Powerful Testimony
We had one of the most powerful testimonies to the transformative power of the gospel on Sunday. A Karen (ethnic minority in Burma) woman spoke about a ministry she is involved in near the Thai/Burma Border.
The location is remote with no hospitals anywhere near on the Burma side. So often sick people are brought across the border to a hospital on the Thai side. This Karen woman was called in to visit a patient last year.
As they got to talking she learned that he had been in an auto accident in Burma. She learned he'd been a general in the Burmese army. This would have created great anxiety for her as the Burmese army plays a vital role is oppressing her people. Some have called it genocide.
After some trust was built and she had ministered with and to him over some days, he asked her about her ethnic background. She told him she was Karen. And he broke down in tears telling her that he was sorry but that he had murdered many of her people as a general in the army.
I was in awe of this woman who talked about loving this man who was her natural enemy. What a sacrifice! What a testimony to Jesus! But then the story got more amazing....
He needed further medical treatment that required a trip to Bangkok. But being Burmese without a VISA he needed special permission from the Thai authorities to travel. No dice. So this lady went with her new friend to the Thai office, argued with the official and convinced him to let her vouch for the injured man. She signed for him and that meant that "if he doesn't come back, you can put me in jail."
She was willing to go to jail so that this man who had murdered and terrorized her people could receive medical care. Sounds hauntingly like something Jesus would do. Perhaps she had the ability to offer this kind of grace because she is a Christian who has been following Jesus much of her life.
God bless.
The location is remote with no hospitals anywhere near on the Burma side. So often sick people are brought across the border to a hospital on the Thai side. This Karen woman was called in to visit a patient last year.
As they got to talking she learned that he had been in an auto accident in Burma. She learned he'd been a general in the Burmese army. This would have created great anxiety for her as the Burmese army plays a vital role is oppressing her people. Some have called it genocide.
After some trust was built and she had ministered with and to him over some days, he asked her about her ethnic background. She told him she was Karen. And he broke down in tears telling her that he was sorry but that he had murdered many of her people as a general in the army.
I was in awe of this woman who talked about loving this man who was her natural enemy. What a sacrifice! What a testimony to Jesus! But then the story got more amazing....
He needed further medical treatment that required a trip to Bangkok. But being Burmese without a VISA he needed special permission from the Thai authorities to travel. No dice. So this lady went with her new friend to the Thai office, argued with the official and convinced him to let her vouch for the injured man. She signed for him and that meant that "if he doesn't come back, you can put me in jail."
She was willing to go to jail so that this man who had murdered and terrorized her people could receive medical care. Sounds hauntingly like something Jesus would do. Perhaps she had the ability to offer this kind of grace because she is a Christian who has been following Jesus much of her life.
God bless.
