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An Eyewitness
Account
by Janet Broling
While in Bolivia on a recent trip with Project Hannah, I was
confronted by numerous images depicting insatiable needs of
the people there. If these pictures were all I had seen, I would
have left distraught and discouraged.
· Families living on street corners;
· A beautiful, skinny little boy of 3 or 4, with a horribly
extended tummy telling of a body filled with parasites from
lack of health care;
· Tired and listless women who are treated as if they
have no value other than to produce children and provide constant
hard labor; and
· Men who boast they "do what they want to do"
and who leave the mothers of their children to fend for themselves
and their children in any way possible.
But I am thankful I was also an eyewitness to the wonder of
the glory of God's presence and comfort to His children in the
midst of tremendous personal anguish. I felt as if I should
take off my shoes because I was standing on Holy Ground in the
presence of the Lord among suffering brothers and sisters.
I was in Bolivia for the dedication of a new FM transmitter,
tower and antenna, beaming God's hope and truth. Hosting our
stay were missionaries who, though grieving the accidental death
of their 17-year-old only son, exemplified the love of God.
One life-changing program that's aired over this station in
the Spanish language is Women of Hope, which proclaims Jesus
and presents His Word. It also shares health information, family
counseling, wisdom, music to cheer the heart, truth to resist
the dominating ruler of darkness in one's life and introduction
to the presence and power of God Almighty through prayer.
A visit to the home of a family with 14 children, who live in
an isolated, regimented colony of approximately 6,000 people,
revealed the power and potential of that radio tower. The group
initially left Russia to escape religious persecution, but have
not found freedom. Radio is forbidden, but some risk detection
and listen in secret in their barns. They hear that salvation
comes through faith in Jesus as a gift, not from adherence to
seemingly intolerable rules. They learn Christ is a personal
God. This particular family publicly acknowledged their faith.
Consequently, they and their children were ostracized. The radio
is their lifeline; it brings hope and encouragement, and connects
them with a new family of faith.
In this improbable setting, I witnessed the Spirit of the Lord
transcend all barriers with the presence of Jesus' unspeakable
joy in the midst of tribulation. I shall never forget it.
Janet is a longtime friend and supporter of Project Hannah.
She and her husband, Fred, live in Crystal Lake, Illinois.
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