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'Til We Meet Again

Fri, 09 Apr 2021 18:54:30 GMT

'Til We Meet Again

A devotional

by former Liebenzell USA missionary Margaret Thompson

MAR. 27, 2021

It might have started as a “rumor” about ten months ago from one of the granddaughters: “we’re moving.”

On April 6 ^th , that “rumor” became a fact in reality. They moved from Connecticut to Florida. After about 10 years of going to babysit for a day or two on a weekly basis, I miss them already. We had great times together, spiritually and socially. It was a joy to see them grow.

Proverbs 14:13 is a verse that means much to me these days. “Even in laughter the heart may sorrow and the end of mirth may be grief.” Yes, I am feeling sad these days, and the tears do flow. When will we see them again? I leave these concerns to the Lord’s leading (and guiding).

The words of a hymn that sum up my thoughts are:

God be with you ‘til we meet again,

By his counsel’s guide, uphold you,

With his sheep securely fold you.

God be with you ‘til we meet again.

From God’s word: Psalm 94:19 — “In the multitude of my thoughts within me, Thy comforts delight my soul.”

What a privilege to uphold the whole family in prayer, day by day, knowing that God’s way is the best way.

Lean Not on Your Own Understanding!

Sat, 27 Mar 2021 02:46:27 GMT

Lean Not on Your Own Understanding!

by Roberto Diaz

MAR. 27, 2021

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight."

— Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV and NKJV

There was a time in my life when I was seeking the Lord’s will concerning direction in life and in ministry. Could I lean on my experience and training as a minister to figure out what I was supposed to do?

Well, I have been a Christian since kindergarten. I surrendered to the ministry right out of high school. I attended seminary and have taught in Bible schools. I have been a pastor and a missionary. I am supposed to be a leader and a guide, especially to those who seem lost in their way in this world. Shouldn’t I lean on my experience as a “mature Christian leader” in the church of God? Don’t I have enough understanding of life and of the Bible to lean on my own understanding of how life works?

The NRSV says, “do not rely on your own insight.” That explains it a little better. Don’t lean on your own understanding to the exclusion of what the Bible says and teaches in other passages. In this case, I went to the beginning of the book of Proverbs to see the context of this very important verse — don’t lean on your own understanding!

From the very beginning Solomon, the author of this book, tells us to seek wisdom, instruction, and understanding (Proverbs 1:2). So this understanding comes from God (“Trust in the Lord with all your heart”), which augments the human understanding. Verse 3 says that we need to receive instruction in justice, judgment, and equity (NKJV). Verse four tells us we also need prudence, knowledge and discretion. Add to that listening, so that we many increase in learning (v. 5). We are also told to listen to the words of the wise (v. 6.) The clincher comes in verse 7: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Everything is so well explained in the first seven verses of Proverbs.

It’s in times like these that we should not lean on our own understanding, but we should seek the Lord’s guidance to understand the times and the seasons in life and in the world. We are in the middle of a pandemic, so what should we do? What path should we take? Even medical professionals contradict each other as to what we should do to avoid getting COVID-19, and what we should do to protect ourselves after we receive the vaccination. Trust in the Lord to give you wisdom, instruction, prudence, knowledge, discretion, and understanding — through His Word, of course — and lean not on your own human understanding. He has promised to guide your path.

Teaching English & Sharing Jesus

Fri, 26 Mar 2021 18:33:54 GMT

Teaching English & Sharing Jesus

A growing ministry goes virtual

by Ned Farnsworth

MAR. 26, 2021

Missionary Ned Farnsworth teaches an online Zoom session of Go English Club from this past December.

Even after more than three years, church planting feels new for our family.

We did not receive any training in how to lead a new church. When we moved from Ibarra, Ecuador to Otavalo, Ecuador in 2017, we did not think that it would be easy. But the change hit us even harder than we imagined. Otavalo boasts a population of 90,000, over 40% of which are indigenous or Native Ecuadorian people. It is difficult to be accepted if you are not a native of Otavalo. Right now, after three and a half years, we are just starting to feel accepted by the community.

New Town, new ministry
We always planned for our church work to involve children, since Marisol and I both had done that previously in Ecuador, Guam and the United States. We also wanted to play a vital role in the lives of the children from the church, by discipling them over time. So within the first month of our time at “Zona de Vida” (Life Zone) Church in Otavalo, we started a monthly kids’ program. This project worked well for a couple months with 8-10 children, but then attendance started tapering off, and although we did not cancel it, we knew that we needed to re-strategize.

We thought and prayed for a strategy that would allow us to meet new families and provide a service for children that others could not offer. After brainstorming as a family, we came up with the idea for a weekly English Club to reach out to the families in Otavalo, deciding not to charge anything in order to make it accessible to all children. We ran a pilot program in the summer of 2018 with three days of Mini-English Camp to test the idea. A team of people from Liebenzell USA came to help us, and it was a grand success – with almost 40 children each day!

Bumps in the road
In October 2018, we began our weekly GO ENGLISH CLUB, held at Zona de Vida Church. At first, our attendance struggled, with 5-8 kids on our better days and under 5 on some Fridays (with two of the children being our twin boys, Jacob and Elias). In fact, the club's first year turned out to be a challenge. No children from Zona de Vida families attended. We spent a lot of time doubting ourselves, but we pressed on. We realized that once we had started, we could not give up quickly.

A family effort
From the start, we wanted this new English ministry to involve our whole family. Marisol and I serve as the main teachers, with our son Joel and daughter Amelia as our helpers and tech team. Our twins Jacob and Elias attend the club but also teach the other children as friends and encouragers. They set the example by reciting the weekly Bible memory verse.

Ned and his daughter Amelia teach songs in English at a session of Go English Club this past February.

Each week, we begin with a Song of the Month with hand motions, led by our children Joel and Amelia. This repetition helps the children to review the same English words and biblical truths throughout the month. After the song, we go over the previous week’s Bible verse before teaching a Bible story, mostly in Spanish but incorporating certain key English words. The Bible story then segues into a new Bible verse. Finally, we teach a new English concept and play games or do activities to reinforce it (for example, we play “Simon Says” to teach the parts of the human body).

The impact grows
It has been exciting to see the relevance of the Bible for children in Ecuador. In 2018-2019, we taught through the New Testament at English Club; and for our English Camp in summer 2019, we used the story of Esther in skit form to emphasize the faithfulness of God in a crisis situation. That summer, a group from Exeter Bible Fellowship Church in PA blessed us by coming to Otavalo to assist us. We expanded the camp to a week-long, five-day program, and 45-50 children attended each day!

The whole Farnsworth family gets involved in Go English Club, helping teach songs and Bible verses.

When we resumed weekly GO ENGLISH CLUB after summer vacation, our attendance soared. This time we averaged 20 children each week, and the group remained constant, giving us the opportunity to build closer relationships with the children and with their parents, especially by staying in touch using WhatsApp. Parents started asking us to help their kids with English outside of the club time, and Ned tutored one of the girls’ brothers once a week.
Fernanda, the mother of one child who attends the club, told us about a change she saw in her daughter: “Alison is improving so much in English. She has much more confidence in her ability to learn. But her behavior at home has also changed. She is more obedient and shows faith in God.”

The Farnsworths use WhatsApp to stay in touch with parents whose children attend English Camp and English Club. Messages like Fernanda's are an encouraging sign of God working among families.

Her testimony, along with words of encouragement from other parents, reminded us not to give up. God expects us to be faithful, not successful from a human standpoint.

The shift to virtual ministry
Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit Ecuador full-force in March 2020, creating the need to be flexible. A group from Pennsylvania and Virginia had made plans to come and help us with GO ENGLISH CAMP in July, but had to cancel the trip due to the pandemic. We started praying and thinking about how we could continue teaching English and the Bible to the children. In June, we decided to go virtual with the English Camp, becoming the first group from Liebenzell Mission in Ecuador to hold children’s activities via Zoom.

We formed a team with two volunteers from our church plant, our missionary colleague Faith, and three virtual helpers: Michelle (the team leader from the PA mission team that had committed to come help us), and Manuel and Maribel from NJ (they had come in 2018 with the team from Liebenzell USA). Deciding to teach the parables, we divided the responsibilities for reaching the Bible lesson and the Bible verses for the five days of camp, all the while praying and preparing the music. Our children Joel, Amelia, Jacob and Elias helped to record the English Bible and fun songs. We were ready to go.

