Story of Michael's Scars
"He is so sick he is not even crying anymore", the mother told the fetish priest as she held the baby in her arms. After performing his rituals and invoking the spirits, the screams came in the infant’s mouth – his face was being cut and scared as a symbol that that life had been consecrated to demons. Michael survived the sickness and that day.
Years later, as a teenager, Michael came to love and know and gave himself completely to Jesus Christ. All the bondage from the past was broken as he grew in the Word and understood that God had created him for a purpose.
When we met him, Michael was living in a cargo container, with three other friends. We could see the love for Jesus this 24 year old young man has as he did electric work at our house. It didn't take much to see his love for children as he played football with Lucas and chases with Luiza. Along the months as we got to know him better we were reminded that we are all parts of His one body and that each of us needs all the others. Michael now lives here with us and works alongside our family in ministry.
This weekend, Ju and I were filled with joy to see Michael doing what he is passionate about - telling children how to live for God. There were 800 child gathered at the village of Konkoma. The drums beating, the energetic singing and all-out dancing showed that gave us the awareness that they love Jesus. Michael was inspired and animated as he taught them the Word of God and helped the memorize verses. We were part of a team responsible for children from many of the villages around Lake Bosumtwe that were gathered - some of them had walked for four hours to be able to join us - to learn about their Creator for three days.
One experienced and wise missionary told me that in the end of your time in a foreign land, one must look at the people around, at the ones that were part of your daily life in your new home, and it's then that you see the impact you had. After our first year in Ghana, I now look around and I see the impact that Michael has had in us. He is a constant reminder that God gives a new family to those that have to leave their families in order to serve Him. When I look at the scars on his face I remember the bondages that still dominate so many lives, but foremost, the redemption that Jesus’ scars had on his life.
Years later, as a teenager, Michael came to love and know and gave himself completely to Jesus Christ. All the bondage from the past was broken as he grew in the Word and understood that God had created him for a purpose.
When we met him, Michael was living in a cargo container, with three other friends. We could see the love for Jesus this 24 year old young man has as he did electric work at our house. It didn't take much to see his love for children as he played football with Lucas and chases with Luiza. Along the months as we got to know him better we were reminded that we are all parts of His one body and that each of us needs all the others. Michael now lives here with us and works alongside our family in ministry.
This weekend, Ju and I were filled with joy to see Michael doing what he is passionate about - telling children how to live for God. There were 800 child gathered at the village of Konkoma. The drums beating, the energetic singing and all-out dancing showed that gave us the awareness that they love Jesus. Michael was inspired and animated as he taught them the Word of God and helped the memorize verses. We were part of a team responsible for children from many of the villages around Lake Bosumtwe that were gathered - some of them had walked for four hours to be able to join us - to learn about their Creator for three days.
One experienced and wise missionary told me that in the end of your time in a foreign land, one must look at the people around, at the ones that were part of your daily life in your new home, and it's then that you see the impact you had. After our first year in Ghana, I now look around and I see the impact that Michael has had in us. He is a constant reminder that God gives a new family to those that have to leave their families in order to serve Him. When I look at the scars on his face I remember the bondages that still dominate so many lives, but foremost, the redemption that Jesus’ scars had on his life.
posted by Andrew & Juliana @ 5:23 AM
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