We firmly believe that PLAY is important for kids and we’re on a mission to provide a state of the art playground at each home for the children to enjoy all year long.

We all know the famous Scripture from Acts 20:35: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” But how about this one from Proverbs 18:16: “A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.” Or 1 Chronicles 29:14: “But who am I and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.”So what, exactly, does “Giving Tuesday” even mean? Is it like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Small Business Saturday? These are days set aside to spend money and find bargains. Nothing wrong with that! Who wouldn’t prefer to invest $25 to buy a new Echo Dot than to spend the retail price of $49.99? It’s the global way; give something, get something back.On the surface, all these occasions seem to be the same. Most people are generous, especially at the holidays. Why not throw a few bucks to a favorite charity once a year? The giver feels good, the charity benefits. Both of these things are true. But there is a deeper truth that is embodied in Giving Tuesday, one that has relevance to all people, every day.

Giving Tuesday is an example of what our lives should be on a daily basis. Our best role model in giving is God. Big shoes to fill to be sure. He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him will have eternal life. It is His generous, on-going donation to a bankrupt humanity.As we are made in God’s image, we give sacrificially. Coming to earth as fully God and fully man could not have been more of a sacrifice for Jesus. Heaven or a cold manger with prickly straw? No comparison. Yet He did it. Lifted to heaven or death on a cross? No contest. Yet He did it. And would have done it even if only one of his creation required saving. (Matthew 26:7)Our giving should be for the proper motives. We are not to do so to get the praise of our peers, but to please God, the fountain of all blessings. It’s a turn-off to hear others bragging about their accomplishments, their money, their piety and generosity. Imagine what God goes through, having given so much, while we trumpet our supposed good deeds to the world. (Matthew 6:1)Not everyone can give the same amount, and we aren’t expected to do so. Rather, give in proportion to the blessings you have received. God is liberal with us. We are actually returning what is His to Him. (2 Corinthians 8:12)Giving is an expectation. Jesus’ words were ‘when you give,’ not ‘if you give.’ It is an act of worship to Him, as we support the work being done on behalf of the least and the lost of this world. (Matthew 6:2)Our generosity is to be an occasion of joyfor us. With extravagance we give, and with extravagance God returns His love to us. Helping others creates in us a cheerful disposition that spreads into all areas of our lives. (2 Corinthians 9:7)That feel-good experience doesn’t have to be isolated to one day out of 365. And it doesn’t require a Bill Gates-style bank account. It simply requires a willing heart—a heart of service, of sacrifice, and of joy.

This year SEAPC has a goal to raise $5,000 on Giving Tuesday. It is earmarked for the Kampong Cham Children’s Home in Cambodia. The 44 kids living there need a place to play. Donations will be used to prepare the area, purchase playground equipment, and install everything with safety for the children uppermost. Your cheerful giving will make a joyful noise to the Lord as these little ones have fun in a Christian environment.At SEAPC we appreciate the on-going sacrificial giving of those who sponsor children, support medical missions, provide supplies, and all the myriad ways the family of God is a family of giving—all year. On this Giving Tuesday, we thank you for prayerfully considering a gift. We have all been blessed to be a blessing. God is smiling as this is practiced in a tangible way!And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8.

When we started 2018, we believed that this would be a year of breakthrough in the ministry.At that time over 100 of the 700 orphaned or abandoned kids that we committed to serve didn't have a sponsor. That means that we had already committed to friends in Cambodia, Myanmar, China, and Nepal to go ahead and take in a child that was in desperate need because we were confident that God would make a way for SEAPC to support their daily food, clothing, healthcare, and education costs through child sponsors around the world.

Those monthly sponsorship costs average $50 per month per child and those commitments were made to these friends over time for many years. The commitments were adding up but it seemed to us that the sponsors were nowhere to be found. Rest assured in knowing that in our big global house those kids that we committed to are fed, clothed, and loved first and then the rest of us get to eat. Every month we send resources to serve those children first and then trust God to provide for all of the other ministries and projects we participate in around the world. By God's grace each month we were able to pull together the $5000 monthly shortfall.It was a battle for us. I would regularly search back through my contacts and email lists, reaching out to friends in an attempt to find sponsors. Many leaders in the ministry made great sacrifices for these kids to be sure that they had what they needed. Every month, by the first of the month, the pressure would begin to mount around us. I'd sit down with Tony Wimer (our management director) and our executive leadership team, pull out the funds those kids would need, and then sort through the rest of what had come in. Tony is a giant of faith in my eyes. At the end of each month, when all the money needed for the entire ministry wasn't there, he would somehow stand in joy and confidence. By faith, he would move the money we did have to the orphaned children, build me up in encouraging words of God's promised provision, and send me back out into the world to pray.

Then, in late January, a man called and said that he felt he should sponsor every kid that needed sponsorship until we were able to find sponsors for them. BREAKTHROUGH! Our number one prayer request had been answered.After that call, a blessing came to SEAPC that I had never witnessed to that point. All other seemingly impossible challenges around us began to become possible in our eyes and “breakthrough” became a common word and a regular experience around us.

Next, a marvelous man of God called and asked if he could sponsor the building of each of the remaining six technical centers we had agreed to build for the 488 impoverished schools we served in Banteay Meanchey, Cambodia. BREAKTHROUGH. This was the next big, crazy, and impossible vision that I knew needed a miracle. I spent many nights last year praying beside my bed, on airplanes, and before church services, as the pressure came from the builders and Cambodian government to fulfill this commitment made to them in 2015. Now, we had an answer! Then, by the middle of the year the confusion and challenges that no one really sees—except those working in them—began to dissolve within the ministry. Things like websites, management software, audits, printing providers, visa applications, government access in the nations, and banking conformed to become the tools they are intended to be: serving us rather than the systems set in place to keep us down. BREAKTHROUGH.These breakthroughs soon followed:- This ministry became physically and mentally healthy.- Heads of national governments and their families around us gave their lives to Jesus in our presence.- Doors opened into Vietnam, Korea, Israel, England, and the Middle East.- The fruit that we believed for matured. The BC Arise program has the highest graduation rate and the lowest dropout rate of any province in Cambodia; the Chinese government has set aside $10 million to serve kids with autism through our project in China; the Kashmir government has agreed for a global center for blindness within its borders and thousands of young people have found new hope in that land; public schools in Myanmar have opened their doors for us to serve their students; and a vision for an international healthcare program for Central America has been birthed in our hearts. - Our vision is to witness a world connected through prayer that brings Christ-based change to those in need. God has placed us into a global community of Christian friends who believe that lives and nations are changed through prayer. I know that when we say yes to lost kids, its always by faith. God sees this and watches us to see if we will be faithful to them! He is faithful. And I am certain that we will see the remaining challenges we face find a breakthrough before the year ends.

Those challenges include building a Christian maternity and birthing center in a Muslim community in Kashmir, India; completing a center of rescue for kids trapped in gang violence in Guatemala; establishing the center for autism in Chengdu, China; and providing monthly support for missionary families living in Banteay Meanchey, Cambodia.YOU are how He shows His faithfulness to me. I'm so thankful for this community of friends who pray. I'm eternally grateful for each of you who have agonized with compassion for the kids in need and who, by faith, have said “yes” to sponsoring them. You have often shared with us the joy in your heart to make a way for them. Now, I pray that this spirit of breakthrough that God has revealed to us will fill your heart today and spill out into your family as well. God spoke through Jeremiah to a specific people living in a certain time, facing seemingly insurmountable challenges. I believe that He spoke this same word again to us at the beginning of this year. You are a part of this blessing and your prayers are central to this ministry. I am including you in this promise and asking you to please receive it for your household. His promise, paraphrased from Jeremiah 33, says: Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.- I will defeat your enemies for you- I will bring health and healing- I will reveal to you the abundance of peace and truth- I will release your loved ones from bondage- I will forget your faithlessness and sin- Then you will be a joy and give me honor before ALL nations of the earth, who hear the good I have done to you- The world will fear and tremble for all the goodness and all the prosperity that I provide for youMay God bless you this Thanksgiving week and provide breakthrough in all areas of your life for His glory!

