(March 13, 2022) Robert McQuillan shares about an intrepid missionary’s bold decision…

When I received a brief email a few days ago from missionary to Romania, David McGuire, I was immediately reminded of that old snowclone intro to the original 1966 Star Trek TV episodes – Where No Man Has Gone Before (Changed in the Next Generation series to the gender-neutral Where No One Has Gone Before).

Why? Why was I so thrown that I reminisced about that old classic intro? Well, with all the reports on TV news programs about what Ukraine is suffering from Russia’s invasion, likened unto Nazi Germany’s invasion of Poland back in 1939, one wonders ‘Who would want to travel to Ukraine at this time!’

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg says Russia might use chemical weapons following its invasion of Ukraine and that such a move would be a war crime, according to an interview in German newspaper Welt am Sonntag.

He added that although the Ukrainian people were resisting the Russian invasion with courage, the coming days are likely to bring even greater hardship.

‘That’ brief email
Let me tell you some things about my friend David McGuire. He doesn’t waste words, preferring to be about the Lord’s business! Consequently his short email simply said this…

‘About to leave home with medical and humanitarian to go and join with team from Cluj YWAM. From there we will travel up into Ukraine overnight to base ourselves where we can serve many needy people.

‘Pray for strength love and courage to bless and strengthen these we meet and have needs. The team will be led by Pastor Alin who will decide how and which way we travel and in what from Cluj. I travel with Project Romania van to Cluj and from there we see how leadership want best to go with vans.

‘For Jesus we live and love. Thank you for prayers.’

Let me tell you more about David…

Firstly… straight to the point
As intimated above, he’s not really one for words (so with pleasure I’ve reworded some lines, adding capitals… although his mission Reachout articles are great, such those mentioned below).

Rather David (right) uses his camera to let supporters and interested people like myself know how the Lord is leading him and what, with the Holy Spirit’s help, his missionary activities are achieving practical as well as spiritual needs (Read the article link highlighted below).

Some of David’s camera shots re this ‘Ukrainian Trek’ are featured below in respect of his bold current adventure northeast to that endangered country where inhabitants are either fighting back or fleeing (and its churches and pastors are standing firm and praying!).

Secondly… a committed servant
I remind readers that David has such a love for the people where he lives and Romania in general, that years ago he summitted to God’s calling on his life to move there, leaving his home and friends back in England.

It was in his new homeland that he would meet Rodica, his wife to be. Rodica not only married David but joined him in his missionary involvements and is a great communicator herself, touching many a woman’s heart and spirit. In time they would have a pretty young daughter, Sabrina (Recent photo below).

(Do read some of David’s articles to learn more of the hearts and dedication of this busy evangelist family, and how David uses his trade skills to build houses for disinfranshied poor Romanians, bring peace between hostile gypsy clans, as well as Bible teaching and ministry training, and reaching children with the gospel… for example Grateful for 2021 Successful Outreaching but Moving Ahead Into 2022 With Vision and  A Restraining Hand: a Protective God ).

Currently David is not being a Startrekker, travelling to some unknown world! But, leaving his family behind, he’s daring to travel northeast to troubled Ukraine with a Christain team.

Speaks for itself, doesn’t it! No concern for self and dangers ahead… just a willingness to feed and clothe, and tell troubled Ukrainians that Jesus loves them and cares for them!

Thirdly… no thought about personal needs
Did you note that in his email, David made no request for money? As always he trusts the Lord not only for protection as he teaches and trains on ministry, prays for peoples’ needs including healings and miracles, but also that his own missionary and family needs are met!

Such is David’s heart and trust in God!

Time after time David McGuire has seen God work miracles including healing for people that he has prayed in faith. Personally I’m believing that his adventure, what I’ve titled this article as Journey Into the Unknown, will be successful and bless many.

I’m sure he (and the team) will be encouraging downcast Ukrianians who love their country and are so upset that not only are they in danger but many of their homeland’s beautiful historic buildings have been destroyed by Russian missiles.

My prayer for David is that not only will people – including children and babies – receive food and clothing, but the blessing of God as the team share the good news of the gospel of Christ.

And that readers will also pray for David and be touched to supply financial assistance.

Fourthly… his photos tell the story!
So here are some of those shots David took of concerned Romanians packing clothing, food and other badly needed items that he can share with Ukrainians that Pastor Alin and the team encounter as God leads them.

Photos: David (above right) and caring Romanians in action… busy hands, packed presents!

Fifthly… fulfilling scripture: reaching out to others
David McGuire delights in fulfilling what Bible commands about caring for others, as do his Romanian colleagues …

• ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me’ (Matthew 25:40).
• Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law… whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbour. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law (Romans 13:8-10).
• ‘…not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others’ (Philippians 2:4).
• ‘Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you’ (Ephesians 4:32).
• What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead’ (James 2:14-17).
• ‘Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers’(Galatians 6:10).
• And especially that precious verse about the love of Almighty God… ‘For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life’ (John 3:16).

David McGuire… I salute you. Well done, my friend. Our prayers are for you (and the team: indeed all who are reaching overseas from many places to bless Ukraine at this dangerous time).

God protect you! I look forward to receiving more ‘short, to the point, with attached pics’ emails about your ‘Journey into the Unknown.’

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David and Rodica McGuire, missionaries to Romania, have built many houses for the poor in that area, especially among the gypsy communities, as well as outreaching to children who have never heard of Jesus, using cartoon DVDs. Link: OnlinerConnect@gmail.com / Email address: bluevan1@hotmail.com

Recommended: David McGuire’s own humble story A Work in Progress  ______________________________________________