Two wonderful opportunities have recently opened to us to serve and minister blessing at a “grass roots” level to some of the world’s most low-profile, yet most needy people groups.

Please read the following reports!

BURMA

Burma refugees (mostly from the Karen tribe) who are surviving in refugee camps on the Thai – Myanmar border.

• This year we will be entering a new area in Burma. The refugee camp Gae Dtu Tha  is on the Burmese – Thai border in the area that is under the protection of the Karin people in Mae Hong Son Province on the Salawin River.
  
• This refugee camp was set up in 2006 with 4217 people, 718 houses with people from four Karen states in Burma; Tong Uu State, Kerfalutu State, Pa Bu State and Tor Ter Thu State. People from 150 different villages have refugeed to this camp.
  
• The situation for these people is very difficult. The camp is in the protection of the Karen soldiers, but is in an area that is constantly under Burmese attack.
  
• From the information we have received the only help that these refugees receive is rice and salt from TBBC.
  
• Visiting this place has shown us the difficulties, hardships and problems that these people face. We therefore hope to travel there to encourage and create relationships with them during Christmas. We hope to do this with the help of all who have a desire to provide assistance. People may have a desire to help in many different ways, whether it be with support for medicines, clothing, sports equipment, educational resources, snacks, or team transport.  These are just some of the things people may wish to assist with.

If you would like to make a contribution towards alleviating the deprivation of this needy people-group, it will be a great and effective help!  In anticipation of a response from our churches, we have sent an initial gift of $1,000 from Missions Funds directly to those who are working amongst them.

CAMBODIA

Cambodian women and children, most of whom have been rescued of sexual slavery and or domestic violence, now living in shelters and dormitories provided by Christians who care!

• Part of a letter we recieved………….
• How are you? My name is Jesse McCaul, and I am the Senior Pastor of New Life Fellowship in Phnom Penh, Cambodia since 1995. We are a family of churches here in Cambodia that focus on discipleship, leadership training, and church planting. I was given your contact details and referred to you by Malis Lim from Hagar, who is a faithful member of our congregation. She mentioned that you may be interested in partnering with us and Hagar in opening more dorms to house young people. We have had this ministry going for many years, and we call them “Next Step Houses” because often, those who stay in them are coming out of orphanages or other care/aid organizations. Once they turn 18, they are no longer able to stay at these organizations and are often left with nowhere to go. We provide them community and shelter that is centered around local church involvement. 
• You can get more info on these dorms at www.nlfcambodia.org.

In anticipation of your willingness to make a contribution towards the provision of an additional dormitory for these needy women and children, we have sent $2,500 from Missions Funds, together with a further $2,500 from one of our churches.  The total cost of opening and operating the additional dormitory is approximately $15,000, and we plan to review our involvement in three months time with the view to sending additional help.

CAN YOU HELP?

• In my responsibility as Missions Director – to co-ordinate the Missions giving of our churches.
• I bring these opportunities to your attention and invite you to consider making a one-off or ongoing commitment towards these worthy projects!
• Any gift would be appreciated and will go directly to those in need.
• Please click ‘Donate’ at the top of the page & follow instructions.

May the Lord continue to bless His Church – spiritually, numerically, and financially – as we honor Him by caring for those who are lost and/or less fortunate than ourselves!

FRANK MITCHELL

Missions Director – Foursquare WA