Karina Seaborn Update
Thank you to my current monthly supporters and those who have given gifts to help me while I am giving my all to be obedient to God in serving Him and the people of Cambodia. You are a blessing and your generosity has been making an impact here. Thank you!
If you would like be a part of what God is doing here in Cambodia by working alongside me, please first pray for this beautiful country and its amazing people.
If you would like to help financially, I would like to ask that you prayerfully consider helping monthly as I am about to transition into being a staff member who has to pay monthly fees and have a reliable amount of support coming in consistently to stay in Cambodia long term.
By clicking the button above you have the option to donate monthly, bi-monthly or just once. Plus it’s tax-deductible.
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria,
and to the end of the earth.”
Acts 1:8
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Praise Report!
Because of the generosity of most of the people who read this newsletter, my first 5 months of being in Cambodia are fully covered! This includes my school tuition for leadership training and Khmer lessons, housing, food, and health insurance.
Thank you for helping me get started in joining God’s ongoing story in bringing more Cambodians to His family that we personally know ourselves. There’s so many here who have never even heard of Jesus before (or in Khmer “Pray Su”).
Thank you for being apart of what is happening here.
If you would like to see more personal thoughts and everyday things that I am experiencing, I often share pictures and video clips in my stories section on Facebook and Instagram.😁
Missions update - Team Lagang
In January of 2022, five families answered the call for a short-term mission’s experience with YWAM Kona’s Family Discipleship Training School (DTS). We had the privilege of discipling these families and their children through a six-month journey. There were 10 adults and 12 kids ranging from age 2 through 13. The adults spent 11 weeks on varying topics such as Hearing God’s Voice, Nature and Character of God, and Spiritual Warfare, just to name a few. The children attended their own classes that complemented the parents’ courses. These courses prepared the children and parents for a 2-month outreach to a country God placed on the hearts of the leaders to minister at.
During the third week, the outreach location was revealed: Jinja, Uganda
How would it be to navigate five families and their children through airports, public transportation, and to guide them in the transition of life in a third world country? We spent many days in prayer for wisdom and strength. Result, the families were troopers! The children adapted, lives were changed. Their experience was a memorable one.
Upon arrival in Uganda, our accommodations were cinder block homes. They were quite nice! Our beds were covered in mosquito netting and we had no hot water. Tap water was undrinkable and had to be treated or filtered. We also had the option of purchasing 5 gallon jugs of purified water. Diet consisted of rice, potatoes, beans, cabbage, and watermelon. Once a week we would have meat included in our meals. Some families (including ourselves) packed 1 or 2 suitcases full of Costco snacks and proteins to supplement our meals. It was quite a challenge, but these things did not hinder the reason we were there.
Each week, our ministries consisted of house visits in villages, prison ministry, visiting orphanages, public market evangelism, open air evangelism, Sunday church services, and children’s ministry opportunities in various places. We assigned Sunday speakers and took turns planning and leading children’s ministry programs.
While in YWAM Kona, the kids were taught how to share the gospel, prophesy, and pray for people. They were taught skits and dances, so they were also included in our ministry planning. That’s exactly what they did on outreach in Uganda. They had quite an experience when called on. Some shared testimony and gave a word from the Lord on the spot.
When the kids did their skits and dances, it drew crowds. When crowds gathered, it allowed our team to go through and share the gospel and pray over those open to it.
There was a time we did an open air at an outdoor marketplace and when we closed with an altar call and ministry, we were caught off guard as how many came forward for prayer and wanted to receive Jesus. Some were Muslims, some rededicated their lives, and some wanted bibles and discipleship.
Matthew 9:37, which talks about the harvest being ready hits differently in third world countries. There is so much opportunity for discipleship.
I had the opportunity to share the gospel with a Muslim teenager. As I was sharing, he was asking alot of questions. He wanted to know more about Jesus. After speaking with him, I felt he needed to attend a Discipleship Training Course at YWAM Hope Land in Jinja, Uganda, but where would he get the money to pay for lecture and outreach fees? Many struggle to even have a decent meal. Suddenly, I heard the Lord say to pay for his DTS. So my wife and I prayed and we were in agreement. When I told the teen what the Lord wanted to do, he sent me a voicemail in tears. He was crying with joy at what the Lord told us to do. We told him God saw him. He saw his heart. He shared the news with his mother and she allowed him to attend. He shared that it was a dream come true and kept thanking us. Our relationship still stands as we’ve departed from Uganda. We keep in touch and he updates me in his studies in DTS. He only lives a few blocks away, but has not been home since the start of his school because he loves the atmosphere he is in living on campus.
