Some years ago we were travelling down a pothole filled Mexican highway in an old, overloaded bus. It was a hot night and the bus was not air-conditioned. I felt led to start a conversation with two university students seated in front of us. Of course, Satan was telling me these finely educated young Mexican men would not be interested in what an old Gringo had to say about RELIGION. But, finally I gave each of them a Gospel tract and leaned back, having "done my duty".
After reading the tract one turned around in his seat and began to ask me some sincere questions. I soon warmed to my game and was giving him his very own Bible lesson. His seatmate was listening to all of it. When I finally asked him if he wanted to invite Christ into his heart not only did he respond in the affirmative but, his seatmate did so also. I was SHOCKED when I heard other voices behind me responding also. I turned to see several others had formed a little congregation behind me in the aisle. There were over a dozen that accepted Christ at that moment. JUST AT THAT VERY MOMENT the bus stopped beside the road and the two students and several others got off. The original young man that asked the first question stepped back on the steps of the bus and told me if he never saw me again on this earth he'd see me in Glory.
When I sat back in my seat I was SWEATING, not from the heat of the night, but because of the reality of the fact -- if I had waited a little longer it would have been too late! WOW! That was close!
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
A food box leads to salvation.
Some years ago one of our Mexican pastors was distributing some food boxes we had received from CHILDREN'S HUNGER FUND. The city was Ensenada on the Baja Peninsula of Mexico. The pastor was walking down the streets of that city with some of the boxes when he was approached by a small boy asking what was in the boxes. The pastor patiently explained and noticed the child immediately became excited upon finding out it was food.
He began to plead with the pastor for a box. The pastor finally explained that the boxes had to be delivered to homes. He grabbed the pastor's hand and began dragging him along the street. Soon they came to a small and VERY humble one-room house. When the pastor entered the house he saw a man with no legs lying on a cot.
The boy rushed over to his dad and said in Spanish whose translation is "See Daddy! I TOLD you God would give us some food!" Through misty eyes the pastor watched as the little boy, that could hardly reach the stove, began putting on water to boil to prepare the macaroni that was in the box. The pastor began witnessing to the man. .Soon the smell of the spices in the added sauce began to reach the pastor's nostrils. Such a humble meal but SO precious to the little boy that had gone into the streets to look for food. You see, there are no governmental handouts for people like this in Mexico!
That night the church had their weekly Prayer Meeting service. The hearts of the people were touched when the pastor pulled up to the front door of the church and carried the legless man from his car into the church. At the conclusion of the preaching the man asked a man nearby to carry him to the altar so he could receive Christ as his personal Savior.
While packing that box some time earlier in the warehouse in Pacoima, California that volunteer did so with the hope it would reach someone for Christ. In all the boxes sent out there is only One who knows who packed that particular box and who transported it to Mexico. But, one day in Glory that man will come skipping down the Golden Streets to bump into those that brought him MUCH more than a box of food.
It SHORE IS FUN TO SERVE JESUS, AIN'T IT? What small deed have you done recently that could be used by God to bring just one more soul to Christ? Bro Don
He began to plead with the pastor for a box. The pastor finally explained that the boxes had to be delivered to homes. He grabbed the pastor's hand and began dragging him along the street. Soon they came to a small and VERY humble one-room house. When the pastor entered the house he saw a man with no legs lying on a cot.
The boy rushed over to his dad and said in Spanish whose translation is "See Daddy! I TOLD you God would give us some food!" Through misty eyes the pastor watched as the little boy, that could hardly reach the stove, began putting on water to boil to prepare the macaroni that was in the box. The pastor began witnessing to the man. .Soon the smell of the spices in the added sauce began to reach the pastor's nostrils. Such a humble meal but SO precious to the little boy that had gone into the streets to look for food. You see, there are no governmental handouts for people like this in Mexico!
That night the church had their weekly Prayer Meeting service. The hearts of the people were touched when the pastor pulled up to the front door of the church and carried the legless man from his car into the church. At the conclusion of the preaching the man asked a man nearby to carry him to the altar so he could receive Christ as his personal Savior.
While packing that box some time earlier in the warehouse in Pacoima, California that volunteer did so with the hope it would reach someone for Christ. In all the boxes sent out there is only One who knows who packed that particular box and who transported it to Mexico. But, one day in Glory that man will come skipping down the Golden Streets to bump into those that brought him MUCH more than a box of food.
It SHORE IS FUN TO SERVE JESUS, AIN'T IT? What small deed have you done recently that could be used by God to bring just one more soul to Christ? Bro Don
Friday, March 9, 2012
AND THEY CAME
Several years ago we made some trips into an Indian village outside of Ensenada, Mexico. There are several tribes within an hour's drive. We had shown a Gospel film at Christmastime in SPANISH and shared some food with them. HOWEVER, they mostly spoke a dialect so we were a little discouraged.
