(Image: Alexandre Chambon)
MISSION UPDATE: FEBRUARY 15, 2020
Dear Readers,
It’s with great sadness that I announce the missions trip to East Asia has been cancelled. With permission, I’ve pasted the notice from our team coordinator below (though some info is redacted for security/confidentially purposes). But I wanted to take a moment to personally thank everyone who committed their support, whether via prayer or financial giving. I will be in touch with donors directly in the coming days concerning your refunds. Thank you guys SO much for your love and support. I’m super bummed by this, but trust the Lord’s hand in it all. I love you guys. Thank you! Please keep China and all surrounding areas in prayer. 🙏🏾 - VEF
“I am sorry to announce that the summer trip to [East Asia] has been canceled. After discussing the trip with [our team lead] this week, he reached out to various contacts with CRU and the IMB who had planned to host summer teams to see what their plans are. Everyone is canceling their summer trips.
The greatest contributing factor isn't our personal safety. The issue is with the uncertainty of what the semester will look like for students. As I said in my previous email, campuses are closed and there really isn't a timeline for reopening. I read one report this week that said it is possible for the virus to be around for at least 6 more months. While no one can tell for sure, we are 100% certain that the university in East Asia will be impacted throughout the semester once classes begin. Non-students might not even be able to get onto campus. It is just too hard to plan with airline tickets, hotels, raising support and everything else that goes into putting a trip together. We felt that it was better to make a decision now instead of waiting until closer to the trip dates when the outcome would have likely been the same.”
Dear Readers,
I hope this letter finds you well. As I’ve kept busy with producing Gospel-centered content for Truth + Fire (the blog) and Truth + Fire: The Podcast, I’ve been feeling compelled to also do the work of spreading the Gospel to all peoples via international missions. In fact, a few years ago, I began praying about potentially moving overseas to do just that. After sharing this desire with my Pastor, we both agreed to my taking a few short-term missions trips before I made a final decision to relocate abroad. In addition to gaining experience with engaging other cultures in their context, such trips would also aid me with prayerfully identifying a region where I might be of most service to the Lord, if my living abroad be the Lord’s will.
So, with my Pastor’s support and recommendation, I have been invited to travel to East Asia this spring for a short-term missions trip in partnership with Third Avenue Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky. During this two-week trip, I will have a chance to share the Gospel with students at a local university. East Asia is among the unreached regions for the Gospel, so a great majority of students will be hearing the Gospel for the first time. We will then connect any students who show interest to our long-term missionary friends, who will continue to meet with them on a regular basis.
As I prepare to join the Third Avenue team for this two-week effort, I ask that you would prayerfully consider partnering with us for this mission. There are two ways you can do so.
First, our team will need prayer to bring our requests to the Father. This task takes first priority. We need as many people as possible to cover this trip in prayer, that God may display his sovereign power in answering those requests.
Second, I will need $3,000 in order to go. This cost covers all travel and living expenses during the trip. The team at Third Avenue has shared testimonies of how God has provided abundant resources in the past, and I trust he will again.
Both forms of support are vital to this mission. We cannot take the Gospel to East Asia without faithful partners like you who can pray, give, or both. I will gladly keep you informed through regular email updates before, during, and after the trip. I will also post updates to this my blog.
Christ lived a perfect life, bore the wrath of God on the cross, and rose again that anyone who repents and believes may have eternal life with Him. But thousands in East Asia will suffer eternal punishment in hell if they never receive this glorious hope. That is why I must go.
Will you send me?
If you wish to support this mission, you may visit the Donate page to give online or download and complete a response form that you may give by check or join our prayer network. If you would like to partner with us, please respond quickly. Our primary deadline is February 28, 2020 in order for the team to buy plane tickets and make hotel reservations. Your support will also be greatly appreciated even after this time. All financial gifts are tax-deductible.
I’m grateful for your readership, your listenership, and your engagement on social media. I’m also appreciative of your considering supporting me in this effort. I am eager to hear back from you soon.
Sincerely,
Constance Troutman aka @veriteetfeu