Hello! Well, it’s been awhile since we’ve written.
Memories of Peru
Peru 2017
Peru is Located in The northern Andes mountains of South America. It’s vast and diverse geographic makeup varies from Hot and humid in the Amazon Basin to the cold almost moon like landscape of the Lima region.
Doreen and I spent three months there in 2017 carrying the Cross. We encountered so many people eager to talk and to hear what we were doing. We carried the cross in Mountain Villages, downtown Lima and along the Amazon River. We helped build kit houses, spoke in several schools, taught in a nationwide pastors conference, did radio shows, and fell in love with the children in the “NEW LIFE CHILDREN’S HOME” where we stayed. Doreen even gave haircuts and taught guitar lessons at the children’s home. All GLORY TO GOD!
On several occasions we witnessed, passed out Bibles, carried the cross and prayed with people on what they say is the busiest street in South America. We were told that over 300,000 people a day walk down that street named Gamorra. As I carried The Cross every couple hundred feet I would preach as a crowd would gather around. Through our interpreter, Christian, we prayed with a number of people, some to receive Jesus into their hearts. At one point, a lady approached us in tears, and requested prayer for her son. As we prayed with her, she wept and hugged our necks and thanked us for being there. As one man approached the Cross, he humbly shared how the sight of the cross stirred the memory of how the Lord had called him to preach many years before but he did not follow through with the call and with sadness, he recognized his disobedience. He wondered if the Lord would still want him to pursue that. We laid hands on him and prayed that The Lord would give him a fresh baptism of fire in his heart and clarity of his call. He left with joy and a new commitment to follow Jesus.
“I will take up my own cross” he said, “and do what the Lord wants me to do.”
Doreen had noticed that a young man had been standing with us and listening through that whole encounter. As she turned toward him to say hello, he excitedly exclaimed, “I would like to receive Jesus too!” What a joy it was to watch God work, you could literally see his countenance change and the joy flood his face as we counseled him and led him in a prayer to receive Jesus into his heart. All glory to God for great things He has done!!!
Amazon River.
Oh we saw the Glory of the Lord come down in the city of Iquitos. A bustling city of three wheeled taxis, honking horns, dust and dirt. Elmer met us at the airport when we flew in and was our translator, guide, taxi driver and friend, all rolled into one during our time there. His love for Jesus shone bright in everything he did. He took us out into the streets witnessing as I carried the cross. He arranged for us to share in several churches, helped us get water taxis to go down the Amazon river, took us out to restaurants where it was safe for us to eat…Whatever we needed he got it done!
The heat in Iquitos was always overwhelming but nonetheless, we went out with the cross every day and preached on street corners and witnessed one on one. Elmer would translate and would give invitations. We prayed with many to receive Jesus. In the churches we fellowshiped with some of the most precious people in the world. I would preach and Doreen would sing. The churches were in some of the poorest areas I have seen in the world but oh how sweet the people were. Many came forward for prayer. The hugs and embraces of love that we experienced filled our hearts to overflowing. I know Doreen and I will never forget our time there in Iquitos.
One day we chartered a boat that belonged to a pastor friend of Elmers and headed on farther down the Amazon river. We bought a 100 pound bag of rice and separated it out into 52 small bags and gave them away in each village we stopped in. We would unload the cross and carry it through each village giving out tracks and Jesus stickers, I would preach and then we would give out the rice. Then we would load the cross back up and head on down river to the next village. It was so wonderful seeing the response of the people. How eager they were to hear the message of Gods love and so grateful that we had come. Another day Elmer arranged for us to do an interview with the only Christian radio station in the Amazon basin. It was a great opportunity to share the gospel with the whole region! I shared about the ministry, they played several tracks from Doreen‘s and Dianne’s CD’s Hiisongs.com) and even asked Doreen to talk to the people and say a prayer! That was a blast. We had such a good time in Iquitos. Thank you Jesus! ☝🏾🙏🏼🌍⚓
Back at the orphanage, one night Doreen noticed one of the children staring at the slippers that she was wearing. It was a chilly evening and she wondered if the little girls feet were cold as she was running around in flip flops. The little girl pointed to Doreen’s slippers and then to herself as if asking for them. After talking about this incident, Doreen and I prayed and felt led to bless all the children and each staff member with a pair of slippers. I can’t begin to describe the adventure that that turned out to be! We needed to hire a taxi to take us to this shopping area which was an hour away and also find and hire an interpreter, not to mention, try to find a store that had 25 pairs of slippers in various styles and sizes. Oh but the joy on the faces of the children as they were given a pair of slippers hand picked for each one, it was beautiful. They all, including the workers, were so very happy and grateful. We prayed that it warmed their feet as much as it warmed our hearts to see them all with their slippers on. Glory to God!