Friends, did you know that SEAPC is participating in Giving Tuesday this year?Giving Tuesday is now entering into its seventh year of operation. It was started to harness the power of social media for good for nonprofit organizations around the world. Since its inception, the Giving Tuesday platform has helped to raise hundreds of millions of dollars in 24 hour increments for many different causes and needs. At SEAPC, we are so excited to participate for the first time in this global event!

As a giving focus, we have chosen to focus on building a playground at a children’s home in Kampong Cham, Cambodia. Kampong Cham is one of 15 New Hope for Orphans children's homes providing for the daily needs of over 475 orphaned and abandoned children in Cambodia. Today at Kampong Cham, there are 44 children being cared for by a team of wonderful people led by house parents Vandy Bunthet and Tavy Chay. These children have a roof over their head, food in their bellies, clothes on their backs, an education for their future, and most importantly, the opportunity to find and follow Jesus Christ because of Raising Kids child sponsors all over the world.

We firmly believe that PLAY is important for kids and we're on a mission to provide a state of the art playground at each home for the children to enjoy all year long. $5,000 will cover everything needed to build a playground at the Kampong Cham home, including ground preparation work, highly durable playground equipment, and the finishing touches to make it safe and child-friendly. The equipment is of the best quality, just like what you would find at your local community park.At SEAPC, we know the immeasurable power of the body of Christ. As it says in 1 Corinthians 12:12-14 “For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. For in fact the body is not one member but many.”Because we each have a God-given role to play in the Kingdom of God, we’d like to invite you to participate in Giving Tuesday to help support SEAPC in the way that you feel led.- Give your prayers. SEAPC is first and foremost a prayer ministry and we are so blessed by the men, women, and children around the world who support us in prayer. We cannot achieve our vision of a world connected through prayer that brings Christ-based change to those in need without first joining together in prayer. By joining the SEAPC Prayer Team, you can ensure that you receive the most up-to-date prayer requests on a weekly basis, as well as urgent prayer needs throughout the month. Please join with us in standing in the gap for the nations, and creating a world connected through prayer!- Give towards our giving focus on Giving Tuesday. While we know that there are many needs to be addressed, we have prayerfully chosen just one giving opportunity on which to focus our combined efforts on November 27th, and we’d love to have you participate! Bookmark this link, and join us in meeting this goal on Giving Tuesday, November 27th! - Engage with us on social media. Whether you realize it or not, your likes, comments, and shares are helping to connect others to SEAPC on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. If you don’t already, please take a moment to follow us on these platforms and join us in creating true online community through regularly engaging with our posts! As you feel led, share the amazing stories of lives changed through prayer on your own page, and invite others to do the same! - Spread the word. Share about SEAPC and what God is doing in the nations through our friends around the world with your friends, family, and loved ones this holiday season. Perhaps this means sharing your copy of the SEAPC Magazine, recounting an SEAPC Blog story of a life changed through prayer, or simply placing your copy of Friends: Lives Changed Through Prayer on your coffee table to spark conversations centering around God’s goodness.Thank you for joining with us in prayer for the nations!

I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. ~ Psalm 9:1

Leading up to Thanksgiving, we are intentionally feasting on the testimonies of Jesus.

Parenting // Northern Myanmar is home to one of the most precious couples the world has ever beheld. With four biological children, they now have upwards of 216 children in their extended family. Their son, who lives in a different part of Myanmar, shares his home with over 200 children. These two fiery 80-year-olds hold more love and genuine energy than your average Joe after sipping a good cup of java. This past year they have helped feed, house, and raise sixteen children.

Education // In 2007, SEAPC brought preschool into the Cambodian public school system and now employs thirty three full-time preschool teachers. Over the course of 10 years, these preschool classrooms have won several awards. Without the faithful daily service shown to the little ones through our amazing teachers these awards and recognition would not have been possible.

Healthcare //Jean will never forget her first medical missions trip to Mexico. Despite having no medical training at the time, she went with an open heart, trusting that God had a purpose for her. When Jean arrived, she assisted the doctors with visual triage. Witnessing life illuminate in people’s eyes remains unforgettable. To help people regain their center of purpose through restored health was a life changing experience. Jean was hooked. In Nepal, she revisited her medical missions roots in visual triage. Jean prayed for a woman with blind eyes and The Great Physician completely restored this woman’s sight.

Micro Economics // The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations estimates that there are more than 850 million goats in the world and that Asia is home to over 65.3 percent of them, followed by Africa. The mountain village of Damechaur, west of Kathmandu, is home to our goat project. A dear brother from Washington, PA paid for the village water line to be fixed and now the village has access to unlimited clean water. Approximately 300 households will benefit from this water, because a believer heard about the need and responded. The goat herd lives on a very steep ridge and also has access to clean water now.What are YOU thankful for today? We invite you to take a moment to share this post with loved ones as a reminder of God's goodness, and we pray that it sparks many conversations of thankfulness.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” ~ Romans 8:28

Dan and ZoeAnna Shorthouse have been married for 36 years and have two children. They met at Carson Newman College in Tennessee where they actively served in missions. Some might say that their meeting foreshadowed their current residence in Sisophon, Cambodia.

While Dan was still teaching, Mark Geppert approached Forbes Road and Career and Technical Center in 2013 with the idea of bringing teams to help teach or demonstrate project-based learning to Cambodian teachers. At that time, the technical training centers had not even been built. Nevertheless, Mark shared how Cambodian schools were experiencing a 60% increase of dropouts around 9th grade. These students would leave their country of origin and look for work in Thailand to support their families. It was obvious that these young adults needed marketable employment to give them something tangible to look forward to. While the school wasn’t too keen on helping with the project at the time, Dan immediately connected with the idea. A jack of all trades, Dan is a licensed electrician, ordained minister, skilled craftsman in construction and woodworking, and master educator with over 25 years in high school, vocational education, and workforce development. ZoeAnna has over 11 years of experience in the healthcare profession, is a certified k-12 music educator and is an ordained deaconess. Throughout their 36 years together, Dan and ZoeAnna have acquired these skills simply by doing what was necessary in each season of their lives. Years later, these very skills are a perfect match for what the Lord is establishing through BC Arise. In fact, ZoeAnna excitedly shared how what they want most for her to teach is nursing, something she is extremely passionate about. What’s more, some of the very things they thought were a waste of time are precisely the skills that the new vocational education program needs. Before arriving in Cambodia, however, the Shorthouses experienced a trying season.

When Mark shared the vision for developing vocational education on a high school level that day at Forbes Road and Career and Technical Center, Dan immediately began thinking about how he and ZoeAnna could help. That day, he came home and shared everything with ZoeAnna. She remembers feeling hesitant, but turned to Dan and said “Sure. Where’s Cambodia?” A woman of faith, ZoeAnna believed that if was from God he would prepare her heart for it. At that time, both of them thought that their opportunity for personal ministry had already passed them by. Knowing this, their openness to Cambodia is a wonder. They desired to go. In 2014, however, Dan had a heart attack and Cambodia was put on hold. In their own words, on the topic of those next four years they spent in the States, “this whole process is nothing short of what took place in Ezekiel 37.” Dan needed healing in his physical body and they both began hungering for an awakening within their spirits. This season was a turning point for them.Exactly four years later, in March 2018, people kept telling the Shorthouses that it was their time for missions. They fasted and prayed about the possibilities and remembered Cambodia. Infaith, they included it in their list of options. During this time, ZoeAnna retired early from her profession in healthcare and Dan told his director that he was going to retire. Four days later, Dan bumped into Mark. In typical Mark fashion, he turned to Dan and immediately said, “we need you.” The Shorthouses decided to move to Cambodia, and planned to make the transition over the following eight months. God, however, had other plans. They moved to Cambodia just eight weeks later.During their last few weeks in the States, ZoeAnna had a health scare. The doctors found a mass and scheduled a biopsy. People prayed over ZoeAnna and her results came back clear. In fact, the doctors kept looking because they couldn’t even find remnants of what they had initially seen. This perfectly sums up how God encountered the Shorthouse’s throughout the last four years. Though they experienced many health issues, Dan and ZoeAnna passionately shared that “encountering the supernatural God has changed us.”

