Grenada Family Network Report – Summer 2025

By Steve S | October 6, 2025

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then the peace of God, far beyond what we can understand, will guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 (Scripture Lullabies Paraphrase)

Dear friends,

I was meditating on this scripture a few nights ago and the promise is true! As I was laying in bed struggling to relax, I began to pray and thank God for His wonderful loving kindness. The cares of this life melted away and I was soon fast asleep.

As the pressures of everyday life constantly increase in this dying world, it is becoming more and more difficult to stay grounded with a positive attitude. Unless we are anchored on the Rock Christ Jesus by spending time in prayer and claiming the precious promises of His Word every day, the enemy will find a way to bring us down. When things don’t go the way we would like, it is so easy to focus on the trouble and forget all the hundreds of blessings, large and small, that God showers upon us everyday. As the text says, in order to have the peace of God, we must “thank Him for what He has done”. That means a conscious choice to forget about our trouble, and remember what He has done! It is a change of focus which makes all the difference.

“Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” Colossians 3:2 NKJV

There is a myth out there among some dear people that foreign missionaries are Super-Christians who are ahead of most people in spiritual attainments. Nothing could be further from the truth! Because fallen human nature is common to all, we are sometimes fearful, uncertain of how to move forward, unsure if we have really made right decisions. Sometimes we feel torn between two worlds & cultures, not wanting to abandon the mission, but not really wanting to be here either. We often wonder what others think about decisions we have made. On the surface many decisions seem simple, but once you are in the midst of the battle you can see nothing but obstacles, uncertainty, and the potential loss of precious resources. Often there are no clear cut answers. Living by faith is hard, even when we have had many opportunities to practice it. Again, the problem is sinful nature which constantly tells us that if anything will get done, we must do it. While it is true that we can’t sit back and do nothing, it is our focus which largely determines whether what is done is by faith or by self-dependent works.

“So then faith [comes] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17 NKJV

Living by faith starts with the word of God. Are we daily hiding God’s word in our heart so that when the problems come, we remember to focus on His power to solve them? (I’m preaching to myself.) The world is constantly trying to force-feed us another message of human dependence. We must resist!

“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.” Galatians 5:6 NKJV

In the context of living by faith, we could paraphrase this text to read: “For in Christ, neither works of the flesh or laziness of the flesh, are of any value, but only faith which is motivated by the love (agape) of God.” To drive this point home, it is genuine faith that is always motivated by the love and goodness of God toward us, and now we have come full circle back to Philippians chapter 4. If we don’t understand what God has done for us, we can never have genuine faith. It is by remembering and thanking God for what He has done for us, that living by faith is made possible.

That is what this short newsletter is about. Remembering. There are plenty of things to complain about. Lots of things have gone wrong, but by the grace of God many things have gone right. Why not focus on the positive?

“Why talk of Satan’s great power and his wonderful works, and say nothing of the majesty and goodness and mercy of our God which falls to the ground unnoticed? Pick these up, brethren, with consecrated hands, pick them up. Hold them high before the world. Talk of the love of God and dwell upon it; thank Him for it. Open the doors of your hearts and show forth your gratitude and love. Clear away this rubbish which Satan has piled before the door of your heart and let Jesus come in and occupy. Talk of His goodness and power.” 1888 Materials, p 83.1

Where to begin?

A couple of years ago I began preparing to do a much needed refurbishing of the GFN radio studio. Over the years termites had invaded every piece of untreated wood, the walls were dirty and water stained from leaks, equipment was dusty and functioning poorly, and 1/3 of the floor tile had broken up.

I designed new desks with several improved features and purchased the materials to build them. As funds were available and when I saw materials on sale, I began to purchase things such as paint, tile, and wood preservative to insure that termites would not destroy the new desks like they did the old ones. More importantly, I also began purchasing new radio equipment to replace several parts of our 16 year old system. God blessed our faith and provided funds to purchase new computers, new flat screen monitors, new keyboards, new radio automation software, a new security camera system, and all the small but expensive hardware items which go along with purpose built computers. By building the desks, computers, configuring the system, and doing most of the refurbishing work, I was able to save over $5,000 USD. Praise God for energy and ability which I don’t naturally possess.

