July 31, 2023 • 38 mins
What if you could take a leap of faith and set out on an adventure that profoundly affects not only you but also your family?
In this episode a Canadian couple, Joel and Audrey, share how they did just that. They took their five children, aged between 3 to 15, on a family mission trip to Mexico – a journey that was about much more than just the adventure itself. In spite of some initial concerns and challenges, it was a voyage of spiritual growth, of forming a powerful family bond, and of spreading the love of Christ.
Joel, a pediatrician, and Audrey, a dentist, share their story with a candidness that is both inspiring and moving. They talk about their initial fears – the disturbing news stories about the dangers in Mexico, the practicalities of traveling with a toddler, and the physical and emotional challenges they anticipated. Yet, they chose to trust in their faith and step out of their comfort zone. Listen to their experiences of praying in the emergency room, doing things they have never done before, and the incredible impact of their mission on their children. Joel's personal faith journey from Buddhism to Christianity and Audrey's - from atheism to Christianity highlights the cycle of the Great Commission- "changed lives change lives".
The trip to Mexico was just the beginning. Audrey, a dentist and a busy mom of five, discovered her spiritual gift of evangelism during the mission, and their children were deeply influenced by the experience. If you've been wondering about embarking on a mission trip with your family, Joel and Audrey's story will provide much-needed inspiration and guidance.
To find out more about how you can become involved in short-term missions, visit our website rfwma.org
Thanks for listening! Visit our website rfwma.org and follow us on Facebook :https://www.facebook.com/limitlessspiritpodcast/
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
What if you had a guide who could tell you how to
bridge a gap between who you aretoday and who you are destined
to be?
What if, each week, you couldhear a story of someone who has
tried and succeeded, or perhapstried and failed but learned
something in the process?
Limitless Spirit is a weeklypodcast where host Helen Todd
interviews guests about topicsand personal stories on defining
(00:23):
life's purpose, pursuingpersonal growth and developing a
deeper faith in Christ.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
Welcome to the Limitless Spirit podcast.
I'm your host, helen Todd, andtoday we're exploring a unique
and powerful way to connect withyour family and make a
difference in the world byfulfilling the Great Commission
as a family.
For parents, especially theparents of young children, the
(00:49):
idea of traveling with theirkids to a foreign country may
seem daunting, challenging in somany ways their safety concerns
, logistic concerns, and even ifthese issues can be overcome,
is it really worth it in the end?
My guests today are from Canada, joel and Audrey, liam, a
(01:12):
pediatrician and a dentist, whodecided to bring their five kids
ages 3 to 15 on a mission tripto Mexico.
Their story actually began evenbefore Joel and Audrey met.
Their fathers were led toChrist, but the same missionary
in different countries, so itonly seemed natural that their
(01:35):
own faith journey brought themto the point where they were
feeling a deep desire to fulfillthe Great Commission.
The challenge was that theywere raising five young kids and
wondered if it's even possiblefor them to fulfill this calling
as a family.
Hello, joel and Audrey, welcometo the Limitless Spirit Podcast.
(01:58):
How are you today?
We're doing really good.
Speaker 3 (02:01):
Yes, very good.
How are you?
Speaker 2 (02:03):
I'm doing great.
So I heard you just returnedfrom a family trip to Scotland.
How was that adventure?
Speaker 3 (02:11):
It was a very, with the time zone changes and so
forth, it was wonderful.
We went to Scotland, london,then Paris and now we're back.
So we're still adjusting withour time zones, but we're back
to normal.
Speaker 2 (02:21):
So you brought your entire family with you.
Let's fill in our listeners onhow many kids you have.
Speaker 4 (02:28):
We have five kids.
They range in age from age fourto age 15.
Speaker 2 (02:33):
So you took all of them with you on this trip to
Scotland.
Speaker 3 (02:37):
Yes, so it's always an adventure when we have to
take all five because of thatrange, especially with sleeping
habits at different times andmaking sure kids get up at the
right time to go on the toursand so forth and especially
going through security and soforth through the airport.
It's always been an adventurewhenever we have to do something
like that.
So, yes, but it's fun, we makeit, we take our time, we go
through everything and we get towhere we want to get, with Lord
(02:59):
willing.
Speaker 2 (03:01):
I admire you so much.
I only experienced that on asmaller scale because I only
have two kids, and then nineyears apart, and of course I've
always taken them, chuck and Itaken them with us on our
missions whenever we could, butI never had to deal with two
young kids at the same time.
(03:21):
So by the time the second onewas born, the older one was able
to help me out a little bit, soit wasn't quite as dramatic,
but it did feel.
Each time we traveled it feltlike we were moving.
It seemed like there was a lotof stuff that you have to bring
with your kids, but I admire you.
In fact, what really connectedus in missions work was your
(03:45):
desire to bring your family on amission trip.
So you brought all five of themwith you to Mexico last
December and that's how ourfriendship and our relationships
began.
So we'll catch on that later.
But the theme of our ministry,the slogan of our ministry, is
change lives, change lives, andeach one of you has a very
(04:07):
interesting story of how Jesustouched your life.
So we're going to talk aboutthis first.
So we'll start with Joel.
Joel, your family came to NorthAmerica from Indonesia.
Right, that's right.
Speaker 3 (04:22):
I apologize for that phone that just went off.
Speaker 2 (04:24):
We have an emergency alert going on because of the
rain in our area, so that waswhat you just heard, so no
worries about that, and also, asa doctor, you're entitled to
getting phone calls at any timeof the day, so we're not going
to worry about that at all.
Speaker 3 (04:39):
So you're going back to what you were saying.
My parents are from Indonesia.
Actually, in our lineage, priorto accepting the Lord, they
were Buddhists.
So in particular, my father wasa Buddhist as a young child and
his whole family was Buddhist.
They live in a small village.
All Buddhists and twomissionaries came I believe they
were from Hong Kong.
They came down and theyministered to the entire village
(05:01):
and his family accepted theLord and that's how he became
saved.
I don't remember all thedetails on my mother's side, but
as well in the generations pastthey were Buddhist and turned
to the Lord back in Indonesiaand that's how the family line
started as Christians.
Speaker 2 (05:17):
That's incredible.
So Christianity in your familycame from missionaries, so
you're essentially a byproductof the Great Commission.
Speaker 3 (05:27):
then Right, exactly.
And over time, because of thesituation happening in Indonesia
, they immigrated to Well.
First my father did training,he's also a physician.
They trained in Germany andthen the United States.
My mother went to actuallyBible school in Minnesota.
They got married and then myfather established a practice
(05:47):
here in Windsor Ontario and Iwas born and my family was born
and we grew up in the churchhaving that background.
Speaker 2 (05:56):
So do you remember that moment in your life when
you actually committed your lifeto Christ?
Speaker 3 (06:04):
Obviously, when I observe people and observe
different Christians, we haveall our different stories.
I'm one of those.
I grew up in the church, sofrom a very young age I heard
the Bible studies, we went toSunday school, we did all the
good stuff and from a young ageI accepted the Lord, I was
baptized.
But when I look backwards nowat that, I realized that the
(06:25):
main reason I did it at thattime was because I grew up in
the church and there had to comea time where I had to make a
decision for myself Is this whatI want to do?
And in fact, around the age of10 to 15, the biggest thing that
kept me as a Christian and hateto say this was fear, fear of
going to hell.
Because we would go to churchin the morning, we'd have a
(06:47):
Sunday service in the evening,would be an evangelistic service
where it was always about areyou saved?
Are you ready If Jesus were tocome tonight?
Would you be ready If you wereto die tonight?
Would you know the Lord?
And every week I would go tothe front and say, yes, I accept
Jesus again, every week.
Speaker 1 (07:05):
So I make sure every week.
Speaker 3 (07:07):
Hey, something happened the past week, so it
was more of a fear.
I guess you could call it thefear of the Lord.
But over time, as I began mywalk, continued my walk, reading
the word, hearing the scripture, it changed from the fear to no
more of a relationship.
And it's hard to say for me tosay when did you accept the Lord
?
I can say, yes, there weretimes when I got baptized.
(07:28):
I know I went every week and Iaccept the Lord.
But honestly it was aprogression.
It was a progression of comingcloser to Jesus in every event
that was in my life.
Viewers say can you say it wasDecember 20th, whatever date?
I can't do that.
However, at this point in mylife I know there's a
relationship and as I progressedwith my walk with Jesus and
(07:51):
reading the Word, learning tohear from the Holy Spirit, we
got involved with actually aministry called Holiness through
Christ in my early 20s, whichis when we went to Scotland.
We visited the headquartersthere where they taught us more
to hear the Lord, hear the HolySpirit, and improve or increase
our relationship with Him andhow we pray and how we talk.
(08:11):
And interestingly and I don'tknow if we'll get to that later
on in this talk.
