Mission Moments: Sending Staff

By Gary Fallesen
Founding President, Climbing For Christ

I know the power of the encouragement that is delivered by us being sent to walk alongside our brothers and sisters in their own nations. The blessing they receive from us GO-ing is priceless. Never mind the eternal value placed on those who receive HIM through our being sent.

Megh Gurung, Gary Fallesen, Tej Rokka and Dave Stoessel trekking in Langtang on Mission: Nepal 2012. (Photo by Brandy Everts)

Pastor Tej Rokka told me when we were trekking together in Nepal a few years ago that he is immeasurably bolder when we are with him than when he is on his own.

I love this story shared by Pastor David Platt in his best-selling book Radical:

“I remember when I was first preparing to go to Sudan, a nation impoverished by years of civil war. The trip was going to cost me around $3,000. It wasn’t easy to travel into Sudan since they were still at war, and we would have to charter a plane and spend a few extra days to make that happen. I remember one dear lady in the church coming up to me and asking, ‘Why don’t you just send the $3,000 to the people in Sudan? Wouldn’t that be a better use of money than you spending a week and a half with them? Think of how far that money could go.’

“I wrestled with that question. Was I wasting these funds in order to go when I could simply give the money instead? Should I even be going? I continued to wrestle with that question until I got to Sudan. There I had a conversation with Andrew that shed some light on the question.

“Andrew was sharing with them about his life in Sudan over the last 20 years. He had known war since he was born, and he described facets of the suffering and persecution his people had been through. He told me about the various groups, most of them secular or government organizations, who had brought supplies to them during that time, and he expressed thanks for the generosity of so many people.

“But then he looked at me and asked, ‘Even in light of all these things that people have given us, do you want to know how you can tell who a true brother is?’

“I leaned forward and asked, ‘How?’

“He responded, ‘A true brother comes to be with you in your time of need.’ Then he looked me in the eye and said, ‘David, you are a true brother. Thank you for coming to be with us.’

“I was immediately reminded that when God chose to bring salvation to you and me, He did not send gold or silver, cash or check. He sent Himself — the Son. I was convicted for even considering that I should give money instead of actually coming to Sudan. If we are going to accomplish the global purpose of God, it will not be primarily through giving our money, as important as that is. It will happen primarily through giving ourselves. This is what the Gospel represents, and it’s what the Gospel requires.”

How do we place a value on this? We cannot. But we need to raise the funds to make each trip possible.

For me to GO to Malawi in March it cost C4C $2,327.90 ($1,577.90 in airfare alone); Nepal cost $4,013.50; Peru in May was $2,309.26; and upcoming missions to Turkey ($5,756) and Tanzania ($4,524.10 with half for airfare) cost even more. Tanzania will be the 40th Evangelic Expedition I have led.

Sending staff is expensive and, of course, necessary.

Elaine Fallesen, who works part-time, has raised her own support for all six missions she has participated in, including Malawi in March and Ararat this month. She still needs $2,200 for Turkey. Jordan Rowley, who is full-time, raised $965.85 of the $2,309.26 for Peru, which was his 10th mission.

Jordan Rowley, Jaime Servat and Gary Fallesen together in the Peruvian Andes. (Photo by Marco Milla)

Jaime Servat, C4C’s Peruvian missionary, expressed the blessing of having us serve with him last month. “Sharing prayer, fellowship, and evangelistic outreach in the highlands of the Huayhuash mountain range.” With a team by Jaime’s side, God used us to bring an isolated farmer to HIM.

How can YOU help?

• Pray for our Evangelic Expeditions, including missions to the Philippines (June 11-17), Turkey (June 15-July 2) and Tanzania (July 29-Aug. 12).
• Give financially to support the sending of staff to the ends of the earth. To support the sending of staff, mail your donation to Climbing For Christ, c/o Helping Hands: Sending Staff, P.O. Box 16290, Rochester, NY 14616-0290 USA. Or CLICK HERE and give online via PayPal.

“And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ Then I said, ‘Here I am! Send me.’ ” – Isaiah 6:8 (ESV)