“Little is much when God is in it” sets the tone for this edition. From Vietnam’s Central Highlands, Esther shares a powerful testimony of healing and new faith among the H’Mong, where radios and Bible study are opening hearts to Jesus. In Liberia, AFA partners are caring for vulnerable children through three mission schools and a growing safe home—urgent needs include mattresses, food and clothing.

In Nepal, families displaced by floods now have dry, sturdy homes—and with $16,000 raised, a new church is on the way. Myanmar’s Lutheran Church is delivering lifesaving relief to displaced families, while in the Philippines Pastor Larry rides mountain trails to serve the Dumagat communities with Word and practical care. Also inside: VALBI graduations (Đồng Nai & Pleiku in Vietnam), Thorothy becoming a shining light in Sabah, and a Laos appeal for the LPC dorm.

Resilient faith headlines this edition as Pastor Rabindra reports explosive growth in Nepal—34 new church plants since 2022, with believers standing firm despite anti-conversion laws, earthquakes and floods.

Follow our six-member AFA team on their April/May mission tour to Sabah, Nepal and Medan: scholarships at Sabah Theological Seminary, vibrant new congregations in Kathmandu, and a colourful graduation concert at Manna School—now educating more than 200 children.

Also inside: a call to serve Vietnam’s remote H’Mong churches, Liberia’s 500-acre Kolonta farm and Pastor Vai’s inspiring graduation, plus an urgent appeal for victims of the 7.7-magnitude Myanmar earthquake. Thank you for praying, giving and going—together we keep hope alive across Asia and Africa.

In this issue of FiRE, we pay tribute to Pastor August Fricke, whose recent passing has left a profound impact on our mission. Pastor August’s legacy of compassion and dedication built the foundations of Asia Focus Australia, reaching countless lives. We also share highlights from Esther Hien’s inspiring visit from Vietnam, where her stories of ministry touched hearts and drew support for her ongoing work. As we continue supporting partners in 14 countries, we invite you to join our next mission trip in April/May 2025, an opportunity to see firsthand the difference your support makes across Asia and Africa.

If Pastor August had not become involved in helping the decimated populations in East Timor and Banda Aceh in 2003-2004, the Asia Focus that we know today would not have had its inception. Pastor August did this with faith, and a conviction for social justice, that has led to incredible growth and impact today. God has multiplied the AFA outreach in amazing ways that I’m sure Pastor August would have never dreamt of. Small (and large!) acts of generosity, done with a sincere heart, can set change in motion and over time, move the proverbial ‘mountains’.

In this issue, we look at some of the small beginnings which have created big changes currently in the lives of hundreds of people in South East Asia and Africa. These articles are only a sample of what God has multiplied out from the faithfulness of the supporters of Asia Focus. We may feel insignificant or doubt our ability to actually make a difference for God’s Kingdom when the needs are so enormous. As I so often remind myself: “God’s got it. He’s the Master Gardener and our little seeds of faith contain the potential for towering trees.”

All praises and glory be to the glorious Name of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirt! Bishop Dr. Andrew Mang Lone and all church leaders as well as all congregations from Myanmar Lutheran Church give thanks to the Lord for answering our crises and prayers with faith. We thanked specially to the AFA’s good leadership team who were listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit to stand with the suffering brothers and sisters in Myanmar to show their solidarity towards the suffering communities in Myanmar.

Dive into the latest edition of FiRE, where we celebrate the incredible journey of faith and generosity that connects us all to the heart of mission in Asia and beyond. This issue is a tribute to the unwavering support of our readers and donors, whose contributions have sparked a beacon of hope and transformation across 15 countries.

Discover the life-changing impact of donations in the Philippines, explore the collaborative venture with Esther in Vietnam, and witness the digital blessings at the Manna School in Medan. We're also excited to share updates on the new premises for the Youth Development Center in Thailand, the resilient earthquake relief efforts in Nepal, the enduring spirit amidst persecution in the Himalayas, and crucial emergency aid for new developments in Paletwa, Myanmar.