annual report

I mention at least once a year, I absolutely love working on the

annual report. Time for me to mention it again.
Te theme of this years annual report is an overcoming faith. I
was so moved by the stories of what the Lord did through Gospel
for Asia, I really tried to let that inspire the design. I wanted to
create a triumphal feel with the images and text. Tere was a lot
of struggles with the desire to push the design boundary towards
something more artistic, Im afraid that my artistic vision may not
have translated as well as I wanted to (visit my blog, newblueline.
blogspot.com if you want to see some examples of the angsty
creative process.) But the wonderful thing for me is, I cant mess
up the words. And the stories of what the Lord has done are
still inspiring no matter where they sit on the page. Here is K.P.
Yohannas testimony of the year 2010.
Praise the Lord, We saw an unprecedented number of people
choose to follow Christ last year. What amazes me about their
decisions is that most of them are the result of what the Bible
refers to as overcoming faith. Tese new believers see Jesus for
who He really istheir Saviorrather than a means to make their
life comfortable here on earth.
Tey love Jesus for who He is,
not what they imagine He can
give them.
Tese things I have spoken
to you, that in Me you may
have peace. In the world you
will have tribulation; but be
of good cheer, I have
overcome the world.
Troughout 2010,
thousands of
Christians in South
Asia demonstrate what
it means to accept
tribulation with a
Christlike attitude. And
even more amazing,
they really overcame the
tribulations with faith
and did it all for the glory
of God.
14,000 believers in
Orissa, India. Just two
years ago, Christians in
this area were targeted
by angry extremists
who demanded that they turn their backs on Christ. When they
refused, hundreds were tortured and murdered, and their homes
and churches were burned to the ground. A witness to such brutal
one graphic designers journey to change a generation
Stephanie Thomas is serving Christ through the ministry of Gospel for Asia. 6.27.11
Prayer update: I asked you to please pray for me for wisdom about joining my
church. I have decided not to become a member at this time. I will still continue to
attend and occasionally serve at my church. I do appreciate you praying for me.
Prayer request: Please pray that my rent will not increase, unfortunately it
does every year, and its getting pretty steep. There arent a lot of cheaper options.
P
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F
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:
an overcoming
FAITH
THE YEAR IN REVIEW
New fellowships established
in South Asia: 4,648
Worship centers constructed
throughout Asia: 754
Children who attended
Vacation Bible School:
157,148
Pieces of Gospel literature
produced and distributed:
59 million
Languages in which GFA
Radio broadcasts were
heard: 113
Number of Womens
Fellowships added: 225
Families who received gifs
from GFAs Christmas Gif
Catalog: 56,648
acts could rightly assume that people would be reluctant to embrace
Christ afer such oppression. Instead, churches in Orissa are reporting
phenomenal growth. Te threat of persecution and sufering is not
deterring them from seeking a relationship with Jesus. Instead, it seems
to be compelling them toward that most holy relationship.
During 2010, I also have come to realize that beautiful examples of
overcoming faith are not limited to the mission feld. Gospel for Asia
continues to be blessed by people like you who make it possible for
us to continue reaching Asiaeven though you may be facing your
own struggles. I sincerely appreciate your commitment to keeping our
national missionaries on the feld and to keeping those GFA Bridge
of Hope centers open. I am so thankful for
your unique role in helping us take the love of
Jesus to these countless millions who would
otherwise have no hope.
challenge
I loved that K.P. mentioned how he has seen
the believers in Asia seeking Christ for who
He truly is and not as a means to make
life more comfortable. Im so challenged
to hear that reminder. I ofen marvel at
how easily I gravitate towards seeing God
as a means to an end instead of digging
into to knowing Him as a unique being,
as a Master, as God.
I heard this wonderful quote (sorry that I
dont remember who its from) that prayer
is suppose to be calling in reinforcement
to the battlea conversation with the
commander about the enemys position
and defensive strategies. Tere are so
many time I treat prayer like its nothing
more than ordering up another pillow or a snack from room service.
God is not my butler.
I want to thank you again for supporting me. I am blessed to work at
a place that not only humours my creative expression, but reminds me
constantly that my calling is to know the Lord. I can only hope when
people look into my life they get a glimpse of an overcoming faith.
I sort of have this thing for the country of
Burma, a kindredness, I guess you could
call it.
The Burmese government is a hard, military
regime. They are very oppressive to a people
already oppressed. Cyclone Nargis, one
of the top 10 deadliest cyclones in record
history, hit Burma in 2008. Even in the wake
of the cyclones destruction the government
would not accept relief aid for its people.
Natural disasters along with strange things
like rats, literally, eating away the countries
food supply are all you will hear about this
country on the newsand you may not even
hear about that. Burma is a forgotten country
and that is the way the government of Burma
would like it to stay.
There are very few organizations that are
granted permission to enter this country with
any type of well-fare program. Very few at all.
During 2010, Gospel for Asia expanded
the Bridge of Hope program into Myanmar
(Burma), opening several new centers in that
country! These Bridge of Hope centers are
truly a bright light in a country where children
are just as likely to be in military training as
in school. The United Nations has declared
Burma one of the least-developed countries
in the world, and most of Myanmars children
are never able to go to school.
However, the children in these Bridge
of Hope centers will have the chance to
overcome these obstacles and fnd new hope
for their future. They will have the chance
to hear the Gospel messagehope more
precise than a meal or an education.
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Another 3% increase. Praise the Lord!
JOINING MY SUPPORT TEAM IS EASY AND FUN
FOLLOW ALONG at newblueline.blogspot.com. See projects
Im working on, news from the mission feld and get to hear a little about life
according to me. THERES NEW STUFF UP THERE!
SEND MONEY. Just keeping it real. I gotta eat, and you can help make that
happen. MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: Gospel for AsiA, id #6319 in the memo
AND MAIL TO 1800 Golden trAil Crt., CArrollton, tX 75010.
Its easy to donate online just
go to: WWW.GFA.ORG/HT/STTH/
God Bless You
Stephanie
support level
IMPROBABLE AND INCREDIBLE!
and thank you again,