When David Michon said “yes” to a mission trip to Southeast Asia to work with our missionaries David and Naomi Coward of Wycliffe Bible Translators, he naturally had some apprehension. The trip would take three days of travel just to reach their destination. It would take three days to get back. The small Blue Ridge team of David, Technical Arts Director Andrew Hunt and Casey Venters would have just four days actually in country to minister to the translators and to help set up some new equipment for recording.
Yet, at every turn, they experienced God’s provision. Whether delivering equipment from the United States, making flight connections or being able to communicate across language barriers, the team saw God’s hand.
“Going on a trip around the world, there were a lot of worries,” David said. “We went in with a lot of unknowns. In every circumstance, God just really showed a lot of grace … A lot of moments that could have gone bad, we felt very protected.”
While there, the team helped the Cowards to get equipment in place to create radio shows from the Bible. In a country where Christians are in the minority, broadcasting the Gospel provides a tremendous opportunity. On top of that, the Cowards and their team have been translating a spoken language into a written language and then using that to translate the Bible. God’s Word is being shared there in ways it never has.
“I definitely learned not to take scripture for granted. A lot of people don't have scripture. Or they view it as something that makes us a better person, rather than this is God talking to us,” David said. “With the radio programs, they are trying to tell the story in their language in a way that would captivate the listeners.”
David, who has a worship and music degree from Liberty, got involved in recording at his home several years ago.
“I do recording stuff, but I don't have a million dollars worth of equipment. I’ve had to creatively learn how to get the best sound out of it …which made me a good fit for this trip."
Using this innovative spirit, he, Andrew and Casey were able to put together the equipment the Cowards’ team needed. They also helped to teach them how to use it.
At the same time, Andrew, David and Casey led Bible teaching. Even though he was far from home, David said he connected with the people and their needs.
“It was a big lightbulb moment for me that they struggle with the same things we struggle with, like thinking you have to earn your way into heaven,” he said. “ But it’s not about being good. It is by the grace of God that you are saved. It is about a relationship with Him. God’s teaching me to be bolder in sharing this good news. And I don't have to across the world to tell people that.”