A couple of winters later we had TORRENTIAL rains in the area. It was devastating even in the city. When the rains had stopped, I was standing in front of the church in Ensenada when two humble-looking men came walking towards me hesitantly. I recognized them as from on of the indigenous tribes. They hesitated a few feet away and I knew they were wondering if that Gringo spoke Spanish. I have become accustomed to that so approached them and greeted them. In their broken Spanish they told me they were looking for an American missionary that had come to their area about two years ago. His name was Kiser. I identified myself and asked how I could help them.
They explained that the floods had washed away their little church and some of their homes. I WAS TOUCHED! I told them to come with me into the church and I would see if we had some clothes and at least beans to share.
They hesitated and chattered to one another in their dialect. OH< NO! They probably wanted money. Finally, they explained to me that was not what they had come for clothes or food. They had lost all their BIBLES and Gospel tracts in Spanish in the flood. (They told me there was no Bible translated in their dialect.) That was what they were pleading for. There have been few times in my ministry when I felt more humbled. I was thinking PHYSICALLY; they were thinking SPIRITUALLY. God forgive me! We are now planning to once again visit some of those tribes in the VERY near future. Missionary Don Kiser and proud of it and humbled by it!
A couple of winters later we had TORRENTIAL rains in the area. It was devastating even in the city. When the rains had stopped, I was standing in front of the church in Ensenada when two humble-looking men came walking towards me hesitantly. I recognized them as from on of the indigenous tribes. They hesitated a few feet away and I knew they were wondering if that Gringo spoke Spanish. I have become accustomed to that so approached them and greeted them. In their broken Spanish they told me they were looking for an American missionary that had come to their area about two years ago. His name was Kiser. I identified myself and asked how I could help them.
They explained that the floods had washed away their little church and some of their homes. I WAS TOUCHED! I told them to come with me into the church and I would see if we had some clothes and at least beans to share.
They hesitated and chattered to one another in their dialect. OH< NO! They probably wanted money. Finally, they explained to me that was not what they had come for clothes or food. They had lost all their BIBLES and Gospel tracts in Spanish in the flood. (They told me there was no Bible translated in their dialect.) That was what they were pleading for. There have been few times in my ministry when I felt more humbled. I was thinking PHYSICALLY; they were thinking SPIRITUALLY. God forgive me! We are now planning to once again visit some of those tribes in the VERY near future. Missionary Don Kiser and proud of it and humbled by it!
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Have you ever thought about....
Have you ever thought about what happened to those that were accompanying Saul of Tarsis when they reached Annanais? They heard the voice that Saul heard. Evidently they saw the great light that shined so brightly. I can't believe they just took him and left him so they must have seen his sight being recovered. In eternity it will be interesting to know the answers to these questions. This man baptized the greatest of all the Apostles and yet this is the only time we read about him in Scriptures. Look how important Juan, the Baptist was and what a small part of Scripture Like the woman at the well, and many others. I just need to remember that, although I am but a blip on the radar of time I can do important things also.
This is just some more examples of how extensive the Word of God really is. I think it is good when we think a little deeper in these Bible accounts. Bro Don
This is just some more examples of how extensive the Word of God really is. I think it is good when we think a little deeper in these Bible accounts. Bro Don
Monday, February 27, 2012
Amazing how God works!
Although I have always claimed to be an Okie, I was actually born in Erie, KS, a town of 1,012 people. Some 2 or 3 years ago I visited Erie with two of my grandchildren. Every July the town has what they call the Erie Reunion when former residents return for the special events of the week. Alana and Jr had a great time participating in some of the activities, one of which was a turtle race. Alana's turtle won first place and was awarded a silver dollar.
About a year later an American lady in Rosarito,MX shouted out, "Hey, I remember you!" Alana turned around and saw it was the lady that had awarded her the silver dollar in Erie, KS.! Small world in God's eyes.
About a year later an American lady in Rosarito,MX shouted out, "Hey, I remember you!" Alana turned around and saw it was the lady that had awarded her the silver dollar in Erie, KS.! Small world in God's eyes.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Another Personal Mission story!
This has been a very busy and blest weekend for me. Friday I drove up to Delano CA to be in a Missions Conference in Immanuel Baptist Church, one of our fine supporting church for over THREE DECADES. I came rushing back so Alana could attend a youth activity Sat. afternoon.
Then today we had a WONDERFUL service at out new mission in El Chicote! In fact, we had the largest attendance today we have had with 53 present!
For the first time we broke up into THREE groups. The children were on the bus with two workers from the Bible College. Pastor Daniel from the Rosarito church had the youth for the first time they had had a class and Edna, Jonathan Bell and I had the adults. I am AMAZED at how quickly these adults have become SO faithful as well as the youth and children. They are SO proud of their "little church"!
