It was a joy to watch what God did through SEAPC Raising Kids in 2017. There were times when it was difficult to keep up with Him because He was doing so much. Thank you to everyone who partnered with SEAPC Raising Kids through prayer, resource, and time to bless orphaned, abandoned, and at-risk children.One of my favorite stories from 2017 was about Sitha and a new children’s home in Kampong Thom, Cambodia.

When Sitha was in his early teens, his parents died of HIV. His mother, just before she died, arranged for Sitha and his siblings to live at NHO so that they would have a home and someone to care for them after she died.He was one of the first children sponsored when the sponsorship program started in 2003. He saw many struggles through his teens and early 20s as he searched for who he is and what God’s plan is for him. His sponsor stood by him, encouraging him and providing for his college education.After college, Sitha started working for SEAPC-Cambodia and NHO; filling a variety of roles. In April 2015, at the age of 30, he married the daughter of a pastor in Kampong Thom province. In July 2017, their first child was born. They incorporated his sponsors’ last name as the last name of their son to honor the relationship he has with the family who had supported him as he grew.Sitha has had many different dreams for what he wants to do with his life, but one core value has always remained: helping children who are in situations similar to what he went through.Within a month of his son’s birth, he and his family moved to Kampong Thom province to start a new children’s home. Very quickly, they found eight children who needed help and more children continue to come. He says that his goal is to be the best father to these children that he can be. He wants to see them grow up to know Jesus and to reach their full potential.To learn more about where and how SEAPC serves, click here.SEAPC is dedicated to changing lives through prayer. If your heart is moved and you would like to partner with us, you can donate here.

This guest blog post today was written by Grace (name changed for her safety), who recently traveled to Cambodia to teach English alongside her sister. Despite being in her early 20s, Grace already has experience doing missions work and enjoys spreading the love of Jesus wherever she goes.I recently traveled to Cambodia with my sister, where I learned a lot about what the Lord is doing in and through SEAPC in a village outside of Siem Reap called Banteay Meanchey with a population of about 678,033 people. While we were there, we lived and worked with the national missionaries in their home. The nationals consist of nine teachers who are preparing to teach English next year. The 11 of us did everything together: cooked, went to the market, went out to eat, got coffee, and so much more. Our days involved waking up every morning around 8 to worship together and study the Bible, and after lunch, we would lead an English lesson for the 9 missionaries. The transition from the United States to living with the nationals in their home was not very difficult, due to the fact that from the moment we were picked up from the airport, every person working with SEAPC was so very welcoming to us.

Although we didn’t live with the national missionaries for very long, we connected in many amazing ways, making our time there incredible. It only took a few days until we were all almost completely comfortable around each other. The Lord opened up many opportunities to talk about the gospel and exchange testimonies. We enjoyed talking about what God was doing in all of our lives separately, whether it was preparing for marriage, practicing English to get ready for the next year, or transitioning into new upcoming events, and we got to explore the ins and outs of our relationships with God and how He has been transforming our hearts. It was a blessing for us to share with them about the “10/40 window” (area of North Africa, the Middle East, and Asia approximately between 10 degrees north and 40 degrees north latitude, which is home to some of the largest unreached people groups in the world), and the importance of praying for this region. At the end of the two weeks, it was very difficult for us to leave. We really got to know each other on a personal level, and we are so thankful for absolutely everything they did with and for us during our stay.The most impactful thing the Lord taught my sister and me while in Cambodia was the importance of unity and togetherness in the body of Christ. In doing everything together, we grew in ways that were encouraging for all of us and made our time there so much more than just teaching. We made six pounds of fried chicken for a children’s home, sang at a Filipino church both Sundays, shared our favorite Bible stories, laughed and played games during English lessons, went to the night markets, spent time getting to know people who worked in nearby shops, took many moto rides, learned how to drive a tuk-tuk and make Cambodian dishes, and so much more all in the span of two weeks. My sister and I absolutely loved our time spent in Banteay Meanchey, and we built friendships that will last a lifetime.

To learn more about where and how SEAPC serves, click here.

SEAPC is dedicated to changing lives through prayer. If your heart is moved and you would like to partner with us, you can donate here.

Many SEAPC friends and ministry followers have read the post I had on Facebook requesting donations for Kindle Fire 7 tablets. Our goal was to send 50 tablets, and to date we have received funds and purchased 40 Kindles. In February, we will hand carry, deliver, and set up those tablets in the library of a recently rebuilt Christian school in Northern India.This past May, SEAPC and Pastor Mark Geppert were again invited to return to India and continue through the open door to minister alongside the Church of North India and their small Christian congregation in Kashmir in the city of Srinagar. We had many opportunities to fellowship with the church members and although small, the members held important positions in schools, healthcare, and government. One of the members was headmaster at the church sponsored school (Tynedale Biscoe School) that has had a longstanding relationship with the local, mostly Muslim, population. This school is a Christian school that is attended by more than 90% Muslim students and is called “the garden school” by many locals because of its well-kept building and beautiful floral gardens.

In September of 2010, there was a demonstration in the United States and that evening in Northern India, local residents who live in the area near Tynedale Biscoe School burnt down the school in retaliation to what they perceived as a disrespectful demonstration against the Quran by an American, fortunately without loss of life. The next day the hundreds of students and their teachers stood hand in hand on the hillside road above the school and tearfully looked over the ashes of the still smoldering school and wondered about the future of their education, friendship, and the dreams of ever enjoying such a blessed school. It took some time, but within a year the church, administration, church members, parents, and students rallied together and put up temporary buildings to begin classes. A Christian church organization in Germany and the Church of North India put together plans to finance and build a brand new school at the same location constructed out of masonry and steel.

Fast forward to 2016 and the new building was dedicated and the first classes were held. What a joy to see the photos of so many excited students! Our SEAPC team visited shortly after the dedication and were given a tour of the building and grounds. We entered the new library and admired the new reading desks, and beautiful glass covered and framed and completely empty bookshelves and asked the obvious question, “when are the paper books arriving?” “They’re too expensive and difficult to acquire locally,” the librarian stated. We suggested having them donated and shipped, but after research the price came out to over $6,000 USD, which was also too costly. That was when Bill Richardson suggested, "How about we restock with Kindles?”

They already have high-speed internet and now the latest books and publications from around the world will be available to them. So here we are ready to deliver on that vision with at least 40 Kindles to deliver and show in a very tangible way the Love of our Lord through these gifts. I'm excited to be part of the messenger team that will deliver this promise! There is still time to join in this blessing so please contact SEAPC to donate funds to increase the gift.To learn more about where and how SEAPC serves, click here.SEAPC is dedicated to changing lives through prayer. If your heart is moved and you would like to partner with us, you can donate here.

As a high school and college student, my very worst subject was science, especially the physical sciences. I remember so very little of what I learned. However, there is one word that always fascinated me, and that word was “osmosis,” or, “the spontaneous net movement of solvent molecules through a semipermeable membrane into a region of higher solute concentration, in the direction that tends to equalize the solute concentration on the two sides.”Somehow, in my limited understanding, I came up with a very simplistic and unsophisticated understanding of this concept, which can be transferred to many other areas than science.For example, the consuming, overpowering Glory of our Mighty God! When I first began a prayer ministry, I had little knowledge of the Glory, and even less as to how it manifested. However, over the years, as I have grown from an “outer court” dweller to an “inner court” dweller, I know that when we spend quality and focused time in His Presence, His Glory begins to become an infilling. Within this Glory is found Grace and Mercy, anointed intercession, empowerment for miracles, and supernatural love even for the unlovable.

How does this happen? I am convinced that the best way to describe it is…..osmosis, ie that process where His Glory actually seeps or soaks into you, just because you are in His Presence.And here is the most exciting part: the more you are in that place of His Glory, the easier it is to be covered with it. I don’t know about you, but as for me, I simply cannot, or WILL NOT enter into a time of ministry without allowing this amazing process to take place in me!Often it is thought that intercessors are just weak, quiet people who couldn’t really accomplish any important ministry assignment. But I believe that ANYONE who spends time in Glory of the Lord, regardless of their personality, education, or experiences will absolutely be a powerful force for the enemy to deal with. We are the “Attack” in the “Attack Lambs!” We are the “Lions” in the “Lion and the Lamb!”The closer we draw to Him, the more of His Glory we will receive. But I warn you, it is addictive!! It will change your life! You will truly begin to see what God’s Word means when he says in the prayer He taught us, “Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”Let His “spontaneous net movement of solvent molecules” pass through you and set you heaven bound on earth!To learn more about where and how SEAPC serves, click here.SEAPC is dedicated to changing lives through prayer. If your heart is moved and you would like to partner with us, you can donate here.

