“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you…” – Jesus
One of the hardest things about the World Race is having to pick up and start over each month, leaving behind people you came to love. Because of this, I have been intentional about staying in contact with our ministry hosts and people whom God was working in, even after we have left. The beauty of technology these days is that we can stay in touch with people all over the world with only the click of a mouse. I have to tell you, it is amazing to see what God has done within our work in various countries. Check this out:
Ukraine: Remember the summer English camp that we organized? It was awesome to see some of the students start to know God through our bible-centered English lessons. Our hosts have kept in touch with quite a few of the students and some are taking the year-long English classes at the church. Also, do you remember the children’s pirate-themed summer camp that we helped with? Since the camp, the children’s ministry has grown and is now divided into two age groups. In addition to this, the behavior of many children has significantly improved, praise God!
Kenya: In Kenya, we did a lot of preaching in various schools in the area. Pastor Abraham said that he has been very happy to see how the people we reached are growing in the Lord. He also said that we really touched the lives of the police in Migori when we spoke there, and more and more people have been attending the fellowship!
Tanzania: Remember the meetings with women we started to encourage them in the dreams God had given them? I’ve been in touch with the women’s pastor, and she said that the women have continued to come together and share about their struggles and triumphs. Some of the women have started to take steps to fulfill their dreams, such as one woman who started a small business by selling chicken eggs and meat, using profits to benefit the kingdom of God. Some other women have learned how to sew, a skill they have always wanted to learn. She said, “We will not forget you from what you started here, and the women will remember you always.”
Malawi: Do you remember the brand-new church that I visited and delivered bibles? The church is doing well – they recently had a leadership meeting with nearby pastors. Also, God has really been working within the people we ministered to around the Timothy Harvest Ministries Training Center. Bible studies have been started with the people who had given their lives to Christ, and they have been growing to include more than 45 people per week. God is good!
Nepal: One day, we climbed up the side of a mountain to a village that was mainly only accessible by foot. We shared the gospel with a family who had never heard of Jesus before, and they said that they were going to think about what we had shared. A member of the church followed up with them and found out that they were really affected by the evangelism. Now they are faithfully attending the church each Sunday even though it is about a two-hour walk!
Also in Nepal, do you remember the young man from the busride whom was seeking truth, and when I prayed for him, God filled his heart with joy? I’ve been in touch with him via Facebook, and just a few weeks ago I encouraged him to talk to God and he said “I want to know you, Jesus.” I know that is a prayer that God loves to answer!
Thailand: Remember Blue, the young woman who left her life as a prostitute and opened a restaurant? In my time there, we loved on her and spent time with here, but didn’t necessarily feel like there was an open door to share the gospel. I connected her with a YWAMer named Sarah who was going to be there a few months, and I’m super excited to tell you about how God has been working in her life since! A few weeks after we left, Blue had a dream about Jesus, where she was in a perfect place and didn’t want to leave. Jesus told her she could stay there in heaven with him forever if she would trust in him. She shared this with Sarah, and Sarah led Blue in giving her life to following Christ. Pray that Blue would continue to be discipled and find a church fellowship to help her grow in her relationship with God. And I shouldn’t forget to note that Blue’s new restaurant is doing really well.
India: Remember the work we were doing with women and children in the brothels of India? Jaya, the woman who had contracted HIV and TB, whom I sat with and walked to the clinic each day, is not doing so well – some days she looks stronger and other days she is very weak. Thanks for joining me to pray for complete healing for her. Also, we spent a lot of time praying for Indra, the 11-year-old girl who was in great risk of being trafficked by the pimp who runs the area. Praise God – God opened up doors for her to attend a boarding school outside the area, so she is now in a safe place.
As I reflect on these eleven months, I am amazed at the goodness and the faithfulness of God. As we taught others, they taught us, and our lives became renewed together.
This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God's wonderful grace. (Colossians 1:6 NLT)
