07-08-09-2017_TheCall (1)

MGeodThMereet:
Building an Altar

WORLD GOSPEL MISSION WWW.WGM.ORG JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2017

IN THIS ISSUE

July/Aug/Sept 2017 GOD USED A modern art sculpture to change my life.
World Gospel Mission
Vol. 99 No. 1 It was the middle of the night during my junior year of college—a
period of life that is fraught with indecision and crisis. At the time, my
EXECUTIVE EDITOR college had this large jungle-gym-looking sculpture on campus. I did
John Rinehimer something I’d always wanted to do: I climbed it. At the top of the
sculpture, more than 20 feet in the air, I waited for God to speak.
MANAGING EDITOR That night, that sculpture became an altar—a moment of consecration
Rachel Elwood and surrender. I left my perch with the knowledge that I was safe in His
COPYEDITOR hands and in His love. In times when God seems distant and doubt edges
Tracy Dubois too close, I think back to that altar, and others like it, and my faith is
DESIGNER restored.
Adam Lorenz Altars can take many shapes and forms. They can be events, places,
sacrifices of all kinds, and even people. In the articles that follow, I hope
WORLD GOSPEL MISSION is an you will be inspired by the countless ways God reaches into our hearts,
interdenominational missionary- takes hold of our lives, and changes us forever. More importantly, I hope
sending organization that is you see how you can communicate the life-changing
Wesleyan-Arminian in doctrine and power of our great God to a lost and hurting world
worldwide in scope. that is longing for His light.
World Gospel Mission, Inc., ©2017 Looking to Him,
The Call (USPS 085-420) is the
official publication of World *About the Cover: This illustration was created by missionary kid Alisa
Gospel Mission and is published Rickel, daughter of Tim and Laurie Rickel (Support Staff).
quarterly. International head-
quarters and publication office is 3783 East State Road 18, Marion, IN 46952-0948
at 3783 East State Road 18, P.O. Phone: 765.664.7331 • Email: [email protected] • Website: www.wgm.org
Box 948, Marion, IN 46952-0948. United Kingdom Office, “Bethel”, 7 Beechfield Manor, Lurgan
Nonprofit Standard Mail postage BT66 7GR, Northern Ireland, UK, Phone: 011.44.28.38328197
paid at Marion, IN, and additional
office. A free subscription is
available for anyone wishing to
learn more about leading an
active missional life. Printed in USA.
Contributions are solicited with the
understanding that World Gospel
Mission has complete discretion
and control over the use of all
donated funds.

6 CONTENTS

Sacred Space in a 3 President’s Perspective
School Infirmary 4 The Two Altars

7 The Adventure of Altar Living

1 0 A Living Altar

8 11 If You Will Help Me

Do You See the Cross? 14 Building My Altar

15 Suspicious Sacrifice

16 I Will Not Sacrifice Something

12 That Has Cost Me Nothing

I Fell in Love in Kenya 18 Burning Bush Moment
20 Cynthia’s War Room

22 She Made Kenya Her Home

19 23 Prayer Calendar
Anchoring at an Altar

PRESIDENT’S SHARE this story: www.wgm.org/altars-and-missions.
PERSPECTIVE

Altars and Missions

D R . DA N S C H A F E R | President

MEMORIES FADE. a lifetime. But the God who

DON’T you find that to “The God who knew the need of Jacob’s
knew the need of heart knows our needs
be true? Once so vivid, Jacob’s heart knows also, and He advises us
the experiences of our our needs also, and He to build altars—lasting
past lose their sense of symbols that will
clarity and even their advises us to build altars— permanently capture
distinguishing marks lasting symbols that will
of reality as time and the story of His
permanently capture the
distance take their interface with us and

toll. Like photo paper story of His interface retell that story as often

exposed to direct sunlight, with us.” as needed to keep us in

the images imprinted on our touch with it.

minds steadily dissipate. God still calls people to His

God understands better than any service, including service as missionaries.

mortal the limited ability of the mind to How often I hear of people who at one

remember—to recall the passion, details, point in their lives had a clear, vivid

emotions, and commitments that were encounter with God and heard His call 3

made. He knows that without assistance, but then never fully acted on it. Today,

people are likely, over time, to forget the memory of that encounter with God

what they have promised Him. For that is nearly gone.

reason, Scripture often records God’s I also meet others who after 20, 30,

request for His people to build altars to or more years can give a clear account of

immortalize His interventions in their how God called them into missionary

lives and their resulting promises. service. The difference often lies in that

In Genesis 35:1 (NASB), God they obediently built an altar to God.

asks Jacob to build an altar “to God, They immortalized that moment in their

who appeared to you when you fled mind, and that immortalized memory—

from your brother Esau.” Undoubtedly, that altar—has served as the continual

Jacob hadn’t forgotten that night when anchor through the joys and trials of a

he wrestled with a heavenly being. life spent serving God.

However, the influence of that event on MORE: Does your
him had diminished over the intervening

decades. God’s solution to Jacob’s fading spiritual memory need

memory—build an altar! to be refreshed? Set aside

Whenever God chooses to reveal time today to meditate on

Himself to us in extraordinary ways, Genesis 35:1-15. God was commanding

we feel as though we will never Jacob to return to a place where he had

be separated from the awe of that encountered God. Ask God to remind

experience. We make promises to Him you of your own milestone moments.

