Today I read a story from the gospel of Asia. In it, missionaries were showing the Jesus film to villagers who had never seen a movie before. For these people the movie became indistinguishable from real life as they followed the storyline of Jesus' time here on earth. One man who was an alcoholic most of his life came to see the movie. As he watched and began to understand who Jesus was and what he had done for him, his heart softened. When on the screen, the Roman soldiers began to nail Jesus to the cross, this man stood up shouting "Stop...Stop...Stop!"
...you see he had become so engrossed in the movie that he felt as if the moment was real...he had come to understand who Jesus was and why he had come. He knew that Jesus didn't deserve to die on the cross.

 The missionaries took him aside and talked with him.One of the missionaries had also been an alcoholic for many years. He explained how Jesus had set him free. The man accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior right then and there and was freed from alcoholism as well. Strange that a man half way around the world, who had never heard of Jesus before, had been so moved that his entire life changed just because he had heard the truth. Just the truth is enough for everyone. But not everyone has heard the truth. Whether it is someone else or me myself who takes the good news to those without hope does not matter, so long as it goes and it goes swiftly!

This summer I will have the chance to speak with people who have never heard of Jesus. I will convey to them the story of why he came to earth and why he died for them...why he died for me. Whether in Malawi Africa, or here in my own neighborhood, even at times, to be honest, here in my own church, when I take the truth to those who have not heard it I am the one who is blessed. Jesus will endure, His truth will remain, no matter who refutes its validity, it is after all, still the truth. I believe that this mission trip will teach me many things, and I am certain that it will enlarge the territory of my ministry.

I once prayed "Lord, let me reach multitudes for your kingdom" I believe that God not only heard that prayer, but has been granting  me the opportunity. Every day there is seed to be sewn, there are people to be loved, there is justice to be done...every day is chock full of opportunities to do the right thing, for the right reason, at the right time.

This life is fleeting to say the least. My purpose here has been stated simply but powerfully by my Lord:

"Therefore GO and MAKE DISCIPLES of ALL nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of  the Holy Spirit, and TEACHING them to OBEY EVERYTHING I have commanded you." - Mathew 28:19-20

This was the last thing that Jesus said to the disciples. There were only eleven of them remaining. "When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted." ...Wow, even then, even with the resurrected Jesus standing in front of them giving them his departing words, even after worshiping, some doubted...I know it is difficult sometimes for us to hold on to the truth of Jesus, but the very last thing he says in Mathew 28:20 is "And I will be with you always, to the very end of the age."

As for me, I choose to believe!