What a blessing when the Guam-Micronesia Mission received so much free literature! (see "Literature for the Islands") But now what do we do with it? How can we best distribute these beautiful materials so graciously donated to us onto those in our island communities?

Let me share with you the recent opportunity that two of us experienced on the small island of Rota in the CNMI – just over 50 miles north of Guam. We reached out to the community using these pamphlets and magazines to gift people we met while going door-to-door.

Katie, the Women’s Ministries leader in Rota, and I spoke several times over months about her burden and desire to help the people of Rota. Katie is gifted as an educated herbalist, loves God’s health principles, and is an avid student of God’s Word. She had already been counseling people on the island who have health concerns, as well as sharing God’s love with them through Bible studies.

But she wanted to do more! She wanted to make more contacts and give the people hope, especially as many have experienced despair due to Covid and the flailing economy. So, we discussed going door-to-door, meeting the people face-to-face. We would share a health survey, pray with people, and offer them the free literature as a gift.

Since I like to share spiritual tracts with people in Guam in places like the grocery store or gas station, I was inspired by her vision and wanted to partner with Katie to reach the people of Rota. Her love and compassion for her island community is contagious!

I arrived in Rota for ten days in July, representing GMM on this week-long mission trip. Katie had already prepped over 100 lovely gift bags of literature.

Within each bag, she placed about 20 various pieces of literature, including several large magazines, pamphlets, smaller tracts and a domestic violence brochure to help people connect with the local health center if needed.

She also designed a healthy survey called “Homes for Health”. It had seven simple health questions, including ones of local interest like smoking and betel nut habits, diabetic or heart conditions, and natural remedies. The last three questions were taken from an Amazing Facts survey dealing with spiritual concerns. The tenth question asked the participant if they would be interested in attending a prophecy seminar, in light of all that is happening in the world. Most everyone responded with a yes. Praise the Lord! Katie had a brochure prepared with an overview of the future programs that would be offered, along with her contact information. At the end, we would get their email addresses and ask to have prayer with them.

We found that the weekends were the best time to meet people since it was hard to connect with them during the work day. We did go in the early evening hours as well and met a number of lovely people. They were very hospitable, sharing with us a cool place to sit under a shaded area, as well as offering us water or something to eat. And although some were a little standoffish at first, after asking a few questions, many would start sharing their personal burdens or those of their family members. They were happy to hear that these programs would be available.

Some said they would attend if their scheduled allowed, while others admitted that they wouldn’t be able to attend in person. However, since Katie was flexible and willing to do small group meetings in their home, they were interested in that possibility.

All in all, we visited 37 homes and distributed over 700 pieces of literature. We had the privilege of lending a listening ear, and we prayed with most of our contacts, except for those of the Islamic faith. Yet, they did show interest in the health programs. We were truly blessed!

So where does one go from here?

First, Katie reviewed the survey answers and prepared a summary sheet of those interested in the same programs. She then created email distribution lists for each category, such as “Stop Smoking”, “Diabetes”, or “Eight Laws of Health”. While respecting each recipient’s privacy, they were emailed free materials like healthy recipes and herbal remedies.

Finally, Katie will make plans to host interested participants at group programs such as Dr. Wes Youngberg’s “Diabetes Undone” and “Win Wellness”, co-written with his parents Dr. John and Millie Youngberg. And prayerfully, once a prophecy seminar can be arranged, many will be invited to attend.

Of course, throughout the whole process, we need to stay connected with Jesus, solicit His wisdom for how to proceed, and ask for Him to impress the recipient’s hearts. It’s not that there won’t be any challenges along the way. Just ask Katie. Car trouble, illness, and a dog bite! But even so, we both sensed God’s presence in our midst, blessing each conversation and encouraging us and others along the way.

One of our closing highlights was connecting with one young man with whom we visited for over an hour. His heart was so tender towards spiritual things and you could tell that the Lord was personally working in his life. Katie started Bible studies with him, and although they are temporarily on hold, no one knows the outcome in the end. Please keep this young man and his family in prayer.

Before any such project can be accomplished, the Lord must have willing hands, hearts and feet. Isaiah 6:8 says “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.”

We can then move forward in confidence, believing that God will produce the fruit of our labors. The Lord promises in Isaiah 55:11 “So shall my Word be that goeth forth out of my mouth:it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.”

* NOTE: If you would like samples of the survey and door-to-door outreach forms used in this event to modify for your local context and use, please email your request to media@gmmsda.org