arise: august / september 2008 update

arise update: january 2009

Who We Are:

Ron and Teddy Sawka are the founders and leaders of Arise. They established and continue to oversee the ministries of CI Japan, CI Korea, CI Malaysia, and CI Russia. Arise also has bases of operation in Taiwan, Indonesia, Myanmar, Singapore, and China. Arise is part of and under the covering of Christian International (founded and headed by Bishop Bill Hamon), Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, USA.

Prayer Focus:

This month, please pray about the following:

* For 300 apostolic fund supporters.

* For growth and establishing of CI Network (Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia).

* For January 19-22 CI Korea Conference.

* For great breakthrough for prophetic for Belarus and Russia.

Country Updates:

TAIWAN - As I have shared before, now seems to be a special time for Taiwan. Also, the prophetic training and teaching I have done here before is really taking hold. Recently, one pastor testified that I had prophesied to her that God would increase the anointing on her. Shortly thereafter, while ministering, the Holy Spirit began to fall on people in her church. They were touched and changed by God. She also testified that I had encouraged them to use "prophecy" as an evangelistic tool. I had shared about our "Prophecy Café" in Tokyo. So, during their Christmas outreach they opened a prophecy booth. They prophesied to 80 people, and 30 of them were so moved that they decided to become Christians right there on the spot!

BELARUS - Jan 30-Feb 8- I will be ministering here with Gregory K., who also directs CI Russia for me. Four years ago, a prophecy from Bill Hamon stated that from this nation would start a movement that would strongly affect Russia and the neighboring countries. The prophecy actually gave the precise timing of my first visit there. This will be my second trip there. I will be hosted by the largest and most forward-looking of the churches in that nation.

This trip needs a lot of prayer. Perhaps you are aware that in Belarus, as in neighboring Russia, there is a strong shift back to the old mindsets. Last time, I found many churches and pastors to be intimidated and discouraged. There really needs to be a new release of the fire of God throughout that whole region.

My purpose will be to train them so they can train their believers to hear the voice of God. The inevitable and wonderful result of this training is that believers rise up and become strong, joyful, and aggressive warriors for the kingdom of God.

KOREA - I ask for special prayer for Nora Park (who directs CI Korea for me). The winter conference (Jan 19-22) will soon be here, and this is a key event for us. Ask the Lord to use this conference to advance His Kingdom in Korea.

Schedule:

* Jan 19-22, CI Korea conference with Tom and Jane Hamon

* Jan 25, Sano, First Fruits gathering

* Jan 30-Feb 8, Minsk, Belarus

* Pending trips – Myanmar/Singapore/Malaysia

2009 Apostolic Fund:

ron sawka Greetings!

January and February are months when we are focusing on raising 300 Apostolic Fund supporters who will pledge US$1000 for the year. The purpose of these funds is to help us in apostolic outreach. For example, these funds make it possible for me to go to the poorer nations such as Myanmar, Russia, and Belarus (among others). Also, these funds are vital in getting key projects underway. I have felt (and have shared in the past) that God is calling us to launch into broadcast media. This year we must expand into this arena; we have been hindered up to this point by a lack of start-up funds.

These finances are vital for us, but I feel your connection makes you part of our apostolic team. The blessings, the breakthroughs, and the anointings that we receive are also for you. We see this principle at work for those with David (1 Samuel 30:24). Paul further expands this by saying those who receive the financial gift are to pray for the giver (2 Corinthians 9:13-14). So, each giver, indirectly, is being prayed for by believers in Myanmar, Russia, and countries all over Asia.

I ask you to prayerfully consider becoming part of this team. The campaign is off to a wonderful start, and I know the Lord wants us to press through for the full 300. At our January conference in Japan, precisely 52 pledges came in. Since 52 is the number of days it took to rebuild the wall in Jerusalem (Nehemiah 6:15), I feel it is a sign that the full 300 will come in.

Thank you so very much.

Ron and Teddy Sawka

P.S. Please be sure to send us a digital photo to aid in praying for you.

P.P.S. Also please be sure to let us know any prayer requests/needs you may have!

More information is available on our website (www.ciaisa.net), and specific inquiries can be sent to prayerfocus[at]ciaisa.net.

