Upside Down

The rebels came in and did the violent takeover which new outlets crowd like vultures. Heroes did heroic deeds, cowards turned tail, as always predictable. Now, months on, most prefer to not remember. But there are seeds of the Kingdom of God which were sown in the toppling of an epoch … and typical of God’s upside down Kingdom, the seeds are sprouting in some of the most unexpected corners of the world.

Uprooted and thrown, disheveled, undignified and unwanted one brother landed in a refugee camp. Braver than most, he had had his ID changed to show himself to be a Christian before the great storm hit. As such, he is now branded and shunned in the camp. Sadly, when a camp is in the general vicinity of the majority religion persecuting Christians, those placed in charge by the powers that be are always also of the same mindset. Christians suffer perhaps most in these camps, simply because they can’t leave and they will be intentionally overlooked when it comes to supplies or care.

Taking a deep breath and trusting the Lord, this brother waited. And the requests started coming. There are now ten who come quietly to his tent to learn from the Bible and are choosing to worship God with him. If he wasn’t branded, they would not have known how to find him.

Another brother, thrust into another camp in another country had long been teaching with the team, and so he is teaching now, and since his way of teaching is backed by his faith, interest is keen. His audience is adult and captive. They are in a camp after all. Yes, he may be teaching about cleanliness and order, but behind his words there is Life.

Another team leader ended up in a neighboring country where the persecution of Christians is as severe as the country which exploded. Interestingly, he is already fluent in the local language, by God’s provision, and already an Eklesia of 48 has gathered around him, eager for the Gospel.

Others are still inside. Inside the country everyone tried to leave when the trash hit the fan. poverty and hunger are increasing, violent ‘justice’ according to the rules of their religion haunts public places and people live in fear. But in such darkness there is a Hunger for Righteousness, and those who have had several years of practice walking in the Light have not hid under the bushel. Already, discipleship making is underway.

Is it difficult? By all means! Life is more tenuous, earthly hope evasive, and it is clear that no human can keep promises against such a backdrop. But as the cold, howling winter snarls across the plains and through the mountain passes, in tents and hovels, the Kingdom of God is growing.