We are grateful that the Shorthouses are sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s prompting and moved to Cambodia, at just the right time, to help develop vocational education on the high school level. Their consistent choice to say “yes” has brought them to a nation where the population is an average of 22 years old to help teach future educators. God’s timing is always perfect. This nation needs parents and people they can look up to. The hardships that the Lord carried the Shorthouses through strengthened their spirits, and helped to grow them into the role models that they are today. They no longer believe that they missed their chance, instead, they now firmly believe that there is so much more and they refuse to stop. This is just the beginning.Be on the lookout, you will be hearing much more from these humble giants in the coming weeks.[video width="1920" height="1080" mp4="https://seapc.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Shorthouse.mp4"][/video]

In the fourth watch of the night, Jesus came to the disciples, walking on the sea. They were terrified and cried out. Jesus identified himself to them.

And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “”Come.”So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and beginning to sink cried out, “Lord, save me.”Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “Oh you of little faith, why did you doubt?”Matthew 14:25-31

Much has been written about comfort zones. We all have them. For each person, it’s an individual thing. Many of us who love the Lord still grapple with this concept. Things like witnessing, taking a new job, meeting new people—all are examples of moving from the familiar into the unknown. And the unknown can be a scary place.

Public speaking has always been the wasteland into which I would not venture. There is no comfort to be found standing up in front of people. Reading off a piece of paper, which for me should include: Hello, my name is Laurel, is an exercise in stress. Feeling the sweat dripping off my palms, the queasiness in my stomach, the roaring in my ears—no comfort there.But does God call His people to a life of security and ease, or to a life of obedient service to Him? Obedience and comfort seem to be mutually exclusive. But are they, really? And how does one make the transition to zone out for the Kingdom?For a few years, God has been asking me to set aside my doubts and fears as I spoke occasionally at church. Three to five minutes up front? Sure, I can manage that. No more. Please. Cue the butterflies. Then an opportunity arose to speak on behalf of South East Asia Prayer Center. It came at me unexpectedly, appearing as it were in the “fourth watch of the night.”My pat response, “I’ll pray about it,” really meant, “No way. No how. Nope.” But pray I did. And God provided an answer—just not the one I’d expected.Walk on water, He said. Obey me, He murmured into my ear. Have faith.My first gig would be in Knoxville, Tennessee, at Bread of Life Chinese Christian Church. The goal: share the mission vision of SEAPC. For a person who prefers a concrete to do list, this became a YIKES moment. Time to dip my toes in the water.

The gathering of brochures, magazines, photographs, became soothing. Simple. Concrete. List-able. Okay…maybe…Then came Sunday. The morning after Daylight Saving Time ended. The church parking lot stood empty. Not one car. Did I have the correct address? Did everyone sleep in? What to do? As anxiety nibbled at me I went to the only place possible: Prayer. The enemy had to be banished, or I would fall into the water.Look at me, He said. I have you, He murmured into my ear. Have faith.I found the correct entrance after one text, complete with cars and people. The church service, even without knowledge of Chinese, filled with the Holy Spirit. Pastor Connie Chen and Dr. Chen led worship; their absolute faith shone through. Earnest believers from different nations, all together and proclaiming one God, one Savior, one Spirit—nothing could be better.

