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This is a week late (I’m behind in google reader), but had to mention that Ralph Winter passed away last week. He wrote Perspectives on the World Christian Movement, the class Keith & I were both taking when we met. First class of the morning. First morning of class. I’ll never forget. In a round about way, Dr. Winter played a part in Keith & I getting together I guess you could say. If you ever hear of a small group or class offering “Perspectives”, RUN to it. It’s still the best there is on missions. Every once in a while, you’ll hear it mentioned. If nothing else, get the book (new edition out this year) & spend some time in it. It’s a 700 plus pager, depending on which edition you get, but it’s a reader, so you can pick & choose articles that are of interest to you. Click the globe below to read excerpts.
This world has lost a treasure. My heart goes out to his wife & four daughters. We grieve with you. Thank you Pastor Piper, for your moving tribute.
Randy Alcorn blogged this story the other day. It is one of those stories like the five missionary martyrs in Equador so many years ago; one every Christian should hear. It so clearly illustrates how God’s ways are beyond our finding out. He has a plan & is working even when we don’t see it! Even when it looks like failure. Even when you are weak. To God be the glory, great things He hath done!
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In 1921, missionaries David and Svea Flood went to the Belgian Congo. They and another young couple, the Ericksons, felt led by God to take the gospel to a remote area called N’dolera.
Because the chief would not let them enter, their only contact was the young boy who sold them food. Svea led the boy to Jesus.
Malaria struck and the Ericksons returned to the central mission station. The Floods remained near N’dolera alone.
Svea died within days of giving birth to a little girl.
David dug a crude grave, buried his young wife, gave baby Aina to the Ericksons and returned to Sweden, saying God ruined his life.
Within eight months, both the Ericksons died. American missionaries adjusted “Aina” to “Aggie” and brought her to the United States.
Years passed.
One day a Swedish religious magazine appeared in Aggie’s mailbox, unexpected. A photo inside shocked her—a grave with a white cross marked “SVEA FLOOD.”
A college faculty member translated the article for Aggie: Missionaries came to N’dolera long ago…a white baby was born… the young mother died… one little African boy was led to Christ…and the boy grew up and built a school in the village. Gradually he won his students to Christ…the children led their parents to Christ…even the chief became a Christian.
After years of bitterness, the old and ill David got a visit from Aggie. She recounted the article. She said, “Today there are six hundred African people serving the Lord because you were faithful to the call of God in your life…”
David’s heart softened, and he returned to God. Weeks later, he met Him in eternity.
Aggie eventually met that African boy. He was superintendent of the national church in Zaire (former Belgian Congo), representing 110,000 baptized believers.
All because of the sacrifice of David and Svea Flood. A sacrifice that at the time appeared to have been cruel and pointless.
You can read a longer version of the story, taken from Aggie Hurst’s book, Aggie: The Inspiring Story of a Girl without a Country, at the EPM website.
