{"id":6469,"date":"2024-12-20T14:21:15","date_gmt":"2024-12-20T20:21:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/?p=6469"},"modified":"2024-12-20T14:21:15","modified_gmt":"2024-12-20T20:21:15","slug":"west-newsletter-december-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/west-newsletter-december-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"West Newsletter: December 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n\t

DEAR FRIENDS AND FAMILY<\/strong><\/p>\n

Merry Christmas to you all! Thank you for your continued prayers and support!<\/p>\n

Slow Yet Steady Improvement<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ariel\u2019s follow-up surgery on her hand took place on October 3 and was a success. Another similar surgery is tentatively scheduled for January to continue to loosen the tendons in her right hand so she can gain more normal function. A different surgery on her left arm and wrist is in the works for later in 2025 but is not urgent. Pray for her continued healing!<\/p>\n

My right wrist continues to gain both strength and function, but the doctor says he is surprised I am not in fairly severe pain. (I have almost zero pain). I do have the option for a small surgery to \u201cclean up\u201d the damaged joint and I am still praying about the possibilities. Your prayers for wisdom, the correct timing, and full healing are all greatly appreciated!<\/p>\n

Malaysia On My Mind<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Rebecca<\/a>I was able to visit Malaysia during the last two weeks of September, and the Lord confirmed a number of things related to our future plans there. Here are a few highlights\u2026<\/p>\n

First, being back on the ground and connecting with both locals and Chinese Muslim migrants helped confirm for me that Malaysia is the place for us to be. For instance, I was able to meet with Rebecca, an eighty-year-old, Malaysian, Chinese missionary to Thailand, when I was in Penang. We plan to partner with her in Muslim outreach in a remote region along the Malay-Thai border.<\/p>\n

Second, on this trip our friends from the Chinese church near Kuala Lumpur hosted a gathering of other pastors and churches from all around the capital region. I was blessed to be able to participate and bring the Word during one of the sessions. The fellowship was sweet, and I can already see that we have many more friends awaiting us as we get settled there in 2025.<\/p>\n

\"William<\/a>Third, I mentioned last time that William Milne became Malaysia\u2019s first missionary back in 1815. I was able to visit Malacca, the city where he lived from 1815-1822, and the cemetery where his wife\u2019s tombstone still stands. While there, I finished editing The Memoirs of William Milne and wrote a new introduction to this moving book that was originally published in 1824. If you want to learn more about the man whom God used to help build the foundation for the Chinese church, you will enjoy reading Milne\u2019s testimony, journals, letters, and unpublished notes and essays in this book. Find The Memoirs of William Milne on Amazon or PrayGiveGo.us.<\/p>\n

Last, but not least, the Marquez family (from Venezuela, but serving in Peru since 2018) have made strides in getting their passports and visas in order so that they can join us in Malaysia in 2025. They are in a complicated political situation (being from Venezuela), but things are lining up well for them to be able to leave for the Asian mission field soon. Pray for open doors!<\/p>\n

Christmas in Prison<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Wang<\/a>In December of 2018, Pastor Wang Yi in Chengdu, China, was arrested, charged, and convicted for daring to preach that Christ is Lord over all (yes, even the Communist authorities). He was sentenced to nine years in Chinese prison. This Christmas will be his seventh spent in isolation.<\/p>\n

What follows are portions of Wang Yi\u2019s Declaration of Faithful Disobedience, which was published by his church after his arrest. In it you will see at least one of his prayer requests in his own words. Join us in praying for him and his family:<\/p>\n

\"I must point out that persecution against the Lord\u2019s church and against all Chinese people who believe in Jesus Christ is the most wicked and the most horrendous evil of Chinese society. This is not only a sin against Christians. It is also a sin against all non-Christians. For the government is brutally and ruthlessly threatening them and hindering them from coming to Jesus. There is no greater wickedness in the world than this. If this regime is one day overthrown by God, it will be for no other reason than God\u2019s righteous punishment and revenge for this evil\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

Those who lock me up will one day be locked up by angels. Those who interrogate me will finally be questioned and judged by Christ. When I think of this, the Lord fills me with a natural compassion and grief toward those who are attempting to and actively imprisoning me. Pray that the Lord would use me, that he would grant me patience and wisdom, that I might take the gospel to them. <\/em><\/p>\n

Separate me from my wife and children, ruin my reputation, destroy my life and my family \u2013 the authorities are capable of doing all of these things. However, no one in this world can force me to renounce my faith\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n

And so, respectable officers, stop committing evil. This is not for my benefit but rather for yours and your children\u2019s. I plead earnestly with you to stay your hands, for why should you be willing to pay the price of eternal damnation in hell for the sake of a lowly sinner such as I?<\/em><\/p>\n

Jesus is the Christ, son of the eternal, living God. He died for sinners and rose to life for us. He is my king and the king of the whole earth yesterday, today, and forever. I am his servant, and I am imprisoned because of this. I will resist in meekness those who resist God, and I will joyfully violate all laws that violate God\u2019s laws.\"<\/em><\/p>\n

(Read more on my Substack: https:\/\/chinacall.substack.com\/p\/early-rain-forcibly-closed-pastor)<\/p>\n

THE WESTS<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u2022 Email: china.myadventures@gmail.com <\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022 <\/strong>Blog: China Call Substack<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022 Facebook: www.facebook.com\/Pray4Gansu<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022 <\/strong>Twitter: www.twitter.com\/chinaadventures <\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2022 Instagram: www.instagram.com\/chinaadventures<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

