Fred and I standing in front of our 9 month project !
This was pretty interesting. I'm glad someone knows how to do this type of thing...cause I don't !

A freight container and Adoniram Judson
Hi everyone. Well, your probably wondering what our freight container going to Kasempa, Zambia and Adoniram Judson have in common. Probably very little besides the fact that Adoniram could only dream about how quickly we would be able to take things around the world, and how safe and common our transportation is these days. Let me write about the freight container first, and then I would like to close with maybe a quote or two from Adoniram's biography in which I am still reading (it's about 550pgs).

About nine months ago we put out to the congregation that we were looking for a radio tower to set up in Zambia - our missionaries Ron and Bridget Wint who are serving in Kasempa (Northwest Province) obtained a permit to set up the first F.M. radio station in the entire area. Someone from our congregation purchased one and from there it was a matter of how we were going to get it to the middle of the African bush. We decided to purchase a sea freight container in which we could not only fit the radio tower, but also basically everything, and anything else that they needed. It took awhile to get everything donated, and then to get the proper permits from the government to ship this radio equipment, but I am happy to say that finally this container is on it's way. Those in our missions prayer group know the trials involved in this project, and are rejoicing with me that the Lord has answered our prayers in getting this out to sea. So now that the easy part is done, I'm asking that you guys be praying for a safe journey, and that this container would get to it's final destination quickly, and without the problems of looters stealing from it, and government officials seeking bribes to get it through their countries! It will leave from New York (Lord willing on Thursday), then it will travel by sea to Durban, South Africa. From there, please pray that our shipper can arrange for an honest, quick, reliable driver to drive it across three countries (South Africa, Botswana, and Zambia) and to get it to Ron and Bridget in Kasempa in one piece! Please be praying for this - the fruit that will come out of a 24 hour Christian Radio station (the only station in the area) that will be broadcasting the teaching of God's Word both in the local dialect, and in English will be huge. I know that the enemy will try to do everything in his power to delay this container from getting to them - please be praying!

So back to Adoniram - as he and wife Nancy arrived in Calcutta, India they heard nothing but horror stories about Burma, and all they had come in contact (missionaries as well) told them that the savages in Burma could never understand the gospel and be converted. Despite all of this, Adoniram writes,

"The poor Burmans are entirely destitute of those consolations and joys which constitute our happiness; and why should we be unwilling to part with a few fleeting, inconsiderable comforts, for the sake of making them sharers with us in joys exalted as heaven, durable as eternity! We cannot expect to do much, in such a rough, uncultivated field; yet, if we may be instrumental in removing some of the rubbish, and preparing the way for others, it will be a sufficient reward. I have been accustomed to view this field of labor, with dread, and terror; but I know feel perfectly willing to make it my home the rest of my life."

Within 2 weeks of their departure from Madras,India to Rangoon,Burma Nancy would give birth with no help on board to a still born baby. Within the next two years in Burma they would see the wife of their missionary partner Felix Carrey, and their two children drown due to a capsized boat, as well as their second child Roger enter eternity with Jesus at the age of 6 months. Through all of this, and with much grace, the Judson's remained steadfast to the call of the Lord.

Adoniram Judson

Hey guys, so sorry for the delay in my posts. Just wanted to remind everyone if they haven't registered for our Missions Conference on May 17th, to do so by going to the right and clicking the link in yellow. To register you simply need to fill out your name and email, and how many people are attending. As you already may know, the conference is free.

I've been re-reading Adoniram Judson's biography called "To The Golden Shores" by Courtney Anderson and I must say it's rocking me. The passion, and determination that is displayed is incredible. He was a genious, and gave himslef for the cause of Christ being known by those who had never heard of him in the region of what we now call Myanmar (Burma). I think over the next couple of posts I will quote some parts of this book, and talk a little about them.

When writing about the day Adoniram sensed God's call on his life for missionary work, Anderson writes, "He never recorded the day or time of day. We know that it was during a solitary walk in the woods behind the college in February of 1810. Adoniram said, 'While meditating and praying on the subject, and feeling half inclined to give it up, the command of Christ, Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature, was presented to my mind with such clearness and power that I came to a full decision, and though great difficulties appeared in my way, I resolved to obey the command at all events.' Every urge, every experience from the beginning of his life, had brought it's influence to this one focus. From this time on, he never doubted his destiny."

