I love stories where God intercedes on behalf of folks who want to serve Him. In almost all of these stories the experts in this world reject them. I wrote about Patrick who supposedly was not smart enough. What the experts often don't realize is that God is more concerned about your 'passionate availability... than your ability.' However, I have often discovered the 'abilities' so defined by the experts to be unnecessary hurdles. So, I guess I have a kinship... because the experts also said I could not be a pastor. The experts always like to build structures that place them in positions of authority to 'manage' people. It is about power! And power is often the main ingredient behind sin!
Bruce Olson was a Minnesota kid in high school who wanted to become a missionary. However, everyone, the experts again, said crazy stuff... stuff the everyone's of this world always say... "You are too young!" "You are not educated enough!" "You need to be patient!" "You are not funded!" "You are not sponsored!" So, Bruce SENT HIMSELF! He saved up to buy a one-way ticket to the Amazon Jungle asking God to go before him. Bruce was not sure what he was going to do or how he was going to serve.
Bruce arrived in Columbia and immediately sought out some missionaries. After all Bruce reasoned, they would probably appreciate the help. However, the missionaries rejected him. They told him to go back home. They told him he was another mouth to feed. So, Bruce left and asked God to open some doors. Bruce wandered out onto a university campus and started talking to a young man. Bruce was good with learning languages. He taught himself Greek and Latin while in high school. In any event, this young man was a radical Marxist. When the Marxist found out Bruce did not have a place to stay... the Marxist invited Bruce to stay with him. Who says God doesn't have a sense of humor? God must have said, "Okay, if I can't get the in-country Christians to help Bruce, I will go find an atheistic Marxist-Communist to help him!" God will ALWAYS make a way for the FAITHFULLY committed! Note: Don't ever doubt that God will provide!
Well, Bruce eventually ran into a medical doctor who lived on the edge of the Amazon jungle. He liked Bruce's energy even though he initially thought Bruce was naive. Bruce heard about the aboriginal tribes people in the Amazon and wanted to help them know Jesus. So, in typical 'anti-expert' fashion... Bruce just walked into the jungle to find them. Instead, it was the Motilone people who found Bruce and they took him back to their village. This village became home to Bruce. He learned to eat things that could not be found at your local McDonald's. Things that looked a lot like slugs! Yet, Bruce knew, if he was going to gain their acceptance, he would have to LIVE LIKE A MOTILONE! And, Bruce did!
You will have to read Bruce's book, "Bruchko!" It is the best missionary book I have ever read! It changed my life and changed how I view the ministry. If I ever teach a Pastor's course, it will be mandatory reading! Ironically, it is available on Amazon.com. We serve a funny God!
Let me tell you my favorite story from the book. It will demonstrate how I have come to view ministry. Many people enter the ministry and want the folks they minister to... to be like them. To think like them! To hold their same values! Sometimes missionaries and ministers in general have been more concerned about teaching their culture than they are sharing Jesus! That is not being a missionary, minister or A CHRISTIAN!
One day, a severe case of PINK-EYE broke out in the village. Unless you've lived on a farm most folks have never seen untreated bacteriological PINK-EYE. The eyes can ooze pus and of course, PINK-EYE is contagious. In our urban settings we usually just see viral forms of pink-eye. In any event, the village Witch-Doctor would go from person to person with her incantations, potions, and dancing in a desperate attempt to heal the people she loved. Bruce noticed her crying one day and realized just how much this Witch-Doctor loved her people. So, Bruce decided to walk out of the jungle and go visit his medical doctor friend. The doctor gave him the appropriate type of penicillin and Bruce returned to the village. But there was a problem! Bruce realized if he treated the sick it would embarrass the Witch-Doctor. Bruce was CONCERNED ABOUT THE WITCH-DOCTOR'S status in the village. NOW THAT IS LOVE! So, Bruce goes over to one of the patients and wipes some of the pus from their eyes and places it in his eye. In a few days, Bruce developed a raging case of PINK-EYE. Bruce calls the Witch-Doctor to help and recommends she use this potion (the penicillin) in addition to her incantations and dancing. The Witch-Doctor had her doubts, but Bruce lovingly explained another 'doctor' had some success. Well, as you can imagine, everyone in the village was healed... thanks to the Witch-Doctor.
You see, sometimes we get our 'agenda' ahead of ministry. Later on Bruce was told of a tribal legend. The legend indicated someone would one day come and be their equivalent of a Savior. Bruce was later to build on this legend by telling them about His Savior. And guess what? The Motilones found Jesus! Today, it is estimated over 70% of the Motilones are Christians!
Go read the book! Tomorrow's blog is on Gladys Aylward! A British missionary to the Chinese people!
See you tomorrow!
Pastor Jim Allen
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