Sheep among wolves

Turkey | OM International

Their first lift came quickly from a self–confessed murderer who had never heard of a God of love.  Again and again throughout their ten day trip they shared with people, totally ignorant of the gospel.  They slept in the prayer room at bus stations and picked fruit from trees.  One morning an old man approached them with a tray of tea, bread, cheese and jam, saying, “See, we feed our enemies, you kill yours.”  Steve, an American, was quick to humble himself and friendship followed. 

Late one night, while talking with a group about Jesus, the atmosphere darkened and the ring leader threatened them, “If you go to any of our villages and talk about your religion, we’ll crucify you.” That night they slept on a bench but awoke in the early hours surrounded by the same angry voices, deciding what to do to these ‘godless foreigners’. Andy and Steve moved on quickly but despite their fear they were overcome with the inexplicable joy of God’s presence. Looking up they ‘saw’ the glory of God resting over a village at the top of the hill.   

Tired and thirsty they drank from the spring.  The village seemed deserted but then a group of bearded men joined them from a nearby field. These devout God fearing Muslims were hungry to learn.  Sitting together in the mosque discussing at length, Andy showed through the Qur’an that Jesus, born of a virgin, seated with God in heaven, has power over death and is, therefore, far superior to any prophet. All the men wanted New Testaments and they promised to send them when they returned home.

As they hitched lifts back to the capital they realised that these villagers could not search for truth in any bookshop or website.  They were in regions beyond.  There was a harvest out there and Andy and Steve prayed earnestly that the Lord would thrust out labourers.

Credit: OM International
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