Archive for the Articles/Musings category
Where do I sign up?
Posted on Friday, November 16, 2007 at 2:06 PM by Paul Kovach
"Where do I sign up?" As I pointed to our prayer letter signup sheet, I instructed this middle-age gentleman to put down his information and he would be signed up to receive our prayer letters. He looked at me blankly and then replied that he meant he wanted to know where he could sign up to be a missionary and be able to take the gospel to other countries. He wanted to know how he could become a missionary. Observing him, his body had some form of physical ailment which required him to maneuver about with a cane for support and stability. From a human standpoint, one would look upon his appearance and question his ability to rise to the challenge, but God looks upon the heart of a man and this heart was tender and willing. As we talked, he thought out loud of how he may not have much to offer, but he knew how to give the gospel and wanted to see about doing so as a missionary. I encouraged him to talk with his pastor and seek the counsel of godly men in the church as to his fist steps down such a path of life. With a twinkle in his eye he thanked me and walked off. As I talked with others around our display, I noticed he was off in a corner talking with his pastor. After about 5 minutes or so, I turned and was surprised to see him standing right next to me. He said that his pastor had instructed him to find out about a short term trip, so here he was, asking he how he could go down to Brazil to see the ministry there and see if this is where the Lord would have him. As we talked about possible trips, my heart was elated to find such a soul which was tender and willing to go. Who knows? The Lord may or may not direct him into full time missions, but he is sensitive to the Lord's work and was simply willing to say, "Here am I Lord, what would you have me to do."
Edited on: Friday, November 16, 2007 2:08 PMPosted in Articles/Musings (RSS), News (RSS)
If It Were You
Posted on Monday, November 06, 2006 at 2:08 PM by Paul Kovach
If you were lost in Darkness and night
With no one to show you
the way,
Would you want someone to bring you a light?
And
wouldn’t you want it today?
If no one had told you of Jesus at
all,
His love, His compassion, His death,
Oh, wouldn’t you
want the message to come
Before you had drawn your last breath?
If,
sinking in evil traditions, you were
Bound by what you believed,
Hopeless
and hopeless, oh, wouldn’t you want
A chance, at least, to
be freed?
Would you want them to wait while they built a new
Home, and paid for a “still better” car
Or while making
the home base an elegant place
Before sending the message afar?
Would
you want them to table the plans that were made,
To expand on
missions this year,
Because of conditions around the world,
And the days of uncertainty here?
Would you want them to wait with
the message of hope,
While you were dying and lost?
Oh, I know
that your answer would ring through the gloom
“Please send it at
any cost!”
So let’s send it out to the missions in need,
The light that will show them the way!
For if it were you in
darkness and night,
You’d want it! You’d want it today!
Posted in Articles/Musings (RSS)
What is a Missionary? -Author Unknown
Posted on Thursday, October 05, 2006 at 4:45 PM by Paul Kovach
A missionary is one who is sent-but too often forgotten! A missionary is one who is sent primarily because he loves the souls of man enough to want to go. However, he is sent out the same person as he was when he was with you. Did you think there was some magic formula that made him different? No, he goes to the field with the same human frailties as you who outfitted him, promised to support him, and to pray for him, to write him, and never forget him. He goes with your promises and blessings ringing in his ears and these will remain with him for quite some time; however, in his heart, he knows that you will not forget him, but will be there with encouragement and help when he needs them most. A missionary, then, is one who goes with the Lord, goes for the Lord, depends on the Lord, but is looking to you to “tarry by the stuff”.
The full force of the great challenge hits our missionary soon after his arrival on the field. He sees the desperate spiritual and physical plight of men-the terrible darkness of engulfing paganism. He spends his strength willingly and gladly, because he loves the Lord. However, distressed, he finds he must pray daily and fervently for more compassionate love for the people around him; therefore, a missionary is one who is not always endowed with the all consuming love for the people to whom he goes. Did you think that love came automatically? He works and prays with his people, he is often the only help for their physical ailments; and yet knows little of medicine.
He trudges the hot, weary trails on foot because his jeep breaks down and he is reluctant to send back word to you the he needs parts; they are too expensive there, should they even be available. Did you think it was enough when you helped him buy the jeep? He walks the trails, too, seeking, always seeking those for whom Christ died.
A missionary is one who labors for years, perhaps, before he can see much result; then suddenly the Holy Spirit brings conviction to hearts, and God brings the increase! Did you think it would come without labor, without tears, without intercessory prayer? What were you doing while he was laboring? Were you praying on your comfortable bed at night or while you were doing the dishes, or did you thing someone else was praying? Perhaps you hadn’t given it much thought, or maybe you didn’t think you had time to pray?
A missionary is one who doesn’t write what he thinks, feels, or needs for fear you might think he is complaining or is not a good missionary. Have you asked the Lord to help you read between the lines of his letters?
A missionary is one who writes of victory and of souls being won. Do you feel sure that it was your prayers that helped move the hand of God, or can’t you share in the harvest? When he writes of Satan’s attacks, are you then remorseful and fearful lest you left the praying to others, who perhaps, were leaving it up to you.
-Author Unknown
Edited on: Thursday, October 05, 2006 5:02 PMPosted in Articles/Musings (RSS)
Brazilian Fruit
Posted on Friday, September 15, 2006 at 2:10 PM by Paul Kovach
We have updated our prayer letter to reflect a new portion which we will be incorperating. It is called Brazilian Fruit...which abounds to your account. It is recent photos of the ongoing ministry from Brazil. The link will save a copy directly to your computer. BRAZILIAN FRUIT
Edited on: Friday, September 15, 2006 3:21 PMPosted in Articles/Musings (RSS), Website Update (RSS)