Tucked between high rising cliffs and precipitous mountains, there is a verdant valley that lies quietly forgotten in Southwest China. There are no known Christians there, and the communities that dwell in this bucolic landscape have never heard the Christian Gospel.
The words of Robert Moffat aptly describe this dire reality:
“In the vast plain to the north I have sometimes seen, in the morning sun, the smoke of a thousand villages where no missionary has ever been—villages whose people are without Christ, without God, and without hope in the world.”
But God in His sovereignty ever sees the ones that He loves. And because of His ardent passion for the people He created, He beckons His sons and daughters to join Him in reaching these lost ones. We have heard His call to bring good news to the poor, to comfort the brokenhearted, to give a crown of beauty for ashes and a joyous blessing instead of mourning.
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Last week, Within Reach Global missionaries drove a caravan of vehicles five hours over rugged roads and winding country trails to an unreached village. 20 orphan children from Father’s Heart children’s home joined them, giggly and excited to bestow the love of Jesus upon the kids who awaited them.
Within Reach Global and Love For The Poor have partnered together for years. Chinese college students from our English corner outreach regularly join our missionaries in teaching English to the marginalized kids of Father’s House.
These children have grown in their love for the Lord, and we thought it the perfect time for them to shine like little lights in the darkness.
And so Within Reach Global missionaries and Love For The Poor kids bumped over the pitted, bone-shaking roads until at long last they arrived at a sleepy unreached village.
We, of course, came bearing gifts. For what are the cultural keys to unlocking salvation among unreached people groups if not long balloons shaped into adorable animals and spectacular swords?
We also brought school supplies, backpacks, and new clothing—tokens of love for the precious children in the village.
These small gifts accompanied by a warm human touch express the love of a Heavenly Father.
And who were these that showed, through a gentle touch and a caring smile, such a glorious witness of the Gospel? They were orphans and underprivileged children, the “least of these” who have come to know the heart of their Heavenly Father.
Dressed in their traditional minority outfits, the children of Father’s House have been so transformed over the years that they have now become resplendent lights in dark parts.
Their little voices express the eternal compassion of the Divine; their eyes shine with radiant refulgence to declare the goodness of God.
The children were also joined by volunteer college students who attend our weekly English corner outreach.
Our team set up four play stations in the open courtyard of the village. Each play table filled with fun activities: bracelet making, balloon blowing, crayon coloring, and language learning.
The whole village came to witness the rare form of entertainment.
Reaching unreached people groups is not an easy task. It requires an intentional focus and strong commitment.
We desire to see every people, tongue, tribe, and language standing before the throne of God, and we know that this will not occur by happenstance.
That’s why we go. That’s why we leave our Jerusalem, depart from our Judea, and abandon our Samaria for the ends of the earth.
For “this Gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24:14)
Will you take a moment to pray about how God might use you to shine the light of the Gospel to the ends of the earth? People are waiting at the other end of our obedience.
Every Christian is called to take part in the Great Commission—to go, send, or disobey. We pray that you respond to the heart of God in a worthy manner.
Are you interested in more stories about the unreached and God’s mission heart? Buy The Space Between Memories: Recollections from a 21st Century Missionary by David Joannes.
