The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

UPON her recent completion of a Bachelor’s degree in Media Journalism, Michelle Butler developed a new passion to travel with her father Apostle Paul J Butler on mission trips around the world.

An active member of her church, the Bahamas Christian Fellowship Centre, Michelle said before she started travelling with her dad she always believed in God, but did not really know the extent of God’s power.

“I wanted to experience His realities and the supernatural power of God that we rarely see today in our society. During this time my dad had been travelling for almost two decades on mission trips around the world. Suddenly, I had a desire to accompany him on one of these trips,” Michelle told Tribune Woman.

She dropped everything to travel with her dad on what would be her first mission trip to Mexico a few years ago. Since that first life-changing experience, she vowed to never miss another trip.

Michelle said some of the most noticeable things she has observed on these mission trips is that people from different nations have a greater hunger for God and the supernatural than most Bahamians.

“I would encourage everyone to at least travel on one mission trip during their lifetime, as it will truly change their life. Over the years, people from various denominations have accompanied us to participate, observe and to provide service on these mission trips,” she said.

Michelle said her father and his team are given the opportunity to travel to different regions of the world to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ to tens of thousands of people in mass crusades, provide leadership training to pastors, church leaders and residents, and also to assist where the greatest social and economic needs are. Often, they visit countries of their own accord and set up meetings with the people there, and other times they are invited by locals to visit their communities.

“People from different nations invite my father due to the great supernatural ministry God has given to him, where extraordinary healing and miracles are demonstrated. Being a witness on several of these mission meetings, it reminds me of Bible stories in the book of Acts where the Apostles of Christ had done miraculous signs,” said Michelle.

So far, their mission trips have been focused on Africa and countries in Central and South America. Over the past few months, they have travelled to Barbados, Mexico, Panama and Costa Rica.

“Although many times we have translators with us on these trips, there is still a language barrier, as we do not speak fluent Spanish and most of them do not speak English, but yet we feel so connected to these people and they feel connected to us,” Michelle said. “The hospitality is like none other, and although many of these people do not have much, they do everything in their power to make us feel welcome.”

For Michelle, every experience has been different in its own way, but they have all been life-changing. She said she has learned that in Latin American and African countries, in particular, there is a great hunger for God and a deep longing for God to reveal His supernatural power.

“During a mission trip to Colón, Panama this year, my father had prayed for a 15 year old girl who was born deaf and dumb. After prayers she spoke and heard for the first time in her life. The audience just stood there in amazement at first and then went into pandemonium at what God had done. As a result of this miracle many people gave their lives to Christ that night. The news spread throughout that entire city of Colón, Panama, and today it still stands as a strong testament of the power of the Lord Jesus Christ,” she said.

To a non-believer or someone who has never had an encounter with Jesus, Michelle admits that a story like this may sound fantastical, but she is sure that God’s power is at work.

Michelle said she believes going on mission trips can educate Bahamians about how to trust God with all their heart and how to be thankful for the quality of life they enjoy here at home.