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A SELECTED "NORTHERN LIGHTS"
MAGAZINE ARTICLE
(from Issue #481)
Seeds 'n Deeds
by John & Gretha Langendoen
MANY YEARS AGO, while living on our farm in southern Ontario, we had a
black walnut tree in front of the house. It sat rather close to the house
and when it eventually split through the middle, it had to be cut down for
safety reasons.
For the next 15 years there was nothing left of the tree except its
stump, which was slowly rotting away. Then one day we noticed that young
walnut trees were starting to grow some distance away from the old stump.
What had happened? Apparently, while the old tree was standing,
squirrels had carried away nuts -- no doubt to have a good meal
somewhere. But occasionally they would drop a nut. The nuts had lain on
the ground, covered by leaves and other debris, until time and
circumstances were just right for them to start growing.
New life had begun after 15 or 20 years had gone by! And so it is with
our mission work. Sometimes we get discouraged because there is little
evidence that anything is happening in the lives of the people we work
with.
But we do not give up hope. God is faithful and He is the one who gives
the increase, even when we have to wait many years, like the walnut tree.
AS REPRESENTATIVES for NCEM the past few years, we have travelled and
visited a number of locations. But as we have visited various churches and
shared what God is doing on Native fields across Canada, we have observed
that many people have no idea of the great spiritual need there is among
our country's First Peoples.
Often we have heard people say that they had not previously realized
the great need, and didn't know anything about the work that is being
done.
We have also spent time on the mission "field" and while there we
have met a lot of Native people. One of them was Kevin, who especially
encouraged us with his testimony.
He told us that when he was about five years-old, the young daughter of
a missionary gave a Bible story book to his mother.
Kevin's mother began reading it to her children every evening. Kevin
admits that he did not become a Christian right way -- and even got
involved in drugs and alcohol during his teenage years. But that Bible
story book laid the foundation for him in becoming a Christian later in
life.
All because a young girl was willing to share the Gospel by giving away
a Bible story book. A small deed becomes big when God is in it!
ABOUT 25 YEARS AGO an NCEM missionary travelled through our home area
and spoke in the local church one weekend. He shared many things with our
family which had great impact and left a lasting impression.
Perhaps this missionary no longer even remembers our visit, but the
seeds were sown and are now bearing fruit some 25 years later.
Our youngest son was about five years-old at the time, and that very
weekend he declared that he was going to be a missionary to the Indians!
The Lord saw fit to grant his desire and now 25 years later he and his
wife are in ministry among Native people.
Brian and Sandy have been working most often with young people and
every time we hear of Native children and teenagers giving their lives to
the Lord through their ministry, we praise God.
All this because, 25 years ago, a missionary was willing to share what
God was doing among the Native people of Canada. The seed that was planted
25 years ago is now bearing fruit!
 John & Gretha Langendoen are associate members
who have assisted as NCEM representatives and with field ministry in
several Native communities. Most recently they have been serving at Timber
Bay Bible Centre and Big River Bible Camp.
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