When I finally stood with a microphone in my hand and opened my mouth to speak, Jesus beckoned me onto the surface of the water. I didn’t notice the waves or the wind. He became my comfort zone. The notes I’d printed out sat on the lectern, untouched. The Holy Spirit needed to use my voice, but not necessarily the words I’d penned. It had to be about His miracles, His grace, His mercy—and His mission.As always when I am able to step aside and give the Holy Spirit free reign, I’m not even certain of everything I said. There were moments—blips in translation for instance—when the urge to look down came over me. I could sense the wild roiling of the sea, smell the briny aroma, feel the bite of the bitter winds. But as I waited for my words to be understood, a simple wooden cross on the wall grabbed my gaze.Scripture seeped into my head. Peter had cried out, “Lord, save me.” And when Jesus did haul him into the boat, Peter uttered these words of truth: “Truly, you are the Son of God.”Jesus kept me on the surface of the sea that God had created. The Holy Spirit provided the breath of life to my voice. And without warning or plan, I found myself in a new comfort zone. I did not have to “think outside the box” that had held me for so long, because those walls of fear and anxiety had been washed away.I have no doubt that public witness will always require me to step out of the boat. There is also no doubt that Jesus will be there. When my eyes are fixed on Him—“the author and finisher of our faith”—I will not be afraid.

“Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”John 14:27b

Plates are barely recognizable under piles of rice, while steaming hot cups of teacontinuously fill the room with warmth. The unique expression of genuine love iscompletely different from the familiar sentiments of western cultural inconvenience.People drop in at all hours with no dishwasher to carry the load; everyone workstogether to provide for the needs of those around them. Throughout three generationsthere is a remarkable display of unity as the newest baby is gracefully bounced aroundinto different arms. The overwhelming oneness is a small glimpse of the Body of Christ,and it became the overall theme during our short stay in Southeast Asia.

For a group comprised of five different countries, it is remarkable that unity is themost appropriate adjective to describe our time together. Nevertheless, we continuallyexperienced this characteristic. Out of the five nations represented, one, in particular, isseasoned by years of immense persecution. From the outside, this is not readilyapparent. Everyone in this group carries along a smile and willingness to serve. Theyspecifically came to encourage the locals who are beginning to feel the tremendouspressure that coincides with persecution. Having someone tangible that understandstheir plight proves invaluable. It is a beautiful thing to witness one part of the Body ofChrist freely ministering to another.

Amidst the variety of cultures represented, it is fun to see Jesus show up. He isall about the nations coming together with a singular focus. And it is with Him in mindthat the differences between us fade and become insignificant. In this kind ofatmosphere, The Holy Spirit is tangibly felt.

On our last afternoon together, in a particular region, teatime preceded aspontaneous time of forgiveness. The atmosphere immediately shifted and a few of thepastors responded to this by hugging one another. While everyone was still wiping awaytears, outbursts of worship sprang forth. The Holy Spirit seemingly danced around theroom, bringing comfort to hurting hearts. With His leading, the body joined as one tohelp alleviate, heal and ease the hosting nation's burden. Not a dry eye, cold heart orindividual remained. Everyone bonded together by their love for Jesus and desire to seethe Kingdom advance in this nation. When living in family, what hurts one person hurtseveryone. With anticipation, we look to heaven for divine strategies and hope.Less than a week later, we all boarded a plane to head back to our respectivehomes. What remains is the memory of the courageous people that we met along theway. After rubbing shoulders with these impactful individuals for a week, it almost feelsas though a new fragrance traveled back with us to America. Following Jesus isn’talways easy, and the believers in this country know the cost. For some, their choice issaturated in suffering. Their love, however, sustains them. This love is evident in theadoration and zest, both expressed and experienced, during worship. The Father seesthem, and their choice to follow Him is like a sweet fragrance.

I wish it were possible to share with you all of the stories from our recent trip, butsome of these stories must remain unshared to protect the brothers and sisters in thisregion. Nevertheless, I implore you to join us in prayer for Southeast Asia. Pray for freshencounters with the Father's heart. Pray that the persecution they are experiencing willbring forth tremendous fruit and unparalleled unity. And pray for your hearts to awaken,so that you can intercede for the many persecuted believers around the world. Ask theFather how you can partner with Him and join in unity with the Body of Christ that is allaround you.

