June 19, 2009 – 11:14 am
I remember the day I received an e-mail from Dawn Amsler. She was a new missionary with an appointment to the Dominican Republic. Reading between the lines, she sounded discouraged. Then I came across a word that caught my attention. She said she was “stuck.” She went on to express the difficulties she was encountering during her itineration.
A couple of days later I called Dawn. I began working with her to work through her challenges and get her back on track. Dawn did get back on track, and she was able to complete her itineration. Below is a portion of an e-mail she sent me upon her completion of itineration.
“During the last six months of my itineration, I decided I would attend every event my district had where pastors would attend, including Women’s Ministries retreats, Light for the Lost banquets, pastors’ orientation meetings, youth conventions, Sunday School conferences, etc. At some events I was allowed to share in a five-minute window, but my main goal wasn’t so I could speak but to build relationships.
“I felt I was doing everything I needed to do, but time was running out. I had eight weeks left of itineration to be on the field by my January deadline. I had what seemed to be an impossible situation in my finances. I had $1750 in monthly commitments and $13,000 in cash I still needed to raise.
“This is when I started to fast and pray…to ask God for a miracle. During this time of fasting and praying, I came across a friend’s prayer card—Benny and Sherri Ferguson, AGWM Field Representative/Missions Awareness Team. I held his card in my hands for about two days, and I decided to contact Benny Ferguson. I expressed to him about my determination to press on even though I was feeling ‘stuck’ in my itineration. I had sent out letters beyond letters, and I was making phone calls beyond phone calls to every pastor I knew of, and I was attending every event possible, and I had received no positive responses. I was officially ‘stuck.’ I couldn’t bring myself to make one more phone call to a church or pastor for the sense of feeling extremely lost, and I needed help.
“That was when Benny suggested we ‘reevaluate.’ We talked through the process, and out of this, the sense of feeling ‘stuck’ and ‘lost’ started to fade. He gave me specific ideas and examples of what I could do to help finances come together. One of his ideas was to show up to churches I haven’t been to even when I don’t have a service scheduled. The thought of this was nerve-racking! I didn’t want to impose or be rude by showing up unannounced, and being a young, single woman didn’t help me with this thought either. For some reason, I decided I would try it anyway.
“The following Thursday I showed up to a church service. I said, ‘Hi,’ to the pastor, and we talked for a little bit, and I took my seat. As people were coming in, I introduced myself and before I knew it, the pastor asked me if I would like to share in a five-minute window about where I was going and what I know the Lord has called me to do! I gladly accepted and was very surprised at the same time. Following the service, I stayed for a little while, talking to some of the people and building relationships. In no time, individuals were asking me for my pledge form. I was amazed, blessed, and humbled all because I showed up.
“After that night, the sense of feeling ‘stuck’ started to fade even more! My phone calls became easier, my calendar started to fill up with church services, and before I knew it, I had received my financial clearance to meet my deadline.
“I appreciate so much the ministry of the Missions Awareness Team and Benny Ferguson. I know Benny and the rest of the Missions Awareness not only believe in missions, they believe in missionaries, and for me that made a world of difference! Thank you.”
What a great story from Dawn! Below is a statement from Kevin Stone, the Kentucky district missions director: “If it wasn’t for the intervention of the Missions Awareness Team, Dawn would not have made it to the field. Having Benny and the Missions Awareness Team working for Dawn made the difference. “If it wasn’t for the Missions Awareness Team, I don’t think she would have made it to the mission field.”
That is why we do it!
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