DEAR FRIENDS AND FAMILY Merry Christmas to you all! Thank you for your continued prayers and support! Slow Yet Steady Improvement Ariel\u2019s follow-up surgery on her hand took place on…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":38,"featured_media":6287,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[29,1,4],"tags":[165,563,31,121],"class_list":{"0":"post-6469","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-missionary-newsletters","8":"category-uncategorized","9":"category-world-missions","10":"tag-ben-deysi-west","11":"tag-december-2024","12":"tag-missionary-newsletter","13":"tag-west","14":"entry"},"title_es":"Bolet\u00edn Oeste: abril de 2020","content_es":"\u00a1Saludos en el precioso nombre de Jes\u00fas!<\/strong> Es un placer estar con socios y amigos para agradecerles personalmente por sus continuas oraciones y su apoyo incondicional. Hemos estado viajando en los Estados Unidos desde el 6 de diciembre de 2018, desde California hasta Carolina del Sur y del Norte. \u00a1Dios es bueno! \u00c9l siempre nos proporciona un lugar para quedarse y un autom\u00f3vil para usar para desplazarnos. Agradecemos a las siguientes iglesias que hemos visitado por su amabilidad, calidez, hospitalidad y generosidad: la Comunidad Internacional de Cristo, los Ministerios Cristianos de Berea, Jes\u00fas es el Se\u00f1or, la Iglesia de la Ciudad Cristiana, la Cruz a la Vida, la Palabra de Vida, la Iglesia Cristiana Filipina, Springfield PH Church, Laurinburg PH Church, Woodville PH Church, Abundant Life Church, Goose Creek PH Church y Brock's Chapel. Nos sentimos honrados y encantados de testificar de la bondad y la fidelidad de Dios. \u00c9l continuamente prospera y bendice el ministerio en Tailandia y los pa\u00edses vecinos (Laos, Vietnam y Myanmar). El 23 de diciembre, 24 budistas recibieron al Se\u00f1or Jes\u00fas durante la celebraci\u00f3n de la Navidad en nuestra iglesia en Don Muang, Bangkok. El 24 y 26 de enero, el pastor Steve Willis y Jim Cox de Valley Harvest Ministries en Virginia llevaron a cabo un seminario de liderazgo en el Centro de Capacitaci\u00f3n de Misiones Indo-China (Mekong Bible Training Center) en Mae Sai con la ayuda del Pastor Chi Chang, el Pastor Big Laddawan, y los misioneros, Doug y Jill Nelson. Fue un gran seminario al que asistieron 40 l\u00edderes provenientes de Tailandia, Laos, Camboya y Myanmar. El tema de la conferencia fue \"S\u00e9 fiel\". La construcci\u00f3n de la tercera fase del dormitorio en el Centro de Capacitaci\u00f3n B\u00edblica Mekong y la cafeter\u00eda en el Seminario Teol\u00f3gico de Tailandia est\u00e1n avanzando. Ambos proyectos deben completarse para obtener mejores instalaciones y programas de discipulado efectivos para nuestros estudiantes. Si desea ser parte de este esfuerzo, env\u00ede su contribuci\u00f3n a IPHC WMM, Oklahoma City con el n\u00famero de cuenta del proyecto designado: 74015 para MBTC y 74520 para TTS. Gracias a IPHC WMM, a la subvenci\u00f3n del Proyecto Antioch, a Valley Harvest Ministries en Virginia, a Bible Temple Church en Toledo, Ohio, y al Equipo de Construcci\u00f3n de Cornerstone por apoyar el proyecto MBTC. Agradecemos a nuestro director nacional, el Dr. Wallapa Wisawasukmongchol, por asistir a la sexta Asamblea Mundial en Chile, del 20 al 22 de febrero, para representar a Tailandia. Ella fue animada y tuvo un tiempo maravilloso con hermanos de diferentes partes del mundo. Damos gracias a Dios por su liderazgo. Tuvimos la suerte de participar en los eventos de comidas de la Gran Comisi\u00f3n de Carolina del Norte, dirigidos por Doug Bartlett, que comenzaron el 14 de febrero y se extendieron hasta el 7 de marzo (totalizando 12 reuniones). \u00a1Estas comidas estuvieron llenas de grandes personas, excelentes informes de misioneros, excelente comida, excelente compa\u00f1erismo y una gran oportunidad para que las iglesias se asocien con misioneros! Gracias a los representantes de IPHC WMM, el Dr. Terry Tramel y el Reverendo Brian Nix, por animar a las iglesias a ganar almas para Jes\u00fas en todo el mundo al apoyar a los misioneros y diferentes proyectos. Sus oraciones y amables invitaciones para que vayamos a su iglesia son muy apreciadas. Puede contactarnos al (916)841-7412 o jiepalbert@hotmail.com. Por favor, oren para que podamos cumplir con nuestro presupuesto y regresar al campo en o antes de mediados de junio por otro per\u00edodo de tres a\u00f1os. Que se haga su voluntad. Gracias y que Dios los bendiga a todos.<\/strong> Sus<\/strong><\/em> colaboradores<\/strong><\/em> en Cristo, el<\/strong><\/em> hermano Albert y la hermana Jiep<\/strong><\/em> \u00a0<\/em> Gonzales<\/em><\/strong>\r\n

<\/div>\r\n

<\/h2>","author_name":"Ben, Deysi, Gabriel, Ariel & Abriana West","jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/West-e1725907043269.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pb62Ar-1Gl","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6469","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/38"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6469"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6469\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6287"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6469"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6469"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6469"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}