Discover: Coming to a mailbox near you!

The January/February/March 2013 issue of The Call is on its way to you. Whether you read the articles online or enjoy flipping through the pages of the print version here's a preview of what's in store:

Discover. World Gospel Mission defines discover as connecting individuals to the call of God and community. That’s at the heart of what WGM does. It’s also what you will find as you are challenged by the stories in this magazine. And at its very center is your mission field—your call.

Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV) is for all believers, “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 then to obey everything I have commanded you.”

Let’s discover missions together. Want to join me?

JOIN: The Call is now on Google Plus. Come join the conversation.

Unverified Territory

An excerpt from Unverified Territory

The importance of leaving a legacy
By William T. Bonham, Attorney at Law, WGM Board Member
October-December 2012

Many WGM supporters who have been faithful to the ministry during their lifetimes have continued to be faithful even as they passed to their heavenly reward. They did this by remembering WGM and their other favorite ministries in their wills or trusts.

For example, the American Indian Field, the third largest WGM ministry area, has benefited from an endowment that paid the AIF an income for 20 years. The endowment, which is $400,000, matures in a few months and the entire sum will become available.

AIF has recently completed construction of a multipurpose facility at Southwest Indian Ministries Center in the Phoenix area. It will have a huge impact, not only on the unsaved in the community around it, but it will house ministries to the inhabitants of the Native American reservations in Arizona. The facility will host everything from church camps to AA meetings. Best of all, it is paid for.

The need now is for dormitory space to house attendees of the camps and other activities. A 120-bed dormitory has recently been approved by the WGM Board for construction at SIMC. The cost for construction will be $400,000!
God, in His perfect timing, has made this endowment money available from generous supporters. How delighted they would be to see the results of their faithfulness!

ACT: If you would like to discuss your estate planning goals, contact WGM Vice President Shelly McCollum at 765.664.7331. Questions for me? Feel free to contact me at 614.478.8020. All discussions will be held at no charge and in complete confidence.

Deputation Travels

An excerpt from Deputation Travels

Building partnerships for the missionary journey
By Eileen McGuire, Retiree
October-December 2012

I arrived at Southwest Indian School on July 31, 1960. I cannot begin to tell you all the things that I learned in my 45 years of serving there, but I loved teaching the Indian children. There were definitely some bumps in the road, but it is not my practice to nourish negative emotions.

I loved meeting people as I traveled on deputation (now called homeland ministry assignment). It amazed me how loving, kind, and helpful these precious individuals and churches were.

As I traveled, I would arrive at the home where I was told that I’d share the evening meal. Often these people were complete strangers, but in a very short time we were conversing because we were in the same family—the family of God.

As each deputation came around, I looked forward to seeing these devoted supporters just as much as they looked forward to seeing their missionary.

I’m so glad that God can trust His people to do His work around the world. I know that God blesses all obedient giving and that He provides both the joy for strength and the provisions for ministry. I want to say “thank you” for your involvement in reaching the lost. Your work has not been in vain.

ACT: Missionaries are still traveling on homeland ministry assignment today. If you are interested in inviting a missionary to speak in your church about their ministry, contact Tara Mast at church@wgm.org or 765.671.7244.

GPS: Give So They Can Play—It’s Simple!

An excerpt from GPS: Give So They Can Play--It's Simple!

Kids helping kids be kids
By Rachel Elwood, Support Staff
October-December 2012

When the group of kids from Indian Springs Holiness Camp in Georgia decided to give their offering to a missions project, they knew it had to be for something special. When they heard from missionaries Billy Wayne and Jenny Fuller that kids living in Samfya, Zambia, had no safe place to play, the children decided that they needed to have a playground.

The only problem? Gym sets aren’t easy to find in the remote town of Samfya, where Billy Wayne and Jenny serve at Samfya Bible School. Although they never dreamed that the skill “can design playground equipment” would be added to their resumés, they were up for the challenge! After drawing diagrams of a slide, swings, a sandbox, and monkey bars, the Fullers hired local craftsmen to construct the pieces, using what materials were available. The children’s offering covered all construction costs. Swings were attached to a huge tree that offers great shade, and a fence around the area completed the playground.

WEB: Kids really can make a missions impact. WGM’s Kids Helping Kids catalog lists specific missions projects that kids can get involved with to help other children around the world. Gather your Vacation Bible School or Sunday School class and download a free copy of the catalog at www.wgm.org/kidscatalog.

