It took just one trip…

“Retirement?  Are you crazy?  We’re just getting started.  Get your running shoes on and let’s go!!!”

I feel those were the Lord’s words to me a couple years ago after I did my mission’s trip in Haiti.  I was so hooked.  As most of you know, I have been a short-term missionary since then.  I praise the Lord for this calling.  On different trips, I have had the privilege to teach students at a Bible College in Port-au-Prince, preach at a women’s prison and at a pastor’s church (all interpreted – hello?), be part of a weeklong well drilling project and run in a 20K race in the hills of Jacmel (out of 21 runners, I came in 21st place – how cool is that! Loved the coconuts at mile 8!)  But what I enjoyed the most there was getting to know the people and making relationships; telling people who Jesus is and how much He really loves them.

In May I completed the Calvary Chapel Bible College Missions Certification Program.  For the past six months I have been part of a mission internship program at Calvary Chapel Saving Grace.  This has been a blessing to find out what is involved behind the scenes, the various ways a sending church reaches out to encourage and build up missionaries that are out in the field and those preparing to go.  Like me! Note: SGWM just recently expanded the mission internship program. I will go over it with you in my next blog.

And now the Lord has opened up another wonderful opportunity I want to share with you. Saving Grace World Missions has established church plants and Bible Colleges around the world.  In some of these Bible Colleges there is a demand for English teachers.  You may be wondering why our indigenous students need to know English.  Well you see except for their own Bibles, mostly all their biblical study materials, commentaries, audio tracks, etc., are only available in English.  Getting a firm grip on the English language will not only  springboard their spiritual development to no limits, but open up doors that can lead them to new physical and financial freedoms they could have never imagined.  Is there a need here?  You bet!

After a lot of prayer, confirmation in His Word and open (and closed) doors, I believe the Lord wants me to teach English.  Therefore, to better equip myself for this task, I have enrolled in a UK regulated TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) online and onsite training program.  With this certification I should be able to teach English on Mars.  “Conjunction Junction, what’s your function?”   

I know the Lord is preparing and leading me down this path.  In fact, next month I will be going with a team from SGWM to meet up with several of our missionaries at their church plants and Bible Colleges throughout South Asia.  This month long “vision tour” will provide me with a super opportunity to see where the Lord may want me to teach English.  I’m getting so excited!

Over the last decade, I’ve ran races all over the world.  It’s cool to compete, the training, the discipline and all that stuff. But lately I’ve been “running the race” by creating new relationships here and crazy far away telling people how great a Lord and Savior Jesus Christ really is.  It’s such a super blessing.

Yes, I am  running the race and I am not looking back.  But running alone is tough. How would you like to run along side me?  I mean it.  Partner with me in prayer and financial support.  I would not even think of doing all this stuff by myself.  It just doesn’t work that way. I’m grateful the Lord is still wanting to use me.  So please come join me in telling others about Jesus.  I’m a slow runner now so it’s cool.  Let’s go!  See my prayer requests and the tax deductible Financial Partner button below. Thank you so much.

Prayer Requests:

• That I would continue to walk by faith alone
• That I would finish the online portion of my TEFL training program before I leave on my trip to South Asia
• That the Holy Spirit would so fall upon me and everyone as I make new relationships while on my trip
• That I would remain open and flexible as the Lord teaches and leads me where I am to serve.

I will send out frequent updates regarding the latest developments of my missionary journey. Can you believe it? Oh, and you can email me too at  jneedham@sgwm.com

Ahh – I almost forgot. What’s the answer to the question in the Haiti sunrise pic above?

Thanks again everyone.  Our Lord bless all of you.
Jim Needham