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.

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.

To Argentina with Love

An excerpt from To Argentina with Love
By Bonnie Gouge, Argentina

July-September 2012

“Take a piece of paper and write one word that describes the World Gospel Church in Argentina.” It was a tough assignment, but we felt that this small group of pastors needed to answer this question: how do you describe your organization, your church, and your roots?

Understanding the challenges facing ministers in general, and this group of pastors in particular, we felt that God was asking us to challenge them first in heart issues—living and serving with integrity of heart.


As we looked into 1 Thessalonians 2, we questioned why Scripture compares leadership to being a father and a mother. From there we built on relationships, asking them why God created man (for fellowship) and why Jesus came to earth (to restore relationship with the Father).

Through discussion and studying the Bible, they realized that the World Gospel Church in Argentina is on their shoulders and that they are the ones who must take the church forward, united in love for one another.

God truly honored us with His presence and His love. We were ready to go out into the world with love! In the World Gospel Church in Argentina and in your church and community, people will see Jesus when we love one another.


Tell me, how would you describe your church in one word?

ACT: If your church would like assistance with creating a plan to love one another, consider inviting WGM to guide you through a Global Outreach Weekend in which you will discover what areas of ministry your church is most passionate about. Contact Todd Eckhardt at church@wgm.org.

The Love of a Lost Boy

An excerpt from The Love of a Lost Boy
By Tracy Dubois, Support Staff

July-September 2012

While most 5 year olds are learning to read and ride a bike without training wheels, Deng Jongkuch was running for his life across the African desert. Sudan’s civil war claimed more than 2 million lives and caused Deng to be separated from his family for 18 years. Deng is one of the Lost Boys of Sudan.

His horrific past started in 1987 when he walked for three months to find refuge in Ethiopia. Roughly 20,000 unaccompanied minors began the journey, but only 16,000 remained when the group arrived at the Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya in 1992.


The Lost Boys created makeshift families to survive, and the refugee camps provided security, food rations, donated clothing, and basic education. Deng began his schooling in Ethiopia but completed high school in Kakuma.

After living in refugee camps for 14 years, Deng’s life took an unexpected turn when he was given the opportunity to resettle in the United States. Through a government bill sponsored by the United Nations, Deng moved to San Jose, California, in March 2001 with 58 fellow Lost Boys. He earned an associate’s degree before graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in health services administration and a master’s in public health.


Deng lived in America until 2011 and now serves as site administrator at Memorial Christian Hospital in Werkok, South Sudan.

“I returned to Sudan for the first time in 2005 after 18 years,” Deng stated. “The war destroyed the healthcare system, and people are dying from preventable diseases. This tragic situation inspires me to be part of the change in Sudan. I am showing them love by praying for them and taking care of their needs.”

MORE: Watch the docu-mentary God Grew Tired of Us to learn more about the Lost Boys of Sudan and to see firsthand how love helped them survive.

Beep, Beep!

An excerpt from Beep, Beep!
By Minda Kleman, Honduras

July-September 2012


As I approached a curve, I met a car coming at me head-on in my lane while passing another vehicle. I immediately moved to the right as far as I could on the narrow shoulder. As the car squeezed by, the driver beeped his horn twice as he passed me.


Thirty years ago, without much understanding of the culture, I would have thought or even said out loud, “What nerve to honk at me after nearly pushing me off the road!” But having lived a good number of years in Honduras, where car horns are liberally used, I have learned to discern the meaning of different kinds of beeps in different kinds of situations. On this occasion, it took me only a second to process that particular “Beep, beep!” I knew immediately that the driver was saying thanks for getting over. Of course, at the same time, I was thinking he should be saying, “Thank you for getting over."

As I meditated on what had happened, I was reminded of how important discernment is for a missionary. Not only do missionaries need discernment on the road, we need discernment in understanding all the words and actions of the people with whom we work. And just as important, we need discernment in our responses to each of them.

PRAY: Pray that WGM mission-aries, like Minda, will have discernment when sharing God’s love in a foreign culture.

Love in Soccer Cleats

An excerpt from Love in  Soccer Cleats
By Tracy Dubois, Support Staff, with Gerson and Betsy Tejeda, MexicoJuly-September 2012


Carmen (name changed for privacy) woke up and wondered how she was going to feed her family. Her two children also needed new shoes and clothes, but she didn’t have the money. She was a new Christian and was feeling discouraged as she walked down her street in McAllen, Texas.

