New Land at Tumbang Samba, Kalimantan (Aug08)

You can only imagine what THRILL, PRIVILEGE and JOY it is to send this newsletter to you. By the time you read this newsletter, we are in the process of constructing another new church. Our hearts are stirred when we reflect on what God has done and is going to do in the region of Katingan.

First of all, I would like to thank my fellow colleagues in the ministry who took time out from their very busy schedule to minister to God’s workers and people in Katingan. My guests were Ps Jason Goh (Snr Pastor AOG Kelana Jaya Malaysia), Ps Johan (Snr Pastor AOG Bandung), Ps Okkie Elisa (Snr Pastor AOG Bogor), Ps Diaspora (Snr Pastor AOG Kebun Kosong), brother Purnomo, Ev. Kim Poh and the ladies group from Taman Doa Imanuel led by Ibu Lisna Judiputra. And last but not least, to brother Abraham Varughese and his wife Margaret, who ministered to a gathering of 150 pastors in Elika Retreat House, Bandungan Central Java. Their diversity of gifting, words of season and encouragement had indeed been a blessing to all of God’s people.

In mid-2007, we purchased a 1000sqm block of vacant land in Tumbang Tarusan and the intention was to build a church and pastori in 2009. However, God has other plan. He works behind the scene calling on one of His faithful sons to finance His work. As I write this newsletter, construction is already underway! We expect the work to be completed by end-2008 or early-2009. Once completed, this church is in an ideal and strategic location for the Gospel to be proclaimed in the villages along the lower-stream of the Katingan River. It will also be a heavenly haven, private sanctum for God’s warriors/missionaries to rejuvenate after their day of ministry. All together, for the work done in the middle stream, God’s servants will be able to rest at Dehes Mission Base whilst in the upper stream they will have the Tumbang Kaman church as a resort. We thank God for His insights in all the developments along the Katingan and Samba River.

For the past 8 years since I serve God in Katingan, there has been a yearning in my heart to own a speed boat. This desire is not for my own pleasure, but for the work of God to be done more efficiently when we travel from village to village to proclaim His Gospel. Our “kelotok” “Emmanuel” is powerful but it is still a very time-consuming mode of transportation. In June this year, God provided the funds for Dehes Ministries to purchase a speed boat! One of God’s generous and godly businessman heard about the need and he responded, Praise the Lord!. Today, at the jetty in Dehes village, you will find “El Shaddai” an eight-seater speed boat powered by Mercury 90HP engine all set and ready to be used for God’s work.

In early 2008, we were presented with an opportunity to purchase a 4000sqm block of vacant land along the main road in a satellite village Tumbang Samba. This land is expensive but I was stirred in my heart to purchase it.

The negotiation was difficult because we could not agree with the seller on the price. We backed off when we hit the impasse but when God wants the land for His purposes, He works the miraculous in the background to get it. Suddenly, the owner relented and agreed to sell at exactly the price which God had placed in my heart! And so the deal was signed and sealed.

The plan is to construct a church building, pastori, dormitory for school children, medical clinic and a radio broadcasting facility on that land. The total cost of the project will be approximately AUD350,000. Discussions are underway with a non-profit organization which is keen to participate in the daily operation of the dormitory and medical clinic.
My heart is overwhelmed with the size of this project but I have learnt this about my God: in carrying out His work, I don’t have to know everything because my God does. My job is to trust, listen and obey. After all, it is really God who works to accomplish His purposes. I have also come to realise that there are no great men or women working in God’s kingdom. Rather, there is a GREAT GOD at work in human beings who have childlike faith in Him. I am a very privilege child of God.

To all the faithful supporters of Dehes Ministries, all of the above would not be happening without you. Your prayers and financial support help to keep our focus on winning souls sharp, the proclamation of the Gospel strong and the flow of God’s anointing effective. The potential of our combined efforts is unlimited. Whenever you give to the work of the Lord, you are forming a partnership with God that involves Him in your famine, in your adversity, in your trial and in every area of your life. Our God will always have His eyes on you when your heart is entwined with His purposes.

I know the cost is great, but the eternal impact on the lives of the lost souls in Katingan will be immeasurable. YOU ARE BURDEN BEARERS TODAY, BUT ONE DAY YOU WILL BE CROWN WEARERS. Your reward in heaven will be great. Your continued, faithful, Spirit-led support makes all the difference in the world. The Lord of Harvest has taken up position in Katingan and we, His co-workers, must be at our stations to do our part.

Blessings
Ev Sebastian

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