ABAD Quarterly Watch — Q1 2026
- keziahtabelisma
- Mar 22
- 4 min read
Go Make Disciples!
Time flies so quickly! One of my favorite quotes says it well:
Only one life, ‘twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last. - C.T. Studd
Throughout history, the intentional sending of missionaries has been a powerful force in the growth of the Christian faith. This model began with the church in Antioch, where the first international missionaries were sent. Imagine the impact if every believer helped raise up and support missionaries. Those called to serve need faithful partners to help fulfill the mission of making disciples of all nations.
The mission of A Buck a Day is to encourage every believer to build up Christ’s kingdom. Supporting God’s work across the nations is a vital part of His global mission.
Because of your prayers and generosity, missionaries are making a lasting impact in Asia and beyond. We are deeply grateful for your unwavering support and faithfulness. Together, we can reach this generation and those that are to come.
I pray the Lord richly blesses you always,
Eben Tabelisma
Cofounder, A Buck a Day
MISSIONARIES IN HISTORY
Gladys Aylward was an inspirational British evangelical Christian missionary to China. Sometimes called “the small woman” due to her small stature (barely five feet tall), she was known for her remarkable faith and courage. Her life showed how God can use ordinary people in extraordinary ways through determination, cultural immersion, and selfless service, especially in caring for orphans and the vulnerable.
Born in 1902 to a working-class family in Edmonton, North London, she grew up in a church-going home but didn’t fully commit to the Christian faith until her late teens. At 14, she left school to work as a housemaid and began saving diligently. At 18, after attending a revival meeting, she became a devoted Christian and felt drawn to missionary work in China.
In 1929, at age 27, she applied for missionary training but was rejected because of her age, limited education, and concerns about her ability to learn Chinese. Undeterred, she continued working in domestic service, saving every penny she could, even taking additional jobs, to fund her own journey.
In 1932, she traveled alone across Russia on the Trans-Siberian Railway to China. There she joined elderly missionary Jeannie Lawson in Yangcheng (Shanxi province), where they ran The Inn of Eight Happinesses (Bāfú Kèzhàn), a muleteer inn serving travelers. Here, guests heard Bible stories in exchange for lodging and meals. Gladys quickly learned Mandarin, adopted Chinese clothing and customs, and assimilated into local life.
During the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937–1945), Yangcheng was bombed by Japanese forces, and the inn became a refuge for orphaned children. At one point, Gladys cared for nearly 200 children. Following the war and Communist takeover in 1949, she was forced to leave mainland China. She returned briefly to England, where she taught children and gained public attention following Alan Burgess’s 1957 biography of her titled The Small Woman. She then returned to Asia, settling in Taiwan in the late 1950s, where she founded the Gladys Aylward Orphanage and continued caring for abandoned children until her death.
Gladys' legacy inspires and empowers those who seek to advance God’s Kingdom. Through her vision, courage, and compassion, and perseverance, she left an enduring impact on the mission field, and her life remains a powerful example of faith in action.s
MISSIONARIES IN THE FIELD
From Medicine to Mission
Kenneth and Louvel were the first missionaries supported by A Buck a Day. They are medical professionals who left their careers to serve as missionaries in Thailand. Their ministry is thriving, and they are using their God-given skills to bless many on the mission field.
Bringing Hope to the Himalayas
A Buck a Day supports Nepalese missionaries reaching the Himalayan Region through our partnership with RHMI. They walk narrow trails and steep forest paths to bring the light of the gospel to remote homes. These journeys are not easy, but every step has purpose, and every mile echoes Christ’s love.
Training Leaders Through Scripture
Prabhat, our missionary in New Delhi, India, builds community by encouraging people to study Scripture more deeply. One of his key strategies is establishing Bible schools that prepare students to become influential leaders in their communities.
ABAD UPDATES
Eben’s Corner
Our family recently had the opportunity to visit family and friends in the Philippines. Though brief, the trip was fruitful. Reconnecting with loved ones was refreshing, and their support has been invaluable in helping us pursue the mission God has given us.
GoMakeDisciples for All Nations
To create a compelling message, the A Buck a Day team developed the idea of translating “Make Disciples” into the local language of each country. Each version incorporates the nation’s flag and language, carrying the message we, as believers in Christ, want to share. This brand can be used anywhere to share the gospel.
Be an Ambassador
Check out our products and encourage others to GOMakeDisciples. Become part of a movement inspiring Christ’s followers to pursue Jesus’ final command to make disciples of all nations.
With customizable t-shirts, hats, bottles, and mugs, our designs serve as a bold, visual representation of your faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ. Together, we can build up Christ’s kingdom.
Online Store
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Stay Up to Date with Us
If you would like to view past newsletters and keep up to date with what’s going on with A Buck a Day, visit our website below!
THANK YOU!
Our goal is to support missionaries’ efforts to reach every nation with the truth of God’s love. Your faithful partnership helps make our mission possible. We greatly appreciate you!
Please stand with us in faith and prayer for the following:
That A Buck A Day in 2026 will be deeply connected with the vibrant local churches of Nashville, Tennessee, fostering a community of shared purpose and growth.
That the GOMakeDisciples store will flourish, expanding its reach and impact, becoming a beacon of inspiration and support.
That the missionaries we support will thrive, their efforts bearing abundant fruit as they transform lives in their communities for God's glory.
That A Buck A Day will welcome a wave of new individual and corporate partners, united in the mission to empower missionaries across the globe.
Let us stand in faith together praying God will make this happen!
"No higher honor could be imagined than to be an instrument in the hand of Jesus Christ, to be at His disposal for the furtherance of His purposes, to be available whenever wanted for His service." (John Stott, 20th century theologian) |