What is in store for 2010?

Pressing on ahead at full pace
When I was trekking in between villages in Katingan recently, a young man stopped me and asked, “Pastor, when will you finish building churches here?”.  I have not been instructed by my Master to stop and so, we are pressing on ahead at full pace in tandem with Him. Our God is One who does not slumber nor sleep and so we must also not “sleep” while there is still time to do His work.

2009 was an outstanding year
Last year 2009 has been an outstanding year for Dehes Ministries and although it may seems a cliché to keep saying God is good, He is indeed good. Since 2003, Dehes Ministries would usually complete a church construction in a year. But in 2009, while the world was caught in the turmoil of the global financial crisis, Dehes Ministries completed two churches i.e. one in Tumbang Tarusan in the lower stream of the Katingan River and another in Tumbang Baraoi in the upper stream. My heart was so touched by the steadfast commitment and faithfulness of the companions of this ministry, the group of believers I refer to as the “yokefellows” who are harnessed together, complementing one another, and pulling with a common purpose and goal to do big and great things for the kingdom of God.

Personal sacrifices
I know the personal sacrifices and choices that they have made, and from their testimonies God has rewarded their obedience. When there is no way, God made MANY ways to bring through His blessings to his faithful children. True to His word, God demonstrated His power that “the king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes” (Proverbs 21:1). I am overwhelmed with joy to hear of these great miracles of God. I am convicted beyond conviction, that if we look after the interests of His heart, we have nothing to fear because God will be there right by our side every step of the way. If God is for us, who can be against us?

Priority for 2010
As a priority for 2010, it is our heart’s desire and prayer to kick-start the building of the church and pastori in Tumbang Samba. Tumbang Samba is the town centre (“kota kecamatan”) of Katingan. The first stage will be to build a brick and tile church and pastori which will cost approximately AU$120,000. The second project is to build our first satellite church in Buntut Bali. Through the generous offering of one believer, we have purchased an 1,000sqm block of land in that village and we expect to start construction in February 2010. I am well aware of the challenges ahead of us but from what I have experienced with My Lord, if it is in His will to have the project takes-off, it will be done and done well.

The World today
In the world today, environmental issues such as global warming, green movement, carbon footprint and tree planting has become the most critical issues affecting the world and this has all placed urgency on time to save the planet. TIME is also of paramount importance to the work of the Gospel – time is running out fast, we do not have forever to do His work and we do not have time to waste. Our pastors and workers in Katingan have the urgency of time ingrained in their being – they work tirelessly every day, laboring hard to get raw materials to construction sites, working to supplement their living and most importantly, preaching the Gospel to the unsaved. In Tumbang Baraoi recently, while the church construction was still being finished, the pastor announced that there was going to be a Christmas service. He was expecting no more than twenty people to turn up, but the attendance that day was two hundred adults and children! Where have these people come from? Only God knows, praise the Lord!

Dehes Ministries is not only building Churches
Dehes Ministries may appear to be only building churches but let me assure you that we are focused in our mission. We are committed to please the heart of God and that means we are committed to win souls for His kingdom. The Gospel must be preached and the time is ripe for the Good News to be proclaimed more and more in Katingan.

To us at Dehes Ministries, success in doing what we do for the glory of God can only come with passion that drives us to do more, differentiation that distinguishes us from just being ordinary Christians, distinction that explains the continuous development we undertake and lastly, the heart to not only do what we are called by God to do but to give the lost a winning chance to come to know their Lord and Savior.

From the bottom of my heart – “Thank You”
To one and all who have stood by Dehes Ministries since we started the work in Katingan, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for standing by my side as we undertake this commission from God. Thank you for all your continued support and prayers, and only God will be the Rewarder of your faith and obedience in Him. I pray that year 2010 will be the Year of Jubilee for your life, that this year will be your defining year with Him. May the Lord bless you and keep you; may the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. (Numbers 6:24-25).

Lastly, my sincere appreciation to the husband and wife team Joel and Sarah Wong of Foreverlight.net, who have been the faithful and dedicated multimedia specialists for Dehes Ministries. You will notice a new look in our website and I hope you enjoy reading the website and viewing the photos and videos.

Blessings,
Sebastian

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