On Monday Jim, Debbie, and I drove a friend to a Zapotec village not too far from here to pay our respects to a young pastor who had lost his 27-year-old wife after a 3-week battle against leukemia. It was heart-rending to see the evident suffering on the face of this faithful servant who has already lost so many earthly belongings for the sake of the gospel.
Hugo has been beaten, thrown in jail, run out of town, and had his home and church burned along with the 15 or more homes of other church members. Now he is left to raise three small children and to continue ministering among those who have wronged him, without his beloved wife at his side.
What grabbed my heart more than anything else was the way the formerly exiled believers were openly worshiping the Lord at the memorial service, singing of their hope of heaven, where their sister, Ruth, is now in glory with her Savior. They sang about their trials on this earth and how they lack riches, but how Jesus had compassion for the poor, and has prepared a mansion for them in glory. Then they sang "When the roll is called up yonder, I'll be there!" with gusto.
One positive result of this tragedy is that not only were the believers openly singing of heaven, but that the gospel was preached clearly to all the many nonbelievers who attended the service. May the suffering of this dear servant of the Lord lead to many coming to Christ in his home town. May the persecutors, like the Apostle Paul, find forgiveness and salvation.
This rendition of "Far Beyond the Sun" is not quite the way it was sung on Monday, but it gives you an idea. "Home, beautiful home, far beyond the sun...."