God answered our prayers far beyond what we had anticipated. Each day over sixty children participated from three different provinces. Many of these children would not have been able to attend in person! The internet and all technical aspects functioned well — except the day when I forgot to plug in my computer and the battery died in the middle of the Parable of the Prodigal Son. Joel saved the day by improvising with a song until I could sign on again. Enthusiasm and morale exceeded our expectations, and the parents seemed quite pleased with our efforts.

Paola, the mother of Baruc, wrote,

"Thank you, English Camp team, for your commitment and dedication. My son was very happy to learn some English but above all to learn more about God. May God bless you and continue to use you according to His will.”

On a Friday this past February , during a visit from our Liebenzell USA support team, twenty kids attended the weekly Go English virtual club.

Paola’s wishes have come true. We continue to hold GO ENGLISH CLUB via Zoom every Friday afternoon at 4 pm. From the US via Zoom, Marybeth Pupa, Michelle Halter, and Callie Masem alternate to teach the English lesson, and Faith and our family teach the Bible lessons and the verses here in Ecuador. We pray that God will make the seeds of faith grow in the children’s hearts, in His time and for His glory.

This article was published in the Spring 2021 issue of the Provision Press.

On Location in Ecuador

info@liebenzellusa.org (Liebenzell Mission) — Fri, 26 Mar 2021 18:28:50 GMT

On Location in Ecuador

Liebenzell USA support team visits our missionaries

MAR. 26, 2021

From left to right: General Director Christopher Matthews; Video Storyteller Renatto Abrego; Missionaries Kevin and Kathy Bruce , with Missionary Kid Elias Farnsworth giving a thumbs up; Global Ministries Director Mike Branch; and the rest of the Farnsworth missionary family : Joel, Amelia, Jacob, Marisol, and Ned.

This February, Liebenzell USA sent a support team to visit our missionaries in Ecuador. Here's what the trip was like in their own words:

Had you ever been to Ecuador before? What was your first impression?

Christopher Matthews (General Director): No, I hadn’t. It struck me as quite fertile and green, with lots of beautiful mountains and warm colors. Throughout our trip we met many different people, since Ecuador is a mix of Ecuadorian people as well as other minority groups – Kichwa Indian, Awa Indian, and Afro-Ecuadorian.

Renatto Abrego (Video Storyteller): This was my first time in Ecuador. My first impression was that it was pretty similar to Guatemala, where I live. But after a few days, I could tell there was a difference in culture, and weather, and accents.

Mike Branch (Global Ministries Director): This was my first time in South America. We kind of saw both sides of Ecuador: some of the smaller, remote villages in the mountains, over rough roads. But we were also in the cities, with typical Latin American city life. The contrast between city life and rural life felt familiar to me, because of my other experiences — as a missionary in Russia for many years, on a medical mission trip in Mexico, and during a trip to Haiti with Teen Missions.

To get to the Palmira church plant above Rio Verde, it's a 6-mile hike through the mud — or you can hitch a ride with missionaries Kevin and Kathy Bruce.

What is travel like between different parts of Ecuador?

Chris: When you leave the city of Ibarra and go down towards Rio Verde, you descend from 8,000 ft to 5,000 ft elevation. Along the way, you have to deal with rock slides – great boulders can come down and crash into vehicles or block the road. There’s also police checks, where you might be stopped to check for smuggling. But you also pass by beautiful waterfalls, gorgeous valleys, and tall mountain ranges. Condors fly overhead, and one day we saw toucans on branches. And you’ll see Kichwa people in indigenous clothing — ponchos, or skirts with bright colors. Each tribal group has distinctive dress according to the area where they live. Our missionaries amazed me by identifying all of them.

Renatto: It was beautiful. Palmira and Rio Verde especially — I loved that place, kind of a jungle and far away from everything. Ibarra is more busy, with cars and so on.

Mike: Our trip up to the mountains where the Awa people live was just outside of Ibarra, and I remember the roads there were pretty rough. At one point I joked, “My kidneys started in the normal place, and by the time we got to where we were headed, they were in my back pocket!”

Who were some of the people you visited?

Chris: Besides visiting with our Liebenzell USA missionaries, we also met 20 national workers in Ecuador, who are native Ecuadorian pastors or church leaders taken on as full-time workers. We heard stories from Alfonso, a native Kichwa man who rides a motorcycle up to the villages in the mountain regions to share the gospel.

In the mountain of northern Ecuador, there are many villages populated by the Afro-Ecuadorian people group.

When you met with the missionaries and national workers at Ibarra, what was your message, and how was it received?

Chris: I spoke from Colossians 2, about how God moves and leads us to the cross not just for salvation, but on a daily basis. People were a little surprised because my accent is from Spain, but they could understand and were pleased to hear from us.

Renatto: I shared my testimony, that I fell in love with music very young, and how I had my encounter with Christ when I was 18. At that time, I wanted to study music and wasn’t feeling supported by my family. I realized that some friends were very intentional to invest time in me, and shared the gospel with me. It was powerful, simple. My perspective started to change. A simple devotional in the morning can make the whole day make sense.

I also shared how I got into Liebenzell. When [Communications Team Leader] Henry Warner was looking for a videographer in 2018, I saw the announcement, wrote him, and started sharing some emails. I did remote editing work, and last year we started planning for this trip to Ecuador.

What was something challenging about this trip for you?

Renatto: Weather was challenging — I didn’t know it was going to be changing all the time. Mornings could be sunny, but in the afternoon it could be raining and cloudy. But at the same time, I’m really thankful to God because he already provided someone to help with video. We met, and I figured out he had a studio and he offered to use it if the weather was cloudy. I saw God in those people He provided, because I was worried my idea for an interview would not work. I had to trust God that He would provide. And everything went smooth.

[View more of Renatto's photos and videos on our Instagram or Facebook ]

A joint Sunday morning service between the two Rio Verde churches ministered to by missionaries Kevin and Kathy Bruce.

How do the needs differ between some of the churches you visited?

Chris: I was really impressed with how well-built their buildings were. They’re planned with a large worship area, and always a kitchen and sometimes a pastoral house attached to the building, with extra space for housing interns who typically come from Impact Germany. The versatility was great, and they were built to last a long time. That’s due to persistent investment from German and US donors. The congregations seem to be growing, and have active youth groups and children’s ministries with many ethnic groups.

The Palmira church that missionaries Kevin and Kathy Bruce help lead is a little different, as half the congregation typically meets at the Rio Verde carport for the first service, and then the Bruces hike or drive 6 miles to the second service, at the recently constructed Palmira church. For our visit, they organized a service up at the Palmira church plant with everyone from both services, about 50 or 60 people. They cooked lunch over an open fire, since they don’t have a kitchen built yet.

[Help build a kitchen with the Palmira Church Construction Project ]

Mike: The biggest need for larger churches, like the 500-member Puente de Amor (Bridge of Love) church in Ibarra, is pastoral training. Financially, it’s a little bit challenging — it takes money to become a full-time pastor, and it takes money to receive pastoral training.

Other churches are a lot smaller. The Zona de Vida (Life Zone) church where the Farnsworths minister is rather new, and had a building but lost it due to decreased funds from COVID-19. There’s no longer much money coming in because people can’t meet, but they can’t meet until they have enough funds to rent another space, so it’s kind of a catch-22.

Others are even smaller than that, like where missionary Rainer Kroeger goes. The Afro-Ecuadorian groups he ministers to meet in community center buildings in the middle of villages. They’ve made some good in-roads – they have Christians, but not necessarily churches. Some of the communities don’t want churches; others don’t mind you coming in, but aren’t very receptive to the message.

Chris: The Afro-Ecuadorian population is originally from Africa but was taken to Columbia as slaves. Some fled down to Ecuador and hid in the Andes mountains. Today, some villages remain quite impoverished, and our missionaries share the Gospel with them and take food and clothes to those who are desperately poor.

Whenever Rainer Kroeger drives up to an Afro-Ecuadorian village in the northern Andes, people know he's coming. "All the kids nearby come running up shouting 'Rainer, Rainer!' It was impressive to see the relationships built in these places over the years," Mike Branch says.

