On-line Newsletter

From the Heart

Special Report

Jesus' words to His disciples, "your eyes and look at the fields they are ripe for harvest", 2000 years ago still ring true as tens of thousands of Hmong gathered for the 19th Annual Sports Tournament on Independence Day weekend here in the Twin Cities. I have heard of people coming from all over the United States and sometimes from around the world for such events in the past. However, I thought that as a Christian, I should not get involved in such event because it will eventually have an impact on my lifestyle. However the Lord has given a vision to reach the Hmong for Jesus Christ. And what occasion will be better for us to reach them and tell them that Jesus loves them and wants very much for them to come to Him than such event as this "Sports Tournament" event? I have reluctantly obeyed the Lord's command on this and ventured out by faith to do His will. This past holiday weekend we have made an impact in the lives of hundreds of people - even in small ways by showing -  and telling them that the Jesus Christ who died for their sins 2000 years ago is still very much alive and loves them very much.

Who Cares? Our purpose of being at the event was to show event goers that God does; and as His children, we do too. We care about their spiritual well-being. We care about their present situation and future destination. We want to show them that Jesus Christ came to die for them and wants very much to save them from their sins.

Following are some of the small but tangible ways in which we attempted to show them the love of Christ.

I. Giving A Cup of Water in the Name of Christ. We went into the event with some reservations as to what response we would receive from people if they knew that we were Christians who actually want to ~get in" to their territories. However, as we set our booth and put up the banner and signs, people actually flocked into our booth, even this Mormon missionary."

II. Soccer Ball Giveaway. A big "thank you" to Ann Oliver and Pat Peterson at Vision Twin Cities and the company that donated the soccer balls. We received 216 soccer balls as part of this outreach. People who received the balls have a chance to read a verse of Scripture about the love of God through Jesus Christ.

Many thanks go to Ann Oliver and the ministry of Vision Twin Cities for donating the soccer balls. These balls have made many young and old faces shine because of you passion and compassion. Thank you so much.

III. Balloons Giveaway. A part of this Outreach Operation, we gave away approximately 1500 balloons to children and adults alike, telling them that Jesus loves them. Over half of the balloons have been donated by Touamoua Lee, Family & Youth Advancement Services, Inc. board member and owner of HM Metro Realty & Builders in St. Paul.

Thank you, Toumoua, for your part in this outreach. Many blessing be yours as you partner with this ministry.

IV. Passing out Evangelistic Tracts. Through the generosity of the Hmong Baptist Fellowship and that of the Hmong District of the Christian & Missionary Alliance, a large quantity of Evangelistic Tracks and the gospel of John have been distributed to event goers during this Outreach Operation,

There have been approximately 2,500-3000 pieces of gospel and evangelistic tracks have been distributed on Saturday and Sunday We believe that an impact has been made in the lives of those who came to our booth.
 

Shake hands with General Vang Pao
It was a real treat to see former general Vang Pao at our booth on Sunday afternoon! As he made his round to visit vendors, he came and stopped at our booth for a few minutes. I had the privilege of shaking his hand and told him about our ministry and Jesus Christ. I told him that I am praying for him. I have received positive comments from him - the "real boss"! Mr. Vang had commented that what we are doing is needed and we should continue to do in helping Hmong families during this time of transition. It was great to see him there.

As we begin this inroad into the lives of Hmong in the Twin Cities, please pray that this ministry will be a light into Hmong family lives and bringing the light of Christ into their hearts.

Special Thanks to the following people:

• Woodland Hills Church members
• Woodland Hilts Church (for printing of Free Water Tickets)
• Wooddale Church members
• Campus Crusade for Christ student group
• St. Paul Hmong Alliance Church Youth group
• Calvary Alliance Church Youth group
• Mai Via Moua
• La Khang Moua
• Mee Vang
• Cheu Chang Moua & his wife
• Kimberly Smith
• Vong Vang
• Mrs. Wang Lue Yang
• Board of Directors of Family & Youth Advancement Services, Inc.

All of you have made history on July 3 & 4, 1999. Only eternity will tell what impact your sacrifice have made on that occasion. On behalf of the hundreds, perhaps thousands of Hmong men. women and children you have touched, thank you. Thank you because you cared and came to show them that life is more than just having fun on Independence Day.