Gerson, who was born and raised in Bolivia, knows about poverty. He knows what it feels like to want new soccer cleats, and he knows what it feels like to be hungry.

The Lord also prompted Gerson to ask Carmen if she needed any rice or clothing.
“God sent you, didn’t He?” Carmen asked. “I was praying this morning because I didn’t have food to put on the table.”

“We realized that we can have all our programs and all our projects, but what really touches people is when we meet them where they are,” shared Betsy Tejeda. “They aren’t going to listen to the gospel until we feed them and clothe them and meet their needs."

ACT: With the help of a local Christian radio station and food and clothing donations from churches around the States, Gerson and Betsy want to start a clothes closet at Taylor Community Center. Want to help? Contact Gerson and Betsy at wgm@wgm.org to show Christ’s love in McAllen.

The Blessings of a Work Trip

An excerpt from The Blessings of a Work Trip
By Gary Knox, Men With Vision
July-September 2012


A few years ago, I had an experience that totally convinced me that the blessings received as a result of a work trip come in many ways, at unexpected times, and never end.

In 1992, I led a work team to Paraguay. Much was accomplished on the trip, but the true highlight for me occurred at a Sunday evening church service. As we were waiting for the service to begin, I scanned the sanctuary and soon caught the eye of a little girl sitting across the aisle. I smiled, she smiled, and soon she was sitting next to me. Her name is Fabiola. She was 5 years old and as cute as cute can be.


Following the service, I met her parents and found out they were very active in the ministry of the church. I also found out that she and I have something important in common: we share June 29 as our birthday. Since then, we have stayed in contact through birthday cards, letters, and small gifts.

In 2004, I returned to Paraguay and was delighted when Fabiola joined our team and we were able once again to spend time together. Our communication abilities had improved and we were blessed with a joint birthday party her parents had for us. She was celebrating her 18th birthday, and I was celebrating, well, another year.

Fast forward to 2007. No, not another trip to Paraguay (regrettably), but a blessing some 15 years in the making. It happened this way:


While searching for a suitable container in which to ship an odd-shaped item I had sold on eBay, I came across an old suitcase that I had used during my trip to Paraguay in 2004. It was the perfect size. I worked on packing the item, and, in the process, a piece of paper fell out of a small pocket along the inner edge of the suitcase. It was a note from Fabiola. The note said, “1 Corinthians 15:58, Love, Fabiola.” I stuck the paper in my pocket, finished packing the item, and began to get ready for a meeting at the church.

The meeting was one that I really didn’t want to go to because I “knew” (truly led by the Spirit) I would have to take a stand on a subject that the rest of those at the meeting would not agree with. I was tempted to stay home, but I simply could not.

As I had anticipated, my point of view was not popular, but circumstances since have assured me beyond a doubt that it was the right thing to do. A few days later, I came across the note from Fabiola and looked up the verse. It says, “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (NIV). Wow! That was exactly what I needed!


God blessed me when I met Fabiola. God has blessed me through our communications since.

ACT: Do you want a blessing? Then go on a work trip. To schedule your work team, contact Noritta Carter at 765.671.7204 or teams@wgm.org. Teams travel year round.

Honor your Father and Mother

An excerpt from Honor Your Father and Your Mother
By Rachel Powdrill, WGM Partner
July-September 2012


Remember learning the Ten Commandments when you were a child? For those of us who grew up in the church, we were taught from a very young age that these were God’s standard for all Christians. However, the commandment “Honor your father and your mother” is often relegated to children’s lessons or pointed out to teenagers.

This commandment is given to us for the lifetime of our parents, not just when we live under their roof as children or teenagers.

Generations are living longer due to medical advancements. Therefore, there is a greater need for more care for the elderly in their latter years. Often, missionaries are faced with the dilemma of needing to return home to care for aging parents. Sam and I have been in this position for almost five years.


We could have said to our needful parents, “We are doing good by spending our lives on the mission field.” Although we were dedicated to the “temple” (for us, the mission field), Jesus desired us to live in obedience by caring for our parents.

We definitely grieved over the loss of serving overseas in ministry. When missions has been your entire life and you leave it all behind, a huge amount of loss floods your being. We have grieved as our parents have aged and lost their memories and ability to communicate. But Jesus still whispers, “Honor your father and your mother.”

