October 3 marked the 32nd anniversary of David Sitton’s (president and founder of To Every Tribe) first departure. He was, as he admits, very green and very rough around the edges. He had only recently been converted from a life of drugs and sin. But God’s grace had marvelously transformed him and impassioned him to take the gospel to people who had not heard the message of Christ. The following is David’s recent reflections on that event.
Thirty-two years ago this month (October 3, 1977) I left for the first time as a missionary to Papua New Guinea.
20 years old: lean and green and ready to tackle the world for Christ. I boarded an airplane (by myself) in Corpus Christi, TX around 11:00 AM headed for New Guinea via Honolulu, Hong Kong and Bangkok.
David Sitton on Oct 3, 1977 before leaving for PNG
I was inexperienced, under-trained, under-financed and totally determined; a dangerous combination. But I did have a Bible and a surfboard–and not a worry in the world. The Lord must have chuckled at my reckless audacity. I think he liked it, though.
Family and friends gathered at the airport terminal. There was much hugging and weeping as they figured I would be eaten by cannibals before my first two year mission was completed (and it nearly happened)!
Several elders from my sending church huddled together whispering among themselves about how they didn’t think that young kid would actually leave without enough money. One of them told me years later that they thought I was completely crazy, but they couldn’t be left responsible for my starving to death in the jungle! Right there on the spot, they gathered the remaining monthly support I needed. Ah… Jehovah Jireh!
My old mentor used to say – “Look at the sparrows, missionary! When God quits feeding the sparrows, missionaries will become extinct.” Well, the birds are still eating.
Three decades plus two years ago today I started a missionary journey for Christ.
I find myself especially tender on this anniversary. 4:00 AM tears puddle my keyboard as I reflect on the astounding privileges of my life. To be used by God, even just once in a lifetime; to unhinge a stronghold of the enemy by the power of the gospel and Jesus’ name would have been enough. But he’s given me so much more. I will die singing praises.
Amazing grace, amazing God!
October 3, 1977: God fed the sparrows and sent a missionary on his way.
Today we sent out a prayer update. You can download it here (right click and save) if you didn’t get it. If you are not subscribed to receive our prayer updates and would like to be, you can do so here.
The Center for Pioneer Church Planting is a major part of our ministry here at To Every Tribe. God has gathered an incredible group of students and staff here from many different backgrounds. We’re a tight-knit little community here for one purpose: to train and deploy pioneer church planters into the unreached regions of the earth for the glory of God. It’s in the context of community life and study that church planting missionary teams are formed to go to Mexico and Papua New Guinea. Here’s some recent photos of the CPCP community (click to view larger image).
The CPCP community in front of our apartment complex.
...and again.
This place is crawling with kids....
...and there's three more on the way.
This place is also crawling with tarantulas. Here's a baby one we caught the other day. Cute pet, huh?
We enjoy two times of community worship (chapel) each week.
It's a great time of corporate worship and Bible study.
Well, we’re just finishing up our first couple of weeks here at TETM. We’re almost settled in and have enjoyed getting to know our new co-workers.
Our first couple of weekends here we enjoyed visits from two of our former co-workers and friends from Monterrey. First, Russel, Debbie, and Carena Raimer came to help us unpack and set up our apartment. Then, last weekend Matt and Susan Bixby and family visited us for a couple of days. We were very grateful for these visits from our dear friends.
Here are a few pictures from our first week.
In front of our new apartment.
...and again.
Debbie Raymer worked hard to help us get the kitchen usable.
Russell and I planned to work hard too, but unfortunately we unpacked the XBox early on...
Our first week here I was privileged to participate in a series of planning meetings with a group of TETM missionaries forming a church planting team. Lord willing the team will be moving to southern Mexico in 2010. A great group!
My new office...
Last week we were privileged to have veteran pioneer missionary and author, Don Richardson in our home for a meal. Don was teaching a missions class at TETM's missionary training school, the Center for Pioneer Church Planting.
Missions Quote:
This quote comes from Melinda Rankin, a 19th century Presbyterian missionary to Mexico. Melinda founded a school for girls in Monterrey. It was the first protestant mission in Mexico.
Satan may yet make attempts to maintain his throne in Mexico, but only to find himself baffled and thwarted. The Bible is rapidly shedding its hallowed influences, and will constitute bulwarks against which the gates of hell shall not prevail.
To me, the crowning joy of the work in Mexico is the triumph of Divine Truth over superstition and error, proving beyond a doubt that the Bible is Heaven’s ordained instrumentality for elevating fallen humanity, and for bringing back an apostate world to the allegiance of God. If there is one nation of people more than any other -with whom I shall delight to join in singing the song of Redeeming Love in the day when that great multitude, which no man can number, stands before the throne of God, I am sure it will be with the Mexican nation.
We are thankful for our wonderful coworkers in Monterrey. We will miss them dearly and are very grateful for their friendship and for their help and support as we prepared to leave.
We are thankful for the wonderful five years of fruitful ministry that God gave us in Monterrey.
