Meetings get a bad rap. Consider advertisements, for example, that characterize them as conference rooms full of bored people yawning as they listen to a leader drone on and on.
This scenario causes us to assume the worst about meetings, particularly the kind described above. However, in the most recent meeting I attended, there were exciting and encouraging reports, tears, laughter, music, prayer and praise . . .
It was anything but a boring meeting.
The 2024 BMA National Meeting held at Chateau on the Lake in Branson, Missouri, was more like a family reunion. And just like any gathering of that sort, it included disagreements. But mostly it was and always has been about our people, how we can better serve them and what their needs are, plus answering questions, and building relationships.
It’s what your Lifeword and BMA Global personnel do at both the Global Ministry Center in Conway, Arkansas, and at National Meetings and conferences.
For Lifeword and BMA Global personnel, we pinch ourselves that we have the honor to serve in that way. (And – fun fact for your information – although both ministries share a building, we have few opportunities to hang out! So the National Meeting is a chance to do so.)
But the most important aspect of the National Meeting is how God is glorified through and because of it. He is a missional God who clearly tells us in Scripture that we are not to keep our Christianity and salvation to ourselves. We all have that mandate: Go into the entire world and share the transformational power of the gospel.
We’re ALL called to do just that, and the missionaries, church planters, and leaders who attended the meeting are the heart and soul of our association. What a blessing to see and visit with those who left their fields of service and traveled from all over the world to the National Meeting. Those bi- and tri-lingual (or more) missionaries enjoyed the fellowship and had an opportunity to visit with their brothers. Hearing other languages than English, which most of them can also speak, was a beautiful sound. And it is to those pastors and missionaries, that we offer our prayers and blessings.
The Legacy Missionary honoree ceremony was definitely the highlight of the meeting. Full disclosure here . . . Margaret Anderson and I were involved in planning and implementing the service, so maybe I’m biased. But seeing the Gibson family, especially the widow of Bill Gibson, in addition to David and Shelley Dickson receiving their legacy awards was particularly memorable. And certainly it’s the least we can do for those who served for decades both at home and abroad.
God is further glorified through those missionaries who obeyed the call to serve. In my interviews with them and their families, there is one common remark: When they say, “We’re going home,” they are referring to their mission fields. And it wasn’t long after I began my job – first at Lifeword, now at BMA Global – that I understood that I wasn’t “working.” I was serving. It was a radical change and gave me a whole new mindset.
For me, the National Meeting is a family reunion, not the boring meeting scenario I led with. I have long since gotten over my shyness about approaching missionaries, church planters, or leaders and asking questions about how they serve. So at the next National Meeting, thank one of them then ask about their field and how they serve. Here’s a suggestion: Many of our BMA people have intentionally “adopted” missionaries they have heard about. Just a thought for those of you who desire the blessing of knowing these servants.
See you at the 2025 National Meeting in Waxahachie, Texas!
(Please don’t hesitate to contact me at holly@bmaamerica.org with any questions or concerns. If I can’t help you for some reason, I promise I will put you in touch with someone who can.)
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On a trip several years ago, my wife and I had lunch with a lady who was truly a world traveler, so I asked about her favorite trip. She immediately responded, ‘’Africa. It touched my very soul.”
Years later, we planned another milestone anniversary trip and had agreed on a destination. But after contacting a travel agent and beginning the process, a month went by without hearing from her or returning our calls. So I reached out to another agent.
In our initial conversation, I told her our chosen destination and asked for help with the process. She agreed then asked a strange question: “Have you ever considered Africa?”
I told her that was the furthest thing from our minds and not really an option, but in the next few days, the comment from the world traveler about Africa being a soul-touching trip continued to dominate my thoughts.
I knew I wanted an experience like that, so I began to pray for it. And in those months of intentional prayer we would never have guessed it would involve sickness, a level of neediness I have rarely experienced, witnessing a level of care and compassion from strangers, and two stories directly from Scripture played out in real time right before my eyes . . . with me as part of the story.
Asking for help and accepting help have always been uncomfortable for me. I know it is a form of pride that is not God-honoring, but I have not overcome it. This time, God allowed a level of helplessness in a foreign country where I had no choice but to comply.
I was totally dependent on Him and those who provided help. It is one thing to say we are totally dependent on God but another thing to truly be unable to help yourself and live out that dependence in a very humbling way. I had that experience, and in hindsight, I see what a precious and beautiful gift it was. Not only was it a “soul touching” experience, it was a “soul changing” one. I couldn’t see it in real time, but on this side, I am thankful for it.