How has your visit changed the way you think about and pray for Ecuador?

Chris: It kept occurring to me, where would Jesus be if He were walking around Ecuador? He would probably be in the villages and mountains, where we kept coming across desperately poor people — some folks missing legs, hands, or feet, or blind people living alone. Liebenzell missionary Rainer Kroeger has proposed a new fund to provide material needs for those who are sick or disabled, typically those attached to churches. If you have $25 a month to give, consider becoming a part of this project helping the infirmed among the Andes Mountains.

[Help provide for disadvantaged with the " Ecuador: Step In " fund.]

Renatto: I realized it’s hard for German and American teams to go there and connect. But most of the people, when I told them, “I’m from Guatemala,” they always had something to say. Like “Wow! How is Guatemala?” Something changes in their face. We’re both Latinos, coming from kind of a similar context, so it’s easier to connect with people better. They’ve had a lot of people from Guatemala come and work in Ecuador, and I pray that more Latin teams can come and work there.

Mike: I think a lot of missionaries here have been plugging away for years, and are wondering how to take their ministry to the next step. Now I have a list of people in mind that I know to recruit and help in Ecuador.

What resources can the work in Ecuador use?

Chris: Prayer is a great way to search for resources from heaven. And so is the financial giving that comes from earth — we deeply appreciate donors’ sacrificial giving towards our trip, which allowed us to join our workers fighting spiritual battles on the front lines.

Two needs struck me — first, there is a need to train the national workers in more Bible, theology, and practical skills. We hope to fill that need by connecting them to the Sevilla Theological Seminary online program. Secondly, there’s a need to recruit more missionaries in youth missionary. We need specialized folks to help train up some really great leaders on the national scale.

Mike: There’s just so much opportunity — in Quito the capital, among the Kichwa Indians. Ned and Marisol are returning for a year on furlough mid-June, so there will be a gap to fill there. We need people that will come alongside Rainer and work alongside the Afro-Ecuadorian groups. They have a wonderful retreat center there, and could use someone to help set up camps for kids. There’s also a lot of social turmoil, with dysfunctional marriage, drugs, and alcoholism. We could really use someone with counseling experience. And we need dedicated church planters as well.

Outside Kevin and Kathy Bruce's home in Rio Verde.

What is one memory of your trip that stands out to you most?

Chris: The Awa people, some of whom live in Palmira where the Bruces work, have a lot of mythology and teachings passed over generations. One story that was strange to me was that whenever a rainbow appears, it’s a symbol of the fish goddess who splashed her tail against the sky. Parents believe that if children see it, they will get dysentery and die, so they rush their children inside. So instead of enjoying God’s creation, they hide inside in fear. There are many examples of cultural habits like this due to the belief in animism, where the people will try to appease spirits of water, earth, rocks, and so on.

Mike: One of the things I was impressed with was the weekend we spent with Kevin and Kathy Bruce. I was just thinking, as we drove up to the house they built, with a garden and some chickens — when they first started their ministry, they didn’t have a car, so they had to hike up. I was impressed with the amount of work, faithfulness, and commitment they put in to get to where they are today.

This article was published in the Spring 2021 issue of the Provision Press.

Ways to Go

There are so many opportunities to serve in Ecuador! We're looking for:

Church planters
Retreats & camp organizers
Counselors and social workers
Youth ministry leaders

Get started >>>

Ways to Give

Support missions work in Ecuador by giving to national church workers, church construction, or humanitarian relief.

View ongoing projects >>>

Student in the Spotlight

Fri, 26 Mar 2021 17:30:23 GMT

Student in the Spotlight

Growing up, school was a struggle. Now she teaches a class of her own.

by Howard Merrell

MAR. 26, 2021

When Lavern Killion (now Lavern Roby) first moved from Chuuk Island to Guam, her transition was anything but smooth.

She came with limited English skills, and found high school to be very difficult — because up until 8th grade, almost all of her schooling was in Chuukese, without much English.

After a challenging four years, Lavern graduated high school in 2013 and enrolled in Pacific Islands University . Although she originally wanted to study nursing, students at PIU choose either a Bible major or a liberal arts major. For her first two years, Lavern took classes in both majors before choosing a liberal arts degree.

One major reason Lavern chose liberal arts was for the education courses. She fell in love with it when she took a class with Dr. Marjorie Raess, one of the capable volunteer teachers at PIU. It’s not an overstatement to say that Dr. Raess “rang Lavern’s bell,” creating in her an excitement for teaching that's still ringing today. Although Dr. Raess lives on the other side of the world, teaching by Skype, she made a profound impact challenging and mentoring Lavern.

Lavern In the Classroom
Although she loved her education classes, Lavern still had yet to experience being at the head of the classroom. Her student teaching internship would show her what a challenging profession teaching is.

During her last semester at PIU, “Ms. Killion” (as Lavern’s students called her) completed her student teaching internship at Ordot Chalan-Pago Elementary, one of Guam's local schools, about a 15 minute drive away from PIU.

But Lavern, like most PIU students, doesn’t drive. Kathy Merrell, President Merrell's wife, came through and often provided transportation, creating an opportunity for her to mentor Lavern. Kathy had already noticed Lavern's gift for leadership as Head RA of the girls' dorm. But over time, she saw her student blossom even more. “I saw Lavern’s creativity grow. She would always tell me about the very good ideas she came up with to help the kids review what they learned that day.”

It wasn't all smooth sailing, though. Kathy further reported, “Lavern found out that teaching is not easy. One must face many difficulties and challenges, but that has not dampened Lavern’s continued desire to focus on teaching."

Though running a classroom was hard work, the students made it all worth it for Lavern: "Every day, the students would ask me, Are you coming back? I could see they weren’t tired of me, and that motivated me to get up early and do the lesson plans for the next week.”

A heartfelt goodbye
On the last day of her internship, Lavern taught all the classes. At the end of the day, the children cried because they didn’t want to see their intern-teacher leave. “Two of the worst behaved students cried the loudest because it was my last day.” Lavern reported. The students shouted, “Ms. Killion,” and blocked the door so she couldn’t get out. The classroom teacher, Anna Austin, joined them in shedding tears. When she sat down in the car with Kathy, Lavern had tears, too. But she also felt the joy of realizing that her influence was greater than she had realized.

A week later, Kathy and Lavern went back to the school to give Ms. Austin a thank-you note and gift from PIU. Ms. Austin had a gift for Lavern as well: a book of letters from the students. Lavern read them to Kathy on their way back to campus. The impact of this collaboration went beyond the hearts of these precious children: Ms. Austin has extended the offer for Lavern to return as a substitute when needed.

Since then...
In the spring of 2020, COVID-19 reached the shores of Guam. Plans that were once certain seemed to be falling apart: Lavern's graduation was canceled, her engagement to her fiancé postponed, and her reunion with family from Chuuk became impossible.

"I was doubting God, questioning why He would allow such a thing as Covid to ruin my plan that I and my family planned together. The feeling of not being able to wait to reunite again with my family turned into a turning away from God. But you know what's funny? I and my husband got married and then a few days or weeks after I came across this verse in the Bible (Jeremiah 29:11) and I just sat back and laughed! I laughed because it’s true — God’s plan is always the best."

Lavern's husband, Joy Roby, comes from her home island of Chuuk. Lavern and Joy now work with a Liebenzell USA missionary, Alex Tavarez, in the Student Development Department at PIU. In particular, Lavern is involved in mentoring and encouraging the women students along with Kathy Merrell.

Lavern and Joy Roby married in fall of 2020.

Lavern and is Meleah Tavarez's "best friend!" Meleah has grown up as a missionary kid on the island of Guam.

And Lavern still gets to do what she loves: teach and pour into students. This semester at PIU, she's the in-person class assistant for Samantha Owen, who teaches a class virtually from the US. She also teaches English Public Speaking.

What's Next?

As a result of her internship, Lavern is more sure about her career. “I know I want to teach. It is my gift. I don’t know where God will be leading me in the future, but I know where he is leading me now. He led me here in PIU to be a light to the ones that are struggling both spiritually and physically."

Lavern's eventual goal is to return to her home island of Chuuk, and provide the girls and boys there with a better education. "Many of the kids back home struggle with their education, because not all the teachers had a good experience in English. They have been learning or schooling in fully Chuukese. That’s what I went through and I don’t want them to go through."

