By Robert A. Meyer

Dear Fellow Laborers

What a privilege – what an honor – what a wonder that God would use you and me in sowing the Gospel to unbelievers that they might become believers! The Apostle Paul stated it in 1 Corinthians 3:5, "Who then is Paul and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?" There is the ministry of sowing, then watering and finally the joy of reaping.

In the eleven countries that BIMI has designated as Southeast Asia where we have missionaries, the harvest truly is plenteous. Let’s keep our focus on the harvesting of souls for the Lord Jesus Christ. We must be faithful to tell them as "faith comes by hearing."

The sowing seems to be the most difficult part and can be associated with tears. Are we consistently "weeping" for souls? The watering part may take longer with some than others. Some souls or cultures or countries may need more "watering" than others. It’s not our responsibility to judge what is or what is not happening in another part of the worldwide field. We are responsible where God has placed us.

You dear missionaries are God’s ministers. I am so honored to work with you and for you. We are not "anything" – the planter and the waterer (1 Corinthians 3:8). However, 0 + 0 = 1 when our labors are for God’s glory… "Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one…"

Brother Alan Brooks and I are servants to you who are ministers. Please know we are here for you and your families. By God’s grace we want to be a fellow laborer. The home office staff exists for you and your ministry in helping your supporting churches.

Let’s weep and pray for God to give a wondrous increase of souls.

Yours in Christ

Robert A. Meyer

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By Alan Brooks

"Soundings" is a new publication from the Southeast Asia division of Baptist International Missions, Inc. The name comes from the nautical term to "sound the depth of a body of water." The dictionary defines sounding as "sound•ing (soun’ding) n. A probe of the environment for scientific observation. A measured depth of water. Often used in the plural."

Our goal is to measure and show the depth of what God is doing in and through our missionaries in Southeast Asia. Because Southeast Asia is so large and diverse, we have divided it into three sections. These divisions are simply to help us show the diversity of our fields.

The first division is called India. It includes, of course, India and also Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar. We have missionaries in some of these countries and are praying that God will open the doors for the others so that missionaries will be allowed in to work for Christ.

The second division called Indochina encompasses much of the old French Indochina. The countries are Brunei, Cambodia, East Timor, Laos, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, and Malaysia. God is working greatly in many of these countries but some are waiting for missionaries.

The third division is called Oceania. Much thought was put into whether to call it Oceania or Australasia. After much studying, we decided on Oceania. Oceania is defined as American Samoa, Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Fiji Islands, French Polynesia, New Caledonia, Samoan Islands, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and the islands in the South Pacific. We do not include all of the Pacific islands because some are in our Far East division of BIMI. Our prayer is that God will help us to have missionaries in all of these countries and reach many for our Lord.

"Soundings" will be used to pass information to our missionary families and supporters. It will also be a prayer reminder and an announcement board. Please join with us in praying that God will influence many for the cause of missions and help to bring new missionaries to Southeast Asia

Alan & Donna Brooks

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In 2004, the largest tsunami in modern history hit the Island of Nias off the coast of Indonesia. Then a horrible earthquake of 8.7 magnitude further devastated the area. Jim and Dawn Daley, veteran missionaries with BIMI for over 37 years, have been working to plant churches and train nationals in Indonesia. Several graduates of the Bible College that the Daley’s have started in Indonesia have been ministering in this needy area. They have been able to start three churches and eight missions on this island alone. Though Indonesia is the largest Islamic country in the world, the Island of Nias is predominately Christian but, unfortunately, this is in name only. Brother Daley, along with missionaries Tom Crawford (BBF) and Karen Werth (WBF), has the opportunity to place a complete Indonesian Bible in the hands of every junior high school student on the Island. There are approximately 20,000 young people in this category. The Bibles cost just under $3 each to print and distribute. Each Bible will be embossed on the front the emblem representing the Independent Baptist Churches of Indonesia. A plan of salvation will be placed on the inside cover along with a study on the principles of a New Testament church. There are enough men from the Bible College living on the island to make sure they are distributed to each student. A note will be placed in the Bibles stating that they are donated by the Independent Baptist Churches of America. It will cost approximately $60,000 for this project. We feel that this is a very worthy project and gives the missionaries an opportunity to make more headway into an area where we have already seen a number of people saved. It is also a great testimony to a country that is steeped in Islamic doctrine. Will you help us create an earthquake of finances to send a tsunami of God’s Word to the Island of Nias?

Donate to the Nias Bible Fund Online:

Or send donations to:
attention NIAS Bibles
Baptist International Missions, Inc.
P.O. Box 9215, Chattanooga, TN 37412



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Wednesday, February 8, 2012

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Scot C & Katie Daku -  AMERICAN SAMOA
Paul J & Wendy Daku Jr -  FIJI ISLANDS
James & Dawn Daley -  INDONESIA