This week we are excited to have our first guest writer for this blog. We are using an alias for security reasons because it can be dangerous for Christian missionaries who are in the Middle East and South Asia. Her desire is to fulfill Jesus’ Great Comission in either of these regions, so she has to use wisdom from now to protect her identity and her purpose. I hope your hearts are stirred after reading this article to go into the nations or your neighborhood to tell others about Jesus.
In 1945, God raised an American, single, short and frail. Hearing a preacher in a square talking about Jesus, she was converted, giving her life completely to God. Sophie Muller made a difference by serving for over 40 years in the Brazilian Amazon, evangelizing two indigenous tribes. Before she died in 1997, in an interview, a Christian journalist asked her: “What is your calling? ” to which she replied: “I never had a call, I read an order and obeyed it. ”
For a long time, the idea of supernatural calling like visions and the voice of God bothered me a lot. But don't get me wrong, I know that there are many servants of God who have had supernatural experiences being called to serve. But for me, it wasn't like that. I was born into a Christian family, I know the Truth since I was little, I attended Sunday school; worshipped; and participated in choirs and praise and worship ministry. I have always been in contact with the Gospel. When I was 14, I remember I was at a conference and I heard a young man talking about being called to serve and I thought at that moment that maybe God was calling me too. However, I didn't believe I could be a missionary. After all who did I think I was? So I went on with my life, going through ups and downs, but always feeling God's love and care for me.
Things have changed from the moment I started volunteering on a mission that serves the marginalized population: homeless people, call girls, transvestites and vulnerable children. I had contact with a reality completely out of what I was used to seeing and hearing. I realized that there were prejudices inside me and that, when I faced this situation, God started a great transformation. I continued in this work for about 3 years and, initially I understood that I should make a commitment to the mission, however, before that, I was advised to do missionary training. And it was here that I first heard Sophie Muller's iconic phrase mentioned above. I started to understand part of my journey with Christ from another angle, I realized that He has been working in my life through simple and detailed actions. I understood the command given by Jesus Christ in Matthew 28:19-20, just as this precious missionary did.
In training, I had contact with many missionaries, Brazilians and foreigners. I was transformed once again through living with other people. Despite difficult times, it was a wonderful time when I was able to be closer to the Father, seeking His direction for my life.
By getting to know other religions and realities, I understood God's direction for unreached peoples, more specifically, Muslims. However, the classes on Islam showed that, in order to serve these people with excellence, I needed much greater preparation.
At the moment, I am taking a specialization course in Islam. Knowing more about Muslims has been fascinating and intriguing, especially since I realized how much they needed to know the truth that is in Christ Jesus. I have also prepared by learning the Arabic language, as I know how important it is to share the message to the natives in their own language, as it is the language of the heart.
The next steps are still fuzzy, without much definition. There are dreams and desires in me to serve in countries in the Middle East and South Asia, but there is still no confirmation from God. I understand, however, that this is a time of preparation in all areas of my life, not only the intellect, but the emotional and especially the spiritual, as the challenges of serving in countries in these regions are many. It is necessary to have a solid relationship with God, especially because of the spiritual oppression that exists. You cannot act impulsively and go quickly to the field, skipping steps, it is necessary to wait for God's time.
I close this brief account with the passage in Hebrews 6:18-19:
“Therefore, we who take refuge in him are firmly secure as we cling to the hope set before us. That hope is a firm and reliable anchor to our souls. ”
May this hope that we have in Jesus strengthen each one of us and lead us to the ends of the earth, “making disciples of Jesus in all nations (peoples, races and ethnicities), teaching and baptizing in the name of the Father, of the Son and the Holy Spirit. ”
God bless you!
Mariah Oliveira
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