One of the hardest things we have ever done was saying goodbye to our friends and family and moving to another country on the other side of the world. As we struggled to learn how to relate to a new culture and a new language, we sometimes wondered: “Is it really worth it?”
Life as a missionary is not always the glamorous, exciting adventure that is often portrayed. Mostly it is hard work and sweat mixed with prayer and some tears, only occasionally punctuated with those thrilling stories we all love to hear. At times we have just had to laugh at the ludicrous situations we have found ourselves in because the only alternative was to cry, and that might just put us over the brink.
Last month a Skype message popped up on my computer screen that reminded us that every moment, every tear, every penny and every drop of sweat is truly a small price to pay for the eternal treasure that we seek. After years of waiting, a Palawano family has heard the gospel for the first time! Every member of this family of six, as well as the missionary’s language helper now knows Christ as their Saviour and have turned away from spirit worship! Below are a few excerpts from the testimonies we received that day.
Pilno burst out with, ” I believe it! Jesus is the Saviour! Our ancestors said this thing is the way to God or that thing is the way to God. But they were WRONG!! THIS is the way! I believe it. I really believe it! Jesus paid the price for my sin. It is finished!”
“If I die now,” said Mulok, “I will go straight to God. I’m not afraid anymore!”
“You know,” said Mulok, “When I head that earlier, there were tears in my eyes because I was so very happy that Jesus has carried my sin in His body on the cross. It’s gone! and now my fear is gone too!”
“Before you told me this, I was drowning in my sin, just drowning. Now I know that Jesus paid for my sin, and I will go to be with Him in God’s heaven!”
“I won’t be praying to the spirits any more. You know, the kekeyuan (tree spirits), they are demons! Other people might pray to the spirits and make offerings. Not me. I’ll just be praying to God.”
Without your faithful partnership, this family would still be lost in darkness without Christ.
Rejoice with us, and the angels that new believers have been welcomed into the fold!
IT IS WORTH IT ALL!!!
Stephen says
Praise God! 🙂