Shortly after arriving on the African continent, I began to experience digestive discomfort but wasn’t overly concerned, but by the next morning the discomfort had escalated greatly, and I was experiencing digestive issues at an acute level. I’ll spare you the details.
Over the next 24 hours, my condition continued to deteriorate, and the lodge where we where staying summoned a paramedic. He provided me with medicine, but my condition only worsened.
By the following morning, it was obvious that I was in real trouble and the remoteness of our location did not allow us easy access to medical care. We considered cancelling the rest of our trip and trying to get home to the U.S. But at best, that would mean 24 hours of air travel, and I was in no condition for that.
Once conscious, I noticed a young man across the aisle who continually watched me with a look of caring and compassion. Some may think it improper for me to point out that I am a white guy, and this young man was a black guy. But with all the racial and ethnic tensions in our world, it seems relevant to the story to me.
When the plane landed, he immediately sprang to his feet and assisted me. As I stood unsteadily, he took my by hand and said, “I’ve got you. I will help you. I won’t leave you.” It was as if God was speaking directly to me.
Deplaning involved portable stairs and walking to a bus for transport to the terminal. The sight of that young man walking backwards down those stairs while holding my hand will forever be in my memory.
He accompanied us to the airport clinic and assisted us as if he were a family member. He did not leave us until he was sure I was stable and then only long enough to retrieve his luggage. He returned and stayed with us until he was assured that we would make our connecting flight. Then in what was one of the most compassionate acts I have ever experienced, he asked to pay the bill for my care.
As I lay there receiving an IV, emotion overwhelmed me as I realized I was witnessing, in real time, Jesus’ parable of “The Good Samaritan” right before my eyes and for my benefit. Even if you have read that story hundreds of times, I encourage you to read it again remembering that it was not a real story, but Jesus’ illustration to show how things should be.
Then consider that Bible stories did not end when the Bible was complete. God is still writing those stories every day. Reading and studying the Bible is one of life’s really important efforts. But to be honest, it does not compare to experiencing the story personally.
My prayer is that each of you would somehow experience being in the middle of a Bible story personally and that it would touch your very soul.
Several days later, we received an email from this young man checking on us. His last words of that email were, “Thank you for letting me help you.” Then I learned that his first name is “Goodwill”. All I could manage to say to God in that moment was “Are you kidding me?”
He assured me He was not.
The experience with Goodwill had left us in awe. We have longed believed that God intentionally puts people in place to help others in need. But I do not remember ever having experienced it so dramatically. Little did I know that our need was about to get even more intense and God’s provision even more dramatic.
We arrived at our second destination, an island even more remote than our first, a small Mozambique island about 45 minutes out in the Indian Ocean. There were no medical facilities there and my condition was continuing to worsen.
So we made the decision to continue the second leg of our trip, a short flight to Mozambique. That didn’t go well, and I basically “crashed” on the flight and lost consciousness. Fortunately, a flight attendant took charge, revived me, and stabilized me for the remaining few minutes of the flight.Early the next morning, it became frighteningly obvious that I needed medical care, and I needed it quickly. In an hour, the resort found a nurse who had cell phone access to a doctor on the mainland.
When he arrived, our differences could not have been any more drastic. I was an old white guy from the wealthiest and most developed country on earth. He was a young man from one of the most impoverished and underdeveloped countries in the world. I was accustomed to the most advanced medical equipment and care available. He had no equipment except a backpack with some medicine and a cell phone. He spoke little English. I spoke no Portuguese. But he cared, and that is all God needed.
I watched as he rummaged through his backpack to find medicine that might help me. Fortunately, he found some and it worked. The real story is not the medication but the care and compassion I received later from this unlikely hero:
This young man sat by my bed for over four hours until I stabilized. After that he sat with me an hour on two occasions and returned every couple of hours to make sure I had taken additional medicines on time. He worked an 18-hour day and still came to check on me at 2:30 the next morning. Then he was back again at first light.
Each time he came, he was on foot. He had no transportation. He had no computer or other electronic devices, so he wrote out his report on the back of a scrap of paper. To say I was amazed and humbled by his care would be a major understatement.
But out of all this, there is a scene that continues to bring tears to my eyes. As I mentioned, this young man had no medical equipment and no pole for suspending my IV bag. So he stood with his arm raised above his head holding that bag so I could get the help I needed. Words can never express the gratitude I felt and still feel in that moment.
