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Our Blog

SUFFERING

     Thousands of miles and a whole continent in between are two women.  They don't know each other, nor will they while on this earth.  Yvonne and I know them both.  Both of them are suffering.

     Several weeks ago Yvonne was coming home after visiting a friend when she came upon Bernadette.  Wrapped in little more than rags, Bernadette was laying outside the doors of local clothing and jewelry stores, barely conscious.

     Though we did not know her name at that time, we've seen Bernadette before along with countless other beggars that roam our neighborhood.  We had never seen her in this condition.  

     Her lips were white, her eyes yellow and her hair speckled with grit from the street.  She sat in a puddle of air conditioning condensation and her own urine.  Without help she couldn't sit up, let alone stand up.  

     Someone nearby had given her a cup of water and a morsel of food, but she was too weak to lift her hand to put them to her mouth.  Two young women had stopped to comfort her, but really did not know what to do.  Mostly, people either just walked by or stood and stared.

     With the help of our translator, Gerand, we were able to extract enough information to know that if we didn't help her she was going to die.  The three of us were eventually able to lift Bernadette into a tuc tuc and transport her to the local hospital.

     Within a day she had regained much of her strength.  Within two days she was able to walk to a bathroom (without her cane) and bathe.  A week later she was able to leave the hospital.

     The curious thing about Bernadette is that she has family not far away.  They have enough to provide their sister food and shelter, but Bernadette prefers wandering the streets and begging.  We have seen her several times in the last week, right where she has been before.

     While it is apparent that Bernadette, who is 60 years old, suffers from some form of dimensia, it is also apparent that she has enough awareness to know she has a place where she could live in a semblance of dignity.  She prefers indignity.  Her family is well aware of her condition, but is unwilling to fight through Bernadette's obstinance to help.

     Back in the states, there is another who is suffering.  She did not grow up in squalor, but in middle class America.  As a young girl she contracted polio.  Now as a 74-year-old woman she is battling cancer.

     What we know about Jeannine is that she is a fighter.  She fought through polio and raised a family without the help of an absentee husband.  She persevered through adversity and was able to provide.  The ultimate fruits of her labor are two children of immense character.  

     Her son and daughter are the picture of what any parent's heart would desire; both accomplished and both with healthy families of their own.  Most importantly, they love their mother deeply.

     When we heard of Jeannine's challenge Yvonne and I really didn't know how to respond.  You see, Jeannine is a friend of ours.  We have shared Christmas and Thanksgiving together, but we did not know how to share in her suffering.  So, we prayed.

     Just recently we exchanged e-mails, and Jeannine said this: "I believe the only way I'll succeed in winning this challenge is with God's help."

     What I see from a distance is the success of Jeannine's suffering.  She has already won.  The rewards are her children and grandchildren, who are now at her side with love and compassion.  In return, Jeannine has persevered with courage and grace.

     No matter how pragmatic or accurate a doctor's prognosis, where there is God there is always hope.  And where there is hope there is love.  The Bible says, "...God is love...Now there abides these three; faith, hope and love.  But the greatest of these is love."

     You see, the difference between Bernadette and Jeannine is love.  Bernadette's family is ambivalent when it comes to her suffering.  There is defeat and separation.  There is no desire to ensure the one who is suffering any sort of comfort and in exchange they receive no comfort.

     On the other hand, Jeannine's family is tied together in love.  They are bound by compassion and mercy.  I suspect that though they might not even recognize it, that their hearts are set on the prospects of justice prevailing - that ultimately their hearts are united in eternity.

    So, one family is divided, the other united.  One is forlorn, the other hopeful. One woman suffers in bitterness, the other in love.

    We are reminded of a Savior, who's birth we are about to celebrate.  He lived, He suffered and He died...for us.  Then He was resurrected...for us.  

     Yvonne and I pray that you would know this love this Christmas.  That it would resurrect purpose in your life.  And once you know it, share it with someone who is suffering.  It is the greatest gift we could possibly give.

ISLAM

Mike Broadhurst

     "Repay no one evil for evil.  Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.  If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men."  Romans 12:17-18

     "And the child Samuel grew in stature, and in favor both with the Lord and men." 1 Samuel 12:26

     I have mentioned in previous blogs that there is a large and influential Muslim community in Madagascar.  I have also mentioned that Yvonne and I live in the middle of a Muslim community.  I have also mentioned that the streets of this Muslim community are among the safest in all of Toamasina, the city where we live.

     I see many blogs, from Christians, about Islam.  Granted, the majority are in response to the wickedness of radical Muslim believers, but to my dismay there rarely seems to be any inclination to separate the guilty from the innocent.  Wasn't it the Savior who said that when we hate somebody we commit murder?

     I can think of a thousand responses you might have to my dismay.  Many will justify their hatred based on the actions of an enemy.  However, I want to ask you, do you know any Muslims?

     All I can say to you is what my experience has been here in Madagascar.  Neither Yvonne nor I live or walk in fear.  We are not suspicious of someone because they wear a taqiyah.  

     Everybody in our community knows that we are Christians.  If we see someone in need, we don't ask them what they believe before we help.  The results are that we are happily greeted, respected and treated with favor.

     So well that I would like to attest to these things:

  1. Muslims have asked us to pray for them in times of trouble.
  2. Muslims have asked us to be friends with them on FaceBook.
  3. Muslims have asked us to teach them to learn English.
  4. Muslims have saved us thousands of US dollars since coming to the neighborhood.
  5. Muslims have provided us free medical care.
  6. Muslims have honored us because we have proven to them we are here to love.

     And just today a Muslim cleric asked me to use his building to teach Malagasy people the principles of how to start and operate a business.  He said it didn't matter to him that I was a Christian.  He said to me, "Each day we grow closer to the Angel of Death.  When death comes we will all have to stand before God and give an account of what we have done."

     Christian friend, I know that Jesus is my propitiation.  I know that it is by grace, through faith, that I am saved; not by works, so that none of us can boast.  I know that He was raised from the dead.  I know his blood is poured out for me and the forgiveness of my sins.  I know that my works are an expression of His love for me and not born out of a legal responsibility.  I know and accept all of the doctrine of Christianity.  I know these are not the doctrines of Islam.

     Yet, Yvonne and I can, and have, committed ourselves to live peaceably with all men.  Not just the ones we choose or agree with our faith or politics.  

     Real Christianity has feet.  It goes out and meets peoples' needs.  It does not discriminate between the faithful and unfaithful.  It is hands on.  It loves.  It doesn't hide behind social media tirades, where it is blind to the expressions and emotions of those it offends.  It doesn't spew forth hatred that calls everything that does not agree with it the anti-Christ.  Real Christianity doesn't live in fear, but in power, love and a sound mind.

     There are billions of people on this earth who don't know Jesus Christ.  We, brothers and sisters, may be the only Christian they ever meet.  When they meet us, will they meet a healer, a lover and a savior?  Or will they meet His adversary, the thief who comes to steal, kill and destroy?

     Yvonne and I attest and bear witness that we walk in victory.  We have the favor of all men.  We walk under the anointing of the Father's love and the Son's sacrifice.

     Yvonne and I so appreciate your prayers and support.  You are very much a part of the victories being won here in the name of Jesus Christ.  May the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

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