Andrew: The Man Who Caused John the Baptizer to Stop Mid Sentence

By Mary Vee
John 1

From Andrew's Notes

Photo by Mary Vee - Desert near the Jordan River

My name is Andrew. I have been following John the Baptizer for some time. His words draw me closer to The Living God. It's hard to explain, but I feel the validity of John the Baptizer's words in my soul.

I have been a fisherman working in the north, on the Sea of Galilee. One day I took a break and walked down the Jordan to the wilderness. I saw a crowd gathered around a man and was curious what he was saying. I walked closer and listened. He spoke truths about the living God that hooked me immediately.

I suppose I'd heard these words about the God who chose our people at different times in my past, but they'd never impacted me like they did that day. His message helped me understand God's truth and expectations. That the Almighty God demanded we follow Him, obey His words, keep His words ever present in our heads and tell our children.

John quoted words from the Scriptures that I hadn't heard in a long time. I wanted to hear more, so I came back to listen again and again.

One day, a man came to the shores of the Jordan River where we sat listening to John. He stood among the crowd, listening. Watching. John looked at Him several times. It seemed John was distracted by Him. At first, John stammered then he stopped speaking. He looked at the man.

There was a connection I didn't understand. 

The Man did not say anything, but I sensed something different was going on. What it was? Who was this Man who captured John's attention. John held his gaze on the man as if He knew him, but didn't know who he was. He seemed confused but in awe of this man. I watched the two of them interact without words, intrigued by what was happening. 

The Jordan River, Photo by Mary Vee"

The Man stepped close to the water. John took a deep breath as though the very presence of this Man was so powerful, so great, like a child standing before a great king. 

The Man asked John to baptize Him. John shook his head and said, "I cannot. I am the one who should be baptized by you."

The words surprised me. John hadn't said anything like that in all the days I'd listened to him. Who was this Man who had such an impact on John?

The Man said, "This is the right thing to do. Trust Me. I must be baptized at this time to fulfill all the righteousness."

John nodded as if he understood something much bigger than I could understand. I was so intrigued. I had to learn more. I came back every day, wanting to learn more about what John had to say and about the man who was baptized that day.

Over a month went by since that day. The Man hadn't stopped by. I had no idea what he was doing and had hoped John would tell us more. There was a rumor that the Man went to the wilderness on His own.

THEN, and this is the incredibly exciting part I wanted to tell you, the Man walked near where John spoke. How did I know he did? Because John stopped mid sentence and pointed at him. "Look," he shouted, "The Lamb of God!"

As soon as I heard those words I ran to the Man. I wasn't alone. Another man ran too. We caught up to the stranger. He had to be a rabbi. Why else would John have directed us to him? 

The Man turned around and looked at us. He said, "What do you want?"

I didn't know what to say. I didn't have an answer to the question so I said, "Um, where are you staying?" At least I could find out where to find him again tomorrow.

He said, "Come, and you will see." Such a tender voice. One of a man who wanted to not only teach, but show us what He had to say. In that one day, I understood this Man had something to show me. Something I desperately had to learn more about. Something so big, I couldn't live without knowing it.

I have more to tell you next time.


Come back for the next story.

*********************************************************************************************

sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary

* Jewish History.org
*Jewish Virtual Library.org

*My research in Israel.

Jonathan Goforth-Mass Chaos in the Streets

By Mary Vee
Year: August 1900

Jonathan Goforth-41 years old

Jonathan Goforth's Journal

My name is Jonathan Goforth. My wife, Rosalind and I are missionaries in China. 

Rosalind, our children, the other missionary families who traveled with us, and I stepped off the riverboat in Shanghai. 

It seemed like millions of people crowded the streets. We could barely walk through the masses. And they weren't all Chinese. 

Foreigners of all races, from many countries, were here for many reasons like business, internships, education, drug dealing, other criminal activity, peace keeping, government, missionary...you name it, someone was here for that reason. 

And all of them were in a panic. No, I am not exaggerating. Children sat on trunks crying, reaching out to their parents who were in a frenzy. 

They all needed to book passage on the few boats docked in the harbor. They needed money to pay for the tickets. They needed cash from their bank accounts. The banks didn't have that much money at their Shanghai office. What a mess.

Chaos. Mass chaos.

The first thing I did was to find an unfurnished home for my family to sleep the night. I took them there then went to the bank, took out all the money in my account, and purchased tickets for a ship headed to Canada. the ship will leave in ten days.

