This past weekend I had the privilege of volunteering for the Kids of Courage (KOC) conference which ran concurrent with The Voice of the Martyrs conference on the Oklahoma Wesleyan University Campus here in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. It was such a great experience because I got to see the children’s excitement when they were being taught lessons about persecution and stories of courageous children from around the world.
The KOC schedule included some of the speakers from the adult conference who also came to share their experiences and testimonies with the children. I was especially impacted by two women who are living a life of faith and courage, Gracia Burnham, a missionary to the Philippines, and Maria, from Colombia. Even though their experiences are different, these women have endured so much and yet remain passionate about their faith and ministry.
Gracia Burnham told the children about her experience when she and her husband were kidnapped in the Philippines by the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf, and spent a year of terror in the jungle. Her descriptions of what they went through, and the constant communication they had with the Lord during that time, captivated the kids. What was incredible for me was how, despite what she has gone through, she has maintained her joy and focus on the Lord. When you hear her marvelous testimony you cannot help but focus on God’s love and faithfulness. She leaves you realizing that really, in the big scope of things, what matters is our vertical relationship with Christ and the love we should have for mankind and how we should ensure they, too, develop a relationship with Him.
Maria, on the other hand, shared her experiences about taking the gospel into areas heavily under the control of many different Colombian terrorist organizations. She detailed the many opportunities God gave her to share Christ with members of the group, Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). It was interesting to discover that even though Maria’s husband is a pastor, she has had more opportunities to share the gospel with FARC guerillas. FARC is not as suspicious of a woman and they do not expect a woman to be doing what Maria does, spreading the gospel. As a result, Maria has gone where very few people have gone; giving literature and Bibles to FARC guerillas and they are coming to know Jesus.
Even though these women have diverse ministries, I am excited they are having such a great impact. I am also thankful they were able to share their experiences with the children at the KOC conference, because I believe their lives will be impacted for eternity. Pray for protection for Gracia and Maria as they continue to follow God’s call. What a great example of mighty women of faith and courage!
