Faith for their Journey...
In 2019, two young men from Ywam Sierra Leone started the process to go on board the ship in Papua New Guinea. Last month, they finally had their monthly support and plane tickets to go! It's been a long journey for them. I have been emailing them all this time.
Traveling for people from African countries is more challenging than for regular travelers. Knowing this, I asked the whole base to pray for James and Jeremiah as they began their journey.
The Lord woke me up at 4 am and I saw their texts, asking for help. They sent me audios saying they were so sad but they weren't being allowed on board the plane to Qatar. They were in Nigeria. They had all the appropriate documents, but authorities in Nigeria were asking for things that weren't even necessary. I called Qatar airlines, talked to the Nigerian airport authority, called the airline again, sent several emails and whatsapps with the information highlighted. Luis and I were praying!
How can I help them when I am miles and miles away from them? I encouraged them to keep insisting they had everything. Be strong, be courageous!
In the meantime I was trying to call someone there to be able to help! James and Jeremiah had been waiting to go for almost 3 years!
After 3 hours of prayer, calls and emails, I got a text from them that they were letting them board the plane!
Just the day before, we had another miracle with Matt, a paramedic in missions who serves with us.
He had his flight to Los Angeles to get on the Qatar flight to Papua New Guinea. His visa got approved on a Thursday. We submitted all the documents to the controller to be authorized to enter PNG. We agreed to wait until Monday (the day he was flying to Los Angeles at 4pm). On Monday, no approval had come. We talked, prayed again and agreed we would wait until 1pm before cancelling the flights. There was not another affordable flight in the next weeks, it had to be Monday.
Luis and I packed the dental supplies. Luis asked if he had his approval. We didn't have it. We packed in faith, God could open doors. After refreshing the email at 12:35pm...the approval came!
I ran outside to look for Matt..."Don't cancel anything! You are going to PNG!" We helped get the bags in the car and he left for PNG at 2pm!
Matt got to Qatar and found James and Jeremiah at the airport. I told him to please stay with them and help them advocate for themselves. We were so relieved all three guys were on their way to the Ship! When we were looking for plane tickets for Matt, we had 2 days to choose from. Matt said, the Lord is highlighting this day. I said, ok, let's go for it. And praise God we did! Matt flew with James and Jeremiah the rest of the flights until they arrived safely on board ! Yay !
James and Jeremiah with the rest of the crew in Papua New Guinea
James and Jeremiah are amazing guys and are serving the Lord in Papua New Guinea. Their testimony is incredible! God can use them to show us how He is looking for willing hearts to be in missions and a blessing to another nation. They grew up without their families, they have little resources but a faith that can move mountains. They want to live for the God who rescued them. Wow! They got me 2 dresses that Matt will bring to Kona. :)
Matt helped out at the local hospital in Madang, PNG and has made such amazing friendships with the local health workers and medical students. He is on outreach in Western Province now. He has been a blessing to the nation on PNG.
The two dentists that are doing the dental outreach in Madang also had issues with their visas. One of them had to wait almost 2 months to get it approved. I sent reminders to the embassy several times before getting it approved. Missions is challenging! It is like going to battle, you are stepping out into action. You are no longer an spectator. Therefore you will be slowed down, discouraged, distracted. Different things will test your perseverance, your patience, your endurance and your faith.
Dr. Doron with a patient and Krangket, Papua New Guinea.
It is our honor to walk with each volunteer and missionary as they get everything they need to make the long journey into the mission field. It is not an easy task and it entails odd hours (calls to different countries like Nigeria, Israel, Sierra Leone, Papua New Guinea, UK, Germany, etc). But it is all worth it, if that means we can help one more person to go and do what God has called them to do. Be light in the nations! It is an administrative task but it is also a spiritual task. We get to join them in their step of faith, encourage them in their moment of doubt and speak life and the truth of God's promises when fear rises.
I help with the Visa Desk at Ywam Ships Kona. I can't describe how I feel when I see the faces of missionaries who were trying to get their visas and I see them get here! One missionary nurse, who has been trying to join since 2019, has been waiting a long time. Plans changed and disappointment comes. Her visa appointment was canceled due to Covid-19 pandemic. We have emailed back and forth since then. Praying with her, praying for her, encouraging her, giving information and this last month we had 1 hour conversation before her visa appointment. When she texted me "I got my visa!" It is a victory for all of us. She will be coming in July and then going to Papua New Guinea. Yay!
Missions is a task beyond ourselves. Jesus knew it. Yet, He invited us to play a role. That's why He sent us His Holy Spirit and then said "Go! I will be with you!"
Missions is a task to be done in teams, in the company of others, linking arms and encouraging one another. Each of us has a part in the big picture of bringing His kingdom to the ends of the earth. Whatever you do, do it with all your heart, for Him.
I hope you realize today what happens before you see pictures of missionaries in the field. What it means for a missionary with a different passport than yours to travel and the challenges they face. Encourage and celebrate them, because they have used every drop of faith for their journey.
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