No Dream is Too Big for God

June 10 2011 / ShareHim in Philippines D, May. 13 - May. 28 '11 #487
by Charles O Lomudak


Personal Testimony of Charles O Lomudak.

Preaching 19 sermons for two weeks without a break in the middle to me was just too much of a task that seemed to be impossible as a first time evangelist. Going for this mission trip, I had mixed feeling of excitement and upsetting as I have to leave my wife with two under six-years-old boys, and one month old baby girl behind, because of the commitment I made in the fall between God and me. I didn’t want to disappoint those people who were waiting to hear God’s message in Luca, Tenjay city, Dumuguete, Negros Oriental Philippines.

On Monday, May 9, 2011 in the afternoon, I was packing and getting ready to go to Vancouver international airport to meet my college collogues who were coming from Canadian University College, in Lacombe Alberta and were flying from Edmonton International airport, Alberta to Vancouver international airport, BC then to the Philippines.

I have never thought one day I will travel to Asia to preach for 2 ½ weeks, but here I was for the first time as the main speaker for a campaign in my life. We took off from Vancouver, Canada to Manila, Philippines, we arrived and the weather was hot 30+ degrees and we were sweating like crazy, although for me it was more like home (Sudan) where I was born.

Then we took another plane from Manila to Dumuguete, Negros Oriental Province where the campaign was taking place. Our team was warmly welcome by Negros Oriental Mission President and his staff team with a big banner that said “Welcome ShareHim Team.” It was so exciting on our part to be welcomed as celebrities, because we where celebrities for God’s kingdom; it was such an honor.

The following morning was Thursday. We went to the mission office for the orientation and for signing up the interpreters, and sites to every speaker, then off to the see the campaign sites.

I have never thought of going one day to Asia, especially to the Philippines, to preach a campaign for 2 ½ weeks, but God’s plan is not our plan and His thoughts is not our thoughts. God is searching for those who are ready, willing, and available to confront the enemy.

Friday was here and I was at my site it was Luca, Tanjay city. The first night attendance was 101, and I was told that the area has very strong Catholic present and there where about two Adventist families in the area. However I should not get discourage if I see the drop in number. Things were going very well until one night it started to rain and we had to turn everything off especially the computer and the projector and move inside the shelter.

I thought people would disappear and go home but they waited until we set everything up again and resumed preaching the word. After I went to my hotel, all of us had story to share about the rain. We all prayed that God will stop the rain during the preaching time and it didn’t happen until the campaign was over.

Several times I felt as though I wouldn’t be able to preach, but as soon as a stood up on stage, I would feel instantly energetic, powerful and excited about the night, and the preaching as planned.

I was determined that I was not going to be discouraged and reminded myself that it was not by my power neither by PowerPoint or projector that would determine success but by the Holy Ghost's power. Nothing is too hard for God. He brought me to it so I knew that He would bring me through it. Estimated attendance every night was 70-80. The campaign finished with a total of 136 baptisms from all of the ten sites with 7 from my site.

Through this experience I have learned how to lean and depend on Jesus, especially in times when I feel like being discouraged. All in all on this trip, I enjoyed meeting new people from a different culture and sharing the message of hope with them. I wouldn’t trade these memories for anything in this world and would like to encourage and recommend to everyone who has the opportunity to go on one of these mission trips, even though you have never preached before you will see how God will walk you through.
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