“Wait!” and “Walk!”

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Hubert Harriman, President
October-December 2015

Have you ever taken little children to something that has piqued their excitement? In their desire to get to their promised goal, they can get out of control at the speed of light. Once you’ve lost control, everything goes crazy. They start running here and there, way ahead of you and your voice, totally oblivious to the two most important words to ever come out of your mouth: “Wait!” and “Walk!” Children can be a danger to themselves and to everything around them when they do not listen to someone in charge.

Probably one of the most popular promises in God’s Word today is Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV): “For I know the plans I have for you…to prosper you…to give you a future.…” That piques our excitement, and we go after it with wild determination. Sadly, all too many people have already determined what this verse means for their lives. Rather than waiting on the Lord and walking with Him, they circumvent the Master plan. No wonder God wraps His promises with the restraint of “wait” and the discipline of “walk.” Do you know how difficult this is to anyone driven by their own agenda? But unless we know the work of God’s “wait” in our hearts and the wonder of God’s “walk” in our lives, we will forever be driven by our own agenda. We are a danger to ourselves and the work of God.

The amazing beauty of waiting and walking in harmony with God’s heart is the sudden moment of manifestation of God’s plan that always comes. It will take your breath away every time, and it’s always the best thing that ever happened.

A word in the stories of Scripture that has always given me hope in the long waits of life is the word “suddenly.” Walk with this word through the Bible and you’ll quickly learn that God has never removed Himself from time and space. There are occasions when He pounces on it like a lion—suddenly—and out of nowhere His plan is in full view and full play. As much as this is true in the political and cosmic sense, this is also true in the personal sense. He is alert, active, and on the move for us. How I thank God for the “suddenlys” that gave new, much-needed direction to my life. I have always been glad that He put the “wait” and the “walk” in my relationship with Him, allowing His ways to be known. These times became the best thing that ever happened to me.

In this issue, we challenge you to know the plans God has for you, but to first seek His kingdom and submit to His righteousness. Read the stories and let God speak to you as to His place and purpose in your life. Wait! Walk! Who knows where it will take you? Suffice it to say, the best thing that can ever happen to any of us is to die to ourselves—to our own agenda. When it’s finally and truly about seeking His kingdom and His righteousness—wherever that may take us—the fruit is good, and the joys are eternal.

ACT: Do you know someone who is in a “wait” and “walk” period in their life and may need some encouragement? Share this issue with them for free at www.wgm.org/call.

Will They Teach Her That God Loves Her?

An excerpt from...

Will They Teach Her That God Loves Her?

By Twana Johnson, Mexico
January-March 2014

She was 2 years old with beautiful, big eyes; long eyelashes; and curly hair. She was sitting in a walker because she still could not walk. This was the first time I had seen her at the children’s home where our small church has started to go as an outreach. The home is run by a Christian couple, but it is sorely understaffed and underfinanced. A few of us try to go on a weekly basis to bring God’s Word and love to the children through songs, a Bible story, and snacks. They love all three things! Ten to 20 children come each time we visit.

As we went in this time, the director whispered to me, “She’s been abused and that is why we have her here.” My heart was broken as the little girl looked into my eyes and smiled. When it was snack time, a bowl of noodles was set in front of her, but I noticed she was having trouble getting it to her mouth. I sat her in my lap and started feeding her. I couldn’t get it to her mouth fast enough!When she had emptied the bowl, she was still hungry. My coworker went out and got some yogurt and baby food, and she downed that, too. In a home with so many children and being understaffed, time for individual help is not always available, so I imagine she didn’t always get done fast enough to fill up. I wanted to take her home with me, but I knew this was not possible.

The next time we visited the home, the little girl was not there. “She went with foster parents,” they told us. I pray they give her the care and therapy she needs, but will they teach her that God loves her?

Our Bread of Life church is reaching out to help this Christian couple that runs the children’s home. We pray, we give, we pray more, we teach, we pray more, and we love. Pray that God will give us wisdom to know how to give the right kind of help. Pray that the directors will not get discouraged.

ACT: Look around. Does someone on your street, in your school, at home, or at work need encouragement and to know that God loves them? Take time this week to share a “bowl of noodles” or a cup of coffee with them, and be intentional about encouraging their heart.

The Discipline of Love

An excerpt from...

The Discipline of Love

Learning to reflect Christ’s character
By Rachel Elwood, Support Staff
July-September 2013

Most of us sane people would admit that something as strenuous as running 26.2 miles takes a certain measure of training. The body is just not naturally inclined to produce that kind of endurance quickly.

