a letter from Liz —

Hello AP Girlfriends,

As I write this, I can’t help but picture each of you in your zone. My prayer for you today is this: “Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well” (3 John 1:2, NIV). My pastor, John Lindell, often says that what we do spiritually affects us physically and what we do physically affects us spiritually. I couldn’t agree with him more. The more time I commit to pray, the more miracles I see and faith rises. The more time I commit to staying physically active, the healthier my soul is.

I want to share some good news in this letter. Our prayer has been for more workers in AP, and this month we welcomed six new career units and five MAs during orientation. God is answering our prayers.

Countries are opening again, and several families who were fully funded but waiting for visas are heading to the field. If you are still raising funds or waiting for a visa, don’t give up hope. We are standing with you in faith for God’s timing and provision.

People are coming to Christ, and we are hearing testimonies of salvations in all the AP areas. Churches have been purchased, and outreaches are happening. God is on the move.

Finally, I can’t help but share what is going on here in Springfield at my church. We have seen an amazing outpouring of healings and salvations. People are being healed at Salvation Army and grocery stores. We’ve seen bones restored, ears opened, blood disorders cured, foot-drop syndrome and cancer healed, and much more. These are not undocumented testimonies either—they are real and so exciting.

Let me remind us all in this brief letter that our testimonies of faith and the Word of God bring victory. Don’t shrink back if you have a testimony. Stand firm today knowing God’s power is for you and those you serve. Listen to that small voice in your heart. Be ready to pray for miracles and heal the sick and, last but not least, throw out the net. I love you all and can’t wait to hear what God is doing in your “neck of the world.”

Today’s devotional is written by our coworker in a sensitive country. Heather Fallis and her family have an amazing commitment to serve God. She shares many writings regarding the unique situations and circumstances of global workers on her Instagram account. I am sure you will be inspired today.

Love and prayers,

Liz

Don’t Neglect Your Gift

By Heather Fallis

During homeschooling one day, my daughter wasn’t feeling the math lesson and exclaimed, “Why do I have to do this stuff anyway? I just want to do what I want to do!” Of course, we talked about self-discipline and how math facts matter. After some coaxing, she speedily resumed the lesson and promptly pranced off to do the myriad of things she prioritized as more important—drawing pictures, writing stories, and playing outside.

As I watch my children, I see this incredible gift: They do whatever they are passionate about. Their passions are their driving force. They are born uniquely designed with specific interests, and as children, those feel much more compelling than the mundane disciplines of chores and school. If given the opportunity, what kids wouldn’t choose their passion over work? None!

But somewhere along the way as we grow and mature, we experience a shift in priorities from passion to work. The very things that woke us up in the morning as children have become distant memories as our days fill with tending to our household, reports, jobs, and the ever-growing task list. By the end of the day, we have too little energy to pursue the interests that make us come alive.

In 1 Timothy 4:14, Paul urges Timothy, “Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecy spoken over you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you” (NLT). As global workers, we have experienced the power of the laying on of hands and prophetic prayer sending us to places and people God called us to. At that moment, as you were envisioning your future on the field and how the Lord would use you, I would dare to guess it included your passion. Perhaps it was teaching, worship, preaching, mentoring, writing curriculum, or medical care. The possibilities are as endless as our endlessly creative God.

Then comes language study, setting up a house, navigating and learning a new culture, family responsibilities, and more. Before we know it, that dream we were passionate about feels far out of reach.

If you’ve found yourself feeling a bit lost and disconnected, I want to encourage you with this: Don’t neglect your gift! God has uniquely designed you with a passion to use in His kingdom work. This isn’t separate from your purpose; it is the very essence of it. Your passion will be the catalyst for your greatest ministry.

Ask the Lord to remind you of your passions and how you can invite others to join in. Is it music? Gather a group of people once a month and worship your hearts out. Is it cooking? Invite a neighbor over and make a new recipe together. Is it coffee? Host a coffee and conversation club with ladies in your community. Is it art? Facilitate an evening of worship art. Be deliberate about making time and space. You might be surprised at how much more fun and fulfilling ministry becomes when it involves something you were created for. No offering is too small for God to use mightily.

My daughter still has to do math lessons. I still have laundry to wash and reports to send in. But when we are intentional about embracing our passions, we can do mundane tasks with joy because we remember why we are here.

Don’t neglect your gift. The world needs what you have.