Page 3 - NMI handbook 2020-2021

Letter to the NMI presidents,

She was desperate. Her granddaughter lived in a horrible environment at home.
Terrorized at night by bad dreams she would often display rebellious behavior

during the day. I had been invited to speak that morning but before preaching, my
interpreter and I listened to their story. Would I pray? Could I do something that
would bring peace to her granddaughter and to her home?

As she spoke, I remembered a box of small, orange breath mints I had in my pocket.
I thought, “This will be a nice treat, perhaps the girl would like a couple.” When I
shook a few into my hand the grandmother’s eyes widened, she grabbed a
handkerchief out of her purse and opened it to receive the mints. She then spoke
excitedly to our interpreter who repeated her question to me. “She wants to know if
these will help her granddaughter.” My heart sunk. I hadn’t been listening. This poor
woman’s heart was breaking for her little girl. How desperately she wanted to save
this child from the hell she was living in. She didn’t care what form the help came in
as long as it worked.

Two thousand years ago the world was so much like it is today. Desperate people
looking for salvation in many forms. Religious rituals. Medical procedures.
Government programs. Self-appointed prophets promising a future of health,
happiness and prosperity – for a price.

Yet salvation comes in an unexpected form; a baby born in a stable of an
insignificant village to insignificant parents who are chosen for a most significant
event. “Behold I bring unto you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people,
for unto you is born this day a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2

He’s the real thing. He’s the only thing. Why promote “some new thing?” “When (the
shepherds) had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them
about this child, and all who heard it were amazed.” Luke 2

Before praying I told her the mints were only candy and I was only a man but Jesus
had the power to deliver her granddaughter and bring her peace. “Silver and gold
have I none; but such as I have give I thee…” Acts 3

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