She's also willing to further her education after PIU, so Dr. Raess encourages Lavern to apply to the local school system. As a gift, she sent Lavern a box of teaching material and a shirt that says, “Live Generously.”

Live generously!

What an agenda. A young lady from a tiny island nation, the wife of a retired pastor turned school administrator, and a retired teacher on the other side of the world met at PIU with the aid of a second grade instructor. All contributed with great generosity. Only eternity will reveal the fruit from this quartet’s efforts.

Actually, it’s more than just these four remarkable women. You, too, are a part of this story. Thank you for giving generously.

This article was published in the Spring 2021 issue of the Provision Press.

Teaching for the Lord

Wed, 17 Mar 2021 18:40:18 GMT

Teaching for the Lord:

John Thompson remembers 15 years of ministry in the Pacific

by John Shoemaker & John Thompson

MAR. 26, 2021

John Thompson teaches mathematics at the Lugos Boys' School on Manus Island in the 1960's. "When you go as a missionary, you teach everything," John says, including church history, English, and math.

Do you remember what you wanted to be when you were six years old? For John Thompson, at this tender age, his response would surprise you: a missionary.

His connection to Liebenzell USA — and to teaching — goes back to before his birth. His mother grew up in Baden, South Germany, just on the border of Switzerland, and one of her teachers happened to be a Christian from Liebenzell, Germany. When his mother came to America at age 18 in 1926, she joined a Christian Endeavor Jugendbund (youth group). That group developed close ties with Liebenzell Mission in the early 1940's, when Henry and Anna Zimmermann came to the U.S.A. from China on their way to Germany. A child at that time, John spent his early life in a family that made trips from New York City to spend time on Schooley’s Mountain, the property the Zimmermanns purchased.

Through an Evangelical Church (now the Evangelical United Brethren Church), he also met one of their pastors who had been a missionary in China, Frederick Brandauer. On a visit to his parents, Pastor Brandauer posed the question to John, “Wouldn’t you like to be a missionary some day?” Little did he know that John’s "Yes!" was sincere.

John's experience with missionaries extended to Sunday School, where John’s cousin, Ruth Vogelmann, taught. She eventually became a Liebenzell USA missionary, and gave thrilling Bible lessons and often told the class missionary stories. In high school, John joined a Born-Againers ("HiBA") Club that encouraged him to think about missions. Finally, when he was about 16, a missionary speaker at the annual Mission’s Sunday in Schooley’s Mountain challenged young people to make their declaration to serve as missionaries. John made his intentions public.

After graduation from high school, John attended Houghton College in northern New York, where he majored in Comprehensive Religion and was further encouraged to pursue a career in missions.

God was not done preparing him yet. He attended graduate school, earning a degree in elementary education from Long Island University. While studying, he also taught a few years in a public school in Brooklyn, since his cousin Ruth told him of the need for elementary teachers on the mission field. She was already teaching at the Liebenzell Mission school at Lugos on Manus Island, Papua New Guinea.

In March 1966, the moment arrived: John left for Manus Island. While there, he taught with his cousin Ruth and the Dietsch families, who were also missionaries with Liebenzell USA. Often on weekends he went with a dozen students and workers to preach in villages that did not have pastors. It meant trekking in the heat of the tropical jungles and swimming across rivers. It wasn’t long before he became headmaster of the Lugos School. After almost five years, he had a furlough in the U.S.A.

John after preaching at a Sunday service on Manus Island in the 1970's.

During his second term on Manus, he continued teaching for two years, then accepted the position of manager of the mission station, Loniu. In addition to looking after the ministry of the church of that village, he traveled to many of the coastal villages of the Manus South Coast and the smaller islands of Manus. There he set up slide and film presentations of the Gospel.

John cites the letters of thanks written by students and the love of the people of Manus as truly rewarding experiences in his first nine years of missionary service. Many of his students went on to further their education. Some returned home to the islands to serve as teachers themselves.

However, John’s ministry wasn’t finished yet. In 1975, he returned to the U.S.A. for a six-month furlough. During that time, he married Margaret, whom he knew from his church in Glendale, Queens. She also worked as a teacher. In January 1976, they traveled to Palau, Micronesia, another island where Liebenzell Mission operated a ministry. Here they taught at the boys’ school, Emmaus High School.

John Thompson and his wife Margaret Thompson, pictured in Palau with their son. All three of their children were born in Palau, one of over 500 islands in the Micronesian region of the Pacific Ocean.

Life on Palau consisted of teaching, attending daily chapels, and supervising work crews and study sessions. They spent weekends supervising activities for the boys, taking turns at chapels, and preaching at the English church services to those who didn’t speak the Palauan language. John also played the piano for the hymn singing during the Palauan services. In all, the Thompsons spent about 5½ years in Palau, and all three of their children were born there.

When asked of his greatest challenge, John recounts a story of his last year in Manus. A man, Muli, the village chief from an outer island of Rambutjo, thirsted for the Good News, but completely misunderstood the message. He believed he himself had to die and be resurrected. John and others helped him understand the truth of the Gospel. Some years later, a church was planted in that village of Liuliu.

When thinking about relevant scripture to encapsulate John’s 15-year experience on the mission field, II Timothy 2:2 comes to mind, “...and the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”

As a missionary, John’s passion was to glorify Christ through his teaching and make Christ known as the only hope for eternal life.

This article was published in the Spring 2021 issue of the Provision Press.

Lord of the Harvest

Fri, 12 Mar 2021 17:59:55 GMT

Lord of the Harvest

by Rev. Mike Branch

MAR. 13, 2021

Photo by Melissa Askew

Approximately 2000 years ago, Matthew recorded these words from Jesus in chapter 9:37 — “the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.” Later, John in his Gospel picks up the same theme in chapter 4, verse 35, when he quotes Jesus’ words: “lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest.” In each reference, the picture of a field bursting with ripe produce and ready to be harvested is abundantly clear, but so is the need for more laborers.

So, has this changed in the years since?

According to the Joshua Project, there are 7.76 billion people in the world today. Forty-two point five percent of the world’s population — 3.32 billion people — is unreached. To be included in this group, by definition, there can only be a few evangelicals, a few people who identify as Christians, and little, if any, history of Christianity in the group. This means that there is no real witness to the Gospel and the potential for being reached is practically non-existent. That means almost half of the world’s population is left without a Christian witness in their midst.

In comparison, there are an estimated 140,000 Protestant missionaries working on the foreign mission field today, and the vast majority are not working among the unreached people. Quite a contrast!

But there are two things we can take away from these verses. First, the fields were ripe then, and they are still ripe now. We can easily be overwhelmed by the task at hand, but we must remember that God is the one who is raising up the harvest. He provides the rain, the sun, and the nutrients that cause the ground to produce an abundant physical harvest of food; so too does He provide everything needed for the harvest of souls. He is the “Lord of the harvest.”

The second take-away is how do we respond to this need? God is still moved with great compassion as He sees the great need. The word "compassion" carries the idea of suffering together, so He is not only feeling the weight of the suffering of the lost, but He is also deeply moved to help. Jesus realized that being in a physical body, like us, He Himself could not physically care for all the needs He saw. There was not enough time in a day and enough strength in His body. So, His answer was to go to the Father in prayer — prayer for more laborers!

When we see a need, we like to do things — call a meeting, organize a mission week, develop a program, or any number of potentially good strategies. But God likes to call ourselves to Himself. It is the time with Him that opens the door for God to work. He works in us and through us and shows Himself to be powerful as He answers our prayers.

Liebenzell was founded as the result of a call for more missionaries. We have remained true to that call through the years as we have sent missionaries to the Pacific Islands, to South America, and to Africa. Today, we see the growing need for more people to hear the good news of the Gospel. We are more committed than ever to reaching the people of the world with more missionaries, more mission fields, and more ministries. So, we are praying to the Lord of the harvest: "Lord, send out more laborers to more fields to reap more of the growing harvest through us! "

Will you join us with your prayers? Will you join us on the field? Please prayerfully consider what the Lord of the Harvest would have you do.

Rev. Mike Branch feels privileged to be serving God, the church, and missionaries around the world from Schooley’s Mountain, New Jersey. He cares about serving those who need to hear the good news of God’s love demonstrated through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ .

