Hafa Adai from the beautiful island of Guam!
“. . . for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”
(Philippians 4:11)
Although “the state” we are in continues to be affected by pandemic mandates, the Lord helps us to adjust better and continues to work in the lives of those around us, presenting opportunities to lead people to Christ.
For years we have been praying for the salvation of a man, who can be described as handsome, muscular, and self-aware. Recently, after crossing paths with him, he mentioned that I looked in better shape physically. That obviously meant something to him, so I told him that I was just trying to look as good as he did. He loved the compliment. The next time I saw him, he was standing in a long checkout line at a store. When he saw me, he got out of line and came to the back where I was just to say “Hi” and fist-bump me; then he returned to the front. He seemed ready for me to talk to him about the Lord; but, unfortunately, he checked out and left the store before I had a chance to speak with him. When I left the store, surprisingly, he was still in the parking lot closest to the entrance, loading his truck. I mentioned to him that I had promised the Lord that the next time I saw him, I would talk to him about the Lord. He seemed a bit surprised and a little self-conscious because of the people around us, yet he allowed me to present the Gospel to him. He acknowledged that he understood and believed the Gospel and, amazingly, wanted to pray with me and receive the Lord Jesus Christ into his heart as his Saviour. When we finished praying, he thanked me and left. A few weeks later, we crossed paths again at another store. He seemed changed, like the Lord was making a difference in his heart and life. For the months of March and April, the Lord used me personally to lead 21 people to Christ.
Island Baptist Church continues to see the Lord work in the lives of all who come, blessing them for their faithfulness in “working things together” for them. Whether by providing answers for them through the preaching, orchestrating favorable work environments, arranging family schedules, allaying serious health concerns, or by easing concerns for loved ones, the faithful folks see real, tangible, amazing ways of how the Lord takes up for His own. One specific example demonstrating how the Lord worked “all things together for good” was when one of our faithful men had a serious work-related injury during the COVID lockdown, which forced him to heal at home, compromising his monthly income and future retirement, and yet it gave him time with his son during his son’s distance-learning program that had been implemented by the school for the entire school year. He had the opportunity to heal at home with his son, patiently wait while his work situation was sorted out and his income restored with his retirement intact, and develop a fantastic father-son relationship. The Lord truly worked things together for good for that man and his family.
Thank you for faithfully praying for us and supporting our ministry. “A faithful man shall abound with blessings . . . .” May the Lord continue to bless you.
Please continue to pray for our health and safety, Island Baptist Church, Guam, and Micronesia.
In His harvest field,
Dan Rothwell and Family
