Most people I have met realise being known as just a ‘good person’ is not good enough! After all, how does one measure goodness? Is my measurement a universal measurement? Can I apply my measurement to every human being?
The Bible’s measurement of human beings tells us that the human condition is broken and sinful and we can’t do or say enough good things to overcome our broken condition.Therefore we need a Saviour— Jesus Christ!
God’s Amazing Grace But here’s the good news— God offers us forgiveness of sins through faith in Jesus and what He accomplished on the cross when He died for our sins. That act of kindness and mercy is God’s grace.
Springtime in the Sierra, Mexico is full of life with baby lambs, baby foals, baby chicks and newborn babies in the Náhuatl homes.
We have known Carlos since he was a boy but now he is a young Náhuatl man. He began dating Cristina, a young woman who did not know the Lord. We saw his joy fading and his church attendance become sporadic. One Sunday he stood up to tell us that he was ashamed and convicted that he had caused this young woman to become pregnant. He confessed his sin and asked for forgiveness.
How precious to see each person stand up to talk to him in Náhuatl assuring him of his or her friendship and belief in God working through this situation for him. He was visibly moved with tears in his eyes.
Transformed From Observer to Believer Carlos and Cristina were married very quietly with little fanfare. In a small room where they were to live, they celebrated their union with a sign with their names on it and balloons. They shared some chicken in broth, home-made tortillas and a small cake.
Cristina, who was not a believer, began coming with Carlos to church. We watched her transform from an observer to a believer. How beautiful to see her eagerly read the word, pray, and truly believe. How dear to see Carlos with his arm around her introducing her as ‘my wife.’ We have seen them grow in their faith and sweet love for each other ever since.
In short order a baby would be coming— a little girl. On Cristina’s birthday we were each asked to give a little devotion for the soon to be born child. To our surprise her formerly hostile, distant family came and listened. They were nodding, smiling and delighted with the word of God that we shared.
What a turn-around! We have often thought of the beautiful scripture ‘A little child shall lead them (Isaiah 11:6) in reference to the influence of children on the faith of adults. This child was already affecting the whole family for good.
Cristina was overwhelmed with emotion. Our hearts sang to see her security in the love of Carlos and the Lord. She recognises that God has blessed her with a man of faith and faithfulness in Christ. Many women in the Sierra cannot say that this is their situation.
Listening Respectively to God’s Word Only a 15 minute walk from Cristina and Carlos, we visited a profoundly deaf young woman who had her first baby— also a little girl.
This tiny infant was on oxygen from the start. She could not be nursed so they would spoon feed her some formula. They kept her alive for two months with rented cylinders of oxygen used day and night, hoping against hope, until she died.
The heartache was palpable for the young couple and the grandparents.
They do not know the Lord but through hand-signs and visits, they know we care. They too listen respectively to God’s word as we use signs to communicate. May it bear fruit as God has promised.
Younger Generation Seeking Godly Counsel The younger generation seeks counsel and hope from us. It is a great responsibility and an amazing one to be accepted by another culture in these matters. These relationships take time— lots of time— to nurture. Now when we look at the whole group of young children in this new village, it’s as if we can already see them in a blink of an eye becoming teens and then adults with children of their own.
We feel the clock ticking for them to be exposed to God’s word, to hear about Jesus’ love and sacrifice for them and to know He is real for them this very day. By God’s grace and the Holy Spirit’s leading, their lives are marked by Him. We are conscious of this in every interaction.
Please pray that we would reach these young lives around us and encourage those who already are in young adulthood to listen and heed the words of the Lord.
The need is so great. We are thankful for you and your prayers and your support of us here.
To learn more about Ed and Denise’s ministry, go here
If you want to know more about a personal relationship with God, go here
GodReports.com, founded by Mark Ellis in 2009, is devoted to promoting Christian missions by sharing stories and testimonies from missionaries and missions. ________________________________________________________________________________
It’s been a delight to regularly feature the missionary ministry of Ross and Donna Winchester, Mandate Ministries— their Chiang Mai, northern Thailand and Myanmar ministry— and to advise updates regarding Ross’ health challenges.
