. My heart goes out to those who with their families are struggling to find their place in the present secular culture so different from the one in which they grew up.

One missionary who did not miss a beat, is Kathy Omer returning home from Thailand. We introduced her to you in the July 2018 Bridge Report. https://www.bridgeinternational.org/2018/07/

Kathy has the gifts of an evangelist and mentor.  She found an open mission field in the United States, and she jumped right in. To be an encouragement to others, I have given her this issue to share her heart.

Kara Leigh – Serving Cambodia’s Child Victims of Sex Trafficking

Cambodia or Kampuchea (officially called Kingdom of Cambodia) is a country in Southeast Asia. It is located near Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand with a population of 13 million. The people of Cambodia are called Cambodians or Kampucheans. Khmer is the official language. The country has recently emerged from a long civil war and the rule of the Khmer Rouge. It is part of ASEAN, Association of South East Asian Nations. The Khmer (Cambodians) account for the vast majority of the population. Ethnic minorities include Chinese, Vietnamese, Muslim Cham-Malays, Laotians, and various native peoples of the rural highlands.

In the 1970’s, Cambodia’s Khmer Rouge regime killed over 2.5 million people, starting with intellectuals and community leaders. They forced children to be soldiers which escalated the genocide and destroyed family structures, cultural institutions, and the entire fabric of society. This left the people of Cambodia with a demoralized view of human worth, which was almost necessary for survival at that time. After the Khmer Rouge genocide ended, children became a commodity. Cambodia’s unique economic challenges, history, and geographic location make it a hub for human trafficking and child sex trafficking. The country provides a large population source for new victims, is a transit point along many organized human trafficking routes, and has become a destination for traffickers and sex customers alike. Svay Pak was once known as the child sex trafficking capital of the world. 

Buddhism has existed in Cambodia since at least the 5th century AD, with some sources placing its origin as early as the 3rd century BC. Theravada Buddhism has been the Cambodian state religion since the 13th century AD (exempting the Khmer Rouge period), and is currently estimated to be the religion of 96.9% of the population.

HERE I AM – SEND ME!

My name is Kara Leigh.  I am a missionary to Svay Pak, Cambodia to combat the evils of child sex trafficking with the love and Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

When I was in my early twenties, I learned about the horrors of child sex trafficking. I was reading “Outlive Your Life” by Max Lucado and after reading page 28, I never picked the book up again. On those pages, I learned that kids as young as two were being sold into the sex trade, specifically in Cambodia. I spent days researching what that actually meant. I wept over the acts of rape and violence that were happening to children around the clock; the starvation and abuse, and that they didn’t even have mothers to give them hugs or brush their hair.  Among the different times I have experienced brokenness in this world, this would certainly make the top three.

My faith was so young that I didn’t even know what a ministry was! After spending a few days crying, I googled something similar to “people doing something about sex trafficking in Cambodia.” After searching through different links I was completely inspired by the work being done by ministries to rehabilitate and reintegrate survivors of sex trafficking. Although programs existed, this did not quench the brokenness and drive in my heart for something to be done. I decided then that I would be going to Cambodia.

At that young age and as a young Christian, I really had no idea how it would all come together. I was at the age of making big decisions, but I didn’t feel any clear direction towards a specific career. I was passionate about Jesus and passionate about people, but I lacked the maturity to know where to invest this as it pertained to education. As I continued to study during my first two years of college, my heart became increasingly convicted that I was wasting away time. I began to really seek the Lord’s will and the words He spoke to my heart were “Love and get your hands dirty.”

It was time for a missions trip. I was looking into a one month mission trip to Cambodia, but through the Lord’s leading I landed on a year long international mission trip. During this trip, the Lord transformed my life.

I grew up in a broken home of divorced parents and many siblings. Although my family experienced a lot of hurt and betrayal, it was through the sacrifices of my parents that I was able to eventually come to a knowledge of the truth of Jesus Christ. I became a Christian at age 19, just before God called me to Cambodia, however He had a lot of healing to bring me through. At that point, I didn’t know what I didn’t know. A part of that was how much the enemy had sewed self-hate into my identity. Growing up, I had a family member repetitively tell me how ugly, stupid, and worthless I was. The words spoken became my core belief about myself. I grew up feeling like a burden and believing that I was so grotesque that I didn’t even want anyone to look at my face. I reached such a low point that I prayed to God that if it was best for me to die, He would take me away.

During that year of missions, I came face to face with the falsehoods that had been claimed over me for so long. Over the next several years I sought counsel and healing in order to be able to present myself as the best servant for Christ that I could. You see, the issue with self-hate is that it produces a broken understanding, view, and relationship with the Father. As long as I hated myself, I hated the image God and all within Him that was also found in me. The Enemy’s deceit in this created a wedge that needed to be removed. Through the struggles I experienced in this, a deep devotion and love for the Lord was born. I claimed then that I had suffered enough self-hate for 1,000 people, so I would bring 1,000 people into freedom with me. 

