Post Category: Missionary update

If Jesus is the name by which we must be saved, then what we believe about Jesus is crucial. Please pray that his spiritual understanding might be enlightened. ...

We hiked and camped in between villages. We distributed Jesus films and Messengers (solar Bibles in Spanish). We gave some solar chargers to ministry people to be used in their work with the Quechua Indians....

“God is faithful. God is faithful.” Through tears, we sang of how we’ll praise God in heaven, as Luis is now....

More than 1.7 million people in Budapest need to hear the Gospel!...

It took weeks of preparation. It took time, money, and lots of work; but it was truly worth every bit to see souls saved. Five accepted Christ as their Savior. What a blessing it was!...

We praise the Lord for His work in Rio Indio and are thankful to be a part of it. We are reminded that not only is it important to reach people with the gospel, but it is also necessary to provide solid biblical teaching and discipleship....

What a joy it is when children come to Christ in saving faith....

In September we will be cranking all our ministries back up to full speed. Please pray for a great Fall harvest in our church! ...

We praise God for the desire to serve that we see in many and pray for His guidance as we step back into leadership with the goal of "pressing toward the mark"!...

Her birthday landed on the 4th of July and that night she brought with her, her entire family, children included....

It was awesome to meet a material need and to share the gospel with each student....

We are so grateful for God allowing us to serve Him!...

As God's love is extended to everyone, I hope to be used to help those who may be limited in different areas....

This is our prayer, that the Lord be merciful to us and make his face to shine upon us!! He is answering that prayer in so many ways! ...

We have some beautiful stories to share with you today....

We thought you'd be encouraged to read how our 16 year old Nikita Pokidko (son of Vitaly and Christina Pokidko) is faithfully serving Christ through the taxi ministry...

Please pray that God will stir hearts towards giving and going, and that the church will grow in many ways as a result....

40 students expressed interest in knowing more about salvation!...

This is an example of God’s answer to your prayers!...

Please pray the Holy Spirit works in his heart and that he will see his own personal need for a Savior....

Julian: a short man of 70 years with a gentle face. He went through discipleship classes and received his first Bible....

Our plan has been to move to Portugal the middle of August...

Camp Refuge is dear to my heart. It truly is an oasis for many whose lives are marked by poverty, isolation, and immense suffering....

We came right down to the wire....

There are thousands of ethnic Hungarians living in the Ukraine....

At the retreat, they asked to receive Jesus as Savior. Though they both still have much to learn, we rejoice that God is working in their hearts, and we look forward to seeing how He continues to do so....

This was a wedding of redemption...

Through the years, Brazilian Churches have joined us as fellow team members serving at Camp Refuge on Wheels....

The students were very nervous when they heard they would be teaching, but each one did a great job....

He is a servant! He's also unsaved....

God has strengthened our faith and our family in so many ways. ...

Pray that our kids would have a genuine desire to serve Christ out of their own heart....

We are excited about the cold weather, what God did this month, and sharing it all with you....

Here are a few immediate prayer requests to share with you...

Please pray that these investments would bear much fruit for the kingdom....

We are pleased with the unity and desire for fellowship we see among members of our congregation...

The goal for school is to train students to be missionaries as well as Physician Assistants. ...

The thrilling thing about these salvations is that the disciples are making disciples!!! ...

No matter how special and exciting it is to see God's fruit in ministry, the absolute best thing for me is to see it in our very first ministry---our family....

The month of April was one of those months where you hit the end far before it's over and God has to carry you through the rest. We were able to really watch God work....

I have spent the last three years dealing with these kids every day and now I won't see them for a whole year....

it wasn’t the staying with “strangers” that was difficult. It was the leaving that was difficult. ...

She was praising God for His healing power in her body!...

You have followed our slow progress in building relationships, sharing the gospel, and longing for people to be saved....

Missions remains at the heart of my ministry....

We appreciate your prayers, encouragement and support for our ministry....

We have harvested more than 1,500 lbs of maize and 1,300 lbs of beans in 2017....

Always try to have someone with you when you’re doing ministry....

We are so thankful that God can use any event to share His message of salvation. ...

We are moving to Portugal to preach Christ’s resurrection. ...

What’s next on the agenda, you ask? ...

"This conference was different. God was present" - Conference Attendee ...

Psalm 149:1 O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvelous things: his right hand,and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory....

