Patty is my close friend who is not a believer. God opened the doors for me to share the good news. I was able to speak about his sacrifice and our need for him. I was able to tell her about how my relationship with God is so satisfying. She listened intently and smiled. Although there was no desire in her to follow God, she told me that a man shared this with her when she was young.

Instantly I was so joyful. This man many years ago built a strong relationship with Patty and her family and shared with them. He prepared the way for me to share with Patty. His example and investment provided a chance for me to share with her in a nonthreatening way.

I love how God uses people from years ago to directly impact the present. I know God constantly is revealing himself to her.

Regardless if I see a harvest or not, God still is worthy of my praise. I know that I am preparing the way for others to share with her in the future. I am so blessed that God wants to use such a wretch like me for his kingdom. I will continue to live out the good news with my life and my love for Patty. God is at work. It so beautiful to see.

Lauren, a student at Stephen F. Austin State University, is serving in Southeast Asia with Go Now Missions. Her last name is withheld for security reasons.

Since we’ve been here in Venezuela, we’ve been on the radio several times, because the Pastor of our host church works closely with a local Christian radio station called “Luz y Vida.” But this time, we actually were going to get to speak to people on a secular radio station that hosts a small faith-based program on Sunday mornings.

The only problem with all of this was that we were given about 30 minutes notice. The four of us were looking through our Bibles and at each other, scrambling to think of something interesting to say. Colby eventually said he had an idea and that he wanted to go first. He gave an analogy about how in his life, God is his treasure, and the Bible is his treasure map, leading him where he needs to go.

That instantly reminded me of The Parables of the Hidden Treasure in Matthew 13. So, I got to spend a couple of minutes explaining how we should live our lives knowing that God is worth more than anything. When we give up things in this world, it’s not really a loss, because we gain so much more with God than we could ever gain in this world.

It all went really well, and I am so thankful to God for giving me words to say when I didn’t have any of my own.

Jon Roman, a student at the University of Texas at El Paso, is serving with Go Now Missions in El Vigia, Venezuela.

One of my team members, while carrying a bag of rocks, dragged the top of his foot across a hollow block. The cut was not too bad. All he needed to do was keep it clean. Unfortunately, this did not occur. Across the next few weeks, I would glance at his foot every now and again, reminding him to keep it clean with a bandage. But when he woke up with his injured foot swollen, I knew the cut was screaming the word "infection!"??

In my head, I already was trying to lay out a plan. I was trying to schedule where and when we could find a private doctor's office to get antibiotics prescribed. I knew I wanted to take him to a place where he wouldn’t be exposed to other infections.

Through all these hasty thoughts, God reminded me of a two new believers down the street. A few nights ago, Dexter and Abigail had become believers in Christ through a Bible study. But Abigail is no normal Filipino She is a BSN RN, speaks English, and is certified to practice nursing in California. What better person to go to!??

After our full day’s schedule, we finally walked the muddy road to their house, giving a good "Ayo!" to let them know we wanted to come in. After Abigail looked and cleaned my team members foot, she confirmed it to be a soft tissue infection. When I asked her if she knew a doctor who would prescribe the antibiotics, she looked at me with an intrigued face. "I will have Dexter go to the pharmacy and pick up a pill of the right antibiotic, so you will know what to buy." No doctor’s appointment, no paperwork, nothing. Because of her knowledge in the medical field, she was able to tell us exactly what we needed to buy.?

I had realized this was nothing short of God's provision, but the Lord was not finished teaching me yet. I continued to pour out gratitude to Dexter and Abigail, telling them how much of a blessing they had been to us. I will never forget Dexter's next words, translated by his wife: "We are brothers and sisters in the same faith. It’s no problem at all."??

This touched deep within my heart. You see, there are many who cry out "Lord, Lord!" There are many who will say the prayer of the gospel, but few who mean it. This statement encouraged and reassured me of Dexter's and Abigail's genuine faith in Christ. They did not just enjoy hearing Bible studies from white Americans. They got it. They truly know and understand what it means to live as Christ would. As my teammate and I walked back home dodging puddles and ditches, my heart was lifted with love. Our God truly is the provider, sheltering us and encouraging us in a time of storm.
 
Dan Black, a student at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, is serving with a Nehemiah Team in the Philippines, in association with Habitat for Humanity.

“Servants don’t have rights.” Those were my dad’s parting words to me before I
stepped on the plane that brought me to Wales.

After receiving my assignment, my supervisor informed me that working in the media promotional department consisted of long hours indoors, working behind the scenes. All of my life, interactive ministry has been my passion. Sitting down for long periods of time has never been a strong suit of mine. I questioned if this is where God really wanted me.

