Mar 03 2008
Preparing the Way
Rivers of the World (ROW) has recently taken some steps to ensure the gospel of Jesus Christ goes forth in Nicaragua, even to visitors from Iran. There is no way to describe how surprised the people of Monkey Point, Nicaragua were when Revolutionary Guard troops from Iran stepped off helicopters and into their village in November 2007.
The goal by Iran is to construct a dry canal across Nicaragua and to create a deep-water port near Monkey Point. After hearing of the visit by the Iranian soldiers to Monkey Point, Dr. Chris Price, senior minister of St. Luke’s Presbyterian Church in Dunwoody, Ga., and I scheduled a trip to meet with village leaders.
In preparation for the soldiers return, we wanted to equip the people of Monkey Point with Bibles in order to share Jesus with these visitors. We have supplied village leaders in Monkey Point with digital solar powered Bibles in English and others translated into Spanish and Farsi, the native language of Iran. ROW has also added a new roof to the church in Monkey Point, renovated their school and even sent baseball equipment to the village.
Despite how surprised the people of Monkey Point were by the Iranian soldiers, they didn’t shrink in fear, but instead, they courageously sought ways to share Christ with the visitors. Paul gave Timothy the charge in 2 Timothy 4:2:
“Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage-with great patience and careful instruction.”
As followers of Christ, we must take advantage of every opportunity the Lord provides us in sharing the life-saving Gospel with others. It is imperative to hide the Word of God in our hearts so that we may be prepared in and out of season.