January 2010
I recently had a very encouraging coffee with John and Jan Goertz, former missionaries to Columbia, Panama, and Uruguay. Several weeks ago the Goertzs attended an alumni gathering where 30 retired missionaries in the Southern BC area were introduced to 18 newly mobilized MB Mission long- term missionaries preparing to leave on their assignments. The Goertz’s visited with Marcella, a teacher from Uruguay preparing to serve in N Africa.
After initial greetings, Marcella’s eyes became wide and she exclaimed, “I know you! You were the missionaries who God used to call me to missions when I was 8 years old!”
The Goertz’s were serving with our new churches in Montevideo, Uruguay for 11 months in 1983/84 as they waited to hear about their visa status for Panama. During this time they were teaching children to know and follow Jesus.
Marcella remembers asking the Goertz’s why they wanted to go to Panama. The Goertz’s replied that they wanted everyone to have an opportunity to hear about God’s love for them in Jesus and have an opportunity to join God’s family, just as they had. That day Marcella heard the Lord clearly call her to be a missionary.
Marcella is the only follower of Jesus in her family. Although she has faced many challenges in pursuing the call she received as a child, she has never wavered from the direction she received 26 years ago.
In Miriam Adeney’s new book Kingdom Without Borders, she shares about the “pulsating passion for mission” by Jesus’ people in Latin America. They remind me of the Macedonians that Paul spoke about when he said, “out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity...they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us...” (2 Cor. 8:3,5)
When we say yes to God, others are watching. Our obedience to God’s call can change the direction and life of another person.
Ministry HighlightsThis year, Richard & Hazel Funk and their Salzburg church group set up a book table in a Christmas Market as a way to reach the many people who visit these markets in Salzburg, Austria. Praise God that their book table was more successful than they could have ever imagined! New contacts were made, many books and Bibles were sold, and the church was encouraged as they saw God at work in answering their prayers. www.mbmission.org/christmas-market
The good news of Jesus Christ is transforming lives all across the globe. John Ervin serves with MB Mission as he uses media to tell the stories of some of these people whose lives have been changed by Jesus. If you are interested in seeing how God is working around the world, go to: www.mbmission.org/Video to view the Shine On videos that John has produced for MB Mission. Thank God for the willingness of these servants to follow Him wherever He calls them. www.mbmission.org/jgervin
Items for Prayer
In the beginning of this year, a team of church planting missionaries will be heading out to begin ministry in Central Asia. Pray that the peace of God will guard their hearts and minds as they transition to a new culture and learn a new language. Pray for unity, love, and grace within these three families. www.mbmission.org/newmissionaries
Pray for the believers who were recently baptized in MB Mission church plants in Mexico and Thailand. Praise God that they have taken this exciting step of obedience! Pray that they will be firmly rooted in Christ, and will not be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Him. www.mbmission.org/mexico www.mbmission.org/thailand
Vision for Mission