Despite not being unwell he and Donna had returned to Thailand last month to encourage those who shared in the ministry, as well as church leaders. Unfortunately they had return to Australia December 28.
His natural family— and broader denomation family— have shared the following sad news… reminding us of the good news that Ross is with the Lord, the one he loved, served and shared.
(November 28, 2023) David McGuire, originally from England, has been called The Missionary With The Camera. He often conveys reports to readers with his camera, not words! But here he does… sharing his heart regarding Romanian Christians who are still willing to assist troubled Ukrainians with needed supplies.
David emails… I’ve been praying today and the Lord has put something very dear on my heart – the need to take food bags to areas close to the Ukranian war zone before Christmas.
(August 9, 2022) Richard Winter shares timely advice…
Let me share something from my childhood days.
I grew up just a few miles from the caves where a famous Australian Bushranger – bandit – hid while robbing gold carrying stagecoaches coming from the rich goldfields the state of Victoria. And my best friend and I often went splelunking together.
Splelunking? That’s going down holes in the ground, exploring caves that lead under the earth. Yes, it can be quite dangerous and it worried our mothers! But the nearby Captain Melville caves were just the start for us. Soon we heard about other places where we could go spelunking.
Then came Queen’s Scout days. That was a life of adventure and danger – isn’t that what all boys long for? Well, we did. There were no computers back then and life was best lived outside home – so off we went.
I loved those caves! In most cases you were exploring not only what’s under the earth but what was inside you! No mobiles in those days and one could be easily troubled by thoughts such as –
How will we get back?
Could we turn around the tight cavern corners?
If we need help, how can we get some way down here?
Do we have a plan for the worst-case scenario?
Entrapment caves I’ve found that many people don’t like certain caves… but they’ve learned to dwell in them mostly by themselves or with a few family members or friends to help.
(January 05, 2022) David McGuire brings a colourful, picturesque report from Romania…
Those engaged in overseas missions ‘send in’ reports to headquarters back home, to supporting churches, friends or contacts. This is often pages of typed information.
Rather than a lot of text, I thought I’d like Connecting with You readers to know visually what’s been happening here by way of photos. After all, there’s an old saying: A picture is worth a thousand words.
In short, despite ongoing troubles around the world last year we have continued to reach out to children, build houses for gypsies, and meet other needy people… where they’re at here. These following pictures speak for themselves!
Mesmerised children
Christmas presents joy Over 2000 presents, received from four sources of the body of Christ, were distributed giving great joy for so many kids as well as adults.
Some presents left over from home distribution were perfect for kids who beg in supermarket carparks, as below…
(October 18, 2021) Dr Robert McQuillan responds to this query about the Holy Spirit special brand of peace…
Dear Dr Robert It’s me, Mitch. Again. I appreciate the help you been giving me over recent months… advice and prayers. I want to ask you something… I was really struggling with something that I couldn’t get free from; it was hanging on me like some sort of trap. But then you prayed for me… in what I thought was unusual at the time… you strongly prayed for a special peace to come on me, drop on me, aneirenepeace. And I know that I know something happened! I felt so released and have been feeling good since. I know you wrote about this peace as being one of the fruit segments of the Holy Spirit, but please explain further (I still feel so good!). Mitch.
Dear Mitch
Firstly, I praise God that you’re feeling released in your mind and heart. Yes, back in July I explained this peace as Eirene… inner peace is ours, a very special assurance that all will be well… as Jesus assured his frightened disciples. Eirene is mentioned some 90 times in the NT and was (think Irene) a very popular girl’s name. Eirene related to serenity enjoyed under a good and just government ruler. Villagers would call the keeper of public peace, ‘the Eirene’ the one who would justly look after them. Think about this in respect of Jesus… the hand that holds the universe also holds us!
Perhaps if I share the following with you, it’ll help you further understand – and appreciate how releasing and what a blessing this special peace is…
(January 24, 2021) As we move ahead into this new year of uncertainties and changes, we rerun this 2017 article by the late missionary statesperson George Forbes, as it is an especially important reminder that missionary endeavour never changes!
