Dear Family and Friends,
December 5, 2006
I arrived at our Honduran Church Offices yesterday at 7:20 AM. I wanted to arrive early and get a couple of things done before people began arriving. The first Monday of each month is report day. As such the six district supervisors bring in their reports and usually there are several other pastors that come also. That always makes for a active day full of meetings.
I opened the gate and pulled my truck in. As I went to close the gate two young men came up to the gate and walked in - uninvited. One of them whipped out a pistol and told me to give him the keys to the truck and get in.
After having lived in Central America for more than 20 years. We have heard and read of many accounts of robberies and assaults. I had often wondered what my reaction would be? At that moment I didn't feel scared, angry or anything else -- except I had an understanding that I should do what they demanded. I thought of my family and felt peaceful.
The one that was sitting beside me in the small space behind the front seat kept demanding that I not look at him. They were quiet and I felt I should talk to them so I asked them if they understood that I was a missionary. To which they said nothing. So I decided that since I am a missionary that my next words should reflect what God has called me to do.
I told them that I was prepared to die and if I died, I would go to a much better place. They said nothing. I told them that they needed to be prepared also. That they didn't have to keep living a life unprepared. I went into some detail of how much God loved them and died for them. Still they said nothing. I somewhat expected them to hit me or at least to tell me to shut-up. But once again there was no response.
Finally after what seemed like an eternity I asked them what they planned to do with me. They said we will drop you off in just a minute don't worry. I had my briefcase with me in the truck. They had already taken my cell phone, palm pilot and watch, and it was obvious they would take the briefcase as well. I asked them if they would leave me my briefcase as it had a lot of paperwork that would do them no good. They said NO but, I could call them later on my cell phone and they would tell me where they would leave it. I said that wouldn't work and they were church papers and I needed them. Finally they went through the briefcase and took out my laptop and digital camera and gave it to me as they let me out of the truck.
I am thankful that they did me no bodily harm, that they allowed me to have my briefcase and that they didn't take my billfold with money and credit cards.
This does, however, raise some serious and pertinent questions. For example, how many missionaries are alive today because somebody prayed? For that matter, how many pastors, teachers and national workers are alive because someone prayed for them? How many in our local church have avoided catastrophes and tragedies because someone prayed? How many times have we been protected when we didn't even know we were in danger?
We don't know everything about how prayer works. But one thing we do know, God answers prayer. Another thing we do know is that he answers before we can even call on Him. He is not bound by time like we are.
Pray! Pray for your families, pastors, churches, leaders, and believers in your nation. Pray for missionaries, national leaders, pastors, and all the brothers and sisters in God's family whose names you do not yet know. Especially pray for those in our family (this family of God) who are in dangerous spots, persecuted, or in war zones. Pray every time your heart is touched. God ANSWERS prayer! And He isn't obligated to give us a news flash every time He answers. We only have to believe in Him.
Yes, some of us need to lengthen and/or be more faithful in our prayer times. But more than that we need to constantly live in an attitude of prayer. We should be ready to intercede, give thanks, ask for wisdom or simply have a friendly chat with God. People we meet, things we read, see, or hear should be constantly prompting us to talk with God.
I know you cannot be as profoundly touched by this experience as we are since you are a bit further removed from the situation. But I do hope that this serves as a poignant reminder to pray.
And for all of you who remembered to pray for Les on Monday, December 4, 2006, We are extremely grateful! THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR HEARTS!!!!
Les and Charlene Melton
Les ,Charlene Scott, Craig & Rosalie Melton
Missionaries to Honduras C.A.
Honduras Ph. 011-504-566-3710
Honduras e-mail: lcmelton@amnethn.com
USA e-mail: l_cmelton@juno.com
Last Updated on 11/18/07