All SEAPC mission teams go first and foremost for the purpose of prayer, leading people, and using their unique God-given abilities. We are thankful for those that use their medical expertise to serve nations. This story exists to demonstrate a selfless team of medical professionals and prayer warriors. To read part one, click here. Along with his wife, Jean, Tim absolutely loves giving back on these trips. His first medical missions trip was to Mexico with his late mother, a cardiac care nurse. Tim continues to prioritize these trips, despite a demanding schedule, because they prove a way he and his family can continually give back. Tim is an incredible doctor. He was even approached by other organizations to use his skillsets abroad but he turned them all down. For him, sharing about Jesus remains one of the primary reasons he goes on medical trips. In their recent trip to Nepal, Tim prepared his patients for prayer and healing after their medical visits. With expectant hearts, many were supernaturally healed after receiving prayer.

Someone extremely important to the medical team, that has not previously been mentioned, is Mike Wolf. Mike, a District Manager for NTB, has been part of this group for the past couple years. His first missions trip was to Kenya, and he continues to make the various trips around the world using his time off like the rest. Mike described his time in Kenya as “the absolute best thing.” Mike was eager to keep serving around the world. Not long after his trip to Kenya, he was introduced to Harry and Laurel through a mutual friend. After going on a trip with them his heart was moved for medical missions. Mike has now gone on several trips, including the recent trip to Nepal, with these two couples. He offers an extremely caring and easygoing temperament which effortlessly puts people at ease. He helps wherever there proves a need and with a willing heart. In Nepal, this manifested in praying for the sick, helping in the makeshift pharmaceutical area, or assisting with intakes. Wherever Mike is he carries with him a sense of laughter and ease.

Whenever this group gets wind of a need, they go. This medical team often travels to beautiful destinations that could easily be mistaken for vacation spots, hauling with them medication and medical supplies across the globe to assist in meeting various needs. Whereas they could choose to spend this time cruising along the Galapagos or sailing in the Mediterranean—or simply enjoying the tourist sights of Southeast Asia—this team instead chooses to travel halfway around the world to sought after areas where they joyfully work eight-hour days and use squatty potties with the best of them. Their dedication and sacrifice is stunning to witness. To see hardworking people, in the prime of life, willing to sleep under the blanket of 10,000 stars is simply a rarity. Their heart for people in these remote villages remains truly remarkable. They partner with the Father to bring Heaven to earth in the most desperate of places.Having watched these healthcare professionals see hundreds of patients in the Himalayas, it is obvious they have a deep desire to witness every person experience God. They have a unique advantage as the very nature of their profession allows for touch and provides them with many opportunities to bless people subtly or pray over them. It is amazing to witness nurses and doctors flowing with the Holy Spirit. While in Nepal, they prepared their patients for an encounter with God at the end of treatment. Many were miraculously healed after receiving prayer, including those that were blind and or deaf. God is in the business of caring for the whole person, spirit, soul and body. In love, this group ushers their patients into divine encounters with the Father. Two of the patients decided to follow Jesus after medical attention followed up with prayer.

In the words of Tim Jones, “There is never an award without risk.” Bumping around unstable roads in the Himalayas is certainly a risk. Especially when there are no guardrails! This team thrives on adventure and loves to care for any and everyone in need. It is an honor they have chosen to partner with SEAPC over the years bringing dignity, healing, salvation, and encounters with Jesus to those all over the world. Their childlike faith and hunger for all the Father has to offer is absolutely beautiful. When friends question their choices to fly to malaria ridden places, Laurel simply responds, “We have been called and until He calls us out, we will keep doing it…” This team demonstrates it is never too late to say “yes” to God. He takes those little yeses and multiplies them into something so much greater.To learn more about SEAPC medical missions, click here.SEAPC is dedicated to changing lives through prayer. If your heart is moved and you would like to partner with us, you can donate here.

For the past decade, two incredible couples have ventured together to Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, and Haiti. While these locations prove beautiful, the Joneses and Houcks are not on vacation. This dynamic ensemble is comprised of two nurses, a certified functional medicine health coach, and a board certified family physician. They selflessly go out of their way to help people around the globe, offering up their monetary resources, often limited vacation time, and their professional skillsets to make these trips happen.

