A Gentle Whisper
Quietly Waiting
I recall attending an evangelistic meeting 21 years ago, the speaker ended with an altar call asking if there was anyone who would be willing to serve the Lord in part-time work. I was very moved and found myself standing up to accept it. I really didn't understand at that moment what came over me to respond this way. But from that day, I sought the Lord for guidance in my daily prayers to Him. I also shared this newfound commitment with brothers and sisters in Christ and asked them to partner with me in prayer. At the same time, I was already serving as a church deacon and continued asking God to reveal direction in my life.
Two years later, Rev. Philip Leung, during the funeral service of Pastor Clarence Pi in South Africa and shared an ambitious vision of missionary ministry in the continent of Africa which also meant stepping away from his pastoral position from our church. I approached him to ask if I would be useful in the ministry. His immediate reply was, “yes.” Following that, I continued to experience God’s amazing and wonderful leadership which included the bank I worked at accepting my desire to switch from a full-time position to work part-time. What was also important for me was to have my parents’ understanding and support. Although the change in course would relegate me to a reduced income, my husband greatly supported the choice I was making. The next step was to learn how to help CIM organize and formally register as a non-profit organization. The whole process was guided by God’s mighty hands and by His ways as described just perfectly like in the words of a well-known hymn saying that God will make a way, where there seems to be no way, He works in a way we cannot see, He will make a way for me. He will be my guide, hold me closely to His side, with love and strength for each new day, He will make a way, He will make a way. Thank God!
Setting foot in Africa for the first time
At the start of 2003, with Founder and CIM Executive Director, Rev. Philip Leung along with two other directors, we visited local partners in Ghana to learn about the lives of locals. Pastor Joshua Siu acted as our guide and personally drove us to visit different towns and villages. Thanks to our Heavenly Father, He reminded me of a song that came to life; Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world, red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight, Jesus loves the little children of the world.
In those days, there were many remote villages, people mostly lived in simple huts with no running water or presence of toilets. The shortage of freshwater meant that people needed to fetch water from other places for their daily uses. There were no stoves for cooking and they needed to build a fire to cook. They did not own any refrigerators to store cold drinks. Some people also lived with little to no electricity in their homes. What they had plenty of were different types of insects that often accompanied them. There were definitely no supermarkets or restaurants nearby. Anyone living in developed countries, would ask how can these people live their lives? Surprisingly, even under sweltering heat that can reach above 30 degrees Celsius every day, they still manage to live contently, and children play happily without a care in the world.
My first trip happened eighteen years ago, and it made me realize the existence of poverty in Ghana, Africa. But it is not just about their quality of life that is of concern, more importantly, it is poverty suffered by their spiritual needs. Without anyone preaching the gospel of Jesus, how will they know that God loves them? Children were in really great need of education to help them learn to read and to be built up. So, this trip gave me clarity into why God was guiding me and calling me to serve in this missionary service. To this day, I have not forgotten the four key points that this ministry was founded upon: Cross-Cultural, Partnership, Holistic Approach and Laity Involvement.
Second trip to Ghana
Six years later in 2009, I revisited Ghana again. I witnessed some improvements in people’s livelihood, some places even provided internet services that connected them to Canada. Because they were not bogged down by the material excessiveness of people living in modernized countries, they were free in their worship to God and would preach and teach the gospel in unassuming places like a bamboo shed. Children were equally simple in expressing their love and satisfaction. While walking on a road full of rocks, I saw an older brother taking off his own pair of slippers to give to his little brother to keep from walking treacherously barefoot. Another image that has stuck with me, is watching them laugh and share a few drops of leftover Coca-Cola. You wouldn’t see the children quarreling or being upset because of not being able to play a computer game.
This trip focused on interaction and communication with local church partners. Besides contacting and caring for the pastors that CIM was supporting, we engaged with individuals from small groups who shared the challenges each had undergone and as well as those of other lives. We took an opportunity to share the gospel at the village school and provided some knowledge on dental hygiene. By having concern for the least part of the body, we expressed the love of the Lord to them.
I was also amazed by their enthusiasm to worship. Every time they attend, they would put on their best and most beautiful clothes; deliberately showing how much they value the occasion of coming into God’s presence. With that in mind, we need to think carefully about how we can further strengthen their faith.
Although I have encountered difficulties and challenges in many years of ministry, I have also experienced God's leadership, and wherever the Lord leads, I will go.
The people of Africa are not only those we see on TV or in movies. There are real lives that are not too far for us to reach. By developing our own spiritual maturity, we can be living examples of the gospel for others.
I haven’t had the chance to return to Africa for the last twelve years. If God permits, I still hope to return to Ghana with a short-term missions team or to make my way to the country of Togo. Would you be willing to accept our invitation and go with us?
What God is whispering to you in your heart?
Cassandra Wong
Finance Assistant
Chinese International Missions (Canada)
July Financials
1. General Fund - for general and administrative purposes, such as staff salaries
2. Designated Fund - for specific ministries in different field locations as designated (cannot be transferred between funds)
*All financial figures are in Canadian dollars and rounded to the nearest dollar
Pray With Us:
Pray for the family of our board member, Siu Lui Ho, as he passed away from cancer on June 24.
Pray for the home assignment for our international worker, Janice Wong. She will be in Canada until September 27. Pray for a time of renewal, fellowship with supporters and opportunities to share about our ministries.
Pray for CIM USA and Christine Pi as she has announced her retirement as Executive Director. CIM USA is currently recruiting for an Executive Director successor, as well as a Director of Ministry.
Pray for Rev. Douglas Wu, CIM’s missionary to South Africa, who contracted Covid 19 on July 26. Pray for healing. His wife, Whitney has also been showing some symptoms.