"Over and out?" Not Exactly . . .
- Rich Davis
- May 26
- 4 min read
Updated: May 27
In our first year as newly arrived missionaries in Peru (1976), we were isolated from other missionaries, and our extended family, in a small town called Nazca. Like a ship at sea, our only means of communication was ham radio. It did not take long to learn the nomenclature of ham radio operators, and we soon learned to conclude our conversations with the well-known term, “Over and out.” The word “over” in radio communication meant the person speaking returned the conversation to the person listening. “Out” means, “I’m outahere, Ciao, Hasta la vista baby,” well, you get the idea.
As Jo Ann and I are on “The Home Stretch” and preparing to return to the States on July 16, many friends, prayer warriors, and supporters are wondering if we are really “throwing in the towel” (not to mention the “R” word). The short answer is, not exactly!
Before diving into that rather vague answer, let us step back and share some exciting church planting news.
Our goal for the last couple of years has been to finish the basic training of 30 Moldovan church planters in the Institute of Church Planting (ICP), and we just crossed the finish line with 30 church planting men and women! Many of you prayed that the Lord would give us the strength to finish this training in the three locations of the ICP, and He answered your prayers. Praise the Lord, and thank you for praying. This would not have been possible without you and the Lord.
We rejoice that so many churches and friends helped purchase the MacArthur Study Bibles and cover the cost of the celebration meals. Yes, there were “meals” as our original plan of gathering all three groups together in one location for a united graduation ceremony and banquet did not work out. The Lord had another plan that resulted in having three graduation ceremonies—one in each location.
The graduation events were so much fun because many church planters had never dressed in a cap and gown! They laughed and took so many pictures. Then, we gave out the diplomas in the traditional fashion, followed by giving each of the 30 graduates a beautiful study Bible. When we got to the food, the students were overwhelmed with joy. They finished their course, and studied faithfully for two and a half years while seeking to establish 14 new churches.
I wanted to encourage the students with three thoughts from Scripture:
“You, therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Tim 2:1-2).
“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now” (John 16:12).
“So, Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you” (John 20:21).
One of the key words in our training sessions was “multiplication.” Fourteen churches should soon become 28 churches, which should later become 56. The vision is to see Moldova saturated with 1,000 more new churches.
The Moldovan believers, under the leadership of our partner, Eduard, are dedicated to continuing this basic training for church planters with new groups of believers committed to planting churches. The keyword there is “basic.” The students are already asking for further and deeper training in the Word. It is not practical for these faithful leaders to leave their new church plants, families, and jobs to spend years in a Bible College. It would be logistically and financially challenging.
This is why taking the training to them in their towns and villages has been so successful. Now, you can see why we say we are not exactly “over and out.” Jo Ann and I are changing our operations base from Moldova to the States, but we hope to take short-term trips to teach in Moldova and other locations as the Lord leads.
We have contacted our supporting churches so that we might personally share all that God is doing in Moldova. Several churches in Colorado and California have confirmed dates for us to meet with them in September to December starting with a missions conference in our home/sending church, Calvary Community Baptist Church, on September 6-7. Please pray with us as we bid adieu to our dear brothers and sisters in Moldova and redeploy to the States.
We are looking forward to seeing you in person later this year, but until then, please know how grateful we are for your prayers and financial support. Many of you have prayed and many have given that this significant project has been successfully finished. You even helped provide the building in this picture! Thank you so much!