Tim and Jean Jones reside in Santa Barbara, California while Harry and Laurel inhabit Oakmont, Pennsylvania. At the turn of the century, they met through Riverside Community Church and quickly fell in love with medical missions. For Laurel, this passion for overseas missions was instantaneous. On her first medical missions trip to Kenya, she encountered the Holy Spirit underneath a tin roof in a small Masai church. As a nurse, she always loved to serve her patients however a desire for medical missions was ignited from this moment forward. It remains evident she was handpicked for this profession. Laurel comes alive when she is with her patients and it is impossible for them to leave untouched by the tenacity of her love. Each person on this medical team holds a similar depth in experience. This depth urges their continual unction to go, love, and serve.Harry, a geriatric nurse, has incredible childlike faith. Whenever Tim calls to discuss potential places in need of medical assistance, Harry mentally begins packing his bags. If someone on this tightknit team senses a need he remains willing to satisfy the need however he can. Harry and Laurel have gone to a few other places together to do medical missions, including Cambodia and Kenya. On a recent trip to Nepal, he was often received and enjoyed by those he was caring for. It was common to hear him dispensing laughter to patients alongside their more formal treatment.

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. A recently certified functional medicine health coach, she offers a valuable resource to the team. Tim and Jean Jones are now able to help find and treat the root cause of illnesses, recommending dietary changes, instead of suppressing the symptoms through medication alone. She is also a powerful prayer warrior and holds space for those to be truly seen and known during prayer. 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.Read part 2 here.To learn more about SEAPC medical missions, click here.SEAPC is dedicated to changing lives through prayer. If your heart is moved and you would like to partner with us, you can donate here.

When I reflect on what God has done this year in Mexico and Central America, I am reminded of the story of King Jehoshaphat when a vast army was coming against Israel to destroy them. He was afraid because he knew that Israel could not defeat them. In his anguish and helplessness, King Jehoshaphat cried out to the Lord. The Lord answered him by saying, “you don’t have to fight, the battle is mine but you still have to go down and face the enemy” and the Lord gave them a great victory. (2 Chronicles 20:15-17)This Year, Mexico and Central America were devastated by natural disasters that claimed hundreds of lives. They experienced the highest global rates of violence from gangs, drug lords, and corrupt political systems. It has taken a foothold over the nations. In the midst of all of this, SEAPC is going to the frontlines of this spiritual battle and invading Mexico, Guatemala, and El Salvador. SEAPC teams, led by Pastor Mark Geppert, are uniting churches by training, motivating, and mobilizing pastors to take back their cities for the kingdom of God. Just like Jehoshaphat, as we cry out, the Lord declares that the battle is not ours but that we have to go down to the front lines and face the enemy and He will do the rest.

The Attack Lambs seminars have transformed many churches by giving them strategies for warfare, while teaching them how to walk in power and authority through their identity in Christ! I have followed up with many pastors after the seminars and they are excited because they are seeing a powerful move of God as they go out into their cities and apply what they have learned. As a result of this, revival is taking place in these countries, many people are coming to the Lord, and the dagons of Mexico & Central America are bowing down. We praise God for SEAPC who is empowering and equipping everyday people to become world changers. We are looking forward to continue equipping pastors and encouraging them to show up in 2018, a great harvest is coming and we will see great victories throughout Mexico and Central America!To learn more about where and how SEAPC serves, click here.SEAPC is dedicated to changing lives through prayer. If your heart is moved and you would like to partner with us, you can donate here.

I have a cousin who always makes me chuckle when he refers to the joys and challenges of the wonderful process of aging. He says, “getting old is not for wimps!”

Today I want to add to that and say, “a life of prayer and intercession is not for wimps!” I will share this analogy with you, and you decide.In the era of the Roman Empire, the gladiators were a very important part of the culture, as they entertained the masses with their great feats of strength and endurance, most often even unto death. The process went something like this: a very wealthy man would visit the jails and prisons specifically searching for the one man who displayed the necessary potential traits which he felt could be, with proper training, nurtured and transformed into becoming a true champion. This would of course garner huge assets for this owner/trainer. After purchasing him, and releasing him from his bondage, the owner/trainer would then move the man from the prison to the training camp, where he would begin a vigorous and grueling program to prepare him for the ultimate battle. He would first be fed the very best meats and other high protein foods which would build muscle. He was able to eat high volumes of food as he was burning the calories through his exercise and strenuous weight lifting.In addition, his sore body would constantly be massaged and well oiled with healing ointments. And then, when the owner/trainer felt that he was ready, he was sent out to do battle!I submit to you that it is exactly the same with us! Listen! First the Lord chose us to be His. Then, He bought us. Oh yes, He paid a GREAT PRICE for us! Next, He released us from our bondage, and took us to the “training camp” - the CHURCH! There, we learned how to do spiritual warfare, how to pray, how to study and understand His Word, how to love one another, and how to minister to one another. And of course, we cannot forget, that in the training camp we were anointed with the healing and empowering infusion of the Holy Spirit! Then, when the Trainer/Owner knows that we are ready, we are sent out to do battle, to change the world with what we have been taught, and with how we have been trained! No, prayer warriors and intercessors are not wimps, we are GLADIATORS! We are trained, we are ready, and we will win! Hallelujah!To learn more about where and how SEAPC serves, click here.SEAPC is dedicated to changing lives through prayer. If your heart is moved and you would like to partner with us, you can donate here.

