No one would ever imagine that the Apostle Paul might be short on anointing. The results of his missionary journeys were astounding, sending world history off in a new direction. Yet we note that he worked in adverse circumstances and suffered difficult conditions. Paul nonetheless considered himself as God’s co-worker, even when he was thrown out of the synagogue, derided in Athens, beaten in Philippi and stoned five times. God was at work in power! I have often wondered how Peter was able to walk on the water, while Paul – as we read in the Bible – was shipwrecked three times.
This book by Winfried and Gabriele Wentland takes us behind the scenes of our Gospel Campaigns in Africa. Things were – and are – often touch and go. The Wentlands’ commitment is exemplary. I will never forget how, in 1991, our team escaped violent death in the fiery furnace of Kano by the skin of our teeth and had to be evacuated by the Nigerian army. Winfried and Gaby told me they wanted to go back into the town and drive the truck with the equipment back to Lagos. Horrified at the thought, I objected strongly, “No way! You’ll be killed. I won’t allow it. I’d rather lose ten trucks than lose you!” At the time Gaby was pregnant and their other children were with them. We prayed together and they went … and the angel of the Lord protected them! That was not bravura, but a deep trust in God. I can only speak highly of Winfried and Gaby and appreciate and love them very much.
The same goes for my other CfaN co-workers. They are all on the very front line, totally exposed to the attacks of the devil. But we have the highly effective shield of faith, and press on forward. The gospel’s best defence is to expose it to its enemies, because this is the only way to turn God’s enemies into His friends. Paul’s attitude was no different and nor is ours.
This book has been a deep personal blessing to me. I recommend it warmly.
No one would ever imagine that the Apostle Paul might be short on anointing. The results of his missionary journeys were astounding, sending world history off in a new direction. Yet we note that he worked in adverse circumstances and suffered difficult conditions. Paul nonetheless considered himself as God’s co-worker, even when he was thrown out of the synagogue, derided in Athens, beaten in Philippi and stoned five times. God was at work in power! I have often wondered how Peter was able to walk on the water, while Paul – as we read in the Bible – was shipwrecked three times.
This book by Winfried and Gabriele Wentland takes us behind the scenes of our Gospel Campaigns in Africa. Things were – and are – often touch and go. The Wentlands’ commitment is exemplary. I will never forget how, in 1991, our team escaped violent death in the fiery furnace of Kano by the skin of our teeth and had to be evacuated by the Nigerian army. Winfried and Gaby told me they wanted to go back into the town and drive the truck with the equipment back to Lagos. Horrified at the thought, I objected strongly, “No way! You’ll be killed. I won’t allow it. I’d rather lose ten trucks than lose you!” At the time Gaby was pregnant and their other children were with them. We prayed together and they went … and the angel of the Lord protected them! That was not bravura, but a deep trust in God. I can only speak highly of Winfried and Gaby and appreciate and love them very much.
The same goes for my other CfaN co-workers. They are all on the very front line, totally exposed to the attacks of the devil. But we have the highly effective shield of faith, and press on forward. The gospel’s best defence is to expose it to its enemies, because this is the only way to turn God’s enemies into His friends. Paul’s attitude was no different and nor is ours.
This book has been a deep personal blessing to me. I recommend it warmly.