Finding Unity in Christ
Greetings from our A Buck a Day team!
We pray that these stories will encourage you as you see how God continues to move and spread His good news around the world.
We’re grateful for your partnership with us and your heart to fund a global harvest of souls. Thank you for standing and believing with us as we continue to empower every believer to engage in building up Christ’s kingdom.
Blessings,
Eben Tabelisma
Cofounder, A Buck a Day
MISSIONARIES IN HISTORY
Judy Hyland was an American missionary who grew up in northern Minnesota and dedicated her life to world missions. On October 5, 1940, she set sail for China to start her missionary work. However, due to Japan’s war against China, the ship was redirected to the Philippines. It was here that Judy and approximately 500 other Americans were captured by the Japanese following the attack on Pearl Harbor.
The Japanese held the Americans captive in the Philippines for more than three years. They suffered constant hunger and boredom in austere prisons and were cut off from all news of World War II. They did not know what was happening or when they would be released. For them, it seemed like time had stopped.
U.S. troops launched a surprise attack on the Japanese in Manila on February 4, 1945, resulting in the release of the American prisoners. Judy returned to Minnesota and was reunited with her family, friends, and her then fiancé, Phil. Her homecoming was filled with tears of joy.
Following their marriage, Judy and Phil decided to dedicate their lives to serve as missionaries in Japan. The couple spent more than thirty years serving the Japanese people. Judy’s suffering was transformed by her ministry and became a testimony to the very people who had hurt her. Those who were once enemies and captors became her dear friends.
Just like the story of Joseph in Genesis, Judy’s story is an example of forgiveness and unity that can encourage us in a world fraught with division.
“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.” — Genesis 50:20 (ESV)
You can read more details of her story in her book, In The Shadow Of The Rising Sun.
MISSIONARIES IN THE FIELD
Training Future Leaders
Prabhat Ranjan, one of our missionaries in India, and his team continues to train future leaders using a modular approach despite government restrictions and quarantine. So far, fourteen students have completed their training, with the hope that this number increases as the government relaxes its restrictions.
Meeting Them Where They Are
The last two years have been challenging for us all. Our normal routines have changed, and many are still afraid to meet regularly. Among the ways our missionaries in Thailand connect with the Thai community is by intentionally meeting the people they are trying to reach by going to their houses. Camille and Mary Joy, in particular, were able to reconnect with the community by bringing people food.
Creative Ways to Raise Support
One of the missions organizations ABAD partners with is Asian Mission Outreach Foundation, based in Thailand. They help missionaries develop practical ways to sustain themselves and empower them to be self-sufficient. One way they do this is by planting farm goods on their headquarters lot.
A Work Accomplished
“. . . My food is to do the will of Him who sent me and to accomplish His work.” — John 4:34 (ESV)
Hermie Luna was one of the first missionaries ABAD supported. He blessed many people in Thailand through his God-given skill as a physical therapist. Hermie sadly passed away recently, but we are thankful for the hope of eternity. Thank you, Hermie, for dedicating a precious portion of your life to the cause of Christ in Asia. Until we meet again.
ABAD UPDATES
Orchestrating Divine Connections
Eben has always been a reserved person, so meeting new people is not always his top priority. If you follow Christ, however, you have to get out of your comfort zone in order to have those connections.
In April, Eben and Malou were traveling to Los Angeles when they overheard a man in the airport talking about his flight to the Philippines. God prompted Eben to approach the man and talk to him. The man introduced himself as Anthony and said that it was his first time traveling via airplane. The three of them ended up sitting next to each other on the plane, and when they all landed in Los Angeles, Eben and Malou had the opportunity to pray for him.
About a week later, Eben and Malou were standing in line waiting to board the plane back to Nashville when they noticed a familiar face. To their surprise, it was Anthony whose boarding number was right above Malou’s. They were amazed to run into each other again, let alone be on the same flight with sequential boarding numbers. Once they boarded, Anthony told them about his experiences in the Philippines and the wonderful time he had there. They exchanged numbers once they landed and have continued to keep in contact since.
God orchestrated this connection between Anthony and the Tabelismas down to the specific dates, flights, and even boarding numbers. We are expectant and excited to see God create more opportunities for divine connections like this in the future.
New Look, Same Mission
Our website has a new look! Check it out 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:
For the people and nation of Ukraine.
For comfort and peace to surround Hermie’s family.
For ABAD to be connected with local churches in Nashville, Tennessee.
For the expansion of the GOMakeDisciples store.
For the growth and fruitfulness of the missionaries we support as well as the protection of their health as they continue to serve their communities.
That ABAD will have more individual and corporate partners in order to support more missionaries.
"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) |
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