It's actually through thatministry that we got geared
toward coming on our Mexico trip, which was a whole interesting
story to begin with, but so withme it was a change of being
scared of going to hell tofinding out who Jesus really is
and then establishing more arelationship where I can
(08:32):
actually talk with Him and speakwith Him and I can actually
hear from the Holy Spirit andtalk to Jesus and our Heavenly
Father and asking is this whatyou want to do?
In my life?
And of course, there weredifferent situations in my life
experiences with exams andexperiences in my training that
had to turn to Jesus and saywhat's going on here and I need
you.
And over that time therelationship has improved.
Speaker 2 (08:52):
Listening to your story, it makes me think that,
because our faith is sorelational, it's not formulaic.
You know.
There's no recipe for theproper relationship with Jesus,
just like there's no recipe fora happy marriage.
It's it's, it changes, itevolves, it goes through phases
and you were privileged to beborn in a Christian family, in a
(09:15):
in a with the parents whointroduced you to Jesus at an
early age.
So I think it's an incredibleblessing and it doesn't always
work out in a positive way.
Sometimes, you know, thechildren choose to rebel and and
come to Christ in their own waylater in life, and for you it
(09:36):
was just a progression.
So I think it's.
It's very beautiful and and agreat example that there is no
right or wrong, as long as youdo have a relationship and you
discover all the riches and joyand beauty of having that.
So, audrey, what about you?
What's your story?
Speaker 4 (09:56):
So my story is a bit different than Joel's.
I didn't grow up in a Christianhome, although my parents did
bring me to church when I was alot younger.
But we moved and then westopped going to church for a
while.
So in my teen years I wouldhave considered myself an
atheist.
But God brought in differentpeople in my life that began to
speak to me about Christ and atfirst I was very, actually
(10:18):
oppositional towards anyonetalking to me about Christ.
I was very pro-evolution, youknow, and I was pro, like, you
know, all the liberal movementsor whatever.
But over time one of my best,who became someone who became my
best friend, challenged me togo to church with her, and so I
began to go to church and it waslike, slowly, the seed began to
be planted within me that Icouldn't deny that the Holy
(10:41):
Spirit was actually speaking thetruth through the word of God.
And then I ended up going to aBilly Graham crusade where I
accepted Christ.
It was actually one of his lastcrusades in Toronto, but I
accepted Christ at a BillyGraham crusade.
And then after that it was likeamazing, because every time I
would move like I moved away forschool after that it wasn't
with my friend who hadintroduced me to Christ, but
(11:02):
every friend that he would bringinto my life would somehow draw
me closer to Christ, wouldbring me to church or show me a
Bible study, and that's actuallyhow I met Joel was through a
friend bringing me to hisparents Bible study while I was
in university.
So it became a progressive walkafter I accepted him, but
really exciting one because Ifeel like, you know, he's always
(11:24):
active, always showing me thathe's.
He's active in our lives, andso I've just been amazed at
everything, including thisMexico trip that we took in, how
he's led every step of ourlives.
Speaker 2 (11:37):
So, audrey, you're of a Chinese descent, so how did
Christianity come to your family?
Speaker 4 (11:44):
Well, interestingly, like my great-grandmother, to my
knowledge, was a Christian, soshe was somehow ministered
through missionaries in Chinamany years ago, probably the
early ones, and I probably hadsome Taylor's ministry maybe
Taylor or maybe Watchman knee,I'm not really sure so probably
(12:04):
through one of those individuals, because it was quite early in
the 1900s when mygreat-grandmother was, she
accepted Christ and then, on mydad's side, actually the same
missionaries who went toIndonesia to witness to Joel's
father was the same missionarywho witnessed to my father's
family in Hong Kong.
Speaker 2 (12:21):
Now, that is a Hollywood story right there.
Speaker 4 (12:27):
Right.
But my father accepted Christthrough this missionary who
would come to Hong Kong.
Speaker 2 (12:31):
his whole family, so your parents came to the Lord
through the same missionary.
That is incredible.
Speaker 1 (12:40):
Yeah Well, is there any doubt in?
Speaker 2 (12:43):
your mind that God preordained this whole marriage,
this whole family?
What's a?
Speaker 4 (12:48):
late, now right.
Speaker 3 (12:52):
But we do agree that it's like a chess game.
God has a chess game playing inthis world and he knows the
pieces and where the moves are.
Then we don't see it, but wehave to believe in faith that
what he's doing are moving thechess pieces.
Speaker 2 (13:04):
Well, what an incredible story.
So let's talk about how youdecided.
You know it's a busy time inyour life raising a family of
five kids and being both medicalprofessionals.
It's just a very busy time inlife.
So, coming up with the idea totake a family mission trip,
(13:29):
there has to be some interestingbackstory to it.
So let's talk about that.
How did you even come up withthe idea of going on a mission
trip as a family?
Speaker 3 (13:39):
It wasn't our idea, so it was my sister's fault.
So she went on a mission tripand I guess she just went online
and Google the whole differentorganizations and found your
organization and startedcontacting you guys about it and
saying can we do this trip withher family?
She signs up and then calls meand says, hey, joel, you're a
physician as well, do you wantto come?
(14:00):
And we say no, we're not goingto go.
And around that time there werestories coming in the newspaper
this is in the spring, beforethe mission trip we were hearing
news stories about howCanadians were killed as
tourists in Mexico.
So we said, okay, no, mexicansdon't like Canadians, we're not
going to Mexico, no way.
Anyways, this sort of sat andsat in the springtime and we
(14:22):
never really thought much aboutit.
I threw it out to Audrey andshe says, no, it's too dangerous
to go to Mexico.
And we were hearing all aboutthe cartels and so forth.
That was the worry.
So anyways, once again I'm gonnabring up a ministry that we're
part of called Holms to Christ,and on one of the retreats, at
the end of the retreat, we dowhat was called a blessing time
and we pray for each other, andin that prayer time, people give
words of blessing and words ofencouragement to go on and go
(14:46):
forth with your ministry.
This ministry is designed todraw us closer to Jesus.
Well, in that prayer time,somebody mentioned Joel I see
you in a Sarmarro that's dancingthe Mexican hat dance or
something like that to somedegree.
And somebody else mentionedsomething about Spanish.
And we're going, and they hadno idea that this was in
discussions in the background.
(15:07):
So we're going.
Oh, my goodness, what are theysaying?
Is this, you know?
So at that point, we, okay, wecan rethink things.
Well, maybe God wants us to goto Mexico.
It wasn't, we weren'tcompletely opposed to it, it's
just that we thought we werejust worried that Mexico was
potentially dangerous.
And with five kids in Decembermy daughter's in grade nine, I
(15:27):
believe, at that time, so highschool was this a good time to
go, Anyways.
So we began to continue to prayabout it and then, at that
point, we said, okay, let's look, let's do the first step and
call you guys and see okay,what's this all about?
Is this something that you'd be?
We could do?
So when we initially called, Ithink.
I think I spoke to you Can'tremember who else I spoke to.
But we spoke a bit and theinitial discussion was well, the
(15:50):
children have to be eight andabove, or something like that.
And I said, okay, there's ouranswer.
We have a three year old Was itthree year olds at the time?
Okay, we can't go, we can't go.
And then, for whatever reason,it came back Well, when you
could bring him because this isa you could this could allow us
to him to go, because it's justgoing south of the time zones
aren't that much different.
We're going to go visit school.
So it sort of opened up thewell, you could do it, but
(16:13):
obviously it's officially notfor his age.
So we get to continue to prayabout it and get okay.
Finally, I said, okay, let'sjust try it, let's just see.
If God wants us to be there,he'll open the doors, things
will work out.
The vaccines are all going towork, everything needs to get,
we'll get set up.
Obviously, I was a bit worriedas a pediatrician that this is
not really my field either,going to Mexico, because I
(16:34):
figured they need more ofsomething like a family
physician or internal medicine,and Audrey, being a dentist
wasn't really a need, or thatwasn't the requirement to be
able to go.
So we began all these plans but, interestingly, talking to my
parents once again, getting theminvolved this is something my
mother has always wanted to do.
She went to Bible school inMinnesota and she'd always
(16:55):
expected or planned it to be amissionary to an island and go
out and be a missionary.
So then.
But then she married my dad and, of course, they started
practice.
So that's not something theycould have done and, of course,
in their view, they feel thatthere are missionaries here in
North America coming from outEast, because they were saved
out there, but now they'rebringing the gospel to local
people here in the church thatwe have here.
(17:17):
So she was the one also who wassaying go for it, encouraging us
.
This is not, you know, this issomething that she's always
wanted to do and this is whather one of her dreams was.
So, taking that to heart, wejust continued the progress and
started doing all the steps.
Of course, we were alwaysworried about COVID and the
potential blockages, but we said, lord, if this is what you want
to do, you're going to open thedoors.