I went back to the house and hugged my children. "Guess what? We are going to a restaurant!"

"Really, Daddy? Can we eat anything we want?"

Poor thing was so hungry. We all were. "Yes. You can eat as much as you want."

They barely had the energy to giggle. I scooped up the youngest. "Let's go." 

I can't remember the last time I ate so much food. Such delicious food. We waddled back to our rooms. Rosalind put the children to bed while I rested. I looked at my blood-stained clothes and leaned against the wall.

God had saved us. 

It was such a terrible journey, yet there we were, alive.

Praise God, I am alive and have another story to tell.



There is more. Come back next time.

Jonathan has many stories to share. Come back each Monday to find out what happened next.



Resources Used for This Series
Being, Janet, and Geoff Benge. Jonathan Goforth: An Open Door in China. Seattle. WA: YWAM Pub., 2001.Print
Doyle, G. Wright. Builders of the Chinese Church: Pioneer Protestant Missionaries and Chinese Church Leaders. Eugene Oregon: Pickwick Pub, 2015. Print.
Goforth, Jonathan, and Rosaline Goforth, Miracle Lives of China, London" Marshall, Morgan & Scott, 1931, Print.
Goforth, Jonathan. "By My Spirit" Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1942. Print
Goforth, Rosalind. Climbing; Memories of a Missionary's Wife. Chicago: Moody Pub, n.d. Print
Goforth, Rosalind, How I Know God Answers Prayers; The Personal Testimony of One Life-time, New York: Harper & Brothers, 1921. Print
Goforth, Rosalind. Jonathan Goforth. Minneapolis, MN: Bethan House, 1986. Print
Goforth, Rosalind, How God Answers Prayer: The Mighty Miracles of God from the Mission Field of Jonathan Goforth. USA: Revival, 2016. Print Original copyright not stated.
Jackson, Dave, and Neta Jackson. Mask of the Wolf Boy: Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House, 1999. Print.
McCleary, Walter. An Hour with Jonathan Goforth: A Biography. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1938. Print.
Meloche, Renee Taft., and Bryan Pollard. Jonathan Goforth: Never Give up. Seattle, WA: YWAM, 2004. Print.

.

Let Jonathan hear from you!

Leave a comment below.

John the Baptizer-The Messiah IS Here

By Mary Vee
John 1

From John the Baptizer's Notes

Photo by Mary Vee - Desert near the Jordan River

My name is John. I live on my own in the desert near the Jordan River and have for some time. 

I woke this morning ready to go about my usual day telling anyone who would listen about the Messiah. I know He is here. God told me. 

The other day, Jesus came to the shores where I preached and baptized people. Remember I told you about it? His presence alone caused me to tremble on the inside. Not from fear, but because I realized who He had to be. I didn't feel worthy to baptize Jesus, but He insisted. He said something about the baptism was the start of the work He came to do. When Jesus came out of the water, a dove landed on Him and a voice spoke from the heavens saying, "This is my Son in whom I am well pleased."

That moment has played over and over in my mind. I had not seen Jesus for a little over a month since baptizing Him and didn't know where He went. I was still confused but continued preaching the words God told me to say.

Back to my day starting. I went about my usual preparations, ate breakfast, and walked until a group of people found me. I don't usually notice the individual faces, but I did this time and was surprised to see Jesus among them. Can you imagine! The Messiah stood in our presence. My heart fluttered. I couldn't find words to say. I didn't know how to respond.

Jesus separated from the others and walked toward me.

The Jordan River, Photo by Mary Vee"

Suddenly, words came to me. Words God put in my heart. I pointed at Jesus and said to the crowd, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

"He is the One I told you about when I said, 'A man would come, but He is the One who is worthy for you to follow and listen to instead of me.'"

I swallowed, and was so overwhelmed. I wanted the men and women in the crowd to understand Who Jesus really was. I said, "I myself did not know who He is. 

"EXCEPT the one who sent me to baptize with water and preach told me to watch for this sign. "The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is He who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.'

I pointed to Jesus and faced the crowd. "I have seen and I testify before you that THIS man IS the Son of God."

We had been told long ago that God would send a Messiah. We had waited so long and wondered when He would come and who He was. We didn't know what He would do. We only understood He would save us.

And now. 

He IS here.

Jesus is the Son of God.


