Around the World
No Match for God!
By Tirsa Gaitan
In February of 2003 my husband, Nelson, and I left the U.S. to return to our homeland, Nicaragua, as missionaries. Since that time we have witnessed many miracles and have seen the hand of God at work in many situations, even during this time of the coronavirus pandemic.
One such miracle happened to Yazoara Garcia. Her father was killed in the war in Nicaragua in the late 70s. Her mother decided she didn’t want her, so her grandmother raised her. As Yazoara got older, she began drinking and partying.
Yazoara eventually married and became pregnant, but her marriage was in trouble. In September, when she was in her eighth month of pregnancy, she contracted COVID. Nelson and I received an urgent prayer request from her aunt and uncle, who attend our church. Yazoara had been intubated and was close to death. Although no one was allowed to visit her, we gathered our prayer team from church and immediately began praying for her and her baby from 2:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m.
The following day we received word that miraculously Yazoara had become well enough to be released from the hospital. God had healed her! She was so grateful to God and for our prayers. If God could heal her from the virus, He could surely heal her marriage. We prayed with her that God would once again provide a miracle and heal her marriage. We are overjoyed to share that Yazoara and her estranged husband are now back together, doting over a healthy newborn.
We praise God for the impact He has had on Yazoara and her family. She is starting to believe in God and accept all that He has done for her. We believe that God will complete a good work in both Yazoara and her husband.
Another miracle took place in the life of Jaime Canales, a 58-year-old man who drank most of the time and fought with his family. His mother asked us to pray for him and come to her home to visit with him. She didn’t know what else to do besides turn to God.
After we visited Jaime, he came to a Sunday morning church service. He was so intoxicated that Nelson could barely preach because Jaime would loudly interrupt the church service with questions. At first Jaime attended services only occasionally, and we saw little change in his life. Nonetheless, after a couple of weeks, God got hold of Jaime as we prayed and offered him a little attention. Praise Jesus! He and his family now regularly attend services, he has been baptized, and he is sober. We are so thankful for all God has done in Jaime and his family and for God’s having chosen us to share His love with this family.
Another miracle happened to Emanuel, an eight-year-old boy who was diagnosed with leukemia. He and his mother attend our Open Bible church in San Marcos. Emanuel’s mother came to us with tears streaming down her cheeks and begged us and the other members of the church to pray for him, so again we called everyone together to pray. There were 27 other children going through the same treatment as Emanuel, and sadly each of them passed away.
The mom was terrified, but we kept telling her not to be afraid. We prophesied that the Lord had healed her son and that he would be a testimony for many.
At Emanuel’s next treatment, the doctor told his mom, “I don’t know what you are doing, but keep doing it!”
She said, “I am praying! The whole church is praying!”
Each visit found Emanuel getting better and better. Two months ago Emanuel’s doctor declared him leukemia free! He no longer needs to go for treatment. He is stronger and gaining weight!
The lives of Yazoara, Jaime, and Emanuel are a testimony to God’s healing power. The novel coronavirus, alcohol, and leukemia are no match for Him.
About the Author
Nelson and Tirsa Gaitan have served in their native country of Nicaragua since February of 2003. They founded the first Open Bible church in San Marcos and launched five other Open Bible churches, in Managua, Ochomogo, San Cayetano, San Jorge, and Las Pilas.
In parts of Nigeria today, land is no longer just a livelihood – it’s a battleground. In search of increasingly scarce water and grazing land, semi-nomadic Muslim herdsmen are moving their flocks south into areas already inhabited by Christian farmers. This encroachment has intensified conflict, resulting in thousands of deaths, the displacement of millions, increased kidnappings, and deepening ethnic tensions. This is the environment in which Open Bible’s ministry continues day after day.
Despite these challenges, the Gospel is advancing.
Okon Obot, Open Bible’s Superintendent in Nigeria, shared the following story with me:
Recently we held an evangelistic crusade in one of the affected regions. Despite security concerns, people came looking for hope and peace. Evangelistic crusades remain a powerful and effective way to share the Gospel in village communities where fear and uncertainty are a part of daily life.
The theme of the crusade was “Arise and Shine,” and over 300 people gathered. By the end, sixteen people had given their lives to Jesus and fifteen were immediately baptized and welcomed into the church, each a testimony to God’s faithfulness.
