I remember that Thanksgiving Day falls on the fourth Thursday in November. It is traditional for American

families to come together and celebrate with a sumptuous Thanksgiving dinner. People who celebrate Thanksgiving Day also recount God’s blessings they have experienced during the year.

Our gratitude to God is not limited to just this special day.Shouldn’t we give thanks to God for the amazing grace and wonderful love that we receive from Him each and every day? The significance of Thanksgiving is found in expressing our gratitude to God regardless of the circumstances we find ourselves in. Normally, during good times, we find it easy to thank God, but we usually forget to do so. However, giving thanks to God in the midst of adversity is a good testimony of God and His trustworthiness!

Thanksgiving is Actively Sharing His Grace A thankful life can be shown to others by sharing God’s

grace in practical ways with them. People who have benefited from this will also give thanks to God. Besides, more lives could be blessed and, through this, more people can glorify God’s name! Thus, a chain reaction of thanksgiving is passed from one generation to the next generation.

“You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.” (2 Corinthians 9:11-13)Thanksgiving is Actively Showing Love and Care

Giving thanks is part of our life. We thank God for blessing us through our parents and relatives, spouses and children, teachers and colleagues. We are not only blessed physically and mentally but also spiritually. We have received much love and care from others - most acts being selfless, beautiful, unforgettable and non-returnable. In order to repay them, we ought to respond in the same way so that the love of God can be revealed to others through us. However, no matter how much we invest, we will never be able to fully reciprocate all that we have received. God always renders

A Life of Thanksgiving

Yan Lian

4th Quarter 2013MICA(P)No.: 003/08/2013

福音自传会Christian Nationals’ Evangelism Commission134/136 Braddell Road, Singapore 359919.Tel: (65) 6280-0312 Fax: (65) 6280-0078P.O. Box address: P.O. Box 771, Toa Payoh North, Singapore 913133Email: cnec@cnecintl.org Website: www.cnecintl.orgUEN S62SS0068H

plenty of joy to an actively thankful person by making his life more beautiful and meaningful!

“But since you excel in everything — in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you — see that you also excel in this grace of giving. I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.” (2 Corinthians 8:7-9)Thanksgiving is Actively sacrificing and offering

A thankful person’s heart is always alive to any opportunity to serve God and the needy. Thanksgiving is an act of kindness. When we receive any act of kindness, we should not take it for granted. We ought to thank these people with a sincere heart for sacrificing their time and energy,especially when we are not able to reciprocate with similar actions. At most, we might perhaps be able to sacrifice our own time and energy to help those around us.

“And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own” (2 Corinthians 8:1-3)

Thanksgiving is Actively Worshipping GodIn addition to actively sacrificing and sharing love and

care with others, thanksgiving is also shown by worshipping God. It is a noble, pure endeavor, which is pleasing to God.How can we become a godly person who loves God and obeys Him more and more each day? It is by putting our thankfulness into action! One of the ways we can show our gratitude is by donating our money. A truly godly person is one who looks after the orphans and widows in distress.God rewards those who fear Him. We should also remember to thank God for making it possible for us to contribute.

“At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.”(Acts 10:1-2)

Dear brothers and sisters, in this newsletter, I have included many needs from the missions field, particularly those of the impoverished children in the mountains and the CNEC coworkers who are looking after them! We look to the Lord to guide you in your gift-giving this Christmas in order to meet the many needs of our missions work! Your contributions will definitely contribute to everyone’s holiday cheer and brighten up the children’s Christmas – as well as your own – because giving is always a blessing!

If you are willing to donate, please let us know!

✁

Send a Gift, Meet a NeedGiving is always a Blessing!

I want to give towards the Christmas Love gifts:

Qty Gift items

Winter Jackets@S$33 (RM84) Blankets@S$17 (RM44) Rain Coats@S$5 (RM13) Slippers@S$4 (RM10) Christian Literature@S$20 (RM51) Children’s Bible@S$13 (RM33) Vitamin C@S$26 (RM67) Antiseptic & Burn Cream@S$18 per dozen (RM46) Laptops@S$665 (RM1,700) Desktop Computers@S$665 (RM1,700) Digital Cameras@S$250 (RM640) Keyboards@S$955 (RM2,445) Guitars@S$130 (RM333) LCD Projectors@S$665 (RM1,700) Generators@S$1,235 (RM3,162) First-aid Kits@S$280 (RM717) Motorcycles@S$2,045 (RM5,110) Motorcycles (2nd hand) @S$708 (RM1,012)

Mowers@S$362 (RM927) Bicycles@S$157 (RM402) Stationeries@S$7 (RM18) School Bags@S$11 (RM28) Thumb Drives@S$10 (RM26) Dental Kits@S$11 (RM28) Rice @S$40 (RM102) Piglets@S$88 (RM225) Pigs@S$250 (RM640) Calves(Young Cows)@S$790 (RM2,022) Cows@S$1,176 (RM3,011) Chicks@S$13 per dozen (RM33) Toilets@S$732 (RM1,874) Lemon Saplings@S$4 (RM10) Mango Saplings @S$5 (RM13) Drilled wells@S$1,444 (RM3,697) Dug wells@S$724 (RM1,853)

Total amount: S$/RM

Response Slip

Name: (Rev / Dr / Mr / Mrs / Miss)

Add:

Email:

Tel:

Please make your cheque payable to CNEC and mail it with the response slips to:

CNEC P O Box 771, Toa Payoh North P O

Singapore 913133 For contribution in Malaysia, please make your cheque

payable to: Christian Nationals’ Evangelism Commission

and mail it with the response slips to: CNEC

P O Box 79, 81300 Skudai JohorMalaysia.