Oooh Peru…. we left a piece of our hearts there. Time and space fails me to be able to write all the things I would love to share about Peru. The earthquakes, one entire family that prayed to receive Jesus, an elderly lady that chased me down the street weeping and asking for prayer, the Lord calling Doreen to sing the song that he gave her in Spanish (“the sinners’ prayer”) over the streets of Gomorra…The many nights that Doreen and I laid in bed and prayed for those that we had encountered. The sweet memories of Stories of other missionaries that Doreen read to us each night. Peru was definitely a special place and a special time for us both.
Peru 2017
Peru is Located in The northern Andes mountains of South America. It’s vast and diverse geographic makeup varies from the humid tropics of the Amazon River Basin to the stark, barren, almost “moon like” landscape of the Lima region with very little natural vegetation, and dense Forests in between. But the warmth and the love of the people was unmistakable and they were what we had come to see anyway.
Doreen and I spent three months carrying the Cross and ministering there in 2017. We encountered so many people eager to talk and to hear what we were doing. We carried the cross in Mountain Villages, downtown Lima and along the Amazon River. We helped build kit houses, spoke in several schools, taught in a nationwide pastors conference, did radio shows, and fell in love with the children in the “NEW LIFE CHILDREN’S HOME” where we stayed. Doreen even gave haircuts and taught guitar lessons at the children’s home. All GLORY TO GOD!
On several occasions we witnessed, passed out Bibles, carried the cross and prayed with people on what they say is the busiest street in South America. We were told that over 300,000 people a day walk down that street named Gamorra. As I carried The Cross I would stop every couple hundred feet and as a crowd would gather, I would preach. Through our interpreter, Christian, we prayed with a number of people, some to receive Jesus into their hearts. At one point a lady approached us in tears and requested prayer for her son. As we prayed with her, she wept and hugged our necks and thanked us for being out there. As one man approached the Cross, he shared how the sight of the cross stirred the memory of how the Lord had called him to preach many years before but he did not follow through with the call. He wondered if the Lord would still want him to pursue that. We laid hands on him and prayed that The Lord would give him a fresh baptism of fire in his heart and clarity of his call. He left with joy and a new commitment to follow Jesus.
“I will take up my own cross” he said, “and do what the Lord wants me to do.”
Doreen had noticed that a young man had been standing with us and listening through that whole encounter. As she turned toward him to say hello, he excitedly exclaimed, “I would like to receive Jesus too!” What a joy it was to watch God work, you could literally see his countenance change and the joy flood his face as we counseled him and led him in a prayer to receive Jesus into his heart. All glory to God for great things He has done!!!
Amazon River.
Oh we saw the Glory of the Lord come down in the city of Iquitos. A bustling city of three wheeled taxis, honking horns, dust and dirt. Elmer met us at the airport when we flew in and was our translator, guide, taxi driver and friend, all rolled into one during our time there. His love for Jesus shone bright in everything he did. He took us out into the streets witnessing as I carried the cross. He arranged for us to share in several churches, helped us get water taxis to go down the Amazon river, took us out to restaurants where it was safe for us to eat…Whatever we needed he got it done!
The heat in Iquitos was always overwhelming but nonetheless, we went out with the cross every day and preached on street corners and witnessed one on one. Elmer would translate and would give invitations. We prayed with many to receive Jesus. In the churches we fellowshipped with some of the most precious people in the world. I would preach and Doreen would sing. The churches were in some of the poorest areas I have seen in the world but oh how sweet the people were. Many came forward for prayer. The hugs and embraces of love that we experienced filled our hearts to overflowing. I know Doreen and I will never forget our time there in Iquitos.
