“WHAT ARE YOU DOING BRO?” – Haggstrom Update November 2024

It is written

I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

– 1 Corinthians 9:22

There I was, just trying to be all things to all men. Conforming to a culture that does the majority of its eating with their right hands. By rolling rice, meat, and various sauces into small balls and bringing it to their mouth. While attempting to mimic this eating technique (which in my mind I was doing it decently, since the food was making it into my mouth) I hear from my South Asian brother, who is sitting across from me say:

“What are you doing bro?” LOL

My Vision Tour of Southern Asia

Why Southern Asia?

I went because of God. I never had any intentions of going to Southern Asia. Before going, all that came to mind when I thought of Southern Asia was that it was a hot, dangerous, and dirty place and I had very little interest in it. But about six months ago, a burden that I never had before arose in my heart for Southern Asia, and it’s still here. After coming to a new place of surrender with God, one door led to another, and there I was on a 3-week tour of Southern Asia.

How was my time in Southern Asia?

Eye-opening, challenging, and awesome! It was a completely different world. Eating with my hands, bathrooms having no toilet paper (on purpose), no showers (just a bucket that you fill up and splash yourself with), and pedestrians, motorcycles, cars, and cows all sharing the road at the same time. It was a wild place…but there was a part of me that felt like I was supposed to be there. I instantly fell in love with the people; especially with the believers who labor in such a hostile environment but shine with the love, joy, and light of Jesus Christ.

The Gospel and Southern Asia

Southern Asia is within the 10/40 window and is considered unreached. The work is massive, with there being 3.5 billion people who have never heard the eternal Gospel of Jesus Christ, and half of them live in this country. There are people within this country who have never heard the name of Jesus Christ. And unfortunately might not have the opportunity. It is illegal to become Christian and the persecution can be brutal. My heart broke as I saw the great need for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The emptiness and hopelessness that were in the people, as they worshipped cows, statues, and small sculptures and carvings made with their own hands. They want to know God they just don’t know how…but this is why Christ came; to declare the Father and make Him known. And as the Father sent Jesus, He is sending us.

Prayer and Conclusion

My time in Southern Asia has come to an end and Lord willing I will be back. God has transformed my heart for this place and its people, and if this is what He has for me I say, yes. My vision for being here would be to disciple the young men and women who are here, and help them to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. The encouraging part about being here was hearing from the national believers and they all said, ”God is on the move, and many are coming to Jesus. ” But they need help. My next steps are to complete a cross-cultural ministry school, held by Calvary Chapel Saving Grace where I will be trained up for the ministry.

Prayer Request:

– Pray that Southern Asia would receive the Gospel.
– Pray for our brothers and sisters living in Southern Asia doing full-time ministry.
– Pray against persecution.
– Pray against conversion laws.
– If God is calling me there, pray that He would open a door.
– That God would bring provision spiritually, physically, and financially.

If you have prayer requests please press “reply” at the end of my newsletter and it will be sent to my email.

I want to thank everyone who has partnered in making this mission happen. I am so excited to share this journey with you all as we fulfill the Great Commission. Stay tuned for all that the Lord is doing.

If you would like to partner with me as I serve with Saving Grace World Missions, there will be a giving link posted below.

And may we all continue to faithfully follow, love, obey and walk, with the Lion and the Lamb.

God Bless!