Thirty-Eight Years On

OM 2 copy 2 (1) 24 August 2016

Thirty-eight years on

In August thirty-eight years ago exactly at this time, I was sitting in a truck with a group of other young people traveling overland from Belgium to the Indian Subcontinent. We had just started off on a very long journey that were to take us from central Europe through the Balkans into the Middle East passing the nations of Turkey, Iran and entering into Afghanistan from where we took the Grand Trunk Road from Kabul all the way to Calcutta, India. It was a tiring but an amazing trip and I can easily say that it was the once-in-a-life-time-trip that set my life on a new path.

I had joined a short-term missions program and it was my first exposure to Asia and Christian ministry. I had no experience with ministry because I was quite new in my faith but I wanted to be exposed to people and the world, and to allow God to do something in my life. My desire was to share the Good News, and in a small way serve, help and bring healing in any possible way that I could. From beginning I thought it was going to be a short-term program but I soon realized it wasn’t going to be a short-term thing. Many years have now passed and Asia is still my calling and where my heart is. I am still a missionary thirty-eight years later.

Paul the apostle says in the New Testament in 1 Corinthians 10:13

”No temptation (i.e. testing, trial, affliction) has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”

I can also testify to that. God is faithful. We could have given up ministry many many times through the years because of the trials and the difficult times, but because of encouragement from God and friends, we did not. We are so grateful for everyone praying for us and helping us financially to continue. It is because of you that we are still able to fulfill this call of serving, helping and bringing healing. Here on the earth we will face trials, testing and afflictions in our life but God will never leave us nor forsake us. His grace is always with us to keep us, help us and strengthen us to continue to run the race. We must all remember this when we face tough times!

Thank you ALL for your prayers and financial giving.

First batch of students in Assam copy