Come back for the next story.

*********************************************************************************************

sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary

* Jewish History.org
*Jewish Virtual Library.org

*My research in Israel.

John the Baptizer- Who Are You?

By Mary Vee
John 1

From John the Baptizer's Notes

Photo by Mary Vee - Desert near the Jordan River

My name is John. I live on my own in the desert near the Jordan River and have for some time. 

Apparently, I have become the talk of the city. Crowds travel to the desert where I live and listen to me speak. Some believe the message I tell about the coming Messiah. Some repent of their sinful ways and ask for water baptism..so I baptize them and teach them what God wants them to do. 

Some of the men who have heard my messages went to the priests. They told them what "the man in the desert" says. 

They tell them I wear camel skin clothes and eat locust and wild honey. I think they wanted the priests to come hear what I said then decide if my message was true.

Of course my messages are true. I'm only saying what God tells me to say. It's their choice to believe or not.

One day a group of priests showed up on the shore of the Jordan River. They stood in the back of the crowd and listened to me speak. When I finished they asked, "Who are you? Are you the Christ? The One you are speaking about?"

No way. Just hearing their question made me feel sad. I am only the one bringing the messages. "I am not the Christ." I spoke in a firm and clear voice so no one would mistake what I said.

The priests and rabbis then said, "Well, then, are you Elijah?"

Elijah? Really? The prophet of long ago who used to perform mighty miracles? "No, I am not Elijah."

The priests and rabbis looked confused. They talked among themselves then said, "Are you the Prophet?"

No. Not the One they meant. "No, I am not."

They stroke their beards and said, "Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. Tell us about yourself."

They wanted to know, so I told them using words from Isaiah the prophet. "I am the voice of one calling in the desert, 'Make straight the way of the Lord.'"

The Jordan River, Photo by Mary Vee

Among the people were some priestly men called Pharisees. These men spent many, many years studying the Scriptures. They were the learned ones, but didn't have a love for God in their hearts. The Pharisees asked me, "Why are you baptizing people if you are not the Christ, Elijah, or the Prophet?"

I answered them, "I only baptize with water. Here among you stands one you don't recognize. He is the One who has come that I have told you about. I am not even worthy to untie His sandals."

The priests left still uncertain about the whole conversation. Hopefully they will understand when they see Jesus.

Just so you know, this event happened on the other side of the Jordan River in an area called Bethany. 


Note from Mary Vee: in the photo above, the picture is taken from Israel's shore. Across the river, or the Jordanian side, is a building where armed military men stood with guns. That was the side that John the Baptist stood on when talking with these Pharisees, priests, and rabbis. 


Come back for the next story.

*********************************************************************************************

sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary

* Jewish History.org
*Jewish Virtual Library.org

*My research in Israel.

Jonathan Goforth-Rejects and Hidden

By Mary Vee
Year: December 1900

Jonathan Goforth-41 years old

Jonathan Goforth's Journal

My name is Jonathan Goforth. My wife, Rosalind and I are missionaries in China. 

I am tired. Completely exhausted.

Twelve other missionaries and my family have been on the run for days. We can't seem to escape the violence started by the Boxer Rebellion. Even the queen ordered all foreigners to be killed in the southern areas.

We had no place to hide. 

On every corner, around each bend, and over every hill villagers threw rocks and sticks at us, stabbed knives and swords at us. I could barely walk. My one arm couldn't be used and I had a gaping wound on the back of my head. Our group had suffered terrible injuries. Some of our missionaries were critically injured. 

We left our compound in northern China before the violence got out of control. The only port large enough to dock a boat able to sail far enough to get us out of the country was in Shanghai, which was located in southern China. 

Between our compound and Shanghai, there was a river where we could hire a boat to take us to Shanghai. The river, though was many days journey away by ox and cart.

The last several posts I've told about the beatings we've endured. During one attack my son and a man from our group were separated from us. I don't know where they are. Those who helped us said we should keep going. They would look for my son and help him meet with us later. 

There were many stories to tell about the journey to the river. Basically all the same. Villagers attacked. One or two had compassion and rescued us. We continued the journey in pain until attacked again. At last we reached the river. The Chinese who said they would help find my son did as they said. I couldn't believe my eyes when he and the man from our group met us shortly before we reached the river. 

A captain agreed to take us part of the way to Shanghai. I paid him his fee. He order us to go below deck and stay hidden down there. He guided the ship down the center of the water lane. The Chinese along the river banks didn't know he had us on board. He was left alone.