Immediately my mind went to the beautiful Old Testament story of Aaron and Hur holding up Moses’ arms when he was too weary to do so. Once again, I sensed the feeling of watching a scene from a Bible story play out in real time. And again I was overwhelmed.
I fully believe God can heal and help people supernaturally without human intervention. But I believe He most often chooses to use people as His agents to help others. I think people helping people has always been His plan for humanity. We see it in the model of Jesus. God could have accomplished His plan of redemption in an infinite number of supernatural ways. But He chose the route of coming to earth in human form, the ultimate example of man helping man.
Never in my life have I been more in awe than having God use this young man – with few resources at his disposal – to facilitate my recovery. I have been blessed, moved, and changed by the experience. Intimacy with God and love for strangers jumped to a whole new level through this trip. My desire to cooperate with God has never been higher.
I had prayed for a “soul touching” experience. I received a “soul changing” experience and feel closer to God than ever.
My wife and I fell in love with the African people, the most welcoming, compassionate, helpful, appreciative, and friendly people we have ever met. The poverty was heartbreaking and the needs overwhelming, but we serve a God who created and maintains a universe that inspires creative ideas to address the physical and spiritual needs of these countries. But we must ask Him for that creativity.
My overriding prayer coming out of this trip is that our missionaries and others with influence on the continent would pray for fresh, creative, effective, “outside the box” visions and opportunities for spiritual and economic innovations in Africa. The model of Jesus has always been to meet both spiritual and physical needs. Our collaboration with Him must be inclusive of both.
As I have prayed over the dear people of Africa since this trip, I sense the lack of inclusiveness in Christian business leaders in the missional efforts on this continent. Join me in praying that God will reveal new and creative ways for that to happen.
By the way, the name of the nurse God sent to help and touch me at my lowest point is Fidelis, which means “Faithful”.
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Johnny Hachem was born in 1981 during the Lebanese Civil War that affected his home country and lasted nine years. But even after that war ended, armed conflicts occurred frequently in Beirut. He recalls glass having to be extracted from his skull, frequent uprisings, and continual gunfire. But despite the complicated politics of the region, his family encouraged his obvious musical talent.
Born into a Christian family of musicians, he was saved at the age of twelve and showed musical talent at an early age by imitating his mother and listening to his sister’s piano teacher who was always looking for prodigies. He began playing piano in church at twelve, where his parents served as well, his father as worship leader/ Sunday school teacher and his mother as pianist.
He says that although he attended church regularly, musical studies were his priority, and since most of his teachers were atheists, they influenced his walk with the Lord and criticized everything Christian. He respected his teachers so much that they influenced his faith negatively. During that time of trying to discover himself, he was not really living for Christ and more interested in his music and the compositions he created.
But at the age of twenty, God intervened. Johnny began teaching private piano lessons to a Christian man’s grandchildren. When the man asked Johnny to join a Bible study in his home, he agreed, and in the years that followed, the man discipled him and completely changed his life.
With a renewed faith, a master’s degree in composition from the Lebanese Higher Conservatory of Music, and a teaching diploma, he continued giving concerts. And in 2009, he won his first international award, which opened a wide door for him, especially in Europe, to also be part of musicals, radio broadcasts, orchestras, and writing piano music.
Once international recognition began, Johnny shared his music in festivals, competitions, and venues all over Europe and the Middle East including Poland, Romania, South Korea, The Netherlands, Japan, Qatar, Brazil, and the Caribbean. One of those competitions was in Vienna, Austria: The International Composition Competition. Three hundred 300 composers from around the world were whittled down to three in different categories. Johnny’s orchestral composition was chosen as one of the three pieces.
It was one of the highlights of his career, but personally and professionally, the dream prize was being asked to perform at Mozart’s home in Vienna.
For the next four years, Johnny shared his music all over the globe, and in 2013, he held a concert in Ukraine, a country in which he had previously performed. There he met Tania, a Christian young lady who was involved in planting a church in her small town. She was moved by his music and introduced herself after the concert. They both felt an instant connection, and the two began a long-distance relationship.
In 2014, they were married in Beirut and decided to live in Ukraine, where they expanded their family to four with the birth of their son Jason and daughter Katy. Johnny continued touring and serving on Regional Coordinator Charlie Costa’s team as social media director.
But when the war in Ukraine began, they started the process of getting out of the country. With Charlie’s assistance and help from BMA Global, they received visas and other documents allowing them citizenship in America and enrolled their children in school. Johnny, who speaks Lebanese, Ukrainian, French, and Arabic, recently received his driver’s license as well and would love to visit churches and continue to do what he loves: sharing his talent and love for the Lord with others.