One day we chartered a boat that belonged to a pastor friend of Elmers and headed on farther down the Amazon river. We bought a 100 pound bag of rice and separated it out into 52 small bags and gave them away in each village that we stopped in. We would unload the cross and carry it through the village giving out tracks and Jesus stickers, I would preach and then we would give out the rice. Then we would load the cross back up and head on down river to the next village. It was so wonderful seeing the response of the people. How eager they were to hear the message of Gods love and so grateful that we had come. Another day Elmer arranged for us to do an interview with the only Christian radio station in the Amazon basin. It was a great opportunity to share the gospel with the whole region! I shared about the ministry, they played several tracks from Doreen‘s and Dianne’s CD’s ⚓
Back at the orphanage, one night Doreen noticed one of the children staring at the slippers that she was wearing. It was a chilly evening and she wondered if the little girls feet were cold as she was running around in flip flops. The little girl pointed to Doreen’s slippers and then to herself as if asking for them. After talking about this incident, Doreen and I prayed and felt led to bless all the children and each staff member with a pair of slippers, thanks to the help of our supporters. I can’t begin to describe the adventure that that turned out to be! We needed to hire a taxi to take us to this shopping area which was an hour away and also find, and hire an interpreter, not to mention having to find a store that had 25 pairs of slippers in various styles and sizes. Oh but the joy on the faces of the children as they were given a pair of slippers hand picked for each one, it was beautiful. They all, including the workers, were so very happy and grateful. We prayed that it warmed their feet as much as it warmed our hearts to see them all with their slippers on. Glory to God!
Oooh Peru…. we left a piece of our hearts there. Time and space fails me to be able to write all the things I would love to share about Peru. The earthquakes, one entire family that prayed to receive Jesus, an elderly lady that chased me down the street weeping and asking for prayer, the Lord calling Doreen to sing the song that he gave her in Spanish (“the sinners’ prayer”) over the streets of Gomorra…The many nights that Doreen and I laid in bed and prayed for those that we had encountered. The sweet memories of Stories of other missionaries that Doreen read to us each night. Peru was definitely a special place and a special time for us both.
2016 WHAT A YEAR!
Warmest greetings our dear friends, in Jesus’ wonderful name. We thank our God upon every remembrance of you and rejoice that we have been able to work together again this year for the furtherance of the Gospel. Though I have been sick for much of the year, we are still celebrating in all that the Lord has done! Also, we are both so happy to be well enough to be back on the road again full time!
This year has been a difficult year due to the health issues. Though unexplainably sick, (with what we thought was just exhaustion) I was still able to preach in Vermont, Massachusetts and Maine in the month of January. In February, (though feeling worse than in Jan.) we shared in churches in Va, Ky, Ga. and Florida. We also shared a couple of times at the Boyd county jail while there in Ky. While in Florida, in March, we spoke at First Baptist Churches in Orlando and Dunnellon and did a huge father and son retreat in north Fla. with 180 men and boys with 7 men praying to receive Christ. (Even had 1 young man go home and build his own cross to carry which his mother sent me a Picture of that, so I posted it on my Facebook page…) Then we shared in another church in Ga., at the end of the month and while carrying the cross there, a young black man pulled over. As I shared the Gospel with him, he wept as he reached out to touch the Cross and gave his heart to Jesus!! We talked a bit more and he said I’ll be right back. He jumped into his car, dashed off and came back with his grandmother! She hugged my neck with such warmth and joy as we rejoiced together over her grandsons salvation!!
April, we went to NC to try to rest as I was feeling even worse. I carried the Cross some and spoke in one church but by the end of the month I was feeling so bad I had Doreen take me to the ER in Asheville. They said my blood tests showed something was up but they were not sure what with out further tests. (They suggested I return to my primary Dr. In Albany NY). May, I had not improved so we went back home. I stopped in Ky on my way through where I was able to speak at Boyd County middle school to the youth group there. I also made several visits to people we have been ministering to through the years. One that was really special was a man that had visited with us at FFBC after he got out of prison….. Danny, Pastor Jim, Deacon Dave, Doreen and I prayed with him and laid hands on him, asking the Lord to reveal himself to him. That was approx. 3 years ago. Well last year He gave his life to the Lord and is totally excited about what Jesus is doing in and through his life… He posts messages and scriptures all the time on Facebook and is attending a church over in Ashland.