Christian Missions operate in a wide range of areas of ministry internationally, service and aid!
Some are big enough to incorporate many activities and ministries.
Others specialise in one field of service such as humanitarian aid, education or medical.
Significant numbers specialise in language translation and their provision to nations.
Most missions that prioritise on evangelism, Bible training and church planting also open schools, medical clinics and other services.
Such services are crucial! Early in my thirty years of active mission organisation leadership, I discovered that these services were often crucial to our acceptance by indigenous leaders in developing countries. Biblically they were an evidence of Christian love and compassion to people in need.
The missionary task has always been about ‘making disciples.’ Jesus commanded the early church ‘to make disciples of all nations’ (Matthew. 28:18-20). He commanded his disciples to ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel’ (Mark 16:15). Matthew adds the important dimension of the Great Commission by quoting the words of Jesus, ‘As you go, make disciples.’ (more…)
(February 4, 2020) Dr George Forbes, missionary statesman, reminds us of Jesus’ ongoing challenge …
As I keep myself abreast of world of missions, missionaries and their activities – and follow world news reports, I’m reminded that the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) must be uppermost in our minds. That the theme of missions – sharing the gospel to the whole world – must never be forgotten or downgraded in our minds, nor in any church program.
In fact this vital charge given by the Lord Jesus to the early disciples was by extension to everyone who converts to Christ ie… to the church.
This means that every church member, every follower of Christ, has a responsibility to assist with this great task.
‘Missions’ is not only for…
Those called to life service as missionaries (international workers are they now called)
Church planting missionaries
Bible teaching missionaries
Linguists and –
What’s been termed ‘Specialised Missionaries’.
Although much has been achieved by mission organisations and missions over the centuries, the reality is that there is still much to do! Yet the labourers – missionaries – are still too few and money for missions is too limited!
Advancing the kingdom in 2020
As a major task given to the church, missions – the Great Commission – must be fulfilled by the church. (more…)
(June 3, 2019) Dr George Forbes, missionary statesman, reflects on a very special day in church history, one being celebrated by many churches this Sunday…
Suddenly… that word which indicates something out-of-the-blue! Such as what happened to those first followers of Jesus Christ on that special Day of Pentecost over 2000 years ago!
Before the Day of Pentecost came round in the year that Jesus died at Calvary and rose from the dead three days later, and before he ascended into heaven (Acts 1:9), he ordered his disciples not to depart from Jerusalem – butto ‘wait forthe gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about’ (Acts 1:4).
The incredible gift Jesus promised
That they would receive power when God’s Holy Spirit fell on them.
That they would be his witnesses not only locally but across the world!
What a bold promise the Lord Jesus made in Acts 1:8: ‘But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.’
And so they waited! Then, we read in Acts 2, the Day of Pentecost arrived… that annual Feast of the Harvest, one of Israel’s three major yearly celebrations, lasting only one day. It was on this particular feast day something powerful was going to happen in the plan and purpose of God!
Note the wording that opens chapter two… that ‘they were all together in one place.’ The ‘all’ this time was different from the group in the first chapter; it was the apostles and other disciples who had joined them to celebrate the Day of Pentecost.
This gathering would be unique in both Israel and the early church’s history because it was believers in Jesus who gathered in the upper room of a particular house on this particular day of celebration. It appears likely that the number was about 120 believers in Jesus Christ (Acts 1:15). And they obviously did not even dream what lay ahead! (more…)
(January 24, 2021) As we move ahead into this new year of uncertainties and changes, we rerun this 2017 article by the late missionary statesperson George Forbes, as it is an especially important reminder that missionary endeavour never changes!
(February 4, 2020) Dr George Forbes, missionary statesman, reminds us of Jesus’ ongoing challenge …
‘Missions’ is not only for… 
(June 3, 2019) Dr George Forbes, missionary statesman, reflects on a very special day in church history, one being celebrated by many churches this Sunday…
Connecting with You! 