On Joy

Thu, 11 Feb 2021 20:05:33 GMT

On Joy

by Pastor Chris Basile

FEB. 16, 2021

Photo by Preslie Hirsch

“Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. ” ( Psalm 16:11 )

We know that at the foundation of our salvation is the fact that God has chosen us and made us His by Grace. Though from an eternal theological perspective we had no say in the matter, from our perspective, to seek God is to seek the best and most fulfilling option in existence. Consider the verse above.

God shows us the path of life. Certainly eternal life in Christ by faith through grace. Certainly the only means of escape from death and damnation. Certainly spiritual assurance despite challenges. But also the best way to live in this world. The path of life comes from God's revelation. How do you live? Not by bread alone but by what God says. Discord in the world has come from ignoring this. All the evil of history can be traced back to seeking the path of life from some other source rather than God. Praise the Lord for His clear direction to His people!

In His presence is fullness of Joy. When our comfort and contentment wanes it is often because we are dwelling on something or someone that is ungodly. Perhaps a fear of circumstances? Worry about something outside our apparent control? But with the Lord is unchanging unending joy. It is fixed and provided. The joy that comes with the heavenly Kingdom can be glimpsed at and known in part here for the Christian. It comes with a close relationship to the Father. The more deeply you know Him the greater your joy.

We can deceive ourselves with pleasure. Food, drink, passions, entertainment, sport, friends, family. All of these are good in the right context. However, the greatest pleasure comes from enjoying God. Enjoying God allows one to enjoy all the aspects of life to an even greater extent because He gives everything purpose, meaning, and future. Temporary pleasure without Him is an empty high that one craves to get back and weakens with each attempt. But in Him is fullness of pleasure. In fact the very origin of the concept. To enjoy God is to enjoy all His creation! So Christianity should be the most appealing way, truth and life. Pray that our dark rebellious hearts do not block out that reality. Pray for more souls to see the light of this truth. May our walk outwardly reflect our life, joy, and pleasure in Christ forever.

Open Doors

Fri, 15 Jan 2021 22:41:34 GMT

Open Doors

by Ben Schöniger - Canada

JAN. 16, 2021

Photo by Roan Lavery

“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9)

One time, my wife and I went shopping at the nearby mall, I waited for her at the entrance hall while she picked up some more groceries. So, I stood there and observed what was happening around me. Next to me was an exit door that also had an automatic door button close by. One person after the other walked to the door, pushed the button, waited for ten seconds, eventually pushed the door open and left the building. Almost everyone who left the building exited by manually opening the doors, except of one little girl. When her parents pushed the automatic door button, the girl was not focused on the door in front of them, but was still wandering and looking around. This led her to realize that there was another door in their back that actually did open automatically whereas the door in front of them did not. The little girl was the only one in the ten minutes that I was standing there who figured out the real automatic door and left without pushing the exit doors open on her own.

This situation reminded me a lot of my personal, spiritual life. How often do I ask God to open a door and lead me the way? I push the “prayer button” and wait – but actually faced towards the doors that I think have to open up for me. Quite often, if nothing seems to happen, I start acting according to my own ideas and out of my own strength. But what if I was more like that little girl: looking around where a door is opening, expecting God to answer my prayer in ways different to what I might imagine or focus on? What if I stepped back after my prayers to see what God is actually doing?

Knowing that God is in control and my prayers are not useless, I want to be open for surprises and new ways in which God is acting in and through my life. I will still have plans, ideas and visions for the future, but in prayer, patience and with an open heart to His guidance, I do not want to rush through my own doors, but trust Him to establish my steps by opening the right doors at the right time. What about you?

Ben and Julia Shöniger's personal mission statement is "Home in Christ: Being, Leading, Building." Their goal is to help ground others in Christ and help people to grow in their relationship with Jesus so that they find their true home in God.

Christmas Around the World 2020

info@liebenzellusa.org (Liebenzell Mission) — Thu, 31 Dec 2020 16:36:02 GMT

Liebenzell Christmas 2020

A collection of Liebenzell missionaries and staff celebrating the Christmas season around the world.

The Lord's Loving Kindness

Thu, 31 Dec 2020 16:35:53 GMT

The Lord 's Lovingkindess

by Rev. Mike Branch - New Jersey, USA

DEC. 31, 2020

Photo by Patrick Fore

Lamentations 3:21-24

21. This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope. 22. The LORD’S loving kindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. 23. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. 24. “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I have hope in Him.”

As we come to the end of one year, we often look back and reflect on the events of the past year. Usually there are some regrets for things not done or accomplished, some sadness for unanticipated painful events or losses, and as always, guilt for all those unfulfilled resolutions we eagerly set for ourselves at the beginning of last year. Somehow things never turn out the way we planned.

As we reflect on the past, Lamentations is probably not the go to book for encouragement. The word itself means “a passionate expression of grief or sorrow”, not very uplifting. Remember that the writer of the book, the prophet Jeremiah, was speaking to the Israelites as he is watching the destruction Jerusalem and the fall of the Jewish nation. Not a good time and not an encouraging message. Or was it?

In the midst of this situation, Jeremiah recalls to mind several important things about the God he serves. God’s lovingkindness never ceases! It is given in abundance and is without end and you cannot get away from it. His compassion never fails. He always sees you with a heart that is burdened with sympathy for you in your suffering and pain and He is ready to respond. The prophet even adds that they are new every morning. Each day is a new day for you and His lovingkindness and compassion is also new and abounds for that day.

All of this is ultimately grounded in His faithfulness. As God, He can do no other than demonstrate His love and compassion. Therefore, we can rest comfortably in this assurance no matter our circumstances.

I encourage each of you as you reflect on the past year, however it may have been for you, to rejoice that you serve a God who is so faithful in His lovingkindness and compassion. I have hope, and so do you. As we began a new year, I am excited and anticipate great things from God.

Mike and Terri Branch feel privileged to be serving God, the church, and missionaries around the world from their base in Schooley’s Mountain, New Jersey. They especially care about serving those who need to hear the good news of God’s love demonstrated through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ.

Take it to the Lord in Prayer

Tue, 15 Dec 2020 17:27:14 GMT

Take it to the Lord in Prayer

by Rev. Dr. Christopher Matthews — Spain

DEC. 15, 2020

Photo by Aaron Burden

The challenge of getting through crisis times is to keep one’s head on right — in other words, to maintain a godly attitude while things appear out of control. It is tempting to grow fearful, to complain, and even to become critical. However, the firm ring of truth from the Scriptures is to always be rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, and continuing steadfastly in prayer, as the apostle Paul encouraged the Roman believers in chapter 12 and verse 12.

What do we have to rejoice about today when things have blown apart by CV-19, income’s down, and folks struggle with losses? When we remain always focused in the cross, the burial, and the resurrection of our Lord, we have reason for great hope that fills our hearts with joy!

Jesus also warned us that in this world you will have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world. This fact alone gives us an opening to exercise patience in tribulation (troubles), as our Lord himself declares victory over this old world and all its woes.

Finally, “we should never be discouraged, take it to the Lord in prayer,” as the old hymn goes, since we have such a friend in Jesus. He gives us reason to continue steadfastly in prayer to him as he understands all our weaknesses and gives us his strength. This coming Saturday, for instance, we will have a Prayer Walk inviting the community to be steadfast in prayer. Next Thursday, we have a Call to Prayer by Zoom to invite all the missionaries, staff, and board to join steadfastly in prayer together.

Yes, we can keep our heads in the midst of crisis times by rejoicing, being patient, and praying steadily. Will you join in this way together and avoid the temptations to do otherwise? As believers in our Lord, let us be distinctly different from the world around us, as our citizenship is in heaven, from which we eagerly expect our Lord to return for us in victory.

Chris and Beth Matthews have served as missionaries in Spain for fifteen years under other missionary agencies in the areas of sharing the Gospel, discipling believers, training new leaders, and sending out Spaniards as missionaries.

Great Expectations: Results or Relationships?

Fri, 27 Nov 2020 14:54:17 GMT

Great Expectations: Results or Relationships?

by Alex Tavarez — Guam, Micronesia

NOV. 30, 2020

Photo by Aaron Burden

As a missionary it is easy to think that we are the ones that are going to make a difference. For many missionaries, a lot of time was spent praying and preparing to go where they believed God was calling them to serve. There isn’t enough time in the world to prepare oneself for a life a serving others. I am reminded regularly of how insufficient I am and how sufficient Jesus is to provide my every need.

