A Great Time in Asia

The time just spent in Asia was well-spent. I first went to Bali, Indonesia to meet with some pastors about the possibility of future work with pastors in Indonesia. While there, I also met a missionary and his wife who are doing very similar things as MTI. We had some good conversations about how we can work together in the future.

Then, off to Chiang Mai, Thailand for the CC Asia/Pacific Missions Conference. This conference has grown, and this year there were nearly twice as many attending as last year. In all, 18 nations were represented! Some highlights:

Spending time with the young pastor from Mumbai, India, with whom I am working to help him establish a CC church there.

Hearing the reports of so many missionaries from all over Asia and China. These people have sacrificed so much to be out there, learning the languages, adjusting to the culture, and doing the work. A young woman from China yesterday told us all about the hundreds of young people in her city wanting to follow Christ and receive baptism.

Meeting an Army vet who is involved in anti human trafficking efforts. He is a brave man.

So many stories of exploits of faith and endurance. It was all deeply inspiring.

I was also asked by several to come and work with them.

At the airport, I was having lunch with a family who has a CC in Bangkok. The husband is the pastor, and he has a wife and 2 delightful children, a girl 11 and a boy 9. Such a great family. Through the course of our conversation, we realized that we had been a part of the same group doing summer missions outreach in Bulgaria in 1992!

One last thing: Yesterday at the Chiang Mai airport, I was booked on the same flight as some friends from Kathmandu, Nepal. As we were talking, a man behind me said, “Did I hear something about missions in Nepal and India?” It turns out that 5 years ago, this man, Steve, established a ministry for teaching and training pastors abroad. Sound familiar? He said the first few years it was mainly him, but then others wanted to get involved (my prayer for MTI). He does a lot of work in Africa and was enthused about working together in some way in Africa, as was I. I love those seemingly “random” divine appointments!

Anyway, there is so much more to say but I’ll leave it at this for now.

Thanks for the prayers and support. Blessings to you all.

David

More Responsibilities

Well, I am kind of back in the saddle at CC Silverdale, at least for the next 3 months. Pastor Pete is taking a 3-month leave of absence, and I have been asked to step in for him. I gladly do it, as I love this church and want to be a help and a resource. But . . . that adds a great deal more in front of me for a while. In addition to the duties of Lead Pastor, I also have:

School of Ministry classes I’ll be teaching in October.

A trip to Asia next week to attend a missions conference in Thailand, and meeting with church leaders in Indonesia.

A trip to the Holy Land in late October as I co-lead a group tour.

Teaching at CCS on Sunday mornings 6 times through November.

Staff meetings on Monday mornings

Monday evening orchestra rehearsals

Wednesday evening Community Group in my home.

A baptism Sunday, the 18th of September.

This is ALL good, as I enjoy every bit of it. But, thanks for the prayers. I will keep you updated on how things turn out.

Blessings,

David

Back Home

Well, we returned from Uganda 2 days ago. I want to say again that the reason for the lack of posts on this trip was that the wifi connections in each place were sporadic at best. And, at day’s end when I wanted to post about the activities of the day, I was so tired out that I could barely stay awake, much less put down some coherent thoughts for the blog.

It was a wonderful week through and through. We met some dedicated, brilliant people who are serving as pastors and pastor’s wives throughout East Africa.  For me, it ranks near the top of the list of international ministry trips I have taken. I hope that someday we can return.

The other day I received an email from one of the pastors in attendance, a man named John from Kenya, with whom I had a conversation one day. I want to share with you his words:

“Dear David Grisanti,
I can’t thank you enough brother for your selfless commitment to teach, challenge and inspire, in the convention we just wound up in Uganda.

I may not be sure how many people the Lord had selectively sent you to minister to but at lest am sure God purposely sent you to me.

Am yet to see a man with such precision of thought, clarity of ideas and honesty in confessing their own errors in ministry. You may truly never know what you did to the ministry God has given me but I can only say thank you because I know you can never fully understand this.

I have desired for long to find someone exactly your type who has travelled ahead to help me at least with guidance, and I praise the Lord to have brought me one in that forum.

As I told you I deal with the education and mentorship of High School students and there are many challenges that come along, some of which I already shared with you.

God bless you a lot for your heart for Him, and may long live MTI.

Regards,
John.”

Such encouraging words, and a reminder of why we do this. Thanks for all your support and prayers.

At the end of the retreat we were able to arrange a 2-night stay at Murchison Falls National Park, about a 5 or 6 hour drive from the site of the retreat. All I can say is WOW! Uganda is a beautiful place.

Blessings,

David

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