Put to shame

Last week we held a 5-day training course here for leaders in the Iraqi Church. The 14 men and women came from 3 different cities in Iraq. Two teachers came from the US to give 2 courses. The students were full of excitement and anticipation as they began the course. I noticed one man with his arm in a sling and seemingly in a lot of pain. I asked about his story and this is what I was told: This guy has been a believer in Jesus for 2 years and has suffered terribly for his faith. Two days prior to coming for the course, he was beaten and his arm crushed by an AK-47. The doctors were unable to do anything with his arm because it was so badly injured. He lived on strong pain killers. He ran away from the village and arranged to meet the pastor on the highway to come to the course. I also found out that his group of 6/7 believers meets in a van because it would be extremely dangerous for them if they were known to be worshiping Jesus. In the nice weather they meet up on the mountain. It was moving to watch this man during worship time as he sang and praised Jesus with his one good arm uplifted. He was told that if he returned to his village he would be killed! While at the conference he received a phone call from his older brother who's in the gov't and he promised to come and settle things and warn the villagers not to bother him. I thought over and over about the price some people pay to follow Jesus. My faith doesn't really cost me anything; this man's faith costs him everything. I'm sure when he wakes up in the morning he often wonders if this will be his last day on earth. I can't say I've had that thought very often!!