Even as a believer, feeling the need to fulfill expectations is very real. Sometimes just telling someone that you are a missionary brings with it a whole bunch of unspoken expectations from both those you are serving and those who support you. I met missionaries a couple of years ago that were serving in the mountains of Turkey. They have served for over 20 years with little to no results. They do not have any conversion story, or a bible study they started. They only have stories of time being spent with locals and of learning how to farm on rocky soil. When asked how they endure the pressure of not having results, they responded by saying “it’s not about the results, but about the relationships.”

In the book of Acts, Peter and the disciples, who had just recently seen the Lord ascend to the heavens, must have felt a tsunami of emotions; What do we do now? How are we going to accomplish what Jesus said? How are we going to fulfill the Great Commission? I would imagine the disciples spent their days pondering how they were going to fulfill these great expectations.

The man that denied Jesus three times to a handful of people was the same man to proclaim Jesus as Messiah to thousands (Acts 2:14). This was not accomplished by trying to fulfill human expectations, but by submitting to God’s expectation of Jesus beginning and finishing His work in us.

I have struggled with trying to be more than expected. I fear disappointment, and here at PIU with all the restrictions associated with Covid, disappointment is easy to find. However, I was recently reminded of why I am here at PIU. It is not about the results, but about the relationships. Our school most likely won’t ever have 5000 students, and wrestling through the success of PIU as an institution and my role as a missionary has helped me value the time I get to spend with the student leaders here at PIU. So instead of fixing my eyes on what is expected, I’m going to choose to enjoy the relationships that God has provided.

We’d appreciate your prayers for PIU. We are going through some transitions and are seeking the Lord for guidance. Thank you all for continued prayer and may the Lord draw near to you as you seek His will for your life.

Alex and Dani Tavarez l ove God and people, especially living life with students and discipling them to draw closer to Jesus. They have been serving at Pacific Islands University (PIU) on the beautiful island of Guam since June 2017.

Farnsworth Family Forum - Fall 2020

Fri, 30 Oct 2020 15:37:38 GMT

Farnsworth Family Forum: Fall 2020

by Ned & Marisol Farnsworth — Otavalo, Ecuador

OCT. 30, 2020

Selfie of the Farnsworth family

Wow, it’s hard to believe that we are already in the middle of October. Since the public schools plan to complete this academic year remotely, we returned to homeschooling all four of our kids. Joel is a senior and Amelia a freshman in high school, and Jacob and Elias are third graders. Having them with us at home is a blessing that keeps us very busy. Please pray that we survive the 2020-2021 school year!!

Churches in Ecuador are beginning to open up with the required safety measures. We are proceeding slowly here in Otavalo and praying for wisdom. Since we no longer have a church building, our situation is more challenging. Last Friday night we held our first in-person meeting since March at a local restaurant for coffee and fellowship, and we continue to visit and host church people at our house.

Meeting in a local restaurant for fellowship

Ned started teaching a Thursday night course on preaching at our mission’s Bible Institute via Zoom. Although adjusting to theological training online poses its challenges, he finds joy in training the 13 class members for ministry at their local churches.

Another initiative for our family is helping with the online Sunday school of our mother church in Ibarra. This Sunday Marisol taught the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant to the children. Ned used his puppet Monsie to help him teach The Sower and the Seed. Last week the electricity went off during SS, but most of the children reconnected a few minutes later.

These are challenging times for all of us. We would appreciate your prayers for the following:

Guidance for decisions for our church plant.
Good internet for online meetings.
Health of Marisol’s mother Zulema.
Wisdom for Joel’s future plans.
Spiritual growth for Christians in Ecuador.
Safety for our mission’s churches who have already reopened.

Ned & Marisol Farnsworth have served with Liebenzell since 2001, and currently minister and teach at a church plant in Otavalo, Ecuador.

5 Characteristics of a Fruitful Disciple

Fri, 30 Oct 2020 13:43:18 GMT

5 Characteristics of a Fruitful Disciple

by Steve Stinnette — Palau, Micronesia

OCT. 30, 2020

Photo by Zbynek Burival

In John 15, Jesus teaches his disciples about the characteristics of a disciple. The disciples had been with Jesus for the last three years. Now Jesus told them there would be a change in their relationship: He is leaving, and the Holy Spirit is coming. He will be with them, but in a completely different way. He teaches that His relationship to His disciples is like that of a vine to the branches.

The absolute necessity for effective ministry is stated in John 15:5 — “I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without Me.” The non-negotiable for fruit-bearing ministry is remaining in Christ . As a branch depends on the vine, a disciple will bear fruit by remaining in Christ; indeed, he cannot avoid bearing fruit. In John 15, Jesus gives five additional characteristics you want to see developed in your own life, and in the lives of your disciples:

1. A Disciple Glorifies God (15:8) My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be My disciples.

2. A Disciple Bears Fruit (15:8, 16) My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be My disciples. You did not choose Me, but I chose you. I appointed you that you should go out and produce fruit and that your fruit should remain.

3. A Disciple is Obedient (15:10) If you keep My commands you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commands and remain in His love.

4. A Disciple Has Joy (15:11) I have spoken these things to you so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.

5. A Disciple Loves as Christ Loves (15:12-13, 17) This is My command: Love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, that someone would lay down his life for his friends… This is what I command you: Love one another.

We may feel defective, or that fruit-bearing ministry is impossible during a pandemic. But as long as we remain in Christ, we cannot avoid it!

Steve Stinnette is the Leadership Development Coordinator for the churches in Micronesia. Born and raised in Virginia, he moved to Micronesia in 1979, and he and his wife Anne now minister from the island of Guam.

Disciples Making Disciples

Wed, 01 Jan 2020 19:20:55 GMT

Disciples Making Disciples

by Steve Stinnette — Palau, Micronesia — Jan 1, 2020

A youth group from Palau, Micronesia wears their shirts emblazoned with "Christ Lives in Me." One girl found hers to be a powerful tool for spreading the gospel - even an ocean away from home.

Jesus’ commanded strategy for reaching the world with the gospel is revealed in Matthew 28:19-20, known as the Great Commission passage. “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

The main command in Matthew 28:19-20, “make disciples,” includes both a goal and the method for reaching that goal.

The goal given by Jesus is to reach the world by sharing the message of the gospel to every person on the planet.

The method given by Jesus to accomplish this goal is by “making disciples,” not just stopping at the evangelism task – the “making converts” part. Making disciples is more than just bringing believers into maturity in Christ. It must also include equipping them for ministry. If we just focus on bringing believers into spiritual maturity without equipping them for ministry, “spiritual stagnation” occurs. Both tasks must be completed together.

Three years ago, Anne and I began discipling several Palau Evangelical Church (PEC) youth leaders. We had no idea what the results would be but had every confidence in both the goal and the method: “Make disciples who make disciples!”

As these youth leaders began growing spiritually as disciples of Jesus, we also began equipping them to do ministry. They, in turn, began making disciples among the various youth in the church youth groups they led, and also began equipping them to do ministry.

God seemed to move powerfully in one youth group in particular – the one in Ngaremlengui, a village halfway up the west coast on the island of Babeldaob. The lives of the youth leaders there, Pors, Kosh, and Idedchei, began changing radically as they began discipling various youth in their youth group, and equipping them to do ministry as well.

Last year I wrote about the revival-like atmosphere that seemed to typify the lives of the youth group there as they caught fire in sharing their faith with other youth. Several of the youth group members, Sesngel, Shellie, and Watermelon, started an evangelism and discipleship ministry in Palau’s only public high school, Palau High (which continues to this day).

Suddenly, last August, God’s unexplainable plan began to unfold, which seemed incomprehensible to most of the Ngaremlengui youth group leaders and members at first. The following story is written by one of those youth leaders: Kosh - short for Amelia Franz. Kosh shares her story in the form of a letter to me.

Her letter begins as follows:

Alii [a word of greeting] Steve!

It works! Disciples make disciples! The experience of making the truth of the gospel known to others, and then taking the time to duplicate these truths into someone else’s life, one life after another after another, is amazing, exciting, and motivating. Praise the Lord!

