26 May In Him, our labour is not in vain
Dear friend and prayer partner,
“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labour is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58).
I feel a mild relief, the sense that the worse is over with Covid-19 now that local and international travel restrictions are being lifted. However, in its place are other challenges, with some places having it worse than others. Hanging over all of us is the war in Ukraine. Aside from the pain for those directly involved, it sets off ripples that all of us feel – in inflated costs of oil, food basics, and economic uncertainties.
In Asia, crackdowns by the ruling Junta in Myanmar have been harsh, causing unnecessary loss of lives, homes, and untold suffering. In Sri Lanka, a corrupt and inept leadership has impoverished a populace with runaway inflation and shortages of medicine, fuel, and basic necessities.
In these highly challenging circumstances, I think about our dedicated Co-Mission Partners and network partners in different countries across South Asia and South-East Asia. They are God’s faithful servants, serving even as they go through their own personal challenges.
The text of 1 Corinthians 15:58 so appropriately describes them. They are doing the ‘work of the Lord’ – their motivations and spheres of ministry are from Him. In Him, they have the assurance that their labours of love are not in vain. On that same score, I encourage all of us, as donor and prayer supporters – let us continue to faithfully serve in the spheres that He has assigned to us. We are doing it for Him and our labours are not in vain.
Please do continue to pray for the AsiaCMS team. With the travel restrictions relaxed, members of our core team have resumed their travels. Over the next few months, projects that were on hold because of Covid-19 will resume. These will strengthen God’s churches and people in their efforts for His mission.
In a world of inequalities, unnecessary sufferings and lopsided opportunities, may all have equal opportunities to know and experience God’s grace and salvation in Christ.
In Him,
Rev. Chan NamChen (Ph.D.)
Executive Director