At the counsel of R.K., I eventually returned to school to pursue a degree in English Education. This was the route of tent-making that God opened as a practical way to serve the people of Cambodia. I am now on board with Agape International Missions and AIM School in Svay Pak, Cambodia.  AIM uses a holistic approach to prevent, rescue, and rehabilitate children from sex trafficking. AIM School provides academic and spiritual excellence in education while protecting children from trafficking and abuse.

One survivor who suffered the worst abuse that AIM has ever seen said of the school, “If I have had something like this I would have been able to go to school and be normal.” – Survivor Reaksmey.

My vision is to live out God’s desires of restoration and renewal in the chapter of Isaiah 61. It starts by stating, “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good tidings to the poor; he has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound…”  I may never fully understand the life that a trafficked person has endured, but what I do know is that I was once a captive to my own sin and hurt and the Lord set me free and this is exactly what I want to do for others. God has never turned His face from me because it was too difficult or too heartbreaking for Him, so how can I do this to any other? In fact, He sent His own Son into my world to pay the ultimate price for my sin. So now I also go.

This urgent call on my heart has led to my desire to give up all that an American life has to offer in order to reach out to this forgotten generation of Cambodia. Is it easy? No. As I choose this route, friends beside me are making high incomes, getting married, and having children. This often leads to feelings of loneliness and fear of “financial destitution” as some have warned me against; but at the end of my life when I draw my last breath, my desire is to hear, “Well done, thy good and faithful servant… enter into the joy of your Lord.”

“Children could survive a horrific event, but they can’t heal from it without the act of protection and unconditional love. That’s what it means to be safe and free.” Reaksmey

FROM R.K.’S CORNER

A few years ago, I met Kara in our then local church. She was then a shy and seemingly unremarkable woman in her early twenties, seeking to find her place in life as a new believer after growing up in a complicated family whereby her parents had gone through a painful divorce.  In a conversation with Kara, she told me she would forego her education, as she was called to Cambodia to share the Good News of the love of Jesus and care for the children who are victims of sex trafficking there  Thinking this was no more than youthful, ignorant zeal, my friend, Barbara and I met with her and urged her to go back to school and get a diploma in a “tent-making” profession to fall back on.  What about becoming a teacher of English as a foreign language?

Fast forwarding eight years.  A few days ago, Kara and my paths crossed again.  I was astounded—Kara has grown into a beautiful, confident, mature, well educated, and articulate 28 year old woman of solid faith.  Being discipled by the faith and wisdom of older women (thanks, Karen and Kathy!), Kara has used the years wisely in preparing herself to follow the call God gave her in her youth.  She is ready to walk away from the future comforts of the “American dream”, to follow in the Master’s footsteps and embrace the abused and wounded children of Cambodia with the love of Jesus.

In today’s crisis of the Corona pandemic when people fearfully worldwide are pulling into the isolation of their homes, Kara has still her heart set on Cambodia. I recommend Kara to you…  please consider partnering with her by financially investing in the restoring and healing of the trafficked children of Cambodia!

 

Thailand — Kathy Omer Caring for Orphans at Risk of Exploitation and Sex Trafficking

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Presently, in the States there is a fierce political debate over border security.  It is coming to light that many adults who illegally bring children across the Southern border are not their parents, but “coyotes” who are trafficking children to be sold into the modern slave trade market.  Although slavery is commonly thought to be a thing of the past, human traffickers generate hundreds of billions of dollars in profits by trapping millions of people in horrific situations around the world, including here in the U.S. Traffickers use violence, threats, deception, debt bondage, and other manipulative tactics to force people to engage in commercial sex or to provide labor or services against their will. While more research is needed on the scope of human trafficking, below are a few key statistics:  The International Labor Organization estimates that there are 40.3 million victims of human trafficking globally, generating a $150 billion industry worldwide.

81% of them are trapped in forced labor.  25% of them are children. 75% are women and girls.

Southeast Asia is at the epicenter of the world’s human trafficking and exploitation epidemic. Sex tourism accounts for more than 50% of tourist dollars in Thailand. Thousands of children and teens are at risk of becoming victims of the human trafficking trade—it is estimated that it may affect as many as 1 out of 5 female children in the country! Thailand and Philippines are home to more human trafficking than anywhere else in the world.

Thai children from rural, ethnic communities are sent to urban areas or even other countries where they are exploited for sex and domestic work. Women are trafficked to countries as far away as Canada, the United States, Australia, and Germany.

KATHY OMER

grew up in a large Italian family of four brothers and a twin sister in Ohio where the Christian faith was rich and real.  Her parents were mission-minded, which made Kathy spend much time with the many missionaries that frequented her home. She came to faith in Jesus Christ at a young age, and grew increasingly burdened with sharing the Gospel message with a dying world. When she was 13, she made a public declaration at a missionary camp to commit her life to reach the nations for Christ. “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15) became the foundation of her life’s mission.

A few years after graduating from Liberty University with a major in Missions and a minor in Anthropology/Social Sciences, Kathy married Bruce Omer, and in 1984, they joined Pioneers Mission in Bangkok, Thailand.  Later, they moved to South Thailand as young missionaries. God blessed them with four children.