Much of June and July I was sick and seeing Dr.s. (The Lord provided Doreen with 5 different jobs through the time I was sick which is an amazing testimony all in itself!) I was asked to be on the board of directors of a prayer ministry in Maine and so we made a trip up there. I also found myself doing much counseling and encouraging with friends in Massachusetts where I once pastored .. In August, my health began to improve as slowly as it had deteriorated at the beginning of the year. Friend from a church that had closed 2 years ago asked me if I would be willing to use their building to do a Coffeehouse night like we use to do so successfully before. I agreed and we scheduled it. God started bringing people from out of everywhere to be a part of it. I trained people how to share testimonies, we scheduled music besides Doreen and her singing partner Dianne and set up a prayer room and had a marvelous evening we called “Praise Unleashed.” We had more people there that night than had been in that church at one time in over 20 years. Glory to God! Doreen and I also made a trip back to Maine for the launch of the Prayer Room of Southern Maine. The ministry has rented a suite that is used exclusively for prayer, intercession and healing. God has been blessing it mightily since it opened.
Starting Sept we set out on the road for North Carolina. We have been carrying the cross as much as we can. It’s hard to remember all the encounters I have each day but I usually go out for approx 5 hrs a day. I’ve had to work my way back up slowly as I have been sick for so long! Some of it being sheer exhaustion from such a busy 2 years! As you all know, last year was amazing after being in South Pacific and ministering to the unreached tribe up on that 3000 ft Mt.!! Plus carrying the Cross in Australia, Vanuatu and New Caledonia, Alaska and many states in America where we prayed with Hundreds of people to receive Christ!!! After returning home to the US, we ministered and spoke our way back across the country from Seattle all the way to the east coast. (Ka., Ill., Ind., Ky., Md., and Va.)
I pray with people everyday on the road, if not for salvation, for revival or personal struggles. Also earlier this year I was asked by my friend in Belgium, (who I prayed with to receive Christ) who was doing a piano concert, if I would record a “greeting to the people of Belgium” from the side of the road with the Cross. He wanted to show it before the concert, since many of them that would be at the concert, had seen me with the Cross when I was there 4 years ago. I was certainly glad to do that!
One other thing, The Lord opened the doors for a jail ministry in Franklin NC as well and it has been amazing! Doreen goes Friday evening and I go on Tues. We do not have the freedom there yet, as we have at Boyd county jail in Ky, where Doreen and I can go in as often as we want and minister together as long as we want. Nor do they let Doreen bring her guitar in yet but we are praying for favor in all that and we would appreciate y’all’s prayers for that as well!
We left NC the first of Nov. to carry the Cross in southern Alabama. It was a great joy to carry the cross all the way across to Alabama. Many people stopping to talk and for prayer. I also got to share at the devotional time in a rescue mission ministry in Bayou Labatt tree, that was a special morning and a wonderful time of rejoicing in the Lord. One special visitor that I had that pulled over that saw me on the side of the road was LISA from The TV show Duck. I guess though the greatest joy of that leg of the trip was being able to reconnect with my cousin Wayne. That was truly a highlight for the year for me. I hadn’t seen Wayne in 25 years.
In December Doreen and I went through Gatlinburg Tennessee. Many of the fires weren’t even out yet. With all of the destruction that was there. I was blessed to get to carry the cross in the midst… I prayed with the number of people that were still in shock from the fires and loss of everything. You’ll see me praying with one man in the pictures below. Buildings were still smoldering, fire crews were fighting up in the forest still when I arrive there. Police blockade’s were turning people back not letting them in to the town but when I walked up with the cross they said to me “they need you down there and Gatlinburg keep on walking with the cross” and they waive me on through. Truly it was a divine appointment and a chance to minister to so many that were hurting. At the end of the day Doreen and I went to the Red Cross shelter put up a “stop for prayer sign” to talk with people Who were still struggling and stunned with what all had happened. 14 people lost their lives in those fires hundreds of millions of dollars in damage and the toll will be mind boggling. But because you all cared and helped me go, the cross was there and brought hope. I also believe that somehow God will give them beauty for ashes as he promised in Isaiah 61.
2016 will be a year that will linger in my mind for many to come and I give Him all the praise and the glory and the thanks for allowing me to experience all that He did. Praise the Lord!!
Just remember, All of us working together, (whether you’re walking praying or giving financially to keep the cross on the road ) we do it as a team and we do what we do that others may live Eternally!!!
