Welcome to the World!

Words cannot express the time we just had on our trip to Kansas City. Jack, Paula, Ken and I drove to a City Mission World Association Tri-Annual Conference. These are usually held outside of North America, with slim to none chance of us attending. However, it was hosted by our Association of Gospel Rescue Missions this year so the world came to us!

As you can see from the photo, men and women from every continent of the world: Africa, Europe, Australia, North and South America, Asia ... okay, not Antarctica!

I can now say I have prayed and dined and fellowshipped with new friends from Kenya, Pakitstan, Germany, Romania, Australia, England, Phillipines, Columbia, India, Jamaica and more.

Three highlights for me. I'll talk about one per day so you can get through it! I hope you'll join me this week for a trip around the world.

Today we visit Romania before the collapse of the Soviet Union:

This first highlight, also a highlight for Jack, was the Sunday morning service when our Romanian friend spoke of a man's experiences of suffering in prison through the communist regime.

As Jack says, it's a topic in which we don't dwell or partake.

Imagine being imprisoned and beaten regularly. When going for work detail, the last one in line always takes a beating. You decide to receive beatings on behalf of the elderly, who are usually last, by forcing and shoving them ahead. At mealtimes, on a regular basis, you give them your rations of food and go without. Now you have been caught for your generosity and put in solitary confinement.

The next morning I had the priviledge of praying with this great teacher. When I saw him sit at our table I was shocked. In my mind I was saying, "Wow, this man of God, sitting with me... I am humbled to pray with him."

Later that night, he came to me and thanked me for praying for missions in second and third world countries that are in need of protection and sponsorship from larger missions. In our conversation, I asked him, "Were you the man in prison?"

"I don't speak of such things. What I have suffered is nothing in comparison to others who have spoken out for Christ."

It was him.

We discussed the decline of the church in North America, and he said that even his own children were not as zealous in their faith since the collapse of communism.

I find it sad, yet challenging, that we do not live as suffering servants today. What will it take for us to pull up our bootstraps, recognize our vast wealth and blessing, and speak out for Christ?

I shudder to ponder.

"Do not be afraid of those who hate you. Their hate for you proves they will be destroyed. It proves you have life from God that lasts forever. 29 You are not only to put your trust in Him, but you are to suffer for Him also. 30 You know what the fight is like. Now it is time for you to have a part in it as I have." Philippians 1:28-30 (New Life Version)