I moved to Indonesia as a missionary when I was twenty years old. The task of bringing the Gospel to the largest Muslim country in the world was more than I ever asked for. So many times I felt like I could not do anything worthwhile there that would make a difference. There were many times that the struggle to make something happen became exhausting. Trying to save a country or building up a great ministry could feel like such a heavy burden on my back. I never imagined I could continue this in the long term. But when I discovered the message of God’s grace, it changed my life, my ministry - it changed everything. The simple realization that it was all about Jesus and not about me truly freed me and allowed me to enjoy preaching the Gospel!  My name is Susan Hoover and I have now been a missionary in Indonesia for six amazing years.

Began to enjoy the ministry
And since learning to truly trust in Jesus and not trying to accomplish anything by self effort, I not only began to enjoy my ministry much more, but I also saw effects as the ministry grew by leaps and bounds that I never could have imagined! I never could have imagined that by the time I was 25, I would be preaching the Gospel before crowds of thousands and directing a Bible college - and all of it taking place in a Muslim country. It just doesn’t make sense. People often ask me how it is even possible for a young woman to be doing all of this. I only have one answer. I have stolen this answer from the Apostle Paul, “I am what I am, by the grace of God.”

Crowds in
Muslim areas
In our beginning, we would see thousands of people responding to the beautiful Gospel and receiving Jesus into their lives over a year’s time. But now, by the grace of God, we are seeing thousands respond in a single night as we do outreaches that draw crowds larger than they have ever seen before! And some of these are in Muslim areas where locals have claimed that such a thing cannot be done.

I have seen the impossible happen right before my eyes and I know that it is not one little bit because of anything I have done.

I could not have persuaded the Muslim leaders to work together with us. I could not have raised all of the finances that were needed. I could not have brought all those people to gather on the field. I do not have the wisdom needed to make all the decisions and direct everything and everyone. And I could never produce results, touch hearts and make the people believe. And instead of trying to do all of that I can simply allow Jesus to work through me and count on Him that He will work it all out. There is no burden on my shoulders and no stress of trying to force something to happen. I can stand in the midst of it with a smile on my face as I actually enjoy it!

This isn’t about deserving anything
I am well aware that I do not deserve all of this. But when we really stop and think about it, we realize that we don’t deserve anything. I don’t deserve salvation, healing, blessing, prosperity, or any other thing that God wants to give to me. I don’t deserve to receive anything from God and I don’t deserve to be used by God. But because of His grace He has saved me, given me all things and now continues to work through me, regardless of my weaknesses and failures.

I’m far from perfect. I’m just a young person with little education, money, and everything else that the world says you need for success. But I have all that I need - a revelation of the almighty Jesus living and working in me by His love and grace. I know that on my own I could never do anything worth writing about. But with Jesus working in me I have seen history being changed many times and I continue to see the nation of Indonesia being filled with the gospel of grace!

I see a nation loved by God
I have seen so many lives being changed, so many amazing miracles taking place, and so many locals catching the burning passion to spread the Gospel and become the history makers of the future! Words, even thousands of them, could not tell of all the beautiful things that are taking place as the Gospel shines further and further into the dark areas! The world may see a nation full of terrorists, bombs, and disasters but I see a nation loved by God. And although bringing God’s love to a nation with 220 million people seems like it would be an exhausting and stressful task, I look forward to it with joy and excitement. I can enjoy miracles and preaching the Gospel, even in the hardest of areas, because it is not me working it out, but the grace of God working through me.