Monday, August 31, 2015

God's Compassion for the Nepali

Last January, God made it clear that Andreas and I were to share His love in Nepal this last June and then early August, so we did. For the August expedition, He provided a team of 30 Americans, ages 12-61, for us to train in sharing His truth and how to gather new believers and seekers to start what will become house churches. Because God knew that there would be earthquakes and then political challenges before He called us, we had peace about the challenges we faced. While we were prevented from going out to our seven villages on Thursday, God used that time to send out on their own the nationals we had been training all week. This opportunity provided them with great confidence that they could continue this work once we left. God's mission went forth, even amidst obstacles, and He was glorified through our team and through your partnership in prayer and finances. 



Here's a Big-Picture Glimpse of What God Did By the Numbers
21 Small Groups/House Churches Started
42 Discipleship Meetings Held
1,037 Heard God's Story from Creation to Christ
79 Chose to Follow Jesus
60 New Followers Trained to Share God's Story!
293 People Discipled

While 79 are committed to follow Christ and be discipled, approximately 200 more want to continue to meet to learn more about Jesus, so they can make a decision to follow Him or not! The door may be closing in Nepal soon, so thank you for being a part of this strategic work there. Read below about how God showed off in Nepal!


Never Too Old
Jason shares how he was impacted by God's goodness: "A group of six men and women sat in the courtyard of Bhikini's house. At 105 years old, Bhikini had decided to follow Jesus! Bhikini's daughter, herself in her 80s, had experienced torment and multiple times had interrupted Gospel conversations in the village. After prayer and displaying God's love, Bhikin's daughter also came to know Christ after Bhikini (at 105 years old!) shared the gospel with her using the evangecard and with assistance from our local Nepali brother, Rajkumar. The beauty of Christ's church was on full display. The old and the young. Men and women. As we headed out of the village for the last time on Friday afternoon, Rajkumar promised to return the next day 'to have the new babies in Christ gather to worship their Father." With those words, pray a movement is ignited." Jason already has plans to return to Nepal next July with e3 Legacy.

God's Healing Power Displayed
"The last day in our village, God directed us to soil ready for harvest. At this particular house, God healed a man suffering six days with stomach pain. Then He healed a boy with foggy eyes, and when we prayed, he saw white two times and could clearly feel God's presence. He was smiling non-stop, and although he didn't confess faith in God yet, he clearly was beginning to understand God's love and care for him. The first man healed, however, asked Jesus to forgive his sins, was trained to share the gospel, was discipled by the national with us, and was given a Bible. More than 20 people gathered and also witnessed healing, heard the gospel presented, and many are seeking God because of God showing His presence!" Lauren effectively trained her national to continue the work with these 20+ people and the others in the village.




Yes, It is Good News!
Caitlin was able to encourage a new family in Christ with the truth of God's word: "On Friday, I met with a 40-year-old man and his 15-year-old daughter and learned that his wife had died 13 years earlier, and this beautiful young girl had taken on the role of mother for the family. My national shared God's story from Creation to Christ, and the man said, 'This is good news and I want to follow Jesus!' We prayed a salvation prayer and the daughter said she also wanted to follow Jesus. The Lord pressed on my heart to read Proverbs 31 and pray it over her. This beautiful child of God now has another Father who loves her unconditionally and is always there for her. She had a cold, but God healed that as well as healing her spiritually." 

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

God's Kingdom Comes in Nepal

"For God so loved the world..."
Kendall saw the power of that love first-hand in Nepal just two weeks ago: "This week, I left a part of my heart on the steps of the bright blue house...in the hands of Kashi Harayan Kukhiya, the retired 67-year-old professor who had lost both of his legs to cancer. After sharing the Creation to Christ story, Kashi and I talked for hours about his life, as well as the many different groups that had come to tell him many 'good things' about their gods. He told how his head is full of knowledge and how he has tried worshiping many idols and then asked me, 'But why should I believe in your Jesus above all the other gods?' I closed my eyes, and in that moment, the truth of the gospel became so real in my own life. I opened my eyes and released the stream of sweet tears that now streaked my cheeks. With eyes locked on Kashi's, the rest of the world melted away and all I could muster was 'because I know in my heart that Jesus loves me...' When God had said everything He needed to say, Kashi scooted closer to me and took my hands into his, fresh tears glossing his own eyes as he whispered, 'This is what all the others were missing...love.' I was overwhelmed by the sweetness of the moment as he spoke the words that changed eternity forever, 'I saw Jesus in your eyes today and you have shown me how bright my life can be. I, too, want to follow Jesus as the one true God of my life.'"


For months we prayed that prayer and asked you to as well, as we knew we had just days to find the Teli, the unengaged people group we were trying to engage in Nepal with the gospel. "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." The truth of  James 5:16 was evident through you! Dhani and Dilip, both Teli men, were the FIRST two acquaintances that Cathy and her team made Monday morning in Tanaman village. God was at work because these two Hindu menimmediately upon hearing the gospel professed Christ as their Lord and Savoir and invited Cathy to return the next day for Bible study! Daily, they gathered people to join them in their homes for discipleship and several had come to Christ, including Dilip's wife. By Friday, the men joined their home groups into one gathering at Dilip's home where his brother and two nephews received Christ and as they did, Cathy shared that "Dilip clapped his hands and tears streamed down his face" as the seeds were planted for the first Teli house church in Nepal!


