The picture above are the six people that we baptized last week in Chiang Khong, Thailand. Since our last Prayer Update, we have seen nine people trust Christ and eight people baptized. Please pray for their spiritual growth.

Chiang Khong, Thailand

We are so thankful and grateful for what God is doing in and through our lives and ministries in Chiang Khong, Thailand. As I mentioned in our last update, things are really starting to pick up in our ministry. Along with the recent conversions and baptisms, our Sunday and Wednesday services are doing very well. It has been exciting to see our crowd on Wednesday, especially the children and teens that Jui is teaching.

Our building is slowly but surely, reaching the point where we can say, “It is finished.” Of course, did not I say that in the last update? Things tend to move just a bit slower over here.

Please pray with us about our new School of Ministry! We are in the process right now of starting a new School of Ministry (Bible School) here in Chiang Khong. It looks like we could have 6-8 students – young men and women that want to be grounded in God’s word and prepared for God’s work.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE NEW CONVERTS, THE SCHOOL OF MINISTRY, AND THE ENTIRE MINISTRY HERE IN CHIANG KHONG!

LAOS

We are so thankful and grateful for all that God is doing in the country of Laos. God has brought the necessary funds for us to build an extension to one of our village churches in Laos. This church, just over five years old and pastored by one of our graduates, has grown to the point where they are now running between 120-150 every Sunday. Over the past three months they have had at least twelve people trust Christ and six people baptized. In addition to the new auditorium extension, we will soon begin to build a new dorm for the men in our School of Ministry.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE NEW CONVERTS, FOR THE BUILDING PROJECTS, AND FOR OUR SCHOOL OF MINISTRY STUDENTS AS THEY SEEK TO GROW IN THEIR FAITH, THEIR LOVE FOR CHRIST, AND THEIR COMMITMENT TO THE CAUSE OF CHRIST!

We are so thankful and grateful for the opportunity to watch the children in two of the villages that we have churches continue to grow in Christ! Our team (including our Bible students) have a real heart for the young people. They are committed to sharing the Gospel with them, teaching them the word of God, along with teaching them other various skills (i.e., English, which will enable them to get a better job in the future). Each of our Bible students is personally discipling one or two children/teens every week. We are also thankful for the opportunity to build a small playground for them near new the church and School of Ministry buildings!

PLEASE PRAY FOR BOTH THE LABORERS AND THE CHILDREN TO CONTINUE TO GROW AND BE FAITHFUL TO CHRIST AND THE CAUSE OF CHRIST!

We are so thankful and grateful for the opportunity to work alongside Pastor “Z.” We have mentioned Pastor “Z” in earlier updates. He is presently pastoring eight churches and doing a tremendous job. In fact, Lord willing, some of his students will be attending our School of Ministry in Chiang Khong. He recently planted a new church, and they are seeing people saved, baptized, and growing in their faith.

PLEASE PRAY FOR PASTOR “Z” AND HIS MINISTRY, ESPECIALLY THE NEW CHURCH AND NEW CONVERTS! 

SAMARITAN’S COMPASSION

Of course, we are thankful and grateful how God is continues to use “Operation Samaritan’s Compassion” to spread the love of Christ to hurting people. In the past two months, we have been able to help many with medicine, two with surgeries, another one with hospital costs, and many with food. Yet, our biggest project the past month has been to help get poor children and teens enrolled in school. Because of the faithful giving of God’s people – a special shoutout to Pastor Le Jeune and the White Oak Baptist Church and Pastor Noel Cwenar and the Gospel Light Baptist Church for their significant gifts for this project – we have been able to see close to eighty young people enroll in school. Even my eldest daughter, Jessica and the Children’s Ministry at her church got involved and raised enough money for five young people.

PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR OPERATION SAMARITAN’S COMPASSION!

As always, my wife and I want to thank you for praying, giving, and taking the time to read over our Prayer update. We love and appreciate you all!

Your Missionaries in Asia,

Johnny and Denise Esposito

Nine years’ ago (March 14, 2013), my wife and I landed in Southeast Asia (Phnom Penh, Cambodia) and started a new journey in life. After nearly thirty years of full-time ministry in the United States, we had entered this new phase of life and ministry as missionaries in Asia.

We had left our five children, 12 grandchildren (that number has increased to 29 now), our home church (Pacific Baptist Church) of 18 years, a wonderful position as an Assistant Pastor, Vice-President of Pacific Baptist Bible College, School Administrator of Pacific Baptist School, and the Pastor of our Filipino Ministry and stepped a whole new world.

We have spent the past nine years in living and serving in two communist countries (over 5 ½ years in these two countries), along with the countries of Cambodia and Thailand, along with doing some ministry in Indonesia and Myanmar.

My wife and I are very grateful for your continual prayers and consistent financial support over the past ten years (one year deputation). God has blessed in so many ways, but we could not be here, nor stay here if it weren’t for the grace of God and the generosity of God’s people!

PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR DENISE AND ME AS WE CONTINUE TO FOLLOW THE LORD’S LEADING WHILE SERVING HERE IN ASIA!

Valentine’s Festival

Every year during the week of Valentine’s Day, thousands of Hmong and Thai people arrive in a small village called Phu Chi Fa. For the past eight years or so, our team here in Northern Thailand has used this as an opportunity to pass out thousands of tracts and share the gospel with those willing to listen. This year we passed out over 7,000 tracts, had the chance to personally share a clear presentation of the gospel with 35 men, women, and young people, and had 14 people bow their heads and trust Christ. I was even given the opportunity to preach the gospel for 15 minutes from the platform. It was great to see so many folks listen attentively to the message.

We are thankful for those of you that prayed for this special outreach and that God blessed the three days of ministry on top of the mountain!

