Jun 20
Jun 06
"I know you will be blessed by this one devotional from Beth Moore book, Voices of the Faithful. The book is a compilation of inspiring stories from 300 missionaries who have given up everything to be on the front lines of faith and make a difference in their corner of the world. They are real, live flesh and blood people who love the comforts of home and extended family just like you and me. They are all ages, shapes and sizes--singles, married, widowed, old and young. They don’t all sing, preach, or teach. Some of them farm, dig wells and do plumbing. They don’t have a single talent or skill entirely in common. All they have in common is a willingness to engage with God across the globe to reach the nations. "Plans for a Future and a Hope
“As you know, we consider blessed thosewho have persevered.” (James 5:11a, NIV)
Drought conditions in the state of Orissa (or-RISS-sah), India, caused many deaths one year. People looked to the village priest to perform rituals to appease the spirits, but even the priest suffered as he helplessly watched his malnourished wife die after birthing her fifth child. Fearing his dignity would be tarnished for not saving his wife, he decided a greater sacrifice must be made. He chose to offer his baby daughter as a human sacrifice.
As the father prepared to cremate his wife, he commanded his sister to throw the baby onto the burning pyre. But the aunt had sympathy for the child and tossed a bundle of rags instead. For 15 days, she drugged the infant to prevent her from crying. But the angry father found out and torched his sister’s hut for deceiving him.
The aunt escaped with the child and ran miles through the jungle to a mission hospital, where she abandoned the baby. Later she returned and identified the child. After three months, a Canadian Baptist missionary was given custody of the infant, who was named Lakki (LAH-kee) Joy.
Lakki thrived under the missionary’s care. Through her guidance, Lakki came to know Christ as her personal Lord and Savior.
Lakki shares the gospel with her people group, the Soura (Sue-rah) at every opportunity. This once unwanted baby has become a testimony of God’s love and is truly a joy to others.
Sue, South Asia
