Our friends, Rich and Sandy, have just returned from a teaching mission. They were with a group of chaplains from many countries. Rich taught "how-to-chaplain" lesssons, while Sandy became acquainted with the wives. What a ministry that will have ripple effects across the globe. Here's one account from Sandy:
Some memories and thoughts and praises from our time with the international chaplains and their wives: It was a unique time since the couples came from virtually all over the world----from Africa and Central America to the Far East and beyond. We dealt with many cultures. All spoke some English and all were Christians. That is saying a lot since in some places 97% of the population is Muslim so you know they have a hard job each day---and sometimes with danger. The chaplain from Papua New Guinea also spoke of continued tribal frictions and fighting with spears---can you believe that? But it was amazing how well we all got along and could communicate and work together.
The PWOC ladies at Ft. Bliss planned many activities for the wives (from craft activities to sightseeing tours and even a pedicure session). Each wife received a $50 gift card to Target and we chose an international wife to shop with. I was with Margaret from Bangladesh. She wanted toys for her grandkids so I helped her looked for Dora the Explorer items (Can you believe that kind of stuff has an international market?) So we did easy shopping. However Mariana from Moldova ended up in the household goods aisle in front of the towels with tears streaming down her face. Her family has not had new towels for 8 years. The idea of buying them all new ones overwhelmed her. With her extra money she bought some chocolates to take back to her church friends. We were all very touched.
Another thing that really struck us was that 2 of the chaplains do not have computer access----not even to do their work. The chaplain from Papua New Guinea had no computer access at all. Upon hearing this, one of the international chaplain couples thought a collection should be taken up to buy him a computer. ACCTS felt that this might be dangerous to start a precedent of buying things like this for one country and not another. So this couple initiated things themselves to come up with the funds to buy Theo a computer (we all were able to contribute unofficially though). So in a private time this international couple along with some of us "staff" folks presented Theo with a new laptop the day of graduation. His is a very private culture where men don't show much emotion. I cannot even describe his response and reaction. To say he was overwhelmed is a huge understatement. He said that he had NEVER received a present anything like this before. The two couples embraced and cried together----can you even picture it?
Also the couple from Guatemala had experienced a miscarriage in January. She is already 36 and so they were devastated, she was broken inside. She said she had not wanted to come to the interaction because she wasn't sure what to expect and didn't think it would be anything good for her. She was pretty introverted and quiet (and very sweet). During a time of testimony she spoke of how God was healing her spirit this particular week and helping her get over her grief and sadness of losing her baby----there was not a dry eye in the room!!! Since we have gotten home her husband has written to let us know that another couple there gave them $300 cash and their host family (who already housed them for 2 weeks and fed them dinner each night) gave them $248 which came to the exact cost of a new computer to take home with them to Guatemala. He also is overwhelmed with such blessings.
We were just blown away at the expressions of love and blessings we all experienced. We never knew we would end up with friends from all over the world like we have. We now pray that God will be able to help them to use the class information they received and the resources given to them to continue to spread the Good News in their own countries. It will be our blessing to keep up with them via e-mail and to see where some of their journeys take them next.
The PWOC ladies at Ft. Bliss planned many activities for the wives (from craft activities to sightseeing tours and even a pedicure session). Each wife received a $50 gift card to Target and we chose an international wife to shop with. I was with Margaret from Bangladesh. She wanted toys for her grandkids so I helped her looked for Dora the Explorer items (Can you believe that kind of stuff has an international market?) So we did easy shopping. However Mariana from Moldova ended up in the household goods aisle in front of the towels with tears streaming down her face. Her family has not had new towels for 8 years. The idea of buying them all new ones overwhelmed her. With her extra money she bought some chocolates to take back to her church friends. We were all very touched.
Another thing that really struck us was that 2 of the chaplains do not have computer access----not even to do their work. The chaplain from Papua New Guinea had no computer access at all. Upon hearing this, one of the international chaplain couples thought a collection should be taken up to buy him a computer. ACCTS felt that this might be dangerous to start a precedent of buying things like this for one country and not another. So this couple initiated things themselves to come up with the funds to buy Theo a computer (we all were able to contribute unofficially though). So in a private time this international couple along with some of us "staff" folks presented Theo with a new laptop the day of graduation. His is a very private culture where men don't show much emotion. I cannot even describe his response and reaction. To say he was overwhelmed is a huge understatement. He said that he had NEVER received a present anything like this before. The two couples embraced and cried together----can you even picture it?
Also the couple from Guatemala had experienced a miscarriage in January. She is already 36 and so they were devastated, she was broken inside. She said she had not wanted to come to the interaction because she wasn't sure what to expect and didn't think it would be anything good for her. She was pretty introverted and quiet (and very sweet). During a time of testimony she spoke of how God was healing her spirit this particular week and helping her get over her grief and sadness of losing her baby----there was not a dry eye in the room!!! Since we have gotten home her husband has written to let us know that another couple there gave them $300 cash and their host family (who already housed them for 2 weeks and fed them dinner each night) gave them $248 which came to the exact cost of a new computer to take home with them to Guatemala. He also is overwhelmed with such blessings.
We were just blown away at the expressions of love and blessings we all experienced. We never knew we would end up with friends from all over the world like we have. We now pray that God will be able to help them to use the class information they received and the resources given to them to continue to spread the Good News in their own countries. It will be our blessing to keep up with them via e-mail and to see where some of their journeys take them next.
2 comments:
This brought tears to my eyes. God is so good.
What a wonderful story! It brought tears to my eyes too.
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