Sometimes we need reminders of God’s incredible ability to save the lost. We also need the inspiration of people who’ve sacrificed normal lives to serve the Lord.
So let me share the story of Ivan and Doris Schoen. In 1956 Ivan heard about five missionaries martyred in Ecuador, and the next day he gave two weeks’ notice at his job and fully committed himself to ministry to unreached people groups living in jungles.
We aren’t all called to make this type of sacrifice, but we are definitely called to pray for people who make it. And it builds our faith to hear about their dedication and the incredible power of the gospel.
Ivan and Doris went through biblical and medical training and headed to the jungles of Suriname with their three small children. They gave up every modern convenience to live among natives who had never heard the gospel.
These tribes were known for their violence, and their culture was based on fear of evil spirits. They painted their skin each evening to keep the evil spirits away. And they killed most of their newborn children thinking they were appeasing demonic spirits.
As the Schoens learned the language and began understanding the culture, God gave them amazing and creative ways to share the gospel.
Please set aside 76 minutes this week and watch this video explaining the Schoens' mission. I know it will bless you as it did my husband and me.
Video: Lifted
These other resources will also encourage you:
A Saint's Life is about the son of one of the missionaries martyred in Ecuador. See also Steve Saint.
Less, Not More is about the sister of one of the men martyred in Ecuador and what she gave up to share Christ with the tribe that murdered her brother.
Big Feet of Gladys Aylward is about a woman whose big feet gave her favor to share the gospel in China.
BLN
My mother grew up in. Ecuador as MK (missionary kid) she was born in Ecuador 1932. She became a nurse and used her Spanish as she finished her career working for 30 years in the hospital prenatal clinic. Her patients loved her Spanish and all the other ethnic people.
ReplyDeleteHer sister wanted to be a missionary in Ecuador but her father would not let her since she never married. She had a mission wherever she lived mainly in New York city. She was mugged and robbed several times.
Her brother became a missionary back in Ecuador. Serving with Christian Missionary Alliance. He worked with HJCB radio and was an administrator for a jungle hospital in Shell Ecuador. He named his one son after Nate Saint. As far as I know they were friends. His youngest son Peter is on furlough while his sons are finished school and getting started in college. He is still active in service he is involved in pastor training and conferences deep in the Amazon. Not the last one but the one prior he had a stroke and made it back to Philadelphia for medical assistance and was completely healed. One of the Peruvian pastors is the one who got him home.
This video you attachment is quite moving. I truly enjoyed listening to it. I don't know if I could have that much faith at least not when I was younger. Later I am much more willing to go.I have been on a couple short term trips. I would go on more if I had enough faith to provide financially. I have my eyes open to go where he leads.
Dear Gail, thank you very much for sharing “LIFTED”. It is incredible. I have been blessed abundantly by it. Praise Jesus! Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, Robert. It's an inspiring story of faith.
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