MISSIONS TRIP TO IPOH

From 16 December to 19 December 2023, Rev Stephen Khoo, Rev Jose Lagapa, some FEBC students and members of True Life Men’s Fellowship visited Ipoh, Malaysia, for a Christmas missions outreach. The purpose of the outreach was to make use of the Christmas season to share the gospel by conducting caroling cum gospel services in the places where sister Choy Leng is ministering.

The missions team visited three Homes during the outreach: Elderly Home, Boys’ Home and Girls’ Home, all operated by the Salvation Army. Choy Leng conducts Bible Study in the Homes on a weekly basis. We also conducted an evening caroling service at the Word of Life Bible-Presbyterian Church (WOLBPC).

To prepare for the programs and materials, the teachers and the assistants arrived earlier in Ipoh in the early morning of 16 December. We spent the morning and afternoon resting and preparing for the outreach program on the same night. During the afternoon, the rest of the team comprising Rev and Mrs Stephen Khoo and brother Beng Teck arrived safely in Ipoh, and together with them, we visited the Boys’ Home for the outreach program. Sister Sophia taught the boys about the true meaning of Christmas and had a reflection quiz and a Q&A session with the boys. We also had the privilege of sharing the gospel with the boys and some parents who had joined the program. After the program, we gave out Christmas gifts and had some interaction with the boys and their parents.

The following morning, 17 December, we visited WOLBPC to have a combined worship service with the members there. Rev Stephen Khoo delivered the message titled, “Is There Hope for Me?” For the first time, we had seven boys from the Boys’ Home, as well as another boy who had recently left the home, joining us in the worship service. In the afternoon, the boys remained in the church for some games and activities. Another team prepared for the program in the evening where we had a Christmas caroling service in the church. The speaker was Rev Jose Lagapa with the message, “Will There Be Joy for All People?” After the service, supper was provided for all who joined the service, and we had a time of fellowship with the boys as well as the members and visitors.

The next morning, 18 December, our team visited the Elderly Home to share the Christmas joy with the residents there. Rev Lagapa was the speaker, and we had a simple program for the elderly. Since most of the elderly were more comfortable with Chinese, the caroling was conducted in Chinese, and the message was interpreted by Choy Leng. After the service, we also had time to interact with them. Later in the afternoon, again, we divided our team into two groups for home visitation. One of the visits was to the home of Kesavan, a boy who had recently left the Boy’s Home and is now attending WOLBPC.

On the last day, 19 December, we visited the Girls’ Home. Although there was a delay in the schedule due to some miscommunication, we did not miss out on the opportunity to reach out to the girls. Sister Theya taught the older girls, and sister Thessa taught the younger ones. After the lessons, we had an art and craft session with the girls and a game using reflection questions from the lessons that were taught. One significant development which we want to thank God for is the approval given by the Salvation Army for us to return in 2024 to conduct a combined Vacation Bible School for the boys and girls. It was certainly an answered prayer, and it was a testimony of God working and opening closed doors.

We truly thank God for how He enabled the whole team to arrive safely in Ipoh and carry out the program. Moreover, we thank God for how we were able to have fellowship to encourage the church as well as those serving on the team. We also thank God for His provision, for how He prepared the way for us in the outreach and providing for our needs. We especially thank God for moving in the heart of the Salvation Army management to grant us the permission to have a VBS this year. It was indeed a time of witnessing how God is still working among His people and calling lost souls to return to Him, especially during the Christmas season as we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. Please continue to pray for the people who have heard the gospel message, sister Choy Leng and her ministry, and the WOLBPC.

[Ed: True Life BPC will send ordained ministers to WOLBPC to preach the Word and conduct the Lord’s Supper once a month this year. Ipoh VBS will be held from 24 to 26 May (DV). Please contact Beng Teck for more information.]

THANK YOU

From Myanmar

By the grace of God, we at NLSC are fine and doing well. Praise God.

Thank God today I have received True Life BPC’s cheerful love gift support $3800 =Ks9549800. Thank you so much.

Thank God the water tank is being constructed and the third and final level is about to be completed and after that the tank will be placed on top.

We at NLSC pray for you and for True Life BPC and FEBC always. Bro Thangno, New Life Student Center, Yangon, 12/12/2023

From China

Thank God for True Life BPC’s prayer and love gift. Thank God for your love and care in the Lord. I received the love gift ($1,000) this Sunday. It is a big encouragement for me physically and in spirit. By God’s grace, I can serve Him in the children’s ministry all these years. Thank God, I have the privilege to teach the children God’s Word every day in a Christian school after graduating from FEBC.

I still remember the best doctrines and teachings I had learnt in FEBC. I also pray we can have BPC in China so that more people know the truth. In 2019, brother SY (FEBC alumnus) communicated with me and we prayed we could have a BPC in Zhengzhou. By God’s grace, we successfully rented the house and started a BPC in June. Our church is small, but all people love God and His Word.

However, with the situation of China, my Christian school principal had to close the school in 2020. “In every thing give thanks” (1 Thess 5:18). Now I focus on training and teaching my children God’s Word at home. “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Prov 22:6). I also serve the church Sunday School every week. Thank God for more people and children coming to our church these years. We also have a successful children summer camp. All the glory to God!

Please pray God to bring more people to know Him and His Word. Pray I have more strength to teach the children God’s Word and serve Him faithfully in China. SF (18/12/2023)