I would like to take a moment to introduce to you Dan McCollum. Dan accompanied us on our recent mission trip to Cameroon, and I have asked him to share a bit about his time serving with Grace Community International. Dan and his loving wife Judy are indeed a modern day Aquila and Pricilla. Dan and Judy have traveled with us teaching the Word of God to Kenya, Zambia and now Cameroon. For each mission trip, they do hours upon hours of Bible study preparation. They memorize dozens of verses, faithfully prepare their testimony and develop three presentations for each study – a one-on-one training preparation, a small group Bible study and a large group message. In addition to this, Dan serves on the GCI Board of Directors. In this capacity, he logs hours and hours of time on our database and computer systems. Here are a few of his thoughts on ministering with GCI overseas:
"Judy and I have gone on 3 mission trips to Africa with GCI - Kenya for 10 days in 2007, Zambia for 14 days in 2012, and Cameroon for 27 days in 2013. We have stayed with Navigator staff families in each country and were always treated with respect and shown great appreciation. Rev. Mahon is always very conscious of our needs and works to keep us safe and as comfortable as possible.
What we appreciate about partnering with Rev. Mahon is the experience of knowing the nationals and being there to support, encourage and enhance their ministry endeavors. How much we are able to do is largely dependent on the people who invite us. They are aware we are there to share messages we have prepared along with our testimonies. As much as possible, Rev. Mahon keeps us busy doing what we came to do - teach. We are very grateful because we go on these trips to share what God has shown us and to bless others as He has blessed us.
Taniforn Peters and his wife Noella invited us to stay with them in Cameroon. They have 4 daughters as well as relatives, navigator staff, and house help living with them. At any given time, there were 18+ people living with them. Noella exemplifies the Proverbs 31 wife. She runs her household with skill and efficiency. Peters’s comment to us several times was that “he was going to squeeze us like an orange until all the juice is squeezed out.” Which meant that we were there to share everything we had as often as needed, so our trip would be a blessing to them (and us). He only had us a short time, and he, as well as us, wanted to make sure that the time was fruitful.
Peters is what I would call a “gentle giant.” He is a big man in many ways - highly respected, deeply loved, very concerned for his family (personal family as well as Christian family). He is constantly working to improve ways to encourage and stimulate others in their discipleship walk. In fact, that heart is why we were in Cameroon. There was a 4 day pre-conference in Yaoundé because not everyone could travel to Bamenda for the “Navigator’s Workers Conference.” Around 200 people from all over Cameroon attended this conference. This time focused on strengthening the attendees' desire to disciple by teaching and encouraging as well as to help them realize various ways they could enhance their ministries. Those who attended this pre-conference loved the Lord, came with great anticipation and eagerness to learn, and in most cases at great financial hardship. They taught me a deeper appreciation and love for God - that it’s not about our comfort. These individuals have a hard life (bad water, many with no electricity, terrible roads, 40% unemployment rate, 5 year old children working). It is about God’s love for each one of us.
We praise God for the opportunity to go on these mission trips. They bless us more than we can bless others (Galatians 5:5). In the end, the only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love."
When Dan retired from his executive position as computer analyst and specialist for a large multi-national corporation, he was attending our Sunday School class. When I asked him what he was going to do with his free time, he replied, “I want to spend time studying and improving my marriage that I might be a better husband, I want to learn how to minister to others and Judy and I would like to do some type of mission work.” I replied, “You have come to the right place.”
Dan and Judy serve faithfully in their church where they teach and do personal evangelism. They have led scores of individuals to Christ. They are generous, hardworking and faithful servants of the Lord. I am privileged to call Dan and Judy fellow laborers in the harvest fields of the earth, but even more privileged to call them friends.
By His Mercy, II Corinthians 4:1 Rev. John S. Mahon – Director Grace Community International / back from Nigeria and preparing for Russia.
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