KURDISTAN: KRI (Naz & Arlene)

Naz and Arlene became members of WEFC in 2007. They are currently serving as Mission Anchors of KRI, as well as in the Ushering, NLG and Marriage Mentoring ministries. As for their day jobs, Naz is a Life Skills Coach while Arlene works as confidential secretary in a manufacturing company. They have two grown up children, Tessa and Russell. Under the OLOY program, they are currently undergoing mission mentoring with others in GL1 (Grow Leader 1).

Like seeds planted long ago, nurtured by unseen hands, our journey into missions has unfolded in God's perfect timing. Almost 20 years after our family went on our first mission trip to Thailand, the Spirit stirred our hearts through the witness of a dear friend who had just returned from medical missions to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI).

Our initial curiosity blossomed into deeper conviction as we learned of the precious people served by Habibi International in the region, particularly the ones who have endured the horrors of displacement in 2014. We were able to meet Habibi International co-founder Willy Tan, which in itself felt like a divine appointment, and our our meeting opened more doors than we could have imagined. And so we went on a vision trip to the region in May 2024.

The view just outside the refugee camp

Playing with the children who were waiting to see the dentist

Interacting with the children

Teaching the children to play a game called "Traffic Light"

The trip confirmed what our hearts already knew — KRI was where God was leading us to go. The other mission fields we have encountered or prayed about have held no similar pull — this is our 'burning bush' (Exodus 3:2-3). The land felt like 'home' within days – a testament to God's sovereign hand.

We signed up for the ACTI course back home in Singapore, to give us the best preparation before we enter the mission field, wherever that field may be.

Our biggest takeaway from our time: No matter how prepared you are, always be prepared for the unexpected and deal with it.

Following the ACTI course, the path became clearer: We would commit to a 6-month term serving in the Special Needs program with Habibi International. The Lord, in His wisdom, is even using this time to cultivate patience within us, a fruit we desperately need!

Thank you for walking alongside us in prayer as we embark on this One Life One Year (OLOY) adventure!

"For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them."
(Matthew 18:20)

May His will be done.

Pray with us

Health: For sustained health as we prepare and serve.
Favour: For favour with Arlene's workplace in granting her leave request.
Fire: That our initial fire for this mission will not dwindle in the months ahead.
Peace: For God's peace to reign in a region already marked by instability. May He be our shield and buckler (Psalm 91:4).

VIETNAM: Bac Ninh (Felicia)

Felicia answered the call to take the plunge into OLOY in May 2024. Prior to that, Felicia was already a frequent mission tripper, having cut her teeth on mission work with three trips to Sawa and two trips to Vietnam. She was serving in both Chinese and English LCGs, and also contributed articles regularly to the Chinese bulletin. Felicia joined hands with a local church in Bac Ninh seeking to reach the Diaspora Chinese, who were living there as business owners and employees, as well as their families. While reaching out to the Diaspora, Felicia had many opportunities to interact with the locals as well. She is a strong believer that actions speak louder than words and focuses on building authentic relationships with pre-believers so that the witness of her lifestyle becomes the living gospel for others to know Christ. We give thanks for this sister who has left her mark for God in Bac Ninh.

It has been a meaningful year in Bac Ninh, where I had the opportunity to do Bible study, pray and journey with different brothers and sisters in need.

During my personal time, I learnt the importance of having a daily discipline to study God's Word. I was reminded of the need to be prayerful and prepared to encounter and experience Him in varying circumstances and through different people.

The highlight of my time was building relationships with the mainland Chinese and local Vietnamese, through doing visitations and follow-up meetings with those who had yet to come to church. This allowed me to "earn the right" to share the gospel with them over time, and even to conduct Bible study and discipleship meetings with some of them, helping them to grow deeper in their walk with Jesus.

It was challenging but meaningful to minister to people whom God put in my path. Reaching out to the mainland Chinese there requires much courage and patience.

Sharing the gospel and the love of God at a children's home. 7 received Christ that day! Praise God.

Teaching life skills to the children from the neighbourhood

Sharing the gospel with rice vendors from the marketplace in my neighbourhood

Now that I'm back, I just want to continue to be found obedient and faithful to where the Lord is leading me to be. Whether I should serve Him in Bac Ninh, or back here in Singapore, I want to be aligned to His Will and that of the church. Thank you for praying for me and the ministry there.

Pray with me

Pray that God will continue to send people to the field to reach out to those in desperate need of the gospel.
Pray for the people in Bac Ninh to see their need for God in their lives.
Pray for a continuing hunger for those whom I have followed up with, that they would be greatly used by the Lord for His Name sake.

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