Healing for the Spirit, Heart and Body
Terrance shares how God showed off in Nepal: "On Wednesday, 26-year-old Sumyo walked into our discipleship meeting on her hands--yes, her hands, because her legs didn't work and she had no wheelchair. I saw her from afar and remembered a word from the Lord--'Look for the lowest of the low.' She sat at the back of the group on the tarp, but then we called her to the the front. We found out she was run over by a motorcycle 14 years earlier, and because of it she had a lot of unforgiveness in her heart. After she forgave the man who hurt her, she accepted Jesus into her life! Then I watched the Holy Spirit heal her legs. It was thought-shifting excitement. To know that I have the power of the Holy Spirit within me makes me more determined to live it out. Sumyo's countenance was the most beautiful countenance I've seen in my life. God changed her heart...and mine." 


Counting by Numbers 
Next month, we plan to share more stories of the Nepalese impacted by your partnership, but in the meantime, here's the big picture:26 discipleship groups/house churches started heard God's story from creation to Christ      
127 professions of faith     
106 new believers trained to share their faith

To God be the glory! 

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

The Ilchamus--No Longer Unreached

God used our team of 25 people--high school students, some of their parents, a few Bible teachers, and several individuals--to share their story, God's story, pray for healing, and start house churches throughout nine Ilchamus villages. Many days we were met with the same phrase: "I have heard about God, but I know nothing about this Jesus." As we would share Jesus' great love story with them, He often used us to heal people, demonstrating that He is the one, true, living God.

Byron witnessed this healing power in Ruben's life: "On Monday, Ruben became a follower of Jesus, and then told me (Byron) he had been sick for over a year. He was scheduled to have surgery on Tuesday. We prayed for healing and he said he was feeling better. On Tuesday, Ruben went to his doctor appointment and the doctor confirmed that he was healed! No surgery was needed and Ruben was sent home. Ruben's wife, children, and mother all became followers of Jesus and rejoiced that Ruben was healed!"



Everyone serving in the field, even our translators, are impacted; we all grow as we serve God. Jeannette ministered to her translator all week and saw the fruit of her labor: "Jane, my translator, was a 19-year-old young lady, who lives near the village we worked in. She was really changed this week as God began to work on her heart. The training really inspired her. She said she was my student this week and learned so much. On Wednesday, my Kenyan co-worker and Jane worked in the village without me, and God used them mightily to start several discipleship groups! That night, Jane went home and shared Christ with her neighbors for the first time and is in the process of starting her own discipleship group with them! She has committed to continue the work in our village for one year, returning weekly to disciple and encourage the new followers of Jesus. Yeah, God!"



Not only did our translators and Christian co-workers become adept at sharing their faith, but also our American team members. Brody shares how God grew him powerfully: "Tuesday is when God revealed to me something that is so simple, but yet it was so clear that my life now needed to be lived in this way. Including Monday and Tuesday, I led close to 30 people into a relationship with Christ! By the end of Tuesday, I realized how many people desperately need Jesus and telling them about Him is SO MUCH EASIER than I would have ever thought. If you choose to step out of your comfort zone, and ask the Holy Spirit to fill you, God will give you the perfect opportunities to share about Him. The Ilchamus just needed to feel loved and valued by me and sharing the Gospel became so much easier to share. I learned that I shouldn't keep believing the lies that sharing with others about Christ is so difficult! Because it's not! It's just a matter of me being completely open to the leading of the Holy Spirit. It was an amazing trip, and I know God will continue to reveal to me the things he taught me throughout the week."


Yes, Brody and the rest of the team shared with everyone they met in nine villages and God faithfully drew hundreds to Himself: 51 discipleship groups/house churches started

76 discipleship group/house church meetings  

898 heard God's story from creation to Christ      
657 professions of faith     
580 new believers trained to share their faith

To God be the glory! 

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

What? Not ONE Bairagi Knows Jesus!

Over 3.6 million Bairagis reside in India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh. Their roots date back to the 11th and 12th centuries in the days of Ramanuja, one of Hinduism's most famed teachers and philosophers. They can be distinguished by the "talik" on their foreheads, a mark that is painted to the bridge of the nose.  

While the Bairagi people number into the millions, they lack any Christian presence in their communities. Their culture is 100% Hindu and conversion from the faith is considered a threat to peace.  Ministry in the region is further complicated by a rising threat of persecution to Christians in India and Nepal.


GET INVOLVED
The harsh reality is that Bairagis need Jesus.  Without any outreach, missionary, or Christian presence, they will die without ever hearing the Gospel. But you can get involved. 
Pray.  Ask God to show our e3 Nepali staff where the highest concentration of Bairagi live in Nepal. Pray for pastors and local believers in the surrounding communities. Ask God to provide new opportunities for them to share Christ and cultivate new churches in the area. The people are blessed with full Bible translations in their language but they still need believers willing to go.
Go.  You could be the answer to your own prayer. Consider joining one of our expeditions to Nepal this summer where you can partner with local believers to serve unreached and unengaged people groups with the Gospel. With just one week, you can be a part of a Gospel movement that is taking off across South Asia with the potential of reaching the Bairagi people.

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Nearly 500 Begin Relationship with Jesus

459 to be exact!

