November 2001

Dear Family and Friends,

So much has been occurring recently that I am reluctant to send this note, which I began a number of weeks ago. The information we want to pass on is critical, but it may not seem in keeping with current events or the season of Advent. Please bear with the seemingly untimely nature of the prayer update that follows. Another prayer letter is also in production.

Greetings in the Name of the Prince of Peace, our Lord Jesus Christ! Quite recently, a Scripture has been brought to my attention that seems to run contrary to my greeting of peace. Though it may seem contradictory, I find its truth to be incumbent to peace and of great relevance amidst these times of crisis. The Scripture, Ephesians 6:12, alerts us to the unseen reality of "our warfare." Through the Scripture we are enabled to have a supernatural perspective of what others can only see with their eyes, and so we recognize that "our warfare (is) not against flesh and blood but against spiritual powers," powers that work through deception in order to destroy. About the time that the horror was happening on the East Coast of America, we were amidst another skirmish that I share with you today.

We have told you about our beloved Cambodian children in the faith, Ratanak and Chivv Rong. As we returned to Thailand in August, we looked forward to being with them. At the beginning of this year, Ratanak and Chivv boldly decided to trust in Christ for their future and to minister to other Cambodian refugees here in Bangkok. It was to learn when we arrived here that plans were set in motion to procure immediate entry into the U.S.

During our absence, a former professor of journalism from their University in Phnom Penh had visited them in Bangkok. When he returned to Cambodia, he rallied their families to gather a huge amount of money (far beyond their means) to "help them get out of this terrible situation here in Bangkok." Buying immigration documents is an all too common practice in Cambodia (and perhaps in many countries of the world), and Ratanak and Chivv Rong were prepared to go along with the scheme. Despite our earnest council to the contrary, they felt that they couldn’t stop these who had already gone so far into debt to begin the process on their behalf. Along with you, we sent urgent prayers heavenward on their behalf, and God began to help us to understand that a spiritual battle was being waged. It felt as if a wall had suddenly come up in our relationship. Communication that previously flowed freely and without misunderstanding, became strained and garbled. The more we shared, the more distortion and misunderstanding seemed to occur. Within days of our return, the professor was already returning to Bangkok with their procured passports in hand and with plans of introducing Ratanak to an official who was going to be able to "help" them get the visas. But Ratanak began receiving phone calls from several of his Cambodian neighbors whom he had earlier tried to minister to, but who were not responsive to his ministry. Now, though unaware of what Ratanak and Chivv Rong were considering, these neighbors were asking Ratanak to open God’s Word with them. Ratanak felt the pull in two directions. But as they waited for the official to arrive, September 11 came instead. The official never came, and the professor returned to Phnom Penh to wait for a more opportune time.

But something good continues to stir in a number of these Cambodians’ hearts. I sense that the Word that Ratanak has sown is now beginning to tremble with life. And Ratanak is fervently focused again in serving others. The desire to study in America still stirs in his heart, but he seems to be at peace again. We have come through a tough time together, and our relationship is the better for it. Thank You, Lord!

Now, should it be a surprise that if we have an adversary, as the Bible testifies (in I Peter 5:8, as well as other references), that our adversary would most vehemently attack prior to a moment of possible breakthrough in God’s work of salvation? We continue to learn slowly. But thanks be to God, for His Grace that is indeed sufficient for all of our needs. He is indeed, the Victor unto Whom all authority in Heaven and on earth has been given!

And thank you very much for praying with us. We felt upheld and strengthened in prayer during this episode. Our description doesn’t adequately describe how impossible the situation felt at one point. We also can’t adequately convey our appreciation for your partnership in prayer. And yet, the skirmish we describe is small compared to what is being transacted in other parts of our world. It has helped me to pray, not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities and powers that are at work behind the scenes, and I hope that our sharing might be of encouragement to you as well. As we pray, may the Prince of Peace save from the bondage of deception those who today are so much like Saul of Tarsus. Let us take up the weapons of our warfare and exercise the authority entrusted to us by our King Jesus.

Shalom in the Prince of Peace,

Leith and Carol Fujii

The 2001 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 171