Hafa Adai from the beautiful island of Guam!
A neighbor of ours for 22 years, whom I dubbed “the mayor of Francisco Street,” recently underwent treatment for cancer. His health concerns have calmed and softened him. His wife has health concerns also, and at one point, we thought she might not make it. My wife has been praying for their salvation for a long time. “Neighbor dynamics” have hindered me from talking to them about salvation until recently. Both were scheduled to take a Stateside medical trip together, and I wanted to talk with them before they left. As I was pulling my trash receptacle to the pickup location, I saw their vehicle drive by. I walked to their house and found them together. We exchanged pleasantries, and then I let them know that I wanted to pray with them about their upcoming medical trip. That softened her so much so that she turned to her husband (the “mayor”), still in the vehicle, and told him to get down and join us “. . . because he wants to pray with us.” We prayed together, and they were both moved. That prayer set the atmosphere, so I said that if anything were to happen, I wanted to make sure we all ended up in the same place together. They both indicated that they wanted that too. They allowed me to explain the Gospel, prayed with me to receive the Lord Jesus Christ into their hearts as their personal Saviour, and were so appreciative that they both gave me a hug (ugh—I am not a hugger!). What a relief it was to lead them to Christ. The Lord was so good to us.
Since my last update, the Lord has used me personally to lead 24 people to Christ.
While leaving a place of business, I noticed a man and woman sitting at a picnic table under a canopy reserved for employees, but they were not dressed as employees. It appeared they were biding their time, so I thought it might be a soul-winning opportunity. I introduced myself and then asked if they knew for sure they were going to Heaven. She said, “Yes,” but he stayed silent. I said, “Maybe he is not so sure.” She laughed and said, “No, he’s not so sure.” He cracked a smile and began to laugh too. I did not want to draw attention to our talking, which might make them feel uncomfortable, so I asked if I could sit down with them. At eye level with both of them, with him across the table from me, I began to explain the Gospel. He took his sunglasses off, and both listened intently. When I finished, both wanted to pray to be saved. After we prayed, she asked, “What church?” I said, “Island Baptist Church.” Suddenly, she got a very concerned look on her face. I said, “Don’t worry. What you just did did not make you a Baptist; it made you saved.” She then laughed, happily clapped her hands, and said, “Oh, thank you!” They fist-bumped me and thanked me again as we parted ways. I do not know what the Baptist concern was all about, but I sure was glad she was happy she was saved.
The folks of Island Baptist Church experience many blessings from the Lord. In one instance, a situation turned from “something bad to a blessing.” A local family in our church who owned and operated a family restaurant, annually winning a culinary award, had to close recently. We began praying for a job for them. One afternoon, the man and his two teenage sons showed up to the church to help with yard work. It began to rain when they arrived, but that did not deter them. They marched out into the rain and “attacked” a front section of the church property that faced the road. They pulled vines, trimmed trees, hauled away fallen palm fronds, and raked up whatever was left on the ground. They did a fantastic job. After church a week later, he told us that the Coast Guard had finally accepted him and that he would be leaving for medical evaluation. It was amazing to see that with all the prayer and waiting, it was only after he helped at the church that the Lord opened a door of opportunity.
Thank you for faithfully praying for us as the Lord continues to “take up for us”; we know your prayers for us play a big part in that. Thank you for faithfully supporting our ministry, for it makes a way for us to reach people with the Gospel and preach the Word of God. Thank you.
Please continue to pray for our health and safety, Island Baptist Church, Guam, and Micronesia.
In His harvest field,
Dan Rothwell and Family