Okay, here’s what happened to our ministry after you and Anne relocated to Guam last year. As you know, Sesngel [introduced as ‘Sessy’ last year] was one of the first youth members we started working with on discipleship. She was growing and maturing enough to start sharing her faith. After she shared her faith with that one boy from our village, the Lord built her confidence and boldness to the point that she started sharing her faith with many other youths her age, and even to others much older than her.

But sadly, last August, we had to say goodbye to Sesngel as she left Palau to go to school in California. As she left, Pors and I began questioning what God was doing by allowing her to leave us when she was just beginning to grow and learn. Our plan was that we would disciple her to make disciples among the other youth. Little did we know that God had a greater plan for her life.

One day a few weeks later, I received a message from Sesngel that she had decided to wear our youth group uniform to class (with the lettering “Christ Lives in Me” boldly emblazoned across the front). She told me, “Kosh, when I got into my class, my classmates were staring at me,” Later that day, one of her classmates approached her, stating she was bold to wear that t-shirt to school. Sesngel took the opportunity to share her faith with her, and they became friends. Days later, she messaged me stating that her friend has received Christ, and asked, “Now that my friend has received the Lord as her Savior, what do I do with her?” I told her to start using the follow-up Bible studies with her that we had trained her to use. I reminded her that her goal was to “make another Sesngel” (meaning, make her into a disciple just like her!). So, she did, and as time passed, the two of them became three as another girlfriend of hers received the Lord. Sesngel just continued to follow them up with the Bible studies she had been trained to use, and just making them into disciples.

After a few more weeks, Sesngel called me again. She was very excited to tell me of another encounter she had with a 76-year-old man from Chuuk while attending a church service. Her two friends were with her. As she was reading her Bible, this old man approached her, and the Holy Spirit led her in a conversation with him while the Pastor was still preaching. In Sesngel’s own words, “I don’t remember most of what I said; I just remembered that I shared my faith with that old man. As I shared, the Lord opened his heart. As I began to lead him in prayer to receive Christ, he started to cry so uncontrollably that the Pastor stopped preaching and he and the whole congregation began staring at us. So, this old man received the Lord as his Savior. After our prayer, while the people were staring, this old man stood up, went to the front and shared his testimony.” She said she went out crying, not really remembering what exactly she had said or how it had happened.

Steve, what is remarkable is that her two friends, Giana and Chey, were sitting there with her the entire time, witnessing the whole thing. When Sesngel told me this, I responded, “Ses! Now is the time for you to encourage your two friends to start sharing their faith! They have observed you doing it in front of them.” So, she did. She challenged them to begin sharing their faith. They started by sharing with their families because their families weren’t believers.

Sesngel continued, “We did our Bible study in one of my friend’s house, while we were studying, her brother would come around and look at us in the room and then leave. Little did we know he was sitting just outside the door listening to us.” The brother was a drug addict and sometimes forced his parents to buy him drugs because if they didn’t, he would steal some of their stuff and sell it to buy drugs himself.

Giana and Chey shared their faith with him and he received the Lord as his Savior. The girls were overflowing with joy when he received the Lord and they told Sesngel, “Now we know the inexplicable feeling you described that one gets when you share your faith!”

Moreover, right after that boy received the Lord, he went home and apologized to his parents for all his wrongdoing towards them. He even volunteered to drive them to church the next time they went. I told Sesngel, “Now you have to teach them to do the follow-up Bible studies with that brother.”

Remember that the old man from Chuuk that Sesngel led to the Lord during the church service? He left California to go back to Chuuk two days after they met. They stayed in touch. He told Sesngel that his wife was not a Christian; he also shared that he had narrated his conversion to his wife, and she was amazed that one so young had the boldness to share her faith with someone older than her! Sesngel challenged the old man to share with his wife what she has shared with him.

Steve, last week Sesngel messaged me saying the wife has received the Lord as her Savior. They even video chatted together over Facebook Messenger and prayed together.

My response to all this was, “Ollekeang [a word expressing surprise]! Sesngel, now we know why the Lord took you to California.” Recently, Sesngel was invited to share her testimony in one of the Palauan Youth Group Bible studies there. I spoke with her yesterday and she said, “Kosh, they asked me to lead our next Bible study!” When I asked her what she was going to do, she said, “I will do it!” I was shocked, surprised, and amazed.

Steve, in one of my recent conversations with Sesngel, she told me, “Now that I’m experiencing all of this, I remember how you and Pors would share with me all the encouragement you guys felt in making disciples. Now I know too.” And then she exclaimed, “Kosh, I think I’m Kosh #2!” It was then that your words hit me Steve! Making disciples is the duplication of your life in the life of someone else. And I realized that this is what you were talking about. Making disciples who make disciples is the only effective way to reach the world!

–Amelia Franz

Making disciples, who then make disciples, who then make disciples: It’s the goal AND the method!

A Missionary's Perspective on Discipleship

Wed, 01 Jan 2020 17:56:52 GMT

A Missionary's Perspective on Discipleship

by Lukundo Furnish — Guam, Micronesia — Jan 1, 2020

Alex and Dani Tavarez have served at Pacific Islands University (PIU) on the beautiful island of Guam since June 2017.

The theme for Liebenzell USA for this year is "Making Disciples." We want to discover how our missionaries go about "fishing for men." Early on a Monday morning, I had a Q&A with Alex Tavarez - he is the Vice President of Student Development at Pacific Islands University (PIU) . He shared his experiences and raw thoughts:

Q: How do you do discipleship?

A: I am a simpleton when it comes to the gospel: I do not consider myself to be theologically astute. We’ve gone wrong, we’ve tried systemizing something that is beautiful. Maybe we should be more submissive to the Spirit, instead of becoming this assembly line in the way we go about discipleship. I look at the woman at the well as an example. What Christ generated with her on that first encounter is of a very intimate nature. If we as disciplers look at how Christ approached this individual, who was culturally different, and his willingness to meet her on her territory - something that most Jewish men would not do - we could learn from it.

For me, discipleship is about intentionality and getting to know the individual’s heart. Christ offered the Samaritan woman living water, but first he dealt with the heart matter. This is the model. To look at people regardless of their skin color, or anything else, and to view them as people who can experience life - free life in Christ. Ultimately, they will in turn go and proclaim the gospel to those around them and make more disciples.

Q: Who discipled you and what did that look like?

A: I came to faith under a very strict accountability structure. I was 18 years old. I was placed in a group with guys my age, in which we had to hold each other accountable. That meant that we were not to have any secrets and we were to sharpen each other. I was never able to hide anything from my brothers; I was forced to be honest. There is a saying that rings true “Your faith is personal, but not private.” I grew up in community and I believe this is where the most effective discipleship occurs. I do think there is a place for one-on-one sharpening, but largely, I believe discipleship to be a group thing. When the Spirit unites us, He drives us to do amazing things.

Q: What has been most impactful?

A: My wife and I have been involved in youth ministry for some time. We have discovered that the immediate thing that we both acknowledge is that the feelings of the young people we minister to are legit and that what they’re experiencing is very real. Some mentors have the tendency to "blow things off" with statements such as “You’re being emotional,” or “You’re being irrational.” The way Jesus treated the woman at the well showed that He valued her. He took an interest in her story. The most beneficial thing, I have found, is not to minimize people’s significance or to say, “They don’t matter.”

There is of course a component of long-suffering to this kind of approach, and that means seeing them through their hurt, walking them through tough decisions and their struggles. Having said that, there is a danger if you don’t bring God’s truth into discipleship. Today’s generation is certainly more emotional, and they are told to identify with what they feel. They are frequently told “Be your own person.” Clearly Scripture defines who we truly are, and thankfully frees us from that existential mindset that says, “We are our own gods.” I would make the argument that it is about finding the balance between truth and love.

Q: Who are you currently discipling?

A: Scott. He is my co-worker and graduated from Pacific Islands University (PIU) in 2016. He is Micronesian – Chuukese. For many years he has been considered a great asset to the university, because of his role in student life, particularly his work with resident advisors (RA).

One of the biggest aspects of my style of discipleship is that I want to work myself out of the job. Not because I am lazy, or I don’t want to do the work. But because growth and maturity are evidenced by how much responsibility the disciple takes on and how they take ownership of the truths that have been imparted to them. With Scott, I found that he took over a lot of my responsibilities and he has done the work so well.

