By Josimar Salum*
Today I woke up singing a song I heard
throughout my childhood. While singing with my thoughts it occurred to me that
this year is nearing its end. I awoke as if I had woken up on the day the
angels appeared in the skies of Israel proclaiming: “For today in the city of
David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” And my
heart was filled with gratitude and peace from knowing throughout these years God has
taken care of me and my family.
I see my Jewish friends participating in
the lighting of the candles for eight days long in their December festival. For
us the year is ending, for them it just began a few moons ago. Did you know
that there are millions of Christians who prefer to celebrate “Hanukah” instead
of Christmas? Yes, it is a time for celebrations, lights, it’s time for
Christmas, family, typical culinary recipes, the exchanging of gifts, special
music and at this time of year there is a countdown from days, to hours, and
finally minutes and seconds to finish this year and begin the “new one”.
However, I cannot fail to acknowledge
that during this year I have presenced suffering and pain all round me and far
away. There were many days of laughing and joy, but many of trials and storms. I
began this year crying, in January, when I received a message through
“whatsapp” from Alexandre and Giovana Canhoni (1) soon after they had fled from
their base with their children, workers, and many others from the capital of
Niger to escape with their lives from Muslim terrorists instigated by “Boko
Haram” who destroyed everything they had due to the simple fact of them being
followers of Jesus.
I cried in April for the Nepalese when
the earthquake destroyed their country and at the same time I rejoiced upon knowing
that my missionary friends Silvio & Rosmari Silva (2) were there to save
many lives with others who journeyed to Nepal with the missionary Mario Freitas
from MORE (3) who helped mobilize many Brazilians to contribute to the easing
of the unimaginable pain suffered by those who lost loved ones along with
everything they had.
I cried in August while walking down the
streets of Antananarivo, capital of Madagascar (4) upon seeing literally
thousands and thousands of children wandering the streets as if they had lost
their parents even though many were accompanied by their mothers and fathers. I
cried upon recognizing my incapacity to do anything to help these beautiful
people of God and I was reminded that even though I couldn’t solve all the
problems, I could contribute with the teaching of the Lord that is free to all,
rich and poor, and I calmed my heart upon reminding myself that suffering
children are safe in the arms of Jesus.
I cried also with the sons and daughters
of Burundi, a country in central Africa, (5) who witnessed their friends being
murdered by those who should have been protecting them. I saw photographs I never
should had seen, but I couldn’t ignore them, images of violence against special
human beings, and while trying to comfort them, I was comforted by hearing of God’s provision and the hope
they have in the fact that their Redeemer lives.
I cried for the refugees in Syria and
Iraq, I became outraged and angry when I saw brothers in Christ having their
throats slit in those countries and in Libya by soulless men, the Islamic State
terrorists (ISIS) and I was dumbfounded when I heard one of the mothers of
these victims say what she would do to the man that killed her son: “I would
take him into my home and prepare him a meal”, because she had forgiven him, and
praised God for him having advanced her son’s meeting with Jesus.
Do you understand now why my heart was
filled with gratitude upon waking this morning? God takes care of us in
different ways and manners. Be it in the midst of terrible suffering, be it in
any situation, God provides, even our lives are like vapor. Sickness,
terror, and death can all destroy our bodies, but they cannot destroy our essence,
because he who does the will of God lasts forever.
Jesus said: “And this is the will of him
who sent me; that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them
up at the last day. For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son
and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the
last day." (John 6: 39-40)
(*)
Josimar Salum is a writer, Director of MORE International in the United States and
President of Youseph & Daniel, Inc (6), a business for Income Tax, Accounting,
New Corporations and Business Consultancy.
Translation from Portuguese version by Filipe Simas
(1) Alexandre & Giovana Canhoni – Niger
(4) Madagascar National Transformation
(5) Africa Great Lakes Cause – SOS Burundi
Translation from Portuguese version by Filipe Simas
(1) Alexandre & Giovana Canhoni – Niger
(2) The
Apple of God’s Eyes – Nepal
(4) Madagascar National Transformation
(5) Africa Great Lakes Cause – SOS Burundi
(6) Youseph and
Daniel, Inc
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