Your gift will be directed where most needed, at the discretion of CNEC.

Christmas CheerYear 2013

Yu Xuemin - Grace Haven

I am a Lisu Christian. Together with my parents and six other older siblings, we lived in a small village in the Guogan area, which is located in the northeastern part of

Myanmar. Although we were poor, we had much happiness. However, things suddenly changed one night in 2002 when we received the news of our father’s passing. Overnight, our lives crumbled. My mother fell sick after that and all of us were forced to leave our schools. Our happiness vanished into thin air

and our hearts sank to the lowest depths. When we were unsure of how we were to carry on with our lives, the Lord’s salvation rescued us! We thank God that He has mercy on poor widows and weak orphans. In His grace, He brought us to Grave Haven in

March 2004. At first, I disliked the place since it reminded me that I was an orphan. However, after a period of time, I realized that Grace Haven was a wonderful place full of God’s love! Subsequently, I became one of the members of this big family. The sincerity and passionate love of the teachers warmed my heart and reminded me of my happy childhood times. I could also continue my studies. In Grace Haven, I was given the endless love and care which my parents could not provide me anymore. We were all happy children of God and none of us felt like we were orphans any longer!

Dear sponsors, thank you for supporting me with your love, care and prayers. You have been a role model to me and I pray that one day I will be able to help others in need in the same way. I will not disappoint you and our Heavenly Father who is watching us. Thank you!

Thanksgiving is Actively Worshipping God

We look to the Lord to be your guide in your gifts this Christmas to meet the many needs in our mission work.

Winter JacketNumber Needed:

298 pcs

S$33 each

BlanketNumber Needed:

500pcs

S$17 each

Christian Literature

Number Needed: 392 books

S$20 each

Children’s BibleNumber Needed:

50 books

S$13 each

School BagNumber Needed:

2457 units

S$11 each

Rain CoatNumber Needed:

2300 units

S$5 each

Thumb DriveNumber Needed:

32 pcs

S$10 each

SlippersNumber Needed:

2320 pairs

S$4 each

StationeriesNumber Needed:

180 sets

S$7 each

GeneratorNumber Needed:

1 unit

S$1235

RiceNumber Needed:

90 packs

S$40 each

Vitamin CNumber Needed:

50 bottles

S$26 each

Antiseptic & Burn Cream

Number Needed: 13 dozens

S$18 per dozen

Desktop Computer

Number Needed: 28 units

S$665 each

LaptopNumber Needed:

2 units

S$665 each

Digital CameraNumber Needed:

30 units

S$250 each

KeyboardNumber Needed:

3 units

S$955 each

GuitarNumber Needed:

8 units

S$130 each

LCD ProjectorNumber Needed:

1 unit

S$665

First-aid KitNumber Needed:

6 boxes

S$280 each

Dental KitNumber Needed:

50 sets

S$11 each

BicycleNumber Needed:

5 units

S$157 each

MowerNumber Needed:

1 unit

S$362

ToiletNumber Needed:

37 units

S$732 each

Drilled WellNumber Needed: 9 units

S$1444 eachDug Well

Number Needed: 7 unitsS$724 each

ChickNumber Needed:

110 dozens

S$13 per dozen

CalfNumber Needed: 12

S$790 eachCow

Number Needed: 10S$1176 each

PigNumber Needed: 30

S$88 eachPiglet

Number Needed: 42S$250 each

NewNumber Needed: 22 units

S$2465 each2nd Hand

Number Needed: 4 unitsS$708 each

Lemon SaplingNumber Needed: 501 units

S$4 eachMango Sapling

Number Needed: 38 unitsS$5 each

Motorcycle

Zhang Qingvolunteer at Geng Yun Student Center

My name is Zhang Qing. I have now been at Geng Yun Student Center since June. I thank God for giving me a new life and calling

me to serve Him. To repay His gracious love, I came to the center to work as a volunteer. In addition to teaching Chinese to the students, I am also helping

with the SAC Department. I am glad that I have been able to learn many things here. God is good to me – He placed good and loving co-workers by my side to assist me so that my work could be completed quickly and

smoothly. I enjoy every discussion we have at work because we listen and respect each other’s opinions and views. I also want to thank God for giving me a patient heart when serving at the center. It is thrilling to see God moulding the students – especially when are children confess their sins and turn to Him! I am praying that the Lord will guide each child to glorify His name! To all SAC sponsors, I would like to express my gratitude to you. Thank you for your support. Every cent you’ve contributed and every trip you’ve made to visit us has greatly inspired and encouraged us. We are looking forward to seeing you in the near future! Please continue to pray for us. I thank God for the opportunity to listen to how God has been working in you! God Bless!