in those moments that we expect to last

The Two Al

N AT H A N M E T Z | Missionary, Uganda

THE CALL HAT ONE IS for the men. Several years earlier, I stumbled
across an altar of a very different kind.
4 This for the women. Those two This altar has a story that began with a
smaller ones, the children.” wedding. Floyd was a young man who
Dusk was just minutes away, and waited nervously at the front of a small
we had a muddy van ride ahead; it was chapel in central Indiana. His fiancé,
time to get going, you might say. I didn’t Alberta, stepped happily down the aisle
take time to soak in the vision to my in a beautiful white gown.
right. We moved along the path through Over 50 years later, a pew from
the marsh, returning the same way we’d that wedding chapel was strapped in
wandered in about an hour ago. the back of a red pickup while my
I saw the tarps the first time when father and I sketched out a plan to give
they were on my left, but I thought the wood a second life. We kept the
nothing of them. They appeared to be beautiful curves and notable features of
covering rocks—flat on the top with
little jars and vessels the pew in plain view
tucked in around while thoughtfully
the base. As a new piecing together
missionary, I knew something functional
very little about this and strong. When
place, just enough finished, it looked
to feel fear. I trusted like a kneeler...an
our pastors—a altar. Its old pew
couple Kenyans and shape still trimmed
a few Ugandans— the sides and the top
assuming they knew on the right and left.
what they were doing While we
since they were acting were building, we
like guides. knelt together,
They picked holding the top
up the pace, so before it was fastened
I followed suit. One turned to me while we marked and measured and tried
as we scrambled back to our van, to get the spacing and angle comfortably
“Those altars, they are for sacrifice,” correct. We used strong door hinges
she whispered from the corner of her underneath to keep it from buckling,
mouth while she glanced quickly over and we supported the whole thing firmly
my shoulder back in the direction from against the floor with our attempt at
which we had come. She then gathered hidden feet. It ended up at my house. I
her dress and turned with a small wave prayed there many times.
of the hand to keep me close. There is no mistaking the vast

lta r s SHARE this story: www.wgm.org/two-altars.

difference between these two altars—one 5
meant for evil, another meant for good.
However, with all their differences, I
find the similarities quite fascinating.
Both altars are cared for as designated,
sacred places. Both are intended to
connect humanity with the supernatural.
In both cases, humans approach the altar
with sincerity, most always confident
and expectant. I suspect Elijah saw this,
too, on Mount Carmel as he faced the
prophets of Baal. Two altars—vast in
difference, striking in similarity.
In my ministry, I desire to see the
lost come to the altar and seek the Lord
in prayer. Yet, there is a great work that
must occur before any man or woman
comes to the altar of God. Before we
kneel at a new altar, we must leave the
one we’ve been using. A battle over the
soul begins every time a person kneels at
the altar of God before they’ve left their
other altars. In the marshes of Uganda,
in the twilight of that memorable day,
I realized that my work in missions was
somewhere between two altars—the
death and the second life.

PRAY: The chains that

keep people from a life of
freedom in Christ can be
blatantly obvious or hidden
and secret. Pray for Nathan and others
involved in sharing this message of
freedom, that the power of Jesus will
reach past the barriers that keep people
from Him.

SHARE this story: www.wgm.org/sacred-space. ScShaocorelindInaSfiprmacaery

6 C H R I S T I N E S TA N F I E L D | Missionary, Uganda

WE USE MILESTONES collected in our hearts and minds to con-

struct altars of remembrance. Sometimes we find ourselves building them
in a most unlikely place.
One morning while working at Tenwek Hospital in Kenya, we were
shocked to receive a phone call telling us our son, Chris, had a seizure in
PE class at his boarding school. We quickly handed over duties, packed a
bag, and started out on the long drive to be with Chris.
Upon arrival at the school infirmary, our hearts ached to see the
many bumps and bruises and a cut from his fall against a wire fence and
then down onto the ground. Chris was started on medication and needed
to be monitored through the night. The nurse invited us to stay in the
infirmary with him. After a late supper, we settled in for the night.
I was startled awake as my spirit cried vehemently within me, “I am
so disappointed in you, God! I trusted you to protect my son. I am very
disappointed!” God joined my heart-space conversation. “I can handle
your disappointment, but I have a question for you. Do you trust Me?”
“I do trust You, but I am disappointed.”
“Do you trust Me?” I felt Him gently ask.
“I think I trust You. Why do You ask? You know the answer better
than I.”
“For what lies ahead for you and your family, for where I am lead-
ing you next, you MUST know if you trust Me. Do you trust Me?”
I invited God’s Spirit to reveal what was in my heart. I saw incom-
plete trust. “Oh, God, I do trust You. Increase my faith to trust You
more. Holy Spirit, always remind me that I know I trust God. Whatever
comes my way, I trust you, God.”
Suddenly, within that room, my heart space became sacred ground
and a holy quiet filled my being. Using every bump on my son’s body as
building stones, along with other mental stones from experiences past, I
constructed an altar of remembrance in worship to God, whom I trust.
In the years since building that altar in the school infirmary, I have
often gone to that sacred heart space to worship the God I trust. He was
right. I needed to know that I know that I trust Him.

PRAY: What building stones can you gather from your

memories and experiences to build an altar of remembrance
to the Lord? Being intentional to remain aware of these mo-
ments will strengthen your faith, allowing you to take greater
steps of trust in the Lord.