Choosing the Farmer's Tan

An excerpt from Choosing the Farmer's Tan

By Troy Simpson, Ministry Partner
October-December 2012

Each year, students around the United States wait anxiously for the arrival of spring break. Most students can’t wait to hit the beaches in Florida; California; or Cancun, Mexico. But, for a few students at Mississinewa High School in Gas City, Indiana, spring break means spending the week in Honduras, working and building relationships with the students of Amor Fe y Esperanza (a school for the children whose parents live and work in the city dump of Tegucigalpa). The team works hard under the hot Honduran sun and usually ends the week with some super “farmer’s tans.”

ACT: Get your local high school involved in missions, too. Grab a few chaperones and students and plan your next spring break atwww.gowgm.org/teams.

On the Prayer Journey

An excerpt from On the Prayer Journey

By David Engbrecht, WGM Board Member

October-December 2012

I love partnerships! I love partnerships that have lots of letters; letters like WGM, AGC, NMC, and LFF. While World Gospel Mission, Africa Gospel Church, and Nappanee Missionary Church have a strong partnership history with the AGC Baby Center in Ngata, Kenya, something new and fresh is happening. It’s uncharted territory! It’s Mombasa, Kenya.

When Dr. Robert Langat was installed as the new bishop of Africa Gospel Church, he shared a stirring visionary message calling the church to expand its borders. He called the church to press forward into Mombasa, a dark, difficult coastal city of nearly a million people with a large Muslim population. His passionate call resonated in my heart, and I, along with others at Nappanee Missionary Church, began to pray for Mombasa. We answered the Macedonian call and committed to partnering in the area.

While all of this was happening, God laid Mombasa on the hearts of Dennis and Gladys Mutai who were pastoring with AGC. After visiting with the bishop, the Mutais accepted the challenge and moved to Mombasa. As a result, a new church plant has emerged there.

First things first! The starting point of any effective partnership is prayer. A day of prayer was declared that included a prayer walk in Mombasa.

On that day, prayer partners were literally praying around the world. In Indiana, a host of people, many who had connected via Facebook and the Internet, were crying out to God for Mombasa. By phone, we connected with Little Flock Fellowship in northeast India where many of their leaders had gathered in prayer for Mombasa. Escuela El Sembrador in Honduras had a special prayer time for Mombasa. Pray Mombasa has become far more than a day in Africa. It has become a movement of partners committing to claim new territory.

The morning after Pray Mombasa, the team gathered to debrief and process, and it was apparent that this was far more than a Pray Mombasa event, but the birth of a partnership whose mission it is to impact the entire east coast of Kenya.

ACT: Form your own partnership. Scripture makes it clear that when two or more partner together in His name, great power is there because He is with us. We are called to fellowship in ministry just as WGM, Nappanee Missionary Church, and Africa Gospel Church have. Organize a community-wide, faith-based outreach project that includes more than your local church. Here are some ideas to keep the Pray Mombasa idea going: volunteer in a homeless shelter or hospice; provide meals, babysitting, and transportation for military families in your area; or build or sponsor a youth center in your community.

Narrow is the Road

An excerpt from Narrow is the Road

By Lisa Fish, Uganda, with Rachel Elwood, Support Staff

October-December 2012

“But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Matthew 7:14 NIV)

As I look back at what God has done in Uganda, I am amazed at the intricacy of the narrow road. It can be complicated; it can sometimes not make sense; and yet, I see how God moves and works in the chaos to bring people to Him.

He led WGM to begin working in Uganda 15 years ago. The road later led to working with students. Heritage International School is a Christian international school where many of us teach and share the gospel with children and families from over 20 nations, including a dozen African countries. Kenyan AGC missionary Kennedy Kirui heads up the outreach of discipleship, Bible studies, and a church for 1,000 students attending Kampala International University. Those university students seek to follow God as He leads them on their own paths, with education that may place them in government and leadership positions in their home countries. It’s thrilling to think of these young people joining the narrow road and leading more people to come with them!

