Wings of Service

For worship tonight we read an old Eric B. Hare story from the 1930’s about a jungle boy who became a Christian and the witch in his village was calling for his baptism to be undone as many jeered in anger. Eventually God used an earthquake and the knowledge this boy had learned at school to bring many to Christ when the Buddhist priest and the witch didn’t know what an earthquake was.

It reminded me of another story that occurred just this last week in Zambia. A school girl, that struggled with demon position and was freed from this oppression, was called back to her village because her grandmother, the village witch and provider for the family, is old and ill. The demons have chosen her to take her grandmother’s place and her family expects her to come and use this power to be the provider for the family.

She had to wrestle with the decision but has chosen to remain at school and to be a Christian. This decision separates her from her family and we don’t know what the future holds for her.

We don’t think much of the reality of demons and witchs in our modern world. But the battle between good and evil is just as real today as in the 1930’s. And just as there was a need then for those who were willing to leave everything, like Eric B. Hare, there is a great need now.

We have felt this calling in our own lives and have been very blessed to have served in various fields the last several years. Recently we have felt an undeniable conviction on our hearts that it is time to leave Kibidula, not to leave mission service but to help train more young people who have a desire to serve.

I hope these stories make us ask ourselves, “Am I willing to be used like that jungle boy in the earthquake almost 100 years ago? Am I ready to stand in a shaking world and tell others not to be afraid because we know the end of the story?”

Please join us in prayer for the young girl in Zambia who has chosen not to be a witch. And pray with us that God continues to show us his plans for our lives and that we are willing to follow his call wherever he leads.

We look forward to seeing many of you soon as we return to Washington mid November. We are quite sad to be leaving the many good friends we have made here at Kibidula, and the good work that is being done here. At the same time we are excited to be entering this new chapter in our lives.

We all know the great commission well but it has taken on new meaning for us lately.

“All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
Mathew 28:19-20

We are all called to teach. Really, we are called to teach, teachers. To be mentors to those around us, that they will grow in their own walk with God to the point that they too become teachers for God.