(17:38):
And it just happened and wejust kept going step by step,
once again, trusting in faiththat this is what you want us to
do, and there we are.
We went to Mexico.
Speaker 2 (17:48):
So, audrey, well, as a mom, you know dads, I noticed.
Well, at least for the mostpart, they're more like let's go
ahead and do it.
You know it's going to happenone way or the other.
As moms, we're more likeplanners.
And how is this really going tohappen technically?
Did you have any hesitations,or did you have any
(18:10):
confirmations from the Lord thatthis was indeed the right time
and place?
Speaker 4 (18:17):
Yeah, absolutely.
I think all through the processI was praying and really
telling God if you don't want usto go, then just close the
doors.
If you want us to go, thencontinue to confirm it in our
hearts.
And of course, I hadtrepidation and I have my
worries, but that was part of, Ithink, the first step of
trusting in Him.
I think that the biggest thingthat I learned in this trip to
(18:38):
Mexico was just learning totrust in the Holy Spirit, in
Christ and how he leads us inour lives.
And so, interestingly, after wedecided that we were going to
go to Mexico because we weregoing to go to that small city
called Pachuca we met severalpeople from Pachuca or related
to Pachuca like their familieswere from Pachuca along the way,
(18:59):
like in the months precedinggoing on this mission trip, and
we thought what is?
you know, that could becoincidence, and so they would
tell us little bits about thecity, what to prepare for,
whether or not we needed tobring, like you know, filtered
water, different things likethat, with us.
So we became pretty prepared, Ithink, for that mission trip in
terms of provision, likephysical provision.
(19:21):
Now, spiritually, that wastotally something that I think
we dove right into when we gotthere, because we weren't in
terms of knowing what to expect.
We didn't know what to expectspiritually there.
Speaker 2 (19:32):
So what about your kids?
Were they on board with thewhole idea?
Were they sort of dragged intothis?
Speaker 4 (19:39):
I think that the older ones were quite excited to
go.
The younger ones didn't reallyknow exactly what to expect, but
they are quite good travelersand they're willing to come with
us anywhere that we go.
They've never protestedanywhere that we told them that
we were going to go.
So my youngest one, especiallymy three year old, loves
vacations and so he thought itwas the most wonderful place.
(20:00):
Like even when he was there hefelt he was on vacation the
whole time.
Speaker 2 (20:04):
Which he was Well my favorite memory of him was when,
in our prayer meetings, he waspraying and worshiping Jesus.
Watching this three year oldbeautiful boy having his own
relationship with Jesus was justa blessing.
So he was a blessing to theteam.
Well, let's talk about yourexperiences.
(20:26):
So I'm going to ask again eachof you individually what was the
most memorable or impactfulpart of the trip.
Let's start with you, joel,again.
Speaker 3 (20:37):
What was the most memorable or impactful.
So I had done just a backgroundto be able to compare.
I had done a missions trip downthe Amazon River from Iquitos
in Peru and that was a medicaland dental boat trip.
But my role was just, you'rethe medical, you just see the
patients witnessing going to thestreet ministry.
(20:57):
We would do our thing in thebottom of the boat while the
ministry team was outside doingSunday school, showing the Jesus
movie, that type of thing.
So we were completely separated.
So I sort of thought that wouldbe the same idea here, not
knowing that you were going tothrow us in and that we were
going to do more than I expected.
I mean, it was just amazingthat, especially with the
(21:18):
translators, it was amazing thatwe could go to people and they
were so receptive.
I can't really name one area.
I think there were differentaspects.
So going to the hospital andspeaking to people in the
emergency room and having atranslator and being able to
pray with people, drive them tothe Lord, that in itself was
memorable.
I remember praying for a familywhere there were a son who was
(21:38):
needing transfusions.
They were waiting outside, theyweren't sure where to go and
they didn't have money and theydecided to turn back to Jesus at
that time.
That was a memorable event withme.
Speaker 2 (21:47):
I bet you that was a unique experience for you
because maybe for the first timeyou were in the hospital, not
as a physician treating patients, but as a Christian sharing
Jesus, treating their souls thathad to feel different.
Speaker 3 (22:05):
Right, it was different In the fact that
there's more of a freedom tospeak with Jesus because you
know that you're there.
Obviously, in our NorthAmerican culture and the
societies were part of there arerules of which, when you can
cross those boundaries or whenyou cannot, there was more of a
freedom with it because that'syour role, that's what you were
there for.
But the other aspect of it,though, is some of the patients
(22:26):
or people there were willing tolisten more to me because they
knew I was a physician.
So another time at thatemergency room, there was a
young girl who was there forasthma and breathing issues, and
she was inside and the parentswere all concerned about that,
but I was able to speak to themregarding the asthma part of
things and then go to Jesus andtalk about Jesus in her
situation.
So I was able to combine thetwo because they knew I was a
(22:47):
physician.
So there was that aspect wherethey were told, because of a
physician, they were morewilling to hear, which was an
interesting idea of witnessing,but obviously, as you far aware,
on the Friday doing this, Iguess, setting up a potential
Bible study or church in I don'tremember the names of these
(23:07):
places, but setting this areawhere they don't have a church
and the whole speaking in frontof people and the outcome of
that.
So, obviously, looking at itfrom the outward point of view,
we spend all day setting up thismedical clinic.
We were spending a lot ofpeople to come for the medical
clinic.
It's going to be a draw forwhat's going to happen that
evening where people can getwitness to, but the point that
(23:30):
my expectations was the medicalclinic was going to be the draw
and we get that all set up,spending all day.
The people are going outhanding out their flyers around
that little city or that area ofthat city, and we show up that
night and nobody comes to themedical clinic.
I'm going okay, this is a bitodd, lord, what's going on here?
I thought we were to be thedraw and nobody's coming to the
medical clinic.
There are people here who arecoming for the show, who are
(23:53):
coming for the teaching, butthey're not coming to me and my
sister and the nursepractitioner who were there.
And then, of course, during thistime, we're watching the show
and of course you come over,helen, and said, okay, you're
going to give your testimony.
Now I'm going to say what?
No, I can't stop me.
So I turned to my sister,nathania.
I said hey, nathania, you'regoing to give your testimony now
and she goes.
She didn't tell me that.
(24:13):
She told you that.
I said no, she didn't.
I'm telling you, all of you,you're going to give your
testimony, because Helen wasbeing to all of us as a group,
not to me, and she's like ohyeah, I'm sure, I'm sure.
So you take off and do yourthing whatever.
And we're waiting for morepeople to show up and they don't
show up.
So I'm thinking okay, lord, isthis what you want me to do or
not?
And as they're watching the showand so forth, and once again
(24:34):
it's just thoughts that come tomy mind and the word witchcraft
sort of came into my head.
I'm going okay, I go to mytranslator and going in this
area is there a lot ofwitchcraft?
And he says no, no, no, there'sno witchcraft here.
We don't, we don't do that.
They're the Roman Catholic orwhatever.
No witchcraft.
Anyways, it was.
It was a strong, strong thoughtand I didn't really know much
(24:54):
about it or think much about it.
But then, as nobody was showingup, the testimonies were coming
out, the play was happening andthen you call this up, our whole
family is to come to the frontand just show that we were there
to help witness to people andbring people to the Lord.
But that point I mean I'mmaking the sense of this is all
or none.
You either speak up or that'sit.
(25:15):
You're done with what you needto do at this place.
And that's when I said, okay,lord, if this is truly you and
I've never done this before,never spoke in front I do speak
by, speak in medical clinics,medical conferences.
I know how to do that.
I speak at our church sometimes, but not in a big form of what
you were doing at that location,and so you're speaking at the
(25:37):
time, and I said, okay, let megive my testimony.
And the testimony I gave aboutthe fact that my family came
from Buddhism and that there wasa witchcraft in our family line
and our family line.
My father and my mother choseto deny that witchcraft, which
of which the Buddhism, obviouslythe goal, is all about me, I
(26:00):
power, money, being successfulin the world, and that was what
the goal of life was.
And basically saying that thereis no purpose in that, there is
no outcome in that, and sharingthat once again through a
translator.
I really didn't know what washappening.
And at the end of after Ishared our story about how my
father came to the Lord and howwe, as a result, turned to Jesus
(26:23):
and our families were got savedand we now have a relationship
with Jesus, I was going to handthe mic back and then you
whisper behind me, going, okay,do the altar call.
And I'm going what are youtalking about?
I've never done an altar callbefore.
I've no idea how to do that.
And just that whole thing of,okay, let's well, what does the
Bible say?
Just lead them to me, lead themto the Lord and bring them to
(26:47):
salvation and accepting Jesus.
And it's saying well, who herewants to know Jesus?
And I was just shocked when, Idon't know, I just saw hands go
up.
I don't even recall all thedetails, I just I was just
shocked.