God Bless you richly. For those that follow and help this ministry, Thanks for holding the Rope for us! If you would like to help us financially you can go to my website below and go to the donate page and give through PayPal or one of the other methods listed. Now In 2017, let’s keep our eyes focused on the Lord, love one another and tell the world about Jesus!
Maranatha,
Rick and Doreen Newton
Gal.6:14
Vanuatu
Wow what can I say about Vanuatu? A small little group of islands in the South Pacific! The country was amazing! The reception they gave the Cross was indescribable. The timing of our arrival was impeccable. It could not have been more perfect. We flew in, not knowing at all what to expect. Nobody knew us, all we knew was God was sending us there to carry the Cross and to share his great love with this nation. The Reception we found there was truly amazing. We spent almost a month preaching and ministering to people of every background. Praying with people was a constant and watching God open door after door for us to share Jesus….Even the former President saw Doreen and I out with the Cross one day and pulled over and we prayed with him for his people and for revival in his country. (What a gracious gentleman he was!) We spoke on street corners, roadsides, vegetables markets, bazaars, in churches, in homes, I preached in a pool hall, in the university and we were even welcome to Parliament and Prayed with them there for their country. They thanked us for coming to Vanuatu with the Cross and honored us, giving Doreen and I beautiful sashes!.
Vanuatu, is a tropical island paradise by anyones standard. The people are as warm and gracious as any place I have ever been. Oh how they loved us and Oh how open and receptive they were to the Cross. It is only the second nation in all the world where I have been that I never heard one negative thing said to me or about the Cross. That is a pretty big compliment after 41 years of carrying the Cross around the world. They are truly a beautiful people!!! Always eager to hear about Jesus. We left much of our heart there with those precious folks.
Everywhere we would go Crowds would gather. I would share about G
ods gracious love for each of us. How He truly cares about every thing in our lives! He knows each and every one of us. Our thoughts, our dreams, our hurts, hopes and our fears. That is why He has a personal plan for each one of our lives and Oh, how He rejoices over us as we learn to walk in the center of that plan. He can use anyone of us, black, white, educated, no schooling at all: whatever, because he’s a great God…. He loves showing what He can do through any life that will let Him have complete control! It’s not our ability, its His, we just need to be available!!!
: The Lord never fails to use the Cross! It truly is like a magnet, that draws people to it. Those people that are looking for answers in life and those that already know it’s testimony of great love. As crowds would gather, I would preach, every time praying with those that heard the message and wanted to ask Jesus into their heart. Then we would answer questions and talk and pray with people on an individual basis. After that Doreen and I would shoulder the cross and head on up the street till the next crowd gathered. Then go through the process again. When you see this time after time it gives you a little bit of a glimpse into what Jesus experienced when everywhere He went crowds would gather. Just wanting to touch him or the hem of his garment. We saw grown men with tears running down their face, as we shared the love of God. I tell you I could have spent many more weeks in Vanuatu with those precious people. Oh the Joy of watching the little children reaching out for the Jesus stickers we would give away! It truly blessed us!!!!
We also want to thank the whole Markward family for their hospitality and kindness to us and the Cross….
I also want to ask you to Please, pray about helping us to keep the Cross on the roadsides of the world by giving a one time gift that God can use to touch a life. And remember”You give that others may live eternally”. You can give by sending a check to PO Box 2 Lanesboro Massachusetts 01237 or simply going to the Donate page here on the website and give a gift by using PayPal. God bless you and thanks for helping us keep the gospel message on the road sides of the world! Working together we are making a difference!!
The Cross Welcomed in Nanakinnimi
Click here to see video
The welcome the Lord had for us as I arrived with the Cross in the village of Nanakinnimi was Amazing!!!
God IS Good!! As The Gospel goes out into all the World!
Doreen’s shares her Heart on Missions
The mission field…
Is there ANYTHING more beautiful than seeing spiritual eyes open for the very first time?!! The scales drop away and the light of the glorious gospel enters in!!! I truly (and of course, speak for Rick as well), can’t think of anything that compares!! Yes, there are many hardships and I will admit there are times when I want to pack it in and run home to the many comforts, but then there we are, once again out on the streets sharing the only truth that really matters!! It’s actually quite easy, comparatively, here in the Solomon’s because they, like we used to be, are a Christian nation, hungering for the things of the Lord!! Oh, the stark reminder is before us daily!! They just went through a revival in the 70’s and though the memories are slowly fading, the evidence is still obvious, such as an acknowledgement, respect and a love for the Cross and what Jesus did for us!!