Johnny and Tanya Hachem are remarkable and talented servants of God, and this article barely touches on the horrors of being in a war torn country. If you’re interested in knowing more or having him speak at your church, contact Johnny at
When missionaries are on furlough, they enjoy being with their families and visiting churches, but when they say, “We’re going home,” they are referring to their mission fields back in their countries of service.
During a conversation with a missionary couple on furlough in the States, I apologized for “bugging” them with my questions about what’s going on in their field. Not surprisingly, they said, “No, that’s OK. We love to talk about the people we serve and what’s going on there.” But what they said next was a shock: “Our families never bring up the subject the entire time we’re on furlough.” Much of that is understandable, given that family members are eager to spend time with the missionaries themselves and with grandchildren they have only seen on video.
But imagine a missionary coming off the field for the last time and not being able to talk about what happened there, what the challenges were, or what kinds of feelings they have about leaving. For the fifth year in a row, BMA Global has been intentional about honoring our legacy missionaries at the national meeting, one deceased and one living. They are the ones on whose shoulders we stand. It’s a chance to be reminded of their service and sacrifice, but what if we went a step further?
Missionary Care Director Jonathan Montgomery has been planning the “Gleaners” initiative that focuses on our former missionaries, an alumni association of sorts that not only honors them but also helps them stay in touch with each other. Jonathan says, “We want our legacy missionaries to know we still care about them and their service, plus their continued importance to our association as a whole. There is so much more that they have to give, so much wisdom they can impart to us.”
Soon you will be learning more about Gleaners and what that means as Jonathan and the Missionary Care team formalize this exciting initiative. In the meantime, pray for wisdom and discernment for those who will be part of the planning and implementation.
(If you know a legacy missionary, thank him or her for their service and sacrifice then ask about their former mission field. You will be blessed by their story, and they will be blessed by your care and concern.)
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Ours has truly been a love story. We were two young adults ready for a mate in the early 1970s and were both praying for one. We lived 150 miles apart and never met, but that wasn’t a problem for God. Once He brought us together, we knew He had answered our prayers. What a Blessing! All who knew us said we were a perfect match. We never doubted it. Would God do anything less when answering the sincere prayers of two dedicated Christians?
Recently a young married lady observed us and said, “There’s nothing I like better than to see an older couple walking together hand in hand.” We hear that often and it always Blesses us. Whenever given an opportunity, we mention our 50thanniversary this coming Valentine’s Day (2024). We don’t mention it to brag, but to let people know that it can be done.
You see, we are best friends. As two retirees, we stay busy but are either at home together, running errands together, going to appointments together or, of course, attending church together. I am so Blessed to hear my favorite pastor every Sunday, my husband John! We just enjoy each other’s company, and I guess the reason is that we have God to arrange our marriage with a God given love for one another that has only grown over the years.
Through those five decades, all these years John and I have been Blessed with good health: no heart attacks, tumors, strokes, blockages, lung or kidney disease, etc. But last October of 2023 John was diagnosed with cancer, the first major health issue we had ever experienced. I had never been so afraid or prayed as much in my life. I could not imagine my life without the Love of my Life. Suddenly my love for John was even deeper than I thought it could be. I tried not to show any fear but rather strength and courage from God and gave John even more hugs to reassure him of my love and support.
After tests, x-rays and an MRI, the specialist finally met with us in November. It seemed forever waiting to meet and get the results. He told us the cancer was a small area and said it was caught early. He spoke to us in a calm, reassuring, and optimistic manner, which really helped . . . and that was such a Blessing! He said John should not need chemo, just 28 days of radiation treatments. So we drove on weekdays to the treatments from November 15 to December 27, a 100-mile round trip. Many were surprised John had no ill effects from the radiation, but we know that it’s another Blessing from God.
We have so many family members and friends who were and are praying. We could feel and witness the results of their prayers. What a Blessing! We thought it would be an exhausting, long-and-drawn-out ordeal, but we made each trip safely. We even had strength and energy and didn’t feel tired when returning home.
Our two sons came at different times to help with some of the driving and anything else requiring attention. Neighbors checked on us and brought food. Then suddenly, the treatments were almost over and we were amazed! Where did the time go? What a Blessing! With that much traveling, we were so thankful to have our nice and dependable car.
