There is no way to express the deep gratitude that Judie and I have for the funds you provided for our mission trip to Fiji and New Zealand. I am writing this on Sunday night (Florida time), and we will be home in four days. Every day has been filled with times of unbelievable joy at all the Lord is doing in this part of the world.
I will be giving a PowerPoint presentation when we return, so I will leave a full report of daily activities and places we have visited until then. However, I would like to give some general impressions about all that has happened.
Let me begin by expressing our gratitude for all that Robert Martin has done to put all of this together. He has been in Fiji for almost forty years and is far more Fijian than American! I have learned to respect him even more for the impact of his life on those in Fiji and throughout this part of the world. There is no way I could have imagined how God would use him when I first urged him to go to Fiji back in the early 1970s. He has an amazing ability to adapt to all the diverse cultures in the South Pacific, and that is so obvious in seeing how the Fijians relate to him and love him so much. He and Mary are so loved by all the Christians in this island nation.
I have grown in my understanding of the providence of God in bringing together those who are lost and seeking the truth with those who can teach them. Over and over again I asked Fijians, “How did you learn the truth? Who taught you?” Their answers are diverse, but in almost every answer are circumstances which some may think are simply coincidences, but they need to look at the matter again.
The Bible rarely reveals the specifics of the providence of God. We read the story of Joseph in Egypt and are amazed at how the events of his life impact history. It is only by revelation that we know specifically that God worked out all the details. Joseph said, “So now it was not you that sent me here, but God; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt,” and “But as for you, you thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive” (Gen. 45:8; 50:20). Sometimes, we know specifically by Divine revelation that He works; other times we must “learn by experience“ (Gen. 30:27). In both situations, we know that every good gift is provided by Him (James 1:17).
We will see you on Sunday. Our batteries are recharged and our love for all you do is so deeply appreciated.