It’s the same with practicing the kind of sacrificial love modeled by Christ. There’s no question that we are called to love others, too. A gander through Matthew 25 reveals that distinguishing marks of believers include feeding the hungry, clothing the needy, and visiting the vulnerable. In Mark 21:31, Jesus emphasized the importance of loving and serving our neighbors as much as we would want the same for ourselves. Acts of service are not emphasized for their own sake, but they are to be done out of an attitude of love.

But our fallen nature means we are naturally inclined to be selfish. Without regularly committing to love others, we can easily fall into patterns of behavior toward others that are not Christ-honoring. Loving others as Christ intended takes practice and training.

Luke 2:52 gives us a great “training plan” as a place to start in the discipline of love: “Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people” (NLT).

We have those four areas in which we can show love: by sharing wisdom and by meeting physical, spiritual, and social needs. But who are we supposed to reach out to? Think about the three primary social circles we all live in: our families, our church or other fellow believers, and non-Christian “neighbors.” Plotted out on a matrix, this creates a nifty guide we can use to brainstorm small expressions of service and love we can do for each of these three groups of people in these four different ways.

Growing in the discipline of love takes commitment, willingness to be guided by the Holy Spirit, and creativity. But the repercussions of us becoming more intentional in loving others are huge! Think of how this world could change if we actually lived what we preached. So what are you waiting for?

Do you need to flex your service muscles? Fill out the Discipline of Love matrix with ideas to show your family, your friends, and your neighbors Christ’s sacrificial love.

Visit www.disciplenations.org to learn more about what God is doing through people who are committed to whole-person discipleship and reconciliation around the world.

I Love God's Word

 An Excerpt from...

I Love God’s Word

By Dr. Roy Lauter, WGM Partner
July-September 2013

The morning air was filled with sounds of the Maasai community of Olderkesi, Kenya. The friendly conversations of men and women moving toward the Africa Gospel Church mixed with the other rhythms of Sunday morning in Maasailand.

Jon and Vera Steury, WGM missionaries in Olderkesi (at the time), led us toward the church amid warm greetings and salutations from the Maasai people. 

This was a special day for Jon and Vera. Under their instruction, several women had learned to read. This called for a time of celebration and special recognition. As Jon called the names of the women, they stepped to the front of the church to the applause of the congregation. Vera presented each lady a new Bible in the Maasai language. The proceedings were interrupted by an older lady. She stood before the group clutching her Bible close to her chest. In her mother tongue, she spoke, “Kanyor ororei le Nkai. Kanyor ororei le Nkai!” Translated, it means, “I love God’s Word!” The translator told us what she was saying. “This book is my most precious possession. I sleep with it by my side for safety. I carry it as my shield for protection. I keep it close to me all the time. And someday I hope I’ll be able to read it. Kanyor ororei le Nkai!”

I could not hold back my tears. I felt a sense of shame as I thought how many of us do not read God’s Word when we have every opportunity. Our Bibles often lay on a table or shelf and gather dust. Oh, God, please give us the love for your Word like this beautiful lady! Help us to read it daily and treasure its divinely inspired message. Teach us to use it as a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. May we truly say, “I love God’s Word.”

It’s hard to share God’s love through word and deed if you are lacking in the area of Word. Recommit time to the Lord daily for learning through His Word and listening for His direction.

If You Have a Card...

An excerpt from...

If You Have a Card...Share the Ministry of Encouragement

By Tracy Dubois, Support Staff
April-June 2013

If you’re wondering if encouraging others is really that important, look around your house and see if you have any of the following: a ribbon-wrapped stack of love letters or cards from your spouse, copies of letters your grandparents wrote to each other during World War II, or silly notes or birthday cards from a deceased loved one. If the ministry of encouragement is not important, why did you keep these mementos?

Paul tells us in Hebrews 3:13 (NIV) to “encourage one another daily.” The ministry of encouragement, though often overlooked, can be accomplished quickly and easily.

Let me challenge you to be that encouragement to a missionary today. Send an e-mail, post a message on Facebook, or take some extra time and send out an old-fashioned letter. You’ll impact the recipient more than words can say.

ACT: Take a quick trip to your local store and stock up on all-occasion cards or creative stationery. You can also visit www.wgm.org/missionaries, click the name of the missionary you wish to encourage, and use the Contact link to send a quick e-mail. Your ministry of encouragement awaits!

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.

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.