Expanding the Kingdom: May Update Letter

First Trip to SE Asia for 2024

In January, I took my first trip of the year with HeartCry to Southeast Asia. It was after I officially started working for them from home, while we were still living in MN. All 3 of us Asia coordinators went to Vietnam together. We stayed with a group of 7 pastors in an obscure hotel and we taught them around 24 sessions in all. These pastors lack theological education and come from "sensitive" areas in Vietnam. They are farmers who work daily in the fields to support their families, and try to shepherd their flocks during the week as well. You can learn more about the trip HERE.

Malaysia, Thailand & Cambodia

In March, just a month after we moved to Roanoke, one of the other Asia coordinators and I traveled to Malaysia, Thailand, and Cambodia. We held a two-day training in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for 10-15 Tamil-speaking pastors (a language primarily spoken in Southern India). None of them have had any seminary training, yet they are pastoring churches in Malaysia. In Ratchaburi, Thailand, we visited a new potential contact for HeartCry, a Filipino pastor who runs an English club for children. While there, I also had the chance to share the Gospel with some undergraduate students. Then, in Siem Riep, Cambodia, we visited 4 Khmer pastors and encouraged them through the Scriptures. All these churches in SouthEast Asia are being used by God to expand His Kingdom even in the midst of persecution and poverty.

Tien Phong Ministries Update

In April, I was able to register Tien Phong Ministries with the government in Vietnam to make it an official, legal company. This important step will help us build a stronger ministry that will serve many generations to come. Also, because of your generous donations, we have expanded to a team of 5 committed members: 3 translators and 2 designers. We are currently finishing two versions of the Pilgrim's Progress, one for adults and one for children, as well as some other projects, such as:
- Knowing the Living God, by Paul Washer
- Nine Marks of A Healthy Church, by Mark Dever
- Twelve Ordinary Men, by John MacArthur
- Twelve Extraordinary Women, by John MacArthur
- Let the Nations Be Glad, by John Piper
- When I Don't Desire God, by John Piper
- A Vietnamese Study Bible, a partner project with Crossway and the Vietnam Bible Society

Our Churches in Roanoke

Ever since moving to America, I have wanted to know more about the Vietnamese community here, especially Vietnamese believers. After arriving in Roanoke, the Lord led me to find a Vietnamese church just around the corner from where we're currently living! They meet at the Faith Alliance Church each Sunday from 9:30-10:30am. After meeting and talking with the pastor and his wife, they invited me to come preach at their church. What started as one sermon, has continued on for the last 4 weeks! It has been a joy for me to preach the Word of God to this small church of 8 believers, none of which were born into a Christian family. They meet every week to study the Bible, to pray and to hear the Word of God. I am happy to be where I am at right now!

As a family, we also found a local church, Riverdale Baptist Church, and recently became members. We are blessed to be surrounded by a community of believers that loves the Lord and preaches the Word of God faithfully. A couple years ago this church was about to close its doors, but God has been at work and it is now a growing body of Christ with about 60 members. We are blessed to call this church home.

1. For Tien Phong Ministries to continue to make good progress with its translation and publishing projects in the next quarter.
2. For Daniel's upcoming trip to Vietnam, China, and the Philippines in June.
3. For our family to continue to adjust to our new life here - for Daniel to be a blessing at HeartCry, for Cassandra's doula business to take off, and for our kids to make friends and grow in their understanding of the Gospel.
4. For Cassandra and Daniel as they travel together to Vietnam this summer to reconnect with the ministry and visit some HeartCry supported pastors there; and for our kids who will stay home with their grandma while we travel.