From the bank he watched his boat drift into the current of the Amazon. His only mode of transportation gone. Untied and pushed into the water by villagers opposed to his work, his small boat floated toward the center of the wide, quickly flowing river. In spite of the antagonism, the pastor knew God had called him to minister to those along the river.
When he and his family had to leave their mission work in Angola because of the war, he felt God’s call to the Amazon. Even when his wife balked at the idea of starting Presbyterian churches in the area, he persisted. God changed her heart. Many counseled them to not go, but they went. The couple and their three children evangelized in villages on the mighty river. With two children now in college and one working in Youth with a Mission, the couple continue to serve the twelve churches they planted. Going from village to village in a boat allows him to visit each one every month.
One village was especially resistant to evangelism. Besides untying his boat, the power was cut off when he tried to work on the church. Rocks flew at him. Disgruntled residents threw wood for construction of the church into the river. They hoped to stop the building. He remained faithful and persistent. If God wanted the church to be built, it would be built.
One year a flood consumed the village. Ground washed away from the rest of the area, but the church stood on solid ground. It was the only building unfazed by the swirling torrents.
Hardships continued. Six years ago a strong wind swept his boat away. As he attempted to retrieve it, the strong current yanked him into the swirling water. Exhausted and weary, he couldn’t reach shore. Finally, a small fishing boat came. But with a large fish filling the space, there was no room for the struggling pastor. Fortunately, another boat arrived and pulled him from the dangerous river. He survived.
Four years later another huge flood again destroyed the village which hovered on the banks of the river. Disaster demolished their homes and their resistance to God. They accepted the church and began to know Jesus.
His message to our group was to overcome barriers-cultural, geographic or whatever we face. Don’t give up when times get hard. All Christians are to go out and not just the leaders. Through an interpreter, the humble, persevering pastor shared his remarkable story.
For two days we ministered in that once hostile village. Residents welcomed and accepted medical care from the doctor and dentist. Children learned about God through VBS. Alan’s glasses helped them see. A church service enabled them to learn more about Jesus. Several families received clothes, school supplies, and hygiene items in bags filled by our team. The visit was made possible because of years of persecution, endurance, and obedience by a serving pastor and his family.
After hearing of his years of struggles, persecutions and hardships, any problems or persecutions I might have are truly insignificant. He didn’t look for fame or glory but desired to be obedient to God’s call. Though he is not known around the world, his work is recognized by the One who matters.
Acts 8:1-8 On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison.
Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ there. When the crowds heard Philip and saw the miraculous signs he did, they all paid close attention to what he said. With shrieks, evil spirits came out of many, and many paralytics and cripples were healed. So there was great joy in that city.
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