The sun rises and shines over the land, its early morning rays dispel the darkness and smile on the little sleepy almond eyed child solemnly watching his mom heading out to the rice field. It dances merrily along the coast, past the fishing villages, where the men having gotten an early start fighting the waves, heading out to sea. It shines on the poor and the rich alike all across the land. AWAKE! AWAKE! The new day rushes in- across the land of rickshaw drivers, and free roaming cattle. It sets the pasta capital astir, dances across the Alps. It pauses briefly to make sure there is plenty of hard crust bread to dipped into Borscht, and see if the children in the windmill, tulip country actually still wear wooden shoes. On it races, across the hot dry dessert, smiles above the rain clouds in Africa- knowing how much they need it, and shines on the children playing in the town square. Around the globe it continues- spreading over the land of caribou herders, Northern lights, and blue eyes. Waking up brown eyed children, sleeping under a mosquito net, with the sound of Mamita making tortillas. Smiling at the little blonde with unruly hair munching on french fries, Watches the farmers heading to care for their crops and animals, businessmen off to the job, various health care professionals, teachers in their classroom, busy house wives, adorable children, elderly with lots of time and wisdom to spare… All living in their own world, busy with their life. Doing the best they know how- trying to get by… Over 7 billion valuable souls.
Tell me the story of Jesus,
Write on my heart every word;
Tell me the story most precious,
Sweetest that ever was heard.
Tell how the angels in chorus,
Sang as they welcomed His birth,
“Glory to God in the highest!
Peace and good tidings to earth.”
Deborah and I spent last weekend in NYC for short term orientation with DestiNations International in preparation for Deborah’s move to Nicaragua. What a great experience- lots of learning about culture, life on the mission field, encouragement from the Word of God and wisdom from men who serve Him. We also made lots of memories trudging to class in the snow, navigating the subway system without a “local”, chatting with people, trying lamb off of a street vendor( delicious!),being well fed by Miss Dee, singing in the station, etc. I was thoroughly blessed to be included. But I learned something that I didn’t haven’t grasped fully.
At least two billion people know literally nothing about Jesus. Zero Exposure. That’s hard for me to fathom. So I came home and continued my research. According to Joshuaproject.net, 86% of all Hindus, Muslims and Buddhists do not know a Christian. And 90% of mission efforts are in all ready “reached lands” where the gospel has been presented, translated, etc. World.ag.org states that over 4 billion still wait for an “adequate witness of the Savior.”
So I came home with a heavy heart. How can you just leave all of your obligations and head off into some unknown land, to trudge up unknown mountains and tell people about Jesus in an unknown tongue? The easy answer is to just support those who have already made the decision to go, and hope that they hurry- because we are living in the last days, by all appearances… But is that enough?
Is that anything? Then my mom who manages to pull up random facts at the most incredible times started spouting off statics of how many people immigrate to America and move into areas of “like culture” and live among their own people and never hear the Gospel here. In America, the land of religious freedom… And, 900,000 foreign students are studying here with plans to return to their home country.
- Tell me the story of Jesus,
Write on my heart every word;
Tell me the story most precious,
Sweetest that ever was heard.
One of my amazing friends has already tackled this idea, by getting into a number of ESL homes, learning about their culture, sharing with them in return. Faithfully planting seeds. And leaving the tending up to the Great Gardener…
This blesses me. Some of us are called to leave the comforts of home and head out in the great beyond. And some aren’t. But We are all called. “Go ye into ALL the World and preach the Gospel”… And isn’t it a unique twist that all the world- has come to us? We just need to be active.
Praying that the Light will continue to Shine and draw all people towards our Loving Heavenly Father… And that I, for one, will be more enthusiastic about sharing the stories of Jesus… – Kendra
Tell of the cross where they nailed Him,
Writhing in anguish and pain;
Tell of the grave where they laid Him,
Tell how He liveth again.
Love in that story so tender,
Clearer than ever I see;
Stay, let me weep while you whisper,
“Love paid the ransom for me.”
Tell how He’s gone back to heaven,
Up to the right hand of God:
How He is there interceding
While on this earth we must trod.
Tell of the sweet Holy Spirit
He has poured out from above;
Tell how He’s coming in glory
For all the saints of His love. -Fanny Crosby
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