September 2011

Dear friend and intercessor,

Words cannot express my gratitude for the “work of prayer” that you do with us each month! May God reward and return the blessings you are to me and to our Project Hannah (PH) teams around the world.

This prayer calendar is a window into a challenging region where women are culturally oppressed and systematically exploited. Since 1998, when PH started in Singapore, hearts and doors for ministry in Southeast Asia have been opening in amazing ways. Today Women of Hope programs can be heard over hundreds of radio stations all over the region. Countless women (and men) receive important health information, comfort, hope and faith in Christ listening in many big cities and in thousands of remote villages.

Behind production, distribution of radios, CDs, cassettes and prayer calendars is a host of extremely dedicated women – PH teams – who walk the dusty roads, climb the rugged mountains and ride their bicycles or mopeds to follow up with listeners, embodying Christ’s love wherever they are. Their commitment and courage facing adverse cultures, persecution and extreme poverty inspire and greatly encourage me.

On my recent trip to Southeast Asia, I saw how Ruthanna’s team in the Philippines answers hundreds of text messages in response to the program. Sister Buakab took us to remote villages hours away from Chiang Mai, Thailand to meet tribal new listeners and believers. In Cambodia, we met hundreds of widows and orphans, listeners of the Khmer programs. We also visited listeners’ groups at house churches in Vietnam. I experienced the pressure they face when we were interrupted in a meeting at our hotel and each Vietnamese lady had to present her identification documents. In Myanmar, Indonesia and other parts of Southeast Asia, God is using these dear women to change lives – one woman at a time.

Please pray that doors will open in Laos, Malaysia and Singapore soon. Southeastern Asian women need Jesus more than anything! Rejoice with us that HOPE is still being proclaimed in a culturally relevant and powerful way. “He sends his commands to the earth; his word runs swiftly” (Psalm 147:15). Together we do this work of redemption through our prayers. “The prayer of a righteous (wo)man is powerful and effective” (James 5:16). Let us come boldly before his throne!

Believing with you,

Marli Spieker
Global Ministry Director/Founder
Project Hannah
TWR