THE PHILIPPINES – Max de los Reyes

Lem was a soldier, and his assignments often took him away from home. When he was home he spent much time and money drinking with his friends.

One day Lem’s buddies began teasing him about his wife’s interest in religion. What’s the matter, Lem? one man challenged.Couldn’t you keep your wife from joining that church? As the teasing grew more intense, Lem became agitated.

Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com

You’re wrong! he finally blustered. I’ll prove to you that I can control my wife! With those words Lem swaggered out of the bar and headed home.

That afternoon Fernando had been visiting homes of people interested in studying the Bible. He wasn’t far from Julie’s home when he decided to stop by to make sure Julie still planned on his coming the next day. As he neared her house, Fernando was startled by a loud blast that sounded like a gunshot. At first he was not concerned about it, but when another shot rang out, he looked around to see who was shooting.

Just then he saw Julie running toward him. Run! Get away! she shouted. Lem’s trying to kill you!

Fernando took cover behind a large tree. He knew that Lem was an expert marksman, and if the man wanted to hit Fernando, he could easily do so. Julie ran back toward the house where she found her husband angrily yanking at his gun, trying to remove a bullet that had lodged in the barrel. As Julie saw what he was doing, she grew bold. Lem, you know that God jammed your gun so you couldn’t hurt Fernando!

None of Lem’s efforts could unjam the gun. Surprised by this unexpected turn of events, Lem put the gun down and listened to Julie explain how God had worked to save His messenger from death. When he cooled down and sobered up, Lem admitted that his wife was right. Fernando had done nothing to harm him.

Lem no longer objects when his wife and children attend church services. He has accepted Fernando’s friendship and has agreed to Bible studies. He has told his drinking buddies that he is glad his family attends church, and they have stopped teasing him.

Those who witnessed the events of that day agree that God truly worked a miracle to save Fernando’s life. But no less of a miracle is the change in Lem’s heart.

Max de los Reyes was executive secretary of the Mountain Provinces Mission in the Philippines when this was written.
Produced by the General Conference Office of Adventist Mission.
Find more mission stories at www.adventistmission.org

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