by John O’Malley
I purchased several books from eBay. The seller included a free book which became more valuable to me than the books I bought. The booklet is A Foreign Missionary Workers’ Manual*.
I read this selection, and I thought of you this month where you are. I thought about the global sickness and fatigue from the pandemic, the challenges you face, the sufferings you have endured while preaching the Gospel in the place you serve.
I drew strength from a selection in the manual entitled: Onward Christian Soldiers.
A fourteen-year-old Japanese girl who had only recently found the Lord came into the missionary telling of her desire to take the message of salvation to her loved ones at home.
On inquiry, the missionary found that her home was two hundred miles away over the mountains and that the girl had no other way to cover the distance than to walk. She insisted, however, upon going and was anxious the missionary lady should accompany her.
They started, and even after a steady tramp for a long distance, the Japanese girl did not care to stop. “We must hurry,” she would say, “they might die before we get there.”
Many more weary miles were placed behind them, and noticing that the girl’s feet were bleeding and sore, the missionary insisted that the convert should go no further, without rest.
Resting but briefly, they continued the journey until finally both travelers fell exhausted on the mountainside. At the missionary’s statement, “We cannot go any farther,” the girl looked up and said, “Can’t you sing ‘Onward, Christian Soldiers?’”
The song finished, the little girl asked, “Missionary do you think that the people in America will think that I love Jesus as much as they do?” At last, the home was reached, the story was told, and the family joyfully found the Lord.
Do you, an American, love Jesus as much as the Japanese girl?
I saw these lessons from this fourteen-year-old girl:
1. I must not lose my passion for souls.
2. No distance is too great when it comes to delivering the Gospel.
3. When I feel I cannot go on, I can.
4. The people I serve have much to teach me about my walk, faith, and passion for the Gospel.
Do you have a lesson that sticks out to you? Please email me and tell me what lessons you drew from this illustration.
Yours for the harvest,
John O’Malley
*A Foreign Missionary Workers’ Manual
The Pilgrim House
Indianapolis, Indiana
Published in 1947
If this article has been an encouragement to you, you can email Bro. O’Malley here to let him know.