Of the 28 trips, only once did the car fail to start, and that was the only day we needed to rush home to an appointment I had. At first, I thought about calling to cancel my appointment, but I had made it several months prior and decided to wait awhile. God knew what was going on. John tried and couldn’t get the car started, so he had to call Roadside Assistance. But instead of having to wait an hour or so on him, he was just around the corner! That had never happened with us before. I just sat back and watched the miracles God was performing for us. The man soon arrived and quickly assessed the problem as a dead battery. And among the ones in his truck, he even had what we needed. It didn’t take him long to install it and we were on our way! The traffic flowed smoothly. We had just enough time for John to drop me off at my appointment with three minutes to spare. What a Blessing!
I am writing this in January of 2024, and even though John completed his radiation treatments last month, his appointment for the treatment results is in April! We have never stopped praying and will continue to, of course.
God graciously provided all our needs: a caring and praying family, friends and neighbors, safety, safe travels, food, inquiries, compassion, strength, energy, endurance, and many Blessings I am failing to mention. So, throughout all our lives and everything written above, including 50 years of marriage, we sometimes just sit and talk about how thankful we are and, as the hymn goes, we “Count Our Many Blessings”.
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Soon after I began “working” at the BMA Global Ministry Center, I learned that I was actually “serving” instead. First at Lifeword then at BMA Missions (now BMA Global), I have served the people of the BMA for ten years. And I learned how to do it from the people with whom I interact every day.
The broader picture of what that means has forced me to change my thinking. We are all meant to serve by sharing the gospel to the whole world. But for a long time, I thought that mandate was for the missionaries whose names I memorized at GMA meetings. Boy, was I wrong! The best examples of servants and servanthood come from our missionaries but also from ChangeMakers around the world that you will likely never see.
How these co-laborers serve all over the world looks very different and is intertwined with their own cultural contexts. My husband John and I have had the honor of visiting many areas of the world to see first hand their ministries, encourage them, and have face-to-face conversations. We come back with pictures and videos and souvenirs but also with a ground-level view of their ministry and a greater understanding of that unique context.
Although there is sometimes a language barrier, meeting and interacting with those ChangeMakers all over the world has been a special privilege. They are co-laborers building relationships and working to plant churches. They are better able to reach their own communities. Many were once in darkness about who Jesus is until someone shared the gospel. They are servants who bring people to Christ.
What that “serving” actually looks like is far different from what I imagined forty-five years ago when I memorized the names of BMA missionaries.
In most parts of the world, worship services are much livelier and louder than in the States. (Whatever you’re imagining, multiply it by one hundred!) Every country I’ve been blessed to visit has more from-the-heart worship than the American church.
At a baptism service in the Middle East, each new convert gave their testimony, then the celebration begins: The whole congregation stands to their feet and sings the entire salvation song loudly with whoops and hollers. No way you can keep from tearing up, smiling and clapping. Same thing happens with the next new believer. Then the testimonies, singing, and clapping begins again.
In the Spanish-speaking world, the Philippines, and Africa, many churches are open-air with flat out dancing and loudly miked-up musicians telling the whole area, “It’s Sunday morning! Come worship with us!” (In comparison, we don’t even go across the street to share the gospel and invite our neighbors to church.)
The comfort level of churchgoers all over the world is also very different. In Africa, church is the ground beneath your feet and the tree above you with no concern about time or temperature. No one has a watch or strictly adheres to any schedule.
In rural India, church is a small tarp suspended above a crumbling concrete floor, men and women separated and shoes off. The worship leader holding the microphone just a few inches away from the “congregation” turns up the volume just in case the neighbors can’t hear that church has started. Worship also includes dancing by girls young and old.
Church is a celebration, and churchgoers don’t seem to care about their comfort level, whether it’s too hot, too cold, too loud, or too long.
In stark contrast, the Myanmar church is a quiet indoor meeting of fewer than five people or whatever new government-restricted number officials decide. Someone is stationed at the door in case officials are looking for small gatherings that might be church meetings. If unlawful activity is suspected, worshipers are ready to hide songbooks and give an explanation for the meeting. Sometimes, they are hauled to jail. Because it’s a closed access country, I have never witnessed their worship, but the stories I read make me shudder.
Across the world, I have seen Christians serve others, share Jesus, and sing a joyful noise in ways that we complacent Americans would never consider. For our ChangeMakers, It’s just how they serve God and serve others.
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I hope you all are aware of BMA Global’s Missionary Care team and Director Jonathan Montgomery’s efforts to serve our missionaries. If you are not, let me give you just one example of what it means to those who serve around the world, sometimes in closed- or creative-access areas.