PLEASE PRAY THAT GOD WILL BRING FORTH MUCH FRUIT FROM ALL THE SEED THAT WAS SOWN DURING THE VALENTINE’S FESTIVAL!

Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day has become a popular holiday here in Southeast Asia over the past few years. This year, for many of the folks that I have been teaching what the Bible has to say about “Marriage and the Family,” it also became a wonderful opportunity for them to teach many

others about “Marriage and the Family.” We have heard so many good reports from our friends and fellow laborers that went out of their way and conducted special Valentine’s Day Fellowships and/or had special Sunday services the day before Valentine’s Day to encourage God’s people to have marriages and families that honor Christ. 

PLEASE PRAY THAT THE TRUTHS OF GOD’S LOVE AND OUR LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER, INCLUDING OUR FAMILIES, WOULD PERMEATE THE HEARTS AND LIVES OF THE BELIEVERS HERE IN SOUTHEAST ASIA!

OUR ADOPTED DAUGHTER
While living and serving in one of the two communist countries that my wife and I lived in we had the privilege to have four Hmong teen/college age girls live with us. Their names were Bounmee, Pachu, Pachua, and Mai. We love all four of them dearly. Bounmee married Adrian Torres, one of our fellow team members and now lives and serves in the country of Cambodia. Pachua and Mai are still enrolled in the School of Ministry I had the privilege to start and oversee.

Pachu graduated from our School of Ministry and has now been serving as a missionary in the northern part of the country for over a year. She is serving alongside a dear pastor friend of ours. She has been such a blessing over the past year or so. She is teaching women, children, and teens the Bible. Along with this, she is teaching some of them how to use the computer, how to play the guitar, and some of them how to read their language. Illiteracy is a severe problem in this part of the world!

PLEASE PRAY FOR PACHU AND HER CHURCH FAMILY TO CONTINUE TO MAKE AN IMPACT IN THEIR PART OF THE COUNTRY!

PASTOR “B’s” Ministry

While living and serving in the Creative Access Nation for almost 4 ½ years, one of the men that we had the opportunity to influence is named “B.” He was one of my wife’s English students and I had the opportunity to teach him the Bible on many occasions. He is now pastoring and has been for the past five years.

Just prior to the COVID crisis his church was averaging about 30 or so, which by the way is tremendous in this part of the world, but during the pandemic his church doubled in attendance (despite four different lock downs, the last being 27 weeks), he saw dozens saved and baptized, and started two new village ministries. The vast majority of this was the result of him and our Bible

students reaching out to the poor, the needy, and the helpless and meeting their physical needs and spiritual needs. We are grateful to God for the opportunity to partner with them and to sit back and watch God bless!

PLEASE PRAY FOR PASTOR “B,” his family, and the ministry!

New Students

We are excited about three of our young ladies, from two of our village churches, which will be learning English in the city at a school run by a missionary. Learning English will help them to get better jobs in the future. One of the girls, Maixiong, is the daughter of Cherchou who I have been discipling for the past 26 months. Maixiong was in my wife’s Discipleship Group for close to two years before we got locked out of the country. We love Cherchou and his family. We are helping the girls, and we are praying that God will keep them safe in the city and help them to continue to grow to be the young ladies God desires for them to be. Will you pray with us?

Samaritan’s Compassion

As we mentioned in our last Prayer update, things have opened up quite a bit here in Southeast Asia over the past two months. That being said, the need to give a helping hand to the poor, the needy, and the helpless, especially those that have been affected by two years of lockdowns and restrictions is still very real. And, for this reason, we are extremely grateful that we can still partner with our friends and fellow laborers in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand. WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL FOR A HANDFUL OF CHURCHES THAT HAVE RECENTLY TAKEN UP SPECIAL OFFERINGS FOR OPERATION SAMARITAN’S COMPASSION!

As always, Denise and I want to thank you for your continual prayers and consistent financial support over the years, but above all, we thank you for your love and friendship!

Your Missionaries in Asia,
Johnny and Denise Esposito

The pictures above and below are of our dear friend, Pastor S, which spent more than a year imprisoned, baptizing eleven new converts. He is a longtime friend and fellow-laborer. We, along with Dwight Tomlinson and Barnabas1040 have supported and prayed for him and his family for more than two years. He is a faithful servant of Christ who is overseeing more than a dozen house churches and travels the country teaching and training local church pastors and church leaders. We are grateful for many of you that have prayed for him and his family and have helped us to support them financially, especially while he was in jail.

PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR THIS PASTOR, HIS FAMILY, AND HIS MINISTRY TO CONTINUE TO BEAR FRUIT!

 
Getting Back to Normal

We are so excited! Things are finally beginning to open here in Southeast Asia. Thank you for praying for us these past two years. It has been a difficult two years, to say the least. The pictures below are of one of our churches in one of the villages. After four different lockdowns (including the last one for 27 weeks), they were finally able to have in-person services. Most of the folks have returned, but as you well know some are still sitting out with COVID concerns. Two weeks ago, they had five saved and baptized six. We are so grateful for KX and LX’s faithfulness and fruitfulness and for those of you that are praying for them regularly!

PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR KX, LX, AND THIS DEAR CHURCH FAMILY AS THEY CONTINUE TO SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS OF CHRIST WHERE IT IS SO DESPERATELY NEEDED!

School of Ministry

Speaking of KX and LX not only are they doing a fantastic job with the church they started about five years ago, but after Denise and I left the country, and because of COVID restrictions were not allowed to return, they have done a wonderful job running our School of Ministry in the village. Praise the Lord, because we have dorms (houses) for the guys and the girls, we never really had to close the school down and classes have been going on four days a week for the entire time. I am so thankful that I have been able to continue instructing our students weekly online. Right now, I am teaching them on “Marriage and the Family,” a much-needed topic over here. They are loving it! I am so grateful for students that are not only gaining a head knowledge of the Bible but are taking what they learn to the harvest fields.

PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY KX, LX, AND FOR OUR SCHOOL OF MINISTRY IN THE VILLAGE!

Pastor K and Bible Students in the City

I am thankful for the opportunity to also continue to teach the other half of our students (we had to split them up in two separate locations when COVID hit), led by Pastor K. It is one of the highlights of my week, for sure. We are going through the Book of Ephesians and just so happen to have been stuck in Ephesians 5:21-6:4. Yes, “Marriage and the Family.”

Like our students in the village, Pastor K and these students are not only easy to teach, but they apply that which they have learned in the ministry, and they are ZEALOUS FOR SOULS! Just this past weekend they had six people trust Christ. Very seldom does a week pass that they do not have someone trust Christ. A new church that they started recently (a direct result of Operation Samaritan’s Compassion) is growing much.

PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR PASTOR K, HIS FAMILY, THE CHURCH FAMILY, AND THE BIBLE STUDENTS!
 
Back Together Again, finally!

As I mentioned above, things have opened here in most of Southeast Asia. Our church family, which had not met in-person for almost ten months is finally gathering in-person on Sundays. Can someone say, “Amen”? Of course, ten months of not meeting together in-person and with some still concerned about COVID, not everyone has returned, but we are just rejoicing that we can meet in person. On Sundays, I am preaching a series of messages on “A Kingdom-Minded People” from the Book of Matthew and on Wednesday’s I am teaching through the Book of Colossians. Unfortunately, our Wednesday Bible study is still on-line.

PLEASE PRAY THAT WE ARE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO GATHER TOGETHER AND THAT OUR NEW BUILDING GETS UP BEFORE LONG!

The New Children’s Ministry

Now that things are opening, we can slowly start to return to some semblance of normalcy. We have just started a new Children’s Ministry in one of the villages. Tom, Sue, Jui, Denise, and I are instructing the children and teens in English and using it as an opportunity to get to know the young people, build relationships with them, help them with their future, and have the opportunity to share the Good News of Jesus with them. We have about twenty-four young people attending, and I believe all but four (children/teens of our church members) are unbelievers.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THESE YOUNG PEOPLE TO COME TO CHRIST AND THIS MINISTRY TO BEAR FRUIT THAT REMAINS!
 
New “BUS” Route

As we mentioned in our previous update, we have a new Team Member. His name is Jui, and he is a graduate from our School of Ministry back in the Creative Access Nation where Denise and I lived and served until COVID locked us out. I also mentioned in our last update that Jui is fitting in extremely well and has been a huge blessing already. We are all so incredibly grateful that the Lord allowed Jui to join us!

Well, Jui has just become our second official “Bus” Captain. Brother Tom Sutrick has been a “Bus” Captain for years faithfully picking up children, teens, and adults from our village and bringing them to the services. Jui will be running a route from another village. Space is limited (we do not have a real bus), but it is going to be a blessing to see some new folks attending the services.

PLEASE PRAY FOR JUI AND THIS NEW MINISTRY!

Long Time Friends Return

This past Sunday we had a tremendous service. Because of a rainstorm both the night before and just prior to the service, we ended up meeting at Tom and Sue’s house. After the service, a handful of us went out for a time of food and fellowship.

Another blessing related to our new “bus” route, it was a blessing to have six new visitors, including two women and their husbands. The two women grew up in the village where our church family gathers. From what I understand, it had been at least a year since they had attended (partially because they live in another village thirty minutes away). It was truly a wonderful day!

PLEASE PRAY KIA AND LUE AND THEIR HUSBANDS TANG AND MO TO CONTINUE ATTENDING THE SERVICES!

Children’s Home

Denise, Jui, and I had the opportunity to once again go and minister at the Hilltop Rong Ber Baptist Children’s Home. It is always a blessing to spend a day or more with these young people. We had a Volleyball Tournament, various crazy games that Jui came up with, a pizza and ice cream party, and a service. During the service I challenged them to be thankful, to be prayerful, and to live lives of compassion. We sure do appreciate Brother Chris and his staff. They are doing a tremendous job loving these young people!

PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR BROTHER CHRIS, THE STAFF, AND ALL OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE AT THE HILLTOP RONG BER BAPTIST CHILDREN’S HOME

 
My Teaching Schedule

I absolutely love preaching, teaching, and discipleship (whether it be one-on-one or in a small group format). And to be honest, I am doing a lot of it right now. I am discipling nine different men and a married couple. I am teaching two sets of Bible college students and doing a Married Couple’s Class, along with our Sunday morning and Wednesday evening services here in Chiang Khong. All that to say this, I could use much prayer in this matter.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE VARIOUS OPPORTUNITIES I HAVE TO SOW THE SEED AND THAT GOD WILL BRING A GREAT INCREASE!

Samaritan’s Compassion

While the COVID numbers are dropping and things are slowly getting back to “normal,” the needs are still all around us and we are grateful that we still have a handful of individuals and a couple of churches that have given generously over the past two months so that we can continue to be a blessing to the poor, the needy, and the helpless. Many dear folks have been fed, medicine and clothing provided, as well as some more construction work done for those in need, including an outdoor restroom for a church family.

PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR GOD TO PROVIDE THE FUNDS, TO KEEP THE FERVOR, AND FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT TO BRING FORTH FRUIT FOR THE NATIONALS FROM THIS MINISTRY!
 
As always, Denise and I want to thank you for your friendship, your faithful prayers, and consistent financial support for these almost nine years that we have been on the field. We could not be here but by God’s grace and your generosity!

Your Missionaries in Southeast Asia,

Johnny and Denise Esposito

 

What is the “Breaking News”?

Of course, as you know, my wife and I were scheduled to have a short five-to-six-month furlough, and like so many other things, unfortunately, COVID changed all of that for us. We have now been in the States for almost fifteen months. 

