A recent memorial donation received at our office included this inspiring story:
In their letter, Ralph* & Shirley* told of Ralph’s brother Frank’s* passing in August. They described how over the years Ralph had often tried to witness to his older brother in their visits. But Frank never wanted to listen to what he had to say. (Ralph even remembers Frank giving him the “time out” signal at the dinner table.)
Like his brother, Ralph hadn’t attended church as an adult. It was at age 56 that he made a decision for Christ. Their visits were often very stressful, say Ralph & Shirley, because Frank had a quick temper and zero patience for most everybody and everything not in agreement with him. Fortunately, Frank’s wife, Betty*, was like a saint compared to him as they raised two sons.
Frank had retired from the police force, and he and Betty began traveling around the USA. In 2013 they attended an agricultural winter fair in Canada. Walking into the entrance area, Frank saw an Indigenous man displaying hand carved walking sticks. With a lot of walking required to cover the massive exhibit halls, Frank thought it would be a good idea to buy one. When he asked, “How much?” the cane carver replied, “No charge, if you will listen to my story.” Frank & Betty agreed.
“Only by the power of the Holy Spirit can what happened next be explained,” say Ralph & Shirley. “This precious Inuit man who cared about others’ salvation, and who carved walking sticks as a witnessing tool, was put there that day by God, and something supernatural happened. Both Frank & Betty repented, and their lives were changed that day!”
Ralph remembers the day his phone rang, as he reluctantly took a call from his brother. This time Frank sounded different, not rude or impatient as usual. He told Ralph about the Inuit man with the walking sticks, and about their new salvation! It was all hard for Ralph to take in, but then great joy! Frank told him, “It’s like a great weight has been lifted off of me!”
Frank & Betty began attending a small local church, completely unaware of what was ahead of them – the painful and mysterious disappearance of a grandson. His body was eventually located, but his death never fully explained. It was a test of faith for these new believers. But their new Christian brothers and sisters helped sustain them like a safety net. Frank & Betty may have never survived this tragedy without Jesus and the support of their new church family, say Ralph & Shirley.
“When Frank’s diagnosis of cancer came a couple years ago, he and Betty were at peace, and trusted God through the ordeal,” say Ralph & Shirley. “Frank stayed a changed man and his salvation was real. We saw God ‘take a heart of stone and replace it with a heart of flesh’ (Ezekiel 36:26). Betty and their two adult sons were with him the day he passed to his home in heaven, all because an Inuit cane carver from somewhere around Hudson’s Bay, whose name we don’t know, cared enough to tell the story of his own salvation to two lost people who needed Christ!”
*Real names have not been used by request.
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The Best Way?
The best way to share the Gospel? Every way! Our missionaries know that gaining trust through relationships has been the most effective way to reach others for Christ, and to disciple. But as the “Cane Carver” story shows, God isn’t limited. He uses many ways!
One way is using resources from our Tribal Trails media department. We have DVDs, calendars, books and more to aid you in your witness for Christ. Besides offering one of these to a friend, you can look for places to leave quantities on display … waiting rooms, offices, and stores. We are happy to send you a supply at no charge.
Request our “Real People…” books (Vol. 1 & 2), the life stories of Tribal Trails TV guests. Also “Flames of Danger & Love” – a tract sized illustrated story from First Nations history with a salvation message.
Call us at 306-764-3388, or email <info@tribaltrails.org> and check out our online Bookstore: www.tribaltrailsbooks.com
Pray. Effective efforts to reach others begin with prayer. Ask God for creative ideas … and He will answer! His love for lost people is more than we can imagine.