The narrow road can lead us to serve in places of pain and desperate need. As we enter the second decade of the 21st century, the road has many twists and turns, touching across Uganda and beyond. The Lord has led us into ministries into key “gateway” cities across the nation and into the neighboring countries of South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Tanzania, and even into Burundi, where WGM served decades ago. And this is only the beginning of the story of the road God has led us down! New meanderings are opening all the time. I thank God for allowing me to be a part of leading others to the narrow road that leads to eternal life with Him.

PRAY: Pray for those working in Uganda and for those currently headed that direction. Pray for the Africa Gospel Church pastors and their families, for their spiritual and relational growth. Pray for more mature, spiritually transformed laypeople in the church, who are needed to build a healthy foundation in Uganda and in all the nations where God leads.

GO: Do you want to be a part of the exciting ministries in Uganda? Visit www.wgm.org/uganda to find out how you can serve God there. Are they waiting for you?

Directionally Challenged

An excerpt from Directionally Challenged

By Todd Eckhardt, Support Staff
October-December 2012

Have you ever felt “directionally challenged”—not in finding your way to a new location, but in finding your way in life? Kevin DeYoung’s book Just Do Something has a chapter called “Directionally Challenged.” The book is based on the all-too-common truth that many Christians are paralyzed by indecision. We sincerely want God’s will, but we are so afraid we will miss it that we become indecisive and end up doing nothing.

DeYoung says, “Obsessing over the future is not how God wants us to live, because showing us the future is not God’s way. His way is not a crystal ball. His way is wisdom” (page 41).

Perhaps we are not as directionally challenged as we think. God has a job for us. You want to do God’s work. He wants you to do His work. But fear sets in and we begin to flounder. Then we slip into this paralyzing mindset of indecision, and before we know it, we have gone nowhere. We weigh all the information; we seek all the answers on how this will look in the future. God rarely reveals the future, but He does give wisdom.

MORE: Read Psalm 111 to see what the Bible says about gaining wisdom. Talk to your pastor or spiritual mentor for advice.

The Wrong Landmark

An excerpt from The Wrong Landmark

By Tim Rickel, Support Staff
October-December 2012

I looked at the landmark with disbelief and a bit of dismay. Yes, it was a landmark, but it was the wrong landmark. In fact, it was in a completely different direction from where I wanted to be going.

I began to have one of those conversations with God that was not so much prayerful as accusatory. “Lord, I’m out here serving You and trying to go to this meeting and the least You could do is point me in the right direction!” I have had a couple of these conversations with God in my lifetime, and you’d think I would have learned by now.

Well, the only thing I could do was to drive a bit farther south, catch the interstate back northeast, and then continue my journey to the WGM Northwest regional office where Men With Vision leaders were waiting to meet me. When I got there almost an hour late, everyone looked at me with amazement and asked, “How did you get here?”

I told them the route I had taken and they said, “That is the only way you could have come this morning. The whole area you were going to take is under water! We’ve been listening to it on the news.”

I had a very different kind of prayer time with God later that day, let me tell you! It was much more confessional in tone. I’m so glad for a Father who is guiding us, even when we are ignorant and ungrateful about it. I want to have the kind of faith that is confident of His leading even when I can’t see it from my point of reference.

GO: Is the Father guiding you to step out in faith—to take a new route you are unfamiliar with? Take time right now to pray and ask God for faith. If that calling is to serve in missions, check outwww.gowgm.org.

Discover Missions

An excerpt from Discover Missions

October - December 2012

Here are some of the ways you can be involved with World Gospel Mission. Choose the option that best fits your current status.

STAY

• I would like to represent WGM in my hometown for six months to a year. If you have a passion for making a difference in your local community, become involved in the Advance Volunteer Network. Contact Kristina Gleason at 765.671.7227 or visit www.wgm.org/avn.
• I am a college student wanting to gain professional experience. Do you need an internship for college credit? Use your skills for missions. WGM offers internships in graphic design, writing, marketing, and Web design. Contact Kristi Crisp at globallink@wgm.org or visitwww.wgm.org/internships.
• I am willing to donate only $30 a year to help WGM missionaries in their times of need. The Minutemen/Minutewomen program is for you! You will receive a maximum of three appeals each year, highlighting urgent needs from WGM fields of service. We ask that you send in a minimum of $10 for each appeal. To join, contact Bill Bucher at 765.671.7217 or visit www.wgm.org/mwv.