Like in the Hebrides, the children of the revivalists honor their parents and talk about growing up in a home where, after salvation, the JOY was never ending for years! The presence of the Lord was so palpable! They remember the singing and praising that would go on through the night and without any sleep, the people would go to work the next day with a skip in their step and a song in their hearts! Then they’d do it all over again the next day!! In the book about the revival, “fire in the islands,” they speak of cannibals who gave their hearts and lives to Jesus and lived peaceably the rest of their lives honoring and praising the Lord!! Repentance, honesty and forgiveness penetrated the hearts of the Solomon people!
Remission of sins…If one lied to another, they would quickly repent and go to that person and ask forgiveness! Oh Lord, come down once again in Holy power! At least they are not ashamed of the gospel!!! Their newspaper, “the Solomon star,” did a full page on Ricks journey up to Kwaio and also on the next page was a beautiful article about King David! They will be doing a second article on Saturday! Tell me, which is really the free country?!!!!!
The indifference in America and other countries is stark compared to a hungry people, hanging on every word taught from Gods word!!!
Life on the mission field, foreign or domestic, is filled with heartbreak and Joy, hardships and love, connectedness and separation! Heartbreak for the people who don’t know and may never taste the Love and goodness of our Lord and instead, will be separated from Him for all eternity! Joy in the unity and love that is shared (a connectedness) between brother and sisters in Christ who were just strangers 5 min before, and knowing that we may not see each other again this side of heaven but our hearts dance together knowing we WILL meet again!! Hardships yes but Gods grace is then even more apparent!! He says, “I am with you even to the end of the age!” No we aren’t facing severe persecution and those saints are truly the heroes but we all have Crosses to bear as we step out, not in our own strength but His!!
Our prayer…Father,
We humbly call on your name and seek your face! Come in manifest presence! We pray for all who do not know you yet! Open their eyes Lord that they may taste the sweetness of your love, the cleansing power of your blood, forgiveness and peace that passes all understanding and the life-giving joy that abides with you for eternity through salvation!!!
Down Kwaio Mountain
The morning after the pig roast, I was up and ready to start the Long trek down the Mountain by 6:00 AM. Since so many had gathered outside my hut to say bye and ask prayer for different things, we were much later getting away. (Roberts dad was among them. See earlier post) One family that was building a new house, came and ask me to come to their home to do a prayer of dedication. I was so honored! The family and I gathered at the house held hand and dedicated their home to Gods service. I then wapped one of my Jesus sticker over the door. They love that. Then we climbed down the ladder and headed to the gathering place In the the center of the village.
As we gathered for prayer I gave thanks to The Father for allowing me this incredible time together with them on Kwaio Mountain!!! I felt my heart ache with the Love that God gave me for this people! I soooo did not want to leave. It had been an amazing time there. With still so much need unmet yet….
Denny, the Chief and others came to see me off. On our way out of the village a few of us stopped at the welcome sign they had for me and got a quick picture.
Then with one last look back, I yielded them over in my heart to Gods care and we started that unbelievable climb back down the mountain.
This is a steep climb. Through thick rain forest over slippery boulders and roots. I fell twice going back down. I would have fallen more if it had not been for Jeramy, a young man that Robert had assigned me as my guide. He would steady me at times to his own peril. He also is a young preacher and all the way down the mountain he asked a million questions about the Bible. Even though I was exhausted and winded my heart soared with his enthusiasm and hunger!!! We had to stop many times to rest but the questions never did. 😊👍🏽.
Almost 3 hours later we finally arrived at the river. I waded in, shoes and all and washed up. Bloody legs and everything. The old white guy was tuckered!
As we made our way back along the river, through the little villages, we found out there had been an earthquake somewhere and there was a chance of a tsunami. So everyone was on the alert. In spite of the threat our boat from World Vision had made its way up the river to meet us. Now we started the hour long boat ride back across the bay to meet the truck for the 3 hour drive back to the other side of the island.
