India is home to about 1.4 billion people. This massive country is experiencing the fastest pace of coronavirus infection spreading, facing a deadly health care crisis. As of April 26, 2021, India is reporting 17.3 million cases of coronavirus – with over 5 million of those cases just from April. Funeral grounds are running out of space. So many people are passing away without the opportunity to hear the good news of Jesus, the one who loves them and desires to give them eternal life. Please pray for God’s mercy on the nation of India in this time of immense spiritual and physical need. In addition, we received news from Pastor Abraham that the Central Government of India has closed bank accounts of ministries and designated a bank in New Delhi, the capital, with which they can open a new account. While persecution against Christians is nothing new in India, we are seeing how the government is looking to gain even more control, which will likely lead to even greater persecution for believers. Please lift up the few faithful in India so they may stand firm in the word of God during this difficult season and also for our God to leave the door open for the gospel to spread all around India.

Would you be able to tell your entire life story to someone you have never met? It would take a lot of trust, right? One of the encouraging things we have witnessed in the COJ ministry was seeing relationships between sponsors and children who were struggling with their lives blossom. More than ever, sponsors have been intentional in communicating with their children, checking in to make sure they are doing well physically and spiritually. And the response on the part of the children? Truly amazing! They have opened up to their sponsors in their letters, sharing stories of their lives, including details of trials they face as well as joyous experiences; they are unleashing their creativity into designing and drawing their own letter paper. “Though I have not seen him, my heart knows him well.” This is a line I like in a praise song called Soon by Hillsong. Though we have not seen God with our physical eyes, we accepted His invitation into a real and intimate relationship with Him, having been moved by His great and incomparable love. In the same way, I believe the genuine care and love displayed by how you, the sponsors, carry the burdens of the children, as our Lord commanded, has opened up their hearts and uplifted their spirits. We give thanks and glory to God for you!

Mom. Dad. Such simple words, yet they carry tremendous significance. Many of us have taken being able to say these two words for granted. Amongst our COJ partner churches, there are children who have grown up without having such a privilege and some of them faced extra challenges during this current pandemic. God has charged his church to look after those in need, especially the orphans. It is only through the generous giving of faithful sponsors and partners in the ministry that we are able to continue helping children like Bertha, Estani, Baymar and Taylor and express to them His heart– that He is their Abba daddy who is always with them and loves them so dearly. How great our Heavenly Father is! Thank you for being the channel of His love to these children!

God is our ever present hope and shelter. In the midst of the uncertain times, Iglesia Jesús Esperanza de Vida (Jesus, Hope of Life Church) has continued to be a place of refuge and peace for the children and youth in a Guayaquil city community, allowing them rest from the harsh realities they face day-to-day. With more than 60 children and youth gathering at the church, Sister Carmen had to split them into two groups to accommodate for social distancing. Just two years after building a new church building, we are praying to be able to build an extension or a second floor. Please pray with us as we seek God’s direction in this matter and continue to lift up Sister Carmen who is continually moving forward with faith bigger than COVID- for God to fill her with His Spirit always and grant her strength and good health.

After nine months of being away from school, children in India, including those at the Amazing Grace orphanage finally returned to school in January. Though the children were tutored at the home, they were ready to go back to school. However, the school systems now face the challenge of trying to fit an entire year’s worth of curriculum into five months. The Bible students are also resuming their studies and ministries after several months of staying home and Pastor Abraham’s church services have been continuing since October. For Pastor Abraham, his work never ceased. Twice a day, he gathered the children for prayer. He brought spiritual revival and encouragement to many local villages and led many to be baptized in the Lord’s name. Even now, his schedule is packed throughout the month of March with outreach events. Despite the looming possibility of a second wave of coronavirus, he is neither afraid nor discouraged but moving onward for the gospel of Jesus Christ. Pastor Abraham and his family have an unsinkable hope. A bottomless joy. An unmovable faith that springs from the depths of a great love for their mighty and great Savior. Pastor Abraham is not focused on the trials or challenges but on the lovely One who is in the midst of it all. He has faith in God. Thank you, dear sponsors, for your continued prayers, encouragement, and support for Pastor Abraham. Due to your faithful support, many lost souls in India are finding their eternal resting place in God’s presence through faith in Jesus Christ! Hallelujah!

