In many of the places we work, it often takes years for our workers to see fruit. The soil is hard, the opposition is great, and the work is challenging. However, Jesus has taught us something remarkable. It’s not that the harvest is lacking – it’s that the workers are (Matthew 9:37). The harvest, he said, is plentiful.
Two of our workers in Asia, Lisa* and Richard*, have seen just that. In the nation where they serve, the Holy Spirit is moving mightily. Hearing powerful stories about Christ, people are gathering in groups, alongside friends and family members, to study his word – and as they come to know Christ, they are seeing remarkable transformation.
Families are finding healing. Communities once known for prostitution, brokenness, and immorality are shedding their old reputations as they experience Christ’s light and life. And many more, seeing the transforming power of his love, are eager to learn about it themselves.
“Many of the people in our region are hungry to know the truth and go to heaven, but most haven’t heard about his love in a way that appeals to them,” Richard explains. “Through holistic ministry, our groups have built good will, demonstrated his love, and shown that they are givers, not takers. Because of that, we have seen quite a lot of momentum and community transformation,” Lisa adds.
Now, the groups are growing and expanding to other people groups where few, if any, have encountered Christ. “We are not the only ones involved in this work. We’re very humbly part of what God is doing nationally through many laborers – we’re just small potatoes,” Richard says. “And what’s amazing is that these laborers are ordinary people who are using very simple tools. God is using them to bring about amazing breakthroughs.”
Making Christ known in the hard places takes significant time, persistent prayer, and many hands, but we rejoice in this: his laborers will reap a harvest at the proper time so long as they do not grow weary and give up (Galatians 6:9).
*Names have been changed.