Recently, I read the following from the excellent book, Daddy, Are We There Yet (A global check-in on the world of mission and kids) by Sylvia Foth, Director of Kidzana Ministries. As you read this story, you will rejoice again in the sovereign plan of God of bringing a little child to Himself through the Gospel:
"A visitation team went out on Monday evening to spend some time with a sixth grade girl who had visited our church the day before. The team of two adults and two students were very excited about meeting someone new and watching for the opportunity to share their faith in Jesus. As they arrived they found the girl sitting on the steps outside her home: she was relieved to see them. She explained to the team that her mother was giving her the responsibility to choose her own religion. She had friends of many different faiths, and she couldn’t decide which one to follow. This girl was praying that the real God would send someone to explain the truth to her. Just then our team arrived. They were thrilled to explain God’s great plan for salvation and eternal life, and she prayed with them to trust in Jesus!"
I trust this will encourage you to be busy at your Father’s business of sharing the Gospel with all ages.
Doug Nichols
Daddy, Are We There Yet (A global check-in on the world of mission and kids), (Page 177)by Sylvia Foth, Kidzana Ministries
www.daddyarewethereyet.org
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Friday, September 23, 2011
Send Money, Honey, but Don't Come Yourself!
It is an honor to partner with, pray for, and financially support God's workers around the world,such as national missionaries in India, Filipino evangelists in the Philippines (and the Middle East), and African church planters in Uganda.
Every so often, I try to reread "Support Nationals Only" books. Recently I read an updated edition of one, hoping its misconceptions and misleading illustrations had been corrected. Possibly some were, but the book is still filled with inappropriate and out-of-date illustrations and misleading statistics especially in regards to finances.
As I read books, I mark quotes to share and to encourage others to read the book. However, I cannot do it with this book, as it is written in such an arrogant manner and tone. Statements are made throughout the book, such as "But God told me this is the way . . .," "I am convinced that . . .," and "I can see God's will is . . ."
The most serious, erroneous statements, however, are when the author says that if a church (in North America) is not supporting national missionaries, then this proves that Satan has sent the church a deceiving spirit to blind their eyes and therefore the church's thinking is diabolical. The author also says that if a missions committee asks for accountability regarding finances from those the church supports, that this is racism!
The bottom line teaching of the book (aside from pride - if you do not agree with the author you are wrong) is money! Instead of sending missionaries, send money to the author's organization!
So, dear friends, let's do all we can to support God's workers (national missionaries) around the world through prayer and finances, and at the same time, to obey the Great Commission in our local churches and send workers into the harvest field, whether they are Indians to Burma, or Brazilians to Uganda, or Americans to Colombia, or Canadians to the Philippines, or the British to Cambodia, or Filipinos to Turkey.
God still calls and the church is still to send. Let's trust God and be obedient to the heavenly calling no matter what the cost!
Question in closing: Are you supporting a national missionary (worker) personally or through your church? A great place to start is Partners International at website: www.partnersintl.org or phone: 800-966-5515.
Every so often, I try to reread "Support Nationals Only" books. Recently I read an updated edition of one, hoping its misconceptions and misleading illustrations had been corrected. Possibly some were, but the book is still filled with inappropriate and out-of-date illustrations and misleading statistics especially in regards to finances.
As I read books, I mark quotes to share and to encourage others to read the book. However, I cannot do it with this book, as it is written in such an arrogant manner and tone. Statements are made throughout the book, such as "But God told me this is the way . . .," "I am convinced that . . .," and "I can see God's will is . . ."
The most serious, erroneous statements, however, are when the author says that if a church (in North America) is not supporting national missionaries, then this proves that Satan has sent the church a deceiving spirit to blind their eyes and therefore the church's thinking is diabolical. The author also says that if a missions committee asks for accountability regarding finances from those the church supports, that this is racism!
The bottom line teaching of the book (aside from pride - if you do not agree with the author you are wrong) is money! Instead of sending missionaries, send money to the author's organization!
So, dear friends, let's do all we can to support God's workers (national missionaries) around the world through prayer and finances, and at the same time, to obey the Great Commission in our local churches and send workers into the harvest field, whether they are Indians to Burma, or Brazilians to Uganda, or Americans to Colombia, or Canadians to the Philippines, or the British to Cambodia, or Filipinos to Turkey.
God still calls and the church is still to send. Let's trust God and be obedient to the heavenly calling no matter what the cost!
Question in closing: Are you supporting a national missionary (worker) personally or through your church? A great place to start is Partners International at website: www.partnersintl.org or phone: 800-966-5515.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
God Uses Ordinary People, Even the Not So Ordinary
When you feel God cannot use you, it is helpful to remember that Noah was a drunk, Abraham was too old, Isaac was a day dreamer, Jacob was a liar, Leah was ugly, Joseph was spoiled, Moses had a stuttering problem, Gideon was afraid, Sampson had long hair and was a womanizer, Rahab was a prostitute, Jeremiah and Timothy were too young, David had a affair and was a murderer, Elijah was suicidal, Jonah ran from God, Naomi was a widow, Job went bankrupt, Peter denied Christ, the disciples slept through prayer, Martha worried over everything, the Samaritan woman was divorced more than once, Zacchaeus was too small, Paul was too religious, Timothy had a stomach problem, and Lazarus was dead.
“But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God” (1 Corinthians 1:27-29, nasb).
“But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God” (1 Corinthians 1:27-29, nasb).
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Sacrifical Giving
Two wealthy Christians, a lawyer and a merchant, joined a tour that was going around the world. Before they started their minister earnestly asked them to observe and remember any unusual and interesting things that they might see in the missionary countries through which the party was to travel. The men promised ― carelessly, perhaps, to do so.
