Tuesday, July 29, 2008

To friends, family and visitors:

Thank you for taking the time to visit this site. I am very excited to inform you about my recent opportunity to spend the next seven months in Southeast Asia (September-March), where I will serve as a missionary journalist with ****** **** Ministries. I hope this site can connect me to you as a I post videos, pictures and blogs that will let you know how I am doing.

****** **** **********

*** is an organization that works to strengthen the body of Christ in Access-Restricted nations such as China, India, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, and other restricted countries. Believers in these regions face the constant threat of government persecution for their fatih. Along with political threats, these people face disease, extreme poverty and environmental disasters.

*** works through its Church Empowerment Program (CEP) training leaders and pastors, Project A.S.I.A (Assistance and Services in Action), and provides Bibles and Christian literature, prayer and mission conferences.

Why Go?

I believe Jesus when he calls his disciples in these regions blessed (Luke 6:20). These disciples are blessed because they have the ability to look past the luxury and comfort of this fading age. Believers who are crushed and pressed in on every side can more readily set their hope fully on the eternal kingdom to come (1 Peter 4:12).

I believe that Jesus fundamentally humbles those in high and lofty positions and empowers those who are low and humble (Luke 3:5). On a global scale, the integration between nations of separate class and race is God's will. They are additives in God's plan for the "the whole world to see his salvation."

By taking this trip, I pray that God will allow me to live out his humility and his empowerment to the nations.

My Mission

Working with ****** Asia, my mission is to act as liaison between the persecuted church and the Western world. I will be stationed in Bangkok, Thailand, and will travel throughout Southeast Asia, producing newsletters, writing monthly prayer updates, creating and updating a web site, creating video documentaries, and writing books. Using journalism, I hope to understand the faith of the suffering church as well as God's heart for these regions.

It is my prayer that the work God will do in me and through me, will inspire my own heart and will inspire us in the West to live a life fully devoted to God's kingdom.

I believe that the suffering church has something to offer me personally, as well as the rest of us here in the West. If you can, through prayer or finances, please support me in this mission to humbly empower the persecuted church.

Fundraising

I am currently fundraising to make this trip possible. For this seven month period I am aiming to raise $1,000 a month for day-to-day living expenses and traveling throughout Southeast Asia. My roundtrip ticket to Thailand costs $1100-$1500. I am also fundraising for the camcorder, laptop and programming equipment that I will need. Altogether expenses round to $11,000.

To family, friends and new visitors, thank you for taking the time to stop by. I hope this will not be the last time we meet here. Your continuous love and support over the years has allowed me to be someone who can be effective in this field. I hope that wherever I am in the world, I will make you proud.

If you would like to partner with me on this mission, through finances, prayer, or both, please e-mail your name and address to ejon321@hotmail.com.

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18

Please feel free to leave comments of support.

4 comments:

Sarah Nicole said...

Eric! :) I am soo excited for you and what God is doing in your life. I feel so blessed to have known you for such a long time and to see you grow in your love for God and His people! I will definitely be praying for you, and would like to financially help you as well. I'll let you know when I can give you $$ :-D

<3,
Sarah

Chim said...

Eric,
I feel honored to have met you at FOL prior to your departure because now I can be a partner with you! How exciting! I will pray for you and I am praying about making a financial support pledge too. My husband and I are suppose to leave for India for a visit of missions from November thru January (?) and I want to make a stop-over in Thailand to visit Handclasp and maybe you too?
Fay and Chim Mandalia-Lutheran Maritime Ministries
PS You can check out our blog at lmmnewsletter.blogspot.com

Dayna Hardee said...

Eric,
Today's the day, the beginning of your faith-filled journey! You are on our hearts and in our prayers! The Lord has richly blessed us with your friendship and we are humbled and privileged to pray for you every step of the way. May your awe of the Lord be magnified at every turn and may His angels guard and protect you vigilantly as they hear the chorus of prayer being lifted for you -and the work the Lord has set out for you to accomplish. Love from Jake, Greg and Dayna Hardee

Saralegui Family said...

Hello Dear Eric,

We have been reading your blogs and we have been so blessed and touched by them. We pray that God will continue to provide financial help during this mission. We are so excited to see how our father in heaven is working in your life. We will continue to pray for you and all our brothers and sister in this mission. In his love... The Saralegui Family