Dear Reverend Diaz,
Grace and peace to you today. May the Lord be your ever-present help in time of need this week.

On the wall above my desk hangs one of my favorite photos. I've passed by it hundreds of times over the past four years, and now I'm privileged to have it in my office. At first glance, it's a rather insignificant picture. Four Asian men in simple clothing are sitting on the ground under a shelter. One is barefoot, eating an apple. You can tell they are taking a break from hard work.

What has inspired me is the expression on their faces--determination, intensity and a deep understanding of God's will for them. The four men are native missionaries with GFA, and each has given up more than we could understand to take the Gospel to the unreached. They've traveled likely hundreds of miles by foot and train to a conference in North India. Their mission field is one of the darkest in the world, and they face much opposition and strife in a land where millions have never heard of Jesus.

Their faces constantly remind me to press on and not give up as we work together to reach the lost. It reminds me that we are members together in the body of Christ, sharing a common purpose. Together we are the hands and feet of Jesus ministering to a lost world. Our labor and sacrifice for the Kingdom is not in vain.

I pray today's updates and reports are a blessing to you!

For those who've never heard,

John Schwartz
Gospel for Asia


P.S.: Manja's case is still scheduled to be heard May 7. Please continue to pray for his release!

Learning to Love [Sri Lanka] - 04/21/04

Violence, screams, soldiers. Terror-filled villagers fleeing their burning homes. Then running, running, running—into the darkness—surrounded by family and friends, yet utterly alone.

Sundaram’s eyelids shot open. It was only a dream—the same dream that tormented him so many nights, yet his heart still pounded as he thought of the horror of that night. Never would he forgive the men who had ruined his life. He had lived comfortably, with every luxury but peace. After soldiers attacked his home that awful night, he lost everything. Not knowing where to turn, he and his family cowered in fear and took refuge in the forests.

His heart burned with hatred for the soldiers who had destroyed him. His mother suggested he join the opposing army. With her continued persistence, telling him it was for his protection, Sundaram finally relented.

Training for combat against the government hardened Sundaram further. Day after day, the fire that kept him going was his hatred for his enemies. He wanted only to kill them. But soon the bitterness in his heart consumed him, filling him with a random desire to kill.

Then Sundaram was permanently sent home. When he arrived, he found his family very different from the angry grudge-bearers he had left. They smiled. How long had it been since he had smiled? Had he ever really been happy? Perhaps they had found revenge, or maybe they were building a nice home. He wasn’t prepared to hear the true cause of their joy.

His mother told him they worshipped a new God, Jesus Christ—a God of love, mercy and forgiveness. Sundaram found that hard to comprehend. He realized that if he gave up his rancor, there would be nothing left in him. His mother invited him to church. Reluctantly, he agreed.

Like his family members, everyone there had a mysterious air of joy and peace. What was it about these people? Sundaram wondered. After several visits, he began losing the hatred he had guarded so closely. Though he didn’t know it, the Spirit of God was working in him. One day, he understood that Christ had suffered so much on Calvary—for him. He asked Jesus to rescue him from anger. By God’s grace, Sundaram was able to forgive his enemies. Finally the burden he’d carried for so long was gone.

Sundaram began a long journey of transformation after his new birth in Christ. Daily he submitted his life to the One who had set him free. With the same zeal and enthusiasm that had driven him in combat—but with a different motive and Source—he boldly proclaimed the Good News to the lost around him. Seeking God’s will, he yielded to His plan for his life—full-time ministry.

After three years of training at a Gospel for Asia Bible college, Sundaram returned to his own people, who desperately needed hope in Jesus. He faithfully shares the love of Christ with them.

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