I was told many times, “Do not witness to them. You can
walk around but do not talk to them.” In my heart I said, “They were the reason
why I came to this foreign land - to show them the love of the One who taught
me about love and how to love. That Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And
we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.”
We
stayed in the city for two weeks. Right when we arrived, we have already proven
God’s faithfulness to us. “Wherever you go, I will watch over you.”
(Genesis 28:15) He watched over us every day as we went out to witness and to
do the ministry. He provided us a guide to the community. The sounds and sights
of danger were present daily, but the Lord has kept us safe and has given us
peace. When danger came a lot closer, these we dared not to love helped us to
safety.
The
Lord led us to old women and homes. Though we could not speak their language,
those who could understand faithfully translated from my native language, to
the next closest one, to their native language so that the others there with
them could also hear the stories we shared. We prayed with them and shared the love of
Jesus with them.
The
younger ones had tears in their eyes when they learned that hell is real and is
forever.
We
told them more stories of Jesus. They said they want to do what we do someday.
They
may have not professed faith in Jesus as their Savior but I know that God has
plan for them. Tears were in all our eyes as we hugged and said good byes.
This place is God’s prepared place. This is God’s city. And the people here are His people. The people
whom most would not want to reach and love, they know how to love as well. They
want to be loved. They hate war. They hate violence. They want peace. They are
LOST. They need prayers. They need our GOD.
“Then later I will
bring you back to this land. I won’t leave you – I will do all I have promised. (Genesis 28:15)
-Lem
NT
Philippines
