Key Bible Verse: So we live in the face of death, but it has resulted in eternal life for you (2 Corinthians 4:12). Bonus Reading: Ezekiel 2:6-7a; 3:9

In 1961, at age 19, Bruce Olson bought a one-way ticket to Venezuela, shouldered a pack, and headed into the dense jungle. He had no backing, no missionary training, and minimal training in practical medicine and linguistics. His objective: to reach the Motilone Indians and tell them that Jesus Christ died for them. The Motilones had killed more than 500 oil-field workers—68 in the previous eight years.

Arriving in Motilone country, Bruce was promptly felled with an arrow in his leg. Indians slowly circled him, punctured his skin with their spears, carried him to their village, and kept him a prisoner. Three days later he was hit with amoebic dysentery. Under cover of a moonless night, Bruce escaped and made his way to civilization and medical help.

Olson returned and was again captured and imprisoned. As the Indians were again deciding his fate, he came down with hepatitis. This time a helicopter saw his distress signal and rescued him. The Indians concluded that God sent a great bird to keep them from killing him. When Olson returned for the third time, the Indians shook their heads in disbelief. Slowly they accepted him, and in time he was able to tell them about the love of God for them that he had demonstrated.

—Harold Sala in Heroes

My Response: What should I be prepared to risk to impact others for Christ?

Thought to Apply: Courage is getting away from death by continually coming within an inch of it.—G.K. Chesterton (British journalist & author)

Adapted from Heroes (Promise, 1998) by permission.

Prayer for the Week

Help me, Lord, to so focus on Your promises that I'm no longer tempted to give up.

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