Melissa Kessler’s Testimony
I was born and raised in a Christian home. I am thankful to the Lord for saving my parents, Wayne and Sue Fair, before I was born. I am also thankful for my parents’ living testimonies of real Christians. As a young child I made different professions of faith but I didn’t have complete assurance. Once I was in my teen years my life didn’t show the fruit of a true Christian, which made me doubt my salvation. It troubled me very much that I wasn’t sure. One night our Pastor preached a sermon out of 1Jn. 5:12 “He that hath the Son hath life, and He that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” He preached about the simplicity of Salvation. The message was just for me. That night I asked the Lord to forgive me of my sins and save me. There wasn’t a drastic change outwardly but inwardly there was. My desires and friends changed.
Not long after my salvation my family left for the mission field. We went to the Highlands of Papua New Guinea. It was a major change in my life at 15 years old. At first it was hard not knowing anyone or the language. Once I surrendered my will I was content and happy to be there. It wasn’t long before my siblings and I were speaking the language and making friends. I knew the reason we were there wasn’t about us; but was a much deeper and eternal reason. Therefore, the conditions didn’t seem as great a deal after all. I truly believe the years I was on the field were very beneficial to my Spiritual growth as a young Christian. I was able to experience much more than I even realized at the time. I was able to serve with my family on the field until I was 19yrs old. Once I finished High school my heart’s desire was to go back to PNG with my family. I taught a reading and writing class for the adults in our church so they could read the Bible. I also helped my Mother in the aid station we had. I enjoyed serving and ministering with my family there. Best of all was seeing the fruit of our labor; seeing souls saved and lives being changed.
At 19yrs. old my family and I came home for furlough. I knew I wouldn’t be returning with them. I was praying before we came home for the Lord to direct me. My desire was to marry a Christian and raise a family. I knew my parents would only be home 1yr before returning to the field. I thought it impossible to be married before they returned. I told people I wasn’t coming home to get married. My father was very good to me. He didn’t make me feel as if I had to get married or that he was going to find someone for me. The Lord had His plan though. He had someone waiting. Danny had gotten saved and had been faithful at our home church for the past 3 years we while were on the field. We were married before my parents returned to the field. With God all things are possible. We have been married for 10 years and have 4 children.
Danny and I have been faithful and available in our church to serve wherever needed. I have been the piano player and Danny the head Trustee. We also handled the Missions. Our heart has been in Missions. Danny has taken 3 different Missions trips. The last trip being to Bulgaria in July 2009. We saw God’s hand bring everything together perfectly making it possible for Danny to go. We believe the Lord is calling us to go to Bulgaria. I have been and am willing to go wherever He leads us. Thank you for considering us as missionaries to take the blessed gospel to the people of Bulgaria.
Sincerely in Christ,
Melissa Kessler