God's Ways
Samuel Chadwick, the great Methodist preacher of old, once said, “We are moved by the act of God. Omniscience holds no conference. Infinite authority leaves no room for compromise. Eternal love offers no explanations. The Lord expects to be trusted. He disturbs us at will. Human arrangements are disregarded, family ties ignored, business claims put aside. We are never asked if it is convenient.”
Seeking to understand the “Why’s and Wherefores” of God’s ways can be exhausting and confusing, not to mention utterly futile, when that understanding is sought through our own wisdom and strength. It’s better just to resolve that God’s ways are better than our ways and to just allow Him to work His plan.
This has been the challenge that Tina and I have been faced with so far this year. But we are comforted by the fact that the sovereignty of God will never require of us anything that will not, in the long run, be in our best interests.
You might recall that I reported after my last trip to the 10/40 window, that I was questioned more intensely than I had ever been questioned before.
Why are you here?
What is your occupation?
You were here for 2 months, a few months ago, why are you back?
What did you do during your last visit?
What are you planning to do on this trip?
Where will you be staying?
Who are you meeting?
As a result, the pastors and leaders of Saving Grace World Missions and I prayed. We sought God for wisdom and felt it was wise that I not return until the fall of 2026. This way, we will not bring unnecessary and undue attention to the work and ministry that’s going on in country.
Honestly, that decision was a bittersweet one, but God has confirmed it to be His plan for us at this time.
As a result, Tina and I have been able to spend much needed and precious time with our family. This has actually been the first time in many years that I have been able to celebrate my birthday, the birthday of one of our grandsons and our daughter’s birthday together as a family. It’s the first time in many years that our family has been in church together celebrating Palm Sunday and Easter. Usually I miss these events because I’m away. It’s has been a great blessing for Tina and I to be with our family for these occasions.
Often, when God closes one door, He opens another. Another door that God opened was I was asked to teach at a winter retreat in Big Bear California for Calvary Chapel Saving Grace’s Middle and High School Group. It was a special time of sharing God’s word, getting to know the kids, and encouraging them to make a deeper commitment to the Lord. It was a time of blessing that I would not have wanted to miss.
I have also tried to commit time to being at the Mission Training School, at Calvary Chapel Saving Grace, at least one week a month. Had I been in the 10/40 window at this time I would have missed the opportunity to share with the next generation of missionaries that we are raising up. It has been a rewarding and productive time for Tina and I, sharing what we have experienced and learned over the years of serving on the mission field.
I have also had opportunities to teach and share at various churches what God has called us to in the 10/40 window and the doors that He is constantly opening to us.
Currently, since I am in the states, God has also opened the door for me to to teach weekly Bible studies, via Zoom, with a couple of the churches there in country. I’m also teaching weekly, through the Book of Acts, at one of our schools, and I continue to meet regularly with our pastors for times of fellowship and discipleship. These times of fellowship and discipleship are of vital importance. Missionary care and discipleship of nationals is often overlooked by the sending church, but it is a primary focus for us at SGWM. Our Zoom meetings and classes allow me to encourage and speak into the lives of our students, and also walk alongside and assist our pastors in their ministries. It’s so important! And during this time that I’m not in country, it has allowed me to meet with each of them much more frequently. It has been an unexpected blessing.
One of the exciting things that I have been working on with one of our guys in country is a new online night school. We have been working together to hammer out the curriculum, dates and times for classes. We are ready to present the proposal to the pastors at SGWM for the go ahead. These classes are geared towards believer who are hungry to learn more about ministry and our Savior, but can’t attend a full time school. The proposed start date for the school is this September.
PRAYER REQUESTS
Please remember our family in your prayers. Tina and I are enjoying time together now that our kids are away from home. Ashley and her family are in Washington, Bryan has been attending the Missions Training School preparing to go to Japan, and Austin’s job takes him away from home 6 days out of the week. We can use your prayers to cover us as a family.
Please continue to pray for the work in the 10/40 window via Zoom. Pray for the times of teaching, discipleship, arranging teachers for the schools and the launch of the new online night school.
Please pray for the upcoming Calvary School of Missions in Mexico, June 27-Aug 9. Lord willing I will be helping to lead that again this year.
Please pray for God’s vision and anointing for my upcoming trip to the 10/40 window in the fall.
Please pray for our health. I have experienced the beginnings of a detached retina. It was another blessing, being here in the states, I was able to see a specialist to get it evaluated. Please pray for healing.
Please pray for God’s continued provision for us as we seek to serve our Savior by serving His people here and abroad.
And finally, if you're not part of "Gary's Field Updates" you will want to click the button below to be added.
It’s a more secure platform that enables me to share with you, in short text messages, details regarding the work; details that I couldn’t otherwise share with you due to the sensitive nature of working in a restricted and hostile country.
Thank you again, for you friendship, prayers, love and support. Together we are making a difference in the world for our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.
God bless,
Gary and Tina
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