“. . . but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24:15)
Hafa Adai from the beautiful island of Guam.
Speaker Pelosi’s recent visit to Taiwan aggravated the already tense situation involving China and the U.S. and ignited a buying frenzy at Guam’s grocery stores due to the fear that China would attack Guam in retaliation. Its further ricocheting effect was seen with emergency contingency plans being discussed by those we know and many islanders relocating due to the uncertainty. The military footprint here is ever increasing, and joint military exercises and war games continue to escalate in anticipation of conflict. Though the possibility of being attacked is an ever-present concern, the more pressing concerns are the already disrupted shipping supply chains, delayed grocery-store restocking, and skyrocketing prices, leading to anxiety, anger, fear, desperation, and an increase in crime. We know supply-chain disruptions and inflation are not just Guam issues; no matter where one goes, these issues are found. So, we just tell people we are “staying put” to live our lives for the Lord and to serve Him, come what may.
After leaving a place of business recently, I noticed a young man sitting on a bench, and although I was short on time, I went over to him, not wanting to miss a soul-winning opportunity. The young man’s name was Nolan, and as I quickly found out, Nolan was a “talker.” While talking with him, it took a lot of effort to keep him focused on the Gospel, but the Lord helped me. When I finished, Nolan said he believed the Gospel and then prayed with me to receive the Lord Jesus Christ into his heart as his personal Saviour. After we prayed, Nolan was about to keep talking, but I indicated that I needed to leave. Nolan looked up at me and very sincerely said, “Thanks for that.” I felt for Nolan, knowing he was a talker and knowing that I did not have the time he needed. But his “thanks for that,” let me know that he was okay, because his conversion was more important. Since the last update, the Lord used me personally to lead 17 to Christ.
While shopping through Guam’s Kmart, I heard a familiar voice say, “Hey, Pastor Dan.” It was a lady we have known since we first arrived in Guam 22 years ago. She wanted to introduce me to her granddaughter, who was visiting from the States. When I met her granddaughter, I asked if she knew for sure she was going to Heaven or if she had some doubt. The granddaughter said she had doubt. So, right there in the store, the granddaughter allowed me to explain the Gospel, to which she said she understood, believed, and then prayed with me to receive the Lord Jesus Christ into her heart as her personal Saviour. After we finished praying, the grandmother thanked me with a face beaming with joy, and the granddaughter seemed very relieved and at ease. It may not have been a “blue light special,” but it sure was special to us.
The Lord continues to bless the people of Island Baptist Church and work in their lives. Recently after church one Sunday morning, a member was sharing the troubles her family had endured over the years. She stopped suddenly and said, “Then you came into our lives, and everything changed.” It was the Lord who changed everything, not me, but it was so encouraging to know that the Lord had used me to be a blessing.
Thank you for faithfully praying for us. Please continue to pray for our health and safety, Island Baptist Church, Guam, and Micronesia.
In His harvest field,
Dan Rothwell and Family