God is not looking for how many you’ve led to the Lord. He’s looking for obedient hearts to where, who, and what He’s called you to. Sometimes it’s too hard places. Sometimes it’s to people who are difficult. But how many know that it is no longer us who live, but Christ who lives in us.
Of the families who went through DTS, one stayed behind to be on volunteer staff for a few years with YWAM Tanzania, and another will return back to Uganda in a couple of months to do a 2nd level school called School of Biblical Studies (SBS).
The lives of these families have been changed and they will be impacting their communities back home as they did on outreach. As for us, we will return back to YWAM Kona to prepare for the next quarter of new student families.
Missions update - Aliya C
We have finished the lecture phase of the DTS (Discipleship Training School) and now we are currently in the 4th week of outreach. We are now in Bali Indonesia where we able to help with local church’s here, kids’ ministry, prison ministry, help with soccer ministry, help teaching English to kids here in the city. We have seen God move in amazing ways here! We have been able to come and support the locals here in Bali with different ministry opportunities and have encouraged them to keep up with things God has spoken for them.
We walked to help with the kid’s ministry, and I was asked to speak to the moms that attend to drop off their kids. I was able to chat with them and share a word God placed on my heart for them, God told me Aliya I want my daughters to know ‘how I am so proud of them!’ I encouraged them and also started to share with them a bit of what Gods been showing me in this season of my life. Sharing with them that they don’t have to act and be tough, but that God sees them even when no one thanks them for the things they do God sees it and says thank you for serving even when you are tired! The woman started to tear up and nodded as I shared this encouragement. After I asked if they ever heard of Jesus? They said we don’t know this Jesus that encourages us, I shared the gospel with them and invited an opportunity for them to accept Jesus in their life. They looked at me with some reservations but then they said, “This Jesus, He wants us”? And I said “of course”! They asked for prayer and accepted Jesus in their lives! 3 women that day said yes and was impacted by the Holy Spirit, also they heard God’s voice for the first time and said This God speaks to me no other God has! Women were lining up wanting to hear God’s voice and receive prayer. One of the ladies there has been Muslim for most of her life and the team that has been helping with the kid’s ministry have been trusting for her salvation, and she responded and said I need Jesus!
God is moving here in Bali, yes Bali is a well-known tourist spot but with Covid there hasn’t been a lot of traveling so with us as a team being the first wave of foreigners coming to Bali. We have prayed that we would bring Jesus to the people here and that we can redeem the locals’ experiences with foreigners. Since foreigners are known to just party.
We have 5 more weeks of outreach to go, we are excited to see what else God wants to go through us as a team! Also I’m very proud of the 4 students that are on the DTS and how they have yielded themselves to God. They have taken bold steps out to share their story with people and have seen God use their obedience and impact peoples lives!
Prayer Request
Pray for our health as a team
Pray for team unity
Pray for God to keep opening doors for more ministry
- Aliya C - YWAM Missions Partner
A Mother's Love
When God designed women he designed them with a heart of compassion, a heart that reaches out, a heart that chooses to love. A mother’s love is such a tremendous gift, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps not record of wrong, and 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. (1 Corinthians 13)
The Liberia team got to witness such love in action by the many orphanage directors that we came in contact with. These powerful women of faith have adopted and loved so many children. These children did not come from their body but have been adopted into their family. These amazing mothers care for the needs of the children, they wash their clothes, feed them, pray with them, send them off to school, they clean their wounds and give them baths. They provide a safe place to live, a home, and a family. It doesn’t matter if there are from the same tribe, have the same skin tone or are even from the same country, a mother’s love knows no bounds.
Please help us partner with these amazing mothers in Liberia as they continue to change the lives of these precious children, they are not just choosing to love they are choosing to change generations by love.
Faith Anderson
Missions Coordinator
***If you are interested in joining the Liberia Mission’s team for November 2022, please fill out a Missions Application here: Managed Missions | Please log in
Missions update - Alyssa Lagang
3 Helpful keys for Missionaries
When I decided to do discipleship training school (DTS) with Youth with a Mission (YWAM) after finishing high school in 2015, little did I know how much it would turn out to impact my life. This 6-month training school in Australia actually led me into doing full-time missions. However, the discipleship and training didn’t stop after those 6 months, and I feel like I’m regularly learning new things, practically and in character. I’ve been learning things such as, how to cultivate a deep relationship with God, the ways of godly leadership, how to relate and work well in teams, and that no matter how many teachings on evangelism you sit through or how many times you do it, there will always be some level of awkwardness in it.
Along the journey, difficulties have come and somewhat forced growth for the sake of well-being longevity as a missionary. These are areas that I recognize, at least for myself, to be so important to develop and continually grow in, in order for individuals to go far and last long in the line of work of being a missionary!
