I read a
testimony from a dear friend of mine the other day and I have decided to share
this excerpt. This is from a missionary in a creative access country, where
sharing the gospel comes with great risks. It blessed me, convicted me and
challenged me and I can only hope and pray that it does the same to and for
you. Here it is.
I went to
the gathering of our small international group. As I entered the room, I saw
that everyone was crying. My friends told me that a man from our group had been
killed in a motorbike accident. I did not know him well, but he was the worship
leader at our gatherings, and he had a real heart for worship. He and his wife
and children have lived in this country for several years, and he was greatly
loved by everyone who knew him. He had a great passion for life, for music, for
people, and for his Lord. In a room filled with grief, we started to worship
and then listened to the message from the preacher. God was comforting us
through his Word. Halfway through the message, a group of people entered the
room. They were local people, who had heard of our friend’s death and came to
sympathize. They sat near the front and were crying uncontrollably. At the end
of the service, we closed with a song. The chorus says: “And I will trust in
You alone...” Despite the hurt of loosing a brother, people were lifting hands
to the Lord, and the presence of the Holy Spirit was there. I looked at our
local friends and thought, “they must think we are crazy.” How do we explain
that we can have joy in the midst of sorrows.
A few days
later we had a memorial service. The little church was packed and the majority
of those present were local people who loved him and came to say goodbye.
During the service, many people shared about how this man had touched their
lives, but I was mostly touched by the testimonies of his local friends who
fearlessly shared about the hope they had found through their friendship with
him. At one point, his wife shared something he had written years ago about the
meaning of life and that death has no hold on us anymore. We ended the service
with some of his favorite songs. As we worshiped our King, people all over the
room were crying and laughing. His wife was dancing with her arms in the air. I
looked around at our local friends who did not understand this joy. This is
foolishness to the world. I thought of the hope our friend had and how Christ
was glorified throughout his life, and even in his death.
In that
moment of worship, I prayed to God that my life would also shine...that
whatever time I have in this country, would be used to make Him known...that He
would be glorified though my life. I also prayed that as this faithful servant
has died, God would raise up 10...20…100 fold more servants and that others
will count the cost and come in his place to continue the
work.
Though we cannot share this
missionary’s identity in public, please pray for God’s blessings and
protection.
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