What God Can Do

An excerpt from Do You Believe…In What God Can Do?
By Shushan Richardson, Ukraine
October–December 2011

My church in Ukraine was given the opportunity to serve Jesus through the blind in our community. It started with a simple relationship and grew into an opportunity for ministry.

Blindness in Ukraine happens at a high rate. Many people who were once sighted have become blind from lack of adequate medical care.

In Berdyansk, Ukraine, a community center for the blind hosts different classes and activities. It began with a simple connection to one person and grew to the whole church being invited to hold a service at the center on Saturdays. Through the relationships built during these Saturday services, many of the blind started attending church. In one week, five ladies were saved—four from the ministry to the blind and one lady from the community.

God can do mighty things through a body of believers willing to minister to others in a community. Would you like to see the family of God grow? The World Go! Manual is a great resource to help you be the hands and feet of Christ starting right in your community. Share a copy with your pastor to discover what missions impact your church can have.

ACT: Get the World Go! Manual here!Purchase a copy of the World Go! Manual at www.wgm.org/worldgo.

There Are No “Accidents” in God’s Realm

An excerpt from Do You Believe…There Are No “Accidents” in God’s Realm?
By Rachel Kerney, Argentina
October–December 2011

Gaston (not his real name) was a bright-eyed 7-month-old baby boy. He was speedy and agile in his stroller; actually, too much so. One day when his mom was distracted, he rolled past the barrier that had been set up and plummeted to the cement on the ground level eight to ten feet below. It could have been a tragic accident. The Lord was merciful in that the stroller took the initial impact.

How could God turn this situation around for good? Romans 8:28 (NIV) states, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” God gave amazing healing to little Gaston, and within a month he was once again a normal, bouncing baby boy. However, God also did a deeper work in profound spiritual levels. The household of extended family where Gaston lived began to seek God more earnestly. His parents were reconciled in their relationship with God. An aunt sought God’s forgiveness in her life. The extended family now sets aside each evening to pray together. God was glorified through this accident, and the Berea Church witnessed it and praises God for how He can take a dangerous, critical situation and turn it around for good!

ACT: Make a difference on your knees!Is your family taking time to pray? Life is busy and schedules are full, but spending time together with the Heavenly Father will have immeasurable blessings for your family. Why wait until there is a crisis? Start praying together today.

In Miracles of God’s Amazing Grace

An excerpt from Do You Believe…In Miracles of God’s Amazing Grace?
The story of the conversion of Davine Kemunto Nyamweya
By Carolyn W. Wade, Kenya, with Davine Kemunto
October–December 2011

On a Sunday at Immanuel Africa Gospel Church in Kericho, Kenya, Davine, a young lady I had never seen before, said to me, “I think I am supposed to talk to you. I want my life to change.” As we began to talk and she related her life’s experiences to me, huge tears began to fall.

God directed me to refer her to Pastor Gladys Mutai, one of my former students. Davine met with Gladys on Tuesday that week at the church and then wrote me the following text message: “I met Pastor Gladys who has been of great help to me. She prayed for me and I have been saved. I now love myself in God. I feel clean.” What a glorious testimony!

“I decided to work in the ministry so I can help my fellow youths who have no hope in life,” Davine shared. “I know through Christ, who gave me that second chance to live, that He will give me the strength I need to be a role model to them.”

The miraculous transformation in Davine’s life is part of what God has invited us to experience and enjoy. God is extending the boundaries of our ministry through the way He is using Davine. What a joy!

This isn’t Davine’s complete story. Learn more about what God is doing in her life at www.wgm.org/davine.

Flat Tires and Prayer

An excerpt from Do You Believe…In Changes: Flat Tires and Prayer?
By Zach Motts, Japan
October–December 2011

Some weeks ago, my wife, my daughter, and I began a trip to Colorado for three weeks of missionary training. It is a long drive from eastern Ohio to Colorado. In fact, that was the first time I had ever driven across the Mississippi River, so it seemed like a rather monumental trip to me. Also, it was the first long trip that we had taken with our daughter, who was about three months old at that time. However, we made very good time and arrived uneventfully at our destination.

Of course, if things ended there, this would be a rather boring story. The next day, we were told that our parked vehicle had a flat tire. I went out, hoping that there was some mistake, but, sure enough, the back right tire was deflated.

It took me a couple days to be thankful for that flat tire. Before we had left for Colorado, I had sent notes to ministry partners and churches asking them to pray for us as we headed out on this long trip. If that flat tire had blown somewhere along the road, I don’t think I would have seen that as God answering prayers for traveling mercies. On the other hand, with the trip being so uneventful, I almost missed God answering the prayers for safety that were prayed on our behalf. A tire that goes flat in the parking lot of your destination is one of the best possible places for that to happen. Sure, the flat was annoying, but I needed the annoyance to make me see that God had watched over us.

ACT: Visit www.wgm.org/safetravels to pray for the Motts family and other WGM missionaries who are currently traveling many miles on homeland ministry assignment.

Successful Ministry

An excerpt from Do You Believe…In Successful Ministry?
By Bob Margaron, The Center (Stockton, California)
October–December 2011

I think Jesus gauges His success through relationships. From His birth, to His death on the cross, to His resurrection, and even today, the life of Jesus is about building relationships.

Approximately 13 years ago, a young lady and her siblings started coming to The Center in Stockton, California. I remember they began attending during the week of Thanksgiving because when I was trying to get to know one of her brothers, he told me all they had to eat for Thanksgiving dinner was cereal.

As years went by, little Margie continued to go to school and get good grades. She graduated from high school and went on to college. Recently, Margie (not so little anymore) came to The Center to share with Lisa and me that she is graduating from college with her AA degree.

After serving God for well over a decade, I have had many people ask how I gauge success in ministry. Then I am reminded of little Margie.

ACT: When you reach for a cereal bowl in the morning, remember to pray for The Center ministry in Stockton, California. The little Margies in attendance that day will be grateful.