The following is from Missionary Milan Bulak:
“Thank you for your ministry and prayers!
I am grateful to share all this (an article he wrote) with you and hope that it encourages you. As we move to another season (of ministry) may we all press on to do the work the Lord has prepared beforehand for us to do.
I am thankful for every BMA ministry, member, and church. I am a product of BMA missions as I was baptized, discipled, educated, and sent to serve by BMA. I have never been a member in different church than BMA. The Lord is using our association in a mighty way and I praise Him for that.
I want to also thank Larry and Tammy Wood, our missionaries, for their help and love.
Holly, I hope this is not too much.
May the Lord bless you,
Milan Bulak
BMA Czech Republic
Central Europe”
Brother Milan was responding to my request for an article, which he sent to me in the same
correspondence. I shared it with Jonathan and the rest of the BMA Global team, of course. But although he would not take ANY of the credit, it is Jonathan who has worked hard to not just be in touch with our missionaries but to understand and follow up on all their needs.
Jonathan says, “The heart and focus of our Missionary Care ministry is to come alongside our missionaries with the aid, encouragement, and support they need to better allow them to carry out the mission of God. Missionary Care also strives to prepare, equip, and minister to BMA missionaries so they can be fruitful in both life and ministry.”
Recently, Jonathan has developed a new initiative of recruiting 250 missionary supporters to become Care Givers. For the ongoing growth of Missionary Care, he needs monthly supporters, which will provide encouragement and support for our global servants who minister internationally and stateside.
If you would like to donate to Missionary Care, click on the link below to give through the secured giving page of BMA Global. Your missionaries appreciate the support, and our care team is grateful for your help as we serve those who are serving others.
A closed access missionary, “Rose” is in touch with her family in Southeast Asia but unable to share her location and ministry.
The program began in February of 2022 during COVID when I started teaching English to a class of boys and girls in Vietnam. The students would come to Rose‘s father’s house, log in, and I taught them English through Bible lessons and Bible-themed stories. There were about eight kids at first, and I noticed that two of them were not learning as quickly as the others. We were reading very short sentences and decoding words, but two of the kids, a boy and a girl, weren’t doing as well as the others.
That’s when I began to really understand these children who needed much more than just learning to write and speak English.
I had been logging in every week and getting to know these kids through a “virtual classroom,” then the next thing you know, I’m teaching two classes for two boys and a girl in Ho Chi Minh City and two boys from Malaysia, Rose’s nephews. I was also teaching eight children in Tay Ninh. But from my experience working with kids in public school, I began to suspect that they might not have proper nutrition. I could even see one of the little girls’ eyes was sunk in, and she wasn’t able to focus.
When Rose’s mom was alive, the children ate meals before they did their lessons at her house, but that wasn’t happening. Culturally, that’s just not what men do. He opened his home and let children on the computers but didn’t notice otherwise. So I found out how much money it would be to send them meals, maybe starting with one class being fed plus food to take home over the weekend.
After two or three months of church members (at First Baptist Church at Palmer, Texas) sending money to feed them, we noticed a difference in their learning. Then others found out about helping with nutrition for children in Vietnam and wanted to sponsor some meals, and to this day we continue to add sponsorships for children’s health. But it hasn’t stopped there.
We also realized that one of the little boys needed his eyes checked, so we checked out the cost of a taxi ride to the doctor plus an eye exam and glasses. It was $100, so two of the boys received glasses, and now it’s the girls’ turn for eye exams, but there are plenty of people in our church who want to help with their health needs.
I had begun forming relationships with these kids and getting to know their stories by asking them or Rose questions, and although there was a language barrier, we could communicate with them. The girls are aged ten to fifteen, so it made sense to begin introducing GMA material to them. During our virtual sessions, we pair up, a big girl and a little girl sitting together because the big girls read and understand better. We started with the Maiden step and the “I Am a Sinner” section in the GMA workbook then on to “What Must I Do to be Saved.”
I teach three classes a week at 6 or 7 a.m. because it’s evening there. On Saturday, Sunday, and Tuesday morning, I get to start my day by teaching three classes and three sets of kids. They’ve memorized Romans 3:23, the first five books of the Bible, and we are working our way through the Old Testament. Although we were teaching from the Bible, until Rose’s sister Sally came to the States and brought them, they had never seen a Bible! English ESV Bibles are what we’re using for the Old Testament, because a Vietnamese-English parallel Old Testament is too large and comes in two different books.
