Those Difference-Making Candles

 Good Morning Friends ….. from one of the remotest places we’ve been for quite awhile.

Can’t say much because it’s pretty closed up here, but suffice it to say it continues being an adventure.  (I’ll talk later) We had lunch with some of Tony’s students and my jaw was hanging just hearing some of their amazing histories.  

But today I want to tell you a story about a woman that I can talk about from a country nearby.

She’s my specialist Dr. back in Australia.  On a recent visit, I noticed a small plaque with a cross in her window and asked point blank (you can do this in Australia),  ”Are you a Christian”?

She smiled at me for the first time ever and then went on to tell me her story. 

It seems that four generations ago, a missionary wandered into her village in the extreme north of Burma.  After arriving and settling in just a short time, he was able to introduce the village head man to Jesus Christ.

Today, there are over 80 descendants, including her, from the faith of this one man and one missionary. Some of these relatives remain under persecution in Burma because they’re strong Christians, but many more are scattered all over the world, doing amazing things and living and sharing their faith.

As we sit around with the people we’re with here, we hear many similar stories.  This area is much forgotten in the western world, hardly ever in the news except when some celebrity falls off the big mountain…… but there are vibrant people here who love the Lord and are serving Him (covertly) in so many creative ways!  Today we attended a 3-hour worship service with hauntingly beautiful music played on instruments I’ve never seen.  We only understood “Yesu” which is sort of the universal for the One we know.  Seeing the excitement in their eyes as they worship and then listening to Tony teach makes all of our hearts happy.

As we say goodbye to another year, we have to realize that the day of His returning is drawing near, and yet there are millions of people who’ve never even heard the Good News. If you haven’t contributed to a Christmas offering, I’d encourage you to do so.  It really makes a difference sending out those single voices in the wilderness, knowing that some have been waiting all their lives to respond.  

Thanks for your support and concern.  Let’s all try to make a difference in someone’s future legacy.

The Lord willing and we don’t fall in a sewer or get bitten by a stray dog, we’ll be back in Hong Kong to ring in the new year, most likely from our hotel room as we’ll have flown all night, and then in a few days we’ll be back to some of you and Summer!  

Love and Happy New Year, 

Marsha


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