The workshop is quiet – except for the hair stacker occasionally tapping against workstations. This is a tool used to tie hair-wing dry flies. In a small fly tying workshop in Banteay Meanchey, Cambodia a variation of 20 different flies are made each month to be sold to fly fishing outfitters and distributors in the United States. The employees have seen photographs of fly fishing, but their handiwork is still a novelty for the surrounding community. Despite the Mekong’s influence on Cambodia’s landscape and cuisine, fly fishing has not yet taken a foothold in the country.

Five days a week, eight employees come in at 8 AM and leave by 5 PM. On the weekends, several spend their time at a local university furthering their education. Without their job at Geppert Brother’s Fly Fishing Foundation (GBFFF), attending university would have been out of the question.

Channa, the only male employee, is a freshman at the local university and is studying management. While tying flies, he listens to classical music. His favorite type of fly is the Emerger fly, of which he can easily tie 100 in a single day. He enjoys working at GBFFF because it’s near his house, the workstation has air conditioning, and he is able to attend university. When he graduates, it is his goal to open a business.

Sienghai is in her 3rd year of university studying management. According to Somnang, the manager of this whole endeavor, “she is a good flytier –– an expert. Sienghai is an example to the others.” While she enjoys her job, she wants to become a manager at a bank. Sienghai’s favorite fly to tie isn’t easy, but she smiled when she described how pretty it is. This isn’t surprising. Flies, in all of their intricacies, are an artform—some are even interwoven with metallic threads to mimic the breathtaking designs found in nature.

Somnang proudly shared how his employees are able to change jobs whenever they want as long as they train up a new hire to take their place. For those that want to stay, there is the possibility of career growth in the future. After talking to a few of the employees, the overwhelming feeling is that this is a positive working environment where their manager takes interest in their goals. For Somanang, “it is important for them [his employees] to have goals and reach those goals.”For many of the employees, furthering their education is their primary goal. Remarkably, most of the employees work full time and attend university on the weekend. GBFFF has made this possible, as attending university is out of reach for many people in this village.

Halfway around the world, on any given month, 8,000 - 10,000 flies are made with care for a pastime that is completely foreign. These flies are created using materials that the employees have never seen before, such as the grizzly neck feathers of a pheasant. This unusual job, however, is empowering many of the employees to dream.[embed]httpss://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BFspZ2yzfs[/embed]Learn more about Geppert Brother's Fly Fishing Foundation here.

Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. - 1 John 5:14

As a prayer ministry first and foremost, we are committed to mobilizing people to pray. We believe lives and nations are changed through prayer and it is our desire to see a world connected through prayer that brings Christ-based change to those in need. This is where you come in. We want to partner with you through prayer.

Every week we send out prayer needs to our friends around the world. As prayer requests come in, we also keep you posted on urgent needs. These prayer points can be printed out and used in your daily prayer time. You could even get your children involved by praying together after dinner or before bed. Or perhaps you want to share them with your Bible study or small group.Whatever your desire, we want to invite you to partner with us in prayer to see lives changed.

Recently a friend of ours submitted a request regarding her health. After suffering from a number of severe, painful allergic reactions, she asked our community to pray with her for healing. This dedicated team of individuals covered her in prayer, and her body was completely healed. Praise God! We are thankful for the opportunity to partner with individuals around the world in prayer for a variety of needs, and for the opportunity to grow our faith by expecting God to show up.Whether you have a pressing prayer request, a desire to stay up to date on prayer needs, or a heart for covering urgent needs with intercession, you can join the prayer team or learn more here.

In Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. - 2 Corinthians 5:19-20

A medical mission trip is all about providing basic, quality care to the least and the lost. Right? Of course. And the SEAPC Medical Team strives to do so in every country where we serve. Including the most recent outreach in Oaxaca, Mexico.