And through a translator thenleading them through, asking
them or going through the gospelstory briefly in a prayer form
(27:07):
and confessing their, theiracceptance of Jesus, forgiveness
of sins, I was just amazed atthe number that I saw that
turned to Jesus at that time.
And, of course, then we passedit over to the pastor who was
with us.
So that's still heavy on mymind that I that was an
experience that I'll neverforget.
Speaker 2 (27:28):
Well, joel, you will be happy to know that, as a
result of your obedience and ourpresence there to participate
in this church planting session,there was a little house church
that started and now they'remeeting on a regular basis, and
who knows where the Lord isgoing to take this?
It's not often that we seeresults so quickly.
(27:52):
You know that we can actuallywitness the fruit of what we did
, but I'm very excited to sharethis with you.
So you made a step of faith,trusting the Lord that through
him you can do this, you canshare this testimony, and God
did get.
God held his part of the deal.
Speaker 3 (28:14):
But we're not have done it.
It's your turn.
Speaker 2 (28:19):
I played a small part .
Well, Audrey, what about you?
What was your most memorableexperience?
Speaker 4 (28:27):
Yeah, I think, aside from being able to be a part of
that moment, you know, wheneveryone in that room accepted
Christ, that was a very powerfulmoment.
I agree with Joel Just standingup there, and I remember, helen
, you talking about the familyunit, you know, using our family
, kind of standing there as anexample of how God cares about
each individual and a family.
(28:49):
You know, I thought that was sopowerful and it was like I was
so overwhelmed by the presenceof body, like I think I had
tears, like you did.
Speaker 2 (28:57):
I remember seeing tears on your face.
Speaker 4 (29:01):
But I mean, aside from that, because Joel just
talked about that I think thatthe first time I witnessed to
somebody on the street, so likewhen we got dropped off that
first day, we didn't know whatwas going to happen and we had
tracks and there was a lot ofteam members kind of standing at
the front passing out thetracks, so I thought I would
just stand back and you know,anyone who is kind of we didn't
(29:24):
get anything when they walked upto get something would come and
so, amazingly, just peoplewould, one after another, come
up to me and ask me what I washolding and I thought, okay,
this is my first step of faith,right?
I mean, I know they don'treally understand what I'm
saying, but I called over atranslator and the very first
person who I talked to exceptedChrist and I remember praying
(29:44):
with them and I said I don'teven know what I said to them, I
don't remember.
I just know that it was likethe Holy Spirit that brought
them there and that when theysaid, when I offered for them to
accept Christ in their life andthey were so ready for it, I
thought is this even real, or isthis like plan that these
people come and like they askthem to come, and now they're
just accepting Christ.
But then I realized that thesepeople are from the community.
(30:04):
They're not, you know, peoplewho are from the church or
anything.
So it just kept happening, oneafter another, where, when I
took that step out in faith thatthese it could have ranged from
anywhere, anyone from thehospital setting to even
somebody who was running theinflatables in a park.
I decided that I was going tobecause my kids wanted to play
on the inflatables.
(30:24):
I decided I was going to tellthem about Christ and he
accepted Christ.
Then, and there, you know, justa man that was running like
these inflatable castles thatkids were jumping on Right, so
they were glad, knew exactly whoto bring into our path.
And it just amazed me at hisprecision because I would say
90% of the people I talked towere willing to accept Christ or
(30:46):
rededicate their lives toChrist.
Speaker 2 (30:47):
When I was there.
Well, I also want to mentionsomething.
I remember watching you thatday from afar and I could kind
of see that people were veryresponsive.
And I don't know if you havebeen told before this or not,
but I think you definitely havea gift of evangelism.
That's one of your spiritualgifts.
You know, people are more orless receptive in different
(31:12):
countries or different parts ofthe country, but there's also a
spiritual gift of evangelism andI think that's one of yours.
So I hope that you recognize itand sense it, hopefully.
I'm just affirming what youhave already felt, but it was
really really impressive to seeyou being so effective there in
the streets, even with thelanguage barrier.
You know this is Holy Spirit.
(31:33):
You know this is a gift.
Speaker 4 (31:35):
Absolutely, I take absolutely no credit for it's
totally all God.
And you know I thought about it, you know as I was praying
about it, and you know I alwaysremember that scripture in 1
Corinthians 3, where Paul talksabout it was.
You know Paul is who wateredand I planted, but it's it was
God who caused the growth in thepeople, the harvest right.
(31:56):
That's amazing.
So I always remember that andit's it's never us, but it's
that willingness that he looksfor in us to be able to share
his word right, because it's hisword that actually pierces
through to the hearts of thepeople, through the power of the
Holy Spirit in our lives.
This is very interesting it wasjust amazing for us to see that
.
Speaker 2 (32:14):
Well, I have to ask the last question what about the
kids?
What was?
I wish we had them here on thepodcast, but I know that it's
complicated to have so manypeople all at once, so I will
take your word for it.
What were their experiences ortheir impression of this
adventure?
Speaker 3 (32:35):
So, just the first thing is, after our just recent
trip to Europe, we asked thekids well, we asked some older
ones which place did you likethe best?
Did you like France?
Did you like London?
Do you like Scotland?
Do you like Mexico?
Last year we went to otherplace in Ontario and
interestingly I wasn't expectingthis One of them said Mexico, I
(32:57):
go.
Why?
I don't know.
So the answer is I don't know,but obviously there was a
spiritual impact.
It wasn't a vacation where yousat around, you know, going to
the sites, but there was aspiritual impact which impressed
them and they can't explain it.
I don't know.
Speaker 4 (33:19):
Yeah, and I have to say one of the most amazing
things too was the fact thatwhen we were at that hospital
and we were in the dark and itwas evening and it was so long
that we were there, I was amazedthat the Holy Spirit kept
Corbin, who was three years old,right next to me the entire
time.
I didn't have to worry about him.
He never stays that still, butthe Holy Spirit had given him
that peace to just stand by meand never leave my side and I
(33:41):
could always feel his hand by myside as I was moving from
person to person, as I wastalking to them.
He just stayed calm the entiretime and I don't know if I could
say that there could be anyother three year old that would
do that, except by the moving ofthe Holy Spirit within him.
So I think he knew that theHoly Spirit was working and he
just kind of stood there.
And even at the market squarehe was always by my side holding
(34:05):
onto my shirt and I thoughthere I was worrying.
On the way there I had broughta little backpack with a leash
on it.
I never had to use it becausethe Holy Spirit just kept him
there.
Speaker 3 (34:13):
So that was amazing for him.
But the kids also saw themiracles and even the small
things that were happening, thatI mean we have the whole story
of bringing over like a lot ofmedication that we weren't
supposed to bring over and wegot through it and through
customs and because of theirprayer, as we're going through
security and considering takingit away, they were praying in
(34:37):
the background, they were partof it.
They were part of the wholemission, I guess, and being part
of it, they see a purpose inwhat we were doing.
Speaker 4 (34:45):
Right, and they also really enjoyed visiting that
school there in Mexico too.
They really establishedrelationship with those kids and
it was pretty amazing becausethey don't speak their language.
But yeah, Bethany was like, oh,I really want to go back and
visit them because I missed thefriends that she made there.
So I think on many levels theyreally had such a rich
(35:05):
experience going on this missionstrip and we are definitely
looking at doing it again.
We just are praying about whichone to go on and when would be
the best time to go.
Speaker 2 (35:15):
So yeah, well, what I loved about you kids and it
really impressed me that despiteof their young age for some of
them at least they were activelyinvolved.
They weren't just observers whowere dragged by their parents
and they're just complying withthe rules.
I watched them distribute copyand pastries at the hospital
(35:37):
waiting room.
Corbin watched him praying inour three years old in our
morning prayer meetings.
It was really wonderful towatch them engage, and I know it
has to be the Holy Spirit again, like you say, because for
children to be in an environmentthat is completely new to them,
surrounded by a bunch ofstrangers which what the team
(36:01):
members were to them at first,at least it had to be just God,
using you as a family unit, andwe don't have a huge number of
families come on the missiontrips because it does.
I believe it does take a step offaith on the parents part just
(36:21):
to trust the Lord with all thelogistics and the small and big
details.
It has been happening actuallymore frequently lately and I do
believe that there is power andvalue in that.
So I want to thank you both ofyou for responding to God's call
, being obedient to His leadingand allowing your entire family
(36:43):
to experience this and also tomake the difference in Mexico.
Thank you.
Helen.
Speaker 3 (36:49):
Thank you.
Speaker 2 (36:49):
Helen, we live in the days when families are under
attack from anti-Christianculture and values.
Serving the Lord together as afamily and experiencing a
foreign culture through buildingrelationships and making a
difference is an experience youand your children will cherish
(37:09):
forever.
One is never too young or tooold to be used by God.