There was something very special that happened during and after the service. I was telling the people how fortunate we are in the Baja to have a lot more freedom with the Gospel than many of the tribes in the south. I related how some villages of the Indians have been wiped out. I saw a lady tear up. After the service she told us that her father had experienced that very thing. His first wife, children, father, mother, brothers and sisters had all been killed and he was the only one that escaped. Later, he had married her mother and had a new family. Because of all he had been thru he saw a "Christian Church", went in and was saved. He hardly spoke Spanish. He only spoke their dialect. Being in the city, he had to learn Spanish. He had no education but learned to read the Bible and soon became a great preacher. He is now with the Lord.
We rejoiced with her over the great heritage in the Lord she has had and is now carrying forward what she had been taught.
Friends, when we all stand before the Lord, I think a lot of the BIG preachers will have to step back and let humble men like her father step forward for their reward. I know I will. We have it SO easy. And I am SOOO blest to still be able to serve on the mission field. I THOROUGHLY enjoy preaching in the little wooden building to such hungry people for the Word. Thanks once again for making it possible. Bro Don
Then today we had a WONDERFUL service at out new mission in El Chicote! In fact, we had the largest attendance today we have had with 53 present!
For the first time we broke up into THREE groups. The children were on the bus with two workers from the Bible College. Pastor Daniel from the Rosarito church had the youth for the first time they had had a class and Edna, Jonathan Bell and I had the adults. I am AMAZED at how quickly these adults have become SO faithful as well as the youth and children. They are SO proud of their "little church"!
There was something very special that happened during and after the service. I was telling the people how fortunate we are in the Baja to have a lot more freedom with the Gospel than many of the tribes in the south. I related how some villages of the Indians have been wiped out. I saw a lady tear up. After the service she told us that her father had experienced that very thing. His first wife, children, father, mother, brothers and sisters had all been killed and he was the only one that escaped. Later, he had married her mother and had a new family. Because of all he had been thru he saw a "Christian Church", went in and was saved. He hardly spoke Spanish. He only spoke their dialect. Being in the city, he had to learn Spanish. He had no education but learned to read the Bible and soon became a great preacher. He is now with the Lord.
We rejoiced with her over the great heritage in the Lord she has had and is now carrying forward what she had been taught.
Friends, when we all stand before the Lord, I think a lot of the BIG preachers will have to step back and let humble men like her father step forward for their reward. I know I will. We have it SO easy. And I am SOOO blest to still be able to serve on the mission field. I THOROUGHLY enjoy preaching in the little wooden building to such hungry people for the Word. Thanks once again for making it possible. Bro Don
A tribute to a special servant of the Lord
Maybe a man isn't supposed to brag on his wife; but, I've never been politically correct anyway. I am talking about the most faithful wife, mother, grandmother, greatgrandmother and FRIEND in the world! When I think of all she has been thru in life and still has that loving face, I am amazed! There are very few women in the world that would give up what she gave up to come to the mission field and live as she has lived for 35 years. And most of all not complain.
She STILL loves Mexico and her people. She is SOOO loved and respected by SO many people. She has never been one to be in the limelight. She never became a great speaker to ladies groups. She has just LOVED PEOPLE and been their friend. Edna does not know what an enemy is. I have seen people that have stabbed us in the back and when she sees them she is as friendly as ever.
Her once beautiful face has changed into a kind one. Her gait is now very slow. Her sight is almost completely gone but her spirit still shines thru.
For SO many years we were so busy raising our family and many others and so busy with our various ministries we had little time until recently for ourselves.
Four weeks ago this Sunday I sat on the high stool I need to sit on to preach now and preached the first service of our 19th mission. She sat in a chair beside me where she has been all those 35 years on the field. When we come before the Lord I already know what God is going to say to Edna -- "You certainly made Don look good." Love you, honey! Your loving husband
She STILL loves Mexico and her people. She is SOOO loved and respected by SO many people. She has never been one to be in the limelight. She never became a great speaker to ladies groups. She has just LOVED PEOPLE and been their friend. Edna does not know what an enemy is. I have seen people that have stabbed us in the back and when she sees them she is as friendly as ever.
Her once beautiful face has changed into a kind one. Her gait is now very slow. Her sight is almost completely gone but her spirit still shines thru.
For SO many years we were so busy raising our family and many others and so busy with our various ministries we had little time until recently for ourselves.
Four weeks ago this Sunday I sat on the high stool I need to sit on to preach now and preached the first service of our 19th mission. She sat in a chair beside me where she has been all those 35 years on the field. When we come before the Lord I already know what God is going to say to Edna -- "You certainly made Don look good." Love you, honey! Your loving husband
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