Because no mission organizations would sponsor work in the dangerous African Sudan in 1893, Tom, Walter, and Rowland went on their own.
Within a year, Tom and Walter were dead from diseases contracted during failed attempts to reach remote villages with the Gospel.
Does this seem a useless loss of life?
Walter Gowan wrote these words when dying:
"Well, glory to God, He has enabled me to make a hard fight for the Sudan, and although it may seem like a total failure and defeat, it is not. We shall have the victory. I have no regret for undertaking this venture, and in this manner my life has not been thrown away." *
Rowland Bingham, the only survivor of the three, devoted the remainder of his life to setting up a network of missions in the Sudan.
"If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord." Romans 14:8
"I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death." Philippians 1:20
In dying or living, obedience to God is never wasted.
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* Rowland Bingham, Into Africa's Interior, YWAM Christian Heroes series, page 72
While I recommend this book in the series, I do not recommend the book in the series called "Lottie Moon, Giving Her All for China."
Lottie Moon's family had a large plantation and they were slave owners,
but the book presents them as victims of the Civil War. I wrote YWAM
about my concerns, and they made it clear that they were comfortable
with the book.
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That is beautiful faith! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteobedience to God is never wasted.
ReplyDeleteamen. now ... to live that out!
Absolutely agree
ReplyDeletea beautiful lesson for all of us! I totally agree. thank you for sharing this.
ReplyDelete