I am grateful that we have been able to stay busy (travelling and preaching here in the States, raising thousands of dollars for the poor, the needy, and the helpless of Southeast Asia, teaching 22 School of Ministry students in two different locations, and discipling eight different men in three different countries). Needless to say, my wife and I have been blessed in so many ways!  

Here’s the Breaking News:

Lord willing, and if the proverbial “creek doesn’t rise,” nor the COVID numbers in Thailand, my wife and I will be heading back to Asia on Tuesday, August 10. Regrettably, we still cannot go back to Laos. They are still closed, and because of COVID restrictions, will likely be closed for quite some time.  

In lieu of this–after two weeks of quarantining in Bangkok–my wife and I will be relocating, at least temporarily, in Northern Thailand to work with our fellow team members, Tom and Sue Sutrick. They have asked us to assist them with a few projects. 

It looks like I will be discipling (leadership development) two of Tom and Sue’s men in Thailand. In addition to this, we will be helping them, at least in the beginning stages, to start a School of Ministry as we did in the country of Laos. Lord willing, Denise will be working with some of their young ladies and possibly teaching English as a second language!  

In addition to the above, I will continue teaching the two different groups of School of Ministry students online (Laos) as well as continue discipling the eight men online (Laos, Cambodia, and China) while we are in Thailand.

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PLEASE PRAY FOR THIS NEW PHASE IN OUR LIFE AND MINISTRIES

We are in the middle of the Summer Term for our School of Ministry/Bible College students. It’s been a great term. I am going through and teaching the Book of Matthew for the students in the village and have been teaching on both “Prayer” and “The Call of God” for the students in the city. 

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PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR THESE YOUNG MEN AND YOUNG WOMEN TO CONTINUE TO GROW IN THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF THE BIBLE AND THEIR LOVE FOR THE LORD!

As I have mentioned repeatedly, over the past year or so, it has been a tremendous blessing to be able to invest in the lives of these eight men and their families pictured below. It has been especially helpful for them too, as almost all of them have been locked down and prohibited from having in-person services at various times. I am so thankful for the blessing of meeting with these men on a weekly basis.

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Despite eight weeks of not being allowed to meet in person, it has been very exciting to see one of our churches growing leaps and bounds in recent days. Kong, Lilee, and our School of Ministry students are doing a tremendous job despite very difficult circumstances.

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While the incoming funds for “Operation Samaritan’s Compassion” has slowed down quite a bit since the COVID numbers in the United States have been going down, the needs in countries like Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand have not. 

In fact, the COVID numbers have been going up in Southeast Asia, thus the need for helping folks is greater than ever. Notice the words below from an email I received from a missionary in Vietnam just a week or so ago:

“Covid in Vietnam has caused many to go hungry. There are stores with no food.

There are prohibitions for street vendors. There are long lines at stores that do have food. There are no government programs for food stamps or QE monies handed out.

So many of the poorest, with no relatives, are starving.

Pastor Sang, Pastor Davit, Pastor David and Pastor Samuel have been taking food baskets to the poor and hungry in their areas.”

After we sent him $500 a couple of days ago, here’s his reply:

“One food basket here costs us 250,000 dong, or about $12.  The staples in that basket can feed one person for almost a month, if used sparingly. $500 equals 11.5 million dong.  Dividing that by 250,000 dong means that we can help 46 people to make it through the next month. Thank you for your mercy and your prayers.”

In the past thirty days, we sent $1,000 to the country of Laos, $500 to the country of Vietnam, and another $450 to the country of Cambodia to assist with various needs.

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PLEASE PRAY THAT GOD WILL CONTINUE TO BRING FUNDS IN TO MEET VARIOUS NEEDS AND THAT MANY WILL COME TO KNOW CHRIST THROUGH THESE DEEDS OF LOVE!

As always, Denise and I would like to thank you for your continual prayers and your consistent prayer support. We covet your prayers as we begin this new phase of ministry!

Your Missionaries in Southeast Asia,

Johnny

PS PLEASE DO PRAY THAT GOD WILL BLESS US WITH THE NECESSARY FUNDS TO COVER ALL OF THE EXPENSES FOR THE TRIP BACK, THE QUARANTINE,  AND THE RESETTLEMENT IN THAILAND! 

The three pictures above are some of our folks celebrating Valentine’s Day. Of course, this is just one of the many “things” that have been learned from us in America. We are grateful that these young people understand that the greatest love story ever told was the story of Christ! 

The last five weeks have been both busy and blessed. In fact, I am typing these words while sitting at an airport in Cincinnati. Over the past month, I have been in churches in California, Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana. As always, God and His people have been good as we have had the opportunity to report for ten of our supporting churches, as well as present our newest ministry “Operation Samaritan’s Compassion.” 

It has been so encouraging to see so many Christians and churches “jump on board” and give sacrificially for the poor, the needy, the helpless, and the furtherance of the gospel in Asia. TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

PLEASE PRAY THAT GOD WILL CONTINUE TO WATER AND BRING AN INCREASE IN THE HEARTS AND THE LIVES OF THOSE WITH WHOM WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SOW HIS PRECIOUS WORD! 

In addition to the travelling, I have continued my online discipleship with six men from back “home” and teaching two days for our young men and women preparing for the ministry. With five of the men, we have been looking at “Biblical Principles of Leadership from the Life and Letters of Paul.”  

It has been such a blessing as we have gone through the books of 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, and are presently going through the Book of Ephesians. So many gems of eternal and practical truths, not only for those that are leading ministries, but for all of God’s people.

Of course, I am continuing to teach our School of Ministry (Bible college) students that are located in the city and in the village twice a week. It’s always a real blessing!