We are also very thankful for my parents, Duane and Marilyn Gibson, who were an enormous help for us in our move back to the states.
Our house sale went through smoothly. For a few days it looked like we were going to have to pay a huge tax on the sale of our house, but by God’s grace we were able to lower it to a few thousand dollars.
Our move from Monterrey to Texas went well. We were able to get all of our personal belongings across the border with no trouble.
To Every Tribe is providing us with a nice apartment to stay in until we’re able to raise enough support to rent or buy a house. We’re moving in now and are very thankful for this provision.
We are grateful for the team at TETM. We’re excited to get to know them and to serve the Lord with them.
“For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.” Psalm 100:5
Missions Quote:
We do not truly understand the gospel if we spend all of our time preaching it to Christians. The gospel is a missionary gospel. It is a communication of Good News to people and in places where the name of Christ is unknown. David Sitton, President of To Every Tribe
Praise the Lord, we signed on our house today! The money is now in our bank account. Lord willing, on Thursday we’ll be making our move to Texas. Thank you all for your prayers. God is good!
Today we are one step closer to selling our house. We learned this morning that the bank approved the loan for the house for our buyer. This is the news we’ve been waiting for. Praise the Lord! Lord willing, we will be closing on the house early next week.
Early next week is none too soon to close on our house. On Thursday, July 9th we’re scheduled to load up a couple of vehicles with the remainder of our furniture and boxes and make the move to Texas. Please pray for us as we have many things to do here to prepare for our departure.
Last Saturday we finished up our final responsibilities at the university. I was privileged to preach the graduation ceremony for our linguistics, business administration, and education majors. It was a joyful (and tearful) time of looking back on God’s grace to us here and of looking to the future. We were overwhelmed with gratitude as we heard many testimonies from students and others of how the Lord has used our ministry here in Monterrey to touch people’s lives.
On Sunday we participated in our final service at New Life Baptist Church. The church planned a special service and dinner for us. We enjoyed a joyful but tearful time of fellowship and testimonies. Please pray that God’s grace and blessing will be upon this young church as it continues to grow and serve the Lord.
If any of you are interested, over on my blog, Gratia et Veritas, I’ve posted information on TETM’s annual mission conference to be held in Dalton, GA in October. We would love to see you there!
Missions Quote:
The following is an excerpt from the letter that Adoniram Judson, missionary to Burma, wrote to his future father-in-law requesting his daughter’s hand in marriage:
“I have now to ask whether you can consent to part with your daughter early next spring, to see her no more in this world ? whether you can consent to her departure to a heathen land, and her subjection to the hardships and sufferings of a missionary life? whether you can consent to her exposure to the dangers of the ocean; to the fatal influence of the southern climate of India; to every kind of want and distress; to degradation, insult, persecution, and perhaps a violent death? Can you consent to all this, for the sake of Him who left His heavenly home and died for her and for you; for the sake of perishing, immortal souls; for the sake of Zion and the glory of God? Can you consent to all this, in hope of soon meeting your daughter in the world of glory, with a crown of righteousness brightened by the acclamations of praise which shall redound to her Saviour from heathens saved, through her means, from eternal woe and despair?”
It is amazing that Ann accepted Adoniram’s proposal. It is even more amazing that her father conceded to the proposal after receiving this letter from Judson.
“That the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy…”
We took our first load of furniture and boxes up to Texas this last weekend. God was good and we had no problems passing the border. We’ve chosen to do a few trips in our own vehicles rather than a single trip in a large moving truck to avoid having to go through a lot of trouble to get permissions to pass through customs (US & Mexico). Lord willing, in two more loads we’ll get it all up. Right now we’re planning on officially moving on July 9th, although I may have to stay a little while longer to finish up some things here. Please pray for strength and wisdom for the move.
Our house sale is progressing. We’ve provided the buyers and their bank with all the paperwork they’ve asked for, so Lord willing, in a few more days we’ll know if the bank approves the buyer’s loan. Please pray for this!
This Saturday I’ll be preaching in the university’s graduation ceremonies. Please pray for me as I challenge our graduates and students one last time.
Please pray for Elsa Alanís, a friend of ours and sister of our church’s former pastor, Chuy Alanís. Elsa was diagnosed with a brain tumor a few weeks ago. She was scheduled for surgery yesterday, but the procedure was postponed for today. We will post updates as we receive more information.
UPDATE:We’ve been told that Elsa’s surgery went well and that doctors expect a full recovery. Praise the Lord!
Thank you all for your prayers! May God richly bless you.
Missions quote:
“At the moment when I put the bread and wine into those dark hands, once stained with the blood of cannibalism, but now stretched out to receive and partake the emblems of the Redeemer’s love, I had a foretaste of the joy of Glory that well nigh broke my heart to pieces. I shall never taste a deeper bliss till I gaze on the glorified face of Jesus Himself.”
–John G. Paton, 1824-1907, Pioneer Missionary to New Hebrides
To Every Tribe just launched their new ministry website at http://toeverytribe.com. Check it out! Kudos to the TETM team for their excellent job. It’s beautiful!
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