The young adult ministry is moving right along!...

Please be in prayer as I continue to make appointments with churches and individuals as the Lord leads me to my goal of being fully funded by September. Pray for revival for my friends and family as many spiritual battles are in progress. ...

"you know why we celebrate Easter?" No one could give me an answer....

Cancer (in anyone's book) is a hard word to swallow. It took us a few days to actually come to grips with the concept that my wife had cancer. No... not someone else's wife, but my wife....my Lucy.....my boys' mom...my everything. ...

Because of Camp Refuge, many will hear and receive Jesus as their Savior....

He said, "I was saved because as I read the Bible I saw I was a sinner in need of a Savior.” The Word of God is powerful!...

I asked him to ponder in the meanwhile the question that Paul answer in Romans 3: “how can God be just and justify the ungodly?”...

This month, they will complete the panorama of the Old Testament, all of which Manuela is “hearing” for the first time through Sarah’s hands....

After one service, they told us that they could ignore a lot of things, but the love we showed their daughter was not something they could forget. Pray for the salvation of this new mother and her beautiful new baby girl....

January turned out to be an exhausting month physically, emotionally, and even spiritually....

Our barrels have been sent off, the tickets have been made ready and we will be picked up the airport and transported to our home in Gbarnga. ...

We knew bacon would get your attention....

Over 12,000 miles from October through January...

Greetings from cold, snowy Hungary. We rejoice that even in these cold, winter months that the Lord has been at work....

God has given me such a passion and burden to see men WIN in their walk with the Lord....

Please pray for wisdom as to how we can use these classes to share God's love and how to pursue this ministry in the future....

The Lord answered your prayers in incredible ways! ...

Our support is increasing and we are looking forward to making this huge move soon. ...

I was promised wailing and screaming at the graveside: a show that was a part of the culture; but instead we only found silence and introspection....

She could use the encouragement of a true community of believers who would walk beside her daily. Please pray for her endurance and perseverance in following Christ. ...

In addition to a very productive year in Guyana, God also gave me the privilege to minister the word in a number of locations including India, St. Maarten, and Cuba...

Take a moment, and praise God with us! Great things He has done....

We are set to continue and/or begin 5 different discipleship groups in January 2018....

We ask that you pray for us through this transition. Please pray for wisdom for Jim, & please pray for unity in the church as we all continue in our adjustments....

Please pray with us that 2018 will be a year of "Greater Things" in growth, salvation decisions, answered prayers and changed lives. ...

Being able to look back on what God has done this past year helps us truly see how He is always working in our lives, whether we take the time to see Him or not....

Thank you to those who have so generously given to us and to those who have the heart to do so. ...

We are so blessed to work together for the Kingdom! May God bless your family this Christmas!...

This is the kind of thing that tests one's faith, grays one's hair and glorifies God in the process. ...

It was appropriate considering the church in Río Indio is praying and working to help mobilize Erik Mora (the assistant pastor) and his family as missionaries to Bocas del Toro. ...

Mauras is an older lady, who takes care of her mentally handicapped daughter. When we first opened our doors, she would mock us......

This Thanksgiving, our hearts are filled with joy and gratitude for all that God has done recently. Our table is loaded with great things to share with you, so let’s dig in!...

You are making sacrifices so that the gospel can be preached in Alcochete, Portugal. And we thank you for this....

Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. James 5:7...

The families in the area where we’re building our church on average eat a medium size meal once a day....

Recently she has been discussing the possibility of opening a tutoring center for local kids with another missionary family....

In Lima, many people chase after the idols of success, convenience, and comfort, but the number one idol deceiving people in the village is tradition. ...

It’s incredible how the Lord uses our abilities for His glory, our good, and the good of others when we’re willing to serve Him. ...

So his sister took the tract that we used to lead her to Christ and lead her brother to his Savior....

Praise the Lord for his wondrous work in Mexico!! Since our last upadate we have seen four salvations - Omar, Camilo, Vicente, and Humberto!!!! ...

One woman named Domenica gave her life to Christ that morning. Another couple decided to reconcile their marriage after a nearly 2 year separation....

We had five teams with over 180 wheelchairs given. ...

God has really been working to help the ladies to have an understanding of God’s nature and character, their own sinfulness, and Christ’s saving work through His death, burial and resurrection....