GO

• I am an adult willing to serve three years or more. Through the Missionary Discipleship Program, called individuals become full-time missionaries with WGM. The program consists of one year of fundraising, training, and orientation and two years of field service. Contact Jared Gleason at 765.671.7226 or visit www.gowgm.org/md.
• We are a family committed to serving for a week. WGM teams are custom-fit to you and your group. Family teams are designed specifically for parents and children to travel together and experience missions as a unit. Several families can even join forces to form a team, allowing all ages to experience the joy of serving God on the mission field. Contact Noritta Carter at 765.671.7204 or visit www.gowgm.org/teams.
• I am 29 years old or younger and willing to serve at least six weeks. As a Volunteer In Action participant, you can serve in almost any type of ministry. You can also earn internship credit through your VIA experience. Contact Kristina Gleason at 765.671.7227 or visitwww.gowgm.org/via.
• I am over 30 and prepared to serve four weeks or more. The Missionary Volunteer Partner program is designed to give you a taste of missionary life. You’ll work side-by-side with missionaries and nationals, getting involved with established ministries and discovering new ones. Contact Kristina Gleason at 765.671.7227 or visit www.gowgm.org/mvp.

Nice Roads, Radio, and Making a Difference

An excerpt from Nice Roads, Radio, and Making a Difference

By Kenneth Hopson, Uganda

October-December 2012

There once was a little girl who grew up like most little girls in America. She went to school and had lots of friends and many birthday parties, and her life was great. She went on family vacations where she stayed in hotels and a couple of times even got to fly on large airplanes.

Well, it wasn’t very long before Jesus got a real hold of the young woman’s heart. She gave her heart to Jesus and promised to serve Him for the rest of her life. Soon after that, she began to see things differently—looking at others’ needs. 

One Sunday evening service, a couple of missionaries from Africa spoke at her church. She thought it would be great to hear about Africa! The couple began to tell stories of churches being started, people reading the Bible, and children being saved in Bible schools.

They wanted to let people know that whatever they gave, whether a little or a lot, it all made a big difference for God’s kingdom.

That day, she made a commitment to God to help those whom she couldn’t see in Africa but who needed to know about Jesus like she did. She thanked God for opening her eyes to the spiritually hungry in Africa, and she began giving again to the couple so they could return and tell the people of the One who died for them.

GIVE: Will you consider supporting a missionary financially or will you commit to give faithfully to the ministries in Africa or other places? Many people still need to learn about Jesus and know His love and forgiveness.

You Have (NOT) Reached Your Destination

An excerpt from You Have (NOT) Reached Your Destination

By Twana Johnson, Mexico

October-December 2012

Before coming to Mexico to live and serve full time, we spent a week here touching base with those we would be working with. Our first day, we went to León, the city in which we are now working. We plugged in our “trusty” GPS, which our family had given us when they learned we would be returning to missionary status and would be traveling a lot.

The GPS served us well, and we got to León in good time. We spent the day getting a feel for the city. However, we had forgotten one important thing—the address of where we were staying! Several phone calls later, someone finally gave us another street name close to where we were staying and Tomasa (our GPS’s name) “replanned” and we were on our way again. We eventually did reach our destination.

That whole experience reminds me that we have not yet reached our final destination—heaven. Each day we go to our GPS (God) and He “plans our route.” As Dennis and I travel around in Mexico telling others about the love of God, we can always trust our GPS (God) to guide us. We pray that He is your daily guide as you travel toward heaven and tell others you meet on the way about the love of God!

ACT: How can you use your story in your own witness? Write the story of what God’s love has done in your life in 400 words or less. Once written, pray and ask, “Lord, who are the people who most need to hear this story?”

Making a Wrong Turn

An excerpt from Making a Wrong Turn

The journey that led to healing
By Daniel Tolan, Special Assignment
October-December 2012

Samwel was a pastor. We met in the tuberculosis ward at Tenwek Hospital in Kenya. From the beginning, his condition was obvious: extensive tuberculosis (TB) due to his seeking care very late. Lab tests confirmed the diagnosis.

Concerned that he may have AIDS as well as TB, we suggested testing for HIV. Samwel said, “Of course, please test me. However, I am a pastor and I have no risk of being positive for HIV. My wife and I have been faithful to each other. We have two children, and she is pregnant right now with our third.”

His HIV test was positive.