The Lord hasd many doors and presented many opportunities for us to do ministry these days. Jesus said to His disciples, "We must do the work of Him who sent Me while it is day. Night is coming when no one can work" (John 9:4).

As we look at current events around the globe and the uncertainty of the future, what do
people have to hang on to? Scripture has promised the return of the Lord Jesus one of these days
to rule as Lord and King. We must do the work of the Lord as He has said, He who believes in Me will do the work that I do, and greater works than these must he do because I go to the Father" (John14:12).
 

Operation Reach Out Went Successfully.
Many thanks to our volunteers who have helped make this event possible. Without the many dedicated people who spent those two days at the park, we would not have done what we did. Thank so much for what you have done in reaching out to the Hmong family.

Operation Reach Out Financial Report:   
The following statement is an overview of the expenses incurred at the event.

Besides the above, the following have also been donated to make the Outreach possible.

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Where Are We Going From Here?

This is a question that, as a ministry, we must ask ourselves and answer as clear as possible. The Lord has brought us thus far in establishing a ministry to reach the Hmong community. We want to be faithful to the call that the Lord has placed in our ministry. During the past year and a half, I believe that the Lord has put us where we are to test us. He has placed a burden into my heart to test the faithfulness of His people to the task at hand.

Now that the Lord has found His people to be faithful, He will continue to do what He has promised beforehand what He was going to do. We want to make this event an annual Outreach to the Hmong community as they gather year after year. Would you consider becoming a part of this Outreach?

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Praise

• Praise the Lord for His faithfulness in guiding this ministry day after day to today.
• Praise the Lord for the number of people who volunteered their times over the Operation Reach Out event.
• Praise the Lord for the provision of the Gospel Tracts and Evangelistic Tracts provided by Hmong District and Hmong Baptist Fellowship.
• Praise the Lord for financial resources that have been provided through His people who gave willingly and sacrificially.
• Praise the Lord for His goodness and grace in sustaining the ministry of Family & Youth Advancement Services one month after another.
• Praise the Lord for the speedy healing and recuperating of Cher's surgery. God is good! Praise His name!
   

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Prayer Requests

On behalf of the ministry of Family & Youth Advancement Services, I want to thank you in advance for your prayer as we continue to reach out to the community through our various ministry programs. Please remember the following ministry programs in your prayer before the Lord as He brings them to your mind:

"Hmong Christian Herald" Newspaper.
It is critical that we make use of every possible means to reach Hmong with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. However, currently we are in need of someone who will have a heart to reach the Hmong and experience in Journalism and/or communication in writing articles/reports and sales to assist in ads sales to cover the cost of publication. This is a great and urgent need. Please pray with us for this person and if you or anyone you know who wants to be involved in reaching Hmong, please contact me at the address below. Thank you in advance for your response.

"Suab Xa Moo Zoo" Radio Program.
As reported to you on our March-May ~From the Heart" Newsletter, the Lord has been pleased to grant us a radio program aired on Northwestern College Radio Network, KTIS AM 900. We are thankful to the Board of Directors and Management at KTIS for their generosity in providing us with free production and air-times. As a ministry, we want to be active in this cutting-edge ministry in reaching out to the community. However, we are dependent on the Lord and His people like you if we are going to do what the Lord has called us to more effectively.

Currently we have a volunteer Program Director/Co-host, but the load is much more than he can handle on a voluntary basis. We would very much like for him to become at least a part-time staff so that he can focus his attention more on producing a quality program that will reach and touch the hearts of our listeners. Please pray with us for this need as well.

Studios and Office Spaces are Needed as well. We are grateful to the Salvation Army East Side Corpse for providing an office space for the ministry to be held here. However, because the doors for ministry ared wide, we do not want to miss the opportunity to share the gospel, and the
ministry is expanding to meet the challenging needs, we have outgrown our present office space. We also need a studios for programming production so that we can use it more effectively and efficiently without putting additional burdens to KTIS staff for production times.

Please pray for that the needed office space and studios will be provided so the ministry will go without hindrance. Thank you for your part in this cutting-edge ministry.

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Become a part of this exciting ministry!
To contact us or to request more information - click here!