“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in?  And how can they believe in the one whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?  And how can they preach unless they are sent?  As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” (Rom. 10:14-15)  

THANK YOU for being a part of furthering God's kingdom with the Ilchamus, an unreached people group in Kenya, through sending our team in prayer and finances. You under girded our team in a powerful way. It's hard to grasp, but literally 80% of those who received Christ were trained immediately to share their faith with their family, friends and co-workers. And then they shared, and because of that obedience, 27 discipleship groups that plan to be house churches were started in those five villages in one week! This type of growth is only possible through God.

Precious Esther studying during lunch break
That's some of the big picture of what God did, but here are a few experiences of individual team members. Our son Garrett and his girlfriend Mayra went to Kenya with us, and here he shares one of his experiences: "On e3 Legacy trips, you get an amazing Kenyan translator and Kenyan national with you while you are in the mission field. My whole team was truly a blessing. I had the opportunity to build an amazing relationship with my Kenyan national. Her name is Esther. It was crazy to see her grow in boldness throughout the week. At first she was not confident to witness and did not feel capable; however, as we encouraged her and witnessed alongside her it was beautiful to see her confidence grow bolder. I know that God has special plans for her and that she is going to do amazing things in her village long after we are gone. After a couple of days of work, she had us come to her home and witness to her husband (pictured below). After we explained the gospel to him, he decided to follow Christ. It was beautiful to see this family come together through Christ."

Garrett leading Esther's husband to faith
God used a father and son on the team to each lead their first person to Christ on the same day! What a great LEGACY to share with their future generations. The father shares his most inspiring moment (and there were many) took place on Friday afternoon during the closing commissioning of the new believers: "I was blessed to bring William, his sons, and their many friends to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior.  Both father and son are proud men, but exuded this air of humility and calmness. William's oldest son, Alkanson, is the generational king of the 18-28 year old age group (5000 strong). How great is our God that he unshackled me from spiritual bondage and allowed the Holy Spirit to use my body as a vessel to share his love and promise of salvation to the Ilchalmus people of the El Depe village. I thought myself the most unlikely of servants, and the voices kept saying that I was unworthy of this task. But God used my brokenness and transparency to share his story and spread his love." Yes, God wants to use each of us, and he starts right where we're at. 

Kimberly summed up our time in Kenya beautifully: "As I write this, I am listening to the song, "Beautiful Things" by Gungor and the chorus states, 'You make beautiful things out of us. You make beautiful things. You make beautiful things out of dust.' That happened this week. We all saw beautiful things come out of our villages and the dust. People's lives were changed, people accepted Christ, and people were healed. And it wasn't just the Ilchamus who felt this, but the people on our American team. This week hope sprung out of the ground. We planted seeds, and there was a bountiful harvest, and to be able to be a part of that is something that I will never forget."


Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Making Plans...in the Midst of Apprehension

Throughout October, e3 Legacy has daily received requests from families and individuals exploring the possibility of going on a mission trip in 2015. They are gathering information, asking questions, and making plans. While they are expressing excitement about this new adventure in their walk with God, we also are detecting a tinge of apprehension and fear. Thoughts of the financial cost, feelings of inadequacy, busy schedules for their children and themselves, health or food limitations are just the beginning of what is racing through their minds. Fortunately, we can go to God's Word for comfort and focus.  

God is clear that He has not given us a spirit of fear, but power, love and a sound mind (2 Tim. 1:7). We're encouraged that through the power of the Holy Spirit and the love of Jesus, we can think clearly and reject the lies of God's and man's enemy and walk in freedom of fear to do the good works that God has selected for us.

The following statements are from team members who served in Nepal this past August:
  • "We learned a lot about God's financial provision and blessings."
  • "I'm glad we did it (went to Nepal) in our second year of marriage; I definitely think it brought us closer together. Just seeing other families with their children on this trip made me realize how much I want that for our (future) kids because these kids were fearless about telling people about Jesus."
  • "This trip was so much more than I imagined it would be."
  • "It was more impactful and more powerful than I had imagined and am so thankful we went."
  • "This trip was the biggest blessing for our family."


Could 2015 be the year that you join God internationally to tell others about Him? If that idea overwhelms you, know that you are in good company. Truly, when we are weak, He gets to be strong. Please contact us to begin exploring what's involved in going. In the meantime, enjoy this humorous look at our fears about going on mission with God. 
















Thursday, September 25, 2014

Through Their Eyes


God continues to meet us and our team members as we step out in obedience. Often He is working in us on a personal level and as a vessel for what He wants to do in someone else's life. Here is just a sampling of what impacted some of our team.

Julia, a wife and mother with two children in college, shares about her encounter with a teacher:

"The Lord healed many people physically, emotionally, spiritually, and mentally. Praise God!! In the village of Taragana, Biswanath, a junior high school teacher, accepted Christ! He then stood up and preached to his neighbor, who promptly accepted Jesus at that moment! When our team returned for a discipleship meeting, Biswanath explained that he told his principal about Jesus and that the principal was so excited to hear this Good News that he coming to Biswanath's home that afternoon to be discipled.  It is amazing to see the multiplication process in action from believer to new believer and so on!

We encountered many who had never heard the Gospel, and this experience taught me that we must continue to GO!  The Lord has so blessed us here in America that without those who give generously many would not have had the opportunity to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Thank you so much for your hearts that made room for people you haven't even met, in a country you probably won't visit, to pray faithfully for their souls."

