"nothing else to lean on..."

From John Wager

Today was another wonderful Spirit filled day in Gabon. We were honored to be the first to work on the new PK-27 church property. The entire group was together today, including the interns and leaders who stay here in Gabon and  were setting corner fence posts around the perimeter of a 67 acre parcel in some jungle close to the main city of Liberville. This was a wonderful blessing to do as we know that the property will be used to bring countless people too our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

This was one of the highlights for me but I want to share 2 others briefly that had a deep impact on me personally. First is the Sunday service we attended here in Gabon. The Gabonese worship with total abandon unlike any people I have had the honor to worship with. It was one of the most Spirit filled services I have ever attended and I will forever keep it close to my heart as at the end of the service I was asked to lead the church in prayer to bless the new church and congregation. Fred and I danced alongside the singers (those of you who know me know that this truly was something special for me to dance!) as we were swept up by the emotion and movement of His Holy Spirit.

The other event was yesterday at a remote village where we went to provide medical services for the villagers. It was just an awesome opportunity to love on our brothers and sisters in Christ and bless them with something that we take for granted with our health care system back at home. These people are truly amazing as they are filled with joy even though they live the simplest of lives. There is no doubt in my mind that we can all learn from these wonderful people who, having so little in the way of the material things as we have, are filled with peace and joy. They have come to a place where they are living out Phillipians 4:6-7 and we can too if we will just slow down and look to Him first, trusting that He knows what we need and like the Good Father He is will provide for us.

If I had days to write about the men I am here with I could not do it justice. God is SOOO good and the team of men He put together all have hearts that are full of His love and compassion. I am so thankful for the opportunity to work alongside them here in Gabon and that they are in my life that words cant express the feelings I have in my heart. I am thankful for FAC and the leadership there as well as it is the church and God working through them that has helped to shape each of us into who we are today. We are all forever changed and will hold these memories close to our hearts forever.  I will speak for the team and say that we love and miss you all and look forward to seeing you soon.

In the service of the King,

John Wager

From Dr. Mike

Greetings from Gabon Africa and a special shout out to my wife Sue and children Michael, Jenna, Victoria and Kara.  (I yearn to see you and embrace you in my arms.)  We have just returned from the home of Mama Jeannine (Mama Jeannine, a confident and capable nurse who runs the OSPAC medical clinic in which Brian Roberts, John Davis Jr., John Davis III and I served). It was a celebration for what God had accomplished this past week in the lives of His people who were obedient to his call.  The gathering was festive with songs of praise and words of appreciation to the men from FAC for our service to the National Church in Gabon.  Each of us were called up by name to receive a vibrantly ornate African shirt that serves as a reminder of their love and appreciation.  Before our last goodnights, Edican, a nurse who was trained at Bangolo Hospital in Southern Gabon, requested insight and instruction for the care of two patients he had seen earlier today.  Our dialogue, including the astute insight from Brian, was fruitful and empowering to Edican.  This is a personal reminder that emphasizes my call to obedience in encouraging those in their service to Christ and instructing them with the wisdom and experience imparted to me by God.

 As I type out this blog a refreshing rain is falling down with deafening thunderous noises echoing throughout the house.  Today the heat was suffocating and the humidity palpable.  In like fashion, this trip has served to renew and refresh the vitality of our relationship with our Lord God.  The shouts from His word through our daily bible readings has resonated in our hearts.  I am mindful of His work that He is accomplishing in me and through my obedience to his commands directed by His Spirit.  During this trip I had nothing else to lean on except the promises of God and the leading of His Holy Spirit.  Being in a foreign land and surrounded by a peculiar people speaking in a different tongue creates a level of fear and trepidation.  I had lost all grips of control in this foreign land.  And this is the blessing, every changing moment required me to exercise my faith of trust in Christ alone for my needs and provisions. 

Today, especially, was going to be one of those days.  A required task involved our need to walk through the jungles (woods) in Africa placing property markers on an acquired property called PK-27 set for development in the upcoming years.  This was a backbreaking task which required some to carry 40+ pound bags of cement mix to the far boundary lines of the property.  I offered to carry a bag to the furthest point of the property line then set back by myself to go to the group I was assigned.  I traveled through the jungle unaccompanied and fear began to grip me.  Thoughts of the black mamba laying in striking distance along the path filled my mind.  Fear began to suffocate the peace, joy and trust I had in Christ Jesus.  Then a strong urge of thirst came upon me but I had left my bottle of water back with the group I just assisted.  I responded to my fears and beaconing thirst by celebrating each moment with God.  I thanked Him for His promises and began to sing in worship to Him.  The jungle began to open up and the sun beat strongly upon me. But shortly along this path I reached a canopy of vines that blocked the sun’s rays and cooled me off with a gentle breeze. 

God is our refuge and strength.  He is our provider and comforter.  This haven of safety and comfort will serve as a memorial of the Lord’s faithfulness.  Fears melt away when I consider His character and the love He has for me.  Some of you will never set foot on the Soils of Africa, but you will be called to walk by faith in the full confidence of the works of Jesus Christ alone.

Lastly, I would like to thank all the wives, friends and children for allowing me to share in the lives of your loved one.  I am grateful to these men for our shared journey.  Each man has been a blessing to one another and to me.  We have grown together in wisdom.  We have filled our times with laughter and tears as well as rejoicing and praise. They have served well and achieved great things for the Kingdom of God.  Their hearts firmly rest in desiring to know Christ more and to move in the obedience to their calling in Christ Jesus. You are very blessed to have them in your life.  They each deserve a hero’s welcome.

In His Love,

Dr. MIke