Page 2 of 2American Christians trained in Enlightenment reductionism can learn about spiritual warfare firsthand on mission trips to South America. We can learn about suffering from the church in China, about passionate evangelism from Africa, and about intercessory prayer from Korea. Just as nothing threatens my faith like a visit to the agnostic portions of Europe, nothing invigorates my faith more than a visit to churches in non-Western countries.
Perhaps we have not heard the last from the church in Europe either. I met with Paul Nouwen, Henri's younger brother. Paul told of sitting at Henri's funeral, after his unexpected death at 64 in 1996, and hearing people from many countries speak of Henri's influence.
"I realized that, compared to Henri, I have nothing," he said. "And as I sat there listening, the difference became clear—Henri had God. That made all the difference." In a humble spirit, Paul Nouwen proceeded to tell of the changes he was making to better prepare for his own death and to restore a relationship with the God whom his brother knew so well. As his brother testified, Henri, who had lived as a missionary in North and South America, ended up as a missionary back in his heartsick homeland.
Adapted from "God's Funeral," by Philip Yancey, Christianity Today, September 2002. Click here to read the original article and for reprint information.