Byron brought his family of four to serve together, and here he shares a lesson God was teaching him through this work in Nepal:
"There were so many dramatic, powerful and amazing experiences; it often felt like we were living through the book of Acts, which really helped me to settle on what impacted me the most--hearing God speak! Several months before the trip I was given a teaching series about “Hearing From God”. I started the uncomfortable process of being still, being quite and listening for God to speak.  However, with a mind that has random ideas like a bouncy ball, an unpredictable work schedule, two busy boys and a wife who has never heard of down time, I only started to scratch the surface before the trip.


While on the trip, God had an amazing habit of putting me into situations where I was outside of my comfort zone with no experience or knowledge to pull from in order to move forward. In other words, if He did not say or do something, NOTHING would happen! It is really amazing how when I allow God to place me in situations where He must show up, He does! I was recently told that the most important scale by which to measure the effectiveness of a mission trip isn’t the amount of souls saved or bodies healed. Those are God’s responsibility and that fruit is in His time. The most important measure of a mission trip is “are you closer to Jesus, do you know Him better than you did at the start”? So for me, hearing God speak was the most powerful experience of my trip and left the largest mark on my life as a follower of Jesus.  God still speaks; all I have to do is be quite and listen!"

Nathalie built a close connection with Marwin, a young mother in her village: "My team and I met Marwin on Tuesday. She was very kind and opened her home to us instantly. We noticed that her leg was wrapped and found out her leg had been fractured when an ox ran into her. We prayed for her leg and each time we did she felt the pain decreasing. She was able to get up with her cane, which she wasn’t able to do before! I proceeded to share the Gospel with her using the EvangeCube. Her eyes were locked and engaged in the story. I extended the invitation to receive Christ and there was no hesitation. We went through the salvation prayer together and immediately set up a time to meet the following day to study the Bible. At the end of the day, she made her way down from the top of the hill to attend our children’s program. As we were walking out of the village for the night, she was already sharing her testimony with her friends! I was so encouraged! Now fast-forward to Friday, our last day in the village. I went to say good-bye to Marwin and her neighbor, who also accepted Christ earlier in the week. I’ll never forget what she said to me: “Thank you for coming to Nepal to share Jesus with me. I will see you again in heaven.” I was so touched by her gratefulness that I held her and we cried together."





Tuesday, July 29, 2014

God's Salvation Power

Twenty-one year old Katie approached a Buddhist family sitting in their yard. Here is her story: "After sharing God's story from Creation to Christ, I did not feel led to ask them if they wanted to accept Jesus' free gift, yet, so I asked if they needed healing for anything. The man and woman said yes, their legs. I prayed and asked them to stand, and they said it was somewhat better. I prayed again; they said it was almost completely healed. Then I asked them to repeat a prayer after me. Again, they received more healing. Finally, I asked them to pray silently and ask God to heal them. Then they stood up and were completely healed! The man got up and literally started running around. His smile was unbelievably large. After that, this family of five all accepted Christ! When I returned to disciple them, two more people were there. They, too, were healed and accepted Christ. God is so good!" 


Katie and her disciples
A mom of two young girls, left them and her husband at home and traveled to Thailand with us on her first mission trip. Here is how Lisa communicated some of her experience: "Amazing! In one word, I would say miraculous. Never in my life did I believe in modern-day miracles. I heard many stories, but my faith to see it with my own eyes did not exist. We met a sweet single mom, and she was drawn to as by hearing us share with a man playing guitar on the street corner. We heard her moving story, and I felt compelled to share my story with her. After hearing my testimony and that of my team members, she teared up and wanted to hear God's story. She accepted Christ! She then requested prayer for a back issue that prevented her from standing without assistance. We prayed. Moments later after we finished praying, she stood up quickly and exclaimed, 'I am healed!'  This was something I never believed could happen. Others standing around noticed and smiled--the entire street corner felt God's love and power. His faithfulness blew my mind! I will never forget the love that God gave me for the Thai people."


Lisa's new friend has no problem kneeling for the photo
Megan's most memorable experience how the fish keeper Sansong came to Christ. "God was testing my obedience to follow His voice. On Monday, we went down a long road that led us to a fish pond. We felt led to share with a man sitting under a covering near the pond. He was very welcoming as we shared the gospel, but when asked if he wanted to follow Jesus, he responded, 'No, because I'm a Buddhist.' But as we returned each day to visit, I could see God chasing away layers of hindrances.  Sansong began to delight in the story of how Jesus called the fishermen to be His disciples. He finally shared His most pressing worry: "Is it a sin to catch fish?' We explained it was not, but nonetheless, Jesus covers all sins. He beamed with joy at this news. He then shared that his daughter was a Christian and had shared God's story with him several times,but he had not heard such relatable stories. He asked us to pray for his daughter to get a good job and that night his daughter received a well-paying job in Bangkok. Sansong began to see how Jesus is the living God. On the third day I woke up and God revealed to me that I was to share the shepherd story with Sansong. I had no idea how a fish keeper would relate to a shepherd, but I was obedient and we read the story together. Sansong began laughing with joy and stated he related most to this story because he was a shepherd of his fish and now understood God's love. He then decided to become a follower of Jesus. Before we even got to train him how to share his new faith with others, Sansong was sharing God's story of forgiveness with other fishermen."