ACT: Do you know someone who is a caregiver for an elderly spouse or parent? Give them a call or send an encouraging note today, thanking them for their loving service.

No Blessing Lost

An excerpt from No Blessing Lost

Sharing love on a missions trip
By Victoria Henderson and Alexandra Keister, Work Team Members
Photographs by Jer Nelson
July-September 2012

Our work team of nine seemed an unlikely group. Our ages ranged from 11 to 63 and our backgrounds were varied. Most of us met as strangers, but 18 days later, we parted as friends who had shared an unforgettable time on the mission field of Kenya.

Kenya is littered with many tragedies. Due to poverty and AIDS, many Kenyan children have been orphaned or abandoned. Our group visited the town of Salgaa, where prostitution is rampant.
The good news that Jesus Christ changes lives is penetrating the dark places of Kenya, thanks to Christians who are sharing their faith within their culture. Two of the tireless workers for Christ our team met were Staci Keter, director of the Africa Gospel Church Baby Center; and Meshack Habib, senior pastor of Ngata Africa Gospel Church. Both were inspiring in their passion for their ministries, their knowledge of their mission field, and their seemingly unending energy to fulfill their calling.

ACT: WGM teams are custom-fit for you and your group. Most teams minister on the field for one to two weeks. Are you ready to put love into action?

The Business of Miracles

An excerpt from The Business of Miracles

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Jesus revealing His love to His people

By Dr. Jan Grzeszkowiak, Volunteer, with Lizz Bramble, Volunteer
July-September 2012

Have you ever thought about how God uses His supernatural powers of conversion and healing to go hand-in-hand with the wonders of modern medicine? Let me tell you the miraculous story of Tapnyonbi Kipkemoi Borowo and how the Lord provided her with whole-patient care.

After arriving at Tenwek, we traveled with a mobile eye clinic to the village of Dikirr, about two hours away. More than 70 people were already lined up, waiting for us outside the local health center, which was nothing more than a rough concrete block house. These people were eager to receive the medical help we could give.

Earlier that morning, before we arrived in Dikirr, the Lord spoke to my heart and revealed He wanted to heal a deaf person that day. After sharing the gospel message, I asked the large group if anyone among them was deaf. All fingers pointed to an elderly lady sitting under a tree. She was known to many in the village because of her deafness. Richard and I laid hands on Tapnyonbi Kipkemoi Borowo and commanded the spirit of deafness to leave her body and asked God to completely restore her hearing.

As soon as the prayer was finished, a surprised Tapnyonbi announced with joy that she could hear again. Everyone who witnessed the miracle was astonished at what the Lord had done. Jesus came once again and revealed His love and power to His people.

Our God is in the business of miracles. He performs them every day and everywhere; we just aren’t always looking for them. Praise to the One who healed a woman’s deafness and poor vision and her soul in the same moment! May we not forget to look for God’s daily miracles in our lives.

ACT: Share with others the amazing ministries and miracles that are happening at Tenwek Hospital. Go to www.wgm.org/outlines for a speaker outline about Tenwek and other WGM ministries.

President's Perspective: The Call to the Abandonment of Love

The Call to the Abandonment of Love

By Hubert Harriman, President
July-September 2012

John Wesley said, “Give me one hundred preachers who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God, and I care not a straw whether they be clergymen or laymen, such alone will shake the gates of hell and set up the kingdom of heaven upon earth.”

If the world will sometimes give themselves with such abandonment to certain causes, God’s people ought to be at the front of the line in complete abandonment for greater causes. We shouldn’t have to coax believers into missions. They ought to pounce on divine opportunities like a dog on a bone. Why don’t we?


Does the love of Christ dominate you? As you read through The Call, will you answer the call to the abandonment of love? To that end I pray! If we will, we can, as Wesley said, “shake the gates of hell and set up the kingdom of heaven upon earth.”

ACT: Have you become too self-seeking? This is the time to make it right. Spend time in prayer with the Father. Return those things that are rightfully His and seek the call to the abandonment of love.

Missions - Love is a verb.

The July/August/September issue will be landing in mailboxes and inboxes next week. Here's a little taste of what is coming...

“If you love each other, everyone will know that YOU are my disciples.” ~John 13:35 (CEV)


We serve in ministry because of love. That’s at the core of missions. It’s the love of our Father for us and the call to share His love with others. In this issue of The Call we explore ministry, love as a verb.