A Month of Thankfulness

November 19, 2010

Today I am Thankful…

…for missionaries.

 

Matthew 28:18-20 – And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

 

There are many missionaries that I have met over the years, and I thank God for their sacrificial lives of service to the work of Christ.

They are living out the Scripture in a way that some of us never surrender to do.

Our precious missionary friends, the Goungampos, visited our church this week.  They are missionaries to their home country of Togo, West Africa.  Bro. Emmanuel and Sister Bella were both saved in their villages in Africa, then God led them to each other, and eventually to our college here in Florida.

We got to know them on a more personal level when they lived with our friends, Bro. Homer and Sister Patricia in Brevard county, where we also lived at that time. 

In fact, when we had Isaac's "baby" shower after his placement with us (at 18 months), the Goungampo's youngest child, Galan, was the real "baby" who was passed from lap to lap by all the ladies of the church during the shower! :)  It is such a special memory for me that Bella and the children were there for that fun time!

Here are some pictures of their visit with Bro. Homer and Patricia, and also a couple that Doug was able to get this week, when they dropped in at his workplace.

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What precious friends these dear one are to us!  We are thankful for their life of sacrifice and service to the Lord.  We are grateful that our church can support the work they are doing in their home country of Togo.  Since they returned to their country, 6 years and 8 months ago, Bro. Goungampo reports over 15,000 souls have come to Christ, and 7 churches have been planted!  Amazing, isn't it?

I would be remiss if I did not also mention my precious friend, Laura, who is also a missionary.  She and her husband Jerry are tent-making missionaries in the country of Japan.  I was so amazingly blessed to get to meet Laura in "real life" last December!  What a sweet time of fellowship we had! 

Please pray for Laura, as she is facing some health issues at this time.  I know she would appreciate your prayers for her good health as she and Jerry minister in Japan.

I encourage you to pray for your church's missionaries faithfully.  I also challenge you to get to know them personally, when they stop by your church to visit.  Your life will be incredibly enriched by your friendship with them.