Pastor Yut, Sansong, and Megan
Team member Mary, who has been on about a dozen trips with e3, shares her story of personally seeing God for the first time heal physically: "A 63-year-old widow heard God's story and was very receptive and open. We prayed for her knee as she had a hard time walking and was home bound. The Lord healed her and then she received Jesus, the healer of the heart. When we saw her later in the day, she had walked to her mother-in-law's house. Her mother-in-law wanted knee and eye healing; the Lord healed both. After hearing the story of Jesus, she also received him with joy. When we returned for Bible study, they were waiting for us, their knees and eyes healed--no cane for the 81-year-old! We studied the story of Zaccheus; the Lord was teaching them so many things about Him. They said they knew Jesus loved them and they wanted to tell their family about Him, so we practiced with them how to share God's story." 

A few other highlights include 15-year-old Cameron's Buddhist translator Bee receiving Christ on Wednesday after watching God heal two people physically. Anne had the privilege of praying healing for a monk in his 40s. The following day as we continued discussions with him, he said all religions teach people to do good things. We agreed with him and then explained that only Jesus forgives sin. He listened intently to what Anne continued to share with him, and he asked the Thai Christians to meet with him, even after Anne's departure.

God's greatest work was His ministry of reconciliation, drawing 80 Northern Thai people to himself for all eternity. 244 others heard His story and will contemplate this truth as we continue to pray for their salvation. Although we had to return home, 62 people were trained to share their faith and will continue the work. A total of 20 small groups were begun, and we will continue to pray they will develop into house churches as our Christian Thai partners continue the discipleship process with these new believers and seekers.

Friday, May 30, 2014

Tatiana Walks

Tatiana, a nine-year-old little girl unable to move her legs at all from birth, had such a sweet tenderness about her. Terri and 16-year-old Taylor met her Monday as she sat in the dirt in front of her home, arms and legs atrophied from lack of use. They didn't have time to share God's story at that moment, so they prayed for her, that God would heal her spiritually and physically. After praying, the team asked Tatiana if she could stand. Taylor shared, "Everyone standing there kept saying 'It's impossible.'" That's when Terri bent down and picked up Tatiana at the waist to see if she could stand. She could not. The team prayed a second time, which is when Tatiana's chest started pounding and a beautiful smile, a smile of joy, came across her face. Terri asked if something was happening in her body, and Tatiana nodded, "Yes."

Patrick and Christian praying fervently over Tatiana
Later that day, Terri returned as promised to carry Tatiana to the children's program. After story time, Taylor's mom held Tatiana, running with her for all the games. The team was fairly certain that this was the FIRST time that this child had ever played running games with the village children. Her joy was overwhelming for the team.

Because of the rain, Taylor wasn't able to meet up with Tatiana on Tuesday. On Wednesday, Patrick's Peruvian national wanted him to share God's story with Gloria, Tatiana's grandmother. As they came to the home, Patrick's translator suggested they pray for Tatiana, so Patrick shares, "I did, but I was lacking the faith that anything would happen. Sure enough, nothing happened." The translator suggested they pray again, so as they prayed a second time, Patrick says, "I felt God's heart for this little girl, how much it hurt Him that Tatiana has not been able to move her legs or walk her whole life. Then I see her legs move, but she could not stand. I was ready to give up, but my translator said we should pray one more time. I prayed and began to cry  for her with God's heart and to pray with a pure and undistracted heart that she be healed." While Tatiana was not physically healed, her grandmother was healed spiritually as she put faith in Jesus for the forgiveness of her sins!

Patrick will never forget how God used him to bring healing to Tatiana both physically and spiritually
As Patrick and his team left the house, he heard clearly in his mind, "Son, your sins are forgiven" from the story of the quadraplegic at Capernaum that he had read to his team that morning: "God was reminding me the order of things by asking in my mind 'How much more miraculous is it that I have forgiven her sins?' I was deeply humbled by the revelation that I had witnessed a miracle far greater than Tatiana's walking. I saw her grandmother receive Jesus! I walked away joyful and praising God that He had spared her, but also grieved that Tatiana still was not walking." 

Taylor went to Tatiana's home shortly after that, not knowing Patrick had just visited them. Taylor shares what happened next: "We were all sitting around the table, and I asked Tatiana how she felt. She responded, 'Very good.' Then, out of nowhere, she says excitedly, 'Grandma, Look!' and Tatiana stood up! I was in shock and couldn't believe my eyes. She then walked across the room with the support of my translator! Soon after that, Patrick and the rest of the team came to Tatiana's house and watched as she practiced her standing and walking. I am so blessed to have met Tatiana and am so excited to meet her again, in our new bodies in heaven." You see, when Patrick returned to train Gloria in how to share her faith, Tatiana became a follower of Jesus!

Taylor and Betty could not believe what God had allowed them to experience
The heart of God is full of compassion. May we all ask God to give us His heart for all people. 


Saturday, February 22, 2014

Signs and Wonders in India

"So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands"  Acts 14:3.

Yes, our team of 19 spoke boldly to the mostly Hindus with some Muslims they met in homes in Mumbai, and the Lord demonstrated His power through them. Here a just a few of the stories.