A high point of the crusade was the reconciliation of a family of brothers divided for five years. Under the conviction of the Holy Spirit as the Word of God was shared, they chose forgiveness and were restored to one another. They returned to their homes with joy and peace.
In response to God’s work in their lives, the brothers donated a large piece of property in their village, Mbabuu, for the construction of a church building.
This is where the 2026 Global Harvest Offering, “Build Hope for Africa,” comes in. When we reach our goal of $200,000, Nigeria will be one of the recipients. Open Bible will partner directly with Pastor Okon to build a new church building in a place like the village Mbabuu.
This is more than a construction project – it is the next step of what God is doing. Despite hardship, churches in Nigeria are growing and new buildings are needed to serve expanding congregations and reach their communities.
Your gift to “Build Hope for Africa” can help provide a visible witness of Jesus in a region marked by instability and equip local leaders like pastor Okon to continue evangelizing where the need is great.
In a place where land is fought over, God continues to build His Church!
Snapshots of the vibrant ministry happening in Nigeria:
About the Author
Tammy Swailes is passionate about cross-cultural Christian education, so working with INSTE Bible College to disciple and equip leaders throughout Europe and beyond is a great fit! Tammy has lived in Europe since 1999 – first in Hungary and now Ukraine. Before that, she was in Japan, as well as Spokane, Washington. She now serves as INSTE regional director in Europe, assisting INSTE programs in five languages. Tammy has her undergraduate degrees in both Missions and Christian Education and a MA in Intercultural Studies. Photography, good coffee, multi-cultural experiences, and the family’s Yorkie are some of Tammy’s favorite things.
Have you ever wondered, What in the world are our Open Bible missionaries doing now? We wish we could visit every church or sit down over coffee and share what God is doing where we serve—but that isn’t always possible.
So this month, we’ve gathered brief notes from missionaries around the world. As you’ve read these updates from around the world, we invite you to pray for our missionaries—their families, their ministries, and the communities they serve. Please also share these stories with your church so others can join in prayer.
Use the interactive map below to see the updates:
Trouble seeing the map? Click HERE
About the Author
Tammy Swailes is passionate about cross-cultural Christian education, so working with INSTE Bible College to disciple and equip leaders throughout Europe and beyond is a great fit! Tammy has lived in Europe since 1999 – first in Hungary and now Ukraine. Before that, she was in Japan, as well as Spokane, Washington. She now serves as INSTE regional director in Europe, assisting INSTE programs in five languages. Tammy has her undergraduate degrees in both Missions and Christian Education and a MA in Intercultural Studies. Photography, good coffee, multi-cultural experiences, and the family’s Yorkie are some of Tammy’s favorite things.
Ask Open Bible pastors in Africa what the biggest problem in their church is and most reply with one word: REVIVAL! Just as Saul once ravaged the early church in Acts 8, our African brothers today face similar conditions: harassment, arrest, and even death for following Christ. But in the face of persecution, our churches are experiencing rapid growth in thirteen African nations. They’re calling for our help, not to alleviate the suffering, but to build new church facilities to serve their expanding congregations and communities.
The Global Harvest Offering of 2026 is “Building Hope in Africa,” and it is our opportunity to participate in this revival. In this initiative, we will partner with our missionaries and national directors to fund thirteen new church building projects across the continent. God is using faithful missionaries and nationals to plant churches, raise leaders, and reach communities with the hope only found in Jesus!
… in the face of persecution, our churches are experiencing rapid growth in thirteen African nations.
Our missionary partners are many: the Godwins, the Kopps, the Parkers, Okon Obot, Peter Mahoye, the Moores, the Welches, and our brothers and sisters throughout the Antioch Network.
Thirteen churches.
Thirteen countries.
One goal:
to raise the $200,000 needed to
cover the costs for all thirteen projects.
With over 230 Open Bible churches in the United States, we can meet the financial goal of the Global Harvest Offering if each church gives $875. Alternatively, just 2,000 people giving $100 this year would meet the goal. Your support in this effort helps build more than walls; it builds hope, community and the Kingdom of God. Look for the QR code or this link to give to Building Hope in Africa today. Thank you for your partnership to build hope for Africa.