Adaptability – the ability to adjust to different conditions and circumstances. Being in missions usually means meeting many different people and encountering various different cultures. It’s exciting and eye-opening to learn different ways of life around the world! It’s important to remember that when we face different cultures, we should proceed in humility and adapt well. As missionaries, and the body of Christ, we represent Jesus, and the last thing we’d want to do is look down on other cultures or ways of life and judge our differences. Culture shock is a very real thing! And we must learn how to adjust with grace, kindness, and awareness. I’ve traveled to a few countries in Asia where tattoos are often not well accepted in Christian communities. So, in the high humid heat, I wore long sleeves every time we went out for ministry to cover the tattoos on my arms. Why? I wouldn’t have had much impact if I had ignored their preferences and presented myself in a culturally inappropriate way. Also, I came to share the love and good news of Jesus and not with a direct message to change their cultural views. Therefore, in being adaptable we meet people where they’re at in order to show them that Jesus does the same.
We remain humble before others so that God and his love would shine bright
and transform people’s hearts.
1 Corinthians 9:22-23, ‘To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.’ Paul talks here about being adaptable.
Perseverance – steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement. It’s always amazing to see God move in people’s lives! It happens that people receive healing when we pray in the name of Jesus. It happens that people encounter God and are touched by his perfect love. It happens that people receive the revelation of Jesus and decide to follow Him!
It’s all by the power of God! Believe it or not, there is a battle in the spiritual world. As we advance God’s kingdom the enemy is against this and the people actively furthering that kingdom. Therefore, miracles, transformation, and breakthroughs often don’t come without a fight. Let’s not forget that our struggle is not without reason nor is it alone. Jesus’ encouragement is to take heart in light of the troubles of this world because he has already overcome! (John 16:33). We fight for the plans and purposes of God to be released on earth and we do that by standing with Jesus, praying our faces off, and walking in obedience to whatever he says to do. In the context of missions, for me, much perseverance has been needed in fighting for things such as: financial support, open doors for ministry, embracing cross-cultural life, transformation in the lives of others, and change in my own heart and life.
Romans 5:3-5 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
Vulnerability – willing to show emotion or allowing one’s weakness to be seen and known. We all have weakness and maybe even seasons of feeling weak, whether it be emotional, physical, or spiritual. From what I learned growing up, weakness and emotions weren't supposed to be shown or shared with others. However, this isn’t Jesus’ example to us. He never kept his sadness only to himself nor did he hide his weakness. In fact, he did the opposite and he cried with people in his sorrow (John 11:33-35) and invited people to bear with him in his weakness (Matthew 26:36-38). Jesus found it necessary to allow himself to not only be fully seen and known in these times, but he also involved others into it. I found that having community and being fully known in community actually provides a greater level of strength, encouragement, and necessary support working in missions. As mentioned earlier, perseverance is necessary because there is hardship and discouragement that comes. Certainly, we have the Lord with us, but we can rely on others too!
I was once leading a mission trip team alone and halfway through the outreach I felt myself hitting a wall and I became so emotionally overwhelmed that I was having a hard time to continue leading. I felt God tell me to share my struggle with the team and have them pray for me. It felt defeating at first to confess my weakness, but through their prayers and encouragement, a new strength came. I felt a greater wave of grace come over me to finish that outreach well and lead well. This really showed me that vulnerability breathes grace.
In missions, your environment can often change and even the people you have around you. Always make it a point to find community - people that you can make yourself known to, can rely on for prayer, and can lean on in distress. This will take you far as you journey with the Lord.
- Alyssa Lagang YWAM, Paris
Cure Foundation update
Many of you are aware of the Typhoon that damaged the Philippines recently, we wanted to send out an update regarding the Cure Foundation that is based in Cebu.
“Super Typhoon Odette brought heavy damage to Cebu island.
The strong wind has damaged ceilings and windows at Rancho but all girls and staff are safe.
As of now are without electricity and water but we remain positive because we recognize that we still have much to be thankful for.
We are especially thankful to those who have started to send help.
No matter the storm, we know that the Son is shining on us. We will smile and rebuild stronger than before”.
If you would like to send support please contact us or visit:
https://www.curefoundationphilippines.org/donate
- Cure Foundation
Please keep the Southerland’s - Missionaries from Liberty who have been affected as well, the Cure foundation and all of the Philippines in your prayers as this is a long road of restoration and recovery.