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How To Taste The New Wine in 2009:

I fully agree with many who say that this is a year to "Taste and see the Lord is good" (Ps. 34:8). But I began to be intrigued when I heard a prophesy that said, in effect, we would be able to taste the Lord in each situation we ran into. As I pondered that, I realize that the above verse is not just a nice figure of speech, but that God is saying we can and should actually discern/taste His presence and discern how He is working. So I determined this year that I would focus on trying to be aware of His presence as much as possible.

The actually flavor of what God is doing would be according to one of His names. For example, Jehovah-Shalom (God is our peace) means that at times God will manifest Himself as peace and we would feel it strongly. At another time He might manifest Himself as Jehovah-Nissi (God, our banner), and we would sense His strong leading us forth.

In a bad situation, if I stop and discern His presence, then He would come more and more into the situation and change it according to that particular attribute. Likewise, in a good situation, He would come in more strongly and I would be even more blessed. (In other words, sometimes we don't discern His presence and miss out on much.) Even if the bad situation doesn't change right then, the main taste I will be left with is the goodness of God, and not a taste of regret or failure. Won't this result in what David says, "I will fear no evil..."?

Names of Jehovah:

Jehovah is the covenant name of God. He covenants or promises to be/do these things for us, His covenant people. So, this year, ask the Lord to help you know what form He is manifesting Himself to you.

* JEHOVAH-JIREH: "The Lord will Provide." Gen. 22:14. From "jireh" ("to see" or "to provide," or "to foresee" as a prophet). God always provides adequately when the times come. Note that when Abraham offered Isaac, his eyes were opened to see the provision God had for him. As you obey God, your eyes will be opened to see the wonderful provision God has for you.

* JEHOVAH-ROPHE: "The Lord Who Heals" Ex. 15:22-26. From "rophe" ("to heal"); implies spiritual, emotional, as well as physical healing. (Jer. 30:17, 3:22; Isa. 61:1) God heals body, soul and spirit; all levels of man's being. Don't limit His continual healing to physical, because He is making us whole. Don't negate the physical healing either. Our body is as important to God as is our soul and spirit.

* JEHOVAH-NISSI: "The Lord Our Banner." Ex. 17:15. God on the battlefield, from word which means "to glisten," "to lift up." See Psalm 4:6. (He leads us to victory, but also lifts up our heads. Think of how David's head was "lifted up." He thus had courage to go against Goliath. God will give you courage to destroy Goliath's this year.

* JEHOVAH-M'KADDESH: "The Lord Who Sanctifies" Lev. 20:8. "To make whole, set apart for holiness." Idea of first fruits should come here. Meditate on the fact that He has set you aside. What He has done until now is just first fruits or just the beginning. God will complete everything He has started. Phil 1:6.

* JEHOVAH-SHALOM: "The Lord Our Peace" Judges 6:24. "Shalom," translated "peace" 170 times, means "whole," "finished," "fulfilled," "perfected." Related to "well," "welfare." Deut. 27:6; Dan. 5:26; I Kings 9:25 8:61; Gen. 15:16; Ex. 21:34, 22:5, 6; Lev. 7:11-21. Shalom means that kind of peace that results from being a whole person in right relationship to God and to one's fellow man. Remember God does not expect us to solve everything or be responsible for everything. He wants us to live in peace. 1 Cor. 7:15.

* JEHOVAH-TSIDKENU: "The Lord Our Righteousness" Jer. 23:5, 6, 33:16. From "tsidek" (straight, stiff, balanced - as on scales - full weight, justice, right, righteous, declared innocent.) God our Righteousness.

* JEHOVAH-ROHI: "The Lord Our Shepherd" Psa. 23, from "ro'eh" (to pasture). Psa. 23, 79:13, 95:7, 80:1, 100:3; Gen. 49:24; Isa. 40:11.

* JEHOVAH-SHAMMAH: "The Lord is There" (Ezek. 48:35).

* JEHOVAH-SABAOTH: "The Lord of Hosts." The commander of the angelic host and the armies of God. Isa. 1:24; Psa. 46:7, 11; 2 Kings 3:9-12; Jer. 11:20 (NT: Rom. 9:29; James 5:4, Rev. 19: 11-16).

I hope that blesses you.

As ever, thank you so much for your prayers and support.

In Christ,

Ronald W. Sawka
Christian International Asia

contact: 1617 ohashi-cho sano-shi tochigi-ken japan 327-0003 phone: 0283.24.6653 fax: 0283.21.3219