This summer my sister and her family spent the summer working at the revitalized Northland Camp....

In the clinic followed by the greatest pain, God brought the greatest joy!...

It is my goal to use these opportunities to stir the fires of missions, evangelism and healthy church life in these churches....

Isn't it true that every pastor, every church leader, and every church member needs encouragement?...

This month, our church will take its first mission trip!...

Our church is growing rapidly and people are coming to Christ. It is a very exciting time for us....

We didn't fit even with both tents we rented. It was a glorious day!...

I was able to tell Yaya the real story about Abraham offering his son Isaac and the meaning of the story and was able to share the gospel with him....

Only Jesus Christ with his love was able to conquer him and bring peace to our lives! He is the greatest Superhero of all time!...

Some of them we have tried to bring to church for a while, without success. But they came for this special day and heard the Gospel! ...

At this point, we have no idea when we'll be able to return to our area or what condition our home will be in when Irma passes. We are certain, however, that God is greater than any disaster and will work everything out for our good....

Thank you for your partnership! As Paul wrote in Colossians 1:3, "we always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you ......

We really hit the ground running upon our return to Hungary...

We are thankful for all of your support as we serve here, but we are even more thankful for your prayers....

In honor of this momentous occasion, here are “Seven things we’ve learned in our first seven years”:...

So far they have about 600 LD which is about $5.80. When we add our portion we will have enough to buy a bag of rice for a blind widow woman in town....

Russ is studying, writing, editing, and producing new material for upcoming seminars among several tribes in the coming weeks. What a great opportunity to satisfy hungry hearts!...

“I have to cancel the trip …” … is not the text you want to receive 2 days before a big ministry trip for which you’ve been preparing to go on for over a month....

“Lord, please do something with these rats so that we can get a good night’s rest.”...

Your response greatly encourages us, reminding us that we are not alone even if we are separated by a great distance....

Patrick is confident that the Lord has the right pastor being prepared for the right time....

May you be overwhelmed by God’s goodness as He blesses you for your faithfulness!...

100 Days with 100+ dead, over 1000 wounded and 500 arrested......

You ask, “Would you do it again?” You betcha!...

Somebody once told me that you should not use the word "never" when speaking to God because He has an interesting way of turning our "never" into a reality. ...

And then it hit me!...

You also helped us buy 27 solar chargers for missionaries. These can be used to charge their phones, computers, etc....

His Lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou has been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. Matthew 25:21....

It felt like Satan was doing anything to keep this team from ministering here. Despite it all, we prayed and pushed forward. And God surprised us. ...

That was the response of one elderly lady as pastor Dolores shared the gospel with her....

Nothing of any value has ever been done for Christ that was not first bathed in prayer!...

Our influence is continually reaching outward. Please pray for these players. There are still a lot who do not know Christ. We are starting a youth only Wednesday night service to hopefully reach them....

Our biggest prayer is always for fruit that remains. Please pray that the seeds that were planted will bring forth fruit in the future!...

At the request of one of our dear friends and supporters we decided to make this monthly report about the family. So I gave everyone a chance to say what they wanted. ...

While we will only know in eternity the effect of our work that day, it was a joy to share the gospel and that Christ alone is sufficient for all we need....

I could not be serving here if it were not for your partnership in the gospel....

Observing, learning, and being amazed that I get to do this kind of stuff is how to best describe the week from my perspective....

(You) provided clothing, tents, blankets, water, 200 meals, and medically treat 152 families. Not only was the physical need provided for but, praise the Lord, three entire families, as well as a middle age woman, accepted Christ as their personal Savior....

God works in the everyday routine of life....

It is thrilling to see great spiritual growth among the Yagua tribe. Stanley Ulate and Russ taught classes every day for a week and had services at night. They saw 5 saved, 5 baptized, 3 babies dedicated to the Lord and 4 common-law couples make a decision to marry....

Thanks again for your prayers and support. We could not do it without you! ...

Here's where we need your help!...

Teaching & Preaching at Iglesia de La Gracia...

There have been times on this missionary journey where we have been concerned for our kids. Sometimes we have even asked, “What are we doing to them?”...

We give tracts, preach, or simply share a personal moment with someone who has been through something awful, and show them how they can have an eternal hope. A hope that lasts even when it seems like all hope has been lost....

