My Heart on Missions

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Treating a Kwaio woman's foot
Treating a Kwaio woman’s foot

 

 

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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

IMG_2010The 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….IMG_2004

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.IMG_2014

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!IMG_2011

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…

 

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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.IMG_1974
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”.
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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!”
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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…