School of Thankful Hearts

Aug. 8, 2007

Storytime this week

Today was the last day of storytime for the summer. The theme for camp this week was superheroes so I told some superhero missionary stories. First was about a guy named Alvin Frey who served with Gospel Light Mission in northern Canada. He fell through ice with a tractor in negative 35 degree weather and lived to tell about it. Then he was accidentally burned on his face, arms and torso so badly that skin was hanging in shreds from his face. He was flown to a hospital where doctors and nurses exchanged worried glances and whispered to each other while they treated him as best they could. That night he went through great bitterness over the whole incident but then he remembered: "in everything give thanks." He turned his heart away from bitterness and toward God with thankfulness. The next morning a miracle had happened; his face was healed. The rest of his body still required him to be in the hospital but he left in record time and with very little scarring on his face.

The second day I told them about the superhero missionary Hudson Taylor who even had his own superhero outfit. (He was one of the first missionaries to try dressing like the indigenous people.) Finally, today was about the superhero missionary team that was martyred by the Aucas: Jim Elliott, Nate Saint, Pete Fleming, Ed McCully, and Roger Youderian. They didn't seem to succeed because they were killed before they could witness to the Aucas but it was their very martyrdom that got the attention of the Aucas so that they were eager to listen when other missionaries came to tell them about God. Besides the Aucas, there have been thousands of Christians around the world who have stepped up to the challenge to serve God more fully because of the example of those five men. "He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." -Jim Elliott

If you have the chance to read a biography about missionaries, you should really do it. You're almost always guaranteed an exciting story not to mention encouragement to serve our Lord more faithfully. I enjoy the Heroes Then and Now series published by YWAM. Those books are written in an easy reading format and are readily available.

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Comments

Aug. 11, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by ApplesofGold

Thanks for the comment at my blog! I really enjoyed reading thru your blog this evening!! We love reading about missionaries. We've been reading daily from "Missionary Stories with the Millers" lately. They always want more. Holly

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Aug. 14, 2007 - Missionary Stories

Posted by mountainsong

Just throwing in my two cents about missionary stories. These stories, more than any other, impact the lives of my children. We started with Missionary Stories with the Millers and have read two or three bios each year since.

We, too have read the Nate Saint, Jim Elliot Story, and just last night I got a chance to watch the movie, End of the Spear. For the most part I was pleased at how they presented it. It really showed how missionaries must present the Gospel in a context their audience will understand.

Heidi

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Aug. 16, 2007 - Hi! What a small world

Posted by Danaover40

I just happened to find you by clicking on Random Blogger, and realized how much we have in common. I've lived in VA and am now in MD. We just returned from an Alaskan cruise, and made a stop in Juneau! While in Juneau we toured Mendenhall Glacier, and the gardens.

I was hoping to meet just ONE homeschooling family in Alaska while we were there, but no luck. But now, here on HSB I found you. Nice to meet you. Your Bible camp sounds wonderful.

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Sep. 14, 2007 - My grandpa

Posted by Tanya Frey

hi, I was so surprised to see that you popped up when I was searching for things to talk about at my grandpa's 80th birthday. Yes, he is the guy that fell through the lake and survived. And praise God he is still going strong, after much happening. Last year, he fell off a ladder and was internalling bleeding, we almost lost him, but by God's grace he is still here. God has continued to use him and he is still vibrant. Actually I was raised by my grandparents, who homeschooled me when I was in Grade 6-12 so then we could continue travelling and visiting churches, and help out in Mexico. I've been so blessed by him and what God does for those that call out to Him. Just wanted to say hi, and may the Lord bless you as you teach.

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About Me

I Thessalonians 5:18 - "In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus."