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Testimonies

The following testimony is from an article that was published in the Oklahoma Baptist Messenger.

My first experience as a short-term missionary was in the summer of 2002. I was part of a thirteen-member team from First Baptist Church of Altus, Oklahoma. Our assignment was to minister to Baptist missionaries and their children in Malawi, Africa. After experiencing a mighty move of God while in Africa, my heart was stirred for future missions. I reponded once again to His call to Malawi, Africa in the summer of 2003. This time the assignment was to evangelize in the name of Jesus, to deliver Bibles and Christian literature, and to encourage the churches with the powerful Word of God.

As a small boy growing up in Oklahoma City, I used to watch Jungle Theatre on Saturday afternoons. I was always intrigued by the jungle life. I used to dream about safaris, wild animals, and the native people of Africa. Little did I know at that time that God would allow me to fulfill and exceed my dreams beyond my wildest imagination.

Upon arriving in Malawi, the team met missionary friends, John and Merri Johnson. We later dined with Wayne and Lee Ann Johnson, also missionary friends with whom I had served on the previous mission trip. The next morning the six member group headed toward our destination. The team consisted of six missionaries, including Martha Becerra, Marjorie Porter and myself from Altus OK. Brian Gould, Pastor Ronnie White, and his wife Carolyn of Hobart were also a part of the team. Our driver, tour guide, and interpreter was Charles Malekano, Pastor of a Baptist church in Malawi.

One morning three of the team members, including myself, were taken to an area near a village. There were three or four small buildings where the local villagers gathered. It was there I met the local village chief. After taking a few digital snapshots, I noticed five or six teenagers standing next to an old antique sewing machine. At that moment, I suddenly felt a strong impression to witness to them. My interpreter Ghaham Chipande and I preached the Good News and led those teenagers through the sinner's prayer. I knew at that moment that God was at work "big time," and all I had to do was follow His lead. The remaining hours of the day were spent walking through the African Bush. We found paths and followed them. Every path eventually led us to several grass huts. We introduced ourselves to the local people and then preached about Jesus. Everywhere we went, except one location, someone prayed to accept Christ.

This experience was humbling but awesome in the same breath. This is just one of the many displays of God's power and mercy that we experienced while on this trip. My journey in finding Christ was also nothing short of a miracle. There is something very powerful about how the Lord can transform a no-good sinner like me to win souls for Him. Maybe you will be the next one to be changed forever. I hope so. To God be the glory.