Terri, Megan and Logan worshiped Sunday morning with a Christian church we were partnering with. Following the service, a man about 70 years old approached the team for prayer. He had been blinded two years earlier when acid got in his eyes; he could see shadows, but that was the extent of his sight. Terri asked if she could put her hands on Sunjit's eyes while the team prayed, and he agreed. After about 30 seconds of prayer, Terri removed her hands and asked, "Can you see? Did Jesus heal you?" He looked around and stated matter-a-factly, "I am 30% better." The team prayed again. Once again he was asked if he was healed, and once again he looked around and stated routinely, "I am 50% better."


At this point, Terri asked him if he would like 100 percent healing. He stated that he did. Therefore, Terri asked him to pray for his own healing while the team prayed alongside him. He prayed, head bowed and lips moving slightly. Again, Terri asked if Jesus healed him, and he informed them he was 60% better. Terri and this Indian man then got down on their knees as together they went to God, asking for 100% healing. Next, he was at 75% healing, then 90%.  Interestingly, he then announced he was leaving. The team was shocked!


"We thought you wanted 100% healing?" Terri asked.

"I do, but I will come back next week," he replied through the translator.

At this point, the team wasn't sure if he was overwhelmed by what God was doing and couldn't process it, so felt he needed to leave, or if the enemy was trying to prevent him from receiving 100% healing. After persuasion from the pastor, he stayed and together we prayed, and his healing was 90% again. And, again, he wanted to leave, but agreed to stay at the pastor's encouragement.


This time after prayer he stated, "I know I'm 95% healed, but I won't know if it's 100% until I try to cross the street." That's a very perceptive statement because in Mumbai you really don't want to cross the street without 100% vision!


To assess the situation, the pastor asked him to read the sign that was across the courtyard on a door about 30 yards away. He read it out loud to the joy and exclamations of himself and the team! What incredible joy filled the room, as together we praised God for His healing and mercy. 



What a privilege it was for our team to pray over so many sick and hurting people
More Wonders of God's Power
Dhananjay, a Hindu who became a follower of Jesus on Wednesday when Lauren shared with him, was overwhelmed by God's forgiveness. He kept asking, "God REALLY forgives my sin, ALL my sin?" We assured him yes, providing scripture to prove it. In fact, in prayer together, we asked God to show him his sin and as God revealed his sin to him, we suggested he take those sins in his mind's eye and mentally lay them at the foot of Jesus' cross. We sat in complete silence for two minutes, and then said amen. When we opened our eyes, you could see the joy and peace emanating from Dhananjay face and eyes. Now he KNEW he was forgiven; the Lord had met him and assured him.

Next we did a Second Bible study with him, using Luke 24:44-49. When he was asked if there was anything he didn't understand, he responded with verse 49: "I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high."

"What does this power mean?" he inquired. The pastor with us started to give him the answer, but Terri asked him to wait.
We then asked Dhananjay, "What happened when you became a follower of Jesus yesterday?"
"My sins were forgiven and when I die, I will go to God in heaven," he responded smiling.
"What else happened?" Terri asked.
"I received the Holy Spirit," he said.
"Correct," she replied. "Now read the verse again."
After he read it to himself, he exclaimed, "The power is holy power!"


Dhananjay (on the right) came to Christ along with his son
Wow! We were all blessed by his insight. Truly, the Holy Spirit is accurately defined as Holy Power. And Dhananjay knows that power is his as a follower of Jesus, and the Holy Spirit will reveal many wonderful truths from scripture to him. In fact, he was so amazed with scripture that he stayed up ALL night reading the Book of John, hence he fell asleep the next day during the Bible study!

It is so encouraging knowing that when we leave, these baby believers will be well taken care of by the nationals we are partnering with, and more importantly, the Holy Power will be with them!






Thursday, October 31, 2013

Discovering Where God is at Work

With Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's approaching, may of us will visit with friends, co-workers, neighbors, and extended family, and these visits can be wonderful opportunities to share the hope we have in Jesus Christ. Leading missiologist Carol Davis says, "When you find the spiritually hungry and prepared people, you have found 'good soil' that God has prepared for an abundant harvest. Now you are on God's agenda." Wouldn't you agree it's always easier to share God's love when it's His agenda? But how do we find those prepared people? 

Often, when we join God in what He is doing, there is a great harvest. While on the mission field, one of the ways to see where God is working is to find a Person of Peace. A Person of Peace is the doorway into the surrounding community...or to your neighborhood, workplace, school.

As we prepare to Go to our neighborhoods, workplaces, or schools, one of the most important things to do is to pray for a "Person of Peace." What does that mean? When Jesus sent His disciples out to share about Him, He told them to look for a "Person of Peace." He admonished them: "Whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace be to this house.' If a person of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. Stay in that house eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house" (Luke 10:5-7). Jesus simply tells His disciples what to do. He doesn't explain why. But when we look at examples from the rest of the New Testament (examples like Zaccheus, Cornelius, Lydia, the Gadarene demoniac, and the Samaritan woman at the well), the "Person of Peace" is someone God has prepared, in advance, to receive both the messenger (you) and the message (story of God's love, i.e. Gospel). This person opens the door to his own network of friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers.
Chief Sung was a person of peace in Pum Veal, Cambodia
A Person of Peace has three consistent characteristics:

Receptive: A Person of Peace is an unbeliever who has been prepared by the Holy Spirit. He always welcomes the messenger (you) and is open to the Gospel. 