In 1997, the family experienced a great personal sorrow that left Kathy a single mom. Claiming Joshua 24:15, she asked her Heavenly Father for the strength and single mindedness to continue living a life of integrity and faith before her children as a testimony to the compassion and hope found in Christ. After living thirteen years in Thailand, she moved back to the States with her four children, and settled in South Florida near Karen, her twin sister, and husband, Tom, who became the arms of Christ to her children.

During her child rearing years, Kathy studied toward a Master’s Degree in Education while teaching elementary and secondary school at The Master’s Academy in South Florida, and working as Youth Counselor. Her greatest joy was to lead students and parents to Christ. Kathy was also very active in her local church as a leader of Women in Fellowship (WIF), was a sought-after women’s Bible teacher, as well as guest speaker and Bible teacher at various Women’s Conferences

Since leaving Thailand in 1997, Kathy returned several times to serve and encourage. She is proficient in the Thai language.  In the aftermath of the Tsunami, she helped raise relief funds, build homes, translate for the Thai Red Cross, distribute food, teach English in local schools, and share the love of Jesus with grieving orphans and families. Ministering alongside her Thai brothers and sisters in Christ, she asked the Lord to one day bring her back to Thailand, the people of her heart. The Lord answered her prayer when on June 5, 2014 she joined the Compassionate Hope Foundation (CHF) team ( more info. on CHF below).

In December, 2016, Kathy sold her home in Sunrise, Florida, and gave away her possessions to churches, single moms, and various charities.  In early 2017, she moved to Pusang, Thailand, into Home of Hope, one of CHF’s more than 40 villages established in Thailand and Laos. The compound consists of seven homes housing 200 orphans, three school buildings conducting full time classes grades K-9, and a church building.

Kathy’s job is manifold.  She oversees the English program at the Christian school, and serves as an adviser to the Thai teachers. As an outreach, the CHF Home of Hope also offers English classes free of charge to the villagers in the neighboring community, and English is taught on Sunday morning, followed by the worship service,  Children’s Bible classes, and a meal.

She is well versed in the Thai culture,  she teaches cultural orientation to the young volunteers arriving from abroad, and supervises their ministry in the Thai culture. 

She sees herself as a sister and servant to the Thai Director of Home of Hope, Pastor Pratuan, and his wife, Gik.  Kathy is known as “Aunt Rosie” in the village because she loves to wear flowers in her hair.

Kathy is fluent and proficient in speaking, reading , and writing  Thai, one of the most difficult languages in the world.  In preparation for teaching the Word of God to the Thai children, she studies the Thai Scriptures 10-12 hours a week.  As the proverbial evangelist, Kathy shares the Gospel wherever she goes, passing out Scriptural Thai comic books in the market place in the community to vendors and villagers. She rejoices that, in 2017, the Lord used her in leading 83 children and adults to Christ!

COMPASSIONATE HOPE FOUNDATION

In 2011, Dr. Alfred G. Henson and his wife, Susan, from Tennessee, founded Compassionate Hope Foundation (CHF) to provide a safe place and care for children in Southeast Asia in need or great risk of exploitation and trafficking.  He is the Executive Director and daily leader of the organization.  Today CHF has more than 40 Homes of Hope and 700 children who are a future potential risk of, or have escaped, exploitation and human trafficking. Their primary “building block” of healing starts in their Homes of Hope where at-risk young people’s needs are met: physically, emotionally, educationally, socially, vocationally, and spiritually.

For further information, see https://compassionatehope.org

FROM R.K.’S CORNER

I met the twins, Kathy and Karen, ten years ago in the local church Steve I had begun attending.  They were both accomplished leaders: Karen — a successful real estate agent in our community, and Kathy — teacher, youth counselor, and leader of Daughters of the King,  a multicultural woman’s Bible study group in the church.  Over the years, I have had the privilege of hosting their special celebrations in our home.

At first, being identical twins, I had a difficult time telling the one from the other, but after a while, I realized that their different gifts distinguished them markedly.   What they have in common, is their faith, integrity, and love for people. What makes Kathy unique, is her evangelistic heart.  She embodies a bold, fearless passion for sharing the Gospel with strangers, and reaching others for Christ, combined with a deep knowledge and commitment to the Word of God, which she imparts readily to others.  It is, however, foreign missions that is at the core of her calling — to the peoples of Thailand!  As a young bride, she spent 13 years in Thailand.  After a hiatus of several decades, she is back in her beloved country, helping high risk women and children from becoming victims of trafficking.

In this issue, I am presenting you with a brave woman, who at 60, has decided to put aside the securities and safety most seek a this stage of life, and rather walk a life of faith and trust, while serving the needy  in Thailand with the love and compassion of Jesus!

PARTNERSHIP

If you want to become a partner with Kathy Omer and the mission organization she serves in rescuing women and children in Thailand from the risk of human trafficking and slavery, please designate your donation:  Thailand Workers, and your gift will go in full to Kathy and her mission work.

