Cataula couple travels around the world to help others build relationship with God

The Chinese man took the Bible from Wayne Ragan's hand and walked away.

Minutes later, Ragan turned and noticed the man was seated and reading the book to his son.

Moments such as these make mission trips rewarding to Ragan and his wife, Roni.

The Cataula, Ga., couple returned Oct. 14 from two weeks in Taiwan, where they distributed more than 1,000 Bibles translated into Mandarin. The main recipients were tourists from China.

"Taiwan is a major tourist destination," he said.

The couple finds it exciting to share the Gospel in different parts of the world in addition to the work they do locally.

"We have gone places where Jesus Christ is not known," Wayne said. "We share God's love with the people."

The couple, who has been married for 35 years, attend Beallwood Baptist Church. Wayne is a retired probation officer and Roni is the pastor's executive assistant at RiverTown Church. They have three grown children and six grandchildren.

They became interested in foreign missions in 2008 after a special birthday.

"I figured the first 50 years had been good to me, so I wanted to spend the next 50 giving back," Roni said.

As for Wayne, he said, "God has touched my heart to do this, and since I am retired, I can do it."

Working with churches, they have either together or separately traveled to Mexico, Costa Rica and Thailand.

Roni is leading a group from RiverTown Church on a trip to Guatemala on Dec. 27. It will be her third trip to the country.

The Ragans said wherever they go, they work with local missionaries.

"They always have work for us to do," he said.

For example, the mission team going to Guatemala will work with pastor Oscar Corletto of First Baptist Church in Mazatenango. The group will help plant a church in Canales, Guatemala, and will assist the church through door to door evangelism, prayer walking, children's projects and education.

Roni said she really feels drawn toward this project.

"I want to share what I have with those less fortunate and learn from those who are rich in love and science," she said.

There has been a lot of flooding in the area and part of the mission will be checking a well to make sure the water has not been contaminated.

Gardens will also be built.

"They will have to hang from the sides of the homes because gardens on the ground will be disturbed by pigs and chickens," she said.

She said there is great poverty in Guatemala. Many children do odd jobs for pennies instead of going to school, a luxury they can't afford. Subsistence living is the norm and the average monthly income is $210.

"Although materially poor, with little hope of change, there is hope of spiritual wealth. It is our desire to introduce the people of Canales to The King," she wrote in a letter to her church family.

The Ragans spoke of poverty they have seen. For example, people's homes that are no more than four bamboo poles with a sheet of black tar paper hanging on the sides. It is not going door to door but yard to yard.

"No furniture, no floor, no doors," she said. "Despite their poverty, there is still joy in their hearts."

On mission trips, they have traveled into the jungle to places they have had to kayak on a river to reach.

"Everything we had was in our backpacks," she said.

Wayne said the work is about building relationships and sharing love.

"We tell people there is a God who has a unique purpose for them," he said. "God has given us the freedom to make choices. That is true love. We talk to people about the consequences and benefits of the choices they make."

This story was originally published November 13, 2015 at 9:37 PM with the headline "Cataula couple travels around the world to help others build relationship with God ."