We treated infants, ninety-six year olds, and all ages in-between. Each person received prayer as well as a complete exam and needed medications. On previous trips we witnessed amazing physical healings through prayer: the blind received sight; the deaf hearing, the lame walking. We have seen these things. In person. In Oaxaca there may have been physical healings. But that drama happened between God and the sick, this time without the team’s eyewitness. This trip—this incredible trip—was all about spiritual healing. Earthly blessings, yes. But eternal, Kingdom blessings abounded. Stopped at a roadside stand to buy coconut milk, the knife-wielding coconut lady heard the gospel message and believed. That was not the only “random” incident resulting in souls for the Kingdom that day. Or during our time in Mexico. But for me, the men’s prison became the site of miracles. God took my flaws, sins, and shortcomings and used me as an ambassador for Christ, making his appeal by providing the words that were needed to heal two precious souls. We were initially permitted to be inside the walls for two hours. It turned into five. Men of various ages came to clinic, dressed in identical tan shirts and pants, a number imprinted on their cotton tops. Most complained of back pain, a few had serious issues related to injuries from fights or chronic illness, one man with yellow eyes had little time left on earth. But none of these situations broke my heart. That came later, when a boy sat across from me. His face, smooth and unblemished, testified to his youth. Dark hair hung into huge brown eyes that glanced at me with dull desperation before dropping to the floor. At nineteen years of age he had back pain from the hard work he did day after day weaving hammocks. This activity would continue for thirty more years, as he paid his debt for murder. Yet to me he didn’t look like a crazed felon or a depraved sinner. No, he looked like he could be one of my grandsons. After his exam and prescriptions, I really had to move on with the next patient. Time, that valuable commodity, would soon send us out of the prison and there were many waiting to be seen. But need blanketed me and dispersed any concerns about the schedule. The Holy Spirit wanted to speak. I sensed it profoundly as I laid my hand on the boy’s trembling knee.

I opened my mouth with no plan about what to say. “If I were your abuela, this is what I would tell you.” Since I don’t speak Spanish, I’m not sure where I got the word for grandmother. With an interpreter at my side, I stared at the young man until his downcast eyes met mine. The Holy Spirit gave me words. “You have two roads you can take. It’s your choice. One road leads to death. The other leads to life; it is the way to Jesus. He loves you. You cannot do anything to make him stop loving you. In fact, he loves you so much that he knows how many hairs are on your head. He doesn’t care where you’ve come from, only where you’re going. Even in this prison, he has a purpose and a plan for your life. All that’s required of you is to accept him.” I know I said more things, personal things that were mine alone to share but brought about by a God who never stopped loving this boy. My hand stayed on his knee, which had become still. His eyes focused on me, wide and unblinking, bright with unshed tears. “Do you understand what I’m saying? I love you as your abuela, because Jesus loved me first. As he loves you.” He nodded and went for prayer. I continued to see patients. The Prayer Team later told me he spent 45 minutes prone and crying in the alcove the prison uses for church services. And that he accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior. The same thing happened with a second boy, twenty years old, when the Holy Spirit prompted me once again to set aside the temporal and go for the eternal. I am not an evangelist, a prayer warrior, or a good person. Simply put, I have been blessed to be a blessing. And called to tell two lost boys that there is a Savior, and that they are loved. My shortcomings, my weakness, and my sin were no match for proclaiming the message of God.

This medical trip, accompanied by the care and treatment we always give, ended up being very different than the norm. We thought we were going to save physical lives. God sent us to present his plan of salvation through Jesus Christ. Although restored physical sight is a miracle, how much more is the miracle of restored spiritual sight? Wholeness for eternity, healing that will last forever—now that’s a mission. In the end, we got on the plane and returned home. But God, who loves without borders, will never leave. He will use others after us as he used them before us, all working together for the sake of his Kingdom.A small piece of my heart will now reside in a Mexican prison. I left it with two boys who will grow old behind bars, but who will never be alone again.

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all we can ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.- Ephesians 3:20-21