We reached the destination the captain had promised. The harbor people would let him dock the boat, though. They yelled at him to keep going. 

He had no choice. He ordered the deck hands to steer toward the center of the river and kept sailing. Although it wasn't in his plan, he ended up taking us all the way to Shanghai. God clearly had a plan to see us safely to Shanghai.

I paid the captain more money for the extra distance.

At last, we were in Shanghai. I and the others had been missionaries in the villages in the north for twelve years. My my. Shanghai had changed a lot since I was there. But that was another story.



Praise God, I am alive and have another story to tell.



There is more to this story. Come back next time.

Jonathan has many stories to share. Come back each Monday to find out what happened next.



Resources Used for This Series
Being, Janet, and Geoff Benge. Jonathan Goforth: An Open Door in China. Seattle. WA: YWAM Pub., 2001.Print
Doyle, G. Wright. Builders of the Chinese Church: Pioneer Protestant Missionaries and Chinese Church Leaders. Eugene Oregon: Pickwick Pub, 2015. Print.
Goforth, Jonathan, and Rosaline Goforth, Miracle Lives of China, London" Marshall, Morgan & Scott, 1931, Print.
Goforth, Jonathan. "By My Spirit" Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1942. Print
Goforth, Rosalind. Climbing; Memories of a Missionary's Wife. Chicago: Moody Pub, n.d. Print
Goforth, Rosalind, How I Know God Answers Prayers; The Personal Testimony of One Life-time, New York: Harper & Brothers, 1921. Print
Goforth, Rosalind. Jonathan Goforth. Minneapolis, MN: Bethan House, 1986. Print
Goforth, Rosalind, How God Answers Prayer: The Mighty Miracles of God from the Mission Field of Jonathan Goforth. USA: Revival, 2016. Print Original copyright not stated.
Jackson, Dave, and Neta Jackson. Mask of the Wolf Boy: Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House, 1999. Print.
McCleary, Walter. An Hour with Jonathan Goforth: A Biography. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1938. Print.
Meloche, Renee Taft., and Bryan Pollard. Jonathan Goforth: Never Give up. Seattle, WA: YWAM, 2004. Print.

.

Let Jonathan hear from you!

Leave a comment below.

Forty Days of Hunger

By Mary Vee
Matthew 3
Mark 1
Luke 3

From John the Baptizer's Notes

Photo by Mary Vee - Desert near the Jordan River

Jesus, the Son of the Living God, left the Jordan full of the Holy Spirit. 

John the Baptizer had baptized Jesus, and while doing so, let all the crowds watching know Jesus had come to save people from their sins. He was the Promised One. The Messiah. The Son of God.

Jesus went to the wilderness where wild animals lived. He wandered the area praying to His Holy Father. During this time Jesus didn't take time to eat. He devoted all his time to talking with His Father.

During this time Satan came with the goal to tempt Jesus. Day after day Satan tormented Jesus with temptations. Jesus never once did what Satan said. 

Jesus used words from the Scriptures, God's Word, to stop every attack. 

Forty long days dragged by. Satan never got tired of harassing Jesus. 

The next morning, Jesus woke feeling very hungry. His body was weak. 

But because He had spent the entire forty days talking and praying to His Father while Satan tempted Him, His mind remained alert, tuned in to the words the Father wanted Him to speak at every moment. He stood and walked a short ways.

The tempter stepped onto the path and said "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread." 

This was a test. Not a test to see if Jesus could turn the stones to bread. Satan knew Jesus, the Son of God, could do that. The test was to see if Jesus would let His hunger become more important than doing God's will.

We can not obey both God and Satan. Jesus would have to take his attention away from God to turn the stones into bread. For forty days, Jesus had lived on God's Word and He wasn't about to stop now.

Jesus said, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."

Satan didn't say another word about eating. Instead he devised a new plan to trick Jesus. "Come with me," he said.

Because Jesus wanted to teach us He allowed Satan to take Him to the Holy City and on up to the highest point of the temple. They stood overlooking all of Jerusalem and beyond. Satan said, "If you are the Son of God throw yourself down to the ground. You know it is written in the Psalms: 'You are in the care of the angels they will catch you when you fall so you won't even stub your toe.' Prove yourself. Prove they will catch you."