This next quote is crazy. When asking his future Father-in-law to consent to letting Adoniram marry his daughter Nancy Hasseltine, Adoniram's letter read like this.

"I have now to ask whether you can consent to part with your daughter early next spring, to see her no more in this world; whether you can consent to her departure, and her subjection to the hardships and suffering of a missionary life; whether you can consent to her exposure to the dangers of the ocean; to the fatal influence of the southern climate of India; to every kind of want and distress; to degredation, insult, persecution, and perhaps a violent death. Can you consent to all this, for the sake of Him who left His heavenly throne, and died for her and for you; for the sake of perishing, immortal souls; for the sake of Zion, and the glory of God? Can you consent to all this, in hope of soon meeting your daughter in the world of glory, with the crown of righteousness, brightened with the acclamations of praise which shall redound to her Savior from heathens saved, through her means, from eternal woe and despair? "

Would you consent? Would you go?

I will write more about Adoniram's life and how God used this man for His glory in ways we may not have expected. Oh yeah, you probablly already guessed that the picture above is Adoniram Judson.

Blessings,

Carlos

Check out our promo video for the Missions Conference

Central Asia Adventure Part II

Reminder that Missions prayer is this Thursday at 7:00 P.M. in the Prayer Room. We will be having Fran who is home on furlough share a little about what's going on with Nepal, and with the girls home there. She will also be giving us some updated prayer requests. See you there.

This is the second of a two part post about Lilly and her adventure in a certain Central Asian country. She was gifted two weeks off from work, and I asked her to briefly write about what she felt called to do with those two weeks, and how the Lord used it for His glory. If you haven't read the first part, go back and read the last post.

Lilly continues and writes

" While there, I stayed at the home for the girls and participated in the activities they do, such as visiting a pediatric long term special needs facility, and visiting an orphanage which also serves as a refugee shelter. It was heart breaking to see kids that are so tiny in stature that kids that are fourteen year old appear no older or larger than a six year old. The hair of every child there is kept short because of lice. The overall hygiene conditions were better than some orphanages/boarding schools I’ve seen but there are still some very serious problems concerning their care. One in particular that broke my heart was to see how the children are sat in rows in front of the TV all day! They receive no stimulation, no one plays with them, and those who have a simple learning disability are treated equally as those who suffer from a severe disability. However, there were a handful of older boys that were doing landscaping around the facility. Fortunately, within the last two years money has been poured into the facility and it is in much better shape compared to other facilities I saw there.

I also came along for a the routine weekly visit at a psychiatric facility that houses over 900 people, starting from age six all the way to geriatrics. This facility can best be described as “Byeberry”. The children’s ward did receive some government funding and is recently renovated. The children there were excited to see the familiar faces of their visitors, and to also eat a cookie which we brought for each of them. The geriatrics ward was in poor shape and so were the people. The inside of the building was at least ten degree’s colder than the outside; causing the team I was with to shiver in our coats as we shared pastries with the patients who had on their sweaters. We were able to distribute some warm clothing to the patients but in the end the staff quickly snatched them away. A mini miracle happened when one of the head nurses of the women’s ward not only let us come in, but also distribute clothing and cookies directly to the patients. Walking through the ward was heart breaking. These women are much like special needs prisoners that have absolutely no hope of rehab or being allowed outside to be in the sunshine. The living conditions were deplorable.

On a high note, in the end I was rather surprised to see why God had led me to come to this country. You see, the Lord showed me that it wasn't necessarily what I could "do" there, but rather more about just "being" there for the missionaries . The long-term missionaries here are going through trials from every aspect of their lives. The death of an infant, change in leadership, change in housing, a possible miscarriage, and just regular discouragement in ministry were laying heavy on the hearts of many there. For the heart and soul that is cast down, sometimes the best medicine is a listening heart, scripture, and prayer. A random foreigner visiting can not heal the broken hearts and strengthen the feeble, but the eternal God who is sovereign over everything most certainly can. The Holy Spirit can comfort the broken and guide those who seek direction. The Holy Spirit can come like sweet rain and rushing water, and all that has been invested and planted into the people of this country, I believe will bare a bountiful harvest. Being supported in prayer and being encouraged by the church are the greatest needs here for the long term missionaries. Please be praying for them. I know how much they need it right now. Oswald Chambers said it best, “Prayer does not fit us for the greater work, prayer is the greater work.”

Amen, thanks so much for writing this Lilly, and for pouring out your life for our Savior !

blessings,

carlos