Caroline Anderson

SOUTHEAST ASIA (BP) -- Described as a "quiet force," former International Mission Board worker Holli Fish Lancaster died in Tennessee Tuesday (March 29), following a battle with ovarian cancer. She was 51. Lancaster, a native Texan, and her husband Dan served in Southeast Asia for more than 12 years. Before moving overseas, the couple planted churches in the U.S.

KATHMANDU, Nepal (BP) -- A new, man-made disaster is complicating efforts to help Nepalis recover from the devastating earthquake that struck the country in April. Ongoing protests over Nepal's new constitution have shut down the main road between India and Nepal since Sept. 24. The road is the main supply line for fuel and food into Nepal. Nepal claims that India instituted a blockade along the border. News reports say dozens of fuel trucks are stranded at the border.

EAST ASIA (BP) -- Chinese believers could be the next missions sending force, following the Western and Korean Christians who've gone before them. They pray, give and go, sacrificing everything to bring the message of Jesus Christ to the nations. But sacrifices come with costs. Chinese cross-cultural Christian workers say they struggle with discouragement and loneliness. Those in Southeast Asia welcomed encouragement and counsel from Southern Baptist workers Phil and Ruth Wardell,* who have provided training for believers.

EAST ASIA (BP) -- Before returning to the U.S., two American mission volunteers arranged to meet one last time with more than 20 new believers they led to the Lord during their two-week visit in East Asia. "We wanted to give you a gift before we return to the U.S.," Timothy,* one of the volunteers tells some of the new believers who gathered to meet him and his teammate Joshua* for lunch.

TACLOBAN, Philippines (BP) -- A crushing wall of water from Typhoon Haiyan hit the city of Tacloban on Nov. 8, 2013. Thousands of people perished. Homes and businesses were destroyed. The water beached cargo ships weighing several hundred tons and devastated Tacloban. But water also is what people need most after the storm.

KAMAISHI, Japan (BP) -- After Japan's triple disaster -- the 2011 tsunami, earthquake and nuclear plant meltdown -- building new buildings was easy compared to the haunting issues that still simmer in many people's hearts and minds three years later. Lingering remnants of the disaster are the images of the dead and dying, guilt over not stopping to help those in need, isolation and loneliness from the loss of community and trauma.

EAST ASIA (BP) -- Liu Qiang* remembers 12 years ago bicycling past churches in the countryside. Believers there in China met behind boarded up doors and windows.

EAST ASIA (BP) -- Alexander and Maggie Kirkpatrick* moved to East Asia in 1989 -- the same year as the Tiananmen Square massacre. Their wedding anniversary shares the same date. During their 25 years of service, the Kirkpatricks watched China change and the church boom. The Christian workers say the number of believers in the country is "staggering."

KATHMANDU, Nepal (BP) -- In the West, the question, "How did you meet your spouse?" garners a variety of answers. Some husbands and wives meet in high school or college. Some are set up on blind dates or meet through dating websites. Other couples meet through mutual friends. Bal and Anila Rai met through the sounds of a leaf. The Rais believe music and instruments are not just a way to meet spouses but are a way people can connect with their Creator. In the past, the Rais translated worship songs for a Christian organization and now are involved in writing worship songs in their native language.