AsiaStories

A team of five volunteers from the University of Mobile in Mobile, Ala., minister to people in villages along the Oras River on the Filipino island of Samar. With no contacts in each village, they arrive on boats and ask to stay for several days. Relying on Filipino hospitality, the volunteers become part of the village community as they study the Bible with residents. They discover not only how welcoming villagers can be to Christ followers but also how deeply rooted they can be in their own traditional beliefs.

The Japanese woman tightly clutches the gift and softly thanks the Southern Baptist volunteer who gave it to her. This simple child’s therapy toy expresses how she and others in the fishing village of Kamaishi have felt since the earthquake and tsunami hit Japan on March 11 — a mixture of emotions that won’t come out.

Thai Christian woman spends years preparing the way for Joplin volunteers to spread the Gospel in her village. Six pray to receive Christ despite vice-mayor’s warnings about leaving Buddhism.

Vietnamese-American realized God gave her a chance to “give back” — using the material blessings she gained in America to share her faith in Christ with Cambodians on the lake.

Village admits Creator God heals baby but chooses to continue following ancestral spirits.

Floating medical clinics gain entry into village houseboats in Cambodia. Local believers share Gospel with neighbors as translators.

Volunteers offer free medical clinics to prostitutes and their children. Want to see each person as “Jesus sees them” — beautiful and whole.