• Signapore Seminar in Virginia

  In our last newsletter we mentioned Bernard Chan, head of His Greater Works, Singapore.  Bernard is a mentor, advisor, co-laborer, and accountability partner to the Fords and I-61 Ministries.  The Fords enjoy frequent “Singapore Seminars” with Bernard by telephone, during which we help each other by discussing ministry issues and pray for each other.

Suanne and Bernard Exploring Americana!

In April, the entire I-61 Board of Directors and many others enjoyed a “Singapore Seminar” in person.  Bernard traveled to the USA with his eldest daughter, Suanne for three weeks for a combination ministry and pleasure trip.  Suanne, 18, was born in South Carolina when Bernard was taking his masters degree at Columbia Bible College, and wanted to visit the land of her birth.  Bernard wanted to catch up with old friends, and also meet and minister to the Isaiah 61 Ministry team, which he helped to launch.

Bernard and Suanne were kept busy meeting many I-61 friends and supporters, sight-seeing, and enjoying American hospitality by visiting and having meals in several homes.  Bernard also joined us for prayer ministry and gave a workshop for our core team (see article below).  We thank God for Bernard’s ministry and for allowing Bernard and Suanne to visit us.  We pray that their entire family will come next trip!

• God's Purpose for His People

  On 21 April Bernard spoke to more than 20 participants on God’s Purpose for His People.  He began the message with his personal testimony covering his early conversion, seminary training, and his 20 years on staff with the Navigators.  Then the focus shifted to his searching for a deeper knowledge of and intimacy with the Holy Spirit.  Using many scriptures, he taught that Jesus told His disciples to do exactly what He did.  In fact, Jesus told us that if we have faith, then we would do even greater works than He Himself did (John 14:12).  This includes preaching, but also healing and deliverance (Luke 9:1-2).

Later, Bernard shared on several keys to become a Kingdom Community from John 17, I Peter 2:9-10, and passages from the Book of Acts.  We will post an audio file of Bernard’s message on our website soon.

• Syracuse Ministry

  Ryan Ford is a second year student at Syracuse University.  He has had several opportunities to share his experiences with spiritual warfare in Vietnam (and the USA) with his friends.  In March Ryan brought some of his friends to Virginia for a weekend visit which led to a discussion about deliverance and an extended time of prayer. 

  Later that month we (Roger and Holly) had the opportunity to travel to Syracuse and conduct a short workshop on spiritual warfare and pray for several of Ryan’s friends.   It was a real pleasure to teach and pray for these young people.  They read the scriptures, believed, and let Jesus (through the Holy Spirit) do the rest!

Roger Ford at Syracuse, his Alma Mater

• Missionary Journey Overview

  In mid December, we (Holly, Cassandra, Ryan, and Roger Ford) headed back to Vietnam to enjoy Christmas, “just like old times.”  Holly worked organizing and recruiting assistance over the internet so that we could host a Christmas party on Dec. 23 for about 75 old friends – all Vietnamese – no foreigners allowed!  The gathering was a big success and allowed us to catch up and share the Christmas story with many friends – some of whom we have known for ten years or more.  During the following days we continued to meet and share with old friends and enjoy being back in our “second homeland.” 

  Cassandra and Ryan returned to the USA in early January, leaving Holly and I to manage alone in central Vietnam.  We spent several weeks, part resting and reflecting, and part ministering to members of the Danang International Fellowship.  Following that we traveled to Singapore to meet with our mentor Bernard Chan and his family.  The final leg of our trip was nearly two weeks back in Hanoi where Roger taught a short class for his old institution, the Hanoi School of Business, and we also ministered to both foreign and local believers. We returned to Virginia in mid February to find our mountains covered with snow.  We are grateful to the Lord and to all of our supporters who helped make this missionary journey possible.

• Singapore Update

  In many ways I-61 is the fruit of the ministry of Pastor Bernard Chan, head of His Greater Works Ministry, Singapore.  Bernard remains our mentor, advisor, accountability partner, and friend, and we cherish our visits with him, his family, and their core team.

			Bernard, Lee Hua, and Joy Ann Chan
			Bernard and his wife Lee Hua welcomed us for several fully-packed days and nights caring for, listening to, praying for, encouraging, and counseling us.  We also enjoyed fellowship and reflection time with their core team, and, later, several hours with Bernard’s spiritual mentor, Douglas Koh, one of the leading deliverance ministers in Singapore.
	Doug and his wife have ministered in Singapore and around the world for more than 30 years.  It was fascinating to listen to their stories as they shared advice and lessons-learned from their experience.  Both Bernard and Doug agreed to write about their ministry experiences and send their stories to us for posting on our website, so stay tuned!

• Vietnam Ministry Update

  Roger spoke twice at the Danang International Fellowship on topics titled “The Invisible War,” and “Checking Your Gates, Preparing for Deliverance.”  These messages brought several requests for prayer ministry and we met them as time allowed.  Later we also ministered to others in Hanoi, including some follow-up with previous ministry cases.

  One of the lessons we continue to learn is that healing and deliverance is a process, not a single event.  While some people do experience life-changing freedom in a single ministry session – and remain free, many people discover that freedom comes in layers – requiring times of inner healing, deliverance, Bible study and reflection, breaking curses and old habits, and allowing Jesus to “restore the places long devastated,” step by step.  One person in Vietnam said that ministry was “a painful and exhausting process and I am well aware that there is still work to be done… your ministry is of The Father and as draining as it may be at times, The Father is honored through it.  Thank You.”

• USA Ministry Update

  During the fall of 2006 we met with many people for prayer ministry following a series of workshops.  As the workshops and prayer times came to an end, we launched some post-deliverance small groups where people could meet to encourage and support one another in walking-out their freedom in Jesus.  We are pleased to see what Jesus is doing in these groups and encourage everyone who has experienced deliverance prayer to get involved.  Please contact us for more information.

• Isaiah 61 Ministries was featured on Sonshine Ministries annual Share-A-Thon on WLTK Radio, Oct. 6, 2006. Joining Roger on the air was I-61 Board Member Jack Richardson and Robin Joseph, wife of Board Member Mike Joseph. I-61 Ministries wishes to thank Sonshine Ministries and WLTK for providing us with this important platform to share what Jesus is doing in our ministry.

• Roger spoke at New Life of the Shenandoah Church on Oct. 15. You can listen to his message, “Jesus – the Better Way,” on our website. Check for the link on the Resources page.

• The Fords will be back in SE Asia during the Christmas holiday and January, 2007. Please pray for the Fords during this time.