PLEASE PRAY THAT GOD WILL CONTINUE TO BLESS OUR DISCIPLESHIP SESSIONS AND THAT KONG, JUI, SOUBIN, CHERCHOU, KOSAL, RICHARD, AND OUR SCHOOL OF MINISTRY STUDENTS WOULD CONTINUE TO GROW IN THEIR FAITH, THEIR LOVE FOR CHRIST, AND FOR THE CAUSE OF CHRIST! 

Over the last month or so, we have seen so many folks come to Christ and a handful baptized back “home.” Interestingly enough, despite the fact that COVID has been such an issue over the past year it might have been our best year when it comes to seeing folks trust Christ. Below are just a few of the pictures of those that have come to Christ in the past month.

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PLEASE PRAY THAT GOD WILL BRING THESE NEW CONVERTS TO A PLACE OF SPIRITUAL MATURITY AND THAT HE WILL CONTINUE TO BRING MORE FOLKS TO A SAVING KNOWLEDGE OF THE LORD JESUS!

One of the primary things that I tried to instill in our team back “home” is a desire to disciple others. I believe with God’s help; we have been able to see a discipleship culture created back “home.” I am especially excited about Kong and Lilee and their desire to disciple others. In recent days, they both have started brand new discipleship groups to go along with groups they had going already. Speaking of discipleship, Lily also hosted a three day “seminar” to teach our young people how to be effective Sunday school teachers. She did a wonderful job!

PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR FOLKS BACK HOME TO GIVE THEMSELVES TO DISCIPLING YOUNG AND OLD ALIKE!

Our team has been busy, not only “building lives,” but over the past month or so, our young men have built a new kitchen for our School of Ministry and a new baptistry. We are so grateful for their willingness to build – lives and whatever is needed!

Speaking of our new baptistry, just yesterday Pastor Kong and his church family had the opportunity to “break it in.” To God be the glory, eight new converts were baptized in the new baptistry. Needless to say, our folks were very excited!

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PLEASE PRAY THAT GOD WILL CONTINUE TO GROW THESE DEAR FOLKS IN THEIR FAITH AND LOVE FOR CHRIST!

As I mentioned above, many of God’s people have “jumped on board” and have been giving sacrificially to “Operation Samaritan’s Compassion.” And for this, we are extremely grateful, and we have been able to funnel much needed support back to Southeast Asia to needy Christians, churches, and needy unbelievers. 

PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY THAT GOD WILL BLESS THIS MINISTRY AND BLESS THE FOLKS THAT HAVE GIVEN SACRIFICIALLY TOWARDS THIS MINISTRY!

Denise and I are still “stuck” here in the States. Most, if not all of the countries in Southeast Asia are still closed in lieu of COVID -19, but we are hoping and praying to get back soon. PLEASE PRAY WITH US ABOUT THIS!

As always, Denise and I want to thank you for your prayers, your financial support, and your friendship over the years. May the Lord richly bless you and yours in the days to come.

Your Missionaries to Southeast Asia,

Johnny and Denise Esposito

Greetings to all of our family, friends, and supporting churches. My wife and I are so thankful for your faithful prayers and consistent financial support, especially in the midst of these trying times, and we want to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. The picture above is of our School of Ministry students and a few others, in the northern part of our country “back home.” They just completed their annual Winter Missions’ trip. You can see more pictures of the trip at the end of this Prayer Update!

PLEASE PRAY THAT GOD WILL INSTILL A DESIRE FOR THE NATIONS IN THE HEARTS AND LIVES OF OUR SCHOOL OF MINISTRY STUDENTS AND WILL USE ALL OF THEM TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR CHRIST AND THE CAUSE OF CHRIST!

Well, needless to say, the past twelve months have been very “interesting,” to say the least. Between the COVID 19 Crisis, government restrictions around the world, economic instability, etc… we have had a boatload to navigate through both “around the corner” and “around the world.” And yet, in the midst of all the trials and troubles there have been many triumphs and victories in and for the Lord!

As always, God has shown Himself faithful and for this, we are grateful!

One of the many blessings in the midst of the many burdens of this past year has been the many people that have been saved, baptized, added to the church, and discipled in 2020, and yes, even in the midst of a global pandemic, government restrictions, and an increase in persecution. Over the past two weeks, we have had reports of two entire households trusting Christ, burning their idols, and being baptized – all in the same day. In addition to this, a couple week’s ago, Jui led a Vietnamese immigrant and his wife to Christ. Our two village churches, along with a few other sister churches back “home” have seen well over 60 people come to Christ with more than 40 of those being baptized, and many of them being discipled.

Even the members of our pastor friend back “home”, that has been incarcerated for ten months now, have been faithfully sowing the seed of God’s word and have had dozens trust Christ. I am thankful that “Operation Samaritan’s Compassion” and  Dwight Tomlinson and Barnabas 1040 have been helping to support him and his family over the past ten months!

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PRAY THAT A SOUL-WINNING FERVOR WILL BE AS MUCH A “NORM” IN 2021 AS IT WAS IN 2020!

Please continue to pray for our pastor friend and his family. He has now been incarcerated for ten months and, barring a miracle from above, he will definitely not be out to celebrate Christmas with his family. We are thankful for the many different individual Christians and churches that have helped us to help him, his family and many others by way of “Operation Samaritan’s Compassion.” By the way, if you would like to help with this much needed ministry just give us a shout!

Of course, as you know, Denise and I are still “stuck” in the States. Back “home” they keep pushing back the date for re-opening the borders and only the Lord knows when we will be able to return, but we are doing all that we can to stay busy doing what God has called us to do. Fortunately, I have been able to report or present in two churches just about every week since the beginning of June. I have stayed extremely busy with online discipleship, discipling five men (nine hours a week) and on-line teaching once a week for our School of Ministry back “home.” My wife has also been faithfully discipling and/or counseling a few of our ladies back home. What a blessing to have a wife who has a heart for the Lord and for people!