Update on Followers of Jesus Christ in North Korea

In addition to being the most obscure country in the world, North Korea also has the dubious distinction of being the most oppressive place in the world for Christians, ranking no. 1 on Open Door’s World Watch List for 17 years in a row. The 2014 report of the UN Commission of Inquiry on the Human Rights Situation of North Korea states, “The State considers the spread of Christianity a particular threat, since it challenges ideologically the official personality cult and provides a platform for social and political organization and interaction outside the realm of the State.”

For three generations, everything in the country has focused on idolizing and deifying the leading Kim family. Christians are seen as hostile elements in society. They have to be eradicated. Due to the constant indoctrination permeating the whole country, neighbors and even family members are highly watchful and report anything suspicious to the authorities. Not only are believers deported to labor camps as political criminals or even killed on the spot, but their families will share their fate as well. Christians do not even have the slightest space in society. Meeting other Christians in order to worship is almost impossible and if some believers dare to, it has to be done in utmost secrecy.

TESTIMONIES FROM NORTH KOREAN CHRISTIANS

Starving Child in North Korea

A.   “Due to the tightened sanctions, there is a sharp increase of the number of people starving to death in North Korea. In spite of heightened security, people are roaming around in the countryside, seeking for food. North Korean residents are in a situation whereby they cannot afford to buy coal imported from China at their marketplace, so they are both hungry and cold.”

According to eyewitness reports by defectors, the food situation is so desperate that in some areas, people resort to cannibalism.

B.  “I talked to my Sister-In-Law in North Korea and asked her how she is doing. She told me that up till then she had made a living smuggling goods, but now the smuggling has completely stopped. It is very difficult to live because Chinese products cannot be sold in the Jang-Ma-Dang marketplace (the black market, not sanctioned by the State). There are now sanctions in China and serious crackdown in North Korea for selling Chinese products. If caught, there are heavy fines to be paid.

“Once the harvest was over, I used to distribute some of the produce to others more needy. This year, it was heartbreaking to experience that the government confiscated what was left, in order to provide for the military.  Residents in rural areas look for potatoes in the snowy fields in the middle of winter. That’s all they have to eat — a few small potatoes. Even the small amount of food distributed to the people is taken away by the military.  “And then — the North Korean authorities are forcing the hunger-stricken people to worship their leader! “In the meanwhile, the North Korean authorities are spending astronomical amounts of money on nuclear development. Please pray that these abuses stop, that they provide the North Koreans with food for living.”

C.  The Following Testimony comes from Moses, a North Korean Trained in China by our Partnering Ministry: Moses (nickname) initially crossed the border from North Korea to China in search of food. There, he happened to meet one of our missionaries who shared the Gospel with him. Moses came to faith and was trained as a worker for the underground church.

After months of training, Moses was on his way back to North Korea when he and his wife were caught by the North Korean border patrol. The officer who interrogated them asked them what they had been doing in China, and to reveal the name and address of the person who had provided training to Moses. The interrogation was so harsh that he could not eat due to a swollen mouth. Instead of revealing who had trained him, Moses wrote down what he had learned about God and the Christian faith. The officers kept beating him over and over again to have him answer the questions posed by the border guards. But again, Moses wrote about the greatness of God’s love he had received in the prior eleven months through the missionary who had given him food when he was hungry, and a place to sleep when he had no place to go. Moses boldly declared that he had never before received such love from anyone. Again, his written confession was torn up and he was required to write the information they demanded again and again, bu he continued to write about God’s love.

The torture continued for four more months till Moses was so weak he could no longer stand. His mouth was so badly swollen that his voice could not be heard. He cried out to God, “If You are real, why should I continue to be tortured? I cannot survive any longer. You brought me to China to believe in You and be trained to be Your worker. I may die even before I serve You inside North Korea.” A few nights later, in a vision he saw those officers hung with thick wires on big telephone poles and they were all dead. Moses knew that it was the picture of these officers on judgement day. Moses then rose up and began to praise God, “Yes, I will be with you, O’ God eternally; but they will not.” But instead of gloating, he felt much pity for those officers and others who were so lost that he began telling the other prisoners about God, while still being beaten and tortured. 

Gathering Grass for Food

One day a prisoner in the next cell was having severe diarrhea and complained about an upset stomach. His body was completely emaciated since he had not been receiving proper or enough food. When Moses entered his cell, he laid his hand on the sick man and proclaimed healing in Jesus’ name. He had never done this before. As he prayed, the man immediately felt warmth through his body; the diarrhea stopped and he was completely healed! Moses was totally surprised, as he had never before seen a miracle; this was his first! During his training, he had learned from reading the Bible that Jesus healed people.   So, Moses simply did the same, he proclaimed healing in the name of Jesus! Then, he realized that the Word is true, and that there is power in the name of Jesus! God manifested His power of healing! 