Jesus voice became gruff. "It is also written in Deuteronomy, 'You should not test the Lord your God.'"

Satan didn't ay another word about that. He then took Jesus to a high mountain. "Look. See all the kingdoms of the world. You can have them all and all the riches and power that goes with being in charge of them. I will give you all of this if you will bow down and worship me."

Jesus was hungry and wanted to rest. But none of these problems kept him from standing straight and scoffing as this evil one. Satan didn't have the power to give these things to Jesus, God's Son. This was the last straw. 

Jesus said, "Get away from me, Satan! It is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and only Him." Those words are written in Deuteronomy.

Satan didn't say another word that morning. He walked away, the loser.

A host of angels came to Jesus with food, water, and took Him to a place to rest.

This was not the only time Jesus would be tempted. 



Satan tempts us, too. The temptations we face are not the sin. Obeying and doing what Satan wants us to do is the sin. When you find yourself wanting to do what Satan says, think of a Bible verse. The Bible tells us in James 4 that if we resist or walk away from Satan by using God's Word, Satan will leave you. This doesn't mean that Satan won't try to trick you again. It does mean he will stop picking on you at that time and every time you use God's Word as your weapon.


Come back for the next story.

*********************************************************************************************

sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary

* Jewish History.org
*Jewish Virtual Library.org

*My research in Israel.

John the Baptizer- I Can't - I Am Not Worthy

By Mary Vee
Matthew 3
Mark 1
Luke 3

From John the Baptizer's Notes

Photo by Mary Vee - Desert near the Jordan River

My name is John. I live on my own in the desert near the Jordan River and have for some time. 

I knew Jesus. He was my cousin. But when He came to the river that day something stirred inside me. 

I looked at His eyes and knew. God stirred my heart...and I knew Jesus was the One who would save all of us. Jesus was and is God's Son.

The Jordan River, Photo by Mary Vee

 

He was here. 

Standing on the shore of the Jordan River,  watching me baptize others. 

A crowd stood there. Some sat on the ground.  

Jesus said to me, "I came to be baptized."

I couldn't believe He asked this of me. "I know you traveled all the way from Galilee. But I can't baptize you." 

He was the Son of God. I was not worthy to baptize Him. Not. Him. "I can't. I...I'm the one who needs to be baptized by you."

Jesus didn't move. He said, "Do it. After all these centuries, God's work is coming together at this time, with this baptism."

With those words I understood. This was God's plan and I needed to obey. I agreed to baptize Jesus.

He walked into the water with me. I did as He asked and baptized Him. At the moment he walked out of the water the heavens opened. I saw the Spirit of God descend, like a dove and lighting on Jesus. 

A voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love and whom I am well pleased. 

At this time, Jesus was thirty years old and He began His ministry.

Come back for the next story.

*********************************************************************************************

sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary

* Jewish History.org
*Jewish Virtual Library.org

*My research in Israel.

Jonathan Goforth-Only God Could Have Told Them To Send Medicine

By Mary Vee
Year: December 1900

Jonathan Goforth-41 years old

Jonathan Goforth's Journal

My name is Jonathan Goforth. My wife, Rosalind and I are missionaries in China. 

We were beaten, tired, thirsty, and on a road we'd never traveled before with about twelve other missionaries. The soldiers who were ordered to lead us down the road to our death had run away when they realized, much too late, the ox cart had taken a wrong turn. They knew they would be severely punished.

We still had a long journey to Shanghai before we could escape. 

The Boxer Rebellion was in full swing. The Chinese people had been roused to get rid of all foreigners, kill if necessary. Even missionaries and others who had come to help the people were tortured and often times killed.

We had absolutely nothing left. All our belongings had been stolen. We had no food. No water. No clothes. No cooking supplies. No Bibles. Absolutely nothing. So when villagers along the road stopped to rob and torment us, they found nothing to steal. They mostly left us alone and let us continue on our way. This happened three times today.

Then, in the afternoon, a group of bandits sprang from behind rocks. They heard us coming and hid until our cart came near them. They rushed out, threatening to kill our driver. One of the bandits climbed into the cart and found me laying there, my injuries prevented me from sitting. 

He called his friend. "Over here." The second bandit climbed into the cart. He looked like a crazy, wild man who was very happy to kill someone.

I spoke in Chinese, using a gentle peaceful voice. He listened to me. 