In addition to this, my wife and I are fairly busy raising funds here in the USA and transferring these funds back to Asia to help the poor, the needy, the helpless, as well as struggling churches. Very grateful for all that my wife does to help with “Operation Samaritan’s Compassion.” By the end of the 2020, by God’s grace and the generosity of many of God’s people, we will have been able to send nearly fifty thousand dollars to Asia to help the poor, the needy, the helpless, and struggling churches during these trying times.

God has been very good, and His people have been very generous!

PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY THAT GOD WILL USE US RIGHT WHERE WE ARE AND THAT HE WILL OPEN THE NECESSARY DOORS TO GET BACK TO ASIA!

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We are especially grateful for the opportunity that God has afforded us over the past nearly eight years to invest in the lives of so many people, whether in China or five different countries in Southeast Asia. We are especially thankful for the opportunity to invest in so many national pastors, church leaders, and young men and women preparing for ministry. And yet, we couldn’t do it without your prayers and your financial support.

Thank You and We are Praying that You Have a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,

Johnny and Denise Esposito

Pictures below are from the College students’ missions trip up north.

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The Hmong woman above is 100 years old and just trusted Christ this past weekend. Her name is Chuan. After her daughter-n-law trusted Christ, she invited our School of Ministry students to the house. They shared the gospel with Chuan but she did not get saved until Kong made a second visit. A 100-year-old woman trusting Christ is a miracle in any country, but especially in a country such as ours back “home.” Thankful for Kong and our School of Ministry students and their heart to reach their people, whether young or old, with the good news of Jesus Christ. Our “Operation Samaritan’s Compassion” ministry will also be helping to meet some of her desperate physical needs too!

Please pray for Chuan’s spiritual growth!

Well, as we approach the Thanksgiving Season, my wife and I wanted to take just a moment and thank our family and friends, our home and sending church, and all of our supporting churches for all that you have done for us. Thank you for praying. Thank you for giving. Thank you for loving us and loving those with whom God has entrusted into our care.

As we often say, “We could not go, we could not stay, and we could not continue the task that God has given us to do without the grace of God and the generosity of God’s people!”  

My wife and I are especially grateful during these trying times – in the midst of a Global Pandemic, Government restrictions, and all of the political divisiveness, and social unrest in the United States – that you have not stopped praying, giving, loving, and encouraging.

In fact, during this difficult season, some of our supporting churches have stepped up to the plate and have taken special offerings for our “Operation Samaritan’s Compassion,” which has allowed us to send over $35,000.00 to three countries in Southeast Asia to help the poor, the needy, the helpless, and struggling churches!

We are also especially thankful that despite these interesting days in which we are stuck in America, unable to go back “home,” God has allowed us to report or present our ministry including “Operation Samaritan’s Compassion” in an average of two churches each week for the past five months, while still continuing our online discipleship sessions with four of the men in Asia, as well as teaching online for our School of Ministry on a weekly basis. Denise is also discipling a few of our women and teen girls back in Asia online!

PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR ALL OF OUR OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE AND BE A BLESSING “AROUND THE CORNER” AND “AROUND THE WORLD.”

My wife and I are so grateful to receive “glowing reports” on almost a daily basis of people being saved, baptized, discipled, new ministries being started, as well the poor, the needy, and the helpless being cared for. As a direct result of our “Operation Samaritan’s Compassion” there have been 17 adults saved and nine baptized over the past few months.

PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST BACK “HOME” AS THEY LABOR FOR GOD AND FOR GOOD!

We are both very grateful that our home and sending church, Pacific Baptist of Long Beach, CA, is doing very well in the midst of this Pandemic. In fact, other than having to hold services outside and not able to run their busses because of COVID restrictions, they really haven’t skipped a beat. Every service is a full house, they are still having classes (both the school and the college), they are still out sharing the Gospel in the community, and they just conducted a great three-day Missions’ Revival in which I was privileged to preach twice and teach a one-day Missions Intensive for the college. And, of course, the best part of the Missions’ Revival was spending time with many of our grandchildren!

PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR OUR HOME AND SENDING CHURCH AND THOUSANDS LIKE IT AROUND THE NATION DURING THESE TRYING TIMES!

My wife and I are so very thankful for a couple of churches that have specifically designated special offerings to help our pastor friend who has been incarcerated for almost nine months now and has yet to be charged with a crime.  With your help we have been able to support his family for the past seven or eight months!

PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR OUR PASTOR FRIEND AND HIS FAMILY BACK “HOME” DURING THESE DIFFICULT DAYS!

We are so very grateful and excited to see the growth of the men, women, and teen girls that we are discipling. They are growing in the faith, their love for the Lord, their love for a lost and dying world, and in their service of God. Very exciting! 

PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR KONG, SOUBIN, CHERCHOU, KOSAL, PHACU, AND KASHUA!

We sincerely want to wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving! And, once again, say “Thank you. Thank you for loving, praying, and giving for our ministry ‘around the corner’ and ‘around the world!’”

Your Missionaries in Southeast Asia,

Johnny and Denise Esposito

Psalm 100:4, Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

The pictures above and below are some of the poor village children from one of our ministries that have been blessed by “OPERATION SAMARITAN’S COMPASSION” with much needed school supplies and shoes. 

DID YOU KNOW THAT THE COUNTRY IN WHICH WE SERVE HAS A MEDIAN AGE OF 24.4 YEAR’S OLD? IN THE UNITED STATES IT IS 38.2 YEAR’S OLD!

As a team we are not only working with adults, but we are working with children and teens. By God’s grace and the generosity of God’s people, we are doing everything we can to meet their physical needs as well as their spiritual needs. Our desire is to raise up a generation of young laborers for the Lord Jesus in this desperately needy country!