This project took several hundred hours of work, but to make a long story short, the newly refurbished GFN studio is 95% complete and functioning beautifully. We were having a lot of trouble with the reliability of the old system and it is such a huge relief and blessing to have everything working well again.

Along with a new broadcast computer came a new (refurbished) streaming/editing computer. Using technology, people around the world can listen to GFN radio. I don’t have recent data, but a few years ago we had listeners in more than 20 countries. Thankfully the old streaming hardware and apps work just fine with the newer computer. Praise God!

You can listen to our radio stream 24 hours a day here: https://www.globalfamilynetwork.net/

Reaching Grenada, Reaching the World

Beginning in January, Samra began working with a ministry which connects interested Bible students in Pakistan with willing teachers, using Zoom, WhatsApp, or similar methods.

Sister Prass, a friend in our local church here in Grenada had previously started studies with a lady there. After receiving several Bible studies, the lady in Pakistan immediately began going from door to door to all her neighbors, sharing what she was learning. As a result of those efforts a new church and school have been started with about 40 members attending each Sabbath! Truly the Holy Spirit is working on hearts that are receptive!

What about us in the West? Where is our love for Jesus made manifest in dedication and zeal for the truth?

“Blessed [are] those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.” Matthew 5:6 NKJV

We were blessed to be able to share Sabbath School materials with these dear people on the other side of the world. The digital files were transmitted and then printed for distribution to the new church members.

Sorting printed Sabbath School materials.

Holding Sabbath School for neighborhood children, outside in freezing cold weather.

First baptism for the new church.

Samra’s first student(s) are a 14 year old young lady and her grandmother. Just as the previous lady I mentioned, Hira has quickly shown the zeal and courage which seems to be so rare in the lukewarm West. She has gone to her friends and family with very limited knowledge, but willingness to share the precious truth she has been learning.

A couple weeks ago she brought together about 20 people (mothers and children, below) to hear Samra’s Bible study over her cell phone. Samra spoke on the humanity of Jesus and Hira translated into Urdu. At the end everyone said they enjoyed the “sermon” and asked for a copy of the notes.

Being part of the young technology savvy generation, Hira has now started a Youtube channel to extend her witness to other parts of Pakistan and the world. You can view one of her recent videos here:
https://youtube.com/shorts/Bolo2fXF1go?feature=shared

Please pray that God will bless her abundantly and continue to lead her into all truth.

Country Living or the Battle of Mt. Pleasant?

Several years ago we related the good news that GFN had obtained a lease on a house in the country. What we didn’t know at the time was just how much of a battle it would be to get the house finished and reasonably habitable. What can I say about the country project? It has been a project which has tested our patience, perseverance, and faith.

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose.” Romans 8:28

There have been multiple issues with the house which – in our inexperience – we didn’t notice in the beginning. The house was finished inside with salvaged parts and materials. All these had to be torn out and replaced due to mold, termites, or poor condition. The concrete roof and ceiling have been major problems with moisture penetration outside, and cracks, spalling (example link) and leaks inside. We couldn’t move in for more than a year due to expensive repairs and the risk of falling concrete from the ceiling. Thankfully, after hours of research and months of hard work we have a solution which has permanently stopped the leaks and at least made the house safe to live in.

Even in this we can be thankful, if we choose to receive each experience as from the hand of Jesus.

“Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” Hebrews 12:11

Our patient and generous volunteer electricians. After the work was started it was found that most of the existing wiring was damaged and had to be completely redone.

Lessons Learned

Over the years I have often wondered why God allows so many problems to come which consume precious time, energy, and money which could be used to advance the work of the gospel in this world. The only conclusion I have come to is that He is desperately trying to save the missionaries as much as the natives. If we could have everything just as we want without any struggle, would we learn the lessons God has for us? Probably not. Like the rain which always seems to inconveniently interrupt our plans, without it there would be no life – no beautiful flowers. Praise Him for the trials!