Reputation: A Person of Peace is well-known in his workplace, neighborhood, school, whether for good or for bad. Some biblical examples with good reputations include Cornelius (Acts 10) and Lydia (Acts 16). Others were well-known for their bad reputations, like the woman at the well (John 4) and the Gadarene demoniac (Mark 5). Yet, when each accepted Christ, their character was radically changed. God gained the glory for these transformations. 

Influential: As the others watch the life transformation begin, they are drawn to the reason for the change. A Person of Peace is willing to introduce his or her circle of influence to Christ. They tell others the wonderful things Jesus has done for them. 

A Modern Day "Lydia"
An e3 team in Slovenia met a woman who lived in the village where they were planting a new church. This gracious woman offered her home as a meeting place. The next day she accepted Christ. She was a Muslim fortune-teller who read tea leaves and coffee grounds to predict the future. Through her circle of influence, 21 people received Christ. They started a house church in her home. After reading the story of Lydia in the Bible, this woman renamed herself "Mama Lydia." Finding a Person of Peace is key to establishing the work in a particular area (your neighborhood, workplace, school), as in the case of Mama Lydia. It has been found that when a new church or small group is built along natural friendships and family lines, the "Body" grows more quickly and often makes a greater impact than groups that do not share the same natural relationships.

So, as the holidays approach and you go into your neighborhood, workplace, and school, remember that God has been there before you. You are looking for a Person of Peace to share your story (testimony) and God's story (Gospel) with. And because God is the One who is drawing them to Himself, you will be encouraged and blessed by their openness. So start praying diligently for God to reveal a Person of Peace in your spheres of influence.



Monday, September 16, 2013

God Uses Young Team Members

The following stories are shared by e3 Legacy leader Jim Corbin from when his team of 26 North Americans served in Costa Rica this summer. Twelve of the team members were under the age of eighteen! God used the youngest team members to further His Kingdom, even from the beginning of their time around Tarbaca, Costa Rica.

Listen in as Jim shares about their first day in the field:

Tonight, as we shared stories of what God did today, most of the stories came from voices of youth, excitedly sharing their stories of leading their first people to Christ.  People in the community where 13-year-old Patrick is serving told him not to approach a certain house, because a witch lived there.  With his translator and local church member, Patrick went anyway.  As Patrick listened to the woman’s story, he learned that she felt lonely.  The community had stopped talking to her or visiting her.  Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Patrick led the woman to Christ.

Jessica came with her 11-year-old daughter, Elizabeth, and had concerns about whether her daughter would be bold enough to share her story and the Gospel without her mother at her side. Tonight, as Elizabeth shared her story about going into a school to ask about talking with the children there, Jessica realized that God was working in her daughter’s life.

Halfway through the week, God continues to amaze His missionaries:

Sometimes God just likes to show off. Early in the week, God already demonstrated that He had prepared us to encounter specific people during our time in Costa Rica. On Wednesday, He took things to new levels.

Monday evening, Darren and Sara, led by the Holy Spirit, shared the Gospel with people who serve our team meals at the restaurant connected to where we are staying. Yenner, who had asked what our team is doing here, accepted Christ.  Just as our team has done throughout the five communities where we are serving this week, Darren and Sara tried to set up a discipleship meeting with Yenner. They requested to meet Wednesday night, but Yenner was not scheduled to work on Wednesday and was, therefore, unavailable.

On Wednesday afternoon, when a discipleship meeting Trena and Ryan had scheduled fell through, they looked to share the Gospel with new people.  As the time neared for them to head back for a different discipleship meeting, Trena decided to go down a dirt path and share the Gospel at just one more house.  As she, Ryan and Gabriel, their translator, approached the house, Ryan saw people working in the yard and thought she recognized a familiar face from the restaurant where we eat breakfast and dinner each day. Sure enough, in the community where Trena and Ryan are serving this week, half an hour from where we are staying, they bumped into Yenner and his wife. They scheduled a discipleship meeting for Thursday in Yenner’s home.
  
In a different community, Jessica saw a house with a verse from Isaiah on the door and asked the owners about its significance. She quickly learned that the people who lived there were Jehovah’s Witnesses. On a handful of recent occasions, including the church service in Costa Rica on Sunday, the Lord had shown Jessica Proverbs 21:31: “The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the Lord.” Even though Jessica felt ill-prepared for conversation with Jehovah’s Witnesses, God showed her His ability to carry her through that situation. Jessica, who speaks some Spanish, had a Spanish-English Bible with her. She had owned this Bible for nearly ten years, but had not used it recently. Wednesday afternoon, at just the right time, she discovered a paper in its front cover with Bible verses addressing the doctrine of Jehovah’s Witnesses—something from a Bible study years earlier. We are continually encouraged to see how God is accomplishing His purposes each day, as we look to Him to guide our steps.

During the week, the LORD continued to bless the area of Tarbaca with His grace to those whose hearts were softened. We were able to share the Gospel with 380 individuals, and of those, 210 accepted Jesus Christ as their LORD and Savior. In addition, the teams were able to start 39 discipleship groups where 174 individuals attended during the five days. As part of the celebration, Austin shared that this week God showed him that he needed to surrender everything to God. Austin told us that sharing his faith was one area in his life that he has had trouble with, and everyone in the room agreed that this is something we all struggle with in our walks with the LORD.


Sunday, July 21, 2013

What in the World Are We Here For?

