from: here
In preparation for our Haiti field trip, Annie spent the year teaching us French and Bible. One morning in Bible she shared a story from one of her favorite novels, The Insanity of God. A missionary in northern Africa was struggling to see how the church could survive under persecution. He traveled all over the world studying and learning from persecuted Christians.
One of the mini stories this missionary collected was about a guy named Dimitri. He was a pastor in a communist country who was imprisoned. He spent each day in his prison cell waking up, turning to the east, and singing a heartsong praising God. The other prisoners would throw poop at him and yell at him to stop. If he found any little scrap of paper he would write as much scripture on it as possible and he would put it on the wall of his cell as an offering to God. The guards would beat him and tell him to stop. Eventually they were so fed up with him, they brought him down to be executed. As they were dragging him away, all of the prisoners in the building stood up, faced east and sang Dimitri's heartsong. The guards were so astonished and scared they did not kill Dimitri, but let him go.
from: here
Another story the missionary collected was from youth in Russia. When they were under communist rule, they memorized chapters and books in the Bible so they would not forget them. Now that they are free to worship, the youth don't even know the names of the gospels. The author also mentioned how we are so complacent in our faith in the US that the devil doesn't want us to be persecuted. Persecution would bring us closer to the Lord. The novel gave me a lot to think about.
"Those of us who have grown comfortable with the teachings of Christ have allowed His teachings to lose their edge." Nik Ripken
The Cross and the Switchblade was one of the required Bible books for school this year. It was a fascinating story about a small-town preacher who goes to New York to work with gangs. God called him and he wasn't exactly sure why or what he was going to do. I can definitely relate to that. This is a story about redemption, forgiveness, and the amazing power of the Holy Spirit.
One of our students recommended The Little Woman, another missionary novel. Christin read it; she told me that I needed to read it next. The beginning of the story is so much like my own life. Gladys felt like she was supposed to go to China. She had no plan or idea what was in store for her. I feel that way about my next journey to Costa Rica. I don't know what God has in mind, but I want to be faithful and obedient.
from: here
Another friend recommended a book about missionary Amy Carmichael. I don't know anything about her life, but I want to gobble up this book to find out all about it. I am excited to be able to spend time this summer reading and relaxing and resting.
What are you reading? Any recommendations?
Con mucho amor.
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