This experience has been an extraordinary blessing. But it’s also one of the most difficult in my life. Every day is a struggle. The desire to “go out” is overwhelming, and I am constantly on my face in desperate prayer. In one of my recent quiet times, 2 Corinthians 1:5 stuck out to me. “For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ.”

The Bible doesn’t say following Jesus is going to be painless. In fact, it plainly tells us that we are going to struggle. Yet, through my suffering, comfort has been found. God called me to do his work. Whether I think I can do it, or not, Christ is using me to further his kingdom, and in this, I find peace. As a follower of Christ, I am suppose to leave my comfort zone, so that I can experience the comfort that comes from the Most High.

William Bowden, a student at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, is serving with Go Now Missions in Wales this summer.

The shop owner was very kind, and when he recognized that I was American, he automatically called for his sons. He didn't speak much English, but he knew his sons could carry on a conversation. When they came in, a series of animated questions followed. They were so happy I was there that they ran to grab me a pop and told me to have a seat. From that point on, I was family to them.

I slowly talked with them, covering a variety of subjects. We talked about culture, television, music and even a little religion. Once we hit religion, the tone lowered. They had been taught to follow someone that they knew much about, but they seemed hesitant to believe anything other than that. I shared with them about Jesus, and they just nodded their heads in respect. They didn't want to offend me, and they gladly shared in the conversation.

Near the end of my two-hour visit, I invited them to the bakery/coffee shop where I help for a movie night that we were having at 7 p.m. They showed up and looked like they enjoyed themselves. Once it was over, they asked me to come back to their shop the next day.

Earlier that morning, I had sat up on the side of my bed to wake myself and a revelation came over me. “Ask for people to come.” I immediately lifted that up to God. And without fail, the people came.

Matthew, a student at Texas State University, is serving in Central Europe with Go Now Missions. His last name is withheld for security reasons.

I filled out the paperwork for her. Before she left, I asked if there was anything I could pray for, and she just burst into tears. She told me a friend of hers had just been murdered a few days earlier. I gave her a hug, and I asked if I could pray with her. She said I could.

She was still crying before she left, and I asked her if she would be all right. She told me she would, but she had not had anyone ask her how she was doing or offer any kind of hope and encouragement.

At first, she explained, she was crying because she was sad and scared. But then she was crying because she was so happy that someone cared enough to ask about her. It was just amazing to see that God used me to love on her in that situation.

Taylor Havard, a student at Lamar University, is serving at Mission Arlington with Go Now Missions.

We had finished a successful journey and were making an attempt to find an auto to bring us back to her house for the night. As we were walking, avoiding puddles and eager vendors, a loud horn began to sound. I heard a somber voice calling, spotted the tall minarets, and knew what it was—the Muslim call to prayer. 

I had never heard it before in person. It was so loud, so fearsome, so burdening. I felt like the Spirit of God within me had just fallen on the floor in grief. As I watched men pour from their stores into the mosque, I thought of their dedication—and their delusion. A lump formed in my throat. Tears burned at my eyes. I knew the enemy grinned.
 
And I prayed. Hearing the call to prayer is beautiful, because it calls you to pray as well. But, hallelujah, to a God who hears, sees and moves. How our God longs to see these sweet ones fall at his feet alongside us, worshipping in spirit and in truth.

Rachel, a student at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, is serving as a missions volunteer in South Asia. Her last name is withheld for security reasons.

More than 98 percent of the country is Roman Catholic, and a cross on every corner bears witness to it. As you walk down the road, you can see people going through the rosary, and a devout Catholic will cross himself every time they pass a church. There are three-wheelers with Scriptures painted on the sides, and trucks have “Jesus is love” on them. My personal favorite was the semi that had “Jehovah Jireh” (The Lord will Provide) painted on the back.

So why are we here? What is our purpose? After all, the word of God is even inscribed on the public transportation. We are here because the word of God is not inscribed on their hearts.

Superficially, the Filipinos speak of God and being saved from their sins. But if you ask them why they are going to go to heaven, their answer is not Christ alone. The majority will speak about works.

I ran into this situation on a recent Sunday as we did house-to-house ministry with a local Baptist church. After presenting the gospel and my testimony to a woman and her family right outside her house on the street, a shop owner next door gave my translator and me free soda and crackers. As we talked to him, he spoke all the right words about salvation. But the more I prodded, the more he talked about works. He believed if he died with an unconfessed sin, he would not be allowed into heaven. What a fearful life to live.

