Trying Times
We are frontier missionaries. What does that involve? Well, nothing that you would ever be prepared for. No one but God Himself can prepare a couple to do pioneer Gospel missions. Jesus, by His Word and Spirit, gives us the power and grace to do this work.
Frontier missionaries face circumstances in different ways. We have dealt with betrayal, demons, lying, stealing, being called false prophets, and seeing many die. As I read through the Gospels again I am seeing them in a new light. Christ’s words, what he went through, and how he handled problems, all these were done perfectly and with no sin. Even though we are faced with these difficult situations we are here in this place because Christ has called us to this work: to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We are bringing it to such a lost and dark place, knowing that this is where the Lord has called us to serve Him.
I often think of the great missionaries of the past. Consider John Paton, one who was in constant danger for years and still brought the people the Word. David Brainerd ministered to the American Indians while sick with TB and living in harsh conditions. Think of Jim Elliot, and the others with him, who followed God’s calling to the South American natives, and in their obedience were killed. But their deaths were not in vain, for through their deaths many came to Christ and it opened the door for Elizabeth to go back to those same people. And what was the outcome? The people were saved.
As we face these trying times we continue to pray for the harvest of God’s people. I pray for it; what a glorious day it will be!