Count the Cost

Some of you may have heard the news of an American missionary killed in Cameroon this week. If not, you can read about this tragedy here. Cameroon has been in the midst of a violent crisis between anglophone separatists and the government; a crisis that is creeping closer and closer to civil war. Charles Wesco was just one of many casualties of that crisis.

The Wescos were new to Cameroon, having arrived here only two weeks ago, and we did not know them, but Charles death hits hard. Anyone who serves God in foreign missions first counts the cost of a life abandoned to Christ. John Stam, who was martyred in China wrote "The faithfulness of God is the only certain thing in the world today. We need not fear the result of trusting Him." How true those words are!! We can have faith in Him, because He is faithful. Jesus does not guarantee our physical safety, no matter where we are, but we do know that He loves us, that He has a plan, and that He is sovereign. In the words of Job, "the LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD." (Job 1:21b) Let those words sink in. We are in the hands of a good and mighty God. Let us trust Him. Let us bless Him.

Just 24 hours after Charles was shot, a close friend of mine and fellow missionary heard of the death of two dear friends in Canada, struck down by a drunk driver. Their death was no less tragic, and it happened in a relatively safe land. Yet, in spite of relative safety, they still lost their lives. Some may ask why we have chosen to live in Africa, a relatively unsafe land, to risk our lives in Christian service. The answer is quite simple. My life on this broken world is short. Why shouldn't I abandon all for the cause of Christ? Physical safety is irrelevant when we consider the eternity that awaits us. Let us count the cost. For Jesus words on this subject read Luke 14:25-33.

Charles Wesco leaves behind a wife and 8 children. Please be in prayer for the Wesco family as they grieve their loss and navigate the very difficult process of dealing with consular matters and traveling back to the US.

As you are praying for the Wescos, please pray fervently for the nation of Cameroon. The crisis taking place in the anglophone regions of this country has already taken a great toll. Hundreds have been killed, thousands displaced, ministries have come to a halt, businesses and livelihoods have been affected, children have been forced to abandon their schooling, and people are living in fear. World Team does not currently have any missionaries in the affected regions, and we, ourselves are two days travel from the violence, but we do have some missionary colleagues who are still serving in the area. Among them are some friends who run a children's home which is on the same stretch of road where Charles Wesco was killed this week. They are currently searching for a rental in town where the children and staff of the children's home can stay safely.  Please pray for all who are affected by this crisis.