These Christians do not take the work of Christ lightly. They recognize the great responsibility that we have to reach the Lost before it is eternally too late. They take the time to share Christ any opportunity they have whether it be on the buses, on the streets, or in the churches etc. Christ and the Great Commission are the center of everything that they do!...

I did not know it yet, but He was not going to let me leave that dark place without shining His light....

This abnormal surge in rainfall has caused numerous mudslides throughout various regions of Perú, causing the rivers to overflow and wreak havoc and destruction along their uncertain path....

In the last few days, there has been ten times the amount of rain seen annually. This has caused massive mudslides and flooding on a level Peru has never seen. Due to the fact that none of this was expected, and have come in the form of flash floods, thousands have been displaced. Many have lost everything they own. Lives have been lost....

After we all sat down, she shared with us how she had just had a special sonogram done the day before, and the doctors found nothing! She has a clean bill of health! We continue to praise God for this great work-- Jehova Raphah - God is your healer!...

The past few weeks have been very busy as I travelled to Germany and Romania, and also spent a week teaching at the Word of Life Bible Institute here in Hungary. I am happy to be back home for a bit. We have much to share about how the Lord worked in the past two months....

Sometimes when we missionaries write a prayer letters, we try to only add in the blessings and none of the real stuff that happens to us throughout the month. We realize that this, sometimes, can make us seem like we are not normal people, but we believe this month we clear that misconception up. We are certainly normal, and we struggle just like everyone else....

I have been doing our team devotional from the book of Proverbs focusing on how a young man can avoid bad decisions....

I wonder how often we miss out on a tremendous opportunity to encourage others because we lack boldness. Will you be as bold as espresso and encourage someone today?...

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:19...

This month, we took a big step as a church.....

“For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” Ephesians 4:12....

It was great to read the text from Erik, a leader at a church in Rio Indio. He wrote that he and several others in the church were memorizing Scripture. Why was that so exciting?...

Through everything, I have been growing closer to God and He is constantly showering me with His goodness and grace. He is teaching me so much during this time about life and ministry. I am also continuing to study Spanish and ask for your continued prayers that God would allow me to learn as much as I can now....

Please pray for Jennifer and the teachers of Liberty Baptist Elementary School. Pray that they would get some good teachers in the school....

The heat of Summer has reached us here in Peru and with temperatures that reach into the 90s, we have made great use of the cool morning and evenings. January has been a time of big decisions for our ministry and we are excited to share with you to know where the Lord is leading us....

Here are a few pictures to catch you up on what God has been doing here in Perú through your prayers and support! Thanks for taking interest in our family and ministry! ...

“For most people, being away from home is a vacation. But for us, being home is a vacation.” Alaithia said this to us one day as we were anticipating being home for the holidays. We chuckled, but it is so true! Our time at home for Thanksgiving and Christmas was definitely a vacation and it was just what we needed. We thank God for the time to rest and enjoy being at h...

We visited homes, gave aways solar-powered audio Bibles, and helped establish plans for follow-up ministry. There are numerous villages similar to Cerro Venado in these mountains. The Ngöbe-Buglé people who live in these villages need the gospel, solid churches, and well-trained pastors to guide them....

God has brought around 20 new people to our church in the past 6 months. All of them are in different stages of their walk with Christ. Some are mature believers who want to serve. Others are new believers or still unsaved. ...

“I am your son. You teach me, and I go to other villages and teach them what you teach me. I am your son”. These were the words of a village chief......

Dear Friends, 2016 was an exciting year in our ministry, so I’d like to give a bit of an overview of the past year and also share our vision and plans for the new year....

December was the month of our big Christmas event. We purchased 200 fruit cakes, printed our coupons, and set about handing them out event before December began....

She started apologizing to God and asked Him to forgive her because she said doubted him when her mother died. Please pray for Madeline and all the campers who made decisions this past week....

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:16)...

The medical team saw 1600 people from the surrounding villages. Some of the Bible College members came every day to hand out books of John and Romans and to talk to people about our church and our Lord....

May our Savior bless as we remember His coming into this world to seek and to save sinners. This is the best Christmas gift of all....

November 19 was a big day for our ministry. We’d been looking forward to it for a couple of months. For the national pastors, it was a normal meeting; for our ministry it was an important opportunity to make connections with national pastors....

