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Adapted
from a true story in The Voice of the Martyrs *www.persecution.com |
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A
little girl stood outside the doorway of the church longing for the love and joy
displayed by those inside. The American missionary had asked her to come in,
but she had politely declined. It wasn’t because she didn’t want to accept
the kind offer. Quite the opposite; her heart was beckoning her to join in
their singing and worship. They seemed so happy, and the fellowship was so
spontaneous and natural. |
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But
this was a hostile area in the |
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Inside,
the missionary was praying fervently for her soul. She wanted to teach the
little Filipino girl about Jesus and how He shed His blood on a cross so that
her sins could be washed away. At the
same time, the girl knew something was happening because each week she found
it harder and harder to say no to the missionary. |
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Finally
one Sunday morning, she accepted. She accepted not only the invitation to
attend the Sunday school class, but also opened her heart to Jesus and became
a child of God. |
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Full
of joy, the missionary gave her a beautiful white dress. It symbolized the
amazing fact that Jesus had washed all her sins away. Full of joy, she went
home with her two special gifts -- the wonderful Spirit of Jesus in her heart
and the pretty dress to remind her that God had made her pure and holy
inside. |
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A
day or so later, the missionary rushed to the next service. She could hardly
wait to see the new little Christian again. But the girl was nowhere to be
found. No one had seen her or heard anything about her. Concerned, the
missionary traveled to her home village. Near her home, she found the young
believer lying in the dirt. Her white dress was torn, filthy, and soaked in
blood. The girl’s father hadn’t shared the missionary’s joy in his daughter’s
newfound faith. In a drunken rage he had beaten her, repeatedly kicked her,
and left her to die. |
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The
missionary gently lifted the fragile girl and carried her back to the church
where a doctor rushed in to help her. But there was nothing he could do. He
removed the ragged dress and cleaned her up, but her injuries were too
severe. The young Filipino girl would soon die. The missionary and other
friends stayed with her, trying to comfort her during her final hour. |
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God
brought her back to consciousness for a short while, and the girl was able to
make an unusual request. Despite the pain of her father's anger and the
horrible beating, she wanted to hold the white dress the missionary had given her. The
woman explained that it was torn and soaked with blood and dirt, but dying
girl insisted on having it in her hands. With the simple faith of a
ten-year-old she whispered, “I just want Jesus to know that I was willing to
bleed for Him.” |
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God's
Word: |
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"The
Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and
if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed
we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. |
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"For
I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be
compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." Romans 8:16-18 |
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“Blessed
are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake. . . Rejoice and be
exceedingly glad...” Matthew 5:10,12 |
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The
true story about this little martyr who risked her life to follow Jesus was
reported in the Voice of the Martyrs' "special publication for the
International Day of Prayer for the |
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Please
pray for the brave Christian children in the |
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You
can contact The Voice of the Martyrs through their website: www.persecution.com |
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From:
http://www.crossroad.to/ |