Newsletter of David Wilson
MARCH 2025
"I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.”
John 4:35
Dear Friend,
The fields in developing countries are especially ripe for harvest, and our national evangelists are busy proclaiming the Good News of Salvation to open hearts. Last year over 500,000 were reached face to face. We work closely with evangelical churches in these countries. In Bolivia, four churches are being planted and services held in Indian tribal villages where we preached last year. Some of the Indians told us that we were the first missionaries ever to come to their village.
KENYA In Kenya, the fields are ripe for harvest. On my trip in February, we targeted the Samburu tribe, a people of north-central Kenya. They are still very traditional. The women wear many colorful beaded earrings, bracelets, anklets and wide necklaces. Fences are built around their mud huts or stick houses for protection from wild animals, especially lions, and animals are put in pens at night to keep them safe. They are semi-nomadic shepherds who primarily herd cattle, sheep, goats and camels, and refer to themselves as "owners of the land".
We worked through a local church, where I preached on two Sundays. The service takes over three hours and has much singing. The congregation all moves to the African beat, swaying, jumping, dancing, and the pastor shouting. Youth come down the aisle in time to the music, and dance at the front. Women lead the singing while a young man plays the piano keyboard in staccato rhythm. I preached on the great “I AM,” with our Jacinta translating. In Exodus 3:14, GOD says, “I AM WHO I AM.” JESUS says “I am the bread of life,” “I am the Good Shepherd,” “I am the resurrection and the life.”etc., showing what God is like. The congregation eagerly listened to the word of God, and the pastor and his wife wept.
The pastor was a tremendous help in arranging two or three school assemblies every day. Sometimes the students sang to us in African style. One girl would lead with two lines which were then sung by the students. Then came two more lines, which were again repeated. I preached using a new message for our evangelists to learn called “Four Things You Cannot Get Back”…Your LIFE, your WORDS, your TIME, and your OPPORTUNITY for salvation (after you die, there is no escape from hell). Many prayed to trust Christ as Savior, and all of the principals said to please come back.
Every night we had an open air film meeting. Children waited three hours as we set up and drove around announcing the film. It was cold (56 F), but 300-500 people came each night. Usually, kind women brought us hot tea. We were only stopped twice, once by a wild elephant frightening the people, and once by a drunk chief who had previously given us permission. All locked onto the film and the salvation message preached at the end. Many prayed out loud to trust Christ as their Savior. In one place, the pastor said he had a man ready to plant a church.
ECUADOR It was a great joy to visit Ecuador again, both for evangelism and a special wedding. In the year 2000 Monica wrote me from Ecuador telling about wonderful open air meetings her church was having. Their youth pastor had attended my seminar about 11 years earlier. I flew to Quito and met Monica. We were quickly involved in tremendous outreaches in plazas with her translating me. As I began the process to register OAC in Ecuador with Monica, her youth pastor (David Proaño) fell in love with her. They were married, and he also joined OAC.
In 2023 their second child, Isabella, joined OAC. Last year she came to Bolivia as my translator, and was a tremendous team member as we went on our boat to the Indians. This February, I had the joy and privilege of having a part in her wedding to Caleb in Ecuador. Caleb has also joined OAC as an evangelist. Together they are coming to Bolivia in April for our next outreach to the Indians. History is repeating itself in a way that only God could arrange.
UKRAINE Anatoly, our National Director and Army Chaplain, writes: Every day and night we have experiences of repeated anxieties and attacks by drones and missiles throughout Ukraine. But God protects us, gives us strength, opportunities to serve others, and to show them hope and a living faith in Jesus Christ our Savior.
Visiting wounded soldiers in the hospital is an important service that an entire team from our church does. The military is very open and communicates with us. Even some of them already come to our church on Sunday with their wives and children. Unfortunately, we sometimes lose soldiers at the front, and I am invited to conduct funerals and speak the word. A lot of people come to such occasions. This is another opportunity to testify to people about hope and unwavering faith in Christ. Many of them are already studying the Bible and coming to our church on Sunday.
SOUTH EAST ASIA
Open Air Film Meetings: Our evangelist writes: In 21st April, 2010, we went to a village where only eight families were Christian. No road to drive the jeep, so we walked three hours carrying our equipment. I was sick for one week. After fourteen years, we went back last month, now there were 51 Christian families. They are very happy to see us after fourteen years. Thank God He is using us, and fruit is coming. They are thankful for our ministry.
Sewing Schools: In order to send funds to our mission, we are required to provide a service for the poor, so we have Sewing Schools in each of our Branches. The total number of students is 145. Our National Director writes: 37 students graduated (from 1 school). They are pleased to come and learn the new skill. The local pastor's wife shares Bible stories and prays for them. Many of the Muslim students’ lives have changed, but are afraid to come to the church openly. We gave two sewing machines to destitute students, and one of the women shared her story with us. Her husband had taken some loans from the government, but after some time he became paralyzed and unable to pay back the loans. Then she came to know about our sewing school and joined. She couldn’t believe that everything was free here! During this time the government asked them to repay the loans; if not, their house would be sold, so she was looking for a used sewing machine to start a business, but she did not have enough money. One day I asked the local pastor, “Is there any poor student we can help?" The pastor selected her name. We gave her a new machine. She was crying and so pleased. She said, “I will be ever grateful to this organization.”
PLEASE PRAY
THANK YOU so much from the depths of my heart for your vital prayers and support.
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Compelled by His Love,
David Wilson