Sierra Leone… Lion Mountains
It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see. - Henry David Thoreau
Preparing to land in Sierra Leone, you see a lush landscape, marshes, and beautiful vibrant communities of tin roofs that welcome its visitors from the sky to the “Lion Mountains.” Lion Mountains is the meaning of Sierra Leone, given by Portuguese explorer Pedro de Sintra. One story describes de Sintra saying that he heard roaring lions in the mountains approaching Sierra Leone’s coast-now, Freetown, and immediately named it. The rich scenic tapestry only begins to tell the story of “Salone” identified by its residents, and you soon recognize it is a place where lions are found in the mountains.
As we exited the plane onto the tarmac, this was the realization of a prophecy three years in the making. Through prayers, fasting, correspondences, delays, and itinerary changes, God opened the door to Sierra Leone with a fervency to share His heart. The airport greeted us with the pulse of Leoneans. They are people with tenaciousness and perseverance, a prelude to the climate of the overall region. The desire and prevalence for something greater than them were evident.
The morning after our arrival, as we packed to travel to Freetown, two men amputees of the Civil War stood patiently waiting behind our vehicle for an introduction. That’s what I mean by tenaciousness. They had no idea who we were, but they received an introduction and prayer, and they asked for nothing more. Sometimes we have to wait, even when we don’t know exactly what we are waiting for.
Our “open door” to Salone was initiated with an invitation by Pastor Victor Babatunde Harding to participate in Royal Kingdoms Ministries 2021 Divine Speed Conference. Pastor Victor is an evangelist at heart and has spent most of his time witnessing the Good News. Through correspondents, he learned our hearts for the Gospel message to be released to the Leonean people. This conference offered teachings/preachings, prophetic words, healings, deliverance, and God’s undeniable love during our ministry time. We witnessed those who hungered and thirsted for righteousness receive their fill. There were times when the presence of the Holy Spirit was palpable. You wanted the moment to stand still, for you knew you were drinking of the well that never runs dry. It was for all of us. On the mountain, God wanted his vastness to be known. He is an unchangeable God who specializes in changing the impossible.
We would also have an opportunity to fellowship with one of our own Liberty church plants-Jubilee Sierra Leone. Under the pastorship of Jeremiah Nathaniel, Jubilee Sierra Leone is constructing a church and school in a primarily Islamic community. Formerly Islamic, Pastor Jeremiah’s heart is to reach the souls in the community with the love of Christ richly dwelling in him. He is so determined; services are conducted as piles of red clay dirt rest at the back of the church. God is faithful to finish what He starts. Pastor Jeremiah also has desires to build a church and health clinic in the Lungi area.
God topped off this beautiful mountain experience with an impromptu invitation to visit Samaria Mission Church under the leadership of Bishop Yusef Bangura. His servant’s heart is evident in his desires for Sierra Leone. Bishop Yusef is dedicated to supporting pastors, including those living in the most remote areas of Sierra Leone. He shared the story of one pastor who walks seven miles to his church to share the Good News.
This is the gift of missionary work to share and partner in revealing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, surrendering your hands/feet/hearts to God as his instruments of mercy, grace, hope, encouragement, correction, truth, authenticity, faith, and the greatest of these-love.
“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news of peace and salvation….” Isaiah 52:7
Although we spent most of our time in the physical building, God created and set “divine appointments” on the beaches, restaurants, hotel lobbies, hallways, and even sidewalks.
The Lion Mountains is a place constructing and deconstructing mountainous ranges. Those we partner with hope to create a place where the Lion of the tribe of Judah roars the loudest and mining the mountains produce treasures unseen. With a yes, God can and does exceedingly and abundantly beyond all we can ask or think…Eph 3:20
- Written By Dreama Cole
Finishing Strong in 2020
Delight in the resourcefulness of a little, dignity in suffering, joyful in endurance; it comes from the midst of our adversity that produces a testimony of the power and strength beyond human capability. It is through these things that we are refined; and by the mercies and faithfulness of our God that ushered us through and will do it over again. I so believe.
The year 2020 came with much challenges around the world; and so as in our local community in Samar Philippines. Yet the faithfulness of God remained. His marvelous works continued to be evident in the midst of all the challenges. His provisions overflow. His protection keeps us safe and secure. His favors open new doors of hope. The little He makes plentiful.
We are ever grateful and thankful of the Lord our God for His mercies and compassion for His love endures forever!
What else is there that which we can’t overcome in Jesus Christ? So Lord help us! Help your people oh God near and far; with what is to come! For you alone know our tomorrow. Shield your children oh God by your love and Grace.
We are every thankful and grateful for Liberty Church family, for their continued support to us and ZLC ministries. God bless you all.
