I’ve been trying to figure out how to say this best..
If you are reading this and have sown into our trip or our families, THANK YOU! You are the real heroes in what Proffer Ministries is able to do! You are the backbone that allows the going to happen, and the Gospel to be shared with thousands of children. You are the reason that just under 140,000 youth in Malawi have made a decision to follow Christ and have hope for eternity. Thank you to every one of you who have sacrificed for the Gospel!!! Our trip to Lilongwe, Malawi was stretching on so many levels. In the past, Proffer Ministries has partnered with other groups or individuals to accomplish the evangelistic side of our trips. This trip however was different! This was the first time I, Edward, have ever pioneered and lead a trip on my own. I can say that it is true: one never understands the work that goes into a role until they have to do it. God is so faithful though. He lead my team and me throughout the whole trip, They are the best group of co-laborers that I could have asked for. Here they are pictured below:
Our team from left to right... David Carter, Malcom Orkar, Edward Funk, Helen McClure, Ian McClure, Doug Sundmacher.
It is so encouraging to walk with those who can be tried and tested on the field of Gospel sharing battle and conquer the way they did. These guys and gal are true warriors, and God is the victor! They pushed the limits of what is possible with a group of 6 and saw incredible things happen.
As a collective we held 199 Youth Crusades and saw 137,966 youth give their lives to Jesus. I find it mind boggling to comprehend what has been made possible through faith, your support, and 6 evangelists. God is so faithful. He told us we would see a great harvest, and we did!
The picture above is a high school we spoke to. The head teacher (whom you can see in the picture below) came running to us after our youth crusade and asked with great excitement, “How many of my children responded to the Gospel today?” When we told her that over 70% responded to the Gospel, she was so excited! There isn’t the problem in Africa that there is here. For the most part, people aren’t trying to do away with God. The problem in Africa is that people often aren't hearing a clear Gospel message. They aren’t being called to repent (turn away from sin and change the way you think) and turn to Jesus. They aren’t hearing, “Make a stand for him today!” Many like this teacher want to see their students changed by the Gospel, but feel like they don’t know what to do. This is why your partnership is so effective. We make sure to preach a clear message, to call to repentance and a stand in faith, and hearts are pierced!
Research has been done as to when the best time to reach people with the Gospel is. Their results were overwhelmingly from the ages of 4-14. In Malawi, many children end school after this point, because their high schools require a tuition. Our work is to go to these children who are so hungry and able to understand the Gospel! We have such a great opportunity to reach the next generation, so that the places we go don’t end up like America; trying to teaching students God is not real. Instead, we can show them that He is real and that he is overwhelmingly for them!
For those who don’t know, this trip also afforded us a rare opportunity beyond the schools. We also put on a Gospel Crusade in a refugee camp. It rained so hard, but the Gospel was heard and people waited in the rain. Here is a picture of people coming forth for healing and wow! So many people got touched and set free from years of pain. When the Gospel goes forth and you pray for the sick amazing things always happen.
Every person at this table has and is playing a critical role in the impact made in Lilongwe, Malawi. Four of these men and their organizations will take on the hard task of follow up and discipleship at all of the schools. What we did was just the start. These men will reach out to every school and find times to schedule follow up dates by their teams.They will go to the schools and help the students get baptized in water, find churches near where they live, and be discipled.
It will never get old seeing youth get saved and touched by the power of the Gospel. This is a picture of how many of the teachers respond to what they have witnessed before we leave. They are so happy of our coming and all that God has done that they just want to celebrate. Nothing will compare to the celebration that was in Heaven because of so many responding to the Gospel. Thank you again for all those ho have sown and partner with us. Without you, all these lives would have never been touched in this way! As we continue forward, we are asking for monthly partners to help us. If you can, please consider clicking the link and giving monthly. Giving can be set up to come out automatically, and will greatly help us in sharing the Gospel. Thank you for your continued support!!
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