Many of the prisoners were paralyzed due to lack of nutrition and being locked up in a small cell without being able to move for long periods of time. When Moses laid his hands on them and prayed in Jesus’ name, one by one the prisoners were healed.   A man’s gums were terrible swollen from an infected tooth so that puss was pouring out of his mouth and caused a terrible smell in the cell.   Moses placed his hand on this sick man’s face and asked God for healing. The swelling subsided immediately, the pain disappeared, and he was healed. Many sick prisoners were healed and came to believe in Jesus as their Lord!

Word about the miracles spread swiftly. One officer came and saw for himself. “This man is a true Christian!” he exclaimed. From then on, Moses was permitted to freely go to cells and pray for the sick since there was no medicine available in the prison.

North Korea – Labor Camp Workers

Long before Moses’ scheduled date of release, a higher ranking officer came to his cell with a written confession and asked Moses to sign it with his thumb print. The document stated that Moses and his wife had gone to China in search of food and had not caused any shame to North Korea’s authorities. This caused Moses and his wife to be released. As they were leaving the prison, the officer told him, “We know you will escape to China, but please return to North Korea when this country becomes a better.   North Korea needs true and genuine Christians like yourself.” The officer expected that North Korea would imminently open.  Instead, Moses and his wife returned to his home town where he planted an underground church. He continues to share his faith and pray for the sick among his people!

MASTERS OF DECEPTION – A GRIM REALITY ON THE GROUND WHILE DEMONSTRATING A BEAUTIFUL FACE TO THE WORLD

Military Parade of the Elite

Child Labor – Gathering Crop

North Korea – Children Carrying Hay

Monuments of Kim Dynasty

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FROM R.K.’s CORNER

At the moment of writing, the eyes of the world are on North Korea and the United States, as their two respective leaders, Kim Jong-Un and President Donald Trump, have decided to meet face-to-face to discuss the process of denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. This marks a watershed in history, as Kim Jong-Un, leader of this “Hermit Kingdom”, the most obscure and secretive country in the world, also the most oppressive, is continuing, like his father and grandfather, to threaten annihilation of her arch enemy. Ignored in the past, it is now taken very seriously, being that North Korea is close to having nuclear capability and has vowed to launch a nuclear attack on America and her allies. Prior to this, there has been little diplomatic interaction between the two nations for 70 years, when the Kim dynasty took control of North Korea. Our prayer is that this meeting will result in peace and an end to the imminent danger of a nuclear holocaust.

In 2009, via a partnering ministry, we were given an open door to help support the suffering church in North Korean through a national Christian who has direct access to fellow believers within the country, as well as defectors who have escaped into China. To re-familiarize you with that endeavor, I have placed a link below to our first report from on North Korea, which you will find in the April 2009 Bridge Report in the PDF Archive above for your perusal.  There is also a link below to that report.  Since then, or donors have enabled us to bless our North Korean brothers and sisters with $10,000 worth of Bibles and Leadership training.  https://www.bridgeinternational.org/pdf/april2009.pdf

PLEASE JOIN US IN HELPING OUR SUFFERING BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN NORTH KOREA!

References for Further Information:
https://www.opendoorsusa.org/christian-persecution/stories/inside-look-north-koreas-war-christianity/
https://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2017/05/26/528615440/defectors-reflect-on-life-in-north-korea

 

From the Philippines via the United States to the Nations

FROM R.K’s CORNER

Ulrichs - May 2016The residual effect of the raging debate on the uncontrollable migration of refugees and illegal immigrants pouring into this country, is that the negative arguments tend to drown out the positive side of immigration:  the acknowledgement and  appreciation of the millions of honest, hard working legal immigrants— often people of faith, who deposit their knowledge and skills into their communities and help better people’s lives. Some of them use their new homeland as a springboard to serving the poor and needy in other parts of the world.

Zenaida (Zheny) Bongato is such a person.  I came to know Zheny, as we for some time, attended the same local church.  A legal immigrant from the Philippines, she has a quiet and gentle disposition, yet, she is a woman of  grit and courage, committed to her Christian faith and obedient to God’s calling on her life.  Her dentist profession could have provided her a prosperous lifestyle, but she chooses to live modestly, while spending her extra money on self-financing short term medical/dentist mission trips to some of the most dangerous places in the world. There, she serves the needy and poor with the dentist’s tools in her hands and the Words of Life in her heart and mouth!

FROM THE PHILIPPINES VIA THE UNITED STATES TO THE NATIONS 

by Zenaida BongatoZheny - Afghan Commander 2

I was born and raised in the Philippines. My family was Catholic and strictly religious. Nightly rosary is prayed every summer in the Province, in front of ceramic, wooden and some headless statutes. We were a tightly knit family with a lot of love between us, but at that time, we were spiritually lost. I grew up believing that good works, good grades, and being kind to our neighbors would please God and gain me entrance into heaven.

TESTIMONY

The first time I realized I was misguided, was at 15 years old.  I was in my first year of college, when I met a missionary from Thailand who shared the Four Spiritual Laws with me.  I had heard about the Gospel prior to that through my cousin.  She had joined the Navigators, and every time she saw me, she would give me a tract to read – but they all ended up unread in my drawer.