It has been an interesting ride, over the past few months to say the least, but God has been good, and, as always, He has been gracious. We were supposed to head back to Asia in the middle of August, but the borders are still closed. Yet, God has been using us in a special way since being “stuck” in the United States. 

Over the past few months, we have started what I am calling “OPERATION SAMARITAN’S COMPASSION.” This is a ministry to help the poor, the needy and the marginalized in Asia who have suffered greatly, especially since COVID-19 struck.

As I often tell folks, here in the U.S., the poor and the needy back “home” have no unemployment and no government stimulus package, but they do have the goodness of God and the generosity of God’s people.  I am thankful to God that many of God’s people have “stepped up to the plate,” and have given generously. Over the past six months, we have been able to funnel over $20,000 to three different countries (Cambodia, Thailand, and Laos) to bless the poor, the needy, and the marginalized!

As is often the case, when you help the poor and the needy physically, they are often far more prone to listen to your message as you try to help them spiritually, which, of course, is their greatest need. Over the past few months, at least thirteen of these dear people have trusted Christ and eight have been baptized. And, many others have had their hearts softened to the point that they have been willing to listen to a soul-winner share the Good News of Jesus Christ and/or attend a church service for the first time!

PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY (AND, IF POSSIBLE, GIVE) FOR OPERATION SAMARITAN’S COMPASSION TO CONTINUE TO BE USED GREATLY BY GOD DURING THESE DIFFICULT TIMES!

Our new dormitory was completed in August and our School of Ministry just opened its doors for the new Fall Term two weeks ago. Last Spring, we had over twenty students meeting in the capitol city.  Twelve of those students were the fruit of our ministry and the other nine of them were from another ministry. These students are now meeting in two different locations.  

Of course, I was supposed to be teaching two or three classes, but COVID-19 has prohibited that. No problem though, God has that all taken care of. Pastor Kong, Pastor Leexeng, and Pastor Kampai are doing all the teaching in the two locations. 

PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR SCHOOL OF MINISTRY STUDENTS AND THE THREE NATIONAL PASTORS TEACHING THEM!

One of the ministries that we have been helping is our team in Northern Thailand, Tom and Sue Sutrick are the “real deal” and have been serving in Thailand since retiring in the States. We have been able to partner with them to help many in their village, including building a small brick house for a widow. We are also thankful to have played a small part in helping to encourage another church to help Tom and Sue to build a new church facility.

PLEASE PRAY FOR TOM AND SUE AND THE MINISTRY IN THEIR VILLAGE

As I have mentioned in previous updates, I am discipling six men from three different countries online. It is exciting to watch as God is growing them much. As we mentioned in the past, one of them just started a new work a few months ago in his home and his village. We are grateful for Brother Dwight Tomlinson and Barnabas 1040 recently taking Soubin on for some support, as well as taking on another one of our pastor friends back “home.” 

PLEASE PRAY FOR PASTORS SOUBIN AND SITHONE AND THEIR MINISTRIES!

We are also very grateful that things are getting back to a sense of normalcy back “home,” especially when it comes to the gatherings and the ministries of the churches. Over the past few weeks folks have been returning, people have been getting saved and baptized, and special training sessions for church members are being conducted!

PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR CHURCHES AS WELL AS THE OTHER CHURCHES THAT GOD HAS ALLOWED US TO HAVE INFLUENCE OVER!

Denise and I are very grateful that we have been able to report for quite a few churches over the past three months and we had the privilege to participate in a Missions’ Conference this past week with Pastor Jason Brockman and the Colorado Baptist Springs church family.

It was a tremendous conference and the church not only took us on for monthly support but also gave generously to our OPERATION SAMARITAN’S COMPASSION FUND. Lord willing, I will be in another Missions’ Conference in about three weeks.

As always, Denise and I want to thank you for your consistent prayers and faithful financial support, even in these difficult days. We are ever reminded that we are able to do what God has led us to do because of His grace and your generosity!

Your Missionaries in Southeast Asia,

Johnny and Denise

“Where have we any command in the Bible laid down in stronger terms, and in a more peremptory urgent manner, than the command of giving to the poor?” – George Whitfield

“Christ’s command (to love our neighbor as ourselves), coupled with the depth of poverty in the world and the reality of wealth in our lives, has huge implications for the way we live. … If the love of God is in our hearts, then it is not possible for us to ignore the poor in the world. The gospel compels Christians in a wealthy culture to action—selfless, sacrificial, costly, countercultural action—on behalf of the poor.” – David Platt

As always, my wife and I are so very grateful for your prayers, your financial support, and in many cases, your friendship over the many years. To say the least, these have been interesting days – not only in the United States, but around the world. Yet, God is still on His throne, Christ is still Lord of all, and the church of God is still on the move “around the corner” and “around the world.”

The picture above are just some of the supplies that we have been providing for the poor, the needy, and the helpless in Asia during these trying times in what I am calling “Operation Samaritan’s Compassion.” A few churches and a handful of individuals have partnered with us the past few months enabling us to send nearly $12,000 to help many people, not only in our “home” country but in the country of Cambodia also. And, we still are sending money on a regular basis.

If you are interested in helping with this project please let us know!!!

We definitely covet your prayers. Denise and I were scheduled to return back “home” to our field from this short furlough in the middle of August, unfortunately, in light of COVID – 19, that’s not going to be happening, at least not in August or September. We are thankful that we serve a God that, even in the midst of a global pandemic is still in the business of guiding and directing His people, saving lost sinners, and maturing His children.

PLEASE PRAY THAT GOD WILL OPEN DOORS THAT NO MAN CAN SHUT SO THAT WE CAN RETURN TO THE FIELD SOON!

