Ridge Missions

In January 2026, we shared a story about a coffee business in Jentuberi, a remote village in Southeast Asia, where agriculture is fostering trust and relationships. The story below is connected to our partnership with BLESS and one of our supported workers within their UPG portfolio. Names have been omitted for security reasons. Over the next 10 years, they will continue to focus on language learning so they can translate the Bible into their 💚 heart language.

“The months since our planting day have been difficult. A fungal disease destroyed one-third of our coffee nursery, leaving us uncertain how to provide seedlings to families who placed their hope in our coffee co-op. Language study has slowed without a consistent translator. Our team is stretched thin. And as our children grow, we navigate how to help them trust a good Heavenly Father while they witness the daily weight of poverty around them.

These questions are real. At times, anxiety and fear feel close.

But when we turn toward the light of the Son, those struggles begin to settle into perspective. Still present, but no longer overwhelming.

The loss of seedlings has deeply affected farmers who courageously left behind low-yield crops for sustainable coffee. Their desperation sometimes shows as frustration, yet beneath it is a deeper longing—for stability, for assurance, for something certain to trust.

It’s painful not to deliver what we planned. Yet this moment is revealing something greater: material scarcity often exposes a deeper spiritual need.

Even here, hope is growing.”

🙏 PLEASE PRAY for restored provision—for healthy seedlings procured in-country and wisdom to meet practical needs. Pray for open hearts in the village, for perseverance for our Jentuberi team, and for their children to grow in deep, steady trust.

https://austinridge.org/groups/upg

Through Global Child Advocates' partnership with Austin Ridge Bible Church, children and families in Myanmar are being protected and strengthened amid ongoing war. Military attacks have displaced families, disrupted education, and increased risks of trafficking and exploitation.

To remain flexible and rooted in trusted communities, GCA partners with local churches instead of operating fixed facilities. Teams gather children in safe church spaces for engaging, Gospel-centered programs, while connecting predominantly Buddhist parents to the hope of Jesus through local churches.

In 2025, GCA strengthened 1,194 families across 33 communities, protecting 5,914 children. Through 2,380 home visits, families received nutrition support, urgent aid, Christ-centered counseling, parenting guidance, and the Good News of Jesus.

Once trapped in abuse, Mar San’s story reflects the power of relationship. Through it with the help of GCA- she found safety, healing, and identity in Christ. Today, she is raising her children with stability, faith, and hope. Hear more of her story: https://globalchildadvocates.org/stories

Since 2022, Stef van Meerveld has served with Ambassadors Football, using soccer to build relationships and share the hope of Christ through Ridge Ambassador Soccer Camps, and outreach to refugee children and families in Travis Heights.

Through soccer, meaningful relationships are formed, and God uses these connections to draw hearts to Him.

Y.* has attended the soccer clinic from the start and is one of its oldest players. He was once focused only on his performance, but after lessons from Proverbs, he's now growing in team spirit and was recently asked to help coach younger children.

Another story involves N.,* a former physical education teacher in his home country. After his son started attending the clinic, N. also joined. Through this connection, Coach Stef was invited to play soccer with local fathers and participate in their group at a nearby mosque, where he talked about playing with integrity. N. now wants to volunteer as a coach.

More than 40 refugee children from countries including Iraq and Afghanistan participate in the clinic regularly. Many are so eager to play that they wait in the parking lot for Coach Stef and the volunteer coaches to arrive!

We need you for Refugee Outreach at Travis Heights:

🤝 Volunteer as a coach during the Sunday afternoon clinic (4-5:30pm)
⚽️ Join us to play on Sunday nights (7-9pm).
📌 Upcoming dates: 2/22, 3/29, 4/26, 5/24, 6/25
📧 Interested? Email: [email protected]

*Names have been changed for security reasons.