Still Never Too Old to Serve the Lord: Around the World

By Doug and Maureen Hovda

This is a story about being around the world in fifty-eight daysmany countries, many cultures, many new friends. This is about unexpected opportunities to teach, to counsel, to sing duets, to speak in unusual places using a translator, and more, sharing that God loves you. He always has, and he always will. We were overwhelmed with love and hospitality every place we went. God continually filled our days with unexpected surprises.

Would we travel around the world again?

In a heartbeat!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Nov 8, 2017
• ISBN: 9781543464382

Book preview

Copyright © 2017 by Doug & Maureen Hovda.

ISBN:                        Softcover                        978-1-5434-6437-5

                                   eBook                             978-1-5434-6438-2

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

NIV

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. [Biblica]

NKJV

Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

ESV

Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®). Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

The Living Bible- Scripture quotations marked (TLB) are taken from The Living Bible copyright © 1971. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Rev. date: 11/08/2017

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CONTENTS

DEDICATION

INTRODUCTION

PROLOGUE

AROUND THE WORLD (2009)

USA, NORTHWEST

TAIWAN

SINGAPORE

SUMATRA, INDONESIA

JAVA, INDONESIA

SINGAPORE

GERMANY

THE BALKANS

GREAT BRITAIN

USA, NORTHEAST

EPILOGUE

INTERLUDE

PROLOGUE

SOUTH AMERICA, ONE MORE TIME

VENEZUELA

BOLIVIA

INTERLUDE

ECUADOR

EPILOGUE

FINALE

DEDICATION

We dedicate this book to our heavenly Father who created us, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who died for us that we can live for Him, and the Holy Spirit who dwells within us to guide us.

We also dedicate this book to our children Karen and Paul, their spouses, Michael and Jody, and our God-given grandchildren, Megan, Tim, Ben, Catherine and Donovan.

To all of those who have chosen to follow Christ to the ends of the earth, we humbly thank you. May God richly bless you in extraordinary ways as you live daily for our Lord.

A special thank you to our daughter, Karen,

who worked tirelessly as our editor.

Always be who you are; precious in His sight.

INTRODUCTION

We have been beside the still waters with Jesus for a little over a year now. During this time, our spiritual and physical lives were strengthened and restored through Bible study, retreats, and sitting quietly before God and listening for His still small voice.

It was time to launch out once again. On October 10, 2008, we began training to be missionary care givers. Many who are serving our Lord become lonely and exhausted. They need someone to come alongside them to encourage them, love them, pray with them and pray for them. We continually thank God for restoring us to health and strength. We ask God to help us put all things under submission to His will.

On December 2, we went to the PTM (Pastors to Missionaries) conference. PTM exists to build, equip and network missionary pastoral care givers in a supportive environment. It was an indescribable conference! Wow!! We learned how to be silent before God, and we learned to always remember to put on our YES face - at home and in public. A YES face is one that radiates Jesus Christ. We must always be prepared to give an answer to others when they ask what makes us so different. We must keep Christ first in our lives always. What a privilege it was to attend this incredible conference.

In your hearts, revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.

I Peter 3:15 NIV

On December 21, 2008, we were commissioned by our church to go forth in Jesus’ name to comfort the lonely, encourage the downhearted, and share the joy of the Lord wherever needed.

We were excited as we began preparing for this new adventure with God. We feel humbly privileged to be called to serve Him and be His hands and feet.

"The Lord bless you and keep you;

The Lord make His face shine upon you

and be gracious to you;

the Lord turn His face toward you

and give you peace."

Numbers 6:24-26 NIV

PROLOGUE

We contacted people around the world and arranged travel schedules. We packed our bags, checked the list of items we needed to take on the plane, closed the house, prayed over everything and headed north to Kokomo, Indiana where our daughter lived. We left everything in God’s hands. We spent some time with Karen, then she drove us to a motel in Indy. Doug handed her our car keys. She kept our car for us while we traveled.

AROUND THE WORLD IN 58 DAYS

AROUND THE WORLD (2009)

March 26 – May 22, 2009

Thursday, March 26, 2009

While we tried to get a good night’s sleep, my mind thought about the many flights we would take. I became anxious as the enemy, Satan, attacked me. What if I get sick? What if the plane goes down? What if? … I prayed for peace about a plethora of unanswered questions. As I began to quiet my spirit to listen, the Holy Spirit recalled to my mind a message I had heard on the radio given by a pastor who traveled a lot and had similar anxious thoughts. He stated that a Christian doing the will of God is invincible until his work is completed. Oh, how I thanked my Father God for that reminder. Peace filled my soul and I went to sleep. Maureen

So Jesus said to them again, Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you. John 20:21 NKJV

USA, NORTHWEST

Friday, March 27, 2009

Our alarm went off at 5am and the