Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Malaysia gathering sights

...Mary and I have been so blessed at this Asia-wide gathering of Asian Access leaders. Here is a photo journal to show you some of what we have been experiencing.
...We had the delight today of having the church leaders from Mongolia sing a worship song written by a Mongolian, in Mongolia to the Lord. It brought tears because of the powerful words expressing the love of the Father.
...We heard wonderful reports from the eight countries given by the country leaders. David Dayalan, above, is giving a report of the need and complexity of India. However, also how the Church is being strengthened and expanded. India has over 1 billion people with hundreds of languages.
...And pictured below is the Asian Access leader for Mongolia, Chinzorig, giving an update on the Church in that country and the work of Asian Access to help train many of the first generation of pastors.
...The children of Asian Access staff led us in worship songs the first 10 minutes each of the three days. What vibrant worship. We were all raising hands, jumping and turning around in our praise to the Lord.
...After the children led us in worship, then an international worship team continued to lead us. They were from India, Sri Lanka, Japan and the US. What a wonderful expression of our diversity of cultures, but our unity in Christ.
...We enjoyed praying for the work of the Lord in these countries. Here Mary is praying with one of the leaders from Japan and Mongolia.
...Our Bible teacher has been Pastor David Bennett who is also on the board of Asian Access. His teaching on I Corinthians 12 was particularly touching to help us realize afresh our connectedness as the body of Christ.
...One of the highlights has been the rich times of casual conversation between meetings and over meals with brothers and sisters from across Asia. Mary and I enjoyed lunch today with Pastor Sam Thomas and his wife Anita who are ministering in Delhi, India. Pastor Sam is in the current class of Asian Access in Delhi, of which I have had the privilege of attending last year and this year as I coach the national director in establishing the work there.

...Because I have been overseeing the program, I have been busy from early morning until evening. However, Mary and I did enjoy a couple of hours on the beach next to the conference center where we are staying. It is on the shores of the Malacca Straits. Look that up on a map to see where it is located just west of Kuala Lumpur. We look across the Straits to Indonesia.
...Tonight we have our closing celebration banquet. So off I go to get dressing and check on the set up and program.

Monday, March 19, 2007

Readying for Malaysia

...Mary and I are getting ready to head to Malaysia in 48 hours. We leave Wednesday afternoon.



...It is the 40th Anniversary of Asian Access (1967-2007), the ministry of which we are a part. 150 leaders and their children from 12 countries are gathering in Kuala Lumpur for the celebration, worship, fellowship and training.


...We are combining the celebration with our annual leadership summit.

...We will blog along the way, so stay tuned for where in the world is Bruce AND Mary.