【I love listening to you most】
Responses from readers of Kingdom of God Magazine
love choice
2019年夏天讀了《神國》雜誌56期的〈death of a missionary〉。幾個月來，腦子裡反覆思想，心中很受感動。在網上看了許多與John Allen Chau弟兄有關的報導和照片，很想寫點回應。
The love that missionaries have for God and for people is not something that ordinary people can understand. The reason why every missionary is willing to put down everything they own in this world, give up everything, and embark on the missionary journey without hesitation is, I believe, a response of love. They deeply felt the life-saving love of Christ Jesus, so they were willing to give up everything, even choosing to use their own lives to repay the Lord's love.
Brother John Allen Chau mentioned in the article is believed to be no exception. This small island, named North Sentinel Island by the British, has been isolated from the outside world for a long time and is protected by the Indian government. Outsiders are strictly prohibited from approaching the islanders. And he was inspired by God to preach the gospel to these indigenous people. What a difficult challenge it was!
Where did his courage, courage and determination come from? Allow me to quote the title of the biography of global evangelist Oswald J. Smith - Fire in His Bones, an unquenchable flame in his heart!
Oswald J. Smith was willing to endure the pain of being separated from his family for many years and preached in every corner of the world. He once wrote in his diary: "There is a calling in my heart that keeps calling and I can't be quiet. I am like a The hound on the leash is struggling to get out. The cry of "must go" is so irresistible. The heavenly fire burns in my heart. No matter what happens, I see the factory in the distance. , I have no choice but to go."
I firmly believe that Brother John Allen Chau also saw a vision from God, so his reaction was exactly the same as that of Oswald J. Smith. I think as an outsider, watching with a cold eye, it is inappropriate to say anything about what happened to him, especially gloating words or unkind criticisms, which will only make matters worse and cause greater harm to John’s family. .
On January 8, 1956, it was equally shocking when five young American missionaries, Jim Elliot, Nate Saint, Ed McCully, Peter Fleming, and Roger Youderian, died under spears of the Waorani people in the Ecuadorian rainforest. . 62 years later, as if history was repeating itself, on November 17, 2018, a young missionary named John Allen Chau also died under the arrows of the North Sentinel Islanders!
(USA·Zhang Lingshaowei)
Love is close at hand
A few blocks away from my house, there lived a middle-aged homeless man. For the past eight or nine years, every time I take my children to and from school, I have passed through his "base." I never regarded him as my neighbor, and I often passed by him with an attitude that it didn't matter to me. Until this year, my eight-year-old daughter became interested in him. I make strawberry jam sandwiches in the morning and write a note to introduce myself and stick it on the sandwich bag (see picture). Sometimes I am in a hurry and ask her to give it to her after school in the afternoon. She will also scold her, "Mom, there is no one in the morning. He must be there." "I'm very hungry because everyone is in a hurry like us and ignores him." Because of my daughter's concern, I have gradually changed. I smile and say hello to him every day when I pass by, and sometimes buy him bread, coffee, etc., and I also know him. His name is Roy.
讀了林敏雯在58期的〈Journey of a Thousand Miles〉後，更不禁自省，「身為基督徒的我，看著無家可歸的Roy這麼多年，都沒有行公義、好憐憫之心……」想著想著，此時波士頓天寒地凍，趕緊包了兩件還完好但先生穿不下的羽絨衣給他。每晚，我同孩子們為他禱告，實在也不知能多做些甚麼。我想，每天能給他當有的尊重、關懷，便是建立關係的第一步吧！
(Boston, USA, Liu Yanjun)