Jesus
says “Behold, I tell you, raise your eyes and observe the fields, that they are
white for harvest. Already he who reaps is receiving wages and is gathering
fruit for life eternal; so that he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice
together (John 4:35-36: NASB).”
The
year of 2024 has started with abundant blessings from God in numerous ways. The
highlight was a graduation ceremony finally being held on March 15, 2024. We
had graduate students from different regions, except students from Laos who
already had a graduation ceremony in January. We had students from Myitkyina,
Lashio, and Laukkai of Myanmar, where severe battles are still going on and, of
course, from Thailand. Students from Myanmar had to travel for 5 days and 4
nights (rather than a typical day trip) because of the constant fighting all
the way to the border of Thailand. The graduate students consisted of recent
and past groups ranging from 2011-2024. Sadly, some students passed away during
the pandemic. They have gone before us to receive the crown of life (rather
than a diploma) in front of a myriad of angels directly from our almighty God’s
hands. Some of the other students could not make it because of the continual
fighting in Myanmar and personal health problem.
 |
| Many of the graduates' friends and family attended |
 |
| A blessed day for all |
 |
| Derek was able to come to Thailand encourage everyone |
One
of our students, Samuel, is in his late adulthood. Covid-19 has destroyed most
of his lungs and his heartbeat is about 40bpm. He can’t sit for over 30 minutes;
otherwise, he would pass out. He told everybody that he has been praying to God
to go through this ceremony before going home to be with God. He has been proud
to study at AIS where helping him find “home” in the Scripture, the Word of God.
Praise the Lord!
AIS’s
mission is equipping Christian leaders by teaching the Scripture, God’s Word:
we speak, where the Bible speaks; and we are silent, where the Bible is silent.
Moreover, students of AIS come from different countries, ethnic groups and
denominations. More students from Thailand, Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam are
applying at the moment for the coming classes of 2024. Please remember AIS in
your prayers!
 |
Several were baptized into Christ!
|
Thanks
to churches and friends who have faithfully been praying and supporting Asians
For Christ in carrying out the Great Commission by evangelizing to the lost,
equipping Christian leaders and empowering native churches throughout Southeast
Asia and China. Without your faithful partnering, we would not be able to do
whatever we had done. Special thanks to those visiting professors throughout
the course, Dean Hammond and Derek Voorhees and to every one of the online
teachers. Your sacrifices of time and monetary giving are deeply appreciated.
We always look forward to your partnering in teaching. We also would like to
invite many others to partner with us for making disciples in Southeast Asia
and China. If you have a desire to do missions or would even like to help serve
in any way, feel free to reach out to me (Stephen) or anyone at AFC. You are
always welcome to come along and serve with us in sharing God’s Kingdom to the
people in SE Asia and China.
