Aug 1, 2013 ... our ministry, Love Without Limits, demonstrates how much we care by
descending on a city with acts of service. I wish you could have seen our ...
S N A P S H O T S
O F
H O P E AUGUST 2013
LOVE WITHOUT LIMITS (USA) I heard a pastor make this profound statement: “People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care.” How true! And that's why our ministry, Love Without Limits, demonstrates how much we care by descending on a city with acts of service. I wish you could have seen our efforts in Utah! It was a powerful sight. We partnered with a ministry called Standing Together, representing 67 evangelical churches. In concert with the Governor's office and local mayors, Christians mobilized all over Salt Lake City, sending out local volunteer crews to spruce up houses, schools and communities. And we did so in the name of Jesus. Once they knew how much we cared, they wanted to hear what we know. The crowds showed up by the thousands at our evangelistic events to hear about Jesus. And then we stormed the city of Boise, Idaho, and did it all over again. In the two citywide events, more than 1,400 people made commitments to follow Christ.
SNAPSHOT: HONG KONG
This was one of the first time my sister, Michelle, spoke in public. She's a natural. And she brought insight into what it's like to live with someone with special needs.
PEOPLE DON'T CARE HOW MUCH YOU KNOW UNTIL THEY KNOW HOW MUCH YOU CARE. SNAPSHOT : VIETNAM
People rushed to the edge of the stage to worship making even the security crew nervous at first. But when they realized the people just wanted to worship, they stepped back. We felt the tangible presence of God that night.
We totally underestimated the crowds in Vietnam by a country mile! Our friends in Vietnam told us that celebrities don't gather the kind of crowd and excitement we enjoyed.
I met a devout Buddhist businessman who is extremely wealthy and quite stirred by the ministry of Life Without Limbs. I had the opportunity to share Christ with this dear man. Please pray that he gives his life to Christ.
SNAPSHOT: MACAU
Interpretation in other countries is always tricky. Sometimes English translates well into other cultures, and other times it's humorous. In Macau, while speaking to students, they interpreted the name of my book Unstoppable to Nonstop!
SNAPSHOT: SOUTH KOREA
The city gave all students a halfday off so they could attend our event, or watch me on TV. There were 6,000 people who attended during the day, and then an additional 7,000 that same night. The audience was especially touched when I talked about falling in love with Kanae and holding my son Kiyoshi.
I spoke at Onnuri Church in Seoul to over 10,500 people. They were gathered throughout the building and many viewed live broadcasts in overflow rooms. Christians in the church each brought a non-believer with them. 800 people gave their lives to Christ.
When I asked about bullying, 30% of the room said they felt worthless because of words people said to them. When asked if they had ever thought about committing suicide, an overwhelming 30% of the arms went up around the room.
GOD'S BLESSING TO SUSANA (HUNGARY) Most of us would be hard pressed to find the country of Hungary on the map. So let me put a face on Hungary and you'll never forget this beautiful place. I want you to meet Susana and Norah. When I met Susana in Budapest, she was wearing a medical mask and could hardly walk. Hunched over and limping in pain, she looked like she might collapse at any moment. Susana told me about her physically and mentally handicapped 13year-old daughter. Even though the doctors urged her to abort this baby, Susana insisted on giving birth to Norah.
“GOD COULDN'T HAVE GIVEN ME A BIGGER GIFT AND HE HAS A PLAN AND PURPOSE FOR NORAH.”
Norah, who was born three months premature, can hardly speak, cannot read and cannot hear. Susana's husband divorced her and she remains the primary caretaker for their daughter. How, then, could Susana have such a gentle smile and a sparkle in her eyes? She told me how much hope she gained by attending our Life Without Limbs event. She compared my lack of limbs to her daughter's condition, but insisted that Norah is God's blessing to her. Susana said, “God couldn't have given me a bigger gift and He has a plan and purpose for Norah.”
