Living the Journey

I was boarding a plane to return home from a month-long stay at Headquarters. Although I was tired and down-hearted, I was convinced that God would use what I had learned to minister to others, but I was not prepared for how quickly He planned to do this!

During the flight I sat next to a 16-year-old girl who had begun a friendly conversation just minutes after we were in the air. When she began to talk of religion, I asked her, “Marta, do you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ?” After assuring me that she did, she went on to tell me of her Lutheran upbringing and her belief that she had been saved pretty much all her life.

At this point, I could feel my mind working and coming up with Scriptures to debate with her . . . until the Holy Spirit stopped my own efforts and reminded me that the way around the natural intellect was not to argue with my own understanding, but to rely on the wisdom of His Spirit and the power of His Word to do the work. So, I prayed for wisdom and for a way to reach her.

We found common ground in our love for writing, and with the Lord’s help, I was able to take her to Romans and we discussed many passages that dealt with some of her wrong belief system. I encouraged her to use her talents for God; and  that topic led our conversation to the subject of repentance.

By now we were both leaning over in our seats, and I could see that she was truly open and listening. Silently praising the Lord as I spoke, I explained to her the process of how we repeat the sin we committed in Adam everyday, and how we must live with the constant attitude of repentance before God. I gave her a list of our symptoms that we need to repent, and she accepted this with gladness and began to read it right away.

I told Marta to keep in touch with me, and my heart whispered a prayer for her rebirth as we parted ways in the airport.

How I did rejoice that evening, as I contemplated the great privilege that had been afforded me! It was so encouraging to think that if we will only watch and be willing, the Father will give us ways to shine His light and pass on the truth we have been given.

~ Chrissy
November 2009 Journey

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Fifty-one young men headed up to the Northwoods this morning! Last night, Pastor Joel LaFaurie gave them powerful exhortation on finding their identity in Christ, who has made us to be “kings and priests unto God and his Father” (Revelation 1:6).

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Manila, Philippines - February 2010

“Let the little children come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of Heaven” ~Matthew 19:14

Today Lon and I watched as the young men in the ministry program here in Manila, worked with children that have been rescued from the street. The children here are resilient; nothing scares them. Not foreigners, not having their picture taken, high fives are given in abundance, and hugs and kisses are quite accepted. So much is their trust and literal hunger, it’s almost friendship from the start.

While they are in no way naïve, they are in a lot of ways still innocent. They smile, they laugh, they play, they even hug and love on you as if you were an older sibling or maybe even a parent. There is nothing shy about them but at the same time, they are not forward. In fact there is a quietness or maturity in their life that is quite lacking in your normal tender naïve youth.

I sat in the hot room, sweat dripping down my back, perspiration forming a moist coat over my body, watching, as the young men told a story, talked about Valentines day and led the children in singing, closing the time of ministry with juice and cookies, all the while smiling and sharing out of the abundance of their needs having been met.

I’ve heard it said by missionaries “We don’t preach love, we show love”. This is what these guys do. They show love. It’s a small amount of time a money invested, but it’s a priceless gift to these children.

It’s been an unforgettable experience meeting these children and getting just a tiny glimpse into their lives.

Iloilo, Philippines – February 2010

“He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep” ~ John 21:17

In the past four days, I have spoken 6 times and had one radio interview and I saw Jesus again tonight. I spoke to a group of girls and as I shared how God had met me in a very hard and painful emotional situation, I saw tears form in a girl’s eyes and knew that somehow, what I had said touched her heart and that God was using my vulnerability to do a work in her life.

I continued speaking and as I finished I witnessed Christ reaching out and healing three other girl’s hearts. It was awkward being vulnerable, it was uncomfortable and it was humbling, but it was Christ. Oh that I could see Him in this way more often.

Taitung, Taiwan – February 2010

“And whoever gives these little ones only a cup of cold water, in my name, assuredly I say unto you, he shall by no means lose his reward”  ~ Matthew 10:42

I saw Jesus again today; it was beautiful. I saw Him in the way the modern adulterous woman was forgiven and given new life. I saw Him in the care the nannies gave the babies of these women. I saw Him in the life of one woman, or girl really, whose baby was due today. I held these babies and whispered prayers over them. I told them they were loved, I watched them respond to my touch and to my voice. I saw beautiful innocence, and absolute trust. I received smiles, and coo’s in return.

In short, I saw Christ, and it touched me. This made my heart cry and my vision blur. My heart grew and my worldview changed; my view of Christ was enlarged. In ways, it was painful, but in others it was a blessing. The whole of it was a good and a perfect gift from God.

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world…” I saw Christ and my heart broke. I saw Christ and I was humbled. I saw Christ and experienced complete trust. I lived out a part of “For God so Loved” that I had never known before. I received a good and perfect gift from God.

Brooke E. Martens

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If you are interested in taking part in an overseas ministry trip, visit the Institute in Basic Life Principles’ Global Encounters web site or email globalencounters@iblp.org.

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