Posted by
Mike Brewer on Wednesday, July 20th 2011
My trip to Asia in May was a great success! I spent 24 days traveling through Asia preaching the Gospel, teaching and training pastors and leaders, ministering in the prisons, baptizing new believers, and encouraging the local Christians. The first 8 days were spent with the team from RIO Church which funded the crusades and leaders training. After that, I traveled almost 1,000 miles visiting and ministering in villages as well as major cities. In that month, we had over 500 people repent and recieve Jesus, 13 were baptized, and over 400 trained during a conference. I also spent two days training an urban outreach team to plant home fellowships! We also purchased almost 250 Bibles for new believers. Thanks to everyone who sowed into this trip and prayed for me while I was there.
South Asia was a life-changing experince. It was my first time visiting such a unique culture and people. The first difference is not the language, color of skin, or the heat, but it is the strong devotions to idols! I have never seen idols on such a scale like this before: in every window, pictures on every door. Each night as I lay down to sleep, my heart was breaking for such a people so devoted to emptiness. I was visitng a new believeing family in a city with about 6 million people. He was a bank manager and highly educated man. Not long ago his son was injured in an accident and had to see a therapist. During the doctor visits, the young man became a christian which in-turn led his family to Jesus.
During my visit with them, they were sharing with me that the day they found forgiveness in Jesus, they removed 3 bags of idols from their home. The father was sharing how each morning he would rise very early from bed and begin a ritual with each one of those idols. He would spend hours in devotions. His fear was if he didnt worship or sacrifice to each of them, he would become cursed and lose his job and his family. He continued to share the freedom he found in Jesus.
After a time of sharing, they asked if I would pray for the family and that is when the battle began. I was praying for the Lord’s blessing to remain on this family and to use them, and one of the middle-aged sons began growling and shaking violently! As I finished the prayer, they brought this young man to me. Having experienced this many times on the mission field and in the States, I knew this young man was needing to be set free from demonic powers. First, I calmed the situation and explained to the family from a Biblical perspective that we didn’t need a ritual, but this was simply a battle of the truth and the truth would set him free. I explained, to the young man salvation and following Jesus. I also explained how he must separate himself from idols, forgive people who had hurt him, ect. Once he repented, removed some other idols from his room, and forgave his mother for commiting suicide, Jesus set him free! How beautiful it was to see another soul taken back from the deceitful powers of the enemy!
Something so important about the deliverance that took place was the root of demonic power operating in his life was not the idols! It was the rejection he felt from his mother when she committed suicide! Can you imagine? Most of us would think it he was in bondage because of idol worship, but it was the rejection that was the stronghold. So many peolpe we know are in such pain because of rejection and abandonment! Jesus cares about that pain. He wants to heal our broken hearts, and he is able, more than able. He is aware of every broken heart that is reading this, and he will meet you just where you are, now! Ask him to heal your heart and take away the pain. The answer for sin is in the blood of Jesus and repentance, but the answer to pain is a touch from the risen Savior of the world! Because He is alive, He will heal your emotions.
Since my return to the States, it has take me a while to process my one month in South Asia. When I begin to think back, I still can’t process everything. In so many ways, it is a land filled with darkness and idols, a people who are so religious and devoted to emptiness. It breaks my heart. My thoughts are what if the church-world in the States could just experience the darkness, emptiness, deception, and strongholds of these idols, and then change could truly take place. They would get involved and send more people to do more work.
Think with me for a moment, if you were walking down the street and could not even find a Christian. How would you feel? Or if you wanted to visit a church but there is not one within an hour or two drive? How would you feel? That is what it is like!
Situations like this make me move into action. People must get involved. If we can’t go, we must give to send! Because you all sacrificed and sent me, many lives were changed.
I will share more in the future. A special thank you to my friend and ministry partner Mr. Owens and other donors. Your giving made this possible. You made a great difference in God’s kingdom because of your obedience in giving.
Andrea and I are both back in Haiti and working hard to finish the compound and move the children into their new homes! We have several teams coming over the next 6 weeks, and we will update more about the teams soon! Thanks again for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Mike and Andrea Brewer
ReachHaiti@gmail.com
We would first like to wish you and your family a very merry Christmas season! As we prepare for Christmas this year, we want to extend to each of you an opportunity to give this Christmas. We will be having our annual Happy Birthday Jesus Party at the end of December and will celebrate Christmas with all our kids and staff in Haiti. We are truly blessed to have such a loyal and hard-working Haitian staff who make our ministry possible. If you have come to Haiti with us, you have met our staff, seen how hard they work, and also how much they mean to us and the ministry.