We docked to find no truck waiting. What was there was 3 men who heard I was coming in this morning with the Cross so they had come from their village to get me and bring me back there to preach. Though my legs were still weak and wobbly from the long climb down the mountain, I shouldered the Cross and started the 3 and a half K walk to their village. We crossed rivers and stopped and shared at huts all along the way. We would share the gospel then pray with them for salvation, healing or whatever the need the people had and then move on.
When we got to the village, word went out and here they came from every direction. I preached about the Cross and and the Love Jesus has for all man kind. I then gave an opportunity for people to respond and several prayed to receive Christ. Plus I prayed with and ministered to more people about other needs.Though I was exhausted, I was rejoicing to see so many giving their lives to Jesus!
Our truck finally found us while I was preaching. But the driver was in a hurry to start back so we didn’t get to eat what they had prepared for us. The reason he didn’t want to wait is, it would get dark before we would get to Alki where we were to spend the night and the road was treacherous. Bridges over rivers that were just narrow boards. This day had been like the Apostle Paul said, in 2Cor. 11:21-33. “In journeyings often, in perils of waters,… In perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea… In weariness and painfulness… In hunger and thirst…. Etc., but when people get saved it’s worth every step, it’s worth every pain, it’s worth all the dangers and struggles. I would do it all again in a heart beat.
In all my life I have never seen a hunger, an openness, like I found on Kwaio Mountain. A tribe of 30,000 people ready to surrender to the Lord. By Gods grace this preacher is going back. But hopefully not alone and not empty handed. In my next write up I will tell about the supplies I have already bought and sent up and the impact it has had. So stay tuned….. Pray about going back with me or holding the Rope for us in a real tangible way, as we go. You can send school supplies, medical supplies, etc. I want to haul at least one small wind generator and battery up there. If you know anything about one let me know. Let me know if you feel the Lord nudging you in anyway to help. It will change your life forever. God Bless you and thank you each one who prayed. Also for those who have given to help keep the Cross on the roadsides of the world, many have heard and received because you sacrificed. Someday they will thank you themselves but till then I say thank you!!!! Till next time.
Keep looking up He’s coming.
Please feel free to forward this on to others you know who would like to follow us or help.
THE STORY CONTINUES…
As the darkness was gathering over Kwaio Mountain, the locals made their way from their thatched roof huts for the Pig Roast and the nights ceremonies. From the door of my hut I watched in stunned silence as a whole village came out to honor the Cross and the white man that had made such an effort to come up the mountain to share with them. In my wildest dreams I could never have imagined such a thing. Yes, I had talked and prayed with many and listened to their hearts. I had hugged and embraced some who had never seen a white man. I had stood under a tree with the chief for a long while and listened to his hopes and desires for his people. I had told him of friends in America and other places, that I knew and believed would be willing to bring or send help because of the Love the Lord had put in their hearts. I remember him looking in my eyes searching to see if I spoke true. At the end he shook my hand and with one long last look in my eyes, he thanked me….
Now, this night they are gathering to show their kindness, gratitude and their deep desire to honor this man with the Cross.
For the evenings events, they had brought out the generator and strung lights, which they do not do much because gas has to be carried in and up that mountain. This was a sacrifice and I knew it. Then after everyone had gathered and where seated on mats or rocks and logs, they came and got me. At this point I still did not know totally what they were planning, all I knew was that we were going to be exchanging gifts. Then as I came out of my hut, the village applauded and shouted. I was definitely shocked and stunned at this display of love. With tears in my eyes they led me to a table that they had set up for me. They brought me a plate of taro root, cassava and a sweet potato. As we finished that, everything else began.
Over the PA system powered by the generator, Robert welcomed and greeted everyone. With the few lights we had, I could barely see the crowd that faded out into the night but you could sure hear them.
The next thing that happened blew me away!! The Chief came forward with his children and with Robert holding the microphone, the Chief thanked me for coming to Nanakinnimai, his village. “Thank you”, he said, “for bringing the Cross and showing so much concern for my people. That concern is the heart of a chief” and with that he put this beautiful 70 year old Chiefs medallion around my neck and made me a chief of the Kwaio people. The medallion is solid stone sanded smooth with the symbol of the Kwaio people carved in it. (See the pic) Next his oldest daughter put around my neck another beautiful medallion, called the Queens medallion, for Doreen though she was not there. (I sure wish she could’ve been there with me as I know her heart beats the same as mine!) It is about 50 years old and a little smaller than mine. (You can see it on me in the pic) Then the next daughter down brought and hung around my neck a long strand of their shell money which is still valid in the Solomon’s today. Next, the Chief’s son brought his dad his War Club. He then presented it to me and said, “I present this to you because I believe you will fight for my people. We need help, we need school supplies, medical supplies, electricity and more. I give you my club to fight for us”.