I wanted them to have the New Testament in Vietnamese so they could learn the language. For Vietnamese people, learning English is the key to success, so that was part of their enthusiasm about the Bible. We had asked people to donate their English Bibles, because they don’t have them in Vietnam, but we were able to get New Testaments in both English and Vietnamese.
Our little group of GMA girls had just finished the Maiden step’s “Sweeter Than Honey” lesson when we received the girls’ Bibles, and we repeated the lesson so they could actually hold in their hands what I had been teaching them. I talked about how God’s words are sweet and nourishing and satisfying and explained the words of the Bible and how we can be fed through them. Granted, the Bibles are only New Testament, but we went through all the Maiden memory work because most of the lessons are from the book of Romans.
I had the older girls read the English, then the little girls read the Vietnamese, and they were able to comprehend it better that way. We went through the entire Roman Road using their table of contents to look up verses, and we talked about each verse. They’re getting really good at using their Bibles to look up verses.
We also do sword drills using their English Bibles, which is what we’re using for Old Testament study because a Vietnamese-English parallel Old Testament comes in two different books. I wanted them to have the New Testament in Vietnamese so they could learn the English language, which is what they really want to do.The point of our lessons, besides learning about Jesus and the gospel, is to help them pass their English test in the sixth grade then again when they turn sixteen.
All the kids who log in with us are Vietnamese, except for the ones in Malaysia who speak Chinese. English is the second language in Vietnam now, so we need to get them proficient in it. One way we help them comprehend is if I type a question or comment into the chat, then they can “get it” more easily than if I just say the word or verse. Because some of the children come from a poor village they would never have been able to do the lessons, so their parents love for them to come to Rose’s Dad’s house to get on the computers. They ride their bikes to the house and they share two kids per laptop. So when I open up my screen, I have four screens with eight kids.
They were very nervous at first and didn’t want us to hear their English, but finally at youth camp, Sally was there, Rose’s sister, and she helped with my lesson and translated it to them. They were hesitant, but I told them, “You can do this by memorizing these words in the Bible.” The next week, I logged in and they recited Romans 3:23 for me! They were just shy and nervous about saying it wrong. I also explained the creation story, Jesus’ birth, who God is, who Jesus is and how he’s the creator of the earth. I felt like that was very necessary because I didn’t want them to think that God is like Buddha or any other gods they might know about.
They might not be getting it all right now, but I pray that something is being comprehended and a seed planted as their English improves. As they’re exposed to more Christianity, I pray that their understanding of the gospel develops within them and God will help them somehow open their heart to understanding.
Our church, First Baptist in Palmer, Texas, has set up an account for our church and others to donate money to feed them before their lessons begin. The money is sent to Rose, and Rose sends it to the lady in Vietnam who provides food for the students. Every day we get pictures of what they’re eating, and we buy them vitamins monthly because they have never seen a doctor. They need to be strong and healthy and their minds need to be working properly if they’re going to absorb what we’re teaching them.
You can tell that they love the girl time, and that’s what GMA is meant to be. I was in GMA when I was a little girl and sat under Darlene Carey’s teaching at camp one year. Hers is the kind of mission-minded heart I pray for. I think that’s why I work in the public school system and chose speech therapy with little kids. I deal with their parents as well, so it all becomes my ministry for the Lord. It’s unbelievable how much I love these children that I have never personally met. My heart physically aches to be with them when we have to say goodbye each day. That kind of love can only be described in one way. It is given by God.
It was a first for VSM! An American team of eleven leaders and students served in Portugal, making it the very first Volunteer Student Missions trip to this European country. The American team represented churches in Texas and Arkansas, and the in-country leaders were Portuguese, Brazilian, and Dutch. What a milestone for BMA Global student missions.
With the purpose of conducting leadership training that emphasized sharing the gospel, VSM students and leaders served Portugal ChangeMaker Marco Gaspar and his family. Both American and Portuguese students and leaders helped run Campo de Ferias, a four-day sports and evangelism camp led by Dutch missionaries Peter and Annie Verhoef, youth leaders at Marco’s church.
Five months before the trip, teens in the Morelena church sent a video about their community and culture and explained the camp’s format then asked the VSM team to do the same. The video explained that the camp’s goal was to “be a living testimony for Christ.” The camp was well organized and planned with very specific expectations of both the team from the States and the Morelana church’s students.