Q: What is your most memorable time with your disciple?

A: There was a time when Scott’s wife got into a bad accident. It was at this time that I got to see a different side to him. Scott is usually business-like; he doesn’t open up easily. But that experience led to him opening up, and I discovered how much of a brother Scott was to me. For me, a window to his inner person had been opened. To see Scott lean on God at this tragic time showed me how much growth had taken place. So many Micronesians when faced with tragedy either shut down or resort to alcoholism. Others disappear or fall back on the things they have always known and done. Scott chose to lean on Christ. It was a beautiful thing to see.

Q: What was your most challenging moment with your disciple?

A: When I see them struggle. When I notice that their attention is divided. When we both start to get complacent and it keeps us from being close.

Q: Is there anything that, with hindsight, you would do differently?

A: I would want to know more about the culture that I am ministering in. We (my wife and I) came in here blind. We are flexible and teachable; however, there were many times when I’ve made mistakes that have hindered relationships. I wish I would have known what cultural missteps really turn people off and inhibit relationships. Bringing the gospel to hearts that are hardened is hard because they’ve already shut down.

Q: Where should we as the church focus our discipleship efforts?

A: When I think about discipleship I primarily think of discipline. I don’t think about growth, but discipline. I think one thing that we’ve lost as a church is effective discipline; those who do wrong are not disciplined.

What should we focus on? I think it boils down to accountability. Our church has had to take steps to discipline people and it is the hardest thing that I have had to do - to tell someone that they cannot be part of a community because of the choices they’ve made. It’s hard to see someone refuse to repent or reject God’s way.

Accountability is not entirely negative; it is also positive. We have become so afraid of making people feel bad, that being honest and not fearing judgement has lost its place in the church.

Alex and Dani Tavarez love God and people, especially living life with students and discipling them to draw closer to Jesus. They have been serving at Pacific Islands University (PIU) on the beautiful island of Guam since June 2017.

The Hate That Held Me Back

Mon, 01 Jul 2019 17:43:02 GMT

The Hate That Held Me Back

by Limpo Mulenga — Zambia, Africa — July 1, 2019

Students in uniform celebrating at Amano Christian School. Photo Courtesy of Andrea Anderson.

Amano Christian School was the place that first helped me realize my hate for the Lord Jesus and all His work. The malice was hidden so deep within me; it would make my skin crawl having to open a Bible. I hated God and was blind to sin.

That is - until I discovered Him for myself.

I was born in Zambia, a little country in southern Africa. For a while now, my country has been the only African nation to declare its national religion officially as Christian. It is not a surprise to hear someone state rather piously “Zambia is a Christian nation.” The phrase is often used to justify our distaste towards any unorthodox practice as well as to defend our religious standing.

There are tens of thousands of churches in my country. I am a member in one of the larger churches where my mother is also very active. When the church celebrated the roofing of our new building, I was the one sitting in the background rolling my eyes at every “It was all Him!” and “He provides.” By the twelfth "amen" I had my cheap headsets on, waiting to go home.

I didn’t hate God at the time. My mother always told me I was one of His gifts. However, I was only a Christian because everyone around me was, too. That is the thing about living in a country or a place that proclaims their beliefs collectively: there are no other options. Bein. Rny other religion in my country was reserved for foreigners.

Atheism is unheard of; you don’t get the choice of being a Christian. You just are one. As a result, I had questions about Christianity that I was told not to ask and practices I had to participate in such as church confirmation and baptism. If I just attended and did as I was told, I was fine – I was a ‘good Christian’. Nobody cared what happened afterward, and I saw freedom in that.

I only agreed to join Amano Christian School as a daytime student to avoid going to a boarding school far away. Everything changed my first day there, and it all started with a thirteen year old boy’s question: “Are you a Christian?”

It was right after our teacher had excused us for break time. I was talking to one of my female classmates about our likes and dislikes when a group of boys came up to us. Looking at him as if he were brain dead, I thought it was the dumbest question I had ever been asked.

Of course, I was a Christian! Everyone is Christian!

I was desperate to make a good impression, so I limited my answer to a quiet, “Yes.”

He then asked, “Why?”

My face couldn’t hide my distaste.

“I don’t know, isn’t everyone?” Did I need a reason to be a Christian?

Very quickly the boys called me out. Suddenly, I wasn’t a Christian. At the time I was fuming and was left embarrassed, alone and confused.

It didn’t take long before everyone knew – or at least that is the way it felt. Whenever I got asked “the question,” which surprisingly happened a lot at a Christian school, someone would answer for me.

After this incident, I decided I didn’t want a God whose kids called me out like that. I didn’t want to go to heaven. I hated the God my mother loved. At the time, I thought Satan offered pleasure, relief and acceptance while God brought pain, tears and fear.

Who then was the devil?

Prior to my salvation, I created a place away from both God and Satan, wanting nothing to do with either of them. In hindsight, this is when I began understanding the Lord God was speaking to me. If not in class devotions or in school assemblies, I would hear testimonies and words of encouragement from the people around me.

In my second term of grade 8, I began meeting with a teacher to talk about God. The God I hated. This teacher knew I was not saved and in a bad place with God, yet three days a week he would meet and pray for me.

In the third term of that school year, the Lord brought the Furnishes to me. Miss Lukundo (Mrs. Furnish was called Miss Lukundo before she married and is still called this afterwards) was placed as our class teacher.

I was terrified when Miss Lukundo wanted to meet me after school. I did not know what to expect. By this time I was very confused about God - his identity, my identity - but I figured a one-on-one session might prove helpful. When we began our talks, I was certain Miss Lukundo would remind me of God’s love and how He died for me and that I just needed to come to Him, but she didn’t. She told me open up a Bible and she asked me to see God for myself.

I admit I was scared to see God. I was scared of what the Bible would tell me or if I would understand and be able to change. Every Tuesday I would go to her house, open my Bible and I would try to see God. Sometimes we would read whole chapters and other days no more than two verses. I was encouraged to meditate on the words and ask the questions I couldn’t ask before. Slowly, I began seeing God in everything.

It wasn’t a quick transformation. In all honesty, I think I’m one of the slower learners, but eventually God’s life became more evident around me. The questions I had were being answered and I knew there was a living God somewhere in this world.

Later Miss Lukundo encouraged me to take a close look at sin. The sin I often overlooked as an extension of being human. When I did, I saw that Satan never offered pleasure; rather he brought lust and hatred. No relief, just constant addiction to the things he leads you to believe are good. I truly was never free. I was a slave to sin just as it says in Romans 6:16. I saw myself for who I really was - dead!

This is the point where Mr. Jarrett Furnish stepped on the scene. He directly asked if I wanted to be saved, but I thought there was no way I could be saved yet. I had so much sin and hate in my life, I needed to fix it first. I needed to change. Mr. Furnish assured me that coming to Jesus was the first step.

“If you know you want this, then why not?” he challenged me.

I prayed with Mr. Furnish and asked God to enter my life. While there was no instant transformation, I felt new; like suddenly one burden had been removed and now I can begin to walk.

I started praying and when I prayed things happened. I found comfort, rest, and sometimes sorrow when faced with my sin. I enjoyed my Bible and the more I read the more questions I had; and the more I asked the more answers I got. I was encouraged to be more aware of sin and how to be more like God, which for teenagers can be somewhat difficult. It was slow and awkward but I began to talk about the Lord. I know even today I falter and I am often victim to peer pressure, but the best thing about being at Christian school is that you can always find someone or something to inspire you to turn back to God, repent and try again!

God has loved me at every turn, I see that now. He was in charge of every detail in my story and manufactured uniquely every emotion, tear and laugh I had on the way.

My name is Limpo Mulenga and God has used Amano Christian School to save my soul. I am grateful for all the missionaries/teachers God used as His tools to lead me back to Him. To any others like me, I encourage you to read your Bible. You can listen to what people tell you about God all your life and just nod or scowl like me at first, but you can also read and see Him for yourself. See God’s love, His patience and His grace.

I encourage you to be curious and ask about God - to ask Him for an answer, because He will answer. If you think you love Him and you want to be with Him, what’s holding you back?

Limpo Mulenga is a student at Amano Christian School located in Zambia, Africa.