By this time tears are running down my face. I thanked him and told everyone how honored I was and that I will help send supplies to them. Well the whole crowd erupted with cheers…. Then I picked up my gift to present to the Chief, a copy of The Bible, Gods Word! I told him, “Chief, you have given me your War Club, I now give you a sword! A weapon that, if you learn and use wisely, you can defend your people from the attacks of the devil who would destroy you if he could. So we this day exchange weapons. But this book is the greatest power in the universe. Honor it, learn it and teach it to your people.”
I presented many other things to different people there that night but I think most of all I gave them my heart and they gave to me, theirs.
The singing, dancing and festivities went on till 1Am. It truly was a beautiful night. I dropped into bed exhausted but laid there in wonder as I thought of all that day had held. Thank you Jesus!!
Contact me if you want to help the Kwaio people in any way. Tell me if the Lord puts something on your heart or if you would like to go back with me next year. I have already bought some school supplies and have gotten some medical supplies but it’s just the beginning of all we could do working together. I have sent them back up the mountain to show them my heart is true and that we will help. Join me! It will bless you more than you can imagine. Just say, “Jesus, here am I send me!”
Till then please keep us in prayer and as always Thanks for Holding The Rope! Luke 9:23-24
Feel free to forward on to other who might want to be a part of this outreach…
Kwaio village Pig Roast
Later, the same day that I spoke in the school and doctored the dear ladies foot from the pagan village, I saw one of the villagers carrying a big pig over his shoulder. I found out then that it was for the pig roast they were going to have in honor of the Cross coming to their village. While they were preparing the pig, Robert took me on a tour of the village. I met his sweet parents and visited with them for a while. When we saw the smoke from the fire at the kitchen hut we headed back. They were already throwing chunks of meat into the fire, right amongst the coals and ashes which is the way they cook. Being the guest of honor, they presented me with what they considered the best piece…the snout and top row of teeth and jaw, about 8-10 inches long. Yum!! or yikes!! When the meat was cooked, we fished out the chunks with a stick or the bush knife, brushed off the ashes and put it on a banana leaf (our plate) and Bon Appetite!! I used my pocket knife to dig the meat out of the gums and jaw, lucky me! Then they prepared the fire for the big slabs of meat. It was interesting how they did it. They built 3 layers of logs over the fire and then threw big boulders on top. As the wood burned, the rocks would heat up and soon fall into the fire. They then laid the slabs on the rocks. When they were cooked, the rest of the village feasted.
Robert’s dad came over to visit with me while we cooked. We had a wonderful talk, through an interpreter. He shared how he had come to Christ and then moved with Roberts mother to this village, Nanakinnimai. He had been a witch doctor and chief of the pagan village before he gave his life to Christ in the revival there 50 years ago. He shared a story about a medical missionary who had been killed by the Kwaio people back in the late 1920’s. The beautiful thing that touched my heart so deeply was that the next morning he was waiting for me outside my hut when I got up because he felt that he had misled me in relaying the story of the missionary. It happened before he was born but the memories were so vivid in his childhood because it was talked about so much! He felt so bad about it sounding like he was actually alive when it happened that he felt like he had lied to me and could not sleep all night until he apologized to me!!! What a beautiful and sensitive heart. He loved Jesus so and would not offend his Lord by misleading me even a little! He had to make that right before I left! We could all learn from his wonderful example.
What happened that night, I am still in awe of…words fail me to convey what happened next. So, stay tuned, I will post that soon. 
Right now we are in Vanuatu winding up the walk here. Keep praying, it too has been amazing!
If you’re not familiar with our ministry you can learn a little more there. If you would like to help, it will tell you how or maybe be a part of the next trip to bring more bibles, school and medical supplies and teaching to the Kwaio people! To all of you who continue to be a part of the supply line and are praying for us, thanks for holding the Rope!!!
Please feel free to forward on to others.