But this was different. The Thai missionary had a compelling testimony.  Coming from a wealthy background, she had left her family (who owned a private jet) and rich-and-famous lifestyle for the sake of Christ.  This was very unusual to me. Through her, on July 17, I invited Christ to come into my life and take charge. I asked God to use me and my life to His glory.     

Fast forward a few years.  I had suffered hardship and rejection from my die-hard Catholic family for being a committed believer in Jesus Christ, but in the midst of it, I kept feeling God’s guidance and experienced miracle after miracle.  Jeremiah 29:11 became very dear to me, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.”  God had a plan for me, and I began seeing God unfold it before me:

While in active service, the military had given my Dad a one year scholarship for personal advancement, but instead of using the scholarship for himself, he gave it to my older sister.  She utilized the first semester of the scholarship, but did not need the second, as she herself received a scholarship from the university she attended.  So, the second semester of the scholarship was given to me – and then it was extended until I graduated from dental school.

Zheny - Technical LabDuring the scholarship period, I failed in one subject because I refused to cheat.  The answers to the questions presented in one of the exams had been leaked and were circulating among the students.  My friends kept calling me to give me the leaked information, thinking they were helping me, but I told them, “I am a Christian, and cheating is not right.”  The failed exam made me lose one semester of scholarship, but God is good!  Only 15 students from that class graduated on time, I was one of them. God really had the right time frame for me!

At 22 years old, I graduated from dental school and needed a job.  God provided!  After taking the oath, it was the tradition of the university to throw a party for those who passed the dental board exams.  During the party, the Vice Dean walked up to the table where I sat, pointed me out, and told me he had referred me to a job at the nearby hospital as a dentist. I was happy, and obeyed, and began working at the hospital.  I intended to stay in the Philippines. My Dad bought me a dental chair, and added to our home to fit a clinic for me.  But God had other plans!

FROM THE PHILIPPINES TO THE USA

In the hospital in the Philippines,  one of my patients was a Colonel in the U.S. Army.  He offered to help me get a visa to the United States.  It was not in my plans to go there, but, it obviously was in God’s! The visa was delivered to me; I did not have to step inside the US Embassy. A miracle? Absolutely — it was God’s plan!

In the United States I studied hard, and prepared for the Dental Licensure Examination.  I passed, was licensed and was given a good job as a dentist.  In my free time I attended a local church, and joined several Bible studies.  I soaked myself with God’s word!

MISSION WORK IN THE NATIONS

Zheny - Afghan MilitaryIn 1991, Russia opened its doors to the outside world.  Four years later, I  was invited to join a Christian group on a short term medical mission trip to Russia.  This gave me an opportunity to witness, while using my skills – medical/dental – to serve the Russian people—physically and spiritually! It was a great experience to touch the lives of a people from a different culture and a different era!

But Satan was not pleased at my  efforts in crossing the enemy lines and bringing unbelievers to the other side. After Russia, my Dad, who lives in the States, was afflicted with health problems while attending my brother’s wedding in the Philippines. I stopped my mission trips, closed my newly opened dental clinic in Miami, left my five hospital jobs to care for my father. I have only  one father, but I can always find another job!  During this time, I was able to witness to my family, and saw the fulfillment of Acts 16:31, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved–you and your household,” and Acts 11:14, “He will bring you a message through which you and all your household will be saved.”

Zheny - bridge with itemsLater, God provided a job for me which helped me finance my trips as a medical missionary to other countries that needed my skills. I joined the CLF ( Christian Light Foundation) & CMDA (Christian Medical and Dental Association) on several of their medical mission trips where I learned techniques in using my dental skills to witness and further the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the places God sends me.  In addition to Russia, I have done medical mission work in the Philippines, Nicaragua, Afghanistan, Ethiopia, and Jordan.My future goal is to go further into other closed countries in the 10-40 window, and share the Gospel with the undesirables of society – especially the poor and orphans, children during their formative years, from ages 4 to 14, which is called the 4-14 window.

WHY MISSIONS?

Zheny - Rural DentistryI am aware that I could have earned a whole lot more money with my dental skills, but Mat.28:19-20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”  – has a command which requires a response and an action!

Proverbs 30:8-9, “give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is my portion,” has taught me to be content with less and utilize my hard earned money to finance my mission trips. Dentistry is my tent-making skill as a minister of the Gospel.

People who have served the Lord within the 10/40 window have told me it is presently impossible to gain entrance into those countries as a full time missionary, and it is also difficult and dangerous to openly witness for Christ – yet, the people are so lost in pagan religions!  The dental profession God has given me helps people physically, thereby opens their hearts and lives to witnessing and spiritual healing.

CONCLUSION

Zheny - Rural CrossingI would not have traveled to and served in all these countries without God’s guidance and provision. God orchestrated these things to fulfill His plan. My vision is to have my own private clinic which will help finance my medical mission trips and open orphanages.