Arap Lagat, the hospital’s HIV counselor, a trained pastor himself, talked with Samwel about the result.
Samwel said, “This is a mistake. I have never been with anyone but my wife, and she has never been with anyone other than me. You must have mixed up my blood with another person. Please, is it possible to repeat the test?”

It was repeated and was confirmed positive.


Samwel’s face clouded as he continued: “My brother and I are very close, and I visit him once per year and usually stay about 10 days.”

With his voice now hushed and frequently breaking, he told us about his secret life. “My brother and I have often traveled to the capital city seeking fun and excitement. We never meant it to become like this, but one thing led to another, and in the last few years, I have been with several prostitutes.” His voice now choking, “I am sure the tests are positive. In fact, I suspected so, and this is the real reason I have delayed seeking treatment.”
It was an effort for him to continue, “I am so scared. Truthfully, this is really why I did not want to go anywhere close to my home. I am known as a successful pastor, but I have been living a double life. I do not know if I can find forgiveness.”

Arap Lagat spoke, “Samwel, God is forgiving you right now. God the Father is wanting to make your relationship with Him right again.” God was right there. Although I could not see Him with my eyes, I knew His incredible presence was there with us.

Arap Lagat, Samwel, and I sat on his bed together in the presence of God. We talked, we cried, and we prayed together.


“Tomorrow, my wife comes from home,” Samwel told us. “She does not know anything about this. I want to tell her everything, but I cannot do it alone. Will the two of you be here to give me strength, please?” Arap Lagat answered for us both, “Yes, this is something we must do.”

The next morning came and I woke wondering what  his wife would say.

Beatrice arrived around mid-afternoon, and Arap Lagat came to the outpatient clinic for me. We found Beatrice sitting on her husband’s bed, holding his hands. She was beautiful and looked so radiant, as only pregnant mothers can look. He was obviously happy to see her. Love was on both faces.


Samwel confessed everything to his wife. He held nothing back. In a quiet voice, she asked questions and he answered. He told her about praying together and how he had found his peace with God just the day before.
She was still holding his hands.

How could she? I wondered. The thought came to me, How would I respond?

I heard Samwel’s voice again, “What I have done I cannot ask you to forgive. I know that. I do want you to know I am sorry, and I do want you to know I love you, our daughters, and our baby.” He was sobbing.
Beatrice finally let go of her husband’s hands. She had to in order to take him into her arms. What we heard next was and is one of the greatest moments of my life.

“Samwel, you are my husband. I love you. And, I do forgive you!”

Could it be those were the exact words Samwel’s spirit needed to hear? I think so. In less than 24 hours, Samwel was home with his heavenly Father.

Healed forever.

(Beatrice tested negative for HIV and TB. Their son was healthy.)

Gift of Unsolicited Directions

An excerpt from Gift of Unsolicited Directions

By Billy Coppedge, Uganda
October-December 2012

 Is there anything more humiliating than having to stop and ask for directions? Maybe the only thing worse is when someone offers you directions without you asking. It always grates against my pride, particularly when I realize later that the unsolicited information was actually very helpful. In 2008, I was offered just this type of “directions.” Terry Duncan and John Muehleisen, both World Gospel Mission Africa regional leaders, approached Joanna and me about investigating an up-and-coming strategy within missions called Bible storytelling.

I found myself in Nairobi, Kenya, attending a conference on how to tell Bible stories. With almost 20 years of literate-preference education, changing lanes seemed risky for me. But by the end of hearing my first story and the ensuing discussion, I had my turn signal on.

After being lost, you find a certain relief to finally know you are headed in the right direction. I thank Jesus for Terry and John’s “unsolicited direction.”

ACT: Lots of people are asking for direction. Interestingly, whatever their education, language, culture, or economic status, they all will listen to a good story. So the next time someone asks you for directions, why not tell a Bible story?

No Matter the Destination

An excerpt from No Matter the Destination

By Joey Bocook, Mexico October-December 2012 Sometimes I feel like Abraham when God told him, “Go to a land that I will show you.” Many people today cannot go from their home to work without something telling them where to go. However, to be Abraham and just start going takes faith. Not knowing the road ahead can be a frightening thing. When Becca and I were called to the mission field, we were in that “Abraham state.” We knew we were to be obedient and say, “I will go” no matter the destination. It would have been nice to have turn-by-turn directions and traffic patterns and even to know where the final destination would be. God is doing great things here (in Mexico), and if we hadn’t followed God’s direction to go to a land that hadn’t been “shown” to us, we would be missing out on far more than we could imagine. ACT: Are you listening for God’s directions or redirection? Study Genesis 12 this week and choose to be obedient to God’s direction like Abraham.

