10.19.2009
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20/25 Vision
I am currently in the Denver airport awaiting my flight to Germany and then Mozambique. As I try and use my Blackberry I realize my vision is not what it used to be! In fact, trying to read the departures screen to find my gate I realize a couple things. First I no longer have 20/25 vision and I need reading glasses. Second, I remember back 20 years ago August I took my first international flight and looked at the departure screen for Moscow - then part of the failing Soviet Union. My eyes were great then but not my spiritual vision.
It was an amazing trip! I went with my pastor and friend Chuck Kelley. We smuggled Bibles, preached publicly and evangelistically to Latvians, heard and saw first hand the persecuted chuch, and witnessed 33 specific answers to prayer. And amazingly we witnessed over 1,000 give their lives to Jesus Christ in a communist culture whereby people were told there is no God! In fact we were the first to be allowed to hold a public evangelistic event to Latvians in 50 years.
For me it was a pivotal event in my life. I had the incedible opportunity to give an evangelistic testimony in Tallin, Estonia to 6000 people just prior to Sheila Walsh of Women of Faith. I had only spoken a couple of times before this, in front of small crowds, And I had hated it! But here I was, wanting people who had never heard of Jesus to hear about Him. Shortly after I spoke I watched 100,s give their lives to Christ. It was awesome!
God did something supernatural that trip. Further, he placed in my heart a burning desire to tell others about Jesus around the world for the rest of my life.
God had given us two scripture versus for that trip. In Isaiah we are told God" will give us treasures in secret places that we may know I am the Lord" and in Joel 2 that in the last days "old men will dream dreams and young men shall see visions."
As I board this flight today I am humbled to be on my 90th international missions trip for the Lord. God gave me a vision, His vision, for every tribe, tongue, people and nation in "secret places" until every tribe has heard the Good News and has a representative around the throne of Heaven so then the Lord can return! My physical vision may be dimming but my hearts vision burns bright and clear for the Lord and the advancement of His Kingdom!
Thank you Lord for 20/25 Vision and the ability to serve you these past twenty years around the world. Thank you for changing my vision twenty years ago!
Blessings
Mike
It was an amazing trip! I went with my pastor and friend Chuck Kelley. We smuggled Bibles, preached publicly and evangelistically to Latvians, heard and saw first hand the persecuted chuch, and witnessed 33 specific answers to prayer. And amazingly we witnessed over 1,000 give their lives to Jesus Christ in a communist culture whereby people were told there is no God! In fact we were the first to be allowed to hold a public evangelistic event to Latvians in 50 years.
For me it was a pivotal event in my life. I had the incedible opportunity to give an evangelistic testimony in Tallin, Estonia to 6000 people just prior to Sheila Walsh of Women of Faith. I had only spoken a couple of times before this, in front of small crowds, And I had hated it! But here I was, wanting people who had never heard of Jesus to hear about Him. Shortly after I spoke I watched 100,s give their lives to Christ. It was awesome!
God did something supernatural that trip. Further, he placed in my heart a burning desire to tell others about Jesus around the world for the rest of my life.
God had given us two scripture versus for that trip. In Isaiah we are told God" will give us treasures in secret places that we may know I am the Lord" and in Joel 2 that in the last days "old men will dream dreams and young men shall see visions."
As I board this flight today I am humbled to be on my 90th international missions trip for the Lord. God gave me a vision, His vision, for every tribe, tongue, people and nation in "secret places" until every tribe has heard the Good News and has a representative around the throne of Heaven so then the Lord can return! My physical vision may be dimming but my hearts vision burns bright and clear for the Lord and the advancement of His Kingdom!
Thank you Lord for 20/25 Vision and the ability to serve you these past twenty years around the world. Thank you for changing my vision twenty years ago!
Blessings
Mike
7.07.2009
Sunset over Maputo, Mozambique
Maputo, the capital of Mozambique is a beautiful city. Situated on the coast of the Indian Ocean, it has a feel as if on the Mediterranean. This is due to the influence of the Portuguese when Mozambique was a Portuguese colony.
