Life is Urgent

“Jesus said to another, Follow Me! He said “certainly, but first … I have to make arrangements for my father’s funeral.” Jesus refused. “First things first. Your business is life, not death. And life is urgent: announce God’s Kingdom!” Luke 9:61 The Message

One of the first things you notice in the gypsy village are the clothes worn by the people. The children’s attire is predominately the same – school uniforms and shorts with un-tucked well-worn shirts, but the women’s wear beautiful multi-layered silks of bright colors banded in gold and silver trim, and when strangers or men approach they are quick to pull the scarf over their head. Most wear elaborate beaded nose rings for adornment and jeweled bangles on their wrists. The women sat on the peripheral of the crowd of children - when the gospel began in earnest to be preached the gathered the beauty that covered their outside and left empty inside.

We handed out balloons when we arrived and as we were leaving they clamored to have one more “pooka” even though they were hiding them in their hands or pockets – just one more. The Pastor asked us to come to the house of the one (out of 700 in the village) believer. We were followed by 30 or 40 children sure they could coax one more of something out of us. We stepped inside the one room house. A picture of Jesus hung proudly on the wall in the 8x8 room. Pastor asked A to bless the couple and their house. They knelt on the mat and A placed his hands on their humbled bowed heads, and prayed for strength, blessing and boldness to speak the truth into their community.

I looked around the small room. The clothes they owned were hanging on a clothesline strung from one corner to another. There was a drink crate suspended on the wall whose small compartments held the entirety of their worldly possessions. The hospitality humbled us – they passed around a plate of cookies and glasses of tea, and as soon as the plate was depleted, the husband ran out and purchased another sack of cookies.

I wanted to cry – it was more testimony that the mite the widow offered as sacrifice. These people were honoring and giving to us out of thanks for bringing the Gospel to their village – to help “them” get the word out. How could we not continue to “go” to the ends of the earth – when this is what awaits us?

Our next stop was a family whose daughter had received a miraculous healing two years ago. When the Pastor visited the village they had set her in a corner and expected her illness to rob her of life. Until one carrying the Word of Life came to their house. They were all smiles and blessings, thanking the Pastor, shaking our hand and praising God. They asked for a blessing as their faith was still weak, their walls still covered with the pictures of other gods, even though they witnessed the healing power of the Risen Lord.

We took a photo for the occasion and walked out – negotiating past the tethered cattle and bulls, watching our step to avoid what the animals have left behind, and the next step to miss the holes, rocks, stones and gutters that constitute the village road.

We loaded the can and set off for the next village “in the dark” literally and spiritually.

“Seek God, while He’s here to be found, pray to Him while He’s close at hand. Let the wicked abandon their way of life.” Isaiah 55:6-7

Again, we parked at the outskirts of the village and started our praise and prayer walk down the dark streets. The smell of fire permeates the air. Although, it is relatively late for American diners – fires dot the streets with women cooking the night’s meal. Children run freely up and down the streets along with a menagerie of animals. We are the curiosity in this place – and they wonder not just “who” we are but “what” we are.

The best place for our presentation was directly across from the village temple. It was empowering to call the name of Jesus in front of the gates of hell! We presented the Gospel, sang praise songs and watched the children watching us and seeing Him. The Pastor led the people in an altar call of acceptance and salvation.

“Come follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:10

I think today He would also say “I will make you fishers in villages in Indian, gypsies and outcast, orphans in all parts of the world, learned University students in China, tribal women suffering in Africa, the war wounded in Bosnia, and disaster victims in Sri Lanka.

He is calling always to those who are listening. The conversations in heaven are always concerned for the lost and hurting of this world.

“ and then I heard the voice of the Master: “Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?” I spoke up, “I’ll go. Send me!” Isaiah 6:8