All was quiet in the little town of Chitina, far up in the cold interior of Alaska. In winter the sun only shone for two hours, between 10 and 12 o’clock, and the missionary had seen the thermometer drop to 87 below zero there. But there were heartwarming believers in the Lord Jesus Christ living in this town, and more were eager to hear the story of redeeming love.
Many of the people are Copper River Indians and they like to be called natives.
The missionary and Pinky, his giant Husky, made their way through the dark village to the home where two young missionary ladies lived. A bright light shone out, welcoming them across the snow, reminding him of the gospel light these two brave sisters were seeking to hold high in this lonely spot.
What a glad sight awaited him in the warm house! A large group of Indian boys and girls were there, studying their Bibles. They had come right from school, and most of the children evidently were eager to know more of the Saviour. They looked up with shy smiles of greeting as the missionary and Pinky came in.
Quite a few of the children were not yet saved, and the missionary noticed two of the older boys whispering and giggling, apparently not interested. He knew they were making fun of the Word of God and his heart went out to them. He prayed that the Spirit of God might do a mighty work of grace in their hearts, and in all the village as well.
That night they had a meeting in a little log building on the hilltop and the children were all there again, grownups as well, even though it was a bitterly cold night. Even the very elderly braved the cold, and walked long distances to hear the gospel.
What a good time they had singing! Then it seemed God was really working in the hearts of the listeners as the missionary spoke. When the meeting was over and nearly all had left, a ten-year-old boy, the son of a trapper, still waited.
“I want to be saved!” he suddenly burst out in agonizing earnestness.
The missionaries spoke to him, quoting him scriptures about the Lord’s death and His love for him. These words seemed to sink right into his very heart. When he realized that when the Lord Jesus died on the cross for him He finished the work of redemption necessary for his salvation and that all he needed now to do was to trust in Him, his face fairly glowed with joy.
The very next day this trapper’s son shared the glad news with his friends, and another boy the same age came to the missionaries’ home after school, saying he wanted to be saved too.
These two boys brought with them the two boys who laughed and made fun at the meeting two nights before. The missionary again spoke to them of their need of salvation, and told them of how the Lord Jesus was going to come for all who were saved and take them home to heaven.
The two boys who had made fun went home that night but they could not sleep. What if the Lord should come that night while they slept? They knew they were not ready, and it would mean they would be left behind for judgment. They were so miserable that they got out of bed and one boy peered out of the dark window.
“Look! Their lights are still on!” he cried. Through the dark night they could see the lights in the missionaries’ home still shining, so they quickly dressed and trudged over the snow.
When the missionaries answered the knock on their door, they were surprised to see the two boys with earnest looks on their faces standing on the doorstep. “Is something the matter?” they asked.
The boys were not laughing or making fun now. With tears in their eyes they said they wanted to be saved. Soon they were all rejoicing together with tears of joy, as they opened their hearts to the Lord, for the Lord Jesus has said, “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:3737All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (John 6:37).
Never again would those two boys make fun of those who believe—for now they too are telling other boys and girls of the Lord Jesus, the Saviour of sinners who died for all.
M.J.T.
ML-08/20/1978