Begin with Storm, End of Construction
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses,
let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.
And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,
fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.
For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame,
and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider
him who endured such opposition from sinners, so
that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
(Hebrews 12.1-3)
Dear Friends,
Our legacy began with a storm. If we know where the beginning is, we will know where we are heading. And it began with a thunderstorm in August 1806. John and I recently visited the Haystack Prayer Monument where American missions officially began. It began with Samuel Mills, a Williams College student who prayed for world missions every Wednesday and Saturday afternoon with four other students. One day, Samuel and his friends were caught in a thunderstorm. So they ducked under a haystack to continue praying for world missions. A few years later, Samuel and other classmates petitioned to establish America’s first mission organization, called the American Board of the Commissioners for Foreign Missions, established in 1810. Two years later, on February 19, 1812, his classmate, Adoniram Judson and wife Anne Judson, sailed to India as one of America’s first missionaries.
Some seventy years later, another group of students came to the Haystack and prayed, “Where water once flowed, let it flow again.” Over the next fifty years, the Student Volunteer Movement (SVM) sent out 20,000 missionaries to foreign lands.
That day as I stood by the Haystack, I said to the Lord, “You’ve called me to serve you in missions the past 20 years. And here is where it all began, with a storm 220 years ago. That is why I’m doing what I’m doing. Lord, I pray you stir up the next wave of 20,000 workers to go to the nations!” And may the storms that strike us today release a rainfall of His blessing and harvest!
A few days later, John and I visited the gravesite of Billy and Ruth Graham. Though he was the famous evangelist, I’ve long admired Ruth who grew up as a missionary kid in China. Her tombstone bears the Chinese word for “righteousness 義” which comprises of the character “lamb 羊” stacked atop the character for “me 我.” The Lamb covering me is my righteousness! He is the Whom our message in the nations—Christ alone my Righteousness.
On her tombstone are the words, “End of Construction—Thank you for your patience.” Once driving on a highway, Ruth had noticed a sign with those words and said that she wanted them on her tombstone. As we carry out the Great Commission, we are to run the race to the end with patience for each other until the end of construction. That is both the when and the how—to run to the very end with forbearance for each other until we see Christ face-to-face.
That week, I was inspired by three lives of simple radical obedience to Jesus. From Samuel Mills to Dr. Billy and Ruth Graham, they are among the cloud of witnesses who cheer us on our race. I would love to hear from you...who are your cloud of witnesses who cheer you on in your race?
Blessings,
Mary
Dr. Mary Ho, DSL
All Nations International, Inc. | International Executive Leader
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