The Adventure SHARE this story: www.wgm.org/adventure.

ofAltar Living
A M A N DA H O O G K A M P | Missionary, Bolivia

“IT’S A DANGEROUS business, I began working in the café that 7
served the students; making coffees and
Frodo, going out your door. You step smoothies and serving food was my day-
onto the road, and if you don’t keep your to-day living. It was an adventure. I had
feet, there’s no knowing where you might never worked in anything like that before.
be swept off to.” The Fellowship of the (I didn’t even like coffee at the time;
Ring by J. R. R. Tolkien. although, that is a different story now!)
This quote reminds me of what it Then they asked if I could help
means to put your life on God’s altar. in the onsite library that was used by
There is no knowing what God is going students, counselors, and the public.
to use or when; He often takes a piece of Sure, I thought; I love books. As I started
my life and uses it in ways that I never working, I realized that maybe God had
could have dreamed of. a different plan. You see, I not only love
One of these instances was during books but also libraries. My family has
my first two years in Bolivia. I felt God a personal library in our house, and my
calling me to Bolivia to work with the El mom had worked in a library for many
Alfarero (The Potter) University Student years. I used to go in and help her with
Center as a counselor. However, I could cataloging and shelving. It turned out
not start counseling right away because I that I knew more about running a library
needed to understand the language and than most of those who were working in
culture better, so I volunteered wherever the one at El Alfarero.
I could. By the second year, I was working
on updating the library and dealing
with issues that had been there since the
library first opened. God took my life
experiences—ones I never thought would
be used on the field—and swept them up
into His plans. I had placed my life and
experiences on His altar, and He took off
what He wanted to use.
What is God wanting you to place
on His altar? Are you allowing yourself
to be swept off into His great adventure?

GO: Is fear or uncertainty

holding you back from
the adventure God has for
you? WGM is here to help
you find your place in God’s Great
Commission. Contact mobilization@
wgm.org to get started!

Do You See

S H U S H A N R I C H A R D S O N | Missionary, Lithuania

THE CALL N THE DAYS leading up to the interpretation where the arms of the cross
point downward. At first, I bristled at the
8 trial that would eventually result strangeness and thought it was irreverent.
in a not guilty verdict for the man But then I heard the beautiful story of
who killed my youngest brother, a missionary to Georgia in the fourth
I went on a private spiritual retreat. It century. She came to Georgia, sharing
was a time of prayer and seeking God. the gospel and living such a devout
In those days of quiet, I read the Bible life that even the king took notice.
and Suffering and the Sovereignty of God She constructed a cross of grapevines,
by John Piper. During those days, God which she bound together with her hair.
brought me to the cross and helped me Eventually, she was able to lead the
to see it. king to Jesus. Not only did he become a
Before, I saw the cross as a picture believer but also Georgia was a Christian
of God’s love, grace, and victory. My country by the year 337. And the cross
view was beautiful and joyful, but made of twisted grapevines
it was shallow. I realized that I had remains a symbol of a life and a
been missing the cost, cheapening the country dedicated to Christ.
unimaginable suffering of Jesus. The When students from Iraq
cross is an amazingly powerful reminder and Syria were unable to enter
that we are called to die, called to give up Georgia, the ministry was
illusions that this world is fair and safe relocated to Lithuania. Here,
and just and easy. It is a reminder that too, the cross is a central theme.
no matter the pain, difficulty, or cost, we The Hill of Crosses in Lithuania
are called to love and live and suffer as is an awesome site. Hundreds
Christ did. I now see and feel the cross of thousands of crosses have
differently, overcome by the fullness of been placed on a small raised
the vision. Worship for me has become area outside of a city. The hill
all about the cross. began as a memorial to soldiers
Like life, missions is full of lost in battle in the 1830s. It
uncertainty. I had hoped to return to
Ukraine, but the became a place of
opportunity to serve prayer for peace, and
with war-affected more crosses were
students drew me erected. Under the
to the country of Soviet Union, crosses
Georgia. There, I was and other Christian
presented with a new symbols were not
cross—the Georgian

e the Cross?

permitted. Three times during the Soviet documentary about the Syrian refugee SHARE this story: www.wgm.org/do-you-see.
occupation, the crosses were destroyed. crisis. They asked the students how they
Yet under threat of punishment, are adjusting to Lithuania and what
Lithuanian people continued to sneak stereotypes they face as Muslims. One
in in the dark of night to place crosses at young man was quick to speak up. He
this site, proclaiming their faith in God said, “I will let my Muslim brothers
and praying for peace. answer, but first, I want to tell you that
Now, I am serving at LCC I am a Christian. Yes, Jesus is in Syria.”
International University, and we have And Jesus is in Iraq, also, evidenced by
16 students from Syria and Iraq. They the small wooden cross one of my Iraqi
have suffered the horrific events that students wears proudly around his neck.
we have only seen a glimpse of through Yes, life and missions are uncertain,
news reports. Recently, I was sitting but God is not. Wherever I go, God
with some students from Syria. We has already been there. The cross asks
had the opportunity to speak with if I am willing to do more than love.
filmmakers who made a Do you see the cross? What great joy
and sorrow, what amazing love and
suffering, what overwhelming hope 9
and despair, what unimaginable peace
and pain; but above all else, what an
awesome God! I see the cross and
because I do, my view of everything else
has become tainted and shallow. Do
you see the cross? Look again.

GIVE: Be a part of

building up believers—many
of whom have survived war
and persecution—in the
Middle East by donating to the Yemen
Crisis Relief Fund at www.wgm.org/

yemen-relief.