GPS: Giving, Praying, and Serving in Missions!

While you wait for your next issue to arrive...here's a preview of what will be inside.

Lost? Need direction?

The modern day tool of GPS can lead the way home. Sure, you may take the “long way” now and then and it may even ask you to make a U turn, but eventually it will get you back on track and headed in the right direction.

What happens when you are lost and need direction on your missions journey? In this issue of The Call you will find challenging stories that will help offer direction. Explore different Giving opportunities where you can make an impact with a love offering, missionaries and ministries that are relying on your Prayer ministry, and ministry needs that can only be met by someone willing to Serve.

Whether you are taking the scenic route, at a crossroads, using the carpool lane, or trying to read the map, World Gospel Mission wants to help you get headed in the right direction. Grab some of the GPS ideas in this magazine, dig deeper into the journey by committing to the bible study in the World Go! Manual or explore other mission opportunities at www.wgm.org.

Discover your mission field. The journey awaits!

MORE: Discover your missions path by committing to the World Go! Manual bible study. Download the manual at www.wgm.org/worldgo.

Pure Love

An excerpt from Pure Love
By Larry Overholt, Honduras

July-September 2012

Throughout our years of ministry in Honduras, my wife, Angie, and I have witnessed a vast outpouring of love, both from the Hondurans with whom we work and from people in the U.S. who encourage and support us in ministry. I cannot imagine getting through the tough times without the encouragement of fellow missionaries, work teams, family, and the local church. There is no scale with which to measure the depth of love that springs from a genuine heart.

Our most recent encounter with unreserved love has come from our grandchildren, Quinn and Colin. As grandparents, we wanted this trip to have a positive impact on their young lives. We were concerned that they might be turned off by the heat in Choluteca, get bored, or wouldn’t like the food. We wondered, “How will they act around the Honduran children?” Upon their arrival, we quickly realized that we had no reason to fear. Quinn and Colin immediately became new little short-term missionaries. (Quinn had accepted the Lord when he was 4 years old and later led Colin to the Lord.)


But all too soon, the end came. Goodbyes, I have found, are the hardest part of missionary life. Upon leaving, Quinn said, “I sure am going to miss my best friend, Marvin.”  Even now, however, we realize they will impact children in the U.S. by sharing about their experience here and their new “best” friends.

MORE: You can teach your kids more about missions through WGM Kids’ World. Visit the activity pages at www.wgm.org/kidsworld.

Others Before Me

An excerpt from Other Before Me
By Ryan Tyson, Volunteer, The Center

July-September 2012


Girls are not allowed outside without an adult male. Don’t sit near the windows, because they cannot stop a bullet. These were just a couple of our instructions given on the first day of my weeklong visit to The Center with my church youth group. This mission field in Stockton, California, is a safe haven for kids in the inner city.

The kids in Stockton have grown up in a society in which they are rarely shown options other than gangs, drugs, and violence. The kids at The Center have said “No” to all of that and have chosen to follow God. For them, this means a complete change in lifestyle. When I observed what a drastic change they had to go through, I realized that being a true disciple calls for me to change my whole persona as well.

Since the trip, I have been adjusting everything I do to focus on God. It is more than just following the rules; it means shifting my perspective. The biggest change is probably my selfishness. God calls us to be selfless, which I did not think I was. To this day, I still have to work very hard to put others’ needs before mine. This also means that I need to be more sympathetic and look at things from an objective view. From an outside perspective, these may seem like subtle changes, but from an inside perspective, the difference is enormous. This is not just a part of my life; it is my life.

PRAY: Is God calling you to make drastic changes in your life? Take time right now to pray that God will lead you to a change in perspective.

Food Given out of God's Love

An excerpt from Food Given out of God's Love
By Brent Duncan, Ministry Partner and Missionary Kid

July-September 2012

Uganda is traditionally known as a luscious green land with abundant food, which is part of the reason it has the nickname “Pearl of Africa.” But this country has recently experienced something quite different. Even though it borders the great Lake Victoria, is dissected by the White Nile, and contains many other lakes and swamps, it has suffered from drought. One may be skeptical as to how a place with such great sources of water could ever suffer from a shortage of it.