We never cease to be in awe of how God works. During the Christmas season, one of the COJ sponsors was inspired by Holy Spirit to provide food baskets not only for the children she sponsors, but all the members of an entire COJ partner church. She hoped to share the love and grace of Jesus that is always abundant and fills our every need. Cathedral of Life church is located within a community in the city of Piura, with a high crime rate and lots of single mother families. The pastor and his family prepared food baskets to provide every family in the church and were even able to hand some out to neighbors in their community and shine the light of Jesus to those living in darkness around them. It was truly like the miracle of the 5 loaves and 2 fish. We praise the Lord for His people with willing spirits to be used and respond to His call, through whom we experience the blessing of witnessing God’s great work unfold in our midst!

We greet you in the most wonderful and beautiful name of Jesus Christ. There was a great lesson and understanding gained through our experience during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. We have realized that we do not live by bread alone but by every word that comes out of the mouth of our God, as recorded in Deuteronomy 8 and Matthew 4. We do not live by our own strength and power but by God’s wonderful grace. News of many non-profit organizations, churches and mission centers reducing their work force due to serious financial trouble from the COVID-19 pandemic have reached our ears and our hearts are heavy and ache for them. We are only doing much better than we had expected or hoped for because of your faithful and passionate support even during these challenging times. Your unending love for those in need is a very powerful encouragement and comfort for all of us here at Hanhee Kim World Mission Center. We don’t have enough words to describe our gratitude for your kindness and generosity. We are praying ever so fervently that in 2021 “your herds and flocks will grow large, your silver and gold will increase, and all you have is multiplied” (Deuteronomy 8:13). Most of all, may you be filled with the Holy Spirit this year. Once again, we want to express our sincere thanks for your continuous support and our love for you.

In Mark 10:13-16, we see a sweet scene where Jesus blesses the children, showing his love towards them in a world where they were viewed as unimportant and a hindrance. Jesus publicly displays his love without discrimination. Today, we see the little ones vulnerable in their families and social environment. However, as they learn the Word of God they are strengthened. There’s no doubt that Jesus alone inspires our hearts to do good, and we can’t thank you enough, dear sponsors, for the love you show through prayers and offerings for your child in the Children of Jesus ministry. The blessings that our God prepares for them becomes a reality when they eat together after Sunday School, receive their gifts for school and Christmas, and when you come on mission trips to meet them. The time you spent with them lifts their spirits and leaves a lasting impact on their lives. May we continue to look at the children through the eyes of our Lord. We know and believe that God has been and will continue to be you and your family’s sustainer. Let us continue to follow in the steps of our Master by sharing his love with others. Read more from other COJ ministry partners!

Throughout the month of November, we were able to check-in individually with our 23 COJ partner churches through Zoom meetings and encourage pastors to keep pressing onward, with the wisdom and strength God provides throughout the continuation of testing times. In addition, we were able to discover the reality churches and children faced. While there were some churches where COVID-19 had ravaged their communities, most churches in more remote areas were untouched by COVID-19. However, though not affected by the disease directly, churches and children have suffered from spiritual collateral damage. Pastors and Sunday School teachers have tried to stay connected with the children, but their efforts have been limited by government-enforced prohibition of group gatherings throughout most of this year. Also, the lack of appropriate resources for digital communication (eg. cell phone) – and much less virtual communication (eg. Internet) – has rendered children isolated, without adequate access to education and spiritual nourishment. At this time, some churches have recently started to gather, some in planning stages to start gathering in the new year, and yet still many are clouded by uncertainty. The government set forth new protocols for churches to be able to re-open and some face challenges to meet the requirements. Things are out of our control. We realize this yet again. We have to seek on our knees, now more than ever, the face and help of the only one who is in absolute control. We ask that you would join alongside us and pray for God to re-open the doors of houses of worship and for the children in Peru –that they would able to pursue their studies once again and that the love and passion for Him would be reignited in their hearts.