SHARE this story: www.wgm.org/beverly. A Living Altar

Beverly Lewis Celebrates 60 Years of Missionary Service

R AC H E L E LW O O D | Interim Director of Communications

10 IN 1952, QUEEN Elizabeth came with the national church in preparing
programs that were broadcast all over
to the throne of Great Britain, Singin’ in the country. She also trained Bolivians
the Rain was a hit film, gas was only 20 in camping ministries, producing one
cents a gallon, and Beverly Lewis was of many enduring legacies—today,
appointed as a missionary to the Texas/ thousands of children, young people,
Mexico Border field. In 2017, she is and adults enjoy camping ministries
celebrating an astonishing 60 years of throughout Bolivia.
missionary service to five countries. Beverly officially retired in 1995
Beverly was born in Portland, and remained in the U.S. for five years
Oregon, in 1929, and continued to to care for her mother. In 2000, she
call Portland home throughout her returned to Bolivia to teach at BEU.
years in Latin America. Raised in a She wanted to do what she loved
Christian family, Beverly was sensitive most—invest in young people in Latin
to the leading of the Holy Spirit at America. Since 2009, she has been based
an early age and became interested in in Paraguay, where she is the director
missions in high school when she heard at Wesley Bible Institute in Asunción,
a missionary from Bolivia speak and preparing leaders for World Gospel
share a slide presentation. She attended Church of Paraguay. After moving to the
Cascade College in Portland to major U.S. this summer, she will continue to
in education and minor in Spanish teach theological classes online.
and history. She later earned a master’s “I first responded to a mention
degree in education from Azusa Pacific in a slide that if someone doesn’t go to
University (California) in 1983. teach these people, they’ ll not have the
Beverly used her gift of teaching opportunity to learn,” Beverly said. “On
in every place she served, focusing on each field, there has been an urgent
equipping church leaders. Her resume need for a teacher; He opened the door
includes teaching at Taylor Institute for me to go. I love the promise of 2
on the Texas/Mexico border; teaching Corinthians 9:8, ‘His grace abounds, and
and serving in administration at Berea He generously provides what I need.’”
Bible Institute in Bolivia; and founding
Wesley Evangelical Seminary, which ACT: What retirement?
later became part of Bolivian Evangelical
University. In Argentina, where she spent Even into her 80s, Beverly is
most of the 1980s, Beverly designed a active in Christian service.
plan for training pastoral students, later Are you in or approaching those
doing a similar project in Paraguay. “sunset” years? Pray that God will help
In Bolivia, where she spent most you find ways to minister to others
of her years of service, she was also during your retirement.
involved in radio ministry, working

If You Will Help Me

F R A N K M A R T I N | Retiree

I GREW UP in a Christian home Jesus used parables to get His message SHARE this story: www.wgm.org/if-you-will.
across. A parable is an earthly story with
and went to church from the time I was a heavenly principle. I told the Lord 11
born. Around the age of 12, I attended that if He would help me with stories
my first youth camp, where I came to and object lessons like He used, then
understand who Christ Jesus truly is I would speak for Him. There was no
and committed my life to Him. lightning in the sky or thunder. There
After I graduated from high school, was no warm and fuzzy feeling in my
I went to camp one more time before chest. There was no tap on my shoulder
heading off to my first year of college. It by an angel. I just poured out my heart,
was during that camp that I felt the call and He listened.
to Christian ministry. For sure, I didn’t From that point on, I noticed that
know what that meant. Was it to be a I could remember stories and jokes
pastor, a missionary, a Christian teacher, easily. Then the object lessons started
or what? I just knew in my heart that coming. I hardly ever speak without
the Lord wanted me to serve in a full- something in my hand to show the
time capacity. audience. When I see their eyes shine
When I returned home, I didn’t with understanding, I know they got
have a pastor to talk to about this call. the point!
Our church was between pastors and I started speaking at the age of
the laymen were holding it together 18. Now I’ve just retired. And guess
until one could be found. It was during what? The Lord is still giving me object
this in-between time that I had a long lessons and stories to use for Him! How
talk with the Lord, asking Him just cool is that? Because “if He will help
what it was He wanted me to do. me, I will….”
I can take you to the very spot in
our backyard where this conversation ACT: What is your story?
took place. We had a little bridge over the
sulfur creek that ran along the back of our What is God enabling you to
property. I took out my Bible and asked do with His help? If you are
the Lord what He wanted me to do. looking for guidance to grow
Now I need to let you know that in your Christian walk, download the
I’m not one of those people who opens World Go! Manual at www.wgm.org/
the Bible up and then drops a finger worldgo. This 9-week missions Bible
on a verse to find direction. But what I study will challenge and equip you for
did see as I studied the gospels was that God’s service.

I Fell in

THE CALL in Kenya

R E B E C C A D E N N I N G | Volunteer, Kenya

12 FELL IN love in Kenya...with a very young, and he didn’t remember his
father.
dirty, hungry, homeless, 9-year-old After two days of investigative
boy. He was swinging on tree ropes work, no family could be found. It was
near my home on the missionary now time to decide what to do with this
compound at Tenwek Hospital. I could precious little one. Peter, a dear Kenyan
tell he was enjoying himself, smiling friend, helped us arrange for Emmanuel
and pumping his legs hard as if it would to be placed at nearby Mosop Children’s
swing him into a new life. Home, which doubles as a boarding
“Hey buddy, time to go home,” I school and has high standards for clean-
said. liness, nutrition, academics, and medical
The pumping stopped, and he care.
walked toward me, eyes on the ground. Peter and I loaded Emmanuel in
In broken English he said, “I have no the car, his new teddy bear peering out
parents.” the side pocket of his backpack. Em-
Another missionary walked by and I manuel was squirming and showing off
said, “Hey Jenny, this boy says he doesn’t his toothy smile, thrilled to be going to
have parents.” school. As we pulled in the driveway,
“Yeah, he told me the same thing he practically jumped out of his seat
earlier.” in excitement, yelling, “Mosop-school!
The neighbor’s daughter, a Kenyan, Mosop-school!” Children dressed in neat
was passing by so we asked her to trans- brown uniforms ran along the fence to
late. We discovered Emmanuel had been greet us before teachers led us to a room
living on the streets and truly had no where they gave Emmanuel an aca-
family. demic examination. It was determined
The three of us walked to a storage he would be placed in Class 1 (the
closet for orphans. We found a few out- equivalent of first grade) because of his
fits, a backpack, toiletries, and a teddy inability to write. He would need special
bear. For the next two days, Emmanuel attention to keep up with the class, but
slept at Jenny’s house and even learned he was expected to do just fine.
to ride a bicycle. I asked that he be examined at the
Those 48 hours were filled with clinic and receive an HIV test. The teach-
social workers and child services at- er agreed and then offered me a tuition
tempting to gather the pieces to Em- breakdown and a list of required school
manuel’s story. Emmanuel shared that supplies. He needs what for first grade?
he had been homeless for at least the She then told me it was time to take him
last six months, but the gaps in his story around the school and orient him to his
suggested far longer. His mother had new home. I asked if I could join them,
reportedly died of HIV when he was