LIVING IN VIEW OF ETERNITY (PHILIPPINES) When I rolled into Tiger City Gym in Manila, the tepid air was still and sweltering. Without air conditioning, the video cameras overheated and there was no relief from the oppressive humidity. We were all dripping with sweat. But when I met Judah Paulo, an instant chemistry emerged between us because of our mutual respect for Jesus Christ. Judah's childhood was tainted by brokenness and rebellion. In fact, when he was bullied in the 4th grade for his Asian appearance, Judah decided to take an offensive position of aggression. He would not be bullied, but instead, he would become the bully. In the process, Judah began selling drugs, shoplifting and joined a gang. When he discovered the sport of boxing, he devoted his entire life to becoming an Olympian. During this effort, his wife introduced him to Jesus. She showed him Colossians 2:8, “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit …” And Judah realized he was chasing the wrong dream. About that time, he saw my YouTube videos and heard me talking about living for the next life rather than this one. Judah instantly identified with me because both of us were bullied as kids and he decided it was time to start living for Someone other than himself. Judah said, “Living in view of eternity is really an incredible gift. I'm forever grateful.” When we departed the sweltering gym that day, I gave thanks to God for reaching into Judah's life and transforming this unlikely young man for His glory!
SNAPSHOT: PHILIPPINES
If you read about Judah in the newsletter, here's a snapshot of Judah introducing me at an event held at Christ's Commission Fellowship, one of the largest churches in Manila. The auditorium was filled to the 12,000 person capacity, plus people were lining the walls. 300 people gave their lives to Christ that night.
“LIVING IN VIEW OF ETERNITY IS REALLY AN INCREDIBLE GIFT. I'M FOREVER GRATEFUL.” SNAPSHOT: MALAYSIA
One of the most interesting questions asked at a press conference was, “What is the Lord teaching you right now?” I replied, “Growing in confidence in hearing from the Lord.” The press people were intrigued to hear me explain that God is pushing me to become less concerned with how I'm received and more concerned with communicating the truth.
I spoke at Sunway University with 1,000 in audience, with a total of 5,000 or 6,000 watching at livestream locations throughout the university and its sister schools.
Hundreds and hundreds of students were swarming me as I rolled in along securitylined walkways. It was amazing to be so well received in a foreign country.
SNAPSHOT: JAPAN
While in Japan, I was greeted by Mika, age 4, and his family. Mika was born with no arms, and a typical 4 year-old, bouncing around the room, full of energy. I encouraged Mika's parents to be there for him, because my parents had a huge impact on my life!
I spoke to 2,300 attendees at Love Sonata, sponsored and hosted by the Korean Unity Church. Although the crowd was classically reserved, they perked up when I began preaching and approximately 200 people gave their lives to Christ.
The Matzuri Foundation touched my heart where I visited fifty severely disabled children. I was able to encourage them with a message of hope and to never give up. Although they did not speak English, I felt the love of God bring us together.
CALLED BY GOD (CAMBODIA) Eight years ago, Don and Bridget moved from California to Phnom Penh, the capital and largest city in Cambodia. Why would anyone leave the comforts of home for a foreign and unfamiliar country where Buddhism is the major religion and sex trafficking has emerged as an underground force destroying the lives of countless innocent children? Don and Bridget felt called by God to make a difference in Cambodia, and they work tirelessly to liberate desperate victims who feel their future is hopeless. Cambodia is an impoverished country and parents can't afford to nurture their children. Tragically, they relinquish their kids to traffickers.When I spoke to the orphans gathered together in a small schoolroom, I could hardly hold back my tears. I wish you could have seen their longing faces. They seemed to identify with me because they assumed my life was difficult, too. All I could think was that I would give anything to release them to healthy and happy homes where parents would care for them and point them to the love of Jesus. We have lots of work to do around the world, don't we? Let's pray God would raise up more courageous people like Don and Bridget. James 1:27 says, “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction.”
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AG O U R A H I L L S , C A 9 1 376
CAMBODIA IS AN IMPOVERISHED COUNTRY AND PARENTS CAN'T AFFORD TO NURTURE THEIR CHILDREN. 8 1 8 70 6 3 3 0 0
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