During our visit to explore future ministry opportunities with Community Uplift Ministries (Circle of Light), I was amazed at the beauty of the country in the South. As we drove north from Maputo to Xia-Xia, about four hours, I could not believe how beautiful the coastline and ocean views were. As we drove past small villages and towns, I also noticed how different it appeared than other African countries I had traveled to.
First, there was an effective sanitation system and so streets, roadways, and towns did not have the huge piles of rubbish smoldering everywhere. Apparently, this was one of the benefits of Soviet Communism the years they were involved there since every “comrade” was to have a job – including street sweepers and trash disposers.
Second, the southern portion of the country is experiencing an influx of money and job creation. This is due to several factors such as business opportunities, tourism, and the development of resort hotels along the coast line. Also, it is believed that 20% of the men work in South Africa in the mines or in seasonal jobs. They tend to stay for a year or more and therefore send money home. This has improved the lives of many in the southern portion of the country. But…
Despite the outward appearances, the country is very dark spiritually. The middle to northern portion is heavily influenced by Islam and what is called “Folk Islam” a mix of Islam and African Spiritism. The Southern part of the country is influenced by a cult known as Zionism. It is an indigenous South African religion that mixes Christianity, Old Testament rituals, and traditional African spiritism and ancestor worship. About 30% of the country is actively involved with Zionism, maybe more. I could not help but think how desperately they need to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ clearly explained so that they would be freed from sin and bondage to Zionism, Spiritism, and Ancestor Worship.
As I look at this photo of the sun setting over Maputo, I can only think and pray for Mozambique Malachi 1:11 - “for from the rising of the sun even to its setting, My Name will be great among the nations; and in every place, incense and a pure grain offering will be offered to My Name, because My Name will be great among the nations.” May the Lord of the Harvest pour out His spirit in Mozambique so that the true Son will rise and set among the peoples of Mozambique lifting the veil of spiritual darkness over their hearts and minds.
During our visit to explore future ministry opportunities with Community Uplift Ministries (Circle of Light), I was amazed at the beauty of the country in the South. As we drove north from Maputo to Xia-Xia, about four hours, I could not believe how beautiful the coastline and ocean views were. As we drove past small villages and towns, I also noticed how different it appeared than other African countries I had traveled to.
First, there was an effective sanitation system and so streets, roadways, and towns did not have the huge piles of rubbish smoldering everywhere. Apparently, this was one of the benefits of Soviet Communism the years they were involved there since every “comrade” was to have a job – including street sweepers and trash disposers.
Second, the southern portion of the country is experiencing an influx of money and job creation. This is due to several factors such as business opportunities, tourism, and the development of resort hotels along the coast line. Also, it is believed that 20% of the men work in South Africa in the mines or in seasonal jobs. They tend to stay for a year or more and therefore send money home. This has improved the lives of many in the southern portion of the country. But…
Despite the outward appearances, the country is very dark spiritually. The middle to northern portion is heavily influenced by Islam and what is called “Folk Islam” a mix of Islam and African Spiritism. The Southern part of the country is influenced by a cult known as Zionism. It is an indigenous South African religion that mixes Christianity, Old Testament rituals, and traditional African spiritism and ancestor worship. About 30% of the country is actively involved with Zionism, maybe more. I could not help but think how desperately they need to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ clearly explained so that they would be freed from sin and bondage to Zionism, Spiritism, and Ancestor Worship.
As I look at this photo of the sun setting over Maputo, I can only think and pray for Mozambique Malachi 1:11 - “for from the rising of the sun even to its setting, My Name will be great among the nations; and in every place, incense and a pure grain offering will be offered to My Name, because My Name will be great among the nations.” May the Lord of the Harvest pour out His spirit in Mozambique so that the true Son will rise and set among the peoples of Mozambique lifting the veil of spiritual darkness over their hearts and minds.
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