--SUFFERING for WELL-DOING ~~

--"For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.'
---[1 Peter 3:17] --

--ON September 14, 1981 missionary John Troyer was martyred in the remote mountains of Guatemala. At midnight, the household was rudely awakened and ordered outside by ten armed men. They ransacked the house and doused a nearby vehicle with gasoline.

John was held at gunpoint and accused of deceiving and oppressing the Gutemalan natives. It was not true Years before, several villagers had begged for help from the Mennonites. The local people were trapped in a cycle of poverty, superstition, malnutrition, drunkenness, and illiteracy. So missionaries had come to the little village of Palama and given solid Bible teaching, established a local church, and helped with education, agriculture, and health care. The villagers loved Pastor John because he loved them.

The vehicle parked a few feet from the house, was set afire. Amazingly, it did not explode, nor was the house destroyed. Finally John and his assistant, Gary Miller, were ordered aside, where they were shot and left for dead. Although bloody and weak, Gary survived.

Many Christians have experienced suffering and even death for their faith. Christ Himself is our supreme example of suffering wrongfully without retaliation. "Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judges righteously". (1 Peter 2:21-23)

--BSW/DM