"And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world,
as a testimony, and then the end will come." Matthew 24:14
Spouse and I found a new series on Netflix, Les Stroud's Beyond Survival. Anyone heard of it?
Now, some of y'all know we like a good survival show over here--mostly because Mark wants to get ideas on how to survive on an island fresh from a volcano!
Not happening. Pressing on...
Here's the gist, Les spends time with indigenous tribes of people all over the world to discover their secrets of survival.
Here's the link to the site:
http://lesstroud.ca/beyondsurvival/
We watched Episodes 2 and 4, which featured the Bajau people of Malaysia (South Philippine Islands) and the Hewa people of Papua New Guinea. Both of these areas are sort of on our spiritual radar---Mark wants to go back to the Philippines so bad he can taste the fish and rice, and we have been praying for several sweet ones in Papua New Guinea working in full time missions.
Two episodes in and Mark and I both were alarmed. Not because of the show, it's sort of what you would expect, they are just surviving, but more so because of the religious rituals in which they practice. Digging up bones four years after burying a person, sacrificing precious food to the 'spirits'...that sort of thing. I guess this is what the "Beyond" in "Beyond Survival" means.
This is where worldview matters. We weren't watching with our own eyes. We were seeing them as Jesus sees them: created in the Father's image, precious, loved, forgiven---bought with a price.
AND THEY DON'T EVEN KNOW!
How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in?
And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?
And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?
And how can anyone preach unless they are sent?
As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
Romans 10:14-15
Watch 'em. See if any of these areas of the world have been on your spiritual radar. I'd like to know what you think.
Lord, give me beautiful feet.
Melissa
My grandparents were missionaries in Papua New Guinea for 2 1/2 years in the late 70's when I was a kid. I actually just looked through my grandma's scrapbooks when I was visiting last fall and she was talking about what it was like there. It's hard to believe with the technology today that it can still be so primitive in some of these places. But yet, I know it to be true. It is definitely sobering to consider that they don't know the most important news ever. Good post! Angie Laatsch (in case you aren't sure who the heck "Ang" is! :))
ReplyDeleteOf course I know who you are! I am glad you are a 'reader'!! I bet those pictures and scrapbooks are something! Your kids might really enjoy this show, it is pretty neat.
DeleteLOVE the way the Lord works!! Thank you Mark and Melissa for being ready to go wherever he leads you! I doubt Les Stroud was intending to prepare folks for the mission field when he started this series but, aint God Awesome!! He will use whatever, whenever, however he chooses! Makes me think of the sweet relief those sacrificing precious food will feel when they know the Ultimate sacrifice has been made! "Just bow your head and talk to Jesus"-Mara Green- Love you Hale family praying for you daily!
ReplyDeleteRight!? I bet ole Les never thought about it! It almost seems like he was glorifying their rites in some way...but what Satan means for evil, God means for good.
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