??I felt the story of the Prodigals Son was in order. The parable is a wonderful witnessing tool in a place where people believe God only loves us for our works. The pastor from the Baptist church walked up and proceeded to tell the story of the two thieves who were crucified with Jesus. We did not see a change in the shop owner’s heart, but we preached the gospel and planted seeds.

This is what the Lord would have us to do.?No matter where we go, who we speak to, or what they claim to believe, we preach one message: Christ crucified. From this conviction and commitment, the Lord opened doors for a Bible study and salvation of two souls. What started as simple questions of faith and religion has led to souls being saved for eternity. We are overjoyed to see the kingdom being built as we labor on houses.

Pray for the people of Butuan—people who know and see Scripture everywhere. May they have a true relationship with Jehovah Jireh, the God who will always provide. 

Dan Black, a student at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, is serving with a Nehemiah Team in the Philippines, in association with Habitat for Humanity.

While in downtown Bangor, I was walking around the place to get a feel of everything. I even got to share my story with a Welsh woman in a secondhand store.

As I was leaving, I walked over to the bus stop to wait for the next bus back to my host home. I saw two young boys sitting on the curb smoking cigarettes. Now, that wouldn’t have bothered me, but the fact that they looked to be in maybe fifth grade blew my mind. They also were using language that would make a sailor blush. I looked at these kids and knew God still loved them and still wants them as his own.

If I hadn’t had to be back home so quickly, I would have stayed and tried to start up a conversation. As it was, I got on the bus and watched the kids sit on the sidewalk as I drove off, and I said a silent prayer. I prayed that God shines his light upon them.

I am so blessed to be able to serve such a mighty and forgiving God, because he loves those children just as much as he loves you and me. And I know that no matter what we do in this world, God still will be with us, and he will still love us just as much as he did the day that he breathed life into our lungs.

Casey Stegall, a student at South Plains College, is serving in Bangor, Wales, with Go Now Missions.

We met at 6 a.m. and went to a temple at the bottom of the mountain.

Two Buddhist monks bless someone who gave them food.

Every morning around 6 or 7, monks pace the streets with bowls to receive offerings. It's an opportunity for people to gain merit, which means to do good things as mentioned in religious doctrine. Thais' way of life from birth to death is so familiar with making merit. Once they give the monks food, flowers, joss sticks or candles, the monks will bless them.

It was so sad to see how many people came to be blessed by these monks. I even watched one farang — white tourist —being taught how to pray to the Buddha by a Thai friend. What stood out the most was the fact that none of these monks looked happy. No one did. I blinked away the tears and started to prayer walk. God had answered a prayer of mine—to break my heart for what broke his.

Amy Atkeisson, a student at Midwestern State University, is serving in Thailand with Go Now Missions.

The only down side to all of this is that at the end of every week, we have to say goodbye to the congregation that we're working with so that we can move on to the next church that needs help. Saying goodbye to the church that we left most recently was hard. The people there displayed such a great love for God—it was awesome. But I know that God has other places where he wants us to work.

So, I understand now why the Apostle Paul always was talking about how he longed to visit the churches of the New Testament. It must have been hard for him, building deep spiritual relationships with people and then having to move on.

I also understand a lot of the other things that Paul wrote about, like how he seriously loved each church and wished that they would grow stronger and stronger in their faith, how there were times that he wished one church would change its ways, and there were other times when he praised a church for its actions.

During this trip God has changed my perspective about how churches should work and made me think of ways that I would like to make changes in my own church. God is good and I love how he never misses an opportunity to inspire us.

Jon Roman, a student at the University of Texas at El Paso, is serving with Go Now Missions in El Vigia, Venezuela.

We began small talk and learning basic facts about each other. Then she boldly asked me if I was a follower of Jesus Christ. I smiled and said, “Yes.” We then began sharing our testimonies. Next, we discussed our favorite worship songs and softly began singing “Hosana in the Highest.”

After that, a young man named Fred sat down with us. We soon discovered he was a follower of Jesus as well. Then, two high school students joined us at our table. They did not speak the native language of this country well and struggled speaking English. The Holy Spirit led me to share my testimony with them through a drawing using the roads described in Matthew 7:13-14. As I began sharing, their faces lit up. I soon learned their family just moved to this country to serve and share about the good news of Jesus.

I was just in awe of God. He brought five people representing three countries together in a large Muslim nation at the same time and place to share how he changed our lives. It was so beautiful to see people of other nations’ love for God. I have a powerful God who draws people of every tribe and every tongue to himself.

Lauren, a student at Stephen F. Austin State University, is serving in Southeast Asia with Go Now Missions. Her last name is withheld for security reasons.