TWELVE YEARS IN ASIA

Every year, about this time, we post the above pictures and take a few moments to remember and thank God for His grace, His goodness, and your generosity. It was twelve years ago in March that my wife and I arrived in Southeast Asia to live and to serve. Over the past twelve years, we have lived and served in four different countries and been amazed to see what God has done with the little we have to offer. WE OWE ALL OF YOU A GREAT DEBT FOR YOUR PRAYERS AND FOR YOUR SACRIFICIAL GIVING. THANK YOU FOR LOVING, PRAYING, AND GIVING!!!

PLEASE PRAY THAT GOD WILL CONTINUE TO BLESS OUR EFFORTS HERE IN THIS PART OF THE WORLD!

MISSIONS’ EMPHASIS/CELEBRATION SERVICE  

A few weeks ago, we had our Missions’ Emphasis/Celebration Service. The place was packed. We had 43 men, women, and young people baptized. The joy of the Lord filled the church building as we reflected on God’s goodness in the past and His guidance in the future. What a blessing to see hundreds of men, women, teens, and children all gathered, not only to worship the Lord, but to pledge their support of our missionaries and hear the plans on sending two more families out to serve in two different villages.

PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR CHURCH FAMILY TO CONTINUE TO GROW SPIRITUALLY, TO CONTINUE TO REACH MANY MORE LOST PEOPLE, AND TO HAVE A HEART FOR MISSIONS “AROUND THE CORNER” AND “AROUND THE WORLD.”

  LEADERSHIP TRAINING SEMINAR 

A few weeks ago, we conducted a two-day Leadership Seminar for our Church and School Staff, as well as for our Bible College students. Along with Brother Dave Board, we had two guest pastors teach for us, and I spoke twice on “Knowing God” and “Growing in Christ.” All the sessions were tremendous, especially the last session by Pastor Chris Chadwick on “Continue,” or “Continuing in the Faith.” The fellowship with our friends and fellow laborers was sweet.

PLEASE PRAY THAT GOD WILL CONTINUE TO GROW OUR STAFF AND STUDENTS TO BE THE MEN AND WOMEN THAT GOD DESIRES FOR THEM TO BE AND TO DO THE WORK GOD HAS CALLED THEM TO DO!

PASTOR JOE GRANDE’S VISIT

It was a real joy to have Pastor Joe Grande (Faith Baptist Church in Stockton, Missouri) visit with us recently. Pastor Grande is not only a long-time supporter of our ministry here in Asia, but he is a long-time friend (more than 40 years), and long-time fellow laborer. We served together back east while we were attending Bible College. He also taught in our Bible College in Long Beach for ten years while pastoring in Bakersfield, California.

My wife and I flew from Cambodia to Laos and met him there. After spending a few days together in Laos, we then returned to Cambodia, and he was able to spend seven days with us. In fact, he stayed with my wife and me. Oh, did I mention he’s a Boston Celtics fan and I am a Los Angeles Laker fan.

While in Laos, we both did some preaching and teaching (Bible College students). He had the opportunity to preach twice here in Cambodia, as well as teach one of my Discipleship Groups. Pastor Grande was a tremendous blessing to many while he was here.

PLEASE PRAY THAT GOD USED THIS TRIP FOR PASTOR GRANDE’S BENEFIT AND OUR BENEFIT AS WELL!!!

 NOUN AND VONNY’S SALVATION

Over the past few weeks, I have had the opportunity to lead one man (Vonny) and one woman (Noun) to Christ. Noun was baptized during our special Missions’ Emphasis/Celebration Service.  What is most noteworthy about both professions of faith is that a boatload of folks were working together, sharing the gospel, and praying for their salvation over a long period of time. This is especially true of Vonny. A great reminder that team work really does make the dream work. Every Saturday, Kosal and I go visiting on his Tuk-tuk route. During our time of visitation, we almost always have the opportunity to share the gospel a few times. This past Saturday, we had the chance to share the gospel twice.

Another thing we do on Saturday’s, is spend about 45 minutes with Sophat for a time of discipleship and accountability. He has grown much and is faithfully attending our services. Two weeks ago, his 17-year-old grandson, Heng, was at his house. We shared the gospel with him. While he did not trust Christ, he was very open.

PLEASE PRAY THAT BOTH NOUN AND VONNY WILL GROW IN THEIR NEWFOUND FAITH!!!

HANGING OUT WITH SEEMLY AND ABBY

It was a blessing to be able to spend a couple days with our granddaughter, Abby, and our daughter-n-law, Seemly. Our home church and school spent their Senior/Missions’ Trip in Southeast Asia this year. We met up with them in Bangkok.  And, while we didn’t have much time with them, it was quality time. Denise and I appreciated it much. Abby is our eldest grandchild, and she will be graduating the first week of June. We love both dearly!

PLEASE PRAY THAT GOD USED THIS SENIOR/MISSIONS’ TRIP TO SPEAK TO THE HEARTS OF ABBY AND THE OTHER SENIORS!

 MEN’S DORM

Our Bible college here in Cambodia is doing very well. We have over thirty students that love the Lord, who have a desire to grow in their faith, and have made a commitment to reach their people with the gospel. We presently have a dorm for our ladies, and we thank God for it. We do not have one for the men, and up to now, it hasn’t been a real issue. In the upcoming Fall term, which begins in September, that will most likely change. Lord willing, we will have a handful of young men that will need a place to stay if they are going to attend. We are praying for $5,000 – $6,000 to be able to rent and furnish an apartment that could house up to eight men for a year. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN GIVING TOWARDS THIS PROJECT PLEASE GET BACK WITH ME.  

PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR BIBLE COLLEGE STUDENTS AND FOR THE MEN’S DORM PROJECT!

 PROJECT 1040

As I have mentioned a few times previously, Denise and I will be traveling to the States for the summer months. During this time, along with reporting to our supporting churches, I will be presenting our newest ministry endeavor, “PROJECT 1040.” As we mentioned in previous updates, this is a ministry, which encourages those of you that have been partnering with us for years, to partner with men and women that have graduated from our two Bible colleges.

In the past twelve months, by the grace of God, we have had sixteen men and women graduate. These are young men and women that love the Lord, have a passion to reach their people with the gospel, know the language, and the culture. OUR HOPE AND PRAYER IS THAN MANY OF YOU WOULD PRAYERFULLY CONSIDER SUPPORTING ONE OR TWO OF OUR GRADUATES.  

I still have a couple of open dates, if you would like to have me come and report and/or present this new ministry to you and your church family, please shoot me an email.

My wife and I are very grateful for your faithful prayers and your generous financial support over the years. God has been gracious, and you have been generous. If it were not so, we could not be here doing what God has led us to do.

God Bless You and Yours,

Johnny and Denise Esposito
Your missionaries in Southeast Asia

A FEW ADDITIONAL PRAYER REQUESTS:
* NEW COLLEGE TERM IN CAMBODIA [March 28-May 30]
*YOUTH CONFERENCE IN LAOS [April 15-17]
*FAMILY CONFERENCE IN CAMBODIA [April 15-17]
*YOUTH CONFERENCE IN CAMBODIA [MAY 14-15]
*CHILDREN’S AND TEEN’S SUMMER CAMP IN LAOS [June and July]
*SUMMER TERM FOR BIBLE COLLEGE IN LAOS [June 9- August 8]
*SHORT SUMMER FURLOUGH [June – August]