Distraught, missionary Dubby Rodda put his head in his hands. Feeling sick and discouraged, he asked himself, "Have I failed?"
The day had started out with rejoicing. After many years of study and hard work the first Bible verse had been translated into the Safen language.
Dubby and his co-worker, Hillebrand, had gone to visit one of the most respected religious leaders in the region to tell him about beginning translation. They praised God for the warm way the leader greeted them. He seemed eager to hear God's word in his own language.
Surely God was preparing the Safen people to hear the Gospel.
Then Dubby heard that his dear friend, Zacharias, had suffered a stroke.
Dubby rushed to see him. As he entered the dark hut and saw his friend lying on his cot, Dubby was shocked at how fragile Zacharias looked. Feelings of loss and frustration filled him.
Knowing that stroke victims can often understand but not respond, he grasped Zacharias' hand and began to pray out loud. His prayer contained the kernel of the Gospel.
Did Zacharias hear?
Would he understand?
Did he accept Christ?
An hour later Zacharias died.
Many times Dubby had wished he could share the Gospel with Zacharias. He had seemed to have such a thirst for God.
"I had asked God to keep him alive until we had learned the language well enough to present the Gospel. Now, he was dead. Had I failed? Could I have done more?"
Pray for Hillebrand as he continues to translate the scriptures and Dubby as he continues to build relationships with the people. The Safens of Senegal are waiting to hear the Gospel.
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