Global Aid Network Mission Reports

When our team was asked to do eye examinations at a school for children with a rare disease, we gladly decided to go.  Our team arrived in the evening at the facility for the “moon children”, so called because they cannot have contact with sunlight and must attend school at night using special lighting.  We had gone to serve and bring the warmth and joy of Jesus Christ to the school, but we were not prepared for the warmth and joy we found in the boys and girls.  Instead of self-pity, there was laughter and singing.  The freedom of the Lord was there.

While there, a team member asked “A.”, a young woman who was the first high school graduate from the facility, “What makes you able to have such a big smile and be happy?” She quickly replied, “God gives me the strength to live day by day.  I am not happy everyday but I know God will be with me.”  Then she added, “I feel like I already know you.” 

Later we asked “A.” why she felt she already knew the team member.  She excitedly reported that her sister told her of [in a dream] seeing a woman coming from abroad, arriving at the airport wearing short sleeves.  God had truly ordained this visit before we even arrived.

That evening, God gave me the rare opportunity to share with a man at the facility.  Earlier that day, the Lord impressed me to read 1 Peter 4:11.  I did not know that the scripture would be fulfilled by the end of the day.  Words from the Holy Spirit came out of me as I talked about the life changing power of Christ.  The scripture came alive as God reminded me, “If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God.   If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides…” A seed was planted in the heart of this man as he told me, “It must be true, I see it in your face.”  I pray that one day we will have him as a new brother in Christ.

Submitted by: M. S. (excerpts from newsletter)

Photos: (Top: School with “moon children”; Bottom: Members of the team)  

My ‘On-time’ God

On my recent trip to North Africa, I saw God’s faithfulness in huge ways!  I was there to participate in a vision clinic.  Prior to our arrival, the team had little time to practice making the glasses that we were using for the clinic.  I must admit that fear crept into my heart but I knew I had clearly heard the call of God to go on this trip.  Having walked with the Lord for many years, and experienced His grace countless times, I asked Him to calm my fears and guide my hands as I made each pair of glasses.  From the first child to the last, God gave the wisdom and direction to work through each prescription and find joy in doing something new and different.  I was comforted by God’s words, “Commit your way to the Lord, trust in Him and He will do this.” Psalm 37:5

Throughout the week, God brought me new friends like D. and W.  Both were overjoyed to have their eyes stop hurting.  The girls could not stop smiling as they were now able to see clearly.  Although I was unable to openly share the Gospel with these wonderful children, I was able to put my arms around them and show them the love of Christ.  I pray that they will one day find the true God. 

It is such a great joy to serve God in this way!  As the week came to a close and the numbers were counted, we were amazed that God brought us 1,406 children.  We made 486 pairs of glasses and also distributed sunglasses.

My prayer and hope is to return one day to build upon the relationships that were started.  Please, come with me!

Submitted by: T. H. (excerpts from newsletter)

Photos:  (Top: T.H. assembling glasses); (Bottom: Children in glasses prepared by team)

Waiting for my luggage to arrive in-country, I could almost feel the glare of every man’s gaze on me.  What were they thinking?  I had my head covered, but there was no way to disguise that I was a woman from the west.  It was a look I would have to get used to or simply turn around and go home.

I woke up in the wee hours of the morning to the call of the Muezzin, a prayer crier calling out the Adhan – the Islamic call to prayer.  As I lay awake I thanked God for the many freedoms we have in Christ including the one to pray to Him whenever and wherever we wanted.  That day the women went shopping, but not for souvenirs.  We purchased a ‘balto’, a long black robe and a ‘hijab’ to cover our heads.

The next day, the team formed two groups – one to visit the public schools and the other to go to the university.  At the English lab, we were all nervous.  We wondered if we could teach four hours of conversational English for five days.  Working with young women, most of whose faces we rarely saw was a challenge.  However, once we started speaking we realized that students were the same everywhere – curious.

“F.” and her sister invited us to their home.  I was excited when she asked about my family and I was able to tell her about the death of my sister and how God used that situation to draw me to Himself.  They listened intently to every word…. ”maybe God will use my simple testimony to stir their faith”, I prayed silently.

The team visiting the public schools had very good reception.  At a school they visited last year, the students were waiting for them outside and began to shout, “The Christians are coming!  The Christians are coming!”   It is our urgent prayer that God will use these acts of kindness to draw these precious young souls to Himself.

Later that week, our two hour journey into the mountains revealed a land, spiritually barren and thirsty for the love and forgiveness found in Jesus Christ.  My heart ached for the missionary family serving in this country and I am moved to pray for them as God shows them the fruit of their labor in His time.  Will you join me in praying?

Submitted by: J. W. (excerpts from newsletter)

Photos: (Top: Members of the team in traditional dress of the local women); (Bottom: Student with Ty Beanie Baby)

GAiN USA Warehouse Work Project In-Country Mission Trip

Just a brief update from the 2008 GAiN US Warehouse Work Project (Mount Joy, PA)…

AATW In-Country Mission team was made up of 9 people consisting of Mary L, Connie B., Cookie S., Donita W., Jolie M., Chuck B., Gary S., Sereta M and Judy B. We left on Thursday morning (Oct. 11) at 5:30 am. Gary was gracious enough to drive the twelve hours to Lancaster. Gary and his wing man Chuck B took the group there safely and back. We stayed with Adrienne Hopper’s parents. Tony (Andrienne’s dad) was great. He opened up his home to 9 strangers. It was truly a blessing for us. East Lake donated 181 backpacks for this project.

It’s hard to describe all that goes on with GAiN (Global Aid Network.) They have a huge warehouse in Mount Joy , PA where items of every type are sorted, packed, and shipped overseas in containers to be distributed by various mission teams. These items go to orphanages, nursing homes, prisons, etc. with the intent of being both compassionate aid and sharing of the gospel.

In the two weeks of the project they have over 5000 volunteers of every Christian [denomination] who help with this. It’s amazing to see how people can come together in unity to do something like this. We saw 5 year-olds and people up to 80 years old. We saw people who had handicaps (one guy, Dave, had Parkinson’s disease and he would go around to every group of workers throughout the day and pray for them). Many youth groups were also there. Everything is donated except materials to make the “gospel bracelets” and some of the material for the “gospel aprons.” The lady who took us on our initial tour stated that all the food to feed the volunteers is donated and sometimes they will show up and no food will be there first thing in the morning. But she said by mid-morning, someone always donates food and God has never ceased to provide. There were about 700 people there each day that we worked and they provided lunch and two breaks with food.

During the lunchtime and breaks, we had devotional (imagine 700 people singing “Lord I Lift Your Name on High” complete with kids and hand motions at the same time.) Then they would show pictures of places where the items were sent and the people who had gone on the mission trips to distribute these items would talk. It was very satisfying to see that what we were doing makes a real difference in people’s lives. Many are brought to Christ (even in countries where you cannot openly share the gospel) because someone cared enough to love them.

All of the GAiN staff at the warehouse are volunteers. GAiN owns the warehouse and since almost everything is donated, there is very little overhead. They had everything well organized to make it a positive mission experience.

Global Aid Network will have another Warehouse Work Project in June 2008. This would be a great chance to experience just a “taste” of what international missions is about. I would highly recommend this type of trip to everyone (especially to families).