CEE Story From The Mission Field
Pressing on despite the cost
June 12, 2008
by Natalie Kaspar
IMB missionaries Milton and Lara Magalhaes have seen God work in Lithuania through nationals responding to the Gospel and believers sharing Christ with others. As a result, they are in the process of helping establish a third generation church plant.
“We have seen a lot of miracles in this country,” Milton said.
Yet as they recall the blessings of the past 12 years, they also count the costs. Spiritual warfare has taken on many forms during their ministry, including death threats and the ill health of their two children.
Milton and Lara risked losing their visas and considered heading back to America when locals made it clear they were no longer welcome. Still, God proved faithful and gave them a clear call to remain, as He provided visas and the encouragement to press on.
Another trial came when Preston, their eldest child, nearly died from celiac disease when she was 4. The family saw God heal her of this illness at the age of 11. When their son, Peyton, developed a large bump on his head four months after birth, Latvian doctors told Milton and Lara the chances of brain damage were high and that it would be better if their son died. With their prayer network behind them, the family saw the bump grow smaller over a weekend. An amazed medical staff later pronounced Peyton completely healthy without medical explanation.
Recently Lithuanian believers witnessed Christ’s victory over Satan’s diversions while at a children’s home. Approximately 15 Lithuanian youth between the ages of 5 and 17 gathered to sing praise songs with the visitors and hear Milton talk about the eternal hope found through faith in Jesus. After the group shared snacks and Gospel tracts with the children, an 11-year-old girl, clutching one of the handouts, approached Milton with questions.
During the conversation the girl fought distractions from her older sister.
“The little girl … really had to concentrate on what I was saying because her sister kept coming and whispering things like, ‘You’re not going to do it. You are a liar,’” Milton said. “Finally I just told the sister … ‘In the name of Jesus, you need to go.’”
“It was a picture of how the enemy uses people to distract others from the way,” he said.
Yet truth prevailed—soon after the sister walked away, the girl and two teenage boys prayed to receive Christ.
God-given examples like this help Milton believe that one day they will need a stadium to hold a gathering of Lithuanian believers.
“We’re going to continue; we have to continue,” Milton said. “Being a missionary here isn’t always easy, but it is a blessing. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
To find out more about how you can be a part of what God is doing in Lithuania, contact Milton at milton@everyheart.net, +370-611-212-72 or on Skype (username "miltonandlara").