April 27

God's Grace

Three days from Hell

“And He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there shall no longer be
any death; there shall no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first
things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4 (NASB)

The emaciated, young African man leaned against the hut on the cool
winter day. I walked down the path nearby with volunteers and a national
pastor. We were visiting people who’d seen the JESUS film and
had responded to the gospel. A relative of the emaciated man interrupted
our progress and asked us to pray for him. Hesitantly, I acquiesced
to his request.

As we approached the hut, I realized immediately that this man was
in the last stages of AIDS. Stanley looked older than his 36 years. His
wife had died the year before. His lone son sat nearby. Stanley’s eyes
were filled with despair. As I placed my hand on his shoulder, I remember
the thought that invaded my prayer—he was a skeleton. I sensed
a need to pray not for his physical state, but for his spiritual condition.
We shared some tracts and left Stanley to rest.

During the night, I awoke three times with Stanley on my mind. I
prayed and knew that we must see him again. Stanley was in the same
place the next morning. We inquired as to whether he’d read the tracts,
and we shared the gospel. Stanley repented and turned to Christ!
Three days later, I learned of Stanley’s death. Amazed at God’s timing,
I realized that while family mourned his passing, Stanley rejoiced!
The crying, the pain, the mourning and the tears punctuate the
urgency surrounding those enduring the AIDS pandemic. Jesus takes
hopeless desperation and exchanges it for hope in heaven.

—D. Ray, Central, Eastern and Southern Africa

Father, bring Christians to witness to those dying of AIDS so that they will
have hope for eternity in heaven. Have mercy on sub-Saharan Africa, where up
to 8,500 people per day are dying from this dreaded disease. Amen.



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