Category: Solomon Islands

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Vanuatu

imageIMG_2319imageimage 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!.IMG_2208

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.IMG_2132image

Everywhere we would go Crowds would gather. I would share about GIMG_2138ods 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!!!IMG_2307

: 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!!

 

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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.