As we were getting ready to leave, however, Filo said he wanted to ask us a question. His question turned into an hour and a half conversation about Christ, good works, salvation, grace, the Catholic church, Jehovah's Witnesses, and the cost of following Christ....

Even though Peru does not celebrate Thanksgiving, we were still able to sit down and enjoy a turkey dinner with friends at our table. Isa made a new Peruvian friend at the playground and we decided to use our Thanksgiving as a way to invite her family over and minister to them. ...

For God so loved the world, that He gave....Christmas is a great time of the year to think about the greatest gift that has ever been given. ...

As we sat around the campfire on this cool Friday night, I felt the power of the Holy Spirit in this circle. All the hot dogs and marshmallows had already been eaten, and it was time to begin what we came for-- a night of prayer, testimony, and worship....

From ministering to young girls rescued from sex trafficking, evangelizing the inner cities of Bolivia, sharing the lifesaving message of Jesus on the Navajo Indian Reservation, to sharing the love and hope of Jesus with incarcerated women in Miami, ...

Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year to all of you!...

November 22, 2016 Gbarnga, Liberia Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift. (2 Corinthians 9:16)...

Jorge told me, "I once was a slave to sin, but now I am free in Christ."...

The next time you are tempted to fuss about having to do some paperwork, please come to Lima to get your driver's license and you will never complain again!...

Baptist churches in Hungary traditionally pick one Sunday during the fall and designate it as their Thanksgiving Sunday....

Dear Partners in the Gospel...

Words cannot describe how grateful I am for the continued blessings of my God....

There's no place like home! ...

And we know that all things work together for good, to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28...

With excitement in his voice, Alex said to Marco "This is the Pastor, and these are the people I was telling you about. They can help you!"...

Our Prodigal Son has Gone…...

I remember an adorable little 9-year-old girl with glasses sitting in an English lesson and giggling as the mission team taught her 5 years ago....

Sitting across from me at the breakfast table at a little "fonda" named Mama Fefa.....

In these past few months we have been very busy and would actually welcome a "dull moment" every now and then!...

Dear Friends and Supporters: We want to thank each one of you for your prayers andsupport. Without that we would not be able to do our projects. We hope you each had a blessed summer. It was a very hotone for Tennessee. This June we spent some time in Nevada with our son and hiswife, Boone and Kat. We saw some of God's beauty in thewestern part of our country and enjoyed ...

So many amazing things have happened this month that I am not sure it can all fit into this letter....

We greet you this time from the warm south. Not South America, but the southern part of the USA. ...

With school back in session, everyone is very busy....

It’s official! We are a church! ...

To all our precious supporting churches and dear family and friends,...

A whirlwind! That would begin to describe our first few weeks in Panamà....

‬Psalm 37:4,5 "Delight thyself also in the Lord; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass."...

Greetings from Uganda!...

Praising the Lord Together...

August has been an emotional roller coaster for us, full of success and disappointments. We would like ask for you to read it to the end to see how God worked in our lives. ...

Read the latest from Jason & Johana Wollbrink - serving the Lord in Peru...

Catch up with Marc, Charin, and their kids as they serve the Lord in Hungary......

The Arces share some exciting news about their ministry in Venezuela......

Read the latest from Karyn Conrad - reaching the Deaf of Peru....

Read the latest from Clifford & Mary Suddeth - serving the lord in Central America....

Read the latest from Patrick & Teresa Pruett - serving the Lord in Peru....

Conferences, conferences......

Read the latest from David & Sarah Booth. Serving the Lord in Portugal....

A New Season July 10, 2016 These are awesome, exciting days in the life of this ministry as God is doing new things!...

Two or three graduations......

Read the latest from Patrick & Teresa Pruett...

July, 2016 update from Clifford & Mary Suddeth....

“If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.” ~Exodus 33:15...

Catch up with Daniel & Heather DeLand......

Read about the latest camp at the Refugio....

Read the latest from Nick LaRocca - missionary to Guyana....

Read about what's going on in Portugal!...

Read the latest from David & Sarah Booth in Portugal....

As I close this chapter entitled, "Candidate Training", I am reminded of one word: BLESSED. I am so blessed to have had the privilege to glean from the wisdom and experience of some of the greatest servants of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I have learned many practical lessons that I know will be very important in my future ministry. Words cannot express the closenes...