Why, God?
Missionary biography book club: In the Presence of My Enemies
If it is true that “we read to know we are not alone,” how much more might missionary biographies comfort and encourage us?
The All Nations’ book club participants read a different missionary biography each month. We discuss by Zoom what we liked (or didn’t), what we learned, and how we hope to apply the story to our life with an “I will” statement. We gather from different countries and backgrounds and learn from those who have gone before us, who continue the list of faith heroes in Hebrews 11.
Recently we read Gracia Burnham’s In the Presence of My Enemies (G. Burnham and D. Merrill, 2010). For 17 years, Martin (a missionary pilot) and Gracia served with New Tribes Mission in the Philippines. While on vacation (and away from their three children, aged 15, 12, and 11), Martin and Gracia were kidnapped by terrorists and led through the jungle for more than a year. During a national army rescue attempt, Martin was killed by friendly fire. Gracia was shot and had to leave her husband’s body as she was being rescued. She survived and eventually was reunited with her children, who were cared for by family in the U.S.
This book was a painful reading of starvation, deprivation, humiliation, and fighting faith. The details of their captivity were grueling, even excruciating. Why did God allow this? If all-knowing, all-present, all-powerful, and all-love, why didn’t God save Martin’s life? Why didn’t He bless and reward Martin and Gracia’s sacrificial service with protection of their family? These were some of the questions Gracia struggled with and honestly recounts for us.
Today Gracia travels widely and speaks, teaches, and writes. Her children are grown, and she rejoices in seven grandchildren. Martin and her legacy of faith and service continues through the Martin & Gracia Burnham Foundation, which prioritizes Muslim ministries, mission aviation, the persecuted church, and tribal missions.
Gracia challenges us to forgiveness. She has communicated with some of her kidnappers who are incarcerated for life, some of whom have come to know the Lord. She writes, “During one of our last conversations, Martin and I discussed this scripture [Psalm 100]. Even though we had been walking through the jungle for a year, he believed we were still serving the Lord, and we should do it with gladness. Serve the Lord with Gladness. Good advice to live by, don’t you think?” (https://graciaburnham.org/).
Gracia is not perfect, nor does she pretend to be. She allows us to feel her struggles and failures in this book. Her courage calls us to greater trust in our God, whose ways and thoughts are far beyond our limited understanding (Isaiah 55:8-9).
How have you faced prolonged or unexplained suffering? Has it caused you to question God’s goodness, power, and love? Our book club’s “I will” statements express our longing to trust God more, no matter the circumstances, and to entrust our doubts and “Why, God?” to His sovereign plan.
Here are some of our intentions that emerged from this book:
“I will trust God in unexplained suffering.”
“I will forgive and reconcile with those who sin against me.”
“I will understand that my sin is just as dark and lethal as anyone else’s.”
“I will hide God’s Word in my heart now so that it is available to share then.”
I hope that you will read this book and create your own “I will” statements.
About the Author: Lisa Sinclair and her husband served in Mali, West Africa for 10 years. She is a nurse practitioner, author of Restored Paths: Sexuality for Christian Leaders, and loves to read!
Staying Connected or Learning More
Help share this and other blogs with your friends and ministry leaders! It would also be a huge help if you could please follow us on social media via the links below! Thank you!
If you would like to receive leadership updates, link here to stay current on All Nations International’s news and prayer efforts! To learn more about All Nations today, visit: www.allnations.international!
Are you wondering if you are wired to go? This area on our web site will help you!
We have plenty other resources (devotion, book club, events) and a monthly global prayer for the neglected! You are welcome to join us.
Give today to see the neglected globally reached — the least, the last, and the lost!
www.allnations.international
Reaching the neglected globally — the least, the last, and the lost since 1993.