to which she politely responded, “He will For the next week, I learned how to SHARE this story: www.wgm.org/fell-in-love.
be fine; we’ll see you tomorrow.” Got it, embroider “Emmanuel Kiplangat” on
time to let him go. all his clothes. With every letter sewn, I 13
I hugged my little friend,
told him I would see him to- thought about his smile, his laugh,
morrow, and left him at that and his goofy “Yah!” he uses to
big school with people he express happiness. I thought
had just met and a bunch about what I’m going to do
of kids who I prayed would when I leave in July, who
be nice to him. All night I will come to visit him on
thought about and prayed my behalf, and when I’ll
for that little guy. be able to come back to see
I’d only known him him. As much as my heart
for three days, but I felt like breaks to think of leaving
a part of me was missing. As him, I know Kenya is Emman-
I prayed, God brought three uel’s home and that the staff at
words to my mind: “God
with us.” Burdened with Mosop will raise him to be a strong
emotions, it took me man. Instead, I should direct
a second to remem- my thoughts and prayers
ber that Emmanuel on how I can support
means “God with us.” him from afar.
Emmanuel has never So, I’ve fallen
been alone, forsaken, for a 9-year-old boy.
or homeless; and nei- I can honestly say, I
ther have I. would give anything
The next day, I stuffed for his happiness and
his footlocker with sup- success in this world. No
plies, clothes, and extra matter the impact I’ve had
goodies, including
pictures Jenny’s fam- and will continue to have in
ily had laminated. Emmanuel’s life, I pray that
Emmanuel loved neither of us will forget that
opening his foot- God is with us. He is with
locker, coming to the us when we have nothing;
pictures saying, “Tank when we are homeless and
you, tank you!” hungry, without family or
I was told his friends; when we’re broken-
HIV test was hearted and deeply saddened;
negative, but
he has hearing and when we have all we need
difficulty in his and more.
right ear. In-
side, I breathed GO:
a great sigh of
relief about the While
former but had a volun-
thousand questions teering
about the latter. The at Tenwek, Rebecca
teacher beat me to the punch, saying, “I and Emmanuel
think I’ll ask the nurse; I’d like to know changed each other’s
what’s wrong with that ear.” God is with lives. Are you ready to
him. Okay, got it! have your heart broken in
order to share the love of Jesus with oth-
ers? Visit www.wgm.org/go to find your
mission field.

SHARE this story: www.wgm.org/building-my-altar. Building
My
14 Altar

K E L LY H A L L A H A N | Missionary, Uganda

IT’S JUST TWO hours until my deadline. The girls are needy. The boys are playing

video games. And this topic of building an altar in the midst of chaos is all too relevant.
As a missionary, wife, and mom of four children, the demands on my time are many and
urgent. I don’t know what you face today, but I am sure the needs around you are urgent as
well. We all need to build altars and meet with God; but, it isn’t easy. I want to share three
things I am learning about building an altar.

1. God knows my frame. He understands the demands on my time and how many
times I have been up in the night with a needy baby. There are days when I don’t have
20 minutes to sit by myself and “do my devotions.” But on those days, He reminds me
that just a glance from my eyes ravishes His heart (see Song of Songs 4:9). It’s the
attitude of my heart that matters. My desire to be alone with Him is a pleasing
offering even when actually being alone with Him cannot happen. This is the altar
of desire.
2. God accepts my living sacrifice (see Romans 12:1). As I cook, clean, and care for my
family and neighbors, I can worship God. Everything that is done in love can be
turned into worship. My motives are not always pure, and sometimes I serve with a
spirit of resentment. When the cry of my heart is “for You…for You…for You…,”
this is the altar of diligence.
3. God delights in my neediness. I don’t like asking for help. My American
independence is a hindrance to my spiritual growth. He loves to meet my needs. And
whenever I call out to Him in poverty of spirit or body, He comes (see Matthew 5:3);
He fills me. This is the altar of dependence—it’s one of His favorite places to meet
me.
My prayer today is that we will build an altar wherever we are in the world and meet
with the living God. He created us to bear fruit for His kingdom, and, without Him, we
can do nothing.

ACT: Start small in building an “altar-making” space into your life. Set your

alarm for 10 minutes earlier than usual or stay up 10 minutes later, and find a
quiet place to be with God.

Z AC H M OT T S | Missionary, Japan

WE MODERN PEOPLE are God with joy; people from the East and SHARE this story: www.wgm.org/suspicious.

suspicious of sacrifice. More than that, West feasting at the table with Abraham,

we live in a secular world where, in the Isaac, and Jacob.

words of Charles Taylor, “renunciation Among evangelicals, we do not

is not just viewed with suspicion – to usually emphasize the link between joy

a certain degree that is always healthy and sacrifice. We are usually focused on

and necessary – but is off the radar sacrifices for sin and the theology that

altogether, just a form of madness or flows from them. Yet, the Pentateuch

self-mutilation” (A Secular Age, 772). pays much attention to sacrifices that

The language of sacrifice—of giving were about thanksgiving, well-being,

up, offering up, or renouncing my eating together in the presence of God.

right to something that is good—is You brought something to the priest,

incomprehensible to many who are both gave it to God, and then it was given

inside and outside the church. back so you and your family could

So, for many people, the very idea eat it with joy. If we are talking about

of a missionary is absolutely baffling. sacrifice in connection with missions, I

Isn’t it madness and self-mutilation to think it is like that—sharing together

drag your family around the world? in the joy of God. Few things that are

Why struggle daily to be understood in offered up are completely lost. Sacrifice

a foreign language and an alien culture? can open us to joy and relationship in a