In Korea, one day they saw in a field by the side of the road a boy pulling a crude plow, while an old man held the handles and directed it. The lawyer was amused and took a snapshot of the scene.
“That’s a curious picture! I suppose they are very poor,” he said to the missionary who was interpreter and guide to the party.
“Yes,” was the quiet reply. “That is the family of Chi Noui. When the church was being built they were eager to give something to it, but they had no money so they sold their only ox and gave the money to the church. This spring they are pulling the plow themselves.”
The lawyer and the business man by his side were silent for some moments. Then the businessman said, “That must have been a real sacrifice.”
“They did not call it that,” said the missionary. “They thought it was fortunate that they had an ox to sell.”
Copied, Today’s Christian Woman.
In Korea, one day they saw in a field by the side of the road a boy pulling a crude plow, while an old man held the handles and directed it. The lawyer was amused and took a snapshot of the scene.
“That’s a curious picture! I suppose they are very poor,” he said to the missionary who was interpreter and guide to the party.
“Yes,” was the quiet reply. “That is the family of Chi Noui. When the church was being built they were eager to give something to it, but they had no money so they sold their only ox and gave the money to the church. This spring they are pulling the plow themselves.”
The lawyer and the business man by his side were silent for some moments. Then the businessman said, “That must have been a real sacrifice.”
“They did not call it that,” said the missionary. “They thought it was fortunate that they had an ox to sell.”
Copied, Today’s Christian Woman.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Experiences in Goma, Zaire in 1994 with Rwandan Refugees
by Doug Nichols
“Do not be afraid of sudden fear, nor of the onslaught (storm) of the wicked when it comes…” (Proverbs 3:25).
•Helped with a spinal tap.
•Carried and comforted babies sick with dysentery, pneumonia, malnutrition, meningitis, fear and loneliness.
•Drove five different vans and trucks.
•Lined up 15 children at a time in an orphanage to treat them for scabies.
•Being an advocate for children.
•Preached to 300 on a hillside mainly to encourage Christians in their walk with God. This was in a “toilet area” on the hillside. This was the only place available. This was a wonderful and glorious service, but very smelly.
•Put up a large 20-bed military hospital tent in pouring down rain with a crazy Puerta Rican/New Yorker (and 50 Rwandans all laughing at us!).
•Preached the Gospel daily to individuals and groups including about 15 men and women “bean cooks” in a make shift kitchen in a tent hospital run by Doctors without Borders. When I finished, one of the cooks said, “Thank you for that wonderful story!”
•Teaching the Word of God to 100 Rwandan workers for three hours. One man stated in his testimony, “There are two things you cannot have; my Bible and my wife!”
•Preaching the Gospel (John 3:1-16) one Sunday morning before hospital rounds to 600 on a hillside overlooking the Kimbumbe camp of over 200,000 people.
•Begging for Jesus. Every day I had to make the rounds to Christian and secular organizations to beg for beans, rice, wheat, blankets, tents, buckets, jerry cans, plastic coverings, gloves, clothes, milk, baby bottles, medicines, water, a truck, wheel barrels, stretchers, tracts, booklets and Bibles. When I drove, I would cry out, “Oh God, please supply, please be merciful, please provide.”
•Sharing the Word of God to team #4 every evening.
•Seeking to be a Christian before the pagan world of the UN officials. What a wicked bunch. They were seeking to build the city of man; God’s people were building the city of God!
•Someone said “Rwanda is a peaceful place these days because the demons are all gone. They are now living in Goma!”
However, Stan Lee (a missionary from Rwanda who was working with us in Goma) said, “The demons are finding it very difficult to work in Goma, because God’s people from around the world have come to Goma to do battle for the Sovereign Lord God.”
“Do not be afraid of sudden fear, nor of the onslaught (storm) of the wicked when it comes…” (Proverbs 3:25).
•Helped with a spinal tap.
•Carried and comforted babies sick with dysentery, pneumonia, malnutrition, meningitis, fear and loneliness.
•Drove five different vans and trucks.
•Lined up 15 children at a time in an orphanage to treat them for scabies.
•Being an advocate for children.
•Preached to 300 on a hillside mainly to encourage Christians in their walk with God. This was in a “toilet area” on the hillside. This was the only place available. This was a wonderful and glorious service, but very smelly.
•Put up a large 20-bed military hospital tent in pouring down rain with a crazy Puerta Rican/New Yorker (and 50 Rwandans all laughing at us!).
•Preached the Gospel daily to individuals and groups including about 15 men and women “bean cooks” in a make shift kitchen in a tent hospital run by Doctors without Borders. When I finished, one of the cooks said, “Thank you for that wonderful story!”
•Teaching the Word of God to 100 Rwandan workers for three hours. One man stated in his testimony, “There are two things you cannot have; my Bible and my wife!”
•Preaching the Gospel (John 3:1-16) one Sunday morning before hospital rounds to 600 on a hillside overlooking the Kimbumbe camp of over 200,000 people.
•Begging for Jesus. Every day I had to make the rounds to Christian and secular organizations to beg for beans, rice, wheat, blankets, tents, buckets, jerry cans, plastic coverings, gloves, clothes, milk, baby bottles, medicines, water, a truck, wheel barrels, stretchers, tracts, booklets and Bibles. When I drove, I would cry out, “Oh God, please supply, please be merciful, please provide.”
•Sharing the Word of God to team #4 every evening.
•Seeking to be a Christian before the pagan world of the UN officials. What a wicked bunch. They were seeking to build the city of man; God’s people were building the city of God!
•Someone said “Rwanda is a peaceful place these days because the demons are all gone. They are now living in Goma!”
However, Stan Lee (a missionary from Rwanda who was working with us in Goma) said, “The demons are finding it very difficult to work in Goma, because God’s people from around the world have come to Goma to do battle for the Sovereign Lord God.”
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