The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Isaiah 58:11
Welcome to the Access Partners' year-ending ministry update! During this Christmas season, we pray you will be encouraged by this testimony of God's work and consider how you may take part.
Though our focus is on business development, we are most excited about God's work in the lives of the locals working with our missionary partners.
Our God is Faithful
Z is an employee of a business that we support in Central Asia. He came to faith in Jesus Christ several years ago, but had grown very slowly (and secretly) before being employed by our in-country team. This team discipled him and included him in a Bible study and prayer small group. Z began to grow spiritually, but it was very difficult for him to lay down the fear of what his family and friends would do if they learned of his conversion.
One day, during a prayer meeting, Z accidentally and unknowingly called his father with his cell phone, which was in his pocket. In God's sovereignty, his father heard much of the meeting, including Z praying and using the name of Jesus Christ. Though it could have meant much worse, this discovery caused Z to be kicked out of his house and disowned by his family.
A few weeks later, Z's uncle learned of his conversion to Christ and determined to regain the honor of the family that Z had lost. He sent men to kill not only Z, but also Z's father since he had not killed Z himself. These men burned down Z's new residence, though Z escaped death because God ensured he did not return home that night. These men also visited his family's home, stabbing his father and leaving him for dead. His father was rushed to the hospital and thankfully survived. After visiting his father in the hospital Z and his father began communication again and their relationship was reconciled.
Soon after his father's recovery, he told Z that he and another uncle (not the uncle that tried to kill him) had arranged a marriage between Z and his cousin K at a very young age and it was now time to marry her. Z was extremely concerned because he did not know if this woman was a Christian and he had never met her. His father, explaining they were basically engaged, insisted that the marriage must go forward, so Z agreed at least to travel to meet her. After a long journey to meet her, Z was overjoyed to learn that K had also heard the Gospel and was now a professing believer in Jesus Christ! God could not have proven more faithful to Z and K and they were married shortly after.
Since that time, the wider community has not reacted favorably to the presence of an openly Christian couple, and they are now undergoing intense persecution. Despite the persecution, Z and K continue to witness God's unmatched faithfulness. Like them, we to have witnessed God's faithfulness in 2007. Here at Access Partners we have much to praise God for this year and we hope that you will join us in thanking God!
As always, your prayers are most welcome! Please pray for Z and K: for their spiritual growth, their protection, and for the spread of the Gospel through them.
Overview and Financial Giving
The Lord has truly blessed the work of Access Partners in 2007! Our businesses now support 50+ missionaries entering new communities untouched by the Gospel.
We're most thankful, however, for the fruit that we've seen. Several teams report new believers and one is seeing the emergence of a new church!
Currently, we are looking for people to partner with us financially for 2008. We plan to hire 2 people focusing on sales & marketing for home décor products, which will support the operations of over 6 companies.
Please prayerfully consider donating to Access Partners! You can make either a monthly or a special gift by clicking here.
Thanks for your generous contributions and support. We count it a privilege to partner with you in helping bring the Gospel to the ends of the earth.
Merry Christmas!
Access Partners Team