The trials of life are God’s workmen, to remove the impurities and roughness from our character. Their hewing, squaring, and chiseling, their burnishing and polishing, is a painful process; it is hard to be pressed down to the grinding wheel. But the stone is brought forth prepared to fill its place in the heavenly temple. Upon no useless material does the Master bestow such careful, thorough work. Only His precious stones are polished after the similitude of a palace. Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, p 10.3

Complete dependence upon God is essential to success. Exclusive dependence upon self or other people will lead only to frustration and failure.
Even when the way looks difficult or impossible, faith grasps the promises of God and moves forward in obedience. The Jordan river did not part until the feet of the priests rested in the water. (Joshua 3:15-16).
We can and we must learn to live with less. Moving into a house ¼ smaller has made that very obvious.
Mistakes will happen but God can bring good out of them, including teaching us lessons we could not have learned any other way.
Country living is God’s chosen method to bring us into a quiet, restful condition where we can hear His still small voice speaking. As far as possible we should cooperate with that plan.
Solar water heaters must have the sun to produce enough hot water to be a blessing. Even so, we must have the “Sun of righteousness” every day if we are remain spiritually “hot” and be a blessing to others.
The enemy of souls will oppose your efforts to obey God, regardless of how ineffective those efforts may seem to you. Expect opposition (even from within the church) and remember “the battle is the Lord’s” and He will bring victory!
Last but not least. As the old silly saying goes, “Everywhere I go, there I am.” We may have relocated to the country, but the battle with self, “the old man”, continues. If only a new location could bring a new more Christ-like nature! Christ in me the hope of glory is the solution.
For those who need encouragement read this short article from Signs of the Times: https://egwwritings.org/read?panels=p820.18893(820.18886)&index=0

Young Missionaries in Training

Anna has been finishing the last few high school courses so she can enter college next year. In 2024 she enjoyed participating in the “Reach the World Next Door” course by ASAP Ministries. https://www.reachtheworldnextdoor.com/

Ethan enjoys building and working on things, especially RC cars, helicopters, drones, and boats. Every few weeks there is a new project to occupy his interest. The shy boy who couldn’t respond to others when greeted, now makes friends easily. Recently he got tired of doing yard work by himself, so he hired his friends to clean up the cane grass he was cutting down. They had a good time working together, but the activity (involving swinging a large sharp blade) did make his parents a little nervous.

Future Plans?

The future has never looked more uncertain both in the world at large and for these GFN missionaries. This world has no use for God’s people and we sometimes wonder if our future will include greater fellowship with Jesus as homeless outcasts. True, we have a house to live in by the grace of God, but we own very little of the things the world considers important for our future security. That’s the world’s perspective. How does God see a sacrifice made for His kingdom?

One thing which is not uncertain is the granite bedrock of God’s promises. He has promised:

“And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Matthew 24:14

From a human perspective, this promise looks impossible. God’s people make up a very small percentage of the world’s teeming multitudes, and yet every person must hear that Jesus is their Savior and make a decision of how to respond to that gift. Our job is not to figure out how to make it happen, but to be faithful in the small sphere of influence we have. God is waiting for us, His people, to submit to His authority so that His glory can be seen in our lives. Only then when the character of Jesus is seen in the flesh, can the gospel have it’s intended impact. Let us resolve every day to let His life shine through us!

If the church will put on the robe of Christ’s righteousness, withdrawing from all allegiance with the world, there is before her the dawn of a bright and glorious day. God’s promise to her will stand fast forever. He will make her an eternal excellency, a joy of many generations. Truth, passing by those who despise and reject it, will triumph. Although at times apparently retarded, its progress has never been checked. When the message of God meets with opposition, He gives it additional force, that it may exert greater influence. Endowed with divine energy, it will cut its way through the strongest barriers and triumph over every obstacle. The Acts of the Apostles, 601.1

Current needs:

• Regular monthly gifts of $20, $50 or more to keep GFN Radio on the air.
• Volunteers with computer or radio skills, construction skills, or farming skills.
• Funds to rebuild or replace our aging Suzuki 4×4: $5,000
• Updated audio card: $1,049
• Funds to replace aging or lightning damaged radio equipment: $2,000
• Approximate cost to finish country house including paint, interior storage, and funiture: $2000.
• Prayers that the promise of Matthew 24:14 will soon be fulfilled.