If you're willing to say yesand take a step of faith, you
get to experience the incrediblefruit of faith and obedience.
At World Missions Alliance, wewant to give the individuals and
families the opportunity to dojust that.
(37:31):
We can help you overcome thelogistical challenges of
planning and preparation.
I encourage you to check ourwebsite, rfwmaorg and learn more
how you can become involved infulfilling the Great Commission.
Until next time, I'm Helen Todd.
Speaker 1 (37:51):
Limitless Spirit Podcast is produced by World
Missions Alliance.
We believe that changed liveschange lives.
If you want to see your lifetransformed by Christ's love, or
if you want to help those whoare hurting and hopeless and
discover your greater purpose inserving Christ through
short-term missionary work,check out our website, rfwmaorg,
(38:12):
and find out how to getinvolved.
What if you had a guide who could tell you how to
bridge a gap between who you aretoday and who you are destined
to be?
What if, each week, you couldhear a story of someone who has
tried and succeeded, or perhapstried and failed but learned
something in the process?
Limitless Spirit is a weeklypodcast where host Helen Todd
interviews guests about topicsand personal stories on defining
(00:23):
life's purpose, pursuingpersonal growth and developing a
deeper faith in Christ.
Speaker 2 (00:28):
Welcome to the Limitless Spirit podcast.
I'm your host, helen Todd, andtoday we're exploring a unique
and powerful way to connect withyour family and make a
difference in the world byfulfilling the Great Commission
as a family.
For parents, especially theparents of young children, the
(00:49):
idea of traveling with theirkids to a foreign country may
seem daunting, challenging in somany ways their safety concerns
, logistic concerns, and even ifthese issues can be overcome,
is it really worth it in the end?
My guests today are from Canada, joel and Audrey, liam, a
(01:12):
pediatrician and a dentist, whodecided to bring their five kids
ages 3 to 15 on a mission tripto Mexico.
Their story actually began evenbefore Joel and Audrey met.
Their fathers were led toChrist, but the same missionary
in different countries, so itonly seemed natural that their
(01:35):
own faith journey brought themto the point where they were
feeling a deep desire to fulfillthe Great Commission.
The challenge was that theywere raising five young kids and
wondered if it's even possiblefor them to fulfill this calling
as a family.
Hello, joel and Audrey, welcometo the Limitless Spirit Podcast.
(01:58):
How are you today?
We're doing really good.
Speaker 3 (02:01):
Yes, very good.
How are you?
Speaker 2 (02:03):
I'm doing great.
So I heard you just returnedfrom a family trip to Scotland.
How was that adventure?
Speaker 3 (02:11):
It was a very, with the time zone changes and so
forth, it was wonderful.
We went to Scotland, london,then Paris and now we're back.
So we're still adjusting withour time zones, but we're back
to normal.
Speaker 2 (02:21):
So you brought your entire family with you.
Let's fill in our listeners onhow many kids you have.
Speaker 4 (02:28):
We have five kids.
They range in age from age fourto age 15.
Speaker 2 (02:33):
So you took all of them with you on this trip to
Scotland.
Speaker 3 (02:37):
Yes, so it's always an adventure when we have to
take all five because of thatrange, especially with sleeping
habits at different times andmaking sure kids get up at the
right time to go on the toursand so forth and especially
going through security and soforth through the airport.
It's always been an adventurewhenever we have to do something
like that.
So, yes, but it's fun, we makeit, we take our time, we go
through everything and we get towhere we want to get, with Lord
(02:59):
willing.
Speaker 2 (03:01):
I admire you so much.
I only experienced that on asmaller scale because I only
have two kids, and then nineyears apart, and of course I've
always taken them, chuck and Itaken them with us on our
missions whenever we could, butI never had to deal with two
young kids at the same time.
(03:21):
So by the time the second onewas born, the older one was able
to help me out a little bit, soit wasn't quite as dramatic,
but it did feel.
Each time we traveled it feltlike we were moving.
It seemed like there was a lotof stuff that you have to bring
with your kids, but I admire you.
In fact, what really connectedus in missions work was your
(03:45):
desire to bring your family on amission trip.
So you brought all five of themwith you to Mexico last
December and that's how ourfriendship and our relationships
began.
So we'll catch on that later.
But the theme of our ministry,the slogan of our ministry, is
change lives, change lives, andeach one of you has a very
(04:07):
interesting story of how Jesustouched your life.
So we're going to talk aboutthis first.
So we'll start with Joel.
Joel, your family came to NorthAmerica from Indonesia.
Right, that's right.
Speaker 3 (04:22):
I apologize for that phone that just went off.
Speaker 2 (04:24):
We have an emergency alert going on because of the
rain in our area, so that waswhat you just heard, so no
worries about that, and also, asa doctor, you're entitled to
getting phone calls at any timeof the day, so we're not going
to worry about that at all.
Speaker 3 (04:39):
So you're going back to what you were saying.
My parents are from Indonesia.
Actually, in our lineage, priorto accepting the Lord, they
were Buddhists.
So in particular, my father wasa Buddhist as a young child and
his whole family was Buddhist.
They live in a small village.
All Buddhists and twomissionaries came I believe they
were from Hong Kong.
They came down and theyministered to the entire village
(05:01):
and his family accepted theLord and that's how he became
saved.
I don't remember all thedetails on my mother's side, but
as well in the generations pastthey were Buddhist and turned
to the Lord back in Indonesiaand that's how the family line
started as Christians.
Speaker 2 (05:17):
That's incredible.
So Christianity in your familycame from missionaries, so
you're essentially a byproductof the Great Commission.
Speaker 3 (05:27):
then Right, exactly.
And over time, because of thesituation happening in Indonesia
, they immigrated to Well.
First my father did training,he's also a physician.
They trained in Germany andthen the United States.
My mother went to actuallyBible school in Minnesota.
They got married and then myfather established a practice
(05:47):
here in Windsor Ontario and Iwas born and my family was born
and we grew up in the churchhaving that background.
Speaker 2 (05:56):
So do you remember that moment in your life when
you actually committed your lifeto Christ?
Speaker 3 (06:04):
Obviously, when I observe people and observe
different Christians, we haveall our different stories.
I'm one of those.
I grew up in the church, sofrom a very young age I heard
the Bible studies, we went toSunday school, we did all the
good stuff and from a young ageI accepted the Lord, I was
baptized.
But when I look backwards nowat that, I realized that the
(06:25):
main reason I did it at thattime was because I grew up in
the church and there had to comea time where I had to make a
decision for myself Is this whatI want to do?
And in fact, around the age of10 to 15, the biggest thing that
kept me as a Christian and hateto say this was fear, fear of
going to hell.
Because we would go to churchin the morning, we'd have a
(06:47):
Sunday service in the evening,would be an evangelistic service
where it was always about areyou saved?
Are you ready If Jesus were tocome tonight?
Would you be ready If you wereto die tonight?
Would you know the Lord?
And every week I would go tothe front and say, yes, I accept
Jesus again, every week.
Speaker 1 (07:05):
So I make sure every week.
Speaker 3 (07:07):
Hey, something happened the past week, so it
was more of a fear.
I guess you could call it thefear of the Lord.
But over time, as I began mywalk, continued my walk, reading
the word, hearing the scripture, it changed from the fear to no
more of a relationship.
And it's hard to say for me tosay when did you accept the Lord
?
I can say, yes, there weretimes when I got baptized.
(07:28):
I know I went every week and Iaccept the Lord.
But honestly it was aprogression.
It was a progression of comingcloser to Jesus in every event
that was in my life.
Viewers say can you say it wasDecember 20th, whatever date?
I can't do that.
However, at this point in mylife I know there's a
relationship and as I progressedwith my walk with Jesus and
(07:51):
reading the Word, learning tohear from the Holy Spirit, we
got involved with actually aministry called Holiness through
Christ in my early 20s, whichis when we went to Scotland.
We visited the headquartersthere where they taught us more
to hear the Lord, hear the HolySpirit, and improve or increase
our relationship with Him andhow we pray and how we talk.
(08:11):
And interestingly and I don'tknow if we'll get to that later
on in this talk.
It's actually through thatministry that we got geared
toward coming on our Mexico trip, which was a whole interesting
story to begin with, but so withme it was a change of being
scared of going to hell tofinding out who Jesus really is
and then establishing more arelationship where I can
(08:32):
actually talk with Him and speakwith Him and I can actually
hear from the Holy Spirit andtalk to Jesus and our Heavenly
Father and asking is this whatyou want to do?
In my life?
And of course, there weredifferent situations in my life
experiences with exams andexperiences in my training that
had to turn to Jesus and saywhat's going on here and I need
you.
And over that time therelationship has improved.
Speaker 2 (08:52):
Listening to your story, it makes me think that,
because our faith is sorelational, it's not formulaic.
You know.
There's no recipe for theproper relationship with Jesus,
just like there's no recipe fora happy marriage.