Why invest your life in places where the way that preoccupation with ourselves

returns are minimal and the successes and personal profit never can. Missions 15

are so hard-won? There are always other becomes a window on possibilities for joy.

options, maybe better options, probably GO: Ready to join
easier options. What kind of angry God
would want you to sacrifice anything? missionaries like Zach
I think we all can feel the persistent in joyful sacrifice on the
truth in those questions. Yet, in a culture mission field? Go to www.
drowning in “doing what feels good,” wgm.org/serve to find out more.
a sacrifice is a strange window on a

different possibility. Sacrifice points to

a higher good through the act of giving

something that is also good. When

a missionary is sent out from the

womb of the Church, the Church

shows that the Hope it has found “Sacrifice points to a
is great enough to be worth higher good through the

sharing. No amount of Sunday act of giving something

morning lip service will do that. that is also good.”

The missionary may sacrifice

certain proximate goods, but that

is because there is a greater good

in view. There is a vision of every

tribe and tongue and nation in all their

diversity coming into the presence of

I Will Not Sacrifice Something

V E R O N I C A P O R T E R | Missionary, Papua New Guinea

THE CALL HEN I THINK about altars a wife, mother to four children, and a
bush missionary in Papua New Guinea.
16 and sacrifice, I often think I LOVE my life! My house is wonderful,
of King David. In 2 Samuel and when I look out my windows I see
24, David followed his pride beautiful, lush, green mountains. My kids
and counted on his fighting men rather have adventures every day that kids in the
than trusting in God to be the One who U.S. can only dream about. I get to be
fought for his nation. He was shown part of a community whose language and
the error of his ways and a very severe culture is so different from my own. We
punishment was given to the nation of are honored that God asked this of us.
Israel for his sin. David was told to build And yet, there is a cost. We miss
an altar at a specific place to offer a burnt birthdays, holidays, and time with our
offering for his sin. When he got there, extended families. My youngest child
the owner of the land wanted to help his came to PNG at 6 months old, and
earthly king so the man offered to give she’ll be 4 before we return. She has
David anything he needed. David’s reply missed out on knowing her cousins and
in verse 24 (NIV) was: “No, I insist on grandparents. Some nights, I comfort my
paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to older kids as they cry themselves to sleep
the LORD my God burnt offerings that because they miss their cousins.
cost me nothing.” It has cost me a comfortable life. We
I will not sacrifice to the LORD my live four hours from town over rough
roads. I have to cook everything from
God something that has cost me nothing. scratch, every day. Due to the culture,
I have to wear skirts; and for this girl
How this has challenged me. Our who loves her some shorts and tank tops,
sacrifices today are not the oxen or lambs that’s hard. I also can’t wear makeup,
of the Old Testament, but God does ask
things of us that require sacrifice—and
it may be different for every person. I am

ng That Has Cost Me Nothing

and due to our limited solar power, I and some comfort and health? Jesus SHARE this story: www.wgm.org/i-will-not-sacrifice.
can’t blow dry my hair in the mornings sacrificed His life on the altar cross for
on days I just want to look nice. I am me. I have learned that HE is worth it 17
introverted and don’t like big crowds, and that HE will honor and look after
and anywhere we go huge crowds gather those who are willing to sacrifice and
around to just stare. daringly follow Him.
Seth has experienced huge stress Things may not be perfect and hard
with his work projects when a key piece times will come, but He makes all things
of machinery breaks and we have no good! I have seen the beauty of His
parts to fix it. If he’s lucky, he may find Church working together and have felt
the parts after running to five different the miracle of prayers said in different
stores in town. Cultural differences can languages from His people around the
also make working alongside our Papua world. This is the God I serve, the God
New Guinean brothers and sisters very to whom I will not sacrifice something
stressful. Life here can be hard and that has cost me nothing. It has cost me,
exhausting. but HE is worth it and has blessed me
It has cost us our health at times. beyond what I have ever dreamed.
Whenever Seth comes home from
traveling out to preach and visit, he is ACT: What sacrifice
ill for days afterwards. The closest good
hospital is five hours away, and we have can you make for Jesus? Is
experienced the fear and difficulty of He calling you to greater,
getting there in an emergency. Seth got deeper faith? Is He calling
very sick in December 2016, and we you to serve Him through cross-
had to make that trip. It was scary. It cultural ministry? We’ll help you find
took a lot of tests to figure out what was your place every step of the way. Email
wrong. It was hard trying to make sure [email protected] to get started
on your missions journey.
he got what he needed
and also care for our kids
at the same time. He was
diagnosed with hepatitis,
and we were away from
home—in town or at the
hospital—for three weeks.
Yes, serving Jesus has
a cost, but it is worth it!
The God who is Almighty,
King of Kings, and the
Great I Am loves me
with such an unending,
unconditional love that
He sent His Son to be my
sacrifice. How can I say
no to Him when He asks
me to sacrifice everyday
close family relationships

SHARE this story: www.wgm.org/burning-bush. V I K T O R R Ó Z S A | Missionary, Hungary

