January 2011

Dear Ps. Francis Yip & SJAG congregation,

The past year had been fruitful, giving us a major breakthrough. We have managed to sign a 10-year agreement with the Yunnan Ministry of Education and Yunnan Provincial Ethnic Affairs Commission, giving us a bridgehead into our work here in China. First covering Bai and Dai literacy projects, then to other minority groups in Yunnan and ultimately to all rest of the minority groups in China (estimated 70 million people).

This agreement is a once in a lifetime opportunity to get a sustainable government ownership and expansions across China. It is like a blank cheque for our work here. We hope that what we do in Yunnan will serve as a launching pad for future bilingual education work in other provinces in China which will hopefully become a showcase of bilingual education work to Southeast Asia and the rest of the world.

The winds of change is here with the State Ministry of Education asking all provinces, Autonomous Regions and Municipalities in the country to submit to the ministry on all Bilingual Education projects done at every level. Our 10-year agreement with the relevant government departments is timely to position ourselves.

End of October 2011, we will have the first International Symposium on Zero Bilingual Education in Yunnan. The events are intended to attract about 250 to 300 participants. Targeted audiences are the education ministry officials, minority work officials, scholars, academicians and international bodies who are interested in China Bilingual educations work and progress. The project is timely held to disseminate the vision, mission, ethos and values on Zero Barrier Bilingual Education under the SIL guidance and frameworks to the intended policy-makers, policy-implementers and friendly parties.

Lastly we need all your prayers. We enclose a small gift as a token of our gratitude of partnership.

Martin, Diana & Joyous Chow

In this missions trip to Cebu, we experienced the manifestation of God's power because as we prayed for those who responded for altar calls, so many, even young children, were touched by God, they wept; some fell under the power of God. I didn't expect them to fall on sandy ground during the open are crusade when we prayed for them. God was and is real in our midst.I encourage all of you, young and old, to go for missions, not only to be used mightily by God but to see the wonders of God. There will be lots of fun and laughter too.

(Maryanne)

Apprehension—That's how I felt before going; not knowing what to expect

Excitement—upon reaching the land of Cebu, finally I am here!

Amazed—God using the team to minister to the people

Wonderment—God's presence felt so strongly at each altar call

Awed—I can't imaging God using first timers like some of us to reach out to peopleGrateful—God made me see and experience His greatness & love for the Cebu people

(Irene Lai)

Once we decided to go for this Cebu Mission Trip, many of us have been praying for God to move, using us as vessels to touch lives and to share the gospel to the lost. Praise the Lord, it was indeed a very exciting & fruitful missions trip, many lives have been touched, souls been saved. I am excited and challenged to see the amazing things God has done. Through this trip, my resolution for 2009 is to go for more missions trips. All glory & honour be unto our Lord.

(Irene Lim)

Praise God !! Hallelujah !!2nd to 9th October 2008 is indeed a memorable time in my life. It was really a breakthrough time for me:

1. Going for a trip without family so far away
2. Having to renew my passport/exchange currency on my own
3. Preparing testimonies/devotional material (I hadn't even written a greeting card/message for umpteen years)
4. Walking in the hot sun at mid-day without an umbrella (for that matter, to go out in the middle of the hot day is rather unthinkable in Malaysia for me)
5. Praying so fervently privately or publicly, and seeing people slain under the power of God right in front of us.
6. Seeing so many joy and enthusiasm in people who are so impoverished and yet uncomplaining
7. Experiencing God's presence and power, wanting more
8. Willing to forego shopping/rest to do ministry
9. Coming home with an emptier luggage bag instead of being overloaded (it's hard to understand, but indeed a big breakthrough for me personally)
10. Given me a greater appreciation of all the blessings we are showered with (food, clothing, shelter, etc.)

(Diana)

This missions trip was a breakthrough for me. Before leaving for Cebu, I was highly reluctant to participate in stage ministry as I've always seen myself in background ministry. However, through this trip, God has been great and shown me that despite our feelings of inadequacy and imperfections, God's grace is more than sufficient and we are but a vessel to channel His blessings. Praise God !!!

(Jee Jin)