Looking back over the past three decades, I’m overwhelmed by how swiftly time has passed and how deeply God’s hand has guided every step of my journey with SALT. What began as a leap of faith has become a lifelong mission marked by grace, growth, and transformation.

When I joined this God-led team in 1996, I was met with unfamiliar faces, languages, and cultures. For a moment, fear crept in, and I even considered stepping away. But then I remembered why these strangers had come, and a few lines of a song echoed in my ears: “Oh ocean, oh ocean, can you tell me, how many missionaries have come…”

Indeed, they came out of love for this land. That shared passion became our collective strength, transforming each gathering into a moment of courage and conviction.

A Journey Marked by Blessing
The path of ministry has not always been smooth. Years of travel and service led to misunderstandings and doubts about me from fellow church co-workers. Yet God held me close and revealed His good will. I recall a prayer meeting in 1991 where a pastor blessed me, saying I would travel to many places. Five years later, I joined SALT, and God led me to various provinces, fulfilling that prophetic blessing. Though challenges followed, the rainbow after the storm made it all worthwhile.

SALT is a team unlike any other. Despite our diverse backgrounds, we serve in unity, enjoy rich fellowship, and experience God’s protection time and time again.

I remember one mission where we transported supplies from the south to the central region. Despite meticulous planning, we were anxious—religious activities are strictly monitored there, and any misstep could have serious consequences. The journey was tense and risky, but under God’s shelter, we delivered everything safely. Over thirty years, such experiences have been common, each one affirming that our God is real and alive—our shepherd who ensures we lack nothing.

Witnessing God’s Hand in Crisis
Over the decades, the team has weathered many storms, tight social surveillance, and ravages of the pandemic, which nearly suffocated us. Some even questioned whether the ministry could continue. Yet our faithful God led us through each trial through co-workers with a vision and mission. From 2020 to 2022, during the nationwide lockdowns and halted transportation, the team didn’t lie low. Instead, we responded to the “Macedonian calls” from various regions, accomplishing one seemingly impossible training mission after another.

“On this road we walk together, hand in hand, through trials and hardship, never turning back.”

These lyrics of a Chinese song perfectly describe our team. Some believe traveling light and alone gets you further, but we believe “two are better than one.” Mutual support and encouragement help us walk more steadily and go further. Now that the team has new successors, I am stepping down, but the unity and vision remain.

Having experienced God’s grace through many storms, I am more convinced than ever that nothing is too hard for God. He will continue to use and guide this team to walk steadily and go far, for His work never ceases. As for me, I’ll keep cheering them on, praying they move forward in God’s grace, faithfully fulfilling the mission and calling He has entrusted to them.

(Editor’s Note: Leo has served with SALT for thirty years. He is one of the founding teachers and leaders. He will retire at the end of this year but has promised to support SALT whenever needed.)