Before the darkness had ended, dawn had broken. From five days of release from a Myanmar detention center to seven and a half hours of testimony in Hezbollah-controlled territory.

Dear Friends of Nexus,

At the beginning of October, we received news from our coworker, Xiao Tai, in Myanmar. He was detained for allegedly having illegal contact with religious workers. Authorities told him that he could face up to three months in detention. However, through the faithful prayers of many brothers and sisters around the world, God made a way, and Xiao Tai was released after only five days.

Xiao Tai shared that during those difficult days, he deeply felt the love, care, and prayers of believers from many countries. Every prayer gave him strength to keep going. He is thankful that God protected him, sustained him through detention, and opened the door for his release.

A Gospel Opportunity in the Interrogation Room

In October, Johnny and his wife traveled to Lebanon and Syria for ministry visits. While visiting a sensitive area in southern Beirut controlled by Hezbollah, they were detained for taking photos of buildings damaged by war. From afternoon until late evening, they were questioned and searched for seven and a half hours, and were later taken to a mosque for further investigation.

Their phones, cameras, and belongings were thoroughly examined, making it impossible to contact anyone outside. Ministry coworkers knew they had been detained but did not know where they were. All they could do was pray.

In October, Johnny and his wife traveled to Lebanon and Syria for ministry visits. While visiting a sensitive area in southern Beirut controlled by Hezbollah, they were detained for taking photos of buildings damaged by war. From afternoon until late evening, they were questioned and searched for seven and a half hours, and were later taken to a mosque for further investigation.

Their phones, cameras, and belongings were thoroughly examined, making it impossible to contact anyone outside. Ministry coworkers knew they had been detained but did not know where they were. All they could do was pray.

What first seemed like a crisis became a rare opportunity to share the gospel.

What began as a cautious interrogation slowly turned into a conversation about faith, life, and hope.

I expected an interrogation, but it became an opportunity to share the gospel. I told a senior Hezbollah investigator how God had changed my life and rescued me from my past. I also shared that I had come to the Middle East not for political reasons, but because of God’s love and calling.

We talked about war, family, forgiveness, faith, human nature, and the Trinity God who loves the world.

A Moment of Silence After Talking About Forgiveness

When he asked me, “If I killed you today, would you forgive me?”

I answered, “Yes. Forgiveness is not an option for Christians. It is the way Jesus taught us to live.”

At that moment, the room fell silent.

We continued talking about faith, family, and life. Despite our very different backgrounds, we discovered that people everywhere long for the same things: love, peace, and hope.

Looking back on those seven and a half hours, God turned what seemed to be a place of restriction into a place for sharing His love and grace.

There is no door that God cannot open.

Whether in a detention center in Myanmar or an interrogation room in Lebanon, we saw the same faithful God at work.

Myanmar – House of Peace – Finding a Home After Loss

Located near the Myanmar-China border, House of Peace is home to 63 children between the ages of 3 and 15, cared for by six dedicated staff members. Many of these children have lost their parents because of war and conflict.

House of Peace is not just a shelter. It is a true home.

Every morning, the children spend time in prayer and devotion, receive education and Bible teaching, and learn to build their lives on Christ.

Recently, several children became ill with dengue fever. We thank God for answering prayer.

Despite limited medical resources, the children recovered significantly within just two days, and everyone gave thanks to God.

In mid-October, we invited Myanmar pastors to lead a three-day training program for our staff, helping them find renewed strength for ministry. Caring for 63 children who have lost their parents is not easy. We are deeply grateful for every faithful coworker and ask for your continued prayers.

Although these children have experienced great loss, they have never been forgotten by God. We pray that House of Peace will remain a safe place where they can grow in love, grace, and hope.

Xiao Tai, Xiao Ling & House of Peace

Thailand – Grace Center Update

Children worshiping together in their new meeting place. We thank God for providing a suitable space where lives can continue to grow.

Seeing Lives Transformed by God’s Grace

We thank God for providing a new meeting place for Grace Center, where the children can learn, grow, and thrive in a safe environment.

Because of the severe flooding in Northern Thailand this year, the center also arranged swimming lessons to help the children learn important life-saving skills. Seeing the children complete the course with confidence and joy filled our hearts with gratitude.

Children proudly showing their certificates after completing their swimming lessons.

The seeds planted by last year’s short-term mission team are beginning to bear fruit.

As we watch the children use their gifts to worship God and lead others in praise, we clearly see God’s work in their lives. Through daily devotions, worship, and fellowship, they are learning to follow Christ, love one another, and serve others.

Every small change is evidence of God’s faithful work.

Sasha
Grace Center Thailand

Closing Thoughts: Before the night is over, God’s grace has already arrived.

When the Hezbollah members looked through my phone, they saw photos of Nexus missionaries serving refugees, orphans, widows, and children in different countries. My prayer is that these images would help people understand that our message is not conflict, but love; not hatred, but peace.

Mission is not about changing people’s political views. It is about building bridges through love and breaking down misunderstanding through acceptance and compassion.

May these testimonies encourage you in a world filled with uncertainty and challenges.

May we replace fear with love, walk forward by faith, and allow God’s grace to bring hope to others.

In Christ,

Candy and the Nexus Team

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