Chris and Yuko Wilkins

Recently we had Colonel Tom Greco, the former commander of the 101st Screaming Eagles, share the Word at our local church.  He recalled receiving a silver tray from his support staff some years ago.

Being in the military his family was on the road a lot and often packing boxes for their next move.  As a result, the tray was returned to its original box for a number of years and never saw the light of day.  On one occasion they discovered the box and opened it.

The tray was intact but had not held its original lustre.  It was more of a bluish grey than the silver beauty it had been.  It was tarnished.  The former colonel shared that day about the Parable of the Talents and using what we receive from God for His glory.  It was an apt illustration and a timely message.

Last month we heard that the original pastor of our group in Cambodia, Sok Em, had tested positive for cancer.  This month he has been told he does not have the disease.  We praise the Lord for the good report of Sok Em’s condition.

In other news from Phnom Penh, we have a woman from Hong Kong who is considering service for the Lord with our team.  She’ll be spending time with the missionaries for two weeks, going with them as they do their daily tasks.  She’ll make her decision after that.  Please pray for her and the team.

We had a fun time at camps this summer.  We went to Highlander Camp in Kane, PA, Cattaraugus Camp in Cattaraugus, NY, and the Lighthouse Camp in Barker, NY.  Caleb had a good time, too.  He discovered a new entertainment—the sandbox.  I remember watching him play at the Highlander Camp sand box.  I wasn’t very diligent in my charge, however.  I looked up to see him pouring sand on a young girl.  Thankfully she was older, took it in stride, and her dad was not in the neighborhood. When we weren’t making trouble we had a grand time of fellowship at each location.  We also attended the last few days of General Conference in Spring Arbor.  It was wonderful to see so many friends from all over the world.  The worship and fellowship were very uplifting.

Yuko is ready to deliver our second child any day now.  We are very excited.  We took a trip to the hospital just to know the route, the parking lot, etc.

We don’t know if our new member will be a boy or girl, but we’ll be happy regardless.  Caleb said “big brother” with some prompting, but we don’t suspect he has grasped what is about to happen.  He has been talking lately, saying things like “I love too,” I help,” “I am fine,” and that most necessary of linguistic constructions--“apple juice.” 

This week we received the Genesee Conference report on mission giving.  I am at seventy-five per cent of the support I need to return to Cambodia.  We have not received Yuko’s social security card yet, so she has not become an employee of the Free Methodist Mission.

When she does, I will need to raise support for her, too.   As a couple our support level is set at $78,000.  We may receive $6000 from the Japanese Conference.  This would lower what we need to raise here in the USA. The support is for salary, housing, utilities, airplane tickets, passports and visas, healthcare, our ministry expenses in Cambodia, and ten per cent for operations in Indianapolis. Yuko and I want to thank all of you for your prayer and financial support.

With the new funding plan set to begin in January, Warren Hawkins, the gentleman in charge of missionary accounts, has been encouraging people to send missionary donations by electronic transfer.  In this way funds appear immediately on our account.  Also, the World Mission International is not going to be in charge of mission funds—you are.  The idea is to make mission a people movement and not a bureaucracy.  If you would like to talk with someone in Indianapolis about electronic transfers please call 800-342-5531 or write Free Methodist World Missions PO Box 535002, Indianapolis, Indiana 46253-5502.

As we were expecting a visit from a military person, I was reminded of the exhortation to “Endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” II Timothy 2:2.

In an age of hot lattes and money market investments, military style discipline for a cause seems extremist.

CT Studd, a missionary of more than a hundred years ago, coined the term “Chocolate Soldier” for Christians of his generation.  Is it possible we are Cappuccino Soldiers?  I guess it sounds like an oxymoron when we speak of Christian soldiers, but so is running a race with patience. I suspect a life of faith is full of oxymora. The Apostle Paul was waging a war against evil.  His weaponry was not bullets but the love of God!  Well, you can see the sermon stirred up the gift within me.  We pray the Word has been blessing you in the same way lately.

Thanks again for your love and support.

On the Offensive With You,

Chris for the Wilkins Family

Chris and Yuko recently became career missionaries, and assist with church planting in Cambodia. Yuko is an ordained member of the Japan General Conference of the FMC.