2020
is here — a new decade is upon us!
The last ten years may have brought many challenges, but we have seen how God’s grace has pulled us through many times. We are assured of this: God’s character never changes. The new decade may bring new and greater challenges, but God’s faithfulness remains. We have witnessed such faithfulness in the lives of the many kababayans served through the CBN Asia Family of Ministries. Your partnership allowed us to bring them God’s message of love and hope, resulting in their lives being transformed. Thank you for standing alongside us in this mission. We live in a troubled world, yet also in a time of incredible opportunities. As we enter a new decade, I encourage you to remain steadfast in your faith. Focus your eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith, and He will keep your feet firmly planted and secure. Partner with CBN Asia and “and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus ... For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Heb. 12:1a-3)” I invite you to run with us toward the goal of Proclaiming Christ, Transforming Lives. Together, let us hold on to God’s promises of fresh provision and new mercies, as we fulfill our calling and continue being a blessing to others. As the Word of God in Psalm 133:1,3b says, “Oh, how wonderful, how pleasing it is when God’s people all come together as one.... It is there that the Lord has promised his blessing of eternal life.” In our unity, God commands blessings! This 2020, let us be excited to see more of how the Lord will move in and through us and in the lives of our loved ones.
Blessings beyond measure,
PETER M. KAIRUZ President and CEO
2
How You Helped
Bring Healing and Salvation to Portia Portia came to know God by avidly watching The 700 Club Asia. Her newfound faith was challenged, however, when she woke up one day feeling extreme stomach pain. She started bleeding and found out that she had adenomyoma, myoma, and ovarian cyst. It was not easy for Portia, but she found hope through the CBN Asia Prayer Center. It became her constant companion, and it was their prayers that strengthened her will to fight for healing. She did not have to wait long for her prayer to be answered. One day, her bleeding stopped miraculously, and with the right diet, her health improved. When she went in for a checkup, her adenomyoma and ovarian cyst were gone, and her myoma, reduced in size. In the face of uncertainty, sickness and fear, God held Portia together. God loves Portia so much that He allowed her to experience a piece of heaven through astonishing miracles. Thank you for partnering with us. Because of your faithful giving, we are able to bring the good news to many Filipinos like Portia through The 700 Club Asia and the CBN Asia Prayer Center. 3
Your Partnership
Helped Save a Pregnant Mother and Her Child When her boyfriend couldn’t take responsibility after finding out about her pregnancy, Carmela felt alone and confused. She kept her condition from her parents until anxiety and distress caused her to contemplate suicide. At that moment, she recalled hearing a whisper to not continue with taking her own life. Determined to set things right, Carmela decided to confide in her parents who then accepted her with open arms.
One day, while still wondering what the future holds for her and her unborn child, the pregnant teenager came across a video on the Facebook page of The 700 Club Asia, featuring the life story of actress Bettinna Carlos. Like Carmela, Bettinna had found herself also beset with problems arising from an unexpected pregnancy, but eventually found perfect peace after entrusting all her worries to the Lord. The actress’ testimony uplifted Carmela’s spirit. That moment, Carmela asked for the Lord’s forgiveness and surrendered her life to Him. As a symbol of God’s sovereignty in all seasons of her life, the young mother named her daughter Loureign Ruth—a wordplay from “Lord, You reign.” “I feel like I’m a new person now. And I can’t make it through if not because of the Lord’s faithfulness to me,” a hopeful Carmela said. Presently, Carmela and her child are living a joyful and peaceful life, knowing that through ups and downs, the Lord has their future secure in His hands. 4
Would You
Keep on Giving even while Lacking? Cynthia Magtalas would, and that is exactly what she did. Her faith in the God who provides was tested when Typhoon Marilyn hit Tarlac and Pampanga last year. All crops were destroyed under floodwaters, and Cynthia’s farm was not spared. Even with a resulting loss of P200,000, Cynthia’s faith did not falter. She continued believing that the God who can bring the dead back to life can also restore her livelihood. Despite her lack, Cynthia continued her habit of giving through her long-time partnership and commitment with CBN Asia. She also continued to pray earnestly for the breakthrough she desperately needed at the time. God did not disappoint her. Cynthia’s faithful giving did not go unrewarded. When the floodwaters receded, she was shocked to see that the eggplants in her farm remained unbelievably healthy and intact! In all of Pampanga, Cynthia’s eggplants were the only ones that were spared, causing her profit to triple! Indeed, 2 Corinthians 9:10 proved to be true in her life: “Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.” God is faithful in blessing those who bless others. The same thing can happen to you!
5
CBN Asia Partners
Bring New Hope and Relief to Our Kababayans
Disasters may be inevitable and can leave many lives destroyed, but we can do something to help. Thank you for partnering with us in bringing immediate relief to our kababayans struck by the many disasters these past months. Because of your giving, Operation Blessing Foundation Philippines (OB), CBN Asia’s humanitarian arm, was able to reach out to families stricken by typhoons, earthquakes, fires, and volcanic eruption. OB responded to the needs of families affected by the earthquake in Pampanga. A month later, it had another relief effort that provided basic necessities, medical care and psychosocial activities for children and their families in an indigenous community in Porac, Pampanga. Last August, Operation Blessing deployed its disaster response team to assist with the needs of families in Itbayat, Batanes after the earthquake damaged the area, limiting supplies on the island.