It's it's, it changes, itevolves, it goes through phases
and you were privileged to beborn in a Christian family, in a
(09:15):
in a with the parents whointroduced you to Jesus at an
early age.
So I think it's an incredibleblessing and it doesn't always
work out in a positive way.
Sometimes, you know, thechildren choose to rebel and and
come to Christ in their own waylater in life, and for you it
(09:36):
was just a progression.
So I think it's.
It's very beautiful and and agreat example that there is no
right or wrong, as long as youdo have a relationship and you
discover all the riches and joyand beauty of having that.
So, audrey, what about you?
What's your story?
Speaker 4 (09:56):
So my story is a bit different than Joel's.
I didn't grow up in a Christianhome, although my parents did
bring me to church when I was alot younger.
But we moved and then westopped going to church for a
while.
So in my teen years I wouldhave considered myself an
atheist.
But God brought in differentpeople in my life that began to
speak to me about Christ and atfirst I was very, actually
(10:18):
oppositional towards anyonetalking to me about Christ.
I was very pro-evolution, youknow, and I was pro, like, you
know, all the liberal movementsor whatever.
But over time one of my best,who became someone who became my
best friend, challenged me togo to church with her, and so I
began to go to church and it waslike, slowly, the seed began to
be planted within me that Icouldn't deny that the Holy
(10:41):
Spirit was actually speaking thetruth through the word of God.
And then I ended up going to aBilly Graham crusade where I
accepted Christ.
It was actually one of his lastcrusades in Toronto, but I
accepted Christ at a BillyGraham crusade.
And then after that it was likeamazing, because every time I
would move like I moved away forschool after that it wasn't
with my friend who hadintroduced me to Christ, but
(11:02):
every friend that he would bringinto my life would somehow draw
me closer to Christ, wouldbring me to church or show me a
Bible study, and that's actuallyhow I met Joel was through a
friend bringing me to hisparents Bible study while I was
in university.
So it became a progressive walkafter I accepted him, but
really exciting one because Ifeel like, you know, he's always
(11:24):
active, always showing me thathe's.
He's active in our lives, andso I've just been amazed at
everything, including thisMexico trip that we took in, how
he's led every step of ourlives.
Speaker 2 (11:37):
So, audrey, you're of a Chinese descent, so how did
Christianity come to your family?
Speaker 4 (11:44):
Well, interestingly, like my great-grandmother, to my
knowledge, was a Christian, soshe was somehow ministered
through missionaries in Chinamany years ago, probably the
early ones, and I probably hadsome Taylor's ministry maybe
Taylor or maybe Watchman knee,I'm not really sure so probably
(12:04):
through one of those individuals, because it was quite early in
the 1900s when mygreat-grandmother was, she
accepted Christ and then, on mydad's side, actually the same
missionaries who went toIndonesia to witness to Joel's
father was the same missionarywho witnessed to my father's
family in Hong Kong.
Speaker 2 (12:21):
Now, that is a Hollywood story right there.
Speaker 4 (12:27):
Right.
But my father accepted Christthrough this missionary who
would come to Hong Kong.
Speaker 2 (12:31):
his whole family, so your parents came to the Lord
through the same missionary.
That is incredible.
Speaker 1 (12:40):
Yeah Well, is there any doubt in?
Speaker 2 (12:43):
your mind that God preordained this whole marriage,
this whole family?
What's a?
Speaker 4 (12:48):
late, now right.
Speaker 3 (12:52):
But we do agree that it's like a chess game.
God has a chess game playing inthis world and he knows the
pieces and where the moves are.
Then we don't see it, but wehave to believe in faith that
what he's doing are moving thechess pieces.
Speaker 2 (13:04):
Well, what an incredible story.
So let's talk about how youdecided.
You know it's a busy time inyour life raising a family of
five kids and being both medicalprofessionals.
It's just a very busy time inlife.
So, coming up with the idea totake a family mission trip,
(13:29):
there has to be some interestingbackstory to it.
So let's talk about that.
How did you even come up withthe idea of going on a mission
trip as a family?
Speaker 3 (13:39):
It wasn't our idea, so it was my sister's fault.
So she went on a mission tripand I guess she just went online
and Google the whole differentorganizations and found your
organization and startedcontacting you guys about it and
saying can we do this trip withher family?
She signs up and then calls meand says, hey, joel, you're a
physician as well, do you wantto come?
(14:00):
And we say no, we're not goingto go.
And around that time there werestories coming in the newspaper
this is in the spring, beforethe mission trip we were hearing
news stories about howCanadians were killed as
tourists in Mexico.
So we said, okay, no, mexicansdon't like Canadians, we're not
going to Mexico, no way.
Anyways, this sort of sat andsat in the springtime and we
(14:22):
never really thought much aboutit.
I threw it out to Audrey andshe says, no, it's too dangerous
to go to Mexico.
And we were hearing all aboutthe cartels and so forth.
That was the worry.
So anyways, once again I'm gonnabring up a ministry that we're
part of called Holms to Christ,and on one of the retreats, at
the end of the retreat, we dowhat was called a blessing time
and we pray for each other, andin that prayer time, people give
words of blessing and words ofencouragement to go on and go
(14:46):
forth with your ministry.
This ministry is designed todraw us closer to Jesus.
Well, in that prayer time,somebody mentioned Joel I see
you in a Sarmarro that's dancingthe Mexican hat dance or
something like that to somedegree.
And somebody else mentionedsomething about Spanish.
And we're going, and they hadno idea that this was in
discussions in the background.
(15:07):
So we're going.
Oh, my goodness, what are theysaying?
Is this, you know?
So at that point, we, okay, wecan rethink things.
Well, maybe God wants us to goto Mexico.
It wasn't, we weren'tcompletely opposed to it, it's
just that we thought we werejust worried that Mexico was
potentially dangerous.
And with five kids in Decembermy daughter's in grade nine, I
(15:27):
believe, at that time, so highschool was this a good time to
go, Anyways.
So we began to continue to prayabout it and then, at that
point, we said, okay, let's look, let's do the first step and
call you guys and see okay,what's this all about?
Is this something that you'd be?
We could do?
So when we initially called, Ithink.
I think I spoke to you Can'tremember who else I spoke to.
But we spoke a bit and theinitial discussion was well, the
(15:50):
children have to be eight andabove, or something like that.
And I said, okay, there's ouranswer.
We have a three year old Was itthree year olds at the time?
Okay, we can't go, we can't go.
And then, for whatever reason,it came back Well, when you
could bring him because this isa you could this could allow us
to him to go, because it's justgoing south of the time zones
aren't that much different.
We're going to go visit school.
So it sort of opened up thewell, you could do it, but
(16:13):
obviously it's officially notfor his age.
So we get to continue to prayabout it and get okay.
Finally, I said, okay, let'sjust try it, let's just see.
If God wants us to be there,he'll open the doors, things
will work out.
The vaccines are all going towork, everything needs to get,
we'll get set up.
Obviously, I was a bit worriedas a pediatrician that this is
not really my field either,going to Mexico, because I
(16:34):
figured they need more ofsomething like a family
physician or internal medicine,and Audrey, being a dentist
wasn't really a need, or thatwasn't the requirement to be
able to go.
So we began all these plans but, interestingly, talking to my
parents once again, getting theminvolved this is something my
mother has always wanted to do.
She went to Bible school inMinnesota and she'd always
(16:55):
expected or planned it to be amissionary to an island and go
out and be a missionary.
So then.
But then she married my dad and, of course, they started
practice.
So that's not something theycould have done and, of course,
in their view, they feel thatthere are missionaries here in
North America coming from outEast, because they were saved
out there, but now they'rebringing the gospel to local
people here in the church thatwe have here.
(17:17):
So she was the one also who wassaying go for it, encouraging us
.
This is not, you know, this issomething that she's always
wanted to do and this is whather one of her dreams was.
So, taking that to heart, wejust continued the progress and
started doing all the steps.
Of course, we were alwaysworried about COVID and the
potential blockages, but we said, lord, if this is what you want
to do, you're going to open thedoors.
(17:38):
And it just happened and wejust kept going step by step,
once again, trusting in faiththat this is what you want us to
do, and there we are.
We went to Mexico.
Speaker 2 (17:48):
So, audrey, well, as a mom, you know dads, I noticed.
Well, at least for the mostpart, they're more like let's go
ahead and do it.
You know it's going to happenone way or the other.
As moms, we're more likeplanners.
And how is this really going tohappen technically?
Did you have any hesitations,or did you have any
(18:10):
confirmations from the Lord thatthis was indeed the right time
and place?
Speaker 4 (18:17):
Yeah, absolutely.
I think all through the processI was praying and really
telling God if you don't want usto go, then just close the
doors.
If you want us to go, thencontinue to confirm it in our
hearts.