The truth is that Uganda is blessed with many great water sources. However, they do not service the whole country, leaving people who are too distant to reach such blessings to rely on the two rainy seasons.

Pastor Mugisha, Pastor Gabriel, and I traveled about six hours northeast of Kampala to a region called Soroti. This area with fertile land that normally receives an abundance of water was suffering from a lack of rain and, therefore, had sent a request for help. WGM acted through Africa Gospel Church to relieve some of those who live in the area. We wanted to not only give them food but also to provide seeds for planting, as the rains were expected to come soon.

He explained that food can come from the eastern part of Uganda bordering with Kenya, an area that had received rain. Yes, it was true that food was available, he said, but the people who lived in the village had no money to buy it. They are subsistence farmers who survive on the food they grow and sell their excess food in order to have some money for buying “luxuries” such as salt, sugar, onions, etc. If there is no rain and their crops fail, they do not have any food to eat and they have no food to sell. Therefore, even though food was available in the town market, it was out of reach for those in the village.

I am delighted to tell you that there are communities of people who have food to feed their children tonight. Due to your gracious heart, they also have seeds to plant for the expected rains this month. I write this as we are being blessed with a slow and steady shower from heaven. The rains are coming!

PRAY: Pray that all the areas in Uganda that suffered from drought will receive the necessary amount of rain this season.

Stay Awhile

An excerpt from Stay Awhile
For the love of ministry

By Frank Martin, International Ministries
July-September 2012


Sharon and I went to Southwest Indian School in the fall of 1977.

One day, as I was heading home for lunch, I walked past the junior high boys’ dorm. Then something unusual happened. It seemed as if the Holy Spirit jumped off the dorm roof and started walking with me. (Please don’t think I’m being disrespectful when I say He jumped off the roof. It seemed that way to me!)


As He fell into step with me, He started to talk to me and finally asked, “How do you like it here at SIS?” I replied, “I like it very much!” By this time, we were at my door. As I reached out to grab the doorknob, He finished His conversation by saying, “I want you to stay here awhile.” And then He was gone! As I opened the door, I knew in my heart that we were to stay at SIS.

How long did that “awhile” last? Believe it or not, Sharon and I and our three children ministered for the Lord on the American Indian Field for 19 years. Wow! During that time, we held many positions and were involved in many ministries. Although we had many ups and downs along the way, we wouldn’t change one bit of it!

ACT: Love to teach? Teachers are needed on the Tohono O’odham Reservation in Arizona.

Love Your Neighbor - Really

An excerpt from Love Your Neighbor - Really
By Melanie Miller, Honduras

July-September 2012

“Life isn’t fair!”

How many times have our spirits muddled in frustration over circumstances that just “wouldn’t have to be” if life was fair. We know—intellectually—that life isn’t fair, but our hearts still long for justice.

Kevin was a quiet little boy whom we got to know through our ministry at AFE (Amor, Fe, Y Esperanza, meaning Love, Faith, and Hope). AFE is a ministry that educates the children belonging to the families who live and work at the garbage dump in Tegucigalpa. Kevin was rarely seen with a clean face, and his soulful eyes were void of purpose.

Life began to change for Kevin when he enrolled in kindergarten at AFE. His smile was infrequent at first, but he learned what it was like to hold a crayon and color a picture. Despite a speech impediment that seemed to keep him a boy of few words, he learned to read and write.

The injustice of children working in the dump meant that on January 16, Kevin’s young life was lost beneath the wheels of a dump truck as he worked among the garbage. He left behind a mother and five younger siblings, along with his grandparents who provided love and consistency in his life.

There is nothing you and I can do to rectify the “unfairness” of what happened to Kevin. But it can challenge us to face the reality of life’s inequity that much of the world’s impoverished population lives daily. How am I sacrificing my life to make life better for someone in need? When God calls me to love my neighbor as myself, does it motivate my every action?

ACT: We can’t solve the world’s problems, but we can make a difference in the lives of those whom God brings to our paths. Are you loving your neighbor? Ask God today how He wants you to minister to those in your sphere of influence.