I am thankful that during this season, because of the technology of the day, I have still been able to disciple five different men (three from Laos, one from China, and just added another one from Cambodia) on a weekly basis. It is such a joy to be able to spend time with these men and to watch as they continue to grow in their love for the Lord and their service for Christ and the cause of Christ. These are all good men that I was discipling while in Asia, and I am grateful we can continue to do so while “stuck” in the States. The picture below is Kosal and his daughter Abigail. We just started meeting once again (on-line, of course) this past week. While living and serving with our team in Cambodia I had the privilege to disciple Kosal once or twice a week for two years.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THESE FIVE FINE YOUNG MEN (SOUBIN, CHERCHOU, JUI, RICHARD, AND KOSAL)!

We are also grateful that we are able to keep in contact with our team back “home” on almost a daily basis. God is doing some amazing things through our folks back home. In addition to the services in the capital city and three different villages in which our folks are serving, the School of Ministry dorm is progressing well, and we are also helping them and others to help the poor, the needy, and the helpless (“OPERATION SAMARITAN’S COMPASSION”) during these difficult days and trying times. A handful of the folks that received physical help also trusted Christ!

WE ARE EXTREMELY GRATEFUL FOR CHURCHES AND INDIVIDUAL BELIEVERS THAT HAVE PARTNERED WITH US, NOT ONLY TO SEE SOULS SAVED, LIVES CHANGED, AND CHURCHES PLANTED, BUT ALSO TO ASSIST THE POOR AND THE NEEDY DURING THESE TRYING TIMES. THESE FOLKS HAVE NO UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS, NO STIMULUS PACKAGE. THEY DEPEND ON THE GENEROSITY OF GOD’S PEOPLE!

The woman above is named, Sua Xiong. She is the mother of our Bible student Vangpao. She had never attended one of our services until this past Sunday. Why did she attend? Because we helped to meet her physical need. Please pray for her salvation! 

PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR ALL OF THE DIFFERENT MINISTRIES THAT WE HAVE OPERATING FOR CHRIST AND THE CAUSE OF CHRIST AT THIS TIME. BUT ESPECIALLY PRAY FOR “OPERATION SAMARITAN’S COMPASSION.” PRAY THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO MEET PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL NEEDS DURING THIS TIME!

As much of the U.S. is beginning to “open,” we are actually beginning to have some meetings. In the past six weeks, we have had meetings in five different supporting churches and look forward to being in a few more of our supporting churches in the next three weeks.

PLEASE PRAY THAT GOD WILL GIVE US THE OPPORTUNITY TO REPORT TO SOME MORE OF OUR SUPPORTING CHURCHES BEFORE WE DO LEAVE THE COUNTRY!

As always, my wife and I want to thank you and your church family for your prayers, financial support, and concern for us at all times, especially during this time. God bless you and yours!

Your Missionaries in Southeast Asia,

Johnny and Denise Esposito

 

The picture above is of one of our dear ladies. Her name is Champa. Her salvation testimony is heart-warming.  In recent days, she has stepped up by faith to fill a great need in teaching some of the other Hmong women in her village. Discipleship really does make a difference!

While we are still navigating through the tumultuous waters here in the United States, back “home” in “our respective country” things are going extremely well. Most, not all, of the COVID -19 restrictions have been lifted in recent days. Four of our School of Ministry students graduated with a two-year diploma. We are so proud of Kong, Jui, Souphan, and Pachu and look forward to seeing what God does in and through their lives. 

After our School of Ministry graduation and working some on our new dormitory, a handful of our School of Ministry students went back home for a while and are busying themselves with the work of the harvest, both natural and spiritual. We are so thankful for young people that are committed to Christ, the cause of Christ, and have a sincere love for the people of their country.

PLEASE PRAY THAT GOD WILL CONTINUE TO USE OUR FOUR GRADUATES AS WELL AS ALL OF OUR STUDENTS TO MAKE AN IMPACT IN THE COUNTRY! 

The church services in all three of our locations have finally resumed and are still trying to get back to where they were before the lockdown. Our Saturday Children and Teen Ministries have also recently started up once again, and the new Bible study in Soubin’s village is doing extremely well.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THESE VARIOUS SERVICES!

We so very proud of our School of Ministry students and a few of our church members. Despite the extreme heat and limited resources, the work on our School of Ministry dormitory is progressing well ahead of schedule. It looks like the dorm will be completed sometime in July, and well ahead of our fall term.

PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR THE NEW DORMITORY!

Of course, I have been able to continue my online discipleship sessions with Soubin (three days a week), Cherchou (three days a week), and Jui (one day a week). These are three good men that love the Lord, the word of God, and are committed to doing the work of God.  Lord willing, Pastor Kong and I will also be meeting once a week for a time of discipleship beginning soon.

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PLEASE PRAY FOR JUI, SOUBIN, CHERCHOU, AND THEIR FAMILIES!

It has also been a blessing to teach a series of lessons on “The Lost Art of Discipleship” for one of my former Bible college students, Pastor Kyle Beck, and the Pacific Baptist Church family of Monterey Park. Lord willing, I will be teaching for five to six weeks. 

PLEASE PRAY FOR PASTOR KYLE BECK AND PBC MP AS THEY HAVE JUST STARTED MEETING TOGETHER IN PERSON ON SUNDAYS!  

I am also thankful for the opportunity that my wife and I, a handful of family and friends here in the States, our home church Pacific Baptist Church, and Barnabas1040 were able to continue supporting various needs back in two different countries in Southeast Asia – including assisting our team in Cambodia financially in the repairs of the roof of their brand new church building, which was completely blown off in a recent storm.

PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR TEAM IN CAMBODIA AS THEY RESTART THE REBUILDING PROCESS!

As always, my wife and I want to thank you and your church family for your prayers, financial support, and concern for us at all times, especially during this time. God bless you and yours!

Your Missionaries in Southeast Asia,

Johnny and Denise Esposito