And of course, I hadtrepidation and I have my
worries, but that was part of, Ithink, the first step of
trusting in Him.
I think that the biggest thingthat I learned in this trip to
(18:38):
Mexico was just learning totrust in the Holy Spirit, in
Christ and how he leads us inour lives.
And so, interestingly, after wedecided that we were going to
go to Mexico because we weregoing to go to that small city
called Pachuca we met severalpeople from Pachuca or related
to Pachuca like their familieswere from Pachuca along the way,
(18:59):
like in the months precedinggoing on this mission trip, and
we thought what is?
you know, that could becoincidence, and so they would
tell us little bits about thecity, what to prepare for,
whether or not we needed tobring, like you know, filtered
water, different things likethat, with us.
So we became pretty prepared, Ithink, for that mission trip in
terms of provision, likephysical provision.
(19:21):
Now, spiritually, that wastotally something that I think
we dove right into when we gotthere, because we weren't in
terms of knowing what to expect.
We didn't know what to expectspiritually there.
Speaker 2 (19:32):
So what about your kids?
Were they on board with thewhole idea?
Were they sort of dragged intothis?
Speaker 4 (19:39):
I think that the older ones were quite excited to
go.
The younger ones didn't reallyknow exactly what to expect, but
they are quite good travelersand they're willing to come with
us anywhere that we go.
They've never protestedanywhere that we told them that
we were going to go.
So my youngest one, especiallymy three year old, loves
vacations and so he thought itwas the most wonderful place.
(20:00):
Like even when he was there hefelt he was on vacation the
whole time.
Speaker 2 (20:04):
Which he was Well my favorite memory of him was when,
in our prayer meetings, he waspraying and worshiping Jesus.
Watching this three year oldbeautiful boy having his own
relationship with Jesus was justa blessing.
So he was a blessing to theteam.
Well, let's talk about yourexperiences.
(20:26):
So I'm going to ask again eachof you individually what was the
most memorable or impactfulpart of the trip.
Let's start with you, joel,again.
Speaker 3 (20:37):
What was the most memorable or impactful.
So I had done just a backgroundto be able to compare.
I had done a missions trip downthe Amazon River from Iquitos
in Peru and that was a medicaland dental boat trip.
But my role was just, you'rethe medical, you just see the
patients witnessing going to thestreet ministry.
(20:57):
We would do our thing in thebottom of the boat while the
ministry team was outside doingSunday school, showing the Jesus
movie, that type of thing.
So we were completely separated.
So I sort of thought that wouldbe the same idea here, not
knowing that you were going tothrow us in and that we were
going to do more than I expected.
I mean, it was just amazingthat, especially with the
(21:18):
translators, it was amazing thatwe could go to people and they
were so receptive.
I can't really name one area.
I think there were differentaspects.
So going to the hospital andspeaking to people in the
emergency room and having atranslator and being able to
pray with people, drive them tothe Lord, that in itself was
memorable.
I remember praying for a familywhere there were a son who was
(21:38):
needing transfusions.
They were waiting outside, theyweren't sure where to go and
they didn't have money and theydecided to turn back to Jesus at
that time.
That was a memorable event withme.
Speaker 2 (21:47):
I bet you that was a unique experience for you
because maybe for the first timeyou were in the hospital, not
as a physician treating patients, but as a Christian sharing
Jesus, treating their souls thathad to feel different.
Speaker 3 (22:05):
Right, it was different In the fact that
there's more of a freedom tospeak with Jesus because you
know that you're there.
Obviously, in our NorthAmerican culture and the
societies were part of there arerules of which, when you can
cross those boundaries or whenyou cannot, there was more of a
freedom with it because that'syour role, that's what you were
there for.
But the other aspect of it,though, is some of the patients
(22:26):
or people there were willing tolisten more to me because they
knew I was a physician.
So another time at thatemergency room, there was a
young girl who was there forasthma and breathing issues, and
she was inside and the parentswere all concerned about that,
but I was able to speak to themregarding the asthma part of
things and then go to Jesus andtalk about Jesus in her
situation.
So I was able to combine thetwo because they knew I was a
(22:47):
physician.
So there was that aspect wherethey were told, because of a
physician, they were morewilling to hear, which was an
interesting idea of witnessing,but obviously, as you far aware,
on the Friday doing this, Iguess, setting up a potential
Bible study or church in I don'tremember the names of these
(23:07):
places, but setting this areawhere they don't have a church
and the whole speaking in frontof people and the outcome of
that.
So, obviously, looking at itfrom the outward point of view,
we spend all day setting up thismedical clinic.
We were spending a lot ofpeople to come for the medical
clinic.
It's going to be a draw forwhat's going to happen that
evening where people can getwitness to, but the point that
(23:30):
my expectations was the medicalclinic was going to be the draw
and we get that all set up,spending all day.
The people are going outhanding out their flyers around
that little city or that area ofthat city, and we show up that
night and nobody comes to themedical clinic.
I'm going okay, this is a bitodd, lord, what's going on here?
I thought we were to be thedraw and nobody's coming to the
medical clinic.
There are people here who arecoming for the show, who are
(23:53):
coming for the teaching, butthey're not coming to me and my
sister and the nursepractitioner who were there.
And then, of course, during thistime, we're watching the show
and of course you come over,helen, and said, okay, you're
going to give your testimony.
Now I'm going to say what?
No, I can't stop me.
So I turned to my sister,nathania.
I said hey, nathania, you'regoing to give your testimony now
and she goes.
She didn't tell me that.
(24:13):
She told you that.
I said no, she didn't.
I'm telling you, all of you,you're going to give your
testimony, because Helen wasbeing to all of us as a group,
not to me, and she's like ohyeah, I'm sure, I'm sure.
So you take off and do yourthing whatever.
And we're waiting for morepeople to show up and they don't
show up.
So I'm thinking okay, lord, isthis what you want me to do or
not?
And as they're watching the showand so forth, and once again
(24:34):
it's just thoughts that come tomy mind and the word witchcraft
sort of came into my head.
I'm going okay, I go to mytranslator and going in this
area is there a lot ofwitchcraft?
And he says no, no, no, there'sno witchcraft here.
We don't, we don't do that.
They're the Roman Catholic orwhatever.
No witchcraft.
Anyways, it was.
It was a strong, strong thoughtand I didn't really know much
(24:54):
about it or think much about it.
But then, as nobody was showingup, the testimonies were coming
out, the play was happening andthen you call this up, our whole
family is to come to the frontand just show that we were there
to help witness to people andbring people to the Lord.
But that point I mean I'mmaking the sense of this is all
or none.
You either speak up or that'sit.
(25:15):
You're done with what you needto do at this place.
And that's when I said, okay,lord, if this is truly you and
I've never done this before,never spoke in front I do speak
by, speak in medical clinics,medical conferences.
I know how to do that.
I speak at our church sometimes, but not in a big form of what
you were doing at that location,and so you're speaking at the
(25:37):
time, and I said, okay, let megive my testimony.
And the testimony I gave aboutthe fact that my family came
from Buddhism and that there wasa witchcraft in our family line
and our family line.
My father and my mother choseto deny that witchcraft, which
of which the Buddhism, obviouslythe goal, is all about me, I
(26:00):
power, money, being successfulin the world, and that was what
the goal of life was.
And basically saying that thereis no purpose in that, there is
no outcome in that, and sharingthat once again through a
translator.
I really didn't know what washappening.
And at the end of after Ishared our story about how my
father came to the Lord and howwe, as a result, turned to Jesus
(26:23):
and our families were got savedand we now have a relationship
with Jesus, I was going to handthe mic back and then you
whisper behind me, going, okay,do the altar call.
And I'm going what are youtalking about?
I've never done an altar callbefore.
I've no idea how to do that.
And just that whole thing of,okay, let's well, what does the
Bible say?
Just lead them to me, lead themto the Lord and bring them to
(26:47):
salvation and accepting Jesus.
And it's saying well, who herewants to know Jesus?
And I was just shocked when, Idon't know, I just saw hands go
up.
I don't even recall all thedetails, I just I was just
shocked.
And through a translator thenleading them through, asking
them or going through the gospelstory briefly in a prayer form
(27:07):
and confessing their, theiracceptance of Jesus, forgiveness
of sins, I was just amazed atthe number that I saw that
turned to Jesus at that time.
And, of course, then we passedit over to the pastor who was
with us.
So that's still heavy on mymind that I that was an
experience that I'll neverforget.
Speaker 2 (27:28):
Well, joel, you will be happy to know that, as a
result of your obedience and ourpresence there to participate
in this church planting session,there was a little house church
that started and now they'remeeting on a regular basis, and
who knows where the Lord isgoing to take this?
It's not often that we seeresults so quickly.
(27:52):
You know that we can actuallywitness the fruit of what we did
, but I'm very excited to sharethis with you.