John Harvey Lamb volunteer teacher at Geng Yun Student Center

My name is John Harvey Lamb. I worked as a teacher when I was in the United States, my homeland. I was called to teach in CVK School in Chang Rai, Thailand, in the early 80s.

I returned in 2012 to work with New Vision Foundation as a volunteer teacher at both Chiang Mai Blessings Church and at New Vision Home, which is a drug rehab center.

This year, I thank God for His wonderful love in bringing me to Geng Yun Student Center. I volunteer here as an English teacher on a short term basis. I enjoy gaining new experiences when I serve different people in different areas. My life in church and at the center offers me opportunities to show my love and care in action to people I meet every day! I enjoy teaching English to the SAC students on Saturday, Sunday and Monday evenings. Even though all these are too insignificant to be mentioned, I am glad that my lessons have reinforced the work they have done at the local Christian high school. Thank God for giving me enough patience to do so.

In addition to this, I also offer private English lessons for co-workers at the center. I am touched by their diligence and am certain that God is using them to expand His work. I am particularly impressed by the wonderful work God has done in these teenagers – not only in their spiritual growth but also in their participation in Sunday school and worship services. All these have reminded me to be a good role model. I pray that they might become faithful servants of God one day! Lastly, I want to express my heartfelt thanks to all SAC sponsors – thank you so much for your strong support for the students here via your finances and your prayers. Students here enjoy your visits and they are looking forward to seeing you soon. Praise the Lord for your love and care which are shown to us in action. God Bless!

Thanksgiving is Actively Sharing His Grace

Thanksgiving is Actively Showing Love and Care

MINISTRIES:INDIGENOUS CHURCH,BIBLE SCHOOL,TRIBAL WORKS,SPONSOR-A-CHILD MINISTRY,CREATIVE ACCESS MINISTRY,HOLISTIC MISSIONS

CNEC/PI AffiliatesUSA: 1117E. Westview Court, Spokane, WA 99218. Tel: (509) 343-4000 Fax: (509) 343-4015US Chinese Partnership Mobilization:North California Office-10600 Pasadena Ave Cupertino, CA 95014-5917 Tel :(408)873-1299 Fax :(408)873-1287Canada: 8500 Torbram Rd. #56, Brampton, ONT L6T 5C6. Tel: (905) 458-1202 Fax: (905) 458-4339UK: Armstrong House First House - Robin Hood Airport Don caster DN9 3AG. Tel: 013-02-710273 Fax: 013-02-710027Australia: P.O. Box 711, Five Dock, NSW 2046, Tel: (02) 97128222 Fax: (02) 97125055Japan: 1001, 2-7-63 Nishinakahara, Shizuoka-shi 422. Tel/Fax: 054-283-9317Malaysia: 93, Jln Emas 1, Tmn Sri Skudai, 81300, Skudai, Johor , Malaysia . Tel:02-07-5577034 Fax:02-07-5588284Singapore : 134/136 Braddell Road, Singapore 359919. Tel: (65) 6280-0312 Fax: (65) 6280-0078

All funds received are to support CNEC ministries; the operation cost is not more than 20% to sustain the office for ministries’ purposes.

Pastor IvatasyiaAssistant Pastor cum Administrator of CNEC (WK)

This is Pastor Ivatasyia. I would like to share with you the abundant love that I have received from our Lord Jesus. I was called to be one of God’s children

on the 23rd of August, 1992. I was baptized on the 10th of October in the following year. Five years later, I became a pastor and am now serving as an assistant pastor to Rev Bakri at GKNI Kota

Baru Church, as well as the administrator of the CNEC office (WK). Apart from that, I am also serving at church in the women’s fellowship, youth ministry and Sunday school. I enjoy serving this group of people, from the youngest

to the oldest. Truly, the most precious gift I have received from God is in the way He moulds me to be more and more like Christ each

day! It has been quite some time since my office computer has malfunctioned. Each time the computer went haywire, my work piled up and I was in much stress. I prayed to the Lord for a brand new computer to assist me in my work and - praise the Lord! – He heard and answered my prayers. Last year, CNEC sent me a desktop computer as a Christmas gift! I thank God for the gift, especially since it has significantly reduced my workload. Not only that, but administrative tasks can now be carried out more effectively and efficiently. I know the Lord has moved many hearts of the SAC sponsors. The donations they have made have fulfilled my needs.

Dear sponsors, let us serve our Lord hand in hand. May God bless you abundantly for your sacrifice! Thank you!

Thanksgiving is Actively Sacrificing and Offering

Staff at CNEC officewishing you a blessed Christmas!