Orphans No More

An excerpt from Orphans No More
Adopted as Sons and Daughters

By Rachel Elwood, Support Staff
July-September 2012

The relationship between parents and children is one of the strongest bonds of human love we can fathom. For these missionary families, that bond has been forged with children they have joyfully adopted into their families.




Bill, Oksana, and Dennis Brower,UkraineOksana had already fallen in love with the then–5-year-old child and went home that night to talk to Bill. His response: “Oh, don’t worry, he’ll be ours. God’s already told me it’ll happen.”


In Ukraine, it usually takes 12 to 15 months to complete the adoption process, but Bill and Oksana were able to get all the paperwork done and finalized in just three months. Dennis immediately fit into his new family, calling his cousins “brothers.” Even Bill’s wary German Shepherd dog loved him from the start.

Wycliff, Staci, Gifton, Solomon, and Ellie Keter, Kenya

Eight months after Staci and Wycliff were married, they decided together to adopt Gifton and Solomon, two brothers who had been brought to the AGC Baby Center. Their family enlarged two years later with the birth of their daughter, Ellie.

One day, Gifton and Solomon asked Staci, “Mom, are we really a part of this family?” (A neighbor had tried to tell them that they weren’t.) She asked them, “Am I your mom? Is Wycliff your dad? Are you brothers? Is Ellie your sister?” They easily understood that the answer was “Yes!”

Nathan, Cydil, Ellie, and Reni Waggoner, Albania (Special Assignment)

Nathan and Cydil adopted their first child, Ellie, from Albania in 2005. “Our hearts became even more passionate and broken for the plight of the orphan as we had a former orphan living in our home,” Cydil shared. Now 7 years old, Ellie loves her role as big sister to 3-year-old Reni, who was also adopted from Albania.


Due to early-touch deprivation and severe crib confinement during her time at the orphanage, Ellie has some learning needs. Reni is a congenital, bilateral above-the-knee amputee. Still, he hasn’t let that slow him down as he walks and navigates stairs. Eventually, he will learn to use prosthetics.


“Sure, we encountered significant fear and we could have walked away and said, ‘No, this is too hard,’” Cydil said. “But we would have missed out on some of God’s greatest treasures and opportunities to see Him work in some pretty miraculous ways.

Chuck, Amy, Abigail, David, Lydia, Hannah, Shadrach, Elizabeth, and Esther Bemm, Kenya

In Chuck’s role as pediatrician at Tenwek Hospital and Amy’s ministry at local orphanages, the Bemm family was exposed early on to the plight of “unwanted” children. They adopted Hannah in 2006 and have since added Shadrach, Elizabeth, and Esther. They were all adopted from the Africa Gospel Church Baby Center, a home for orphaned and abandoned babies.
“We know that the Lord has placed them in our family at just the right time,” Amy said of their three most recent additions to the family. “While our house is a little crazy and loud, we are enjoying every minute of it!”

MORE: Use a concordance or resource like www.biblegateway.com, and search for the word “orphan.” Prepare to be amazed at how clearly the Bible shows God’s heart toward these precious children.

Born with a Broken Heart

An excerpt from Born with a Broken Heart
By Shushan Richardson, Ukraine
July-September 2012

My nephew Isaiah was born with a broken heart. Actually, he had a number of problems that required hours of prayer and a number of surgeries, including two that doctors actually had to open his chest, sawing through his breastbone to repair his damaged heart.

Although things had been explained to him before the surgery, this was clearly more than he had signed up for. He was ready to be done. It hurt and he did not want it to hurt anymore. He did not want to be strapped to the bed; he wanted to get up. He was angry and upset. His mom sat by his bedside, stroking his face and trying to comfort him with words of love. Isaiah kept responding, “No love! No love!” as if he were crying, “This isn’t what love feels like.”


I often think of Isaiah’s statement when I share about God’s love with someone and they respond with questions such as “Where was God when this happened to me?” This world has so much brokenness. God is lovingly repairing our hearts, teaching us to love. Sometimes it hurts and it’s scary. Sometimes it is so much more than we “signed up for.” But God is right there, comforting us, stroking our faces, and telling us how much He loves us.

ACT: Love is one of the characteristics of a missions-active Christian. To teach your kids practical ways to love, study the love chapter in the Kids’ World Go! Manual. Visit www.wgm.org/kidsworldgo to learn more.