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The Workers are Few
By Bill Trimper

In Matthew 9:35-38 we read that Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

And in Luke chapter 10:1-2, we read that the Lord chose 70 other disciples and sent them in pairs to all the towns and villages he planned to visit later. These were his instructions to them: “Plead with the Lord of the harvest to send out more laborers to help you, for the harvest is so plentiful and the workers are so few.”

Jesus was sending out 35 teams of two to reach the multitudes. They would not try to do the job without help; rather they would ask God for more workers. In doing the work of evangelism, we often want to begin working immediately to reach the unsaved people by ourselves. This story suggests a different approach: begin by mobilizing people to pray. And before praying for the unsaved people, pray that other compassionate people will join us in reaching out to them.

The Lord of the harvest answered our prayers for others to join as Dr. Robert Carpenter, a spry 83-year-old retired doctor, joined the work God is doing in Moldova. Last year, he went to attend the medical needs of a few people, however, the Lord had other doors of opportunity open for Dr. Bob.

The Mobile Clinic of Moldova, a medical group of Emmanuel Medical Clinic in Chisinau, joined with Dr. Bob to care for the many people with medical needs in Causeni and Rezina. Then the opportunity to provide Intelligent Design lectures to the medical staff members at the Metropolitan Hospital opened. More than 50 medical staff members at Emmanuel Medical Clinic in Chisinau attended a lecture, as a result.

This summer Dr. Bob took the Mobile Clinic with him to Orhei and the surrounding villages. Many people came out to receive medical care, often 20 to 30 people would wait in long lines. Most of the people were women who are heavily stressed in trying to care for their families. High blood pressure is a common problem, and very few have it under control.

Others are needed to heed the call, the workers are few, but God wants to bless His people. To find out how you can join the harvest contact the International Interns’ office at info@ii4u.org or (626) 398-2116.