18 WHAT WAS YOUR burning bush ministry of missionaries in Hungary. At
that time, I was set on a course of life that
moment? guaranteed a job, financial security, and
In Exodus 3:1-12, Moses met God in a prestigious career in the Hungarian Air
a mysterious way on Mount Horeb. The Force and ultimately in NATO. I was fine
experience of the burning bush changed with being a Christian in the Hungarian
his life forever. The call on Moses’ life Air Force. Little did I know when I gave
required him to wrestle with God’s my life to Christ that there would be a
mission. As he spent those years in the deeper call one day.
wilderness and learned about God, he My burning bush experience came
was challenged to take his relationship between my junior and senior years of
with the God of his forefathers to the high school when I lived in Great Britain
next level. Moses had to sacrifice his during the summer to improve my
comfortable life of being a shepherd for 40 English language abilities. While I was
years in the wilderness, surrendering his there, God asked me to enter into full-
life to a higher call so that God’s mission time ministry. I struggled with sacrificing
could be fulfilled to His chosen people. a future that I thought was the greatest
I clearly remember the burning bush thing on the face of the earth. I had to
moment of my life. Though it was not surrender to God’s leading so that His
as mysterious as Moses’ experience, it call upon my life could be fulfilled for
changed my life forever, too. While I was His purposes in His mission. At the time,
attending military high school, I gave my surrendering my future career to God was
life to Christ hard. However, as I have followed Him in
through this deeper call for His mission, God has
the shown His faithfulness time after time.
It was hard for Moses to process his
call into God’s mission, and I also had
to face a very serious process of sacrifice
and surrender to His call upon my life to
serve Him in His mission in Hungary.
However, when God calls someone, He
makes a way. He is alongside that person
the entire journey.

PRAY: Pray for Viktor

and Kristen Rózsa, new
missionaries to Hungary, as
they return to the country
this summer. They will be working to
encourage and equip Hungarian churches
to reach out to youth.

Anchoring at an Altar

J E S S I C A H O GA N | Volunteer, Honduras

THE ALARM SOUNDS early, burdens to God, and it helped me begin SHARE this story: www.wgm.org/anchoring.
my work with new strength.” Over time
waking Ivan from his slumber. He slips a small group of students joined him, 19
out of bed, rubs his eyes, and makes his and together they prayed for their class-
way to the chapel in the early morning mates, for El Sembrador employees, and
darkness. A rooster crows to announce for the leadership of the school.
the new day, and the crickets continue The boys at El Sembrador have a
their steady chirping cadence. Ivan routine of school in the morning, work
opens the chapel doors and turns on the in the afternoon, and studying and play-
lights, already joined by a few others who ing in the evening. From the time the
chose to give up some sleep. This small bell in the dining hall is first rung in the
group calls themselves the Remnant of morning, Ivan’s work is nonstop until
Intercession. the boys share a devotional and then go
Ivan walks to the front and faces the to bed at night. It is very important for
altar. The students at Escuela El Semb- Ivan to set aside some time every day to
rador (School of the Sower) in Honduras enjoy the calm that comes with resting in
will be waking up in an hour, and the God’s presence. These moments are an
chaos of the day will begin. But for now, anchor for Ivan so that he is ready to face
he embraces the stillness. For now, it is whatever life brings him.
only him and God, sharing a quiet mo-
ment. GIVE: Many students
On his knees, he bows his face to
the floor. at El Sembrador come from
He breathes. broken homes and are rarely
He begins to pray. told they can bring positive change to
Ivan is the residential life counselor their lives. By sponsoring a student,
with a missionary’s heart at El Sembra- you are letting him know that someone
dor. Caring for over 80 residential boys loves him and is invested in his success.
is a daunting task, which is why Ivan Through your prayers, written letters,
decided last year to dedicate the first and financial support, you are investing
hour of the day to prayer. “I wanted to in the future generation of Honduran
give God the first moments of the day,” leaders. Sign up to sponsor a student at
he said. “In that time I could give all my www.wgm.org/elsembrador.

THE CALL Cynthia’s W

20 C A R O LY N WA D E | Missionary, Kenya

AVE YOU SEEN the movie War Room about a woman who prays faithfully

from her closet? My Kenyan friend Cynthia (name changed) was so inspired by that
movie that she created a similar space in her own home.
I first met Cynthia in 2011, when we met with several girls who wanted to leave
the sex industry. She has continued ministering to them since that time. Cynthia has a
missionary heart, encouraging and supporting widows and other needy people in her
community.
I knew the Holy Spirit was guiding me to mentor Cynthia. When she came to our first
meeting in my home, she brought her oldest son, Joshua. This had not been anticipated! I
knew we would discuss sensitive issues, so Joshua was sent to lunch with our worker while
Cynthia and I talked.
She was in crisis at the time.
She and her children had
been victims of physical
and emotional abuse by
the children’s father. The
chief had given a letter of
warning to the father, and
Cynthia left the home with
the four boys. She had been
praying for a resolution in
the family.
Cynthia related how
the movie War Room had
impacted her prayer life.
She learned that there is
power in secret prayer. This
had been a strengthening
spiritual experience for
her in the midst of all the
challenges.
She had constructed
a wardrobe in which to
hang her clothes, and this
wardrobe became her
prayer closet. Each time
she wanted to pray, she
removed the clothes from
the wardrobe and went
inside to pray. She poured
out her heart to the Lord
about all that concerned her
and her children during those
precious moments of prayer.
Joshua had been observing

War Room SHARE this story: www.wgm.org/war-room.