Proverbs 16:9, “The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.”  I will continue to use my God given dental skills to help people in other nations to the glory of God while I am still able. When my body starts to give way, I can still be of use to God through prayer, and helping to train young dentists who want to do medical mission work.  All this has been planned by God. He made us, and if we obey Him, He will use us to His glory. My goal is to continue spreading the Gospel to every nation and race, till He calls me home!

 

 

 

From Allah to Jesus Christ – An Indonesian Muslim’s Testimony

FROM R.K.’S CORNER

RK Ulrich 2012

The focus of the world’s attention is right now directed toward the senseless atrocities committed against innocent people by radical Islamist terrorists in Paris, France.  From the intense debate in the media on how to define Islam and make sense of the actions of the radicalized Muslim terrorists, it is obvious that the public in Europe and the States at large, are ignorant of the cause and effect of the long term official disinformation and pressure of political correctness which has brought us to where we find ourselves.

Two weeks ago, Steve and I were blessed to meet two indigenous missionaries from respectively Malaysia and Indonesia through a Malaysian member of our local church. They both have compelling testimonies!  Here, I am sharing with you the story of our visitor from Indonesia  — a Muslim turned believer in Jesus Christ!  What makes this story compelling, is that this man brings us into the mindset of a committed teacher of Islam who is introduced to Jesus by searching the verses about Him in the Quran !

In light of the events unfolding in Europe, we encourage you to pray that the Spirit of the Living God will reveal Himself – also through the scriptures of the Quran – to sincere Muslims who are searching for truth and the most coldblooded Islamic terrorists – alike! 

FACTS ABOUT INDONESIA

Indonesian-archipelago webThe country of Indonesia is the world’s largest archipelago state, consisting of more than 17,500 islands, about one third of which are inhabited. The combined area of all the islands and regions of Indonesia equals about the size of the country of Mexico. It also has the largest Islamic population in the world, with more than 80% of its 255 million inhabitants being Sunni Muslims. A little more than 30 million are Christians, among whom evangelicals are the largest group.

In the wake of the rise of radical Islam, the attacks on Christians keep escalating — burning of church buildings, disruption of Christian meetings, and violent acts committed against pastors and individual believers. In certain parts of the country the violence puts Christians under enormous pressure. Last year, more than 30 churches of various denominations were forced to close and/or were attacked.

The government allows people to exercise their faith,  but it forbids “proselytizing” of Muslims, which actually is even more widely enforced in the neighboring country of Malaysia.  In reality, this means that those who openly share their Christian faith among them face repercussions; the Muslims who convert are often seriously persecuted. Thus, as in other Islam-dominated countries, the church excludes Muslims in their mission efforts.

But God’s Spirit is not subject to mas restrictions! From across the world of Islam we hear testimonies of people without access to Bibles or Christians coming to faith in Jesus Christ by supernatural encounters via dreams and vision. Other devout Muslims, through studying the Quran in their pursuit of truth, have by revelation found the risen Jesus Christ!

Our Indonesian brother featured in this issue is an example of the many sincere Muslims throughout the world who hunger for truth, and willing to pay the price for it — even death!  His family and friends rejected him due to his new-found faith!  Pray that other seeking Muslims will, by revelation, find Him – Who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life!

THE SPIRITUAL JOURNEY OF AN INDONESIAN MUSLIM

Before I start presenting my testimony, allow me to share with you a couple of verses from the truth of God’s Word from 1. Peter 3:15-16, “In your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have…”

The Bible declares that there is salvation only in Jesus Christ as it is written, “Blessed are those who have not seen Me (Jesus Christ) and yet have believed in Me. John 20:29

God rescued, called me and chose me to be His child and servant  through Jesus Christ who was already sacrificed, not only for me but actually also for the whole world!  He saved me, neither through events of extraordinary signs and wonders nor any amazing remarkable experience! From just a human perspective, it was impossible for me to accept Jesus Christ (Isa Al-Masih) – I would never have become a follower of the Messiah.

My parents were devout Muslims.  For six years, from preschool age, I attended a  pesantren— a school in a village which teaches children Islamic religious education. Then my parents moved, and I continued education at another pesantren, for an additional three years.

I was an eager student of Islamic studies and excelled academically.  In 1987, I was selected to represent my city for the Al-Quran Recitation Competition, where I became the champion! In 1988, I won the competition of Islamic Calligraphy, i.e., the art of Arabic delicate handwriting (khat).  At that same time, our team won the title of The Champion of Oratory Competition which made us  teachers of Islam and qualified us to teach Islam to non– Muslims. 

I continued my studies at an Advanced Islamic Learning Institute which prepares teachers of Islam to teach city-wide.As students, we were taught, and we believed, that Islam is the only right faith, as it is written in Al-Quran, “Truly the true religion according to Allah is Islam”. Our main mission was to seek out those who still had not yet embraced our religion, and introduce them to Islam by convincing explanations. Muslim clerics and Islamic teachers had taught us that, long ago, there were Crusades – wars between Muslims and Christians.  Islam won, therefore  God was on Islam’s side, according to the Quran verse which stated, “Truly the right religion on God’s side is Islam.”

