by Alan Langstaff

Although I am housebound and can no longer go anywhere unless someone gives me a ride. One of the ways I can support others is by praying. I pray for individuals and ministries, and I keep a book with their names in it.

One of those people I support in prayer is David Holmbech. He was once on the team at Antioch Christian Fellowship. He married a wonderful Christian lady called Paula. They initially trained with Youth With A Mission (YWAM) in Hawaii and later with YWAM in Wisconsin. In recent times, he has become involved with Oasis World Ministries, based in Minneapolis.

He sends me details of his missionary journeys, including one of his trips to Africa. He summed up his trip this way:

“Kenya: 90 trained – 72 decisions for Christ
Burundi: 200 trained – 92 decisions for Christ
Ethiopia Assemblies of God: 176 trained – 26 decisions for Christ
Ethiopia Word of Life: 93 trained – 16 decisions for Christ
Tanzania: 93 pastors trained – 93 decisions for Christ
Malawi: 112 trained – 253 decisions for Christ
Total: 764 trained, 552 decisions for Christ”

I want to share two reports from his trips.

1) FAVORITE WITNESS STORY

“Right outside Bishop James’ church in Nairobi Kenya, He and I met two friends in their late 30’s / early 40’s. The one man said that his wife has been praying for him for years and that he had recently started attending church. The members have been pestering him with the question, “When are you going to get saved?” He told us, “If God sent a missionary all the way from America to speak to me, it must be time.” He prayed a heartfelt repentant prayer. His friend also made the decision and prayed along with him. Bishop James oversees a whole denomination called Deliverance Church and because of his wonderful experience with us, he has now committed to train all of his churches.”

2) WHY AM I DOING THIS

“As much as on any other trip, I asked myself the question, “Why am I doing this?” I recently was reminded of an old poem that reminds me of why I do what I do.


“I want my breakfast served at “Eight,”
with ham and eggs upon the plate.

A well-broiled steak I’ll eat at “One,”
and dine again when day is done.
I want an ultra-modern home
and in each room, a telephone;
soft carpets, too, upon the floors,
and pretty drapes to grace the doors.
A cozy place of lovely things,
like easy chairs with innersprings,
and then I’ll get a small TV—
of course, “I’m careful what I see.”
I want my wardrobe, too, to be
of neatest, finest quality,
with latest style in suit and vest.
Why shouldn’t Christians have the best?

But then the Master I can hear,
in no uncertain voice, so clear,
“I bid you, come and follow me,
the lowly Man of Galilee.
“Birds of the air have made their nest,
and foxes in their holes find rest;
but I can offer you no bed,
no place have I to lay my head.”
In shame I hung my head and cried.
How could I spurn the Crucified?
Could I forget the way He went,
the sleepless nights in prayer He spent?
For forty days without a bite,
alone He fasted, day and night.
Despised, rejected—on He went,
and did not stop till veil was rent.
A Man of sorrows and of grief,
no earthly friend to bring relief—

“Smitten of God,” the prophet said—
mocked, beaten, bruised, His blood ran red.
If He be God and died for me,
no sacrifice too great can be
for me, a mortal man, to make;
I’ll do it all for Jesus’ sake.
Yes, I will tread the path He trod,
no other way will please my God;
so henceforth, this my choice shall be,
my choice for all eternity.

By William (Bill) Pearce McChesney
Martyred in Congo, November 25, 1964 at age 28.”

CLOSING THOUGHT

You may not be called to minister in other countries, but you can pray. Prayer changes things, and Jesus reminds us to pray. I have been reading the Gospel of Luke, and in chapter 18, verse 1, Jesus reminds us that they “ought to pray and not lose heart.”

So pray and don’t give up.