So you made a step of faith,trusting the Lord that through
him you can do this, you canshare this testimony, and God
did get.
God held his part of the deal.
Speaker 3 (28:14):
But we're not have done it.
It's your turn.
Speaker 2 (28:19):
I played a small part .
Well, Audrey, what about you?
What was your most memorableexperience?
Speaker 4 (28:27):
Yeah, I think, aside from being able to be a part of
that moment, you know, wheneveryone in that room accepted
Christ, that was a very powerfulmoment.
I agree with Joel Just standingup there, and I remember, helen
, you talking about the familyunit, you know, using our family
, kind of standing there as anexample of how God cares about
each individual and a family.
(28:49):
You know, I thought that was sopowerful and it was like I was
so overwhelmed by the presenceof body, like I think I had
tears, like you did.
Speaker 2 (28:57):
I remember seeing tears on your face.
Speaker 4 (29:01):
But I mean, aside from that, because Joel just
talked about that I think thatthe first time I witnessed to
somebody on the street, so likewhen we got dropped off that
first day, we didn't know whatwas going to happen and we had
tracks and there was a lot ofteam members kind of standing at
the front passing out thetracks, so I thought I would
just stand back and you know,anyone who is kind of we didn't
(29:24):
get anything when they walked upto get something would come and
so, amazingly, just peoplewould, one after another, come
up to me and ask me what I washolding and I thought, okay,
this is my first step of faith,right?
I mean, I know they don'treally understand what I'm
saying, but I called over atranslator and the very first
person who I talked to exceptedChrist and I remember praying
(29:44):
with them and I said I don'teven know what I said to them, I
don't remember.
I just know that it was likethe Holy Spirit that brought
them there and that when theysaid, when I offered for them to
accept Christ in their life andthey were so ready for it, I
thought is this even real, or isthis like plan that these
people come and like they askthem to come, and now they're
just accepting Christ.
But then I realized that thesepeople are from the community.
(30:04):
They're not, you know, peoplewho are from the church or
anything.
So it just kept happening, oneafter another, where, when I
took that step out in faith thatthese it could have ranged from
anywhere, anyone from thehospital setting to even
somebody who was running theinflatables in a park.
I decided that I was going tobecause my kids wanted to play
on the inflatables.
(30:24):
I decided I was going to tellthem about Christ and he
accepted Christ.
Then, and there, you know, justa man that was running like
these inflatable castles thatkids were jumping on Right, so
they were glad, knew exactly whoto bring into our path.
And it just amazed me at hisprecision because I would say
90% of the people I talked towere willing to accept Christ or
(30:46):
rededicate their lives toChrist.
Speaker 2 (30:47):
When I was there.
Well, I also want to mentionsomething.
I remember watching you thatday from afar and I could kind
of see that people were veryresponsive.
And I don't know if you havebeen told before this or not,
but I think you definitely havea gift of evangelism.
That's one of your spiritualgifts.
You know, people are more orless receptive in different
(31:12):
countries or different parts ofthe country, but there's also a
spiritual gift of evangelism andI think that's one of yours.
So I hope that you recognize itand sense it, hopefully.
I'm just affirming what youhave already felt, but it was
really really impressive to seeyou being so effective there in
the streets, even with thelanguage barrier.
You know this is Holy Spirit.
(31:33):
You know this is a gift.
Speaker 4 (31:35):
Absolutely, I take absolutely no credit for it's
totally all God.
And you know I thought about it, you know as I was praying
about it, and you know I alwaysremember that scripture in 1
Corinthians 3, where Paul talksabout it was.
You know Paul is who wateredand I planted, but it's it was
God who caused the growth in thepeople, the harvest right.
(31:56):
That's amazing.
So I always remember that andit's it's never us, but it's
that willingness that he looksfor in us to be able to share
his word right, because it's hisword that actually pierces
through to the hearts of thepeople, through the power of the
Holy Spirit in our lives.
This is very interesting it wasjust amazing for us to see that
.
Speaker 2 (32:14):
Well, I have to ask the last question what about the
kids?
What was?
I wish we had them here on thepodcast, but I know that it's
complicated to have so manypeople all at once, so I will
take your word for it.
What were their experiences ortheir impression of this
adventure?
Speaker 3 (32:35):
So, just the first thing is, after our just recent
trip to Europe, we asked thekids well, we asked some older
ones which place did you likethe best?
Did you like France?
Did you like London?
Do you like Scotland?
Do you like Mexico?
Last year we went to otherplace in Ontario and
interestingly I wasn't expectingthis One of them said Mexico, I
(32:57):
go.
Why?
I don't know.
So the answer is I don't know,but obviously there was a
spiritual impact.
It wasn't a vacation where yousat around, you know, going to
the sites, but there was aspiritual impact which impressed
them and they can't explain it.
I don't know.
Speaker 4 (33:19):
Yeah, and I have to say one of the most amazing
things too was the fact thatwhen we were at that hospital
and we were in the dark and itwas evening and it was so long
that we were there, I was amazedthat the Holy Spirit kept
Corbin, who was three years old,right next to me the entire
time.
I didn't have to worry about him.
He never stays that still, butthe Holy Spirit had given him
that peace to just stand by meand never leave my side and I
(33:41):
could always feel his hand by myside as I was moving from
person to person, as I wastalking to them.
He just stayed calm the entiretime and I don't know if I could
say that there could be anyother three year old that would
do that, except by the moving ofthe Holy Spirit within him.
So I think he knew that theHoly Spirit was working and he
just kind of stood there.
And even at the market squarehe was always by my side holding
(34:05):
onto my shirt and I thoughthere I was worrying.
On the way there I had broughta little backpack with a leash
on it.
I never had to use it becausethe Holy Spirit just kept him
there.
Speaker 3 (34:13):
So that was amazing for him.
But the kids also saw themiracles and even the small
things that were happening, thatI mean we have the whole story
of bringing over like a lot ofmedication that we weren't
supposed to bring over and wegot through it and through
customs and because of theirprayer, as we're going through
security and considering takingit away, they were praying in
(34:37):
the background, they were partof it.
They were part of the wholemission, I guess, and being part
of it, they see a purpose inwhat we were doing.
Speaker 4 (34:45):
Right, and they also really enjoyed visiting that
school there in Mexico too.
They really establishedrelationship with those kids and
it was pretty amazing becausethey don't speak their language.
But yeah, Bethany was like, oh,I really want to go back and
visit them because I missed thefriends that she made there.
So I think on many levels theyreally had such a rich
(35:05):
experience going on this missionstrip and we are definitely
looking at doing it again.
We just are praying about whichone to go on and when would be
the best time to go.
Speaker 2 (35:15):
So yeah, well, what I loved about you kids and it
really impressed me that despiteof their young age for some of
them at least they were activelyinvolved.
They weren't just observers whowere dragged by their parents
and they're just complying withthe rules.
I watched them distribute copyand pastries at the hospital
(35:37):
waiting room.
Corbin watched him praying inour three years old in our
morning prayer meetings.
It was really wonderful towatch them engage, and I know it
has to be the Holy Spirit again, like you say, because for
children to be in an environmentthat is completely new to them,
surrounded by a bunch ofstrangers which what the team
(36:01):
members were to them at first,at least it had to be just God,
using you as a family unit, andwe don't have a huge number of
families come on the missiontrips because it does.
I believe it does take a step offaith on the parents part just
(36:21):
to trust the Lord with all thelogistics and the small and big
details.
It has been happening actuallymore frequently lately and I do
believe that there is power andvalue in that.
So I want to thank you both ofyou for responding to God's call
, being obedient to His leadingand allowing your entire family
(36:43):
to experience this and also tomake the difference in Mexico.
Thank you.
Helen.
Speaker 3 (36:49):
Thank you.
Speaker 2 (36:49):
Helen, we live in the days when families are under
attack from anti-Christianculture and values.
Serving the Lord together as afamily and experiencing a
foreign culture through buildingrelationships and making a
difference is an experience youand your children will cherish
(37:09):
forever.
One is never too young or tooold to be used by God.
If you're willing to say yesand take a step of faith, you
get to experience the incrediblefruit of faith and obedience.
At World Missions Alliance, wewant to give the individuals and
families the opportunity to dojust that.
(37:31):
We can help you overcome thelogistical challenges of
planning and preparation.
I encourage you to check ourwebsite, rfwmaorg and learn more
how you can become involved infulfilling the Great Commission.
Until next time, I'm Helen Todd.
Speaker 1 (37:51):
Limitless Spirit Podcast is produced by World
Missions Alliance.
We believe that changed liveschange lives.
If you want to see your lifetransformed by Christ's love, or
if you want to help those whoare hurting and hopeless and
discover your greater purpose inserving Christ through
short-term missionary work,check out our website, rfwmaorg,
(38:12):
and find out how to getinvolved.
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