How could it take that long?!?

“When did all of this happen?” asked the old man, who had just heard for the first time ever the entire story of redemption found in the Bible. He was speaking to a missionary who had come to his people and learned his language in order to be able to tell him story of Christ.

“Was it about five years ago?” the old man asked. “Is that when Jesus died so that I could become a friend of God?”

“Why do you think it was five years ago?” asked the missionary.

“You came hear about four years ago, so I thought it must have happened a little time before that, since you had to travel to come to us,” replied the old man, his face shining with incredible joy because of the hope he had for the first time in his life.

“No, it wasn’t five years ago,” the missionary replied, with tears in his eyes. “This happened over two thousand years ago.”

The old man, who had lived all of his life surrounded by hopelessness and living in fear of vengeful, angry spirits, looked at the missionary with complete shock.

“Two thousand years?!?” he asked, with sadness and disbelief.

How could it have taken two thousand years for him and his people to hear this story? If so many people know it, why did no one come to tell them sooner, so that his parents, his grandparents, his ancestors could have had this same hope? 

                                                                   

This is a true story. In fact, earlier this week, the missionary in this story stood in front of my class here at the missionary training center, and told it to us. And I tried to think of what my reply would have been if I had been standing in front of that old man. There really isn’t an excuse or a reason that is sufficient to explain why it would take so long for him and his people to hear it.

Or why there are still over 2,000 other ethnic people groups who are still waiting…

That story reminds me of the many reasons I’m so thankful to be here, training to go to one of those remaining people groups who are waiting to hear of Christ. It is a privilege and a joy to train and prepare under the teaching of missionaries who already have already done this work, and can share their life experiences and wisdom with me. These past two months, I’ve taken classes with a variety of focuses, including chronological Bible teaching, teamwork and relationships, and health/medical training for on the mission field. 

I've had the opportunity to practice my newly acquired suturing skills! (So far, only fowl patients...no humans.)  

I've also learned to give shots and vaccinations, although in this picture, I'm the test subject for one of my classmates.

God has been teaching me so much, through the teaching, during my time studying the Word, and also through my interactions with the staff and students here. Thank you to all of you who have been praying for me! It has been such a smooth transition, and I know that God has answered your prayers for me as I moved to Canada and adjusted to a very new schedule, a new country, a new church family, and a new community here on campus.

I'm praising God for...

1. His work in my heart through the truth of His Word, revealing areas that I need to surrender to Him.

2. Increased faith: I certainly haven’t arrived, but God is continuing to remind me over and over about His sovereignty and goodness in every circumstance.

3. Encouraging new relationships: God has been so good to give me both wonderful encouraging friends here in Canada who encourage me in my walk with Christ, as well as some opportunities to purposefully develop relationships for the purpose of discipleship and sharing the gospel. I don’t have room to share all of the stories in this update, but if you’d be encouraged by hearing a few of the specific ways God has worked out the connections and ministry opportunities, send me an email and I’ll share some of them with you.

4. The 14 households and 5 churches who God has called to partner with me financially so far, bringing my current support level to 32%. Many more people are faithfully praying for me, and I value that support more than I can say!

Please pray for...

1. Understanding and retention of the information in my classes
2. Opportunities to witness and share truth here in my new community

Click HERE to see a summary of who I am and what I'm doing.

Click HERE to find out more about financial partnership.

Click HERE to download a pdf bulletin insert of this update.