Momentary Light Afflictions
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My recent trip to the 10/40 window was met with the loss of hearing in my left ear, which continued for 3 weeks. Then, upon its resolution, I promptly broke a tooth. The trip was topped off with a 22 hour delay of my final flight on my way home. It made for a return trip that consisted of 25 hours of flight time and a total 34 hours of layovers. But it was all worth it!
There were a number of administrative things that needed to be accomplished on this trip, which God took care of for me, and then the joy began.
I started my trip in the southern portion of the country where we have our newest school. Prior to leaving the states, I had been teaching through the Book of Acts with these students via Zoom. It was such a blessing to interact with these students face to face. I can honestly say, this group of students has been the best class I’ve taught in the 8 years I’ve been involved in teaching in the different schools there.
Then I was able to travel to a state that none of us at SGWM has been able to visit before. I went there to scout out the possibility of beginning a new school in that area. There are so many hungry youths there that want to learn the Word of God and to be equipped to take the Gospel to their countrymen who haven’t yet heard of Jesus.
After spending a month in the south, I flew to our school in the central portion of the country. When planning the trip, I had asked the director of that school what he’d like me to teach while I was there. He said, “Ezekiel.” My response was, “You want me to teach the ENTIRE Book of Ezekiel?” He simply said, “Yes, that’s right.”
So I taught the entire Book of Ezekiel in 5 days. And God really blessed. We were able to go into surprising depth and detail. I couldn’t have imagined how blessed that time of teaching would be, explaining the Book to a group of 13-15 hungry students. And that’s not to mention the fellowship time we enjoyed, where we just spoke about the Bible, had Q & A sessions, and just getting to know the students. Just a wonderful time!
After leaving there, I traveled to another region where I was the first foreigner to set foot in. I was able to share Christ in villages that literally are the most radical and hostile to the Gospel in the entire country. Much of our time there was “cloak and dagger” in nature, due to the persecution directed towards Christians. I’m never concerned about my safety on these trips, I trust that God’s got me in His hands, but I’m always concerned for the safety of those I’m with and the safety of the work. My presence can actually put them in danger
One of the ladies that I met, who traveled with us and introduced us to many of the villagers, had her house destroyed in the village. And the meeting place she built, to serve as a church, had been torn down twice. She had been attacked and threatened with physical harm, yet none of those things moved her to even consider stopping to sharing the Gospel with others in the area who don’t know Jesus as their Savior.
During the week that I was in this area, I had the chance to teach more that 40 times. It was such a blessing to be with people who want to drink in every word and promise of the Bible. I also was able to pray with, literally, 100’s of people, and to encourage them to believe that the God who asks us to pray, is the God who hears and answers prayers.
I left this area and traveled north. I ultimately found myself within 40 miles of the boarder of China, in the foothills of the Himalayas. We went there in order to met and encourage one widow women.
Seven years ago, when her husband was on his death bed, he told her to continue to follow Christ, not to forsake Him. She heeded his advice and has been a witness in an area where there are no other Christians. She’s the only one. Her witness for Christ has caused every one in the area to shun her. No one will speak to her, no one will help her in her need, and no one speaks a kind word about her. But she is staying true to the Lord.
We drove a day and a half on rough mountain roads just to get to her village. While I was there, I was overwhelmed by her story, not to mention that she worked all day in her fields and then came to serve us. The whole time I was there, I prayed, “Lord, what would You have me share with this woman in order to encourage her?” And He placed on my heart Matthew 5:10-12, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
These verses were so heavy on my heart, I knew this was the Word of the Lord to this saint. I can’t tell you what a privilege it was just to meet her. Thank you Jesus.
There were so many highlights from my trip, I couldn’t begin to share them all. God had divine appointments for me. I met many pastors who wanted to be instructed in basic doctrines of the Bible, they wanted to learn more about verse by verse teaching through the Bible, and even asked if I would teach them via zoom 1-2 times a month.
In total, I was away for 2 months. Time just seemed to just fly by. The fruit from this trip was so great, God showed Himself so strong on my behalf. I had never experienced anything like it on any of my many mission trips in the past.
Lord willing, I will be returning in the October/November time frame. Please begin to pray for my time in country.
- Pray for even greater fruit
- Divine appointments
- For my time spent discipling our leaders and students there
- And pray for more opportunities to preach Christ in remote villages where the Gospel hasn’t yet gone
I also invite you to pray that God would provide the funds for the trip. It’s just a something we can’t get away from, missions cost money.
If you’re feeling led to contribute to the work and partner with us in the ministry, you can do so by going to https://sgwm.com/barrow/give/ or by clicking the “Become a Financial Partner” button below.
If you’d like to send me your prayer requests and updates to us, we always enjoy hearing from you.
God bless,
Gary and Tina
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