It is always exciting to see the promises of God being fulfilled. Like this one: “To show a liberal, self-denying spirit for the success of foreign missions is a sure way to advance home missionary work; for the prosperity of the home work depends largely, under God, upon the reflex influence of the evangelical work done in countries afar off” (Gospel Workers, page 465).
While we have seen the Lord bless greatly in Benin, He has also been blessing our supporters back in Norway, Canada, Germany and America.
There is a little church in Wyoming that has been part of our support team from the first week after we accepted the call to serve with AFM. The Newcastle Seventh-day Adventist Church, with 18 members at the time, decided to take a huge leap of faith and support our project with both a large one-time donation and a large monthly commitment. Every month, we see the name of the Newcastle Church in our income report, and we praise God for the dedication of these special people.
Unbeknown to us, however, the Newcastle Church was growing and keeping pace with the growth we have seen here in Benin. The Natitingou church has about doubled in size in the last three years, and the assistant pastor in Newcastle told me their church has nearly doubled in size as well.
On our furlough, we had the pleasure of visiting the Newcastle Church, and we saw for ourselves the signs of growth and prosperity. Old members have returned to the church, and new members have joined. The church has a thriving Pathfinder program and a Community Services Center that is amazingly profitable while helping many needy people. Church members are giving Bible studies, several people are on the verge of joining, and the church community is a central part of members’ lives. The church was being re-roofed while we were in Newcastle, and the bathrooms, which were last renovated when I was in seventh grade, were being expanded and renewed. The church is lively and welcoming, and the members are prospering financially and spiritually.
Many factors have contributed to the growth and prosperity of the Newcastle Church, but their decision to invest in foreign missions has certainly been key. Ours is not the only mission project this church is supporting. Members told us of mission trips to Central America and needy children around the world being supported by money from Newcastle.
“It is in working to supply the necessities of others that we bring our souls into touch with the Source of all power” (Ibid). It seems clear to us that the Newcastle Church has come into contact with the “Source of all power,” and we thank God for showing Himself in the ways He has.
If you or your church would be interested in joining the Newcastle Church in experiencing this reflex blessing by supporting our project or another AFM project, please contact us and let us know.
“He designs that in every home, in every church, and at all the centers of the work, a spirit of liberality shall be shown in sending help to foreign fields, where the workers are struggling against great odds to give the light to those who sit in darkness” (Ibid).
Thank you, friends in Newcastle, for the support you have given to our project. And thank you, all of you who support us, for the sacrifices you make to reach the unreached in Benin. May God continue to bless you abundantly here at home as He blesses your gifts across the sea
