SOUTH ASIA – Editor’s note: This summer, 118 volunteers flew from South Carolina to Asia to minister to Southern Baptist missionary families attending their annual general meeting. Here the missionaries who serve among South Asians express their gratitude for the volunteers who came from First Baptist North Spartanburg in Spartanburg, S.C.
Volunteers from First Baptist North Spartanburg in Spartanburg, S.C., lead worship for missionary youth whose families serve in South Asia. Two of the youth accepted Jesus as their personal Savior during the weeklong camp.“You can’t imagine how refreshing it was to be able to worship with others in your own language! It was such a blessing to hear from a good speaker as well. At AGM in my personal devotions, God showed me this verse: ‘And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God’ (1 Samuel 23:16, NIV). This describes my experience at AGM perfectly. I felt like people were sent into my life this week to help me find strength in God. The week prior to AGM was pretty rough. I was starting to get discouraged and lose motivation. However, during AGM, I was encouraged and challenged. The messages helped remind me of my purpose for being here and reignited my passion for the lost. It helped me to feel prepared to return to my people and begin fresh.” ? Kacee Dallion*
“Our teenage son said that he thought this group had put more into the youth retreat than any before and he would love the opportunity to spend more time with the youth leaders that he met.” ? Roberta Kinder*
“I had a great time. We had a Vacation Bible School, and it was called the Kingdom of the Son. It was a lot of fun. We learned dance moves, new songs and learned that God listens to us when we pray to Him. I met some new friends. We had lots of fun together. I also had fun swimming in the pool and doing crafts.” ? Garbriella Dunlow,* age 9
“The group from First Baptist North Spartanburg was fantastic. Volunteers helped with the worship time, children, preschoolers, youth, and even computers! The children and preschool volunteers were amazing. They truly had servant attitudes and were willing to be flexible when things weren’t as expected. They always had cheerful spirits. One day, they decided that some of the preschool parents needed a ‘date night,’ so in addition to a full day’s care of children, they helped watch children until 10 p.m. so that parents could have a special evening. Some of these parents may rarely get these opportunities due to where they live and lack of babysitters. At breakfasts, I saw them eating with missionary families. They were so cordial to introduce themselves and ask questions about where we live and what we do. The kids also were so excited to go to camp each day. The team made the six days so much fun. It definitely is a memory they will not forget. This was a wonderful group. They blessed so many lives at our AGM. I am truly grateful for them.” ? Nellie Ingleheart*
“The volunteers, their heart of service was so evident as they ministered to us. The daily worship was an encouragement to me and led to some good times with the Lord in prayer and confession.” ? Claudia Rutherford*
Volunteers from First Baptist North Spartanburg present a puppet show for missionary children and their families. The volunteers taught a weeklong Vacation Bible School called Kingdom of the Son for the missionary children whose families serve among South Asian peoples.“At AGM this year, the South Carolina volunteers poured out their love on our family. They went out of their way to make sure that our children were loved and cared for while we attended some refreshing and encouraging meetings and fellowshipped with friends we only get to see once a year. They even gave up one of their evenings to watch our kids (after they had done so all day long) so that we could have a date night, which we rarely get overseas. They also went out of their way to provide our material needs as well. When they found out that we needed baby gates for our house and could not get them in our country, they searched all over the city to find us some ? and they purchased them for us as a gift. We never even asked them to do that. They were truly servants, and they served God by serving us and our families. We feel honored, thankful and blessed!” ? Jewel Deckard*
“AGM this year was great. It is so nice to worship American style with talented leaders. Our kids always love their time with the childcare workers!” ? Emily McFarland*
“Every year, the last day of AGM is full of mixed feelings for our kids. There is the joy and excitement of presenting the musical program they have learned in VBS, and there is the sadness of saying goodbye to their teachers. Though he didn’t want us to see it or acknowledge it, this year our son was quite tearful when he said goodbye to Miss Anna, the teacher who loves sports and play as much as he does. He also gave a great big hug to Miss Katie, the teacher who was a lot like a big sister to him. Our daughter was enthused about the music teachers who not only taught them songs, but also encouraged her to stretch herself to sing a solo and speak a part. They will talk for months about VBS and the teachers who were there. For us, this is priceless. The people who came from Spartanburg, S.C., to share their lives with us and our children have made an impact on their lives.” ? Roberta Kinder*
“We had a wonderful experience at AGM. The worship services and the messages were so uplifting, and we were so impressed with all the S.C. volunteers. They did an amazing job.” ? Tate and Audrey Bassett*
“Corey* (age 9) actually wanted to stay another week instead of going to the beach because he had become so attached to his teachers. They really connected with him during this week. One of his VBS teachers told us that she had really been touched by him through his prayers for the lost. She also said that he told her she needs to come to India and share the gospel because people are dying and going to hell. He told her that it is a hard life, but a good life. Praise the Lord for children who seek after the Lord with a childlike faith!” ? Karissa Holtson*
A missionary youth run a relay race carrying his team banner while hopping on one foot. Jonathan Phillips, director of First North’s junior high students, laughs on the sidelines.“The group from NSBC not only brought ‘stuff’ to the youth, they also were well prepared to minister to the heart, bringing words of encouragement and gifts of eternal value.” ? Gillian Laswell*
“We had a girls’ seminar by one of the volunteers, and it was pretty good. She used an analogy of a house ? like we are a house, and we have to let God in every aspect rather than be like, “Well, there’s this closet You can go into.’ So it was like really amazing. They just challenged a lot of us, if not all of us, in a really positive way. The worship times in the morning and evenings ? I know kids say this every year, but it was like one of the best. It was powerful. You could feel the Holy Spirit in the room, and that just always lifts our hearts and minds. I think a big difference this year is a lot of people just go on a spiritual high, but I’ve seen in my friends and myself that it really stuck. It really related in a way that we could apply it every day.” ? Karina Aurora,* age 15
“Childcare has been a huge ministry to me. We don’t have grandparents or anyone to leave the children with, so just simply having some time away from the kids is a blessing. I have also appreciated the quilt that someone in your church made. It means a lot to me to get a handmade gift like that for my baby. Thank You.” ? Janice Bratcher*
“This year again we had a VBS while Mom and Dad had some classes. It was great, and I made some new friends, Preston* and Molly.*” ? Rowan Dunlow,* age 11
“Our trip proved restful and very encouraging. Thanks for your prayers. We are so grateful to First Baptist Church North Spartanburg who blessed us and other missionaries in our region ? from daily messages from their pastor to a VBS for Nikki* to a full youth program for our older children! We so appreciate them giving such quality attention to us! Thank You!” ? Crawford Kaser*
*Name changed for security reasons. Compiled by Goldie Frances,* a Southern Baptist missionary serving as a writer in South Asia.
Related stories:
North Spartanburg volunteers sacrifice to go serve God’s servants in South Asia
Southern Baptist missionaries give thanks for South Carolina volunteers
Mike Hamlet urges missionaries to ‘go where no man has gone before’
A South Carolina volunteer learns to trust God as He ‘sets her aside’
South Carolina youth leaders help missionary youth see the ‘true-ish’ of postmodern culture
A missionary mommy helps her 6-year-old step out in faith
Staying connected with Mike Hamlet – in Asia
Hamlet exhorts missionaries in South Asia to run with the power of God
A missionary kid asks God to take his fear and give him faith