6
In November 2019, OB came to the aid of families affected by earthquakes in Mindanao. Together with Superbook, the team reached out to the displaced residents with an early Christmas surprise. Aside from entertaining Superbook shows, fun-filled games, and exciting activities with Gizmo, relief packs containing food, hygiene kits, toys, and school supplies were also given. Psychosocial aid and dental services were also provided. Because of your continued support, we are also #OneStepAhead in comforting our kababayans affected by the recent Taal Volcano eruption in Batangas. As one of the first responders to the area, Operation Blessing brought N95 masks, food packs, hygiene kits, clothes, towels, sleeping mats, kitchenware, diapers, and other immediate needs to our distressed kababayans. Not only did your partnership bring them relief, it also gave them the opportunity to receive the gift of knowing God and His salvation. No danger or distance can hinder Operation Blessing from reaching out to our kababayans in need. If you have not partnered with God’s work through OB yet, visit www.obphil.com or send a message to Operation Blessing Facebook Page (@obphil) for more information. 7
You Help Bring
God’s Word
to Filipino Children
Hundreds of kids in the island of Capul, Northern Samar welcomed Gizmo and the Superbook team with warm smiles and utter excitement when they visited. Although considered by some as off-the-beaten-path, Capul Island has been blessed with alluring nature and welcoming people. Days before the event, a town crier, locally known as Bandillo, even announced the team’s arrival to the community. The whole town was so delighted to see Gizmo that they invited all kids to the town plaza through a motorcade. The colorful caravan included young majorettes, drummer boys, lyre players, and students from Capul Central 1 Elementary School. The heavy rains did not stop the youngsters from lining up at the Capul Town Plaza, as they were all eager to learn, have fun, and meet their favorite character, Gizmo. It was a fun-filled afternoon packed with different activities such as film showing, dancing, and games. To show their gratitude, the children of Capul showcased their talents through some performances. The exciting day was capped off with the singing of The Salvation Poem, with Gizmo, of course. Hundreds of sweet little voices filled the plaza as they sang along, prayed, and accepted Jesus into their hearts.
8
The kids also took home some gifts after enjoying a simple meal prepared by Operation Blessing Foundation Philippines, the humanitarian arm of CBN Asia. “The Lord was truly faithful as He stopped the rain exactly when the event was scheduled to begin. It truly was a miracle. [This is] definitely one of the best Superbook experiences for me. It was such a blessing to witness Superbook and Gizmo touch the hearts of the children,” expressed Robert John Tan, CBN Asia’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Aside from Capul Island, the team also braved Bohol and Benguet, teaching children about the love of God through fun activities. The Superbook team is set to go to different provinces in the region. Do you want to partner with us in introducing the Word of God and His love to more Filipino children? You may visit the www.batangsuperbook.com and Facebook page (@BatangSuperbook) to know how you can help!
9
Created to be
a Blessing Do you believe that God blesses you so you can also be a blessing to others? That is the reality being experienced by Gideon, after having gone through a tough time in his life. Gideon once lost his balance while playing a game. His hard fall resulted in severe swelling of his left leg, which eventually led to blood clot, also known as hematoma. Despite undergoing treatment and medication, the excruciating pain persisted, and the doctor advised him to quit his favorite sport and avoid other straining activities. Waiting for his leg to heal for 4 months seemed like forever to Gideon. While enduring his condition, he heard many good things about the healing mercy of God. “That time I was so desperate. I said, ‘Lord, I want to experience Your healing power as well,’ ” he uttered. Gideon had been in this condition when he chanced upon The 700 Club. As if the episode were meant for him, he was dumbfounded to hear the host Gordon Robertson praying for the healing of a person who was suffering from a leg injury. “After extending my hand, I cried. I felt the Lord’s presence. After checking in with the doctor, he told me the hematoma was gone!” Gideon exclaimed. His joy overflowed when he realized that he could resume his passion for sports again. Later on, Gideon and his wife attended a dinner organized by the Asian Center for Missions (ACM), the missionary training arm of CBN Asia. This encounter opened up an opportunity for them to help Christian missionaries, and they did not think twice about blessing the organization. As part of Missionary Care, Gideon’s family opened up their home to missionaries who would visit their community, and took care of the missionaries’ health condition. “The 700 Club Asia and ACM are blessings. As they reach out to people, you’ll also get to experience fulfillment if you support them.” The couple was also blessed with a wellness business, which they see it as another way of serving the Lord. “Life’s greatest career is service to God. We were created to serve the Lord,” Gideon ended. 10
Question: I have set my heart to focus on God’s Word this year but there are so many distractions around me. What can I do so I can focus on my Bible reading?
Answer: I agree that there are so many distractions around us. If you are the type who is easily distracted, I want to give you three simple tips so you can focus on your Bible reading: 1. Turn off your cell phone. 2. Don’t read the Bible out of your mobile device, your laptop, or your PC. Buy a hard copy of the Bible and read from there. When you read the Bible, don’t read long paragraphs. Focus on one paragraph and let the Word of the Lord sink in. 3. When you read the Bible, get ready with a small notebook or a clean sheet of paper and a pen. The Lord will surely speak to you. When you read, ask yourself what the Word is trying to tell you about yourself or your current situation, and write it down so you can look back on the goodness and faithfulness of the Lord in your life.
Do you have questions for Peter Kairuz? E-mail it to us through info@cbnasia.org with the subject: Q and A with Peter Kairuz 11
Connect with us CBNAsia
The700ClubAsia
Batang Superbook
ICanBreakThrough www.cbnasia.org
Someone cares for you