Clarity And Compassion

June 5, 2014
9:55pm

I was unsure of what to expect as I entered the place known as Banda. Up to this point I had heard many stories. A man of God named Joshua had once lived here and loved the people of this community well. He loved them in a way that exemplified Christ’s great love for us. As a missionary to the Ligbi people group that lived in Banda, Joshua was met with great opposition. To understand this opposition, one must know a few things about who the Ligbi are. They are a people group that live on the border of both Ghana and the Ivory Coast. The Ligbi culture is so interlaced with Islam that to renounce Islam, would be to renounce being Ligbi. They would be cut off from their families and closest friends if they were to decide to follow Jesus. Young people would be disowned and disinherited if this were to happen to them. Joshua, however, would trust in Christ’s sufficiency and rise to the occasion. As a result of faithfully loving the Ligbi community, Jesus could be seen in the life of Joshua and his family. They knew what Joshua was all about by the life that he lived, and because of that, some people arranged to have him shot. This happened on two different occasions, and Joshua would happily lift up his shirt to reveal the marks left by the bullets on his chest. Joshua loves the Ligbi though, and he works diligently to provide them with a translation of the Bible in their own language. He chooses to return time and time again to the people who arranged to have him shot so that he can show Jesus’ love in practical ways. We got to be a part of this missionary’s extension of compassion as we provided eye glasses to the Ligbi community there in Banda. We were also able to meet and love a lot of Ligbi children today. Scott and I went with Joshua and Daddy to meet with some of the Ligbi elders to arrange for a house to be built for a widow who’s house was severely dilapidated. They approved that HCM could build the house. As the widow was showing us her land, Daddy wanted to make sure that she knew from whom this house was being provided. It was not from HCM, it was not from Daddy’s pocket, but it was from Jesus and those who give faithfully to His kingdom’s expansion. As Joshua communicated this good news to this woman, I couldn’t help but be grateful for the picture of Jesus before me in this man. Joshua moved into a people group not his own, to a culture not his own. He did this because he loved the Ligbi, and he wanted to bring them to his Father. The people he loved attacked him, but because he was driven by love, he faithfully obeyed the mission set before him by God. He continues to love bodly; a love that spills over to everyone this man comes in contact with. Joshua knows that the Kingdom of God is advancing, and he knows Who wins. Let us live in such a way as well. Like Joshua, let our lives resound the cry of the Moravians: "Our Lamb has conquered; let us follow Him.

Keep Following Jesus,
Tony