AIM News 08/2004 - AIM Leaders Visit Asian Fields

AIM Leaders Visit Asian Fields

At the beginning of the summer Pat Sheaffer and I (in picture, seated lower left and lower middle, respectively, with some Thai performers) traveled to Bangkok, Thailand; Cebu City, Philippines; Okinawa, Japan; and San Diego, California. Our purpose was to check out two new fields and to encourage those on two current fields. The languages, cultures, and foods were certainly different, but the mission in each place was the same: reaching the lost. Each city we visited was filled with people and I wondered, "How are we going to reach them all?" Who would be willing to go and give up their life back home in order to reach the lost in Bangkok, Cebu, Okinawa, and San Diego? Who would lay down his possessions, step up to the front lines, and say, "Here am I, Lord, send me?"

One of the blessings from making such a trip was once again being convinced that God is doing amazing things through AIM students around the world. Lives are being changed in fantastic ways as young men and women take this huge step of faith. They grow personally in their faith as well as in maturity, ministry skills, and in their world view. Maybe more significant is how others' lives are changed as a result of AIM students. Their families and friends are encouraged and challenged in their own spiritual lives. Then there are the lives of those who are reached on the field as they meet and study with AIMers. This trip reconfirmed to me what I already knew - that God is doing amazing things all over the world through the willingness of these young heroes of faith. Please keep them in your prayers.