MYANMAR (formerly Burma) - We were so impacted in this very Buddhist country. There are temples and pagodas everywhere of all sizes. In one rural area, there are about 3000 pagodas from centuries gone by that are being restored as national treasures. The biggest temple/pagoda in Yangon covers many acres. It is so sad to see people who have so little give so much to their gods-flowers, money, food, and gold leaf which they paste onto idols made with hands. But what a privilege to preach a spiritual emphasis week in the Bible College and to teach in the extension program of Asia Pacific Theological Seminary! Missionaries had to leave Myanmar many years ago, but the Lord has kept the remnant, and there are a number of very strong churches, and of these, most are reaching out to plant others. We now have a number of APTS graduates being mightily used of God in their nation, which is closed to resident missionaries.

MALAYSIA - Again we taught at the Bible College of Malaysia - wonderful, eager students who know their call and purpose and just pull out of you everything they can get. They have a real challenge as they seek to reach people who live in the darkness of a number of religions as well as the fact that a better economy brings less hunger for spiritual reality.

PHILIPPINES - APTS celebrated its 40th Anniversary in March. As one of the former presidents, Everett was privileged to pray over a new incoming president, Dr. Wayne Cagle. Not all of the nearly 900 alumni were able to return for the celebration, but a good number made it. Many of these have been in our classes.

Near the former US Naval Base in Olongapo, Philippines, Everett taught an APTS extension to an eager group of pastors. It was also our joy to minister at Bethel Bible College in Manila - speaking for their spiritual emphasis week, teaching in various classes, talking heart-to-heart with seniors, and sharing and praying with faculty and staff.

VIETNAM - We stand in awe and humility every time we are privileged to minister in Vietnam-still so repressive and harsh in its stand against Christianity. Not everyone was allowed by police to leave their villages, but a good number of pastors and workers gathered together for a retreat. Many came for healing and for fresh anointing and left with renewed courage and vision to keep on in that difficult land.

CAMBODIA - Our emotions ran the gamut in this country-excitement over the unlimited opportunities for preaching the Gospel and training ministers and heartrending anguish at the poverty and evidence of the huge numbers who were unbelievably tortured before they were killed under Pol Pot's reign.

ROMANIA - The major purpose of the Eastern European Bible College is preparation of missionaries and church planters. Everett taught Signs and Wonders in Ministry, and students were excited about their call to carry on the ministry of Jesus and the apostles in the Book of Acts. Evelyn taught Children's Ministry.

We went to several areas where former students are ministering in various ways: pastoring, working with street children, national and church youth ministries, directing a Bible school, managing a Christian radio station, and directing a Seamen's Center.

GREECE - This is a hard country, because "to be Greek is to be Orthodox" - even though few people actually go to church. We were able to encourage a number of tired and hurting pastors.

SERBIA - Again, our hearts were sore as we saw the poverty of this country following so many years of war and strife. When we arrived, there was NO money for food, and students were dejected and lethargic. We emptied our pockets and saw an amazing transformation as they were able to focus on the Word.

ITALY - Francis and Ruth were our students at APTS in the Philippines. They left a thriving church in Manila when they became aware of the large number of Filipinos working in Italy. God has blessed them with a good congregation in Rome, a Bible school to train workers who have established Filipino congregations in 25 other cities, and a Christian school - and they are establishing congregations in Athens, Paris, Brussels, and Antwerp. We preached in several of their churches across Italy, led leadership seminars, and taught in the Bible school.

SRI LANKA - The Assemblies of God Bible College in Sri Lanka is full to overflowing as a variety of programs serve to train new recruits as well as pastors who desire to complete their training and sharpen their skills. Most of the faculty have been our students in past years. We drove across the island to a city in the area that has been so troubled for the past several years. The trip was "on again/off again" until the last minute. God gave us peace and graced the conference with His presence and refreshing.

INDIA - Southern Asia Bible College in Bangalore is another school with a good problem - too many applicants for their facilities. We had 2/3 of the 300 students in our classes, from all over India as well as Nepal, Bangladesh, and countries that cannot be named. The month we spent here has to be one of the highlights of our life and ministry. The students were so hungry and excited as new possibilities of doing mighty exploits with God opened to them-they are eager to "go and make disciples" in spite of increasing persecution in many areas.

There are 534 million youth of ages 15-25 in India, and over 3 million of these are in Bangalore. The leadership of SABC is making plans to target this vast segment of society that is key to reaching the next generation. One strategy that we were part of was a "PraiseQuake" on the campus, when nearly 3,000 youth came from all around to hear a contemporary presentation of the Gospel in music and drama. Many lives were touched and changed.

People's response to the preaching of the Word is indicative of their great spiritual hunger. In one service literally dozens came for salvation and deliverance from evil spirits.