Both of these photos have alot of history behind them. Personal history. Family history. Broken history. Mariano. Ceará. Real people. Friends of mine. People I have spent hours with, really days together.
But they represent something special to me. They are people that spent the vast majority of thier lives without Jesus Christ. For one simple reason.
They never had an opportunity to hear the plain, Gospel message. Both men are closer to 70 than to 60. And in all of that time, they never had the chance, never knew nor saw the love of Christ in action, never felt the unconditional care and love that comes from being a part of a community of believers.
One delightful day several years ago, I was visiting an 85 year old lady. First believer in her family. I remember that day sitting in her house with mud walls, explaining in clear language about the love of God. And she turned to me, after I had explained the Gospel to her, and she said:
"Well, I had never heard about that before!"
"Do you understand that God loves you, that he died for you, and that he wants to give you a new life inside?"
"Why yes, I do understand that now."
"Is that something that you want for your life?"
"I certainly do."
Then we prayed a simple prayer of salvation. A couple months later, I had the pleasure of baptising her in the small creek that ran behind her house. What an awesome day.
Taking the Gospel to a lost generation. Giving life, love and opportunity where it has never been given. That is the heart of what we do. My heart is moved to think that there are people that still need to hear the simple Gospel message.
This is the heart of the Christmas message - salvation has come and His name is Jesus.
Please remember to pray for us in this Christmas season.
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Beautiful post, Bud! Thanks for the encouragement.
Posted by: Tom | December 14, 2010 at 09:26 AM
Tom,
I appreciate you taking the time to comment. It is always good to know that people are encouraged by reading here.
Posted by: Bud Simon | December 15, 2010 at 08:36 AM