Today you may find yourself in your own dark place—financially, physically, emotionally, or even spiritually. We can’t always control our circumstances. But we can control how we respond. We can succumb to the darkness and give in to despair and hopelessness. Or we can shine a light for others.

Nias, Indonesia, was a truly dark place after two major disasters—the Great Tsunami and a massive earthquake—nearly destroyed the village within a matter of months. But one man, Pak Agus, shined the light of God’s love into that darkness.

Government responses to COVID-19 have disrupted many of the compassion projects that your gifts to ALO make possible, increasing costs, decreasing income, causing scarcities of resources, and dangerously isolating people.

We made big promises to our little ones, and we’re so close to fulfilling them! Praise the Lord for His provision… and thank the Lord for you! Your open hearts and generosity have brought us so far. Together, I believe we can achieve our goals.

Ana is a nurse who works with Childcare Community Ministry Philippines (CCMP), a feeding and education program that brings lasting changes to malnourished children and impoverished families and communities. Under severe restrictions in 2020 due to the pandemic, Ana and the others found creative ways to work around the lockdowns.

In 2016, missionaries Jamie and Tasha Kemp felt God calling them to assist an orphanage in Nias, Indonesia, that was struggling to feed and educate kids after the city was devastated by an earthquake. When they learned that the administrator was borrowing rice to feed the children, the Kemps pledged to support the orphanage…

“God has called me to lead a team effort in contextualizing and translating Sunday school materials for the Pacific Islands. This is a big task that challenges me and tests my courage. Before this, I had never held any leadership position. Following God on this path, I have experienced so many firsts, so many challenges, and so many rewards.”

When Sophie—a middle-aged woman from a poor, remote village in Vanuatu—traveled to a large town to participate in a Sunday school teacher’s training course, she brought little but a change of clothes and a big smile. Just getting there was a challenge; there was no road for Sophie’s journey.

When Dillon and Alyssa Urlacher heard the story of what ALO is doing and the needs the ministry is meeting, they asked themselves, “What are we doing?” They began praying about it, always keeping this question in mind. What would God have them do?

“You faithfully answer our prayers with awesome deeds, O God our savior.”— Psalm 65:5 (NLT)

NIAS, INDONESIA—Does prayer really make a difference? YES! Just ask the excited children watching as their new home rises brick by brick. The children help by moving rocks and making the bricks themselves, but it’s the prayers and financial support of many others that are truly raising this building. A symphony of prayer has orchestrated scores of God’s miracles and provision for orphans in this remote and impoverished area of Indonesia.

When Yohana’s parents divorced, they both moved to other islands and abandoned all their children. Yohana’s grandfather took her to the orphanage in Nias (Indonesia) when she was in seventh grade.

Through the years, Nathan has avoided the spotlight while toiling for God on behalf of His children. Today, we honor one to whom honor is certainly due. Look back with us on 20 years of outstanding service to ALO—as told in Nathan’s own words and the words of those privileged to work with him.

Doris and her husband Tim, along with their family, served as missionaries in South Sulawesi Indonesia for 19 years, living among and working to bring the gospel to the Bugis, Makassar, Torajan, Luwu, as well as several other unreached people groups.

The unseen world is real and important. Children focus on what they want most. Usually, that’s physical objects such as food and clothing—what they can see and touch. But COVID-19 has caused many to focus on the unseen world. Children are suddenly realizing that something they can’t see could hurt them. Pastor K, of Chiang Rai Children’s Home, noticed that the kids’ hygiene has improved. “They ask me for masks, and they wash their hands after activities.” He adds, “They have started thinking about their spiritual lives too. They ask me, ‘Is Jesus coming back?’”

The global pandemic of 2020 has affected every ALO-supported ministry in various ways. Some experiences are universal; others are unique.