I began preparing to preach Islam to those in my city who were non-Muslims; the largest group being a Chinese minority ethnic group. Although I was looking forward to it,  I very carefully approached them and did not want to touch them, as I knew they enjoyed eating pork, which, according to Islam is the worst of all unclean food. A Muslim who touches pork, must cleanse himself/herself seven times with mud or red soil, then rinse with clean water seven times – only after that, he or she may be considered ‘purified’.

Still eager to preach to the Chinese, I opened the conversation with the following question, “My Friend, would you like to hear my story? I would like to ask you – What is your religion?”

One day I asked my Chinese friend that question, and he replied: “My religion is Christianity.”  I continued: “Do you know that the Christian message was only valid two thousand years ago, at the time Jesus was still alive, but now His religion has been replaced by a new religion and a new prophet—that is Islam and its prophet is ‘Muhammad’.”  To my astonishment, my friend  answered, “Oh for me it is not a problem whether there is a new religion or not … for me, by FAITH I will surely enter heaven!”

His reply shocked me, because during all the years I had studied Islam, entering heaven is never something certain or normal for Muslims. For us, the world is like a race-track heading towards the Hereafter, and to enter it also depends on “Insyaallah” or God’s will! How could this Chinese Christian say that entering heaven was already secured for him? I asked him, “ Do you mean to say Heaven is owned by your Father?” He answered,  “Yes. Indeed! My Father is the Owner of Heaven.”

I knew from the Quran that there is no other God than Allah, and that Allah has no wife, and certainly has no son! So how did this Christian Chinese dare to declare that God is his Father? I asked him again: “Who is your God? And what is His name?” Calmly he replied: “My Lord is Jesus (Isa)” – I got very irritated and mad at him. How did he also dare to say that Jesus is his God?  So I told him: “To you be your religion, and to me my religion.”  With that, I considered the discussion over, and returned to my village and my normal way of life.

I continued reciting the Quran and searched for the truth, either in my Islamic institution or privately. When I did my Quran recitation, the passing dialogue with my Chinese friend kept bothering my mind for a long time. It caused me to begin searching deeper for more truth about Jesus Christ to try to understand who he really was.  Why can Christians confidently say that by faith one may enter Heaven?

I searched for any books about Jesus (Isa), and came across one titled The Road towards Allah.  This book describes the situation at the end of the world. There will be wars, starvation, earthquakes, and chaos everywhere and many people will feel anxiously worried and anguished. In the midst of this, one very powerful force called ‘Dajjal’ will come forward.  This Dajjal or Anti-Christ is very horrifying. He brings Heaven on his right hand and Hell on his left hand. Dajjal will go everywhere to search for people to fill his Heaven and Hell. In fact his Heaven is a Hell where its inhabitants will be tortured forever and ever! He will go everywhere to find souls to fill up his Heaven.

But, in the end comes the Savior Jesus who will fight that vicious Dajjal. I was surprised to learn who shall come to release the World from the evil Dajjal’s hand: he is ISA Al-Masih (Jesus Christ) as the Imam Mahdi himself—he will save the world from the Anti-Christ!  After that comes Judgment Day, when the dead souls will be gathered to appear before the Righteous Judge who will decide who shall enter  heaven and who shall be in hell—but none of the Quran Prophets will be able to defend these poor souls, not even Muhammad  – they can only intercede.

I was stunned to learn that the Judge is actually no one else but Jesus—why is it Jesus who appears again, not the prophet Muhammad? 

I was so intrigued to find out why Isa (Jesus) is the one who will decide those who shall enter heaven and those who shall be in hell. I gave myself to seeking Allah’s guidance in all my affairs; I did Islamic prayers five times a day, and prayed continually, because I did not want my sin and good deeds to carry equal weight.

For three years I was crying and seeking for answers, and then the answer came from al-Quaran, “Behold! the angels said: ‘O Mary! Allah giveth thee glad tidings of a Word from Him: his name will be Christ Jesus, the son of Mary, held in honor in this world and the Hereafter and of those nearest to Allah …” (Surah Al Imran 3:45).  God had opened my eyes to see that Jesus is the Word of God, and He has authority in this world and Hereafter.

I contacted my Chinese friend who gave me a Bible.  I approached it fearfully, but as I read on I found it very enjoyable and learned that the bits and pieces that were in the Quran were here in sequence and chronological order; the plot is clear, in perfect inter-relationships!  In July 1991, after three years of my quest, as I read the Bible in its entirety, God gave me His peace and His salvation!  In a vision I saw that Jesus has become my Atonement (kiffara) and He has taken the punishment for my sin – and also for all people in this world – so that we can have eternal life!

After I believed my sin has been paid for by God Himself – with the perfect life of Jesus Christ, I now have the faith that the King will come back to reclaim this world. Because now the King is not only the impartial Judge, but also my Redeemer and Savior forever! Halleluyah! Alhamdullilah!  “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2 : 8-9 (NIV).