I pray each and every one of you had a wonderful Christmas and are starting off the new year with God’s blessings upon your life. By the end of last year, God had allowed me to have a packed 3 years in which He gave me the opportunity to take 25 trips overseas. I was able to take 9 trips in both 2023 and 2024 and another 7 trips in 2025. I praise the Lord that He continues to give me the physical strength to travel. So far this year, I have 3 trips with definite dates and 2 other trips where we still have to nail down the dates, and I am praying about a couple of other trips. I would love to take at least 7 trips again this year.
No one likes to have flight delays or cancellations, but I had a unique experience on the last leg of my last trip last year. I was on the flight from Chicago to Cedar Rapids when the pilot informed us he was flying back to Chicago due to a maintenance issue. In all my years of flying and all of the flights I have taken, I do not recall ever being on a flight where we had to go back to our departure airport. One does not like delays, especially on the last leg of an overseas trip. However, because we had more time in the air, I had a good conversation with my seatmate and had the chance to witness to him thoroughly. It was a blessing to see a very successful businessman humble himself and trust Christ as his Saviour. In this case, I was praising the Lord for the delay in returning home.
Those of you who have read my letters over the past 28-plus years know I seldom mention financial needs. The last time I asked for financial help was for a ministry project in February of 2019. Outside of asking for financial help so I could preach a city-wide evangelistic crusade (that was in 2004), I have only asked for monthly ministry support a couple of times. Could you take the time to prayerfully consider helping with the below need?
In May, I am taking a trip to the Philippines. When I first get to the Philippines, I will be preaching in a Youth Camp organized by a group of pastors. From there, I will preach for another pastor, who, on his own, is having a combined Youth Conference and Pastors’ Conference. This pastor will have about $1,500.00 in extra expenses. I would love to help him with these expenses. If you could help me help him, it would be a blessing to that pastor. Just mark any gift “Philippines,” and send it to the support address listed in this letter.
Please pray for my upcoming trip to Nigeria. That trip will be from February 19 to March 2. I will be preaching evangelistic meetings in at least five different churches. We are praying that many souls will be saved. I will also be preaching in the regular services of at least two other churches. Please pray for power, love, and wisdom and that I will not miss any of my plane connections.
Your servant,
Missionary Evangelist James Belisle
