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Have you heard the expression “Boots on the Ground?” Well our Live Dead Missionaries are the boots on the Silk Road. Here we’d like to take a moment and allow one of them to share a snapshot of their life with you. Some names and details have been changed, but this is a true story from this colorful, vibrant, and sometimes surprising region.

I wish I could show you the look on her face when we told her it was a free gift; this little book of John that I’ve been carrying around in my purse for three and a half months. She hugged it to her chest and her round face beamed out of her pink flowery headscarf that matched her pink-framed glasses.

I “smuggled” that little book into the country. I had two but I only brought one because I only had a good excuse for one. I would use it to help me in my language learning. But as I was walking through the airport about to go through customs, I suddenly imagined them going through my bags and questioning me about my intentions for bringing this material into a country where I was supposedly going on vacation, and expected not to distribute such things. From the first few pages one could tell it was quite obviously a tract, intended to be given out. I turned around to look for a bench where I could discretely take it out and just leave it somewhere. At least it made it this far. But a security guard immediately rerouted me, and directed me right to customs. I took a deep breath and walked forward. Then just like that, I was through the door, walking to the taxis, and no one even looked at me. I was sure God must have wanted me to bring that book of John to someone, so I carried it around in my purse.

Prevailing Light

The other day while out on a prayer walk, we ended up in a different neighborhood than we intended to end up in. Everyone seemed to stare at us, and we could really sense the darkness there. We tried to talk to some people but got nowhere. About to give up, we were standing by the bus stop when suddenly we noticed another park. That’s where we found this lady. My friend did most of the talking with her while her four year old son and I tried to see how far we could throw sunflower seed shells. She asked the lady what the upcoming sacrifice festival was all about, which is about the story of Abraham and Isaac and God providing the sacrifice, and it was the perfect door opener for sharing the gospel!

I heard them talk about reading the New Testament, and I suddenly became extremely aware of that little book I had, as if were about to burn a hole through my purse. My friend told her she could bring her a New Testament in her language, and at that her eyes widened. She wondered how she would get it, and at that moment I knew this was the person that book of John was for. I gave it to her and we explained what it was, to which she replied, “But I don’t have any money!” And then the delight on her face when we said it was a gift. I’ll never forget it.

In a place where we can easily get discouraged by seeds that don’t seem to sprout, it’s amazing to see how God directs our steps and leads us to people whose heart-soil He’s prepared. He is indeed working here.

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