Not long ago, I was serving with A3 in a predominantly Buddhist nation. It’s a nation where the Buddhist priests have been quite antagonistic to the Church, threatening believers and burning down church buildings.
As I was serving, I was visiting an impoverished village where some of my colleagues had reached out following a devastating natural disaster. They went into the community, served the people, and rebuilt hundreds of homes that had been lost. I was visiting trainer centers that had been built to equip the people and educate the children.
Apparently, the region surrounding this village was quite activist as the radical Buddhists were ready to demonstrate against the believers and again wreak havoc on the believers. It was interesting in the village though as none of the Buddhist locals were helpful to that community. Most of the community were not Christians, but those reaching out were and the demonstrations were directed toward the outreach workers.
Just before the mayhem was to begin, one of the monks shared with my colleague his need for a computer: his had died recently and they couldn’t afford a new one. So my friend decided to give him a computer. Guess what? That monk was so touched that he stopped the entire demonstration.
Isn’t that so like Jesus! When those who hate us come to us in need, we can reach out to them and it can turn into a powerful moment for the gospel. Today, that village is a place of peace and some are coming to Christ because one person decided to be a peacemaker with a simple act of generosity.
“For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” – Galatians 5:14
Joe Handley
Note: This article has republished with permission from Evangelvision, here is the original post...
Joe Handley (@jwhandley) is president of A3. Previously, he was founding director of Azusa Pacific University’s Office of World Mission and lead mission pastor at Rolling Hills Covenant Church. He also co-led one of the first multi-national high school mission congresses in Mexico City. Joe strives to develop leaders who multiply churches that transform nations. Learn more: A3 Blog
