It's Time!
Saturday, the third of August, my son Ross returned from a mission trip to Pakistan. He had been invited some time ago to come preach. He had already preached to the congregations there via zoom, but now they asked him to come in person. His invitation took me back to a time when Micha had desired to go to Iran and preach...
Use your time well, for these are evil days. (Eph. 5:16, CJB)
...As a mom it is an unnerving proposition. These are Muslim countries and Islam is hostile to believers. In Israel, in the Old City, the Muslim men would chant over and over for the death of “First the Saturday people then the Sunday people” – meaning that they first wanted the death of all Jewish people, then all Christian people. They are haters whose book tells them to kill those who don’t accept Mohamed as prophet and Allah as god. So, it is obvious why these trips would give me pause. I remember saying that the Bible clearly states in Matthew to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves and, in Luke, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’ As a believer, I also maintain that I should not discourage the leading of the Holy Spirit.
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. (3 Jn. 4, ESV)
Well, of course, Ross was safe, and the blessings were wonderful! He reported:
- 70 know salvations
- 4 baptized
- 6 to be bold for the Messiah
- 4 or 5 for healing
This was over a 7-day period in five congregations and three different cities. The following is one of his reports: “This is a village, mostly Hindu…they serve as slaves under a Muslim landowner. Sam (Ross’s host) was invited because one couple knew Sam and I are Christians. The rest are Hindu. This is a house they live in, livestock running around, cows, chickens, goats.”
We asked Ross, how these people were dealt with and about follow up, and here is his reply:
Those are great questions: Sam gave the invitation sometimes he closes the service after I have already asked. Each new or returning village we visit has a convert or coworker in the ministry living in those villages; this is how he finds new villages. Converts from his original ministry move to an area to work…think migrant workers. They contact Sam and say, “We have permission for you to preach in our village.” Sam has a ministry team of 4-6 other men who do the prep work and then go. The contact is the one discipling and the mediator between Sam and the village. That is why we baptized four today. They were discipled by his team member. Yes, they all pray together.
These are the reports we need to hear. Ross is returning next year and already has people asking to join him.
When was the last time you went on a mission trip? When was the last time you had results like these? When was the last time you led anyone to the Lord?
What can you do?
- Pray for a godly, soul-winning leadership in your missions and evangelism outreaches.
- Pray to be used and then put feet on your prayers.
- Memorize scripture OR familiarize yourself with scriptures of salvation.
- Invite us to teach a class on evangelism (this can be done in person or on Zoom).
The Apple of His Eye is your mission outreach to the Jew first and ALSO the gentile. Incorporate us to fulfill God's plan of reaching the World for Christ. Time is running out on our freedom to share and teach. Be wise.
There is peace and contentment in my Father's house today
Lots of food on the table and no one is turned away
There is singing and laughter as the hours pass by
But a hush calms the singing as the Father sadly cries
My house is full, but my field is empty
Who will go and work for Me today
It seems my children all want to stay around my table
But no one wants to work my field
No one wants to work my field
Push away from the table
Look out through the windowpane
Just beyond this house of plenty
Lies a field of golden grain
And it's ripened unto harvest
But the reapers, where are they?
In the house
Oh, count the children
Hear the Father sadly say
My house is full, but my field is empty
Who will go and work for Me today
It seems my children all want to stay around my table
But no one wants to work my field
No one wants to work my field
“My House Is Full” by The Booth Brothers
I am so thankful that the men in my life have chosen to follow God’s leading in their lives. We cannot have the vision of another person, but we must pray for them, their vision, and God’s strength in their journey. We need to pray that we also will be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s guidance.
Love from my heart,
nanC
Nancy Cohen is the Director of Women's Ministries at Apple of His Eye
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