Mel's Encouragement for Missions

May. 2001

Dearest Julie

Although we have not had many opportunities to be together. 1 have followed your growing up years mostly by way of information from grandpa and grandma Wyma), with great interest. The brief times in your home I was greatly impressed with your warm and happy disposition. The most precious quality was your evident love for the Lord and your desire to live a life pleasing to Him

It was near the age that you are now that I made a major decision that gave purpose and direction for me through the rest of my life. I believe it saved me spending years of preparation for an uncertain purpose, and guarded me from becoming captivated by pursuits that could have easily captured my heart..

My great love was sports, and my opportunity to play on a high school football team in Chicago created the strongest pull toward fame and fortune. We had won the Chicago Championship three years in a row and scholarships to college promised a good start.

My pastor gave a me a copy of the life of Hudson Taylor, that great missionary who was the founder of the China Inland Mission. Reading this gave me an awareness of millions around the world who were dying and going to a Christless grave without hope. There was just no way I could escape the conviction that , If Christ Jesus loved me so much that He died on the cross for me, then there was no way I could live for anything less than, to tell the untold that He also loves and died for them. It seemed that most were willing to help others go, but so very few willing to go themselves and tell this wonderful story. I could find nothing that was more clearly taught in God's Word.

Some believe the lies of Satan that to give and surrender your life to Christ is a fearful thing and that your life will be without excitement and you will have to go places you don't want to go and live a lonely life. Let me tell you what the Word already says, "The devil is a liar and father of lies." So don't you believe him. I have lived these past fifty eight years of my life with more adventure and excitement, and with the fullest joy doing the will of God than I can tell. It sure stands to reason that the God that created us knows far better how to meet the deepest desires of the heart more than anyone else. The Lord gave the invitation, when He said, " If any one will come after me let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me." This brings death to self design to delight in the will of the Savior..

In 1947 after flying a small plane to Bolivia I had many hours both flying, hiking while looking for the Ayore. These were a nomadic jungle tribe, moving most every day of their lives.. They traveled surviving on what they could hunt and gather in the woods. After making contact and eventually getting their confidence, we were able to travel and live with them. They were very primitive, stone aged people. At one point I was traveling by myself to carry supplies back on the trail to help the sick with food and water. and wood for fire, which would give, protection from wild animals, They were too sick to walk and would have been buried alive rather than just abandoned. I was at the point of leaving an old old woman, alone, and planned to return to her the following day. I thought if she was still alive she would most likely be all right until the morning. It was late in the day and if I continued on I would never catch up with the others until late the following day.

I had quite a war going on inside of me, and finally thought I had won, I started back to catch up with the others rather than be without food myself and have to spend the night alone out there. I had just gone about one hundred yards, when I remembered having told the woman that I would return every day. It almost seemed audible, but it wasn't. but deep inside me the word came, "Mel, you told the woman you'd return every day".

I stopped and while leaning against a tree. I eventually took out the little testament I had in my pocket, and more out of frustration than asking, I said, "God, what do you want me to do?" My testament fell open to Philippians where I had placed a leaf that morning. We had read around the fire very early that day. I found my eyes glancing over verses that were familiar, but almost unnoticed to me until I read in Chapter 2; 20,21 where Paul said of Timothy,

"I have no man like-minded who will naturally care for your state, for all seek their own, and not the things that are Jesus Christ's."

I believe that I began understanding as never before that this is the reason so many tribes and millions are dying without Christ. That dark night in the jungle I looked at this dying woman and prayed while weeping that the Lord would give to me what I needed so very much. That was a heart that would naturally care for others and also to love these very dirty people we wouldn't normally care for. The natural bent of us all, is to seek our own pleasure and plans, rather than know a heart that will naturally care that they die and go to hell, rather than live to love them in Christ's stead. I spent the night with this little old tribal lady and praying , Lord, teach me to love people. She died that night, and I buried her in the morning. How glad I was to have gone to her that day and have thanked the Lord, many times, that I have not had to live with the guilt of unfaithfulness. I have failed many times and know the shame of having chosen for my personal benefit. But then, what of those we are not going to reach with the word of life.? Who will feel the guilt of not having gone to them?

It seems incredible that God has given to us the Gospel of reconciliation, and made us the vehicle to carry the message and expression of His love to the entire world. The Apostle Paul said, " The Love of Christ constrains me." This is our motivation.

With graduation comes another era in your life. Moving on to adulthood with the loving admonition and example of your parents. The decisions you make will be your own. Even God will not violate your liberty and freedom to choose. The lord just invites us to follow. As your great uncle I deeply covet your strength and affection, and loving heart to be spent to the Praise and Glory of the Savior, as I know you also desire.

Your loving Uncle

Mel Wyma

Copy of a letter I just sent to my great niece in answer to their request that I give her a bit of background and encourage her in the meaning of missions.  May it be a Blessing to you!