When God Calls
Author: Robert J. Eckert (California, US)
Just before I left on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic, the wife of a colleague gave me 24 copies of the Gospel of John—twelve in English and twelve in Spanish—to take with me.
Within days after our arrival, I had given away all 24 copies. But when it was time to visit a prison, one of the young missionaries, who stayed behind to guard our truck, returned his copy of the Gospel booklet to me, thinking it might be more useful in the prison.
As we spoke with the prisoners, those near me noticed the Gospel of John in Spanish that I held and asked for it. Because I only had one copy to give, I asked one of the prisoners if he would read the Gospel aloud to the other prisoners after we left. When he agreed, I gave him this last copy.Back at home, I often think of the joy on that young missionary’s face when he heard that the Gospel he gave up would be read aloud to 41 prisoners. And I think of the woman who surprised me by sending those 24 Gospel booklets in the first place. Once again I realised that when God calls us to mission, he also equips us—in surprising ways.
Prayer: Giver of all good things, thank you for surprising us with the joy we find in serving you, and for equipping us with what we need for the journey. Amen
