How valuable does that make us?! . . .
I heard that it happened just 4 days ago. Nobody understands why it happened. Everybody is shocked. Compared with the other people in these villages, he had a lot. He owned cows. He had a great rice field in the paddy, which meant he did not have to clear land every year for mountain rice. He had coffee plants that brought a good income every year. He did not smoke, drink or use opium! It seems he had no problems with his wife and 3 lovely children. And to top it all off he just recently bought a small truck, we saw it just the last time we visited MeDeLeGwee village. As a matter of fact he had proudly showed us that time. His face, as always, wore a huge smile. I believe many other people would have loved to be in his position.
. . .And yet they found his body hanging from a tree far out in the jungle. Suicide!
I saw the wife on the back of a motorcycle the next day holding onto a large white cross for the burying place. They must know something about Jesus dying on a cross for them!
The following week I could think of little else. My heart ached for the wife and 3 children. Oh Lord I must go to this village. I must talk to this wife about Jesus love and second coming. I must talk to everyone in that village. I must tell them simply and clearly about You and the value of a soul. I must tell them in a way they can understand, in case anyone else is contemplating suicide. Help me. Help them.
We were not prepared for the deep anguish that we saw and felt as we entered that once happy home in MeDeLeeGwee village. The large wooden house where we usually meet, is the home of many people. The grandmother, grandfather, and several of their children with their families live there along with some other relatives. This included their son-in –law who had committed suicide. As we entered that house and put our things down, nobody spoke, but all held their eyes on the floor – broken hearts were everywhere. The dear wife’s eyes told the story of deep sorrow. I wanted to sit down beside her and put my arms around her and weep right along with her.
This man was truly loved by all.
We conducted our time a little differently. BletJaw first went through the village inviting the people to come and hear about Jesus. They came. Before even opening the bag of medicine, we had a worship meeting with them. Oh how I wanted them to understand that they could have great hope. In my heart I sent up a desperate prayer for the help of the Holy Spirit. Oh how I wanted them to know the truth.
I felt like I was conducting the funeral service just then. I told them about Jesus love for us and His death on the cross. Although I have told stories of Jesus and Bible many times before in this village, they seemed not to remember or know. (The wife had put the white cross on the grave, but did not know a thing about God, the Bible, or Jesus life and death). It was a very attentive audience. They seemed to strain to hear every word. I showed them a picture of Jesus carrying His cross, and another of Jesus coming in great glory in the air! I read Isaiah 49:15,16 and explained it.
I saw a glimmer of understanding and great interest in the pictures that illustrate it so well. The grandfather picked up the pictures and for a long time, he and some others sat gazing at them. These are special moments that I never shall forget.
One of this man’s sons is in the front far left. NoWah, the grandmother is in the front center and another daughter on the far right. The man’s wife is not in this group picture.
This is a picture of his wife taken quite a long time before her husband committed suicide.
My job now is to go to every single village as soon as possible and tell the people how God values each one and what He did to save us. My prayer is that those poor people who may be contemplating suicide will see their worth, and the great hope just ahead of us, and change their minds.
Here is a statement described by Ellen G. White as: “Wonderful wonderful words, almost beyond the grasp of faith!”
“He wants to link our hearts with His heart of infinite love…It is our privilege to understand that God loves us as He loves His Son.” Lift Him Up 332
Let’s spread the word faithfully to all you come in contact with, because you never know who it may save or when it may be your last chance.