Peter and Annie’s camp objectives included team building, discovering and using your gifts, being an authentic example through your testimony, understanding the needs of others, and working together in a multi-cultural context. Based on Annie’s degree in psychology, the couple’s camp experience, and their work with youth, the Verhoefs’ camp theme was centered on just BE-ing: BE with your team, with the kids at camp, and BE-ing in the moment celebrating connections despite language and culture barriers.
They also encouraged VSM team members to just BE with their negative feelings and frustrations of not being able to communicate and understand culture. They were told, “We will not challenge you much in DOING and leading activities because in BEING you will learn so much more about what it means to serve and live in another country, which is the best preparation for your possible future as a missionary.”
On all four days of camp, from 9 a.m. to noon, American and Portuguese teen volunteers received training, with camp beginning at 2:00. The Verhoefs included activities like dance, jujitsu, parkour, water games, volleyball, basketball, crafts and graffiti art. Worship music was led by Sandra and Pedro Gaspar, and most of the teen workers were from Marco’s church and had Catholic backgrounds.
The training was on servant leadership and the fact that there is no better role model for leaders than Jesus. Several of the youth leaders were non-believers, so the gospel was intentionally shared in their training, which is another of the Verhoef’s goals: Let non-believers be impacted through their own gospel teaching of others.
BMA Pastor Advocate Heidi Sorrels said, “Serving in Portugal tested my American mindset of identifying leaders. The Verhoefs taught that leadership is not just for adults, and that young people should be given opportunities to lead. For Peter and Annie, that means intentionally including non-Christians to participate in the servant leadership training that all campers went through. Hearing the gospel in that context helps make it personal.
Please pray for students in and around Morelana and other small villages that have been impacted by Campo de Ferias. Who knows the seed that has been sown!
http://bmalife.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/BMALife_Retina2-300x138.png00BMA Lifehttp://bmalife.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/BMALife_Retina2-300x138.pngBMA Life2023-08-24 15:45:122023-08-24 15:45:42VSM: Challenging Youth to just “BE”
By Dr. Scott R. Carson, President and Director of BMAA Chaplaincy Dept.
Operation Border Health Preparedness (OBHP) took place from July 23-29 along the U.S southern border. OBHP is an annual humanitarian mission offering a variety of medical services to the public in six different border towns. The goal is to prepare citizens for hurricane season. As the season ramps up, the risk increases for displacement, which escalates the potential for disease to spread. OBHP functions to prevent that spread.
Ryan Burchett, First Lieutenant and Chaplain of the Texas State Guard, recently served the OBHP mission at Rio Grande City and Hidalgo, both in Texas. Tasks included patrolling the extremely long lines of people waiting for services, providing spiritual and mental/emotional counsel as needed, and offering a presence in uniform to deter any criminal activity. As part of a joint operation, Chaplain Burchett (serving the Texas State Guard) worked alongside the Texas Army National Guard, Border Patrol, local law enforcement, FEMA, and individuals from the Chilean Army.
In a five-day span, all six checkpoints combined saw over 5,000 people; some were citizens, but many were not. Of those 5,000 at checkpoint Hidalgo, Chaplain Burchett’s primary station saw around 3,500. Needless to say, the border and border towns are busy places.
With everything going on at OBHP, God allowed Chaplain Burchett a very unique opportunity to turn the operation into a mission trip of sorts. During the course of OBHP, he handed out 300 Gideon Bibles to those willing to take one. The Gideon New Testaments were offered in both English and Spanish.
One praise to be noted was that a Mexican vendor passing through noticed the Bibles and asked Chaplain Burchett if he had any spare Spanish Bibles to donate to a church in Mexico that desperately needed them. Burchett gave her a box of 100 Spanish New Testaments to be taken across the border. God is good!
Along with handing out Bibles, God allowed Chaplain Burchett multiple opportunities for spiritual conversations with fellow troops and local law enforcement. He provided spiritual/biblical guidance as well as marital counsel and sharing the gospel during those conversations.
All service members, including Chaplain Burchett, received commendations for their efforts on OBHP ’23, including the State Guard Association of the United States Meritorious Unit Citation and the Humanitarian Service Medal.
Chaplain Burchett also serves as pastor of Walnut Street Baptist Church in Winnsboro, Texas, and president of BMA Texas.
http://bmalife.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/BMALife_Retina2-300x138.png00BMA Lifehttp://bmalife.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/BMALife_Retina2-300x138.pngBMA Life2023-08-02 08:05:502023-08-02 08:05:53Ministry on the Southern Border
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