This article was originally published in the September 2017 edition of ITMI Monthly.
During WW2 Singapore City was about to face a siege by the Japanese. General Yamamoto delivered a note saying, “In the interests of chivalry we invite you to surrender.”
Lance Percival fell for it and surrendered despite outnumbering the Japanese 4 to 1.
Yamamoto said afterwards his attack on Singapore was a bluff and knew if it came down to street fighting he would be defeated which was why the surrender had to be immediate.
He bowed formally when Percival came out to surrender and breathed a huge sigh of relief. General Yamamoto pulled a big and risky bluff.
When we today stop and properly consider where we are in life, we have to come to grips that the enemy, the one that “…comes to steal, kill and destroy…” John 10:10, really is nothing more than the greatest bluffer of all time.
He has been defeated and he knows it. He is hoping that we will listen to his lies and believe his bluff.
Piotr Zaremba didn’t give into the enemy’s bluff when he was told that “…you’ll never get the Bible translated into Polish - there are over a million various copies of this new translation distributed as you read this.
ITMI's Piotr Zaremba holding a few copies of his translated Polish Bible.
Piotr also didn’t believe the normal human logic that, “…no way could you get a new school up and running before September’s (2017) start of classes,” when he heard this in March and April of this year; the school is running and Piotr and his team have many happy parents because their children are getting a true Biblical education.
David and Taru Raj Kumar in Bangalore, India didn’t believe the enemy’s bluff when they were told that Christians just can’t work in a Muslim slum area.
Today they are, for the most part, deeply valued by the Muslims that are being touched by God’s love and grace as it is showered on them by David and Taru.
David and Taru Kumar are deeply valued by the Muslims they serve.
Imagine a being a mother, making less than $.70 a day and needing to feed yourself and your children. Imagine if some smiling, gregarious Indian angel asks you if you want to learn a skill, and that skill will pay you about $1.50 per day!
I’m glad that David and Taru didn’t believe the bluff.
Lazarus Yesini, our newest partner in South Sudan, isn’t believing the bluff. He called me to see if I would approve him helping two hungry and starving widows with a gift of $50 apiece.
He also wanted to help two young boys, one of which has been expelled from school because his parents have not been able to pay his school fees for many months, the other was going to be expelled for the same reason.
I asked, “…how much will it take to help these boys?” “…One boy needs SSP $5000 and the other needs SSP $4000….” That is about $35.62 and $28.36.
Then Lazarus asked me, as if he was almost afraid to, “…our pastor has to be bi-occupational, he works for the government, they have not paid him in five almost six months and he is being kicked out of his house,” (believe me, there just are not any jobs in this corrupt and devastated country.)
Even though Lazarus was only asking for about $50 for this good man to pay part of two months’ rent, we felt led to help him with $150 so that he could get ahead in his rent and even be able to pay back those that he has had to impose upon to just live the last five months.
I’m really glad that Lazarus and the others live by the truth that God is able to meet needs and that sometimes He allows you and me to be a part of what He is doing.
If you want to be part of what He is doing even more, we will carefully and faithfully find those that God is wanting to help, and we will, with your partnership, see to meeting the current needs that allow God’s glory to be seen in the most forsaken parts.
Thank you for helping us help those that are on the ground in these needy areas. Blessings.
In His Service,
About the Authors
Summer Kelley is a writer and follower of Jesus living in Phoenix, Arizona with her husband and three kids. She’s had the honor and privilege of telling ITMI’s stories since 2006. Summer loves reading, the outdoors and Coca-Cola Classic.
Steve Evers has advocated for and served the ITMI partners as ITMI Director since 2001. Approximately once a year, Steve visits with ITMI partners in their countries and brings stories back to encourage supporters. Steve enjoys photography and mechanics, (both hobbies that have greatly benefited ITMI partners!) Prior to becoming ITMI's Director, Steve served on the Board of Directors for 4 years. Steve lives in Arizona with his wife, Darlene.