My wife, Rosalind walked up to the cart and spoke in a soft voice, also speaking in Chinese. "We have traveled far. Our men are injured. The children are frightened." She picked up the rags in the cart. "These were gifts from Chinese Muslims who wanted to help us. They fed us and gave us these clothes to keep our children warm at night. They were very kind to us."

The man listened. He turned and looked at the other missionaries in our group who also had injuries and wore rags. A tear formed in his eye. He spoke softly back to her. "This is a dangerous road."

"I know," she said. We are only trying to leave.

"You need protection. I will go with you." He told his men what he planned to do. I think they were shocked.

I was shocked too. Only God could have touched his heart to help us. The bandit climbed into the front of the cart and sat next to the driver. The children and injured missionaries were loaded back into the carts and we set off again.

He rode with us the entire day, yelling at those who tried to harm the cart, the animals, or us. When night came he said he had to leave. We thanked him for his help and prayed for him.

By this time my open wounds had worsened. Gangrene would set in soon. If the infections were left alone, I would die. I slipped in and out of consciousness hardly knowing what was happening. The little bits I heard didn't make me feel any better. Villagers from the next town gathered around our carts. They yelled, "Kill the foreigners." They picked up rocks, even the children, and threw them at us. 

I honestly thought the end would come soon. As leader of this group, even though I had no energy, I forced myself to sit up and face the violent crowd. I looked at the angry faces not knowing what I would say. 

From somewhere in the back of the crowd, a man shouted, "Ku-Mu-shih" which means Pastor Goforth in Chinese.

"Yes! I am Pastor Goforth," I said.

The crowd separated letting two well dressed Chinese men walk through. I recognized them from the city where we had our mission. Two friendly faces! What a wonderful sight!  

One of the men climbed into the cart. He stood and faced the angry crowd. He held his hands up to shush them. "Don't hurt these people. I know them. They are friends of my father and are good people who have brought happiness to people in Changte. Last spring, I visited this man's house. He let me walk through his home. He gave me tea, we went for a long walk, and talked. The least we can do is give them the same kindness."

Before my eyes, the anger fell from the crowd's faces. Kindness warmed them. They carried me and the other injured missionaries inside the inn and put us on the community bed. They spoke kindly to us and welcomed us as though we were relatives.

The two men I knew had disappeared for a few minutes, but came back with a package. They handed it to Rosalind. "This is for you. Some engineers came through our village a few days ago. They said you would be coming and left this for you."

Rosalind thanked them. She pulled the paper away and opened the box. Her face lit in the most beautiful smile. "Jonathan, look! They left us a bottle of medicine to clean your wounds!" She giggled. 

Hearing her giggled was as much a medicine for me as the antiseptic. At the time we traveled with the engineers no one from our group had been injured. The only way they would have know we would need this medicine to survive, was... if God had told them. 

Praise God.



There is more to this story. Come back next time.

Jonathan has many stories to share. Come back each Monday to find out what happened next.



Resources Used for This Series
Being, Janet, and Geoff Benge. Jonathan Goforth: An Open Door in China. Seattle. WA: YWAM Pub., 2001.Print
Doyle, G. Wright. Builders of the Chinese Church: Pioneer Protestant Missionaries and Chinese Church Leaders. Eugene Oregon: Pickwick Pub, 2015. Print.
Goforth, Jonathan, and Rosaline Goforth, Miracle Lives of China, London" Marshall, Morgan & Scott, 1931, Print.
Goforth, Jonathan. "By My Spirit" Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1942. Print
Goforth, Rosalind. Climbing; Memories of a Missionary's Wife. Chicago: Moody Pub, n.d. Print
Goforth, Rosalind, How I Know God Answers Prayers; The Personal Testimony of One Life-time, New York: Harper & Brothers, 1921. Print
Goforth, Rosalind. Jonathan Goforth. Minneapolis, MN: Bethan House, 1986. Print
Goforth, Rosalind, How God Answers Prayer: The Mighty Miracles of God from the Mission Field of Jonathan Goforth. USA: Revival, 2016. Print Original copyright not stated.
Jackson, Dave, and Neta Jackson. Mask of the Wolf Boy: Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House, 1999. Print.
McCleary, Walter. An Hour with Jonathan Goforth: A Biography. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1938. Print.
Meloche, Renee Taft., and Bryan Pollard. Jonathan Goforth: Never Give up. Seattle, WA: YWAM, 2004. Print.

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