So often, we become wrapped up in the the daily grind of life, and we forget all about the mission that God has entrusted us with.  All around us are people in desperate need of being reconciled to their Creator, yet we are too busy to notice.  Too busy to remember the power of the God who drew us to Himself.  Unencumbered by their daily routines, God gave our team members a clear view of His call, and the might and power that are ours through the Holy Spirit.  These are some of their stories:

Meagan, 18, shares her favorite story: "I went to Cecilia's house and shared the gospel with her and her husband, Peter. They loved God's story. I asked if they knew where they were going when they died, and they were taken back a little bit. Peter said 'no,' so I explained heaven and hell. They weren't ready to accept Christ, so I asked if there was anything that they needed me to pray for. Cecilia pointed to her little baby who was sick with malaria; the baby was laying there barely awake or moving. I prayed over the baby and said I would come back tomorrow to see them and check on baby Justine.  They also said their 16-year-old boy sitting was mentally challenged since birth. I was running late, so I said I would pray for him the next day!  When I returned, the husband wasn't there, but Justine was looking a little better. I sat and talked with Cecilia and then prayed over Frank, who looks and acts like he's 5 years old. It was very heartbreaking to see him sitting there not active and drool coming from his mouth.  Cecilia told me that he won't let anybody touch him but her, so praying over him wasn't easy. I went back again and was surprised to see Justine crawling around and playing, perfectly healthy! I just wanted to thank God for healing Cecilia's precious baby girl. I talked with Cecilia and prayed over Frank again and then left. On Thursday, Cecilia finally accepted Christ and I was so excited!! I prayed over Frank again and could see a huge difference in him. He was walking around and trying to talk. I went back again and sat with Cecilia again. She kept thanking me for coming back every single day and showing love for her and her children. Justine was as happy as ever and Frank was looking great, playing, trying to talk, smiling, and walking around.  He was still drooling, but he was letting me touch him and kept going into the house and finding little gifts for me (even if it was just a bean or piece of plastic). Cecilia told me that she could see a huge difference in him since I had been praying for him, and I told her that it was just God working. I grew extremely close to Cecilia and her beautiful family and was sad to leave them, But I know that God is watching over them and that one day Frank will be healed." As we show love, walls are broken down, and reconciliation between God and Cecilias can take place.




Sterling and Anahi, a young, newly engaged couple who served in Uganda, share some of their thoughts: "Thank you. I could say it a hundred times, and still not have said it enough. Thank you. Thank you from our team. Thank you from pastor Benjamin, a Ugandan who was in the village with us, and who marveled at the sight of the works of God. Thank you from pastor Molly, who will be leading the church that you helped plant there, in Mkandwa. Thank you from Sandy and Richard, two young men who were healed physically in Mkandwa. And thank you from Saidat, Sekamanya, Peter, Waswa, and the dozens of others who were healed spiritually, who were redeemed and brought back to relationship with their Creator, and who are pursuing to know Him further through the study of His Word still today.


God saved many people in the surrounding villages of Masaka, Uganda, because you participated as senders and prayers. One lady in Anahi's village named Ida was a 50-year-old woman who lived in a hut with her brother because her only son stole her money and ran away. God saved Ida the week we were in her village, Masambya, and she is now attending a discipleship group with another girl in her village. Ida is such a sweet grandma to all the children in the village, and we all will continue to pray that God will use her in amazing ways as well as by sharing God's love story with all the children in her village.

Uganda was David, Susannah, and their four children's first mission trip. It was a joy to watch God us this family in a powerful way. David served with two of his children, Mary Frances (14) and Will (9), while Susannah ministered with Blake (17) and Louisa (11) in a neighboring village. Here are a few of their stories:


·         Louisa was speaking to a woman in Saaza village on Friday and she told Louisa that, “Some blond-haired boy much too young is sharing the Gospel in Gayaza.”  These two villages are almost 15 miles away from each other and yet The Word spreads quickly.  I’m so glad we didn’t cheat Will from this amazing experience in Uganda by leaving him behind because he was too young.

·         Susannah spoke to a well-versed older man for hours over a few days who was skeptical about Jesus; after a few days and much prayer with his wife, the husband and wife, Charles and Harriett, asked Susannah to come in to their home, “We’ve been waiting for you.”  She continued studying the bible with them and, sometime after, he told her interpreters that he was ready to accept Jesus Christ.  His wife cried and the rest of the team did also.  They told Susannah that they were both HIV-positive but their outlook on life was forever changed knowing they now had accepted God’s gift of everlasting life and forgiveness.  We gave them no money or food or any other benefit.  Only the greatest gift of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and God graced them to accept this gift by faith.  They were overjoyed and later he became the Person of Peace for the village of Saaza, who will lead the people there to create a new church.

·         On the trip to the airport in Entebbe, we had to pass through a security checkpoint where they always require you to get out of the vehicle for inspection.  As we rolled down the window to speak to one of the stern looking Ugandan Military Police holding an AK-47 machine gun, our driver said, “These are missionaries.  They are heading home now to America.”  At first, Susannah and I started looking around for who he was talking about.  We had never ever thought of ourselves as missionaries.   It felt like we were in a movie.  And yet I asked the officer as he contemplated, “Are you a follower of Jesus Christ?”  He responded with a big smile, “I am born again!  You may pass.”






























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