ABWE - Association of Baptists for World Evangelism

by S.E., ABWE missionary in South Asia

My husband and I climbed up the steep bus stairs and wedged ourselves into seats. As I re-tucked my scarf around my head, the man across the aisle leaned over smiling. “Where are you going?” he said. Minutes later, a young man behind us tapped my husband’s shoulder and asked, “Where is your country?”

My husband kindly explained that although we were born elsewhere, we now live in South Asia. The man nodded and, over the roar of the bus engine, shouted the information to the remaining passengers. Soon, a college student sitting in front of us lifted his cell phone over the seat and took our picture. Then, another passenger asked for our phone number. Still another affirmed that we were Christians. As we prepared to depart at the bus stop, a number of men shook my husband’s hand.

Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden” (Matthew 5:14). I’d like to add that a foreigner in South Asia cannot hide either. My husband and I find it especially humorous that Jesus called us “light,” because we often glow peachy white amidst the sea of golden brown people who live here.

We are very noticeable in this place for other reasons as well.

When ABWE opened a new Christian school in the area, the parents marveled at the love that the staff offered their children. Of all of the religious people in their country, they said that only the Christians had offered help to their families.

Open Opportunity for Witnessing

This love is also being shown repeatedly to the people of South Asia through ABWE’s evangelism and compassion ministries, especially in communities affected by a recent cyclone. From these ministries stem encouraging reports of how God’s work is lighting up the darkness. We have heard, for example, from a pastor located in an area devastated by the storm; he has been comforting many with the comfort God has given him. We have received reports that elsewhere in the region a mission team returned from a tribal outreach with exciting news: they had encountered numerous seekers. We also discovered that a Christian group plans to start teaching a ladies’ Bible study in a local village. A medic will join them to teach classes on health and treatments.

These are just a few of the ministry opportunities that the Lord has opened to His laborers during a time of suffering and recovery in this region. We work here knowing that the Good News is not just found in the printed word. Though we see the desperate need to publish literature, God’s plans to use His people in this place are even bigger than we can know.

Light of the World

Recently, on an early morning drive to the city, we stopped at a restaurant for breakfast. The proprietor strode out the front door and greeted us warmly. “Come in, come in,” he effervesced. “You’re Mr. E from the Christian hospital. So good to have you.” Our eyes widened. “Yes, you normally eat breakfast in the last town, but since that place is being renovated, we hoped you would join us here.”

Yes, as foreigners here, we often stick out. But we know that Christ in us is “the hope of glory.” We know that Christ in us is the Light. And that is what we want the world to see. 

« Back to News Index

Recent Stories