her going into the closet, and one day he asked to go in, too, saying that he had some things 21
to talk to God about. Soon, all four boys were spending time in the closet praying to God.
The family has since moved to a larger home, and Cynthia created a new space for prayer.
This “closet” is a curtained-off area of her bedroom. She and the boys individually bring
one request before the Lord and post it on the wall. When the Lord gives an answer, they
mark the response. The answers to prayer are flowing!
• One day, Joshua went into the closet to thank the Lord for the cup of plain tea they
were drinking. He told the Lord that he wanted to be grateful for the plain cup of tea,
because surely the Lord had chosen to give their sugar to someone who needed it more.
Joshua was trusting the Lord to supply for their needs. Soon after, there was a knock at
the door. A woman handed Cynthia two kilos (about four and a half pounds) of sugar
and a large bag of tea leaves. Later that day, three packets of milk were brought to the
house. The answered prayer came about in the supply of all the ingredients needed for a
proper cup of tea!
• Caleb, Cynthia’s second son, had broken his right arm playing soccer. Local physical
therapy was causing extreme pain for him. Cynthia prayed over him, and the family was
able to go to Tenwek Hospital to seek answers. The cast had been removed too quickly,
and his arm was splinted for another 10 days to assist in healing. Caleb has to continue
with daily exercises to bring back full range of motion to his right arm, but he will not
need the painful therapy he had endured.
• Cynthia has started a small shop selling produce, French fries, soap, and matches. We
believe God is going to bless this business as she tithes.
• All four boys are in school with fees paid by Cynthia. Joshua was chosen the leader for
the Christian Union at his high school, leading devotions each Friday. This occurred even
though he was late starting school, because the principal was amazed at how well Joshua
knew the Bible. Cynthia has been teaching the boys from the Word of God for many
years!
• Helping former sex workers earn clean money and discipling them are two of Cynthia’s
goals. Recently, on her birthday, nine girls accepted Christ as their Savior and left the sex
industry. Four of them are now washing clothes for other women, and Cynthia is working
to encourage them all in their new lives.
A closet is certainly not required for God to answer prayer. However, Cynthia loves being
alone with God in her prayer closet. It is also teaching her sons the value of prayer and that
God does hear and answer.

PRAY: Please pray for Cynthia, Joshua, Caleb, Shadrack, and Levi. Pray

for spiritual growth, the provision of daily needs, blessings on Cynthia’s small
business, and continued passion as Cynthia helps unreached girls who lack
direction in life. May Cynthia’s life also inspire you to have a special prayer
place where you regularly seek God’s face in faith. God is faithful, and He will answer your
heart’s cry. Is He hearing from you?

SHARE this story: www.wgm.org/dana-jacobs. She Made

22 Kenya

Her Home

In Loving Memory of Dana Jacobs (August 24, 1967–January 13, 2017)

DANA JACOBS EXUDED love, compassion, and genuine concern for all people.

She cared deeply for every abandoned or orphaned baby who came through the gate of the
Africa Gospel Church Baby Centre, whispering to each one, “Your parents are coming for
you.” It was a sacred calling to care for these children and to tell them that they were loved,
they were wanted, and they would have a family someday.
This calling to serve with World Gospel Mission in Kenya came after some resistance.
At the time her husband, Dan, felt God’s pull to Kenya in 2005, Dana was happy and
comfortable in the life they had built in the United States, the result of years of hard work.
They had four kids, a lovely home, and a secure future. But God had something else for
them, and when Dana surrendered to His leading, they found that He enabled them to find
purpose in a ministry that was greater than anything they could have imagined.
Dan gave leadership as the director of the baby center while Dana coordinated the
many teams and visitors who came to the center each year. In this role, she managed the
logistics involved in housing and feeding large groups, helped visitors process what they
were experiencing, and served as a liaison between supporting partners and Kenyan staff.
And she was famous for her delicious homemade pizza.
Dana made Kenya her home. She embraced the role of sister and mother to staff and
babies alike. Dana’s impact on the lives of children will stretch across decades and around
the world.
“When you go in obedience to God’s calling and surrender your life to Him,
miraculous things happen,” Dana wrote in 2016 when she was at WGM headquarters for
a training event. We are grateful for the years of remission she was able to have after her
cancer diagnosis. Yet we still grieve, wondering why Dana lost her life at this time. Our
hearts hurt for Dan, Hope, Carson, Talia, Nathan, and Andrea, and for all who knew and
loved Dana.
We have confidence in knowing that she loved her Savior to the utmost and served
Him with everything she had. We rest in the knowledge that she is with Jesus. Hebrews
10:23 (NIV) reminds us, “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who
promised is faithful.” We rejoice that Dana is in the presence of the Source of that hope
today.

GIVE: Africa Gospel Church Baby Centre is a home for orphaned and

abandoned children in Ngata, Kenya. You can partner with this ministry at
www.wgm.org/agcbabycentre.

Prayer Calendar

JULY 1–8: ASK God to remind you of your own “altar moments” to

strengthen your faith. p. 14

JULY 9–15: PRAY for Nathan and Jade Metz as they serve in church and

compassionate ministries in Uganda. p. 4

JULY 16–22: PRAY for God to protect and guide missionary kids. p. 6

JULY 23–29: ASK God to use some of your “random” for His glory. p. 7

JULY 30– PRAISE God for faithful retired missionaries like
AUGUST 5:
Beverly Lewis. p. 10

AUGUST 6–12: ASK God to help you see the full vision of the cross more

clearly. p. 8

AUGUST 13–19: ASK the Lord to inspire you in your prayer life as you meet

with Him. p. 20

AUGUST 20–26: PRAY for Emmanuel and other children who have lost their 23

families. p. 12

AUGUST 27– PRAY for Ivan and the staff at Escuela El Sembrador in
SEPTEMBER 2: Honduras. p. 19

SEPTEMBER 3–9: PRAY for Seth and Veronica Porter as they serve in

discipleship and training ministries in Papua New Guinea. p. 16

SEPTEMBER 10–16: PRAY for our leadership as they seek to direct WGM in

doubling our kingdom impact over the next five years. p. 3

SEPTEMBER 17–23: PRAY for Viktor and Kristen Rózsa as they reach out to young

people in Hungary and equip the Hungarian church to do the

same. p. 18

SEPTEMBER 24–30: PRAY for the Jacobs family and the AGC Baby Centre staff in
Kenya as they continue to grieve the loss of Dana. p. 23

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Serve in 23+
countries
in a variety

of ministries
Please direct all subscription requests, including change of address and
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