Written by: Audie and Elizabeth Southerland - Liberty Sent Missionaries to the Philippines
Below are pictures from their Christmas events; food, clothing and cleaning supplies were distributed to many communities.
Missions Update December 2020
FLOURISHING During Covid in the Philippines
Cure Foundation Update
FLOURISHING During Covid
Greetings from Cebu!
We hope and pray that each of you is safe and well as your read this update. For us here at Rancho ni Cristo, it has been a season of challenge, stretching, and growth. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us many things, and we have certainly learned a lot through our time in quarantine. One thing that we can say with confidence is that through it all, God has been faithful. We are so grateful for the partnership that we have with Liberty Church. Your support has been a lifeline that has allowed us to weather the storm that this pandemic has brought.
Thanks to your faithful support, we have been able to provide restorative care to 33 girls – 2 of whom were referred to us in the middle of the lockdown last May. We are also expecting 3 more within the next month.
Here’s an overview of what we’ve done over the past few months:
Spiritual Care
In April, we celebrated the Resurrection Sunday in a special way. We divided the girls up into groups, and they re-enacted the Resurrection story in our local language. They studied the scriptures, made their own costumes and props, and even painted backdrops. It was a busy week of preparation. We also held Communion for the first time in our church service here at Rancho.
We started small group bible studies for the girls, using the Alpha Course as a jumping off point. The girls enjoyed the videos and discussion questions, and many were able to overcome their fear of sharing their opinions. The highlight of the 12-session course was the Holy Spirit ministry weekend. During this weekend, we taught on the person of the Holy Spirit, the Fruit of the Spirit, and the change that He brings in our lives. We had powerful worship, and many of them asked for prayer to be filled with His presence. Since then, several of them have had breakthroughs in overcoming fear, anger, and frustration.
One of our recent adjustments was to convert our Wednesday night prayer into a worship and soaking night. We teach about the importance of sitting at Jesus’ feet and just being with Him – taking time to listen to His heart and letting Him minister to us, rather than just presenting our prayer requests to Him. During these times, we also taught the little ones to ask God for visions and pictures – revelations of who He is and how much He loves them. We now have a growing gallery of drawings of angels and homes in Heaven. The older ones have told us that they feel relieved after spending time just meditating on the Word and worshipping.
Psycho-social Care
Because both of our Social Workers were on-site, they were able to take a group of girls through a 12-week course in Game-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. This is a program that uses structured games to help girls share their experiences, teach coping skills, and give them a safe space to express themselves. At the culminating activity, several of them shared that they were thankful for this experience because it showed them that they were not alone, and that their stories can be used as a testimony of God’s healing and forgiveness.
Because our girls have not been able to have their regular monthly visits with their families, we have implemented video calls instead. This has helped ease the feelings of separation and homesickness.
Educational/Recreational
While the opening of schools nationwide was delayed (from June to October) due to the pandemic, we simply kept on going. Because our school curriculum is already module-based, we were uniquely prepared to continue the girls’ schooling with minimal interruptions.
We were able to proctor their year-end exams in May, and are happy to report that one of our girls completed Junior High School! This student is the recipient of the first-ever Joseph B. DiSarno Scholarship Award – covering the tuition fees for her Senior High School. She is now enrolled in an international school and attending a mix of online and modular classes.
During school breaks, we had Water Olympics, Master Chef, crafts, puzzles and many other fun activities. They even learned how to use a sewing machine to make masks and make cleaning rags out of scraps of cloth.
Campus Development
We cleared the lower field of our property to prepare the ground for planting, and also cleaned and rehabilitated our fishpond. We are proud to say that the tilapia that we stocked are almost ready to eat! Our garden is now a small farm – producing fresh eggs, ducks, corn, papaya, bananas, squash, okra, eggplant, and many more. It’s still not enough to provide for all of our consumption, but it has helped to reduce the amount of money we spend on food every month.
We have a new Reflection Hut – built entirely out of bamboo from our property – where the girls like to sing Karaoke and have their bible studies.
The kitchen building is finished, and the library/clinic is nearing completion. We are also building a guardhouse and laundry shed. These projects will complete the government requirements for the campus.
Other
With the arrival of our new clients, we have had to hire additional staff and open our 6th cottage. We hired 2 houseparents and 2 teachers in September. All four have now been trained in Trauma Informed Care. Next month, we will hire 2 security guards to provide 24/7 coverage. This will complete the staffing requirements for our DSWD Accreditation.
It has been a challenging year, but thanks to YOU – we have been able to continue the work of rescuing and restoring lives. Thank you for enabling us. Thank you for helping us to set them FREE!
Jolene Van Oost
“One thing that we can say with confidence is that through it all, God has been faithful”.