God gave me four acres of land and now His plan has begun through SEAPC in Nong Khai, Thailand. I thank God, because He used a little person like me for His great work. God has opened many doors to serve and reach peoplefor Him in Thailand.Even though Thailand’s schools have long taught English, the quality of English education is still very low. Most Thai people cannot fully communicate in English. Thailand is a member of ASEAN and needs English for communication, and while English has become very important and Thai people are becoming more active in speaking English, they still lack places to study. Teaching English is the first door to open for me to serve Him.Additionally, God has not only given me the opportunity to be an English teacher, but also to be a lecturer for training teachers, government officials, and staff in workplaces. This will give me so many more chances to witness and proclaim the gospel.

Because it is not legal to teach the Bible openly in Laos, some people from Laos will cross the border into Thailand to study the Bible. However, this is difficult for brothers and sisters from Laos because it is expensive to pay for accommodations in Thailand. And here’s the second door to serve through this new center for SEAPC Thailand.God gave me a vision to bring the gospel to the Vietnamese people and make disciples. And here's the third open door for SEAPC Thailand.In the future, this center for SEAPC Thailand will have a church, Bible school, dormitory, and learning center for community service.Thank God for bringing a good team to work together as a body of Christ at SEAPC Thailand in Nong Khai, to multiply and be fruitful for the Kingdom of God. And thank you very much from the bottom of my heart for all your prayers for Thailand. May God Bless you all!To learn more about where and how SEAPC serves, click here.SEAPC is dedicated to changing lives through prayer. If your heart is moved and you would like to partner with us, you can donate here.

This story was originally shared in the SEAPC magazine. Considering that today marks their annual Christmas celebration, we wanted to share this again! Read more about Mendies Haven here. On a hill in the outskirts of Kathmandu, unassuming, surrounded by homes and stores, sits Mendies Haven, home to 27 young people ages 6 and up. These youth have come to the home for many different reasons and, like those who have grown up there before them, have found a place where they can flourish. They are showered in the unconditional love given to them through Charles and Susan Mendies and their family. Mendies Haven has been caring for children for over 50 years. This has given them time to build some wonderful traditions. Two of those traditions are truly inspirational.

When a young person has completed their education, found a job and is ready to leave the home to venture out on their own, Mendies Haven throws a party. It is a symbol of the work that the youth has put into what they have done, marking their success and send off into the world as an adult. The most recent party was for a young woman named Sabitri. She is a very nice young lady who was helping Susan with some of the office work in her spare time while attending college. Now, she has a job in Dubai. She is off on an international adventure; fully capable of sharing Jesus everywhere she goes. The home prepared special food for everyone. As they ate, they celebrated Sabitri and her success and prayed over her. What an encouragement for her to see and feel their love for her. What an encouragement to everyone else as they see one of their own successfully moving onto the next phase of her life.

The second tradition that Mendies Haven has is one that happens every December 26. That is open house day at the Haven. They hold a huge Christmas celebration and everyone who has lived at Mendies Haven and their families are welcome to come and celebrate Jesus together. Susan says that different people show up every year and it is a great time of reunion and joy. It is a vision of the multiplication that happens when lives are changed one at a time because they had been brought to a place of Jesus’ love. In addition, the celebration is open to the young children in the area, giving them the opportunity to see the love of Jesus and how He changes lives. What traditional celebrations do you have? Do you take time to celebrate life’s victories? God loves celebrations. He mandated certain celebrations in the Old Testament. Celebrations serve as reminders of the great things He does and encourage us to rejoice in Him. It’s a time to “stop and smell the roses,” enjoying the beauty before moving on to cultivate the next rose.To learn more about where and how SEAPC serves, click here.SEAPC is dedicated to changing lives through prayer. If your heart is moved and you would like to partner with us, you can donate here.